Rebus Holdings, Inc. - Annual Report: 2013 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013
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or
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the transition period from to .
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Commission File Number 333-153829
GENSPERA, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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20-0438951
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State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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2511 N Loop 1604 W, Suite 204
San Antonio, TX
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78258
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 210-479-8112
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ¨ Yes x No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ¨ Yes x No
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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). x Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ¨
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Accelerated filer ¨
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Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller reporting company x
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). ¨ Yes x No
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed using the price at which the common equity was last sold as of the last business day of the registrants’ most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $29,632,040. As of February 21, 2014, there were 27,252,966 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None
GENSPERA, INC.
FORM 10-K
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
INDEX
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Page
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PART I
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Item 1.
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Business
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4
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Item 1A.
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Risk Factors
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11
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Item 1B.
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Unresolved Staff Comments
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26
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Item 2.
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Properties
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26
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Item 3.
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Legal Proceedings
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26
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Item 4.
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Mine Safety Disclosure
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26
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PART II
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Item 5.
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Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
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27
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Item 6.
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Selected Financial Data
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29
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Item 7.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
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29
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Item 7A.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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34
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Item 8.
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Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
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34
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Item 9.
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Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
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34
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Item 9A.
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Controls and Procedures
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35
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Item 9B.
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Other Information
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35
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PART III
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Item 10.
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Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
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36
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Item 11.
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Executive Compensation
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38
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Item 12.
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
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43
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Item 13.
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
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44
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Item 14.
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Principal Accounting Fees and Services
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46
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PART IV
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Item 15.
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Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
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47
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PART I
We urge you to read this entire Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the “Risk Factors” section and the financial statements and related notes included herein. As used in this Annual Report, unless context otherwise requires, the words “we,” “us”, “our,” “the Company,” “GenSpera” and “Registrant” refer to GenSpera, Inc. Also, any reference to “common shares,” or “common stock,” refers to our $.0001 par value common stock.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report includes “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These statements relate to our business development plans, clinical trials, regulatory reviews, timing, strategies, expectations, anticipated expense levels, projected profits, business prospects and positioning with respect to market, demographic and pricing trends, business outlook, technology spending and various other matters (including contingent liabilities and obligations and changes in accounting policies, standards and interpretations) and express our current intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies or predictions, as well as historical information. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this report, statements that are not statements of current or historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “could,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” or “continue” or similar expressions or other variations or comparable terminology are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions on which the forward-looking statements contained herein are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate given the inherent uncertainties as to the occurrence or nonoccurrence of future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Our future operating results are dependent upon many factors, and our further development is highly dependent on market acceptance, which is outside our control. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:
• | our ability to manage the business despite continuing operating losses and cash outflows; |
• | our ability to obtain sufficient capital or a strategic business arrangement to fund our operations and expansion plans; |
• | our ability to build the management and human resources and infrastructure necessary to support the growth of our business; |
• | competitive factors and developments beyond our control; |
• | scientific and medical developments beyond our control; |
• | government regulation of our business; |
• | our ability to successfully complete our clinical trials of our proposed drug candidates and gain regulatory approval to market such products. |
• | whether any of our current or future patent applications result in issued patents and our ability to obtain and maintain other rights to technology required or desirable for the conduct of our business; and |
• | whether any potential strategic benefits of licensing transactions will be realized and whether any potential benefits from the acquisition of newly licensed technologies, if any, will be realized. |
In addition to the foregoing, other factors may influence our future performance including those factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of this Annual Report. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these and other factors. We undertake no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect events or circumstances after the date initially filed or published, to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise, except to the extent required by federal securities laws. The risks discussed in this report should be considered in evaluating our business and future financial performance.
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
We are a development stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development of prodrug cancer therapeutics for the treatment of solid tumors including prostate, liver, brain and other cancers. A prodrug is an inactive precursor of a drug that is converted into its active form only at the site of the tumor. Our technology platform combines a powerful, plant-derived cytotoxin with a prodrug delivery system that targets release of the drug within the tumor. We believe that, if successfully developed, our cancer prodrug therapies have the potential to provide a targeted therapeutic approach to a broad range of solid tumors with fewer side effects than those related to current chemotherapy treatments.
Our primary focus at the present time is the clinical development of our lead compound, G-202, a novel therapeutic agent with a unique mechanism of action. We have completed a Phase Ia/Ib dose-escalation safety, tolerability and dose refinement study in which two liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC) patients experienced prolonged disease stabilization of 13 and 11 months. As a result of encouraging observations in our Phase Ia/Ib trial with regard to liver cancer patients, we initiated a Phase II clinical trial to test the utility of G-202 in patients with liver cancer. This trial is being conducted at multiple sites in the U.S. and requires seventeen evaluable patients for anticipated statistical analyses. As of February 24, 2014, sixteen patients have been treated, of which the majority of the patients treated are considered to be evaluable.
We were incorporated in the State of Delaware in November 2003 and our principal office is located in San Antonio, Texas. Since our inception, we have invested a substantial portion of our efforts and financial resources in the development of G-202. G-202 is the only product candidate for which we have conducted clinical trials, and to date we have not marketed, distributed or sold any products. We have generated no revenues from the sale of our product candidates and have experienced substantial net operating losses.
Strategy
Our Business Strategy
We are currently focused on the clinical development of G-202, our lead drug candidate. Our capacity to execute our plans as described in this Annual Report is dependent on a number of factors, including the outcome of our ongoing clinical trials as well as our ability to raise sufficient capital. We may also seek to enter collaborative or partnering arrangements to fund or conduct portions of our development plan.
Our current strategy contemplates the following major initiatives:
· | Conducting our hepatocellular carcinoma clinical study entitled, “A Phase II, Multi-Center, Single-Arm Study of G-202 as Second-Line Therapy for Adult Patients with Progressive Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.” As of February 24, 2014, sixteen patients have been treated in the study. |
· | Conducting a clinical study of G-202 in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer). We completed the protocol design and have entered into a collaborative arrangement to conduct this trial. We expect to begin enrolling patients in the first quarter of 2014. |
· | Conducting our prostate cancer clinical study entitled, “An Open-Label, Single-Arm, Phase 2 Study of G-202 in Patients with Chemotherapy Naïve Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer.” We have deferred commencement of this study until additional capital is raised or we enter into a collaborative arrangement to conduct this study. |
Our Clinical Development Strategy
We intend to conduct several Phase II clinical trials to determine the therapeutic efficacy of G-202 in cancer patients. We anticipate that G-202 will be therapeutically effective in a wide range of solid tumor types and have chosen to first evaluate the drug in liver cancer, glioblastoma and prostate cancer.
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G-202 CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE
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Indication
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Status
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Solid Tumors
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Completed Phase Ia/b safety, tolerability and dosing refinement study.
Closed to further enrollment.
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Hepatocellular Carcinoma (liver cancer)
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Ongoing Phase II with sixteen patients treated to date. Received United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Orphan Drug designation.
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Glioblastoma (brain cancer)
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Anticipate commencing a Phase II trial in the first quarter of 2014.
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Prostate Cancer
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Anticipate commencing a Phase II trial in the second quarter of 2014.
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Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver Cancer)
Primary hepatocellular carcinoma is cancer that forms in the tissues of the liver. Estimates for liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer in the U.S. for 2013 are about 30,640 new cases and 21,670 deaths. Incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in the U.S. is rising, principally in relation to the spread of hepatitis C infection. It is the most common cancer in some parts of the world, with more than 1 million new cases diagnosed each year. Hepatocellular carcinoma is potentially curable by surgical resection, but surgery is the treatment of choice for only the small fraction of patients with localized disease. Prognosis depends on the degree of local tumor replacement and the extent of liver function impairment. Treatment options for people with liver cancer are surgery (including liver transplant), ablation, embolization, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, for which there is only one approved drug (sorafenib), or a combination of these options. There is no standard therapy for patients with advanced metastatic liver cancer.
Glioblastoma multiforme (Brain Cancer)
There are approximately 10,000 new cases of malignant glioblastoma diagnosed each year in the United States and despite optimal treatment, the median survival for these patients is only 12 15 months. Treatment commonly consists of surgery followed by treatment with radiation and the drug temozolomide. There are a few drugs that have been approved in patients that have recurrent tumors but none have been shown to promote long-term tumor stabilization or survival.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum). Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men and is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. Estimates for prostate cancer in the U.S. for 2013 are about 238,590 new cases and about 29,720 deaths. About 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime and occurs mainly in men aged 65 or older. Depending on the situation, the treatment options for men with prostate cancer may include: expectant management (watchful waiting) or active surveillance; surgery; radiation therapy; cryosurgery; hormone therapy; chemotherapy; and vaccine treatment. These treatments are generally used one at a time, although in some cases they may be combined.
Clinical Trials
Phase I Clinical Development of G-202 Solid Tumors
During 2011 and 2012, we were engaged in conducting our Phase Ia/b clinical trial of G-202. The purpose of the trial was to evaluate safety, understand the pharmacokinetics (the process by which a compound is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body) of G-202 in humans, and to determine an appropriate dosing regimen for subsequent clinical studies.
In the Phase Ia portion, 28 patients were treated in eight individual cohorts with each subsequent cohort receiving a higher dose of drug until a Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) was identified. The Phase Ia portion was conducted in refractory cancer patients (those who have relapsed after former treatments) with any type of solid tumors. This strategy was intended to facilitate enrollment and provide a preliminary indication of safety across a wider variety of patients with different prior treatment regimens. We treated 28 patients in the Phase Ia portion of the trial at doses ranging from 1.2 mg/m2/dose (approximately 2 mg/dose) up to 88 mg/m2/dose (approximately 150 mg/dose). The drug exposure in patients receiving the higher doses of G-202 falls within the range associated with anti-tumor efficacy in animal models. The MTD of G-202 was identified in this dose escalation portion of the Phase I study.
We further evaluated G-202 in sixteen additional patients in a Phase Ib continuation of the clinical trial. The Phase Ib portion of the trial was designed to further refine a dosing regimen, obtain more safety data and determine a recommended dose for our anticipated Phase II clinical studies. Of these sixteen patients, five were primary liver cancer patients who had tumor progression after previous treatment with sorafenib, which is the only drug approved for this indication. Median progression-free survival in this patient population is typically two months. Two of these liver cancer patients, who were enrolled with metastatic disease, experienced prolonged disease stabilization of 13 and 11 months after initiation of treatment with G-202. Although our Phase I study was not designed to determine the anti-tumor effects of G-202, we view these data as encouraging; however, there can be no assurance that these or any early observations will be reproduced in subsequent studies.
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Phase II Clinical Development of G-202 Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver Cancer)
In 2012, we obtained clearance from the FDA to initiate our Phase II clinical trial entitled, “A Phase II, Multicenter, Single-Arm Study of G-202 as Second-Line Therapy Following Sorafenib for Adult Patients with Progressive Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.” This trial is being conducted at multiple sites in the U.S. and requires seventeen evaluable patients for projected data analysis. As of February 24, 2014, sixteen patients have been treated in the study, of which the majority of the patients treated are considered to be evaluable.
Phase II Clinical Development of G-202 Glioblastoma (Brain Cancer)
In the first quarter of 2014, we entered into a collaborative arrangement and plan to conduct a Phase II clinical trial entitled, “An Open-Label, Single-Arm, Phase II Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety and CNS Exposure of G-202 in Patients with Recurrent or Progressive Glioblastoma.” This trial is being conducted at a single site in the U.S. and is expected to enroll up to 34 patients.
Development Strategy
Under the planning and direction of key personnel, we expect to continue to outsource all of our preclinical development (e.g., toxicology), manufacturing, and clinical development activities to contract research organizations (CROs) and contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs). Our contract CROs and CMOs are required to comply with federal, state and FDA regulations including Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), Good Clinical Practices (GCP), and Good Lab Practices (GLP).
The current form of G-202 is delivered to patients by intravenous infusion, a typical form of delivery for most chemotherapeutic treatments. We have completed preliminary development on an injectable form of G-202 that we believe could add significant value and benefits for: patients (shorter time for drug administration); oncologists (ease of delivery to patient); strengthening our patent portfolio; and enhancing market competitiveness.
Commercialization Strategy
We intend to license or sell the underlying technology of our drug compounds to third parties during or after Phase I/II clinical trials. It is expected that such third parties would then continue to develop, market, sell, and distribute any resulting products. As part of our overall strategic plan, we are exploring our options and actively seeking to engage in a collaborative, strategic and/or licensing arrangement with another pharmaceutical company. If we enter into any such transaction, we may be required to give up certain rights to our technology and control over its future development.
Our Technology
Our approach is to identify specific enzymes that are found at high levels in tumors relative to other tissues in the body. Upon identifying these enzymes, we attempt to create a peptide that is recognized predominantly by those enzymes in the tumor and not by enzymes in normal tissues. We then use the peptide as the masking/targeting agent and attach it to our “cytotoxin” to create a prodrug. We believe that this double layer of recognition adds to the tumor-targeting found in our prodrugs.
CytotoxinThapsigargin
Thapsigargin is a cytotoxin found within the plant Thapsia garganica that grows wild in the Mediterranean region. This cytotoxin has been found to kill cancer cells independent of growth rate (fast-, slow- and non-dividing cells) and is the active toxic ingredient contained in our prodrugs. Thapsigargin is a potent inhibitor of the intracellular sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium adenosine triphosphastase (SERCA) pump protein, consequently causing calcium levels to rise significantly and trigger apoptosis (cell death). We chemically modify thapsigargin to create the molecule 12ADT that retains all the potent cell-killing attributes of thapsigargin, but contains a new structure that can be coupled to a masking/targeting agent. Our prodrugs are manufactured by attaching a specific peptide to 12ADT.
Masking/Targeting Agent
We use peptides to mask the cytotoxin and target the tumor (masking/targeting agents). Peptides are short strings of amino-acids, the building blocks of many components found in cells. When attached to 12ADT, they have the potential to make the cytotoxin inactive and once the peptide is removed from 12ADT, the cytotoxin is active again. Our technology attempts to take advantage of the fact that the masking peptides can be removed by chemical reactors in the body called enzymes, and that the recognition of particular peptides by particular enzymes can be very specific. The peptides also make 12ADT soluble in blood. When the masking peptide is removed, 12ADT returns to its natural insoluble state and precipitates directly into nearby tumor cells.
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Our Prodrug Therapies
Cancer chemotherapy involves treating patients with cytotoxic drugs (compounds or agents that are toxic to cells). Chemotherapy is often combined with surgery or radiation in the treatment of early-stage disease and it is the preferred, or only, treatment option for many forms of cancer in later stages of the disease. However, major drawbacks of chemotherapy include, but are not limited to:
· | Side effects non-cancer cells in the body are also affected, often leading to serious side effects, which may include the destruction of bone marrow, damage to digestive tract cells, and hair loss. |
· | Incomplete tumor kill many of the leading chemotherapeutic agents act during the process of cell division and may be effective on tumors comprised of rapidly-dividing cells, but are much less effective on tumors that contain slowly dividing cells. |
· | Resistance tumors will often develop resistance to current drugs after repeated exposure, thereby limiting the effectiveness of such therapies over multiple dosing. |
Prodrug chemotherapy is a relatively new approach to cancer treatment that is being explored as a means of delivering higher concentrations of cytotoxic agents at the tumor location while avoiding or decreasing toxicity in the rest of the body. An inactive form of a cytotoxin is administered to the patient. The prodrug is converted into the active cytotoxin preferentially at the tumor site. We believe that our lead compound, G-202, may overcome a number of drawbacks associated with current cancer drugs, including:
· | Reduced side effects our lead compound, G-202, appears to be well-tolerated in cancer patients with reduced side effects compared to traditional chemotherapeutic agents, particularly exhibiting significantly less or no effect on the patient’s bone marrow. |
· | Cell-killing activity our prodrugs have been shown in animal cancer models to kill slowly-dividing, non-dividing, as well as rapidly-dividing cancer cells. |
· | Lack of acquired drug resistance testing in animal models of cancer indicated no development of resistance to G-202 after multiple cycles of treatment with G-202 |
As a result of our Phase I clinical trials, we have advanced G-202 into Phase II clinical trials.
Our Prodrug Development Candidates
We currently have identified four prodrug candidates based on our technology, as summarized in the table below. At this time we are focused exclusively on the clinical development of G-202 and have deferred further development of the other prodrug candidates.
Prodrug
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Activating
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Target Location of
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Candidate
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Enzyme
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Active Enzyme
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Status
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G-202
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Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)
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The blood vessels of most solid tumors
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• Phase II
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G-115
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Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
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Prostate cancers
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• Pilot toxicology completed
• Limited pre-clinical development
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G-114
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Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
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Prostate cancers
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• Validated efficacy in pre-clinical animal models (Johns Hopkins University)
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G-301
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Human glandular kallikrein 2 (hK2)
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Prostate cancers
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• Validated efficacy in pre-clinical animal models (Johns Hopkins University)
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The enzymes that we target with our prodrugs are found in very specific places within the body and within the tumors. Our lead drug candidate, G-202, is activated by the enzyme Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen, or PSMA, which is found in prostate epithelial cells in the normal prostate, in prostate cancer cells, and in vascular endothelial cells (blood vessels) found in almost all solid tumors. Thus, we expect that G-202 may be used in the treatment of almost all solid tumors. Importantly, we believe that G-202 may work by destroying the tumor vasculature, thus starving the tumor to death.
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G-115 is activated by the enzyme Prostate Specific Antigen, or PSA, which is secreted by prostate epithelial cells in the normal prostate and by prostate cancer cells. PSA is found in the bloodstream and is a known tumor marker for prostate cancer, but it is inactive in the bloodstream due to potent binding by a protein inhibitor. However, PSA is enzymatically active on the surface of prostate cancer cells as it is being secreted and this activity forms the basis for tumor targeting with G-115. G-301 is activated by the enzyme Human Glandular Kallikrein 2, or hK2, which is secreted by prostate epithelial cells in the normal prostate and by prostate cancer cells. The enzyme hK2 is found in the bloodstream and is known as a tumor marker for prostate cancer but it is inactive in the bloodstream due to potent binding by a protein inhibitor. However, hK2 is enzymatically active on the surface of prostate cancer cells as it is being secreted and this activity forms the basis for tumor targeting with G-301. Both G-115 and G-301 are believed to be useful in the treatment of prostate cancers only and not to be useful for the treatment of other cancers.
Market and Competitive Considerations
The table below summarizes a number of the potential U.S. target markets for our proposed drug candidates:
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2013 Estimated Number of
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Cancer Type
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New Cases
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Deaths
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Prostate
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238,590
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29,720
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Breast
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232,340
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39,620
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Liver & intrahepatic bile duct
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30,640
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21,670
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Brain & other nervous system
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23,130
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14,080
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Source: CA Cancer J. Clin 2013; 63: 11-30
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The Therapeutic Opportunity for Our Drug Candidates
We believe that current anti-angiogenesis drugs (drugs that disrupt the blood supply to tumors) validate the clinical approach and market potential of our drug candidate, G-202. Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels and is a normal process in growth and development, as well as in wound healing. Angiogenesis is also a fundamental step in the development of tumors from a clinically insignificant size to a malignant state because no tumor can grow beyond a few millimeters in size without the nutrition and oxygenation that comes from an associated blood supply. Interrupting this process has been targeted as a point of intervention for slowing or reversing tumor growth. An example of an anti-angiogenic approach is the FDA approved drug, Avastin, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the activity of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, which is important for the growth and survival of endothelial cells.
Avastin and other anti-angiogenic drugs have only a limited therapeutic effect with increased median patient survival times of only a few months. Our approach is designed to destroy both the existing and newly growing tumor vasculature, rather than just block new blood vessel formation. We anticipate that this approach will lead to a more immediate collapse of the tumor’s nutrient supply and consequently an enhanced rate and degree of tumor destruction.
Competition
The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are very competitive, fast moving and intense, and expected to be increasingly so in the future. Although we are not aware of any competitor who is developing a drug that is designed to destroy both the existing and newly growing tumor vasculature in a manner similar to our drug candidates, there are several marketed drugs and drugs in development that attack tumor-associated blood vessels to some degree. For example, Avastin is a marketed product that acts predominantly as an anti-angiogenic agent. Zybrestat is another drug in development that is described as a vascular-disrupting agent that inhibits blood flow to tumors. Nexavar TM and Sutent TM are two other approved drugs that appear to work in part through anti-angiogenic mechanisms. It is impossible to accurately ascertain how well our drugs will compete against these or other products that may be in the marketplace until we have more complete human patient data for comparison.
Intellectual Property
We regard the protection of patents and other intellectual property rights that we own or license as critical to our business and competitive position. To protect our intellectual property, we rely on patent, trade secret and copyright law, as well as confidentiality, nondisclosure, assignment of invention and other contractual arrangements with our officers, directors, employees, consultants, investigators, clinical trial sites, contractors, collaborators and other third parties to whom we disclose confidential information. Our policy is to pursue patent applications on inventions and discoveries that we believe are commercially important to the development and growth of our business. We solely own or have exclusive licenses to all of our patents and patent applications.
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Our pipeline currently includes four prodrug product candidates: G-202 (solid tumors), G-114 (prostate cancer), G-115 (prostate cancer) and G-301 (prostate cancer). Our patent portfolio is currently composed of: 11 issued U.S. patents; 3 pending U.S. non-provisional patent applications; 1 pending U.S. provisional patent applications; 2 pending Patent Cooperation Treaty, or PCT, application; and 1 pending European patent application (also registered in Hong Kong), which relates to the PCT application.
The 11 issued U.S. patents, which expire between 2018 and 2029, contain claims directed to: peptide specific prodrugs (targeting hK2, PSA, PSMA); thapsigargin derivatives; methods of making the same; and, methods of treatment using the same. The U.S. provisional and non-provisional patent applications cover: additional peptide specific prodrugs (targeting fibroblast activation protein-alpha, “FAP”); injectable formulations of peptide prodrugs (PSMA, PSA, hK2, and FAP); methods for producing the same; and methods of treatment using the same. If allowed, these applications would expire between 2027 and 2034. The pending PCT, and its European Union and U.S. counterparts, contain claims directed to compositions and methods for detecting and imaging cancer, and if issued, expire in 2030.
When appropriate, we plan to continue to seek patent protection for inventions in our core technologies and in ancillary technologies that support our core technologies or which we otherwise believe would provide us with a competitive advantage. We expect to be able to accomplish this by filing and maintaining patent applications for discoveries we make, either alone or in collaboration with scientific collaborators and strategic partners. Typically, we plan to file patent applications in the United States as well as foreign countries, where applicable. In addition, we may obtain licenses or options to acquire licenses to patent filings from other individuals and organizations that we anticipate could be useful in advancing our research, development and commercialization initiatives and our strategic business interest.
In addition to and separate from patent protection, G-202 for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma has been granted orphan drug designation under the Orphan Drug Act of 1983, as amended, which was enacted to provide incentives to pharmaceutical companies who create treatments for rare diseases. It does so by granting seven years of exclusivity after approval of a drug in the rare disease, or "orphan" indication. During the seven year period, the FDA may not grant marketing authorization (e.g. to a generic manufacturer) for the same drug for the orphan indication.
We are currently involved in legal proceedings related to certain of our licensed patents. See “Legal Proceedings” below.
Manufacturing and Supply
We do not plan to develop company-owned or company-operated manufacturing facilities. We outsource all drug manufacturing to contract manufacturers that are required to operate in compliance with cGMP. We may also seek to refine the current manufacturing process in order to achieve improvements in efficiency, costs, purity and the like as well as address different drug formulations to achieve improvements in stability and/or drug delivery.
Supply of Raw Materials Thapsibiza SL
To our knowledge, there is only one commercial supplier of Thapsia garganica seeds. In April 2007, we obtained the proper permits from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (the USDA) for the importation of Thapsia garganica seeds. In April 2012, we entered into a five year sole source agreement with Thapsibiza, SL. Either party can extend the agreement for an additional five years by providing 30 days written notice prior to the expiration date. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Thapsibiza, SL has agreed to exclusively provide us Thapsia garganica seeds while we retain the right to seek additional suppliers. The agreement requires us to purchase minimum quantities of seeds per harvest period.
Long-term Supply of Raw Materials
We believe that we presently have sufficient supply of Thapsia garganica seeds in storage to complete our clinical trials as currently planned. However, in order to secure a long-term, stable supply of thapsigargin starting material, we are engaged in two ongoing research projects, including traditional cultivation and metabolic engineering of moss cells.
