|
|
|
|
Item 2.
|
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.
|
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the Report)
contains certain information regarding our financial
projections, plans and strategies that are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements
involve substantial risks and uncertainty. You can identify
these statements by forward-looking words such as
may, will, expect,
intend, anticipate, believe,
estimate, plan, could,
should, continue or the negative of such
terms or similar words or expressions. These forward-looking
statements may also use different phrases.
We have based these forward-looking statements on our current
expectations and projections about future events. These
forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks,
uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include, among other
things, statements which address our strategy and operating
performance and events or developments that we expect or
anticipate will occur in the future, including, but not limited
to, statements in the discussions about:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
product and product candidate development;
|
|
|
|
|
|
governmental regulation and approval;
|
|
|
|
|
|
sufficiency of our cash resources;
|
|
|
|
|
|
future revenues, including those from product sales and
collaborations, and future expenses;
|
|
|
|
|
|
our research and development expenses and other
expenses; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
our operational and legal risks, including potential
developments with the Department of Justice inquiry.
|
You should also consider carefully the statements under the
heading Risk Factors below, which address additional
factors that could cause our results to differ from those set
forth in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking
statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
factors discussed in this Report, including those discussed in
this Report under the heading Risk Factors below.
Because of the factors referred to above, as well as the factors
discussed in this Report under the heading Risk
Factors below, could cause actual results or outcomes to
differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking
statements made by us or on our behalf, you should not place
undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Further, any
forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it
is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any
forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances
after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time
to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which factors
will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each
factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or
combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained in any forward-looking
statements. When used in the Report, unless otherwise indicated,
InterMune, we, our and
us refers to InterMune, Inc.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and
results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The
preparation of these financial statements requires us to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our
estimates on historical experience and on various other
assumptions that we believe are reasonable. These estimates are
the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets
and liabilities, which in turn may impact our reported revenue
and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates
under different assumptions or conditions.
An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an
accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about
matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is
made, and if different
15
estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in
the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur
periodically, could materially change the financial statements.
We believe there have been no significant changes during the
three-and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 to
the items that we disclosed as our critical accounting policies
and estimates under Item 7, Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004.
Executive Overview
We are an independent biopharmaceutical company focused on the
research, development and commercialization of innovative
therapies in pulmonology and hepatology. Pulmonology is the
field of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of
pulmonary, or lung, conditions. Hepatology is the field of
medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders
of the liver. We were incorporated in California in 1998 and
reincorporated in Delaware in 2000 upon becoming a public
company. Our revenue base is provided primarily from sales of
our two core products, Actimmune and Infergen. Since 2003, sales
of Actimmune have been declining on a year to year basis.
Significant resources have been applied to the marketing of
Infergen contributing to its recent growth. We also have a
number of advanced-stage clinical programs addressing a range of
unmet medical needs with attractive potential commercial markets
as well as one non-core asset, oritavancin, that we are seeking
to divest. We have sustained losses in every year since
inception and, as of September 30, 2005, we had an
accumulated deficit of $520.5 million and a capital deficit
of $30.5 million.
Approved Products
Our two marketed products are Actimmune® (interferon
gamma-1b), approved for the treatment of patients with severe,
malignant osteopetrosis and chronic granulomatous disease
(CGD) and Infergen® (consensus interferon
alfacon-1), approved for the treatment of patients with
compensated liver disease who have chronic hepatitis C
virus (HCV) infections. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2005, Actimmune accounted for approximately
74% of our product revenues, and substantially all of those
revenues were derived from physicians prescriptions for
the off-label use of Actimmune in the treatment of idiopathic
pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Research Programs
We have a preclinical research program in the hepatology area.
In September 2002, we entered into a drug discovery
collaboration agreement with Array BioPharma, Inc.
(Array) to discover certain novel small molecule
NS-3 protease inhibitors for the treatment of hepatitis C.
In late 2004, we amended the Array agreement to provide for the
acquisition of certain intellectual property rights from Array.
In April 2005, we initiated a second research collaboration with
Array with respect to a new hepatology target.
Results presented at the Digestive Disease Weekly medical
conference in May 2005 have identified protease inhibitors as a
promising therapeutic class. We are advancing our own HCV
protease inhibitor program and have completed several
preclinical studies on a series of compounds. We have selected
one compound for toxicology studies in support of a potential
IND submission. We are in the process of determining whether or
not we will enter into a partnership to help us develop this
protease inhibitor program. Pending discussions with the FDA and
irrespective of whether or not we enter into a partnership for
this program, we expect to file an IND for this protease
inhibitor in 2006.
In addition, we are pursuing research related to other small
molecules for unspecified hepatology targets.
We have a preclinical research program in pulmonology focused on
the discovery of small molecule therapeutics.
16
Development Programs
We have a late-stage development pipeline in the areas of
pulmonology, hepatology and ovarian cancer.
In hepatology, we are focused on expanding treatment options for
patients suffering from chronic HCV infections. Patients who
have never been treated with interferons are referred to as
naïve patients. We are developing once-daily
Infergen in combination with ribavirin therapy for the
re-treatment of patients suffering from chronic HCV infections
who are reported to have detectable HCV after at least twelve
weeks of previous pegylated interferon alpha 2 in combination
with ribavirin therapy. Approximately 50% of naïve patients
show a sufficient and sustained virologic response (the most
commonly used measure of treatment effectiveness) to this
initial treatment. The remaining patients that do not show a
sufficient and sustained virologic response to pegylated
interferons plus ribavirin are referred to as hepatitis C
PEG nonresponders. We believe that there are
approximately 200,000 hepatitis C PEG non-responder
patients in the United States. We initiated a Phase III
trial of once-daily treatment with Infergen in combination with
ribavirin therapy for hepatitis C PEG nonresponder patients
(the DIRECT trial) in June 2004 and announced in
July 2005 that patient enrollment was completed. Results from
independent investigator studies of daily Infergen plus
ribavirin in the U.S. and Europe suggest sustained virologic
response rates that are substantially higher than alternative
treatments for PEG nonresponders. We hope to confirm these
findings in the DIRECT trial. The DIRECT trial is progressing on
schedule through the treatment stage of the study. We met with
the FDA on October 24, 2005 to discuss our proposed plan to
complete the additional clinical work that we believe would
satisfy the requirements for the registration of once-daily
Infergen in combination with ribavirin therapy. We plan to
provide more specifics around the details and timing of our
registration plan once we receive written feedback from the FDA
from this meeting. We anticipate obtaining top-line data from
the DIRECT trial in the first half of 2007.
We have been developing once-daily Infergen in combination with
Actimmune, with and without ribavirin, for the treatment of
hepatitis C PEG nonresponder patients. We initiated a
Phase IIb clinical trial of this combination in May 2004.
Although an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board has
approved the continuation of the first three cohorts already
enrolled, our decision regarding the future of this trial will
depend on data from the first phase of the Phase IIb trial.
We completed our Phase I trial of a pegylated form of
Infergen, PEG-Alfacon-1, for the treatment of chronic HCV
infections in 2003. The PEG-Alfacon-1 development program will
be lengthy and very expensive, and the duration and expense
carry significant risk. We do not currently expect to develop
this program unless a suitable development partner for this
program can be found.
In pulmonology, we are developing two therapies for the
treatment of IPF. IPF is a fatal disease characterized by
progressive scarring, or fibrosis, of the lungs, which leads to
the deterioration and destruction of lung function. There is no
FDA approved therapy for IPF. Based on available data, we
believe that there are approximately 83,000 patients with
IPF in the United States. We are developing two clinically
advanced compounds for the treatment of IPF, Actimmune and
pirfenidone.
We initiated a second Phase III clinical trial of Actimmune
for the treatment of patients with IPF (the INSPIRE
trial) in December 2003. The INSPIRE trial required the
enrollment of approximately 600 patients which we
anticipate will be completed by the end of 2005. However, to
ensure the trial has adequate statistical power, we recently
conducted a sample size re-evaluation and determined that the
overall mortality rate observed at this early point in the trial
was somewhat lower than forecast in the study protocol.
Consequently, as provided in the protocol, we made the decision
in October 2005 to increase the sample size of the trial by an
additional 200 patients to increase the likelihood that the
protocol-specified number of events will have occurred by the
time the trial is scheduled to conclude by the end of 2007.
These additional patients bring the total size to approximately
800 patients. We expect to receive top-line data from the
INSPIRE trial in early 2008.
17
We have rights to develop and commercialize Actimmune for a
broad range of diseases in the United States, Canada and
Japan. We are collaborating with BI, which has similar rights in
Europe and the rest of the world, to develop and commercialize
interferon gamma-1b under the trade name Imukin®. Actimmune
has been granted orphan drug designation for IPF in the United
States. Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may grant orphan drug
designation to drugs intended to treat a rare disease or
condition, which is generally a disease or condition that
affects fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States.
This designation provides seven years of market exclusivity in
the United States upon the FDAs first approval of the
product for the orphan designation provided that the sponsor
complies with certain FDA specified conditions. EMEA orphan drug
designation provides for ten years of market exclusivity in
Europe.
We are developing pirfenidone for the treatment of IPF and we
currently plan to initiate a Phase III clinical program for
pirfenidone in this regard. This program will involve
approximately 550 patients, will include two separate
multi-national Phase III trials and will have lung function
as the primary endpoint. We expect to initiate this program in
the first half of 2006. In 2004, the FDA and the European
Medicines Agency (EMEA) granted us orphan drug
designation for pirfenidone for the treatment of IPF. We are
also supporting the development of pirfenidone for pulmonary
fibrosis associated with Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome, a fatal,
fibrotic lung disease caused by genetic factors for which there
is no FDA approved therapy, by providing free drug product to
the National Institute of Health for continuing clinical work.
We are also evaluating Actimmune in patients with ovarian cancer
in an ongoing Phase III trial (the GRACES
trial). We will review this program based on the outcome
of a planned interim analyses of progression-free survival and
overall survival. These are event driven analyses performed by
an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board that we anticipate
will occur in late 2005 or the first quarter of 2006.
Our oritavancin asset does not fit within our core focus areas
of pulmonology and hepatology. Therefore, we have been
attempting to divest this non-core asset for the past two years.
Product Development Status
The following chart shows the status of our product development
programs as of September 30, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preclinical
|
|
|
Phase I
|
|
|
Phase II
|
|
|
Phase III
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pulmonology
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actimmune
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Pirfenidone
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Next Generation Interferon Gamma
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hepatology
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daily Infergen + ribavirin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hepatitis C re-treatment patients
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Daily Infergen + Actimmune +/- ribavirin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hepatitis C re-treatment patients
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PEG-Alfacon-1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chronic hepatitis C virus infections
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NS-3 Protease Inhibitor program
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actimmune + Standard-of-Care Chemotherapy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ovarian cancer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Oritavancin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Complicated skin and skin structure infections
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
18
Results of Operations
Total product revenues were $36.6 million and
$37.5 million for the three-month periods ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, representing a
decrease of 2%. This decrease was primarily attributable to
decreases in sales of Actimmune and Amphotec, a product line we
divested in May 2005, partially offset by an increase in
Infergen sales. For the three-month periods ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004, Actimmune accounted for
approximately 70% and 80%, respectively, of our net product
revenues, and substantially all of these revenues were derived
from physicians prescriptions for the off-label use of
Actimmune in the treatment of IPF.
Total product revenues were $106.8 million and
$111.5 million for the nine-month periods ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, representing a
decrease of 4%. This decrease was primarily attributable to
decreases in sales of Actimmune and Amphotec partially offset by
increased sales of Infergen. For the nine-month periods ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004, Actimmune accounted for 74%
and 85%, respectively, of our net product sales, and
substantially all of these sales were derived from
physicians prescriptions for the off-label use of
Actimmune in the treatment of IPF.
There are a number of variables that impact Actimmune revenue
including, but not limited to, the level of U.S. enrollment
in our INSPIRE Trial, new patients started on therapy, average
duration of therapy, new data presented at medical conferences
and publications in medical journals, reimbursement and patient
referrals from physicians. In the third quarter of 2005,
Actimmune revenues declined 14% to $25.8 million from
$30.1 million during the same period in 2004.
In the third quarter of 2005, Infergen revenue increased 63% to
$10.2 million from $6.2 million in the same period in
2004. We continue to see strong growth in Infergen demand as
measured by prescriptions written for vials. For the three
months ended September 30, 2005, Infergen demand, as
measured by the number of prescribed vials, grew 123% from the
same period of 2004.
Cost of goods sold included product manufacturing costs,
royalties and distribution costs. Cost of goods sold were
$16.5 million and $12.3 million for the three-month
periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The gross margin percentage for our products was 55% and 67% for
these periods in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The increase as a
percentage of sales in the cost of goods sold for the third
quarter of 2005, when compared to the same period in 2004, was
primarily the result of a charge of $7.2 million, or
$0.22 per share, to cost of goods sold for excess inventory
from previous years contractual purchases.
