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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
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FORM 10-K
/X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2000
OR
/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 0-22987
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VALENTIS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 94-3156660
(State or other jurisdiction (IRS Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
863A MITTEN RD., BURLINGAME, CA 94010
(Address of principal offices) (Zip Code)
(650) 697-1900
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, Par Value $.001
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. /X/
The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant, based upon the last sale price of the common stock reported on the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System on
September 1, 2000 was $300,507,300.
The number of registrant's Common Stock outstanding, as of September 1, 2000
was 29,375,241.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant's proxy statement, which will be filed with the
Commission pursuant to Section 14A in connection with the 2000 meeting of
stockholders are incorporated herein by reference in Part III of this Report.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Except for the historical information contained herein, the following
discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Valentis, Inc.'s ("the Company") actual results could differ
materially. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include,
but are not limited to, those discussed in this section under the captions "Risk
Factors" as well as those under Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Valentis, Inc. is a leader in the field of biopharmaceutical delivery. We
develop multiple proprietary gene delivery and gene expression systems and
PEGylation technologies and apply our preclinical and early clinical development
expertise to create novel therapeutics and improved versions of currently
marketed biopharmaceuticals. Valentis has what it believes to be the broadest
array of technologies and intellectual property for the delivery of
biopharmaceuticals including genes, proteins, peptides, peptidomimetics,
antibodies and replicating and non-replicating viruses. This portfolio of
delivery technologies potentially allows us to develop new products, create
improved versions of currently marketed products and solve safety, efficacy and
dosing compliance issues with products in development. Valentis focuses on
research, preclinical development and early-stage clinical development of
products in several therapeutic areas including cardiovascular disorders,
oncology, hematology and immunology.
Valentis has positioned itself to be the near-term beneficiary of genomics
research, a massive effort underway to understand the sequence and function of
the human genome. The first products being generated from genomics research are
biopharmaceuticals such as proteins, antibodies and gene medicines. Valentis is
developing delivery systems that are designed to improve the safety, efficacy
and dosing characteristics of these biopharmaceuticals to make them safer, more
effective and more convenient for patients to use.
The merger of Megabios Corporation and GeneMedicine, Inc. formed Valentis, a
Delaware corporation, in March 1999. In August 1999, Valentis acquired
U.K.-based PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc. Valentis has centers in three
locations: The Woodlands, Texas, which houses personnel focused on preclinical
research and development; London, England, where PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc
operates as a wholly owned subsidiary and focuses on PEGylation technology; and
Burlingame, California, which is the Company's headquarters as well as the
center for manufacturing and clinical development.
Our delivery systems for biopharmaceuticals are based on two broad
technology platforms: gene medicines and PEGylation technologies.
GENE MEDICINE TECHNOLOGIES
Each cell in the human body contains genes that code for the production of
proteins that directly and/or indirectly impact all of the body's functions.
Gene medicines are used to achieve production of therapeutic proteins in their
natural, most active form at specific sites in the body. Gene medicines are
typically administered by conventional pharmaceutical routes after being
reconstituted from single-vial, stable, lyophilized products. A gene is
delivered to target cells via a synthetic gene delivery system, and gives the
cells the instructions needed to produce a therapeutic protein that is intended
to correct, prevent or modulate genetic and acquired diseases.
PEGYLATION TECHNOLOGIES
PolyMASC's PEGylation technology allows for the gentle coupling of
polyethylene glycol ("PEG") molecules directly to proteins (protoMASC-TM-),
antibodies (antiMASC-TM-) and viruses (viraMASC-TM-) in a manner that retains
the biological activity of the material. These PEG molecules can protect the
biologic
1
from degradation and attack by the immune system. This can yield products with
improved safety, efficacy and dosing regimens.
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Valentis itself, or through its PolyMASC subsidiary, currently has corporate
collaborations with:
- Roche Holdings Ltd. for cancer immunotherapeutics based on the IL-2 and
IL-12, and Interferon-a genes;
- Eli Lilly & Co. to develop treatments for breast and ovarian cancer using
the BRCA-1 gene;
- Glaxo Wellcome plc to develop a treatment for cystic fibrosis using the
CFTR gene;
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, for the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis with gene medicines;
- Invitrogen Corporation to sell Valentis' proprietary GeneSwitch-TM- gene
regulation system to the research market;
- Heska Corporation for a gene-based immunotherapeutic for cancer and
allergies in companion animals;
- Eurogene Ltd. for cardiovascular diseases using gene medicines and
Eurogene's collar delivery system;
- DSM Biologics and QIAGEN, N.V. for plasmid manufacturing;
- Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for a PEGylated virus-based cancer therapeutic,
ONYX-015;
- Bayer Corporation, Inc. for a PEGylated Factor VIII;
- Flemington Pharmaceutical Corp. for a PEGylated oral insulin;
- Transkaryotic Therapies for the development of PEGylated protein
pharmaceuticals; and
- Viragen, Inc. for the development of a PEGylated interferon-alpha (IFN-a)
for treatment of hepatitis C.
SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRY BACKGROUND--GENE MEDICINES
Gene medicines are an approach to the treatment or prevention of certain
diseases in which therapeutic genes are introduced into the body to cause the
production of specific proteins needed to bring about a therapeutic effect. For
gene medicines to be effective, the therapeutic gene must be delivered to, and
transported across, the outer membrane of a targeted cell and into the nucleus
where it can be expressed. The expressed protein may remain within the cell for
an intracellular effect, be transported to the cell membrane to exert a
cell-surface effect or be secreted into the bloodstream to have a systemic
effect. Most gene medicines utilize a delivery system, or vector, into which the
therapeutic gene is incorporated to facilitate its delivery to, and uptake by,
the target cell.
Genes provide the instructions or "code" for the productions of proteins,
which determine the nature and function of cells and tissues in all living
organisms. The study of genes and their function ("genomics") provides the
fundamental basis for understanding human health and disease and has led to the
identification of many genes with potential therapeutic utility ("therapeutic
genes").
The entire genetic content of an organism is known as its genome. In humans,
the genome is believed to contain approximately 100,000 genes, each of which is
composed of a unique sequence of DNA molecules that encode genetic instructions.
These genetic instructions enable cells to carry out their normal biological
functions. The process by which an organism utilizes genetic instructions and
produces
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proteins is known as gene expression. The expression of a defective gene, or the
over- or under-expression of a normal gene, is responsible for certain disease
conditions. For example, the expression of a single defective gene is known to
cause cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia, and the defective expression of
multiple genes is believed to be involved in the progression of diseases such as
cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular and neurological diseases.
The worldwide effort to decipher the human genome and to understand the
function of its constituent genes is yielding important insights into the roles
that genes play in disease conditions, as well as how genes may be useful in the
treatment of such diseases. It is estimated that there are at least 5,000 genes
of known function, many of which have been identified as potential therapeutic
genes. Various companies and academic institutions are investing substantial
financial and human resources to identify additional therapeutic genes, and
Valentis believes that this process will create opportunities for gene
medicines.
GENE DELIVERY APPROACHES
To date, a limiting factor in gene-based therapy has been the lack of safe,
effective gene delivery systems. A number of gene delivery approaches are being
developed, each of which has exhibited certain limitations. These approaches may
be categorized by their mode of administration as EX VIVO (outside the body) or
IN VIVO (inside the body), and by the nature of the gene delivery system (viral
or non-viral).
The first clinical trials of potential gene-based therapeutics used EX VIVO
viral gene delivery. EX VIVO gene medicines involve procedures in which selected
cells are removed from the patient, transduced with the therapeutic gene,
expanded in number, cleansed of contaminants and then reintroduced into the same
patient. This lengthy and labor-intensive process significantly differs from
traditional pharmaceutical administration and may result in a complex, high-cost
procedure.
Valentis is developing a broad technology platform consisting of several IN
VIVO, non-viral, or plasmid-based, gene delivery systems. Each delivery system
consists primarily of two components: (i) a DNA plasmid, a circular segment of
DNA that contains a therapeutic gene and components that regulate its expression
and is designed to control expression of the therapeutic gene in the cell; and
(ii) lipids, polymers and/or other non-viral agents to facilitate the delivery
of the DNA plasmids into target cells by various modes of administration,
including inhalation and intravenous, intratumoral, intramuscular or
intraperitoneal administration. These traditional modes of administration are
familiar to physicians and may be more convenient and cost effective than EX
VIVO approaches.
In many of Valentis' gene delivery systems, we combine negatively charged
DNA with novel, positively charged and neutral lipids to form tightly bound
DNA:lipid complexes. These complexes can be manufactured at large-scale to
produce high purity, stable products. Valentis' other gene delivery systems
utilize polymers or peptides to facilitate the delivery of DNA plasmids in
DNA:polymer or DNA:peptide complexes.
Valentis believes its proprietary plasmid-based gene delivery systems have
advantages over other gene delivery systems. DNA in our PINC-TM- (protective,
interactive, non-condensing) formulations have been shown to produce
therapeutically relevant protein levels that persist for up to twelve months in
animal studies. In addition, Valentis' gene delivery systems can preferentially
target specific tissues and cell types and can be handled and administered like
traditional pharmaceuticals. We have demonstrated that we can produce
clinical-grade DNA plasmids and DNA containing formulations under controlled
conditions, and we have developed manufacturing and production methods designed
to be scaled to meet commercial requirements.
We have tested our gene delivery systems in hundreds of IN VIVO preclinical
experiments and in certain early clinical trials. Our delivery systems allow for
repeat administration of gene medicines for the treatment of chronic diseases,
such as cystic fibrosis and cancer. While the results of preclinical animal
studies may not predict safety or efficacy in humans, when further clinical
trials are conducted, Valentis
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believes that its experience in preclinical and early clinical development will
enable it to accelerate the development of gene medicines and thereby attract
corporate partners.
VALENTIS' IN VIVO, PLASMID-BASED GENE DELIVERY APPROACH
Valentis believes its proprietary plasmid-based gene delivery systems may
have the following benefits:
- THERAPEUTICALLY RELEVANT GENE EXPRESSION. Valentis has developed DNA
plasmids that, following their formulation with lipids or polymers and
administration to animals, produce therapeutically relevant protein levels
that persist for up to twelve months.
- TISSUE-SPECIFIC GENE DELIVERY AND EXPRESSION. Valentis believes that its
gene delivery systems can target specific tissues and cell types. In
preclinical studies, we have demonstrated that various formulations are
taken up selectively by (i) muscle cells following direct injection,
(ii) vascular endothelial cells lining the blood vessels of several
tissues, including lung, heart, spleen and lymphatic tissues, following
intravenous administration, (iii) solid tumors following direct
administration either into the tumor or other local tissues,
(iv) circulating macrophages following intravenous administration and
(v) ciliated epithelial cells lining the airways of the lungs following
aerosol administration.
- EASE OF HANDLING AND ADMINISTRATION, STABILITY AND SCALABLE MANUFACTURING
METHODS. Valentis' gene delivery systems are designed to be handled and
administered like traditional pharmaceuticals. These gene delivery systems
are also designed to be stable when refrigerated and are intended to be
distributed like other pharmaceuticals. Valentis has demonstrated that it
can produce clinical-grade DNA plasmids and DNA containing formulations
under controlled conditions. In addition, Valentis has developed
manufacturing and production methods designed to be scaled to meet
commercial requirements and has produced DNA plasmids at a contract
manufacturer at the 3,000-liter scale.
- IMPROVED SAFETY PROFILE. Valentis has tested its gene delivery systems in
hundreds of IN VIVO, preclinical experiments and in certain early clinical
trials. Due to its improved safety profile as compared to viral delivery
systems, Valentis believes that its gene delivery systems will allow for
repeat administration of gene medicines for the treatment of chronic
diseases, such as asthma and other inflammatory conditions.
SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRY BACKGROUND--PEGYLATION TECHNOLOGIES
Proteins, in general, have very unsatisfactory pharmacological profiles. In
order to achieve the levels required to exert a therapeutic effect at the target
site, relatively large doses of protein have to be administered. In addition to
a significant waste of expensive protein, rapid clearance by the immune system
creates the need for frequent dosing. Intravenous bolus administration of the
protein causes excessive initial blood levels of the therapeutic, which can
create side effects. Subcutaneous administration, where feasible, is a better
alternative to intravenous administration. However, subcutaneous administration
is associated with large losses of the protein (typically over 60%) at the
injection site, resulting in low biologic availability. In addition to the need
for frequent dosing, recombinant proteins are typically associated with
antigenic responses, or the formation of antibodies. Most antibodies are
non-neutralizing, and in clinical experience have not created problems with
respect to repeat administration. However, the prospect of neutralizing
antibodies must be addressed in the development of novel therapeutic agents.
PEGylation technology may be used to reduce this prospect because it can mask
the protein from the immune system.
The primary technological focus of PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc, which was
acquired by Valentis in August 1999, is the creation of improved
biopharmaceuticals through the application of PEGylation technologies.
PEGylation is an established technology that involves the attachment of the
polymer polyethylene glycol ("PEG") to biological agents or chemical compounds
to alter their pharmacokinetics (distribution in the body, metabolism and
excretion). The alteration of the pharmacokinetics of biologics
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due to PEGylation can lead to improved dosing intervals and may also have
beneficial effects on safety and efficacy. PEGylation can be applied to
otherwise insoluble proteins or to hide a therapeutic agent from the immune
system. With PEGylation, both recognition by antibodies (antigenicity) and
stimulation of immune responses (immunogenicity) are reduced.
Proof of principle for PEGylation as a delivery technology has been
established by already-commercialized products, most often to enable the
sustained delivery of an agent, thereby lowering the required dosing frequency.
PolyMASC's proprietary technologies are based on novel patented Molecule
Altering Structural Chemistry (MASC) techniques for attaching polymers such as
PEG to other molecules or to carrier systems for pharmaceuticals. The MASC
family of technologies is not restricted to use with PEG. However, current
applications are focused on PEG because it has an excellent safety record and is
already approved for administration to humans. The attachment of PEG chains has
the potential to add considerable value to many pharmaceuticals, particularly
proteins and peptides. As well as making them longer acting and less visible to
the body's immune system, PEGylation reduces wastage of the valuable active
element of the therapy. PEGylation can also be used to link molecules together,
an application for the assembly of new pharmaceutical agents.
PolyMASC's PEGylation differs from certain other methods in that it links
PEG directly to the target and avoids damaging coupling conditions. The direct
linkage circumvents a range of problems introduced by linker groups. PolyMASC's
linkerless technique has what we believe to be an excellent record in the
conservation of bioactivity (and hence therapeutic activity) of delicate
targets.
PolyMASC has developed a number of proprietary applications for its
technologies as follows:
- - protoMASC-TM--- a process of masking protein or peptide pharmaceuticals to
slow clearance from the body which gives excellent retention
of biological activity;
- - viraMASC-TM--- a process for coating viruses to increase efficacy in gene
therapy and the treatment of cancer;
- - antiMASC-TM--- a process for cloaking anti-tumor antibody fragments to delay
clearance by the body which provides improved tumor
localization and penetration;
- - lipoMASC-TM--- a process for coating liposomes, hollow lipid droplets, which
leads to significantly improved tumor localization and has
application in the delivery of anti-cancer agents.
Valentis' PolyMASC technologies offer several advantages over conventional
PEG techniques: (i) the PEG chain is attached to the target molecule without a
linking coupler; (ii) attachment of the PEG chain is done under mild conditions
thereby retaining higher levels of bioactivity of the target molecule; and
(iii) this technique utilizes a highly pure PEG improving its safety profile.
Most PEGylation techniques require the use of a chemical linker to attach the
PEG to the therapeutic agent. The linkers themselves can be damaging, but the
process of attaching the linkers to the therapeutic causes the most damage. Most
PEG processes were developed for small molecules rather than for biological
agents. Biological therapeutics are far less resilient than chemical compounds
and are often destroyed by harsh chemical processing of traditional PEGylation.
The PolyMASC technology confers advantages with respect to preserving biological
function of the therapeutic, reducing toxicities, reducing purification
requirements and facilitating the manufacturing process. In addition, PolyMASC
technology can be applied more effectively to a broader range of therapeutic
targets, thereby enabling novel applications, such as linking different
molecules to create novel compounds.
Valentis is applying the PolyMASC technology to already approved
therapeutics as well as novel therapeutics in development. The PolyMASC
technology can also be applied to gene medicine programs to mask certain
viral-based vectors, among others. We have established corporate agreements with
Bayer for PEGylated Factor VIII, Transkaryotic Therapies for the development of
two undisclosed proteins, Onyx Pharmaceuticals for a PEGylated virus, Flemington
Pharmaceuticals for PEGylated oral insulin and
5
Viragen for a PEGylated IFN-a. PolyMASC's technologies are covered by a family
of patents and patent applications filed in all major jurisdictions. Currently,
none of the products using PolyMASC's PEGylation technologies has begun clinical
trials.
ADVANTAGES OF PEGYLATION TECHNOLOGY
- Improves biologics by extending the half-life, thereby reducing dosing
frequency;
- Enables targeted delivery, thereby reducing side effects;
- Eliminates peak dose levels, thereby reducing side-effects;
- Hides proteins from the immune system, reducing immunogenic response; and
- Enables delivery of insoluble proteins.
TRADITIONAL PEGYLATION TECHNIQUES
Traditional PEGylation techniques used different chemical linkers and
chemical coupling methods to attach polyethylene glycol (PEG) to the target
molecule. While PEGylation has been successfully applied commercially, several
features are not optimal. First, the use of linkers themselves often results in
diminished biological activity of the target protein. Reductions in biological
activity can range from 20-90% using traditional PEGylation techniques. Reduced
biological activity is most problematic when non-enzymatic proteins, such as
cytokines and antibodies, are the target proteins. Enzymes typically require
lower dosing because their activity is catalytic. Reduced activity is
attributable not only to the linkers themselves, but also to the coupling
conditions required for the attachment of PEG to the target molecule, as well as
changes induced in the therapeutics' surface charge, which can obstruct binding.
In addition to reduced biological activity, chemical linkers can be toxic. This
is particularly true when the chemical linkers involve unstable bonds. The
chemistry used with linker technology can cause manufacturing inefficiencies and
require more extensive purification processing.
SPECIFIC ADVANTAGES OF POLYMASC'S PEGYLATION METHODS
PolyMASC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Valentis, has developed a platform
that enables direct, linkerless attachment of the target therapeutic to PEG
molecules. Our technology employs proprietary tresyl chloride chemistry to
produce tresyl monomethoxyPEG ("TMPEG"). We have developed a proprietary
position on the use of TMPEG, as well as on methods for the biological
optimization of TMPEG with the therapeutic, and scale-up and manufacturing of
the compound. Our patented technique is a form of Molecule Altering Structural
Chemistry ("MASC"). While our efforts have been focused on PEG, the technology
can be applied to other polymers and carrier systems. The main advantage of the
PolyMASC system is that it enables preserved biological activity. In addition,
the PolyMASC technology has yielded manufacturing improvements, reduced
toxicities and reduced purification requirements.
The primary advantage of the TMPEG method of PEGylation is that it conserves
the biological activity of the target proteins. Enhanced biological activity is
enabled by both the linkerless TMPEG as well as the biological processes used
for compound optimization. Optimization techniques have independently conferred
improvements in retained biological activity and have resulted in better
reproducibility than traditional methods. For example, we have demonstrated a
99% retention of the biological activity of GM-CSF using our manufacturing
process, where PEGylated products made by others resulted in less than 35% of
the biological activity. The PolyMASC technology has also demonstrated
significantly greater preservation of the biologic activity of erythropoeitin
(EPO), granulocyte colony stimulating factor and thrombopoeitin produced by
three different commonly used chemical coupling methods.
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VALENTIS' PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
GENE MEDICINES
Valentis is developing gene delivery systems based on three broad classes of
delivery enhancing materials: lipids, polymers and peptides. Valentis has shown
that gene delivery systems containing cationic lipids combined with neutral
lipids enhance the cellular uptake of plasmid-based gene expression systems in
animals. These lipid-based gene delivery systems have been demonstrated to
enhance the entry of genes into tumor cells after intratumoral administration
and also to deliver genes to the endothelium and epithelium of the lung after
intravenous administration and inhalation, respectively. Valentis is using its
proprietary cationic lipid gene delivery systems in several of its gene
medicines intended for the treatment of cancer. In addition, Valentis' academic
collaborators have employed cationic lipid gene delivery systems in four
physician-initiated clinical trials: a completed Phase I clinical trial to
deliver genes to cells lining the airways; two Phase II clinical trials designed
to deliver genes to endothelium cells lining the blood vessels of muscle tissue
and of the heart; and a Phase IIa trial to deliver genes to tumor cells.
Valentis also has developed gene delivery systems that employ polymers that,
in certain formulations for conventional drugs, are approved for human use. We
have shown that these polymers interact with plasmids and facilitate the
delivery of genes into muscle cells or tumor cells after IN VIVO administration.
We are employing our proprietary polymeric PINC-TM- gene delivery system in
hematology gene medicines and in two gene medicines intended for the treatment
of cancer. Our scientists have demonstrated in animal models that the use of
polymeric PINC-TM- gene delivery systems can lead to a significant increase in
both the level and the reproducibility of proteins produced in muscle compared
to the administration of plasmids formulated in saline, or "naked" DNA.
We are also creating and developing gene delivery systems made up of short
synthetic peptides and peptides containing simple sugars or glycopeptides. The
peptides are designed to bind to plasmid DNA to form a tightly compacted
complex, which we believe is important for DNA to enter certain types of cells.
The glycopeptides are designed to interact specifically with natural receptors
present on the surfaces of target cells and to affect the entry of plasmid DNA
into those cells. In addition, our peptides can be utilized in combination with
other materials such as cationic lipids. Valentis has exclusive and co-exclusive
rights to materials in each of the foregoing classes of agents used for gene
delivery systems.
We have identified a number of potential therapeutic applications for our
technologies and have developed several gene delivery systems that can use a
variety of therapeutic genes. In each case, the delivery and expression system
developed for a specific product can be used in combination with other
therapeutic genes to create multiple product opportunities for the same
indication.
PEG PRODUCTS
PolyMASC is developing a number of product applications using its
protoMASC-TM-, viraMASC-TM-, and antiMASC-TM- technologies. As part of the
merger with Valentis, PolyMASC announced that it would pursue a single partner
for the disposal of its LipoMASC-TM- technology. Subsequently, after market
analysis, the Valentis management and Board of Directors have reconsidered our
policy with respect to development of the LipoMASC-TM- technology and
exploitation of the PEG liposome intellectual property rights. We now believe
that we can realize greater value for this asset by pursuing a licensing
strategy on a product by product or on a field of use basis.
There can be no assurance that any of Valentis' gene delivery systems or
PEGylation technologies will have the performance attributes to justify their
further development or to attract corporate partners. While we have demonstrated
some evidence of the utility of our gene delivery systems or PEGylation in
preclinical animal studies, these results do not predict safety or efficacy in
humans. Our products may prove to have undesirable and unintended side effects
or other characteristics that may prevent or limit their use. There can be no
assurance that any of Valentis' products will ultimately obtain FDA or other
7
regulatory or foreign marketing approval for any indication. Our products are
also subject to risks particular to the development of gene-based therapeutics
or PEGylation. Gene-based therapy and PEGylation are new and rapidly evolving
technologies and are expected to undergo significant technological changes in
the future. As a result of the limited clinical data available regarding the
safety and efficacy of gene-based therapeutics or PEGylation and other factors,
clinical trials relating to gene-based therapeutics or PEGylation may take
longer to complete than clinical trials involving traditional pharmaceuticals.
There can be no assurance that any gene-based therapeutic or PEGylation will be
demonstrated to be safe or effective or that Valentis or its corporate
collaborators will be able to manufacture such gene-based therapeutics or
PEGylated products on a commercial scale or in an economical manner.
