SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
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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: 000-15324
STAR SCIENTIFIC, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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52-1402131
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
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4470 Cox Road, Suite 110, Glen Allen, VA 23060
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(804) 527-1970 |
(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Registrants telephone number, including area code) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined
by Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant
to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its
corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to item 405 of Regulation S-K is
not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, a accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a small reporting company.
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Larger accelerated filer o
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Accelerated filer þ
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Non-accelerated filer o
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Small reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes o No þ
The aggregate market value of the Registrants voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
Registrant as of June 30, 2009 was approximately $62.6 million. Shares of voting stock held by each
executive officer and director and by each person who owns 10% or more of the Registrants voting
stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed affiliates of the Registrant. This
determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
Number of shares outstanding for each class common equity as of
March 15, 2010 119,403,888 shares
of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
None.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this annual report on Form 10-K, or
Report, to Star Scientific, Company, we, our, us, our company and similar terms refer
to Star Scientific, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries Star Tobacco, Inc., a Virginia
corporation, and Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which also may be
referred to in this Report as Star Tobacco and Rock Creek, respectively.
SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this Report other than purely historical information, including
estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives, and expected
operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended. We have tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements using
words such as anticipates, believes, estimates, continues, likely, may, opportunity,
potential, projects, will, expects, plans, intends and similar expressions to identify
forward-looking statements, whether in the negative or the affirmative. These statements reflect
our current beliefs and are based on information currently available to us. Accordingly, such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which
could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those
expressed in, or implied by, such statements. These risks, uncertainties, factors and contingencies
include, without limitation, the challenges inherent in new product development initiatives, the
uncertainties inherent in the progress of scientific research, our ability to raise additional
capital in the future that is necessary to maintain our business, potential disputes concerning our
intellectual property, risks associated with litigation regarding such intellectual property,
uncertainties associated with the development, testing and regulatory approvals of our low-TSNA
tobacco and related products, market acceptance of our new smokeless tobacco products, competition
from companies with greater resources than us, our decision not to join the Master Settlement
Agreement, and our dependence on key employees and on our strategic relationships with Brown &
Williamson Tobacco Corporation in light of its combination with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Inc.
Forward-looking statements reflect our managements expectations or predictions of future
conditions, events or results based on various assumptions and managements estimates of trends and
economic factors in the markets in which we are active, as well as our business plans. They are
not guarantees of future performance. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly
materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking
statements. There are a number of factors that could cause actual conditions, events or results to
differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements contained in this Report.
A discussion of factors that could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ materially
from those expressed in any forward-looking statements appears in Item 1A Risk Factors.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this Report
or that we make from time to time, and to consider carefully the factors discussed in Item 1A Risk
Factors of this Report in evaluating these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements are representative only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to
update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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PART I
Overview
We are a technology-oriented company with a mission to reduce the harm associated with the use
of tobacco at every level. We are primarily engaged in:
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the development, implementation and licensing of our proprietary technology for the
curing of tobacco so as to substantially prevent the formation of carcinogenic toxins
present in tobacco and tobacco smoke, primarily the tobacco-specific nitrosamines, or
TSNAs; |
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the manufacture, sales, marketing and/or development of very low-TSNA dissolvable
smokeless tobacco products that carry enhanced warnings beyond those required by the
Surgeon General, including ARIVA® compressed powdered tobacco cigalett® pieces and
STONEWALL Hard Snuff® and modified risk tobacco products, as defined in the Family
Smoking and Prevention Control Act of 2009, or the FDA Tobacco Act; |
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the development of pharmaceutical products, particularly products that have a
botanical, tobacco-based component, that are designed to treat tobacco dependence and a
range of neurological conditions, including Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease,
schizophrenia and depression; and |
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the development of non-nicotine nutraceutical products designed to assist
individuals who have ceased using tobacco or who are in the process of stopping tobacco
use maintain a balanced metabolism as well as related non-nicotine products that may be
helpful to consumers in maintaining a healthy metabolism. |
Since the 1990s, we have sought to develop processes and products that significantly reduce
the levels of toxins, principally TSNAs, in tobacco compared to traditional smoked and smokeless
tobacco products. Our development of technology for reducing TSNA levels has lead to our focus on
the development of tobacco-based pharmaceuticals products and non-nicotine nutraceuticals that we
are pursuing through our Rock Creek subsidiary. Our significant experience in proprietary
technology related to the development of tobacco products with reduced levels of toxins also has
positioned us to seek the approval of a variant of our very-low smokeless tobacco products as
modified risk tobacco products by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the
FDA Tobacco Act. Given our long-term focus on reducing the levels of toxins in tobacco, we believe
we are uniquely positioned to pursue a range of very-low TSNA smokeless tobacco products,
non-nicotine nutraceuticals and tobacco-based pharmaceuticals that will further our mission to
reduce the harm associated with tobacco use at all levels.
Our History
In February 1998, Star Tobacco completed a share exchange with Eye Technology, Inc., a
publicly held OTC Bulletin Board company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Eye Technology was
organized as a Delaware corporation in 1985. While Eye Technology became Star Tobaccos parent
corporation, control of Eye Technology in effect shifted to the former stockholders of Star Tobacco
and the management of Star Tobacco became the management of Eye Technology. By December 30, 1998,
the assets and liabilities that comprised the pre-merger business of Eye Technology had been sold
or liquidated, and the stockholders of Eye Technology voted to change its name to Star Scientific,
Inc. Our primary corporate focus from that time forward has centered on the sales, marketing and
development of tobacco products that expose adult tobacco users to lower levels of toxins and,
beginning in 2007, tobacco-based pharmaceuticals and related non-nicotine nutraceutical products.
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Until 2007 our revenues were generated principally through the sale of discount cigarettes by
Star Tobacco. Star Tobacco was incorporated in 1990 and, until 1994, was primarily a contract
manufacturer of cigars and cigarettes. In late 1994, Star Tobacco commenced development and
commercialization of its own brands of discount cigarettes using primarily Virginia flue-cured
tobacco, which competed principally on the basis of price. Around the same time, Star Tobacco
commenced a research and development program relating to a range of tobacco products that deliver
fewer toxins as well as tobacco cessation products. Shortly thereafter, Star Tobacco shifted its
near-term research to technology focused on reducing the carcinogenic TSNAs, particularly the NNNs
and NNKs, in the tobacco leaf and tobacco smoke and, after concluding that there would be no way to
develop a completely safe cigarette, to the development of very-low TSNA smokeless tobacco
products. In connection with that effort, we announced that our company would seek to transition
from the sale of cigarette products as soon as practically possible. To facilitate that
transition, in May 2007 we entered into an agreement with Tantus Tobacco LLC, or Tantus, for the
exclusive license of our cigarette trademarks Sport ®, MainStreet® and GSmoke® and discontinued
manufacturing any cigarette products as of June 2007. Since 2007 our revenues have been generated
exclusively through the sale of our low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products.
Our Strategy
Our long-term focus is the research, development, manufacturing and licensing of technology
that can lessen reliance on and the impact of the use of all forms of tobacco and reduce the range
of serious health hazards associated with the use of smoked and smokeless tobacco. We have pursued
these objectives through the production of very low-TSNA tobacco and related products,
particularly dissolvable smokeless tobacco products, that expose adult tobacco users to
substantially lower levels of toxins as compared to other smoked and smokeless tobacco products,
through the development of related pharmaceutical products and non-nicotine nutraceuticals and in
the first quarter of 2010 through the submission of an application to have a variant of our
low-TSNA smokeless products designated as a modified risk tobacco product under the FDA Tobacco
Act. We fully accept the evidence that links smoking tobacco with a variety of diseases and
premature death. We believe it is highly unlikely that the health risks of smoked tobacco can be
completely eliminated, and that no safe cigarettes will ever be manufactured. We believe we were
the first company to state unequivocally that there is no such thing as a safe cigarette.
Further, we were the first company to affix to the back of the package of our first premium
low-TSNA product, Advance®, a package onsert that contained not only scientifically verified
comparative product content data, but also additional health warnings beyond those required by the
Surgeon General. Despite worldwide efforts to curb tobacco use, the American Cancer Society
continues to report that an estimated 1.3 billion people smoke and use other conventional tobacco
products. Given the reality of tobacco use, we continue to believe that there is an urgent need to
reduce the toxicity of tobacco products to the maximum extent possible, given available technology
and to provide alternatives to those products for persons seeking to maintain a nicotine-free
metabolism. Accordingly, we believe we have a corporate responsibility to continue our research and
development efforts to manufacture tobacco products with the lowest level of toxins possible,
particularly through the development of products containing tobacco cured using our StarCured®
tobacco curing process, develop related botanical tobacco-based pharmaceutical products designed to
treat tobacco dependence and non-nicotine nutraceutical products that may assist persons who have
ceased using tobacco or who are in the process of stopping tobacco use to maintain a balanced
metabolism.
Over the last several years, we have expended significant time and resources: (i) on our
ongoing patent infringement litigation with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, or RJR, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Reynolds American, Inc., or RAI, which we are continuing to pursue on appeal
following an unsuccessful verdict in our jury trial in that case which took place between May 18
and June 16, 2009 in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, or District
Court, (see Item 3. Legal Proceedings for further details) (ii) the development of ARIVA® and
STONEWALL Hard Snuff®, our low-TSNA dissolvable smokeless tobacco products and, more recently,
modified risk tobacco products under the FDA Tobacco Act, (iii) the license of low-TSNA products
and the technology behind our StarCured® tobacco curing process, and (iv) the efforts of Rock Creek
in developing a botanical tobacco-based pharmaceutical products, non-nicotine nutraceuticals and
related products. Our future success will depend largely on the successful results of these
initiatives. While product licensing royalties and smokeless tobacco sales have been de minimis to
date, we intend to continue our efforts to develop and sell low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products,
develop pharmaceutical products to treat tobacco addiction and a range of
neurological conditions and related non-nicotine nutraceuticals, and to pursue licensing
arrangements for those products and related technology.
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We believe our proprietary technology related to the curing of very-low TSNA tobacco and the
development of related products, including tobacco-based pharmaceuticals and non-nicotine
nutraceuticals, positions us to a be a leader in producing products designed to lower the harm
associated with tobacco use at all levels.
Our Technology
Our Current Intellectual Property Rights
Our proprietary technology for producing low-TSNA tobacco which is utilized in ARIVA® and
STONEWALL Hard Snuff® , our low-TSNA dissolvable smokeless tobacco products, has been licensed
exclusively from Regent Court Technologies, LLC, or Regent Court, a company in which Jonnie R.
Williams SR, the technologys inventor, our founder, Chief Executive Officer and one of our largest
stockholders, is a part owner. The license agreement with Regent Court grants us exclusive
worldwide rights to and a right of sublicense for the StarCured® process, related patents covering
the production of low-TSNA dissolvable smokeless tobacco products and the use of certain
tobacco-based monoamine oxidase inhibitor, or MAO, agents in treating neurological conditions. For
additional information related to our proprietary curing process, see Our Patents, Trademarks
and Licenses. Two of the patents under our license with Regent Court that relate to our method
for producing low-TSNA tobacco are the subject of our ongoing lawsuit against RJR and a patent
reexamination proceeding before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Accordingly, we have
dedicated substantial time and resources to defend and enforce our proprietary rights with respect
to these patents. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings. It is our objective to achieve widespread
acceptance of our tobacco curing technology as a standard for the manufacture of less toxic and
potentially less harmful smoked and smokeless tobacco products and, in the future, as a basis for
the use of very low-TSNA tobacco in the production of smoking cessation products.
Our Recent Intellectual Property Initiatives
In December 2008 we filed a new U.S. patent application for a variant of our patented curing
technology that results in the production of cured tobacco that contains virtually undetectable
levels of carcinogenic TSNAs as measured by prevailing standards. In addition, Rock Creek in 2008
and 2009 developed several processes and product formulations relating to non-nicotine
nutraceuticals and a relapse prevention product for which we have filed provisional patent
applications that we expect to mature into formal patent application in the future.
The StarCured® Process
The process of curing or drying tobacco so that it is suitable for use in the production of
tobacco products begins immediately upon harvesting of the tobacco leaf. The two principal
varieties of tobacco leaf in the United States are Virginia flue-cured tobacco and burley tobacco,
both of which are typically used in American-made cigarettes to produce what is referred to as an
American blend.
Under conventional curing methods used in the production of Virginia flue-cured tobacco, the
leaves are placed in enclosed barns and are then exposed to gas-fired heat, while burley tobacco
undergoes a curing process where the leaves are hung in sheds to dry naturally. The curing process
for Virginia flue-cured tobacco takes approximately five to seven days, and the curing process used
with burley tobacco generally last a month or more. Our proprietary StarCured® technology is
applicable to the curing of Virginia flue-cured tobacco on a broad-scale commercial basis and, we
believe, is also applicable to the curing of burley tobacco as well as other varieties of tobacco.
Our proprietary curing process essentially arrests or eliminates microbial activity that normally
occurs during curing, thereby preventing the formation of TSNAs. Our StarCured® curing technology
does not, however, alter or affect taste, color or the nicotine content of tobacco. We make no
claim or representation that our
StarCured® tobacco curing process precludes the formation of harmful chemical constituents
found in tobacco and tobacco smoke, other than TSNAs. Additionally, we make no claim that the
elimination of TSNAs reduces the risk of disease. We have been careful not to make any health
claims, directly or indirectly, even though peer-reviewed scientific literature continues to emerge
pointing out that a reduction of these carcinogens in smokeless tobacco can be expected to reduce
health risks.
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We believe that through our StarCured® process we have the technology to reduce exposure to
carcinogenic TSNAs, particularly the subgroups of nitrosamines commonly referred to as NNNs and
NNKs, to very low levels (with carcinogenic NNNs and NNKs that measure 200 parts per billion and
below) and that we have demonstrated that our process for curing tobacco using the StarCured®
method can be scaled up to meet broad commercial needs in the United States and abroad. Our focus
on very low-TSNA, non-fermented smokeless tobacco products, and the licensing of our technology, is
based, in part, on the fact that there is broad agreement among tobacco researchers that tobacco
smoke contains over 4,000 constituents, 65 of which are known carcinogens. While TSNAs are
considered to be one of the most significant groups of carcinogens in tobacco and tobacco smoke,
they are recognized as being the only major or biologically significant group of carcinogenic
toxins in smokeless tobacco. In December 2008 we filed a new U.S. patent application for a variant
of our patented curing technology that results in the production of cured tobacco that consistently
contains virtually undetectable levels of carcinogenic TSNAs as measured by prevailing standards.
We are using tobacco cured by this process in the application that we submitted to the FDA in
February 2010 for the approval of ARIVA-BDL as a modified risk tobacco product under the FDA
Tobacco Act as the use of this tobacco allows us to produce a tobacco product that has levels of
the carcinogenic TSNA comparable to those found in nicotine replacement therapy products.
Other Technology
Our Rock Creek subsidiary in 2009 developed processes and a product formulation for a
non-nicotine nutraceutical intended to temporarily reduce the desire to smoke. That product will
be marketed under the trademark CigRx. In 2008 Rock Creek also developed a relapse prevention
product to assist smokers during nicotine withdrawal. In connection with these development
efforts, Rock Creek filed several provisional patent applications with the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office and anticipates seeking patent protection for those processes and products based
on the results to date in these areas.
Our Current Products
Smokeless Tobacco Products
Over the past eight years, we have been engaged in the development of very low-TSNA,
non-fermented smokeless tobacco products designed to provide adult tobacco users with a viable
alternative to cigarettes and traditional smokeless tobacco products in situations and environments
where they cannot or choose not to use such products. This development effort was encouraged by our
companys Scientific Advisory Board and other independent scientific, medical and public health
advisors who in 1999 and in 2000 urged us to accelerate the development of smokeless products using
100% StarCured® very low-TSNA tobacco because our smokeless products have far fewer toxins than
conventional cigarettes and traditional smokeless tobacco products. This position is supported by a
2002 report issued by the Royal College of Physicians in Great Britain that concluded the
consumption of non-combustible tobacco is of the order of 10-1,000 times less hazardous than
smoking, depending on the product. It is broadly agreed among tobacco researchers that cigarette
smoke contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds, 65 of which are known to be carcinogenic. In
contrast, it is generally recognized that the only major or biologically significant carcinogenic
toxins in non-fermented smokeless tobacco are the TSNAs, particularly the NNNs and NNKs.
In November 2001, we introduced ARIVA® cigalett® pieces, or ARIVA®, as our first dissolvable
hard tobacco smokeless tobacco product. ARIVA® is a compressed powdered tobacco product designed to
dissolve completely in the mouth without leaving any residue or requiring expectoration. During the
second quarter of 2003, in an effort to market a dissolvable hard tobacco product to adult users of
traditional smokeless tobacco products such as moist snuff, we introduced a non-fermented spit-free
hard tobacco product called STONEWALL Hard
Snuff®. Both ARIVA® and STONEWALL Hard Snuff® are made from non-fermented 100% low-TSNA
StarCured® tobacco plus natural and artificial flavorings, as well as other ingredients. In 2007,
we introduced two new blends of STONEWALL Hard Snuff®, Natural and Java in addition to the
original Wintergreen blend. We introduced a Java blend of ARIVA® in 2008 and in the first
quarter of 2010 we are introducing Cinnamon, Mint and Citrus blends of ARIVA® and a new
packaging format (10-piece sleeves) for ARIVA®.
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ARIVA® and STONEWALL Hard Snuff® have been marketed nationwide through tobacco distributors
and wholesalers who have direct arrangements with several national retail chains and through other
national distributors experienced with consumer products. In 2009 we restructured our smokeless
tobacco operations to reduce costs while concentrating our efforts on a more narrow geographic area
and continuing sales to our established regional and national retail chain customers. Our domestic
sales of ARIVA® and STONEWALL Hard Snuff® have been de minimis to date and we did not have any
international sales in 2009. We believe that in order to successfully market ARIVA® and STONEWALL
Hard Snuff® on a broad basis we must develop additional distribution channels for these products.
We also will be required to expend substantial funds on the marketing of these products to
consumers, which we will need to obtain from external financing, the availability of which cannot
be assured. For additional information relating to our liquidity, see Item 6. Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and Capital
Resources.
Our Current Product Development Initiatives
Pharmaceutical Products and Nutraceuticals
In 2007, we incorporated a new pharmaceutical subsidiary, Rock Creek to pursue the development
of botanical based products for the treatment of tobacco dependence, as well as products that would
utilize certain MAO agents in tobacco to treat a range of neurological conditions, including
Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, schizophrenia and depression. Since that time, Rock
Creek also has been involved in pursuing non-nicotine nutraceutical products that may assist
persons who have ceased using tobacco or who are in the process of stopping tobacco use maintain a
balanced metabolism and related non-nicotine products that may be helpful to consumers in
maintaining a healthy metabolism. Rock Creek operates pursuant to a sublicense under our exclusive
license with Regent Court, which includes patents for producing tobacco with very low-TSNA levels.
The sublicense also covers patents for the use of MAO inhibitors in tobacco to treat various
neurological conditions. It also has independently developed several processes and products which
are the subject of provisional patent applications filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Following the incorporation of Rock Creek, a search was undertaken for a Clinical/Medical
Director who would oversee our subsidiarys anticipated clinical trials and new drug development
efforts. In February 2008, we announced that Curtis Wright, MD, MPH had joined our company as
Senior Vice President, Medical/Clinical Director of Rock Creek. Dr. Wright previously served as
Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs for Adolor Corporation, Executive Director,
Medical Affairs and subsequently Executive Director of Risk Assessment for Purdue Pharma and most
recently, as Executive Vice President for Risk Management and Regulatory Affairs at Javelin
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Wrights career at the FDA, from 1989 through October 1997, included
multiple senior scientific positions in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, including
Deputy Director and Acting Director of his division.
In late 2008 Rock Creek completed a study with 49 cigarette smokers to assess the
effectiveness of STONEWALL Hard Snuff® in relieving cigarette withdrawal symptoms as compared to
a conventional over-the-counter, or OTC, nicotine replacement product used in connection with
nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, which study also incorporated placebos of each product. Both
the NRT and the STONEWALL Hard Snuff® products were statistically effective in reducing cigarette
withdrawal symptoms. Based on the results of this study, we are exploring the possibility of
formulating a botanical-based product under conditions that comply with FDA Good Manufacturing
Practices, or GMP, for drug products and determine the bioequivalence of the proposed
botanical-based product against similar products used in connection with NRT. Depending upon
results of the bioequivalence study, we plan to consult with FDA to determine FDA requirements for
approval of a botanical-based NRT cessation product for use by adult tobacco users who smoke and/or
use smokeless tobacco products.
In 2009 Rock Creek developed a non-nicotine nutraceutical that is intended to temporarily
reduce the desire to smoke. It is expected that this product will be introduced for test market in
2010 under the name CigRx. Rock Creek is currently undertaking a series of research studies
relating to this product and completing other premarket analysis connected with the expected launch
of this product. Through Rock Creek we also are continuing to explore the development of other
related nutraceutical products that may assist in stabilizing metabolism, pharmaceutical products
with clinical claims, as well as a relapse prevention product to assist smokers during nicotine
withdrawal, with the goal of higher quit rates for long term smokers who have failed in their
treatments with conventional NRT smoking cessation products.
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Modified Risk Tobacco Products
We have recently developed ARIVA BDL, a variant of our ARIVA® smokeless tobacco product that
has significantly lower levels of carcinogenic TSNAs as well as other toxins compared to
conventional tobacco products and which are at a levels comparable to those found in nicotine
replacement therapy products. In February 2010, we submitted an application to the FDA for the
approval of ARIVA BDL as a modified risk tobacco product under the FDA Tobacco Act, If our
application is approved by the FDA, we believe this could provide our company with an advantage in
marketing our very-low TSNA smokeless tobacco products, since we would be able to provide
information to tobacco users on the levels of such toxins in ARIVA-BDL. Absent receiving an
order approving designation as a modified risk tobacco product., the FDA Tobacco Act prohibits a
company from making any claims relating to reduced levels of toxins or reduced risk. We expect to
file a similar application for Stonewall-BDL during 2010.
Discontinued Products
We exited from the cigarette business in June 2007. Prior to that time, the majority of our
revenues were derived from the sale of discount cigarettes. However, since 2000, our discount
cigarette business had experienced a significant decline in sales, partly due to intensified
pricing competition from wholesalers selling deeply discounted, foreign-manufactured cigarettes. In
May 2007, we entered into an agreement with Tantus for the exclusive license of our cigarette
trademarks MainStreet®, Sport® and GSmoke®, in return for licensing fees during the seven-year term
of the license agreement and beyond, if the license is renewed. As part of the license agreement,
we stopped selling cigarettes under the MainStreet®, Sport® and GSmoke® brands in June 2007,
consistent with our previously announced goal to exit from the cigarette business as soon as
practically possible. Although we retain the right to manufacture and sell other branded
cigarettes, we plan to continue to focus our efforts in the tobacco area on the sale of our
low-TSNA dissolvable smokeless tobacco products, as opposed to cigarettes. Accordingly, we
accounted for our cigarette operations as discontinued operations in our consolidated financial
statements beginning with the second quarter of 2007. See our consolidated financial statements
included in Item 15 of this Report for further information on our discontinued operations and
results of operations.
Our Research and Development
In the mid-1990s, we commenced research and development activities based on newly conceived
technology for the processing of tobacco that substantially prevents the formation of TSNAs in
cured tobacco. Those research and development activities have focused on: (i) perfecting and
testing methods for processing very low-TSNA tobacco; (ii) developing products that incorporate our
specially processed tobacco, including products for the smoked and smokeless tobacco markets; (iii)
establishing and expanding our patent portfolio; and (iv) developing relationships with tobacco
farmers, as well as the tobacco industry, with the intent to commercialize our processes through
licensing and royalty arrangements, among other vehicles, to generate revenue. Our research and
development efforts culminated in the development of our proprietary technology relating to various
aspects of the process for producing very low-TSNA tobacco and tobacco products. Through our
license agreement with Regent Court, we have exclusive rights to 12 U.S. patents, other foreign
patents and pending patent applications relating to the process of producing very low-TSNA tobacco
as well as products developed using this technology. For additional information related to our
intellectual property, see Our Patents, Trademarks and Licenses. Two of the patents under our
license with Regent Court that relate to our method for producing low-TSNA tobacco are the subject
of our ongoing lawsuit against RJR and a related patent reexamination before the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office. See Item 3 Legal Proceedings for further details. We intend to pursue the
patent application that we filed
with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in December 2008 for a variant of the patented
StarCured® process that results in even lower levels of carcinogenic TSNAs in cured tobacco and the
patenting of the process and products developed by Rock Creek that are the subject of provisional
patent applications filed by Rock Creek with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2008 and 2009.
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Our companys research and development efforts have been directed at assessing the impact that
products with reduced toxin levels may have on the range of serious health hazards linked with the
use of conventional smoked and smokeless tobacco products, as well as encouraging scientists in the
U.S. and Europe to pursue TSNA-related research. We have designed several scientific studies to
determine, among other things, whether a reduction in TSNAs can be equated with a reduction in
health risk, to assess biomarker differences that can be equated to levels of various toxins in
smoked versus smokeless tobacco, and to measure the impact of the decline in TSNA exposure in
low-TSNA smokeless tobacco compared to traditional cigarette products. We chose to defer further
work on these studies, which would be carried out by independent research institutions, because of
working capital constraints, but have continued product development efforts related to improving
our existing very-low TSNA smokeless tobacco products. In 2009, we expended approximately $0.3
million on these new product development initiatives. See our consolidated financial statements
included in Item 15 of this Report for further information on our research and development efforts.
Since 2007, through our Rock Creek subsidiary, we have been exploring the development of
botanical based products for the treatment of tobacco dependence, as well as products that would
utilize certain MAO agents in tobacco to treat a range of neurological conditions, including
Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, schizophrenia and depression. Rock Creek also has been
involved in pursuing non-nicotine nutraceutical products that may assist persons who have ceased
using tobacco or who are in the process of stopping tobacco use maintain a balanced metabolism and
related non-nicotine products that may be helpful to consumers in maintaining a healthy metabolism.
In 2009 Rock Creek developed a non-nicotine nutraceutical that is intended to temporarily reduce
the desire to smoke. It is expected that this product will be introduced for test market in 2010
under the name CigRx. Rock Creek also is continuing to explore the development of other related
nutraceutical products that may assist in stabilizing metabolism, as well as a relapse prevention
product to assist smokers during nicotine withdrawal, with the goal of higher quit rates for
long term smokers who have failed in their treatments with conventional NRT smoking cessation
products.
Our ability to continue our research efforts, including advancement of the research and
development activities of Rock Creek, will in large part depend on our working capital constraints,
ability to procure funding for these initiatives, and the successful outcome of our ongoing patent
infringement litigation with RJR. See Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Results of
Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources and our consolidated financial statements included in
Item 15 of this Report for further information on our working capital constraints and results of
operations.
Our Prior Research and Development Efforts
In the past we have developed several products and initiated several research and development
efforts based on our StarCured® low-TSNA tobacco technology which, although not currently active,
we believe could serve as the basis for future product development efforts.
Low-TSNA Moist and Dry Snuff Products
In September 2001, we introduced our first two very low-TSNA snuff products (a moist and dry
snuff) under the brand name Stonewall®. In light of our focus on dissolvable hard tobacco
products, we discontinued the manufacture of Stonewall® moist snuff and we have not sought to
continue to market Stonewall® dry snuff.
Advance® Low-TSNA Cigarettes
We launched the first low-TSNA cigarette, Advance®, in October 2000. Advance® was the first
conventional cigarette specifically manufactured to diminish the amount of exposure to highly
carcinogenic TSNAs.
The Advance® cigarette reduced additional toxic smoke constituents through a unique activated
carbon/acetate filter. Advance® also differed from conventional premium cigarette brands because it
provided adult tobacco consumers with enhanced health warnings beyond those required by the Surgeon
General on the back of the package, and onserts that contained comparative content information
and additional health-related information. In 2001, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, or B&W,
initiated a test market of a version of the Advance® cigarette in Indianapolis, Indiana and
expanded the test market to Phoenix, Arizona in 2004. Following the combination of B&W and RJR in
2004, the test market was discontinued. See Our Prior Relationship with B&W.
9
Investigational New Drug Applications for a Low-TSAN cigarette using only flue-cured tobacco
and a Tobacco-Flavored Chewing Gum Containing Tobacco Extract
In 1997, we submitted a cigarette product made from low-TSNA flue-cured tobacco to the FDA as
an investigational drug. This product was designed to offer a low-TSNA product to help patients,
who had relapsed after a trial of smoking cessation, prepare for another cessation attempt. A Phase
I study, under an FDA-reviewed protocol, was completed at the Virginia Commonwealth University
under the direction of Professor William Barr, Director of the Center for Drug Studies. The study,
involving male and female subjects, used a cross-over methodology designed to test in vivo
elimination or reduction of TSNAs following the smoking of the low-TSNA cigarettes as compared to
the subjects normally used cigarettes. These test cigarettes were made entirely from flue-cured
Virginia tobacco with no added flavorings. The average total TSNA levels in the tobacco used in the
cigarettes at the time of testing was about 100 parts per billion, as compared to TSNA Levels of
more than 3,000 parts per billion in the most popular cigarette brands. As measured by the current
Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, method, the test cigarettes used in the study delivered
substantially less carbon monoxide to the subjects (4.8 milligrams versus 12.2 milligrams) and
about half as much tar (7.0 milligrams versus 14.0 milligrams) as compared to the average carbon
monoxide and tar delivery levels from the best selling full-flavored cigarettes. The study
contrasted our test product with conventional brands of cigarettes in terms of breath levels of
carbon monoxide, blood levels of nicotine and urinary levels of TSNAs. With regard to the test
product, blood nicotine levels were somewhat higher and carbon monoxide was substantially lower.
The subjects urinary levels of TSNA (as measured by NNAL) were analyzed by the American Health
Foundation. The average levels of NNAL and its metabolite after nine days on the test product were
reduced substantially, consistent with published data showing that TSNAs leave the body over 90 to
120 days in an initial rapid phase and then in a slower phase during this period. The results of
this study were significant in demonstrating that reductions of TSNA levels in tobacco resulted in
reduced levels of TSNAs in the human body when study subjects smoked cigarettes containing tobacco
with reduced levels of TSNAs.
Prior to the decision to concentrate on the development of tobacco products that incorporate
very low-TSNA StarCured® tobacco, we also sought to develop a gum product designed to help patients
who had relapsed after a trial of smoking cessation to prepare for another cessation attempt. We
secured an additional Investigational New Drug Application, or IND, from the FDA for this product.
While the initial results of the IND protocol testing of the gum product were positive, we
determined that further testing as well as the preparation and submission of required marketing
applications to the FDA for that product or for the low-TSNA cigarette product would not only be
overly costly and time consuming, but also would require a major scientific infrastructure which we
neither had in place nor could afford at the time. Thereafter, we focused our efforts on the
development of our low-TSNA tobacco products, including the Advance® cigarette, Stonewall® moist
and dry snuff, and the ARIVA® and STONEWALL Hard Snuff® dissolvable smokeless tobacco products. As
noted above, in June 2007, we formed Rock Creek to pursue the development of a range of
pharmaceutical products, including products having a tobacco-based component, designed to treat
tobacco related dependence and certain neurological conditions and related products such as
nutraceuticals.
Our Sales and Marketing Efforts
Our sales and marketing activities are lead by Mr. Jonnie R. Williams Sr, our Chief Executive
Officer, Mr. David M. Dean, our Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Mr. Sheldon Bogaz, our
Vice President of Trade Operations. We have a two-fold strategy with respect to selling our
product to retailers. We provide local and regional distributors sales forces with product
information and upon request point of sale material for our dissolvable tobacco products. We
compensate these distributors for their support in this regard based on sales
volumes. We also market our products directly to large retail chains which order product and
point of sale material directly from us. In late 2009 we restructured our tobacco operations by
reducing our sales force outside of Virginia and concentrating our in-store sales effort on a more
narrow geographic area in Virginia and contiguous states. At the same time we continue to service
our established regional and national retail chain customers through employees working out of our
offices in the Richmond, Virginia area. In September 2008, we retained Roger Grogman, the former
vice-president of marketing for McLane Company, Inc. on an exclusive basis to assist in marketing
our unique dissolvable smokeless tobacco products and to improve the visibility of our products at
the retail level. Mr. Grogman continues to act as a consultant to our company in these areas.
We currently sell our smokeless tobacco products through approximately 124 tobacco
distributors throughout the United States. The distributors and other customers maintain state
and, where applicable, municipal government tobacco product licenses and apply state and/or local
tax stamps when needed to resell our tobacco products. We deliver our products mainly by common
carrier trucks. Our distributor customers primarily service convenience stores, gas stations,
retail stores and other outlets.
10
Our Availability of Raw Materials and Manufacturing Capabilities
All of the flue-cured tobacco used in our smokeless tobacco products has been or will be cured
in specially manufactured curing barns using our StarCured® tobacco curing process. The StarCured®
tobacco curing process involves controlling certain conditions in the tobacco curing barns, and in
certain applications, uses microwave and/or electronic beam technology. In March 2007, we sold
approximately 990 of our tobacco curing barns. The sale of these barns was made exclusively to
farmers who had been participants in our StarCured® tobacco curing program. We sold our 37
remaining StarCured® barns in late 2009 to growers who previously had participated in the
StarCured® program. While we currently do not own any StarCured® barns, we have a significant
amount of StarCured® tobacco in inventory and access to StarCured® tobacco through growers who
previously participated in our StarCured® tobacco curing program. We believe that our existing
inventory of StarCured® tobacco and our relationships with growers who maintain StarCured® barns
will permit us to obtain sufficient amounts of StarCured® tobacco for our low-TSNA dissolvable
smokeless tobacco products, and for other needs.
We have a high-speed manufacturing line at our leased facility in Chase City, Virginia, which
is currently used for the production of our ARIVA® and STONEWALL Hard Snuff® dissolvable smokeless
tobacco products. In 2009 we consolidated our manufacturing operations into a larger immediately
adjacent facility, which we lease from the Mecklenburg County Industrial Development Authority. See
Item 2. Properties. We do not anticipate ordering additional equipment for manufacturing our
dissolvable smokeless tobacco products until the existing production line is operating at nearly
full capacity. We believe both our current availability to StarCured® tobacco and our manufacturing
facilities provide more than sufficient capacity to meet both the current demand for our very
low-TSNA dissolvable smokeless products and our manufacturing needs in the foreseeable future.
Our Competition
Tobacco Products
Traditionally, tobacco products have been divided between smoked products (cigarettes, cigars,
roll-your-own tobacco and pipe tobacco) and smokeless tobacco (moist snuff, chewing tobacco and dry
snuff). The predominant competitors in the smoked tobacco market have been the major tobacco
companies, Philip Morris USA, Inc., or Phillip Morris, RJR, Lorillard, Inc. and, prior to its
combination with RJR, B&W. UST, Inc., or UST, has been the dominant manufacturer in the smokeless
segment of the market, which market also includes companies such as Conwood Company, LLC, or
Conwood, a wholly owned subsidiary of RAI, and Swedish Match AB, or Swedish Match. In 2009 Altria
Group, Inc., or Altria, Philip Morriss parent company expanded its role in the smokeless tobacco
market through the acquisition of UST. Recently, there has been increased competition between the
smoked and smokeless tobacco markets as companies have begun to market smokeless tobacco as an
alternative to cigarettes in situations where adult tobacco users cannot or choose not to smoke.
Swedish Match has worked with selected varieties of tobacco under crop management environments and
other methods in an effort to maintain low-TSNA levels in its smokeless tobacco products. In 2001,
Swedish Match introduced a new smokeless tobacco
product in the United States that claimed to have reduced levels of carcinogens. UST has also
test marketed a pouch-style smokeless tobacco product, which it claimed has low levels of TSNAs.
Industry analysts have reported that the smokeless tobacco market has been expanding at a rate of
approximately 2-3% per year since 2003, while the cigarette market has been contracting over the
same period. In 2007, both Philip Morris and RJR introduced smokeless tobacco pouch products that
utilize their primary brand names (Marlboro Snus and Camel Snus, respectively) as alternatives to
cigarettes and in 2009 RJR introduced several dissolvable smokeless tobacco products in test
markets in the U.S.
ARIVA® compressed tobacco cigalett® pieces are intended to compete with conventional
cigarettes and to be used by adult smokers in situations and environments when they cannot or
choose not to smoke. Each ARIVA® compressed tobacco cigalett® piece delivers approximately 1.5 mg
of nicotine, approximately the same level of nicotine as a light cigarette. Accordingly, we
believe ARIVA® primarily competes for market share against large tobacco manufacturers that
dominate the cigarette industry, as opposed to our traditional competitors in the smokeless market.
ARIVA® is priced competitively with cigarettes.
11
Our STONEWALL Hard Snuff® dissolvable tobacco product primarily competes with other smokeless
tobacco companies such as UST, Conwood and Swedish Match, because STONEWALL Hard Snuff® is intended
for use by adult users of moist snuff or other forms of smokeless tobacco. However, STONEWALL Hard
Snuff® is also used by heavy smokers (those who smoke more than two packs of cigarettes a day) as
an alternative to their traditional cigarette products. Each STONEWALL Hard Snuff® piece contains
about 4.0 mg of nicotine, roughly the same as a pinch of snuff. STONEWALL Hard Snuff® is priced at
a discount to traditional moist snuff products. Our sales of STONEWALL Hard Snuff® also faces
further competition with the recent introduction of smokeless tobacco products by Philip Morris and
RJR.
The FDA Tobacco Act permits companies to apply to have products designated as modified risk
tobacco products, but barring such designation, the FDA restricts the types of claims and
descriptions that can be made with respect to various components in tobacco products, including any
claims relating to reduced levels of toxins or reduced risk. In February, 2010 we submitted an
application to the FDA seeking to have our ARIVA-BDL product designated as a modified risk tobacco
products. We expect to file a similar application for a STONEWALL-BDL product in 2010. In 2002
the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, announced that it would provide full price
supports only for flue-cured tobacco that was cured in a manner to reduce or limit the levels of
TSNAs in the cured tobacco leaf, and the tobacco industry earlier had announced an initiative to
facilitate the production of low-TSNA flue-cured tobacco. As a result, virtually all flue-cured
tobacco grown in the United States since that time has been cured in a manner to reduce the levels
of TSNAs. We believe that if we are successful in commercializing our unique low-TSNA tobacco
products, enforcing the patents for the technology used to produce such products, to which we are
the exclusive licensee, or obtaining approval to market our low-TSNA products as modified risk
tobacco products under the FDA Tobacco Act, many of the major tobacco companies will also seek to
market such low-TSNA tobacco products and may seek to sublicense the technology for producing
low-TSNA tobacco from us.
Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals and Other Products and Services
Smoking cessation products that are approved by the FDA for sale in the United States are
designed to wean the smoker from nicotine addiction over a period of time ranging from 30 days to
six weeks. These products are referred to as nicotine replacement therapies. Some of these
products are sold over the counter and others are available by prescription. Although such
pharmaceutical products are not intended to be substitutes for tobacco products, we believe that
many smokers use such products for nicotine maintenance.
There are also non-tobacco cigarettes produced with fillers such as lettuce and herbs and
variations of cigarettes that do not burn tobacco, such as E-cigarettes. Also, there are
non-nicotine nutraceuticals that are marketed as assisting to maintain a nicotine free metabolism
or to balance metabolism in the absence of nicotine. In addition to the use of consumable products
for smoking cessation or reduction purposes, medical practitioners and others have developed a
variety of programs intended to assist a person in withdrawing from nicotine dependence. Treatments
used include psychological counseling, hypnosis, group therapy and behavior modification
techniques.
Such non-tobacco products and services may compete with ARIVA® and STONEWALL Hard Snuff® in
the When You Cant Smoke® market. Also, we expect to introduce a non-nicotine nutraceutical
(CigRx) in 2010 that is intended to temporarily reduce the desire to smoke. We expect that CigRx
will compete with non-tobacco products that are used by persons who have stopped using tobacco or
are looking for products that could be used as substitutes for smoked or smokeless tobacco
products.
There can be no assurance that in the future our competitors will not succeed in developing
technologies and products that are more effective than the products we develop, that are less toxic
than our products, or that would render our products obsolete or non-competitive.
Our Prior Relationship with B&W
Beginning in October 1999, we entered into a series of agreements with B&W for, among other
things, the purchase of low-TSNA StarCured® tobacco, the licensing of other low-TSNA tobacco and
the development of low-TSNA cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. In April 2001, we entered
into a series of restated agreements with B&W, whereby B&W agreed to finance approximately $29
million of debt used to support our purchase of StarCured® tobacco curing barns. The loan balance
on this debt was approximately $9.5 million as of December 31, 2009.
12
On July 30, 2004, RAI combined the U.S. assets, liabilities and operations of Brown &
Williamson Holdings, Inc. (formerly B&W), hereinafter referred to as B&W Holdings, an indirect,
wholly owned subsidiary of British American Tobacco p.l.c., with RJR. In our ongoing patent
infringement litigation with RJR, RJR took the position that the new operating entity established
as a result of this business combination had assumed all of the rights and obligations under the
April 2001 agreements previously entered into with B&W, and moved to dismiss the patent
infringement lawsuit on this basis. The District Court denied RJRs motion to dismiss, and found
that B&W had attempted to assign the April 2001 agreements to the new RJR/B&W operating entity but
that we had not consented to the assignment. In its ruling the District Court did leave open the
question of what impact, if any, the combination may have on the future licensing arrangements with
RJR, but noted that those considerations did not impact the claims asserted in the patent
litigation.
