Form 10-KSB Annual Report
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
DC 20549
FORM
10-KSB
[X]
ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
For
the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
[
]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT
OF 1934
For
the
transition period from ________ to ____________
Commission
file number 001-32288
NEPHROS,
INC.
(Name
of
Small Business Issuer in Its Charter)
Delaware
(State
or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
or Organization)
|
13-3971809
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
|
3960
Broadway
New
York,
NY 10032
_____________________________________________________________________________
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
(212)
781-5113
_____________________________________________________________________________
Telephone
Number, Including Area Code)
Securities
Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Title
Of Each Class
|
|
Name
Of Each Exchange On Which Registered
|
Common
Stock, $.001 par value per share
|
|
American
Stock Exchange
|
Securities
registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Title
of
Class
Check
whether the issuer is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act. [ ]
Indicate
by check mark whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed
by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act during the past 12 months
(or
for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports),
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES
[X]
NO [ ]
Check
if
there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of
Regulation S-B contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained,
to
the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any
amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [X]
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act. YES [ ] NO [X]
State
issuer’s revenues for fiscal year ended December 31, 2006: $793,489
The
aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by
non-affiliates was $8,507,523 computed by reference to the closing price of
the
common stock on April 9, 2007.
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common
stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
|
Outstanding
at April 10, 2007
|
Common
Stock, $.001 par value
|
12,317,992
|
The
following documents are incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on
Form
10-KSB: Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed for
its 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into
Part
III of this Report.
Transitional
Small Business Disclosure Format YES [ ] NO [X]
NEPHROS,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Table
of Contents
Page
|
Item
1.
|
Description
of Business.
4
|
|
|
Item
2.
|
Description
of Property
20
|
|
|
Item
3.
|
Legal
Proceedings
20
|
|
|
Item
4.
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders.
20
|
|
PART
II
|
Item
5.
|
Market
for Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Small Business
Issuer
Purchases of Equity
Securities.
21
|
|
|
Item
6.
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis or Plan of
Operation
21
|
|
|
Item
7.
|
Financial
Statements.
F-1
|
|
|
Item
8.
|
Changes
in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial
Disclosure.
50
|
|
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Item
8A.
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Controls
and
Procedures.
50
|
|
|
Item
8B.
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Other
Information.
50
|
|
PART
III
|
Item
9.
|
Directors,
Executive Officers, Promoters, Control Persons and Corporate Governance;
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act. 50
|
|
|
Item
10.
|
Executive
Compensation.
51
|
|
|
Item
11.
|
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder
Matters.
51
|
|
|
Item
12.
|
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence.
51
|
|
|
Item
14.
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Principal
Accountant Fees and
Services. 55
|
|
PART
I
Item
1. Description
of Business.
Overview
We
are a
Delaware corporation founded in 1997 by health professionals, scientists and
engineers affiliated with Columbia University to develop advanced End Stage
Renal Disease, or ESRD, therapy technology and products that would address
both
patient treatment needs and the clinical and financial needs of the treatment
provider. We currently have three products in various stages of development
in
the hemodiafiltration, or HDF, modality to deliver improved therapy to ESRD
patients:
|
-
|
OLpūr
MDHDF
filter series (which we sell in various countries in Europe and currently
consists of our MD190 and MD220 diafilters) designed expressly for
HDF
therapy and employing our proprietary Mid-Dilution Diafiltration
technology;
|
|
-
|
OLpūr
H2H,
our add-on module designed to allow the most common types of hemodialysis
machines to be used for HDF therapy;
and
|
|
-
|
OLpūr NS2000
system, our stand-alone HDF machine and associated filter
technology.
|
We
have
also developed our OLpūr HD 190 high-flux dialyzer cartridge, which incorporates
the same materials as our OLpūr MD series but does not employ our proprietary
Mid-Dilution Diafiltration technology. Our OLpūr HD190 was designed for use with
either hemodialysis or hemodiafiltration machines, and received its
approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, under Section
510(k) of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or the FDC Act, in June
2005.
OLpūr
and
H2H
are
among our trademarks for which U.S. registrations are pending. H2H
is a
registered European Union trademark. We have assumed that the reader understands
that these terms are source-indicating. Accordingly, such terms appear
throughout the remainder of this Annual Report without trademark notices for
convenience only and should not be construed as being used in a descriptive
or
generic sense.
We
believe that products in our OLpūr MDHDF filter series are more effective than
any products currently available for ESRD therapy, because they are better
at
removing certain larger toxins (known in the industry as “middle molecules”
because of their heavier
molecular weight) from blood. The accumulation of middle molecules in the blood
has been related to such conditions as malnutrition, impaired cardiac function,
carpal tunnel syndrome, and degenerative bone disease in the ESRD patient.
We
also believe that
OLpūr H2H
will,
upon introduction, expand the use of HDF as a cost-effective and attractive
alternative for ESRD therapy.
We
believe that our products will reduce hospitalization, medication and care
costs
as well as improve patient health (including
reduced
drug requirements and improved blood pressure profile), and, therefore, quality
of life, by removing a broad range of toxins through a more patient-friendly,
better-tolerated process. We believe that the OLpūr MDHDF filter series and the
OLpūr H2H
will
provide these benefits to ESRD patients at competitive costs and without the
need for ESRD treatment providers to make significant capital expenditures
in
order to use our products. We also believe that the OLpūr NS2000 system, if
successfully developed,
will
be the most cost-effective stand-alone hemodiafiltration system
available.
In
January 2006, we introduced our new Dual Stage Ultrafilter (the “DSU”) water
filtration system. Our DSU represents a new and complementary product line
to
our existing ESRD therapy business. The DSU incorporates our unique and
proprietary dual stage filter architecture and is, to our knowledge, the only
water filter that allows the user to sight-verify that the filter is properly
performing its cleansing function. Our
research
and development work on the OLpūr H2H
and
Mid-Dilution filter technologies for ESRD therapy provided the foundations
for a
proprietary multi-stage water filter that we believe is cost effective,
extremely reliable, and long-lasting. We believe our DSU can offer a robust
solution to a broad range of contaminated water problems. Hospitals are
particularly stringent in their water quality requirements; transplant patients
and other individuals whose immune
systems
are compromised can face a substantial infection risk in drinking or bathing
with standard tap water that would generally not present a danger to individuals
with normal immune function. The DSU is designed to remove a broad range of
bacteria, viral agents and toxic substances, including salmonella, hepatitis,
anthrax, HIV, Ebola virus, ricin toxin, legionella, fungi and e-coli. During
January 2006, we received our first purchase order for our DSU from a major
hospital in New York City. The hospital conducted an evaluation of our DSUs
by
installing them in a sampling of the hospital’s patient showers. Upon completion
of the first phase, the hospital ordered additional DSU units in December 2006
to continue its evaluation. With over 5,000 registered hospitals, as reported
in
Fast Facts, October 20, 2006, by the American Hospital Association, in the
United States alone, we believe the hospital shower and faucet market can offer
us a valuable opportunity as a first step in water filtration.
In
September 2006, the President of the United States signed the current U.S.
Defense Department budget for fiscal 2007, which included an appropriation
for
the U.S. Marine Corps for development of a dual stage ultra water filter. We
are
currently working with military laboratories to define the current project
scope
and objectives in connection with this appropriation. We have also introduced
the DSU to various government agencies as a solution to providing potable water
in certain emergency response situations. We have also begun investigating
a
range of commercial, industrial and retail opportunities for our DSU technology.
However, there can be no assurance that our efforts to market the DSU to
hospitals or develop the DSU for the military will be successful, or that we
will be able to successfully apply the DSU to any other markets.
Liquidity
and Going Concern
The
financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB have been
prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern, however, there
can
be no assurance that we will be able to do so. Our recurring losses and
difficulty in generating sufficient cash flow to meet our obligations and
sustain our operations raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue
as
a going concern, and our consolidated financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
As
of
April 2, 2007, we had approximately $447,000 in cash and cash equivalents and
$900,000 invested in short term securities. We have implemented a strict cash
management program to conserve our cash, reduce our expenditures and control
our
payables. In accordance with this cash management program, we believe that
our
existing funds will be sufficient to fund our currently planned operations
through the second quarter of 2007. If we are unable to successfully implement
our cash management program, then we would be unable to fund our currently
planned operations through that date.
We
will
need to raise additional funds through either the licensing or sale of our
technologies or the additional public or private offerings of our securities.
We
are currently investigating additional funding opportunities, talking to various
potential investors who could provide financing and we believe that we will
be
able to secure financing in the near term. However, there can be no assurance
that we will be able to obtain further financing, do so on reasonable terms,
do
so on terms that will satisfy the American Stock Exchange’s (“AMEX”) continued
listing standards or do so on terms that would not substantially dilute your
equity interests in us. If we are unable to raise additional funds on a timely
basis, or at all, we will not be able to continue our operations and we may
be
de-listed from the AMEX.
We
do not
generate enough revenue through the sale of our products or licensing revenues
to meet our expenditure needs. Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness
will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to some extent,
is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory
and other factors that are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that
our future cash flow will be sufficient to meet our obligations and commitments.
If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future
to service our indebtedness and to meet our other commitments, we will be
required to adopt alternatives, such as seeking to raise additional debt or
equity capital, curtailing our planned activities or ceasing our operations.
There can be no assurance that any such actions could be effected on a timely
basis or on satisfactory terms or at all, or that these actions would enable
us
to continue to satisfy our capital requirements. For additional information
of
factors which could affect our ability to meet our obligations, please see
the
sections titled “Certain Risks and Uncertainties” and “Liquidity and Capital
Resources” in Item 6 of this Report.
ESRD
Industry Background
ESRD
is
characterized by irreversible loss of kidney function and ESRD is usually the
result of years of chronic kidney disease caused by inherited conditions,
prolonged medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or other
events or conditions that harm the kidneys. A healthy kidney removes excess
water and various waste products from the blood stream, a process critical
to
maintaining life. In addition, kidneys play a significant role with hormone
levels contributing to healthy bones and red blood cell production. When kidney
function drops below certain parameters, treatment is required for patient
survival. There are currently only two methods for treating ESRD—renal
replacement therapy and kidney transplantation. We believe that, so long as
the
shortage of suitable kidneys for transplants persists, ESRD patients will
continue to need some form of renal replacement therapy and the supplies it
requires.
The
dialysis filter (also referred to as a dialyzer or an “artificial kidney”) is an
essential component of extracorporeal ESRD therapy. We are
currently competing in the HDF dialyzer market using our OLpūr MDHDF filter
series (MD190 and MD220) in part or all of Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany,
Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and the United
Kingdom
(referred to hereafter collectively as our “Target European Market”). There are
currently no FDA approved HDF therapies available in the U.S. market. In the
first quarter of 2007 we received approval from the FDA to begin human clinical
trials in
the
United States pursuing 510(k) approval of our OLpūr MDHDF filter series and
OLpūr H2H.
If we
can obtain FDA approval of the OLpūr MDHDF filter series and OLpūr H2H,
we
could enter the U.S. ESRD market by combining our OLpūr MDHDF filters with our
OLpūr
H2H
device
to enable the HDF process on the most common hemodialysis machines.
There
is
an important distinction between the dialyzer markets in the United States
and
those in our Target European Market and Japan. In the United States, according
to an article published by Dr. Zbylut
J.
Twardowski, entitled Dialyzer Reuse-Part I: Historical Perspective, in Seminars
in Dialysis Vol. 19, No. 1 (January-February) 2006, recent available statistics
indicate that 60%
of
dialysis clinics reuse dialyzers - that is, a single dialyzer is disinfected
and
reused by the same patient. However, the trend in our Target European Market
is
towards single use, or not reusing dialyzers, and some countries (such as
France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan) actually forbid the reuse
of
dialyzers. As a result, we believe that our Target European Market and Japan
provide substantially larger dialyzer markets than the United States on a per
patient basis. Assuming patients receive three treatments per week, up to 156
dialyzers per patient per year are used in markets where single use is employed.
This does not preclude us from selling to single-use clinics in the United
States, or from potentially charging a higher price for reusable filters in
the
United States.
Current
ESRD Therapy Options
Current
renal replacement therapy technologies include (1) two types of dialysis,
peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis, (2) hemofiltration and (3)
hemodiafiltration, a combination of hemodialysis and hemofiltration. Dialysis
can be broadly defined as the process that involves movement of molecules across
a semipermeable membrane. In hemodialysis, hemofiltration or hemodiafiltration,
the blood is exposed to an artificial membrane outside of the body. During
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD), the exchange of molecules occurs across the membrane
lining of the patient’s peritoneal cavity. While there are variations in each
approach, in general, the three major categories of renal replacement therapy
in
the marketplace today are defined as follows:
|
-
|
Peritoneal
Dialysis,
or PD, uses the patient’s peritoneum, the membrane lining covering the
internal abdominal organs, as a filter by introducing injectable-grade
dialysate solution into the peritoneal cavity through a surgically
implanted catheter. After some period of time, the fluid is drained
and
replaced. PD is limited in use because the peritoneal cavity is subject
to
scarring with repeated episodes of inflammation of the peritoneal
membrane, reducing the effectiveness of this treatment approach.
With
time, a PD patient’s kidney function continues to deteriorate and
peritoneal toxin removal alone may become insufficient to provide
adequate
treatment. In such case the patient may switch to an extracorporeal
renal
replacement therapy such as hemodialysis or
hemodiafiltration.
|
|
-
|
Hemodialysis
uses
an artificial kidney machine to remove certain toxins and fluid
from the
patient’s blood while controlling external blood flow and monitoring
patient vital signs. Hemodialysis patients are connected to a dialysis
machine via a vascular access device. The hemodialysis process
occurs in a
dialyzer cartridge with a semi-permeable membrane which divides
the
dialyzer into two chambers: while the blood is circulated through
one
chamber, a premixed solution known as dialysate circulates through
the
other chamber. Toxins and excess fluid from the blood cross the
membrane
into the dialysate solution through a process known as
“diffusion.”
|
|
-
|
Hemodiafiltration,
or
HDF, in its basic form combines the principles of hemodialysis with
hemofiltration. Hemofiltration is a cleansing process without dialysate
solution where blood is passed through a semi-permeable membrane,
which
filters out solute particles. HDF uses dialysate solution with a
negative
pressure (similar to a vacuum effect) applied to the dialysate solution
to
draw additional toxins from the blood and across the membrane. This
process is known as “convection.” HDF thus combines diffusion with
convection, offering efficient removal of small solutes by diffusion,
with
improved removal of larger substances (i.e., middle molecules) by
convection.
|
Hemodialysis
is the most common form of extracorporeal renal replacement therapy and is
generally used in the United States. Hemodialysis fails, in our opinion, to
address satisfactorily the long-term health or overall quality of life of the
ESRD patient. We believe that the HDF process, which is currently available
in
our Target European Market and Japan, offers improvement over other dialysis
therapies because of better ESRD patient tolerance, superior blood purification
of both small and middle molecules, and a substantially improved mortality
risk
profile.
Current
Dialyzer Technology used with HDF Systems
In
our
view, treatment efficacy of current HDF systems is limited by current dialyzer
technology. As a result of the negative pressure applied in HDF, fluid is drawn
from the blood and across the dialyzer membrane along with the toxins removed
from the blood. A portion of this fluid must be replaced with a man-made
injectable grade fluid, known as “substitution fluid,” in order to maintain the
blood’s proper fluid volume. With the current dialyzer technology, fluid is
replaced in one of two ways: pre-dilution or post-dilution.
|
-
|
With
pre-dilution, substitution fluid is added to the blood before the
blood
enters the dialyzer cartridge. In this process, the blood can be
over-diluted, and therefore more fluid can be drawn across the membrane.
This enhances removal of toxins by convection. However, because the
blood
is diluted before entering the device, it actually reduces the rate
of
removal by diffusion; the overall rate of removal, therefore, is
reduced
for small molecular weight toxins (such as urea) that rely primarily
on
diffusive transport.
|
|
-
|
With
post-dilution, substitution fluid is added to blood after the blood
has
exited the dialyzer cartridge. This is the currently preferred method
because the concentration gradient is maintained at a higher level,
thus
not impairing the rate of removal of small toxins by diffusion. The
disadvantage of this method, however, is that there is a limit in
the
amount of plasma water that can be filtered from the blood before
the
blood becomes too viscous, or thick. This limit is approximately
20% to
25% of the blood flow rate. This limit restricts the amount of convection,
and therefore limits the removal of middle and larger
molecules.
|
The
Nephros Mid-Dilution Diafiltration Process
Our
OLpūr
MDHDF filter series uses a design and process we developed called Mid-Dilution
Diafiltration, or MDF. MDF is a fluid management
system that optimizes the removal of both small toxins and middle-molecules
by
offering the advantages of pre-dilution HDF and post-dilution HDF combined
in a
single dialyzer cartridge. The MDF process involves the use of two stages:
in
the first stage, blood is filtered against a dialysate solution, therefore
providing post-dilution diafiltration; it is then overdiluted with sterile
infusion fluid before entering a second stage,
where
it
is filtered once again against a dialysate solution, therefore providing
pre-dilution diafiltration. We believe that the MDF process provides improved
toxin removal in HDF treatments, with a resulting improvement in patient health
and concurrent reduction in healthcare costs.
