ptx_10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
 
þ
Quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
   
 
For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2011
   
o
Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
   
 
                                For the transition period from: _______ to _____________
 
 
 
001-14494
   
 
 
Commission
File Number
 
 
 
PERNIX THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.
  (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Maryland
 
 
 
33-0724736
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
 
 
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
10003 Woodloch Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX   
 
  77380
  (Address of principal executive offices) 
 
  (Zip Code)
                                  
(832) 934-1825
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such report(s)) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨ .
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ   No ¨ .
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
o
       
Non-accelerated filer 
o
Smaller reporting company
þ
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
     

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  ¨ No  þ
 
On November 11, 2011, there were 25,742,803 shares outstanding of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share.
 


 
 

 
PERNIX THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
INDEX

PART I. 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     
         
Item 1. 
Financial Statements 
       
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of  September 30, 2011 (unaudited) and December 31, 2010 
   
1
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
 
 
2
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity as of September 30, 2011 (unaudited) and December 31, 2010 
   
3
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 
   
4
 
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 
   
5
 
Item 2. 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
   
25
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 
   
38
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
   
38
 
           
PART II. 
INFORMATION
       
           
Item 1. 
Legal Proceedings 
   
39
 
Item 1A. 
Risk Factors
   
39
 
Item 2. 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 
   
39
 
Item 3. 
Defaults upon Senior Securities
   
39
 
Item 4. 
Reserved and Removed 
   
39
 
Item 5.  
Other Information 
   
39
 
Item 6.  
Exhibits
   
40
 
 
Signatures
   
41
 

 
 

 
 
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information, so long as those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the statement. We desire to take advantage of these “safe harbor” provisions with regard to the forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q and in the documents that are incorporated herein by reference. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Specifically, forward-looking statements may include:

 
projections of revenues, expenses, income, income per share and other performance measures;

 
statements regarding expansion of operations, including entrance into new markets and development of products; and

 
statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or similar expressions.

These forward-looking statements express our best judgment based on currently available information and we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable.

By their nature, however, forward-looking statements often involve assumptions about the future. Such assumptions are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. As such, we cannot guarantee you that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements will actually be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements due to, among other things, the following factors:

 
changes in general business, economic and market conditions;

 
volatility in the securities markets generally or in the market price of our stock specifically; and

 
the risks outlined in the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect any events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
 
 
 

 
 
PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
PERNIX THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
   Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 27,563,124     $ 8,260,059  
   Restricted cash
    -       501,906  
   Accounts receivable, net
    23,649,809       14,758,240  
   Inventory, net
    7,518,636       4,145,734  
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    1,653,244       1,930,062  
   Deferred income taxes
    4,330,000       2,494,000  
Total current assets
    64,714,813       32,090,001  
Property and equipment, net
    1,279,233       1,213,850  
Other assets:
               
   Investment in joint venture
    1,810,949       1,502,814  
   Intangible assets, net
    9,458,971       10,961,900  
   Other long-term assets
    264,967       264,967  
Total assets
  $ 77,528,933     $ 46,033,532  
LIABILITIES
               
Current liabilities:
               
   Accounts payable
  $ 4,767,906     $ 2,248,342  
   Accrued expenses
    3,354,439       2,167,525  
   Accrued allowances
    15,565,888       10,488,674  
   Income taxes payable
    1,278,201       2,149,052  
   Contract payable
    1,290,000       2,200,000  
Total current liabilities
    26,256,434       19,253,593  
Long-term liabilities
               
   Line of credit
    6,000,000       5,000,000  
   Contracts payable
    900,000       1,800,000  
   Deferred income taxes
    497,000       1,075,000  
Total liabilities
    33,653,434       27,128,593  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
EQUITY
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, $.01 par value, 90,000,000 shares authorized, 27,795,931 and 24,698,594 issued, and 25,725,064 and 22,627,727 outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
    257,251       226,277  
Treasury stock, at cost (2,070,867 shares held at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010)
    (3,751,890 )     (3,751,890 )
Additional paid-in capital
    29,402,747       8,934,735  
Retained earnings
    17,967,391       13,495,817  
Total  equity
    43,875,499       18,904,939  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 77,528,933     $ 46,033,532  
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
1

 
 
PERNIX THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net revenues
  $ 17,064,196     $ 7,753,086     $ 39,203,944     $ 20,947,836  
Costs and expenses:
                               
    Cost of product sales
    7,815,353       1,410,193       13,699,890       3,269,992  
    Selling, general and administrative expenses
    5,411,154       3,505,467       14,924,749       9,383,584  
    Research and development expense
    147,138       252,737       717,802       839,986  
    Loss from the operations of the joint venture with SEEK
    100,614       -       691,865       -  
    Royalties expense, net
    32,461       205,306       377,273       205,307  
    Depreciation and amortization expense
    603,528       300,004       1,690,827       558,973  
        Total costs and expenses
    14,110,248       5,673,707       32,102,406       14,257,842  
                                 
Income from operations
    2,953,948       2,079,379       7,101,538       6,689,994  
                                 
Other income (expense):
                               
    Other income
    -       277,387       -       277,762  
    Gain from bargain purchase
    -       881,950       -       881,950  
    Interest expense, net
    (37,300 )     8,803       (129,964 )     16,447  
        Total other income, net
    (37,300 )     1,168,140       (129,964 )     1,176,159  
Income before income taxes
    2,916,648       3,247,519       6,971,574       7,866,153  
    Income tax provision
    922,000       861,747       2,500,000       45,374  
Net income
  $ 1,994,648     $ 2,385,772     $ 4,471,574     $ 7,820,779  
Net income per share, basic
  $ 0.08     $ 0.10     $ 0.19     $ 0.33  
Net income per share, diluted
  $ 0.08     $ 0.10     $ 0.19     $ 0.33  
Weighted-average common shares, basic
    24,841,554       24,389,689       23,401,910       23,634,913  
Weighted-average common shares, diluted
    25,147,191       24,416,859       23,737,231       23,655,691  
 
 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
2

 
 
PERNIX THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

 
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 4,471,574     $ 7,820,779  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
    Depreciation
    67,898       42,925  
    Amortization
    1,622,929       516,048  
    Deferred income tax benefit
    (2,414,000 )     (2,471,000 )
    Non-cash interest
    -       (6,554 )
    Stock compensation expense
    872,269       291,401  
    Expense from stock options issued in exchange for services
    137,066       -  
    Gain from bargain purchase from Macoven acquisition
    -       (881,950 )
    Loss from the operations of the joint venture with SEEK
    691,865       -  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
        Accounts receivable
    (8,894,041 )     (2,225,308 )
        Inventory
    (3,372,902 )     (1,304,947 )
        Prepaid expenses and other assets
    167,863       971,856  
        Other assets – long term
    -       83,333  
        Accounts payable
    2,519,564       (265,938 )
        Income taxes
    (870,851 )     38,594  
        Accrued expenses
    6,264,128       (541,374 )
    Net cash from operating activities
    1,263,362       2,067,865  
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
        Investment in joint venure with SEEK
    (1,000,000 )     -  
        Acquisition of CEDAX
    -       (1,500,000 )
        Acquisition of Macoven Pharmaceuticals
    -       (1,996,432 )
        Acquisition of non-controlling interest in Gaine - initial payment
    -       (326,623 )
        Acquisition of TCT patent
    -       (250,000 )
        Purchase of equipment
    (133,281 )     (70,347 )
    Net cash from investing activities
    (1,133,281 )     (4,143,402 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
        Proceeds from line of credit
    1,000,000       2,185,706  
        Payment on contracts payable
    (1,930,000 )     (300,000 )
        Proceeds from issuance of stock in additional offering, net of issuance costs of $255,254
    19,259,746       -  
        Cash acquired in connection with the reverse merger, net of costs paid
    -       5,965,529  
        Transfer to/from restricted cash
    500,000       (500,958 )
        Payment on acquisition obligation - CEDAX
    -       (1,500,000 )
        Payment received on notes receivable
    113,333       66,334  
        Tax benefit on stock-based awards
    123,000       -  
        Proceeds from issuance of stock through exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan
    106,905       77,600  
        Repurchase of stock
    -       (210,839 )
        Distributions to stockholders
    -       (121,461 )
     Net cash from financing activities
    19,172,984       5,661,911  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    19,303,065       3,586,374  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    8,260,059       4,578,476  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 27,563,124     $ 8,164,850  
                 
Supplemental disclosure:
               
        Cash paid for income taxes
  $ 5,646,690     $ 2,646,581  
        Interest paid during the period
  $ 150,771     $ 4,339  
Non-cash transaction
               
        Acquistion of product license - contract payable
  $ 120,000       -  
        Negotiated repurchases of Pernix common stock from insider
  $ -     $ 3,600,000  
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
3

 
 
PERNIX THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATE STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
 
         
Additional
               
Non-
       
   
Common
   
Paid-In
   
Treasury
   
Retained
   
Controlling
       
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Stock
   
Earnings
   
Interest
   
Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 209,000     $ 788,979     $ -     $ 4,308,491     $ 69,738     $ 5,376,208  
                                                 
Distributions to stockholders
    -       -       -       (121,461 )     -       (121,461 )
                                                 
Transfer of equity in reverse merger with GTA
    36,586       7,073,911       -       -       -       7,110,497  
                                                 
Acquisition of Gaine non-controlling interest
    -       (1,602,692 )     -       -       (69,738 )     (1,672,430 )
                                                 
Contributed capital in acquisition of Macoven
    -       2,211,344       -       -       -       2,211,344  
                                                 
Stock repurchase program
                                               
    Open market repurchases
    (709 )     (1,772 )     (247,390 )     -       -       (249,871 )
                                                 
Negotiated repurchase from related party
    (20,000 )     (75,500 )     (3,504,500 )     -       -       (3,600,000 )
                                                 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    400       77,200       -       -       -       77,600  
                                                 
Stock-based compensation
                                               
    Restricted stock
    1,000       106,946       -       -       -       107,946  
    Stock options
    -       356,319       -       -       -       356,319  
                                                 
Net income
    -       -       -       9,308,787       -       9,308,787  
                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2010
    226,277       8,934,735       (3,751,890 )     13,495,817       -       18,904,939  
                                                 
Stock-based compensation:
                                               
    Restricted stock
    600       215,085       -       -       -       215,685  
    Stock options
    -       581,074       -       -       -       581,074  
    Employee stock purchase plan
    -       75,510       -       -       -       75,510  
    Issuance of stock options for services from non-employees
    -       137,066       -       -       -       137,066  
Issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options
    211       52,623       -       -       -       52,834  
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee stock purchase plan
    163       53,909       -       -       -       54,072  
Income tax benefit on stock based awards
    -       123,000       -       -       -       123,000  
Issuance of common stock upon additional public offering, net of issuance costs of $255,254
    30,000       19,229,745       -       -       -       19,259,745  
                                                 
Net income
    -       -       -       4,471,574       -       4,471,574  
Balance at September 30, 2011
  $ 257,251     $ 29,402,747     $ (3,751,890 )   $ 17,967,391     $ -     $ 43,875,499  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 

PERNIX THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 AND 2010
(Unaudited)
 
Note 1.
Company Overview

Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries (“Pernix” or the “Company”), is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing branded and generic pharmaceutical products to meet unmet medical needs primarily in pediatrics.
 
