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EX-32 - EXHIBIT 32 - Riot Blockchain, Inc.ex32.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Riot Blockchain, Inc.ex31x1.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Riot Blockchain, Inc.ex31x2.htm
EX-10.1 - EXHIBIT 10.1 - Riot Blockchain, Inc.ex10x1.htm

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010

OR

o    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: 001-33675

ASPENBIO PHARMA, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Colorado
84-1553387
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1585 South Perry Street, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(303) 794-2000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes  x    No  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 (§232.405 of this chapter) 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 whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one)
 
Large accelerated filer o         Accelerated filer o         Non-accelerated filer o        Smaller reporting company x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No  x
 
The number of shares of no par value common stock outstanding as of August 2, 2010 was 40,138,324.
 
 
 
 

 
 

ASPENBIO PHARMA, INC.
 
 
Page
 
     
                 
PART I - Financial Information
     
     
Item 1.
   
Condensed Financial Statements
         
     
     
Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009
     
3
 
     
     
Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)
     
4
 
     
     
Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)
     
5
 
     
     
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)
     
6
 
     
Item 2.
   
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
     
14
 
     
Item 3.
   
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
     
20
 
     
Item 4.
   
Controls and Procedures
     
20
 
     
PART II - Other Information
     
     
Item 1.
   
Legal Proceedings
     
20
 
     
Item 1A.
   
Risk Factors
     
20
 
     
Item 2.
   
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
     
20
 
     
Item 3.
   
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
     
**
 
     
Item 5.
   
Other Information
     
**
 
     
Item 6.
   
Exhibits
     
21
 
     
     
Signatures
     
22
 


 
** - Item is none or not applicable


 


 
 

 

 PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item I. Condensed Financial Statements
AspenBio Pharma, Inc.
Balance Sheets
 
 
June 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
December 31,
2009
 
         
ASSETS
           
     
Current assets:
           
     Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
12,523,434
   
$
13,366,777
 
     Short-term investments
   
3,874,531
     
510,120
 
     Accounts receivable, net (Note 8)
   
22,140
     
47,959
 
     Inventories (Note 2)
   
275,784
     
339,546
 
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
150,133
     
163,029
 
                 
         Total current assets
   
16,846,022
     
14,427,431
 
     
Property and equipment, net (Note 3)
   
3,270,187
     
3,310,844
 
     
Other long-term assets, net (Note 4)
   
1,775,392
     
1,639,836
 
                 
Total assets
 
$
21,891,601
   
$
19,378,111
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
     
Current liabilities:
               
     Accounts payable
 
$
834,085
   
$
1,545,549
 
     Accrued expenses
   
686,502
     
807,907
 
     Current portion of notes and other obligations (Note 5)
   
105,980
     
107,417
 
     Deferred revenue, current portion (Note 8)
   
746,062
     
813,947
 
                 
         Total current liabilities
   
2,372,629
     
3,274,820
 
     
Notes and other obligations, less current portion (Note 5)
   
2,602,530
     
2,655,418
 
Deferred revenue, less current portion (Note 8)
   
669,167
     
634,145
 
                 
         Total liabilities
   
5,644,326
     
6,564,383
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
     
Stockholders' equity (Notes 6 and 7):
               
    Common stock, no par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized;
               
           40,138,324 and 37,467,642 shares issued and outstanding
   
65,010,359
     
54,283,126
 
    Accumulated deficit
   
(48,763,084
)
   
(41,469,398
)
                 
         Total stockholders' equity
   
16,247,275
     
12,813,728
 
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
21,891,601
   
$
19,378,111
 
                 
 
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements
 
3
 
 

 
AspenBio Pharma, Inc.
Statements of Operations
Periods Ended June 30,
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
Sales (Note 8)
  $ 59,132     $ 70,892     $ 201,265     $ 153,039  
Cost of sales
    33,960       170,663       99,526       286,889  
                                 
Gross profit (loss)
    25,172       (99,771 )     101,739       (133,850 )
         
Other revenue - fee (Note 8)
    16,876       15,986       32,863       31,973  
                                 
Operating expenses:
                               
   Selling, general and administrative
                               
     (includes non-cash compensation
                               
      of $724,924; $417,870; $1,319,676
                               
      and $805,997)
    2,117,906       1,504,204       4,001,583       2,825,793  
   Research and development
    1,311,235       2,241,840       3,355,432       3,658,320  
                                 
    Total operating expenses
    3,429,141       3,746,044       7,357,015       6,484,113  
                                 
    Operating loss
    (3,387,093 )     (3,829,829 )     (7,222,413 )     (6,585,990 )
                                 
Other income (expense):
                               
   Interest income
    11,848       67,332       24,157       143,626  
   Interest expense
    (47,005 )     (47,083 )     (95,430 )     (100,974 )
   Other, net
          30,135             43,135  
                                 
     Total other income (expense)
    (35,157 )     50,384       (71,273 )     85,787  
                                 
     Net loss
  $ (3,422,250 )   $ (3,779,445 )   $ (7,293,686 )   $ (6,500,203 )
                                 
Basic and diluted net loss per share
  $ (.09 )   $ (.12 )   $ (.19 )   $ (.21 )
                                 
Basic and diluted weighted average number
                               
of shares outstanding
    39,174,507       31,727,422       38,342,121       31,668,904  
                                 

 
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements
 
4
 
 

 
 
AspenBio Pharma, Inc.
Statements of Cash Flows
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009
(Unaudited)
 
 
2010
 
2009
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
     Net loss
  $ (7,293,686 )   $ (6,500,203 )
     Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
               
         net cash used by operating activities
               
              Depreciation and amortization
    234,889       189,953  
              Amortization of license fee
    (32,863 )     (31,973 )
              Stock based compensation for services
    1,319,676       805,997  
              Write-down of assets
    56,225       4,338  
        (Increase) decrease in:
               
              Accounts receivable
    25,819       45,624  
              Inventories
    63,762       (77,676
              Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    12,896       598,338  
         Increase (decrease) in:
               
              Accounts payable
    (711,464 )     (71,683 )
              Accrued liabilities
    (107,073 )     120,759  
              Accrued compensation
    (14,332 )     (72,424 )
                 
     Net cash used by operating activities
    (6,446,151 )     (4,988,950 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
     Purchases of short-term investments
    (3,909,994 )     (2,307,248 )
     Sales of short-term investments
    545,583       5,221,768  
     Purchases of property and equipment
    (150,189 )     (67,663 )
     Patent and trademark acquisition costs
    (235,824 )     (160,283 )
                 
     Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (3,750,424 )     2,686,574  
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
     Repayment of notes payable
    (54,325 )     (216,357 )
     Proceeds from exercise of stock warrants and options
    291,028       227,940  
     Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
    9,116,529        
                 
     Net cash provided by financing activities
    9,353,232       11,583  
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (843,343 )     (2,290,793 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    13,366,777       11,819,505  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 12,523,434     $ 9,528,712  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
     Cash paid during the period for interest
  $ 93,110     $ 100,844  
                 

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

5
 
 

 
 
AspenBio Pharma, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

 INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The accompanying financial statements of AspenBio Pharma, Inc. (the “Company,” “AspenBio” or “AspenBio Pharma”) have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and changes in financial position at June 30, 2010, and for all periods presented have been made. Certain information and footnote data necessary for fair presentation of financial position and results of operations in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. It is therefore suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the summary of significant accounting policies and notes to financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as amended. The results of operations for the periods ended June 30, 2010 are not necessarily an indication of operating results for the full year.
 
 Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies: 

 Cash, cash equivalents and investments:
 
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. From time to time, the Company’s cash account balances exceed the balances as covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance System. The Company has never suffered a loss due to such excess balances.
 
The Company invests excess cash from time to time in highly-liquid debt and equity investments of highly-rated entities which are classified as trading securities. The purpose of the investments is to fund research and development, product development, United States Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) approval-related activities and general corporate purposes. Such amounts are recorded at market values using Level 1 inputs in determining fair value and are classified as current, as the Company does not intend to hold the investments beyond twelve months. Investment securities classified as trading are those securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term with the objective of preserving principal and generating profits. These securities are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as an element of other income (expense) in current period earnings. The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has approved an investment policy covering the investment parameters to be followed with the primary goals being the safety of principal amounts and maintaining liquidity of the fund. The policy provides for minimum investment rating requirements as well as limitations on investment duration and concentrations. During late 2008, based upon market conditions, the investment guidelines were temporarily tightened to raise the minimum acceptable investment ratings required for investments and shorten the maximum investment term, which criteria remain in effect. As of June 30, 2010, 73% of the investment portfolio was in cash equivalents, which is included with cash on the accompanying balance sheet, and the remaining funds were invested in short-term marketable securities with none individually representing more than 6% of the portfolio and none with maturities past February 2011. To date the Company’s cumulative market loss from the investments has not been significant.
 
 Fair value of financial instruments:
 
The Company accounts for financial instruments under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC”) 820 (formerly - Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 157), Fair Value Measurements.  This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  To increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:

Level 1 — quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 — observable inputs other than Level 1, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, and model-derived prices whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable; and

Level 3 — assets and liabilities whose significant value drivers are unobservable.
 
6

 
 

 
 
Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs are based on the Company’s market assumptions.  Unobservable inputs require significant management judgment or estimation.  In some cases, the inputs used to measure an asset or liability may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.  In those instances, the fair value measurement is required to be classified using the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Such determination requires significant management judgment. There were no financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value, with the exception of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. 

The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments (other than cash, cash equivalents and investments as discussed above) approximate fair value because of their variable interest rates and / or short maturities combined with the recent historical interest rate levels.
 
Income (loss) per share:
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) available to stockholders by the weighted number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution of securities that could share in the Company’s earnings. The effect of the inclusion of the dilutive shares would have resulted in a decrease in loss per share. Accordingly, the weighted average shares outstanding have not been adjusted for dilutive shares. Outstanding stock options and warrants are not considered in the calculation, as the impact of the potential common shares (totaling approximately 6,488,000 shares for the six months ended June 30, 2010, and approximately 4,834,000 shares for the six months ended June 30, 2009) would decrease loss per share.


Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements:

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) — Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements.” This ASU eliminates the requirement that all undelivered elements must have objective and reliable evidence of fair value before a company can recognize the portion of the consideration that is attributable to items that already have been delivered. This may allow some companies to recognize revenue on transactions that involve multiple deliverables earlier than under the current requirements. Additionally, under the new guidance, the relative selling price method is required to be used in allocating consideration between deliverables and the residual value method will no longer be permitted. This ASU is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified beginning in fiscal 2011. A company may elect, but will not be required, to adopt the amendments in this ASU retrospectively for all prior periods. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this ASU and has not yet determined the impact, if any, that it will have on the financial statements.
 
In April 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition – Milestone Method (Topic 605):  Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition.”  This ASU is effective on a prospective basis for milestones achieved in fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after June 15, 2010.  Early adoption is permitted.  If a vendor elects early adoption and the period of adoption is not the beginning of the entity’s fiscal year, the entity should apply the amendments retrospectively from the beginning of the year of adoption.  The Company does not expect the provisions of ASU 2010-17 to have a material effect on the financial statements.
 

Note 2. Inventories:

Inventories consisted of the following:
 
   
June 30,
2010
(Unaudited)
   
December 31,
2009
 
Finished goods
 
$
84,968
   
$
146,412
 
Work in process
   
11,375
     
11,375
 
Raw materials
   
179,441
     
181,759
 
                 
   
$
275,784
   
$
339,546
 
 
7

 
 

 


Note 3. Property and Equipment:

 Property and equipment consisted of the following:
 
   
June 30,
2010
(Unaudited)
   
December 31,
2009
 
Land and improvements
 
$
1,107,508
   
$
1,107,508
 
Building
   
2,589,231
     
2,589,231
 
Building improvements
   
235,946
     
234,942
 
Laboratory equipment
   
1,189,443
     
1,111,570
 
Office and computer equipment
   
354,909
     
283,597
 
                 
Total cost
   
5,477,037
     
5,326,848
 
Less accumulated depreciation
   
2,206,850
     
2,016,004
 
                 
   
$
3,270,187
   
$
3,310,844
 
 
Note 4. Other Long-Term Assets:

Other long-term assets consisted of the following:

   
June
30, 2010
(Unaudited)
   
December 31, 2009
 
Patents and trademarks and applications, net of
           
      accumulated amortization of $140,785 and $99,597
 
$
1,369,924
   
$
1,231,514
 
Goodwill
   
387,239
     
387,239
 
Other, net
   
18,229
     
21,083
 
                 
   
$
1,775,392
   
$
1,639,836
 
 
The Company capitalizes legal costs and filing fees associated with obtaining patents on its new discoveries. Once the patents have been issued, the Company amortizes these costs over the shorter of the legal life of the patent or its estimated economic life using the straight-line method. Based upon the current status of the above intangible assets, the aggregate amortization expense is estimated to be approximately $50,000 for each of the next five fiscal years.

 Note 5. Mortgage Notes and Other Obligations:
 
Mortgage notes payable and other obligations consisted of the following:
 
   
June 30,
2010
(Unaudited)
   
December 31, 2009
 
Mortgage notes
 
$
2,704,515
   
$
2,754,176
 
Other installment obligation
   
3,995
     
8,659
 
                 
     
2,708,510
     
2,762,835
 
Less current portion
   
105,980
     
107,417
 
                 
   
$
2,602,530
   
$
2,655,418
 
                 
 
 
8
 
 
 

 
Mortgage Notes:
 
The Company has a permanent mortgage facility on its land and building. The mortgage is held by a commercial bank and includes approximately 36% that is guaranteed by the U. S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The loan is collateralized by the real property and is also personally guaranteed by a stockholder of the Company. The interest rate on the bank portion is one percentage over the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate (minimum 7%), with 7% being the approximate effective rate for 2010 and 2009, and the SBA portion bears interest at the rate of 5.86%. The commercial bank portion of the loan requires total monthly payments of approximately $14,200, which includes approximately $10,500 per month in contractual interest, through June 2013 when the then remaining principal balance is due which is estimated to be approximately $1,588,000 at that time. The SBA portion of the loan requires total monthly payments of approximately $9,200 through July 2023, which includes approximately $4,600 per month in contractual interest and fees.
 
Other Installment Obligations:
 
The Company has capitalized certain obligations under leases that meet the requirements of capital lease obligations. At June 30, 2010, such obligations totaled $3,995, and is due in 2010.
 
