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U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q/A-1
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______________
TO ________________.
Commission file number 0-26866
SONUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE 95-4343413
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
Incorporation or Organization)
22026 20TH AVE. SE, BOTHELL, WASHINGTON 98021
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(425) 487-9500
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Indicate by check whether the issuer (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 [ ]
State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common
equity as of the latest practicable date.
Class Outstanding at October 31, 1999
----- -------------------------------
Common Stock, $.001 par value 8,986,146
Page 1 of 15 Pages
Exhibit Index appears on Page 14
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SONUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Page
Number
------
Item 1. Financial Statements
Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1999 (unaudited)
and December 31, 1998............................... 3
Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three
and nine months ended September 30, 1999 and
September 30, 1998.................................. 4
Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine
months ended September 30, 1999 and
September 30, 1998.................................. 5
Notes to Financial Statements......................... 6
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations................. 8
Item 3. Market Risk .......................................... 12
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.................................... 13
Item 5. Other Events......................................... 14
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K..................... 14
Items 2, 3 and 4 are not applicable and therefore have been omitted.
SIGNATURES.............................................................. 15
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SONUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
1999 1998
------------- ------------
(UNAUDITED)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities ........................... $ 15,148,735 $ 16,954,842
Contract receivable ........................................................ 5,000,000 --
Other current assets ....................................................... 165,499 419,018
------------ ------------
Total current assets .................................................... 20,314,234 17,373,860
Equipment, furniture and leasehold improvements, net of
accumulated depreciation of $3,061,399 and $2,552,786 ...................... 974,575 1,444,090
------------ ------------
Total assets .................................................................. $ 21,288,809 $ 18,817,950
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Bank line of credit ........................................................ $ 5,000,000 $ 5,000,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses ...................................... 3,974,792 2,954,530
Accrued clinical trial expenses ............................................ 230,381 1,226,335
Capital lease obligations .................................................. 31,022 93,178
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities ............................................... 9,236,195 9,274,043
Long-term debt ................................................................ -- 2,049,221
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock; $.001 par value;
5,000,000 authorized; no shares issued or outstanding ................... -- --
Common stock; $.001 par value;
30,000,000 shares authorized; 8,984,550 and 8,632,225 shares issues and
outstanding at September 30, 1999 and
December 31, 1998, respectively ......................................... 37,131,042 35,009,368
Accumulated deficit ........................................................ (25,078,428) (27,514,682)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity .............................................. 12,052,614 7,494,686
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity .................................... $ 21,288,809 $ 18,817,950
============ ============
See accompanying notes.
3
SONUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
--------------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------
Revenues:
Contract and licensing revenue.................... $ 10,000,000 $ 2,700,000 $ 12,050,000 $ 5,100,000
Operating expenses:
Research and development.......................... 1,214,740 2,988,347 4,406,223 8,709,665
General and administrative........................ 1,916,067 1,922,184 5,499,311 5,401,714
--------------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------
Total operating expenses............................. 3,130,807 4,910,531 9,905,534 14,111,379
--------------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------
Operating income (loss).............................. 6,869,193 (2,210,531) 2,144,466 (9,011,379)
Other income (expense):
Interest income................................... 63,471 231,118 355,662 776,706
Interest expense.................................. (20,335) (69,235) (91,814) (178,803)
--------------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------
Net income (loss).................................... $ 6,912,329 $ (2,048,648) $ 2,408,314 $ (8,413,476)
=============== =============== ================ ===============
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic............................................. $ 0.77 $ (0.24) $ 0.27 $ (0.98)
Diluted........................................... $ 0.76 $ (0.24) $ 0.27 $ (0.98)
Shares used in computation of net income
(loss) per share
Basic............................................. 8,984,550 8,626,253 8,786,465 8,619,125
Diluted........................................... 9,089,663 8,626,253 8,932,683 8,619,125
See accompanying notes.