Our Patents, Trademarks and Licenses
License Agreement with Regent Court
We are the exclusive licensee under a License Agreement with Regent Court that provides, among
other things, for the grant of an exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable license to us, with the right
to grant sublicenses, to make, use and sell tobacco and tobacco containing products using Regent
Courts patent rights and know-how relating to the processes for curing tobacco so as to
substantially prevent the formation of TSNAs, whether such patent rights and know-how are now in
existence or hereafter developed. The License Agreement provides us exclusive rights to any
inventions of Regent Court and its affiliates during the term of the License Agreement relating to
the production, treatment or curing of tobacco, or a method of manufacturing a product containing
tobacco, and to any method of extracting one or more substances from tobacco for the purpose of
incorporating such substance or substances in a product or products. Absent a material breach, the
License Agreement will continue until the expiration of the last of the applicable patents, which
includes 12 U.S. patents and 49 foreign patents, as well as any additional patents issued to Regent
Court during the term of the License Agreement. Generally, patents have a term of 20 years from the
initial date of filing of a patent application. The U.S. patents subject to the License Agreement
expire at various dates between June 28, 2016 and May 6, 2021.
We are obligated to pay to Regent Court a royalty of 2% on the net sales of our products and
the products of any affiliated sublicensees, and 6% on all fees and royalties received by us from
unaffiliated sublicensees, less any related research and development costs incurred by us as well
as costs incurred in enforcing the patent rights. The License Agreement may be terminated by us
upon 30 days written notice. Regent Court may terminate the License Agreement upon a default in
the payment of royalties or a failure to submit a correct accounting continuing for at least 30
days after written notice from Regent Court, a material breach of any other of our obligations
under the License Agreement continuing for at least 60 days after written notice from Regent Court,
or in the event of a change of control resulting from the purchase of our stock or all or
substantially all of our assets. The License Agreement obligates us to enforce and pay for United
States and foreign patent rights and contains other provisions typically found in patent license
agreements, such as provisions governing patent enforcement and the defense of any infringement
claims asserted against us or our sublicensees. The License Agreement further provides that any and
all costs, obligations or liabilities related to patent infringement matters brought against us
will be borne by us. We have agreed to indemnify and defend Regent Court and its affiliates
against losses incurred in connection with our use, sale or other disposition of any licensed
product or the exercise of any rights under the License Agreement. Regent Court has made no
representations to us in any document regarding the efficacy of the licensed technology. Two of
the patents under our license with Regent Court that relate to our method for producing low-TSNA
tobacco are the subject of our ongoing lawsuit against RJR and a related patent reexamination
before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. See Item 3 Legal Proceedings for further details.
13
Patents and Proprietary Rights
We believe that our patent portfolio under the License Agreement with Regent Court establishes
us as a world leader in curing technology that consistently produces very low-TSNA tobacco. Under
the agreement with Regent Court, we have exclusive rights to the issued patents listed below, which
are the only United States patents issued to Regent Court. The patents cover the current
technology for substantially preventing the formation of TSNAs in tobacco, as well as patents
relating to the production of low-TSNA dissolvable smokeless tobacco products and the use of
certain tobacco-based MAO inhibitor agents in treating neurological conditions. We have filed
corresponding patent applications in numerous foreign countries, some of which have been granted.
Also, in December 2008 we filed a new U.S. patent application for a variant of our patented curing
technology that results in the production of cured tobacco that contains virtually undetectable
levels of carcinogenic TSNAs as measured by prevailing standards. Further, Rock Creek in connection
with its development work on a non-nicotine nutraceutical and a relapse prevention product filed
several provisional patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and anticipates
seeking patent protection for those processes and products based on the results of the work to
date.
There can be no assurances that the claims that have been or may be granted to us under these
patents will be sufficient to protect the intellectual property licensed to us, or that we or
Regent Court will develop or obtain the rights to any additional products or processes that are
patentable. Further, no assurances can be given that any patents licensed to us will not be
challenged, invalidated, infringed or circumvented, or that the rights granted thereunder will
provide competitive advantages to us.
We are the exclusive licensee to the following United States patents pursuant to our License
Agreement with Regent Court:
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Date of |
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Patent Number |
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Issue |
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Description |
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Expiration Date |
U.S. Patent No. 5,803,081
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09/08/1998
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Method of Treating
Tobacco with
Microwave Radiation
to Prevent
Formation of
Nitrosamines
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06/28/2016 |
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U.S. Patent No. 5,845,647
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12/08/1998
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Tobacco Products
Improved by the Use
of Propolis
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06/28/2016 |
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U.S. Patent No. 6,135,121
(Reissued as RE 38,123 E)
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10/24/2000
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Tobacco Products Having Reduced Nitrosamine Content
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06/28/2016 |
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U.S. Patent No. 6,202,649
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03/20/2001
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Method of
Preventing
Nitrosamine
Formation by
Treating Tobacco in
Controlled
Environment
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12/02/2016 |
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U.S. Patent No. 6,311,695 B1
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11/06/2001
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Method of Treating
Tobacco With High
Frequency Energy to
Prevent Nitrosamine
Formation
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06/28/2016 |
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U.S. Patent No. 6,338,348 B1
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01/15/2002
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Method of Treating
Tobacco With
Microwave Energy to
Prevent Nitrosamine
Formation
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06/28/2016 |
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U.S. Patent No. 6,350,479 B1
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02/26/2002
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Method of
Administering
Alcohol Extracts of
Tobacco
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06/04/2019 |
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U.S. Patent No. 6,425,401
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07/30/2002
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Method of
Preventing
Nitrosamine
Formation By
Treating Tobacco in
Controlled
Environment
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12/02/2016 |
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U.S. Patent No. 6,569,470 B2
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05/27/2003
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Method of
Administering
Alcohol Extracts of
Tobacco
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06/04/2019 |
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U.S. Patent No. 6,668,839 B2
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12/30/2003
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Smokeless Tobacco
Products Made from
Powdered Tobacco
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05/06/2021 |
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U.S. Patent No. 6,834,654
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12/28/2004
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Smokeless Tobacco
Product Made from
Compressed Powdered
Tobacco
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05/01/2021 |
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U.S. Patent No. 6,929,811 B2
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8/16/2005
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Method of
Modulating
Monoamine Oxidase
(MAO) Activity
Using Tobacco
Alkaloids
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06/04/2019 |
14
Government Regulation
Overview
The manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products are subject to extensive
federal governmental regulation in the United States and by comparable authorities in many foreign
countries. In addition to federal statutes and regulations, many states also require
manufacturers of tobacco products to obtain a cigarette license or a tobacco product license in
order to sell tobacco products. States also regulate the age at which adult consumers may purchase
tobacco products and the locations where tobacco products can be sold. Many states over the past
few years have placed increased restrictions on the purchase and use of tobacco products.
FDA Regulation
Tobacco products and all products derived from tobacco are subject to multiple, overlapping
federal and state regulations. Any products derived from tobacco could be viewed as tobacco
products, or drug products depending upon their chemical composition, intended use and claims.
FDA Tobacco Act. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, or FDA Tobacco Act ,
which went into effect on June 22, 2009, provides the FDA with broad authority over all tobacco
products through a new division within the FDA (The Center for Tobacco Products). The FDA Tobacco
Act grants the Center for Tobacco Products broad authority over the manufacturing, sale and
distribution of tobacco products including expanded control over the introduction of new tobacco
products, warnings that must be included on all tobacco products and the manner in which tobacco
products may be marketed and sold. Many of the changes specified in the
FDA Act will be implemented gradually over a period of several years. Tobacco manufacturers
were required to register with the FDA by the end of February 2010 and we submitted our
registration on a timely basis. Under the FDA Tobacco Act new labeling requirements with expanded
health warnings, additional warnings and restrictions on advertising of tobacco products will be
put into place during 2010. We are in the process of submitting a new labeling plan to the FDA
along with new package labeling to comply with those changes in the law. The FDA Tobacco Act does
permit companies to apply to have products designated as modified risk tobacco products and we
filed an application seeking to have our ARIVA-BDL very-low TSNA smokeless tobacco product
approved as a modified risk product earlier this year. We expect to file an application for a
similar STONEWALL-BDL product in 2010. The FDA Tobacco Act also contains provisions that we
believe eventually could be beneficial to us in marking our very-low TSNA smokeless tobacco
products, such as those that would require a listing of various constituent elements and the
publication of ingredients in all tobacco products with notations as to the harmfulness of those
ingredients, but under the provisions of the FDA Tobacco Act those types of labeling changes and
comparative ingredient information will not be put into place for at least two years. In the
interim, the FDA Tobacco Act attempts to level the playing field for all tobacco products by
restricting the types of claims and descriptions that can be made with respect to various
components in tobacco products, including any claims relating to reduced levels of toxins or
reduced risk, unless a product receives a designation as a modified risk tobacco product. The
FDA Tobacco Act also imposes user fees on tobacco manufactures to cover the cost of the FDA
process. Given the low volume of sales of our tobacco products in 2009, the impact of the user fee
under the FDA Tobacco Act have not been significant to date. However, if sales of our smokeless
tobacco products increase substantially, we would have increased user fee obligation which could
become substantial in the future.
15
Food Drug and Cosmetic Act. Under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA has authority for
reviewing and approving any new drug product prior to its introduction into commerce. The process
of seeking regulatory clearance or approval to market a pharmaceutical product is expensive and
time consuming. The FDA approval process involves, among other things, successfully completing
clinical trials under an Investigational New Drug Application and obtaining a premarket approval
after filing a New Drug Application. The NDA process requires a company to prove the safety and
efficacy of a new drug product to the FDAs satisfaction. Also, any FDA approved product is
subject to continuing review and the labeling, packaging, adverse event reporting, storage,
advertising and promotion of any such product is subject to extensive regulation. Violations of
the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act can result in Warning Letters from FDA, injunctions, product
seizure, and civil and criminal penalties.
Dietary Supplement Act. The Dietary Supplement Health Education Act or DSHEA, provides the FDA
with authority over the production and marketing of dietary supplements. In certain cases DSHEA
also requires notification to the FDA before a company begins to market a dietary supplement and,
if structure or function claims are made for a product in the product labeling, notification of
such claims within thirty (30) days of the introduction of the product into commerce. DSHEA
requires that dietary supplements be manufactured under good manufacturing practices and that the
label, labeling and advertising for such products meet specific requirements set forth in DSHEA and
its implementing regulations. DSHEA does not require prior approval by the FDA for the
introduction of dietary supplements into the market, but does require that nutraceutical products
comply with the requirements of DSHEA prior to and after their introduction into commerce. If
products are manufactured and sold as dietary supplements it is possible that FDA may challenge the
status of a product classification. FDA may also challenge the types of claims made for a dietary
supplement or its indications for use. If any dietary supplement developed by us through Rock
Creek is determined to be a pharmaceutical product, as opposed to a dietary supplement, the product
would need to be submitted to the FDA for approval as a new drug prior to its being sold in the
United States.
Institute of Medicine Report and Potential Reduced-Exposure Products. On February 22, 2001,
the Institute of Medicine issued a comprehensive report, entitled Clearing the Smoke: Assessing
the Science Base for Tobacco Harm Reduction, in response to a request from the FDA to assess the
scientific basis for potentially reducing the health risks associated with tobacco use. This
voluminous report suggested, among other findings, that it is scientifically feasible to design and
manufacture a range of Potential Reduced Exposure Products, or PREPs, but that, without appropriate
governmental regulation and independent scientific evaluation of PREPs, the public is left without
clear information regarding the degree to which these products reduce the risks associated with the
use of traditional tobacco products. Since 2001, support for PREPs has been the subject of an
ongoing debate concerning whether any tobacco products should be considered less toxic and a viable
alternative to traditional tobacco
products. Over the last several years, the scientific community has begun to recognize that
certain forms of tobacco products, particularly low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products, deliver fewer
toxins than smoked tobacco. At the same time, concern has been expressed by certain members of the
public health community about the use of smokeless tobacco because of potential unintended
consequences that may accompany a switch from the most lethal form of tobacco to a less toxic
tobacco product. The FDA Tobacco Act specifically allows companies to seek approval of products
as modified risk tobacco products if they contain substantially less toxins than other products on
the market and can be demonstrated to reduce the risk associated with tobacco use. We recently
submitted an application with the FDA seeking to have our ARIVA-BDL product classified as modified
risk product because of the lower levels of toxins (principally the carcinogenic TSNAs) in the
product. We expect to file a similar application for a STONEWALL-BDL product in 2010.
Federal Trade Commission.
Requirements for health warnings on cigarettes have been governed by the Federal Cigarette
Labeling and Advertising Act. Similar requirements have been imposed on smokeless tobacco products
under the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986. Both acts impose labeling
and advertising requirements on the manufacturers, packagers and importers of cigarettes and
smokeless tobacco products and require any company wishing to sell such products within the United
States to submit a plan to the FTC explaining how it will comply with the warning label display
requirements. We have submitted labeling plans for cigarette and smokeless products to the FTC in
accordance with these acts. Under the FDA Tobacco Act, labeling plans for tobacco products will
now be submitted to the FDA for approval and the type and form of warnings that must to included on
packages and labeling for tobacco products will be governed by the statutory requirements of the
FDA Tobacco Act and its implementing regulations. We are currently in the process of transitioning
our labeling plans and modifying our packaging and labeling to comply with the requirements imposed
under the FDA Tobacco Act. In addition, the FTC has jurisdiction over advertising of
nutraceuticals and other OTC products. The FTC requires that all claims for such products be
adequately substantiated. Violations can result in cease and desist orders and consumer redress,
such as refunds, among other things.
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Tax and Trade Bureau.
Manufacturers and importers of tobacco products are taxed pursuant to regulations promulgated
by the TTB under authority of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Our tobacco products
are subject to tax under such regulations. As of April 1, 2009 the Federal excise tax rate for
smokeless tobacco increased form $0.585 per pound to the current rate of $1.51 per pound. The
manufacturing of tobacco products is also subject to regulation by the TTB. We currently have a
license from the TTB to manufacture smokeless tobacco products at our Chase City, Virginia
facility. Our TTB license requires that we adhere to strict regulations regarding the manufacturing
and transportation of our tobacco products.
Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act
In October 2004, Congress passed the Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004, or
FSC/ETI, which provides for the end of the federal tobacco quota program by means of a $10 billion
buyout of the tobacco quota system that is being financed by assessments on tobacco manufacturers.
The buyout is paid for by all tobacco manufacturers over a ten-year period based on each companys
percentage of sales. The apportionment of responsibility for payments to quota holders is
approximately 96% to cigarette manufacturers, and the remaining 4% is divided among other tobacco
product manufacturers, based on market share. Given the low volume of sales of our dissolvable
low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products to date, the fact that 96% of the assessment for the tobacco
quota payment is directed towards cigarette sales, and the discontinuation of our cigarette
operations in June, 2007, our payment obligations under the FSC/CTI were negligible in 2009.
Absent a substantial increase in our sales of smokeless tobacco products, we believe that our
payment obligations under the FSC/CTI should also be de minimis in 2010.
State and Municipal Laws
The sale of smokeless tobacco is taxed in most jurisdictions. One state has no excise tax on
smokeless tobacco and the rates in other states vary significantly from state to state using
formulas based on weight or on a percentage of the wholesale price of the product. For example, the
states of Alabama and Maine tax smokeless products at a rate of 12 cents per ounce and $2.02 per
ounce, respectively, while the states of South Carolina and Wisconsin impose an excise tax of 5.0%
and 100% of wholesale cost, respectively. In addition, some states permit municipalities to impose
an additional sales tax, and many municipalities do so. The state and municipal sales taxes are
imposed upon wholesalers and/or retailers but not on manufacturers, and therefore we have no
liability for such taxes.
In November 1998, 46 states and the District of Columbia, or the Settling States, entered into
the Master Settlement Agreement, or MSA, to resolve litigation that had been instituted against the
major tobacco manufacturers. We did not join the MSA and as a non-participating manufacturer, we
were required to satisfy certain escrow obligations pursuant to statutes that the MSA required the
Settling States to adopt in order for such states to receive the full benefits of the settlement.
On March 14, 2007, we sold the rights, title and interest in and to all income from and
reversionary interest in our MSA escrow accounts, including our 2006 MSA escrow deposits made in
April 2007. Although we sold the rights in and to all income from and reversionary interest in the
funds deposited into the MSA escrow accounts for the years up to and including 2006, these MSA
escrow funds remain in our name and the principal amount of these accounts will be available to
satisfy portions of any state judgments or settlements for the type of claims asserted against the
major tobacco manufacturers in the suits that resulted in the negotiation of the MSA, if such
claims are successfully asserted in litigation against us as a result of our prior sale of
cigarettes.
In May 2007, we entered into a license agreement with Tantus for the exclusive licensing of
our cigarette trademarks Sport ®, MainStreet®
and GSmoke®. We ceased manufacturing cigarettes in
June 2007 and, thereafter, we withdrew the certifications for cigarette sales that we previously
had obtained in all applicable Settling States. Given the discontinuation of our cigarette
operations in June 2007 we did not have any MSA obligation for cigarette sales in MSA states in
2008 or 2009 and do not anticipate having MSA escrow obligations in the future.
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World Health Organization Global Public Health Advocacy; Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control
Members of our management team testified in October 2000, at the World Health Organization, or
WHO, public hearings in Geneva, Switzerland on the structure of a Global Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control, or FCTC. In that testimony we reiterated our support for reasoned regulation of
all tobacco products in the U.S. and worldwide to create a more rational environment in which
toxicity reduction rather than marketing creativity would determine relevant market share. Members
of our management team also testified before the WHO Scientific Advisory Committee on Tobacco
Product Regulation in February 2001, and reiterated our support for reasoned world-wide tobacco
regulation within the FCTC proposed structure. On February 27, 2005, the FCTC went into effect.
Although the U.S. signed the FCTC in May 2004, the White House has not sent the Treaty to the
Senate for ratification by the requisite two-thirds majority. The State Department has reported
that it is reviewing the FCTC for legal issues, particularly those impacting on commercial free
speech. The U.S. has opposed the blanket advertising prohibitions in the FCTC, although prior to
promulgation of the FCTC, nations with commercial free speech protections could have opted out of
that provision in the treaty and retained the ability to become a signatory to the FCTC. To date,
168 of the 195 nations that signed the FCTC have ratified this comprehensive document.
UK Royal College of Physicians Statement on Tobacco Regulation and Statement on European
Union Policy on Smokeless Tobacco
In December 2002, the British Royal College of Physicians issued a report titled Protecting
Smokers, Saving Lives. In that report, the Royal College of Physicians concluded that the
consumption of non-combustible tobacco is in the order of 10-1,000 times less hazardous than
smoking, depending on the product. In February 2003, an independent group of researchers and
public health educators issued a report titled: European Union Policy on Smokeless Tobacco A
Statement in Favor of Evidence-Based Regulation. In this report, the researchers called on the
European Union, or EU, to reconsider the ban on smokeless tobacco products applicable to all EU
members except Sweden, which received an exemption when it joined the EU in 1992. As stated in the
report, the request to lift the ban was made in part because smokeless tobacco is substantially
less harmful than smoking, and evidence
from Sweden suggest it is used as a substitute for smoking. In 2002, Swedish Match challenged
the validity of the EUs ban on the sale of smokeless tobacco products in all member countries in
Great Britains High Court. The British High Court stayed the proceeding and referred the challenge
to the EUs High Court of Justice. Oral arguments were heard in September 2004, during which
Swedish Match pointed out that maintaining a prohibition of the sale of snus did not take into
account the development of scientific information about the relatively decreased health risks
associated with oral tobacco use as compared to data relating to the health risks associated with
smoking. In December 2004, the EU High Court ruled that the prohibition, while in need of
reformulation by the EU legislature, continues to be valid in principle.
The Tobacco Advisory Group of the UK Royal College of Physicians also issued a report in
October 2008, Ending Tobacco Smoking in Britain: Radical Strategies for Prevention and Harm
Reduction in Nicotine Addiction. One of the major premises of the report argues again that harm
reduction strategies offer a major opportunity to reduce the prevalence and health impact of
smoking. The report identifies compressed smokeless tobacco as a harm reduction product.
Product Liability
In the United States, there have been numerous and well-publicized lawsuits against the
largest manufacturers of cigarettes and other tobacco products initiated by state and municipal
governmental units, healthcare providers and insurers, individuals (for themselves and on a
class-action basis) and by others. The legal theories underlying such lawsuits are varied, but are
generally based on one or more of the following: (i) that manufacturer defendants have deceived
consumers about the health risks associated with tobacco product consumption; (ii) such defendants
knew or should have known about various harmful ingredients of their products and failed to
adequately warn consumers about the potential harmful effects of those ingredients; and (iii) such
defendants knew of the addictive attributes of nicotine and have purposefully manipulated their
product ingredients so as to enhance the delivery of nicotine.
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We believe that we have conducted our business in a manner that decreases the risk of
liability in a lawsuit of the type described above because we:
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have attempted to consistently present to the public the most current information
regarding the health risks of long-term smoking and tobacco use generally; |
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have always acknowledged the addictive nature of nicotine; |
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have never targeted adolescent or young persons as customers; |
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have not advertised our cigarette products to consumers except for point-of-sale
materials; |
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have conducted research on the chemical or other constituents of our products only
in the course of efforts to reduce the delivery of toxins; |
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have stated unequivocally that smoking involves a range of serious health risks, is
addictive, and that smoked cigarettes products can never be produced in a safe
fashion; |
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did not produce our own brands of cigarettes until the mid-1990s, and our sales
volumes were never substantial in relation to the volume generated by the major
manufacturers; and |
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discontinued our cigarette operations in June 2007, in favor of our very low-TSNA
dissolvable smokeless tobacco products. |
In the past, we maintained product liability insurance only with respect to claims that
tobacco products manufactured by or for us contained any foreign object (i.e., any object that is
not intended to be included in the manufactured product). We currently do not maintain such
insurance. The product liability insurance previously
maintained did not cover health-related claims such as those that have been made against the
major manufacturers of tobacco products. We do not believe that insurance for health-related
claims can currently be obtained. Although to date, no health-related lawsuit has ever been filed
against us, a lawsuit based on such claims could have a materially adverse effect upon our company.
We intend to introduce into test market a non-nicotine nutraceutical (CigRx) in 2010. If we are
not able to obtain product liability insurance for this product, we will have to self insure
against any claims relating to product defects or claims arising out of the sale, distribution and
marketing of the CigRx product. Such claims if asserted with respect to the anticipated use of
our CigRx product could have a materially adverse effect on our financial condition.
Our Employees and Consultants
As of December 31, 2009, we employed 31 full-time employees as compared to 39 employees as of
December 31, 2008.
From time to time, we engage temporary personnel to augment our regular employee staff.
Further, we utilize the services of consultants, scientific and technical experts and, from
time-to-time, independent contractors to provide key functions in the scientific, medical, public
healthcare, compliance, technology, legal, communications, financial and related fields. The use of
such third-party providers enables us to secure unique expertise on both a formal and informal
basis in a wide variety of areas that we might otherwise not be in a position to obtain or which we
would otherwise be required to obtain through the hiring of additional employees at a potentially
greater cost to us. Substantially all of the our research and development efforts have been, and
are expected to continue to be, conducted pursuant to contractual arrangements with universities,
scientific, medical and public health consultants, independent investigators and research
organizations.
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Internet Address and Internet Access to Periodic and Current Reports
Our Internet address is www.starscientific.com. You may obtain through our Internet website,
free of charge, copies of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current
reports on Form 8-K and Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A including any amendments to those reports
or other information filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
These reports will be available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such
material with, or furnish such material to, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. You
can also obtain these reports directly from the SEC at their website, www.sec.gov, or you may visit
the SEC in person at the SECs Public Reference Room at Station Place, 100 F. Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by
calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. We will also provide a copy of our annual report on Form 10-K
upon any written request by a shareholder.
We have incurred losses for the past seven years and we expect operating expenses to continue
to be greater than operating revenues in the foreseeable future.
We have incurred operating losses for seven consecutive fiscal years beginning with the year
ended December 31, 2003. Our net losses were approximately $(41.5) million for the year ended
December 31, 2007, $(18.3) million for the year ended
December 31, 2008 and $(22.8) million for the
year ended December 31, 2009. Our accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2009 was approximately
$(142.4) million. Additionally, a majority of our historical operating revenues have been derived
from sales of our discount cigarettes. However, in May 2007, we entered into a license agreement
with Tantus for the exclusive license of our trademarks MainStreet®, Sport® and GSmoke®, in return
for licensing fees during the seven-year term of the license agreement and beyond, if the license
is renewed. Although we retain the right to manufacture and sell other branded cigarettes, we
discontinued the manufacture and sale of our discount cigarettes in June 2007 and are focusing our
efforts on the sale of low-TSNA dissolvable smokeless tobacco products and the licensing of the
related technology, as opposed to cigarettes. Accordingly, we have accounted for our cigarette
operations as discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements beginning with the
second quarter of 2007.
Our future profitability will depend on our ability to generate and sustain increased revenue
levels in future periods. This will largely be dependent on the distribution and consumer
acceptance of our low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products as well as the continued development of our
low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products, independently and through alliances with other tobacco
manufacturers, and our ability to begin generating significant revenues through royalties from the
our patented tobacco curing process or from the development of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical
products by Rock Creek, which has had no revenue to date. These efforts may be more costly than we
expect, and we may not be able to increase our revenue enough to offset our higher operating
expenses associated with these initiatives especially given the loss of revenues from the
discontinuation of our discount cigarette business. Additionally, our ability to generate revenues
through royalty payments from the licensing of our low-TSNA technology will also be dependent upon
the successful completion of our ongoing patent infringement lawsuit against RJR which we continue
to pursue on appeal following an unsuccessful verdict in our jury trial in that case that took
place between May 18 and June 16, 2009 in the United States District Court for the District of
Maryland (see Item 3 Legal Proceedings for further details).
In the future, we may not be able to secure financing necessary to operate and grow our
business as planned.
The recurring losses generated by our operations continue to impose significant demands on our
liquidity. Over the last several years our liquidity demands have been met principally by private
placements of our common stock and the cash exercise of related warrants and stock options. Since
January 1, 2010 through March 15, 2010, our company received proceeds of approximately
$13.8 million. Absent the exercise of outstanding warrants and options for cash or a substantial
improvement in sales and revenues and/or royalties, we believe that the recent funding will support
our operations through the first quarter 2011.
However, our business and operations may consume resources faster than we anticipate, and
depending upon market conditions and the price of our common stock, we may decide to seek
additional funds before that time. Additional financing may not be available on favorable terms, if
at all. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to fund the
expansion of our sales and marketing and research and development efforts or take advantage of
other opportunities, which could seriously harm our business and operating results. If we issue
additional equity securities, existing stockholders will experience dilution.
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Current levels of market volatility are unprecedented.
The capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption for more than
12 months reaching unprecedented levels in 2008 and for a significant portion of 2009. In some
cases, the markets have produced downward pressure on stock prices and credit availability for
certain issuers without regard to those issuers underlying financial strength. If current levels
of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that we will not
experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on our ability to access capital and on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, our competitive position could
be harmed and we could be required to incur significant expenses to enforce our rights.
Our future success will depend in part on obtaining patent and other intellectual property
protection for the technologies contained in our products, and on successfully defending our
patents and other intellectual property against third-party challenges. In particular, our success
in commercially exploiting our licensed tobacco curing technology and low-TSNA smokeless tobacco
products, and our development of tobacco-based pharmaceutical products to treat tobacco-related
dependence and related products, depends in large part on our ability to protect the patents
related to our low-TSNA technology for which we are the exclusive licensee, to obtain further
patent protection for this technology in the United States and other jurisdictions, and to operate
without infringing upon the patents and proprietary rights of others. We have incurred, and expect
to continue to incur, substantial costs in obtaining patents and, if necessary, defending our
proprietary rights. In particular, we have been prosecuting patent infringement claims against RJR
in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland with respect to two patents used
in our low-TSNA tobacco technology. Following remand from the Court of Appeals, the case was tried
to a jury in the District Court between May 18, 2009 and June 16, 2009. At the conclusion of
the trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of RJR holding that there was no infringement of
the two patents at issue in the case and that the patents were invalid due to anticipation,
obviousness, indefiniteness and failure to disclose best mode. On July 7, 2009, we filed a motion
with the District Court for Judgment as a Matter of Law or, in the Alternative, for a New Trial and
that motion was denied on December 21, 2009 and judgment entered by the District Court. The next
day we filed a Notice of Appeal of the judgment and related rulings to the Federal Circuit Court of
Appeals and the appeal is currently pending. On May 29, 2009, we filed a new complaint against RJR
for patent infringement during the period beginning 2003 through the filing date of the complaint.
The future prosecution of the new complaint will be dependant on our achieving a reversal of the
jury verdict of invalidity in our initial RJR action, which is uncertain at this time.
On December 31, 2008 and January 2, 2009, RJR filed requests in the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office to reexamine the two patents that are the subject of the patent infringement litigations
described above. In February and March 2009, the Patent and Trademark Office granted the
reexamination requests, agreeing to review the patentability of the subject matter claims 4, 12 and
20 of the 649 patent and claim 41 of the 401 patent . On September 17, 2009 the Patent and
Trademark Office issued a first office action in both cases. On October 22, 2009 we participated
in an interview with the panel considering this matter and filed a written response to the first
office action on November 10, 2009. The reexamination process is ongoing. If we are unable to
obtain a reversal of the jury verdict in our RJR patent infringement case or prevail in the patent
reexamination, the claims at issue in the litigation and the reexamination will not be enforceable
by us and we will not be in a position to prevent third parties from utilizing the technology
covered by these claims or to license that technology.
We do not know whether we will obtain the patent protection we seek through our existing
patents, or that the protection we do obtain will be found valid and enforceable, if challenged. If
we fail to obtain adequate protection of our intellectual property, or if any protection we obtain
is reduced or eliminated, others could use our intellectual property without compensating us,
resulting in harm to our business. We may also determine that it is in our best interests to
voluntarily challenge a third partys products or patents in litigation or administrative
proceedings, including patent interferences or reexaminations. In the event that we seek to
enforce any of our owned or exclusively licensed patents against an infringing party, it is likely
that the party defending the claim will seek to invalidate the patents we assert. If successful
this could result in the loss of the entire patent or the relevant portion of our patent, which
would not be limited to any particular party. Any litigation to enforce or defend our patent
rights, even if we were to prevail, could be costly and time-consuming and could divert the
attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations. Our competitors may
independently develop similar or alternative technologies or products without infringing any of our
patent or other intellectual property rights, or may design around our proprietary technologies.
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U.S. patents and patent applications may also be subject to interference proceedings and U.S.
patents may be subject to reexamination proceedings in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Foreign patents may be subject to opposition or comparable proceedings in the corresponding foreign
patent offices, and those proceedings could result in either loss of the patent or denial of the
patent application, or loss or reduction in the scope of one or more of the claims of the patent or
patent application. In addition, such interference, reexamination and opposition proceedings may be
costly. Thus, any patents that we own or license from others may provide limited or no protection
against competitors. Our pending patent applications, those we may file in the future, or those we
may license from third parties, may not result in patents being issued. If issued, they may not
provide us with proprietary protection or competitive advantages against competitors with similar
technology.
We may also rely on unpatented trade secrets and know-how to maintain our competitive
position, which we seek to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with employees,
consultants, suppliers and others. There can be no assurance that these agreements will not be
breached or terminated, that we will have adequate remedies for any breach, or that our trade
secrets will not otherwise become known or be independently discovered by competitors.
Our growth strategy anticipates that we will create new products and distribution channels and
expand existing distribution channels for our low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products and products
developed by Rock Creek. Our future growth is also heavily dependent upon increased consumer
acceptance of our low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products, non-nicotine nutraceuticals and other pharmaceutical products, as
well as on increased demand to license our related technology. If we are unable to effectively
manage these initiatives, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows
would be adversely affected.
Our long-term growth strategy includes an increased focus on the sales and marketing of our
low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products, the introduction of non-nicotine nutraceuticals, tobacco-based
pharmaceuticals and our receipt of royalty fees for the licensing of our patented technology for
producing low-TSNA tobacco. However, to date sales of our smokeless tobacco products, and our
ability to derive revenue from the licensing of our low-TSNA technology, have been de minimis.
Beginning in September 2001, we introduced three new smokeless tobacco products, Stonewall® moist
and dry snuffs and ARIVA® hard tobacco cigalett® pieces. In the second quarter of 2003, we began a
commercial test market of a new, non-fermented spit-free hard tobacco product for moist snuff
users, called STONEWALL Hard Snuff®. Given our companys decision to focus on dissolvable smokeless
tobacco products, we discontinued manufacturing Stonewall® moist snuff and are not actively
marketing Stonewall dry snuff.
Additionally, our success is dependent upon the ability to develop and introduce in 2010 a
non-nicotine nutraceutical product that may assist persons who have ceased using tobacco or who are
in the process for stopping tobacco use maintain a balanced metabolism, and, in the future, related
non-nicotine products that may be helpful to consumers in maintaining a healthy metabolism, as well
as tobacco-based pharmaceutical products. We have not introduced any nutraceutical product to
date. The introduction of pharmaceutical products will require a substantial period of time in
order to obtain FDA approval to market such products. As a result, we do not anticipate
introducing any pharmaceutical products into the market for the foreseeable future but will focus
on the research and development aspects of a range of pharmaceuticals, including tobacco-based drug
products, in addition to the development of non-nicotine nutraceutical products. Assuming that we
are successful in introducing such products into the market, the success of those products and the
success of our low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products will depend on the willingness and ability of
retail customers to market and sell our products to consumers, as well as our success in developing
new distribution channels for those products. If our significant retail customers or independent
distributors were to reduce the quantity of any of our smokeless tobacco products they currently
sell or stop selling our products, or if we are unable to open distribution channels for our new
products, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
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To date, sales of our dissolvable smokeless products have been slower than expected. We
believe this is due in part to the lack of consumer awareness of ARIVA® and STONEWALL Hard Snuff®
and the lack of sufficient capital to increase consumer awareness and acceptance of those products.
It is not certain whether our low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products will be accepted by the market
in sufficient volume to support our operations. Adult tobacco users may decide not to purchase our
products due to taste or other preferences, including a preference for our competitors products or
because of the extensive health warnings contained on the packaging for our products. There can be
no assurance that in the future our competitors will not succeed in developing technologies and
products that are more effective than the products we develop, that are less toxic than our
products, or that would render our products obsolete or non-competitive.
Further, an inability to successfully increase consumer awareness of and demand for our very
low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products would negatively affect our ability to license our patented
technology for producing low-TSNA tobacco. This accordingly would materially diminish our ability
to derive royalty fees from the license of this technology. If we are unable to license our
patented technology for producing low-TSNA tobacco, our financial condition and results of
operations could be adversely affected.
Our efforts to successfully market ARIVA® and STONEWALL Hard Snuff® to adult tobacco users
will also require the expenditure of substantial funds that we will need to obtain from external
financing, the availability of which cannot be assured, and ultimately these products may not be
accepted in the national marketplace. If we are not successful in our efforts to offer low-TSNA
smokeless tobacco products to adults as alternatives to cigarettes and other smokeless products, to
generate revenue through the license of the related technology to which we are the exclusive
licensee or to introduce new nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products, we will not have sufficient
sales volumes to support our operations.
The tobacco industry is highly competitive, and our competitors may develop technology for the
production of low-TSNA tobacco that does not infringe on the technology to which we are the
exclusive licensee, or they may develop technology for low-TSNA tobacco or other cigarette
alternative products that could make our technology obsolete.
Virtually all flue-cured tobacco grown in the United States since 2001 has been cured in a
manner to reduce the levels of TSNAs. If our competitors produce low-TSNA tobacco that does not
infringe on the technology to which we are the exclusive licensee, or develop other tobacco
products with less toxins that can compete with our very low-TSNA products, this could adversely
affect our operating income and cash flows.
The tobacco industry is highly competitive. STONEWALL Hard Snuff® competes with major
manufacturers of smokeless tobacco products and ARIVA® competes with traditional cigarette
manufacturers because ARIVA® is positioned as an alternative to cigarettes in situations where
adult cigarette users cannot or choose not to smoke. Those companies generally have substantially
greater financial and operating resources than we do. Also, these companies have a more established
presence in the smokeless tobacco industry than we do. Certain of the major cigarette makers are
marketing alternative cigarette products. For example, Philip Morris has developed an alternative
cigarette called Accord in which the tobacco is heated rather than burned. RJR has developed an
alternative cigarette called Eclipse in which the tobacco is primarily heated, with only a small
amount of tobacco burned. Vector Tobacco Inc. developed a cigarette offered in several packings
with declining levels of nicotine, called Quest. Further, in 2006 and 2007, both Philip Morris and
RJR introduced into test market smokeless tobacco pouch products designed to provide alternatives
to cigarettes that utilize their primary brand names (Marlboro Snus and Camel Snus, respectively),
and other smokeless tobacco manufactures have introduced products that claim to have reduced levels
of carcinogens. In 2009 Altria, Philip Morriss parent company expanded its role in the smokeless
tobacco market through its acquisition of UST. Also, in 2009 RJR introduced into test market three
dissolvable smokeless tobacco products that compete directly with our ARIVA® and STONEWALL Hard
Snuff® low-TSNA dissolvable smokeless tobacco products. If these initiatives are successful or if
our competitors develop new technology for low-TSNA tobacco for use in smokeless tobacco products,
we will be subject to increased competition for market share and our current technology for the
production of low-TSNA tobacco could become obsolete.
23
Sales of tobacco products have been declining, which could have a material adverse effect on
our revenues and cash flows.
The overall U.S. market for cigarettes has generally been declining in terms of volume of
sales, as a result of restrictions on advertising and promotions; funding of smoking prevention
campaigns; increases in regulation and excise taxes; a decline in the social acceptability of
smoking, and other factors, and sales are expected to continue to decline. While the sales of
smokeless tobacco products have been increasing over the last several years, the smokeless tobacco
market is substantially smaller than the cigarette market. Prior to our exit from the discount
cigarette business, we experienced a similar decline in sales of our discount cigarette products,
and this downward trend may adversely impact our ability to sell and market our low-TSNA smokeless
tobacco products, particularly as alternatives to cigarettes. This could have a material adverse
effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
We may face delays in obtaining very low-TSNA tobacco or other raw materials to adequately
manufacture our products.
As a result of the discontinuation of our business relationship with B&W, and the ongoing
burden and expense of the pending patent infringement litigation with RJR, during 2007 we sold
approximately 990 tobacco curing barns used for the production of our low-TSNA StarCured® tobacco.
We sold our remaining 37 StarCured® tobacco curing barns in December 2009 to growers who had
previously participated in the StarCured® program. While we currently do not own any StarCured®
barns, we have a significant amount of StarCured® tobacco in inventory and access to StarCured®
tobacco through growers who previously participated in our StarCured® tobacco curing program.
However, given the sale of our remaining barns, we cannot be assured that we will have sufficient
availability to curing barns to meet future demand for our low-TSNA tobacco, particularly if the
sales volumes of our very low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products substantially increase over a short
period of time. Further, in the event that we are unable to obtain adequate amounts of StarCured® tobacco and
other raw materials to meet product demands, our customers may seek to fulfill their supply needs
by purchasing competing brands, which in turn would reduce our market share and ability to
successfully commercialize our very low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products. This could have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
We do not have long-term contracts with any of our retail customers or independent
distributors, and a loss or material reduction in their business with us could result in reduced
sales of our products.
Our success is dependent upon the willingness and ability of retail customers to market and
sell our products to consumers, as well as our success in developing new channels for our low-TSNA
smokeless tobacco products. If any of our significant retail customers or independent distributors
were to reduce the quantity of the products we sell, or to stop selling our products, or if we are
unable to open new distribution channels for our products, our financial condition and results of
operations could be adversely affected.
Our retail customers and independent distributors generally purchase products from us on a
purchase-order basis and do not have long-term contracts with us. Consequently, with little or no
notice and without penalty, our retail customers and independent distributors may terminate their
relationships with us or materially reduce the level of their purchases of our products. If this
were to occur with one or more retail customers or independent distributors, who purchase
significant quantities of our products, it may be difficult for us to establish substitute
relationships in a timely manner, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations.
We may not be successful in introducing and marketing our non-nicotine CigRx product.
We previously announced our intention to introduce into test market in 2010 a non-nicotine
nutraceutical product under the name CigRx that is intended to temporarily reduce the desire to
smoke We are currently undertaking a series of research studies relating to this product and
completing other premarket analysis connected with the expected launch of this product. Depending
on the results of the research studies and premarket analysis, the introduction of this product
into the market could be delayed or deferred. Also, our success in marking CigRx will be
dependent on consumer acceptance of this product and our ability to have the product sold to
consumers through our existing or new retail channels. If we are not able to attract interest in
the product at the consumer level or if we are unable to open new distribution channels for the
CigRx product, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
24
We have many potentially dilutive derivative securities outstanding and the issuance of these
securities as well as the future sales of our common stock would have a dilutive effect on current
stockholders.