Unless specifically noted otherwise, as used throughout these condensed consolidated financial statements, the term “Company” or “Pernix” refers to the consolidated company after the reverse merger with Golf Trust of America, Inc. (“GTA”) on March 9, 2010 and the business of Pernix Therapeutics, Inc. (“PTI”) before the reverse merger.  The term GTA refers to such entity’s standalone businesses prior to the reverse merger.

Registered Direct Offering

On July 27, 2011, the Company completed an underwritten registered direct offering of 4,000,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the terms of that certain underwriting agreement dated July 21, 2011 by and among the Company, the selling stockholders named therein and the underwriters named on Schedule I thereto, for whom Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated acted as representative.  As provided in the underwriting agreement, (i) the Company sold an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of its common stock, and (ii) the selling stockholders sold 1,000,000 shares of common stock.  The public offering price was $7.00 per share, and the underwriters purchased the shares subject to the offering at a price of $6.58 per share.  The offering was led by Aisling Capital and OrbiMed Advisors, LLC. Net proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock sold by the Company, after underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, were approximately $19.3 million. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the offering for future acquisitions and other general corporate purposes. The offering was made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2011.

Note 2.
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Interim Financial Statements
 
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of these financial statements. Operating results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results for future periods or the full year.
 
 
5

 

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of (i) Pernix’s wholly-owned subsidiaries Pernix Therapeutics, LLC, GTA GP, Inc. and GTA LP, Inc., (ii) Gaine, Inc. (“Gaine”), a patent and license holding company owned 50% by Pernix until June 24, 2010 when Pernix purchased the remaining 50% and (iii) Macoven Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Macoven”),  a company that promotes generic equivalents of pharmaceutical products that Pernix reacquired on September 8, 2010. Transactions between and among the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are eliminated. 
 
Basis of Accounting
 
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).   The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) as the single source of authoritative GAAP.
 
Management’s Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company reviews all significant estimates affecting the condensed consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis and records the effect of any necessary adjustments prior to their issuance. Significant estimates of the Company include: revenue recognition, sales allowances such as returns on product sales, government program rebates, customer coupon redemptions, wholesaler/pharmacy discounts, product service fees, rebates and chargebacks, sales commissions, amortization, depreciation, stock-based compensation, the determination of fair values of assets and liabilities in connection with business combinations, and deferred income taxes.
   
Equity Method of Accounting
 
The Company’s investment in the joint venture with SEEK is accounted for at cost and adjusted for the Company’s share (46%) of the joint venture’s undistributed earnings or losses.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s consolidated net revenues represent the Company’s net product sales and collaboration revenues.  The following table sets forth the categories of the Company’s net revenues (in thousands) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
 
 
6

 
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Gross product sales
  $ 23,034     $ 11,533     $ 56,910     $ 30,265  
Sales allowances
    (6,785 )     (4,118 )     (21,408 )     (10,661 )
     Net product sales
    16,249       7,415       35,502       19,604  
Co-promotion and royalty revenues
    815       338       3,702       1,344  
     Net revenues
  $ 17,064     $ 7,753     $ 39,204     $ 20,948  
 
The Company records all of its revenue from product sales and collaboration or co-promotion agreements when realized or realizable and earned.  Revenue is realized or realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.   The Company records revenue from product sales when the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss (free-on-board destination). Royalty revenue is recognized upon shipment from the manufacturer to the purchaser.  Co-promotion revenue is recognized in the period in which the product subject to the arrangement is sold.  At the time of sale, estimates for a variety of sales deductions, such as returns on product sales, government program rebates, price adjustments and prompt pay discounts are recorded.

The Company relies on certain materials used in its development and manufacturing processes, most of which are procured from a single source.  The Company purchases its pharmaceutical ingredients from a limited number of suppliers.  The failure of a supplier, including a subcontractor, to deliver on schedule could delay or interrupt the development or commercialization process and thereby adversely affect the Company’s operating results.  In addition, a disruption in the commercial supply of or a significant increase in the cost of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (“API”) from any of these sources could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial position and results of operations.
 
The Company’s customers consist of drug wholesalers, retail drug stores, mass merchandiser and grocery store pharmacies in the United States. The Company primarily sells its products directly to large national drug wholesalers, which in turn resell the products to smaller or regional wholesalers, retail pharmacies, chain drug stores, and other third parties.  The following tables list the Company’s customers that individually comprised greater than 10% of total gross product sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, or 10% of total accounts receivable as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cardinal Health, Inc.
    49 %     24 %     43 %     39 %
McKesson Corporation
    13 %     44 %     19 %     34 %
AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation
    7 %     10 %     11 %     10 %
Morris & Dickson Co., LLC
    19 %     18 %     13 %     13 %
Total
    88 %     96 %     86 %     96 %
 
 
7

 
 
   
Accounts Receivable
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cardinal Health, Inc.
    47 %     50 %
Walgreens Corporation
    10 %     0 %
Morris & Dickson Co., LLC
    19 %     11 %
McKesson Corporation
    13 %     27 %
Total
    89 %     88 %
 
Net Product Sales

Product Sales

           The Company recognizes revenue from its product sales upon transfer of title, which occurs when product is received by its customers.  The Company sells its products primarily to large national wholesalers, which have the right to return the products they purchase.  The Company is required to reasonably estimate the amount of future returns at the time of revenue recognition.  The Company recognizes product sales net of estimated allowances for product returns, government program rebates, price adjustments, and prompt pay discounts. 

  Product Returns

Consistent with industry practice, the Company offers contractual return rights that allow its customers to return the majority of its products within an 18-month period, commencing from six months prior to and up to twelve months subsequent to the product expiration date. The Company’s products have a 24 to 36-month expiration period from the date of manufacture.  The Company adjusts its estimate of product returns if it becomes aware of other factors that it believes could significantly impact its expected returns. These factors include its estimate of inventory levels of its products in the distribution channel, the shelf life of the product shipped, review of consumer consumption data as reported by external information management companies, actual and historical return rates for expired lots, the forecast of future sales of the product, competitive issues such as new product entrants and other known changes in sales trends. The Company estimates returns at 5% to 7% of sales of branded products based upon historical data compiled since 2004, as well as other facts and circumstances that may impact future expected returns.  Under our co-promotion arrangement with ParaPRO, certain returns of Natroba sold within the first year of launch reimbursed by ParaPRO up to 65%.  The Company estimates returns at 5% - 12% on sales of generic products depending on assumptions and/or facts and circumstances existing for certain products.  The returns reserve may be adjusted as we accumulate sales history and returns experience on this portfolio of products. The Company reviews and adjusts these reviews quarterly.
 
Government Program Rebates

 The liability for Medicaid, Medicare and other government program rebates is estimated based on historical and current rebate redemption and utilization rates contractually submitted by each state’s program administrator and assumptions regarding future Medicaid utilization for each product. 
 
 
8

 
 
Price Adjustments
 
 The Company’s estimates of price adjustments, which include customer rebates, service fees, chargebacks and other discounts, are based on our estimated mix of sales to various third-party payors who are entitled, either contractually or statutorily, to discounts from the listed prices of our products and contracted service fees with our wholesalers.  In the event that the sales mix to third-party payors or the contract fees paid to the wholesalers are different from the Company’s estimates, the Company may be required to pay higher or lower total price adjustments and/or incur chargebacks that differ from its original estimates and such difference may be significant.
 
 The Company’s estimates of discounts are applied pursuant to the contracts negotiated with certain customers and are primarily based on sales volumes.  The Company, from time to time, offers certain promotional product-related incentives to its customers. These programs include sample cards to retail consumers, certain product incentives to pharmacy customers and other sales stocking allowances. For example, the Company has initiated coupon programs for certain of its promoted products whereby the Company offers a point-of-sale subsidy to retail consumers. The Company estimates its liabilities for these coupon programs based on redemption information provided by a third party claims processing organization. The Company accounts for the costs of these special promotional programs as price adjustments, resulting in a reduction in gross revenue.

Any price adjustments that are not contractual but that are offered at the time of sale, such as sales stocking allowance, are recorded as a reduction in revenue when the sales order is recorded.  These allowances may be offered at varying times throughout the year or may be associated with specific events such as a new product launch or the reintroduction of a product.

Prompt Payment Discount

                The Company typically requires its customers to remit payments within the first 30 days for branded products and within 60 to 120 days for generics, depending on the customer and the products purchased.  The Company offers wholesale distributors a prompt payment discount if they make payments within these deadlines.  This discount is generally 2%, but may be higher in some instances due to product launches and/or industry expectations.  Because the Company’s wholesale customers typically take the prompt pay discount, we accrue 100% of prompt pay discounts.  These discounts are based on the gross amount of each invoice at the time of our original sale to them.  Earned discounts are applied at the time of payment.  This allowance is recorded as a reduction of accounts receivable. 
  
See Note 9 for further discussion of co-promotion and royalty revenues.
 
Earnings per Share
 
Earnings per common share is presented under two formats: basic earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, plus the potentially dilutive impact of restricted stock and common stock equivalents (i.e. stock options). Dilutive common share equivalents consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options.
 