Our
ESRD Therapy Products
Our
products currently available or in development with respect to ESRD Therapy
include:
OLpūr
MDHDF Filter Series
OLpūr
MD190 and MD220 constitute our dialyzer cartridge series that incorporates
the
patented MDF process and is designed for use with existing HDF platforms
currently prevalent in our Target European Market and Japan. Our MDHDF
filter
series incorporates a unique blood-flow architecture that enhances toxin removal
with essentially no cost increase over existing devices currently used for
HDF
therapy.
Laboratory
bench studies have been conducted on our OLpūr MD190 by members of our research
and development staff and by a third party. We completed our initial clinical
studies to evaluate the efficacy of our OLpūr MD190 as compared to conventional
dialyzers in Montpellier, France in 2003. The results from this clinical study
support our belief that OLpūr MD190 is superior to post-dilution
hemodiafiltration using a standard high-flux dialyzer with respect to
ß2-microglobulin clearance. In addition, clearances of urea, creatinine, and
phosphate met the design specifications proposed for the OLpūr MD190 device.
Furthermore, adverse event data from the study suggest that hemodiafiltration
with our OLpūr MD190 device was well tolerated by the patients and
safe.
We
have
initiated clinical studies in the United Kingdom, France, Germany,
Italy
and
Spain to further demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of our OLpūr MDHDF filter
series. A multi-center study was started in March 2005. This study encompassed
seven centers in France, five centers in Germany and one center in Sweden.
Also
commencing in 2005 were studies in the United Kingdom and in Italy. A
three-month study was conducted in Spain. All enrolled patients in the
multi-center and Spain studies completed the studies. Analysis of the samples
collected is ongoing. Initial data is very positive, demonstrating improved
low-molecular weight protein removal, improvements in appetite, an overall
improved distribution of fluids and body composition, and optimal toxin removal
and treatment tolerance for patients suffering from limited vascular access.
Data was presented at the American Society of Nephrology meeting held in
November 2006. A complete manuscript of the entire multi-center study will
be
submitted for publication in a reputable journal in 2007.
We
contracted with TÜV Rheinland of North America, Inc., a worldwide testing and
certification agency (also referred to as a notified body) that performs
conformity assessments to European Union requirements for medical devices,
to
assist us in obtaining the Conformité Européene, or CE mark, a mark
which
demonstrates compliance with relevant European Union requirements. We received
CE marking on the OLpūr MD190 (which also covers other dialyzers in our MDHDF
filter series), as well as certification of our overall quality system, on
July 31, 2003.
In the
fourth quarter of 2006 we received CE marking on the DSU.
We
initiated marketing of our OLpūr MD190 in our Target European Market in March
2004, and we have developed our infrastructure both at a clinical and
administrative level to support sales. We
have
established a sales presence in countries throughout our Target European Market,
both through direct contact and through a distribution network, and we have
developed marketing material in the relevant local languages. We also attend
trade shows where
we
promote our product to several thousand people from the industry. Our OLpūr
MD220 is a new product that we began selling in our Target European Market
in
2006. The OLpūr MD220 employs the same technology as our OLpūr MD190, but
contains a larger surface area of fiber. Because of its larger surface area,
the
OLpūr MD220 may provide greater clearance of certain toxins than the OLpūr
MD190, and is suitable for patients of larger body mass.
We
are
currently offering the OLpūr MD190 and OLpūr MD 220 at
a price
comparable to the existing “high performance” dialyzers sold in the relevant
market. We are unable at this time to determine what the market prices will
be
in the future.
We
submitted our original Investigational Device Exemption (“IDE”)
application
for
our OLpūr H2H
hemodiafiltration module and OLpūr MD220 filter to the FDA in May 2006. The FDA
answered our application with additional questions in June 2006. The responses
to the FDA questions were submitted in December 2006.
In
January 2007, we received conditional approval for our IDE application from
the
FDA to begin human clinical trials of our OLpūr
H2H
hemodiafiltration module and OLpūr
MD220 hemodiafilter.
We were granted this approval on the condition that, by March 5, 2007, we submit
a response to two informational questions from the FDA. We have responded to
these questions. We are also required to obtain approval from one or more
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in order to proceed with our clinical trial.
We are in the process of seeking approvals from the relevant IRBs. We expect
to
have patients using these ESRD products in a human clinical trial in the United
States in the second quarter of 2007.
OLpūr
HD190
OLpūr
HD190 is our high-flux dialyzer cartridge, designed for use with either
hemodialysis or hemodiafiltration machines. The OLpūr HD190 incorporates the
same materials as our OLpūr MD190, but lacks our proprietary mid-dilution
architecture.
In
June
2005, we received 510(k) clearance for our OLpūr HD190 high flux filter from the
FDA. While we do not expect our OLpūr HD190 high flux filter to offer a
substantial sales opportunity in the foreseeable future, we expect this approval
to help us streamline the regulatory review and approval process for our OLpūr
MDHDF filter series in the United States.
OLpūr
H2H
OLpūr
H2H
is our
add-on module that converts the most common types of hemodialysis machines—that
is, those with volumetric ultrafiltration control—into
HDF-capable machines allowing them to use our OLpūr MDHDF filter. We have
completed our OLpūr H2H
design
and laboratory bench testing, all of which were conducted by members of our
research and development staff. Our design verification of the
OLpūr
H2H
has
progressed to the point where the device is ready for U.S. clinical trials
as of
the first quarter of 2007, and, provided that such trials are timely and
successful, we expect to file 510(k) applications with respect to the OLpūr
MDHDF filter series and the OLpūr H2H
in the
fourth quarter of 2007 and hope to achieve U.S. regulatory approval of both
products during the first half of 2008. We plan to apply for CE marking of
our
OLpūr H2H
in the
second quarter of 2007.
OLpūr
NS2000
OLpūr
NS2000 is our standalone HDF machine and associated filter technology, which
is
in the development stage. We are working with an established dialysis machine
manufacturer in Italy to develop the OLpūr NS2000 system. The OLpūr NS2000 will
use the basic platform
provided by this manufacturer, but will incorporate our H2H
technology including our proprietary substitution fluid systems.
We
have
also designed and developed proprietary substitution fluid filter cartridges
for
use with the OLpūr NS2000, which have been subjected to pre-manufacturing
testing. We will need to obtain the relevant regulatory clearances prior to
any
market introduction of our OLpūr NS2000 in our Target European Market or the
United States. We have targeted a 2007 initial regulatory approval in the
European Union for the OLpūr NS2000 product.
Our
Water Filtration Product
In
January 2006, we introduced the Dual Stage Ultrafilter, or DSU, water filtration
system. The DSU incorporates our unique and proprietary dual stage filter
architecture.
Our
research and development work on the OLpūr H2H
and MD
filter technologies for ESRD therapy provided the foundations for a proprietary
multi-stage water filter that we believe is cost effective, extremely reliable,
and long-lasting. We believe our DSU can offer a robust solution to a broad
range of contaminated water problems. The DSU is designed to remove a broad
range of bacteria, viral agents and toxic substances, including salmonella,
hepatitis, anthrax, HIV, Ebola virus, ricin toxin, legionella, fungi and
e-coli. We
believe our DSU offers four distinct advantages over competitors in the water
filtration marketplace:
|
(1) |
the
DSU is, to our knowledge, the only water filter that provides the
user
with a simple sight verification that the filter is properly performing
its cleansing function due to our unique dual-stage architecture;
|
|
(2)
|
the
DSU filters finer contaminants than other filters of which we are
aware in
the water filtration marketplace;
|
|
(3)
|
the
DSU filters relatively large volumes of water before requiring
replacement; and
|
|
(4)
|
the
DSU continues to protect the user even if the flow is reduced by
contaminant volumes, because contaminants do not cross the filtration
medium.
|
During
January 2006, we received our first purchase order for our DSU from a major
hospital in New York City. The hospital conducted an evaluation of our DSUs
by
installing them in a sampling of the hospital’s patient showers. Upon completion
of the first phase, the hospital ordered additional DSU units in December 2006
to continue their evaluation. With over 5,000 registered hospitals in the United
States alone, we believe the hospital shower and faucet market can offer us
a
valuable opportunity as a first step in water filtration.
In
September 2006, the President of the United States signed the current U.S.
Defense Department budget for fiscal 2007, which included an appropriation
for
the U.S. Marine Corps for development of a dual stage ultra water filter. We
are
currently working with military laboratories to define the current project
scope
and objectives in connection with this appropriation. We have also introduced
the DSU to various government agencies as one of the solutions of providing
potable water in certain emergency response situations. We have also begun
investigating a range of commercial, industrial and retail opportunities for
our
DSU technology. There can be no assurance that our efforts to market the DSU
to
hospitals or develop the DSU for the military will be successful, or that we
will be able to successfully apply the DSU to any other markets. We are pursuing
a larger multi-hospital study to demonstrate the efficacy of the DSU. Our goal
is to publish this study in 2007 in a relevant publication of substantial
distribution.
Our
Strategy
We
believe that current mortality and morbidity statistics, in combination with
the
quality of life of the ESRD patient, has generated demand for improved ESRD
therapies. We also believe that our products and patented technology offer
the
ability to remove toxins more effectively than current dialysis therapy, in
a
cost framework competitive with currently available, less-effective therapies.
The following are some highlights of our current strategy:
Showcase
product efficacy in our Target European Market: As
of
March
2004, we initiated marketing in our Target European Market for the OLpūr MD190.
There is an immediate opportunity for sales of the OLpūr MDHDF filters in our
Target European Market because there is an established HDF machine base using
disposable dialyzers.
We have engaged in a series of clinical trials throughout our Target European
Market to demonstrate the superior efficacy of our product. We believe that
by
demonstrating the effectiveness of our MDHDF filter series we will encourage
more customers to purchase our products.
Convert
existing hemodialysis machines to hemodiafiltration:
Upon
completion of the appropriate documentation for our OLpūr H2H
technology, we plan to apply for CE marking for our OLpūr H2H
during
the second quarter of 2007. We plan to complete our regulatory approval
processes in the United States for both our OLpūr
MDHDF filter series and our OLpūr H2H
in the
first half of 2008. If successfully approved, our OLpūr H2H
product
will enable HDF therapy using the most common types of hemodialysis machines
together with our OLpūr MDHDF filters. Our goal is to achieve market penetration
by offering the OLpūr H2H
for use
by healthcare providers inexpensively, thus permitting the providers to use
the
OLpūr H2H
without
a large initial capital outlay. We do not expect to generate any significant
positive margins from sales
of
OLpūr H2H.
We
believe H2H
will
provide a basis for more MDHDF filter sales.
Upgrade
dialysis clinics to OLpūr NS2000:
We
believe the introduction of the OLpūr NS2000 will represent a further upgrade in
performance for dialysis clinics by offering a
cost-effective stand-alone HDF solution that incorporates
the benefits of our OLpūr H2H
technology. We believe dialysis clinics will entertain OLpūr NS2000 as an
alternative to their current technology at such dialysis clinic’s machine
replacement point.
Explore
Complementary Product Opportunities:
Where
appropriate, we are also seeking to leverage our technologies and expertise
by
applying them to new markets. Our DSU represents a new and complementary product
line to our existing ESRD therapy business. We believe the Nephros DSU can
offer
a robust solution to a broad range of contaminated water problems.
Manufacturing
and Suppliers
We
do not
intend to manufacture any of our products or components. We have entered into
an
agreement dated May 12, 2003,
and
amended on March 22, 2005 with Medica s.r.l., (“Medica”) a developer and
manufacturer of medical products with corporate headquarters located in Italy,
to assemble and produce our OLpūr MD190, MD220 or other filter products at our
option. The agreement requires us to purchase from Medica the OLpūr MD190s and
MD220s or other filter products that we directly market in Europe, or are
marketed by our distributor in Italy. In addition, Medica will be given first
consideration in good faith for the manufacture of OLpūr MD190s, MD220s or other
filter products that we do not directly market. No less than semiannually,
Medica will provide a report to representatives of both parties to the agreement
detailing any technical know-how that Medica has developed
that
would permit them to manufacture the filter products less expensively and both
parties will jointly determine the actions to be taken with respect to these
findings. If the fiber wastage with respect to the filter products manufactured
in any given year exceeds 5%, then Medica will reimburse us up to half of the
cost of the quantity of fiber represented
by
excess wastage. Medica will manufacture the OLpūr MD190 or other filter products
in accordance with the quality standards outlined in the agreement. Upon recall
of any OLpūr MD190 or other filter product due to Medica’s having manufactured
one or more
products that fail to conform to the required specifications or having failed
to
manufacture one or more products in accordance with any applicable laws, Medica
will be responsible for the cost of recall. The agreement also requires that
we
maintain certain minimum product-liability insurance coverage and that we
indemnify Medica against certain liabilities arising out of our products that
they manufacture, providing they do not arise out of Medica’s breach of the
agreement, negligence or willful misconduct. The term of the agreement is
through May 12, 2009, with successive automatic one-year renewal terms, until
either party gives the other notice that it does not wish to renew at least
90
days prior to the end of the term. The agreement may be terminated prior to
the
end of the term by either party upon the occurrence of certain
insolvency-related events or breaches by the other party. Although we have
no
separate agreement with respect to such activities, Medica has also been
manufacturing our DSU in limited quantities.
We
also
entered into an agreement in December 2003, and amended in June 2005, with
Membrana GmbH (“Membrana”), a manufacturer of medical and technical membranes
for applications like dialysis with corporate headquarters located in
Germany,
to
continue to produce the fiber for the OLpūr MDHDF filter series. Pursuant to the
agreement, Membrana is our exclusive provider of the fiber for the OLpūr MDHDF
filter series in the European Union as well as certain other territories through
September
2009. Notwithstanding the exclusivity provisions, we may purchase membranes
from
other providers if Membrana is unable to timely satisfy our orders. If and
when
the volume-discount pricing provisions of our agreement with Membrana become
applicable, for each period we will record inventory and cost of goods sold
for
our fiber requirements pursuant to our agreement with Membrana based on the
volume-discounted price level applicable to the actual year-to-date cumulative
orders at the end of such period. If, at the end of any subsequent period in
the
same calendar year, actual year-to-date cumulative orders entitle us to a
greater volume-discount for such calendar year, then we will adjust inventory
and cumulative cost of goods sold amounts quarterly throughout the calendar
year
to reflect the greater volume-discount. In August 2006, Membrana awarded us
temporary pricing concessions until June 2007. We anticipate that these prices
will remain in effect throughout 2007.
Sales
and Marketing
We
have
established our own sales and marketing organization and distributor network
to
sell products in our Target European Market and, subject to regulatory approval,
intend to establish a similar arrangement in the United States. Our sales and
marketing staff has experience in both these geographic areas.
We
have
established a multi-lingual customer service and financial processing facility
in Dublin, Ireland, with multi-lingual customer support available to our
customer base in our Target European Market. We have also
initiated and completed various clinical studies designed to continue our
evaluation of effectiveness of the OLpūr MDHDF filters
when
used on ESRD patients in our Target European Market. These studies are intended
to provide us, and have provided us, with
valuable information regarding the efficacy of our product and an opportunity
to
introduce OLpūr MDHDF filters to medical institutions in our Target European
Market. We have engaged a medical advisor to help us in structuring our clinical
study protocols,
and to
support physicians’ technical inquiries regarding our products.
We
are
marketing our products primarily to healthcare providers such as hospitals,
dialysis clinics, managed care organizations, and nephrology physician groups.
We ship our products to these customers both directly from our manufacturer,
where this is cost-effective, and through a warehouse facility in the
Netherlands. We have engaged, and are in discussions with product distributors
in our Target European Market, and major medical device manufacturers/providers
in our Target European Market and Japan regarding license and/or distribution
opportunities for our technology.
On
March
2, 2005, we entered into a license agreement with Asahi Kasei Medical Co.,
Ltd.
