UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 20-F
o | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
þ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number: 000-28508
Not Applicable
Republic of France
Parc Club du Moulin a Vent
33, avenue du Docteur Georges Levy
69693 Venissieux Cedex France
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
|
None | |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act. |
Ordinary Shares, nominal value 0.122 Euros per share, represented by American Depositary Shares (as
evidenced by American Depositary Receipts), each representing one Ordinary Share
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
21,751,590 Ordinary Shares, nominal value 0.122 Euros per Ordinary Share
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 o Item 18 þ
Table of Contents
Page | ||||||
PART I |
1 | |||||
Item 1. |
Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers | 1 | ||||
Item 2. |
Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable | 1 | ||||
Item 3. |
Key Information | 1 | ||||
Item 4. |
Information on the Company | 11 | ||||
Item 5. |
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects | 28 | ||||
Item 6. |
Directors, Senior Management and Employees | 36 | ||||
Item 7. |
Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions | 43 | ||||
Item 8. |
Financial Information | 44 | ||||
Item 9. |
The Offer and Listing | 44 | ||||
Item 10. |
Additional Information | 45 | ||||
Item 11. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 53 | ||||
Item 12. |
Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities | 53 | ||||
PART II |
54 | |||||
Item 13. |
Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies | 54 | ||||
Item 14. |
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds | 54 | ||||
Item 15. |
Controls and Procedures | 54 | ||||
Item 16. |
[Reserved] | 54 | ||||
Item 16A |
Audit Committee Financial Expert | 54 | ||||
Item 16B |
Code of Ethics | 54 | ||||
Item 16C |
Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 54 | ||||
Item 16D |
Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees | 55 | ||||
Item 16E |
Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers | 55 | ||||
PART III |
56 | |||||
Item 17. |
Financial Statements | 56 | ||||
Item 18. |
Financial Statements | 56 | ||||
Item 19. |
Exhibits | 56 |
As used herein, references to the Company, we, us, our, the Registrant and Flamel refer to Flamel Technologies S.A. and its consolidated subsidiary, Flamel Technologies, Inc., unless the context indicates otherwise. References to Shares herein refer to (i) the Ordinary Shares of Flamel, nominal value 0.122 Euros per Ordinary Share (the Ordinary Shares) and (ii) Flamels American Depositary Shares, each of which represents one Ordinary Share (ADSs). The ADSs are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). Ordinary Shares and ADSs are referred to herein as Shares.
The following product or technology designations are trademarks of the Company:
Asacard(),
Agsome(),
Genvir(),
Micropump(R),
Medusa(R),
and ColCys(R).
Flamel publishes its financial statements in U.S. dollars. In this Annual Report, references to dollars or $ are to U.S. dollars and references to Euros or EUR are to the currency of the European Union as used in the Republic of France. Except as otherwise stated herein, all monetary amounts in this Annual Report have been presented in dollars. Solely for the convenience of the reader, this Annual Report contains translations of certain Euro amounts into dollars at specified rates. See Item 3. Key Information Exchange Rates for information regarding the rates of exchange between the Euro and the dollar in each of the previous five years.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This annual report contains forward-looking statements. We may make additional written or oral forward-looking statements from time to time in filings with the SEC or otherwise. The words believe, expect, anticipate, project and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement is made. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our business and operations, our business is subject to significant risks and there can be no assurance that actual results of our development and manufacturing activities and our results of operations will not differ materially from our expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, among others:
| our product candidates, if approved for marketing, may not produce significant revenues and we rely on our partners to determine the regulatory and marketing strategies; | |||
| our product candidates, in commercial use, may have unintended side effects, adverse reactions or incidents of misuse; | |||
| we may enter into a collaboration with a third party to market or fund a proprietary product candidate and the terms of such a collaboration may not meet our expectations; | |||
| our delivery technologies or product development efforts may not produce safe, effective or commercially viable products; | |||
| our collaborators could elect to terminate or delay programs at any time and disputes with collaborators or failure to negotiate acceptable new collaborative arrangements for our technologies could occur; | |||
| we may be unable to manufacture or, if our products are successful, scale-up the manufacturing of our products economically or on a commercial scale; | |||
| unexpected events could interrupt manufacturing operations at our facilities, which could be the sole source of supply for these products; | |||
| after the completion of clinical trials of products incorporating our technologies and the submission to the FDA of a New Drug Application, or NDA, for marketing approval and to other health authorities as a marketing authorization application, the FDA or other health authorities could refuse to accept such filings or could request additional pre-clinical or clinical studies be conducted, each of which could result in significant delays, or such authorities could refuse to approve the product at all; | |||
| our product candidates could be ineffective or unsafe during pre-clinical studies and clinical trials and we and our collaborators may not be permitted by regulatory authorities to undertake new or additional clinical trials for product candidates incorporating our technologies, or clinical trials could be delayed; | |||
| we may experience significant delays in clinical trials on our products; | |||
| we may not realize any revenue from milestone or royalty payments under our license agreements with our partners, including GlaxoSmithKline and TAP Pharmaceutical Products, Inc TAP; | |||
| even if our product candidates appear promising at an early stage of development, product candidates could fail to receive necessary regulatory approvals, be difficult to manufacture on a large scale, be uneconomical, fail to achieve market acceptance, be precluded from commercialization by proprietary rights of third parties or experience substantial competition in the marketplace; |
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| technological changes in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries could render our product candidates obsolete or noncompetitive; | |||
| we may face difficulties or set-backs in obtaining and enforcing our patents or defending claims of patent infringement by others; and | |||
| we may need to raise substantial additional funding to continue research and development programs and clinical trials and could incur difficulties or setbacks in raising such funds. |
Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements. Statements in this annual report including those set forth in Risk Factors in this report, describe factors, among others, that could contribute to or cause such differences.
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PART I
ITEM 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. Key Information
Selected Financial Data
The selected consolidated financial data as at and for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2004 are derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and audited by Ernst & Young Audit, independent auditors. The selected consolidated financial data of the Company set forth below are qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes related thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Statement of Operations Data: * | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | |||||||||||||||
** | ||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 10,902 | $ | 13,087 | $ | 18,406 | $ | 25,167 | $ | 55,410 | ||||||||||
Cost and Expenses |
(16,107 | ) | (16,242 | ) | (18,629 | ) | (29,866 | ) | (46,575 | ) | ||||||||||
Income (Loss) from Operations |
(5,205 | ) | (3,155 | ) | (223 | ) | (4,699 | ) | 8,835 | |||||||||||
Interest and foreign exchange loss, net |
375 | 295 | 149 | (856 | ) | 363 | ||||||||||||||
Other income |
| | 2,525 | 1,128 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax and the
cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle |
(4,834 | ) | (2,860 | ) | 2,452 | (4,427 | ) | 9,298 | ||||||||||||
Income tax benefit (expense) |
(50 | ) | (14 | ) | 553 | 503 | 3,201 | |||||||||||||
Cumulative effect on prior years (to
December 31,1999 of changing method of
revenue recognition ** |
(4,577 | ) | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (9,461 | ) | $ | (2,874 | ) | $ | 3,005 | $ | (3,924 | ) | $ | 12,499 | |||||||
Earning (Loss) per share before
cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle |
$ | (0.32 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | $ | 0.19 | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | 0.58 | |||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per ordinary share |
$ | (0.62 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | $ | 0.19 | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | 0.58 | |||||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per ordinary share |
$ | (0.62 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | $ | 0.18 | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | 0.53 | |||||||
Basic weighted average number of shares
outstanding (in thousands) |
15,331 | 16,198 | 16,198 | 17,762 | 21,514 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted weighted average number of shares
outstanding (in thousands) |
15,331 | 16,198 | 16,711 | 17,762 | 23,559 | |||||||||||||||
Dividends per share |
| | | | |
* | (in thousands of US dollars, except per share data) | |
** | Financial information for the year ended December 31, 2003 has been restated in the amended Annual Report on Form 20-F/A for 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2005. | |
*** | The Company has historically recognized non-refundable technology access fees received from its collaboration agreements as revenue when received. In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements. Among other things, SAB No. 101 describes the SEC staffs position on the recognition of certain non-refundable up-front fees received in connection with research collaborations. The Company has evaluated |
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the applicability of SAB No. 101 in conjunction with its existing collaborative agreements. As a result, effective January 1, 2000, the Company changed its method of accounting for the receipt of such fees to recognize revenue over the term of the related development period. The Company recorded the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of ($4,577,000) for the year ended December 31, 2000. For the years ended December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000, the Company has recorded $2,812,000 and $1,508,000 of license and research revenue, which were included in the cumulative effect adjustment recorded on January 1, 2000.
Balance Sheet Data:* | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003** | 2004 | |||||||||||||||
Cash, Cash
equivalents &
Marketable
securities |
$ | 10,137 | $ | 5,309 | $ | 14,527 | $ | 109,617 | $ | 105,374 | ||||||||||
Working capital*** |
7,948 | 7,338 | 12,202 | 102,867 | 97,446 | |||||||||||||||
Total assets |
20,360 | 18,144 | 23,076 | 127,252 | 145,608 | |||||||||||||||
Long term
liabilities
(excluding deferred
revenues) |
1,891 | 1,299 | 2,329 | 3,123 | 4,665 | |||||||||||||||
Shareholders equity |
10,882 | 7,509 | 12,286 | 92,061 | 116,757 |
* | (in thousands of US dollars) | |
** | Financial information for the year ended December 31, 2003 has been restated in the amended Annual Report on Form 20-F/A for 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2005. | |
*** | (current assets current liabilities) |
Exchange Rates
Flamel publishes its financial statements in dollars. However, currently a significant portion of the Companys expenses are denominated in Euros. For information regarding the effects of currency fluctuations on the Companys results, see Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.
On January 1, 1999, eleven member states of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain) introduced a single currency, the Euro, to replace their national currencies. Pursuant to the Treaty on European Union, fixed exchange rates against the Euro were established for each of the currencies of the participating member states. The rate of conversion for the French franc was fixed at FF6.55957 per Euro.
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The following table sets forth the high, low and average exchange rates for the Euro against the U.S. dollar in each of the last five years and in each of the previous six months.
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
Euro to U.S. Dollar: | High | Low | Average Rate1 | |||||||||
2004 |
1.367 | 1.176 | 1.248 | |||||||||
2003 |
1.246 | 1.036 | 1.132 | |||||||||
2002 |
1.0485 | 0.8594 | 0.9495 | |||||||||
2001 |
0.9548 | 0.8388 | 0.8958 | |||||||||
2000 |
1.0334 | 0.8269 | 0.9207 |
Previous Six Months, | ||||||||||||
Euro to U.S. Dollar: | High | Low | Average Rate | |||||||||
May, 2005
|
1.2936 | 1.2349 | 1.2697 | |||||||||
April, 2005
|
1.3093 | 1.2838 | 1.2943 | |||||||||
March, 2005
|
1.347 | 1.288 | 1.319 | |||||||||
February, 2005
|
1.327 | 1.277 | 1.301 | |||||||||
January, 2005
|
1.348 | 1.296 | 1.312 | |||||||||
December, 2004
|
1.363 | 1.325 | 1.341 |
The exchange rate for the Euro against the U.S. dollar as of May 31, 2005 was 1.2349 to $1.00. The Company makes no representation that Euro amounts have been, could have been or could be converted into dollars at any of the exchange rates referred to herein as of a given date.
Risk Factors
Certain statements made in this Annual Report on Form 20-F are forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our business and our industry. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, as more fully described below and elsewhere in this Annual Report. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face.
We depend on a few customers for the majority of our revenues, and the loss of any one of these customers could reduce our revenues significantly.
We depend on a few customers and partners for the majority of our revenues, including GlaxoSmithKline and TAP. The termination of our relationship with any of these major customers or partners, and our failure to broaden our customer base, could cause our revenues to decrease significantly and result in losses from our operations. Further, we may be unable to negotiate favorable business terms with customers and partners that represent a significant portion of our revenues. If so, our revenues and gross profits, if any, may not grow as expected or may not grow at a rate sufficient to allow us to maintain profitability.
Our revenues depend on pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies successfully developing products that incorporate our drug delivery technologies.
We market and sell our technologies to third parties, who incorporate our technologies into their products. We depend upon collaborative agreements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to develop, test, obtain regulatory approval for and commercialize products that incorporate our drug delivery technologies. We currently have collaborative agreements or relationships with TAP, Servier, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, and other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
1 | Annual totals represent the average of the noon buying rates for Euros on the last business day of each month during the relevant period. Monthly totals represent the average of the noon buying rates for Euros for each business day during the relevant month. |
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The number of products that our partners successfully develop under these collaborative agreements will affect our revenues. We cannot control the timing and other aspects of the development or marketing by our pharmaceutical and biotechnology company partners of their products that incorporate our technologies. The failure of one or more of our partners to develop successful products that incorporate our technologies or to perform as we expect under our agreements with them could have a material and adverse impact on our revenues and profits. We face risks relating to our collaborative agreements, including risks that:
| our collaborative agreements may not result in any new commercial products; | |||
| the existing commercial products developed under our collaborative agreements may not be successful; | |||
| our pharmaceutical and biotechnology company partners may not successfully market any commercial products; | |||
| we may not be able to meet the milestones established in our current or future collaborative agreements; | |||
| we may not be able to successfully develop new drug delivery technologies that would be attractive to potential pharmaceutical or biotechnology company partners; and | |||
| our collaborative partners may terminate their relationships with us. |
Although products that incorporate our drug delivery technologies may appear promising at their early stages of development and in clinical trials, none of these potential products may reach the commercial market for a number of reasons.
Successful research and development of pharmaceutical products is difficult, expensive, and time consuming. Many product candidates fail to reach the market. Accordingly, it is possible that products that incorporate our technologies may never reach the commercial market for any number of reasons. We intend to continue to enhance our current technologies and pursue additional proprietary drug delivery technologies. Our success will depend on the discovery and the successful commercialization of products that can utilize our drug delivery technologies. If products using our technologies fail to reach the commercial market, our revenues would be adversely affected, and we may be unable to increase our revenue.
Even if our technologies appear promising during various stages of development, there may not be successful commercial applications developed for them because:
| they may be found to be ineffective or cause harmful side effects, or they may fail during pre-clinical testing or clinical trials; | |||
| we may not find pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies to adopt the technologies or, if partnered, the business strategy of our partner may change; | |||
| our pharmaceutical and biotechnology company partners may find that certain products cannot be manufactured on a commercial scale and, therefore, may not be economical to produce; or | |||
| products that use our technologies also could fail to achieve market acceptance or be precluded from commercialization by proprietary rights of third parties. |
We depend on key personnel to execute our business plan. If we cannot attract and retain key personnel, we may not be able to successfully implement our business plan.
Our success depends in large part upon our ability to attract and retain highly qualified personnel. During our operating history, we have assigned many key responsibilities within our company to a relatively small number of individuals, each of whom has played key roles in executing various important components of
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our business. We do not have employment agreements with any of our key personnel, nor do we maintain material key person life insurance for any of our key personnel. If we lose the services of Dr. Gerard Soula, our Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Willard, our Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel, or Raphael Jorda, our Director of Manufacturing, we may have difficulty executing our business plan in the manner we currently anticipate. Further, because each of our key personnel plays more than one role in respect of numerous components of our business, the loss of any one or more of such individuals could have an adverse effect on our business.
Products that incorporate our drug delivery technologies are subject to regulatory approval. If our pharmaceutical and biotechnology company partners do not obtain such approvals, or if such approvals are delayed, our revenues may be adversely affected.
In the United States, the federal government, principally the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state and local government agencies regulate all pharmaceutical products, including existing products and those under development. Our pharmaceutical and biotechnology company partners may experience significant delays in expected product releases while attempting to obtain regulatory approval for products incorporating our technologies. If they are not successful, our revenues and profitability may decline. We cannot control, and our pharmaceutical and biotechnology company partners cannot control, the timing of regulatory approval for any of these products.
Applicants for FDA approval often must submit extensive clinical and pre-clinical data as well as information about product manufacturing processes and facilities and other supporting information to the FDA. Varying interpretations of the data obtained from pre-clinical and clinical testing could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval of a drug product. Changes in FDA approval policy during the development period, or changes in regulatory review for each submitted new product application, also may delay an approval or rejection of an application. The FDA has substantial discretion in the approval process and may disagree with our or our partners interpretations of such data and information which also could cause delays of an approval or rejection of an application. Even if the FDA approves a product, the approval may limit the uses or indications for which a product may be marketed, or may require further studies. The FDA also can withdraw product clearances and approvals for failure to comply with regulatory requirements or if problems follow initial marketing.
The FDAs statutes, regulations or policies may change and additional government regulations or statutes may be enacted which could prevent or delay regulatory approval of biological and other drugs or medical devices. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of adverse governmental regulation that might arise from future legislative or administrative action, either in the U.S. or abroad.
Manufacturers of drugs also must comply with applicable Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements. If we or our pharmaceutical and biotechnology company partners cannot comply with these practices, the sale of our products or products developed by our partners that incorporate our technologies may be suspended. This would reduce our revenues and gross profits. We may not be able to comply with all of the applicable good manufacturing practices and other FDA regulatory requirements for manufacturing.
If our products or products that incorporate our technologies are marketed in other jurisdictions, we and the partners with whom we are developing our technologies must obtain required regulatory approvals from foreign regulatory agencies and comply with extensive regulations regarding safety and quality. If approvals to market our products are delayed, if we fail to receive these approvals or if we lose previously received approvals, our revenues would be reduced. We may be required to incur significant costs in obtaining or maintaining foreign regulatory approvals.
We may face product liability claims related to participation in clinical trials or the use or misuse of our products or products that incorporate our technologies.
The testing, manufacturing and marketing of our products or products that incorporate our drug delivery technologies may expose us to potential product liability and other claims resulting from their use. If any such claims against us are successful, we may be required to make significant compensation payments. Any indemnification that we have obtained, or may obtain, from contract research organizations or pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies conducting human clinical trials on our behalf may not protect us from product liability claims or from the costs of related litigation. Similarly, any indemnification we have obtained, or may obtain, from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with whom we are developing our drug delivery
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technologies may not protect us from product liability claims from the consumers of those products or from the costs of related litigation. If we are subject to a product liability claim, our product liability insurance may not reimburse us, or be sufficient to reimburse us, for any expenses or losses we may suffer. A successful product liability claim against us, if not covered by, or if in excess of, our product liability insurance, may require us to make significant compensation payments. These payments would be reflected as expenses on our statement of operations and reduce our earnings.
Our commercial products are subject to continuing regulation and we may be subject to adverse consequences if we fail to comply with applicable regulations.
Even if our products receive regulatory approval, either in the United States or internationally, we will continue to be subject to extensive regulatory requirements. These regulations are wide-ranging and govern, among other things:
| adverse drug experience and other reporting regulations; | |||
| product promotion; | |||
| product manufacturing, including good manufacturing practice requirements; | |||
| record keeping requirements; | |||
| drug sampling and distribution requirements; | |||
| electronic record and signature requirements; and | |||
| product manufacturing and labeling changes or modifications. |
If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations, we may be fined or barred from selling our products. If the FDA determines that we are not complying with the law, it can:
| issue warning letters; | |||
| impose fines; | |||
| seize products or order recalls; | |||
| issue injunctions to stop future sales of products; | |||
| refuse to permit products to be imported into, or exported out of, the United States; | |||
| suspend or limit our production; | |||
| withdraw previously approved marketing applications; and | |||
| initiate criminal prosecutions. |
If our competitors develop and market drug delivery technologies or related products that are more effective than ours, or obtain regulatory approval and market such technology or products before we do, our commercial opportunity will be reduced or eliminated.
Competition in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry is intense and is expected to increase. We compete with academic laboratories, research institutions, universities, joint ventures, and other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including other companies developing drug delivery systems. Our Medusa® technology competes with technologies from companies such as Alkermes, Inc., SkyePharma plc and Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Companies with oral drug delivery technology that can compete with our Micropump® technology include Eurand International S.p.A., Biovail and Andrx Corporation. We also compete generally with other drug delivery, biotechnology and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that develop alternative drug delivery technologies or new drug research and testing.
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Many of these competitors have substantially greater financial, technological, manufacturing, marketing, managerial and research and development resources and experience than we do. Furthermore, acquisitions of competing drug delivery companies by large pharmaceutical companies could enhance our competitors resources. Accordingly, our competitors may succeed in developing competing technologies and products, obtaining regulatory approval and gaining market share for these products more rapidly than we do.
Additionally, there could be new chemical entities that are being developed that, if successful, could compete against our technologies or products. Among the many experimental therapies being tested in the United States and in Europe, there may be some that we do not now know of that may compete with our drug delivery systems or products in the future. These chemical entities and new products may turn out to be safer or may work better than our technologies or products. Our collaborators could choose a competing drug delivery system to use with their drugs instead of one of our drug delivery systems.
If we cannot keep pace with the rapid technological change in our industry, we may lose business.
Our success depends, in part, on maintaining a competitive position in the development of products and technologies in a rapidly evolving field. Major technological changes can happen quickly in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. If we cannot maintain competitive products and technologies, our current and potential pharmaceutical and biotechnology company partners may choose to adopt the drug delivery technologies of our competitors. Our competitors may succeed in developing competing technologies or obtaining governmental approval for products before us, and the products of our competitors may gain market acceptance more rapidly than our products. Such rapid technological change, or the development by our competitors of technologically improved or different products, could render our drug delivery systems obsolete or noncompetitive.
Our products and technologies may not gain market acceptance.
The competitive nature of our industry could adversely affect market acceptance of our products or the use of our drug delivery technologies. Even if we and our pharmaceutical and biotechnology company partners obtain the necessary regulatory approval to market our products and products that incorporate our technologies, our products and technologies may not gain market acceptance among physicians, patients, healthcare payers and the medical community.
The degree of market acceptance of any product candidate or technology will depend on a number of factors, including:
| the effectiveness of our marketing strategy; | |||
| demonstration of the clinical efficacy and safety of the product or technology; | |||
| no evidence of undesirable side effects which delay or extend trials; | |||
| no regulatory delays or other regulatory actions; | |||
| its cost-effectiveness; | |||
| its potential advantage over alternative treatment methods; and | |||
| the marketing and distribution support it receives. |
If any of our products or technologies fail to achieve market acceptance, our ability to generate revenue will be limited, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.
If we cannot adequately protect our technology and proprietary information, we may be unable to sustain a competitive advantage.
Our success depends, in part, on our ability to obtain and enforce patents for our products, processes and technologies and to preserve our trade secrets and other proprietary information. If we cannot do so, our competitors may exploit our innovations and deprive us of the ability to realize revenues and profits from our developments.
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Any patent applications we may have made or may make relating to our potential products, processes and technologies may not result in patents being issued. Our current patents may not be valid or enforceable. They may not protect us against competitors that challenge our patents, such as companies that submit drug marketing applications to the FDA that rely, at least in part, on safety and efficacy data from our products or our business partners products (e.g., abbreviated new drug applications), obtain patents that may have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct business or are able to circumvent our patents. Further, we may not have the necessary financial resources to enforce our patents.
To protect our trade secrets and proprietary technologies and processes, we rely, in part, on confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and advisors. These agreements may not provide adequate protection for our trade secrets and other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure, or if others lawfully develop the information.
Third parties may claim that our technologies, or the products in which they are used, infringe on their rights and we may incur significant costs resolving these claims.
Third parties may claim that the manufacture, use or sale of our drug delivery technologies infringe on their patent rights. If such claims are asserted, we may have to seek licenses, defend infringement actions or challenge the validity of those patents in court. If we cannot obtain required licenses, are found liable for infringement or are not able to have these patents declared invalid, we may be liable for significant monetary damages, encounter significant delays in bringing products to market or be precluded from participating in the manufacture, use or sale of products or methods of drug delivery covered by the patents of others. We may not have identified, or be able to identify in the future, U.S. and foreign patents that pose a risk of potential infringement claims.
We enter into collaborative agreements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to apply our drug delivery technologies to drugs developed by others. Ultimately, we receive license revenues and product development fees, as well as revenues from the sale of products incorporating our technology and royalties. The drugs to which our drug delivery technologies are applied are generally the property of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Those drugs may be the subject of patents or patent applications and other forms of protection owned by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies or third parties. If those patents or other forms of protection expire, are challenged or become ineffective, sales of the drugs by the collaborating pharmaceutical and biotechnology company may be restricted or may cease.
If we or our collaborative partners are required to obtain licenses from third parties, our revenues and royalties on any commercialized products could be reduced.
The development of some of our products may require the use of technology developed by third parties. The extent to which efforts by other researchers have resulted or will result in patents and the extent to which we or our collaborative partners are forced to obtain licenses from others, if available, on commercially reasonable terms is currently unknown. If we or our collaborative partners must obtain licenses from third parties, fees must be paid for such licenses. These fees would reduce the revenues and royalties we may receive on commercialized products that incorporate our technologies.
If we use biological and hazardous materials in a manner that causes injury, we may be liable for significant damages.
Our research and development activities involve the controlled use of potentially harmful biological materials, hazardous materials and chemicals, and are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the use, storage, handling and disposal of those materials and specified waste products. We cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from the use, storage, handling or disposal of these materials. We currently do not maintain insurance coverage for environmental liabilities. If we fail to comply with environmental regulations, we could be subject to criminal sanctions and/or substantial liability for any damages that result, and any such liability could be significant.
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Healthcare reform and restrictions on reimbursements may limit our financial returns.
Our ability to successfully commercialize our products and technologies may depend in part on the extent to which the government health administration authorities, private health insurers and other third party payers will reimburse consumers for the cost of these products. Third party payers are increasingly challenging both the need for, and the price of, novel therapeutic drugs and uncertainty exists as to the reimbursement status of newly approved therapeutics. Adequate third party reimbursement may not be available for our drug products to enable us to maintain price levels sufficient to realize an appropriate return on our investments in research and product development, which could materially and adversely affect our ability to commercialize that particular drug. We cannot predict the effect that changes in the healthcare system, especially cost containment efforts, may have on our business. Any such changes may adversely affect our business.
Because we have a limited operating history, investors in our shares may have difficulty evaluating our prospects.
We recorded the first commercial sales of products using one of our polymer technologies through our partner, Corning, in 1999. We have had no commercial sales to date of products incorporating either our Medusa® or Micropump® technologies. Accordingly, we have only a limited operating history, which may make it difficult to evaluate our prospects. The difficulty investors may have in evaluating our prospects may cause volatile fluctuations, including decreases, in the market price of our shares as investors react to information about our prospects. Since 1995, we have generated revenues from product development fees and licensing arrangements and royalties. Our business and prospects, therefore, must be evaluated in light of the risks and uncertainties of a company with a limited operating history and, in particular, one in the pharmaceutical industry.
If we are not profitable in the future, the value of our shares may fall.
We have accumulated aggregate net losses from inception of approximately $47.8 million through December 31, 2004. If we are unable to continue to earn a profit in future periods, the market price of our stock may fall. The costs for research and product development of our drug delivery technologies and general and administrative expenses have been the principal causes of our losses in 2003, 2001 and 2000. Our ability to maintain profitable operations depends on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our direct control. These factors include:
| the demand for our technologies and products; | |||
| the level of product and price competition; | |||
| our ability to develop additional commercial applications for our products; | |||
| our ability to control our costs; | |||
| our ability to broaden our customer base; | |||
| the effectiveness of our marketing strategy; and | |||
| general economic conditions. |
We may require additional financing, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all, and which may result in dilution of your equity interest.
We may require additional financing to fund the development and possible acquisition of new drug delivery technologies and to increase our production capacity beyond what is currently anticipated. If we cannot obtain financing when needed, or obtain it on favorable terms, we may be required to curtail our plans to develop and possibly to acquire new drug delivery technologies or limit the expansion of our manufacturing capacity. We also may elect to pursue additional financing at any time to more aggressively pursue development of new drug delivery technologies and expand manufacturing capacity beyond that currently planned. Other factors that will affect future capital requirements and may require us to seek additional financing include:
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| the development and acquisition of new products and technologies; | |||
| the progress of our research and product development programs; | |||
| results of our collaborative efforts with current and potential pharmaceutical and biotechnology company partners; and | |||
| the timing of, and amounts received from, future product sales, product development fees and licensing revenue and royalties. |
Our share price has been volatile and may continue to be volatile.
