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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, 2005

 

OR

 

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

 

Commission file number 0-32601

 


 

ESSENTIAL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   33-0597050

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

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)

 

 

(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, 2005, 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)

 

     March 31,
2005


    December 31,
2004


 
ASSETS                 

CURRENT ASSETS:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,859     $ 1,252  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $629 and $535

     9,005       8,381  

Prepaid expenses

     2,554       2,577  
    


 


Total current assets

     16,418       12,210  
    


 


FIXED ASSETS:

                

Cost

     7,084       6,895  

Less – Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (6,489 )     (6,376 )
    


 


Total fixed assets, net

     595       519  
    


 


OTHER ASSETS:

                

Other

     52       24  
    


 


Total other assets

     52       24  
    


 


     $ 17,065     $ 12,753  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT                 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 2,676     $ 2,514  

Line of Credit

     672       675  

Accrued investigator fees

     7,179       6,690  

Accrued wages and other

     2,434       2,717  

Deferred revenue

     7,400       3,190  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     20,361       15,786  
    


 


CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS

                

REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK:

                

Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; 9,741,400 shares authorized; 4,992,621 shares issued and outstanding

     89,232       87,443  
    


 


STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT:

                

Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 3,434,626 shares issued and 3,430,043 shares outstanding

     3       3  

Class B convertible common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 685,324 shares authorized, issued and outstanding

     1       1  

Series B convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; 228,436 shares authorized, issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Series E convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; 30,164 shares authorized, issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Warrants to purchase common stock

     90       79  

Additional paid-in-capital

     32,965       32,976  

Accumulated deficit

     (125,541 )     (123,489 )
    


 


       (92,482 )     (90,430 )

Treasury stock, at cost, 4,583 shares

     (46 )     (46 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ deficit

     (92,528 )     (90,476 )
    


 


     $ 17,065     $ 12,753  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2


ESSENTIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited, in thousands, except share data)

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 
           (As Restated)  

REVENUE

   $ 13,521     $ 13,823  
    


 


EXPENSES:

                

Direct study costs

     10,330       10,397  

Selling, general and administrative

     3,350       3,756  

Depreciation and amortization

     113       118  
    


 


Total expenses

     13,793       14,271  
    


 


OPERATING LOSS

     (272 )     (448 )

OTHER (EXPENSES) INCOME, net

     9       (18 )
    


 


Loss before provision for income taxes

     (263 )     (466 )

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

     —         —    
    


 


NET LOSS

     (263 )     (466 )

ACCRETION OF REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

     1,789       1,642  
    


 


Net loss applicable to common stockholders

   $ (2,052 )   $ (2,108 )
    


 


BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE:

                

Loss per common share-

                

Class A

   $ (0.50 )   $ (0.51 )

Class B

     (0.50 )     (0.51 )
    


 


Weighted average number of common shares outstanding-

                

Class A

     3,430,043       3,430,043  

Class B

     685,324       685,324  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3


ESSENTIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net loss

   $ (263 )   $ (466 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities

                

Depreciation and amortization

     113       118  

Compensatory stock options

     —         5  

Other

     —         (1 )

Changes in assets and liabilities, net

     3,949       (1,492 )
    


 


Net cash and cash equivalents generated from (used in) operating Activities

     3,799       (1,836 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Purchases of fixed assets, net

     (189 )     (7 )
    


 


Net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities

     (189 )     (7 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Proceeds (payments) on Line of Credit, net

     (3 )     —    

Proceeds (payments) on capital leases, net

     —         (10 )
    


 


Net cash and cash equivalents used in financing activities

     (3 )     (10 )
    


 


Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     3,607       (1,853 )

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

     1,252       1,984  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

   $ 4,859     $ 131  
    


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                

Cash paid for

                

Interest on capital leases

   $ —       $ 18  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4


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. (formerly known as AmericasDoctor, 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 three months ended March 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2005. 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, 2004 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (See Note 4).

 

2. Liquidity and Future Operations

 

Net cash generated from (used in) operating activities was approximately $3.8 million and ($1.8) million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Cash generated from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was a result of substantial increase in deferred revenue (liabilities) related to the contract research organization (“CRO”) services offset by continued investment in the expansion of CRO services. Cash used in operating activities in the three months ended March 31, 2004 increased substantially due to changes in working capital accounts and the launch of CRO services (See Note 4).

