Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2008 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008

 

OR

 

o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

 

For the transition period from          to

 

Commission file number 001-14895

 

 

AVI BIOPHARMA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Issuer’s telephone number, including area code:  503-227-0554

 

 

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

Yes x          No o

 

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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

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

Yes o          No x

 

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

 

 

 

AVI BIOPHARMA, INC.

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

 

		Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Balance Sheets – March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 (unaudited)	2
	Statements of Operations – Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 and from July 22, 1980 (Inception) through March 31, 2008 (unaudited)	3
	Statements of Cash Flows – Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 and from July 22, 1980 (Inception) through March 31, 2008 (unaudited)	4
	Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)	5
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	13
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	16
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	17
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	17
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	17
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	17
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	17
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders	17
Item 5.	Other Information	17
Item 6.	Exhibits	18
Signatures		19
Exhibits

 

1

 

AVI BIOPHARMA, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

 

		March 31,			December 31,
		2008			2007
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	19,960,809		$	24,802,562
Short-term securities—available-for-sale		274,209			271,851
Accounts receivable		4,053,301			2,869,760
Other current assets		1,075,033			767,278
Total Current Assets		25,363,352			28,711,451
Property and Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $12,111,844 and $11,816,549		6,677,465			6,825,145
Patent Costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,766,674 and $1,725,074		3,404,340			3,066,625
Other Assets		34,709			34,709
Total Assets		$	35,479,866		$	38,637,930
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	3,367,551		$	3,026,072
Accrued employee compensation		1,064,891			1,171,666
Long-term debt, current portion		25,994			71,099
Warrant liability		5,849,341			4,414,657
Deferred revenue		1,596,250			737,500
Other liabilities		237,585			331,335
Total Current Liabilities		12,141,612			9,752,329
Commitments and Contingencies
Long-term debt, non-current portion		2,098,349			2,070,704
Other long-term liabilities		453,767			433,149
Shareholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding		—			—
Common stock, $.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 70,429,110 and 64,449,094 issued and outstanding		7,043			6,445
Additional paid-in capital		262,151,126			252,732,858
Accumulated other comprehensive income		—			—
Deficit accumulated during the development stage		(241,372,031		)	(226,357,555		)
Total Shareholders’ Equity		20,786,138			26,381,748
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity		$	35,479,866		$	38,637,930

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

2

 

AVI BIOPHARMA, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

 

								July 22, 1980
		Three months ended March 31,						(Inception) to
		2008			2007			March 31, 2008
Revenues from license fees, grants and research contracts		$	5,624,617		$	536,042		$	26,590,627
Operating expenses:
Research and development		7,472,811			6,317,641			189,880,428
General and administrative		1,982,679			4,303,885			52,135,572
Acquired in-process research and development		9,916,271			—			29,461,299
		19,371,761			10,621,526			271,477,299
Other income (loss):
Interest income, net		167,352			362,509			8,600,870
Gain (loss) on warrant liability		(1,434,684		)	1,498,691			8,052,617
Realized gain on sale of short-term securities—available-for-sale		—			—			3,862,502
Write-down of short-term securities—available-for-sale		—			—			(17,001,348		)
		(1,267,332		)	1,861,200			3,514,641
Net loss		$	(15,014,476	)	$	(8,224,284	)	$	(241,372,031	)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted		$	(0.23	)	$	(0.15	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for computing basic and diluted loss per share		65,321,986			53,241,730

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

3

 