In 2003 and 2004, we had contractual obligations to purchase
approximately 1.0 million and 1.8 million vials of
commercial Actimmune, respectively, from BI. During the quarter
ended September 30, 2005, we amended our contractual
obligation with BI to eliminate previously required purchases
for 2005 and reduce the obligation for future purchases. As part
of our regular quarterly forecast process and following this
amendment, an analysis of existing Actimmune inventory from
previous years contractual purchases was completed and
compared to current and projected sales trends. As a result of
this analysis, we charged $7.2 million to cost of goods
sold during the quarter ended September 30, 2005 for excess
inventory from previous years contractual purchases. In
accordance with the terms of our amended agreement with BI, we
have guaranteed a minimum annual dollar purchase amount in 2007
and through the remainder of the term of the agreement. In the
event that we do not order a sufficient quantity of vials based
on forecasted demand such that we do not meet the minimum annual
dollar purchase amount, we are required to pay to BI the
difference. In any given year that we are required to make this
payment, our gross margin percentage would be adversely affected.
Cost of goods sold was $36.8 million and $30.8 million
for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and
2004, respectively. The gross margin for our products was 66%
and 72%, respectively, for these periods in 2005 and 2004. This
increase in cost of goods sold is attributable to the same
reason noted above for the increase in cost of goods sold for
the three month period.
19
Exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the
Euro may adversely affect cost of goods sold on Actimmune
purchased from BI. We have, in the past, utilized forward
exchange contracts to partially offset the effect of exchange
rate fluctuations on purchases. However, no forward exchange
contracts have been established to date in 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of acquired product rights
|
We recorded amortization of acquired product rights of
$0.7 million for the three-month period ended
September 30, 2005 and $0.8 million for the
three-month period ended September 30, 2004. The amounts
recorded for the three-month periods ending September 30,
2005 and 2004 were comprised of the amortization charges related
to the acquisition of Amphotec (until its May 2005 divestiture),
Infergen and interferon gamma-1b patents.
We recorded amortization of acquired product rights of
$2.8 million and $2.3 million for the nine-month
periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The amortization charges for both 2005 and 2004 were related to
the acquisition of Amphotec, Infergen and interferon gamma-1b
patents. The increase for the 2005 period compared to the same
period in 2004 was due to a charge of $0.8 million taken in
the first half of 2005 for the impairment of Amphotec/ Amphocil
product rights in connection with the divestiture of this brand,
which was completed in May 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development expenses
|
Research and development expenses were $22.0 million and
$16.3 million for the three-month periods ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, representing an
increase of $5.7 million or 35%. The increase in spending
for the three-month period ended September 30, 2005
compared with the same period in 2004 was primarily due to
progress made on our three ongoing Phase III clinical
trials and the advancement of our pre-clinical HCV protease
inhibitor program. Research and development expenses were
$64.3 million and $54.9 million for the nine-month
periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively,
representing an increase of $9.4 million, or 17%. The
increase for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005
compared with the same period in 2004 was primarily due to a
$7.4 million increase for the pulmonology development
program and a $9.3 million increase for the hepatology
development program. These increases in development programs
were offset by a decrease of $2.6 million for the oncology
development program; a $1.8 million decrease in our
non-core oritavancin and Amphotec programs (a substantial
majority of the expenses related to oritavancin); and a
$2.9 million decrease in non-specific research and
development programs.
20
The following table lists our current product development
programs and the research and development expenses recognized in
connection with each program during the indicated periods. The
category title Programs-Non specific is comprised of
facilities and personnel costs that are not allocated to a
specific development program or discontinued programs. Our
management reviews each of these program categories in
evaluating our business. For a discussion of the risks and
uncertainties associated with developing our products, as well
as the risks and uncertainties associated with potential
commercialization of our product candidates, see the Risk
Factors below including those under the headings Risks
Related to the Development of Our Products and Product
Candidates and Risks Related to Manufacturing and
Our Dependence on Third Parties.
Our development program expenses for the nine-months ended
September 30, were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development Program
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pulmonology
|
|
$
|
19,424
|
|
|
$
|
12,024
|
|
|
Hepatology
|
|
|
19,634
|
|
|
|
10,311
|
|
|
Oncology
|
|
|
11,594
|
|
|
|
14,148
|
|
|
Anti-infectives(1)
|
|
|
495
|
|
|
|
2,342
|
|
|
Programs Non-specific
|
|
|
13,190
|
|
|
|
16,104
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
64,337
|
|
|
$
|
54,929
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Includes amounts related to oritavancin and Amphotec; a
substantial majority of the expenses are related to oritavancin.
|
A significant component of our total operating expenses is our
ongoing investments in research and development and, in
particular, the clinical development of our product pipeline.
The process of conducting the clinical research necessary to
obtain FDA approval is costly, time consuming, and variable with
respect to the timing of expense recognition. Current FDA
requirements for a new human drug to be marketed in the United
States include:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
the successful conclusion of preclinical laboratory and animal
tests, if appropriate, to gain preliminary information on the
products safety;
|
|
|
|
|
|
the filing with the FDA of an IND to conduct human clinical
trials for drugs;
|
|
|
|
|
|
the successful completion of adequate and well-controlled human
clinical investigations to establish the safety and efficacy of
the product for its recommended use; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
the filing by a company and acceptance and approval by the FDA
of an NDA or BLA for a drug product to allow commercial
distribution of the drug.
|
In light of the factors mentioned above, we consider the active
management and development of our clinical pipeline to be
crucial to our long-term success. The actual probability of
success for each candidate and clinical program may be impacted
by a variety of factors, including, among others, the quality of
the candidate, the validity of the target and disease
indication, early clinical data, investment in the program,
competition, manufacturing capability and commercial viability.
Due to these factors, it is not possible to give accurate
guidance on the anticipated proportion of our research and
development investments by program or the future cash inflows
from these programs.
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses were
$22.2 million and $17.1 million for the three-month
periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively,
representing an increase of $5.1 million or 30%. The
increased spending for the three-month period ended
September 30, 2005 compared with the same period in 2004
was primarily related to an increased level of sales and
marketing expenses supporting Infergen, including the
31-representative Infergen sales force hired in the fourth
quarter of 2004, and approximately
21
$1.8 million of legal expenses related to litigation and
ongoing legal matters. The legal matters are described in
Part II, Item 1 of this Report.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were
$70.7 million and $51.8 million for the nine-month
periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively,
representing an increase of $18.9 million or 36%. The
increased spending for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2005, versus the same period in 2004, was
primarily related to an increased level of sales and marketing
expenses supporting Infergen, $2.0 million of legal expense
associated with the settlement of the shareholder class action
lawsuit and employee lawsuit and $3.4 million of legal
expenses related to litigation and ongoing legal matters. The
legal matters are described in Part II, Item 1 of this
Report.
Interest income increased to $1.0 million for the
three-month period ended September 30, 2005, compared to
$0.8 million for the three-month period ended
September 30, 2004. Interest income increased to
$3.1 million for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2005, compared to $2.6 million for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 2004. The increase in
interest income in the three-month and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 2005 reflects increasing investment yields on
our cash and short-term investments resulting from higher market
interest rates, partially offset by lower cash and investment
balances.
Interest expense decreased to $0.3 million for the
three-month period ended September 30, 2005, compared to
$0.6 million for the three-month period ended
September 30, 2004. Interest expense decreased to
$0.9 million for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2005, compared to $4.8 million for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 2004. The decrease in
interest expense in the three-month and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 2005, reflects the 2004 repurchase of all of
our $149.5 million 5.75% convertible subordinated
notes due in July 2006 and the impact of the issuance of our
$170 million 0.25% convertible senior notes due in
March 2011.
Other income (expense) was $0.3 million income for the
three-month period ended September 30, 2005 compared to
other expense of $4.1 million for the three-month period
ended September 30, 2004. Other expense of
$4.1 million for the three-month period ended
September 30, 2004 included a charge of $2.8 million
for the repurchase of all of the remaining $97.0 million of
the 5.75% convertible subordinated notes due in July 2006
and the acceleration of $1.3 million of the deferred debt
issuance costs associated with these notes. Other income
(expense) reflected income of $0.8 million for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, comprised of a
gain on currency exchange partially offset by the loss on the
Amphotec divestiture. This compares to $7.1 million expense
for the nine-months ended September 30, 2004. Other expense
of $7.1 million for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2004 included a charge of $5.0 million
for the repurchase of all $149.5 million of our
5.75% convertible subordinated notes due in July 2006 and
the acceleration of $2.1 million of the deferred debt
issuance costs associated with these notes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At September 30, 2005, we had available cash, cash
equivalents and available-for-sale securities of
$120.1 million. The primary objective of our investment
activities is to preserve principal while at the same time
maximizing yields without significantly increasing risk. To
achieve this objective, we invest our excess cash in debt
instruments of the U.S. federal and state governments and
their agencies and high-quality corporate issuers, and, by
policy, restrict our exposure to any single corporate issuer by
imposing concentration limits.
Operating activities used $62.0 million in cash during the
nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, primarily due
to the loss from operations of $64.9 million and a decrease
in accounts payable and accrued compensation of approximately
$9.9 million. This use of cash was partially offset by a
decrease in inventories
22
of $11.1 million. The decrease in accounts payable and
accrued compensation was primarily a result of payments made
during the second quarter of 2005 for inventories received
during the fourth quarter of 2004. The decrease in inventories
is primarily due to a $7.2 million charge recorded to cost
of goods sold for excess inventory from previous years
contractual purchases. Details concerning the loss from
operations can be found above in this Report under the heading
Results of Operations.
Investing activities provided $61.1 million in cash during
the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, due in part
to maturities and sales of short-term investments totaling
$133.3 million, offset by $70.3 million of short-term
investment purchases and purchases of property and equipment of
$1.9 million. Cash provided by investing activities
increased by $7.7 million for the 2005 period, compared to
the same period in 2004, primarily due to a reduction in
purchases of available-for-sale securities.
Cash provided by financing activities of $1.0 million for
the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 was
primarily due to the receipt of proceeds from issuance of common
stock. Cash provided by financing activities of
$11.5 million for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2004 was primarily due to the receipt of net
proceeds of $164.2 million related to the issuance of
$170.0 million in 0.25% convertible senior notes due
March 2011. These proceeds were offset by the repurchase of
$154.5 million in principal amount of our outstanding
5.75% convertible subordinated notes due July 2006.
We do not have any special purpose entities that are
unconsolidated in our financial statements as of
September 21, 2005. We have no commercial commitments with
related parties. We have no loans with related parties, except
for an executive loan of $0.2 million to Dr. Marianne
Armstrong, our Senior Vice President of Regulatory/ Medical
Affairs and Drug Safety, and an executive loan of
$0.2 million to Dr. Lawrence Blatt, our Senior Vice
President of Preclinical and Applied Research. Both of these
loans were in place prior to the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act in 2002.
We believe that we will continue to require substantial
additional funding in order to complete the research and
development activities currently contemplated and to
commercialize our product candidates. We believe our existing
cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities,
together with anticipated cash flows from our operations, will
be sufficient to fund our operating expenses, debt obligations
and capital requirements under our current business plan through
at least the end of 2006. However, this forward-looking
statement is based upon the risks identified in this report; our
current plans and assumptions, which may change; and our capital
requirements, which may increase in future periods. Our future
capital requirements will depend on many factors, including, but
not limited to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
the commercial performance of any of our products or product
candidates in development that receive commercial approval;
|
|
|
|
|
|
our ability to partner our development and commercialization
programs and the establishment of other collaborative
relationships;
|
|
|
|
|
|
the progress of our research and development efforts;
|
|
|
|
|
|
the scope and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials;
|
|
|
|
|
|
the costs, timing and outcome of regulatory reviews;
|
|
|
|
|
|
determinations as to the commercial potential of our product
candidates in development;
|
|
|
|
|
|
the pace of expansion of administrative expenses;
|
|
|
|
|
|
the status of competitive products and competitive barriers to
entry;
|
|
|
|
|
|
the pace of expansion of our sales and marketing capabilities,
in preparation for product launches;
|
|
|
|
|
|
product costs;
|
|
|
|
|
|
the extent to which we purchase or redeem our outstanding
0.25% convertible senior notes due 2011 prior to
maturity; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
whether we must repay the principal in connection with our
convertible debt obligations.
|
23
As a result, we will require additional funds and plan to
attempt to raise additional funds through equity or debt
financings, collaborative arrangements with corporate partners
or from other sources. We have no commitments for such fund
raising activities. Additional funding may not be available to
finance our operations when needed or, if available, the terms
for obtaining such funds may not be favorable or may result in
dilution to our stockholders.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock is risky. Stockholders and
potential investors in shares of our stock should carefully
consider the following risk factors, which hereby update those
risks contained in the Risk Factors section of our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
June 30, 2005, in addition to other information and risk
factors in this Report. We are identifying these risk factors as
important factors that could cause our actual results to differ
materially from those contained in any written or oral
forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of InterMune. We
are relying upon the safe harbor for all forward-looking
statements in this Report, and any such statements made by or on
behalf of InterMune are qualified by reference to the following
cautionary statements, as well as to those set forth elsewhere
in this Report.
