MEI Pharma, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2004 December (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-Q

For the period ended December 31, 2004

OR

For the transition period from                      to                     .

Commission File Number: 000-50484

Marshall Edwards, Inc.

140 Wicks Road, North Ryde, NSW, 2113 Australia
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(011) 61 2 8877- 6196
Registrant’s 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ     No o

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

As of January 31, 2005 the number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock, $0.00000002 par value, was 56,938,000.

MARSHALL EDWARDS, INC.

INDEX

2

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

MARSHALL EDWARDS, INC.

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

3

MARSHALL EDWARDS, INC.

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

4

MARSHALL EDWARDS, INC.

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

5

MARSHALL EDWARDS, INC.

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

6

MARSHALL EDWARDS, INC.

1. Organization and Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. Marshall Edwards, Inc. (“MEI”) believes all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months and six months ended December 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending June 30, 2005 or any other period. The balance sheet at June 30, 2004 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date. The financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended June 30, 2004 which were included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2004.

MEI is a development stage company incorporated in December 2000 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Novogen Limited, an Australian pharmaceutical company. MEI commenced operations in May 2002. MEI, including its wholly-owned Australian subsidiary, Marshall Edwards Pty Limited (“MEPL”) (together the “Company”) is a pharmaceutical company with a primary focus on the development and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of cancer. The Company is presently engaged in the clinical development and commercialization of a drug candidate called phenoxodiol. The Company intends to develop phenoxodiol for use in a wide range of human cancers. The Company operates primarily in Australia and the United States.

Novogen Limited and certain of its subsidiary companies (collectively “Novogen”), have granted to the Company a worldwide, non transferable license under their patent and patent applications and in their know-how to conduct clinical trials and commercialize and distribute all forms of delivering phenoxodiol in the field of prevention, treatment and cure of cancer in humans except topical applications. In addition, the Company has an exclusive first right and an exclusive last right to match any proposed dealing by Novogen of its intellectual property rights with a third party relating to synthetic pharmaceutical compounds (other than phenoxodiol), that have known or potential applications in the field of prevention, treatment or cure of cancer in humans in all forms other than topical applications.

The Company’s initial business focus is to continue the clinical program currently under way for the development and commercialization of phenoxodiol.

In May 2002, the Company sold 2,523,000 shares of its common stock and 2,523,000 warrants, raising proceeds of $9,022,000, net of $1,070,000 of transaction costs. The warrants

7

were exercisable prior to November 30, 2003 at an exercise price of $4.00 per share. The common stock was listed for trading on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”). Following the listing, Novogen Limited retained 95.1% of the Company’s common stock.

In June 2003, 9,000 warrants were exercised, resulting in proceeds to the Company of $36,000. In November 2003 the remaining 2,514,000 warrants were exercised at an exercise price of $4.00 per share resulting in proceeds to the Company of $10,056,000.

In December 2003, the Company sold 2,392,000 common stock units at a public offering price of $7.50 per unit. Each common stock unit consisted of:

In connection with the December 2003 offering, the Company’s common stock and warrants commenced trading separately on the Nasdaq National Market. The Company received proceeds of $15,522,000, net of $2,418,000 transaction costs in the December 2003 offering. Following the offering, Novogen Limited retained 86.9% of the Company’s common stock.

2. Accounting Policies

Revenue Recognition

Interest

The only revenue earned to date is interest on cash balances.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Marshall Edwards, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Marshall Edwards Pty Limited. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash on hand and in banks and short-term deposits are stated at the nominal value. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Most of the Company’s cash is deposited in financial institutions that are FDIC insured. These deposits are in excess of the FDIC insurance limits.

8

Income Taxes

Income taxes have been provided for using the liability method in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized and measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be recognized. Valuation allowances are established against the recorded deferred income tax assets to the extent that management believes that it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred income tax assets are not realizable.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable approximate fair value.

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial statements of MEPL have been translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with FASB Statement No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation.” Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Income statement amounts have been translated using the average exchange rate for the periods. Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.