The trading price of our shares has been, and is likely to continue to be, highly volatile. The market value of an investment in our shares may fall sharply at any time due to this volatility. In the year ended December 31, 2004, the closing sale price for our ADSs as reported on the Nasdaq National Market ranged from $14.67 to $31.73. In the year ended December 31, 2003, the closing sale price of our ADSs as reported on the Nasdaq National Market ranged from $3.74 to $42.85. The market prices for securities of drug delivery, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies historically have been highly volatile. Factors that could adversely affect our share price include:
| fluctuations in our operating results; | |||
| announcements of technological collaborations, innovations or new products by us or our competitors; | |||
| governmental regulations; | |||
| developments in patent or other proprietary rights owned by us or others; | |||
| public concern as to the safety of drugs developed by us or others; | |||
| the results of pre-clinical testing and clinical studies or trials by us or our competitors; | |||
| litigation; | |||
| decisions by our pharmaceutical and biotechnology company partners relating to the products incorporating our technologies; | |||
| actions by the FDA in connection with submissions related to the products incorporating our technologies; | |||
| the perception by the market of biotechnology and high technology companies generally; and | |||
| general market conditions. |
Our operating results may fluctuate, which may adversely affect our share price.
Fluctuations in our operating results may lead to fluctuations, including declines, in our share price. Our operating results may fluctuate from period to period due to a variety of factors, including:
| demand by consumers for the products we produce; | |||
| new product introductions; | |||
| pharmaceutical and biotechnology company ordering patterns; | |||
| the number of new collaborative agreements into which we enter; |
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| the number and timing of product development milestones that we achieve under collaborative agreements; | |||
| the level of our development activity conducted for, and at the direction of, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies under collaborative agreements; and | |||
| the level of our spending on new drug delivery technology development and technology acquisition, and internal product development. |
Variations in the timing of our revenue and expenses could also cause significant fluctuations in our operating results from period to period and may result in unanticipated earning shortfalls or losses.
Uncertainties related to potential changes in the structure of our board of directors and management at our annual shareholders meeting may disrupt our business and put us at a disadvantage with respect to our competitors.
Mr. Oscar Schafer, a major shareholder of our Company, and affiliated shareholders proposed the nomination of three directors to our board of directors at our annual shareholders meeting to be held on June 22, 2005 to replace the current board of directors as well as the slate of directors proposed by the current board of directors. Our board of directors unanimously recommended that our shareholders vote against these nominees and vote for the re-election of our current directors and for the election of our two applicants. We depend upon the continued service of our skilled executive officers and board of directors that is knowledgeable about our industry. Our founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Soula, has indicated his intention to resign if our shareholders approve the nomination of the three candidates proposed by Mr. Schafer. The potential loss of our current experienced executives and directors may lead to a destabilization within our Company that may disrupt our business and put us at a disadvantage with respect to our competitors, which could harm our business.
ITEM 4. Information on the Company
General Overview
We are a biopharmaceutical company principally engaged in the development of two unique polymer-based delivery technologies for medical applications. Our Micropump® technology is a multiparticulate technology for oral administration of small molecule drugs with applications in controlled-release, tastemasking and bioavailability enhancement. Our Medusa® nano-particulate technology is designed to deliver therapeutic proteins, peptides and small molecules. Our expertise in polymer science has also been instrumental in the development of a photochromic eyeglass lens product that was launched by Corning in 1999. Additionally, we have developed a patented biomaterial, ColCys®.
Our Medusa® technology permits the long-acting controlled-release of proteins without the denaturation or other adverse effects on such proteins of certain other delivery systems. Our initial application of Medusa® is Basulin®, a long-acting insulin for the treatment of diabetes.
Beginning in 1999, we worked with Novo Nordisk A/S to optimize the Medusa® polymer and the insulin formulation to be delivered using our proprietary technology. As of March 12, 2002, we reacquired all rights to Basulin®. On August 27, 2003, we announced that we had entered into a license agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb for Basulin®. The license agreement provided for an initial payment to us of $20 million and additional milestone payments that could have reached $145 million plus royalties on the sale of the product. Bristol-Myers Squibb also would assume all costs of future clinical trials, development, registration and marketing of the product. On September 16, 2004, we received a letter notifying us of Bristol-Myers Squibbs intention to cancel the partnership. On December 15, 2004, ninety days after receipt of the cancellation letter, we re-acquired the rights to Basulin. On January 31, 2005 Flamel Technologies and BMS entered into a termination agreement, with respect to the former licensing agreement. Under the terms of the January 31, 2005 agreement, we received a cash payment of $5,850,000.
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On December 8, 2004 we announced the initiation of a Phase I/II trial for Medusa®-enabled long-acting interleukin-2 for the treatment of end-stage renal cancer. On December 17, 2004, we announced the initiation of a Phase I/II trial of Medusa®-enabled long-acting interferon-alpha for the treatment of hepatitis B and C. Applications of Medusa® to other therapeutic proteins are in an advanced stage of pre-clinical development.
We currently have three major products based on our Micropump® technology which are not currently licensed to a third party: Genvir, a controlled-release acyclovir for the treatment of genital herpes; Metformin XL, a controlled-release form of Metformin currently in development for use for the treatment of Type II diabetes; and Asacard, a controlled-release formulation of aspirin for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. We are seeking potential partners for the further development and registration of our controlled-release Metformin. We terminated, in March 2005, a partnership with Biovail for the development and marketing of Genvir in the United States and Canada and are currently in active discussions with large pharmaceutical companies who expressed interest in the product. We are also in active discussions seeking to obtain a marketing partner for Asacard.
We have had a long-standing collaborative relationship with Corning to develop advanced polymeric photochromic materials for eyeglass lenses. We have enjoyed six years of royalties as a result of sales of this product. This is also the first product containing our technology to be commercialized.
To date, we have entered into licensing or partnership arrangements with five major corporations to commercialize products incorporating our technologies, to fund development work and, in selected cases, co-develop specific products.
The Company was incorporated as a limited liability corporation (societe anonyme) under the laws of the Republic of France in August of 1990, and its shares were listed on EASDAQ and the NASDAQ Stock market in 1996. Flamels principal place of business is located at Parc Club du Moulin a Vent, 33, avenue du Docteur Georges Levy, 69693 Venissieux Cedex France, telephone number 011 33 (4) 72 78 3434. Flamels agent in the United States is Flamel Technologies, Inc., 2121 K Street, Suite 650, N.W., Washington, DC 20037.
The Need for Novel Delivery Systems
Our polymer delivery systems are currently focused on the controlled release of therapeutic proteins and the oral administration of pharmaceutical drugs, primarily those that are best absorbed in the small intestine. The pharmaceutical industry utilizes drug delivery technologies as a tool to improve existing products as well as to overcome certain problems encountered in the development of new products. Drug delivery technologies enable pharmaceutical companies to improve the safety and efficacy profiles of innovative new therapeutic compounds, to improve patient compliance and acceptance of existing drugs, to expand therapeutic indications of an existing drug, and to gain competitive advantages for drugs facing patent expirations. It is estimated that pharmaceutical product sales utilizing advanced drug delivery technologies amounted to approximately $46 billion worldwide in 2003.
Business Strategy
We aim to build on our core strength as a science based, market focused innovator of controlled release drug delivery systems. The key elements of our strategy that will enable us to build upon our strengths are as follows:
| maximize the potential of our existing drug delivery systems; | |||
| develop or acquire additional drug delivery technologies; | |||
| identify additional compounds for unmet medical needs; | |||
| develop new formulations of proprietary compounds that we receive from additional collaborators; and | |||
| leverage capabilities of pharmaceutical partners for clinical development and commercialization. |
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For the reasons set forth below in this Item 4, we believe that we have a competitive advantage in developing controlled-release formulations of proteins, peptides and small molecules that improve dosing, compliance and efficacy. We remain committed to focusing on our strengths. We will continue to partner our proprietary formulations with pharmaceutical companies with the clinical, regulatory and marketing resources to secure regulatory approval and to commercialize these pharmaceuticals successfully.
Under our partner agreements, our pharmaceutical company partners typically assume responsibility for all clinical, regulatory and marketing costs and make payments to us at the time the agreement is signed and upon the achievement of significant technical, clinical and regulatory milestones. We also typically are entitled to receive ongoing royalty payments on the sales of pharmaceuticals that incorporate our technologies.
Medusa®: Delivery System for Therapeutic Proteins and Peptides
Therapeutic agents based on biological proteins and peptides are becoming increasingly important. The worldwide market for currently approved therapeutic proteins is over $43 billion annually; the growth of this market is expected to be significant as new products are commercialized. In developing these products, a principal challenge is finding a suitable delivery system that can transport the protein or peptide to its site of action, release it at the optimal therapeutic rate, and protect it from being unduly degraded without denaturing it (i.e., causing a structural change that results in a loss of the properties that are linked to its precise structure).
The scientific challenges to developing such a controlled-release process for protein-based drugs are significant. For a polymer-based delivery system, these constraints require a polymer that:
| can be metabolized by the human body into harmless substances; | |||
| is compatible with the protein or peptide; | |||
| keeps the structure of the protein intact; | |||
| protects the therapeutic agent during transit and delivery; and | |||
| has the required release properties once delivered. |
Responding to these scientific challenges and to what we believe is a significant market opportunity, we have developed Medusa®, a delivery system designed to deliver proteins and peptides in a controlled manner without denaturation. Our approach utilizes a novel nano-particulate system, combined with a customized polyaminoacid biopolymer, that meets the above conditions. We have developed a protein-like polyaminoacid composed of only two different amino acids. We tailor this polyaminoacid polymer to form nano-scaled particles spontaneously in water that entrap proteins without the use of solvents or any surfactants. This self-assembly process is critical in avoiding the denaturing of the proteins. We have shown in animal studies that our polyaminoacid polymer is neither immunogenic nor reactogenic. Further testing is necessary in each application of Medusa® to a drug, including Basulin®, to demonstrate that each product does not post a potential risk for human subjects.
Basulin®: Long-acting Basal Insulin Formulation
Our first application of our proprietary Medusa® technology is a depot delivery formulation of insulin targeted to meet the long-acting, basal insulin requirements of diabetic patients.
Insulin Market
Insulin serves to regulate the glucose level in the blood. In a non-diabetic person, the body produces insulin in large quantities after each meal to reduce the resulting high glucose level. The body also produces a small quantity of insulin every 15 minutes to ensure that a basal level of insulin is maintained throughout the day. To maintain similar control over their glucose levels, diabetics who need insulin also require two different types: a fast-acting insulin to be taken at meal times, and a long-acting insulin to maintain a constant minimum level of needed insulin, particularly throughout the night when patients do not inject insulin.
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The worldwide market for insulin is believed to have been approximately $5.5 billion in 2003. Of this total, long-acting basal insulin is estimated by us to constitute nearly $3.0 billion in annual sales. In Type I diabetics (those with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus), basal insulin is projected to represent 40% of their required treatment. Type II diabetics (those with Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) significantly out-number Type I diabetics and often require only basal insulin. Our Basulin® is designed to address the long-acting basal insulin requirements of both of these groups.
The Development of Basulin®
Using our Medusa® delivery system, we have been able to form nano-particles of human insulin with our proprietary polyaminoacid polymer to produce a long-acting, injectable insulin formulation, Basulin®.
In March 2003, we announced the results of our second European clinical study, designed to compare our optimized formulation of Basulin® with Lantus®, the marketed product widely recognized as the best long-acting product to treat Type I and Type II diabetes. The study showed that Basulin® released insulin during a twenty-four hour period at a constant rate with good bioavailability and excellent local tolerance. Theoretically, a profile with minimal peak and trough differences should minimize a diabetics hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia (low and elevated blood glucose levels) episodes, particularly during the first hours after insulin injections and during the sleeping hours. In diabetics, large variations in blood glucose levels over time can lead to serious, long-term complications including vision impairment, foot ulcerations and kidney failure. Minimizing the peaks and valleys of a diabetics blood glucose level is thought to prevent such serious long-term complications.
We believe it is possible that Basulin® could be used (and injected) in combination with short-acting insulin, as it is administered at the biological pH level. This is a significant advantage in comparison to Lantus®, which is administered at 4.5 pH. We expect that those diabetics who require both short-acting and long-acting insulin will greatly prefer Basulin® as a consequence.
Among Basulins many advantages, perhaps the most important is that Basulin® is a controlled release of human insulin, not an artificial insulin as with Lantus®. The companys goal with Basulin® is to deliver human insulin in order to reduce the risk of potential immune response which can be created by non-human insulin, such as artificial or animal insulins. This is especially important in the context of treating a chronic disease such as diabetes. We also believe, but have yet to demonstrate, that Basulin® could offer important benefits versus Lantus® with respect to insulins role as a vascular endothelial growth hormone.
In December 1999, we signed a development and licensing agreement with Novo Nordisk, a recognized world leader in insulin and diabetes care. Under the terms of the agreement, we worked with Novo Nordisk as directed by them. As of March 12, 2002, our agreement with Novo Nordisk was terminated and we do not expect any further revenues from Novo Nordisk for this project. On August 27, 2003, we announced that we had entered into a license agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb for Basulin®. The license agreement provided for an initial payment to us of $20 million and additional milestone payments that could have reached $145 million plus royalties on the sale of the product. Bristol-Myers Squibb also would assume all costs of future clinical trials, development, registration and marketing of the product. On September 16, 2004, we received a letter notifying us of Bristol-Myers Squibbs intention to cancel the partnership. On December 15, 2004, ninety days after receipt of the cancellation letter, we re-acquired the rights to Basulin®. On January 31, 2005 Flamel Technologies and BMS entered into a termination agreement, with respect to the former licensing agreement.
Other Products Based on the Medusa® Technology
In a further effort to leverage our knowledge of Basulin® and the Medusa® technology, we have sought and received French government funding for research activity related to additional applications of our Medusa® technology. These are in the feasibility testing phase.
We believe that the Medusa® delivery system has the potential to improve formulations of other important biological drugs. During 2004, we initiated a Phase I/II clinical trial of Medusa® enabled long-acting interferon-alpha. We believe that the efficacy of interferon alpha, particularly in the treatment of Hepatitis C and cancer, can be improved if its half-life in the body can be extended. Pre-clinical studies in living animals have shown promising results. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats using the Sprague Dawley Rat model show a continued concentration of a Medusa®-enhanced interferon alpha 2b for up to 96 hours, as compared to 8-12 hours for the conventional formulation.
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We estimate the worldwide market for interferon drugs to have been $6.0 billion in 2003 and we expect this market to grow in 2005 as researchers identify additional indications that may be treated effectively using interferon drugs, as such proposed treatments gain approval and as new suppliers emerge. In 2003, we estimate that interferon alpha formulations accounted for approximately 48% of the worldwide market for interferons. If we are successful in demonstrating proof of concept in the Phase I/II trial, we will seek to negotiate a licensing agreement with an interested party for the further development of this formulation.
During 2004, we initiated a Phase I/II clinical trial of Medusa®-enabled long-acting interleukin-2 (IL-2) for the treatment of renal cancer. We believe that the use of IL-2 as a treatment for renal cancer as well as in other indications has been limited due to its extreme toxicity. Pre-clinical studies of our long-acting interleukin-2 versus Proleukin® in monkeys showed an increase in the duration of action of the drug, with a lower blood concentration of drug after injection (Cmax). Flamels formulation resulted in measurable increases in levels of lymphocyte CD4 and CD8, and the soluble fraction of CD25 in the monkeys studied, which are considered surrogate markers for stimulation of the bodys immune system. If these results are confirmed in the Phase I/II clinical trial, we plan to negotiate with interested parties to license the formulation for further development. In addition to its application for advanced kidney cancer, IL-2 could become an important adjuvant for vaccines. Based on the success of vaccines, IL-2 sales could reach $1.5 billion by 2010.
Micropump®: Delivery System for the Oral Administration of Drugs
Our other drug delivery platform, Micropump®, is an oral multiparticulate technology with applications in sustained release, tastemasking and bioavailability enhancement.
Micropump® provides a method of encapsulating microscopic-sized particles or granulates of a pharmaceutical compound with carefully selected polymers designed to achieve a desired pharmacokinetic profile. These microparticles have dimensions that are intended to control the absorption rate of the drug. Each microparticle acts as an independent drug delivery vehicle that slowly releases particles, since they can be programmed for each drug and each therapeutic indication by modifying the thickness and composition of the polymer coatings and the excipients encapsulated with the drug.
We believe that Micropump® particles, which measure approximately 200 to 500 microns in diameter, can provide benefits in controlled release and in the tastemasking of bad tasting active materials. The latter use is particularly important where the microparticles are dosed in sachet or liquid suspension, or as rapidly dissolving tablets. In addition, we believe that our Micropump® technology can facilitate improvements in the bioavailability of certain drugs whose low solubility profile restricts both the rate and extent of absorption. We have demonstrated that the incorporation of certain hydrophilic excipients into the Micropump® particles leads to marked improvements in drug stability which may, in turn, lead to enhancement of bioavailability. We are currently pursuing this application for the Micropump® technology. Many new and effective drug compounds demonstrate poor stability characteristics, which can hamper the ability of these compounds to be successfully developed and commercialized. We believe that a drug delivery technology which has application in stabilizing such compounds would have significant value. The reformulation of existing compounds to incorporate such advantages would potentially extend the patent life of such compounds, which in itself would provide a major benefit to our partners.
Micropump® technology has several other key attributes, including a high loading ratio of active ingredient to its polymer coating, thus allowing for conventional size tablets or capsules. This is important for some products, such as acyclovir, where large daily doses are required. The large number of microparticles contained in a tablet or capsule also enhances safety by avoiding the problem of dose-dumping (releasing all of the dose at one time/one place). Dose-dumping can give rise to side effects such as ulceration. In addition, changes in pH levels within a patients body have been shown not to affect the Micropump® particle coating, unless so designed. This coating uses a class of material approved for pharmaceutical use by the FDA, which may accelerate testing and approval.
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Products Based on the Micropump® Technology
We believe that our Micropump® system is most appropriate for delivery of therapeutic compounds for which the small intestine is the optimal site of absorption and where the extension of mean plasma concentration time is important. We are currently developing the following drugs based on the Micropump® system:
1. | Lansoprazole extended release |
We are working with TAP, the joint venture between Abbott Laboratories, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd, to develop an extended release formulation of lansoprazole, which is marketed in the U.S. under the brand name Prevacid®. Prevacid was the third largest selling drug in the United States in 2004 with sales of $3.8 billion. Prevacid is a proton pump inhibitor (ppi) that works by helping to prevent the creation of acid in the stomach. Stomach acid may cause heartburn and can lead to a condition known as acid-reflux disease, caused when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. Under the terms of the license agreement, TAP will pay all costs of further development, testing, regulatory approval and marketing of the new formulation. Flamel also has the potential to earn more than $100 million of milestones and will receive significant royalties on sales of the product.
The Market for Proton Pump Inhibitors
U.S. sales of proton pump inhibitors totaled $12.5 billion in 2004. As a class, only lipid lowering agents had greater sales. The demand for proton pump inhibitors stems both from the prevalence of patients who suffer from acid reflux and increased awareness about the disease. Seven percent of Americans suffer the symptoms of acid reflux disease on a daily basis and an additional fourteen percent suffer from the disease twice a week. The potential long-term complications of acid-reflux disease, if left unchecked, include erosive esophagitis and even esophageal cancer.
Using Micropump®, we have demonstrated that we can potentially increase both the efficacy and convenience of lansoprazole. According to IMS, Prevacid sales totaled $3.8 billion in 2004, a decline of 5%. This was likely due to the launch of Nexium® by Astra-Zeneca as well as pricing pressure resulting from the launch of generic Prilosec®. Due to increased awareness regarding the health risks associated with chronic acid-reflux disease, market growth for proton pump inhibitors in 2005 is predicted to resume.
2. | Genvir : Controlled-release Oral Acyclovir |
We have applied our Micropump® technology to develop a controlled-release formulation of acyclovir for the treatment of genital herpes.
The Market for Anti-Herpes Drugs
We estimate the worldwide market for the treatment of herpes infections to have been approximately $2.1 billion in 2004. Acyclovir, including multiple generic formulations and GlaxoSmithKlines Zovirax®, as well as prodrug formulations of acyclovir, are currently the leading drugs for the treatment of herpes infections. There are two relatively expensive, second-generation prodrugs of acyclovir. The most successful of the two is GlaxoSmithKlines Valtrex. These second-generation drugs address a principal weakness of acyclovir: its arduous dosing regimens. For the acute genital herpes and zoster indications, acyclovir needs to be taken five times per day; for chronic genital herpes indications, acyclovir needs to be taken twice per day. These second generation drugs have reduced the dosing schedule to three times per day for zoster, two times per day for acute genital herpes and one to two times per day for chronic genital herpes.
Controlled-Release Acyclovir for Acute Genital Herpes
Genvir is an oral drug also offering a twice per day dosing regime for the treatment of acute genital herpes. Using Micropump®, we have overcome the obstacles presented by the particular absorption characteristics of acyclovir to improve its pharmacokinetic profile and develop an effective, controlled-release formulation of the drug. Genvir, with a dosing schedule equivalent to Valtrex, is positioned as a second-generation treatment for acute genital herpes and as an alternative to the acyclovir prodrugs.
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As shown in its European phase III study, Genvir taken twice a day provides the same effective treatment for acute genital herpes as Zovirax (brand-name acyclovir) taken five times a day. The double-blind phase III clinical study of Genvir was conducted in France and Germany with 596 patients enrolled, 423 of whom were treated for an acute attack of genital herpes. In this study, Genvir 600mg taken twice a day was demonstrated to be therapeutically equivalent to Zovirax 200mg taken five times a day. The principal endpoint in the study was the percentage of patients with healed herpes lesions on the fifth day. The study concluded that 53.6% of Genvir-treated patients had healed lesions as compared to 45.7% of Zovirax-treated patients. Additionally, the occurrence of new herpes lesions in the Genvir-treated patients was less than in the Zovirax-treated patients. The safety profiles of both drugs were excellent and similar.
On April 9, 2003, we announced that we had licensed rights to Genvir in the United States and Canada to Biovail. On March 3, 2005 we announced that we had terminated the agreement with Biovail. We are currently in discussions to re-license GenvirTM with major pharmaceutical companies.
3. | Asacard 162.5mg: Controlled-Release Cardiovascular Aspirin |
The first pharmaceutical product utilizing Micropump® is Asacard, a controlled-release formulation of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, or ASA) specifically designed for the long-term treatment of cardiovascular diseases with thrombotic origin.
We estimate that at least 9.5 billion doses of aspirin are consumed worldwide each year for cardiovascular treatment, making it the most widely used segment of the aspirin market. According to a significant body of published medical literature, a majority of people who have suffered a heart attack or stroke are advised to take aspirin daily, and many are expected to do so for the remainder of their lives. However, the long-term use of aspirin may give rise to gastrointestinal side effects, including stomach bleeding and stomach and intestinal ulcers. It is generally believed that these side effects are the principal obstacle to an even greater use of cost-effective aspirin for this indication.
To avoid the adverse gastrointestinal side effects of aspirin, two approaches have been proposed to date: enteric coated aspirin and low-dose aspirin. We believe that neither approach provides a satisfactory solution. Enteric coated aspirin formulations attempt to reduce gastric side effects by preventing aspirin from touching the stomach wall, but this solves only a part of the problem. The use of low dose aspirin (75mg per day) is becoming increasingly popular, particularly in the United States. However, daily use of even low doses can give rise to gastrointestinal side effects and, more significantly, some published studies suggest that such low doses may not be effective.
Responding to this need, we developed and patented Asacard, a unique controlled-release, microencapsulated aspirin, based on our Micropump® technology. Asacard is designed to provide effective and safe therapy for cardiovascular treatment. Its efficacy for this indication comes from the release of aspirin into the circulatory system where it provides cardiovascular benefits similar to conventional aspirin formulations. We believe, however, that what differentiates Asacard from conventional aspirin is that it reduces gastrointestinal side effects. Asacard is the only aspirin formulation that significantly controls the rate of release of aspirin in the systemic circulation system, thus avoiding the major cause of gastrointestinal problems. Additionally, its microparticle coating protects the stomach and intestine linings from direct contact with the aspirin.
Given current U.S. medical practice that favors the lower, 75mg doses of aspirin for cardiovascular disease and the costs of required U.S. clinical testing, we have deferred plans to further develop this product. The U.S. patent for Asacard was issued in 1997. Recently, however, increasing interest has been expressed in licensing this product and we are engaged in discussions in an effort to seek a partner for a controlled-release, micro-encapsulated product.
Other Products Based on Micropump® Technology
From time to time we have conducted Micropump® feasibility studies on other proprietary therapeutic compounds under limited, confidential agreements with the pharmaceutical companies owning the rights to these compounds.
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Photochromic Materials
Our expertise in polymer science has led to a long-term collaborative relationship with Corning. Under a contract research arrangement that has existed since 1994, we have worked with Corning to produce two generations of material for photochromic lenses. The research and development activities ended in 2003.
Photochromic lenses automatically darken in the presence of sunlight and then revert to clear when indoors. These eyeglass lenses, which are based on mineral material, have been available for over 20 years, and Corning has been the dominant worldwide supplier of these lenses since their introduction. However, as eyeglass lenses have been increasingly made with plastic materials, there is an increasing demand for photochromic lenses based on polymer (plastic) materials. We believe that Corning, which is building an existing franchise and business expertise in the eyeglass lens market, is well positioned to compete effectively in the worldwide market for polymer-based photochromic lens material.
During 1999, Corning launched SunSensor(TM), a new, competitive photochromic eyeglass lens product containing our technology. We began receiving royalties on the sales of this product late in 1999. The amount of future royalties related to this and other potential products resulting from this collaboration is dependent on Cornings marketing success.
Under terms of our current agreement with Corning, , we continue to receive royalties on sales of all products that contain intellectual property developed by the collaboration. See Strategic Alliances Corning: Photochromic Materials.
ColCys® Biomaterials
We have developed a novel and proprietary family of biomaterials based upon collagen-cystine called ColCys®, which is composed exclusively of naturally occurring molecules. Collagen materials extracted from various animals are widely used as implantable devices in such fields as plastic and abdominal surgeries.
Collagen is a protein abundantly present in humans and animals and is an excellent building block for designing polymers that are compatible with living animal tissue. However, during extraction and purification processes, collagen typically loses the essential part of its mechanical properties. Our proprietary technology grafts cystine molecules onto individual strands of collagen. The molecules are subsequently crosslinked through simple oxidation/ reduction reactions to form a network between the collagen chains. This network formation mimics that of keratin, a natural building block found in the bodys hair and nails. This unique crosslinking technology provides enhanced mechanical properties and a more controllable rate of biodegradation compared with other crosslinking methods that utilize toxic chemical agents such as gluteraldehyde. By controlling the level of crosslinking, the materials mechanical properties and their speed of biodegradation can be tailored to meet the needs of different applications. ColCys® biomaterials can be prepared in the form of fluids, hydrogels, molded parts, cast films, or coatings, each of which has the ability to be crosslinked either before implantation or in vivo.
ColCys® biomaterials enhanced mechanical properties and more controllable rate of biodegradation appear to make them well suited for medical implant applications.
ColCys® for Post-Surgical Adhesion Prevention
We have considered a number of potential applications for ColCys®, including use in soft tissue surgical adhesives and, most recently, barriers for the prevention of post-surgical adhesions. With a potential worldwide market that we estimate to be $700 million to $1 billion annually, this application for the prevention of post-surgical adhesions has the largest market potential. Therefore, we have focused our efforts developing a ColCys® film that can prevent the formation of adhesions following surgical procedures.