We are funding an ongoing Thapsia garganica cultivation project with Thapsibiza, SL. It is known that thapsigargin is produced in the various parts of the plant and we are evaluating the most cost-effective way to produce thapsigargin, whether it is extracted from seedlings, early roots, stems and/or shoots or from seeds of the mature plant. Reliable germination methods are established and transfer of plantings from greenhouse to fields appears straightforward. At the current time, we believe traditional cultivation, farming and harvesting of Thapsia garganica is the most reliable and straightforward source of thapsigargin starting material.
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We are also co-funding a moss project at the University of Copenhagen. A major goal of the project entitled SPOTLight (Sustainable Production of Thapsigargin using Light) is to produce thapsigargin in high yields in genetically modified moss cells thus enabling an inexpensive year-round supply of thapsigargin for drug manufacturing. The SPOTLight project is primarily funded by a DKK 18.3M (approximately $3.5M USD) grant from The Danish Council for Strategic Research and is directed by Dr. Søren Brøgger Christensen, Professor at the University of Copenhagen, member of our Scientific Advisory Board and the scientist responsible for the initial isolation and characterization of thapsigargin. We have co-funded the project. As a result, under the terms of our agreement, we have obtained an exclusive, milestone- and royalty-free, fully paid license to the resulting moss cell lines necessary to generate thapsigargin or its chemical precursors. We recognize that this is an ambitious project and that the goal of having a thapsigargin-producing cell line may not be reached. However, even if the project can only generate cell lines that produce chemical precursors of thapsigargin, this might form the basis of a semi-synthetic route to thapsigargin on a commercially viable scale.
Governmental Regulations
FDA Approval Process
Prior to commencement of clinical studies involving humans, preclinical testing of new pharmaceutical products is generally conducted on animals in the laboratory to evaluate the potential efficacy and safety of the product candidate. The results of these studies are submitted to the FDA as part of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, which must become effective before clinical testing in humans can begin. Typically, human clinical evaluation involves a time-consuming and costly three-phase process. In Phase I, clinical trials are conducted with a small number of people to assess safety, tolerability and to evaluate the pattern of drug distribution within the body. In Phase II, clinical trials are conducted with groups of patients afflicted with a specific disease in order to determine preliminary efficacy, optimal dosages and expanded evidence of safety. (In some cases, an initial trial is conducted in diseased patients to assess both preliminary efficacy and preliminary safety, in which case it is referred to as a Phase I/II trial.) In Phase III, large-scale, multi-center, comparative trials are conducted with patients afflicted with a target disease in order to provide enough data to demonstrate the efficacy and safety required by the FDA. The FDA closely monitors the progress of each of the three phases of clinical testing and may, at its discretion, re-evaluate, alter, suspend, or terminate the testing based upon the data which have been accumulated to that point and its assessment of the risk/benefit ratio to the patient. All adverse events must be reported to the FDA. Monitoring of all aspects of the study to minimize risks is a continuing process.
The results of the preclinical and clinical testing on non-biologic drugs and certain diagnostic drugs are submitted to the FDA in the form of a New Drug Application (NDA) for approval prior to commencement of commercial sales. In responding to an NDA submission, the FDA may grant marketing approval, may request additional information, may deny the application if it determines that the application does not provide an adequate basis for approval, and may also refuse to review an application that has been submitted if it determines that the application does not provide an adequate basis for filing and review. There can be no assurance that approvals would be granted on a timely basis, if at all, for any of our proposed products.
European and Other Regulatory Approval
Whether or not FDA approval has been obtained, approval of a product by comparable regulatory authorities in Europe and other countries is necessary prior to commencement of marketing the product in such countries. The regulatory authorities in each country may impose their own requirements and may refuse to grant an approval, or may require additional data before granting it, even though the relevant product has been approved by the FDA or another authority. As with the FDA, the regulatory authorities in the European Union (EU), and other developed countries have lengthy approval processes for pharmaceutical products. The process for gaining approval in particular countries varies, but generally follows a similar sequence to that described for FDA approval. In Europe, the European Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products provides a mechanism for EU-member states to exchange information on all aspects of product licensing. The EU has established a European agency for the evaluation of medical products, with both a centralized community procedure and a decentralized procedure, the latter being based on the principle of licensing within one member country followed by mutual recognition by the other member countries.
Orphan Drug Designation
We have been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA for G-202 in hepatocellular carcinoma. The Orphan Drug Act provides incentives to encourage pharmaceutical companies to development drugs for rare diseases and conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 persons in the U.S. at the time of application for orphan drug designation, or more than 200,000 individuals in the U.S. and for which there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and making a drug product available in the U.S. for this type of disease or condition will be recovered from sales of the product. Orphan drug designation does not convey any advantage in or shorten the duration of the regulatory review and approval process. The first developer to receive FDA marketing approval for an orphan drug is entitled to a seven year exclusive marketing period in the U.S. for that drug product in a certain disease as well potential tax credits and waiver of certain user fees.
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Other Regulations
We are also subject to various U.S. federal, state, local and international laws, regulations and recommendations relating to safe working conditions, laboratory and manufacturing practices and the use and disposal of hazardous or potentially hazardous substances, including radioactive compounds and infectious disease agents, used in connection with our business. Additionally, we are subject to regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. We cannot accurately predict the extent of government regulation which might result from future legislation or administrative action.
Scientific Advisory Board
We have access to a number of academic and industry advisors with expertise in clinical and pharmaceutical development. Members of our Scientific Advisory Board, or SAB, meet with our management and key scientific employees on an ad hoc basis to provide advice in their respective areas of expertise and further assist us by periodically reviewing with management our preclinical and clinical activities. The members of our SAB are Søren Brøgger Christensen, PhD, Samuel R. Denmeade, MD, and John T. Isaacs, PhD. Our SAB members possess deep insight into our technologies and our drug candidate’s mechanism of action which is instrumental in advancing our clinical and development programs. Our SAB members have already made significant contributions to our current clinical development programs, providing input on trial protocols and endpoint design. In connection with a member’s retention on our SAB, we have entered into confidentiality agreements as well as assignment of invention agreements, subject to the member respective obligations and responsibilities to any institution or institutions at which they are employed.
Employees
As of December 31, 2013, we employed 2 full-time individuals who are also our executive officers, all of whom hold advanced degrees. In addition, from time to time on an as needed basis, we contract with approximately 12 consultants to assist in activities related to our operations and research and development plan.
Where to Find More Information
We make our public filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all exhibits and amendments to these reports. These materials are available on the Company’s website at www.genspera.com or on the SEC’s web site, http://www.sec.gov. You may also read or copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Alternatively, you may obtain copies of these filings, including exhibits, by writing or telephoning us at:
GENSPERA
2511 N Loop 1604 W, Suite 204
San Antonio, TX 78258
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
Tel: 210-479-8112
ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS |
We have described below a number of uncertainties and risks which, in addition to uncertainties and risks presented elsewhere in this Annual Report, may adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. The uncertainties and risks enumerated below as well as those presented elsewhere in this Annual Report should be considered carefully in evaluating us, our business and the value of our securities. The following important factors, among others, could cause our actual business, financial condition and future results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report or presented elsewhere by management from time to time.
Risks Related to our Financial Position and Need to Raise Additional Capital
We may not be able to continue as a going concern if we do not obtain additional financing by September 2014.
Our cash and cash equivalents balance at December 31, 2013 was $3.6 million. Based on our current expected level of operating expenditures, we expect to be able to fund our operations for the next nine to twelve months from our year end. Our ability to continue as a going concern is wholly dependent upon obtaining sufficient financing to fund our operations. We have no committed sources of additional capital and our access to capital funding is always uncertain. Accordingly, despite our ability to secure capital in the past, there is no assurance that additional equity or debt financing will be available to us when needed, on acceptable terms or even at all. In the event that we are not able to secure financing, we may be forced to curtail operations, delay or stop ongoing clinical trials, or cease operations altogether or file for bankruptcy. Any such change may materially harm our business, financial condition, and operations.
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Our auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our auditors’ report on our December 31, 2013 financial statements expressed an opinion that our Company’s capital resources as of the date of their Audit Report are not sufficient to sustain operations or complete our planned activities for the upcoming year unless we raise additional funds. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we do not obtain additional funds there is the distinct possibility that we will no longer be a going concern and will cease operation which means that our shareholders will lose their entire investment in our Company.
Risks Relating to Our Stage of Development and Business
We are an early development stage company, have no product revenues, are not profitable and may never be profitable.
Since inception through December 31, 2013, we have raised approximately $24.3 million through the sale of our securities. During this same period, we have recorded accumulated deficit totaling approximately $32.4 million. Our net losses for the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $5.3 million and $6.9 million, respectively. None of our products in development have received approval from the FDA or other regulatory authorities; we have no sales and have never generated product revenues nor expect to for years, if at all. Currently, our only product candidate in development is G-202 which is being tested in a Phase II clinical trial. We expect to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future as we continue research and clinical development of our product candidates. Accordingly, we need additional capital to fund our continuing operations. Since we do not generate any revenue, the most likely sources of such additional capital include the sale of our securities or funds from a potential strategic licensing or collaboration transaction involving the rights to one or more of our product candidates, or from grants. To the extent that we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our stockholders are likely to experience dilution, which may be significant. If we raise additional funds through collaborations and licensing arrangements, it may be necessary to relinquish some or all rights to our technologies, product candidates or products, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. If we raise additional funds by incurring debt, we could incur significant interest expense and become subject to covenants in the related transaction documentation that could affect the manner in which we conduct our business.
All of our product candidates are at an early stage of development and we may never succeed in developing and/or commercializing them. If we are unable to commercialize G-202 or any of our other product candidates, or if we experience significant delays in doing so, our business may fail.
Our product candidates are at various stages of early development and significant financial resources are required to develop commercially viable products and obtain regulatory approval. We have invested a significant portion of our efforts and financial resources in the development of G-202 and depend heavily on its success. We will need to devote significant additional research and development efforts, financial resources and personnel to develop commercially viable products and obtain regulatory approvals. We may encounter hurdles and unexpected issues as we proceed in the development of G-202 and our other product candidates. Although initial data from our clinical trials appear promising, the outcome of the trials is uncertain and these trials or future trials may ultimately be unsuccessful. There are many reasons that we may not succeed in our efforts to develop our product candidates, including the possibility that:
· | we may be unable to enroll sufficient subjects to complete our clinical studies in a timely manner; |
· | unexpected safety issues may occur and additional studies or analyses may be required to characterize and understand those issues, or our studies may be terminated by the institutional review boards or the FDA; |
· | our product candidates may be deemed ineffective, unsafe or will not receive regulatory approvals; |
· | our product candidates may be too expensive to manufacture or market or will not achieve broad market acceptance; |
· | others may claim proprietary rights that may prevent us from marketing our product candidates; or |
· | our competitors may market products that are perceived as equivalent or superior. |
If we fail to develop and commercialize our product candidates, our business may be materially harmed and could fail.
We have only two full-time employees and a limited operating history and may not be able to effectively operate our business.
Our limited staff and operating history means that there is a high degree of uncertainty in our ability to:
· | develop and commercialize our technologies and proposed products; |
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· | obtain regulatory approval to commence marketing our products; |
· | identify, hire and retain any needed additional management or scientific personnel to develop and implement our product development plans and conduct pre-clinical and clinical testing; |
· | manage potential rapid growth with our current limited managerial, operational and financial resources; |
· | achieve market acceptance or insurance reimbursement for any of our proposed products, if successfully developed; |
· | respond to competition; or |
· | operate the business, as management has not previously undertaken such actions as a company. |
No assurances can be given as to exactly when, if at all, we will be able to fully develop, and take the necessary steps to derive any revenues from our proposed products candidates.
Raising capital may be difficult as a result of our history of losses and limited operating history.
When making investment decisions, investors typically look at a company’s earnings and historical performance in evaluating the risks and operations of the business and the business’s future prospects. Our history of losses and limited operating history makes such evaluation, as well as any estimation of our future performance, substantially more difficult. As a result, investors may be unwilling to invest in us or on terms or conditions which are acceptable. If we are unable to secure additional financing, we may need to materially scale back our business plan and/or operations or cease operations altogether.
Risks Related to Commercialization
The market for our proposed products is rapidly changing and competitive. New drugs and new treatments, which may be developed by others, could impair our ability to maintain and grow our business and remain competitive.
The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are subject to rapid and substantial technological change. Developments by others may render our proposed products noncompetitive or obsolete, or we may be unable to keep pace with technological developments and other market factors. Technological competition from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, universities, governmental entities and others diversifying into the field is intense and is expected to increase.
As a pre-revenue development stage company, our resources are limited and we may experience technical challenges inherent in the early development of novel therapeutics. Competitors have developed or are in the process of developing technologies that are, or in the future may be, the basis for competition. Some of these technologies may have an entirely different approach or means of accomplishing similar therapeutic efforts compared to our proposed products. Our competitors may develop drugs that are safer, more effective and less costly than our proposed products and, therefore, present a serious competitive threat to us.
The potential widespread acceptance of therapies that are alternatives to ours may limit market acceptance of our proposed products, even if commercialized. Many of our targeted diseases and conditions can also be treated by other medications and treatments. These treatments may be widely accepted in medical communities and have a longer history of use. The established use of other competing drugs may limit the potential for our proposed products, even if commercialized.
Our proposed products may not be accepted by the health care community.
Our proposed products, if approved for marketing, may not achieve market acceptance since hospitals, physicians, patients or the medical community in general may decide not to utilize them. We are attempting to develop products that are likely to be first approved for marketing as a treatment for late stage cancer where there is no truly effective standard of care. If approved for use in late stage cancer, our proposed products might then be evaluated in earlier stages where they could represent a substantial departure from established treatment methods and would most likely compete with a number of more conventional drugs and therapies manufactured and marketed by major pharmaceutical companies. It is too early in the development cycle of our proposed products for us to accurately predict our major competitors.
The degree of market acceptance of any of our products, if developed, will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to:
· | our ability to demonstrate the clinical efficacy and safety of our proposed products to the medical community; |
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· | our ability to create products that are superior to alternatives currently on the market; |
· | our ability to establish in the medical community the potential advantage of our treatments over alternative treatment methods; and |
· | the reimbursement policies of government and third-party payors. |
There can be no assurance that such reimbursement would be available at all or without substantial delay, or if such reimbursement is provided, that the approved reimbursement amounts would be sufficient to support demand for our proposed products at a level that would be profitable. If the health care community does not accept our products, our business could be materially harmed.
Our competitors in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries have significantly greater operating histories and financial resources than we have.
We compete against numerous companies, many of which have substantially greater financial and other resources than we have. Several such competitors have research programs and/or efforts to treat the same diseases we target. Companies such as Merck & Co., Inc., Ipsen, Johnson & Johnson, and Sanofi S.A., as well as others, have substantially greater financial and other resources, larger research and development staffs and more effective marketing and manufacturing operations than we have and are better situated to compete with us. As a result, our competitors may bring competing products to market that would result in a decrease in demand for our product, if developed, which could have a materially adverse effect on the viability of the company.
Risks Related to Manufacturing Our Product Candidates
We intend to rely exclusively upon third-party FDA-regulated manufacturers and suppliers for our proposed products.
We currently have no internal manufacturing capability, and intend to rely exclusively on FDA-approved licensees, strategic partners or third party contract manufacturers or suppliers for the foreseeable future. Because manufacturing facilities are subject to regulatory oversight and inspection, the failure of any of our third-party FDA regulated manufactures or suppliers to comply with regulatory requirements could result in material manufacturing delays and product shortages, which could delay or otherwise negatively impact our clinical trials and product development. Should we be forced to manufacture our proposed products, we cannot give any assurance that we would be able to develop internal manufacturing capabilities or procure third party suppliers for raw materials. In the event we seek third party suppliers or alternative manufacturers, they may require us to purchase a minimum amount of materials or could require other unfavorable terms. Any such event would materially impact our business prospects and could delay the development of our proposed products. Moreover, we cannot give any assurance that any contract manufacturers or suppliers that we select would be able to supply our products in a timely or cost effective manner or in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements or our specifications.
We may not be able to establish or maintain the third-party relationships that are necessary to develop or potentially commercialize some or all of our product candidates.
Our business plan relies heavily on third party collaborators, partners, licensees, clinical research organizations or other third parties to support our discovery efforts, and to conduct clinical trials for all or some of our product candidates. We cannot guarantee that we are able to successfully negotiate agreements for or maintain relationships with collaborators, partners, licensees, clinical investigators, vendors or other third parties on a commercially reasonable basis, if at all. Additionally, to commercialize our proposed products, we intend to rely on third party licensees or the outright sale of our proposed products to a major pharmaceutical partner. Our ability to successfully negotiate such agreements depends on, among other things, potential partners’ evaluation of our technology over competing technologies and the quality of the pre-clinical and clinical data that we have generated, and the perceived risks specific to generating our product candidates. If we fail to establish such third-party relationships as anticipated, we could experience delays in the commercialization of our products.
Our business is dependent upon securing and importing sufficient quantities of seeds from the plant, Thapsia garganica, which currently grows in very specific locations outside of the United States.
The therapeutic component of our products, including our lead compound G-202, is referred to as 12ADT. 12ADT is derived from a material called thapsigargin. Thapsigargin is derived from the seeds of a plant referred to as Thapsia garganica, which grows along the coastal regions of the Mediterranean Sea. We currently secure the seeds from Thapsibiza, SL, a third-party supplier. There can be no assurances that Thapsia garganica would continue to grow in sufficient quantities to produce an adequate supply of seeds for the production of sufficient quantities of thapsigargin, or that the countries from which we can secure Thapsia garganica continue to allow Thapsibiza, SL, to collect such seeds and/or export the seeds derived from Thapsia garganica to the United States. The process of importing Thapsia garganica seeds is subject to U.S. import and export laws and controls. Our supply agreement with Thapsibiza, SL (our sole supplier) expires on April 6, 2017. The agreement also provides that either party may extend the agreement for an additional 5 years by providing the other party 30 days’ written notice prior to its expiration. In the event we are no longer able to obtain these seeds in the future, we may not be able to produce our proposed drug and our business could be adversely affected.
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We may be required to locate, secure and finance land for cultivation and harvesting of Thapsia garganica to satisfy our needs for clinical development of our therapies.
We believe that we can satisfy our needs for the clinical development of G-202, through completion of Phase III clinical studies, from Thapsia garganica that grows naturally in the wild. In the event G-202 is approved for commercial marketing, our current supply of Thapsia garganica may not be sufficient for the anticipated demand. In order to secure sufficient quantities of Thapsia garganica for the commercialization of a product comprising G-202, we would need to secure adequate acreage of land to cultivate and grow Thapsia garganica. We have not yet fully assessed the amount of land or other costs that would be associated with a full-scale farming operation. There can be no assurances that we would be able to secure adequate acres of land, or that even if we are able to do so, that we could grow sufficient quantities of Thapsia garganica to satisfy any commercial objectives that involve G-202. Our inability to secure adequate seeds will result in us not being able to develop and manufacture our proposed drug candidates and could adversely impact our business.
The synthesis of 12ADT must be conducted in special facilities.
We are required to manufacture the 12ADT that is to be used in our clinical trials in FDA approved facilities. There are a limited number of manufacturing facilities qualified to handle and manufacture toxic therapeutic agents and compounds. This limits the potential number of possible manufacturing sites for our therapeutic compounds derived from Thapsia garganica. No assurances can be provided that these facilities would be available for the manufacture of our therapeutic compounds under our time schedules or within the parameters of our manufacturing budget. In the event facilities are not available for the manufacturing of our therapeutic compounds, we may not be able to complete our clinical trials and our business and future prospects would be adversely affected.
Our therapeutic compounds have not been subjected to large scale manufacturing procedures and may not be able to be manufactured profitably on a large enough scale to support late stage clinical trials or commercialization.
To date, our proposed products have only been manufactured at a scale which is adequate to supply our research activities and early stage clinical trials. There can be no assurance that the current procedures used to manufacture our proposed products would work at a scale which is adequate for commercial needs. In the event our therapeutic compounds cannot be manufactured in sufficient quantities for late stage clinical trials or commercialization, our future prospects could be significantly impacted and our financial prospects would be materially harmed.
Risks Relating to our Intellectual Property
Our competitive position is dependent on our intellectual property and we may not be able to withstand challenges to our intellectual property rights.
We rely on our intellectual property, including our issued and applied for U.S. and foreign patents as well as our licenses, as the foundation of our business. If our intellectual property rights are challenged, no assurances can be given that our patents or licenses would survive claims alleging invalidity or infringement on other patents and/or licenses. In addition, disputes may arise regarding inventorship of our intellectual property. It is possible that our products may be infringing upon existing patents that we are currently unaware of. As the number of participants in the market place grows, the possibility of patent infringement claims against us increases. It is difficult, if not impossible, to determine how such disputes would be resolved. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with patent litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be required to be publicly disclosed. In addition, during the course of patent litigation, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments in the litigation. Any litigation claims against us may cause us to incur substantial costs and could place a significant strain upon our financial resources, divert the attention of management or restrict our core business or result in the public disclosure of confidential information. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could materially impact our business.
We are the subject of litigation related to our intellectual property.
We instituted a declaratory judgment action in the United States District Court of Maryland on March 12, 2012. We, as the licensee, are seeking a declaratory judgment that the current named inventors on U.S. Patent Nos. 7,468,354 and 7,767,648 are the only inventors of the underlying inventions. On November 1, 2012, the defendant in the case filed a complaint in the State Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Maryland, naming GenSpera as a defendant along with Dr. Samuel Denmeade and Dr. John Isaacs (the named inventors on the ‘354 patent and the ‘648 patent). The complaint alleges certain common-law torts. The outcome of the above mentioned litigation could materially and adversely affect our business. However, because this litigation is in its early stages, and due to the inherent uncertainty surrounding the litigation process, we are unable to reasonably estimate the ultimate outcome or the impact of such outcome at this time. See the section of this Annual Report entitled “Legal Proceedings”.
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We may incur substantial costs as a result of litigation or other proceedings relating to patent and other intellectual property rights and we may be unable to protect our rights to, or use of, our technology.
Some or all of our patent applications may not issue as patents, or the claims of any issued patents may not afford meaningful protection for our technologies or products. In addition, patents issued to us or our licensors, if any, may be challenged and subsequently narrowed, invalidated or circumvented. Patent litigation is widespread in the biotechnology industry and could harm our business. Litigation might be necessary to protect our patent position or to determine the scope and validity of third-party proprietary rights. If we choose to go to court to stop someone else from using the inventions claimed in our patents, that individual or company would have the right to ask the court to rule that such patents are invalid and/or should not be enforced against that third party. These lawsuits are expensive and we may not have the required resources to pursue such litigation or to protect our patent rights. In addition, there is a risk that the court might decide that these patents are not valid and that we do not have the right to stop the other party from using the inventions. There is also the risk that, even if the validity of these patents is upheld, the court refuses to stop the other party on the ground that such other party’s activities do not infringe our rights in these patents.
Furthermore, a third party may claim that we are using inventions covered by the third party’s patent rights and may go to court to stop us from engaging in our normal operations and activities, including making or selling our product candidates. These lawsuits are costly and could affect our results of operations and divert the attention of managerial and technical personnel. There is a risk that a court would decide that we are infringing the third party’s patents and would order us to stop the activities covered by the patents. In addition, there is a risk that a court would order us to pay the other party treble damages for having violated the other party’s patents. The biotechnology industry has produced a proliferation of patents, and it is not always clear to industry participants, including us, which patents cover various types of products or methods of use. The coverage of patents is subject to interpretation by the courts, and the interpretation is not always uniform.
If we are sued for patent infringement, we would need to demonstrate that our products or methods of use either do not infringe the claims of the relevant patent and/or that the patent claims are invalid, and we may not be able to do this. Proving invalidity in the United Sates, in particular, is difficult since it requires a showing of clear and convincing evidence to overcome the presumption of validity enjoyed by issued patents.
Because some patent applications in the United States may be maintained in secrecy until the patents are issued, patent applications in the United States and many foreign jurisdictions are typically not published until eighteen months after filing, and publications in the scientific literature often lag behind actual discoveries, we cannot be certain that others have not filed patent applications for technology covered by our issued patents or our pending applications or that we were the first to invent the technology. Our competitors may have filed, and may in the future file, patent applications covering technology similar to ours. Any such patent application may have priority over our patent applications and could further require us to obtain rights to issued patents covering such technologies.
If another party has filed a United States patent application on inventions similar to ours, we may have to participate in an interference or other proceeding in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or the PTO, or a court to determine priority of invention in the United States. The costs of these proceedings could be substantial, and it is possible that such efforts would be unsuccessful, resulting in a loss of our United States patent position with respect to such inventions.
Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greater resources. In addition, any uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of any litigation could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise the funds necessary to continue our operations.
Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends upon compliance with various procedural, documentary, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.
The PTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other provisions during the patent process. There are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. In such an event, competitors might be able to enter the market earlier than would otherwise have been the case.
Our failure to secure trademark registration could adversely affect our ability to market our product candidates and our business.
Our trademark applications in the United States, when filed, and any other jurisdictions where we may file, may not be allowed for registration, and our registered trademarks may not be maintained or enforced. During trademark registration proceedings, we may receive rejections. Although we are given an opportunity to respond to those rejections, we may be unable to overcome such rejections. In addition, in the PTO and in comparable agencies in many foreign jurisdictions, third parties are given an opportunity to oppose pending trademark applications and to seek to cancel registered trademarks. Opposition or cancellation proceedings may be filed against our applications and/or registrations, and our applications and/or registrations may not survive such proceedings. Failure to secure such trademark registrations in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions could adversely affect our ability to market our product candidates and our business.
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Confidentiality agreements with employees and others may not adequately prevent disclosure of our trade secrets and other proprietary information and may not adequately protect our intellectual property, which could impede our ability to compete.
We rely in part on trade secret protection in order to protect our proprietary trade secrets and unpatented know-how. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect, and we cannot be certain that others do not develop the same or similar technologies on their own. We have taken steps, including entering into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, service providers, and potential strategic partners to protect our trade secrets and unpatented know-how. These agreements generally require that the other party keep confidential and not disclose to third parties all confidential information developed by the party or made known to the party by us during the course of the party’s relationship with us. We also typically obtain agreements from these parties which provide that inventions conceived by the party in the course of rendering services to us are our property. However, these agreements may not be honored and may not effectively assign intellectual property rights to us. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally obtained and is using our trade secrets or know-how is difficult, expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, courts outside the United States may be less willing to protect trade secrets or know-how. The failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive position.
We may be subject to claims that our employees or consultants have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their former employers.
As is common in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, we employ and hire individuals and/or entities who were previously employed at other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Although no claims against us are currently pending, we may be subject to claims that these individuals, entities or us have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former employers. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.
We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property.
Considerable research with regard to our technologies has been performed in countries outside of the United States. The laws in some of those countries may not provide protection for our trade secrets and intellectual property. If our trade secrets or intellectual property are misappropriated in those countries, we may be without adequate remedies to address the issue. Additionally, we also rely on confidentiality and assignment of invention agreements to protect our intellectual property. These agreements provide for contractual remedies in the event of misappropriation. We do not know to what extent, if any, these agreements and any remedies for their breach would be enforced by a foreign or domestic court. In the event our intellectual property is misappropriated or infringed upon and an adequate remedy is not available, our future prospects would greatly diminish.
Additionally, prosecuting and maintaining intellectual property (particularly patent) rights are very costly endeavors. We do not know whether legal and government fees would increase substantially and therefore are unable to predict whether cost may factor into our intellectual property strategy.
Risks Relating to Marketing Approval and Government Regulations
Thapsia garganica and thapsigargin are highly toxic and we may be liable for any contamination or injury we may cause or any environmental and safety law we may violate.
The therapeutic component of our products, including our lead product G-202, is derived from the natural product, thapsigargin, which is isolated from the seeds of the plant Thapsia garganica. Both thapsigargin, as well as seeds of Thapsia garganica, are highly toxic. As a consequence, we are subject to numerous environmental and safety laws and regulations, including those governing laboratory procedures and the handling of toxic materials. We may be required to incur significant costs to comply with current or future environmental laws and regulations and may be adversely affected by the cost of compliance with these laws and regulations. Although we believe that our safety procedures for using, handling, storing and disposing of hazardous materials comply with the standards prescribed by state and federal regulations, the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials cannot be eliminated. In the event of such an accident, state or federal authorities could curtail our use of these materials and we could be liable for any civil damages that result, the cost of which could be substantial. Further, any failure by us to control the use, disposal, removal or storage, or to adequately restrict the discharge, or assist in the clean-up of toxic substances could subject us to significant liabilities, including joint and several liabilities under certain statutes. Although we feel this risk may be minimized through our use of third parties, it is possible that the employees of such contractors could suffer medical issues related to the handling of these toxic agents and subsequently seek compensation from us via, for example, litigation. Any such liability could exceed our resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. No assurances can be given, despite our contractual relationship with the third-party contractor, that we would not be the subject of litigation related to the handling of Thapsia garganica and the natural product thapsigargin. Additional federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting us may be adopted in the future. We may incur substantial costs to comply with these laws and regulations and substantial fines or penalties if we violate any of these laws or regulations, which would adversely affect our business.
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We are dependent upon third parties to develop our product candidates, and such parties are, to some extent, outside of our control.
We depend upon independent contract research organizations, investigators and collaborators, such as universities and medical institutions, to conduct our pre-clinical and clinical trials under agreements with us. These individuals and/or entities are not our employees and we cannot control the amount or timing of resources that they devote to our programs. These third parties may not assign as great a priority to our programs or pursue them as diligently as we would if we were undertaking such programs ourselves. If these third parties fail to devote sufficient time and resources to our programs, or if their performance is substandard, the development of our drug candidates and corresponding FDA approval could be delayed or fail entirely.
Data obtained from clinical trials are susceptible to varying interpretations and may not be sufficient to support approval by the FDA, which could delay, limit or prevent regulatory clearances.
The design of our clinical trials is based on many assumptions about the expected effect of our product candidate and if those assumptions are incorrect, our clinical trials may not produce statistically significant results. Preliminary results may not be confirmed on full analysis of the detailed results of early clinical trials. Data already obtained, or in the future obtained, from pre-clinical studies and clinical trials do not necessarily predict the results that may be obtained from later pre-clinical studies and clinical trials. Moreover, pre-clinical and clinical data are susceptible to varying interpretations, which could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical industry have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after promising results in earlier trials. The failure to adequately demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of a proposed formulation or product under development could delay or prevent regulatory clearance of the potential drug. Our products may not prove to be safe and effective in clinical trials and may not meet all regulatory requirements needed to receive regulatory approval. The resulting delays to commercialization could materially harm our business. Our clinical trials may not demonstrate sufficient levels of safety and efficacy necessary to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals for our drugs, and thus our proposed drugs may not be approved for marketing.
Changes in regulatory requirements and guidance or unanticipated events during our clinical trials may occur, which may result in necessary changes to clinical trial protocols, informed consents and study budgets, which could result in increased costs to us, delay our development timeline or reduce the likelihood of successful completion of the clinical trial or product development.
Changes in regulatory requirements and guidance or unanticipated events during our clinical trials may occur, as a result of which, we may need to amend clinical trial protocols, informed consents and study budgets. If we experience delays in initiation, conduct or completion of, or if we terminate, any clinical trials due to changes in regulatory requirements/guidance or other unanticipated events, we may incur additional costs, have difficulty enrolling subjects or achieving medical investigator or institutional review board acceptance of the changes and the successful completion of the trial and, ultimately, the commercial prospects for our products may be harmed and our ability to generate product revenue could be delayed, possibly materially.
The process to obtain FDA approval for a new drug is very costly and time consuming and if we cannot complete our clinical trials in a timely or cost-effective manner, our results of operations may be adversely affected.
The costs of clinical trials may vary significantly over the life of a project owing, but not limited to the following:
• | the duration of the clinical trials; |
• | the number of sites included in the trials; |
• | the countries in which the trials are conducted; |
• | the length of time required to enroll eligible patients; |
• | the number of patients that participate in the trials; |
• | the number of doses that patients receive; |
• | the drop-out or discontinuation rates of patients; |
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• | potential additional safety monitoring or other studies requested by regulatory agencies; |
• | the duration of patient follow-up; |
• | the efficacy and safety profile of the product candidate; and |
• | the costs and timing of obtaining regulatory approvals. |
If we are unable to control the costs of our clinical trials and conduct our trials in a cost-effective manner, our results of operations may be adversely affected.
Our proposed products may not receive FDA or other regulatory approvals.
The FDA and comparable government agencies in foreign countries impose substantial regulations on the manufacture and marketing of pharmaceutical products through lengthy and detailed laboratory, pre-clinical and clinical testing procedures, sampling activities and other costly and time-consuming procedures. Satisfaction of these regulations typically takes several years or more and varies substantially based upon the type, complexity and novelty of the proposed product. Our proposed products are subject to extensive regulation and/or acceptance by numerous governmental authorities in the United States, including the FDA, and authorities in other countries. Most of our proposed products require governmental approval before they can be commercialized. If we are unable to obtain regulatory approvals for our products at all or in a timely manner, we may not be able to grow as quickly as expected, or at all, and the loss of anticipated revenues could reduce our ability to fully fund our operations and to otherwise execute our business plan. Our failure to receive the regulatory approvals in the United States would likely cause us to cease operations and go out of business.
As we develop additional new products, we are required to determine what regulatory requirements, if any, we must comply with in order to market and sell such proposed products in the United States and worldwide. The process of obtaining regulatory approval could take years and be very costly, if approval can be obtained at all. If we fail to comply with these requirements, we could be subjected to enforcement actions such as an injunction to stop us from marketing the product at issue or a possible seizure of our assets. We intend to work diligently to assure compliance with all applicable regulations that impact our business. We can give no assurance, however, that we will be able to obtain regulatory approval for our products. We also cannot assure that additional regulations will not be enacted in the future that would be costly or difficult to satisfy. Our failure to receive regulatory approvals in the United States in a timely manner or comply with newly enacted additional regulation could cause us to cease operations and go out of business. Because our products are in various stages of development, we expect that significant research and development, financial resources, and personnel would be required to develop commercially-viable products that can obtain regulatory approval.
The regulatory process, which includes clinical validation of many of our proposed products to establish their safety and effectiveness, can take many years and require the expenditure of substantial financial and other resources. Data obtained from clinical validation activities are susceptible to varying interpretations that could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. In addition, delays or rejection may be encountered based upon changes in, or additions to, regulatory policies for device marketing authorization during the period of product development and regulatory review. Delays in obtaining such approvals could adversely affect our marketing of products developed and our ability to generate commercial product revenues.
In addition, if we desire to commercialize our proposed products worldwide, we are required to meet regulatory requirements in countries outside the United States, which can change rapidly with relatively short notice, resulting in our products being banned in certain countries and an associated loss of revenues and income. Foreign regulatory agencies can also introduce test format changes which, if we do not quickly address, can result in restrictions on sales of our products. Such changes are not uncommon due to advances in basic research.
Our proposed products may not have favorable results in clinical trials or receive regulatory approval.
Positive results from pre-clinical studies and our Phase I trials of G-202 should not be relied upon as evidence that our clinical trials will succeed. Even if our proposed product achieves positive results in pre-clinical studies or during our Phase I studies, we will be required to demonstrate through further clinical trials that our product candidates are safe and effective for use in a diverse population before we can seek regulatory approvals for their commercial sale. There is typically an extremely high rate of attrition from the failure of product candidates as they proceed through clinical trials. If any product candidate fails to demonstrate sufficient safety and efficacy in any clinical trial, then we would experience potentially significant delays in, or be required to abandon, development of that product candidate. Although initial data from the trials appear promising, the outcome of the trials is uncertain and these trials or future trials may ultimately be unsuccessful. If we delay or abandon the development efforts of any of our product candidates, we may not be able to generate revenues.
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We may be unable to complete our Phase II clinical trials of G-202 if we do not have adequate enrollment or capital to finance the studies.
In February 2013, we initiated a Phase II clinical trial in liver cancer. The continuation and completion of this trial is dependent on a number of factors, including adequate capital to fund the clinical trials and patient enrollment at the trial sites. At present, we have limited capital resources and require significant additional capital to complete any ongoing or future clinical trials that we may initiate. Additionally, we are initially targeting liver cancer in these trials which has historically had a lower occurrence in the United States, which is where our trial is being conducted. As a result, enrollment in our liver cancer trial may take longer than anticipated and the costs associated with such trial may be greater than previously estimated. Our failure to enroll sufficient patients or to finance our clinical trials could materially harm our business.
Even if we complete clinical development, successfully submit applications for marketing and obtain regulatory approvals, our marketed drugs are subject to ongoing regulatory review and oversight. If we fail to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, we could be subject to potential enforcement actions such as fines, seizures, operating restrictions, suspension or lose our approvals to market drugs and our business would be materially and adversely affected.
Following regulatory approval of any drugs or therapies we may develop, we remain subject to continuing regulatory review, including the review of adverse drug experiences and clinical results that are reported after our drug products are made available to patients. This would include results from any post marketing tests or vigilance required as a condition of approval. The manufacturer or manufacturing facilities we use to make any of our drug products are also be subject to periodic review and inspection by the FDA. The discovery of any new or previously unknown problems with the product, manufacturer or facility may result in restrictions on the drug or manufacturer facility, including withdrawal of the drug from the market. We would continue to be subject to the FDA requirements governing the labeling, packaging, storage, advertising, promotion, recordkeeping, and submission of safety and other post-market information for all of our product candidates, even those that the FDA has approved. If we fail to comply with the applicable continuing regulatory requirements, we may be subject to fines, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approval, product recalls and seizures, operating restrictions and other adverse consequences.
Even if we receive regulatory approval to market our proposed product candidates, they may not be accepted commercially, or be eligible for reimbursement under governmental or third-party payor insurance programs, which would prevent us from becoming profitable.
We have concentrated our research and development on our prodrug technologies. Our ability to generate revenue and operate profitably depends on us being able to develop these technologies for human applications. Our technologies are primarily directed toward the development of cancer therapeutic agents. We cannot guarantee that the results obtained in the pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of our therapeutic agents would be sufficient to warrant approval by the FDA. Even if our therapeutic agents are approved for use by the FDA, there is no guarantee that they exhibit an enhanced efficacy relative to competing therapeutic modalities such that they would be adopted by the medical community or that our proposed product candidates will be eligible for government or third-party payor insurance programs. Without significant adoption by the medical community and eligibility for reimbursement, our proposed products will have limited commercial potential which could harm our ability to generate revenues, operate profitably or remain a viable business.
Additional factors that we believe could materially affect market acceptance of our proposed products are:
• | timing of our receipt of any marketing approvals, the terms of any approvals and the countries in which approvals are obtained; |
• | safety, efficacy and ease of administration of our therapeutic agents; |
• | advantages of our therapeutic agents over those of our competitors; |
• | willingness of patients to accept new therapies; |
• | success of our physician education programs; |
• | availability of government and third-party payor reimbursement; |
• | pricing of our products, particularly as compared to alternative treatments; and |
• | availability of effective alternative treatments and the relative risks and/or benefits of the treatments. |
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If users of our proposed products are unable to obtain adequate reimbursement from third-party payors, market acceptance of our proposed products may be limited and we may not achieve revenues or profits.
The continuing efforts of governments, insurance companies, health maintenance organizations and other payers of healthcare costs to contain or reduce costs of health care may affect our future revenues and profitability as well as the future revenues and profitability of our potential customers, suppliers and collaborative partners in addition to the availability of capital. In other words, our ability to commercialize our proposed products depends in large part on the extent to which appropriate reimbursement levels for the cost of our proposed formulations, products and related treatments are obtained by the health care providers of these products and treatments. At this time we cannot predict the precise impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Affordability Act of 2010, the comprehensive health care reform legislation passed by Congress in March 2010.
We need to obtain FDA approval of any proposed product brand names, and any failure or delay associated with such approval may adversely impact our business.
A pharmaceutical product cannot be marketed in the United States or other countries until it has completed rigorous and extensive regulatory review processes, including approval of a brand name. Any brand names we intend to use for our product candidates requires approval from the FDA regardless of whether we have secured a formal trademark registration from the PTO. The FDA typically conducts a review of proposed product brand names, including an evaluation of potential for confusion with other product names. The FDA may also object to a product brand name if it believes the name inappropriately implies medical claims. If the FDA objects to any of our proposed product brand names, we may be required to adopt an alternative brand name for our product.
If we are unable to successfully complete clinical trials, we will be unable to seek regulatory approval to commercialize our proposed products which could significantly impair our viability.
The Phase II clinical trial of G-202 in liver cancer patients is ongoing and we plan to initiate additional Phase II clinical trials with G-202 for different indications when financial resources permit. Although one Phase II clinical trial is underway, the outcome of this and future clinical trials is uncertain and, if we are unable to satisfactorily complete such trials, or if such trials yield unsatisfactory results, we would not be able to commercialize our proposed products. The failure of our trials could delay or prevent regulatory approval and could harm our ability to generate revenues, operate profitably or remain a viable business.
We may be unable to comply with our reporting and other requirements under federal securities laws.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as related new rules and regulations implemented by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, require changes in the corporate governance practices and financial reporting standards for public companies. These laws, rules and regulations, including compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 relating to internal control over financial reporting, would be expected to materially increase the Company’s legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time-consuming and more burdensome. Presently we qualify as a non-accelerated filer and, accordingly, are exempt from the requirements of Section 404(b) and our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to audit the design and operating effectiveness of our internal controls and management’s assessment of the design and the operating effectiveness of such internal controls. In the event we become an accelerated filer, we would be required to expend substantial capital in connection with compliance.
We do not have effective internal controls over our financial reporting, and if we cannot provide reliable financial and other information, investors may lose confidence in us and in our SEC reports.
Because of our limited resources, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting may not be effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. To mitigate the current limited resources and limited number of employees, we rely heavily on direct management oversight of transactions, along with the use of legal and accounting professionals. As we expand, we expect to increase our number of employees, which may enable us to implement adequate segregation of duties within the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission internal control framework and accordingly, increase the effectiveness of our internal controls.
Effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures are necessary for us to provide reliable financial and other reports and effectively prevent fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial or SEC reports or prevent fraud, investors may lose confidence in our SEC reports, our operating results and the trading price of our common stock could suffer materially and we may become subject to litigation.
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Compliance with changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure may result in additional expenses and will divert time and attention away from revenue generating activities.
Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC regulations, have created uncertainty for public companies and significantly increased the costs and risks associated with accessing the public markets and public reporting. Our management team invests significant time and financial resources to comply with both existing and evolving standards for public companies, which will lead to increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from developing our business to compliance activities which could have an adverse effect on our business.
Risks Relating to our Securities
Our common stock price may be particularly volatile because of our stage of development and business may be adversely affected by several factors.
The market prices for securities of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in general, and early-stage drug development companies in particular, have been highly volatile and may continue to be highly volatile in the future. The following may have a significant impact on the market price of our common stock:
• | the development status of our drug candidates, particularly the results of our clinical trials of G-202; |
• | market conditions or trends related to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, or the market in general; |
• | announcements of technological innovations, new commercial products, or other material events by our competitors or us; |
• | disputes or other developments concerning our proprietary rights; |
• | changes in, or failure to meet, securities analysts’ or investors’ expectations of our financial and developmental performance; |
• | additions or departures of key personnel; |
• | loss of any strategic relationship; |
• | discussions of our business, products, financial performance, prospects, or stock price by the financial and scientific press and online investor communities such as chat rooms; |
• | industry developments, including, without limitation, changes in healthcare policies or practices or third-party reimbursement policies; |
• | public concern as to, and legislative action with respect to, testing or other research areas of biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies, the pricing and availability of prescription drugs, or the safety of drugs; |
• | regulatory developments in the United States or foreign countries; and |
• | economic, political and other external factors. |
In addition, the market price for securities of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies historically has been volatile, and the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may cause the market price of our common stock to decline substantially. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a particular company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. We may become subject to this type of litigation, which is often extremely expensive and diverts management’s attention. Additionally, fluctuations in the trading price or liquidity of our common stock may materially and adversely affect, among other things, the interest of investors to purchase our common stock on the open market and, generally, our ability to raise capital.
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We may issue additional common stock, which might dilute the net tangible book value per share of our common stock for existing stockholders.
We are authorized to issue up to 150,000,000 shares of common stock and 30,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock, although these amounts may change in the future subject to shareholder approval. Any stock issuances could be made at a price that reflects a discount to, or a premium from, the then-current market price of our common stock. In addition, in order to raise capital, we may need to issue securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for a significant amount of our common stock. These issuances would dilute the percentage ownership interest, which would have the effect of reducing your influence on matters on which our stockholders vote, and might dilute the net tangible book value per share of our common stock.
Our board of directors has broad discretion to issue additional securities.
We are authorized under our certificate of incorporation to issue up to 150,000,000 shares of common stock and 30,000,000 “blank check” shares of preferred stock. Shares of our blank check preferred stock provide the board of directors’ broad authority to determine voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights. As of February 21, 2014 we have issued and outstanding 27,252,966 shares of common stock and we have 22,252,210 shares of common stock reserved for future grants under our equity compensation plans and for issuances upon the exercise or conversion of currently outstanding options, warrants and convertible securities. As of February 21, 2014, we had no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.
Accordingly, we are entitled to issue up to 100,494,824 additional shares of common stock and 30,000,000 additional shares of “blank check” preferred stock. Our board may generally issue those common and preferred shares, or convertible securities to purchase those shares, without further approval by our shareholders. Any preferred shares we may issue could have such rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions as may be designated from time-to-time by our board, including preferential dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and liquidation provisions. It is likely that we would issue a large amount of additional securities to raise capital in order to further our development and marketing plans. It is also likely that would issue a large amount of additional securities to directors, officers, employees and consultants as compensatory grants in connection with their services, both in the form of stand-alone grants or under our various stock plans. The issuance of additional securities may cause substantial dilution to our shareholders.
Future sales of our common stock could cause our stock price to fall.
Transactions that result in a large amount of newly issued shares become readily tradable, or other events that cause current stockholders to sell shares, could place downward pressure on the trading price of our common stock. In addition, the lack of a robust trading market may require a stockholder who desires to sell a large number of shares of common stock to sell the shares in increments over time to mitigate any adverse impact of the sales on the market price of our stock. If our stockholders sell, or the market perceives that our stockholders intend to sell for various reasons, substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, including shares issued upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, the market price of our common stock could fall. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate. We may become involved in securities class action litigation that could divert management’s attention and harm our business.
As of February 21, 2014, we had 27,252,966 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Substantially all of these shares are available for public sale, subject in some cases to volume and other limitations or delivery of a prospectus. As of February 21, 2014, we had reserved for issuance (i) 262,776 shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of outstanding convertible notes; (ii) 10,216,597 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $2.56 per share; and (iii) 8,279,525 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options under our equity compensation plans at a weighted average exercise price of $1.68 per share. Subject to applicable vesting requirements, upon conversion or exercise of the outstanding convertible notes, warrants and options, the underlying shares may be resold into the public market. We cannot predict if future issuances or sales of our common stock, or the availability of our common stock for sale, would harm the market price of our common stock or our ability to raise capital.
The market for our common stock has been illiquid.
Our common stock trades with limited volume on the OTCQB tier of the OTC Markets Group Inc. Accordingly, although a limited public market for our common stock exists, it is still relatively illiquid compared to that of a seasoned issuer. Any prospective investor in our securities should consider the limited market of our common stock when making an investment decision. No assurances can be given that the trading volume of our common stock will increase or that a liquid public market for our securities will ever materialize.
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We have not paid cash dividends in the past and do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any return on your investment may be limited to increases in the market price of our common stock.
We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. If we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will only occur if the market price of our common stock appreciates.
Our officers and scientific advisors, by virtue of their ownership of our securities, may be able to control the Company.
As of February 21, 2014, our officers and scientific advisors owned approximately 23% of our issued and outstanding common stock. As a consequence of their level of stock ownership, the group retains substantial ability to influence the election or removal of members of our board of directors, and thereby control our management. This group of shareholders has the ability to significantly control the outcome of corporate actions requiring shareholder approval, including amending our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, approving mergers or other changes of corporate control, and approving going private transactions and other extraordinary transactions, any of which may be in opposition to the best interest of the other shareholders and may negatively impact the value of your investment.
Provisions of Delaware law and executive employment agreements may prevent or delay a change of control, which could depress the trading price of our common stock.
We are subject to the Delaware anti-takeover laws regulating corporate takeovers. These anti-takeover laws prevent Delaware corporations from engaging in a merger or sale of more than 10% of its assets with any stockholder, including all affiliates and associates of the stockholder, who owns 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock, for three years following the date that the stockholder acquired 15% or more of the corporation’s assets unless:
• | the Board of Directors approved the transaction in which the stockholder acquired 15% or more of the corporation’s assets; |
• | after the transaction in which the stockholder acquired 15% or more of the corporation’s assets, the stockholder owned at least 85% of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock, excluding shares owned by directors, officers and employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held under the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or |
• | on or after this date, the merger or sale is approved by the Board of Directors and the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the stockholder. |
A Delaware corporation may opt out of the Delaware anti-takeover laws if its certificate of incorporation or bylaws so provides. We have not opted out of the provisions of the anti-takeover laws. As such, these laws could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change of control of GenSpera and may discourage attempts by other companies to acquire us.