Risks Related to the Development of Our Products and Product
Candidates
|
|
|
|
|
We may not succeed in our development efforts or in
growing product revenues.
|
We commenced operations in 1998 and have incurred significant
losses to date. Our revenues have been limited primarily to
sales of Actimmune derived from physicians prescriptions
for the off-label use of Actimmune in the treatment of IPF.
Although we are developing Actimmune for the treatment of IPF
and ovarian cancer, Actimmune may not be marketed for IPF before
2008, if at all, and will not be marketed for ovarian cancer
before 2007, if at all. We market Infergen for the treatment of
HCV infections, but Infergen revenues may fail to grow
significantly. We are developing pirfenidone for the treatment
of IPF, but pirfenidone will not be marketed for any diseases
before 2010, if at all. The development of PEG-Alfacon-1, a
pegylated form of Infergen, for the treatment of chronic HCV
infections will be lengthy and very expensive and carries
significant risk. We do not currently expect to develop the
PEG-Alfacon-1 program unless a suitable development partner is
found. We have determined that continued development of
oritavancin is non-strategic and therefore we are attempting to
divest oritavancin. We may be unable to conclude a sale of
oritavancin in the near term or on favorable terms, if at all.
We may fail to develop our products on schedule, or at all, for
the reasons stated in this Risks Related to the
Development of Our Products and Product Candidates section
of this Report. If this were to occur, our costs would increase
and our ability to generate revenue could be impaired. In
addition, we may need to raise capital in amounts greater than
we anticipate in order to continue our development activities as
planned. If additional capital is not available, we may be
forced to curtail our development activities or cease operations.
|
|
|
|
|
Clinical development is a long, expensive and uncertain
process, and delay or failure can occur at any stage of any of
our clinical trials.
|
To gain approval to market a product for treatment of a specific
disease, we must provide the FDA and foreign regulatory
authorities with clinical data that demonstrate the safety and
statistically significant efficacy of that product for the
treatment of the disease. Clinical development is a long,
expensive and uncertain process, and delay or failure can occur
at any stage of any of our clinical trials. A number of
companies in the pharmaceutical industry, including
biotechnology companies, have suffered significant setbacks in
advanced clinical trials, even after promising results in
earlier trials. Success in preclinical testing and early
clinical trials does not ensure that later clinical trials will
be successful. For example, we reported that our exploratory
Phase II clinical trial evaluating Actimmune for the
potential treatment of advanced liver fibrosis caused by HCV in
patients who have failed standard antiviral therapy failed to
meet its primary endpoint. As a result, we do not intend to
conduct further development of Actimmune for the treatment of
liver fibrosis.
24
We are conducting a second Phase III clinical trial of
Actimmune as a treatment for IPF, our INSPIRE trial. However,
Actimmune may not demonstrate safety or statistically
significant efficacy with respect to the primary or secondary
endpoints of the protocol of that clinical trial or any
additional clinical trial. If the Phase III clinical trial
were to fail to demonstrate statistically significant efficacy,
we would likely abandon the development of Actimmune for the
treatment of IPF, which would seriously harm our business and
would result in a significant decline in our expected Actimmune
revenue.
|
|
|
|
|
We do not know whether our planned clinical trials will
begin on time, or at all, or will be completed on schedule, or
at all.
|
The commencement or completion of any of our clinical trials may
be delayed or halted for numerous reasons, including, but not
limited to, the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
the FDA or other regulatory authorities do not approve a
clinical trial protocol or place a clinical trial on clinical
hold;
|
|
|
|
|
|
patients do not enroll in clinical trials at the rate we expect;
|
|
|
|
|
|
patients experience adverse side effects;
|
|
|
|
|
|
patients withdraw or die during a clinical trial for a variety
of reasons, including adverse events associated with the
advanced stage of their disease and medical problems that may or
may not be related to our products or product candidates;
|
|
|
|
|
|
third-party clinical investigators do not perform our clinical
trials on our anticipated schedule or consistent with the
clinical trial protocol and good clinical practices, or other
third-party organizations do not perform data collection and
analysis in a timely or accurate manner;
|
|
|
|
|
|
our contract laboratories fail to follow good laboratory
practices;
|
|
|
|
|
|
the interim results of the clinical trial are inconclusive or
negative;
|
|
|
|
|
|
sufficient quantities of the trial drug are not
available; or
|
|
|
|
|
|
our trial design, although approved, is inadequate to
demonstrate safety and/or efficacy.
|
Our development costs will increase if we have material delays
in our clinical trials or if we need to perform more or larger
clinical trials than planned. For example, our development costs
related to Actimmune as a treatment for IPF increased due to our
need to conduct an additional Phase III clinical trial, as
our first Phase III clinical trial of Actimmune for the
treatment of IPF failed to show a significant effect on the
primary endpoint of progression-free survival or on secondary
endpoints of lung function and quality of life. In addition, we
recently conducted a blinded pre-specified sample size
re-evaluation in the INSPIRE trial that was a part of the
original study protocol to determine if the observed aggregate
mortality rate to date was consistent with the mortality
assumptions underlying the trial design. At this early stage of
the trial, the aggregate mortality rate observed was somewhat
lower than the projections used in designing the trial. To
increase the likelihood of reaching the total number of deaths
upon which the trial is powered by the time the trial is
scheduled to conclude in late 2007, we decided to increase the
trial size by an additional 200 patients, bringing the
total trial size to approximately 800 patients. However,
there is no guarantee that this increase in patient numbers will
in fact result in an aggregate mortality rate necessary to reach
the mortality projections. In this event, the scheduled
completion of this trial would extend past late 2007. If there
are any significant delays for this or any of our other current
or planned clinical trials, our financial results and the
commercial prospects for our products and product candidates
will be harmed, and our prospects for profitability will be
impaired.
|
|
|
|
|
Preclinical development is a long, expensive and uncertain
process, and we may terminate one or more of our current
preclinical development programs.
|
We may determine that certain preclinical product candidates or
programs do not have sufficient potential to warrant the
allocation of resources toward them. Accordingly, we may elect
to terminate our
25
programs for and, in certain cases, our licenses to, such
product candidates or programs. If we terminate a preclinical
program in which we have invested significant resources, we will
have expended resources on a program that will not provide a
full return on our investment and missed the opportunity to have
allocated those resources to potentially more productive uses.
In this regard, we did not recover the resources spent on the
development of Amphotec when we divested Amphotec in May 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
We will not be able to recover our total investment in our
non-core assets through divestiture, which could harm our
business and our results of operations.
|
In 2003, we refocused our business by curtailing investment in
non-core areas and focusing our commercial and development
efforts in pulmonology and hepatology. As a result, we have
divested Amphotec and are in the process of attempting to divest
oritavancin. We are also evaluating Actimmune in patients with
ovarian cancer in our ongoing GRACES Phase III trial. We
will review this program based on the outcome of a planned
interim analyses of progression-free survival and overall
survival. These are event driven analyses performed by an
independent Data Safety Monitoring Board that we anticipate will
occur in late 2005 or the first quarter of 2006. We have spent
significant resources in the acquisition and development of
these assets. We may in the future determine that additional
product candidates or programs are not consistent with our
future business strategy. We may not be able to recover our
investment in some or all of these assets in full. In such
event, we will have expended resources on programs that will not
provide a full return on our investment and missed the
opportunity to have allocated those resources to potentially
more productive uses.
Risks Related to Government Regulation and Approval of our
Products and Product Candidates
|
|
|
|
|
If we fail to comply or have failed in the past to comply
with FDA or other government regulations prohibiting the
promotion of off-label uses and the promotion of products for
which marketing approval has not been obtained, it could result
in regulatory enforcement action by the FDA or other
governmental authorities, including a substantial fine, either
of which could harm our business.
|
Physicians may prescribe commercially available drugs for uses
that are not described in the products labeling and that
differ from those uses tested by us and approved by the FDA.
Such off-label uses are common across medical specialties. For
example, even though the FDA has not approved the use of
Actimmune for the treatment of IPF, we are aware that physicians
are prescribing Actimmune for the treatment of IPF.
Substantially all of our Actimmune revenues are derived from
physicians prescriptions for off-label use. We are also
aware that physicians are prescribing Infergen in combination
with ribavirin therapy and prescribing daily administration of
Infergen for the treatment of chronic HCV infections, even
though the FDA has not approved this combination or dosing
regimen for the treatment of chronic HCV infections. The FDA
does not regulate the behavior of physicians in their choice of
treatments. The FDA and other governmental agencies do, however,
restrict manufacturers communications on the subject of
off-label use. Companies may not promote FDA approved drugs
for off-label uses. Accordingly, we may not
promote Actimmune for the treatment of IPF, or Infergen in
combination with ribavirin therapy, or the daily Infergen
regimen for the treatment of chronic HCV infections. The FDA and
other governmental authorities actively enforce regulations
prohibiting promotion of off-label uses and the promotion of
products for which marketing approval has not been obtained. The
federal government has levied large civil and criminal fines
against manufacturers for alleged improper promotion, and the
FDA has enjoined several companies from engaging in off-label
promotion. The FDA has also requested that companies enter into
consent decrees or permanent injunction under which certain
promotional conduct is changed or curtailed. We are aware of at
least one instance in which the Office of the Inspector General
has sought criminal penalties and a corporate integrity
agreement against a pharmaceutical manufacturer requiring that
company to pay substantial fines and to monitor certain
promotional activities to ensure compliance with FDA
regulations. We engage in medical education activities that are
subject to scrutiny under the FDAs regulations relating to
off-label promotion. While we believe we are currently in
compliance with these regulations, the regulations are subject
to varying interpretations, which are evolving.
If the FDA or any other governmental agency initiates an
enforcement action against us and it is determined that we
violated prohibitions relating to off-label promotion in
connection with past or future
26
activities, we could be subject to civil and/or criminal
sanctions such as those noted above in this risk factor, any of
which would have an adverse effect on our revenues, business and
financial prospects. On November 9, 2004, we received a
subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice requiring us
to provide the Department of Justice with certain information
relating to Actimmune, including information regarding the
promotion and marketing of Actimmune. We are cooperating with
the Department of Justice in this inquiry. Although we cannot
predict whether the outcome of this inquiry will have a material
adverse effect on our business, it is possible that we will be
required to pay a substantial civil fine in connection with the
settlement of this matter. At this time we cannot predict the
magnitude of such a fine or the impact the payment of such a
fine may have on our future business operations.
In addition, some of the agreements pursuant to which we license
our products, including our license agreement relating to
Actimmune, contain provisions requiring us to comply with
applicable laws and regulations, including the FDAs
restriction on the promotion of FDA approved drugs for off-label
uses. As a result, if it were determined that we violated the
FDAs rules relating to off-label promotion in connection
with our marketing of Actimmune, we may be in material breach of
our license agreement for Actimmune. If we failed to cure a
material breach of this license agreement, we could lose our
rights to Actimmune under the agreement.
|
|
|
|
|
If the FDA imposes significant restrictions or
requirements related to our products for any disease or
withdraws its approval of any of our products for any disease
for which they have been approved, our revenues would
decline.
|
The FDA and foreign regulatory authorities may impose
significant restrictions on the use or marketing of our products
or impose additional requirements for post-approval studies.
Later discovery of previously unknown problems with any of our
products or their manufacture may result in further
restrictions, including withdrawal of the product from the
market. In this regard, the FDA has conducted routine
inspections of our manufacturing contractors, and some were
issued a standard notice of observations. While we
believe that all of these observations are being appropriately
corrected, failure to correct any deficiency could result in
manufacturing delays. Our existing approvals for diseases, and
any new approval for any other disease that we target, if
granted, could be withdrawn for failure to comply with
regulatory requirements or to meet our post-approval
commitments. For example, we have ongoing Phase IV
post-marketing commitments to the FDA relating to Actimmune for
the treatment of osteopetrosis and Infergen for the treatment of
HCV. Our failure to adequately address these ongoing
Phase IV commitments could result in a regulatory action or
restriction, such as withdrawal of the relevant products
approval by the FDA. If approval for a disease is withdrawn, we
could no longer market the affected product for that disease. In
addition, governmental authorities could seize our inventory of
such product, or force us to recall any product already in the
market, if we fail to comply with FDA or other governmental
regulations.
