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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004

OR

Commission file number 0-32601

ESSENTIAL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

1325 Tri-State Parkway, Suite 300

Gurnee, Illinois 60031

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(847) 855-7676

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

AMERICASDOCTOR, INC.

(Former Name, if Changed Since Last Report)

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

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

At May 1, 2004, there were 3,430,043 shares of Class A common stock outstanding and 685,324 shares of Class B common stock outstanding.

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

ESSENTIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited, in thousands, except share data)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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ESSENTIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited, in thousands, except share data)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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ESSENTIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited, in thousands)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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ESSENTIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

UNAUDITED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Essential Group, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The information furnished herein includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes to the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003 included in AmericasDoctor, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (See Note 4).

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

2. Liquidity and Future Operations

Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $1.8 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Cash used in operating activities increased substantially in the three months ended March 31, 2004 due to changes in working capital accounts and investment in the expansion of contract research organization (“CRO”) services (See Note 4).

Working capital was approximately $(1.6) million as of March 31, 2004 and $(1.3) million as of December 31, 2003. The decrease from December 31, 2003 to March 31, 2004 was primarily the result of the decrease in cash from funding operations in the expansion of services as a CRO.

The Company has generated negative cash flows since its inception. As a result, it has financed its operations to date through the sale of equity securities. To date, the Company has raised approximately $53.6 million in net proceeds from the sale of common stock, redeemable convertible preferred stock, and preferred stock. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities were approximately $0.1 million and $2.0 million as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

During the first quarter of 2002, the Company entered into a secured revolving credit agreement that permitted a maximum borrowing capacity of $4.0 million. In February 2004, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement with its lender. The amendment and restatement, among other things, increased the maximum borrowing capacity to $6.0 million, extended the termination date of the facility from March 15, 2005 to February 20, 2007, and modified the terms of various covenants, including financial covenants. Amounts

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available under the credit agreement continue to depend on the amount of the Company’s eligible receivables. At March 31, 2004, available borrowings under the credit facility were $2.9 million and the Company had no amounts outstanding on the revolving credit agreement. The credit agreement requires the Company to pay a commitment fee of 0.5% per annum on the average daily-unused portion of the revolving loan. As of March 31, 2004, the Company had approximately $49,000 of prepaid financing fees capitalized. Borrowings under this agreement are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. Among other restrictions, the credit agreement includes certain restrictive covenants, including covenants related to indebtedness, related party transactions and investment limitations and requires the Company to comply with a number of affirmative covenants related to the operation of its business, including covenants related to minimum liquidity, EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) and fixed charge coverage ratio requirements, a limit on fixed charges, and a requirement that by January 1, 2005, holders of over one-third of its Series A-2 through A-6 preferred stock shall have waived their rights to, or otherwise agreed not to, redeem such stock until at least May 20, 2007. Under the credit agreement, borrowings bear interest at prime plus 2.0%, subject to a minimum interest rate of 7.5%. As of March 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with the debt covenants.

Management believes that the funds available under the credit facility and the Company’s cash on hand will be sufficient to meet its liquidity needs and fund operations throughout 2004. However, any projections of future cash inflows and outflows are subject to substantial uncertainty, including risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s business plan to expand into the CRO business, which may require additional capital. In addition, the Company may, from time to time, consider acquisitions of or investments in complementary businesses, products, services and technologies, which may impact its liquidity requirements or cause it to seek additional equity or debt financing alternatives. Beyond 2004, the Company may need to raise additional capital to meet its long-term liquidity needs. If the Company determines that it needs additional capital, it may seek to issue equity or obtain debt financing from third party sources. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt securities could result in dilution to its stockholders. Any additional debt financing, if available, could involve further restrictive covenants, which could adversely affect the Company’s operations. There can be no assurance that any of these financing alternatives will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to the Company, if at all. If the Company is unable to raise any needed additional capital, it may be required to significantly alter its operating plan, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

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3. Net Losses Per Share

Basic and diluted net loss per common share is based on the weighted average number of Class A and Class B shares of common stock outstanding. Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to Class A and Class B common stockholders for the period by the weighted average number of Class A and Class B common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to Class A and Class B common stockholders for the period by the weighted average number of Class A and Class B common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Stock warrants, preferred stock and stock options were not included in the diluted net loss per common share calculation since their impact is anti-dilutive. For the period ended March 31, 2004, 5,251,221 outstanding preferred stock shares, 2,751,903 outstanding stock options and 93,541 outstanding Class A common stock warrants were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. However, these options could be dilutive in the future.

