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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

ý QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003

 

Commission File Number: 0-23413

 

Draft 8-5-03


INTERLEUKIN GENETICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

DELAWARE

 

94-3123681

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

135 BEAVER STREET
WALTHAM, MA 02452

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(781) 398-0700

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including area code

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  YES o  NO ý

 

Title of Each Class

 

Outstanding at July 31, 2003

Common stock, $.001 Par value

 

23,233,088

 

 



 

INTERLEUKIN GENETICS, INC.
Form 10-Q
INDEX

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 and June 30, 2002

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2003 and June 30, 2002

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Item 2.

 

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition And Results of Operations

 

Item 3.

 

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

Item 4.

 

 

Controls and Procedures

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Item 3. Default Upon Senior Securities

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

2



 

INTERLEUKIN GENETICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

June 30, 2003

 

December 31, 2002

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,477,270

 

$

733,848

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 and $18,000 at June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively

 

3,101

 

3,244

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

78,978

 

99,896

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

6,559,349

 

836,988

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed assets, net

 

319,770

 

320,567

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

118,403

 

92,224

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

6,997,522

 

$

1,249,779

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

175,961

 

$

268,234

 

Accrued expenses

 

573,958

 

462,969

 

Deferred revenue

 

37,360

 

45,360

 

Term notes, net of discount of $30,017 and $210,119 at June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively

 

494,983

 

314,881

 

Current portion of capital lease obligations

 

24,568

 

24,573

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,306,830

 

1,116,017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term notes

 

2,595,336

 

1,500,000

 

Capital lease obligations, less current portion

 

30,925

 

18,322

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

3,933,091

 

2,634,339

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, Series A $0.001 par value- 5,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding; aggregate liquidation preference of $14,000,000 at June 30, 2003

 

5,000

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value - 50,000,000 shares authorized; 23,257,715 and 23,142,876 shares issued and 23,233,088 and 23,118,249 outstanding at June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively

 

23,258

 

23,143

 

Treasury stock - 24,627 shares at cost

 

(250,119

)

(250,119

)

Additional paid-in capital

 

46,719,877

 

39,662,256

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(43,433,585

)

(40,819,840

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

3,064,431

 

(1,384,560

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

6,997,522

 

$

1,249,779

 

 

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

 

3



 

INTERLEUKIN GENETICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

For the three months ended June 30,

 

For the six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

632,909

 

$

13,540

 

$

661,647

 

$

22,552

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

 

382,455

 

185

 

399,337

 

335

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

250,454

 

13,355

 

262,310

 

22,217

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

475,875

 

850,179

 

1,348,314

 

1,778,195

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

603,441

 

569,240

 

1,296,153

 

1,111,707

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

1,079,316

 

1,419,419

 

2,644,467

 

2,889,902

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

(828,862

)

(1,406,064

)

(2,382,157

)

(2,867,685

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

17,250

 

6,751

 

23,013

 

19,755

 

Interest expense

 

(46,473

)

(3,013

)

(74,500

)

(6,267

)

Other income (expense)

 

(90,051

)

 

(180,101

)

697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(119,274

)

3,738

 

(231,588

)

14,185

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(948,136

)

$

(1,402,326

)

$

(2,613,745

)

$

(2,853,500

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share

 

$

(0.04

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.13

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

23,161,926

 

21,434,403

 

23,140,230

 

21,431,380

 

 

 

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

 

4



 

INTERLEUKIN GENETICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(2,613,745

)

$

(2,853,500

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

229,425

 

42,530

 

Change in value of stock options issued as compensation for services rendered

 

111,997

 

(4,955

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

143

 

71,109

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

20,919

 

7,173

 

Accounts payable

 

(92,273

)

101,965

 

Accrued expenses

 

110,987

 

12,700

 

Deferred revenue

 

(7,999

)

(74,241

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(2,240,546

)

(2,697,219

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of fixed assets

 

(16,130

)

(179,487

)

Decrease (increase) in other assets

 

(26,180

)

19,843

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(42,310

)

(159,644

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from sale of Preferred Series A

 

6,850,225

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of bridge loan

 

1,095,336

 

 

 

Net proceeds from sales of common stock, net

 

100,514

 

6,119

 

Payments of capitalized lease obligations, net

 

(19,797

)

(20,315

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

8,026,278

 

(14,196

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents

 

5,743,422

 

(2,871,059

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

733,848

 

3,922,736

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

6,477,270

 

$

1,051,677

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

28,637

 

$

6,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of fixed assets under capital leases

 

$

32,395

 

$

42,238

 

 

 

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

 

5



 

Note 1 Presentation of Interim Information

 

Interleukin Genetics, Inc., a Delaware corporation is a functional genomics company focused on personalized medicine. We believe that by identifying individuals at risk for certain diseases and combining this knowledge with specific interventions, better healthcare decisions can be made, reducing costs and greatly improving patient health outcomes. We have a growing portfolio of patents covering the genetics of a number of common diseases and conditions.

 

We have prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial reporting and with Securities Exchange Commission rules and regulations for Form 10-Q. It is recommended that these interim condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.  The interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited; however, in the opinion of our management, they include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to make the interim financial information not misleading. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.  Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those to be expected for the full year.

 

Since our inception, we have incurred accumulated deficits of approximately $43.4 million, including a net loss of approximately $2.6 million during the six month period ended June 30, 2003. During that period, we incurred negative cash flows from operating activities of approximately $2.2 million.

 

We anticipate our current cash, along with our anticipated revenue, anticipated new debt issuances and the anticipated equity milestone payment from Pyxis Innovations, Inc. will be sufficient to fund operations as planned into 2005.

 

Our future financial needs depend on many factors. We will need funds for the commercial development of additional genetic tests, continued research and development efforts, our obligations under existing contract research agreements, obtaining and protecting patents, and administrative expenses. Additional financing may not be available when needed, or, if available, it may not be available on favorable terms. If we cannot obtain additional capital on acceptable terms when needed, we may have to discontinue operations, or, at a minimum, curtail one or more of our research and development programs.

 

Note 2 – Significant Accounting Policies

 

We believe our most significant accounting policies are in the areas of revenue recognition, cost estimations of certain ongoing research contracts, the accounting treatment of patent related costs as incurred and our treatment of employee stock options.

 

Revenue recognition:

 

Contract revenues are recognized ratably as services are provided based on a fixed contract price or on negotiated hourly rates.  Royalty revenue is recorded monthly in accordance with the royalty agreements with each of our

 

6



 

marketing partners and based upon the number and value of the tests processed.  These revenues are reported as accounts receivable until they are paid.  Fees for the sale or licensing of product rights are recorded as deferred revenue upon receipt and recognized as revenue on the straight-line basis over the period that the related products or services are delivered or obligations as defined in the agreement are performed.  Revenue from genetic susceptibility tests is recognized when the tests have been completed and the results reported.

 

Cost estimates:

 

Some of our research and development is done on contract by outside parties.  It is not unusual that at the end of an accounting period we need to estimate both the total cost of these projects and the percent of that project which was completed as of the accounting date.  We then need to adjust those estimates when actual final costs are known.  To date, these adjustments have not been material to our financial statements, and we believe that the estimates that we made as of June 30, 2003 reflect the actual expenses incurred as of that date.  However, the possibility exists that certain research projects might cost more than we have estimated and that these higher costs will be reflected in future periods.

 

Patent expenses:

 

Prior to March 2003, patent costs were expensed as incurred due to the possibility that we would never be able to derive any benefits from our patents.  We have exclusive rights (subject to rights granted to an affiliate of Alticor within the fields of dermagenomics and nutragenomics) in fourteen issued U.S. patents, we have received notices of allowance on two U.S. patent applications and have thirteen additional pending U.S. patents applications.  We have also been granted a number of corresponding foreign patents and we have a number of foreign counterparts of our U.S. patents and patent applications pending.  Since inception we have expensed approximately $2.4 million in the effort to obtain patent protection for our intellectual property including $74,000 during the three months ended March 2003.  Due to the alliance with Alticor Inc. that was announced on March 5, 2003, we started to capitalize certain costs of patents for which the prospect of deriving benefits has become more certain.  During the three months ended June 30, 2003 we have capitalized $51,000 in patent costs.  We will amortize these patents over the shorter of the life of the patent or ten years, their expected useful life.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

We account for our stock-based compensation plans under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB 25), Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.  Under APB 25, no stock-based compensation is reflected in net income, as all options granted under the plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant and the related number of shares granted is fixed at that point in time.  The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if we had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Standard (“FAS”) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by FAS 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure, issued in December 2002.  The stock compensation expense in the below table recognizes the expense over the vesting period of the stock options.