For a description of restrictions relating to the off-label
promotion of our products, please see the risk factor titled,
If we fail to comply with FDA or other government
regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses and the
promotion of products for which marketing approval has not been
obtained, it could result in regulatory enforcement action by
the FDA or other governmental authorities, which would harm our
business above.
|
|
|
|
|
If our clinical trials fail to demonstrate to the FDA and
foreign regulatory authorities that any of our products or
product candidates are safe and effective for the treatment of
particular diseases, the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities
may require us to conduct additional clinical trials or may not
grant us marketing approval for such products or product
candidates for those diseases.
|
Our failure to adequately demonstrate the safety and
effectiveness of any of our products or product candidates for
the treatment of particular diseases will delay or prevent our
receipt of the FDAs and foreign regulatory
authorities approval and, ultimately, may prevent
commercialization of our products and product candidates for
those diseases. The FDA and foreign regulatory authorities have
substantial discretion in deciding whether, based on the
benefits and risks in a particular disease, any of our products
or product candidates should be granted approval for the
treatment of that particular disease. Even if we believe that a
27
clinical trial has demonstrated the safety and statistically
significant efficacy of any of our products or product
candidates for the treatment of a disease, the results may not
be satisfactory to the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities.
Preclinical and clinical data can be interpreted by the FDA and
foreign regulatory authorities in different ways, which could
delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. If regulatory
delays are significant or regulatory approval is limited or
denied altogether, our financial results and the commercial
prospects for those of our products or product candidates
involved will be harmed, and our prospects for profitability
will be impaired.
For example, we reported results from our confirmatory pivotal
Phase III clinical trial of oritavancin for the treatment
of complicated skin and skin-structure infections
(CSSSIs). However, in two additional small clinical
pharmacology trials, we observed adverse events, primarily
phlebitis and rash, that were inconsistent with the safety
profile observed in prior clinical trials of oritavancin. Since
the cause of the inconsistency is unknown, the FDA has requested
an additional clinical safety trial be completed prior to the
submission of a New Drug Application (NDA), for
oritavancin. Because of the need to perform an additional
clinical trial, further development of oritavancin for the
treatment of CSSSIs will require additional investment. We are
seeking to divest oritavancin.
|
|
|
|
|
The pricing and profitability of our products may be
subject to control by the government and other third-party
payors.
|
The continuing efforts of governmental and other third-party
payors to contain or reduce the cost of healthcare through
various means may adversely affect our ability to successfully
commercialize our products. For example, in most foreign
markets, the pricing and/or profitability of prescription
pharmaceuticals are subject to governmental control. In the
United States, we expect that there will continue to be federal
and state proposals to implement similar governmental control.
For example, federal legislation was enacted on December 8,
2003 that provides a new Medicare prescription drug benefit
beginning in 2006 and mandates other reforms. Although we cannot
predict the full effects on our business of the implementation
of this new legislation, it is possible that the new Medicare
benefit, which will be managed by private health insurers,
pharmacy benefit managers and other managed care organizations,
will result in decreased reimbursement for prescription drugs,
which may further exacerbate industry-wide pressure to reduce
the prices charged for prescription drugs. In addition,
increasing emphasis on managed care in the United States will
continue to put pressure on the pricing of pharmaceutical
products. These new and any future cost-control initiatives
could decrease the price that we would receive for Actimmune,
Infergen or any other products we may develop in the future,
which would reduce our revenues and potential profitability.
|
|
|
|
|
Our failure or alleged failure to comply with
anti-kickback and false claims laws could result in civil and/or
criminal sanctions and/or harm our business.
|
We are subject to various federal and state laws pertaining to
health care fraud and abuse, including anti-kickback
laws and false claims laws. Subject to certain exceptions, the
anti-kickback laws make it illegal for a prescription drug
manufacturer to knowingly and willfully solicit, offer, receive
or pay any remuneration in exchange for, or to induce, the
referral of business, including the purchase or prescription of
a particular drug. The federal government has published
regulations that identify safe harbors or exemptions
for certain payment arrangements that do not violate the
anti-kickback statutes. Due to the breadth of the statutory
provisions and the absence of guidance in the form of
regulations or court decisions addressing some of our practices,
it is possible that our practices might be challenged under
anti-kickback or similar laws. False claims laws prohibit anyone
from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, for
payment to third party payors (including Medicare and Medicaid)
claims for reimbursed drugs or services that are false or
fraudulent, claims for items or services not provided as claimed
or claims for medically unnecessary items or services. Our
activities relating to the reporting of wholesaler or estimated
retail prices for our products, the reporting of Medicaid rebate
information and other information affecting federal and state
and third-party payment for our products, and the sale and
marketing of our products, could become subject to scrutiny
under these laws.
28
In addition, pharmaceutical companies have been prosecuted under
the False Claims Act in connection with their
off-label promotion of drugs. For information
regarding allegations with respect to off-label
promotion by us, please see If we fail to comply with FDA
or other government regulations prohibiting the promotion of
off-label uses and the promotion of products for which marketing
approval has not been obtained, it could result in regulatory
enforcement action by the FDA or other governmental authorities,
including a substantial fine, either of which could harm our
business above.
If the government were to allege that we were, or convict us of,
violating these laws, there could be a material adverse effect
on us, including a substantial fine, decline in our stock price,
or both. Our activities could be subject to challenge for the
reasons discussed above and due to the broad scope of these laws
and the increasing attention being given to them by law
enforcement authorities.
Risks Related to Manufacturing and Our Dependence on Third
Parties
|
|
|
|
|
The manufacturing and manufacturing development of our
products and product candidates present technological,
logistical and regulatory risks, each of which may adversely
affect our potential revenues.
|
The manufacturing and manufacturing development of
pharmaceuticals, and, in particular, biologicals, are
technologically and logistically complex and heavily regulated
by the FDA and other governmental authorities. The manufacturing
and manufacturing development of our products and product
candidates present many risks, including, but not limited to,
the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It may not be technically feasible to scale up an existing
manufacturing process to meet demand or such scale-up may take
longer than anticipated; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
Failure to comply with strictly enforced good manufacturing
practices regulations and similar foreign standards may result
in delays in product approval or withdrawal of an approved
product from the market. For example, the FDA has conducted
routine inspections of our manufacturing contractors, and some
were issued a standard notice of observations. While
we believe that all of these observations are being
appropriately corrected without further comment or action from
the FDA, failure to correct any deficiency could result in
manufacturing delays.
|
Any of these factors could delay clinical trials, regulatory
submissions and/or commercialization of our products for
particular diseases, interfere with current sales, entail higher
costs and result in our being unable to effectively sell our
products.
|
|
|
|
|
Our manufacturing strategy, which relies on third-party
manufacturers, exposes us to additional risks as a result of
which we may lose potential revenues.
|
We do not have the resources, facilities or experience to
manufacture any of our products or product candidates ourselves.
Completion of our clinical trials and commercialization of our
products requires access to, or development of, manufacturing
facilities that meet FDA standards to manufacture a sufficient
supply of our products. The FDA must approve facilities that
manufacture our products for commercial purposes, as well as the
manufacturing processes and specifications for the product. We
depend on third parties for the manufacture of our product
candidates for preclinical and clinical purposes, and we rely on
third parties with FDA approved manufacturing facilities for the
manufacture of our products for commercial purposes. These third
parties include BI, Amgen and Cardinal Health. We have long-term
supply contracts with BI for Actimmune, with Amgen for Infergen
and with Cardinal for pirfenidone. However, if we do not perform
our obligations under these agreements, they may be terminated.
Our manufacturing strategy for our products and product
candidates presents many risks, including, but not limited to,
the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If market demand for our products is less than our purchase
obligations to our manufacturers, we may incur substantial
penalties and substantial inventory write-offs. For example, in
accordance with the terms of our amended agreement with BI, we
have guaranteed a minimum annual purchase amount in 2007 and
through the remainder of the term of the agreement. In the event
that we do not order a
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sufficient quantity of vials based on forecasted demand such
that we do not meet the minimum annual purchase amount, we are
required to pay to BI the difference. In any given year that we
are required to make this payment, our gross margin percentage
would be adversely affected;
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufacturers of our products are subject to ongoing periodic
inspections by the FDA and other regulatory authorities for
compliance with strictly enforced good manufacturing practices
regulations and similar foreign standards, and we do not have
control over our third-party manufacturers compliance with
these regulations and standards;
|
|
|
|
|
|
When we need to transfer between manufacturers, the FDA and
foreign regulatory authorities must approve the new
manufacturers facilities and processes prior to our use or
sale of products it manufactures for us. This requires
demonstrated compatibility of product, process and testing and
compliance inspections. Delays in transferring manufacturing
technology between third parties could delay clinical trials,
regulatory submissions and commercialization of our product
candidates. For example, we have transferred the manufacturing
of oritavancin from Eli Lilly to a new third-party manufacturer,
and the new third-party manufacturers finished product has
not yet demonstrated a comparable safety profile to that
demonstrated by Eli Lillys oritavancin product. If the
finished oritavancin product of the new third-party manufacturer
does not have a comparable safety profile to that demonstrated
by Eli Lillys oritavancin product, our ability to divest
oritavancin may be adversely affected;
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our manufacturers might not be able or refuse to fulfill our
commercial needs, which would require us to seek new
manufacturing arrangements and may result in substantial delays
in meeting market demand;
|
|
|
|
|
|
We may not have intellectual property rights, or may have to
share intellectual property rights, to any improvements in the
manufacturing processes or new manufacturing processes for our
products;
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our product costs may increase if our manufacturers pass their
increasing costs of manufacture on to us;
|
|
|
|
|
|
If third-party manufacturers do not successfully carry out their
contractual duties or meet expected deadlines, we will not be
able to obtain or maintain regulatory approvals for our products
and product candidates and will not be able to successfully
commercialize our products and product candidates. In such
event, we may not be able to locate any necessary acceptable
replacement manufacturers or enter into favorable agreements
with such replacement manufacturers in a timely manner, if at
all; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
If our agreement with a third-party manufacturer expires, we may
not be able to renegotiate a new agreement with that
manufacturer on favorable terms, if at all. If we cannot
successfully complete such renegotiation, we may not be able to
locate any necessary acceptable replacement manufacturers or
enter into favorable agreements with such replacement
manufacturers in a timely manner, if at all.
|
Any of these factors could delay clinical trials, regulatory
submissions or commercialization of our products for particular
diseases, interfere with current sales, entail higher costs and
result in our being unable to effectively sell our products.
|
|
|
|
|
Our agreements with third-party manufacturers may restrict
our ability to establish alternative sources of products in a
timely manner or at an acceptable cost, which may cause us to be
unable to meet demand for our products and to lose potential
revenues.
|
Our key supply agreements provide that the manufacturer is our
exclusive source of supply for the product, except under certain
circumstances. For example, BI is currently our exclusive
manufacturer for Actimmune. Under our agreement with BI, we
cannot seek a secondary source to manufacture Actimmune until BI
has indicated to us its inability or unwillingness to meet our
requirements. Amgen is currently our exclusive manufacturer of
Infergen. In December 2004, we amended our Licensing and
Commercialization Agreement with Amgen to allow us to transfer
the manufacturing of Infergen from Amgen to a new supplier. Even
if we were to begin working with a new supplier to manufacture
Infergen, it could take several
30
years to transfer the Infergen manufacturing process to a
secondary source. If we are delayed in establishing a secondary
supply source for Actimmune or Infergen, or cannot do so at an
acceptable cost, we may suffer a shortage of commercial supply
of that product or a higher cost of product, either of which
would have a material and adverse effect on our revenues,
business and financial prospects.
|
|
|
|
|
We rely on third parties to conduct clinical trials for
our products and product candidates, and those third parties may
not perform satisfactorily.
|
If our third-party contractors do not successfully carry out
their contractual duties or meet expected deadlines, we may be
delayed in or prevented from obtaining regulatory approvals for
our products and product candidates, and may not be able to
successfully commercialize our products and product candidates
for targeted diseases. We do not have the ability to
independently conduct clinical trials for all of our products
and product candidates, and we rely on third parties such as
contract research organizations, medical institutions and
clinical investigators to perform this function. Our ability to
monitor and audit the performance of these third parties is
limited. If these third parties do not perform satisfactorily,
our clinical trials may be extended or delayed, resulting in
potentially substantial cost increases to us and other adverse
impacts on our product development efforts. We may not be able
to locate any necessary acceptable replacements or enter into
favorable agreements with them, if at all.
Risks Related to the Commercialization of Our Products and
Product Candidates
|
|
|
|
|
If we are not able to obtain required regulatory approvals
to change Infergens label to provide for daily dosing and
to market Infergen in combination with ribavirin for Hepatitis C
re-treatment patients, our revenues, business and financial
prospects would be adversely affected.
|
We believe that market acceptance of and demand for Infergen for
the treatment of chronic HCV infections may depend upon our
ability to change Infergens label to provide for daily
dosing and to market Infergen in combination therapy with
ribavirin for Hepatitis C re-treatment patients. Before we may
change Infergens label or market Infergen for use in
combination therapy with ribavirin for Hepatitis C re-treatment
patients, we would need to obtain FDA approval. To seek and
obtain such approval, we would need to supplement
Infergens current FDA license with data that support daily
use of Infergen and the combination use of Infergen and
ribavirin or another anti-viral drug for increased effectiveness
in treating chronic HCV infections. We cannot be certain how
long it would take us to submit such data and obtain such an
approval from the FDA, if at all. In June 2004, we initiated a
Phase III clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety
and efficacy of daily Infergen in combination with ribavirin for
the re-treatment of patients chronically infected with HCV who
are reported to have detectible HCV after at least 12 weeks
of previous pegylated interferon alfa-2 plus ribavirin therapy.