Translation of Marshall Edwards Pty Limited’s Financial Statements into U.S dollars does not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses relate primarily to the cost of conducting human clinical trials of phenoxodiol. Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s stock option plan provides for the grant of options to the Company’s directors, employees, employees of the Company’s affiliates and certain of the Company’s contractors and consultants. To date no options have been issued under the plan.

Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings or loss per share is calculated in accordance with FASB Statement No. 128, “Earnings Per Share.” In computing basic earnings or loss per share, the dilutive effect of stock options are excluded, whereas for diluted earnings per share they are included unless the effect is anti-dilutive.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other comprehensive loss. Other comprehensive loss includes certain changes in Stockholders’ Equity that are excluded from net loss. Comprehensive loss for all periods presented has been reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity.

9

3. Loss Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per common share:

During the period presented the Company had warrants outstanding that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future, but were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share as the effect would have been anti-dilutive. The outstanding warrants consist of the following potential common shares:

The warrants outstanding at December 31, 2004 have an exercise price of $9.00 per share and are exercisable prior to December 18, 2006.

4. Expenditure Commitments

At December, 31, 2004, the Company had contracted to conduct research and development expenditures of approximately $994,000. Of the expenditure commitments, clinical trial amounts are based on the assumption that all patients enrolled in clinical trials will complete the maximum number of allowed treatment cycles. The amounts, assuming all treatment cycles are completed, are expected to be incurred as follows:

10

No amounts have been included for future payments to Novogen which may arise in connection with the license agreement, the services agreement or the manufacturing license and supply agreement as future payments under the terms of the agreements are subject to termination provisions. Payments in connection with these agreements are detailed in Note 6 “Related Party Transactions”

11

5. Segment Information

The Company’s focus is to continue the clinical program currently underway for the development and commercialization of phenoxodiol.

6. Related Party Transactions

License Agreement

The license agreement is an agreement under which Novogen’s subsidiary, Novogen Research Pty Limited, grants to MEPL a worldwide non-transferable license under its patent and patent applications and in its know-how to conduct clinical trials and commercialize and distribute phenoxodiol products. The agreement covers uses of phenoxodiol in the field of prevention, treatment or cure of cancer in humans delivered in all forms except topical applications. The license is exclusive until the expiration or lapsing of the last relevant Novogen patents or patent applications in the world and thereafter is non-exclusive. MEPL may terminate the agreement by giving three months’ notice to Novogen. MEPL paid $5,000,000 to Novogen in February 2004 which was the first lump sum license fee payment due under the terms of the license agreement. This amount was accrued at December 31, 2003. Future amounts payable to Novogen under terms of the license agreement are as follows:

1. A second lump sum license fee of $5,000,000 is payable to Novogen on November 1, 2003 or such later date when the cumulative total of all funds received from debt or equity issuances and revenue received from commercialization (income other than sales) and sales of phenoxodiol products exceeds $50,000,000. The Company has not yet reached these preconditions for payment.

2. In addition to the amounts above, until the expiration of the exclusivity period of the license, MEPL must pay Novogen 2.5% of all net sales and 25% of commercialization income. After the exclusivity period of the license, 1.5% of net sales must be paid to Novogen.

3. In addition to the amounts above, amounts payable for annual milestone license fees under the license agreement for the calendar years ended December 31 are as follows:

12

At June 30, 2004 an amount of $1,000,000 was accrued and reflected in amounts due to the parent company, being 50% of the $2,000,000 milestone payment payable to Novogen on December 31, 2004 under the terms of the license agreement with Novogen. Milestone license fees of $1,000,000 have been accrued in the six months ended December 31, 2004 in connection with the payment due within 30 days following the end of the calendar year, December 31, 2004. The Company paid the $2,000,000 due to Novogen at the end of January 2005.

License Option Deed

The license option deed grants MEPL an exclusive right to accept and an exclusive right to match any proposed dealing by Novogen of its intellectual property rights with a third party relating to synthetic compounds (other than phenoxodiol) that have known or potential applications in the field of prevention, treatment or cure of cancer in humans in all forms other than topical applications.

