Travere Therapeutics, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2015 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015

OR

For the transition period from ___________ to ___________

RETROPHIN, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

12255 El Camino Real, Suite 250,

San Diego, CA 92130

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(760) 260-8600

(Registrant’s Telephone number including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes þ  No    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨ No þ

The number of shares of outstanding common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Registrant as of May 1, 2015 was 34,960,979.

RETROPHIN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Form 10-Q

March 31, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not deemed to represent an all-inclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements as denoted in this report. Additionally, statements concerning future matters are forward-looking statements.

Although forward-looking statements in this report reflect the good faith judgment of our management, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in or anticipated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences in results and outcomes include, without limitation, those specifically addressed under the headings “Risks Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, as amended, in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Form 10-Q and information contained in other reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.

We file reports with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including us. You can also read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You can obtain additional information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this report, except as required by law. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made throughout the entirety of this quarterly report, which are designed to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

RETROPHIN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

RETROPHIN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 

RETROPHIN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

RETROPHIN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Organization and Description of Business

In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless the context requires otherwise, the terms “we”, “our”, “us”, “Retrophin” and the “Company” refer to Retrophin, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as well as our direct and indirect subsidiaries. We are a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with approximately 120 employees headquartered in San Diego, California focused on the development, acquisition and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of serious, catastrophic or rare diseases. We regularly evaluate and, where appropriate, act on opportunities to expand our product pipeline through licenses and acquisitions of products in areas that will serve patients with serious, catastrophic or rare diseases and that we believe offer attractive growth characteristics.

We currently sell the following three products:

The Company is developing RE-024, a novel small molecule, as a potential treatment for pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (“PKAN”). PKAN is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder that is typically diagnosed in the first decade of life. Consequences of PKAN include dystonia, dysarthria, rigidity, retinal degeneration, and severe digestive problems. There are currently no viable treatment options for patients with PKAN.  RE-024 is a phosphopantothenate prodrug therapy that aims to restore levels of this key substrate in PKAN patients.  Certain ex-US health regulators have approved the initiation of dosing RE-024 in PKAN under physician-initiated studies in accordance with local regulations in their respective countries.   The Company filed a U.S. IND for RE-024 with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) in the first quarter of 2015 to support the initiation of Company-sponsored studies, which became effective on April 28, 2015. RE-024 was granted orphan drug designation on May 5, 2015.

Sparsentan, also known as RE-021, is an investigational therapeutic agent which acts as both a potent angiotensin receptor blocker (“ARB”), as well as a selective endothelin receptor antagonist (“ERA”), with selectivity toward endothelin receptor type A. We are developing sparsentan as a treatment for FSGS, which is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. We are currently enrolling patients for the DUET Phase 2 clinical study of sparsentan for the treatment of FSGS. Based on the robustness of the data obtained in the DUET study, we may be able to support an application for accelerated approval for sparsentan on the basis of proteinuria as a surrogate endpoint. In the first quarter of 2015, sparsentan received orphan drug designation.

RE-034 (Tetracosactide Zinc). RE-034 is a synthetic hormone analog of the first 24 amino acids of the 39 amino acids contained in ACTH formulated using a novel process by the Company.  RE-034 exhibits similar physiological actions as endogenous ACTH by binding to melanocortin receptors, resulting in its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. The Company has successfully formulated and manufactured RE-034 at proof-of-concept scale using a novel formulation process that allows modulation of the release of the active ingredient from the site of administration.  The Company intends to continue preclinical development of RE-034 to enable multiple strategic options, which may include the initiation of IND-enabling studies in 2015.

Carbetocin. Carbetocin, similar to Oxytocin, has potential utility for the treatment of milk let-down in post pregnant women, inducing contractions during labor, postpartum hemorrhage, as well as for autism and schizophrenia. We are currently exploring options relating to the future development of Carbetocin.

On January 9, 2015, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Turing Pharmaceuticals A.G. (“Turing Pharmaceuticals”), a company controlled by the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to which the Company sold Turing Pharmaceuticals its ketamine licenses and assets (the “Assets”) for a purchase price of $1.0 million. Turing Pharmaceuticals also assumed all future liabilities related to the Assets.

On February 12, 2015, the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries Manchester Pharmaceuticals LLC (“Manchester”) and Retrophin Therapeutics International, LLC (collectively, the “Sellers”), entered into a purchase agreement with Waldun Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Waldun”), pursuant to which the Sellers sold Waldun their product rights to Vecamyl for a purchase price of $0.7 million. Waldun in turn sold Vecamyl to Turing Pharmaceuticals. In connection therewith, on February 12, 2015, the Company and Manchester entered into an asset purchase agreement with Turing Pharmaceuticals, pursuant to which the Company and Manchester sold Turing Pharmaceuticals their Vecamyl inventory for a purchase price of $0.3 million. Turing Pharmaceuticals also assumed certain liabilities related to the Vecamyl product rights and inventory.

On February 12, 2015, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Turing Pharmaceuticals, pursuant to which the Company sold Turing Pharmaceuticals its Syntocinon licenses and assets, including related inventory, for a purchase price of $1.1 million. Turing Pharmaceuticals also assumed certain liabilities related to the Syntocinon assets and licenses.

2015 Public Offering

On March 24, 2015, we completed a public offering of 7,866,000 shares of common stock at a price of $19.00 per share. We received net proceeds from the offering of $140.0 million, after deducting underwriting fees and other offering costs of $9.5 million. The shares of common stock were offered by us pursuant to a shelf registration statement that was declared effective by the SEC on March 13, 2015.

Acquisition of Cholic Acid

On January 12, 2015, the Company announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which it acquired the exclusive right to purchase from Asklepion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Asklepion”), all worldwide rights, titles, and ownership of Cholbam™ (cholic acid) for the treatment of bile acid synthesis defects, if approved by the FDA. Under the terms of the agreement, Retrophin paid Asklepion an upfront payment of $5.0 million and agreed to pay milestones based on FDA approval and net product sales, plus tiered royalties on future net sales of Cholbam™. Retrophin secured a commitment for a line of credit from its existing lenders to cover necessary payments (see Note 10).

On March 18, 2015, the Company announced that the FDA approved Cholbam™ capsules, the first FDA approved treatment for pediatric and adult patients with bile acid synthesis disorders due to single enzyme defects, and for patients with peroxisomal disorders (including Zellweger spectrum disorders). As a result of the approval, Retrophin exercised its right to purchase from Asklepion all worldwide rights, titles, and ownership of Cholbam™ and related assets. The FDA also granted Asklepion a Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher ("Pediatric PRV"), awarded to encourage development of new drugs and biologics for the prevention and treatment of rare pediatric diseases. This Pediatric PRV is transferable and provides the bearer with FDA priority review classification for a new drug application. The Pediatric PRV was transferred to Retrophin under the original terms of the agreement with Asklepion. The Pediatric PRV is classified as a current asset in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as the Company intends to sell the Pediatric PRV in 2015, and is currently in negotiations.

On March 31, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition from Asklepion of all worldwide rights, titles and ownership of Cholbam™, including all related contracts, data assets, intellectual property, regulatory assets and the Pediatric PRV (see Note 5). The Company utilized cash proceeds from its 2015 public offering to complete the acquisition, and as a result, did not utilize the commitment from its lenders.

NOTE 2.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the “2014 10-K”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 11, 2015, and amended on March 13, 2015. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Accordingly, since they are interim statements, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for annual financial statements, but reflect all adjustments consisting of normal, recurring adjustments, that are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  The December 31, 2014 balance sheet information was derived from the audited financial statements as of that date.

NOTE 3.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of the significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements follows:

Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements represent the consolidation of the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Restatement of Prior Quarters

We held a Special Meeting of Stockholders on February 3, 2015, at which our stockholders voted to approve a proposal ratifying the prior issuance of stock options to purchase 1,928,000 shares of common stock and 230,000 restricted shares of common stock granted to employees between February 24, 2014 and August 18, 2014 (the “Ratified Equity Grants”). Our Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2014 contained errors related to the non-cash compensation expense recognized in connection with the Ratified Equity Grants, because the grant/measurement date of the Ratified Equity Grants for financial accounting purposes did not occur until their ratification at the Special Meeting of Stockholders on February 3, 2015. In addition, our Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2014 contained errors related to certain consulting agreements entered into by the Company, pursuant to which an expense and a settlement liability related to the entire amount of the stock to be issued under such consulting agreements should have been taken and revaluated at each reporting period based on changes in the Company’s stock price, until the stock had been entirely issued. We believe that the errors in the Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2014 do not cause the financial statements included therein to be misleading, and therefore such financial statements can still be relied upon. However, we have corrected such errors, including any related disclosures, in this Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and will restate future quarters to correct such errors, as applicable. The impact for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was an increase to operating expenses of $5.1 million, and an increase in net loss of $5.1 million.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. While the standard supersedes existing revenue recognition guidance, it closely aligns with current GAAP. Under the new standard, revenue is recognized at the time a good or service is transferred to a customer for the amount of consideration received for that specific good or service. Entities may use a full retrospective approach or report the cumulative effect as of the date of adoption. On April 1, 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date by two years to December 15, 2018 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date. The FASB also proposed permitting early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. The new consolidation standard changes the way reporting enterprises evaluate whether (a) they should consolidate limited partnerships and similar entities, (b) fees paid to a decision maker or service provider are variable interests in a variable interest entity ("VIE"), and (c) variable interests in a VIE held by related parties of the reporting enterprise require the reporting enterprise to consolidate the VIE. The guidance is effective for public business entities for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is allowed, including early adoption in an interim period. A reporting entity may apply a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption or may apply the amendments retrospectively. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this guidance, if any, on the consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This standard amends existing guidance to require the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of a deferred charge. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, but early adoption is permitted. The Company has chosen not to early adopt this standard.

NOTE 4.  INCOME TAXES

The Company follows FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent management concludes it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

The standard addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under FASB ASC 740, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the tax authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. FASB ASC 740 also provides guidance on de-

recognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and requires increased disclosures. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had recorded an indemnification asset with a corresponding liability in the amount of $1.5 million, respectively, for an uncertain tax position related to the acquisition of Manchester Pharmaceuticals, LLC. The Company is indemnified with respect to the liability and has recorded an indemnification asset on the balance sheet.

In connection with the acquisition of Cholbam™, the Company recorded a deferred tax liability of $39.9 million. Based on the fact that the reversal of the deferred tax liability is viewed as a source of income pursuant to ASC 740, the Company was able to reduce its existing valuation allowance by $39.9 million in the first quarter. The deferred tax liabilities supporting the ability to realize the deferred tax assets in the above acquisition will reverse in the same period, are in the same jurisdiction and are of the same character as the temporary differences that gave rise to those deferred tax assets.

NOTE 5.  BUSINESS ACQUISITION

Acquisition of Cholic Acid

On January 12, 2015, the Company announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which it acquired the exclusive right to purchase from Asklepion, all worldwide rights, titles, and ownership of Cholbam™ (cholic acid) for the treatment of bile acid synthesis defects, if approved by the FDA. Under the terms of the agreement, Retrophin paid Asklepion an upfront payment of $5.0 million and agreed to pay milestones based on FDA approval and net product sales, plus tiered royalties on future net sales of Cholbam™.

On March 18, 2015, the Company announced that the FDA has approved Cholbam™ capsules, the first FDA approved treatment for pediatric and adult patients with bile acid synthesis disorders due to single enzyme defects, and for patients with peroxisomal disorders (including Zellweger spectrum disorders). As a result of the approval, Retrophin exercised its right to purchase from Asklepion all worldwide rights, titles, and ownership of Cholbam™ and related assets. The FDA also granted Asklepion a Pediatric PRV, awarded to encourage development of new drugs and biologics for the prevention and treatment of rare pediatric diseases. This Pediatric PRV is transferable and provides the bearer with FDA priority review classification for a new drug application. The Pediatric PRV was transferred to Retrophin under the original terms of the agreement with Asklepion. The Pediatric PRV is classified as a current asset in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as the company intends to sell the Pediatric PRV in 2015, and is currently in negotiations.

On March 31, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition from Asklepion of all worldwide rights, titles and ownership of Cholbam™, including all related contracts, data assets, intellectual property, regulatory assets and the Pediatric PRV, in exchange for a cash payment of $28.4 million, in addition to approximately 661,279 shares of the Company’s common stock (initially valued at $9 million at the time of the Purchase Agreement, and $15.8 million at the time of acquisition completion date). The Company may also be required to pay contingent consideration consisting of milestones and tiered royalties with a present value of $42.2 million.

The Pediatric PRV is fair valued at $96.3 million. In this valuation process, we considered various factors which included data from recent sales of similar vouchers. The consideration paid did not contemplate the voucher because the issuance of a voucher is extremely rare. Therefore when the FDA granted the Pediatric PRV with the Cholbam™ approval, a gain resulted.

The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805. The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed was based upon a preliminary valuation and the Company’s estimates and assumptions are subject to change within the measurement period. Critical estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include but are not limited to future expected cash flows from acquired product rights-Cholbam™, Pediatric PRV, trade names and developed technologies, present value and discount rates. Management’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. Management’s valuation is preliminary. Once the valuation is complete, the Company will make any necessary adjustments.

The purchase price allocation of $91.5 million as of the Asklepion closing date of March 31, 2015 was as follows:

The bargain purchase gain of $88.5 million is shown net of tax of $39.9 million for a net gain of $48.6 million on the consolidated statements of operations.

Unaudited pro forma information for the transaction completed in the current quarter is not presented, because the effects of such transaction is considered immaterial to the Company.

NOTE 6. MARKETABLE SECURITIES

The Company measures marketable securities on a recurring basis. Generally, the types of securities the Company invests in are traded on a market such as the NASDAQ Global Market, which the Company considers to be Level 1 inputs.

Marketable securities at March 31, 2015 consisted of the following:

Marketable securities at December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:

NOTE 7.  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with ASC 815-40, Derivative and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (“ASC 815-40”), pursuant to which instruments which do not have fixed settlement provisions are deemed to be derivative instruments. The Company’s warrants are classified as liability instruments due to an anti-dilution provision that provides for a reduction to the exercise price of the warrants if the Company issues additional equity or equity linked instruments in the future at an effective price per share less than the exercise price then in effect.

