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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

     
  (Mark One)
[X]   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003

OR

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

Commission file number 000-31019


ARGONAUT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
DELAWARE   94-3216714
(State or other jurisdiction of   (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification Number)
     
1101 Chess Drive
Foster City, CA
(Address of principal executive offices)
  94404
(zip code)

(650) 655-4200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes [  ] No [X]

There were 20,247,613 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding on October 31, 2003.

     


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 2: CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
ITEM 3: DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
ITEM 4: SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
ITEM 5: OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6: EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT 31.1
EXHIBIT 31.2
EXHIBIT 32


Table of Contents

Argonaut Technologies, Inc.
Form 10-Q
Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                   
PART I:  
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
       
Item 1.  
Financial Statements
    3  
          Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2003 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2002     3  
          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three- and Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited)     4  
          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited)     5  
          Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)     6  
Item 2.  
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
    10  
Item 3.  
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
    20  
Item 4.  
Controls and Procedures
    20  
PART II:  
OTHER INFORMATION
       
Item 1.  
Legal Proceedings
    21  
Item 2.  
Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
    21  
Item 3.  
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
    21  
Item 4.  
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
    21  
Item 5.  
Other Information
    21  
Item 6.  
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
    21  
SIGNATURES     23  
EXHIBITS INDEX     24  
     
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PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ARGONAUT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

                     
        September 30,   December 31,
        2003   2002
       
 
        (Unaudited)    
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 11,646     $ 20,895  
 
Short-term investments
    7,836       5,999  
 
Accounts receivable, net
    4,630       4,389  
 
Inventories
    7,286       6,280  
 
Prepaid expenses & other current assets
    797       727  
 
Notes receivable
    262       237  
 
   
     
 
   
Total current assets
    32,457       38,527  
Restricted cash
    11,402       12,327  
Property and equipment, net
    4,398       4,921  
Goodwill
    9,410       10,173  
Other intangible assets, net
    4,664       6,425  
 
   
     
 
 
  $ 62,331     $ 72,373  
 
   
     
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
 
Accounts payable
  $ 1,361     $ 1,873  
 
Accrued compensation
    1,159       1,087  
 
Other accrued liabilities
    2,452       2,506  
 
Deferred revenue
    481       1,972  
 
Current portion of capital lease obligations
          88  
 
Current portion of notes payable
    11,304        
 
   
     
 
   
Total current liabilities
    16,757       7,526  
Long term debt
          12,334  
Stockholders’ equity:
               
 
Common stock
    2       2  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    121,526       121,388  
 
Deferred stock compensation
    (17 )     (74 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    657       289  
 
Accumulated deficit
    (76,594 )     (69,092 )
 
   
     
 
   
Total stockholders’ equity
    45,574       52,513  
 
   
     
 
 
  $ 62,331     $ 72,373  
 
   
     
 

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

     
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ARGONAUT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

                                     
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   September 30,
       
 
        2003   2002   2003   2002
       
 
 
 
Net sales:
                               
 
Products
  $ 4,760     $ 6,238     $ 16,323     $ 16,478  
 
Services
    406       1,044       1,980       2,284  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total net sales
    5,166       7,282       18,303       18,762  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Costs and Expenses:
                               
 
Costs of products
    2,358       3,496       8,445       8,928  
 
Costs of services
    200       525       1,482       1,213  
 
Costs of special charges  -  restructuring
          765             765  
 
Research and development (Note A)
    1,063       1,468       3,417       4,307  
 
Selling, general and administrative (Note A)
    2,835       4,476       10,356       13,190  
 
Amortization of purchased intangibles
    202       209       627       524  
 
Restructuring charges
          1,802             1,802  
 
Goodwill and other purchased intangibles write-off
    1,612             1,612        
 
   
     
     
     
 
Total costs and expenses
    8,270       12,741       25,939       30,729  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Loss from operations
    (3,104 )     (5,459 )     (7,636 )     (11,967 )
Other income (expenses):
                               
 
Realized gain on the sale of asset
    460             460        
 
Interest and other income
    172       294       704       977  
 
Interest and other expense
    (173 )     (173 )     (499 )     (422 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Net loss before provision for income taxes
    (2,645 )     (5,338 )     (6,971 )     (11,412 )
Provision for income taxes
    (420 )           (531 )     (200 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Net loss
  $ (3,065 )   $ (5,338 )   $ (7,502 )   $ (11,612 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted
  $ (0.15 )   $ (0.27 )   $ (0.37 )   $ (0.59 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per common share, basic and diluted
    20,196       19,973       20,111       19,839  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Note A: Research and development expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses include charges for stock-based compensation as follows:
                               
Research and development
  $ 4     $ 32     $ 22     $ 154  
Selling, general and administrative
    9       1       40       201  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
  $ 13     $ 33     $ 62     $ 355  
 
   
     
     
     
 

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

     
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ARGONAUT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

                         
            Nine Months Ended
            September 30,
            2003   2002
           
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
 
Net loss
  $ (7,502 )   $ (11,612 )
 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
               
   
Depreciation and amortization
    1,075       1,014  
   
Amortization of other purchased intangibles
    657       540  
   
Disposal of fixed assets
    215        
   
Stock-based compensation
    93       354  
   
Impairment charges
    1,612        
   
Non-cash portion of restructuring charges
          683  
   
Foreign currency translation
    11       1  
   
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
     
Accounts receivable
    (487 )     1,405  
     
Inventories
    (1,589 )     689  
     
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    12       (245 )
     
Accounts payable
    (512 )     (1,557 )
     
Accrued compensation
    72       (604 )
     
Other accrued liabilities
    (112 )     18  
     
Deferred revenue
    (1,491 )     (614 )
 
   
     
 
       
Net cash used in operating activities
    (7,946 )     (9,928 )
 
   
     
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
 
Capital expenditures
    (928 )     (662 )
 
Business acquisition (net of cash received)
          (6,273 )
 
Proceeds from the sale of the HPLC assets
    1,228        
 
Purchase of short-term investments
    (11,236 )     (7,422 )
 
Proceeds from the sales of short-term investments
          4,510  
 
Proceeds from the maturities of short-term investments
    9,400       24,191  
 
Purchase of licenses
    (35 )     (1,400 )
 
Restricted cash
    1,167       (10,863 )
 
   
     
 
     
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (404 )     2,081  
 
   
     
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
 
Principal payments on capital lease obligations
    (94 )     (121 )
 
Repayment of long term debt
    (1,167 )      
 
Repurchase of common stock
          (47 )
 
Net proceeds from issuances of common stock
    102       177  
 
   
     
 
   
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (1,159 )     9  
 
   
     
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    260       464  
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (9,249 )     (7,374 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    20,895       17,996  
 
   
     
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 11,646     $ 10,622  
 
   
     
 

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

     
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ARGONAUT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Basis of presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not contain all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments, which Argonaut Technologies, Inc. (“Argonaut” or “the Company”) considers necessary to present fairly the financial information included herein. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2002 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The interim results presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2003, or any other future period.