(“Asahi”), a business unit
of
Asahi Kasei Corporation, granting Asahi exclusive rights to manufacture and
distribute filter products based on our OLpūr MD190 hemodiafilter in
Japan
for 10 years commencing when the first such product receives Japanese regulatory
approval. In exchange for these rights, we received an up front license fee
in
the amount of $1.75 million, and we are entitled to receive additional royalties
and milestone payments based on the future sales of such products in Japan,
which sales are subject to Japanese regulatory approval.
Our
New
York office oversees sales and marketing activity of our DSU products to major
hospitals in the New York City market. We are in discussions with several
medical products suppliers to act as non-exclusive distributors of the DSU
products to medical institutions. For each prospective market for our DSU
products we are pursuing alliance opportunities for joint product development
and distribution. Our DSU manufacturer in Europe shares certain intellectual
property rights with us for one of our DSU designs and also is engaged in
marketing the DSU in Europe.
Research
and Development
Our
research and development efforts continue on several fronts directly related
to
our current product lines. In particular, in the ESRD therapy domain we are
examining ways to enhance further the removal of toxins from the blood by
modifying certain blood characteristics. We have applied, and will continue
to
apply, if and when available, for U.S. government grants in relation to this
research, and will apply for further grants as appropriate. We are also working
on additional machine devices, next-generation user interface enhancements
and
other product enhancements.
In
the
area of water filtration, we are finalizing our initial water filtration product
line and developing refinements and enhancements to ensure our water filtration
products meet customer needs for various applications. In October 2006 we
announced that Nephros will be working with the United States Marine Corps
Warfighting Laboratory to develop a portable personal water purification system
following the approval of a Federal appropriation totaling $1,000,000. The
appropriation is part of HR5631, the “Department of Defense Appropriations Act,
2007,” signed into law on September 29, 2006.
To
date,
we have not engaged any outside engineering, hired any additional personnel
or
otherwise incurred any material separate research and development expenses
specifically allocated to water filtration product development. Our research
and
development expenditures were primarily related to development expenses
associated with the H2H
machine
and salary expense for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 and
were $1,844,220 and $1,756,492, respectively.
Competition
The
dialyzer and renal replacement therapy market is subject to intense competition.
Accordingly, our future success will depend on our ability to meet the clinical
needs of physicians and nephrologists, improve patient outcomes and remain
cost-effective for payors.
We
compete with other suppliers of ESRD therapies, supplies and services. These
suppliers include Fresenius Medical Care AG, and Gambro AB, currently two of
the
primary machine manufacturers in hemodialysis. At present, Fresenius and Gambro
also manufacture HDF machines.
The
markets in which we sell our dialysis products are highly competitive. Our
competitors in the sale of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis products include
Gambro AB, Baxter International Inc., Asahi Kasei Medical Co. Ltd., Bellco
S.p.A., a subsidiary of the Sorin group, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Nipro
Corporation Ltd., Nikkiso Co., Ltd., Terumo Corporation and Toray Medical Co.,
Ltd.
Other
competitive considerations include pharmacological and technological advances
in
preventing the progression of ESRD in high-risk patients such as those with
diabetes and hypertension, technological developments by others in the area
of
dialysis, the development of new medications designed to reduce the incidence
of
kidney transplant rejection and progress in using kidneys harvested from
genetically-engineered animals as a source of transplants.
We
are
not aware of any other companies using technology similar to ours in the
treatment of ESRD. Our competition would increase, however, if companies that
currently sell ESRD products, or new companies that enter the market, develop
technology that is more efficient than ours. We believe that in order to become
competitive in this market, we will need to develop and maintain competitive
products and take and hold sufficient market share from our competitors.
Therefore, we expect our methods of competition in the ESRD marketplace to
include:
|
Ÿ
|
continuing
our efforts to develop, have manufactured and sell products which,
when
compared to existing products, perform more efficiently and are available
at prices that are acceptable to the
market;
|
|
Ÿ
|
displaying
our products and providing associated literature at major industry
trade
shows in the United States, our Target European Market and
Asia;
|
|
Ÿ
|
initiating
discussions with dialysis clinic medical directors, as well as
representatives of dialysis clinical chains, to develop interest
in our
products;
|
|
Ÿ
|
offering
the OLpūr H2H
at a price that does not provide us with significant positive margins
in
order to encourage adoption of this product and associated demand
for our
dialyzers; and
|
|
Ÿ
|
pursuing
alliance opportunities in certain territories for distribution of
our
products and possible alternative manufacturing
facilities.
|
With
respect to the water filtration market, we expect to compete with companies
that
are well entrenched in the water filtration domain. These companies include
Pall
Corporation, which manufactures end-point water filtration systems, as well
as
CUNO (a 3M company) and US Filter (a Siemens business). Our methods of
competition in the water filtration domain include:
|
Ÿ
|
developing
and marketing products that are designed to meet critical and specific
customer needs more effectively than competitive
devices;
|
|
Ÿ
|
offering
unique attributes that illustrate our product reliability,
“user-friendliness,” and performance
capabilities;
|
|
Ÿ |
selling
products to specific customer groups where our unique product
attributes
are mission-critical;
and
|
|
Ÿ
|
pursuing
alliance opportunities for joint product development and
distribution.
|
Intellectual
Property
Patents
We
protect our technology and products through patents and patent applications.
In
addition to the United States, we are also applying for patents in other
jurisdictions, such as the European Patent Office, Canada and Japan, to the
extent we deem appropriate. We have built a portfolio of patents and
applications covering our products, including their hardware design and methods
of hemodiafiltration.
We
believe that our patent strategy will provide a competitive advantage in our
target markets, but our patents may not be broad enough to cover our
competitors’ products and may be subject to invalidation claims. Our
U.S.
patents for the “Method and Apparatus for Efficient Hemodiafiltration” and for
the “Dual-Stage Filtration Cartridge,” have claims that cover the OLpūr MDHDF
filter series and the method of hemodiafiltration employed in the operation
of
the products. Although there are pending applications with claims to the present
embodiments of the OLpūr H2H
and the
OLpūr NS2000 products, these products are still in the development stage and we
cannot determine if the applications (or the patents that we may
issue
on
them) will also cover the ultimate commercial embodiment of these products.
In
addition, technological developments in ESRD therapy could reduce the value
of
our intellectual property. Any such reduction could be rapid and unanticipated.
We have applied for patents on our DSU water filtration system.
As
of
March 2007, we have thirteen issued U.S. patents; one issued Eurasian patent;
two Mexican patents, two South Korean patents, two Russian patents, three
Chinese patents, five French patents, five German patents, one Israeli patent,
four Italian patents, two Spanish patents, and four United Kingdom patents.
In
addition, we have seven pending U.S. patent applications, fifteen pending patent
applications in Canada, eleven pending patent applications in the European
Patent Office, four pending patent applications in Brazil, two pending patent
applications in China, three pending patent applications in Israel, fifteen
pending patent applications in Japan, two pending patent applications in Mexico,
one pending patent application in Russia, two pending patent applications in
South Korea, and three pending patent applications in Hong Kong. The titles,
patent numbers and normal expiration dates (assuming all the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office fees are paid) of our thirteen issued U.S. patents are set
forth in the chart below.
|
Patent
Number
|
Expiration
Date
|
Method
and Apparatus for Efficient Hemodiafiltration
|
6,303,036
|
July
30, 2019
|
Two
Stage Diafiltration Method and Apparatus
|
6,406,631
|
July
30, 2019
|
Non-Isosmotic
Diafiltration System
|
6,423,231
|
October
29, 2019
|
Dual-Stage
Hemodiafiltration Cartridge
|
6,315,895
|
December
30, 2019
|
Sterile
Fluid Filtration Cartridge and Method for Using Same
|
6,635,179
|
December
30, 2019
|
Method
for High Efficiency Hemofiltration
|
6,620,120
|
May
22, 2018
|
Thermally
Enhanced Dialysis/Diafiltration System
|
6,716,356
|
May
29, 2021
|
Dual-Stage
Filtration Cartridge
|
6,719,907
|
January
26, 2022
|
Ionic
Enhanced Dialysis/Diafiltration System
|
6,821,431
|
June
3, 2021
|
Ionic
Enhanced Dialysis/Diafiltration System
|
7,067,060
|
April
13, 2021
|
Method
and Apparatus for a Hemodiafiltration Delivery Module
|
6,916,424
|
February
7, 2022
|
Method
and Apparatus for Generating a Sterile Infusion Fluid
|
7,108,790
|
November
1, 2022
|
Multistage
Hemodiafiltration/Hemofiltration Method and Apparatus
|
7,074,332
|
September
29, 2022
|
Our
pending patent applications relate to a range of dialysis technologies,
including cartridge configurations, cartridge assembly, substitution fluid
systems, and methods to enhance toxin removal. We also have pending patent
applications on our DSU water filtration system.
Nephros
has filed U.S. and International patent applications for a redundant ultra
filtration device that was jointly invented by a Nephros employee and an
employee of Medica (the manufacturer of certain Nephros products) located in
Italy. The companies are negotiating commercial arrangements pertaining to
the
invention and the patent applications.
Trademarks
As
of
December 31, 2006, we secured registrations of the trademarks CENTRAPUR,
H2H,
OLpūr
and the Arrows Logo in the European Union. Applications for these trademarks
are
pending registration in the United States. We
also
have applications for registration of a number of other marks pending in the
United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Governmental
Regulation
The
research and development, manufacturing, promotion, marketing and distribution
of our ESRD therapy products in the United States, our Target European Market
and other regions of the world are subject to regulation by numerous
governmental authorities, including the FDA, the European Union and analogous
agencies.
United
States
The
FDA
regulates the manufacture and distribution of medical devices in the United
States pursuant to the FDC Act. All of our ESRD therapy products are regulated
in the United States as medical devices by the FDA under the FDC Act. Under
the
FDC Act, medical devices are classified in one of three classes, namely Class
I,
II or III, on the basis of the controls deemed necessary by the FDA to
reasonably ensure their safety and effectiveness.
|
Ÿ
|
Class
I devices are medical devices for which general controls are deemed
sufficient to ensure their safety and effectiveness. General controls
include provisions related to (1) labeling, (2) producer
registration, (3) defect notification, (4) records and reports and
(5)
quality service requirements, or
QSR.
|
|
Ÿ
|
Class
II devices are medical devices for which the general controls for
the
Class I devices are deemed not sufficient to ensure their safety
and
effectiveness and require special controls in addition to the general
controls. Special controls include provisions related to (1) performance
and design standards, (2) post-market surveillance, (3) patient registries
and (4) the use of FDA guidelines.
|
|
Ÿ
|
Class
III devices are the most regulated medical devices and are generally
limited to devices that support or sustain human life or are of
substantial importance in preventing impairment of human health or
present
a potential, unreasonable risk of illness or injury.
Pre-market
|
|
Ÿ
|
approval by the FDA is the required process of scientific
review to ensure the safety and effectiveness of Class III
devices. |
Before
a
new medical device can be introduced to the market, FDA clearance of a
pre-market notification under Section 510(k) of the FDC Act or FDA clearance
of
a pre-market approval, or PMA, application under Section 515 of the FDC Act
must
be obtained. A Section 510(k) clearance will be granted if the submitted
information establishes that the proposed device is “substantially equivalent”
to a legally marketed Class I or Class II medical device or to a Class III
medical device for which the FDA has not called for pre-market approval under
Section 515. The Section 510(k) pre-market clearance process is generally faster
and simpler than the Section 515 pre-market approval process. We understand
that
it generally takes four to 12 months from the date a Section 510(k) notification
is accepted for filing to obtain Section 510(k) pre-market clearance and that
it
could take several years from the date a Section 515 application is accepted
for
filing to obtain Section 515 pre-market approval, although it may take longer
in
both cases. On March 8, 2005 we submitted a filing to the FDA, a Pre-market
Notification
under section 510(k), for approval of our OLpūr HD190 high flux filter and in
June 2005 we received 510(k) clearance of the device. This filing is designed
to
help us streamline the regulatory review and approval process, and may provide
us with a useful predicate device as we move forward on our OLpūr MDHDF filter
series products in the United States.
We
expect
that all of our ESRD therapy products will be categorized as Class II devices
and that these products will not require clearance of pre-market approval
applications under Section 515 of the FDC Act, but will be eligible for
marketing clearance through the pre-market notification process under Section
510(k). We have determined that we are eligible to utilize the Section 510(k)
pre-market notification process based upon our ESRD therapy products’
substantial equivalence to previously legally marketed devices in the United
States. However, we cannot assure you:
|
Ÿ
|
that
we will not need to reevaluate the applicability of the Section 510(k)
pre-market notification process to our ESRD therapy products in the
future;
|
|
Ÿ
|
that
the FDA will agree with our determination that we are eligible to
use the
Section 510(k) pre-market notification process;
or
|
|
Ÿ
|
that
the FDA will not in the future require us to submit a Section 515
pre-market approval application, which would be a more costly, lengthy
and
uncertain approval process.
|
The
FDA
has recently been requiring a more rigorous demonstration of substantial
equivalence than in the past and may request clinical data to support pre-market
clearance. As a result, the FDA could refuse to accept for filing a Section
510(k) notification made by us or request the submission of additional
information. The FDA may determine that any one of our proposed ESRD therapy
products is not substantially equivalent to a legally marketed device or that
additional information is needed before a substantial equivalence determination
can be made. A “not substantially equivalent” determination, or request for
additional data, could prevent or delay the market introduction of our products
that fall into this category, which in turn could have a material adverse effect
on our potential sales and revenues. Moreover, even if the FDA does clear one
or
all of our products under the Section 510(k) process, it may clear a product
for
some procedures but not others or for certain classes of patients and not
others.
For
any
devices cleared through the Section 510(k) process, modifications or
enhancements that could significantly affect the safety or effectiveness of
the
device or that constitute a major change to the intended use of the device
will
require a new Section 510(k) pre-market notification submission. Accordingly,
if
we do obtain Section 510(k) pre-market clearance for any of our ESRD therapy
products, we will need to submit another Section 510(k) pre-market notification
if we significantly affect that product’s safety or effectiveness through
subsequent modifications or enhancements.
If
human
clinical trials of a device are required in connection with a Section 510(k)
notification and the device presents a “significant risk,” the sponsor of the
trial (usually the manufacturer or distributor of the device) will need to
file
an Investigational Device Exemption, or IDE, application prior to commencing
human clinical trials. The IDE application must be supported by data, typically
including the results of animal testing and/or
laboratory
bench testing. If the IDE application is approved, human clinical trials may
begin at a specific number of investigational sites with a specific number
of
patients, as specified in the IDE. Sponsors of clinical trials are permitted
to
sell those devices distributed in the course of the study provided such
compensation does not exceed recovery of the costs of manufacture, research,
development and handling. An IDE supplement must be submitted to the FDA before
a sponsor or investigator may make a change to the investigational plan that
may
affect its scientific soundness or the rights, safety or welfare of
subjects.
We
submitted our original IDE application to the FDA for our OLpūr H2H
hemodiafiltration module and OLpūr MD220 filter in May 2006. The FDA answered
our application with additional questions in June 2006. The responses to the
FDA
questions were submitted
in
December 2006. In January 2007, we received conditional approval for our IDE
application from the FDA to begin human clinical trials of our OLpūr
H2H hemodiafiltration
module and OLpūr
MD220 hemodiafilter.
We were granted this approval on the condition that, by March 5, 2007, we submit
a response to two informational questions from the FDA. We have responded to
these questions. We are also required to obtain approval from one or more IRBs
in order to proceed with our clinical trial. We are in the process of seeking
approvals from the relevant IRBs. We expect to have patients using these ESRD
products in a human clinical trial in the United States in the second quarter
of
2007. Our
design verification of the OLpūr H2H
has
progressed to the point where the device is ready for U.S. clinical trials
as of
the first quarter of 2007, and, provided that such trials are timely and
successful, we expect to file 510(k) applications with respect
to
the OLpūr MDHDF filter series and the OLpūr H2H
in the
fourth quarter of 2007 and hope to achieve U.S. regulatory approval of both
products during the first half of 2008. We plan to apply for CE marking of
our
OLpūr H2H
in the
second quarter of 2007.
The
Section 510(k) pre-market clearance process can be lengthy and uncertain. It
will require substantial commitments of our financial resources and management’s
time and effort. Significant delays in this process could occur as a result
of
factors including:
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our
inability to timely raise sufficient
funds;
|
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the
FDA’s failure to schedule advisory review
panels;
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changes
in established review guidelines;
|
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changes
in regulations or administrative interpretations;
or
|
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determinations
by the FDA that clinical data collected is insufficient to support
the
safety and effectiveness of one or more of our products for their
intended
uses or that the data warrants the continuation of clinical
studies.
|
Delays
in
obtaining, or failure to obtain, requisite regulatory approvals or clearances
in
the United States for any of our products would prevent us from selling those
products in the United States and would impair our ability to generate funds
from sales of those products in the United States, which in turn could have
a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of
operations.