The warrants are re-measured at each balance sheet date based on estimated fair value. Changes in estimated fair value are recorded as non-cash valuation adjustments within other income (expenses) in the Company’s accompanying consolidated statements of operations.  The Company recorded a loss on a change in the estimated fair value of warrants of $36.8 million and $53.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The Company calculated the fair value of the warrants using the Monte Carlo Simulation as of March 31, 2015 and the Binomial Lattice options pricing model as of December 31, 2014, and the assumptions are as follows:

Expected volatility is based on analysis of the Company’s volatility, as well as the volatilities of guideline companies. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury security rates for the remaining term of the warrants at the measurement date.

NOTE 8.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Financial Instruments and Fair Value

The Company accounts for financial instruments in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 are described below:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2 – Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

In estimating the fair value of the Company’s marketable securities available-for-sale, the Company used quoted prices in active markets.

In estimating the fair value of the Company’s derivative liabilities, the Company used the Monte Carlo Simulation as of March 31, 2015 and the Binomial Lattice options pricing model as of December 31, 2014. Based on the fair value hierarchy, the Company classified the derivative liability within Level 3.

In estimating the fair value of the Company’s contingent consideration, the Company used the comparable uncontrolled transaction (“CUT”) method for royalty payments based on projected revenues. Based on the fair value hierarchy, the Company classified contingent consideration within Level 3 because valuation inputs are based on projected revenues discounted to a present value.

Financial instruments with carrying values approximating fair value include cash, accounts receivable, deposits on license agreements, and accounts payable, convertible notes payable and credit facility. Factors that we considered when estimating the fair value of our debt include market conditions, prepayment and make-whole provisions, variability in pricing from multiple lenders and term of debt.

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis classified under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2015:

The following table presents the Company’s asset and liabilities that are measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis classified under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2014:

The following table sets forth a summary of changes in the estimated fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments, warrants liability for the period from January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015:

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  At each reporting period, the Company performs a detailed analysis of the assets and liabilities that are subject to ASC 820.  

The following table sets forth a summary of changes in the estimated acquisition-related contingent consideration for the period from January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015:

NOTE 9. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

As of March 31, 2015, the net book value of amortizable intangible assets was approximately $169.8 million. Amortization expense recorded as research and development expenses amounted to $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively. Amortization expense recorded as general and administrative expenses amounted to $1.5 million and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively.

Amortizable intangible assets as of March 31, 2015 consisted of the following:

Amortizable intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:

NOTE 10.   NOTES PAYABLE

Convertible Notes Payable

On May 29, 2014, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement relating to a private placement by the Company of $46.0 million aggregate principal senior convertible notes due 2019 (the “Notes”) which are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $17.41 per share. The conversion price is subject to customary anti-dilution protection. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.5% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The Notes mature on May 30, 2019 unless earlier converted or repurchased in accordance with the terms. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the aggregate carrying value of the Notes was $43.4 million and $43.3, respectively, which bore a weighted average annual interest rate of 4.5% during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Credit Facility

On June 30, 2014, the Company entered into a $45 million Credit Agreement (“Credit Facility”) which matures on June 30, 2018 and bears interest at an annual rate of (i) the Adjusted LIBOR Rate (as such term is defined in the Credit Facility) plus 10.00% or (ii) in certain circumstances, the Base Rate (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 9.00% and is payable quarterly. The Credit Facility contains certain financial and non-financial covenants. The Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of March 31, 2015.

At December 31, 2014, the Company reclassified the note payable to short term due to its inability to meet debt covenant requirements related to its cash balances over the next twelve months. On March 24, 2015, the Company received $140.0 million in proceeds from its equity financing, therefore, the Company expects to have the ability to meet future covenant requirements and therefore reclassified the debt back to long term.

On January 12, 2015, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 (“Amendment No. 3”) to the Credit Facility in which the Company obtained a commitment letter from Athyrium Capital Management, LLC and Perceptive Credit Opportunities Fund, LP (collectively, the “Lenders”), the Company’s existing lenders, providing a commitment for a senior secured incremental term loan under the Company’s existing term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $30.0 million, which could be drawn down at the Company’s option to finance the acquisition of the Cholbam™ assets from Asklepion.

As consideration for Amendment No. 3, the Company made a $0.6 million cash payment to the Lenders, recorded in finance expense in the consolidated statements of operations, and issued the Lenders warrants initially exercisable to purchase up to an aggregate of 125,000 shares of the Company’s common stock which were valued at $1.1 million on January 12, 2015 and are recorded in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Due to the closing of the public offering on March 24, 2015, the Company received cash proceeds of $140.0 million, after deducting underwriting fees and other offering costs, which the Company used to make the $27.0 million payment due to Asklepion upon the closing of the Company’s acquisition of the Cholbam™ assets, and as a result, the Company did not utilize the commitment from the lenders.

On March 24, 2015, the Company entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Facility, which amended the Credit Facility to make certain changes to the definition of “change of control” contained therein.

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the aggregate carrying value of the Credit Facility was $40.8 million and $40.5, respectively, which bore a weighted average annual interest rate of 11.0% during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Total interest income (expense), net, recognized was $3.8 million expense and $536 income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Debt Maturities

The stated maturities of the Company’s long-term debt are as follows (in millions) as of March 31, 2015:

NOTE 11.    INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated as follows:

Basic net income (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding.

At March 31, 2015, warrants and portions of unvested employee stock options were excluded from the calculation because they were anti-dilutive. At March 31, 2014, common stock options, restricted stock units, and warrants were excluded from the calculation because they were anti-dilutive.

NOTE 12.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases and Sublease Agreements

On October 1, 2013, the Company entered into building lease for office space located at One Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In August 2014, Retrophin ceased use of the facility at One Kendall Square and all employees formerly located at this facility moved into the new facility on Binney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts. In March 2015, the Company entered into a termination agreement with the landlord and paid an $80,000 lease termination fee.

On February 28, 2014, the Company amended its lease agreement for its offices located in Carlsbad, California. In October 2014, Retrophin ceased use of this facility, and all employees formerly located at that facility moved into the new headquarters facility in San Diego, California. In March 2015, the Company entered into an agreement to sublease the Carlsbad California lease for a three year term with an annual rent of approximately $56,000 annually with annual rent escalations.

Research Collaboration and Licensing Agreements

As part of the Company's research and development efforts, the Company enters into research collaboration and licensing agreements with unrelated companies, scientific collaborators, universities, and consultants. These agreements contain varying terms and provisions which include fees and milestones to be paid by the Company, services to be provided, and ownership rights to certain proprietary technology developed under the agreements. Some of these agreements contain provisions which require the Company to pay royalties, in the event the Company sells or licenses any proprietary products developed under the respective agreements.

Contractual Commitments

The following table summarizes our principal contractual commitments, excluding open orders that support normal operations, as of March 31, 2015:

Legal Proceedings

On March 28, 2013, Chun Yi Huang (“Huang”) sued the Company, MSMB Group, MSMB Capital Management, LLC, Retrophin Pharmaceutical, Inc., Marek Biestek, and Martin Shkreli in state court in New York (Huang v. MSMB Group, Index No. 152829-2013). Huang claims that he is owed past due salary and benefits totaling $36,387. The Company answered the complaint in April 2013, and the parties have since been engaged in discovery. In June 2014, Huang’s counsel filed a motion seeking to be relieved as counsel for Huang. The Court denied that motion in October 2014. In September 2014, Huang noticed an appeal of a discovery order, which was withdrawn on February 25, 2015.

On June 13, 2014, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) sued the Company, Standard Registrar and Transfer Company (“Standard”), Jackson Su (“Su”), and Huang in federal court in the Southern District of New York (Charles Schwab & Co. v. Retrophin, Inc., Case No. 14-cv-4294). The complaint alleges that the defendants misled Schwab in connection with its sale of Company stock owned by Su and Huang. Schwab contends that Su and Huang improperly advised it that their Company stock was not restricted. Schwab’s claim against the Company is based on an agency theory. Schwab contends that it has incurred in excess of $2.5 million in damages as a result of the alleged misinformation. Su and Huang have asserted cross-claims against the Company and Standard for alleged negligent misrepresentation premised upon an alleged failure to inform them of restrictions on the sale of their Company stock. Su and Huang have also impleaded Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP as a third-party defendant. The Company has filed motions to dismiss Schwab’s claims, as well as Su’s and Huang’s cross claims. Those motions are fully briefed, but have not yet been decided by the court.

On September 19, 2014, a purported shareholder of the Company sued Mr. Shkreli in federal court in the Southern District of New York (Donoghue v. Retrophin, Inc., Case No. 14-cv-7640). The Company is a nominal defendant in this action. The plaintiff seeks, on behalf of the Company, disgorgement of short-swing profits from Mr. Shkreli under section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78(p)(b)). The complaint alleges that, based on trades in the Company’s stock between November 2013 and November 2014, Mr. Shkreli realized short-swing profits in excess of $1.75 million, which belong to the Company. In December 2014, Mr. Shkreli filed an answer to the operative complaint, in which he, among other things, admitted to owing the Company over $0.6 million in short-swing profits. The parties are currently engaged in discovery. The Company will record the money to be received from this claim at such time in the future should cash be received by the Company from Shkreli.

On October 20, 2014, a purported shareholder of the Company filed a putative class action complaint in federal court in the Southern District of New York against the Company, Mr. Shkreli, Marc Panoff, and Jeffrey Paley (Kazanchyan v. Retrophin, Inc., Case No. 14-cv-8376). On December 16, 2014, a second, related complaint was filed in the Southern District of New York against the same defendants (Sandler v. Retrophin, Inc., Case No. 14-cv-9915). The complaints assert violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with defendants’ public disclosures during the period from November 13, 2013 through September 30, 2014. In December 2014, plaintiff Kazanchyan filed a motion to appoint lead plaintiff, to approve lead counsel, and to consolidate the two related actions. On February 10, 2015, the Court consolidated the two actions, appointed lead plaintiff, and approved lead counsel. Lead plaintiff’s filed a consolidated amended complaint on March 4, 2015. An initial pretrial conference is currently scheduled for June 4, 2015.

On January 7, 2014, the Company sued Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Questcor”) in federal court in the Central District of California (Retrophin, Inc. v. Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Case No. SACV14-00026-JLS). The Company contends that Questcor violated antitrust laws in connection with its acquisition of rights to the drug Synacthen, and seeks injunctive relief and damages. The Company has asserted claims under sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, section 7 of the Clayton Act, California antitrust laws, and California’s unfair competition law. In August 2014, the Court denied Questcor’s motion to dismiss. The parties are now engaged in discovery. A trial is currently set for March 2016.

In January 2015, the Company received a subpoena relating to a criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. The subpoena requests information regarding, among other things, the Company’s relationship with Mr. Shkreli and individuals or entities that had been investors in investment funds previously managed by Mr. Shkreli. The Company has been informed that it is not a target of the U.S. Attorney’s investigation, and intends to cooperate with the investigation.

As of March 31, 2015 no accruals for loss contingencies have been recorded since these cases are neither probable nor reasonably estimable. From time to time the Company is involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes there is no other litigation pending that could have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

NOTE 13.  STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY/DEFICIT

2015 Public Offering

On March 24, 2015, we completed a public offering of 7,866,000 shares of common stock at a price of $19.00 per share. We received net proceeds from the offering of $140.0 million, after deducting underwriting fees and other offering costs of $9.5 million. The shares

of common stock were offered by us pursuant to a shelf registration statement that was declared effective by the SEC on March 13, 2015.

Restricted Shares

The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock activity during the three months ended March 31, 2015:

Stock Options

The following table summarizes information about stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2015:

At March 31, 2015, outstanding options to purchase 1.5 million shares were exercisable with a weighted-average exercise price per share of $9.88.

Share Based Compensation

Total employee non-cash stock-based compensation by operating statement classification is as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

Exercise of Warrants

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company issued 124,334 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants for cash, pursuant to which the Company received $0.5 million. The Company reclassified $2.4 million derivative liability as equity for the value of these warrants on the date of exercise. The warrants were revalued immediately prior to exercise and the change in the fair value of the warrants was recorded as other expense in the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company. The number of warrants outstanding at March 31, 2015 was 3,422,021.

NOTE 14.  SALE OF ASSETS

On January 9, 2015, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Turing Pharmaceuticals A.G. (“Turing Pharmaceuticals”), pursuant to which the Company sold Turing Pharmaceuticals its ketamine licenses and assets (the “Assets”) for a purchase price of $1.0 million. Turing Pharmaceuticals also assumed all future liabilities related to the Assets.

On February 12, 2015, the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries Manchester Pharmaceuticals LLC (“Manchester”) and Retrophin Therapeutics International, LLC (collectively, the “Sellers”), entered into a purchase agreement with Waldun Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Waldun”), pursuant to which the Sellers sold Waldun their product rights to Vecamyl for a purchase price of $0.7 million. Waldun in turn sold Vecamyl to Turing Pharmaceuticals. In connection therewith, on February 12, 2015, the Company and Manchester entered into an asset purchase agreement with Turing Pharmaceuticals, pursuant to which the Company and Manchester sold Turing Pharmaceuticals their Vecamyl inventory for a purchase price of $0.3 million. Turing Pharmaceuticals also assumed certain liabilities related to the Vecamyl product rights and inventory.

On February 12, 2015, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Turing Pharmaceuticals, pursuant to which the Company sold Turing Pharmaceuticals its Syntocinon licenses and assets, including related inventory, for a purchase price of $1.1 million. Turing Pharmaceuticals assumed certain liabilities related to the Syntocinon assets and licenses.

In conjunction with the sale of the Vecamyl, Syntocinon and ketamine assets, the Company recorded a gain of $0.2 million and wrote off the unamortized book value of the Vecamyl Product Rights Intangible Asset of $3.3 million and Syntocinon License Intangible Asset of $4.8 million.