AVI BIOPHARMA, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

								For the Period
								July 22, 1980
		Three months ended March 31,						(Inception) to
		2008			2007			March 31, 2008
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(15,014,476	)	$	(8,224,284	)	$	(241,372,031	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		348,554			479,630			15,182,652
Loss on disposal of assets		439			53,498			374,998
Realized gain on sale of short-term securities—available-for-sale		—			—			(3,862,502		)
Write-down of short-term securities—available-for-sale		—			—			17,001,348
Issuance of common stock to vendors		—			300,000			2,075,000
Compensation expense on issuance of common stock and partnership units		118,045			—			979,700
Compensation expense to non-employees on issuance of options and warrants to purchase common stock or partnership units		103,459			312,637			3,059,149
Stock-based compensation		1,278,705			2,360,770			10,879,112
Conversion of interest accrued to common stock		—			—			7,860
Acquired in-process research and development		9,916,271			—			29,461,299
(Gain) loss on warrant liability		1,434,684			(1,498,691		)	(8,052,617		)
(Increase) decrease in:
Accounts receivable and other current assets		(1,408,122		)	(473,488		)	(5,045,160		)
Other assets		—			—			(34,709		)
Net increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued employee compensation, deferred revenue, and other liabilities		(1,203,592		)	1,195,910			4,733,141
Net cash used in operating activities		(4,426,033		)	(5,494,018		)	(174,612,760		)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment		(149,651		)	(464,029		)	(16,718,042		)
Patent costs		(189,315		)	(145,933		)	(5,521,559		)
Purchase of marketable securities		(2,358		)	—			(112,978,571		)
Sale of marketable securities		—			909,694			117,613,516
Acquisition costs		(11,375		)	—			(2,388,991		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(352,699		)	299,732			(19,993,647		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of common stock, warrants, and partnership units, net of offering costs, and exercise of options and warrants		—			—			215,015,674
Repayments of long-term debt		(63,021		)	—			(63,021		)
Buyback of common stock pursuant to rescission offering		—			—			(288,795		)
Withdrawal of partnership net assets		—			—			(176,642		)
Issuance of convertible debt		—			—			80,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(63,021		)	—			214,567,216
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(4,841,753		)	(5,194,286		)	19,960,809
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		24,802,562			20,159,201			—
End of period		$	19,960,809		$	14,964,915		$	19,960,809
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Short-term securities—available-for-sale received in connection with the private offering		$	—		$	—		$	17,897,000
Change in unrealized loss on short-term securities—available-for-sale		$	—		$	(2,041	)	$	—
Issuance of common stock and warrants in satisfaction of liabilities		$	—		$	—		$	545,000
Issuance of common stock for building purchase		$	—		$	—		$	750,000
Assumption of long-term debt for building purchase		$	—		$	—		$	2,199,792
Issuance of common stock for Ercole assets		$	7,918,059		$	—		$	—
Assumption of liabilities for Ercole assets		$	2,280,850		$	—		$	—

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

4

 

AVI BIOPHARMA, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

 

The financial information included herein for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 and the financial information as of March 31, 2008 is unaudited; however, such information reflects all adjustments consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. The financial information as of December 31, 2007 is derived from AVI BioPharma, Inc.’s (the “Company’s”) Form 10-K. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

Stock-based compensation costs are generally based on the fair value calculated from the Black-Scholes option-pricing model on the date of grant for stock options and on the date of enrollment for the Plan. The fair value of stock grants is amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the grants. Stock options granted to employees are service-based and typically vest over four years.

 

The fair market values of stock options granted during the periods presented were measured on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,		2008		2007
Risk-free interest rate		2.28	%	4.91	%
Expected dividend yield		0	%	0	%
Expected lives		8.3 years		8.0 years
Expected volatility		89	%	90	%

 

The risk-free interest rate is estimated using an average of treasury bill interest rates. The expected dividend yield is zero as the Company has not paid any dividends to date and does not expect to pay dividends in the future. The expected lives are estimated using expected and historical exercise behavior. The expected volatility is estimated using historical calculated volatility and considers factors such as future events or circumstances that could impact volatility.

 

As part of the requirements of FSAS 123R, the Company is required to estimate potential forfeiture of stock grants and adjust compensation cost recorded accordingly. The estimate of forfeitures is adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent that actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures are recognized through a cumulative catch-up in the period of change and impact the amount of stock compensation expense to be recognized in future periods.