At March 15, 2010, we had outstanding options granted to directors, employees and consultants
to purchase approximately 4,555,200 shares of our common stock, with a weighted-average exercise
price of $2.28 per share, of which options for 4,505,200 shares were exercisable at March 15, 2010.
We also have outstanding warrants, which are currently exercisable
into 23,635,616 shares of our
common stock, with a weighted-average exercise price of $1.60 per share. Exercise of outstanding
stock options or warrants would cause dilution which may adversely affect the market price of our
common stock. If we issue additional shares of our common stock for sale in future financings, our
stockholders would experience further dilution.
The combination transaction between RJR and B&W may impact negatively upon us.
On July 30, 2004, RJR and B&W, the second and third largest cigarette manufacturers, completed
the combination of their United States tobacco businesses to create a new publicly traded holding
company, Reynolds American Inc. Prior to this combination, we had been party to multiple
substantial commercial relationships with B&W for a number of years, including licensing and
royalty agreements relating to the purchase of StarCured® tobacco and other low-TSNA tobacco and
the financing of our StarCured® tobacco curing barns.
Additionally, we are currently involved in significant patent infringement litigation with RJR
with respect to certain of our patents related to the production of low-TSNA tobacco. During the
pending patent litigation described above, RJR took the position that the new operating entity
resulting from the combination of RJR and B&W assumed all of the rights and obligations under the
agreements that we previously entered into with B&W, and moved to dismiss our patent infringement
case on this basis. The District Court denied RJRs motion to dismiss, and found that B&W had
attempted to assign these agreements to Reynolds American Inc. without our consent. In its ruling
the District Court did leave open the question of what impact, if any, the combination may have on
the future licensing arrangements with RJR, but noted that those considerations did not impact on
the claims asserted in the present litigation.
Pursuant to our April 2001 agreement with B&W, as amended by letter agreements dated December
4, 2002 and August 14, 2003, B&W loaned us $29 million to fund our purchase of StarCured® tobacco
curing barns. B&W also agreed to a 96-month repayment schedule consisting of equal consecutive
monthly installments beginning on January 3, 2006. The loan balance was approximately $9.5 million
as of December 31, 2009. Previously, B&W granted us a number of concessions under our agreements,
including deferring interest and principal payments and consenting to our incurrence of additional
indebtedness Although the security interest that RJR had under the loan terminated when the loan
balance fell below $10 million, RJRs failure to grant us similar concessions in the future could
have a number of adverse consequences, including restricting our pursuit of business opportunities
with third parties, limiting our ability to raise funds through debt financing and requiring
payment of our obligations in circumstances where we may not have sufficient funds available to do
so. Since the combination of B&W and RJR, we have had no operational relationship with RJR and
given our ongoing patent litigation against RJR, we do not anticipate that we would have the same
type of cooperative relationship with RJR as we had with B&W, or that RJR would be inclined to
grant concessions similar to those that we received from B&W.
We are dependent on the domestic tobacco business.
All of our revenues are currently derived from sales of our low-TSNA smokeless tobacco
products. The market for smokeless products is much smaller than the market for smoked tobacco
products, and all of our revenue from smokeless tobacco product sales to date has been derived from
sales in the United States, except for de minimis amounts of ARIVA® sold in Bermuda, Turkey and
Norway, which were discontinued prior to 2007. Accordingly, we do not currently have access to
foreign markets to offset the impact of the declining U.S. tobacco market.
25
The tobacco industry is subject to substantial and increasing regulation with respect to the
sale and marketing of its products.
On June 22, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the FDA Tobacco Act, which provides
the FDA, with broad authority over all tobacco products through a new division within the FDA (The
Center for Tobacco Products). The Center for Tobacco Products has broad authority over the
manufacturing, sale and distribution of tobacco products including expanded control over the
introduction of new tobacco products, warnings that must be included on all tobacco products and
the manner in which tobacco products may be marketed and sold. Many of the changes specified in the
FDA Act will be implemented gradually over a period of several years. Tobacco manufacturers were
required to register with the FDA by the end of February 2010 and we submitted our registration on
a timely basis. Under the FDA Tobacco Act new labeling requirements with expanded health warnings,
additional warnings and restrictions on advertising of tobacco products will be put into place
during 2010. We are in the process of submitting a new labeling plan to the FDA along with new
package labeling to comply with those changes in the law. The FDA Tobacco Act also provides for
the establishment of a Scientific Advisory Committee that, among
other initiatives, has been
designated to undertake an analysis of dissolvable tobacco products and to provide a report on such
products within two years after the enactment of the FDA Tobacco Act. As currently implemented, we
do not believe the FDA Tobacco Act presents a material risk to our business activities, but there
is no assurance that the current legislation as implemented by the FDA will not limit or delay our
future initiates or that difficulties and/or delays in obtaining approvals from the FDA will not
have an adverse impact on our ability to market our low-TSMA smokeless tobacco products and any
related modified risk tobacco products.
We have a license from the TTB to manufacture smokeless tobacco products. While we have
discontinued our discount cigarette operations subsequent to our entering into a license agreement
with Tantus for the exclusive license of our cigarette trademarks Sport®, MainStreet® and
GSmoke®, we are not precluded from re-entering the discount cigarette market, although we would need to
obtain a new license for any such manufacturing. To the extent that we are unable to maintain our
current TTB license or to obtain any additional licenses required by the TTB, this could materially
and adversely affect our operations.
In October 2004, federal legislation was enacted which eliminated the federal tobacco quota
system and price support system through an industry funded buyout of tobacco growers and quota
holders. Pursuant to the legislation, manufacturers of tobacco products have been assessed $10.1
billion over a ten-year period to compensate tobacco growers and quota holders for the elimination
of their quota rights. Under the buyout legislation 96% of the assessments are made against
cigarette sales and 4% against the sales of other tobacco products. Accordingly, the impact of the
buyout legislation is less significant in relation to the sale of smokeless tobacco products than
for cigarettes. However, if sales of our smokeless tobacco products increase substantially, we
would have increased obligations under the buyout legislation.
The tobacco industry is subject to substantial and increasing federal, state and local excise
taxes.
The federal excise tax on smokeless tobacco products is substantially lower than the excise
tax for cigarettes, but smokeless tobacco products are subject to substantial and increasing excise
taxes. On April 1, 2009 the federal excise tax for snuff increased to $1.51 per pound from $0.585
per pound. Also, it is possible that increased use of smokeless tobacco products could result in
more stringent regulation. A number of states have recently considered increases in state excise
taxes on smoked and smokeless tobacco products, and while one state has no excise tax on smokeless
tobacco products, that state could choose to institute an excise tax and states that currently have
an excise tax could choose to increase their tax rate. Further, state excise tax rates vary
considerably. For example, the states of Alabama and Maine tax smokeless products at a rate of 12
cents per ounce and $2.02 per ounce, respectively, while the states of South Carolina and Wisconsin
impose an excise tax of 5.0% and 100% of wholesale cost, respectively. New or increased excise
taxes may result in declines in sales volume for the industry generally, and our low-TSNA smokeless
tobacco products in particular. This result could adversely affect our operating income and cash
flows.
26
We have had substantial obligations under state laws adopted under the Master Settlement
Agreement.
In November 1998, 46 states and the District of Columbia, or the Settling States, entered into
the Master Settlement Agreement, or MSA, to resolve litigation that had been instituted against the
major tobacco manufacturers. We did not join the MSA and, as a non-participating manufacturer, we
were required to satisfy certain escrow obligations pursuant to statutes that the MSA required the
Settling States to adopt in order for such states to receive the full benefits of the settlement.
On March 14, 2007, we sold the rights, title and interest in and to all income from and
reversionary interest in our MSA escrow accounts, including our 2006 MSA escrow deposits made in
April 2007. Although we sold the rights in and to all income from and reversionary interest in the
funds deposited into the MSA escrow accounts for the years up to and including 2006, these MSA
escrow funds remain in our name and the principal amount of these accounts will be available to
satisfy portions of any state judgments or settlements for the type of claims asserted against the
major tobacco manufacturers in the suits that resulted in the negotiation of the MSA, if such
claims are successfully asserted in litigation against us in the future beacus of our prior
cigarette sales.
In May 2007, we entered into a license agreement with Tantus for the exclusive licensing of
our cigarette trademarks Sport ®,
MainStreet® and GSmoke®. We ceased manufacturing cigarettes in
June 2007 and, thereafter, we withdrew the certifications for cigarette sales that we previously
had obtained in all applicable Settling States. Given the discontinuation of our cigarette
operations in June 2007 we did not have any MSA obligation for cigarette sales in MSA states in
2008 and 2009, and do not anticipate having MSA escrow obligations in the future.
We may be assessed additional sales and use taxes by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In 2002, the Virginia Department of Taxation asserted a Virginia Sales and Use Tax assessment
for the period January 1, 1999, through March 31, 2002, against us with respect to our
tobacco-curing barns in the amount of $860,115. We applied for a correction of the assessment and a
total abatement of the tax on the grounds that our barns are exempt from sales and use taxes under
the industrial use and processing exemption and/or the agricultural exemption. In a letter dated
October 7, 2004, our company received notification from the Commonwealth of Virginia that an
adverse decision had been made by the Commissioner of Taxation with respect to the sales and use
tax assessment previously issued to our company. The sales and use tax assessment plus penalties
and interest together, as of December 5, 2009, totaled $1,361,806. We continue to challenge this
assessment and have filed a request for reconsideration with the Commissioner of Taxation, and are
prepared to take judicial action if the result of the administrative action is unfavorable. The
filing of the request for reconsideration stays any collection of the tax assessment, although
interest continues to accrue. While we are optimistic that our request for reconsideration will be
accepted based on prior rulings in similar cases, if the assessment is not reversed, we will be
required to pay the tax, penalties and interest due.
Lawsuits may affect our profitability and we have limited insurance coverage for any damages
for which we may become liable.
We are not, nor have we ever been, named as a defendant in any legal proceedings involving
claims arising out of the sale, distribution, manufacture, development, advertising, marketing and
claimed health effects relating to the use of our tobacco products. While we believe that the risk
of being named a defendant in such a lawsuit is relatively low, we may be named as a defendant in
the future as there has been a noteworthy increase in the number of these cases pending. Punitive
damages, often in amounts ranging into the hundreds of millions, or even billions of dollars, are
asserted in a number of these cases in addition to compensatory and other damages. In the past, we
maintained product liability insurance only with respect to claims that tobacco products
manufactured by or for us contained any foreign object, i.e. any object that is not intended to be
included in the manufactured product. We currently do not maintain such insurance. The product
liability insurance we previously maintained did not cover health-related claims such as those that
have been made against the major manufacturers of tobacco products. We currently do not have and do
not believe that such insurance coverage for health-related claims can be obtained. Beginning in
2001, we embarked on the test market and distribution of new smokeless tobacco products. If, in the
future, we are named as a defendant in any actions related to our smokeless tobacco products, we
will not have insurance coverage for damages relating to any such claims, which could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition. We intend to introduce into test market a
non-nicotine nutraceutical (CigRx) in 2010. If we are not able to obtain product liability
insurance for this product, we will have to self insure against any legal claims relating to
product defects or arising out of the sale, distribution and marketing of the CigRx product. Such
claims if they resulted in an adverse decision against us, could have a materially adverse effect
on our financial condition.
27
If we do not effectively manage our growth, we may be unable to successfully develop, market
and sell our products.
Our future revenue and operating results will depend on our ability to manage the anticipated
growth of our business. If we are successful in increasing market acceptance for our products, we
will be required to manage substantial volume from our customers. To accommodate any such growth
and compete effectively, we will be required to attract, integrate, motivate and retain additional
highly skilled sales, technical and other employees. We face competition for these people. Our
ability to successfully manage such volume also will be dependent on our ability to scale up our
tobacco processing and production operations. There can be no assurance that we can overcome the
challenge of scaling up our processing and production operations or that our personnel, systems,
procedures and controls will be adequate to support our future operations. Any failure to implement
and improve our operational, financial and management systems or to attract, integrate, motivate
and retain additional employees required by future growth, if any, could have a material and
adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We may lose our key personnel or fail to attract and retain additional personnel.
We are highly dependent upon the continued services of our senior management team for our
continued success. The loss of any one of Jonnie R. Williams, our Chief Executive Officer, Paul L.
Perito, our Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer, David M. Dean, our Vice President of
Sales and Marketing, Park A. Dodd III, our Chief Financial Officer, Robert E. Pokusa, our General
Counsel or Curtis Wright, M.D., MPH, Senior Vice-President Medical/Clinical Director of Rock Creek
could have a serious negative impact upon our business and operating results.
Our future success depends in large part on our ability to attract and retain, on a continuing
basis, consulting services from highly qualified scientific, technical, management, financial and
marketing personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense and there can be no assurance that
we will be able to attract and retain the personnel necessary for the development and operation of
our business or that given the operating losses that we have suffered over the past seven years
that we will have the financial ability to do so. The loss of the services of key personnel or the
termination of relationships with independent scientific and medical investigators could have a
material and adverse effect on our business.
Our directors and executive officers own a large percentage of our voting stock, which allows
them to exercise significant control over us, and they may make decisions with which you disagree.
Based on stock ownership as of March 15, 2010, our directors and executive officers and their
affiliates, own an aggregate of approximately 16.3% of our outstanding common stock. As a result,
these persons acting together may have the ability to influence matters submitted to our
stockholders for approval and to control the management and affairs of our company. This
concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our
company, impede a merger, consolidation, or takeover or other business combination, or discourage a
potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control. This concentration of control could also have
a negative effect on the market price of our shares.
28
Our stock price has been and may continue to be volatile and an investment in our common stock
could suffer a decline in value.
The trading price of the shares of our common stock has been, and may continue to be, highly
volatile. Our stock has traded at prices ranging from $5.89 to $0.51 during 2008 and 2009. We
receive only limited attention from securities analysts and may experience an imbalance between
supply and demand for our common stock resulting from low trading volumes. The market price of our
common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors, most of which are
beyond our control, including the following:
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developments related to our patents or other proprietary rights, including
developments in our litigation against RJR; |
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developments in our efforts to market smokeless tobacco products; |
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our success in developing a non-nicotine nutraceutical to help balance the
metabolism of former tobacco user or persons looking to stop tobacco use, a
pharmaceutical product to treat tobacco-related dependence and related pharmaceutical
and nutraceutical products; |
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announcements of new products, technological innovations, contracts, acquisitions,
financings, corporate partnerships or joint ventures by us or our competitors; |
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negative regulatory action or regulatory approval with respect to our products or
our competitors products; and |
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market conditions for the tobacco, pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industries
in general. |
The stock market has, from time to time, and in particular over the last 24 months,
experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices
for small companies, and which have
often been unrelated to their operating performance or prospects for future operations. These
broad fluctuations may adversely impact the market price of our common stock. In addition, sales
of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market could lower the market price of our
common stock.
On November 5, 2009, we received a Nasdaq Staff Deficiency Letter, indicating that we were
not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing set forth in NASDAQ
Marketplace Rule 5450(a)(1), because the bid price per share of the our common stock closed below
$1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days. The letter also stated that in accordance with
Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we will be provided 180 calendar days, or until May 4, 2010,
to regain compliance with the minimum bid price rule. In its letter, Nasdaq indicated that if, at
any time prior to May 4, 2010, the closing bid price of our common stock remains at or above
$1.00 per share for at least 10 consecutive business days, Nasdaq
will likely provide us with written
conformation of compliance and the matter will be closed. Our deficiency with respect to Nasdaq
Marketplace Rule 5450(a)(1) has no effect on our current listing status on the Nasdaq Global Market
or the ability to trade our shares of common stock. As of March 15,
2010, the closing consolidated bid price of our common stock has
exceeded $1.00 for nine consecutive trading days. If we are unable to regain compliance with
Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we will have to evaluate our options to remain listed on the
Nasdaq Global Market, which could include effectuating a reverse stock split by way of amendment to
our certificate of incorporation or seeking alternative listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Amendment to our certificate of incorporation to effectuate a reverse stock split requires approval
of our shareholders, and there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain such approval.
Additionally, transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market would require our company to be in a position
to meet certain listing standards. If we are unable to continue to meet the Nasdaq listing
requirements, we could face delisting from the Nasdaq Global Market or be unable to qualify for
listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, which could have a negative effect on the market price of our
common stock.
Our research & development efforts may not result in commercially viable products and may
continue to be curtailed by our lack of available research funds.
Our companys research and development efforts have been directed at assessing the impact that
products with reduced toxin levels may have on the range of serious health hazards linked with the
use of conventional smoked and smokeless tobacco products, as well as encouraging scientists in the
U.S. and Europe to pursue TSNA-related research. Since 2007, through our Rock Creek subsidiary, we
also have been exploring the development of botanical based products for the treatment of tobacco
dependence, as well as products that would utilize certain MAO agents in tobacco to treat a range
of neurological conditions, including Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, schizophrenia
depression and non-nicotine nutraceuticals. Our future product development initiatives will be
substantially dependent on our ability to continue our research initiatives and to obtain the
funding necessary to support these initiatives. Our inability to continue these initiatives and
initiate new research and development efforts could result in a failure to develop new products or
to improve our current products, which could have a material and adverse impact on our sales,
operating income and cash flows.
29
We are subject to risks inherent in new product development initiatives, particularly with
respect to our goal of developing pharmaceutical products to treat tobacco-related dependence and
other neurological conditions, which are subject to FDA regulation and approvals, and for related
products such as nutraceuticals.
Our future success is substantially dependent upon implementation of our business strategy
related to our new product initiatives. Since 2007, through our Rock Creek subsidiary, we have been
exploring the development of botanical based products for the treatment of tobacco dependence, as
well as products that would utilize certain MAO agents in tobacco to treat a range of neurological
conditions, including Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, schizophrenia and depression. Rock
Creek also has been involved in pursuing non-nicotine nutraceutical products. These initiatives are
subject to high levels of risk, uncertainties and contingencies, including the challenges inherent
in new product development, FDA regulatory approval for any new pharmaceutical products that we
develop, and FDA regulatory oversight for nutraceuticals and for new tobacco products under the
recently enacted FDA Tobacco Act. Also, tobacco products are subject to multiple, overlapping
federal and state regulations and products derived from tobacco could be classified as tobacco
products or drug products depending on their chemical composition, intended use and claims.
Additionally, the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act provides the FDA with authority over
the production and marketing of dietary supplements. In certain cases DSHEA also requires
notification to the FDA before a company begins to market a dietary supplement and, if structure or
function claims are made for a product in the product labeling, notification of such claims within
thirty days of the introduction of the product into commerce. DSHEA also implements significant
manufacturing and marketing requirements, including that dietary supplements be manufactured under
good manufacturing g practices and that the label, labeling and advertising for such products
meet specific requirements. DSHEA does not require prior approval by the FDA for the introduction
of dietary supplements into the market, but does require that the nutraceutical products being
developed by our Rock Creek subsidiary comply with the requirements of DSHEA prior to and after
their introduction into commerce. If products are manufactured and sold as dietary supplements it
is possible that FDA may challenge the status of a product classification. FDA may also challenge
the types of claims made for a dietary supplement or its indications for use and the FTC also has
jurisdiction over advertising of nutraceuticals and other OTC products.
Rock Creek does not have any pharmaceutical products cleared or approved for
commercialization, or any current sources of revenue. We intend to introduce in 2010 into test
market a non-nicotine nutraceutical (CigRx) developed by Rock Creek, however, our
commercialization of CigRx will have to comply with the requirements of DSHEA, which could cause a
significant delay in fully commercializing this product. The future success of our Rock Creek
business will depend on our ability to obtain regulatory clearance or approval to market new drug
products and our ability to comply with statutory and regulatory requirements for any
nutraceuticals products, create product sales, successfully introduce new products, establish our
sales force and distribution network, and obtain access to additional working capital to finance
our development initiatives, all of which we may be unable to realize. Additionally, if any dietary
supplement developed by us through Rock Creek, is determined to be a pharmaceutical product, as
opposed to a dietary supplement, the product would need to be submitted to the FDA for approval as
a new drug prior to it being sold in the United States.
Even if we develop a viable pharmaceutical product through Rock Creek, we may not obtain or
maintain the necessary FDA approvals for our product, or such approvals may be delayed, which would
mean that we would be unable to commercially distribute and market our product. The process of
seeking regulatory clearance or approval to market a pharmaceutical product is expensive and time
consuming and, notwithstanding the effort and expense incurred, clearance or approval is never
guaranteed. Also, the FDA has substantial discretion in the drug approval process. We cannot
market a drug product in the United States unless it has been approved by the FDA. The FDA approval
process involves, among other things, successfully completing clinical trials under an
Investigational New Drug Application and obtaining a premarket approval after filing a New Drug
Application. Clinical trials are expensive and uncertain. The NDA process would require us to
prove the safety and efficacy of our product to the FDAs satisfaction. If our clinical trials
fail to produce sufficient data to support an NDA, it will take us longer to ultimately
commercialize a product and generate revenue, or the delay could result in our being unable to do
so. Moreover, our development costs will increase if, to achieve sufficient data to support an NDA,
we need to perform more or larger clinical trials than planned. Even if we are successful in
developing a pharmaceutical product, if we are not successful in obtaining timely clearance or
approval of the product from the FDA, we may never be able to generate sufficient revenue to
support the successful commercialization of the product. Also any FDA approved product will be
subject to continuing review and the labeling, packaging, adverse event reporting, storage,
advertising and promotion of any such product will be subject to extensive regulation.
30
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ITEM 1B. |
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UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
We have not received any written comments from the SEC staff regarding our companys Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K in the 180 days preceeding December 31, 2009.
Until February 2010 we occupied approximately 6,000 square feet of office space in Petersburg,
Virginia that housed our executive, marketing and administrative offices. In October 2009, we
sold our Petersburg property and entered into a leaseback of the office space. We expect to end the
Petersburg office lease in April 2010. As of February 2010 we began leasing approximately 2,500
square feet of office space for our executive, marketing and administrative offices in Glen Allen,
Virginia, which is located in the Richmond, Virginia metropolitan area.
Until July 2007, our executive, administrative, legal and scientific offices were located in a
5,600 square foot leased office space in Bethesda, Maryland. We terminated that lease in July 2007
and entered into a lease for a smaller amount of office space in Bethesda. We also have been
utilizing space in a nearby location in Washington, DC to support our executive, administrative and
scientific activities for both Star Scientific and Rock Creek. The Washington, DC area was
selected as the primary location for our executive, administrative, legal and scientific activities
to provide our executives and scientific and medical consultants access to the FDA, National
Institutes of Health and the U.S. National Medical Library, as well as access to the U.S. Congress,
the Executive branch of the federal government and the various related federal agencies located in
the greater Washington, DC area. Rock Creek also has scientific and research offices in
Gloucester, MA consisting of approximately 3,200 square feet of office space.
We lease from the Mecklenburg County Industrial Development Authority approximately nine acres
of land in Chase City, Virginia. This lease also includes a building containing approximately
91,000 square feet of space that accommodates our manufacturing operations, an expanded testing
facility and office space. We have approximately three years remaining on the initial ten-year
portion of the lease for this facility, which is then subject to renegotiation as to the lease
payments for the additional ten years of the lease. We also have an option to buy the property at
any time during the lease.
We believe our manufacturing facilities and other facilities will be sufficient to allow us to
respond to the demand for our smokeless tobacco products for the foreseeable future.
|
|
|
ITEM 3. |
|
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
RJR Litigation
In May 2001, we filed a patent infringement action against RJR in the United States District
Court for Maryland, Southern Division, or District Court, to enforce our companys rights under
U.S. Patent No. 6,202,649 (649 Patent), which claims a process for substantially preventing the
formation of TSNAs in cured tobacco. On July 30, 2002, we filed a second patent infringement
lawsuit against RJR in the District Court based on a new patent issued by the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office on July 30, 2002 (Patent No. 6,425,401). On August 27, 2002 the two suits were
consolidated.
31
In April 2003, the parties filed dispositive Motions for Summary Judgment. After appointment
of a Special Master to prepare Reports and Recommendations, or R&Rs, for the District Court on six
of the Summary Judgment Motions, the District Court adopted without modification the Special
Masters R&Rs, which collectively recommended that the District Court deny RJRs Summary Judgment
Motions, and that our Motion for Summary Judgment on claim construction and definiteness be granted
in part and denied in part. The District Court also issued an order denying RJRs other Motion for
Summary Judgment seeking to limit our damages claim.
On August 17, 2004, the case was transferred from Judge Alexander Williams to Judge Marvin J.
Garbis. Judge Garbis over the next several months issued a series of orders concerning various
aspects of the case and ordered that RJRs defense of inequitable conduct before the patent office
be bifurcated from the remaining issues and tried before Judge Garbis beginning on January 31,
2005. That portion of the case was tried during the period January 31, 2005 to February 8, 2005.
At the conclusion of the bench trial, the District Court advised the parties that it would take the
matter under advisement, and expected to rule on this portion of the case at the same time that it
ruled on two additional Summary Judgment Motions that were filed by RJR on January 25, 2005. On
January 19, 2007, the District Court granted RJRs Motions for Summary Judgment in part and denied these
motions in part. On RJRs Motion for Summary Judgment on the Effective Filing Date of the patents,
the District Court held that September 15, 1999 was the effective filing date, but denied RJR
Summary Judgment of Invalidity with regard to the patents-in-suit. On RJRs Motion for Summary
Judgment on Indefiniteness, the District Court granted the motion on the basis that the term
anaerobic condition was indefinite. On June 26, 2007 the District Court issued its ruling on RJR
inequitable conduct defense. In its ruling the District Court held the two patents unenforceable
due to inequitable conduct in their procurement and a final judgment against our company was
docketed on June 27, 2007. We immediately filed a notice of appeal as to the rulings issued in
January 2007 and as to the ruling on the inequitable conduct defense with the United States Court
of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, or Court of Appeals.
After full briefing by both parties and oral argument on March 7, 2008, the Court of Appeals
on August 25, 2008 issued a unanimous opinion reversing the rulings by the District Court that had
found the patents at issue in the RJR litigation invalid because of inequitable conduct during the
prosecution of the patents and because the patents were indefinite. In October 2008 the case was
remanded to the District Court and on March 9, 2009 the Supreme Court issued an order denying RJRs
Petition for Certiorari. Following remand from the Court of Appeals, the case was tried to a jury
in the District Court between May 18, 2009 and June 16, 2009. At the conclusion of the trial, the
jury returned a verdict in favor of RJR holding that there was no infringement of the two patents
at issue in the case and that the patents were invalid due to anticipation, obviousness,
indefiniteness and failure to disclose best mode. On July 7, 2009, we filed a motion with the
District Court for Judgment as a Matter of Law or, in the Alternative, for a New Trial. That
motion was denied on December 21, 2009 and judgment was entered on the jury verdict that day. We
filed a Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Court of
Appeals on December 22, 2009. The appeal is currently pending and, absent any extensions of time,
our companys opening brief is due to be filed with the Circuit Court on or before April 5, 2010,
RJRs brief is due by May 15, 2010 and our companys reply brief is due by May 29, 2010. Once
briefing has been completed, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals will assign a date for oral
argument before a three judge panel.
On November 30, 2009, RJR filed a motion for a bill of cost for $442,388.05. RJR also filed a
motion requesting the District Court to determine that this is an exceptional case under 35 USC §
285 and award attorneys fees of approximately $35 million under that provision and/or under 28 USC
§ 1927 on the basis that attorneys fees were unreasonably multiplied during the litigation. As
part of the Orders issued on December 21, 2009, the District Court stayed the motion for attorneys
fees until after a ruling on the pending appeal and the reexamination before the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office. The Court on January 8, 2010 stayed any further briefing on a renewed petition
for a bill of cost that RJR filed on December 30, 2009. Any potential award of attorneys fees
should be eliminated if the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturns the jury verdict in
the District Court or if the claims at issue in the reexamination proceeding in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office are determined to be valid, and any award of costs should also be eliminated if
the Federal Circuit overturns the jury verdict in favor of RJR. Because the likelihood of an
unfavorable ruling on the fee motion and bill of cost is not determinable at this time and the
amount of any potential assessment cannot be reasonably estimated, no amounts have been accrued for
these items in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
32
On May 29, 2009, we filed a new complaint against RJR for patent infringement during the
period beginning 2003 through the filing date of the complaint. In an Order dated January 8, 2010,
the Court stayed any further action in this case until after a ruling on the appeal in the initial
infringement action against RJR. The future prosecution of the new complaint will be dependant on
our achieving a reversal of the jury verdict of invalidity in our initial RJR action.
On December 31, 2008 and January 2, 2009, RJR filed requests in the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office to reexamine the two patents that are the subject of the patent infringement litigations
described above. In February and March 2009, the Patent and Trademark Office granted the
reexamination requests, agreeing to review the patentability of the subject matter claims 4, 12 and
20 of the 649 patent and claim 41 of the 401 patent . On September 11, 2009 the Patent and
Trademark Office issued a first office action in both cases. On October 22, 2009 we participated in
an interview with the panel considering this matter and a written response to the first office
action was filed on November 10, 2009. The reexamination process is ongoing.
We entered into fee arrangements with counsel in several litigation and related matters under
which certain costs related to the litigation are being advanced by counsel on our companys
behalf. Given the contingent nature and the fact that a probability assessment of liability cannot
be made at this time, no accrual has been made for this contingent liability. We have paid or
accrued all existing obligations. Also, as part of our fee arrangements in certain of these
matters, we have agreed to pay counsel a percentage of any damage awards and a percentage of the
resulting payments we actually receive in the event that the litigation is resolved in our favor,
in return for a cap on fee payments during the litigation.
Internal Revenue Service Examination
In 2004, we were notified that our Companys 2001 tax return had been selected for examination
by the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS. In the course of its conduct of this examination, the IRS
expanded the scope of the examination to include all of our companys returns that had been filed
for the years ended December 31, 2002 through 2004. In 2005, our request for a private letter
ruling, or PLR, which related to the years under IRS examination, was resolved generally in our
favor and an amended private letter ruling, or Amended PLR, was issued by the IRS in January 2009.
The Amended PLR confirmed that our companys deductions taken for MSA escrow payments, which were
the subject of the IRS ongoing audit for tax years 2001 through 2004 and a pending tax appeal, were
fully deductible and appropriate in the years taken. Based on the Amended PLR, we entered into a
closing agreement with the IRS which confirmed the deductions taken for those years and,
thereafter, the IRS confirmed that our companys tax returns for the years 2001 through 2004 were
correct as filed. As a result of the notification by the IRS in the Amended PLR, we reversed our
position of recording this income tax expense as of December 31, 2008, which resulted in a $2.2
million income tax benefit.
Virginia Sales and Use Tax Assessment
In 2002, the Virginia Department of Taxation asserted a Virginia Sales and Use Tax assessment
for the period January 1, 1999, through March 31, 2002, against our company with respect to our
tobacco-curing barns in the amount of $860,115. We applied for a correction of the assessment and a
total abatement of the tax on the grounds that our barns are exempt from sales and use taxes under
the industrial use and processing exemption and/or the agricultural exemption. In a letter dated
October 7, 2004, we received notification from the Commonwealth of Virginia that an adverse
decision had been made by the Commissioner of Taxation with respect to the sales and use tax
assessment previously issued to us. The sales and use tax assessment plus penalties and interest
together, as of December 5, 2009, totaled $1,361,806. We continue to challenge this assessment and
filed a request for reconsideration with the Commissioner of Taxation, and are prepared to file a
judicial action if the administrative action is not favorable. The filing of the request for
reconsideration stays any collection of the tax assessment, although interest continues to accrue.
While we are optimistic that the request for reconsideration will be accepted based on prior
rulings in similar cases, if the assessment is not reversed we will be required to pay the tax,
penalties and interest due.
Except as set forth above, there are no other litigation matters pending that could be
expected to materially harm our results of operations and financial condition.
ITEM
4. (RESERVED AND REMOVED)
33
PART II
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ITEM 5. |
|
MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
Our companys common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, or Common Stock, is traded on the
NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol CIGX formerly STSI. Set forth below are the high and low
sales prices for each full quarterly period during 2008 and 2009, as reported by NASDAQ. From time
to time, during the periods indicated, trading activity in the Common Stock was infrequent. As of
March 15, 2010, there were approximately 643 registered holders of Common Stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
High |
|
|
Low |
|
|
High |
|
|
Low |
|
Quarter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First |
|
$ |
4.75 |
|
|
$ |
2.11 |
|
|
$ |
2.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.74 |
|
Second |
|
|
5.89 |
|
|
|
0.84 |
|
|
|
2.05 |
|
|
|
1.19 |
|
Third |
|
|
1.15 |
|
|
|
0.84 |
|
|
|
4.19 |
|
|
|
1.06 |
|
Fourth |
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
0.51 |
|
|
|
4.20 |
|
|
|
1.40 |
|
We have never paid dividends on our Common Stock, and our Board of Directors currently
intends to retain any earnings for use in our business for the foreseeable future. Any future
determination as to the payment of such cash dividends would depend on a number of factors
including future earnings, results of operations, capital requirements, our financial condition and
any restrictions under credit agreements outstanding at the time, as well as such other factors as
the Board of Directors might deem relevant. No assurance can be given that we will pay any
dividends in the future.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan
The following table provides certain information as of December 31, 2009, with respect to our
equity compensation plans under which Common Stock is authorized for issuance:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
Average |
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
to be Issued Upon |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Remaining Available |
|
|
|
Exercise of |
|
|
Price of |
|
|
for Future Issuance |
|
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Under Equity |
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
Options |
|
|
Compensation Plans |
|
Plan Category |
|
and Rights(1) |
|
|
and Rights |
|
|
(excluding Column (a)) |
|
|
|
(a) |
|
|
(b) |
|
|
(c) |
|
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Shareholders |
|
|
4,555,200 |
|
|
$ |
2.28 |
|
|
|
3,845,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
We have also granted warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock to two consultants.
Specifically, on December 20, 2000, we issued 210,526 warrants to purchase shares of Common
Stock at an exercise price of $2.375 to a consultant. These warrants fully vested on the date
of issuance and expire on December 20, 2010. We also issued 200,000 warrants to purchase
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.02 on March 20, 2002 to another consultant.
The 200,000 warrants were fully exercised in 2008 through a cashless exercise provision in the
warrants that resulted in the issuance of 81,488 shares of Common Stock to the consultant and
the cancellation of the warrant. |
34
Five-year financial performance graph: 2005-2009
Comparison of five-year cumulative return among Star Scientific, the S&P Tobacco Industry Group,
and the S&P Composite
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|
|
|
|
FISCAL YEAR ENDING |
|
COMPANY / INDEX / MARKET |
|
2004 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
Star Scientific, Inc. |
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
46.21 |
|
|
|
63.91 |
|
|
|
15.65 |
|
|
|
75.32 |
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
S&P Tobacco Group |
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
125.19 |
|
|
|
152.93 |
|
|
|
183.29 |
|
|
|
149.84 |
|
|
|
188.21 |
|
S&P Composite |
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
104.91 |
|
|
|
121.48 |
|
|
|
128.16 |
|
|
|
80.74 |
|
|
|
102.11 |
|
The current composition of S&P Industry Group 30203010 Tobacco is as follows:
ALTRIA GROUP, INC.
PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
LORILLARD, INC.
REYNOLDS AMERICAN, INC.
The Stock Performance Graph shall not be deemed to be soliciting materials or to be filed
with the SEC or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, or Exchange Act. In addition, it shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any
statement that incorporates this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference into any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent
that we specifically incorporate this information by reference.
35
Option Grants and Stock Awards
In 2009, we granted our directors, or the Purchaser Class, options to purchase Common Stock as
described in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed during 2009 or during the fourth quarter of
2009 from our companys 2008 Incentive Award Plan. On October 11, 2009, 50,000 options for shares
of Common Stock with an exercise price of $0.95 were granted to one member of the Purchaser Class
and on November 20, 2009, 50,000 options for shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.74
were granted to one member of the Purchaser Class. On December 23, 2000 we granted an aggregate of
186,000 shares of common stock under our companys 2008 Incentive Award Plan to ten employees of
Star Tobacco, Inc. at a price of $0.63 per share.
|
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|
ITEM 6. |
|
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
The selected consolidated financial data of our company, for and as of the end of each of the
periods indicated in the five-year period ended December 31, 2009, have been derived from our
companys audited consolidated financial statements. The selected consolidated financial data
should be read in conjunction with Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and our consolidated financial statements and the related
notes included in Item 15 of this Report.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data) |
|
Statement of Operations Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
708 |
|
|
$ |
451 |
|
|
$ |
482 |
|
|
$ |
391 |
|
|
$ |
181 |
|
Cost of goods sold (excludes federal excise tax) |
|
|
2,612 |
|
|
|
2,116 |
|
|
|
2,067 |
|
|
|
1,791 |
|
|
|
2,949 |
|
Gross margin (loss) |
|
|
(1,920 |
) |
|
|
(1,672 |
) |
|
|
(1,604 |
) |
|
|
(1,404 |
) |
|
|
(2,771 |
) |
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes |
|
|
(22,800 |
) |
|
|
(20,564 |
) |
|
|
(40,882 |
) |
|
|
(13,790 |
) |
|
|
(24,836 |
) |
Discontinued operations income(loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(451 |
) |
|
|
1,505 |
|
|
|
(225 |
) |
Net income (loss) |
|
|
(22,800 |
) |
|
|
(18,339 |
) |
|
|
(41,458 |
) |
|
|
(12,285 |
) |
|
|
(25,062 |
) |
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations |
|
$ |
(0.22 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.20 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.51 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.18 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.34 |
) |
Discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Total basic and diluted income (loss) per share |
|
$ |
(0.22 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.20 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.52 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.16 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.34 |
) |
Weighted average shares outstanding |
|
|
101,907 |
|
|
|
89,844 |
|
|
|
80,395 |
|
|
|
77,836 |
|
|
|
73,096 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data) |
|
Balance Sheet Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
12,360 |
|
|
$ |
6,473 |
|
|
$ |
8,881 |
|
|
$ |
4,297 |
|
|
$ |
7,703 |
|
Property and equipment |
|
|
1,057 |
|
|
|
1,668 |
|
|
|
1,986 |
|
|
|
9,515 |
|
|
|
15,182 |
|
MSA escrow funds |
|
|
365 |
|
|
|
365 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
38,329 |
|
|
|
33,396 |
|
Discontinued operations assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,041 |
|
|
|
4,814 |
|
Total assets |
|
|
15,234 |
|
|
|
12,252 |
|
|
|
14,827 |
|
|
|
60,937 |
|
|
|
69,517 |
|
Long-term obligations |
|
|
7,518 |
|
|
|
9,499 |
|
|
|
11,111 |
|
|
|
14,975 |
|
|
|
34,227 |
|
Discontinued operations liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,443 |
|
|
|
1,277 |
|
Stockholders equity (deficit) |
|
|
2,288 |
|
|
|
(498 |
) |
|
|
(1,988 |
) |
|
|
38,909 |
|
|
|
23,330 |
|
36
|
|
|
ITEM 7. |
|
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS |
The following discussion provides an assessment of our consolidated results of operations,
capital resources, and liquidity and should be read together with our consolidated financial
statements and related notes included in Item 15 of this Report. This discussion includes
forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties and
should be read together with Item 1A. Risk Factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking
Statements elsewhere in this Report.
Overview
We are a technology-oriented company with a mission to reduce the harm associated with the use
of tobacco at every level. We are primarily engaged in:
|
|
|
the development, implementation and licensing of our proprietary technology for the
curing of tobacco so as to substantially prevent the formation of carcinogenic toxins
present in tobacco and tobacco smoke, primarily the tobacco-specific nitrosamines, or
TSNAs; |
|
|
|
the manufacture, sales, marketing and/or development of very low-TSNA dissolvable
smokeless tobacco products that carry enhanced warnings beyond those required by the
Surgeon General, including ARIVA® compressed powdered tobacco cigalett® pieces and
STONEWALL Hard Snuff® and modified risk tobacco products, as defined in the FDA
Tobacco Act; |
|
|
|
the development of pharmaceutical products, particularly products that have a
botanical, tobacco-based component, that are designed to treat tobacco dependence and a
range of neurological conditions, including Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease,
schizophrenia and depression; and |
|
|
|
The development of non-nicotine nutraceutical products designed to assist
individuals who have ceased using tobacco or who are in the process of stopping tobacco
use maintain a balanced metabolism as well as related non-nicotine products that may be
helpful to consumers in maintaining a healthy metabolism. |
Our long-term focus is the research, development, manufacturing and licensing of technology
that can lessen reliance on and the impact of the use of all forms of tobacco and reduce the range
of serious health hazards associated with the use of smoked and smokeless tobacco. We have pursued
these objectives through the production of very low-TSNA tobacco and related products, particularly
dissolvable smokeless tobacco products, that expose adult tobacco users to substantially lower
levels of toxins as compared to other smoked and smokeless tobacco products and the development of
related pharmaceutical products and non-nicotine nutraceuticals.