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 11, 2015, and amended on March 13, 2015. Past operating results are not necessarily indicative of results that may occur in future periods.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this discussion contains forward-looking statements and information 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, or the Exchange Act, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects and plans and objectives of management. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that we make. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the risks set forth in Part II, Item IA, “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Overview

We are a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with approximately 120 employees headquartered in San Diego, California focused on the development, acquisition and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of serious, catastrophic or rare diseases. We regularly evaluate and, where appropriate, act on opportunities to expand our product pipeline through licenses and acquisitions of products in areas that will serve patients with serious, catastrophic or rare diseases and that we believe offer attractive growth characteristics.

We currently sell the following three products:

On January 9, 2015, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Turing Pharmaceuticals A.G. (“Turing Pharmaceuticals”), a company controlled by the Company’s former CEO, pursuant to which the Company sold Turing Pharmaceuticals its ketamine licenses and assets for a purchase price of $1.0 million. Turing Pharmaceuticals also assumed all future liabilities related to the Assets.

On February 12, 2015, the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries Manchester Pharmaceuticals LLC (“Manchester”) and Retrophin Therapeutics International, LLC (collectively, the “Sellers”), entered into a purchase agreement with Waldun Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Waldun”), pursuant to which the Sellers sold Waldun their product rights to Vecamyl for a purchase price of $0.7 million. Waldun in turn sold Vecamyl to Turing Pharmaceuticals. In connection therewith, on February 12, 2015, the Company and Manchester entered into an asset purchase agreement with Turing Pharmaceuticals, pursuant to which the Company and Manchester sold Turing Pharmaceuticals their Vecamyl inventory for a purchase price of $0.3 million. Turing Pharmaceuticals also assumed certain liabilities related to the Vecamyl product rights and inventory.

On February 12, 2015, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Turing Pharmaceuticals, pursuant to which the Company sold Turing Pharmaceuticals its Syntocinon licenses and assets, including related inventory, for a purchase price of $1.1 million. Turing Pharmaceuticals also assumed certain liabilities related to the Syntocinon assets and licenses.

We held a Special Meeting of Stockholders on February 3, 2015, at which our stockholders voted to approve a proposal ratifying the prior issuance of stock options to purchase 1,928,000 shares of common stock and 230,000 restricted shares of common stock granted to employees between February 24, 2014 and August 18, 2014 (the “Ratified Equity Grants”). Our Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2014 contained errors related to the non-cash compensation expense recognized in connection with the Ratified Equity Grants, because the grant/measurement date of the Ratified Equity Grants for financial accounting purposes did not occur until their ratification at the Special Meeting of Stockholders on February 3, 2015. In addition, our Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2014 contained errors related to certain consulting agreements entered into by the Company, pursuant to which an expense and a settlement liability related to the entire amount of the stock to be issued under such consulting agreements should have been taken and revaluated at each reporting period based on changes in the Company’s stock price, until the stock had been entirely issued. We believe that the errors in the Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2014 do not cause the financial statements included therein to be misleading, and therefore such financial statements can still be relied upon. However, we have corrected such errors, including any related disclosures, in this Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and will restate future quarters to correct such errors, as 1applicable. The impact for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was an increase to operating expenses of $5.1 million, and an increase in net loss of $5.1 million.

On March 24, 2015, we completed a public offering of 7,866,000 shares of common stock at a price of $19.00 per share. We received net proceeds from the offering of $140.0 million, after deducting underwriting fees and other offering costs of $9.5 million. The shares of common stock were offered by us pursuant to a shelf registration statement that was declared effective by the SEC on March 13, 2015.

On January 12, 2015, the Company announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which it acquired the exclusive right to purchase from Asklepion, all worldwide rights, titles, and ownership of Cholbam™ (cholic acid) for the treatment of bile acid synthesis defects, if approved by the FDA. Under the terms of the agreement, Retrophin paid Asklepion an upfront payment of $5.0 million and agreed to pay milestones based on FDA approval and net product sales, plus tiered royalties on future net sales of Cholbam™.

On March 18, 2015, the Company announced that the FDA approved Cholbam™ capsules, the first FDA approved treatment for pediatric and adult patients with bile acid synthesis disorders due to single enzyme defects, and for patients with peroxisomal disorders (including Zellweger spectrum disorders). As a result of the approval, Retrophin exercised its right to purchase from Asklepion all worldwide rights, titles, and ownership of Cholbam™ and related assets. The FDA also granted Asklepion a Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher ("Pediatric PRV"), awarded to encourage development of new drugs and biologics for the prevention and treatment of rare pediatric diseases. This Pediatric PRV is transferable and provides the bearer with FDA priority review classification for a new drug application. The Pediatric PRV was transferred to Retrophin under the original terms of the agreement with Asklepion. The Pediatric PRV is classified as a current asset in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as the company intends to sell the Pediatric PRV in 2015, and is currently in negotiations.

On March 31, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition from Asklepion of all worldwide rights, titles and ownership of Cholbam™, including all related contracts, data assets, intellectual property, regulatory assets and the Pediatric PRV, in exchange for a one-time cash payment of $28.4 million, in addition to approximately 661,279 shares of the Company’s common stock (initially valued at $9 million at the time of the Purchase Agreement, and $15.8 million at the time of acquisition completion date). The Company may also be required to pay contingent consideration consisting of milestones and tiered royalties with a present value of $42.2 million.

Products and Research and Development Programs

Changes to Product and Research and Development Programs

In conjunction with the sale of the Company’s Vecamyl, Syntocinon and ketamine licenses to Turing Pharmaceuticals, the Company has stopped future investment in these products.

Cholbam™

On March 18, 2015, the Company announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cholbam™ capsules, the first FDA approved treatment for pediatric and adult patients with bile acid synthesis disorders due to single enzyme defects, and for patients with peroxisomal disorders (including Zellweger spectrum disorders).  The effectiveness of Cholbam™ has been demonstrated in clinical trials for bile acid synthesis disorders and the adjunctive treatment of peroxisomal disorders. There are approximately 30 patients currently receiving Cholbam™ through an open label extension of these trials. The estimated incidence of bile acid synthesis disorders due to single enzyme defects is 1 to 9 per million live births. Peroxisomal disorders are believed to affect approximately 1 in 50,000 live births.

Thiola® (Tiopronin)

Thiola® is approved by the FDA for the treatment of cystinuria, a rare genetic cystine transport disorder that causes high cystine levels in the urine and the formation of recurring kidney stones. The resulting long-term damage can cause long term kidney damage in addition to substantial pain and loss of productivity associated with renal colic and stone passage. The worldwide prevalence of the disease is believed to be one in 7,000. We have built a salesforce to promote Thiola® to targeted physicians and are exploring alternative formulations that may enhance the value of Thiola® for patients with cystinuria.

Chenodal® (chenodiol tablets)

Chenodal® is a synthetic oral form of chenodeoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring primary bile acid synthesized from cholesterol in the liver, indicated for the treatment of radiolucent stones in well-opacifying gallbladders in whom selective surgery would be undertaken except for the presence of increased surgical risk due to systemic disease or age. Discussions with the FDA have been initiated to determine the path for revising the Chenodal® label to include CTX, a rare genetic disease which causes multiple symptoms including neurologic impairment. Chenodeoxycholic acid has been utilized as the standard of care for CTX patients for several decades.

Sparsentan

Sparsentan, also known as RE-021, is an investigational therapeutic agent which acts as both a potent angiotensin receptor blocker (“ARB”), as well as a selective endothelin receptor antagonist (“ERA”), with selectivity toward endothelin receptor type A. We are developing Sparsentan as a treatment for FSGS, which is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. We are currently enrolling patients for the DUET Phase 2 clinical study of Sparsentan for the treatment of FSGS and we expect approximately 100 patients to be enrolled. Based on the robustness of the data obtained in the DUET study, we may be able to support an application for accelerated approval for Sparsentan on the basis of proteinuria as a surrogate endpoint. In the first quarter of 2015, sparsentan was granted orphan drug designation.

RE-024

The Company is developing RE-024, a novel small molecule, as a potential treatment for pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (“PKAN”). PKAN is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder that is typically diagnosed in the first decade of life. Consequences of PKAN include dystonia, dysarthria, rigidity, retinal degeneration, and severe digestive problems. There are currently no viable treatment options for patients with PKAN.  RE-024 is a phosphopantothenate prodrug therapy that aims to restore levels of this key substrate in PKAN patients.  Certain ex-US health regulators have approved the initiation of dosing RE-024 in PKAN under physician-initiated studies in accordance with local regulations in their respective countries.   The Company filed a U.S. IND for RE-024 in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 to support the initiation of Company-sponsored studies which became effective on April 28, 2015. RE-024 was granted orphan drug designation on May 5, 2015.

RE-034 (Tetracosactide Zinc)

RE-034 is a synthetic hormone analog of the first 24 amino acids of the 39 amino acids contained in ACTH formulated using a novel process by Retrophin.  RE-034 exhibits similar physiological actions as endogenous ACTH by binding to melanocortin receptors, resulting in its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Retrophin has successfully formulated and manufactured RE-034 at proof-of-concept scale using a novel formulation process that allows modulation of the release of the active ingredient from the site of administration.  Retrophin continues preclinical development of RE-034 to enable multiple strategic options, which may include the initiation of IND-enabling studies in 2015.

Results of Operations

Results of Operations for the Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2015 compared to the Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2014

Net Product Sales: Net product sales were $17.4 million and $27,900 for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our first sales were generated in March of 2014 after completing the acquisition of all of the membership interests of Manchester on March 26, 2014 for Chenodal® and Vecamyl®, and entering a license agreement in May 2014 with Mission for the U.S. marketing rights to Thiola®.

Operating Expenses: Our operating expenses for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 were $25.5 million compared to $22.1 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $3.4 million. The operating expenses increase is attributable to an increase in our cost of goods sold of $0.3 million, and an increase in our research and development expenses of $3.4 million, offset by a decrease in selling general and administrative expenses of $0.3 million. The increase in cost of goods sold is due to the increase in sales for the same period. The increase in R&D expenses reflects the addition of employees and other expenses to support the additional programs in the pipeline in 2015 compared to 2014. In addition, 2015 has expenses related to the DUET Phase II study with active sites that had not commenced as of March 31, 2014. The decrease in selling general and administrative expenses is due to a decrease in professional fees of $8.0 million, offset by increases in compensation of $4.4 million, amortization of intangible assets of $1.5 million, and commercial and general expenses of $1.8 million.

Other Income/Expenses: Other income for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 was $7.7 million compared to other expense of $53.6 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 which represents an increase of $61.3 million. The other income/expense change was primarily attributable to the bargain purchase gain of $48.6 million due to the purchase of Cholbam™ and the receipt of a Pediatric PRV from the FDA, a decrease in the change in the fair value of derivative financial instruments of $16.8 million, an increase in the realized gains on the sale of marketable securities of $0.1 million, and an increase of other income of $0.2

million, offset by an increase in interest expense of $3.8 million as the Company entered into a $46 million convertible notes purchase agreement and a $45 million Credit Agreement in the second quarter of 2014, and an increase in finance expense of $0.6 million.

Net Income (Loss): Our net income for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 was $39.7 million compared to a net loss of $75.7 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2014. The change in our net income in 2015 as compared to 2014 of $115.4 million is primarily due to the bargain purchase gain recorded as a result of the Cholbam™ acquisition of $48.6 million, higher revenue of $17.3 million, lower other expense of $12.8 million, and a tax benefit change of $40.1 million, offset by higher operating expenses of $3.4 million, all as discussed above.

Income Tax Benefit (Provision): For the three months ended March 31, 2015 the Company recorded a tax benefit of approximately $40.0 million as opposed to a $0.1 million tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The benefit (see Note 4) was due to the deferred tax liabilities recorded in the acquisition of Cholbam™ which provided a source of income to reduce the Company’s existing valuation allowance.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On March 24, 2015, we completed a public offering of 7,866,000 shares of common stock at a price of $19.00 per share. We received net proceeds from the offering of $140.0 million, after deducting underwriting fees and other offering costs of $9.5 million.

The shares of common stock were offered by us pursuant to a shelf registration statement declared effective by the SEC on March 13, 2015. The shelf registration statement allowed us to issue shares of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants, up to a total aggregate offering price of $125.0 million from time to time in one or more offerings. As of March 31, 2015, we had sold all amounts available under this shelf registration statement. 

We believe that our existing capital resources and projected revenues will be sufficient to satisfy our current and projected funding requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, we cannot guarantee that these capital resources and projected revenues will be sufficient to maintain all of our research or development programs and commercialization operations. The amount and timing of expenditures will vary depending upon a number of factors.

We cannot assure you that adequate funding will be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any additional equity financings will be dilutive to our stockholders and any additional debt may involve operating covenants that may restrict our business. If adequate funds are not available through these means, we may be required to curtail our research or development programs and commercialization operations. We cannot assure you that we will successfully generate revenues sufficient to enable us to earn a profit.

Convertible Notes Payable

On May 29, 2014, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement relating to a private placement by the Company of $46.0 million aggregate principal senior convertible notes due 2019 (the “Notes”) which are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $17.41 per share. The conversion price is subject to customary anti-dilution protection. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.5% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The Notes mature on May 30, 2019 unless earlier converted or repurchased in accordance with the terms. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the aggregate carrying value of the Notes was $43.4 million and $43.3, respectively, which bore a weighted average annual interest rate of 4.5% during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Credit Facility

On June 30, 2014, the Company entered into a $45 million Credit Agreement (“Credit Facility”) which matures on June 30, 2018 and bears interest at an annual rate of (i) the Adjusted LIBOR Rate (as such term is defined in the Credit Facility) plus 10.00% or (ii) in certain circumstances, the Base Rate (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 9.00% and is payable quarterly. The Credit Facility contains certain financial and non-financial covenants. The Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of March 31, 2015.

On January 12, 2015, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 (“Amendment No. 3”) to the Credit Facility in which the Company obtained a commitment letter from Athyrium Capital Management, LLC and Perceptive Credit Opportunities Fund, LP (collectively, the “Lenders”), the Company’s existing lenders, providing a commitment for a senior secured incremental term loan under the Company’s existing term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $30.0 million, which could have been drawn down at the Company’s option to finance the acquisition of the Cholbam™ assets from Asklepion.