Services Agreement

The Company does not currently intend to directly employ any staff. Under the terms of the services agreement, Novogen Limited or its subsidiaries have agreed to provide services reasonably required by the Company relating to the development and commercialization of phenoxodiol. Novogen has agreed to provide these services at cost plus a 10% mark-up. The Company may terminate the agreement on three months written notice to Novogen.

Transactions giving rise to expenditure amounting to $522,000 and $472,000 were made under the services agreement with Novogen during the six months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Of these amounts, $187,000 and $333,000 related to service fees paid to Novogen for research and development services provided in the six months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, reflecting reduced time spent by Novogen research staff on the development of phenoxodiol. Additionally, $335,000 and $139,000 of the total expenditure during the six months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively related to costs incurred for administration and accounting services provided by Novogen. The increase related to compliance with United States securities reporting requirements.

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, $102,000 and $93,000, respectively, was due and owing to Novogen under the services agreement and is included in amounts due to parent company.

Manufacturing License and Supply Agreement

Under the terms of the manufacturing license and supply agreement, MEPL has granted to one of Novogen’s subsidiaries an exclusive, non-transferable sub license to manufacture and supply phenoxodiol in its primary manufactured form. Novogen’s subsidiary has agreed to supply phenoxodiol to MEPL for the clinical trial development program and phenoxodiol’s ultimate commercial use. Novogen will supply phenoxodiol at cost plus a 50% markup.

13

Transactions giving rise to expenditure amounting to $220,000 and $434,000 were made under the manufacturing license and supply agreement with Novogen during the six months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, $30,000 and $86,000, respectively, was due and owing to Novogen under the manufacturing license and supply agreement and is included in amounts due to parent company.

14

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Security Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this quarterly report, including statements regarding the future financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “expect,” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among other things:

15

These risks are not exhaustive. Other sections of this quarterly report may include additional factors which could adversely impact business and financial performance. In addition, our business and financial performance may be affected by the factors that are discussed under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2004. Moreover, the Company operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The Company cannot assure you that the events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Although it believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information set forth in financial statements and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

Overview

MEI is a development stage company incorporated on December 1, 2000 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Novogen. The Company commenced operations in May 2002 and its business purpose is the development and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of cancer. The Company is presently engaged in the clinical development of the anti-cancer drug phenoxodiol. Novogen’s subsidiary has granted to the Company’s subsidiary, a worldwide non-transferable license under its patent right and patent applications and its relevant know-how to conduct clinical trials and commercialize and distribute all forms of phenoxodiol for uses in the field of prevention, treatment, and cure of cancer in humans, except topical applications. Novogen currently owns approximately 86.9% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.

The Company’s main focus during fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 and in the six months to December 31, 2004 was to undertake human clinical testing of phenoxodiol. During the six months ended December 31, 2004 the Company continued to recruit patients into the existing clinical trial program.

During the six months ended December 31, 2004 the Company made significant progress in the clinical development of phenoxodiol. In November 2004, the Company announced preliminary data from the late stage prostate cancer trial being conducted at multiple sites in Australia. The data showed that phenoxodiol is biologically active as it reduced or stabilized Prostate Specific Anitgen (“PSA”) levels in 8 of 12 patients receiving the drug.

Also, in November 2004, the Company announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted intravenous phenoxodiol in combination with pacitaxel or cisplatin “fast track” status for its intended use as a chemo-sensitizing agent in patients with recurrent late stage ovarian cancer that is resistant or refractory to platins and taxanes. The Company also applied for and recently received, fast track designation from the FDA for oral phenoxodiol for prostatic adenocarcinoma that is refractory to both hormonal and cytotoxic

16

chemotherapy. Under the FDA Modernization Act of 1997, designation as a “fast track product means that phenoxodiol is eligible for certain accelerated marketing approval programs. We cannot assure you that we will receive any regulatory approvals.

