SWK Holdings Corp - Annual Report: 2016 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016

OR

Commission file number: 000-27163

SWK HOLDINGS CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(972) 687-7250
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x

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 o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

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). Yes x No o

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

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x

The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates is $40,720,250 based on the June 30, 2016, closing price of the Registrant’s Common Stock on such date as reported on the OTCQB Marketplace of $10.29.

On March 17, 2017, the Registrant had outstanding approximately 13,144,292 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

SWK Holdings Corporation

Form 10-K

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements. 

In addition to historical information, this report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. From time to time, we may also provide oral or written forward-looking statements in other materials we release to the public. Such forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and industry, and our beliefs and assumptions, and include, but are not limited to, statements under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expects,” “intend,” “plan,” “will” and variations of these words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially (both favorable and unfavorably) from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report. Forward-looking statements that were believed to be true at the time made may ultimately prove to be incorrect or false. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Special Note regarding Reverse Stock Split

On October 7, 2015, we effected a 1-for-100 reverse stock split of our common stock, immediately followed by a 10-for-1 forward split of our common stock. For holders of greater than 10 shares prior to October 7, 2015, the net effect was a 1-for-10 reverse split. All share and per share information has been retroactively adjusted to give effect thereto.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

SWK Holdings Corporation (the “Company”, “SWK”, “us” or “we”) incorporated in July 1996 in California and reincorporated in Delaware in September 1999. In July 2012, we commenced our corporate strategy of building a specialty finance and asset management business. Our strategy is to be a leading healthcare capital provider by offering sophisticated, customized financing solutions to a broad range of life science companies, institutions and inventors. Our focus is on monetizing cash flow streams derived from commercial-stage products and related intellectual property through royalty purchases and financings, as well as through the creation of synthetic revenue interests in commercialized products. We are deploying our assets to earn interest, fees, and other income pursuant to this strategy, and we continue to identify and review financing and similar opportunities on an ongoing basis. In addition, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, SWK Advisors LLC, we provide non-discretionary investment advisory services to institutional clients in separately managed accounts to similarly invest in life science finance. SWK Advisors LLC is registered as an investment advisor with the Texas State Securities Board. We intend to fund transactions through our own working capital, as well as by building our asset management business by raising additional third party capital to be invested alongside our capital.

We fill a niche that we believe is underserved in the sub-$50 million transaction size. Since many of our competitors that provide non-traditional debt and/or longer term, royalty-related financing options have much greater financial resources than us, they tend not to focus on transaction sizes below $50 million as it is generally inefficient for them to do so. In addition, we do not believe that a sufficient number of other companies offer similar types of long-term financing options to fill the demand of the sub-$50 million market. As such, we believe we face less competition from such investors in transactions that are less than $50 million.

We evaluate and invest in a broad range of healthcare related companies and products with innovative intellectual property, including the biotechnology, medical device, medical diagnostics and related tools, animal health and pharmaceutical industries (together “life science”) and we tailor our financial solutions to the needs of our business partners. Our business partners are primarily engaged in selling products that directly or indirectly cure diseases and/or improve people’s or animals’ wellness, or they receive royalties paid on the sales of such products. For example, our biotechnology and pharmaceutical business partners manufacture medication that directly treat disease states, whereas our life science tools partners sell a wide variety of research instrumentation to help other companies conduct research into disease states.

Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio total return and thus increase our net income and book value by generating income from three sources:

In our portfolio we seek to achieve attractive risk-adjusted current yields and opportunities with the potential for equity-like returns with protection that credit provides.

The majority of our transactions are structured similarly to factoring transactions whereby we provide capital in exchange for an interest in an existing revenue stream. We do not anticipate providing capital in situations prior to the commercialization of a product. The existing revenue stream can take several forms, but is most commonly either a royalty derived from the sales of a life science product (1) from the marketing efforts of a third party, such as a royalty paid to an inventor on the sales of a medicine, or (2) from the marketing efforts of a partner company, such as a medical device company that directly sells its own products. Our structured debt investments may include warrants or other features, giving us the potential to realize enhanced returns on a portion of our portfolio. Capital that we provide directly to our partners is generally used for growth and general working capital purposes, as well as for acquisitions or recapitalizations in select cases. We generally fund the full amount of transactions up to $20 million through our working capital. 

Our investment advisory agreements are currently non-discretionary, and each client determines individually if it wants to participate in a transaction. Each account receives its pro rata allocation for a transaction based on which clients opt into a transaction, and each account receives its pro rata allocation of income produced by a transaction in which it participates. Clients pay us management and incentive fees according to a written investment advisory agreement, and we negotiate fees based on each client’s needs and the complexity of the client’s requirements. Fees paid by clients may differ depending upon the terms negotiated with each client and are paid directly by the client upon receipt of an invoice from us. We may seek to raise discretionary capital from similar investors in the future.

In circumstances where a transaction is greater than $20 million, we seek to syndicate amounts in excess of $20 million to our investment advisory clients. In addition, we may participate in transactions in excess of $20 million with investors other than our investment advisory clients. In those instances, we do not expect to earn investment advisory income from the participations of such investors.

We source our investment opportunities through a combination of our senior management’s proprietary relationships within the industry, outbound business development efforts and inbound inquiry from companies, institutions and inventors interested in learning about our capital financing alternatives. Our investment advisory clients generally do not originate investment opportunities for us.

Tax Attributes

We view our ability to carry forward our net operating losses, or NOLs, as an important and substantial asset. On January 26, 2006, in order to preserve stockholder value by protecting our ability to carry forward our NOLs, we entered into a rights agreement that provided for a dividend distribution of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of our common stock. The purchase rights become exercisable after the acquisition or attempted acquisition of 4.9 percent or more of our outstanding common stock without the prior approval of our board of directors. Our current rights agreement (the “Rights Agreement”) was entered into as of April 8, 2016 and has an expiration date of April 8, 2019. Under the Rights Agreement, Carlson Capital, L.P. and its affiliates (collectively, “Carlson”), are designated as Exempt Persons (as defined in the Rights Agreement) unless they own more than 76 percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock in the aggregate.

At this time, under current law, we do not anticipate that our life science business strategy will generate sufficient income to permit us to utilize all of our NOLs prior to their respective expiration dates. As such, it is possible that we might pursue additional strategies that we believe might result in our ability to utilize more of our NOLs.

Competition

Our markets are very competitive. We face competition in the pursuit of outside investors, investment management clients and opportunities to deploy our capital in attractive healthcare related companies. Our primary competitors provide financing to prospective companies and include non-bank financial institutions, federal or state chartered banks, venture debt funds, venture capital funds, private equity funds, pharmaceutical royalty and other investment funds, business development companies and investment banks. Many of these entities have greater financial and managerial resources than we have. Some of these competitors may also have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us, which may create a competitive disadvantage for us. As a result, we tend not to compete on price, but instead focus on our industry experience, flexible financing options and speed to evaluate and complete a transaction. In addition, since many of our competitors that provide non-traditional debt and/or longer term, royalty-related financing options have much greater financial resources than us, they tend not to focus on transaction sizes below $50 million as it is generally inefficient for them to do so. As such, we believe we face less competition from such investors in transactions that are less than $50 million.

For additional information concerning the competitive risks we face, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Business and Structure—We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.”

Employees

As of December 31, 2016 we had four full-time employees.  None of our employees are represented by a labor union, and we consider our employee relations to be good.

Additional Information

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act’’), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Readers may read and copy any document that the Company files at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, U.S.A. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov.

Our internet site is http://www.swkhold.com. We will make available free of charge through our website in the “Investor Relations – SEC Filings” section our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed on behalf of directors and executive officers and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Also, posted on our website in the “Investor Relations — Corporate Governance” section are charters for our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Governance Committee as well as our Code of Ethics and Insider Trading Policy governing our directors, officers and employees. Information on or accessible through our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this report.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves significant risks. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties and the risk factors set forth in the documents and reports filed with the SEC and the risks described below before you make an investment decision regarding our common stock. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND STRUCTURE

We may suffer losses on our principal invested in credit and royalty transactions.

Most of our assets are expected to be royalty streams or debt backed by royalty streams or revenue interests paid by small- and middle- market businesses, which are highly speculative and involve a high degree of risk of credit loss. In addition, we may own royalties or invest in debt backed by royalties or revenue interests that are derived by products that are early in their commercial launch, face intense competition or are subject to other risks, which similarly involve a high degree of risk of principal loss. These risks are likely to increase during volatile economic periods, such as what the U.S. and many other economies have recently been experiencing.

We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.

A large number of entities compete with us to advance capital to the companies we target. We compete with non-bank financial institutions, federal or state chartered banks, venture debt funds, venture capital funds, private equity funds, pharmaceutical royalty and other investment funds, business development companies, and investment banks. Additionally, because competition for investment opportunities generally has increased among alternative investment vehicles, particularly those seeking yield investments, such as hedge funds, those entities have begun to invest in areas they have not traditionally invested in, including investments in royalties and debt backed by royalties, which may overlap with our business strategy. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities in our target markets has intensified, which is a trend we expect to continue.

Many of our existing and potential competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more or fuller relationships with potential business partners than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the maintenance of an exception or exemption from regulation as an investment company, which may allow them more flexibility in advancing capital to companies we may also target such as advancing debt capital that is not repaid by royalty streams or revenue interests. We cannot assure you that the competitive pressures we face will not have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, as a result of existing and increasing competition and our competitors’ ability to provide a total financing package solution, inclusive of both debt and equity capital, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive business opportunities from time to time, and we can offer no assurance that we will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our business objectives.

We do not seek to compete primarily based on the cost of the capital that we provide, and we believe that some of our competitors provide capital at rates that are comparable to or lower than the rates we offer. We may lose business opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest and royalty income and increased risk of credit loss.

Our financial condition and results of operations will depend on our ability to manage our future growth effectively.

Our ability to achieve our business objectives depends on our ability to grow, which depends, in turn, on our ability to continue to identify, analyze and invest in royalties and/or debt backed by royalties or revenue interests that meet our investment criteria. Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of our structuring of transactions and our access to financing on acceptable terms. As we continue to grow, we will need to continue to hire, train, supervise and manage new employees. Failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we are unable to substantially utilize our NOL carryforwards, our future cash tax liability may increase.

As of December 31, 2016, we had NOL carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of $404.0 million. The U.S. federal NOL carryforwards, if not offset against future income, will expire by 2032, with the majority of such NOLs expiring by 2021. Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” may be subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its pre-change NOL carryforward amounts to offset future taxable income. In general, an ownership change occurs if the aggregate stock ownership of certain stockholders (generally 5 percent stockholders, applying certain look-through and aggregation rules) increases by more than 50 percent over such stockholders’ lowest percentage ownership during the testing period (generally three years). New issuances of our common stock, which is within our control, and purchases of our common stock in amounts greater than specified levels, which are beyond our control, could create an additional limitation on our ability to utilize our NOL carryforward amounts for tax purposes in the future. Limitations imposed on our ability to utilize NOL carryforward amounts could cause U.S. federal and state income taxes to be paid earlier than would be paid if such limitations were not in effect and could cause such NOL carryforward amounts to expire unused, in each case reducing or eliminating the expected benefit to us. Furthermore, we may not be able to generate sufficient taxable income to utilize our NOL carryforward amounts before they expire. If any of these events occur, we may not derive some or all of the benefits from our NOL carryforward amounts.

The Trump Administration has signaled several potential initiatives on tax policy and reform since the November 2016 election; however, it is unclear, what, if any, of these initiatives will become law and ultimately impact the potential utilization of our NOLs, either positively or negatively. For example, one of the proposals from the Trump Administration would restrict the deduction for NOLs to 90 percent of net taxable income, but allow NOLs to be carried forward indefinitely and increased by a factor reflecting inflation and the real return to capital. If enacted, the majority of our NOLs would no longer be subject to expiration, but our ability to utilize them would be restricted. If corporate tax rates are reduced in the U.S., our ability to offset income by utilizing our NOLs will be inherently less valuable as a result of the lower tax rate structure.

We are dependent upon our key management personnel for our future success.

We depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of our senior management and their access to the investment professionals and the information and deal flow generated by these investment professionals in the course of their investment and portfolio management activities. Our senior management team evaluates, negotiates, structures, closes, monitors and services our investments. Our success depends to a significant extent on the continued service of this senior management team, in particular, Winston L. Black, Chief Executive Officer. His departure could have a materially adverse effect on our ability to achieve our business objectives. In addition, we have very few employees, so the loss of any employee could be disruptive to our business.