 

7



 

 

 

Three months ended June
30,

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

Net loss applicable to common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(948,136

)

$

(1,402,326

)

$

(2,613,745

)

$

(2,853,500

)

Less:  fair value impact of employee stock compensation:

 

(125,046

)

(188,556

)

(395,920

)

(312,174

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma

 

$

(1,073,182

)

$

(1,590,882

)

$

(3,009,665

)

$

(3,165,674

)

Basic and diluted net loss per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(0.04

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.13

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma

 

$

(0.05

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.13

)

$

(0.15

)

 

The fair value of the options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model with the weighted-average assumptions listed in the table below:

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

Risk free interest rate

 

4.0%

 

4.0%

 

Expected life

 

7 years

 

7 years

 

Expected volatility

 

90%

 

100%

 

Expected dividend yield

 

0%

 

0%

 

 

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options. The Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options such as extremely limited transferability and, in most cases, vesting restrictions. In addition, the assumptions used in option valuation models (see above) are based upon historical averages that may not predict future results, particularly the expected stock price volatility of the underlying stock. Because changes in these input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, existing valuation models do not provide a reliable, single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

 

Note 3 – Cash and cash equivalents

 

On June 30, 2003 we reported a cash and cash equivalent balance of $6,477,270.  This included the receipt of $595,336 from the sale of a long-term promissory note to Pyxis on June 30, 2003 under the terms of the credit facilities described in Note 8.  This cash receipt was used, as required under the terms of the note, on July 1, 2003 to repay the short-term promissory notes that were sold on August 9, 2002 and are described in Note 10.  The amount paid on July 1, 2003 to the holders of these promissory

 

8



 

notes, including accrued interest, was $595,336.  Our cash balance on June 30, 2003, excluding the receipt of this cash, was $5,881,934.

 

Note 4 – Research Arrangements

 

Pursuant to the terms of our Research Agreement with Alticor (see Note 8) we are working with Alticor to develop nutrigenomic products for sale in the United States.  Our primary responsibility will be to develop tests to assess genetic risk, other clinical tests and screening technologies to validate the effectiveness of nutrigenomic consumables.  Additionally, we will play a key role in enhancing and maintaining scientific credibility in academic and medical communities.  After our initial focus in developing products for sale in the United States we expect that we will expand our focus to include developing nutrigenomic products for sale overseas and developing products in the United States and overseas in the area of skin care.

 

We have had a collaborative relationship with Sheffield University since 1994.  In July 1999, we entered into an arrangement with Sheffield whereby we acquired the right to develop and commercialize Sheffield’s past and future discoveries.  Pursuant to this Research and Technology Transfer Agreement, Sheffield agreed to forego its rights to future royalties and granted us commercialization rights to future discoveries in exchange for 275,000 shares of our common stock.  This common stock had a market value of $653,000 at the time of issuance and was recorded as a research and development expense in the period of issuance.  This agreement also requires us to issue options on July 1st of each year to Sheffield to purchase our common stock.  Each option issued is exercisable at the then current market price for a number of shares determined as follows: (i) 25,000 shares if this agreement is in effect and (ii) 10,000 shares for each patent application related to Sheffield’s discoveries that we filed during the preceding 12 months.  This agreement has a term of five years and may be canceled by us if the principal collaborator at Sheffield, Dr. Gordon Duff, leaves Sheffield or by either party upon six months’ notice.  Under the terms of this agreement we have issued options to acquire 35,000 shares of our common stock in both 2001 and 2002. An additional 45,000 shares are due to be issued in 2003.  The expense related to the 2003 issuance has already been accrued.  In total we have issued, or are committed to issue options to acquire 150,000 shares of our common stock.  These options were fully vested upon issuance and expire five years from the dates of issuance.

 

We also entered into a Research Support Agreement with Sheffield in July 1999 that requires us to pay the costs of all genetic research being conducted on our behalf at Sheffield.  Sheffield conducts this research according to an Annual Research Plan that is determined by a Steering Committee made up equally of members from Sheffield and us.  This agreement automatically renews in one-year increments, but may be canceled by us if Dr. Duff leaves Sheffield or by either party upon six months’ notice.  We have expensed approximately $170,000 for research, including $108,000 for stock compensation expense, but excluding the expenses related to our separate agreement with Dr. Duff, Sheffield’s key collaborator (see below) during the six months ended June 30, 2003.  Currently Sheffield is conducting genotyping in support of our other research programs but is not conducting any other research on our behalf under the terms of this agreement.

 

In September 1999, we entered into a five-year Consulting Agreement with Dr. Gordon Duff, Sheffield’s key collaborator.  In accordance with the Consulting

 

9



 

Agreement, Dr. Duff received 200,000 shares of our common stock for relinquishing interests in previous research agreements, the value of which was $475,000 and was recorded as research and development expense in the period of issuance.  Under this agreement Dr. Duff will also receive a royalty equal to one percent of the first $4 million of net sales under the PST technology and two percent of net sales above $4 million.  In July 2000, in consideration of future services, Dr. Duff received an option to purchase 25,000 shares of our common stock at the then current market price.  In July 2001 and July 2002, Dr. Duff received an additional option to purchase 25,000 shares our common stock at the market price as of that date in consideration of his ongoing consulting for us.  We are obligated to issue additional options to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock to Dr. Duff with an effective date of July 2003.  The expense related to this issuance of stock options has already been accrued.  These options will be fully vested upon issuance and expire five years from the date of issuance.  Dr. Duff also received cash payments of approximately $48,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003 for services rendered under the terms of this consulting agreement.

 

In December 2001, we entered into a research collaboration agreement with Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health Research (“Kaiser”), to study genetic risk factors for chronic diseases that are affected by inflammation.  This agreement requires us to fund clinical trials completed at Kaiser per specific research study plans.  The first study plan that we are funding is a study to assess the genetic risk that diabetic patients have of developing cardiovascular disease.  We expect to announce additional studies with Kaiser.  It is hoped that knowledge resulting from this work will enable us to develop new diagnostic tools that physicians and health care organizations can use to assess their patients’ genetic risk for many diseases.

 

In March 2002, we entered into a research collaboration agreement with UnitedHealth Group’s research arm, the Center for Healthcare Policy and Evaluation, to study how commonly inherited gene variants affect the response of patients with certain inflammatory diseases to specific drugs.  Knowledge resulting from this work will help us develop pharmacogenetic tests that physicians and managed care organizations can use to assist in the selection of the optimal drug for an individual patient.

 

Note 5 – Revenue Recognition

 

Contract revenues are recognized ratably as services are provided based on a fixed contract price or on negotiated hourly rates.  Royalty revenue is recorded monthly in accordance with the royalty agreements with each of our marketing partners and based upon the number and value of the tests processed.  These revenues are reported as accounts receivable until they are paid.  Fees for the sale or licensing of product rights are recorded as deferred revenue upon receipt and recognized as revenue on the straight-line basis over the period that the related products or services are delivered or obligations as defined in the agreement are performed.  Revenue from genetic susceptibility tests is recognized when the tests have been completed and the results reported.

 

Note 6 – 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

 

10



 

of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Note 7 – Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Common Share

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128 (SFAS 128), “Earnings per Share,” outlines methods for computing and presenting earnings per share. SFAS 128 requires a calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for all periods presented.  We reported losses for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 and accordingly, outstanding preferred shares, convertible debt, options and warrants have been excluded from the calculation of the diluted weighted average shares outstanding as they are antidilutive in loss periods.  The calculation of diluted net loss per common share for the periods ended June 30, 2003 excludes 28,157,683 shares for the 5,000,000 Series A Preferred Shares that were convertible into common shares and 5,219,903 shares for the $2,595,336 in debt that was convertible into common shares. The calculation also excludes 2,547,752 and 2,775,302 stock options outstanding and 525,000 and 1,345,952 warrants to purchase common stock outstanding at June 30, 2003 and June 30, 2002, respectively.

 

Note 8 – Strategic Alliance with Alticor Inc.

 

On March 5, 2003, we announced a broad strategic alliance with several affiliates of the Alticor family of companies to develop and market novel nutritional and skin care products.  The alliance will utilize our intellectual property and expertise in genomics to develop personalized consumer products.

 

The alliance includes an equity investment, a multi-year research and development agreement, a licensing agreement with royalties on marketed products, the deferment of outstanding loan repayment and the refinancing of bridge financing obligations.  The major elements of the alliance are:

 

                  The purchase by Pyxis, an affiliate of Alticor, of $7,000,000 of equity in the form of 5 million shares of Series A Preferred Stock for $1.40 per share, convertible into approximately 28,157,683 shares of common stock at a conversion price equal to $0.2486, representing 54.8% of our common stock assuming conversion of the preferred stock (without taking into account the conversion into common stock of current and potential loans extended to us by Pyxis).  Upon achievement of a defined milestone, Pyxis is obligated to contribute an additional $2,000,000, for no additional shares, for a total equity funding of $9,000,000 and a conversion price of $0.3196.

 

                  The right of the Series A holders to nominate and elect four directors to a five person board.  To accommodate the election of the four Series A directors, which occurred on March 24, 2003, all of our previous directors, except for Philip Reilly, our Chief Executive Officer, resigned.

 

                  A research and development agreement providing us with funding of

 

11



 

$5,000,000, payable over the 24 months period ending March 2005, to conduct certain research projects with a royalty on resulting products.

 

                  Credit facilities in our favor, as follows:

 

                  $1,500,000 working capital credit line to initiate selected research agreements with third party entities approved by the board of directors of Interleukin;

                  $2,000,000 refinancing of notes previously held by Pyxis Innovations Inc., extending the maturity date and reducing the interest rate; and

                  $595,336 refinancing on July 1, 2003 of bridge financing notes previously held by third parties, extending the maturity date and reducing the interest rate.

 

As of June 30, 2003, there was $2,595,336 outstanding under the terms of these credit facilities.  These credit facilities will mature in December 2007, bear interest at 1% over the prime rate, require quarterly interest payments, are secured by a security interest in our intellectual property, and are convertible at the election of Pyxis into shares of common stock at a conversion price initially equal to $0.4972 per share, subject to future adjustment.