The
FDC
Act requires that medical devices be manufactured in accordance with the FDA’s
current QSR regulations which require, among other things, that:
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the
design and manufacturing processes be regulated and controlled by
the use
of written procedures;
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the
ability to produce medical devices which meet the manufacturer’s
specifications be validated by extensive and detailed testing of
every
aspect of the process;
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any
deficiencies in the manufacturing process or in the products produced
be
investigated;
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detailed
records be kept and a corrective and preventative action plan be
in place;
and
|
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Ÿ |
manufacturing
facilities be subject to FDA inspection on a periodic basis to
monitor
compliance with QSR
regulations.
|
If
violations of the applicable QSR regulations are noted during FDA inspections
of
our manufacturing facilities or the manufacturing facilities of our contract
manufacturers, there may be a material adverse effect on our ability to produce
and sell our products.
Before
the FDA approves a Section 510(k) pre-market notification, the FDA is likely
to
inspect the relevant manufacturing facilities and processes to ensure their
continued compliance with QSR. Although some of the manufacturing facilities
and
processes that we
expect
to use to manufacture our OLpūr MDHDF filters and OLpūr NS2000 have been
inspected and certified by a worldwide testing and certification agency (also
referred to as a notified body) that performs conformity assessments to European
Union requirements for medical devices, they have not all been inspected by
the
FDA. Similarly, although some of the facilities and processes that we expect
to
use to manufacture our OLpūr H2H
have
been inspected by the FDA, they have not all been inspected by any notified
body. A “notified body” is a group accredited and monitored by governmental
agencies that inspects manufacturing facilities and quality control systems
at
regular intervals and is authorized to carry out unannounced inspections. Even
after the FDA has cleared a Section 510(k) submission, it will periodically
inspect the manufacturing facilities and processes for compliance with QSR.
In
addition, in the event that additional manufacturing sites are added or
manufacturing processes are changed, such new facilities and processes are
also
subject to FDA inspection for compliance with QSR. The manufacturing facilities
and processes that will be used to manufacture our products have not yet been
inspected by the FDA for compliance with QSR. We cannot assure you that the
facilities and processes used by us will be found to comply with QSR and there
is a risk that clearance or approval will, therefore, be delayed by the FDA
until such compliance is achieved.
In
addition to the requirements described above, the FDC Act requires
that:
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all
medical device manufacturers and distributors register with the FDA
annually and provide the FDA with a list of those medical devices
which
they distribute commercially;
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|
information
be provided to the FDA on death or serious injuries alleged to have
been
associated with the use of the products, as well as product malfunctions
that would likely cause or contribute to death or serious injury
if the
malfunction were to recur; and
|
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certain
medical devices not cleared with the FDA for marketing in the United
States meet specific requirements before they are
exported.
|
European
Union
The
European Union began to harmonize national regulations comprehensively for
the
control of medical devices in member nations in 1993, when it adopted its
Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC. The European Union directive applies to
both the manufacturer’s quality assurance system and the product’s technical
design and discusses the various ways to obtain approval of a device (dependent
on device classification), how to properly CE Mark a device and how to place
a
device on the market. We have subjected our entire business in our Target
European Market to the most comprehensive procedural approach in order to
demonstrate the quality standards and performance of our operations, which
we
believe is also the fastest way to launch a new product in the European
Community.
The
regulatory approach necessary to demonstrate to the European Union that the
organization has the ability to provide medical devices and related services
that consistently meet customer requirements and regulatory requirements
applicable to medical devices requires the certification of a full quality
management system by a notified body. We engaged TÜV Rheinland of North America,
Inc. (“TÜV Rheinland”) as the notified body to assist us in obtaining
certification to the International Organization for Standardization (“ISO”)
13485/2003 standard, which demonstrates the presence of a quality management
system that can be used by an organization for design and development,
production, installation and servicing of medical devices and the design,
development and provision of related services.
European
Union requirements for products are set forth in harmonized European Union
standards and include conformity to safety requirements, physical and biological
properties, construction and environmental properties, and information supplied
by the manufacturer. A company demonstrates conformity to these requirements,
with respect to a product, by pre-clinical tests, biocompatibility tests,
qualification of products and packaging, risk analysis and well-conducted
clinical investigations approved by ethics committees.
Once
a
manufacturer’s full quality management system is determined to be in compliance
with ISO 13485/2003 and other statutory requirements, and the manufacturer’s
products conform with harmonized European standards, the notified body will
recommend and document such conformity. The manufacturer will receive a CE
marking and ISO certifications, and then may place a CE mark on the relevant
products. The CE mark, which stands for Conformité Européenne, demonstrates
compliance with the relevant European Union requirements. Products subject
to
these provisions that do not bear the CE mark cannot be imported to, or sold
or
distributed within, the European Union.
In
July
2003, we received a certification from TÜV Rheinland that our quality management
system conforms with the requirements of the European Community. At the same
time, TÜV Rheinland approved our use of the CE marking with respect to the
design and production of high permeability hemodialyzer products for ESRD
therapy. As of the date of filing of this Annual Report, the manufacturing
facilities and processes that we are using to manufacture our OLpūr
MDHDF filter series have been inspected and certified by a notified body.
Regulatory
Authorities in Regions outside of the United States and the European
Union
We
also
plan to sell our ESRD therapy products in foreign markets outside the United
States which are not part of the European Union. Requirements pertaining to
medical devices vary widely from country to country, ranging from no health
regulations to detailed submissions such as those required by the FDA. We
believe the extent and complexity of regulations for medical devices such as
those produced by us are increasing worldwide. We anticipate that this trend
will continue and that the cost and time required to obtain approval to market
in any given country will increase, with no assurance that
such
approval will be obtained. Our ability to export into other countries may
require compliance with ISO 13485, which is analogous to compliance with the
FDA’s QSR requirements. Other than the CE marking of our OLpūr MDHDF filter
products, we have not obtained any regulatory approvals to sell any of our
products and there is no assurance that any such clearance or certification
will
be issued. We anticipate obtaining CE marking of our OLpūr H2H
product
during the second half of 2007, and regulatory approval in the United States
in
the first half of 2008.
Reimbursement
In
both
domestic markets and markets outside of the United States, sales of our ESRD
therapy products will depend in part, on the availability of reimbursement
from
third-party payors. In the United States, ESRD providers are reimbursed through
Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers. In countries other than the United
States, ESRD providers are also reimbursed through governmental and private
insurers. In countries other than the United States, the pricing and
profitability of our products generally will be subject to government controls.
Despite the continually expanding influence of the European Union, national
healthcare systems in its member nations, reimbursement decision-making
included, are neither regulated nor integrated at the European Union level.
Each
country has its own system, often closely protected by its corresponding
national government.
Product
Liability and Insurance
The
production, marketing and sale of kidney dialysis
products have an inherent risk of liability in the event of product failure
or
claim of harm caused by product operation. We have acquired product liability
insurance for our OLpūr MDHDF filter products in the amount of $5 million. A
successful claim
in
excess of our insurance coverage could materially deplete our assets. Moreover,
any claim against us could generate negative publicity, which could decrease
the
demand for our products, our ability to generate revenues and our
profitability.
Some
of
our existing and potential agreements with manufacturers of our products and
components of our products do or may require us (1) to obtain product liability
insurance or (2) to indemnify manufacturers against
liabilities
resulting from the sale of our products. If we are not able to maintain adequate
product liability insurance, we will be in breach of these agreements, which
could materially adversely affect our ability to produce our products. Even
if
we are able to obtain and maintain product liability insurance, if a successful
claim in excess of our insurance coverage is made, then we may have to indemnify
some or all of our manufacturers for their losses, which could materially
deplete our assets.
Employees
As
of
December 31, 2006, we employed a total of 20 employees, 18 of whom were full
time and two who are employed on a part-time basis. Of the 20 total employees,
six were employed in a marketing/clinical support capacity, seven in general
and
administrative and seven in research and development.
Recent
Developments
In
January 2007, we received conditional approval for our IDE application from
the
FDA to begin human clinical trials of our OLpūr
H2H
hemodiafiltration module and OLpūr
MD220 hemodiafilter.
We were granted this approval on the condition that, by March 5, 2007, we submit
a response to two informational questions from the FDA. We have responded to
these questions. We are also required to obtain approval from one or more IRBs
in order to proceed with our clinical trial. We are in the process of seeking
approvals from the relevant IRBs. We expect to begin a human clinical trial
of
these ESRD therapy products in the second quarter of 2007.
Item
2. Description
of Property
Our
U.S.
facilities are located at 3960 Broadway, 4th
Floor,
New York, New York 10032 and consist of approximately 2,788 square feet of
space. As of September 25, 2006, we renewed our rental agreement for the use
of
this space with the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York.
The
term of the rental agreement is for one year with a monthly cost of $11,965,
including monthly internet access. We use our facilities to house our corporate
headquarters and research facilities. Our offices and laboratories are housed
in
the Audubon Business and Technology Center administered by Columbia University,
which is equipped to accommodate biotechnology and medical product development
companies. Of the space we license, approximately 1,610 square feet is dedicated
laboratory space, which is equipped with laboratory equipment, such as benches,
fume hoods, gas, air and water systems, and the remaining 1,178 square feet
is
dedicated office space.
Our
facilities in our Target European Market are located at Suite 19, 25-26 Windsor
Place, Lower Pembroke St, Dublin 2, Ireland and consist of approximately 500
square feet of space. On August 3, 2006 we entered into a lease for this space
with Leeson Business Centres. The term of the lease is for one year with a
current monthly cost of 2,000 euro for the first six months (approximately
$2,640 as of December 31, 2006) and 3,000 euro per month thereafter ($3,960,
approximately). We use our facilities to house our customer service and
accounting operations. Windsor Place is a modern office complex in the heart
of
downtown Dublin. We believe this space is currently adequate to meet our
needs.
We
do not
own any real property for use in our operations or otherwise.
Item
3. Legal
Proceedings
There
is
no currently pending legal proceeding and, as far as we are aware, no
governmental authority is contemplating any proceeding to which we are a party
or to which any of our properties is subject. Please refer to the “Risks Related
to Our Company” section of this Report for a discussion of certain threatened
litigation and please refer to “Note 9 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements” for a discussion of certain settlement arrangements.
Item
4. Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
There
were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year covered by this Report.
PART
II
Item
5. Market
for Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Small Business Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our
common stock began trading on the AMEX on September 21, 2004 under the symbol
NEP. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for our common
stock as reported on the AMEX for each quarter within the years ended December
31, 2006 and 2005.
Quarter
Ended
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High
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Low
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March
31, 2005
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$5.90
|
|
$3.34
|
June
30, 2005
|
|
$4.15
|
|
$2.06
|
September
30, 2005
|
|
$3.75
|
|
$2.68
|
December
31, 2005
|
|
$3.13
|
|
$1.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
March
31, 2006
|
|
$3.15
|
|
$1.20
|
June
30, 2006
|
|
$2.45
|
|
$1.20
|
September
30, 2006
|
|
$1.86
|
|
$0.94
|
December
31, 2006
|
|
$1.50
|
|
$0.95
|
As
of
March 26,
2007,
there were approximately 40
holders
of record and approximately 931 beneficial holders of our common stock.
We
have
neither paid nor declared dividends on our common stock since our inception
and
do not plan to pay dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
We
expect that any earnings which we may realize will be retained to finance our
growth. There can be no assurance that we will ever pay dividends on our common
stock. Our dividend policy with respect to the common stock is within the
discretion of the Board of Directors and its policy with respect to dividends
in
the future will depend on numerous factors, including our earnings, financial
requirements and general business conditions.
Item
6. Management’s
Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation
Business
Overview
Since
our
inception in April 1997, we have been engaged primarily in the development
of
hemodiafiltra-tion, or HDF, products and technologies for treating patients
with
End Stage Renal Disease, or ESRD. Our
products
include the OLpūr MD190 and MD220, which are dialyzers, OLpūr H2H,
an
add-on module designed to enable HDF therapy using the most common types of
hemodialysis machines, and the OLpūr NS2000 system, a stand-alone HDF machine
with associated filter technology. We began selling our OLpūr MD190 dialyzer in
some parts of our Target European Market in March 2004, and have developed
prototypes for our OLpūr H2H
product. We are developing our OLpūr NS2000 product in conjunction with an
established machine
manufacturer in Italy. We are working with this manufacturer to modify an
existing HDF platform they currently offer for sale in parts of our Target
European Market, incorporating our proprietary H2H
technology. We have also applied our filtration technologies to water filtration
and, in 2006, we fulfilled two purchase orders for our DSU.
To
date,
we have devoted most of our efforts to research, clinical development, seeking
regulatory approval and establishing manufacturing and marketing relationships
and our own marketing and sales support staff for the
development,
production and sale of our ESRD therapy products in our Target European Market
and the United States upon their approval by appropriate regulatory
authorities.
Since
our
inception, we have incurred annual net losses. As of December 31, 2006, we
had
an accumulated deficit of $55,255,794, and we expect to incur additional losses
in the foreseeable future. We recognized net losses of $8,012,911 for the year
ended December 31, 2006, and $5,468,177 for the year ended December 31,
2005.
Since
our
inception, we have financed our operations primarily through sales of our equity
and debt securities. From inception through December 31, 2006, we received
net
offering proceeds from private sales of equity and debt securities and from
the
initial public offering of our common stock (after deducting underwriters’
discounts, commissions and expenses, and our offering expenses) of approximately
$40.3 million in the aggregate.
On
March
2, 2005, we entered into a Subscription Agreement with Asahi, pursuant to which
Asahi purchased 184,250 shares of our common stock for an aggregate of 100
million Japanese Yen ($955,521 or $5.19 per share). The Subscription Agreement
contains certain transfer restrictions with respect to the shares purchased
thereunder.
Also
on
March 2, 2005, we entered into a license agreement with Asahi granting Asahi
exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute
filter products based on our OLpūr MDHDF filter series hemodiafilter in Japan
for 10 years commencing when the first such product receives Japanese regulatory
approval. In exchange for these rights, we received an up front license fee
in
the amount
of $1.75
million, and we are entitled to receive additional royalties and milestone
payments based on the future sales of such products in Japan, which sales are
subject to Japanese regulatory approval. No milestones have been met to date
because none of our products have received regulatory approval in
Japan.
During
January 2006, we received our first purchase order for our DSU from a major
hospital in New York City. The hospital conducted an evaluation of our DSUs
by
installing them in a sampling of the hospital’s patient showers. Upon completion
of the first phase, the hospital ordered additional DSU units in December 2006,
which we fulfilled, to continue its evaluation. We are in discussion with this
hospital in connection with their adoption of the DSU as part of their water
filtration system. These initial DSU sales did not result in material net
revenues. We are pursuing a larger multi-hospital study to demonstrate the
efficacy of the DSU. Our goal is to publish this study in 2007 in a relevant
publication of substantial distribution.
The
following trends, events and uncertainties may have a material impact on our
potential sales, revenue and income from operations:
|
(1)
|
the
completion and success of additional clinical trials and of our regulatory
approval processes for each of our ESRD therapy products in our target
territories;
|
|
(2)
|
the
market acceptance of HDF therapy in the United States and of our
technologies and products in each of our target
markets;
|
|
(3)
|
our
ability to effectively and efficiently manufacture, market and distribute
our products;
|
|
(4)
|
our
ability to sell our products at competitive prices which exceed our
per
unit costs; and
|
|
(5)
|
the
consolidation of dialysis clinics into larger clinical
groups.
|
To
the
extent we are unable to succeed in accomplishing (1) through (4), our sales
could be lower than expected and dramatically impair our ability to generate
income from operations. With respect to (5), the impact could either be
positive, in the case where dialysis clinics consolidate into independent
chains, or negative, in the case where competitors acquire these dialysis
clinics and use their own products, as competitors have historically tended
to
use their own products in clinics they have acquired.
Regaining
Compliance with AMEX’s Continued Listing Standards
We
have
received notices from the staff of the AMEX that we are not in compliance with
certain conditions of the continued listing standards of Section 1003 of the
AMEX Company Guide. Specifically, AMEX noted our failure to comply with Section
1003(a)(i) of the AMEX Company Guide relating to shareholders’ equity of less
than $2,000,000 and losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in
two
out of our three most recent fiscal years; Section 1003(a)(ii) of the AMEX
Company Guide relating to shareholders’ equity of less than $4,000,000 and
losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in three of our four most
recent fiscal years; and Section 1003(a)(iii) of the AMEX Company Guide relating
to shareholders’ equity of less than $6,000,000 and losses from continuing
operations and/or net losses in our five most recent fiscal years.
