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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004

 

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

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission File Number 0-23155

 


 

TRIMERIS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware 56-1808663    

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

3518 Westgate Drive

Durham, North Carolina 27707

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (919) 419-6050

 


 

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.    x  Yes    ¨  No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     x  Yes    ¨  No

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of May 7, 2004 was 21,607,258.

 



Table of Contents

TRIMERIS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

 

INDEX

 

          Page

PART I.

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION     

Item 1.

   Financial Statements    1
     Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004 (unaudited)    1
     Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2004    2
     Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2004    3
     Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)    4

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    9

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    19

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    20

PART II.

   OTHER INFORMATION     

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    21

Item 2.

   Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities    21

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    21

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    21

Item 5.

   Other Information    21

Item 6.

   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K    21

Signature Page

   22

Exhibit Index

   23


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

TRIMERIS, INC.

BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except par value)

 

     December 31,
2003


   

March 31,

2004


 
           (unaudited)  

Assets

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 85,714     $ 65,527  

Short-term investments

     6,484       13,309  

Accounts receivable

     1       —    

Prepaid expenses

     2,105       1,673  
    


 


Total current assets

     94,304       80,509  
    


 


Property, furniture and equipment, net

     2,578       2,381  
    


 


Other assets:

                

Patent costs, net

     1,650       1,715  

Equipment deposits

     68       60  
    


 


Total other assets

     1,718       1,775  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 98,600     $ 84,665  
    


 


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 893     $ 924  

Accounts payable – Roche

     11,029       7,525  

Current installments of capital lease obligations

     274       161  

Accrued compensation

     1,739       1,717  

Deferred revenue – Roche

     3,954       2,104  

Accrued expenses

     674       627  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     18,563       13,058  

Deferred revenue - Roche

     11,369       12,693  
    


 


Total liabilities

     29,932       25,751  
    


 


Commitments and contingencies

                

Stockholders’ equity:

                

Series A, B, C, and D preferred stock at $.001 par value per share, 10,000 shares authorized, zero shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004 (unaudited)

     —         —    

Common Stock at $.001 par value per share, 60,000 shares authorized, 21,573 and 21,597 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004 (unaudited)

     22       22  

Additional paid-in capital

     398,925       399,049  

Accumulated deficit

     (330,276 )     (340,152 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (3 )     (5 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     68,668       58,914  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 98,600     $ 84,665  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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TRIMERIS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2003

    2004

 

Revenue:

                

Milestone revenue

   $ 236     $ 526  

Royalty revenue

     —         801  
    


 


Total revenue

     236       1,327  
    


 


Operating expenses:

                

Collaboration loss

     4,452       2,546  
    


 


Research and development:

                

Non-cash compensation

     (60 )     (51 )

Other research and development expense

     9,683       6,300  
    


 


Total research and development expense

     9,623       6,249  
    


 


General and administrative:

                

Non-cash compensation

     412       —    

Other general and administrative expense

     2,168       2,666  
    


 


Total general and administrative expense

     2,580       2,666  
    


 


Total operating expenses

     16,655       11,461  
    


 


Operating loss

     (16,419 )     (10,134 )
    


 


Other income (expense):

                

Interest income

     506       261  

Interest expense

     (15 )     (3 )
    


 


Total other income (expense)

     491       258  
    


 


Net loss

   $ (15,928 )   $ (9,876 )
    


 


Basic and diluted net loss per share

   $ (0.75 )   $ (0.46 )
    


 


Weighted average shares used in per share computations

     21,375       21,582  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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TRIMERIS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands, unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2003

    2004

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net loss

   $ (15,928 )   $ (9,876 )

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

                

Depreciation

     437       350  

Other amortization

     20       14  

Amortization of deferred revenue – Roche

     (236 )     (526 )

Non-cash compensation

     352       (51 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable

     (5 )     1  

Prepaid expenses

     66       432  

Other assets

     36       8  

Accounts payable

     (466 )     31  

Accounts payable – Roche

     301       (3,504 )

Accrued compensation

     (1,049 )     (22 )

Accrued expenses

     (260 )     (47 )

Deferred revenue – Roche

     8,000       —    
    


 


Net cash used by operating activities

     (8,732 )     (13,190 )
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchases of short-term investments

     (7,445 )     (9,362 )

Maturities of short-term investments

     17,651       2,535  

Purchases of property and equipment

     (262 )     (153 )

Patent costs

     (275 )     (79 )
    


 


Net cash provided (used) by investing activities

     9,669       (7,059 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Principal payments under capital lease obligations

     (223 )     (113 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     195       175  
    


 


Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

     (28 )     62  
    


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     909       (20,187 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     119,729       85,714  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 120,638     $ 65,527  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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TRIMERIS, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Trimeris, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on January 7, 1993 in Delaware, to discover and develop novel therapeutic agents that block viral infection by inhibiting viral fusion with host cells. Prior to April 1, 2003, the financial statements were prepared in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 7, “Accounting and Reporting by Development Stage Enterprises,” to recognize the fact that the Company was devoting substantially all of its efforts to establishing a new business. Principal operations commenced with the commercial launch of Fuzeon® on March 27, 2003, and revenue was recognized from the sale of Fuzeon during the year ended December 31, 2003. As a result, beginning on April 1, 2003, the Company no longer prepares its financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 7.

 

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regulations for interim financial information. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations have been made. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for a full year. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections and the 2003 financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2004.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

2. BASIC NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share,” basic loss per common share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period after certain adjustments described below. Diluted net income per common share reflects the maximum dilutive effect of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options, stock warrants, and conversion of preferred stock. Diluted net loss per common share is not shown, as common equivalent shares from stock options, and stock warrants, would have an antidilutive effect. At March 31, 2003, there were 2,557,000 options to purchase common stock outstanding and 362,000 warrants to purchase common stock outstanding. At March 31, 2004, there were 2,764,000 options to purchase common stock outstanding and 362,000 warrants to purchase common stock outstanding.

 

3. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

Interest of approximately $15,000 and $3,000 was paid during the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. No new capital leases were incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2003 or 2004 for the purchase of new furniture and equipment. Unrealized gain on short-term investments totaled $56,000 during the three month period ended March 31, 2003 and unrealized loss on short-term investments totaled $2,000 during the three month period ended March 31, 2004.

 

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4. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Offerings of Common Stock

 

In May 2001, the Company closed a private placement of approximately 1.4 million shares of common stock at $33.00 per share. The net proceeds of the offering were approximately $43.4 million after deducting applicable issuance costs and expenses of approximately $2.7 million.

 

In January 2002, the Company closed a private placement of approximately 1.3 million shares of common stock at $34.00 per share. The net proceeds of the offering were approximately $40.8 million after deducting applicable issuance costs and expenses of approximately $2.0 million.

 

In October 2002, the Company closed a public offering of approximately 2.5 million shares of common stock at $45.25 per share. The net proceeds of the offering, including the proceeds received in connection with the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, were approximately $106.7 million after deducting applicable issuance costs and expenses of approximately $6.6 million.

