SWK Holdings Corp - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

OR

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

Commission file number: 001-39184

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:

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

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes 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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

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 $35,538,769 based on the June 28, 2019, closing price of the Registrant’s Common Stock on such date as reported on the OTCQB Marketplace of $9.80.

On March 23, 2020, the Registrant had outstanding approximately 12,912,016 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, 2019

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.

Overview

SWK Holdings Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in July 1996 in California and reincorporated in Delaware in September 1999. In July 2012, we commenced a strategy of building a specialty finance and asset management business. In August 2019, we commenced a complementary strategy of building a pharmaceutical development, manufacturing and intellectual property licensing business. Our operations comprise two reportable segments: “Finance Receivables” and “Pharmaceutical Development.” We allocate capital to each segment in order to generate income through the sales of life science products by third parties. We are headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Finance Receivables Segment

Our Finance Receivables segment 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. This segment 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. We have been 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 and our revolving credit facility, 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 longer term, non-traditional debt and/or 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.

As of March 23, 2020, and since inception of the strategy, we and our partners have executed transactions with 36 different parties under our specialty finance strategy, funding an aggregate of approximately $539.1 million in various financial products across the life science sector. Our portfolio includes senior and subordinated debt backed by royalties and synthetic royalties paid by companies in the life science sector, and purchased royalties generated by sales of life science products and related intellectual property.

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 the wellness of people or animals, 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.

The objective of our Finance Receivables segment 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 finance receivables 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.

In circumstances where a transaction is greater than $20 million, we seek to syndicate amounts in excess of $20 million to both other investors and our investment advisory clients. We do not expect to earn investment advisory income in transactions where we partner with investors other than our investment advisory clients.

Our investment advisory agreements are currently non-discretionary, and each client determines individually if it wants to participate in a transaction. Though we have partnered with investment advisory clients in the past, we currently do not have any transactions in which we have partnered with investment advisory clients. We expect to continue to offer transaction opportunities to our investment advisory clients, as appropriate for each client’s investment strategy. When a client opts into a transaction, each client receives its pro rata allocation of income produced by a transaction in which it participates, and the client pays us management and incentive fees according to a written investment advisory agreement. 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.

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.

Pharmaceutical Development Segment

On August 26, 2019, we commenced our Pharmaceutical Development segment with the acquisition of Enteris BioPharma, Inc. (“Enteris”). Enteris is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company offering innovative formulation solutions built around its proprietary oral drug delivery technologies, the Peptelligence® platform. Since its founding in 2013, Enteris has advanced multiple internal and external programs leveraging Peptelligence®, which enables the oral delivery of molecules that are typically injected, including peptides and BCS Class II, III, and IV small molecules, in an enteric-coated tablet formulation. Peptelligence® utilizes a unique multifaceted approach to increase the solubility and absorption of peptides and small molecules, addressing the complex challenges regarding solubility and permeability of therapeutics with low oral bioavailability. Peptelligence® is protected by an extensive patent estate, some of which extends until 2036.

Our Pharmaceutical Development segment strategy is to utilize the Peptelligence® platform to create a wholly-owned portfolio of milestone and royalty income by out-licensing our technology in two ways. First, we intend to out-license our technology to pharmaceutical companies to create novel and important oral therapeutic treatments for a wide variety of indications. Second, we intend to out-license to pharmaceutical companies our internally developed reformulations of approved, off-patent injectable therapeutic treatments where Peptelligence® enables oral delivery, resulting in meaningful improvements for patients and caregivers. We also generate income by providing customers pharmaceutical development services, formulation and manufacturing with the ultimate goal of generating new out-license agreements of the technology.

Peptelligence® is the subject of several active external development programs, the most advanced of which include Taurus Development Company’s TBRIA™, an oral calcitonin for patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis, and an oral formulation of Cara’s KORSUVA™, a potent peripheral kappa opioid receptor agonist for chronic pain and pruritus, currently in Phase II clinical development.

Our internal product pipeline consists of Ovarest®, an oral leuprolide tablet being evaluated for its potential to treat endometriosis, and Tobrate™, an oral tobramycin tablet being evaluated for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTI).

Tax Attributes

We view our ability to carry forward our net operating losses, or NOLs, as an important and substantial asset. 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 been extended to expire on April 8, 2022. 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 current business strategies 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

In our Finance Receivables segment, 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.

In our Pharmaceutical Development segment, we face competition in introducing products that improve efficacy, safety, patients’ and clinicians’ ease of use and cost-effectiveness. The success of new product offerings will depend on many factors, including our 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. A failure by us to successfully commercialize existing or planned products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

For additional information concerning the competitive risks we face, see “Item 1A., Risk Factors.

Employees

As of December 31, 2019, we had 30 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”). Our SEC filings are 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.

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 Pharmaceutical Development Segment

Enteris’ product candidates are in early stages of development and Enteris and any licensees may not be successful in efforts to develop products for many years, if ever.

Enteris’ success depends on its and any licensees’ ability to commercialize their products that will generate revenues sufficient to sustain and grow its operations. Most of our product candidates are in early stages of development and have not been out-licensed. The successful development of these products is expected to take several more years.  Similarly, neither Enteris nor any potential licensee may ever develop and commercialize any other peptide or small molecule product that helps us achieve profitability and growth.  Even if Enteris and/or a licensee is successful in developing such a product, it is likely that development of any product will take several years.  Enteris’ ability to achieve growth is dependent on a number of factors, including Enteris and its licensees’ ability to complete development efforts and obtain regulatory approval for additional product candidates.

Enteris’ partners may not be successful in their efforts to gain regulatory approval for any of their product candidates and, if approved, the approval may not be on a timely basis.

Even if any of Enteris’ licensees are successful in their development efforts, they may not be able to obtain the necessary regulatory approval for their product candidates. The Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) must approve the commercial manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical products in the United States. Similar regulatory approvals are required for the sale of pharmaceutical products outside of the United States. None of Enteris’ partners’ products have been approved for sale in the United States or may ever receive the approvals necessary for commercialization. Additional human testing must be conducted on our partners’ product candidates before they can be approved for commercial sale and such testing requires the investment of significant resources. Any delay in receiving, or failure to receive, these approvals would adversely affect Enteris’ ability to generate product revenues.

Current and future legislation may increase the difficulty and cost for Enteris’ partners to obtain marketing approval of and the commercialization of their product candidates. This could affect the timing as well as the amount of royalty income Enteris may earn as a result.

In the United States and some foreign jurisdictions, there have been a number of legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes regarding the healthcare system that could prevent or delay marketing approval for Enteris’ partners’ product candidates, restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect our partners’ ability to profitably sell their product candidates. Legislative and regulatory proposals have been made to expand post-approval requirements and restrict sales and promotional activities for pharmaceutical products. We do not know whether additional legislative changes will be enacted, or whether the FDA regulations, guidance or interpretations will be changed, or what the impact of such changes on the marketing approvals of our partners’ product candidates, if any, may be. In addition, increased scrutiny by the U.S. Congress of the FDA’s approval process may significantly delay or prevent marketing approval, as well as subject our partners to more stringent product labeling and post-marketing testing and other requirements.

In the United States, the Medicare Modernization Act, or MMA, changed the way Medicare covers and pays for pharmaceutical products. The legislation expanded Medicare coverage for drug purchases by the elderly and introduced a new reimbursement methodology based on average sales prices for drugs. In addition, this legislation authorized Medicare Part D prescription drug plans to use formularies where they can limit the number of drugs that will be covered in any therapeutic class. As a result of this legislation and the expansion of federal coverage of drug products, Enteris expects that there will be additional pressure to contain and reduce costs. These cost reduction initiatives and other provisions of this legislation could decrease the coverage and price that our partners receive for their product candidates and could seriously harm our business. While the MMA applies only to drug benefits for Medicare beneficiaries, private payors often follow Medicare coverage policy and payment limitations in setting their own reimbursement rates, and any reduction in reimbursement that results from the MMA may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 or, collectively, the Health Care Reform Law, is a sweeping law intended to broaden access to health insurance, reduce or constrain the growth of healthcare spending, enhance remedies against fraud and abuse, add new transparency requirements for the healthcare and health insurance industries, impose new taxes and fees on the healthcare industry and impose additional health policy reforms. The Health Care Reform Law revised the definition of “average manufacturer price” for reporting purposes, which could increase the amount of Medicaid drug rebates to states. Further, the law imposed a significant annual fee on companies that manufacture or import branded prescription drug products.