New Accounting Standards

In November of 2002, the EITF reached a consensus on Issue No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” EITF Issue No. 00-21 provides guidance on how to account for arrangements that involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets. The provisions of EITF Issue No. 00-21 will apply to revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. The effect of adopting EITF Issue No. 00-21 did not and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In January of 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” FIN No. 46 requires a variable interest entity (“VIE”) to be consolidated by a company if that company is considered to be the primary beneficiary in a VIE. Primary beneficiary is the party subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both. The requirements of FIN No. 46 apply immediately to VIE’s created after January 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements apply to older entities in the first fiscal year or interim period ending after December 15, 2003. The Company does not currently have any investments in variable interest entities, therefore the adoption of FIN 46 did not and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In May of 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments With Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” which requires freestanding financial instruments such as mandatory redeemable shares, forward purchase contracts and written put options to be reported as liabilities by their issuers as well as related new disclosure requirements. The provisions of SFAS No. 150 are effective for instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and pre-existing instruments as of the beginning of the first interim period that commences after June 15, 2003. The effect of adopting SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

NOTE 2 — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company accounts for its stock-based employee compensation as permitted by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation “ (“SFAS 123”), as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure,” whereby stock-based employee compensation arrangements are accounted for under the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”). Under APB 25, when the exercise price of the Company’s stock options is less than the market price of the underlying shares on the date of grant, compensation expense is recognized. Pro forma information regarding net loss per share is required by SFAS 123 as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method of SFAS 123. The fair value of these options granted prior to the Company’s initial public offering in July 2000 was estimated at the date of grant using the minimum value method. The fair value of stock options granted subsequent to the initial public offering were valued using the Black-Scholes valuation model based on the actual stock closing price on the date of grant. The fair value of these options

     
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was estimated at the date of grant using the following weighted-average assumptions:

                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
 
    2003   2002   2003   2002
   
 
 
 
Risk-free interest rate
    3.00 %     3.12 %     2.30 %     3.65 %
Dividend yield
                       
Weighted-average expected life
  3.6 years   4.0 years   3.6 years   4 years
Volatility
    0.81       0.94       1.08       0.94  

The pro forma disclosures required by SFAS 123 are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
 
    2003   2002   2003   2002
   
 
 
 
Net loss, as reported
  $ (3,065 )   $ (5,338 )   $ (7,502 )   $ (11,612 )
Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net loss
    13       15       49       312  
Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based methods for all awards
    (397 )     (343 )     (1,208 )     (870 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Pro forma net loss
  $ (3,449 )   $ (5,666 )   $ (8,661 )   $ (12,170 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Basid and diluted net loss per common share, as reported
  $ (0.15 )   $ (0.27 )   $ (0.37 )   $ (0.59 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Pro forma basic and diluted net loss per common share
  $ (0.17 )   $ (0.28 )   $ (0.43 )   $ (0.61 )
 
   
     
     
     
 

Equity instruments granted to non-employees are accounted for using the Black-Scholes valuation model prescribed by SFAS 123 and, in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Consensus No. 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services.” The equity instruments are subject to periodic revaluations over their vesting terms. The expense is recognized as the instruments vest.

NOTE 3 — INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

                 
    September 30,   December 31,
    2003   2002
   
 
Raw materials
  $ 5,493     $ 4,514  
Work in process
    636       709  
Finished goods
    1,157       1,057  
 
   
     
 
 
  $ 7,286     $ 6,280  
 
   
     
 

In the third quarter of fiscal year 2002, the Company recorded a charge to cost of sales of $765,000 for inventories determined to be excess and obsolete based on the decision to discontinue active selling of those products as a component of a broader restructuring plan. See Note 8.

NOTE 4 — NET LOSS PER SHARE

Net loss per share has been computed according to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, “Earnings Per Share,” which requires disclosure of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic and diluted net loss per share was computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Due to the net loss position of the Company, diluted earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and excludes the effects of potential common shares that are antidilutive. Options to purchase 3,910,832 and 4,203,616 shares of common stock were outstanding at September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002, respectively, and warrants to purchase 80,665 shares of common stock were outstanding at September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002, but were not

     
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included in the computation of diluted net loss per share, since the effect would be antidilutive.

NOTE 5 — COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other items of comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s short-term investments and foreign currency translation adjustments.

For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, comprehensive loss is as follows (in thousands):

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 30,   September 30,
   
 
    2003   2002   2003   2002
   
 
 
 
Net loss
  $ (3,065 )   $ (5,338 )   $ (7,502 )   $ (11,612 )
Unrealized gain (loss)
    1       (9 )     1       (159 )
Cumulative translation adjustment
    55       291       367       608  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Comprehensive loss
  $ (3,009 )   $ (5,056 )   $ (7,134 )   $ (11,163 )
 
   
     
     
     
 

NOTE 6 — BUSINESS COMBINATION

On February 20, 2002, Argonaut completed its acquisition of Jones Chromatography Limited, a company organized under the laws of England and Wales (“JCL”), and its wholly owned subsidiaries International Sorbent Technology (“IST”) and Jones Chromatography U.S.A., Inc. (“JCI”) (together with JCL, “Jones Group”), pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated February 11, 2002, among Argonaut and the stockholders of JCL.

The strategic acquisition of Jones Group created a combined company serving as a global provider of solutions for chemistry development. The addition of Jones Group to Argonaut strengthened and expanded the Company’s position in chemistry consumables sales, and increased the Company’s European business. The Jones Group is a leading manufacturer and distributor of high quality chromatography and purification accessories, consumables and instrumentation. Consumable items include leading brand sorbents, solid phase extraction (“SPE”) columns and 96-well plates, flash chromatography and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (“HPLC”) columns. It manufactures purification and other chemistry development instruments for the drug discovery market.

In the transaction, the stockholders of JCL exchanged all of their respective shares of JCL’s stock for (i) cash in an aggregate amount of £3,825,000 ($5,431,500), (ii) 572,152 shares of unregistered Argonaut Common Stock, and (iii) notes payable in the aggregate principal amount of £7,650,000 ($10,863,000). The aggregate purchase price, including transaction costs of $875,000, was approximately $19.0 million. Barclays Bank PLC guarantees the notes payable, which are redeemable for cash over a two-year period following the closing date. In addition, certain employees of the Jones Group that remained as employees after the transaction received stock options to purchase an aggregate 349,800 shares of Argonaut’s Common Stock at an average price per share of $3.1967.

The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The 572,152 shares of unregistered Argonaut Common Stock issued in the transaction were valued at $3.196 per share based on the average closing price of Argonaut’s Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market’s National Market on the two trading days prior and two trading days subsequent to the announcement date of the acquisition (February 11, 2002).

The Consolidated Statements of Operations include the results of Jones Group for the period from February 21, 2002 to September 30, 2002.

