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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 December 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

0-50481

 


 

AEOLUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 


 

Delaware   56-1953785

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

P.O. Box 14287

79 T.W. Alexander Drive

4401 Research Commons, Suite 200

Research Triangle Park, NC

  27709
(Address of Principal Executive Office)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code 919-558-8688

 


 

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 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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class


 

Outstanding as of February 7, 2005


Common Stock, par value $.01   13,975,760 Shares

 



Table of Contents

AEOLUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

 

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

             PAGE

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
    Item 1.   Financial Statements     
    Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 (unaudited) and September 30, 2004    3
    Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)    4
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)    5
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements    6
    Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    10
    Item 4.   Controls and Procedures    13
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION     
    Item 6.   Exhibits    14
    SIGNATURES    15

 

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AEOLUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except shares and per share data)

 

     December 31,
2004


    September 30,
2004


 
     (Unaudited)        
ASSETS                 

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,047     $ 7,381  

Accounts receivable

     78       131  

Prepaids and other current assets

     113       118  
    


 


Total current assets

     5,238       7,630  

Property and equipment, net

     12       15  

Other assets

     211       211  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 5,461     $ 7,856  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 775     $ 1,185  

Accrued expenses

     58       102  

Liabilities of discontinued operations

     215       250  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     1,048       1,537  

Long-term note payable

     806       787  
    


 


Total liabilities

     1,854       2,324  

Stockholders’ equity:

                

Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized: Series B nonredeemable convertible preferred stock, 600,000 shares authorized; 503,544 shares issued and outstanding

     5       5  

Common stock, $.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 13,947,303 shares issued and outstanding

     139       139  

Additional paid-in capital

     145,608       145,576  

Accumulated deficit

     (142,145 )     (140,188 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     3,607       5,532  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 5,461     $ 7,856  
    


 


 

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

 

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AEOLUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Revenue:

                

Grant income

   $ 109     $ 47  

Costs and expenses:

                

Research and development

     1,620       1,628  

General and administrative

     450       713  
    


 


Total costs and expenses

     2,070       2,341  
    


 


Loss from operations

     (1,961 )     (2,294 )

Interest expense, net

     (2 )     (49 )

Other income

     6       —    
    


 


Net loss

     (1,957 )     (2,343 )

Preferred stock dividend accreted

     —         (135 )
    


 


Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (1,957 )   $ (2,478 )
    


 


Net loss per weighted share attributable to common stockholders:

                

Basic and diluted

   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.86 )
    


 


Weighted average common shares outstanding:

                

Basic and diluted

     13,947       2,877  
    


 


 

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

 

 

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AEOLUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net loss

   $ (1,957 )   $ (2,343 )

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

                

Depreciation and amortization

     3       3  

Noncash compensation

     23       104  

Noncash consulting fees

     9       64  

Noncash interest expense

     19       50  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     —         15  

Change in assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable

     53       —    

Prepaids and other assets

     5       34  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (489 )     604  
    


 


Net cash used in operating activities

     (2,334 )     (1,469 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Proceeds from notes payable

     —         1,000  
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     —         1,000  
    


 


Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (2,334 )     (469 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     7,381       586  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 5,047     $ 117  
    


 


Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities:

                

Series C preferred stock dividend accreted

   $ —       $ 135  
    


 


Common stock issued in exchange for note payable and accrued interest

   $ —       $ 3,095  
    


 


Common stock issued in exchange for Series C preferred stock

   $ —       $ 14,637  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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AEOLUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

A. Basis of Presentation

 

The Company is developing catalytic antioxidant molecules to protect against the damaging effects of reactive oxygen-derived molecules, commonly referred to as free radicals. In October 2004, the Company initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (“ALS”, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).

 

The “Company” refers collectively to Aeolus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Aeolus”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Aeolus Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation. The Company also has a 35.0% equity interest in CPEC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which had minimal activity during the three months ended December 31, 2004. The Company uses the equity method to account for its investment in CPEC. The Company’s primary operations are located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. On July 16, 2004, the Company effected a one-for-ten reverse stock split of its common stock and changed its name from Incara Pharmaceuticals Corporation to Aeolus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All common stock amounts in these financial statements have been adjusted for the reverse stock split.

 

All significant intercompany activity has been eliminated in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Some information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company. The consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2004 was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004. The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in that Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company’s other SEC filings. Results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for any other period.

 

B. Liquidity

 

The Company incurred operating losses of $1,961,000 and $11,977,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004, respectively. The Company expects to incur additional losses in fiscal 2005 and for several more years.

 

Management believes it has adequate financial resources to fund its operations through fiscal 2005, but in order to fund on-going operating cash requirements beyond fiscal 2005, or to accelerate or expand its programs, the Company needs to raise significant additional funds. The

 

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Company intends to explore strategic and financial alternatives, including the sale of shares of stock, the establishment of new collaborations for current research programs that include initial cash payments and on-going research support and the out-licensing of our compounds for development by a third party.