However, we cannot provide assurance that this trial will be
successful. In addition, if we are able to gain FDA approval for
Infergen and ribavirin combination therapy, we may become
involved in litigation involving patents held by third parties
covering use of interferon alpha and ribavirin combination
therapy. If we are unable to obtain FDA approval of daily dosing
of Infergen and for these new uses for Infergen, we will be
unable to market Infergen in combination with ribavirin or other
anti-viral drugs, and our revenues, business and financial
prospects would be adversely affected.
|
|
|
|
|
If Amgen is unable or refuses to meet our requirements for
the manufacture of Infergen in sufficient quantities or at an
acceptable cost in the future to meet anticipated commercial
demand, our revenues, business and financial prospects would be
adversely affected.
|
Amgen is currently our exclusive manufacturer of Infergen. In
December 2004, we amended our Licensing and Commercialization
Agreement with Amgen to allow us to transfer the manufacturing
of Infergen from Amgen to a new supplier. Even if we were to
begin working with a new supplier to manufacture Infergen, it
could take several years to transfer the Infergen manufacturing
process to a secondary source. If Amgen is unable or refuses to
meet our requirements for the manufacture of Infergen, we would
be unable to meet market demand for Infergen, which would harm
our ability to generate revenue. In addition, we have limited
control over the cost of goods for Infergen. If we are unable to
purchase Infergen at
31
an acceptable cost, it would have a material and adverse effect
on our revenues, business and financial prospects.
|
|
|
|
|
Existing patents and patents acquired by others in the
future may limit our ability to market our products for the
treatment of chronic HCV infections.
|
Our competitors and their strategic partners have substantial
and extensive patent rights related to combination therapy of
interferon alpha and ribavirin for the treatment of chronic HCV
infections. For example, we are aware of three U.S. patents
that relate to the use of interferon alpha and ribavirin to
treat chronic HCV infections. These patents expire in 2015, 2016
and 2017, respectively. It is possible that these patents could
adversely impact or prevent our efforts to market Infergen in
combination therapy with ribavirin. If these patents adversely
impact our ability to market Infergen or PEG-Alfacon-1 with
ribavirin, it is possible that the commercial prospects for
Infergen or PEG-Alfacon-1 could be reduced and our prospects for
profitability may be impaired. Further, it is possible that our
competitors and their strategic partners may obtain additional
patent rights in connection with filed patent applications for
combination therapy of interferon alpha and other anti-viral
drugs for the treatment of chronic HCV infections. If those
patent applications were to issue, we may be unable to market
Infergen or PEG-Alfacon-1 with ribavirin or with another
anti-viral drug, reducing the commercial prospects for Infergen
and PEG-Alfacon-1 and our prospects for profitability.
In addition, we are aware of a U.S. patent that relates to
the use of pegylated interferon alpha to treat chronic HCV
infections. This patent expires in 2016. It is possible that
this patent could adversely impact or prevent us from marketing
PEG-Alfacon-1 for the treatment of chronic HCV infections. If
this patent impacts our ability to market PEG-Alfacon-1 for the
treatment of chronic HCV infections, the commercial prospects
for PEG-Alfacon-1 could be reduced. Our competitors and their
strategic partners may have patent rights relating to pegylation
technology in general and the use of pegylated interferon alpha
for the treatment of chronic HCV infections in particular. These
patents may adversely impact the commercial prospects for
PEG-Alfacon-1.
Although we have licensed from Amgen rights to PEG-Alfacon-1, we
may not have, and may not be able to license on commercially
reasonable terms, if at all, sufficient rights to all the
intellectual property necessary for us to commercialize
PEG-Alfacon-1 for the treatment of chronic HCV infections. For
example, our competitors and their strategic partners have
substantial and extensive patent rights in connection with
interferon alpha and its recombinant production.
|
|
|
|
|
Because our competitors pegylated interferon alpha
products permit less frequent dosing than non-pegylated
products, Infergen, which is not pegylated, is at a competitive
disadvantage with respect to frequency of administration, which
may impede its ability to gain acceptance with physicians and
patients.
|
Pegylated interferon alpha products may have an advantage over
non-pegylated products because they circulate longer in the
body, permitting a less frequent dosing schedule and enhancing
efficacy in some patients infected with the HCV virus. Because
our competitors Schering-Plough Corporation and Roche
Laboratories have commenced marketing their respective pegylated
interferon alpha products, Infergen, which is a non-pegylated
interferon alpha product, may be at a significant disadvantage.
As a result, these competing products may impede Infergens
ability to gain acceptance with physicians and patients and thus
our ability to generate revenue. In addition, both of these
companies have obtained and it is likely they will continue to
obtain significant patent protection relating to their
respective products.
|
|
|
|
|
If non-interferon-based products prove to be safe and
effective in the treatment of chronic HCV infections, our
business and financial prospects will be adversely
affected.
|
Specific targeted agents directed against HCV may be effective
in reducing the amount of virus in infected chronic HCV
patients. Results presented at the Digestive Disease Weekly
medical conference in May 2005 have provided additional support
of protease inhibitors as a promising target against HCV. If the
use of
32
the protease inhibitor or other specific targeted anti-HCV
agents proves to be effective in the treatment of chronic HCV
infections, the use of interferon-based therapies, like Infergen
for chronic HCV infections may diminish, which would harm our
business.
|
|
|
|
|
If we are unable to achieve results that are consistent
with our assessment of the current and future market potential
of Infergen and PEG-Alfacon-1, we may be required to take a
charge to the carrying value of our Infergen-related intangible
asset that would have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations.
|
If the use of interferon-based therapies, including Infergen,
for chronic HCV infections were to diminish or not grow as we
expect, this could impact the recoverability of the
Infergen-related intangible asset, which was $13.5 million
as of September 30, 2005. We have conducted detailed
assessments of the current and future market potential of
Infergen and PEG-Alfacon-1, including, but not limited to, the
impact of competing products on the market potential of these
interferon-based therapies. These assessments resulted in no
reduction of the carrying value of the Infergen-related
intangible asset. If we are unable to achieve results consistent
with those assumed in our detailed assessment, it may be
necessary to perform a future detailed assessment, which could
result in a reduction of the carrying value of the
Infergen-related intangible asset. This could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of
operations during the period in which we recognize a reduction.
|
|
|
|
|
We rely on one customer for approximately 45% of our total
product sales. If this customer does not continue to sell our
products at its current levels, our business will be
harmed.
|
During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, Priority
Healthcare Corporation accounted for approximately 45% of our
total product sales and 41% of our outstanding receivables. If
Priority Healthcare Corporation or any other customer that sells
a significant portion of our products were to experience
financial difficulties, or otherwise became unable or unwilling
to sell our products, our business would be harmed.
Additionally, any reduction, delay or loss of orders from our
key customers could harm our revenues in any period or harm our
business generally. On October 14, 2005, Express Scripts,
Inc. announced that it had acquired Priority Healthcare
Corporation. We are uncertain what implications, if any, this
may have on our business.
|
|
|
|
|
If the specialty pharmacies and distributors that we rely
upon to sell our products fail to perform, our business may be
adversely affected.
|
Our success depends on the continued customer support efforts of
our network of specialty pharmacies and distributors. A
specialty pharmacy is a pharmacy that specializes in the
dispensing of injectable or infused medications for complex or
chronic conditions, which often require a high level of patient
education and ongoing management. The use of specialty
pharmacies and distributors involves certain risks, including,
but not limited to, risks that these specialty pharmacies and
distributors will:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
not provide us with accurate or timely information regarding
their inventories, the number of patients who are using our
products or product complaints;
|
|
|
|
|
|
not effectively sell or support our products;
|
|
|
|
|
|
reduce their efforts or discontinue to sell or support our
products;
|
|
|
|
|
|
not devote the resources necessary to sell our products in the
volumes and within the time frames that we expect;
|
|
|
|
|
|
be unable to satisfy financial obligations to us or
others; or
|
|
|
|
|
|
cease operations.
|
Any such failure may result in decreased product sales and lower
product revenues, which would harm our business.
33
|
|
|
|
|
Even if regulatory authorities approve our products or
product candidates for the treatment of the diseases we are
targeting, our products may not be marketed or commercially
successful.
|
Our products and product candidates are expensive, and we
anticipate that the annual cost for treatment for each of the
diseases for which we are seeking approval will be significant.
These costs will vary for different diseases based on the dosage
and method of administration. Accordingly, we may decide not to
market any of our products or product candidates for an approved
disease because we believe that it may not be commercially
successful. Market acceptance of and demand for our products and
product candidates will depend on many factors, including, but
not limited to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
cost of treatment;
|
|
|
|
|
|
pricing and availability of alternative products;
|
|
|
|
|
|
ability to obtain third-party coverage or reimbursement for our
products or product candidates to treat a particular disease;
|
|
|
|
|
|
perceived efficacy relative to other available therapies;
|
|
|
|
|
|
shifts in the medical community to new treatment paradigms or
standards of care;
|
|
|
|
|
|
relative convenience and ease of administration; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
prevalence and severity of adverse side effects associated with
treatment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
If third-party payors do not provide coverage or reimburse
patients for our products, our revenues and prospects for
profitability will suffer.
|
Our ability to commercialize our products or product candidates
for particular diseases is highly dependent on the extent to
which coverage and reimbursement for our products is available
from:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
private health insurers, including managed care organizations;
|
|
|
|
|
|
governmental payors, such as Medicaid, the U.S. Public
Health Service Agency or the Veterans
Administration; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
other third-party payors.
|
Significant uncertainty exists as to the coverage and
reimbursement status of pharmaceutical products, particularly
with respect to products that are prescribed by physicians for
off-label use. If governmental and other third-party payors do
not provide adequate coverage and reimbursement levels for our
products, market acceptance of our products will be reduced, and
our sales will suffer. Many third-party payors provide coverage
or reimbursement only for FDA approved indications. If any large
or many third-party payors decide to deny reimbursement for
Actimmune used to treat IPF, sales of Actimmune would decline,
and our revenues would suffer.
Often, third-party payors make the decision to reimburse an
off-label prescription based on whether that product has a
compendium listing. The drug compendia list approved indications
that products have received from the FDA. The compendia also
evaluate the body of clinical evidence to determine whether an
off-label use of products should be listed in the compendia as
medically appropriate. A compendium listing of an off-label use
is many times a requirement by payors, such as Medicare and
private payors, to approve that use. To receive a compendium
listing for the use of Actimmune in the treatment of IPF, we
would have to complete an application and submit clinical data
regarding the use of Actimmune in the treatment of IPF. We will
evaluate whether we apply for a compendium listing based upon
the publication of certain data in peer reviewed journals whose
publication is outside of our control. If we file for a
compendium listing and are unable to acquire a compendium
listing for Actimmune for the treatment of IPF, additional
third-party payors may decide to deny reimbursement for
Actimmune for the treatment of IPF, and fewer physicians may
prescribe Actimmune for such treatment. If either of these were
to occur, sales of Actimmune would decline and our revenues
would suffer.
34
Some third-party payors have denied coverage for Actimmune for
the treatment of IPF for a variety of reasons, including the
cost of Actimmune, the fact that IPF is not an FDA approved
indication for Actimmune or a third-party payors
assessment that a particular patients case of IPF has
advanced to a stage at which treatment with Actimmune would not
have a significant effect. We believe that approximately 60-70%
of the patients who seek coverage for Actimmune for the
treatment of IPF from private third-party payors are able to
obtain coverage. While coverage trends have not changed
significantly in the last two years, major health plans could
further restrict coverage or adopt a policy of no coverage.
Medicare generally does not provide coverage for drugs, like
Actimmune, that are administered by injection in the home.
However, in connection with the Medicare Prescription Drug
Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, Medicare has recently
discussed the possibility of refusing to provide coverage for
products for a specific indication unless the product has been
approved by the FDA for that indication. If Medicare were to
make a formal decision not to cover the off-label use of
products, it may have a negative impact on the willingness of
private third-party payors to provide coverage for the off-label
use of products such as Actimmune.
|
|
|
|
|
The activities of competitive drug companies, or others,
may limit our products revenue potential or render them
obsolete.
|
Our commercial opportunities will be reduced or eliminated if
our competitors develop or market products that, compared to our
products or product candidates:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
are more effective;
|
|
|
|
|
|
have fewer or less severe adverse side effects;
|
|
|
|
|
|
are better tolerated;
|
|
|
|
|
|
have better patient compliance;
|
|
|
|
|
|
receive better reimbursement terms;
|
|
|
|
|
|
are more accepted by physicians;
|
|
|
|
|
|
are more adaptable to various modes of dosing;
|
|
|
|
|
|
have better distribution channels;
|
|
|
|
|
|
are easier to administer; or
|
|
|
|
|
|
are less expensive.
|
Even if we are successful in developing effective drugs, our
products may not compete effectively with our competitors
current or future products. Our competitors include larger, more
established, fully integrated pharmaceutical companies and
biotechnology companies that have substantially greater capital
resources, existing competitive products, larger research and
development staffs and facilities, greater experience in drug
development and in obtaining regulatory approvals and greater
marketing capabilities than we do.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property Rights
|
|
|
|
|
We may not be able to obtain, maintain and protect certain
proprietary rights necessary for the development and
commercialization of our products or product candidates.
|
Our commercial success will depend in part on obtaining and
maintaining patent protection on our products and product
candidates and successfully defending these patents against
third-party challenges. Our ability to commercialize our
products will also depend in part on the patent positions of
third parties, including those of our competitors. The patent
positions of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies can be
highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual
questions. No consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims
allowed in biotechnology patents has emerged to date.