We
submitted a plan advising AMEX of the actions we have taken, or will take,
that
would bring us into compliance with the applicable listing standards. On
November 14, 2006, we received notice from the staff of the AMEX that the staff
has reviewed our plan of compliance to meet the AMEX’s continued listing
standards and will continue our listing while we seek to regain compliance
with
the continued listing standards during the period ending January 17, 2008.
During the plan period, we must continue to provide the AMEX staff with updates
regarding initiatives set forth in its plan of compliance. We will be subject
to
periodic review by the AMEX staff during the plan period. If we are not in
compliance with the continued listing standards at January 17, 2008 or we do
not
make progress consistent with the plan during the plan period, then the AMEX
may
initiate immediate delisting proceedings.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (Revised 2004)
“Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”) which requires companies to measure and
recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payments at fair-value.
Stock
based payments include stock option grants. SFAS 123R is effective for small
business issuers for the first interim reporting period beginning after December
15, 2005. We have adopted SFAS 123R effective January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R
requires the recognition of compensation expense in an amount equal to the
fair
value of all share-based payments granted to employees.
Effective
January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error
Correction - A replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB No. 3” (“SFAS 154”).
The adoption of SFAS 154 did not have a material impact on our financial
position, results of operations or cash flows.
In
June
2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in
Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”).
FIN 48 requires companies to determine whether it is more likely than not that
a
tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing
authorities before any part of the benefit can be recorded in the financial
statements. This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition,
classification, accounting in interim periods, and expanded disclosure
requirements. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN
48 on our financial position, cash flows, and results of operations.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS
157”), which applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or
liabilities to be measured at fair value. SFAS 157 established a fair value
hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop the assumption that
market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. SFAS 157
is
effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods
within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting
SFAS 157 on our financial position, cash flows, and results of
operations
In
September 2006, the Staff of the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108,
Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying
Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 provides
guidance on the consideration of the effects of prior year misstatements in
quantifying current year misstatements for the purpose of determining whether
the current year’s financial statements are materially misstated. SAB 108 is
effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. The adoption of
SAB
108 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities“ (“SFAS 159”), which permits entities
to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at
fair
value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS 159
will be effective for the fiscal years ending after November 15, 2007. We are
currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 159 on our financial position,
cash flows, and results of operations.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations
are
based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States requires application of management’s
subjective judgments, often requiring the need to make estimates about the
effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent
periods. Our actual results may differ substantially from these estimates under
different assumptions or conditions. While our significant accounting policies
are described in more detail in the notes to consolidated financial statements
included in this annual report on Form 10-KSB, we believe that the following
accounting policies require the application of significant judgments and
estimates.
Revenue
Recognition
Revenue
is recognized in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff
Accounting Bulletin, or SAB, No. 104 Revenue Recognition. SAB No. 104 requires
that four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (i)
persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or
services have been rendered; (iii) the fee is fixed and determinable; and (iv)
collectibility is reasonably assured.
We
began
sales of our first product in March 2004. Prior to fiscal 2005, our sales
history did not provide a basis from which to reasonably estimate rates of
product return. Consequently, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 we
did
not recognize revenue from sales until the rights of return expired (thirty
days
after the date of shipment). Similarly, we deferred cost of goods sold to the
extent of amounts billed to customers. Starting October 1, 2005 sales were
recorded net of provisions for estimated returns as we have a more reliable
returns history. These estimates are revised as necessary, to reflect actual
experience and market conditions.
During
2005, we entered into an agreement
with Asahi, a business unit of Asahi Kasei Corporation, granting Asahi exclusive
rights to manufacture and distribute filter products based on our OLpūr MD190
hemodiafilter in Japan for 10 years commencing when the first such product
receives Japanese
regulatory approval. In exchange for these rights, we received an up front
license fee in the amount of $1,750,000, and we are entitled to receive
additional royalties and milestone payments based on the future sales of
products in Japan, which sales are subject to Japanese regulatory approval.
Because (i) the license agreement requires no continuing involvement in the
manufacture and delivery of the licensed product in the covered territory of
Japan; (ii) the criteria of SAB No. 104 have been met; and (iii) the license
fee
received is non-refundable, we recognized $1,750,000 in contract revenue on
the
effective date of the license agreement.
Accrued
Expenses
We
are
required to estimate accrued expenses as part of our process of preparing
financial statements. This process involves identifying services which have
been
performed on our behalf, and the level of service performed and the associated
cost incurred for such service as of each balance sheet date in our financial
statements. Examples of areas in which subjective judgments may be required
include costs associated with services provided by contract organizations for
the preclinical development of our products, the manufacturing of clinical
materials, and clinical trials, as well as legal and accounting services
provided by professional organizations. In connection with such service fees,
our estimates are most affected by our understanding of the status and timing
of
services provided relative to the actual levels of services incurred by such
service providers. The majority of our service providers invoice us monthly
in
arrears for services performed. In the event that we do not identify certain
costs, which have
begun
to
be incurred, or we under- or over-estimate the level of services performed
or
the costs of such services, our reported expenses for such period would be
too
low or too high. The date on which certain services commence, the level of
services performed on or before a given date and the cost of such services
are
often determined based on subjective judgments. We make these judgments based
upon the facts and circumstances known to us in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.
Stock-Based
Compensation
We
have
adopted SFAS 123R, effective January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R requires the recognition
of compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of all share-based
payments granted to employees. We have elected the modified prospective
transition method and therefore adjustments to prior periods are not required
as
a result of adopting SFAS 123R. Under this method, the provisions of SFAS 123R
apply to all awards granted after the date of adoption and to any unrecognized
expense of awards unvested at the date of adoption based on the grant date
fair
value. SFAS 123R also amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows,” to require
that excess tax benefits that had been reflected as operating cash flows be
reflected as financing cash flows. Deferred compensation of $2,189,511 related
to the awards granted in periods prior to January 1, 2006 were reclassified
against additional paid-in capital, as required by SFAS 123R.
Prior
to
our initial public offering, options were granted to employees, non-employees
and non-employee directors at exercise prices which were lower than the fair
market value of our stock on the date of grant. After the date of our initial
public offering, stock options are granted to employees, non-employees and
non-employee directors at exercise prices equal to the fair market value of
our
stock on the date of grant. Stock options granted have a life of 10 years and
vest upon a combination of the following: immediate vesting; straight line
vesting of two, three, or four years; and upon the achievement of certain
milestones.
Inventory
Reserves
Our
inventory reserve requirements are based on factors including the products’
expiration date and estimates for the future sales of product. If estimated
sales levels do not materialize, we will make adjustments to its assumptions
for
inventory reserve requirements.
Results
of Operations
Fluctuations
in Operating Results
Our
results of operations have fluctuated significantly from period to period in
the
past and are likely to continue to do so in the future. We anticipate that
our
annual results of operations will be impacted for the foreseeable future by
several factors including the progress and timing of expenditures related to
our
research and development efforts, marketing expenses related to product
launches, timing of regulatory approval of our various products and market
acceptance of our products. Due to these fluctuations, we believe that the
period to period comparisons of our operating results are not a good indication
of our future performance.
The
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended December
31, 2005
Revenues
Total
revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 were $793,489 compared
to
$2,424,483 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. Product revenues
increased from $674,483 for the fiscal
year
ended December 31, 2005 to $793,489 for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006,
an increase of 18%. This $119,006 increase in product revenues is primarily
due
to increased unit sales of our OLpūr MDHDF filter series product in our Target
European Market,
which was partially offset by lower average realized prices. The sales of our
DSU product, introduced in January 2006, contributed $20,520 to the increase
in
product revenues. Results for the fiscal year
ended
December 31, 2005 included the licensing revenues of $1,750,000 resulting from
our agreement with Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd. (“Asahi”).
Cost
of Goods Sold
Cost
of
goods sold increased by $564,264 as cost of sales for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006 were $943,726 compared to $379,462 for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005.
The
$564,264 increase in cost of goods sold is primarily due to $313,557 in
adjustments to inventory, $93,210 increase in cost of goods due to greater
sales
volumes, $28,890 for the impact of currency translation and other factors,
$25,215 in production waste inefficiency and $18,090 related to our
sales of the DSU. In 2005, cost of sales was impacted by a reduction
of $82,011 relating to manufacturing credits we received as a
result of certain products requiring rework by one of our
manufacturers. No sales of the DSU were reported during the year ended
December 31, 2005.
The
aforementioned inventory adjustments of $313,557 relate to a write-off of
expired inventory of $154,621, a revaluation of specific inventory lots to
reflect the competitive pricing environment in the German market of $141,074
and
an adjustment of $17,862 related to the destruction of returns from a 2005
sale
to a French clinic.
Research
and Development
Research
and development expenses increased to $1,844,220 for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006 from $1,756,492 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
The $87,728 increase is primarily due to expenses associated with the outside
testing and clinical trial related to the H2H.
Depreciation
Expense
Depreciation
expense increased to $319,164 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 from
$305,601 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, an increase of $13,563.
The increase primarily relates to currency translation factors. Depreciation
expenses were previously classified as selling, general and administrative
expenses and have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses
Selling,
general and administrative expenses decreased to $5,718,037 for the fiscal
year
ended December 31, 2006 from $6,307,399 for the fiscal year ended December
31,
2005. The decrease of $589,362 reflects a $706,491 decrease in selling expenses
and a $287,914 lower severance expense, being offset by a $405,043 increase
in
general and administrative expenses.
Selling
expenses decreased to $1,347,958 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
from $2,054,449 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. The decrease of
$706,491 is primarily due to a reduction in European marketing expenses
reflecting lower payroll expenses of $401,493, lower sampling expense of
$294,884 and a $167,164 decrease in combined U.S. and European based travel
related expenses. The decrease in payroll expense is principally due to the
2005
termination of our Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales.
General
and administrative expenses increased to $4,339,743 for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006 from $3,934,700 for the year ended December 31, 2005. The
$405,043 increase is primarily due to expenses associated with fees for
professional services associated with investor relations and financial services
of approximately $281,765 and increased expenses associated with accounting
and
audit related services of $188,605. These increases were partially offset by
a
$51,146 decrease in legal expenses and a decrease in premium expense of $46,492
on directors and officers insurance due to improved market conditions for this
category of insurance.
Interest
Income
Interest
income decreased to $211,881 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 from
$233,207 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. The $21,326 decrease
is
primarily due to lower average balances of our cash equivalents and short term
investments for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the
prior year period.
Interest
Expense
Interest
expense totaled $195,089 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. There
was
no interest expense for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. The current
period interest expense primarily represents $183,321 for the accrued interest
liability associated with our 6% Secured Convertible Notes due 2012 (“the
Notes”), $6,893 associated with the amortization of the debt discount on the
Notes and $4,161 for the interest portion of the present value of payments
we
made to the Receiver of the Lancer Offshore, Inc. pursuant to certain settlement
arrangements. For additional information about the Notes, please see the section
“Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.
Other
Income
Other
income of $1,955 in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 represents the
change in the valuation of the warrants attached to the Notes.
In
the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the gain of $623,087 was recorded in
conjunction with the settlement of the Ancillary Proceeding with Lancer
Offshore, Inc. (See “Note 9—Commitments and Contingencies—Settlement Agreements”
to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the
settlement).
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
The
Company did not engage in any off-balance sheet arrangements during the periods
ended December 31, 2006.
Liquidity,
Going
Concern and Capital Resources
The
financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB have been
prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern, however, there
can
be no assurance that we will be able to do so. Our recurring losses and
difficulty in generating sufficient cash flow to meet our obligations and
sustain our operations raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue
as
a going concern, and our consolidated financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
At
December 31, 2006, we had $253,043 in cash and cash equivalents and $2,800,000
in short-term investments. As of April 2, 2007, we had approximately $447,000
in
cash and cash equivalents and $900,000 invested in short term securities. We
have implemented a strict cash management program to conserve our cash, reduce
our expenditures and control our payables. In accordance with this cash
management program, we believe that our existing funds will be sufficient to
fund our currently planned operations through the second quarter of 2007. If
we
are unable to successfully implement our cash management program, then we would
be unable to fund our currently planned operations through that date.
We
will
need to raise additional funds through either the licensing or sale of our
technologies or the additional public or private offerings of our securities.
We
are currently investigating additional funding opportunities, talking to various
potential investors who could provide financing and we believe that we will
be
able to secure financing in the near term. However, there can be no assurance
that we will be able to obtain further financing, do so on reasonable terms,
do
so on terms that will satisfy the AMEX’s continued listing standards or do so on
terms that would not substantially dilute your equity interests in us. If we
are
unable to raise additional funds on a timely basis, or at all, we will not
be
able to continue our operations and we may be de-listed from the AMEX.
We
do not
generate enough revenue through the sale of our products or licensing revenues
to meet our expenditure needs. Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness
will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to some extent,
is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory
and other factors that are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that
our future cash flow will be sufficient to meet our obligations and commitments.
If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future
to service our indebtedness and to meet our other commitments, we will be
required to adopt alternatives, such as seeking to raise additional debt or
equity capital, curtailing our planned activities or ceasing our operations.
There can be no assurance that any such actions could be effected on a timely
basis or on satisfactory terms or at all, or that these actions would enable
us
to continue to satisfy our capital requirements. For additional information
describing the risks concerning our liquidity, please see “Certain Risks and
Uncertainties” below.
Our
future liquidity sources and requirements will depend on many factors,
including:
|
• |
the
market acceptance of our products, and our ability to effectively
and
efficiently produce and market our
products;
|
|
• |
the
availability of additional financing, through the sale of equity
securities or otherwise, on commercially reasonable terms or at
all;
|
|
• |
the
timing and costs associated with obtaining the Conformité Européene, or
CE, mark, which demonstrates compliance with the relevant European
Union
requirements and is a regulatory prerequisite
for selling our ESRD therapy products in the European Union and
certain
other countries that recognize CE marking (for products other than
our
OLpūr MDHDF filter series, for which the CE mark was obtained in July
2003), or United States regulatory
approval;
|
|
•
|
the
ability to maintain the listing of our common stock on the
AMEX;
|
|
• |
the
continued progress in and the costs of clinical studies and other
research
and development programs;
|
|
• |
the
costs involved in filing and enforcing patent claims and the status
of
competitive products; and
|
• |
the
cost of litigation, including potential patent litigation and any
other
actual or threatened litigation.
|
We
expect
to put our current capital resources and the additional capital we are seeking
to raise to the following uses:
|
• |
for
the marketing and sales of our
products;
|
|
• |
to
complete certain clinical studies, obtain appropriate regulatory
approvals
and expand our research and development with respect to our ESRD
therapy
products;
|
• |
to
continue our ESRD therapy product
engineering;
|
|
• |
to
pursue business opportunities with respect to our DSU water-filtration
product;
|
• |
to
pay the Receiver of Lancer Offshore, Inc. amounts due under the settlement
with respect to the Ancillary Proceeding between us and the Receiver
(See
“Note 9—Commitments and Contingencies—Settlement Agreements” to the
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of
the
settlement);
|
• |
to
pay a former supplier, Plexus Services Corp., amounts due under our
settlement agreement; and
|
• |
for
working capital purposes and for additional professional fees and
expenses
and other operating costs.
|
Our
forecast of the period of time through which our financial resources will be
adequate to support our operations is a forward-looking statement that involves
risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary materially. In the
event that our plans change, our assumptions change or prove inaccurate, or
if
our existing cash resources, together with other funding resources including
increased sales of our products, otherwise prove to be insufficient to fund
our
operations and we are unable to obtain additional financing, we will be required
to adopt alternatives, such as curtailing our planned activities or ceasing
our
operations.
In
June
2006, we entered into subscription agreements with certain investors who
purchased an aggregate of $5,200,000 principal amount of our 6% Secured
Convertible Notes due 2012 (the “Notes”) for the face value thereof. We closed
on the sale of the first tranche of Notes, in an aggregate principal amount
of
$5,000,000, on June 1, 2006 (the “First Tranche”) and closed on the sale of the
second tranche of Notes, in an aggregate principal amount of $200,000, on June
30, 2006 (the “Second Tranche”). The Notes are secured by substantially all of
our assets.
The
Notes
accrue interest at a rate of 6% per annum, compounded annually and payable
in
arrears at maturity. Subject to certain restrictions, principal and accrued
interest on the Notes are convertible at any time at the holder’s option into
shares of our common stock, at an initial conversion price of $2.10 per share
(subject to anti-dilution adjustments upon the occurrence of certain events).