 
9

 
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share:
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Numerator:
                       
Net income
  $ 1,994,648     $ 2,385,772     $ 4,471,574     $ 7,820,779  
Denominator:
                               
Weighted-average common shares, basic
    24,841,554       24,389,689       23,401,910       23,634,913  
Dilutive effect of stock options
    305,637       27,170       335,321       20,778  
                                 
Weighted-average common shares, diluted
    25,147,191       24,416,859       23,737,231       23,655,691  
                                 
Net income per share, basic and diluted
  $ 0.08     $ 0.10     $ 0.19     $ 0.33  
 
Total outstanding options at September 30, 2011 are 1,718,166.  Options not included above are anti-dilutive as of September 30, 2011.  See Note 10 for information regarding the Company’s outstanding options.
 
Reclassifications
     
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation.  These reclassifications had no effect on net income as previously reported.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If it is determined through the qualitative assessment that a reporting unit’s fair value is more likely than not greater than its carrying value, the remaining impairment steps would be unnecessary. The new standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the provisions of this standard effective September 30, 2011. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive Income.   ASU 2011-05 revises the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements. The new guidance requires entities to report components of comprehensive income in either (1) a continuous statement of comprehensive income or (2) two separate but consecutive statements. Under the two-statement approach, the first statement would include components of net income, which is consistent with the income statement format used today, and the second statement would include components of other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Under either method, entities must display adjustments for items that are reclassified from OCI to net income in both net income and OCI. The ASU does not change the items that must be reported in OCI. ASU 2011-05 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. After adoption, the guidance must be applied retrospectively for all periods presented in the financial statements. The new guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 
 
 
10

 

In May 2011, the FASB, together with the International Accounting Standards Board,  jointly issued ASU 2011-04  — “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS.” The adoption of ASU 2011-04 gives fair value the same meaning between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), and improves consistency of disclosures relating to fair value.  The provisions of ASU 2011-04 will be effective for years beginning after December 15, 2011.  Public entities will begin adoption in the first interim period beginning after December 15, 2011.  Changes as a result of this new standard are to be applied prospectively.  However, changes in valuation techniques shall be treated as changes in accounting estimates.  Management does not expect the adoption of this pronouncement to have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-28 to Topic 350 — “ Intangibles — Goodwill and Other: When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts ”. The amendments to the Codification in this update modify Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. Goodwill of a reporting unit is required to be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. This update is effective starting in the first quarter of 2011.  Adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
In 2010, the FASB issued an Accounting Standard Update ASU 2010-27, “Other Expenses (ASC Topic 720)— Fees Paid to the Federal Government by Pharmaceutical Manufacturers. ” This guidance applies to the nondeductible annual fee that will be imposed on pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers that sell branded prescription drugs to specified government programs as part of U.S. health care reform. This fee is allocated to companies based on their prior calendar year market share for branded prescription drug sales into these government programs. This guidance clarifies how pharmaceutical manufacturers should recognize and classify in their income statements fees mandated by U.S. Health Care Reform. This fee will be recorded as selling, general and administrative expense in our condensed consolidated results of operations and will be amortized on a straight-line basis for the year. This guidance was effective for us January 1, 2011.  We are currently awaiting information from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the calculation of this fee.  We do not currently expect that this fee will have a material impact on our results of operations for 2011.
 
In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29, “Business Combinations (Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”)  Topic 805)— Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations. ” This amendment expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. This amendment is effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In March 2010, the FASB issued ASU No 2010-12, “Income Taxes (ASC Topic 740) – Accounting for Certain Tax Effects of the 2010 Health Care Reform Acts.” This update amends Subtopic 740-10 and adds paragraph 740-10-S99-4 related to SEC staff announcements. In essence, the announcements provide that the two healthcare bills (Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, which reconciles the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) should be considered together when considering the accounting impact. This update was effective immediately. The Company does not expect the health care bills to affect the Company’s tax positions.

There were no other recent accounting pronouncements that have not yet been adopted by the Company that are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
11

 
 
Note 3.
Business Combinations
 
Acquisition of Macoven

On September 8, 2010, Pernix purchased 100% of the outstanding membership interests of Macoven for an aggregate purchase price of $2,200,000.  
 
Pernix acquired Macoven in order to expand its portfolio to offer generic products to its customers and to enter into collaborative arrangements with third parties to promote generic products.  Since July 2009, Macoven has held a non-exclusive license to develop, market and sell authorized generics of Pernix branded products.  
  
Acquisition of CEDAX
 
On March 24, 2010, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and rights relating to CEDAX, a prescription antibiotic used to treat mild to moderate infections of the throat, ear and respiratory tract, for an aggregate purchase price of $6.1 million paid in three installments as follows: (i) $1.5 million paid at closing, (ii) $1.5 million paid on May 23, 2010 and (iii) $3.1 million paid on December 20, 2010.  
 
Acquisition of Non-controlling Interest in Gaine
 
On May 29, 2008, Pernix acquired a 50% ownership interest in Gaine, a patent and licensing holding company.  Following this acquisition, Pernix considered Gaine a controlled entity and included Gaine’s financial statements with Pernix’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

On June 21, 2010, Pernix purchased the remaining 50% ownership interest in Gaine from certain employees of Kiel Laboratories, Inc.  As a result of the transaction, Gaine became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pernix.  In consideration for the sellers’ 50% ownership interest in Gaine, Pernix paid the sellers as follows: (i) an aggregate of $500,000 in cash, net of adjustments of approximately $173,000, at closing, (ii) an aggregate of $500,000 in cash, net of adjustments of approximately $179,000, on October 31, 2010, and (iii) an aggregate of $1,000,000 in cash on January 31, 2011.  The first two installments were adjusted for outstanding royalties and obligations owed at the time of closing. The net purchase price for the remaining non-controlling interest was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital.

         In the event a new drug application is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) for an antitussive product candidate  incorporating the invention claimed in a United States antitussive patent owned by Gaine, Pernix will then be obligated to pay the sellers an aggregate of $10,000,000 in cash or Pernix common stock.  Alternatively, upon a tranfer of ownership of the patent, Pernix will be obligated to pay the sellers an aggregate amount equal to the greater of  (i) $5,000,000, or (ii) fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate purchase price, up to a maximum aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000, payable in cash or Pernix common stock.  In connection with its formation of the joint venture with SEEK, Pernix granted a subsidiary of the joint venture an exclusive license to all of its Theobromine intellectual property, including the antitussive patent owned by Gaine.  For additional information, see Note 5 – Investment in Joint Venture.
 
12

 
 
Note 4.
 Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consist of the following:
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Trade accounts receivable
  $ 21,022,107     $ 13,383,021  
Less allowance for prompt pay discounts
    (450,007 )     (305,917 )
Total trade receivables
    20,572,100       13,077,104  
Receivables from third parties – collaboration and royalty arrangements
    3,077,709       1,575,447  
Other receivables
    -       105,689  
    Total account receivables
  $ 23,649,809     $ 14,758,240  
 
The Company typically requires its customers to remit payments within the first 30 days for brand purchases or 60 to 120 days for generic purchases (depending on the customer and the products purchased).  The Company offers wholesale distributors a prompt payment discount, which is typically 2%, as an incentive to remit payment within these deadlines.  Accounts receivable is stated net of the estimated prompt pay discount. The Company’s management evaluates accounts receivable to determine if a provision for an allowance for doubtful accounts is appropriate. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, no receivables were outstanding for longer than the agreed upon payment terms.  The net amount of accounts receivable was considered collectible and no allowance for doubtful accounts was recorded.      
 
Note 5.
Investment in Joint Venture

On December 17, 2010, the Company entered into a Joint Venture Agreement (the “JV Agreement”) with SEEK, a United Kingdom drug discovery group, to form a joint venture structured as a private company limited by shares incorporated in the United Kingdom (the “JV”).  The purpose of the JV is to develop and obtain regulatory approval in both Europe and the United States for BC 1036, an antitussive cough suppressant pharmaceutical product utilizing Theobromine as an active ingredient. Pernix contributed approximately $1.5 million to the JV, in consideration for 50% of the voting interest and approximately 46% of the total economic interest in the JV.
 
The JV Agreement contemplates that shareholders will contribute additional capital to the JV from time to time to fund the development and commercialization of BC 1036, as the JV’s board of directors may determine.  In the event any shareholder elects not to contribute its pro rata share of the aggregate amount of additional capital sought to be raised, such shareholder will experience a dilution of its equity position in the JV.
 
The JV Agreement grants the Company the ability to appoint two of the four members of the JV’s board of directors. All decisions of the JV’s board of directors require the affirmative consent of a majority of its members.
 
 
13

 
 
As contemplated by the JV Agreement, the Company granted an exclusive license to all of its Theobromine intellectual property to a subsidiary of the JV.  Under its license arrangement, Pernix may fund the development costs to seek approval for a new drug application from the FDA for a suspension product utilizing Theobromine for pediatric use.  To the extent these costs are funded by Pernix and a new drug application is approved by the FDA, Pernix will receive an exclusive license to market and distribute the suspension product in the United States for pediatric use, subject to the payment of certain royalties on sales of such product to the licensor.  
 
In March 2011, Pernix and SEEK appointed a financial advisor in connection with an auction of Theobromine (BC 1036). While the JV has not received an offer to purchase the Theobromine assets that was acceptable by its board of directors, the JVcontinues to evaluate opportunities and expects to continue discussions with interested parties to maximize the value of this asset. The JV expects to initiate its pivotal Phase III trial in the European Union in the first quarter of 2012, and is currently evaluating over-the-counter strategies in certain countries, including the United States. On September 26, 2011, the Company funded an additional $1.0 million in cash to the JV for continuing operations.
 
 Below is the condensed balance sheet of the JV:
 
Condensed Balance Sheet as of:
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(unaudited) (in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Cash and other current assets
  $ 1,965     $ 1,332  
Intellectual property and other rights (including capitalized development costs)
    1,719       1,676  
Total assets
  $ 3,684     $ 3,008  
                 
Current liabilities
    183       -  
Equity
    3,501       3,008  
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 3,684     $ 3,008  
 
Theobromine development costs were approximately $219,000 and $1,504,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. The Company recorded approximately 46% of these development costs, or $101,000 and $692,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, in loss from operations of our JV. 
 