 

Note 9 – Capital Stock

 

Authorized Common Stock

 

At June 30, 2003, we had authorized 50,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value common stock of which 23,233,088 shares were outstanding, approximately 2.6 million shares were reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options, 700,000 shares were reserved for issuance upon exercise of stock options available for grant under existing plans, 525,000 shares were reserved for the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase common stock, approximately 470,000 shares were reserved for issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the remaining authorized shares of common stock were reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock.

 

On July 23, 2003, at our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholders approved amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance from 50,000,000 to 75,000,000 and to increase the aggregate number of shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance from 5,000,000 to 6,000,000.  We filed a certificate of amendment to our certificate of incorporation, as amended, in August 2003. With these changes we now have sufficient shares of common stock authorized under our Certificate of Incorporation to cover all shares of common stock that we may be required to issue upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock (described below), outstanding and reserved stock options and warrants, the employee stock purchase plan and any of the shares that we may be required to issue upon the conversion of the notes described under the heading “Credit facilities in our favor” within Note 8.

 

Series A Preferred Stock

 

In a private placement on March 5, 2003, we entered into a Purchase Agreement

 

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with Pyxis, pursuant to which Pyxis purchased from us the Series A Preferred Stock for $7,000,000 in cash and an additional $2,000,000 in cash to be paid, if at all, upon our reaching a certain milestone pursuant to the terms of Purchase Agreement.  The offering was made to Pyxis by way of a private placement exempt from registration under the Securities Act.

 

The Series A Preferred Stock issued in the private placement was initially convertible into 28,157,683 shares of our common stock reflecting a conversion price of $.2486 per share (or $.3196 per share if the milestone payment is received), subject to weighted average antidilution adjustments.  Assuming the conversion of all shares of Series A Preferred Stock, such shares represent 54.8% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

 

The Series A Preferred Stock was issued in return for a capital contribution of $7,000,000.  If we achieve the milestone of entering into a genetics testing agreement with one or more customers with a projected internal rate of return of at least twenty percent (20%) and a payback period of three (3) years or less, Pyxis will make an additional capital contribution of $2,000,000.  Alticor Inc., the parent of Pyxis, has guaranteed this $2,000,000 payment if the milestone is achieved.

 

The Series A Preferred Stock accrues dividends at the rate of 8% of the original purchase price per year, payable only when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors and are non-cumulative.  If we declare a distribution, with certain exceptions, payable in securities of other persons, evidences of indebtedness issued by us or other persons, assets (excluding cash dividends) or options or rights to purchase any such securities or evidences of indebtedness, then, in each such case the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to a proportionate share of any such distribution as though the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock were the holders of the number of shares of our common stock into which their respective shares of Series A Preferred Stock are convertible as of the record date fixed for the determination of the holders of our common stock entitled to receive such distribution.

 

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of our assets or surplus funds to the holders of our common stock by reason of their ownership thereof, the amount of two times the then-effective conversion price per share, as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations or splits with respect to such shares, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such share for each share of Series A Preferred Stock then held by them.  After receiving this amount, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall participate on an as-converted basis with the holders of common stock in any of our remaining assets.

 

Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into a number of shares of our common stock determined by dividing the then-effective purchase price (originally $1.40, or $1.80 if the milestone payment is received, and subject to further adjustment) by the conversion price in effect on the date the certificate is surrendered for conversion.  The initial conversion price is $.2486 per share (or $.3196 per share if the milestone payment is received), subject to weighted average antidilution adjustment.

 

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Each holder of Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to vote its shares of Series A Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis with the holders of common stock as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, except as otherwise required by applicable law.  This means that each share of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock into which it is convertible on the applicable record date, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

 

Private Placements of Common Stock

 

In January 2001, we sold in a private placement 1.2 million shares of common stock for $2.50 per share. The purchasers of common stock also received warrants to purchase 600,000 shares of common stock exercisable at $3.00 per share. We generated net proceeds of approximately $2.9 million from this transaction.  Under the terms of this private placement, we were required to adjust the price per share paid in this offering, by issuing additional shares, to match any offering price paid, if lower, in subsequent offerings prior to May 23, 2003.  On October 22, 2002, this agreement was amended.  (See Note 10)

 

In December 2000, we sold in a private placement 542,373 shares of common stock for $3.69 per share. The purchasers of common stock also received warrants to purchase 135,593 shares of common stock exercisable at $4.83 per share. The Company generated net proceeds of approximately $2.0 million from this transaction. Under the terms of this private placement, we were required to adjust the price per share paid in this offering, by issuing additional shares, to match any offering price paid, if lower, in subsequent offerings prior to February 9, 2003. Following the January 2001 offering described above, we issued an additional 257,627 shares of common stock to the purchasers in the December 2000 private placement, and a new warrant to purchase 264,407 shares of common stock exercisable at a price of $3.13 to replace the previously issued warrant to buy 135,593 shares of common stock at a price of $4.83 per share.  On October 22, 2002 this agreement was amended.  (See Note 10)

 

Note 10 – Interim Financing

 

On August 9, 2002 we received approximately $475,000 in net proceeds from the sale of term promissory notes with an original aggregate principal amount of $525,000. These notes had an original maturity of August 9, 2003 and accrued interest at a rate of 15%.  We prepaid the outstanding principal and accrued interest on these notes on July 1, 2003. The purchasers of the promissory notes received warrants to purchase one share of our common stock at a purchase price of $2.50 for every dollar invested in the promissory notes. In total, warrants to purchase 525,000 shares of our common stock were issued. These warrants expire in ten years.  The expense related to the value of these warrants is being amortized over the life of the notes.  Amortization expense related to these warrants was $180,102 for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Interest expense was $39,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

On June 30, 2003 we received $595,336 from Pyxis under the terms of the credit facilities described in Note 8 for the express purpose of repaying the term promissory notes issued on August 9, 2002.  On July 1, 2003, subsequent to the end of the fiscal quarter, we repaid these notes using these proceeds.

 

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The total payment, including accrued interest was $595,336.

 

On October 23, 2002, we entered into an interim financing agreement with Pyxis, which as amended, provided for debt financing of up to $2.0 million.  On October 23, 2002, November 15, 2002, December 16, 2002 and January 29, 2003, we issued four separate $500,000 promissory notes pursuant to the agreement.  These notes were to mature on December 31, 2003 and accrued interest at a rate of 15%. The outstanding principal amount and all accrued interest were to be paid upon maturity.  These notes were secured by all of our intellectual property except intellectual property relating to periodontal disease and sepsis.  On March 5, 2003, these notes were amended as part of our strategic alliance with Alticor. (See Note 8).

 

On October 22, 2002, as a condition for the interim financing with Pyxis noted above, we entered into separate agreements with the purchasers in the December 2000 and January 2001 private placements to temporarily waive certain provisions of these private placement agreements. Specifically, the purchasers temporarily waived their right, through March 31, 2003, to receive cash payments of up to $100,000 per month if our common stock was delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. Also waived through March 31, 2003 was the purchasers’ right to receive additional shares of our common stock for no additional consideration if we issued shares of our common stock at a price below $2.50 per share. Under these agreements the purchasers also agreed to cancel warrants to purchase an aggregate of 864,407 shares of our common stock. In exchange, we issued an aggregate of 1,676,258 shares of our common stock to the purchasers for no additional cash consideration.  The purchasers also agreed that if we received an equity investment of at least $3,000,000 from Pyxis prior to March 31, 2003, the temporary waivers of rights by the purchasers would become permanent. If we did not receive such an equity investment by that date, the temporary waivers would have terminated and we would have been required to issue warrants to purchase an aggregate of 864,407 shares of our common stock exercisable at $1.70 per share, subject to any stockholder approvals required by the market or exchange on which our common stock was traded or quoted. Of these warrants, the exercise price of warrants to purchase 600,000 shares of common stock would have been subject to adjustment downward to equal 125% of the price per share at which we sold any shares of our common stock (or securities convertible into common stock) prior to May 23, 2003.

 

The March 5, 2003 sale of Series A Preferred (See Notes 8 and 9) stock satisfied the conditions necessary to make permanent the temporary waivers discussed above.

 

Note 11 – Segment Information

 

We follow the provisions of SFAS No. 131 (SFAS 131), “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” SFAS 131 establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments in annual and interim financial statements, requiring that public business enterprises report financial and descriptive information about reportable segments based on a management approach. SFAS 131 also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. In applying the requirements of this statement, we continue to have one reportable segment, which is the development of genetic susceptibility tests and therapeutic targets for common diseases.

 

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We have no assets outside of the United States.  For the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 all assets were located in, and all revenue was primarily generated in, the United States.