We currently are focusing our efforts on the manufacture and sale of ARIVA ® and STONEWALL
Hard Snuff ®, our dissolvable low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products. Additionally, in 2007, we
incorporated a new pharmaceutical subsidiary, Rock Creek to pursue the development of botanical
based products for the treatment of tobacco dependence, as well as products that would utilize
certain MAO agents in tobacco to treat a range of neurological conditions, including Alzheimers
disease, Parkinsons disease, schizophrenia and depression. Rock Creek also has been involved in
pursuing non-nicotine nutraceutical products that may assist persons who have ceased using tobacco
or who are in the process of stopping tobacco use maintain a balanced metabolism and related
non-nicotine products that may be helpful to consumers in maintaining a health metabolism. We
anticipate introducing a non-nicotine nutraceutical CigRx for test market in 2010. In the past we
deferred the initiation and continuation of certain research projects by Star Scientific because of
the lack of working capital. Our success in promoting the sale of our low-TSNA dissolvable
smokeless tobacco products and our ability to resume research
activities by Star Scientific and continue the research efforts by Rock Creek will in large
part depend on our working capital constraints, ability to procure funding for these initiatives,
and the successful outcome of our ongoing patent infringement litigation with RJR.
37
Over the last several years, we have expended significant time and resources on our ongoing
patent infringement litigation with RJR, the development of ARIVA® and STONEWALL Hard Snuff®, our
low-TSNA dissolvable smokeless tobacco products, the license of low-TSNA products and the
technology behind, our StarCured® tobacco curing process, and the initial development efforts of
Rock Creek. Our future success will largely depend on the successful results of these initiatives.
While product licensing royalties and smokeless tobacco sales have been de minimis to date, we
intend to continue our efforts to develop and sell smokeless tobacco products, develop
pharmaceutical products to treat tobacco addiction and a range of neurological conditions and the
development of related non-nicotine nutraceutical products, and to pursue licensing arrangements
for those products and related technology.
Prospects for Our Operations
The recurring losses generated primarily by our smokeless tobacco business continue to impose
significant demands on our liquidity. Product licensing royalties and smokeless tobacco sales have
been de minimis to date. We anticipate introducing into test market in 2010 a non-nicotine
nutraceutical product that may assist persons who have ceased using tobacco or who are in the
process for stopping tobacco use to maintain a balanced metabolism. However, we have not
introduced any nutraceutical product to date. Moreover, given the typical long lead time for
federal approval of pharmaceutical products, we do not expect that Rock Creek will generate any
revenues for the foreseeable future from the sale of pharmaceutical products, but rather that Rock
Creek will focus on the research and development aspects of a range of pharmaceuticals, including
tobacco-based drug products, in addition to the development of non-nicotine nutraceutical products.
Our prospects are dependent on the distribution and consumer acceptance of our low-TSNA
dissolvable smokeless tobacco products, consumer acceptance of the non-nicotine nutraceutical that
we expect to introduce into test market in 2010 and, in the future, the introduction of other
nutraceutical products and pharmaceuticals. They also depend on our continued development of new
low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products, such as the Ariva-BDL smokeless tobacco for which we are
seeking approval from the FDA to market as a modified risk tobacco product and on our ability to
begin generating significant revenues through royalties from the patented tobacco curing process to
which we are the exclusive licensee. However, our ability to generate revenues through sales of
our smokeless tobacco products and the licensing of such products and our patented curing
technology will substantially be dependant upon the successful completion of our ongoing patent
infringement lawsuit against RJR.
We experienced revenue of approximately $0.7 million for 2009 and an operating loss from
continuing operations of approximately $(22.8) million. Overall, the net loss during 2009 was
$(22.8) million. The recurring losses generated by operations continue to impose significant
demands on our companys liquidity. As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately $7.7 million of
working capital, of which approximately $12.4 million was cash and cash equivalents. Since January
1, 2010 through March 15, 2010, our company received proceeds of
approximately $13.8 million.
Absent the exercise of outstanding warrants and options for cash or a substantial improvement in
sales and revenues and/or royalties, we believe that the recent funding will support our operations
through the first quarter 2011, but that it will be necessary to pursue additional sources of funds
to support our operations during the first quarter of 2011. However, depending upon market
conditions and the price of the common stock, we may decide to seek additional funds before that
date.
Smokeless Tobacco. Net Sales were $0.7 million in 2009 compared to $0.5 million in 2008.
STONEWALL Hard Snuff® represents a majority of our hard tobacco sales. We continue to work to
increase the distribution and consumer acceptance of low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products as well as
the improvement of our existing very low-TSNA products, and the development of other smokeless
tobacco products, independently and through alliances with other tobacco manufacturers. While our
working capital constraints over the last several years have limited both our direct marketing of
smokeless products and our research and development efforts, we are introducing in the first
quarter of 2010 three additional blends of our Ariva® low-TSNA smokeless tobacco product
and a new packaging format (10-piece sleeves) for ARIVA®. Also, in February 2010 we submitted
an application with the FDA to have Ariva-BDL designated as a modified risk tobacco product under
the FDA Tobacco Act, based on the fact that this product contains significantly reduced levels of
carcinogenic TSNAs as well as other toxins. We expect to file a similar application for a
Stonewall-BDL product in 2010.
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Development of Tobacco-based Pharmaceutical Products, Non-nicotine Nutraceuticals and Related
Products. In 2007, we incorporated a new pharmaceutical subsidiary, Rock Creek to pursue the
development of botanical based products for the treatment of tobacco dependence, as well as
products that would utilize certain MAO agents in tobacco to treat a range of neurological
conditions, including Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, schizophrenia and depression.
Since that time, Rock Creek also has been involved in pursuing non-nicotine nutraceutical products
that may assist persons who have ceased using tobacco or who are in the process of stopping tobacco
use maintain a balanced metabolism and related non-nicotine products that may be helpful to
consumers in maintaining a health metabolism. Rock Creek operates pursuant to a sublicense under
our exclusive license with Regent Court, which includes patents for producing tobacco with very
low-TSNA levels. The sublicense also covers patents for the use of MAO inhibitors in tobacco to
treat various neurological conditions. It also has independently developed several processes and
products which are the subject of provisional patent applications filed with the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office.
In late 2008 Rock Creek completed a study with 49 cigarette smokers to determine the
effectiveness of STONEWALL Hard Snuff® in relieving cigarette withdrawal symptoms as compared to a
conventional over-the-counter nicotine replacement product used in connection with nicotine
replacement therapy which study also incorporated placebos of each product. Based on the results
of this study, we plan to conduct a study to determine the bioequivalence of the proposed
botanical-based product against similar products used in connection with NRT. Depending upon
results of the bioequivalence study, we plan to consult with FDA to determine FDA requirements for
approval of a botanical-based NRT cessation product for use by adult tobacco users who smoke and/or
use smokeless tobacco products. Through Rock Creek we also are continuing to explore the
development of other pharmaceutical products with clinical claims, as well as a relapse prevention
product to assist smokers during nicotine withdrawal, with the goal of higher quit rates for
long term smokers who have failed in their treatments with conventional NRT smoking cessation
products.
In 2009 Rock Creek also developed a non-nicotine nutraceutical that is intended to temporarily
reduce the desire to smoke. It is expected that this product will be introduced for test market in
2010 under the name CigRx. Rock Creek is currently undertaking a series of research studies
relating to this product and completing other premarket analysis connected with the expected launch
of this product.
Discount Cigarettes. Until June 2007 we manufactured and sold a line of discount cigarette
products. In May 2007, we entered into a license agreement with Tantus for the exclusive license of
our cigarette trademarks MainStreet®, Sport® and GSmoke® in return for licensing fees during the
seven-year term of the license agreement and beyond, if the license is renewed. As part of the
license agreement, we stopped selling cigarettes under the MainStreet®, Sport® and GSmoke® brands
in June 2007 and discontinued our cigarette operations at that time. Although we retain the right
to manufacture and sell other cigarette brands, we are focusing our efforts on the sale of low-TSNA
dissolvable smokeless tobacco products, as opposed to cigarettes, consistent with our expressed
intention to transition form the sale of cigarette products to our low-TSNA smokeless tobacco
products. Accordingly, we have accounted for our cigarette operations as discontinued operations
in our consolidated financial statements beginning with the second quarter of 2007.
Licensing. We have an exclusive, worldwide license from Regent Court under 12 U.S. patents
and 49 foreign patents as well as additional patents pending in the U.S. and foreign countries
relating to methods to substantially prevent the formation of TSNAs in tobacco, including the
StarCured® tobacco curing process and the production of very low-TSNA tobacco products. The
StarCured® tobacco curing process involves the control of certain conditions in tobacco curing
barns, and in certain applications, the use of microwave and/or electronic beam technology. The
StarCured® process substantially prevents the formation in the tobacco leaf of the carcinogenic
TSNAs, which are widely believed by medical and scientific experts to be among the most abundant
and powerful cancer-causing toxins present in tobacco and in tobacco smoke. Two of the patents
under our license with Regent
Court that relate to our method for producing low-TSNA tobacco are the subject of our ongoing
lawsuit against RJR and a related patent reexamination before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
See Item 3 Legal Proceedings for further details.
39
We continue to pursue means of collecting royalties with respect to this curing technology
through licensing arrangements and through our patent infringement lawsuit against RJR. Any
royalties arising from the license of our curing technology will be dependent on the successful
completion of our patent litigation against RJR. While licensing of our exclusive patent rights is
a major potential source of additional revenue for us, full realization of this potential also will
depend on our ability to successfully defend and enforce our patent rights.
Federal and State Legislation Relating to Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco Products. On
June 22, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco
Control Act, or FDA Act. The FDA Act provides the FDA, with broad authority over all tobacco
products through a new division within the FDA (The Center for Tobacco Products). The FDA Act
contains broad changes in the way tobacco products will be regulated, manufactured and sold,
including expanded warnings on all tobacco products and restrictions on the manner in which tobacco
products may be marketed. Many of the changes specified in the FDA Act will be implemented
gradually over a period of six months to three years from enactment. Tobacco Manufacturers were
required to register with the FDA by February 28, 2010 and new labeling requirements with expanded
health warnings will become effective one year after the date of enactment. The FDA Act does
permit companies to apply to have products designated as modified risk tobacco products and in
February 2010 we filed an application to have our ARIVA-BDL product designated as a modified risk
tobacco product because of the lower levels of toxins (principally the carcinogenic TSNAs) in this
product. We expect to file a similar application for a STONEWALL-BDL product in 2010. The FDA Act
also contains provisions that eventually could be beneficial to us in marking our very-low TSNA
smokeless tobacco products, such as those that would require a listing of various constituent
elements and the publication of ingredients in all tobacco products with notations as to the
harmfulness of those ingredients, but under the provisions of the FDA Act those types of labeling
changes and comparative ingredient information will not be put into place for at least two years.
In the interim, the FDA Act attempts to level the playing field for all tobacco products by
restricting the types of claims and descriptions that can be made with respect to various
components in tobacco products, including any claims relating to reduced levels of toxins or
reduced risk, absent receiving a designation of a product as a modified risk tobacco product.
The FDA Act also imposes user fees on manufactures to cover the cost of the FDA regulatory process
based on sales volumes.
Manufacturers and importers of tobacco products are taxed pursuant to regulations promulgated
by the TTB under authority of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and we have a license
from the TTB to manufacture smokeless tobacco products at our Chase City, Virginia facility. There
are federal requirements for health warnings on smokeless tobacco products under the Comprehensive
Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986, including the submission of labeling plans to the
FTC explaining how a company will comply with the warning label display requirements. Under the
FDA Tobacco Act, labeling plans for Tobacco products will now be submitted in the PDA and the type
of warnings that must be included on packages and labeling for tobacco products will be governed by
the statutory requirements of the FDA Tobacco Act and its implementing regulations. In October
2004, federal legislation also was enacted which eliminated the federal tobacco quota system and
price support system through an industry funded buyout of tobacco growers and quota holders.
Pursuant to the legislation, manufacturers of tobacco products are required to contribute to a fund
that compensates tobacco growers and quota holders for the elimination of their quota rights based
on a manufacturers sales volumes. Given our low sales volumes, such user fees should be de
minimus in 2010. In addition, there have been increased restrictions imposed on the use of tobacco
products at the local and state levels. For example, a number of states have recently sought to
impose limits on flavors that could be used for smoked, as well as smokeless tobacco products, and
there have been increased taxes for tobacco products at the federal, state and local levels. These
as well as other current and future state and federal statutes and regulations could have a
significant impact on our future prospects and results of operations, see Item 1. Business
Government Regulation.
Impact of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, or MSA. In November 1998, 46 states and the
District of Columbia, or the Settling States, entered into the MSA, to resolve litigation that had
been instituted against the major tobacco manufacturers. We did not join the MSA and, as a
non-participating manufacturer, we were required
to satisfy escrow obligations for cigarette sales pursuant to statutes that the MSA required
the Settling States to adopt in order for such states to receive the full benefits of the
settlement. In May 2007, we entered into a license agreement with Tantus for the exclusive license
of our trademarks Sport ®, MainStreet® and GSmoke® and we ceased manufacturing cigarettes in June
2007. Our sales of smokeless tobacco products are not subject to the MSA escrow obligations.
Following the discontinuation of our cigarette operations in June 2007, we withdrew our
certifications for cigarette sales that most of the Settling States had required as part of the MSA
requirements. Given the discontinuation of our cigarette operations, the withdrawal of the
certifications for cigarette sales and the focus on our smokeless tobacco products, we do not
anticipate having material MSA escrow obligations in the future.
40
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, require
estimates and assumptions to be made that affect the reported amounts in our companys consolidated
financial statements and accompanying notes. Some of these estimates require difficult, subjective
and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and, as a result, actual
results could differ from those estimates. Due to the estimation processes involved, the following
summarized accounting policies and their application are considered to be critical to understanding
our business operations, financial condition and results of operations.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when tobacco products are shipped to customers and title passes. We
also record appropriate provisions for rebates and discounts and credits for returns. These
amounts are estimated due to the variability in credits (as a result of promotional programs in the
field), allowances for collectability, and allowances for product which may be returned by
customers after a sale is completed. In order to quantify these estimates, we make quarterly
estimates in these areas based on the available quarterly information and historical experience.
Sales Incentives Estimates
We record consumer incentives and trade promotion activities as a reduction of revenues based
on amounts estimated as being due to customers and consumers at the end of a period. The estimates
are based principally on historical utilization and redemption rates of our products. Such programs
include discounts, coupons, rebates, slotting fees, in-store display incentives and volume-based
incentives. To the extent that redemption rates exceed our estimates, this would increase our
liability related to outstanding coupons.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We review the carrying value of our amortizing long-lived assets whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the historical cost-carrying value of an asset may no longer be
appropriate. We also assess recoverability of the asset by estimating the future undiscounted net
cash flows expected to result from the asset, including eventual disposition. If the estimated
future undiscounted net cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment
loss is recorded equal to the difference between the assets carrying value and its fair value.
Non-amortizing intangibles (trademarks) are reviewed annually for impairment.
Depreciation Estimates
We generally determine depreciation based on the estimated useful lives of the assets and
record depreciation on a straight-line method over such lives. With regard to the tobacco curing
barns, depreciation had been recognized using a units of production method of accounting to more
closely match depreciation with the period during which such depreciation takes place. As of
December 2009 we sold our remaining 37 curing barns.
MSA Escrow Fund
Amounts deposited into MSA escrow accounts are required to be held in escrow for 25 years and
had been reported as a non-current asset in our companys consolidated financial statements, given
the restrictions placed on the use of these funds. In March 2007, we sold the rights, title and
interest in and to all income from and reversionary interest in our MSA escrow accounts, including
our 2006 MSA escrow deposits made in April 2007 for total cash proceeds of approximately $11.6
million in return for assigning to the purchasers the right to interest paid on our companys
escrow fund and to any releases of the escrow principal for any overpayments, or, if these funds
are not used to satisfy judgments or settlements by the Settling States, releases of the principal
on a rolling basis after twenty-five years. As a result of the sale of all rights to the interest
stream and reversionary interest in the MSA escrow funds, we wrote off the value of the MSA escrow
accounts in March 2007, at the time of the transaction. We have maintained separate MSA accounts
for payments made in 2007 and 2008 relating to cigarette sales in 2007. There were no payments
made into escrow in 2009. The amounts held in escrow for 2007 sales total approximately $0.4
million.
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Commitment and contingency accounting
We evaluate each commitment and/or contingency in accordance with the accounting
standards that state that if the item is more likely than not to become a direct liability then
our company will record the liability in the financial statements. If not, we will disclose any
material commitments or contingencies that may arise.
Sale of Licensing Rights
In May 2007, we entered into an exclusive seven-year license agreement with Tantus for the
license of our companys cigarette trademarks Sport ®, MainStreet ® and
GSmoke ® and the sale of an amount of Star Tobaccos inventoried cases of cigarettes
bearing these trademarks. The licensing rights became effective in June 2007, or the Effective
Date. Pursuant to the license agreement, Tantus made an initial payment of $600,000 on the
agreement date and made monthly payments of $100,000 per month until July 2009 and since that time
has been making payments of $3,000 per month which will continue through the remaining five years
of the agreement. As of December 31, 2009, our company has an outstanding note receivable balance
due from Tantus of $0.1 million and we have received payments totaling $3.1 million through
December 31, 2009. While we continue to have the ability to manufacture and sell cigarettes, we
discontinued our cigarette operations in June 2007, and are focusing our efforts on the manufacture
and sale of our dissolvable low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products. Although we continue to hold legal
ownership of the licensed trademarks, we have accounted for this licensing agreement as a sale
since the agreement is non-cancellable, has established a fixed fee for the rights to the
trademarks and our company under the license agreement has no significant obligation to provide
future services beyond maintenance of the trademarks. Therefore, on the Effective Date, we
recorded a gain on the sale of the licensing rights based on the present value of the total
proceeds to be received of approximately $2.9 million using a discount rate of 9.25% net of the
$600,000 payment received on the Effective Date. Given the nature of the license agreement with
Tantus, we also classified our companys cigarette business as a discontinued operation beginning
in the second quarter of 2007. Our results of operations, financial position and cash flows are
separately reported for all periods presented, as the cigarette operations and cash flows have been
eliminated from ongoing operations and we will not have any significant continuing involvement in
these operations.
Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2008
Please refer to Item 5. Selected Financial Data elsewhere in this Report to view the
five-year comparison of our results of operations and selected financial data.
Sales. Gross sales of our dissolvable tobacco products were $0.9 million in 2009, reflecting
a $0.1 increase from 2008 gross sales. Net Sales (gross sales reduced by sales returns and
allowances, cash discount and promotion expenses such as coupons, buy downs and slotting fees) were
$0.7 million in 2009 compared to $0.5 million for 2008 primarily due to our reduction of promotion
expenses and price increases. Volume sales were essentially flat between years. We raised prices
$0.10 per pack on January 1, 2009 and $0.50 per pack on December 1, 2009.
We believe that the acceptance of dissolvable tobacco is adversely impacted by a number of
factors, including, among others: (i) lack of consumer familiarity with the products; (ii) the fact
that dissolvable tobacco requires a change in habit by smokers, i.e. using a smokeless product
rather than a smoked product; (iii) dissolvable tobacco requires Federally mandated smokeless
warning labels that may be unfamiliar to and/or misunderstood by cigarette smokers; (iv) the need
to develop brand name recognition with consumers; and (v) difficulty in obtaining capital required
for large-scale consumer education and marketing directed to adult tobacco users.
Gross Margin. In 2009, overall gross margin loss (net revenue less costs of goods sold and
federal excise taxes) increased to $(1.9) million compared to $(1.7) million in 2008. The negative
gross margin for dissolvable tobacco was due primarily to the underutilization of manufacturing and
packaging equipment. The estimated excess cost was $1.4 million and $1.8 million for 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
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Historically MSA escrow payments have neither been expensed nor accrued for income statement
purposes, but the escrow deposits remained the property of our company on our balance sheet. In
March 2007, we assigned our companys rights to the interest earned on the MSA deposits and to any
releases of principal in return for a payment of approximately $11.6 million, and we wrote off the
value of the MSA escrow deposits at that time. In 2008 we deposited approximately $0.4 million in
escrow for cigarette sales for the year ended December 31, 2007. Amounts deposited into escrow in
2008 remain the property of our company and we receive interest on these deposits. No escrow
payments were required or made in 2009.
Total Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased approximately $1.6 million, or 8.3%, to $20.8 million for
2009 from $19.2 million in 2008. The increase was due to an increase in general and administrative
expenses of $0.4 million, research and development expenses of $1.5 million, and severance costs
related to our tobacco operation reduction in force of $0.6 million, partially offset by reduced
marketing and distribution expenses of $0.9 million.
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Marketing and Distribution Expenses. Marketing and distribution expenses for our
dissolvable tobacco products were $2.6 million in 2009, a decrease of approximately
$0.9 million from approximately $3.5 million in 2008, which reflects decreased expenses
for consumer promotions of $0.2 million and promotional consultants of $0.7 million
and reduced trade show attendance cost of $0.2 million partially offset by a one-time
compensation expense of $0.1 million related to stock grants from our 2008 Incentive
Award program and $0.1 million for marketing consulting. |
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General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses were
approximately $15.8 million in 2009, an increase of approximately $0.4 million from
approximately $15.4 million in 2008. The 2009 expenses included $3.8 million in costs
incurred in connection with the trial of our patent infringement case against RJR in
May and June 2009. The cost in 2008 included a non-cash stock based compensation
charge of $2.8 million related to the issuance of stock options to senior management in
May 2008. In 2009, we had decreased executive travel costs of $0.3 million and a
decrease of $0.1 million in directors and officers insurance premiums. |
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Research and Development Expenses. We expended substantially more on research in
2009 (approximately $1.8 million) compared to our expenditures in 2008 (approximately
$0.3 million). Of this amount, we spent approximately $0.4 million on product
development for our new blends and formula improvements of our dissolvable tobacco
products and approximately $1.4 million for development of our non-nicotine
nutraceutical and for other costs related to Rock Creeks pharmaceutical development
efforts. Given our working capital constraints, our ability to continue our research
efforts and to advance the research and development activities of Rock Creek will
depend on our ability to obtain funding for these initiatives as well as the outcome of
our ongoing patent litigation with RJR. |
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Restructuring. During the quarter ending December 31, 2009, we restructured and
reduced our tobacco sales force and certain general and administrative personnel in
response to the slower than expected sales of our dissolvable tobacco products. As part
of the restructuring effort, we limited the day-to-day activities of our sales force
and are to focusing our companys marketing efforts on store level support and consumer
marketing in Virginia and contiguous states, with the intent of gaining more extensive
market penetration and product acceptance in those areas. Our companys restructuring
efforts were announced on December 3, 2009 and separation dates for effected employees
occurred on various dates through January 31, 2010. The restructuring charge of $0.6
million in our accompanying consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2009 reflects severance in the form of salary and benefit continuation
payments for periods of up to twelve months for employees affected by the restructuring
effort as of the close of business on December 31, 2009. |
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Interest Income/Expense. In 2009, interest income was approximately $0.2 million and interest
expense was approximately $0.4 million for a net interest expense of approximately $0.2 million as
compared to interest income of approximately $0.4 million and interest expense of approximately
$0.7 million for a net interest expense of approximately $0.3 million in 2008. The lower interest
expense, during 2009 reflected reductions in the outstanding balance on our RJR debt and lower
interest rates. The lower interest income during 2009 reflected the decreased interest earned on
available balances in 2009.
Income Tax Benefit/Expense. During 2007 and during the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
pursuant to Generally Accepted Accounting Standards we recorded an expense of $2.2 million for the
uncertainties of our companys returns under examination for the years 2001 through 2004. In 2005,
our request for a private letter ruling which related to the years under IRS examination was
resolved generally in our favor and an amended private letter ruling was issued by the IRS in
January 2009. The Amended PLR confirmed that our companys deductions taken for MSA escrow
payments, which were the subject of the IRS ongoing audit for tax years 2001 through 2004 and a
pending tax appeal, were fully deductible and appropriate in the years taken. Based on the Amended
PLR, we entered into a closing agreement with the IRS which confirmed the deductions taken for
those years and, thereafter, the IRS confirmed that our companys tax returns for the years 2001
through 2004 were correct as filed. As a result of the notification by the IRS in the Amended PLR,
we reversed our position of recording this income tax expense as of December 31, 2008, which
resulted in a $2.2 million income tax benefit. Due to the operating loss for 2009 we had no
income tax expense or benefit to be recognized for last year.
Net
Loss. Our company had a net loss of approximately $(22.8) million in 2009 compared to
approximately $(18.3) million in 2008. The net loss in 2009 reflects the increased cost related to
the trial of the RJR patent infringement case (approximately $3.8 million), increased research cost
(approximately $1.5 million) and a $0.1 million loss on the sale of our remaining tobacco curing
barns, offset, in part, by a gain of approximately $0.2 million relating to the sale of our
Petersburg real estate. The net loss in 2008 reflects the impact of the $0.6 million gain related
to the assignment of purchase rights to one of our leased facilities in Chase City, Virginia.
In 2009, our company had basic and diluted net loss per share of $(0.22) compared to basic and
diluted net loss per share of $(0.20) in 2008.
Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007
Please refer to Item 5. Selected Financial Data elsewhere in this Report to view the
five-year comparison of our results of operations and selected financial data.
Sales. Gross sales of our dissolvable tobacco products were $0.7 million in 2008, reflecting
only a de minimis increase from 2007 gross sales. Net Sales (gross sales reduced by sales returns
and allowances, cash discount and promotion expenses such as coupons, buy downs and slotting fees)
were unchanged at $0.5 million in 2008 substantially consistent with 2007 levels. The wholesale
price per 20-piece pack for our smokeless tobacco products remained unchanged in 2007 and 2008.
In 2007 and 2008 the acceptance of our dissolvable tobacco was adversely impacted by a number
of factors, including, among others: (i) lack of consumer familiarity with the products; (ii) the
fact that dissolvable tobacco requires a change in habit by smokers, i.e. using a smokeless product
rather than a smoked product; (iii) dissolvable tobacco requires Federally mandated smokeless
warning labels that may be unfamiliar to and/or misunderstood by cigarette smokers; (iv) the need
to develop brand name recognition with consumers; and (v) difficulty in obtaining capital required
for large-scale consumer education and marketing directed to adult tobacco users.
Gross Margin. In 2008, overall gross margin loss (net revenue less costs of goods sold and
federal excise taxes) increased to $(1.7) million compared to $(1.6) million in 2007. The negative
gross margin for dissolvable tobacco was due primarily to the underutilization of manufacturing and
packaging equipment. The estimated excess cost was $1.8 million and $1.7 million for 2008 and 2007,
respectively.
Historically MSA escrow payments were neither expensed nor accrued for income statement
purposes, but the escrow deposits remained the property of our company on our balance sheet. In
March 2007, we assigned our companys rights to the interest earned on the MSA deposits and to any
releases of principal in return for a payment of approximately $11.6 million, and we wrote off the
value of the MSA escrow deposits at that time. In 2008 we deposited approximately $0.4 million in
escrow for cigarette sales for the year ended December 31, 2007. Amounts deposited into escrow in
2008 remain the property of our company, and we receive interest on these deposits.
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Total Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased approximately $3.7 million, or 24.0%, to $19.2 million for
2008 from $15.5 million in 2007. The increase was due to additional Marketing and Distribution
expenses of $0.7 million, General and Administrative expenses of $2.7 million and Research and
Development expenses of $0.2 million
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Marketing and Distribution Expenses. Marketing and distribution expenses for our
dissolvable tobacco products were $3.5 million in 2008, an increase of approximately
$0.7 million from approximately $2.8 million in 2007, which reflects increased expenses
for trade-related promotions of $0.3 million and sales personnel of $0.6 million
related to individuals who were reassigned from cigarette sales when that business was
discontinued during 2007, partially offset by a reduction in promotional programs
directed to consumers of $0.2 million. |
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General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses were
approximately $15.2 million in 2008, an increase of approximately $2.6 million from
approximately $12.6 million in 2007. The increase primarily was the result of a $2.8
million noncash charge for stock-based compensation from the issuance of stock options
to senior management in May 2008. Legal expenses increased approximately $0.3 million,
primarily due to expenses related to the appeal of the rulings issued by the District
Court in January and June 2007 and, following the reversal of the those decisions, for
pretrial preparation of our patent infringement litigation against RJR. Additionally,
in 2008, we had increased executive travel costs of $0.8 million, primarily related to
meetings of our Board of Directors and with investors, and reductions in accounting
fees of $0.3 million, director fees of $0.1 million, office rent of $0.3 million and
other general reductions totaling $0.5 million in the aggregate. |
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Research and Development Expenses. Beginning in 2003 we deferred the initiation and
continuation of certain research projects of Star Scientific because of the lack of
working capital and expended de minimis amounts on research in 2008 and 2007. We did
expend approximately $0.3 million in 2008 in product development initiatives aimed at
improving our low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products. Also, since 2007, we have been
exploring the development of a range of botanical-based products for the treatment of
tobacco dependence, as well as products that would utilize certain MAO agents in
tobacco to treat a range of neurological conditions, including Alzheimers disease and
related products through Rock Creek. In 2008, Rock Creek
undertook an initial assessment related to the applicability of low-TSNA tobacco for
pharmaceutical and related applications. |
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Interest Income/Expense. In 2008, interest income was approximately $0.4 million
and interest expense was approximately $0.7 million for a net interest expense of
approximately $0.3 million as compared to interest income of approximately $0.8 million
and interest expense of approximately $1.3 million for a net interest expense of
approximately $0.5 million in 2007. Lower interest expense during 2008 reflected
reductions in the outstanding balance of our debt due to our timely principal payments
and lower interest rates. The lower interest income during 2008 reflected the
decreased interest earned from our MSA escrow accounts as a result of the sale in March
2007 of the interest stream and reversionary interest in the amount deposited into
escrow for sales of cigarettes through 2006. |
Income Tax Benefit/Expense. During 2007 and during the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for
Uncertainties in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48), we recorded an
expense of $2.2 million for the uncertainties of our companys returns under examination for the
years 2001 through 2004. In 2005, our request for a private letter ruling which related to the
years under IRS examination was resolved generally in our favor and an amended private letter
ruling was issued by the IRS in January 2009. The Amended PLR confirmed that our companys
deductions taken for MSA escrow payments, that are the subject of the IRS ongoing audit for tax
years 2001 through 2004 and a pending tax appeal, were fully deductible and appropriate in the
years taken. As a result of the notification by the IRS in the Amended PLR, we reversed our
position of recording this income tax expense as of December 31, 2008, which resulted in a $2.2
million income tax benefit.
45
Discontinued Operations. We had no discontinued operations in 2008. We recorded a loss for
discontinued operations in 2007 of approximately $(0.5) million from the discontinuation of our
cigarette operations in June 2007 after licensing our trademarked cigarette brands to Tantus in May
2007. Under the licensing agreement with Tantus, Star Tobacco continued to have the ability to
manufacture and sell cigarettes; however, we are focusing our efforts on the manufacture and sale
of our dissolvable low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products, as opposed to cigarettes. Marketing and
distribution expenses totaled approximately $2.0 million in 2007. In 2007, there was also a
write-down of equipment for $22,583, as well as a loss for the transfer of salesperson promotional
funds to Tantus of $180,041. We recorded a gain on the sale of the licensing rights under the
Tantus license agreement in the second quarter of 2007 based on the present value of the total
proceeds to be received of approximately $2.9 million using a discount rate of 9.25% net of a
$600,000 payment on the date of the agreement. This resulted in a gain on licensing rights from
discontinued operations of approximately $2.4 million which was recognized during 2007.
Beginning on January 1, 2005, there was an increased cost of approximately $0.50 per carton
for the tobacco farmer buyout legislation. The assessment on cigarettes under the buyout
legislation is included in discontinued operations. The assessment on our smokeless tobacco
products is recorded in continued operations, however, these amounts are de minimis given the level
of our smokeless tobacco sales and the fact that 96% of the USDA assessments are based on cigarette
sales. In 2007, our cigarette sales totaled $10.4 million.
Net Loss. Our company had a net loss of approximately $(18.3) million in 2008 compared to
approximately $(41.5) million in 2007. The net loss in 2008 reflects the approximately $0.6
million gain relating to the assignment of purchase rights to one of our leased facilities in Chase
City, Virginia. The net loss in 2007 reflects the impact of the $(27.0) million loss associated
with the sale of the interest stream and reversionary interest in the MSA escrow accounts, and the
operating loss of approximately $(17.1) million, partially offset by the $3.6 million gain from the
sale of approximately 990 tobacco curing barns as well as the loss from discontinued operations of
approximately $(0.5) million.
In 2008, our company had basic and diluted net loss per share of $(0.20) compared to basic and
diluted net loss per share of $(0.52) in 2007.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our company has been operating at a loss for the past seven years. Our future prospects will
depend on our ability to generate and sustain increased revenue levels in future periods. This
will largely be dependent on the distribution and consumer acceptance of our low-TSNA smokeless
tobacco products as well as the continued development of our low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products,
independently and through alliances with other tobacco manufacturers, and our ability to begin
generating significant revenues through royalties from our patented tobacco curing process and
from the development of pharmaceutical and non-nicotine nutraceutical products by Rock Creek, which
has had no revenue to date. The ability to generate revenues through royalty payments related to
our technology for producing low-TSNA tobacco will be dependent upon the success of our ongoing
patent infringement lawsuit against RJR, which has been pending since 2001, and a determination
that the patents at issue in that case, which are the subject of a reexamination at the U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office, are enforceable. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
46
As of December 31, 2009, we had a working capital surplus of approximately $7.7 million, which
included cash and cash equivalents of approximately $12.4 million. Anticipated future cash needs
during 2010 include:
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litigation costs in connection with the RJR patent infringement trial of
approximately $1.6 million; |
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monthly principal and interest payments of approximately $170,000 until August 2010
when the payment increases to approximately $245,000 in connection with the repayment
of our long-term B&W debt; and |
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funding of other aspects of our current operations in light of continued operating
losses. |
We expect to continue to incur losses in connection with the sale of our smokeless tobacco
products for the foreseeable future. While the retail trade awareness and acceptance of smokeless
tobacco have been increasing year over year, substantially increased consumer sales will be
required to reach a breakeven level for these products. Rock Creek has had no revenues to date.
However, in 2009 Rock Creek developed a non-nicotine nutraceutical that is intended to temporarily
reduce the desire to smoke. It is expected that this product will be introduced for test market in
2010 under the name CigRx. Given the typical long lead time for federal approval of any
pharmaceutical products, we do not expect that Rock Creek will generate any revenues from the sale
of pharmaceutical products for the foreseeable future, but rather that Rock Creek will focus its
efforts on the research and development aspects of a range of pharmaceuticals, including products
having a botanical, tobacco-based component and related non-nicotine nutraceuticals products,
assuming sufficient capital can be generated to support such activities.
Since
January 1, 2010 through March 15, 2010, our company has
received gross proceeds of approximately
$13.8 million through various private placements of our
securities to certain accredited investors. Absent the exercise of outstanding warrants and options
for cash or a substantial
improvement in sales and revenues and/or royalties, we believe that
this recent funding will support
our operations through the first quarter 2011, but that it will be necessary to pursue additional
sources of funds during the first quarter of 2011 to support our
operations following the first quarter of 2011. Depending upon market
conditions and the price of our common stock, we may decide to seek additional funds
before that time. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining such
funding at commercially reasonable terms, if at all.
We expect to continue to pursue opportunities for licensing our low-TSNA smokeless tobacco
products, expanding the sales and marketing efforts for those products, introducing a
non-nicotine nutraceutical product into test market in 2010 and continuing the work of Rock
Creek in developing other pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products . While we may seek to obtain
funds in the future through debt financing, there are significant limitations on our ability to
obtain new debt financing, including our agreements with B&W. Moreover, our ability to raise
future financings on terms acceptable to us (including through the exercise of outstanding
warrants) will depend on a number of factors, including the performance of our stock price and our
operational performance. Any equity financing will be dilutive to our existing shareholders.
Summary of Balances and Recent Sources and Uses
As of December 31, 2009, we had positive working capital of approximately $7.7 million,
consisting of approximately $12.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and approximately $0.1
million of accounts receivable, compared to working capital, of approximately $5.9 million,
consisting of approximately $6.5 million of cash and cash equivalents, and approximately $0.1
million in accounts receivable, as of December 31, 2008.
Our statement of cash flows combines the cash flows generated from discontinued operations
with the cash flows from continuing operations within each of the three categories shown below. As
a result of the licensing agreement with Tantus, our revenues from cigarette sales ceased after
June 2007 and our total revenues have decreased significantly as a result of our exiting the
cigarette business. However, we had been losing money on our cigarette sales for the two quarters
prior to the Tantus transaction, and we have achieved some cash flow savings from the elimination
of our discount cigarette operations. The license agreement with Tantus has provided a stable
source of cash flow from our trademarked brands. Pursuant to the license agreement, Tantus made an
initial payment of $600,000 on the agreement date. Thereafter, Tantus made monthly payments of
$100,000 until July 2009 and, since that time, has been making payments of $3,000 per month which
will continue through the remaining five years of the agreement. As of December 31, 2009, Tantus
has made all payments required by the contract on a timely basis. This transaction was recognized
as a sale of licensing rights and was recorded on a discounted cash flow basis in the second
quarter of 2007.
47
Net Cash From Operating Activities. In 2009, approximately $19.0 million of cash was used in
operating activities compared to approximately $17.8 million of cash used in operating activities
in 2008. The increase is due primarily to higher legal payments for our patent infringement trial
against RJR and development expenses associated with our non-nicotine neutraceutical product.
Net Cash From Investing Activities. During 2009, we generated $1.4 million of cash from
primarily the sale of our remaining 37 tobacco curing barns, the sale of our Petersburg, Virginia
real estate and proceeds from Tantus licensing rights receivable. In 2008, there was approximately
$1.1 million of cash generated primarily by proceeds from the Tantus licensing rights receivable.
Net Cash From Financing Activities. During 2009, we generated net cash of approximately $23.5
million from financing activities. Approximately $25.0 million was generated by the exercise of
common stock options, warrants and the private placement of common stock and warrants, and
partially offset by $1.5 million in the repayment of our long term debt with RJR. In 2008,
approximately $14.9 million was generated in financing activities. Of that amount, $16.5 million
was generated by the private placement of our common stock and warrants and $0.2 million from the
exercise of stock options to purchase common shares. This was offset by $1.7 million for the
repayment of our long-term debt with RJR (the remaining entity from the 2004 combination of RJR and
B&W) against the principal of our outstanding barn loan.
Net Cash Used in MSA Escrow Payments. In March 2007, we assigned all of our rights to the
interest stream and any reversionary interest in the MSA escrow accounts that we deposited for
cigarette sales through 2006. While the escrow accounts will remain in our companys name and be
available to satisfy judgments or settlements by the Settling States for twenty-five years after
deposit, we no longer receive the interest generated by those MSA escrow accounts and have no right
to receive a release of the funds after twenty-five years, to the extent the funds are not used to
satisfy judgments or settlements by the Settling States. In 2008, we deposited approximately $0.4
million into escrow for sale of cigarettes in the Settling States in 2007. We will continue to
receive the interest earned on the approximately $0.4 million deposited into escrow for 2007
cigarette sales. Given the fact that we discontinued the sale of cigarette in June 2007 and
stopped selling cigarettes at that time, we did not have any MSA escrow obligations for cigarette
sales in 2008 and 2009. We do not anticipate having any material MSA obligation for cigarette
sales in 2010.
Cash Demands on Operations
In 2009, our company had operating losses from continuing operations that totaled $(22.8)
million.
In addition, in 2009 we spent a significant amount of money in connection with the development
and protection of our intellectual property portfolio, principally in connection with our patent
infringement litigation against RJR. We recognize that in order to protect and defend our
intellectual property, additional capital will need to be spent in connection with our ongoing
patent litigation matters. Also, we will need to budget for expenditures of funds in connection
with the anticipated development efforts in regard to tobacco-based pharmaceuticals, non-nicotine
nutraceuticals and related products through Rock Creek.
Our inability to improve operations or to raise funds during the next twelve months could have
a material adverse effect on our ability to meet our working capital needs and continue operations.
Contingent Liabilities and Cash Demands
B&W Agreements. Under the Restated Master Agreement with B&W, as amended by letter agreements
dated December 4, 2002 and August 14, 2003, we currently owe approximately $9.5 million on our
long-term tobacco curing barn loan. Interest began to accrue on this debt at prime plus 1% as of
January 1, 2006, and payment of principal and interest is due in 96 monthly payments that began on
January 1, 2006. The debt is unsecured.
Litigation Costs. We have entered into fee arrangements with counsel in several litigation
and related matters under which certain costs related to the litigation are being advanced by
counsel on our behalf. Given the contingent nature and the fact that a probability assessment of
liability cannot be made at this time, no accrual has been made for this contingent liability.
48
We have paid or accrued all existing obligations. Also, as part of our fee arrangements in
certain of these matters, we have agreed to pay counsel a percentage of any damage award and a
percentage of the resulting payments we actually receive in the event that the litigation is
resolved in our favor in return for a cap on fee payments during the litigation.
We are pursuing an appeal in the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals of the judgment entered by
the District Court in December 2009 in our RJR patent infringement litigation. We anticipate
incurring significant expenses in terms of legal fees and costs in connection with this appeal and
the RJR litigation for the foreseeable future.