Due to the internal trauma and resulting scarring related to many surgical procedures, unwanted attachments (usually fibrin bands), known as adhesions, form between internal organs and/or surfaces of the body. These adhesions can give rise to excessive and long lasting pain, as well as hinder the organs from functioning properly. Various studies looking at gynecological and abdominal procedures have shown that adhesions occur in 55% to 100% of the cases examined. These two areas of surgery represent over four million procedures each year in the United States alone.
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There are a number of different products currently marketed for adhesion prevention, but they have achieved little success primarily because they do not provide a satisfactory, high level of reliability. We believe that for a product to be widely accepted as a preventive for post-surgical adhesion growth it must be consistently effective, i.e., effective more than 80% of the time. Without this high level of assurance, surgeons appear to be reluctant to use it and those paying for medical services may have difficulty justifying the related added cost. By tailoring ColCys mechanical properties and rate of biodegradation, we believe that we have the potential to produce a film, gel or spray that is better suited for adhesion prevention than other competing products under development.
Further pre-clinical development efforts and external studies are necessary prior to moving into pivotal clinical studies.
Strategic Alliances
In order to efficiently develop and apply our technologies and effectively commercialize the resulting products, we have entered into, and intend to continue to enter into, collaborative arrangements with large biotechnology and pharmaceutical company partners. Such arrangements typically provide funding for development work and access to target compounds and related know-how and, ultimately, provide distribution capabilities for any resulting products. Such arrangements generally include termination provisions in the event either party decides that, for strategic or other reasons, it does not wish to pursue the alliance. We outline our existing agreements below:
TAP
On September 16, 2004, we announced that we had entered into a licensing agreement with TAP Pharmaceuticals, Ltd (TAP) for an extended release formulation of lansoprazole, the active ingredient in Prevacid®. The license agreement provides for milestone payments of up to $100 million as well as royalties on the sale of the product. TAP has also assumed all costs of future clinical trials, development, and marketing of the product.
Bristol-Myers Squibb
On August 27, 2003, we announced that we had entered into a licensing agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb for Basulin®. The license agreement provided for an initial payment to us of $20 million, and additional milestone payments that could have reached $145 million plus royalties on the sale of the product. In March of 2004, we announced that we had received a $5 million milestone payment for the delivery of the phase II-b trial batch. On September 16, 2004, we announced that we had received a letter of termination from Bristol-Myers Squibb. On December 15, 2004, ninety days after receipt of the cancellation letter, we re-acquired the rights to Basulin. On January 31, 2005 Flamel Technologies and BMS entered into a termination agreement, with respect to the former licensing agreement.
Biovail
On April 9, 2003, we announced that we entered into an agreement with Biovail to license our GenvirTM product for the United States and Canada. We retained the rights to the product in the rest of the world. Under the agreement, Biovail was responsible for all development, clinical and regulatory costs associated with the filing and approval of the product in the U.S. and Canada. Biovail was also responsible for all expenses associated with the marketing, sales, advertising and promotion of the product in these markets. On March 3, 2005 Flamel sent a termination letter to Biovail. The agreement was terminated effective upon receipt of the letter by Biovail.
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GlaxoSmithKline
On March 28, 2003, we announced that we licensed our Micropump® technology to GlaxoSmithKline for an undisclosed product. On January 5, 2004, Flamel received a payment of a $2 million milestone with respect to this license agreement after meeting the necessary technical success requirements. Based on the continued successful development and commercialization of this formulation, GlaxoSmithKline and Flamel estimate payments to Flamel could range up to $45 million by the end of the first year following launch, of which $25 million is attributable to the product reaching certain milestones. We announced in September of 2004 that GlaxoSmithKline had begun a Phase III clinical trial of the product. We received a $2 million milestone payment as a consequence of the Phase III trial initiation. In December of 2004, we announced that we signed an agreement whereby Flamel will supply GlaxoSmithKline with commercial supplies of the drug. The provisions of the agreement include payments such that we will not have cash outlays in connection with equipment to be used.
Servier
On January 11, 2002, we announced that we entered into a licensing agreement with Servier for application of our Micropump® technology to an ACE inhibitor that is proprietary to Servier. We received $3 million upon signing of the agreement and total payments of over $10 million during the 2002. In 2003, we received an additional $1,283,000 in research and development revenues and we recognized one milestone payment of $ 484,000 as licensing revenue.
Merck & Co.
Effective September 30, 2001, we entered into a licensing agreement with Merck for an undisclosed class of products.
Corning: Photochromic Materials
Corning France, on its own behalf and representing Corning Incorporated and Corning Europe Inc., entered into an agreement with us in March 1994 for the co-development of proprietary, polymer-based photochromic eyeglass lens material to be sold by Corning to manufacturers of ophthalmic lenses worldwide. Under this agreement, from March 1994 to February 1998, Corning financed our related research and development costs. This agreement also entitled us to royalty payments based on Cornings net sales, if any, of ophthalmic products that contained materials developed in conjunction with us.
On December 31, 1998, we entered into a new, long-term collaboration and development agreement with Corning S.A. and Corning Incorporated that expanded the scope and applicability of the earlier agreement. Under this new agreement, Corning owns all intellectual property developed with us. However, under specified conditions, we will have the right to use technology developed under the collaboration for applications other than photochromic eyeglass lenses or sunglass lenses. While we previously were entitled to receive royalties on the sales of all products containing intellectual property resulting from the collaboration, the new agreement provides for an increase in royalties on sales of certain products. We received an initial $2.0 million payment periodic payments for our research and development work. The research and development activities ended at the end of 2003.
In 1999, Corning launched its first photochromic plastic eyeglass lens product developed in collaboration with us, and we began receiving quarterly royalty payments under this agreement. The year 2004 was the fifth full year of royalties for us for this product and we received approximately $762,000 in royalties.
Manufacturing
On December 31, 1996, the Company acquired a 50,000-square foot pharmaceutical production facility located in Pessac, France from SmithKline. See Item 4. Key Information Description of Property. As part of the acquisition, Flamel employed forty-two experienced plant personnel and entered into a three-year toll manufacturing agreement with SmithKline for cimetidine formulations. The Company has consistently met SmithKlines production requirements. The agreement was extended through the year 2004.
In 2004, activities at this facility included contract manufacturing for GlaxoSmithKline and other major pharmaceutical companies, process and scale-up activities and the production of clinical batches for our own products, as well as support analytical services for SmithKline and other pharmaceutical laboratories. As our products are commercialized, we expect that this facility will provide necessary quantities of some portion of our products.
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In 2004, we built a new facility of 16,000 square feet for a total purchase price of $10.3 million. This new building included 8,600 square feet for the Medusa® technology with a new cGMP pilot plant, extended synthesis capacity and increased capacity to manufacture qualification and phase III lots at 10% of the commercial batch size. This will support the production of polymer to meet the needs from projects such as Basulin®, Interferon-alpha, and Interleukin-2. A further building comprising 2,900 square feet houses utilities and a warehouse. The remaining 4,600 square feet will be equipped in 2005 and dedicated to the Micropump® technology and especially for manufacturing of product pursuant to our license to GlaxoSmithKline.
The Pessac facility provides the Company with the capability to manufacture its pharmaceutical products. The Company believes that the facility and its operations are in substantial compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements, and the facility is approved by European drug agencies for production of certain pharmaceutical products, including commercial quantities of the Companys microencapsulated drugs. Such approval qualifies the Company to manufacture certain approved pharmaceutical products for sale in most countries in Europe. In 1999, a new clean room needed for the synthesis of the Basulin® biopolymer was added to the Pessac facility, and was further enhanced in the year 2000.
In the past, in addition to production activities related to its core businesses, Flamel was able to build on its capabilities and experience with GlaxoSmithKline and other pharmaceutical customers to engage in toll manufacturing for pharmaceutical partners. With its experienced workforce and current GMP operations, the Company provided clinical batch manufacturing, process scale-up services and toll manufacturing of solid dosage forms, and also provided analytical services for contract customers. We are de-emphasizing toll manufacturing as we gear up to supply our pharmaceutical partners with commercial supplies of our Micropump®-enabled formulations. In December of 2004, we announced one such agreement with GlaxoSmithKline for the eventual production of supplies of the Micropump®-enabled formulation of one of their already existing drugs, currently in Phase III clinical trials.
Patents and Proprietary Technology
Patents and other proprietary rights are important to our business. As a matter of policy we seek patent protection of our inventions and trademarks and also to rely upon trade secrets, know-how, continuing technological innovations and licensing opportunities to develop and maintain our competitive position. Generally, we first file a patent application covering an invention in France and then file counterpart patent applications for the invention within one year in other countries.
Since inception, we have been granted 229 patents, including 22 in the United States and 207 worldwide. Among others, these include patents that relate to microencapsulated aspirin ASACARDâ, microencapsulated active principle MICROPUMPâ, methods of producing polyaminoacids for use in delivering proteins and peptides, and nanoparticles of polyaminoacids for delivering proteins and peptides MEDUSAâ, BASULINâ, as well as made of the nanoparticles, and patents on certain ColCysâ biomaterials. In the case of the French patents, we currently have counterpart patents or patent application pending in other European nations, Japan and the United States. We have several additional patent applications pending in France, other European nations, Japan, the United States and some additional countries.
In 2004, we were granted 29 new patents (1 in the Unites States and 28 worldwide). Throughout 2004, we filed for 76 new patents (7 in France and 5 international, 1 in Hong Kong and 63 patents applications based on Patent Cooperation Treaty PCT patent applications including 4 in the United States.
We can offer no assurance that any patents issued to us will provide us with competitive advantages or will not be infringed, challenged, invalidated or circumvented by others, or that the patents or proprietary rights of others will not have an adverse effect on our ability to do business.
There can be no assurance that we will be granted patents in respect of the claims in any of our currently pending or future patent applications, and we can offer no assurance that in the event any claims in any of our issued patents are challenged by one or more third parties, that any court or patent authority ruling on such challenge will determine that such patent claims are valid and enforceable or sufficiently broad in scope to
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protect our proprietary rights. Also, the nature of the process for obtaining patents and the extent of protection provided by patent laws varies from country to country. We can offer no assurance, therefore, that the issuance to us in one country of a patent covering an invention will be followed by the issuance to us in other countries of patents covering the same invention or that any judicial interpretation of such patents will be uniform in multiple jurisdictions. Furthermore, even if our patents are determined to be valid, enforceable and broad in scope, we can offer no assurance that competitors will not be able to design around such patents.
Government Regulation
We believe our delivery systems, when used in conjunction with therapeutic pharmaceuticals, will be subject to drug and biological approval requirements. In the United States, biological drugs, such as therapeutic proteins and peptides, generally are subject to the same FDA regulatory requirements as other drugs, although some differences exist. For example, a biologic license application (BLA) is submitted for approval for commercialization instead of the new drug application (NDA) used for other drugs. Also, unlike drug products, biological products are subject to FDA lot-by-lot release requirements and cannot be the subject of abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs). Insulin, which is regulated as a drug product, typically has not been the subject of ANDAs. However, the FDA is working on a variety of issues pertaining to the possible development of generic versions of insulin and there can be no assurance that this type of submission will continue to be unavailable for insulin. Our delivery systems might also be regulated by the FDA as combination products if they are used together with a biologic or medical device. In order to facilitate pre-market review of combination products, the FDA designates one of its centers to have primary jurisdiction for the pre-market review and regulation of both components.
Photochromic eyeglass lenses are regulated by the FDA as medical devices, and we believe certain applications of the ColCys® biomaterial also would be subject to regulation as a medical device.
The design, testing, manufacturing and marketing of new or substantially modified drugs or medical devices must be cleared or approved by applicable regulations and regulatory agencies, the requirements of which may vary from country to country. This regulatory process is lengthy, expensive and uncertain. In the United States, the FDA regulates such products under various federal statutes, including the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act. Similar requirements exist in the Member States of the European Union. There can be no assurance that we or our collaborative partners will be able to obtain such regulatory clearances or approvals on a timely basis, if at all, for any products under development. Delays in receipt or failure to receive such clearances or approvals, the loss of previously received clearances or approvals, or failure to comply with existing or future regulatory requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
New Drug Development and Approval Process
United States
Regulation by governmental authorities in the United States and other countries is a significant factor in the manufacture and marketing of biological and other drug products and in ongoing research and product development activities. The products of all of our pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners will require regulatory approval by governmental agencies prior to commercialization. In particular, these products are subject to rigorous pre-clinical and clinical testing and other pre-market approval requirements by the FDA and regulatory authorities in other countries. In the United States, various statutes and regulations also govern or influence the manufacturing, safety, labeling, storage, record keeping and marketing of pharmaceutical and biological drug products. The lengthy process of seeking these approvals, and the subsequent compliance with applicable statutes and regulations, require the expenditure of substantial resources.
The FDAs statutes, regulations, or policies may change and additional statutes or government regulations may be enacted which could prevent or delay regulatory approvals of biological or other drug products. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of adverse governmental regulation that might arise from future legislative or administrative action, either in the U.S. or abroad.
Regulatory approval, when and if obtained, may be limited in scope. In particular, regulatory approvals will restrict the marketing of a product to specific uses. Approved biological and other drugs, as well as their manufacturers, are subject to ongoing review. Discovery of previously unknown problems with these products may result in restrictions on their manufacture, sale or use or in their withdrawal from the market.
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Failure to comply with regulatory requirements may result in criminal prosecution, civil penalties, recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production or injunction, as well as other actions affecting our pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners potential products or uses. Any failure by our pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners to obtain and maintain, or any delay in obtaining, regulatory approvals could materially adversely affect our business.
The process for new drug approval has many steps, including:
Pre-Clinical Testing
Once a biological or other drug candidate is identified for development, the drug candidate enters the pre-clinical testing stage. Pre-clinical tests include laboratory evaluation of product chemistry and other characteristics and animal studies to assess the potential safety and efficacy of the product as formulated. Pre-clinical tests must be conducted in compliance with good laboratory practice regulations. Violations of these regulations can, in some cases, lead to invalidation of the studies, requiring such studies to be replicated. In some cases, long-term pre-clinical studies are conducted while clinical studies are ongoing.
Investigational New Drug Application
The entire body of pre-clinical development work necessary to administer investigational drugs to human volunteers or patients is summarized in an investigational new drug (IND) application to the FDA. The IND becomes effective if not rejected by the FDA within 30 days after filing. There is no assurance that the submission of an IND will eventually allow a company to commence clinical trials. All clinical trials must be conducted under the supervision of a qualified investigator in accordance with good clinical practice regulations. These regulations include the requirement that all subjects provide informed consent. In addition, an institutional review board (IRB), composed primarily of physicians and other qualified experts at the hospital or clinic where the proposed studies will be conducted, must review and approve each human study. The IRB also continues to monitor the study and must be kept aware of the studys progress, particularly as to adverse events and changes in the research. Progress reports detailing the results of the clinical trials must be submitted at least annually to the FDA and more frequently if adverse events occur.
Clinical Trials
Clinical testing involves the administration of the drug or biologic to healthy human volunteers or to patients under the supervision of a qualified principal investigator, usually a physician, pursuant to an FDA reviewed IND protocol, or clinical plan. Clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases, but the phases may overlap. Phase I trials consist of testing the product in a small number of patients or normal volunteers, primarily for safety, in one or more dosages, as well as characterization of a drugs pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic profile. In phase II, in addition to safety, the efficacy of the product is evaluated in a patient population. Phase III trials typically involve additional testing for safety and clinical efficacy and an expanded population at geographically dispersed sites. All patients involved in a clinical trial must provide informed consent prior to their participation. The FDA may order the temporary or permanent discontinuance of a clinical trial at any time for a variety of reasons, particularly if safety concerns arise. Such holds can cause substantial delay and in some cases may require abandonment of a product. These clinical studies must be conducted in conformance with FDAs bioresearch monitoring regulations.
Chemical and Formulation Development
Concurrent with clinical trials and pre-clinical studies, companies also must develop information about the chemistry and physical characteristics of the drug and finalize a process for manufacturing the product in accordance with good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements. The manufacturing process must be capable of consistently producing quality batches of the product and the manufacturer must develop methods for testing the quality, purity and potency of the final products. Additionally, appropriate packaging must be selected and tested and chemistry stability studies must be conducted to demonstrate that the product does not undergo unacceptable deterioration over its shelf-life.
New Drug Application or Biological License Application
After the completion of the clinical trial phases of development, if the sponsor concludes that there is substantial evidence that the drug or biological candidate is effective and that the drug is safe for its intended
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use, an NDA or BLA may be submitted to the FDA. The application must contain all of the information on the drug or biological candidate gathered to that date, including data from the clinical trials, information pertaining to the preparation of the drug or biologic, analytical methods, product formulation, details on the manufacture of finished products and proposed product packaging and labeling. NDAs and BLAs are often over 100,000 pages in length. Submission of an NDA or BLA does not assure FDA approval for marketing.
The FDA reviews all NDAs and BLAs submitted before it accepts them for filing. It may request additional information rather than accepting an application for filing. In this event, the application must be resubmitted with the additional information. The resubmitted application is also subject to review before the FDA accepts it for filing. Once the submission is accepted for filing, the FDA begins an in-depth review of the NDA or BLA. As part of this review, the FDA may refer the application to an appropriate advisory committee, typically a panel of clinicians, for review, evaluation and a recommendation. The FDA is not bound by the recommendation of an advisory committee. Under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), submission of an NDA with clinical data requires payment of a fee. In return, the FDA assigns a goal of 10 months from acceptance of the application to return of a first complete response, in which the FDA may approve the product or request additional information. There can be no assurance that an application will be approved within the performance goal timeframe established under PDUFA. On the other hand, if the FDAs evaluation of the NDA or BLA is not favorable, the FDA may refuse to approve the application or issue a non-approvable letter.
Among the conditions for NDA or BLA approval is the requirement that each prospective manufacturers quality control and manufacturing procedures conform to GMP standards and requirements. Manufacturing establishments often are subject to inspections prior to NDA or BLA approval to assure compliance with GMPs and with manufacturing commitments made in the relevant marketing application.
Other Countries
Whether or not FDA approval has been obtained, approval of a pharmaceutical product by comparable regulatory authorities must be obtained in any other country prior to the commencement of marketing of the product in that country. The approval procedure may vary from country to country, can involve additional testing, and the time required may differ from that required for FDA approval. Under European Union regulations, product approval can be obtained for a period of five years, renewable subject to certain procedures through either a centralized or decentralized procedure depending on the nature and type of drug. Certain designated drugs are required to use the centralized procedure. All others have the option to use the decentralized procedure, where approval is first obtained in one European Union country that then acts as a reporter for extending the products approval in other European Union countries. To the extent possible, clinical trials of our products are designed to develop a regulatory package sufficient for multi-country European Union approval.
Regulatory approval of prices for certain drugs is required in France and in most other countries outside the United States. In particular, certain European countries will condition the reimbursement of a product by the countries medical regulatory authorities on the agreement of the seller not to sell the product for more than a certain price in that country or by unilateral decision of the medical regulatory authorities and to the inscription of a product on a list of reimbursable products. Related pricing discussions and ultimate governmental approvals can take several months to years. Some countries require periodic pricing updates and renewals at intervals ranging from two to five years. We cannot assure you that, if regulatory authorities establish lower prices for any product incorporating our technology in any one European country, this will not have the practical effect of requiring our collaborative partner correspondingly to reduce its prices in other European countries. We can offer no assurance that the resulting prices would be sufficient to generate an acceptable return on our investment in our products.
Regulation of Combination Drugs
Medical products containing a combination of drugs, biological products or medical devices may be regulated as combination products in the United States. A combination product generally is defined as a product comprising components from two or more regulatory categories (e.g., drug/device, device/biologic, drug/biologic). Each component of a combination product is subject to the requirements established by FDA for that type of component, whether a drug, biologic or device.
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In order to facilitate pre-market review of combination products, the FDA designates one of its centers to have primary jurisdiction for the pre-market review and regulation of both components. The determination whether a product is a combination product or two separate products is made by the FDA on a case-by-case basis. It is possible that our delivery technologies, when coupled with a drug, biologic or medical device component, could be considered and regulated by the FDA as a combination product.
Marketing Approval and Reporting Requirements
If the FDA approves an NDA or BLA, the product becomes available for physicians to prescribe. The FDA may require post-marketing studies, also known as phase IV studies, as a condition of approval to develop additional information regarding the safety of a product. In addition, the FDA may require distribution to patients of a medication guide for prescription products that the agency determines pose a serious and significant health concern in order to provide information necessary to patients safe and effective use of such products.
Post-Marketing Obligations
Any products manufactured and/or distributed pursuant to FDA approvals are subject to continuing regulation by the FDA, including record-keeping requirements, reporting of adverse experiences with the product, submitting other periodic reports, drug sampling and distribution requirements, notifying the FDA and gaining its approval of certain manufacturing or labeling changes, complying with certain electronic records and signature requirements, and complying with FDA promotion and advertising requirements. Drug and biologics manufacturers and their subcontractors are required to register their establishments with the FDA and certain state agencies. The FDA periodically inspects manufacturing facilities in the United States and abroad in order to assure compliance with the applicable GMP regulations and other requirements. Facilities also are subject to inspections by other federal, foreign, state or local agencies. In complying with the GMP regulations, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money and effort in record keeping and quality control to assure that the product meets applicable specifications and other post-marketing requirements. Failure of the company or our licensees to comply with FDAs GMP regulations or other requirements could have a significant adverse effect on the companys business, financial condition and results of operations.
Also, newly discovered or developed safety or efficacy data may require changes to a products approved labeling, including the addition of new warnings and contraindications, or even in some instances revocation or withdrawal of the approval.
Patent Restoration and Exclusivity
Under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, known as the Hatch-Waxman Act, a portion of a products patent term that is lost during a products clinical development and application review by the FDA may be restored. Hatch-Waxman also provides for a statutory protection, known as exclusivity, against the FDAs approval or acceptance of certain competitor applications. Patent term restoration can return up to five years of patent term for a patent that covers a new product or its use. The application for patent term extension is subject to approval by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), in conjunction with the FDA. It takes at least six months to obtain approval of the application for patent term extension, and there can be no guarantee that the application will be granted.
Hatch-Waxman also provides for a period of statutory protection for new drugs approved under an NDA by the FDA. After approval of a new molecular entity, the FDA may not approve another drug that relies, at least in part, on data from the innovator drug regarding the safety and efficacy of the same active ingredient for five years. Similarly, following approval of an NDA for a previously approved active ingredient (usually a supplemental NDA for a new indication or formulation), the FDA is prohibited from approving another drug that relies, at least in part, on data from the innovator drug regarding the safety and efficacy of that new indication or formulation for that same active ingredient for three years. This exclusivity, however, will not bar the approval of completely new NDAs for the same active ingredient if an applicant conducts and submits its own clinical trials and other data necessary for approval.
While Hatch-Waxman provides certain patent restoration and exclusivity protections to innovator drug manufacturers, it also permits the FDA to approve ANDAs for generic versions of such drugs. The ANDA process permits competitor companies to obtain marketing approval for a drug with the same active ingredient for the same uses but does not require the conduct and submission of clinical studies demonstrating safety and efficacy for that product. Instead of safety and efficacy data, an ANDA applicant needs only to submit data demonstrating that its product is bioequivalent to the innovator product.
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Finally, Hatch-Waxman requires an applicant for a drug that relies, at least in part, on data from the innovator drug regarding the safety and efficacy of the same active ingredient, to notify us and/or our business partners of their application and potential infringement of our patent rights. Upon receipt of this notice, we and/or our business partners would have 45 days to bring a patent infringement suit in federal district court against the company seeking to use our data or otherwise violate our patent rights. The discovery, trial and appeals process in such suits can take several years. If such a suit is commenced, Hatch-Waxman provides a 30-month stay on the approval of the competitors application. If the litigation is resolved in favor of the generic applicant or the challenged patent expires during the 30-month period, the stay is lifted and the FDAs review of the application may proceed.
Regulation of Medical Devices
United States
In the United States, medical devices are classified into Class I, II or III on the basis of the controls deemed by the FDA to be reasonably necessary to ensure their safety and effectiveness. Class I devices are subject to general controls (e.g., labeling, and adherence to cGMPs) and Class II devices are subject to special controls (e.g., performance standards, postmarket surveillance, patient registries, and FDA guidelines). Generally, Class III devices are those which must require premarket approval by the FDA to ensure their safety and effectiveness (e.g., life-sustaining, life-supporting and implantable devices or those found not to be substantially equivalent to legally marketed devices). We believe our ColCys® biomaterial for some users will be Class III devices that require premarket approval based on clinical trials. These approvals require proof of the safety and effectiveness of the device to the FDAs satisfaction based upon extensive pre-clinical and clinical trial data. Even after the FDA permits a device to enter commercial distribution (whether Class I, II or III), many potentially costly and time-consuming post-market regulatory requirements apply, such as compliance with the Quality System Regulation (which imposes cGMP requirements) and adverse event reporting.
Other Countries
For medical devices, since January 1, 1995, European Union countries are required to put in effect certain Medical Devices Directives (MDD). This legislation includes, among others, requirements with respect to the design, safety, performance and manufacture of products. Under the system established by the MDD, medical devices must qualify for CE Marking by June 14, 1998. All new medical devices put on the market after June 14, 1998 must meet the MDD requirements. Devices are subject to, in addition to existing or future European Union or other countries legislation, continued national regulation on pricing and reimbursement that may vary from country to country.
In order to qualify for CE Marking, the manufacturer must comply with the safety and performance requirements of the MDD. In order to demonstrate compliance, the manufacturer must undergo conformity assessment that depends on the class of the product. Once all the necessary conformity assessment tasks have been completed, CE Marking may be affixed on the products concerned. Although member countries must accept for marketing medical devices bearing a CE Marking without imposing further requirements related to product safety and performance, national regulatory authorities who are required to enforce compliance with requirements of the MDD can restrict, prohibit and recall CE Marked products if they are unsafe. Member countries can impose additional requirements as long as they do not violate the MDD or constitute technical barriers to trade. Within the European Union, premarket compliance for certain devices must be supported by clinical data of a type and to the extent set out by the European Union directives and applicable member country regulations. Following marketing, a strict vigilance system involving the reporting of incidents and the appropriate measures to deal with these incidents exists in certain European Union countries, including France.
Other Regulation
GMP rules apply to the manufacturing of drugs and medical devices. Our manufacturing facilities and laboratories are subject to inspection and regulation by French regulatory authorities and may also be subject to the United States and other countries regulatory agencies. Mutual recognition agreements for government inspections exist between the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
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In addition to regulations enforced by the FDA, we are also subject to French, U.S. and other countries rules and regulations governing permissible laboratory activities, waste disposal, handling of toxic, dangerous or radioactive materials and other matters. Our research and development involves the controlled use of hazardous materials, chemicals, viruses and various radioactive compounds. Although we believe that our safety procedures for handling and disposing of such materials comply with the standards prescribed by French, U.S. and other foreign rules and regulations, the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials cannot be completely eliminated.
Healthcare Reimbursement
In both U.S. and foreign markets, sales of our potential products, if any, will depend in part on the availability of reimbursement by third-party payers, such as government health administration authorities, private health insurers and other organizations. The U.S. market for pharmaceutical products is increasingly being shaped by managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, cooperative buying organizations and large drugstore chains. Third-party payers are challenging the price and cost effectiveness of medical products and services. Uncertainty particularly exists as to the reimbursement status of newly approved healthcare products. There can be no assurance reimbursement will be available to enable us to maintain price levels sufficient to realize an appropriate return on our product development investment. Legislation and regulations affecting the pricing of pharmaceuticals may change before our proposed products are approved for marketing and any such changes could further limit reimbursement for medical products and services.
Competition
We compete with academic laboratories, research institutions, universities, joint ventures, and other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including other companies developing drug delivery systems. Some of these competitors are also our business partners.