Future Maturities:
 
The Company’s debt obligations require minimum annual principal payments of approximately $54,000 for the balance of 2010, $108,000 in 2011, $114,000 in 2012, $1,670,000 in 2013, $65,000 in 2014 and $698,000 thereafter, through the terms of the agreements.


Note 6. Stockholders’ Equity:
 
In May 2010, the Company completed a registered direct offering consisting of 2,409,639 units (“Units”) for a negotiated price of $4.15 per Unit, generating approximately $9,117,000 in net proceeds to the Company.  Fees and expenses totaled $883,000, including a placement fee of 6.5%.  Each Unit consisted of one share of the Company’s no par value common stock and one warrant to purchase 0.285 shares of common stock. Accordingly, a total of 2,409,639 common shares and warrants to purchase 686,746 shares of common stock were issued. The exercise price of the warrants is $4.82 per common share, and they are exercisable at any time and expire in January 2011.

During the six months ended June 30, 2010, advisors exercised options outstanding under the Company’s 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (“Plan”) as amended and approved by the Company’s stockholders, to purchase 261,043 shares of common stock generating $291,028 in cash proceeds to the Company.   

During the six months ended June 30, 2009, advisors exercised options to purchase 38,000 shares of common stock generating $29,940 in cash proceeds to the Company, and a former employee exercised options to purchase 330,000 shares of common stock generating $198,000 in cash proceeds. An advisor’s options for 50,000 shares expired upon the advisor’s termination from the Company during 2009. Also during the six months ended June 30, 2009, the holders of 670,924 warrants that were issued for investor relations services elected to exercise those warrants on a cashless basis as provided in the agreements and as a result, were issued 493,835 common shares in consideration for the surrender of the 670,924 warrants.


Note 7. Stock Options and Warrants:
 
Stock Options:
 
The Company currently provides stock-based compensation to employees, directors and consultants under the Company’s Plan under which 6,100,000 common shares have been reserved.  The Company estimates the fair value of the share-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”).  Using the Black-Scholes model, the value of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized over the requisite service period in the statement of operations.  Option forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.  The Company attributes compensation to expense using the straight-line single option method for all options granted. 

The Company’s determination of the estimated fair value of share based payment awards on the date of grant is affected by the following variables and assumptions:
 
· 
The grant date exercise price – the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant;
· 
Estimated option term – based on historical experience with existing option holders;
· 
Estimated dividend rates – based on historical and anticipated dividends  over the life of the option;
· 
Term of the option – based on historical experience grants have lives of approximately 5 years;
· 
Risk-free interest rates – with maturities that approximate the expected life of the options granted;
· 
Calculated stock price volatility – calculated over the expected life of the options granted, which is calculated based on the daily closing price of the Company’s common stock over a period equal to the expected term of the option; and
· 
Option exercise behaviors – based on actual and projected employee stock option exercises and forfeitures.
 
 
9
 
 

 


The Company utilized assumptions in the estimation of fair value of share based compensation during the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 as follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Dividend yield
    0%       0%  
Expected price volatility
 
110 to 115%
   
117 to 119%
 
Risk free interest rate
 
2.06 to 2.62%
   
1.59 to 2.55%
 
Expected term
 
5 years
   
5 years
 


The Company recognized stock-based compensation during the periods ended June 30, as follows:

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
Stock options to employees and directors
  $ 670,180     $ 392,824     $ 1,120,338     $ 744,511  
Stock options to advisory board members and contractors (1)
    16,003       7,196       138,164       20,196  
Stock options to consultants
    38,741       17,850       61,174       41,290  
                                 
    Total stock-based compensation
  $ 724,924     $ 417,870     $ 1,319,676     $ 805,997  
                                 

(1) Amounts relate to animal health services and activities.

A summary of stock option activity of options to employees, directors and advisors, for the six months ended June 30, 2010, is presented below:
 
 
Shares
Under
Option
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
4,425,532
 
$
2.06
           
     Granted
1,307,500
   
2.22
           
     Exercised
(261,043
)
 
1.11
           
     Forfeited
(18,000
 
2.10
           
                 
Outstanding at June 30, 2010
5,453,989
 
$
2.14
 
7.6
 
$
129,000
 
Exercisable at June 30, 2010
2,770,973
 
$
2.02
 
6.2
 
$
129,000
 
 
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on June 30, 2010 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders, had all option holders been able to and in fact, had exercised their options on June 30, 2010.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2010, 1,307,500 stock options were granted under the Plan to employees, officers, directors and consultants exercisable at the then market price which averaged $2.22 per share, a weighted average fair value at the grant date of $1.77 per option.  Existing directors and officers were granted a total of 675,000 options at $2.20 per share and existing employees were granted 118,500 options at $2.19 per share, all vesting over a three-year period annually in arrears and expiring in ten years.  The Company also issued 400,000 options to a newly hired officer exercisable at $2.28 per share which vest over a three-year period annually in arrears and expire in ten years.  Out of the 400,000 options, vesting of 100,000 options was accelerated, under their terms when performance achievements were reached.  A consultant was granted 40,000 options at $2.04 per share vesting in equal amounts after six months, twelve months, twenty-four months and thirty-six months from the date of grant and expiring in ten years and a consultant was granted 50,000 options at $2.23 per share vested at the grant date and expiring in five years.  Four newly-hired employees were granted a total of 24,000 options at an average exercise price of $2.01 per share, all vesting over a three-year period annually in arrears and expiring in ten years.

 
10

 
 
 

 
During the six months ended June 30, 2010, advisors exercised 261,043 options outstanding under the Company’s Plan generating $291,028 in cash and which had an intrinsic value when exercised of $371,130.  During the six months ended June 30, 2010, a total of 18,000 options were forfeited, 10,000 of which were vested and 8,000 were unvested.  The options were exercisable at an average of $2.10 per share and were forfeited upon the employees’ terminations from the Company.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, 1,617,500 stock options were granted under the Plan to employees, officers and directors exercisable at the then market price which averaged $1.54 per share, a weighted average fair value at the grant date of $1.27 per option and all vesting over a three-year period annually in arrears and expiring in ten years. Existing employees and directors were granted a total of 698,000 options at $1.33 per share. The Company also issued a total of 800,000 stock options to two newly hired officers, 500,000 are exercisable at $1.69 per share and 300,000 are exercisable at $1.80 per share. In addition, five newly hired employees were granted a total of 119,500 options exercisable at an average of $1.48 per shares, all vesting annually over three years in arrears and expiring in ten years.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, a former employee exercised 330,000 options outstanding under the Plan generating $198,000 in cash proceeds and advisors exercised 38,000 options outstanding under the Plan generating $29,940 in cash. The options when exercised had an intrinsic value totaling $829,000.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, 29,466 options which were exercisable at an average of $2.75 per share terminated upon the employee’s resignation from the Company and an advisor’s options for 50,000 shares exercisable at $0.75 per share were forfeited upon the advisor’s termination from the Company.
 
The total fair value of stock options granted to employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors that vested and became exercisable during the six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $1,631,000 and $853,000, respectively.  Based upon the Company’s experience, approximately 86% of the outstanding stock options, or approximately 4,690,000 options, are expected to vest in the future, under their terms.