 The Health Care Reform Law remains subject to legislative efforts to repeal, modify or delay the implementation of the law. However, if the Health Care Reform Law is repealed or modified, or if implementation of certain aspects of the Health Care Reform Law are delayed, such repeal, modification or delay may, materially adversely impact our business, strategies, prospects, operating results or financial condition. We are unable to predict the full impact of any repeal, modification or delay in the implementation of the Health Care Reform Law on our business at this time. Due to the substantial regulatory changes that will need to be implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and others, and the numerous processes required to implement these reforms, we cannot predict which healthcare initiatives will be implemented at the federal or state level, the timing of any such reforms, or the effect such reforms or any other future legislation or regulation will have on our business.

In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted in the United States since the Health Care Reform Law was enacted. We expect that additional federal healthcare reform measures will be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that federal and state governments will pay for healthcare products and services, and in turn could significantly reduce the projected value of certain development projects and reduce or eliminate Enteris’ profitability.

Enteris’ technology or products could give rise to product liability claims.

While Enteris does not have a commercial product, Enteris’ business exposes us to the risk of product liability claims from human testing and the manufacturing of pharmaceutical tablets currently used in clinical trials. The administration of drugs to humans, whether in clinical trials or commercially, can result in product liability claims even if Enteris’ or Enteris’ partners’ products are not actually at fault for causing an injury. Furthermore, Enteris’ products may cause, or may appear to cause, adverse side effects or potentially dangerous drug interactions that we may not learn about or understand fully until the drug is actually manufactured and sold. Product liability claims can be expensive to defend and may result in large judgments against us. Even if a product liability claim is not successful, the adverse publicity, time and expense involved in defending such a claim may interfere with our business. We may not have sufficient resources to defend against or satisfy these claims. While we currently maintain product liability insurance coverage, the amount of coverage may not be sufficient to protect us against losses or may be unavailable in the future on acceptable terms, if at all.

Because Enteris is a biopharmaceutical company, its operations are subject to extensive government regulation.

Our research, development and production activities, as well as those of our collaborators and licensees, are subject to significant regulation by federal, state, local and foreign governmental authorities. The regulatory approval process for a pharmaceutical product requires substantial resources and may take many years. Our partners’ inability to obtain approvals or delays in obtaining approvals would adversely affect our ability to manufacture products, and to receive revenue from milestone payments, product sales or royalties.

The FDA and other regulatory agencies may inspect the Enteris production facility at any time to ensure compliance with current good manufacturing practice guidelines. These guidelines require that Enteris conduct its production operations in strict compliance with established rules for manufacturing and quality controls. Any of these agencies can suspend production operations and product sales if they find significant or repeated deviations from these guidelines. A suspension would likely cause Enteris to incur additional costs or delays in product development and manufacturing.

In addition, Enteris is subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits corporations and individuals from engaging in certain activities to obtain or retain business or to influence a person working in an official capacity. It is illegal to pay, offer to pay or authorize the payment of anything of value to any foreign government official, government staff member, political party or political candidate in an attempt to obtain or retain business or to otherwise influence a person working in an official capacity. Enteris’ present and future business is, and will continue to be, subject to various other laws, rules and/or regulations applicable to us as a result of our domestic and international business.

Enteris’ success depends upon its ability to protect its intellectual property rights.

Enteris has filed applications for U.S. patents relating to proprietary peptide manufacturing technology and oral formulations that Enteris has invented in the course of its research. Enteris’ most important U.S. manufacturing and delivery patents expire from 2021 to 2036 and Enteris has applications pending that could extend that protection. To date, twenty-five U.S. patents have issued and other applications are pending. Enteris has also made patent application filings in selected foreign countries and ninety-two foreign patents have issued with other applications pending. Enteris faces the risk that any of its pending applications will not be issued as patents. In addition, Enteris’ patents may be found to be invalid or unenforceable. Enteris’ business also is subject to the risk that its issued patents will not provide Enteris with significant competitive advantages if, for example, a competitor were to independently develop or obtain similar or superior technologies. To the extent Enteris is unable to protect its patents and patent applications, our investment in those technologies may not yield the benefits that we expect.

Enteris may be unable to retain key employees or recruit additional qualified personnel.

Because of the specialized scientific nature of the business, Enteris is highly dependent upon qualified scientific, technical, production and managerial personnel. There is intense competition for qualified personnel in Enteris’ line of business. There can be no guarantee that existing compensation will serve to prevent Enteris’ employees, including its key employees, from resigning.  Enteris may not be able to attract and retain the qualified personnel necessary to maintain and develop its business. The loss of the services of existing personnel, as well as the failure to recruit additional key personnel in a timely manner, could harm Enteris’ programs and business. In addition, if members of Enteris’ key management team or employees generally were to be affected by the global outbreak the novel coronavirus (referred to hereafter as COVID-19), this could significantly impair Enteris’ ability to execute its business.

Insurance coverage is increasingly more costly and difficult to obtain or maintain.

While Enteris currently has insurance for its business, property and its products, insurance is increasingly more costly and narrower in scope, and Enteris may be required to assume more risk in the future. If Enteris is the subject of claims or suffers a loss or damage in excess of its insurance coverage, Enteris may be required to share that risk in excess of its insurance limits.  If Enteris is the subject of claims or suffers a loss or damage that is outside of its insurance coverage, Enteris may incur significant uninsured costs associated with loss or damage that could have an adverse effect on its operations and financial position. Furthermore, any claims made on any Enteris insurance policies may impact its ability to obtain or maintain insurance coverage at reasonable costs or at all.

Enteris may not be able to renew its existing insurance on terms that are acceptable to Enteris, if at all.  If Enteris is unable to maintain adequate insurance coverage this would have a material adverse effect on its ability to sustain operations.

If Enteris encounters issues with its suppliers or if licensees of its technology encounter issues with their contract manufacturers, Enteris may need to qualify alternative manufacturers or suppliers, which could impair Enteris’ and its licensees’ ability to sufficiently and timely manufacture and supply pharmaceutical products.

Enteris relies on third parties to supply the raw materials needed to manufacture its existing and potential products, including suppliers that are located in Asia. Enteris is undertaking efforts to validate alternate suppliers, but may be unsuccessful in these efforts. Current and future licensees of Enteris’ technology generally rely on third party suppliers and contract manufacturers to manufacture drug products that utilize Enteris’ technology as well.

Any business interruptions resulting from geopolitical actions, including war and terrorism, adverse public health developments such as COVID-19, or natural disasters including earthquakes, typhoons, floods and fires and Enteris’ or its licensees’ inability to identify and validate alternate suppliers and contract manufacturers, could affect supply chains. Any reliance on suppliers may involve several risks, including a potential inability to obtain critical materials and reduced control over production costs, delivery schedules, reliability and quality.

Any unanticipated disruption caused by problems at suppliers could delay shipment of any of Enteris’ or its licensees’ drug candidates or drug products, which could increase Enteris’ or its licensees’ cost of goods sold or result in lost or decreased sales, royalties or milestone payments to Enteris.

Risks Related to Finance Receivables Segment

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 those currently being experienced globally due to COVID-19.

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 material 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 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 small and 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.

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.

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.

Our allowance for credit losses may prove inadequate.

The quality of our financing receivables depends on the credit-worthiness of our partner companies and their ability to fulfill their obligations to us. We maintain an allowance for credit losses on specific 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.

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.

We generally 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.

Risks Related to Our Business and Structure

Our recent acquisition of Enteris might not be successful.