As consideration for Amendment No. 3, the Company made a $0.6 million cash payment to the Lenders, recorded in financing fees in the consolidated statements of operations, and issued the Lenders warrants initially exercisable to purchase up to an aggregate of 125,000 shares of the Company’s common stock which were valued at $1.1 million on January 12, 2015 and are recorded in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Due to the closing of the public offering on March 24, 2015, the Company received cash proceeds of $140.0 million, after deducting underwriting fees and other offering costs, which the Company used to make the $27.0

million payment due to Asklepion upon the closing of the Company’s acquisition of the Cholbam™ assets, and as a result, the Company will not draw down on the incremental term loan.

On March 24, 2015, the Company entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Facility, which amended the Credit Facility to make certain changes to the definition of “change of control” contained therein.

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the aggregate carrying value of the Credit Facility was $40.8 million and $40.5, respectively, which bore a weighted average annual interest rate of 11.0% during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 respectively.

Clinuvel

On July 17, 2014, we made a proposal to the board of directors of Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited (“Clinuvel”) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Clinuvel for either 0.175 shares of common stock of the Company or $2.03 in cash per share for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $89 million. The Company has since abandoned this strategy and plans to liquidate its positions in Clinuvel over time. As of March 31, 2015, we had remaining approximately $6.2 million of the outstanding shares of Clinuvel. Our goal is ultimately to dispose of our equity interest in Clinuvel and use the cash generated from stock sales for working capital purposes. However, these shares may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our interest in Clinuvel, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any of these shares may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Operating activities used approximately $7.3 million of cash during the three month period ended March 31, 2015 compared $9.8 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2014. The decrease of $2.5 million was the result of a change from net loss to net income quarter over quarter of $108.9 million, primarily driven by a bargain purchase gain of $48.6 million, decreases in non-cash charges of $52.2 million, and a net change in operating assets and liabilities of $5.6 million. Cash used in operations has decreased as we have increased our focus on our operating expenses and reviewed our pipeline which resulted in an overall reduction in operating expenses from March 2014 to March 2015.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 was $29.9 million compared to $31.1 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2014. The decrease of $1.3 million was the result of an increase in cash paid upon acquisition of $4.2 million, and a decrease in proceeds from sale of marketable securities of $1.3 million, offset by cash received upon divestiture of asset of $3.3 million, a decrease in the purchase of marketable securities of $2.7 million, and a net decrease in cover securities sold, not yet purchased of $0.7 million. The increase in cash paid upon acquisition of $4.2 million is the acquisition of the purchase of Cholbam™ in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the acquisition of Manchester Pharmaceuticals in the first quarter of 2014.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

For the three month period ended March 31, 2015, cash provided by financing activities was $139.2 million compared to $38.6 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2014. The increase of $100.6 million was primarily a result of the increase in proceeds of $103.4 million from the $140.0 million March 2015 public offering compared to the $36.8 million January 2014 public offering.

Other Matters

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. While the standard supersedes existing revenue recognition guidance, it closely aligns with current GAAP. Under the new standard, revenue is recognized at the time a good or service is transferred to a customer for the amount of consideration received for that specific good or service. Entities may use a full retrospective approach or report the cumulative effect as of the date of adoption. On April 1, 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date by one year to December 15, 2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date. The FASB also proposed permitting early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. The new consolidation standard changes the way reporting enterprises evaluate whether (a) they should consolidate limited partnerships and similar entities, (b) fees paid to a decision maker or service provider are variable interests in a variable interest entity ("VIE"), and (c) variable interests in a VIE held by related parties of the reporting enterprise require the reporting enterprise to consolidate the VIE. The guidance is effective for public business entities for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015.

Early adoption is allowed, including early adoption in an interim period. A reporting entity may apply a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption or may apply the amendments retrospectively. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this guidance, if any on the consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This standard amends existing guidance to require the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of a deferred charge. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, but early adoption is permitted. The Company has chosen not to early adopt this standard.

Emerging Growth Company Critical Accounting Policy Disclosure

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Action of 2012 (“JOBS Act”). Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. As an emerging growth company, we can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

Off Balance Sheet Transactions

None.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We invest our excess cash primarily in United States Government securities, asset-backed securities, and debt instruments of financial institutions and corporations with investment-grade credit ratings. These instruments have various short-term maturities. We do not utilize derivative financial instruments, derivative commodity instruments, or other market risk sensitive instruments, positions or transactions in any material fashion. Accordingly, we believe that, while the instruments held are subject to changes in the financial standing of the issuer of such securities, we are not subject to any material risks arising from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices or other market changes that affect market risk sensitive investments. Our debt is not subject to significant swings in valuation due to changes in interest rates as interest rates on our debt are fixed. A hypothetical 1% adverse move in interest rates along the entire interest rate yield curve would not materially affect the fair value of our financial instruments that are exposed to changes in interest rates.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of March 31, 2015, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (referred to as our CEO) and our Chief Financial Officer (referred to as our CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily is required to apply its judgement in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at a reasonable level of assurance as of March 31, 2015, however, we are in the process of documenting and testing our internal control over financial reporting in order to report on the effectiveness of our internal controls as of December 31, 2015.

Our management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, or misstatement, due to error, if any, with the company have been detected. While we believe that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are and have been effective, in light of the foregoing we intend to continue to examine and refine our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.

An evaluation was also performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, of any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter and that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. That evaluation did not identify any change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our latest fiscal quarter and that has materially affected, or

is reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting, except those controls that were added to remediate the material weaknesses disclosed in our 2014 Form 10-K, and also disclosed below.

As of December 31, 2014, we carried out an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013), updated and reissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations, or the COSO Framework.  Based on our evaluation under the COSO Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2014.  In connection with the above assessment, Retrophin management identified a material weakness in the control environment relating to a certain member of senior management who did not demonstrate the appropriate level of control consciousness and, therefore, did not demonstrate a positive tone at the top of the organization and did not observe a diligent process relating to the review and approval of contracts. In addition, Retrophin’s management also identified a material weakness in the control environment relating to the granting and accounting for equity awards.

During 2014 and 2015, our management has taken the following actions that materially affect, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting and to remediate the material weaknesses described above.

As discussed above, we have strengthened our management team and continue to evaluate our controls and processes associated with granting and accounting for equity awards in order to remediate the material weaknesses disclosed in our 2014 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Other than as discussed above, there have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

On March 28, 2013, Chun Yi Huang (“Huang”) sued the Company, MSMB Group, MSMB Capital Management, LLC, Retrophin Pharmaceutical, Inc., Marek Biestek, and Martin Shkreli in state court in New York (Huang v. MSMB Group, Index No. 152829-2013). Huang claims that he is owed past due salary and benefits totaling $36,387. The Company answered the complaint in April 2013, and the parties have since been engaged in discovery. In June 2014, Huang’s counsel filed a motion seeking to be relieved as counsel for

Huang. The Court denied that motion in October 2014. In September 2014, Huang noticed an appeal of a discovery order, which was withdrawn on February 25, 2015.

On June 13, 2014, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) sued the Company, Standard Registrar and Transfer Company (“Standard”), Jackson Su (“Su”), and Huang in federal court in the Southern District of New York (Charles Schwab & Co. v. Retrophin, Inc., Case No. 14-cv-4294). The complaint alleges that the defendants misled Schwab in connection with its sale of Company stock owned by Su and Huang. Schwab contends that Su and Huang improperly advised it that their Company stock was not restricted. Schwab’s claim against the Company is based on an agency theory. Schwab contends that it has incurred in excess of $2.5 million in damages as a result of the alleged misinformation. Su and Huang have asserted cross-claims against the Company and Standard for alleged negligent misrepresentation premised upon an alleged failure to inform them of restrictions on the sale of their Company stock. Su and Huang have also impleaded Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP as a third-party defendant. The Company has filed motions to dismiss Schwab’s claims, as well as Su’s and Huang’s cross claims. Those motions are fully briefed, but have not yet been decided by the court.

On September 19, 2014, a purported shareholder of the Company sued Mr. Shkreli in federal court in the Southern District of New York (Donoghue v. Retrophin, Inc., Case No. 14-cv-7640). The Company is a nominal defendant in this action. The plaintiff seeks, on behalf of the Company, disgorgement of short-swing profits from Mr. Shkreli under section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78(p)(b)). The complaint alleges that, based on trades in the Company’s stock between November 2013 and November 2014, Mr. Shkreli realized short-swing profits in excess of $1.75 million, which belong to the Company. In December 2014, Mr. Shkreli filed an answer to the operative complaint, in which he, among other things, admitted to owing the Company over $0.6 million in short-swing profits. The parties are currently engaged in discovery. The Company will record the money to be received from this claim at such time in the future should cash be received by the Company from Shkreli.

On October 20, 2014, a purported shareholder of the Company filed a putative class action complaint in federal court in the Southern District of New York against the Company, Mr. Shkreli, Marc Panoff, and Jeffrey Paley (Kazanchyan v. Retrophin, Inc., Case No. 14-cv-8376). On December 16, 2014, a second, related complaint was filed in the Southern District of New York against the same defendants (Sandler v. Retrophin, Inc., Case No. 14-cv-9915). The complaints assert violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with defendants’ public disclosures during the period from November 13, 2013 through September 30, 2014. In December 2014, plaintiff Kazanchyan filed a motion to appoint lead plaintiff, to approve lead counsel, and to consolidate the two related actions. On February 10, 2015, the Court consolidated the two actions, appointed lead plaintiff, and approved lead counsel. Lead plaintiff’s filed a consolidated amended complaint on March 4, 2015. An initial pretrial conference is currently scheduled for June 4, 2015.

On January 7, 2014, the Company sued Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Questcor”) in federal court in the Central District of California (Retrophin, Inc. v. Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Case No. SACV14-00026-JLS). The Company contends that Questcor violated antitrust laws in connection with its acquisition of rights to the drug Synacthen, and seeks injunctive relief and damages. The Company has asserted claims under sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, section 7 of the Clayton Act, California antitrust laws, and California’s unfair competition law. In August 2014, the Court denied Questcor’s motion to dismiss. The parties are now engaged in discovery. A trial is currently set for March 2016.

In January 2015, the Company received a subpoena relating to a criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. The subpoena requests information regarding, among other things, the Company’s relationship with Mr. Shkreli and individuals or entities that had been investors in investment funds previously managed by Mr. Shkreli. The Company has been informed that it is not a target of the U.S. Attorney’s investigation, and intends to cooperate with the investigation.

As of March 31, 2015 no accruals for loss contingencies have been recorded since these cases are neither probable nor reasonably estimable. From time to time the Company is involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes there is no other litigation pending that could have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

The following risk factors do not reflect any material changes to the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, other than the revisions to the risk factors set forth below with an asterisk (*) next to the title. The following information sets forth risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements we have made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and those we may make from time to time. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, operating results, prospects or financial condition could be harmed. Additional risks not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also affect our business operations.

Risks Related to the Development and Commercialization of Our Products and Product Candidates

*The commercial success of Chenodal®, Thiola® and Cholbam™ depends on them being considered to be effective drugs with advantages over other therapies.

The commercial success of our products Chenodal®, Thiola® and Cholbam™ depends on them being considered to be effective drugs with certain advantages over other therapies. A number of factors, as discussed in greater detail below, may adversely impact the degree of acceptance of these products, including their efficacy, safety, price and benefits over competing therapies, as well as the reimbursement policies of third-party payers, such as government and private insurance plans.

If unexpected adverse events are reported in connection with the use of any of these products, physician and patient acceptance of the product could deteriorate and the commercial success of such product could be adversely affected. We are required to report to the FDA events associated with our products relating to death or serious injury. Adverse events could result in additional regulatory controls, such as a requirement for costly post-approval clinical studies or revisions to our approved labeling which could limit the indications or patient population for a product or could even lead to the withdrawal of a product from the market.

If physicians, patients and third-party payers do not accept our products, we may be unable to generate significant revenues.

Our drugs may not gain or maintain market acceptance among physicians and patients. Effectively marketing our products and any of our drug candidates, if approved, requires substantial efforts, both prior to launch and after approval. Physicians may elect not to prescribe our drugs, and patients may elect not to request or take them, for a variety of reasons including:

If our drugs fail to achieve or maintain market acceptance, we will not be able to generate significant revenues.

*Changes in reimbursement practices of third-party payers could affect the demand for our products and the prices at which they are sold.

Our products are sold to patients whose healthcare costs are met by third-party payers, such as government programs, private insurance plans and managed-care programs. These third-party payers are increasingly attempting to contain healthcare costs by limiting both coverage and the level of reimbursement for medical products and services. Levels of reimbursement, if any, may be decreased in the future, and future healthcare reform legislation, regulations or changes to reimbursement policies of third party payers may otherwise adversely affect the demand for and price levels of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our sales and profitability.

Economic pressure on state budgets may result in states increasingly seeking to achieve budget savings through mechanisms that limit coverage or payment for our products. State Medicaid programs are increasingly requesting manufacturers to pay supplemental rebates and requiring prior authorization by the state program for use of any drug for which supplemental rebates are not being paid. Managed care organizations continue to seek price discounts and, in some cases, to impose restrictions on the coverage of particular drugs. Government efforts to reduce Medicaid expenses may lead to increased use of managed care organizations by Medicaid programs. This may result in managed care organizations influencing prescription decisions for a larger segment of the population and a corresponding constraint on prices and reimbursement for our products.

*We are dependent on third parties to manufacture and distribute our pharmaceutical products who may not fulfill their obligations.

We have no manufacturing capabilities and rely on third party manufacturers who are sole source suppliers for manufacturing of Chenodal® and Thiola®, respectively. In addition, we plan to rely on a third party for manufacturing of Cholbam™. The facilities used by our third party manufacturers must be approved by the FDA. Our dependence on third parties for the manufacture of our products may harm our profit margin on the sale of products and our ability to deliver products on a timely and competitive basis. If our third party manufacturers are unable to manufacture to specifications or in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, our ability to

commercialize our products will be adversely impacted and could affect our ability to gain market acceptance for our products and negatively impact our revenues.