The table below summarizes Valentis' leading product candidates, potential
therapeutic indications, stage of development and corporate collaborators:
GENE MEDICINES FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
PRODUCT CANDIDATE INDICATIONS DEVELOPMENT STAGE(1) COLLABORATOR
VEGF(165) gene
medicine Coronary artery Phase IIb --
disease
VEGF(165) gene
medicine Peripheral vascular Phase IIb --
disease
VEGF(165) gene
medicine Restenosis Phase IIa Eurogene
Del-1 gene medicine Coronary Artery Preclinical --
Disease
Del-1 gene medicine Peripheral Vascular Preclinical --
Disease
eNOS gene medicine Restenosis Research Eurogene
GENE MEDICINES FOR ONCOLOGY
PRODUCT CANDIDATE INDICATIONS DEVELOPMENT STAGE COLLABORATOR
Interleukin-2 gene
medicine (IL-2) Head and neck cancer Phase IIb Roche
IL-2 + chemotherapy
gene medicine Head and neck cancer Phase IIb Roche
Interferon-a gene
medicine (IFN-a) Head and neck cancer Phase IIa Roche
Interleukin-12 gene
medicine (IL-12) Head and neck cancer Phase IIa Roche
IL-2 + Superantigen B
gene medicine Melanoma Phase IIa --
IL-12 + IFN-a
combination gene
medicine Solid tumors Phase IIa Roche
IL-2 + Superantigen A
gene medicine Animal health Late development Heska
IV IL-2 gene medicine Lung metastases Preclinical --
BRCA-1 gene medicine Breast and ovarian Research Eli Lilly
cancer
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HEMATOLOGY GENE MEDICINES
PRODUCT CANDIDATE INDICATIONS DEVELOPMENT STAGE COLLABORATOR
EPO + GeneSwitch-TM- Various Preclinical --
Factor IX gene
medicine Hemophilia B Preclinical --
OTHER GENE MEDICINES
PRODUCT CANDIDATE INDICATIONS DEVELOPMENT STAGE COLLABORATOR
CFTR gene medicine Cystic fibrosis Research Glaxo Wellcome
Undisclosed genes Arthritis Research Boehringer Ingelheim
Prophylactic/therapeutic
vaccines Various Research --
PEG PRODUCTS
PRODUCT CANDIDATE INDICATIONS DEVELOPMENT STAGE COLLABORATOR
PEGylated ONYX-015 Solid tumors and Preclinical Onyx
metastases
PEGylated Factor VIII Hemophilia A Feasibility Bayer
Transkaryotic
PEGylated proteins Undisclosed Feasibility Therapies
PEGylated oral insulin Diabetes mellitus Feasibility Flemington
PEGylated IFN-a Hepatitis C Feasibility Viragen
(1) "Phase II" indicates that the compound is being tested in humans for
indications of biological activity in a limited patient
population.
"Preclinical" indicates that Valentis is conducting efficacy, pharmacology
and/or toxicology testing of a gene delivery system in
animal models or biochemical or cell culture assays.
"Research" includes the development of animal models and assay systems,
discovery of prototype gene delivery systems and evaluation
and refinement of prototype gene delivery systems in IN
VITRO and IN VIVO testing.
"Feasibility" indicates the development of models and assay systems, and
evaluation and refinement of PEG delivery systems in IN
VITRO and IN VIVO testing.
"Late development" indicates testing for safety, toxicology and efficacy in
companion animals.
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GENE MEDICINES
CARDIOVASCULAR GENE MEDICINES
VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTORS ("VEGF")
In March 1998, a VEGF gene medicine employing Valentis' proprietary cationic
lipid gene delivery system became the subject of two physician-initiated Phase
IIb angioplasty clinical trials, one for treating peripheral vascular disease
and one for treating coronary artery disease. The gene medicine is designed to
prevent proliferation of smooth muscle cells and reclosure of the vessels in
patients who are undergoing either coronary angioplasty or peripheral
angioplasty. Dr. Seppo Yla-Herttuala of the A.I. Virtanen Institute of the
University of Kuopio, Finland, is conducting the trials. Valentis is providing
its proprietary DOTMA cationic lipid gene delivery system for a study with the
Institute's plasmids encoding VEGF(165).
In November 1999, Valentis announced that in one of Dr. Yla-Herttuala's
double blind, placebo-controlled Phase IIb clinical trials, the non-viral
VEGF(165) gene medicine showed evidence of stimulating angiogenesis (blood
vessel formation). Interim results from this clinical trial being conducted in
Finland were presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association.
Patients enrolled in the clinical trial received a plasmid based, non-viral
VEGF(165) gene medicine, an adenovirus encoding VEGF(165), or a placebo.
VEGF(165) is a potent angiogenic factor that has also been shown to inhibit
restenosis (the narrowing of the blood vessels following angioplasty or stent
insertion). The gene medicine was administered via catheter to patients with
peripheral vascular disease (PVD) immediately following angioplasty. Interim
analysis of angiographic data required by the Finnish Agency for Medicinal
Products revealed an increase in the number of blood vessels in both the plasmid
and adenovirus groups, but not in the group given the placebo.
To date, more than 140 patients with either peripheral vascular or coronary
artery disease have been treated with the plasmid-based VEGF(165) therapy.
VEGF(165) gene therapy is also being tested in a second Phase II trial being
conducted by Dr. Yla-Herttuala and colleagues in patients with coronary artery
disease.
In March 2000, Valentis and Eurogene Ltd. ("Eurogene") initiated a Phase IIa
clinical trial of a gene medicine incorporating Eurogene's local
collar-reservoir delivery device, a Valentis proprietary cationic lipid gene
delivery system, and a gene for VEGF(165). The collar-reservoir device enables
the gene to be delivered locally via the adventitial (outside) surface of the
blood vessels. The therapy is designed to prevent the post-surgical development
of intimal hyperplasia (smooth muscle cell proliferation) in blood vessels. This
is a frequent complication after vascular surgery in up to 60% of patients and
results in blockage of the vessels. The trial is being conducted at three
university hospitals in Finland-Kuopio, Tampere and Oulu-under the supervision
of Dr. Yla-Herttuala.
This is the first study in humans to investigate the local delivery of a
gene from the outside of the tissue to the specific site where it is needed
using a biodegradable collar-reservoir device and a non-viral, liposomal vector.
Delivery in this way is aimed at enhancing local gene delivery while limiting
systemic protein exposure.
The study is designed to demonstrate that the VEGF(165) gene, delivered
locally to the outside surface of a blood vessel, will transfect and express in
the smooth muscle cells of the vessel wall. Transfection causes the naturally
occurring VEGF protein to be produced and the vasculo-protective mechanism to be
activated. VEGF protein is known to increase the production of nitric oxide in
the endothelium, which, in turn, is responsible for inhibiting the development
of intimal hyperplasia in blood vessels.
Results from preclinical experiments involving local delivery of a VEGF gene
with Eurogene's extravascular collar have already indicated that this method of
delivery results in significant transfection of smooth muscle cells in the
vessel wall. Additionally, Valentis has already demonstrated that its
proprietary
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DOTMA-based cationic lipid delivery system can be used successfully with
VEGF(165) for vascular applications.
DEL-1
In April 1999, Valentis acquired the rights and intellectual property
related to the Del-1 gene and protein from Progenitor, Inc. Del-1 is a novel
extracellular matrix protein involved in early growth and development of blood
vessels and bone that has been demonstrated to have potential application in the
treatment of certain vascular diseases by stimulating angiogenesis. Del-1 has
the potential to be effective in the treatment of a variety of cardiovascular
diseases, including peripheral vascular disease and coronary artery disease.
Del-1 is a unique angiogenic factor that promotes vascular growth and
inhibits endothelial cell death. It has a distinct mechanism of action from
other known angiogenic factors such as members of the VEGF and fibroblast growth
factor (FGF) families. In June 2000, Valentis announced that its Del-1 gene
medicine elicited development of new blood vessels in preclinical animal studies
in rabbits and mice. Valentis scientists reported that the effects on
development of new blood vessels in rabbit and mouse models of a single
administration to muscle of the Del-1 gene medicine were similar to those
obtained with a VEGF(165) gene medicine, which was used as a comparator in both
studies. Acute toxicities observed with the VEGF(165) gene medicine in
dose-response studies were not observed with the Del-1 gene medicine at similar
doses, suggesting that the Del-1 gene medicine may have safety advantages over
VEGF(165).
Both the Del-1 and VEGF(165) gene medicines used in these studies
incorporate Valentis' proprietary PINC-TM- polymer gene delivery technology.
Locally administered gene medicines, such as Del-1, provide for sustained,
localized expression at the target site, with minimal systemic exposure. This
delivery modality mimics endogenous processes that drive angiogenesis and
overcomes two major shortcomings associated with systemic delivery of
recombinant angiogenic proteins- their potential systemic toxicity and short
half-life.
Valentis expects to initiate a Phase IIa clinical trial for a Del-1 gene
medicine for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease in the first quarter
of 2001.
ENOS
In 1998, Valentis acquired an exclusive worldwide license from Stanford
University to intellectual property covering gene therapy for vascular
degenerative disorders. The exclusive license from Stanford University covers a
series of patents and patent applications directed to the use of genes that
increase nitric oxide levels for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases,
including eNOS, iNOS, VEGF and potentially others.
Nitric oxide is widely recognized as a potent inhibitor of smooth muscle
cell proliferation, a primary cause of vascular stenosis. Restenosis of bypass
grafts is a serious post operative complication occurring in a significant
fraction of patients undergoing arterial bypass surgery. Direct extravascular
delivery of the gene encoding eNOS to the grafted vessel is a therapeutic
approach designed to increase locally the concentration of nitric oxide to
inhibit restenosis.
In August 2000, Valentis and Eurogene announced a collaboration to develop a
Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) gene medicine. Product development will combine
Valentis' proprietary gene formulation and expression technologies and
Eurogene's extravascular delivery collar to deliver and express the gene
encoding the intracellular enzyme, eNOS, into a product for which the initial
indication will be the inhibition of stenosis following bypass graft surgery.
Under the collaboration, Valentis and Eurogene will share research and
development costs and potential revenues. We project that an eNOS gene medicine,
jointly developed by Eurogene and Valentis, could enter clinical trials within a
year following successful preclinical studies.
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Eurogene and Valentis have an additional collaboration underway through
which Valentis has provided a proprietary DOTMA-based cationic lipid delivery
system for a non-viral VEGF(165) gene medicine administered via Eurogene's
biodegradable extravascular delivery collar. This product is currently being
tested in a Phase I clinical trial.
CANCER GENE MEDICINES
CYTOKINE GENE MEDICINES
Valentis' most advanced programs are in the field of cancer immunotherapy.
Three single cytokine genes, IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-a and combinations of IL-2 plus
chemotherapy and IL-12 and IFN-a, are being tested under the agreement we have
with Roche Holdings Ltd.
In June 1999, Valentis initiated a multi-center Phase II clinical trial with
its IL-2 gene therapy for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head
and neck. More than 40,000 patients in the United States and 75,000 patients in
Europe are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year. While head and neck
cancers are slow to metastasize, current therapies do not provide effective
treatment, as evidenced by the fact that recurrence of the tumor is common and
mortality in the first five years after diagnosis is approximately 30 percent.
The IL-2 gene medicine is intended to reduce disease recurrence and to extend
survival. The trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the IL-2 gene
medicine compared to conventional therapy in approximately 80 patients who have
failed first line chemotherapy.
In June 1998, Valentis announced positive results from two Phase IIa
clinical trials involving its IL-2 gene medicine. The two studies were conducted
at Johns Hopkins University and in Germany in 25 head and neck cancer patients.
The results of the studies showed that the IL-2 gene medicine was safe and well
tolerated, with documented evidence of gene expression for greater than 7 days.
The IL-2 gene medicine is comprised of a plasmid encoding the human IL-2
gene and a proprietary cationic lipid gene delivery system that enhances uptake
of the gene into the target cells after direct intratumoral injection. This
product is designed to provide sustained, localized expression of the IL-2
protein and to promote a local and systemic immune response against the tumor.
The use of a non-viral gene delivery system is intended to enable repeat
administration of gene medicines in a safe and effective manner.
IL-2 is an important human protein that has multiple functions in the body's
immune response to foreign pathogens and tumors. The application of the
recombinant protein in the treatment of cancer is limited by its short half-life
and by significant toxicity when administered systemically. In contrast, the
IL-2 gene medicine is designed to initiate sustained production of the IL-2
protein within the tumor and elicits an immune response while avoiding the
potentially harmful systemic levels of the IL-2 protein.
In addition to the IL-2 gene medicine, Valentis is developing IFN-a and
IL-12 gene medicines. We have incorporated both the IFN-a and IL-12 genes into
our proprietary polymer-based PINC-TM- gene delivery system. The gene medicines
are formulated as stable, single vial, freeze-dried products that are easily
reconstituted and then injected into the patient intratumorally.
IFN-a is being studied in a Phase IIa clinical trial that began in
March 1999 to study safety and efficacy in 35 patients with squamous cell
carcinoma of the head and neck at the University of Pennsylvania and at the
University of Kentucky. The recombinant IFN-a protein is approved for use in a
number of indications including malignant melanoma, hairy cell leukemia,
AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C. In
contrast, the IFN-a gene medicine is designed for both local and systemic
immunotherapy and also has been shown to provide an anti-angiogenic effect in
preclinical cancer models.
In July 1999, Valentis initiated a U.S.-based multi-center Phase IIa
clinical trial with its IL-12 gene therapy also for the treatment of squamous
cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The safety phase of the
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trial will be conducted at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (Harvard University)
and the University of Pennsylvania. Preclinical data demonstrate that local
administration of the IL-12 gene medicine can induce a systemic immune response
against cancer with a reduction in tumor growth or a complete remission in
animals. By expressing the protein locally at the tumor site, Valentis expects
the products to have therapeutic benefits against both primary tumors and well
as their sites of metastases without the toxicity that has limited the utility
of the IL-12 protein when given systemically.
In September 2000, Valentis received FDA clearance to initiate a Phase IIa
clinical study of a gene medicine that combines the IL-12 and IFN-a genes. The
trial is being conducted under the direction of Shelly McQuone, MD at the
University of Pennsylvania, and is designed to determine safety, tolerability
and efficacy of the cytokine combination gene medicine for patients with
squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Up to 40 patients will be enrolled
in the study. Concurrently, Valentis also announced the publication of results
from preclinical studies with this same cytokine combination demonstrating a
synergistic increase in anti-tumor response against colon and renal cell
carcinoma. The peer-reviewed article was published in the September 2000 issue
of the journal HUMAN GENE THERAPY.
Previously, a physician-sponsored Phase IIa clinical study of a gene
medicine that combines the IL-2 and Superantigen-B genes was initiated in
May 1998 at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center as a treatment for
melanoma. The dose-ranging study examined the safety of the two-gene
combination, which is injected directly into tumors. The principal investigator
for this trial was Dr. Pat Walsh from the University of Colorado Health Sciences
Center. The costs of the trial were supported in part by a clinical grant from
the National Cancer Institute. Researchers believe that the two-gene combination
being tested may be more effective than either gene alone and may provide
advantages over other immunotherapy approaches that have been tested.
Preclinical studies on dogs with advanced cases of spontaneously occurring
oral melanoma resulted in tumor regression and increased survival rates.
Specifically, direct administration of this gene-based immunotherapeutic
resulted in a systemic immune response to the tumors in the mouth and, in some
cases, their sites of metastasis. Based on these data, Valentis believes that
this product may have applications in the treatment of other solid tumors such
as breast, prostate, and head and neck cancers.
Valentis has exclusively licensed the patents covering the two-gene
combination from National Jewish Medical and Research Center for use in
non-viral gene therapy applications for cancer. The patents cover the delivery
of a cytokine gene and a superantigen gene for the treatment of cancer.
BRCA-1
Under a 1997 agreement with Lilly, Valentis developed a gene medicine
administered into the peritoneal cavity using BRCA-1, a gene that has been
identified as a putative tumor suppressor in breast and ovarian cells.
Preclinical work has been completed and the parties are currently evaluating the
data to determine the efficacy of the BRCA-1 gene. The results of that analysis
will determine the future of the program.
Valentis has conducted preclinical research into a number of other gene
medicine approaches to cancer including anti-angiogenesis. We are conducting
research with a dominant negative mutant Del-1 and other genes to determine
whether using gene medicines to deliver genes that cut off the blood supply to
tumors will shrink or eliminate both the primary tumor as well as any sites of
metastasis. We are also researching whether systemic intravenous delivery of a
cytokine will have an effect on controlling cancer and if a gene medicine can
minimize the side effects occurring from traditional radiation and chemotherapy
regimens.
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HEMATOLOGY GENE MEDICINES
EPO + GENESWITCH-TM-
In January 2000, Valentis introduced the PINC-TM- polymer muscle delivery
system to provide high levels of cell transfection initially for a gene medicine
that incorporates the EPO gene. The gene medicine is administered into muscle
tissue that is then treated with electroporation, the application of an
electrical current through the site of injection. This increases the uptake of
the gene into the muscle cells and results in more than a one hundred-fold
increase in protein production. Valentis' GeneSwitch-TM- gene regulation system
is also incorporated to provide precise control over the level and duration of
gene expression. The GeneSwitch-TM- turns on gene expression by administration
of an orally bioavailable drug in a dose-dependent manner.
Because the muscle is used to produce therapeutic proteins that are secreted
into the bloodstream, this delivery system is also applicable to any protein for
which long-term systemic administration is desired. We believe the resulting
products will provide long-term expression of therapeutic proteins at
controllable levels with low manufacturing costs, the ability to redose, and
storage under normal conditions.
In small animal studies using our EPO gene medicine under the control of the
GeneSwitch-TM-, our researchers administered plasmids-encoding erythropoeitin
and the GeneSwitch-TM- to mice. Upon oral administration of the small molecule
inducer, a dose-dependent increase in erythropoeitin protein was detected in the
blood. Several cycles of increased hematocrit levels were achieved throughout
the one-year study. The experiment demonstrated that the GeneSwitch-TM-
technology could control both the level and duration of the therapeutic protein
being expressed.
OTHER GENE MEDICINE COLLABORATIONS
GLAXO WELLCOME PLC ("GLAXO")
In April 1994, Valentis entered into a five-year collaborative agreement
with Glaxo to develop a gene medicine for the treatment of cystic fibrosis
("CF"). In May 1996, the agreement was amended such that the research and
development portion of the agreement expired as of April 1, 1997. A Phase I
clinical trial, concluded in October 1998, revealed that the gene medicine
showed no evidence of inflammation and satisfied all of the safety parameters
studied. The trial utilized Valentis' delivery technology to deliver the cystic
fibrosis transmembrane regulator ("CFTR") gene to the nasal passages of cystic
fibrosis patients. The product was evaluated in a double blind, dose escalation
study in eleven adult CF patients.
The clinical research team saw no evidence of adverse blood chemistry
parameters and no evidence of inflammation as a result of treatment. They
examined a comprehensive panel of biochemical markers of inflammation and found
that the treatment did not elicit any significant alterations in these
parameters. Vector-specific plasmid was detected at up to five days
post-treatment in several patients, after lavage of the nasal passages. The
clinical research team reported that there was a possible trend toward
correction of the CFTR-mediated chloride transport in the treated side of the
nose, as compared with the untreated side. In this study, levels of vector
specific mRNA were not detectable.
Valentis has completed all of its obligations under the Glaxo agreement and
will receive future payments, if any, only through Glaxo's achievement of a
certain clinical milestone and royalties on product sales by Glaxo.
ANIMAL HEALTH
HESKA
Upon completion of the merger with GeneMedicine, Valentis acquired an
evaluation and option agreement with Heska Corporation ("Heska") signed in
November 1998. Under the agreement, Valentis and Heska are cooperating in the
development of immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and
14
allergies in companion animals. Valentis has granted to Heska an option to
license certain proprietary delivery and manufacturing technology, and Heska is
evaluating Valentis' technology in delivering immunomodulatory genes in
companion animals.
RHEUMATOLOGY
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL GMBH ("BI")
In September 1999, Valentis entered into a collaborative agreement with BI
for the development of gene medicines for rheumatoid arthritis. Under the terms
of the agreement, BI and Valentis will conduct evaluations of BI's proprietary
genes with Valentis' proprietary gene delivery systems in several animal models
of rheumatoid arthritis. BI will provide research support to Valentis for up to
15 months for work performed under the collaboration. Valentis has established a
broad intellectual property position around gene medicines as a treatment for
joint diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, covering both viral and
non-viral delivery approaches. Through Valentis' collaboration with leading
researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center ("UPMC"), data has
been generated that demonstrate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of multiple
gene therapy approaches in relevant animal models of disease.
In March 1998, Valentis entered into a licensing and collaboration agreement
with UPMC through which we obtained an exclusive license to certain patent
rights in the field of viral and non-viral gene-based therapy for rheumatology,
and established collaborations between our Company and several researchers at
UPMC for the research and development of gene medicines in the field of
rheumatology. In July 1996, Valentis' collaborators at UPMC initiated the
world's first clinical trial using a gene-based therapeutic to treat rheumatoid
arthritis showing that the gene medicine tested was well tolerated and resulted
in gene expression in the treated joints of the nine patients in the study. This
trial and the scientists' extensive experience in arthritis gene therapy provide
the potential for the development of gene medicines in rheumatology and joint
diseases using Valentis' proprietary gene delivery technologies.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a potentially disabling inflammatory form of
arthritis that can cause pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in the
joints. According to the Arthritis Foundation, rheumatoid arthritis affects more
than 2 million people in the United States, or about 1 percent of the adult
population. Gene medicines may provide patients with certain advantages over
using currently available treatments, including less frequent administration of
a therapeutic product that is capable of producing the desired protein locally
over a prolonged period of time. Moreover, gene medicines have the potential to
halt cartilage destruction.
PEGYLATED PRODUCTS
PolyMASC's PEGylation technology allows for the gentle coupling of PEG
molecules directly to proteins (protoMASC-TM-), antibodies (antiMASC-TM-) and
viruses (viraMASC-TM-) in a manner that retains the biological activity of the
material. These PEG molecules can protect the biologic from degradation and
attack by the immune system. This can yield products with improved safety,
efficacy and dosing regimens.
PolyMASC has corporate collaborations with Transkaryotic Therapies ("TKT"),
Bayer International ("Bayer"), Flemington Pharmaceuticals ("Flemington") and
Viragen Inc. ("Viragen") to develop PEGylated versions of proteins. PolyMASC's
collaboration with Onyx Pharmaceuticals ("Onyx") is for the development of a
PEGylated version of the ONYX-015 virus. The Bayer, Flemington and Viragen
collaborations are in the early stages of feasibility and development. The TKT
and Onyx collaborations are licensing agreements. See Corporate Collaborations
below for additional details.
CORPORATE COLLABORATIONS
Valentis has corporate collaborative research and development agreements and
is actively seeking additional collaborations with pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies. In addition, Valentis has a
15
manufacturing collaboration based on our proprietary methods for the manufacture
of DNA plasmids and DNA formulations, creating the first contract facility that
can produce high-quality, ultrapure material for plasmid-based therapeutics on
every scale, from preclinical toxicology studies to commercial products. Many of
Valentis' potential partners own identified therapeutic genes, but we believe
many such companies do not possess the technology or the know-how to develop
gene-based therapeutics. In entering corporate collaborations, Valentis seeks
license fees, funding for research and development, milestone payments and
royalties on product sales in exchange for worldwide commercial licenses to
specific gene-based therapeutics and access to its development expertise.
ROCHE HOLDINGS LTD. ("ROCHE")
Pursuant to the merger with GeneMedicine, Inc. in March 1999, Valentis
acquired rights under a corporate collaboration agreement with Corange, the
parent company of Boehringer Mannheim, and now a subsidiary of Roche, originally
signed in February 1995, providing funding for research and development of gene
medicines to treat head and neck tumors and melanoma (the "Roche Agreement").
In August 1998, the Roche Agreement was amended and extended through
February 2002. The amendment modified the field of the agreement to gene therapy
using the IL-2, IFN-a or IL-12 genes for the treatment of cancer, and required
Valentis to conduct a Phase IIb clinical trial of the IL-2 gene medicine, and a
Phase IIa clinical trial for each of the IFN-a and IL-12 gene medicines. As part
of the amendment, Valentis received the right to commercialize products
developed under the agreement if Roche does not initiate Phase III clinical
trials on products within twelve months after the completion of Phase II trials.
Valentis also agreed to forego a $2 million equity purchase by Roche due on
February 1, 1999 in return for a $2 million payment to be made to Valentis by
February 1, 2000 for reimbursement of development activities and an additional
$2 million milestone upon enrollment of the first patient in a Phase III
clinical study. Subsequently, Valentis and Roche signed a further amendment,
postponing the $2 million payment due on February 1, 2000 to February 1, 2001.
If Valentis continues to meet the milestones for the development of gene
medicines under the Roche Agreement, we may be entitled to milestone payments of
up to $8.3 million. Upon successful completion of Phase II clinical testing,
Valentis may elect either to receive up to 50 percent of potential profits from
worldwide product sales by agreeing to share development and commercialization
expenses or to receive royalty payments based on worldwide product sales, if
any.
Also, through the merger with GeneMedicine, Valentis acquired a worldwide
exclusive license, with the right to sublicense, from Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc., now
also a subsidiary of Roche renamed Roche Biosciences, for its cationic lipid
gene delivery technology (DOTMA) for IN VIVO gene therapy uses. The rights under
this agreement continue even though the original agreement with Roche
Biosciences ended.
ELI LILLY & COMPANY ("LILLY")
Under a 1997 agreement with Lilly, Valentis developed a gene medicine
administered into the peritoneal cavity using BRCA-1, a gene that has been
identified as a putative tumor suppressor in breast and ovarian cells. When a
tumor suppressor gene, such as BRCA-1, is missing or defective, a cell may
replicate uncontrollably, resulting in the formation of a tumor. Various
scientific publications have associated defects in BRCA-1 with breast, ovarian
and prostate cancers. Increased expression of the BRCA-1 gene in diseased tissue
may inhibit or prevent the uncontrolled cell growth associated with cancer,
without causing any adverse effect in normal cells.
Under the agreement, Lilly receives the exclusive worldwide rights to
develop, make, use and sell gene-based therapeutics incorporating BRCA-1
resulting from the corporate collaboration. Lilly is responsible for conducting
clinical trials, large-scale clinical and commercial manufacturing, and sales
and marketing of any gene-based therapeutics resulting from the corporate
collaboration. In November 1999, the Lilly agreement was extended through
July 2000. Preclinical work has been completed and the parties
16
are currently evaluating the data to determine the efficacy of the BRCA-1 gene.
The results of that analysis will determine the future of the program and
whether the agreement will be renewed by Lilly.
GLAXO WELLCOME PLC ("GLAXO")
In April 1994, Valentis entered into a corporate collaboration with Glaxo to
develop a gene-based therapeutic for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Data from
preclinical studies conducted to date demonstrate expression of the human form
of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator ("CFTR") gene in the lungs of
non-human primates in the appropriate cell type with no evidence of
inflammation. In addition, approximately 20% of the target cells were shown to
produce CFTR protein six weeks after a single aerosol administration, which
exceeds the level believed to be required for achieving a therapeutic effect. We
have completed all of our obligations under the Glaxo agreement and will receive
future payments, if any, only through Glaxo's achievement of a certain clinical
milestone and royalties on product sales by Glaxo.
In June 1997, Glaxo commenced a Phase I/II clinical trial in cystic fibrosis
patients using a Valentis gene delivery system. The trial, which was completed
in October 1998, delivered the CFTR gene to the nasal passages of cystic
fibrosis patients. The product was evaluated in a double blind, dose escalation
study in eleven adult CF patients. The clinical research team saw no evidence of
adverse blood chemistry parameters and no evidence of inflammation as a result
of treatment. They examined a comprehensive panel of biochemical markers of
inflammation and found that the treatment did not elicit any significant
alterations in these parameters. Vector-specific plasmid was detected at up to
five days post treatment in several patients, after lavage of the nasal
passages. Also reported was a possible trend toward correction of the
CFTR-mediated chloride defect in the treated side of the nose compared with the
untreated side. In this study, levels of vector-specific mRNA were not
detectable.
Glaxo is continuing to work on the program at its research facilities in
England. Valentis expects no announcements to be made by Glaxo during the course
of their development work.
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL GMBH ("BI")
In September 1999, Valentis announced that it entered into a collaborative
agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH in the field of gene
therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Under the terms of the agreement, BI and
Valentis will conduct evaluations of Valentis' proprietary delivery and
expression systems in combination with BI's proprietary genes in several animal
models of rheumatoid arthritis. BI will provide research support to Valentis for
up to 15 months for work performed under the collaboration.
Valentis has established a broad intellectual property position around
gene-based therapeutics as a treatment for joint diseases, including rheumatoid
arthritis, covering both viral and non-viral delivery approaches. The merger
with PolyMASC brought additional intellectual property assets to the Valentis
patent portfolio related to gene therapy strategies for arthritis. Through
Valentis' collaboration with leading researchers at the University of
Pittsburgh, data has been generated that demonstrates the feasibility, safety
and efficacy of multiple gene therapy approaches in relevant animal models of
disease. Valentis has also entered into a separate agreement with the University
of Pittsburgh, through which researchers at the University will perform certain
aspects of the collaboration. Valentis' collaborators at the University of
Pittsburgh completed the first Phase I clinical trial for rheumatoid arthritis
in 1999, showing that the gene medicine tested was well tolerated and resulted
in gene expression in the treated joints of the nine patients in the study.
INVITROGEN CORPORATION ("INVITROGEN")
In November 1999, Valentis and Invitrogen Corporation announced the
commercial launch of Valentis' proprietary GeneSwitch-TM- gene regulation system
to the life sciences research market. GeneSwitch-TM- is a technology that
enables precise control of gene expression using an inducer taken orally.
17
The introduction of the GeneSwitch-TM- marks the first commercial product
introduction of Valentis' technology and the initial transfer of certain of its
IN VIVO gene therapy technologies for use as research tools. Valentis recorded
royalties for the first time from product sales resulting from the license
agreement with Invitrogen. For the period ended June 30, 2000, these royalties
amounted to less than $1,300.
HESKA CORPORATION ("HESKA")
Upon completion of the merger with GeneMedicine, Valentis acquired an
evaluation and option agreement with Heska Corporation ("Heska") signed in
November 1998. Under the agreement, Valentis and Heska are cooperating in the
development of immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and allergies in
companion animals. Valentis has granted to Heska an option to license certain
proprietary delivery and manufacturing technology, and Heska is evaluating
Valentis' technology in delivering immunomodulatory genes in companion animals.
EUROGENE LTD. ("EUROGENE")
In March 2000, Valentis and Eurogene Ltd. initiated a Phase IIa clinical
trial of a VEGF(165) gene medicine incorporating Eurogene's local
collar-reservoir delivery device and one of Valentis' proprietary cationic lipid
gene delivery systems. In August 2000 the companies announced a second
collaboration to develop a Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) gene medicine for the
prevention or treatment of restenosis following bypass graft surgery. Product
development will combine Valentis' proprietary gene formulation and expression
technologies and Eurogene's extravascular delivery collar to deliver and express
the genes. The collar-reservoir device enables the gene to be delivered locally
via the adventitial (outside) surface of the blood vessels. Under the
collaboration, Valentis and Eurogene will share research and development costs
and potential revenues.
PALLIANCE WITH DSM BIOLOGICS ("DSM")--QIAGEN N.V. ("QIAGEN")
In September 1998, Valentis and DSM (formerly
Gist-Brocades/Bio-Intermediair) announced the formation of a broad, strategic
collaboration, the pAlliance, focused on the manufacture and supply of DNA
plasmids and formulated DNA to the entire gene therapy industry. In May 1999,
Qiagen joined the manufacturing alliance. The goal of this alliance is to
provide the emerging gene therapy and genetic vaccination industry with early
access to reliable, accepted DNA plasmid contract manufacturing services.
Valentis is contributing its process technologies and its expertise in DNA
formulation and manufacturing to the pAlliance. DSM brings manufacturing
experience as a leading supplier of contract manufacturing services, serving the
needs of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Qiagen is contributing
non-exclusive access to certain of its technologies and its sales and marketing
force.
The agreement between the parties is intended to be the exclusive vehicle
through which the parties will provide services in the area of contract cGMP
manufacturing of plasmid and formulated DNA for genetic vaccination and gene
therapy purposes. Qiagen has begun marketing these contract manufacturing
services to the gene therapy and genetic vaccination industry in lot sizes of up
to the 3,000-liter fermentation scale.
This manufacturing method has already been used to produce DNA plasmids for
a Phase I/II trial for cystic fibrosis conducted by Valentis' partner, Glaxo
Wellcome, plasmids for a Phase IIa study for metastatic melanoma, conducted by
Valentis and its academic collaborators at the University of Colorado Health
Sciences Center and three different plasmids for clinical studies scheduled to
begin in the next year.
Under the agreement, Valentis has licensed its proprietary manufacturing
technology for use in DSM facilities in Montreal, Canada and Groningen, The
Netherlands for license and milestone fees. To date, Valentis has earned
$250,000 in milestone fees under the agreement. DSM, Qiagen and Valentis will
share in the profits generated by the sale of material produced using Valentis'
process. The pAlliance has not generated any sales.
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ONYX PHARMACEUTICALS ("ONYX")
In June 1997, PolyMASC and Onyx entered into a collaborative agreement for
PolyMASC to develop a PEGylated version of Onyx's ONYX-015 cancer therapeutic in
development, and in April 1999, PolyMASC and Onyx signed a non-exclusive license
for PEGylated versions of replicating adenoviruses. Under the terms of the
agreement, Onyx has the right to develop PEGylated replicating adenoviruses, and
PolyMASC will supply the activated PEG species required to manufacture the
PEGylated virus. The goal is to assist ONYX-015 in treating not only primary
tumors but also sites of metastases.
BAYER CORPORATION ("BAYER")
In August 1999, PolyMASC and Bayer entered into an agreement whereby Bayer
will fund a feasibility study on the development of Factor VIII for hemophilia A
using PolyMASC's proprietary ProtoMASC-TM- technology. The study is being done
in order for Bayer to determine whether to enter into a broader agreement that
could lead to clinical and commercial development of a chemically modified
Factor VIII.
FLEMINGTON PHARMACEUTICAL CORP. ("FLEMINGTON")
In August 2000, PolyMASC and Flemington entered into a collaborative
research agreement to develop a formulation of PEGylated insulin delivered by
Flemington's Immediate-Immediate Release (I(2)R-TM-) lingual spray system.
Lingual (under the tongue) delivery potentially allows drugs to be absorbed
rapidly into the blood stream leading to a faster therapeutic effect and
improved ease of use. Current insulin treatments require injection by the
patient.
Under the agreement, the parties will work together to determine the
feasibility of using PolyMASC's technology to PEGylate insulin administered in
Flemington's lingual spray system. Each party will be responsible for its own
development costs. If the feasibility studies are successful, PolyMASC and
Flemington intend to seek a corporate partner to assist in the development and
marketing of this insulin product.
TRANSKARYOTIC THERAPIES ("TKT")
In November 1997, PolyMASC and TKT signed a licensing agreement for the
development of a PEGylated protein pharmaceutical with an option, now exercised,
to extend the license to a second protein pharmaceutical. Under the terms of the
agreement, TKT will develop the PEGylated proteins. Upon TKT's completion of
product development, PolyMASC's sole remaining performance obligation is to
supply the activated PEG species required to manufacture the PEGylated protein,
which TKT has yet to request. The goal of the collaboration is to develop
proteins with an increased circulating half-life, which will allow for longer
intervals between administrations. TKT paid $1.0 million prior to the PolyMASC
acquisition by Valentis in August 1999. PolyMASC can earn an additional
$3.0 million upon completion of certain milestones.
VIRAGEN, INC. ("VIRAGEN")
In September 2000, PolyMASC and Viragen signed an agreement to develop a new
treatment for hepatitis-C. The collaborators will utilize PolyMASC's novel
protoMASC-TM- PEGylation process to deliver Viragen's lead drug, OMNIFERON-TM-,
a natural alpha interferon currently in Phase II clinical trials in Europe for
hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a serious and widespread liver disease estimated to
afflict tens of millions of people worldwide. Both companies believe that
PolyMASC's PEGylation technology should improve OMNIFERON-TM-'s efficacy while
reducing the number of injections required for the treatment of hepatitis C
patients. Since OMNIFERON-TM- is a naturally occurring alpha interferon, it is
expected to have an improved side effect profile over recombinant products.
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Valentis is highly dependent upon its corporate collaborations. There can be
no assurance that milestone payments contemplated by any of our corporate
collaborations will be received, that the Lilly Agreement will be extended, or
that any of these corporate collaborations will result in successfully
commercialized products and the receipt by Valentis of related royalty revenues.
Should we fail to receive research funds or should milestones set forth in any
or all of the corporate collaborations not be achieved, or should the corporate
collaborations be breached or terminated, our business, financial condition and
results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
While we believe that our partners will be motivated to develop, market and
distribute potential products based on our technologies, they may not commit
sufficient resources to commercializing our products on a timely basis. They may
also pursue the development or marketing of competing products. If our business
partners do not successfully market and distribute our products and we are
unable to develop sufficient marketing and distribution capabilities on our own,
our business will fail.
Valentis will also need to enter into additional corporate collaborations,
and there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so on favorable terms,
or at all. Should any corporate partner fail to develop or commercialize
successfully any product to which it has obtained rights from Valentis, our
business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially
adversely affected.
ACADEMIC LICENSES
Valentis actively monitors, investigates and licenses technologies under
development at academic and other research institutions. We believe that such
institutions are an important source of breakthrough technologies and we intend
to enter into additional licensing arrangements to expand our core technologies.
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA ("THE REGENTS")
Valentis has an exclusive license to certain patents and patent applications
held by The Regents related to IN VIVO, non-viral delivery of genes using
positively charged lipids, including delivery by various modes of administration
and for use in the treatment of cystic fibrosis ("The Regents License").
Under the terms of The Regents License, we paid a license fee to The Regents
and are obligated to make payments upon the achievement of certain clinical
milestones and royalty payments on sales of products, if any. We have certain
diligence obligations regarding the process and timing of clinical activities
and seeking FDA approval for the development, manufacture and sale of products
based on the claims contained in such patent applications. The Regents may
terminate the license or convert it to a nonexclusive license upon 60 days
notice if Valentis fails to meet certain milestones. However, Valentis may
extend the date by which such milestones must be completed up to three years
upon payment of a specified fee for each year the date is extended. In addition,
The Regents may also terminate the license upon 60 days notice for a material
violation or material failure to perform any covenant under the license.
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY ("VANDERBILT")
Valentis has an exclusive, worldwide license from Vanderbilt to certain gene
delivery technologies and improvements developed by Dr. Kenneth Brigham ("First
Vanderbilt License"). The license pertains to rights under certain patents and
patent applications covering cationic lipid-mediated gene delivery used for gene
therapeutic products and gene-based vaccines that are administered to patients
systemically or by inhalation. Under the terms of the First Vanderbilt License,
Valentis paid a license fee to Vanderbilt and is obligated to pay maintenance
fees, to make payments upon the achievement of certain milestones and to make
royalty payments on sales of products, if any. Vanderbilt may terminate the
license or convert it to a nonexclusive license if we fail to satisfy certain
requirements for diligent development of licensed products. In addition,
Vanderbilt may terminate the license upon 60 days notice for a material
violation or material failure to perform any covenant under the license.
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Valentis also has an exclusive license from Vanderbilt covering Vanderbilt's
interest in the Del-1 gene and protein ("Second Vanderbilt License"). Valentis
acquired the Second Vanderbilt License by assignment from Progenitor, Inc. as
part of the purchase in April 1999 of the Del-1 rights held by Progenitor. Under
the terms of the Second Vanderbilt License, Valentis is obligated to make
payments upon the achievement of certain milestones, to share revenue received
from sublicensing at a specified rate, and to make royalty payments on sales of
products, if any. Vanderbilt may terminate the license if we fail to satisfy
certain requirements for diligent development of licensed products. In addition,
Vanderbilt may terminate the license upon 60 days notice for a material
violation or material failure to perform any covenant under the license.
NATIONAL JEWISH MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER ("NJMRC")
In October 1997, Valentis obtained an exclusive license from the NJMRC for
patent rights related to the non-viral delivery of a cytokine gene and a
superantigen gene for the treatment of cancer (the "NJMRC License"). Under the
terms of the NJMRC License, Valentis paid a license fee and is obligated to make
payments upon the completion of certain clinical milestones and royalty payments
on sales of products, if any. We have certain obligations regarding the process
and timing of clinical activities and seeking FDA approval in the pursuit of
development, manufacture and sale of products based on the claims contained in
such patent applications. NJMRC may terminate the license or convert it to a
nonexclusive license if we fail to meet certain milestones. However, Valentis
may extend the date by which such milestones must be completed up to 3 years
upon payment of a specified fee for each year a date is extended. In addition,
NJMRC may also terminate the license for a material violation or material
failure to perform any covenant under the license.
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH MEDICAL CENTER ("UPMC")
In March of 1998, Valentis entered into a licensing and collaboration
agreement with the UPMC through which we obtained an exclusive license to
certain patent rights in the field of viral and plasmid-based gene therapy for
rheumatology (the "UPMC License and Collaboration Agreement"). Under the terms
of the UPMC License and Collaboration Agreement Valentis issued 117,555 shares
of common stock, in exchange for the exclusive license to these patent rights.
The fair value of the common stock issued to UPMC was charged to expense because
the technology was not complete at the time of acquisition. We are not obligated
to pay additional royalty payments upon the sale of products, if any, in the
field of non-viral gene therapy, but are required to share revenue with UPMC at
a specified rate upon sublicense of rights in the field of viral gene therapy.
Under the terms of the UPMC License and Collaboration Agreement, we are
obligated to make payments upon the completion of certain milestones. Certain of
the license rights may revert back to UPMC in the event that Valentis fails to
commit resources to the development of products in the field of rheumatology. In
addition, the UPMC License and Collaboration Agreement established
collaborations between Valentis and several researchers at UPMC for the research
and development of gene-based therapies in the field of rheumatology.
Intellectual property developed by UPMC under the collaboration will be included
in the exclusive license to Valentis described above at no additional cost to
us. The value of the common stock issued in the transaction was $1.5 million,
which was expensed to acquired in-process research and development in 1998
because the technology was not complete at the date of acquisition.
STANFORD UNIVERSITY ("STANFORD")
Valentis has obtained an exclusive license to patent rights from Stanford
relating to the use of genes that increase nitric oxide levels for the treatment
of certain cardiovascular diseases (the "Stanford License"). Under the terms of
the Stanford License, Valentis has paid a license fee and will be obligated to
pay milestone fees upon completion of certain clinical milestones and royalty
payments on sales of products, if any. Under the Stanford License, we have
certain obligations regarding the process and timing
21
of clinical activities and seeking FDA approval in the pursuit of development,
manufacture and sale of products based on the claims contained in such patent
applications. Stanford has the ability to terminate the license or convert it to
a nonexclusive license if we fail to meet certain milestones. In addition,
Stanford has the ability to terminate the license for a material violation or
material failure to perform any covenant under the license.
BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE ("BAYLOR")
Valentis has three license agreements with Baylor pursuant to which Valentis
has exclusive and non-exclusive rights to certain current and future gene
therapy technologies related to gene expression, gene delivery and gene
regulation technology, including the GeneSwitch-TM- gene regulation system, as
well as access to certain additional technologies ("Baylor Licenses"). We are
required to pay Baylor a royalty based on amounts received by Valentis for the
commercialization of the patented technology. Baylor has the ability to
terminate the license for a material violation or material failure to perform
any covenant under the license.
ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH MEDICAL CENTER
Valentis has established exclusive collaborations with researchers at the
UPMC including Drs. Joseph Glorioso and Paul Robbins for the research and
development of gene medicines in the field of rheumatology. In addition,
Valentis has an exclusive license to patent rights held by UPMC in the field of
viral-and plasmid-based therapy for rheumatology applications.
In a separate agreement, Dr. Joel Greenberger is conducting preclinical
studies focused on the use of an MnSOD gene, delivered using Valentis'
proprietary delivery and expression technology, for the treatment of esophagitis
and mucositis associated with radiation and/or chemotherapeutic toxicity.
UNIVERSITY OF KUOPIO
Valentis is currently working with Dr. Seppo Yla-Herttuala of the A.I.
Virtanen Institute of the University of Kuopio, Finland. Dr. Yla-Herttuala is
conducting two physician-initiated Phase II trials (i) for treating restenosis
related to peripheral vascular disease, and (ii) for treating restenosis related
to coronary artery disease. Valentis is providing its proprietary DOTMA cationic
lipid gene delivery system for study with the Institute's plasmids encoding a
vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, HEALTH SCIENCES
Valentis is collaborating with Dr. Pat Walsh on a physician-sponsored Phase
IIa clinical study in melanoma patients using Valentis' IL-2/Superantigen-B gene
medicine.
NATIONAL JEWISH MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER
Valentis is collaborating with Dr. Steven Dow to develop anti-angiogenic
gene medicines and cancer immunotherapeutics. Dr. Dow is conducting studies in
dogs with osteosarcoma and other diseases.
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Valentis has established a consulting relationship with Dr. Thomas
Quertermous, at Stanford University, in the field of angiogenesis.
Dr. Quertermous is the co-discoverer of the Del-1 gene, co-owned by Valentis,
and will work with Valentis on the preclinical development of the Del-1 gene
medicine.
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BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE--DRS. BERT O'MALLEY AND ROBERT SCHWARTZ
Drs. Bert O'Malley and Robert Schwartz collaborated with Valentis on
selected projects. Dr. O'Malley focused on improving the GeneSwitch-TM- gene
regulation technology, and Dr. Schwartz collaborated with Valentis in the area
of muscle expression systems and animal health.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND--DR. BERT O'MALLEY, JR.
Dr. O'Malley completed the U.S. Phase I clinical trial using the IL-2 gene
medicine for the treatment of head and neck cancer and is collaborating on
preclinical studies to evaluate combination therapies in terminal tumor models.
PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY
Patents and other proprietary rights are important to Valentis' business.
Our policy is to file patent applications and protect inventions and
improvements to inventions that are commercially important to the development of
its business. Valentis also relies on trade secrets, know-how, confidentiality
agreements, continuing technology innovations and licensing opportunities to
protect its technology and develop and maintain its competitive position. To
date, Valentis has filed or participated as a licensee in the filing of numerous
patent applications in the United States relating to our technology, as well as
foreign counterparts of certain of these applications in many countries. Our
failure to obtain patent protection or otherwise protect our proprietary
technology or proposed products may have a material adverse effect on Valentis'
competitive position and business prospects. The patent application process
takes several years and entails considerable expense. There is no assurance that
additional patents will issue from these applications or, if patents do issue
that the claims allowed will be sufficient to protect our technology.
Valentis has numerous patents and patent applications worldwide covering its
gene expression and delivery technology, and PEGylation technology as well as
use patents for various therapeutic applications, and patents and patent
applications on its manufacturing technology. In addition to patents and patent
applications filed and owned by Valentis, we have exclusive rights under our
licenses with Roche Biosciences, The Regents, Vanderbilt, NJMRC, Stanford,
Baylor, and UPMC to patents and patent applications worldwide.
Valentis has licensed from Roche Biosciences rights under certain U.S. and
foreign patents claiming the use of DOTMA for IN VIVO gene delivery. We have
licensed from Vanderbilt and The Regents exclusive rights to patents and patent
applications covering the use of cationic lipids for gene delivery by systemic
administration or by inhalation. In a separate license with Vanderbilt, we have
licensed rights to Vanderbilt's interest in the patents covering the Del-l gene
and protein.
Valentis has licensed from Baylor patent rights covering our GeneSwitch-TM-
gene regulation technology, patent rights on the use of certain muscle-specific
gene expression, and patent rights covering gene delivery to the joint. We have
licensed from UPMC a portfolio of patent rights in the field of gene-based
therapy for rheumatology, including viral and plasmid-based gene therapy. We
have licensed from NJMRC patent rights related to the plasmid-based delivery of
a cytokine gene and a superantigen gene for the treatment of cancer. We have
licensed from Stanford patent rights to the use of genes that increase nitric
oxide levels for the treatment of certain cardiovascular diseases.
A number of the biopharmaceuticals that Valentis and its corporate partners
are investigating or may use in its products are or may become patented by
others. As a result, Valentis or its corporate partners may be required to
obtain licenses to gene sequences, proteins, viruses or other technology to
which it currently has no proprietary rights in order to use or market such
products. In addition, some of the products based on our delivery systems may
require the use of multiple proprietary technologies. Consequently, Valentis or
its corporate partners may be required to make cumulative royalty payments to
several third parties. Such cumulative royalties could reduce amounts paid to
Valentis or be commercially
23
prohibitive. In connection with our efforts to obtain rights to gene sequences,
proteins, viruses or other proprietary technology, Valentis may find it
necessary to convey rights to its technology to others. There can be no
assurance that Valentis or its corporate partners will be able to obtain any
required licenses on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If required
licenses are not available to Valentis, we may not be able to develop or market
certain products.
The patent positions of pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms are often
uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. Further, the breadth
of claims allowed in biotechnology patents is unpredictable. Valentis cannot be
certain that others have not filed patent applications for technology covered by
our pending applications or that we were the first to invent the technology that
is the subject of such patent applications. Competitors may have filed
applications for, or may have received patents and may obtain additional patents
and proprietary rights relating to compounds, products or processes that block
or compete with those of Valentis. While Valentis is aware of patent
applications filed and patents issued to third parties relating to genes, gene
delivery technologies and gene-based therapeutics, there can be no assurance
that any such patent applications or patents will not have a material adverse
effect on products Valentis or its corporate partners are developing or may seek
to develop in the future. There can be no assurance that third parties will not
assert patent or other intellectual property infringement claims against
Valentis with respect to its products or technology or other matters.
Patent litigation is widespread in the biotechnology industry. Litigation
may be necessary to defend against or assert claims of infringement, to enforce
patents issued to Valentis, to protect trade secrets or know-how owned or
licensed by Valentis, or to determine the scope and validity of the proprietary
rights of third parties. Although no third party has asserted that Valentis is
infringing such third party's patent rights or other intellectual property,
there can be no assurance that litigation asserting such claims will not be
initiated, that Valentis would prevail in any such litigation, or that Valentis
would be able to obtain any necessary licenses on reasonable terms, if at all.
Any such claims against Valentis, with or without merit, as well as claims
initiated by Valentis against third parties, can be time-consuming and expensive
to defend or prosecute and to resolve. If other companies prepare and file
patent applications in the United States that claim technology also claimed by
Valentis, we may have to participate in interference proceedings to determine
priority of invention, which could result in substantial cost to Valentis even
if the outcome is favorable to us.
Valentis also relies on proprietary information and trade secrets, including
its proprietary database of preclinical IN VIVO experiments, to develop and
maintain its competitive position. There can be no assurance that third parties
will not independently develop equivalent proprietary information or techniques,
will not gain access to Valentis' trade secrets or disclose such technology to
the public, or that we can maintain and protect unpatented proprietary
technology. Valentis typically requires its employees, consultants,
collaborators, advisors and corporate partners to execute confidentiality
agreements upon commencement of employment or other relationships with Valentis.
There can be no assurance, however, that these agreements will provide
meaningful protection or adequate remedies for Valentis technology in the event
of unauthorized use or disclosure of such information, that the parties to such
agreements will not breach such agreements or that Valentis' trade secrets will
not otherwise become known or be discovered independently by its competitors.
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MANUFACTURING AND COMMERCIALIZATION
Valentis' focused commercialization strategy is based on establishing
corporate collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies whereby
we will primarily pursue preclinical and early clinical development of
gene-based therapeutics and PEGylated products, while our partners will be
responsible for late stage clinical trials, sales, marketing, and large-scale
clinical and commercial manufacturing.
Valentis intends that all of its large scale manufacturing of DNA plasmids
will be conducted through the pAlliance with DSM and Qiagen (as discussed in
Corporate Collaborations above). Through the pAlliance, we have demonstrated
that we can manufacture DNA plasmid at commercial scales using conventional and
proprietary fermentation and purification processes. In addition, we currently
operate our own pilot manufacturing facility and have produced DNA plasmids at
smaller scales. The facilitating agents of Valentis' gene delivery systems can
be synthesized using readily scalable, organic synthesis procedures. To date, we
have obtained access to manufacturing of facilitating agents through
arrangements with contract manufacturers. Preparation of the final formulations
has been carried out at our pilot manufacturing facility and at contract
manufacturers.
Valentis itself does not currently operate manufacturing facilities for
commercial production of its gene delivery systems. We have no experience in,
and currently lack the resources and capability to, manufacture or market any of
our products on a commercial scale. Accordingly, Valentis will be dependent
initially on corporate partners, licensees or other third parties for
commercial-scale manufacturing of its products. Sustained large-scale commercial
manufacturing of gene-based therapeutics has not been demonstrated by any third
parties. There can be no assurance that our corporate partners will be able to
develop adequate manufacturing capabilities for production of commercial-scale
quantities of gene-based therapeutics and PEGylated products.
Under the terms of the Glaxo Wellcome Agreement, the Lilly Agreement and the
Roche Agreement, Valentis' corporate partners have received exclusive rights to
market and sell Valentis' gene-based therapeutics that are developed pursuant to
these corporate collaborations. In addition Glaxo and Lilly have received
exclusive rights for large-scale, clinical and commercial manufacturing of the
gene-based therapeutics for use in the areas covered by these agreements. Under
the Lilly Agreement, we are obligated to provide material used in preclinical
testing and may supply material for clinical trials.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The production and marketing of Valentis' products and its research and
development activities are subject to extensive regulation for safety, efficacy
and quality by numerous governmental authorities in the United States and other
countries. In the United States, pharmaceutical products are subject to rigorous
regulation by the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"). We believe
that the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory bodies will regulate the
commercial uses of its products as biologics. Biologics are regulated under
certain provisions of the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act. These laws and the related regulations govern, among other
things, testing, manufacturing, safety, efficacy, labeling, storage, record
keeping, and the promotion, marketing and distribution of biological products.
At the FDA, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research is responsible for
the regulation of biological products and has handled FDA's regulation of most
gene-based therapeutics to date. Gene-based therapy, however, is a relatively
new technology and the regulatory requirements governing gene-based therapeutics
are uncertain. We are not aware of any gene-based therapeutics that have
received marketing approval from the FDA or any comparable foreign authorities.
The necessary steps before a new biological product may be marketed in the
United States include: (i) preclinical laboratory tests and IN VIVO preclinical
studies; (ii) the submission to the FDA of an IND for
25
clinical testing, which must become effective before clinical trials commence;
(iii) under certain circumstances, approval by a special advisory committee
convened to review INDs involving gene-based therapeutics; (iv) adequate and
well-controlled clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the
product; (v) the submission to the FDA of a product license application and
establishment license application ("PLA/ELA") and (vi) FDA approval of the
PLA/ELA prior to any commercial sale or shipment of the biologic. The FDA has
eliminated the requirement of a separate ELA for certain categories of
biotechnology products, including, for example, therapeutic recombinant
DNA-derived products. At this time, however, it is unclear whether these new
regulations apply to gene-based therapeutics. Furthermore, the FDA has announced
its intention ultimately to review all new biologic products under a single
biologics license application. However, it is impossible to predict when this
procedure will be adopted.
Manufacturing facilities in the United States are subject to periodic
inspection by the FDA and state authorities, and must comply with GMP ("Good
Manufacturing Practice"). Manufacturers of biologics also must comply with FDA
general biological product standards and also may be subject to state
regulation. Failure to comply with GMP or other applicable regulatory
requirements may result in withdrawal of marketing approval, criminal
prosecution, civil penalties, recall or seizure of products, warning letters,
total or partial suspension of production, FDA refusal to review pending
marketing approval applications or supplements to approved applications, or
injunctions, as well as other legal or regulatory action against Valentis or its
corporate partners.
Clinical trials are conducted in three sequential phases, but the phases may
overlap. In Phase I, the initial introduction of the product into healthy human
subjects or patients, the drug is tested to assess safety, metabolism,
pharmacokinetics and pharmacological actions associated with increasing doses.
Phase II usually involves studies in a limited patient population to
(i) determine the efficacy of the potential product for specific, targeted
indications, (ii) determine dosage tolerance and optimal dosage and
(iii) further identify possible adverse effects and safety risks. If a compound
is found to be effective and to have an acceptable safety profile in Phase II
evaluations, Phase III trials are undertaken to evaluate further clinical
efficacy and to test further for safety within a broader patient population at
geographically dispersed clinical sites. There can be no assurance that Phase I,
Phase II or Phase III testing will be completed successfully within any specific
time period, if at all, with respect to any of Valentis' or its corporate
partners' products subject to such testing. In addition, after marketing
approval is granted, the FDA may require post-marketing clinical studies that
typically entail extensive patient monitoring and may result in restricted
marketing of the product for an extended period of time.
The results of the pharmaceutical development, preclinical studies and
clinical trials are submitted to the FDA in the form of a PLA/ELA for approval
of the manufacture, marketing and commercial shipment of the biological product.
The testing and approval process is likely to require substantial time, effort
and financial and human resources, and there can be no assurance that any
approval will be granted on a timely basis, if at all or that any product
developed by Valentis and its corporate partners will prove safe and effective
in clinical trials or will meet all the applicable regulatory requirements
necessary to receive marketing approval from the FDA or the comparable
regulatory body of other countries. Data obtained from preclinical studies and
clinical trials are subject to interpretations that could delay, limit or
prevent regulatory approval. The FDA may deny the PLA/ELA if applicable
regulatory criteria are not satisfied, require additional testing or
information, or require post-marketing testing and surveillance to monitor the
safety or efficacy of a product. Moreover, if regulatory approval of a
biological product is granted, such approval may entail limitations on the
indicated uses for which it may be marketed. Finally, product approvals may be
withdrawn if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained or if
problems occur following initial marketing. Among the conditions for PLA/ELA
approval is the requirement that the prospective manufacturer's quality control
and manufacturing procedures conform to the appropriate GMP regulations, which
must be followed at all times. In complying with standards set forth in these
regulations, manufacturers must continue to expend time, financial resources and
effort in the area of production and quality control to ensure full compliance.
26
For clinical investigation and marketing outside the United States, Valentis
and its corporate partners may be subject to FDA as well as regulatory
requirements of other countries. The FDA regulates the export of biological
products, whether for clinical investigation or commercial sale. In Europe, the
approval process for the commencement of clinical trials varies from country to
country. The regulatory approval process in other countries includes
requirements similar to those associated with FDA approval set forth above.
Approval by the FDA does not ensure approval by the regulatory authorities of
other countries.
Valentis' research and development processes involve the controlled use of
hazardous materials, chemicals and radioactive materials, and produce waste
products. We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations
governing the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of such materials
and waste products. Although we believe that our safety procedures for handling
and disposing of such materials comply with the standards prescribed by such
laws and regulations, the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these
materials cannot be eliminated completely. In the event of such an accident,
Valentis could be held liable for any damages that result and any such liability
could exceed the resources of the Company. Although we believe that we are in
compliance in all material respects with applicable environmental laws and
regulations, there can be no assurance that it will not be required to incur
significant costs to comply with environmental laws and regulations in the
future, or that any the operations, business or assets of Valentis will not be
materially adversely affected by current or future environmental laws or
regulations.
COMPETITION
Gene delivery, gene-based therapies and PEGylation are relatively new,
rapidly evolving areas of science in which significant and unexpected
technological advances are likely. Rapid technological development could result
in our products or technologies becoming obsolete before we recover a
significant portion of its related research, development and capital
expenditures. We are aware that several pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies are actively engaged in research and development in areas related to
gene-based therapy and PEGylation, or have commenced clinical trials of
gene-based therapeutics and PEGylation. Many of these companies are addressing
diseases that have been targeted by Valentis or our corporate partners. Valentis
also may experience competition from companies that have acquired or may acquire
gene-based technology or PEGylation technology from universities and other
research institutions. As competitors develop their technologies, they may
develop proprietary positions in certain aspects of gene delivery, gene-based
therapeutics or PEGylation that may materially and adversely affect us. In
addition, we face and will continue to face competition from other companies for
corporate collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, for
establishing relationships with academic and research institutions, and for
licenses to proprietary technology, including intellectual property related to
gene delivery systems or PEGylation. Corporate partners may also elect to
internally develop gene-based therapeutics that compete with our products.
Lastly, many other companies are developing non-gene-based therapies or
non-PEGylation technologies to treat these same diseases.
Many of our competitors and potential competitors have substantially greater
product development capabilities and financial, scientific, manufacturing,
managerial and human resources than Valentis. There can be no assurance that
research and development by others will not render our gene delivery systems,
our PEGylation products, or the products developed by corporate partners using
our gene delivery systems, or PEGylation obsolete or non-competitive, or that
any product we or our corporate partners develop will be preferred to any
existing or newly developed technologies. In addition, there can be no assurance
that our competitors will not develop safer, more effective or less costly gene
delivery systems, gene-based therapeutics, PEGylated products, non-gene based
therapies, or other therapies, achieve superior patent protection or obtain
regulatory approval or product commercialization earlier than Valentis, any of
which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
or results of operations.
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PRODUCT LIABILITY INSURANCE
The manufacture and sale of human therapeutic products involve an inherent
risk of product liability claims and associated adverse publicity. Valentis
currently has only limited product liability insurance, and there can be no
assurance that we will be able to maintain existing or obtain additional product
liability insurance on acceptable terms or with adequate coverage against
potential liabilities. Such insurance is expensive, difficult to obtain and may
not be available in the future on acceptable terms, or at all. An inability to
obtain sufficient insurance coverage on reasonable terms or to otherwise protect
against potential product liability claims could prevent or inhibit the
commercialization of products by Valentis. A product liability claim brought
against us in excess of our insurance coverage, if any, or a product withdrawal,
could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
EMPLOYEES
As of August 31, 2000, Valentis employed 113 individuals full-time,
including 33 who hold doctoral degrees. Of our total work force, 84 employees
are engaged in or directly support research and development activities, and 29
are engaged in business development, finance and administrative activities.
Valentis employees are not represented by a collective bargaining agreement. We
believe our relationships with our employees are good.
RISK FACTORS
DEVELOPMENT OF OUR PRODUCTS WILL TAKE SEVERAL MORE YEARS AND OUR PRODUCTS WILL
REQUIRE APPROVAL BEFORE THEY CAN BE SOLD
Because substantially all of our potential products currently are in
research, preclinical development, or the early stages of clinical testing,
revenues from sales of any products will not occur for at least the next several
years, if at all. We cannot be certain that any of our products will be safe and
effective or that we will obtain regulatory approvals. In addition, any products
that we develop may not be economical to manufacture on a commercial scale. Even
if we develop a product that becomes available for commercial sale, we cannot be
certain that consumers will accept the product.
If we cannot satisfy existing clinical and regulatory approval requirements,
we, or our partners, may not be able to market our products. We may not obtain
regulatory approval for the commercial sale of any of our products, or be able
to demonstrate that a potential product is safe and effective for its intended
use. We cannot be certain that we, or our corporate partners, will be permitted
to undertake clinical testing of our potential products and, if we are
successful in initiating clinical trials, we may experience delays in conducting
them.
While we have demonstrated some evidence that our gene delivery systems have
utility in preclinical studies, these results do not mean that the resulting
products will be safe and effective in humans. Our gene delivery systems may
have undesirable and unintended side effects or other characteristics that may
prevent or limit their use.
Gene-based therapies and enhanced delivery of pharmaceuticals based on
biologics are new and rapidly evolving technologies that are expected to undergo
significant technological changes in the future. Many other companies are
seeking to identify therapeutic genes and understand their function in the
development and progression of various diseases. However, only limited clinical
data are available regarding the safety and efficacy of gene-based therapeutics.
We are not aware of any gene-based therapeutic that has received marketing
approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, or foreign
regulatory authorities. As a result, clinical trials relating to gene-based
therapeutics may take longer to complete than clinical trials involving more
traditional pharmaceuticals.
28
We do not yet have products in the commercial markets. All of our potential
products are in preclinical development or in the early stages of clinical
testing. We cannot apply for regulatory approval of our potential products until
we have performed additional research and development and testing. Our clinical
trials may not demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our potential products,
and we may encounter unacceptable side effects or other problems in the clinical
trials. Should this occur, we may have to delay or discontinue development of
the potential product that causes the problem. After a successful clinical
trial, we cannot market products in the United States until we receive
regulatory approval. If we are able to gain regulatory approval of our products
after successful clinical trials and then commercialize and sell those products,
we may be unable to manufacture enough products to maintain our business or
secure additional financing to fund our operations.
WE HAVE A HISTORY OF LOSSES AND MAY NEVER BE PROFITABLE
We may never generate profits, and if we do become profitable, we may be
unable to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. As a
result, the trading price of our stock could decline.
Since our inception, we have engaged in research and development activities.
We have generated only small amounts of revenue and have experienced significant
operating losses since we began business. As of June 30, 2000, we have incurred
losses totaling $120.9 million. The process of developing our products will
require significant additional research and development, preclinical testing,
clinical trials and regulatory approvals. These activities, together with
general and administrative expenses, are expected to result in operating losses
for the foreseeable future.
WE MUST BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SECURE ADDITIONAL FINANCING
Developing and commercializing our potential products will require
substantial additional financial resources. Because we cannot expect internally
generated cash flow to fund development and commercialization of our products,
we will look to outside sources for funding. These sources could involve one or
more of the following types of transactions:
- technology partnerships;
- technology sales;
- technology licenses;
- issuance of debt; or
- sales of common or preferred stock.
Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:
- scientific progress in our research and development programs;
- size and complexity of such programs;
- scope and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials;
- ability to establish and maintain corporate collaborations;
- time and costs involved in obtaining regulatory approvals;
- time and costs involved in filing, prosecuting and enforcing patent
claims;
- competing technological and market developments; and
- the cost of manufacturing material for preclinical, clinical and
commercial purposes.
29
We have financed our operations primarily through the sale of equity
securities and through corporate collaborations. We have not generated
significant royalty revenues from product sales, and we do not expect to receive
significant revenue from royalties for the foreseeable future, if ever. We
expect that our existing resources will enable us to maintain our operations
through at least the calendar year ending December 31, 2001. However, we may
require additional funding prior to such time.
We cannot be certain that additional financing to meet our funding
requirements will be available. Even if financing is available, the terms may
not be attractive. If we cannot obtain additional financing when needed or on
acceptable terms, we will be unable to fund continuing operations. In addition,
if we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our shareholders will
likely experience significant dilution of their ownership interest.
THERE IS INTENSE COMPETITION IN THE BIOPHARMACEUTICALS MARKET
The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are highly competitive. The
intense competition and rapid technological change in our market may result in
pricing pressures and failure of our products to achieve market acceptance.
Valentis is aware of several pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that
are pursuing gene-based therapeutics or are incorporating PEGylated technologies
into new pharmaceuticals. Many of these companies are addressing diseases that
have been targeted by our corporate partners and us. We are also aware that some
of our corporate partners are developing gene-based and PEGylated therapeutics
with one or more of our competitors. We also face competition from companies
developing cell-based therapies and from companies using more traditional
approaches to treating human diseases. Most of our competitors have
substantially more experience and financial and infrastructure resources than we
do in the following areas:
- research and development;
- clinical trials;
- obtaining Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory approvals; and
- manufacturing, marketing and distribution.
As competitors develop their technologies, they may develop proprietary
positions in a particular aspect of biologics delivery that could prevent us
from developing our products. Consequently, our competitors may be able to
commercialize new products more rapidly than we do, or manufacture and market
competitive products more successfully than we do. This could result in pricing
pressures or the failure of our products to achieve market acceptance.
Gene therapy and enhanced delivery of biologics are new and rapidly evolving
fields and are expected to continue to undergo significant and rapid
technological change. Rapid technological development by our competitors could
result in our actual and proposed technologies, products or processes losing
market share or becoming obsolete.
In addition, we face intense competition from other companies for corporate
collaborations, for establishing relationships with academic and research
institutions and for licenses to proprietary technology. Our competitors may
develop safer, more effective or less costly biologic delivery systems,
gene-based therapeutics or chemical-based therapies. In addition, competitors
may achieve superior patent protection or obtain regulatory approval or product
commercialization earlier than we can.
WE MUST ATTRACT AND RETAIN CORPORATE PARTNERS
Our business strategy is to attract business partners to fund or conduct
research and development, preclinical studies, clinical trials, manufacturing,
marketing and sales of our products. While we believe
30
that our partners will be motivated to develop, market and distribute potential
products based on our technologies, they may not commit sufficient resources to
commercializing our products on a timely basis. They may also pursue the
development or marketing of competing products. If our business partners do not
successfully market and distribute our products and we are unable to develop
sufficient marketing and distribution capabilities on our own, our business will
fail.
WE MUST ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANTS
Our success will depend on our ability to retain our executive officers and
scientific staff to develop our potential products and formulate our research
and development strategy. We have programs in place to retain personnel,
including programs to create a positive work environment and competitive
compensation packages. Because competition for employees in our field is
intense, however, we may be unable to retain our existing personnel or attract
additional qualified employees. Our success also depends on the continued
availability of outside scientific collaborators to perform research and develop
processes to advance and augment our internal research efforts. Competition for
collaborators is intense. If we do not attract and retain qualified personnel
and scientific collaborators, and if we experience turnover or difficulties
recruiting new employees, our research and development programs could be delayed
and we could experience difficulties in generating sufficient revenue to
maintain our business.
WE MUST OBTAIN RIGHTS TO PROPRIETARY GENES, PROTEINS OR OTHER TECHNOLOGIES
Alone, and with our corporate partners, we are investigating the use of gene
sequences and proteins in our products. A number of these gene sequences and
proteins have been, or may be, patented by others. As a result, we may be
required to obtain licenses to those gene sequences, proteins or other
technologies. In addition, some of the products based on our gene or PEGylation
delivery systems will require the use of multiple proprietary technologies. We
may not be able to obtain a license to those technologies at reasonable terms,
if at all. As a consequence, we might be prohibited from developing potential
products or we might have to make cumulative royalty payments to several
companies. These cumulative royalties would reduce amounts paid to us and could
make the costs of our products too expensive to introduce.
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO PROTECT OUR PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
We may be unable to adequately protect our proprietary rights, which may
limit our ability to compete effectively. Our success will depend to a
significant degree on our ability to:
- obtain patents and licenses to patent rights;
- preserve trade secrets; and
- operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of others.
We own or have licenses to patents on a number of genes, processes,
practices and techniques critical to our present and potential products. If we
fail to obtain and maintain patent protection for our technologies, our
competitors may market competing products that threaten our market position. The
failure of our licensors to obtain and maintain patent protection for technology
they license to us could similarly harm our business. Patent positions in the
field of biotechnology are highly uncertain and involve complex legal,
scientific and factual questions. Our patent applications may not result in
issued patents. Even if we secure a patent, the patent may not afford adequate
protection against our competitors. Intellectual property claims and litigation
could subject us to significant liability for damages and invalidation of our
patent rights.
We also rely on unpatented trade secret technologies. Because these
technologies do not benefit from the protection of patents, we may be unable to
meaningfully protect these trade secret technologies from unauthorized use or
misappropriation by a third party.
31
As the biotechnology industry expands, the risks increase that other
companies may claim that our processes and potential products infringe on their
patents. Defending these claims would be costly and would likely divert
management's attention and resources away from our operations. If we infringe on
another company's patented processes or technology, we may have to pay damages
or obtain a license in order to continue manufacturing or marketing the affected
product or using the affected process. We may be unable to obtain a license on
acceptable terms.
OUR PRODUCTS MUST SATISFY GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
We may not receive approval from regulatory authorities to market any of our
products. Also, delays or unexpected costs in obtaining approval of our products
or complying with governmental regulatory requirements could decrease our
ability to sell products, generate revenue and would make funding our operations
more difficult.
Prior to marketing any drug or biological product in the U.S., a potential
product must undergo rigorous preclinical studies and clinical trials. In
addition, the product must receive regulatory approval from the FDA.
Satisfaction of the FDA requirements typically takes several years or more and
costs a substantial amount of money. We cannot be certain that we will obtain
regulatory approval even if we devote substantial resources and time. The
regulatory process in the biologics delivery industry is costly, time-consuming
and subject to unpredictable delays. Accordingly, we cannot predict with any
certainty how long it will take or how much it will cost to obtain regulatory
approvals for clinical trials or for manufacturing or marketing our potential
products. Delays in bringing a potential product to market or unexpected costs
in obtaining regulatory approvals could decrease our ability to generate revenue
and make it more difficult to obtain additional financing necessary to fund our
operations.
In addition, drug manufacturing facilities in the U.S. must comply with the
FDA's good manufacturing process regulations. Such facilities are subject to
periodic inspection by the FDA and state authorities. Manufacturers of biologics
also must comply with the FDA's general biological product standards and also
may be subject to state regulation. While we anticipate that we will be able to
manufacture product that meets these requirements, we may be unable to attain or
maintain compliance with current or future Good Manufacturing Practices
requirements. If we discover previously unknown problems after we receive
regulatory approval of a potential product or fail to comply with applicable
regulatory requirements, we may suffer restrictions on our ability to market the
product, including mandatory withdrawal of the product from the market. This, or
an unexpected increase in the cost of compliance, could decrease our ability to
generate revenue or become profitable.
WE MUST OBTAIN FOREIGN REGULATORY APPROVALS TO MAKE AND SELL PRODUCTS IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES
We cannot be certain that we will obtain regulatory approvals in other
countries. In order to market our products outside the U.S., alone and with our
corporate partners, we must comply with numerous and varying regulatory
requirements of other countries regarding safety and quality. The approval
procedures vary among countries and can involve additional testing. The time
required obtaining approval in other countries might differ from that required
obtaining FDA approval. The regulatory approval process in other countries
involves similar risks to those associated with obtaining FDA approval set forth
above. Approval by the FDA does not ensure approval by the regulatory
authorities of any other country.
32
OUR PRODUCTS MUST BE ACCEPTED BY PHYSICIANS AND INSURERS
Concerns have arisen regarding the potential safety and efficacy of
gene-based therapeutics using viral delivery systems. While our gene delivery
systems do not contain viruses, these concerns could negatively affect
physicians' and health care payers' evaluations of our products. Physicians and
health care payers could conclude that our products or technologies are not safe
and effective. Our success is dependent on commercial acceptance of our
products. We believe that recommendations by physicians and health care payers
will be essential for commercial acceptance of our products. If products
developed by us and our corporate partners are not commercially accepted by
patients, physicians or third-party payers, sales would be adversely affected.
ADVERSE EVENTS IN THE FIELD OF GENE THERAPY MAY NEGATIVELY IMPACT REGULATORY
APPROVAL OR PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF OUR POTENTIAL PRODUCTS
The death of a patient undergoing a physician-sponsored viral-based gene
therapy trial has been widely publicized. This death and other adverse events in
the field of gene therapy that may occur in the future could result in greater
governmental regulation of our potential products and potential regulatory
delays relating to the testing or approval of our potential products. For
example, as a result of this death, the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee of
the National Institutes of Health may become more active in reviewing the
clinical trials or proposed clinical trials of all companies involved in gene
therapy. It is uncertain what effect this increased scrutiny will have on our
product development efforts or clinical trials.
The commercial success of our potential products will depend in part on
public acceptance of the use of gene therapy for the prevention or treatment of
human diseases. Public attitudes may be influenced by claims that gene therapy
is unsafe, and consequently our products may not gain the acceptance of the
public or the medical community. Negative public reaction to gene therapy in
general could result in greater government regulation and stricter labeling
requirements of gene therapy products, including any of our products, and could
cause a decrease in the demand for products we may develop.
OUR PRODUCTS MUST OBTAIN ADEQUATE REIMBURSEMENT
Even if we and our corporate partners succeed in bringing products to
market, we cannot be certain that reimbursement will be available. Sales volume
and price of any of our potential products will depend, in part, on the
availability of third-party reimbursement for the cost of such products and
related treatments. Reimbursement is generally provided by government health
administration authorities, private health insurers and other organizations.
Third-party payers are increasingly challenging the price of medical products
and services. Significant uncertainty exists as to the reimbursement status of
newly approved health care products. Even if reimbursement is available, payers'
reimbursement policies may adversely affect our corporate partners' ability to
sell such products on a profitable basis. If these corporate partners are unable
to profitably sell our products, our royalty revenue will be reduced.
THE SUCCESS OF OUR POTENTIAL PRODUCTS IN ANIMAL MODELS DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT
THESE RESULTS WILL BE REPLICATED IN HUMANS
Even though our product candidates have shown successful results in animal
models, animals are different than humans and these results may not be
replicated in our clinical trials with humans. In addition, human clinical
results could be different from our expectations following our preclinical
studies with large animals. Consequently, there is no assurance that the results
in our animal models are predictive of the results that we will see in our
clinical trials with humans.
33
WE HAVE LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN CONDUCTING CLINICAL TRIALS, WHICH MAY CAUSE DELAYS
IN RECEIVING REGULATORY APPROVAL OF OUR POTENTIAL PRODUCTS
Clinical trials must meet FDA regulatory requirements. We have limited
experience in conducting the preclinical studies and clinical trials necessary
to obtain FDA regulatory approval. Consequently, we may encounter problems in
clinical trials that may cause us, or the FDA, to delay, suspend or terminate
these trials. Problems we may encounter include the chance that we may not be
able to conduct clinical trials at preferred sites, obtain sufficient test
subjects or begin or successfully complete clinical trials in a timely fashion,
if at all. Furthermore, the FDA may suspend clinical trials at any time if it
believes the subjects participating in trials are being exposed to unacceptable
health risks or if it finds deficiencies in the clinical trial process or
conduct of the investigation.
Failure to recruit patients could delay or prevent clinical trials of our
potential products, which could cause a delay or inability to introduce products
to market and a resulting decrease in our ability to generate revenue. The
timing of our clinical trials depends on the speed at which we can recruit
patients to participate in testing our products. Delays in recruiting or
enrolling patients to test our products could result in increased costs, delays
in advancing our product development, delays in proving the usefulness of our
technology or termination of the clinical trials altogether. If we are unable to
introduce potential products to market after successful clinical trials on a
timely basis, our ability to generate revenue may decrease and we may be unable
to secure additional financing.
THE RESULTS OF OUR EARLY CLINICAL TRIALS ARE BASED ON A SMALL NUMBER OF PATIENTS
OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND OUR SUCCESS MAY NOT BE INDICATIVE OF RESULTS IN
A LARGE NUMBER OF PATIENTS OR LONG TERM EFFICACY
Results in early phases of clinical testing are based upon limited numbers
of patients. Actual results with more data points may show less favorable
results. In addition, we do not yet know if these early results will have a
lasting effect. If a larger population of patients does not experience similar
results, or if these results do not have a lasting effect, our product
candidates may not receive approval from the FDA. In addition, any report of
clinical trial results that are below the expectations of financial analysts or
investors would most likely cause our stock price to drop dramatically.
WE MUST DEMONSTRATE LARGE-SCALE MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES
Our limited manufacturing experience may compromise our ability to
successfully introduce our potential products.
Although we entered into the pAlliance, a strategic collaboration with DSM
Biologics and Qiagen N.V., for manufacturing and supplying plasmid DNA to the
gene therapy industry, neither DSM nor any third party has successfully
manufactured plasmid DNA on a large-scale commercial basis. The collaboration
has the potential to create the first manufacturing facilities that can produce
high-quality, ultra-pure material for plasmid-based therapeutics on every scale,
from preclinical toxicology studies to commercial products. DSM will have full
responsibility for manufacturing material to be marketed to any company or
institution working in the field of gene therapy. We will depend on DSM for
commercial-scale manufacturing of our products. DSM may be unable to develop
adequate manufacturing capabilities for commercial-scale quantities of gene
medicine products. If DSM or third parties are unable to establish and maintain
large-scale manufacturing capabilities, we will be unable to introduce
sufficient product to sustain our business.
DELAWARE LAW AND OUR CHARTER COULD MAKE THE ACQUISITION OF OUR COMPANY BY
ANOTHER COMPANY MORE DIFFICULT
We are incorporated in the State of Delaware. Provisions of Delaware law
applicable to our company could delay a merger, tender offer or proxy contest or
make such a transaction more difficult. State laws
34
prohibit a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with
any interested stockholder for a period of three years from the date the person
became an interested stockholder unless a number of conditions are met. In
addition, our Board of Directors may issue shares of preferred stock without
Valentis stockholder approval. The rights of our common stockholders may be
decreased by the rights of any future preferred stockholders. In addition, our
charter provides for:
- a classified board of directors;
- no right of stockholders to act by written consent without a meeting;
- advance stockholder notice required to nominate directors and raise
matters at the annual stockholders meeting;
- no cumulative voting in the election of directors; and
- removal of directors only for cause and with a two-thirds vote of the
issued Valentis common stock.
These provisions could delay, defer or prevent a change in control of our
company or limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future
for shares of our common stock.
OUR INSURANCE MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE
The costs of product liability claims and product recalls could exceed the
amount of our insurance, which could significantly harm our results of
operations or our reputation and result in a decline in the value of our stock.
Our business activities expose us to the risk of liability claims or product
recalls and any adverse publicity that might result from a liability claim
against us. We currently have only limited amounts of product liability
insurance, and the amounts of claims against us may exceed our insurance
coverage. Product liability insurance is expensive and may not continue to be
available on acceptable terms. A product liability claim not covered by
insurance or in excess of our insurance or a product recall could significantly
harm our financial results or our reputation. Either of these could result in a
decrease in our stock price, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
THERE ARE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ACQUIRING OTHER COMPANIES
Part of Valentis' strategy is to grow through mergers and acquisitions of
products, companies and businesses, and we intend in the future to pursue
additional acquisitions of complementary product lines, technologies and
businesses. We may have to issue debt or equity securities to pay for future
acquisitions, which could be dilutive to existing stockholders. We have also
incurred and may continue to incur certain liabilities or other expenses in
connection with acquisitions, which have and could continue to materially
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In
addition, mergers and acquisitions involve numerous other risks, including:
- difficulties assimilating the operations, personnel, technologies and
products of the acquired companies;
- diversion of management's attention from other business concerns; and
- the potential loss of key employees of the acquired companies.
For these reasons, we cannot be certain what effect existing or future
acquisitions may have on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
WE MUST MANAGE A COMPANY IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY
The acquisition of PolyMASC in August 1999 continues to involve the
integration of two companies that previously operated independently. The
difficulties are exacerbated by the fact that the two companies
35
are located at three different sites on two different continents separated by
economic, governmental and cultural differences. We have no prior experience
integrating a European operation. Difficulties in the integration process may
include:
- diversion of management from the business of the combined company;
- potential incompatibility of business cultures;
- problems associated with integration of management information and
reporting systems;
- potential inability to coordinate research and development efforts
successfully; and
- operating the combined company at three different sites in California,
Texas and England.
WE USE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Our research and development activities involve the controlled use of
hazardous materials. Although we believe that our safety procedures for handling
and disposing of these materials comply with applicable laws and regulations, we
cannot eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from hazardous
materials. If a hazardous material accident occurred, we would be liable for any
resulting damages. This liability could exceed our financial resources.
Additionally, hazardous materials are subject to regulatory oversight. Accidents
unrelated to our operations could cause federal, state or local regulatory
agencies to restrict our access to hazardous materials needed in our research
and development efforts. If our access to these materials is limited, we could
experience delays in our research and development programs. Paying damages or
experiencing delays caused by restricted access could reduce our ability to
generate revenues and make it more difficult to fund our operations.
THE STOCK MARKET IS VOLATILE AND OUR STOCK PRICE COULD DECLINE
Market fluctuations or volatility could cause the market price of our common
stock to decline. In recent years the stock market in general and the market for
biotechnology-related companies in particular have experienced extreme price and
volume fluctuations, often unrelated to the operating performances of the
affected companies. Our common stock has experienced, and is likely to continue
to experience, these fluctuations in price, regardless of our performance. These
fluctuations could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Valentis leases approximately 45,300 square feet in Burlingame, California
(the "Burlingame Facility"), a 38,000 square-foot building in The Woodlands,
Texas (the "Woodlands Facility"), and 5,020 square feet of lab and office space
in London, England (the "PolyMASC Facility"), all of which are occupied. The
facilities have been built to Valentis' specifications to accommodate our
laboratory, support and administrative needs and include manufacturing
facilities designed to supply material required for preclinical research and
development and initial clinical trials. The term of the lease for 34,700 square
feet in use at the Burlingame Facility expires in 2004, at which time we have
the option to renew the lease for an additional period of five years.
Approximately 10,600 square feet of the Burlingame Facility has been built-out
for use as a pilot manufacturing facility. The term of the lease for this
portion of the facility expires in 2007, at which time we have the option to
renew the lease for an additional period of five years. The initial term of the
lease for the Woodlands Facility, which began in January 1995, is 10 years,
after which time Valentis may renew the lease for an additional period of five
years. We also have an option to expand this facility by up to an additional
62,000 square feet during the first six years of the initial term of the lease.
PolyMASC leases three properties totaling approximately 5,020 square feet in
London, England. The initial terms of the leases for these facilities, which
began between 1995 and 1998, is from three to five years. There are no rights to
renew but initial renewal discussions have been favorable. Valentis believes
36
that its facilities are adequate to meet our needs for the foreseeable future.
Should we need additional space, management believes it will be able to secure
such space on reasonable terms.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Valentis is not a party to any material legal proceedings.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
37
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Megabios' common stock began trading on the Nasdaq National Market as
Megabios Corp. under the symbol "MBIO" on September 15, 1997. Prior to that
date, there was no public market for our common stock. In April 1999 Megabios
was renamed Valentis and its stock trading symbol was changed to "VLTS." The
following table sets forth, for the calendar periods indicated, the high and low
sales prices of the common stock reported by Nasdaq.
HIGH LOW
-------- --------
1998
First Quarter............................................... $14.00 $8.88
Second Quarter.............................................. 8.88 6.38
Third Quarter............................................... 8.00 4.25
Fourth Quarter.............................................. 6.94 4.00
1999
First Quarter............................................... 6.75 4.06
Second Quarter.............................................. 5.56 3.38
Third Quarter............................................... 7.00 3.66
Fourth Quarter.............................................. 10.00 3.38
2000
First Quarter............................................... 20.13 8.56
Second Quarter.............................................. 12.31 6.25
Third Quarter (through September 20, 2000).................. 11.50 7.00
On September 20, 2000 the last sale price reported on the Nasdaq National
Market for Valentis' common stock was $8.44 per share. At that date, there were
approximately 635 stockholders of record of our common stock.
On March 18, 1999, Megabios Corp. completed its merger with
GeneMedicine, Inc. On April 29, 1999, the combined company was renamed
Valentis, Inc. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each outstanding share
of GeneMedicine common stock was converted into 0.571 of a share of the
Company's common stock. This resulted in the issuance of approximately
9.1 million additional shares of the Company's common stock, valued at
$38.7 million.
On August 27, 1999, Valentis completed its merger with PolyMASC
Pharmaceuticals plc. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each outstanding
share of PolyMASC common stock was converted into 0.209 of a share of Valentis'
common stock. This resulted in the issuance of approximately 4.4 million
additional shares of Valentis' common stock, valued at $20.1 million.
On April 14, 2000, Valentis completed a private placement of 1,915,000
shares of newly issued common stock at $10.00 per share to European and U.S.
biotech investors, resulting in net proceeds to Valentis of approximately
$18.8 million. The securities sold in this private placement were sold in
reliance upon the exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act") provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act
and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder.
Valentis has never paid any cash dividends on its capital stock and does not
expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future.
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The data set forth below should be read in conjunction with "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included elsewhere in
this report.
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
----------------------------------------------------
2000(1) 1999(2) 1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Collaborative research and development
revenue..................................... $ 5,251 $ 3,430 $ 8,083 $ 5,793 $ 1,890
Research and development grant revenue........ 338 699 -- -- --
-------- -------- ------- ------- -------
Total revenue............................... 5,589 4,129 8,083 5,793 1,890
Operating expenses:
Research and development.................... 27,332 17,806 13,611 8,598 6,487
General and administrative.................. 7,322 5,063 3,561 2,417 2,169
Acquired in-process research and
development............................... 14,347 26,770 1,500 -- --
Amortization of goodwill and other acquired
intangible assets......................... 5,016 819 -- -- --
-------- -------- ------- ------- -------
Total operating expenses.................. 54,017 50,458 18,672 11,015 8,656
-------- -------- ------- ------- -------
Loss from operations.......................... (48,428) (46,329) (10,589) (5,222) (6,766)
Interest and other income (expense), net...... 773 1,649 2,211 275 (135)
-------- -------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss...................................... $(47,655) $(44,680) $(8,378) $(4,947) $(6,901)
======== ======== ======= ======= =======
Basic and diluted net loss per share.......... $ (1.80) $ (2.90) $ (0.83) $ (4.40) $ (9.86)
======== ======== ======= ======= =======
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net
loss per share.............................. 26,452 15,430 10,088 1,126 700
======== ======== ======= ======= =======
- ------------------------
(1) Reflects the results of PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc from August 27, 1999,
the date of acquisition.
(2) Reflects the results of GeneMedicine, Inc. from March 18, 1999, the date of
acquisition.
JUNE 30,
----------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments.................................. $ 33,120 $24,307 $22,966 $24,269 $ 5,253
Working capital................................ 21,991 15,461 20,966 21,629 3,568
Total assets................................... 60,308 64,427 55,901 29,978 9,956
Long-term debt................................. 2,697 5,459 2,464 1,487 1,894
Accumulated deficit............................ (120,921) (73,266) (28,586) (20,208) (15,261)
Total stockholders' equity..................... 44,404 45,930 50,282 25,223 6,086
39
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
THE FOLLOWING MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS
AND UNCERTAINTIES. VALENTIS' ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE
ANTICIPATED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN FACTORS,
INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION AS WELL AS UNDER "ITEM 1. BUSINESS"
INCLUDING "RISK FACTORS".
OVERVIEW
Valentis, Inc. is a leader in the field of biopharmaceutical delivery. We
develop multiple proprietary gene delivery and gene expression systems and
PEGylation technologies and apply our preclinical and early clinical development
expertise to create novel therapeutics and improved versions of currently
marketed biopharmaceuticals. Valentis has what it believes to be the broadest
array of technologies and intellectual property for the delivery of
biopharmaceuticals, including genes, proteins, peptides, peptidomimetics,
antibodies and replicating and non-replicating viruses. This portfolio of
delivery technologies potentially allows us to develop new products, create
improved versions of currently marketed products and solve safety, efficacy and
dosing compliance issues with products in development. We focus on research,
preclinical development and early-stage clinical development of products in
several therapeutic areas including cardiovascular disorders, oncology,
hematology and immunology. Our commercial strategy is to enter into corporate
collaborations for full-scale clinical development, marketing and sales of
products. Valentis itself, or through its PolyMASC subsidiary, currently has
corporate collaborations with:
- Roche Holdings Ltd. for cancer immunotherapeutics based on the IL-2 and
IL-12, and IFN-a genes;
- Eli Lilly & Co. to develop treatments for breast and ovarian cancer using
the BRCA-1 gene;
- Glaxo Wellcome plc to develop a treatment for cystic fibrosis using the
CFTR gene;
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, for the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis with gene medicines;
- Invitrogen Corporation to sell Valentis' proprietary GeneSwitch-TM- gene
regulation system to the research market;
- Heska Corporation for a gene-based immunotherapeutic for cancer and
allergies in companion animals;
- Eurogene Ltd. for cardiovascular diseases using gene medicines and
Eurogene's collar delivery system;
- DSM Biologics and QIAGEN, N.V. for plasmid manufacturing;
- Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for a PEGylated virus-based cancer therapeutic,
ONYX-015;
- Bayer Corporation, Inc. for a PEGylated Factor VIII;
- Flemington Pharmaceutical Corp. for a PEGylated oral insulin;
- Transkaryotic Therapies for the development of PEGylated protein
pharmaceuticals; and
- Viragen, Inc. for the development of a PEGylated interferon-alpha (IFN-a)
for treatment of hepatitis C.
Valentis has positioned itself to be the near-term beneficiary of genomics
research, a massive effort underway to understand the sequence and function of
the human genome. The first products being generated from genomics research are
biopharmaceuticals such as proteins, antibodies and gene medicines. We are
developing delivery systems that are designed to improve the safety, efficacy
and dosing
40
characteristics of these biopharmaceuticals to make them safer, more effective
and more convenient for patients. We develop delivery systems for
biopharmaceuticals based on two broad technology platforms: gene medicines and
PEGylation technologies.
On March 18, 1999, Megabios Corp. completed its merger with
GeneMedicine, Inc. ("GeneMedicine"), and on April 29, 1999, the combined company
was renamed Valentis, Inc. Each outstanding share of GeneMedicine common stock
was converted into 0.571 of a share of the common stock of Valentis. The merger
resulted in the issuance of approximately 9.1 million shares of Valentis' common
stock, valued at $38.7 million. The purchase price also included approximately
$850,000 related to outstanding GeneMedicine stock options and outstanding
warrants assumed by the Company and $1.7 million of transaction costs, for an
aggregate purchase price of $41.3 million.
The merger transaction was accounted for as a purchase. A charge of
$25.9 million for in-process research and development acquired from GeneMedicine
was included in Valentis' Consolidated Statements of Operations (see detailed
discussion of "Acquisition of GeneMedicine Research and Development Programs"
below). The intangible assets acquired are being amortized over their estimated
useful lives of 3 years.
On August 27, 1999, Valentis acquired PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc
("PolyMASC"). Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, each outstanding
ordinary share of PolyMASC was exchanged, at a fixed exchange ratio of 0.209,
for newly issued shares of common stock of Valentis. This resulted in the
issuance of approximately 4.4 million Valentis shares valued at about
$20.1 million based on an average Valentis stock price of $4.56 at the date the
transaction was announced. The purchase price also included approximately
$837,000 of transaction costs, for an aggregate purchase price of
$20.9 million. Dr. Gillian E. Francis, Chief Executive Officer of PolyMASC, has
joined the Board of Directors of Valentis and is serving as Managing Director of
PolyMASC. We are managing PolyMASC as a wholly owned subsidiary of Valentis.
PolyMASC's research and development programs are in various stages of
preclinical development. Currently, none of the products utilizing PolyMASC's
proprietary technology has as yet entered any stage of human clinical testing or
has been approved for marketing. PolyMASC's strategy has been to develop and
commercialize its products through alliances with pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies.
The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. A write-off of
$14.3 million for in-process research and development acquired from PolyMASC was
included in Valentis' Consolidated Statements of Operations (see detailed
discussion under "Acquisition of PolyMASC Research and Development Programs"
below). The intangible assets, consisting of assembled workforce and goodwill,
were assigned a value of $7.1 million and will be amortized over their estimated
useful lives of three years.
With the acquisition of London-based PolyMASC, Valentis expanded its
delivery technologies and has a more diversified portfolio of products in
clinical and preclinical development. The acquisition broadened Valentis'
intellectual property portfolio in biologics delivery, creating what it believes
is the first company offering a broad array of technologies and intellectual
property in biologics delivery. PolyMASC will continue to focus primarily on
research and preclinical development of PEGylation technologies and products.
PEGylation is an established technology that involves the attachment of the
polymer polyethyleneglycol ("PEG") to therapeutics to alter their
pharmacokinetics (distribution in the body, metabolism and excretion). The
alteration of the pharmacokinetics of biologics due to PEGylation may lead to
improved dosing intervals and may also have beneficial effects on safety and
efficacy.
We have centers in three locations: The Woodlands, Texas, which houses
personnel focused on preclinical research and development; London, England,
where PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc operates as a wholly owned subsidiary and
focuses on polymer-based delivery; and Burlingame, California, which is the
Company's headquarters as well as the center for manufacturing and clinical
development. We expect an increase in both research and administrative
expenditures in future periods.
41
To date, substantially all revenue has been generated by collaborative
research and development agreements from corporate partners, and no revenue has
been generated from product sales. Under the terms of its corporate
collaborations, Valentis generally receives research and development funding on
a quarterly basis in advance of associated research and development costs. We
expect that future revenue will be derived in the short-term from research and
development agreements and milestone payments and in the long-term from
royalties on product sales.
We have incurred significant losses since inception and expect to incur
substantial losses for the foreseeable future, primarily due to the expansion of
our research and development programs and because we do not expect to generate
revenue from the sale of products in the foreseeable future, if at all. We
expect that operating results will fluctuate from quarter to quarter and that
such fluctuations may be substantial. As of June 30, 2000, Valentis' accumulated
deficit was approximately $120.9 million.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FISCAL YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
REVENUE
Valentis' revenue was approximately $5.6 million for the year ended
June 30, 2000 compared to $4.1 million and $8.1 million in 1999 and 1998,
respectively.
The 2000, 1999 and 1998 revenue contributions attributable to milestone
achievements, collaborative research and development performed under our
corporate collaborations, and grant revenues are (in thousands):
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
Collaborative research and development revenue:
Roche Holdings, Ltd....................................... $3,778 $1,000 $ --
Boehringer Ingelheim...................................... 533 -- --
Eli Lilly................................................. 494 2,180 4,000
DSM Biologics............................................. -- 250 --
Pfizer.................................................... -- -- 4,000
Other..................................................... 446 -- 83
------ ------ ------
5,251 3,430 8,083
Grant Revenue............................................... 338 699 --
------ ------ ------
Total Revenue............................................... $5,589 $4,129 $8,083
====== ====== ======
Changes in revenue for the years ended June 30, 2000 and 1999 compared to
the previous year are explained below:
- Revenue from Roche increased for the year ended June 30, 2000 because the
agreement was acquired through the merger with GeneMedicine in
March 1999. The increase was attributable to a full year of revenue
recognition for the year ended June 30, 2000 compared to one quarter of
recognition for the prior period.
- Revenue from Boehringer Ingelheim was recognized under a new 15-month
collaboration signed in September 1999.
- Revenue and preclinical work under the Lilly agreement was completed
during 2000. 1999 revenue decreased because of the completion of
substantially all of Valentis' research obligations under the agreement.
42
- Revenue from DSM in 1999 was comprised of a $250,000 milestone payment. No
milestone revenue or profit sharing has been recognized from products sold
through the pAlliance.
- Other revenue in 2000 resulted primarily from the revenue generated by
PolyMASC, acquired by Valentis in August 1999.
- Grant revenue decreased due to the completion of SBIR grants in 1999.
- In December 1997, Pfizer discontinued its research and development program
with Valentis. Pfizer continued to fund the program through May 1998.
Revenue derived from corporate collaborations and grants may increase in the
future if we are successful in establishing new collaborations, and are awarded
additional SBIR grants.
Included in deferred revenue at June 30, 2000, is $5.0 million related to
Roche and $300,000 related to Boehringer Ingelheim. An additional $1.2 million
is expected to be earned under the Roche agreement through February 2001. The
remainder of the deferred revenue will be earned either upon the achievement of
certain milestones or under certain circumstances, through the performance of
additional contract research.
If Valentis continues to meet the milestones for the development of gene
medicines under the Roche Agreement, we may be entitled to payments of up to
$8.3 million. Upon successful completion of Phase II clinical testing, Valentis
may elect either to receive up to 50 percent of potential profits on worldwide
sales by agreeing to share development and commercialization expenses or to
receive royalty payments based on worldwide product sales.
EXPENSES
Research and development expenses increased to $27.3 million for the year
ended June 30, 2000 from $17.8 million in 1999 and $13.6 million in 1998. The
increases were primarily attributable to the additions of staff, facilities and
projects resulting from the merger with GeneMedicine in March 1999 and PolyMASC
in August 1999, as well as increased costs associated with additional 2000
expenses for clinical trial expenditures. Valentis expects research and
development expenses to continue to increase as additional product candidates
progress into and through clinical trials.
General and administrative expenses increased to $7.3 million for the year
ended June 30, 2000 from $5.1 million in 1999 and $3.6 million in 1998. The
increase in 2000 compared to 1999 was primarily due to additions of staff and
facilities as a result of the acquisition of PolyMASC. The increase in 1999
compared to 1998 was primarily due to the additions of staff and facilities from
the merger with GeneMedicine and the costs of producing our first annual report
to stockholders. We expect general and administrative expenses to continue to
increase due to increased business development activities and to support
expanded research and development activities.
In 2000, Valentis recorded $14.3 million of acquired in-process research and
development as part of the acquisition of PolyMASC. In 1999, $26.8 million of
acquired in-process research and development was recorded as part of the merger
with GeneMedicine and the acquisition of rights to the Del-1 gene. Details of
the mergers and acquisitions are described below.
INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
Interest and other income (expense), net was $773,000 in 2000, $1.6 million
in 1999 and $2.2 million in 1998. The decrease in interest and other income
(expense), net in 2000 compared to 1999 resulted primarily from a reduction in
the income derived from lower outstanding investment balances and by an increase
in property, use and state taxes. The decrease in interest and other income
(expense), net in 1999 compared to 1998 resulted primarily from increased
interest expenses on higher outstanding balances on our equipment financing
lines of credit.
43
ACQUISITION OF POLYMASC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
PEGylation is the primary PolyMASC research and development program that
Valentis acquired in August 1999. Valentis' management is responsible for
estimating the fair value of the purchased in-process research and development.
The program has been valued based on a discounted probable future cash flow
analysis using a discount rate of 40%, which management believes adequately
reflects the substantial risk of biologics delivery research and development. In
the valuation model, it was assumed that for product candidates based on
PolyMASC's technology, preclinical studies and clinical trials are successfully
completed, regulatory approval to market the product candidates is obtained, a
marketing partner is secured and we are able to manufacture the product in
commercial quantities. Each of these activities is subject to significant risks
and uncertainties and no product utilizing the technology has been successfully
developed to date. The PEGylation technology that we acquired was valued at
$14.3 million. PolyMASC currently has corporate collaborations with Onyx
Pharmaceuticals, Transkaryotic Technologies, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Flemington
and Viragen under which it is developing product candidates using its PEGylation
technology.
Before a product can be successfully marketed, our corporate partners must
fund the completion of preclinical studies, clinical studies and, if
successfully completed, the market introduction of the new PEGylated therapies.
Product efficacy and dose responsiveness must be proven in Phase II and Phase
III human clinical trials and FDA approval is required before market
introduction. We currently estimate that clinical development activities will
not be completed and revenues will not begin to accrue to the Company for the
next several years. Management estimates that the remaining research and
development efforts, offset by estimated revenue generated from potential
corporate collaborators, will total more than $8 million over the next several
years. This amount could vary significantly depending on the success of
preclinical development efforts, clinical trial results, our success in
attracting and retaining corporate collaborators and the ability of our
collaborators to successfully manufacture and market any resulting products.
ACQUISITION OF GENEMEDICINE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
There were seven primary GeneMedicine research and development programs that
the Company acquired in March 1999. Prior to the merger of GeneMedicine with
Megabios in March 1999, over the previous five years, GeneMedicine, Inc.
incurred approximately $50 million of research and development expenses in the
development of these research and development programs. Costs to complete these
projects could aggregate to approximately $50 million over the next four to six
years. At the date of the acquisition, Valentis recorded a charge of
$25.9 million for acquired in process research and development.
The nature of the efforts required for developing the acquired in-process
research and development into technologically feasible and commercially viable
products principally relates to the successful performance of additional
preclinical studies and clinical trials. Though the Company expects that some of
the acquired in-process technology will be successfully developed, there can be
no assurance that commercial or technical viability of these products will be
achieved. While the expectations and promise of gene therapy are great, clinical
efficacy has not yet been demonstrated. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies are pursuing many approaches to gene therapy, but there are currently
no marketed gene therapy products and none are expected for the next several
years.
In determining its research and development priorities, we decided to delay
additional work on three of the programs acquired in the merger with
GeneMedicine. Work on any of the growth factor gene medicines (IGF-1), pulmonary
gene medicines (AAT GM) and the vaccine programs (APC) is not expected to be
pursued unless or until a corporate partner is identified to provide funding for
further development.
As a result of the mergers with GeneMedicine and PolyMASC, Valentis' focus
became one of transforming its technologies into products. At June 30, 2000,
Valentis had six Phase II clinical trials in progress for four different
oncology and cardiovascular gene medicines. Additional three gene medicine
44
product candidates are scheduled to begin clinical trials in the next year. If
these trials and Phase III clinical studies for our gene medicines are
successfully completed and our corporate collaborators subsequently market the
products, Valentis will be entitled to receive royalties on the resulting
product sales.
OTHER ACQUIRED TECHNOLOGY
In April 1999, Valentis acquired rights and intellectual property related to
the Del-1 gene and protein from Progenitor, Inc. Del-1 is a novel extracellular
matrix protein involved in early growth and development of blood vessels and
bone that has been demonstrated to have potential application in the treatment
of certain vascular diseases by stimulating angiogenesis. The acquisition of
Del-1 strengthens our product development in the area of cardiovascular disease.
We expensed the cost paid to Progenitor for Del-1 of $900,000 as acquired
in-process research and development as the technology was not complete at the
date of acquisition.
In March of 1998 Valentis entered into a licensing and collaboration
agreement with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center ("UPMC") through
which we obtained an exclusive license to certain patent rights held by UPMC in
the field of viral and non-viral gene-based therapy for rheumatology. Under the
terms of the license and collaboration agreement Valentis issued 117,555 shares
of common stock in payment for the exclusive license to these patent rights. The
value of the common stock issued in the transaction was $1.5 million, which was
expensed as acquired in-process research and development during the period.
Valentis expensed the value of this common stock, as the technology was not
complete at the date of acquisition. Under the terms of the license agreement,
we are not obligated to make royalty payments upon the sale of products, if any,
in the field of non-viral gene therapy, but are required to share revenue with
UPMC at a specified rate upon the sub-license of rights in the field of viral
gene therapy. Valentis is obligated to make payments upon the completion of
certain milestones. Certain of the license rights may revert back to UPMC in the
event that we fail to commit resources to the development of products in the
field of rheumatology. In addition, the license and collaboration agreement with
UPMC established exclusive collaborations between Valentis and several
researchers at UPMC for the research and development of gene-based therapies in
the field of rheumatology. Intellectual property developed by UPMC under the
collaboration is included in the exclusive license to Valentis described above
at no additional cost to us.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of June 30, 2000, Valentis had $37.7 million in cash, cash equivalents
and investments compared to $39.1 million at June 30, 1999 and $48.4 million at
June 30, 1998. Net cash used in our operations was $22.9 million in 2000,
$20.0 million in 1999 and $5.6 million in 1998. Cash was used primarily to fund
increasing levels of research and development and general and administrative
activities. Our capital expenditures were $895,000 in 2000, $5.5 million in 1999
and $2.7 million in 1998. Capital expenditures in 1999 and 1998 primarily
reflect expenditures for the construction of Valentis' pilot manufacturing
facility at its Burlingame location. Valentis expects its capital expenditures
in the future to at similar levels to those expended in 2000.
On April 14, 2000, Valentis completed a private placement of 1,915,000
shares of newly issued common stock at $10.00 per share, resulting in net
proceeds of approximately $18.8 million. In September 1997, Valentis completed
its initial public offering of 2,875,000 shares of common stock at $12.00 per
share, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $31.4 million.
In October 1998, we entered into an equipment financing agreement with a
financing company. We financed $366,000 in equipment purchases under this
agreement structured as loans. The equipment loans are being repaid over
43 months at an interest rate of 10.1% and are secured by the related equipment.
As
45
of June 30, 2000, the outstanding balance under this financing agreement was
$313,000. Valentis has fully utilized the borrowing capacity under this
agreement.
In May 1996, Valentis entered into an equipment financing agreement for up
to $2.7 million with a financing company. We financed $2.7 million in equipment
purchases under this agreement structured as loans. The equipment loans are to
be repaid over 48 months at interest rates ranging from 15.2% to 16.2% and are
secured by the related equipment. As of June 30, 2000, the outstanding balance
under this financing agreement was $944,000. Valentis has fully utilized the
borrowing capacity under this agreement.
In June 1995, Valentis established a line of credit for $8.0 million with a
commercial bank. In May 1998 in accordance with the terms of the agreement, the
entire balance was converted into a term loan at the bank's prime rate plus 0.5%
with payments due in equal monthly installments. At June 30, 2000, the
outstanding balance was $4.5 million. The loan is secured by tangible personal
property, other than the assets securing the equipment financing, accounts
receivable and funds on deposit. As a condition of the credit line, Valentis
must maintain a minimum cash and short-term investments balance of not less than
the prior two quarters net cash usage and Valentis' net worth must remain in
excess of 90% of the total principal drawn under the line of credit. Valentis
has fully utilized the borrowing capacity under this agreement.
Valentis anticipates that its cash, cash equivalents and investments,
committed funding from existing corporate collaborations and projected interest
income, will enable us to maintain our current and planned operations at least
through December 2001. However, we may require additional funding prior to such
time. Valentis' future capital requirements will depend on many factors,
including scientific progress in its research and development programs, the size
and complexity of such programs, the scope and results of preclinical studies
and clinical trials, the ability of Valentis to establish and maintain corporate
collaborations, the time and costs involved in obtaining regulatory approvals,
the time and costs involved in filing, prosecuting and enforcing patent claims,
competing technological and market developments, the cost of manufacturing
preclinical and clinical materials and other factors not within Valentis'
control. We are seeking additional collaborative agreements with corporate
partners and may seek additional funding through public or private equity or
debt financing. We may not be able to enter into any such agreements, however,
or if entered into, any such agreements may not reduce our funding requirements.
We expect that additional equity or debt financing may be required to fund its
operations. Additional financing to meet our funding requirements may not be
available on acceptable terms or at all.
If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, substantial
dilution to existing stockholders may result. Insufficient funds may require us
to delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of its research or development
programs or to relinquish greater or all rights to products at an earlier stage
of development or on less favorable terms than we would otherwise seek to
obtain, which could materially adversely affect Valentis' business, financial
condition and results of operations.
ITEM 7A. FINANCIAL MARKET RISK
Valentis' exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates
primarily to our investment portfolio and long-term debt obligations. We
maintain a strict investment policy that ensures the safety and preservation of
its invested funds by limiting default risk, market risk, and reinvestment risk.
Our investments consist primarily of commercial paper, medium term notes, U.S.
Treasury notes and obligations of U.S. Government agencies and corporate bonds.
The table below presents notional amounts and
46
related weighted-average interest rates by year of maturity for our investment
portfolio (in thousands, except percentages).
2000 2001 TOTAL
-------- -------- --------
Cash equivalents
Fixed rate................................................ $17,347 $ -- $17,347
Average rate.............................................. 6.57% -- 6.57%
Short-term investments
Fixed rate................................................ $14,661 -- $14,661
Average rate.............................................. 5.39% -- 5.39%
Long-term investments
Fixed rate................................................ -- $4,552 $ 4,552
Average rate.............................................. -- 7.31% 7.31%
------- ------ -------
Total investment securities................................. $32,008 $4,552 $36,560
Average rate................................................ 6.03% 7.31% 6.19%
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Valentis' Financial Statements and notes thereto appear on pages 53 to 75 of
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
47
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information required by this item concerning our directors and executive
officers is incorporated by reference from Valentis' Definitive Proxy Statement
to be filed not later than 120 days following the close of the fiscal year ("the
Definitive Proxy Statement").
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference
from Valentis' Definitive Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference
from Valentis' Definitive Proxy Statement under the caption "Security Ownership
of Certain Beneficial Owners".
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference
from Valentis' Definitive Proxy Statement under the caption "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions".
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(A)(1) INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Financial Statements and report of independent auditors required by
this item are submitted in a separate section beginning on page 53 of
this Report.
PAGE NO.
--------
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors........... 53
Consolidated Balance Sheets................................. 54
Consolidated Statements of Operations....................... 55
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity.............. 56
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows....................... 57
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................. 58-75
(A)(2) No schedules have been filed, as they were not required or are
inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.
(A)(3) EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT EXHIBIT
FOOTNOTE NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- --------------------- -------- -----------------------
(1) 3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Registrant
(1) 3.2 Bylaws of the Registrant
4.1 Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2
(1) 4.2 Specimen stock certificate
(1) 4.3 Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of
May 23, 1997 among the Registrant and the investors named
therein
(1) 4.4 Preferred Stock Warrant issued to Imperial Bank, dated June
1, 1995
48
EXHIBIT EXHIBIT
FOOTNOTE NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- --------------------- -------- -----------------------
(1) 4.5 Series C Preferred Stock Warrant issued to Phoenix Leasing
Incorporated, dated April 30, 1996
(1) 4.6 Stock purchase Agreement between Registrant and Pfizer Inc.,
dated May 30, 1996
(1) 10.1 1997 Equity Incentive Plan
(1) 10.2 Form of Incentive Stock Option Grant
(1) 10.3 Form of Non-Incentive Stock Option
(1) 10.4 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(1) 10.5 Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between the
Registrant and its directors and executive officers
(1) 10.6 Letter Agreement between the Registrant and Benjamin F.
McGraw, III, Pharm.D.
(1) 10.7 Letter Agreement between the Registrant and Rodney Pearlman,
Ph.D.
(3) 10.8 Letter Agreement between the Registrant and Bennet Weintraub
(3) 10.9 Letter Agreement between the Registrant and John Warner,
Ph.D.
(1) 10.10 Lease Agreement between the Registrant and Provident Life
and Accident Insurance Company ("Provident"), dated
December 21, 1993
(1) 10.11 First Amendment to Lease Agreement between the Registrant
and SFO Associates LLC (successor in interest to
Provident)
(1) 10.12 Lease Agreement between the Registrant and SFO Associates
LLC, dated March 18, 1997
(1) 10.13 Credit Agreement between the Registrant and Imperial Bank,
dated as of August 31, 1995
(1) 10.14 Lease Agreement between the Registrant and LMSI, dated
May 13, 1994, as amended as of May 13, 1994
(1) 10.15 Senior Loan and Security Agreement between the Registrant
and Phoenix Leasing Incorporated, dated as of April 22,
1996
(1)* 10.16 Research and License Agreement between the Registrant and
Glaxo Wellcome Group Limited, dated April 11, 1994, as
amended as of May 31, 1996
(1)* 10.17 Exclusive License Agreement between the Registrant and
Regents of the University of California, dated May 9,
1996, as amended May 15, 1997
(1)* 10.18 Collaborative Research Agreement between the Registrant and
Pfizer Inc., dated May 31, 1996
(1)* 10.19 License and Royalty Agreement between Registrant and Pfizer
Inc., dated June 1, 1996
(1)* 10.20 Research and License Agreement between the Registrant and
Eli Lilly and Company, effective May 23, 1997
(3) 10.21 Promissory Note for $8,000,000 from Megabios Corp. to
Imperial Bank, dated May 13, 1998
(2)+ 10.22 First Amendment and Restatement of License Agreement between
Registrant and Baylor College of Medicine dated March 7,
1994
(2)+ 10.23 First Amendment and Restatement of License Agreement--Woo
between Registrant and Baylor College of Medicine date
March 7, 1994
(2)+ 10.24 First Amendment and Restatement of License
Agreement--GeneSwitch-TM- between Registrant and Baylor
College of Medicine dated March 7, 1994
(2)+ 10.25 Limited Exclusive License Agreement between Registrant and
the Regents of the University of California dated
October 26, 1993, as amended January 21, 1994
(2)+ 10.26 License Agreement between Registrant and British Technology
Group Limited dated November 8, 1993
(2)+ 10.27 Patent License Agreement between Registrant and the
University of Texas System dated October 15, 1993
49
EXHIBIT EXHIBIT
FOOTNOTE NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- --------------------- -------- -----------------------
(2)** 10.28 Employment and Stock Purchase Agreement between Registrant
and Eric Tomlinson dated July 31, 1992 as amended
June 11, 1998
(4) 10.29 Change of Control Severance Plan
(2) 10.30 Lease Agreement between Registrant and The Woodlands
Corporation dated October 29, 1993
(2)+ 10.31 Collaborative Alliance Agreement between Registrant and
Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc. dated April 8, 1994
(2)+ 10.32 License Agreement between Registrant and Syntex (U.S.A.)
Inc. dated April 8, 1994
++ 10.33 Alliance Agreement between Registrant and Corange
International Ltd. effective February 3, 1995. Exhibit
10.21 to GeneMedicine's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 1995 is incorporated herein by reference.
21.1 As of August 30, 1999, PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc
("PolyMASC") became a subsidiary of the Registrant.
PolyMASC is incorporated under the laws of England and
Wales
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
- ------------------------
(1) Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1
(No. 333-32593) or amendments thereto and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Previously filed as an exhibit to GeneMedicine's Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (No. 33-77126) or amendments thereto and incorporated herein by
reference.
(3) Previously filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
(No. 0-22987) for fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by
reference.
(4) Previously filed as an exhibit to GeneMedicine's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q (No. 0-24572) for the period ended September 30, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference.
* Confidential treatment granted pursuant to a Confidential Treatment Order
for portions of this document.
** Amendment filed with GeneMedicine's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
(No. 0-24572) for the period ended June 30, 1998.
+ Confidential treatment has been afforded to certain portions of this Exhibit
pursuant to Order Granting Application Under the Securities Act of 1933 and
Rule 406 Thereunder Respecting Confidential Treatment dated July 12, 1994.
++ Confidential treatment has been afforded to certain portions of this Exhibit
pursuant to Order Granting Application Under the Securities Act of 1934 and
Rule 24b-2 Thereunder Respecting Confidential Treatment dated February 5,
1996.
(B) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
On April 14, 2000, Valentis filed a current report on the Form 8-K
announcing a private placement of 1,915,000 shares of its common stock, par
value $.001 per share, to certain accredited investors.
50
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: September 26, 2000 VALENTIS, INC.
By: /s/ BENJAMIN F. MCGRAW III
-----------------------------------------
Benjamin F. McGraw III
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Benjamin F. McGraw III and Bennet Weintraub, and
each or any one of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with
full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Annual Report, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith,
as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of
them, or their or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
Chairman of the Board of
/s/ BENJAMIN F. MCGRAW III Directors, President and Chief
------------------------------------ Executive Officer (Principal September 26, 2000
(Benjamin F. McGraw III) Executive Officer)
/s/ BENNET WEINTRAUB Vice President Finance and Chief
------------------------------------ Financial Officer (Principal September 26, 2000
(Bennet Weintraub) Accounting Officer)
/s/ STANLEY CROOKE
------------------------------------ Director September 26, 2000
(Stanley Crooke)
/s/ PATRICK G. ENRIGHT
------------------------------------ Director September 26, 2000
(Patrick G. Enright)
51
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
/s/ GILLIAN E. FRANCIS
------------------------------------ Director September 26, 2000
(Gillian E. Francis)
/s/ RAJU KUCHERLAPATI
------------------------------------ Director September 26, 2000
(Raju Kucherlapati)
/s/ MARK MCDADE
------------------------------------ Director September 26, 2000
(Mark McDade)
/s/ BERT O'MALLEY
------------------------------------ Director September 26, 2000
(Bert O'Malley)
/s/ ARTHUR M. PAPPAS
------------------------------------ Director September 26, 2000
(Arthur M. Pappas)
52
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Valentis, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
Valentis, Inc. as of June 30, 2000 and 1999, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended June 30, 2000. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Valentis, Inc.
as of June 30, 2000 and 1999, and the consolidated results of its operations and
its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2000, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Palo Alto, California
August 18, 2000
53
VALENTIS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARES AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
JUNE 30,
-------------------
2000 1999
-------- --------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents................................... $ 18,459 $ 4,785
Short-term investments...................................... 14,661 19,522
Note receivable from PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc........... -- 1,000
Other receivables........................................... 1,346 1,800
Prepaid expenses and other current assets................... 732 1,392
-------- --------
Total current assets.................................... 35,198 28,499
Property and equipment, net................................. 9,328 11,897
Long-term investments....................................... 4,552 14,830
Goodwill and other assets................................... 11,230 9,201
-------- --------
Total assets............................................ $ 60,308 $ 64,427
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable............................................ $ 739 $ 854
Accrued compensation........................................ 1,283 872
Accrued construction-in-progress............................ -- 353
Other accrued liabilities................................... 2,843 2,921
Deferred revenue............................................ 5,267 4,914
Current portion of long-term debt........................... 3,075 3,124
-------- --------
Total current liabilities............................... 13,207 13,038
Long-term debt.............................................. 2,697 5,459
Commitments
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized,
issuable in series, none outstanding at June 30, 2000 and
1999...................................................... -- --
Common stock, $.001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized;
29,343,830 and 22,072,022 shares issued and outstanding at
June 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively...................... 29 22
Additional paid-in capital.................................. 165,366 119,746
Deferred compensation, net of amortization.................. (247) (463)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)............... 177 (109)
Accumulated deficit......................................... (120,921) (73,266)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity.............................. 44,404 45,930
-------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity............ $ 60,308 $ 64,427
======== ========
See accompanying notes.
54
VALENTIS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
Collaborative research and development revenue.............. $ 5,251 $ 3,430 $ 8,083
Research and development grant revenue...................... 338 699 --
-------- -------- -------
Total revenue............................................. 5,589 4,129 8,083
Operating expenses:
Research and development.................................. 27,332 17,806 13,611
General and administrative................................ 7,322 5,063 3,561
Acquired in-process research and development.............. 14,347 26,770 1,500
Amortization of goodwill and other acquired intangible
assets.................................................. 5,016 819 --
-------- -------- -------
Total operating expenses................................ 54,017 50,458 18,672
-------- -------- -------
Loss from operations........................................ (48,428) (46,329) (10,589)
Interest income............................................. 1,922 2,499 2,651
Interest expense and other.................................. (1,149) (850) (440)
-------- -------- -------
Net loss.................................................... $(47,655) $(44,680) $(8,378)
======== ======== =======
Basic and diluted net loss per share........................ $ (1.80) $ (2.90) $ (0.83)
======== ======== =======
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per
share..................................................... 26,452 15,430 10,088
======== ======== =======
See accompanying notes.
55
VALENTIS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARES AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
ACCUMULATED
PREFERRED STOCK COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL OTHER
--------------------- --------------------- PAID-IN DEFERRED COMPREHENSIVE
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL COMPENSATION INCOME (LOSS)
---------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ------------- --------------
Balance at June 30, 1997........... 8,420,720 $ 44,700 1,567,727 $ 1,410 $ -- $(679) $ --
Reincorporation in Delaware with
par value........................ -- -- -- (1,408) 1,408 -- --
Issuance of common stock in the
Initial Public Offering, net of
offering costs of $3,124......... -- -- 2,875,000 3 31,373 -- --
Conversion of convertible preferred
stock into common stock.......... (8,420,720) (44,700) 8,154,779 8 44,692 -- --
Issuance of common stock for
technology license............... -- -- 117,555 -- 1,500 -- --
Exercise of stock options and
warrants......................... -- -- 184,346 -- 237 -- --
Repurchase of common stock from
employees........................ -- -- (18,429) -- (8) -- --
Deferred compensation related to
grant of certain stock options,
net of amortization.............. -- -- -- -- 636 (636) --
Amortization of deferred
compensation..................... -- -- -- -- -- 339 --
Net loss........................... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Net unrealized loss on
available-for-sale securities.... -- -- -- -- -- -- (7)
Comprehensive loss.................
---------- -------- ---------- ------- -------- ----- ----
Balance at June 30, 1998........... -- -- 12,880,978 13 79,838 (976) (7)
Issuance of common stock for
GeneMedicine, Inc. merger........ -- -- 9,117,794 9 39,510 -- --
Exercise of stock options.......... -- -- 46,042 -- 85 -- --
Repurchase of common stock from
employees........................ -- -- (42,936) -- (42) -- --
Issuance of common stock pursuant
to Employee Stock Purchase
Plan............................. -- -- 70,144 -- 355 -- --
Amortization of deferred
compensation..................... -- -- -- -- -- 513 --
Net loss........................... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Net unrealized loss on
available-for-sale securities.... -- -- -- -- -- -- (102)
Comprehensive loss.................
---------- -------- ---------- ------- -------- ----- ----
Balance at June 30, 1999........... -- -- 22,072,022 22 119,746 (463) (109)
Issuance of common stock for
PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc.
merger, net of issuance costs of
$837............................. -- -- 4,400,000 4 20,062 -- --
Exercise of stock options and
warrants, net of repurchases..... -- -- 876,646 1 5,807 -- --
Stock options granted to
non-employees for services
rendered......................... -- -- -- -- 696 -- --
Repurchase of common stock from
employees........................ -- -- (1,373) -- (1) -- --
Issuance of common stock pursuant
to Employee Stock Purchase Plan
and 401(k) Plan.................. -- -- 81,535 -- 298 -- --
Issuance of common stock, net of
offering costs of $390........... -- -- 1,915,000 2 18,758 -- --
Amortization of deferred
compensation..................... -- -- -- -- -- 216 --
Net loss........................... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Net unrealized gain on
available-for-sale securities.... -- -- -- -- -- -- 68
Foreign currency translation
adjustment....................... -- -- -- -- -- -- 218
Comprehensive loss.................
---------- -------- ---------- ------- -------- ----- ----
Balance at June 30, 2000........... -- $ -- 29,343,830 $ 29 $165,366 $(247) $177
========== ======== ========== ======= ======== ===== ====
TOTAL
ACCUMULATED STOCKHOLDERS'
DEFICIT EQUITY
------------ -------------
Balance at June 30, 1997........... $ (20,208) $ 25,223
Reincorporation in Delaware with
par value........................ -- --
Issuance of common stock in the
Initial Public Offering, net of
offering costs of $3,124......... -- 31,376
Conversion of convertible preferred
stock into common stock.......... -- --
Issuance of common stock for
technology license............... -- 1,500
Exercise of stock options and
warrants......................... -- 237
Repurchase of common stock from
employees........................ -- (8)
Deferred compensation related to
grant of certain stock options,
net of amortization.............. -- --
Amortization of deferred
compensation..................... -- 339
Net loss........................... (8,378) (8,378)
Net unrealized loss on
available-for-sale securities.... -- (7)
--------
Comprehensive loss................. (8,385)
--------- --------
Balance at June 30, 1998........... (28,586) 50,282
Issuance of common stock for
GeneMedicine, Inc. merger........ -- 39,519
Exercise of stock options.......... -- 85
Repurchase of common stock from
employees........................ -- (42)
Issuance of common stock pursuant
to Employee Stock Purchase
Plan............................. -- 355
Amortization of deferred
compensation..................... -- 513
Net loss........................... (44,680) (44,680)
Net unrealized loss on
available-for-sale securities.... -- (102)
--------
Comprehensive loss................. (44,782)
--------- --------
Balance at June 30, 1999........... (73,266) 45,930
Issuance of common stock for
PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc.
merger, net of issuance costs of
$837............................. -- 20,066
Exercise of stock options and
warrants, net of repurchases..... -- 5,808
Stock options granted to
non-employees for services
rendered......................... -- 696
Repurchase of common stock from
employees........................ -- (1)
Issuance of common stock pursuant
to Employee Stock Purchase Plan
and 401(k) Plan.................. -- 298
Issuance of common stock, net of
offering costs of $390........... -- 18,760
Amortization of deferred
compensation..................... -- 216
Net loss........................... (47,655) (47,655)
Net unrealized gain on
available-for-sale securities.... -- 68
Foreign currency translation
adjustment....................... -- 218
--------
Comprehensive loss................. (47,369)
--------- --------
Balance at June 30, 2000........... $(120,921) $ 44,404
========= ========
See accompanying notes.
56
VALENTIS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss................................................ $(47,655) $(44,680) $ (8,378)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
operations:
Depreciation............................................ 3,969 2,517 2,044
Amortization of intangibles............................. 5,017 819 --
Amortization of deferred compensation................... 216 513 339
Stock options granted to non-employees for services
rendered.............................................. 696 -- --
Purchase of in-process research and development with
common stock.......................................... 14,347 25,870 1,500
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other receivables..................................... 462 (1,154) (481)
Prepaid expenses and other assets..................... 719 (762) (149)
Deferred revenue...................................... 353 744 (887)
Accounts payable...................................... (1,227) (3,608) 204
Accrued liabilities................................... (20) (284) 197
Foreign currency translation adjustment................. 218 -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net cash used in operating activities............... (22,905) (20,025) (5,611)
-------- -------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash acquired in acquisitions............................. 213 11,844 --
Note receivable from PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc......... -- (1,000) --
Purchase of property and equipment........................ (895) (5,478) (2,719)
Deposits and other assets................................. -- (16) 282
Purchases of available-for-sale investments............... (4,562) (17,039) (41,890)
Maturities of available-for-sale investments.............. 19,769 15,839 23,700
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities........................................ 14,525 4,159 (20,627)
-------- -------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt.................. 366 6,119 2,128
Payments on long-term debt................................ (3,177) (1,035) (1,367)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of
repurchases............................................. 24,865 395 31,605
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities........... 22,054 5,479 32,366
-------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents........ 13,674 (10,387) 6,128
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year................ 4,785 15,172 9,044
-------- -------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year...................... $ 18,459 $ 4,785 $ 15,172
======== ======== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid............................................. $ 749 $ 725 $ 423
======== ======== ========
Income tax paid........................................... $ 32 $ -- $ --
======== ======== ========
SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS:
Construction-in-progress included in accrued
liabilities............................................. $ -- $ 353 $ 589
======== ======== ========
Net exercise of warrants to purchase common stock, 38,206
shares in 2000, 14,629 shares in 1998................... $ 403 $ -- $ 84
======== ======== ========
Tangible and intangible assets acquired for shares of
common stock, net of cash acquired and liabilities
assumed................................................. $ 6,343 $ 3,596 $ --
======== ======== ========
See accompanying notes.
57
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2000
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Valentis, Inc. ("Valentis" or "the Company") was formed from the merger of
Megabios Corp. and GeneMedicine, Inc. in March 1999. The Company acquired
PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc ("PolyMASC") in August 1999. Valentis, Inc. is a
leader in the field of biopharmaceutical delivery. We develop multiple
proprietary gene delivery and gene expression systems and PEGylation
technologies and apply our preclinical and early clinical development expertise
to create novel therapeutics and improved versions of currently marketed
biopharmaceuticals. Valentis has what it believes to be the broadest array of
technologies and intellectual property for the delivery of biopharmaceuticals,
including genes, proteins, peptides, peptidomimetics, antibodies and replicating
and non-replicating viruses. This portfolio of delivery technologies potentially
allows us to develop new products, create improved versions of currently
marketed products and solve safety, efficacy and dosing compliance issues with
products in development. We focus on research, preclinical development and
early-stage clinical development of products in several therapeutic areas
including cardiovascular disorders, oncology, hematology and immunology. Our
commercial strategy is to enter into corporate collaborations for full-scale
clinical development, marketing and sales of products. Valentis is incorporated
in the State of Delaware.
Valentis may require additional financial resources to complete development
and commercialization of its products. Management plans to continue to finance
the Company primarily through issuances of equity securities, collaborative
research and development arrangements and debt financing. Prior to product
commercialization, if the financing arrangements contemplated by management are
not consummated, we may have to seek other sources of capital or re-evaluate its
operating plans.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Valentis and
our wholly owned subsidiary, PolyMASC. We translate the assets and liabilities
of our foreign subsidiary stated in local functional currencies to U.S. dollars
at the rates of exchange in effect at the end of the period. Revenues and
expenses are translated using rates of exchange in effect during the period.
Gains and losses from currency translation are included in other comprehensive
income (loss). Currency transaction gains or losses are recognized in interest
expense and other and have not been significant to our operating results in any
period.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue related to collaborative research agreements with Valentis'
corporate partners is recognized over the related funding periods for each
contract. We are required to perform research and development activities as
specified in each respective agreement on a best-efforts basis. For some
contracts, we are reimbursed based on the costs associated with the number of
full time equivalent employees working on each specific contract over the term
of the agreement. Research and development expenses under the collaborative
research agreements approximate or exceed the revenue recognized under such
agreements over the term of the respective agreements. Deferred revenue results
when we do not incur the required level of effort during a specific period in
comparison to funds received under the respective contracts or if additional
work may be required to satisfy a contract obligation. Revenue from milestone
and royalty payments is recognized as earned.
In 1997 Valentis was awarded two SBIR grants totaling approximately
$1.5 million for research and development projects. The terms of these grant
agreements were two years. In 1998 Valentis was awarded a SBIR grant for
$104,000 for research and development projects. The term of this grant agreement
is six
58
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
months. Revenue related to grant agreements is recognized as related research
and development expenses are incurred.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
Research and development expenses, which are expensed as incurred, consist
of costs incurred for independent and collaborative research and development.
These costs include direct and research-related overhead expenses and the costs
of funding clinical studies and are expensed when incurred.
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with maturities at the
date of purchase of 90 days or less. Short-term investments consist of
investments with original maturities greater than three months, but less than
one year, while long-term investments have maturities greater than one year.
Valentis accounts for its cash equivalents and investments under Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments
in Debt and Equity Securities" ("SFAS 115"). Under the provisions of SFAS 115,
we have classified our cash equivalents and investments as "available-for-sale."
Such investments are recorded at fair value, determined based on quoted market
prices, and unrealized gains and losses, which are considered to be temporary,
are recorded as other comprehensive income (loss) in a separate component of
stockholders' equity until realized.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS
Our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, other
receivables and accounts payable, are carried at historical cost, which
approximates their fair value because of the short-term maturities of these
instruments.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation.
Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the respective assets (generally three to seven years).
Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of five years or the
estimated useful life of the assets.
ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Acquired intangible assets consist of the assembled workforce and goodwill
related to Valentis' acquisition of GeneMedicine and PolyMASC accounted for
using the purchase method (see Note 2). Amortization of these purchased
intangibles is calculated on the straight-line basis over the respective
estimated useful lives of the intangible assets of three years. Amortization of
assembled workforce and goodwill is included as a separate item on our
Consolidated Statements of Operations. Acquired in-process research and
development without alternative future use is expensed when acquired.
LONG-LIVED ASSETS
Valentis accounts for its long-lived assets under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 121, ACCOUNTING FOR THE IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
AND FOR LONG-LIVED ASSETS TO BE DISPOSED OF ("SFAS 121"). In accordance with
SFAS 121, Valentis identifies and records impairment losses, as circumstances
dictate, on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances
indicate that
59
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be
generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. No
such events have occurred with respect to our long-lived assets, which consist
primarily of machinery and equipment, leasehold improvements, and acquired
intangible assets.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Valentis generally grants stock options to employees for a fixed number of
shares with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the shares at the date
of grant. In accordance with the provisions of Statements of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123, ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
("SFAS 123"), Valentis has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion
No. 25, ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK ISSUED TO EMPLOYEES ("APB 25"), and related
interpretations in accounting for option grants to employees under its employee
stock option plan and to adopt the pro forma disclosure alternative as described
in SFAS 123 (see Note 11).
All stock-based awards to non-employees are accounted for at their fair
value, as calculated using the Black-Scholes model, in accordance with SFAS 123
and Emerging Issued Task Force Issue 96-18 ("EITF 96-18"). Stock-based awards to
non-employees not immediately vested are subject to periodic re-valuation over
their vesting terms.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
NET LOSS PER SHARE
Valentis applies the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" ("SFAS 128"), which requires the
presentation of basic earnings (loss) per share and diluted earnings (loss) per
share, if dilutive. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income or
loss applicable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common
shares outstanding for the period, net of certain common shares outstanding
which are subject to continued vesting and Valentis' right of repurchase.
Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effect of options, warrants and
convertible securities, if dilutive. Diluted net loss per share has not been
presented separately as, given our net loss position, the result would be
anti-dilutive.
The following have been excluded from the calculation of net loss per share
at June 30, 2000 because the effect of inclusion would be antidilutive: 13,473
common shares which are outstanding but are subject to Valentis' right of
repurchase which expires ratably over 4 years and options to purchase 2,072,344
shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $6.69 per share. The
repurchasable shares and options will be included in the calculation at such
time as the effect is no longer antidilutive, as calculated using the treasury
stock method.
60
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
A reconciliation of shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted and
pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share follows:
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
---------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
--------- --------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
DATA)
Net loss.................................................... $(47,655) $(44,680) $(8,378)
======== ======== =======
BASIC AND DILUTED
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding......... 26,465 15,486 10,313
Shares subject to repurchase................................ (13) (56) (225)
-------- -------- -------
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding used in
computing net loss per share.............................. 26,452 15,430 10,088
======== ======== =======
Basic and diluted net loss per share........................ $ (1.80) $ (2.90) $ (0.83)
======== ======== =======
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as
follows (in thousands):
JUNE 30, 2000 JUNE 30, 1999
------------- -------------
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for sale
securities........................................ $(41) $(109)
Foreign currency translation adjustments............ 218 --
---- -----
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)....... $177 $(109)
==== =====
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS
No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, which
establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments,
including forward exchange contracts and hedging activities. In June 1999, the
FASB issued SFAS No. 137, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities--Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133. SFAS
No. 133 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000 and
therefore, was adopted on July 1, 2000. Management believes the impact of SFAS
No. 133 will be immaterial, as Valentis has no hedging activities or
derivatives.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements ("SAB
101"). Among other things, SAB 101 requires that license and other upfront fees
from research collaborators be recognized over the term of the agreement unless
the fee is in exchange for products delivered or services performed that
represent the culmination of a separate earnings process. We are currently
reviewing the impact of SAB 101 on our previously reported results of
operations, and we will adopt SAB 101 during the second quarter of fiscal 2001.
In March 2000, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Interpretation No. 44, Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock
Compensation--an Interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25 ("FIN 44"). FIN 44
clarifies the application of APB 25 with respect to stock-related compensation.
FIN 44 is
61
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
effective July 1, 2000. We do not expect the adoption of FIN 44 to have a
material effect on the financial position or results of operations of Valentis.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The Company has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information"
and has determined that it operates in one business segment, the research of
biopharmaceutical delivery technologies.
RECLASSIFICATIONS
We have reclassified certain prior year amounts on the Consolidated Balance
Sheet, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements to conform to current year presentation.
2. ACQUISITIONS
ACQUISITION OF POLYMASC PHARMACEUTICALS PLC
On August 27, 1999, Valentis acquired PolyMASC Pharmaceuticals plc
("PolyMASC") for approximately 4.4 million shares of Valentis common stock,
valued at about $20.1 million based on an average Valentis stock price of $4.56
at the date the transaction was announced. The acquisition was accounted for as
a purchase.
The total cost of the merger was approximately $20.9 million, determined as
follows (in thousands):
Fair value of Valentis common stock issued.................. $20,066
Transaction costs........................................... 837
-------
$20,903
=======
Based on a valuation of tangible and intangible assets and liabilities
assumed, Valentis has allocated the total cost of the acquisition to the net
assets of PolyMASC as follows (in thousands):
Tangible assets acquired.................................... $ 1,600
In-process research and development......................... 14,347
Intangible assets -- assembled workforce and goodwill....... 7,061
Liabilities assumed (including PolyMASC transaction
costs).................................................... (2,105)
-------
$20,903
=======
PolyMASC's research and development programs are in various stages of
preclinical development. Currently, none of the products utilizing PolyMASC's
proprietary technology has entered any stage of human clinical testing or been
approved for marketing. PolyMASC's strategy has been to develop and
commercialize its products through alliances with pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies.
A valuation of the purchased assets was undertaken to assist us in
determining the fair value of each identifiable intangible asset and in
allocating the purchase price among the acquired assets, including the portion
of the purchase price attributed to in-process research and development
projects. Standard valuation procedures and techniques were utilized in
determining the fair value of the acquired in-process
62
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
research and development. To determine the value of the technology in the
development stage, we considered, among other factors, the stage of development
of each project, the time and resources needed to complete each project,
expected income and associated risks. Associated risks included the inherent
difficulties and uncertainties in completing pharmaceutical research and
development and obtaining regulatory approval to sell the resulting products.
The analysis resulted in $14.3 million of the purchase price being charged to
in-process research and development. The intangible assets, consisting of
assembled workforce and goodwill, were assigned a value of $6.3 million and will
be amortized over their estimated useful lives of three years. Management
believes that the amounts are reasonable and reflect the fair value of the
assets acquired.
The unaudited pro forma information for Valentis for the years ended
June 30, 2000 and 1999, had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of each
fiscal year is as follows (in thousands except per share amounts):
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
-------------------
2000 1999
-------- --------
Net revenue............................................. $ 5,592 $ 5,009
Net loss................................................ $(33,825) $(47,663)
Net loss per share...................................... $ (1.25) $ (2.45)
The unaudited pro forma combined results for the twelve months ended
June 30, 2000 and 1999 exclude the effect of the charge for acquired in-process
research and development of $14.3 million, as such amount is non-recurring. The
unaudited pro forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and
is not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred
had the transaction been completed at the beginning of the period indicated, nor
is it necessarily indicative of future operating results.
ACQUISITION OF GENEMEDICINE, INC.
On March 18, 1999, the Company completed its merger with GeneMedicine, Inc.
("GeneMedicine"). On March 29, 1999, the combined company was renamed
Valentis, Inc. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each outstanding share
of GeneMedicine common stock was converted into 0.571 of a share of the
Company's common stock. This resulted in the issuance of approximately
9.1 million additional shares of the Company's common stock, valued at
$38.7 million. The purchase price also included approximately $850,000 related
to GeneMedicine's stock options and outstanding warrants assumed by the Company
and $1.7 million of transaction costs, for an aggregate purchase price of
$41.3 million. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase.
The following is a summary of the purchase price allocation (in thousands):
Tangible assets acquired.................................... $14,410
In-process research and development......................... 25,870
Intangible assets-assembled workforce and goodwill.......... 9,831
Liabilities assumed (including GeneMedicine transaction
costs and other obligations due upon close of the
merger)................................................... (8,801)
-------
$41,310
=======
63
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
A valuation of the purchased assets was undertaken to assist the Company in
determining the fair value of each identifiable intangible asset and in
allocating the purchase price among the acquired assets, including the portion
of the purchase price attributed to in-process research and development
projects. Standard valuation procedures and techniques were utilized in
determining the fair value of the acquired in-process research and development.
To determine the value of the technology in the development stage, the Company
considered, among other factors, the stage of development of each project, the
time and resources needed to complete each project, expected income and
associated risks. Associated risks included the inherent difficulties and
uncertainties in completing the project and thereby achieving technological
feasibility, and the risks related to the viability of and potential changes to
future target markets. The analysis resulted in $25.9 million of the purchase
price being charged to in-process research and development. The intangible
assets, consisting of assembled workforce and goodwill, were assigned a value of
$9.8 million and will be amortized over their estimated useful lives of three
years. Management believes that the amounts are reasonable and reflect the fair
value of the assets acquired.
The unaudited pro forma combined condensed results of operations of the
Company for fiscal 1999 and 1998, had the acquisition occurred at the beginning
of each fiscal year presented (in thousands except per share amounts):
1999 1998
-------- --------
Net revenue............................................. $ 7,264 $ 12,615
Net loss................................................ $(29,063) $(25,244)
Net loss per share...................................... $ (1.34) $ (1.33)
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined results for fiscal 1999 and 1998
exclude the effects of the write-off of acquired in-process research and
development and other merger costs of $28.9 million, as such amounts are
non-recurring. The unaudited pro forma information is presented for illustrative
purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results that
would have occurred had the transaction been completed at the beginnings of the
periods indicated, nor is it necessarily indicative of future operating results.
64
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
3. INVESTMENTS
Investments consist of the following (in thousands):
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED ESTIMATED
COST GAIN/(LOSS) FAIR VALUE
--------- ----------- ----------
JUNE 30, 2000
Money market funds.......................................... $ 9,352 $ -- $ 9,352
Commercial paper............................................ 7,991 5 7,996
Corporate debt securities................................... 14,698 (37) 14,661
-------- ----- --------
32,041 (32) 32,009
Less amounts classified as cash equivalents................. (17,343) (5) (17,348)
-------- ----- --------
Total short-term investments................................ 14,698 (37) 14,661
Long-term investments (corporate debt securities)........... 4,556 (4) 4,552
-------- ----- --------
Total investments........................................... $ 19,254 $ (41) $ 19,213
======== ===== ========
JUNE 30, 1999
Money market funds.......................................... $ 5,835 $ -- $ 5,835
Corporate debt securities................................... 19,598 (76) 19,522
-------- ----- --------
25,433 (76) 25,357
Less amounts classified as cash equivalents................. (5,835) -- (5,835)
-------- ----- --------
Total short-term investments................................ 19,598 (76) 19,522
Long-term investments (corporate debt securities)........... 14,863 (33) 14,830
-------- ----- --------
Total investments........................................... $ 34,461 $(109) $ 34,352
======== ===== ========
Unrealized gains were not material and therefore have been netted against
unrealized losses. We had no realized gains or losses in any period presented.
At June 30, 2000, the contractual maturities of short-term investments were
all due in one year or less, while all long-term investments have contractual
maturities of between one and two years.
4. COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENTS
ROCHE HOLDINGS LTD. ("ROCHE")
Pursuant to the merger with GeneMedicine, Inc. in March 1999, Valentis
acquired the rights under a corporate collaboration agreement with Corange, the
parent company of Boehringer Mannheim and now a subsidiary of Roche originally
signed in February 1995. The agreement provides for research and development of
gene medicines to treat head and neck tumors and melanoma (the "Roche
Agreement"). Pursuant to the Roche Agreement, Roche agreed to fund
$25.0 million of research and development at $5.0 million per year plus certain
amounts for the achievement of milestones of which $20.9 million had been funded
prior to the merger with GeneMedicine. Roche also made equity investments in
GeneMedicine that were converted into 611,785 shares of Valentis common stock at
the time of the merger and acquired a five-year warrant to purchase 611,785
shares of Valentis common stock at an exercise price of $36.78 per share. The
warrant was not exercised and expired on April 11, 1999. Revenue recognized
under the collaborative research agreement with Roche, after the merger with
GeneMedicine was
65
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
$3.8 million (68% of total revenue) and $1.0 million (24% of total revenue) for
the years ended June 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Fiscal year 2000 revenue
included $3.0 million of research and development funding and a milestone
payment of $750,000.
In August 1998, the Roche Agreement was amended and extended through
February 2002. The amendment modified the field of the agreement to gene therapy
using the IL-2, IFN-a or IL-12 genes for the treatment of cancer, and required
Valentis to conduct a Phase II clinical trial of the IL-2 gene medicine, and a
Phase I/II clinical trial for each of the IFN-a and IL-12 gene medicines. As
part of the amendment, we received the right to commercialize products developed
under the agreement if Roche does not initiate Phase III clinical trials on
products within twelve months after the completion of Phase II trials. Valentis
also agreed to forego a $2 million equity purchase by Roche due on February 1,
1999 in return for a $2 million payment to be made to us by February 1, 2000 for
reimbursement of development activities and an additional $2 million milestone
upon enrollment of the first patient in a Phase III clinical study.
Subsequently, Valentis and Roche signed a further amendment postponing the
$2 million payment due on February 1, 2000 to February 1, 2001.
If Valentis continues to meet the milestones for the development of gene
medicines under the Roche Agreement, we may be entitled to milestone payments of
up to $8.3 million. If Valentis fails to reach certain milestones by 2002, we
may have to fund an additional year of research at our own expense, not to
exceed $5.0 million. Accordingly, $5.0 million is included in deferred revenue.
Upon successful completion of Phase II clinical testing, Valentis may elect
either to receive up to 50 percent of potential profits on worldwide product
sales by agreeing to share development and commercialization expenses or to
receive royalty payments based on worldwide product sales.
Also through the merger with GeneMedicine, Valentis acquired a worldwide
exclusive license, with the right to sublicense, from Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc., now
also a subsidiary of Roche, for its cationic lipid gene delivery technology
(DOTMA) for IN VIVO gene therapy uses. The rights under this agreement continue
even though the original agreement with Syntex ended.
ELI LILLY AND COMPANY ("LILLY")
In May 1997, Valentis entered into a two-year collaborative research
agreement with Lilly, which was extended through July 2000, to develop gene
medicines using BRCA1, a gene that has been identified as a putative tumor
suppressor. Under the agreement, Lilly received the exclusive worldwide rights
to develop, make, use and sell gene-based therapeutics incorporating BRCA1
resulting from the corporate collaboration. Lilly is responsible for conducting
clinical trials, large-scale clinical and commercial manufacturing, and sales
and marketing of any gene-based therapeutics resulting from the corporate
collaboration. The agreement provided for research and development funding as
well as funding to support manufacturing and process development efforts.
Preclinical work has been completed and the parties are currently evaluating the
data to determine the efficacy of the BRCA1 gene. The results of that analysis
will determine the future of the program.
No additional future cash payments are expected from Lilly under the current
agreement. If Lilly decides to continue the project, the companies must agree on
an appropriate level of research and development efforts and funding. The
agreement provides for certain royalty and milestone payments to Valentis upon
the occurrence of specified events as set forth in the agreement. Lilly will be
responsible for clinical development and regulatory functions, as well as
large-scale clinical and commercial manufacturing and sales and marketing.
66
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
Revenue recognized under the collaborative research agreement with Lilly was
$494,000 (9% of total revenue), $2.2 million (53% of total revenue) and
$4.0 million (50% of total revenue) for the years ended June 30, 2000, 1999 and
1998, respectively. In June 1997, in connection with the Lilly agreement, Lilly
purchased 285,714 shares of Valentis' Series F preferred stock at $10.50 per
share, which were converted into an equal number of shares of common stock in
September 1997.
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL GMBH ("BI")
In September 1999, Valentis announced that it has entered into a
collaborative agreement with BI in the field of gene therapy for rheumatoid
arthritis. Under the terms of the agreement, BI and Valentis will conduct
evaluations of Valentis' proprietary delivery and expression systems in
combination with BI's proprietary genes in several animal models of rheumatoid
arthritis. This agreement provides for research funding of $800,000 over the
15-month term of the agreement. Revenue recognized under the collaborative
research agreement with BI was $533,000 for the year ended June 30, 2000.
PALLIANCE WITH DSM BIOLOGICS ("DSM")--QIAGEN N.V. ("QIAGEN")
In September 1998, Valentis and DSM Biologics (formerly
Gist-Brocades/Bio-Intermediair) announced the formation of a strategic
collaboration focused on the manufacture and supply of DNA plasmids and
formulated DNA to the gene therapy industry. In May 1999 Qiagen N.V. joined the
manufacturing alliance, subsequently named the pAlliance. The goal of the
pAlliance is to provide the emerging gene therapy and genetic vaccination
industry with early access to a reliable, accepted contract manufacturing
services platform.
Valentis is contributing its process technologies and its expertise in DNA
formulation and manufacturing to the pAlliance. DSM brings manufacturing
experience as a supplier of contract manufacturing services, serving the needs
of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Qiagen is contributing
non-exclusive access to certain of its technologies and its sales and marketing
force. The agreement between the parties is intended to be the exclusive vehicle
through which the parties will provide services in the area of contract cGMP
manufacturing of plasmid and formulated DNA for genetic vaccination and gene
therapy purposes. Qiagen has begun marketing these contract manufacturing
services to the gene therapy and genetic vaccination industry in lot sizes of up
to the 3,000-liter fermentation scale.
Under the agreement, Valentis has licensed its proprietary manufacturing
technology for use in DSM facilities in Montreal, Canada and Groningen, The
Netherlands for license and milestone fees. To date, Valentis has earned
$250,000 in milestone fees under the agreement and has no performance
obligations under the contract. DSM, Qiagen and Valentis will share in the
profits generated by the sale of material produced using Valentis' process. The
pAlliance has not generated any sales to-date.
5. LICENSE AND RESEARCH AGREEMENTS
Valentis has entered into several research agreements with universities and
other organizations. These agreements are generally cancelable by either party
upon written notice and may be extended by mutual consent of both parties.
Research and development expenses are recognized as the related services are
performed, generally ratably over the period of service. Expenses under these
agreements were approximately $1.8 million, $2.5 million, and $1.1 million for
the years ended June 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
67
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
In March 1998 Valentis entered into a licensing and collaboration agreement
with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center ("UPMC") through which we
obtained an exclusive license to certain patent rights held by UPMC in the field
of viral and non-viral gene-based therapy for rheumatology. Under the terms of
the license and collaboration agreement Valentis issued 117,555 shares of common
stock in payment for the exclusive license to these patent rights. The value of
the common stock issued in the transaction was $1.5 million, which was expensed
as acquired in-process research and development in 1998. We expensed the value
of this common stock, as the technology was not complete at the date of
acquisition. Under the terms of the license agreement, Valentis is not obligated
to make royalty payments upon the sale of products, if any, in the field of
non-viral gene therapy, but is required to share revenue with UPMC at a
specified rate upon the sub-license of rights in the field of viral gene
therapy. Valentis is also obligated to make payments upon the completion of
certain milestones. Certain of the license rights may revert back to UPMC in the
event that we fail to commit resources to the development of products in the
field of rheumatology. In addition, the license and collaboration agreement with
UPMC established exclusive collaborations between Valentis and several
researchers at UPMC for the research and development of gene-based therapies in
the field of rheumatology. Intellectual property developed by UPMC under the
collaboration is included in the exclusive license to Valentis described above
at no additional cost to us.
6. OTHER ACQUIRED TECHNOLOGY
In April 1999, Valentis acquired rights to intellectual property related to
the Del-1 gene and protein from Progenitor, Inc. Del-1 is a novel extracellular
matrix protein involved in early growth and development of blood vessels and
bone that has been demonstrated to have potential application in the treatment
of certain vascular diseases by stimulating angiogenesis. We expensed the cost
paid to Progenitor for Del-1 of $900,000 as acquired in-process research and
development as the technology was not complete at the date of acquisition.
Valentis is obligated to make payments to Vanderbilt University upon the
achievement of certain milestones, to share revenue received from sublicensing
at a specified rate, and to make royalty payments on sales of products, if any.
7. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
JUNE 30,
-------------------
2000 1999
-------- --------
Machinery and equipment.................................. $ 7,998 $ 7,137
Furniture and fixtures................................... 1,968 1,604
Leasehold improvements................................... 10,885 10,710
-------- -------
20,851 19,451
Less accumulated depreciation............................ (11,523) (7,554)
-------- -------
Property and equipment, net.............................. $ 9,328 $11,897
======== =======
68
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
8. ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Acquired intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):
JUNE 30,
-------------------
2000 1999
-------- --------
Assembled workforce........................................ $ 1,558 $1,250
Goodwill................................................... 15,334 8,581
------- ------
16,892 9,831
Accumulated amortization................................... (5,836) (819)
------- ------
$11,056 $9,012
======= ======
9. LONG-TERM DEBT
OPERATING LINE OF CREDIT
In June 1998, Valentis established a line of credit for $8.0 million with a
commercial bank. In May 1998 in accordance with the terms of the agreement, the
entire balance was converted into a term loan at the bank's prime rate plus 0.5%
with payments due in equal monthly installments. At June 30, 2000, the
outstanding balance was $4.5 million. The loan is secured by tangible personal
property, other than the assets securing the equipment financing, accounts
receivable and funds on deposit. As a condition of the credit line, Valentis
must maintain a minimum cash and short-term investments balance of not less than
the prior two quarters net cash usage and Valentis' net worth must remain in
excess of 90% of the total principal drawn under the line of credit. Valentis
has fully utilized the borrowing capacity under this agreement.
EQUIPMENT FINANCING
In October 1998, Valentis entered into an equipment financing agreement with
a financing company. We financed $366,000 in equipment purchases under this
agreement structured as a loan. The equipment loan is being repaid over
43 months at an interest rate of 10.1% and is secured by the related equipment.
As of June 30, 2000, the outstanding balance under this financing agreement was
$313,000. Valentis has fully utilized the borrowing capacity under this
agreement.
In May 1996, Valentis entered into an equipment financing agreement for up
to $2.7 million with a financing company. We have financed $2.7 million in
equipment purchases under this agreement structured as loans. The equipment
loans are to be repaid over 48 months at interest rates ranging from 15.2% to
16.2% and are secured by the related equipment. As of June 30, 2000, the
outstanding balance under this financing agreement was $944,000. Valentis has
fully utilized the borrowing capacity under this agreement. In conjunction with
this equipment financing agreement, we issued a warrant to purchase 38,238
shares of common stock at $3.88 per share (see Note 11).
69
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
Following is a schedule of future minimum principal payments under the
operating lines of credit and equipment financing arrangements at June 30, 2000
(in thousands):
Year ended June 30,
2001........................................................ $3,058
2002........................................................ 2,576
2003........................................................ 138
------
$5,772
======
The carrying amounts of these long-term debt obligations approximate their
fair value determined using a discounted cash flow model and Valentis' current
incremental borrowing rate.
10. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS
Valentis leases its facilities and certain equipment under operating leases.
These leases expire between April 2001 and October 2007 with renewal options at
the end of the initial terms of the facilities leases. Minimal annual rental
commitments under the operating leases at June 30, 2000 are as follows (in
thousands):
Year ended June 30,
2001...................................................... $1,487
2002...................................................... 1,389
2003...................................................... 1,407
2004...................................................... 1,412
2005...................................................... 877
Thereafter................................................ 570
------
$7,142
======
Rent expense for the years ended June 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998 was
approximately $1.7 million, $804,000 and $526,000, respectively.
11. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
COMMON STOCK
On July 30, 1999, the Company's stockholders approved an amendment to
Valentis' Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the
authorized number of shares of our common stock from 30,000,000 to 45,000,000.
In April 2000, Valentis completed a private placement of 1,915,000 shares of
newly issued common stock at $10.00 per share, resulting in net proceeds to the
Company of approximately $18.8 million.
WARRANTS
In June 1995, Valentis issued a warrant to purchase 28,969 shares of common
stock at $3.88 per share to the commercial bank providing a line of credit to
us. In accordance with the terms of the warrant, the number of shares subject to
the warrant was reduced from 28,969 to 24,140 in July 1995. The warrant was
exercised in May 2000 for a net issuance of 12,606 shares.
70
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
In connection with an equipment financing agreement in May 1996, we issued a
warrant to purchase 38,238 shares of common stock at $3.88 per share. The
warrant was exercised in January 2000 for a net issuance of 25,600 shares.
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
In July 1997, the Board of Directors amended and restated the 1993 Stock
Option Plan, renamed it as the 1997 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan")
and reserved 2,100,000 shares of Valentis' common stock for issuance under the
Incentive Plan. Shareholders approved the Incentive Plan in September 1997. An
additional 1,000,000 shares was added to the plan as approved by the
stockholders in December 1998. The Incentive Plan provides for grants to
employees, directors and consultants of Valentis. The exercise price of options
granted under the Incentive Plan is determined by the Board of Directors but
cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the
date of the grant. Options under the Incentive Plan generally vest 25% one year
after the date of grant and on a pro rata basis over the following 36 months and
expire ten years after the date of grant or 90 days after termination of
employment. Options granted under the plan cannot be repriced without the prior
approval of Valentis' stockholders.
In December 1998, the Board of Directors adopted and stockholders approved
the 1998 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Directors' Plan")
covering 200,000 shares of common stock of Valentis. Option grants under the
Directors' Plan are non-discretionary. Pursuant to the terms of the Directors'
Plan, each non-employee director, other than a non-employee director who
currently serves on the Board, automatically shall be granted, upon his or her
initial election or appointment as a non-employee director, an option to
purchase 25,000 shares of common stock, and commencing with the annual meeting
of stockholders in 1998, each person who is serving as a non-employee director
on the day following each Annual Meeting of Stockholders automatically shall be
granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock. As of June 30,
2000, options for 190,000 shares had been granted to non-employee directors
under this plan.
The merger with GeneMedicine, Inc. included the conversion of outstanding
GeneMedicine stock options into options to purchase 1.5 million shares of
Valentis common stock. These options relate to Valentis' assumption of
GeneMedicine's 1993 Stock Option Plan referred to as the "GeneMedicine Plan."
Under the terms of the GeneMedicine Plan, eligible key employees, directors and
consultants received options to purchase shares of GeneMedicine's previously
outstanding common stock at prices not less than 100% and 85% for incentive
stock and nonqualified options, respectively, of the fair value on the date of
grant as determined by GeneMedicine's Board of Directors. Options under the
GeneMedicine Plan typically vest over a four-year period and expire ten years
after the date of grant or 90 days after termination of employment. See Note 2
for more information on the acquisition of GeneMedicine.
71
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
Activity under all option plans was as follows:
OUTSTANDING STOCK OPTIONS
------------------------------------------------
WEIGHTED
SHARES NUMBER AVERAGE
AVAILABLE OF PRICE EXERCISE
FOR GRANT SHARES PER SHARE PRICE
---------- --------- ------------ --------
Balance at June 30, 1997........................ 121,699 479,615 $ 0.30-$1.50 $1.22
Additional authorization........................ 770,985 -- -- --
Options granted................................. (550,722) 550,722 $2.70-$15.50 $8.15
Options exercised............................... -- (169,719) $ 0.30-$2.88 $1.28
Options canceled................................ 52,518 (52,518) $0.30-$15.50 $4.12
Shares repurchased.............................. 18,429 -- $ 0.30-$1.50 $0.43
---------- ---------
Balance at June 30, 1998........................ 412,909 808,100 $0.30-$15.50 $5.72
---------- ---------
Additional authorization........................ 1,200,000 -- -- --
Options granted................................. (572,460) 572,460 $ 4.06-$7.00 $5.58
Options exercised............................... -- (46,042) $ 0.30-$4.38 $1.86
Options canceled................................ 351,411 (351,411) $0.30-$16.64 $6.78
Options assumed in the merger with
GeneMedicine.................................. 251,346 1,479,764 $0.31-$17.08 $8.01
Shares repurchased.............................. 42,936 -- $ 0.30-$2.88 $0.97
---------- ---------
Balance at June 30, 1999........................ 1,686,142 2,462,871 $0.30-$17.08 $6.98
---------- ---------
Options granted................................. (1,066,497) 1,066,497 $3.50-$15.56 $6.30
Options exercised............................... -- (838,440) $0.30-$14.67 $6.98
Options canceled................................ 615,578 (615,578) $0.30-$17.08 $7.17
Shares repurchased.............................. 1,373 -- $ 0.30-$1.50 $0.66
---------- ---------
Balance at June 30, 2000........................ 1,236,596 2,075,350 $0.30-$16.20 $6.69
========== =========
The options outstanding at June 30, 2000 have been segregated into ranges
for additional disclosure as follows:
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE
OPTIONS REMAINING OPTIONS WEIGHTED
EXERCISE OUTSTANDING CONTRACTUAL VESTED AVERAGE
PRICE AT LIFE AT EXERCISE
PER SHARE JUNE 30, 2000 (IN YEARS) JUNE 30, 2000 PRICE
- --------------------- ------------- ----------- ------------- --------
0.30$-$3.94....... 358,392 7.35 151,917 $ 1.45
4.05$-$4.94....... 286,157 8.64 112,453 $ 4.42
5.00$-$5.91....... 537,844 8.56 141,070 $ 5.61
6.13$-$9.96....... 568,989 7.83 256,371 $ 8.34
10.0$0-$16.20..... 323,968 7.63 182,624 $13.12
--------- -------
2,075,350 8.02 844,435 $ 7.16
========= =======
The weighted average fair value of options granted in fiscal 2000, 1999 and
1998 was $6.30, $5.58 and $8.15, respectively.
At June 30, 2000, 13,473 shares of common stock at a weighted average price
of $1.50 per share were subject to repurchase.
72
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
1997 STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
In July 1997, the Board of Directors adopted the 1997 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "Purchase Plan") covering an aggregate of 200,000 shares of
common stock. The Purchase Plan was approved by stockholders in September 1997
and is qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Purchase
Plan is designed to allow eligible employees of Valentis to purchase shares of
common stock through periodic payroll deductions. The price of common stock
purchased under the Purchase Plan must be equal to at least 85% of the lower of
the fair market value of the common stock on the commencement date of each
offering period or the specified purchase date. Of the 200,000 shares reserved
under the plan, 62,997 shares were available for issuance at June 30, 2000 and
137,003 shares had been issued under the Purchase Plan at an average purchase
price of $4.75 per share.
VALENTIS INC. 401(K) PLAN
In April 1997, the Board of Directors adopted the 1997 Valentis, Inc. 401(k)
Plan (the "401(k) Plan") in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal
Revenue Code. All employees who complete at least 1,000 hours of service during
the year are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Participants may elect
to have up to 20% of their annual salary deferred and contributed to the 401(k)
Plan. Valentis has the discretion to make a matching 25% contribution in common
stock each year for every dollar contributed to the 401(k) Plan. The stock match
is priced at the closing price on December 31st of each year and vests according
to the employee's years of employment with the Company. In 2000, the Company
contributed 14,676 shares of common stock to the 401(k) Plan. Compensation
expense related to this match was approximately $132,000.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
Valentis has recorded deferred compensation expense for the difference
between the exercise price and the deemed fair value for financial statement
presentation purposes of our common stock, as determined by the Board of
Directors, for options granted through the year ended June 30, 1997. The
deferred compensation is being amortized to expense over the vesting period of
the options, generally four years. Amortization of $216,000, $513,000 and
$339,000 were recorded in 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
Valentis has elected to follow APB 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees" and related interpretations in accounting for its employee stock
options because, as discussed below, the alternative fair value accounting
provided for under SFAS 123 requires use of valuation models that were not
developed for use in valuing employee stock options. Under APB 25, if the
exercise price of Valentis' employee stock options equals the market price of
the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is
recognized.
Pro forma net loss and net loss per share information is required by
SFAS 123, which also requires that the information be determined as if Valentis
has accounted for its employee stock options granted subsequent to December 31,
1994 under the fair market value method of that statement. The fair value for
73
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
these options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes
option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTIONS STOCK PURCHASE PLAN SHARES
------------------------------ ------------------------------
YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 1999 1998 2000 1999 1998
- -------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Expected life (in years)............ 2.3 2.3 2.5 0.5 0.5 --
Risk-free interest rate............. 6.02% 4.58% 5.45% 6.06% 4.83% --
Volatility.......................... 0.97 0.93 0.70 0.97 0.93 --
Dividend yield...................... -- -- -- -- -- --
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating
the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because
Valentis' employee stock options and employee stock purchase plans have
characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and
because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the
fair market value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not
necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee
stock options and shares issued pursuant to the employee stock purchase plan.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the
options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting periods. Valentis' pro
forma information follows (in thousands except for net loss per share
information):
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
Net loss--as reported................................... $(47,655) $(44,680) $(8,378)
Net loss--pro forma..................................... $(50,174) $(45,837) $(8,708)
Net loss per share--as reported......................... $ (1.80) $ (2.90) $ (0.83)
Net loss per share--pro forma........................... $ (1.90) $ (2.97) $ (0.86)
In fiscal years 2000, 1999 and 1998, Valentis granted 65,000, 5,000 and
25,000 common stock options to consultants, respectively. In addition, 136,332
options were issued to a Director and employees who in fiscal 2000 became
consultants of Valentis. Options granted to consultants are periodically
revalued as they vest in accordance with SFAS 123 and EITF 96-18 using a
Black-Scholes model. Assumptions used for valuing the options for 2000 were an
estimated volatility of 0.97, risk free interest rate of 6.02%, no dividend
yield and an expected life of the option of 2.3 years. An expense of $696,000
was recognized in fiscal 2000 related to these grants. Expenses associated with
non-employee option grants in prior periods were not material.
12. INCOME TAXES
As of June 30, 2000, Valentis had federal net operating loss carryforwards
and federal research credit carryforwards of approximately $118 million and
$3.3 million, respectively. The net operating loss and credit carryforwards will
expire at various dates beginning in 2007 through 2020, if not utilized.
Utilization of the net operating losses and credits may be subject to a
substantial annual limitation due to the "change in ownership" provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The annual limitation may result in the
expiration of net operating losses and credits before utilization.
74
VALENTIS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 2000
Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities for
federal income taxes as of June 30 are as follows (in thousands):
2000 1999
-------- --------
Net operating loss carryforwards........................ $ 40,400 $ 31,100
Research and development credits........................ 3,700 2,500
Capitalized research and development.................... 3,700 1,900
Other, net.............................................. 2,600 3,000
-------- --------
Net deferred tax assets................................. 50,400 38,500
Valuation allowance..................................... (50,400) (38,500)
-------- --------
$ -- $ --
======== ========
The net valuation allowance increased by $11.8 million, $27.2 million and
$3.2 million during the years ended June 30, 2000, 1999, and 1998, respectively.
75