A summary of the status of non-vested options to acquire common shares under the Company’s Plan granted to employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors and changes during the six months ended June 30, 2010 is presented below:
 
Nonvested Shares
 
 
Nonvested
Shares
Under
Option
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Nonvested at January 1, 2010
   
2,364,916
 
$
2.43
 
$
1.78
 
     Granted
   
1,307,500
   
2.22
   
1.77
 
     Vested
   
(981,400
)
 
2.40
   
1.82
 
     Forfeited
   
(8,000
)
 
2.27
   
2.59
 
Nonvested at June 30, 2010
   
2,683,016
 
$
2.28
 
$
1.74
 
 
At June 30, 2010, based upon employee, director and advisor options granted to that point there was approximately $3,017,000 of additional unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options that will be recorded over a weighted average future period of less than three years.
 
Other common stock purchase options and warrants:

As of June 30, 2010, in addition to the stock options discussed above, the Company had outstanding 1,034,276 non-qualified options and warrants in connection with consulting services for investor relations and placement agent services. The following is a summary of such outstanding options and warrants for the six months ended June 30, 2010:

 

11

 
 

 




 
Shares
Under
Options / Warrants
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
             
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
332,530
   
$
6.98
           
     Granted
716,746
     
4.70
           
     Exercised
     
           
     Forfeited
(15,000
)
   
5.00
           
Outstanding and exercisable at June 30, 2010
1,034,276
   
$
5.43
 
0.7
 
$
 
 
On May 5, 2010, the Company closed on a $10 million registered direct offering consisting of 2,409,639 shares of the Company’s no par value common stock and 686,746 warrants.  The warrants which are included in the table above were exercisable when issued at $4.82 per common share and expire eight months from the date of closing.

During the six months ended June 30, 2010, 30,000 warrants to acquire common shares were granted to a consultant in consideration for investor relations services, 15,000 of the warrants are exercisable at $1.80 per share and 15,000 of the warrants are exercisable at $2.14 per share.  The warrants vested upon grant and expire three years from the date granted.  In June 2010, the Company terminated its relationship with the consultant.  During the six months ended June 30, 2010, 15,000 outstanding warrants to acquire common shares exercisable at $5.00 per share granted to a consultant in consideration for investor relations services expired and were forfeited.  Subsequent to June 30, 2010, 30,000 outstanding warrants to acquire common shares exercisable at $5.00 per share granted to a consultant in consideration for investor relations services expired and were forfeited.

 At June 30, 2010, there was no unrecognized cost for non-qualified options and warrants. The total fair value of non-qualified options and warrants that vested during the six months ended June 30, 2010, was $81,000.
 
Operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 include $38,741 and $17,850, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 include $61,174 and $41,290, respectively, for the value of the investor relations consulting warrants. The fair value of warrants, recorded as a consulting expense related to investor relations services at the grant date has been estimated utilizing the Black-Scholes model, with the following assumptions:

   
2010
   
2009
           
Dividend yield
   
0%
     
0%
Expected price volatility
   
128 to 130%
     
71 to 127%
Risk free interest rate
   
1.26 to 1.70%
     
1.00 to 1.52%
Expected term
 
3 years
   
3 years
 
Note 8. Concentrations, Commitments and Contingencies:
 
 Customer Concentration:
 
At June 30, 2010, four customers accounted for approximately 59% of total accounts receivable, accounting for approximately 19%, 16%, 13% and 11%, respectively.   For the six months ended June 30, 2010, five customers represented more than 10% of the Company’s sales, accounting for approximately 17%, 15%, 15%, 12% and 10%, respectively, of the sales for the period.  For the three months ended June 30, 2010, four customers represented more than 10% of the Company’s sales, accounting for approximately 24%, 15% 14% and 12%, respectively, of the sales for the period.  At December 31, 2009, two customers accounted for 63% and 20% of total accounts receivable. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, two customers represented more than 10% of the Company’s sales, accounting for approximately 30% and 10%, respectively, of the sales for the period.  For the three  months ended June 30, 2009, three customers represented more than 10% of the Company’s sales, accounting for approximately 22%, 21% and 12%, respectively, of the sales for the period.
 
Commitments:

In April 2008, the Company entered into a long-term exclusive license and commercialization agreement with Novartis Animal Health, Inc. (“Novartis”), to develop and launch the Company’s novel recombinant single-chain products for use in bovines, BoviPure LH™ and BoviPure FSH™. The Exclusive License Agreement (“Novartis License Agreement”) between AspenBio and Novartis was entered into effective April 2, 2008, and grants Novartis a license to AspenBio technology and a sublicense to The Washington University (“WU”), technology (each as defined under the Novartis License Agreement) for use in bovine species products worldwide.  The term of the Novartis License Agreement continues until the expiration of the last-to-expire of the licensed patent rights, product sales are terminated, or, generally, ten years after the initial product sales if licensed patent rights are not available on a country-by-country basis.  The Novartis License Agreement provides that Novartis and AspenBio share development expenses and product sales margins under a splitting arrangement.  AspenBio’s share of development expenses is in the low double-digit range.  AspenBio’s share of the product sales margins varies depending upon the level of patent protection and competition on a country-by-country basis and varies from the very low to low double-digit range.
 
 
12

 
 
 

 
 
 
AspenBio received an upfront cash payment of $2,000,000 under the Novartis License Agreement, of which 50% was non-refundable upon signing the agreement, and the balance is subject to certain conditions which we expect to be substantially achieved in 2010.    The Novartis License Agreement contains customary terms for confidentiality, prosecution and infringement provisions for the license patent rights, indemnification and insurance coverage.  The Novartis License Agreement is cancelable by Novartis with 180 days advance notice; immediately if a change in control transaction occurs and Novartis’ rights are not accommodated in good faith by the successor entity; or with 30 days notice on a country-by-country basis in the event designated legal or regulatory issues arise.  Novartis has the right to terminate the agreement if the pilot study (as defined in the agreement) is not successful; this pilot study is currently in process and expected to be completed during 2010.  AspenBio can terminate the agreement immediately if Novartis challenges the validity or enforceability of licensed patent rights or other licensed intellectual property.  Either party may terminate if the other party materially breaches the Novartis License Agreement, and fails to cure such breach, becomes insolvent or if either party disposes of substantially all of the assets necessary for its performance under the terms of the agreement.  In the event there is a change of ownership in AspenBio, Novartis may choose to assume all obligations under the agreement and generally remit net excess royalty amounts to the successor entity. 
 
In 2004, the Company entered into an agreement with WU, under which the Company obtained exclusive proprietary rights to WU’s patent portfolio for use in the animal health industry.  The Exclusive License Agreement (“WU License Agreement”) between AspenBio and WU was entered into effective May 1, 2004, and grants AspenBio an exclusive license and right to sublicense WU’s technology (as defined under the WU License Agreement) for veterinary products worldwide, except where such products are prohibited for export under U.S. laws.   The term of the WU License Agreement continues until the expiration of the last of WU’s patents (as defined in the WU License Agreement) to expire.  AspenBio has agreed to pay minimum annual royalties of $20,000 during the term of the WU License Agreement and such amounts are creditable against future royalties.  Royalties payable to WU under the WU License Agreement for covered product sales by AspenBio carry a mid-single digit royalty rate and for sublicense fees received by AspenBio carry a low double-digit royalty rate.  The WU License Agreement contains customary terms for confidentiality, prosecution and infringement provisions for licensed patents, publication rights, indemnification and insurance coverage.  The WU License Agreement is cancelable by AspenBio with ninety days advance notice at any time and by WU with sixty days advance notice if AspenBio materially breaches the WU License Agreement and fails to cure such breach.    Under the terms of the WU License Agreement, a portion of license fees and royalties AspenBio receives from sublicensing agreements will be paid to WU. The obligation for such front end fees, totaling $440,000, was recorded upon receipt of the Novartis license fees and in 2008, $190,000 was paid to WU and the remaining $220,000, net of ongoing minimum annually royalty payments, is included with accrued expenses on the accompanying balance sheet.  
 