The Company allocated the purchase price based on the estimated fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Based on the information obtained from an independent valuation, the Company allocated the purchase price as follows (in thousands):

     
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Net tangible assets
  $ 5,250  
Goodwill and other purchased intangible assets:
       
 
Completed technology
    4,090  
 
Trade names
    250  
 
Goodwill
    9,410  
 
   
 
Total purchase price
  $ 19,000  
 
   
 

The following unaudited pro forma summary presents the consolidated results of operations of the Company as if the acquisition of Jones Group had occurred at the beginning of 2002 and does not purport to be indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition been made as of those dates or of results which may occur in the future.

         
    Nine Months
    Ended
    September 30,
    2002
   
    (In thousands, except
    per share data)
Total net sales
  $ 20,518  
Net loss
    (11,510 )
Net loss per share
    (0.58 )

NOTE 7 – GOODWILL AND OTHER PURCHASED INTANGIBLES

Goodwill and other purchased intangible assets have resulted from the acquisition of Camile Products, LLC, now Argonaut Technologies Systems, Inc. (“ATSI”) and the Jones Group. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized subsequent to the Company’s adoption of SFAS 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”).

All goodwill and intangible assets have been assigned to one of two reporting units. The AGNT-Legacy reporting unit consists primarily of goodwill and intangible assets related to the Company’s acquisition of ATSI. The Jones-Group reporting unit consists of goodwill and intangible assets deriving from the Company’s acquisition of Jones Chromatography, Ltd.

During the third quarter ended September 30, 2003 the Company performed an interim test for goodwill impairment in the light of lower than expected third quarter revenue. Based on the discounted cash flows of the AGNT-Legacy reporting unit, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $1.6 million relating to the goodwill and intangible assets associated with ATSI. Approximately $763,000 of the impairment charge was related to goodwill associated with ATSI, and the remainder was related to completed technology assets associated with the acquisition of ATSI.

The amortization expense relating to the purchased intangible assets for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2003 was $229,000 and $680,000 respectively. The following represents the gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of amortized intangible assets at September 30, 2003:

     
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        Gross        
        Carrying   Accumulated
        Amount   Amortization
       
 
Amortized intangible assets:
               
 
Completed technology
  $ 4,145     $ (975 )
 
Licenses
    1,435       (147 )
 
Tradenames
    250       (44 )
 
   
     
 
   
Total
  $ 5,830     $ (1,166 )
 
   
     
 

NOTE 8 — RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

On August 8, 2002, the Company announced its intention to execute a restructuring program focused on improving productivity, reducing operational expenses in remote offices, and implementing a workforce reduction of approximately 20% of its existing worldwide employees. As a result, the Company recognized a charge of $1.8 million in the third quarter ended September 30, 2002. The charge includes termination benefits and related expenses of approximately $630,000 related to the reduction of the workforce by 44 employees, expenses of approximately $683,000 related to the abandonment of excess equipment, expenses of approximately $356,000 for the abandonment of excess leased facilities, and expenses of approximately $133,000 for various other related charges. At September 30, 2003, 37 of the 44 employees had been terminated.

Remaining cash expenditures relating to workforce reduction will be paid during 2003. Amounts related to the abandonment of excess leased facilities will be paid as the lease payments are due through the remainder of the lease terms through 2004. A summary of the restructuring activity is as follows (in thousands):

                                                 
            2002   2003
           
 
                            Accrued           Restructuring at
    Charge in   Noncash   Cash   Restructuring at   Cash   September 30,
    August 2002   Charges   Payments   December 31, 2002   Payments   2003
   
 
 
 
 
 
Workforce reductions
  $ 630     $     $ (212 )   $ 418     $ (274 )   $ 144  
Abandonment of excess equipment
    683       (683 )                        
Abandonment of excess leased facilities
    356                   356       (19 )     337  
Other
    133             (30 )     103       (95 )     8  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total
  $ 1,802     $ (683 )   $ (242 )   $ 877     $ (388 )   $ 489  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 

NOTE 9 – REALIZED GAIN ON THE SALE OF NET ASSETS

On July 30, 2003, the Company announced the sale of its HPLC business to the Grace Vydac business unit of W.R. Grace & Co. The sale included the Genesis® and ApexTM brands of HPLC columns and HPLC-related capital assets and trademarks. The divestiture enables the Company to focus R&D and sales and marketing efforts on core product areas providing consumable and instrument products to the critical areas of drug development. The pretax gain on the sale of net assets was approximately $460,000.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and it is the Company’s intention that such statements be protected by the safe harbor created thereby. Examples of such forward-looking statements include statements regarding future revenues, expenses, losses and cash flows, the expected range of earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization, research and

     
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development activities and sales and marketing initiatives such as our plan to concentrate our efforts in those areas such as building our core consumables business, possible future acquisitions, the anticipated effects of the acquisition of Jones Group to our net sales performance and pre-tax operating results, our plans to discontinue non-performing consumable products and certain legacy instrument products, the anticipated effects of our recent restructuring program and related accruals, values of our assets and liabilities over their remaining useful lives and our testing for impairment of goodwill, and our expectations as to the duration of our negative cash flows from operations and the sufficiency of existing cash reserves for the next 12 months. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the risk that a decline in the economy generally or the market for our products will adversely affect our business, the risk that the market for our products and services does not develop as anticipated, the risk that we are unable to successfully integrate the product and service offerings of the company we recently acquired and successfully capitalize on anticipated synergies and growth opportunities, and the risk that our restructuring programs do not proceed as planned and that we incur unexpected expenses in connection with the implementation thereof. For a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties related to our business see “Factors That May Affect Our Future Results” below.

Overview

Argonaut develops innovative products designed to help pharmaceutical and other chemists engaged in the discovery and development of new chemical entities increase their productivity and reduce their operating costs without compromising the scientific integrity of their research. Our products are designed to enable chemists to increase their productivity, reduce their operating costs through automation and process simplification, and cost effectively explore the increasing number of drug targets available for drug development. We derive revenues primarily from the sale of our chemistry consumable products, instrumentation products and services. We commenced commercial shipment of our first generation instrument in 1996, the Quest product line in 1997, the Trident product line in 1998,the Surveyor and the Endeavor product lines in 2000, and the Advantage Series™ product line in 2003. Revenue from sales of our instrument products and integration services are recognized when delivery and installation of the product is complete. We also derive revenues from the sale of reagents, and other instrument related consumables and consumables products of Jones Chromatography Limited (“Jones Group”), which we acquired on February 20, 2002. Our expenses have consisted primarily of costs incurred in research and development, manufacturing and general and administrative costs associated with our operations, and our sales and marketing organization. Since our inception, we have incurred significant losses and, as of September 30, 2003, we had an accumulated deficit of $76.6 million.

Recent Developments

Impairment charges to goodwill and other purchased intangibles

During the third quarter ended September 30, 2003 we performed an interim test for goodwill impairment in light of lower than expected third quarter revenue. Based on the discounted cash flows of our AGNT-Legacy reporting unit, we recognized an impairment charge of $1.6 million relating to the goodwill and intangible assets associated with ATSI. Approximately $763,000 of the impairment charge was related to goodwill associated with ATSI, and the remainder was related to completed technology assets associated with the acquisition of ATSI.