If we are unable to obtain additional debt or equity financing on commercially reasonable terms our business could be materially adversely affected.

As of December 31, 2016 we had $32.2 million of cash on the balance sheet. We have limited capital to execute our business strategy and will need to obtain additional debt or equity financing to fund future growth and obtain funds which may be made available for investments. If we are unable to enter into new debt or equity financing arrangements on commercially reasonable terms, our liquidity may be reduced significantly, and as a result, our ability to implement and grow our business strategy could be materially impacted.

Our use of leverage may limit our operational flexibility and increase our overall risk, which may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Although the use of leverage may create an opportunity for increased returns for us, it also results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any losses and thus could negatively impact our business and results of operations and have important adverse consequences to our investments. We expect that any future credit facility, if raised, would contain covenants that could restrict our operating flexibility, including covenants that, among others, could limit our ability to: (i) make distributions in certain circumstances, (ii) incur additional debt, and (iii) engage in certain transactions, which collectively may prevent us from entering into transactions which we may otherwise determine are beneficial to us, and which could negatively impact our business and results of operations. In addition, we expect we would need to secure such a credit facility through the pledging of substantially all of our assets, and if we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow to meet principal and interest payments on such indebtedness, we would be subject to risk that the lender seizes our assets through an acceleration of the credit facility that could require liquidation of pledged collateral at inopportune times or at prices that are not favorable to us and cause significant losses. If the lender seizes and liquidates pledged collateral, such collateral will likely be sold at distressed price levels. We will fail to realize the full value of such assets in a distressed sale.

Our investments in debt backed by royalty streams and revenue interests paid by our prospective partner companies and the products underlying the royalty streams and revenue interests in which we invest may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investment.

Most of our assets are expected to be royalty streams or debt backed by royalty streams or revenue interests paid by our partner companies. Some of our partner companies to which we advance debt, whether it be backed by royalties, revenue interests or be general obligations of the issuer, have relatively short or no operating histories. These companies are and will be subject to all of the business risk and uncertainties associated with any new business enterprise, including the risk that these companies may not reach their operating objectives and the value of our investment in them may decline substantially or fall to zero.

In addition, the middle-market companies to which we are targeting to advance debt are subject to a number of other significant risks, including:

Similarly, the products underlying royalty streams or revenue interests in which we invest may have relatively short or no sales history, may be established products that face intense competition from newer, more innovative or better marketed products, or may be subject to additional risks. If these products do not achieve commercial success or attain lower sales than we estimate, we may lose value on our investments.

In addition, under circumstances where a partner company does not achieve commercial success or achieves lower sales than we anticipate, and the partner company requires additional capital that other stakeholders are not willing or are otherwise unable to provide, we may determine it is in our best interest to advance additional capital to such partner company in order to preserve the partner company’s collateral value and protect our investment. Any additional capital that we decided to advance would be subject to additional risk. We could lose all of any additional investment.

Fluctuations in the price of the common stock of our publicly traded holdings and the price at which we sell such holdings may affect the price of our common stock.

From time to time, we may hold equity interests in companies that are publicly traded. Fluctuations in the market prices of the common stock of publicly traded holdings may affect the price of our common stock. Historically, the market prices of our publicly traded holdings have been highly volatile and subject to fluctuations unrelated or disproportionate to operating performance.

In addition, we may be unable to sell our holdings of public equities at then-quoted market prices. The trading volume and public float in the common stock of a publicly traded partner company may be small relative to our holdings. As a result, any significant open-market divestiture by us of our holdings in such a partner company, if possible at all, would likely have a material adverse effect on the market price of its common stock and on our proceeds from such a divestiture. Also, registration and other requirements under applicable securities laws and contractual restrictions also may adversely affect our ability to dispose of our partner company holdings on a timely basis.

Currently, we have a limited number of assets, which subjects our aggregate returns, and the value of our common stock, to a greater risk of significant loss if any of our debt securities declines in value or if any of our royalty investments substantially underperforms our expectations.

A consequence of our currently limited number of assets is that the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if one or more of our significant partner company investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one significant investment.

We generally do not control our partner companies.

We generally only hold royalties, debt backed by royalties, and revenue interests that are issued by our partner companies. As such, we do not, and do not expect to, control any of our partner companies, even though we may have board representation or board observation rights, and the debt agreements may contain certain restrictive covenants that limit the business and operations of our partner companies. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a partner company may make business decisions with which we disagree, and the management of such company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests.

If we make investments in unsecured debt backed by royalties or revenue interests, those investments might not generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt obligations.

We may make investments in unsecured debt backed by royalties or revenue interests. Unsecured investments may be subordinated to other obligations of the obligor. Unsecured investments often reflect a greater possibility that adverse changes in the financial condition of the obligor or general economic conditions (including, for example, a substantial period of rising interest rates or declining earnings) or both may impair the ability of the obligor to make payment of principal and interest. If we make an unsecured investment in a partner company, that partner company may be highly leveraged, and its relatively high debt-to-equity ratio may increase the risk that its operations might not generate sufficient cash to service its debt obligations. In such cases we would not have any collateral to help secure repayment of the obligations owed to us.

We may have limited access to information about privately- held royalty streams and companies in which we invest.

We invest primarily in privately-held royalties and debt backed by royalties or revenue interests issued by private companies. Generally, little public information exists about these royalty streams and private companies, and we are required to rely on the ability of our senior management to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these assets. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these assets, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investment.

Prepayments of our debt investments by our partner companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.

We are subject to the risk that the debt we advance to our partner companies may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in new royalties or debt repaid by royalties or revenue interests issued by partner companies. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt that was prepaid and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future asset may also have lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our partner companies elect to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our return on equity, which could result in a decline in the market price of our common stock.

We may not be able to complete transactions without co-investments from third parties.

We may co-invest with third parties through our registered investment advisory business or otherwise. In certain circumstances, we may not be able to fund transactions without the participations of such third parties. In the event that we are unable to find suitable third parties to co-invest with us or if such third party fails to close, our results of operations may be materially adversely impacted.

Our quarterly and annual operating results are subject to fluctuation as a result of the nature of our business, and if we fail to achieve our investment objective, the market price of our common stock may decline.

We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly and annual operating results due to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, the interest rate payable on the debt assets that we acquire, the default rate on such assets, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, changes in our portfolio composition, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets, market volatility in our publicly traded securities and the securities of our partner companies, and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods. In addition, any of these factors could negatively impact our ability to achieve our business objectives, which may cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

Our investments in royalty-related transactions depend on third parties to market royalty-generating products.

Royalties generally, and the royalty-related income we expect to receive in the future, will directly or indirectly depend upon the marketing efforts of third parties, particularly large pharmaceutical companies that license the right to manufacture and sell products from technology innovators in exchange for royalty payments from the licensees to the licensors, with whom we may transact. These licensees may be motivated to maximize income by allocating resources to other products, and in the future, may decide to focus less attention on the products that pay royalties in which we have an economic interest. In addition, there can be no assurance that any of the licensees has adequate resources and motivation to continue to produce, market and sell such products in which we have a royalty-related interest. Moreover, the license agreement creating the right to receive royalties may not have specific sales targets, and the licensee typically has exclusive or substantial discretion in determining its marketing plans and efforts. As a result, the licensee may not be restricted from abandoning a licensed product or from developing or selling a competitive product. In addition, in the event that a license expires or is terminated, we would be dependent upon the licensor of the license to find another marketing partner. There can be no assurance that another licensee could be found on favorable terms, or at all, or that the licensor will be able to assume marketing, sales and distribution responsibility for its own account. These factors may materially adversely affect any of our future royalty-related assets.

Aside from any limited audit rights relating to the activities of the licensees that we may have in certain circumstances, we do not have the rights or ability to manage the operations of the licensees. Poor management of operations by the licensees could adversely affect the sales of products in which we have a royalty interest, and the payment of royalty-related income to us. In addition, we have limited information on the licensees’ operations. While we may be able to receive certain information relating to sales of the product in which we have a royalty-related interest through the exercise of the audit rights and review of royalty reports, we may not have the right to review or receive certain information relating to the marketed products, including the results of any studies conducted by the licensees or others or complaints from doctors or users of such products, that the licensees may have and that may impact sales levels. The market performance of such products, therefore, may be diminished by any number of factors relating to the licensees that are beyond our control.

Economic recessions or downturns could impair the ability of our partner companies to repay loans, which, in turn, could increase our non-performing assets, decrease the value of our assets, reduce our volume of new loans and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Many of our partner companies may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions in both the U.S. and foreign countries and may be unable to repay our loans during such periods. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us.

A partner company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of the partner company’s loans and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize the partner company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting partner company. In addition, if a partner company goes bankrupt, even though we may have structured our investment as senior debt or secured debt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided significant “managerial assistance”, if any, to that partner company, a bankruptcy court might re-characterize our debt holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. In addition, the proceeds from asset sales received in bankruptcy court proceedings or otherwise in a distressed asset sale may not fully repay our debt claims. In the event that such proceeds include equity securities of the company acquiring the company to which we had previously loaned money, our ultimate recovery would be subject to equity market risk and operational risk of such acquiring company. These events could materially adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

These companies may face intense competition, including competition from companies with greater financial resources, more extensive research and development, manufacturing, marketing and service capabilities and greater numbers of qualified and experienced managerial and technical personnel. They may need additional financing which they are unable to secure and which we are unable or unwilling to provide, or they may be subject to adverse developments unrelated to the technologies they acquire.

If we fail to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting, it could result in a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). If we identify material weaknesses or other deficiencies in our internal controls, or if material weaknesses or other deficiencies exist that we fail to identify, our risk will be increased that a material misstatement to our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Any such potential material misstatement, if not prevented or detected, could require us to restate previously released financial statements and could otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Our allowance for credit losses may prove inadequate.

The quality of our financing receivables depends on the creditworthiness of our partner companies and their ability to fulfill their obligations to us. We maintain an allowance for credit losses on our financing receivables to provide for credit defaults and non-performance. The amount of our allowance reflects management’s judgment of losses inherent in the portfolio. However, the economic environment is dynamic, and our portfolio credit quality could decline in the future.

Our allowance for credit losses may not keep pace with changes in the credit-worthiness of our partner companies or in collateral values. If the credit quality of our partner companies declines, if the risk profile of a market, industry, or group of partner companies changes significantly, or if the markets for financing receivables or other collateral deteriorates significantly, our allowance for credit losses may prove inadequate, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

If the models that we use in our business are poorly designed, our business or results of operations may be adversely affected.

We rely on quantitative models to measure risks and to estimate certain financial values. Models may be used in such processes as determining the pricing of various products, grading loans and extending credit, measuring interest rate and other market risks, predicting losses, assessing capital adequacy, and calculating regulatory capital levels, as well as to estimate the value of financial instruments and balance sheet items. Poorly designed or implemented models present the risk that our business decisions based on information incorporating models will be adversely affected due to the inadequacy of that information.

We and our subsidiaries are party to various financing arrangements, commercial contracts and other arrangements that under certain circumstances give, or in some cases may give, the counterparty the ability to exercise rights and remedies under such arrangements which, if exercised, may have material adverse consequences.

We and our subsidiaries are party to various financing arrangements, commercial contracts and other arrangements, such as securitization transactions, derivatives transactions, funding facilities, and agreements for the purchase or sale of assets, that give, or in some cases may give, the counterparty the ability to exercise rights and remedies upon the occurrence of certain events. Such events may include a material adverse effect or material adverse change (or similar event), a breach of representations or warranties, a failure to disclose material information, a breach of covenants, certain insolvency events, a default under certain specified other obligations, or a failure to comply with certain financial covenants. The counterparty could have the ability, depending on the arrangement, to, among other things, require early repayment of amounts owed by us or our subsidiaries and in some cases payment of penalty amounts, or require the repurchase of assets previously sold to the counterparty. Additionally, a default under financing arrangements or derivatives transactions that exceed a certain size threshold in the aggregate may also cause a cross-default under instruments governing our other financing arrangements or derivatives transactions. If the ability of any counterparty to exercise such rights and remedies is triggered and we are unsuccessful in avoiding or minimizing the adverse consequences discussed above, such consequences could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Uncertainty relating to the LIBOR calculation process may adversely affect the value of our portfolio of the LIBOR-indexed, floating-rate debt securities.