 

Other Changes

 

Other significant changes in additional paid-in capital during the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004 were $116,000 and $51,000, respectively, charged to additional paid-in capital related to expense reversal of non-cash compensation charges.

 

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5. ROCHE COLLABORATION

 

In July 1999, the Company announced a worldwide agreement with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., or Roche, to develop and market T-20, currently known as Fuzeon, whose generic name is enfuvirtide, and T-1249, or a replacement compound. In the United States and Canada, the Company and Roche will share equally development expenses and profits for Fuzeon and T-1249, or a replacement compound. Outside of these two countries, Roche will fund all development costs and pay the Company royalties on net sales of these products. Roche made a nonrefundable initial cash payment to the Company of $10 million during 1999, and a milestone payment of $2 million in 2000. The Company recorded a $8 million milestone in March 2003, a $5 million milestone in May 2003, and a $2.5 million milestone in June 2003. Roche will provide up to an additional $40.5 million in cash upon achievement of developmental, regulatory and commercial milestones. This agreement with Roche grants them an exclusive, world-wide license for Fuzeon and T-1249, and certain other compounds. Under this agreement with Roche, a joint management committee consisting of members from Trimeris and Roche oversees the strategy for the collaboration. Roche may terminate its license for a particular country in its sole discretion with advance notice. This agreement with Roche gives Roche significant control over important aspects of the commercialization of Fuzeon and our other drug candidates, including but not limited to pricing, sales force activities, and promotional activities.

 

Roche is manufacturing Fuzeon drug substance in its Boulder, Colorado facility. One of Roche’s manufacturing facilities and another third party facility are producing the finished drug product from such bulk drug substance. Fuzeon is distributed and sold by Roche through Roche’s sales and distribution network throughout the world in countries where regulatory approval has been received.

 

Under provisions of this agreement, the Company expects its contribution to the selling and marketing expenses for Fuzeon in 2004 to be approximately $10 million, even though Roche expects to spend significantly more on these expenses. If certain cumulative levels of sales for Fuzeon are achieved in the United States and Canada, the Company’s share of any additional expenses incurred by Roche during 2004 will be payable to Roche at a future date over several years.

 

In July 1999, the Company granted Roche a warrant to purchase 362,000 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $20.72 per share. The warrant is exercisable prior to the tenth annual anniversary of the grant date and was not exercised as of March 31, 2004. The fair value of the warrant of $5.4 million was credited to additional paid-in capital in 1999, and as a reduction of the $10 million up-front payment received from Roche. The value was calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions: estimated dividend yield of 0%; expected stock price volatility of 86.00%; risk-free interest rate of 5.20%; and expected option life of ten years.

 

In 2001, the Company executed a research agreement with Roche to discover, develop and commercialize novel generations of HIV fusion inhibitor peptides. Roche and Trimeris will equally fund worldwide research, development and commercialization costs, as well as share equally in profits from worldwide sales of new HIV fusion inhibitor peptides discovered after July 1, 1999. The joint research obligations under the agreement are renewable thereafter on an annual basis. The term of this agreement was extended to December 2005 during 2003.

 

Product sales of Fuzeon began in the United States on March 27, 2003. Under the collaboration agreement with Roche, the Company shares profits equally from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada with Roche, which is reported as collaboration loss in the Statements of Operations. Collaboration loss is calculated as follows: Total gross sales of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada is reduced by any discounts, returns or rebates resulting in total net sales. Net sales is reduced by costs of goods sold resulting in gross margin. Gross margin is reduced by selling and marketing expenses related to the sale of Fuzeon, resulting in operating income or loss. The Company’s 50% share of the operating income or loss is reported as collaboration income or loss. Total net sales of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada were $7,000 and $16 million during the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, sales and marketing expenses exceeded the gross margin from the sale of Fuzeon resulting in the Company’s 50% share of operating loss from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States of $4.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Roche previously had an exclusive distribution arrangement with Chronimed, Inc. (“Chronimed”) to distribute Fuzeon in the United States during 2003. This exclusive arrangement terminated on April 26, 2004. Effective April 26, 2004, Fuzeon became available through retail and specialty pharmacies across the U.S. Prior to April 26, 2004, revenue from product sales has been recognized when title and risk of loss has passed to Chronimed, which is when Chronimed allocates drug for shipment to a patient. Beginning April 26, 2004, revenue will be recognized when Roche ships drug to wholesalers. Please see note 9 for a discussion of a contingency related to the Roche collaboration.

 

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6. COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income”, establishes rules for the reporting and display of comprehensive income or loss and its components. SFAS No. 130 requires that unrealized gains or losses on the Company’s available-to-sale securities be included in other comprehensive income. Comprehensive income (loss) totaled ($15,872,000) for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and ($9,878,000) for the three months ended March 31, 2004. For the Company, other comprehensive income consists of unrealized gains or losses on securities available for sale.

 

7. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

 

SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” encourages, but does not require companies to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value. The Company has chosen to continue to account for employee stock-based compensation using the method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the Company’s stock at the date of the grant over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock.

 

Compensation costs for stock options granted to non-employees are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 123 and EITF 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services,” which requires that compensation be measured at the end of each reporting period for changes in the fair value of the Company’s common stock until the options are vested.

 

SFAS No. 123 permits entities to recognize as expense over the vesting period the fair value of all stock-based awards on the date of grant. Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 also allows entities to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide pro forma net income and pro forma earnings per share disclosures for employee stock option grants as if the fair-value-based method defined in SFAS No. 123 had been applied. The Company has elected to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25. Had the Company determined compensation expense based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock-based plans under SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net loss and basic loss per share would have been increased to the pro forma amounts indicated below for the three months ended March 31 (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     2003

    2004

 

Net loss:

                

As reported

   $ (15,928 )   $ (9,876 )

Compensation cost recorded under APB Opinion No. 25

     468       —    

Compensation cost resulting from common stock options, restricted stock and employee stock purchase plan

     (2,967 )     (3,865 )
    


 


Pro forma

   $ (18,427 )   $ (13,741 )
    


 


Basic and diluted loss per share:

                

As reported

   $ (0.75 )   $ (0.46 )

Pro forma

   $ (0.86 )   $ (0.64 )

 

The fair value of common stock options is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions used:

 

     2003

    2004

 

Estimated dividend yield

   0.00 %   0.00 %

Expected stock price volatility

   35.0 %   50.0 %

Risk-free interest rate

   2.00 %   3.50 %

Expected life of options

   5 years     5 years  

Expected life of employee stock purchase plan options

   2 years     2 years  

 

In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123.” SFAS No. 148 amends SFAS No. 123 to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, SFAS No. 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements. Certain of the disclosure modifications are required for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002 and are included above.