Accordingly, we cannot predict with certainty the scope and
breadth of patent claims that may be afforded to other
companies patents. We could incur
35
substantial costs in litigation if we are required to defend
against patent suits brought by third parties, or if we initiate
suits to protect our patent rights.
The degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is
uncertain, and we cannot ensure that:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
we were the first to make the inventions covered by each of our
pending patent applications;
|
|
|
|
|
|
we were the first to file patent applications for these
inventions;
|
|
|
|
|
|
others will not independently develop similar or alternative
technologies or duplicate any of our technologies;
|
|
|
|
|
|
any of our pending patent applications will result in issued
patents;
|
|
|
|
|
|
any of our issued patents or those of our licensors will be
valid and enforceable;
|
|
|
|
|
|
any patents issued to us or our collaborators will provide a
basis for commercially viable products or will provide us with
any competitive advantages or will not be challenged by third
parties;
|
|
|
|
|
|
we will develop additional proprietary technologies that are
patentable; or
|
|
|
|
|
|
the patents of others will not have a material adverse effect on
our business.
|
Others have filed and in the future may file patent applications
covering uses and formulations of interferon gamma-1b,
interferon alpha, pegylated versions of these products and other
products in our development program. If a third party has been
or is in the future issued a patent that blocked our ability to
commercialize any of our products, alone or in combination, for
any or all of the diseases that we are targeting, we would be
prevented from commercializing that product or combination of
products for that disease or diseases unless we obtained a
license from the patent holder. We may not be able to obtain
such a license to a blocking patent on commercially reasonable
terms, if at all. If we cannot obtain, maintain and protect the
necessary proprietary rights for the development and
commercialization of our products or product candidates, our
business and financial prospects will be impaired.
|
|
|
|
|
If we breach our license agreements, we may lose our
ability to develop and sell our products.
|
We license certain patents and trade secrets relating to
Actimmune from Genentech, Inc; relating to Infergen from Amgen;
relating to pirfenidone from Marnac and KDL; and relating to
oritavancin from Eli Lilly. If we breach any of our
agreements with Genentech, Amgen, Marnac and KDL or Eli Lilly,
any of these licensors may be able to terminate the respective
license, and we would have no further rights to utilize the
licensed patents or trade secrets to develop and market the
corresponding products, which could adversely affect our
revenues and financial prospects.
|
|
|
|
|
Since the pirfenidone molecule is in the public domain and
the patent we licensed from Marnac is limited to specific
methods of use of pirfenidone, we may be subject to competition
from third party products with the same active pharmaceutical
ingredients as our product candidate.
|
Composition of matter patent protection for pirfenidone molecule
has expired in the United States and elsewhere. Marnac and
others have obtained patents in the United States and elsewhere
relating to methods of use of pirfenidone for the treatment of
certain diseases. We have licensed from Marnac and KDL rights to
a U.S. patent related to the use of pirfenidone for the
treatment of fibrotic disorders, including the use of
pirfenidone for the treatment of IPF. Marnac has retained rights
under other U.S. and foreign patents for the use of pirfenidone
to treat diseases other than fibrotic disorders. It is possible
that Marnac will license these patent rights to third parties to
develop, market, sell and distribute pirfenidone for these
indications in the United States and elsewhere. It is also
possible that a third party may develop pirfenidone for the
treatment of certain diseases that are not covered by patents
held by Marnac or those we licensed from Marnac. If Marnac or
others were to license their method of use patents for non
anti-fibrotic indications to a third party, or if a third party
were to develop pirfenidone for a use that is not covered by any
patents and such third parties successfully developed
pirfenidone for non-fibrotic indications, we could face
competition from third party products with the same active
pharmaceutical ingredient as our product candidate. If a third
party were to
36
obtain FDA approval for the use of pirfenidone for an indication
before we did, such third party would be first to market and
could establish the price for pirfenidone. This could adversely
impact our ability to implement our pricing strategy for the
product and may limit our ability to maximize the commercial
potential of pirfenidone. The presence of a lower priced
competitive product with the same active pharmaceutical
ingredients as our product could lead to use of the competitive
product for our anti-fibrotic indications. This could lead to
pricing pressure for pirfenidone, which would adversely affect
our ability to generate revenue from the sale of pirfenidone for
anti-fibrotic indications.
|
|
|
|
|
Over time, we will lose our ability to rely upon the
intellectual property we currently own to prevent competing
products, which may impair our ability to generate
revenues.
|
We have licensed certain patents relating to interferon
gamma-1b, the active ingredient in Actimmune, from Genentech. A
U.S. patent relating to the composition of interferon
gamma-1b expires in 2014. Other material U.S. patents
relating to interferon gamma-1b expire between 2009 and 2013. We
also previously purchased certain patents relating to interferon
gamma analogs from Amgen in 2002 including a U.S. patent
issued August 30, 2005 which will expire on August 30,
2022. When these various patents expire, we will be unable to
use these patents to try to block others from marketing
interferon gamma-1b in the United States.
We have licensed U.S. and Canadian patent rights relating to
Infergen, a type of interferon alpha, from Amgen. Two of
Amgens U.S. patents relating to Infergens
active ingredient, the interferon alfacon-1 molecule, expired in
2004. However, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
recently issued a Certificate of Extension of Patent Term,
officially extending the term of one of these patents by five
years, to 2009. After expiration of the extended patent term in
2009, we would rely on a U.S. patent related to the use of
interferon alfacon-1 for the treatment of HCV infections while
reducing the occurrence of Grade 3 or Grade 4 toxicities to
block others from marketing interferon alfacon-1 for the
treatment of chronic HCV infections at these doses. When this
patent expires in 2011, we will not be able to use this patent
to block others from marketing Infergen or other forms of
interferon alfacon-1 for the treatment of HCV infections in the
United States. Another U.S. patent that we have licensed
from Amgen covers the use of interferon alfacon-1 for the
treatment of HCV patients who have failed to respond to previous
interferon treatment. This patent expires in 2016.
We have licensed from Marnac and KDL rights to a
U.S. patent related to the use of pirfenidone for the
treatment of fibrotic disorders, including the use of
pirfenidone for the treatment of IPF. After the U.S. patent
expires in 2011, we will not be able to use this patent to block
others from marketing pirfenidone for fibrotic disorders,
including IPF although we may be able to extend our
U.S. exclusivity for IPF if we gain FDA approval for IPF
under orphan drug designation. The pirfenidone molecule itself
has no composition of matter patent protection in the United
States or elsewhere. Therefore, we have no ability to prevent
others from commercializing pirfenidone for (i) uses
covered by the other patents held by Marnac and third parties,
or (ii) other uses in the public domain for which there is
no patent protection. We are relying on exclusivity granted from
orphan drug designation in IPF to protect pirfenidone from
competitors in this indication. The exclusivity period in the
United States begins on first NDA approval for this product in
IPF and ends seven years thereafter. In addition, a third party
could develop pirfenidone for another non-fibrotic disease that
also qualifies for orphan drug designation and could be granted
seven years exclusivity in that indication. Additionally, in
Europe we have already been granted orphan drug designation by
the EMEA. We anticipate having ten years of exclusivity in
Europe for pirfenidone for the treatment of IPF following first
marketing approval in Europe. We cannot provide any assurance
that we will be able to maintain this orphan drug designation.
We have licensed certain patents throughout the world relating
to oritavancin from Eli Lilly. After patents related to the
composition of oritavancin expire in 2015, we will not be able
to use such patents to block others from marketing oritavancin.
Once our patents expire, we will be subject to competition from
third parties who will be able to use the intellectual property
covered by these patents, which could impair our ability to
generate revenues.
37
|
|
|
|
|
Our competitors and others may have or may obtain rights
that may limit or prevent us from developing and commercializing
our products and product candidates.
|
Our competitors and their strategic partners have substantial
and extensive patent rights in connection with the use of
interferon alpha to treat a variety of diseases. It is possible
that our competitors and their strategic partners may obtain
additional patent rights in connection with filed patent
applications for interferon alpha. We are uncertain of the
extent to which the currently issued patents and any additional
patents of our competitors that may issue will prevent us from
marketing Infergen for the treatment of certain diseases. If
these patents adversely impact our ability to market, or prevent
us from marketing, Infergen for a range of diseases, the
commercial prospects for Infergen will be reduced and our
prospects for profitability may be impaired. In addition, our
competitors and their strategic partners have substantial and
extensive patent rights in connection with the use of pegylated
interferon alpha to treat a variety of diseases. Although we
have licensed from Amgen rights to PEG-Alfacon-1, we may not
have, and may not be able to license on commercially reasonable
terms, if at all, sufficient rights to all the intellectual
property necessary for us to commercialize PEG-Alfacon-1.
We are aware of the settlement of a lawsuit involving Infergen
filed in 1997 by Biogen, Inc. against Amgen in the
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The
suit alleged that the manufacture of Infergen infringed three
Biogen U.S. patents relating to vectors for expressing
cloned genes, methods of making vectors and expressing cloned
genes, and host cells. All claims in the lawsuit were dismissed
with prejudice by order of the court in December 2001 under a
confidential settlement agreement entered into between Biogen
and Amgen. Although Amgen has informed us that the settlement
agreement applies to Infergen, we do not know the terms of the
settlement agreement or how the terms of the settlement may
affect our ability to commercialize Infergen in the United
States. The settlement agreement may have a material adverse
effect on our ability to commercialize Infergen in the United
States.
The combination of our products with other drugs may have a
greater therapeutic effect in treating certain diseases than our
products alone. In some cases, third parties hold patents either
on the potential companion drugs or on combination therapies
that include our products. We may not be able to negotiate
licenses or other rights to potential companion drugs on
reasonable terms, or at all. If we are not able to negotiate
these licenses or other rights, the market for our products may
be diminished.
|
|
|
|
|
Litigation or third-party claims of intellectual property
infringement could require us to spend substantial time and
money and could adversely affect our ability to develop and
commercialize products.
|
Our commercial success depends in part on our ability and the
ability of our collaborators to avoid infringing patents and
proprietary rights of third parties. As noted in the immediately
preceding risk factor, third parties may accuse us or our
collaborators of employing their proprietary technology in our
products, or in the materials or processes used to research or
develop our products, without authorization. Any legal action
against our collaborators or us claiming damages and/or seeking
to stop our commercial activities relating to the affected
products, materials and processes could, in addition to
subjecting us to potential liability for damages, require our
collaborators or us to obtain a license to continue to utilize
the affected materials or processes or to manufacture or market
the affected products. We cannot predict whether we, or our
collaborators, would prevail in any of these actions or whether
any license required under any of these patents would be made
available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. If we are
unable to obtain such a license, we, or our collaborators, may
be unable to continue to utilize the affected materials or
processes or manufacture or market the affected products or we
may be obligated by a court to pay substantial royalties and/or
other damages to the patent holder. Even if we are able to
obtain such a license, the terms of such a license could
substantially reduce the commercial value of the affected
product or products and impair our prospects for profitability.
Accordingly, we cannot predict whether or to what extent the
commercial value of the affected product or products or our
prospects for profitability may be harmed as a result of any of
the liabilities discussed above. Furthermore, infringement and
other intellectual property claims, with or without merit, can
be expensive and time-consuming to litigate and can divert
managements attention from our core business.
38
|
|
|
|
|
If the owners of the intellectual property we license fail
to maintain the intellectual property, we may lose our rights to
develop our products or product candidates.
|
We generally do not control the patent prosecution of technology
that we license from others. Accordingly, we are unable to
exercise the same degree of control over this intellectual
property as we would exercise over technology that we own. For
example, if Genentech fails to maintain the intellectual
property licensed to us, we may lose our rights to develop and
market Actimmune and may be forced to incur substantial
additional costs to maintain or protect the intellectual
property or to compel Genentech to do so.
|
|
|
|
|
If our employees, consultants and vendors do not comply
with their confidentiality agreements or our trade secrets
otherwise become known, our ability to generate revenue and
profits may be impaired.
|
We rely on trade secrets to protect technology where it is
possible that patent protection is not appropriate or
obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. We
protect these rights mainly through confidentiality agreements
with our corporate partners, employees, consultants and vendors.