 

Working capital was approximately $(3.9) million as of March 31, 2005 and $(3.6) million as of December 31, 2004. The decrease from December 31, 2004 to March 31, 2005 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 $4.9 million and $1.3 million as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.

 

On September 27, 2004, the Company and its subsidiary, AmericasDoctor.com Coordinator Services, Inc., entered into a secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”), which expires September 27, 2006. The Credit Facility provides borrowing availability of up to the lesser of (a) $6.0 million and (b) an accounts receivable borrowing base calculation. As of March 31, 2005, the Company had availability under the Credit Facility of $3.2 million, of which $672,000 of loans were outstanding. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the greater of (a) 1.0% above SVB’s prime rate and (b) 5.5%, provided that the Company must pay monthly interest of at least $3,500, even if no borrowings are outstanding.

 

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Borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Credit Facility contains various restrictive covenants, including covenants limiting the Company’s ability to incur indebtedness, engage in asset acquisitions or dispositions, redeem or make dividends on its stock, or otherwise operate its business outside of the ordinary course, and requires the Company to comply with a number of affirmative covenants related to the operation of its business, including financial covenants regarding a minimum ratio of assets to liabilities (the “Quick Ratio”) and a minimum tangible net worth. As of March 31, 2005, the Company was in compliance with the Credit Facility covenants.

 

On March 28, 2005, the Company and SVB amended the Credit Facility to modify the terms of the Quick Ratio covenant to provide that through March 31, 2006, if the Company fails to meet the specified minimum Quick Ratio but nonetheless was within a specified range thereof, such failure will not be deemed an event of default (although the account receivable advance rate included in the borrowing base calculation will decrease and the interest rate applicable to borrowings will increase until such failure is cured).

 

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 through the next twelve months. 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 its CRO services, 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 2005, 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.

 

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

 

6


calculation since their impact is anti-dilutive. For the period ended March 31, 2005, 5,251,221 outstanding preferred stock shares, 2,893,225 outstanding stock options and 83,494 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, 2005 and 2004 (unaudited, in thousands, except share data):

 

     Quarter Ended March 31,

 
     2005

    2004

 
     Net Loss

    Number of
Shares


   Per Share
Amount


    Net Loss

    Number of
Shares


   Per Share
Amount


 

Net loss available to:

                                          

Class A stockholders

   $ (1,710 )   3,430,043    $ (0.50 )   $ (1,757 )   3,430,043    $ (0.51 )

Class B stockholders

     (342 )   685,324      (0.50 )     (351 )   685,324      (0.51 )

 

4. Research Services

 

On February 5, 2004, the Board of Directors of the Company 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, nutritional and device companies a single source for managing the conduct of Phase I-IV clinical research in the United States. In March 2004, the Company expanded the services of Essential Group, Inc. The three major services provided are branded as Essential CRO, Essential Patient Recruitment, and AmericasDoctor. The Company is considered a pharmaceutical services company providing services across the majority of functions for clinical development including experienced clinical investigative sites and offers complete services to clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech, nutritional, device, and governmental research industries.

 

The Company formally launched Essential Contract Research Organization (CRO) in May 2004 as a specialty full service provider focused in the three therapeutic areas of urology, women’s health and gastroenterology, and the associated oncologies for each. The CRO services include study design, study initiation, project management, patient recruitment, therapeutic consulting, clinical and medical monitoring, clinical labs and packaging quality assurance, data management/statistical analysis, medical writing, study closeout and regulatory support for filings. The Company provides these services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries directly or through its partners. The Company conducts trials from phase I-IV in humans and contracts directly with the sponsor of the research trial. The Company oversees all aspects of the clinical trial with close oversight and control by the sponsor’s central management team.

 

In June 2003, the Company formally launched the brand of Essential Patient Recruitment as a full-service patient recruitment provider for clinical trials. Many recruitment firms identify

 

7


patients for clinical trials, but struggle to get them enrolled. The Company had been providing patient recruitment services as a service under AmericasDoctor since 1996. Essential Patient Recruitment utilizes creative advertising and media in print, radio, and television to attract, screen and refer patients who may qualify to be enrolled in a clinical trial. The patients are referred directly to trained medical professionals at a study site who provide final assessment and qualification of the patient to be enrolled in a study. The Company provides patient recruitment services in over 60 different disease states and contracts directly with the sponsor of the research project and then executes on their behalf as a contractor.