 
14

 
 
Note 6.
Intangible Assets
 
Intangible assets consist of the following:
 
     
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
  
Life
 
2011
   
2010
 
Patents
12 - 15 years
  $ 1,442,000     $ 1,442,000  
Brand – CEDAX
8 years
    3,887,000       3,887,000  
Product license
1 year
    120,000       -  
Non-compete and supplier contract – Macoven
2 - 7 years
    5,194,571       5,194,571  
Non-compete – Ubiquinone
2 years
    250,000       250,000  
Trademark rights – BROVEX
Indefinite
    238,758       238,758  
Goodwill
Indefinite
    1,406,591       1,406,591  
        12,538,920       12,418,920  
                   
Accumulated amortization
      (3,079,949 )     (1,457,020 )
      $ 9,458,971     $ 10,961,900  
 
Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets with definite lives for each of the five succeeding years and thereafter is as follows:
 
   
Amount
 
2011 (September – December 31, 2011)
  $ 588,000  
2012
    1,791,000  
2013
    1,055,000  
2014
    1,055,000  
2015
    1,055,000  
Thereafter
    2,274,000  
    $ 7,818,000  
 
Amortization expense is approximately $578,000 and $1,623,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and $285,000 and $516,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.   
 
 
15

 
 
Note 7.
Accrued Allowances
 
Accrued allowances consist of the following:
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Accrued returns allowance
  $ 5,697,000     $ 4,313,000  
Accrued price adjustments
    3,886,298       1,743,674  
Accrued government program rebates
    5,982,590       4,432,000  
Total
  $ 15,565,888     $ 10,488,674  
 
Note 8.
Lines of Credit
        
On September 8, 2010, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Regions Bank (“Regions”).  The Loan Agreement provides for a $5 million secured revolving line of credit (the “RLOC”) and a $5 million secured guidance line of credit (the “GLOC” and together with the RLOC, the “Loans”). The RLOC may be used to fund working capital needs and the GLOC may be used for acquisitions approved by Regions. The Loans mature on September 8, 2012 and bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.5%.  

The Loan Agreement contains customary restrictive covenants and events of default, including breaches of representations and warranties and breaches of covenants. As of September 30, 2011, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants.

In consideration for Regions entering into the Loan Agreement, the Company granted Regions a first priority security interest in substantially all of its assets except for all patents owned by Pernix as well as certain trademarks.  Regions is also entitled to a first priority security interest on any intellectual property assets acquired with proceeds from the GLOC.
 
The outstanding balances under the GLOC and the RLOC were $5,000,000 and $1,000,000, respectively, as of September 30, 2011, and $5,000,000 and $0, respectively, as of December 31, 2010.
 
 
16

 
 
Note 9.
Collaboration Agreements
 
The Company enters into collaborative arrangements to develop and commercialize drug candidates. Collaborative activities might include research and development, marketing and selling (including promotional activities and physician detailing), manufacturing, and distribution. These collaborations often require royalty or profit share payments, contingent upon the occurrence of certain future events linked to the success of the product. Revenues related to products sold by the Company pursuant to these arrangements are included in product sales, while other sources of revenue such as  royalties and profit share receipts are included in collaboration, royalty and other revenue as further discussed below. Operating expenses for costs incurred pursuant to these arrangements are reported in their respective expense line item. 
 
Co-promotion Agreements
 
The Company seeks to enter into co-promotion agreements to enhance the promotional efforts and sales of products. The Company may enter into co-promotion agreements whereby it obtains rights to market other parties’ products in return for certain commissions or percentages of revenue on the sales Pernix generates. Alternatively, Pernix may enter into co-promotion agreements with respect to its products whereby it grants another party certain rights to market or otherwise promote one or more of its products.  Typically, the Company will enter into this type of co-promotion arrangement when a particular product is not aligned with its product focus or it lacks sufficient sales force representation in a particular geographic area. Co-promotion revenue is included in net revenues.  Expense from co-promotion agreements is included in cost of goods sold.
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
20111
   
2010
   
20111
   
2010
 
Pernix Consolidated Gross Margin - including Natroba
    57 %     82 %     68 %     84 %
Pernix Consolidated Gross Margin - excluding Natroba
    79 %     82 %     78 %     84 %
                                 
1Excludes approximately $492,000 and $1,311,000 in write offs of obsolete, expired and/or donated product inventory for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.
 
 
Note 10.
Employee Compensation and Benefits
 
Stock Options
 
The Company’s 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”) was approved concurrent with its merger with GTA on March 9, 2010.  The maximum number of shares that can be offered under this plan is 5,000,000.  Incentives may be granted under the 2009 Plan to eligible participants in the form of (a) incentive stock options, (b) non-qualified stock options, (c) restricted stock, (d) restricted stock units (“RSU”), (e) stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) and (f) other stock-based awards.

As of September 30, 2011, approximately 233,333 options remain outstanding that were issued to current officers and directors under former incentive plans of GTA.  The remaining average contractual life of these options is approximately seventeen months.
 
The Company currently uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to determine the fair value of its stock options. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price, as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, actual employee exercise behaviors, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.
 
 
17

 
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, 201,000 and 281,000 options were issued under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan for an average exercise price of $6.10 and $6.93, respectively.  All of the options expire ten years from the date of the grant.
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, 19,334 and 21,001 options were exercised, respectively. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, 10,000 options previously granted to non-employee former board members expired and 17,833 options previously granted to former employees were cancelled, including 5,833 during the three months ended September 30, 2011. 
 
The following table shows the weighted average of the assumptions used to value stock options on the date of grant, as follows: 
 
   
Nine Months
 
   
Ended
 
   
September 30, 2011
 
Weighted average expected stock price volatility
   
70.1
%
Estimated dividend yield
   
0
%
Risk-free interest rate
   
2.2
%
Expected life of option (in years)
   
6.6
 
Weighted average fair value per share
   
5.53
 
 
 The Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying cash dividends; therefore, the expected dividend rate is assumed to be 0%. The expected stock price volatility for the stock options is based on historical volatility of a representative peer group of comparable companies selected using publicly available industry and market capitalization data. The risk-free rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant commensurate with the expected life assumption. The expected life of the stock options granted was estimated based on the historical exercise patterns over the option lives.  
 
The following table shows the option activity, described above, during the nine months ended September 30, 2011:
 
         
Average
 
         
Exercise
 
Option Shares
 
Shares
   
Price
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    1,026,000     $ 3.81  
Granted(1)
    741,000       4.89  
Exercised
    (21,001 )     2.52  
Cancelled
    (17,833 )     3.80  
Expired
    (10,000 )     15.70  
Outstanding at September 30, 2011
    1,718,166     $ 4.23  
Vested and exercisable, end of period
    455,329     $ 3.68  
 
 (1)   Includes 460,000 options granted to ParaPRO, LLC on August 3, 2011, that vest over seven years, pursuant to the commercial terms of the co-promotion arrangement between the Company and ParaPRO for the marketing and sale of Natroba.  For additional information, see Note 12.
 
 
 
18

 
 
The following table shows the details by range of exercise price for the total options outstanding at September 30, 2011:  
 
     
Options Outstanding
             
Range of Exercise Price
   
Shares
   
Remaining
Contractual Life
(years)
             
           
Options Exercisable
 
           
Shares
   
Price
 
$ 1.94       20,000       1.4       20,000     $ 1.94  
$ 2.20       30,833       1.4       30,833       2.20  
$ 3.31 - $3.98 (1)     1,249,333       8.8       266,996       3.72  
$ 4.20       137,500       1.4       137,500       4.20  
$ 6.10       200,500       9.9       -       -  
$ 7.90       40,000       9.3       -       -  
$ 10.14       40,000       9.4       -       -  
                                     
          1,718,166       8.1       455,329     $ 3.68  
 
 (1)  
Includes 460,000 options granted to ParaPRO, LLC on August 3, 2011, that vest over seven years, pursuant to the commercial terms of the co-promotion arrangement between the Company and ParaPRO for the marketing and sale of Natroba.  For additional information, see Note 12.
 
As of September 30, 2011, the aggregate intrinsic value of 455,329 options outstanding and exercisable was approximately $2,338,000.
 
As of September 30, 2011, there was approximately $2,029,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized ratably over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.
 
Restricted Stock
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, 60,000 restricted common shares were issued, all in the first three months of the period.  With the exception of change in the vesting of certain restricted shares described below, the restricted shares will vest ratably over three years from the date they were issued.  As of September 30, 2011, 160,000 restricted common shares have been issued (60,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 100,000 in prior periods), 33,332 of which have vested.  Approximately $638,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.86 years.
 
 
19

 
 
On August 29, 2011, Jan H. Loeb informed the Company of his resignation from the Company’s Board of Directors, effective August 31, 2011.  In connection with his resignation, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Loeb pursuant to which all of Mr. Loeb’s outstanding options issued under the Company’s equity incentive plans that were not yet exercisable became exercisable over a twelve month period (with one-fourth of such options becoming exercisable on the first day of each fiscal quarter beginning with the fourth quarter of 2011), and all outstanding shares of restricted stock held by Mr. Loeb shall be fully vested and free of restriction over a twelve-month period (with one-fourth of such restricted shares becoming vested and free of restriction on the first day of each fiscal quarter beginning with the fourth quarter of 2011).
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Effective July 22, 2010, the Company adopted the 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to provide substantially all employees an opportunity to purchase shares of its common stock through payroll deduction, up to 10% of eligible compensation with a $25,000 maximum deferral.  Semi-annually, participant account balances will be used to purchase shares of stock at the lesser of 85 percent of the fair market value of shares at the beginning or ending of such six-month period.  The Employee  Stock Purchase Plan expires on July 22, 2020.  A total of 1,000,000 shares will be available for purchase under this plan.  For the offering period ended April 30, 2011, 16,336 shares were issued.  Compensation expense related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and included in the table below for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was approximately $33,000 and $76,000, respectively.
  
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
 
The following table shows the approximate amount of total stock-based compensation expense recognized for employees and non-employees:
  
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Employees
  $ 238,000     $ 110,000     $ 577,000     $ 169,000  
Non-employees/Directors
    119,000       55,000       295,000       122,000  
                                 
Total
  $ 357,000     $ 165,000     $ 872,000     $ 291,000  
 
Note 11. 
Income Taxes

The income tax provision consisted of the income tax expense (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, as presented in the table below.  The tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is shown net of a one-time benefit associated with the recognition of deferred tax assets arising from PTI’s termination of its S election in the first quarter of 2010.
 