 

5

 

A summary of the Company’s stock option compensation activity with respect to the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2008 follows:

 

Stock Options		Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2008		6,304,453		$	4.60
Granted		1,401,807		$	1.25
Exercised		—		$	—
Canceled or expired		(509,087	)	$	6.48
Outstanding at March 31, 2008		7,197,173		$	3.81		6.29		$	—
Vested at March 31, 2008 and expected to vest		7,153,905		$	3.82		6.27		$	—
Exercisable at March 31, 2008		5,033,748		$	4.37		5.07		$	—

 

The weighted average fair value per share of stock-based payments granted to employees during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 was $0.99 and $2.25, respectively. During the same periods, the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised were $0 and $0, and the total fair value of stock options that vested were $877,204 and $1,303,398, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2008, there was $3,315,423 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plan. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, no stock options were exercised. The Company is obligated to issue shares reserved under the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan upon the exercise of stock options. The Company does not currently expect to repurchase shares from any source to satisfy its obligations under the Plan.

 

The following are the stock-based compensation costs recognized in the Company’s statements of operations:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2008			Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
Research and development		$	504,018		$	397,037
General and administrative		373,186			1,963,733
Total		$	877,204		$	2,360,770

 

The 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) provides that eligible employees may contribute, through payroll, deductions, up to 10% of their earnings toward the purchase of the Company’s Common Stock at 85% of the fair market value at specific dates. On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS 123R, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share based payment awards made to the Company’s employees and directors related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, based on estimated fair values.

 

6

 

During the first quarter of 2008 the total compensation expense for participants in the ESPP was $7,490 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with a weighted average estimated fair value per share of $0.86, expected life of six months, risk free interest rate of 3.57%, volatility of 43.12%, and no dividend yield. During the first quarter of 2007 the total compensation expense for participants in the ESPP was $7,849 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with a weighted average estimated fair value per share of $1.26, expected life of six months, risk free interest rate of 5.17%, volatility of 70.90%, and no dividend yield. At March 31, 2008, 208,585 shares remain available for purchase through the plan and there were 86 employees eligible to participate in the plan, of which 28 were participants.

 

After the acquisition of Ercole Biotechnology, Inc (“Ercole”), the Company recognized severance payments to certain Ercole employees of $401,501 in the first quarter of 2008 to be paid using the Company’s common stock.

 

On March 27, 2007, in connection with his resignation, the Company entered into a Separation and Release Agreement with AVI’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to this agreement, he may exercise his previously granted options until the earlier of the termination date specified in the respective stock option grant agreements or March 28, 2010. This modification of these stock options in the first quarter of 2007 increased compensation costs by $1,057,372.

 

The Company records the fair value of stock options granted to non-employees in exchange for services in accordance with EITF 96-18 “Accounting for Equity Instruments That are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services.” The fair value of the options granted is expensed when the measurement date is known. The performance for services was satisfied on the grant date for stock options granted to non-employees. The total fair value of the options granted to non-employees during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 was $103,459 and $312,637 which was expensed to research and development, respectively.

 

Warrants. Certain of the Company’s warrants issued in connection with financing arrangements are classified as liabilities in accordance with EITF 00-19, “Accounting for derivative financial instruments indexed to, and potentially settled in, a Company’s own stock.” The fair market value of these warrants is recorded on the balance sheet at issuance and marked to market at each financial reporting period. The change in the fair value of the warrants is recorded in the Statement of Operations as a non-cash gain (loss) and is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,		2008		2007
Risk-free interest rate		1.6%-2.5	%	4.4%-4.5	%
Expected dividend yield		0	%	0	%
Expected lives		.7-4.7 years		1.7-3.1 years
Expected volatility		61.2%-77.0	%	79.8%-88.9	%

 

The risk-free interest rate is estimated using an average of treasury bill interest rates. The expected dividend yield is zero as the Company has not paid any dividends to date and does not expect to pay dividends in the future. The expected lives are based on the remaining contractual lives of the related warrants. The expected volatility is estimated using historical calculated volatility and considers factors such as future events or circumstances that could impact volatility.