In the recent past, concerns have been publicized that some of the member banks surveyed by the British Bankers’ Association (“BBA”) in connection with the calculation of LIBOR across a range of maturities and currencies may have been under-reporting or otherwise manipulating the inter-bank lending rate applicable to them in order to profit on their derivatives positions or to avoid an appearance of capital insufficiency or adverse reputational or other consequences that may have resulted from reporting inter-bank lending rates higher than those they actually submitted. A number of BBA member banks have entered into settlements with their regulators and law enforcement agencies with respect to alleged manipulation of LIBOR, and investigations by regulators and governmental authorities in various jurisdictions are ongoing.

Actions by the BBA, regulators or law enforcement agencies may result in changes to the manner in which LIBOR is determined. Uncertainty as to the nature of such potential changes may adversely affect the market for LIBOR-based securities, including our portfolio of LIBOR-indexed, floating-rate debt securities. In addition, any further changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR may result in a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in reported LIBOR, which could have an adverse impact on the market for LIBOR-based securities or the value of our portfolio of LIBOR-indexed, floating-rate debt securities.

The recent rise in LIBOR rates could have an adverse impact on the ability of our partner companies to service their debt obligations to us.

Many of our debt transactions contain LIBOR-based floating interest rates with minimum LIBOR floors. The minimum LIBOR floor insulates partner companies from an increase in LIBOR until the reference LIBOR rate reaches the minimum floor threshold, typically 1 percent. If LIBOR increases above the floor rate, the net effect will be an increase in the interest cost to the borrower. Most of our borrower partners do not hedge their LIBOR rate exposure, and as a result of an increase of LIBOR above the minimum floor threshold, they will experience an increase in the effective interest rate of their debt obligations to us. If LIBOR increases materially, the increased cost of debt service will similarly increase materially. If our partner companies are not adequately capitalized or are unable to generate sufficient income from operations, the increase debt burden caused by increased LIBOR rates could materially and adversely affect the operations of a partner company, which in turn, would impair our ability to timely collect principal and interest payments owed to us.

Risks Associated with Investments in the Life Science Industry

Healthcare and life science industries are subject to extensive government regulation, litigation risk, reimbursement risk and certain other risks particular to that industry.

We have invested and plan to continue investing in cash flow streams produced by life science products that are subject to extensive regulation by the Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, similar foreign regulatory authorities, and to a lesser extent, other federal and state agencies. If any of these products and the companies which manage such products fails to comply with applicable regulations, they could be subject to significant penalties and claims that could materially and adversely affect their sales levels and operations. Medical devices and drugs are subject to the expense, delay and uncertainty of the regulatory approval process in order to reach the market and, even if approved, these products may not be accepted in the marketplace. In addition, governmental budgetary constraints effecting the regulatory approval process, new laws, regulations or judicial interpretations of existing laws and regulations might adversely affect a partner company or product in this industry.

The products and services provided by pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostics companies are generally subject to the ability to obtain and maintain adequate reimbursement from governmental and other third-party payors for such products and services. The commercial success of such products and services could be compromised if governmental or third-party payors do not provide coverage and reimbursement, breach, rescind or modify their contracts or reimbursement policies or delay payments for such products and services.

Companies in the life science industry may also have a limited number of suppliers of necessary components or a limited number of manufacturers for their products, and therefore face a risk of disruption to their manufacturing process if they are unable to find alternative suppliers when needed.

Any of these factors could materially and adversely affect the operations of a partner company in this industry or the licensee’s operations, which in turn, would impair our ability to timely collect principal and interest payments owed to us or decrease our royalty-related income.

The pharmaceutical industry is subject to numerous risks, including competition, extensive government regulation, product liability, patent exclusivity and commercial difficulties.

Our assets include royalties and royalty linked debt that are paid on sales of pharmaceutical products, which are subject to numerous risks. The successful and timely implementation of the business model of our specialty pharmaceutical and drug discovery partner companies depends on their ability to adapt to changing technologies and introduce new products. As competitors continue to introduce competitive products, the ability of our partner companies to continue effectively marketing their existing product portfolio, and to develop and acquire innovative products and technologies that improve efficacy, safety, patients’ and clinicians’ ease of use and cost-effectiveness is important to the success of such partner companies. The success of new product offerings will depend on many factors, including the ability to properly anticipate and satisfy customer needs, obtain regulatory approvals on a timely basis, develop and manufacture products in an economic and timely manner, obtain or maintain advantageous positions with respect to intellectual property, and differentiate products from competitors. Failure by our partner companies to successfully commercialize existing, or planned products, or acquire other new products, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the ability of generic manufactures to invalidate a partner company’s patents protecting its products or to invalidate the patents supporting products in which we receive royalty-related income could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Some of our partner companies may be unable to protect their proprietary rights and may infringe on the proprietary rights of others.

Our partner companies assert various forms of intellectual property protection. Intellectual property may constitute an important part of partner company assets and competitive strengths, particularly for royalty monetization transactions. Federal law, most typically copyright, patent, trademark and trade secret laws, generally protects intellectual property rights. Although we expect that our partner companies will take reasonable efforts to protect the rights to their intellectual property, third parties may develop similar intellectual property independently or attempt to abandon intellectual property licenses if it is determined such intellectual property from a partner company is no longer needed. Moreover, the complexity of international trade secret, copyright, trademark and patent law, coupled with the limited resources of our partner companies and the demands of quick delivery of products and services to market, create a risk that partner company efforts to prevent misappropriation of their technology will prove inadequate.

Some of our partner companies also license intellectual property from third parties and it is possible that they could become subject to infringement actions based upon their use of the intellectual property licensed from those third parties. Our partner companies generally obtain representations as to the origin and ownership of such licensed intellectual property. However, this may not adequately protect them. Any claims against our partner companies’ proprietary rights, with or without merit, could subject the companies to costly litigation and divert their technical and management personnel from other business concerns. If our partner companies incur costly litigation and their personnel are not effectively deployed, the expenses and losses incurred by our partner companies will increase and their profits, if any, will decrease.

Third parties have and may assert infringement or other intellectual property claims against our partner companies based on their patents or other intellectual property rights. Even though we believe our partner companies’ products do not infringe any third party’s patents, they may have to pay substantial damages, possibly including treble damages, if it is ultimately determined that they do. They may have to obtain a license to sell their products if it is determined that their products infringe on another person’s intellectual property. Our partner companies might be prohibited from selling their products before they obtain a license, which, if available at all, may require them to pay substantial royalties. Even if infringement claims against our partner companies are without merit, defending these types of lawsuits takes significant time, is expensive and may divert management attention from other business concerns.

The development of products by life science companies requires significant research and development, clinical trials and regulatory approvals.

The development of products by life science companies requires significant research and development, clinical trials and regulatory approvals. In addition, similar activities and costs may be required to support products that have already been commercialized. The results of product development efforts may be affected by a number of factors, including the ability to innovate, develop and manufacture new products, complete clinical trials, obtain regulatory approvals and reimbursement in the U.S. and abroad, or gain and maintain market approval of products. In addition, regulatory review processes by U.S. and foreign agencies may extend longer than anticipated as a result of decreased funding and tighter fiscal budgets. Further, patents attained by others can preclude or delay the commercialization of a product. There can be no assurance that any products now in development will achieve technological feasibility, obtain regulatory approval, or gain market acceptance. Failure can occur at any point in the development process, including after significant funds have been invested. Products may fail to reach the market or may have only limited commercial success because of efficacy or safety concerns, failure to achieve positive clinical outcomes, inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, failure to achieve market adoption, limited scope of approved uses, excessive costs to manufacture, the failure to establish or maintain intellectual property rights, or the infringement of intellectual property rights of others. Failure by our partner companies to successfully commercialize pipeline products in which we have an economic interest could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Future legislation, and/or regulations and policies adopted by the FDA or other U.S. or foreign regulatory authorities may increase the time and cost required by some of our partner companies to conduct and complete clinical trials for the product candidates that they develop, and there is no assurance that these companies will obtain regulatory approval to market and commercialize their products in the U.S. and in foreign countries.

The FDA and other foreign and U.S. regulatory authorities have established regulations, guidelines and policies to govern the drug development and approval process which affect some of our partner companies. Any change in regulatory requirements due to the adoption by the FDA and/or foreign or other U.S. regulatory authorities of new legislation, regulations, or policies may require some of our partner companies to amend existing clinical trial protocols or add new clinical trials to comply with these changes. Such amendments to existing protocols and/or clinical trial applications or the need for new ones, may significantly impact the cost, timing and completion of the clinical trials.

In addition, increased scrutiny by the U.S. Congress of the FDA’s and other authorities approval processes may significantly delay or prevent regulatory approval, as well as impose more stringent product labeling and post-marketing testing and other requirements. Foreign regulatory authorities may also increase their scrutiny of approval processes resulting in similar delays. Increased scrutiny and approval processes may limit the ability of our partner companies to market and commercialize their products in the U.S. and in foreign countries.

Changes in healthcare laws and other regulations applicable to some of our partner companies’ businesses may constrain their ability to offer their products and services.

Changes in healthcare or other laws and regulations applicable to the businesses of some of our partner companies may occur that could increase their compliance and other costs of doing business, require significant systems enhancements, or render their products or services less profitable or obsolete, any of which could have a material adverse effect on their results of operations. There has also been an increased political and regulatory focus on healthcare laws in recent years, and new legislation could have a material effect on the business and operations of some of our partner companies.

Risks Associated with the Company and our Capital Structure

Our common stock is currently quoted on the QB tier of the Over-the-Counter Marketplace, or the OTCQB, and we could become subject to additional SEC regulation if we experience a significant decline in our stock price.

Since October 2005, our common stock has been quoted on the OTCQB or its predecessor. The OTCQB is generally considered less efficient than exchanges such as The New York Stock Exchange and The NASDAQ Stock Market. Quotation of our common stock on the OTCQB may reduce the liquidity of our securities, limit the number of investors who trade in our securities, result in a lower stock price and larger spread in the bid and ask prices for shares of our common stock and could have an adverse effect on us. Additionally, we may become subject to the SEC rules that affect “penny stocks,” which are stocks below $5.00 per share that are not listed on a national exchange. These SEC rules would make it more difficult for brokers to find buyers for our securities and could lower the net sales prices that our stockholders are able to obtain. If our common stock again becomes subject to those rules, we may not be able to raise equity capital.

Our quotation on the OTCQB and our stock price, if it were to experience a decline, may greatly impair our ability to raise any future necessary capital through equity or debt financing and significantly increase the dilution to our current stockholders caused by any issuance of equity in financing or other transactions. The price at which we would issue shares in such transactions is generally based on the market price of our common stock, and a decline in the stock price could result in our need to issue a greater number of shares to raise a given amount of funding.

In addition, because our common stock is not listed on a national exchange, we may again become subject to Rule 15g-9 under the Exchange Act, which imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that sell low-priced securities to persons other than established customers and institutional accredited investors. For transactions covered by this rule, a broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and have received the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to sale. Consequently, the rule may affect the ability of broker-dealers to sell our common stock and affect the ability of our stockholders to sell their shares of our common stock in the secondary market. Moreover, investors may be less interested in purchasing low-priced securities because the brokerage commissions, as a percentage of the total transaction value, tend to be higher for such securities, and some investment funds will not invest in low-priced securities (other than those which focus on small-capitalization companies or low-priced securities).

Funds affiliated with Carlson can control or exert significant influence over our management and policies through their ownership of a large amount of our common stock.

As of December 31, 2016, funds affiliated with Carlson owned (including the 100 thousand shares of common stock underlying the warrant held by Double Black Diamond Offshore Ltd. (“Double Black”)), in the aggregate 69 percent of our combined issued and outstanding common stock, unvested restricted stock, and common stock underlying the warrant. Michael Weinberg, the chairman of our board of directors, and Christopher W. Haga, a director, are employees of Carlson. Due to the large percentage of ownership by funds affiliated with Carlson, including Double Black, they have the ability to control or exert significant influence over our management and policies, such as the election of our directors, the appointment of new management and the approval of any other action requiring the approval of our stockholders, including any amendments to our certificate of incorporation, a sale of all or substantially all of our assets or a merger or other significant transaction. The investment objectives of Carlson and its affiliates may from time to time be different than or conflict with those of our other stockholders.