There are other companies developing sustained release drug delivery systems and oral delivery systems. There could be new chemical entities that are being developed that, if successful, could compete against our technologies or products. Among the many experimental therapies being tested in the United States and in Europe, there may be some that we do not now know of that may compete with our drug delivery systems or products in the future. These chemical entities and new products may turn out to be safer or may work better than our technologies or products. Our collaborators could choose a competing drug delivery system to use with their drugs instead of one of our drug delivery systems.
Many of our competitors have substantially greater experience and research and development, manufacturing, marketing, financial and managerial resources than we do. Moreover, there can be no assurance that our competitors will not obtain patent protection or other intellectual property rights that would make it difficult or impossible for us to compete with their products. Furthermore, acquisitions of competing drug delivery companies by large pharmaceutical companies could enhance our competitors resources. Accordingly, our competitors may succeed in developing competing technologies and products, obtaining regulatory approval and gaining market share for these products more rapidly than we do.
Further, major technological changes can happen quickly in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Such rapid technological change, or the development by our competitors of technologically improved or different products, could render our drug delivery systems obsolete or noncompetitive.
Additionally, the competitive nature of our industry could adversely affect market acceptance of our products or the use of our drug delivery technologies. Our products and technologies may not gain market acceptance among physicians, patients, healthcare payers and the medical community. The degree of market acceptance of any product candidate that we develop will depend on a number of factors, including:
| demonstration of its clinical efficacy and safety; | |||
| its cost-effectiveness; | |||
| its potential advantage over alternative treatment methods; and |
27
| the marketing and distribution support it receives. |
Description of Property
Our corporate headquarters and the research center are located in Venissieux, France (a suburb of Lyon) in five adjacent leased facilities totaling approximately 40,000 square feet. One building of approximately 13,000 square feet houses research laboratories, including a clean room equipped for organic synthesis and polymerization, polymer formulation and small scale processing. The lease on this facility currently expires in 2009. We intend to renew it. The other 10,000 square foot facility houses a biological laboratory, certain development functions, and our administrative functions. Our leases on this facility expire from 2005 to 2010. The third and fourth facilities of approximately 11,000 square feet house our administrative offices. The leases on these facilities expire from 2010 to 2013. The fifth facility of approximately 6,800 square feet houses analytical laboratories and quality control, with a lease expiring at the end of 2012.
We also maintained a 23,000 square foot leased facility at another site in Venissieux that housed our chemical manufacturing operations. Until 2002, these chemical facilities were used for the manufacturing of the photochromic material that we supplied to Corning. In January 2003, we sold our interest in the facility and our equipment.
In 1996, we acquired a pharmaceutical production facility of approximately 60,000 square feet located in Pessac, France from SmithKline. The plant is housed on a 470,000 square foot lot in an industrial park not far from the Bordeaux airport. Since acquiring the plant, we have added a new manufacturing site with spray-coating equipment and a clean room for the synthesis of biopolymers. The facility has been audited by European drug agencies and is, we believe, cGMP compliant. It is qualified to manufacture pharmaceutical products that can be sold in most countries in Europe. The value of the facility is recorded in our financial books at the value of the liabilities corresponding to the retirement indemnities of the plant staff that we assumed at the time of the plant purchase, plus the additional investments made by us, less the depreciation and appropriate amortization.
In 2004, activities at this facility included contract manufacturing for GlaxoSmithKline and other major pharmaceutical companies, process and scale-up activities and the production of clinical batches for our own products, and support analytical services for SmithKline and other pharmaceutical laboratories. As our products are commercialized, we expect that this facility will provide necessary quantities of some portion of our products.
In 2004, we built a new facility of 16,000 square feet for a total purchase price of $10.3 million. This new building included 8,600 square feet for the Medusa® technology with a new cGMP pilot plant, extended synthesis capacity and increased capacity to manufacture qualification and phase III lots at 10% of the commercial batch size. This will support the production of polymer to meet the needs from projects such as Basulin®, Interferon-alpha, and Interleukin-2. A further building comprising 2,900 square feet houses utilities and a warehouse. The remaining 4,600 square feet will be equipped in 2005 and dedicated to the Micropump® technology and especially for manufacturing of product pursuant to our license to GlaxoSmithKline.
ITEM 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
The following should be read in conjunction with Item 3. Key Information and the Companys Financial Statements and the Notes related thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. See also Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Overview
Flamel is a biopharmaceutical company principally engaged in the development of two unique polymer based delivery systems for medical applications. Flamels Medusa® nano-encapsulation technology is designed to deliver therapeutic proteins. The Companys lead Medusa® product, Basulin®, a long-acting insulin for the treatment of diabetes, is the first application of this patented delivery system. Basulin® has been tested in Phase II-a clinical trials. In December of 2004, we initiated Phase I/II clinical trials of Medusa® enabled formulations of interferon alpha (for hepatitis b and hepatitis c) and interleukin-2 (for renal cancer).
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Micropump® is a controlled-release technology for the oral administration of small molecules. Genvir, our lead internal product using our Micropump® technology, is a controlled-release formulation of acyclovir for the treatment of genital herpes. We terminated the license we had granted to Biovail for the US and Canada for Genvir on March 3, 2005 and are currently in discussions with large pharmaceutical companies regarding a potential license. We currently have two other licensed Micropump® projects as well: we have been working with GlaxoSmithKline since 2003 on a Micropump®-enabled formulation of a currently-marketed GlaxoSmithKline product; in September of 2004 we announced that we had entered into an agreement with TAP to develop a Micropump®-enabled formulation of lansoprazole, the active ingredient in Prevacid®. Flamels innovative technologies have also been instrumental in the development of a photochromic eyeglass lens product that was launched by Corning in 1999.
In 2004, the Companys internally funded development efforts were focused on the pre-clinical and initial clinical testing of interferon alpha, interleukin-2, human growth hormone and erythropoietin (EPO). Asacard, a controlled release aspirin, has been approved for sale in the United Kingdom and several other European countries.
In 2004, the Company recognized revenue from receipt of royalty payments related to the sales of Cornings photochromic sunglass lenses containing technology developed by Flamel. Royalty payments are expected to continue, but will fluctuate depending on the success of Corning in commercializing these products.
Our core technologies are focused on improving delivery properties of existing products. We have established long-term development and commercialization partnerships with leading biopharmaceutical companies to maximize the breadth of our technology and leverage the capabilities of our partners.
As in previous years, in 2004, a major part of our revenue came from licensing fees and contract research payments received from our biotechnology and pharmaceutical company partners. In recent years, revenue from the sale of products and performance of services included a mix of revenue from a contract manufacturing agreement with GlaxoSmithKline and other major pharmaceutical companies, the sale of photochromic material to Corning, and the performance of various analytical and manufacturing services for other customers. We currently anticipate that our manufacturing capabilities increasingly will be needed to produce the partnered and proprietary products currently in development. As a consequence, we will seek to de-emphasize our toll manufacturing business.
In the future, we expect that our costs of goods sold may increase as a result of an increase in manufacturing costs. We also expect that research and development may decrease as a percentage of revenues.
In 2004, the majority of the Companys expenses were incurred in Euros. However, a significant portion of the Companys revenues were, and will continue to be, denominated in U.S. dollars. In 2004, 92% of revenues were denominated in US dollars; in 2003, 81% of revenues were denominated in U.S. dollars; in 2002, 66% of revenues were denominated in U.S. dollars. In each of these years, fluctuations in the value of the Euro relative to the dollar caused dollar-translated amounts to vary from one period to another affecting the Companys reported results. Comparisons in financial statement line items between the years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 were affected by a 9.9% average increase in the value of the Euro relative to the U.S. dollar during the year and a 7.8% increase in the Euro relative to the U.S. dollar at year-end. The conversion of the Companys financial accounts to U.S. dollars is calculated in accordance with the value of the Euro to the U.S. dollar. See Item 3. Key InformationExchange Rates. The Company does not engage in substantial hedging activities with respect to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations, except insofar as it does from time to time purchase Euros as against invoiced dollar receivables.
The Company has incurred substantial losses since its inception, and through December 31, 2004, had an accumulated deficit of approximately $47.8 million. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company reported net income of $12.5 million. Flamel expects to continue its expenses in its research and development activities and to maintain its primary facilities and business infrastructure. Thus, there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur losses, at least for the next two years, as the growth of revenue may not increase sufficiently to cover expenditures.
Flamels business is subject to substantial risks, including the uncertainties associated with the research and development of new products or technologies, the length and uncertainty linked to the results of clinical trials and regulatory procedures, uncertainties relating to collaborative arrangements with large companies, difficulties in the scale-up and manufacturing of its products, and the uncertainty relating to the market
29
acceptance of new products based on its technologies. The time required for the Company to achieve sustained profitability, and consequently, the amount of future losses, is highly uncertain. Operating losses may also fluctuate from quarter to quarter as a result of differences in timing of revenues recognized or expenses incurred. See Item 3. Key Information Risk Factors.
Since 2003, Mr. Oscar Schafer and affiliated shareholders, have acquired 12.3% of our outstanding shares. In various SEC filings and in letters to our shareholder we have informed you that Mr. Schafer and affiliated shareholders proposed the nomination of three directors to our board of directors at our annual shareholders meeting to be held on June 22, 2005 to replace the current board of directors as well as the slate of directors proposed by the current board of directors. Our board of directors unanimously recommended that our shareholders vote against these nominees and vote for the re-election of our current directors and for the election of our two nominees. Our founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Soula, has indicated his intention to resign if our shareholders approve the nomination of the three candidates proposed by Mr. Schafer and affiliated shareholders. The potential loss of our current experienced directors and directors may lead to a destabilization within our Company that may disrupt our business and put us at a disadvantage with respect to our competitors, which could harm our business.
Critical Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue from contracts arrangements, products sales and royalties earned. Revenue arrangements with multiple elements are divided into separate units of accounting if certain criteria are met, including whether the delivered element has stand-alone value to the customer and whether there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered elements. The consideration received is allocated among the separate units based on their respective fair values, and the applicable revenue recognition criteria are applied to each of the separate units.
Contract revenue generally includes upfront licensing fees, milestone payments and reimbursements of research and development costs. Non-refundable technology access fees received from collaboration agreements that require the Companys continuing involvement in the form of development efforts are recognized as revenue ratably over the development period. The Company recognizes milestone-related revenues only when performance of the milestone under the terms of the collaboration is achieved and there are no further performance obligations. Research and laboratory analysis services revenue is recognized as the research and development work is performed. Costs incurred under these contracts are considered costs in the period incurred. Payments received in advance of performance are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized in revenue as services are rendered, according to the average currency exchange rate, where applicable, during the period of recognition.
The Company receives financial support for various research and investment projects from governmental agencies. The Company recognizes proceeds from unconditional grants related to investment projects as a reduction of the carrying amount of the assets subsidized. Revenue from conditional grants received is recognized in other income when all conditions stated in the grant have been met and the funding has been received.
The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed and determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.
The Company receives royalty revenues under a license agreement with Corning, which sells products based on technology developed by the Company. There are no future performance obligations on the part of the Company under this license agreement. The license agreement provides for the payment of royalties to the Company based on sales of the licensed product. The Company records these royalty revenues based on actual sales of third parties that occurred during the relevant period.
The Company signs feasibility study agreements. Revenue is recognized over the term of the agreement as services are performed.
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Results of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
Operating Revenues
The Company had total revenues of $ 55.4 million in 2004, $25.2 million in 2003, and $18.4 million in 2002.
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2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||||||
LICENSE AND RESEARCH REVENUES | 14.6 | 21.0 | 50.9 | |||||||||||||
RESEARCH | 6.5 | 13.0 | 20.8 | |||||||||||||
Research | Servier |
2.3 | 1.4 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
GSK undisclosed existing
product |
4.4 | 6.4 | ||||||||||||||
GSK Augmentin |
0.1 | |||||||||||||||
BMS |
3.8 | 8.0 | ||||||||||||||
Corning |
0.8 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||
Novo |
0.6 | |||||||||||||||
TAP Lansoprazole |
4.9 | |||||||||||||||
Biovail Genvir |
0.6 | |||||||||||||||
Undisclosed Partners |
2.8 | 3.0 | 0.7 | |||||||||||||
LICENSES | 8.1 | 8.0 | 30.1 | |||||||||||||
Up Front Payment | Servier |
1.0 | 1.3 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||
GSK undisclosed existing
product |
0.5 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||||
GSK Augmentin |
0.2 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||||
BMS |
1.3 | 19.9 | ||||||||||||||
TAP Lansoprazole |
0.1 | |||||||||||||||
Biovail Genvir |
0.1 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||
Undisclosed Partners |
0.1 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||
Milestones | Servier |
5.3 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||
GSK undisclosed existing
product |
2.8 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||
GSK Augmentin |
1.5 | |||||||||||||||
BMS |
5.1 | |||||||||||||||
TAP Lansoprazole |
0.5 | |||||||||||||||
TOTAL | 14.6 | 21.0 | 50.9 | |||||||||||||
Servier |
8.7 | 3.2 | 1.6 | |||||||||||||
GSK undisclosed existing
product |
7.7 | 9.2 | ||||||||||||||
GSK Augmentin |
1.8 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||||
Corning |
0.8 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||
BMS |
5.1 | 33.0 | ||||||||||||||
Novo |
0.6 | |||||||||||||||
TAP Lansoprazole |
5.5 | |||||||||||||||
Biovail Genvir |
0.1 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||||
Undisclosed Partners |
2.8 | 3.1 | 0.8 |
In 2004, license and research revenue from the Companys various partners totalled $50.9 million. Similar license and research revenue in 2003 and 2002 totalled $21 million and $14.6 million, respectively. In 2004, license revenue totalled $30.1 million; research and development revenue totalled $20.8 million. In 2003, license revenue totalled $8.0 million; research and development revenue totalled $13 million. In 2002, license revenue totalled $8.1 million and research and development revenue totalled $6.5 million.
License revenue in 2004 consisted primarily of $25 million from Bristol-Myers Squibb (of which, $19.9 million represents amortization of up-front payments, including the unamortized portion at December 15, 2004 which was recognized upon the effective date of the cancellation of the contract with Bristol-Myers Squibb), $2.9 million from GlaxoSmithKline (of which $0.8 million represents amortization of up-front
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payments) and $1.4 million from Servier (all of which represents amortization of up-front payments). Recognition of up-front payments as they are amortized is calculated according to to the average exchange rate during the period of recognition. License revenues in 2003 consisted primarily of $4.7 million from GlaxoSmithKline (of which $1.9 million represents amortization of initial up-front payments), $1.8 million from Servier (of which $1.3 million represents up-front payment amortization) and $1.3 million from Bristol-Myers Squibb which represents the amortized portion of the $20 million upfront payment. License revenues in 2002 consisted primarily of $6.4 million from Servier and $1.7 million from GlaxoSmithKline.
Research and development revenues in 2004 consisted primarily of $8 million from Bristol-Myers Squibb, $6.4 million from GlaxoSmithKline, and $4.9 million from TAP. Research and development revenues in 2003 consisted primarily of $3.8 million from Bristol-Myers Squibb, $4.4 million from GlaxoSmithKline, and $1.4 million from Servier. Research and development revenues in 2002 consisted primarily of $2.3 million from Servier, $0.6 million from Novo Nordisk, and $0.1 million from Beecham Pharmaceuticals.
In 2004, product sales and services revenues totaled $3.7 million of which $120,000 relate to the manufacture of Cimetidine and Tagamet for GlaxoSmithKline and $3.6 million from clinical batches and toll manufacturing with various customers. In 2003, product sales and services revenues totaled $3.4 million and included $115,000 from GlaxoSmithKline for the manufacture of Cimetidine and Tagamet, $396,000 from Corning for research and development and the sale of pilot batches, and $2.8 million from clinical batches and toll manufacturing with various customers. In 2002, product sales and services revenues totaled $2.9 million and included $121,000 from GlaxoSmithKline for the manufacture of cimetidine, $539,000 from Corning for replenishment inventories of photochromic material and $2.2 million from clinical batches and toll manufacturing with various customers.
Other revenues of $762,000 in 2004 consisted primarily of royalties from Corning related to the sale of photochromic lenses, incorporating Flamels technology. Other revenues of $778,000 in 2003 consisted primarily of royalties from Corning. Other revenues of $948,000 in 2002 consisted primarily of royalties from Corning. It appears to us that Corning has de-emphasized its sales of photochromic eyeglass lenses in order to focus greater attention on other areas of their business.
Operating Expenses
The Company had total costs and expenses of $46.6 million in 2004, $29.9 million in 2003, and $18.6 million in 2002.
In 2004, research and development costs represented the most significant operating expenses of the Company. These totaled $35.4 million in 2004 (or 64% of recognized revenues), $20.2 million in 2003 (or 80% of recognized revenues) and $12.2 million in 2002 (or 66% of recognized revenues). Research and development costs have increased broadly in keeping with the Companys license and other revenues. Because the Companys base of operations is in France, these costs are denominated in Euros. Consequently, the increase in the value of the Euro during the last three years has contributed to higher dollar-denominated costs. Beyond that, increased interest in the Companys technology platforms have resulted in more projects being undertaken in conjunction with partners. The Company has also undertaken several projects on its own initiative.
In 2004, research and development costs increased by approximately $15 million compared to 2003 (or 74.8%). To the extent that the increase was not attributable to the 9.9% increase in the average exchange rate between the US dollar and the Euro, the increase was due to the active pursuit of current partnerships as well as self-funded programs, especially interferon-alpha and interleukin-2. To support the activities required by these projects, the Company has recruited additional employees (resulting in a 28% increase in salaries) and spent significantly in pre-clinical and clinical studies (increase from $4.3 million to reach a total amount of expenses of $9.4 million).
Costs of goods and services sold were $3.6 million in 2004, $3.7 million in 2003, and $2.4 million in 2002. These costs include direct and indirect labor, materials, outside services, overhead costs relevant to contract manufacturing and other services provided to third parties at the Pessac facility and at the Companys Venissieux pilot plant. The fluctuation in costs year-to-year is the result of changes year-to-year in both the mix and volume of products produced and services rendered. At a comparable exchange rate, the revenues in 2004 are in line with 2003, showing the same level of activities. While gross margins for contract manufacturing and services were negative in 2003 (largely due to exchange rate fluctuations), these activities were positive in 2004 and 2002 and have been useful to the Company in that they enabled us to maintain our facilities and make use of
33
investments in manufacturing capacity acquired in 1996, as well as to maintain scientific expertise. During 2004, as we ramped up the work to develop the Medusa® and Micropump® platforms, in conjunction with our partners and on our own. We also de-emphasized contract manufacturing and services. This process was started in 2004 and will be completed in 2005. We intend to focus our production capabilities towards the manufacture of commercial quantities of those formulations we are developing with our partners.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, including stock compensation expenses, increased to $7.6 million in 2004 from $6 million in 2003 and from $4.0 million in 2002. Compared to 2003, the main variance relates to stock compensation expenses that went up from $355,000 in 2003 to $1,618,000 in 2004. During 2004, salaries increased approximately 31% or $780,000. These increases were exacerbated as a result of changes in the Euro/dollar exchange rate, which increased by 9.9%. Increases in 2003 over 2002 SG&A expenses were largely attributable to salary increases (approximately 20%); and increased fees ($150,000) and taxes (approximately $100,000).
Non-Operating Items
Other income consisted of a net miscellaneous items totaling $100,000. Other income of $1.1 million in 2003 consisted mainly of recognition of $823,000 from conditional grants received from French public agencies. The requirements related to the grants consisted principally in maintaining certain levels of employment, which were achieved in 2003. The remaining $0.3 million resulted from the sale of the equipment of its pilot plant of Vénissieux. Other income of $2.5 million in 2002 consisted of the amount received from the Wellcome Foundation in a settlement of certain litigation with respect to our product, Genvir .
The French government provides tax credits to companies for annual increased spending for innovative research and development. Income tax benefits correspond to these French research tax credits, which are credited against income taxes payable in each of the four years after being incurred or, if not so utilized, are recoverable in cash. As of December 31, 2004, Flamel had total research tax credits receivables of $6.53 million. If these credits are not applied against future income taxes, they will be received as cash payments in the fourth year after the credit is earned, i.e. $0.82 million in 2006, $0.63 million in 2007 and $5,08 million in 2008. The Company earned a research and development credit in 2004 of $4.6 million, $0.5 million in 2003 and of $ 0.6 million in 2002. As a result, the Company recognized a tax benefit of $4.6 million in 2004, which resulted from French research and development credits.
As of December 31, 2004, the Company had $37,071,000 in French net operating loss carry-forwards. Due to a change in French tax law in 2003, the above carry-forwards no longer have an expiration date. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Interest income and realized gains on sale of SICAVs was $652,000 in 2004, $192,000 in 2003, and $297,000 in 2002. The changes in interest earned and realized gains on sale of SICAVs year-to-year are primarily the result of fluctuating average cash balances invested year-to-year and declining interest rates in 2003. Interest expense was $45,000 in 2004, $29,000 in 2003 and $49,000 in 2002 and is primarily related to the interest applicable to the Companys equipment leases.
Net Profit/Loss
For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company reported a profit of $12.5 million, or $0.53 per share on a diluted basis and $0.58 per share (basic). For the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company reported a net loss of $3.9 million, or ($0.22) per share; the net profit reported for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $3.0 million, or $0.18 per share on a diluted basis and $0.19 per share (basic).
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On December 31, 2004, the Company had $4.6 million in cash and cash equivalents as compared $1.2 million on December 31, 2003.
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities was ($4.1) million in 2004, $11.5 million in 2003 and $8.5 million in 2002. In 2004 net cash used in operating activities reflected net income of $12.5 million less the non cash amount of $20.3 million (decrease in deferred revenues reflecting the accelerated amortization of the remaining part of the Bristol-Myers Squibb up-front payment) and also a $0.5 million decrease in accounts receivable, plus a $4.5 million increase in accounts payable and a $4.6 million increase in research and tax credits receivable.
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Net cash provided by investing activities was $2.1 million in 2004 and included marketable securities net proceeds of $15.4 million, less $13.3 million primarily spent at the Pessac plant to provide the capacity needed for the ongoing development of the Companys products. Net cash used in investing activities amounted to $82.8 million in 2003 and $10 million in 2002.
As of December 31, 2004, the Company held marketable securities classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value. Total marketable securities totaled $100.8 million in 2004 and $108.4 million in 2003.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $5.1 million in 2004, which includes $6.3 million received from GlaxoSmithKline for the funding of investment, less $2.5 million which was used to invest in equipment, plus $0.8 million resulting from the exercise of options from employees. In 2003 and 2002 financing activities provided $74.4, million and $0.4 million, respectively. In 2003, the increase in cash resulted in large part from 2,000,000 shares sold within the public offering in October which yielded $62.2 million, the exercise of warrants from investors and directors which yielded $10.2 million, and the exercise of options from employees, which yielded $2.1 million.
Since its inception, the Companys operations to date have consumed substantial amounts of cash and are expected to continue to do so, at least for the next two years. The Company believes that ongoing research and product development programs are adequately funded for the next year. The Company also believes current financial resources and cash from various grants, royalty payments and licenses will be sufficient to meet the Companys cash requirements for at least the next two years.
As in previous years, in 2004, a major part of our revenue came from licensing fees and contract research payments received from our biotechnology and pharmaceutical company partners. In recent years, revenue from the sale of products and performance of services included a mix of revenue from a contract manufacturing agreement with GlaxoSmithKline and other major pharmaceutical companies, the sale of photochromic material to Corning, and the performance of various analytical and manufacturing services for other customers.
In the future, we expect that our costs of goods sold may increase as a result of an increase in manufacturing costs. We also expect that research and development may decrease as a percentage of revenues.
As of December 31, 2004, the Company had loans of $1.2 million from Anvar, an agency of the French government that provides financing to French companies for research and development. These loans do not bear interest and are repayable only in the event that the research is successful technically or commercially. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Further, the Company received a $603,000 loan from the French Ministry of Industry for a Proteozome research project in 2002. In addition, in 2004, the Company signed an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline whereby Flamel will supply GlaxoSmithKline with commercial supplies of drugs. The provisions of the agreement include payments from GlaxoSmithKline to Flamel to support expenses and capital expenditure for use in the project, for a total of $20,717,000. The expected expenditures relate to equipment that belongs initially to GlaxoSmithKline , to facility-related assets that belong immediately to Flamel and to support various expenses. Based upon this agreement, GlaxoSmithKline will pass title for all installed equipment to Flamel, upon cessation of the supply agreement, which is initially intended to last 4 years. As of December 31, 2004, Flamel received two installments for a total of $6,960,331 of which $1,143,000 relates to facility-related assets and is classified as a long term liability. This amount will be amortized on a pro-rata basis over the expected life of the related assets and reflected as an offset of the depreciation of the related assets. The remaining $5,817,331 relates to equipment owned by GSK. The total amount received has been partially used to purchase equipment. As of December 31, 2004, the remaining advance of $4,248,000 is reported in the balance sheet as an advance received from partners.
The amounts received are repayable if the Company cancels or breaches the supply agreement. Per this supply agreement, the Company is engaged to manufacture and supply GlaxoSmithKline with products for four years.
The Company does not maintain any credit lines with financial institutions.
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The contractual cash obligations of the Company are as follows:
Payments Due Per Period | ||||||||||||||||||||
More | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less than | 1 to 3 | 3 to 5 | than 5 | |||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of US) | 1 year | years | years | years | Total | |||||||||||||||
Long-Term Debt |
$ | 218 | $ | 2,732 | $ | | $ | | $ | 2,950 | ||||||||||
Capital Lease Obligation |
334 | 789 | | | 1,123 | |||||||||||||||
Operating Leases |
307 | 357 | | | 664 | |||||||||||||||
Total Contractual Cash Obligations |
$ | 859 | $ | 3,878 | $ | | $ | | $ | 4,737 |
As of December 31, 2004, the Company has no other commercial commitments. As of December 31, 2004, the Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
ITEM 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
Directors and Senior Management
The following table sets forth the name and position of the directors and executive officers of the Registrant as of December 31, 2004.
Year of | ||||||
Initial | ||||||
Name | Position | Appointment | ||||
Gerard Soula
|
President, Directeur General (President and Chief Executive Officer), Director of Research and Development, and Director | 1990 | ||||
Stephen H. Willard
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, and Director | 2000 | ||||
Rafael Jorda
|
Vice President and Director of Manufacturing | 1991 | ||||
Bertrand Lehuu (1)
|
Senior Vice President Business Development | 2004 | ||||
Remi Meyrueix
|
Scientific Director | 1990 | ||||
Roger Kravtzoff
|
Pharmaceutical Development Director | 2002 | ||||
You Ping Cheong Chan
|
Chemistry Department Director | 1992 | ||||
Emmanuelle Bardet
|
Directeur General Delegue Pharmacien Responsable (Chief Pharmacist) | 1996 | ||||
Valérie Danaguezian
|
Financial Controller | 2003 | ||||
Jean-Noel Treilles (3)
|
Director | 2000 | ||||
Raul Cesan (2) (3)
|
Director | 2003 | ||||
William D. Dearstyne (2)
|
Director | 2003 | ||||
Michael Greco (2) (3)
|
Director | 2003 |
(1) | Dr. Lehuu resigned on February 16, 2005. | |
(2) | Member of the Compensation Committee | |
(3) | Member of the Audit Committee |
The term of office of each of the directors expires at the year 2005 ordinary shareholders meeting.
In accordance with French law governing a societe anonyme, the Company is managed by its Board of Directors and by its President Directeur General (President and Chief Executive Officer), who has full executive authority to manage the affairs of the Company, subject to the prior authorization of the Board of Directors or of the Companys shareholders for certain decisions expressly specified by law. In addition, the President Directeur General may submit to the Board of Directors the nomination of one or more Directeurs Generaux Delegues.
