Dominari Holdings Inc. - Quarter Report: 2006 June (Form 10-Q)
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 June 30, 2006.
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 0-5576
SPHERIX INCORPORATED
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
|
52-0849320 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
|
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
12051 Indian Creek Court, Beltsville, Maryland 20705
(Address of principal executive offices)
301-419-3900
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.
See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer o Non-accelerated Filer x
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrants classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class |
|
Outstanding as of June 30, 2006 |
Common Stock, $0.005 par value |
|
13,773,444 shares |
Spherix Incorporated
Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2006
Index
2
Spherix Incorporated
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30, |
|
Six Months Ended June 30, |
|
||||||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenue |
|
$ |
7,582,290 |
|
$ |
7,064,008 |
|
$ |
13,504,454 |
|
$ |
12,498,769 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Operating expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Direct contract and operating costs |
|
5,684,198 |
|
5,581,694 |
|
10,602,185 |
|
10,665,056 |
|
||||
Selling, general and administrative expense |
|
1,485,296 |
|
1,184,884 |
|
2,917,808 |
|
2,520,466 |
|
||||
Research and development expense |
|
176,988 |
|
72,229 |
|
281,739 |
|
170,523 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total operating expense |
|
7,346,482 |
|
6,838,807 |
|
13,801,732 |
|
13,356,045 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Income (loss) from operations |
|
235,808 |
|
225,201 |
|
(297,278 |
) |
(857,276 |
) |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Interest income (expense), net |
|
22,793 |
|
2,835 |
|
22,850 |
|
11,880 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Income (loss) before taxes |
|
258,601 |
|
228,036 |
|
(274,428 |
) |
(845,396 |
) |
||||
Income tax expense |
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
238,601 |
|
$ |
228,036 |
|
$ |
(294,428 |
) |
$ |
(845,396 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net income (loss) per share, basic |
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
$ |
(0.02 |
) |
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
Net income (loss) per share, diluted |
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
$ |
(0.02 |
) |
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic |
|
13,724,642 |
|
11,953,398 |
|
13,353,574 |
|
11,953,127 |
|
||||
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted |
|
13,726,756 |
|
11,953,442 |
|
13,353,574 |
|
11,953,127 |
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
3
Spherix Incorporated
|
|
June 30, 2006 |
|
December 31, |
|
||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
6,145,295 |
|
$ |
2,667,733 |
|
Short-term investments, Restricted |
|
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
||
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $15,000 |
|
3,116,820 |
|
2,139,061 |
|
||
Other receivables |
|
56,416 |
|
271,287 |
|
||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
612,454 |
|
582,279 |
|
||
Total current assets |
|
9,930,985 |
|
7,660,360 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Property and equipment, net of accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
||
depreciation of $6,646,063 and $6,077,074 |
|
4,283,128 |
|
4,603,032 |
|
||
Patents and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $481,994 and $402,026 |
|
774,903 |
|
854,871 |
|
||
Total assets |
|
$ |
14,989,016 |
|
$ |
13,118,263 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Bank line of credit |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
1,449,318 |
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
2,140,399 |
|
1,950,584 |
|
||
Accrued salaries and benefits |
|
1,130,830 |
|
1,104,102 |
|
||
Capital lease obligations |
|
130,945 |
|
16,645 |
|
||
Income taxes payable |
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
||
Total current liabilities |
|
$ |
3,422,174 |
|
$ |
4,520,649 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Capital lease obligations |
|
150,159 |
|
10,810 |
|
||
Deferred compensation |
|
514,176 |
|
511,325 |
|
||
Deferred rent |
|
220,586 |
|
196,259 |
|
||
Total liabilities |
|
4,307,095 |
|
5,239,043 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Stockholders equity |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common stock, $.005 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 13,853,882 and 12,448,456 issued and 13,773,444 and 12,368,018 shares outstanding at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively |
|
69,269 |
|
62,242 |
|
||
Paid-in capital in excess of par value |
|
26,611,211 |
|
23,521,109 |
|
||
Treasury stock, 80,438 shares at cost, at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 |
|
(464,786 |
) |
(464,786 |
) |
||
Accumulated deficit |
|
(15,533,773 |
) |
(15,239,345 |
) |
||
Total stockholders' equity |
|
10,681,921 |
|
7,879,220 |
|
||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