 

7

 

For warrants classified as permanent equity in accordance with EITF 00-19, the fair value of the warrants is recorded in shareholders’ equity and no further adjustments are made.

 

Commitments and Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Company may be named as a party to various legal claims, actions and complaints, including matters involving employment, intellectual property, effects from the use of drugs utilizing our technology, or others. It is impossible to predict with certainty whether any resulting liability would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The Company measures at fair value certain financial assets and liabilities, including cash equivalents. SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157) specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair-value hierarchy:

 

Level 1—Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;

 

Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and

 

Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant value drivers are unobservable.

 

		Fair Value Measurement as of March 31, 2008
		Total			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents		$	19,960,809		$	19,960,809		—		—
Short-term securities—available-for-sale		$	274,209		$	274,209		—		—
Total		$	20,235,018		$	20,235,018		—		—

 

The Company has deferred the adoption of SFAS No. 157 with respect to nonfinancial assets and liabilities in accordance with the provisions of FSP FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157.” Items in this classification include goodwill, intangible assets, long term investments, pension obligations, and certain other items.

 

The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other current monetary assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments.

 

License Arrangements.  License arrangements may consist of non-refundable upfront license fees, data transfer fees, research reimbursement payments, exclusive licensed rights to patented or patent pending compounds, technology access fees, various performance or sales milestones and future product royalty payments. Some of these arrangements are multiple element arrangements.

 

8

 

The Company defers recognition of non-refundable upfront fees if it has continuing performance obligations without which the technology, right, product or service conveyed in conjunction with the non-refundable fee has no utility to the licensee that is separate and independent of Company performance under the other elements of the arrangement. In addition, if the Company has continuing involvement through research and development services that are required because its know-how and expertise related to the technology is proprietary to the Company, or can only be performed by the Company, then such up-front fees are deferred and recognized over the period of continuing involvement.

 

Payments related to substantive, performance-based milestones in a research and development arrangement are recognized as revenue upon the achievement of the milestones as specified in the underlying agreements when they represent the culmination of the earnings process.

 

Government Research Contract Revenue.  The Company recognizes revenues from federal research contracts during the period in which the related expenditures are incurred. The Company presents these revenues and related expenses at gross in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with EITF 99-19 “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent.”

 

Income Taxes.  In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing the recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. It also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for the Company as of January 1, 2007, with cumulative effect, if any, of applying FIN 48 recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings in the year of adoption. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. See Note 7.

 

Note 2. Liquidity

 

Since its inception in 1980 through March 31, 2008, the Company has incurred losses of approximately $241 million, and is still in the development stage. The Company has not generated any material revenue from product sales to date and there can be no assurance that revenues from product sales will be achieved. Moreover, even if the Company does achieve revenues from product sales, the Company expects to incur operating losses over the next several years.

 

The financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company’s ability to achieve a profitable level of operations in the future will depend in large part on completing product development of its antisense products, obtaining regulatory approvals for such products, and bringing these products to market. During the period required to develop these products, the Company will require substantial additional financing. There is no assurance that such financing will be available when needed or that the Company’s planned products will be commercially successful. The Company believes it has

 

9

 

sufficient cash to fund operations at least through the first quarter of 2009, inclusive of future receipts from billings on existing government contracts, as described below. For 2008, the Company expects expenditures for operations, net of government funding, including collaborative efforts and GMP facilities to be approximately $19 to $22 million. Expenditures for 2008 could exceed this level if the Company undertakes additional collaborative efforts. If necessary, however, the Company’s management has the ability to curtail certain expenditures because a significant amount of the Company’s costs are variable.