For financial reporting purposes, the up-front license fees received from this agreement, net of the amounts due to WU, have been recorded as deferred revenue and are amortized over the term of the Novartis license agreement.  Milestone revenue is or will be recognized into income commencing with the date such milestones are achieved. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, milestones totaling $100,000 were achieved, triggering the commencement of amortization of $100,000 of deferred revenue.  As of June 30, 2010, deferred revenue of $746,062 has been classified as a current liability and $669,167 has been classified as a long-term liability. The current liability includes the remaining milestone revenue that is subject to achievement conditions and also includes the next twelve months’ portion of the amortizable milestone revenue.   During each of the six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, $32,863 and $31,973 was recorded as the amortized license fee revenue arising from the Novartis License Agreement.

During January 2008, the Company entered into an amendment of its existing animal health industry license agreement with WU. The amendment provides for the human therapeutic use of certain of WU’s products. As consideration for this amendment, the Company paid a total of $125,000 in cash.  The existing royalty rate was extended to cover these new products and uses.

During the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Company entered into an employment agreement with a newly-elected officer providing annual compensation of $275,000 and with two officers, who previously had consulting relationships with the Company, providing minimum annual compensation of $225,000 to one and $150,000 to the other for an aggregate annual minimum commitment totaling $650,000.  The agreements automatically renew at the end of each year unless terminated by either party and contain customary confidentiality and benefit provisions. In connection with the employment agreement with the newly elected officer, a total of 400,000 stock options were granted under the Company’s Plan.
 
The Company periodically enters into generally short term consulting and development agreements primarily for product development, testing services and in connection with clinical trials conducted as part of the Company’s FDA clearance process. Such commitments at any point in time may be significant but the agreements typically contain cancellation provisions.

 
13
 
 

 
Contingencies:
 
In the ordinary course of business and in the general industry in which the Company is engaged, it is not atypical to periodically receive a third party communication which may be in the form of a notice, threat, or ‘cease and desist’ letter concerning certain activities. For example, this can occur in the context of the Company’s pursuit of intellectual property rights. This can also occur in the context of operations such as the using, making, having made, selling, and offering to sell products and services, and in other contexts. The Company intends to make a rational assessment of each situation on a case-by-case basis as such may arise. The Company periodically evaluates its options for trademark positions and considers a full spectrum of alternatives for trademark protection and product branding.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Results of Operations:
 
Comparative Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009
 
Sales of the Company’s antigen products for the six months ended June 30, 2010 totaled $201,000, which is a $48,000 or 32% increase from the 2009 period.  This increase in sales is primarily attributable to the timing of customer orders in the six months ended June 30, 2010 considering the Company’s strategic decision in late 2009 to suspend antigen production and focus available scientific resources on the appendicitis project and single-chain animal product development.
 
In April 2008, the Company entered into a long term exclusive license and commercialization agreement with Novartis to develop and launch the Company’s novel recombinant single-chain products for bovine species. The total payments received under this agreement were recorded as deferred revenue and are being recognized over future periods, with $33,000 and $32,000 of such license fee recognized in each of the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
Cost of sales for the six months ended June 30, 2010 totaled $100,000 which is an $187,000 or 65% decrease as compared to the 2009 period. As a percentage of sales, there was a gross profit of 51% as compared to a gross loss of 87% in the 2009. Cost of sales for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was higher than that for the 2010 period as a result of the application of certain fixed overhead production costs as production runs of antigen products were made in 2009.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the six months ended June 30, 2010, totaled $4,002,000, which is a $1,176,000 or 42% increase as compared to the 2009 period. Hiring of additional management personnel to advance the AppyScore™ product in clinical trials and regulatory activities resulted in approximately $338,000 of additional expenses in the 2010 period.  Approximately $514,000 in additional stock based compensation expense was recorded in 2010 over 2009 amounts.   Included in the stock based compensation increase is $118,000 related to options granted to animal health advisors.  Selling, general and administrative expenses also increased by $109,000 in insurance related costs primarily due to increased medical benefits costs and an increase in the Company’s insurance limits.

Research and development expenses in the 2010 period totaled $3,355,000, which is a $303,000 or 8% decrease as compared to the 2009 period. Development efforts and advances on the appendicitis test, including product development advances, clinical trial and regulatory related activities comprised the primary expenses.  Clinical trial and regulatory related expenses were approximately $569,000 higher in the six months ended June 30, 2010 primarily due to the AppyScore clinical trial that was completed earlier in 2010, which was not commenced until the second half of 2009.  Development expenses incurred for advances on the cassette and reader program were approximately $443,000 lower in 2010 as compared to 2009, primarily due to lower development costs incurred from product development firms.  Expenses incurred in connection with product and market related studies were approximately $250,000 lower in 2010 as compared to 2009.  Hiring of additional scientific personnel to advance the AppyScore product in clinical trials and regulatory activities resulted in approximately $131,000 of additional expenses in the 2010 period. The development expenses on the single-chain animal health products decreased approximately $251,000.
 
Primarily as a result of lower average cash and investment balances in 2010 as compared to 2009, interest income of approximately $24,000 was earned in 2010 as compared to $144,000 in 2009.
 
No income tax benefit was recorded on the loss for the six months ended June 30, 2010, as management was unable to determine that it was more likely than not that such benefit would be realized.
 
Comparative Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009
 
Sales of the Company’s antigen products for the three months ended June 30, 2010 totaled $59,000, which is a $12,000 or 17% decrease from the 2009 period. This decrease in sales is primarily attributable to the timing of customer orders in the three months ended June 30, 2010 considering the Company’s strategic decision in late 2009 to suspend antigen production and focus available scientific resources on the appendicitis product and single-chain animal product development.
 
14
 
 
 

 
Cost of sales for the three months ended June 30, 2010 totaled $34,000; a $137,000 or 80% decrease as compared to the 2009 period. As a percentage of sales, there was a gross profit of 43% as compared to a gross loss of 141% in the 2009. Cost of sales for the three months ended June 30, 2009 was higher than that for the 2010 period as a result of the application of certain fixed overhead production costs as production runs of antigen products were made in 2009.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the three months ended June 30, 2010, totaled $2,118,000, which is a $614,000 or 41% increase as compared to the 2009 period. Hiring of additional management personnel to advance the AppyScore product in clinical trials and regulatory activities resulted in approximately $178,000 of additional expenses in the 2010 period.  Approximately $307,000 in additional stock based compensation expense was recorded in 2010 over 2009 amounts.   Selling, general and administrative expenses also increased by $58,000 in insurance related costs primarily due to increased medical benefits costs and an increase in the Company’s insurance limits.

Research and development expenses in the 2010 period totaled $1,311,000, which is a $931,000 or 42% decrease as compared to the 2009 period. Development efforts and advances on the appendicitis test, including product development advances, clinical trial and regulatory related activities comprised the primary expenses.  Development expenses incurred for advances on the cassette and reader program were approximately $343,000 lower in 2010 as compared to 2009, primarily due to lower development costs incurred from product development firms.  Expenses incurred in connection with product and market related studies were approximately $250,000 lower in 2010 as compared to 2009.  Hiring of additional scientific personnel to advance the AppyScore product in clinical trials and regulatory activities resulted in approximately $21,000 of additional expenses in the 2010 period. The development expenses on the single-chain animal health products decreased approximately $243,000.