The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s basic and diluted net loss per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited, in thousands, except share data):

4. Lines of Business

On February 5, 2004, the Board of Directors of AmericasDoctor, Inc. approved a name change of the Company to Essential Group, Inc. On March 24, 2004, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to its certificate of incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State and changed its name to Essential Group, Inc.

The Company was founded in 1994 by several physicians as an affiliated site management network and provides pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and device companies a single source for conducting Phase I-IV clinical research in the United States. The Company’s site management network is focused in four therapeutic areas: urology, gastroenterology, central nervous system, and women’s health. By integrating a leading community-based physician network and comprehensive site management expertise, the Company provides a broad range of services, including patient recruitment and project management, fundamental to executing well-controlled clinical trials expeditiously and economically.

Additionally, the Board of Directors approved a business plan to expand the Company’s project management and patient recruitment services into a niche contract research organization (“CRO”). As a niche CRO, the Company will initially offer focused full service CRO expertise in three key therapeutic areas: urology, gastroenterology and women’s health. In addition to the project management and patient recruitment services performed in the past, the Company will

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offer study start-up, therapeutic consulting, clinical and medical monitoring, clinical labs and packaging, data management, biostatistics, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, training and medical writing, either directly or through its partners, to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

5. New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” The standard requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. Examples of costs covered by the standard include lease termination costs and certain employee severance costs that are associated with a restructuring, discontinued operation, plant closing or other exit or disposal activities. SFAS No. 146 replaces EITF 94-3 applies to exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. The Company adopted SFAS No. 146 in 2003. The statement affected the employee severance costs of approximately $45,000 recognized during 2004.

SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure,” provides alternative transition methods for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, it amends the disclosure and certain transition provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to require prominent disclosures in annual financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the pro forma effect on reported results of applying the fair value based method for entities that use the intrinsic value method of accounting. The pro forma effect disclosures are also required to be prominently disclosed in interim period financial statements. The Company does not plan to change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and has adopted the disclosure provisions of this standard.

At March 31, 2004, the Company had stock-based employee incentive plans and stock-based director, consultants and network founders plans. The Company accounts for the employee plans under the recognition and measurement principals of APB Opinion 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations. No stock-based employee incentive cost is reflected in net loss, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock at the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net loss and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee incentives (unaudited, in thousands, except share data):

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The pro forma disclosure is not likely to be indicative of pro forma results which may be expected in future years because of the fact that options vest over several years, pro forma compensation expense is recognized as the options vest and additional awards may also be granted.

For purposes of determining the effect of these options, the fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant based on the Black-Scholes single-option pricing model assuming the following for the years ended March 31, 2004 and 2003:

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

Overview

We were founded in 1994 by several physicians as an affiliated site management network. We provide pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutritional and device companies a single source for conducting Phase I-IV clinical research in the United States. As of May 1, 2004, we offered clinical research services through approximately 110 independently owned investigative sites encompassing approximately 300 principal investigators, with over 1,000 total physicians, operating in 30 states in the United States and the District of Columbia. Through our network of investigative sites, we provide sponsors of clinical research with study management services, including access to experienced investigators and study coordinators and large numbers of patients and centralized management of clinical research studies. These capabilities are designed to facilitate study start-up and quality and accuracy of study data. Our network of investigative sites provides sponsors with the ability to complete clinical research trials quickly and efficiently. By integrating a leading community-based physician network and comprehensive site management expertise, we provide a broad range of services, including patient recruitment and project management, fundamental to executing well-controlled clinical trials expeditiously and economically.

On September 17, 2003, our board of directors approved a business transition plan to position us for stronger growth as we enter our second decade of service to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutritional and device industries. The new strategy was announced on October 27, 2003 and requires us to tightly focus on more profitable growth through expanded project management services, expanded patient recruitment and a more focused approach to site management. Through this business plan, we are focusing our resources in clinical trial site

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management in four therapeutic areas: urology, women’s health, gastroenterology and central nervous system and have exited from four other therapeutic areas. In accordance with our business plan, we changed our name to “Essential Group, Inc.” on March 24, 2004 and are offering expanded project management services and patient recruitment as a niche clinical research organization, or CRO, under a business unit named “Essential” and continue to offer our existing site management services under a business unit named “AmericasDoctor.”