 

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8. POST-RETIREMENT HEALTH INSURANCE CONTINUATION PLAN

 

In June 2001, the Company adopted a post-retirement health insurance continuation plan (“the Plan”). Employees who have achieved the eligibility requirements of 60 years of age and 10 years of service are eligible to participate in the Plan. The Plan provides participants the opportunity to continue participating in the Company’s group health plan after their date of retirement. Participants will pay the cost of health insurance premiums for this coverage, less any contributions by the Company, currently capped at $300 per month per participant. In November 2003, the Plan was amended and the limit on contributions by the Company was changed to 50% of the health insurance premium for the employee and his or her spouse.

 

The components of net periodic post-retirement benefits cost of the Plan for the three months ended March 31, consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     2003

   2004

Service cost

   $ 7    $ 11

Interest cost

     2      3

Recognized net actuarial loss

     —        —  

Amortization of prior service costs

     1      1
    

  

Total

   $ 10    $ 15
    

  

 

The accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation was determined using a discount rate of 6.75% and 6.25% at December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively. A change in the assumed medical care cost trend rate or the discount rate does not affect the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation since the benefit is a fixed contribution amount by the Company.

 

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is involved in certain claims arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

 

As of March 31, 2004, the Company had commitments of approximately $1.1 million to purchase product candidate materials and fund various clinical studies over the next 12 months contingent on delivery of the materials or performance of the services. Substantially all of these expenditures will be shared equally by Roche under the Company’s collaboration agreement. Under the collaboration agreement, Trimeris and Roche are obligated to share equally the future development expenses for Fuzeon and T-1249 for the United States and Canada.

 

On April 19, 2004, we received a bill from Roche for $7.5 million. This bill includes charges for additional cost variances for commercial drug supply sold from March 27, 2003 through March 31, 2004 in the U.S. and charges for costs associated with a change in the method for depreciating assets. We are currently in discussions with Roche regarding this claim. The ultimate resolution of this claim cannot presently be determined, nor can the ultimate liability be estimated at this time. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded for this claim as of March 31, 2004.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

This discussion of our financial condition and the results of operations should be read together with the financial statements and notes contained elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. Certain statements in this section and other sections of this Form 10-Q are forward-looking. While we believe these statements are accurate, our business is dependent on many factors, some of which are discussed in the “Risk Factors” and “Business” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2004. These factors include, but are not limited to:

 

  that if Fuzeon does not maintain or increase its market acceptance, our business will be materially harmed;

 

  that we have sustained losses since our inception, and expect our losses to continue;

 

  that if Roche does not meet its contractual obligations to us, our research and development efforts and the regulatory approval and commercialization of our drug candidates could be delayed or otherwise materially and adversely affected;

 

  that even if we are successful in developing a commercially viable drug, in order to become profitable we will need to maintain arrangements with third parties for the sale, marketing and distribution of our drug candidates or expend significant resources to develop these capabilities;

 

  that if sufficient amounts of Fuzeon and our other drug candidates cannot be manufactured on a cost-effective basis, our financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected;

 

  that we face intense competition in our efforts to develop commercially successful drugs in the biopharmaceutical industry and if we are unable to compete successfully, our business will suffer;

 

  that we may not receive all necessary regulatory approvals for Fuzeon or our other drug candidates or approvals may be delayed;

 

  that our business is based on a novel technology called fusion inhibition, and unexpected side effects or other characteristics of this technology may delay or otherwise adversely affect the development, regulatory approval and/or commercialization of our drug candidates;

 

  that HIV is likely to develop resistance to Fuzeon and our other drug candidates, which could adversely affect demand for those drug candidates and harm our competitive position;

 

  that we are dependent on the successful outcome of clinical trials for our drug candidates;

 

  that obtaining regulatory approvals and maintaining compliance with government regulations will entail significant costs that could harm our ability to achieve profitability;

 

  that failure to raise additional capital necessary to support our development programs and expand our operations could lower our revenues and reduce our ability to compete;

 

  that if we cannot maintain commercial manufacturing agreements with third parties on acceptable terms, or if these third parties do not perform as agreed, the commercial development of our drug candidates could be delayed or otherwise materially and adversely affected;

 

  that if Roche or our manufacturing partners do not maintain good manufacturing practices, it could negatively impact our ability to obtain regulatory approvals and commercialize our drug candidates;

 

  that our internal research programs and our efforts to obtain rights to new products from third parties may not yield potential products for clinical development, which would adversely affect any future revenues;

 

  that we depend on patents and proprietary rights, which may offer only limited protection against infringement, and if we are unable to protect our patents and proprietary rights, our assets and business could be materially harmed;

 

  that the intellectual property of our competitors or other third parties may prevent us from developing or commercializing our drug candidates;

 

  that uncertainty relating to third-party reimbursement and health care reform measures could limit the amount we will be able to charge for our drugs and adversely affect our results of operations;

 

  that if an accident or injury involving hazardous materials occurs, we could incur fines or liability, which could materially and adversely affect our business and our reputation;

 

  that if the testing or use of our drug candidates harms people, we could face costly and damaging product liability claims far in excess of our liability and indemnification coverage;

 

  that our quarterly operating results are subject to fluctuations, and if our operating results for a particular period deviate from the levels expected by securities analysts and investors, it could adversely affect the market price of our common stock;

 

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  that if we lose any of our executive management or other key employees, we will have difficulty replacing them, and if we cannot attract and retain qualified personnel on acceptable terms, the development of our drug candidates and our financial position may suffer;

 

  that any additional financing we obtain may result in dilution to our stockholders, restrictions on our operating flexibility, or the transfer of particular rights to our technologies or drug candidates; and

 

  that our charter requires us to indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law, which obligates us to make substantial payments and to incur significant insurance-related expenses.

 

Many of these factors are beyond our control and any of these and other factors could cause actual clinical and financial results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q. The results of our previous clinical trials are not necessarily indicative of the results of future clinical trials. Please read the “ Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to the statements contained in this Form 10-Q to reflect events or circumstances that occur subsequent to the date hereof.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We began our operations in January 1993 and, prior to April 1, 2003, we were a development stage company. Accordingly, we have a limited operating history. Since our inception, substantially all of our resources have been dedicated to:

 

  the development, patenting, preclinical testing and clinical trials of our drug candidates, Fuzeon and T-1249,

 

  the development of a manufacturing process for Fuzeon and T-1249,

 

  production of drug material for future clinical trials of Fuzeon and T-1249,

 

  preparation of materials for regulatory filings for Fuzeon,

 

  pre-marketing and marketing activities for the commercial launch of Fuzeon, and

 

  research and development and preclinical testing of other potential product candidates.

 

We have lost money since inception and, as of March 31, 2004, had an accumulated deficit of approximately $340.2 million. We have received revenue only from federal small business innovative research grants, otherwise known as SBIR grants, an investigative contract, and an initial collaboration payment and milestone payments from Roche. We may never generate significant revenue from product sales or royalties.