Primarily as a result of lower average cash and investment balances in 2010 as compared to 2009, interest income of approximately $12,000 was earned in 2010 as compared to $67,000 in 2009.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We reported a net loss of $7,294,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2010, which included $1,578,000 in non-cash expenses relating to stock-based compensation totaling $1,320,000 and depreciation, amortization and other totaling $258,000. At June 30, 2010, we had working capital of $14,473,000.   We believe that our current working capital position is sufficient to continue with the technology development activities and support the current level of operations for the near term. Our primary focus currently is to continue the development activities on the appendicitis and single-chain animal health hormone products in order to attempt to continue to secure near-term value from these products from either generating revenues directly from sales of the products or entering licensing agreements for their rights.

 Capital expenditures, primarily for production, laboratory and facility improvement costs for the remainder of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010 are anticipated to total $100,000 to $300,000. We anticipate these capital expenditures to be financed through working capital.
 
We anticipate that expenditures for research and development for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010 will generally be consistent with or decrease slightly as compared to the amounts expended in the three months ended June 30, 2010, primarily due to lower expenses based on the recently completed AppyScore clinical trial.  Development and testing costs in support of the current pipeline products as well as costs to file patents and revise and update previous filings on our technologies will continue to be substantial. Our principal development products consist of the AppyScore test and the single-chain animal health hormone products. As we continue towards commercialization of these products, including evaluation of alternatives for possible product management and distribution alternatives and implications of product manufacturing and associated carrying costs such evaluation and related decisions will impact our future capital needs. Certain costs such as manufacturing and license / royalty agreements have different financial, logistical and operational implications depending upon the ultimate strategic commercialization path determined.
 
We expect that our primary development expenditures will be to continue to advance development of the cassette and instrument version of AppyScore. During the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, we expended approximately $2,376,000 and $2,500,000, respectively in direct costs for the appendicitis test development and related efforts. Steps to achieve commercialization of the appendicitis product will be an ongoing and evolving process with subsequent generations and expected improvements being made in the test. Should we be unable to achieve FDA clearance of the AppyScore test and generate revenues from the product, we would need to rely on other product opportunities to generate revenues and costs that we have incurred for the appendicitis patent may be deemed impaired.  
 
 
15
 
 

 
In May 2003, AspenBio entered into an Assignment and Consultation Agreement (the “Bealer Agreement”) with Dr. John Bealer related to the appendicitis diagnosis technology. The Bealer Agreement transferred to AspenBio ownership rights from Dr. Bealer for inventions and related improvements to technology associated with human appendicitis diagnostics involving protein antigens. The purchase price was the payment of a future royalty to Dr. Bealer based upon a very low double digit rate applied to revenues, all as defined under the agreement.  The Bealer Agreement contains customary terms for confidentiality, patent assignment to AspenBio and restrictions on assignability of the agreement. The Bealer Agreement continues for the longer of twenty years or the last AspenBio patent to expire.  AspenBio may terminate the Bealer Agreement if AspenBio in its reasonable judgment decides it has no interest in pursuing the opportunity as defined under the agreement.  
 
In April 2008, the Company entered into a long term exclusive license and commercialization agreement with Novartis Animal Health, Inc. (“Novartis”), to develop and launch the Company’s novel recombinant single-chain products for use in bovines, BoviPure LH™ and BoviPure FSH™. The Exclusive License Agreement (“Novartis License Agreement”) between AspenBio and Novartis was entered into effective April 2, 2008, and grants Novartis a license to AspenBio technology and a sublicense to WU’s technology (each as defined under the Novartis License Agreement) for use in bovine species products worldwide.  The term of the Novartis License Agreement continues until the expiration of the last to expire of the licensed patent rights, product sales are terminated, or, generally, ten years after the initial product sales if licensed patent rights are not available on a country-by-country basis.  The Novartis License Agreement provides that Novartis and AspenBio share development expenses and product sales margins under a splitting arrangement.  AspenBio’s share of development expenses is in the low double digit range.  AspenBio’s share of the product sales margins varies depending upon the level of patent protection and competition on a country-by-country basis and varies from the very low to low double digit range.  AspenBio received an upfront cash payment of $2,000,000 under the Novartis License Agreement, of which 50% was non-refundable upon signing the agreement, and the balance is subject to certain conditions which we expect to be substantially achieved in 2010.  Please see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for disclosure regarding our expenditures under the agreement.  The Novartis License Agreement contains customary terms for confidentiality, prosecution and infringement provisions for the license patent rights, indemnification and insurance coverage.  The Novartis License Agreement is cancelable by Novartis on 180 days advance notice; immediately if a change in control transaction occurs and Novartis’ rights are not accommodated in good faith by the successor entity; or on 30 days notice on a country-by-country basis in the event designated legal or regulatory issues arise.  Novartis has the right to terminate the agreement if the pilot study (as defined in the agreement) is not successful; this pilot study is currently in process and expected to be completed during 2010.  AspenBio can terminate the agreement immediately if Novartis challenges the validity or enforceability of licensed patent rights or other licensed intellectual property.  Either party may terminate if the other party materially breaches the Novartis License Agreement, and fails to cure such breach, becomes insolvent or if either party disposes of substantially all of the assets necessary for its performance under the terms of the agreement.  In the event there is a change of ownership in AspenBio, Novartis may choose to assume all obligations under the agreement and generally remit net excess royalty amounts to the successor entity.
 
In 2004, the Company entered into an agreement with The Washington University (“WU”), under which the Company obtained exclusive proprietary rights to WU’s patent portfolio for use in the animal health industry.  The Exclusive License Agreement (“WU License Agreement”) between AspenBio and WU was entered into effective May 1, 2004, and grants AspenBio exclusive license and right to sublicense WU’s technology (as defined under the WU License Agreement) for veterinary products worldwide, except where such products are prohibited under U.S. laws for export. The term of the WU License Agreement continues until the expiration of the last of WU’s patents (as defined in the WU License Agreement) to expire.  AspenBio has agreed to pay minimum annual royalties of $20,000 during the term of the WU License Agreement and such amounts are creditable against future royalties.  Royalties payable to WU under the WU License Agreement for covered product sales by AspenBio carry a mid-single digit royalty rate and for sublicense fees received by AspenBio carry a low double-digit royalty rate.  The WU License Agreement contains customary terms for confidentiality, prosecution and infringement provisions for licensed patents, publication rights, indemnification and insurance coverage.  The WU License Agreement is cancelable by AspenBio with ninety days advance notice at any time and by WU with sixty days advance notice if AspenBio materially breaches the WU License Agreement and fails to cure such breach. Under the terms of the WU License Agreement, a portion of license fees and royalties AspenBio receives from sublicensing agreements will be paid to WU. The obligation for such front end fees, totaling $440,000, was recorded upon receipt of the Novartis license fees and in 2008 $190,000 was paid to WU and the remaining $220,000, net of ongoing minimum annually royalty payments, is included with accrued expenses on the accompanying balance sheet.
 