These agreements generally provide that all confidential
information developed or made known to an individual or company
during the course of their relationship with us will be kept
confidential and will not be used or disclosed to third parties
except in specified circumstances. In the case of employees and
consultants, our agreements generally provide that all
inventions made by the individual while engaged by us will be
our exclusive property. We cannot be certain that these parties
will comply with these confidentiality agreements, that we will
have adequate remedies for any breach, or that our trade secrets
will not otherwise become known or be independently discovered
by our competitors. If our trade secrets become known, we may
lose a competitive advantage and our ability to generate revenue
may therefore be impaired.
|
|
|
|
|
By working with corporate partners, research collaborators
and scientific advisors, we are subject to disputes over
intellectual property, and our ability to obtain patent
protection or protect proprietary information may be
impaired.
|
Under some of our research and development agreements,
inventions discovered in certain cases become jointly owned by
our corporate partner and us and in other cases become the
exclusive property of one of us. It can be difficult to
determine who owns a particular invention, and disputes could
arise regarding those inventions. These disputes could be costly
and could divert managements attention from our business.
Our research collaborators and scientific advisors have some
rights to publish our data and proprietary information in which
we have rights. Such publications may impair our ability to
obtain patent protection or protect our proprietary information,
which could impair our ability to generate revenues.
Risks Related to Our Financial Results and Other Risks
Related to Our Business
|
|
|
|
|
If physicians do not prescribe Actimmune or prescribe it
less often for the treatment of IPF, our revenues will
decline.
|
Physicians may choose not to prescribe Actimmune or provide
fewer patient referrals for Actimmune for the treatment of IPF
because:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actimmune is not approved by the FDA for the treatment of IPF,
and we therefore are unable to market or promote Actimmune
for the treatment of IPF;
|
|
|
|
|
|
in our initial Phase III clinical trial, Actimmune failed
to meet the primary and secondary endpoints;
|
|
|
|
|
|
physicians prefer to enroll their patients in our Phase III
clinical trial of Actimmune or another trial for the treatment
of IPF;
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actimmune does not have a compendium listing, often a criterion
used by third-party payors to decide whether or not to reimburse
off-label prescriptions;
|
|
|
|
|
|
physicians patients are unable to receive or lose
reimbursement from a third-party reimbursement organization;
|
39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
physicians are not confident that Actimmune has a clinically
significant treatment effect for IPF;
|
|
|
|
|
|
a competitors product shows a clinically significant
treatment effect for IPF; or
|
|
|
|
|
|
physicians believe that the article and editorial in the
January 8, 2004 issue of the New England Journal of
Medicine were negative concerning Actimmune as a treatment for
IPF.
|
Net sales of Actimmune for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 were $79.4 million, compared to
$94.3 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2004, a decline of 16%. Net sales of Actimmune for the quarter
ended September 30, 2005 were $25.8 million, compared
to $30.1 million for the quarter ended September 30,
2004 representing a decrease of 14%. If physicians do not
prescribe Actimmune for the treatment of IPF for the above
reasons or any other reasons, our Actimmune revenues will
continue to decline. Revenues for Actimmune may have been
adversely affected by the publication of an article and a
related editorial in the January 8, 2004 issue of the New
England Journal of Medicine regarding the results of our initial
Phase III trial of Actimmune for the treatment of IPF. The
article concluded that (i)n a well-defined population of
patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, (Actimmune) did not
affect progression-free survival, pulmonary function, or the
quality of life. Owing to the size of and duration of the trial,
a clinically significant survival benefit could not be ruled
out. The related editorial that appeared in the
January 8, 2004 New England Journal of Medicine, among
other things, cast doubt on our studys indication of
increased survival among patients who were compliant with
interferon gamma-1b treatment by stating, (i)t
should be emphasized that survival data based on one year of
observation in a disease with an unknown date of onset and a
life expectancy of two to five years after diagnosis may be very
misleading. The editorial concluded by stating,
(s)tudies of other promising agents ... are indicated,
since interferon gamma-1b has not proved to be the answer.
|
|
|
|
|
If we fail to obtain the capital necessary to fund our
operations, we will be unable to successfully execute our
business plan.
|
We believe our existing cash, cash equivalents and
available-for-sale securities, together with anticipated cash
flows from our operations, will be sufficient to fund our
operating expenses, debt obligations and capital requirements
under our current business plan through at least the end of
2006. However, our current plans and assumptions may change, and
our capital requirements may increase in future periods. We have
no committed sources of capital and do not know whether
additional financing will be available when needed, or, if
available, that the terms will be favorable to our stockholders
or us. If additional funds are not available, we may be forced
to delay or terminate clinical trials, curtail operations or
obtain funds through collaborative and licensing arrangements
that may require us to relinquish commercial rights or potential
markets, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to
us. If adequate funds are not available, we will not be able to
successfully execute our business plan.
|
|
|
|
|
If we continue to incur net losses for a period longer
than we anticipate, we may be unable to continue our
business.
|
We have lost money since inception, and our accumulated deficit
was approximately $520.5 million at September 30,
2005. We expect to incur substantial additional net losses prior
to achieving profitability, if ever. The extent of our future
net losses and the timing of our profitability are highly
uncertain, and we may never achieve profitable operations. We
are planning to expand the number of diseases for which our
products may be marketed, and this expansion will require
significant expenditures. To date, we have generated revenues
primarily through the sale of Actimmune. However, Actimmune
sales have decreased in recent periods. We have not generated
operating profits to date from our products. If the time
required for us to achieve profitability is longer than we
anticipate, we may not be able to continue our business.
|
|
|
|
|
Failure to accurately forecast our revenues could result
in additional charges for excess inventories or non-cancelable
purchase obligations.
|
We base many of our operating decisions on anticipated revenue
trends and competitive market conditions, which are difficult to
predict. Based on projected revenue trends, we acquired
inventories and
40
entered into non-cancelable purchase obligations in order to
meet anticipated increases in demand for our products. However,
more recent projected revenue trends resulted in us recording
charges of $7.2 million for the three months ended
September 30, 2005 for excess inventories from previous
years contractual purchases. If revenue levels experienced
in future quarters are substantially below our expectations,
especially those revenues from sales of Actimmune and/or
Infergen, we could be required to record additional charges for
excess inventories and/or non-cancelable purchase obligations.
For additional information relating to difficulties we have
experienced forecasting revenues, see the risk factor titled,
We may fail to meet our publicly announced revenue and/or
expense projections and/or other financial guidance, which would
cause our stock to decline in value below.
|
|
|
|
|
If product liability lawsuits are brought against us, we
may incur substantial liabilities.
|
The testing, marketing and sale of medical products entail an
inherent risk of product liability. If product liability costs
exceed our liability insurance coverage, we may incur
substantial liabilities. Whether or not we were ultimately
successful in product liability litigation, such litigation
would consume substantial amounts of our financial and
managerial resources, and might result in adverse publicity, all
of which would impair our business. While we believe that our
clinical trial and product liability insurance currently
provides adequate protection to our business, we may not be able
to maintain our clinical trial insurance or product liability
insurance at an acceptable cost, if at all, and this insurance
may not provide adequate coverage against potential claims or
losses.
|
|
|
|
|
Our use of hazardous materials, chemicals, viruses and
radioactive compounds exposes us to potential
liabilities.
|
Our research and development activities involve the controlled
use and disposal of hazardous materials, chemicals, infectious
disease agents and various radioactive compounds. Although we
believe that our safety procedures for handling and disposing of
such materials comply with the standards prescribed by state and
federal regulations, we cannot completely eliminate the risk of
accidental contamination or injury from these materials. In the
event of such an accident, we could be held liable for
significant damages or fines, which may not be covered by or may
exceed our insurance coverage.
|
|
|
|
|
We face certain litigation risks that could harm our
business.
|
On November 9, 2004, we received a subpoena from the
U.S. Department of Justice requiring us to provide the
Department of Justice with certain information relating to
Actimmune, including information regarding the promotion and
marketing of Actimmune. We are cooperating with the Department
of Justice in this inquiry. Although we cannot predict whether
the outcome of this inquiry will have a material adverse effect
on our business, it is possible that we will be required to pay
a substantial civil fine in connection with the settlement of
this matter. At this time we cannot predict the magnitude of
such a fine or the impact the payment of such a fine may have on
our future business operations.
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance coverage is increasingly difficult to obtain or
maintain.
|
While we currently maintain clinical trial and product liability
insurance, directors and officers liability
insurance, general liability insurance, property insurance and
warehouse and transit insurance, first- and third-party
insurance is increasingly more costly and narrower in scope, and
we may be required to assume more risk in the future. If we are
subject to third-party claims or suffer a loss or damage in
excess of our insurance coverage, we may be required to share
that risk in excess of our insurance limits. Furthermore, any
first- or third-party claims made on our insurance policies may
impact our future ability to obtain or maintain insurance
coverage at reasonable costs, if at all.
41
|
|
|
|
|
Budget or cash constraints may force us to delay our
efforts to develop certain products in favor of developing
others, which may prevent us from meeting our stated timetables
and commercializing those products as quickly as
possible.
|
Because we are an emerging company with limited resources, and
because research and development is an expensive process, we
must regularly assess the most efficient allocation of our
research and development resources. Accordingly, we may choose
to delay our research and development efforts for a promising
product candidate to allocate those resources to another
program, which could cause us to fall behind our initial
timetables for development. As a result, we may not be able to
fully realize the value of some of our product candidates in a
timely manner, since they will be delayed in reaching the
market, or may not reach the market at all.
|
|
|
|
|
Failure to attract, retain and motivate skilled personnel
and cultivate key academic collaborations will delay our product
development programs and our business development
efforts.
|
We had 356 employees as of October 31, 2005, and our
success depends on our continued ability to attract, retain and
motivate highly qualified management and scientific personnel
and on our ability to develop relationships with leading
academic scientists. Competition for personnel and academic
collaborations is intense. We are highly dependent on our
current management and key scientific and technical personnel,
including Daniel G. Welch, our Chief Executive Officer and
President, as well as the other principal members of our
management. None of our employees, including members of our
management team, has a long-term employment contract, and any of
our employees can leave at any time. Our success will depend in
part on retaining the services of our existing management and
key personnel and attracting and retaining new highly qualified
personnel. In addition, we may need to hire additional personnel
and develop additional academic collaborations as we continue to
expand our research and development activities. We do not know
if we will be able to attract, retain or motivate personnel or
cultivate academic collaborations. Our inability to hire, retain
or motivate qualified personnel or cultivate academic
collaborations would harm our business.
|
|
|
|
|
If we do not continue to successfully implement our plan
to improve our internal control over financial reporting and
disclosure controls and procedures, investors and current and
potential collaborative partners could lose confidence in our
financial reporting, which could harm the market price of our
common stock and our business.
|
In connection with managements assessment of our internal
control over financial reporting (as defined in
Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) as of December 31,
2004, we determined that we had a material weakness in our
financial statement close process, primarily related to the
accurate presentation of disclosures in the notes to our
financial statements in accordance with U.S. Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles and the rules and regulations of
the SEC. This material weakness in our financial statement close
process arose from the lack of sufficient finance staff with
proficiency to interpret such principles and rules and
inadequate review and approval procedures. As a result of the
material weakness noted above, our management concluded that our
internal control over financial reporting and disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of
the Exchange Act) was not effective as of December 31, 2004.
While audit and other procedures can compensate for problems
with internal control over financial reporting and disclosure
controls and procedures, our ability to provide reliable
financial and other information to investors depends upon the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting
and disclosure controls and procedures. We have implemented and
continue to implement remedial measures to improve our internal
control over financial reporting. However, if we are not
successful in improving our internal control over financial
reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, investors and
current and potential collaborative partners could lose
confidence in the reports we file with the SEC, which could harm
the market price of our common stock and our business.