36
The Board of Directors reviews and monitors Flamels economic, financial and technical strategies. In addition, under French law, the Board of Directors prepares and presents the year-end French statutory accounts of the Company to the shareholders and convenes shareholders meetings. French law provides that the Board of Directors be composed of no fewer than three and not more than 24 members, each of whom must be a shareholder of the Company. The actual number of directors must be within such limits and may be provided for in the statutes or determined by the shareholders at the annual general meeting of shareholders. The number of directors may be increased or decreased only by decision of the shareholders.
Under French law, a director may be an individual or a legal entity. A legal entity that serves as a director must appoint an individual, a permanent representative, who represents such legal entity on the Board. There is no limitation, other than applicable age limits, on the number of terms that a director may serve. Directors are elected by the shareholders and serve until the expiration of their respective terms, or until their resignation, death or removal, with or without cause, by the shareholders. Vacancies which exist on the Board of Directors: (i) because of the resignation or death of a director, may be filled by the Board of Directors pending the next shareholders meeting, if the number of remaining directors after such resignation or death exceeds the minimum number of directors set forth in the statuts; (ii) for whatever reason, must be filled by the Board of Directors within three months of such vacancy, if the number of remaining directors after such vacancy is less than the minimum number of directors set forth in the statuts but exceeds the minimum legal requirement; and (iii) for whatever reason, must be filled immediately at a shareholders meeting if the number of directors after such vacancy is less than the minimum legal requirement.
The Companys Board of Directors currently consists of six members, four of whom are outside directors: Raul Cesan, who served until 2001 as President and Chief Operating Officer of Schering Plough Corporation, a major worldwide pharmaceutical company; Jean-Noel Treilles, CEO Biopartners SA, and former President and Chief Executive Officer of Merck-Lipha France; William D. Dearstyne, who served until 2002 as Company Group Chairman of Johnson & Johnson, a major worldwide pharmaceutical company; and Michel Greco, who served until 2003 as Directeur General delegue and member of the Board of Directors of Aventis Pasteur, a major French pharmaceutical company. We believe these directors bring broad experience to Flamel.
The Companys senior management includes the following individuals:
Gerard Soula is our founder and has been President-Directeur General (Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer) and Director of Research and Development and a member of our Board of Directors since 1990. Dr. Soula earned a degree from the Institut dAdministration des Entreprises in 1971. After receiving his Doctorat-es Sciences in organic chemistry from Marseille University in 1973, he joined Rhone-Poulencs Research Center in Lyon, France. In 1984, he received the Rhone-Poulenc Innovation Award for his discovery of TDA, a phase transfer catalyst. From 1981 to 1990, he was the Head of Research of the Silicon Group and then Director of Research of the Polymer Materials Department of Rhone-Poulenc.
Stephen H. Willard is our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel and also serves on our Board of Directors since June 2001. Immediately prior to joining us in August, 2000, Mr. Willard was employed as a vice president of Biovail. He also worked as an investment banker at Credit Suisse First Boston and as an attorney with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Shearman & Sterling LLP. He is a graduate of Yale Law School (1985) and Williams College (1982). He is a director of E-Trade Financial Corporation.
Rafael Jorda is our Vice President, Director of Manufacturing and Development. Mr. Jorda joined us in 1991 and specializes in chemical engineering and in the structure-property relationships of materials. From 1986 to 1990, he worked as a research and development scientist on controlled-released and biopolymers at Rhone-Poulenc.
Bertrand Lehuu, our Business Development Officer, announced his resignation in February 2005, to take effect in May. Prior to joining Flamel, Mr. Lehuu was in charge of in-product licensing for Novartis.
Remi Meyrueix is our Scientific Director. Mr. Meyrueix holds the degree of engineer in physics and a doctoral thesis in physics, which he received from the Polytechnic Institute of Grenoble in 1977 and 1980, respectively. He worked at Rhone Poulenc from 1982 to 1990 and joined us in early 1991 as a research engineer. He is now managing the Galenic and Applications platforms in Venissieux, France.
37
Emmanuelle Bardet is our Chief Pharmacist. Ms. Bardet worked as a Quality Control Director at SmithKline Beecham, in Pessac. She joined us in December 1996 when Flamel acquired the pharmaceutical production facility in Pessac.
Roger Kravtzoff is our Pharmaceutical Development Director. Mr. Kravtzoff received his Doctorat-es Sciences in Biochemistry from Tours University in 1988. In 1985, he joined Centre Regional de Transfusion Sanguine as a research engineer, and in 1991, he became a scientist associate director in one of its subsidiaries, Novacell. He joined Biovector Therapeutics in 1993 and worked as a Project Director. He joined us in June 2002 and is currently managing our regulatory affairs with regard to our pre-clinical and clinical developments.
Valerie Danaguezian is our Controller. Ms. Danaguezian graduated from the business school of the Institut Superieur du Commerce de Paris. She spent four years working as a statutory auditor with a company that is a member of the Deloitte & Touche group. In 1991, she joined Aventis Pasteur in Lyon where she was in charge of the financial consolidation of the group and was then promoted to Director of Research and Development Controlling Department. She joined us in May 2003.
You Ping Cheong Chan is our Chemistry Department Director. Mr. Chan received his Doctorat-es Sciences in Chemistry from Strasbourg University in 1990. He joined us in 1992 as a scientist research engineer after spending one year post-doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Board Practices
Directors of the Company serve without compensation, other than warrants as described in note 14-4) to our Consolidated Financial Statements, and are reimbursed, upon request, for expenses incurred in attending Board meetings. Warrants are proposed by the board of Directors and are submitted to the approval of the General Shareholders meeting. The warrants are accounted under APB 25. Under this rule, when the exercise price of the Companys warrants is less than the market price of the underlying shares at the date of grant, the Company records deferred compensation expense, which is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
All directors are elected by the shareholders at each ordinary shareholders meeting approving the annual French statutory accounts of the Company. A quorum of the Board consists of one-half of the members of the Board of Directors, and actions are generally approved by a vote of the majority of the members present or represented by other members of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board does not have the ability to cast a deciding vote in the event of a tie vote. A director may give a proxy to another director, but a director cannot represent more than one other director at any particular meeting. Members of the Board of Directors represented by another member at meetings do not count for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum.
Directors are required to comply with applicable law and Flamels statuts. Under French law, directors are liable for violations of French legal or regulatory requirements applicable to societes anonymes, violation of the Companys statuts or mismanagement. Directors may be held liable for such actions both individually and jointly with the other directors.
French law requires that companies having at least 50 employees for a period of 12 consecutive months have a Comite dEntreprise (Employee Representation Committee) composed of representatives elected from among the personnel. The Employee Representation Committee was formed in 1997. Two of those representatives are entitled to attend certain meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company, but they do not have any voting rights.
The Board has a Compensation Committee currently composed of William Dearstyne, Michael Greco and Raul Cesan. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on the compensation of the executive officers of the Company, including the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors makes final decisions on compensation. The Board has an Audit Committee currently composed of Jean-Noel Treilles, Michael Greco and Raul Cesan. The Audit Committee recommends to the Board the selection of Flamels independent auditors and reviews the findings of the auditors. The Company also has an informal Scientific Advisory Board. The Company also has a Nominating Committee, which includes all members of the Board of Directors.
38
The President Directeur General of Flamel has full executive authority to manage the affairs of Flamel and has broad powers to act on behalf of Flamel and to represent Flamel in dealings with third parties, subject only to those powers expressly reserved by law or corporate resolutions of the Board of Directors or the shareholders. The President and Chief Executive Officer determines, and is responsible for the implementation of, the goals, strategies and budgets of Flamel, which are reviewed and monitored by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has the power to appoint and remove, at any time, the President and Chief Executive Officer.
Compensation of Directors and Officers
The aggregate amount set aside or accrued by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2004 to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for directors and officers of the Company was approximately $12,000.
During 2004, the amount of compensation paid or accrued for the benefit of executive officers of the company and its subsidiaries for services in all capacities was $854,000 for Gerard Soula and $726,000 for Stephen Willard. In addition, Mr. Soula and Mr. Willard were granted options in the amount and on the terms set forth below, in the table showing options and warrants granted in 2004. Internal directors do not receive compensation for their service in that capacity.
Options to Purchase Securities from the Company
On May 10, 1996, the shareholders of the Company authorized the creation of a share option plan (the 1996 Plan), which authorizes the Board of Directors to issue options to subscribe for up to 1,000,000 Shares. The 1996 Plan is designed to permit the granting of qualifying stock options under French tax law principles as well as incentive stock options under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Options granted under the 1996 Plan will have an exercise price of not less than ninety percent (90%) of the fair market value of a Share on the date of grant, based on the closing price of the ADSs on the Nasdaq National Market on that date, after converting the dollar closing price into Euros at the Noon Buying Rate on the date of grant. The difference between the market price and the granted price is recognize as a compensation expense. The options granted under the 1996 Plan are exercisable up to ten years from the date of grant. Under French law, the Company cannot grant options to members of the Board of Directors who are not employees.
On July 19, 2001, the Company issued to each of Messrs. Meredith and Treilles, each a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, 10,000 warrants. Each warrant is exercisable to purchase one Share at a price of 5.94 Euros ($5.24) per share.
On December 19, 2001, the shareholders of the Company authorized the creation of a share option plan (the 2001 Plan), which authorizes the Board of Directors to issue options to subscribe for up to 750,000 Shares. The 2001 Plan is designed to permit the granting of qualifying stock options under French tax law principles as well as incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Options granted under the 2001 Plan will have an exercise price based on the fair market value of a Share on the date of grant, i.e. the closing price of the ADSs on the Nasdaq National Market the day prior the date of the grant, after converting the dollar closing price into Euros at the value published by Banque de France on the day just preceding the date of the grant. The options granted under the 2001 Plan are exercisable up to ten years from the date of grant.
On June 20, 2002, the Company issued to each of Messrs. Meredith and Treilles, each a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, 40,000 warrants. Each warrant is exercisable to purchase one Share at a price of 2.33 Euros ($2.05) per share.
On September 19, 2002, the Company issued to Mr. Compain, a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, 40,000 warrants. Each warrant is exercisable to purchase one Share at a price of 1.36 Euros ($1.35) per share.
On February 18, 2003, the shareholders of the Company authorized the creation of a share option plan (the 2003 Plan), which authorizes the Board of Directors to issue options to subscribe for up to 900,000
39
Shares. The 2003 Plan is designed to permit the granting of qualifying stock options under French tax law principles as well as incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Options granted under the 2003 Plan will have an exercise price based on the fair market value of a Share on the date of the grant, i.e. the closing price of the ADSs on the Nasdaq National Market the day prior the date of the grant, after converting the dollar closing price into Euros at the value published by Banque de France on the day just preceding the date of the grant. The options granted under the 2003 Plan are exercisable up to ten years from the date of grant.
On November 7, 2003, the shareholders of the Company authorized the creation of a share option plan (the 2004 Plan), which authorizes the Board of Directors to issue options to subscribe for up to 1,000,000 Shares. The 2004 Plan is designed to permit the granting of qualifying stock options under French tax law principles as well as incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Options granted under the 2004 Plan will have an exercise price based on the fair market value of a Share on the date of grant, i.e. the closing price of the ADSs on the Nasdaq National Market the day prior the date of the grant, after converting the dollar closing price into Euros at the value published by Banque de France on the day just preceding the date of the grant. The options granted under the 2004 Plan are exercisable up to ten years from the date of grant.
On November 7, 2003, the Company issued to the Directors of the Company, Msrs. Cesan, Greco and Dearstyne 60,000 warrants each. For Mr. Treilles, member of the Board since March 2000, the Company issued 20,000 warrants. Each warrant is exercisable to purchase one Share at a price of 9.88 Euros ($11.29).
On March 4, 2005, the shareholders of the Company authorized the creation of a share option plan (the 2005 Plan), which authorizes the Board of Directors to issue options to subscribe for up to 1,500,000 Shares. The 2005 Plan is designed to permit the granting of qualifying stock options under French tax law principles as well as incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Options granted under the 2005 Plan will have an exercise price based on the market price of the share, in the form of ADS, on NASDAQ, on the day preceding the date of the Board meeting, provided however that such price is not less than 80% of the average market price for the shares on the NASDAQ, in the form of ADS, during the last twenty trading days preceding said meeting. In this case, the price of the shares should be equal or superior to 80% of the average market price for the share on NASDAQ, in the form of ADS, during the last twenty trading days preceding such meeting. Such minimum price is the price applicable to companies, the shares of which are admitted to negotiation on a regulated market.
The options granted under the 2005 Plan are exercisable up to ten years from the date of grant.
40
Options and Warrants Granted Through May 2005
Plan on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Which | Exercise | Exercise | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Options | Price in | Price in | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | are | Euros | USD | |||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Warrants | Options | Granted | | $ | Expiration | ||||||||||||||||||
Soula G. |
300,000 | 2004 | 14.81 | 19.70 | December 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
Willard |
150,000 | 2004 | 14.81 | 19.70 | December 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
Treilles |
20,000 | 21.73 | 26.51 | June 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Greco |
20,000 | 21.73 | 26.51 | June 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cesan |
20,000 | 21.73 | 26.51 | June 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dearstyne |
20,000 | 21.73 | 26.51 | June 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Lehuu |
100,000 | 2004 | 20.43 | 24.74 | June 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
Francis |
100,000 | 2005 | 11.42 | 15.24 | March 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
Jorda |
60,000 | 2003 | 14.81 | 19.70 | December 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
Bourboulou |
50,000 | 2005 | 13.08 | 17.49 | May 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
Weber |
50,000 | 2004 | 12.02 | 14.81 | September 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
Mosseri-Marlio |
50,000 | 2004 | 19.20 | 23.61 | March 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
Meyrueix |
40,000 | 2003 | 14.81 | 19.71 | December 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
Soula O. |
40,000 | 2004 | 14.81 | 19.71 | December 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
Bonnet-Gonnet |
20,000 | 2004 | 20.43 | 24.74 | June 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
Vialas |
20,000 | 2004 | 11.42 | 15.24 | March 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
Duracher |
20,000 | 2003 | 11.42 | 15.24 | March 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
Hardre |
20,000 | 2003 | 11.42 | 15.24 | March 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
Pouliquen |
20,000 | 2003 | 11.42 | 15.24 | March 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
Soula R. |
20,000 | 2003 | 11.42 | 15.24 | March 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
Commaret |
20,000 | 2003 | 11.42 | 15.24 | March 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
Guimberteau |
20,000 | 2004 | 11.42 | 15.24 | March 2015 |
Employees
As of December 31, 2004, Flamel had 224 full-time employees. The following table sets forth the number of employees for each of the last three years based in their principal geographic locations.
Employees
Venissieux (1) | Pessac (2) | USA (3) | Total | |||||||||||||
Year End |
||||||||||||||||
2002 |
81 | 67 | 2 | 150 | ||||||||||||
2003 |
95 | 76 | 3 | 174 | ||||||||||||
2004 |
120 | 101 | 3 | 224 |
(1) | Primarily engaged in research activities | |
(2) | Primarily engaged in technical and pharmaceutical development activities | |
(3) | Primarily engaged in administrative and marketing activities |
The Companys future will depend on its ability to attract and retain highly qualified personnel. The Company believes that its employee relations are good. As required by French law, the Company has created an Employee Representation Committee (Comite dEntreprise) composed of representatives elected from among the personnel. Two of these representatives are entitled to attend certain meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company, but they do not have any voting rights.
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Share Ownership
The following table sets forth the share ownership of directors and executive officers as of the date indicated:
OWNERSHIP OF SHARES AS OF MAY 31, 2005
% of Ordinary | Exercise Price in | Exercise Price in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Number of | Euros | USD | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Shares Owned | Outstanding | Warrants | Options | | $ | Expiration | Total | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Soula G. |
689,245 | 3.04 | % | 100,000 | 4.87 | 4.65 | April 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
50,000 | 6.4 | 5.73 | December 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
100,000 | 1.09 | 0.99 | September 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
200,000 | 2.33 | 2.04 | March 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
200,000 | 4.32 | 4.62 | March 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | 9.88 | 11.66 | June 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
200,000 | 20.81 | 25.27 | December 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
300,000 | 14.81 | 19.70 | December 2014 | 1,844.245 | 6.89 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Willard |
1 | 0.00 | % | 40,000 | 7.58 | 4.99 | September 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40,000 | 6.4 | 5.73 | December 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
25,000 | 6.4 | 5.73 | December 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
90,000 | 1.09 | 0.99 | September 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
195,000 | 2.33 | 2.04 | March 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
200,000 | 4.32 | 4.62 | March 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
100,000 | 20.81 | 25.27 | December 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
150,000 | 14.81 | 19.70 | December 2014 | 840,001 | 3.14 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Treilles |
1 | 0.00 | % | 10,000 | 4.88 | 4.68 | June 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | 5.95 | 5.17 | June 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30,000 | 2.33 | 2.25 | June 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20,000 | 9.88 | 11.29 | November 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20,000 | 21.73 | 26.51 | June 2009 | 85,001 | 0.32 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Greco |
1 | 0.00 | % | 40,000 | 9.88 | 11.29 | November 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20,000 | 9.88 | 11.29 | November 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20,000 | 21.73 | 26.51 | June 2009 | 80,001 | 0.30 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cesan |
1 | 0.00 | % | 40,000 | 9.88 | 11.29 | November 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20,000 | 9.88 | 11.29 | November 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20,000 | 21.73 | 26.51 | June 2009 | 80,001 | 0.30 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dearstyne |
1 | 0.00 | % | 40,000 | 9.88 | 11.29 | November 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20,000 | 9.88 | 11.29 | November 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20,000 | 21.73 | 26.51 | June 2009 | 80,001 | 0.30 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bourboulou |
50,000 | 13.08 | 17.49 | May 2015 | 50,000 | 0.19 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Francis |
100,000 | 11.42 | 15.24 | March 2015 | 100,000 | 0.37 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hanras |
20,000 | 6.4 | 5.73 | December 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | 9.88 | 11.66 | June 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40,000 | 20.81 | 25.27 | December 2013 | 65,000 | 0.24 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jorda |
375 | 0.00 | % | 60,000 | 4.87 | 4.65 | April 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
80,000 | 2.78 | 2.49 | December 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | 9.88 | 11.66 | June 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
60,000 | 14.81 | 19.70 | December 2014 | 205,375 | 0.77 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Meyrueix |
125 | 0.00 | % | 40,000 | 4.87 | 4.65 | April 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40,000 | 2.78 | 2.49 | December 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | 9.88 | 11.66 | June 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40,000 | 14.81 | 19.70 | December 2014 | 125,125 | 0.47 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Danaguezian |
5 | 0.00 | % | 59,995 | 4.32 | 4.62 | March 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | 9.88 | 11.66 | June 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40,000 | 20.81 | 25.27 | December 2013 | 105,000 | 0.39 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kravtzoff |
0.00 | % | 50,000 | 1.36 | 1.34 | June 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | 9.88 | 11.66 | June 2013 | 55,000 | 0.21 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chan |
0.00 | % | 40,000 | 4.87 | 4.65 | April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40,000 | 1.36 | 1.34 | June 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | 9.88 | 11.66 | June 2013 | 85,000 | 0.32 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bardet |
0.00 | % | 20,000 | 6.4 | 5.73 | December 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | 9.88 | 11.66 | June 2013 | 25,000 | 0.09 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Castan |
0.00 | % | 30,000 | 6.4 | 5.73 | December 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10,000 | 1.09 | 0.99 | September 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | 9.88 | 11.66 | June 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40,000 | 20.81 | 25.27 | December 2013 | 85,000 | 0.32 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Soula O. |
0.00 | % | 40,000 | 1.09 | 0.99 | September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20,000 | 4.11 | 4.15 | December 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | 9.88 | 11.66 | June 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40,000 | 20.81 | 25.27 | December 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40,000 | 14.81 | 19.70 | December 2014 | 145,000 | 0.54 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weber |
50,000 | 12.02 | 14.81 | September 2014 | 50,000 | 0.19 | % |
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ITEM 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth as of May 16, 2005, the percentage of Ordinary Shares owned by BVF, Inc., O.S.S. Capital Management LP, Krevlin Advisors, LLC, and Knoll Capital Management, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, the persons each known to Flamel to have filed as owners of more than 5% of its Ordinary Shares.
Amount of Ordinary | Percentage | |||||||
Identity of Person or Group | Shares Owned | of Class | ||||||
BVF, Inc. |
2,591,142 | (1) | 11.41 | % | ||||
O.S.S. Capital Management LP |
2,665,947 | (2) | 11.74 | % | ||||
Krevlin Advisors, LLC |
1,075,000 | (3) | 4.74 | % | ||||
Knoll Capital Management, LP |
1,106,717 | (4) | 4.88 | % |
(1) | Based solely on a review of a Schedule 13D/A filed on April 21, 2005. BVF Inc.shares beneficial ownership over the Ordinary Shares it owns with BVF Partners L.P. Percentages are calculated using the total number of shares outstanding as of May 16, 2005. | |
(2) | Based solely on a review of a Schedule 13D/A filed on May 13, 2005. O.S.S. Capital Management LP, shares beneficial ownership over the Ordinary Shares it owns with Schafer Brothers LLC and Oscar S. Schafer and in respect of 5.0% of the Ordinary Shares with O.S.S Advisors LLC. Percentages are calculated using the total number of shares outstanding as of May 16, 2005. | |
(3) | Based solely on a review of a Schedule 13G filed on January 26, 2005. Krevlin Advisors, LLC shares beneficial ownership over the Ordinary Shares it owns with Glenn J. Krevlin. Percentages are calculated using the total number of shares outstanding as of May 16, 2005. | |
(4) | Based solely on a review of a Schedule 13G filed on April 8, 2004 Knoll Capital Management, LP shares beneficial ownership over the Ordinary Shares it owns with Fred Knoll. Percentages are calculated using the total number of shares outstanding as of May 16, 2005. |
As of May 16, 2005, there were 22,701,595 shares outstanding. Of these, 19,866,748 were American Depositary Shares (ADSs). A further 2,065,947 French ordinary shares were held by OSS Capital and its affiliates. The remaining French ordinary shares were held by individuals, including Gerard Soula.
Significant changes in the percentage ownership held of record by any of our major shareholders in the last three years, as reported to the SEC, were as follows:
- | The share ownership of BVF Inc. and BVF Partners L.P. (reased from approximately 19.6% as reported on February 13, 2003 to approximately 12.18% as reported on April 9, 2004 and decreased further to approximately 5.66% as reported on September 26, 2004; it increased to approximately 10.31% as reported on February 14, 2005 and increased further to 11.41% as of April 21, 2005; | |||
- | The share ownership of O.S.S. Capital Management LP, Schafer Brothers LLC and Oscar S. Schafer decreased from approximately 5.09% as reported on June 30, 2003 to approximately 3.10% as reported on January 28, 2004, then increased to approximately 5.40% as reported on July 22, 2004 and approximately 7.80% as reported on February 11, 2005, then increased further to approximately 9.70% as reported on April 18, 2005; to approximately 11.9% as reported on May 11, 2005; and then further increased to approximately 12.3% as reported on May 12, 2005. |
Related Party Transactions
During 2004, and as of May 31, 2005, there is no Related Party Transaction known to the Company to identify in this section.
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ITEM 8. Financial Information
Financial Statements
The financial statements contained in this Annual Report begin on page F-1.
Legal Proceedings
Wellcome Foundation Limited (Wellcome Foundation), an affiliate of Glaxo Wellcome, initiated a civil action against the Company in the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Paris on September 18, 1997, claiming infringement of its proprietary rights over a drug containing acyclovir. Wellcome Foundation sought damages in an unspecified amount and provisional damages of 3 million francs. Flamel disputed the infringement claim and counterclaimed, alleging that Wellcome Foundation acted in bad faith and used unfair methods of competition. The case was heard by the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Paris in November 2000, and a judgment in Flamels favor was rendered by the Tribunal on February 20, 2001. In January, 2002, the Company and Wellcome Foundation entered into a settlement agreement with respect to this litigation and Flamel received a net payment of $2.5 million in connection therewith.
While we may be engaged in various claims and legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, we are not involved (whether as a defendant or otherwise) in and, other than as described above, we have no knowledge of any threat of, any litigation, arbitration or administrative or other proceeding which management believes will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Dividend Policy
The Company has never declared or paid a cash dividend on any of its capital stock and does not anticipate declaring cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
ITEM 9. The Offer and Listing
The principal trading market for the Companys securities in ADSs is the Nasdaq National Market. Each ADS represents one Share, nominal value 0.122 Euros. Each ADS is evidenced by an ADR. The Bank of New York is the Depositary for the ADRs. As of December 31, 2004, there were 20,982,695 ADSs outstanding in the United States. At such date, there were 34 holders of ADSs on record. As of December 31, 2004, there were 21,751,590 Shares outstanding.
The following table shows the high and low closing sales prices of the ADSs on the Nasdaq National Market for the periods indicated.
Price Per ADS (US$) | ||||||||
Year | High | Low | ||||||
2000 |
11.38 | 2.00 | ||||||
2001 |
7.06 | 0.94 | ||||||
2002 |
4.85 | 1.22 | ||||||
2003 |
42.85 | 3.74 | ||||||
2004 |
31.73 | 14.67 |
Price Per ADS (US$) | ||||||||
Quarter Ended | High | Low | ||||||
1st Quarter, 2003 |
7.15 | 3.74 | ||||||
2nd Quarter, 2003 |
13.95 | 7.17 | ||||||
3rd Quarter, 2003 |
42.85 | 13.03 | ||||||
4th Quarter, 2003 |
37.99 | 23.23 | ||||||
1st Quarter, 2004 |
31.73 | 23.26 | ||||||
2nd Quarter, 2004 |
30.78 | 23.27 | ||||||
3rd Quarter, 2004 |
25.51 | 14.67 | ||||||
4th Quarter, 2004 |
21.46 | 14.86 | ||||||
1st Quarter, 2005 |
17.40 | 12.94 |
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Price Per ADS (US$) | ||||||||
Month Ended | High | Low | ||||||
May 31, 2005 |
19.00 | 15.35 | ||||||
April 30, 2005 |
16.00 | 12.25 | ||||||
March 31, 2005 |
16.71 | 12.94 | ||||||
February 28, 2005 |
17.40 | 15.41 | ||||||
January 31, 2005 |
19.65 | 17.04 | ||||||
December 31, 2004 |
21.35 | 18.01 |
ITEM 10. Additional Information
Exemptions from certain NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules
The company is exempt from NASDAQs quorum requirements applicable to meetings of shareholders. In keeping with French law and generally accepted business practices in France, the presence in person or by proxy of shareholders having not less than 25% (in case of an ordinary general meeting or an extraordinary general meeting deciding upon any capital increase by capitalization of reserves) or 33/3% (in the case of an extraordinary general meeting) of the Shares is necessary for a quorum. If a quorum is not present at any meeting, the meeting is adjourned. Upon recommencement of an adjourned meeting, there is no quorum requirement in the case of an ordinary general meeting or an extraordinary general meeting deciding upon any capital increase by capitalization of reserves. The presence in person or by proxy of shareholders having not less than 25% of the Shares is necessary for a quorum in the case of any other type of extraordinary general meeting.
The Company also has been granted an exemption from NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4350(g) requiring each issuer to solicit proxies and to provide proxy statements for all meetings of shareholders. The French Commercial Code does not require that we solicit or provide proxy statements for meetings of shareholders. In accordance with the French Commercial Code and our statuts, we inform shareholders of all meetings in a public notice, which notice states the requirements for admission to the meeting. Meeting the requirement to solicit proxies and provide proxy statements for shareholder meetings would be contrary to accepted business practice in France.
Memorandum and Articles of Association
For a general description of these documents, see Description of Share Capital in the Companys registration statement on Form F-1, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 1996, registration number 333-03854, which is incorporated by reference. There have been no changes to these documents.