In August 2019, Enteris, a biotechnology company offering innovative formulation solutions utilizing its proprietary oral drug delivery technology, became our wholly-owned subsidiary.  We acquired Enteris with the intent of expanding its Peptelligence® platform which enables the oral delivery of molecules that are typically injected, including peptides and BCS Class II, III, and IV small molecules, in an enteric-coated tablet formulation. Enteris currently generates revenue from near-term fee-for-service feasibility studies, and by entering into license agreements with third parties permitting them to utilize the Enteris technology in their drug development efforts. Prior to the acquisition, Enteris entered into a non-exclusive commercial license agreement with Cara Therapeutics (“License Agreement”), for oral formulation rights to Enteris’ Peptelligence^® technology to develop and commercialize Oral KORSUVA in any indication worldwide, excluding South Korea and Japan. Cara is obligated to pay Enteris certain development, regulatory and tiered commercial milestone payments, as well as low single-digit royalties based on net sales in the licensed territory. Until the second anniversary of the entry into the License Agreement, Cara has the right, but not the obligation, to terminate its obligation to pay any royalties under the License Agreement in exchange for a lump sum payment. While Enteris is actively pursuing new revenue and licensing opportunities, there can be no assurance that Enteris will be able to enter into any such agreements.  Even if Enteris is able to enter into such agreements, there can be no assurance as to the terms and conditions of any such agreement.  As a result, the acquisition of Enteris may not be successful or effectively implemented.  If Enteris is unsuccessful, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

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.

Our ability to use NOL carryforwards to offset future taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be limited, and our future cash tax liability may increase.

As of December 31, 2019, we had NOL carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of $360.4 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. We may recognize additional NOLs in the future. In order to utilize the NOLs, the Company must generate taxable income that can offset such carryforwards.

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has not audited our tax returns for any of the years during the carryforward period. We cannot assure you that we would prevail if the IRS were to challenge the availability of the NOLs. If the IRS were successful in challenging our NOLs, all or some portion of the NOLs would not be available to offset any future consolidated income which would negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows.

Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “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. Additionally, various states have similar limitations on the use of state NOLs following an ownership change.

Accordingly, the extent to which we undergo an ownership change limiting the availability of our NOLs depends in part on actions taken by our large shareholders. Furthermore, our largest shareholders are investment funds affiliated with Carlson. Most investors in these funds are third parties, unaffiliated with either us or Carlson. Subscription or redemption activity by such investors is generally outside of our or Carlson’s control; however, resulting changes in the ownership of these funds may contribute to, or result in, a determination that an “ownership change” has occurred. As a result, even though we have a stockholder rights plan that is intended to protect the NOLs, whether or not an ownership change occurs is not entirely within our control.

If an ownership change occurs, the amount of the taxable income for any post-change year that may be offset by a pre-change loss is subject to an annual limitation that is cumulative to the extent it is not all utilized in a year. This limitation is derived by multiplying the fair market value of the Company stock as of the ownership change by the applicable federal long-term tax-exempt rate, which was 1.63 percent for February 2020. To the extent that a company has a net unrealized built-in gain at the time of an ownership change, which is realized or deemed recognized during the five-year period following the ownership change, there is an increase in the annual limitation for each of the first five-years that is cumulative to the extent it is not all utilized in a year.

If an ownership change should occur in the future, our ability to use NOLs to offset future taxable income will be subject to an annual limitation and will depend on the amount of taxable income we generate in future periods. There is no assurance that we will be able to fully utilize our NOLs and we could be required to record an additional valuation allowance related to the amount of the NOLs that may not be realized, which could impact our results of operations.

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 material 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. In addition, if members of our key management team were to be affected by COVID-19, this could significantly impair our ability to execute 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, 2019, we had $11.2 million of cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet plus $20.0 million available to be borrowed under our credit facility. As of March 23, 2020, we drew $15.0 million under our credit facility, which increased our cash balance to $23.6 million. We have limited capital to execute our business strategy and have obtained debt 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. Our current credit facility contains, and any future credit facility, if raised, would likely 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.

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.

Further, during any period of economic stress, we may be required to defer interest payments on loans to our partner companies for a period of time or capitalize deferred interest payments into additional principal balance of loans (“PIK interest”) with our partner companies. In these circumstances, an increase in PIK interest will generally reflect a significant increase of credit risk associated with our investments in partner companies. Even if the accounting conditions for income accrual are met, a partner company could still default when our actual collection is supposed to occur at the maturity of the obligation, which could lead to future losses. Additionally, we may advance additional capital to our partner companies to support their operations during times of economic crisis in order to preserve the value of our collateral. To the extent PIK interest constitutes a material portion of our revenue or we support our partners with additional capital, our cash flow may decrease and our liquidity may suffer.

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.

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.

The interest rates of many of our term loans to partner companies are priced using a spread over LIBOR.

LIBOR, the London interbank offered rate, is the basic rate of interest used in lending between banks on the London interbank market and is widely used as a reference for setting the interest rate on loans globally. We typically use LIBOR as a reference rate in term loans we extend to partner companies such that the interest due to us pursuant to a term loan extended to a partner company is calculated using LIBOR. Most of our term loan agreements with partner companies contain a stated minimum value for LIBOR. As of December 31, 2019, 100 percent of the term loans with our partner companies utilized LIBOR, including a stated minimum of LIBOR, as a reference rate.

On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021.  It is unclear if at that time whether or not LIBOR will cease to exist or if new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S. financial institutions, is considering replacing U.S. dollar LIBOR with a new index calculated by short-term repurchase agreements, backed by Treasury securities, known as the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (“SOFR”). SOFR is observed and backward looking, which stands in contrast with LIBOR under the current methodology, which is an estimated forward-looking rate and relies, to some degree, on the expert judgment of submitting panel members. Given that SOFR is a secured rate backed by government securities, it will be a rate that does not take into account bank credit risk (as is the case with LIBOR). SOFR is therefore likely to be lower than LIBOR and is less likely to correlate with the funding costs of financial institutions. Whether or not SOFR attains market traction as a LIBOR replacement tool remains in question. As such, the future of LIBOR at this time is uncertain. If LIBOR ceases to exist, we may need to renegotiate the credit agreements with our partner companies that utilize LIBOR as a factor in determining the interest rate to replace LIBOR with the new standard that is established. If affected credit agreements with our partner companies are unable to be renegotiated, our investments may bear interest at a lower rate, which would decrease investment income and potentially the value of such investments. 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 value for or value of any LIBOR-linked loans and other financial obligations or extensions of credit held by or due to us and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Due to the uncertainty of the replacement for LIBOR, the potential effect of any such event on our cost of capital and investment income cannot yet be determined.

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.

A 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 one to two 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 increased 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.

The liquidity, market price and volume of our stock are volatile.

Our common stock is now listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”). The liquidity of our common stock may be adversely affected, and purchasers of our common stock may have difficulty selling our common stock, if our common stock does not continue to trade on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange. Nasdaq maintains certain minimum continued listing standards. If we are not able to continue to satisfy the continued listing standards, or qualify for an exemption to such standards, then we could be subject non-compliance status or de-listing.

The trading price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to quarter-to-quarter variations in our operating results, announcements of our drilling results and other events or factors. In addition, the U.S. stock markets have from time to time experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price for many companies and which often have been unrelated to the operating performance of these companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our 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, 2019, funds affiliated with Carlson owned (including the 100,000 shares of common stock underlying the warrant held by Double Black Diamond Offshore Ltd. (“Double Black”)), in the aggregate 70.5 percent of our combined issued and outstanding common stock, unvested restricted stock, and common stock underlying the warrant. 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, changes in our chief executive officer and repurchases of common stock.

If there are substantial sales of shares of our common stock, the price of our common stock could decline.

The price of our common stock could decline if there are substantial sales of our common stock, particularly sales by our directors, executive officers, employees, and significant stockholders including funds associated with Carlson. Carlson owns an aggregate of 70.7 percent (9,193,766 common shares including 100,000 common shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant). Pursuant to a Stockholders’ Agreement entered into on August 18, 2014 and a Registration Rights Agreement entered into on September 6, 2013, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the SEC on February 3, 2020, which became effective on February 19, 2020, to register all of the common stock owned by funds affiliated with Carlson for sale freely in the public market from time to time.

The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of the sale of a substantial number of our shares of common stock in the public market or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares intend to sell their shares.

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. 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 (“SWK Funding”), relies on an interpretation that royalty interests that entitle SWK Funding 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 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 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 material and adversely affected if SWK Funding 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.