In the past, we have maintained product liability insurance only with respect to claims that
tobacco products manufactured by or for us contain any foreign object, i.e. any object that is not
intended to be included in the manufactured product. We currently do not maintain such insurance
and as a result are self-insured for this risk. The product liability insurance that we previously
maintained did not cover health-related claims such as those that have been made against the major
manufacturers of tobacco products. We do not believe that such insurance currently can be
obtained. We have never been named as a defendant in any legal proceedings involving claims
arising out of the sale, distribution, manufacture, development, advertising, marketing or claimed
health effects relating to the use of our tobacco products. While we may be named as a defendant
in the future, we believe we have conducted our business in a manner which decreases the risk of
liability in a lawsuit relating to product liability because we have:
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attempted to consistently present to the public the most current information
regarding the health effects of long-term smoking and tobacco use; |
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always acknowledged the addictive nature of nicotine; |
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stated unequivocally that smoking involves a range of serious health risks, is
addictive and that smoked cigarettes products can never be produced in a safe
fashion; and |
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ceased selling cigarettes in June 2007 in favor of our very low-TSNA dissolvable
smokeless tobacco products. |
We intend to introduce into test market a non-nicotine nutraceutical (CigRx) in 2010. If we
are not able to obtain product liability insurance for this product, we will have to self insure
against any claims relating to product defects or claims arising out of the sale, distribution and
marketing of the CigRx product.
Internal Revenue Service Examination. In 2004, we were notified that our companys 2001 tax
return had been selected for examination by the IRS. In the course of its conduct of this
examination, the IRS expanded the scope of the examination to include all of our companys returns
that had been filed for the years ended December 31, 2002 through 2004. In 2005, our request for a
private letter ruling, or PLR, which related to the years under IRS examination, was resolved
generally in our favor and an amended private letter ruling, or Amended PLR, was issued by the IRS
in January 2009. The Amended PLR confirmed that our companys deductions taken for MSA escrow
payments, which were the subject of the IRS ongoing audit for tax years 2001 through 2004 and a
pending tax appeal, were fully deductible and appropriate in the years taken. Based on the Amended
PLR, we entered into a closing agreement with the IRS which confirmed the deductions taken for
those years and, thereafter, the IRS confirmed that our companys tax returns for the years 2001
through 2004 were correct as filed. As a result of the notification by the IRS in the Amended PLR
we reversed our position of recording this income tax expense as of December 31, 2008, which
resulted in a $2.2 million income tax benefit.
49
Virginia Sales and Use Tax Assessment. In a letter dated October 7, 2004, we received notice
from the Commonwealth of Virginia that an adverse decision had been made by the Commissioner of
Taxation with respect to the sales and use tax assessment previously issued to us. The sales and
use tax assessment plus penalties and interest together, as of December 5, 2009, totaled
$1,361,806. We continue to challenge this assessment and have filed a request for reconsideration
with the Commissioner of Taxation, and are prepared to file a judicial action if the administrative
action is not favorable. The filing of the request for reconsideration stays any collection of the
tax assessment, although interest continues to accrue. While we are optimistic that our request
for reconsideration will be accepted based on prior rulings in similar cases, if the assessment is
not reversed, we will be required to pay the tax, penalties and interest due. We do not believe
that it is probable an obligation has been incurred and, as a result, no amounts have been accrued
for this cost in the accompanying financial statements.
Recent Transactions and Potential for Additional Financing
On March 5, 2010
we entered into a Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement (the March 5
Agreement) with certain accredited investors that
were previously issued warrants (each a Warrant Holder and collectively,
the Warrant Holders) exercisable into an aggregate amount
of 3,649,007 shares of our companys common stock, par value $0.0001 per share
(Common Stock), at an exercise price of $3.50 per share (the Prior Warrants).
Pursuant to
the March 5 Agreement, we agreed to issue and sell to the Warrant Holders 3,649,007 shares
of Common Stock in the aggregate at $1.05 per share and amend each of the Prior
Warrants to adjust the exercise price thereof to $1.50 per share (the Amended Warrants)
for gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $3,831,457 (collectively, the March 5
Offering). Other than the adjustment of the exercise price from $3.50 to $1.50 per share,
the terms of the Amended Warrants are identical to terms of the Prior Warrants.
Additionally, the March 5 Agreement grants the Investors certain registration rights with
respect to the Shares purchased pursuant to the March 5 Agreement.
On March 9, 2010, we entered into a Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement (the
March 9 Agreement) with certain accredited investors that were previously issued warrants (each a
Warrant Holder and collectively, the Warrant Holders) exercisable into an aggregate amount of
3,870,969 shares of our companys
common stock
at an
exercise price of $2.00 per share (the Prior Warrants).
Pursuant to the March 9 Agreement, we agreed to issue and sell to the Warrant Holders
1,754,386 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate at $1.14 per share and amend a portion of the
Prior Warrants exercisable into 1,754,386 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate to adjust the
exercise price thereof to $1.50 per share (the Amended Warrants) for gross proceeds to us of
approximately $2,000,000 (collectively, the First March 9 Offering). Other than the adjustment of
the exercise price from $2.00 to $1.50 per share, the terms of the Amended Warrants are identical
to terms of the Prior Warrants. Additionally, the March 9 Agreement grants the Investors certain
registration rights with respect to the Shares purchased pursuant to the March 9 Agreement.
On
March 9, 2010, we also entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement and Registration Rights
Agreement (the Second March 9 Agreement) with certain accredited investors (collectively, the
March 9 Investors), including an executive office of our company (the Executive), to sell
6,757,506 shares of Common Stock (collectively, the Shares) at $1.14 per share and warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 6,757,506 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share
(the Warrants and, together with the Shares, the March 9 Securities). The offering effectuated
by the Second March 9 Agreement is hereinafter referred to as the Second March 9 Offering. In
addition to purchasing his respective shares of Common Stock for $1.14 per share, the Executive
also paid our company $0.125 per Warrant purchased in the Second March 9 Offering for aggregate
gross proceeds to us of approximately $8,000,000. The Warrants are first exercisable six months
after the closing of the Second March 9 Offering and expire five years after the date that the
Warrants are first exercisable. The Warrants are also callable by us if the price of the Common
Stock exceeds $3.00 per share as quoted on an approved market for twenty consecutive trading days.
Additionally, the Second March 9 Agreement grants the Investors certain registration rights with
respect to the Securities.
On March 10, 2010, we also entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement and Registration Rights
Agreement (the March 10 Agreement) with an accredited investor (the March 10 Investor), to sell
769,230 shares of Common Stock (the March 10 Shares) at $1.30 per share and warrants to purchase
an aggregate of 769,230 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share (the March 10 Warrants and, together
with the March 10 Shares, the March 10 Securities) for gross proceeds to us of approximately
$1,000,000. The offering effectuated by the Second March 10 Agreement is hereinafter referred to
as the March 10 Offering. The March 10 Warrants are first exercisable six months after the closing
of the March 10 Offering and expire five years after the date that the March 10 Warrants are first
exercisable. The March 10 Warrants are also callable by us if the price of the Common Stock exceeds
$3.00 per share as quoted on an approved market for twenty consecutive trading days. Additionally,
the March 10 Agreement grants the March 10 Investor certain registration rights with respect to the
March 10 Securities.
On March 12, 2010, we and an Investor in the Second March 9 Offering agreed to amend the
Second March 9 Agreement only to reduce each of the number of shares of Common Stock and Warrants
purchased by such Investor to 1,754,385 from 4,385,965 (the Amended Agreement). After giving
effect to the Amended Agreement, the Second March 9 Offering resulted in gross proceeds to us of
approximately $2,000,000 and a reduction of the amount of the Second March 9 Offering by
approximately $3,000,000.
On March 12, 2010, we also entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement and
Registration Rights Agreement (the March 12 Agreement) with an accredited investor (the March 12
Investor), to sell 1,428,571 shares of Common Stock (collectively, the March 12 Shares) at $1.40
per share and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,428,571 shares of Common Stock at an exercise
price of $1.50 per share (the March 12 Warrants and, together with the Shares, the March 12
Securities) for aggregate gross proceeds to us of approximately $2,000,000. The offering
effectuated by the March 12 Agreement is hereinafter referred to as the March 12 Offering. The
March 12 Warrants are first exercisable six months after the closing of the March 12 Offering and
expire five years after the date that the March 12 Warrants are first exercisable. The March 12
Warrants are also callable by us if the price of the Common Stock exceeds $10.00 per share as
quoted on an approved market for twenty consecutive trading days. Additionally, the March 12
Agreement grants the March 12 Investors certain registration rights with respect to the March 12
Securities.
The offerings referred to above were made only to accredited investors, as such term is
defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. The Company relied on the
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act set forth in Section 4(2)
thereof and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Our company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Item 303(a)(4) of
Regulation S-K.
Contractual Obligations
At December 31, 2009, our companys contractual cash obligations, with initial or remaining
terms in excess of one year, were as follows (in thousands):
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Amount of |
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Commitment ($) |
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Expired By Year |
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Less Than 1 |
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Ended December 31, 2009 |
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More than 5 |
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TOTAL |
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Year |
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1-3 Years |
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3-5 Years |
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Years |
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Long-term Debt |
|
$ |
9,499 |
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$ |
1,981 |
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$ |
4,995 |
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$ |
2,523 |
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|
$ |
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Operating Leases |
|
$ |
1,350 |
|
|
$ |
148 |
|
|
$ |
280 |
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|
$ |
264 |
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|
$ |
658 |
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TOTAL |
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$ |
10,849 |
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$ |
2,129 |
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$ |
5,275 |
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$ |
2,787 |
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$ |
658 |
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Our company had no purchase commitments as of December 31, 2009.
Employment contracts are not included in the above tablefor information on employment
contracts with obligations in excess of one year See Item 11Executive Compensation-Employment
and Severance Agreements
Accounting and Reporting Developments
See Footnote 1 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 15 of this filing.
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ITEM 7A. |
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QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Our company has not entered into any transactions using derivative financial instruments or
derivative commodity instruments and believes that its exposure to market risk associated with
other financial instruments (such as investments and borrowings) and interest rate risk is not
material.
Our companys $9.5 million outstanding debt due to RJR, consisting of long-term loans, bears
an interest rate of prime plus 1%. As a result, our company is subject to interest rate exposure on
those obligations.
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ITEM 8. |
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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
Our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the Report of Cherry, Bekaert &
Holland, L.L.P. is included elsewhere in this Report as described below in Item 15. Exhibits,
Financial Statement Schedules, and is incorporated herein by reference.
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ITEM 9. |
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CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE |
None.
50
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ITEM 9A. |
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CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act management has evaluated, with the
participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our
disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Disclosure
controls and procedures refer to controls and other procedures designed to provide reasonable
assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the
Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in
the rules and forms of the SEC. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation,
controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be
disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and
communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as
appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding our required disclosure. In designing and
evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and
procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of
achieving the desired control objectives, and management was required to apply its judgment in
evaluating and implementing possible controls and procedures.
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded, based on this
evaluation, that as of December 31, 2009, the end of the period covered by this Report, our
disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level.
(b) Managements annual report on internal control over financial reporting.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting, as defined in rules promulgated
under the Exchange Act, is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other
personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. Internal
control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
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pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; |
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provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as
necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP,
and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with
authorizations of our management and our Board of Directors; and |
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provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection
of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a
material effect on our financial statements. |
Our internal controls over financial reporting are evaluated on an ongoing basis by personnel
in our organization. The overall goals of these various evaluation activities are to monitor our
disclosure and internal controls and to make modifications as necessary, as disclosure and internal
controls are intended to be dynamic systems that change (including improvements and corrections) as
conditions warrant. Part of this evaluation is to determine whether there were any significant
deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal controls, or whether we had identified any acts
of fraud involving personnel who have a significant role in the our internal controls. Significant
deficiencies are control issues that could have a significant adverse effect on the ability to
record, process, summarize and report financial data in the financial statements. Material
weaknesses are particularly serious conditions where the internal control does not reduce to a
relatively low level the risk that misstatements caused by error or fraud may occur in amounts that
would be material in relation to the financial statements and not be detected within a timely
period by employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions.
51
Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our companys internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, utilizing the framework established in INTERNAL
CONTROLINTEGRATED FRAMEWORK issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission. Based on this assessment, management has determined that our internal controls over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 were effective.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations.
Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with
respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation
of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures
may deteriorate.
Cherry, Bekaert & Holland L.L.P., an independent registered public accounting firm, has
audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009,
as stated in their report, which appears on page F-2 of Item 15 of this Report.
(c) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
During 2009 in connection with the evaluation of internal controls described above in
paragraph (b) of this Item 9A, we did not identify any areas requiring changes or improvements.
|
|
|
ITEM 9B. |
|
OTHER INFORMATION |
On December 4, 2009, we held the annual meeting of our companys stockholders. The matters
voted upon at the meeting and the corresponding results are set forth
below. See our companys current report on Form 8-K filed on
December 7, 2009 for additional information.
1. |
|
The election of six directors to hold office until the next meeting of stockholders and until
their respective successors have been elected or appointed: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOMINEE |
|
FOR |
|
|
WITHHOLD |
|
Dr. Christopher C. Chapman |
|
|
71,450,858 |
|
|
|
31,197 |
|
Neil L. Chayet |
|
|
71,425,111 |
|
|
|
56,944 |
|
Paul L. Perito |
|
|
70,365,543 |
|
|
|
1,116,512 |
|
Leo S. Tonkin |
|
|
71,319,703 |
|
|
|
162,352 |
|
Alan Weichselbaum |
|
|
71,327,213 |
|
|
|
154,842 |
|
Jonnie R. Williams |
|
|
70,606,550 |
|
|
|
875,505 |
|
2. |
|
Approval of an amendment to Certificate of Incorporation. |
|
|
|
|
|
FOR |
|
AGAINST |
|
ABSTAIN |
65,868,093
|
|
7,222,843
|
|
1,414,871 |
3. |
|
Ratification of the appointment of Cherry, Bekaert, & Holland, L.L.P. as independent auditors
to audit our companys 2009 financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
FOR |
|
AGAINST |
|
ABSTAIN |
73,141,905
|
|
923,897
|
|
440,005 |
52
PART III
|
|
|
ITEM 10. |
|
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
Directors
The following table and text set forth the name, age and positions of each of our directors
elected by our common stockholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
Christopher C. Chapman, Jr., M.D.(1)(2)(3)
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Director |
Neil L. Chayet(2)
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
Director |
Paul L. Perito
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer |
Leo S. Tonkin(1)(2)(3)
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
Director |
Alan Weichselbaum(1)
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
Director |
Jonnie R. Williams
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Member of the Audit Committee. |
|
(2) |
|
Member of the Compensation Committee. |
|
(3) |
|
Member of the Nominating Committee. |
Set forth below is biographical information for each director of our company.
Christopher C. Chapman, Jr., 57, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since
September 2005. Since its inception in 1999, Dr. Chapman has served as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Chapman Pharmaceutical Consulting, Inc., which provides expert medical consultation on
the development and management of domestic and global product development programs for biotech,
pharmaceutical and medical device products. He served as Senior Director of Medical Affairs with
Quintiles/BRI, the largest contract research organization in the U.S., from 1995 until 2000. In
that capacity, Dr. Chapman had oversight responsibility for the support of new drug
applications, clinical studies and device submissions to the FDA for approval. From 1992 until
1994, Dr. Chapman was Medical Director at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. He currently serves as
Chairman of the Chapman Pharmaceutical Health Foundation and is also a member of the Board of
Directors of Biovest International, Inc. and Acentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Chapman is a
graduate of the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Chapman was nominated to serve on our Board of Directors in connection with our companys
increased efforts to expand the acceptance of our very-low TSNA smokeless tobacco products as a
viable alternative to more toxic forms of tobacco and at the time that our company was seeking to
establish a pharmaceutical subsidiary that would focus on tobacco-based products, including FDA
approved cessation products. Dr. Chapmans training as a physician and his experience in the
biotech and pharmaceutical areas, particularly his experience in dealing with new drug
applications, clinical studies and device submissions, lead our Board of Directors to conclude that
he could provide valuable assistance in connection with the development of both our low-TSNA
smokeless tobacco products and the anticipated activities of a new subsidiary that would focus on
tobacco-based pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals and related products. Consistent with Dr. Chapmans
areas of expertise, he has served as a director of our pharmaceutical subsidiary, Rock Creek, since
its incorporation in 2007 and has been active in advising our company on issues relating to new
drug development and the potential for the expansion of our companys mission in the area of
pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products.
Neil L. Chayet, 71, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since September 2007.
Mr. Chayet is President of Chayet Communications Group, Inc., a consulting organization that
specializes in building deep coalitions to address difficult public policy issues, including
those related to health care, addiction and mental health services, energy, and communications.
Mr. Chayet is a member of the faculty of the Harvard Medical School, serving in the Department of
Psychiatry and at McLean Hospital. He is also a member of the faculties of the Tufts University
School of Dental Medicine and the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, and
serves as a member of the Board of the Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts.
He is Vice President of the Harvard Law School Association. Mr. Chayet also serves as a member of
the Board of MassINC, the Board of Mass. Humanities, and the Board of Associates of the Whitehead
Institute for Biomedical Research. He previously served as the Chairman of the Massachusetts
Mental Health Institute, Inc., a member of the Research Grants Review Committee for the Studies of
Narcotic Drug Abuse at the National Institute of Mental Health, and was a Delegate to the U.N.
Conference on Psychotropic Substances, which followed the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
Since 1976, Mr. Chayet has hosted a daily radio feature, Looking at the LawTM,
which is syndicated
by CBS, and he frequently lectures on topics related to the intersection of health sciences and the
law. Mr. Chayet earned an undergraduate degree from Tufts University in 1960, and a law degree
from Harvard Law School in 1963. In April 2007, Mr. Chayet received the Civic Achievement Award
from the American Jewish Committee.
53
Mr. Chayet was nominated to serve on our Board of Directors shortly after our company formed
its pharmaceutical subsidiary, Rock Creek. As part of his legal and
consulting practice, Mr Chayet for many years
has been involved with issues relating to the healthcare field and the intersection of health
science and the law. Given the public health aspects of tobacco use, the related mission of our
company to reduce the harm associated with tobacco use and the expectation that Congress would
eventually grant the FDA authority over tobacco products, our Board
of Directors believed that Mr.
Chayet could provide unique insight and assistance to our company as we sought to grow our
pharmaceutical business and continue the development of very-low TSNA smokeless tobacco products.
Like Dr. Chapman, Mr. Chayet has provided valuable counsel and guidance as a member of the Board of
Rock Creek, in addition to serving as a member of our Board of Directors.
Paul L. Perito, 73, is our companys President and Chief Operating Officer and has served in
that capacity since November 1999. He has served as a member of our Board of Directors since
December 1999 and as the Chairman of our Board of Directors since August 2000. Mr. Perito served
as our companys Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Ethics Officer from June 1999
through November 1999. Previously, Mr. Perito was a senior partner in the law firm of Paul,
Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, or PHJ&W, from July 1991 until June 1999 when he became a senior
counsel to the firm at the time he joined our company. Mr. Perito resigned his position as senior
counsel to PHJ&W as of March 31, 2001, after serving as National Co-Chair of the White Collar
Corporate Defense Practice Group at PHJ&W since 1991, and Chair of the Litigation Department in
that firms Washington, DC office since 1995. Prior to his re-entry into private practice, he
served as Chief Counsel and Deputy Director of the White House Special Action Office on Drug Abuse
Prevention from 1971 to 1973. Mr. Perito was confirmed by the Senate for that position in March
1972. From 1970 to 1971, Mr. Perito served as Chief Counsel and Staff Director to the U.S. House of
Representatives Select Committee on Crime. Immediately prior to serving the Congress, Mr. Perito
was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, U.S. Department of
Justice from 1966 to 1970. Mr. Perito graduated from Tufts University, Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta
Kappa, and from the Harvard Law School. Mr. Perito was a Rotary International Scholar at the
Victoria University of Manchester in Manchester, England, and in Lund University, Lund, Sweden, in
P.P.E. in 1960-61 before entering Harvard Law School. Mr. Perito graduated from Harvard Law School
(LLB/JD), as an Edward John Noble Scholar, in 1964 and was thereafter admitted to the Bar of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is also a member of the District of Columbia Bar and is admitted
to practice in numerous federal District Courts, Courts of Appeal, and the United States Supreme
Court. Mr. Perito is the President of the Harvard Law School Association of the District of
Columbia, a member of the Executive Committee of the Harvard Law School Association, and Secretary
to the Harvard Law School Association. He is Chairman of the Harvard Law School Class of 1964
Reunion and Fund Committees, and served as Co-Chair of the World Alumni Congress 2006-2007, and
Class Agent for the Harvard Law School Fund 2006-2007. Also, Mr. Perito is Chair of the Harvard
Law School 45th Reunion Committee and Co-Chair of the Gift Committee Class of 1964. Mr. Perito is a
member of the International Board of Overseers of Tufts University, a former member of the Board of
Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, DC, and Co-Chair of Corporate Risk
Advisors.
Prior to joining our companys Board of Directors, Mr. Perito had a long and distinguished
legal career that focused not only on highly complex litigation matters, but also a variety of
health related regulatory and legal matters, including issues relating to addiction and harm
reduction as part of his service in the Legislative and Executive branches of government. Given
our companys mission to act as a catalyst for change in the highly regulated tobacco industry, our
emerging intellectual property portfolio and our focus on the health aspects of tobacco use, it was
evident to our Board of Directors that our company would benefit from having Mr. Peritos legal
skills and expertise in coordinating our companys intellectual property and litigation efforts as
well as his input on how best to interact at the highest levels of the federal government on a wide
variety of healthcare and legal issues related to the regulation of tobacco products. In light of
the significant legal and regulatory matters facing our company, the need for the type of expertise
and experience possessed by Mr. Perito has remained. Additionally, given our increased emphasis on
a variety of tobacco-based pharmaceutical products, non-nicotine neutraceuticals and related
products and the expanded focus of our company in seeking to reduce the harm related to tobacco use
at every level, Mr. Peritos expertise has become more essential to our companys business
strategy.
54
Leo S. Tonkin, 72, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since November 1998. He
established the Washington Workshops Foundation in 1967, and has served as Founding Director since
that time. Since 1999, he also has served as President and Director of Travel Seminars, Inc. He
served as a member of the White House Conference on Youth in 1971, Special Assistant to the
Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Crime, Legal Consultant to the
U.S. House of Representatives Higher Education Subcommittee, Minority Counsel to the U.S. House of
Representatives Select Committee on Government Research and Executive Director of the
Commissioners Council on Higher Education in Washington, D.C. He has served as Chairman of the
Board of Trustees of St. Thomas Aquinas College and as a Board member of Southeastern University
and Immaculata College. He is a vice president of the London, England Federation of Youth Clubs
and is an advisor to the Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation in California. Mr. Tonkin is a graduate
of Johns Hopkins University and received his law degree from Harvard Law School. He holds an
honorary Doctor of Pedagogy degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College and the State University of New
York.
Prior to joining our Board of Directors, Mr. Tonkin had extensive business and legislative
experience. He was elected to our Board of Directors at a time when our company first announced
its intention to act as a catalyst for change in the tobacco industry, particularly in dealing in
the way that tobacco had traditionally been grown and cured. Mr Tonkins business and legislative
background were viewed by our Board of Directors as providing the type of expertise that would be
of assistance to our company as we sought to further our corporate mission to reduce the harm
associated with tobacco use at every level, particularly given the highly regulated nature of the
tobacco industry and Mr. Tonkins familiarity with regulated industries and the legislative and
regulatory processes impacting on our industry.
Alan Weichselbaum, 45, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since September 2007.
Mr. Weichselbaum is the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Jesup and LaMont
Securities Corp. In October 2005, Mr. Weichselbaum founded Gimmel Partners, LP, an asset
management firm in New York, New York, and has served as Chairman and General Partner since that
time. Since 1993, Mr. Weichselbaum has worked with both hedge funds and asset management firms in
the area of small-cap equities. After receiving an MBA in finance from New York University in
1990, Mr. Weichselbaum spent three years with Philip Morris Capital Corporation, where he was a
Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis. From 1986 to 1989, Mr. Weichselbaum was an audit and
tax consultant for the small business division at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He also is a member
of the board and former president of the Young Israel of Lawrence, Cedarhurst, New York, as well as
a member of the board of directors of Tony Power, a therapeutic writing center for youth, in New
York. Mr. Weichselbaum, a certified public accountant, received an undergraduate degree in
accounting with honors from Queens College in 1986.
Mr. Weichselbaums educational background and diverse professional experience in the areas of
accounting and finance were deemed by the members of our Board of Directors to uniquely qualify him
to serve as a member of our Board. His expertise in these areas has provided a valuable resource
to our company, particularly in our capital raising initiatives and the financial analysis of our
operations as we have sought to meet the financial challenges of developing a range of innovative
tobacco and related products, including pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products through our
subsidiary, Rock Creek. Mr. Weichselbaums financial, accounting and analytical experience also
has proven to be extremely valuable in assessing corporate opportunities and the cost/benefits of
proposed initiatives both as a member of our and Rock Creeks board of directors and, more
recently, as Chairman of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
Jonnie R. Williams, 54, has served as our companys Chief Executive Officer since November
1999 and has served as a member of our Board of Directors since October 1998. Mr. Williams was one
of the original founders of Star Tobacco, our companys wholly owned subsidiary, and served as its
Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President until July 1999. On July 1, 1999, in order to
concentrate on the expanding demands of our companys sales and new product development,
Mr. Williams resigned from his positions with Star Tobacco initially to assume the primary
responsibilities of Director of Product Development and Sales of our company and then the position
of CEO. Mr. Williams, a principal stockholder of our company, is also the inventor of the
StarCured ® tobacco curing process for preventing or significantly retarding
the formation of TSNAs in tobacco and tobacco smoke. Mr. Williams has been involved in venture
capital start-up bio-tech companies for over a decade where he has been either a major shareholder
or a co-founder of the following companies: LaserSight, LaserVision and VISX. Mr. Williams is also
one of the owners of Regent Court Technologies LLC and was a principal in Jonnie Williams Venture
Capital Corp.
55
Mr. Williams has played a prominent role in our company since its inception as the inventor of
the StarCured® tobacco curing process, as a significant contributor to our companys product
development initiatives relating to our very-low TSNA products and our new product initiates in the
pharmaceutical and nutraceutical areas and, since 1999, as our CEO. Also, he has been active in
capital raising initiatives and related interactions with investors. Given his activities and
skills in these areas, it was evident to our Board of Directors that Mr. Williams guidance as a
director would be beneficial to our company in each of these areas and in assessing the direction
and focus of our company as we have moved forward with our mission of reducing the harm related to
tobacco use at all levels.
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our executive officers,
other than Messrs. Paul L. Perito and Jonnie R. Williams, whose information is set forth above
under the caption Directors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David M. Dean
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
Vice President of Sales and Marketing |
Paul H. Lamb, III
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
President of Star Tobacco, Inc. |
Park A. Dodd, III
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Robert E. Pokusa
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
General Counsel |
Curtis Wright, MD, MPH
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
Senior Vice President, Medical/Clinical
Director of Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. |
Set forth below is biographical information for each executive officer of our company who
is not also a director.
David M. Dean, 50, has served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing of our company since
November 1999 and as President of Star Tobacco since February 2010. From 1998 to October 1999, he
served as a Principal of Group Insurance Concepts of Virginia, L.L.C., an employee benefits
consulting firm and an affiliate of Northwestern Mutual. From 1984 to 1998, Mr. Dean was employed
with Trigon Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Richmond, Virginia, where he held a variety of executive
positions over a 14 year period, including Vice President of the Eastern Region from 1994 to 1996,
Vice President of Sales from 1996 to 1997, and Vice President of Sales and Account Management for
the Eastern and Western Regions from 1997 to 1998. Trigon Blue Cross/Blue Shield was the largest
health insurer in Virginia and was purchased during 2002 by Anthem. Mr. Dean is a graduate of Elon
College.
Paul H. Lamb, III, 77, served as President of Star Tobacco from 1998 until February 1, 2010 at
which time he retired from that position. He served in the same capacity from 1990 to 1994. He
also has served as a director of Star Tobacco since 1990. Mr. Lamb served as a consultant to our
company from 1994 until assuming his current position in December 1998. From 1986 to 1990,
Mr. Lamb founded and operated Lamb Services, Ltd., an engineering consulting firm, and from 1958 to
1986 he was employed with Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation where he held a variety of
engineering positions. Mr. Lamb served as a director of the Southside Regional Medical Center in
Petersburg, Virginia, for twenty-six years. Mr. Lamb graduated from the Virginia Military Institute
with a degree in civil engineering.
Park A. Dodd, III, 57, has served as our companys Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer,
and Assistant Secretary since October 2007. Mr. Dodd was a special advisor to our company from May
2007 until assuming the role as Chief Financial Officer in October 2007. Mr. Dodds experience
includes a thirty-year career in strategic financial planning and accounting. From 1980 to 2000 he
held a number of management positions with Philip Morris, Inc. with increasing responsibilities in
accounting and reporting, business decision support, financial planning and analysis during that
time, including his service as Senior Manager and Director of Financial Planning and Analysis from
1992 to 1998 and Director of Finance Reengineering and Technology Upgrade from 1998 to 2000.
Mr. Dodd was special advisor to the Chief Financial Officer of the United States Olympic Committee
during 2000, and from 2001 to 2005 he served as Director in Accounting and Reporting of Capital One
Financial Corporation in Richmond, Virginia. Between 2005 and the end of 2009, Mr. Dodd was a
partner with Tatum, LLC, a national executive services firm that specializes in providing interim
financial leadership to client organizations. Mr. Dodd received an undergraduate degree in
Accounting from Virginia Tech in 1975 and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1986.
56
Robert E. Pokusa, 59, has served as our companys General Counsel and Secretary since March
2001. From 1991 until joining our company, he was associated with Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker
LLP during which time he worked on a number of matters for our company and concentrated his
practice in the areas of complex civil litigation and administrative law. From 1980 to 1991,
Mr. Pokusa was associated with the law firms of Perito, Duerk & Carlson; Finley, Kumble, Wagner,
Hiney, Underburg, Manley, Meyerson & Casey, and Washington, Perito and Dubuc. Mr. Pokusa received
his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Montclair State University and his law
degree from The American University, Washington College of Law. He is a member of the Virginia
and District of Columbia bars.
Curtis Wright, MD, MPH, 60, has served as Senior Vice-President, Medical/Clinical Director of
our pharmaceutical subsidiary, Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. since February 2008. Dr. Wright
previously served as Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs for Adolor Corporation from
1997 to 1998, and Executive Director, Medical Affairs and subsequently Executive Director of Risk
Assessment for Purdue Pharma from 1998 to 2004. Immediately prior to joining Rock Creek
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Dr. Wright served as Executive Vice President for Risk Management and
Regulatory Affairs at Javelin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA from 2004 to 2008. Dr. Wrights
career at the FDA, from 1989 through October 1997, included multiple senior scientific positions in
the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, including Deputy Director and subsequently Acting
Director of his division. Dr. Wright received his medical degree, with distinction, from George
Washington University and received a masters degree in Public Health from the John Hopkins
University.
Section 16 (a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires directors and
executive officers and persons, if any, owning more than ten percent of a class of our companys
equity securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership
and reports of changes in ownership of our companys equity and equity derivative securities. Based
solely upon a review of the copies of such reports and written representations from reporting
persons, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers,
directors and greater than ten percent stockholders were complied with on a timely basis for the
year ended December 31, 2009.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of our companys directors, officers
(including its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and any person
performing similar functions) and employees. We have filed a copy of this Code of Ethics as
Exhibit 14.1 to this Report. We also have made the Code of Ethics available on our companys
website at: www.starscientific.com. Information contained on our website is not part of
this Report and is not incorporated in this Report by reference.
Audit Committee
We currently maintain an Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has responsibility for the
appointment of our independent registered public accountants, reviews our internal accounting
procedures and financial statements, and consults with and reviews the services provided by our
independent registered public accountants, including the results and scope of their audits. The
Audit Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Chapman, Tonkin and Weichselbaum (Chairman),
each of whom are independent under the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission
and The NASDAQ Global Market. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Weichselbaum qualifies
as an Audit Committee Financial Expert as defined by the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
57
|
|
|
ITEM 11. |
|
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Our companys named executive officers include Jonnie R. Williams, our CEO, Park A Dodd, III,
our CFO, Paul L Perito, our Chairman, President and COO, Robert E. Pokusa, our General Counsel,
David M. Dean, our Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Dr. Curtis Wright our Senior Vice
President, Medical/Clinical Director of our pharmaceutical subsidiary, Rock Creek (collectively,
the Named Executives). The following discussion summarizes the compensation awarded to the Named
Executives during 2009.
Overview
Our companys mission has been, and continues to be, to reduce the harm associated with the
use of tobacco at every level. In fulfilling that mission we have sought to reduce the range of
serious health hazards associated with the use of smoked and smokeless tobacco products by reducing
the toxins in the tobacco leaf; offering less toxic alternatives to traditional tobacco products;
demonstrating the viability of our less toxic tobacco technology; and sublicensing that technology
to the tobacco industry. Also, since 2007, we have been pursuing the development of related
pharmaceutical products that are designed to treat tobacco dependence and a range of neurological
conditions and non-nicotine nutraceutical products that may assist persons who have ceased using
tobacco or who are in the process of stopping tobacco use maintain a balanced metabolism.
That mission has been a principal driver in decisions regarding the determination of total
compensation for our senior executives, as well as the compensation for members of our Board of
Directors and consultants who have been retained to assist our company in these long-term
objectives. As part of this mission, we have sought to affect a major shift in the way tobacco is
grown and cured, as well as in the use of tobacco products generally.
In its structure and functioning, our companys goal has been to act as a disruptive force in
the tobacco industry, and to challenge many of what we believe are preconceived assumptions that
have governed the manufacture and sale of tobacco products over a number of decades. As we worked
to achieve these objectives, we initially utilized our companys existing cigarette business as a
platform to provide a base of financial support for our intellectual property, licensing and
development initiatives, and as a demonstration vehicle for the manufacture and sale of a range of
low-TSNA tobacco products and related pharmaceutical and non-nicotine nutraceuticals. However, in
May 2007, we licensed three of our companys cigarette trademarks on an exclusive basis in return
for licensing fees to be received over the term of the license agreement and, in June, 2007, we
ceased manufacturing any cigarette products. Currently, we are focusing our tobacco operations on
the sale of our companys dissolvable low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products, ARIVA ® and STONEWALL
Hard Snuff ®. Also, we are pursuing approval from the FDA of a related product Ariva- BDL that has
levels of the carcinogenic TSNA comparable to those found in nicotine replacement therapy products
as a modified risk tobacco product under the recently enacted Family Smoking and Prevention
Control Act of 2009 and expect to file a similar application for a Stonewall-BDL product in
2010. Consistent with these goals, in 2007 we also incorporated our pharmaceutical subsidiary to
pursue the development of botanical based products for the treatment of tobacco dependence,
pharmaceutical products that would utilize certain MAO agents in tobacco to treat a range of
neurological conditions, including Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, schizophrenia and
depression and non-nicotine nutraceutical products that may assist persons who have ceased using
tobacco or who are in the process of stopping tobacco use maintain a balanced metabolism.
We have also sought to develop a sophisticated superstructure for our innovative
technology-based, company that could interact at all levels of the government, regulatory,
medical and industrial sectors on a broad range of issues relating to the health impact of tobacco,
the regulation of emerging forms of potentially less hazardous tobacco products and the development
of tobacco based pharmaceutical products and related products such as non-nicotine nutraceuticals.
To achieve this objective, our company sought a Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, in 1999 who could
oversee our companys existing business and facilitate the kind of capital raising initiatives and
investor support necessary to promote an aggressive and far-ranging approach to the issues facing
the tobacco industry. At the same time, our company made efforts to identify and hire a President
and Chief Operating Officer, or COO, with a substantial legislative, regulatory and litigation
background and who had relationships with the relevant scientific and research communities that are
critical to our goals and objectives. We felt that this individual should be able to coordinate
our companys intellectual property and litigation efforts, interact at the highest levels of the
federal government on a wide variety of health and legal issues involved in the regulation of
tobacco products, and be in a position to enlist other individuals as employees and consultants to
assist in those initiatives. We also worked to staff key executive positions in sales and
marketing, finance, legal, investor relations and medical research with individuals who would
complement our companys senior management and provide a level of expertise that would minimize the
need to procure those services through external third parties. Because we set out to be a force for
change in the tobacco industry, we understood that our company needed to be able to attract and
maintain a high-caliber group of executives to further these goals and objectives.
58
Our mission over the years has been to challenge and transform the constructs relating to
cigarettes and tobacco use generally. In this respect, our long-term focus has been, and continues
to be, the research, development, and sale of products, particularly very low-TSNA smokeless
tobacco products that expose adult tobacco users to lower levels of toxins, non-nicotine products
that provide viable alternatives to tobacco products and tobacco-based pharmaceutical products for
the treatment of tobacco dependence and other diseases. We also continue to focus on the licensing
of our companys low-TSNA technology.
Compensation Objectives
In establishing compensation for our companys executive officers, we have sought to:
|
|
|
attract and retain individuals of superior ability and managerial talent; |
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|
|
ensure that the compensation for senior executive officers is aligned with our
companys corporate strategies, business objectives and long term interests; and |
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|
enhance the incentive of our companys executive officers to maximize
shareholder value by providing opportunities for direct ownership in our company
through awards of stock options and stock grants. |
Over the last seven years our company has experienced operating losses on an annual basis,
and, accordingly, prior to 2008, we had chosen to limit compensation of our executive officers to
base salary and benefits. As a result, we have not utilized an incentive-based compensation
structure as a means of determining levels of compensation for our executive officers or other
employees. Except for nominal amounts, and for an initial signing bonus in the case of Curtis
Wright, MD, MPH who joined our company in March 2008 as Senior Vice President, Medical/Clinical
Director of Rock Creek, no cash bonuses have been paid to executive officers since 2002. From 2003
until May 2008, we did not issue any stock options or stock grants to our companys executive
officers, except as noted below in the case of Park A. Dodd, III and Dr. Wright, in each case upon
their commencement of service to our company. In May 2008, we did award stock option grants to
Jonnie R. Williams, our companys CEO, Paul L. Perito, our companys President and COO, Robert E.
Pokusa, our companys General Counsel, Mr. Dodd, our companys CFO, and Sara Troy Machir, our
companys Vice President of Communications and Investor Relations.
Compensation determinations have been driven primarily by considerations relating to the
ability to attract and retain individuals who could help our company carry out its long-term
objective to act as a catalyst for significant change in the tobacco industry. The determinations
also have involved an assessment of our companys progress in obtaining and protecting the
intellectual property to which we are the exclusive licensee, the success of our ongoing patent
litigation against RJR, our success in introducing new low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products to the
market, and our success in generating increased awareness of the differences in toxicity among
various forms of tobacco products.
Our Board of Directors has provided its Compensation Committee the primary authority to
determine the compensation awards available to our companys executive officers and the
Compensation Committee, in turn, makes recommendations on compensation levels to the Board after
undertaking an analysis of appropriate levels of compensation for the executive officers. To aid
the Compensation Committee in making its determinations, on a yearly basis the Compensation
Committee is provided an analysis of the compensation levels of its executive officers based on the
review of job functions and job responsibilities that have been assumed by particular executive
officers and compensation ranges available in comparable positions for individuals with like
training and experience. The analysis is prepared by our companys General Counsel working with
our COO. Our CEO and COO also provide recommendations, as appropriate, regarding compensation for
all executive officers, including themselves. Our company has not engaged a compensation consultant
to undertake this analysis. Given our companys unique position as a force for change in the
tobacco industry, we have not used benchmarks from the tobacco industry in setting compensation
levels for our companys most senior executives, since the unique nature of our business does not
easily lend itself to comparisons with tobacco industry indices. Instead, the Compensation
Committee has informally considered general market
59
information for similar senior level executives
in setting base compensation. Given our decision in recent years to limit compensation to base salary and
benefits, our companys focus has been on salary levels and benefits for executives in the
manufacturing sector in the relevant geographic markets (Richmond, Virginia, Washington, DC and
Boston, Massachusetts). We have utilized a comparison to the manufacturing sector since our
company has, to date, generated income from the sale of tobacco products, and since 2007
exclusively low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products. In the future, we intend to manufacture
pharmaceuticals and related products such as nutraceuticals and expect to put into test market a
non-nicotine nutraceutical in 2010, so that going forward we will consider the appropriate industry
comparison based on the mix of products being sold by our company. In the case of our companys COO
and General Counsel the Compensation Committee also has undertaken an analysis of compensation for
senior partners at major law firms in the Washington, DC area, given the background of our CEO and
General Counsel in the litigation, regulatory and legislative areas and their active involvement in
implementing and coordinating our companys activities in these areas. The general market
information is publicly available aggregated pooled data and, while the Compensation Committee
reviews the general market information, it does not see the identity of any of the surveyed
companies. Further, the analysis has focused on the extent to which executive officers have
assumed multiple functions relating to various aspects of our companys mission and long-term
objectives that in different circumstances likely would have been assumed by other employees.
Also, the Compensation Committee considers other factors such as the seniority of its senior
executives, and for newer hires, the executives base salary at his/her prior place of employment,
the duties and responsibilities that the individual will be assuming, the availability of other
well-qualified candidates that would be available to carry out our companys goals and objectives,
and the compensation level a potential executive would be able to demand in a similar position with
another company or institution. The Compensation Committee reviews the information provided by
management and makes its recommendation to the Board of Directors with respect to appropriate
compensation levels.