Ownership of Shares by Non-European Union Persons
A declaration administrative or administrative declaration is required in The Republic of France to be filed with the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and the Budget at the time of the acquisition of a controlling interest in Flamel by any non-EU resident or group of non-EU residents acting in concert or by any EU resident controlled by a non-EU resident. With respect to the acquisition (by a EU resident or a non-EU resident) of a controlling interest in a company that could affect public health, the administrative declaration is replaced by a procedure that requires prior declaration of the acquisition to the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and the Budget with the ability for such Ministry to oppose the investment during a one-month period. As it is a pharmaceutical company, the acquisition of a controlling interest in Flamel could be deemed to affect public health.
Under existing administrative rulings, ownership of 20% or more of a listed companys share capital is regarded as a controlling interest, but a lower percentage may be held to be a controlling interest in certain circumstances (such as when the shareholder has the ability to elect members of the board of directors). No administrative declaration is required where an EU resident or group of EU residents acts in concert to acquire a controlling interest in Flamel provided that the acquiring party or parties satisfy the requirements of EU residency.
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Under French law, there is no limitation on the right of non-resident or foreign shareholders to vote securities of a French company.
Material Contracts
The Company has no material contracts on file with the SEC.
Exchange Controls
The payment of any dividends to foreign shareholders must be effected through an authorized intermediary bank. All registered banks and credit establishments in the Republic of France are authorized intermediaries. Under current French exchange control regulations, there are no limitations on the amount of cash payments that may be remitted by Flamel to residents of the United States. Laws and regulations concerning foreign exchange controls do require, however, that all payments or transfers of funds made by a French resident to a non-resident be handled by an authorized intermediary bank.
Taxation
French Taxation
The following is a description of the French tax consequences of owning and disposing of Flamel Ordinary Shares. This description may only be relevant to holders of Flamel Ordinary Shares who are not residents of France and do not hold their shares in connection with a permanent establishment or a fixed base in France through which the holders carry on a business or perform personal services.
This description may not address all aspects of French tax laws that may be relevant in light of the particular circumstances of individual holders of Flamel Ordinary Shares. It is based on the laws, conventions and treaties in force as of the date of this annual report, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or different interpretations.
Holders of Flamel Ordinary Shares should consult their own tax advisors about the potential tax effects of owning or disposing of Ordinary Shares in any particular situation.
Taxation on Sale or Disposal of Flamel Ordinary Shares
Generally, a holder of Flamel Ordinary Shares will not be subject to any French income tax or capital gains tax when the holder sells or disposes of Flamel Ordinary Shares if both of the following apply:
| the holder is not a French resident for French tax purposes; and | |||
| the holder has held not more than 25% of Flamels dividend rights, known as droits aux benefices sociaux, at any time during the preceding five years, either directly or indirectly. |
If a double tax treaty between France and the country of residence of a holder of Flamel Ordinary Shares contains more favorable provisions, a holder may not be subject to any French income tax or capital gains tax when the holder sells or disposes of any Flamel Ordinary Shares, even if one or both of the above statements does not apply to the holder.
Subject to various conditions, foreign states, international organizations and a number of foreign public bodies are not considered French residents for these purposes.
If a holder of Flamel Ordinary Shares transfers shares using a written agreement, that agreement must generally be registered. The holder will be required to pay a registration duty of 1% of either the purchase price or the market value of the Ordinary Shares transferred, whichever is higher. The maximum duty is 3.049 per transfer. However, if the agreement is executed outside France, the holder of Flamel Ordinary Shares will not be required to pay this duty.
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Taxation of Dividends
Withholding Tax and Avoir Fiscal. In France, companies may only pay dividends out of income remaining after tax has been paid. When shareholders resident in France receive dividends from French companies, they are entitled to a tax credit, known as the avoir fiscal. The amount of the avoir fiscal is generally equal to:
| 50% of the dividend paid for shareholders who are individuals or corporate shareholders that benefit from the participation exemption regime defined in Articles 145 and 216 of the French Tax Code; or | |||
| 10% of the dividend paid for shareholders who are not individuals. |
Shareholders resident in France and entitled to the avoir fiscal at the rate of 10% may generally be entitled to an additional tax credit equal to 80% of any précompte actually paid in cash by a company upon distribution of dividends paid out of specified profits. See The Précompte.
Under French domestic law, shareholders who are not residents of France are not eligible for the avoir fiscal unless the double tax treaty between France and the country of residence of the shareholder provides for a transfer of the avoir fiscal.
French companies must generally deduct a 25% French withholding tax from dividends paid to non-residents. Under most tax treaties between France and other countries, the rate of this withholding tax may be reduced or eliminated in some circumstances. Generally, if dividends are subject to a French withholding tax, a holder who is a non-French resident is subsequently entitled to a tax credit in that holders country of residence for the amount of tax actually withheld.
The following countries, French overseas territories, known as Territoires dOutre-Mer, and other territories have entered into income tax treaties with France that provide for the arrangements summarized below:
Australia
|
Germany | Luxembourg | Norway | United Kingdom | ||||
Austria
|
Ghana | Malaysia | Pakistan | United States | ||||
Belgium
|
Iceland | Mali | Senegal | Ukraine | ||||
Bolivia
|
India | Malta | Singapore | Venezuela | ||||
Brazil
|
Israel | Mauritius | South Korea | French Territoires | ||||
Burkina Faso
|
Italy | Mexico | Spain | dOutre-Mer and Other | ||||
Cameroon
|
Ivory | Coast Namibia | Sweden | Mayotte | ||||
Canada
|
Japan | Netherlands | Switzerland | New Caledonia | ||||
Finland
|
Latvia | New Zealand | Togo | Saint-Pierre et Miquelon | ||||
Gabon
|
Lithuania | Niger | Turkey |
Under these treaties, a shareholder who fulfills specified conditions may generally apply to the French tax authorities for the following:
| lower rate of withholding tax, generally 15%; and | |||
| refund of the avoir fiscal, after deduction of withholding tax payable on the avoir fiscal. |
Except for the United States, none of the countries or territories listed above has a treaty granting benefits to holders of Flamel ADSs, as opposed to Ordinary Shares. Accordingly, this discussion of treaty benefits does not apply to Flamel ADS holders. If these arrangements apply to a shareholder, Flamel will withhold tax from the dividend at the lower rate, provided that the shareholder has established, before the date of payment of the dividend, that the shareholder is entitled to the lower rate and has complied with the filing formalities. Otherwise, Flamel must withhold tax at the full rate of 25%, and the shareholder may subsequently claim the excess tax paid.
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German corporate shareholders and German investment funds, in receipt of French-source dividends, are no longer entitled to the avoir fiscal retroactively, as of January 1, 2001, provided they own less than 10% of the share capital of the corporation distributing dividends. German and French authorities are still carrying on discussions as to the suspension of the avoir fiscal for individual shareholders.
Some of the countries and territories listed above impose additional conditions for corporate entities wishing to receive the avoir fiscal. In other countries and territories, individual residents may receive the avoir fiscal but corporate entities may not.
The Précompte. A French company must pay an equalization tax known as the précompte to the French tax authorities if it distributes dividends which give rise to avoir fiscal and whenever dividends are distributed out of:
| profits which have not been taxed at the ordinary corporate income tax rate; or | |||
| profits which have been earned during a tax year closed more than five years before the distribution. |
The amount of the précompte is 50% of the net dividends.
A shareholder that is not a French resident for French tax purposes may generally obtain a refund of the amount of any précompte Flamel actually pays in cash, net of applicable withholding tax, if the shareholder is entitled to the benefits of a tax treaty and the treaty does not provide for the transfer of the avoir fiscal.
Estate and Gift Tax
France imposes estate and gift tax where an individual or entity acquires real and personal property from a non-resident of France by way of inheritance or gift. France has entered into estate and gift tax treaties with a number of countries. Under these treaties, residents of those countries may be exempted from this tax or obtain a tax credit, assuming specified conditions are met. Holders of Flamel Ordinary Shares should consult their own tax advisors about whether French estate and gift tax will apply and whether they may claim an exemption or tax credit.
Wealth Tax
French individual residents are taxable on their worldwide assets. Non-resident individuals are taxable only on their assets which are located in France. However, financial investments made by non-resident individuals, other than in real property companies, are exempt from wealth tax under certain conditions.
If a double tax treaty between France and a holders country of residence contains more favorable provisions, the holder may not be subject to French wealth tax.
Taxation of U.S. Investors
On August 31, 1994, the United States and France signed a tax treaty, which generally became effective on December 30, 1995. The following is a general summary of the principal tax effects on holders of Flamel Shares for purposes of U.S. federal income tax and French tax, if all of the following five points apply:
| the holder owns, directly or indirectly, less than 10% of Flamels share capital; | |||
| the holder is any one of (a), (b) or (c) below: |
(a) | a citizen or resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or | |||
(b) | a U.S. domestic corporation, or | |||
(c) | otherwise subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis in respect of its Flamel Shares; |
| the holder is entitled to the benefits of the U.S.-France tax treaty under the limitations on benefits article of that treaty; |
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| the holder holds Flamel Shares as capital assets; and | |||
| the holders functional currency is the U.S. dollar. |
For purposes of the U.S.-France tax treaty and U.S. federal income tax, holders of Flamel ADSs will be treated as holders of the Flamel Ordinary Shares which their Flamel ADSs represent.
Special rules may apply to United States expatriates, insurance companies, pass-through entities and investors in such entities, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, securities broker-dealers and persons holding their Flamel Shares as part of a conversion transaction, among others. Those special rules are not discussed in this annual report.
Holders of Flamel Shares should consult their own tax advisers as to the particular tax consequences to them of owning Flamel Shares, including their eligibility for the benefits of the U.S.-France tax treaty, the applicability and effect of state, local, foreign and other tax laws and possible changes in tax law.
Taxation of Dividends
Withholding Tax and Avoir Fiscal. Dividends paid to non-residents by French companies are subject to a 25% French withholding tax. Under the U.S.-France tax treaty, this withholding tax is reduced to 15% if a holders ownership of Flamel Shares is not effectively connected with a permanent establishment or a fixed base that the holder has in France.
Specific provisions apply if the holder is considered an eligible U.S. holder of Flamel Shares. A holder is eligible if its ownership of Flamel Shares is not effectively connected with a permanent establishment or a fixed base that the holder has in France and any one of the following four points applies:
| the holder is an individual or other non-corporate holder that is a resident of the United States for purposes of the U.S.-France tax treaty; | |||
| the holder is a U.S. corporation, other than a regulated investment company; | |||
| the holder is a U.S. corporation which is a regulated investment company, provided that less than 20% of the holders shares are beneficially owned by persons who are neither citizens nor residents of the United States; or | |||
| the holder is a partnership or trust that is a resident of the United States for purposes of the U.S.-France tax treaty, but only to the extent that the holders partners, beneficiaries or grantors would qualify as eligible under one of the first two points in this list. |
If a holder is an eligible U.S. holder, dividends distributed by Flamel will be subject to a withholding tax at the reduced rate of 15%, provided that the holder has previously established that it is a resident of the United States under the U.S.-France tax treaty in accordance with the following procedures:
| The holder must complete French Treasury Form RF1 A EU-No. 5052 and send it to the paying establishment before the date of payment of the dividend. If the holder is not an individual, the holder must also send the paying establishment an affidavit attesting that the holder is the beneficial owner of all the rights attached to the full ownership of Flamel Shares, including, among other things, the dividend rights. | |||
| If the holder cannot complete Form RF1 A EU-No. 5052 before the date of payment of the dividend, the holder may complete a simplified certificate and send it to the French tax authorities or the institution which holds the shares on his behalf. This certificate must state all of the following five points: |
(a) | the holder is a resident of the United States for purposes of the U.S.-France tax treaty; |
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(b) | the holders ownership of Flamel Shares is not effectively connected with a permanent establishment or a fixed base in France; | |||
(c) | the holder owns all the rights attached to the full ownership of Flamel Shares, including, among other things, the dividend rights; | |||
(d) | the holder fulfills all the requirements under the U.S.-France tax treaty to be entitled to the reduced rate of withholding tax and to be entitled to the transfer of the avoir fiscal; and | |||
(e) | the holder claims the reduced rate of withholding tax and payment of the avoir fiscal. |
If a holder is not an eligible U.S. holder, or if the holder has not completed Form RF1 A EU-No. 5052 or the five-point certificate before the dividend payment date, Flamel will deduct French withholding tax at the rate of 25%. In that case, a holder may claim a refund of the excess withholding tax.
If a holder is an eligible U.S. holder, the holder may also claim the avoir fiscal, by completing Form RF1 A EU-No. 5052 and sending it to the paying establishment before December 31 of the year following the year during which the dividend is paid. The holder will be entitled to a payment equal to the avoir fiscal, less a 15% withholding tax on the avoir fiscal. As noted below, the holder will not receive this payment until after the close of the calendar year in which the dividend was paid. To receive the payment, the holder must submit a claim to the French tax authorities and attest that they are subject to U.S. federal income taxes on the payment of the avoir fiscal and the related dividend. For partnerships or trusts, the partners, beneficiaries or grantors must make the attestation.
Specified rules apply to the following:
| tax-exempt U.S. pension funds, which include the exempt pension funds established and managed in order to pay retirement benefits subject to the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (qualified retirement plans), Section 403(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (tax deferred annuity contracts) or Section 457 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (deferred compensation plans); and | |||
| various other tax-exempt entities, including specified state-owned institutions, not-for-profit organizations and individuals for dividends which they beneficially own and which are derived from an investment retirement account. |
Entities in these two categories are eligible for the reduced withholding tax rate of 15% on dividends, subject to the same withholding tax filing requirements as eligible U.S. holders, except that they may have to supply additional documentation evidencing their entitlement to these benefits. These entities are not entitled to the full avoir fiscal. These entities may claim a partial avoir fiscal equal to 30/85 of the gross avoir fiscal, provided that they own, directly or indirectly, less than 10% of the companys capital and they satisfy the filing formalities contained in U.S. Internal Revenue Service regulations.
The avoir fiscal or partial avoir fiscal and any French withholding tax refund are generally expected to be paid within 12 months after the holder of Flamel Shares files Form RF1 A EU-No. 5052. However, they will not be paid before January 15 following the end of the calendar year in which the dividend is paid.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the gross amount of a dividend and any avoir fiscal, including any French withholding tax, will be included in each holders gross income as dividend income when payment is received by them (or the custodian, if the holder owns Flamel ADSs), to the extent they are paid or deemed paid out of Flamels current or accumulated earnings and profits as calculated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends paid by Flamel will not give rise to any dividends received deduction. They will generally constitute foreign source passive income for foreign tax credit purposes. For some recipients, they will constitute foreign source financial services income for foreign tax credit purposes.
Also for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of any dividend paid in Euros or French francs, including any French withholding taxes, will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of the Euro or French francs on the date the dividend is included in income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. A holder will generally be required to recognize U.S. source ordinary income or loss when the holder
50
sells or disposes of the Euros or French francs. A holder may also be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss if that holder receives a refund under the U.S.-France tax treaty of tax withheld in excess of the treaty rate. This foreign currency gain or loss will generally be U.S. source ordinary income or loss.
To the extent that any dividends paid exceed Flamels current and accumulated earnings and profits as calculated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the distribution will be treated as follows:
| First, as a tax-free return of capital, which will cause a reduction in the adjusted basis of a holders Flamel Shares. This adjustment will increase the amount of gain, or decrease the amount of loss, which a holder will recognize if such holder later disposes of those Flamel Shares. | |||
| Second, the balance of the dividend in excess of the adjusted basis will be taxed as capital gain recognized on a sale or exchange. |
French withholding tax imposed on the dividends a holder receives and on any avoir fiscal at 15% under the U.S.-France tax treaty is treated as payment of a foreign income tax. A holder may take this amount as a credit against the holders U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to various conditions and limitations, including minimum holding period requirements.
The Précompte. A French company must pay an equalization tax known as the précompte to the French tax authorities if it distributes dividends which give rise to avoir fiscal and whenever dividends are distributed out of:
| profits which have not been taxed at the ordinary corporate income tax rate; or | |||
| profits which have been earned during a tax year closed more than five years before the distribution. |
The amount of the précompte is 50% of the net dividends.
If a holder is not entitled to the full avoir fiscal, the holder may generally obtain a refund from the French tax authorities of any précompte paid by Flamel with respect to dividends distributed to them. Under the U.S.-France tax treaty, the amount of the précompte refunded to U.S. residents is reduced by the 15% withholding tax applicable to dividends and by the partial avoir fiscal, if any. A holder is entitled to a refund of any précompte which Flamel actually pays in cash, but not to any précompte which Flamel pays by off-setting French and/or foreign tax credits. To apply for a refund of the précompte, a holder should file French Treasury Form RF1 B EU-No. 5053 before December 31 of the year following the year in which the dividend was paid. The form and its instructions are available from the Internal Revenue Service in the United States or from the French Centre des Impots des Non-Residents whose address is 9, rue dUzes, 75094 Paris Cedex 2, France.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the précompte will be included in a holders gross income as dividend income in the year the holder receives it. It will generally constitute foreign source passive income for foreign tax credit purposes. For some recipients, it will constitute foreign source financial services income for foreign tax credit purposes. The amount of any précompte paid in Euro or French francs, including any French withholding taxes, will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of the Euro or French francs on the date the précompte is included in income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. A holder will generally be required to recognize a U.S. source ordinary income or loss when the holder sells or disposes of the Euro or French francs.
Taxation of Capital Gains
If a holder is a resident of the United States for purposes of the U.S.-France tax treaty, the holder will not be subject to French tax on any capital gain if the holder sells or exchanges its Flamel Shares, unless the holder has a permanent establishment or fixed base in France and the Flamel Shares the holder sold or exchanged were part of the business property of that permanent establishment or fixed base. Special rules apply to individuals who are residents of more than one country.
In general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a holder will recognize capital gain or loss if the holder sells or exchanges its Flamel Shares in the same manner as the holder would if it were to sell or exchange
51
any other shares held as capital assets. Any gain or loss will generally be U.S. source gain or loss. If a holder is an individual, any capital gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at preferential rates if the holder meets the minimum holding periods.
Flamel believes that it will not be treated as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the current taxable year or for future taxable years. However, an actual determination of PFIC status is fundamentally factual in nature and cannot be made until the close of the applicable taxable year. Flamel will be a PFIC for any taxable year in which either:
| 75% or more of its gross income is passive income; or | |||
| its assets which produce passive income or which are held for the production of passive income amount to at least 50% of the value of its total assets on average. |
If Flamel were to become a PFIC, the tax applicable to distributions on its Shares and any gains a holder realizes when the holder disposes of its Shares may be less favorable to the holder. Each holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the PFIC rules and their effect on the holder if they purchase Shares.
French Estate and Gift Taxes
Under The Convention Between the United States of America and the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Estates, Inheritance and Gifts of November 24, 1978, if a holder transfers their Flamel Shares by gift, or if they are transferred by reason of the holders death, that transfer will only be subject to French gift or inheritance tax if one of the following applies:
| the holder is domiciled in France at the time of making the gift, or at the time of the holders death; or | |||
| the holder used the Flamel Shares in conducting a business through a permanent establishment or fixed base in France, or the holder held the Flamel Shares for that use. |
French Wealth Tax
The French wealth tax does not generally apply to Flamel Shares if the holder is a resident of the United States for purposes of the U.S.-France tax treaty.
United States Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
A holder may be required to report dividend payments and proceeds from the sale or disposal of such holders Flamel Shares to the Internal Revenue Service. U.S. federal backup withholding generally is a withholding tax imposed at current rate of 28% on some payments to persons that fail to furnish required information. Backup withholding will not apply to a holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number or certificate of foreign status and makes any other required certification, or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Any U.S. persons required to establish their exempt status generally must file Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, entitled Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification. Finalized Treasury regulations, which are applicable to payments made after December 31, 2000, have generally expanded the circumstances under which information reporting and backup withholding may apply.
Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a holders U.S. federal income tax liability. A holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any required information.
Documents on Display
Flamel is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, in accordance with those requirements, files reports and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of reports and other information, when so filed, may be inspected free of charge and may be obtained at prescribed rates at the public reference facility maintained by the SEC at
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Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. You may also access documents filed with the SEC at its website www.sec.gov. Certain of the reports that the Company files with the Commission may be available from time to time on the Companys internet website, at www.flamel.com. Flamel is not incorporating the contents of its or the SECs websites or the website of any other person into this document.
ITEM 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The Company conducts a significant portion of its business transactions in U.S. dollars. For the year ended December 31, 2004 revenues denominated in U.S. dollars represented 92 % of total revenues. As a result, the Companys financial results could be significantly affected by the fluctuation of the Euro relative to the U.S. dollar. Specifically, all of the Companys cash and cash equivalents, totaling $4.6 million as of December 31, 2004, and all of the Companys marketable securities, totaling $100.8 million as of December 31, 2004, are denominated in Euros, as are the vast majority of the Companys expenses. If the dollar were to strengthen by 20% versus the Euro, there would be a corresponding negative effect on these items of $21.9 million in our balance sheet. Conversely, if the dollar were to weaken by 20% versus the Euro, there would be a corresponding positive effect on these items in our balance sheet. See Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects Overview.
ITEM 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
There has not been any material default with respect to any indebtedness of the Company.
ITEM 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
Not Applicable.
ITEM 15. Controls and Procedures
The Companys President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel have evaluated the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report and, based on this evaluation, have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
There have been no changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Companys fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 that has materially affected, or is reasonable likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16. [Reserved]
ITEM 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Board has determined that Mr. Raul Cesan is an audit committee financial expert, as defined by the rules of the SEC.
ITEM 16B. Code of Ethics
The Board adopted a written Code of Ethics. The principles set forth in our Code of Ethics are intended to promote the honest and ethical conduct for our principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. This code is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
ITEM 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following is a summary of the fees billed to Flamel by E&Y for professional services rendered for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002:
Fiscal 2004 Fees | Fiscal 2003 Fees | |||||||
Fee Category | (Euros) | (Euros) | ||||||
Audit |
117,000 | 239,500 | ||||||
Audit-Related Fees |
0 | 0 | ||||||
Tax Fees |
0 | 0 | ||||||
All Other Fees |
0 | 0 | ||||||
Total Fees |
117,000 | 239,500 |
All fees were billed in Euros. Using the average exchange rate of 1.2433 per Euro for 2004 and 1.132 U.S dollars per Euro for 2003, audit fees equaled $145,466 for Fiscal 2004 and $271,114 for Fiscal 2003 (of which $197,534 were in connection with registration statements)
Audit Fees. Consists of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements, review of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports and services provided by E&Y in connection with registration statements ($197,534 in 2003).
54
Audit-Related Fees. Would consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of Flamels consolidated financial statements and are not reported under Audit Fees.
Tax Fees. Would consist of fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
All Other Fees. There were no fees billed for professional services in fiscal years 2004, 2003 and 2002 that are not included in one of the above categories.
Audit Committees Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Our Audit Committee nominates and engages our independent auditors to audit our financial statements. See also Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees Board Practices - Committees of the Board of Directors. In 2003, our Audit Committee also adopted a policy requiring management to obtain the Committees approval before engaging our independent auditors to provide any other audit or permitted non-audit services to us or our subsidiaries. Pursuant to this policy, which is designed to assure that such engagements do not impair the independence of our auditors, the Audit Committee annually pre-approves specific audit and non-audit services in the categories Audit Service, Audit-Related Services, Tax Consulting Services, and Other Services that may be performed by our auditors, subject to any de minimis threshold under applicable regulations. None of the total fees to the principal accountants were requested or approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. Our Chief Financial Officer reviews all individual management requests to engage our auditors as a service provider in accordance with this policy and, if the requested services are permitted pursuant to the policy, approves the request accordingly. We inform the Audit Committee about these approvals at the following Audit Committee meeting. Services that are not included in this pre-approval process require pre-approval by the Audit Committees chairman on a case-by-case basis. The chairman of our Audit Committee is not permitted to approve any engagement of our auditors if the services to be performed either fall into a category of services that are not permitted by applicable law or the services would be inconsistent with maintaining the auditors independence.
ITEM 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Not applicable.
55
PART III
ITEM 17. Financial Statements
Not applicable. See Item 18. Financial Statements.
ITEM 18. Financial Statements
The following financial statements, together with the report of Ernst & Young Audit thereon, are filed as part of this Annual Report:
Independent Auditors Report |
F-2 | |||
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 |
F-3 | |||
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Years Ended December 31,
2002, 2003 and 2004 |
F-4 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders Equity (Deficit) for the
Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
F-5 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31,
2002, 2003 and 2004 |
F-6 | |||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
F-7 |
See pages F-1 through F-24
ITEM 19. Exhibits
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit | ||
Number | Description | |
1.1
|
Revised Statuts or charter of the Company. (1) | |
1.2
|
Revised Bylaws of the Company. (2) | |
2
|
Deposit Agreement among Flamel, The Bank of New York, as Depositary, and holders from time to time of American Depositary Shares issued thereunder (including as an exhibit the form of American Depositary Receipt). (1) | |
4
|
License Agreement Dated August 26, 2003 by and between Flamel Technologies, S.A. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (3) | |
8
|
List of Subsidiaries (Filed herewith) | |
11
|
Code of Ethics for CEO (Directeur General), Delegated Managing Directors (Directeurs Generaux Delegues) and Senior Financial Officers (4) | |
12.1
|
Certification of the President and Chief Executive pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith) | |
12.2
|
Certification of the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith) | |
13.1
|
Certification of the President and Chief Executive pursuant to USC Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Furnished herewith) | |
13.2
|
Certification of the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to USC Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Furnished herewith) | |
15
|
Consent of Ernst & Young Audit (Filed herewith). |
(1) | Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Companys registration statement on Form F-6 filed July 26, 2001, as amended (No. 333-12790). | |
(2) | Incorporated by reference to the Companys current report on Form 6-K filed on August 15, 2003. | |
(3) | Incorporated by reference to the Companys current report on Form 6-K filed on September 15, 2003. | |
(4) | Incorporated by reference to the Companys annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 26, 2004. |
The registrant undertakes to provide to each shareholder requesting the same a copy of each exhibit referred to herein upon payment of a reasonable fee limited to the registrants reasonable expenses in furnishing such exhibit.
56
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page | ||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-2 | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2004
|
F-3 | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
|
F-4 | |
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders Equity for the
Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
|
F-5 | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
|
F-6 | |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-7 |
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors
and Shareholders of Flamel Technologies, S.A.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Flamel Technologies, S.A. (the Company) as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. An audit includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Flamel Technologies, S.A. at December 31, 2003 and 2004 and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles .
ERNST & YOUNG Audit
/s/ JEAN-LUC DESPLAT
Represented by
Jean-Luc Desplat
June 14, 2005, Lyon, France
F-2
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, | ||||||||
2003 | 2004 | |||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 1,199 | $ | 4,591 | ||||
Marketable securities |
108,418 | 100,783 | ||||||
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $305 and $565 at December 31,
2003 and 2004
respectively) |
8,367 | 8,203 | ||||||
Inventory |
1,057 | 1,597 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
1,694 | 5,598 | ||||||
Total current assets |
120,735 | 120,772 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net |
5,085 | 18,162 | ||||||
Other assets: |
||||||||
Research and development tax credit receivable |
1,348 | 6,533 | ||||||
Other long-term assets |
84 | 141 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 127,252 | $ | 145,608 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
$ | | $ | 218 | ||||
Current portion of capital lease obligations |
257 | 334 | ||||||
Accounts payable |
4,397 | 9,660 | ||||||
Current portion of deferred revenue |
9,623 | 2,528 | ||||||
Advances from customers |
344 | 368 | ||||||
Accrued expenses |
3,159 | 4,329 | ||||||
Other current liabilities |
88 | 5,889 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
17,868 | 23,326 | ||||||
Long-term debt, less current portion |
1,675 | 1,589 | ||||||
Capital lease obligations, less current portion |
261 | 789 | ||||||
Deferred revenue, less current portion |
14,200 | 860 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities |
1,187 | 2,287 | ||||||
Total long-term liabilities |
17,323 | 5,525 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies: |
| | ||||||
Shareholders equity: |
||||||||
Ordinary shares: 21,391,590 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003
and 21,751,590 at December 31, 2004 |
3,081 | 3,135 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
147,679 | 148,389 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(60,305 | ) | (47,806 | ) | ||||
Deferred compensation |
(2,388 | ) | (1,122 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
3,994 | 14,161 | ||||||
Total shareholders equity |
92,061 | 116,757 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
$ | 127,252 | $ | 145,608 | ||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-3
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||||||
License and research revenue |
$ | 14,593 | $ | 20,978 | $ | 50,893 | ||||||
Product sales and services |
2,865 | 3,411 | 3,755 | |||||||||
Other revenues |
948 | 778 | 762 | |||||||||
Total revenue |
18,406 | 25,167 | 55,410 | |||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||
Cost of goods and services sold |
(2,373 | ) | (3,676 | ) | (3,602 | ) | ||||||
Research and development |
(12,239 | ) | (20,223 | ) | (35,359 | ) | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
(4,017 | ) | (5,967 | ) | (7,614 | ) | ||||||
Total |
(18,629 | ) | (29,866 | ) | (46,575 | ) | ||||||
Profit (loss) from operations |
(223 | ) | (4,699 | ) | 8,835 | |||||||
Interest expense |
(49 | ) | (29 | ) | (45 | ) | ||||||
Interest income |
297 | 192 | 652 | |||||||||
Foreign exchange loss |
(99 | ) | (1,019 | ) | (244 | ) | ||||||
Other income |
2,526 | 1,128 | 100 | |||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes |
2,452 | (4,427 | ) | 9,298 | ||||||||
Income tax benefit |
553 | 503 | 3,201 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | 3,005 | ($ | 3,924 | ) | $ | 12,499 | |||||
Earnings (loss) per share |
||||||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per ordinary share |
$ | 0.19 | ($ | 0.22 | ) | $ | 0.58 | |||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share |
$ | 0.18 | ($ | 0.22 | ) | $ | 0.53 | |||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands) : |
||||||||||||
Basic |
16,198 | 17,762 | 21,514 | |||||||||
Diluted |
16,711 | 17,762 | 23,559 |
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-4
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ordinary Shares | Additional | Deferred | Comprehen- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paid-in | Accumulated | Compen- | sive Income | Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | sation | (Loss) | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2002 |
16,197,590 | $ | 2,366 | $ | 71,177 | $ | (59,386 | ) | $ | (32 | ) | $ | (6,616 | ) | $ | 7,509 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of 80,000 warrants at
0.01 per
warrant |
| | 1 | | | | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of 40,000 warrants at
0.01 per
warrant |
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Amort. deferred compensation |
| | | | 18 | | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
| | | 3,005 | | | 3,005 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Translation adjustment |
| | | | | 1,753 | 1,753 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income |
4,758 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2002 |
16,197,590 | $ | 2,366 | $ | 71,178 | $ | (56,381 | ) | $ | (14 | ) | $ | (4,863 | ) | $ | 12,286 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of ordinary shares on
exercise of
stock-options |
327,500 | 45 | 2,048 | 2,093 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of ordinary shares on
exercise of
warrants |
2,866,500 | 382 | 9,846 | 10,228 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of ordinary shares at
26,73
($31.58) |
2,000,000 | 288 | 62,874 | 63,162 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issuance costs |
(996 | ) | | (996 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred stock compensation |
2,729 | (2,729 | ) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amort. deferred compensation |
355 | 355 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
| (3,924 | ) | | (3,924 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gains on
securities
available-for-sale |
479 | 479 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Translation
adjustment |
| | | 8,378 | 8,378 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income |
4,933 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2003 |
21,391,590 | $ | 3,081 | $ | 147,679 | $ | (60,305 | ) | $ | (2,388 | ) | $ | 3,994 | $ | 92,061 | |||||||||||||
Issuance of ordinary shares on
exercise of
stock-options |
360,000 | 54 | 710 | 764 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amort. deferred compensation |
1,266 | 1,266 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
12,499 | 12,499 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gains on
securities
available-for-sale |
1,408 | 1,408 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Translation adjustment |
8,759 | 8,759 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income |
22,666 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2004 |
21,751,590 | $ | 3,135 | $ | 148,389 | $ | (47,806 | ) | $ | (1,122 | ) | $ | 14,161 | $ | 116,757 | |||||||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | 3,005 | (3,924 | ) | $ | 12,499 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
| |||||||||||
Depreciation of property and equipment |
1,460 | 1,712 | 2,530 | |||||||||
Gain (loss) on disposal of property and equipment |
| (380 | ) | 4 | ||||||||
Gains on sales of marketable securities |
(252 | ) | (322 | ) | (642 | ) | ||||||
Grants recognized in other income |
| (823 | ) | |||||||||
Stock compensation expense |
18 | 355 | 1,389 | |||||||||
Provision for losses on accounts receivable |
| 273 | 216 | |||||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash from: |
||||||||||||
Accounts receivable |
5,021 | (4,032 | ) | 532 | ||||||||
Inventory |
271 | (569 | ) | (419 | ) | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
37 | (1,143 | ) | (3,443 | ) | |||||||
Research and development tax credit receivable |
938 | (247 | ) | (4,636 | ) | |||||||
Accounts payable |
(101 | ) | 2,511 | 4,490 | ||||||||
Deferred revenue |
(845 | ) | 17,280 | (20,358 | ) | |||||||
Accrued expenses |
(1,535 | ) | 468 | 2,068 | ||||||||
Other current liabilities |
| | 1,451 | |||||||||
Other long-term assets and liabilities |
502 | 316 | 169 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities |
8,519 | 11,475 | (4,150 | ) | ||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment |
(1,435 | ) | (2,841 | ) | (13,837 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment |
3 | 918 | 543 | |||||||||
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities |
12,636 | 24,367 | 37,945 | |||||||||
Purchase of marketable securities |
(21,275 | ) | (105,293 | ) | (22,573 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities |
(10,071 | ) | (82,849 | ) | 2,078 | |||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||||||
Funding from partner GSK |
| | 6,353 | |||||||||
Repayment of loans or advances |
| (99 | ) | (2,475 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from loans or capital leases |
860 | 175 | 833 | |||||||||
Principal payments on capital lease obligations |
(459 | ) | (230 | ) | (389 | ) | ||||||
Shares issuance costs |
| (898 | ) | | ||||||||
Cash proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares and
warrants |
1 | 75,482 | 764 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities |
402 | 74,430 | 5,086 | |||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents |
53 | (2,133 | ) | 378 | ||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
(1,097 | ) | 923 | 3,392 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
1,373 | 276 | 1,199 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |
$ | 276 | 1,199 | $ | 4,591 | |||||||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information |
||||||||||||
Income tax paid |
14 | 24 | 10 | |||||||||
Interest paid |
49 | 29 | 45 | |||||||||
Non cash transactions: |
||||||||||||
Capital lease obligations incurred |
236 | 341 | 800 |
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-6
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1. Nature of business
Flamel Technologies, S.A. (the Company) is organized as a Société Anonyme or limited liability corporation under the laws of The Republic of France. The Company was founded in 1990. The Company is engaged in the development of advanced polymer technologies for unique life science applications. The Company operates primarily in France.
1.2. Principles of consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP).
The preparation of financial statement in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary in the United States. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
1.3. Translation of financial statements of foreign entities
The reporting currency of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary is the U.S. dollar. All assets and liabilities in the balance sheets of the Company, whose functional currency is the Euro, except those of the U.S. subsidiary whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar, are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at exchange rates as follows: (1) asset and liability accounts at year-end rates, (2) income statement accounts at weighted average exchange rates for the year, and (3) shareholders equity accounts at historical rates. Corresponding translation gains or losses are recorded in shareholders equity.
Transaction gains and losses are reflected in the statement of operations. The Company has not undertaken hedging transactions to cover its currency translation exposure.
1.4. Revenue recognition
In December 2003, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition (SAB 104), which updates the previously issued revenue recognition guidance in SAB 101, based on the Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables. Revenue arrangements with multiple elements are divided into separate units of accounting if certain criteria are met, including whether the delivered element has stand-alone value to the customer and whether there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered items. The consideration received is allocated among the separate units based on their respective fair values, and the applicable revenue recognition criteria are applied to each of the separate units. EITF 00-21 is applicable to agreements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. The Company adopted EITF 00-21 on July 1, 2003. The issuance of SAB 104 and EITF 00-21 has not had any impact on the Companys results of operations, its financial position or its cash flows.
Revenue includes upfront licensing fees, milestone payments and reimbursements of research and development costs. Non-refundable technology access fees received from collaboration agreements that
F-7
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
require the Companys continuing involvement in the form of development efforts are recognized as revenue ratably over the development period. The Company recognizes milestone-related revenues only when performance of the milestone under the terms of the collaboration is achieved and there are no further performance obligations. Research and laboratory analysis services revenue is recognized as the research and development work is performed. Costs incurred under these contracts are considered costs in the period incurred. Payments received in advance of performance are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized in revenue as services are rendered.
The Company receives financial support for various research and investment projects from governmental agencies. The Company recognizes proceeds from unconditional grants related to investment projects as a reduction of the carrying amount of the assets subsidized. Revenue from conditional grants received is recognized in other income when all conditions stated in the grant have been met and the funding has been received.
The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed and determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.
The Company receives royalty revenues under a license agreement with a third party that sells products based on technology developed by the Company. There are no future performance obligations on the part of the Company under this license agreement. The license agreements provide for the payment of royalties to the Company based on sales of the licensed product. The Company records these revenues based on actual sales that occurred during the relevant period.
The Company signs feasibility study agreements. Revenue is recognized over the term of the agreement as services are performed.
1.5. Research and development costs
Research and development (R&D) expenses comprise the following types of costs incurred in performing R&D activities: salaries, allocated overhead and occupancy costs, clinical trial and related clinical manufacturing costs, contract and other outside service fees. R&D expenses consist of independent R&D costs and costs associated with collaborative R&D and in-licensing arrangements. Research and development expenditures are charged to operations as incurred.
1.6. Concentration of credit risk
The Companys cash and cash equivalents are deposited with Crédit Commercial de France (CCF, member of HSBC), Crédit Lyonnais and Crédit Agricole, major French banks.
The financial instruments are issued by institutions with strong credit ratings These securities are generally not collateralized.
The Companys revenues are derived mainly from collaborative research and development contracts with pharmaceutical and chemical companies based in Europe and the United States. All significant customers are discussed in Note 3.
The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and maintains provisions for potential credit losses as considered necessary. The Company generally does not require collateral. Historically, the Company has not experienced significant credit losses on its customer accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0, $305,000 and $565,000 at December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
F-8
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.7. Earnings per share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company. The dilutive effects of the Companys common stock options and warrants is determined using the treasury stock method to measure the number of shares that are assumed to have been repurchased using the average market price during the period, which is converted from U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for the period. Such securities are not considered in computing diluted loss per share as their effects would be anti-dilutive.
1.8. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit and cash on hand.
1.9 Marketable securities
Marketable securities consist of highly liquid investments in money market mutual funds. As of December 2004, Flamel Technologies marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale securities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (SFAS 115). These investments are recorded at fair value, which is based on quoted market prices . Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive income until realized.
1.10. Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are stated at amounts invoiced net of allowances for doubtful accounts. The Company makes judgments as to its ability to collect outstanding receivables and provides allowances for the portion of receivables deemed uncollectible. Provision is made based upon a specific review of all significant outstanding invoices.
1.11. Inventories
Inventories consist principally of raw materials and finished products, which are stated at the lower of cost or market. The Company establishes reserves for inventory estimated to be obsolete, unmarketable or slow-moving on a case by case basis, equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand, technology and market conditions.
1.12. Property and equipment
Property and equipment is stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation and amortization are primarily computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Land and buildings
|
20 years | |
Laboratory equipment
|
4 - 5 years | |
Office and computer equipment
|
3 years | |
Furniture and fixture
|
5 - 10 years |
F-9
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Assets under capital leases are amortized over the economic life of the asset or the remaining lease term, whichever is shorter. Amortization of capital leases is included in depreciation expense.
1.13. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Property and equipment and other long-lived assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, an impairment loss will be recognized based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.
1.14. Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS 109). Under SFAS 109, deferred tax assets are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, applying enacted statutory tax rates in effect for the year in which the tax differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in the tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.
1.15. Employee stock options and warrants
The company accounts for stock options granted to employees and warrants granted to non-employee board members under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB 25), and related Interpretations. In accordance with APB 25, the Company recognizes stock-based employee compensation cost over the vesting period when the options or the warrants granted have an exercise price lower than the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based employee compensation.
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
(In thousands of U.S. dollars except share data) | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | |||||||||
Net income (loss), as reported |
3,005 | (3,924 | ) | 12,499 | ||||||||
Add: Stock-based employee compensation
expense included in reported net income (loss),
net of related tax effects |
18 | 355 | 1,389 | |||||||||
Deduct: Total stock-based employee
compensation expense determined under fair
value based method for all awards, net of related
tax effects |
(1,748 | ) | (3,277 | ) | (7,254 | ) | ||||||
Pro forma net income (loss) |
1,275 | (6,846 | ) | 6,634 | ||||||||
F-10
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
(In thousands of U.S. dollars except share data) | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | |||||||||
Earnings per share: |
||||||||||||
Basic, as reported |
0.19 | (0.22 | ) | 0.58 | ||||||||
Basic, pro forma |
0.08 | (0.39 | ) | 0.31 | ||||||||
Diluted, as reported |
0.18 | (0.22 | ) | 0.53 | ||||||||
Diluted, pro forma |
0.08 | (0.39 | ) | 0.28 |
The fair value of each stock option and warrant granted during the year is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
Weighted-average expected life (years) |
7.4 | 4.9 | 6.3 | |||||||||
Expected volatility rates |
91.07 | % | 115.08 | % | 73.37 | % | ||||||
Expected dividend yield |
| | | |||||||||
Risk-free interest rate |
4.25 | % | 3.50 | % | 3.34 | % |
The weighted-average fair value and the weighted average exercise price of options and warrants granted during 2002, 2003 and 2004 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted avg. | Weighted avg. | Weighted avg. | Weighted avg. | Weighted avg. | Weighted avg. | |||||||||||||||||||
(In U.S. dollars) | Fair value[1] | Exer. Price1 | Fair value1 | Exer. Price1 | Fair value1 | Exer. Price1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Options or warrants whose price equaled
market price of the underlying shares on the
date of grant |
2.03 | 2.49 | 13.89 | 16.78 | 10.96 | 12.83 | ||||||||||||||||||
Options or warrants whose price was less than
the market price of the underlying shares on
the date of grant |
| | 21.21 | 11.29 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Options or warrants whose price was more
than the market price of the underlying shares
on the date of grant |
| | 13.38 | 20.43 |
[1] Historical exchange rate |
F-11
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.16. Comprehensive Income
Other comprehensive income for the Company consists both of translation adjustments and the recognition of the unrealized gains related to available-for-sale securities. Each item is shown separately in the consolidated statements of shareholders equity.
1.17. New Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 123R Share Based Payment. This statement is a revision to SFAS 123 and supersedes Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends FASB Statement No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. This statement requires a public entity to expense the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments. This statement also provides guidance on valuing and expensing these awards, as well as disclosure requirements of these equity arrangements. This statement must be adopted no later than the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005. We expect to adopt Statement 123R on January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R permits public companies to choose between the following two adoption methods:
| A modified prospective method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of SFAS 123R for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of Statement 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS 123R that remain unvested on the effective date, or | |||
| A modified retrospective method which includes the requirements of the modified prospective method described above, but also permits entities to restate based on the amounts previously recognized under SFAS 123 for purposes of pro forma disclosures either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year of adoption. |
As permitted by SFAS 123, we currently account for share-based payments to employees using APB Opinion 25s intrinsic value method and, as such, we only recognize compensation cost to the extent market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant exceeds the option exercise price. The impact of the adoption of SFAS 123R cannot be predicted at this time because it will depend on levels of share-based payments granted in the future and pricing model of options used. For information about what our reported results of operations and earnings per share would have been had we adopted SFAS 123, please see the discussion under the heading Employee stock options and warrants in Note 1.15 to our Financial Statements. Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS 123Rs fair value method will have a significant impact on our results of operations, although it will have no impact on our overall financial position. Due to timing of the release of SFAS 123R, we have not yet completed the analysis of the ultimate impact that this new pronouncement will have on the results of operations, nor the method of adoption for this new standard
F-12
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SUBCONTRACTING AGREEMENT
In accordance with the terms of a subcontracting agreement signed with SmithKline in December 1996, the Company recognized as revenues in product sales a total amount of $121,000 in 2002 and $115,000 in 2003 consisting mainly of Cimetidine and Tagamet formulations. This agreement was renewed for 2004 and the product sales to SmithKline totaled $120,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004.
3. LICENSE, RESEARCH AND CONSULTING AGREEMENTS
TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.
On January 2004, Flamel Technologies and TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc, (TAP) entered into a licensing agreement whereby the company agreed to license its controlled release Micropump® in order to develop a new formulation of Prevacid®, a proton pump inhibitor. The agreement was subject to FDA approval received on September 10, 2004. In consideration of this agreement, TAP made an initial payment of $1,000,000 and agreed to make additional milestones payments upon achievement of certain events. The $1,000,000 initial payment is being recognized on a straight line basis over the three-year term of the development period. In 2004, the Company recognized licensing fees of $611,000 representing a milestone payment of $508,000 and amortization of the up-front payment for $103,000. In addition Flamel recognized research and development revenues of $4,862,000.
Bristol-Myers Squibb
On August 27, 2003, Flamel Technologies and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) entered into a licensing and commercialization agreement to develop and market Basulin®, a controlled release unmodified human insulin. The agreement was subject to antitrust clearance, which was obtained on October 17, 2003.
In consideration for the agreement, BMS made a $20 million initial payment and agreed to make additional milestone payments upon achievement of certain events. The $20,000,000 initial payment was being recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the development period of three years. The Company recognized licensing fees of $1,315,000 in 2003 with respect to this initial payment. In addition, Flamel also recognized research and development revenues of $3,811,000 in 2003 under this agreement.
On September 16, 2004, BMS gave notice of the termination of the license agreement to Flamel. As the Company had fulfilled all of its obligations under this contract as of December 31, 2004, the remaining amount of the up-front payment of $18,649,000 was recognized as licensing fees in 2004. Flamel also recognized in 2004 research and development revenues of $8,022,000 and a milestone payment of $5,086,000.
On January 31, 2005 Flamel Technologies and BMS entered into a termination agreement, with respect to the former licensing agreement. Under the terms of the January 31, 2005 agreement, we received a cash payment of $5,850,000 (See Note 20.1. Subsequent events).
SB Pharma Puerto Rico Inc. (GSK)
In March 2003, Flamel Technologies and SB Pharma Puerto Rico Inc (GSK) entered into a license agreement whereby the Company agreed to license its controlled-release Micropump® in order to develop a new formulation for an undisclosed existing product. In accordance with this license agreement, the Company recognized research and development revenues of $4,379,000 and licensing fees of $3,311,000 in 2003. These licensing fees include two milestones payments of $967,000 and $1,822,000. The remaining $522,000 relates to the $2,000,000 upfront payment received in March 2003, which is being recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the development period.
F-13
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In 2004, the Company recognized research and development revenues of $6,399,000. The Company also recognized $2,053,000 of milestones payment and $766,000 of amortization of the initial up-front payment.
In December 2004, Flamel and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) entered into a supply agreement whereby Flamel will supply GSK with commercial supplies of drugs. The provisions of this agreement include payments to Flamel to support certain expenses and capital expenditure for use in the project, for a total contractual amount of $20,717,000. The expected expenditures relate to equipment that belongs initially to GSK, to facility-related assets that belong immediately to Flamel, and to various support expenses. GSK will pass title for all installed equipment to Flamel, upon cessation of the supply agreement initially intended to last 4 years.
As of December 2004, Flamel had received two installments for a total of $6,960,331 of which $1,143,000 relates to facility-related assets and is classified as a long term liability. This amount will be amortized on a pro-rata basis over the expected life of the related assets and reflected as an offset of the depreciation of the related assets. The amounts received are repayable if the Company cancels or breaches the supply agreement. The remaining $5,817,331 relates to equipments owned by GSK. The total amount received has been partially used to purchase equipment. As of December 31, 2004, the remaining advance of $4,248,000 is reported in the balance sheet as an advance received from partners (see note 10).
Biovail
In February 2003, Flamel Technologies entered into a license agreement with Biovail whereby the Company agreed to license to Biovail the exclusive North America rights to Flamels oral solid controlled release formulation of acyclovir. In consideration for this license, the Company received $500,000, which we recognized on a straight-line basis over the development period of 3 years. The Company recognized $150,000 and $192,000 under this arrangement during the year ended December 31, 2003 and 2004 respectively. The company recognized research revenues of $603,000 in 2004. On March 3, 2005 Flamel announced the termination of the licensing agreement with Biovail. Since the termination has been notified in 2005, the remaining initial up-front payment of $233,000 at December 31, 2004 will be recognized as revenue in 2005.
GSK Augmentin®
In June 2002, Flamel Technologies entered into a license agreement with Beecham Pharmaceuticals (Pte) Limited, (Beecham) whereby the Company agreed to license its controlled-release Micropump® technology to Beecham in connection with the sachet formulation of its drug Augmentin®. In consideration for the license, Beecham agreed to make an upfront payment of $1.5 million, additional milestone payments upon achievement of certain events and royalty payments on sale of the product. The $1,500,000 upfront payment was being recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of anticipated development of the product (i.e. 3 years). The Company recognized licensing fees of $168,000 in 2002 with respect to this upfront payment and recognized a $1.5 million milestone payment as a milestone was achieved and research and development revenues of $123,000 related to the performance of agreed upon research and development.
F-14
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In October 2003, Beecham gave notice of the termination of the license agreement to Flamel. As the Company had fulfilled all of its obligations under this contract as of December 31, 2003, the remaining amount of the up-front payment of $1,418,000 was recognized as licensing fees in 2003. The Company did not recognize any revenues from Beecham in 2004.
Servier
In December 2001, Flamel Technologies and Laboratoires Servier, (Servier) entered into a license and development agreement whereby the Company agreed to license its Micropump® control release technology to Servier for use with an undisclosed product of Servier. In consideration for the agreement, Servier agreed to make a $3 million initial payment and additional milestone payments upon achievement of certain events. The $3,000,000 initial payment has been recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of anticipated development of the product (i.e. 3 years). The Company recognized licensing fees of $955,000 in 2002, $1,283,000 in 2003 and $1,353,000 in 2004 with respect to this initial payment. Flamel recognized one milestone payment of $5,300,000 and one milestone payment of $484,000 as licensing revenue in 2002 and 2003 respectively. In addition, Flamel recognized research and development revenues of $2,300,000, $1,381,000 and $228,000 in 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively
Novo Nordisk
In December 1999, the Company signed a development and licensing agreement with Novo Nordisk for Flamels Basulin long-acting basal insulin product. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Flamel received licensing fees, regular research payments, and is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties on future product sales. Novo Nordisk acquired, during the term of the agreement, world wide development and marketing rights to Basulin.
In December 2001, Novo Nordisk gave notice of the termination of the license agreement with Flamel. As the Company had fulfilled all of its substantive obligations under this contract as of December 31, 2001, we accelerated the recognition of the remainder of the upfront license fee. The Company recognized research and development revenues of $595,000 in 2002. The Company did not recognize any revenues from Novo Nordisk in 2003 and 2004.
Corning
In December 1998, the Company signed a long-term research and product development agreement with Corning France and Corning Incorporated. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, Flamel receives regular research payments and royalties on the sales of Corning products that utilize Flamels innovations. The Company recognized research revenue and sales of pilot batches of $757,000, $396,000 and $0 in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
The Company recognized sales of specialty material for ophthalmic lenses of $539,000 in 2002 and $0 in 2003 and 2004. The company also recognized royalties on Cornings sales of $895,000 in 2002, $719,000 in 2003, and $762,000 in 2004.
F-15
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Others
The Company recognized research and development revenues on several feasibility studies with undisclosed partners for an amount of $2,776,000 in 2002, $2,970,000 in 2003 and $780,000 in 2004.
4. OTHER INCOME
Other income of $1.1 million in 2003 consisted mainly of recognition of $823,000 from conditional grants received from French public agencies. The requirements related to the grants consisted principally in maintaining certain levels of employment, which were achieved in 2003. The remaining $0.3 million resulted from the sale of the equipment of the Companys pilot plant in Vénissieux.
In 2002, the Company recognized revenue of $2,526,000 related to the settlement of litigation with the Welcome Foundation concerning Genvir®.
5. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash consists of cash on deposit held in several major banks and cash on hand.
The components of cash and cash equivalents were as follows:
December 31, | ||||||||
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||
CCF HSBC deposit |
$ | 402 | $ | 3,668 | ||||
Credit Lyonnais deposit |
550 | 627 | ||||||
Other deposits |
247 | 296 | ||||||
Total cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 1,199 | $ | 4,591 | ||||
6. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
Marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale securities and are recorded at fair market value. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded as other comprehensive income in shareholders equity, net of income tax effects.
For the year ended December 31, 2003 marketable securities amounted to $108,418,000 .For the year ended December 31, 2004 marketable securities amounted to $100,783,000 of which $4,248,000 relates to the remaining advance from GSK (see notes 3 and 10). This advance was invested in marketable securities until needed.
For the year ended December 31, 2003 and 2004 respectively, unrealized gain amounted to $479,000 and $1,925,000, respectively.
F-16
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Fair value | Value at cost | Unrealized Gains (Losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S dollars) | 2003 | 2004 | 2003 | 2004 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||
Credit Agricole securities |
54,762 | 48,490 | 54,468 | 47,491 | 294 | 999 | ||||||||||||||||||
Credit Lyonnais securities |
2,806 | 1,085 | 2,775 | 1,081 | 31 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
HSBC securities |
50,850 | 51,208 | 50,696 | 50,286 | 154 | 922 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total |
108,418 | 100,783 | 107,939 | 98,858 | 479 | 1,925 | ||||||||||||||||||
Gross realized gains on sales of these available-for-sale securities amounted to $252,000, $322,000 and $642,000 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Proceeds from sales | Purchase of securities | Gross gains (Losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S dollars) | 2003 | 2004 | 2003 | 2004 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||
Credit Agricole securities |
12,782 | 13,925 | 56,631 | 3,377 | 81 | 279 | ||||||||||||||||||
Credit Lyonnais securities |
11,360 | 3,181 | 2,213 | 1,387 | 240 | 50 | ||||||||||||||||||
HSBC securities |
224 | 20,839 | 46,219 | 16,522 | 1 | 313 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total |
24,366 | 37,945 | 105,063 | 21,286 | 322 | 642 | ||||||||||||||||||
7. INVENTORY
The components of inventories were as follows:
December 31, | ||||||||
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||
Raw materials |
859 | 1,445 | ||||||
Finished goods |
229 | 361 | ||||||
Provision for inventory obsolescence |
(31 | ) | (209 | ) | ||||
Inventories, net |
1,057 | 1,597 | ||||||
8 . PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
The components of property and equipment were as follows:
December 31, | ||||||||
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||
Land and buildings |
113 | 121 | ||||||
Laboratory equipment |
14,038 | 25,607 | ||||||
Office and computer equipment |
1,148 | 1,875 | ||||||
Furniture and fixtures |
3,451 | 5,667 | ||||||
Total property and equipment |
18,750 | 33,270 | ||||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(13,665 | ) | (15,108 | ) | ||||
Property and equipment, net |
5,085 | 18,162 | ||||||
F-17
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Depreciation expense related to property and equipment amounted to $1,460,000, $1,712,000 and $2,530,000 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Property and Equipment include costs of $4,037,000 and $2,994,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2004 that are related to capitalized lease assets. Accumulated amortization of these leased assets was approximately $3,547,000 and $1,893,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Depreciation expense on assets held under capital leases is included in total depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and amounted to $493,000, $386,000 and $337,000 respectively.
9. ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consist mainly of expenses related to bonuses, paid vacations, compensatory leaves and related social charges.
Accrued expenses comprises the following:
December 31, | ||||||||
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||
Accrued compensation |
1,812 | 1,930 | ||||||
Accrued social charges |
1,220 | 2,263 | ||||||
Other |
127 | 136 | ||||||
Total accrued expenses |
3,159 | 4,329 | ||||||
10. OTHER CURRENT AND LONG TERM LIABILITIES
10.1. Other current liabilities
Other current liabilities comprise the following:
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||
Advance received from partners |
| 4,248 | ||||||
Withholding tax |
| 1,547 | ||||||
Other |
88 | 94 | ||||||
Total Other current liabilities |
88 | 5,889 | ||||||
F-18
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In connection with the supply agreement with GSK, the Company received funds to finance facilities related assets. As of December 31, 2004, Flamel had received two installments for a total of $6,960,331 of which $1,143,000 relates to facility-related assets and is classified as a long term liability (see note 10.2). The remaining $5,817,331 relates to equipments owned by GSK and has been partially used to purchase equipment on behalf of GSK. As of December 31, 2004, the remaining advance of $4,248,000 is reported in the balance sheet as an advance received from partners. The amounts received are repayable if the Company cancels or breaches the supply agreement.
Withholding tax liability mainly relates to the BMS licensing agreement (see Note 15).
10.2. Other long term liabilities
Other long term liabilities are composed of the following:
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||
Funding from partners |
| 1,143 | ||||||
Provision for retirement indemnity (see note 16) |
458 | 613 | ||||||
Other |
729 | 531 | ||||||
Total Other long term liabilities |
1,187 | 2,287 | ||||||
In connection with the supply agreement signed with GSK in December 2004 (see Note 3), Flamel received two installments of which $1,143,000 relates to facility-related assets and is classified as a long term liability. This amount will be amortized on a pro-rata basis over the expected life of the related assets and reflected as an offset of the depreciation of the related assets. The amounts received are repayable if the Company cancels or breaches the supply agreement.
11. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt comprises:
December 31, | ||||||||
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||
Anvar loans (a) : |
||||||||
Asacard program |
866 | 934 | ||||||
Other programs |
250 | 270 | ||||||
French Ministry of Industry (b) |
559 | 603 | ||||||
Total |
1,675 | 1,807 | ||||||
Current portion |
| 218 | ||||||
Long-term portion |
1,675 | 1,589 | ||||||
(a) Anvar is an agency of the French government that provides financing to French companies for research and development. At December 31, 2003 and 2004, the Company had outstanding loans from Anvar of
F-19
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
$1,116,000 and $1,204,000, respectively. These loans do not bear interest and are repayable only in the event the research project is technically or commercially successful. In 2001, the Company renegotiated the timing for the potential repayment of those loans, which was initially scheduled between 2002 and 2005. Potential repayment is now scheduled to occur from 2005 through 2008.
(b) In 2002, the Company received a loan of $464,000 from the French Ministry of Industry on a research project (the Proteozome project) related to the development of new Medusa applications. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company will be granted a loan equal to 50% of the total expenses incurred on this project over a three-year period beginning on January 2, 2002. Total expenses for the project are estimated at $4,870,000. One third of this loan is due for repayment in July 2008 with the remainder due on July 2011. The loan is non-interest bearing. No additional amounts were received in 2003 and 2004. The difference between the 2003 and 2004 balance is due to the fluctuation in the foreign exchange rate. The remaining amount of the loan will be received in 2005.
Total future payments on long-term debt for the years ending December 31 (assuming the underlying project is commercially or technically successful for governmental research loans, and assuming no reimbursement of other agencies grant) are as follows:
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | December 31, | |||
2006 |
301 | |||
2007 |
374 | |||
2008 |
914 | |||
1,589 | ||||
12 CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
The Company leases certain of its equipment under capital leases. Each lease contract generally has a term of four years with a purchase option of one euro. No specific restrictions or guarantee provisions are included in the arrangement
Future payments on capital lease for the years ending December 31 are as follows:
F-20
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | December 31, | |||
2005 |
374 | |||
2006 |
425 | |||
2007 |
313 | |||
2008 |
84 | |||
Total |
1,196 | |||
Less amounts representing interest |
(73 | ) | ||
Capital lease |
1,123 | |||
Less current portion |
334 | |||
Long -term portion |
789 | |||
Interest paid in the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 was approximately $46,000, $27,000 and $37,000, respectively.
13. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | |||||||||
Numerator: |
||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | 3,005 | $ | (3,924 | ) | $ | 12,499 | |||||
Denominator: |
||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding used for basic earnings (loss) per
share |
16,197,590 | 17,762,050 | 21,513,905 | |||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities: |
||||||||||||
Stock-options and warrants |
513,410 | 2,045,249 | ||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding and dilutive securities used for
diluted earnings (loss) per share |
16,711,000 | 17,762,050 | 23,559,154 | |||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share |
$ | 0.19 | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | 0.58 | |||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share |
$ | 0.18 | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | 0.53 | |||||
For the year ended December 31, 2003, the effects of dilutive securities were excluded from the calculation of earnings per share as a net loss was reported in this period.
F-21
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
14. SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
14.1. General
At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the issued and outstanding share capital of the Company consisted of 21,751,590 and 21,391,590 ordinary shares, respectively, with a nominal value of 0.122 per share.
In 2003, as a result of exercises of stock options, the Company issued 327,500 ordinary shares, with a nominal value of 0.122 per share.
In 2003, as a result of exercise of warrants, the Company issued 2,866,500 ordinary shares, with a nominal value of 0.122 per share.
In 2003, as a result of issuance of shares following public offering the Company issued 2,000,000 ordinary shares with a nominal value of 0.122 per share.
In 2004, as a result of exercises of stock-options, the Company issued 360,000 ordinary shares, with a nominal value of 0.122 per share.
14.2. Preemptive subscription rights
Shareholders have preemptive rights to subscribe for additional shares issued by the Company for cash on a pro rata basis when the Company makes a share offering. Shareholders may waive such preemptive subscription rights at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders under certain circumstances. Preemptive subscription rights, if not previously waived, are transferable during the subscription period relating to a particular offer of shares.
14.3. Dividends
Dividends may be distributed from the statutory retained earnings, subject to the requirements of French law and the Companys by-laws. The Company has not distributed any dividends since its inception. The accumulated deficit for statutory purposes totaled approximately $49.8 million at December 31, 2004. Dividend distributions, if any, will be made in euros. The Company has no plans to distribute dividends in the foreseeable future.
14.4. Warrants
On April 6, 2000, the Company issued warrants at a price of 0.00 (FRF0.01) per warrant to purchase up to 3,726,500 ordinary shares to certain private investors, including the venture capital funds and affiliates of Biotechnology Value Fund, Alta Partners and Chase Capital Partners. These warrants provide for physical settlement in unregistered shares and convey no other rights. This issuance included 1,799,000 Class A warrants, 642,500 Class B warrants and 1,285,000 Class C warrants. These warrants have a five-year term. The Class A and Class B warrants are exercisable at 5.96 per share and the Class C warrants are exercisable at 0.122 per share. The number of Class B Warrants and Class C warrants that may be exercised has been determined in relation to the closing price of the Companys ADSs on the Nasdaq National Market in 2000.
F-22
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In September 2003, the Company issued 1,285,000 shares as a result of the exercise of Class C warrants by Biotechnology Value Fund (500,000), Alta Partners (750,000) and Chase Capital Partners (35,000).
On September 3, 2003, the Company issued 1,425,000 shares as a result of the exercise by Alta Partners of 1,050,000 Class A warrants and 375,000 of Class B warrants.
On September 12, 2003, the Company issued 66,500 shares as a result of the exercise by Chase Capital Partners of 49,000 Class A warrants and 17,500 of Class B warrants.
As of December 31, 2004, 700,000 Class A and 250,000 Class B warrants remained exercisable, subject to the vesting provisions. In March 2005, these warrants have been exercised.
On June 14, 2000 the Company issued, at a price of 0.00 per warrant, 120,000 warrants to certain Directors of the Company giving them the right to subscribe to 120,000 ordinary shares at the price of 4.88 per share. These warrants are issued for a five-year period and vest ratably over four years from the date of issuance. As of December 31, 2003, 60,000 warrants were exercised and 50,000 warrants were cancelled due to the departure of certain Directors. As of December 31, 2004, 10,000 warrants remained exercisable, subject to the vesting provisions.
On July 19, 2001, the Company issued, at a price of 0.00 (FRF0.01) per warrant, 70,000 warrants to certain Directors of the Company giving them the right to subscribe to 70,000 ordinary shares at the price of 5.95 per share. These warrants are issued for a five-year period and will vest ratably over four years from the date of issuance. In 2002, 50,000 warrants were cancelled. During 2003 and 2004, 10,000 warrants were exercised and 5,000 were cancelled. As of December 31, 2004, 5,000 warrants remain exercisable, subject to the vesting provisions.
On June 20, 2002, the Company issued, at a price of 0.01 per warrant, 80,000 warrants to certain Directors of the Company giving them the right to subscribe to 80,000 ordinary shares at the price of 2.33 per share. These warrants were issued for a five-year period and will vest ratably over four years from the date of issuance. During 2003, 20,000 warrants were exercised and 30,000 warrants were cancelled. As of December 31, 2004, 30,000 warrants remain exercisable, subject to the vesting provisions.
On September 19, 2002, the Company issued, at a price of 0.01 per warrant, 40,000 warrants to a Director of the Company giving him the right to subscribe to 40,000 ordinary shares at the price of 1.36 per share. These warrants are issued for a five-year period and will vest ratably over four years from the date of issuance. During 2003, the 40,000 warrants were cancelled.
On November 7, 2003, the Company issued, at a price of 0.01 per warrant, 200,000 warrants to certain Directors of the Company giving them the right to subscribe to 200,000 ordinary shares at the price of 9,88 ($11.29) per share. Out of these 200,000 warrants, 120,000 are issued for a five-year period and will vest ratably over four years from the date of issuance, whereas the remaining 80,000 warrants will vest with the next General Shareholders meeting on June 22, 2004. The Company accounted for these warrants granted to non-employee directors for their services as directors under APB 25. Under APB 25, when the exercise price of the Companys warrants is less than the market price of the underlying shares at the date of grant, the Company records deferred compensation expense, which is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The deferred compensation related to these warrants amounted to $2,729,000 at the date of grant. The Company recorded compensation expense related to these 200,000 warrants of $346,000 and $1,378,000 for 2003 and 2004 respectively. As of December 31, 2004 these 200,000 warrants remained exercisable, subject to the vesting provisions.
F-23
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On June 22, 2004 the Company issued, at a price of 0.01 per warrant, 80,000 warrants to certain Directors of the Company giving them the right to subscribe to 80,000 ordinary shares at the price of 21.73 per share. These warrants were proposed by the Board of Directors held in March 31, 2004 with an attribution price equaled to the market price the day before (21.73) since the exercise price was more than the market price. On June 22, 2004 (date of Extraordinary General Meeting), no charges were recorded as per APB25. These warrants are issued for a five-year period and will vest ratably over four years from the date of issuance. As of December 31, 2004 these 80,000 warrants remained exercisable, subject to the vesting provisions.
The summary of warrants activity is as follows:
Weighted Average | Weighted Average | |||||||||||
Warrants | Exercise Price in U.S | Exercise Price in | ||||||||||
Outstanding | dollars [1] | Euros | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2001 |
3,826,500 | $ | 3.81 | | 3.98 | |||||||
Warrants granted |
120,000 | $ | 1.94 | | 2.01 | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2002 |
3,946,500 | $ | 3.75 | | 3.92 | |||||||
Warrants granted |
200,000 | $ | 11.29 | | 9.88 | |||||||
Warrants exercised |
2,866,500 | $ | 3.16 | | 3.29 | |||||||
Warrants cancelled |
85,000 | $ | 2.28 | | 2.39 | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2003 |
1,195,000 | $ | 6.55 | | 6.52 | |||||||
Warrants granted |
80,000 | $ | 26.27 | | 21.73 | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2004 |
1,275,000 | $ | 7.79 | | 7.47 |
[1] | Historical exchange rate |
Exercise prices for warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2004 were as follows:
Warrants Outstanding | Warrants Exercisable | |||||||||||||||||||
Weighted | Weighted | Weighted | ||||||||||||||||||
average | average | average | ||||||||||||||||||
Range of exercise prices | Number of | remaining | exercise price | Number of | exercise price | |||||||||||||||
in euros | shares | contractual life | in euros | shares | in euros | |||||||||||||||
0 to 2.33 |
30,000 | 2.47 | 2.33 | 10,000 | 2.33 | |||||||||||||||
2.33 to 5.96 |
965,000 | 0.27 | 5.95 | 962,500 | 5.95 | |||||||||||||||
5.96 to 9.88 |
200,000 | 3.85 | 9.88 | 110,000 | 9.88 | |||||||||||||||
9.88 to 21.73 |
80,000 | 4.48 | 21.73 | | | |||||||||||||||
1,275,000 | 1.15 | 7.47 | 1,082,500 | 6.31 | ||||||||||||||||
F-24
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
14.5. Stock options
The Company issued stock options under plans approved by shareholders in 1990, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2001 and 2003. The option terms provide for exercise within a maximum 10-year term as from the date of grant. Generally, each option vests four years from the date of grant. In accordance with APB 25, the difference between the exercise price and the fair value of the underlying share on the grant date has been recorded as deferred compensation expense and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The amounts expensed under these plans in 2002, 2003 and 2004 were $18,000, $9,000 and $11,000 respectively.
The activity under the option plans is as follows:
Weighted Average | Weighted Average | |||||||||||||||
Shares Available | Options Granted | Exercise Price in | Exercise Price in | |||||||||||||
for Grant | and Outstanding | U.S dollars[1] | Euros | |||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2001 |
520,000 | 2,010,000 | $ | 3.54 | | 3.86 | ||||||||||
Options authorized |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Granted |
(695,000 | ) | 695,000 | $ | 2.57 | | 2.73 | |||||||||
Cancelled or expired |
290,000 | (390,000 | ) | $ | 3.39 | | 3.64 | |||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2002 |
115,000 | 2,315,000 | $ | 3.36 | | 3.56 | ||||||||||
Options authorized |
1,900,000 | |||||||||||||||
Granted |
(1,350,000 | ) | 1,350,000 | $ | 16.66 | | 13.93 | |||||||||
Exercised |
| (327,500 | ) | $ | 5.33 | | 5.61 | |||||||||
Cancelled or expired |
107,500 | (117,500 | ) | $ | 4.09 | | 4.09 | |||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2003 |
772,500 | 3,220,000 | $ | 8.65 | | 7.68 | ||||||||||
Granted |
(926,500 | ) | 926,500 | $ | 20.75 | | 16.15 | |||||||||
Exercised |
| (360,000 | ) | $ | 1.55 | | 1.72 | |||||||||
Cancelled or expired |
203,000 | (203,000 | ) | $ | 25.27 | | 20.81 | |||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2004 |
49,000 | 3,583,500 | $ | 11.55 | | 9.72 | ||||||||||
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2004, which expire from 2006 to 2014, had exercise prices ranging from 1.36 to 20.81. The weighted average remaining contractual life of all options is 8 years. As of December 31, 2004, there were 3,583,500 outstanding options at a weighted average exercise price of 9.72, of which 1,885,000 were exercisable at a weighted average price of 5.34.
F-25
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Exercise prices for options outstanding as of December 31, 2004 were as follows:
Stock Options Outstanding | Stock Options Exercisable | |||||||||||||||||||
Weighted | ||||||||||||||||||||
Range of | average | Weighted | Weighted | |||||||||||||||||
exercise | remaining | average | average | |||||||||||||||||
prices in | Number of | contractual | exercise price | Number of | exercise price | |||||||||||||||
euros | shares | life | in euros | shares | in euros | |||||||||||||||
0 to 1.36 |
330,000 | 6.94 | 1.16 | 147,500 | 1.17 | |||||||||||||||
2.33 to 2.77 |
515,000 | 7.13 | 2.43 | 485,000 | 2.41 | |||||||||||||||
4.11 to 4.86 |
865,000 | 7.30 | 4.46 | 737,500 | 4.50 | |||||||||||||||
6.40 to 7.58 |
300,000 | 5.94 | 6.56 | 300,000 | 6.56 | |||||||||||||||
9.88 to 12.02 |
148,000 | 8.92 | 10.65 | 95,000 | 9.88 | |||||||||||||||
14.81 |
593,500 | 9.94 | 14.81 | |||||||||||||||||
19.2 to 20.81 |
832,000 | 9.07 | 20.46 | 120,000 | 20.81 | |||||||||||||||
3,583,500 | 8.04 | 9.72 | 1,885,000 | 5.34 | ||||||||||||||||
In March 2002, 400,000 options were granted to certain executives, the vesting of which could accelerate upon the achievement of certain targets in 2002. If these targets are not attained, the options would continue to vest over four years in accordance with the terms of the 2001 plan agreement. No deferred compensation expense has been recognized under APB 25 as the exercise price equals the stock price at the date of grant. The targets were achieved during 2002.
In March 2003, 400,000 options were granted to certain executives, the vesting of which would accelerate upon the achievement of certain targets in 2003. If these targets were not attained, the options would continue to vest over four years in accordance with the terms of the 2003 plan agreement. No deferred compensation expense has been recognized under APB 25 as the exercise price equals the stock price at the date of grant. The achievement of the targets was recognized during 2003.
The effects of applying the fair value method provided under SFAS No. 123 are shown in Note 1.15 and are not necessarily indicative of future amounts.
In January 1997, the French parliament adopted a law that requires French companies to pay social contributions, which generally represent 45% of the taxable salary, on the difference between the exercise price of a stock option and the fair market value of the underlying shares on the exercise date if the beneficiary sells the stock before a four-year period following the grant of the option. The new law is consistent with personal income tax law that requires individuals to pay income tax on the difference between the option exercise price and the fair value of the shares at the sale date if the shares are sold within four years of the option grant The law applies to all options exercised after January 1, 1997.
The Company has not recorded a liability for social charges which may be assessed for options granted in 2002, 2003 and 2004 as the liability, which is dependent on future trading values of the Companys shares and the timing of employees decisions to exercise options and sell the related shares, cannot be estimated. The Company also does not consider that there is a probable liability with respect to income tax. The Company has instituted a rule that options may not be exercised if social charges could be levied against the Company. As a result we do not expect any liability for such social charges.
F-26
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
15. INCOME TAXES
Income (loss) before income taxes comprises the following:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands of dollars) | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | |||||||||
France |
$ | 2,452 | ($4,427 | ) | $ | 9,298 |
A reconciliation of income tax benefit computed at the French statutory rate (34.33% in 2002, 34.33% in 2003 and 33.83% in 2004) to the income tax benefit is as follows:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands of dollars) | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | |||||||||
Income tax benefit (provision) computed at the French statutory rate |
(843 | ) | 1,524 | (3,146 | ) | |||||||
Operating losses not utilized |
843 | (1,524 | ) | 3,146 | ||||||||
Withholding tax |
(1,425 | ) | ||||||||||
Research credits |
567 | 527 | 4,636 | |||||||||
Minimum tax payable |
(14 | ) | (24 | ) | (10 | ) | ||||||
Total |
553 | 503 | 3,201 | |||||||||
Income tax benefits amounted to $553,000 in 2002 and $503,000 in 2003 and was principally related to the research and development tax credit recorded in France. In 2004, the Company has increased its research and development expenses significantly. Associated with a favorable change in the research tax credit rules, a total $4,636,000 has been recognized as a research tax credit.
In 2004, withholding tax relates to BMS agreement. License fees and milestone payments may be subject to a withholding tax depending on the tax rules of the country in which the licensee is located. In 2005, BMS deducted a 5% withholding tax from the termination indemnity it paid to Flamel. The withholding tax was related to the $5,000,000 milestone payment received in the first quarter 2004 and to the $20,000,000 up-front payment received in 2003 and initially amortized over three years. The expense amounted to $1,250,000. The remaining amount consists of the fluctuation in the foreign exchange rate.
F-27
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Significant components of the Companys deferred taxes consist of the following:
December 31, | ||||||||
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||
Deferred income tax assets: |
||||||||
Net operating loss carry-forwards |
7,739 | 12,541 | ||||||
Other deferred income tax assets |
8,624 | 1,103 | ||||||
Valuation allowance |
(16,363 | ) | (13,633 | ) | ||||
Net deferred income tax assets |
| 11 | ||||||
Deferred income tax liabilities |
| (11 | ) | |||||
Deferred income taxes, net |
| | ||||||
The Company has provided valuation allowances covering 100% of net deferred tax assets due to the Companys history of losses.
The changes in tax rate between 2003 and 2004 lead to a decrease of ($230,000) of the net deferred tax assets.
As of December 31, 2004, the Company had $37,071,000 in French net operating losses carry-forwards. Due to a change in French tax law in 2003 the above carry-forwards have no expiration date.
The increase in available net operating losses carry-forwards in 2004 is due to a tax loss of $20,320,000.
The French government provides tax credits to companies for annual increased spending for innovative research and development. Income tax benefits correspond to these French research tax credits, which are credited against income taxes payable in each of the four years after being incurred or, if not so utilized, are recoverable in cash. As of December 31, 2004, Flamel had total research tax credits receivable of $6,533,000. If these credits are not applied against future income taxes, they will be received as cash payments in the fourth year after the credit is earned in accordance with the following timetable:
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | December 31, | |||
2006 |
817 | |||
2007 |
636 | |||
2008 |
5,080 | |||
6,533 | ||||
16. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS
In accordance with French law, post-retirement benefits for most of the Companys employees are sponsored by the relevant government agencies in France. The Companys liability with respect to these plans is generally limited to specific payroll deductions. Consequently, there is no additional liability in connection with these plans. Expenses recognized for this plan were $866,000 in 2004, $562,000 in 2003, $435,000 in 2002.
F-28
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
French law also requires payment of a lump sum retirement indemnity to all employees based upon years of service and compensation at retirement. Benefits do not vest prior to retirement. There is no formal plan and no funding of the obligation is required. The provision has been calculated taking into account the estimated payment at retirement (discounted to the current date), turnover and salary increases as follows :
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||
Average increase of salaries |
2% | 2% | 2% | |||
Discounted interest rate |
5% | 5% | 5% | |||
Turn over |
average of the last 4 years | average of the last 4 years | average of the last 4 years | |||
Age of retirement |
From 60 to 64 years [1] | 65 years | 65 years |
[1] | depending on the category and the location of the salaries |
As of December 31, 2003 and 2004, the liability for retirement indemnities amounted to $457,000, and $613,000 respectively.
In the United States, the Company sponsors a retirement plan. The company made contributions of approximately $35,000 in 2002, $23,000 in 2003 and $31,000 in 2004
17. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
At December 31, 2003 and 2004, the carrying values of financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and payables, other receivables and accrued liabilities and the current portion of long-term debt approximated their market values, based on the short-term maturities of these instruments.
At December 31, 2003 and 2004, the fair value of long-term debt with carrying value of $1,675,000 and $2,950,000 was estimated to be $1,179,000 and $2,607,000, respectively. Fair value was determined based on expected future cash flows, discounted at market interest rates.
18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
18.1. Capital leases
The Company currently has commitments regarding capital leases as described in Note 10.
18.2. Operating leases
The Company leases its facilities and certain equipment under operating leases, which expire through 2008. Future minimum lease payments under operating leases due for the fiscal years ending December 31 are as follows:
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | December 31, | |||
2005 |
307 | |||
2006 |
184 | |||
2007 |
105 | |||
2008 |
69 |
F-29
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 was approximately $418,000, $587,000, and $602,000 respectively.
18.3. Supply agreement with GSK
In December 2004, Flamel and GSK entered into a supply agreement whereby Flamel will supply GSK with commercial supplies of drugs (see note 3). The provisions of this agreement include payments to Flamel to certain support expenses and capital expenditure for use in the project. The expected expenditures relate to equipment that belongs initially to GSK, to facility-related assets that belong immediately to Flamel, and to various expenses. GSK will pass title for all installed equipment to Flamel, upon cessation of the supply agreement initially intended to last 4 years.
As of December 2004, Flamel had received two installments of which $1,143,000 are classified as a long term liability. These amounts received are repayable if the Company cancels or breaches the supply agreement.
18.4. Litigation
The Company is involved in a number of claims and lawsuits considered normal in its business, including employee litigation. While it is not possible to predict the outcome of legal actions brought against the Company, the Company believes that the liability resulting from the pending claims and suits would not have a material adverse effect on the results of its operations, cash flows, or financial position as of December 31, 2004, and for the year then ended.
19. INDUSTRY AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
The Company operates in one segment, the development and commercialization of controlled-release therapeutic products based on its proprietary polymer based technology.
Operations outside of France consist principally of the operations of the U.S. subsidiary, which had no sales to third parties in 2002, 2003 or 2004.
Revenues generated from customers outside of France (export sales) amounted to $6,358,000, $18,926,000, and $49,314,000 in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
F-30
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following is a summary of long-lived assets by geographic location:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
(in thousands) | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||
Long-lived assets: |
||||||||
North America |
$ | 39 | $ | 52 | ||||
France |
$ | 6,478 | $ | 24,784 | ||||
Total long-lived assets |
$ | 6,517 | $ | 24,836 | ||||
20. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS POST CLOSING
20.1 Cash payment from BMS
On January 31, 2005 Flamel Technologies and BMS entered into termination agreement, with respect to the former licensing agreement. Under the terms of the January 31, 2005 agreement, we received a cash payment of $5,850,000.
20.2 New grant from DATAR and other French Public Agencies
In 2004, the company negotiated new grants of approximately $4,000,000 with Datar and other French governmental agencies. This grant is pending achievement of certain objectives such as level of employees recruited and investment realized for the extension of the Pessac facilities. It is expected that a portion of it will be received in 2005, based on the investment and recruitment effectively realized.
F-31
SIGNATURES
The Registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES S.A. (Registrant) |
||||
By: /s/ Gerard Soula | ||||
Gérard Soula | ||||
President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||
Date: June 15, 2005
F-32
Exhibit 8
Subsidiaries of Flamel Technologies S.A.
Flamel Technologies, Inc. | (Virginia) |
Exhibit 12.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SEC RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Gerard Soula, President and Chief Executive Officer of Flamel Technologies S.A. (the Company), certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of the Company; | |||
2. | Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report; | |||
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report; | |||
4. | The Companys other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and have: |
a) | designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; | |||
b) | evaluated the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report based on such evaluation; and | |||
c) | disclosed in this annual report any change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The Companys other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Companys auditors and the Audit Committee of the Companys Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a) | all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Companys ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | |||
b) | any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Companys internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: June 15, 2005
/s/ Gerard Soula
Exhibit 12.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SEC RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Stephen H. Willard, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Flamel Technologies S.A. (the Company), certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of the Company; | |||
2. | Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report; | |||
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report; | |||
4. | The Companys other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and have: |
a) | designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; | |||
b) | evaluated the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report based on such evaluation; and | |||
c) | disclosed in this annual report any change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The Companys other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Companys auditors and the Audit Committee of the Companys Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a) | all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Companys ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | |||
b) | any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Companys internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: June 15, 2005
/s/ Stephen H. Willard
Exhibit 13.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Flamel Technologies S.A. (the Company) on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, Gerard Soula, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
/s/ Gerard Soula
Exhibit 13.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Flamel Technologies S.A. (the Company) on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, Stephen H. Willard, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
/s/ Stephen H. Willard
Exhibit 15
[Ernst & Young Letterhead]
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation in the Registration Statements on Form 20-F (000-28508), pertaining to the consolidated financial statements of Flamel Technologies S.A. for the year ended December 31, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, of our report dated June 14, 2005.
Lyon, France
June 14, 2005
Ernst & Young Audit
/s/ JEAN-LUC DESPLAT