In addition, employment agreements with certain executive officers provide for the payment of severance and accelerated vesting of options and restricted stock in the event of termination following a change of control. These provisions could have the effect of discouraging potential takeover attempts even if it would be beneficial to shareholders.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could discourage a third-party from acquiring us.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as applicable, among other things, (i) provide our board with the ability to alter the bylaws without stockholder approval, and (ii) provide that vacancies on our board of directors may be filled by a majority of directors in office. These provisions, while designed to reduce vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal, and to discourage certain tactics used in proxy fights, may negatively impact a third-party’s decision to acquire us even if it would be beneficial to shareholders.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports or if they publish unfavorable research or reports, the price of our common stock could decline.
The trading market for our common stock depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We currently have limited research coverage by securities and industry analysts. We are a small company which is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume. Even if we come to the attention of such persons, they may be reluctant to follow or recommend an unproven company such as ours until such time as we became more seasoned and viable. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days, weeks or months when trading activity in our shares is minimal or non-existent, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that generally supports continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. We cannot give you any assurance that a broader or more active public trading market for our common stock will develop or if developed, will be sustained, or that current trading levels could be sustained or not diminish. In addition, in the event any analysts downgrades our securities, the price of our shares would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases to cover us or fails to publish regular reports on us, interest in the purchase of our securities could decrease, which could cause the price of our common stock and its trading volume, if any, to decline.
24 | ||
Our common stock may be considered a “penny stock,” and may be subject to additional sale and trading regulations that may make it more difficult to sell.
Our common stock may be considered a “penny stock.” The principal result or effect of being designated a penny stock is that securities broker-dealers participating in sales of our common stock may be subject to the penny stock regulations set forth in Rules 15g-2 through 15g-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act. For example, Rule 15g-2 requires broker-dealers dealing in penny stocks to provide potential investors with a document disclosing the risks of penny stocks and to obtain a manually signed and dated written receipt of the document at least two business days before effecting any transaction in a penny stock for the investor’s account. Moreover, Rule 15g-9 requires broker-dealers in penny stocks to approve the account of any investor for transactions in such stocks before selling any penny stock to that investor. This procedure requires the broker-dealer to (i) obtain from the investor information concerning his or her financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives; (ii) reasonably determine, based on that information, that transactions in penny stocks are suitable for the investor and that the investor has sufficient knowledge and experience as to be reasonably capable of evaluating the risks of penny stock transactions; (iii) provide the investor with a written statement setting forth the basis on which the broker-dealer made the determination in (ii) above; and (iv) receive a signed and dated copy of such statement from the investor, confirming that it accurately reflects the investor’s financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives. Compliance with these requirements may make it more difficult and time consuming for holders of our common stock to resell their shares to third parties or to otherwise dispose of them in the market or otherwise.
Other Risks
We depend on Craig A. Dionne, PhD, our Chief Executive Officer, to manage and drive the execution of our business plans, develop our products and core technologies and pursue collaborative relationships; the loss of Dr. Dionne would materially and adversely affect our business.
Although we have entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Dionne, there can be no assurance that he will continue to provide services to us. A voluntary or involuntary termination of employment by Dr. Dionne could have a materially adverse effect on our business.
We may be required to make significant payments to members of our management in the event their employment with us is terminated or if we experience a change of control.
We are a party to employment agreements with members of management. In the event we terminate the employment of any of these executives, we experience a change in control or, in certain cases, if such executive terminates their employment with us, such executive will be entitled to receive certain severance and related payments. Additionally, in such instance, certain securities held by members of management shall become immediately vested and exercisable. Upon the occurrence of any such event, our obligation to make such payments could significantly impact our working capital and, accordingly, our ability to execute our business plan which could have a materially adverse effect to our business. Also, these provisions may discourage potential takeover attempts that could be beneficial to our stockholders.
If our management team is not effective or if we fail to attract, hire or retain qualified personnel, we may not be able to design, develop or commercialize our products successfully or manage our business.
Our anticipated growth and expansion may require the addition of new personnel and the development of additional expertise by existing management. There is intense competition for qualified personnel in such areas. Accordingly, there can be no assurances that we would be able to attract and retain the qualified personnel necessary for the successful development of our business.
We are exposed to product liability risks, which could place a financial burden upon us, should we be sued.
We have obtained limited product liability insurance coverage for our clinical trials. However, we may not be able to secure or maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect us against all losses we may incur. If a successful product liability claim or series of claims is brought against us for uninsured liabilities or in excess of insured liabilities, our assets may not be sufficient to cover such claims and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
25 | ||
ITEM 1B. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
None.
ITEM 2. | PROPERTIES |
Our executive offices are located at 2511 N Loop 1604 W, Suite 204, San Antonio, TX 78258. We lease this facility, consisting of approximately 2,376 square feet, for $4,653 per month. Our lease expires on October 14, 2015. There is no affiliation between us or any of our principals or agents and our landlords or any of their principals or agents.
ITEM 3. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
Except as described below, as of the date of this Report, there are no material pending legal or governmental proceedings relating to our company or properties to which we are a party, and, to our knowledge, there are no material proceedings to which any of our directors, executive officers or affiliates are a party adverse to us or which have a material interest adverse to us.
On March 12, 2012, GenSpera instituted a declaratory judgment action against Annastasiah Mhaka (“Mhaka”) in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland: GenSpera, Inc. v. Mhaka, Civil Action No. MJG-12-772 (D. Md.). In that complaint, GenSpera, as the licensee of the inventions described and claimed in the U.S. Patent No. 7,468,354 (“the ‘354 patent”) and U.S. Patent No. 7,767,648 (“the ‘648 patent”), sought a declaratory judgment that Mhaka (a former doctoral student at Johns Hopkins University) should not be added to either the ‘354 patent or the ‘648 patent as an inventor. On April 2, 2012, Mhaka filed and served her answer and counterclaim, in which she sought to be added as an inventor to the ‘354 patent and the ‘648 patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. sec. 256. Between April 26, 2012 and October 1, 2012, the parties conducted fact discovery. Between October 1, 2012 and December 1, 2012, the parties conducted limited expert discovery. On November 1, 2012, Mhaka filed a separate complaint in the State Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Maryland, naming GenSpera as a defendant along with Dr. Samuel Denmeade and Dr. John Isaacs (the named inventors on the ‘354 patent and the ‘648 patent). In the complaint, Mhaka alleged that the defendants are liable under various state law tort theories for the same alleged conduct that formed the basis for her prior inventorship claim. In her prayer for relief, Mhaka sought unspecified damages from the defendants but did not seek to alter the inventorship or ownership of the ‘354 patent or ‘648 patent. On November 8, 2012, the defendants removed this second action to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, and on November 16, 2012, the defendants moved to dismiss all claims in the complaint, asserting (among other things) that the claims were preempted by federal patent law.
On January 24, 2013, the Court heard GenSpera’s motion for summary judgment in the original case and the defendants’ motion to dismiss in the second case. On May 1, 2013, the Court granted GenSpera’s motion for summary judgment in the original case. In its order, the Court stated that it would proceed to issue a declaratory judgment establishing that Mhaka should not be added to the two patents at issue as an additional inventor pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 256. Reserving any ruling on the issue of whether Mhaka’s state law tort claims are preempted by federal patent law, the Court denied defendants’ motion to dismiss Mhaka’s complaint and directed Mhaka to re-file her claims as counterclaims in the original action. On May 14, 2013, Mhaka filed an amended answer and counterclaims in the consolidated action, re-pleading her tort claims as counterclaims. On June 3, 2013, GenSpera (along with Drs. Denmeade and Isaacs) filed a reply to the counterclaims, denying their allegations and raising a number of affirmative defenses. Fact discovery was completed on December 13, 2013, and expert discovery is to be completed by February 28, 2014. On January 2, 2014, Drs. Isaacs and Denmeade moved for summary judgment on the grounds that Mhaka’s claims are barred by the applicable statute of limitations, and GenSpera joined in the motion. The briefing on that motion is now complete. Any remaining motions for summary judgment are to be filed by April 15, 2014. Further scheduling, as appropriate, is to be set after resolution of summary judgment motions.
ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES |
Not Applicable
26 | ||
PART II
ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
Market Information
Our common shares are quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol GNSZ. Although a market for our common stock exists, it is relatively illiquid. The prices reflect high and low inter-dealer bid prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
Quarter Ended
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
||
2013:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$
|
1.58
|
|
$
|
1.15
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
$
|
1.80
|
|
$
|
1.53
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$
|
2.15
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
2.31
|
|
$
|
1.75
|
|
2012:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$
|
2.93
|
|
$
|
2.15
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
$
|
2.95
|
|
$
|
2.25
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$
|
3.15
|
|
$
|
2.47
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
3.28
|
|
$
|
1.95
|
|
Holders
As of February 19, 2014, the approximate number of beneficial holders of our common stock was 1,853.
Dividend Policy
We have never paid or declared cash dividends on our common stock, and we do not intend to pay or declare cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2013 with respect to our compensation plans under which equity securities may be issued.
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
|||||
|
Number of Securities
|
|
Weighted-Average
|
|
Number of Securities
|
|
|||||
|
to be Issued
|
|
Exercise Price of
|
|
Remaining Available for
|
|
|||||
|
upon Exercise of
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
Future Issuance under
|
|
|||||
|
Outstanding
|
|
Options,
|
|
Equity Compensation Plans
|
|
|||||
|
Options, Warrants
|
|
Warrants and
|
|
(Excluding Securities
|
|
|||||
|
and Rights
|
|
Rights
|
|
Reflected in Column (a))
|
|
|||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security
holders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 Stock Plan, as amended (1)
|
|
|
3,053,651
|
|
$
|
1.87
|
|
|
|
2,776,349
|
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by
security holders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 Executive Compensation Plan
|
|
|
2,996,972
|
|
|
1.78
|
|
|
|
3,003,028
|
|
Total
|
|
|
6,050,623
|
|
$
|
1.82
|
|
|
|
5,779,377
|
|
(1) Our 2007 Stock Plan, as amended, provides for the issuance of up to 1,500,000 common shares during any calendar year. The plan provides for the issuance of up to 6,000,000 common shares in the aggregate.
27 | ||
GenSpera 2007 Equity Compensation Plan
Our 2007 Equity Compensation Plan (“2007 Plan”) is administered by our board or any of its committees. The purposes of the 2007 Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and to promote the success of our business. The issuance of awards under our 2007 Plan is at the discretion of the administrator, which has the authority to determine the persons to whom any awards shall be granted and the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to any award. Under our 2007 Plan, we may grant stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, performance units, performance shares and other stock based awards. Our 2007 Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 1,500,000 shares of common stock for the foregoing awards per fiscal year with an aggregate of 6,000,000 shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2007 Plan. As of December 31, 2013, we have granted awards under the 2007 Plan equal to 3,363,651 shares of our common stock, and 140,000 shares have been cancelled or forfeited. Accordingly, there are 2,776,349 shares of common stock available for future awards under the 2007 Plan. In the event of a change in control, awards under the 2007 Plan will become fully vested unless such awards are assumed or substituted by the successor corporation.
GenSpera 2009 Executive Compensation Plan
Our 2009 Executive Compensation Plan, as amended (“2009 Plan”) is administered by our Board or any of its committees. The purpose of our 2009 Plan is to advance the interests of GenSpera and our stockholders by attracting, retaining and rewarding persons performing services for us and to motivate such persons to contribute to our growth and profitability. The issuance of awards under our 2009 Plan is at the discretion of the administrator, which has the authority to determine the persons to whom any awards shall be granted and the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to any award. Under our 2009 Plan, we may grant stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, performance units, performance shares and other stock-based awards. As of December 31, 2013, our 2009 Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 6,000,000 shares of our common stock for the foregoing awards, and we have granted awards under the plan equal to 2,996,972 common shares. After giving effect to recent stock option grants issued to executive management in 2014, we have granted total awards under the 2009 plan of 4,945,874, and have 1,054,126 available for future awards.
Deferred Compensation Plan
In July of 2011, we adopted the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Plan”). The Deferred Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Deferred Plan is intended to be an unfunded “top hat” plan which is maintained primarily to provide deferred compensation benefits for a select group of our “management or highly compensated employees” within the meaning of Sections 201, 301, and 401 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and to therefore be exempt from the provisions of Parts 2, 3, and 4 of Title I of ERISA. The Deferred Plan is intended to help build a supplemental source of savings and retirement income through pre-tax deferrals of eligible compensation, which may include cash, option and stock bonus awards, discretionary cash, option and stock awards and/or any other payments which may be designated by the Deferred Plan administrator, as eligible, for deferral under the Deferred Plan from time to time. As administered, the Deferred Plan is used to defer compensation of stock awards granted under our other equity compensation plans and does not by its terms approve any grants or awards.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
The following information is given with regard to unregistered securities sold since January 1, 2012. The following securities were issued in private offerings pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in the Securities Act and the rules promulgated thereunder in reliance on Section 4(2) thereof, relating to offers of securities by an issuer not involving any public offering.
· | In December of 2012 we commenced a unit offering of our securities. Each unit consists of: (i) one (1) share of common stock, par value $0.0001, and (ii) one common stock purchase warrant. The warrants have a term of five years and entitle the holders to purchase common stock at a price per share of $3.00. In the event the shares underlying the warrants are not subject to a registration statement, the warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis after 12 months from the issuance date. The warrants also contain provisions providing for an adjustment in the underlying number of shares and exercise price in the event of stock splits or dividends and fundamental transactions, as defined. The warrants do not contain any price protection provisions. Additionally, the warrants contain limitations on the holder’s ability to exercise the warrants in the event such exercise causes the holder to beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock, subject to a discretionary increase in such limitation by the holder to 9.99% upon 61 days’ prior notice to the Company. In connection with the offering, we agreed to enter into registration rights agreement with our investors. Pursuant to the registration rights agreements, we agreed to file a “resale” registration statement with the SEC covering the shares of common stock included in the units as well as the shares underlying the warrants, within 45 days of the final closing date of the sale of units and to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement until all securities have been sold or are otherwise able to be sold pursuant to Rule 144. We have agreed to use our best efforts to have the registration statement declared effective within 90 days of the final closing. We are also obligated to pay to investors, as partial liquidated damages, a fee of 0.50% per month in cash up to a maximum of 6%, upon the occurrence of certain events, including but not limited to failure to file and/or have the registration statement declared effective within the time provided. Subsequent to the offering, we received a waiver and amendment to the registration rights agreement by holders of a majority of the registrable securities. The effect of the waiver and amendment is to waive all penalties under the registration rights agreement with regard to filing deadlines and effectiveness requirements. |
28 | ||
· | In January 2013, we offered and sold an aggregate of 104,095 units in an additional closing of our December 2012 offering resulting in gross proceeds of $0.2 million. The price per unit was $2.20. In connection with the December 2012 and January 2013 closings, we issued 96,443 additional units in March 2013 in order to adjust the price per unit from $2.20 to $1.773 to be consistent with the price per unit of our March 2013 closing. |
· | In March 2013, we offered and sold an additional 557,256 units in connection with another closing of our December 2012 offering. This closing resulted in gross proceeds of $1.0 million. The price per unit was $1.773. In connection with this closing, we incurred placement agent fees and expenses in the amount of $37,000 in cash and issued warrants to purchase 18,410 shares at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. |
· | Between August 14 and August 16, 2013, we sold an aggregate of $5,000,032, or 3,333,356 units, to the accredited and institutional investors. The price per unit is $1.50, with each unit consisting of (i) one share of the Company’s common stock and (ii) one common stock purchase warrant. The warrants have a term of five years and entitle the investors to purchase the Company’s common stock at a price per share of $1.75. In the event that the shares underlying the warrants are not subject to a registration statement at the time of exercise, the warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis after 6 months from the issuance date. The warrants also contain provisions providing for an adjustment in the underlying number of shares and exercise price in the event of stock splits or dividends and fundamental transactions. In connection with the offering, we entered into registration rights agreements with the investors obligating us to register the shares and shares underlying the warrants issued in connection with the units. T.R. Winston & Company acted as placement agents for the Offering. The placement agent received a commission equal to 8% of gross proceeds, for an aggregate commission of $400,002.56, and a non-accountable expense allowance equal to 2% of the gross proceeds, or $100,000.64. The placement agent also received common stock purchase warrants to purchase such number of shares equal to 8% of the shares sold in the offering to investors, or 266,668 placement agent warrants with substantially the same terms as the warrants. Additionally, the placement agent was also reimbursed for its legal and due diligence costs in an amount not to exceed $35,000. The placement agent will also receive (i) a cash fee of 4% of gross proceeds received from the exercise of the warrants, and (ii) additional transaction fees equal to 8% of gross proceeds and 8% warrant coverage for any future investment by one of the Investors in the Company for a period of 12 months following the closing of the offering. |
· | In February 2014, we entered into an agreement for method development by a contract manufacturer and issued an aggregate of 91,334 shares of common stock as compensation. |
· | In February 2014, we entered into an agreement to grant an aggregate of 47,800 shares of common stock to a consultant, which shares vest at the rate of 7,800 shares upon execution of the agreement and 10,000 shares per month for four months, the term of the agreement. These shares will be granted for business advisory services to be provided to the Company. In addition, the consultant was issued a warrant to purchase 96,000 shares of common stock at a strike price of $3.00 per share, which shares vest at the rate of 16,000 shares upon execution of the agreement and 20,000 shares per month for four months. The warrant issued is substantially similar to the warrants issued in conjunction with our financing completed in March 2013. |
ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
We are not required to provide the information as to selected financial data as we are considered a smaller reporting company.
ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is provided in addition to the accompanying financial statements and notes to assist readers in understanding our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. MD&A is organized as follows:
· | Company Overview Discussion of our business plan and strategy in order to provide context for the remainder of MD&A. |
29 | ||
· | Critical Accounting Policies Accounting policies that we believe are important to understanding the assumptions and judgments incorporated in our reported financial results and forecasts. |
· | Results of Operations Analysis of our financial results comparing the year ended December 31, 2013 to 2012. Liquidity and Capital Resources Analysis of changes in our cash flows, and discussion of our financial condition and potential sources of liquidity. |
The various sections of this MD&A contain a number of forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on our current expectations and could be affected by the uncertainties and risk factors described throughout this filing and particularly in the Risk Factors section of this Annual Report. Our actual results may differ materially.
Company Overview
Business
We are a development stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development of prodrug cancer therapeutics for the treatment of solid tumors including prostate, liver, brain and other cancers. A prodrug is an inactive precursor of a drug that is converted into its active form only at the site of the tumor. Our technology platform combines a powerful, plant-derived cytotoxin with a prodrug delivery system that targets release of the drug within the tumor. We believe that if successfully developed, our cancer prodrug therapies have the potential to provide a targeted therapeutic approach to a broad range of solid tumors with fewer side effects than those related to current chemotherapy treatments.
Plan of Operation
We are currently focused on the clinical development of our lead drug candidate, G-202.
Our major focus over the next twelve months will be the conduct of the ongoing Phase II clinical trial in liver cancer patients. Assuming a positive signal from the liver cancer trial, we will develop a subsequent randomized study in liver cancer patients as part of an aggressive path to ultimate registration and marketing approval by the FDA.
In the first quarter of 2014, we entered into a collaborative arrangement and plan to initiate a Phase II clinical trial in patients with glioblastoma (a form of brain cancer). This trial is being conducted at a single site in the U.S. and is expected to enroll up to 34 patients. As financial resources allow, we also intend to develop clinical programs in prostate and renal cancer. We also anticipate expanding our manufacturing budget in support of our clinical programs.
Financial
To date, we have devoted a substantial portion of our efforts and financial resources to the development of G-202. G-202 is the only product candidate for which we have conducted clinical trials, and we have not marketed, distributed or sold any products. As a result, since our inception in 2003, we have generated no revenue from product sales and have funded our operations principally through private sales of our equity securities. We have never been profitable and, as of December 31, 2013, we had an accumulated deficit of $32.4 million. We expect to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future as we continue the development of our product candidates and advance them through clinical trials.
Our cash and cash equivalents balance at December 31, 2013 was $3.6 million, representing 92% of total assets. Based on our current expected level of operating expenditures, we expect to be able to fund our operations for the next nine to twelve months from our year end. This period could be shortened if there are any significant increases in spending that were not anticipated or other unforeseen events. We need to raise additional cash through the private or public sales of equity or debt securities, collaborative arrangements, or a combination thereof, to continue to fund operations and the development of our product candidates. There is no assurance that such financing will be available to us when needed to allow us to continue our operations or if available, on terms acceptable to us. If we do not raise sufficient funds in a timely manner, we may be forced to curtail operations, delay or stop our ongoing clinical trials, or cease operations altogether, or file for bankruptcy. We currently do not have commitments for future funding of cash from any source.
To preserve cash, we delayed the start of our planned Phase II prostate cancer clinical trial and certain other product development activities. In the event financing is not obtained, we may pursue further cost cutting measures as well as explore the sale of selected assets to generate additional funds. If we are required to significantly reduce operating expenses and delay, reduce the scope of, or eliminate additional development programs, these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
30 | ||
These factors raise significant doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue in existence.
Product Development of G-202
Our ability to execute our product development plan is wholly dependent on the amount and timing of cash, if any, that we are able to raise. Should we not raise sufficient funds to execute our product development plan, our priority is the continuation and completion of our Phase II clinical study in liver cancer. We believe we have sufficient working capital to fund the Phase II clinical trial in liver cancer to the point where we can determine if such trial will have a positive or negative outcome. Notwithstanding, depending on the rate of enrollment, and the duration of the trial, we may not have sufficient capital to fund the trial through completion.
Our current product development plan of G-202 contemplates the following major initiatives:
· | Conducting a Phase II clinical study in patients with liver cancer. |
· | In the first quarter of 2014, we entered into a collaborative arrangement and plan to initiate our Phase II clinical trial in patients with glioblastoma (a form of brain cancer). This trial is being conducted at a single site in the U.S. and is expected to enroll up to 34 patients. |
· | Conducting a Phase II clinical study in patients with prostate cancer. We have deferred commencement of this study until additional capital is raised or we enter into a collaborative arrangement to conduct this study. |
Phase I Clinical Development of G-202
During 2011 and 2012 we conducted a Phase Ia/b clinical trial of G-202 to evaluate safety, understand the pharmacokinetics (the process by which a compound is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body) of G-202 in humans, and to determine an appropriate dosing regimen for subsequent clinical studies. This clinical trial is closed to new patient enrollment. We treated a total of 44 patients (includes Phase Ia and Ib). Although our Phase I study was not designed to determine the anti-tumor effects of G-202, encouraging signs were observed, including prolonged disease stabilization in a few liver cancer patients. As a result, we initiated our Phase II clinical trial in liver cancer.
Phase II Clinical Development of G-202
In 2012, we obtained clearance from the FDA to initiate our Phase II clinical trial entitled, “A Phase II, Multicenter, Single-Arm Study of G-202 as Second-Line Therapy Following Sorafenib for Adult Patients with Progressive Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.” This trial is being conducted at multiple sites in the U.S. and requires seventeen evaluable patients for anticipated statistical analyses. As of February 24, 2014, sixteen patients were treated in the study, of which the majority of the patients treated are considered to be evaluable.
In the first quarter of 2014, we entered into a collaborative arrangement and plan to initiate our Phase II clinical trial in patients with glioblastoma (a form of brain cancer). This trial will initially be conducted at a single site in the U.S. and is expected to enroll up to 34 patients.
Significant Accounting Policies
We have prepared our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which requires management to make significant judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. We base these significant judgments and estimates on historical experience and other applicable assumptions we believe to be reasonable based upon information presently available. These estimates may change as new events occur, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. These changes have historically been minor and have been included in the financial statements as soon as they became known. Actual results could materially differ from our estimates under different assumptions, judgments or conditions.
All of our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2, Summary of Critical Accounting Policies, to our financial statements, included elsewhere in this Annual Report. We have identified the following as our critical accounting policies and estimates, which are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, are the most pervasive and important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions, judgments or conditions.
31 | ||
We believe the following critical accounting policies reflect our more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our financial statements:
Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Cash and Equivalents Cash equivalents are comprised of certain highly liquid investments with maturity of three months or less when purchased. We maintain our cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Research and Development Costs Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Our research and development expenses consist primarily of expenditures for toxicology and other studies, manufacturing, clinical trials, compensation and consulting costs.