Critical Accounting Policies

There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies that are included/described in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2003.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE- AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

Operating results for the three-and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2002 include the Jones Group since February 21, 2002.

Net sales

Net sales in the three-month period ended September 30, 2003 were $5.2 million compared to $7.3 million for the same period in 2002, a decrease of 29%. For the third quarter of 2003, instrument sales comprised approximately 28% of net sales, chemistry consumables sales comprised approximately 52% of net sales, and service, integration services and contract research and development (“R&D”) together comprised approximately 20% of net sales. Instrument sales were $1.5 million

     
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in the third quarter of 2003 versus $2.6 million for the same period in 2002, a decrease of 44%. The decrease was caused by slower than anticipated growth of new instrument product sales combined with the transition away from discontinued legacy instrument products, begun in 2002, which accounted for $1.4 million of instrument sales in the third quarter of 2002 compared to $0.3 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2003. Chemistry consumables sales were $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2003 versus $3.5 million in the same period of 2002, a decrease of 23%. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the HPLC business divestiture and lower resin product sales. The recently divested HPLC business contributed approximately $0.2 million to chemistry consumables sales in the third quarter of 2003 versus $0.7 million in the same period of 2002. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003, net sales totaled $18.3 million compared to $18.8 million for the same quarter in 2002, a decrease of 2%. For the nine-month period ending September 30, 2003, instrument sales were $5.9 million, or 32% of total net sales, versus $7.2 million, or 38% of total net sales, as compared to the same period in 2002, due primarily to the effects of product transitions and discontinuance of legacy instrument products. Chemistry consumable sales for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 were $8.9 million versus $8.1 million in the same period in 2002, an increase of 10%, due primarily to the acquisition of the Jones Group.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales, comprised of cost of products and cost of services and cost of sales-special charges was $2.6 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2003 versus $4.8 million for the same period in 2002, a decrease of 46%, due primarily to lower sales volume and the inclusion of $0.8 million of special charges in 2002 related to the write-off of excess and obsolete inventory recorded based on the Company’s decision to discontinue active selling of those products as a component of a broader restructuring plan. Gross margin as a percent of sales was 50.5 % for the third quarter of 2003 compared to 34.3% for the third quarter of 2002. Product gross margin as a percent of sales increased to 50.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 as compared to 44.0% for the same period in 2002. The gross margin as a percent of sales for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003 includes the favorable impact of approximately $66,000 related to the sale of discontinued products previously charged to cost of sales as excess inventory in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003, cost of sales was $9.9 million versus $10.9 million for the same period in 2002. Gross margin as a percent of sales for products was 48.6% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003, as compared to 41.9% for the same period in 2002. The gross margin as a percent of sales for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 includes the favorable impact of approximately $459,000 related to the sale of discontinued products previously charged to cost of sales as excess inventory in the third quarter of 2002.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses were $1.1 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2003 compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2002, a decrease of 28%. These expenses include salaries and related costs of research and development personnel, fees paid to consultants and outside service providers, the costs of facilities and related expenses, non-recurring engineering charges and prototype costs related to the design, development testing, pre-manufacturing and significant improvement of our products. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower personnel costs resulting from the effects of the restructuring program initiated in the third quarter of 2002 and reduced stock-based compensation expenses. Stock-based compensation expenses related to research and development decreased by $28,000 for the third quarter of 2003 as compared to the same period in 2002. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003, research and development expenses decreased to $3.4 million as compared to $4.3 million for the same period in 2002, a decrease of 21%, due primarily to lower personnel costs resulting from the third quarter 2002 restructuring program. Stock-based compensation expenses related to research and development decreased by $132,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 as compared to the same period in 2002.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $2.8 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2003 from $4.5 million for the same period in 2002, a decrease of 37%. These expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs for executive, sales and marketing, finance and other administrative personnel, the cost of facilities and related spending, and the costs associated with promotional and other marketing expenses. The decrease was primarily attributable to the effects of the restructuring efforts initiated in the third quarter of 2002. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $10.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 from $13.2 million for the same period in 2002, a decrease of 21%. The decrease was primarily due to lower personnel costs resulting from the third quarter 2002 restructuring program.

Amortization of purchased intangible assets

For the quarter ended September 30, 2003, the Company recorded amortization of purchased intangibles of $202,000 compared to $209,000 in the same period of 2002, a decrease of 3%, relating to the March 1, 2001 acquisition of ATSI, the February 20, 2002 acquisition of Jones Group and other purchased intangibles. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003, the Company recorded amortization of purchased intangibles of $627,000 as compared to $524,000 for the same period in 2002, an increase of 20%. The

     
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increase was due to the increased intangibles resulting from the acquisition of the Jones Group. During the third quarter ended September 30, 2003 the Company performed an interim test for goodwill impairment in light of lower than expected third quarter revenue. Based on the discounted cash flows of the AGNT-Legacy reporting unit, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $1.6 million relating to the goodwill and intangible assets associated with ATSI. Approximately $763,000 of the impairment charge was related to goodwill associated with ATSI, and the remainder was related to completed technology assets associated with the acquisition of ATSI.

Restructuring charges

On August 8, 2002, the Company announced its intention to execute a restructuring program focused on improving productivity, reducing operational expenses in remote offices, and implementing a workforce reduction of approximately 20% of the existing worldwide employees. As a result, the Company recognized a charge of $1.8 million in the third quarter ended September 30, 2002. The charge included termination benefits and related expenses of approximately $630,000 related to the reduction of our workforce by 44 employees, expenses of approximately $683,000 related to the abandonment of excess equipment, expenses of approximately $356,000 for the abandonment of excess leased facilities, and expenses of approximately $133,000 for various related charges. The restructuring program is estimated to result in annualized savings of approximately $3.0 million beginning in fiscal 2003, realized primarily in reduced operating costs as a result of reduced employee-related costs. As of September 30, 2003, 37 of the 44 employees had been terminated and the accrued restructuring liability was $489,000. For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2003, cash payments related to the restructuring program were $45,000 and $388,000, respectively. Remaining cash expenditures relating to workforce reduction and other related charges will be paid during 2003. Amounts related to the abandonment of excess leased facilities will be paid as the lease payments are due over the remainder of the lease terms through 2004.

Other income (expenses)

Interest and other income decreased by 42% to $172,000 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2003 as compared to $294,000 for the same period in 2002, primarily because of lower average balances of invested cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments and reduced interest rates consistent with the overall interest rate decline of high quality short-term investments. Interest and other expense was $173,000 for the third quarter of 2003 compared to $173,000 in the same period in 2002. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003, interest and other income decreased by 28% to $704,000 as compared to $977,000 for the same period in 2002, due to the same factors driving the third quarter results. Interest and other expense was $499,000 for the first nine months of 2003 as compared to $422,000 for the same period of 2002 primarily due to the full year of interest associated with the notes payable for the Jones Group acquisition.

On July 30, 2003, the Company announced the sale of its HPLC business to the Grace Vydac business unit of W.R. Grace & Co. The sale included the Genesis® and ApexTM brands of HPLC columns and HPLC-related capital assets and trademarks. The divestiture enables the Company to focus R&D and sales and marketing efforts on core product areas providing consumable and instrument products to the critical areas of drug development. The pretax gain on the sale of net assets was approximately $460,000 for the three and nine-month period ended September 30, 2003.