For financial reporting purposes, the up-front license fees received from this agreement, net of the amounts due to WU, have been recorded as deferred revenue and will be amortized over the term of the Novartis License Agreement.  Milestone revenue is or will be recognized into income commencing with the date such milestones are achieved. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, milestones totaling $100,000 were achieved triggering the commencement of amortization of $100,000 of deferred revenue.  As of June 30, 2010, deferred revenue of $746,062 has been classified as a current liability and $669,167, has been classified as a long-term liability. The current liability includes the remaining milestone revenue that is subject to achievement conditions and also includes the next twelve months’ portion of the amortizable milestone revenue.   During each of the six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, $32,863 and $31,973 was recorded as the amortized license fee revenue arising from the Novartis License Agreement.
 
 
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We have entered and expect to continue to enter into additional agreements with contract manufacturers for the development / manufacture of certain of our products for which we are seeking FDA approval. The ultimate goal of this development process is to establish current good manufacturing practices (“cGMP”) manufacturing methods required for those products for which we are seeking FDA approval. We continue in discussions with other potential manufacturers who meet full cGMP requirements, and are capable of large-scale manufacturing batches of our medical devices who can economically manufacture them to produce products at an acceptable cost. These development and manufacturing agreements generally contain transfer fees and possible penalty and /or royalty provisions should we transfer our products to another contract manufacturer. We expect to continue to evaluate, negotiate and execute additional development and manufacturing agreements, some of which may be significant commitments during 2010. We may also consider acquisitions of development technologies or products, should opportunities arise that we believe fit our business strategy and would be appropriate from a capital standpoint.
 
The Company periodically enters into generally short term consulting and development agreements primarily for product development, testing services and in connection with clinical trials conducted as part of the Company’s FDA clearance process. Such commitments at any point in time may be significant but the agreements typically contain cancellation provisions.
 
We have a permanent mortgage facility on our land and building that commenced in July 2003. The mortgage is held by a commercial bank and includes a portion guaranteed by the U. S. Small Business Administration. The loan is collateralized by the real property and is also personally guaranteed by a stockholder (our former president). The interest rate on the bank portion is one percentage over the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate (minimum 7%), with 7% being the approximate effective rate for 2010 and 2009, and the SBA portion bears interest at the rate of 5.86%. The commercial bank portion of the loan requires total monthly payments of approximately $14,200, which includes approximately $10,500 per month in contractual interest, through June 2013 when the then remaining principal balance is due which is estimated to be approximately $1,588,000 at that time. The SBA portion of the loan requires total monthly payments of approximately $9,200 through July 2023, which includes approximately $4,600 per month in contractual interest and fees.
 
In May 2010, the Company completed a registered direct offering consisting of 2,409,639 units (“Units”) for a negotiated price of $4.15 per Unit, generating approximately $9,117,000 in net proceeds to the Company.  Fees and expenses totaled $883,000, including a placement fee of 6.5%.  Each Unit consisted of one share of the Company’s no par value common stock and one warrant to purchase 0.285 shares of common stock. Accordingly, a total of 2,409,639 common shares and warrants to purchase 686,746 shares of common stock were issued. The exercise price of the warrants is $4.82 per common share and they are exercisable at any time and expire eight months from the date of closing.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2010, we received cash proceeds of $291,028 from the exercise of 261,043 options.
 
In April 2008 the Board authorized a stock repurchase plan to purchase shares of our common stock up to a maximum of $5.0 million. Purchases may be made in routine, open market transactions, when management determines to effect purchases and any purchased common shares are thereupon retired. Management may elect to purchase less than $5.0 million. The repurchase program allows us to repurchase our shares in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission on the open market, in block trades and in privately negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions and other factors. The repurchase program is funded using our working capital. A total of approximately 232,000 common shares were purchased and retired in 2008 at a total cost of approximately $992,000 and no repurchases have been made since 2008.
 
We expect to continue to incur losses from operations for the near-term and these losses could be significant as we incur product development, contract consulting and product related expenses. We have also increased our overhead expenses with the hiring of additional management personnel. We believe that our current working capital position will be sufficient to meet our near-term needs. Our investments are maintained in relatively short term, high quality investments instruments, to ensure we have ready access to cash as needed.
 
With the recent changes in market conditions, combined with our conservative investment policy and lower average investable balances due to cash consumption, we expect that our investment earnings in 2010 will be lower than in 2009. The Board of Directors has approved an investment policy covering the investment parameters to be followed with the primary goals being the safety of principal amounts and maintaining liquidity of the fund. The policy provides for minimum investment rating requirements as well as limitations on investment duration and concentrations. Commencing in the fourth quarter of 2008, based upon market conditions, the investment guidelines were temporarily tightened to raise the minimum acceptable investment ratings required for investments and shorten the maximum investment term. Current investment guidelines require investments to be made in investments with minimum ratings purchasing commercial paper with an A1/P1 rating, longer-term bonds with an A- rating or better, a maximum maturity of nine months and a concentration guideline of 10% (no security or issuer representing more than 10% of the portfolio).  As of June 30, 2010, 73% of the investment portfolio was in cash equivalents which are included with cash and the remaining funds were invested in short term marketable securities with none individually representing more than 6% of the portfolio and none maturing past February 2011.  To date we have not experienced a cumulative market loss from the investments that has exceeded $5,000.
 
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Due to recent market events that have adversely affected all industries and the economy as a whole, management has placed increased emphasis on monitoring the risks associated with the current environment, particularly the investment parameters of the short term investments, the recoverability of receivables and inventories, the fair value of assets, and the Company’s liquidity. At this point in time, there has not been a material impact on the Company’s assets and liquidity. Management will continue to monitor the risks associated with the current environment and their impact on the Company’s results.
 
Operating Activities:
 
Net cash consumed by operating activities was $6,446,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2010. Cash was consumed by the loss of $7,294,000, less non-cash expenses relating to stock-based compensation totaling $1,320,000 and depreciation, amortization and other totaling $258,000.  A decrease in accounts receivable of $26,000 resulting from lower base antigen sales levels provided cash. Inventory levels decreased by $64,000, from net sales activities associated with management’s decision late in 2009 to substantially suspend the production of antigen products as a result of its strategic decision to focus available scientific resources on appendicitis and single-chain animal product development.  Cash provided in operations was increased by the net decrease of $832,000 in accounts payable and accrued expenses, primarily due to the decrease in expenses related to the recent completion of the Company’s AppyScore clinical trial.  
 
Net cash consumed by operating activities was $4,989,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Cash was consumed by the loss of $6,500,000, less non-cash expenses of $806,000 for stock-based compensation and $162,000 for depreciation and amortization and other non-cash items. Our base antigen business is generally fairly constant from year to year and therefore does not generally impact operating cash flows. As of June 30, 2009 inventories had increased by $78,000 due to receipt of a recent raw material supply order and prepaid expenses and other current assets generated cash of $598,000 primarily related to shared costs incurred under the Novartis License Agreement, payable by Novartis, in the amount of $369,000.
 
Investing Activities:
 
Net cash outflows from investing activities consumed $3,750,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2010. Net purchases of marketable securities totaled approximately $3,364,000.  A $386,000 use of cash was attributable to additional costs incurred from patent filings and equipment additions.
 
Net cash inflows from investing activities generated $2,687,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Marketable securities investments acquired totaled approximately $2,307,000 and sales of marketable securities totaled approximately $5,222,000. A $228,000 use of cash was attributable to additional costs incurred from patent filings and equipment additions for upgrades and expansion of equipment.
 