Stock-based Compensation The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an equity award based on the grant-date fair value of the award. All grants under our stock-based compensation programs are accounted for at fair value and that cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award (the vesting period).
Compensation expense for options granted to non-employees is determined in accordance with the standard as the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measured. Compensation expense for awards granted to non-employees is re-measured each period.
Determining the appropriate fair value of the stock-based compensation requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock-based payment and stock price volatility. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing option model to value its stock option awards which incorporate the Company’s stock price, volatility, U.S. risk-free rate, dividend rate, and estimated life.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Our short-term financial instruments, including cash, accounts payable and other liabilities, consist primarily of instruments without extended maturities. We believe that the fair values of our current assets and current liabilities approximate their reported carrying amounts.
Warrant derivative liability consists of certain of our warrants with anti-dilution provisions, and are valued using option pricing models which incorporate the Company’s stock price, volatility, U.S. risk-free rate, dividend rate, and estimated life.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, and the SEC, did not, or are not believed by management, to have a material impact on the Company's present or future financial statements.
Result of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2012
Our results of operations have varied significantly from year to year and quarter to quarter and may vary significantly in the future. We did not have revenue during the years ending December 31, 2013 and 2012. We do not anticipate generating any revenues during 2014. Net loss for 2013 and 2012 were $5.3 million and $6.9 million, respectively, resulting from the operational activities described below.
Operating Expenses
Operating expense totaled $6.4 million and $6.9 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in operating expenses is the result of the following factors.
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
Change in 2013
|
|
||||||||
|
|
December 31,
|
|
Versus 2012
|
|
||||||||
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
|
||||
|
|
(amount in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Operating Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
$
|
3,662
|
|
$
|
3,953
|
|
$
|
(291)
|
|
|
(7)
|
%
|
Research and development
|
|
|
2,733
|
|
|
2,922
|
|
|
(189)
|
|
|
(6)
|
%
|
Total operating expense
|
|
$
|
6,395
|
|
$
|
6,875
|
|
$
|
(480)
|
|
|
(7)
|
%
|
32 | ||
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses totaled $3.7 million and $4.0 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease of $291,000 or 7% for 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily attributable to decreases in stock-based compensation expense and professional expenses related to patents, patent litigation and financing of approximately $518,000, that was partially offset by increases of approximately $226,000 due primarily to personnel-related costs and consulting costs.
Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of expenditures related to compensation, legal, accounting and tax and other professional, and general operating.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses totaled $2.7 million and $2.9 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease of $189,000 or 6% for 2013 compared to 2012 was attributable to decreases related to stock compensation expense, toxicology and manufacturing of approximately $616,000, which were partially offset by an increase of $427,000 in costs related personnel-related costs, as well as increases in clinical trial expense due to our Phase II clinical trial in liver cancer.
Our research and development expenses consist primarily of expenditures related to toxicology and other studies, manufacturing, clinical trials, compensation and consulting costs.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense) totaled approximately $1.1 million and ($45,000) for 2013 and 2012, respectively.
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
Change in 2013
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
December 31,
|
|
Versus 2012
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
|
|
||||
|
|
(amount in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
(Loss) gain on change in fair value of warrant derivative liability
|
|
$
|
1,096
|
|
$
|
(50)
|
|
$
|
1,146
|
|
|
2,292
|
|
%
|
Interest income
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
(8)
|
|
|
(160)
|
|
%
|
Total other income (expense)
|
|
$
|
1,093
|
|
$
|
(45)
|
|
$
|
(1,138)
|
|
|
2,529
|
|
%
|
(Loss) gain on change in fair value of warrant derivative liability
The (loss) gain on change in fair value of the warrant derivative liability totaled approximately $1.1 million gain during 2012 compared to a $50,000 loss during 2012, respectively. The change in the fair value of the warrant derivative liability resulted primarily from the expiration of the related warrants and the changes in our stock price and volatility of our common stock during the reported periods. Refer to Note 11 of our Notes to Financial Statements for further discussion on our warrant liability.
Interest income (expense)
We had net interest expense of approximately $3,000 and net interest income of approximately $5,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease of $8,000 was attributable to a decrease in interest earned on average outstanding cash balances.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have incurred losses since our inception in 2003 as a result of significant expenditures for operations and research and development and the lack of any approved products to generate revenue. We have a deficit accumulated of $32.4 million as of December 31, 2013 and anticipate that we will continue to incur additional losses for the foreseeable future. To date, we have funded our operations through the private sale of our equity securities and exercise of warrants, resulting in total proceeds of $24.3 million. Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2013 were $3.6 million.
Based on our current level of expected operating expenditures, we expect to be able to fund our operations for the next nine to twelve months from our year end. This assumes that we spend minimally on general operations and only continue conducting our ongoing Phase II clinical trials, and that we do not encounter any unexpected events or other circumstances that could shorten this time period.
33 | ||
We are actively seeking sources of financing to fund our continued operations and research and development programs. To raise additional capital, we may sell shares of equity or debt securities, or enter into collaborative, strategic and/or licensing transactions. There can be no assurance that we will be able to complete any financing transaction in a timely manner or on acceptable terms or otherwise. If we are not able to raise additional cash, we may be forced to further delay, curtail, or cease development of our product candidates, or cease operations altogether.
From January through March 2013, we offered and sold an aggregate of 686,420 units in a private placement, in multiple closings, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $1.2 million. In August 2013, we offered and sold approximately 3.3 million units in a private placement that upon closing resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $5.0 million. For a further description of the offerings, see the section of this Annual Report entitled “Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities”
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
||||
|
|
Ended December 31,
|
|
||||
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
||
|
|
(amounts in thousands)
|
|
||||
Cash at beginning of period
|
|
$
|
2,345
|
|
$
|
5,530
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities
|
|
|
(4,707)
|
|
|
(4,521)
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(8)
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
5,957
|
|
|
1,343
|
|
Cash at end of period
|
|
$
|
3,587
|
|
$
|
2,345
|
|
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $4.7 million and $4.5 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase of $0.2 million in cash used during 2013 compared to 2011 was primarily attributable to a decrease in net loss of approximately $1.6 million, offset by a decrease of $2.5 million in our derivative liability and accounts payable and accrued expenses, partially offset by an increase of $0.7 million in stock-based compensation.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $8,000 and $7,000 for 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase was due to purchases of office equipment in 2013 and 2012.
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
During 2013, we received net proceeds of $6.0 million from the sales of our securities in private placements and the exercise of warrants compared to $0.7 million during 2012. We are actively seeking sources of financing to fund our continued operations and research and development programs.
ITEM 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK |
We are not required to provide the information as to selected financial data as we are considered a smaller reporting company.
ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
This information required by this Item is included in our Financial Statements and Supplementary Data listed in Item 15 (a) (1) of Part IV of this Annual Report on Form 10K.
ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
None.
34 | ||
ITEM 9A. |
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
|
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer (who is also our Chief Executive Officer), has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2013. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2013 were ineffective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
Inherent Limitations Over Internal Controls
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets;
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that the Company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and
(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer (who is also our Chief Executive Officer), does not expect that the Company’s internal controls will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of internal controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Also, any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls in future periods are subject to the risk that those internal controls may become inadequate because of changes in business conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the Company’s assessment, management has concluded, that due to limited resources and limited number of employees, its internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of December 31, 2013 to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP. To mitigate the current limited resources and employees, we rely heavily on direct management oversight of transactions, along with the use of legal and accounting professionals. As we grow, we expect to increase the number of employees, which would enable us to implement adequate segregation of duties within the internal control framework.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2013, which were identified in connection with management’s evaluation required by paragraph (d) of rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act that has materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the SEC that permit smaller reporting companies to provide only the management’s report in this annual report.
ITEM 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION |
In February 2014, we issued common stock and common stock purchase warrants as consideration for services. For a further description of these offerings, please see the section of this Annual Report entitled “Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.”
35 | ||
PART III
ITEM 10. | DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
Directors, Executive Officers and Significant Employees
The following sets forth the current members of our board of directors, as well as information with regard to our executive officers, and information concerning their ages and background. All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors are elected, except in the case of death, resignation or removal:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director
|
|
Name
|
|
Position
|
|
Age
|
|
Since
|
|
Executive Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig A. Dionne, PhD
|
|
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
|
56
|
|
11/2003
|
|
Russell Richerson, PhD
|
|
Chief Operating Officer and Secretary
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-employee Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter E. Grebow, PhD
|
|
Director
|
|
67
|
|
05/2012
|
|
Bo Jesper Hansen, MD, PhD
|
|
Director
|
|
55
|
|
08/2010
|
|
Scott V. Ogilvie
|
|
Director
|
|
59
|
|
03/2008
|
|
Craig A. Dionne, PhD serves as our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Dr. Dionne is one of our founders and has served on our board since November 2003. He has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including direct experience identifying promising oncology treatments and bringing them through clinical trials. For example, he served for five years as Vice President Discovery Research at Cephalon, Inc. where he was responsible for its oncology and neurobiology drug discovery and development programs. Dr. Dionne has also recently served as Executive Vice President at the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation. In addition to extensive executive experience, Dr. Dionne’s productive scientific career has led to 6 issued patents and co-authorship of many scientific papers. In evaluating Dr. Dionne’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills in connection with his appointment to our board, we took into account his 25 year career in pharmaceutical drug discovery and development, prior work for our company in addition to being one of our founders, familiarity with our technologies, and academic background. Dr. Dionne earned his BS in biochemistry in 1979 from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and his PhD in biochemistry in 1984 from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Dionne received post-doctoral training at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute with a joint appointment at Harvard Medical School.
Russell Richerson, PhD serves as our Chief Operations Officer and Secretary. Dr. Richerson has over 25 years of experience in the biotechnology/diagnostics industry, including 11 years at Abbott Laboratories in numerous management roles. Most recently, he has served as Vice President of Diagnostic Research and Development at Prometheus Laboratories (2001 2004) and then as Chief Operating Officer of the Molecular Profiling Institute (2005 2008). Dr. Richerson also served as Vice President of Operations of International Genomics Consortium or IGC from 2005 to 2008. Commencing in August of 2011, Dr. Richerson joined the IGC board of directors. Dr. Richerson received his BS in 1974 from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and his PhD in 1983 from the University of Texas at Austin.
Peter E. Grebow, PhD joined our board in May of 2012. Dr. Grebow is President and founder of P.E. Grebow Consulting, Inc. which he formed in 2011. He also serves as Executive Vice President of Research and Development at Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. since October, 2013. From 1991 to 2011, Dr. Grebow held several key positions with Cephalon, Inc. (now Teva Pharmaceuticals), a biopharmaceutical company, including Executive Vice President, Cephalon Ventures, Executive Vice President, Technical Operations, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Business Development and Senior Vice President, Drug Development. Prior to joining Cephalon, Dr. Grebow served as the Vice President, Drug Development for Rorer Central Research, a division of Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals Inc., a pharmaceutical company, from 1986 to 1990. Dr. Grebow served as a director of Optimer Pharmaceuticals from February 2009 until October, 2013. Dr. Grebow has also served as a director of Q Holdings, Inc. since December 2011 and Complexa, Inc. since 2011. Dr. Grebow received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, an MS in chemistry from Rutgers University and a PhD in physical biochemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Grebow's demonstrated leadership in his field, his knowledge of scientific matters affecting our business and his understanding of our industry contribute to our conclusion that he should serve as a director.
36 | ||
Bo Jesper Hansen, MD, PhD has served as a director on our board since August 2010. Dr. Hansen is currently the Executive Chairman of the Board of Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (STO: SOBI), an international growth company specializing in the development, registration, marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical drugs for rare and life-threatening diseases. Dr. Hansen has held the position since January 2010 as a result of the merger of Swedish Orphan International AB Group and Biovitrum. Prior to the merger, Dr. Hansen served in numerous positions with Swedish Orphan International AB Group, including, from 1998 to 2010, CEO, President and Director of the Board. Dr. Hanson’s responsibilities at the company include establishment, development and expansion of the company’s operations in Europe, Japan, the Americas and Australia. Dr. Hansen holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Copenhagen with a specialty in urology. Dr. Hansen also serves on the boards of CMC AB, Orphazyme ApS, Newron (SIX; NWRN) and TopoTarget A/S (NASDAQ OMX: TOPO), and Hyperion Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ, HPTX), and Ablynx NV (ABLX). In evaluating Dr. Hansen’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills in connection with his appointment to our board, we took into account his prior work with both public and private organizations, including his experience in building biopharmaceutical organizations, his strong business development background and experience with mergers and acquisitions and his past experience and relationships in the biopharma and biotech fields.
Scott V. Ogilvie has served as a director on our board since February 2008. Mr. Ogilvie is currently the President of AFIN International, Inc., a private equity/business advisory firm, which he founded in 2006. Additionally, Mr. Ogilvie has served as a partner of Wirthlin Worldwide International, a private strategic advisory and M&A firm, since September 2011. Prior to December 31, 2009, he was CEO of Gulf Enterprises International, Ltd, a company that brings strategic partners, expertise and investment capital to the Middle East and North Africa. He held this position since August 2006. Mr. Ogilvie previously served as Chief Operating Officer of CIC Group, Inc., an investment manager, a position he held from 2001 to 2007. He began his career as a corporate and securities lawyer with Hill, Farrer & Burrill, and has extensive public and private corporate management and board experience in finance, real estate, and technology companies. Mr. Ogilvie currently serves on the board of directors of Neuralstem, Inc. (NYSE MKT: CUR) and Research Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB: RSS). Mr. Ogilvie has also served on the board of Directors of Preferred Voice Inc. (OTCQB: PRFV), Innovative Card Technologies, Inc. (ORTBB: INVO), National Healthcare Exchange, Inc (OTCBB: NHXS) and Derycz Scientific, Inc. (OTCQB: DYSC). In evaluating Mr. Ogilvie’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills in connection with his appointment to our board, we took into account his prior work in both public and private organizations regarding corporate finance, securities and compliance and international business development.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships between any director, executive officer, or person nominated or chosen by the registrant to become a director or executive officer.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a "Code of Ethics” that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. A copy of our code can be viewed on our website at www.genspera.com.
Committees
The board of directors has established three standing committees: (1) an Audit Committee, (2) a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and (3) a Leadership Development and Compensation Committee. Each of the committees operates under a written charter adopted by the board of directors. All of the committee charters are available on our web site at www.genspera.com. The committee membership and the function of each of the committees are described below.
|
|
|
|
Nominating
|
|
Leadership
|
|
|
|
|
and Corporate
|
|
Development
|
|
|
|
|
Governance
|
|
and Compensation
|
Director
|
|
Audit Committee
|
|
Committee
|
|
Committee
|
Peter E. Grebow, PhD
|
|
Member
|
|
Chair
|
|
Member
|
Bo Jesper Hansen, MD, PhD
|
|
Member
|
|
Member
|
|
Chair
|
Scott V. Ogilvie
|
|
Chair
|
|
Member
|
|
Member
|
Executive compensation is determined by the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee.
Independent Directors
For purposes of determining independence, the Company has adopted the definition of independence as contained in NASDAQ Market Place Rules 4200. Pursuant to the definition, the Company has determined that Messrs. Ogilvie, Grebow and Hansen qualify as independent.
37 | ||
Audit Committee Financial Experts
Our Audit Committee is currently comprised of Scott V. Ogilvie, Peter Grebow, PhD and Bo Jesper Hansen, MD, PhD, each of whom is a non-employee member of our board of directors. The board of directors has determined that Scott V. Ogilvie and Bo Jesper Hansen, MD, PhD are each an audit committee financial expert as defined under the rules of the SEC.
ITEM 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation
The following table provides disclosure concerning all compensation paid for services to us in all capacities for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 provided by (i) each person serving as our principal executive officer, or PEO, or acting in a similar capacity during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2013; (ii) our most highly compensated executive officers other than our PEO who were serving as executive officers on December 31, 2013 and whose total compensation exceeded $100,000 (collectively with the PEO referred to as the “named executive officers” in this Executive Compensation section); and (iii) our Principal Financial Officer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name & Principal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Incentive Plan
|
|
Compensation
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
Bonus ($)
|
|
|
Awards ($)
|
|
Awards ($)
|
|
|
Compensation ($)
|
|
Earnings ($)
|
|
Compensation ($)
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
||||
Craig Dionne, PhD
|
|
2013
|
|
|
363,000
|
|
|
181,500
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
363,000
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,848
|
|
|
953,348
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
And Chief Financial Officer
|
|
2012
|
|
|
330,000
|
|
|
112,200
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
330,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,324
|
|
|
802,524
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell Richerson, PhD
|
|
2013
|
|
|
309,230
|
|
|
108,231
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
309,230
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,262
|
|
|
743,953
|
|
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
289,000
|
|
|
145,858
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
289,000
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,780
|
|
|
742,638
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nancy Jean Barnabei(7)
|
|
2013
|
|
|
82,846
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,813
|
|
|
85,659
|
|
Former Vice President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance and Treasurer
|
|
2012
|
|
|
54,000
|
|
|
31,500
|
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
346,670
|
(5)(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,813
|
|
|
433,983
|
|
(1) In January 2014, Dr. Dionne was awarded a 2013 bonus award and long term incentive grant in the amount of $181,500 and $363,000, respectively. As payment of the bonus award and grant, options to purchase 1,136,943 common shares were issued on January 8, 2014. The number of shares to be issued pursuant to the bonus award and long term incentive grant was calculated based on the value determined using the Black Sholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: (i) exercise price of $1.42 per share; (ii) fair value of a share of common stock of $1.29; (iii) volatility of 55%; (iv) dividend rate of 0%; (v) risk free interest rate of 0.483%; and (vi) estimated life of 3.5 years. The options are fully vested and lapse if unexercised on January 8, 2021.
(2) In March 2013, Dr. Dionne was awarded a 2012 long term incentive grant and a bonus award in the amount of $330,000 and $112,200, respectively. As payment of the grant and bonus award, an option to purchase 561,394 shares of common stock were issued on March 25, 2013. The number of shares issued pursuant to the long term incentive grant and bonus award was calculated based on the value determined using the Black Sholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: (i) exercise price of $2.18 per share; (ii) fair value of a share of common stock of $1.98; (iii) volatility of 59%; (iv) dividend rate of 0%; (v) risk free interest rate of 0.485%; and (vi) estimated life of 3.5 years. The options are fully vested and lapse if unexercised on March 25, 2020.
(3) In January 2014, Dr. Richerson was awarded a 2013 bonus award and long term incentive grant in the amount of $108,231 and $309,230, respectively. As payment of the bonus award and grant, options to purchase 811,959 shares of common stock were issued on January 7, 2014. The number of shares to be issued pursuant to the bonus award and long term incentive grant was calculated based on the value determined using the Black Sholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: (i) exercise price of $1.29 per share; (ii) fair value of a share of common stock of $1.29; (iii) volatility of 55%; (iv) dividend rate of 0%; (v) risk free interest rate of 0.483%; and (vi) estimated life of 3.5 years. The options are fully vested and lapse if unexercised on January 8, 2021.
(4) In March 2013, Dr. Richerson was awarded a 2012 long term incentive grant and a bonus award in the amount of $289,000 and $145,858, respectively. As payment of the grant and bonus award, an option to purchase 516,318 shares of common stock were issued on March 25, 2013. The number of shares to be issued pursuant to the long term incentive grant and bonus award was calculated based on the value determined using the Black Sholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: (i) exercise price of $1.98 per share; (ii) fair value of a share of common stock of $1.98; (iii) volatility of 593%; (iv) dividend rate of 0%; (v) risk free interest rate of 0.485% and (vi) estimated life of 3.5 years. The options are fully vested and lapse if unexercised on March 25, 2020.
(5) On March 25, 2013, Ms. Barnabei was awarded a 2012 long term incentive grant and a bonus award in the amount of $90,000 and $31,500, respectively. As payment of the grant and bonus award, 144,260 options were issued on March 25, 2013. The number of options issued pursuant to the long term incentive grant and bonus award was calculated based on the value determined using the Black Sholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: (i) exercise price of $1.98 per share; (ii) fair value of a share of common stock of $1.98; (iii) volatility of 59.23%; (iv) dividend rate of 0%; (v) risk free interest rate of 0.485%; and (vi) estimated life of 3.5 years. The options are fully vested and lapse if unexercised on March 25, 2020.
38 | ||
(6) Ms. Barnabei was awarded 200,000 common stock options on August 16, 2012. The options have an exercise price of $2.80 per share. The options vest as follows: 60,000 vested upon grant, 60,000 on the first anniversary, and 80,000 options shall vest upon her becoming a full time employee, if ever, provided such event occurs before August 16, 2014. In the event our vice president finance does not become a full time employee by such time, the 80,000 options shall automatically terminate. The options lapse if unexercised after seven years. The options have a grant date fair value of $256,670, determined using the Black-Scholes method based on the following assumptions: (1) risk free interest rate of 0.63%; (2) dividend yield of 0%; (3) volatility factor of the expected market price of our common stock of 60%; and (4) an expected life of the options of 4 years.
(7) We received the resignation of Nancy Jean Barnabei as Vice President Finance, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer on May 6, 2013. Ms. Barnabei’s final day of employment occurred on June 30, 2013.
Outstanding Executive Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2013
The following table sets forth information concerning stock options held on December 31, 2013, the last day of our 2013 fiscal year, for each named executive officer.
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying
|
|
Option
|
|
Option
|
|
|||||
|
|
Unexercised Options (#)
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Expiration
|
|
|||||
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
Price ($)
|
|
Date
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig Dionne, PhD
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.65
|
|
|
9/2/2016
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and
|
|
302,580
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.01
|
|
|
7/1/2018
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
344,813
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.21
|
|
|
1/2/2019
|
|
|
|
70,342
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.21
|
|
|
1/2/2019
|
|
|
|
418,951
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.18
|
|
|
3/25/2020
|
|
|
|
142,443
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.18
|
|
|
3/25/2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell Richerson, PhD
|
|
775,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
|
9/2/2016
|
|
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
256,790
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.83
|
|
|
7/1/2018
|
|
|
|
292,927
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.01
|
|
|
1/2/2019
|
|
|
|
46,576
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.01
|
|
|
1/2/2019
|
|
|
|
343,137
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.98
|
|
|
3/25/2020
|
|
|
|
173,181
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.98
|
|
|
3/25/2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nancy Jean Barnabei (1)
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
140,000
|
|
|
2.80
|
|
|
8/16/2019
|
|
Former Vice President Finance and
|
|
144,260
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.98
|
|
|
03/25/2020
|
|
Treasurer (Former Chief Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) We received the resignation of Nancy Jean Barnabei as Vice President Finance, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer on May 6, 2013. Ms. Barnabei’s final day of employment occurred on June 30, 2013.
Employment Agreements and Change in Control
Craig Dionne
In connection with Dr. Dionne’s employment, we have entered into: (i) an employment agreement; (ii) a severance agreement; (iii) a proprietary information, inventions and competition agreement; and (iv) an indemnification agreement.
39 | ||
Employment Agreement
We employ Craig Dionne as our Chief Executive Officer pursuant to a 5 year written contract which commenced on September 2, 2009. As compensation for his services during 2013, Dr. Dionne received a base salary of $363,000 per year. Such base salary is reviewed yearly with regard to possible increase. In addition, Dr. Dionne is eligible to receive annual discretionary and long term incentive bonuses as determined by the board. For 2012 and 2013, Dr. Dionne’s target bonus levels for annual discretionary bonus and long term incentive bonuses are: (i) 50%, and (ii) 100%, of base salary, respectively. Notwithstanding, the Board has broad discretion to make awards in excess of executives established targets. The bonuses are payable in cash or non-cash compensation, or a combination thereof, at the discretion of the board. Dr. Dionne is also entitled to receive certain payments and acceleration of outstanding equity awards in the event his employment is terminated. In the event that Dr. Dionne is terminated (not in connection with a change of control) without cause or if he resigns for good reason, he will be entitled to thirty-six (36) months of salary continuation (payable in monthly installments), thirty-six (36) months of continued medical insurance coverage for Dr. Dionne and his family at a cost no less favorable than the premium co-pay charged to active employees, the acceleration of outstanding equity awards and any accrued obligations. In the event that Dr. Dionne is terminated as a result of his disability, he will be entitled to twelve (12) months of salary continuation plus any accrued obligations. Any termination payments that may become due to Dr. Dionne are contingent upon his execution of a timely separation agreement in a form acceptable to us, which shall include a release of claims against us and his resignation from the board. As part of his employment agreement, Dr. Dionne was also granted options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $1.65 per share and a term of seven years. The options were issued pursuant to our 2009 Plan and vested upon Dr. Dionne achieving certain milestones. As of December 31, 2013, all milestones had been reached and accordingly, all the options are vested.