In addition, pursuant to the terms of a Stockholders’ Agreement entered into on August 18, 2014, funds affiliated with Carlson have the right to approve specific transactions, including the incurrence of indebtedness over specified amounts, the sale of assets over specified amounts, declaration of dividends, loans, capital contributions to or investments in any third party over specified amounts, changes in the size of the board of directors and changes in our chief executive officer.

We have adopted provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and a stockholder rights plan that could delay or prevent an acquisition of the Company.

The board of directors has the authority to issue up to 5 million shares of preferred stock. Without any further vote or action on the part of the stockholders, the board of directors has the authority to determine the price, rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions of the preferred stock. This preferred stock, if issued, might have preference over and harm the rights of the holders of common stock. Although the ability to issue this preferred stock provides us with flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, it can also be used to make it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock. We currently have no plans to issue preferred stock.

Additionally, we have a stockholder rights plan that is intended to protect our ability to utilize our NOL carryforwards and which would also make it difficult for a third party to acquire a significant number of shares of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include provisions that may deter an unsolicited offer to purchase us. These provisions, coupled with the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, may delay or impede a merger, tender offer or proxy contest. Furthermore, the board of directors is divided into three classes, only one of which is elected each year. In addition, directors are only removable by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all classes of voting stock. These factors may further delay or prevent a change of control of the Company.

If we were deemed an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, applicable restrictions could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We have not been and do not intend to become registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the 1940 Act, because we believe the nature of our assets and the sources of our income exclude us from the definition of an investment company pursuant to Section (3)(a)(1)(C) under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, we are not subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, such as conflict of interest rules, requirements for disinterested directors and other substantive provisions which were enacted to protect investors in “investment companies.”

Generally, a company is an “investment company” if it is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities or owns or proposes to own investment securities having a value exceeding 40 percent of the value of its total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis, unless an exception, exemption or safe harbor applies. We refer to this investment company definition test as the “40 percent test.”

We monitor our compliance with the 40 percent test and seek to conduct our business activities to comply with this test. It is not feasible for us to be regulated as an investment company because the restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act rules are inconsistent with our strategy. In order to continue to comply with the 40 percent test, we may need to take various actions which we might otherwise not pursue. The actions we may need to take to address these issues while maintaining compliance with the 40 percent test (or another exception or exemption from regulation as an investment company), include restructuring or terminating the Company, could adversely affect our ability to create and realize stockholder value.

Because we operate through our subsidiaries, our ability to comply with the 40 percent test is dependent on the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to rely on an exclusion or exemption from investment company registration. In this regard, one of our subsidiaries currently relies on the exclusion from investment company registration provided by Section 3(c)(5)(A) under the 1940 Act. Section 3(c)(5)(A), as interpreted by the staff of the SEC, requires us to invest at least 55 percent of our assets in “notes, drafts, acceptances, open accounts receivable, and other obligations representing part or all of the sales price of merchandise, insurance, and services” (or Qualifying Assets).

In complying with Section 3(c)(5)(A), one of our subsidiaries, SWK Funding LLC, relies on an interpretation that royalty interests that entitle SWK Funding LLC to collect royalty receivables that are directly based on the sales price of specific biopharmaceutical products that use intellectual property covered by specific license agreements are Qualifying Assets under Section 3(c)(5)(A). This interpretation was promulgated by the SEC staff in a no-action letter issued to Royalty Pharma on August 13, 2010. The assets acquired by SWK Funding LLC therefore, are limited by the provisions of the 1940 Act and SEC staff interpretations thereunder. If the SEC or its staff in the future adopts a contrary interpretation or otherwise restricts the conclusions in the staff’s no-action letter such that royalty interests are no longer treated as Qualifying Assets for purposes of Section 3(c)(5)(A), SWK Funding LLC could be required to restructure its activities or sell certain of its assets, potentially negatively affecting our performance. As a result, our business will be materially and adversely affected if SWK Funding LLC fails to qualify for Section 3(c)(5)(A).

The rules and interpretations of the SEC and the courts, relating to the definition of “investment company” are highly complex in numerous respects. While we intend to conduct our operations so that we will not be deemed an investment company, we can give no assurances that we will not be deemed an “investment company” and be required to register under the 1940 Act. If we were to be deemed an “investment company,” restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act, including limitations on our capital structure and our ability to transact with affiliates, could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and would have a material adverse effect on our business and the price of our shares. In addition, we could be subject to legal actions by regulatory authorities and others and could be forced to dissolve. The costs of defending any such actions could constitute a material part of our assets and dissolution could have materially adverse effects on our company and the value of our common stock.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our corporate headquarters is located in Dallas, Texas, where we lease approximately 2,400 square feet of space.  We believe these facilities are adequate for our business requirements.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in, or have been involved in, arbitrations or various other legal proceedings that arise from the normal course of our business. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of these claims and other proceedings. The ultimate outcome of any litigation is uncertain, and either unfavorable or favorable outcomes could have a material negative impact on our results of operations, balance sheets and cash flows due to defense costs, and divert management resources. Currently, we are not involved in any arbitration and/or other legal proceeding that we expect to have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace, under the symbol “SWKH.” The table below sets forth the high and low bid prices of our common stock on the OTCQB Marketplace during the periods indicated. These prices represent quotations between dealers without adjustment for retail markup, mark down or commissions, and may not represent actual transactions. The table below adjusts all stock prices for the reverse split, which is described further below:

Holders of Record

There were approximately 143 stockholders of record of our common stock as of February 13, 2017. The actual number of stockholders is greater than this number of record holders and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners but whose shares are held in street name by brokers and other nominees. This number of holders of record also does not include stockholders whose shares may be held in trust by other entities.

Dividend Policy

To date, we have not paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We intend to retain our cash and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Reverse Stock Split

On October 7, 2015, we effected a 1-for-100 reverse stock split of our common stock, immediately followed by a 10-for-1 forward stock split of our common stock. For holders of greater than 100 shares prior to October 7, 2015, the net effect was a 1-for-10 reverse split. The number of shares of common stock underlying the Company’s options and warrants to acquire shares of common stock were adjusted accordingly. All applicable share data, per share amounts and related information in this annual report, including the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, have been adjusted retroactively to give effect to the stock splits. See further discussion of stock splits in Note 7 to such financial statements.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not Applicable.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes. Our discussion includes forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, such as our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth under the Risk Factors, Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Business sections in this report. We use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements.

Overview

We evaluate and invest in a broad range of healthcare related companies and products with innovative intellectual property, including the biotechnology, medical device, medical diagnostics and related tools, animal health and pharmaceutical industries (together “life science”) by tailoring financial solutions to the needs of our business partners.

Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio total return and thus increase our net income and book value by generating income from three sources:  (1) primarily owning or financing through debt investments, royalties or revenue interests generated by the sales of life science products and related intellectual property, (2) receiving interest and other income by advancing capital in the form of secured debt to companies in the life science sector, and (3) to a lesser extent, realizing capital appreciation from equity-related investments in the life science sector.

We primarily provide capital in exchange for an interest in an existing revenue stream, which can take several forms, but is most commonly either a royalty derived from the sales of a life science product from the marketing efforts of a third party or from the marketing efforts of a partner company.  Our structured debt investments may include warrants or other features, giving us the potential to realize enhanced returns on a portion of our portfolio.

In addition, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, SWK Advisors LLC, we provide non-discretionary investment advisory services to institutional clients in separately managed accounts to similarly invest in life science finance.

See “Business,” included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for further discussion of our overall business and strategy. The table below provides an overview of our portfolio as of December 31, 2016:

(in thousands, except share data)

Unless otherwise specified, our senior secured debt assets generally are repaid by a revenue interest that is charged on a company’s quarterly net sales and royalties.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, impairment of financing receivables and long-lived assets, valuation of warrants, income taxes and contingencies and litigation, among others. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The accounting estimates and assumptions discussed in this section are those that we consider to be the most critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements because they inherently involve significant judgments and uncertainties.  For a discussion of our significant accounting policies, refer to Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is reviewed for adequacy based on portfolio collateral values and credit quality indicators, including non-performing assets, evaluation of portfolio diversification and concentration as well as economic conditions to determine the need for a qualitative adjustment. We review finance receivables periodically to determine the probability of loss, and record charge-offs after considering such factors as delinquencies, the financial condition of obligors, the value of underlying collateral, as well as third party credit enhancements such as guarantees.

The process of determining the level of the allowance for loan losses requires a high degree of judgment. Others given the same information could reach different reasonable conclusions.

Finance Receivables

Finance receivables are measured based upon the difference between the recorded investment in each receivable and either the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at each receivable’s effective interest rate (the receivable’s contractual interest rate adjusted for any deferred fees / costs or discount / premium at the date of origination/acquisition) or if a receivable is collateral dependent, the collateral’s fair value. When impairment is determined to be probable, the measurement will be based on the fair value of the collateral. The determination of impairment involves management’s judgment and the use of market and third party estimates regarding collateral values. Valuations of impaired receivables and corresponding impairment affect the level of the reserve for credit losses.

Revenue Recognition

We record interest income on an accrual basis based on the effective interest rate method to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. We recognize investment management fees as earned over the period the services are rendered.  The majority of investment management fees earned is charged either monthly or quarterly.  Incentive fees, if any, are recognized when earned at the end of the relevant performance period, pursuant to the underlying contract.  Other administrative service revenues are recognized when contractual obligations are fulfilled or as services are provided.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of our financial instruments reflects the amounts that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price).

Our financial instruments not required to be adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis consist principally of cash and restricted cash, accounts and finance receivable, investments in unconsolidated entities, accounts payable, and accrued expenses. We believe the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and finance receivable, investments in unconsolidated entities, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their relatively short maturities.

Income Taxes

The recognition of certain net deferred tax assets of our reporting entities are dependent upon, but not limited to, the future profitability of the reporting entity, when the underlying temporary differences will reverse, and tax planning strategies. Further, management’s judgment regarding the use of estimates and projections is required in assessing our ability to realize the deferred tax assets relating to NOL carry forwards as most of these assets are subject to limited carry-forward periods.

In addition, NOLs are subject to annual use limitations under the Internal Revenue Code and certain state laws. Management utilizes historical and projected data in evaluating positive and negative evidence regarding recognition of deferred tax assets.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, refer to Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Outlook

We believe the income generated by our current portfolio will be more than our operational expenses, and we expect to grow our book value going forward. We continue to evaluate multiple attractive opportunities that, if consummated, would similarly generate additional income. We expect that the income generated by such future investments would be earned with minimal additional operational expenses.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

Revenues

We generated revenues of $22.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, driven primarily by $15.8 million in interest and fees earned on our finance receivables and marketable securities, and $6.2 million in income related to our investment in an unconsolidated partnership. We generated revenues of $23.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, driven primarily by $17.5 million in interest and fees earned on finance receivables and marketable securities, and $5.9 million in income related to our investment in an unconsolidated partnership. Our portfolio consisted of 18 investments in 2015 compared to 19 investments in 2016. The slight decrease in revenue is primarily driven by the reduction of $6.8 million in revenue due to loan dispositions and repayments in late 2015 and early 2016, coupled with a reduction in revenue of $1.7 million due to the placement of two loans on nonaccrual status in 2016. This was offset by $4.7 million in revenue from new loans and add-on funding, $2.4 million of revenue in connection with loan payoffs and an increase of $0.3 million in income from our investment in an unconsolidated entity.

Provision for Credit Losses and Security Impairment Expense

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recognized loan credit loss provision expense of $1.7 million related to the Besivance royalty purchase, which was due to substantial increases in sales chargebacks and various rebates (gross sales to net sales deductions) and lower sales volumes. We recognized loan credit loss provision expense of $10.8 million on three term loans, and the carrying value of the secured loans were reduced to their respective fair market values during the year ended December 31, 2015.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recognized aggregate debt impairment expense and a write-off of interest receivable of $1.4 million in connection with a secured royalty financing of a women’s health product due to continued disappointing sales and $1.4 million of equity security impairment expense for the continued stock price decline of our position in the public equity of Cancer Genetics. The debt and equity securities are reflected at their fair market values of $1.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. We also recognized $5.3 million of impairment expense related to the sale of our SynCardia assets. We recognized security impairment expense of $6.6 million on two equity securities during the year ended December 31, 2015 to reflect the securities at their fair market value as of December 31, 2015.