 

If the Company is unable to obtain additional financing to fund operations beyond fiscal 2005, it will need to eliminate some or all of its activities, merge with another company, sell some or all of its assets to another company, or cease operations entirely.

 

C. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a tentative conclusion on Issue 03-06, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share” that the two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available to common stockholders, but does not require the presentation of basic and diluted EPS for securities other than common stock. However, the EITF observed that the presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share for a participating security other than common stock is not precluded. The Company believes that this EITF conclusion will not have any effect on its current presentation of earnings per share.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”) which establishes standards for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. SFAS 123R requires companies to expense the value of employee stock options and similar awards. Share-based payments will be measured at fair value on the grant date, based on the estimated number of awards that are expected to vest. SFAS 123R applies to all unvested share-based awards outstanding at the company’s adoption date. SFAS 123R eliminates the exception to account for such awards using the intrinsic method previously allowable under Accounting Principals Board Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”). SFAS 123R will be effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of this pronouncement.

 

D. Net Loss Per Common Share

 

The Company computes basic net loss per weighted average share attributable to common stockholders using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The Company computes diluted net loss per weighted average shares attributable to common stockholders using the weighted average number of shares of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of stock options, restricted common stock, convertible debt, warrants and convertible preferred stock, using the treasury stock method and are excluded if their effect is antidilutive. Diluted weighted average common shares excluded incremental shares of approximately 4,764,000 as of December 31, 2004 related to stock options to purchase common stock, convertible preferred stock, convertible debt and warrants to purchase common and preferred stock. These shares were excluded due to their antidilutive effect as a result of the Company’s net loss.

 

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E. Stock-Based Compensation

 

Under the principles of APB 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, the Company does not recognize compensation expense associated with the grant of stock options to employees unless an option is granted with an exercise price at less than fair market value. SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), requires the use of option valuation models to recognize as expense stock option grants to consultants and to provide supplemental information regarding options granted to directors and employees.

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, all stock options were issued at or above the fair market value of a share of common stock. During the three months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, fully vested stock options with a fair market value of $9,000 and $64,000, respectively, were granted to consultants and expensed.

 

The Company’s pro forma information utilizing the Black-Scholes option valuation model is as follows (in thousands, except for net loss per share information):

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders as reported

   $ (1,957 )   $ (2,478 )

Pro forma adjustment for stock-based compensation

     (202 )     (382 )
    


 


Pro forma net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (2,159 )   $ (2,860 )
    


 


Basic and diluted net loss per weighted share attributable to common stockholders:

                

As reported

   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.86 )

Pro forma - adjusted for stock-based compensation

   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.99 )

 

Pro forma information regarding the Company’s net loss was determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method of SFAS 123. The fair value of each option grant for employees and consultants is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants:

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,


     2004

  2003

Dividend yield

   0%   0%

Expected volatility

   195%   274%

Risk-free interest rate

   2.9% - 4.3%   1.2% - 4.7%

Expected option life (in years from vesting)

   3   3

 

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F. Commitments and Contingencies

 

At December 31, 2004, the Company had future contractual operating lease commitments of $699,000 primarily for its administrative office and laboratory facilities, of which $215,000 was accrued as liabilities of discontinued operations on the balance sheet. In December 1999, the Company sold its anti-infectives division (“IRL”) to a private pharmaceutical company. The Company remains contingently liable through May 2007 for a lease obligation of approximately $2,369,000 assumed by the purchaser on the former IRL facility in Cranbury, New Jersey.

 

G. Subsequent Events

 

Effective December 31, 2004, upon the expiration of his employment agreement, James D. Crapo ceased to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Effective January 5, 2005, Aeolus appointed Richard P. Burgoon, Jr. as its Chief Executive Officer.

 

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

 

Introduction

 

Unless otherwise noted, the phrase “we” or “our” refers collectively to Aeolus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiary, Aeolus Sciences, Inc.

 

This report contains, in addition to historical information, statements by us with respect to expectations about our business and future results, which are “forward-looking” statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements and other statements made elsewhere by us or our representatives, which are identified or qualified by words such as “likely,” “will,” “suggests,” “expects,” “might,” “believe,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “estimates,” “potential,” “predict,” “continue,” “would,” “anticipates,” “plans,” or similar expressions, are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated or suggested due to a number of factors, including those set forth herein, those set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 and in our other SEC filings, and including risks relating to the need to conserve and obtain funds for operations, uncertainties relating to clinical trials, the early stage of products under development and regulatory reviews, new accounting requirements and competition. All forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements.

 

Operations Summary

 

We are developing a new class of small molecule catalytic antioxidants that destroy oxygen-derived free radicals, believed to be an important contributor to the pathogenesis of many diseases. Our catalytic antioxidants have been shown to reduce damage to tissue in animal studies of neurological disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) and stroke, and in other non-neurological indications such as cancer radiation therapy, chronic bronchitis and asthma. In October 2004, we began a Phase 1 clinical trials with our lead compound, AEOL 10150, as a treatment for ALS.