We currently have no in-house distribution channels for Chenodal®, Thiola® or Cholbam™ and we are dependent on a third-party specialty distributor, Dohmen Life Sciences Services to distribute such products. We rely on this distributor for all of our proceeds from sales of Chenodal®, Thiola® and Cholbam™ in the United States. The outsourcing of our distribution function is complex, and we may experience difficulties that could reduce, delay or stop shipments of such products. If we encounter such distribution problems, and we are unable to quickly enter into a similar agreement with another specialty distributor on substantially similar terms, distribution of Chenodal®, Thiola® and/or Cholbam™ could become disrupted, resulting in lost revenues, provider dissatisfaction, and/or patient dissatisfaction.

The independent clinical investigators and contract research organizations that we rely on to conduct our clinical trials may not be diligent, careful or timely and may make mistakes in the conduct of our trials.

We depend on independent clinical investigators and contract research organizations (“CROs”) to conduct our clinical trials under agreements with us. The CROs play a significant role in the conduct of our clinical trials. Failure of the CROs to meet their obligations could adversely affect clinical development of our product candidates. The independent clinical investigators are not our employees and we cannot control the timing or amount of resources they devote to our studies. If their performance is substandard, it could delay or prevent approval of our FDA applications.

*Our clinical trials may fail to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our product candidates which could prevent or significantly delay their regulatory approval.

Our efforts to develop certain of our product candidates are at an early stage. Success in preclinical testing and early clinical trials does not ensure that later clinical trials will be successful, and initial results from a clinical trial do not necessarily predict final results. We cannot assure that any future clinical trials of sparsentan, RE-024 and RE-034 will ultimately be successful.

Before obtaining regulatory approval to conduct clinical trials of our product candidates, we must conduct extensive preclinical tests to demonstrate the safety of our product candidates in animals. Preclinical testing is expensive, difficult to design and implement, and can take many years to complete. A failure of one or more of our preclinical studies can occur at any stage of testing. The Company has filed a U.S. IND and plans to initiate a Phase I study for RE-024 in 2015. Although we are currently exploring strategic alternatives for development of RE-034, which could be enabled for a U.S. IND in 2015, we cannot be certain that we will ever file an IND for RE-034.

If we successfully file INDs on our product candidates, we will only obtain regulatory approval to commercialize product candidates if we can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA, or applicable non-United States regulatory authorities, in well-designed and conducted clinical trials, that our product candidates are safe and effective and otherwise meet the appropriate standards required for approval for a particular indication.

There can be no assurance that the DUET Phase 2 clinical study for sparsentan will demonstrate that sparsentan is safe and effective for treating FSGS or that the data will support an application for accelerated approval by the FDA.

Clinical trials can be lengthy, complex and extremely expensive processes with uncertain results. Our product candidates are intended to treat IS, NS, PKAN and FSGS, each of which is a rare disease. Given that these development candidates are in the early stages of required testing, we may not be able to initiate or continue clinical trials if we are unable to locate a sufficient number of eligible patients willing and able to participate in the clinical trials required by the FDA or other non-United States regulatory agencies. For example, our ability to complete the sparsentan Duet study is dependent upon ability to enroll FSGS patients. Our inability to enroll a sufficient number of patients for any of our current or future clinical trials would result in significant delays or may require us to abandon one or more clinical trials altogether. To date, we are not aware of any product to treat PKAN or FSGS that has been approved by the FDA. As a result, we cannot be sure what endpoints the FDA will require us to measure in later-stage clinical trials of our product candidates.

FDA approval for a product requires substantial or extensive preclinical and clinical data and supporting documentation. The approval process may take years and may involve on-going requirements as well as post marketing obligations. FDA approval once obtained, may be withdrawn. If the regulatory approval for Thiola®, Chenodal® and/or Cholbam™ are withdrawn for any reason, it would have a material adverse impact on our sales and profitability. Further, we face risks relating to the postmarking obligations and commercial acceptance of Cholbam™, which was approved by the FDA on March 17, 2015.

We may experience numerous unforeseen events during, or as a result of, preclinical testing and the clinical trial process that could delay or prevent our ability to obtain regulatory approval or commercialize our product candidates, including:

If we are required to conduct additional clinical trials or other testing of our product candidates beyond those that we currently contemplate, if we are unable to successfully complete our clinical trials or other testing, if the results of these trials or tests are not positive or are only modestly positive or if there are safety concerns, we may:

Our product development costs will also increase if we experience delays in testing or approvals. We do not know whether any preclinical tests or clinical trials will be initiated as planned, will need to be restructured or will be completed on schedule, if at all. Significant preclinical or clinical trial delays also could shorten the patent protection period during which we may have the exclusive right to commercialize our product candidates. Such delays could allow our competitors to bring products to market before we do and impair our ability to commercialize our products or product candidates.

Our product candidates may cause undesirable side effects or have other properties that could delay or prevent their regulatory approval or commercialization.

Undesirable side effects caused by our product candidates could interrupt, delay or halt clinical trials and could result in the denial of regulatory approval by the FDA or other regulatory authorities for any or all targeted indications, and in turn prevent us from commercializing our product candidates and generating revenues from their sale.

In addition, if any of our product candidates receive marketing approval and we or others later identify undesirable side effects caused by the product:

Any of these events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of the affected product or could substantially increase the costs and expenses of commercializing the product candidate, which in turn could delay or prevent us from generating significant revenues from its sale or adversely affect our reputation.

We face substantial risks related to the commercialization of our product candidates.

We have invested a significant portion of our efforts and financial resources in the acquisition and development of our most advanced product candidates, sparsentan, RE-024 and RE-034. Our ability to generate product revenue from these development stage compounds, which we do not expect will occur for at least the next several years, if ever, may depend heavily on the successful development and commercialization of these product candidates. The successful commercialization of our future product candidates will depend on several factors, including the following:

Companies may not promote drugs for “off-label” uses—that is, uses that are not described in the product’s labeling and that differ from those approved by the FDA or other applicable regulatory agencies. A company that is found to have improperly promoted off-label uses may be subject to significant liability, including civil and administrative remedies as well as criminal sanctions. In addition, management’s attention could be diverted from our business operations and our reputation could be damaged.

*We may not be able to obtain orphan drug exclusivity for our product candidates. If our competitors are able to obtain orphan drug exclusivity for their products that are the same drug as our product candidates, we may not be able to have competing products approved by the applicable regulatory authority for a significant period of time.

Regulatory authorities in some jurisdictions, including the United States and Europe, may designate drugs for relatively small patient populations as orphan drugs. Although we have obtained orphan designation for Chenodal®, Cholbam™, Kolbam (EU), sparsentan, and RE-024, and expect to seek orphan drug designations from the FDA for RE-034, there can be no assurance that there will be any benefits associated with such designation, or that the FDA will grant orphan status. We also expect to seek drug orphan designation from the European Medicines Agency (the “EMA”), for sparsentan, RE-024 and RE-034. There can be no assurance that we will successfully obtain such designation. If we are unable to secure orphan status in either Europe or the United States it may have a material negative effect on our share price.

Generally, if a product with an orphan drug designation subsequently receives the first marketing approval for the indication for which it has such designation, that product is entitled to a period of marketing exclusivity, which precludes the applicable regulatory authority from approving another marketing application for the same drug for the same indication for that time period. The

applicable period is seven years in the United States and ten years in Europe. Obtaining orphan drug exclusivity for RE-034, RE-024, and sparsentan may be important to the product candidate’s success. Even if we obtain orphan drug exclusivity for RE-034 and sparsentan for FSGS, we may not be able to maintain it. For example, if a competitive product that contains the same active moiety and treats the same disease as our product candidate is shown to be clinically superior to our product candidate, any orphan drug exclusivity we have obtained will not block the approval of such competitive product and we may effectively lose what had previously been orphan drug exclusivity. Similarly, if a competitive product that contains the same active moiety and treats the same disease as our product candidate is approved before our product candidate is approved, we may not be able to obtain approval for our product candidate until the expiration of the competitive product’s orphan drug exclusivity unless our product candidate is shown to be clinically superior to the competitive product.

Our products may not achieve or maintain expected levels of market acceptance or commercial success.

The success of our products is dependent upon achieving and maintaining market acceptance. Commercializing products is time consuming, expensive and unpredictable. There can be no assurance that we will be able to, either by ourselves or in collaboration with our partners or through our licensees, successfully commercialize new products or gain market acceptance for such products. New product candidates that appear promising in development may fail to reach the market or may have only limited or no commercial success.

Further, the discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of our products that implicate (or are perceived to implicate) an entire class of products could have an adverse effect on sales of the affected products. Accordingly, new data about our products, or products similar to our products, could negatively impact demand for our products due to real or perceived side effects or uncertainty regarding efficacy and, in some cases, could result in product withdrawal.

Any products that we bring to the market, including sparsentan, RE-024 and RE-034 if they receive marketing approval—may not gain market acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payers, and others in the medical community. If these products do not achieve an adequate level of acceptance, we may not generate significant product revenue and we may not become profitable. The degree of market acceptance of our product candidates, if approved for commercial sale, will depend on a number of factors, including:

Even if a potential product displays a favorable efficacy and safety profile in preclinical and clinical trials, market acceptance of the product will not be known until after it is launched. Our efforts to educate patients, the medical community, and third-party payers on the benefits of our product candidates may require significant resources and may never be successful. Such efforts to educate the marketplace may require more resources than are required by the conventional technologies marketed by our competitors.

If the market opportunities for our product candidates are smaller than we believe they are, our revenues may be adversely affected and our business may suffer.

Certain of the diseases that our current and future product candidates are being developed to address, such as IS, NS, PKAN, and FSGS are relatively rare. Our projections of both the number of people who have these diseases, as well as the subset of people with these diseases who have the potential to benefit from treatment with our product candidates, may not be accurate.

Currently, most reported estimates of the prevalence of IS, NS, PKAN and FSGS are based on studies of small subsets of the population of specific geographic areas, which are then extrapolated to estimate the prevalence of the diseases in the broader world population. As new studies are performed the estimated prevalence of these diseases may change. There can be no assurance that the prevalence of IS, NS, PKAN, or FSGS in the study populations accurately reflect the prevalence of these diseases in the broader world population. If our estimates of the prevalence of IS, NS, PKAN, or FSGS or of the number of patients who may benefit from treatment with sparsentan, RE-024 and RE-034 prove to be incorrect, the market opportunities for our product candidates may be smaller than we believe they are, our prospects for generating revenue may be adversely affected and our business may suffer.

*We do not currently have patent protection for certain of our product candidates. If we are unable to obtain and maintain protection for the intellectual property relating to our technology and products, the value of our technology and products will be adversely affected.

Our success will depend in large part on our ability to obtain and maintain protection in the United States and other countries for the intellectual property covering, or incorporated into, our technology and products. The patent situation in the field of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals generally is highly uncertain and involves complex legal, technical, scientific and factual questions. We may not be able to obtain additional issued patents relating to our technology or products. Even if issued, patents issued to us or our licensors may be challenged, narrowed, invalidated, held to be unenforceable or circumvented, which could limit our ability to stop competitors from marketing similar products or reduce the term of patent protection we may have for our products. Changes in either patent laws or in interpretations of patent laws in the United States and other countries may diminish the value of our intellectual property or narrow the scope of our patent protection. RE-024 is covered by our U.S. Patent No. 8,673,883, which was granted in 2014 and expires in 2033. In addition, our pending application covering methods of treating PKAN by administering RE-024 has been allowed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Sparsentan is covered by U.S. Patent No. 6,638,937, to which we have an exclusive license and which expires in 2019. Our RE-034 formulation is covered by a U.S. provisional patent application we filed in February 2015.

We expect that in addition to the protection afforded by our patent filings that we will be able to obtain five years regulatory exclusively via the provisions of the Hatch-Waxman Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or FDC Act, for products we develop based on a new chemical entity not previously approved by the FDA, and up to five years patent term extension (to compensate for regulatory approval delay) for a patent covering such a product.

The degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is uncertain, and we cannot ensure that:

We have negotiated a license agreement for the rights to sparsentan which we are initially using in connection with the treatment of FSGS, from Ligand. Further, this license subjects us to various commercialization, reporting and other obligations. If we were to default on our obligations, we could lose our rights to sparsentan. We cannot be certain when or if we will file for patent protection for different indications for sparsentan, if we would be successful in obtaining these patents, or if we will be able to enforce these patents. If we are unsuccessful in obtaining patents for different uses of sparsentan, we may not be able to stop competitors from marketing sparsentan following expiration of our sparsentan composition of matter patent (i.e. U.S. Patent No. 6,638,937).

Our patents also may not afford us protection against competitors with similar technology. Because patent applications in the United States and many other jurisdictions are typically not published until 18 months after filing, or in some cases not at all, and because

publications of discoveries in the scientific literature often lag behind the actual discoveries, neither we nor our licensors can be certain that we or they were the first to make the inventions claimed in our or their issued patents or pending patent applications, or that we or they were the first to file for protection of the inventions set forth in these patent applications. If a third party has also filed a United States patent application prior to the effective date of the relevant provisions of the America Invests Act (i.e. before March 16, 2013) covering our product candidates or a similar invention, we may have to participate in an adversarial proceeding, known as an interference, declared by the USPTO to determine priority of invention in the United States. The costs of these proceedings could be substantial and it is possible that our efforts could be unsuccessful, resulting in a loss of our United States patent position.

We cannot assure you that third parties will not assert patent or other intellectual property infringement claims against us with respect to technologies used in our products. If patent infringement suits were brought against us, we may be unable to commercialize some of our products which could severely harm our business. Litigation proceedings, even if not successful, may result in substantial costs and harm our business.

Additional competitors could enter the market, including with generic versions of our products, and sales of affected products may decline materially.