4
SONUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------------------------
1999 1998
---------------- ----------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss .............................................................. $ 2,408,314 $ (8,413,476)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization ...................................... 508,613 627,959
Amortization of premium (discount) on marketable securities ........ (29,600) (123)
Realized loss (gain) on marketable securities ...................... 5,139 (7,881)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Contract receivable ............................................. (5,000,000) --
Other current assets ............................................ 253,520 308,859
Accounts payable and accrued expenses ........................... 1,020,262 554,290
Accrued clinical trial expenses ................................. (995,954) (127,371)
------------ ------------
Net cash used in operating activities ................................. (1,829,706) (7,057,743)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of equipment, furniture and leasehold improvements .......... (39,098) (400,803)
Purchases of marketable securities .................................... (15,350,254) (23,419,722)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities ........................... 12,613,763 17,772,969
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities ..................... 7,049,147 13,292,590
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by investing activities ............................. 4,273,558 7,245,034
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from bank line of credit ..................................... 15,000,000 15,000,000
Repayment of bank line of credit ...................................... (15,000,000) (15,000,000)
Increase in long-term debt ............................................ 30,783 1,173,802
Repayment of capitalized lease obligations ............................ (62,156) (123,743)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock ................................ 41,668 134,824
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities ............................. 10,295 1,184,883
------------ ------------
Increase in cash and cash equivalents for the period .................. 2,454,147 1,372,174
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ...................... 5,203,925 5,253,227
------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ............................ 7,658,072 6,625,401
Marketable securities at end of period ................................ 7,490,663 13,690,045
------------ ------------
Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities ................ $ 15,148,735 $ 20,315,446
============ ============
Supplemental cash flow information:
Conversion of long-term debt to equity ............................. $ 2,080,005 $ --
Interest paid ...................................................... $ 39,729 $ 50,584
Income taxes paid .................................................. $ -- $ 7,500
See accompanying notes.
5
SONUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The unaudited financial statements of SONUS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the
"Company") have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form
10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes
required to be presented for complete financial statements. The accompanying
financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal
recurring items) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair
presentation of the results for the interim periods presented.
The financial statements and related disclosures have been prepared with
the assumption that users of the interim financial information have read or have
access to the audited financial statements for the preceding fiscal year.
Accordingly, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
audited financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 and filed with the SEC on March 25,
1999.
2. LONG-TERM DEBT
Pursuant to the Company's collaborative agreement with Abbott Laboratories
("Abbott"), Abbott agreed to fund certain clinical trials of the Company during
1997 and 1998. Of the total clinical trial funding received from Abbott, 50% was
to be paid back to Abbott within five years of the receipt of funds, plus
accrued interest, in either cash or exchange for common stock of the Company at
the then fair market value. In June 1999, the liability to Abbott of $2,080,005,
representing 50% of clinical trial funding plus interest, was converted into
343,802 shares of common stock of the Company.
3. NYCOMED AGREEMENT
In the third quarter of 1999, the Company entered into a license agreement
with Nycomed Imaging AS ("Nycomed") for the cross-license of certain proprietary
ultrasound contrast agent technologies. Under the agreement, Nycomed has agreed
to pay the Company a $10.0 million license fee, of which $5.0 million was
received in September 1999 and the remaining $5.0 million was received in
October 1999. In addition to the license fee, both companies have agreed to pay
royalties to each other based on future sales of their respective ultrasound
contrast agents. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company provides Nycomed
with an exclusive license to the Company's ultrasound contrast patents except as
related to perfluoropentane which is the gas used by the Company in its contrast
products. Under the exclusive license to the patents, Nycomed also has the right
to freely sublicense to other companies with a portion of any sublicense fees to
be paid to the Company. In addition, the Company has a worldwide, non-exclusive
license to certain of Nycomed's ultrasound contrast agent patents. The Company
also has the right to sublicense these patents to its collaborative partners.
4. CONTINGENCIES
In May 1993, the Company entered into a manufacturing and supply agreement
with Abbott. In the event that EchoGen(R) (perflenapent injectable emulsion) is
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), the Company is
obligated to purchase certain minimum quantities of materials from Abbott or
make cash payments for the shortages from the predetermined purchase level over
a five-year period.
6
In March 1998, the Company entered into a commercial supply agreement for
certain medical grade raw materials for the Company's initial product in the
U.S., EchoGen. In the event that EchoGen is approved by the FDA, the Company is
obligated to purchase certain minimum quantities of the material over a
five-year period.
The Company is also party to certain litigation related to its business.