|
$ |
14,989,016 |
|
$ |
13,118,263 |
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
4
Spherix Incorporated
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, |
|
||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss |
|
$ |
(294,428 |
) |
$ |
(845,396 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash |
|
|
|
|
|
||
provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
1,274,988 |
|
1,336,675 |
|
||
Loss on disposal of fixed assets |
|
6,393 |
|
1,498 |
|
||
Stock-based compensation |
|
20,749 |
|
15,525 |
|
||
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Trade accounts receivable |
|
(977,759 |
) |
(1,316,534 |
) |
||
Other receivables |
|
214,871 |
|
35,499 |
|
||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
(30,175 |
) |
251,925 |
|
||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
891,389 |
|
718,420 |
|
||
Income taxes payable |
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
||
Deferred rent |
|
24,327 |
|
(4,601 |
) |
||
Deferred compensation |
|
2,851 |
|
|
|
||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
1,153,206 |
|
193,011 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash flow from investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
(788,199 |
) |
(622,746 |
) |
||
Restricted investments |
|
|
|
700,000 |
|
||
Proceeds from maturity of certificate of deposit |
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
|
||
Net cash provided by investing activities |
|
1,211,801 |
|
77,254 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net change on bank line of credit |
|
(1,449,318 |
) |
(160,504 |
) |
||
Net change in book overdraft |
|
(484,329 |
) |
317,971 |
|
||
Payments on capital lease obligations |
|
(30,178 |
) |
(9,504 |
) |
||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock |
|
3,091,584 |
|
7,933 |
|
||
Cost of issuance of common stock |
|
(15,204 |
) |
|
|
||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
1,112,555 |
|
155,896 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
3,477,562 |
|
426,161 |
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
|
2,667,733 |
|
3,475,846 |
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
|
$ |
6,145,295 |
|
$ |
3,902,007 |
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
5
Spherix Incorporated
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation
On January 1, 2006, Spherix transferred the assets of its InfoSpherix division to a new wholly-owned subsidiary, InfoSpherix Incorporated (InfoSpherix). The activities of the BioSpherix Division continue to operate through Spherix Incorporated. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of both Spherix Incorporated and InfoSpherix Incorporated (collectively, the Company). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company are unaudited and do not include all of the information and disclosures generally required for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, the statements contain all material adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the Companys financial position as of June 30, 2006, the results of its operations for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, and its cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2005. This report should be read in conjunction with the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, which does contain the complete information and disclosure for the year ended December 31, 2005.
2. Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
3. Net Income Per Share
Basic net income (loss) per common share has been computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share has been computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus common shares outstanding that are assumed likely to be exercised. Diluted net loss per common share has been computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding without an assumed increase in common shares outstanding for common stock equivalents, as common stock equivalents are antidilutive. Common stock equivalents, which consist of stock options and warrants that are assumed likely to be exercised, were 66,886 and 9,956 at June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Total options and warrants outstanding at June 30, 2006 and 2005, were 533,200 and 1,104,273, respectively.
4. Stockholders Equity
On March 9, 2006, in exchange for the Companys agreement to reduce the exercise price to $2.04 per share, an institutional investor (the Investor) agreed to exercise the remainder of its warrants for the purchase of 585,973 shares of common stock for total proceeds of approximately $1.2 million. In connection with these warrants, the Investor agreed that it would not exercise any of the warrants to the extent that it would acquire shares of Common Stock exceeding 9.9% of the outstanding Common Stock, nor would it knowingly sell shares to anyone to the extent that their holdings in the Company would exceed 4.9% of the outstanding Common Stock. The warrants and shares of Common Stock were issued in transactions exempt from Registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The Company has registered the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants for resale by the institutional Investor.