 
20

 
 
The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2011 and 2010:
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Current:
                       
Federal
  $ 1,543,000     $ 1,085,157     $ 4,313,000     $ 2,156,824  
State
    145,000       (174,410 )     601,000       359,550  
      1,688,000       910,747       4,914,000       2,516,374  
Deferred:
                               
Federal
    (689,000 )     (8,000 )     (2,091,000 )     (2,189,000 )
State
    (77,000 )     (41,000 )     (323,000 )     (282,000 )
      (766,000 )     (49,000 )     (2,414,000 )     (2,471,000 )
                                 
    $ 922,000     $ 861,747     $ 2,500,000     $ 45,374  
 
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  The sources of the temporary differences and their effect on deferred taxes are as follows:
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
Deferred Tax Assets:
 
2011
   
2010
 
        Accounts receivable
  $ 173,000     $ 118,000  
        Accrued expenses and allowances
    3,665,000       2,268,000  
        Stock awards
    434,000       42,000  
        Investment in Subsidiary
    265,000       -  
        NOL Carryforwards
    532,000       649,000  
                 
Gross deferred tax assets
  $ 5,069,000     $ 3,077,000  
                 
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
               
        Property
  $ (74,000 )   $ (33,000 )
        Other
    (98,000 )     (90,000 )
        Intangibles
    (1,064,000 )     (1,535,000 )
                 
Gross deferred tax liability
  $ (1,236,000 )   $ (1,658,000 )
                 
Net deferred tax asset
  $ 3,833,000     $ 1,419,000  
                 
Included in consolidated balance sheet:
               
        Deferred income tax assets/deferred income tax liabilities - current
    4,330,000       2,494,000  
        Deferred income tax assets/deferred income tax liabilities - long term
    (497,000 )     (1,075,000 )
                 
Net deferred tax asset
  $ 3,833,000     $ 1,419,000  
 
 
21

 
 
 In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.  Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.  Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods that the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences.  The amount of the deferred tax assets are considered realizable based on the reversal of deferred tax liabilities and the Company’s projected levels of taxable income.

Effective January 1, 2010, Pernix filed an election to terminate its S Corporation status.  Accordingly, it was required to record deferred taxes on its temporary differences at the date of termination.  The resulting deferred tax asset recorded as a tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was approximately $1,839,000.  In addition, as a result of the merger a deferred tax asset of approximately $779,000 was recorded for the future expected benefit of GTA’s net operating loss carryovers.
 
The effective income tax rate from continuing operations is different from the federal statutory rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 for the following reasons:
  
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
2011
   
2010
 
Expected taxes at statutory rates
    35.0 %     34.0 %
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit
    2.6 %     3.7 %
Establishment of deferred tax asset due to tax status change
    0.0 %     -41.6 %
Change in valuation allowance
    0.0 %     -17.3 %
Other
    1.7 %     1.5 %
      39.3 %     -19.7 %

Note. 12
Commitments and Contingencies

Letter of Credit
 
The Company was required to provide a letter of credit to one of its manufacturers as security for its performance of payment in the amount of $500,000.  On June 13, 2011, this letter of credit was released by the manufacturer due to proven payment history.  These funds were transferred to operating cash.
 
 
22

 

Other Commitments

From time to time in the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into agreements regarding royalty payments and/or receipts.  The total royalty revenue recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 is approximately $247,000 and  $0, respectively. There was no royalty revenue recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.  The total royalty expense recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $32,000 and $205,000 respectively. The total royalty expense recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $624,000 and $205,000, respectively.
 
 As of September 30, 2011, the Company no longer has any active royalty agreements but will continue to have minimal royalty expense from the amortization of certain prepaid royalties as certain products are sold.

Purchase Commitments

Pursuant to the Supply and Distribution Agreement between the Company and ParaPRO, the Company has purchase commitments for Natroba of approximately $33,830,000 during year 1, $51,740,000 during year 2 and $75,620,000 during year 3 of the supply and distribution agreement in order to retain its exclusive co-promotion rights. The Supply and Distribution Agreement may be terminated pursuant to certain terms in conditions, including but not limited to, the failure of the parties to come to agreement on adjusted dispensed product minimums.
 
Stock Options Issued in Exchange for Services

In August 2011, the Company and ParaPRO, LLC launched Natroba™ (spinosad) topical suspension, 0.9%, an FDA-approved prescription treatment for head lice in patients four years of age and older. Pursuant to an agreement for support services entered into between the Company and ParaPRO on August 27, 2010 which commensed upon the launch of Natroba on August 3, 2011, 460,000 stock options were issued to ParaPRO. The options have an exercise price of $3.65 which is the closing price of the Company’s stock as of the date of the support services agreement. The options are exercisable in seven installments in the following amounts: (i) 30,000 on August 1, 2012; (ii) 40,000 on August 1, 2013; (iii) 50,000 on August 1, 2014; (iv) 60,000 on August 1, 2015; (v) 70,000 on August 1, 2016; (iv) 90,000 on August 1, 2017; and (vii) 120,000 on August 1, 2018. The options are exercisable for a period of five years from the date each becomes exercisable and are valued at approximately $2,841,000. These options were granted in a private offering under Rule 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. As of September 30, 2011, there was approximately $2,718,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized ratably over a weighted-average period of 4.9 years.

Severance

Certain employees of the Company have employment agreements which provide for severance payments of up to one times annual base salary and benefits upon termination, depending on the reasons for the termination..  As of September 30, 2011, the Company had no amounts recorded as accrued severance.
 
 
23

 

Other Contingencies
 
The Company is exposed to various risks of loss related to torts; theft of, damage to, and destruction of assets; errors and omissions; injuries to employees; and natural disasters for which the Company maintains a general liability insurance with limits and deductibles that management believes prudent in light of the exposure of the Company to loss and the cost of insurance.
 
The Company is subject to various claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such matters will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the Company.
 
Note 13.
Subsequent Events
 
Purchase of Equity Interest in TherapeuticsMD
 
On October 5, 2011, the Company acquired 2.6 million shares of TherapeuticsMD for a purchase price of $1.0 million, or $0.38 per share, representing less than 3.5% of TherapeuticsMD’s outstanding common stock.  The Company’s purchase was contingent upon TherapeuticsMD’s acquisition of VitaMedMD, which occurred on October 4, 2011.   In connection with the Company’s purchase of shares of TherapeuticsMD, the Company also entered into a software license agreement with VitaMedMD pursuant to which VitaMedMD granted the Company an exclusive license to use certain of its physician, patient and product data gathering software in the field of pediatric medicine for a period of five years for a monthly fee of $21,700.
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

As of November 1, 2011, 17,232 shares were issued pursuant to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan for the offering period ended October 31, 2011.
 
 
24

 
 
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following discussion is designed to provide a better understanding of our unaudited consolidated financial statements, including a brief discussion of our business and products, key factors that impact our performance and a summary of our operating results. You should read the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in “Part I—Item 1. Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. In addition to historical information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements due to important factors including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Part I—Item1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
Executive Overview
 
Strategy

Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., or Pernix, is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the sales, marketing and development of branded and generic pharmaceutical products primarily for the pediatric market. The Company’s pediatric products, designed to improve the health and well-being of children, are focused in the specific areas of (i) allergy, (ii) upper respiratory, including nasal and chest congestion and cough and (iii) dermatology, including head lice. We promote our products through our sales and marketing organization with approximately 55 sales representatives, primarily in highly populated states, targeting pediatric and high-prescribing physicians that are in the top decile of physicians that prescribe our products. Our current operating plan focuses on maximizing sales of our existing product portfolio. In addition, we plan to accelerate growth by launching new products, line extensions, new formulations and by acquiring and licensing approved products.

As of September 30, 2011, our principal promoted product families included: ALDEX, BROVEX, CEDAX, and PEDIATEX. We discontinued the marketing of ZEMA PAK in June 2011 but have entered into a collaboration agreement with another party to sell this product under a different name.   In addition, we have acquired co-promotion rights to NATROBA TM (spinosad) Topical Suspension, 0.9% (“Natroba”), which received FDA approval for the treatment of head lice in January 2011 and was made commercially available on August 3, 2011. We launched NATROBA at the beginning of August 2011.  

As further discussed below, we are party to a joint venture arrangement for the development of Theobromine, a first-in-class treatment for cough which we plan to continue to develop for both the prescription and over-the counter, or OTC, markets. In addition, the Company develops and launches generic and authorized generic products through Macoven Pharmaceuticals, LLC, or Macoven, its wholly owned subsidiary. Pernix was founded in 1999, is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas and employs approximately 80 people.
 
 
25

 

Our business strategy is to:

    ●   
Promote products through our sales and marketing organization of approximately 55 sales representatives, primarily in highly populated states, targeting pediatric and high-prescribing physicians.

●   
Develop and launch generic and authorized generic products through Macoven, our wholly-owned subsidiary.

●   
Launch new line extensions and new formulations of our currently marketed products.
 
●   
Maximize the value of our Theobromine assets through our joint venture with SEEK.

●   
Continue to diversify and expand our product portfolio through acquisitions, co-promotions and in-licensing agreements.

●   
Leverage our business model by expanding into additional therapeutic areas.

●   
Adapt quickly to a rapidly changing pharmaceutical environment, and operate as a quick, nimble, and agile company.
 
We believe that if we implement this strategy successfully, we can deliver consistent long-term revenue and earnings growth.

Certain products in our portfolio are marketed without a United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved marketing application because we consider them to be identical, related or similar to products that have existed in the market without an FDA-approved marketing application, and which were thought not to require pre-market approval, or which were approved only on the basis of safety, at the time they entered the marketplace, subject to FDA enforcement policies established with the FDA’s Drug Efficacy Study Implementation, or DESI, program. On March 2, 2011, the FDA announced the removal of certain unapproved prescription cough, cold and allergy products from the U.S. market.  We had previously converted the ALDEX and BROVEX product families from DESI to OTC monograph, and believe we have and can continue to appropriately market these lines as OTC monograph products.  Except as provided herein, our authorized generic products added through the acquisition of Macoven that are named in the FDA announcement but are not currently marketed as OTC monograph are in the process of being converted, and we do not expect any suspension, delay or interruption in our sales of these products.  We did not convert four of our generic DESI cough and cold products to OTC monograph, as these products were already planned to be phased out prior to the FDA’s announcement.  These products were phased out during the third quarter of  2011.  The FDA announcement has not resulted in a material adverse impact on our results of operations or financial condition, nor do we expect it to in future periods. 

In addition to our own product portfolio, we have entered into co-promotion agreements with various parties regarding the marketing of certain products in return for commissions or percentages of revenue on the sales generated. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we had seven co-promotion agreements (including the agreement covering Natroba), three of which are for products marketed by others on our behalf and four which is for products marketed by us on behalf of another party.
 