Financing Activities:
 
Net cash inflows from financing activities generated $9,353,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2010. The Company received net proceeds of $9,117,000 from the sale of common stock and $291,000 in proceeds from the exercise of stock warrants and options. The Company repaid $54,000, in scheduled payments under its debt agreements.
 
Net cash inflows from financing activities generated $12,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2009. The Company received proceeds of $228,000 from the exercise of common stock options and $216,000 was consumed for repayments under existing debt agreements.
 
Recently Issued and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 to the accompanying financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report regarding recently issued and recently adopted accounting pronouncements.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements. The most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of our financial statements include estimates associated with revenue recognition, impairment analysis of intangibles and stock-based compensation.
 
 
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The Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows are impacted by the accounting policies the Company has adopted. In order to get a full understanding of the Company’s financial statements, one must have a clear understanding of the accounting policies employed. A summary of the Company’s critical accounting policies follows:

        Investments:   The Company invests excess cash from time to time in highly liquid debt and equity securities of highly rated entities which are classified as trading securities. Such amounts are recorded at market and are classified as current, as the Company does not intend to hold the investments beyond twelve months. Such excess funds are invested under the Company’s investment policy but an unexpected decline or loss could have an adverse and material effect on the carrying value, recoverability or investment returns of such investments. Our Board has approved an investment policy covering the investment parameters to be followed with the primary goals being the safety of principal amounts and maintaining liquidity of the fund. The policy provides for minimum investment rating requirements as well as limitations on investment duration and concentrations.
 
        Inventories:    Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The elements of cost in inventories include materials, labor and overhead. The Company does not have supply agreements in place for the antigen business raw material purchases but believes that there are multiple suppliers for our antigen raw material; however historically substantially all of our purchases were made from one supplier. Management believes that its relationship with this supplier is strong; however if necessary this relationship can be replaced. If the relationship was to be replaced there may be a short term disruption to the base antigen business and operations, a period of time in which products would not be available and additional expenses may be incurred.
 
        Long-Lived Assets:    The Company records property and equipment at cost. Depreciation of the assets is recorded on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Dispositions of property and equipment are recorded in the period of disposition and any resulting gains or losses are charged to income or expense when the disposal occurs. The carrying value of the Company’s long-lived assets is reviewed at least annually to determine that such carrying amounts are not in excess of estimated market value. Goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment by comparing the carrying value to the present value of its expected cash flows or future value. The required annual testing resulted in no impairment charges being recorded to date.
 
        Revenue Recognition:    The Company’s revenues are recognized when products are shipped or delivered to unaffiliated customers. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, provides guidance on the application of generally accepted accounting principles to select revenue recognition issues. The Company has concluded that its revenue recognition policy is appropriate and in accordance with SAB No. 104. Revenue is recognized under development and distribution agreements only after the following criteria are met: (i) there exists adequate evidence of the transactions; (ii) delivery of goods has occurred or services have been rendered; and (iii) the price is not contingent on future activity and collectability is reasonably assured.
 
         Stock-based Compensation:    ASC 718 (formerly - SFAS No. 123(R)), Share-Based Payment, defines the fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans and transactions used by the Company to account for its issuances of equity instruments to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value as well as to acquire goods or services from non-employees. Transactions in which the Company issues stock-based compensation to employees, directors and advisors and for goods or services received from non-employees are accounted for based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued. The Company utilizes pricing models in determining the fair values of options and warrants issued as stock-based compensation. These pricing models utilize the market price of the Company’s common stock and the exercise price of the option or warrant, as well as time value and volatility factors underlying the positions.
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND STATEMENTS
 
Certain statements contained in this report that are not historical facts constitute forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by that Act. Reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which they are made.
 
These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of the future as there are a number of meaningful factors that could cause AspenBio’s actual results to vary materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements.  These statements are based on certain assumptions made based on experience, expected future developments and other factors AspenBio believes are appropriate in the circumstances.  Meaningful factors, which could cause actual results to differ from expectations, many of which are beyond the control of AspenBio, include, but are not limited to, actual trial results, our ability to successfully complete the clinical trial data assessments required for FDA submission, obtain FDA approval for, cost effectively manufacture and generate revenues from, the appendicitis test in development, as well as the animal health products and other new products developed by AspenBio, and our ability to retain the scientific management team to advance the products in development, execute agreements to provide AspenBio with rights to meet its objectives, overcome adverse changes in market conditions and the regulatory environment, obtain and enforce intellectual property rights, obtain adequate financing in the future through product licensing, co-promotional arrangements, public or private equity or debt financing or otherwise; general business conditions; competition; business abilities and judgment of personnel; and availability of qualified personnel; and other factors referenced herein and in “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2009, as amended.
 
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Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
General
 
AspenBio has limited exposure to market risks from instruments that may impact the Balance Sheets, Statements of Operations, and Statements of Cash Flows, with such exposure associated primarily with changing interest rates on its mortgage notes and investments. Approximately 36% of the total mortgage balance is guaranteed by the U. S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). While we periodically expend funds for products and services that are denominated in foreign country currencies we do not have any long term commitments for such purchases.
 
Investment Interest Rates
 
The primary objective for our investment activities is to preserve principal while maximizing yields without significantly increasing risk. This is accomplished by investing in diversified short-term interest bearing investments of high grade companies. We have no investments denominated in foreign country currencies and therefore our investments are not subject to foreign currency exchange risk.
 
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Management of the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the last day of the period of the accompanying financial statements.    Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of June 30, 2010.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
 
There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings
 
We are not a party to any legal proceedings, the adverse outcome of which would, in our management’s opinion, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors
 
There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Item 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
(a)     The following sets forth the equity securities we sold during the period covered by this report, not previously reported on Forms 10-Q or 8-K, which were not registered under the Securities Act.
 
On a monthly basis during the three months ended June 30, 2010, 15,000 warrants (5,000 per month) to acquire common shares were granted to a consultant in consideration for investor relations services exercisable at $2.14 per share.. The warrants vested upon grant and expire in three years. The Company relied on the exemption under section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) for the above issuance because we: (i) did not engage in any public advertising or general solicitation in connection with the warrant issuance; (ii) made available to the recipient disclosure regarding all aspects of our business including our reports filed with the SEC and our press releases, and other financial, business, and corporate information; and (iii) believed that the recipient obtained all information regarding the Company requested (or believed appropriate) and received answers to all questions posed by the recipient, and otherwise understood the risks of accepting our securities for investment purposes. No commission or other remuneration was paid on this issuance.
 
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(c)     During the quarter by this report, the Company did not make any purchases of its common shares under the previously announced authorized common stock repurchase program of up to $5 million that may be made from time to time at prevailing prices as permitted by securities laws and other requirements, and subject to market conditions and other factors and no purchases are anticipated in the near-term. The program is administered by management and may be discontinued at any time.
 
Item 6.     Exhibits
 
(a)   Exhibits
 
EXHIBIT
DESCRIPTION
 
 
 
 
 
Confidential treatment has been requested for exhibits marked with an exclamation point (!).



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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
AspenBio Pharma, Inc.
(Registrant)
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Jeffrey G. McGonegal
 
Dated: August 5, 2010
 
Jeffrey G. McGonegal,
Chief Financial Officer and duly authorized officer
 
       
 
 
 


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