 

In December 2006, the Company announced the execution of a two-year $28 million research contract with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), an agency of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). The contract is directed toward funding the Company’s development of antisense therapeutics to treat the effects of Ebola, Marburg and Junin hemorrhagic viruses, which are seen by DoD as potential biological warfare and bioterrorism agents. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, the Company recognized $3,945,072 in research contract revenue from this contract. Funding under this contract is expected over three years, with approximately $24.5 million committed through the end of 2008 (including amounts received in 2007), and the remainder anticipated in the first five months of 2009.

 

In January 2006, the Company announced that the final version of the 2006 defense appropriations act had been approved, which included an allocation of $11.0 million to fund the Company’s ongoing defense-related programs. Net of government administrative costs, it is anticipated that the Company will receive up to $9.8 million under this allocation. The Company’s NeuGene^® technology is expected to be used to continue developing therapeutic agents against Ebola, Marburg and dengue viruses, as well as to continue developing countermeasures for anthrax exposure and antidotes for ricin toxin. The Company has received signed contracts for all four of these projects. The Company expects that funding under these signed contracts will be completed over the next 12 months. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, the Company recognized $1,630,760 in research contract revenue from these contracts.

 

The likelihood of the long-term success of the Company must be considered in light of the expenses, difficulties and delays frequently encountered in the development and commercialization of new pharmaceutical products, competitive factors in the marketplace as well as the complex regulatory environment in which the Company operates. There can be no assurance that the Company will ever achieve significant revenues or profitable operations.

 

10

 

Note 3. Earnings Per Share

 

Basic EPS is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period and diluted EPS is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding.  Given that the Company is in a loss position, there is no difference between basic EPS and diluted EPS since the common stock equivalents would be antidilutive.

 

Three Months Ended March 31,		2008			2007
Net loss		$	(15,014,476	)	$	(8,224,284	)
Weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding:
Weighted average number of common shares Outstanding for computing basic earnings per share		65,321,986			53,241,730
Dilutive effect of warrants and stock options after application of the treasury stock method		*			*
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for computing diluted earnings per share		65,321,986			53,241,730
Net loss per share - basic and diluted		$	(0.23	)	$	(0.15	)

 

*  Warrants and stock options to purchase 21,499,569 and 15,173,475 shares of common stock as of March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were excluded from the earnings per share calculation as their effect would have been antidilutive.

 

Note 4. Comprehensive loss and securities available for sale

 

Comprehensive loss includes charges or credits to equity that did not result from transactions with shareholders. The Company’s only component of “other comprehensive loss” is unrealized gain (loss) on cash equivalents and short-term securities—available-for-sale. Accordingly, such investment securities are stated on the balance sheet at their fair market value. The Company classifies its investment securities with an original maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase as cash equivalents. The Company classifies its investment securities with an original maturity of more than three months from the date of purchase as short-term securities—available-for-sale. At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company’s investments in marketable securities had gross unrealized gains (losses) of $0 and $0, respectively. The unrealized difference between the adjusted cost and the fair market value of these securities has been reflected as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. The following table sets forth the calculation of comprehensive income for the periods indicated:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2008			2007
Net loss		$	(15,014,476	)	$	(8,224,284	)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities		—			(2,041		)
Total comprehensive loss		$	(15,014,476	)	$	(8,226,325	)

 

11

 

Note 5. Acquisition of Ercole

 

On March 20, 2008, the Company acquired all of the stock of Ercole Biotechnology, Inc (“Ercole”) in exchange for 5,647,016 shares of AVI common stock. The transaction included assumption of $1.5 million in liabilities of Ercole. The AVI common stock was valued at approximately $8.1 million. AVI also issued warrants to purchase AVI stock to settle certain outstanding warrants held in Ercole. These warrants are classified in equity. The acquisition was aimed at consolidating AVI’s position in directed alternative RNA splicing therapeutics. Ercole and the Company had been collaborating since 2006 to develop drug candidates, including AVI-4658, currently in clinical testing in the United Kingdom for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Ercole has other ongoing discovery research programs.