During the six months ended June 30, 2006, the Company sold 819,453 shares for an additional $1,896,000 million in proceeds under the July 22, 2005, Standby Equity Distribution Agreement (SEDA). At June 30, 2006, the remaining maximum amount available for future draws under the SEDA was $1,727,000.
6
Spherix Incorporated
5. Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R) Share-Based Payment (FAS 123R), which requires the measurement of all employee share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, using a fair-value based method and the recording of such expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company uses a Black-Scholes option pricing model and has elected to use the modified prospective transition method and, therefore, has not restated results for prior periods. At the time the Company adopted FAS 123R, there were no unvested options outstanding. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, the Company realized $6,933 and $10,399 in stock based compensation expense relating to 59,000 stock options awarded in February 2006. The effect of adopting FAS 123R increased the loss from operations, the loss before taxes, and the net loss by $6,933 and $10,399 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, and had no effect on basic and diluted earnings per share, net cash flow from operations, or net cash flow from financing activities.
For the years prior to January 1, 2006, the Company elected the disclosure only presentation under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 Accounting for Stock Based Compensation (FAS 123) and, consequently, did not record compensation expense relating to employee option grants provided that the exercise prices were at or above fair value of the Companys common stock on the grant date. The following table summarizes the pro-forma net loss and net loss per share resulting from applying FAS 123.
|
|
|
For the |
|
For the Six |
|
|||
Net income (loss), as reported |
|
|
|
$ |
228,036 |
|
$ |
(845,396) |
|
Add: stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income (loss) |
|
|
|
7,762 |
|
15,525 |
|
||
Less: total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair-value based method for all awards |
|
|
|
(76,098 |
) |
(150,319 |
) |
||
Pro forma net income (loss) |
|
|
|
$ |
159,700 |
|
$ |
(980,190 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss per share - basic |
|
As Reported |
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
Proforma |
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
$ |
(0.08 |
) |
Net loss per share - diluted |
|
As Reported |
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
Proforma |
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
$ |
(0.08 |
) |
A summary of option activity under the Companys employee stock option plan for the six months ended June 30, 2006, is presented below:
Options |
|
Shares |
|
Weighted- |
|
Weighted- |
|
Aggregate |
|
||
Outstanding at beginning of year |
|
507,200 |
|
$ |
7.82 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
59,000 |
|
$ |
2.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expired or forfeited |
|
(33,000 |
) |
$ |
5.38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at end of year |
|
533,200 |
|
$ |
7.26 |
|
2.7 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Exercisable at June 30, 2006 |
|
499,200 |
|
$ |
7.61 |
|
2.6 |
|
$ |
|
|
7
Spherix Incorporated
As of June 30, 2006, there were approximately 34,000 unvested options to purchase common stock under the plans. The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding stock options at June 30, 2006 was $0 as the exercise price of stock options were in excess of the fair value of the Companys common stock. An estimated compensation cost of $100,000 is expected to be recognized over four years.
The Company used the following assumptions in the Black-Scholes calculation used to measure the fair value of stock-based compensation in accordance with FAS 123R.
Expected term (in years) |
|
4 |
|
Expected volatility |
|
140.9 |
% |
Expected dividends |
|
0 |
% |
Risk-free rate |
|
4.6 |
% |
6. Reclassification
The Company no longer presents depreciation and amortization as a separate line item in its consolidated statement of operations. Such amounts are now classified as direct contract and operation costs and as selling, general and administrative expense. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following is intended to update the information contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2006, and presumes that readers have access to, and will have read, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in such Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as believes, expects, is or are expected, anticipates, anticipated, should and words of similar impact. These forward-looking statements are based on the Companys current expectations. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the Companys actual results could differ materially. See the Companys Form 8-K filing dated March 26, 1999, for a more detailed report on forward-looking statements.