Provision for income taxes

The Company recorded a provision for income taxes of approximately $420,000 to record the UK corporate tax liability of Jones Group for the three-month period ended September 30, 2003 as compared to zero recorded for the same period in 2002. The increase is due to the combination of higher UK net income and tax on the gain related to the sale of the HPLC business to the Grace Vydac business unit of W.R. Grace & Co. completed in July. For the first nine months of 2003 and 2002, the Company recorded tax provisions of approximately $531,000 and $200,000, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of September 30, 2003, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash of $30.9 million compared to $39.2 million at December 31, 2002. The decrease was primarily due to the use of $7.9 million in general operating activities, approximately $928,000 used for capital expenditures, approximately $388,000 in cash payments related to restructuring activities initiated in the third quarter of 2002, and approximately $1.3 million in cash used for principal payments on notes payable and capital lease obligations.

The restricted cash amount of $11.4 million at September 30, 2003 is denominated in British Pounds Sterling and represents the cash used to secure the notes payable of £7,650,000 as purchase consideration in the acquisition of the Jones Group. The notes are payable over two years carrying an initial interest rate of 3.9% per annum for the twelve month period commencing on the date of note issuance, payable quarterly. Following the initial twelve-month period, the interest rate on the notes is set

     
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to the Barclays Bank base rate on the business day immediately preceding each quarterly interest period. At September 30, 2003, approximately £822,000 of the note principal had been paid, with the remainder payable at April 30, 2004.

Net cash used to support operating activities has historically fluctuated based on the timing of payments of accounts payable balances, receipts of customer deposits, receipt of payments of accounts receivable balances, changes in inventory balances resulting from varying levels of manufacturing activities, the timing of research and development projects, the timing and scope of our sales and marketing initiatives and fluctuations in the Company’s net loss.

On August 8, 2002, the Company announced the approval by its Board of Directors of a stock repurchase program pursuant to which shares of its outstanding common stock having an aggregate value of up to $500,000 may be repurchased through open market transactions at prices deemed appropriate by the Company. The duration of the stock repurchase program is open-ended. The timing and amount of repurchase transactions under this program will depend on market conditions, corporate and regulatory considerations, and will be funded from available working capital. Through September 30, 2003, the Company had repurchased 50,000 shares of outstanding common stock at an average purchase price of per share of $0.93.

The Company expects to have negative cash flows from operations through the fourth quarter of 2003. We may also use cash resources and raise additional funds to fund additional collaborative or strategic relationships, acquisitions or investments in other businesses, technologies or product lines. Our future capital requirements depend on a number of factors, including market acceptance of our products, the resources we devote to developing and supporting our products, continued progress of our research and development of potential products, the need to acquire licenses to new technology and the availability of other financing on acceptable terms. We believe that our current cash balances will be sufficient to fund our operations through at least the next 12 months. To the extent that our capital resources are insufficient to meet future capital requirements, we will need to raise additional capital or incur indebtedness to fund our operations. There can be no assurance that additional debt or equity financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. If adequate funds are not available, we may be required to delay, reduce the scope of, or eliminate, our operations. We may be required to obtain funds through arrangements with collaborative or strategic partners or others that may require us to relinquish rights to certain technologies or products that we might otherwise seek to retain.

The Company expects that for the fourth quarter of 2003 earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization will be in a range of slightly positive by $200,000 to slightly negative by $200,000. These estimates are based on expectations of increased sales volume relative to the third quarter and continued progress in the reduction of operating expenses.

The following summarizes the Company’s contractual cash obligations at September 30, 2003, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods (in thousands):

                                 
    Payments due by period:
   
            Less than   1 to 3   4 to 5
Contractual Obligations   Total   1 year   years   years

 
 
 
 
Notes payable (Jones Group)
  $ 11,304     $ 11,304     $     $  
Capital lease obligations
                       
Operating lease obligations
    914       847       67        
 
   
     
     
     
 
Total contractual cash obligations
  $ 12,218     $ 12,151     $ 67     $  
 
   
     
     
     
 

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In November of 2002, the EITF reached a consensus on Issue No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” EITF Issue No. 00-21 provides guidance on how to account for arrangements that involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets. The provisions of EITF Issue No. 00-21 will apply to revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. The effect of adopting EITF Issue No. 00-21 did not and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In January of 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” FIN No. 46 requires a variable interest entity (“VIE”) to be consolidated by a company if that company is considered to be the primary beneficiary in a VIE. Primary beneficiary is the party subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities

     
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or entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both. The requirements of FIN No. 46 apply immediately to VIE’s created after January 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements apply to older entities in the first fiscal year or interim period ending after December 15, 2003. The Company does not currently have any investments in variable interest entities, therefore the adoption of FIN 46 did not and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In May of 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments With Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” which requires freestanding financial instruments such as mandatory redeemable shares, forward purchase contracts and written put options to be reported as liabilities by their issuers as well as related new disclosure requirements. The provisions of SFAS No. 150 are effective for instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and pre-existing instruments as of the beginning of the first interim period that commences after June 15, 2003. The effect of adopting SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT OUR FUTURE RESULTS

We have a history of operating losses and we may never achieve or sustain profitability and may be required to raise additional funds if losses continue.

We have incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. As of September 30, 2003, we had an accumulated deficit of $76.6 million and we recorded net losses of $7.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003. We expect to continue to incur operating and net losses through at least the fourth quarter of 2003 and we may never generate positive cash flows.

To the extent our capital resources are insufficient to meet our future capital requirements, we will have to raise additional funds to continue the development and commercialization of our products. Funds may not be available on favorable terms, if at all. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity, the issuance of those securities will result in dilution to our stockholders.

If our products do not become widely used in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences and chemical industries, it is unlikely that we will ever become profitable.

Pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences and chemical organizations have historically performed chemistry development using traditional laboratory methods. To date, our products have not been widely adopted by these industries. The commercial success of our products will depend upon the adoption of these products as a method to develop chemical compounds for these industries. In order to be successful, our products must meet the performance and pricing requirements for chemistry development within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences and chemical industries. Market acceptance will depend on many factors, including our ability to:

  Convince prospective customers that our products are a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods and other technologies that may be introduced for chemistry development.
 
  Convince prospective customers that our products provide the same or enhanced quality and accuracy as compared with traditional methods and other new technologies that may be developed.
 
  Manufacture products in sufficient quantities with acceptable quality and at an acceptable cost.
 
  Install and service sufficient numbers of our instruments, particularly new instruments such as the Advantage Series™ 3400 process chemistry workstation.

If we cannot achieve these objectives, our products will not gain market acceptance.

We face risks associated with past and future acquisitions.