 

Ercole has been a development stage company since inception and does not have a product for sale. The Company is retaining a limited number of Ercole employees and plans on incorporating in-process technology of Ercole into the Company’s processes. The acquisition of Ercole did not meet the definition of a business under EITF 98-3 “Determining Whether a Nonmonetary Transaction Involves Receipt of Productive Assets or of a Business.” and, therefore, is being accounted for as an asset acquisition.

 

The total estimated purchase price of $10.3 million has been allocated as follows:

 

Cash		$	54,000
A/R		$	76,000
Prepaid Expenses		$	7,000
Fixed Assets		$	10,000
Patents		$	190,000
Acquired In-Process Research and Development		$	9,916,000

 

The acquired pending patents have an expected expiration date of 2026. Acquired in-process research and development consists of other discovery research programs in areas including beta thalassemia and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor. As these programs were in development at the time of acquisition, there were significant risks associated with completing these projects, and there were no alternative future uses for these projects, the associated value has been considered acquired in-process research and development.

 

Note 6. Other current assets

 

Amounts included in other current assets are as follows:

 

		March 31, 2008			December 31, 2007
Prepaid expenses		$	670,773		$	388,371
Prepaid rents		118,740			96,077
Restricted cash		285,520			282,830
Other current assets		$	1,075,033		$	767,278

 

12

 

Starting in April 2006, the Company was required to pledge $150,000 as collateral for company credit cards issued to certain employees. Starting in April 2007, the Company was required to pledge $125,000 as collateral for payments on long-term debt. The Company classifies these amounts as restricted cash. As of March 31, 2008, restricted cash including accrued interest was $285,520. The remaining components of other current assets include normally occurring prepaid expenses and rents.

 

Note 7. Income Taxes

 

The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, which did not materially impact its consolidated financial statements. No unrecognized tax benefits were recorded as of the date of adoption. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company did not recognize any liability for unrecognized tax benefits. There are no unrecognized tax benefits included in the balance sheet that would, if recognized, affect the effective tax rate.

 

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had no accrual for interest or penalties on its balance sheet at March 31, 2008 and at December 31, 2007, and has not recognized interest and/or penalties in the statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008.

 

At March 31, 2008, the Company had net deferred tax assets of approximately $95,000,000. The deferred tax assets are primarily composed of federal and state tax net operating loss carryforwards, federal and state R&D credit carryforwards, share-based compensation expense and intangibles. Due to uncertainties surrounding its ability to generate future taxable income to realize these assets, a full valuation allowance has been established to offset its net deferred tax asset. Additionally, the Internal Revenue Code rules under Section 382 could limit the future use of its net operating loss and R&D credit carryforwards to offset future taxable income based on ownership changes and the value of the Company’s stock.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operations

 

This section should be read in conjunction with the same titled section contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the “Risk Factors” contained in such report.

 

Forward-Looking Information

 

The Financial Statements and Notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the following discussion. The discussion in this Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward looking statements are identified by such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate” and words of similar import. All statements other than historical or current facts, including, without limitation, statements about our business strategy, plans and objectives of management and our future prospects, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the results of research and development efforts, the success of raising funds in the current offering or future offerings under our current shelf registration, the results of pre-clinical and clinical testing, the effect of regulation by FDA and other agencies, the impact of competitive products, product development, commercialization and technological difficulties, and other risks detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results reflected in such forward looking statements.

 

13

 

Overview

 

From our inception in 1980, we have devoted our resources primarily to fund our research and development efforts. We have been unprofitable since inception and, other than limited interest, license fees, grants and research contracts, we have had no material revenues from the sale of products or other sources, other than from government grants and research contracts, and we do not expect material revenues for the foreseeable future. We expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future as we continue our research and development efforts and enter additional collaborative efforts. As of March 31, 2008, our accumulated deficit was $241,372,031.