 

Note 12 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB 13, and Technical Corrections”, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 145, companies will be required to apply the criteria in APB Opinion No. 30, “Reporting the Results Operations - Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions” in determining the classification of gains/losses resulting from the extinguishment of debt shall be classified under the criteria in APB Opinion No. 30. We do not expect Adoption of SFAS No. 145 to have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In July 2002, FASB issued SFAS No. 146 “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”, which became effective January 2003. SFAS No. 146 requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of commitment.  We do not expect Adoption of SFAS No. 146 to have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In November 2002, FASB Interpretation 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (FIN 45), was issued.  FIN 45 requires a guarantor entity, at the inception of a guarantee covered by the measurement provisions of the interpretation, to record a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee.  We have not previously recorded a liability when guaranteeing obligations unless it became probable that we would have to perform under the guarantee.  FIN 45 applies prospectively to guarantees we issued or modified subsequent to December 31, 2002, but has certain disclosure requirements effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2002.  We historically issued guarantees only on a limited basis and do not anticipate FIN 45 will have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

In December 2002, FASB issued SFAS No. 148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure”.  SFAS No. 148 provides alternative methods of transition to a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation.  In addition, this Statement amends the disclosure requirements to require prominent disclosures in both the annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results.  We do not expect adoption of SFAS No. 148 to have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” In general, a variable interest entity is a corporation, partnership, trust, or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either (a) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (b) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities.  FIN No. 46 requires certain variable interest entities to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if the investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial

 

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interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties.  The consolidation requirements of FIN No. 46 apply immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003.  The consolidation requirements apply to older entities in interim periods beginning after June 15, 2003.  Certain of the disclosure requirements apply in all financial statements issued after January 15, 2003, regardless of when the variable entity was formed.  We do not expect adoption of FIN No. 46 to have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In April 2003, the FASB issued Statement No. 149 (SFAS 149), “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”  SFAS 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting requirements for derivative instruments, including derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under FASB Statement No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”  In general, SFAS 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003.  The Company has determined that adoption of this statement will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued Statement No. 150 (SFAS 150), “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.”  SFAS 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity.  It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability, or in certain instances, as an asset.  SFAS 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, otherwise SFAS 150 is generally effective with interim periods beginning after June 15, 2003.  The Company has determined that adoption of this statement will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

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

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

This report on Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated by reference within this document contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act.  Statements contained in this report that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements.  Words or phrases such as “will likely result”, “expect”, “will continue”, anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “project”, “outlook”, or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements address or may address the following subjects:

 

                  The sufficiency of our current cash resources, additional anticipated financings, anticipated revenues and the anticipated Pyxis equity milestone payment to fund operations into 2005;

                  Our expectation that we will receive up to $5,000,000 in revenue over the twenty four month period ending March 2005 from an affiliate of Pyxis under the terms of the Research Agreement with this affiliate;

                  Our expectation that we may receive a $2,000,000 milestone payment under the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement with Pyxis;

                  Our expectation that we may receive a $1.5 million working capital loan from Pyxis;

                  Our expectation that we will receive royalty payments and/or genetic test processing revenue under the terms of a License Agreement with an affiliate of Pyxis;

                  Our expectation that we may sign additional research agreements with affiliates of Pyxis, or other third parties, on terms beneficial to us;

                  Our expectation of the benefits that will result from the ongoing research programs that outside parties are conducting on our behalf;

                  Any expectation we may have regarding the success of developing products, the timing of releasing products for sale or the success of these products when they are released;

                  Our expectation that our total research and development costs, including clinical costs, but excluding contract research and development, will be between approximately $2.0 and $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2003;

                  Our expectation that we might derive benefit from our patented intellectual property; and

                  Our expectation that we will continue to experience losses until our genetic testing and other revenues grow substantially from current levels.

 

Actual results may vary materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include but are not limited to: risks related to market acceptance of genetic risk assessment tests in general and our products in particular, risks related to our dependence on our controlling stockholder, Pyxis, and its affiliates, our ability with our research and marketing partners to successfully and timely develop and market genetic test,

 

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nutritional and therapeutic products, our ability to receive royalty and milestone payments, risks related to technology and product obsolescence, our ability to fund operations into 2005, competitive risks and those risks set forth within the section titled “Factors That May Affect Our Future Performance” beginning on page 28 within this report.  We cannot be certain that our results will not be adversely affected by one or more of these factors or by other factors not currently anticipated.  All information set forth in this Form 10-Q is as of the date of this Form 10-Q.  In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Interleukin’s estimates only as of the day this report was first filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and should not be relied upon as representing Interleukin’s estimates as of any subsequent date.  While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.

 

GENERAL OVERVIEW

 

We develop and sell genetic susceptibility tests to determine individual risk to common diseases, genetic tests that identify which individuals will respond to specific drug therapies and specific nutritional products and conduct contract research to develop these tests and other services in conjunction with strategic partners. We market PST(R) in the United States and Europe. PST, our only genetic test currently on the market, predicts the risk of periodontal disease. We are currently developing genetic tests, related clinical tests, and screening systems for validating nutrigenomic consumables.  Our initial focus is to develop these genetic and clinical tests and screening systems in the areas of osteoporosis and coronary artery disease.  We are also developing a genetic test that predicts which drug treatment will be most effective for patients with advanced Rheumatoid Arthritis.

 

Every living organism has a unique “genome,” a master blueprint of all the cellular structures and activities necessary to build and support life. A genome is a map of the organism’s DNA, which is in part comprised of segments called “genes.” Genes contain the specific sequences of information responsible for particular physiological traits and processes. Each gene contains a sequence of nucleotides, which provide precise genetic instructions to create, or “express” a protein. Proteins are the primary building blocks of an organism’s physiological characteristics. A typical human cell contains thousands of different proteins essential to its structure, growth and function. If even one gene or single nucleotide is abnormal, it can severely alter the cell’s function and result in a disease condition. Throughout the past decade, researchers have focused on discovering genes and sequencing the human genome to determine the order of nucleotides in a specific gene, permitting identification of the gene and the protein it produces using a variety of techniques. For example, scientists have used cDNA libraries, which contain copies of DNA with only the expressed portion of the gene, in conjunction with computer software to identify locations of genes within the genome. Recent advances have allowed these technologies to operate in a high-throughput manner, causing the discovery of genes to become much more efficient and allowing researchers to focus on the functional aspects of genes. Understanding the functional aspects of genes permits the researchers to correlate those genes to medically relevant conditions. The efforts to discover and understand these functional aspects of the genes in the human genome are commonly referred to as “functional genomics.” Identifying genes that may predispose a person to a particular disease may allow researchers to

 

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develop diagnostic tests for the disease permitting early diagnosis and more successful treatment. We believe that combining genetic susceptibility tests with specific therapeutic and nutritional strategies results in improved clinical outcomes and more cost-effective health maintenance and disease management.

 

On March 5, 2003, we entered into a broad strategic alliance with several affiliates of the Alticor family of companies to develop and market novel nutritional and skin care products.  The alliance will utilize our intellectual property and expertise in genomics to develop personalized consumer products.

 

The alliance includes an equity investment, a multi-year research and development agreement, a licensing agreement with royalties on marketed products, the deferment of outstanding loan repayment and the refinancing of bridge financing obligations.  The financial elements of this alliance are described in greater detail in the section titled “Liquidity and Capital Resources beginning on page 24.

 

This alliance will open our research and development products to our strategic partner’s proven distribution channel.  We believe that the benefits derived from nutritional supplements that are being developed by this strategic partner will be greatly enhanced by applying our deeper understanding of the underlying human genetics.  Further, we believe that the future of personalized nutritional supplementation and skin care will be based on an individual’s genetic makeup.  This alliance will focus on developing genetic tests to determine a genetic profile of an individual and nutritional supplements and skin care products that will benefit individuals of that genetic profile.

 

The initial focus of this alliance will be to bring to market tests to assess an individual’s health risks and nutritional products to provide a personalized nutritional supplementation regimen to reduce those health risks.

 

We distribute PST through third party distributors. Kimball Genetics markets PST in the United States and Hain Diagnostika/ADA GmbH distributes PST in all countries outside of North America and Japan. Hain has extensive experience in commercializing genetic tests in several fields, as well as a specific commitment to marketing products directly to dentists. Sales of PST have generated minimal revenues to date, and we do not know if or when PST will achieve commercial acceptance.

 

Commercial success of genetic susceptibility tests will depend upon their acceptance as medically useful and cost-effective by patients, physicians, dentists, other members of the medical and dental community, and third-party payers.  We are not certain whether we will be successful in developing and bringing to market our current or future tests based on the genetic discoveries made by our collaborators and us.

 

Our ability to successfully commercialize genetic susceptibility tests depends partly on obtaining adequate reimbursement for such products and related treatment from government and private health care insurers and other third-party payers.  Doctors’ decisions to recommend genetic susceptibility tests may be influenced by the scope and reimbursement for such tests by third-party payers. If both third-party payers and individuals are unwilling to pay for

 

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the test, then the number of tests performed will significantly decrease, therefore resulting in a reduction of revenues.

 

Research in the field of disease predisposing genes and genetic markers is intense and highly competitive. We have many competitors in the United States and abroad that have considerably greater financial, technical, marketing, and other resources available. If we do not discover disease predisposing genes or genetic markers and develop susceptibility tests and launch such services or products before our competitors, then revenues may be reduced or eliminated.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

COMPARISON OF THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2003 TO THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002

 

Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2003 was $632,909 compared to $13,540 for the three months ended June 30, 2002. The increase was due to $625,000 in revenue from our research agreement with Alticor.  This research agreement is expected to produce a total of $5,000,000 in revenue over the 24-month period ending March 2005.  Cost of revenue was $382,455 for the three months ended June 30, 2003, compared to $185 for the same period in 2002. Gross profit margin was 40% in the three months ended June 30, 2003 compared to 99% for the same period in 2002.  The increased costs of sales and decreased gross profit margin were primarily due to the increased costs associated with providing the research to Alticor.