Risks Associated with Investments in the Health Care and Life Sciences Industries

Public health epidemics, pandemics or outbreaks, including the recent novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), could adversely affect our business.

Public health epidemics, pandemics or outbreaks, and the resulting business or economic disruptions resulting therefrom, could adversely impact our business as well as our ability to raise capital. In December 2019, COVID-19 was identified in Wuhan, China. The virus continues to spread globally, has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and has spread to over 100 countries, including the United States. The impact of this pandemic has been and will likely continue to be extensive in many aspects of society, which has resulted in and will likely continue to result in significant disruptions to the global economy, as well as businesses and capital markets around the world.

The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our business will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the pandemic, new information that may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and public and private actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact. COVID-19 has and will likely continue to result in social, economic and labor instability in the countries in which we or our partner companies operate.

While we cannot presently predict the scope and severity of any potential business shutdowns or disruptions, if we or any of our partner companies, including their suppliers, manufacturers and other third parties in our partners’ global supply chain, clinical trial sites, regulators, surgeons, ASCs, potential business development partners and other third parties with whom our partners conduct business, were to experience shutdowns or other business disruptions, our ability to conduct our business in the manner and on the timelines presently planned could be materially and negatively impacted. For example, Enteris sources certain excipients from China utilized in products utilizing Peptelligence®. Enteris is currently seeking alternative supplies of these excipients outside of China. While COVID-19 has not yet lead to supply chain disruptions for Enteris, if Enteris is unable to source needed excipients or other components required to manufacture pharmaceutical products, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, any staffing interruptions resulting from geopolitical actions, including war and terrorism, adverse public health developments such as COVID-19, or natural disasters including earthquakes, typhoons, floods and fires, could have a material adverse effect on our and our partners’ businesses.

The pandemic’s impact on the medical community and the global economy could have an adverse impact on our partner companies’ sales and execution of clinical trials, including sales of pharmaceuticals upon which we derive royalties and milestones, which could lead to financial losses in both of our reporting segments, and a decrease in our revenues, net income and assets. If, for example, COVID-19 results in elective medical procedures, such as dental procedures or tenotomies, being postponed or canceled outright, our partner companies that market products for such procedures would suffer potentially similar abrupt and substantial decreases in revenue and corresponding operating losses, which in turn may result in our partners being unable to repay our loans during such periods. Additionally, for example, Enteris’ license agreements with third parties typically include milestone payments to Enteris that are payable upon the successful conclusion of a clinical trial. Delays or cancellation of these clinical trials caused by COVID-19 may result in delays or non-payment of milestones under the License Agreement. Further, a decrease in patient visits to doctors or medical procedures broadly may result in a decrease in sales of pharmaceutical products upon which we derive royalties, potentially reducing our revenues, net income and assets.

Any abrupt and substantial change in economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Any sustained disruption in the capital markets from the COVID-19 pandemic could negatively impact our and our partner companies’ ability to raise capital.

Several measures are currently being proposed by the US and other governments to address the current COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impacts. At this time, it is impossible to predict the success of these measures and whether or not they will have unforeseen negative consequences for our business. For example, some proposals in the US Congress contemplate a debt-servicing holiday for borrowers for an unspecified period of time. If this type of measure becomes law, our partner companies may defer making payments under our term loans, which would decrease our cash flows, revenues, net income, assets and liquidity.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 Additionally, because of the continued uncertainty surrounding the healthcare industry under the Trump Administration, including the potential for further legal challenges or repeal of existing legislation, we cannot quantify or predict with any certainty the likely impact on our portfolio companies, our business model, prospects, financial condition or results of operations. We also anticipate that Congress, state legislatures, and third-party payors may continue to review and assess alternative healthcare delivery and payment systems and may in the future propose and adopt legislation or policy changes or implementations effecting additional fundamental changes in the healthcare delivery system. We cannot assure you as to the ultimate content, timing, or effect of changes, nor is it possible at this time to estimate the impact of any such potential legislation on certain of our portfolio companies, our business model, prospects, financial condition or results of operations.

The potential inability of our partner companies’ and counterparties marketing pharmaceutical products from which we receive royalty payments to charge desired prices with respect to prescription drugs could impact their revenues and in turn their ability to repay us or the magnitude of their payments to us.

Our pharmaceutical portfolio companies and pharmaceutical royalties are subject to risks associated with the pricing for prescription drugs. It is uncertain whether pharmaceutical products customers generally will continue to utilize established prescription drug pricing methods, or whether other pricing benchmarks will be adopted for establishing prices within the industry. Legislation may lead to changes in the pricing for Medicare and Medicaid programs. Regulators have conducted investigations into the use of prescription drug pricing methods for federal program payment, and whether such methods have inflated drug expenditures by the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Federal and state proposals have sought to change the basis for calculating payment of certain drugs by the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Additionally, President Trump has taken actions and made statements that suggest he plans to seek repeal of all or portions of the Affordable Care Act, or the ACA. There is currently uncertainty with respect to the impact any such repeal may have and any resulting changes may take time to unfold, which could have an impact on coverage and reimbursement for healthcare items and services covered by plans that were authorized by the ACA. We cannot predict the ultimate content, timing or effect of any such legislation or executive action or the impact of potential legislation or executive action on us. Any changes to the method for calculating prescription drug costs may reduce the revenues of our pharmaceutical portfolio companies, which could in turn impair their ability to timely make any principal and interest payments owed to us. Additionally, any such changes to pharmaceutical product reimbursement similarly could reduce the revenues of the pharmaceutical products from which we receive royalties.

None.

Our corporate headquarters and the location of our Finance Receivables segment are in Dallas, Texas, where we lease approximately 2,400 square feet of space. The Pharmaceutical Development segment’s headquarters is located in Boonton, New Jersey, where Enteris leases approximately 32,000 square feet of space. We believe these facilities are adequate for our business requirements.

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.

Not applicable.

PART II

On January 22, 2020, our common stock became listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbol “SWKH.” Prior to that time, our common stock was quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace, under the symbol “SWKH.” Quotations for our common stock while it was quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace represent quotations between dealers without adjustment for retail markup, mark down or commissions, and may not represent actual transactions.

Holders of Record

There were approximately 113 stockholders of record of our common stock as of March 2, 2020. 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.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On December 21, 2018, the Board authorized a share repurchase program under which the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $3.5 million of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, or approximately 312,497 common shares, in accordance with all applicable securities laws and regulations, including Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act. The December 21, 2018 share repurchase program expired on May 31, 2019. On September 5, 2019, the Board authorized another share repurchase program of up to $2.1 million, which expired on February 29, 2020.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 229,466 shares of its outstanding common stock. Of the total 229,466 shares, 149,900 were repurchased under the share repurchase program at a total cost of $1.5 million, or $9.72 per share.

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 in the Risk Factors, Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Business sections in this report. We use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expects,” “intend,” “plan,” “will” and variations of these words and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements.

Overview

We have organized our operations into two segments: Finance Receivables and Pharmaceutical Development. These segments reflect the way the Company evaluates it business performance and manages its operations. Please refer to Item 8. Financial Statements, Notes 1 and 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding segment information.

Finance Receivables Segment

In our Finance Receivables segment, 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.

Pharmaceutical Development Segment

Acquisition of Enteris

On August 26, 2019, we commenced our Pharmaceutical Development segment with the acquisition of Enteris. SWK Products, our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a merger agreement pursuant to which Enteris became our wholly-owned subsidiary. Enteris is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company offering innovative formulation solutions built around its proprietary oral drug delivery technologies, the Peptelligence^® platform. Since its founding in 2013, Enteris has advanced multiple internal and external programs leveraging Peptelligence^®, which enables the oral delivery of molecules that are typically injected, including peptides and BCS Class II, III, and IV small molecules, in an enteric-coated tablet formulation.