Please refer to Item 1. Financial Statements, Notes 2 and 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the impairments taken during the year ended December 31, 2016.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation, stock-based compensation and related costs for management, staff, Board of Directors, legal and audit expenses, and corporate governance. General and administrative expenses decreased to $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was due to a decrease in compensation and stock-based compensation.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $0 for year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. All interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 was from the acceleration of debt issuance cost amortization.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net for the year ended December 31, 2016 reflected a net fair market value gain of $0.6 million on our warrant derivatives compared to a $3.3 million net fair market value loss for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Income Tax Benefit

We have incurred net operating losses on a consolidated basis for all years from inception through 2012. Accordingly, we have historically recorded a valuation for the full amount of gross deferred tax assets, as the future realization of the tax benefit was not “currently more likely than not.” We believe that it is more likely than not that the Company will be able to realize approximately $38.5 million benefit of the U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets in the future.

As of December 31, 2016, we had NOLs for federal income tax purposes of $404.0 million. The federal NOL carryforwards, if not offset against future income, will expire by 2032, with the majority expiring by 2021. We also had federal research credit carryforwards of $2.7 million. The federal research credits will expire by 2029.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2016, we had $32.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $47.3 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2015. The primary driver of the net decrease in our cash balance was new and add-on investment funding of $73.2 million, offset by loan payoffs totaling $46.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Primary Driver of Cash Flow

Our ability to generate cash in the future depends primarily upon our success in implementing our business model of generating income by providing capital to a broad range of life science companies, institutions and inventors. We generate income primarily from three sources:

1. primarily owning or financing through debt investments, royalties generated by the sales of life science products and related intellectual property;

2. receiving interest and other income by advancing capital in the form of secured debt to companies in the life science sector; and,

3. to a lesser extent, realize capital appreciation from equity-related investments in the life science sector.

As of December 31, 2016, our portfolio contains $126.4 million of finance receivables, $2.6 million of marketable investments and a net $3.2 million of investment in unconsolidated subsidiary, net of non-controlling interests. We expect these assets to generate positive cash flows in 2017. We continue to evaluate multiple attractive opportunities that, if consummated, we believe would similarly generate additional income. Since the timing of any investment is difficult to predict, we may not be able to generate positive cash flow above what our existing assets will produce in 2017.

We may borrow funds to make investments to the extent we determine that additional capital would allow us to take advantage of additional investment opportunities. We currently do not have access to a credit facility or other forms of borrowing.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the normal course of operations, we engage in a variety of financial transactions that, in accordance with GAAP, are not recorded in our consolidated financial statements. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate, and liquidity risk. Such transactions are used primarily to manage customers’ requests for funding and take the form of loan commitments and lines of credit.

The contractual amounts of commitments to extend credit represent the amounts of potential accounting loss should the contract be fully drawn upon, the customer defaults and the value of any existing collateral becomes worthless. We use the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as we do for on-balance sheet instruments.

As of December 31, 2016, we have $10.6 million of unfunded commitments on loan and royalty purchase transactions. Of the total $10.6 million, $0.3 million and $3.8 million are potentially payable to the sellers of the Cambia® and Narcan® royalties, respectively. There are no additional earnout payments contracted to be paid by us to any of our partner companies. We believe that we will continue to have sufficient funds and alternative funding sources to meet our current commitments.  

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

During the year ended December 31, 2016, our cash and cash equivalents were deposited in accounts at well capitalized financial institutions. The fair value of our cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2016, approximated its carrying value.

Investment and Interest Rate Risk

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. As we seek to provide capital to a broad range of life science companies, institutions and investors, our net investment income is dependent, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we earn on our cash and cash equivalents and the rate at which we lend those funds to third parties. As a result, we would be subject to risks relating to changes in market interest rates. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations by providing capital at variable interest rates.  We constantly monitor our portfolio and position our portfolio to respond appropriately to a reduction in credit rating of any of our investments.

Inflation

We do not believe that inflation has had a significant impact on our revenues or operations.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

SWK HOLDINGS CORPORATION

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
SWK Holdings Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SWK Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2016. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits 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 also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of SWK Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ BPM LLP

San Jose, California

March 17, 2017

SWK HOLDINGS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

SWK HOLDINGS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

SWK HOLDINGS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands)

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

SWK HOLDINGS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except share data)

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

SWK HOLDINGS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

SWK HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. SWK Holdings Corporation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

SWK Holdings Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in July 1996 in California and reincorporated in Delaware in September 1999. In July 2012, the Company commenced its strategy of building a specialty finance and asset management business. The Company’s strategy is to be a leading healthcare capital provider by offering sophisticated, customized financing solutions to a broad range of life science companies, institutions and inventors. The Company is primarily focused on monetizing cash flow streams derived from commercial-stage products and related intellectual property through royalty purchases and financings, as well as through the creation of synthetic revenue interests in commercialized products. The Company has been deploying its assets to earn interest, fees, and other income pursuant to this strategy, and the Company continues to identify and review financing and similar opportunities on an ongoing basis. In addition, through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SWK Advisors LLC, the Company provides non-discretionary investment advisory services to institutional clients in separately managed accounts to similarly invest in life science finance. SWK Advisors LLC is registered as an investment advisor with the Texas State Securities Board. The Company intends to fund transactions through its own working capital, as well as by building its asset management business by raising additional third party capital to be invested alongside the Company’s capital.

The Company fills a niche that it believes is underserved in the sub-$50 million transaction size. Since many of its competitors that provide longer term, non-traditional debt and/or royalty-related financing options have much greater financial resources than the Company, they tend to not focus on transaction sizes below $50 million as it is generally inefficient for them to do so. In addition, the Company does not believe that a sufficient number of other companies offer similar types of long-term financing options to fill the demand of the sub-$50 million market. As such, the Company believes it faces less competition from such investors in transactions that are less than $50 million.

The Company has net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and believes that the ability to utilize these NOLs is an important and substantial asset. The Company believes that the foregoing business strategies can create value for its stockholders, and produce prospective taxable income (or the ability to generate capital gains) that might permit the Company to utilize the NOLs. The Company is unable to assure investors that it will find suitable financing opportunities or that it will be able to utilize its existing NOLs.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company and its partners have executed transactions with 25 different parties under its specialty finance strategy, funding $319 million in various financial products across the life science sector. The Company’s portfolio includes senior and subordinated debt backed by royalties and synthetic royalties paid by companies in the life science sector, purchased royalties generated by sales of life science products and related intellectual property and an unconsolidated equity investment in a company which retains the marketing authorization rights to a pharmaceutical product.

The Company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”).  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all subsidiaries and affiliates in which the Company holds a controlling financial interest as of the financial statement date. Normally a controlling financial interest reflects ownership of a majority of the voting interests. The Company consolidates a variable interest entity (“VIE”) when it possesses both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and the Company is either obligated to absorb the losses that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the Company holds the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.

The Company owns interests in various partnerships and limited liability companies, or LLCs. The Company consolidates its investments in these partnerships or LLCs, where the Company, as the general partner or managing member, exercises effective control, even though the Company’s ownership may be less than 50 percent, the related governing agreements provide the Company with broad powers, and the other parties do not participate in the management of the entities and do not effectively have the ability to remove the Company. The Company has reviewed each of the underlying agreements to determine if it has effective control. If circumstances change and it is determined this control does not exist, any such investment would be recorded using the equity method of accounting. Although this would change individual line items within the Company’s consolidated financial statements, it would have no effect on its operations and/or total stockholders’ equity attributable to the Company.

On October 7, 2015, the Company effected a 1-for-100 reverse stock split of its common stock, immediately followed by a 10-for-1 forward stock split of its common stock. For holders of greater than 100 shares prior to October 7, 2015, the net effect was a 1-for-10 reverse split. The number of shares of common stock underlying the Company’s options and warrants to acquire shares of common stock were adjusted accordingly. Share data, per share amounts and related information in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto with respect to any date or period prior to October 7, 2015 have been adjusted retroactively to give effect to the stock splits. See further discussion of stock splits in Note 7.

Variable Interest Entities

An entity is referred to as a VIE if it possesses one of the following criteria: (i) it is thinly capitalized, (ii) the residual equity holders do not control the entity, (iii) the equity holders are shielded from the economic losses, (iv) the equity holders do not participate fully in the entity’s residual economics, or (v) the entity was established with non-substantive voting interests. The Company consolidates a VIE when it has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE and the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE. Along with the VIEs that are consolidated in accordance with these guidelines, the Company also holds variable interests in other VIEs that are not consolidated because it is not the primary beneficiary. The Company continually monitors both consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs to determine if any events have occurred that could cause the primary beneficiary to change. See Note 4 for further discussion of VIEs.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions are required in the determination of revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, impairment of financing receivables and long-lived assets, valuation of warrants, income taxes and contingencies and litigation, among others.  Some of these judgments can be subjective and complex, and consequently, actual results may differ from these estimates. The Company’s estimates often are based on complex judgments, probabilities and assumptions that it believes to be reasonable but that are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. For any given individual estimate or assumption made by the Company, there may also be other estimates or assumptions that are reasonable.

The Company regularly evaluates its estimates and assumptions using historical experience and other factors, including the economic environment. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, the Company’s estimates and assumptions may prove to be incomplete or inaccurate, or unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that might cause changes to those estimates and assumptions. Market conditions, such as illiquid credit markets, volatile equity markets, and economic downturns, can increase the uncertainty already inherent in the Company’s estimates and assumptions. The Company adjusts its estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances indicate the need for change. Those changes generally will be reflected in our consolidated financial statements on a prospective basis unless they are required to be treated retrospectively under the relevant accounting standard. It is possible that other professionals, applying reasonable judgment to the same facts and circumstances, could develop and support a range of alternative estimated amounts. 

Equity Method Investment

The Company accounts for portfolio companies whose results are not consolidated, but over which it exercises significant influence, under the equity method of accounting. Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to a partner company depends on an evaluation of several factors including, among others, representation of the Company on the partner company’s board of directors and the Company’s ownership level. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company does not reflect a partner company’s financial statements within the Company’s consolidated financial statements; however, the Company’s share of the income or loss of such partner company is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company includes the carrying value of equity method partner companies as part of the investment in unconsolidated entities on the consolidated balance sheets.

When the Company’s carrying value in an equity method partner company is reduced to zero, the Company records no further losses in its consolidated statements of operations unless the Company has an outstanding guarantee obligation or has committed additional funding to such equity method partner company. When such equity method partner company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it exceeds the amount of the Company’s share of losses not previously recognized.

Finance Receivables

The Company extends credit to customers through a variety of financing arrangements, including revenue interest term loans. The amounts outstanding on loans are referred to as finance receivables and are included in Finance Receivables on the consolidated balance sheets.  It is the Company’s expectation that the loans originated will be held for the foreseeable future or until maturity. In certain situations, for example to manage concentrations and/or credit risk, some or all of certain exposures may be sold. Loans for which the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity are classified as held for investment (“HFI”). If the Company no longer has the intent or ability to hold loans for the foreseeable future, then the loans are transferred to held for sale (“HFS”). Loans entered into with the intent to resell are classified as HFS.

If it is determined that a loan should be transferred from HFI to HFS, then the balance is transferred at the lower of cost or fair value. At the time of transfer, a write-down of the loan is recorded as a write-off when the carrying amount exceeds fair value and the difference relates to credit quality. Otherwise the write-down is recorded as a reduction in interest and other income, and any loan loss reserve is reversed. Once classified as HFS, the amount by which the carrying value exceeds fair value is recorded as a valuation allowance and is reflected as a reduction to interest and other income.

If it is determined that a loan should be transferred from HFS to HFI, the loan is transferred at the lower of cost or fair value on the transfer date, which coincides with the date of change in management’s intent. The difference between the carrying value of the loan and the fair value, if lower, is reflected as a loan discount at the transfer date, which reduces its carrying value. Subsequent to the transfer, the discount is accreted into earnings as an increase to finance revenue interest income over the life of the loan using the effective interest method.

The Company accounts for its finance receivables at amortized cost, net of unamortized origination fees, if any. Related fees and costs are recorded net of any amounts reimbursed, and interest is accreted or accrued to interest revenue using the effective interest method. When and if supplemental payments are received from these long-term receivables, an adjustment to the estimated effective interest rate is affected prospectively. 