Severance Agreement
We have entered into a severance agreement with Dr. Dionne. The severance agreement provides for certain payments, as described below, in the event Dr. Dionne’s employment is terminated in connection with a change in control. In the event that Dr. Dionne is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within a period of two (2) months before or two (2) years following the consummation of a change of control, the Company would be required to pay him (i) 100% of his then annual target bonus, pro-rated by the number of calendar days in which he was employed during that particular year, and (ii) a lump sum payment in an amount equal to three (3) times his then annual salary. These payments are subject to Dr. Dionne’s execution of a release of claims against us and shall be made on the tenth business day following the effective date of the release. If any payment under the severance agreement, when combined with any other payment, would constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Code Section 280G then such payment shall be either the full amount or such lesser amount that would not result in an excise tax under Code Section 280G, based upon which interpretation yields the greater after-tax amount for Dr. Dionne.
Proprietary Information, Inventions and Competition Agreement
The proprietary information, inventions and competition agreement requires Dr. Dionne to maintain the confidentiality of the Company’s intellectual property as well as the assignment of any inventions made by Dr. Dionne during his employment. The agreement also limits Dr. Dionne’s ability to compete within certain fields of interest, as defined in the agreement, for a period of 18 months following the end of his employment.
Indemnification Agreement
The indemnification agreement provides for the indemnification and defense of Dr. Dionne, in the event of litigation, to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Company has also adopted the form of indemnification agreement for use with its other executive officers, employees and directors.
The foregoing summaries of Dr. Dionne’s: (i) employment agreement; (ii) severance agreement; (iii) proprietary information, inventions and competition agreement; and (iv) indemnification agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the agreements which have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to our public filings.
Russell Richerson
In connection with Dr. Richerson’s employment, we have entered into: (i) an employment agreement; (ii) a proprietary information, inventions and competition agreement; and (iii) an indemnification agreement.
Employment Agreement
We employ Russell Richerson as our Chief Operating Officer pursuant to a 3 year written contract, which commenced on September 2, 2009 and expired on September 2, 2012. On September 2, 2012, the agreement was automatically extended for an additional year pursuant to its terms. As compensation for his services during 2012, Dr. Richerson received a base salary of $289,000 per year. Effective January 1, 2013, Dr. Richerson’s base salary was increased to $309,000 per year. Such base salary is reviewed yearly with regard to possible increase. In addition, Dr. Richerson is eligible to receive annual discretionary and long term incentive bonuses as determined by the board. For 2012 and 2013, Dr. Richerson’s target bonus levels for annual discretionary bonus and long term incentive bonuses are: (i) 35%, and (ii) 100%, of base salary, respectively. The bonuses are paid in cash or non-cash compensation, or a combination of both, at the discretion of the board. Dr. Richerson is also entitled to receive certain payments and acceleration of outstanding equity awards in the event his employment is terminated. In the event that Dr. Richerson is terminated without cause or if he resigns for good reason, he will be entitled to eighteen (18) months of salary continuation (payable in monthly installments), eighteen (18) months of continued medical insurance coverage for Dr. Richerson and his family at a cost no less favorable than the premium co-pay charged to active employees, the acceleration of outstanding equity awards and any accrued obligations. In the event that Dr. Richerson is terminated as a result of his disability, he will be entitled to twelve (12) months of salary continuation plus any accrued obligations. Any termination payments that may become due to Dr. Richerson are contingent upon his execution of a timely separation agreement in a form acceptable to us, which shall include a release of claims against us and his resignation from the board, if applicable. As part of his employment, Dr. Richerson was also granted options to purchase 775,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $1.50 per share and have a term of 7 years. The options were issued pursuant to the 2009 Plan and vested upon Dr. Richerson achieving certain milestones. As of August 1, 2012, all milestones had been reached and accordingly, all the options are vested.
40 | ||
Proprietary Information, Inventions and Competition Agreement
The proprietary information, inventions and competition agreement requires Dr. Richerson to maintain the confidentiality of the Company’s intellectual property as well as the assignment of any inventions made by Dr. Richerson during his employment. The agreement also limits Dr. Richerson’s ability to compete within certain fields of interest, as defined in the agreement, for a period of 18 months following end of his employment.
Indemnification Agreement
The indemnification agreement provides for the indemnification and defense of Dr. Richerson, in the event of litigation, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The foregoing summaries of Mr. Richerson’s: (i) employment agreement; (ii) proprietary information, inventions and competition agreement; and (iv) indemnification agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the agreements which have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to our public filings.
Nancy Jean Barnabei
In connection with Ms. Barnabei’s employment, we entered into: (i) an employment agreement; (ii) a proprietary information, inventions and competition agreement; and (iii) an indemnification agreement.
Employment Agreement
Nancy Jean Barnabei was employed from August 16, 2012 until her resignation and last day of service to the Company on June 30, 2013. In connection with her resignation, we entered into an employment release agreement as described below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during her tenure, her employment agreement was subject to the following; we employed Nancy Jean Barnabei as our Vice President Finance, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer pursuant to a 2 year written contract, which commenced on August 16, 2012 and ended June 30, 2013. As compensation for her services, Ms. Barnabei received a base salary of $144,000 per year and was required to devote no less than 24 hours per week to the business and affairs of the Company. In addition, Ms. Barnabei was eligible to receive annual discretionary and long term incentive bonuses as determined by the board. For 2012 and 2013, Ms. Barnabei’s target discretionary and long term incentive bonuses were: (i) 35% and (ii) 100% of base salary, respectively, of which she earned $54,000 in 2012 and $72,000 in 2013. The bonuses were payable in cash or non-cash compensation, or a combination thereof, at the sole discretion of the board. Ms. Barnabei was also entitled to receive certain payments and acceleration of outstanding equity awards in the event her employment is terminated. As part of her employment agreement, Ms. Barnabei was also granted options to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The options have an exercise price of $2.80 per share and a term of seven (7) years. As of the date of her resignation 204,260 options had vested.
Employment Release Agreement
During June of 2013, in connection with Ms. Barnabei’s resignation as Vice President and Treasurer, we entered into a Release Agreement with Ms. Barnabei which provides for an extended amount of time to exercise any stock options vested as of June 30, 2013 from three months from the date of her final day of employment to the expiration date of each respective award, in exchange for Ms. Barnabei’s general release of claims against the Company, if any.
Proprietary Information, Inventions and Competition Agreement
The proprietary information, inventions and competition agreement requires Ms. Barnabei to maintain the confidentiality of the Company’s intellectual property as well as the assignment of any inventions made by Ms. Barnabei during her employment. The agreement also limits Ms. Barnabei’s ability to compete within certain fields of interest, as defined in the agreement, for a period of 18 months following end of her employment.
41 | ||
Indemnification Agreement
The indemnification agreement provides for the indemnification and defense of Ms. Barnabei, in the event of litigation.
The foregoing summaries of Ms. Barnabei’s: (i) employment agreement; (ii) proprietary information, inventions and competition agreement; and (iv) indemnification agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the agreements which have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to our public filings.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change- in-Control
The following table sets forth the payments that would be made to our named executive officers if his employment in accordance with his employment agreement had been terminated by us without cause, termination as a result of disability on December 31, 2013 or in the event a change in control of our Company occurred on December 31, 2013, as applicable.
|
|
Terminated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
without
|
|
Terminated,
|
|
Termination as a
|
|
|||
Name
|
|
cause
|
|
change of control
|
|
result of Disability
|
|
|||
Craig Dionne, PhD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
|
|
$
|
1,089,000
|
|
$
|
1,089,000
|
|
$
|
363,000
|
|
Bonus (1)
|
|
|
544,500
|
|
|
544,500
|
|
|
|
|
Health
|
|
|
93,600
|
|
|
93,600
|
|
|
|
|
Total:
|
|
$
|
1,727,100
|
|
$
|
1,727,100
|
|
$
|
363,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell Richerson, PhD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
|
|
|
463,845
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
309,230
|
|
Bonus (1)
|
|
|
417,461
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health
|
|
|
27,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total:
|
|
$
|
909,206
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
309,230
|
|
(1) | Assumes all annual bonus milestones have been attained prior to termination. |
Director Compensation
|
|
Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Qualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Earned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
or Paid in
|
|
Stock
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive
|
|
Compensation
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Name
|
|
Cash ($)
|
|
Awards ($)
|
|
Awards ($)
|
|
|
Plan Compensation ($)
|
|
Earnings ($)
|
|
Compensation ($)
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
|||||||
Peter E. Grebow, PhD
|
|
|
38,742
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,410
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
65,152
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bo Jesper Hansen
|
|
|
40,468
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,504
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,972
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott Ogilvie
|
|
|
37,782
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,098
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63,880
|
|
(1) | Options were granted at fair market value on May 24, 2013 at $0.70 per share. Options vest quarterly over a one-year period. |
(2) | Options were granted at fair market value on August 13, 2013 at $0.59 per share. Options vest quarterly over a one-year period. |
(3) | Options were granted at fair market value on March 1, 2013 at $0.69 per share. Options vest quarterly over a one-year period. |
Director Compensation Plan
Pursuant to the terms of our non-executive director compensation policy, non-employee directors are entitled to the following compensation for service on our Board:
Inducement/First Year Grant. Upon joining the Board, the board member receives options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock. The options vest as follows: (i) 25,000 immediately upon appointment to the Board; and (ii) 25,000 quarterly over the following 12 months.
Annual Grant. Subject to the shareholder’s rights to elect any individual director, starting on the first year anniversary of service, and each subsequent anniversary thereafter, each eligible director will be granted options to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock. The annual grants vest quarterly during the grant year.
42 | ||
Committee and Committee Chairperson Grant. Each director will receive options to purchase an additional 4,000 shares of common stock for each committee on which he or she serves. Chairpersons of each committee will receive options to purchase an additional 1,000 share of common stock. The committee grants vest quarterly during the grant year.
Special Committee Grants. From time to time, individual directors may be requested by the Board to provide extraordinary services. These services may include such items as the negotiation of key contracts, assistance with scientific issues, or such other items as the Board deems necessary and in the best interest of the Company and our shareholders. In such instances, the Board shall have the flexibility to issue special committee grants. The amount of such grants and terms will vary commensurate with the function and tasks of the special committee.
Exercise Price and Term. All options issued pursuant to the non-executive board compensation policy will have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at close of market on the grant date. The term of the options shall be for a period of 5 years from the grant date.
Cash Compensation. Our eligible directors also receive cash compensation equal to: (i) an annual cash retainer of $25,000, and (ii) a per committee cash award of $3,334.
ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans
Information regarding shares authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans approved and not approved by stockholders required by this Item are incorporated by reference from Item 5 of this Annual Report from the section entitled “Equity Compensation Plan Information.”
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth, as of February 21, 2014, information regarding beneficial ownership of our capital stock by:
· | each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of any class of our voting securities; |
· | each of our current directors and nominees; |
· | each of our current named executive officers; and |
· | all current directors and named executive officers as a group. |
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC. Beneficial ownership means that a person has or shares voting or investment power of a security and includes any securities that person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days after the measurement date. This table is based on information supplied by officers, directors and principal stockholders. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that each of the beneficial owners of the common stock listed below, based on the information such beneficial owner has given to us, has sole investment and voting power with respect to such beneficial owner’s shares, except where community property laws may apply.
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent of
|
|
||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Securities (2)
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Class (2)
|
|
|||
Directors and named Executive Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig Dionne, PhD
|
|
|
2,464,749
|
(6)
|
|
|
3,678,848
|
|
|
6,143,597
|
|
|
19.9
|
%
|
Russell B. Richerson, PhD
|
|
|
942,392
|
|
|
|
2,699,570
|
|
|
3,641,962
|
|
|
12.2
|
%
|
Bo Jesper Hansen, MD, PhD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
158,000
|
|
|
158,000
|
|
|
*
|
|
Scott Ogilvie
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
269,000
|
|
|
269,000
|
|
|
*
|
|
Peter E. Grebow, PhD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
82,000
|
|
|
82,000
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (5 persons)
|
|
|
3,407,141
|
|
|
|
6,896,918
|
|
|
10,304,059
|
|
|
30.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Owners of 5% or more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John T. Isaacs, PhD(3)
|
|
|
1,271,528
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
1,396,528
|
|
|
5.1
|
%
|
Samuel R. Denmeade, MD(4)
|
|
|
1,271,528
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
1,396,528
|
|
|
5.1
|
%
|
Kihong Kwon, MD(5)
|
|
|
3,419,650
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,399,500
|
|
|
12.5
|
%
|
43 | ||
* | Less than one percent. |
(1) | Except as otherwise indicated, the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable and to the information contained in the footnotes to this table. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of the beneficial owner is GenSpera, Inc., 2511 N Loop 1604 W, Suite 204, San Antonio, TX 78258. |
(2) | Pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which a shareholder has sole or shared voting power or investment power, and also any shares which the shareholder has the right to acquire within 60 days, including upon exercise of common shares purchase options or warrants. There are 27,252,966 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of February 21, 2014. |
(3) | 13638 Poplar Hill Road, Phoenix, MD 21131 |
(4) | 5112 Little Creek Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043 |
(5) | 1015 E. Chapman, Suite 201, Fullerton, CA 92831. Does not include 1,804,455 warrants or convertible securities subject to exercise conditions based on percentage ownership. |
(6) | Includes 713,533 shares owned by Craig A. Dionne & Bonnie Camille Dionne TTEES The Dionne Annuity Trust of 2011 and 79,351 shares owned by Craig A. Dionne & Bonnie Camille Dionne TTEES The Dionne Annuity Trust of 2012. |
ITEM 13. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Information regarding disclosure of an employment relationship or transaction involving an executive officer and any related compensation solely resulting from that employment relationship or transaction is incorporated by reference from the section of this annual report entitled “Executive Compensation.”
Information regarding disclosure of compensation to a director is incorporated by reference from the section of this annual report entitled “Independent Directors.”
Related Party Transactions
· | On March 1, 2012 we granted Scott V. Ogilvie, one of our outside directors, options to purchase 39,000 shares of common stock. The options were granted pursuant to our director compensation plan as compensation for Mr. Ogilvie’s service on our board and related committees. The options have an exercise price of $2.95 per share. The options vest quarterly and have a term of five years. |
· | On May 24, 2012, upon joining the board, we granted Peter E. Grebow, PhD, options to purchase 63,000 shares of common stock. The options were granted pursuant to our director compensation plan as compensation for Peter E. Grebow, PhD’s service on our board and related committees. The options have an exercise price of $2.69 per share and a term of five years. Of the options granted, 25,000 vest immediately with the balance vest in equal installments quarterly beginning on August 24, 2012. Additionally, we entered into our standard indemnification agreement, as well as an independent director agreement with Peter E. Grebow, PhD. |
· | On August 13, 2012, we granted Bo Jesper Hansen, M.D., one of our outside directors, options to purchase 38,000 shares of common stock. The options were granted pursuant to our director compensation plan as compensation for Dr. Hansen’s service on our board and related committees. The options have an exercise price of $2.85 per share. The options vest on the following schedule: 9,500 immediately and the rest vest in equal quarterly installments beginning on November 13, 2012, and lapse if unexercised on August 13, 2017. |
44 | ||
· | On August 16, 2012, we issued Nancy Jean Barnabei, our former Vice President Finance and Treasurer, options to purchase 200,000 common shares pursuant to the terms of her employment agreement. The options have a term of seven years, an exercise price of $2.80 and vest, provide she continues to provide us services, as follows: (i) 60,000 options vest upon grant, (ii) 60,000 options vest on August 16, 2013, and (iii) 80,000 options vest upon Ms. Barnabei becoming a full time employee provided such event occurs on or before August 16, 2014. The options shall be granted from our 2007 Equity Compensation Plan and subject to all terms and conditions thereunder. |
· | During our December 2012 through March 2013 offering, Kihong Kwon, MD (including related and/or affiliated entities), purchased 70,914 units on the same terms and conditions as the other investors in the offering. The price per unit was $2.20. On March 22, 2013, we issued Dr. Kwon (or his related and affiliated entities) 17,076 additional units in connection with the adjustment to the per unit price. Each unit consists of: (i) one (1) share of the common stock, par value $0.0001, and (ii) one common stock purchase warrant. The warrants have a term of five years and entitle the holders to purchase common stock at a price per share of $3.00. In the event the shares underlying the warrants are not subject to a registration statement, the warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis after 12 months from the issuance date. The warrants also contain provisions providing for an adjustment in the underlying number of shares and exercise price in the event of stock splits or dividends and fundamental transactions. The warrants do not contain any price protection provisions. Additionally, the warrants contain limitations on the holder’s ability to exercise the warrants in the event such exercise causes the holder to beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock, subject to a discretionary increase in such limitation by the holder to 9.99% upon 61 days’ notice. |
In connection with the offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Kihong Kwon, MD (including related and/or affiliated entities) on the same terms as that of the other investors in the offering. Pursuant to the registration rights agreements, we agreed to file a “resale” registration statement with the SEC covering all shares of the common stock and the shares underlying the warrants within 45 days of the final closing date of the sale of units and to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement until all securities have been sold or are otherwise able to be sold pursuant to Rule 144. We have agreed to use our best efforts to have the registration statement declared effective within 90 days of the final closing. We are also obligated to pay to investors, as partial liquidated damages, a fee of 0.50% per month in cash up to a maximum of 6%, upon the occurrence of certain events, including but not limited to failure to file and/or have the registration statement declared effective within the time provided. Subsequent to the offering, we received a waiver and amendment to the registration rights agreement by holders of a majority of the registrable securities. The effect of the waiver and amendment is to waive all penalties under the registration rights agreement with regard to filing deadlines and effectiveness requirements. |
· | On February 12, 2013, we granted each of Drs. Isaacs and Denmeade, in their respective capacities as our Scientific Advisors, common stock purchase options to purchase 20,000 shares, as compensation for serving on the Company’s scientific advisory board. The options have an exercise price of $1.95 per share. The options vest quarterly beginning on March 31, 2013 and lapse if unexercised on February 12, 2018. |
· | On March 1, 2013 we granted Scott V. Ogilvie, one of our outside directors, options to purchase 38,000 shares of common stock. The options were granted pursuant to our director compensation plan as compensation for Mr. Ogilvie’s service on our board and related committees. The options have an exercise price of $1.90 per share. The options vest quarterly and have a term of five years. |
· | On March 25, 2013, we issued Dr. Dionne, or CEO, options to purchase an aggregate of 561,394 in connection with his 2012 long term and annual bonus. The options have a term of seven years, an exercise price of $2.18 and are fully vested on the grant date. |
· | On March 25, 2013, we issued Dr. Richerson, or COO, options to purchase an aggregate of 516,318 in connection with his 2012 long term and annual bonus. The options have a term of seven years, an exercise price of $1.98 and are fully vested on the grant date. |
· | On May 24, 2013, we granted Peter E. Grebow, PhD, one of our outside directors, options to purchase 38,000 shares of common stock. The options were granted pursuant to our director compensation plan as compensation for Dr. Grebow’s service on our board and related committees. The options have an exercise price of $1.95 per share. The options vest quarterly and have a term of five years. |
· | During June of 2013, in connection with Ms. Barnabei’s resignation as Vice President and Treasurer, we entered into a Release Agreement with Ms. Barnabei which provides for an extended amount of time to exercise any stock options vested as of June 30, 2013 from three months from the date of her final day of employment to the expiration date of each respective award, in exchange for Ms. Barnabei’s general release of claims against the Company, if any. |
45 | ||
· | On January 7, 2014, we granted each of Drs. Isaacs and Denmeade, in their respective capacities as our Scientific Advisors, common stock purchase options to purchase 20,000 shares, as compensation for serving on the Company’s scientific advisory board. The options have an exercise price of $1.29 per share. The options vest quarterly beginning on March 31, 2014 and lapse if unexercised on January 7, 2019. |
· | On January 8, 2014, we issued Dr. Dionne, or CEO, options to purchase an aggregate of 1,136,943 in connection with his 2013 long term and annual bonus. The options have a term of seven years, an exercise price of $1.42 and are fully vested on the grant date. |
· | On January 8, 2014, we issued Dr. Richerson, or COO, options to purchase an aggregate of 811,959 in connection with his 2013 long term and annual bonus. The options have a term of seven years, an exercise price of $1.29 and are fully vested on the grant date. | |
· | As of February 21, 2014, we have 3 promissory notes payable to Dr. Dionne. Each note accrues interest at 4.2% per annum. The loans were originally made in order to provide us with working capital. The aggregate balance of the notes is $105,000 in principal and $24,406 in accrued interest. The notes and accrued interest are convertible into 256,613 shares of common stock at a price of $0.50 per share. |
ITEM 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES |
The following table summarizes the approximate aggregate fees billed to us or expected to be billed to us by our independent auditors for our 2013 and 2012 fiscal years:
Type of Fees
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liggett, Vogt & Webb, P.A.
|
|
$
|
50,500
|
|
$
|
32,000
|
|
RBSM, LLP
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,746
|
|
Audit Related Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liggett, Vogt & Webb, P.A.
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
RBSM, LLP
|
|
|
22,000
|
|
|
51,100
|
|
Tax Fees
|
|
|
4,500
|
|
|
4,500
|
|
All Other Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees
|
|
$
|
79,000
|
|
$
|
137,346
|
|
Pre-Approval of Independent Auditor Services and Fees
Our board of directors reviewed and pre-approved all audit and non-audit fees for services provided by independent registered accounting firm and has determined that the provision of such services to us during fiscal 2013 is compatible with and did not impair independence. It is the practice of the audit committee to consider and approve in advance all auditing and non-auditing services provided to us by our independent auditors in accordance with the applicable requirements of the SEC. Neither of the firms which we engaged during 2013 provided any services, other than those listed above.
46 | ||
PART IV
ITEM 15. | EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
1. | Financial Statements: See “Index to Financial Statements” in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K. |
2. | Exhibits: The exhibits listed in the accompanying index to exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Form 10-K. |
Certain of the agreements filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K contain representations and warranties by the parties to the agreements that have been made solely for the benefit of the parties to the agreement. These representations and warranties:
· | may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other parties in connection with the negotiation of the agreements, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreements; |
· | may apply standards of materiality that differ from those of a reasonable investor; |
· | and were made only as of specified dates contained in the agreements and are subject to later developments. |
Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time, and investors should not rely on them as statements of fact.
47 | ||
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
|
GENSPERA, INC.
|
||
|
|
|
|
Date: February 28, 2014
|
|
/s/ Craig Dionne
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the following capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Craig Dionne
|
|
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and
|
|
February 28, 2014
|
Craig Dionne
|
|
Director (Principal Executive Officer and Principal
financial and accounting officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Peter E. Grebow, PhD
|
|
Director
|
|
February 28, 2014
|
Peter E. Grebow, PhD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Bo Jesper Hansen MD PhD
|
|
Director
|
|
February 28, 2014
|
Bo Jesper Hansen MD PhD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Scott Ogilvie
|
|
Director
|
|
February 28, 2014
|
Scott Ogilvie
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Information to be Furnished With Reports Filed Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act by Registrants which have Not Registered Securities Pursuant to Section 12 of the Act.
Information with regard to proxy materials sent to the Registrant’s security holders has been supplementally provided to the SEC.
48 | ||
GENSPERA, INC.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
Page
|
|
|
|
Report of Liggett, Vogt & Webb, P.A., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
F1
|
|
|
|
Report of RBSM LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
F2
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheets
|
|
F3
|
|
|
|
Statements of Losses
|
|
F4
|
|
|
|
Statements of Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity
|
|
F5
|
|
|
|
Statements of Cash Flows
|
|
F9
|
|
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements
|
|
F10
|
49 | ||
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors
GenSpera Inc.
San Antonio, TX
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of GenSpera Inc., a development stage company, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related statements of losses, statement of stockholders' (deficit) equity, and cash flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. We have also audited the amounts presented for the period January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013, included in the statements of stockholders’ (deficit) equity and in the total amounts presented in the statements of losses and cash flows for the period from November 21, 2003 (date of inception) to December 31, 2013. We did not audit the period November 21, 2003 (date of inception) to December 31, 2011. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for that period is based solely on the report of other auditors. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based upon our audits
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatements. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of GenSpera Inc., a development stage company, at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the period November 21, 2003 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $32.4 million as of December 31, 2013, and will require additional cash to fund and continue operations, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans concerning these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
|
/s/ Liggett, Vogt & Webb, P.A.
|
|
Liggett, Vogt & Webb, P.A.
|
February 26, 2014
New York, New York
F-1 | ||
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors
GenSpera Inc.