As a niche CRO, we will initially offer focused full service CRO expertise in three key therapeutic areas: urology, gastroenterology and women’s health. In addition to the project management and patient recruitment services performed in the past, we will offer study start-up, therapeutic consulting, clinical and medical monitoring, clinical labs and packaging, data management, biostatistics, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, training and medical writing, either directly or through our partners, to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

As part of this plan, we have terminated contracts with a number of sites, resulting in a reduction in workforce. The plan is expected to be completed by December 2004. In connection with this plan, we anticipate that we will recognize approximately $600,000 of severance costs between October 2003 and December 2004. As of March 31, 2004, we had recognized approximately $573,000 of these severance costs. In addition, as part of the restructuring initiatives we made in 2003, we expect additional cost reductions to be realized in 2004. Also, we intend to invest additional capital and incur additional losses as we expand our services as a CRO, while managing our site management and patient recruitment services. We expect to operate our existing site management and patient recruitment services businesses in a manner that will require minimal capital expenditures.

Our Class B common stock was established in 1996 as a mechanism by which our research sites that have signed a clinical research service agreement with us and own Class A common stock could have an opportunity to participate in our equity. All of our Class B common stock is currently held by Affiliated Research Centers, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or the LLC, for the benefit of its members. The amounts reflected in the results of operations represent noncash charges or credits relating to changes in value of the LLC and the Class B common stock which it owns. The value of the LLC and of the Class B common stock is determined periodically by an independent appraisal with interim valuations being made by our board of directors. Each LLC member’s percentage interest in the limited liability company determines that member’s share of the Class B common stock to which they would be entitled if a distribution of those shares occurs. Each member’s percentage is determined based on a formula which includes the amount of gross revenues earned by us through that member as a percentage of the total qualifying research revenues of all members of Affiliated Research Centers, LLC.

AmericasDoctor has recognized operating losses in each fiscal year since our formation. Our site management services business relies heavily on the revenues generated by our investigative sites. In addition, we experienced significant capital and operational expenditures associated with the acquisition of our on-line services in January 2000. Although we ceased all of the on-line services business in the fourth quarter of 2001, we expect to incur operating losses and negative cash flows for the foreseeable future as we fund operating and other expenditures designed to expand our business. Because AmericasDoctor’s site management services business

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has a history of losses and anticipate losses in the future, we may never achieve significant profitability, or if we are able to achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability in future periods. In addition, although we believe our new CRO business will be cash positive and generate income over the long-term, there can be no assurance that this will be the case.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions upon which we rely are reasonably based upon information available to us at the time that these estimates, judgments and assumptions are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. To the extent there are material differences between these estimates, judgments and assumptions and actual results, our financial statements will be affected. The significant accounting policies that we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:

In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by U.S. GAAP and does not require management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting among available alternatives would not produce a materially different result. Our senior management has reviewed these critical accounting policies and related disclosures with our audit committee. See the notes to consolidated financial statements, which contain additional information regarding our accounting policies and other disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is generated from contracts with sponsors. Revenue on each contract, or study revenue, is recognized as the qualified patient visits occur or the service is provided. Our service agreements with the investigative sites provide that a percentage of the contract amount will be paid to the sites as investigator fees. The percentage of fees paid to the investigator sites varies by contract depending on the level of services that we provide. As study revenue is recognized, the investigator fees to investigative sites are recognized as costs and amounts to be paid to the sites are recorded as accrued investigator fees. Advances on contracts by sponsors are classified as deferred revenue until services are performed. The related payments to sites are classified as prepaid expenses until services are performed.

In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force recommendation 99-19 and Staff Accounting Bulletin SAB 101, we recognize our study revenue on a gross basis as we act as a principal in such transactions, can influence price, are involved in the product specifications and have credit risk.

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Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We determine our allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, our previous loss history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. We make judgments as to our ability to collect outstanding receivables based on these factors and provide allowances for these receivables when collections become doubtful. Provisions are made based on specific review of all significant outstanding balances.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events such as service discontinuance, contract terminations, economic or other changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. When these events occur, we compare the carrying amount of the assets to undiscounted expected future cash flows. If this comparison indicates that there is impairment, the amount of the impairment is typically calculated using discounted expected future cash flows.

Accounting for Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Under the asset and liability method of SFAS No. 109, deferred income taxes are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

We have incurred historical net operating losses, or NOLs, for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no federal income tax provision has been recorded to date and there are no taxes payable. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Based upon the level of historical losses that may limit utilization of NOL carry forwards in future periods, management is unable to predict whether these net deferred tax assets will be utilized prior to expiration. The unused NOL carry forwards expire in years 2008 through 2024. As such, we have recorded a full valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets. Although we believe that our estimates are reasonable, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of these matters will not be different than that which is reflected in our historical income tax provisions. Such differences could have a material effect on our income tax provision and net income in the period in which such determination is made.