The Company evaluates the collectability of both interest and principal for each loan to determine whether it is impaired. A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, the Company determines it is probable that it will be unable to collect amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan is considered to be impaired, the amount of loss is calculated by comparing the carrying value of the financial asset to the value determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at the loan’s effective interest rate or to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, less costs to sell, if the loan is collateralized and the Company expects repayment to be provided solely by the collateral. Impairment assessments require significant judgments and are based on significant assumptions related to the borrower’s credit risk, financial performance, expected sales, and estimated fair value of the collateral.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Finance Receivables

The allowance for credit losses is intended to provide for credit losses inherent in the financing receivables portfolio and is periodically reviewed for adequacy considering credit quality indicators, including expected and historical losses and levels of and trends in past due loans, non-performing assets and impaired loans, collateral values and economic conditions. The allowance for credit losses is determined based on specific allowances for loans that are impaired, based upon the value of underlying collateral or projected cash flows. Changes to the Allowance for Credit Losses are recorded in the Provision for Loan Credit Losses in the consolidated statement of operations.

Marketable Investments

The Company’s marketable investment portfolio includes two equity securities and one debt security as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. The debt security is classified as an available-for-sale security, which is reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable income taxes. In any case where fair value might fall below amortized cost, the Company would consider whether that security is other-than-temporarily impaired using all available information about the collectability of the security. The Company would not consider that an other-than temporary impairment for a debt security has occurred if (1) the Company does not intend to sell the debt security, (2) it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis and (3) the present value of estimated cash flows will fully cover the amortized cost of the security. The Company would consider that an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred if any of the above mentioned three conditions are not met.

For a debt security for which an other-than-temporary impairment is considered to have occurred, the Company would recognize the entire difference between the amortized cost and the fair value in earnings if the Company intends to sell the debt security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be able to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If the Company does not intend to sell the debt security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the Company would separate the difference between the amortized cost and the fair value of the debt security into the credit loss component and the non-credit loss component. The credit loss component would be recognized in earnings and the non-credit loss component would be recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes.

Derivatives

All derivatives held by the Company are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The accounting treatment for subsequent changes in the fair value depends on their use, and whether they qualify as effective “hedges” for accounting purposes. Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through the consolidated statements of operations. If a derivative is a hedge, then depending on its nature, changes in its fair value will be either offset against change in the fair value of hedged assets or liabilities through the consolidated statements of operations, or recorded in other comprehensive income. The Company had no derivatives designated as hedges as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. The Company holds warrants issued to the Company in conjunction with term loan investments discussed in Note 2. These warrants meet the definition of a derivative and are included in warrant assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company issued a warrant on its own common stock as discussed in Note 5. This warrant meets the definition of a derivative and is reflected as a warrant liability at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets.

Revenue Recognition

The Company records interest income on an accrual basis based on the effective interest rate method to the extent that it expects to collect such amounts. The Company recognizes investment management fees as earned over the period the services are rendered.  In general, the majority of investment management fees earned are charged either monthly or quarterly.  Incentive fees, if any, are recognized when earned at the end of the relevant performance period, pursuant to the underlying contract.  Other administrative service revenues are recognized when contractual obligations are fulfilled or as services are provided.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity date of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. There were no such investments at December 31, 2016 or 2015, as all of our cash was held in checking or savings accounts.  As of December 31, 2016, cash equivalents were deposited in financial institutions and consisted of immediately available fund balances.  The Company maintains its cash deposits and cash equivalents with well-known and stable financial institutions.

Interest and Accounts Receivable

The Company records interest receivable on an accrual basis and recognizes it as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement, to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. When management does not expect that principal, interest, and other obligations due will be collected in full, the Company will generally place the loan on nonaccrual status and cease recognizing interest income on that loan until all principal and interest due has been paid or the Company believes the portfolio company has demonstrated the ability to repay the Company’s current and future contractual obligations. Any uncollected interest related to prior periods is reversed from income in the period that collection of the interest receivable is determined to be doubtful. However, the Company may make exceptions to this policy if the investment has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the provision for loan credit losses was $1.7 million and $10.8 million, respectively.

Accounts receivable for management fees are recorded at the aggregate unpaid amount less any allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company determines an account receivable’s delinquency status based on its contractual terms. Interest is not charged on outstanding balances. Accounts are written-off only when all methods of recovery have been exhausted. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the allowance for doubtful accounts was zero.

Certain Risks and Concentrations

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, finance receivables and marketable investments. The Company invests its excess cash with major U.S. banks and financial institutions. The Company has not experienced any losses on its cash and cash equivalents.

The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its partner companies and generally requires collateral.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, two partner companies accounted for 41 percent of total revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2015, two partner companies accounted for 44 percent of total revenue.

The Company does not expect its current or future credit risk exposures to have a significant impact on its operations. However, there can be no assurance that its business will not experience any adverse impact from credit risk in the future.

Segment Reporting

The Company operates in one operating segment with a single management team that reports to the chief executive officer, who is its chief operating decision maker. Accordingly, the Company does not prepare discrete financial information with respect to separate product line and does not have separately reportable segments.

Stock-based Compensation

All employee and director stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period.  Stock-based compensation expense is reduced for estimated future forfeitures. These estimates are revised in future periods if actual forfeitures differ from the estimates. Changes in forfeiture estimates impact compensation expense in the period in which the change in estimate occurs.

For restricted stock, the Company recognizes compensation expense in accordance with the fair value of the Company’s stock as determined on the grant date, amortized over the applicable service period. When vesting of awards is based wholly or in part upon the future performance of the stock price, such terms result in adjustments to the grant date fair value of the award and the derivation of a service period. If service is provided over the derived service period, the adjusted fair value of the awards will be recognized as compensation expense, regardless of whether or not the awards vest.

Non-controlling Interests

Non-controlling interests represent third-party equity ownership in certain of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries, VIEs or investments and are presented as a component of equity. See Note 4 and Note 7 for further discussion of non-controlling interests.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount where realization is more likely than not.

If the Company ultimately determines that the payment of such a liability is not necessary, then the Company reverses the liability and recognizes a tax benefit during the period in which the determination is made that the liability is no longer necessary. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax benefit in the statements of operations.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) and its components attributable to the Company and non-controlling interests have been reported, net of tax, in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

Net Income (Loss) per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of outstanding shares of common stock. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of outstanding shares of common stock and, when dilutive, shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options and warrants deemed outstanding using the treasury stock method.

The following table shows the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the following (in thousands, except per share amounts):

As of December 31, 2016, and 2015, outstanding stock options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock in an aggregate of approximately 392 thousand and 577 thousand shares, respectively, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share as these securities were anti-dilutive.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This guidance changes how entities measure equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method. Entities will be required to measure these investments at fair value at the end of each reporting period and recognize changes in fair value in net income. A practicability exception will be available for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values; however, the exception requires the Company to consider relevant transactions that can be reasonably known to identify any observable price changes that would impact the fair value. This guidance also changes certain disclosure requirements and other aspects of current GAAP. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and is applicable to the Company in fiscal 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance and has not determined the impact this standard may have on its consolidated financial statements nor decided upon the method of adoption.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, “Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323).” This guidance simplifies the accounting for equity method investments by eliminating the requirement in Topic 323 that requires an entity to retroactively adopt the equity method of accounting if an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership or degree of influence. The amendments require that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. ASU 2016-07 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company believes ASU-2016-07 will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” This guidance requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance also requires an entity to disclose sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Qualitative and quantitative information is required about:

In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) — Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,” which clarified guidance on assessing collectability, presenting sales tax, measuring noncash consideration, and certain transition matters. The new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption would be permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has been evaluating the impact of ASU 2014-09 and does not believe it will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company currently intends to use the modified prospective approach upon adoption.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation -Stock Compensation (Topic 718).” The amendments of ASU No. 2016-09 were issued as part of the FASB’s simplification initiative focused on improving areas of GAAP for which cost and complexity may be reduced while maintaining or improving the usefulness of information disclosed within the financial statements. The amendments focused on simplification specifically with regard to share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The guidance in ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company believes ASU 2016-09 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments –Credit Losses (Topic 326).“The new standard adds an impairment model, known as current expected credit loss (CECL) model, that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the new guidance, an entity recognizes as an allowance its estimate of expected credit losses, which the FASB believes will result in more timely recognition of losses. The ASU describes the impairment allowance as a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities should be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP; however, the amendments in this update require that credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down, which will allow an entity the ability to record reversals of credit losses in current period net income. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity will apply the amendments in this update through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (that is, a modified-retrospective approach). A prospective transition approach is required for debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment has been recognized before the effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance but believes it is likely to incur more upfront loan losses under the new credit loss model.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230),” which amends ASC 230 to add or clarify guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The FASB issued this guidance with the intent of reducing diversity in practice with respect to classification of eight types of cash receipts and payments: (1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, (2) settlement of zero coupon bonds, (3) contingent consideration payments after a business combination, (4) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, (5) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies and bank-owned life insurance policies, (6) distributions received from equity method investees, (7) beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and (8) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. For the Company, the guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption will be permitted for all entities and must be applied retrospectively to all periods presented but it may be applied prospectively if retrospective application would be impracticable. The Company believes ASU-2016-15 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

Note 2. Finance Receivables

Finance receivables are reported at their determined principal balances net of any unearned income, cumulative charge-offs and unamortized deferred fees and costs. Unearned income and deferred fees and costs are amortized to interest income based on all cash flows expected using the effective interest method.

The carrying value of finance receivables at December 31 are as follows (in thousands):

Credit Quality of Finance Receivables

The Company originates finance receivables to companies primarily in the life sciences sector. This concentration of credit exposes the Company to a higher degree of risk associated with this sector.

On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates the carrying value of each finance receivable for impairment. A term loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is determined that the Company will not be able to collect the amounts due according to the loan contract, including scheduled interest payments. This evaluation is generally based on delinquency information, an assessment of the borrower’s financial condition and the adequacy of collateral, if any. The Company would generally place term loans on nonaccrual status when the full and timely collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain and they are 90 days past due for interest or principal, unless the term loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection. When placed on nonaccrual, the Company would reverse any accrued unpaid interest receivable against interest income and amortization of any net deferred fees is suspended. Generally, the Company would return a term loan to accrual status when all delinquent interest and principal become current under the terms of the credit agreement and collectability of remaining principal and interest is no longer doubtful. In certain circumstances, the Company may place a finance receivable on nonaccrual status but conclude it is not impaired. The Company may retain independent third-party valuations on such nonaccrual positions to support impairment decisions.

Receivables associated with royalty stream purchases would be considered to be impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the book value of the remaining investment based upon adverse changes in the estimated underlying royalty stream.

When the Company identifies a finance receivable as impaired, it measures the impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the receivable’s effective interest rate, or the estimated fair value of the collateral, less estimated costs to sell. If it is determined that the value of an impaired receivable is less than the recorded investment, the Company would recognize impairment with a charge to the allowance for credit losses. When the value of the impaired receivable is calculated by discounting expected cash flows, interest income would be recognized using the receivable’s effective interest rate over the remaining life of the receivable.

The Company individually develops the allowance for credit losses for any identified impaired loans. In developing the allowance for credit losses, the Company considers, among other things, the following credit quality indicators:

§     business characteristics and financial conditions of obligors;

§     current economic conditions and trends;

§     actual charge-off experience;

§     current delinquency levels;

§     value of underlying collateral and guarantees;

§     regulatory environment; and

§     any other relevant factors predicting investment recovery.

The following tables present a summary of the activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

The following table presents nonaccrual and performing loans by portfolio segment (in thousands):

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had two term loans associated with two portfolio companies in nonaccrual status with a carrying value, net of credit loss allowance, of $19.0 million. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had three term loans associated with one portfolio company in nonaccrual status with a carry value of $20.1 million. No cash on nonaccrual loans was collected during the year ended December 31, 2016. Of the two nonaccrual term loans at December 31, 2016, neither are deemed to be impaired. (Please see ABT Molecular Imaging, Inc. and B&D Dental below for further details regarding nonaccrual term loans.)