 

Currently, our only significant source of revenue is from the sale of Fuzeon. Under our collaboration agreement with Roche, we share profits equally from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada and we receive a royalty on the net sales of Fuzeon outside of these two countries. Marketing expenses in the United States and Canada exceeded the gross margin from the sale of Fuzeon in these countries during the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, resulting in negative cash flow from the sale of Fuzeon in these countries for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004. During the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, our share of this negative cash flow exceeded royalties received from the sale of Fuzeon outside these countries. As a result, we had negative cash flow from the sale of Fuzeon worldwide during the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004.

 

Development of current and future drug candidates will require additional, time-consuming and costly research and development, preclinical testing and extensive clinical trials prior to submission of any regulatory application for commercial use. We expect to incur losses for the foreseeable future and these losses may increase as our research and development, preclinical testing, drug production and clinical trial efforts expand. The amount and timing of our operating expenses will depend on many factors, including:

 

  the sales levels and market acceptance achieved by Fuzeon,

 

  the production levels for Fuzeon, which affect the economies of scale in the production process and our cost of goods sold,

 

  the status of our research and development activities,

 

  product candidate discovery and development efforts, including preclinical testing and clinical trials,

 

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  the timing of regulatory actions, including the potential full approval of Fuzeon by the FDA,

 

  the costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining, protecting and enforcing patent claims and other proprietary rights,

 

  our ability to work with Roche to manufacture, develop, sell, market and distribute Fuzeon,

 

  technological and other changes in the competitive landscape,

 

  changes in our existing or future research and development relationships and strategic alliances,

 

  development of any future research and development relationships or strategic alliances,

 

  evaluation of the commercial viability of potential product candidates, and

 

  other factors, many of which are outside of our control.

 

As a result, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our financial results are not necessarily meaningful. The past results of operations and results of previous clinical trials should not be relied on as an indication of future performance. If we fail to meet the clinical and financial expectations of securities analysts and investors, it could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. Our ability to achieve profitability will depend, in part, on our own or Roche’s ability to successfully develop and obtain and maintain regulatory approval for Fuzeon or other drug candidates, and our ability to develop the capacity, either internally or through relationships with third parties, to manufacture, sell, market and distribute approved products, if any. We may never achieve profitable operations, even if we achieve increased Fuzeon sales levels.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We believe the following accounting policies are the most critical to our financial statements. We believe they are important to the presentation of our financial condition, and require the highest degree of management judgment to make the estimates necessary to ensure their fair presentation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition Under Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104

 

Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition” summarizes the SEC’s views in applying generally accepted accounting principles to revenue recognition in financial statements. SAB No. 104 establishes the SEC’s view that it is not appropriate to recognize revenue until all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and collectibility is reasonably assured. Further, SAB No. 104 requires that both title and the risks and rewards of ownership be transferred to the buyer before revenue can be recognized. We believe that our revenue recognition policies are in compliance with SAB No. 104.

 

Milestone Revenue

 

SAB No. 104 provides guidance that it is appropriate to recognize revenue related to license and milestone payments over the research and development term of a collaboration agreement. The primary estimates we make in connection with the application of this policy are the length of the period of the research and development under our collaboration agreement with Roche and the estimated commercial life of Fuzeon. In the event our judgment of the length of these terms changes, the milestone revenue to be recognized under our collaboration with Roche would change prospectively in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 20, “Accounting Changes.” If either term is expected to be longer, the amount of revenue recognized would be less per quarter than currently being recognized. If either term is expected to be shorter, the amount of revenue recognized would be more per quarter than currently being recognized.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2002, we increased our estimate of the length of this research and development term based on the expected development schedule of T-1249 or a replacement compound, the final compound covered by our collaboration agreement with Roche. Our expectations at that time for development of T-1249 would result in the end of the development period ranging from late 2005 to mid 2007. This estimate is subject to significant variability since T-1249 has only completed two Phase I/II trials. Any future change in our judgment of the length of this research and development term will result in a prospective change in the milestone revenue to be recognized under our collaboration with Roche. Any future research and

 

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development milestone payments received from Roche under our collaboration agreement will be amortized from the date the milestone is achieved to the end of the remaining research and development term. We recorded an $8 million milestone in March 2003 and a $5 million milestone in May 2003. Through December 31, 2003, these milestones were amortized on a straight line basis from the date recorded to mid 2007. We also recorded a $2.5 million milestone related to Fuzeon manufacturing in June 2003 that will be amortized on a straight line basis from the date recorded through the end of the current patent life of Fuzeon, which is our current estimate of the commercial life of Fuzeon.

 

During the first quarter of 2004, we put future clinical development of T-1249 on hold. As a result, we increased our estimate of the length of the research and development period for our Roche collaboration to 2010 based on an estimate of the development period for T-1249 or a replacement compound that may be substituted under our collaboration agreement. As a result, revenue recognized related to these payments during 2004 is expected to be approximately $860,000 less than the revenue that would have been recognized in 2004 prior to this change in estimate.

 

Royalty Revenue

 

Under our collaboration agreement with Roche, we receive a royalty based on net sales of Fuzeon outside the United States and Canada, which began in June 2003. These royalties are recognized as revenue when the sales are earned. Royalties of $801,000 were recognized as revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

Collaboration Loss

 

Product sales of Fuzeon began in the United States on March 27, 2003. Under the collaboration agreement with Roche, the Company shares profits equally from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada with Roche, which is reported as collaboration income (loss) in the Statements of Operations. Collaboration loss is calculated as follows: Total gross sales of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada is reduced by any estimated discounts, rebates or returns resulting in total net sales. Net sales is reduced by costs of goods sold resulting in gross margin. Gross margin is reduced by selling and marketing expenses related to the sale of Fuzeon, resulting in operating income or loss. The Company’s 50% share of the operating income or loss is reported as collaboration income or loss. Roche previously had an exclusive distribution arrangement with Chronimed, Inc. (“Chronimed”) to distribute Fuzeon in the United States. This exclusive arrangement terminated on April 26, 2004. Effective April 26, 2004, Fuzeon became available through retail and specialty pharmacies across the U.S. Prior to April 26, 2004, revenue from product sales was recognized when title and risk of loss has passed to Chronimed, which is when Chronimed allocates drug for shipment to a patient. Beginning April 26, 2004, revenue will be recognized when Roche ships drug to wholesalers. Roche prepares its estimates for sales returns and allowances, discounts and rebates based primarily on their historical experience with other anti-HIV drugs and their estimates of the payor mix for Fuzeon, updated for changes in facts and circumstances on a quarterly basis. If actual results differ from these estimates, these estimates will be adjusted which could have an effect on results from operations in the period of adjustment.

 

Calculation of Compensation Costs for Stock Options Granted to Non-Employees

 

Compensation costs for stock options granted to non-employees are accounted for in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 and Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 96-18, which require that such compensation costs be measured at the end of each reporting period to account for changes in the fair value of the Company’s common stock until the options are vested. These costs are non-cash charges resulting from stock option grants to non-employees. The primary estimate we make in connection with the calculation of this expense is the future volatility of our stock price used to calculate the value of the stock options in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. At March 31, 2004, we estimated the future volatility at 50% based on the implied future volatility for call options in our stock quoted on the Chicago Board Options Exchange in April 2004. A higher volatility would result in greater compensation costs, and a lower volatility would result in lower compensation costs for these stock options.