 

AmericasDoctor provides clinical research investigative site services through approximately 101 independently owned investigative sites encompassing approximately 258 principal investigators, with over 900 total physicians, operating in 32 states in the United States and the District of Columbia. Through its network of investigative sites, the Company provides 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. This 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, the Company provides 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, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a business transition plan to position the Company for stronger growth as it enters its second decade of service to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutritional, device and governmental research industries. The new strategy was announced on October 27, 2003 and requires the Company to tightly focus on more profitable growth through expanded project management services, expanded patient recruitment services and a more focused approach to site management. Through this business plan, the Company is focusing it’s 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 related to AmericasDoctor site management services.

 

5. 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 and applies to exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. The Company adopted SFAS No. 146 in 2003. The standard resulted in the recording of employee severance costs of approximately $45,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

8


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 provided for in SFAS No. 148 and has adopted the disclosure provisions of this standard.

 

At March 31, 2005, 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 Accounting Principals Board 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 SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee incentives (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Quarter Ended
March, 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Net loss, as reported

   $ (2,052 )   $ (2,108 )

Deduct: Total stock-based employee

                

compensation expense determined under
fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (153 )     (156 )
    


 


Pro forma net loss

   $ (2,205 )   $ (2,264 )
    


 


Loss per share:

                

Basic and diluted – as reported

   $ (0.50 )   $ (0.51 )
    


 


Basic and diluted – pro forma

   $ (0.54 )   $ (0.55 )
    


 


 

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.

 

 

9


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 three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:

 

     2005

    2004

 

Dividend yield

   0.0 %   0.0 %

Risk-free interest rate

   4.1 %   4.1 %

Volatility factor

   77.0 %   77.0 %

Expected life in years

   10     10  
    

 

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”. This statement requires that the compensation cost relating to share based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. Compensation cost is to be measured based on the estimated fair value of the equity-based compensation awards issued as of the grant date. The related compensation expense will be based on the estimated number of awards expected to vest and will be recognized over the requisite service period (often the vesting period) for each grant. The statement requires the use of assumptions and judgments about future events and some of the inputs to the valuation models will require considerable judgment by management. SFAS No. 123(R) replaces SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation,” and supersedes Accounting Principles Bulletin No. 25 (APB 25) “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) were required to be applied by public companies as of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005, which is third quarter 2005 for the Company. On April 14, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission extended the date for application of the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) by public companies to the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after January 1, 2006, which is first quarter 2006 for the Company. The Company intends to continue applying APB 25 to equity-based compensation awards until the effective date of SFAS No. 123(R). At the effective date of SFAS No. 123(R), the Company expects to use the modified prospective application transition method without restatement of prior interim periods in the year of adoption. This will result in the Company recognizing compensation cost based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R) for all equity-based compensation awards issued after January 1, 2006. For all equity-based compensation awards that are unvested as of January 1, 2006, compensation cost will be recognized for the unamortized portion of compensation cost not previously included in the SFAS No. 123 pro forma footnote disclosure. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) may have on its results of operations depending on the level and form of future equity-based compensation awards issued.

 

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

 

Unless otherwise indicated, references to “Essential Group,” “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q refer to Essential Group, Inc. (formerly known as AmericasDoctor, Inc.) and its consolidated subsidiary.

 

Company Overview

 

We were founded in 1994 by several physicians as an affiliated site management network and provide pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutritional and device companies a single source for

 

10


managing the conduct of Phase I-IV clinical research in the United States. In March 2004, we expanded the services of Essential Group, Inc. The three major services provided are branded as Essential CRO, Essential Patient Recruitment, and AmericasDoctor. We are considered a pharmaceutical services company providing services across the majority of functions for clinical development including experienced clinical investigative sites. We offer complete services to clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech, nutritional, device, and governmental research industries.

 

We formally launched Essential Contract Research Organization (CRO) in May 2004 as a specialty full service provider focused in the three therapeutic areas of urology, women’s health and gastroenterology, and the associated oncologies for each. The CRO services include study design, study initiation, project management, patient recruitment, therapeutic consulting, clinical and medical monitoring, clinical labs and packaging quality assurance, data management/statistical analysis, medical writing, study closeout and regulatory support for filings We provide these services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries directly or through our partners. We conduct trials from phase I-IV in humans and contract directly with the sponsor of the research trial. We oversee all aspects of the clinical trial with close oversight and control by the sponsor’s central management team.