There is no cap on any increases to the conversion price. The conversion price
may not be adjusted to an amount less than $0.001 per share, the current par
value of our common stock. We may cause the Notes to be converted at their
then
effective conversion price, if the common stock achieves average last sales
prices of at least 240% of the then effective conversion price and average
daily
volume of at least 35,000 shares (subject to adjustment) over a prescribed
time
period. In the case of an optional conversion by the holder or a compelled
conversion by us, we have 15 days from the date of conversion to deliver
certificates for the shares of common stock issuable upon such conversion.
As
further described below, conversion of the Notes is restricted, pending
stockholder approval.
We
may
prepay outstanding principal and interest on the Notes at any time. Any
prepayment requires us to pay each holder a premium equal to 15% of the
principal amount of the Notes held by such holder receiving the prepayment
if
such prepayment is made on or before June 1, 2008, and 5% of the principal
amount of the Notes held by such holder receiving prepayment in connection
with
prepayments made thereafter. In addition to the applicable prepayment premium,
upon any prepayment of the Notes occurring on or before June 1, 2008, we must
issue the holder of such Notes warrants (“Prepayment Warrants”) to purchase a
quantity of common stock equal to three shares for every $20 principal amount
of
Notes prepaid at an exercise price of $0.01 per share (subject to adjustment).
Upon issuance, the Prepayment Warrants would expire on June 1,
2012.
Unless
and until our stockholders approve the issuance of shares of common stock in
excess of such amount, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon
conversion of the First Tranche of Notes and exercise of the Prepayment Warrants
related thereto, in the aggregate, is limited to 2,451,280 shares, which equals
approximately 19.9% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding
immediately prior to the issuance of the Notes. We will not issue any shares
of
common stock upon conversion of the Second Tranche of Notes or exercise of
any
Prepayment Warrants that may be issued pursuant to such Notes until our
stockholders approve the issuance
of
shares
of common stock upon conversion of the Notes and exercise of the Prepayment
Warrants as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the
AMEX.
In
connection with the sale of the Notes, we have entered into a registration
rights agreement with the investors pursuant to which we granted the investors
two demand registration rights and unlimited piggy-back and short-form
registration rights with respect to the shares of common stock issuable upon
conversion of the Notes or exercise of Prepayment Warrants, if any.
Subject
to terms and conditions set forth in the Notes, the outstanding principal of
and
accrued interest on the Notes may become immediately due and payable upon the
occurrence of any of the following events of default: our failure to pay
principal or interest on the Notes when due; certain bankruptcy-related events
with respect to us; material breach of any representation, warranty or
certification made by us in or pursuant to the Notes, or under the registration
rights agreement or the subscription agreements; our incurrence of Senior Debt
(as defined in the Notes); the acceleration of certain of our other debt; or
the
rendering of certain judgments against us.
The
Notes
contain a prepayment feature that requires us to issue common stock purchase
warrants to the Note holders for partial consideration of certain Note
prepayments that the Note holders may demand under certain circumstances.
Pursuant to the Notes, we must offer the Note holders the option (the “Holder
Prepayment Option”) of prepayment (subject to applicable premiums) of their
Notes, if we complete
an asset sale in excess of $250,000 outside the ordinary course of business
(a
“Major Asset Sale”), to the extent of the net cash proceeds of such Major Asset
Sale. Paragraph 12 of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities,” (“SFAS 133”), provides that an embedded derivative shall be
separated from the host contract and accounted for as a derivative instrument
if
and only if certain criteria are met. In consideration of SFAS 133, we have
determined that the Holder Prepayment Option is an embedded derivative to be
bifurcated from the Notes and carried at fair value in our financial statements.
At December 31, 2006 the value of the embedded derivative was a liability of
approximately $69,000. Such valuation decreased by approximately $2,000 during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. We reassess the valuation of the Holder
Prepayment Option quarterly.
At
December 31, 2006, we had an accumulated deficit of $55,255,794, and we expect
to incur additional losses in the foreseeable future at least until such time,
if ever, that we are able to increase product sales or licensing revenue. We
have financed our operations since inception primarily through the private
placements of equity and debt securities and our initial public offering in
September 2004 and from licensing revenue received from Asahi in March 2005.
Net
cash
used in operating activities was $7,299,597 for the twelve months ended December
31, 2006 compared to $5,103,948 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005.
Included in the prior year amounts is the impact of the Asahi contract revenue
of $1,750,000 (the “Asahi Transaction”) offset by cash used in operating
activities in the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 of approximately
$6,853,948.
During
2006, the net cash used in operating activities was approximately $446,000
higher then the net cash used in operating activities (excepting the Asahi
Transaction) during 2005. While this difference is primarily due to the fact
that the 2006 net loss is approximately $800,000 greater than the net loss
(excepting the Asahi Transaction) in 2005, other items also impacted the
difference. The most significant items are highlighted below:
• During
2005, we incurred a non-cash gain of $623,087 related to a settlement
agreement.
• During
2006, our inventory decreased by approximately $303,000. This compares to an
increase in inventory from 2004 to 2005.
• During
2006, we paid severance costs of approximately $249,000. There were no
comparable payments during 2005.
• During
2006, we paid amounts due under settlement agreements totaling approximately
$346,000 (included with “other liabilities” on the statement of cash
flow).
Net
cash
provided by investing activities was $1,589,837 for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2006 compared to net cash provided of $1,102,710 for the twelve
months ended December 31, 2005. For the fiscal year ended December 31,
2005, net
cash used reflects $397,290 of fixed asset purchases consisting mainly
of
manufacturing equipment for the production of our OLpūr
MDHDF
filters. In 2006, $110,163 of fixed assets were purchased primarily related
to
manufacturing and computer equipment. Net cash provided by investing activities
was increased by $1,700,000 in net repayments of short term securities
during
the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, as compared to net repayments
for the
twelve months ended December 31, 2005 of $1,500,000.
Net
cash
provided by financing activities was approximately $5,201,441 for the twelve
months ended December 31, 2006 compared to approximately $1,002,761 for the
twelve months ended December 31, 2005. The net cash provided in the current
period reflects the sale of an aggregate of approximately $5,200,000 of our
Notes and $1,441 from the exercise of options to purchase of our common stock.
Financing activities in the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 included
net
proceeds of $955,521 from Asahi from the sale of 184,250 shares of our common
stock pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated March 2, 2005.
Contractual
Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The
following tables summarize our minimum contractual obligations and commercial
commitments as of December 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
Payments
Due in Period
|
|
Contractual
Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
Within
|
|
Years
|
|
Years
|
|
More
than
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
1
Year
|
|
1-3
|
|
3-5
|
|
5
Years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible
Notes (1)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7,290,229
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
7,290,229
|
|
Leases
|
|
|
|
|
|
133,612
|
|
|
133,612
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Employment
Contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
567,075
|
|
|
424,163
|
|
|
142,912
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7,990,916
|
|
$
|
557,775
|
|
$
|
142,912
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
7,290,229
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
Includes interest of $2,090,229.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Certain
Risks and Uncertainties
Certain
statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, including certain statements
contained in “Description of Business” and “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis,” constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words or phrases “can be,” “may,” “could,”
“would,” “expects,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “projects” and similar
words and phrases are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
Such
forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and
uncertainties, including those described on the following pages, and we caution
you that any forward-looking information provided by or on behalf of us is
not a
guarantee of future performance. Our actual results could differ materially
from
those anticipated by such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors,
some of which are beyond our control. All such forward-looking statements are
current only as of the date on which such statements were made. We do not
undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to
reflect events or circumstances after the date on which any such statement
is
made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Risks
Related to Our Company
We
do not presently and may not in the future have sufficient cash flows from
operating activities and cash on hand to service our indebtedness and meet
our
anticipated cash needs. We may not be successful in obtaining additional
funding
in order to continue operations.
As
of
April 2, 2007, we had approximately $447,000 in cash and cash equivalents and
$900,000 invested in short term securities. We have implemented a strict cash
management program to conserve our cash, reduce our expenditures and control
our
payables. In accordance with this cash management program, we believe that
our
existing funds will be sufficient to fund our currently planned operations
through the second quarter of 2007. If we are unable to successfully implement
our cash management program, then we would be unable to fund our currently
planned operations through that date.
Our
ability to make payments on our indebtedness and to meet our anticipated cash
needs will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. We will need
to
raise additional funds through either the licensing or sale of our technologies
or the additional public or private offerings of our securities. This, to some
extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative,
regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.
We
are
currently investigating additional funding opportunities, talking to various
potential investors who could provide financing and we believe that we will
be
able to secure financing in the near term. However, there can be no assurance
that we will be able to obtain further financing, do so on reasonable terms,
do
so on
terms
that will satisfy the AMEX’s continued listing standards or do so on terms that
would not substantially dilute your equity interests in us. If we are unable
to
raise additional funds on a timely basis, or at all, we will not be able to
continue our operations and we may be de-listed from the AMEX. Even if we obtain
such financing, we cannot assure you that our future cash flow will be
sufficient to meet our obligations and commitments. If we continue to be
unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service
our indebtedness and to meet our other commitments, we will be required to
adopt
alternatives, such as seeking to raise additional debt or equity capital,
curtailing our planned activities or ceasing our operations. We cannot
assure you that any such actions could be effected on a timely basis or on
satisfactory terms or at all, or that these actions would enable us to continue
to satisfy our capital requirements.
Because
our capital requirements have been and will continue to be significant, we
need
to raise additional funds or we will not be able to continue to operate our
business or satisfy our debt obligations when they become due. If our business
fails, investors in our common stock could lose their entire investment.
Our
capital requirements have been and will continue to be significant. Through
December 31, 2006, we have been dependent primarily on the net proceeds of
our
initial public offering and private placements of our equity and debt
securities, aggregating approximately $40.3 million. We generated an additional
approximately $1.7 million in March 2005 from our license agreement with Asahi.
There can be no assurance that our existing capital resources, together with
the
net proceeds from future operating cash flows, if any, will be sufficient to
fund our
future
operations or to satisfy our debt obligations when they become due and payable.
Our capital requirements will depend on numerous factors,
including:
|
Ÿ
|
the
market acceptance of our products, and our ability to effectively
and
efficiently produce and market our
products;
|
|
Ÿ
|
the
availability of additional financing, through the sale of equity
securities or otherwise, on commercially reasonable terms or at
all;
|
|
Ÿ
|
the
timing and costs associated with obtaining the Conformité Européene, or
CE, mark, which demonstrates compliance with the relevant
European
Union requirements and is a regulatory prerequisite for selling our
ESRD
therapy products in the European Union and certain other countries
that
recognize CE marking (for products other than our OLpūr MDHDF filter
series, for which the CE mark was obtained
in July 2003 and our DSU for which the CE mark was obtained in November
2006), or United States regulatory approval;
|
|
Ÿ
|
the
continued progress in and the costs of clinical studies and other
research
and development programs;
|
|
Ÿ
|
the
costs associated with manufacturing
scale-up;
|
|
Ÿ
|
the
costs involved in filing and enforcing patent claims and the status
of
competitive products; and
|
|
Ÿ
|
the
cost of litigation, including potential patent litigation and actual,
current and threatened litigation
|
We
will
require additional capital beyond the cash, if any, generated from our
operations, and we are currently seeking additional funding opportunities
through the sale of equity securities or otherwise, to achieve our business
objectives. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain alternative
financing on acceptable terms or at all. Our failure to obtain financing would
have a material adverse effect on us. Any additional equity financing could
substantially dilute your equity interests in our company and any additional
debt financing could impose significant financial and operational restrictions
on us.
We
have a history of operating losses and a significant accumulated deficit, and
we
may not achieve or maintain profitability in the
future.
We
have
not been profitable since our inception in 1997. As of December 31, 2006, we
had
an accumulated deficit of approximately $55,255,794 primarily as a result of
our
research and development expenses and selling, general and administrative
expenses. We expect to continue to incur additional losses for the foreseeable
future as a result of a high level of operating expenses, significant up-front
expenditures including the cost of clinical trials, production and marketing
activities and very limited revenue from the sale of our products. We began
sales of our first product in March 2004, and we may never realize sufficient
revenues from the sale of our products or be profitable. Each of the following
factors, among others, may influence the timing and extent of our profitability,
if any:
|
|
the
completion and success of additional clinical trials and of our regulatory
approval processes for each of our ESRD therapy products in our target
territories;
|
|
|
the
market acceptance of HDF therapy in the United States and of our
technologies and products in each of our target
markets;
|
|
|
our
ability to effectively and efficiently manufacture, market and distribute
our products;
|
|
|
our
ability to sell our products at competitive prices which exceed our
per
unit costs; and
|
|
|
the consolidation of dialysis clinics into larger
clinical groups. |
Our
independent registered public accountants, in their audit report related to
our
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, expressed substantial
doubt about our ability to continue as a going
concern.
Our
independent registered public accounting firm has included an explanatory
paragraph in their report on our financial statements included in this Annual
Report on Form 10-KSB expressing doubt as to our ability to continue as a going
concern. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming
that
we will continue as a going concern, however, there can be no assurance that
we
will be able to do so. Our recurring losses and difficulty in generating
sufficient cash flow to meet our obligations and sustain our operations, raises
substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and our
consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might
result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Based on our current cash flow
projections, we will need to raise additional funds through either the licensing
or sale of our technologies or the additional public or private offerings of
our
securities. However, there is no guarantee that we will be able to obtain
further financing, or to do so on reasonable terms. If we are unable to raise
additional funds on a timely basis, or at all, we would be materially
adversely
affected.
We
may not be able to meet the American Stock Exchange’s continued listing
standards and as a result, we may be delisted from the American Stock
Exchange.
During
2006, we received notices from AMEX that we are not in compliance with certain
conditions of the continued listing standards of Section 1003 of the
AMEX
Company Guide. Specifically, AMEX noted our
failure
to comply with Section 1003(a)(i) of the AMEX Company Guide relating to
shareholders’ equity of less than $2,000,000 and losses from continuing
operations and/or net losses in two out of our
three
most recent fiscal years; Section 1003(a)(ii) of the AMEX Company Guide relating
to shareholders’ equity of less than $4,000,000 and losses from continuing
operations and/or net losses in three out of our
four
most
recent fiscal years; and Section 1003(a)(iii) of the AMEX Company Guide relating
to shareholders’ equity of less than $6,000,000 and losses from continuing
operations and/or net losses in our
five
most
recent fiscal years. We submitted a plan in August 2006 to advise AMEX of the
steps we have taken, and will take, to regain compliance with the applicable
listing standards.
On
November 14, 2006,
we
received
notice that the AMEX staff had reviewed our
plan
of
compliance to meet the AMEX’s continued listing standards and that AMEX will
continue our listing while we
seek
to
regain compliance with the continued listing standards during the period ending
January 17, 2008. During the plan period, we
must
continue to provide the AMEX staff with updates regarding initiatives set forth
in our plan of compliance. We
will
be
subject to periodic review by the AMEX staff during the plan
period.
We
may be
unable to show progress consistent with our plan of compliance to meet the
AMEX
continued listing standards or may be otherwise unable to timely regain
compliance with the AMEX listing standards. In order to comply with the AMEX’s
continued listing standards, we will need to raise additional funds through
either the licensing or sale of our technologies or the additional public or
private offerings of our securities. There can be no assurance, however, that
we
will be able to obtain further financing, do so on reasonable terms or do so
on
terms that will satisfy the AMEX’s continued listing standards. If we are unable
to raise additional funds on a timely basis, then we may be delisted from the
AMEX.
If
our
common stock is delisted by the AMEX, trading of our common stock would
thereafter likely be conducted on the OTC Bulletin Board. In such case, the
market liquidity for our common stock would likely be negatively affected,
which
may make it more difficult for holders of our common stock to sell their
securities in the open market and we could face difficulty raising capital
necessary for our continued operation. Investors may find it more difficult
to
dispose of or obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our
securities. In addition, our common stock, if delisted by the AMEX, may
constitute “penny stock” (as defined in Rule 3a51-1 promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) if we fail to meet certain criteria
set forth in such Rule. Various practice requirements are imposed on
broker-dealers who sell “penny stocks” to persons other than established
customers and accredited investors. For these types of transactions, the
broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser
and have received the purchaser’s written consent to the transactions prior to
sale. Consequently, if our common stock were to become “penny stock,” then the
Rule may
deter
broker-dealers from recommending or selling our common stock, which could
further negatively affect the liquidity of our common stock.
Our
existing and future debt obligations could impair our liquidity and financial
condition.