 
26

 
 
Third Quarter 2011 Highlights
 
The following summarizes certain key financial measures as of, and for, the three months ended September 30, 2011:

   
Cash and cash equivalents equaled $27.6 million as of September 30, 2011.
 
●   
Net revenues were approximately $17.1 million and $7.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
●   
Net income before taxes was approximately $2.9 million and $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Net income was approximately $2.0 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
  Opportunities and Trends
 
There continue to be unmet patient needs in the pediatric area. We believe that we can systematically focus our efforts on developing and acquiring products or acquiring the assets of other companies whose products or assets can meet these needs. We also believe that future growth will be realized in the execution of generic development opportunities outside the pediatric area.  We believe the combination of product development and acquisition will enhance our growth opportunities.
 
Additionally, we continue to leverage our industry relationships. For example, we entered into a co-promotion agreement with ParaPRO, LLC related to the marketing of Natroba, which launched in early August 2011.
 
We are operating in challenging economic and industry environments. The challenges we face are compounded by the continued uncertainty around the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, which we refer to collectively herein as Health Care Reform. Given this business climate, we will continue to focus on managing and deploying our available cash efficiently and strengthening our industry relationships in order to be well-positioned to identify and capitalize upon potential growth opportunities.
 
As we execute our strategy, we will monitor and evaluate success through the following measures:

●   
Net product sales generated from our existing products;
   
●   
Revenues generated from co-promotion agreements, which includes our co-promotion of Natroba with ParaPRO, LLC;
 
●   
Progress of our development pipeline, which includes BC1036 (as discussed below); and
 
●   
Acquisition of product rights that align with our strategy and that offer potential for sustainable growth.
 
 
27

 
 
In March 2011, Pernix and SEEK appointed a financial advisor in connection with an auction of Theobromine (BC 1036). While the joint venture has not received an offer to purchase the Theobromine assets that was acceptable by its board of directors, the joint venture continues to evaluate opportunities and expects to continue discussions with interested parties to maximize the value of this asset. The joint venture expects to initiate its pivotal Phase III trial in the European Union in the first quarter of 2012, and is currently evaluating over-the-counter strategies in certain countries, including the United States. On September 26, 2011, the Company funded an additional $1.0 million in cash to the joint venture for continuing operations.
 
On July 27, 2011, the Company completed an underwritten registered direct offering of 4,000,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the terms of that certain underwriting agreement dated July 21, 2011 by and among the Company, the selling stockholders named therein and the underwriters named on Schedule I thereto, for whom Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated acted as representative.  As provided in the underwriting agreement, (i) we sold an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of our common stock, and (ii) the selling stockholders sold 1,000,000 shares of common stock.  The public offering price was $7.00 per share, and the underwriters purchased the shares subject to the offering at a price of $6.58 per share.  The offering was led by Aisling Capital and OrbiMed Advisors LLC. Net proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock to be sold by the Company, after underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, were approximately $19.2 million. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the offering for future acquisitions and other general corporate purposes. The offering was made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2011.
 
Financial Operations Overview
 
The discussion in this section describes our income statement categories.  For a discussion of our results of operations, see “Results of Operations” below.
  
  Net Revenues

 Pernix’s net revenues consist of net product sales and revenue from co-promotion and royalty agreements. Pernix recognizes product sales net of estimated allowances for returns, government program rebates, price adjustments and prompt pay discounts.  The primary factors that determine Pernix’s net product sales are the level of demand for Pernix’s products, unit sales prices, the applicable federal and supplemental government program rebates, contracted product service fees, rebate and chargeback rates, and the discounts that Pernix recognizes. In addition to our own product portfolio, we have entered into collaboration arrangements such as co-promotion agreements and other revenue sharing arrangements with various parties.
  
The following table sets forth a summary of Pernix’s net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Upper respiratory, allergy and antibiotic products
  $ 10,810     $ 11,173     $ 40,376     $ 29,639  
Medical food products
    117       220       625       486  
Dermatology products (including Natroba)
    7,709       140       9,962       140  
Other generic products
    4,398       -       5,947       0  
Collaboration and other revenue
    815       338       3,702       1,344  
Gross Revenues
    23,849       11,871       60,612       31,609  
    Sales Allowances
    (6,785 )     (4,118 )     (21,408 )     (10,661 )
Net Revenues
  $ 17,064     $ 7,753     $ 39,204     $ 20,948  
 
 
28

 

 Allowances for Prompt Pay Discounts, Product Returns, Price Adjustments,  and Medicaid Rebates
 
 The following table sets forth a summary of our allowances for product returns, government rebate programs and price adjustments as of September 30, 2011.   Prompt pay discounts are recorded as a reduction of accounts receivable and revenue and, therefore, are not included in the table below. The allowance for prompt pay discounts as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was approximately $450,000 and $306,000, respectively.
 
   
Product
   
Program
   
Price
 
   
Returns
   
Rebates
   
Adjustments
 
   
(in thousands)
             
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 3,975     $ 2,301     $ 647  
Allowance assumed in acquisition of Macoven
    245       55       325  
Reclass accrual for prompt pay discounts
    -       -       (127 )
Current provision:
                       
    Adjustments to provision for prior year sales
    (682 )     -       -  
    Provision – current year sales
    2,882       9,288       6,517  
Payments and credits
    (2,107 )     (7,212 )     (5,618 )
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 4,313     $ 4,432     $ 1,744  
    Adjustments to provision for prior year sales
    498       1,137       300  
    Provision – current year sales
    3,145       6,957       8,202  
Payments and credits
    (2,259 )     (6,543 )     (6,360 )
Balance at September 30, 2011
  $ 5,697     $ 5,983     $ 3,886  
   
Product Returns. Consistent with industry practice, we offer contractual return rights that allow our customers to return the majority of our products within an 18-month period, from six months prior to and up to twelve months subsequent to the expiration date of our products. Most of our products have a 24 to 36–month shelf life from the date of manufacture.  We adjust our estimate of product returns if we become aware of other factors that we believe could significantly impact our expected returns. These factors include our estimate of inventory levels of our products in the distribution channel, the shelf life of the product shipped, review of consumer consumption data as reported by external information management companies, actual and historical return rates for expired lots, the remaining shelf life of the product, the forecast of future sales of the product, and competitive issues such as new product entrants and other known changes in sales trends. We estimate returns of approximately 5% to 7% of sales of branded products (5% on sales of Natroba) and approximately 5% - 12% for generic products based upon historical data and other facts and circumstances that may impact future expected returns to derive the average return percentages of our products. Under our co-promotion agreement with ParaPRO, certain returns of Natroba sold within the first year of launch will be reimbursed by ParaPRO up to 65%. We review the reserve quarterly and adjust it accordingly.  The provision for returns for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 includes a non-recurring adjustment of approximately $672,000 recorded in the second quarter for potential returns of estimated channel inventory of two generic DESI products that have been discontinued as a result of the FDA notice issued in March 2011.  If estimates regarding product demand are inaccurate, if changes in the competitive environment effect demand for certain products, or if other unforeseen circumstances effect a product’s salability, actual returns could differ and such differences could be material.  For example, a 1% difference in our provision assumptions for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 would have affected pre-tax earnings by approximately $487,000.

Government Program Rebates. The liability for government program rebates is estimated based on historical and current rebate redemption and utilization rates contractually submitted by each state’s program administrator and assumptions regarding future Medicaid utilization for each product sold. The increase in rebates as a percentage of gross product sales is primarily due to new legislation, specifically Health Care Reform, the fact that we have more products covered by Medicaid (including generics) and the increase in the number of states where we sell products covered by Medicaid.  As we become aware of changing circumstances regarding the Medicaid and Medicare coverage of our products, we will continue to incorporate such changing circumstances into the estimates and assumptions that we use to calculate government program rebates. If our estimates and assumptions prove inaccurate, we may be subject to higher or lower government program rebates.  For example, with respect to the provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, a 1% difference in the provision assumptions based on utilization would have effected pre-tax earnings by approximately $121,000 and a 1% difference in the provisions based on  reimbursement rates would have affected pre-tax earnings by approximately $63,000.
 
 
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Price Adjustments. Our estimates of price adjustments which include customer rebates, service fees, and chargebacks  are based on our estimated mix of sales to various third-party payors who are entitled either contractually or statutorily to discounts from the listed prices of our products and contracted service fees with our wholesalers.  In the event that the sales mix to third-party payors or the contract fees paid to the wholesalers are different from our estimates, we may be required to pay higher or lower total price adjustments and/or chargebacks than originally estimated.  For example, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, a 1% difference in the assumptions based on the applicable sales would have affected pre-tax earnings by approximately $504,000.
 
We, from time to time, offer certain promotional product-related incentives to our customers. These programs include sample cards to retail consumers, certain product incentives to pharmacy customers and other sales stocking allowances. For example, we have initiated coupon programs for certain of our promoted products whereby we offer a point-of-sale subsidy to retail consumers. We estimate our liabilities for these coupon programs based on redemption information provided by a third party claims processing organization. We account for the costs of these special promotional programs as a reduction of gross revenue when applicable products are sold to the wholesalers or other retailers.  Any price adjustments that are not contractual but that are offered at the time of sale recorded as a reduction of revenue when the sales order is recorded.  These adjustments are not accrued as they are offered on a non-recurring basis at the time of sale and are recorded as an expense at the time of the sale. These allowances may be offered at varying times throughout the year or may be associated with specific events such as a new product launch or to reintroduce a product.  Approximately 16% of the provision relates to point-of-sale discounts to the wholesaler.

Prompt Payment Discounts. We typically require our customers to remit payments within the first 30 days for branded products (60 to 120 days for generics, depending on the customer and the products purchased).  Terms were extended to 60 days for the sales related to the launch of Natroba. We offer wholesale distributors a prompt payment discount if they make payments within these deadlines.  This discount is generally 2%, but may be higher in some instances due to product launches and/or industry expectations.  Because our wholesale distributors typically take advantage of the prompt pay discount, we accrue 100% of the prompt pay discounts, based on the gross amount of each invoice, at the time of our original sale, and apply earned discounts at the time of payment.  This allowance is recorded as a reduction of accounts receivable and revenue. We adjust the accrual periodically to reflect actual experience.  Historically, these adjustments have not been material.  We do not anticipate that future changes to our estimates of prompt payment discounts will have a material impact on our net revenue. 
  