Of the three nonaccrual term loans at December 31, 2015, two loans, with a carrying value of $12.5 million, net of credit loss allowance, were identified as impaired by the Company, as the fair market value of the loans, less costs to sell, were lower than their respective recorded investments in the loans. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized loan impairment expense of $10.8 million.

SynCardia Systems, Inc. (“SynCardia”)

On June 24, 2016, SWK Funding LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SWK Holdings Corporation, sold 100 percent of its debt and equity interests in SynCardia to an affiliate of Versa Capital Management for upfront cash consideration of $7.2 million plus additional certain future contingent payments. The Company’s interests in SynCardia included $22.0 million of a senior secured first lien loan, $13.0 million of second lien convertible notes, 2,323,649 shares of Series F preferred stock, 4,000 shares of common stock and 34,551 common stock purchase warrants. The carrying value, as of the date of sale, of the debt and equity interests in SynCardia was approximately $12.5 million. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized $5.3 million of impairment expense related to the sale of its SynCardia assets.

ABT Molecular Imaging, Inc. (“ABT”)

On October 10, 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement pursuant to which the Company provided ABT a second lien term loan in the principal amount of $10.0 million. The loan matures on October 8, 2021. The synthetic royalty payment due to the Company on December 15, 2015 was blocked by ABT’s first lien lender pursuant to the terms of the intecreditor agreement by and between the Company and the first lien lender as a result of a forbearance agreement entered into between ABT and the first lien lender. Per the terms of the forbearance agreement, the first lien lender deferred principal payments until maturity of the first lien in March 2016 and ABT raised additional equity capital.

In February 2016, ABT violated the terms of the forbearance agreement with the first lien lender. In order to control the work out of the default under the first lien loan and prevent the equity sponsors from taking control of the first lien term loan, the Company purchased from an unrelated party the first lien term loan at par for a purchase price of $0.7 million. Since then the equity sponsors funded cash shortfalls into the second quarter of 2016. The Company continues to work with ABT’s equity sponsors to resolve the existing defaults.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company entered into additional amendments to the first lien term loan, which provided for an additional $1.6 million of liquidity under the first lien credit agreement. ABT has drawn down the full $1.6 million as of March 17, 2017.

The collateral for the loan has been individually reviewed, and the Company believes that the fair market value of the loan, less costs to sell, was greater than the recorded investments in the loans as of December 31, 2016. Based on the impairment analysis, the Company has determined that recording a provision for credit losses as of December 31, 2016 is not required. The Company considered several factors in this determination, including an independent third-party valuation and developments in the portfolio company’s business and industry.

B&D Dental (“B&D”)

On December 10, 2013, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement to provide B&D a senior secured term loan with a principal amount of $6.0 million funded upon close, net of an arrangement fee of $60 thousand. Subsequently, the terms of the loan have been amended, and the Company has funded additional amounts to B&D. As of December 31, 2016, the total amount funded was $8.1 million.

B&D is currently in default under the terms of the credit agreement, and as a result, the Company classified the loan to nonaccrual status as of September 30, 2015. During the first and fourth quarters of 2016, the Company executed two additional amendments to the loan to advance an additional $0.5 million in order to directly pay critical vendors and protect the value of the collateral. The Company believes its collateral position is greater than the unpaid balance; thus, accrued interest has not been reversed nor has an allowance been recorded as of December 31, 2016. The Company considered several factors in this determination, including an independent third-party valuation and developments in the portfolio company’s business and industry.

Besivance

On April 2, 2013, the Company purchased an effective 2.4 percent royalty on sales of Besivance® from InSite Vision for $6.0 million. Besivance is marketed by Bausch & Lomb, a unit of Valeant Pharmaceuticals. Recently the sales performance of Besivance has weakened due to substantial increases in sales chargebacks and various rebates (gross sales to net sales deductions) and lower sales volumes, which has resulted in material reductions in the product’s net sales and associated royalties’ payable to the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company reduced its expectations for future royalty receipts and recognized an allowance for credit loss on the royalty purchase of $1.7 million.

Note 3. Marketable Investments

Investment in marketable securities at December 31, 2016 and 2015 consist of the following (in thousands):

The amortized cost basis amounts, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses and fair values of available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, are as follows (in thousands):

During the years ended December 31, 2016, and 2015, the Company had no sales of available-for-sale securities.

Equity Securities

Marketable equity securities held by the Company include 736,076 shares of Cancer Genetics common stock and 77,922 shares of Hooper Holmes common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized other-than-temporary impairment expense of $1.4 million related to the Cancer Genetics common stock. As of December 31, 2016, the Cancer Genetics and Hooper Holmes equity securities are reflected at fair value of $1.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively, as available-for-sale securities.

Debt Securities

On July 9, 2013, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement to purchase, at par, $3.0 million of a total of $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes due in November 2026. The agreement allows the first interest payment date to include paid-in-kind notes for any cash shortfall, of which the Company received $0.1 million on November 15, 2013. The notes are secured only by certain royalty and milestone payments associated with the sales of pharmaceutical products.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded an impairment expense of $1.4 million related to these notes, of which approximately $0.1 million reflects the write off of interest accrued on these notes. The remainder of the expense was taken as an other-than-temporary impairment. The senior secured notes were placed on nonaccrual status as of June 30, 2016. Total cash of approximately $41 thousand was collected during the year was and credited to the notes’ carry value. As of December 31, 2016, the notes are reflected at their estimated fair value of $1.6 million and classified as available-for-sale securities.

Note 4. Variable Interest Entities

The Company consolidates the activities of VIEs of which it is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the variable interest holder possessing a controlling financial interest through (i) its power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) its obligation to absorb losses or its right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. In order to determine whether the Company owns a variable interest in a VIE, the Company performs qualitative analysis of the entity’s design, organizational structure, primary decision makers and relevant agreements.

Consolidated VIE

SWK HP was formed in December 2012 to acquire a limited partnership interest in Holmdel Pharmaceuticals LP (“Holmdel”).   Holmdel acquired the U.S. marketing authorization rights to a beta blocker pharmaceutical product indicated for the treatment of hypertension for a total purchase price of $13.0 million. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary SWK Holdings GP LLC (“SWK Holdings GP”) acquired a direct general partnership interest in SWK HP, which in turn acquired a limited partnership interest in Holmdel. The total investment in SWK HP of $13.0 million included $6.0 million provided by SWK Holdings GP and $7.0 million provided by non-controlling interests.  Subject to customary limited partner protections afforded the investors by the terms of the limited partnership agreement, the Company maintains voting and managerial control of SWK HP and therefore includes it in its consolidated financial statements.

SWK HP has significant influence over the decisions made by Holmdel. SWK HP receives quarterly distributions of cash flow generated by the pharmaceutical product according to a tiered scale that is subject to certain cash on cash returns received by SWK HP. SWK HP received approximately 84 percent and 70 percent of the pharmaceutical product’s cash flow until SWK HP received a 1x and 2x, respectively, cash on cash return on its interest in Holmdel. SWK HP’s current ownership in Holmdel approximates 49 percent. In no instance will SWK HP’s economic interest decline below 39 percent. Holmdel is considered a VIE because SWK HP’s control over the partnership is disproportionate to its economic interest. This VIE remains unconsolidated as the power to direct the activities of the partnership is not held by the Company. The Company is using the equity method to account for this investment. The Company accounts for its interest in the entity based on the timing of quarterly distributions, which are paid on a quarter lag basis.

Unconsolidated VIE

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized $6.2 million of equity method gains, of which $3.2 million was attributable to the non-controlling interest in SWK HP. In addition, SWK HP received cash distributions totaling $7.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, of which $3.7 million was subsequently paid to holders of the non-controlling interests in SWK HP. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized $5.9 million of equity method gains, of which $3.0 million was attributable to the non-controlling interest in SWK HP. In addition, SWK HP received cash distributions totaling $6.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, of which $3.6 million was subsequently paid to holders of the non-controlling interests in SWK HP. Changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s investment in Holmdel for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, are as follows (in thousands):

The following table provides the financial statement information related to Holmdel for the comparative periods during which SWK HP has reflected its share of Holmdel income in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations:

Note 5. Related Party Transactions

On September 6, 2013, in connection with entering into a credit facility, the Company issued warrants to an affiliate of a stockholder, Carlson Capital, L.P. (the “Stockholder”), for 100 thousand shares of the Company’s common stock at a strike price of $13.88. The warrants have a price anti-dilution mechanism that was triggered by the price that shares were sold by the Company in a rights offering in 2014, and as a result, the strike price of the warrants was reduced to $13.48.

Due to certain provisions within the warrant agreement, the warrants meet the definition of a derivative and do not qualify for a scope exception, as it is not considered indexed to the Company’s stock. As such, the warrants with a value of $0.2 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, are reflected as a warrant liability in the consolidated balance sheets. An unrealized gain of $0.1 million and an unrealized loss of $0.2 million were included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company determined the fair value using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

The changes on the value of the warrant liability during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands):

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized interest expense totaling $0.4 million, consisting of debt issuance cost amortization. The Company did not recognize any interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Other

The Company provides investment advisory services to an affiliate of a stockholder. During, and as of the end of the years ended, December 31, 2016 and 2015, there was no revenue or accounts receivable from this affiliate.

Note 6. Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Obligations

The Company’s corporate headquarters is in Dallas, Texas, where it leases approximately 2,400 square feet.  Total rent expense recognized under the lease was $57 thousand and $52 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The office lease expires in May 2020. Future minimum rent is as follows (in thousands):

Other Contractual Obligations

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had unfunded commitments of $10.6 million on the loans and royalty purchases discussed in Note 2. Of the total $10.6 million, $0.3 million and $3.8 million are potentially payable to the sellers of the Cambia® and Narcan® royalties, respectively. There are no additional earnout payments contracted to be paid by us to any of our partner companies. As of December 31, 2016, our unfunded commitments were as follows (in millions):

All unfunded commitments are contingent upon reaching an established revenue threshold or other performance metrics on or before a specified date or period of time per the terms of the royalty purchase or credit agreements, and in the case of loan transactions, are only subject to being advanced as long as an event of default does not exist.

Litigation

The Company is involved in, or has been involved in, arbitrations or various other legal proceedings that arise from the normal course of its business. The ultimate outcome of any litigation is uncertain, and either unfavorable or favorable outcomes could have a material negative impact on the Company’s results of operations, balance sheets and cash flows due to defense costs, and divert management resources.  The Company cannot predict the timing or outcome of these claims and other proceedings. Currently, the Company is not involved in any arbitration and/or other legal proceeding that it expects to have a material effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Indemnification

As permitted by Delaware law, the Company has agreements whereby it indemnifies its officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving in such capacity, or in other capacities at the Company’s request. The term of the indemnification period is for the officer’s or director’s lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company has a director and officer insurance policy that limits its exposure and enables the Company to recover a portion of any such amounts. As a result of the Company’s insurance policy coverage, the Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is insignificant. Accordingly, the Company had no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

The total number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, that the Company is authorized to issue is 250,000,000.

Preferred Stock

The Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) may, without further action by the stockholders, issue a series of preferred stock and fix the rights and preferences of those shares, including the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, exchange rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption price or prices, liquidation preferences, the number of shares constituting any series and the designation of such series. As of December 31, 2016, no shares of preferred stock have been issued.

Stock Splits

On October 7, 2015, the Company executed a 1-for-100 reverse stock split of its common stock, followed by a 10-for-1 forward stock split of its common stock. The stock split was approved at the Company’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 20, 2015.

At the effective time of the reverse stock split, every 100 shares of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock were automatically combined into one issued and outstanding share of common stock, with no change in par value per share. Holders with less than 100 shares of common stock had their shares repurchased and retired by the Company in the reverse stock split and received cash in lieu of such shares. After the reverse stock split, the Company effected a forward stock split pursuant to which stockholders received 10 shares of common stock for each share of common stock held. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the forward stock split. Stockholders who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share received a cash payment in lieu thereof at a rate of $1.425 per fractional pre-split share. The Company paid $0.2 million for fractional shares from holders with less than 100 shares upon the initial 1-for-100 reverse stock split. For stockholders owning greater than 100 shares prior to the reverse stock split, the net effective ratio was a 1-for-10 reverse split. The number of shares of common stock underlying the Company’s options, warrants, or other rights to acquire shares of common stock were adjusted accordingly. As a result, each stockholder’s percentage ownership interest and proportional voting power remains substantially unchanged and the rights and privileges of the holders of the Company’s common stock are substantially unaffected.