 

Results of Operations

 

Revenues, from license fees, grants and research contracts, increased to $5,624,617 in the first quarter of 2008 from $536,042 in the comparable period in 2007, due to increases in research contracts revenues of $5,105,575, partially offset by decreases in grants revenues of $19,500.

 

Operating expenses increased to $19,371,761 in the first quarter of 2008 from $10,621,526 in the first quarter of 2007, due primarily to $9,916,271 of acquired in-process research and development associated with the acquisition of Ercole Biotechnology, Inc (“Ercole”), as well as increases in research and development which increased to $7,472,811 in the first quarter of 2008 from $6,317,641 in the first quarter of 2007. These increases were partially offset by decreases in general and administrative, which decreased to $1,982,679 in the first quarter of 2008 from $4,303,885 in the comparable period in 2007. Research and development increased to $7,472,811 in the first quarter of 2008 from $6,317,641 in the first quarter of 2007. This research and development increase was due primarily to government research contract expense of approximately $800,000, increases in compensation costs of approximately $580,000, severance payments to certain Ercole employees of approximately $402,000, increases in net clinical expenses of approximately $400,000, partially offset by decreases in professional consultant costs of approximately $425,000, decreases in chemical costs of approximately $245,000, decreases in purchases of government contract related equipment of approximately $225,000 and decreases in amortization of patents and leaseholds of approximately $190,000. The general and administrative decrease was due primarily to decreases in employee costs of approximately $2,160,000, of which approximately $1,620,000 (including $562,500 in cash compensation and $1,057,372 in SFAS 123R expenses) was related to the Separation and Release Agreement with the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer during the first quarter of 2007, as well as, decreases in SFAS 123R expenses of approximately $530,000. General and administrative expenses also includes a decrease in legal expenses of approximately $150,000. Net interest income decreased to $167,352 in the first quarter of 2008 from $362,509 in the first quarter of 2007 due to decreases in average cash, cash equivalents and short-term securities, as well as, decreases in average interest rates of the Company’s interest earning investments. For the first quarter of 2008, the Company recognized a loss on warrant liability of $1,434,684 compared to a gain on warrant liability in the first quarter of 2007 of $1,498,691. The gain (loss) on warrant liability is a function of the Company’s stock price and fluctuates as the market price of the Company’s stock fluctuates.

 

14

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company does not expect any material revenues in 2008 or 2009 from its business activities, other than from potential government grants and research contracts. The Company expects that its cash requirements through 2008 will be satisfied by existing cash resources. To fund its operations beyond 2008, the Company will need to secure additional funds. Such funds could come from technology license fees, government grants and research contracts, and accessing capital markets.

 

In December 2006, the Company announced the execution of a two-year $28 million research contract with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), an agency of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). In February 2008, the contract was extended into the first five months of 2009. The contract is directed toward funding the Company’s development of antisense therapeutics to treat the effects of Ebola, Marburg and Junin hemorrhagic viruses, which are seen by DoD as potential biological warfare and bioterrorism agents. Funding under this contract is expected over three years, with approximately $24.5 million committed through the end of 2008 (including amounts received in 2007), and the remainder anticipated in the first five months of 2009. In the first quarter of 2008, the Company recognized $3,945,072 in research contract revenue from this contract.

 

In January 2006, the Company announced that the final version of the 2006 defense appropriations act had been approved, which included an allocation of $11.0 million to fund the Company’s ongoing defense-related programs. Net of government administrative costs, it is anticipated that the Company will receive up to $9.8 million under this allocation. The Company’s NEUGENE^® technology is expected to be used to continue developing therapeutic agents against Ebola, Marburg and dengue viruses, as well as to continue developing countermeasures for anthrax exposure and antidotes for ricin toxin. The Company has received signed contracts for all four of these projects. The Company expects that funding under these signed contracts will be received over the next 12 months. In the first quarter of 2008, the Company recognized $1,630,760 in research contract revenue from this contract.