 

In addition, the closing market price per share of our stock at the end of each reporting period has a significant effect on the value of the stock options calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. A higher market price per share of our stock would result in greater compensation costs, and a lower market price per share of our stock would result in lower compensation costs for these stock options. At March 31, 2004, there were options to purchase approximately 22,000 shares of common stock granted to non-employees outstanding that were not fully vested that could result in additional changes in compensation costs under EITF 96-18.

 

Capitalization of Patent Costs

 

The costs of patents are capitalized and are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated remaining lives of the patents, either 17 years from the date the patent is granted or 20 years from the initial filing of the patent, depending on the patent. These costs are primarily legal fees and filing fees related to the prosecution of patent filings. We perform a continuous

 

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evaluation of the carrying value and remaining amortization periods of these costs. The primary estimate we make is the expected cash flows to be derived from the patents. In the event future expected cash flows derived from any patents are less than their carrying value, the related costs would be expensed at that time.

 

Clinical Development

 

The following discussion highlights certain aspects of our on-going and planned clinical development programs, including data presented during the three months ended March 31, 2004. Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2004 for a summary of previous clinical data presented on Fuzeon. The results of our previous clinical trials are not necessarily indicative of the results of future clinical trials.

 

Fuzeon® , enfuvirtide (formerly known as T-20)

 

Fuzeon is our first-generation HIV fusion inhibitor, a new class of anti-HIV drugs. The FDA has approved the use of Fuzeon in combination with other anti-HIV drugs for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients with evidence of HIV-1 replication despite ongoing antiretroviral therapy. Anti-HIV drugs are referred to as antiretroviral agents. The standard approach to treating HIV infection has been to lower viral loads by using a combination of drugs other than fusion inhibitors that inhibit one of two of the viral enzymes that are necessary for the virus to replicate: reverse transcriptase and protease. There are currently three classes of drugs that inhibit these two enzymes: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, or NRTIs, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, or NNRTIs, and protease inhibitors, or PIs. We refer to NRTIs and NNRTIs collectively as RTIs. There are eleven FDA-approved RTIs and eight FDA-approved PIs. On March 13, 2003, the FDA granted accelerated approval for the commercial sale of Fuzeon, and commercial sales of Fuzeon began on March 27, 2003. Roche received accelerated FDA approval of Fuzeon based on 24-week clinical data from two Phase III pivotal trials for Fuzeon. We refer to these clinical trials as TORO-1, which was conducted in North America and Brazil, and TORO-2, which was conducted in Western Europe and Australia. In these clinical trials, all patients received an individually optimized background regimen of three to five anti-HIV drugs other than Fuzeon. In the control group, patients received only the optimized background regimen. In the Fuzeon treatment group, patients received the optimized background regimen in combination with twice daily subcutaneous injections, each delivering 90 mg of Fuzeon. The background regimen was optimized based on the patient’s treatment history and the genotype and phenotype of the patient’s virus. A genotypic resistance analysis involves examination of the genetic sequence of the strains of virus present in the sample. A phenotypic resistance analysis involves an assessment of the ability of a drug to block infection caused by strains of a virus grown in culture. In both TORO-1 and TORO-2, the primary endpoint for the clinical trials, which is the incremental reduction of viral load achieved in the Fuzeon group versus the control group, was met with statistical significance. Viral load refers to the amount of HIV virus particles, as measured by the presence of HIV ribonucleic acid, or RNA, found in the blood of an HIV-infected person at a given time. We measure viral load in terms of copies of HIV RNA per milliliter of blood. Additionally, the interim analysis of TORO-1 and TORO-2 showed that important secondary endpoints were also met with statistical significance. Roche submitted a full analysis of 48-week clinical data from TORO-1 and TORO-2 to the FDA in December 2003 seeking full approval for Fuzeon. There are no results from studies of Fuzeon in patients who have not previously received anti-HIV drugs. There are no results from controlled trials evaluating the effect of Fuzeon on the clinical progression of HIV.

 

Roche filed an application for European marketing approval on September 19, 2002. Roche received approval from the European Medicines Evaluation Agency, or EMEA, for use in the European Union on May 27, 2003. Roche submitted a full analysis of 48-week clinical data from TORO-1 and TORO-2 to the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products, or CPMP, in December 2003 seeking full approval for Fuzeon. In April 2004, the CPMP recommended full approval for Fuzeon based on this 48-week data. This recommendation will now be considered by the EMEA who has the final authority to grant a full marketing authorization for Fuzeon in Europe. Outside the United States, Roche is in the process of negotiating reimbursement from the countries in which they plan to market Fuzeon.

 

Roche will manufacture the bulk drug substance of Fuzeon. Based on our progress and experience to date, we believe that Roche will be able to produce supply of Fuzeon sufficient to meet anticipated demand. If Fuzeon sales levels do not meet Roche and our expectations, the resulting production volumes may not allow Roche to achieve their anticipated economies of scale for Fuzeon. If Roche does not achieve these economies of scale, the costs of goods for Fuzeon could be higher than our current expectations.

 

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Future Fuzeon Clinical Trials

 

We expect to initiate various clinical trials with Fuzeon during 2004. These trials plan to focus on the following primary needs in potential Fuzeon patients: the contribution of Fuzeon to combination therapy; the effect of a more convenient regimen; the effect of Fuzeon in patients with less treatment experience than in our TORO trials; and the potential for reducing other anti-HIV drug related toxicities and/or adverse events.

 

T-1249

 

T-1249 is our second-generation HIV fusion inhibitor being co-developed with Roche. In September 2002, we presented data from a Phase I/II trial of T-1249, which suggest that over 14 days of dosing, T-1249 was well-tolerated and produced dose-related decreases in HIV viral load. In September 2003, we presented final data from a ten-day Phase I/II trial of T-1249, which suggest that T-1249 reduced viral load in most patients who had failed an individualized anti-HIV drug regimen that had previously included Fuzeon. This data suggests that T-1249 is active in patients who have virus that has developed resistance to Fuzeon.

 

In January 2004, Roche and Trimeris announced that the clinical development of T-1249 was put on hold due to challenges in achieving the desired technical profile of the current formulation. The compound’s safety, efficacy and tolerability were not factors affecting the decision. As with any compound in development, the technical development is an evolving process where many challenges are identified. The properties of T-1249 differ from Fuzeon during its manufacturing and formulation. T-1249 remains one of our next-generation drug candidates; however, our focus will be to continue the pursuit of new formulations of T-1249 or future peptide fusion inhibitors that are more patient-friendly for chronic administration.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Comparison Of Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2004

 

Milestone Revenue. Total milestone revenue of $236,000 and $526,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively, represents the amortization of milestone payments from Roche for milestones achieved under our collaboration agreement, recorded at the time the specific milestone was achieved. We recorded and are amortizing a $10 million initial collaboration payment from Roche, net of the $5.4 million assigned to the warrant granted to Roche concurrent with the initiation of our collaboration, a $2.0 million milestone recorded in 2000, and milestones of $8.0 million, and $5.0 million recorded in 2003, over the expected research and development period of our collaboration with Roche in accordance with SAB No. 104. We recorded a $2.5 million milestone related to manufacturing in 2003 that we are amortizing over the expected commercial life of Fuzeon. During the fourth quarter of 2002, we increased our estimate of the length of this research and development period to late 2005 to mid 2007 based on the expected development schedule of T-1249 or a replacement compound, the final compound covered by our collaboration agreement with Roche. This estimate is subject to significant variability since T-1249 has only completed two Phase I/II trials. This change in estimated term resulted in a prospective adjustment to milestone revenue recognized beginning in the fourth quarter of 2002 in accordance with APB 20.