The Company notes that (i) litigation in general, and intellectual property and
securities litigation in particular, can be expensive and disruptive to normal
business operations, and (ii) the results of complex legal proceedings can be
very difficult to predict with any certainty. There can be no assurance that
these litigation proceedings will be resolved in the Company's favor. See "Part
II. Other Information; Item 1. Legal Proceedings."
5. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
In 1996, we entered into two agreements with Abbott for the marketing and
selling of ultrasound contrast agents, including EchoGen, in: (1) the U.S. and;
(2) certain international territories including Europe, Latin America, Canada,
Middle East, Africa and certain Asia/Pacific countries ("Abbott International
Territories"). Subsequent to September 30, 1999, the Company and Abbott
Laboratories International Division ("Abbott International") restructured their
agreement related to the Abbott International Territories. The Company has
commenced discussions with new potential marketing partners for the Abbott
International Territories with the goal of having arrangements for certain
countries in Europe in place by early 2000. Under the restructured agreement,
Abbott International has returned all exclusive marketing rights to EchoGen to
the Company. In addition, for the Abbott International Territories, the Company
agreed to share with Abbott International, 21% of the Company's net profits from
the sale of EchoGen and will also share 50% of any up-front license fees paid to
the Company by new partners, of which 50% is credited against the share of net
profits the Company will pay to Abbott International.
With the agreement Abbott International also retains a five-year option to
elect to become a co-marketer of QW7437, the Company's second contrast agent
under development. Abbott International has also agreed not to market or sell a
competing ultrasound contrast product during the option period and thereafter,
if it elects its option to co-market QW7437.
7
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In Management's Discussion and Analysis we explain the general financial
condition and the results of operations for our Company, SONUS Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., including:
o overview of our Company's business
o regulatory progress
o contractual agreements
o results of operations and why those results are different from the
prior year period
o what capital resources our Company currently has and possible
sources of additional funding for future capital requirements
o the market risk of our investment portfolio; and
o our progress related to the "Year 2000" issue
OVERVIEW
Our Company is engaged in the research, development and commercialization
of ultrasound contrast agents and drug delivery systems based on our proprietary
technology. Our products are being developed for use in the diagnosis and
treatment of heart disease, cancer and other debilitating conditions. We have
financed our research and development and clinical trials through payments
received under contractual agreements, private equity and debt financings, and
an initial public offering ("IPO") of common stock completed in October 1995.
Clinical trials of our initial ultrasound contrast product under development,
EchoGen(R) (perflenapent injectable emulsion), began in January 1994. In 1996,
we filed a New Drug Application ("NDA") with U.S. Food and Drug Administration
("FDA") for EchoGen as well as a Marketing Authorization Application ("MAA")
with the European Medicines Evaluation Agency ("EMEA").
REGULATORY PROGRESS
In April 1999, we received an "approvable letter" from the FDA for
EchoGen. The FDA letter gave the conditions that must be satisfied before final
approval. In September 1999, we filed a formal response to the conditions of the
approvable letter. The FDA has notified us that it expects to complete its
review on our response by March 2000. Although it is inappropriate for us to
speculate on the outcome of the FDA review, we believe we have thoroughly
addressed the conditions of the letter to achieve final approval. No assurance
can be given that the FDA will review the response to the approvable letter in a
timely manner or that the FDA will ultimately approve the NDA.
In March 1998, the EMEA's Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products
("CPMP") issued a positive opinion on EchoGen for use as a transpulmonary
echocardiographic contrast agent in patients with suspected or established
cardiovascular disease who have had previous inconclusive non-contrast studies.
In July 1998, the EMEA ratified the CPMP recommendation and granted a marketing
authorization for EchoGen in the 15 countries of the European Union ("E.U."). We
are seeking approval of variations to our marketing license to bring the
manufacturing process and specifications for European product in line with the
process and specifications submitted for approval with the FDA in the U.S. No
assurance can be given that the variations to our marketing license will
ultimately be approved.
CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS
In the third quarter of 1999, we entered into a license agreement with
Nycomed Imaging AS ("Nycomed") for the cross-license of certain of our
proprietary ultrasound contrast agent technologies. Under the agreement, Nycomed
has agreed to pay us a $10.0 million license fee, of which $5.0 was received in
September 1999 and the remaining $5.0 million was received in October 1999. In
addition to
8
the license fee, both companies have agreed to pay royalties to each other based
on future sales of our respective ultrasound contrast agents. Under the terms of
the agreement, we provided Nycomed with an exclusive license to our ultrasound
contrast patents except as related to perfluoropentane which is the gas we use
in our contrast products. Under the exclusive license to the patents, Nycomed
also has the right to freely sublicense to other companies with a portion of any
sublicense fees to be paid to us. In addition, we have a worldwide,
non-exclusive license to certain of Nycomed's ultrasound contrast agent patents.
We also have the right to sublicense these patents to our collaborative
partners.