In 2009, except with regard to Dr. Wright, with whom our company entered into an employment
agreement in 2008 described below, the Compensation Committee has recommended and the Board of
Directors has approved the continuation of salary and benefits for our Named Executives on a
month-to-month basis in accordance with employment agreements that have expired or are continuing
on a month-to-month basis, without any bonus or stock awards. Given the losses suffered by
our company in 2009 and the adverse jury verdict in our RJR patent litigation, management has not
recommended any form of cash bonuses or stock awards for 2009 and the Compensation Committee and
the Board have concurred in that recommendation. Previously, the Compensation Committee had
anticipated entering into new employment agreements with our Named Executives since it is believed
that such agreements will assist it in attracting and retaining qualified executive officers, but
our company is not pursuing those plans at the present time.
Base Salary
In 2009, the base salary for each of our companys named executive officers was set in
accordance with the terms of contracts that were entered into in years prior to 2008 and which have
been continued on a month-to-month basis, or entered into in 2008 for Dr Wright. As discussed
above, in assessing compensation levels for all executive officers, the Compensation Committee has
focused on the extent to which executive officers have been assuming multiple functions relating to
our companys mission and long-term objectives. It also has considered salary levels and benefits
for executives in the manufacturing sector in the relevant geographic markets (Richmond, Virginia,
Washington, DC and Boston, Massachusetts) and, in the case of our companys COO and General
Counsel, compensation levels for senior partners at major law firms in the Washington, DC area.
Ancillary Bonuses
In 2008, an initial signing bonus in the amount of $100,000 was paid to Dr. Curtis Wright at
the time he joined our company as Senior Vice President, Medical/Clinical Director of Rock Creek,
our wholly owned subsidiary. Under his employment agreement, Dr. Wright would have been entitled to
a performance bonus in the amount of $100,000 in the event the FDA did not impose a clinical hold
on the initiation of a Phase 1 Clinical study for a tobacco-based drug product or any other
pharmaceutical for the treatment of smoking or smokeless tobacco cessation within eighteen months
from the date of his employment agreement. The bonus provision in Dr. Wrights agreement expired
in August 2009. The bonus and performance bonus provision were provided as an inducement for Dr. Wright to leave his then current employment situation and assume the role as
Medical/Clinical Director of our newly incorporated subsidiary. In January, 2010 we entered into a
new employment agreement with our CFO at the time he transitioned fully from Tatum Partners LLC.
Under this agreement, it is expected that Mr. Dodd will receive salary payments comparable to those
that he received in 2009. Also, under his employment agreement, management has agreed that, to the
extent a cash bonus or stock award is made to our CEO or COO, it would recommend to the
Board/Compensation Committee that it consider a similar type of award to the CFO taking into
account the differences in annualized salary and the
contribution of the CFO to our companys success
that resulted in the award to the CEO or COO.
60
On an annual basis, we have paid an ancillary holiday bonus in the amount of $1,500 to
executive officers, except for our companys CEO, COO and at times our CFO. An identical bonus has
been paid to our other employees. Such bonuses have been paid as part of a long-standing holiday
bonus policy and are not based on executive officers meeting achievement or performance goals.
Discretionary Equity Incentive Awards
Our executive officers, along with our other employees, are eligible to participate in the
award of stock options or restricted stock grants or stock appreciation rights under our 2000
Equity Incentive Plan and our 2008 Incentive Award Plan. However, to date we have only granted
stock options and not shares of restricted stock or stock appreciation rights. In October 2007,
Mr. Dodd was granted options to purchase up to 250,000 shares of Common Stock in connection with
his appointment to the position of CFO, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of our company. Of the
250,000 stock options granted, 90,000 options vested on October 10, 2007 and 80,000 options vested
on October 10, 2008 and on October 10, 2009 respectively. In February 2008, Dr. Wright was granted
options to purchase 200,000 shares of Common Stock in connection with his appointment to the
position of Senior Vice President, Medical/Clinical Director of Rock Creek. Of the 200,000 stock
options granted, 100,000 options vested on Dr. Wrights first day of employment and 50,000 options
vested on February 26, 2009 and February 26, 2010 respectively. These levels of option grants are
similar in level to grants made to other executive officers of our company upon their commencement
of employment with us. Neither of the discretionary equity incentive awards was granted based on
the achievement of performance goals, but rather to provide incentives for future performance, as
an additional incentive to have these individuals accept positions with our company and to align
the interests of these individuals with the interests of our shareholders.
During 2009, we did not issue any options or make any stock awards to any of our Named
Executives. At December 31, 2009, there were 4,555,200 options issued and outstanding with a
weighted average exercise price of $2.28 per share.
Benefits Plans
In order to attract and retain individuals who are capable of carrying out and enhancing our
mission, we have provided certain benefits and perquisites to our senior executives that are
comparable to those generally available to senior management and were available to those executives
in previous positions. In the case of our CEO and COO these benefits and perquisites have included
the items listed below. Where noted, such benefits also have been provided to other executive
officers:
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reimbursement for life insurance coverage in the amount of
$10 million for our companys CEO, $5 million for our COO and
$1 million for our General Counsel; |
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additional disability insurance for our COO and General Counsel; |
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a Company automobile and reimbursement for all costs associated with
the operation of the automobile for our companys CEO and COO and
reimbursement of automobile expenses for our companys Vice
President of Sales and Marketing; |
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monthly or annual club membership dues for our companys CEO and COO; |
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a mobile phone and phone costs for our companys CEO, COO, CFO and
Vice President of Sales and Marketing; and |
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|
|
reimbursement for the cost of outside counsel retained by our
companys CEO and/or COO in connection with advice and counsel
related to the negotiation, drafting, and execution of their
employment agreements. |
61
Employment and Severance Arrangements
The executive employment agreements with Messrs Williams and Perito that had contained
severance provisions have expired and, as a result, those provisions are no longer in effect. The
executive employment agreement with Mr. Dean was modified to eliminate any severance payments when
his contract was continued on a month-to-month basis after expiration and in connection with the
decision to limit Mr. Deans compensation to his base salary payments and benefits. We did not
seek to renew certain terms in these prior agreements as we chose to limit the compensation of our
executive officers to base salary and benefits only, in light of operating losses that we had been
experiencing. While we have not entered into new employment agreements with these executive
officers, we believe that such written agreements are in the best interest of our company to
attract and retain qualified executive officers. We previously entered into employment agreements
with our named executive officers that provided for incentive awards and severance payments as
additional inducements to attract prospective executive officers to our company and to provide such
individuals with assurances of continued salary and benefits in the event of the termination of
their employment relationship. Absent such provisions, we believe that we would have difficulty
attracting and retaining the type of executive officers that we believe are critical to our mission
and long-term objectives. Accordingly, we intend to enter into new executive employment agreements
with our executive officers in the future, although we have deferred entering into new agreements
for the time being except in the case of the Executive Employment Agreement we entered into with
Park Dodd, our CFO, in January 2010 at the time he transitioned fully from Tatum Partners, LLC.
When we are in a position to enter into new contracts with our other executives in the future, it
is expected that such contracts will be for multiple-year terms and will contain provisions for
base salary, and provisions covering a combination of some or all of bonuses, equity incentive
awards and severance provisions.
Under the terms of Mr. Pokusas employment agreement, at the conclusion of the initial
three-year term in 2004, the agreement continued in place, but on a month-to-month basis. Pursuant
to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Pokusa is entitled to severance payments equal to six
months salary in the event of his termination without cause. Those payments would be due on a
monthly basis. Mr. Pokusas employment agreement has not been modified to eliminate severance
because the agreement has continued under its original terms, although on a month-to-month basis.
In December 2008, Mr. Pokusas employment agreement was modified to ensure that the severance
payments complied with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
Under the terms of Dr. Wrights employment agreement he is entitled to severance payments
equal to all salary that would be due under his agreement through the end of its term and all
accrued vacation in the event the agreements is terminated without cause or for Good Reason, as
defined in the agreement. Any severance payments would be made at the same time and in the same
manner as salary payments would have been paid to Dr. Wright during the term of his agreement.
Under the terms of Mr. Dodds employment agreement he is entitled to severance payments equal to
six months base salary, based on his average salary over the past twelve months or lesser period as
applicable, in the event the agreements is terminated without cause or for Good Reason, as
defined in the agreement. Any severance payments would be made at the same time and in the same
manner as salary payments would have been paid to Mr. Dodd during the term of his agreement. Under
the prior agreement with Mr. Dodd through Tatum Partners LLC he was not entitled to any severance
payments in the event of the termination of his employment.
Under the employment agreements with Messrs. Dean, Dodd, Pokusa and Wright, these executive
officers are subject to noncompetition covenants following the termination of employment as well as
covenants relating to
the treatment of confidential information disclosed to them during their employment with our
company. The noncompetition covenants prohibit the executive officers from owning a company or
accepting employment with an entity that competes in the same field as our company or soliciting
business of the same or similar type being carried on by our company for a period of one year
following termination of employment.
62
Taxation of Executive Compensation
We seek to compensate our executive officers in a manner that is tax effective for our
company. As appropriate, we seek to structure these compensation arrangements, to the extent
applicable, to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee held three meetings during fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. The
Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with
management. Based on such review, the related discussions and such other matters deemed relevant
and appropriate by the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee has determined that the
level of compensation of our executive officers is appropriate given their experience, job
responsibilities and the diverse management roles that have been assumed by the executive officers.
In particular, our companys CEO has responsibility for the overall management of our new product
development efforts, our low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products, capital raising initiatives and
related interactions with investors. Our COO has overall responsibility for all aspects of our
litigation, regulatory, and legislative initiatives, including our patent infringement litigation
against RJR, and for drug development efforts of Rock Creek as its CEO. Given the continued losses
suffered by our company, the Compensation Committee will undertake a further review of compensation
levels for the Companys Named Executives in mid-2010. The Compensation Committee has recommended
to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Report.
Christopher C. Chapman, M.D. (Chairman)
Leo S. Tonkin, Esquire
Neil L. Chayet, Esquire
The foregoing report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement
incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (together, the Acts), except to the extent
that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise
be deemed filed under the Acts.
The following table summarizes the compensation paid to the Named Executives employed by our
company during 2007, 2008 and 2009, for services rendered in all capacities to our company and its
subsidiaries.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
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All Other |
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|
Salary |
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|
Bonus |
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|
Options |
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|
Compensation |
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|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($)(1) |
|
|
($)(2) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
Total($) |
|
Jonnie R. Williams |
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|
2007 |
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
114,246 |
|
|
|
1,114,246 |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
806,650 |
|
|
|
52,423 |
|
|
|
1,859,073 |
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,582 |
(3) |
|
|
1,080,582 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Park A. Dodd, III |
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2007 |
|
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160,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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234,375 |
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|
|
40,200 |
|
|
|
434,575 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
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2008 |
|
|
|
236,400 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
66,630 |
|
|
|
52,500 |
|
|
|
357,030 |
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
202,350 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,930 |
(4) |
|
|
258,780 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul L. Perito |
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2007 |
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90,763 |
|
|
|
1,090,763 |
|
Chairman, President and |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
832,875 |
|
|
|
141,662 |
|
|
|
1,974,437 |
|
Chief Operating Officer |
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|
2009 |
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
152,694 |
(5) |
|
|
1,152,694 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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David M. Dean |
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2007 |
|
|
|
295,054 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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21,612 |
|
|
|
318,666 |
|
Vice President of Sales and Marketing |
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2008 |
|
|
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295,054 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,041 |
|
|
|
338,595 |
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
295,054 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,159 |
(6) |
|
|
333,713 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert E. Pokusa |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
385,000 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,248 |
|
|
|
402,748 |
|
General Counsel |
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2008 |
|
|
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385,000 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
299,835 |
|
|
|
18,781 |
|
|
|
705,116 |
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
385,000 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,937 |
(7) |
|
|
405,437 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
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Curtis Wright, MD |
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2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, |
|
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2008 |
|
|
|
236,538 |
|
|
|
101,500 |
|
|
|
292,000 |
|
|
|
8,827 |
|
|
|
638,865 |
|
Medical/Clinical Director, |
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2009 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,987 |
(8) |
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312,487 |
|
Rock Creek |
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63
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(1) |
|
Represents our companys yearly Holiday bonus of $1,500 paid to all employees, except the
CEO, COO and with respect to Dr. Wright, the $100,000 signing bonus paid in 2008. |
|
(2) |
|
Amounts represent the grant date fair value of the stock options issued in the respective
year. For the assumptions used in calculating the value of this award, see Note 8 to our
consolidated financial statements included in Item 15 of this Report. |
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(3) |
|
Represents $35,545 in automobile expenses and $45,037 in life insurance premiums. |
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(4) |
|
Includes $300 additional per day payments to Tatum, LLC to cover Mr. Dodds benefits and
costs. The agreement with Tatum provided that Mr. Dodd would be employed by our company as
its CFO but certain of his benefit costs would be provided through Tatum. |
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(5) |
|
Represents $42,754 in automobile expenses and $109,939 in life and disability insurance
premiums. |
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(6) |
|
Represents $24,392 in automobile expenses and $12,767 of matching contributions by our
company under its 401(k) Plan. |
|
(7) |
|
Represents $7,831 in life and disability insurance premiums and $11,106 of matching
contributions by our company under its 401(k) Plan. |
|
(8) |
|
Represents matching contributions by our company under its 401(k) Plan. |
Grants of Plan Based Awards During 2009
There were no grants to our executive officers under our companys 2000 Equity Incentive Plan
or 2008 Incentive Award Plan in 2009. As a result, we have not included a table setting forth any
such grants.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year
The following table provides information regarding the stock options held by the Named
Executive Officers as of December 31, 2009, including the unexercised and unvested stock option
awards. All stock options were fully vested as of December 31, 2009, except for Dr. Wrights, of
which 50,000 vested on February 26, 2010.
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Number of |
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Number of |
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Securities |
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Securities |
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Underlying |
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Underlying |
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|
Option |
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Unexercised |
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|
Unexercised |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Option |
|
|
|
Options (#) |
|
|
Options (#) |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Expiration |
|
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Unexercisable |
|
|
($) |
|
|
Date |
|
Jonnie R. Williams |
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.89 |
|
|
|
5/6/13 |
|
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.72 |
|
|
|
5/6/18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Park A. Dodd, III |
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.19 |
|
|
|
10/10/17 |
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.72 |
|
|
|
5/6/18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul L. Perito |
|
|
625,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.72 |
|
|
|
5/6/18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David M. Dean |
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
|
10/6/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert E. Pokusa |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.47 |
|
|
|
3/30/11 |
|
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.12 |
|
|
|
5/31/12 |
|
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.72 |
|
|
|
5/6/18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Curtis Wright, MD |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.84 |
|
|
|
2/26/18 |
|
64
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table provides information on the exercise of a stock option grant to Paul
Perito, our Chairman. None of the remaining Named Executives exercised any stock options during the
year ended December 31, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of shares |
|
|
Intrinsic Value |
|
|
|
Acquired on |
|
|
Realized on |
|
Name |
|
Exercise of Options |
|
|
Exercise($)(1) |
|
Paul L. Perito |
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,350,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The reported dollar value is the difference between the option exercise price and the market
value of the underlying shares on the date of exercise multiplied by the number of shares covered
by the option. |
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control
Except for Mr. Pokusa, Dr. Wright and Mr. Dodd, none of the Named Executives are entitled to
severance upon a termination of employment or any severance or benefits in connection with a change
of control of our company or any of its affiliates. The employment agreements for the Named
Executives are described above under the section titled Employment and Severance Arrangements.
The following chart sets forth the severance Mr. Pokusa, Dr. Wright and Mr. Dodd would be entitled
to receive upon certain terminations of employment, assuming the relevant event occurred on
December 31, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Description of Severance |
|
|
Termination without Cause |
|
Robert E. Pokusa(1) |
|
Salary Continuation |
|
$ |
192,500 |
|
Dr. Curtis Wright, MD(1) |
|
Salary Continuation |
|
$ |
350,000 |
|
Park A. Dodd(1) |
|
Salary Continuation |
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Messrs. Pokusa, Wright and Dodd would also be entitled to receive the above salary
continuation payments upon a termination of employment by them for Good Reason, as defined
in their employment agreements to generally mean (i) a material diminution in their position, duties, responsibilities,
functions or status with us, or the removal, or our failure to re-elect them to, any of such
positions, (ii) a material reduction by us of their base salary or benefits or (iii) any
other material breach by us of their employment agreement, which breach is not cured within
20 days of notice. |
Board of Director Compensation
In compensating directors, our company has sought to use a combination of payments for
participation in director and committee meetings and initial and anniversary stock option grants.
The combination of payments for meeting attendance and stock option grants is intended to motivate
and align the interest of the directors with that of our company. Also, given our companys
mission to act as a disruptive force in the tobacco industry, we have sought to use the combination
of payments to directors for attendance at meetings and stock option grants to attract directors
who have particular skills and expertise that would complement our companys mission, particularly
in the area of finance, new product development, medical research, and other health-related areas.
Each of our companys independent directors, as so classified by our Board of Directors
(Independent Directors), is granted a stock option to purchase up to 50,000 shares of Common
Stock on the date such Independent Director is first elected to the Board of Directors, vesting in
equal installments on each of the first two anniversaries of the date of grant. As an annual
retainer, each Independent Director additionally receives a stock option to purchase up to 50,000
shares of Common Stock granted on each anniversary of such Independent Directors initial election
to the Board of Directors, exercisable immediately.
65
Each Independent Director also receives a payment of $4,500 for his participation in each
meeting of the Board of Directors and any committee meeting attended personally and $3,500 for his
participation in each meeting of the Board of Directors and any committee meeting attended
telephonically, subject to a cap of $6,000 for multiple in-person or telephonic meetings on the
same day. Additionally, the chairman of the Audit Committee is to receive a separate fee of
$20,000 per year for services in that capacity, although the fee has been waived in the past.
Messrs. Chapman, Chayet, Tonkin, and Weichselbaum have been designated as Independent
Directors. This designation of independence is intended solely for the purpose of clarifying which
directors are entitled to compensation for their services as directors. Directors not designated as
Independent Directors generally are those who in the past have been employees of our company, or
who have waived their right to receive director compensation. Directors who are employees of our
company receive compensation in their capacity as employees but do not receive any compensation for
board or committee meetings, nor do they receive the options package made available to
individuals serving as Independent Directors. Our CEO does not, and has not, served as the
Chairman of our Board of Directors. Since 2000 our Chairman has been Mr. Perito, who serves as our
Companys President and COO.
The following table sets forth, for our companys Independent Directors, certain information
regarding fees earned and equity awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid in Cash |
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
Total |
|
Name |
|
($)(1) |
|
|
($)(2) |
|
|
($) |
|
Christopher C. Chapman, MD |
|
$ |
76,500 |
|
|
$ |
40,925 |
|
|
$ |
117,425 |
|
Neil L. Chayet, Esquire |
|
$ |
53,000 |
|
|
$ |
46,429 |
|
|
$ |
99,429 |
|
Marc D. Oken(3) |
|
$ |
46,500 |
|
|
$ |
39,650 |
|
|
$ |
86,150 |
|
Leo S. Tonkin, Esquire |
|
$ |
72,500 |
|
|
$ |
30,860 |
|
|
$ |
103,360 |
|
Alan Weichselbaum |
|
$ |
46,500 |
|
|
$ |
46,429 |
|
|
$ |
92,929 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
This column represents the amount of compensation earned by each Independent Director
during 2009. |
|
(2) |
|
Amounts represent our companys compensation cost recognized for financial statement
reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, but disregarding forfeitures related to service based vesting.
All options vested on the date of the grant, therefore, the value of the option
awarded represent the aggregate grant date fair value. For the assumptions used in
calculating the value of this award, see Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements
included in Item 15 of this Report. The amounts set forth in this column reflect our
companys accounting expense for these awards and do not correspond to the actual value that
may be realized by the Independent Director receiving the award. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Oken did not stand for re-election to the Board at the annual meeting held on December 4,
2009. |
The following represents the number of options granted to each Independent Director in
2009 and the total number of options held by each Independent Director as of December 31, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option |
|
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
2009 Vested |
|
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
Expiration |
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Granted 2009 |
|
|
Options |
|
|
($) |
|
|
Date |
|
|
Total Options |
|
Christopher C. Chapman, M.D. |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
0.98 |
|
|
|
9/22/19 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
Neil L. Chayet, Esquire |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
0.98 |
|
|
|
9/7/19 |
|
|
|
161,200 |
|
Marc D. Oken(1) |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
10/11/19 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
Leo S. Tonkin, Esquire |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
0.74 |
|
|
|
11/20/19 |
|
|
|
450,000 |
|
Alan Weichselbaum |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
0.98 |
|
|
|
9/7/19 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Mr. Oken did not stand for re-election to the Board at the annual meeting held on December
4, 2009. |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
In 2009, there were no interlocking relationships existing between our companys Board of
Directors and the compensation committee of any other company.
66
|
|
|
ITEM 12. |
|
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
The following table sets forth as of March 15, 2010 certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of our companys common stock by each beneficial owner of more than 5% of our
companys voting securities, each director and each Named Executive Officer, and all directors and
executive officers of our company as a group. As of March 15,
2010, there were 119,403,888 shares
of our companys common stock outstanding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficially |
|
|
Percentage |
|
Name |
|
Owned(1) |
|
|
Owned(2) |
|
Named Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David M. Dean(3) |
|
|
602,842 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Park A. Dodd(4) |
|
|
310,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Paul L. Perito(5) |
|
|
2,505,000 |
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
Robert E. Pokusa(6) |
|
|
499,199 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jonnie R. Williams(7) |
|
|
17,894,660 |
|
|
|
14.8 |
|
Curtis Wright, MD(8) |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors Who Are Not Named Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher C. Chapman, Jr., M.D.(9) |
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Neil Chayet(10) |
|
|
161,200 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Leo S. Tonkin(11) |
|
|
450,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Alan Weichselbaum(12) |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (11 Persons) |
|
|
23,022,901 |
|
|
|
18.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Beneficial Owners of 5% or More of the Outstanding
Common Stock of the Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tradewinds Investment Management LP(13) |
|
|
17,573,867 |
|
|
|
14.3 |
|
Iroquois
Master Fund (14) |
|
|
7,298,014 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Denotes less than 1% beneficial ownership. |
|
(1) |
|
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with rules of the SEC and includes
shares over which the indicated beneficial owner exercises voting and/or investment power.
Shares of common stock subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days
are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person
holding such securities, but not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage
ownership of any other person. Except as indicated, and subject to community property laws
where applicable, the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power
with respect to all shares of voting stock shown as beneficially owned by them. Unless
otherwise noted, the address for each of the above stockholders is c/o Star Scientific, Inc.,
4470 Cox Road, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. |
|
(2) |
|
The Percentage Owned calculations are based on the outstanding shares of Common Stock as of
March 15, 2010. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 251,742 shares held by Mr. Dean, 350,000 shares that Mr. Dean has the right to
acquire upon exercise of stock options, and 1,100 shares owned by Mr. Deans spouse. |
67
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Includes 300,000 shares that Mr. Dodd has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock options
and 10,000 shares held by Mr. Dodd |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 1,831,000 shares held by Mr. Perito, 625,000 shares which Mr. Perito has the right
to acquire upon exercise of stock options, and an aggregate of 49,000 shares held by his
children or in trust for the benefit of his children, of which Mr. Perito disclaims beneficial
ownership. |
|
(6) |
|
Includes 24,199 shares held by Mr. Pokusa and 475,000 shares that Mr. Pokusa has the right to
acquire upon exercise of stock options. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 14,526,299 shares held by Mr. Williams, 625,000 shares that Mr. Williams has the
right to acquire upon exercise of stock options and 2,268,361 shares held by his children or
in trust for his children, of which he disclaims beneficial interest. Also includes 1,100,000
shares held by Regent Court of which Mr. Williams shares voting and investment power. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes 200,000 shares that Dr. Wright has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock
options. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes 250,000 shares that Mr. Chapman has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock
options. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes 161,200 shares which Mr. Chayet has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock
options. |
|
(11) |
|
Includes 450,000 shares that Mr. Tonkin has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock
options. |
|
(12) |
|
Includes 150,000 shares that Mr. Weichselbaum has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock
options. |
|
(13) |
|
Based solely on reported filings and representation from
Tradewinds Management, includes 5,740,347, 3,540,323 and 4,357,528 shares of Common Stock held by Tradewinds Master Fund (BVI) Ltd.,
Feehan Partners, L.P. and P.V. Partners, L.P., respectively. Also includes an aggregate of
3,870,969 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants ratably held by each
of the before mentioned entities and an aggregate of 64,700 shares of Common Stock held in two
individual retirement accounts for the benefit of Scott P. Peters. Robert W. Scannell is a
director of Tradewinds Master Fund (BVI) Ltd. and the General Partner of Feehan Partners, L.P.
and has voting and investment power over each entitys respective securities. Mr. Peters is a
director of Tradewinds Master Fund (BVI) Ltd. and the General Partner of P.V. Partners, L.P.
and has voting and investment power over each entitys respective
securities. Tradewinds Master Fund (BVI) Ltd. is a business company organized in the British
Virgin Islands. Tradewinds Investment Management, L.P. is its investment manager pursuant to
an investment management agreement over which Messrs. Scannell and Peters exercise voting
and investment authority and control. Mr. Peters disclaims beneficial ownership of and
receives no pecuniary interest from the securities held by Feehan Partners, L.P., which are
held for the benefit of Mr. Scannell, and Mr. Scannell disclaims beneficial ownership of and
receives no pecuniary interest from the securities held by P.V. Partners, L.P. and the
securities held in Mr. Peters retirement accounts, in each case, which are held for the
benefit of Mr. Peters. The address for these stockholders is c/o Tradewinds Investment
Management, L.P. Three Harbor Drive, Suite 213, Sausalito, California 94965. |
|
(14) |
|
Includes 2,649,007 shares and 2,649,007 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants held by
Iroquois Master Fund Ltd. and 1,000,000 shares and 1,000,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants held by
Iroquois Capital, LP. The address for these stockholders is c/o Iroquois Master Fund Ltd 641
Lexington Avenue, 26 th Floor, New York, New York 10022. |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides certain information as of December 31, 2009, with respect to our
equity compensation plans under which our common stock is authorized for issuance:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
Average |
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
to be Issued Upon |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Remaining Available |
|
|
|
Exercise of |
|
|
Price of |
|
|
for Future Issuance |
|
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Under Equity |
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
Options |
|
|
Compensation Plans |
|
Plan Category |
|
and Rights |
|
|
and Rights |
|
|
(excluding Column a) |
|
|
|
(a) |
|
|
(b) |
|
|
(c) |
|
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Shareholders |
|
|
4,555,200 |
|
|
$ |
2.28 |
|
|
|
3,845,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
We have granted warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock to two consultants.
Specifically, on December 20, 2000, we issued 210,526 warrants to purchase shares of Common
Stock at an exercise price of $2.375 to a consultant. These warrants fully vested on the date
of issuance and expire on December 20, 2010. We also issued 200,000 warrants to purchase
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.02 on March 20, 2002 to another consultant.
These warrants were fully exercised in 2008 through a cashless exercise provision in the
warrants that resulted in the issuance of 81,488 shares of Common Stock to the consultant and
the cancellation of the warrant. |
68
|
|
|
ITEM 13. |
|
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE |
Transactions with Related Persons
Our company is the licensee under a license agreement, or License Agreement, with Regent Court
Technologies, LLC, of which Jonnie R. Williams, our companys CEO, and Francis E. ODonnell, Jr.,
M.D., the beneficiary of the ODonnell Trust, are the owners. The License Agreement provides,
among other things, for the grant of an exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable license to our company,
with the right to grant sublicenses, to make, use and sell tobacco and products containing tobacco
under the licensors patent rights and know-how relating to the processes for curing tobacco so as
to significantly prevent the formation of certain toxic carcinogens present in tobacco and tobacco
smoke, namely TSNAs, and to develop products containing such tobacco, whether such patent rights
and know-how are now in existence or hereinafter developed. Our company is obligated to pay to
Regent Court a royalty of 2% on all net sales of products by it and any affiliated sub-licensees,
and 6% on all fees and royalties received by it from unaffiliated sub-licensees, less any related
research and development costs incurred by our company. The License Agreement expires with the
expiration of the last of any applicable patents. Twelve United States patents have been issued,
and additional patent applications are pending. To date, our company has paid no royalties under
the License Agreement. The License Agreement may be terminated by our company upon
thirty days written notice or by Regent Court if there is a default in paying royalties or a
material breach by our company or the purchase of our companys stock or assets.
Starwood Industries, LLC, or Starwood, a company in which Mr. Williams, our Chief Executive
Officer, is a principal, for several years owned an aircraft that was used by our company from time
to time. We had an agreement with Starwood to pay a contracted rate per hour for the use of the
aircraft. This agreement did not provide for an adjustment based on the increased cost of fuel.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, and the three months ended March 31, 2008, fuel costs
exceeded the standard rate set forth in the agreement and, accordingly, Starwood requested a fuel
surcharge applicable to our companys use of the aircraft, a practice common in the aircraft
industry. Given Mr. Williams relationship with Starwood, any payment to Starwood by our company
constitutes a related party transaction that must be pre-approved by our companys Audit Committee.
On May 6, 2008, our companys Audit Committee approved a $529,672 payment to Starwood in
satisfaction of the fuel surcharge related to our companys use of the aircraft during this period.
In 2008 the aircraft owned by Starwood was sold and Starwood Aviation, Inc., or Starwood
Aviation, a company wholly owned by Mr. Williams, purchased another aircraft. Effective
September 1, 2008, we entered into an agreement for our companys use of the aircraft owned by
Starwood Aviation. Under this agreement, we have agreed to pay an hourly rate for the use of the
aircraft of approximately $3,970 each month until the monthly fixed rental cost for the aircraft of
approximately $51,000 has been met. If the aircraft is used beyond the monthly fixed cost, we are
required to pay an hourly rate of approximately $1,200 to cover related costs. In accordance with
our companys related party transaction policy, the agreement with Starwood Aviation was
recommended for approval to the Board of Directors by our companys Audit Committee, and it was
approved by the Board of Directors at a meeting held on October 6, 2008. Payments made by our
company to Starwood, Starwood Aviation or Messrs. Williams and ODonnell as
predecessors-in-interest to the aircrafts with respect to related expenses were ($ thousand) $1,560
in 2009, $1,402 in 2008, $1,295 in 2007, $554 in 2006, $412 in 2005, and were billed at cost.
On March 9, 2009 Mr. Williams purchased 2,371,541 shares of our common stock at a price of
$1.14 per share and, for a price of $0.125 per share, purchased a warrant for an equal number of
warrant shares at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. In accordance with our companys related
party transaction policy, Mr. Williams intention to purchase shares and warrant shares of our
companys stock was considered by the Audit Committee at a meeting held on March 9, 2010 and was
approved by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors on that date.
69
On March 15, 2010, Rock Creek entered into a consulting agreement with Neil L.
Chayet, Esquire, under which Mr. Chayet will assist Rock Creek in the recruitment and
recommendation of members to be appointed to a Scientific Advisor Board of our company and in
communicating to the public health community and others information regarding Rock Creeks products
and mission. The agreement runs for a period of one year from March 15, 2010 to March 15, 2011, is
terminable by either party without cause on fifteen days written notice and may be extended
thereafter at our companys discretion for one month periods. Under the agreement, Mr. Chayet
will be acting as an independent contractor and will receive a consulting fee of $6,000 per month
and reimbursement for reasonable business expenses. Given Mr. Chayets status as a Director of our
company, the consideration of the consulting agreement and its potential impact on Mr. Chayets
status as an Independent Director was considered by our companys Audit Committee as a related
party transaction in accordance with our companys related party transaction policy. At a meeting
held on March 9, 2010, the Audit Committee approved the consulting agreement and recommended
approval to the Board of Directors. The agreement was thereafter approved by the Board on March
15, 2010.
Procedures for Approval of Related Party Transactions
Pursuant to the charter of our Audit Committee, all transactions between us and any of our
directors, executive officers or related parties are subject to the review by our Audit Committee.
Director Independence
The standards relied upon by our Board of Directors in affirmatively determining whether a
director is independent in compliance with the rules of The NASDAQ Global Market are the
standards set forth in the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and the applicable listing requirements
thereof. In addition, no director will qualify as independent unless our Board of Directors
affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with our company (directly
or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with us).
Our Board of Directors, in applying the above-referenced standards, has affirmatively
determined that our current independent directors are: Messrs. Chapman, Chayet, Tonkin and
Weichselbaum. As part of the Board of Directors process in making such determination, each such
director has provided responses to questionnaires confirming that (i) all of the above-cited
objective criteria for independence are satisfied and (ii) he has no other material relationship
with us that could interfere with his ability to exercise independent judgment.
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ITEM 14. |
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PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
The Audit Committee has established its pre-approval policies and procedures, pursuant to
which the Audit Committee approved the following audit services, provided by Cherry, Bekaert &
Holland L.L.P. in 2009. Consistent with the Audit Committees responsibility for engaging our
companys independent auditors, all audit and permitted non-audit services require pre-approval by
the Audit Committee. The full Audit Committee approves proposed services and fee estimates for
these services. The Audit Committee chairperson or his designee has been designated by the Audit
Committee to approve any services arising during the year that were not pre-approved by the Audit
Committee. Services approved by the Audit Committee chairperson are communicated to the full Audit
Committee at its next regular meeting and the Audit Committee reviews services and fees for the
fiscal year. Pursuant to these procedures, the Audit Committee approved the following audit
services provided by Cherry, Bekaert & Holland L.L.P.:
Audit Fees:
Cherry, Bekaert & Holland L.L.P. billed our company $189,000 for professional services for the
audits of our companys annual consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2009, the reviews of the interim
financial statements included in our companys Forms 10-Q filed during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2009, and other required Securities Act filings.
Cherry, Bekaert & Holland L.L.P., billed our company $204,000 for professional services for
the audits of our companys annual consolidated financial statements, managements assessment of
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2008, the reviews of the interim
financial statements included in our companys Forms 10-Q filed during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2008, and other required Securities Act filings.
Tax Fees:
Cherry Bekaert & Holland L.L.P. billed our company $71,850 for services related to tax
compliance (federal and state tax reporting, tax planning and tax
consulting services in connection with analysis of impact on net
operating loss carryovers due to changes in Company ownership) in 2009.
Cherry, Bekaert & Holland L.L.P., billed our company $17,077 for services related to tax
compliance (federal and state tax reporting and tax planning) in 2008.
All Other Fees:
None.
70
PART IV
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ITEM 15. |
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EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
(a) Documents filed as part of this Report.
1. Consolidated Financial Statements
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Page |
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F-2 |
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F-3 |
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F-4 |
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F-5 |
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F-6 |
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F-8 |
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2. |
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Financial Statements Schedules |
None.
(b) Exhibits.
An index to exhibits has been filed as part of this Report beginning on page E-1 and is
incorporated herein by reference.
71
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
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STAR SCIENTIFIC, INC.
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By: |
/s/ Jonnie R. Williams
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Jonnie R. Williams |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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Date: March 16, 2010
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
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Signature |
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Title |
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Date |
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/s/ Jonnie R. Williams
Jonnie R. Williams
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Chief Executive Officer and
Director (Principal Executive Officer)
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March 16, 2010 |
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/s/ Paul L. Perito
Paul L. Perito
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Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Operating Officer
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March 16, 2010 |
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/s/ Park A. Dodd, III
Park A. Dodd, III
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Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
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March 16, 2010 |
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/s/ Christopher C. Chapman
Christopher C. Chapman
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Director
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March 16, 2010 |
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/s/ Neil L. Chayet
Neil L. Chayet
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Director
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March 16, 2010 |
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/s/ Alan Weichselbaum
Alan Weichselbaum
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Director
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March 16, 2010 |
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/s/ Leo S. Tonkin
Leo S. Tonkin
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Director
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March 16, 2010 |
S-1
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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Item |
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Description |
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2.1 |
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Asset Purchase Agreement between Star Scientific, Inc., a Delaware corporation and Eyetech, LLC, a
Minnesota limited liability company, by Robert J. Fitzsimmons, an individual residing in St. Paul,
Minnesota, dated December 30, 1998(1) |
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3.1 |
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Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Star Scientific, Inc.(2) |
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3.2 |
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Amended and Restated Bylaws of Star Scientific, Inc.(3) |
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10.1 |
|
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License Agreement between Star Tobacco and Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as Licensee and Regent Court
Technologies, Jonnie R. Williams, and Francis E. ODonnell, Jr., M.D., as Licensor, dated January
5, 1998(4) |
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10.2 |
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Amendment No. 1 to License Agreement between Regent Court Technologies, Jonnie R. Williams, Francis
E. ODonnell, Jr., M.D. and Star Tobacco and Pharmaceuticals, Inc., dated August 3, 1998(5) |
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10.3 |
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1998 Stock Option Plan, as amended(6) |
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10.4 |
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2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended(7) |
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10.5 |
|
|
Qualified Stock Option Agreement dated as of April 27, 1999 between Star Scientific, Inc. and
Paul L. Perito(8) |
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|
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10.6 |
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|
Lease and Purchase Option Contract between Star Scientific, Inc. and the Industrial Development
Authority of the Town of Chase City, Virginia, dated March 10, 2000(6) |
|
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|
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10.7 |
|
|
Form of Director Indemnification Agreement(6) |
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|
|
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10.8 |
|
|
Form of Officer Indemnification Agreement(6) |
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|
|
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10.9 |
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|
Executive Employment Agreement between Star Scientific, Inc. and David M. Dean, dated October 6,
2000(7) |
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10.10 |
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|
Restated Loan Agreement between Star Scientific, Inc., Star Tobacco and Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and
Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, dated August 21, 2000(9) |
|
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10.11 |
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|
Restated Security Agreement between Star Scientific, Inc. and Brown & Williamson Tobacco
Corporation, dated August 21, 2000(9) |
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10.12 |
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|
Security Agreement between Star Tobacco and Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Brown & Williamson Tobacco
Corporation, dated August 21, 2000(9) |
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10.13 |
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|
Guaranty Agreement between Star Scientific, Inc. and Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, dated
August 21, 2000(9) |
|
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|
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10.14 |
|
|
Guarantee Agreement between Star Tobacco and Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Brown & Williamson Tobacco
Corporation, dated August 21, 2000(9) |
|
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10.15 |
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|
Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement dated as of March 15, 2001 between Star
Scientific, Inc. and Christopher G. Miller(7) |
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10.16 |
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Executive Employment Agreement dated as of March 30, 2001 between Star Scientific, Inc. and Robert
E. Pokusa(7) |
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10.17 |
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|
Restated Master Agreement, dated April 25, 2001, by and between Star Scientific, Inc. and Brown &
Williamson Tobacco Corporation(10) |
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10.18 |
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|
First Amendment to Restated Loan Agreement dated April 25, 2001, among Star Scientific, Inc., Star
Tobacco & Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation(10) |
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10.19 |
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|
Trademark License and Royalty Agreement, dated April 25, 2001, between Star Scientific, Inc. and
Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation(10) |
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10.20 |
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Other Low TSNA Tobacco Royalty Agreement, dated April 25, 2001 by and between Star Scientific, Inc.
and Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation(10) |
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10.21 |
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First Amendment to Regent/B&W License Agreement, dated April 25, 2001, by and among Regent Court
Technologies, Jonnie R. Williams, Francis ODonnell, Jr., Star Scientific, Inc. and Brown &
Williamson Tobacco Corporation(10) |
E-1
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|
Item |
|
Description |
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10.22 |
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Exclusive License Agreement dated as of March 16, 2001 by and among Regent Court Technologies and
Star Scientific, Inc.(11) |
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10.23 |
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Consent to Assignment dated March 16, 2001 by and among Regent Court Technologies, Jonnie R.
Williams, Francis ODonnell, Jr., M.D., Star Tobacco & Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Star Scientific, Inc.
and Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation(11) |
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10.24 |
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Amendment No. 1 dated April 5, 2001 to Exclusive License Agreement by and among Regent Court
Technologies and Star Scientific, Inc.(11) |
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10.25 |
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Contract with Lease and Option to Purchase by and among The Industrial Development Authority of
Mecklenburg County, Virginia, The Industrial Development Authority of the Town of Chase City,
Virginia, and Star Scientific, Inc., dated April 10, 2002(12) |
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10.26 |
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Convertible Debenture, dated March 25, 2004, issued by Star Scientific, Inc. to Manchester
Securities Corp. Debenture was amended and then converted(13) |
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10.27 |
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Warrant, dated March 25, 2004, issued by Star Scientific, Inc. to Manchester Securities Corp.(13) |
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10.28 |
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Securities Purchase Agreement, dated March 25, 2004, between Star Scientific, Inc. and Manchester
Securities Corp.(13) |
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10.29 |
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Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 25, 2004, between Star Scientific, Inc. and Manchester
Securities Corp.(13) |
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10.30 |
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Common Stock Purchase Warrant, dated as of March 25, 2004, issued by Star Scientific, Inc. to
Reedland Capital Partners, an Institutional Division of Financial West Group(13) |
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10.31 |
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Executive Employment Agreement, dated December 30, 2005 between Star Scientific, Inc. and Jonnie R.