Our success depends in part on our ability to continually enhance and broaden our product offerings in response to changing technologies, customer demands and competitive pressures. To meet these challenges, we have acquired complementary businesses and may choose to acquire others in the future. We completed our acquisition of ATSI in March 2001 and Jones Group in February 2002. During 2002 and the first nine months of 2003, we made significant progress integrating the Jones Group business; however, we continue to have remaining integration activities and projects. Our failure to completely and

     
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successfully integrate this business may materially affect our business going forward.

We do not know if we will be able to complete any future acquisitions, or whether we will be able to successfully integrate any acquired business, operate it profitably or retain its key employees. Integrating any business, product or technology we acquire could be expensive and time consuming, and may disrupt our ongoing business and distract our management. If we are unable to effectively integrate any acquired entities, products or technologies, our business may suffer. In addition, any amortization of goodwill or other assets or charges resulting from the costs of acquisitions could negatively impact our operating results. Our available cash and securities may be used to buy or invest in companies or products, possibly resulting in significant acquisition-related charges to earnings and dilution to our stockholders. Due to volatile market conditions, the value of long live assets maybe negatively impacted, which may result in future, additional impairment charges. Moreover, if we buy a company, we may have to incur or assume that company’s liabilities, including liabilities that are unknown at the time of acquisition.

Our product development efforts may not produce commercially viable products.

We continue to devote significant personnel and financial resources to research and development activities to develop new products. We may not be successful in developing new products, and we may never realize any benefits from such research and development activities, including both our current research collaboration with Pfizer and GSK, which may not produce commercially viable products. Our ability to increase our revenues and achieve and sustain profitability is dependent upon our ability to successfully develop new and commercially viable products. During the first half of 2003, we launched a new product from the Pfizer and ICI consortium, the Advantage Series™ 3400 workstation, and this product is important to our ability to increase revenues in 2003 and beyond. Our failure to achieve our anticipated levels of revenues for this product will harm our ability to achieve our financial goals during 2003.

Our instrument products have lengthy sales cycles, which could cause our operating results to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter.

Our ability to obtain customers for our instrument products depends, in significant part, upon the perception that our products can help accelerate efforts in chemical development. The sale of many of our instrument products typically involves a significant technical evaluation and commitment of capital by customers. Accordingly, the sales cycles of many of our instrument products are lengthy and subject to a number of risks that are beyond our control, including customers’ budgetary constraints and internal acceptance reviews. Our revenues could fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, due to this lengthy and unpredictable sales cycle. A large portion of our expenses, including expenses for facilities, equipment and personnel, are relatively fixed. Accordingly, if our revenues decline or do not grow as we anticipate, we might not be able to correspondingly reduce our operating expenses. Our failure to achieve our anticipated levels of revenues could significantly harm our operating results for a particular fiscal period. Due to the possibility of fluctuations in our operating results, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results are not always a good indication of our future performance.

The capital spending policies of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences and other chemical research organizations have a significant effect on the demand for our instruments.

We market our products to and receive our revenues principally from pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences and other chemical research organizations, and the capital spending policies of these entities can have a significant effect on the demand for our instruments. These policies are based on a wide variety of factors, including the resources available for purchasing research equipment, the spending priorities among various types of research equipment and the policies regarding capital expenditures. In particular, the volatility of the public stock market for biotechnology and related companies has at certain times significantly impacted their ability to raise capital, which has directly affected their capital spending budgets. In addition, continued consolidation within these industries will likely delay and may potentially reduce capital spending by pharmaceutical companies involved in such consolidations. Any decrease or delay in capital spending by life sciences companies could cause our revenues to decline and harm our profitability.

In order to be successful, we must recruit, retain and motivate key employees, and failure to do so could seriously harm us.

In order to be successful, we must recruit, retain and motivate executives and other key employees, including those in managerial, technical, marketing and sales positions. In particular, our product generation efforts depend on hiring and retaining qualified technical personnel. Attracting and retaining qualified sales representatives is also critical to our future.

     
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Experienced management and technical, marketing and support personnel in the chemistry instrumentation and consumables industry are in high demand and competition for their talents is intense, although current economic conditions have moderated this demand and competition for talent. The loss of key employees could have a significant impact on our operations. We also must continue to motivate employees and keep them focused on Argonaut’s strategies and goals, which may be particularly difficult due to morale challenges posed by workforce reductions and general uncertainty. Changes in management may be disruptive to our business and may result in the departure of existing employees, customers and/or research collaborators. It may take significant time to locate, retain and integrate qualified management personnel.

Our direct worldwide sales force and network of distributors may not be sufficient to successfully address the market for our products.

We sell a major portion of our products through our own sales force. We may not be able to build an efficient and effective sales and marketing force and continue to expand our network of distributors. Our failure to build an efficient and effective sales and marketing force could negatively impact sales of our products, thus reducing our revenues and profitability.

Because we outsource our instrument component, chemical intermediates and product manufacturing, our ability to produce and supply our products could be impaired.

We outsource most of the production of components of our instruments to vendors. We also outsource significant quantities of our high volume chemical intermediates for our consumables products. Our reliance on our outside vendors exposes us to risks including:

  the possibility that one or more of our vendors could terminate their services at any time without notice;
 
  reduced control over pricing, quality and timely delivery, due to the difficulties in switching to alternative vendors; and
 
  the potential delays and expenses of seeking alternative sources of manufacturing services.

Consequently, in the event that components from our suppliers or work performed by our vendors are delayed or interrupted for any reason, our ability to produce and deliver our products in sufficient quantities and at acceptable costs would decline. Additionally, certain components are provided by a single source. The effect of a disruption of delivery of those single source components could impact our ability to deliver product to our customers.

We are exposed to fluctuations in the exchange rates of foreign currency and the US dollar.

As a global concern, we face exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency and US dollar exchange rates. Approximately 52% of our net sales are exposed to foreign currency risk. Approximately 27% of our operating expenses are exposed to foreign currency risk. These exposures may change over time as business practices evolve and could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. We will monitor our exposure and may hedge against this and any other emerging market currencies as necessary.

We are exposed to the credit risk of some of our customers.

Due to the current slowdown in the economy, the credit risks relating to our customers have increased. Although we have programs in place to monitor and mitigate the associated risk, there can be no assurance that such programs will be effective in reducing our credit risks. We have experienced losses due to customers failing to meet their obligations. Although these losses have not been significant, future losses, if incurred, could harm our business and have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial conditions.

Our business is subject to risks from international operations.

We conduct business globally. Accordingly, our future results could be materially adversely affected by a variety of uncontrollable and changing factors including, among others, foreign currency exchange rates; regulatory, political, or economic conditions in a specific country or region; trade protection measures and other regulatory requirements; and natural disasters. Any or all of these factors could have a material adverse impact on our future international business.

Our business is subject to the effects of general global economic conditions, and particularly economic conditions in the United States and the United Kingdom. Specifically, our business is subject to the effects of market conditions in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences and chemical industries. In recent quarters, our operating results have been

     
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adversely affected as a result of unfavorable economic conditions and reduced capital spending in the United States, Europe, and Asia. If the economic conditions in the United States and globally do not improve, or if we experience a worsening in the global economic slowdown, we may continue to experience material adverse impacts on our business, operating results, and financial condition.