In 1996, we entered into two agreements with Abbott Laboratories ("Abbott")
for the marketing and selling of ultrasound contrast agents, including EchoGen,
in: (1) the U.S. and; (2) certain international territories including Europe,
Latin America, Canada, Middle East, Africa and certain Asia/Pacific countries
("Abbott International Territories"). Under these agreements, Abbott agreed to
make certain payments to us, primarily conditioned upon the achievement of
milestones, of which $37.7 million has been paid as of September 30, 1999. In
addition, Abbott purchased in 1996, for $4.0 million, warrants to acquire
500,000 shares of our common stock. The warrants are exercisable over five years
at $16.00 per share.
Subsequent to September 30, 1999, we and Abbott Laboratories International
Division ("Abbott International") restructured our agreement related to the
Abbott International Territories. We have commenced discussions with new
potential marketing partners for the Abbott International Territories with the
goal of having arrangements for certain countries in Europe in place by early
2000. Under the restructured agreement, Abbott International has returned all
exclusive marketing rights to EchoGen to us. In addition, for the Abbott
International Territories, we have agreed to share with Abbott International,
21% of our net profits from the sale of EchoGen and will also share 50% of any
up-front license fees paid to us by new partners, of which 50% is credited
against the share of net profits the we will pay to Abbott International. No
assurance can be given that we will secure new marketing partners for the Abbott
International Territories.
With the agreement Abbott International also retains a five-year option to
elect to become a co-marketer of QW7437, our second contrast agent under
development. Abbott International has also agreed not to market or sell a
competing ultrasound contrast product during the option period and thereafter,
if it elects its option to co-market QW7437.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our results of operations have varied and will continue to vary
significantly from quarter to quarter and depend on, among other factors:
o timing of payments under contractual agreements
o timing of regulatory approvals
o entering into additional contractual agreements; and
o timing and costs of clinical trials
Abbott can terminate the U.S. agreement on short notice, and we cannot give
assurance that we will receive any additional funding or milestone payments
under the Abbott U.S. agreement.
To date, our reported revenues have been derived from payments received
under contractual agreements with third parties. Revenue was $10.0 million for
the third quarter of 1999 compared to $2.7 million in the prior year period.
Revenue received in the third quarter of 1999 was derived from our agreement
with Nycomed. Revenue received in the prior year period was derived from
payments received under our agreements with Abbott. Revenue received for the
nine months ended September 30, 1999 was $12.1 million compared to $5.1 million
in the prior year period. Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 1999
represents $10.0 million under our agreement with Nycomed and
9
$2.1 million under our agreements with Abbott. All revenue during
the nine months ended September 30, 1998 represented payments under our
agreements with Abbott.
Research and development expenses were $1.2 million for the third quarter
of 1999 compared with $3.0 million for the same period of the prior year.
Research and development expenses were $4.4 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1999 compared to $8.7 million in the prior year period. The
decrease from the prior year periods was primarily due to a reduction in
clinical trial activity on our products.
General and administrative expenses were $1.9 million for the third
quarters of 1999 and 1998. General and administrative expenses were $5.5 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 compared to $5.4 million in the
prior year period. The slight increase in the nine-month period was primarily
due to an increase in intellectual property legal costs offset in part by
decreases in marketing and medical education expenses.
We anticipate total operating expenses will increase in future quarters due
to ongoing and planned clinical trials to study additional indications for
EchoGen, future products and higher marketing and administrative expenses as we
prepare for commercialization of EchoGen. We may also incur significant expenses
relating to legal matters - see "Legal Proceedings."
Interest income, net of interest expense, was $43,000 for the third quarter
of 1999 compared to $162,000 for the same period of the prior year and $264,000
and $598,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998,
respectively. The decrease in both periods was primarily due to the lower levels
of invested cash.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We have historically financed operations with payments from contractual
agreements with third parties, proceeds from equity financings and our bank line
of credit. At September 30, 1999, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable
securities of $15.1 million, compared to $17.0 million at December 31, 1998. The
decrease was primarily due to cash used in operations during the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1999.
We have a bank loan agreement which provides for a $5.0 million revolving
line of credit facility and bears interest at the prime rate plus 1.0% per
annum. At September 30, 1999 we had borrowings of $5.0 million outstanding under
the line of credit. The line of credit expires August 30, 2000 and is secured by
our tangible assets. In order to borrow under the line of credit, we are
required to maintain certain minimum cash balances. We cannot give assurance
that we will be able to maintain the minimum balances necessary to borrow under
the line of credit.