Our strategy is to utilize the Peptelligence^® platform to create a wholly-owned portfolio of milestone and royalty income, and thus increase our net income and book value, by out-licensing our technology in two ways. First, we intend to out-license our technology to pharmaceutical companies to create novel and important oral therapeutic treatments for a wide variety of indications. Second, we intend to out-license to pharmaceutical companies our internally developed reformulations of approved, off-patent injectable therapeutic treatments where Peptelligence^® enables oral delivery, resulting in meaningful improvements for patients and caregivers. We also generate income by providing customers pharmaceutical development services, formulation and manufacturing with the ultimate goal of generating new out-license agreements of our technology.

See “Business,” included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for further discussion of our overall business and strategy.

Finance Receivables Portfolio Overview

The table below provides an overview of our outstanding transactions as of, and for the year ended, December 31, 2019 (in thousands, except rate, share and per 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, impairment of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, valuation of warrants, contingent consideration, 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 our 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

Finance Receivables Segment

The Company’s Finance Receivables segment records interest income on an accrual basis based on the effective interest rate method to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. 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.

Pharmaceutical Development Segment

The Company’s Pharmaceutical Development segment enters into collaboration and licensing agreements with strategic partners, under which it may exclusively license rights to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize its product candidates to third parties. The terms of these arrangements typically include payment to the Company of one or more of the following: non-refundable, upfront license fees; reimbursement of certain costs; customer option exercise fees; development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments; and royalties on net sales of licensed products.

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, accounts payable, and accrued expenses. We believe the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and finance receivable, 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 carryforwards, as most of these assets are subject to limited carryforward periods.

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 at each reporting date. Any adjustments to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance is recorded in the statement of operations in the period it is determined an adjustment is required.

Please refer to Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

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

While our ability to predict the impact on our business from COVID-19 is limited at this time, we believe our consolidated income generated by our operations will be more than our consolidated operational expenses.

Finance Receivables Segment 

We believe the income generated by our Finance Receivables segment’s current portfolio will be more than its operational expenses, and we expect to grow our book value going forward. We continue to evaluate multiple attractive opportunities that, if consummated, we believe would similarly generate additional income. We expect that the income generated by such future investments would be earned with minimal additional operational expenses. Our ability to predict the impact from COVID-19 on our portfolio is limited at this time.

Pharmaceutical Development Segment

We expect the Pharmaceutical Development segment’s income to offset its operational expenses. The segment’s income, however, is dependent up our third party licensee’s achieving the clinical and operational milestones pursuant to which we receive milestone payments under the license agreements from our licensees. Our ability to predict the impact from COVID-19 on our licensees’ businesses, and thus the potential timing of milestone payments to us, is limited at this time.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

Revenues

We generated revenues of $30.7 million and $26.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which primarily consisted of interest and fees earned on our finance receivables. The net $4.7 million increase in revenue is primarily due to a $7.2 million increase in interest and fees earned on new and existing finance receivables and $3.8 million in exit and prepayment fees from two loans that were paid off during 2019. In addition, our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 includes $0.6 million of revenue generated by our pharmaceutical development segment. The increase in revenue was offset by a $4.8 million decrease in interest and fees earned on finance receivables that were paid off or paid down since the fourth quarter of 2018, including $3.2 million of prepayment, interest and exit fees earned on two finance receivables that were paid off in 2018. Royalty income also declined by $1.5 million primarily due to an expected reduction in Forfivo® royalties, driven by the introduction of a generic competitor, combined with small declines in other royalty income.

Provision for Credit Losses and Impairment Expense

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recognized credit loss provision expense of $0.6 million related to the Besivance® royalty, which was due to increases in sales chargebacks and various rebates (gross sales to net sales deductions) and lower sales volumes. We also recognized credit loss provision expense of $1.6 million on our Best royalty, which was due to reduced future sales expectations.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized impairment expense of $2.5 million and $5.3 million related to the Hooper first lien and ABT second lien, respectively. Of the $5.3 million impairment expense related to ABT, $2.0 million reflects exit costs that were paid upon completion of the sale process. In addition to recognizing an allowance for credit losses of $5.0 million, we also recognized an allowance for credit losses of $1.2 million on a royalty purchase.

Please refer to Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the allowance for credit losses and impairments taken during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Interest Expense

Interest expense consists of unused line of credit and maintenance fees, as well as amortization of debt issuance costs on our revolving line of credit. Interest expense increased to $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $0.2 million for the year December 31, 2018. We entered into the credit facility agreement in June 2018, which accounts for the slight increase in interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Research and Development Expense

Pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and development expense totaling $1.2 million was incurred by our pharmaceutical development segment, which was acquired during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization increased by $5.0 million due to the increase in fixed and intangible assets that were obtained in the acquisition of Enteris, which was acquired during the year ended December 31, 2019.

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 increased to $7.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The primary increase was due to an increase in salaries, stock-based compensation and benefits expense of $0.7 million, which includes a $0.1 million increase in the performance-based bonus accrual; a $1.1 million increase in legal, accounting and other professional fees incurred primarily in connection with our acquisition of Enteris; and a $0.4 million increase in office and rent and state income tax expense due to the addition of the Enteris facility in New Jersey.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income, net for the year ended December 31, 2019 reflected a $0.4 million net fair market value gain on our warrant derivatives, a $0.2 million gain realized upon exercising the warrant related to our Cheetah Medical, Inc. investment, and a $1.6 million net fair market value gain on our Misionix common stock. The $1.6 million gain on our Misonix common stock resulted from the exchange of our Solsys equity interests, which were obtained upon exercising our Solsys warrants and preemptive right to protect against dilution of our Solsys warrants, into Misonix shares pursuant to the terms of the acquisition agreement.

Other income (expense), net for the year ended December 31, 2018 reflected a net fair market value gain of $0.5 million on our warrant derivatives and a net fair market value loss of $1.0 million loss on our equity securities. During the year ended December 31, 2018, a net $0.1 million loss was realized on the write off of three warrants and one equity security, offset by a nominal gain on the sale of equity securities.

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, our cumulative gross deferred tax asset was $82.3 million and $85.3 million, respectively. Based on historical and expected future operating performance, we concluded that it was more likely than not that we will not be able to realize the full benefit of the U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets in the future. The valuation allowance against deferred tax assets was $51.7 million and $62.6 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. We believe it is more likely than not that we will realize approximately $25.8 million of benefit from the U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets in the future.

As of December 31, 2019, we had NOLs for federal income tax purposes of $360.4 million. The federal NOL carryforwards, if not offset against future income, will expire by 2037, with the majority expiring by 2021. Approximately $4.0 million of the $360.4 million can be carried forward indefinitely. We also had federal research credit carryforwards of $3.0 million. The federal research credits will expire by 2039, with the majority of such credits expiring by 2029.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2019, we had $11.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $20.2 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2018. The primary driver of the net decrease in our cash balance was $50.1 million, net of origination costs and fees, of new and add-on investment funding and $21.4 million in cash paid for the acquisition of Enteris. The net decrease was offset by $71.2 million of interest, fees, and principal payments generated by our finance receivables, which included $39.1 million received from the payoff of three terms loans.

Primary Driver of Cash Flow

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

As of December 31, 2019, our portfolio contains $172.8 million of finance receivables and $2.3 million of marketable investments. We expect these assets to generate positive cash flows in 2020. 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 2020.

As of December 31, 2019, our Pharmaceutical Development segment did not have a significant impact on our cash flow. We expect the Pharmaceutical Development segment to generate positive cash flow above its expenses from proceeds received under its license agreements and customer relationships; however, the timing of the receipt of payments under the license agreements is uncertain and dependent upon the success of our technology licensees’ pharmaceutical development candidates.

Though we expect in the aggregate that the Company will generate positive cash flow in excess of our expenses, given the abrupt decline in global economic activity caused by COVID-19, we cannot predict with this with certainty.

We entered into a $20.0 million revolving credit facility in June 2018. We intend to borrow funds to make investments to the extent we determine that additional capital would allow us to take advantage of additional investment opportunities. The total undrawn amount of the credit facility as of December 31, 2019, was $20.0 million, and based on available future investment opportunities, we may seek to increase our revolving credit facility. As of March 23, 2020, we drew $15.0 million under the loan agreement, which increased our cash balance to $23.6 million.

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 partner companies’ 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 partner company 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, 2019, our unfunded commitments were $14.8 million. Please refer to Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the Company’s commitments and contingencies.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, 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, 2019, 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.