The life sciences industry is highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change, and we may not have the resources necessary to successfully compete.

We compete with companies worldwide that are engaged in the development and production of similar products. We face competition primarily from the following three sectors:

  pharmaceutical companies developing their own instruments;
 
  companies marketing products based upon parallel synthesis and other non-traditional technologies, such as Mettler-Toledo AG and several smaller instrument and reagent companies; and
 
  companies marketing conventional products based on traditional chemistry methodologies, such as Biotage (a subsidiary of Dyax Corp.) and Isco, Inc.

Many of our competitors have access to greater financial, technical, research, marketing, sales, distribution, service and other resources than we do. We face, and will continue to face, intense competition from organizations serving the life sciences industry that are developing or marketing competing products and technologies. These organizations may develop products or technologies that are superior to our products or technologies in terms of performance, cost or both. These organizations may offer price discounts or other concessions as a competitive tactic that we may not be in a position to match.

We will need to develop new applications for our products to remain competitive. Our present or future products could be rendered obsolete or uneconomical by technological advances of one or more of our current or future competitors. In addition, the introduction or announcement of new products by us or by others could result in a delay of or decrease in sales of existing products, as customers evaluate these new products. Our future success will depend on our ability to compete effectively against current technology as well as to respond effectively to technological advances.

If we infringe on or misappropriate the proprietary rights of others or we are unable to protect our own intellectual property rights our revenues could be harmed.

We may be sued for infringing on the intellectual property rights of others. Intellectual property litigation is costly, and, even if we prevail, the cost of such litigation could affect our profitability. In addition, litigation is time consuming and could divert management attention and resources away from our business. If we do not prevail in any litigation, in addition to any damages we might have to pay, we could be required to stop the infringing activity or obtain a license. We may not be able to obtain required licenses on acceptable terms, or at all. In addition, some licenses may be nonexclusive, and therefore, our competitors may have access to the technology licensed to us. If we fail to obtain a required license or are unable to design around a patent, we may be unable to sell some of our products, which could harm our ability to compete and result in a decline in our revenues.

Our success may depend on our ability to obtain and enforce patents on our technology and to protect our trade secrets. Any patents we own may not afford meaningful protection for our technology and products. Others may challenge our patents and, as a result, our patents could be narrowed, invalidated or rendered unenforceable. In addition, our current and future patent applications may not result in the issuance of patents to us in the United States or foreign countries. Moreover, competitors may develop products similar to ours that are not covered by our patents.

We try to protect our non-patented trade secrets by requiring our employees, consultants and advisors to execute confidentiality agreements. However, we cannot guarantee that these agreements will provide us with adequate protection against improper use or disclosure of our trade secrets. Further, others may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques. If we are unable to protect our proprietary information and techniques, our ability to exclude certain competitors from the market will be limited.

There may not be an active, liquid trading market for our common stock.

We are listed on the NASDAQ National Market. There is no guarantee that an active trading market for our Common Stock will be maintained on the NASDAQ National Market. You may not be able to sell your shares quickly or at the market price if trading in our stock is not active. If we fail to comply with the continued listing requirements of the NASDAQ National

     
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Market, we may be de-listed from trading on such market, and thereafter trading in our common stock, if any, would likely be conducted through the NASDAQ SmallCap Market, the over-the-counter market or on the Electronic Bulletin Board of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

Our stock price has been highly volatile, and your investment could suffer a further decline in value.

The trading price of our common stock has been highly volatile and ranged in 2003 from a per-share high of $1.61 to a low of $0.81 and could continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including;

  actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results;
 
  failure to achieve, or changes in, financial estimates by securities analysts;
 
  announcements of new products or services or technological innovations by us or our competitors;
 
  conditions or trends in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences and chemical industries;
 
  announcements by us of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
 
  additions or departures of key personnel, including any directors;
 
  developments in the application or interpretation of new or existing accounting pronouncements and reporting obligations
 
  purchases or sales of our common stock, including any repurchases of our common stock under the existing or future stock repurchase program; and
 
  developments regarding our patents or other intellectual property or that of our competitors.

In addition, the stock market in general, and the NASDAQ Stock Market’s National Market and SmallCap Market and the market for technology companies in particular, have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. Further, there has been particular volatility in the market prices of securities of life science companies. These broad market and industry factors may negatively impact the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted. A securities class action suit against us could result in substantial costs, potential liabilities and the diversion of management’s attention and resources.

Our principal stockholders, directors and executive officers beneficially own approximately 51% of our common stock, which may prevent new investors from influencing corporate decisions.

Our principal stockholders, defined as those who currently own 5% or greater of our common stock, together with our directors and executive officers beneficially own approximately 51% of our outstanding common stock. They will be able to exercise significant influence over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and the approval of significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership may also delay or prevent a change in control of us even if beneficial to our other stockholders.

Sales of large numbers of shares of our common stock could cause our stock price to decline.

The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur. In addition, these factors could make it more difficult for us to raise funds through future offerings of common stock. All of the shares sold in our initial public offering are now freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by our affiliates, as defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act. The remaining shares of common stock outstanding are restricted securities as defined in Rule 144. These shares may be sold in the future without registration under the Securities Act, to the extent permitted by Rule 144 or other exemptions under the Securities Act.

On March 1, 2001, we issued 666,667 shares of unregistered common stock in connection with the acquisition of ATSI.

On February 5, 2002, we registered 2,628,618 shares of common stock that are reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted under our stock option and employee stock purchase plans. These shares can be sold in the public market upon issuance, subject to restrictions under the securities laws applicable to resales by affiliates.

On February 20, 2002, we issued 572,152 shares of unregistered common stock in connection with the acquisition of Jones Group.

     
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Anti-takeover provisions in our charter and bylaws and under Delaware law could make a third-party acquisition of us difficult.

Pursuant to our charter, our board of directors has the authority to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, of those shares without any further vote of action by our stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain other provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so might be deemed beneficial by our stockholders. These provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. We are also subject to certain provisions of Delaware law that could delay, deter or prevent a change in control of us.

Recently Enacted and Proposed Changes in Securities Laws and Regulations are Likely to Increase Our Costs

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that became law in July 2002 requires changes in some of our corporate governance and securities disclosure or compliance practices. That Act also requires the SEC to promulgate new rules on a variety of subjects, in addition to rule proposals already made, and Nasdaq has proposed revisions to its requirements for companies that are Nasdaq-listed. We expect these developments to increase our legal compliance costs, and to make some activities more time-consuming. We are presently evaluating and monitoring regulatory developments and cannot estimate the timing or magnitude of additional costs we may incur as a result.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our market risk disclosures have not changed significantly from those set forth in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2003.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

     Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

     
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is not currently involved in any material legal proceedings.