 

The Company’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term securities were $20,235,018 at March 31, 2008, compared with $25,074,413 at December 31, 2007. The decrease of $4,839,395 was due primarily to $4,426,033 used in operations and $338,966 used for purchases of property and equipment and patent related costs. This decrease included approximately $900,000 advanced to Ercole for its use in retiring certain of its debts prior to closing of the Ercole asset purchase.

 

The Company’s short-term securities may include certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of 90 days at the time of purchase and less than one year from the balance sheet date. The Company classifies its investment securities as available-for-sale and, accordingly, such investment securities are stated on the balance sheet at their fair market value with unrealized gains (losses) recorded as a separate component of shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss).

 

15

 

The Company’s future expenditures and capital requirements depend on numerous factors, most of which are difficult to project beyond the short term, including without limitation, the progress of its research and development programs, the progress of its pre-clinical and clinical trials, the time and costs involved in obtaining regulatory approvals, the cost of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights, competing technological and market developments, its ability to establish collaborative arrangements and the terms of any such arrangements, and the costs associated with commercialization of its products. The Company’s cash requirements are expected to continue to increase each year as the Company expands its activities and operations. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will ever be able to generate product revenues or achieve or sustain profitability.

 

The Company expects to continue to incur losses as it continues its research and development activities and related regulatory work and collaborative efforts. For 2008, the Company expects expenditures for operations, net of government funding, including collaborative efforts, and GMP facilities to be approximately $19 to $22 million. Expenditures for 2008 could increase if the Company undertakes additional collaborative efforts. If necessary, however, the Company’s management has the ability to significantly curtail certain expenditures because a significant amount of the Company’s costs are variable.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon its financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates are consistent with the disclosure in the Company’s Form 10-K, with the exception of FIN 48, see Note 7.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

There has been no material change in the Company’s market risk exposure since the filing of our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

16

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of March 31, 2008, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on this review of its disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company that is required to be included in our periodic SEC filings.

 

Internal Controls and Procedures

 

There were no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.   None

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

 

There has been no substantial changes in the Company’s “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None

 

Item 3 Defaults Upon Senior Securities.   None

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders.   None

 

Item 5. Other Information.   None

 

17

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

Incorporated by Reference to Filings Indicated

Exhibit No

Exhibit Description

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Filing Date

Filed Herewith

2.1

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 12, 2008 by and among AVI BioPharma, Inc., EB Acquisition Corp., and Ercole Biotech, Inc. and Stockholder Representative

8-K

1-14895

2.1

3/13/08

3.1

Third Restated Articles of Incorporation of AntiVirals Inc.

SB-2

333-20513

3.1

5/29/97

3.2

First Restated Bylaws of AVI BioPharma, Inc.

8-K

1-14895

3.5

2/7/08

3.3

First Amendment to Third Restated Articles of Incorporation

8-K

0-22613

3.3

9/30/98

3.4

Amendment to Article 2 of the Company’s Third Restated Articles of Incorporation

DEF 14A

1-14895

N/A

4/11/02

10.63

Employment Agreement dated February 8, 2008 by and between AVI BioPharma, Inc. and Leslie Hudson, Ph.D.

X

31.1

Certification of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, K. Michael Forrest, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

X

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Mark M. Webber pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

X

32

Certification of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, K. Michael Forrest, and Chief Financial Officer, Mark M. Webber, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

X

 

Materials in the exhibit marked with a “+” have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Omitted portions have been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

18

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

Date:	May 12, 2008	AVI BIOPHARMA, INC.
		By:	/s/ LESLIE HUDSON, Ph.D.
		Leslie Hudson, Ph.D.
		Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)
		By:	/s/ MARK M. WEBBER
		Mark M. Webber
		Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

19

---