During 2018, we entered into a revolving credit facility. As we borrow funds to make additional investments, our income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. As a result, we are subject to risks relating to changes in market interest rates. In periods of rising interest rates when we have debt outstanding, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our income, especially to the extent we continue to hold fixed rate investments. If deemed prudent, we may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to minimize our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Inflation

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

SWK HOLDINGS CORPORATION

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of

SWK Holdings Corporation

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SWK Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting 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.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ BPM LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2006.

San Jose, California

March 30, 2020

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 INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

SWK HOLDINGS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(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. In August 2019, the Company commenced a complementary strategy of building a pharmaceutical development, manufacturing and intellectual property licensing business. The Company’s operations comprise two reportable segments: “Finance Receivables” and “Pharmaceutical Development.” The Company allocates capital to each segment in order to generate income through the sales of life science products by third parties. The Company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and as of December 31, 2019, the Company had 30 employees.

The Company has net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and believes that the ability to utilize these NOLs is an important and substantial asset. However, at this time, under current law, the Company does not anticipate that the Finance Receivables and/or Pharmaceutical Development segments will generate sufficient income to permit the Company to utilize all of its NOLs prior to their respective expiration dates. As such, it is possible that the Company might pursue additional strategies that it believes might result in the ability to utilize more of the NOLs.

As of March 23, 2020, the Company and its partners have executed transactions with 36 different parties under its specialty finance strategy, funding an aggregate $539.1 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, and purchased royalties generated by sales of life science products and related intellectual property.

On August 26, 2019, the Company commenced its Pharmaceutical Development segment with the acquisition of Enteris BioPharma, Inc. (“Enteris”). SWK Products Holdings LLC (“SWK Products”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a merger agreement pursuant to which Enteris became a wholly-owned subsidiary of SWK Products.

Enteris is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company offering innovative formulation solutions built around its proprietary oral drug delivery technologies, the Peptelligence® platform. Since its founding in 2013, Enteris has advanced multiple internal and external programs leveraging Peptelligence®, which enables the oral delivery of molecules that are typically injected, including peptides and BCS Class II, III, and IV small molecules, in an enteric-coated tablet formulation. Peptelligence® utilizes a unique multifaceted approach to increase the solubility and absorption of peptides and small molecules, addressing the complex challenges regarding solubility and permeability of therapeutics with low oral bioavailability. Peptelligence® is protected by an extensive patent estate that extends until 2036.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  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.

Reclassification

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. The amounts for prior periods have been reclassified to be consistent with current year presentation and have no impact on previously reported total assets, total stockholders’ equity or net income.

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; valuation of accounts receivable; impairment of financing receivables; long-lived assets; valuation of property and equipment; intangible assets and goodwill; valuation of warrants; contingent consideration; valuation of 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.

The most significant estimates and assumptions are used to determine amounts and values of, but are not limited to: revenue recognition related to product and collaboration revenue; acquisition date fair value and subsequent fair value estimates used to assess impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill; licensing agreements; in-process research and development; other intangible assets; contingent consideration; and income taxes, inclusive of a valuation allowance.

Business Combination

We account for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. This method requires the recording of acquired assets and assumed liabilities at their acquisition date fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Results of operations related to business combinations are included prospectively beginning with the date of acquisition and transaction costs related to business combinations are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. Refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, for further information regarding our acquisition of Enteris.

Segment Reporting

The Company earns revenues from its two U.S.-based business segments: as a specialty finance and asset management business offering customized financing solutions to a broad range of life-sciences companies (the Finance Receivables segment), and as of August 26, 2019, the Company’s offering of oral therapeutic formulation solutions built around Enteris’ pharmaceutical Peptelligence^® platform, which enables the oral delivery of molecules that are typically injected, including peptides and BCS Class II, III, and IV small molecules in an enteric-coated tablet formulation (the Pharmaceutical Development segment). The financial results of Enteris are included in the Pharmaceutical Development segment as of the acquisition date. Refer to Note 11, Segment Information, for further information regarding the Company’s reportable segments.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company’s methodology for allocating the purchase price of an acquisition is based on established valuation techniques that reflect the consideration of a number of factors, including a valuation performed by a third-party appraiser. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the fair value assigned to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is considered impaired when the estimated fair value of the reporting unit that was allocated the goodwill is less than its carrying value. If the estimated fair value of such reporting unit is less than its carrying value, goodwill impairment is recognized based on that difference, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. A reporting unit is an operating segment or a component of an operating segment provided that the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. Goodwill arising from the Enteris acquisition has been allocated to the Pharmaceutical Development segment.

  Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful life, which is the period over which the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the Company. Intangible assets should be tested for impairment at the time of a triggering event, if one were to occur. Finite-lived intangible assets may be impaired when the estimated undiscounted future cash flows generated from the assets are less than their carrying amounts.

Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, valued at specifically identified cost which approximates the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The components of inventory include raw materials of $0.2 million as of December 31, 2019 and are reflected in Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company had no inventory as of December 31, 2018.

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized, while minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. In addition, we capitalize interest on borrowings during the active construction period of capital projects. Capitalized interest is added to the cost of the assets and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leased property meeting certain criteria is capitalized and the present value of the related lease payments is recorded as a liability and included in current liabilities.

Depreciation is recorded over the estimated useful lives of the assets involved using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements and capitalized lease assets are amortized to depreciation expense over the estimated useful life of the asset or the respective lease term used in determining lease classification, whichever is shorter. The range of estimated useful lives is as follows:

Deferred Revenue and Deferred Costs

Deferred revenue includes amounts that have been billed per the contractual terms but have not been recognized as revenue. The Company classifies as current the portion of deferred revenue that are expected to be recognized within one year from the balance sheet date. Deferred revenue of $0.1 million is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. There were no deferred revenues as of December 31, 2018.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses include the costs associated with internal research and development and research and development conducted for the Company by third parties. These costs primarily consist of salaries and other benefits, pre-clinical and clinical trials, outside consultants, and supplies. All research and development costs discussed above are expensed as incurred. Third-party expenses reimbursed under research and development contracts, which are not refundable, are recorded as a reduction to pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and development expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

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 an impairment when the carrying amount exceeds fair value and the difference relates to credit quality. Otherwise the write-down is recorded as a reduction in finance receivable interest 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 finance receivable interest 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 income.

Marketable Investments

The Company’s marketable investment portfolio includes debt and equity securities as of December 31, 2019. Equity securities that have readily determinable fair values are reported at fair value with gains and losses recognized in earnings. The debt security is classified as an available-for-sale security, which is reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses recorded in statements of income, 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 income. 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 income or recorded in other comprehensive income. The Company had no derivatives designated as hedges as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. The Company holds warrants issued to the Company in conjunction with term loan investments discussed in Note 3. 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 7. 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

Finance Receivables Segment

The Company’s Finance Receivables segment 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 when clients invest in our recommended transactions 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 service revenues are recognized when contractual obligations are fulfilled or as services are provided.

Pharmaceutical Development Segment

The Company’s Pharmaceutical Development segment enters into collaboration and licensing agreements with strategic partners, under which it may exclusively license rights to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize its product candidates to third parties. The terms of these arrangements typically include payment to the Company of one or more of the following: non-refundable, upfront license fees; reimbursement of certain costs; customer option exercise fees; development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments; and royalties on net sales of licensed products.

In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized as it fulfills its obligations under each of its agreements, the Company performs the following steps: (i) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation. As part of the accounting for these arrangements, the Company must use its judgment to determine: a) the number of performance obligations based on the determination under step (ii) above; b) the transaction price under step (iii) above; c) the stand-alone selling price for each performance obligation identified in the contract for the allocation of transaction price in step (iv) above; and d) the contract term and pattern of satisfaction of the performance obligations under step (v) above. The Company uses judgment to determine whether milestones or other variable consideration, except for royalties, should be included in the transaction price as described further below. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative stand-alone selling price basis, for which the Company recognizes revenue as or when the performance obligations under the contract are satisfied.