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2003, we had research and development expenses of $475,875 as compared to $850,179 for the same quarter of 2002, a decrease of 44%.  The decrease was primarily the result of a re-allocation of resources from internally funded research and development to the research projects funded by Alticor that are included in costs of revenue.  During 2003 we are conducting new and ongoing research and clinical projects both in-house and through collaborative partners.  The most significant projects are the following:

 

Nutrigenomic Products:  Pursuant to the terms of our Research Agreement with Alticor we are working with Alticor to develop nutrigenomic products for sale in the United States.  Our primary responsibility will be to develop tests to assess genetic risk and other clinical tests and to develop screening technologies to validate the effectiveness of nutrigenomic consumables.  Additionally, we will play a key role in enhancing and maintaining scientific credibility in academic and medical communities.  After our initial focus in developing products for sale in the United States we expect that we will expand our focus to include developing nutrigenomic products for sale overseas and developing products in the United States and overseas in the area of skin care.

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis:  In collaboration with United Health Group, we are conducting a study to determine whether analysis of genotype will be useful to predict responses to anti-cytokine therapy for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.  The anti-cytokine therapies currently on the market act very differently on human biology.  Two of the three anti-cytokine therapies used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are anti TNFα drugs; the other acts upon the IL-1 gene.  We believe that depending upon the specific genetics of

 

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individuals, we might be able to predict which class of drugs would be most effective.

 

In collaboration with the University of Sheffield School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), we are conducting a study to determine if it is cost effective to analyze patient genotypes prior to the use of Kineret in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.  The preliminary results of this study were announced at the American College of Rheumatoid meeting on October 26, 2002.  The results of the economic modeling indicate that use of a pharmacogenetic test prior to prescribing Kineret could potentially be cost-effective by producing higher response rates.

 

We continue to assess opportunities to develop off-patent drugs or drugs that have been shown to be safe but do not have FDA approval for any specific application and attempt to validate these drugs for new applications.  We hope to use our knowledge of genetic variations in the area of inflammation to find new applications for these drugs and to develop drugs, which may be efficacious for individuals of specific genotypes.

 

We are also continuing the development of our basic understanding of genetic variations, specifically as it relates to inflammation.  We expect to identify and study new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that cause functional changes on inflammatory responses to stimuli.

 

We expect total research and development costs, including clinical costs, but excluding costs associated with research for Alticor, that will be included in costs of sales, to be between approximately $2.0 and $2.4 million for the calendar year 2003. Actual costs may vary from this estimate as a result of changes in technology, the success of current and future research projects, the success or failure of our current or future strategic alliances and collaborations and the identification of new business opportunities.

 

We have not made an attempt to finalize an estimate of our research and development expenses beyond 2003 due to the factors listed above.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $603,411 during the three months ended June 30, 2003 compared to $569,240 during the same quarter last year, an increase of 6%.  The increase was primarily the result of an increase in legal expenses related to SEC compliance issues.

 

Interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2003 was $17,250 compared to $6,751 for the same period in 2002.  This increase was due primarily to the higher average cash and cash equivalent balances in 2003 in comparison to the same period in 2002.  Interest expense of $46,473 was incurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2003, compared to $3,013 in the same period in 2002.  The increase is primarily due to interest expense related to our long-term debt to Alticor and the term promissory notes sold in August 2002.  We also had an expense of $90,051 in the three months ended June 30, 2003 related to the amortization of the value of the warrants associated with the August 2002 promissory notes.  This expense is included in the financial statements as other expense and is being amortized over the life of the notes.

 

Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2003 was $948,136 or $0.04 per share as compared to $1,402,326 or $0.07 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2002.  Excluded from these totals was $125,046 and $188,556 for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 respectively for the fair value

 

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impact of employee stock compensation. These amounts would have been recorded had we elected to recognize stock compensation over the vesting period of the stock options.  Our net loss had we done this would have been $1,073,182 or $0.05 per share and $1,590,882 or $0.07 per share for the 2003 and 2002 periods respectively.

 

COMPARISON OF SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2003 TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002

 

Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2003 was $661,647 compared to $22,552 for the six months ended June 30, 2002. The increase was primarily due to $625,000 in revenue from our research agreement with Alticor.  This agreement is expected to produce a total of $5,000,000 in revenue over the 24-month period ending March 2005.  Cost of revenue was $399,337 for the six months ended June 30, 2003, compared to $335 for the same period in 2002. Gross profit margin was 40% for the six months ended June 30, 2003 compared to 99% for the same period in 2002.  The increased costs of sales and decreased gross profit margin were primarily due to the increased costs associated with the Alticor research project.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2003, we had research and development expenses of $1,348,314 as compared to $1,778,195 for the same period during 2002, a decrease of 24%.  The decrease was primarily the result of a re-allocation of resources from internally funded research and development to the research projects funded by Alticor that are included in costs of research.

 

We expect total research and development costs, including clinical costs, but excluding costs associated with the Alticor research project, that will be included in costs of sales, to be between approximately $2.0 and $2.4 million for the calendar year 2003. Actual costs may vary from this estimate as a result of changes in technology, the success of current and future research projects, the success or failure of our current or future strategic alliances and collaborations and the identification of new business opportunities.

 

We have not made an attempt to finalize an estimate of our research and development expenses beyond 2003 due to the factors listed above.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $1,296,153 during the six months ended June 30, 2003 compared to $1,111,707 during the same period last year, an increase of 17%.  The increase was primarily the result of an increase in legal expenses related to our negotiation of a strategic alliance with Alticor and its affiliates and SEC compliance issues.

 

Interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2003 was $23,013 compared to $19,755 for the same period in 2002.  This increase was due primarily to the higher average cash and cash equivalent balances in 2003 in comparison to the same period in 2002.  Interest expense of $74,500 was incurred during the six months ended June 30, 2003, compared to $6,267 in the same period in 2002.  The increase is primarily due to interest expense related to our long-term debt to Alticor and the term promissory notes sold in August 2002.  We also had an expense of $180,102 in the six months ended June 30, 2003 related to the amortization of the value of the warrants associated with the August 2002 promissory notes.  This expense is included in the financial statements as other expense and is being amortized over the life of the notes.

 

23



 

Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2003 was $2,613,745 or $0.11 per share as compared to $2,853,500 or $0.13 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2002.  Excluded from these totals was $395,920 and $312,174 for the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 respectively for the fair value impact of employee stock compensation. These amounts would have been recorded had we elected to recognize stock compensation over the vesting period of the stock options.  Our net loss had we done this would have been $3,009,665 or $0.13 per share and $3,165,674 or $0.15 per share for the 2003 and 2002 periods respectively.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

On March 5, 2003, we entered into a broad strategic alliance with several affiliates of the Alticor family of companies to develop and market novel nutritional and skin care products.  The alliance will utilize our intellectual property and expertise in genomics to develop personalized consumer products.

 

The alliance includes an equity investment, a multi-year research and development agreement, a licensing agreement with royalties on marketed products, the deferment of outstanding loan repayment and the refinancing of bridge financing obligations.  The major elements of the alliance are:

 

                  The purchase by Pyxis of $7,000,000 of equity in the form of 5 million shares of Series A Preferred Stock for $1.40 per share, convertible into approximately 28,157,683 shares of common stock at a conversion price equal to $0.2486, representing 54.8% of our common stock assuming conversion of the preferred stock (without taking into account the conversion into common stock of current and potential loans to us by Pyxis).  Upon achievement of a defined milestone, Pyxis is obligated to contribute an additional $2,000,000, for no additional shares, for a total equity funding of $9,000,000 and a conversion price of $0.3196.

 

                  The right of the Series A holders to nominate and elect four directors to a five person board.  To accommodate the election of the four Series A directors, which occurred on March 24, 2003, all of Interleukin’s previous directors, except for Philip Reilly, Interleukin’s Chief Executive Officer, resigned.

 

                  A research and development agreement providing us with funding of $5,000,000, payable over the next 24 months, to conduct certain research projects with a royalty on resulting products.

 

                  Credit facilities in our favor, as follows:

 

                  $1,500,000 working capital credit line to initiate selected research agreements with third party entities approved by the board of directors of Interleukin;

                  $2,000,000 refinancing of notes previously held by Pyxis, extending the maturity date and reducing the interest rate; and

                  $595,336 refinancing on July 1, 2003 of bridge financing notes previously held by third parties, extending the maturity date and reducing the interest rate.

 

24



 

As of June 30, 2003 there was $2,595,336 outstanding under the terms of these credit facilities. The credit facilities will mature in December 2007, bear interest at 1% over the prime rate, require quarterly interest payments, are secured by a security interest in our intellectual property, and are convertible at the election of Pyxis into shares of common stock at a conversion price initially equal to $0.4972 per share, subject to future adjustment.

 

On August 9, 2002 we received approximately $475,000 in net proceeds from the sale of term promissory notes with an original aggregate principal amount of $525,000. These notes had an original maturity in August 2003 and accrued interest at a rate of 15%. The purchasers of the promissory notes received warrants to purchase one share of our common stock at a purchase price of $2.50 for every dollar invested in the promissory notes. In total, warrants to purchase 525,000 shares of our common stock were issued. These warrants expire in ten years.

 

On June 30, 2003 we received $595,336 from Pyxis under the terms of the credit facilities described above for the express purpose of repaying the term promissory notes.  On July 1, 2003, subsequent to the fiscal quarter end, we repaid these notes using those proceeds. The total payment, including accrued interest was $595,336.