42
Risks Related to our Common Stock
|
|
|
|
|
We may fail to meet our publicly announced revenue and/or
expense projections and/or other financial guidance, which would
cause our stock to decline in value.
|
There are a number of reasons why we might fail to meet our
revenue and/or expense projections and/or other financial
guidance, including, but not limited to, the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
if only a subset of or no affected patients respond to therapy
with any of our products or product candidates;
|
|
|
|
|
|
the actual dose or efficacy of the product for a particular
condition may be different than currently anticipated;
|
|
|
|
|
|
negative publicity about the results of our clinical studies may
reduce demand for our products and product candidates;
|
|
|
|
|
|
the treatment regimen may be different in duration than
currently anticipated;
|
|
|
|
|
|
treatment may be sporadic;
|
|
|
|
|
|
we may not be able to sell a product at the price we expect;
|
|
|
|
|
|
we may not be able to accurately calculate the number of
patients using the product;
|
|
|
|
|
|
we may not be able to supply enough product to meet demand;
|
|
|
|
|
|
there may be current and future competitive products that have
greater acceptance in the market than our products do;
|
|
|
|
|
|
we may decide to divest a product;
|
|
|
|
|
|
our development activities may proceed faster than planned;
|
|
|
|
|
|
we may decide to change our marketing and educational programs;
|
|
|
|
|
|
clinical trial participation may reduce product sales; or
|
|
|
|
|
|
physicians prescriptions or patient referrals for
Actimmune may decline.
|
If we fail to meet our revenue and/or expense projections and/or
other financial guidance for any reason, our stock could decline
in value. In this regard, as a result of changing market
dynamics for Actimmune, on April 29, 2004, we removed our
Actimmune and total revenue guidance for the year ending
December 31, 2004 that was provided on January 29,
2004. Our stock price decreased by $3.30, or 18%, to $14.71 by
the close of business on April 30, 2004, the day after we
removed this guidance.
|
|
|
|
|
Our stock price may be volatile, and an investment in our
stock could decline in value.
|
The trading price of our common stock has been and is likely to
continue to be extremely volatile. During the twelve-month
period ended September 30, 2005, the closing price of our
common stock on the Nasdaq National Market ranged from $9.99 to
$18.14. Our stock price could be subject to wide fluctuations in
response to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to
all the factors discussed in this Risk Factors
section.
In addition, the stock market in general, and the NASDAQ
National Market and biotechnology companies in particular, have
experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have
often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating
performance of these companies. Broad market and industry
factors may negatively affect the market price of our common
stock, regardless of actual operating performance. Periods of
volatility in the market price of a companys securities
frequently results in securities class action and shareholder
derivative litigation against that company. This type of
litigation can result in substantial costs and a diversion of
managements attention and resources, as discussed in more
detail above.
43
We have recently had several lawsuits filed against us, as
discussed under the risk factor titled, We face certain
litigation risks that could harm our business.
|
|
|
|
|
If our officers, directors and certain stockholders choose
to act together, they may be able to significantly influence our
management and operations, acting in their own best interests
and not necessarily those of other stockholders.
|
At September 30, 2005, our directors, executive officers
and greater than 5% stockholders and their affiliates
beneficially owned approximately 45% of our issued and
outstanding common stock. Accordingly, they collectively may
have the ability to significantly influence the election of all
of our directors and to significantly influence the outcome of
corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, such as
mergers or a financing in which we sell more than 20% of our
voting stock at a discount to market price. They may exercise
this ability in a manner that advances their own best interests
and not necessarily those of other stockholders. This
concentration of ownership could also depress our stock price.
|
|
|
|
|
Substantial sales of shares may negatively impact the
market price of our common stock.
|
If our stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common
stock, including shares issued upon the exercise of outstanding
options or conversion of our outstanding convertible notes the
market price of our common stock may decline. In addition, the
existence of our outstanding convertible notes may encourage
short selling by market participants. These sales also might
make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity related
securities in the future at a time and price that we deem
appropriate. We are unable to predict the effect that sales may
have on the then-prevailing market price of our common stock.
We have filed registration statements covering the approximately
9,340,737 shares of common stock that are either issuable
upon the exercise of outstanding options or reserved for future
issuance pursuant to our stock plans as of September 30,
2005. We have also filed a shelf registration statement covering
the resale of our 0.25% convertible senior notes due in
2011 and the 7,858,811 shares of common stock issuable upon
conversion of those notes. In addition, some of the holders of
common stock that are parties to our amended and restated
investor rights agreement are entitled to registration rights
with respect to approximately 6,500,000 shares of our
common stock as of September 30, 2005.
On October 29, 2004, we entered into an Amended and
Restated Standstill Agreement with Warburg Pincus Equity
Partners, L.P. and certain of its affiliates (Warburg
Pincus) that permits Warburg Pincus to acquire up to 25%
of our outstanding common stock in the open market. Under this
agreement, Warburg Pincus may acquire up to 25% of our
outstanding common stock and we have granted Warburg Pincus
certain registration rights with respect to its holdings. The
restriction on Warburg Pincus acquisition of additional
shares of our common stock expires on October 29, 2007. In
exchange for allowing Warburg Pincus to increase its ownership
stake, Warburg Pincus has granted the independent members of our
board of directors the right to vote the shares of InterMune
common stock owned by Warburg Pincus in excess of 19.9%. In
addition, Warburg Pincus has agreed to certain limitations on
the manner in which it may dispose of its ownership interest in
InterMune. In connection with this transaction, we also amended
our stockholder Rights Plan to allow Warburg Pincus to acquire
up to 25% of our outstanding common stock. Jonathan S. Leff, a
member of our board of directors, is a managing director of
Warburg Pincus LLC and a partner of Warburg Pincus &
Co., which are affiliates of Warburg Pincus Equity Partners, L.P.
|
|
|
|
|
We have implemented anti-takeover provisions, which could
discourage, prevent or delay a takeover, even if the acquisition
would be beneficial to our stockholders, or frustrate or prevent
any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our
current management or Board of Directors.
|
The existence of our stockholder Rights Plan and provisions of
our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could make it
more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so
would benefit our stockholders. In addition, these provisions
may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to
replace or remove our current management by making it more
difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of
directors. Because our board of directors is
44
responsible for appointing the members of our management team,
these provisions could in turn affect any attempt by our
stockholders to replace current members of our management team.
These provisions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
establish a classified board of directors so that not all
members of our board may be elected at one time;
|
|
|
|
|
|
authorize the issuance of up to 5,000,000 shares of
blank check preferred stock that could be issued by
our board of directors to increase the number of outstanding
shares and hinder a takeover attempt;
|
|
|
|
|
|
limit who may call a special meeting of stockholders;
|
|
|
|
|
|
prohibit stockholder action by written consent, thereby
requiring all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of
our stockholders; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
establish advance notice requirements for nominations for
election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that
can be acted upon at stockholder meetings.
|
In addition, Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, which prohibits business combinations between
us and one or more significant stockholders unless specified
conditions are met, may discourage, delay or prevent a third
party from acquiring us.
Risks Related to our Outstanding Notes
|
|
|
|
|
Our indebtedness and debt service obligations may
adversely affect our cash flow.
|
As of September 30, 2005, our annual debt service
obligation on the $170.0 million in aggregate principal
amount of our 0.25% convertible senior notes due
March 1, 2011 was $0.4 million. We intend to fulfill
our current debt service obligations, including repayment of the
principal, both from cash generated by our operations and from
our existing cash and investments. If we are unable to generate
sufficient cash to meet these obligations and need to use
existing cash or liquidate investments in order to fund our
current debt service obligations, including repayment of the
principal, we may have to delay or curtail research and
development programs.
We may add additional lease lines to finance capital
expenditures and may obtain additional long-term debt and lines
of credit. If we issue other debt securities in the future, our
debt service obligations will increase further.
Our indebtedness could have significant additional negative
consequences, including, but not limited to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of our
expected cash flow from operations to service our indebtedness,
thereby reducing the amount of our expected cash flow available
for other purposes, including capital expenditures;
|
|
|
|
|
|
increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and
industry conditions;
|
|
|
|
|
|
limiting our ability to obtain additional financing;
|
|
|
|
|
|
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to,
changes in our business and the industry in which we
compete; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage to less
leveraged competitors and competitors that have better access to
capital resources.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary
to finance any required redemptions of our outstanding
convertible notes, which might constitute a default by
us.
|
If a designated event, such as the termination of trading of our
common stock on the Nasdaq National Market or a specified change
of control transaction, occurs prior to maturity, we may be
required to redeem all or part of our 0.25% convertible
senior notes due 2011. We may not have enough funds to pay the
redemption price for all tendered notes. Although the indenture
governing the 0.25% convertible senior notes due 2011
allows us in certain circumstances to pay the applicable
redemption prices in shares of our common stock, if a
45
designated event were to occur, we may not have sufficient funds
to pay the redemption prices for all the notes tendered.
We have not established a sinking fund for payment of our
outstanding notes, nor do we anticipate doing so. In addition,
any future credit agreements or other agreements relating to our
indebtedness may contain provisions prohibiting redemption of
our outstanding notes under certain circumstances, or expressly
prohibit our redemption of our outstanding notes upon a
designated event or may provide that a designated event
constitutes an event of default under that agreement. If a
designated event occurs at a time when we are prohibited from
purchasing or redeeming our outstanding notes, we could seek the
consent of our lenders to redeem our outstanding notes or
attempt to refinance this debt. If we do not obtain consent, we
would not be permitted to purchase or redeem our outstanding
notes. Our failure to redeem tendered notes would constitute an
event of default under the indenture for the notes, which might
constitute a default under the terms of our other indebtedness.
|
|
|
|
Item 3.
|
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk.
|
The securities in our investment portfolio are not leveraged,
are classified as available-for-sale and are, due to their
short-term nature, subject to minimal interest rate risk. We
currently do not hedge interest rate exposure. Because of the
short-term maturities of our investments, we do not believe that
a change in market rates would have a significant negative
impact on the value of our investment portfolio.
The primary objective of our investment activities is to
preserve principal while at the same time maximizing yields
without significantly increasing risk. To achieve this
objective, we invest our excess cash in debt instruments of the
U.S. federal and state governments and its agencies and
high-quality corporate issuers, and, by policy, restrict our
exposure to any single corporate issuer by imposing
concentration limits. To minimize the exposure due to adverse
shifts in interest rates we maintain investments of shorter
effective maturities.
The table below presents the principal amounts and
weighted-average interest rates by year of maturity for our
investment portfolio as of September 30, 2005 by effective
maturity (in millions, except percentages):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value at
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 and
|
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Beyond
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available-for-sale securities
|
|
$
|
38.6
|
|
|
$
|
17.7
|
|
|
$
|
7.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
64.0
|
|
|
$
|
64.2
|
|
|
Average interest rate
|
|
|
3.3
|
%
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.25% convertible senior notes due 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
170.0
|
|
|
$
|
170.0
|
|
|
$
|
149.0
|
|
|
Average interest rate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.25
|
%
|
|
|
.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Currency Market Risk
We have obligations denominated in Euros for the purchase of
Actimmune inventory. In the nine months ended September 30,
2005, we used foreign currency forward contracts to partially
mitigate this exposure. We regularly evaluate the cost-benefit
of entering into such arrangements and had no foreign currency
hedge agreements outstanding at September 30, 2005.
|
|
|
|
Item 4.
|
Controls and Procedures.
|
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on
Form 10-Q, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and
operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, or
disclosure controls. This controls evaluation was
performed under the supervision and with the participation of
management, including our CEO and CFO. Disclosure controls are
controls and procedures designed to reasonably assure that
information
46
required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange
Act, such as this Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within the time periods specified in the SECs
rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed to
reasonably ensure that such information is accumulated and
communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, as
appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure. Based upon the controls evaluation, our CEO and CFO
have concluded that, as a result of the matters discussed below
with respect to our internal control over financial reporting,
our disclosure controls were effective as of the end of the
period covered by this Report.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management assessed our internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2004, the end of our fiscal
year. As previously disclosed in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as a
result of this assessment, we identified a material weakness in
our financial statement close process. Management identified
this material weakness as being due to insufficient controls
related to the preparation and review of our annual consolidated
financial statements and accompanying footnote disclosures in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles and the rules and regulations of the SEC. The
insufficient controls identified included a lack of finance
staff with the proficiency to interpret such principles and
rules, and inadequate review and approval procedures to prepare
external financial statements in accordance with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and the rules
and regulations of the SEC.
Remediation Actions to Address Material Weaknesses in
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management believes that actions that we have taken since
December 31, 2004 have addressed the material weaknesses in
our financial statement close process. We intend to continue to
monitor our internal control over financial reporting, and if
further improvements or enhancements are needed, we will take
steps to implement such improvements or enhancements.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes to our internal controls over
financial reporting during the three months ended
September 30, 2005 that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control
over financial reporting.
CEO and CFO Certifications
Attached as exhibits to this Report, there are
Certifications of the CEO and the CFO required by
Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or
the Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications. This Controls and
Procedures section of the Report includes the information
concerning the controls evaluation referred to in the
Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications and it should be read in
conjunction with the Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications for a
more complete understanding of the topics presented.
Limitations on the effectiveness of controls.
Our management, including our CEO and CFO, does not expect that
our control systems 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. Further, the design of
a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource
constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered
relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in
all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide
absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of
fraud, if any, within InterMune have been detected. These
inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in
decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur
because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can
be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by
collusion of two or more people or by management override of the
control. The design of any system of controls also is based in
part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future
events, and there can be no assurance that any design will
succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future
conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of
changes in
47
conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or
procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations
in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error
or fraud may occur and not be detected. Accordingly, our
disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide
reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of our
disclosure control system are met and, as set forth above, our
CEO and CFO have concluded, based on their evaluation as of the
end of the period covered by this Report, that our disclosure
controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable
assurance that the objectives of our disclosure control system
were met.