Williams(14) |
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10.32 |
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|
Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated December 30, 2005 between Star Scientific,
Inc. and Paul L. Perito(14) |
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10.33 |
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Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2006, between Star
Scientific, Inc. and Joseph L. Schwarz(15) |
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10.34 |
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|
Common Stock Purchase Warrant, dated as of March 3, 2006, issued by Star Scientific, Inc. to Joseph
L. Schwarz(15) |
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10.35 |
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|
Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 14, 2006, by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and Iroquois Capital(16) |
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10.36 |
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|
Common Stock Purchase Warrant, dated July 14, 2006, issued by Star Scientific, Inc. to Iroquois
Capital(16) |
|
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10.37 |
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|
Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 14, 2006, by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and Delaware Charter Guarantee and Trust Company, FBO Joseph L. Schwarz, IRA(16) |
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10.38 |
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|
Common Stock Purchase Warrant, dated July 14, 2006, issued by Star Scientific, Inc. to Delaware
Charter Guarantee and Trust Company, FBO Joseph L. Schwarz IRA(16) |
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10.39 |
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First Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement, dated December 15, 2006 between Star Scientific,
Inc. and Jonnie R. Williams(3) |
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10.40 |
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|
First Amendment to Second Amended Executive Employment Agreement, dated December 15, 2006 between
Star Scientific, Inc. and Paul L. Perito(3) |
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10.41 |
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|
Escrow Releases Purchase Agreement dated March 14, 2007 by and among QVT Associates LP, Whitebox
Hedged High Yield Partners, LP, Star Scientific, Inc. and Star Tobacco, Inc.(17) |
|
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10.42 |
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|
Second Amendment to Second Amended Executive Employment Agreement, dated March 23, 2007 between
Star Scientific, Inc. and Paul L. Perito(18) |
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10.43 |
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|
License Agreement, dated May 10, 2007 between Star Tobacco, Inc., Star Scientific, Inc. and Tantus
Tobacco, LLC (19) |
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10.44 |
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|
Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 29, 2007, by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and Joseph L. Schwarz(20) |
E-2
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|
Item |
|
Description |
|
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10.45 |
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|
Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated June 29, 2007, issued by Star Scientific, Inc. to Pershing LLC,
FBO Joseph L. Schwarz Roth IRA(20) |
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10.46 |
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Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated June 29, 2007 issued by Star Scientific, Inc. to Joseph L.
Schwarz(20) |
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10.47 |
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|
Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 29, 2007 by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and Joseph Rice(20) |
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10.48 |
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Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated June 29, 2007 issued by Star Scientific, Inc. to Joseph Rice(20) |
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10.49 |
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Agreement dated October 10, 2007 by and between Christopher G. Miller and Star Scientific, Inc.(21) |
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10.50 |
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Agreement dated October 10, 2007 by and between Park A. Dodd, III and Star Scientific, Inc.(21) |
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10.51 |
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Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 13, 2008 by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and the several Investors party thereto, including the form of Warrant
thereunder(22) |
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10.52 |
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|
Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 14, 2008 by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and the several Investors party thereto, including the form of Warrant
thereunder(22) |
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|
10.53 |
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|
Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 12, 2008 by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and the several Investors party thereto, including the form of Warrant
thereunder(23) |
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10.54 |
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Letter Agreement with Jonnie R. Williams, dated March 14, 2008(23) |
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10.55 |
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|
Executive Employment Agreement dated February 26, 2008 between Star Scientific, Inc. and Curtis
Wright, M.D. MPH(22) |
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10.56 |
|
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2008 Incentive Award Agreement(24) |
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10.57 |
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|
Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement dated as of December 19, 2008 between Star Scientific,
Inc. and Robert E. Pokusa(25) |
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|
10.58 |
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|
Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 2, 2009 by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and the several Investors party thereto, including the form of Warrant thereunder
(26) |
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|
10.59 |
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|
Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 22, 2009 by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and the Investor party thereto, including the form of Warrant thereunder (27) |
|
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|
10.60 |
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|
Executive Employment Agreement dated January 1, 2010 between Star Scientific, Inc. and Park A.
Dodd, III(28) |
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|
10.61 |
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|
Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 5, 2010, by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and the several Investors party thereto. (29) |
|
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10.62 |
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|
Amended Warrant, dated March 5, 2010, by and between Star Scientific, Inc. and Iroquois Master Fund Ltd.
(29) |
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|
10.63 |
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Amended Warrant, dated March 5, 2010, by and between Star Scientific, Inc. and Iroquois Capital, LP. (29) |
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10.64 |
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Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 9, 2010, by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and the several Investors party thereto. |
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|
10.65 |
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|
Amended Warrant No. 1, dated March 9, 2010, by and between Star Scientific, Inc. and Tradewinds Master
Fund (BVI), Ltd. |
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|
10.66 |
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Amended Warrant No. 2, dated March 9, 2010, by and between Star Scientific, Inc. and Tradewinds Master
Fund (BVI), Ltd. |
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10.67 |
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Amended Warrant No. 1, dated March 9, 2010, by and between Star Scientific, Inc. and Feehan Partners,
L.P. |
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|
10.68 |
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Amended Warrant No. 2, dated March 9, 2010, by and between Star Scientific, Inc. and Feehan Partners,
L.P. |
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10.69 |
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Amended Warrant No. 1, dated March 9, 2010, by and between Star Scientific, Inc. and PV Partners, L.P. |
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10.70 |
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Amended Warrant No. 2, dated March 9, 2010, by and between Star Scientific, Inc. and PV Partners, L.P. |
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10.71 |
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Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 9, 2010, by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and the several Investors party thereto, including the form of Warrant attached as
Exhibit A thereon. |
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10.72 |
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Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 10, 2010, by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and the Investor party thereto, including the form of Warrant attached as Exhibit A
thereon. |
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10.73 |
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Amended Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 12, 2010, by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and the Investor party thereto. |
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10.74 |
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Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 12, 2010, by and between Star
Scientific, Inc. and the several Investor party thereto, including the form of Warrant attached as
Exhibit A thereon. |
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14.1 |
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Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Corporate Ethics, dated March 2004 (13) |
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21.1 |
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Subsidiaries of the Company |
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23.1 |
|
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Consent of Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P. |
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31.1 |
|
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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31.2 |
|
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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32.1 |
|
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Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as created by Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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32.2 |
|
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Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as created by Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
E-3
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(1) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 3, 1999 |
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(2) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 7, 2009 |
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(3) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2006 |
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(4) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended
March 31, 1998 |
|
(5) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 14, 1998 |
|
(6) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 |
|
(7) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 |
|
(8) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30,
1999 |
|
(9) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2000 |
|
(10) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 17, 2001 |
|
(11) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
30, 2001 |
|
(12) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
2002 |
|
(13) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 |
|
(14) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 30, 2005 |
|
(15) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2006 |
|
(16) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 18, 2006 |
|
(17) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 |
|
(18) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2007 |
|
(19) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
2007 |
|
(20) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2007 |
|
(21) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
30, 2007 |
|
(22) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31,
2007 |
|
(23) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
2008 |
|
(24) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on October 14,
2008 |
|
(25) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 |
|
(26) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 3, 2009 |
|
(27) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2009 |
|
(28) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 28, 2010 |
|
(29) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on March 5, 2010 |
E-4
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
|
F-2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-8 |
|
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Star Scientific, Inc. and Subsidiaries
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Star Scientific, Inc. and
Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related statements of
operations, stockholders equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 2009. We also have audited the Companys internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
The Companys management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective
internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting, included in Managements Annual Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting included in Item 9AControls and Procedures in the Companys 2009 Annual Report
on Form 10-K. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an
opinion on the Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all
material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included
obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a
material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of
internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other
procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinions.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and
procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately
and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and
expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and
directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have
a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent
or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are
subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that
the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the consolidated financial position of Star Scientific, Inc. and Subsidiaries as
of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of
the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion the Company maintained, in
all material respects, effective control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on
criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
As discussed in Note 10, the Company changed its method of accounting for uncertain tax
positions in 2007.
/s/ Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.
Richmond, Virginia
March 16, 2010
F-2
STAR SCIENTIFIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
($ and shares in thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
12,360 |
|
|
$ |
6,473 |
|
Accounts receivable, trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
$5 (2009) and $36 (2008) |
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
Receivable from sale of licensing rights |
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
589 |
|
Inventories |
|
|
230 |
|
|
|
713 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
404 |
|
|
|
1,252 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
13,078 |
|
|
|
9,115 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
1,057 |
|
|
|
1,668 |
|
Idle equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
300 |
|
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization |
|
|
626 |
|
|
|
673 |
|
Receivable from sale of licensing rights, less current maturities (note 3) |
|
|
108 |
|
|
|
132 |
|
MSA escrow funds |
|
|
365 |
|
|
|
365 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
15,234 |
|
|
$ |
12,252 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current maturities of long-term debt |
|
$ |
1,981 |
|
|
$ |
1,478 |
|
Accounts payable, trade |
|
|
2,419 |
|
|
|
1,128 |
|
Accrued expenses |
|
|
978 |
|
|
|
595 |
|
Due to stockholders |
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
5,428 |
|
|
|
3,251 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt, less current maturities |
|
|
7,518 |
|
|
|
9,499 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
12,946 |
|
|
|
12,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments
and contingencies (Notes 10 and 14) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity (deficit): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stockA |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Preferred stockB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
144,686 |
|
|
|
119,102 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(142,409 |
) |
|
|
(119,609 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity (deficit) |
|
|
2,288 |
|
|
|
(498 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity (deficit) |
|
$ |
15,234 |
|
|
$ |
12,252 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A |
|
$.0001 par value, 170,000,000 shares authorized; 107,676,768
and 92,246,308 shares issued and outstanding 2009 and 2008,
respectively. |
|
B |
|
Class A, convertible, $.01 par value, 4,000 shares
authorized, no shares issued or outstanding; Series B,
convertible; $.01 par value 15,000 shares authorized, no
shares issued or outstanding. |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
STAR SCIENTIFIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
($ and share in thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
708 |
|
|
$ |
451 |
|
|
$ |
482 |
|
Less: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold |
|
|
2,612 |
|
|
|
2,116 |
|
|
|
2,067 |
|
Excise taxes on products |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
Department of Agriculture tobacco buyout program assessment |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross margin loss |
|
|
(1,920 |
) |
|
|
(1,672 |
) |
|
|
(1,604 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketing and distribution |
|
|
2,584 |
|
|
|
3,538 |
|
|
|
2,835 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
15,820 |
|
|
|
15,352 |
|
|
|
12,637 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
|
1,798 |
|
|
|
317 |
|
|
|
73 |
|
Restructuring |
|
|
639 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
20,841 |
|
|
|
19,207 |
|
|
|
15,545 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating loss from continuing operations |
|
|
(22,761 |
) |
|
|
(20,879 |
) |
|
|
(17,149 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
202 |
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
851 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(439 |
) |
|
|
(741 |
) |
|
|
(1,347 |
) |
Gain(loss) on retirement of assets |
|
|
251 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(51 |
) |
Loss on sale of MSA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(26,982 |
) |
Gain(loss) on sale of tobacco curing barns |
|
|
(100 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,555 |
|
Derivative expense |
|
|
(67 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
114 |
|
|
|
660 |
|
|
|
241 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other expense |
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
316 |
|
|
|
(23,734 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes |
|
|
(22,800 |
) |
|
|
(20,564 |
) |
|
|
(40,882 |
) |
Income tax benefit(expense) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,225 |
|
|
|
(125 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss from continuing operations |
|
|
(22,800 |
) |
|
|
(18,339 |
) |
|
|
(41,007 |
) |
Discontinued operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of licensing rights |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,354 |
|
Income(loss) from discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,805 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(451 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(22,800 |
) |
|
$ |
(18,339 |
) |
|
$ |
(41,458 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss per common share; basic and diluted: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations |
|
$ |
(0.22 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.20 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.51 |
) |
Discontinued operations |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total basic and diluted |
|
$ |
(0.22 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.20 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.52 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding basic and diluted |
|
|
101,907 |
|
|
|
89,844 |
|
|
|
80,395 |
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
STAR SCIENTIFIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (DEFICIT)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
($ and shares in thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock |
|
|
Paid-in |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Capital |
|
|
Deficit |
|
|
Total |
|
Balances, January 1, 2007 |
|
|
79,251 |
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
$ |
96,613 |
|
|
$ |
(57,712 |
) |
|
$ |
38,909 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
381 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
381 |
|
Stock option exercise |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81 |
|
Issuance of common stock
and warrant exercise |
|
|
2,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,200 |
|
Income tax adjustment
resulting from change in
accounting principle (Note
10) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,100 |
) |
|
|
(2,100 |
) |
Net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(41,458 |
) |
|
|
(41,458 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances, December 31, 2007 |
|
|
81,488 |
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
$ |
99,274 |
|
|
|
(101,270 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,988 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,173 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,173 |
|
Stock option exercise |
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
156 |
|
Issuance of common stock
and warrant exercise |
|
|
10,701 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
16,499 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,339 |
) |
|
|
(18,339 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances, December 31, 2008 |
|
|
92,246 |
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
$ |
119,102 |
|
|
$ |
(119,609 |
) |
|
$ |
(498 |
) |
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
186 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
498 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
498 |
|
Stock option exercise |
|
|
2,597 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
4,933 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,934 |
|
Issuance of common stock
and warrant exercise |
|
|
12,648 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
20,840 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,841 |
|
Derivative liability
adjustment resulting from
adoption of new accounting
policy
(Note 2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(687 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(687 |
) |
Net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,800 |
) |
|
|
(22,800 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances, December 31, 2009 |
|
|
107,677 |
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
$ |
144,686 |
|
|
$ |
(142,409 |
) |
|
$ |
2,288 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
STAR SCIENTIFIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
($ in thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(22,800 |
) |
|
$ |
(18,339 |
) |
|
$ |
(41,458 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from
operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
315 |
|
|
|
602 |
|
|
|
663 |
|
Loss on sale of MSA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,982 |
|
Loss(Gain) on sale of curing barns |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,555 |
) |
Gain on sale of licensing rights |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,354 |
) |
Loss(Gain) on disposal of property and equipment |
|
|
(251 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,225 |
) |
|
|
125 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
498 |
|
|
|
3,173 |
|
|
|
381 |
|
Provision for (recovery of) bad debts |
|
|
(30 |
) |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(42 |
) |
Provision for inventory writeoff |
|
|
414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative expense |
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, trade |
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
4,751 |
|
Inventories |
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
(293 |
) |
|
|
973 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
848 |
|
|
|
(646 |
) |
|
|
(472 |
) |
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
87 |
|
Accounts payable, trade |
|
|
1,290 |
|
|
|
241 |
|
|
|
(109 |
) |
Federal excise taxes payable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(918 |
) |
Accrued expenses |
|
|
383 |
|
|
|
(334 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
(19,039 |
) |
|
|
(17,800 |
) |
|
|
(14,902 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
(112 |
) |
|
|
(78 |
) |
Proceeds from sale of tobacco curing barns |
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,614 |
|
Proceeds from sale of real estate |
|
|
630 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of licensing rights |
|
|
589 |
|
|
|
1078 |
|
|
|
1,121 |
|
Purchase of intangible assets |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
Deposits (made) returned on property and equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(114 |
) |
|
|
(75 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
1,383 |
|
|
|
843 |
|
|
|
12,579 |
|
(CONTINUED)
F-6
STAR SCIENTIFIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
($ in thousands except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments on long-term debt and capital leases |
|
$ |
(1,478 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,746 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,716 |
) |
Stockholder advances |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of stock and warrant exercise |
|
|
20,087 |
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
2,200 |
|
Proceeds from exercise of options |
|
|
4,934 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
23,543 |
|
|
|
14,910 |
|
|
|
(4,435 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deposits to MSA escrow fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(360 |
) |
|
|
(221 |
) |
Proceeds from sale of MSA escrow fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,563 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from MSA activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(360 |
) |
|
|
11,343 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
5,887 |
|
|
|
(2,408 |
) |
|
|
4,584 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
|
|
6,473 |
|
|
|
8,881 |
|
|
|
4,297 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |
|
$ |
12,360 |
|
|
$ |
6,473 |
|
|
$ |
8,881 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the year for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest |
|
$ |
404 |
|
|
$ |
831 |
|
|
$ |
1,410 |
|
Income taxes |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing
activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment or vehicle acquired with debt or capital lease |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
122 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of equipment with lease deposit |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7
STAR SCIENTIFIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. |
|
Nature of business and summary of significant accounting policies: |
Nature of business:
We are a technology-oriented company with a mission to reduce the harm associated with the
use of tobacco at every level. We are primarily engaged in:
|
|
|
the development, implementation and licensing of our proprietary technology for the
curing of tobacco so as to substantially prevent the formation of carcinogenic toxins
present in tobacco and tobacco smoke, primarily the tobacco-specific nitrosamines, or
TSNAs; |
|
|
|
the manufacture, sales, marketing and/or development of very low-TSNA dissolvable
smokeless tobacco products that carry enhanced warnings beyond those required by the
Surgeon General, including ARIVA® compressed powdered tobacco cigalett® pieces and
STONEWALL Hard Snuff® and modified risk tobacco products, as defined in the Family
Smoking and Prevention Control Act of 2009, or the FDA Tobacco Act; |
|
|
|
the development of pharmaceutical products, particularly products that have a
botanical, tobacco-based component, that are designed to treat tobacco dependence and a
range of neurological conditions, including Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease,
schizophrenia and depression; and |
|
|
|
The development of non-nicotine nutraceutical products designed to assist
individuals who have ceased using tobacco or who are in the process of stopping tobacco
use maintain a balanced metabolism as well as related non-nicotine products that may be
helpful to consumers in maintaining a healthy metabolism. |
|
|
Principles of consolidation: |
|
|
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Star Scientific
and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Star Tobacco and Rock Creek. All intercompany accounts
and transactions have been eliminated. |
|
|
Cash and Cash equivalents: |
|
|
For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company classifies all highly liquid
investments with an original maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents. |
|
|
The Master Settlement Agreement (MSA or Master Settlement Agreement) escrow fund: |
|
|
Cash deposits restricted pursuant to the MSA have been reflected as a non-current asset in
the Companys consolidated financial statements. Amounts deposited into MSA escrow accounts
are required to be held in escrow for 25 years. In March 2007, the Company entered into an
agreement under which it received a payment of approximately $11.6 million in return for
assigning to the purchasers the right, title and interest to interest paid on the Companys
escrow fund and to any releases of the escrow principal for any overpayments, or, if these
funds are not used to satisfy judgments or settlements by the Settling States, releases of
the principal on a rolling basis after twenty-five years. As a result, the Company wrote
off these assets in the second quarter 2007, however the escrow accounts remain in the
Companys name and may be used to satisfy portions of any judgments or settlements by the
Settling States if filed against the Company for the types of claims asserted against the
major tobacco manufacturers and which resulted in the negotiation of the MSA. |
|
To date, the Company has not had any MSA state file suit against it for such claims or to
attempt to collect on amounts that have been deposited into escrow. The probability that
such suits will be filed in the future is generally unknown, although there will be an
incentive for such suits to be filed prior to the time that the funds deposited into
escrow are returned to the Company. If such suits are filed, the Company will undertake to
assess the viability of such suits and determine what impact such pending litigation would
have on the value of the Companys MSA escrow funds or on the Company generally if a demand
exceeds the amount of the MSA escrow funds. |
F-8
1. |
|
Nature of Business and summary of significant accounting policies (continued): |
|
|
Accounts receivable, trade and allowance for doubtful accounts: |
|
|
Accounts receivable are customer obligations due under normal trade terms. The Company sells
its products to distributors and retail customers. The Company performs continuing credit
evaluations of its customers financial condition and does not require collateral. |
|
|
Management reviews accounts receivable on a monthly basis to determine if any receivables
will potentially be uncollectible. Any accounts receivable balances that are determined to
be uncollectible are included in the allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for
doubtful accounts contains a general accrual for remaining possible bad debts. The allowance
for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $5 and $36 thousands, respectively.
Based on the information available, management believes the allowance is adequate. However,
actual write-offs might exceed the recorded allowance. |
|
|
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on the first-in,
first-out (FIFO) method. |
|
|
The Company accounts for idle facility expense, freight, handling and wasted materials costs
as current period charges. The allocation of fixed production overhead to the costs of
conversion is based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. |
|
|
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is determined using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of three to seven years for office
equipment, machinery and equipment and thirty-nine years for buildings and improvements. The
Company in March 2007 sold approximately 990 of its tobacco curing barns for approximately
$11.6 million. The remaining 37 barns were accounted for as idle equipment until their sale
in December 2009 for $200 thousand. The Company does not own any curing barns as of December
31, 2009. |
|
|
Intangible assets consist primarily of licensing costs, patents and trademarks and packaging
design costs. Intangibles are amortized using the straight-line method over a period of 17
years for patents and licensing costs and 5 years for packaging design costs (the assets
estimated lives). Substantially all trademarks owned by the Company have indefinite lives
and, as such, the cost of trademarks are not amortized, but are periodically evaluated for
impairment. |
|
|
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed annually for differences between the
financial statement and federal income tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result
in taxable or deductible amounts in the future, based on enacted tax laws and rates
applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income.
Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the
amount expected to be realized. |
|
|
Employee stock-based compensation: |
|
|
The Company uses a fair-value based method to determine compensation for all arrangements
under which employees and others receive shares of stock or equity instruments (warrants and
options). |
|
|
Impairment of long-lived assets: |
|
|
The Company reviews the carrying value of its amortizing long-lived assets whenever events
or changes in circumstances indicate that the historical cost-carrying value of an asset may
no longer be appropriate. |
F-9
1. |
|
Nature of Business and summary of significant accounting policies (continued): |
|
|
The Company assesses recoverability of the asset by estimating the future undiscounted net
cash flows expected to result from the asset, including eventual disposition. If the
estimated future undiscounted net cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset,
an impairment loss is recorded equal to the difference between the assets carrying value
and its fair value. Non-amortizing intangibles (trademarks) are reviewed annually for
impairment. |
|
|
Basic loss per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares
outstanding. |
|
|
Diluted loss per share is computed assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive stock
options and warrants. Potential common shares outstanding are excluded from the computation
if their effect is anti-dilutive (See Note 8). |
|
|
Revenue from the sale of the Companys hard tobacco products is recognized net of cash
discounts, sales returns and allowances and sales incentives (such as coupons, slotting fees
and other buy down promotions). Federal Excise Taxes are included in net sales and account
receivable billed to customers. |
|
|
As required by generally accepted accounting principles of the United States (GAAP), Star
records consumer incentives and trade promotion activities as a reduction of revenues based
on amounts estimated as being due to customers and consumers at the end of a period. The
estimates are based principally on historical utilization and redemption rates of the
Companys products. Such programs include discounts, coupons, rebates, slotting fees,
in-store display incentives and volume-based incentives. |
|
|
Shipping costs are included in marketing and distribution expenses and aggregated $38, $35,
and $34 thousand, in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. |
|
|
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in marketing and distribution
expenses. Advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, were $123,
$199, and $98 thousand, respectively. |
|
|
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income
and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
|
|
Research and Development: |
|
|
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. |
|
|
Commitment and contingency accounting |
|
|
The Company evaluates each commitment and/or contingency in accordance with the accounting
standards which state that if the item is more likely than not to become a direct liability
then the company will record the liability in the financial statements. If not, we will
disclose any material commitments or contingencies that may arise. |
F-10
|
|
Recent Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements: |
|
|
In June 2008, the FASB ratified the consensus reached on new accounting guidance,
Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) Is Indexed to an Entitys Own Stock.
The guidance clarifies the determination of whether an instrument (or an embedded feature)
is indexed to an entitys own stock, which would qualify as a scope exception under the
Derivative and Hedging Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification The guidance is
effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2008. Accordingly, effective on January 1, 2009, the Company reclassified certain
outstanding warrants, at their fair value of $687 thousand, to liabilities where they were
measured at their respective fair values with corresponding changes in fair values charged
or credited to its statement of operations. Upon the warrant exercise on March 23, 2009, the
liability was revalued at its fair value of $755 thousand. The change in fair value of $67
thousand was charged to income as an expense and the balance of the $755 thousand was
reclassified to equity. See Note 8. |
|
|
In June 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification
TM and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principlesa replacement of FASB
Statement No. 162 (FAS 168). The Codification became the source of authoritative GAAP
recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive
releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of
authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. On the effective date of FAS 168, the Codification
superseded all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other
non-grandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification became
non-authoritative. FAS 168 was effective for financial statements issued for interim and
annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of FAS 168 did not affect the
Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. |
|
|
Effective June 1, 2009, the Company adopted new guidance on subsequent events. The
objective of this guidance is to establish general standards of accounting for and
disclosures of events that occur after the consolidated balance sheet date but before the
consolidated financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The Company has
evaluated and disclosed any material subsequent events through March 16, 2010, which is the
date of filing of the Form 10-K. This adoption did not have any impact on the Companys
results of operations or financial condition. |
|
|
In June 2009, the FASB revised its accounting standards for Consolidation of Variable
Interest Entities. The new standards eliminated the exception for special purpose entities
and require evaluation for consolidation based on financial and non financial control
criteria. The Company has no variable interest entities at this time therefore it has no
affect on the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash
flows. |
|
|
Effective December 31, 2009, The Company adopted new guidance on business combinations, in
which an entity is required to recognize assets acquired, liabilities assumed, contractual
contingencies and contingent consideration at fair value on the acquisition date. It further
requires that acquisition-related costs are recognized separately from the acquisition and
expensed as incurred, restructuring costs generally are expensed in periods subsequent to
the acquisition date, and changes in accounting for deferred tax asset valuation allowances
and acquired income tax uncertainties after the measurement period impact income tax
expense. The Company has made no acquisitions
during 2009 therefore this adoption did not have a material impact on the Companys results
of operations or financial condition. Any future effects will depend upon the terms and
size of future acquisitions. |
2. |
|
Liquidity and managements plans: |
|
|
The Company has been operating at a loss for the past seven years. The Companys future
prospects will depend on its ability to generate and sustain increased revenue levels in
future periods. This will largely be dependent on the distribution and consumer acceptance
of the Companys low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products as well as the continued development
of its low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products, independently and through alliances with other
tobacco manufacturers, and its ability to begin generating significant revenues through
royalties from the patented tobacco curing process for which it is the exclusive licensee
and from the development of pharmaceutical and non-nicotine nutraceutical products by Rock
Creek, which has had no revenue to date. The ability to generate revenues through royalty
payments will be dependent upon the success of the Companys ongoing patent infringement
lawsuit against R J Reynolds Tobacco or RJR which has been pending since 2001. In that
litigation, following a jury trial that took place between May 18 and June 22, 2009, the
jury returned a verdict in favor of RJR holding that there was no infringement of the two
patents at issue in the case and that the patents were invalid due to anticipation,
obviousness, indefiniteness and failure to disclose best mode. That decision has been
appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and is pending. On
May 29, 2009 the Company filed a new complaint against RJR for patent infringement during
the period beginning 2003 and continuing to the filing date of the new complaint. The new
case has been stayed pending the outcome of the appeal to the Federal Circuit and the
prosecution of the new complaint will be dependant on the Company achieving reversal of the
jury verdict of invalidity in the initial RJR action. |
F-11
2. |
|
Liquidity and managements plans: |
|
|
As of December 31, 2009, the Company had a working capital surplus of approximately
$7.7 million, which included cash of approximately $12.4 million. Future cash needs during 2010
include: |
|
|
|
litigation costs in connection with the RJR patent infringement trial of
approximately $1.6 million; |
|
|
|
monthly principal and interest payments of approximately $170 thousand until August 2010
when the payment increases to approximately $245 thousand in connection with the
repayment of our long-term RJR debt; and |
|
|
|
funding of other aspects of our current operations in light of continued operating
losses. |
|
|
The Company expects to continue to incur losses in connection with the sale of its smokeless
tobacco products for the foreseeable future. While sales of smokeless tobacco have been
increasing year over year, substantially increased sales will be required to reach a
breakeven level for these products. Rock Creek has had no revenues to date. However, in 2009
Rock Creek developed a non-nicotine nutraceutical that is intended to temporarily reduce the
desire to smoke. It is expected that this product will be introduced for test market in
2010 under the name CigRx. Given the typical long lead time for federal approval of any
pharmaceutical products, the Company does not expect that Rock Creek will generate any
revenues from the sale of pharmaceutical products for the foreseeable future, but rather
that Rock Creek will focus its efforts on the research and development aspects of a range of
pharmaceuticals, including products having a botanical, tobacco-based component and related
non-nicotine nutraceuticals products that may assist in stabilizing metabolism, assuming
sufficient capital can be generated to support such activities. |
|
|
In or before September 2009, the Company entered into securities purchase and registration
rights agreements (collectively, the Agreements) with certain accredited investors (each
an Investor and collectively, the Investors) for the private placement of shares of
common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (Common Stock), and warrants (the Warrants )
to purchase shares of Common Stock (the Warrant Shares), with per share exercises prices
ranging from $1.50 to $3.00 per share. |
|
|
Since January 1, 2009, through the exercise of an aggregate of 2,596,868 options and
7,647,592 warrants for the Companys common stock, in each case for cash, the Company
received proceeds of approximately $20.0 million. It also received $5.0 million in
connection with a securities purchase agreement for the sale of 5,000,000 shares and
5,000,000 warrant shares. Since January 1, 2010 through March 15, 2010, our company
received proceeds of approximately $13.8 million through the sale of
11,727,120 shares of common stock. Absent the exercise of outstanding
warrants and options for cash or a substantial improvement in sales and revenues and/or
royalties, we believe that the recent funding will support our operations through the first
quarter 2011, but that it will be necessary to pursue additional sources of funds to support
our operations during the first quarter of 2011. See Note 16 for a further description of
these transactions. Depending upon market conditions and the price of its common stock, the
Company may decide to seek additional funds before that time. There can be no assurance that
the Company will be successful in obtaining such funding at commercially reasonable terms. |
|
|
The Company expects to continue to pursue opportunities for licensing its low-TSNA smokeless
tobacco products, expanding the sales and marketing efforts for those products, introducing
a non-nicotine nutraceutical product into test market in 2010 and continuing the work of
Rock Creek in developing other pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. While the Company
may seek to obtain funds in the future through debt financing, there are significant
limitations on the ability to obtain new debt financing, including the agreements with B&W.
Moreover, the ability to raise future financings on acceptable terms (including through the
exercise of outstanding warrants) will depend on a number of factors, including the
performance of the Company stock price and its operational performance. Any equity financing
will be dilutive to the Companys existing shareholders. |
F-12
3. |
|
Discontinued operations: |
|
|
In May 2007, the Company entered into an exclusive seven-year license agreement with Tantus
for the license of its cigarette trademarks Sport ®, MainStreet ® and
GSmoke ® and the sale of an amount of Star Tobaccos inventoried cases of
cigarettes bearing these trademarks. The licensing rights became effective in June 2007, or
the Effective Date. Pursuant to the license agreement, Tantus made an initial payment of
$600 thousand on the agreement date and made monthly payments of $100 thousand per month
until July 2009 and since that time has been making payments of $3 thousand per month, which
will continue through the seven-year term of the agreement. As of December 31, 2009, the
Company has an outstanding note receivable balance due from Tantus of $0.1 million and it
has received payments totaling $3.1 million through December 31, 2009. While the Company
continues to have the ability to manufacture and sell cigarettes, it discontinued its
cigarette operations in June 2007, and is focusing its efforts on the manufacture and sale
of the Companys dissolvable low-TSNA smokeless tobacco products. Although it continues to
hold legal ownership of the licensed trademarks, the Company has accounted for this
licensing agreement as a sale since the agreement is non-cancellable, has established a
fixed fee for the rights to the trademarks and the Company under the license agreement has
no significant obligation to provide future services beyond maintenance of the trademarks.
Therefore, on the Effective Date, the Company recorded a gain on the sale of the licensing
rights based on the present value of the total proceeds to be received of approximately $2.9
million using a discount rate of 9.25% net of the $600 thousand payment received on the
Effective Date. Given the nature of the license agreement with Tantus, it also classified
its cigarette business as a discontinued operation beginning in the second quarter of 2007.
The Companys results of operations, financial position and cash flows are separately
reported for all periods presented, as the cigarette operations and cash flows have been
eliminated from ongoing operations and the Company will not have any significant continuing
involvement in these operations. |
|
|
The following represents a summary of the Companys operating results and the gain on the
disposition of the cigarette operations. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ Thousands |
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
10,368 |
|
Cost of goods sold |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,152 |
|
Gross margin (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(784 |
) |
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,021 |
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,805 |
) |
Gain on disposition (net of income tax) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,354 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total from discontinued operations |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(451 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company had no assets or liabilities related to the discontinued operations on its
Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. |
F-13
|
|
Inventories consist of the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ Thousands |
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Raw materials |
|
$ |
119 |
|
|
$ |
146 |
|
Packaging materials |
|
|
446 |
|
|
|
434 |
|
Finished goods |
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
133 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total inventories |
|
$ |
645 |
|
|
|
713 |
|
Less obsolescence and overstock reserve |
|
|
(415 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net inventories |
|
$ |
230 |
|
|
$ |
713 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company had product manufacturing cost that exceeded its normal capacity cost of
approximately $1.4 million and $1.8 million for 2009 and 2008, respectively. These costs
are included in cost of goods sold in the accompanying consolidated statements of
operations. |
5. |
|
Property and equipment: |
|
|
Property and equipment consists of the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ Thousands |
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Land |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
160 |
|
Buildings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
353 |
|
Leasehold improvements |
|
|
451 |
|
|
|
451 |
|
Machinery and equipment |
|
|
4,529 |
|
|
|
4,512 |
|
Office and sales equipment |
|
|
838 |
|
|
|
834 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total property and equipment |
|
|
5,818 |
|
|
|
6,309 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation |
|
|
(4,761 |
) |
|
|
(4,641 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment-net |
|
|
1,057 |
|
|
$ |
1,668 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During March 2007, the Company sold approximately 990 tobacco curing barns for cash
proceeds of approximately $11.6 million. These sales resulted in a gain of approximately
$3.6 million during 2007. In connection with this sale and the release of certain of the
tobacco curing barns from a security interest initially granted to B&W, the Company paid RJR
(the remaining entity from the 2004 combination of RJR and B&W) approximately $2.9 million
on its long-term debt. That payment was applied against the original B&W debt and reduced
principal payments on that note for approximately forty months beginning April 1, 2007. The
Company sold the remaining 37 tobacco curing barns it owned in 2009. |
|
|
In 2000 the Company entered into a ten-year lease of a building and land in Chase City,
Virginia that has been used for the Companys tobacco receiving and manufacturing
operations. The lease contained a provision that granted the Company an option to purchase
the leased premises. In November 2008, the Company assigned its option rights under the
lease to a third party that, in turn, exercised the rights under the option in December
2008. As a result of the transaction, the Company received a net payment of approximately
$0.6 million on January 6, 2009. The Company later transitioned the manufacturing operation
that had been carried on in that facility to an adjacent facility in Chase City that it also
leases. |
|
|
On October 30, 2009, the Company sold a 3.5 acre parcel of land in Petersburg,
Virginia along with improvements consisting of the factory that until May 2007 was used for
the manufacturing of its cigarette products and the adjacent 6,000 square feet office
building that formerly housed its executive, marketing, sales and administrative
offices, for gross proceeds of $630. The Company entered into a leaseback of the office
building for up to two years with a 15 day notice clause to exit the building and lease. The
Company expects to terminate the lease in April 2010, after it completes the transition to
leased space in Glen Allen, VA. The Company recorded a gain on the sale of the property,
plant and equipment of approximately $245 in the fourth quarter 2009 to reflect the
difference between the carrying value of the Petersburg property and buildings and the sales
price. |
F-14
|
|
Depreciation expense is included in the consolidated statement of operations for the years
ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ thousands |
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Cost of Goods Sold |
|
$ |
163 |
|
|
$ |
420 |
|
|
$ |
522 |
|
Operating Expenses |
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
121 |
|
|
|
66 |
|
Discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Depreciation Expense |
|
$ |
253 |
|
|
$ |
541 |
|
|
$ |
599 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intangible assets consist of the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ thousands |
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Patents |
|
$ |
1,049 |
|
|
$ |
1,034 |
|
Trademarks and other intangibles |
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,139 |
|
|
|
1,125 |
|
Less: accumulated amortization |
|
|
(513 |
) |
|
|
(451 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
626 |
|
|
$ |
673 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization expense associated with the intangibles was $62, $61 and $64 thousand in
2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. An aggregate of $84 thousand in trademarks have
indefinite lives and are therefore not amortized. Expected future amortization of
intangibles with finite lives is as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
Years ending December 31, |
|
$ thousands |
|
2010 |
|
$ |
62 |
|
2011 |
|
|
62 |
|
2012 |
|
|
62 |
|
2013 |
|
|
62 |
|
2014 |
|
|
62 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
232 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
542 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the event the Company is unsuccessful in its patent infringement litigation, as
discussed in Note 14, recognition of an impairment loss related to certain patents with a
carrying value of approximately $78 thousand as of December 31, 2009 may be necessary. The
consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from this
uncertainty. |
|
|
Long-term debt consists of the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ thousands |
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Notes payable to
RJR in 96 monthly
installments of
$134,327 until
August 2010 and then
$208,000 until fully
paid in December 2013
plus interest at prime
plus 1%. The notes
were collateralized by
any remaining tobacco
leaf inventory and the
Companys remaining
tobacco curing barns
until the amount of
the debt fell below
$10.0 million, which
event occurred
following payment of
the October 2009 debt
installment |
|
$ |
9,499 |
|
|
$ |
10,977 |
|
Less current maturities |
|
|
(1,981 |
) |
|
|
(1,478 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,518 |
|
|
$ |
9,499 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-15
|
|
The future maturities of long-term debt without regard to potential royalty offsets are
as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
Years ending December 31, |
|
$ thousand |
|
2010 |
|
|
1,981 |
|
2011 |
|
|
2,497 |
|
2012 |
|
|
2,497 |
|
2013 |
|
|
2,523 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total notes payable and long term debt |
|
$ |
9,499 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company grants common stock warrants in connection with direct equity shares purchases
by investors as an additional incentive for providing long-term equity capital to the
Company and as additional compensation to consultants and advisors. The warrants are granted
at negotiated prices in connection with the equity share purchases and at the market price
of the common stock in other instances. The warrants have been issued for various terms
ranging from several months to ten years. |
|
|
Common stock warrants issued, redeemed and outstanding during the years ended December 31,
2009, 2008 and 2007 are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price Per |
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
Share |
|
Warrants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2007 |
|
|
5,041,961 |
|
|
$ |
3.05 |
|
Warrants issued during 2007 |
|
|
2,210,552 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
Warrants exercised during 2007 |
|
|
(1,250,000 |
) |
|
|
(1.00 |
) |
Warrants expired during 2007 |
|
|
(750,000 |
) |
|
|
(2.87 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2007 |
|
|
5,252,513 |
|
|
$ |
2.20 |
|
Warrants issued during 2008 |
|
|
10,686,508 |
|
|
|
2.01 |
|
Warrants exercised during 2008 |
|
|
(200,000 |
) |
|
|
(2.02 |
) |
Warrants expired during 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2008 |
|
|
15,739,021 |
|
|
$ |
2.06 |
|
Warrants issued during 2009 |
|
|
9,320,460 |
|
|
|
2.43 |
|
Warrants exercised during 2009 |
|
|
7,647,592 |
|
|
|
2.07 |
|
Warrants expired during 2009 |
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
4.49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2009 |
|
|
17,311,889 |
|
|
$ |
2.11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of equity securities and exercise of warrants 2007: |
|
|
On February 27, 2007, the Company and Joseph L. Schwarz, the beneficial holder of warrants
issued March 3, 2006 and set to expire on February 28, 2007, to purchase a total of
1.25 million shares of the Companys common stock, at an exercise price of $3.00 per share,
amended each of the warrants by extending the termination date of the exercise period to
June 30, 2007 and increasing the exercise price from $3.00 per share to $3.50 per share. A
portion of these warrants were exercised under the Schwarz Agreement in June 2007 and the
remainder expired. |
|
|
On June 29, 2007, the Company entered into Securities Purchase and Registration Rights
Agreements with Joseph L. Schwarz (the Schwarz Agreement), and Joseph Rice, Esquire (the
Rice Agreement and together with the Schwarz Agreement, the June 2007 Agreements). |
|
|
Pursuant to the Schwarz Agreement, the Company sold to Mr. Schwarz a total of 750,000 shares
of the Companys common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $750 thousand.