 

On October 23, 2002, we entered into an interim financing agreement with Pyxis, which as amended, provided for debt financing of $2.0 million.  On October 23, 2002, November 15, 2002, December 16, 2002 and January 29, 2003, we issued four separate $500,000 promissory notes pursuant to the agreement.  These notes were to mature on December 31, 2003 and accrued interest at a rate of 15%. The outstanding principal amount and all accrued interest were to be paid upon maturity.  These notes were secured by all of our intellectual property except intellectual property relating to periodontal disease and sepsis.  On March 5, 2003, these notes were amended pursuant to the strategic alliance agreement with Alticor and its affiliates. (See above)

 

On October 22, 2002, as a condition for the interim financing with Pyxis noted above, we entered into separate agreements with the purchasers in the December 2000 and January 2001 private placements to temporarily waive certain provisions of these private placement agreements. Specifically, the purchasers temporarily waived their right, through March 31, 2003, to receive cash payments of up to $100,000 per month if our common stock is delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. Also waived through March 31, 2003 was the purchasers’ right to receive additional shares of our common stock for no additional consideration if we issued shares of its common stock at a price below $2.50 per share. Under these agreements the purchasers also agreed to cancel warrants to purchase an aggregate of 864,407 shares of common stock. In exchange, we issued an aggregate of 1,676,258 shares of our common stock to the purchasers for no additional cash consideration.  The purchasers also agreed that if we received an equity investment of at least $3,000,000 from Pyxis prior to March 31, 2003, the temporary waivers of rights by the purchasers would become permanent. If we did not receive such an equity investment by that date, the temporary waivers would have terminated and we would have been required to issue warrants to purchase an aggregate of 864,407 shares of our common stock exercisable at $1.70 per share, subject to any stockholder approvals required by any market or exchange on which our common stock was traded or quoted. Of these warrants, the exercise price of

 

25



 

warrants to purchase 600,000 shares of common stock would have been subject to adjustment downward to equal 125% of the price per share at which we sold any shares of our common stock (or securities convertible into common stock) prior to May 23, 2003.

 

The March 5, 2003 sale of Series A Preferred (See above) stock satisfied the conditions necessary to make permanent the temporary waivers discussed above.

 

Since inception, we have incurred accumulated deficits of approximately $43.4 million, including losses of approximately $2.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2003.  Net cash used in operating activities was $2.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2003 and $2.7 million during the same period last year. We anticipate that we will continue to experience losses until our genetic or clinical risk testing or royalty revenues grow substantially from current levels.

 

As of June 30, 2003, we had long-term notes payable to Pyxis of $2,595,336.  This debt matures December 31, 2007 and pays interest quarterly at a variable rate of 1% over the Prime rate.  As of June 30, 2003 we also had a short-term notes payable of $525,000 that were to mature in August 2003 and paid interest at 15%.  Included in the Pyxis total is the $595,336 that was used to repay the short-term notes payable and all the accrued interest on these notes on July 1, 2003, pursuant to the terms of our strategic alliance agreements with Alticor and its affiliates signed on March 5, 2003.

 

Our obligation at June 30, 2003 for capitalized lease obligations totaled approximately $55,000, of which $31,000 is classified as long-term and $24,000 is classified as current.  We currently do not have any commitments for material capital expenditures.

 

As of June 30, 2003 we had cash and cash equivalents totaling $6.5 million compared to $734,000 as of December 31, 2002. Excluding the $595,336 we used to repay short-term promissory notes on July 1, 2003, the total cash and cash equivalent balance was approximately $5.9 million.  We anticipate that existing cash and cash equivalents, along with anticipated revenues, the anticipated equity milestone payment by Pyxis and additional anticipated financings from Pyxis under the terms of the March 5, 2003 strategic alliance agreements, will be adequate to fund operations into 2005.  Our future financial requirements are anticipated to be substantial, and we do not have commitments for additional funding at this time. Financial requirements are expected to arise from the commercial development of additional genetic and clinical risk tests, continued research and development efforts, the protection of intellectual property rights (including preparing and filing of patent applications), as well as operational, administrative, legal and accounting expenses. We can give no assurance that we will be able to achieve the milestone necessary to receive the $2 million milestone payment from Pyxis nor can we give any assurance that we will be able to raise any additional capital at all, or if we do raise additional capital, that it will be on terms acceptable to us or our stockholders. If additional amounts cannot be raised, we would suffer material adverse consequences to our business, financial condition and results of operations and would likely be required to seek other alternatives up to and including protection under the United States Bankruptcy Laws.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

We account for our stock-based compensation plans under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB 25), Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.  Under APB 25, no stock-based compensation is reflected in net income, as all options granted under the plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant and the related number of shares granted is fixed at that point in time.  The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if we had applied the fair value recognitions provisions of Statement of Financial Standard (“FAS”) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by FAS 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure, issued in December 2002.  The stock compensation expense in the below table recognizes the expense over the vesting period of the stock options.

 

 

 

Three months ended June
30,

 

Six months ended June
30,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

Net loss applicable to common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

(948,136

)

(1,402,326

)

(2,613,745

)

(2,853,500

)

Less:  fair value impact of employee stock compensation:

 

(125,046

)

(188,556

)

(395,920

)

(312,174

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma

 

(1,073,182

)

(1,590,882

)

(3,009,665

)

(3,165,674

)

Basic and diluted net loss per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(0.04

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.13

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma

 

$

(0.05

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.13

)

$

(0.15

)

 

The fair value of the options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model with the weighted-average assumptions listed in the table below:

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

Risk free interest rate

 

4.0%

 

4.0%

 

Expected life

 

7 years

 

7 years

 

Expected volatility

 

90%

 

100%

 

Expected dividend yield

 

0%

 

0%

 

 

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options. The Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options such as extremely limited transferability and, in most cases, vesting restrictions. In addition, the assumptions used in option valuation models (see above) are based upon historical averages that may not predict future results, particularly the expected stock price volatility of the underlying stock. Because changes in these input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, existing valuation models do not

 

27



 

provide a reliable, single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options. For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair values of the options are amortized over the options’ vesting period.

 

Factors That May Affect Our Future Performance

 

We have a history of operating losses and expect these losses to continue in the future.

 

We have experienced significant operating losses since our inception and expect these losses to continue for some time. We incurred losses from operations of $4.8 million in 2001, $5.1 million in 2002 and $2.4 million through the first six months of 2003. As of June 30, 2003, our accumulated deficit was $43.4 million. Our losses result primarily from research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses. We have not generated significant revenues from product sales, and we do not know if we will ever generate significant revenues from product sales. We will need to generate significant revenues to continue our research and development programs and achieve profitability. We cannot predict when, if ever, we will achieve profitability.

 

The market for genetic susceptibility tests is unproven.

 

The market for genetic susceptibility tests is at an early stage of development and may not continue to grow. The general scientific community, including us, has only a limited understanding of the role of genes in predicting disease. When we identify a gene or genetic marker that may predict disease, we conduct clinical trials to confirm the initial scientific discovery and to establish the scientific discovery’s clinical utility in the marketplace. The results of these clinical trials could limit or delay our ability to bring the test to market, reduce the test’s acceptance by our customers or cause us to cancel the program, any of which would limit or delay sales and cause additional losses. The only genetic susceptibility test we currently market is PST, and it has produced only minimal revenues to date. The marketplace may never accept our products, and we may never be able to sell our products at a profit. We may not complete development of or commercialize our other genetic susceptibility tests.

 

The success of our genetic susceptibility tests will depend upon their acceptance as medically useful and cost-effective by patients, physicians, dentists, other members of the medical and dental community and by third-party payors, such as insurance companies and the government. We can achieve broad market acceptance only with substantial education about the benefits and limitations of genetic susceptibility tests. Our tests may not gain market acceptance on a timely basis, if at all. If patients, dentists and physicians do not accept our tests, or take a longer time to accept them than we anticipate, then it will reduce our sales, resulting in additional losses.

 

We rely heavily on third parties, including Alticor, to perform sales, marketing and distribution functions on our behalf, which could limit our efforts to successfully market products.

 

We have limited experience and capabilities with respect to distributing, marketing and selling genetic susceptibility tests. We have relied and plan to continue to rely significantly on sales, marketing and distribution arrangements with third parties, over which we have limited influence. If

 

28



 

these third parties do not successfully market our products, it will reduce our sales and increase our losses. If we are unable to negotiate acceptable marketing and distribution agreements with future third parties, or if in the future we elect to perform sales, marketing and distribution functions ourselves, we will incur significant costs and face a number of additional risks, including the need to recruit experienced marketing and sales personnel.  On March 5, 2003, we signed a strategic alliance with Alticor and its affiliates.  As part of this alliance, Alticor’s affiliates will conduct some sales, marketing and distribution functions on our behalf.  While they have far more experience and success in marketing, selling and distributing products than we do, we could become very dependent upon their efforts and their failure to successfully market our products could reduce our sales and increase our losses.

 

If we fail to obtain additional capital, or obtain it on unfavorable terms, then we may have to end our research and development programs and other operations.

 

We anticipate our current cash, along with our anticipated revenue, anticipated new debt issuances and an anticipated equity milestone payment from Pyxis will be sufficient to fund operations, as planned into 2005.  If we are not generating sufficient cash by 2005 or cannot raise additional capital prior to 2005, we may be unable to fund our business operations and will be required to seek other strategic alternatives and may be required to declare bankruptcy.

 

Our future financial needs depend on many factors. We will need funds for the commercial launch of additional genetic tests, continued research and development efforts, obtaining and protecting patents and administrative expenses. Additional financing may not be available when needed, or, if available, it may not be available on favorable terms. If we cannot obtain additional capital on terms acceptable terms when needed, we may have to discontinue operations, or, at a minimum, curtail one or more of our research and development programs.