 

In June 2003, we formally launched the brand of Essential Patient Recruitment as a full-service patient recruitment provider for clinical trials. Many recruitment firms identify patients for clinical trials, but struggle to get them enrolled. We had been providing patient recruitment services as a service under AmericasDoctor since 1996. Essential Patient Recruitment utilizes creative advertising and media in print, radio, and television to attract, screen and refer patients who may qualify to be enrolled in a clinical trial. The patients are referred directly to trained medical professionals at a study site who provide final assessment and qualification of the patient to be enrolled in a study. We provide patient recruitment services in over 60 different disease states and contract directly with the sponsor of the research project and then execute on their behalf as a contractor.

 

AmericasDoctor provides clinical research investigative site services through approximately 101 independently owned investigative sites encompassing approximately 258 principal investigators, with over 900 total physicians, operating in 32 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, device and governmental research 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 services and a

 

11


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 related to AmericasDoctor site management services. 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 specialty contract research organization, or CRO, under the brand name “Essential” and continue to offer site management services under the name “AmericasDoctor.”

 

As part of this plan, we terminated contracts with a number of sites, resulting in a reduction in workforce. The plan was completed in 2004 and resulted in the recognition of approximately $716,000 of severance costs between October 2003 and December 2004. 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 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 non-cash 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 the LLC.

 

We have 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. 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 CRO business. Our site management services business has a history of losses. We believe our site management services business and our new CRO business will be cash positive and generate income over the long-term; however, there can be no assurance that this will be the case.

 

Restatement of 2004 Financial Statements

 

The consolidated statements of operations for the first three quarters of 2004 were restated as discussed below. The consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows for each of these periods were not impacted by the restatement.

 

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As part of our business, we provide patient recruitment services to our customers. Patient recruitment services include advertising for study participants, call center operations and other related services provided by us. These services can be contracted by the customer independent of or in conjunction with other services. Upon entering into an agreement to provide these services to a customer, we contract with third-party vendors to provide various aspects of these services. We are responsible for the selection of vendors and the negotiation of terms such as price. Further, we are directly liable for all payments arising under these third-party vendor agreements, regardless of whether we receive payment from our customers.

 

We have historically recorded revenues derived from our patient recruitment services business net of any related costs incurred. Although the treatment of these revenues on a net basis was consistent with what our management understood to be industry practice at the time the revenue recognition policy was adopted, management, in consultation with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and our independent auditor, Grant Thornton L.L.P., reviewed the above-mentioned facts in light of the multi-factor test set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent”, or EITF 99-19. This review was conducted to determine whether revenue derived from our patient recruitment services business should be recorded on a gross basis.

 

On March 17, 2005, the Audit Committee and management determined that EITF 99-19 requires revenues derived from our patient recruitment services business to be recorded as gross revenue inclusive of any related costs incurred. The Audit Committee and management discussed this change with our independent auditor, who agreed with this determination. As such, we restated our consolidated statements of operations to present those revenues on a gross basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals in the United States, or U.S. GAAP, and EITF 99-19.

 

Patient recruitment revenue is reflected at gross in the consolidated statements of operations in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q . Operating losses and net losses for the restated periods are not affected by this restatement. We have not amended our previously filed annual reports on Form 10-K or quarterly reports on Form 10-Q to reflect the restatement, and the financial statements and related financial information contained in those reports should no longer be relied upon.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with 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:

 

    Revenue recognition;

 

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    Allowance for doubtful accounts;

 

    Impairment of long-lived assets;

 

    Accounting for income taxes; and

 

    Valuation of Class B common shares.

 

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.

 

Revenue from CRO services is generated from contracts with sponsors. Revenue on each contract is recognized as we provide study-related services such as project management, 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. Our service agreements with the investigator sites and third party service providers pay a fixed dollar amount per patient visit or procedure performed and is paid as a direct fee. As CRO revenue is recognized, the direct fees are recognized as costs and amounts to be paid to the investigative sites or third party service providers are recorded as accrued fees. Advances on contracts by sponsors are classified as deferred revenue until services are performed. The related advance payments to the investigative sites or third party service providers are classified as prepaid expenses until services are performed.