Under the Hatch-Waxman Amendments, a pharmaceutical manufacturer may file an abbreviated new drug application, or ANDA, seeking approval of a generic copy of an approved innovator product. Under the Hatch-Waxman Amendments, a manufacturer may also submit an NDA under Section 505(b)(2) that relies on the FDA’s prior findings of safety and effectiveness in approving the innovator product. A Section 505(b)(2) NDA may be for a new or improved version of the original innovator product. The Hatch-Waxman Amendments also provide for certain periods of regulatory exclusivity, which preclude FDA approval (or in some circumstances, FDA filing and reviewing) of an ANDA or Section 505(b)(2) NDA. In addition, the FDC Act provides, subject to certain exceptions, a period during which an FDA-approved drug may be afforded orphan drug exclusivity. In addition to the benefits of regulatory exclusivity, an innovator NDA holder may have patents claiming the active ingredient, product formulation or an approved use of the drug, which would be listed with the product in the FDA publication, “Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations,” known as the “Orange Book.” If there are patents listed in the Orange Book, a generic or Section 505(b)(2) applicant that seeks to market its product before expiration of the patents must include in the ANDA what is known as a “Paragraph IV certification,” challenging the validity or enforceability of, or claiming non-infringement of, the listed patent or patents. Notice of the certification must be given to the innovator, too, and if within 45 days of receiving notice the innovator sues to protect its patents, approval of the ANDA is stayed for 30 months, or as lengthened or shortened by the court.

Chenodal® and Thiola® are subject to immediate competition from generic entrants, as the ANDA and NDA for these drug products have no remaining patent or nonpatent exclusivity.

Use of third parties to manufacture and distribute our product candidates may increase the risk that we will not have sufficient quantities of our product candidates or such quantities at an acceptable cost, and clinical development and commercialization of our product candidates could be delayed, prevented or impaired.

We do not own or operate manufacturing facilities for clinical or commercial production of our products. We have limited personnel with experience in drug manufacturing and we lack the resources and the capabilities to manufacture any of our product candidates on a clinical or commercial scale. We outsource all manufacturing and packaging of our preclinical, clinical, and commercial products to third parties. The manufacture of pharmaceutical products requires significant expertise and capital investment, including the development of advanced manufacturing techniques and process controls. Manufacturers of pharmaceutical products often encounter difficulties in production, particularly in scaling up initial production and in maintaining required quality control. These problems include difficulties with production costs and yields and quality control, including stability of the product candidate.

We do not currently have any agreements with third-party manufacturers for the long-term commercial supply of any of our development stage product candidates. We may be unable to enter into agreements for commercial supply with third-party manufacturers, or may be unable to do so on acceptable terms. Even if we enter into these agreements, the manufacturers of each product candidate will be single source suppliers to us for a significant period of time. Reliance on third-party manufacturers entails risks to which we may not be subject if we manufactured our product candidates or products ourselves, including:

The failure of any of our contract manufacturers to maintain high manufacturing standards could result in injury or death of clinical trial participants or patients using products. Such failure could also result in product liability claims, product recalls, product seizures or withdrawals, delays or failures in testing or delivery, cost overruns or other problems that could seriously harm our business or profitability.

Our contract manufacturers will be required to adhere to FDA regulations setting forth cGMP. These regulations cover all aspects of the manufacturing, testing, quality control and recordkeeping relating to our product candidates and any products that we may commercialize. Our manufacturers may not be able to comply with cGMP regulations or similar regulatory requirements outside the United States. Our manufacturers are subject to unannounced inspections by the FDA, state regulators and similar regulators outside the United States. Our failure, or the failure of our third-party manufacturers, to comply with applicable regulations could result in sanctions being imposed on us, including fines, injunctions, civil penalties, failure of regulatory authorities to grant marketing approval of our product candidates, delays, suspension or withdrawal of approvals, license revocation, seizures or recalls of product candidates or products, operating restrictions and criminal prosecutions, any of which could significantly and adversely affect regulatory approval and supplies of our product candidates.

Our product and any products that we may develop may compete with other product candidates and products for access to manufacturing facilities. There are a limited number of manufacturers that operate under cGMP regulations and that are both capable of manufacturing for us and willing to do so. If the third parties that we engage to manufacture products for our developmental or commercial products should cease to continue to do so for any reason, we likely would experience interruptions in cash flows and/or delays in advancing our clinical trials while we identify and qualify replacement suppliers, and we may be unable to obtain replacement supplies on terms that are favorable to us. Later relocation to another manufacturer will also require notification, review and other regulatory approvals from the FDA and other regulators and will subject our production to further cost and instability in the availability of our product candidates. In addition, if we are not able to obtain adequate supplies of our product candidates, or the drug substances used to manufacture them, it will be more difficult for us to sell our products and to develop our product candidates. This could greatly reduce our competiveness.

Our current and anticipated future dependence upon others for the manufacture of our product candidates may adversely affect our future profit margins and our ability to develop product candidates and commercialize any products that obtain regulatory approval on a timely and competitive basis.

We face substantial competition, which may result in others discovering, developing or commercializing products before or more successfully than we do. Our operating results will suffer if we fail to compete effectively.

We face competition from pharmaceutical companies in the IS, NS, and FSGS indications and will likely face similar competition in other indications, including PKAN, because competition in the area of pharmaceutical products is intense.

For example, Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s product H.P. Acthar Gel is a formula of ACTH that is approved by the FDA for the treatment of IS and NS. In addition, Apo Pharma Inc. and Treat Iron-Related Childhood-Onset Neurodegeneration (“TIRCON”) are sponsoring clinical studies of Deferiprone as a potential treatment for PKAN. Also, we believe that TIRCON is working on a possible treatment for PKAN using pantethine derivatives.

Additionally, there are clinical studies underway evaluating possible treatments for FSGS. For example, Sanofi (Genzyme) is engaged in a Phase 2 clinical study of Fresolimumab to treat FSGS, and Sunnybrook Medical Center has announced plans for a Phase 2 clinical study of Rituxan to treat FSGS. Also, Fibrogen is developing an anti-Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) antibody as a possible treatment for FSGS.

Several of our competitors have substantially greater financial, research and development, distribution, manufacturing and marketing experience and resources than we do and represent substantial long-term competition for us. Other companies may succeed in developing and marketing products that are more effective and/or less costly than any products that may be developed and marketed by Retrophin, or that are commercially accepted before any of our products. Factors affecting competition in the pharmaceutical and drug industries vary, depending on the extent to which a competitor is able to achieve a competitive advantage based on its proprietary technology and ability to market and sell drugs. If we are able to establish and maintain a significant proprietary position with respect to our products, competition likely will depend primarily on the effectiveness and ease of administration and product compliance as compared to alternative products. The industry in which we compete is characterized by extensive research and development efforts and rapid technological progress. Although we believe that our proprietary position may give us a competitive advantage with respect

to sparsentan and RE-024, new developments are expected to continue and there can be no assurance that discoveries by others will not render such potential products noncompetitive.

Our competitive position also depends on our ability to enter into strategic alliances with one or more large pharmaceutical and contract manufacturing companies, attract and retain qualified personnel, develop effective proprietary products, implement development and marketing plans, obtain patent protection, secure adequate capital resources and successfully sell and market our approved products. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully achieve all of the foregoing objectives.

Materials necessary to manufacture our product candidates may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, which may delay the development and commercialization of our product candidates.

We rely on the manufacturers of our product candidates to purchase from third-party suppliers the materials necessary to produce the compounds for our preclinical and clinical studies and will rely on these other manufacturers for commercial distribution if we obtain marketing approval for any of our product candidates. Suppliers may not sell these materials to our manufacturers at the time we need them or on commercially reasonable terms and all such prices are susceptible to fluctuations in price and availability due to transportation costs, government regulations, price controls, and changes in economic climate or other foreseen circumstances. We do not have any control over the process or timing of the acquisition of these materials by our manufacturers. Moreover, we currently do not have any agreements for the commercial production of these materials. If our manufacturers are unable to obtain these materials for our preclinical and clinical studies, product testing and potential regulatory approval of our product candidates would be delayed, significantly impacting our ability to develop our product candidates. If our manufacturers or we are unable to purchase these materials after regulatory approval has been obtained for our product candidates, the commercial launch of our product candidates would be delayed or there would be a shortage in supply, which would materially affect our ability to generate revenues from the sale of our product candidates.

Any product for which we obtain marketing approval could be subject to restrictions or withdrawal from the market and we may be subject to penalties if we fail to comply with regulatory requirements or if we experience unanticipated problems with our products, when and if any of them are approved.

Any product for which we obtain marketing approval, along with the manufacturing processes and facilities, post-approval clinical data, labeling, advertising and promotional activities for such product, will be subject to continual requirements of and review by the FDA and comparable regulatory authorities. These requirements include submissions of safety and other post-marketing information and reports, registration requirements, cGMP requirements relating to quality control, quality assurance and corresponding maintenance of records and documents, requirements regarding the distribution of samples to physicians and recordkeeping. Even if we obtain regulatory approval of a product, the approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which the product may be marketed or to the conditions of approval, or contain requirements for costly post-marketing testing and surveillance to monitor the safety or efficacy of the product. We also may be subject to state laws and registration requirements covering the distribution of our products. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with our products, manufacturers or manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in actions such as:

·     restrictions on such products, manufacturers or manufacturing processes;

·     warning letters;

·     withdrawal of the products from the market;

·     refusal to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications that we submit;

·     voluntary or mandatory recall;

·     fines;

·     suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals or refusal to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications that we submit;

·     refusal to permit the import or export of our products;

·     product seizure or detentions;

·     injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties; and

·     adverse publicity.

If we, or our suppliers, third-party contractors, clinical investigators or collaborators are slow to adapt, or are unable to adapt, to changes in existing regulatory requirements or adoption of new regulatory requirements or policies, we or our collaborators may lose marketing approval for our products when and if any of them are approved, resulting in decreased revenue from milestones, product sales or royalties.

Any drugs we develop may become subject to unfavorable pricing regulations, third-party reimbursement practices or healthcare reform initiatives, thereby harming our business.

The business and financial condition of healthcare-related businesses will continue to be affected by efforts of governments and third-party payers to contain or reduce the cost of healthcare through various means. 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 RE-034, RE-024, and sparsentan, or any other product candidate that we develop, restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect our ability to profitably sell sparsentan, RE-024 and RE-034 or any other product candidate for which we obtain marketing approval.

Legislative and regulatory proposals have been made to expand post-approval requirements and restrict sales and promotional activities for pharmaceutical products. It is not clear 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 any Retrophin products, 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 Retrophin to more stringent product labeling and post-marketing testing and other requirements.

For example, in March 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care Education Reconciliation Act (collectively, the “Health Care Reform Law”), 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 healthcare and health insurance industries, impose new taxes and fees on the health 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 imposes a significant annual fee on companies that manufacture or import certain branded prescription drug products. Although it is too early to determine the full effect of the Health Care Reform Law, the law appears likely to continue the pressure on pharmaceutical pricing, especially under the Medicare program, and may also increase regulatory burdens and operating costs.

If we are unable to obtain coverage and adequate reimbursement from governments or third-party payers for any products that we may develop or if we are unable to obtain acceptable prices for those products, our prospects for generating revenue and achieving profitability will suffer.

Our prospects for generating revenue and achieving profitability will depend heavily upon the availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement for the use of our approved product candidates from governmental and other third-party payers, both in the United States and in other markets. Reimbursement by a third-party payer may depend upon a number of factors, including the third-party payer’s determination that use of a product is:

Obtaining reimbursement approval for a product from each government or other third-party payer is a time consuming and costly process that could require us to provide supporting scientific, clinical and cost effectiveness data for the use of our products to each payer. We may not be able to provide data sufficient to gain acceptance with respect to reimbursement or we might need to conduct post-marketing studies in order to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of any future products to such payers’ satisfaction. Such studies might require us to commit a significant amount of management time and financial and other resources. Even when a payer determines that a product is eligible for reimbursement, the payer may impose coverage limitations that preclude payment for some uses that are

approved by the FDA or non-United States regulatory authorities. In addition, there is a risk that full reimbursement may not be available for high-priced products. Moreover, eligibility for coverage does not imply that any product will be reimbursed in all cases or at a rate that allows us to make a profit or even cover our costs. Interim payments for new products, if applicable, may also not be sufficient to cover our costs and may not be made permanent. A primary trend in the United States healthcare industry and elsewhere is toward cost containment. We expect recent changes in the Medicare program and increasing emphasis on managed care to continue to put pressure on pharmaceutical product pricing.

Governments outside the United States tend to impose strict price controls and reimbursement approval policies, which may adversely affect our prospects for generating revenue.

In some countries, particularly European Union countries, the pricing of prescription pharmaceuticals is subject to governmental control. In these countries, pricing negotiations with governmental authorities can take considerable time (6 to 12 months or longer) after the receipt of marketing approval for a product. To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval in some countries, we may be required to conduct a clinical trial that compares the cost effectiveness of our product candidate to other available therapies. If reimbursement of our products is unavailable or limited in scope or amount, or if pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels, our prospects for generating revenue, if any, could be adversely affected and our business may suffer.

If we are unable to establish sales and marketing capabilities or enter into agreements with third parties to market and sell our product candidates, we may be unable to generate product revenue.

Risks Related to Our Business

We are an early stage corporation. Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our current business and future prospects, and our profitability in the future is uncertain.

We commenced operations in 2011 and are a new, early stage company. We face the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays, many of which are beyond our control, associated with any business in its early stages and has no operating history on which an evaluation of our prospects can be made. Such prospects should be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered in the establishment of a business in a new industry, characterized by a number of market entrants and intense competition, and in the shift from development to commercialization of new products based on innovative technologies.

We expect to experience significant growth in the number of our employees and the scope of our operations. We began 2014 with 26 employees and ended the year with approximately 110 employees having added sales and marketing, compliance and legal functions in addition to expansion of all functions to support a commercial organization. As of March 31, 2015, we had approximately 120 employees. To manage our anticipated future growth, we must continue to implement and improve our managerial, operational and financial systems, expand our facilities and continue to recruit and train additional qualified personnel. Due to our limited resources, we may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our operations or recruit and train additional qualified personnel. The physical expansion of our operations may lead to significant costs and may divert our management and business development resources. Any inability on the part of our management to manage growth could delay the execution of our business plans or disrupt our operations.