ITEM 2: CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

On August 8, 2002, the Company announced the approval by its Board of Directors of a stock repurchase program pursuant to which shares of its outstanding common stock having an aggregate value of up to $500,000 may be repurchased through open market transactions at prices deemed appropriate by the Company. The duration of the stock repurchase program is open-ended. The timing and amount of repurchase transactions under this program will depend on market conditions, corporate and regulatory considerations, and will be funded from available working capital. At September 30, 2003, the Company had repurchased 50,000 shares of outstanding common stock at an average purchase price per share of $0.93.

ITEM 3: DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4: SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None

ITEM 5: OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6: EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)   Exhibits.
 
    The following exhibits have been filed with this report.

       
  Number   Description of Document
 
 
  2.1(c)   Agreement and Plan of Merger dated January 31, 2001, by and among the Registrant, CPL Acquisition Corp. and Camile Products, LLC.
       
  2.2(d)   Agreement for the sale and purchase of the entire issued share capital of Jones Chromatography Limited, dated February 11, 2002, by and among the Registrant and the former Jones Group shareholders.
       
  3.1(a)   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.
       
  3.2(g)   Amendment to the Bylaws of Registrant.
       
  4.3(c)   Registration Rights Agreement dated March 1, 2001, by and among the Registrant and the members of Camile Products, LLC.
       
  4.4(d)   Registration Rights Agreement dated February 20, 2002, by and among the Registrant and the former Jones Group shareholders.
       
  4.5(d)   £7,650,000 Loan Note Instrument Creating Principal Amount Guaranteed Loan Notes 2004 guaranteed by Barclays Bank PLC dated February 20, 2002.
       
  10.1(a)   Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated May 21, 1999.
       
  10.2(a)   Offer Letter, dated October 29, 1996, from Registrant to David P. Binkley, Ph.D.
       
  10.3(a)   Promissory Note Secured by Deed of Trust between the Registrant and David P. Binkley, dated December 17, 1996.
       
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  Number   Description of Document
 
 
  10.4(a)   Lease Agreement between the Registrant and Tanklage Family Partnership, dated July 9, 1999.
       
  10.5(a)   Lease Agreement between the Registrant and MK Kojimachi Building Co., Ltd., dated September 16, 1997, as amended.
       
  10.6(a)   Lease Agreement between the Registrant and Personalvorsorgestiftung Rapp AG, dated April 16, 1997.
       
  10.7(a)   License and Supply Agreement between the Registrant and Symyx Technologies, Inc., dated August 6, 1999.
       
  10.9(a)   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and each of its directors and officers.
       
  10.10(a)   1995 Stock Plan.
       
  10.11(a)   1995 Stock Plan Form of Stock Option Agreement.
       
  10.12(g)   2000 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended.
       
  10.13(g)   2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended.
       
  10.14(b)   Amendment to License and Supply Agreement between the Registrant and Symyx Technologies, Inc., dated January 1, 2002.
       
  10.15(b)   Agreement between the Registrant and David P. Binkley dated December 5, 2001.
       
  10.16(b)   Agreement between the Registrant and John T. Supan dated January 10, 2002.
       
  10.17(e)   License Agreement between Argonaut Technologies, Inc. and Symyx Technologies, Inc. dated August 21, 2002.
       
  10.18(f)   Agreement between the Registrant and Jan K. Hughes dated December 9, 2002.
       
  31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
  31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
  32   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
  (a)   Incorporated by reference from our registration statement on Form S-1, registration number 333-35782, declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 18, 2000.
       
  (b)   Incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2002.
       
  (c)   Incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2001.
       
  (d)   Incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2002.
       
  (e)   Incorporated by reference from our Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2002. Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to such omitted portions.
       
  (f)   Incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2003.
       
  (g)   Incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 2003.

(b)   Reports on Form 8-K.
 
    On July 30, 2003, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K providing the contents of a press release issued by the Company announcing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2003.
 
    The Company filed no other reports on Form 8-K during the period ended September 30, 2003.

     
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SIGNATURES

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

       
Date: November 13, 2003   ARGONAUT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
       
    By: /s/ LISSA A. GOLDENSTEIN
     
      Lissa A. Goldenstein
President and Chief Executive Officer
       
    By: /s/ DAVID J. FOSTER
     
      David J. Foster
Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
     
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ARGONAUT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Form 10-Q
Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2003

EXHIBIT INDEX

     
Number   Description of Document

 
2.1(c)   Agreement and Plan of Merger dated January 31, 2001, by and among the Registrant, CPL Acquisition Corp. and Camile Products, LLC.
     
2.2(d)   Agreement for the sale and purchase of the entire issued share capital of Jones Chromatography Limited, dated February 11, 2002, by and among the Registrant and the former Jones Group shareholders.
     
3.1(a)   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.
     
3.2(g)   Amendment to the Bylaws of Registrant.
     
4.3(c)   Registration Rights Agreement dated March 1, 2001, by and among the Registrant and the members of Camile Products, LLC.
     
4.4(d)   Registration Rights Agreement dated February 20, 2002, by and among the Registrant and the former Jones Group shareholders.
     
4.5(d)   £7,650,000 Loan Note Instrument Creating Principal Amount Guaranteed Loan Notes 2004 guaranteed by Barclays Bank PLC dated February 20, 2002.
     
10.1(a)   Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated May 21, 1999.
     
10.2(a)   Offer Letter, dated October 29, 1996, from Registrant to David P. Binkley, Ph.D.
     
10.3(a)   Promissory Note Secured by Deed of Trust between the Registrant and David P. Binkley, dated December 17, 1996.
     
10.4(a)   Lease Agreement between the Registrant and Tanklage Family Partnership, dated July 9, 1999.
     
10.5(a)   Lease Agreement between the Registrant and MK Kojimachi Building Co., Ltd., dated September 16, 1997, as amended.
     
10.6(a)   Lease Agreement between the Registrant and Personalvorsorgestiftung Rapp AG, dated April 16, 1997.
     
10.7(a)   License and Supply Agreement between the Registrant and Symyx Technologies, Inc., dated August 6, 1999.
     
10.9(a)   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and each of its directors and officers.
     
10.10(a)   1995 Stock Plan.
     
10.11(a)   1995 Stock Plan Form of Stock Option Agreement.
     
10.12(g)   2000 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended.
     
10.13(g)   2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended.
     
10.14(b)   Amendment to License and Supply Agreement between the Registrant and Symyx Technologies, Inc., dated January 1, 2002.
     
10.15(b)   Agreement between the Registrant and David P. Binkley dated December 5, 2001.
     
10.16(b)   Agreement between the Registrant and John T. Supan dated January 10, 2002.
     
10.17(e)   License Agreement between Argonaut Technologies, Inc. and Symyx Technologies, Inc. dated August 21, 2002.
     
10.18(f)   Agreement between the Registrant and Jan K. Hughes dated December 9, 2002.
     
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
(a)   Incorporated by reference from our registration statement on Form S-1, registration number 333-35782, declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 18, 2000.
     
(b)   Incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2002.
     
(c)   Incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2001.
     
(d)   Incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2002.
     
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Number   Description of Document

 
(e)   Incorporated by reference from our Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2002. Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to such omitted portions.
     
(f)   Incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2003.
     
(g)   Incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 2003.
     
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