 

Patient recruitment revenue is also generated from contracts with sponsors. Revenue on each contract is recognized as we provide recruitment related services such as designing and

 

14


contracting media ads specific to our sponsor studies. We negotiate with partner and third party service providers for related media and other direct fees. As patient recruitment revenue is recognized, the direct fees are recognized as costs and amounts to be paid to the service providers are recorded as accrued fees. Advances on contracts by sponsors are classified as deferred revenue until services are performed. The related advance payments to partner or third party service providers are classified as prepaid expenses until services are performed.

 

In accordance with EITF 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.

 

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

 

15


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.

 

Valuation of Class B common shares

 

The fair value of the Class B common shares are determined periodically by an independent third party valuation firm. The valuation is based upon financial and other information supplied by us along with public market information directly accessed by the valuation firm.

 

Quarterly Results - First Quarter 2005 Compared to First Quarter 2004 (Restated)

 

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 CRO services, patient recruitment services and a more focused approach to site management services.

 

Revenues were $13.5 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2005 compared to $13.8 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2004, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 2.2%. The decrease in revenue recognized in 2005 compared to 2004 was the result of an increase in patient recruitment services revenue of $1.2 million and an increase in CRO revenue of $0.6 million due to expanded CRO and patient recruitment services as described above, offset by a decrease of $2.1 million of direct study revenue as a result of a reduction in therapeutic offerings plus an anticipated change in the duration of studies for some of the remaining therapeutic areas.

 

Direct study costs (investigator fees and other study costs such as laboratory fees and patient stipends) were $10.3 million in the first quarter 2005 compared to $10.4 million in the first quarter 2004, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 1.0%. This decrease resulted from the decrease in revenues discussed above. Direct study costs as a percentage of revenue were 76.4% during the first quarter 2005 compared to 75.2% during the first quarter 2004. The 1.2% increase is attributable to the therapeutic revenue mix and associated levels of outsourced study costs.

 

Selling, general and administrative costs were $3.4 million in the first quarter 2005 compared to $3.8 million in the first quarter 2004, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 10.5%. As a result of the reduced therapeutic offering discussed above, we realized cost reductions in the areas of research operations ($0.4 million) and shared services ($0.2 million) offset by an incremental $0.2 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.

 

The operating loss decreased to $0.3 million in the first quarter 2005 compared to $0.5 million in the first quarter 2004. As discussed above, the $0.2 million improvement is driven by the $0.3 million decrease in revenues, the $0.1 million decrease in related direct study costs and a $0.4 million decrease in selling, general and administrative costs.

 

16


Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Net cash generated from (used in) operating activities was approximately $3.8 million and ($1.8) million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Cash generated from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was a result of substantial increase in deferred revenue (liabilities) related to the CRO services offset by continued investment in the expansion of CRO services. Cash used in operating activities in the three months ended March 31, 2004 increased substantially due to changes in working capital accounts and investment in the expansion of CRO services (See note 4 to our consolidated financial statements).

 

Working capital was approximately $(3.9) million as of March 31, 2005 and $(3.6) million as of December 31, 2004. The decrease from December 31, 2004 to March 31, 2005 was primarily the result of the decrease in cash from funding operations in the expansion of services as a CRO.

 

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 $4.9 million and $1.3 million as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.

 

On September 27, 2004, we and our subsidiary, AmericasDoctor.com Coordinator Services, Inc., entered into a secured revolving credit facility, or the Credit Facility, with Silicon Valley Bank, or SVB, which expires September 27, 2006. The Credit Facility provides borrowing availability of up to the lesser of (a) $6.0 million and (b) an accounts receivable borrowing base calculation. As of March 31, 2005, we had availability under the Credit Facility of $3.2 million, of which $672,000 of loans were outstanding. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the greater of (a) 1.0% above SVB’s prime rate and (b) 5.5%, provided that we must pay monthly interest of at least $3,500, even if no borrowings are outstanding.

 

Borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of our assets. The Credit Facility contains various restrictive covenants, including covenants limiting our ability to incur indebtedness, engage in asset acquisitions or dispositions, redeem or make dividends on our stock, or otherwise operate our business outside of the ordinary course, and requires us to comply with a number of affirmative covenants related to the operation of our business, including financial covenants regarding a minimum ratio of assets to liabilities, or the Quick Ratio, and a minimum tangible net worth. As of March 31, 2005, we were in compliance with the Credit Facility covenants.