Overview
The Company operates via two principal segments, InfoSpherix and BioSpherix. InfoSpherix provides contact center information and reservations services for government and industry. BioSpherix develops proprietary products for commercial applications. On January 1, 2006, Spherix transferred the assets of its InfoSpherix Division to a new wholly-own subsidiary, InfoSpherix Incorporated (InfoSpherix). The activities of the BioSpherix Division continue to operate through Spherix Incorporated. Substantially all of the consolidated revenue is generated from InfoSpherix.
Substantially all of InfoSpherix revenue is generated from government customers. InfoSpherix has developed a niche in providing campground and other reservation services via its ReserveWorld business line. Reservation contracts made up more than 60% of the Companys revenue in 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006, and InfoSpherix is now one of only two major suppliers of campground reservation services in the U.S. The reservation services contracts have revenue streams that are historically greater in the spring and summer months when vacation planning is more prevalent. These reservation contracts have certain fixed costs that continue throughout the year such as depreciation, telephone and computer related service and maintenance contracts, as well as minimum staffing requirements. These contracts also incur certain costs in advance of the peak seasons in order to staff up and train the work force that will be needed during the peak seasons.
BioSpherix engages in product development, notably tagatose. The exclusive rights to manufacture tagatose have been licensed to Arla Foods Ingredients amba (Arla) (formerly MD Foods Ingredients amba, MDFI) of Denmark,
8
Spherix Incorporated
along with the exclusive rights to sell tagatose for food and beverage uses. Future royalties depend on sales of this product by the licensee, which are outside of the control of the Company.
The Company retains rights to sales of the non-food uses of tagatose, for which purposes the Company created the brand name Naturlose®. The Company has patented a variety of health and medical uses for its product. It presently is developing three such potential uses: 1) treatment of type 2 diabetes, 2) anti-plaque toothpaste, and 3) extended shelf life for blood, blood fractions and for other medicinal proteins.
Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005
Revenue and Direct Contract and Operating Costs
Revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, increased $518,000 (7%) and $1 million (8%), respectively, in relation to the same periods in 2005. The increase was primarily related to the new Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources contract, which began operations in January 2006. In comparison, direct contract and operating costs remained consistent with those of the prior year, with an increase in costs associated with the new Pennsylvania contract being offset by unrelated cost reductions that were made on other contracts.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expense increased $300,000 (25%) and $397,000 (16%) for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006, in relation to the same periods in 2005. The increase is directly related to legal fees for the Companys Court of Federal Claims suit against the USDA Forest Service concerning the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) contract. See Trends and Outlooks.
Research and Development
See BioSpherix below.
InfoSpherix
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30, |
|
Six Months Ended June 30, |
|
||||||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||||
Revenue |
|
$ |
7,582,000 |
|
$ |
7,063,000 |
|
$ |
13,501,000 |
|
$ |
12,480,000 |
|
Direct cost and operating expense |
|
5,684,000 |
|
5,582,000 |
|
10,602,000 |
|
10,651,000 |
|
||||
Gross margin |
|
$ |
1,898,000 |
|
$ |
1,481,000 |
|
$ |
2,899,000 |
|
$ |
1,829,000 |
|
InfoSpherix revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, increased $519,000 (7%) and $1 million (8%), while direct cost and operation expense remain relatively consistent with those of the prior year. As noted above, the revenue increase was primarily related to the new Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources contract, which began operations in January 2006. The additional costs from the new Pennsylvania contract were effectively offset by unrelated cost reductions made on other contracts.
BioSpherix
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30, |
|
Six Months Ended June 30, |
|
||||||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||||
Revenue |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
1,000 |
|
$ |
3,000 |
|
$ |
19,000 |
|
Direct cost and operating expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
||||
Gross margin |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
1,000 |
|
$ |
3,000 |
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
The BioSpherix Division is centering its efforts on the development of tagatose as a drug to treat type 2 diabetes. Other health and medical uses demonstrated by BioSpherix are also under development, for which purposes the product has been branded Naturlose®. The exclusive rights to sell tagatose for use in foods, and to manufacture it have been licensed to Arla Foods Ingredients amba (Arla) (formerly MD Foods Ingredients amba, MDFI) of Denmark. The
9
Spherix Incorporated
Company is negotiating with Arla to arrange for third party sources of supply. Future royalties depend on sales of this product for food use by the licensee, which are outside of the control of the Company.