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Quarterly Results - First Quarter 2004 Compared to First Quarter 2003

Revenues were $11.1 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2004 compared to $11.0 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2003, an increase of $0.1 million, or 1.3%. The increase in revenue recognized in 2004 compared to 2003 was the result of an increase in patient recruitment services.

Direct study costs (investigator fees and other study costs such as laboratory fees and patient stipends) were $7.7 million in the first quarter 2004 compared to $7.0 million in the first quarter 2003, an increase of $0.7 million, or 10.4%. Direct study costs as a percentage of revenue were 69.3% during the first quarter 2004 compared to 63.6% during the first quarter 2003. The 5.7% increase is attributable to the therapeutic revenue mix and associated levels of outsourced study costs.

Selling, general and administrative costs were $3.7 million in the first quarter 2004 compared to $4.5 million in the first quarter 2003, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 17.4%. On September 17, 2003, our board of directors approved a business transition plan to position us for stronger growth. The new strategy was announced on October 27, 2003 and requires us to tightly focus on more profitable growth through expanded project services, expanded patient recruitment and a more focused approach to site management. Through this business plan, we are focusing our resources in clinical trial site management in four therapeutic areas: urology, women’s health, gastroenterology and central nervous system and have exited from four other therapeutic areas. As a result of the reduced therapeutic offering, we realized cost reductions in the areas of research operations ($0.8 million), shared services ($0.2 million), patient recruitment ($0.1 million) and research operations ($0.1 million) offset by an additional $0.4 million of development costs related to our expansion of CRO services. See note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this quarterly report.

Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased to $0.1 million in the first quarter 2004 compared to $0.2 million in the first quarter 2003. This decrease resulted from certain fixed assets becoming fully depreciated.

The operating loss decreased to $0.4 million in the first quarter 2004 compared to $0.7 million in the first quarter 2003. As discussed above, the $0.3 million improvement is driven by the $0.1 million increase in revenues, the $0.8 million decrease in selling, general and administrative costs and the $0.1 million decrease in depreciation and amortization, which was offset by a $0.7 million increase in direct study costs.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $1.8 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Cash used in operating activities increased substantially in the three months ended March 31, 2004 due to changes in working capital accounts and investment in the expansion of CRO services.

Working capital was approximately $(1.6) million as of March 31, 2004 and $(1.3) million as of December 31, 2003. The decrease from December 31, 2003 to March 31, 2004 was primarily the result of the decrease in cash from funding operations in the expansion of services as a CRO.

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We have generated negative cash flows since our inception. As a result, we have financed our operations to date through the sale of equity securities. To date, we have raised approximately $53.6 million in net proceeds from the sale of common stock, redeemable convertible preferred stock and preferred stock. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities were approximately $0.1 million and $2.0 million as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

During the first quarter of 2002, we entered into a secured revolving credit agreement that permitted a maximum borrowing capacity of $4.0 million. In February 2004, we entered into an amended and restated credit agreement with our lender. The amendment and restatement, among other things, increased the maximum borrowing capacity to $6.0 million, extended the termination date of the facility from March 15, 2005 to February 20, 2007, and modified the terms of various covenants, including financial covenants. Amounts available under the credit agreement continue to depend on the amount of our eligible receivables. At March 31, 2004, available borrowings under the credit facility were $2.9 million and we had no amounts outstanding on the revolving credit agreement. The credit agreement requires us to pay a commitment fee of 0.5% per annum on the average daily-unused portion of the revolving loan. As of March 31, 2004, we had approximately $49,000 of prepaid financing fees capitalized. Borrowings under this agreement are secured by substantially all of our assets. Among other restrictions, the credit agreement includes certain restrictive covenants, including covenants related to indebtedness, related party transactions and investment limitations and requires us to comply with a number of affirmative covenants related to the operation of our business, including covenants related to minimum liquidity, EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) and fixed charge coverage ratio requirements, a limit on fixed charges, and a requirement that by January 1, 2005, holders of over one-third of our Series A-2 through A-6 preferred stock shall have waived their rights to, or otherwise agreed not to, redeem such stock until at least May 20, 2007. Under the credit agreement, borrowings bear interest at prime plus 2.0%, subject to a minimum interest rate of 7.5%. As of March 31, 2004, we were in compliance with the debt covenants.