 

On March 28, 2005, we and SVB amended the Credit Facility to modify the terms of the Quick Ratio covenant to provide that through March 31, 2006, if we fail to meet the specified minimum Quick Ratio but nonetheless were within a specified range thereof, such failure will not be deemed an event of default (although the account receivable advance rate included in the borrowing base calculation will decrease and the interest rate applicable to borrowings will increase until such failure is cured).

 

17


Management believes that the funds available under the credit facility and our cash on hand will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs and fund operations through the next twelve months. 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 our CRO services, 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 2005, 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.

 

Lease Arrangements, Rent Expense and Other Contractual Obligations

 

We have entered into operating lease agreements for office space and office equipment. The following is a schedule of the future minimum lease commitments relating to all leases as of March 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

     Payment due by period

Contractual Obligations


   Total

   2005

  

2006 to

2007


  

2008 to

2009


  

Beyond

2009


Operating Lease Obligations

   3,149    474    1,305    1,370    0

 

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

 

18


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 and applies to exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. We adopted SFAS No. 146 in 2003. The standard resulted in the recording of employee severance costs of approximately $45,000 in the three months ended March 31, 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 provided for in SFAS No. 148 and have adopted the disclosure provisions of this standard.

 

At March 31, 2005, 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 Accounting Principals Board 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 SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee incentives (in thousands, except per share data):

 

    

Quarter Ended

March, 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Net loss, as reported

   $ (2,052 )   $ (2,108 )

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (153 )     (156 )
    


 


Pro forma net loss

   $ (2,205 )   $ (2,264 )
    


 


Loss per share:

                

Basic and diluted – as reported

   $ (0.50 )   $ (0.51 )
    


 


Basic and diluted – pro forma

   $ (0.54 )   $ (0.55 )
    


 


 

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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 three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:

 

     2005

    2004

 

Dividend yield

   0.0 %   0.0 %

Risk-free interest rate

   4.1 %   4.1 %

Volatility factor

   77.0 %   77.0 %

Expected life in years

   10     10  
    

 

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”. This statement requires that the compensation cost relating to share based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. Compensation cost is to be measured based on the estimated fair value of the equity-based compensation awards issued as of the grant date. The related compensation expense will be based on the estimated number of awards expected to vest and will be recognized over the requisite service period (often the vesting period) for each grant. The statement requires the use of assumptions and judgments about future events and some of the inputs to the valuation models will require considerable judgment by management. SFAS No. 123(R) replaces SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation,” and supersedes Accounting Principles Bulletin No. 25 (APB 25) “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) were required to be applied by public companies as of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005, which is third quarter 2005 for us. On April 14, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission extended the date for application of the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) by public companies to the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after January 1, 2006, which is first quarter 2006 for us. We intend to continue applying APB 25 to equity-based compensation awards until the effective date of SFAS No. 123(R). At the effective date of SFAS No. 123(R), we expect to use the modified prospective application transition method without restatement of prior interim periods in the year of adoption. This will result in us recognizing compensation cost based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R) for all equity-based compensation awards issued after January 1, 2006. For all equity-based compensation awards that are unvested as of January 1, 2006, compensation cost will be recognized for the unamortized portion of compensation cost not previously included in the SFAS No. 123 pro forma footnote disclosure. We are currently evaluating the impact that adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) may have on our results of operations depending on the level and form of future equity-based compensation awards issued.

 

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

 

20


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. As of March 31, 2005, we had an availability under the Credit Facility of $3.2 million and $0.7 million of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility. 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 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

On February 3, 2005, we issued a Class A common stock warrant exercisable to purchase up to an aggregate of 12,000 shares of our Class A common stock at $1.25 per share to Galen Investment Advisory Group LLC. The warrant was issued in consideration for services rendered by our director, Zubeen Shroff, in 2004. The warrant was exercisable 100% on the date of grant and terminates on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant. This transaction was made in reliance upon an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder for transactions not involving a public offering. No underwriters were engaged in connection with the sales of securities, and these sales were made without general solicitation or advertising.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

31.1    Principal Executive Officer’s Certifications Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2    Principal Financial Officer’s Certifications Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1    Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 (Section 906 of 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.

 

    ESSENTIAL GROUP, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Dennis N. Cavender


Date: May 13, 2005       Dennis N. Cavender
       

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No

 

Description


31.1   Principal Executive Officer’s Certifications Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2   Principal Financial Officer’s Certifications Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1   Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 (Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)