Amounts received prior to satisfying the revenue recognition criteria are recorded as deferred revenue in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Amounts expected to be recognized as revenue within the 12 months following the balance sheet date are classified as current deferred revenue. Amounts not expected to be recognized as revenue within the 12 months following the balance sheet date are classified as deferred revenue, net of current portion. Deferred revenue as of December 31, 2019 was $0.1 million and is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. There were no deferred revenues as of December 31, 2018.

The Company evaluates collaboration agreements with respect to FASB ASC Topic 808, Collaborative Arrangements, considering the nature and contractual terms of the arrangement and the nature of its business operations to determine the classification of the transactions. When the Company is an active participant in the activity and exposed to significant risks and rewards dependent on the commercial success of the collaboration, it will record its transactions on a gross basis in the consolidated financial statements and describe the rights and obligations under the collaborative arrangement in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Exclusive Licenses

If the license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other promises or performance obligations identified in the arrangement, the Company recognizes revenue from non-refundable, upfront fees allocated to the license when the license is transferred to the customer and the customer is able to use and benefit from the license. In assessing whether a promise or performance obligation is distinct from the other promises, the Company considers factors such as the research, manufacturing and commercialization capabilities of the collaboration partner; the retention of any key rights by the Company; and the availability of the associated expertise in the general marketplace. In addition, the Company considers whether the collaboration partner can benefit from a promise for its intended purpose without the receipt of the remaining promises, whether the value of the promise is dependent on the unsatisfied promise, whether there are other vendors that could provide the remaining promise, and whether it is separately identifiable from the remaining promise. For licenses that are combined with other promises, the Company exercises judgment to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time and, if over time, the appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenue. The Company evaluates the measure of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjusts the measure of performance and related revenue recognition. The measure of progress, and thereby periods over which revenue should be recognized, are subject to estimates by management and may change over the course of the research and development and licensing agreement. Such a change could have a material impact on the amount of revenue the Company records in future periods.

Customer Options

If an arrangement is determined to contain customer options that allow the customer to acquire additional goods or services, the goods and services underlying the customer options are not considered to be performance obligations at the outset of the arrangement, as they are contingent upon option exercise. The Company evaluates the customer options for material rights, or options to acquire additional goods or services for free or at a discount. If the customer options are determined to represent a material right, the material right is recognized as a separate performance obligation at the outset of the arrangement. The Company allocates the transaction price to material rights based on the relative standalone selling price, which is determined based on the identified discount and the probability that the customer will exercise the option. Amounts allocated to a material right are not recognized as revenue until, at the earliest, the option is exercised.

Research and Development Services

The promises under the Company’s collaboration agreements may include research and development services to be performed by the Company on behalf of the partner. Payments or reimbursements resulting from the Company’s research and development efforts are recognized as the services are performed and presented on a gross basis because the Company is the principal for such efforts. Reimbursements from and payments to the partner that are the result of a collaborative relationship with the partner, instead of a customer relationship, such as co-development activities, are recorded as a reduction to research and development expense.

Milestone Payments

At the inception of each arrangement that includes development milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether the milestones are considered probable of being achieved and estimates the amount to be included in the transaction price using the most likely amount method. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the associated milestone value is included in the transaction price. Milestone payments that are not within the control of the Company or the licensee, such as regulatory approvals, are not considered probable of being achieved until those approvals are received. The Company evaluates factors such as the scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and other risks that must be overcome to achieve the particular milestone in making this assessment. There is considerable judgment involved in determining whether it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, the Company reevaluates the probability of achievement of all milestones subject to constraint and, if necessary, adjusts its estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, which would affect revenues and earnings in the period of adjustment.

Royalties

For arrangements that include sales-based royalties, including milestone payments based on a level of sales, and the license is deemed to be the predominant item to which the royalties relate, the Company recognizes revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). To date, the Company has not recognized any royalty revenue resulting from any of its licensing arrangements.

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, 2019 or 2018, as all of our cash was held in checking or savings accounts.  As of December 31, 2019, 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. The Company recognized $2.2 million and $6.2 million in provision for loan credit losses during 2019 and 2018, 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, 2019 and 2018, 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 both the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, our Narcan® royalty accounted for 10 percent of total finance receivable 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.

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.

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 income.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). The TCJA makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code. On the same date, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 118, which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the TCJA. It provides a “measurement period” lasting through December 22, 2018 to allow registrants time to obtain, prepare and analyze information to complete the accounting required under ASC 740, Income Taxes. The Company completed its analysis during the measurement period, and there were no measurement period adjustments recognized during 2018. Please refer to Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income 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.

Net Income per Share

Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of outstanding shares of common stock. Diluted net income 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, 2019 and 2018, outstanding stock options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock in an aggregate of approximately 436,000 and 271,000 shares, respectively, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share as these securities were anti-dilutive.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On March 12, 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, “Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (Topic 848), which provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. These transactions include: (i) contract modifications, (ii) hedging relationships, and (iii) sales or transfers of debt securities classified as held-to-maturity. ASU 2020-04 is effective from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. An entity may elect to adopt the amendments for contract modifications as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. An entity may elect to apply the amendments in ASU 2020-04 to eligible hedging relationships existing as of the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020 and to new eligible hedging relationships entered into after the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020. The one-time election to sell, transfer, or both sell and transfer debt securities classified as held-to-maturity may be made at any time after March 12, 2020 but no later than December 31, 2022. The Company expects that it will elect to apply some of the expedients and exceptions provided in ASU 2020-04; however, the Company is still evaluating the guidance, and therefore, the impact of the adoption of ASU 2020-04 on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations has not yet been determined.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” ASU 2018-13 updates the fair value measurement disclosure requirements by (i) eliminating certain requirements, including disclosure of the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for timing of transfers between levels and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements, (ii) modifying certain requirements, including clarifying that the measurement uncertainty disclosure is to communicate information about the uncertainty in measurement as of the reporting date and (iii) adding certain requirements, including disclosure of the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for any eliminated or modified disclosures. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance but believes it will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, as the Company has had no historical transfers between hierarchies.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326).” The new standard adds an impairment model, known as the 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, 2022, 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 losses on its portfolio under the new CECL model.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, as amended by subsequent ASUs (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 supersedes guidance related to accounting for leases and provides for the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The objective of the ASU is to establish the principles that lessees and lessors shall apply to report useful information to users of financial statements about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from a lease. ASU 2016-02 does not fundamentally change lessor accounting; however, some changes have been made to lessor accounting to conform and align that guidance with the lessee guidance and other areas within GAAP. The ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition method, which permits application of the new standard on the adoption date as opposed to the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. In addition, the Company elected to use the available practical expedient package, and therefore did not reassess classification of its existing leases. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 2. Business Combinations

On August 26, 2019, Enteris, a biotechnology company offering innovative formulation solutions utilizing its proprietary oral drug delivery technology, merged with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, with Enteris continuing as the surviving entity. The total merger consideration was $34.6 million, which included contingent consideration of $14.5 million. The purchase consideration is subject to certain adjustments with respect to cash, debt, working capital, transaction expenses and the value of the contingent consideration agreement entered into, in connection with the transaction.

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, the purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The excess of the purchase consideration over the estimated fair value of the net assets of Enteris was recorded as goodwill, which consists largely of synergies and the acquisition of intangible assets. The resulting goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purpose.

The allocation of the purchase consideration has been prepared on a preliminary basis and changes to the allocation to certain assets, liabilities, including tax estimates and potential indemnities, may be revised as additional information becomes available. The Company will finalize the acquisition accounting within the required measurement period of one year.

  The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase consideration (at fair value) to the assets and liabilities of Enteris as of August 26, 2019 (the date of acquisition) (in thousands):

Revenues and net loss of Enteris from August 26, 2019 (the date of acquisition) through December 31, 2019 were $0.6 million and $6.7 million, respectively. Acquisition-related expenses were expensed as incurred.

Unaudited Supplemental Pro Forma Information

The following unaudited pro forma summary presents consolidated information of the Company as if the business combination had occurred on January 1, 2018, the earliest period presented herein (in thousands):

The pro forma financial information includes adjustments that are directly attributable to the business combination and are factually supportable. The pro forma adjustments include incremental amortization and depreciation of intangible assets and property and equipment based on preliminary values of each asset and acquisition-related expenses. The pro forma financial information excludes non-recurring acquisition-related expenses. These pro forma results are illustrative only and not indicative of the actual results of operations that would have been achieved nor are they indicative of future results of operations.