Factors that may inhibit our efforts to commercialize our products without strategic partners or licensees include:

Moreover, though we generate revenues from product sales arrangements, we may incur significant operating losses over the next several years. Our ability to achieve profitable operations in the future will depend in large part upon successful in-licensing of products approved by the FDA, selling and manufacturing these products, completing development of our products, obtaining regulatory approvals for these products, and bringing these products to market. The likelihood of the long-term success of our company must be considered in light of the expenses, difficulties and delays frequently encountered in the development and

commercialization of new drug products, competitive factors in the marketplace, as well as the regulatory environment in which we operate.

In addition, as a new business, we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other known and unknown factors.

*For the years ending December 31, 2013 and 2014, our management identified internal control deficiencies, which our management believed constituted material weaknesses. Any future material weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting could harm stockholder and business confidence on our financial reporting, our ability to obtain financing and other aspects of our business.

In connection with the preparation of our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 we concluded that a material weakness existed in internal control over financial reporting. Specifically, as of December 31, 2014, our management concluded that the management of and accounting for equity awards and consulting agreements controls were not effective. On February 19, 2015, the Company’s board of directors concluded that as a result of the errors related to such consulting agreements, the financial statements contained in the September 30, 2013 third quarter Form 10-Q and the 2013 Form 10-K should no longer be relied upon. The Company has corrected such errors, including any related disclosures, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and we will restate these periods in amendments to the September 30, 2013 Third Quarter Form 10-Q and 2013 Form 10-K. The Company believes that the errors related to such consulting agreements in the 2014 Forms 10-Q do not cause the financial statements contained therein to be misleading, and therefore such financial statements can still be relied upon. The Company has corrected such errors, including any related disclosures, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and will restate those quarters in future Forms 10-Q.

As of December 31, 2014, we carried out an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013), updated and reissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations, or the COSO Framework.  Based on our evaluation under the COSO Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2014.  In connection with the above assessment, Retrophin management identified a material weakness in the control environment relating to a certain member of senior management who did not demonstrate the appropriate level of control consciousness and, therefore, did not demonstrate a positive tone at the top of the organization and did not observe a diligent process relating to the review and approval of contracts. In addition, Retrophin’s management also identified a material weakness in the control environment relating to the accounting for equity awards. In the first quarter of 2015 management implemented additional controls to remediate the material weakness disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 associated with the control environment, including strengthening our management team and implementing additional controls and processes associated with granting and accounting for equity awards. 

Additionally, as of December 31, 2013, we had identified certain matters that constituted material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting, including the fact that we (i) have experienced difficulty in generating data in a form and format that facilitates the timely analysis of information needed to produce accurate financial reports, (ii) have experienced difficulty in applying complex accounting and financial reporting and disclosure rules required under GAAP and the SEC reporting regulations, and (iii) have limited segregation of duties. Although we are committed to continuing to improve our internal control processes, and although we will continue to diligently and vigorously review our internal control over financial reporting, any control system, regardless of how well designed, operated and evaluated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Management is in the process of taking the steps as outlined in Item 9A to remediate the December 31, 2014 material weaknesses. Therefore, we cannot be certain that, in the future, additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies will not exist or otherwise be discovered. If our efforts to address the weakness identified are not successful, or if other deficiencies occur, these weaknesses or deficiencies could result in misstatements of our results of operations, restatements of our financial statements, a decline in our stock price and investor confidence or other material effects on our business, reputation, financial condition or liquidity.

*We have incurred operating losses since our inception. We expect to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never achieve or maintain profitability.

Management believes that we will continue to incur losses for the immediate future. For the year December 31, 2014, the Company generated revenue and is trying to achieve positive cash flow from operations. The Company expects to finance its cash needs from results of operations and depending on results of operations we may either need additional equity or debt financing, or need to enter into strategic alliances on products in development to sustain our operations until we can achieve profitability and positive cash flows from operating activities, if ever.

At March 31, 2015, we had working capital surplus of approximately $131.4 million. Our accumulated deficit amounted to $142.7 million at March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our stockholders’ equity was $168.6 million and our

stockholders deficit was $37.3 million, respectively. Our net income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $39.7 million compared to a net loss of $75.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, primarily due to the bargain purchase gain of $88.5 million. Net cash used in operating activities was $7.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to $9.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Operations since inception have been funded primarily with the proceeds from equity and debt financings and beginning in March 2014 from revenue from our marketed products. As of March 31, 2015, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $126.3 million. We will continue to fund operations from cash on hand, product revenues, and through the similar sources of capital previously described. We can give no assurance that such capital will be available to us on favorable terms or at all. If we are unable to raise additional funds in the future on acceptable terms, or at all, we may be forced to curtail our development activities. In addition we could be forced to delay or discontinue product development, and forego attractive business opportunities. Any additional sources of financing will likely involve the sale of our equity securities, which will have a dilutive effect on our stockholders.

We have devoted substantially all of our efforts to research and development, specifically our preclinical development activities. We have not completed development of any drugs. We expect to continue to incur significant and increasing operating losses for at least the next several quarters and we are unable to predict the extent of any future losses. We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially as we:

To become and remain profitable, we must succeed in developing and commercializing drugs with significant market potential. This will require us to be successful in a range of challenging activities, including the discovery of product candidates, successful completion of preclinical testing and clinical trials of our product candidates, obtaining regulatory approval for these product candidates and manufacturing, marketing and selling those products for which we may obtain regulatory approval. We are only in the preliminary stages of these activities. We may not be successful enough in these activities to generate revenues that are substantial enough to achieve profitability. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Our failure to become or remain profitable could depress the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital, expand our business, diversify our product offerings or continue our operations. A decline in the market price of our common stock may also cause a loss of a part or all of your investment.

We will need substantial additional funding and may be unable to raise capital when needed, which would force us to delay, reduce or eliminate our product development programs or commercialization efforts.

We expect our general, research and development expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we complete Phase 2 clinical studies of sparsentan, and as we continue toward Phase 1 clinical studies of RE-024 and RE-034 and for any later-stage clinical trials of our product candidates. In addition, subject to obtaining regulatory approval of any of our product candidates, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses for product sales and marketing, securing commercial quantities of product from our manufacturers, and product distribution. We currently have no additional commitments or arrangements for any additional financing to fund the research and development and commercial launch of our product candidates.

Management believes the Company’s ability to continue its operations depends on its ability to sustain and grow revenue, results of operations and its ability to access capital markets when necessary to accomplish its strategic objectives. Management believes that we will continue to incur losses for the immediate future. For the year December 31, 2014, the Company has generated revenue and is trying to achieve positive cash flow from operations. The Company expects to finance its cash needs from results of operations and depending on results of operations we may either need additional equity or debt financing, or need to enter into strategic alliances on products in development to sustain our operations until we can achieve profitability and positive cash flows from operating activities, if ever. Additional funds may not be available to us when we need them on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. If adequate funds are not available to us on a timely basis, we may be required to reduce or eliminate research development programs or commercial efforts.

Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

*The market price for shares of our common stock may be volatile and purchasers of our common stock could incur substantial losses.

The price of our stock is likely to be volatile. The stock market in general, and the market for biotechnology companies in particular, have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. The market price for our common stock may be influenced by many factors, including:

In addition, the stock markets, and in particular, the NASDAQ Global Market, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many pharmaceutical companies. Stock prices of many pharmaceutical companies have fluctuated in a manner unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. The realization of any of the above risks or any of a broad range of other risks, including those described in these “Risk Factors” could have a dramatic and material adverse impact on the market price of our common stock.

We may be unable to successfully integrate new products or businesses we may acquire.

We intend to expand our product pipeline by pursuing acquisition of pharmaceutical products. If an acquisition is consummated, the integration of the acquired business, product or other assets into our company may also be complex and time- consuming and, if such businesses, products and assets are not successfully integrated, we may not achieve the anticipated benefits, cost-savings or growth opportunities. Potential difficulties that may be encountered in the integration process include the following:

Furthermore, these acquisitions and other arrangements, even if successfully integrated, may fail to further our business strategy as anticipated, expose us to increased competition or challenges with respect to our products or geographic markets, and expose us to additional liabilities associated with an acquired business, product, technology or other asset or arrangement. Any one of these challenges or risks could impair our ability to realize any benefit from our acquisitions or arrangements after we have expended resources on them.

Product liability lawsuits against us could cause us to incur substantial liabilities and to limit commercialization of any products that we may develop.

Our business exposes us to potential liability risks inherent in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products. If any of our product candidates in clinical trials or marketing products harm people we may be subject to costly and damaging product liability claims. We have clinical trial insurance and commercial product liability coverage. However, this insurance may not be adequate to cover all claims. We may be exposed to product liability claims and product recalls, including those which may arise from misuse or malfunction of, or design flaws in, such products, whether or not such problems directly relate to the products and services we have provided. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against claims that our product candidates or products caused injuries, we will incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

We have liability insurance policies for our clinical trials in the geographies in which we are conducting trials. The aggregate annual limit of coverage amount under these policies expressed in United States dollars is approximately $5.0 million, and these policies are also subject to per claim deductibles. The amount of insurance that we currently hold may not be adequate to cover all liabilities that we may incur. Insurance coverage is increasingly expensive. We may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost and we may not be able to obtain insurance coverage that will be adequate to satisfy any liability that may arise. On occasion, large judgments have been awarded in class action lawsuits based on drugs that had unanticipated side effects. A successful product liability claim or a series of claims brought against us could cause our stock price to fall and, if judgments exceed our insurance coverage, could decrease our available cash and adversely affect our business.

We are involved in various litigation matters, any of which could result in substantial costs, divert management's attention and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.

We are involved in various litigation matters, each described above in Part II, Item 1 “Legal Proceedings”. Although we intend to vigorously defend any claims for which we have been named as a defendant, there is no guarantee that we will be successful and we may have to pay damages awards or otherwise may enter into settlement arrangements in connection with such claims. Any such payments or settlement arrangements could have material adverse effects on our business, operating results or financial condition. Even if the pending claims are not successful, litigation with respect to such claims could result in substantial costs and significant adverse impact on our reputation and divert management's attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.  In addition, we are a plaintiff in a pending lawsuit, and we received a subpoena relating to a criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.  While we are not named as a defendant or otherwise a target of these proceedings, such proceedings could result in substantial costs and significant adverse impact on our reputation and divert management's attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.

We are subject to significant ongoing regulatory obligations and oversight, which may result in significant additional expense and may limit our commercial success.

We are subject to significant ongoing regulatory obligations, such as safety reporting requirements and additional post-marketing obligations, including regulatory oversight of the promotion and marketing of our products. In addition, the manufacture, quality control, labeling, packaging, safety surveillance, adverse event reporting, storage, advertising, promotion and recordkeeping for our products are subject to extensive and ongoing regulatory requirements. If we become aware of previously unknown problems with any of our products, a regulatory agency may impose restrictions on our products, our contract manufacturers or us. If we, our products and product candidates, or the manufacturing facilities for our products and product candidates fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, a regulatory agency, including the FDA, may send enforcement letters, mandate labeling changes, suspend or withdraw regulatory approval, suspend any ongoing clinical trials, refuse to approve pending applications or supplements filed by us, suspend or impose restrictions on manufacturing operations, request a recall of, seize or detain a product, seek criminal prosecution or an injunction, or impose civil or criminal penalties or monetary fines. In such instances, we could experience a significant drop in the sales of the affected products, our product revenues and reputation in the marketplace may suffer, and we could become the target of lawsuits.

We are also subject to regulation by regional, national, state and local agencies, including but not limited to the FDA, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other regulatory bodies. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Social Security Act, Public Health Service Act and other federal and state statutes and regulations govern to varying degrees the research, development, manufacturing and commercial activities relating to prescription pharmaceutical products, including preclinical testing, clinical research, approval, production, labeling, sale, distribution, post-market surveillance, advertising, dissemination of information, promotion, marketing, and pricing to government purchasers and government health care programs. Our manufacturing partners are subject to many of the same requirements.

The federal health care program anti-kickback statute prohibits, among other things, knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remuneration to induce or in return for purchasing, leasing, ordering or arranging for the purchase, lease or order of any health care item or service reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid or other federally financed healthcare programs. This statute has been interpreted to apply to arrangements that pharmaceutical companies have with prescribers, purchasers and formulary managers. Further, the Health Care Reform Law, among other things, amends the intent requirement of the federal anti-kickback statute so that a person or entity no longer needs to have actual knowledge of this statute or specific intent to violate it. In addition, the Health Care Reform Law provides that the government may assert that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal anti-kickback statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the civil False Claims Act. Although there are a number of statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors under the federal anti-kickback statute protecting certain common manufacturer business arrangements and activities from prosecution, the exceptions and safe harbors are drawn narrowly and an arrangement must meet all of the conditions specified in order to be fully protected from scrutiny under the federal anti-kickback statute. We seek to comply with the exceptions and safe harbors whenever possible, but our practices, such as our patient assistance programs and prompt pay discounts with certain customers, may not in all cases meet all of the criteria for protection from anti-kickback liability and may be subject to scrutiny.

The federal false claims laws, including the Federal False Claims Act, prohibit any person or entity from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false claim for payment to the federal government, or knowingly making, or causing to be made, a false statement to get a false claim paid. Many pharmaceutical and other health care companies have been investigated and have reached substantial financial settlements with the federal government under the Federal False Claims Act for a variety of alleged marketing activities, including providing free product to customers with the expectation that the customers would bill federal programs for the product; providing consulting fees, grants, free travel, and other benefits to physicians to induce them to prescribe the company’s

products; and inflating prices reported to private price publication services, which may be used by states to set drug payment rates under government health care programs. Companies have been prosecuted for causing false claims to be submitted because of the marketing of their products for unapproved uses. Pharmaceutical and other health care companies have also been prosecuted on other legal theories of Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

Additionally, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, created new federal criminal statutes that prohibit among other actions, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, including private third-party payers, and knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for healthcare benefits, items or services. Further, the civil monetary penalties statute imposes penalties against any person or entity that, among other things, is determined to have presented or caused to be presented a claim to a federal health program that the person knows or should know is for an item or service that was not provided as claimed or is false or fraudulent.