We expect that our cash needs will increase significantly in future periods
due to pending and planned clinical trials and higher administrative and
marketing expenses as we prepare for commercialization of EchoGen, if and when
approved for marketing. Based on our current operating plan, we estimate that
existing cash and marketable securities will be sufficient to meet our cash
requirements through the next 12 months. We may need to seek additional funding
in 2000 through available means, which may include debt and/or equity financing
or additional third party contractual agreements. We cannot give assurance that
financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Our future capital
requirements depend on many factors including:
o the ability to obtain continued funding under existing contractual
agreements
o the ability to attract and retain new partners
o the ability to maintain our bank line of credit
o the time and costs required to gain regulatory approvals
o the progress of our research and development programs and clinical
trials
10
o the costs of filing, prosecuting and enforcing patents, patent
applications, patent claims and trademarks
o the costs of marketing and distribution
o the status of competing products; and
o the market acceptance and third-party reimbursement of our
products, if and when approved
We cannot give assurance that regulatory approvals will be achieved in the
near-term or at all or that, in any event, additional financing will be
available on acceptable terms, if at all. Any equity financing would likely
result in substantial dilution to our existing stockholders. If we are unable to
raise additional financing, we may be required to curtail or delay the
development of our products and new product research and development, which
could seriously harm our business.
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
The "Year 2000" issue is the result of computer programs being unable to
differentiate between the year 1900 and the year 2000 because computer code was
written to recognize two digits rather than four digits to define the applicable
year. This inability to recognize the correct century could result in system
failures or miscalculation with respect to current software programs.
In response to the Year 2000 issue, we undertook a comprehensive review of
our Company's business systems. We focused on the following four areas:
o software systems
o hardware systems
o facility systems
o significant third party vendors and business partners
Based on our review of these four areas, we believe that the Year 2000 issue
does not pose significant operational problems. A majority of our software,
computer and facilities equipment has been purchased within the last five years
from third-party vendors who have already provided upgrades intended to bring
their products into Year 2000 compliance. In addition, we surveyed significant
vendors and business partners to determine any possible Year 2000 risks. The
results of our survey determined that 93% of our vendors responded that they
would be Year 2000 ready by December 31, 1999. For the 7% that failed to
respond, we have developed contingency plans for their services. However, if
unforeseen Year 2000 issues arise with these third parties, it could affect the
ability of vendors to satisfy their obligations to us or for us to
electronically communicate with such parties, which could have an adverse effect
on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have established contingency plans to address "high-risk" processes and
services that could affect day-to-day operations or delay our efforts to bring
products to market if unforeseen Year 2000 issues arise. If needed, we are
prepared and will have personnel on-site on January 1, 2000 to implement these
contingency plans.
To date, based upon our review of the four areas noted above, we estimate
that the full cost of correcting the Year 2000 issue will not exceed $100,000.
While we believe we have brought our own systems into compliance and have been
given assurance that critical third party relationships will be ready for the
Year 2000, we cannot give assurance that we will not encounter unforeseen Year
2000 issues. If such issues are encountered, this could result in a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
11
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and we intend that such
forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby.
Examples of these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
o the submission of applications for and the timing or likelihood of
marketing approvals for one or more indications
o market acceptance of our products
o our anticipated future capital requirements and the terms of any
capital financing
o the progress and results of clinical trials
o the timing and amount of future payments under contractual
agreements; and
o the anticipated outcome or financial impact of legal matters
While these statements made by us are based on our current beliefs and
judgement, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to vary.
In evaluating such statements, stockholders and investors should
specifically consider a number of factors and assumptions, including those
discussed in the text and the financial statements and their accompanying
footnotes in this Report and the risk factors detailed from time to time in our
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As discussed in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, actual results could
differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a
result of the following factors, among others:
o uncertainty of governmental regulatory requirements and lengthy
approval process
o unproven safety and efficacy of products and uncertainty of
clinical trials
o history of operating losses and uncertainty of future financial
results
o future capital requirements and uncertainty of additional funding
o dependence on third parties for funding, clinical development and
distribution
o dependence on patents and proprietary rights
o competition and risk of technological obsolescence
o limited manufacturing experience and dependence on limited contract
manufacturers and suppliers
o lack of marketing and sales experience
o limitations on third-party reimbursement
o uncertainty of market acceptance
o continued listing on the Nasdaq National Market
o uncertainty of legal matters
o dependence on key employees; and
o shares eligible for future sale
There can be no assurance that we can meet the conditions set forth by the FDA
in its "approvable letter" or any subsequent conditions in a timely manner, if
at all, or that EchoGen will ultimately receive FDA approval.