The Company does not employ any staff directly but obtains services from Novogen under a services agreement. The Company has incurred losses since inception and expects to incur operating losses and generate negative cash flows from operations for the foreseeable future as it expands research and development activities and moves phenoxodiol into later stages of development. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had accumulated losses of $14,299,000.

The Company has not generated any revenues from operations since inception other than interest on cash assets.

Expenses have consisted primarily of costs associated with conducting the clinical trials of phenoxodiol and costs incurred under the license agreement, the services agreement and the manufacturing license and supply agreements with Novogen and its subsidiaries, including the costs of the clinical trial drug supplies.

To date, operations have been funded primarily through the sale of equity securities.

The Company expects that quarterly and annual operating results of operations will fluctuate for the foreseeable future due to several factors including the timing and extent of research and development efforts and the outcome and extent of clinical trial activities. The Company’s limited operating history makes accurate prediction of future operating results difficult or impossible.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Development Expenses

Research and development costs incurred since inception through December 31, 2004 aggregate to $5,456,000.

Research and development costs include clinical trial expenses and are expensed as they are incurred and are expected to increase in the future as the phenoxodiol clinical program progresses.

Historical research and development costs and clinical trial costs have not been documented on a project by project basis. In addition, research and development resources are supplied by Novogen across several projects. As a result, the costs incurred for each clinical project cannot be stated precisely on a project by project basis.

17

The Company expects that a large percentage of research and development expenses in the future will be incurred in support of current and future clinical development programs. These expenditures are subject to a number of uncertainties in timing and cost to completion.

The duration and cost of clinical trials may vary significantly over the life of a project as a result of:

The Company’s strategy also includes the option of entering into collaborative arrangements with third parties to participate in the development and commercialization of phenoxodiol. In the event third parties have control over the clinical development process, the completion date would largely be under the control of that third party.

As a result of these uncertainties, the Company is unable to determine the duration of or completion costs for research and development projects or when and to what extent it will receive cash inflows from the commercialization and sale of phenoxodiol.

The Company intends to continue the clinical development of phenoxodiol and to assess the opportunity to license other cancer drugs developed by Novogen as the opportunities arise.

Clinical Trial Expenses

Estimates have been used in determining the expense liability under certain clinical trial contracts where services have been performed but not yet invoiced. The actual costs of those services could differ in amount and timing from the estimates used in completing the financial results.

Clinical trial expenses of $330,000 have been accrued at December 31, 2004. These estimates are based on the number of patients in each trial and the patient treatment cycles completed or milestones achieved.

Clinical research contracts may vary depending on the clinical trial design and protocol. Generally the costs, and therefore estimates, associated with clinical trial contracts are based on the number of patients, patient treatment cycles, the type of treatment and the outcome being measured. The length of time before actual amounts can be determined will vary depending on length of the patient cycles and the timing of the invoices by the clinical trial partners.

18

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended December 2004 and 2003

The Company recorded a consolidated loss of $1,375,000 and $4,682,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Revenues: The Company received interest on cash assets and cash equivalents of $64,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 versus $25,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2003. The increase was due to the Company’s higher cash balances following the Company’s December 2003 public offering.

Research and Development: Research and Development expenses increased $197,000 to $543,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 compared to $346,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2003. The increase was due primarily to greater hospital costs arising from the completion of more patient treatment cycles in the current period. These costs were partially offset by a reduction in the R&D service charge from Novogen under the terms of the services agreement reflecting the lower costs incurred by Novogen and reduced time spent by Novogen personnel on the development of phenoxodiol as we focus more on the commercialization. We expect research and development clinical trial expenses to increase in the future in accordance with the planned “fast track” clinical trial program.

License Fees: Milestone license fees of $500,000 have been accrued in the three months ended December 31, 2004 in connection with the annual milestone license fee of $2,000,000 that is payable to Novogen, within 30 days, after December 31, 2004 under the terms of the license agreement with Novogen.