San Antonio, TX
We have audited the accompanying statements of losses, statement of stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the period November 21, 2003 (date of inception) through December 31, 2011 of GenSpera Inc., a development stage company. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based upon our audits.
We conducted our audit in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatements. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows for the period November 21, 2003 (date of inception) through December 31, 2011 of GenSpera Inc., a development stage company, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
|
/s/ RBSM LLP
|
|
RBSM LLP
|
New York, New York
March 6, 2012
F-2 | ||
GENSPERA, INC.
(A Development Stage Company)
BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
||
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
||
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
3,587
|
|
$
|
2,345
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
163
|
|
|
77
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
3,750
|
|
|
2,422
|
|
Office equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $16 and $10
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
12
|
|
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $94 and $77
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
136
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
3,885
|
|
$
|
2,573
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$
|
1,270
|
|
$
|
728
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
1,250
|
|
|
1,292
|
|
Warrant derivative short-term
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,176
|
|
Convertible notes stockholder
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
105
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
2,625
|
|
|
3,301
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
2,625
|
|
|
3,301
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders' (deficit) equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, par value $.0001 per share; 30,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and
outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, par value $.0001 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized, 27,252,966
and 22,298,424 shares issued and outstanding, respectively |
|
|
3
|
|
|
2
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
33,642
|
|
|
26,353
|
|
Deficit accumulated during the development-stage
|
|
|
(32,385)
|
|
|
(27,083)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders' (deficit) equity
|
|
|
1,260
|
|
|
(728)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' (deficit) equity
|
|
$
|
3,885
|
|
$
|
2,573
|
|
See accompanying notes to audited financial statements.
F-3 | ||
GENSPERA, INC.
(A Development Stage Company)
STATEMENTS OF LOSSES
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND 2012
AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (NOVEMBER 21, 2003) TO DECEMBER 31, 2013
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
from November 21, 2003
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31,
|
|
(date of inception) to
|
|
|||||
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
December 31, 2013
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
$
|
3,662
|
|
$
|
3,953
|
|
$
|
15,765
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
2,733
|
|
|
2,922
|
|
|
16,712
|
|
Research and development grant received
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(489)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
6,395
|
|
|
6,875
|
|
|
31,988
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(6,395)
|
|
|
(6,875)
|
|
|
(31,988)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(519)
|
|
(Loss) gain on change in fair value of warrant derivative
liability |
|
|
1,096
|
|
|
(50)
|
|
|
86
|
|
Interest (expense) income, net
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(5,302)
|
|
|
(6,920)
|
|
|
(32,385)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(5,302)
|
|
$
|
(6,920)
|
|
$
|
(32,385)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
(0.21)
|
|
$
|
(0.32)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
24,816,481
|
|
|
21,805,211
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to audited financial statements.
F-4 | ||
GENSPERA, INC.
(A Development Stage Company)
STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
FROM DATE OF INCEPTION (NOVEMBER 21, 2003) TO DECEMBER 31, 2013
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
Common
|
|
During the
|
|
Stockholders'
|
|
||||
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
Stock
|
|
Development
|
|
Equity
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Capital
|
|
Subscribed
|
|
Stage
|
|
(Deficit)
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, November 21, 2003
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock to founders at $0.0001
per share in November, 2003 |
|
|
6,100,000
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributed services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(125)
|
|
|
(125)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2003
|
|
|
6,100,000
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
119
|
|
|
|
|
|
(125)
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributed services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
193
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
193
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(254)
|
|
|
(254)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2004
|
|
|
6,100,000
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
336
|
|
|
|
|
|
(379)
|
|
|
(42)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributed services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(127)
|
|
|
(127)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2005
|
|
|
6,100,000
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
408
|
|
|
|
|
|
(506)
|
|
|
(97)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributed services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
144
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
144
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(245)
|
|
|
(245)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2006
|
|
|
6,100,000
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
594
|
|
|
|
|
|
(751)
|
|
|
(156)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock at $0.50 per share
|
|
|
1,300,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
650
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
650
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares issued for services
|
|
|
735,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
367
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
367
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributed services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
220
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
220
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of options
|
|
|
900,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(691)
|
|
|
(691)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2007
|
|
|
9,035,000
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
1,858
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,442)
|
|
|
417
|
|
F-5 | ||
GENSPERA, INC.
(A Development Stage Company)
STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
FROM DATE OF INCEPTION (NOVEMBER 21, 2003) TO DECEMBER 31, 2013
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
Common
|
|
During the
|
|
Stockholders'
|
|
||||
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
Stock
|
|
Development
|
|
Equity
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Capital
|
|
Subscribed
|
|
Stage
|
|
(Deficit)
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of options
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock and warrants at $1.00
per share |
|
|
2,320,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sale of common stock and warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(206)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(206)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares issued for accrued interest
|
|
|
31,718
|
|
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares issued for services
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
314
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
314
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributed services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial conversion feature of convertible
debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,326)
|
|
|
(3,326)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2008
|
|
|
12,486,718
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
4,922
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,768)
|
|
|
155
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(444)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(290)
|
|
|
(734)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants issued for extension of debt
maturities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,531
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,531
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock issued for services
|
|
|
86,875
|
|
|
|
|
|
104
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
104
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock and warrants at $1.50
per share |
|
|
2,665,354
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
3,797
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,798
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock and warrants issued as
payment of placement fees |
|
|
53,334
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock and warrants issued upon
conversion of note and accrued interest |
|
|
174,165
|
|
|
|
|
|
174
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
174
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,134)
|
|
|
(5,134)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2009
|
|
|
15,466,446
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
10,136
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,192)
|
|
|
(54)
|
|
F-6 | ||
GENSPERA, INC.
(A Development Stage Company)
STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
FROM DATE OF INCEPTION (NOVEMBER 21, 2003) TO DECEMBER 31, 2013
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
Common
|
|
During the
|
|
Stockholders'
|
|
||||
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
Stock
|
|
Development
|
|
Equity
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Capital
|
|
Subscribed
|
|
Stage
|
|
(Deficit)
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,165
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,165
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock and warrants at $1.65
per share |
|
|
533,407
|
|
|
|
|
|
806
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
806
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock and warrants at $2.00
per share |
|
|
1,347,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,656
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,656
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock and warrants issued as
payment of placement fees |
|
|
43,632
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock issued as payment for patents
and license |
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock and warrants subscribed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
612
|
|
|
|
|
|
612
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries paid with common stock
|
|
|
43,479
|
|
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of options and warrants
|
|
|
150,001
|
|
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reclassification of derivative liability upon
exercise of warrants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,257)
|
|
|
(4,257)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2010
|
|
|
17,604,465
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
15,121
|
|
|
612
|
|
|
(14,449)
|
|
|
1,286
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,290
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,290
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock and warrants at $1.80
per share |
|
|
2,241,605
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,035
|
|
|
(612)
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,423
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock and warrants at $1.65
per share |
|
|
1,363,622
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock and warrants issued as
payment of placement fees |
|
|
61,498
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock and warrants issued as
payment of accrued consulting fees |
|
|
33,334
|
|
|
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock and warrants issued as
payment of consulting fees |
|
|
152,895
|
|
|
|
|
|
533
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
533
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales of common stock and warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(74)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(74)
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,714)
|
|
|
(5,714)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2011
|
|
|
21,457,419
|
|
$
|
2
|
|
$
|
23,215
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
(20,163)
|
|
$
|
3,054
|
|
F-7 | ||
GENSPERA, INC.
(A Development Stage Company)
STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
FROM DATE OF INCEPTION (NOVEMBER 21, 2003) TO DECEMBER 31, 2013
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
Common
|
|
During the
|
|
Stockholders'
|
|
||||
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
Stock
|
|
Development
|
|
Equity
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Capital
|
|
Subscribed
|
|
Stage
|
|
(Deficit)
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
513
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
513
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock and warrants issued as
payment of consulting fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
674
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
674
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of options and warrants
|
|
|
544,639
|
|
|
|
|
|
691
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
691
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reclassification of derivative liability upon
exercise of warrants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
608
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
608
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock and warrants at $2.20
per share |
|
|
296,366
|
|
|
|
|
|
652
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
652
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,920)
|
|
|
(6,920)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2012
|
|
|
22,298,424
|
|
$
|
2
|
|
$
|
26,353
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
(27,083)
|
|
$
|
(728)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,254
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,254
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of warrants
|
|
|
863,392
|
|
|
|
|
|
404
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
404
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reclassification of derivative liability upon
exercise of warrants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock and warrants at $1.773
per share |
|
|
757,794
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,217
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,217
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock and warrants at $1.50
per share |
|
|
3,333,356
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
4,999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance cost of sales of common stock and
warrants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(665)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(665)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,302)
|
|
|
(5,302)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2013
|
|
|
27,252,966
|
|
$
|
3
|
|
$
|
33,642
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
(32,385)
|
|
$
|
1,260
|
|
See accompanying notes to audited financial statements.
F-8 | ||
GENSPERA, INC.
(A Development Stage Company)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND 2012
AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (NOVEMBER 21, 2003) TO DECEMBER 31, 2013
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative Period from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 21, 2003,
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
(date of inception) to
|
|
|||||
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
December 31, 2013
|
|
|||
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(5,302)
|
|
$
|
(6,920)
|
|
$
|
(32,385)
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
111
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
1,254
|
|
|
513
|
|
|
7,335
|
|
Common stock issued for acquisition of license
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
Warrants issued for financing costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
468
|
|
Change in fair value of derivative liability
|
|
|
(1,096)
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
(86)
|
|
Contributed services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
774
|
|
Amortization of debt discount
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
Increase in operating assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
(86)
|
|
|
(77)
|
|
|
(163)
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
Increase in operating liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
1,895
|
|
|
3,280
|
|
Cash used in operating activities
|
|
|
(4,707)
|
|
|
(4,521)
|
|
|
(20,619)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of office equipment
|
|
|
(8)
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
|
(31)
|
|
Acquisition of intangibles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(194)
|
|
Cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(8)
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
|
(225)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of common stock and warrants
|
|
|
6,217
|
|
|
652
|
|
|
23,844
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of warrants
|
|
|
405
|
|
|
691
|
|
|
1,221
|
|
Cost of common stock and warrants sold
|
|
|
(665)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(739)
|
|
Proceeds from convertible notes stockholder
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
155
|
|
Repayments of convertible notes stockholder
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(50)
|
|
Cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
5,957
|
|
|
1,343
|
|
|
24,431
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash
|
|
|
1,242
|
|
|
(3,185)
|
|
|
3,587
|
|
Cash, beginning of period
|
|
|
2,345
|
|
|
5,530
|
|
|
|
|
Cash, end of period
|
|
$
|
3,587
|
|
$
|
2,345
|
|
$
|
3,587
|
|
See accompanying notes to audited financial statements.
F-9 | ||
GENSPERA, INC.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND 2012
AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 21, 2003
(INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 2013
NOTE 1 BACKGROUND
GenSpera, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our company”, “our”, “GenSpera” or the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Delaware in November 2003, and has its principal office in San Antonio, Texas. We are a development stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of prodrug cancer therapeutics for the treatment of solid tumors, including prostate, liver, brain and other cancers. We plan to develop a series of therapies based on our target-activated prodrug technology platform and further test them through Phase I/II clinical trials.
Our primary focus at the present time is the clinical development of our lead compound, G-202, a novel therapeutic agent with a unique mechanism of action. We have completed a Phase Ia/Ib dose escalation, safety, tolerability and dose refinement study of G-202, in which we treated a total of 44 patients (includes Phase Ia and Ib), including two patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or liver cancer, who experienced prolonged stabilization of disease up to eleven months after initiation of treatment. We are also conducting a Phase II clinical trial of G-202 in patients with liver cancer. This trial is being conducted at multiple sites in the U.S. and requires seventeen evaluable patients for anticipated statistical analyses. As of February 24, 2014, sixteen patients have been treated, of which the majority of the patients treated are considered to be evaluable.
Note 2 Management’s Plans to Continue as a Going Concern
Basis of Presentation
The opinion of our independent registered accounting firm on our financial statements contains explanatory going concern language. We have prepared our financial statements on the basis that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included.
We have incurred losses since inception and have a deficit accumulated during the development stage of $32.4 million as of December 31, 2013. We anticipate incurring additional losses for the foreseeable future and until such time, if ever, that we can generate significant sales of our therapeutic product candidates currently in development or enter into cash flow positive business development transactions.
Development Stage Risks
We are a development stage entity. To date, we have generated no sales revenues, have incurred losses and expect to incur significant additional losses as we proceed with our Phase II clinical studies. Consequently, our operations are subject to all the risks inherent in the establishment of a pre-revenue business enterprise as well as those risks associated with a company engaged in research and development of novel pharmaceutical compounds.
Our cash and cash equivalents balance at December 31, 2013 was $3.6 million, representing 92% of total assets. Based upon our current expected level of operating expenditures, we expect to able to fund operations for the next nine to twelve months from our year end. We will require additional cash to fund and continue operations beyond that point. This period could be shortened if there are any unanticipated significant increases in planned spending on development programs or other unforeseen events. We need to raise additional funds through collaborative arrangements, public or private sales of debt or equity securities, or some combination thereof. There is no assurance that financing will be available to continue our operations or if available, on terms acceptable to us.
In the event financing is not obtained, the Company could pursue cost cutting measures as well as explore the sale or licensing of selected assets in order to generate additional funds. If we are required to significantly reduce operating expenses and delay, reduce the scope of, or eliminate development programs, these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, future prospects, results of operations and financial condition. These factors raise significant doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue in existence.
F-10 | ||
NOTE 3 Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Significant estimates include the fair value of derivative instruments, stock-based compensation, recognition of clinical trial costs and other accrued liabilities. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Research and Development
Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Our research and development expenses consist primarily of expenditures for toxicology and other studies, manufacturing, clinical trials, compensation and consulting costs.
We incurred research and development expenses of $2.7 million, $2.9 million and $16.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and from November 21, 2003 (inception) through December 31, 2013, respectively.
Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the statements of cash flows, we consider all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity date of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We maintain our cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed applicable government mandate insurance limits. We have not experienced any losses in our accounts.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments and related items, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments with credit quality institutions. At times, such investments may exceed applicable government mandated insurance limits. Cash and cash equivalents were $3.6 million and $2.3 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
We currently outsource all manufacturing of our clinical supplies to single source manufactures. We also have a single source supplier for the active ingredient in our prodrug compounds, including G-202. A change in these suppliers could cause a delay in manufacturing and/or clinical trials, which would adversely affect our Company.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of licensed technology, patents, and patent applications (see Note 5). The assets associated with licensed technology are recorded at cost and are being amortized on the straight line basis over their estimated useful lives of twelve to seventeen years.
Office Equipment
Office equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on the straight line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets of three to five years. Expenditures for repair and maintenance which do not materially extend the useful lives of property and equipment are charged to expense. When property or equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts with the resulting gain or loss reflected in operations. Management periodically reviews the carrying value of its office equipment for impairment.
Depreciation expense was approximately $6,000 and $4,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Loss per Share
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss and net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Basic and diluted loss per share are the same, in that any potential common stock equivalents would have the effect of being anti-dilutive in the computation of net loss per share.
F-11 | ||
The following potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the computations of weighted average shares outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, as they would be anti-dilutive:
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
||||
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
||
Shares underlying options outstanding
|
|
|
6,050,623
|
|
|
4,674,628
|
|
Shares underlying warrants outstanding
|
|
|
10,216,597
|
|
|
8,513,984
|
|
Shares underlying convertible notes outstanding
|
|
|
261,519
|
|
|
252,698
|
|
|
|
|
16,528,739
|
|
|
13,441,310
|
|
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Our short-term financial instruments, including cash, accounts payable and other liabilities, consist primarily of instruments without extended maturities. We believe that the fair values of our current assets and current liabilities approximate their reported carrying amounts.
Warrant derivative liability consists of certain of our warrants with anti-dilution provisions. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to value its warrant derivative liability which incorporate the Company’s stock price, volatility, U.S. risk-free interest rate, dividend rate, and estimated life.
Fair Value Measurements
The U.S. GAAP Valuation Hierarchy establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The Company previously had recorded a warrant derivative liability for warrants with anti-dilution provisions, which all the respective warrants were either exercised or expired as of December 31, 2013. The table below summarizes the fair values of our financial liabilities as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
|
|
Fair Value at
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
Fair Value Measurement Using
|
|
||||||||
|
|
2012
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrant derivative liability
|
|
$
|
1,176
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
1,176
|
|
The reconciliation of the warrant derivative liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
||
Balance at beginning of year
|
|
$
|
1,176
|
|
$
|
1,734
|
|
Loss (gain) on change in fair value of warrant liability
|
|
|
(1,096)
|
|
|
50
|
|
Reclassification to equity upon exercise of warrants
|
|
|
(80)
|
|
|
(608)
|
|
Balance at end of year
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
1,176
|
|
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the period in which the related temporary difference becomes deductible.
F-12 | ||
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an equity award based on the grant-date fair value of the award. All grants under our stock-based compensation programs are accounted for at fair value and that cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award (the vesting period).
Compensation expense for options granted to non-employees is determined in accordance with the standard as the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measured. Compensation expense for awards granted to non-employees is re-measured each period.
Determining the appropriate fair value of the stock-based compensation requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock-based payment and stock price volatility. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to value its stock option awards which incorporate the Company’s stock price, volatility, U.S. risk-free rate, dividend rate, and estimated life.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, and the SEC, did not, or are not believed by management, to have a material impact on the Company's present or future financial statements.
NOTE 4 SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
The following table contains additional information for the periods reported (in thousands).
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
||||
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
||
Non-cash financial activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock options issued as payment of accrued compensation
|
|
$
|
999
|
|
$
|
674
|
|
Derivative liability reclassified to equity upon exercise of warrants
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
608
|
|
There was no cash paid for interest and income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
NOTE 5 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
We solely own or have exclusive licenses to all of our patents and patent applications. Between 2008 and 2011, we entered into license and assignment agreements with Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the University of Copenhagen (UC) and certain co-inventors (Assignee Co-Founders), in which we paid $212,000 in cash and common stock. As a result of these payments and pursuant to the agreements, we acquired worldwide, exclusive, fully paid up rights in know-how, pre-clinical data, development data and certain patent portfolios that relate to, and form the basis of, our technology. Under these agreements, we are not required to make any other future payments, including fees or other reimbursements, milestones, or royalties, to JHU, UC, or the Assignee Co-Founders.
Amortization expense recorded during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $17,000 for both years. Amortization expense is estimated to be approximately $17,000 for each one of the next five fiscal years.
NOTE 6 ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
||||
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
||
Accrued compensation and benefits
|
|
$
|
1,040
|
|
$
|
958
|
|
Accrued research and development
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
100
|
|
Accrued other
|
|
|
128
|
|
|
234
|
|
Total accrued expenses
|
|
$
|
1,250
|
|
$
|
1,292
|
|
F-13 | ||
NOTE 7 CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE
We have issued convertible notes to our chief executive officer pursuant to which we borrowed an aggregate of $0.2 million, with $0.1 million principal balance outstanding at December 31, 2013. The notes bear an interest rate of 4.2% and matured at various dates through December 6, 2011. Accrued interest at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was approximately $26,000 and $21,000, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, our chief executive officer has not demanded the payment of the outstanding principal and accrued interest. Accordingly, we consider these amounts due on demand. The notes and accrued interest are convertible, at the option of the holder, into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $0.50 per share.
NOTE 8 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating Leases
The Company leases its corporate offices under an operating lease that expires on October 14, 2015. Rent expense for office space amounted to approximately $55,000 and $26,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The following table summarizes future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
2014
|
|
$
|
56
|
|
2015
|
|
|
45
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
|
|
Total minimum lease payments
|
|
$
|
101
|
|
Employment Agreements
We employ our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer pursuant to written employment agreements. The employment agreements contain severance provisions and indemnification clauses. The indemnification agreement provides for the indemnification and defense of the executive officers, in the event of litigation, to the fullest extent permitted by law. As part of the agreements, the executives potentially shall be entitled to the following (in thousands):
|
|
Chief
|
|
Chief
|
|
||
|
|
Executive
|
|
Operating
|
|
||
|
|
Officer
|
|
Officer
|
|
||
Terminated without cause
|
|
$
|
1,727
|
|
$
|
909
|
|
Terminated, change of control without good reason
|
|
|
1,727
|
|
|
|
|
Terminated for cause, death, disability and by
executive without good reason |
|
|
363
|
|
|
309
|
|
Legal Matters
On March 12, 2012, GenSpera instituted a declaratory judgment action against Annastasiah Mhaka (“Mhaka”) in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland: GenSpera, Inc. v. Mhaka, Civil Action No. MJG-12-772 (D. Md.). In that complaint, GenSpera, as the licensee of the inventions described and claimed in the U.S. Patent No. 7,468,354 (“the ‘354 patent”) and U.S. Patent No. 7,767,648 (“the ‘648 patent”), sought a declaratory judgment that Mhaka (a former doctoral student at Johns Hopkins University) should not be added to either the ‘354 patent or the ‘648 patent as an inventor. On April 2, 2012, Mhaka filed and served her answer and counterclaim, in which she sought to be added as an inventor to the ‘354 patent and the ‘648 patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. sec. 256. Between April 26, 2012 and October 1, 2012, the parties conducted fact discovery. Between October 1, 2012 and December 1, 2012, the parties conducted limited expert discovery. On November 1, 2012, Mhaka filed a separate complaint in the State Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Maryland, naming GenSpera as a defendant along with Dr. Samuel Denmeade and Dr. John Isaacs (the named inventors on the ‘354 patent and the ‘648 patent). In the complaint, Mhaka alleged that the defendants are liable under various state law tort theories for the same alleged conduct that formed the basis for her prior inventorship claim. In her prayer for relief, Mhaka sought unspecified damages from the defendants but did not seek to alter the inventorship or ownership of the ‘354 patent or ‘648 patent. On November 8, 2012, the defendants removed this second action to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, and on November 16, 2012, the defendants moved to dismiss all claims in the complaint, asserting (among other things) that the claims were preempted by federal patent law.
On January 24, 2013, the Court heard GenSpera’s motion for summary judgment in the original case and the defendants’ motion to dismiss in the second case. On May 1, 2013, the Court granted GenSpera’s motion for summary judgment in the original case. In its order, the Court stated that it would proceed to issue a declaratory judgment establishing that Mhaka should not be added to the two patents at issue as an additional inventor pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 256. Reserving any ruling on the issue of whether Mhaka’s state law tort claims are preempted by federal patent law, the Court denied defendants’ motion to dismiss Mhaka’s complaint and directed Mhaka to re-file her claims as counterclaims in the original action. On May 14, 2013, Mhaka filed an amended answer and counterclaims in the consolidated action, re-pleading her tort claims as counterclaims. On June 3, 2013, GenSpera (along with Drs. Denmeade and Isaacs) filed a reply to the counterclaims, denying their allegations and raising a number of affirmative defenses. Fact discovery was completed on December 13, 2013, and expert discovery is to be completed by February 28, 2014. On January 2, 2014, Drs. Isaacs and Denmeade moved for summary judgment on the grounds that Mhaka’s claims are barred by the applicable statute of limitations, and GenSpera joined in the motion. The briefing on that motion is now complete. Any remaining motions for summary judgment are to be filed by April 15, 2014. Further scheduling, as appropriate, is to be set after resolution of summary judgment motions.
F-14 | ||
NOTE 9 CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Common Stock
During the year ended December 31, 2013, 325,670 warrants were exercised into an equivalent number of common shares for which we received proceeds of approximately $404,000, and one million warrants were exercised on a cashless basis into 537,722 common shares.
During the year ended December 31, 2012, 544,639 options and warrants were exercised into an equivalent number of common shares. We received proceeds of $691,000 from the exercise of the options and warrants, and 78,333 warrants were exercised on a cashless basis into 37,301 common shares.