The Company has patented a variety of health and medical uses for its product. It presently is developing three such potential uses: 1) treatment of type 2 diabetes, 2) anti-plaque toothpaste, and 3) extended shelf life for blood, blood fractions and for other medicinal proteins.
The decrease in BioSpherix revenue between years was the result of a one-time sale of Naturlose in 2005 for investigational purposes.
In late 2005, the FDA approved BioSpherixs Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials for Naturlose as a drug to treat diabetes. It also permitted the Phase 3 clinical trial for the product. Since then, BioSpherixs research and development (R&D) activity has primarily been focused on planning and instituting the Phase 3 trial. The Phase 3 clinical trial is the last major test, if successful, before requesting drug approval. The Company has negotiated with a contract research organization (CRO) to conduct the trial, and has retained Environ International, an FDA regulatory consultant, to guide the trial.
Following a visit to the overseas headquarters of a clinical research organization (CRO), a contract was signed for the Phase 3 trial. Preliminary work for the trial began in July 2006, and patient recruitment is slated to begin before year end. The trial could be completed in as little as two years if successful. More than 200 subjects from the United States and abroad, representing the demographic mix in the U.S., will receive oral doses of Naturlose to test its ability to treat type 2 diabetes. A Phase 3 clinical trial, which gathers evidence regarding effectiveness and safety, is needed to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of new drugs proposed to the FDA. The Company believes its chances for a successful outcome are enhanced by the widely demonstrated and safety of the product, lack of safety being the primary cause for failure of most drug candidates.
The increase in research and development costs during the 2006 three and six month periods is largely due to the above described efforts to obtain approval for Naturlose as a drug to treat diabetes. Spherix Incorporated intends to support the BioSpherix Divisions R&D programs through its existing cash and cash equivalents, as well as potential partnerships and, if needed, proceeds from the issuance of stock.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working capital as of June 30, 2006 was $6.5 million, an increase of $3.3 million from December 31, 2005 as a result of proceeds raised by the Company through the issuance of common stock. As of June 30, 2006, $3.5 million of the working capital was at Spherix and $3 million of the working was at InfoSpherix.
On March 31, 2006, the Company entered into a new agreement with Bank of America (the Bank) to establish a line-of-credit (New Agreement) for its subsidiary, InfoSpherix Incorporated, with the outstanding borrowings under the old line of credit transferred to the new agreement. Management considers the establishment of this credit facility for the subsidiary necessary to ensure timely cash flow for the subsidiarys operations. The New Agreement, which matures March 31, 2007, provides for borrowings up to $1.5 million, is collateralized by the subsidiarys accounts receivables and equipment, and contains covenants on tangible net worth and funded debt to EBITDA ratios. Such covenants could have a limiting effect on the amount of cash that the subsidiary can advance to Spherix. The interest rate under the Agreement is based on the LIBOR daily floating rate plus 3% (approximately 8.3% at June 30, 2006). The Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Agreement at June 30, 2006. The total amount available for future advance to the subsidiary was $1.5 million under the Agreement at June 30, 2006.
As the BioSpherix Division has no ongoing revenue stream and expects to expend significant sums in an effort to bring commercial products to market, Spherix Incorporated intends to support the BioSpherix Divisions R&D programs through its existing cash and cash equivalents, as well as potential partnerships and/or proceeds from the issuance of stock. In addition, subject to Bank restrictions as described above, InfoSpherix may provide final support for BioSpherixs development efforts.
Where practicable, InfoSpherix Incorporated intends to finance its furniture and equipment needs related to the start-up costs of new contracts through financing or leasing arrangements.