Cost of Product Sales
 
Our cost of product sales is primarily comprised of the costs of manufacturing and distributing Pernix’s pharmaceutical products and samples and collaboration expense related to co-promotional agreements with third parties. In particular, cost of product sales includes third-party manufacturing, packaging and distribution costs and the cost of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Pernix partners with third parties to manufacture all of its products and product candidates.
 
Most of our manufacturing arrangements are not subject to long-term agreements and generally may be terminated by either party without penalty at any time. Changes in the price of raw materials and manufacturing costs could adversely affect Pernix’s gross margins on the sale of its products. Changes in Pernix’s mix of products sold also affect its cost of product sales.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Our selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, benefits and commissions as well as public company costs, professional and consulting fees, sales data costs, insurance, and company overhead.
 
 
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Royalty Expenses, net
 
From time to time in the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into agreements regarding royalty payments and/or receipts.  As of September 30, 2011, the Company no longer has any active royalty agreements but will continue to have minimal royalty expense from the amortization of certain prepaid royalties as certain products are sold.  
 
 Research and Development Expenses
 
Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred in identifying, developing and testing products and product candidates. Pernix either expenses research and development costs as incurred or, if Pernix prepays a manufacturer a research and development fee, Pernix will expense such fee ratably over the term of the development or the contract for services. Pernix believes that significant investment in research and development is important to its competitive position and may, in the future, increase its expenditures for research and development to realize the potential of its product candidates, including BC 1036.  

Loss from the Operations of the Joint Venture

See Note 5 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  
 
Other Income and Expenses
 
Depreciation Expense.  Depreciation expense is recognized for our property and equipment, which depreciates over the estimated useful life of the asset using the straight-line method.
 
Income Taxes.  Effective January 1, 2010, PTI terminated its S Corporation status.   As a result of this election, income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740 - Income Taxes. Accordingly, we were required to record deferred taxes on its temporary differences at the date of termination.  The resulting deferred tax asset recorded as a tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $1,839,000.    
 
In connection with the reverse merger of PTI and GTA on March 9, 2010, a portion of the valuation allowance on operating loss carryovers was released in an amount equal to the losses that are projected to be utilized in the five tax years following the acquisition.  The resulting release of the valuation allowance that was recorded as a tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $779,000.
 
Critical Accounting Estimates
 
Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. For information regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates please refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements contained therein. There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies previously disclosed in that report.
 
 
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Results of Operations
 
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
 
Net Revenues.   Net revenues were approximately $17,064,000 and $7,753,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, an increase of approximately $9,311,000, or 120.1%. The increase in net revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2011 was primarily due to an increase in gross product sales of approximately $11,501,000 and an increase in collaboration and other revenue of approximately $477,000.  The increase in gross product sales was attributed to gross sales from the launch of Natroba of approximately $7,751,000, an increase in gross sales of CEDAX and an increase in the sales of generic products through our generic subsidiary, Macoven, which we acquired in September 2010.  The increase in gross revenue was offset by an increase in deductions from gross product sales revenue (including allowances for returns, government program rebates and price adjustments) of approximately $2,667,000, or 64.8%, due primarily to an increase in chargebacks, rebates and vendor fees primarily attributed to the increase in our generic product sales and chargebacks applicable to launch sales of Natroba.   
  
 Cost of Product Sales.  Cost of product sales was approximately $7,815,000 and $1,410,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, an increase of approximately $6,405,000, or 454.2%. The increase in cost of product sales is primarily the result of the launch of the Natroba product line in August of 2011.  The cost that the Company pays for Natroba pursuant to the Supply and Distribution Agreement with ParaPRO is significantly higher than the direct manufacturing cost that we pay on the other products in our portfolio. See Note 9 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a comparison of our gross margin.  In addition, cost of product sales for this period includes a non-recurring adjustment of approximately $492,000 for expiring and/or discontinued products that were destroyed or donated.   The cost of product samples included in cost of product sales was approximately $131,000 and $259,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, a decrease of approximately $128,000, or 49.4%.  Collaboration expense included in cost of sales was approximately $741,000 and $471,000, an increase of approximately $270,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The increase in the collaboration expense is primarily due to a profit sharing arrangement on one of our generic products.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $5,411,000 and $3,505,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, an increase of approximately $1,906,000, or 54.4%.  Salaries, bonuses, commissions, incentives and stock compensation expense ("overall compensation expense") represented approximately $3,162,000, or 58.4%, and $2,087,000, or 59.5%, of total selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The increase in overall compensation expense is primarily due to an increase in commisions from the increase in gross sales and the higher commission rate paid on Natroba in comparison to our other products, an increase in accrued bonuses, an increase in the base salary of each sales representative that was effective February 1, 2011 and the addition of several new positions after September 30, 2010.  Other selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $2,249,000 and $1,419,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, an increase of approximately $830,000, or 58.5%. This increase in other selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in professional fees (legal, tax preparation, recruitment, etc.) regulatory and license fees, insurance, leases, sales reporting expenses, freight, information technology expenses, certain public company costs and investor relations expenses, and increased overhead (such as travel, telephone, and vehicle expenses).
 
Royalty Expenses, net.  Royalty expenses were approximately $32,000 and $205,000, respectively, during the three months ended September 30, 2011. We did not recognize any royalty revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
 
Research and Development Expense. Research and development expenses were approximately $147,000 and $253,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The research and development expenses during the current period are primarily related to the launch of a new generic product. 
 
Loss from the Operations of the Joint Venture.  The loss from the operations of our joint venture was approximately $101,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 which primarily relates to research and development costs for BC 1036.
 
 
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Other Expenses
 
Depreciation and Amortization Expense.  Depreciation expenses were approximately $25,000 and $15,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase of approximately $10,000, or 66.3%, is due to information technology and furniture purchases.
 
Amortization expense was approximately $578,000 and $285,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.  The increase of approximately $293,000 is due to the amortization under certain of our acquisition agreements, including CEDAX in March 2010 and Macoven in September 2010.  For further discussion, see Note 3 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 contained in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
Interest Expense, net. Interest income was approximately $16,000 and $15,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Interest expense was approximately $53,000 and $6,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The increase in interest expense is related to the outstanding balance under our line of credit and certain insurance financing arrangements.
 
 Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
 
Net Revenues.  Net revenues were approximately $39,204,000 and $20,948,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, an increase of approximately $18,256,000, or 87.1%. The increase in net revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was primarily due to an increase in gross product sales of approximately $26,645,000, or 88.0%, and an increase in collaboration and other revenue of approximately $2,358,000.  The increase in gross product sales was attributed to approximately $7,751,000 in gross sales from the launch of Natroba, an increase in the gross sales of our new formulation of CEDAX and an increase in the sales of generic products through Macoven.  As previously noted, since we did not acquire  Macoven until September 2010, generic product sales did not make up a significant amount of our gross sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The increase in gross revenue was offset by an increase in deductions from gross product sales revenue (including allowances for returns, government program rebates and price adjustments) of approximately $10,747,000, or 100.8%, resulting from the overall increase in gross sales and also due to price adjustments (chargebacks, rebates and vendor fees) that are primarily applicable to sales of our generic products.  
 
Cost of Product Sales.  Cost of product sales was approximately $13,700,000 and $3,270,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, an increase of approximately $10,430,000, or 319.0%.  The increase in cost of product sales is primarily the result of the overall increase in gross product sales and the launch of the Natroba product line in August of 2011.  As previously noted, the cost that the Company pays for Natroba pursuant to the Supply and Distribution Agreement with ParaPRO is significantly higher than the direct manufacturing cost that we pay on the other products in our portfolio.  See Note 9 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a comparison of our gross margin. The increase is also due to the higher manufacturing cost associated with CEDAX, which we acquired in March 2010 as compared to our other product lines. In addition, cost of product sales for this period includes a non-recurring adjustment of approximately $1,311,000 for expiring and/or discontinued products that were destroyed or donated.   The cost of product samples included in cost of product sales was approximately $631,000 and $480,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, an increase of approximately $151,000, or 31.5%.  Collaboration expense included in cost of sales was approximately $1,296,000 and $124,000 an increase of approximately $1,172,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The increase in the collaboration expense is primarily due to a profit sharing arrangement on one of our generic products.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $14,925,000 and $9,384,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, an increase of approximately $5,541,000, or 59.1%.  Overall compensation expense represented approximately $8,923,000, or 59.8%, and $5,447,000, or 58.0%, of total selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  As previously noted the increase in overall compensation expense is due to an increase commissions from the increase in gross sales and the higher commission rate paid on Natroba in comparison to our other products, an increase in accrued bonuses, an increase in the base salary of each sales representative effective February 1, 2011 and the addition of several new positions after September 2010.   Other selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $6,002,000 and $3,937,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, an increase of approximately $2,065,000, or 52.4%.   This increase in selling, general and administrative was primarily due to an increase in professional fees (legal, tax preparation, recruitment, etc.) regulatory and license fees, insurance, leases, sales reporting expenses, freight, information technology expenses, certain public company costs and investor relations expenses, and increased overhead (such as travel, telephone, and vehicle expenses).
 
 
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        Royalty Expenses, net.  Royalty expenses, net were approximately $377,000 and $205,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Royalty expenses were approximately $624,000 and $205,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, representing fees incurred under two agreements.  Royalty expenses are related to obligations under license and co-promotional agreements.  These royalty expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, were partially offset by royalty revenue of approximately $247,000 related to the TCT control delivery technology.
 
Research and Development Expense.  Research and development expenses were approximately $718,000 and $840,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The research and development costs during the current period are primarily related to the launch of a new generic product.  The research and development expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were primarily due to the amortization of the $1.5 million development fee paid to Macoven in July 2009.
 
Loss from the Operations of the Joint Venture.  The loss from the operations of our joint venture was approximately $692,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 which represents primarily research and development costs related to the development of BC1036, Theobromine, a first-in-class, non-codeine antitussive drug designed to address the serious need for a safer and more effective, non-opioid treatment for persistent cough.
  
Other Expenses
 
Depreciation and Amortization Expense.  Depreciation expenses were approximately $68,000 and $43,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase of approximately $25,000, or 58.2%, is due to information technology and furniture purchases.
 
Amortization expense was approximately $1,623,000 and $516,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.  The increase of approximately $1,107,000 is due to the amortization under certain of our commercial agreements that we entered into, including the agreements evidencing our acquisitions of CEDAX in March 2010 and Macoven in September 2010.  For further discussion, see Note 3 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 contained in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
Interest Expense, net.  Interest income was approximately $29,000 and $25,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Interest expense was approximately $159,000 and $8,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to our line of credit and insurance financing arrangements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Sources of Liquidity
 
Pernix’s net income before income taxes was approximately $6,972,000 and $7,866,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
Pernix requires cash to meet its operating expenses and for capital expenditures, acquisitions, and in-licenses of rights to products. To date, Pernix has funded its operations primarily from product sales and co-promotion agreement revenues. As of September 30, 2011, Pernix had approximately $27,563,000 in cash and cash equivalents.

As previously discussed, on July 27, 2011, the Company completed an underwritten registered direct offering of common stock.  Net proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock to be sold by the Company, after underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, were approximately $19.3 million. For additional information, see Note 1 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.
 
 
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Cash Flows
 
The following table provides information regarding Pernix’s cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
(rounded)
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cash provided by (used in)
           
Operating activities
  $ 1,263,362     $ 2,067,865  
Investing activities
    (1,133,281 )     (4,143,402 )
Financing activities
    19,172,984       5,661,911  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
  $ 19,303,065     $ 3,586,374  

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
 
Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $1,263,000 and $2,068,000, respectively.  Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 reflects Pernix’s net income of approximately $4,472,000, adjusted by non-cash expenses totaling approximately $3,392,000 partially offset by a non-cash deferred income tax benefit of approximately $2,414,000 and approximately $4,186,000 in net changes in accounts receivable, inventories, accrued expenses and other operating assets and liabilities.   Non-cash expenses included amortization of approximately $1,623,000,  depreciation of approximately $68,000, stock compensation expense of approximately $872,000, stock option expense for options issued to ParaPRO of approximately $137,000 and expenses from our joint venture with SEEK of approximately $692,000. Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily reflected Pernix’s net income of approximately $7,821,000, adjusted by non-cash expenses totaling approximately $850,000 offset by a non-cash deferred income  tax benefit of approximately $2,471,000, a bargain purchase gain from the acquisition of Macoven of approximately $882,000, non-cash interest income of approximately $6,000 and approximately $3,244,000 in net changes in accounts receivable, inventories, accrued expenses and other operating assets and liabilities. Non-cash expenses included amortization of approximately $516,000, depreciation of approximately $43,000, and stock compensation expense of approximately $291,000.
 
Accounts receivable at September 30, 2011, increased approximately $8,894,000 (including approximately $2,000 in interest on the letter of credit released and transferred to cash) from December 31, 2010 primarily attributable to an increase in net revenues, including an increase in generic product sales that have longer payment terms, and the extended payment terms given on the sales related to the launch of Natroba.  Inventories increased approximately $3,373,000 from December 31, 2010 primarily attributable to the launch of the Natroba product line in August.  Prepaid expenses and other assets decreased by approximately $277,000, of which approximately $113,000 was a payment received on a note receivable and classified as a financing cash flow.
 
Accrued expenses and allowances increased approximately $6,264,000, in the aggregate, from December 31, 2010, primarily due to an increase in gross product revenue.  Accounts payable increased approximately $2,520,000 due to the initial stocking of the Natroba product.
 
 
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 Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
 
Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $1,133,000 and $4,143,000, respectively.  The cash flow from investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 consisted of a $1,000,000 additional investment in our joint venture with SEEK offset by approximately $133,000 in purchases of  equipment and furniture, primarily for our new corporate headquarters.  The $4,143,000 used in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily consisted of approximately (i) $1,996,000, net of cash acquired of approximately $189,000,  paid in the acquisition of Macoven,  (ii) the initial installment of the purchase price of CEDAX of $1,500,000, (iii) the initial installment, net of adjustments, in the Gaine acquisition of approximately $327,000, (iv)  the amount paid in the acquisition of the TCT patent of $250,000, and (v) purchases of office furniture and equipment of approximately $70,000.  
 
 Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
 
Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was approximately $19,173,000 which represents approximately (i) $1,000,000 in proceeds from our revolving line of credit, (ii) $19,260,000 in net proceeds from the additional equity offering completed on July 27, 2011, (iii) $500,000 in cash released from a letter of credit and transferred from restricted to unrestricted cash, (iv) $113,000 in payment received on notes receivable, (v) $123,000 tax benefit on stock-based awards, and (v) $107,000 in proceeds from the issuance of stock under our employee stock purchase and incentive stock plans, partially offset by approximately (i) $900,000 in installment payments on the repurchase of stock from a related party, (ii) $1,000,000 for the last scheduled installment on the acquisition of Gaine, and  (iii) $30,000 in payments under other installment contracts payable. Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was approximately $5,662,000, which represents cash acquired in connection with the merger with GTA of approximately $5,966,000, proceeds from line of credit of approximately $2,185,000, proceeds from payment on notes receivable of approximately $66,000 and proceeds from the issuance of stock through the exercise of stock options of approximately $78,000, partially offset by approximately $1,500,000 for the second installment payment on the acquisition of CEDAX, $300,000 for the first installment payment on the repurchase of stock from a related party, $211,000 in stock repurchases under our stock buyback program, approximately $121,000 in distributions to stockholders and $501,000 representing a transfer to restricted cash for the issuance of a letter of credit plus accrued interest.  
  
  Funding Requirements
 
As of September 30, 2011, Pernix had a revolving credit line with approximately $4.0 million available for working capital.   The Company is currently in discussions with Regions to potentially expand the revolver amount from $10.0 million to $25 million to provide additional funding for product acquisition and/or development opportunities.  Pernix’s future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:
 
 
●    
the level of product sales of its currently marketed products and any additional products that Pernix may market in the future;
 
 
●    
the level of inventory purchase commitments under supply, manufacturing, license and/or co-promotion agreements;
 
 
●    
the scope, progress, results and costs of development activities for Pernix’s current product candidates;
 
 
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●    
the costs, timing and outcome of regulatory review of Pernix’s product candidates, including the development of Theobromine product candidates through Pernix’s joint venture with SEEK;
 
 
●    
the number of, and development requirements for, additional product candidates that Pernix pursues;
 
 
●    
the costs of commercialization activities, including product marketing, sales and distribution;
 
 
●    
the costs and timing of establishing manufacturing and supply arrangements for clinical and commercial supplies of Pernix’s product candidates and products;
 
 
●    
the extent to which Pernix acquires or invests in products, businesses and technologies;
 
 
●    
the extent to which Pernix chooses to establish collaboration, co-promotion, distribution or other similar arrangements for its marketed products and product candidates; and
 
 
●    
the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications and maintaining, enforcing and defending claims related to intellectual property owned by or licensed to Pernix.
 
To the extent that Pernix’s capital resources are insufficient to meet its future capital requirements, Pernix will need to finance its cash needs through public or private equity offerings, debt financings, corporate collaboration and licensing arrangements or other financing alternatives. Equity or debt financing, or corporate collaboration and licensing arrangements, may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.
 
As of November 11, 2011, Pernix has approximately $31 million in cash on hand.  Based on its current operating plans, Pernix believes that its existing cash, which includes approximately $19.3 million from the recently completed equity offering, revenues from product sales and the available line of credit proceeds will be sufficient to continue to fund its existing level of operating expenses, general capital expenditure requirements, potential acquisitions or other business opportunities for the foreseeable future.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
Since its inception, Pernix has not engaged in any off-balance sheet arrangements, including structured finance, special purpose entities or variable interest entities.
  
Effects of Inflation
 
Pernix does not believe that inflation has had a significant impact on its revenues or results of operations since inception.
 
 
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
See Note 2 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to Pernix’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 contained in Part I, Item I of this Form 10-Q.
 
ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
As of September 30, 2011, we evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)). Management concluded that as of September 30, 2011, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 
 
 
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 PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
Pernix is subject to various claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, the outcome of such matters will not have a material effect on Pernix’s financial position or results of operations.
 
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
 
There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
On August 24, 2010, the Company and ParaPRO, LLC entered into co-promotion, supply and support services agreements relating to the promotion and sale of ParaPRO’s Natroba™ (spinosad) Topical Suspension, 0.9% for the treatment of head lice.  The co-promotion agreement provides that the Company and ParaPRO will exclusively market Natroba in the United States using a combined sales force following receipt of all requisite government and regulatory approvals.  The support services agreement provides that the Company would grant 460,000 options to purchase shares of its common stock to ParaPRO following receipt of all governmental and regulatory approvals necessary to market and sell Natroba in the United States, with each option having an exercise price equal to $3.65, representing the closing price of the Company’s common stock as of August 24, 2010.  The options, when granted, would become exercisable in seven installments in the following amounts: (i) 30,000 on August 1, 2012; (ii) 40,000 on August 1, 2013; (iii) 50,000 on August 1, 2014; (iv) 60,000 on August 1, 2015; (v) 70,000 on August 1, 2016; (iv) 90,000 on August 1, 2017; and (vii) 120,000 on August 1, 2018, with each option exercisable for a period of five years.

On January 18, 2011, the FDA approved Natroba as a prescription medication indicated for topical head lice and it was made commercially available on August 3, 2011 on which date the Company’s support services agreement with ParaPRO commenced pursuant to which the Company granted 460,000 options to purchase its common stock to ParaPRO.  The grant of the options and any subsequent issuance of shares upon exercise of such options is made pursuant to a private offering under Rule 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
 
ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
None.
 
ITEM 4.
RESERVED AND REMOVED
 
 

ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
None. 
 
 
39

 
 
ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
 
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
 
Description
     
1.1
 
Underwriting Agreement dated July 21, 2011 between Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., the selling stockholders named therein and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule I thereto (previously filed as Exhibit 1.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 21, 2011 and incorporated here by reference).
     
3.1
 
Articles of Incorporation of Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
     
3.2
 
Bylaws of Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.  (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
     
 
Consulting Agreement by and between Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. and Jan Loeb dated August 29, 2011.
     
 
Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 
Certification of the Registrant’s Principal Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 
Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
101.INS*
 
XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
________________________
* Filed herewith.
 
 
40

 
 
 SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
PERNIX THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.
 
       
Date: November 14, 2011
By:  
/s/ COOPER COLLINS
 
   
Cooper Collins
 
   
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
       
       
Date: November 14, 2011
By:
/s/ TRACY S. CLIFFORD
 
   
Tracy S. Clifford
 
   
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
 
 
 
41