Selling, General and Administrative: Selling, administrative and general expenses increased by $285,000 to $396,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 compared to $111,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2003. The increase was due primarily to the increase in costs associated with professional fees and increased costs incurred for administration and accounting services provided by Novogen under the terms of the services agreement and other fees relating to compliance with United States securities reporting requirements and FDA regulations. Included in selling, general and administrative expenses are foreign exchange gains/(losses) which occur when revaluing cash denominated in foreign currencies and upon consolidation of MEI’s wholly owned Australian subsidiary Marshall Edwards Pty Ltd (“MEPL”). MEPL has U.S. dollars as its functional currency and also engages in transactions in foreign currencies. Further, MEPL’s accounts and financial statements are denominated in Australian dollars. Translation of MEPL’s financial statements into U.S. dollars does not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position. Net foreign exchange losses during the three months ended December 31, 2004 were $16,000 compared with net exchange gains of $63,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2003.

Six Months Ended December 2004 and 2003

The Company recorded a consolidated loss of $2,605,000 and $5,796,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

19

Revenues: The Company received interest on cash assets and cash equivalents of $131,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2004 versus $46,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2003. The increase was due to the Company’s higher cash balances following the Company’s December 2003 public offering.

Research and Development: Research and development expenses decreased $147,000 to $982,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2004 compared to $1,129,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2003. The decrease was due primarily to a reduction in the amount of phenoxodiol needed for the current clinical trial program, which is nearing completion and a reduction in the R&D service charge from Novogen under the terms of the services agreement reflecting the lower costs incurred by Novogen and reduced time spent by Novogen personnel on the development of phenoxodiol as we focus more on the commercialization. We expect research and development expenses to increase in the future in accordance with the planned “fast track” clinical trial program.

License Fees: Milestone license fees of $1,000,000 have been accrued in the six months ended December 31, 2004 in connection with the annual milestone license fee of $2,000,000 that is payable to Novogen, within 30 days, after December 31, 2004 under the terms of the license agreement with Novogen.

Selling, General and Administrative: Selling, administrative and general expenses increased by $541,000 to $754,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2004 compared to $213,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2003. The increase was due primarily to the increase in costs associated with professional fees and increased costs incurred for administration and accounting services provided by Novogen under the terms of the services agreement and other fees relating to compliance with United States securities reporting requirements and FDA regulations. Included in selling, general and administrative expenses are foreign exchange gains and (losses) which occur when revaluing cash denominated in foreign currencies and upon consolidation of MEPL. MEPL has U.S. dollars as its functional currency and also engages in transactions in foreign currencies. Further, MEPL’s accounts and financial statements are denominated in Australian dollars. Translation of MEPL’s financial statements into U.S. dollars does not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position. Net foreign exchange losses during the six months ended December 31, 2004 were $40,000 compared with net exchange gains of $68,000 during the six months ended December 31, 2003.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December 31, 2004, the Company had cash resources of $23,106,000 compared to $24,819,000 at June 30, 2004. Funds are invested in short term market accounts, pending use. The implementation of the Company’s business plan is dependent on the Company’s ability to maintain adequate cash resources to complete the clinical development program.

The Company is required to make payments under the terms of the License Agreement with Novogen as follows:

1. A lump sum license fee of $5,000,000 is payable to Novogen on November 1, 2003 or such later date when the cumulative total of all funds received from debt or equity issuances and revenue received from commercialization (income other than sales) and sales of phenoxodiol products exceeds $50,000,000. We have not yet met these preconditions for payment.

20

2. In addition to the amounts above, until the expiration of the exclusivity period of the license, MEPL must pay Novogen 2.5% of all net sales and 25% of commercialization income. After the exclusivity period of the license, 1.5% of net sales must be paid to Novogen.

3. In addition to the amounts above, amounts payable for annual milestone license fees under the license agreement for the calendar years ended December 31 are as follows:

At June 30, 2004 an amount of $1,000,000 was accrued and reflected in amounts due to the parent company, being 50% of the $2,000,000 milestone payment payable to Novogen on December 31, 2004 under the terms of the license agreement with Novogen. Milestone license fees of $1,000,000 have been accrued in the six months ended December 31, 2004 in connection with the payment due within 30 days following the end of the calendar year, December 31, 2004. The Company paid the $2,000,000 due to Novogen at the end of January 2005.