 

During the first quarter of 2004, we put future clinical development of T-1249 on hold. As a result, we increased our estimate of the length of the research and development period for our Roche collaboration to 2010 based on an estimate of the development period for T-1249 or another development compound under our collaboration agreement.

 

Royalty Revenue Total royalty revenue was $0 and $801,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Royalty revenue represents the royalty payment earned from Roche based on total net sales of Fuzeon outside the United States and Canada. Sales of Fuzeon outside the United States and Canada began in June 2003. Total net sales outside the United States and Canada for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004 were $0 and $8 million, respectively.

 

Collaboration Loss. Under our collaboration agreement with Roche, we share profits equally from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada. Collaboration loss is calculated as follows. Total gross sales of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada are reduced by any sales returns, allowances, discounts or rebates resulting in total net sales. Net sales are reduced by costs of goods sold resulting in gross margin. Gross margin is reduced by selling and marketing expenses related to the sale of Fuzeon, resulting in operating income or loss. Our 50% share of the operating income or loss is reported as collaboration income or loss. Product sales of Fuzeon began in the United States on March 27, 2003. Total net sales of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada were $7,000 and $16 million for the three month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, sales and marketing expenses exceeded the gross margin from the sale of Fuzeon resulting in our 50% share of operating loss from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States of $4.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Roche previously had an exclusive distribution arrangement with Chronimed to distribute Fuzeon in the United States during the initial commercial launch in 2003, which terminated on April 26, 2004. Effective April 26, 2004, Fuzeon became available through retail and specialty pharmacies across the U.S. Prior to April 26, 2004, revenue from product sales was recognized when title and risk of loss has passed to Chronimed, which is when Chronimed allocates drug for shipment to a patient. Beginning April 26, 2004, revenue will be recognized when Roche ships drug to wholesalers.

 

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During the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, we shipped approximately 5 kits and 11,000 kits of Fuzeon, respectively, to paying patients in the United States and Canada. A kit represents a one-month supply of Fuzeon for a patient. We shipped approximately 3,000 kits during the quarter ended June 30, 2003, 7,000 kits during the quarter ended September 30, 2003, and 9,000 kits during the quarter ended December 31, 2003, to paying patients in the United States and Canada. The number of kits shipped may not remain constant and may increase or decrease in the future.

 

Research And Development Expenses. Total research and development expenses were $9.6 million and $6.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Total research and development expenses include gross research and development expenses less Roche’s share of such costs for Fuzeon and T-1249. Under our collaboration agreement, Roche and we shared equally the development costs incurred during the period from July 1, 1999 until March 31, 2004 for Fuzeon and T-1249.

 

Non-cash compensation expense changed from $60,000 in expense reversal for the three months ended March 31, 2003 to $51,000 in expense reversal for the three months ended March 31, 2004. This expense reversal resulted because the cumulative expense calculated under EITF 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services” for stock options previously granted to non-employees was less at March 31, 2004 compared to December 31, 2003, and less at March 31, 2003 compared to December 31, 2002. These reversals resulted primarily due to the decrease in the market price of our stock from December 31, 2003 to March 31, 2004 and from December 31, 2002 to March 31, 2003. The closing market price per share of our stock was $43.17, $41.14, $20.94, and $14.75 on December 31, 2002, March 31, 2003, December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004, respectively. EITF 96-18 requires that compensation costs related to stock options granted to non-employees be measured at the end of each reporting period to account for changes in the fair value of our common stock until the options are vested. During the three months ended June 30, 2002, a significant number of the options previously granted to non-employees became vested.

 

Total other research and development expenses, which are total research and development expenses excluding non-cash compensation charges, decreased from $9.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 to $6.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, because during the three months ended March 31, 2004 we incurred less expense than during the three months ended March 31, 2003 for:

 

  the purchase of drug material for future clinical trials,

 

  our clinical trials for T-1249, whose clinical development was put on hold in January 2004, and

 

  our two Phase III clinical trials for Fuzeon which were initiated in late 2000.

 

During 2003, we extended the term of our research agreement with Roche to December 2005. We also recognized reimbursement from Roche for their 50% share of certain research and development expenses incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2004. We did not recognize a similar reimbursement for the three months ended March 31, 2003 because the research agreement was not renewed until December 2003. This decrease in expenses was partially offset by increases in expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2004 because we incurred more expense for preclinical studies under our research agreement with Roche.

 

Total research personnel were 89 and 69 at March 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. We expect research and development expenses, net of the reimbursements for Fuzeon and T-1249 development costs from Roche, to be lower during 2004 as compared to 2003, barring any unforeseen changes, due to:

 

  reduced development expenses for T-1249 due to the decision to put that development program on hold,

 

  reduced development expenses for Fuzeon due to the fact that we received accelerated FDA approval, and submitted 48 week data for full FDA approval during 2003, and

 

  reduced expenses as a result of a headcount reduction that we implemented in January 2004.

 

General and Administrative Expenses. Total general and administrative expenses were $2.6 million and $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

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Non-cash compensation expense decreased from $412,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003 to $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 primarily due to the fact that some of the options previously granted to a former consultant who became an employee during 2001 became vested during 2002, and the remaining options granted to this individual became vested during 2003.

 

Other general and administrative expense increased from $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 to $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 because during the three months ended March 31, 2004 we:

 

  incurred increased premiums for directors and officers’ insurance, and

 

  paid severance costs for a reduction in force that occurred in January 2004.

 

Total general and administrative employees were 40 and 33 at March 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. We expect other general and administrative expenses to increase in the future due to:

 

  increased costs to meet new requirements placed on public companies by The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related regulations issued by the SEC and new Nasdaq listing standards, and

 

  increased costs for directors and officers’ insurance and other insurance coverage.

 

These expected increases will be partially offset by reduced expenses due to a headcount reduction that we implemented in January 2004.