Stock Compensation Plans

The Company’s 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1999 Stock Incentive Plan”), as successor to the 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “1997 Stock Option Plan”), provided for options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock to be granted to employees, independent contractors, officers, and directors. The plan expired in July 2009. As a result of the termination of all employees on December 31, 2009, the stock options held by employees were cancelled on March 31, 2010.  No options remain outstanding under the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.

The Company’s 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2010 Stock Incentive Plan”) provides for options, restricted stock, and other customary forms of equity to be granted to the Company’s directors, officers, employees, and independent contractors. All forms of equity incentive compensation are granted at the discretion of the Board and have a term not greater than 10 years from the date of grant.

J. Brett Pope resigned as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board effective January 12, 2016. Under the terms of Mr. Pope’s severance agreement, the Company approved the cashless exercise of 18,750 vested stock options and the remaining 156,250 unvested stock options were forfeited. Of the 18,750 vested stock options, 14,751 options were surrendered to the Company to pay the exercise price, resulting in a net issuance of 3,999. The surrendered shares were immediately canceled by the Company.

The following table summarizes activities under the option plans for the indicated periods:

At December 31, 2016, the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan had expired, and the Company had no unrecognized stock-based compensation expense under this Plan.  At December 31, 2016, there were 0.3 million shares reserved for equity awards under the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, and the Company had $0.2 million of total unrecognized stock option expense, net of estimated forfeitures, which will be recognized over the weighted average remaining period of 2 years.

The following table summarizes significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable options as of December 31, 2016:

Employee stock-based compensation expense recognized for time-vesting options for the years ended December 31, 2016, and 2015, uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model for estimating the fair value of options granted under the Company’s equity incentive plans. Risk-free interest rates for the options were taken from the Daily Federal Yield Curve Rates on the grant dates for the expected life of the options as published by the Federal Reserve. The expected volatility was based upon historical data and other relevant factors such as the Company’s changes in historical volatility and its capital structure, in addition to mean reversion. Employee stock-based compensation expense recognized for market performance-vesting options uses a binomial lattice model for estimating the fair value of options granted under the Company’s equity incentive plans.

In calculating the expected life of stock options, the Company determines the amount of time from grant date to exercise date for exercised options and adjusts this number for the expected time to exercise for unexercised options. The expected time to exercise for unexercised options is calculated from grant as the midpoint between the expiration date of the option and the later of the measurement date or the vesting date. In developing the expected life assumption, all amounts of time are weighted by the number of underlying options.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had 112,500 shares of restricted stock outstanding with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $3.10. During the years ended December 2016 and 2015, no restricted shares were canceled, forfeited, granted, or vested. The Company has not recognized any expense related to restricted stock for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

The restricted shares included in the Company’s shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, but are not included in the computation of basic income per share as the shares are not yet earned by the recipients. The Company had no unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, related to restricted shares as of December 31, 2016.

In October 2015, the Board approved a change in the compensation plan for non-employee directors such that each non-employee director shall receive an annual cash retainer of $45 thousand and an annual grant of 1,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, both payable quarterly in arrears. In addition, each member of (i) the Audit Committee shall receive an additional fee of $10 thousand payable quarterly in arrears; (ii) the Compensation Committee shall receive an additional fee of $1,000 payable quarterly in arrears and (iii) the Governance Committee shall receive an additional fee of $2,000 payable quarterly in arrears. Each non-employee director has the option to elect to receive up to 100 percent of the annual cash retainer in shares of the Company’s common stock.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Board approved the following grants as compensation for Board services: (i) a grant of 3,366 shares of common stock as the pro-rated director compensation for the non-employee director appointed on September 6, 2014; (ii) a grant of 3,000 shares to each non-employee director for services as a director for the period January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015; and (iii) a grant of 15,611 shares of common stock in lieu of cash payments to the non-employee directors upon the voluntary election of such directors.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Board approved compensation for Board services by granting 24,384 shares of common stock as compensation for the non-employee directors. During the year ended December 31, 2016 the Company recorded approximately $246 thousand in board compensation expense relating to the quarterly grants. The aggregate stock-based compensation expense, including the board quarterly grants, recognized by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

Non-controlling Interests

As discussed in Note 4, SWK HP has a limited partnership interest in Holmdel. The total investment by SWK HP was $13.0 million, of which SWK Holdings GP provided $6.0 million.  The remaining $7.0 million is reflected as non-controlling interest in the consolidated balance sheets and the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity. Changes in the carrying amount of the non-controlling interest in the consolidated balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2016, is as follows (in thousands):

Note 8. Fair Value Measurements

The Company measures and reports certain financial and non-financial assets and liabilities on a fair value basis. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). GAAP specifies a three-level hierarchy that is used when measuring and disclosing fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices available in active markets (i.e., observable inputs) and the lowest priority to data lacking transparency (i.e., unobservable inputs). An instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. The following is a description of the three hierarchy levels.

Transfers into or out of any hierarchy level are recognized at the end of the reporting period in which the transfers occurred. There were no transfers between any levels during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

The fair value of equity method investments is not readily available nor have we estimated the fair value of these investments and disclosure is not required. The Company is not aware of any identified events or changes in circumstances that would have a significant adverse effect on the carrying value of any of its equity method investments included in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Following are descriptions of the valuation methodologies used to measure material assets and liabilities at fair value and details of the valuation models, key inputs to those models and significant assumptions utilized.

Cash and cash equivalents

The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximate those assets’ fair values.

Securities available for sale

Certain common equity securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs (exchange quoted prices).

Finance Receivables

The fair values of finance receivables are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using market rates at the balance sheet date that reflect the credit and interest rate-risk inherent in the finance receivables. Projected future cash flows are calculated based upon contractual maturity or call dates, projected repayments and prepayments of principal. These receivables are classified as Level 3. Finance receivables are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, but estimates of fair value are reflected below.

Marketable Investments and Warrants

Marketable Investments

If active market prices are available, fair value measurement is based on quoted active market prices and, accordingly, these securities would be classified as Level 1. If active market prices are not available, fair value measurement is based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1, such as prices for similar assets or broker quotes utilizing observable inputs, and accordingly these securities would be classified as Level 2. If market prices are not available and there are no observable inputs, then fair value would be estimated by using valuation models including discounted cash flow methodologies, commonly used option-pricing models and broker quotes. Such securities would be classified as Level 3, if the valuation models and broker quotes are based on inputs that are unobservable in the market. If fair value is based on broker quotes, the Company checks the validity of received prices based on comparison to prices of other similar assets and market data such as relevant bench mark indices. Available-for-sale securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, while securities with no readily available fair market value are not, but estimates of fair value are reflected below.

Derivative securities

For exchange-traded derivatives, fair value is based on quoted market prices, and accordingly, would be classified as Level 1. For non-exchange traded derivatives, fair value is based on option pricing models and are classified as Level 3.

The following table presents financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

The following table presents financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

The changes on the value of the warrant assets during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands):

The Company holds warrants issued to the Company in conjunction with certain term loan investments. These warrants meet the definition of a derivative and are included in the consolidated balance sheet. The fair values for warrants outstanding, that have a readily determinable value, are measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following weighted average assumptions were used in the models to determine fair value:

The following table presents financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

Please see Note 2 for further information on impaired loans.

There were no remeasured liabilities at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the year ended December 31, 2016 or 2015.

The following information is provided to help readers gain an understanding of the relationship between amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the related market or fair value. The disclosures include financial instruments and derivative financial instruments, other than investment in unconsolidated entity.

For the year ended December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

For the year ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

Note 9. Income Taxes

The components of income (loss) before income tax (benefit) provision are as follows (in thousands):

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s (benefit) provision for income taxes was as follows (in thousands):

The components of the income tax provision (benefit) are as follows (in thousands):

The Company records deferred tax assets if the realization of such assets is more likely than not to occur in accordance with accounting standards that address income taxes. Significant management judgment is required in determining whether a valuation allowance against the Company’s deferred tax assets is required. The Company has considered all available evidence, both positive and negative, such as historical levels of income and predictability of future forecasts of taxable income from existing investments, in determining whether a valuation allowance is required. The Company is also required to forecast future taxable income in accordance with accounting standards that address income taxes to assess the appropriateness of a valuation allowance, which further requires the exercise of significant management judgment. The Company focuses on forecasting future taxable income for the investment portfolio that exists as of the balance sheet date. Specifically, the Company evaluated the following criteria when considering a valuation allowance:

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had cumulative net income before tax for the three years then ended. Based on its historical operating performance, the Company has concluded that it was more likely than not that the Company would not be able to realize the full benefit of the U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets in the future. However, the Company has concluded that it is more likely than not that the Company will be able to realize approximately $38.5 million benefit of the U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets in the future.

The Company will continue to assess the need for a valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets by evaluating both positive and negative evidence that may exist on a quarterly basis. Any adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance would be recorded in the consolidated statement of operations for the period that the adjustment is determined to be required. The valuation allowance against deferred tax assets was $109.6 million and $133.7 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Deferred tax assets consist of the following (in thousands):

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 limits the use of NOLs and tax credit carryforwards in certain situations where stock ownership changes occur. In the event the Company has had a change in ownership, the future utilization of the Company’s net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards could be limited.

The Company is making an election to early adopt ASU 2015-17 to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, as noncurrent on the balance sheet.

A portion of deferred tax assets relating to NOLs pertains to NOL carryforwards resulting from tax deductions upon the exercise of employee stock options of $1.9 million. When recognized, the tax benefit of these loss carryforwards will be accounted for as a credit to additional paid-in capital rather than a reduction of the income tax expense.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had NOL carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of $404.0 million. The federal NOL carryforwards, if not offset against future income, will expire by 2032, with the majority of such NOLs expiring by 2021.

The Company also had federal research carryforwards of $2.7 million. The federal credits will expire by 2029.

The Company records liabilities, where appropriate, for all uncertain income tax positions. The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within operations as income tax expense. The adoption of these provisions did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. At December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits.

The Company is subject to taxation in the US and various state jurisdictions.  The Company is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service for the years ending December 31, 1998 through December 31, 2015, due to carryforward of unutilized net operating losses and research and development credits.  The Company does not anticipate significant changes to its uncertain tax positions through December 31, 2016.

Note 10. Subsequent Events

On February 23, 2017, Holmdel Pharmaceuticals, LP sold substantially all of its assets, which primarily included the U.S. marketing authorization rights to InnoPran XL® to ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. SWK HP Holdings GP LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SWK Holdings Corporation, received net proceeds from the transaction of approximately $8.0 million.

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

In connection with the preparation of this report, our management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management, under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures which (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of assets, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, (iii) provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorization of management and the board of directors, and (iv) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

In connection with the preparation of this report, our management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by this report based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued in 2013, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). As a result of that evaluation, management concluded that as of December 31, 2016, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on the criteria set forth in the COSO framework.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Inherent Limitations over Internal Controls

Our system of controls is designed to provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance regarding the reliability and integrity of accounting and financial reporting. Our management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and 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 will be met. These inherent limitations include the following:

Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes during the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information under the principal headings “ELECTION OF DIRECTORS,” “SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE,” and “CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT”, the information regarding executive officers of the Company under the subheading “Executive Officers”, and the information regarding the Audit Committee under the subheading “Board Meetings and Committees” under the principal heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE,” in the Company’s 2017 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information under the principal headings “DIRECTOR COMPENSATION,” “COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION”, “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION,” and “RELATED INFORMATION” in the Company’s 2017 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

The information under the principal headings “EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION” and “OWNERSHIP OF EQUITY SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY” in the Company’s 2017 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information under the principal heading “TRANSACTION WITH RELATED PERSONS” in the Company’s 2017 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information under the subheadings “Audit Fees and All Other Fees” and “Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors” below the principal heading “AUDIT FEES” in the Company’s 2017 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Report:

1. Financial Statements:

2. Financial Statement Schedules:

The separate financial statements of Holmdel Pharmaceuticals, LP as of December 31, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2016 required to be included in this report pursuant to Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X, are filed as Exhibit 99.01.

3. Exhibits:  See attached Exhibit Index.

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, on March 17, 2017.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Winston L. Black and Charles M. Jacobson and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

EXHIBIT INDEX