10
Spherix Incorporated
Cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2006, reflects a net cash inflow of $3.5 million, consisting of $1.2 million from operating activities, $1.2 million from investing activities, and $1.1 million from financing activities. The $1 million increase in cash provided by operating activities in 2006 from that of the prior year is the result of continued growth of the Companys reservation business line in combination with major cost reductions that have taken effect on other contracts, and from a significant improvement in the collection of trade receivables between years. The transfer of funds from the maturity of a CD to a money market fund resulted in the increase in cash provided by investing activities between years. These funds will be available for funding the Phase 3 clinical trials for use of Naturlose to treat type 2 diabetes. The change in financing activities between years was a direct result of the proceeds received from the issuance of stock through the SEDA and the exercise of warrants during the six months ended June 30, 2006.
At June 30, 2006, the remaining maximum amount available for future draws under the SEDA was $1.7 million.
Trends and Outlooks
InfoSpherix
· On October 20, 2005, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) sustained our challenge to the USDA Forest Service award of the NRRS contract to a competitor. GAO instructed the Forest Service to reopen the competition and remedy the errors. The Department of Agriculture has subsequently decided not to follow GAOs decision and is seeking to award the NRRS contract to ReserveAmerica. Spherix has filed suit in the Court of Federal Claims seeking to enjoin this action. The government has stated it will not proceed until the court reaches its decision. This action has resulted in an extension of the Companys current National Park Service Reservation contract through September 30, 2006.
· In January 2006, the InfoSpherix business started operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Spherix Incorporated under the name InfoSpherix Incorporated.
· In 2006, the Company won the re-compete on its park reservation services to the State of Indiana for an additional four years. In 2005, the Company won a new five-year contract with the State of Pennsylvania for park reservations, which began operation in January 2006.
· In 2005, the Company won the re-compete for the State of Michigan park reservation contract. Under the new Michigan contract, the call center operations are required to be located in the State of Michigan; accordingly, InfoSpherix has partnered with an in-state subcontractor. InfoSpherix has noticed an increasing trend among states to include such requirements in their contracts.
· InfoSpherix was successful in increasing its sales backlog between December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005, to a record level of $72 million. The increase was from the award of new government contracts, including the renewal of the Michigan reservation contract and the contracts acquired from Daksoft, Inc.
· Since 1998, InfoSpherix has grown its government park reservation business from one contract to 17 government reservation contracts. InfoSpherixs reservation business accounted for over 60% of the Companys revenue in 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006. InfoSpherix is now one of only two major suppliers of Government campground reservation services in the U.S.
· In October 2005, the operations of the State of Maryland contract were moved from the Beltsville facility to the Cumberland facility, where the Company has been able to operate the contract more cost-efficiently.
· On February 8, 2006, the Company signed an agreement to lease 12,805 square feet of facility space in Indiana effective March 15, 2006, with an additional 5,796 square feet to be leased beginning January 1, 2007, for use as a call center to replace the current operations in South Dakota and to provide InfoSpherix with additional space for growth. The facility lease in South Dakota has been extended through December 31, 2006, to provide a transition during the Companys peak reservation months.
11
Spherix Incorporated
· The newly-formed InfoSpherix Incorporated subsidiary has entered into its own bank line of credit. The line contains covenants on tangible net worth and funded debt to EBITDA ratios. Such covenants could have a limiting effect on the amount of cash that can be transferred to Spherix. The InfoSpherix subsidiary also intends to finance its furniture and equipment needs related to the start-up costs of new contracts through financing or leasing arrangements.
BioSpherix
· The BioSpherix Divisions emphasis is on clinical trials to promote Naturlose to treat type 2 diabetes. The Phase 3 clinical trial for use of Naturlose to treat type 2 diabetes could be completed in as little as two years, or, possibly, less, if successful. With its established safety record and its acceptance as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA, the product starts its trial in an advantageous position since most candidate drugs that fail do so because of safety problems.
· Work continues on the use of Naturlose as an anti-plaque agent in toothpaste.
· The Divisions outsourced project seeking to establish the use of Naturlose to extend the shelf-life of blood fractions and various other medical products is undergoing re-evaluation to determine its future direction.
· Prototypes of Naturlose-based mouthwash, cough syrup, and a fiber digestive aid have been developed by BioSpherix.
· Other projects are in the conceptual stage.