Additionally, the Company reset the per share exercise price of certain existing warrants
for 1,250,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Schwarz or his IRA, which were due to
expire on June 30, 2007, from $3.50 and $3.00 to $1.00. In exchange for the re-pricing,
Mr. Schwarz exercised the re-priced warrants in their entirety whereby Mr. Schwarz purchased
1,250,000 shares of common stock for an aggregate of $1.2 million. Further, pursuant to the
Schwarz Agreement, the Company granted Mr. Schwarz warrants, at an exercise price of $1.00
per share, to purchase an additional 2,000,000 shares of Common stock exercisable until
July 14, 2011. The warrants are callable by the Company if the price of the common stock
exceeds $5.00 per shares as quoted on an approved market for twenty consecutive trading
days. |
F-16
|
|
Pursuant to the Rice Agreement, the Company sold to Mr. Rice, for an aggregate purchase
price of $200 thousand, a total of 200,000 shares of common stock and warrants, at an
exercise price of $1.00 per share, to purchase an additional 200,000 shares of common stock
by July 14, 2011. The warrants are also callable by the Company if the price of the common
stock exceeds $5.00 per share as quoted on an approved market for twenty consecutive trading
days. Additionally, the Schwarz and Rice Agreements granted Messrs, Schwarz and Rice
certain registration rights with respect to the Securities. The Schwarz and Riuce
Agreements were made only to accredited investors, as such term is defined in Rule 501 of
Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. The Company relied on the exemption from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act set forth in Section 4(2) thereof and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. |
|
|
In connection with the June 2007 Agreements, the Company was required to adjust the exercise
price and the number of warrants issued to Manchester Securities Corporation or Manchester
under a 2004 warrant agreement for 531,435 shares as previously adjusted (the 2004
Warrants). Under the terms of the 2004 Warrants, since the Company, pursuant to the June
2007 Agreements, sold shares of common stock at an effective price per share below $3.78 per
share, Manchester was entitled to a reduction in the exercise price of the 2004 Warrants
from $3.78 per share to approximately $3.71 per share and to receive an additional grant of
10,552 warrants. |
|
|
Sale of equity securities and exercise of warrants 2008 |
|
|
March 2008 Private Placements: |
|
|
On March 13, 2008 and March 14, 2008, the Company entered into Securities Purchase and
Registration Rights Agreements (the March Agreements) with selected accredited investors
(the March Investors), to sell 4,838,711 shares of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per
share (Common Stock), at $1.55 per share and 3,311,259 shares of its Common Stock at $1.51
per share, respectively (collectively, the March Shares), and warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 8,149,970 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share (the
March Warrants and together with the March Shares, the March Securities), which resulted
in gross proceeds to the Company of $12.5 million (the March Offering). The March Warrants
were first exercisable in September 2008, six months after the closing of the March
Offering, and expire five years after the date that the March Warrants were first
exercisable. The March Warrants are also callable by the Company if the price of the Common
Stock exceeds $6.00 per share as quoted on an approved market for 20 consecutive trading
days. Additionally, the March Agreements granted the March Investors certain registration
rights with respect to the March Securities. The March Offering was made only to accredited
investors, as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the
Securities Act. The Company relied on the exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act set forth in Section 4(2) thereof and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder. In March 2009 holders of March warrants for 4,311,259 shares
exercised these warrants in full at a reduced price per share. |
|
|
In connection with the March 2008 Agreements, the Company was required to adjust the
exercise price and the number of warrants issued to Manchester under a 2004 warrant
agreement with Manchester for 541,987 shares as previously and subsequently adjusted (the
2004 Warrants). Under the terms of the 2004 Warrants, since the Company, pursuant to the
March 2008 Agreements, sold shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share
below $3.71 per share, Manchester was entitled to a reduction in the exercise price of the
2004 Warrants from $3.71 per share to approximately $3.38 per share and to receive 52,647
additional warrants to purchase Common Stock. |
May 2008 Private Placements:
|
|
On May 12, 2008, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement and Registration
Rights Agreement (the May Agreement) with certain accredited investors (the May
Investors), to sell 2,469,135 shares of its Common Stock at $1.62 per share (collectively,
the May Shares) and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,469,135 shares of Common Stock
at an exercise price of $2.00 per share (the May Warrants and together with the May
Shares, the May Securities), in return for gross proceeds to the Company of $4.0 million
(the May Offering). The May Warrants were first exercisable in November 2008, six months
after the closing of the May Offering and expire five years after the date that the May
Warrants were first exercisable. The May Warrants are also callable by the Company if the
price of the Common Stock exceeds $6.00 per share as quoted on an approved market for twenty
consecutive trading days. Additionally, the May Agreement granted the May Investors certain
registration rights with respect to the Securities. The May Offering was made only to
accredited investors, as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under
the Securities Act. The Company relied on the exemption from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act set forth in Section 4(2) thereof and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder. |
F-17
|
|
In connection with the May 2008 agreements, the Company was required to further adjust the
exercise price and the number of warrants issued to Manchester under the 2004 warrant
agreement with Manchester for 594,634 shares as previously adjusted. Under the terms of the
2004 Warrants, since the Company, pursuant to the May 2008 Agreements, sold shares of Common
Stock at an effective price per share below $3.38 per share, Manchester was entitled to a
reduction in the exercise price of the 2004 Warrants from $3.38 per share to approximately
$3.29 per share and to receive 14,756 additional warrants to purchase Common Stock. |
|
|
Additionally, on March 14, 2008, Jonnie R. Williams, the Companys largest shareholder and
Chief Executive Officer, executed a letter agreement under which he committed to make
available to the Company up to $2.0 million until the earlier of March 31, 2009, and the
date the Company received an additional $2.0 million in capital through an equity
investment. Because the Company received over $2.0 million in proceeds from the May
Offering, the March 14, 2008 agreement with Mr. Williams is no longer in effect in
accordance with its terms. |
|
|
On September 25, 2008, the holder of a warrant for 200,000 shares of Common Stock exercised
the warrant in its entirety. The warrant holder elected to exercise the warrant utilizing
the warrants net share settlement provision and was issued 81,488 shares of Common Stock
based on a price of $3.41 per share of Common Stock, the average closing price of the Common
Stock over a 30 day period ending three calendar days prior to the date of exercise, in
accordance with that provision. |
|
|
Sale of equity securities and exercise of warrants 2009: |
|
|
On February 20 and 25, 2009, the Company reduced the exercise price of 1,967,742 Prior
Warrants to $1.25 in exchange for the immediate and full exercise thereof by the Investors
holding such Prior Warrants (collectively, the February Transactions). The February
Transactions resulted in gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $2.5 million. |
|
|
On March 2, 2009, the Company entered into a securities purchase and registration rights
agreement with certain prior Investors whereby the Company: (i) reduced the exercise price
of 1,000,000 Prior Warrants with an exercise price of $3.00 per share to $2.50 in exchange
for the immediate and full exercise thereof by the Investors holding such Prior Warrants and
provided such Investors with warrants having an exercise price of $3.50 per share for the
same number of shares of Common Stock as their respective Prior Warrants and (ii) provided
Investors holding 3,311,259 Prior Warrants with an exercise price of $2.00 per share with
warrants having an exercise price of $3.50 per share for the same number of shares of Common
Stock as their respective Prior Warrants in exchange for the immediate and full exercise of
such Investors Prior Warrants (collectively, the March Transaction and together
with the February Transactions, the Recent Transactions). The warrants issued in the March
Transaction are exercisable immediately into an aggregate of 4,311,259 shares of Common
Stock and expire on March 2, 2014 and are callable by the Company beginning on September 2,
2009 if the price of the Common Stock exceeds $10.00 per share as quoted on an approved
market for twenty consecutive trading days. The March Transaction resulted in gross proceeds
to the Company of approximately $9.1 million. The Recent Transactions were made only to
accredited investors, as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). The Company relied on the
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act set forth in Section 4(2)
thereof and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. |
|
|
As a result of the warrant exercise transactions, the Company was required to adjust the
exercise price and the number of warrants issued to Manchester, under a 2004 warrant
agreement with Manchester pursuant to which Manchester received warrants for 609,390 shares
of common stock, as previously adjusted. Since the warrant exercise transactions involved
the sale of shares of common stock at an effective price per share below $3.29 per share,
Manchester was entitled to a reduction in the exercise price of its warrants from $3.29 per
share to approximately $3.24 per share and to receive approximately 9,201 additional
warrants to purchase common stock. |
|
|
On March 23, 2009 Manchester fully exercised its warrant for 618,591 shares, at the stated
exercise price of $3.24 per share, providing the Company approximately $2.1 million of
additional capital. |
F-18
|
|
On March 30, April 30 and May 4, 2009, the holder of a warrant for 1,103,960 shares
exercised on 250,000 warrant shares on each of the respective dates, for an aggregate of
750,000 warrant shares at a price of $2.00 per share for proceeds of $1.5 million. |
|
|
On September 22, 2009, the Company entered into a securities purchase and registration
rights agreement with an accredited investor (The Investor), to sell 5,000,000 of its
common stock at $1.00 per share and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of
common stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share (the September Transaction and the
September Warrants). The September Warrants are first exercisable on February 22, 2010 and
expire five years after the date that the September Warrants are first exercisable. The
September Warrants are also callable by the Company if the price of the Common Stock exceeds
$3.00 per share as quoted on an approved market for twenty consecutive trading days.
Additionally, the agreement grants The Investor certain registration rights with respect to
the Securities. The September transaction resulted in gross proceeds to the Company of
$5.0 million. The Offering was made only to an accredited investor as such term is defined
in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. The Company relied on the
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act set forth in Section 4(2)
thereof and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder |
|
|
The Company received an aggregate of approximately $15.8 million from the exercise of
warrants during the twelve months ended December 31, 2009. As of December 31, 2009 the
Company had 17,311,889 warrants outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $2.11
per share. |
|
|
Prior to 2008 the Company adopted a 1998 Stock Option Plan, a 2000 Equity Incentive Plan,
and in September 2008 it adopted a 2008 Incentive Award Plan (the Plans). The Plans
provide for grants of options to those officers, key employees, directors and consultants
whose substantial contributions are essential to the continued growth and success of the
Company. In the aggregate the Plans provide for grants of both qualified and non-qualified
stock options to purchase up to 12,000,000 shares at a purchase price equal to the fair
market value on the date of grant in the case of qualified options granted to employees. |
|
|
Common stock options issued, redeemed and outstanding during the years ended December 31,
2009, 2008 and 2007 are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price Per |
|
|
Grant Date Fair |
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
Share |
|
|
Value |
|
Options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options outstanding at January 1, 2007* |
|
|
5,219,500 |
|
|
$ |
2.11 |
|
|
|
|
|
Options forfeited during 2007 |
|
|
(125,000 |
) |
|
|
(3.41 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Options exercised during 2007 |
|
|
(36,300 |
) |
|
|
(2.23 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Options issued during 2007 |
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
1.12 |
|
|
$ |
0.88 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options outstanding at December 31, 2007 |
|
|
5,658,200 |
|
|
$ |
2.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options forfeited during 2008 |
|
|
(50,000 |
) |
|
|
(3.58 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Options exercised during 2008 |
|
|
(58,000 |
) |
|
|
(2.70 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Options issued during 2008 |
|
|
2,075,000 |
|
|
|
1.94 |
|
|
$ |
1.49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options outstanding at December 31, 2008 |
|
|
7,625,200 |
|
|
$ |
2.38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options forfeited during 2009 |
|
|
(681,400 |
) |
|
|
4.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercised during 2009** |
|
|
(2,638,600 |
) |
|
|
1.92 |
|
|
|
|
|
Options issued during 2009 |
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
0.93 |
|
|
$ |
0.77 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options outstanding at December 31, 2009 |
|
|
4,555,200 |
|
|
$ |
2.28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Includes non-qualified options to purchase shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$1.00 granted to a consultant on June 1, 2000 pursuant to an individual option agreement.
These options fully vested on the date of grant and were exercised in full prior to the
expiration date of March 1, 2009. |
|
** |
|
Includes 75,000 share options exercised as non cash, resulting in 33,268 shares issued. |
F-19
|
|
The following table summarizes information for options outstanding and exercisable at
December 31, 2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding |
|
|
Exercisable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Avg. |
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Avg. |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
Avg. Exercise |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Intrinsic |
|
Range of Prices |
|
Number |
|
|
Life Years |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Intrinsic Value |
|
|
Number |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Value |
|
$0.70-2.00 |
|
|
2,950,000 |
|
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
$ |
1.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,900,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.49 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.01-3.00 |
|
|
355,200 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
2.73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
355,200 |
|
|
|
2.73 |
|
|
|
|
|
3.01-4.00 |
|
|
1,025,000 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
3.87 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,025,000 |
|
|
|
3.87 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.01-4.95 |
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
|
|
4.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
|
4.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0.70-4.95 |
|
|
4,555,200 |
|
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
$ |
2.28 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
4,505,200 |
|
|
$ |
2.28 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A summary of the status of the Companys nonvested stock options as of December
31, 2009, and changes during the year then ended, is presented below. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant-Date Fair |
|
Nonvested Stock Options |
|
Shares |
|
|
Value |
|
Nonvested at December 31, 2008 |
|
|
230,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
Granted |
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
0.77 |
|
Vested |
|
|
430,000 |
|
|
|
0.89 |
|
Forfeited |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonvested at December 31, 2009 |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2009, there was approximately $8 thousand of total unrecognized
compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under
the Plans. That cost will be recognized in the first quarter of 2010. The intrinsic value of
options exercised in the year ended December 31, 2009 was $5.4 million. |
|
|
The fair value of options was estimated on the date of grant issuance using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Expected life of options based on simplified method
for employees |
|
|
2-5 years |
|
|
|
2.5 - 5 years |
|
|
|
5-5.67 years |
|
Risk free interest rate |
|
|
0.93-2.47 |
% |
|
|
2.22 - 3.15 |
% |
|
|
3.52-4.52 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected volatility |
|
|
121.2-138.33 |
% |
|
|
103.4-112.0 |
% |
|
|
100.2-108.0 |
% |
Expected dividend yield |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
Total stock-based compensation (stock and stock option) cost recognized is as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ thousands |
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Employee |
|
$ |
75 |
|
|
$ |
2,470 |
|
|
$ |
205 |
|
Non-employee consultants and directors |
|
|
250 |
|
|
|
703 |
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
325 |
|
|
$ |
3,173 |
|
|
$ |
381 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In 2009 the Company issued 186,000 shares of common shares with a fair value of $117
thousand. These shares were issued from the Companys 2008 Incentive Award Plan. |
F-20
|
|
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for
the years ended December 31: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ and shares in thousands except per share data |
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(22,744 |
) |
|
$ |
(18,339 |
) |
|
$ |
(41,458 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted
average shares |
|
|
101,907 |
|
|
|
89,844 |
|
|
|
80,395 |
|
Effect of dilutive securities: stock options and warrants
outstanding (a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator for diluted earnings per shareweighted
average shares adjusted for dilutive securities |
|
|
101,907 |
|
|
|
89,844 |
|
|
|
80,395 |
|
Loss per common sharebasic |
|
$ |
(0.22 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.20 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.52 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss per common sharediluted |
|
$ |
(0.22 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.20 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.52 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities outstanding that were excluded from the computation because they would have
been anti-dilutive are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Stock options and warrants |
|
|
21,867,089 |
|
|
|
10,231,213 |
|
|
|
10,910,713 |
|
|
|
In 2007, the Company recognized a $2.1 million liability for alternative minimum tax
and interest, which was accounted for as an adjustment to beginning accumulated deficit,
when it adopted a new accounting standard related to uncertain tax provisions. The Companys
potential liability resulted primarily from timing differences for deductions for amounts
paid to the Companys MSA escrow accounts. The Company recognized interest related to the
liability for uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. During the first three fiscal
quarters of 2008 and all of 2007, the Company recognized approximately $120 thousand and
$125 thousand, respectively, of interest expense associated with uncertain tax positions.
In 2005, the Companys request for a private letter ruling, or PLR, which related to the
years under IRS examination, was resolved generally in its favor and an amended private
letter ruling, or Amended PLR, was issued by the IRS in January 2009. The Amended PLR
confirmed that the Companys deductions taken for MSA escrow payments, which were the
subject of the IRS ongoing audit for tax years 2001 through 2004 and a pending tax appeal,
were fully deductible and appropriate in the years taken. Based on the Amended PLR, the
Company entered into a closing agreement with the IRS which confirmed the deductions taken
for those years and, thereafter, the IRS confirmed that the Companys tax returns for the
years 2001 through 2004 were correct as filed. As a result of the notification by the IRS
in the Amended PLR, the Company derecognized its position of recording this income tax
expense as of December 31, 2008, which resulted in a $2.2 million income tax benefit. |
|
|
Net deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ thousand |
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Deferred tax assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carry-forwards
(portions subject to annual
limitation) |
|
$ |
47,778 |
|
|
$ |
39,273 |
|
Credit carry-forward |
|
|
501 |
|
|
|
501 |
|
Stock option compensation |
|
|
1,442 |
|
|
|
1,320 |
|
Differing basis in property and
equipment for tax and financial
reporting purposes |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
Other |
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,758 |
|
|
$ |
41,177 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MSA escrow payments taxable in future |
|
|
(137 |
) |
|
|
(137 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(137 |
) |
Valuation Allowance* |
|
|
(49,621 |
) |
|
|
( 41,041 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Based on the information available, management believes the allowance is appropriate. |
F-21
|
|
Income tax benefit consists of the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Current: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
State |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred benefit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The provision for income tax expense varies from that which would be expected based on
applying the statutory federal rate to pre-tax accounting loss as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Statutory federal rate |
|
|
(34.00 |
)% |
|
|
(34.00 |
)% |
|
|
(34.0 |
)% |
Permanent items |
|
|
0.57 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
|
|
0.22 |
|
State tax provision, net of federal benefit |
|
|
(3.45 |
) |
|
|
(3.45 |
) |
|
|
(3.45 |
) |
Valuation allowance |
|
|
36.88 |
|
|
|
37.01 |
|
|
|
37.23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.00 |
)% |
|
|
(0.0 |
)% |
|
|
(0.0 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2009, the Company had net operating loss carry-forwards of
approximately $106 million, which expire from 2009 through 2027. As a result of previous
ownership changes, an aggregate of $532 thousand in Federal loss carry-forwards are limited
to $116 thousand annually. |
11. |
|
Related party transactions: |
Related party activity:
|
|
The Company has entered into certain transactions with companies and trusts that are owned
by members of management and stockholders. The following is a summary of the significant
related party transactions for the year- ended December 31: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ thousands |
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Business travel aircraft expense(a) |
|
$ |
1,560 |
|
|
$ |
1,402 |
|
|
$ |
1,295 |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
The Company from time to time during 2007 and a portion of 2008 used an
aircraft owned by Starwood Industries LLC, a company in which Jonnie R. Williams,
Stars CEO and one of its largest shareholders, is a principal. In 2008 the aircraft
owned by Starwood Industries LLC was sold and another aircraft that is owned by
Starwood Aviation, Inc. (Starwood Aviation), a company wholly owned by Mr. Williams,
was purchased. Effective September 1, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement for
the use of the aircraft owned by Starwood Aviation. |
Related party license agreement:
|
|
Effective January 1, 1998, Star entered into an exclusive license agreement with Regent
Court Technology, LLC, of which the Companys founder, Chief Executive Officer and one of
the Companys largest shareholders, and the beneficiary of the ODonnell Trust, are the
owners. Pursuant to this license agreement, Star has the exclusive world-wide rights to
produce and sell tobacco products with low-TSNA tobacco and to sublicense that technology to
third parties. In connection with this agreement, Star is obligated to pay royalties equal
to 2% of all product sales (less certain costs incurred by the Company) and 6% of any
royalty income earned from sublicensing (less certain costs incurred by the Company). Since
the costs incurred by the Company were in excess of the royalty obligations there were no
royalties due under this agreement for 2009, 2008 or 2007. |
Due
(to) from stockholders:
|
|
Due (to) from Stockholders consists of unsecured non-interest bearing advances of $(50)
thousand as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. |
|
|
On March 9, 2009 Mr. Williams purchased 2,371,541 shares of our common stock at a price of
$1.14 per share and, for a price of $0.125 per share, purchased a warrant for an equal
number of warrant shares at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. In accordance with our
companys related party transaction policy, Mr. Williams intention to purchase shares and
warrant shares of our companys stock was considered by the Audit Committee at a meeting
held on March 9, 2010 and was approved by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors on
that date. |
F-22
|
|
On March 15, 2010, Rock Creek entered into a consulting agreement with Neil L.
Chayet, Esquire, under which Mr. Chayet will assist Rock Creek in the recruitment and
recommendation of members to be appointed to a Scientific Advisor Board for the company and
in communicating to the public health community and others information regarding Rock
Creeks products and mission. The agreement runs for a period of one year from March 15,
2010 to March 15, 2011, is terminable by either party without cause on fifteen days written
notice and may be extended thereafter by the company at its discretion for one month
periods. Under the agreement, Mr Chayet will be acting as an independent contractor and
will receive a consulting fee of $6,000 per month and reimbursement for reasonable business
expenses. Given Mr. Chayets status as Director of our company, the consideration of the
consulting agreement and its potential impact on Mr. Chayets status as an Independent
Director was considered by our companys Audit Committee as a related party transaction in
accordance with our companys related party transaction policy. At a meeting held on March
9, 2010, the Audit Committee approved the consulting agreement and recommended approval to
the Board of Directors. The agreement was thereafter approved by the Board on March 15,
2010. |
12. |
|
Employee benefit plan: |
|
|
The Company is the sponsor of a defined contribution retirement plan under Section 401(k) of
the Internal Revenue Code. The plan covers all employees who meet certain eligibility and
participation requirements. Participants may contribute up to 15% of their annual
compensation. The Company matches these contributions at a rate of $0.75 for each $1.00 of
employee contribution. The Company made contributions of approximately $103, $98, and $114
thousand, in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. |
13. |
|
Fair value of financial instruments, concentrations and credit risk and major customer
information: |
Fair value of financial instruments:
|
|
The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, licensing rights
receivable, MSA escrow funds, due from and to stockholders and trade payables approximate
the carrying value due to their short-term nature, variable interest rates or interest rates
charged at rates at which the Company can currently borrow. In applying the accounting
standards for fair value determination the Company has modified its approach taking into
account what the Company would have to pay someone to take over its debt obligations. The
Company believes that it could pay someone the carrying value of the debt based on the
current market conditions for obtaining credit. Considerable judgment is required in
developing estimates of fair value; therefore, the estimates presented herein are not
necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company would realize in a current market
exchange. |
|
|
The estimated fair value of long-term debt is summarized as follows ($ thousand): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Carrying |
|
|
Estimated |
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
Estimated |
|
Amount |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
$ |
9,499 |
|
|
$ |
9,499 |
|
|
$ |
10,977 |
|
|
$ |
10,977 |
|
|
|
Differences between fair value and carrying amount of long-term debt are primarily due
to instruments that provide fixed interest or zero interest rates or contain fixed interest
rate elements. Inherently, such instruments are subject to fluctuations in fair value due to
subsequent movements in interest rates. |
Credit risk and major customer information:
|
|
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk
consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and licensing rights
receivable. |
|
|
During 2008, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, FDIC temporarily increased the
coverage on substantially all depository accounts to $250,000 and for certain qualifying and
participating non-interest bearing transaction accounts the coverage is unlimited. The
increase in coverage is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2013, at which time the amounts
insured by the FDIC will return to $100,000. During 2009 the Company had
amounts on deposit which exceed these insured limits and as of December 31, 2009, had $11.8
million which exceeded these insured limits. |
F-23
|
|
Trade accounts receivable result from sales of tobacco products to various customers
throughout the United States. Credit is extended to customers after an evaluation for credit
worthiness; however, the Company does not require collateral or other security from
customers. |
|
|
The receivable from the sale of licensing rights is collectible in monthly installments and
$3.0 million of the $3.2 million due under the agreement had been collected by December 31,
2009. All required payments to date have been timely received. As such, management
believes this receivable is fully collectible. |
|
|
The Company had the following customers who represented in excess of 10% of sales: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
|
Sales |
|
|
Receivable |
|
|
Sales |
|
|
Receivable |
|
|
Sales |
|
|
Receivable |
|
Mclane Company, Inc. |
|
|
10.21 |
% |
|
|
3.50 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starco Inpex, Inc DBA
Wholesale Outlet |
|
|
6.44 |
% |
|
|
10.56 |
% |
|
|
8.7 |
% |
|
|
13.8 |
% |
|
|
17.9 |
% |
|
|
25.6 |
% |
CVS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
|
|
3.3 |
% |
|
|
21.5 |
% |
Food Lion |
|
|
7.62 |
% |
|
|
21.94 |
% |
|
|
11.6 |
% |
|
|
1.2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14. |
|
Commitments, contingencies, and other matters: |
Operating leases:
|
|
The Company leased manufacturing machinery and equipment under non-cancelable operating
lease agreements for approximately $35 thousand per month. In July 2007 the Company
purchased the equipment according to the lease terms. The Company utilized the $500 thousand
security deposit and additional cash to purchase the machinery. |
|
|
The Company also leases certain of its office, warehouse and manufacturing facilities under
non-cancelable operating leases for approximately $7 thousand per month; expiring in 2022.
The Company leases office space for its Rock Creek subsidiary in Glouchester, Massacheusetts
for approximately $3 thousand per month and began leasing office space in February 2010 in
Glen Allen, Virginia for its tobacco marketing and administrative personnel for
approximately $3 thousand per month. |
|
|
The following represents the future minimum rental payments required under operating leases
that have initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year as of December 31,
2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
Year ending December 31, |
|
$ thousand |
|
2010 |
|
$ |
148 |
|
2011 |
|
|
150 |
|
2012 |
|
|
130 |
|
2013 |
|
|
131 |
|
2014 |
|
|
133 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
658 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,350 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rent expense for all operating leases was approximately $124, $217, and $667 thousand,
for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. |
Obligations under master settlement agreement:
|
|
In November 1998, 46 states and the District of Columbia, the Settling States, entered into
the Master Settlement Agreement, or MSA, to resolve litigation that had been instituted
against the major cigarette manufacturers. The Company was not named as a defendant in any
of the litigation matters and chose not to become a participating
manufacturer under the terms of the MSA. As a non-participating manufacturer, the Company
was required to satisfy certain escrow obligations for cigarette sales pursuant to statutes
that the MSA required the Settling States to adopt in order for such states to receive the
full benefits of the settlement. On March 14, 2007, the Company sold the rights, title and
interest in and to all income from and reversionary interest in its MSA escrow accounts,
including its 2006 MSA escrow deposits made in April 2007. Although the Company sold the
rights in and to all income from and reversionary interest in the funds deposited into the
MSA escrow accounts for the years up to and including 2006, these MSA escrow funds remain in
the Companys name and the principal amount of these accounts will be available to satisfy
portions of any state judgments or settlements for the type of claims asserted against the
major tobacco manufacturers in the suits that resulted in the negotiation of the MSA, if
such claims are successfully asserted in litigation against the Company. |
F-24
|
|
As of December 31, 2009, the Company had deposited into escrow a net amount of approximately
$38.7 million for sales of cigarettes in Settling States. The Companys total escrow
obligation for 2007 sales (paid in April of 2008) was $365 thousand. In May 2007, the
Company entered into a license agreement with Tantus for the exclusive licensing of its
trademarks Sport®, MainStreet® and GSmoke® and ceased manufacturing cigarettes in June 2007.
Given the discontinuation of the Companys cigarette operations in June 2007, and the focus
on the sale of smokeless tobacco products, the Company does not anticipate having any
material MSA escrow obligations in the future. |
|
|
In May 2001, the Company filed a patent infringement action against RJR in the United
States District Court for Maryland, Southern Division, or District Court, to enforce the
Companys rights under U.S. Patent No. 6,202,649 (649 Patent), which claims a process for
substantially preventing the formation of TSNAs in cured tobacco. On July 30, 2002, the
Company filed a second patent infringement lawsuit against RJR in the District Court based
on a new patent issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on July 30, 2002 (Patent
No. 6,425,401). On August 27, 2002 the two suits were consolidated. |
|
|
In April 2003, the parties filed dispositive Motions for Summary Judgment. After
appointment of a Special Master to prepare Reports and Recommendations, or R&Rs, for the
District Court on six of the Summary Judgment Motions, the District Court adopted without
modification the Special Masters R&Rs, which collectively recommended that the District
Court deny RJRs Summary Judgment Motions, and that the Motion for Summary Judgment on claim
construction and definiteness be granted in part and denied in part. The District Court also
issued an order denying RJRs other Motion for Summary Judgment seeking to limit the
Companys damages claim. |
|
|
On August 17, 2004, the case was transferred from Judge Alexander Williams to Judge
Marvin J. Garbis. Judge Garbis over the next several months issued a series of orders
concerning various aspects of the case and ordered that RJRs defense of inequitable conduct
before the patent office be bifurcated from the remaining issues and tried before Judge
Garbis beginning on January 31, 2005. That portion of the case was tried during the period
January 31, 2005 to February 8, 2005. At the conclusion of the bench trial, the District
Court advised the parties that it would take the matter under advisement, and expected to
rule on this portion of the case at the same time that it ruled on two additional Summary
Judgment Motions that were filed by RJR on January 25, 2005. On January 19, 2007, the
District Court granted RJRs Motions for Summary Judgment in part and denied these motions
in part. On RJRs Motion for Summary Judgment on the Effective Filing Date of the patents,
the District Court held that September 15, 1999 was the effective filing date, but denied
RJR Summary Judgment of Invalidity with regard to the patents-in-suit. On RJRs Motion for
Summary Judgment on Indefiniteness, the District Court granted the motion on the basis that
the term anaerobic condition was indefinite. On June 26, 2007 the District Court issued
its ruling on RJR inequitable conduct defense. In its ruling the District Court held the
two patents unenforceable due to inequitable conduct in their procurement and a final
judgment against our company was docketed on June 27, 2007. The Company immediately filed a
notice of appeal as to the rulings issued in January 2007 and as to the ruling on the
inequitable conduct defense with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit,
or Court of Appeals. |
|
|
After full briefing by both parties and oral argument on March 7, 2008, the Court of
Appeals on August 25, 2008 issued a unanimous opinion reversing the rulings by the District
Court that had found the patents at issue in the RJR litigation invalid because of
inequitable conduct during the prosecution of the patents and because the patents were
indefinite. In October 2008 the case was remanded to the District Court and on March 9, 2009
the Supreme Court
issued an order denying RJRs Petition for Certiorari. Following remand from the Court
of Appeals, the case was tried to a jury in the District Court between May 18, 2009 and
June 16, 2009. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of RJR
holding that there was no infringement of the two patents at issue in the case and that the
patents were invalid due to anticipation, obviousness, indefiniteness and failure to
disclose best mode. On July 7, 2009, the Company filed a motion with the District Court for
Judgment as a Matter of Law or, in the Alternative, for a New Trial. That motion was denied
on December 21, 2009 and judgment was entered on the jury verdict that day. The Company
filed a Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Court
of Appeals on December 22, 2009. The appeal is currently pending and, absent any extension
of time, the Companys opening brief is due to be filed with the Circuit Court on or before
April 5, 2010, RJRs brief is due by May 15, 2010 and the Companys reply brief is due by
May 29, 2010. Once briefing has been completed, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals will
assign a date for oral argument before a three judge panel. |
F-25
|
|
On November 30, 2009, RJR filed a motion for a bill of cost for $442 thousand RJR also filed
a motion requesting the District Court to determine that this is an exceptional case under
35 USC § 285 and award attorneys fees of approximately $35 million under that provision
and/or under 28 USC § 1927 on the basis that attorneys fees were unreasonably multiplied
during the litigation. As part of the Orders issued on December 21, 2009, the District Court
stayed the motion for attorneys fees until after a ruling on the pending appeal and the
reexamination before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The Court on January 8, 2010
stayed any further briefing on a renewed petition for a bill of cost that RJR filed on
December 30, 2009. Any potential award of attorneys fees should be eliminated if the Court
of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturns the jury verdict in the District Court or if
the claims at issue in the reexamination proceeding in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
are determined to be valid, and any award of costs should also be eliminated if the Federal
Circuit overturns the jury verdict in favor of RJR. Because the likelihood of an
unfavorable ruling on the fee motion and bill of cost and the amount of any potential
assessment cannot be reasonably estimated, no amounts have been accrued for these items in
the accompanying consolidated financial statements. |
|
|
On May 29, 2009, the Company filed a new complaint against RJR for patent
infringement during the period beginning 2003 through the filing date of the complaint. In
an Order dated January 8, 2010, the Court stayed any further action in this case until after
a ruling on the appeal in the initial infringement action against RJR. The future
prosecution of the new complaint will be dependant on our achieving a reversal of the jury
verdict of invalidity in the initial RJR action. |
|
|
On December 31, 2008 and January 2, 2009, RJR filed requests in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office to reexamine the two patents that are the subject of the patent
infringement litigations described above. In February and March 2009, the Patent and
Trademark Office granted the reexamination requests, agreeing to review the patentability of
the subject matter claims 4, 12 and 20 of the 649 patent and claim 41 of the 401 patent .
On September 11, 2009 the Patent and Trademark Office issued a first office action in both
cases. On October 22, 2009 the Company participated in an interview with the panel
considering this matter and a written response to the first office action was filed on
November 10, 2009. The reexamination process is ongoing. |
|
|
The Company has entered into fee arrangements with counsel in several litigation and
related matters under which certain costs related to the litigation are being advanced by
counsel on the Companys behalf. Given the contingent nature and the fact that a probability
assessment of liability cannot be made at this time, no accrual has been made for this
contingent liability. The Company has paid or accrued all existing obligations. Also, as
part of its fee arrangements in certain of these matters, the Company has agreed to pay
counsel a percentage of any damage award and a percentage of the resulting payments the
Company actually receives in the event that the litigation is resolved in its favor, in
return for a cap on fee payments during the litigation. |
|
|
Virginia Sales and Use Tax Assessment |
|
|
In 2002, the Virginia Department of Taxation asserted a Virginia Sales and Use Tax
assessment for the period January 1, 1999, through March 31, 2002, against the Company with
respect to its tobacco-curing barns in the
amount of $860 thousand. The Company applied for a correction of the assessment and a
total abatement of the tax on the grounds that its barns are exempt from sales and use taxes
under the industrial use and processing exemption and/or the agricultural exemption. In a
letter dated October 7, 2004, the Company received notification from the Commonwealth of
Virginia that an adverse decision had been made by the Commissioner of Taxation with respect
to the sales and use tax assessment previously issued to the Company. The sales and use tax
assessment plus penalties and interest together, as of December 5, 2009, totaled
approximately $1.4 million. The Company continues to challenge this assessment and filed a
request for reconsideration with the Commissioner of Taxation, and is prepared to file a
judicial action if the administrative action is not favorable. The filing of the request for
reconsideration stays any collection of the tax assessment, although interest continues to
accrue. While the Company is optimistic that its request for reconsideration will be
accepted based on prior rulings in similar cases, if the assessment is not reversed the
Company will be required to pay the tax, penalties and interest due. The Company does not
believe that it is probable that an obligation has been incurred and, as a result, no
amounts have been accrued for this cost in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements. |
|
|
Except as set forth above, there are no other litigation matters pending that could be
expected to materially harm the Companys results of operations and financial condition. |
F-26
|
|
During the quarter ending December 31, 2009 the Company restructured and reduced its tobacco
sales force and certain general and administrative personnel in response to the slower than
expected sales of its dissolvable tobacco products. As part of the restructuring effort, the
Company has limited the day-to-day activity of its sales force and is focusing its
marketing efforts on store level support and consumer marketing in Virginia and contiguous
states, with the intent of gaining more extensive market penetration and product
acceptance in those areas. Notice of the Companys restructuring effort was announced on
December 3, 2009 and separation dates for effected employees occurred on various dates
through January 31, 2010. The restructuring charge in the accompanying consolidated
financial statements reflects severance in the form of salary continuation and benefit
continuation payments for periods up to twelve months for those employees who accepted the
voluntary termination as part of the restructuring effort prior to December 31, 2009. |
|
|
Since January 1, 2010, the Company has entered into Securities Purchase Agreements and
Registration Rights Agreements (the Agreements) with accredited investors (individually
Investor and collectively Investors) for an
aggregate of 11,727,120 shares of its common stock at the consolidated closing bid price and a combination of new warrants for an
aggregate of 6,323,727 shares and the repricing of 5,403,393 shares of previously issued
warrants. In the aggregate the transactions resulted in gross proceeds to the Company of
$13.8 million. The details of the transactions follow: |
|
|
On March 5, 2010 the Company sold to Investors 3,649,007 shares of its common stock (the
Shares), par value $0.0001 per share (Common Stock), at $1.05 per share and reduced the
exercise price on 3,649,007 warrants previously issued to the Investors from $3.50 to $1.50
per warrant and on March 9, 2010 the Company sold to other Investors 1,754,386 shares of its
Common Stock at $1.14 per share and reduced the exercise price on 1,754,386 warrants
previously issued to the investors from $2.00 to $1.50 per warrant. Additionally, the
Agreements grant the Investor certain registration rights with respect to the Common Stock. |
|
|
On March 9, 2010 the Company also entered into an Agreement with another Investor who
purchased 4,385,965 shares of the Common Stock at $1.14 per share and received a warrant to
purchase an equal number of warrant shares at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. On the
same day, a Company Insider purchased 2,371,541 shares Common Stock at $1.14 per share and,
for a price of $0.125 per share, purchased a warrant for an equal number of warrant shares
at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. On March 10, 2010, the Company also entered into
an Agreement with an Investor who purchased 769,230 shares of the Common Stock at $1.30 per
share and received a warrant to purchase an equal number of warrant shares at an exercise
price of $1.50 per share. On March 12, 2010, the Company also entered into an Agreement
with an Investor who purchased 1,428,571 shares of the Common Stock at $1.40 per share and
received a warrant to purchase an equal number of warrant shares at an exercise price
of $1.50 per share. The warrants, in all cases, are first exercisable six months after the
closing of the offering and expire five years after the date that the warrants are first
exercisable. The Warrants issued on March 9, 2010 and March 10, 2010 are callable by the
Company if the price of the Common Stock exceeds $3.00 per share as quoted on an approved
market for twenty consecutive trading days. The Warrants issued on March 12, 2010 are
callable by the Company if the price of the Common Stock exceeds $10.00 per share as quoted
on an approved market for twenty consecutive trading days. Additionally, the Agreements
grant the Investors certain registration rights with respect to the Common Stock and warrant
shares. |
|
|
On March 12, 2010, the Company and an Investor in the Second March 9 Offering agreed to amend
the Second March 9 Agreement only to reduce each of the number of shares of Common Stock and
Warrants purchased by such Investor to 1,754,385 from 4,385,965 (the Amended Agreement). After
giving effect to the Amended Agreement, the Second March 9 Offering resulted in gross proceeds to
the Company of approximately $2,000,000 and a reduction of the amount of the Second March 9
Offering by approximately $3,000,000. |
|
|
The Securities sold to the Investors have not been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or any state securities laws, and may not be
offered or sold in the United States in the absence of an effective registration statement
or exemption from the registration requirements. The Offering was made only to accredited
investors, as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the
Securities Act. The Company relied on the exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act set forth in Section 4(2) thereof and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder. |
F-27
|
|
Consulting agreement with Director |
|
|
On March 15, 2010, Rock Creek entered into a consulting agreement with Neil
L. Chayet, Esquire, under which Mr. Chayet will assist Rock Creek in the recruitment and
recommendation of members to be appointed to a Scientific Advisor Committee for the company
and in communicating with the public health community and others information regarding Rock
Creeks products and mission. The agreement runs for a period of one year from March 15,
2010 to March 15, 2011, is terminable by either party without cause on fifteen days written
notice and may be extended thereafter by the company at its discretion for one month
periods. Under the agreement, Mr Chayet will be acting as an independent contractor and will
receive a consulting fee of $6,000 per month and reimbursement for reasonable business
expenses. |
17. |
|
Quarterly results (unaudited): |
|
|
The following is a summary of quarterly unaudited results of operations for the years ended
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ thousands except per share data |
|
March |
|
|
June |
|
|
September |
|
|
December |
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
148 |
|
|
$ |
238 |
|
|
$ |
232 |
|
|
$ |
90 |
|
Gross profit(loss) |
|
|
(292 |
) |
|
|
(589 |
) |
|
|
(400 |
) |
|
|
(639 |
) |
Net loss |
|
|
(5,231 |
) |
|
|
(7,026 |
) |
|
|
(4,902 |
) |
|
|
(5,562 |
) |
EPS net loss basic and diluted |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March |
|
|
June |
|
|
September |
|
|
December |
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
146 |
|
|
$ |
52 |
|
|
$ |
137 |
|
|
$ |
117 |
|
Gross profit(loss) |
|
|
(324 |
) |
|
|
(497 |
) |
|
|
(436 |
) |
|
|
(416 |
) |
Net loss |
|
|
(5,517 |
) |
|
|
(6,387 |
) |
|
|
(4,397 |
) |
|
|
(2,036 |
) |
EPS net loss basic and diluted |
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March |
|
|
June |
|
|
September |
|
|
December |
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
151 |
|
|
$ |
196 |
|
|
$ |
52 |
|
|
$ |
83 |
|
Gross profit(loss) |
|
|
(322 |
) |
|
|
(495 |
) |
|
|
524 |
|
|
|
(263 |
) |
Net loss from continuing operations |
|
|
(27,284 |
) |
|
|
(3,991 |
) |
|
|
(4,490 |
) |
|
|
(5,242 |
) |
Discontinued operations |
|
|
(913 |
) |
|
|
999 |
|
|
|
(471 |
) |
|
|
(65 |
) |
Net loss |
|
|
(28,197 |
) |
|
|
(2,993 |
) |
|
|
(4,961 |
) |
|
(5,307 |
) |
EPS basic and diluted continuing operations |
|
|
(0.35 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
EPS basic and diluted discontinued operations |
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
EPS net loss basic and diluted |
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
Per share amounts for each quarter are required to be computed independently and, therefore,
may not equal amounts computed on an annual basis.
F-28