 

Other Income (Expense). Other income (expense) consists of interest income and expense. Total other income was $491,000 and $258,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2004 was primarily due to lower interest income because of lower interest rates on our portfolio during the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2003, and lower average investment balances during the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2003. We expect yields on our investment portfolio to remain at current levels for the foreseeable future based on the current short-term interest rate environment.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Operating Activities. Since inception, we have financed our operations primarily through private placements and public offerings of common stock, equipment lease financing and payments under our collaboration agreement with Roche. Net cash used by operating activities was $8.7 million and $13.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. The cash used by operating activities was used primarily to fund research and development relating to Fuzeon, T-1249 and other product candidates and marketing costs for the commercialization of Fuzeon. The amount used was higher for the three months ended March 31, 2004 primarily due to the receipt of $8 million in milestone payments from Roche during the three months ended March 31, 2003. This was offset by increased gross margin from the sale of Fuzeon and reduced research and development expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

Investing Activities. Cash provided by investing activities was $9.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003. Cash used by investing activities was $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The amount provided for the three months ended March 31, 2003 resulted from the sale of short-term investments to fund our operating activities. The amount used for the three months ended March 31, 2004 resulted primarily from the purchase of short-term investments.

 

Cash Flow. As of March 31, 2004, we had $78.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and short-term-investments, compared to $92.2 million as of December 31, 2003. The decrease is primarily a result of the cash used by operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

Future Capital Requirements. We have experienced negative cash flows from operations since our inception and do not anticipate generating sufficient positive cash flows to fund our operations in the foreseeable future. Although we expect to share the future development costs for Fuzeon and our other potential drug candidates for the United States and Canada equally with Roche, we have expended, and expect to continue to expend in the future, substantial funds to pursue our drug candidates and compound discovery and development efforts, including:

 

  expenditures for marketing activities related to Fuzeon,

 

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  research and development and preclinical testing of other product candidates, and

 

  the development of our proprietary technology platform.

 

Under our collaboration agreement with Roche, we share profits equally from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada and we receive a royalty on the net sales of Fuzeon outside of these two countries. Under provisions of this agreement, we expect our contribution to the selling and marketing expenses for Fuzeon in 2004 to be approximately $10 million, even though Roche expects to spend significantly more on these expenses. If we achieve certain cumulative levels of sales for Fuzeon in the United States and Canada, our share of any additional expenses incurred by Roche during 2004 will be payable to Roche at a future date over several years. At current sales levels, based on this limitation on marketing expenses, we believe we could realize positive cash flow from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada in 2004. In addition, we expect to receive royalties from Roche on the sale of Fuzeon outside the United States and Canada.

 

Based on our new cost structure subsequent to our headcount reduction and our decision with Roche to put development of T-1249 on hold in January 2004, gross cash expenditures for 2004 are expected to range from $43 million to $51 million. These gross expenditures include $22 to $27 million for research and development expenses, $11 to $14 million for general and administrative expenses, and $10 million for our share of Fuzeon selling and marketing expense.

 

On April 19, 2004, we received a bill from Roche for $7.5 million. This bill includes charges for additional cost variances for commercial drug supply sold from March 27, 2003 through March 31, 2004 in the U.S. and charges for costs associated with a change in the method for depreciating assets. We are currently in discussions with Roche regarding this claim. The ultimate resolution of this claim cannot presently be determined, nor can the ultimate liability be estimated at this time. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded for this claim as of March 31, 2004. We are currently evaluating the effect of these charges and any similar future charges on our estimates of cost of goods for Fuzeon. This bill is not included in the expenditure estimates included in the previous paragraph.

 

As of March 31, 2004, we had commitments of approximately $1.1 million to purchase product candidate materials and fund various clinical studies over the next 12 months contingent on delivery of the materials or performance of the services. Substantially all of these expenditures will be shared equally by Roche under our collaboration agreement. Under this collaboration agreement, we are obligated to share equally the future development expenses for Fuzeon and T-1249 in the United States and Canada. We also expect to have capital expenditures of approximately $1.2 million during 2004 that will not be shared with Roche. Our share of these expenditures may be financed with capital or operating leases, debt or working capital.

 

Barring unforeseen developments, based on current sales levels of Fuzeon, we expect that our existing capital resources, together with the interest earned thereon, will be adequate to fund our current programs for at least the next 21 months. However, any reduction in Fuzeon sales below current levels or increase in expenditures beyond currently expected levels would increase our capital requirements substantially beyond our current expectations. If we require additional funds and such funds are not available through debt or equity financings, or collaboration arrangements, we will be required to delay, scale-back or eliminate certain preclinical testing, clinical trials and research and development programs, including our collaborative efforts with Roche. In the event Roche becomes unable or unwilling to share future development expenses for Fuzeon and T-1249, our capital requirements would increase substantially beyond our current expectations.

 

Financing Activities. Since our initial public offering in 1997, we have obtained the majority of our funding through public or private offerings of our common stock. We expect to continue to obtain our funding through public or private offerings of our common stock until such time, if ever, as we are able to generate significant funds from operations.

 

We may have difficulty raising additional funds by selling equity. If we fail to meet the clinical and financial expectations of securities analysts and investors, it could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock and restrict or eliminate our ability to raise additional funds by selling equity. The public capital markets in which shares of our common stock are traded have been extremely volatile. Therefore, even if we do achieve positive clinical or financial results that meet or exceed the expectations of securities analysts and investors, the state of the public equity markets in general and particularly the public equity market for biotechnology companies may prohibit us from raising funds in the equity markets on acceptable terms or at all. Even if we are able to obtain additional funding through an equity financing, the terms of this financing could be highly dilutive to current shareholders.

 

We may also attempt to obtain additional funding through debt financings and/or arrangements with new or existing collaborative partners. Any debt financings may contain restrictive terms that limit our operating flexibility. Arrangements with partners may require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or product candidates or to reduce our share of potential profits. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including the level of market acceptance and sales levels achieved by Fuzeon; the availability of funds from Roche under our collaboration agreement; the condition of public capital markets; the progress and scope of our product development programs; the magnitude of these programs; the results of preclinical testing and clinical trials; the need for additional facilities based on the results of these clinical trials and other product development programs; changes in the focus and direction of our product development programs; the costs involved in preparing, filing, processing, maintaining, protecting and enforcing patent claims and other intellectual property rights; competitive factors and technological advances; the cost, timing and outcome of regulatory reviews; changes in the requirements of the FDA; administrative and legal expenses; evaluation of the commercial viability of potential product candidates and compounds; the establishment of capacity, either internally or through relationships with third parties, for manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution functions; the results of our business development activities, including in-licensing and merger and acquisition opportunities; and other factors, many of which are outside of our control.