As
of
December 31, 2006, we had $5,200,000 aggregate principal amount of secured
convertible notes outstanding, which notes have accrued interest in the amount
of $183,321. We may incur additional debt in the future to fund all or part
of
our capital requirements. Our outstanding debt and future debt obligations
could
impair our liquidity and could:
|
|
make
it more difficult for us to satisfy our other
obligations;
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|
require
us to dedicate a substantial portion of any cash flow we may generate
to
payments on our debt obligations, which would reduce the availability
of
our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other
corporate requirements;
|
|
|
impede
us from obtaining additional financing in the future for working
capital,
capital expenditures and general corporate purposes;
and
|
|
|
make
us more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in our business prospects
and limit our flexibility to plan for, or react to, changes in our
industry.
|
Certain
customers individually account for a large portion of our product sales, and
the
loss of any of these customers could have a material adverse effect on our
sales.
For
the
year ended December 31, 2006, one of our customers accounted for 69% of our
product sales. Also, this customer represented 71% of our accounts receivable
as
of December 31, 2006. In addition, in January 2007, we agreed with this customer
to assign on an exclusive basis additional territories to it with respect to
distribution of our ESRD therapy products, which had previously been assigned
to
other distributors, thereby further concentrating our activities with this
customer. We believe that the loss of this customer would have a material
adverse effect on our product sales, at least temporarily, while we seek to
replace such customer and/or self-distribute in the territories currently served
by such customer.
We
cannot sell our ESRD therapy products, including certain modifications thereto,
until we obtain the requisite regulatory approvals and clearances in the
countries in which we intend to sell our products. We have not obtained FDA
approval for any of our ESRD therapy products, except for our HD190 filter,
and
cannot sell any of our other ESRD therapy products in the United States unless
and until we obtain such approval. If we fail to receive, or experience a
significant delay in receiving, such approvals and clearances then we may not
be
able to get our products to market and enhance our
revenues.
Our
business strategy depends in part on our ability to get our products into the
market as quickly as possible. We obtained the Conformité Européene, or CE,
mark, which demonstrates
compliance with the relevant European Union requirements and is a regulatory
prerequisite for selling our products in the European Union and certain other
countries that recognize CE marking (collectively, “European Community”), for
our OLpūr MDHDF filter
series product in 2003 and received CE marking in November 2006 for our water
filtration product, the Dual Stage Ultrafilter (“DSU”). We have not yet obtained
the CE mark for any of our other products. Similarly, we cannot sell our ESRD
therapy products in the United States until we receive FDA clearance. Although
we received conditional approval of our IDE in January 2007 to begin clinical
trials in the United States, until we complete the requisite U.S. human clinical
trials and submit pre-market notification to the FDA pursuant to Section 510(k)
of the FDC Act or otherwise comply with FDA requirements for a 510(k) approval,
we will not be eligible for FDA approval for any of our products, except for
our
HD190 filter.
In
addition to the pre-market notification required pursuant to Section 510(k)
of
the FDC Act, the FDA could require us to obtain pre-market approval of our
ESRD
therapy products under Section 515 of the FDC Act, either because of legislative
or regulatory changes or because the FDA does not agree with our determination
that
we
are
eligible to use the Section 510(k) pre-market notification process. The Section
515 pre-market approval process is a significantly more costly, lengthy and
uncertain approval process and could materially delay our products coming to
market. If we do obtain clearance for marketing of any of our devices under
Section 510(k) of the FDC Act, then any changes we wish to make to such device
that could significantly affect safety and effectiveness will require clearance
of a notification pursuant to Section 510(k), and we may need to submit clinical
and manufacturing comparability data to obtain such approval or clearance.
We
could not market any such modified device until we received FDA clearance or
approval. We cannot guarantee that the FDA would timely, if at all, clear or
approve any modified product for which Section 510(k) is applicable. Failure
to
obtain timely clearance or approval for changes to marketed products would
impair our ability to sell such products and generate revenues in the United
States.
The
clearance and/or approval processes in the European Community and in the United
States can be lengthy and uncertain and each requires substantial commitments
of
our financial resources and our management’s time and effort. We may not be able
to obtain further CE marking or any FDA approval for any of our ESRD therapy
products in a timely manner or at all. Even if we do obtain regulatory approval,
approval may be only for limited uses with specific classes of patients,
processes or other devices. Our failure to obtain, or delays in obtaining,
the
necessary regulatory clearance and/or approvals with respect to the European
Community or the United States would prevent us from selling our affected
products in these regions. If we cannot sell some of our products in these
regions, or if we are delayed in selling while awaiting the necessary clearance
and/or approvals, our ability to generate revenues from these products will
be
limited.
If
we are
successful in our initial marketing efforts in some or all of our Target
European Market and the United States, then we plan to market our ESRD therapy
products in several countries outside of our Target European Market and the
United States, including Korea and China, Canada and Mexico. Requirements
pertaining to the sale of medical devices vary widely from country to country.
It may be very expensive and difficult for us to meet the requirements for
the
sale of our ESRD therapy products in many of these countries. As a result,
we
may not be able to obtain the required approvals in a timely manner, if at
all.
If we cannot sell our ESRD therapy products outside of our Target European
Market and the United States, then the size of our potential market could be
reduced, which would limit our potential sales and revenues.
We
have
entered into an agreement with Asahi granting Asahi exclusive rights to
manufacture and distribute filter products based on our OLpūr MD190
hemodiafilter in Japan for 10 years commencing when the first such product
receives Japanese regulatory approval.
If
the requisite Japanese regulatory approvals are not timely obtained, our
potential license revenues will be limited.
Clinical
studies required for our ESRD therapy products are costly and time-consuming,
and their outcome is uncertain.
Before
obtaining regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of any of our ESRD
therapy products in the United States and elsewhere, we must demonstrate through
clinical studies that our products are safe and effective. We received
conditional approval for our IDE application from the FDA to begin human
clinical trials of our OLpūr
H2H
hemodiafiltration module and OLpūr
MD220
hemodiafilter. We were granted this approval on the condition that, by March
5,
2007, we submit a response to two informational questions from the FDA. We
have
responded to these questions. We are also required to obtain approval from
one
or more IRBs in order to proceed with our clinical trial. We are in the process
of seeking approvals from the relevant IRBs. We expect to have patients using
these ESRD products in a human clinical trial in the United States in the second
quarter of 2007.
For
products other than those for which we have already received marketing approval,
if we do not prove in clinical trials that our ESRD therapy products are safe
and effective, we will not obtain marketing approvals from the FDA and other
applicable regulatory authorities. In particular, one or more of our ESRD
therapy products may not exhibit the expected medical benefits, may cause
harmful side effects, may not be effective in treating dialysis patients or
may
have other unexpected characteristics that preclude regulatory approval for
any
or all indications of use or limit commercial use if approved. The length of
time necessary to complete clinical trials varies significantly and is difficult
to predict. Factors that can cause delay or termination of our clinical trials
include:
|
Ÿ |
slower
than expected patient enrollment due to the nature of the protocol,
the
proximity of subjects to clinical sites, the eligibility criteria for
the
study, competition with clinical trials for similar devices or other
factors; |
|
Ÿ
|
lower
than expected retention rates of subjects in a clinical
trial;
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|
inadequately
trained or insufficient personnel at the study site to assist in
overseeing and monitoring clinical
trials;
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|
delays
in approvals from a study site’s review board, or other required
approvals;
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Ÿ
|
longer
treatment time required to demonstrate
effectiveness;
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Ÿ
|
lack
of sufficient supplies of the ESRD therapy
product;
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Ÿ
|
adverse
medical events or side effects in treated
subjects;
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Ÿ
|
lack
of effectiveness of the ESRD therapy product being tested;
and
|
Even
if
we obtain positive results from clinical studies
for our
products, we may not achieve the same success in future studies of such
products. Data obtained from clinical studies are susceptible to varying
interpretations that could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. In
addition, we may encounter delays or rejections based upon changes in FDA policy
for device approval during the period of product development and FDA regulatory
review of each submitted new device application. We may encounter similar delays
in foreign countries. Moreover, regulatory approval may entail limitations
on
the indicated uses of the device. Failure to obtain requisite governmental
approvals or failure to obtain approvals of the scope requested will delay
or
preclude our licensees or marketing partners from marketing our products or
limit the commercial use of such products and will have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
In
addition, some or all of the clinical trials we undertake may not demonstrate
sufficient safety and efficacy to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals,
which could prevent or delay the creation of marketable products. Our product
development costs will increase if we have delays in testing or approvals,
if we
need to perform more, larger or different clinical trials than planned or if
our
trials are not successful. Delays in our clinical trials may harm our financial
results and the commercial prospects for our products. Additionally, we may
be
unable to complete our clinical trials if we are unable to obtain additional
capital.
We
may be required to design and conduct additional clinical
trials.
We
may be
required to design and conduct additional clinical trials to further demonstrate
the safety and efficacy of our ESRD therapy product, which may result in
significant expense and delay. The FDA and foreign regulatory authorities may
require new or additional clinical trials because of inconclusive results from
current or earlier clinical trials, a possible failure to conduct clinical
trials in complete adherence to FDA good clinical practice standards and similar
standards of foreign regulatory authorities, the identification of new clinical
trial endpoints, or the need for additional data regarding the safety or
efficacy of our ESRD therapy products. It is possible that the FDA or foreign
regulatory authorities may not ultimately approve our products for commercial
sale in any jurisdiction, even if we believe future clinical results are
positive.
We
cannot assure you that our ESRD therapy products will be safe and we are
required under applicable law to report any product-related deaths or serious
injuries or product malfunctions that could result in deaths or serious
injuries, and such reports could trigger recalls, class action lawsuits and
other events that could cause us to incur expenses and may also limit our
ability to generate revenues from such products.
We
cannot
assure you that our ESRD therapy products will be safe. Under the FDC Act,
we
are required to submit medical device reports, or MDRs, to the FDA to report
device-related deaths, serious injuries and product malfunctions
that could result in death or serious injury if they were to recur. Depending
on
their significance, MDRs could trigger events that could cause us to incur
expenses and may also limit our ability to generate revenues from such products,
such as the following:
|
|
information
contained in the MDRs could trigger FDA regulatory actions such as
inspections, recalls and patient/physician
notifications;
|
|
|
because
the reports are publicly available, MDRs could become the basis for
private lawsuits, including class actions;
and
|
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|
if
we fail to submit a required MDR to the FDA, the FDA could take
enforcement action against us.
|
If
any of
these events occur, then we could incur significant expenses and it could become
more difficult for us to gain market acceptance of our ESRD therapy products
and
to generate revenues from sales. Other countries may impose analogous reporting
requirements that could cause us to incur expenses and may also limit our
ability to generate revenues from sales of our ESRD therapy
products.
Product
liability associated with the production, marketing and sale of our products,
and/or the expense of defending against claims of product liability, could
materially deplete our assets and generate negative publicity which could impair
our reputation.
The
production, marketing and sale of kidney dialysis and water-filtration products
have inherent risks of liability in the event of product failure or claim of
harm caused by product operation. Furthermore, even meritless claims of product
liability may be costly to defend against. Although we have acquired product
liability insurance in the amount of $5,000,000 for our dialysis filters outside
of the United States and intend to acquire additional product liability
insurance upon commercialization of any of our additional products or upon
introduction of any products in the United States, we may not be able to
maintain or obtain this insurance on acceptable terms or at all. Because we
may
not be able to obtain insurance that provides us with adequate protection
against all potential product liability claims, a successful claim in excess
of
our insurance coverage could materially deplete our assets. Moreover, even
if we
are able to obtain adequate insurance, any claim against us could generate
negative publicity, which could impair our reputation and adversely affect
the
demand for our products, our ability to generate sales and our
profitability.
Some
of
the agreements that we may enter into with manufacturers of our products and
components of our products may require us:
|
|
to
obtain product liability insurance;
or
|
|
|
to
indemnify manufacturers against liabilities resulting from the sale
of our
products.
|
For
example, our agreement with Medica s.r.l. requires that we obtain and maintain
certain minimum product liability insurance coverage and that we indemnify
Medica against certain liabilities arising out of our products that they
manufacture, provided they do not arise out of Medica’s breach of the agreement,
negligence or willful misconduct. If we are not able to obtain and maintain
adequate product liability insurance, we could be in breach of these agreements,
which could materially adversely affect our ability to produce our products
and
generate revenues. Even if we are able to obtain and maintain product liability
insurance, if a successful claim in excess of our insurance coverage is made,
then we may have to indemnify some or all of our manufacturers for their losses,
which could materially deplete our assets.
If
we violate any provisions of the FDC Act or any other statutes or regulations,
then we could be subject to enforcement actions by the FDA or other governmental
agencies.
We
face a
significant compliance burden under the FDC Act and other applicable statutes
and regulations which govern the testing, labeling, storage, record keeping,
distribution, sale, marketing, advertising and promotion of our ESRD therapy
products. If we violate the FDC Act or other regulatory requirements at any
time
during or after
the
product development and/or approval process, we could be subject to enforcement
actions by the FDA or other agencies, including:
|
|
recalls
or seizures of our products;
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|
total
or partial suspension of the production of our
products;
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|
withdrawal
of any existing approvals or pre-market clearances of our
products;
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|
refusal
to approve or clear new applications or notices relating to our
products;
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|
|
recommendations
by the FDA that we not be allowed to enter into government contracts;
and
|
Any
of
the above could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Significant
additional governmental regulation could subject us to unanticipated delays
which would adversely affect our sales and revenues.
Our
business strategy depends in part on our ability to get our products into the
market as quickly as possible. Additional laws and regulations, or changes
to
existing laws and regulations that are applicable to our business may be enacted
or promulgated, and the interpretation, application or enforcement of the
existing laws and regulations may change. We cannot predict the nature of any
future laws, regulations, interpretations, applications or enforcements or
the
specific effects any of these might have on our business. Any future laws,
regulations, interpretations, applications or enforcements could delay or
prevent regulatory approval or clearance of our products and our ability to
market our products. Moreover, changes that result in our failure to comply
with
the requirements of applicable laws and regulations could result in the types
of
enforcement actions by the FDA and/or other agencies as described above, all
of
which could impair our ability to have manufactured and to sell the affected
products.
Access
to the appropriation included in the fiscal 2007 U.S. Department of Defense
budget regarding the development of a dual-stage ultra water filter could be
subject to unanticipated delays which could adversely affect our potential
revenues.
Our
business strategy with respect to our DSU products depends in part on the
successful development of DSU products for use by the military. We expect to
work with the United States Marine Corps in developing a potable personal water
purification system for warfighters, and a Federal appropriation totaling $1
million was recently approved for this purpose. If funding does not become
available to us or if there are delays in obtaining funding we may not be able
to adequately pursue our business strategy for the DSU products and our
operations and revenues could be materially adversely affected.
Protecting
our intellectual property in our technology through patents may be costly and
ineffective. If we are not able to adequately secure or enforce protection
of
our intellectual property, then we may not be able to compete effectively and
we
may not be profitable
Our
future success depends in part on our ability to protect the intellectual
property for our technology through patents. We will only be able to protect
our
products and methods from unauthorized use by third parties to the extent that
our products and methods are covered by valid and enforceable patents or are
effectively maintained as
trade
secrets. Our 13 granted U.S. patents will expire at various times from 2018
to
2022, assuming they are properly maintained.
The
protection provided by our patents, and patent applications if issued, may
not
be broad enough to prevent competitors from introducing similar products into
the market. Our patents, if challenged or if we attempt to enforce them, may
not
necessarily be upheld by the courts of any jurisdiction. Numerous publications
may have been disclosed by, and numerous patents may have been issued to, our
competitors and others relating to methods and devices for dialysis of which
we
are not aware and additional patents relating to methods and devices for
dialysis may be issued to our competitors and others in the future. If any
of
those publications or patents conflict with our patent rights, or cover our
products, then any or all of our patent applications could be rejected and
any
or all of our granted patents could be invalidated, either of which could
materially adversely affect our competitive position.
Litigation
and other proceedings relating to patent matters, whether initiated by us or
a
third party, can be expensive and time-consuming, regardless of whether the
outcome is favorable to us, and may require the diversion of substantial
financial, managerial and other resources. An adverse outcome could subject
us
to significant liabilities to third parties or require us to cease any related
development, product sales or commercialization activities. In addition, if
patents that contain dominating or conflicting claims have been or are
subsequently issued to others and the claims of these patents are ultimately
determined to be valid, then we may be required to obtain licenses under patents
of others in order to develop, manufacture, use, import and/or sell our
products. We may not be able to obtain licenses under any of these patents
on
terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we do not obtain these licenses, we could
encounter delays in, or be prevented entirely from using, importing, developing,
manufacturing, offering or selling any products or practicing any methods,
or
delivering any services requiring such licenses.