Equity Financing
August 2013 Offering
In August of 2013, we sold an aggregate of $5,000,032, or 3,333,356 units, to accredited and institutional investors. The price per unit was $1.50, with each unit consisting of (i) one share of the Company’s common stock and (ii) one common stock purchase warrant. The warrants have a term of five years and entitle the holder to purchase the Company’s common stock at a price per share of $1.75. In the event that the shares underlying the warrants are not subject to a registration statement at the time of exercise, the warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis after 6 months from the issuance date. The warrants also contain provisions providing for an adjustment in the underlying number of shares and exercise price in the event of stock splits or dividends and fundamental transactions. Additionally, the warrants contain limitations on the holder’s ability to exercise the warrants in the event such exercise causes the holder to beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock, subject to a discretionary increase in such limitation by the holder to 9.99% upon 61 days’ prior notice to the Company.
In connection with the offering, we also paid commissions equal to 8% of gross proceeds, for an aggregate commission of $400,003, and a non-accountable expense allowance equal to 2% of the gross proceeds, or $100,001 to the placement agent. The placement agent also received common stock purchase warrants to purchase such number of shares equal to 8% of the shares sold in the offering to investors, or 266,668 placement agent warrants with substantially the same terms as the warrants. Additionally, the placement agent was also reimbursed for its legal and due diligence costs in an amount not greater than $35,000. The placement agent will also receive (i) a cash fee of 4% of gross proceeds received from the exercise of the warrants, and (ii) additional transaction fees equal to 8% of gross proceeds and 8% warrant coverage for any future investment by one of the investors in the Company for a period of 12 months following the closing of the offering.
In connection with the offering, investors received certain registration rights. Pursuant to the registration rights, the Company agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC within 45 days from the closing to register the resale of the common shares and common shares underlying the warrants. The Company also agreed to have the registration statement declared effective within 120 days from the filing date. The Company agreed to keep the registration statement continuously effective until the earlier to occur of (i) the date after which all of the securities to be registered thereunder have been sold, or (ii) the date on which all the securities to be registered thereunder may be sold without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions and without current public information pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We are also obligated to pay the investors, as partial liquidated damages, a fee of 1.5% of each investor’s subscription amount per month in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock, at the discretion of the Company, upon the occurrence of certain events, including our failure to file and / or failure to have the registration statement declared effective within the time provided. The Company has satisfied the filing deadline and effectiveness condition.
December 2012 Offering
In December of 2012 we commenced a unit offering of our securities. Each unit consists of: (i) one share of common stock, and (ii) one common stock purchase warrant. The warrants have a term of five years and entitle the holders to purchase common stock at a price per share of $3.00. In the event the shares underlying the warrants are not subject to a registration statement, the warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis after 12 months from the issuance date. The warrants also contain provisions providing for an adjustment in the underlying number of shares and exercise price in the event of stock splits or dividends and fundamental transactions, as defined. The warrants do not contain any price protection provisions. Additionally, the warrants contain limitations on the holder’s ability to exercise the warrants in the event such exercise causes the holder to beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock, subject to a discretionary increase in such limitation by the holder to 9.99% upon 61 days’ prior notice to the Company.
F-15 | ||
In January 2013, we offered and sold an aggregate of 104,095 units in an additional closing resulting in gross proceeds of $0.2 million. The price per unit was $2.20. In connection with the December 2012 and January 2013 closings, we issued 96,443 additional units in March 2013 in order to adjust the price per unit from $2.20 to $1.773 to be consistent with the price per unit of our March 2013 closing as discussed below.
In March 2013, we offered and sold an additional 557,256 units in connection with an additional closing, resulting in gross proceeds of $1.0 million, at a price per unit of $1.773. In connection with this closing, we incurred placement agent fees and expenses in the amount of $37,000 in cash and issued warrants to purchase 18,410 shares at an exercise price per share of $3.00.
In connection with the offering, we agreed to enter into registration rights agreements with our investors. Pursuant to the registration rights agreements, we agreed to file a “resale” registration statement with the SEC covering the shares of common stock included in the units as well as the shares underlying the warrants, within 45 days of the final closing date of the sale of units and to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement until all securities have been sold or are otherwise able to be sold pursuant to Rule 144. We also agreed to use our best efforts to have the registration statement declared effective within 90 days of the final closing. We are also obligated to pay to investors, as partial liquidated damages, a fee of 0.50% per month in cash up to a maximum of 6%, upon the occurrence of certain events, including but not limited to failure to file and/or have the registration statement declared effective within the time provided. Subsequent to the offering, we received a waiver and amendment to the registration rights agreement by holders of a majority of the registrable securities. The effect of the waiver and amendment was to waive all penalties under the registration rights agreement with regard to filing deadlines and effectiveness requirements.
NOTE 10 STOCK OPTIONS
Deferred Compensation Plan
In July of 2011, we adopted Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the Deferred Plan). The Deferred Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The Deferred Plan is intended to be an unfunded “top hat” plan which is maintained primarily to provide deferred compensation benefits for a select group of our “management or highly compensated employees” within the meaning of Sections 201, 301, and 401 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), and to therefore be exempt from the provisions of Parts 2, 3, and 4 of Title I of ERISA. The Deferred Plan is intended to help build a supplemental source of savings and retirement income through pre-tax deferrals of eligible compensation, which may include cash, option and stock bonus awards, discretionary cash, option and stock awards and/or any other payments which may be designated by the Deferred Plan administrator, as eligible, for deferral under the Deferred Plan from time to time. As administered, the Deferred Plan is used to defer compensation of stock awards granted under our other equity compensation plans and does not by its terms approve any grants or awards.
GenSpera’s Compensation Plans
The Company’s 2007 Equity Compensation Plan (2007 Plan) and 2009 Executive Compensation Plan (2009 Plan) (together, the Plans) provide for the awarding of stock grants, nonqualified and incentive stock options, restricted stock units, performance units or other stock-based awards to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company. The purpose of the Plans is to advance the interests of GenSpera and our stockholders by attracting, retaining and rewarding persons performing services for us and to motivate such persons to contribute to our growth and profitability. Our Plans are administered by a committee of non-employee directors (the Committee). The Committee determines: who shall be granted awards; the vesting periods; the exercise price; and any other terms deemed appropriate for any award.
As of December 31, 2013, our 2009 Plan authorized up to 6,000,000 shares of common stock to be reserved for issuance upon exercise of stock options or other stock-based awards, and the Company has awarded 2,996,972 stock options, and 3,003,028 shares of common stock were available for future grants under the 2009 Plan. All option awards granted under the 2009 Plan are fully vested.
Our 2007 Plan authorizes up to 6,000,000 shares of common stock to be reserved for the issuance upon exercise of stock options or other stock-based awards, subject to an annual award limitation of 1,500,000 shares. Under the 2007 Plan, vesting schedules for stock options vary, but generally vest for a period of not more than five years and at a rate of not less than 20% per year. The maximum term of an option granted under the 2007 Plan is ten years. As of December 31, 2013, the Company has awarded 3,363,651 stock options, and 2,776,349 shares of common stock were available for future grants under the 2007 Plan.
F-16 | ||
Total stock-based compensation expense recognized for stock options issued using the straight-line method in the statement of losses for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
||
Stock-based compensation expense for employees and non-employee directors
|
|
$
|
1,140
|
|
$
|
322
|
|
Equity awards for nonemployees issued for services
|
|
|
114
|
|
|
191
|
|
Total stock-based compensation expense
|
|
$
|
1,254
|
|
$
|
513
|
|
The following table summarizes stock option activity under the Plans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-
|
|
average
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
average
|
|
remaining
|
|
intrinsic
|
|
||
|
|
Number of
|
|
exercise
|
|
contractual term
|
|
value (in
|
|
||
|
|
shares
|
|
price
|
|
(in years)
|
|
thousands)
|
|
||
Outstanding at December 31, 2011
|
|
3,646,870
|
|
$
|
1.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
1,097,758
|
|
$
|
2.33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
(70,000)
|
|
$
|
0.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2012
|
|
4,674,628
|
|
$
|
1.79
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
1,515,995
|
|
$
|
2.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
(140,000)
|
|
$
|
2.80
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2013
|
|
6,050,623
|
|
$
|
1.82
|
|
4.0
|
|
$
|
272
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at December 31, 2013
|
|
5,952,726
|
|
$
|
1.83
|
|
4.0
|
|
$
|
269
|
|
As of December 31, 2013, there was $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options which vest over time. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.5 years. As of December 31, 2013, there was no unrecognized compensation expense related to performance-based, non-vested employee stock options.
During 2013 and 2012, the Company issued options to purchase 1,335,972 and 1,094,658 shares of common stock, respectively, to employees, and non-employee directors under the Plans. The per share weighted-average fair value of the options granted to employees and non-employee directors during 2013 and 2012 was estimated at $0.84 and $0.99, respectively, on the date of grant.
During 2013 and 2012, the Company issued options to purchase 180,023 and 3,100 shares of common stock, respectively, to consultants under the Plan. The per-share weighted-average fair value of the options granted to consultants during 2013 and 2012 was estimated at $0.75 and $1.27, respectively, on the date of grant.
The following table summarizes weighted-average assumptions using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model used on the date of the grants issued for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
||
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
Volatility
|
|
58.8
|
%
|
71.9
|
%
|
Expected term (years)
|
|
3.7
|
|
2.8
|
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
0.3
|
%
|
Dividend yield
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
No options were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2013. During the year ended December 31, 2012, 70,000 options were exercised into an equivalent number of common shares. We received proceeds of $35,000 from the exercise of the options.
F-17 | ||
NOTE 11 WARRANTS AND DERIVATIVE WARRANT LIABILITY
We account for common stock warrants as either equity instruments or derivative liabilities depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. Common stock warrants are accounted for as derivative liabilities if the stock warrants allow for cash settlement or provide for modification of the warrant exercise price in the event subsequent sales of common stock are at a lower price per share than the then-current warrant exercise price. We classify derivative warrant liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value, and changes in fair value during the periods presented in the statement of operations, which is revalued at each balance sheet date subsequent to the initial issuance of the stock warrant. Transactions involving our equity-classified and liability-classified stock warrants are summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-
|
|
average
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
average
|
|
remaining
|
|
intrinsic
|
|
||
|
|
Number of
|
|
exercise
|
|
contractual term
|
|
value (in
|
|
||
|
|
shares
|
|
price
|
|
(in years)
|
|
thousands)
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2011
|
|
8,715,289
|
|
$
|
2.39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
314,366
|
|
$
|
2.97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
(515,671)
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2012
|
|
8,513,984
|
|
$
|
2.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
4,376,228
|
|
$
|
1.97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
(1,325,670)
|
|
$
|
1.06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
(1,347,945)
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2013
|
|
10,216,597
|
|
$
|
2.56
|
|
2.9
|
|
$
|
48.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at December 31, 2013
|
|
10,216,597
|
|
$
|
2.56
|
|
2.9
|
|
$
|
48.0
|
|
During the year ended December 31, 2013, 325,670 warrants were exercised into an equivalent number of common shares for which we received approximately $404,000 in proceeds, and 1,000,000 warrants were exercised on a cashless basis into 537,722 common shares. During the year ended December 31, 2012, 515,671 warrants were exercised into an equivalent number of common shares. We received proceeds of $0.7 million from the exercise of the options.
The following table summarizes outstanding warrants to purchase common stock as of December 31, 2013:
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shares
|
|
price
|
|
Expiration
|
|
|
Equityclassified warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued to consultants
|
|
1,128,759
|
|
$
|
2.28
|
|
February 2014 through January 2018
|
|
Issued pursuant to 2009 financings
|
|
1,455,516
|
|
$
|
3.00
|
|
February 2014 through September 2014
|
|
Issued pursuant to 2010 financings
|
|
1,022,943
|
|
$
|
3.38
|
|
January 2015 through May 2015
|
|
Issued pursuant to 2011 financings
|
|
1,936,785
|
|
$
|
3.24
|
|
January 2016 through April 2016
|
|
Issued pursuant to 2012 financings
|
|
296,366
|
|
$
|
3.00
|
|
December 2017
|
|
Issued pursuant to 2013 financings
|
|
4,376,228
|
|
$
|
1.97
|
|
December 2017 through August 2023
|
|
|
|
10,216,597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity-classified Warrants
During 2013, the Company did not issue any warrants to consultants to purchase shares of common stock. During 2012, the Company issued warrants to consultants to purchase 18,000 at a weighted-average fair value of $1.31 per share on the date of grant. Total stock-based compensation expense recognized for warrants issued to consultants using the straight-line method in the statement of losses for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $2,000 and $14,000, respectively.
The following table summarizes weighted-average assumptions using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model used on the date of the equity-classified warrants issued for services for the year ended December 31, 2012:
Volatility
|
|
60.3
|
%
|
Expected term (years)
|
|
4.7
|
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
0.7
|
%
|
Dividend yield
|
|
None
|
|
F-18 | ||
During the first three months of 2013, in connection with multiple closings of the December 2012 offering, the Company issued an aggregate of 776,204 common stock purchase warrants, including: 686,420 pursuant to closings in January 2013 and March 2013; 18,410 to the placement agent; and 71,374 additional warrants issued to investors that participated in the December 2012 closing. All warrants were issued with an exercise price of $ 3.00 per share. In connection with our August 2013 offering, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,600,024 common stock purchase warrants, including: 3,333,356 issued to investors, and 266,668 to the placement agents. All warrants were issued with an exercise price of $ 1.75 per share. During the first three months of 2013, in connection with multiple closings of the December 2012 offering, the Company issued an aggregate of 776,204 common stock purchase warrants, including: 686,420 pursuant to closings in January 2013 and March 2013; 18,410 to the placement agent; and 71,374 additional warrants issued to investors that participated in the December 2012 closing. All warrants were issued with an exercise price of $ 3.00 per share. In connection with our August 2013 offering, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,600,024 common stock purchase warrants, including: 3,333,356 issued to investors, and 266,668 to the placement agents. All warrants were issued with an exercise price of $ 1.75 per share.
Liability-classified Warrants
The Company has assessed its outstanding equity-linked financial instruments and has concluded that certain of its common stock purchase warrants are subject to derivative accounting, as a result of certain anti-dilution provisions contained in the warrants. The fair value of these warrants was classified as a liability in the financial statements with the change in fair value during the periods presented recorded in the statement of operations. At December 31, 2013, all outstanding liability-classified warrants were either exercised or had expired.
The following table summarizes the calculated aggregate fair values for the warrant derivative liability using the Black-Scholes method based on the following assumptions (in thousands):
|
|
Fair value as of
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calculated aggregate value
|
|
$
|
1,176
|
|
Exercise price per share of warrant
|
|
$
|
1.50
|
|
Closing price per share of common stock
|
|
$
|
2.20
|
|
Volatility
|
|
|
54.0
|
%
|
Expected term (years)
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
0.11
|
%
|
Dividend yield
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
We have recorded a gain of $1.1 million and a loss of $1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to the change in fair value of the warrant derivative liability during that period, and for the expiration of such warrants during the year. In addition, we reclassified approximately $80,000 and $608,000 of the derivative liability as a result of approximately 242,000 and 437,000 warrants being exercised in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
NOTE 12 INCOME TAXES
The Company had, subject to limitation, $22.0 million of net operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2013, which will expire at various dates beginning in 2013 through 2024. In addition, the Company has research and development tax credits of approximately $398,000 at December 31, 2013 available to offset future taxable income, which will expire from 2028 through 2034. We have provided a 100% valuation allowance for the deferred tax benefits resulting from the net operating loss carryover and our tax credits due to our lack of earnings history. In addressing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences are deductible. The valuation allowance increased by $1.7 and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
||
Deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carryover
|
|
$
|
7,497
|
|
$
|
5,793
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
2,888
|
|
|
2,474
|
|
Other
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
339
|
|
Tax credits
|
|
|
398
|
|
|
374
|
|
Total deferred tax assets
|
|
|
10,802
|
|
|
8,980
|
|
Less: valuation allowance
|
|
|
(10,802)
|
|
|
(8,980)
|
|
Net deferred tax assets
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
F-19 | ||
The actual tax benefit differs from the expected tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (computed by applying the U.S. Federal Corporate tax rate of 34% to income before taxes) are as follows:
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
Statutory federal income tax rate
|
|
-34.0
|
%
|
|
-34.0
|
%
|
Non-deductible items
|
|
0.1
|
%
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
Adjustment for R&D Credit
|
|
-0.4
|
%
|
|
-0.8
|
%
|
Valuation allowance
|
|
34.4
|
%
|
|
34.8
|
%
|
Effective income tax rate
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
%
|
The Company’s tax returns for the previous three years remain open for audit by the respective tax jurisdictions.
NOTE 13 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In January 2014, we issued options to purchase an aggregate of 1,948,902 shares of common stock to executive management in connection with their annual bonus and 2013 long term incentive plan. The options have a term of seven years, an exercise price of between $1.29 and $1.42, and are fully vested on the grant date. The Company recorded $962,000 in stock-based compensation expense related to these option grants, which was included in accrued expenses as of December 31, 2013.
In February 2014, we entered into an agreement for method development by a contract manufacturer and issued an aggregate of 91,334 shares of common stock, valued at approximately $127,000, as compensation.
In February 2014, we entered into an agreement to grant an aggregate of 47,800 shares of common stock to a consultant, which shares vest at the rate of 7,800 shares upon execution of the agreement and 10,000 shares per month for four months, the term of the agreement. These shares will be granted for business advisory services to be provided to the Company. In addition, the consultant was issued a warrant to purchase 96,000 shares of common stock at a strike price of $3.00 per share, which shares vest at the rate of 16,000 shares upon execution of the agreement and 20,000 shares per month for four months. The warrant issued is substantially similar to the warrants issued in conjunction with our financing completed in March 2013.
F-20 | ||
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incorporated by Reference
|
||||||
Exhibit
No.
|
|
Description
|
|
Filed/Furnished
Herewith
|
|
Form
|
|
Exhibit
No.
|
|
File
No.
|
|
Filing
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.01
|
|
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated September 4, 2013
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
3.01
|
|
333-153829
|
|
9/4/13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.02
|
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
3.02
|
|
333-153829
|
|
1/11/10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.01
|
|
Specimen of Common Stock certificate
|
|
|
|
S-1
|
|
4.01
|
|
333-153829
|
|
10/03/08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.02**
|
|
Amended and Restated GenSpera 2007 Equity Compensation Plan amended January 2010
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
4.01
|
|
333-153829
|
|
1/11/10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.03**
|
|
GenSpera Form of 2007 Equity Compensation Plan Grant and 2009 Executive Compensation Plan Grant
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
4.02
|
|
333-153829
|
|
9/09/09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.04
|
|
Form of 4.0% convertible note issued to shareholder
|
|
|
|
S-1
|
|
4.05
|
|
333-153829
|
|
10/03/08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.05
|
|
Form of Warrant - July and August 2008 private placements
|
|
|
|
S-1
|
|
4.10
|
|
333-153829
|
|
10/03/08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.06
|
|
Form of 4.0% convertible debenture modification between GenSpera, Inc. and shareholder
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.02
|
|
333-153829
|
|
2/20/09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.07
|
|
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued February 2009 to TR Winston & Company, LLC
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.05
|
|
333-153829
|
|
2/20/09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.08
|
|
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued February 2009 to Craig Dionne
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.06
|
|
333-153829
|
|
2/20/09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.09
|
|
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued February 2009
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.02
|
|
333-153829
|
|
2/20/09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.10
|
|
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued June 2009
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.03
|
|
333-153829
|
|
7/06/09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.11**
|
|
Amended and Restated 2009 Executive
|
|
|
|
10-K
|
|
4.11
|
|
333-153829
|
|
3/29/13
|
|
|
Compensation Plan amended on March 25, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.12
|
|
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued September 2009
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.02
|
|
333-153829
|
|
9/09/09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.13
|
|
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement - Jan - Mar 2010 offering
|
|
|
|
10-K
|
|
4.27
|
|
333-153829
|
|
3/31/10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.14
|
|
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued Jan - Mar 2010
|
|
|
|
10-K
|
|
4.28
|
|
333-153829
|
|
3/31/10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.15
|
|
Form of Consultant Warrants issued in May 2010
|
|
|
|
10-Q
|
|
4.29
|
|
333-153829
|
|
5/14/10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.16
|
|
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement - May 2010
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.01
|
|
333-153829
|
|
5/25/10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.17
|
|
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant - May 18, 2010 offering, and June 2010 Consultant Warrants
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.02
|
|
333-153829
|
|
5/25/10
|
50 | ||
4.18**
|
|
Form of 2007 Equity Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Grant and 2009 Executive Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Grant
|
|
|
|
S-8
|
|
4.03
|
|
333-171783
|
|
1/20/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.19
|
|
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement - January and February of 2011
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.01
|
|
333-153829
|
|
1/27/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.20
|
|
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated January and February of 2011
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.02
|
|
333-153829
|
|
1/27/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.21**
|
|
Form of 2007 Equity Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and 2009 Executive Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
|
|
|
|
10-K
|
|
4.22
|
|
333-153829
|
|
3/30/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.22
|
|
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement dated April 2011
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.01
|
|
333-153829
|
|
5/03/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.23
|
|
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated April 2011
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.02
|
|
333-153829
|
|
5/03/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.24**
|
|
Form of Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
99.01
|
|
333-153829
|
|
7/08/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.25
|
|
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to consultants in December of 2011
|
|
|
|
10-K
|
|
4.26
|
|
333-153829
|
|
3/06/12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.26
|
|
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to LifeTech on January 12, 2012
|
|
|
|
10-K
|
|
4.27
|
|
333-153829
|
|
3/06/12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.27
|
|
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement for December 2012 through March 2013 Offering
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.01
|
|
333-153829
|
|
3/28/13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.28
|
|
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant for December 2012 through March 2013 Offering; and February 2014 Consultant Warrant
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
4.01
|
|
333-153829
|
|
3/28/13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.29
|
|
Form of Registration Rights Agreement for December 2012 through March 2013 Offering
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.02
|
|
333-153829
|
|
3/28/13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.30
|
|
Form of Subscription Agreement or August 2013 Offering
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.01
|
|
333-153829
|
|
8/16/13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.31
|
|
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement for August 2013 Offering
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.02
|
|
333-153829
|
|
8/16/13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.32
|
|
Form of Registrants Rights Agreement for August 2013 Offering
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.03
|
|
333-153829
|
|
8/16/13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.33
|
|
Form of Warrant from August 2013 Offering
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.04
|
|
333-153829
|
|
8/16/13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.01
|
|
Exclusive Supply Agreement between GenSpera and Thapsibiza dated April 2012
|
|
|
|
10-K
|
|
10.01
|
|
333-153829
|
|
3/29/13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.02**
|
|
Craig Dionne Employment Agreement
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.04
|
|
333-153829
|
|
9/09/09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.03**
|
|
Amendment dated May 14, 2010 to the Employment Agreement of Craig Dionne
|
|
|
|
10-Q
|
|
10.03
|
|
333-153829
|
|
8/13/10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.04**
|
|
Craig Dionne Severance Agreement
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.05
|
|
333-153829
|
|
9/09/09
|
51 | ||
10.05**
|
|
Craig Dionne Proprietary Information, Inventions And Competition Agreement
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.06
|
|
333-153829
|
|
9/09/09
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10.06**
|
|
Form of Indemnification Agreement
|
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|
|
8-K
|
|
10.07
|
|
333-153829
|
|
9/09/09
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|
10.07**
|
|
Russell Richerson Employment Agreement
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|
|
8-K
|
|
10.08
|
|
333-153829
|
|
9/09/09
|
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10.08**
|
|
Amendment dated May 14, 2010 to the Employment Agreement of Russell Richerson
|
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|
|
10-Q
|
|
10.08
|
|
333-153829
|
|
8/13/10
|
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10.09**
|
|
Russell Richerson Proprietary Information, Inventions And Competition Agreement
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.09
|
|
333-153829
|
|
9/09/09
|
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|
|
10.10**
|
|
Independent Director Agreement
|
|
|
|
8-K
|
|
10.01
|
|
333-153892
|
|
06/1/12
|
|
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|
|
23.01
|
|
Consent of Liggett, Vogt & Webb, P.A.
|
|
*
|
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23.02
|
|
Consent of RBSM LLP
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
31.1
|
|
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
*
|
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|
|
31.2
|
|
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
32.1
|
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C § 1350.
|
|
*
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
32.2
|
|
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C § 1350.
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
101.INS
|
|
XBRL Instance Document
|
|
***
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
101.SCH
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
|
|
***
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101.CAL
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
|
|
***
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101.DEF
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
|
|
***
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101.LAB
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
|
|
***
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101.PRE
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
|
|
***
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
Filed Herein
|
**
|
Management contracts or compensation plans or arrangements in which directors or executive officers are eligible to participate.
|
***
|
Furnished herein
|
52 | ||