 

We do not have any revenue, other than grant income, and therefore we must rely on outside investors, grants, collaborations or out-licensing of our compounds to finance our operations.

 

Effective December 31, 2004, upon the expiration of his employment agreement, James D. Crapo ceased to be our Chief Executive Officer. Effective January 5, 2005, we appointed Richard P. Burgoon, Jr. as our Chief Executive Officer.

 

Results of Operations

 

We had a net loss of $1,957,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 versus a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $2,478,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2003.

 

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In August 2003, we were awarded a $100,000 Small Business Innovation and Research, or SBIR, Phase I grant from the National Cancer Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, and in March 2004, we were awarded $375,000 for the first year of a SBIR Phase II grant. Pursuant to the grants, we are studying the antitumor and radiation-protective effects of our catalytic antioxidants. The study is a collaboration between us and the Department of Radiation Oncology at Duke University Medical Center. We recognized $109,000 and $47,000 of grant income during the three months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

Our R&D expenses of $1,620,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 were essentially the same as the R&D expenses of $1,628,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2003. Our primary operational focus and R&D spending during the three months ended December 31, 2004 was on conducting our Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of ALS while our primary operational focus and R&D spending during the three months ended December 31, 2003 was on preclinical pharmacology and toxicology tests on our lead compound. Therefore, we incurred greater expenses for clinical trial and sponsored research costs in the first three months of fiscal 2005, versus the same period in fiscal 2004, while we incurred less expenses associated with preclinical activities. R&D expenses for our antioxidant program have totaled $25,778,000 from inception through December 31, 2004. Because of the uncertainty of our research and development and clinical studies, we are unable to predict the level of spending and the anticipated program completion date, if any.

 

General and administrative, or G&A, expenses decreased $263,000, or 37%, to $450,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 from $713,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2003. Legal, accounting and filing fees were higher than normal during the three months ended December 31, 2003 due to financing and reorganization activities that occurred during the those months.

 

We accreted $135,000 of dividends on our Series C preferred stock during the three months ended December 31, 2003. As part of a reorganization effected on November 20, 2003, all shares of Series C preferred stock were converted into common stock.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At December 31, 2004, we had $5,047,000 of cash, a decrease of $2,334,000 from September 30, 2004. The decrease in cash was primarily due to the $1,957,000 net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and a $489,000 decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses due to less payables for preclinical activities at December 31, 2004. We believe we have adequate financial resources to conduct operations at least through fiscal 2005.

 

We incurred operating losses of $1,961,000 and $11,977,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004, respectively. Due to the nonrecurring charges for financing, reorganization and stock options recognized in fiscal 2004, we anticipate our quarterly operational costs will continue to be lower during fiscal 2005 than they were in fiscal 2004. Our ongoing cash requirements will depend on numerous factors, particularly the progress of our catalytic antioxidant program and clinical trials and our ability to negotiate and complete collaborative agreements or out-licensing arrangements. In order to help

 

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fund our on-going operating cash requirements, we intend to seek new collaborations for our antioxidant research program that include initial cash payments and on-going research support. In addition, we might sell additional shares of our stock and explore other strategic and financial alternatives, including a merger with another company. We also might out-license one or more of our compounds for development by a third party.

 

There are uncertainties as to these potential sources of capital. Our access to capital might be restricted because we might not be able to enter into any collaboration on terms acceptable or favorable to us due to conditions in the pharmaceutical industry or in the economy in general or based on the prospects of our catalytic antioxidant program. Even if we are successful in obtaining a collaboration for our antioxidant program, we might have to relinquish rights to technologies, product candidates or markets that we might otherwise develop ourselves. These same risks apply to any attempt to out-license our compounds.

 

Similarly, due to market conditions, the illiquid nature of our stock, and other possible limitations on stock offerings, we might not be able to sell additional securities or raise other funds on terms acceptable or favorable to us. It can be difficult for small biotechnology companies such as us to raise funds in the equity markets. Any additional equity financing, if available, would likely result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment”, or SFAS 123R, which establishes standards for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. SFAS 123R requires companies to expense the value of employee stock options and similar awards. Share-based payments will be measured at fair value on the grant date, based on the estimated number of awards that are expected to vest. SFAS 123R applies to all unvested share-based awards outstanding at the company’s adoption date. SFAS 123R eliminates the exception to account for such awards using the intrinsic method previously allowable under Accounting Principals Board Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. SFAS 123R will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005. We are currently evaluating the effect of this pronouncement.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e)) pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

(b) No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit #

  

Description


10.115    Form of incentive stock option agreement
10.116    Form of nonqualified stock option agreement
31.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
31.2    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
32.1    Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2    Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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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.

 

   

AEOLUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Date: February 8, 2005   By:  

/s/ RICHARD P. BURGOON, JR.


       

Richard P. Burgoon, Jr.

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: February 8, 2005   By:  

/s/ RICHARD W. REICHOW


       

Richard W. Reichow

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial

Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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