We believe that the funds available under the credit facility and our cash on hand will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs and fund operations throughout 2004. However, any projections of future cash inflows and outflows are subject to substantial uncertainty, including risks and uncertainties relating to our business plan to expand into the CRO business, which may require additional capital. In addition, we may, from time to time, consider acquisitions of or investments in complementary businesses, products, services and technologies, which may impact our liquidity requirements or cause us to seek additional equity or debt financing alternatives. Beyond 2004, we may need to raise additional capital to meet our long-term liquidity needs. If we determine that we need additional capital, we may seek to issue equity or obtain debt financing from third party sources. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt securities could result in dilution to our stockholders. Any additional debt financing, if available, could involve further restrictive covenants, which could adversely affect our operations. There can be no assurance that any of these financing alternatives will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we are unable to raise any needed additional capital, we may be required to significantly alter our operating plan, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Lease Arrangements, Rent Expense and Other Contractual Obligations

We have entered into operating lease agreements for office space and office equipment. In addition, we have capital leases for computers, furniture and equipment in connection with the expansion of our offices. The following is a schedule of the future minimum lease commitments relating to all leases as of March 31, 2004:

In addition, under the terms of our Series A preferred stock, at any time after March 27, 2005, the holders representing at least 66 2/3% of our Series A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5 and A-6 preferred stock may require us to redeem all outstanding shares of our Series A preferred stock at a price equal to the liquidation value at the time of redemption, plus an amount equal to the cumulative amount of unpaid dividends as if such dividends had accrued at a rate of 8% per annum on the liquidation value. Our credit facility, however, requires that by January 1, 2005, holders of over one-third of our Series A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5 and A-6 preferred stock shall have waived their rights to, or otherwise agreed not to, redeem such stock until at least May 20, 2007. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” The standard requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. Examples of costs covered by the standard include lease termination costs and certain employee severance costs that are associated with a restructuring, discontinued operation, plant closing or other exit or disposal activities. SFAS No. 146 replaces EITF 94-3 applies to exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. We adopted SFAS No. 146 in 2003. The statement affected the employee severance costs of approximately $45,000 recognized during 2004.

SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure,” provides alternative transition methods for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, it amends the disclosure and certain transition provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to require prominent disclosures in annual financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the pro forma effect on reported results of applying the fair value based method for entities that use the intrinsic value method of accounting. The pro forma effect disclosures are also required to be prominently disclosed in interim period financial statements. We do not plan to change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and have adopted the disclosure provisions of this standard.

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At March 31, 2004, we had stock-based employee incentive plans and stock-based director, consultants and network founders plans. We account for the employee plans under the recognition and measurement principals of APB Opinion 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. No stock-based employee incentive cost is reflected in net loss, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock at the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net loss and earnings per share if we had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee incentives (unaudited, in thousands, except share data):

The pro forma disclosure is not likely to be indicative of pro forma results which may be expected in future years because of the fact that options vest over several years, pro forma compensation expense is recognized as the options vest and additional awards may also be granted.

For purposes of determining the effect of these options, the fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant based on the Black-Scholes single-option pricing model assuming the following for the years ended March 31, 2004 and 2003:

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Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this report that are not strictly historical, including statements as to plans, objectives and future performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “believe,” “hope,” “may,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy” and similar expressions. In addition, the statements relating to our liquidity needs and expectations are forward-looking. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. You should be aware that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. These risks and uncertainties include unanticipated trends in the clinical research industry, changes in healthcare regulations and economic, competitive, legal, governmental, and technological factors affecting operations, markets, products, services and prices. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performances, and actual results could differ from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements. In the light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the results and events contemplated by the forward-looking information contained in this report will in fact transpire. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We maintain a portfolio of highly liquid investments in various bank accounts, which are classified as cash equivalents. In addition, we are party to a secured revolving credit agreement that permits a maximum borrowing capacity of $6.0 million. Amounts available under this credit agreement depend on the amount of our eligible receivables. At March 31, 2004, available borrowings under the credit facility were $2.9 million, and we had no amounts outstanding under this credit facility. Accordingly, we do not expect changes in interest rates to have a material effect on our income or cash flows.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

We maintain a set of disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Essential Group in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation of the effectiveness of Essential Group’s disclosure controls and procedures was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that Essential Group’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Subsequent to the date of their evaluation, there have been no significant changes in Essential Group’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Essential Group’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

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Signatures

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

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