 

Contractual Obligations. The following table summarizes our material contractual commitments at March 31, 2004 for the remainder of 2004 and subsequent years (in thousands):

 

Contractual Obligation


   2004

   2005

   2006

   2007

   Total

Capital leases

   $ 164    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 164

Operating leases*

     1,113      739      —        —        1,852

Other contractual obligations**

     982      72      —        —        1,054
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 2,259    $ 811    $ —      $ —      $ 3,070
    

  

  

  

  


* We believe that we will either extend our current real estate leases or enter into leases with similar terms and conditions in the future.
** Includes contracts to purchase product candidate materials and fund various clinical studies contingent on delivery of the materials or performance of the services. Substantially all of these costs will be shared equally with Roche.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements other than operating leases for our properties. In the past we have entered into derivative transactions that represented call options sold on our stock to a third party financial institution and were entered into in order to generate cash from the option premiums and provide us with the opportunity to raise capital at prices significantly in excess of the market price at the time of the transaction. All of these options have expired unexercised. In the event these options were exercised, we expect they would have been settled by issuing shares of our stock. We may enter into similar transactions in the future, subject to market conditions. We enter into these transactions as a potential method to raise capital and not to speculate on the future market price of our stock. We have no subsidiaries or other unconsolidated limited purpose entities, and we have not guaranteed or otherwise supported the obligations of any other entity.

 

Trimeris 401(k) Plan

 

We have a 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the “Plan”) covering all qualified employees. Employees may elect a salary reduction from 1% to 75% as a contribution to the Plan, up to the annual Internal Revenue Service allowable contribution limit. Employee contributions may not be invested in Trimeris stock. The Plan permits us to match employees’ contributions. Beginning in 1998, we matched up to 100% of an employee’s annual contributions with Trimeris stock, provided the employee was employed on the last day of the year. The number of shares issued is based on the employee’s contributions to be matched divided by the closing price of Trimeris stock on the last trading day of the year. At December 31, 2003, there were approximately 47,000 shares of our stock held by the Plan. These shares vest ratably based on a participant’s years of service and are fully vested after four years of service. Employees may sell an amount equal to the amount of their vested shares at any time, subject to applicable laws and the requirements of our insider trading policy, and reinvest the proceeds in the other investment options available within the Plan.

 

On October 17, 2003, Plan participants were notified of a change to the provider for our Plan that was effective on December 1, 2003. As a result of this change, there was a temporary suspension of trading, or blackout period, in plan assets, including Trimeris stock held in the Plan. This blackout period began on November 21, 2003 and ended on January 16, 2004. As required by The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, directors and officers of Trimeris were prohibited during this blackout period from executing transactions involving or relating to any shares of Trimeris stock acquired in connection with their service or employment as a director or officer of Trimeris.

 

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Net Operating Loss Carryforwards

 

As of December 31, 2003, we had a net operating loss carryforward of approximately $310.5 million. We have recognized a valuation allowance equal to the deferred asset represented by this net operating loss carryforward and other deferred tax assets, and therefore recognized no tax benefit. Our ability to utilize these net operating loss carryforwards may be subject to an annual limitation in future periods pursuant to the “change in ownership rules” under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Accounting and Other Matters

 

In December 2003, SFAS No. 132 (revised), “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits,” was issued. SFAS No. 132 (revised) prescribes employers’ disclosures about pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans; it does not change the measurement or recognition of those plans. SFAS No. 132 (revised) retains and revises the disclosure requirements contained in the original SFAS 132. It also requires additional disclosures about the assets, obligations, cash flows, and net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans. SFAS 132 (revised) generally is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003. Our disclosures in note 8 incorporate the requirements of SFAS No. 132 (revised).

 

The FASB also issues exposure drafts for proposed statements of financial accounting standards. Such exposure drafts are subject to comment from the public, to revisions by the FASB and to final issuance by the FASB as statements of financial accounting standards. Management considers the effect of the proposed statements on our financial statements and monitors the status of changes to issued exposure drafts and to proposed effective dates.

 

Risk Factors

 

Our business is subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Please read the “Risk Factors” and “Business” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2004, which highlight some of these risks. If any of these risks materialize, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Our exposure to market risk is primarily in our investment portfolio. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. Substantially all of our contracts are denominated in US dollars; therefore, we have no material foreign currency risk. We have an investment policy that sets minimum credit quality standards for our investments. The policy also limits the amount of money we can invest in any one issue, issuer or type of instrument. We have not experienced any material loss in our investment portfolio, and we believe the market risk exposure in our investment portfolio has remained consistent over this period.

 

The table below presents the carrying value, which is approximately equal to fair market value, and related weighted-average interest rates for our investment portfolio at March 31, 2004. Fair market value is based on actively quoted market prices. Our investments are generally most vulnerable to changes in short-term interest rates in the United States. Substantially all of our investments mature in twelve months or less, and have been given a rating of A1 or higher by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or are the debt obligations of a federal agency and, therefore, we believe that the risk of material loss of principal due to changes in interest rates is minimal.

 

    

Carrying

Amount


   Average
Interest Rate


 
     (thousands)       

Cash equivalents—fixed rate

   $ 65,086    1.18 %

Short-term investments—fixed rate

     13,309    1.46 %

Overnight cash investments—fixed rate

     441    0.25 %
    

  

Total cash and cash equivalents and investment securities

   $ 78,836    1.23 %
    

  

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, with the participation of the Company’s management as of March 31, 2004. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, the Company and its management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Based on their required evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have each concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2004.

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed with the objective of providing reasonable assurance that (1) our transactions are properly authorized; (2) our assets are safeguarded against unauthorized or improper use; and (3) our transactions are properly recorded and reported, all to permit the preparation of our financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

None.

 

Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

  (a) Not applicable.

 

  (b) Not applicable.

 

  (c) Not applicable

 

  (d) Not applicable.

 

  (e) Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

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

 

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

  (a) Exhibits

 

The exhibits filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are listed on the Exhibit Index and such list is incorporated herein by reference.

 

  (b) Reports on Form 8-K

 

We filed a report on Form 8-K on January 5, 2004 under Items 5 and 7 attaching a press release describing the extension of a research agreement with Roche.

 

We filed a report on Form 8-K on January 7, 2004 under Item 11 announcing the temporary suspension of trading under the Trimeris, Inc. Employee 401(k) Plan.

 

We furnished a report on Form 8-K on January 7, 2004 under Item 9 attaching the transcript of our conference call held on January 5, 2004.

 

We furnished a report on Form 8-K on February 3, 2004 under Item 12 attaching a press release announcing our financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003.

 

We furnished a report on Form 8-K on February 5, 2004 under Item 9 attaching the transcript of our conference call held on February 3, 2004.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

       

Trimeris, Inc.

       

(Registrant)

May 7, 2004

 

By:

 

/s/ DANI P. BOLOGNESI


       

Dani P. Bolognesi

       

Chief Executive Officer,

and Chief Scientific Officer

May 7, 2004

     

/s/ ROBERT R. BONCZEK


       

Robert R. Bonczek

       

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial

Officer)

May 7, 2004

     

/s/ TIMOTHY J. CREECH


       

Timothy J. Creech

       

Vice President of Finance

and Secretary (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Number

 

Description


31.1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by Dani P. Bolognesi as Chief Executive Officer.
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by Robert R. Bonczek as Chief Financial Officer.
32.1   Section 1350 Certification by Dani P. Bolognesi as Chief Executive Officer.
32.2   Section 1350 Certification by Robert R. Bonczek as Chief Financial Officer.

 

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