 

Because Pyxis has a controlling percentage of the voting power of our outstanding stock, other stockholders’ voting power is limited.

 

Pyxis has the right to designate four of our five directors and the four directors designated by Pyxis are all employees of Pyxis or its affiliates. On matters for which the holder of our preferred stock, Pyxis, votes on an as-converted basis with holders of common stock, Pyxis would have approximately 54.8% of the shares of common stock deemed entitled to vote.  Accordingly, Pyxis will be able to determine the outcome of these stockholder votes, including votes concerning the adoption or amendment of some provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws and the approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions, including a sale of substantially all of our assets. Pyxis may make decisions that are adverse to other stockholders’ or warrantholders’ interests. This ownership concentration may also adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

The Series A Preferred Stock has rights which are senior to common stockholder rights and this may reduce the value of the common stock.

 

The Series A Preferred Stock, which was issued to Pyxis on March 5, 2003, accrues dividends at the rate of 8% of the original purchase price per year,

 

29



 

payable only when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors and are non-cumulative.  If we declare a distribution, with certain exceptions, payable in securities of other persons, evidences of indebtedness issued by us or other persons, assets (excluding cash dividends) or options or rights to purchase any such securities or evidences of indebtedness, then, in each such case the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to a proportionate share of any such distribution as though the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock were the holders of the number of shares of our common stock into which their respective shares of Series A Preferred Stock are convertible as of the record date fixed for the determination of the holders of our common stock entitled to receive such distribution.

 

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Interleukin, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of our assets or surplus funds to the holders of our common stock by reason of their ownership thereof, the amount of two times the then-effective purchase price per share, as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations or splits with respect to such shares, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such share for each share of Series A Preferred Stock then held by them.  After receiving this amount, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall participate on an as-converted basis with the holders of common stock in any of our remaining assets. At the election of the holders of a majority of the Series A Preferred Stock, an acquisition of Interleukin by means of a merger or other form of corporate reorganization in which all of our outstanding shares of stock are exchanged for securities or other consideration issued by the acquiring corporation or a sale of all of our assets will be treated as a liquidation.

 

The preferential treatment accorded the Series A Preferred Stock might reduce the value of the common stock.

 

In a circumstance in which Pyxis enters a business in competition with our own, we have agreed with Pyxis that the four directors appointed by Pyxis do not need to present potential transactions or other corporate opportunities to us.

 

In conjunction with our strategic alliance with Pyxis, we have agreed to certain terms for allocating opportunities as permitted under Section 122(17) of the Delaware General Corporation Law. This agreement, as set forth in the stock purchase agreement, regulates and defines the conduct of our affairs as they may involve Pyxis as our majority stockholder and its affiliates, and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of us and our officers and directors in connection with corporate opportunities.

 

Except under certain circumstances, Pyxis and its affiliates have the right to engage in the same or similar activities or lines of business or have an interest in the same classes or categories of corporate opportunities as we do.  We have agreed with Pyxis that if Pyxis, or one of our directors appointed by Pyxis, and Pyxis’ affiliates acquire knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for both Pyxis and its affiliates and us, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Pyxis and its affiliates will not have a duty to inform us about the corporate opportunity or be liable to us or to you for breach of any fiduciary duty as a stockholder of ours for not informing us of the corporate opportunity, keeping it for its own account, or referring it to another person.

 

30



 

Additionally, except under limited circumstances, if an officer or employee of Pyxis who is also one of our directors is offered a corporate opportunity, such opportunity shall not belong to us. In addition, we agreed that such director will have satisfied his duties to us and not be liable to us or to you in connection with such opportunity.  This policy may make it more difficult for us to learn of or benefit from significant opportunities for strategic alliances, research agreements, distribution agreements, licenses or new technology.

 

If we are unsuccessful in establishing additional strategic alliances, our ability to develop and market products and services will be damaged.

 

Entering into strategic alliances for the development and commercialization of products and services based on our discoveries is an important element of our business strategy. We anticipate entering into additional collaborative arrangements with Alticor affiliates and other parties in the future. We face significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborators. In addition, these alliance arrangements are complex to negotiate and time-consuming to document. If we fail to maintain existing alliances or establish additional strategic alliances with Alticor’s affiliates and others, then our ability to develop and market products and services will be damaged. In addition, the terms of any future strategic alliances may be unfavorable to us or these strategic alliances may be unsuccessful.

 

If we fail to obtain an adequate level of reimbursement for our products or services by third-party payors, then some of our products and services will not be commercially viable.

 

The availability and levels of reimbursement by governmental and other third-party payors affect the market for any healthcare service. These third-party payors continually attempt to contain or reduce the costs of healthcare by challenging the prices charged for medical products and services. Our ability to successfully commercialize our existing genetic susceptibility test and others that we may develop depends on obtaining adequate reimbursement from third-party payors. The extent of third-party payor reimbursement will likely heavily influence physicians’ and dentists’ decisions to recommend genetic susceptibility tests, as well as patients’ elections to pursue testing. If reimbursement is unavailable or limited in scope or amount, then we cannot sell our products and services profitably. In particular, third-party payors tend to deny reimbursement for services which they determine to be investigational in nature or which are not considered “reasonable and necessary” for diagnosis or treatment. To date, few third-party payors have agreed to reimburse patients for genetic susceptibility tests, and we do not know if third-party payors will, in the future, provide full reimbursement coverage for these genetic tests. If third-party payors do not provide adequate reimbursement coverage, then individuals may choose to directly pay for the test. If both third-party payors and individuals are unwilling to pay for the tests, then the number of tests we can sell will be significantly decreased, resulting in reduced revenues and additional losses.

 

If we fail to obtain patent protection for our products and preserve our trade secrets, then competitors may develop competing products and services, which will decrease our sales and market share.

 

Our success will partly depend on our ability to obtain patent protection, in

 

31



 

the United States and in other countries, for our products and services. In addition, our success will also depend upon our ability to preserve our trade secrets and to operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of third parties.

 

We own exclusive rights (subject to rights granted to an affiliate of Alticor in the fields of dermagenomics and nutragenomics) in fourteen issued U.S. patents, we have received notices of allowance on two U.S. patent applications and have thirteen U.S. patent applications pending. We have also been granted a number of corresponding foreign patents and have a number of foreign counterparts of our U.S patents and patent applications pending. Our patent positions, and those of other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, are generally uncertain and involve complex legal, scientific and factual questions. Our ability to develop and commercialize products and services depends on our ability to:

 

                Obtain patents;

 

                Obtain licenses to the proprietary rights of others;

 

                Prevent others from infringing on our proprietary rights; and

 

                Protect trade secrets.

 

Our pending patent applications may not result in issued patents and any issued patents may never afford meaningful protection for our technology or products. Further, others may develop competing products which avoid legally infringing upon, or conflicting with, our patents. In addition, competitors may challenge any patents issued to us, and these patents may subsequently be narrowed, invalidated or circumvented.

 

We also rely on trade secrets and proprietary know-how that we seek to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements. The third parties we contract with may breach these agreements, and we might not have adequate remedies for any breach. Additionally, our competitors may discover or independently develop our trade secrets.

 

Third parties may own or control patents or patent applications and require us to seek licenses, which could increase our costs or prevent us from developing or marketing our products or services.

 

We may not have rights under patents or patent applications that are related to our current or proposed products. Third parties may own or control these patents and patent applications in the United States and abroad. Therefore, in some cases, to develop or sell any proposed products or services, with patent rights controlled by third parties, our collaborators or we may seek, or may be required to seek, licenses under third-party patents and patent applications. If this occurs, we will pay license fees or royalties or both to the licensor. If licenses are not available to us on acceptable terms, we or our collaborators may be prohibited from developing or selling our products or services.

 

If third parties believe our products or services infringe upon their patents, they could bring legal proceedings against us seeking damages or seeking to enjoin us from testing, manufacturing or marketing our products or

 

32



 

services. Any litigation could result in substantial expenses to us and significant diversion of attention by our technical and management personnel. Even if we prevail, the time, cost and diversion of resources of patent litigation would likely damage our business. If the other parties in any patent litigation brought against us are successful, in addition to any liability for damages, we may have to cease the infringing activity or obtain a license.

 

Technological changes may cause our products and services to become obsolete.

 

Our competitors may develop susceptibility tests that are more effective than our technologies or that make our technologies obsolete. Innovations in the treatment of the diseases in which we have products or product candidates could make our products obsolete. These innovations could prevent us from selling, and significantly reduce or eliminate the markets for, our products.

 

We may be prohibited from fully using our net operating loss carryforwards, which could affect our financial performance.

 

As a result of the losses incurred since inception, we have not recorded a federal income tax provision and have recorded a valuation allowance against all future tax benefits. As of December 31, 2002, we had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $33.8 million for federal and state income tax purposes, expiring in varying amounts through the year 2022. We also had a research tax credit of approximately $369,000 at December 31, 2002, that expires in varying amounts through the year 2022. Our ability to use these net operating loss and credit carryforwards is subject to restrictions contained in the Internal Revenue Code which provide for limitations on our utilization of our net operating loss and credit carryforwards following a greater than 50% ownership change during the prescribed testing period. We have experienced two such ownership changes.  One change came in March 2003, and the other was in June 1999. As a result, all of our net operating loss carryforwards will be limited in utilization.  The annual limitation may result in the expiration of the carryforwards prior to utilization. In addition, in order to realize the future tax benefits of our net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, we must generate taxable income, of which there is no assurance.