ITEM 3. MARKET RISK
There has been no material change during the quarter ended September 30,
1999, from the disclosures about market risk provided in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.
12
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In January 1998, we announced that we had filed a patent infringement
action in the U.S. District Court in Seattle, Washington, against Molecular
Biosystems Inc. ("MBI") and Mallinckrodt Medical. The suit alleges that one of
MBI's ultrasound contrast agents infringes one or more of our patents. MBI has
filed counterclaims alleging that the patents asserted by us are invalid and not
infringed, and that we have made false public statements and engaged in other
actions intended to damage MBI and one of its ultrasound contrast agents. We do
not believe there is any merit to these counterclaims and intend to defend our
position vigorously. In October 1998, the court granted our motion to stay the
litigation until the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO") had completed its
re-examination of the patents in this lawsuit (see below). The stay was lifted
in January 1999. A trial date has been set for this lawsuit in April 2000.
Under the agreement between Nycomed Imaging AS ("Nycomed") and SONUS,
Nycomed is an exclusive licensee of our patents in a field of use including
non-perfluoropentane ultrasound contrast agents. Nycomed has the right to
control the patent infringement portion of our lawsuit against MBI and
Mallinckrodt Medical. The court has authorized Nycomed to be joined as a party
in this lawsuit.
Four separate re-examination proceedings directed to the two SONUS patents
at issue in the patent infringement lawsuit, U.S. 5,558,094 (`094) and U.S.
5,573,751 (`751) were initiated by the PTO beginning in July 1997 at the request
of MBI. In December 1998, we announced that we received decisions from the PTO
indicating the patentability of claims in all four re-examination proceedings.
The PTO confirmed the patentability of a number of the claims included in the
original `094 and `751 patents as well as some claims that were amended during
re-examination, and has issued re-examination certificates for each patent.
Certain claims, which included reference to fluorinated chemicals other than
perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane and perfluoropentane, were cancelled during
the re-examination process.
In August and September 1998, various class action complaints were filed in
the Superior Court of Washington (the "State Action") and in the U.S. District
Court for the Western District of Washington (the "Federal Action") against
SONUS and certain of our officers and directors, alleging violations of
Washington State and U.S. securities laws. In October 1998, we, and the
individual defendants, moved to dismiss and stay the State Action. In the State
Action state law claims were later brought in the Federal Action and the State
Action was dismissed. In February 1999, plaintiffs filed a consolidated and
amended complaint in the Federal Action, alleging violations of Washington State
and U.S. securities laws. In March 1999, we, and the individual defendants,
filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint in the Federal
Action. In July 1999, the Court entered an order denying in part and granting in
part the motion to dismiss the complaint in the Federal Action. In November
1999, we filed motions for summary judgement and to stay discovery. These
motions are currently scheduled for hearing in December 1999. We do not believe
there is any merit to the claims in these actions and we intend to defend our
position vigorously. Although we do not believe that we or any of our current or
former officers or directors have engaged in any wrongdoing, there can be no
assurance that this stockholder litigation will be resolved in our favor.
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
In August 1999, the Company entered into an Agreement for Part-Time
Employment and Mutual Release with the Company's founder and former Chief
Executive Officer, Steven C. Quay, M.D., Ph.D. Under the agreement, Dr. Quay
will provide services to the Company as a part-time employee for a period of
three years from the date of the agreement. In September 1999, Dr. Quay resigned
as a member of the Company's Board of Directors.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) EXHIBITS
Number Description
------ -----------
10.21C Loan Modification Agreement dated August 30, 1999 to Loan and
Security Agreement by and between the Company and Silicon
` Valley Bank
10.37 Agreement for Part-time Employment and Mutual Release,
effective August 25, 1999 by and between the Company
and Steven C. Quay, M.D., Ph.D.
10.38 Mutual Rescission Agreement dated October 11, 1999 by and
between the Company and Abbott International, Ltd.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
We filed a report on Form 8-K on October 14, 1999 in connection
with the closing on September 28, 1998 of our License Agreement with
Nycomed Imaging AS.
ITEMS 2, 3 AND 4 ARE NOT APPLICABLE AND HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
SONUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Date: February 29, 2000 By: /s/ Gregory Sessler
---------------------------------
Gregory Sessler
Senior Vice President - Strategic
Business Development and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
15