· The Company is negotiating with the University of Maryland School of Dentistry to conduct a clinical trial of Naturlose toothpaste formulated by the Company in an attempt to establish an anti-plaque claim for the toothpaste. The clinical trial is expected to start in 2006.
· Our entitlement to royalties for tagatose food and beverage use is presently dependent on the success of Arla, our licensee. Arla believes it has produced a sufficient backlog of inventory to satisfy its needs, and ours, based on current demand, and accordingly has stopped production until there is a sufficient increase in the demand for tagatose. The construction of a larger plant is estimated to take 18 to 24 months, during which time royalties from Arla will remain limited by the capacity of its present plant. Spherix is pursuing the possibility of other production options and is in discussion with Arla and interested third parties to this effect.
· BioSpherix has purchased limited quantities of tagatose from Arla for use as Naturlose in selling for non-food uses by such product manufacturers, including uses in toothpaste, mouthwash, cough syrup, and a fiber digestive aid, for which Spherix has developed prototypes. We are exploring licensing opportunities for these BioSpherix prototypes with some oral care manufacturers.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company manages its debt and its available cash considering available investment opportunities and risks, tax consequences and overall financing strategies.
At June 30, 2006, the Company did not have any borrowings on its variable rate debt and has no fixed rate indebtedness. The Company has not entered into any interest rate swaps or other derivatives with respect to its indebtedness.
Cash available for investment is typically invested in short term funds, which generally mature in 30 days, or money-market funds. In general, such funds are not subject to market risk because the interest paid on such funds fluctuates with the prevailing interest rate. The carrying amounts approximate market value. It is the Companys practice to hold these investments to maturity.
12
Spherix Incorporated
Assuming the June 30, 2006, cash and cash equivalents available for investment, a one-percent change in interest rates would impact net interest income by approximately $30,000.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports, such as this report on Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. These controls and procedures are based closely on the definition of disclosure controls and procedures in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Rules adopted by the SEC require that we present the conclusions of the Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer about the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls. Management, including our Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and fraud. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by managements override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Periodic Evaluation and Conclusion. The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys management, including the Companys Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objective pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures are effective at that reasonable assurance level. There were no significant changes in internal controls during the latest quarter over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors in our Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2005, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The risks described in our Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company was held on June 28, 2006, where the following actions were taken:
13
Spherix Incorporated
(1) Douglas T. Brown, A. Paul Cox, Jr., George C. Creel, Gilbert V. Levin, M. Karen Levin, Richard C. Levin, Robert A. Lodder, Jr., and Robert J. Vander Zanden were elected as Directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting pursuant to the following vote tabulation:
Name |
|
Shares |
|
Shares |
|
Shares |
|
Douglas T. Brown |
|
12,188,089 |
|
488,745 |
|
0 |
|
A. Paul Cox, Jr. |
|
12,220,220 |
|
456,614 |
|
0 |
|
George C. Creel |
|
12,181,753 |
|
495,081 |
|
0 |
|
Gilbert V. Levin |
|
12,191,147 |
|
485,687 |
|
0 |
|
M. Karen Levin |
|
12,190,707 |
|
486,127 |
|
0 |
|
Richard C. Levin |
|
12,174,557 |
|
502,277 |
|
0 |
|
Robert A. Lodder, Jr. |
|
12,220,670 |
|
456,164 |
|
0 |
|
Robert J. Vander Zanden |
|
12,221,330 |
|
455,504 |
|
0 |
|
(2) The selection of Grant Thornton LLP as independent accountants of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2006, was ratified, with 12,513,185 shares voted in favor, 63,044 shares voted against, and 100,605 shares abstaining.
(a) Exhibits
(31) |
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Spherix Incorporated pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
|
(32) |
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Spherix Incorporated pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
14
Spherix Incorporated
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
Spherix Incorporated |
|
|
|
|
(Registrant) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: |
|
August 11, 2006 |
By: |
/s/ Richard C. Levin |
|
|
|
|
Richard C. Levin |
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer, President, |
|
|
|
|
and Chief Financial Officer |
15