Source and Uses of Cash

Cash Used in Operating Activities

Cash used in operating activities for the six months ended December 31, 2004 was $1,713,000 compared to $1,487,000 for the same period in 2003. The increase in cash outflow of $226,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2004 was due almost exclusively to the increased selling, general and administrative expenses partially offset by a reduction in research and development expenses and the timing of payments in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Cash Requirements

The Company believes that it will have sufficient cash resources to fund existing operations at least through the end of December 2005 and to complete the current Phase I and lb/IIa clinical trial program. Ongoing operations through the conduct of the clinical trial program will continue to consume cash resources without generating revenues.

The Company is currently planning to conduct a pivotal clinical study following the FDA’s granting phenoxodiol fast track status. The trial will use phenoxodiol in combination with cisplatin and will test phenoxodiol’s efficacy as a chemo-sensitizing agent in late stage ovarian cancer patients who are refractory to cisplatin and taxanes. The Company is working with the FDA to develop a trial protocol which will determine the trial parameters including the number of treatment arms needed to be completed and the number of patients required to be tested in each arm.

The Company is still in the planning stage of the trial design and has not determined the cash resources needed to complete the trial.

21

Also, additional cash resources may be required if a new cancer compound is developed by Novogen and the Company secures a license under the terms of the License Option Deed. Novogen has notified the Company that its new anti-cancer compound NV-18 is now an “option compound” under the terms of the License Option Deed and that Novogen has commenced phase 1 clinical trials. The Company has commissioned an independent report on NV-18 and will review initial clinical results before making a decision to commence license negotiations with Novogen.

The Company must also pay the amounts to Novogen under the license agreement with Novogen when certain milestones are met. For details of the amounts payable see Note 6 to the Financial Statements “Related Party Transactions”, included under Item 1.

The Company does not intend to incur any significant capital expenditures in the foreseeable future.

The Company is currently assessing its future cash requirements needed to fund new clinical trial initiatives and licensing options available to it under the License Option Deed.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The company does not currently have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Issued But Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards

Share-Based Payments

In December 2004, the FASB Issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R (Statement 123R), “Share-Based Payments”, the provisions of which become effective for the corporation in fiscal 2006. This Statement eliminates the alternative to use APB No. 25’s intrinsic value method of accounting that was provided in Statement 123 as originally issued. Statement 123R requires companies to recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of those awards. While the fair-value-based method prescribed by Statement 123R is similar to the fair-value-based method disclosed under the provisions of Statement 123 in most respects, there are some differences. The Company’s stock option plan provides for the grant of options to the Company’s directors, employees, employees of the Company’s affiliates and certain of the Company’s contractors and consultants. To date no options have been issued under the plan. Statement 123R is effective for the Company in fiscal 2006.

22

Interest Rate Risk

The Company places cash in “on call” deposits with high quality financial institutions.

The Company does not consider the effects of interest rate movements to be a material risk to its financial condition. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments to hedge its risks associated with the fluctuations of interest rates.

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company conducts a portion of its business in various currencies, primarily in U.S. and Australian dollars. At December 31, 2004, the Company had not established a foreign currency hedging program. Net foreign exchange losses during the six months ended December 31, 2004 were $40,000 compared with net exchange gains of $68,000 during the six months ended December 31, 2003. Foreign exchange gains and losses occur upon consolidation of MEPL which uses U.S. dollars as its functional currency and also engages in transactions in foreign currencies. MEPL’s accounts are denominated in Australian dollars. Translation of MEPL’s financial statements into U.S. dollars does not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

The Company does not consider the effects of foreign currency movements to be a material risk to its financial condition.

23

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

At the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not designed nor were functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. The identified weakness in internal control over financial reporting and in disclosure controls is described below under the heading “Changes in Internal Controls”.