Goodwill

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019 is as follows, with the addition solely due to the acquisition of Enteris (in thousands):

As the goodwill is attributable to the acquisition of Enteris, the Company will perform the annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of every year, commencing in 2020.

Intangible Assets

As of December 31, 2019, the gross book value and accumulated amortization of intangible assets were as follows (in thousands, except estimated useful life data):

Amortization expense was $4.8 million for the period ended December 31, 2019 and was recorded in depreciation and amortization expense. Based on amounts recorded at December 31, 2019, the Company will recognize acquired intangible asset amortization through 2033 as follows (in thousands):

Note 3. 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 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:

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

As of December 31, 2019 the Company had three finance receivables in nonaccrual status: (a) the term loan to B&D Dental Corporation (“B&D”), with a net carrying value of $8.3 million, (b) the Best ABT, Inc. (“Best”) royalty, with a net carrying value of $4.1 million, and (c) the Tissue Regeneration Therapeutics, Inc. (“TRT”) royalty, with a net carrying value of $3.5 million. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had two term loans associated with two portfolio companies in nonaccrual status with a carrying value, net of provision for credit loss allowance, of $14.1 million. The Company collected $0.6 million on one nonaccrual loan during the year ended December 31, 2018. Although in nonaccrual status, the B&D term loan and the TRT royalty were not considered impaired as of December 31, 2019. The Company collected $0.1 million on one of its nonaccrual royalties during the year ended December 31, 2019. (Please see B&D, Best, Besivance and TRT below for further details regarding nonaccrual and impaired finance receivables).

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 $60,000. The loan was scheduled to mature on December 10, 2018. Subsequently, the terms of the loan have been amended, and the Company has funded additional amounts to B&D. As of December 31, 2019, the total amount funded was $8.3 million. B&D is currently evaluating strategic options, including a potential sale of the business.

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 2016 and 2018, the Company executed three additional amendments to the loan to advance an additional $0.7 million in order to directly pay critical vendors and protect the value of the collateral. The Company obtained a third-party valuation of B&D. As a result of the third-party valuation and facts and circumstances regarding B&D’s operations, 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, 2019.

Best

On October 31, 2018, ABT announced that it entered into an asset purchase agreement with Best ABT, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Best Medical International, Inc. (“Best”), for aggregate consideration of (i) $500,000, paid over ten years in equal quarterly installments, plus (ii) a ten percent royalty on ABT’s net sales, including any commercialized improvements made to ABT’s technology, paid quarterly for the ten year period from closing pursuant to a royalty security agreement by and between Best and SWK Funding LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“SWK Funding”). SWK Funding will receive 100 percent of the consideration. On November 8, 2018, the Bankruptcy Court approved the asset sale transaction, and the Company has no further funding liabilities.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company re-evaluated its collateral position, considering the expected outcome of the Chapter 11 process, and as a result, the Company recognized an impairment expense of $5.3 million to write off the second lien term loan, as well as provision for credit losses of $5.0 million to reflect the Best royalty at its estimated fair value of $5.7 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company re-evaluated the value of the Best royalty based on 2019 business trends, and as a result, the Company recognized a provision of credit losses of $1.6 million to reflect the Best royalty at its estimated fair value of $4.1 million.

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, formerly known as Valeant Pharmaceuticals. Sales performance of Besivance® has weakened primarily due to substantial declines in prescription volumes, which in conjunction with elevated sales chargebacks and various rebates (gross sales to net sales deductions), has resulted in material reductions in the product’s net sales and associated royalties payable to the Company. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company reduced its expectations for future royalty receipts and recognized an allowance for credit loss on the royalty purchase of $0.6 million.

TRT

On June 13, 2013, the Company purchased royalties from TRT related to its technology licenses in the family cord banking services sector for $2.0 million, and on October 20, 2014, funded an additional $1.25 million upon the achievement of royalty receipts-based milestones. During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, royalty payments from the primary U.S. licensee ended as a result of the licensee terminating a technology license. SWK and TRT continue to evaluate both options in regard to enforcing TRT’s intellectual property rights against this licensee, as well as seeking additional U.S. licensees. TRT’s Canadian licensee continues to pay royalties. SWK is in discussions with TRT to restructure the purchase agreement. Given uncertainties regarding the outcome of the negotiations and the ultimate timing of cash flows related to the U.S. intellectual property, SWK has placed the TRT royalty on non-accrual status, although does not consider it impaired. SWK evaluated several factors in this determination, including input from intellectual property counsel regarding the strength of the related intellectual property, continued receipt of Canadian licensee royalty payments and anticipated terms of the restructured purchase agreement.

Note 4. Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):

The Company acquired property and equipment with a fair value of $1.3 million in connection with its acquisition of Enteris.

Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment was $0.1 million and $17,000 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Note 5. Marketable Investments

Investment in marketable investments at December 31, 2019 and 2018 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 debt securities as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, are as follows (in thousands):

The following table presents the proceeds from sales and realized net gains and losses on equity securities that were sold during the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. The table also includes unrealized net losses on equity securities as prescribed by ASC 321, “Investment - Equity Securities.”

The Company did not have any marketable investments with unrealized losses at December 31, 2019.

Marketable Investments

As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s marketable investments include 96,810 shares of Misonix, Inc. (“Misonix”) common stock received pursuant to Misonix’s purchase of Solsys Medical, Inc. (“Solsys”) on September 27, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2019 and prior to the acquisition, the Company exercised its Solsys warrants in a cashless transaction to purchase Solsys preferred stock and exercised its preemptive right to protect against dilution of its Solsys equity position. Of the total 109,472 shares of Misonix common stock received for its Solsys equity interests, 12,662 shares are held in escrow by Misonix, are subject to reduction based on terms of the acquisition agreement, and any shares remaining at the end of the escrow period will be released within 15 to 18 months post closing of the acquisition. The 96,810 shares are subject to a one year lock-up that expires on September 27, 2020. As of December 31, 2019, the 96,810 shares of Misonix common stock are reflected at their estimated fair value of $1.8 million.

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. The senior secured notes have been placed on non-accrual status as of June 30, 2016. Total cash collected during the year ended December 31, 2019 was $0.1 million which was credited to the notes’ carrying value. As of December 31, 2019, the notes are reflected at their estimated fair value of $0.5 million and are included in corporate debt securities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Note 6. Revolving Credit Facility

On June 29, 2018, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with State Bank and Trust Company as a lender and the administrative agent (“State Bank”) pursuant to which State Bank will provide the Company with up to a $20.0 million revolving senior secured credit facility, which the Company can draw down and repay until maturity, subject to borrowing base eligibility. The Loan Agreement matures on June 29, 2021.

The Loan Agreement accrues interest at the Daily LIBOR Rate, with a floor of 1.00 percent, plus a 3.25 percent margin and principal is repayable in full at maturity. Interest is generally required to be paid monthly in arrears. The Loan Agreement requires the payment of an unused line fee of 0.50 percent, which will be recorded as interest expense. The Company paid $0.5 million in fees at closing, which have been capitalized as deferred financing costs and will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the Loan Agreement.

The Loan Agreement has an advance rate against the Company’s finance receivables portfolio, including 85 percent against senior first lien loans, 70 percent against second lien loans and 50 percent against royalty receivables, subject to certain eligibility requirements as defined in the Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants, including minimum asset coverage and minimum interest coverage ratios. As of December 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance with its covenants.

During the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded $0.3 million and $0.2 million respectively, of interest expense, which is included in costs and expenses. As of December 31, 2019, no amount was outstanding under the Loan Agreement, and $20.0 million was available for borrowing. As of March 23, 2020, the Company drew $15.0 million under the Loan Agreement, which increased the Company’s cash balance to $23.6 million.

Note 7. 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 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a strike price of $13.88 per share. 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 per share.

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 are reflected as a warrant liability in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company recorded a nominal gain for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. The Company determined the fair value using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: