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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___________to _________
Commission file number 000-14242
CELSION CORPORATION
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE 52-1256615
- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
State or Other Jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation or Organization Identification No.)
10220-I OLD COLUMBIA ROAD
COLUMBIA, MARYLAND 21046-1705
- ---------------------------------------- -----------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(410) 290-5390
----------------------------------------------------
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b)of the Act:
Name of Each Exchange
Title of Each Class on Which Registered
- -------------------------------------- ------------------------------
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE
- -------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Not Applicable
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark 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]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer
(as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes [ ] No [X]
As of December 26, 2002, 96,492,556 shares of the Registrant's Common
Stock were issued and outstanding. As of December 26, 2002, the aggregate market
value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately
$38,188,207, based on the closing price for the Registrant's Common Stock on
that date as quoted on the American Stock Exchange.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in
connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, scheduled for February 18,
2003, are incorporated by this reference into Part III hereof, as indicated
herein.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
We develop medical treatment systems primarily to treat breast cancer
and a chronic prostate enlargement condition, common in older males, known as
benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, using minimally invasive focused heat
technology. We also are working with Duke University on the development of
heat-sensitive liposome compounds for use in the delivery of chemotherapy drugs
to tumor sites, and with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, or
Sloan-Kettering, on the development of heat-activated gene therapy compounds.
BPH TREATMENT SYSTEM
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Millions of aging men experience symptoms resulting from BPH, a
non-cancerous urological disease in which the prostate enlarges and constricts
the urethra. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland surrounding the male urethra
that produces seminal fluid and plays a key role in sperm preservation and
transportation. The prostate frequently enlarges with age. As the prostate
expands, it compresses or constricts the urethra, thereby restricting the normal
passage of urine. This restriction of the urethra may require a patient to exert
excessive bladder pressure to urinate. Because the urination process is one of
the body's primary means of cleansing impurities, the inability to urinate
adequately increases the possibility of infection and bladder and kidney damage.
Prevalence of BPH
As BPH is an age-related disorder, its incidence increases with
maturation of the population. Industry estimates suggest that more than 9
million men in the United States experience BPH symptoms and that more than 26
million men are affected by BPH worldwide. As the population continues to age,
the prevalence of BPH can be expected to continue to increase. It is generally
estimated that approximately 50% of men over the age of 55 and 90% of men over
75 will have BPH symptoms at various times. Industry studies estimate the
overall costs of BPH therapy for those patients currently seeking treatment to
be approximately $2.5 to $3.0 billion annually in the United States and $8.0 to
$10.0 billion worldwide.
Current Treatment Alternatives for BPH
Like cancerous tumors, BPH historically has been treated by surgical
intervention or by drug therapy.The primary treatment for BPH currently is
transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP, a surgical procedure in which
the prostatic urethra and surrounding diseased tissue in the prostate are
trimmed with a telescopic knife, thereby widening the urethral channel for urine
flow. While the TURP procedure typically has been considered the most effective
treatment available for the relief of BPH symptoms, the procedure has
shortcomings. In the first instance, TURP generally requires from one to three
days of post-operative hospitalization. In addition, a significant percentage of
patients who undergo TURP encounter significant complications, which can include
painful urination, infection, retrograde ejaculation, impotence, incontinence
and excessive bleeding. Furthermore, the cost of the TURP procedure and the
related hospitalization is high, ranging from $8,000 to $12,000. This cost does
not take into account the costs of lost work time, which could amount to several
weeks, or the costs related to adverse effects on patients' quality of life.
Other, less radical, surgical procedures, generally categorized as
"minimally invasive," or MI, therapies, are available as alternatives to the
TURP procedure. The primary MI treatments use microwave heating (transurethral
microwave thermotherapy of the prostate, or TUMT) to treat BPH by incinerating
the obstructing portion of the prostate. TUMT involves sedation, catheterization
and high levels of heat to incinerate a portion of the prostate. Two other MI
therapies--interstitial RF therapy and laser therapy--employ, respectively,
concentrated radio frequency, or RF, waves or laser radiation to reduce prostate
swelling by cauterizing tissue instead of removing it with a surgical knife.
However, these procedures require puncture incisions in order to insert
cauterizing RF or laser probes into the affected tissue and, therefore, also
2
involve the use of a full operating facility and anesthesia, as well as the
burning of prostate tissue by the probes. Although these procedures result in
less internal bleeding and damage to the urethra than the TURP procedure and may
decrease the adverse effects and costs associated with surgery, anesthesia and
post-operative tissue recovery, they do not entirely eliminate these adverse
consequences.
Finally, drug therapy has emerged as an alternative to surgery in the
last several years. There currently are several drugs available for BPH
treatment, the two most widely prescribed being Hytrin and Proscar. Hytrin works
by relaxing certain involuntary muscles surrounding the urethra, thereby easing
urinary flow and Proscar is intended to shrink the enlarged gland. However,
industry studies have asserted that drug therapy costs $500 to $800 per year or
more, must be maintained for life and does not offer consistent relief to a
large number of BPH patients. In fact, studies have shown that 45% of patients
who begin drug therapy for BPH drop out within the first year, primarily due to
the ineffectiveness of currently available drug therapies. Also, all of the
currently available BPH drugs have appreciable side effects.
Accordingly, neither the medicinal treatments nor the surgical
alternatives presently available appear to provide fully satisfactory,
cost-effective treatment solutions for BPH sufferers.
Celsion BPH Treatment System
We have developed a BPH treatment system--"Microwave
Uretheroplasty(TM)"--that combines our microwave thermotherapy capability with a
proprietary balloon compression technology licensed from MMTC, Inc. The system
consists of a microwave generator and conductors and a computer and computer
software programs that control the focusing and application of heat, plus a
specially designed balloon catheter. Treatment using this system consists of two
fundamental elements:
- Celsion's proprietary catheter, incorporating a balloon enlargement
device, delivers computer-controlled transurethral microwave heating
directly to the prostate at temperatures greater than 44 degrees C (111
degrees F).
- Simultaneously, the balloon inflates the device and expands to press the
walls of the urethra from the inside outward as the surrounding prostate
tissue is heated.
The combined effect of this "heat plus compression" therapy is twofold:
first, the heat denatures the proteins in the wall of the urethra, causing a
stiffening of the opening created by the inflated balloon. Second, the heat
effectively kills off prostate cells outside the wall of the urethra, thereby
creating sufficient space for the enlarged natural opening.
Pre-clinical animal studies have demonstrated that a natural "stent,"
or reinforced opening, in the urethra forms after the combined heat plus
compression treatment. Also, the BPH system's relatively low temperature (43
degrees C to 45 degrees C) (109 degrees F to 113 degrees appears to be
sufficient to kill prostatic cells surrounding the urethra wall, thereby
creating space for the enlargement of the urethra opening. However, the
temperature is not high enough to cause swelling in the urethra.
Celsion's investigational, minimally invasive Microwave
Uretheroplasty(TM) treatment system is designed to overcome the limitations of
all three of the current treatment systems. It is designed to be a relatively
painless, rapid procedure that delivers the efficacy of surgical treatments
without significant risks and the potential for life-altering side effects. The
potential benefits of the Microwave Uretheroplasty(TM) system include walk-in,
outpatient treatment that can be completed in less than an hour; no required
sedation; generally no post-operative catheterization; and rapid symptomatic
relief from BPH.
Ultimate Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, approval for a device
such as our equipment typically requires two phases of clinical testing. The
purpose of Phase I testing is to show feasibility and safety and involves a
small group of patients. Phase II testing is designed to show safety and
efficacy. The FDA approved an Investigational Device Exemption, or IDE, to allow
clinical testing of our BPH system in June 1998 and we completed initial Phase I
clinical feasibility human trials of the BPH system at Montefiore Medical Center
in May 1999. In the Phase I trials, the combination of computer-controlled
microwave heat and balloon catheter expansion was able to increase peak flow
rates and to provide immediate relief of symptoms caused by BPH. In addition, we
undertook an expanded Phase I study to test an accelerated treatment protocol,
which was completed in May 2000, at Montefiore Medical Center. In July 2000, the
FDA approved the commencement of multiple-site Phase II studies to collect the
safety and efficacy data necessary for FDA premarketing approval ("PMA") for
commercialization. All 160 patients required to be treated under the Phase II
trial had been treated as of November 29, 2001 and, as of that date, we
submitted the first two of three required modules to the FDA in support of the
PMA. We expect to submit the last module, consisting of clinical data, early in
2003. If Phase II testing produces anticipated results and if our BPH system
meets all other requirements for FDA approval and receives such approval, we
intend to begin marketing the BPH system during the second calendar quarter of
2003.
3
Based on the information we have collected to date, we believe that our
BPH system has the potential to deliver a treatment that is performed in one
hour or less on an outpatient basis, generally would not require post-treatment
catheterization, and would deliver symptomatic relief and an increase in urinary
flow rates promptly after the procedure is completed.
BREAST CANCER TREATMENT SYSTEM
Prevalence of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women in the
United States. According to statistics published in the American Cancer
Society's A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, there were an average of 183,000
newly diagnosed breast cancer cases in the United States in each of the years
from 1995 through 1999.
Current Treatment for Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is presently generally treated by mastectomy, the
surgical removal of the entire breast, or by lumpectomy, the surgical removal of
the tumor and surrounding tissue. Both procedures are often followed by
radiation therapy or chemotherapy. The more severe forms of surgical
intervention can result in disfigurement and a need for extended prosthetic and
rehabilitation therapy.
In addition, heat therapy (also known as hyperthermia or thermotherapy)
is a historically recognized method of treatment of various medical conditions,
and heat therapy has been used in the past to treat malignant tumors in
conjunction with radiation and chemotherapy. As summarized in the Fourth Edition
of Radiobiology for the Radiologist, published in 1994 by J.B. Lippincott
Company, in 24 independent studies on an aggregate of 2,234 tumors, treatment
consisting of heat plus radiation resulted in an average doubling of the
complete response rate of tumors, compared to the use of radiation alone. The
complete response rate for this purpose means the total absence of a treated
tumor for a minimum of two years. Comparable increases in the complete response
rate were reported with the use of heat combined with chemotherapy. In addition,
it has been demonstrated on numerous occasions that properly applied heat, alone
and without the concurrent use of radiation, can also kill cancer cells.
Heat Therapy in Conjunction with Radiation; First Generation Celsion
Equipment
In 1989, we obtained FDA premarketing approval for our microwave-based
Microfocus 1000 heat therapy equipment for use on surface and subsurface tumors
in conjunction with radiation therapy. Until 1995, we marketed our Microfocus
equipment for this use in 23 countries, but microwave heat therapy was not
widely accepted in the United States medical community as an effective cancer
treatment. Moreover, due to the limitations of microwave technology available at
the time, it was difficult to deliver a controlled amount of heat to subsurface
tumors without overheating surrounding healthy tissue.
New Microwave Technology from MIT
In 1993, we began working with researchers at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, or MIT, who had developed, originally for the United
States Defense Department, the microwave control technology known as "Adaptive
Phased Array", or APA. This technology permits properly designed microwave
equipment to focus and concentrate energy targeted at diseased tissue areas deep
within the body and to heat them selectively, without adverse impact on
surrounding healthy tissue. In 1996, MIT granted us an exclusive worldwide
license to use this technology for medical applications and, since that time, we
have concentrated on developing a second generation of Microfocus equipment
capable of focusing microwave energy on specific tissue areas. We have now
incorporated the APA technology in our second-generation microwave therapy
equipment.
Second Generation Celsion Breast Cancer Treatment System
Using the APA technology, we have developed a prototype breast cancer
treatment system intended to destroy localized breast tumors through the
application of heat alone. The system consists of a microwave generator and
conductors, a computer and computer software programs that control the focusing,
application and duration of the thermotherapy, and a specially designed patient
treatment table.
4
In 1998, we completed pre-clinical animal testing of our prototype
system at the Massachusetts General Hospital, a teaching hospital for Harvard
Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. Using breast tissue-equivalent phantoms
and tumors in live animals, these studies demonstrated that our system is
capable of selectively heating tumors at temperatures up to 46 degrees C (115
degrees F) without damage to surrounding healthy tissues. High temperatures
maintained for eight to ten minutes can cause complete tumor necrosis (death),
leading to the death of viable cancer cells within the tumor and in its
immediate vicinity. A second prototype clinical breast cancer treatment system
at Oxford University in England was used to demonstrate successfully the ability
of our equipment to focus heat deep into animal tissue at precise locations and
in small target areas. In our view, these animal tests demonstrate that it is
possible to eliminate tumors by heat alone and without the use of radiation.
Using the pre-clinical data from Massachusetts General, the FDA granted Celsion
a supplemental premarketing approval to incorporate the APA technology with
Celsion's already approved Microfocus 1000 system. The APA technology enhances
the ability of the Microfocus 1000 system to focus energy.
In January 1999, we received an IDE from the FDA to permit clinical
testing of our breast cancer treatment system, and also received FDA approval to
proceed with Phase I human clinical studies. In August 2000, we completed the
treatment of ten patients in the Phase I study using our breast cancer equipment
at Columbia Hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida, and at Harbor UCLA Medical
Center in Torrance, California. In the study, our equipment was clinically
tested on female breast tumors on a minimally invasive basis through a single
application of precisely controlled and targeted heat. In December 2000, we
received approval from the FDA to commence Phase II trials for our breast cancer
system.
The Phase II trials consist of two protocols--the first (IIA) is
designed to ablate (kill) small breast tumors using heat alone and the second
(IIB) is designed to downsize large breast cancer tumors using a combination of
heat and chemotherapy, thus allowing a surgeon to perform a lumpectomy rather
than a mastectomy, thereby preserving the affected breast. These trials are
currently under way at The Center for Breast Surgery (Columbia/HCA) in Florida,
Comprehensive Breast Center in Florida, Harbor UCLA in California, Mroz-Baier
Breast Care Center in Memphis, Tennessee, Halle Martin Luther Breast Center in
Halle, Germany, and with Dr. Lynne Clarke in Tacoma, Washington. We expect to
add a total of four additional sites, in the United States and in Europe, early
in 2003. In July 2002, we reached the endpoint for the IIB protocol by
determining the maximum heat dosage required to optimize the treatment. We have
learned from our current and potential clinical investigators that our breast
cancer treatment system has the potential to meet a significant unmet need in
the realm of breast cancer treatment. Currently 25% to 30% of all lumpectomy
patients are recalled for a second surgery (commonly referred to as a second
incision) when, through pathological examinations, the surgeon discovers that
viable cancer cells remain in the margins surrounding the area from which the
tumor has been removed. This additional procedure is costly for the surgeon and
other medical providers and traumatic for the patient.
We believe that studies will demonstrate that our treatment system, in
conjunction with lumpectomy, would lead to a reduction in the rate of second
incisions. Based on our Phase II trial results to date and our new learning, we
decided to revise our IIB protocol to provide a clinical endpoint demonstrating
that the incidence of second incision could be significantly reduced if a
patient underwent treatment with our system prior to lumpectomy. We submitted
the revision of our IIB protocol to the FDA in July 2002 and, in August 2002,
the FDA approved our revised protocol on condition that the IIB trials be
expanded from 43 to 222 patients, with half the patients being treated with
Celsion's system followed by lumpectomy and the remainder undergoing
conventional lumpectomies alone. At the same time, we reviewed and revised our
IIA protocol to clarify the clinical endpoints. As revised, the IIA trials will
now be fully randomized against patients receiving preoperative chemotherapy
alone and the study size has been increased from 130 to 312 patients. Treatments
under both protocols were halted while the revisions were in process. We
anticipate that both the IIA and IIB trials will be completed by the end of
calendar year 2003 and, if successful, that we will file for the addition of new
indications of use to the existing FDA premarketing approval for our Microfocus
1000 equipment early in 2004.
THERMO-LIPOSOMES--DUKE UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY
Background
Liposomes are man-made microscopic spheres with a liquid membrane,
developed in the 1980's to encapsulate drugs for targeted delivery. Commercial
liposomes can now encapsulate chemotherapeutic drugs, enabling them to avoid
destruction by the body's immune system, and allowing them to accumulate in
tumors. However, with presently available technology, it often takes two to four
hours for commercial liposomes to release their drug contents to a tumor,
severely limiting the clinical efficacy of liposome chemotherapy treatments.
5
Development of Thermo-Sensitive Liposomes
A team of Duke University scientists has developed heat-sensitive
liposomes comprised of materials that rapidly change porosity when heated to a
specific point. As the heat-sensitive liposomes circulate within the small
arteries, arterioles, and capillaries, the drug contents of the liposomes are
released at significantly higher levels in those tissue areas which have been
heated for 30 to 60 minutes than in areas that do not receive heat. In animal
trials, it has been determined that heat-sensitive liposomes deposited 50 times
the amount of drugs at a specific heated tissue site, when compared to
conventional liposomes. We have been a sponsor of this research, which is part
of a larger Duke University project to develop new temperature-sensitive
liposomes, temperature-sensitive gene promoters and related compounds, and we
are the exclusive licensee of Duke University's heat-activated liposome
technology.
Celsion's focused microwave equipment is used to provide minimally
invasive heating of cancerous tumors to trigger heat-activated liposomes within
the tumors. The heat-activated liposomes, which encapsulate chemotherapeutic
agents, are injected into the bloodstream, where they remain encapsulated until
they release their drug payload inside the heated tumor. In preliminary tumor
growth delay studies conducted at Duke University, tumor-bearing mice received a
single intravenous injection of the liposome with a 5mg per kilogram Doxorubicin
concentration. This was immediately followed by heating of the tumor to 42
degrees C (108 degrees F) for one hour. The result of the study was a complete
disappearance of the tumors in 11 out of 11 mice. These animals remained disease
free through the 60 days of the study.
In November 2001, we completed large animal toxicity studies involving
our Doxorubicin-laden thermo-liposome at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, a
cancer research organization in Buffalo, New York. In March 2002, we filed an
Investigational New Drug, or IND, application with the FDA for the use of this
liposome in the treatment of prostate cancer using our Microfocus equipment as
the means of heat activation. In June 2002, the IND became effective, allowing
us to proceed with human clinical trials. We expect to start the Phase I
clinical trials at Roswell Park Cancer Institute early in 2003.
In addition, in January 2001, we entered into a Material Transfer
Agreement, or MTA, with the National Cancer Institute, or NCI, under which we
are supplying heat-activated liposomes to enable the NCI to conduct clinical
trials on liver cancer. NCI will use an RF heating device to isolate the tumors
and to heat the liver, activating Celsion's heat-activated liposomes to kill
peripheral cancer cells. Liver cancer has yet to be successfully treated with
existing treatment modalities. NCI expects to complete the animal toxicity
studies and submit an IND application to the FDA for approval early in 2003.
Celsion and Duke University are pursuing further development work and
pre-clinical studies aimed at using the new thermo-liposome technology in
conjunction with our APA focused heat technology for a variety of applications,
including cancer chemotherapy. We view the Duke thermo-liposome technology as a
highly promising improvement in the delivery of medicines used to combat serious
diseases. For example, the drugs used to fight cancer in chemotherapy regimens
are often toxic when administered in large quantities, and produce nausea,
vomiting, and exhaustion--all side effects of the body being poisoned. However,
if such a drug can be delivered directly to a tissue area where it is needed, as
opposed to being distributed through the entire circulatory system, the local
concentration of the drug could be increased without the side effects that
accompany large systemic dosing.
In addition, in the July 1, 2000 issue of Cancer Research, a Duke
University research scientist reported on his initial use of heat to activate
gene therapy and to increase the production in animals of Interleukin-12, a
genetic protein, in order to delay tumor growth. On August 8, 2000, we entered
into an agreement with Duke University, subsequently renewed for six-month
periods, under which Celsion has the right, for a period of six months
thereafter, to negotiate an exclusive license for this technology.
Production of Heat-Sensitive Liposomes
We have established a relationship with British Columbia Cancer
Authority, or BCCA, of Vancouver, Canada to provide Quality System Regulation,
or QSR (formerly Good Manufacturing Practices, or GMP), production of our
heat-activated liposome for our large animal toxicity studies under our Material
Transfer Agreement with the National Cancer Institute and for our planned Phase
I clinical study in humans. BCCA is a leading drug formulation and discovery
company that specializes in liposome drug development. Celsion will require a
large-scale liposome manufacturer at such time, if any, as it reaches Phase II
clinical trials and beyond. Toward that end, we are in the process of
identifying a large-scale producer of the Doxorubicin-based heat-activated
liposome.
6
HEAT-ACTIVATED GENE THERAPY COMPOUNDS--SLOAN-KETTERING TECHNOLOGY
Background
Cancer cells have the ability to repair themselves after radiation or
chemotherapy. Thus, patients require repeated treatments to destroy
substantially all of the cancer cells. Celsion has licensed from Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center a biomedical innovation that we believe has
significant potential to improve cancer therapy. Sloan-Kettering has developed a
biological modifier that inhibits cancer cells' ability to repair themselves.
Activated by focused heat, this Cancer Repair Inhibitor, or CRI, temporarily
disables the repair mechanism of cancer cells, making it possible to reduce
significantly the number of radiation/chemotherapy treatments and/or lower the
treatment dosage.
A standard approach to treating cancer is radiation therapy combined
with chemotherapy. High doses of radiation kill cancer cells or keep them from
dividing, but produce chronic or acute side effects, including fatigue,
neutropenia, anemia and leukopenia. Also, depending on the location of the
tumor, other acute side effects may occur, including diarrhea, allopecia and
various foreign ulcers. Chemotherapy presents comparable or more serious side
effects.
Oncologists are seeking methods to mitigate these side effects. In
radiation therapy, such methods include hyperfractionated radiation,
intra-operative radiation, three-dimensional radiation, stereotactic
radiosurgery and the use of radio-labeled monoclonal antibodies and radio
sensitizers. CRI falls into this latter category because it "sensitizes" a
cancer cell for treatment by making it more susceptible to DNA-damaging agents
such as heat, chemicals or radiation. A product of advances in the understanding
of the biology of cancer, CRI is one of a new class of "biologics" that are
expected to become part of the cancer treatment protocol.
The Celsion Technology--CRI Plus Focused Heat
CRI can be activated in tumors by minimally invasive focused heat in
the range of 41 degrees C (106 degrees F). This focused heat may be generated by
Celsion's Adaptive Phased Array microwave technology, which provides deep
heating without damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Having increased the
susceptibility of cancer cells to DNA-damaging agents, radiation and
chemotherapy treatment may then be administered with less frequency and/or at
lower doses than currently is possible. CRI would then deactivate and the
patient would resume normal post-treatment care.
In September 2001, scientists at Sloan-Kettering successfully completed
pre-clinical laboratory feasibility demonstrations to assess the safety and
biological activity of CRI. In December 2001, a small animal feasibility study
was completed at Sloan-Kettering's Good Laboratory Practice facility to assist
in drug formulation. Further studies with large animals to assess toxicity
effects are being conducted and are expected to continue into 2003. Based on the
current development timeline, we expect to file an IND application with the Food
and Drug Administration by the end of calendar year 2003 and anticipate that we
will be in a position to commence Phase I clinical (human) trials before the end
of calendar year 2004. At such time as we determine safety and dosage in our
preliminary studies, we expect to form partnership(s) with one or more drug
companies to scale-up manufacturing and marketing for larger pivotal studies.
In May 2000, we entered into an exclusive worldwide agreement for the
commercial rights to the CRI, heat-activated gene therapy technology developed
by Sloan-Kettering.
DEVELOPMENT, MARKETING AND SALES STRATEGY
OVERVIEW AND GOALS
We are not currently engaged in marketing and sales, and are focusing
our activities on the development and testing of our products. Our strategic
plan is based upon our expertise and experience in the medical application of
focused microwave heat and our relationships with and license rights from our
institutional research partners. Our goal has been to employ these resources to
develop minimally invasive or non-invasive treatment technologies with efficacy
significantly exceeding that available from other sources. Using our management
and staff, scientific advisory personnel and available financial resources, we
are focusing our efforts on the following goals:
o Short-Term Goals: 12 to 24 Months
- complete the clinical testing and commercialization of our BPH treatment
system;
- complete the development, clinical testing, and commercialization of our
second generation technology for the eradication of cancerous breast
tumors; and
7
- pursue the development and testing of targeted drug delivery via
heat-sensitive liposomes for the purpose of concentrating
chemotherapeutic drugs at tumor sites.
o Longer-Term Goals: 18 Months and Beyond
- continue the development of gene therapy to significantly improve the
effectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy on tumors; and
- initiate, either alone or with partners, the development of
cost-effective enhancements and variations of our technology, including
a version of our Microfocus equipment for treating prostate and other
cancers, and additional potential applications for heat-sensitive
liposome therapy and heat-activated gene therapy in the treatment of
inflammatory, infectious and genetic diseases.
We anticipate that, in the near term (up to 24 months), the source of
our revenues will be from our proprietary technology for BPH and for treatment
of breast cancer and deep-seated tumors through the use of focused microwave
heat therapy equipment, if the necessary testing and regulatory approval
processes are completed. We intend to generate initial sales through the
development of marketing alliances.
In the longer term (from 18 months to 36 months and beyond), we will
seek to develop new revenue streams from our current work with Duke University
in targeted drug delivery systems and with Sloan-Kettering in gene therapy. We
anticipate that revenues will come from the licensing of this technology to
pharmaceutical manufacturers and major institutional health care providers who
would employ these technologies to deliver drug regimens or gene therapy
throughout the body. Also, because this technology is designed to be used in
conjunction with our APA-improved microwave equipment, we expect that the
acceptance of the technology will generate demand for our equipment which, in
turn, is expected to create equipment sales revenues. To prepare for future
marketing of our heat-sensitive drug delivery systems, we intend to explore the
possibilities of forming alliances with pharmaceutical companies, major
hospitals and health maintenance organizations.
BPH TREATMENT SYSTEM
Our BPH treatment system is expected to be marketed to the
constituencies critical to its success. Particularly, towards the approximately
two million readily identified BPH sufferers currently employing drug therapies,
as well as the estimated seven million United States men afflicted with BPH who
are not currently being treated--the "watchful waiters"--with a focused message
designed to encourage these BPH sufferers to take advantage of a solution that
will relieve their symptoms and help to restore the quality of their lives. We
expect that this marketing effort will include the following elements:
o Reimbursement
- We have established reimbursement under the TUMT reimbursement code for
Medicare patients participating in our Phase II clinical trials. Based
on this precedent, we expect that our BPH treatment will be covered in a
like manner by private insurers.
o Targeting Key Constituencies:
- Urology Practices. We expect first to target large urology practices,
starting with the large practices participating in our Phase II trial.
We expect that our Microwave Uretheroplasty(TM) equipment will be placed
in urologists' offices with no up-front capital cost to the physicians.
The urologists will purchase a unique disposable catheter from Celsion
or its marketing partner for each treatment. We believe that urology
practices have experienced a loss of revenue to primary care physicians
as a result of new drug therapies introduced to treat BPH and other
urological disorders and that urologists will be favorably disposed
toward our Microwave Uretheroplasty(TM) system, which could offer them a
significant new revenue source.
- Consumers. We also expect BPH sufferers will be targeted through
aggressive use of promotional and advertising media. Due to the
specificity of our target patient audience (males 50 years and older)
and the geographic concentration of retirees, we expect that specific
media in well defined and discrete markets will generate a high level of
awareness of the availability of, and interest in, our treatment system.
We also expect that the Internet and other electronic methods will be
utilized to direct prospective patients to urology offices equipped to
perform our Microwave Uretheroplasty(TM) procedure.
8
- Primary Care Physicians. The marketing approach has been designed to
bypass primary care physicians, whom we believe to be the most
significant barrier to the success of our BPH treatment system.
Generally, under current managed care protocols, a patient must first
visit his primary care physician who, after reviewing the patient's
symptoms, may either treat him or refer him to a specialist. With
increasing availability of drug therapies to treat urological disorders,
the number of referrals to urologists has been declining. We intend to
ensure that BPH sufferers are aware of our Microwave Uretheroplasty(TM)
treatment system so that they are in a position to insist that they be
referred to a urologist to obtain treatment.
Celsion does not plan to develop an internal sales and
marketing capability for its BPH business. Rather, Celsion intends to
enter into a strategic alliance with a larger medical products company
regarding the sales, supply and distribution of its Microwave
Uretheroplasty(TM) treatment system. Such a strategic relationship
should allow Celsion to maintain its focus on its core development
activities while leveraging its sales force infrastructure and
marketing expertise.
LICENSE AGREEMENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
We do not own any patents, although we do have three United States
patents pending, two of which have been filed internationally. Two of our
pending United States patent applications are directed to our BPH treatment
system, with the third directed to our breast cancer treatment. Through our
license agreements with MIT, MMTC, Duke and Sloan-Kettering, we have exclusive
rights, within defined fields of use, to nine United States patents. Three of
these patents relate to the treatment of BPH, four relate to thermotherapy for
cancer, including the APA technology, one relates to heat-sensitive liposomes
and one relates to gene therapy.
The MIT, MMTC, Duke University and Sloan-Kettering license agreements
each contain license fee, royalty and/or research support provisions, testing
and regulatory milestones, and other performance requirements that we must meet
by certain deadlines with respect to the use of the licensed technologies. In
conjunction with the patent holders, we intend to file international
applications for certain of the United States patents.
In 1996, we entered into a patent license agreement with MIT, pursuant
to which we obtained exclusive rights to use of MIT's patented APA technology in
conjunction with application of heat to breast tumor conditions, the application
of heat to prostate conditions and all other medical uses. MIT has retained
certain rights in the licensed technology for non-commercial research purposes.
MIT's technology has been patented in the United States and MIT has patents
pending for its technology in China, Europe, Canada and Japan. The term of our
exclusive rights under the MIT license agreement expires on the earlier of ten
years after the first commercial sale of a product using the licensed technology
or October 24, 2009, but our rights continue on a non-exclusive basis for the
life of the MIT patents.
We entered into license agreements with MMTC in 1996 and 2002, by which
we currently have exclusive worldwide rights to MMTC's patents related to its
balloon compression technology for the treatment of prostatic disease in humans.
Our exclusive rights under the MMTC license agreements extend for the life of
MMTC's patents. MMTC currently has patents in the United States and Canada. The
terms of these patents expire at various times from April 2008 to November 2014.
In addition, MMTC also has patent applications pending in Japan and Europe.
On November 10, 1999, we entered into a license agreement with Duke
University under which we received exclusive rights (subject to certain
exceptions) to commercialize and use Duke's thermo-liposome technology. The
license agreement contains annual royalty and minimum payment provisions and
also requires us to make milestone-based royalty payments measured by various
events, including product development stages, FDA applications and approvals,
foreign marketing approvals and achievement of significant sales. However, in
lieu of such milestone-based cash payments, Duke has agreed to accept shares of
our Common Stock to be issued in installments at the time each milestone payment
is due, with each installment of shares to be calculated at the average closing
price of the Common Stock during the 20 trading days prior to issuance. The
total number of shares issuable to Duke under these provisions is subject to
adjustment in certain cases, and Duke has "piggyback" registration rights for
public offerings taking place more than one year after the effective date of the
license agreement. We are currently renegotiating certain terms of our
contractual arrangements with Duke.
Our rights under our license agreement with Duke University extend for
the longer of 20 years or the end of any term for which any relevant patents are
issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Currently, we have
rights to Duke's patent for its thermo-liposome technology in the United States,
which expires in 2018, and to future patents received by Duke in Canada, Europe,
Japan and Australia, where it has patent applications pending. The European
application can result in coverage in the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
For this technology, our license rights are worldwide, with various patent
rights covering the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany
and Japan.
9
We entered into a license agreement with Sloan-Kettering in November
2000 by which we obtained exclusive rights to Sloan-Kettering's United States
patent and to patents that Sloan-Kettering may receive in the future for its
heat-sensitive gene therapy in Japan, Canada and Europe, where it has patent
applications pending. Our rights under the agreement with Sloan-Kettering will
terminate at the later of 20 years after the date of the agreement or the last
expiration date of any patent rights covered by the agreement.
In addition to the rights available to us under completed or pending
license agreements, we rely on our own proprietary know-how and experience in
the development and use of microwave thermotherapy equipment, which we seek to
protect, in part, through proprietary information agreements with employees,
consultants and others. We cannot offer assurances that these information
agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any
breach or that these agreements, even if fully enforced, will be adequate to
prevent third-party use of our proprietary technology. Similarly, we cannot
guarantee that technology rights licensed to us by others will not be
successfully challenged or circumvented by third parties, or that the rights
granted will provide us with adequate protection. We are aware of published
patent applications filed after November 29, 2001 and issued patents belonging
to other companies, and it is uncertain whether any of those patent documents,
or patent applications filed before November 29, 2001 of which we may not have
any knowledge, will require us to alter our potential products or processes, pay
licensing fees, or cease certain activities.
MANUFACTURING
Celsion presently manufactures its BPH equipment in-house and
anticipates that it will continue to do so for the immediate future. However, as
the market develops, we expect that we will outsource some or all of our BPH
equipment manufacturing.
We believe we are best suited to conduct basic research and development
activities, to pursue a prototype product through clinical testing and
regulatory approval, to engage in initial manufacturing activities during
product launch and to market the final product. Accordingly, we do not intend to
engage in large-scale manufacturing with respect to our breast cancer treatment
system or any other possible future products, but instead intend generally to
outsource the manufacture of final commercial products, components and
disposables. Based on past experience, we do not anticipate any significant
obstacles in identifying and contracting with qualified suppliers and
manufacturers.
THIRD-PARTY REIMBURSEMENT
Third-party reimbursement arrangements will likely be essential to
commercial acceptance of our new devices, and overall cost-effectiveness and
physician advocacy will be keys to obtaining such reimbursement. We believe that
our equipment can be used to deliver treatment at substantially lower total cost
than surgical treatments for BPH or cancer or than continuous drug therapy.
Consequently, we believe that third-party payors seeking procedures that provide
quality clinical outcomes at relatively lower cost will help drive acceptance of
our products.
For BPH, our strategy is to use reimbursement codes currently approved
for TUMT in the United States and which have been approved for Medicare patients
in connection with BPH treatment in our Phase II clinical trials. For breast
cancer, we expect that our strategy for obtaining new reimbursement
authorizations in the United States will be to obtain appropriate reimbursement
codes and to perform studies in conjunction with clinical trials to establish
the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the procedures as compared to surgical
and drug treatments for BPH and cancerous breast tumors. We plan to use this
information when approaching health care payors to obtain new reimbursement
authorizations.
With the increasing use of managed care and capitation as means to
control health care costs in the United States, we believe that physicians may
view our products as a tool to treat BPH and breast cancer patients at a lower
total cost, thus providing them with a competitive advantage when negotiating
managed care contracts. This is especially important in the United States, where
a significant portion of the aging, Medicare-eligible population is moving into
a managed care system.
Subject to regulatory approval for the use of our equipment to treat
BPH and breast cancer, we anticipate that physicians will submit insurance
claims for reimbursement for such procedures to third-party payors, such as
Medicare carriers, Medicaid carriers, health maintenance organizations and
private insurers. In the United States and in international markets, third-party
reimbursement is generally available for existing therapies used to treat cancer
and BPH. The availability and level of reimbursement from such payors for the
use of our new products will be a significant factor in our ability to
commercialize these systems.
10
We expect that new regulations regarding third-party reimbursement for
certain investigational devices in the United States will allow us to pursue
early reimbursement from Medicare with individual clinical sites prior to
receiving FDA approval. However, FDA approval likely will be necessary to obtain
a national coverage determination from Medicare. The national coverage
determination for third-party reimbursement will depend on the determination of
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service, or CMS (formerly known as the
United States Health Care Financing Administration, or HCFA), which establishes
national coverage policies for Medicare carriers, including the amount to be
reimbursed, for coverage of claims submitted for reimbursement related to
specific procedures. Private insurance companies and health maintenance
organizations make their own determinations regarding coverage and reimbursement
based upon "usual and customary" fees. Reimbursement experience with a
particular third-party payor does not reflect a formal reimbursement
determination by the third-party payor. New outpatient procedure codes were
instituted on August 1, 2000. Our ability to petition successfully for these new
reimbursement codes will ultimately determine the degree of success we achieve
in implementing our business model.
Internationally, we expect to seek reimbursement approvals for
procedures utilizing our new products on an individual country basis. Some
countries currently have established reimbursement authorizations for
transurethral microwave therapy. We expect to use clinical studies and physician
advocacy to support reimbursement requests in countries in which there is
currently no reimbursement for such procedures.
REGULATION OF SALES IN THE UNITED STATES
FDA REGULATION--RESEARCH AND APPROVAL
Our research and development activities, pre-clinical tests and
clinical trials and, ultimately, the manufacturing, marketing and labeling of
our products, are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA. The Federal Food,
Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act, or PHSA and the
regulations promulgated by the FDA govern, among other things, the testing,
manufacture, safety, efficacy, labeling, storage, record keeping, approval,
advertising, promotion, import and export of our products.
Under these statutes, our Microwave Uretheroplasty(TM) treatment system
is regulated as a class III medical device, our heat-activated liposomes may be
regulated as a new drug and our CRI may be regulated as a biological product.
The steps ordinarily required before such products can be marketed in the U.S.
include; (a) pre-clinical and clinical studies; (b) the submission to the FDA of
an IDE or an IND which must become effective before human clinical trials may
commence; (c) adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials to establish
the safety and efficacy of the product; (d) the submission to the FDA of an
application for premarketing approval (PMA), a New Drug Application (NDA), or a
Biological License Application (BLA); and (e) FDA approval of the application,
including approval of all product labeling.
Pre-clinical tests include laboratory evaluation of product chemistry,
formulation and stability, as well as animal studies to assess the potential
safety and efficacy of the product. Pre-clinical safety tests must be conducted
by laboratories that comply with FDA regulations regarding Good Laboratory
Practice. The results of pre-clinical tests are submitted to the FDA as part of
an IDE or IND and are reviewed by the FDA before the commencement of human
clinical trials. Submission of an IDE or IND will not necessarily result in FDA
authorization to commence clinical trials or and the absence of FDA objection to
an IDE or IND does not necessarily mean that the FDA will ultimately approve a
PMA or that a product candidate otherwise will come to market.
Clinical trials involve the administration of therapy to humans under
the supervision of a qualified principal investigator. Clinical trials must be
conducted in accordance with good clinical practices under protocols submitted
to the FDA as part of an IDE or IND. Also, each clinical trial must be approved
and conducted under the auspices of an internal review board, or IRB, and with
patient informed consent. The IRB will consider, among other things, ethical
factors, the safety of human subjects and the possible liability of the
institution conducting the clinical trials.
Clinical trials are typically conducted in two or three sequential
phases, but the phases may overlap. Phase I clinical trials involve the initial
introduction of the therapy to a small number of subjects. Phase II trials are
generally larger trials conducted in the target population. For devices such as
our Microwave Uretheroplasty(TM) treatment system, Phase II studies may serve as
the pivotal trials demonstrating safety and effectiveness required for approval.
In the case of drugs and biological products, Phase II clinical trials generally
are conducted in a target patient population to gather evidence about the
pharmacokinetics, safety and biological or clinical efficacy of the drug for
specific indications, to determine dosage tolerance and optimal dosage and to
identify possible adverse effects and safety risks. When a drug or biological
compound has shown evidence of efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in
Phase II evaluations, Phase III clinical trials are undertaken to serve as the
pivotal trials to demonstrate clinical efficacy and safety in an expanded
patient population.
11
There can be no assurance that any of our clinical trials will be
completed successfully, within any specified time period or at all. Either the
FDA or we may suspend clinical trials at any time, if either the FDA or we
conclude that clinical subjects are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk
or for other reasons. The FDA inspects and reviews clinical trial sites,
informed consent forms, data from the clinical trial sites (including case
report forms and record keeping procedures) and the performance of the protocols
by clinical trial personnel to determine compliance with good clinical
practices. The FDA also examines whether there was bias in the conduct of
clinical trials. The conduct of clinical trials is complex and difficult,
especially in pivotal Phase II or Phase III trials. There can be no assurance
that the design or the performance of the pivotal clinical trial protocols or
any of our current or future product candidates will be successful.
The results of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, if successful,
are submitted in an application for FDA approval to market the device, drug or
biological product for a specified use. The testing and approval process
requires substantial time and effort, and there can be no assurance that any
approval will be granted for any product at any time, according to any schedule,
or at all. The FDA may refuse to approve an application if it believes that
applicable regulatory criteria are not satisfied. The FDA may also require
additional testing for safety and efficacy. Moreover, if regulatory approval is
granted, the approval will be limited to specific indications. There can be no
assurance that any of our product candidates will receive regulatory approvals
for marketing or, if approved, that approval will be for any or all of the
indications that we request.
The FDA is authorized to require user fees for submission of NDAs and
BLAs. The current user fee for such applications is $267,606 and may increase
from year to year.
The FDA is also authorized to require annual user fees for approved
products and for companies with establishments at which finished products are
manufactured, which fees may increase from year to year. The FDA may waive or
reduce such user fees under special circumstances. We intend to seek waivers or
reductions of user fees where possible, but we cannot be assured that we will be
eligible for any such waiver or reduction.
FDA REGULATION--POST-APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Even if we receive necessary regulatory approvals for one or more of
our product candidates, our manufacturing facilities and products are subject to
ongoing review and periodic inspection. Each U.S. device, drug and biologic
manufacturing establishment must be registered with the FDA. Manufacturing
establishments in the U.S. and abroad are subject to inspections by the FDA and
must comply with the FDA's QSR regulations. Medical devices also must comply
with the FDA's QSR regulations. In order to ensure full technical compliance
with such regulations, manufacturers must expend funds, time and effort in the
areas of production and quality control.
FDA REGULATION--MANUFACTURING STANDARDS
We are also subject to record keeping and reporting regulations,
including the FDA's mandatory Medical Device Reporting, or MDR, regulations.
These regulations require, among other things, the reporting to FDA of adverse
events alleged to have been associated with the use of a product or in
connection with certain product failures.
Labeling and promotional activities also are regulated by the FDA and,
in certain instances, by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). We must also comply
with record keeping requirements as well as requirements to report certain
adverse events involving our products. The FDA can impose other post-marketing
controls on us as well as our products including, but not limited to,
restrictions on sale and use, through the approval process regulations and
otherwise.
Failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements can result
in, among other things, warning letters, fines, injunctions and other equitable
remedies, civil penalties, recall or seizure of products, total or partial
suspension of production, refusal of the government to grant approvals,
pre-market clearance or pre-market approval, withdrawal of approvals and
criminal prosecution.
OTHER FEDERAL REGULATION
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the frequencies
of microwave and radio-frequency emissions from medical and other types of
equipment to prevent interference with commercial and governmental
communications networks. The FCC has approved the frequency of 915 MHZ for
medical applications, and machines utilizing that frequency do not require
shielding to prevent interference with communications. Our Microfocus and BPH
treatment products utilize the 915 MHZ frequency.
12
In December 1984, the Health Care Financing Administration (now known
as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS)) approved reimbursement
under Medicare and Medicaid for thermotherapy treatment when used in conjunction
with radiation therapy for the treatment of surface and subsurface tumors. At
this time, most of the large medical insurance carriers in the U.S. have
approved reimbursement for this type of thermotherapy treatment under their
health policies. Thermotherapy treatment administered using equipment that has
received a PMA is eligible for such reimbursement.
REGULATION OF FOREIGN SALES
Sales of domestically produced drugs, biologics and medical devices
outside of the U.S. are subject to United States export requirements and foreign
regulatory controls. Drugs, biologics, and devices that are subject to PMA
requirements and have not received FDA marketing approval cannot be exported
unless they are approved in the European Union (EU), in a country in the EU or
the European Free Trade Association, or in certain other countries specified in
the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
Products approved in these countries may be exported to other countries
in which they are legal for marketing. Such products must bear labeling that
complies with both the country of approval and the country to which the product
is exported. In the case of drugs and biologics, there must also be a valid
marketing authorization by a responsible authority and FDA must make detailed
determinations regarding the adequacy of the statutory or regulatory
requirements of the importing country.
Exported products that are not approved in the U.S. are subject to
other FDA regulatory requirements as well, including substantial compliance with
good manufacturing practice requirements. The FDA may prohibit export if there
is a determination that the exportation of the product presents an imminent
hazard to the public health of the importing country or to the U.S. if
reimported.
Upon exportation, our products would be subject to regulation by
national governments and supranational agencies as well as by local agencies
affecting, among other things, product standards, packaging requirements,
labeling requirements, import restrictions, tariff regulations, duties and tax
requirements. There can be no assurance that one or more countries or agencies
will not impose regulations or requirements that could have a material adverse
effect on our ability to sell our products. In the EU, the harmonization of
standards has caused a shift from a country-by-country regulatory system towards
an EU-wide single regulatory system. However, many members of the EU have
imposed additional country-specific regulations/requirements. The approval
procedure varies from member state to member state, and the time required may be
longer or shorter than that required for FDA approval. There can be no assurance
that the changes in the regulatory schemes imposed either by the EU,
supranational agencies or individual countries affecting our products will not
have a material adverse effect on the our ability to sell our products in
countries other than the U.S.
Failure to comply with foreign regulatory requirements can result in,
among other things, warning letters, fines, injunctions and other equitable
remedies, civil penalties, recall orders or seizure of products, total or
partial suspension of production, refusal of the health authorities to grant
desired approvals, the withdrawal of approvals and criminal prosecution.
We sold our original products in 23 countries in Asia, Europe and South
America. Meeting the registration requirements within these countries was the
responsibility of our distributors in each of these countries. Legal
restrictions on the sale of imported medical devices vary from country to
country. The time required to obtain approval by a foreign country may be longer
or shorter than that required for FDA approval, and the requirements may differ.
We expect to receive approvals for marketing in a number of countries outside
the U.S. prior to the time that we will be able to market our products in the
U.S. However, the timing for such approvals currently is not known.
COMPETITION
Many companies and institutions are engaged in research and development
of thermotherapy technologies for both cancer and prostate disease products that
seek treatment outcomes similar to those we are pursuing. In addition, a number
of companies and institutions are pursuing alternative treatment strategies
through the use of RF, laser and ultrasound energy sources, all of which appear
to be in the early stages of development and testing. Potential competitors
engaged in all areas of cancer and prostate treatment research in the U.S. and
other countries include, among others, major pharmaceutical and chemical
companies, specialized technology companies, universities and other research
institutions. See "Risk Factors."
There currently are three principal competitors in the MI market for
BPH treatment systems: Medtronic (NYSE:MDT), Urologix (NASDAQ:ULGX) and
TherMatrx (private). In addition to Celsion, one other company, ACMI (a
13
privately held company selling Prostalund technology from Sweden), is in the
process of FDA review of a minimally invasive BPH treatment system. These
companies utilize one of two major approaches to BPH treatment:
o Transurethral needle ablation, or TUNA, which uses radio frequency ablation
and is offered by Medtronic; and
o TUMT, which uses microwave heating to ablate tissue within the prostate and
is offered by the remaining companies.
Medtronic acquired its TUNA business as part of its acquisition of
Vidamed, Inc. for $329 million in April 2002. TUNA technology is labor intensive
for the physician and requires a significant learning curve prior to perfecting
the technique. Patients require post-treatment catheterization and significant
pre-medication is common.
TUMT technology is currently the dominant MI alternative. Urologix is
the market leader in TUMT systems. Its machines currently list for approximately
$90,000 and its single use catheters cost between $1,000 and $1,200. Urologix's
technology uses a "water cooled" catheter, which is designed to use high
microwave energy without damaging the urethral lining. TherMatrx takes a simpler
approach, offering a low power machine that does not require cooling. The sales
price of the TherMatrx equipment is approximately $25,000, due to its relatively
less complex design. The catheter used in conjunction with this equipment sells
in the same range as the Urologix catheter. Both Urologix's and TherMatrx's
products (and ACMI's Prostalund, which has not been approved) require
pre-medication, are more difficult for the physician to administer than is the
Celsion Microwave Urethroplasty(TM) system and require post-treatment
catheterization of the patient.
We believe that our technology is a leap forward in the advancement of
microwave therapy. Celsion relies on Microwave Urethroplasty(TM) in addition to
traditional microwave energy. The addition of balloon compression within the
prostatic portion of the urethra allows for immediate relief to the patient and
in most cases can avoid post treatment catheterization. Thus, Celsion's
technology allows for the type of rapid relief for the patient normally
associated with drug therapies while avoiding the side effects and significant
delays in patient symptomatic relief associated with other minimally invasive
therapies.
PRODUCT LIABILITY AND INSURANCE
Our business exposes us to potential product liability risks that are
inherent in the testing, manufacturing and marketing of human therapeutic
products. We presently have product liability insurance limited to $5,000,000
per incident, and, if we were to be subject to a claim in excess of this
coverage or to a claim not covered by our insurance and the claim succeeded, we
would be required to pay the claim out of our own limited resources.
EMPLOYEES
We presently employ 23 full-time employees and one part-time employee
and also utilize the services of part-time consultants from time to time. In
addition, our Scientific Advisory Board actively assists our management with
advice on various projects. None of our employees are represented by a
collective bargaining organization, and we consider our relations with our
employees to be good.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We lease premises consisting of approximately 22,451 square feet of
administrative office, laboratory and workshop space at 10220-I Old Columbia
Road, Columbia, Maryland 21046-1705 from an unaffiliated party under a five-year
lease (7,056 square feet) that expires on June 30, 2005 and a sublease (15,395
square feet), which expires on October 31, 2005. Rent expense for the year ended
September 30, 2002 was $359,206. Future minimum lease obligations are as
follows:
2003 $302,779
2004 $311,789
2005 $239,018
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The following information was reported by Celsion under Item 5 in a
Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 25, 2002 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) on January 29, 2002:
14
As previously reported, on April 27, 2000, Celsion
commenced an action (the "Original Suit") in the United States
District Court for the District of Maryland (the "Maryland
Court") against Warren C. Stearns, a former director of the
Company ("W.C. Stearns"), Mr. Stearns' management company and
a number of his affiliates, family members and colleagues
(collectively, the "Original Defendants"), who held warrants
(the "Original Warrants") for the purchase of approximately
4.1 million shares of Celsion's Common Stock at $0.41 per
share. On January 18, 2001, the Maryland Court transferred the
case to the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Illinois, in Chicago (the "Chicago Court"). On
July 17, 2001, Celsion filed a motion to amend its complaint
to add a second count, alleging that Mr. Stearns, on behalf of
himself and the other Original Defendants, had executed a
Mutual Release which released any right the Original
Defendants had to exercise the warrants ("Count II"). The
motion was granted on July 19, 2001.
On August 9, 2001, the Original Defendants filed a
counterclaim (the "Counterclaim") against the Celsion, certain
of its officers and directors, and an attorney and law firm
that previously had represented Celsion. On September 10,
2001, the Chicago Court dismissed, with prejudice, Count I of
the Complaint. On November 23, 2001, Celsion and certain of
its officers and directors filed a motion to dismiss the
Counterclaim.
On January 25, 2002, Celsion and Augustine Y. Cheung,
Spencer J. Volk, Walter B. Herbst, LaSalle D. Leffall, Claude
Tihon, John Mon, Max E. Link (all of whom are present or
former officers and/or directors of the Company), George
Bresler, Bresler, Goodman & Unterman LLP and The George
Bresler Trust on the one hand (collectively, the "Company
Parties"), and Stearns Management Company, Anthony Riker,
Ltd., John T. Horton, The George T. Horton Trust, Warren R.
Stearns, Charles A. Stearns, and W.C. Stearns (collectively,
the "Stearns Parties"), on the other hand, entered into a
settlement agreement (the "Settlement Agreement"). Pursuant to
the Settlement Agreement, Celsion, among other things, has
agreed (a) to pay to W.C. Stearns the lesser of (i) the
Stearns Parties' actual legal fees, costs and expenses
incurred in connection with the Original Suit, the
Counterclaim and the Settlement Agreement or (ii) $265,000;
(b) to issue to the Stearns Parties warrants (the "Settlement
Warrants") to purchase a total of 6,325,821 shares of
Celsion's Common Stock, at an exercise price of $0.01 per
share; and (c) to register for resale the shares underlying
the Settlement Warrants. The Settlement Warrants are in
replacement of the Original Warrants, the validity of which
was at issue in the Original Suit. However, while the Original
Warrants, among other things, contained antidilution
provisions ensuring the Stearns Parties the right to purchase
4.6875% of Celsion's Common Stock, on a fully diluted basis,
until completion of the Celsion's next public offering (as
defined) and a renewal right at the election of the holder,
the Settlement Warrants contain no such provisions. In
addition, pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Company
Parties, on the one hand, and the Stearns Parties, on the
other, unconditionally released one another from any and all
claims arising prior to the effective date of the Settlement
Agreement and agreed to dismiss, with prejudice, the Original
Suit, including the Counterclaim.
The Settlement Agreement has the effect of fully and
finally resolving the matters in dispute in the Original Suit
and the Counterclaim between the Company Parties, on the one
hand, and the Stearns Parties, on the other hand.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
MARKET PRICE FOR OUR COMMON STOCK
Our Common Stock trades on The American Stock Exchange. The following
table sets forth the high and low sales prices for our Common Stock reported by
The American Stock Exchange. The quotations set forth below do not include
retail markups, markdowns or commissions.
15
High Low
--------- --------
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
First Quarter (October 1 - December 31, 2000) $ 2.19 $ 0.75
Second Quarter (January 1 - March 31, 2001) $ 3.75 $ 0.94
Third Quarter (April 1 - June 30, 2001) $ 1.25 $ 0.60
Fourth Quarter (July 1 - September 30, 2001) $ 0.85 $ 0.40
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
First Quarter (October 1 - December 31, 2002) $ 0.42 $ 0.40
Second Quarter (January 1 - March 31, 2002) $ 0.98 $ 0.59
Third Quarter (April 1 - June 30, 2002) $ 0.80 $ 0.40
Fourth Quarter (July 1 - September 30, 2002) $ 0.51 $ 0.34
On December 23, 2002, the last reported sale price for our Common Stock
on The American Stock Exchange was $0.41 As of December 23, 2002, there were
approximately 1,300 holders of record of our Common Stock.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock
or other securities and do not currently anticipate paying cash dividends in the
foreseeable future.
ISSUANCE OF SHARES WITHOUT REGISTRATION
During the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2002, we issued the
following securities without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"):
- On August 1, 2002, Celsion issued a total of 200,000 shares of its
Common Stock for cash consideration of $2,000 upon exercise of stock
purchase warrants. On September 4, 2002, Celsion issued a total of
150,000 shares of its Common Stock for cash consideration of $1,500 upon
exercise of stock purchase warrants. On September 12, 2002, Celsion
issued a total of 200,000 shares of its Common Stock for cash
consideration of $2,000 upon exercise of stock purchase warrants. On
September 24, 2002, Celsion issued a total of 250,000 shares of its
Common Stock for cash consideration of $2,500 upon exercise of stock
purchase warrants. On September 26, 2002, Celsion issued a total of
200,000 shares of its Common Stock for cash consideration of $2,000 upon
exercise of stock purchase warrants. These shares are restricted stock,
and the certificates representing such shares are endorsed with
Celsion's standard restrictive legend, with a stop transfer instruction
recorded by the transfer agent. Accordingly, Celsion views the shares
issued as exempt from registration under Sections 4(2) and/or 4(6) of
the Securities Act.
- On July 1, 2002, Celsion also issued 14,709 shares of its Common Stock
to a consultant for services valued at $7,500. These shares are
restricted stock, and the certificates representing such shares are
endorsed with the Celsion's standard restricted stock legend, with a
stop transfer instruction recorded by the transfer agent. Accordingly,
Celsion views the shares issued as exempt from registration under
Sections 4(2) and/or 4(6) of the Securities Act.
- On September 4, 2002, Celsion issued 918,000 shares of its Common Stock
upon conversion of 459 shares of its Series B 8% Convertible Preferred
Stock. These shares are restricted stock, and the certificates
representing such shares are endorsed with Celsion's standard restricted
stock legend, with a stop transfer instruction recorded by the transfer
agent. Accordingly, Celsion views the shares issued as exempt from
registration under Sections 4(2) and/or 4(6) of the Securities Act.
Celsion views these issuances as transactions by an issuer not involving any
public offering and therefore as exempt from registration under Sections 4(2)
and/or 4(6) of the Securities Act.
See also "Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Stockholder Matters."
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table contains certain financial data for Celsion for the
five fiscal years ended September 30, 2002 is qualified in its entirety by, and
should be read in conjunction with, the "Item 8. Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data and Financial Disclosure" and "Item 7. Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
16
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
Product Sales (Net) $ 174,182 $ -- $ 3,420 $ -- $ --
Research and development contracts -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total revenues 174,182 3,420
Cost of sales 136,500 246
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Gross profit on product sales 37,682 3,174
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Other costs and expenses:
Selling, general and administrative 2,515,822 1,371,161 2,662,623 3,211,625 4,833,005
Research and development 1,534,872 1,019,941 2,238,292 4,075,249 5,004,687
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total operating expenses 4,050,694 2,391,102 4,900,915 7,286,874 9,837,692
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(Loss) from operations (4,013,012) (2,391,102) (4,897,741) (7,286,874) (9,837,692)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Other income (expense) 11,870 15,744 -- 45,609
38,289
Interest income (expense) (199,346) (60,834) 350,526 318,038 48,321
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net (loss) $ (4,200,488) $ (2,436,192) $ (4,547,215) $ (6,923,227) $ (9,751,082)
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
Net loss per share $ (0.12) $ (0.05) $ (0.08) $ (0.10) $ (0.12)
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
Weighted average shares outstanding 34,867,001 45,900,424 59,406,921 72,249,920 87,257,672
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 54,920 $ 1,357,464 $ 8,820,196 $ 2,510,136 $ 928,819
Working Capital (2,000,351) 906,926 8,509,173 2,388,900 735,216
Total Assets 330,738 1,558,684 9,117,821 2,956,861 2,291,449
Long-term debt, less current maturities -- -- -- 15,203 --
Redeemable preferred stock:
Series A 10% Convertible Preferred Stock -- -- 5,176,000 1,099,584 1,130,500
Series B 8% Convertible Preferred Stock -- -- -- -- 1,396,285
Accumulated deficit (19,464,010) (21,900,202) (26,770,917) (33,928,781) (43,820,081)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) (1,851,067) 1,037,125 8,726,429 2,669,217 1,516,490
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain of the statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K,
including certain in this section, are forward-looking. In addition, from time
to time we may publish forward-looking statements relating to such matters as
anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological
developments, new products, research and development activities and similar
matters. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and
other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of
activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any
future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other
things, unforeseen changes in the course of research and development activities
and in clinical trials; possible changes in cost and timing of development and
testing, capital structure, and other financial items; changes in approaches to
medical treatment; introduction of new products by others; possible acquisitions
of other technologies, assets or businesses; possible actions by customers,
suppliers, strategic partners, potential strategic partners, competitors and
17
regulatory authorities, as well as those listed under "Risk Factors" below and
elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In some cases, you can identify
forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should,"
"expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or
"continue" or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may
differ materially. In evaluating these statements, you should specifically
consider various factors, including the risks outlined under "Risk Factors."
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking
statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of
activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person
assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of such statements, or
for updating such statements after the date hereof.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going
concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction
of liabilities in the normal course of business. Since inception, the Company
has incurred substantial operating losses, principally from expenses associated
with our research and development programs, the clinical trials conducted in
connection with our thermotherapy systems and applications for submission to the
Food and Drug Administration. We believe these expenditures are essential for
the commercialization of our technologies. As a result of these expenditures, as
well as related general and administrative expenses Celsion had an accumulated
deficit of $43,820,081 as of September 30, 2002. We expect such operating losses
to continue in the near term and for the foreseeable future as we continue our
product development efforts, and undertake marketing and sales activities.
Celsion's ability to achieve profitability is dependent upon its ability to
successfully obtain governmental approvals, produce, market and sell its new
technology and integrate such technology into its thermotherapy systems. There
can be no assurance that we will be able to commercialize our technology
successfully or that we ever will achieve profitability. Our operating results
have fluctuated significantly in the past and we expect that such results will
fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter in the future and will depend on
a number of factors, many of which are outside Celsion's control.
We will need substantial additional funding in order to complete the
development, testing and commercialization of our cancer treatment and BPH
products and of potential new products. It is our current intention both to
increase the pace of development work on our present products and to make a
significant commitment to thermo-sensitive liposome and gene therapy research
and development projects. The increase in the scope of present development work
and such new projects will require additional funding, at least until we are
able to begin marketing our products.
If adequate funding is not available in the future, Celsion may be
required to delay, scale-back or eliminate certain aspects of its operations or
to attempt to obtain funds through onerous arrangements with partners or others
that may force us to relinquish rights to certain of our technologies, products
or potential markers. Furthermore, if we cannot fund its ongoing development and
other operating requirements, and particularly those associated with our
obligation to conduct clinical trials under our licensing agreements, Celsion
will be in breach of its commitments under such licensing agreements and could
therefore lose its license rights, with material adverse effects Celsion.
These factors among others may indicate that Celsion will be unable to
continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time. The accompanying
financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the
recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and
classification of liabilities that might be necessary should Celsion be unable
to continue as a going concern. Our continuation as a going concern is dependent
upon our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our obligations on a
timely basis, to obtain additional financing as may be required, and ultimately
to attain successful operations. Management is continuing its efforts to obtain
additional funds so that Celsion can meet its obligations and sustain
operations.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2002 and Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2001
We generated no revenues during the fiscal year ended September 30,
2002 or the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001.
Research and development expenditures in the year ended September 30,
2002 were $5,004,687, an increase of $929,438, or 23%, compared to the fiscal
year ended September 30, 2001. The increase was attributable to costs incurred
in undertaking pivotal Phase II clinical trials for both our BPH and breast
cancer treatment systems. These costs included increased personnel costs as well
as costs related to the acquisition of equipment and materials necessary to
complete the trials. Additionally, during the year we completed the large animal
toxicity studies using our heat-activated liposomes.
18
Selling, general and administrative expense increased by 52%, to
$4,833,005 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002 compared to $3,211,625
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002. The increase was due primarily to
increased staffing and legal costs associated with private placements and
various SEC filings. Celsion also incurred costs associated with settlement of
its ongoing lawsuit with Warren C. Stearns and his associates. Under the terms
of the settlement, Celsion issued to the Stearns group certain Common Stock
purchase warrants that were at issue in the litigation, together with additional
warrants as compensation for relinquishment of certain anti-dilution rights
under the disputed warrants and up to $265,000 in cash to reimburse Stearns for
costs incurred up to the settlement date. Celsion accrued the remaining amounts
due to Spencer J. Volk, its former President and Chief Executive Officer, under
the terms of the agreement governing his retirement. Finally, Celsion incurred
consulting costs related to the exploration of the feasibility of setting up a
business in China (including Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao).
The increase in research and development, selling, general and
administrative expenses described above, together with the absence of revenues
during the relevant periods, resulted in a loss from operations of $9,837,692
for the year ending September 30, 2002 compared to a loss $7,286,874 for the
year ended September 30, 2001, representing an increase of $2,550,818.
Interest income net of interest expense decreased by $269,717 to
$48,321 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002 compared to $318,038 for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001. This decrease is the result of a
combination of lower average funds available for investment and lower interest
rates in fiscal 2002.
Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2001 and Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2000
We generated no revenues during the fiscal year ended September 30,
2001, compared to revenues on the sale of parts and equipment in the amount of
$3,240 during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000.
Research and development expenditures in the year ended September 30,
2001 were $4,075,249, an increase of $1,836,957, or 82%, compared to the fiscal
year ended September 30, 2000. The increase was attributable to costs incurred
in undertaking pivotal Phase II clinical trials for both our BPH and breast
cancer treatment systems. These costs included increased personnel costs as well
as costs related to the acquisition of equipment and materials necessary to
complete the trials. Additionally, during the year we initiated development of
our heat-activated liposomes by formulating the drug and undertaking large
animal toxicity studies.
Selling, general and administrative expense increased by 21%, to
$3,211,625 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001 compared to $2,662,623
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000. The increase was due primarily to
increased staffing, principally our newly retained Chief Financial Officer, and
legal costs associated with the conversion of the Series A 10% Convertible
Preferred Stock, various SEC filings and settlement of a long-standing trade
dispute with a former distributor in Hong Kong.
The increase in research and development, selling, general and
administrative expenses described above, together with the absence of revenues,
resulted in a loss from operations of $7,286,874 for the year ending September
30, 2001 compared to a loss $4,897,741 for the year ended September 30, 2000,
representing an increase of $2,389,133.
Interest income net of interest expense decreased by $32,488, to
$318,038 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001 compared to $350,526 for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000. This decrease reflects the fact that,
as Celsion has no revenues, all expenditures are met from cash reserves. As cash
reserves declined, interest income is likewise reduced.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Since inception, our expenses have significantly exceeded our revenues,
resulting in an accumulated deficit of $43,820,081 at September 30, 2002. We
have incurred negative cash flows from operations since our inception and have
funded our operations primarily through the sale of equity securities. As of
September 30, 2002, we had cash of $928,819 and total current assets of
$1,510,175, compared with current liabilities of $774,959, resulting in a
working capital surplus of $735,216. As of September 30, 2001, we had $2,510,136
in cash and total current assets of $2,661,341, compared with current
liabilities of $272,441, which resulted in a working capital surplus of
$2,388,900 at fiscal year end. The decrease in working capital at September 30,
2002 as compared to September 30, 2001 was due to the fact that, during the past
fiscal year, we drew on our cash reserves to pay for our ongoing operations.
We do not have any bank financing arrangements and have funded our
operations primarily through private placement offerings of equity securities.
On October 15, 2002, Celsion completed a private placement resulting in net
proceeds of approximately $748,000 and, on November 12, 2002, Celsion completed
a private placement generating approximately $300,000 in net proceeds.
19
For all of fiscal year 2003, we expect to expend a total of
approximately $8,500,000 for clinical testing of our breast cancer and BPH
treatment systems, as well as corporate overhead, which we expect to fund from
our current resources. The foregoing amounts are estimates based upon
assumptions as to the availability of funding, the scheduling of institutional
clinical research and testing personnel, the timing of clinical trials and other
factors, not all of which are fully predictable. Accordingly, estimates and
timing concerning projected expenditures and programs are subject to change. We
expect to fund our operations through the 2003 fiscal year though a combination
of private placements of equity and up-front and other funding contributed by
one or more strategic partners for the BPH business. Additionally, if as
currently anticipated our BPH system is approved for marketing during the course
of fiscal 2003 funding could be generated from the sale of catheters.
Our available cash on hand is sufficient to fund our activities through
December 31, 2003, although we currently anticipate that we will receive further
funding through a private placement of $425,000 and issuance of a note in the
amoount of $500,000 early in January 2003, which funds will be sufficient to
fund operations through February 2003. Our dependence on raising additional
capital will continue at least until we are able to begin marketing our new
technologies. Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of our financing
depend upon numerous factors, including the successful commercialization of our
Microwave Uretheroplasty(TM) and breast cancer treatment systems, progress in
product development efforts, progress with pre-clinical studies and clinical
trials, the cost and timing of production arrangements, the development of
effective sales and marketing activities, the cost of filing, prosecuting,
defending and enforcing intellectual property rights, competing technological
and market developments and the development of strategic alliances for the
marketing of our products. We will be required to obtain such funding through
equity or debt financing, strategic alliances with corporate partners and
others, or through other sources not yet identified. We do not have any
committed sources of financing, and cannot guarantee that additional funding
will be available in a timely manner, on acceptable terms, or at all. If
adequate funds are not available, we may be required to delay, scale back or
eliminate certain aspects of our operations or attempt to obtain funds through
unfavorable arrangements with partners or others that may require us to
relinquish rights to certain of our technologies, product candidates, products
or potential markets or which otherwise may be materially unfavorable to us.
Furthermore, if we cannot fund our ongoing development and other operating
requirements, particularly those associated with our obligation to conduct
clinical trials under our licensing agreements, we will be in breach of our
commitments under these licensing agreements and could therefore lose our
license rights, which could have material adverse effects on our business.
These factors among others may indicate that Celsion will be unable to
continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time. The accompanying
financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the
recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and
classification of liabilities that might be necessary should Celsion be unable
to continue as a going concern. Our continuation as a going concern is dependent
upon our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our obligations on a
timely basis, to obtain additional financing as may be required, and ultimately
to attain successful operations. Management is continuing its efforts to obtain
additional funds so that Celsion can meet its obligations and sustain
operations.
RISK FACTORS
Among numerous risk factors that may affect our future performance and
our ability to achieve profitable operations are the following:
WE HAVE A HISTORY OF SIGNIFICANT LOSSES AND EXPECT TO CONTINUE SUCH
LOSSES FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
Since Celsion's inception in 1982, our expenses have substantially
exceeded our revenues, resulting in continuing losses and an accumulated deficit
of $43,820,081 at September 30, 2002, including losses of $6,923,227 for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2001 and $9,751,082 for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2002. Because we presently have no revenues and are committed to
continuing our product research, development and commercialization programs, we
will continue to experience significant operating losses unless and until we
complete the development of new products and these products have been clinically
tested, approved by the FDA and successfully marketed. We have funded our
operations primarily through the sale of Celsion's securities and have limited
working capital for our product research, development, commercialization and
other activities.
20
WE DO NOT EXPECT TO GENERATE SIGNIFICANT REVENUE FOR THE FORESEEABLE
FUTURE.
We marketed and sold our original microwave thermotherapy products,
which produced modest revenues from 1990 to 1994, but ceased marketing these
products in 1995. We have devoted our resources in ensuing years to developing a
new generation of thermotherapy and other products, but cannot market these
products unless and until we have completed clinical testing and obtained all
necessary governmental approvals. Accordingly, we have no current source of
revenues, much less profits, to sustain our present operations, and no revenues
will be available unless and until our new products are clinically tested,
approved by the FDA and successfully marketed. We cannot guarantee that any or
all of our products will be successfully tested, approved by the FDA or
marketed, successfully or otherwise, at any time in the foreseeable future or at
all.
OUR MICROWAVE HEAT THERAPY TECHNOLOGY IS STILL UNDERGOING CLINICAL
TESTING AND MAY NOT ACHIEVE SUFFICIENT ACCEPTANCE BY THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY TO
SUSTAIN OUR BUSINESS.
To date, microwave heat therapy has not been widely accepted in the
United States medical community as an effective treatment for BPH or for cancer
treatment, with or without the concurrent use of radiation. We believe that this
is primarily due to the inability of earlier technology adequately to focus and
control heat directed at specific tissue locations and to conclusions that were
drawn from a widely publicized study by the Radiation Oncology Therapy Group
that purported to show that thermotherapy in conjunction with radiation was only
marginally effective. Subsequent to the publication of that study, the Health
Care Financing Administration, a HCFA (now known as the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services, or CMS) established a low medical reimbursement rate for all
thermotherapy equipment designed to be used in conjunction with radiation. While
management believes that our new technology is capable of overcoming the
limitations of the earlier technology, the medical community may not embrace the
perceived advantages of our "adaptive phased array," or APA, focused heat
therapy without more extensive testing and clinical experience than we will be
able to provide. To date, we have completed and submitted to the FDA only Phase
I clinical trials of our Microwave Uretheroplasty(TM) treatment system, although
we have completed patient treatments in our Phase II trials. Our PMA application
is being submitted on a modular basis, consisting of three separate filings: a
manufacturing module, a pre-clinical module and a module consisting of 12-month
patient follow-up data. The first two out of three modules were submitted in
November 2001 and we expect to submit the remaining module after the 12-month
patient follow-up data has been collected and the first two modules have been
cleared by the FDA. The manufacturing module has been cleared, we anticipate
that the FDA will clear the pre-clinical module in the near future and we have
completed collection of the 12-month patient follow-up data. Therefore, we
presently anticipate that we will submit the third module early in 2003. Our new
breast cancer treatment technology is currently in Phase II trials. Our
technology may not prove as effective in practice as we anticipate based on
testing to date. If further testing and clinical practice do not confirm the
safety and efficacy of our technology or, even if further testing and practice
produce positive results but the medical community does not view this new form
of heat therapy as effective and desirable, our efforts to market our new
products may fail, with material adverse consequences to our business. We intend
to petition CMS for a new reimbursement code for our breast cancer treatment.
The success of our business model depends significantly upon our ability to
petition successfully for favorable reimbursement codes. However, we cannot
offer any assurances as to when, if ever, CMS may act on our request to
establish a reimbursement code for our breast cancer treatment system. In
addition, there can be no assurance that the reimbursement level established for
our breast cancer treatment system, if established, will be sufficient for us to
carry out our business plan effectively.
IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN NECESSARY FUNDING, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO
COMPLETE THE DEVELOPMENT, TESTING AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF OUR TREATMENTS AND
PRODUCTS.
We will need substantial additional funding in order to complete the
development, testing and commercialization of our BPH and breast cancer
treatment systems and heat-activated liposome and cancer repair inhibitor
products, as well as other potential new products. We expended approximately
$9,359,311 in the 12 months ending September 30, 2002. As of that date, we had
available a total of approximately $928,900 to fund additional expenditures. On
October 15, 2002, Celsion completed a private placement resulting in net
proceeds of approximately $748,000 and, on November 12, 2002, Celsion completed
a private placement generating approximately $300,000 in net proceeds Our
available cash on hand is sufficient to fund our activities through December 31,
2003, although we currently anticipate that we will receive further funding
through a private placement of $425,000 and issuance of a note in the amoount of
$500,000 early in January 2003, which funds will be sufficient to fund
operations through February 2003. However, we cannot offer assurances that we
will receive this anticipated additional funding. In addition, it is our current
intention both to increase the pace of development work on our present products
and to make a significant commitment to our heat-activated liposome and cancer
repair inhibitor research and development projects. The increase in the scope of
present development work and the commitment to these new projects, as well as
21
our ongoing activities, will require additional external funding, at least until
we are able to begin marketing our products and to generate sufficient cash flow
from the sale of those products to support our continued operations.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going
concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction
of liabilities in the normal course of business. We do not have any committed
sources of financing and cannot offer any assurances that additional funding
will be available in a timely manner, on acceptable terms or at all.
If adequate funding is not available, we may be required to delay,
scale back or eliminate certain aspects of our operations or attempt to obtain
funds through unfavorable arrangements with partners or others that may force us
to relinquish rights to certain of our technologies, products or potential
markets or that could impose onerous financial or other terms. Furthermore, if
we cannot fund our ongoing development and other operating requirements,
particularly those associated with our obligations to conduct clinical trials
under our licensing agreements, we will be in breach of these licensing
agreements and could therefore lose our license rights, which could have
material adverse effects on our business.
OUR BUSINESS IS SUBJECT TO NUMEROUS AND EVOLVING STATE, FEDERAL AND
FOREIGN REGULATIONS AND WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SECURE THE GOVERNMENT APPROVALS
NEEDED TO DEVELOP AND MARKET OUR PRODUCTS.
Our research and development activities, pre-clinical tests and
clinical trials, and ultimately the manufacturing, marketing and labeling of our
products, all are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and foreign
regulatory agencies. Pre-clinical testing and clinical trial requirements and
the regulatory approval process typically take years and require the expenditure
of substantial resources. Additional government regulation may be established
that could prevent or delay regulatory approval of our product candidates.
Delays or rejections in obtaining regulatory approvals would adversely affect
our ability to commercialize any product candidates and our ability to generate
product revenues or royalties.
The FDA and foreign regulatory agencies require that the safety and
efficacy of product candidates be supported through adequate and well-controlled
clinical trials. If the results of pivotal clinical trials do not establish the
safety and efficacy of our product candidates to the satisfaction of the FDA and
other foreign regulatory agencies, we will not receive the approvals necessary
to market such product candidates.
Even if regulatory approval of a product candidate is granted, the
approval may include significant limitations on the indicated uses for which the
product may be marketed. Also, manufacturing establishments in the United States
and abroad are subject to inspections and regulations by the FDA. Medical
devices must also continue to comply with the FDA's Quality System Regulation,
or QSR. Compliance with such regulations requires significant expenditures of
time and effort to ensure full technical compliance. The FDA stringently applies
regulatory standards for manufacturing.
We are also subject to record keeping and reporting regulations,
including FDA's Mandatory Medical Device Reporting, or MDR regulation. Labeling
and promotional activities are regulated by the FDA and, in certain instances,
by the Federal Trade Commission.
Many states in which we do or in the future may do business or in which
our products may be sold impose licensing, labeling or certification
requirements that are in addition to those imposed by the FDA. There can be no
assurance that one or more states will not impose regulations or requirements
that have a material adverse effect on our ability to sell our products.
In many of the foreign countries in which we may do business or in
which our products may be sold, we will be subject to regulation by national
governments and supranational agencies as well as by local agencies affecting,
among other things, product standards, packaging requirements, labeling
requirements, import restrictions, tariff regulations, duties and tax
requirements. There can be no assurance that one or more countries or agencies
will not impose regulations or requirements that could have a material adverse
effect on our ability to sell our products.
The European Union, or EU, has a registration process that includes
registration of manufacturing facilities (known as "ISO certification") and
product certification (known as a "CE Mark"). We have obtained ISO certification
for our existing facilities. However, there is no guarantee that we will be
successful in obtaining EU certifications for any new facilities or for our
products, or that we will be able to maintain our existing certifications in the
future.
22
Foreign government regulation may delay marketing of our new products
for a considerable period of time, impose costly procedures upon our activities
or provide an advantage to larger companies that compete with us. There can be
no assurance that we will be able to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, on a
timely basis or at all, for any products that we develop. Any delay in
obtaining, or failure to obtain, necessary approvals would materially and
adversely affect the marketing of our contemplated products subject to such
approvals and, therefore, our ability to generate revenue from such products.
Even if regulatory authorities approve our product candidates, such
products and our facilities, including facilities located outside the EU, may be
subject to ongoing testing, review and inspections by the European health
regulatory authorities. After receiving premarketing approval, in order to
manufacture and market any of its products, we will have to comply with
regulations and requirements governing manufacture, labeling and advertising on
an ongoing basis.
Failure to comply with applicable domestic and foreign regulatory
requirements, can result in, among other things, warning letters, fines,
injunctions and other equitable remedies, civil penalties, recall or seizure of
products, total or partial suspension of production, refusal of the government
to grant approvals, pre-market clearance or pre-market approval, withdrawal of
approvals and criminal prosecution of Celsion and its employees, all of which
would have a material adverse effect on our business.
OUR BUSINESS DEPENDS ON LICENSE AGREEMENTS WITH THIRD PARTIES TO PERMIT
US TO USE PATENTED TECHNOLOGIES. THE LOSS OF ANY OF OUR RIGHTS UNDER THESE
AGREEMENTS COULD IMPAIR OUR ABILITY TO DEVELOP AND MARKET OUR PRODUCTS.
Currently, we have nine utility patents pending in the United States
Patent & Trademark Office. One application directed to our breast cancer
treatment and another application directed to our Microwave Uretheroplasty(TM)
treatment for BPH have been allowed and should issue as United States patents
within the next few months. We have filed international applications with
respect to the above technologies in various countries including Japan, China,
Europe, and Canada. Three additional U.S. utility applications are on file
directed to various features of our breast cancer treatment and three additional
applications are on file directed to different features of our thermotherapy
treatment of BPH. The ninth application on file is directed to our deep tumor
therapy treatment. However, even when our pending applications mature into
United States patents, our business will still depend on license agreements that
we have entered into with third parties until the third parties' patents expire.
We intend to file applications for international patent protections for
inventions covered by our U.S. applications. However, there can be no assurance
when, if ever, we will receive such international patent protection.
Our success will depend, in substantial part, on our ability to
maintain our rights under license agreements granting us rights to use patented
technologies. We have entered into exclusive license agreements with MIT, for
APA technology, and with MMTC, a privately owned developer of medical devices,
for microwave balloon catheter technology. We have also entered into a license
agreement with Duke University, under which we have exclusive rights to
commercialize medical treatment products and procedures based on Duke
University's thermo-liposome technology and a license agreement with Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center under which we have rights to commercialize
certain cancer repair inhibitor products. The MIT, MMTC, Duke University and
Sloan-Kettering agreements each contain license fee, royalty and/or research
support provisions, testing and regulatory milestones, and other performance
requirements that we must meet by certain deadlines. If we were to breach these
or other provisions of the license and research agreements, we could lose our
ability to use the subject technology, as well as compensation for our efforts
in developing or exploiting the technology. Also, loss of our rights under the
MIT license agreement would prevent us from proceeding with our most current
product development efforts, which are dependent on licensed APA technology. Any
such loss of rights and access to technology would have a material adverse
effect on our business.
Further, we cannot guarantee that any patent or other technology rights
licensed to us by others will not be challenged or circumvented successfully by
third parties, or that the rights granted will provide adequate protection. We
are aware of published patent applications and issued patents belonging to
others, and it is not clear whether any of these patents or applications, or
other patent applications of which we may not have any knowledge, will require
us to alter any of our potential products or processes, pay licensing fees to
others or cease certain activities. Litigation, which could result in
substantial costs, may also be necessary to enforce any patents issued to or
licensed by us or to determine the scope and validity of others' claimed
proprietary rights. We also rely on trade secrets and confidential information
that we seek to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with our
corporate partners, collaborators, employees and consultants. We cannot
guarantee that these agreements will not be breached, that, even if not
breached, they are adequate to protect our trade secrets, that we will have
adequate remedies for any breach or that our trade secrets will not otherwise
become known to, or will not be discovered independently by, competitors.
23
TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF CANCER ARE SUBJECT TO RAPID CHANGE
AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF TREATMENT STRATEGIES THAT ARE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN OUR
THERMOTHERAPY TECHNOLOGY COULD RENDER OUR TECHNOLOGY OBSOLETE.
Various methods for treating cancer currently are, and in the future
may be expected to be, the subject of extensive research and development. Many
possible treatments that are being researched, if successfully developed, may
not require, or may supplant, the use of our thermotherapy technology. These
alternate treatment strategies include the use of radio frequency (RF), laser
and ultrasound energy sources. The successful development and acceptance of any
one or more of these alternative forms of treatment could render our technology
obsolete as a cancer treatment method.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HIRE OR RETAIN KEY OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES THAT WE
NEED TO IMPLEMENT OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY AND DEVELOP OUR PRODUCTS AND BUSINESSES.
Our success depends significantly on the continued contributions of our
executive officers, scientific and technical personnel and consultants, and on
our ability to attract additional personnel as we seek to implement our business
strategy and develop our products and businesses. During our operating history,
we have assigned many essential responsibilities to a relatively small number of
individuals. However, as our business and the demands on our key employees
expand, we have been, and will continue to be, required to recruit additional
qualified employees. The competition for such qualified personnel is intense,
and the loss of services of certain key personnel or our inability to attract
additional personnel to fill critical positions as we implement our business
strategy could adversely affect our business.
Effective October 4, 2001, Spencer J. Volk, formerly the President,
Chief Executive Officer and a director of Celsion, resigned from all of these
positions. Our Board has appointed Dr. Augustine Y. Cheung, formerly the
Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer, to serve as Celsion's President and Chief
Executive Officer and Dr. Max Link, a director since 1997, has assumed the
position of Chairman of the Board. Effective September 20, 2002, Dr. LaSalle
Leffall resigned as a member of our Board of Directors. At its meeting on
December 27, 2002, the Board appointed Dr. Gary Pace to fill the remainder of
Dr. Leffall's term and to reduce the number of directors constituting the whole
Board from seven to six.
OUR SUCCESS WILL DEPEND IN PART ON OUR ABILITY TO GROW AND DIVERSIFY,
WHICH IN TURN WILL REQUIRE THAT WE MANAGE AND CONTROL OUR GROWTH EFFECTIVELY.
Our business strategy contemplates growth and diversification. As we
add to our manufacturing, marketing, sales, research and development and other
capabilities, our operating expenses and capital requirements will increase. Our
ability to manage growth effectively will require that we continue to expend
funds to improve our operational, financial and management controls, reporting
systems and procedures. In addition, we must effectively expand, train and
manage our employees. We will be unable to manage our business effectively if we
are unable to alleviate the strain on resources caused by growth in a timely and
successful manner. There can be no assurance that we will be able to manage our
growth and a failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our
business.
THE SUCCESS OF OUR PRODUCTS MAY BE HARMED IF THE GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE
HEALTH INSURERS AND OTHER THIRD-PARTY PAYORS DO NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT COVERAGE
OR REIMBURSEMENT.
Our ability to commercialize our thermotherapy technology successfully
will depend in part on the extent to which reimbursement for the costs of such
products and related treatments will be available from government health
administration authorities, private health insurers and other third-party
payors. The reimbursement status of newly approved medical products is subject
to significant uncertainty. We cannot guarantee that adequate third-party
insurance coverage will be available for us to establish and maintain price
levels sufficient for us to realize an appropriate return on our investment in
developing new therapies. Government, private health insurers and other
third-party payors are increasingly attempting to contain health care costs by
limiting both coverage and the level of reimbursement for new therapeutic
products approved for marketing by the FDA. Accordingly, even if coverage and
reimbursement are provided by government, private health insurers and
third-party payors for uses of our products, market acceptance of these products
would be adversely affected if the reimbursement available proves to be
unprofitable for health care providers.
24
WE FACE INTENSE COMPETITION AND THE FAILURE TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY
COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO DEVELOP AND MARKET OUR PRODUCTS.
There are many companies and other institutions engaged in research and
development of thermotherapy technologies, both for prostate disease and cancer
treatment products, which seek treatment outcomes similar to those that we are
pursuing. In addition, a number of companies and other institutions are pursuing
alternative treatment strategies through the use of microwave, infrared, radio
frequency, laser and ultrasound energy sources, all of which appear to be in the
early stages of development and testing. We believe that the level of interest
by others in investigating the potential of thermotherapy and alternative
technologies will continue and may increase. Potential competitors engaged in
all areas of prostate and cancer treatment research in the United States and
other countries include, among others, major pharmaceutical and chemical
companies, specialized technology companies, universities and other research
institutions. Substantially all of our competitors and potential competitors
have significantly greater financial, technical, human and other resources, and
may also have far greater experience, than do we, both in pre-clinical testing
and human clinical trials of new products and in obtaining FDA and other
regulatory approvals. One or more of these companies or institutions could
succeed in developing products or other technologies that are more effective
than the products and technologies that we have been or are developing, or which
would render our technology and products obsolete and non-competitive.
Furthermore, if we are permitted to commence commercial sales of any of our
products, we will also be competing, with respect to manufacturing efficiency
and marketing, with companies having substantially greater resources and
experience in these areas.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY CHANGES AFFECTING THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY
COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
There have been a number of federal and state proposals during the last
few years to subject the pricing of health care goods and services to government
control and to make other changes to the United States health care system. It is
uncertain which legislative proposals, if any, will be adopted (or when) or what
actions federal, state, or private payors for health care treatment and services
may take in response to any health care reform proposals or legislation. We
cannot predict the effect health care reforms may have on our business and we
can offer no assurances that any of these reforms will not have a material
adverse effect on that business.
WE MAY BE SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS AND
LITIGATION.
Our business exposes us to potential product liability risks inherent
in the testing, manufacturing and marketing of human therapeutic products. We
presently have product liability insurance limited to $5,000,000 per incident.
If we were to be subject to a claim in excess of this coverage or to a claim not
covered by our insurance and the claim succeeded, we would be required to pay
the claim with our own limited resources, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business. In addition, liability or alleged liability could harm
the business by diverting the attention and resources of our management and by
damaging our reputation.
WE PRESENTLY HAVE LIMITED MARKETING AND SALES CAPABILITY AND WILL BE
REQUIRED TO DEVELOP SUCH CAPABILITIES AND TO ENTER INTO ALLIANCES WITH OTHERS
POSSESSING SUCH CAPABILITIES IN ORDER TO COMMERCIALIZE OUR PRODUCTS
SUCCESSFULLY.
We intend to market our Microwave Uretheroplasty(TM) treatment system
through a strategic alliances with a third party at such time, if any, as it is
approved for commercialization by the FDA, and to market our breast cancer
treatment system, if and when so approved, through such third parties. There can
be no assurance that we will be able to establish sales and marketing
capabilities successfully or successfully enter into third-party marketing or
distribution arrangements. We have limited experience and capabilities in
marketing, distribution and direct sales, although we intend to develop an
effective sales and marketing capability as we pursue commercialization. We
expect to incur significant additional expense in attracting, establishing and
maintaining a marketing and sales force or entering into third-party marketing
or distribution arrangements. There can be no assurance that, to the extent we
enter into any commercialization arrangements with third parties, such third
parties will establish adequate sales and distribution capabilities or be
successful in gaining market acceptance for our products and services. There
also can be no assurance that our direct sales, marketing, licensing and
distribution efforts would be successful or that revenue from such efforts would
exceed expenses.
25
WE DEPEND ON THIRD-PARTY SUPPLIERS TO PROVIDE US WITH COMPONENTS
REQUIRED FOR OUR PRODUCTS AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THESE COMPONENTS ON
FAVORABLE TERMS OR AT ALL.
We are not currently manufacturing any products, but are using our
facilities to assemble prototypes of the equipment for research and development
purposes. We currently purchase certain specialized microwave and thermometry
components and applicator materials and the catheter unit used for our Microwave
Uretheroplasty(TM) equipment from single or limited source suppliers because of
the small quantities involved. While we have not experienced any significant
difficulties in obtaining these components, the loss of an important current
supplier could require that we obtain a replacement supplier, which might result
in delays and additional expense in being able to make prototype equipment
available for clinical trials and other research purposes. In addition, inasmuch
as we expect to manufacture our Microwave Uretheroplasty(TM) equipment at least
for some period subsequent to FDA approval and the commencement of
commercialization, such manufacturing and commercialization also could be
delayed. In addition, in the event that we succeed in marketing our products, we
intend to use outside contractors to supply components and the Microwave
Uretheroplasty(TM) catheter, and may use such contractors to assemble finished
equipment in the future, which could cause us to become increasingly dependent
on key vendors.
WE HAVE NOT PAID DIVIDENDS IN THE PAST AND DO NOT INTEND TO DO SO FOR
THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
We have never paid cash dividends and do not anticipate paying cash
dividends on our Common Stock or Preferred Stock in the foreseeable future.
Therefore, our stockholders cannot achieve any degree of liquidity with respect
to their shares of Common Stock except by selling such shares.
THE EXERCISE OR CONVERSION OF OUR OUTSTANDING OPTIONS, WARRANTS AND
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT DILUTION OF OWNERSHIP
INTERESTS IN OUR COMMON STOCK OR OTHER CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES.
Options and Warrants. As of September 30, 2002, we had outstanding and
exercisable warrants and options to purchase a total of 30,288,795 shares of our
Common Stock at exercise prices ranging from $0.01 to $5.00 per share (and a
weighted average exercise price of approximately $0.60 per share). We also had
outstanding but unexercisable and unvested options to purchase a total of
4,394,998 shares of our Common Stock at exercise prices ranging from $0.50 to
$1.36 per share. Some of the exercise prices are below the current market price
of our Common Stock, which has ranged from a low of $0.36 to a high of $0.46
over the 20 trading days ending September 30, 2002. If holders choose to
exercise such warrants and options at prices below the prevailing market price
for the Common Stock, the resulting purchase of a substantial number of shares
of our Common Stock would have a dilutive effect on our stockholders and could
adversely affect the market price of our issued and outstanding Common Stock and
convertible securities. In addition, holders of these options and warrants who
have the right to require registration of the Common Stock under certain
circumstances and who elect to require such registration, or who exercise their
options or warrants and then satisfy the one-year holding period and other
requirements of Rule 144 of the Securities Act, will be able to sell in the
public market some or all of their shares of Common Stock purchased upon such
exercise.
Preferred Stock. As of September 30, 2002, we had outstanding a total
of 893 shares of Series A 10% Convertible Preferred Stock, with an additional
238 shares of such preferred stock representing accrued dividends, and 1,591
shares of Series B 8% Convertible Preferred Stock (collectively, the "Preferred
Stock"). The shares of Series A 10% Convertible Preferred Stock are subject to
exchange and conversion privileges upon the occurrence of major events,
including a public offering of our securities or a merger of our subsidiary with
a public company. The shares of Series B 8% Convertible Preferred Stock are
entitled to convert their shares at any time after September 3, 2002. In
addition, the holders of the Series A and B Preferred Stock are entitled to
convert their preferred shares into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price
of $0.41 and $0.50 per share of Common Stock, respectively, subject to certain
adjustments. The conversion of the Preferred Stock could have a dilutive effect
on our stockholders and could adversely affect the market price of our issued
and outstanding Common Stock and convertible securities. The holders of the
Series A 10% Convertible Preferred Stock have registration rights at such time,
if any, as we undertake a registered public offering of securities. The holders
of the Series B 8% Convertible Preferred Stock became entitled to registration
of the shares of Common Stock underlying their shares of Series B Preferred
Stock as of September 3, 2002, the date on which the shares of Series B
Preferred Stock first became convertible. Even without such registration,
holders of the Preferred Stock who satisfy the requirements of Rule 144 of the
Securities Act will be able to sell in the public market shares of Common Stock
acquired upon the conversion of Preferred Stock.
In addition, future sales of our Common Stock, including shares issued
upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants or other derivative
transactions with respect to our stock, could have a significant negative effect
26
on the market price of our Common Stock. These sales might make it more
difficult for us to sell equity securities or equity-linked securities in the
future at a time and price that we would deem appropriate.
IF THE PRICE OF OUR SHARES REMAINS LOW OR OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION
CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE, WE MAY BE DELISTED BY THE AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE AND
BECOME SUBJECT TO SPECIAL RULES APPLICABLE TO LOW PRICED STOCKS.
Our Common Stock currently trades on The American Stock Exchange
(Amex). The Amex, as a matter of policy, will consider the suspension of trading
in, or removal from listing of, any stock when, in the opinion of the Amex, (i)
the financial condition and/or operating results of an issuer appear to be
unsatisfactory; (ii) it appears that the extent of public distribution or the
aggregate market value of the stock has become so reduced as to make further
dealings on the Amex inadvisable; (iii) the issuer has sold or otherwise
disposed of its principal operating assets; or (iv) the issuer has sustained
losses which are so substantial in relation to its overall operations or its
existing financial condition has become so impaired that it appears
questionable, in the opinion of the Amex, whether the issuer will be able to
continue operations and/or meet its obligations as they mature. For example, the
Amex will consider suspending dealings in or delisting the stock of an issuer if
the issuer has sustained losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in
its five most recent fiscal years, or if its auditors issue an audit opinion
qualified on a "going concern basis or for other reasons. Another instance where
the Amex would consider suspension or delisting of a stock is if the stock has
been selling for a substantial period of time at a low price per share and the
issuer fails to effect a reverse split of such stock within a reasonable time
after being notified that the Amex deems such action to be appropriate. Stegman
& Co., our auditors have issued a "going concern" opinion concerning our
financial statements as of and for the year ended September 30, 2002. We have
sustained net losses for our last five fiscal years (and beyond) and our Common
Stock has been trading at relatively low prices. Therefore, our Common Stock
could be at risk for delisting by the Amex.
Upon any such delisting, the Common Stock would become subject to the
penny stock rules of the SEC, which generally are applicable to equity
securities with a price of less than $5.00 per share (other than securities
registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on the Nasdaq
system, provided that current price and volume information with respect to
transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system). The
penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny
stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk
disclosure document prepared by the SEC that provides information about penny
stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The
broker-dealer also must provide the customer with bid and ask quotations for the
penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the
transaction and monthly account statements showing the market value of each
penny stock held in the customer's account. In addition, the penny stock rules
require that, prior to a transaction in a penny stock that is not otherwise
exempt from such rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written
determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser
and receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. These
disclosure requirements are likely to have a material and adverse effect on
price and the level of trading activity in the secondary market for a stock that
becomes subject to the penny stock rules. If our Common Stock were to become
subject to the penny stock rules it is likely that the price of the Common Stock
would decline and that our stockholders would find it more difficult to sell
their shares.
OUR STOCK IS THINLY TRADED. THEREFORE INVESTORS MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT
TO SELL THEIR SHARES.
While our Common Stock is listed on The American Stock Exchange, the
volume of trading historically has been relatively light. Further, there can be
no assurance that the market in our shares will be sustained in the future.
Therefore, there can be no assurances that stockholders will be able to sell
their shares at the time or price that they desire or at all or that
stockholders will be able to achieve liquidity as desired.
OUR STOCK PRICE COULD BE VOLATILE.
Market prices for our Common Stock and the securities of other medical,
high technology companies have been volatile. Factors such as announcements of
technological innovations or new products by us or by our competitors,
government regulatory action, litigation, patent or proprietary rights
developments and market conditions for medical and high technology stocks in
general can have a significant impact on the market for our Common Stock.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN OUR CHARTER DOCUMENTS AND DELAWARE LAW
COULD PREVENT OR DELAY A CHANGE IN CONTROL.
Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws may discourage, delay or
prevent a merger or acquisition that a stockholder may consider favorable by
authorizing the issuance of "blank check" preferred stock. In addition, our
classified Board of Directors may discourage such transactions by increasing the
amount of time necessary to obtain majority representation on the Board. Certain
27
other provisions of our Bylaws and of Delaware law may also discourage, delay or
prevent a third party from acquiring or merging with us, even if such action
were beneficial to some, or even a majority, of our stockholders. We also have
adopted a stockholder rights plan and declared a dividend distribution of one
right for each outstanding share of Common Stock to stockholders of record as of
August 6, 2002. When it becomes exercisable, each right entitles the registered
holder to purchase from Celsion one ten-thousandth of a share of Series C Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, or Series C Preferred
Stock, at a price of $4.46 per one ten-thousandth (1/10,000) of a share of
Series C Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment. Under certain circumstances, if
a person or group acquires 15% or more of our outstanding Common Stock, holders
of the rights (other than the person or group triggering their exercise) will be
able to purchase, in exchange for the $4.46 exercise price, shares of our Common
Stock or of any company into which we are merged having a value of $8.92. The
rights expire on August 15, 2012, unless earlier redeemed by our Board of
Directors. Because the rights may substantially dilute the stock ownership of a
person or group attempting to take us over without the approval of our Board of
Directors, our rights plan also could make it more difficult for a third party
to acquire us (or a significant percentage of our outstanding capital stock)
without first negotiating with our Board of Directors regarding such
acquisition.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We do not currently hold any derivative instruments and do not engage
in hedging activities and currently do not enter into any transactions
denominated in a foreign currency. Thus, our exposure to interest rate and
foreign exchange fluctuations is minimal.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
The financial statements, supplementary data and report of independent
public accountants are filed as part of this report on pages F-1 through F-14.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to
the information set forth under the captions "Directors and Executive Officers"
and "Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange At of 1934, as
Amended" in Celsion's Definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be held on February 18, 2003, which has been, or will
be, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the
end of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2002.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the information set forth under the caption "Executive
Compensation" in Celsion's Definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on February 18, 2003, which has been,
or will be, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days
after the end of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2002.
28
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Number of securities
remaining available for
Number of securities to Weighted-average future issuance under
be issued upon exercise exercise price of equity compensation plans
of outstanding options, outstanding options, (excluding securities
warrants and rights warrants and rights reflected in column (a))
Plan category (a) (b) (c)
- ----------------------------- --------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
Equity compensation plans 7,952,125(1) 2,439,375
approved by security holders $0.71
Equity compensation plans
not approved by security $0.58 -- (2)
holders 12,381,601
--------------------------- ------------------------- -----------------------------
Total 20,333,726 $0.63 2,439,375(2)
=========================== ========================= =============================
(1) Includes both vested and unvested options to purchase Common Stock
issued to employees, officers, directors and outside consultants under
the Company's 2001 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). Certain of these
options to purchase Common Stock were issued under the Plan in
connection with employment agreements. An aggregate of 391,500 of these
options were issued pursuant to the Company's previous stock option
plan.
(2) Certain of the securities exercisable to purchase Common Stock set
forth in column (a) of this row have price protection or antidilution
rights that entitle the holder to reduce the exercise price of such
securities if the Company issues additional stock, options, warrants
or other convertible securities below the exercise price of the subject
securities.
Certain of the information required by this item is incorporated herein
by reference to the information set forth under the caption "Security Ownership
of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" in Celsion's Definitive Proxy
Statement in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on
February 18, 2003, which has been, or will be, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the our fiscal year ended
September 30, 2002.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the information set forth under the caption "Certain Transactions"
in Celsion's Definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on February 18, 2003, which has been, or will be, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our
fiscal year ended September 30, 2002.
ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated
the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is
defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) as of an evaluation date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this
Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, they have concluded that,
as of the evaluation date, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective
to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that Celsion
files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported in a timely manner. Since the evaluation date referred to above, there
have not been any significant changes in our internal controls or in other
factors that could significantly affect such controls.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a)
1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following is a list of the financial statements of Celsion
Corporation filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K, together with the report
of our independent public accountants.
29
TITLE OF DOCUMENTS PAGE NO.
------------------ --------
Independent Auditors' Report F-1
Balance Sheet F-2
Statements of Operations F-4
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity F-5
Statements of Cash Flows F-6
Notes to Financial Statements F-7
2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
No schedules are provided because of the absence of conditions under
which they are required.
3. EXHIBITS
The following documents are included as exhibits to this report:
EXHIBIT NO.
DESCRIPTION
3.1.1+ Certificate of Incorporation of Celsion (the "Company"), as
Amended.
3.1.2 Certificate of Designations regarding the Series A 10%
Preferred Stock of the Company, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 3.1.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
of the Company for the Year Ended September 30, 2001.
3.1.3 Certificate of Ownership and Merger of Celsion Corporation (a
Maryland Corporation) into Celsion (Delaware) Corporation
(inter alia, changing the Company's name to "Celsion
Corporation" from "Celsion (Delaware) Corporation),
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.3 to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the Year Ended
September 30, 2000.
3.1.4 Certificate of the Designations, Powers, Preferences and
Rights of the Series B 8% Convertible Preferred Stock of
Celsion Corporation, incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 4.3 to the Form S-3 Registration Statement (File No.
333-100638) filed October 18, 2002.
3.1.5 Certificate of Designations of Series C Junior Participating
Preferred Stock of Celsion Corporation, incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Form S-3 Registration
Statement (File No. 333-100638) filed October 18, 2002.
3.2 By-laws of the Company, as amended, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
of the Company for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2001.
4.1 Form of Common Stock Certificate, par value $0.01,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Annual
Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the Year Ended
September 30, 2001.
4.2 Celsion Corporation and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company Rights Agreement dated as of August 15, 2002,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K filed August 21, 2002.
10.1 Patent License Agreement between the Company and
Massachusetts Institute of Technology dated June 1 1996,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended
September 30, 1996 (Confidential Treatment Requested).
10.2 License Agreement between the Company and MMTC, Inc. dated
August 23, 1996, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the
year ended September 30, 1996 (Confidential Treatment
Requested).
10.3 Patent License Agreement between the Company and
Massachusetts Institute of Technology dated October 17, 1997,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K (amended) of the Company for the
year ended September 30, 1998. (Confidential Treatment
Requested).
10.4 Amendment dated November 25, 1997 to the License Agreement
between the Company and MMTC, Inc. dated August 23, 1996,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K (amended) of the Company for the
year ended September 30, 1998. (Confidential Treatment
Requested).
30
10.5 Patent License Agreement between the Company and Duke
University dated November 10, 1999, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
of the Company for the year ended September 30, 1999
(Confidential Treatment Requested).
10.6 Amendment dated March 23, 1999 to the License Agreement
between the Company and MMTC, Inc. dated August 23, 1996,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended
September 30, 1999. (Confidential Treatment Requested).
10.7 * Celsion Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended September 30,
2001.
10.8 * Form of Series 200 Warrant issued to certain employees,
directors and consultants to Purchase Common Stock of the
Company, Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to
the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year
ended September 30, 1998.
10.9 Form of Series 250 Warrant issued to DunnHughes Holding, Inc.
to Purchase Common Stock of the Company, incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Annual Report on Form
10-K of the Company for the year ended September 30, 1998.
10.10 Form of Series 300 Warrant issued to Nace Resources, Inc. to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
of the Company for the year ended September 30, 1998.
10.11 Form of Series 400 Settlement Warrant issued to Stearns
Management Company, incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement of Form S-3 of the
Company (File No. 333-82450) filed February 8, 2002.
10.12 Form of Series 500 Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of the
Company pursuant to the Private Placement Memorandum dated
January 6, 1997, as amended, incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 10.15 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the
Company for the year ended September 30, 1998.
10.13 Intentionally omitted.
10.14 * Form of Series 600 Warrant issued to Certain Employees and
Directors on May 16, 1996 to Purchase Common Stock of the
Company, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to
the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year
ended September 30, 1998.
10.15 License Agreement between the Company and Sloan-Kettering
Institute for Cancer Research dated May 19, 2000,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended
September 30, 2000.
10.16 * Employment Agreement between the Company and Anthony P.
Deasey dated November 27, 2000, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form
10-K of the Company for the quarter ended June 30, 2001.
10.17+ * Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement between
the Company and Augustine Y. Cheung, effective January 1,
2000.
10.18+ * Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement between
the Company and John Mon, effective June 8, 2000.
10.19+ * Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement between
the Company and Dennis Smith, dated effective May 19, 2000.
10.20 Option Agreement between the Company and Duke University
dated August 8, 2000, incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.23 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the
Company for the year ended September 30, 2000.
10.21 * Employment Agreement between the Company and Daniel S. Reale
dated April 9, 2001, incorporated herein by reference to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended
September 30, 2001.
10.22 Service Agreement between the British Columbia Cancer Agency,
Division of Medical Oncology, Investigational Drug Section,
Propharma Pharmaceutical Clean Room and the Company dated
September 20, 2000, incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.24 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the
Company for the year ended September 30, 2000 (Confidential
Treatment Requested).
10.23 Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of the Company
pursuant to the Private Placement Memorandum dated October
11, 2001, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23
to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year
ended September 30, 2001.
31
10.24 * Advisory Agreement between the Company and Dr. Kris Venkat
dated August 1, 2001, incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.24 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the
Company for the Year Ended September 30, 2001.
10.25+ Amendment dated May 23, 2002 to the Patent License Agreement
between the Company and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
dated October 17, 1997. (Confidential Treatment Requested).
10.26+ Amendment dated September 17, 2002 to the License Agreement
between the Company and MMTC, Inc. dated August 23, 1996.
10.27+ * Employment Agreement between the Company and William W.
Gannon, Jr. dated January 15, 2002.
10.28 Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock Units of the Company
issued to Placement Agents pursuant to the Private Placement
Memorandum dated October 18, 2001, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 of the Company (File No. 333-82450) filed February
8, 2002.
10.29 Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of the Company
pursuant to private placement by the Company which closed on
June 3, 2002, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6
to the Form S-3 Registration Statement of the Company (File
No. 333-100638) filed October 18, 2002.
10.30+ Letter dated May 8, 2002, from Legg Mason Wood Walker,
Incorporated ("Legg Mason") to the Company regarding
retention of Legg Mason as financial advisor.
10.31 Letter Agreement with Goldpac Investment Partners dated
October 17, 2001, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
4.5 to the Form S-3 Registration Statement (File No.
333-82450) filed February 8, 2002.
10.32 Letter Agreement with Equity Communications, dated November
5, 2001, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to
the Form S-3 Registration Statement (File No. 333-82450)
filed February 8, 2002.
23.1+ Consent of Stegman & Company, independent public accountants
of the Company.
99.1+ Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
99.2+ Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
+ Filed herewith.
*Management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
Celsion filed a report on Form 8-K on August 21, 2002 disclosing the
adoption of its stockholder rights plan and declaration of a dividend
distribution related to such plan.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused its annual report on Form
10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CELSION CORPORATION
December 27, 2002 By: /s/ Augustine Y. Cheung
-----------------------
Augustine Y. Cheung
President and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
By: /s/ Anthony P. Deasey
--------------------------------
Anthony P. Deasey
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
32
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
----------------------- --------------------------- -----------
s/ Augustine Y. Cheung Director, President and December 27, 2002
----------------------- Chief Executive Officer
Augustine Y. Cheung (Principal Executive
Officer)
/s/ Anthony P. Deasey Executive Vice President December 27, 2002
--------------------- and Chief Financial Officer
Anthony P. Deasey (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
/s/ John Mon Vice President, Director, December 27, 2002
------------ Secretary, and Vice
John Mon President of New Business
Development
/s/ Max E. Link Chairman of the Board December 27, 2002
---------------
Max E. Link
/s/ Kris Venkat Director December 27, 2002
---------------
Kris Venkat
/s/ Claude Tihon Director December 27, 2002
----------------
Claude Tihon
33
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Augustine Y. Cheung, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Celsion
Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such
statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operation and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, for the registrant and have:
a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure
that material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is
being prepared;
b. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c. Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed,
based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit
committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the
equivalent functions):
a. All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability
to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have
identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in
internal controls; and
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the
registrant's internal controls; and
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in
this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls
or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: December 27, 2002
By: /s/ Augustine Y. Cheung
-----------------------------------------
Augustine Y. Cheung
President and Chief Executive Officer
34
I, Anthony P. Deasey, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Celsion
Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such
statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operation and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, for the registrant and have:
a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure
that material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is
being prepared;
b. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c. Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed,
based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit
committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the
equivalent functions):
a. All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability
to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have
identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in
internal controls; and
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the
registrant's internal controls; and
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in
this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls
or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: December 27, 2002
By: /s/ Anthony P. Deasey
-------------------------------
Anthony P. Deasey
Executive Vice President -
Finance and Administration
and Chief Financial Officer
35
CELSION CORPORATION
REPORT ON AUDITS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
No extracts from this report may be published without our written consent.
Stegman & Company
CELSION CORPORATION
REPORT ON AUDITS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
CONTENTS
Page
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT F-1
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Balance Sheets F-2
Statements of Operations F-4
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity F-5
Statements of Cash Flows F-6
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-7
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Celsion Corporation
Columbia, Maryland
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Celsion Corporation
(the "Company") as of September 30, 2002 and 2001, and the related statements of
operations, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended September 30, 2002. 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 of America. 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 financial position of Celsion Corporation
as of September 30, 2002 and 2001, and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2002 in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that
the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in the notes to the
financial statements the Company has, since inception, incurred substantial
operating losses and at September 30, 2002 had an accumulated a deficit of $44
million. The Company's future prospects depend upon its ability to obtain
necessary approvals and demonstrate commercial viability of its products which
raises substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going
concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might
result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/Stegman & Company
Baltimore, Maryland
November 18, 2002
F-1
CELSION CORPORATION
BALANCE SHEETS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001
ASSETS
2002 2001
---------- ----------
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash $ 928,819 $2,510,136
Accounts receivable - trade -- 1,205
Other receivables 84,493 --
Inventories 449,608 --
Prepaid expenses 47,255 --
Other current assets -- 150,000
---------- ----------
Total current assets 1,510,175 2,661,341
---------- ----------
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - at cost:
Furniture and office equipment 311,481 229,643
Laboratory and shop equipment 89,354 87,193
---------- ----------
400,835 316,836
Less accumulated depreciation 190,658 127,556
---------- ----------
Net value of property and equipment 210,177 189,280
---------- ----------
OTHER ASSETS:
Deposits23,622 29,537
Prepaid inventory development costs 486,602 --
Patent licenses (net of accumulated amortization
of $129,077 and $113,247 in 2002 and 2001,
respectively) 60,873 76,703
---------- ----------
Total other assets 571,097 106,240
---------- ----------
TOTAL ASSETS $2,291,449 $2,956,861
See accompanying notes.
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
2002 2001
------------ ------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable - trade $ 494,650 $ 145,520
Other accrued liabilities 280,309 126,921
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 774,959 272,441
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES - Security deposit -- 15,203
------------ ------------
Total liabilities 774,959 287,644
------------ ------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock - $.01 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized,
92,417,556 and 76,876,761 shares issued and outstanding
for 2002 and 2001, respectively 924,176 768,768
Series A 10% Convertible Preferred Stock, $1,000
par value, 7,000 shares authorized, 1,131 and
1,099 shares issued and outstanding for 2002
and 2001, respectively 1,130,500 1,099,584
Series B 8% Convertible Preferred Stock,
$1,000 par value; 5,000 shares authorized, 1,591
and zero shares issued and outstanding for 2002 and 2001,
respectively 1,396,285 --
Additional paid-in capital 41,885,610 34,729,646
Accumulated deficit (43,820,081) (33,928,781)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity 1,516,490 2,669,217
------------ ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 2,291,449 $ 2,956,861
See accompanying notes.
F-3
CELSION CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
2002 2001 2000
------------ ------------ ------------
REVENUES:
Equipment sales and parts $ -- $ -- $ 3,420
Returns and allowances -- -- --
------------ ------------ ------------
Total revenues -- -- 3,420
COST OF SALES -- -- 246
------------ ------------ ------------
GROSS PROFIT -- -- 3,174
------------ ------------ ------------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative 4,833,005 3,211,625 2,662,623
Research and development 5,004,687 4,075,249 2,238,292
------------ ------------ ------------
Total operating expenses (9,837,692) (7,286,874) (4,900,915)
------------ ------------ ------------
INTEREST INCOME 48,321 318,038 350,526
RENTAL INCOME 38,289 45,609 --
------------ ------------ ------------
NET LOSS (9,751,082) (6,923,227) (4,547,215)
BENEFICIAL CONVERSION FEATURE
AND DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK (391,888) (234,513) (323,500)
------------ ------------ ------------
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON
STOCKHOLDERS $(10,142,970) $ (7,157,740) $ (4,870,715)
============ ============ ============
BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER
COMMON SHARE $ (.12) $ (0.10) $ (0.08)
============ ============ ============
BASIC AND DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE
NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES
OUTSTANDING 87,257,672 72,249,920 59,406,921
============ ============ ============
See accompanying notes.
F-4
CELSION CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
Series A
10% Convertible
Common Stock Preferred Stock
------------------------- --------------------------
Shares Amount Shares Amount
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balances at October 1, 1999 53,370,498 $ 533,705 -- $ --
Sale of common stock 10,248,544 102,485 -- --
Issuance of warrants/options and common
stock for payment of indebtedness and
expenses 753,025 7,531 -- --
Issuance of shares of Series A
10% convertible, preferred stock
(net of issuance costs) -- -- 4,853 4,852,500
Preferred stock dividend -- -- 323 323,500
Net loss -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balances at September 30, 2000 64,372,067 643,721 5,176 5,176,000
Sale of common stock 510,000 5,100 -- --
Issuance of warrants/options and common
stock for payment of expenses 319,174 3,192 -- --
Conversion of shares of Series A
10% convertible, preferred stock
plus accrued dividends 10,514,763 105,148 (4,311) (4,311,053)
Exercise of common stock
warrants and options 1,160,757 11,607 -- --
Preferred stock dividend -- -- 234 234,637
Stock compensation -- -- -- --
Net loss -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balances at September 30, 2001 76,876,761 768,768 1,099 1,099,584
Sale of preferred and common stock 12,500,000 125,000 -- --
Issuance of warrants/options and common
stock for payment of expenses 507,709 5,077 -- --
Conversion of shares of Series A 10%
convertible, preferred stock plus
accrued dividends 143,836 1,438 (58) (58,972)
Conversion of shares of Series B 8%
convertible, preferred stock plus
accrued dividends 918,000 9,180 -- --
Exercise of common stock
warrants and options 1,471,250 14,713 -- --
Preferred stock dividend -- -- 90 89,888
Beneficial conversion -- -- -- --
Stock compensation -- -- -- --
Net loss -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balances at September 30, 2002 92,417,556 $ 924,176 1,131 $ 1,130,500
See accompanying notes.
F-5
Series B
8% Convertible
Preferred Stock Additional
- ---------------------------- Paid-in Accumulated
Shares Amount Capital Deficit Total
- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
-- $ -- $ 22,403,622 $(21,900,202) $ 1,037,125
-- -- 7,122,893 -- 7,225,378
-- -- 771,965 -- 779,496
-- -- (620,855) -- 4,231,645
-- -- -- (323,500) --
-- -- -- (4,547,215) (4,547,215)
- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
-- -- 29,677,625 (26,770,917) 8,726,429
-- -- 147,400 -- 152,500
-- -- 337,690 -- 340,882
-- -- 4,205,905 -- --
-- -- (11,607) -- --
-- -- -- (234,637) --
-- -- 372,633 -- 372,633
-- -- -- (6,923,227) (6,923,227)
- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
-- -- 34,729,646 (33,928,781) 2,669,217
2,000 2,000,000 5,454,532 -- 7,579,532
-- -- 705,048 -- 710,125
-- -- 57,534 -- --
(459) (402,375) 393,195 -- --
-- -- 34,814 -- 49,527
50 50,330 -- (140,218) --
-- (251,670) 251,670 -- --
-- -- 259,171 -- 259,171
-- -- -- (9,751,082) (9,751,082)
- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
1,591 $ 1,396,285 $ 41,885,610 $(43,820,081) $ 1,516,490
See accompanying notes.
F-6
CELSION CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
2002 2001 2000
------------ ------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss $ (9,751,082) $ (6,923,227) $ (4,547,215)
Noncash items included in net loss:
Depreciation and amortization 82,437 68,845 39,478
Inventory valuation -- 13,538 17,000
Stock option compensation 259,172 372,633 --
Warrants issued for legal settlement 476,724 -- --
Common stock issued for operating expenses 233,401 340,758 542,745
Loss from disposal of property and equipment 1,825 -- --
Net changes in:
Accounts receivable and other receivables (83,288) 1,102 (495)
Inventories (449,608) -- (8,479)
Accrued interest receivable - related parties -- 7,751 (7,751)
Prepaid expenses (47,255) 14,832 197,103
Other current assets 150,000 (115,644) 4,847
Investment in prepaid inventory
development costs (486,602) -- --
Accounts payable and accrued interest payable 349,130 (70,324) (73,370)
Accrued compensation -- -- (91,009)
Other accrued liabilities 153,388 66,275 60,681
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash used in operating activities (9,111,758) (6,223,461) (3,866,465)
------------ ------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Decrease (increase) in deposits 5,915 (21,952) --
(Decrease) increase in security deposit liability (15,203) 15,203 --
Purchase of property and equipment (89,329) (117,572) (122,108)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities (98,617) (124,321) (122,108)
------------ ------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payment on notes payable - other -- (114,778) --
Payment on capital lease obligation -- -- (5,719)
Proceeds of stock issuances 7,629,058 152,500 11,457,024
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 7,629,058 37,722 11,451,305
------------ ------------ ------------
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH (1,581,317) (6,310,060) 7,462,732
CASH AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 2,510,136 8,820,196 1,357,464
------------ ------------ ------------
CASH AT END OF YEAR $ 928,819 $ 2,510,136 $ 8,820,196
See accompanying notes.
F-7
Celsion Corporation
Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
For the Years Ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000
2002 2001 2000
------------ ------------ ------------
Conversion of accounts payable, debt and accrued
interest payable through issuance of common stock $ -- $ -- $ 20,750
Prepaid expenses funded through issuance of
common stock $ -- $ -- $ 216,000
Cash paid during the year for interest $ -- $ -- $ 1,290
See accompanying notes.
F-8
CELSION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of Business
-----------------------
Celsion Corporation ("Celsion" or the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation, is a research and development company dedicated to the development
of medical treatment systems primarily to treat breast cancer and a chronic
prostate enlargement condition, common in older males, known as benign prostatic
hyperplasia, or BPH, using minimally invasive focused heat technology. The
Company is also working with Duke University on the development of
heat-sensitive liposome compounds for use in the delivery of chemotherapy drugs
to tumor sites, and with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, or
Sloan-Kettering on the development of heat-activated gene therapy compounds.
Inventories
-----------
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is
determined using the average cost method.
Property and Equipment
----------------------
Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is provided over
the estimated useful lives of the related assets of three to seven years using
the straight-line method. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized at
cost and ordinary repairs and maintenance are charged against operations as
incurred. Depreciation expense was $66,608, $53,016 and $23,648 for the years
ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
Prepaid Inventory Development Costs
-----------------------------------
The balance in prepaid development costs represents
research/development costs paid to a vendor for the design and development of
catheters which are to be used with the Company's BPH machines.
Patent Licenses
---------------
The Company has purchased several licenses to use the rights to
patented technologies. Patent license costs are amortized straight-line over the
remaining patent life.
F-9
CELSION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
Research and Development
------------------------
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Equipment and
facilities acquired for research and development activities which have
alternative future uses are capitalized and charged to expense over their
estimated useful lives.
Net Loss Per Common Share
-------------------------
Basic and diluted net loss per common share was computed by dividing
net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of
shares of common stock outstanding during each period. The impact of common
stock equivalents has been excluded from the computation of weighted average
common shares outstanding, as the effect would be antidilutive.
Nonmonetary Transactions
------------------------
Nonmonetary transactions are accounted for in accordance with
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 29 "Accounting for Nonmonetary
Transactions" which requires that the transfer or distribution of a nonmonetary
asset or liability generally is based on the fair value of the asset or
liability that is received or surrendered whichever is more clearly evident.
Use of Estimates
----------------
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Financial Instruments
---------------------
For most financial instruments, including cash, accounts payable and
accruals, management believes that the carrying amount approximates fair value,
as the majority of these instruments are short-term in nature.
2. FINANCIAL CONDITION
Since inception, the Company has incurred substantial operating losses,
principally from expenses associated with the Company's research and development
programs, the clinical trials conducted in connection with the Company's
thermotherapy systems and applications for submission to the Food and Drug
Administration. The Company believes these expenditures are essential for the
commercialization of its technologies. As a result of these expenditures, as
well as related general and administrative expenses the Company had an
accumulated deficit of $44 million as of September 30, 2002. The Company expects
such operating losses to continue in the near term and for the foreseeable
future as it continues its product development efforts, and undertakes marketing
and sales activities. The Company's ability to achieve profitability is
dependent upon its ability to successfully obtain governmental approvals,
produce, market and sell its new technology and integrate such technology into
its thermotherapy systems. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to commercialize its technology successfully or that profitability will
ever be achieved. The operating results of the Company have fluctuated
significantly in the past. The Company expects that its operating results will
fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter in the future and will depend on
a number of factors, many of which are outside the Company's control.
F-10
CELSION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
The Company will need substantial additional funding in order to
complete the development, testing and commercialization of its cancer treatment
and BPH products and of potential new products. It is the Company's current
intention both to increase the pace of development work on its present products
and to make a significant commitment to thermo-sensitive liposome and gene
therapy research and development projects. The increase in the scope of present
development work and such new projects will require additional funding, at least
until the Company is able to begin marketing its products.
If adequate funding is not available in the future, the Company
may be required to delay, scale-back or eliminate certain aspects of its
operations or to attempt to obtain funds through onerous arrangements with
partners or others that may force the Company to relinquish rights to certain of
its technologies, products or potential markets. Furthermore, if the Company
cannot fund its ongoing development and other operating requirements, and
particularly those associated with its obligation to conduct clinical trials
under its licensing agreements, it will be in breach of its commitments under
such licensing agreements and could therefore lose its license rights, with
material adverse effects on the Company.
These factors among others may indicate that the Company will be unable
to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time. The financial
statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and
classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of
liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as
a going concern. The Company's continuation as a going concern is dependent upon
its ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet its obligations on a timely
basis, to obtain additional financing as may be required, and ultimately to
attain successful operations. Management is continuing its efforts to obtain
additional funds so that the Company can meet its obligations and sustain
operations from sources that are described in the notes to the financial
statements.
3. INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and consist of
the following:
2002 2001
--------- ---------
Materials $373,786 $ --
Work-in-process 75,822 --
--------- ---------
$449,608 $ --
========= =========
F-11
CELSION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
4. INCOME TAXES
A reconciliation of the Company's statutory tax rate to the
effective rate for the years ended September 30 is as follows:
2002 2001 2000
------ ------ ------
Federal statutory rate 34.0% 34.0% 34.0%
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit 4.6 4.6 4.6
Valuation allowance (38.6) (38.6) (38.6)
------ ------ ------
.0% .0% .0%
====== ====== ======
As of September 30, 2002, the Company had net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $37 million for federal income tax purposes that
are available to offset future taxable income through the year 2021.
The components of the Company's deferred tax asset for the years
ended September 30 is as follows:
2002 2001
------------ ------------
Net operating loss carryforwards $14,300,000 $ 11,400,000
Valuation allowance (14,300,000) (11,400,000)
------------ ------------
$ -- $ --
============ ============
The evaluation of the realizability of such deferred tax assets in
future periods is made based upon a variety of factors for generating future
taxable income, such as intent and ability to sell assets and historical and
projected operating performance. At this time, the Company has established a
valuation reserve for all of its deferred tax assets. Such tax assets are
available to be recognized and benefit future periods.
5. RETIREMENT PLAN
The Company provides a SAR-SEP savings plan to which eligible employees
may make pretax payroll contributions up to 15% of compensation. The Company
does not make contributions to the plan.
6. PREFERRED STOCK
The Company has preferred stock known as Series A 10% convertible
preferred stock. Holders of shares of preferred stock are entitled to receive,
as and if declared by the Company's Board of Directors, dividends at the annual
rate of 10% per share payable semi-annually on March 31 and September 30. Such
dividends are payable in shares and fractional shares of preferred stock, valued
for this purpose at the rate of $1,000 per share. There are 1,131 and 1,099
(including accrued dividends) shares of this stock issued and outstanding at
September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
The shares of Series A preferred stock are subject to exchange and
conversion privileges upon the occurrence of major events, including a public
offering of the Company's securities or the Company's merger into another public
company. In addition, the holders of the Series A preferred stock are entitled
to convert their preferred shares into shares of common stock at a conversion
price of $0.41 per share of common stock, subject to certain adjustments.
There are outstanding warrants to purchase 36 shares of Series A
preferred stock (convertible into an additional 87,805 shares of common stock)
as of September 30, 2002.
F-12
CELSION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
During the year ended September 30, 2002 the Company issued 2,000
shares of Series B 8% convertible preferred stock on a private placement basis.
Holders of shares of preferred stock are entitled to receive, as and if declared
by the Company's Board of Directors, dividends at the annual rate of 8% per
share payable semi-annually on June 30 and December 31. Such dividends are
payable in shares and fractional shares of preferred stock, valued for this
purpose at the rate of $1,000 per share. There are 1,591 and -0- (including
accrued dividends) shares of this stock issued and outstanding at September 30,
2002 and 2001, respectively.
The shares of Series B preferred stock are subject to exchange and
conversion privileges at any time after September 3, 2002 at a conversion price
of $0.50 per share of common stock.
As of September 30, 2002, 1,591.33 (including accrued dividends) shares
of Series B 8% preferred stock was outstanding.
7. STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
The Company has issued stock options and warrants to employees,
directors, vendors and debt holders. Options and warrants are generally granted
at market value at the date of the grant.
A summary of the Company's stock option and warrant activity and
related information for the years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000 is as
follows:
Weighted
Options/ Average
Warrants Exercise
Outstanding Price
----------- ------------
Outstanding at October 1, 1999 16,653,770 .59
Granted 1,125,214 .94
Exercised (10,247,074) .70
Expired/cancelled -- --
----------
Outstanding at September 30, 2000 7,531,910 .44
Granted 8,158,308 1.36
Exercised (585,000) .35
Expired/cancelled -- --
----------
Outstanding at September 30, 2001 15,105,218 .94
Granted 31,307,874 .52
Exercised (1,471,250) .03
Expired/cancelled (10,258,049) .91
----------
Outstanding at September 30, 2002 34,683,793 .61
==========
F-13
CELSION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
Following is additional information with respect to options and warrants
outstanding at September 30, 2002:
Exercise Exercise Exercise Exercise
Price from Price from Price from Price from
$.01 to $.25 $.41 to $.70 $.71 to $1.50 $1.50 to $5.00
------------ ------------ ------------- --------------
Outstanding at September 30, 2002:
Number of options/warrants 6,279,226 22,500,497 5,058,070 846,000
Weighted average exercise price $ .06 $ .60 $ .94 $3.12
Weighted average remaining contractual
life in years 3.72 5.01 6.36 3.44
Exercisable at September 30, 2002:
Number of options/warrants 6,279,226 20,118,832 3,044,737 846,000
Weighted average exercise price $ .06 $ .60 $1.01 $3.12
Option Repricing
----------------
On March 29, 2002, in order to provide meaningful continuing
stock-based incentives for members of management, and in recognition of the
decline in the market price of the Company's Common Stock, the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors approved the cancellation of options to
purchase a total of 3,625,000 shares of Common Stock held by certain key
executives and issued new options to purchase a total of 3,150,000 shares,
resulting in a net decrease of options to purchase 475,000 shares. The cancelled
options had been issued to the Company's executives pursuant to their respective
employment contracts at exercise prices in excess of the current market price of
the Company's Common Stock. These options consisted of certain options vested at
the time of cancellation, as well as options with vesting dates through April of
2003, and with expiration dates through April of 2011. The new options consist
of currently vested compensatory options, bonus options, one-third of which are
currently vested and the remainder of which vest on March 31, 2003 and 2004, and
performance-based awards that vest, if at all, upon achievement, by the Company,
of certain specified milestones, all of which expire in May of 2012. All of the
new options were issued pursuant to the Company's 2001 Stock Option Plan, at
exercise prices at or in excess of the market price for the common stock on the
date of grant. The Company will account for the repriced options using variable
accounting under FASB Interpretation No. 44, Accounting for Certain Transactions
Involving Stock Compensation-An Interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25.
Consequently, during each reporting period the Company will record compensation
expense relating to the vested portion of the repriced options to the extent
that the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock exceeds the exercise
price of such options. During the year ended September 30, 2002 the Company did
not record any compensation expense of this kind.
During the year ended September 30, 2002, the Company entered into
agreements with consultants in which the consultants received stock options in
exchange for services. The fair value of these options was estimated at the date
of the grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
weighted average assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 5.0%, expected
volatility of 50%; expected option life 5 years from vesting and an expected
dividend yield of 0%. As a result of these agreements expense of $259,171 was
recognized in the year ended September 30, 2002.
The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
(SFAS No. 123), but applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and
related interpretations. No compensation expense related to the granting of
stock options to employees or directors was recorded during the three years
ended September 30, 2002. The fair value of these equity awards was estimated at
the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
weighted average assumptions for 2002, 2001 and 2000: risk-free interest rate of
5.27%, 4.77% and 6.54% for 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively; expected
volatility of 78%; expected option life of 3 to 5 years from vesting and an
expected dividend yield of 0%. If the Company had elected to recognize expense
based on the fair value at the grant dates consistent with the method prescribed
F-14
CELSION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
by SFAS No. 123, net loss and loss per share would have been changed to the pro
forma amounts as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
2002 2001 2000
--------------- -------------- -------------
Net loss attributable
to common stockholders $(11,123,932) $(7,834,189) $(5,356,215)
Net loss per common share - basic (.13) (.11) (.09)
8. LICENSE AGREEMENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
The Company does not own any patents but has three United States
patents pending, two of which have been filed internationally. Two of the three
pending United States patent applications are directed to the BPH treatment
system with the third directed to our breast cancer treatment.
Through the Company's license agreements with Massachusetts Institute
of Technology ("MIT") MMTC, Inc., Duke University ("Duke") and Sloan-Kettering,
the Company has exclusive rights, within defined fields of use of nine United
States patents. Three of these patents relate to the treatment of BPH, four
relate to thermotherapy for cancer, one relates to heat-sensitive liposomes and
one relates to gene therapy.
The MIT, MMTC, Duke and Sloan-Kettering license agreements each
contains license fee, royalty and/or research support provisions, testing and
regulatory milestones, and other performance requirements that the Company must
meet by certain deadlines with respect to the use of the licensed technologies.
In conjunction with the patent holders, the Company intends to file
international applications for certain of the United States patents.
In 1996, the Company entered into a patent license agreement with MIT,
pursuant to which the Company obtained exclusive rights to use of MIT's patented
APA technology in conjunction with application of heat to breast tumor
conditions, the application of heat to prostate conditions and all other medical
uses. MIT has retained certain rights in the licensed technology for
non-commercial research purposes. MIT's technology has been patented in the
United States and MIT has patents pending for its technology in China and
Europe. The term of the Company's exclusive rights under the MIT license
agreement expires on the earlier of ten years after the first commercial sale of
a product using the licensed technology or October 24, 2009, but the rights
continue on a non-exclusive basis for the life of the MIT patents.
The Company entered into a license agreement with MMTC in 1996, for
exclusive worldwide rights to MMTC's patents related to its balloon compression
technology for the treatment of prostatic disease in humans. The exclusive
rights under the MMTC license agreements extend for the life of MMTC's patents.
MMTC currently has patents in the United States and Canada. The terms of these
patents expire at various times from April 2008 to November 2014. In addition,
MMTC also has patent applications pending in Japan and Europe.
On November 10, 1999, the Company entered into a license agreement with
Duke under which the Company received exclusive rights (subject to certain
exceptions) to commercialize and use Duke's thermo-liposome technology. The
license agreement contains annual royalty and minimum payment provisions and
also requires milestone-based royalty payments measured by various events,
including product development stages, FDA applications and approvals, foreign
marketing approvals and achievement of significant sales. However, in lieu of
such milestone-based cash payments, Duke has agreed to accept shares of the
Company common stock to be issued in installments at the time each milestone
payment is due, with each installment of shares to be calculated at the average
closing price of the common stock during the 20 trading days prior to issuance.
The total number of shares issuable to Duke under these provisions is subject to
adjustment in certain cases, and Duke has "piggyback" registration rights for
public offerings taking place more than one year after the effective date of the
license agreement.
F-15
CELSION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
The rights under the license agreement with Duke extend for the
longer of 20 years or the end of any term for which any relevant patents are
issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Currently, the Company
has rights to Duke's patent for its thermo-liposome technology in the United
States, which expires in 2018, and to future patents received by Duke in Canada,
Europe, Japan and Australia, where it has patent applications pending.
The Company entered into a license agreement with Sloan-Kettering
in 2000 by which we obtained exclusive rights to Sloan-Kettering's United States
patent and to patents that Sloan-Kettering may receive in the future for its
heat-sensitive gene therapy in Japan, Canada and Europe, where it has patent
applications pending. Rights under the agreement with Sloan-Kettering will
terminate at the later of 20 years after the date of the agreement or the last
expiration date of any patent rights covered by the agreement.
9. LITIGATION SETTLEMENT
During the year ended September 30, 2002, the Company settled
litigation with a former director and a related investment group (the "Group")
related to the issuance of common stock warrants. In settlement of this
litigation the Company agreed to pay the lesser of certain legal costs or
$265,000 and to adjust the exercise price of 6,325,821 warrants originally
issued to the Group. Expense related to this settlement totaled $741,724 and is
included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended
September 30, 2002.
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Lease Commitments
-----------------
The Company has entered into a lease for their facilities located in
Columbia, Maryland. Future minimum lease obligations are as follows:
2003 $ 302,779
2004 311,789
2005 239,018
Thereafter --
Rent expense for the years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000 was
$359,206, $227,961 and $70,848, respectively.
F-16
CELSION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
Rental Income
In July 2001, the Company began subleasing some of its office/warehouse
space to an unrelated party. The Company rented this space for three months in
each of the years ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, generating $38,289 and
$45,609, respectively. The sublease ended January 1, 2002 and since that time no
other sublease has been signed.
Product Liability Insurance
The Company's business exposes it to potential product liability risks
which are inherent in the testing, manufacturing, and marketing of human
therapeutic products. The Company presently has product liability insurance
limited to $5,000,000 per incident, and, if the Company was to be subject to a
claim in excess of such coverage and such claim succeeded, the Company would be
required to pay such claim out of its own limited resources.
11. CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
As of September 30, 2002, the Company has a concentration of credit
represented by cash balances in one large commercial bank in amounts which
exceed current federal deposit insurance limits. The financial stability of this
institution is continually reviewed by senior management.
12. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
First Second Third Fourth
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit on sales $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
General and administrative expenses (541,247) (1,521,682) (987,306) (1,304,221)
Research and development expenses (1,123,221) (1,759,775) (1,646,710) (474,981)
Other income/expense 11,060 (459,800) 11,154 45,647
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net loss $(1,653,408) $(3,741,257) $(2,622,862) $(1,733,555)
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Net loss per share - basic and diluted $ (.02) $ (.04) $ (.03) $ (.03)
=========== =========== =========== ===========
F-17