Changes in Internal Controls

In connection with the audit of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, Ernst & Young, the Company’s independent auditors, informed our Board of Directors that they believe that the personnel and management of Novogen who perform our accounting and financial reporting functions pursuant to the Services Agreement are not sufficiently expert in U.S. GAAP and the requirements of the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and that this lack of expertise represents a material weakness in the operation of our internal control over financial reporting.

Ernst & Young also noted that our system of financial reporting was not designed to prepare financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and that our system of internal control, in particular our processes to review and analyze elements of the financial statement close process and prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, has not reduced to a relatively low level the risk that errors in amounts that would be material in relation to those financial statements may occur and may not be detected within a timely period by management in the normal course of business.

In this regard, Ernst & Young have recommended that Novogen engage personnel with expertise or train existing personnel in the following areas:

We have sought assurances from Novogen that it will promptly remedy the concerns raised by Ernst & Young and Novogen has presented to us a plan for addressing these concerns. We believe that Novogen’s plan is designed to ensure that the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, including the processes to review and analyze elements of our financial statement close process, is in accordance with U.S. GAAP and that relevant information about U.S. GAAP, SEC financial reporting requirements, and the requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board is available to those persons involved in the process

24

by which our financial statements are prepared. Specifically Novogen’s plan provides for additional resources and further training of the Novogen accounting team including:

Progress on the implementation of Novogen’s plan to address the material weakness.

During the period covered by the report, Novogen has made significant progress in implementing its plan to address the identified material weakness.

Novogen has already recruited an additional degree qualified accountant, enabling senior finance staff responsible for the preparation of U.S. GAAP financial reports to spend more time dealing with U.S GAAP reporting issues. Additionally, Novogen’s senior finance staff have completed training courses including the SEC Institute’s SEC Reporting Conference and will continue to evaluate the merits of additional courses as they become available. Novogen has already begun to receive additional publications and updates of SEC, U.S. GAAP and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board requirements and will continue to review the adequacy of this additional information to determine whether additional resources are required.

Until we are satisfied that we have addressed our need for sufficient expertise in preparing financial statements required in our filings under the securities law we will seek to mitigate this weakness by conferring with our outside accounting advisors with respect to the technical requirements applicable to our financial statements.

The implementation of the initiatives described above are among our highest priorities. Our Board of Directors, in coordination with our Audit Committee, will continually assess the progress and sufficiency of these initiatives and make adjustments as and when necessary. As of the date of this report, we believe that the plans outlined above, when completed, will eliminate the weakness in internal accounting control as described above. Nonetheless, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues have been detected.

25

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

(b) The effective date of the registration statement (Registration No. 333-109129) filed on Form S-1 and registration statement (Registration No. 333-111291) filed on Form S-1 pursuant to Rule 462(b), both relating to the initial public offering in the United States of common stock units (each unit consisting of one share of the Company’s common stock and one warrant to purchase a share of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $9.00 per share), was December 17, 2003. Proceeds to the Company from the offering, after deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $806,000 and offering costs of approximately $1,612,000, totalled approximately $15,522,000. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had used $9,198,000 of the proceeds of the offering of which, $5,000,000 was used to make the first license fee payment due to Novogen under the terms of the license agreement and $4,198,000 was used to pay the ongoing expenses of clinical trials, amounts due to Novogen under the services agreement and the manufacturing license and supply agreement and for general corporate expenses. All remaining proceeds of the offering have been invested in short-term money market accounts.

The Company intends to use the proceeds from the offering as follows:

The occurrence of unforeseen events, opportunities or changed business conditions, however, could cause us to use the net proceeds of the U.S. initial public offering in a manner other than as described above.

26

The following directors continued their term of office after the meeting:
Professor Graham Kelly
Mr. Christopher Naughton
Mr. Stephen Breckenridge
Professor David De Kretser

At the meeting, the following votes for and against, as well as the number of abstentions and broker non-votes were recorded for each matter as set forth below:

27

Exhibit Index

28

SIGNATURES

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

Date: February 9, 2005

29