 

We are subject to intense competition from other companies, which may damage our business.

 

Our industry is highly competitive. Our competitors in the United States and abroad are numerous and include major pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies, specialized biotechnology firms, universities and other research institutions, including those receiving funding from the Human Genome Project. Many of our competitors have considerably greater financial resources, research and development staffs, facilities, technical personnel, marketing and other resources than we do. Furthermore, many of these competitors are more experienced than we are in discovering, commercializing and marketing products. These greater resources may allow our competitors to discover important genes or genetic markers before we do. If we do not discover disease predisposing genes and commercialize these discoveries before our competitors, then our ability to generate sales and revenues will be reduced or eliminated, and could make our products obsolete. We expect competition to intensify in our industry as technical advances are made and become more widely known.

 

33



 

We are subject to government regulation which may significantly increase our costs and delay introduction of future products.

 

The sale, performance or analysis of our genetic tests do not currently require FDA approval. At both the federal and state level, there is limited regulation of genetic testing laboratories.  Changes in existing regulations could require advance regulatory approval of genetic susceptibility tests, resulting in a substantial curtailment or even prohibition of our activities without regulatory approval. If our genetic tests ever require regulatory approval, on either a state or federal level, then the costs of introduction will increase and marketing and sales of products may be significantly delayed.

 

We may be subject to product liability claims that are costly to defend and that could limit our ability to use some technologies in the future.

 

The design, development, manufacture and use of our genetic susceptibility tests involve an inherent risk of product liability claims and associated adverse publicity. Producers of medical products face substantial liability for damages in the event of product failure or allegations that the product caused harm. We currently maintain product liability insurance, but it is expensive and difficult to obtain, may not be available in the future on economically acceptable terms and may not be adequate to fully protect us against all claims. We may become subject to product liability claims that, even if they are without merit, could result in significant legal defense costs. We could be held liable for damages in excess of the limits of our insurance coverage, and any claim or resulting product recall could create significant adverse publicity.

 

Ethical, legal and social issues related to genetic testing may reduce demand for our products.

 

Genetic testing has raised issues regarding the appropriate utilization and the confidentiality of information provided by genetic testing. Genetic tests for assessing a person’s likelihood of developing a chronic disease have focused public attention on the need to protect the privacy of genetic assessment medical information. For example, concerns have been expressed that insurance carriers and employers may use these tests to discriminate on the basis of genetic information, resulting in barriers to the acceptance of genetic tests by consumers. This could lead to governmental authorities prohibiting genetic testing or calling for limits on or regulating the use of genetic testing, particularly for diseases for which there is no known cure. Any of these scenarios would decrease demand for our products and result in substantial losses.

 

Our dependence on key executives and scientists could adversely impact the development and management of our business.

 

Our success substantially depends on the ability, experience and performance of our senior management and other key personnel. If we lose one or more of the members of our senior management or other key employees, it could damage our development programs and our business. In addition, our success depends on our ability to continue to hire, train, retain and motivate skilled managerial and scientific personnel. The pool of personnel with the skill that we require is limited. Competition to hire from this limited pool is

 

34



 

intense. We compete with numerous pharmaceutical and health care companies, as well as universities and nonprofit research organizations in the highly competitive Boston, Massachusetts business area. Loss of the services of Dr. Philip R. Reilly, our Chairman and CEO, Dr. Kenneth Kornman, our President, or Dr. Paul M. Martha, our Chief Medical Officer, could delay our research and development programs and damage our business. We have entered into employment agreements with three year terms with Drs. Reilly, Kornman and Martha. Any of these employees can terminate his employment upon 30 days’ notice. We do not maintain key man life insurance on any of our personnel.

 

There is a limited market for our common stock and we cannot be sure that even this limited market will be maintained.

 

Currently only a very limited trading market exists for our common stock.  Our common stock trades on the Boston Stock Exchange and the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “ILGN.”  The OTC Bulletin Board is a limited market and subject to substantial restrictions and limitations in comparison to the Nasdaq system.  Any broker/dealer that makes a market in our stock or other person that buys or sells our stock could have a significant influence over its price at any given time.  The SEC has recently adopted rules that will require the Boston Stock Exchange to impose new requirements on the audit committees of listed companies, including that all of their members must be “independent” by the time of their annual meeting in 2004.  We cannot be certain that any of our current directors will meet the definition of independence eventually adopted by the Boston Stock Exchange, therefore we may fail to satisfy the listing requirements for the Boston Stock Exchange.  As a result we may be subject to delisting from the Boston Stock Exchange.

 

Our business involves environmental risks that may result in liability for us.

 

Our business is also subject to regulation under federal, state and local laws regarding environmental protection and hazardous substances control, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Environmental Protection Act and the Toxic Substance Control Act, which govern the use, generation, manufacture, storage, discharge, handling and disposal of low-level radioactive material, biological specimens and other substances. We believe that we are in material compliance with these and other applicable laws and that our ongoing compliance will not have a material adverse effect on our business. However, statutes or regulations applicable to our business may be adopted which impose substantial additional costs to assure compliance or otherwise materially adversely affect our operations.  In the event of accidental contamination or injury from these materials, we could be held liable for any damages that result and any such liability could exceed our resources.

 

We do not expect to pay dividends for the foreseeable future and you should not expect to receive any funds without selling your shares of common stock, which you may only be able to do at a loss.

 

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain any earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not expect to receive any funds without selling your shares, which you may only be able to do at a loss.

 

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Our former use of Arthur Andersen LLP as our independent auditors may pose risk to us and will limit your ability to seek potential recoveries from them related to their work.

 

On June 15, 2002, Arthur Andersen LLP, our former independent auditor, was convicted on a federal obstruction of justice charge. Some investors, including institutional investors, may choose not to invest in or hold securities of a company whose financial statements were audited by Arthur Andersen, which may serve to, among other things, depress the price of our common stock. In July and August 2002, our board of directors decided to no longer engage Arthur Andersen and engaged Grant Thornton LLP to serve as our independent auditors.

 

SEC rules require us to present our audited financial statements in various SEC filings, along with Arthur Andersen’s consent to our inclusion of its audit report in those filings. The SEC recently has provided regulatory relief designed to allow companies that file reports with the SEC to dispense with the requirement to file a consent of Arthur Andersen in certain circumstances. Notwithstanding the SEC’s regulatory relief, the inability of Arthur Andersen to provide its consent or to provide assurance services to us could negatively affect our ability to, among other things, access the public capital markets. Any delay or inability to access the public markets as a result of this situation could have a material adverse impact on our business. Also, an investor’s ability to seek potential recoveries from Arthur Andersen related to any claims that an investor may assert as a result of the work performed by Arthur Andersen will be limited significantly in the absence of a consent and may be further limited by the diminished amount of assets of Arthur Andersen that are or may in the future be available for claims.

 

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

As of June 30, 2003 the only financial instruments we carried were cash and cash equivalents.  We believe the market risk arising from holding these financial instruments is not material.

 

Some of our sales occur outside the United States and are transacted in foreign currencies.  Accordingly, we are subject to exposure from adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates.  At this time we do not believe this risk is material and we do not currently use derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency fluctuation risk.  However, if foreign sales increase and the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation increases, we may in the future consider utilizing derivative instruments to mitigate these risks.

 

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have concluded that, based on such evaluation, our disclosure controls and procedures were

 

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adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to us, including our consolidated subsidiaries, was made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was being prepared.

 

Changes in Internal Controls

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, during our last fiscal quarter, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect control over financial reporting.

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company is not a party to, nor is its property the subject of, any pending legal proceeding.

 

ITEM 2.  CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

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

 

The following matters were voted upon at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on July 23, 2003, and received the votes stated below (each share of Series A Preferred Stock was entitled to approximately 5.63 votes on each of the matters presented at the meeting):

 

Increase in Authorized Shares of Common Stock:  Shareholders approved the amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase from 50,000,000 to 75,000,000 the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance by the following vote:

 

 

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-
Vote

 

Common Stock

 

19,637,196

 

119,666

 

5,515

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

28,157,683

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in Authorized Shares of Preferred Stock:  Shareholders approved the amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase from 5,000,000 to 6,000,000 the aggregate number of shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance by the following vote:

 

 

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-
Vote

 

Common Stock

 

6,596,022

 

173,366

 

5,515

 

12,987,474

 

Preferred Stock

 

28,157,683

 

 

 

 

 

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Ratification of Appointment of Auditors:  Shareholders approved the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2003:

 

 

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non–
Vote

 

Common Stock

 

19,738,632

 

19,230

 

4,515

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

28,157,683

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

None

 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

a. Exhibits:

 

Exhibit 31.1: Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Exhibit 31.2: Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Exhibit 32:  Certification pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

b. Reports on Form 8-K:

 

On May 13, 2003 we filed a report on Form 8-K (which we amended by filing an 8-K/A on May 19) to announce the public dissemination of a press release reporting our results for the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

 

On May 30, 2003 we filed a report on Form 8-K to announce an amendment to the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 5, 2003, between us and Pyxis Innovations Inc.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

INTERLEUKIN GENETICS, INC.

 

Date: August 11, 2003

By:

/s/ Philip R. Reilly

 

 

Philip R. Reilly

 

Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Fenel M. Eloi

 

 

Fenel M. Eloi

 

Chief Financial Officer,
Secretary & Treasurer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)

 

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