Many states also have statutes or regulations similar to the federal anti-kickback law and false claims and civil monetary penalties laws, which apply to items and services reimbursed under Medicaid and other state programs, or, in several states, which apply regardless of the payer. Several states now require pharmaceutical companies to report their expenses relating to the marketing and promotion of pharmaceutical products in those states and to report gifts and payments to certain individual health care providers in those states. Some of these states also prohibit certain marketing-related activities, including the provision of gifts, meals, and other items to certain health care providers. In addition, California, Connecticut, Nevada, and Massachusetts require pharmaceutical companies to implement compliance programs or marketing codes.

We also could become subject to government investigations and related subpoenas. Such subpoenas are often associated with previously filed qui tam actions, or lawsuits filed under seal under the Federal False Claims Act. Qui tam actions are brought by private plaintiffs suing on behalf of the federal government for alleged violations of the Federal False Claims Act. The time and expense associated with responding to such subpoenas, and any related qui tam or other actions, may be extensive, and we cannot predict the results of our review of the responsive documents and underlying facts or the results of such actions. Responding to government investigations, defending any claims raised, and any resulting fines, restitution, damages and penalties, settlement payments or administrative actions, as well as any related actions brought by stockholders or other third parties, could have a material impact on our reputation, business and financial condition and divert the attention of our management from operating our business.

The number and complexity of both federal and state laws continues to increase, and additional governmental resources are being added to enforce these laws and to prosecute companies and individuals who are believed to be violating them. In particular, the Health Care Reform Law includes a number of provisions aimed at strengthening the government’s ability to pursue anti-kickback and false claims cases against pharmaceutical manufacturers and other healthcare entities, including substantially increased funding for healthcare fraud enforcement activities, enhanced investigative powers, amendments to the federal False Claims Act that make it easier for the government and whistleblowers to pursue cases for alleged kickback and false claim violations and, for payments made on or after August 1, 2013, public reporting of payments by pharmaceutical manufacturers to physicians and teaching hospitals nationwide. While it is too early to predict the full effect these changes will have on our business, we anticipate that government scrutiny of pharmaceutical sales and marketing practices will continue for the foreseeable future and subject us to the risk of further government investigations and enforcement actions. Responding to a government investigation or enforcement action would be expensive and time-consuming, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.

In addition, we may be subject to data privacy and security regulation by both the federal government and the states in which we conduct our business. HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or HITECH, and their respective implementing regulations, imposes specified requirements relating to the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information.

Additionally, the federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act within the Health Care Reform Law, and its implementing regulations, require that certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologicals and medical supplies to report annually information related to certain payments or other transfers of value made or distributed to physicians and teaching hospitals, or to entities or individuals at the request of, or designated on behalf of, the physicians and teaching hospitals and to report annually certain ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members. Moreover, the Drug Supply Chain Security Act imposes new obligations on manufacturers of pharmaceutical products related to product tracking and tracing. Legislative and regulatory proposals have been made to expand post-approval requirements and restrict sales and promotional activities for pharmaceutical products. We are not sure whether additional legislative changes will be enacted, or whether the current regulations, guidance or interpretations will be changed, or what the impact of such changes on our business, if any, may be.

If we or any of our partners fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, we or they could be subject to a range of regulatory actions that could affect our or our partners' ability to commercialize our products and could harm or prevent sales of the affected products, or could substantially increase the costs and expenses of commercializing and marketing our products. Any threatened

or actual government enforcement action could also generate adverse publicity and require that we devote substantial resources that could otherwise be used in other aspects of our business. Compliance with applicable federal and state laws is difficult and time consuming, and companies that violate them may face substantial penalties. The potential sanctions include criminal fines, civil monetary penalties, administrative penalties, disgorgement, exclusion from participation in federal health care programs, and imprisonment. Because of the breadth of these laws, it is possible that some of our business activities could be subject to challenge under one or more of these laws. Such a challenge, irrespective of the underlying merits of the challenge or the ultimate outcome of the matter, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.

If we are not able to obtain and maintain required regulatory approvals, we will not be able to commercialize our products, and our ability to generate revenue will be materially impaired.

Our product candidates, once approved, and the activities associated with their manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sales are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and other regulatory agencies in the United States and by comparable authorities in other countries. Failure to adhere to regulations set out by these bodies for one or more of our commercial products could prevent us from commercializing the product candidate in the jurisdiction of the regulatory authority. We have only limited experience in meeting the regulatory requirements incumbent on the sale of drugs in the United States and elsewhere, and expect to rely on third-parties to assist us in these processes. If these third parties fail to adequately adhere to the regulations governing drug distribution and promotion we may be unable to sell our products, which could have a material effect on our ability to generate revenue.

Our product candidates and the activities associated with their development and commercialization, including testing, manufacture, safety, efficacy, recordkeeping, labeling, storage, approval, advertising, promotion, sale and distribution, are subject to comprehensive regulation by the FDA and other regulatory agencies in the United States and by comparable authorities in other countries. Failure to obtain regulatory approval for a product candidate will prevent us from commercializing the product candidate in the jurisdiction of the regulatory authority. We have only limited experience in filing and prosecuting the applications necessary to obtain regulatory approvals and expect to rely on third-party contract research organizations to assist us in this process.

Securing FDA approval requires the submission of extensive preclinical and clinical data and supporting information to the FDA for each therapeutic indication to establish the product candidate’s safety and efficacy. Securing FDA approval also requires the submission of information about the product manufacturing process to, and successful inspection of manufacturing facilities by, the FDA. Our future products may not be effective, may be only moderately effective or may prove to have undesirable or unintended side effects, toxicities or other characteristics that may preclude our obtaining regulatory approval or prevent or limit commercial use.

Our product candidates may fail to obtain regulatory approval for many reasons, including:

The process of obtaining regulatory approvals is expensive, often takes many years, if approval is obtained at all, and can vary substantially based upon a variety of factors, including the type, complexity and novelty of the product candidates involved. Changes in regulatory approval policies during the development period, changes in or the enactment of additional statutes or regulations, or changes in regulatory review for each submitted product application may cause delays in the approval or rejection of an application. The FDA and non-United States regulatory authorities have substantial discretion in the approval process and may refuse to accept any application or may decide that our data is insufficient for approval and require additional preclinical, clinical or other studies. In addition, varying interpretations of the data obtained from preclinical and clinical testing could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval of a product

candidate. Any regulatory approval we ultimately obtain may be limited or subject to restrictions or post approval commitments that render the approved product not commercially viable. Any FDA or other regulatory approval of our product candidates, once obtained, may be withdrawn, including for failure to comply with regulatory requirements or if clinical or manufacturing problems follow initial marketing.

Risks Related to our Indebtedness and Investments

*Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition.

As of March 31, 2015, we had approximately $84.2 million of total debt outstanding, all classified as long term. The total debt outstanding as of March 31, 2015 consists of the $45 million Credit Agreement dated June 30, 2014 (“Credit Facility”) as amended July 16, 2014, November 13, 2014, January 12, 2015 and March 25, 2015, and the Note Purchase Agreement dated May 29, 2014 relating to the private placement of $46.0 million aggregate senior secured notes (the “Notes”). As a result of our substantial indebtedness, a significant portion of our cash flow will be required to pay interest and principal on our Note Payable and interest and principal on the Notes if the Notes are not converted to shares of common stock prior to maturity. We may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations or have future borrowings available to enable us to repay our indebtedness or to fund other liquidity needs.

Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:

We expect to use cash flow from operations and outside financings to meet our current and future financial obligations, including funding our operations, debt service and capital expenditures. Our ability to make these payments depends on our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic and other factors, many of which we cannot control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future, which could result in our being unable to repay indebtedness, or to fund other liquidity needs. If we do not generate sufficient cash from operations, we may be forced to reduce or delay our business activities and capital expenditures, sell assets, obtain additional debt or equity capital or restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt, including our senior secured term loan and the Notes, on or before maturity. We cannot make any assurances that we will be able to accomplish any of these alternatives on terms acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, the terms of existing or future indebtedness may limit our ability to pursue any of these alternatives.

*Despite current indebtedness levels and restrictive covenants, we may still be able to incur more debt or make certain restricted payments, which could further exacerbate the risks described above.

We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur additional debt in the future. Although our Credit Facility contains restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness or make restricted payments, those restrictions are subject to a number of exceptions. We may also consider investments in joint ventures or acquisitions, which may increase our indebtedness. Adding new debt to current debt levels or making restricted payments could intensify the related risks that we and our subsidiaries now face. The Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of March 31, 2015.

Our Credit Facility restricts our ability to engage in some business and financial transactions.

Our Credit Facility restricts our and our subsidiaries’ abilities in certain circumstances to, among other things:

These covenants limit our operational flexibility and could prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities as they arise, growing our business or competing effectively. In addition, our new senior credit facility requires us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy other financial condition tests. Our ability to meet these financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure that we will meet these tests and therefore incur additional costs and penalties.

*We hold a significant stake in Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals, which could pose significant risks to our financial position and our stockholders.

On July 17, 2014, we made a proposal to the board of directors of Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited (“Clinuvel”) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Clinuvel for either 0.175 shares of common stock of the Company or $2.03 in cash per share for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $89 million. The proposal was rejected and as of March 31, 2015, we had remaining approximately $6.2 million of the outstanding shares of Clinuvel. The Company’s intention is liquidate our Clinuvel investment and use the cash generated from stock sales for working capital purposes. Due to the market for Clinuvel’s stock, the Company may not be able to readily liquidate our investment in Clinuvel, as a result, the Company may need to obtain additional equity and/or debt financing to fund operations. Our goal is ultimately to dispose of our shares in Clinuvel and realize gains upon our disposition of such shares. However, the shares we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our interest in Clinuvel, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any shares may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

A default under the Credit Facility or the Notes may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

In the event of a default the Credit Facility, the holders of the indebtedness thereunder generally would be able to declare all of the indebtedness under such term loan, together with accrued interest, to be due and payable. In addition, borrowings under our Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of our and our domestic subsidiaries’ assets, subject to certain limited exceptions and, in the event of a default under that facility, the lenders thereunder generally would be entitled to seize the collateral, including assets which are necessary to operate our business.

If an event of default under the Notes occurs, the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any) may be declared immediately due and payable, subject to certain conditions set forth in the indenture governing such notes. Events of default include, but are not limited to:

Accordingly, the occurrence of a default under our Credit Facility or the Notes, unless cured or waived, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our ability to make payments on the Notes is partially dependent upon our ability to receive dividends and other distributions from our subsidiaries.

Our subsidiaries are legally distinct from us. Payment to us by our subsidiaries will be contingent upon our subsidiaries’ earnings and other business considerations. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends, make distributions, provide loans or make other payments to us may be restricted by applicable state and foreign laws, potentially adverse tax consequences and their agreements, if any, including agreements governing their debt. As a result, we may not be able to access their cash flow to service our debt, including the Notes, and we cannot assure our noteholders that the amount of cash and cash flow of such subsidiaries will be fully available to us.

The Notes are structurally subordinated to all obligations of our subsidiaries.

The Notes are our obligations and are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries. Additionally, our senior secured term loan is guaranteed by our subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of their assets.

The effect of this structural subordination is that, in the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding involving a subsidiary which is not a guarantor of the Notes, the assets of the affected entity could not be used to pay noteholders until after all other claims against that subsidiary, including trade payables, have been fully paid.

The Notes rank junior to any of our secured indebtedness.

The Notes are our general unsecured obligations; they are not secured by any of our assets or those of our subsidiaries. The Notes effectively rank junior to any secured indebtedness, including the Credit Facility and any other secured indebtedness that we may incur. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, our assets that secure debt will be available to pay obligations on the Notes only after all debt under such secured debt has been repaid in full from such assets. As a result, it is likely that there would not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all the Notes then outstanding. In addition, the terms of the Notes allow us to secure unlimited amounts of debt with our assets, all of which would be effectively senior to the Notes to the extent of the value of such assets.

Provisions of the Notes could discourage an acquisition of us by a third party.

Certain provisions of the Notes could make it more difficult or more expensive for or prevent a third party to acquire us. Upon the occurrence of certain transactions constituting a fundamental change, holders of the Notes will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase all of their Notes or any portion of the principal amount of such Notes in integral multiples of $1,000. We may also be required to increase the conversion rate for conversions in connection with certain fundamental changes.

Conversion of the Notes may dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders, including holders who had previously converted their Notes.

To the extent we issue shares of common stock upon conversion of the Notes, the conversion of some or all of the Notes will dilute the ownership interests of existing stockholders. Any sales in the public market of shares of the common stock issuable upon such conversion could adversely affect prevailing market prices of shares of our common stock. In addition, the existence of the Notes may encourage short selling by market participants because the conversion of the Notes could depress the price of shares of our common stock.

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

None.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable. 

Item 5.  Other Information.

On May 7, 2015, we entered into an employment agreement with Alvin Shih, Ph.D., our Executive Vice President Research and Development (the “Employment Agreement”).  The Employment Agreement amends and restates our previous employment agreement entered into with Dr. Shih on May 23, 2014.  Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, Dr. Shih will receive an initial base salary of $450,000 per year, subject to annual adjustments determined by our Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”).  Upon execution of the Employment Agreement, Dr. Shih became entitled to a one-time signing bonus equal to $50,000, and is entitled to future discretionary annual bonuses as determined by our Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committee, with a bonus target currently set at 50% of his base salary. While Dr. Shih will continue to be employed on an at-will basis, the Employment Agreement provides that in the event of his termination by the Company without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Dr. Shih will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus, paid in equal installments over a period of 12 months, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 12 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that the amount of shares vested under such stock awards equals the number of shares that would have vested if Dr. Shih had continued to render services to the Company for 12 months following his separation from service. Additionally, in connection with a change in control of the Company, if Dr. Shih’s employment with the Company is terminated without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Dr. Shih will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus, multiplied by 1.5, paid in a single lump-sum amount, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 18 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that all outstanding stock awards become fully vested.

The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Employment Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 10.8.

Item 6.  Exhibits

(a) Exhibits

SIGNATURES

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