If
we
file patent applications or obtain patents in foreign countries, we will be
subject to laws and procedures that differ from those in the United States.
Such
differences could create additional uncertainty about the level and extent
of
our patent protection. Moreover, patent protection in foreign countries may
be
different from patent protection under U.S. laws and may not be as favorable
to
us. Many non-U.S. jurisdictions, for example, prohibit patent claims covering
methods of medical treatment of humans, although this prohibition may not
include devices used for such treatment.
If
we are not able to secure and enforce protection of our trade secrets through
enforcement of our confidentiality and non-competition agreements, then our
competitors may gain access to our trade secrets, we may not be able to compete
effectively and we may not be profitable. Such protection may be costly and
ineffective.
We
attempt to protect our trade secrets, including the processes, concepts, ideas
and documentation
associated with our technologies, through the use of confidentiality agreements
and non-competition agreements with our current employees and with other parties
to whom we have divulged such trade secrets. If these employees or other parties
breach our confidentiality agreements and non-competition agreements or if
these
agreements are not sufficient to protect our technology or are found to be
unenforceable, then our competitors could acquire and use information that
we
consider to be our trade secrets and we may not be able to compete effectively.
Policing unauthorized use of our trade secrets is difficult and expensive,
particularly because of the global nature of our operations. The laws of other
countries may not adequately protect our trade secrets.
If
our trademarks and trade names are not adequately protected, then we may not
be
able to build brand loyalty and our sales and revenues may
suffer.
Our
registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names may be challenged,
cancelled, infringed, circumvented or declared generic or determined to be
infringing on other marks. We may not be able to protect our rights to these
trademarks and trade names, which we need to build brand loyalty. Over the
long
term, if we are unable to establish a brand based on our trademarks and trade
names, then we may not be able to compete effectively and our sales and revenues
may suffer.
If
we are not able to successfully scale-up production of our products, then our
sales and revenues will suffer.
In
order
to commercialize our products, we need to be able to produce them in a
cost-effective way on a large scale to meet commercial demand, while maintaining
extremely high standards for quality and reliability. If we fail to successfully
commercialize our products, then we will not be profitable.
We
expect
to rely on a limited number of independent manufacturers to produce our OLpūr
MDHDF filter series and our other products, including the DSU. Our
manufacturers’ systems and procedures may
not
be adequate to support our operations and may not be able to achieve the rapid
execution necessary to exploit the market for our products. Our manufacturers
could experience manufacturing and control problems as they begin to scale-up
our future manufacturing operations, and we may not be able to scale-up
manufacturing in a timely manner or at a commercially reasonable cost to enable
production in sufficient quantities. If we experience any of these problems
with
respect to our manufacturers’ initial or future scale-ups of manufacturing
operations, then we may not be able to have our products manufactured and
delivered in a timely manner. Our products are new and evolving, and our
manufacturers may encounter unforeseen difficulties in manufacturing them in
commercial quantities or at all.
We
will not control the independent manufacturers of our products, which may affect
our ability to deliver our products in a timely manner. If we are not able
to
ensure the timely delivery of our products, then potential customers may not
order our products, and our sales and revenues would be adversely
affected.
Independent
manufacturers of medical devices will manufacture all of our products and
components. We have contracted Medica s.r.l., a developer and
manufacturer
of
medical products with corporate headquarters located in Italy, to assemble
and
produce our OLpūr MD190, MD220 and possibly other filters, including our DSU,
and have an agreement with Membrana GmbH, a manufacturer of medical and
technical membranes
for
applications like dialysis with corporate headquarters located in Germany,
to produce the fiber for the OLpūr MDHDF filter series. As with any independent
contractor, these manufacturers will not be employed or otherwise controlled
by
us and will be
generally free to conduct their business at their own discretion. For us to
compete successfully, among other things, our products must be manufactured
on a
timely basis in commercial quantities at costs acceptable to us. If one or
more
of our independent manufacturers fails to deliver our products in a timely
manner, then we may not be able to find a substitute manufacturer. If we are
not
or if potential customers believe that we are not able to ensure timely delivery
of our products, then potential customers may not order our products, and our
sales and revenues would be adversely affected.
The
loss or interruption of services of any of our manufacturers could slow or
stop
production of our products, which would limit our ability to generate sales
and
revenues.
Because
we are likely to rely on no more than two contract manufacturers to manufacture
each of our products and major components of our products, a stop or significant
interruption in the supply of our products or major components by a single
manufacturer, for any reason, could have a material adverse effect on us. We
expect most of our contract manufacturers will enter into contracts with us
to
manufacture our products and major components and that these contracts will
be
terminable by the contractors or us at any time under certain circumstances.
We
have not made alternative arrangements for the manufacture of our products
or
major components and we cannot be sure that acceptable alternative arrangements
could be made on a timely basis, or at all, if one or more of our manufacturers
failed to manufacture our products or major components in accordance with the
terms of our arrangements. If any such failure occurs and we are unable to
obtain acceptable alternative arrangements for the manufacture of our products
or major components of our products, then the production and sale of our
products could slow down or stop, and our cash flow would suffer.
If
we are not able to maintain sufficient quality controls, then the approval
or
clearance of our ESRD therapy products by the European Union, the FDA or other
relevant authorities could be delayed or denied and our sales and revenues
will
suffer.
Approval
or clearance of our ESRD therapy products could be delayed by the European
Union, the FDA and the relevant authorities of other countries if our
manufacturing facilities do not comply with their respective manufacturing
requirements. The European Union imposes requirements on quality control systems
of manufacturers,
which are inspected and certified on a periodic basis and may be subject to
additional unannounced inspections. Failure by our manufacturers to comply
with
these requirements could prevent us from marketing our ESRD therapy products
in
the European Community. The FDA also imposes requirements through quality system
requirements, or QSR, regulations, which include requirements for good
manufacturing practices, or GMP. Failure by our manufacturers to comply with
these requirements could prevent us from obtaining FDA approval of our ESRD
therapy products
and
from marketing such products in the United States. Although the manufacturing
facilities and processes that we use to manufacture our OLpūr MDHDF filter
series have been inspected and certified by a worldwide testing and
certification agency (also referred
to as a notified body) that performs conformity assessments to European Union
requirements for medical devices, they have not been inspected by the FDA.
Similarly, although some of the facilities and processes that we expect to
use
to manufacture our
OLpūr
H2H
and
OLpūr NS2000 have been inspected by the FDA, they have not been inspected by any
notified body. A “notified body” is a group accredited and monitored by
governmental agencies that inspects manufacturing facilities and quality control
systems
at
regular intervals and is authorized to carry out unannounced inspections. We
cannot be sure that any of the facilities or processes we use will comply or
continue to comply with their respective requirements on a timely basis or
at
all, which could delay or prevent our obtaining the approvals we need to market
our products in the European Community and the United States.
Even
with
approval to market our ESRD therapy products in the European Community, the
United States and other countries, manufacturers of such products must continue
to comply or ensure compliance with the relevant manufacturing requirements.
Although we cannot control the manufacturers of our ESRD therapy products,
we
may need to expend time, resources and effort in product manufacturing and
quality control to assist with their continued compliance with these
requirements. If violations of applicable requirements are noted during periodic
inspections of the manufacturing facilities of our manufacturers, then we may
not be able to continue to market the ESRD therapy products manufactured in
such
facilities and our revenues may be materially adversely affected.
If
our products are commercialized, we may face significant challenges in obtaining
market acceptance of such products, which could adversely affect our potential
sales and revenues.
Our
products are new to the market, and we do not yet have an established market
or
customer base for our products. Acceptance of our ESRD therapy products in
the
marketplace by both potential users, including ESRD patients, and potential
purchasers, including nephrologists, dialysis clinics and other health care
providers, is uncertain, and our failure to achieve sufficient market acceptance
will significantly limit our ability to generate revenue and be profitable.
Market acceptance will require substantial marketing efforts and the expenditure
of significant funds by us to inform dialysis patients and nephrologists,
dialysis clinics and other health care providers of the benefits of using our
ESRD therapy products. We may encounter significant clinical and market
resistance to our products and our products may never achieve market acceptance.
We may not be able to build key relationships with physicians, clinical groups
and government agencies, pursue or increase sales opportunities in Europe or
elsewhere, or be the first to introduce hemodiafiltration therapy in the United
States. Product orders may be cancelled, patients or customers currently using
our products may cease to do so and patients or customers expected to begin
using our products may not. Factors that may affect our ability to achieve
acceptance of our ESRD therapy products in the marketplace include
whether:
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such
products will be safe for use;
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such
products will be effective;
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such
products will be cost-effective;
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we
will be able to demonstrate product safety, efficacy and
cost-effectiveness;
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there
are unexpected side effects, complications or other safety issues
associated with such products; and
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government
or third party reimbursement for the cost of such products is available
at
reasonable rates, if at all.
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Acceptance
of our water filtration products in the marketplace is also uncertain, and
our
failure to achieve sufficient market acceptance and sell such products at
competitive prices will limit our ability to generate revenue and be profitable.
Our water filtration products and technologies may not achieve expected
reliability, performance and endurance standards. Our water filtration products
and technology may not achieve market acceptance, including among hospitals,
or
may not be deemed suitable for other commercial, military, industrial or retail
applications.
Many
of
the same factors that may affect our ability to achieve acceptance of our ESRD
therapy products in the marketplace will also apply to our water filtration
products, except for those related to side effects, clinical trials and third
party reimbursement.
If
we cannot develop adequate distribution, customer service and technical support
networks, then we may not be able to market and distribute our products
effectively and/or customers may decide not to order our products, and, in
either case, our sales and revenues will suffer.
Our
strategy requires us to distribute our products and provide a significant amount
of customer service and maintenance and other technical service. To provide
these services, we have begun, and will need to continue, to develop a network
of distribution and a staff of employees and independent contractors in each
of
the areas in which we intend to operate. We cannot assure you we will be able
to
organize and manage this network on a cost-effective basis. If we cannot
effectively organize and manage this network, then it may be difficult for
us to
distribute our products and to provide competitive service and support to our
customers, in which case customers may be unable, or decide not, to order our
products and our sales and revenues will suffer.
We
may face significant risks associated with international operations, which
could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
We
expect
to manufacture and to market our products in our Target European Market and
elsewhere outside of the United States. We expect that our revenues from our
Target European Market will initially account for a significant portion of
our
revenues. Our international operations are subject to a number of risks,
including the following:
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fluctuations
in exchange rates of the United States dollar could adversely affect
our
results of operations;
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we
may face difficulties in enforcing and collecting accounts receivable
under some countries’ legal
systems;
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local
regulations may restrict our ability to sell our products, have our
products manufactured or conduct other
operations;
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political
instability could disrupt our
operations;
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some
governments and customers may have longer payment cycles, with resulting
adverse effects on our cash flow;
and
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some
countries could impose additional taxes or restrict the import of
our
products.
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Any
one
or more of these factors could increase our costs, reduce our revenues, or
disrupt our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
If
we are unable to keep ourkey management and scientific
personnel, then we are likely to face significant delays at a critical time
in
our corporate development and our business is likely to be
damaged.
Our
success depends upon the skills, experience and efforts of our management and
other key personnel, including our executive chairman, chief executive officer,
certain members of our scientific and engineering staff and our marketing
executives. As a relatively new company, much of our corporate, scientific
and
technical knowledge is concentrated in the hands of these few individuals.
We do
not maintain key-man life insurance on any of our management or other key
personnel other than Norman Barta, on whom we obtained a $1 million key-man
life
insurance policy. The loss of the services of one or more of our present
management or other key personnel could significantly delay the development
and/or launch of our products as there could be a learning curve of several
months or more for any replacement personnel. Furthermore, competition for
the
type of highly skilled individuals we require is intense and we may not be
able
to attract and retain new employees of the caliber needed to achieve our
objectives. Failure to replace key personnel could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and operations.
Our
fourth amended and restated certificate of incorporation limits liability of
our
directors and officers, which could discourage
you or other stockholders from bringing suits against our directors or officers
in circumstances where you think they might otherwise be
warranted.
Our
fourth amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, with specific
exceptions required by Delaware law, that our directors are not personally
liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any action or failure
to take any action. In addition, we have agreed to, and our fourth amended
and
restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide
for, mandatory indemnification of directors and officers to the fullest extent
permitted by Delaware law. These provisions may discourage stockholders from
bringing suit against a director or officer for breach of duty and may reduce
the likelihood of derivative litigation brought by stockholders on our behalf
against any of our directors or officers.
If
and to the extent we are found liable in certain proceedings or our expenses
related to those or other legal proceedings become significant, then our
liquidity could be materially adversely affected and the value of our
stockholders’ interests in us could be impaired.
In
April
2002, we entered into a letter agreement with Hermitage Capital Corporation
(“Hermitage”), as placement agent, the stated term of which was from April 30,
2002 through September 30, 2004. As of February 2003, we entered into a
settlement agreement with Hermitage pursuant to which, among other things:
the
letter agreement was terminated; the parties gave mutual releases relating
to
the letter agreement; and we agreed to issue Hermitage or its designees, upon
the closing of certain transactions contemplated by a separate settlement
agreement between us and Lancer Offshore, Inc., warrants exercisable until
February 2006 to purchase an aggregate of 60,000 shares of common stock for
$2.50 per share (or 17,046 shares of our common stock for $8.80 per share,
if
adjusted for the reverse stock split pursuant to the antidilution provisions
of
such warrant, as amended). Because Lancer Offshore, Inc. never satisfied the
closing conditions and, consequently, a closing has not been held, we have
not
issued any warrants to Hermitage in connection with our settlement with them.
In
June 2004, Hermitage threatened to sue us for warrants it claims are due to
it
under its settlement agreement with us as well as a placement fee and additional
warrants it claims are, or will be, owed in connection with our initial public
offering completed on September 24, 2004, as compensation for allegedly
introducing us to one of the underwriters. We had some discussions with
Hermitage in the hopes of reaching an amicable resolution of any potential
claims, most recently in January 2005. We have not heard from Hermitage since
then.
If
and to
the extent we are found to have significant liability to Hermitage in any
lawsuit Hermitage may bring against us, then our liquidity could be materially
adversely affected and/or our stockholders could experience dilution in their
investment in us and the value of our stockholders’ interests in us could be
impaired.
Additionally,
we were a defendant in an action captioned Marty Steinberg, Esq. as Receiver
for
Lancer Offshore, Inc. v. Nephros, Inc., Case No. 04-CV-20547, that was commenced
on March 8, 2004. That action is
ancillary
to a proceeding captioned Securities and Exchange Commission v. Michael Lauer,
et. al., Case No. 03-CV-80612, which was commenced on July 8, 2003, wherein
the
court appointed a Receiver to manage Lancer Offshore, Inc. and various related
entities. On December 19, 2005 (the “Date of Entry”) the United States District
Court for the
Southern District of Florida issued an order approving the Stipulation of
Settlement entered into on November 8, 2005 (the “Settlement”) between the
Receiver and us. Under the Settlement, we shall pay the Receiver an aggregate
of
$900,000 under the following payment terms: $100,000 paid no later than 30
days
after the Date of Entry; and four payments of $200,000 each at six month
intervals thereafter. In addition, any warrants previously issued to Lancer
Offshore, Inc. have been cancelled, and we issued to the Receiver warrants
to
purchase 21,308 shares of our common stock, exercisable for a period of three
years at the market price as of the Date of Entry. As of December 31, 2006,
$300,000 had been paid to the Receiver and we paid an additional $200,000 in
January 2007. The remaining balance to be paid is $400,000. There can be no
assurance that we will have sufficient funds to pay the remaining balance of
the
obligation to the Receiver and our failure to pay could result in further
litigation.
We
may use our financial resources in ways with which you do not agree and in
ways
that may not yield a favorable return.
Our
management has broad discretion over the use of our financial resources,
including the net proceeds from our initial public offering. Stockholders may
not deem such uses desirable. Our use of our financial resources may vary
substantially from our currently planned uses. We cannot assure you that we
will
apply such proceeds effectively or that we will invest such proceeds in a manner
that will yield a favorable return or any return at all.
Several
provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation and our bylaws could discourage, delay or prevent
a
merger or acquisition, which could adversely affect the market price of our
common stock.
Several
provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation and our bylaws could discourage, delay or prevent
a
merger or acquisition that stockholders may consider favorable, and the market
price of our common stock could be reduced as a result. These provisions
include:
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authorizing
our board of directors to issue “blank check” preferred stock without
stockholder approval;
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providing
for a classified board of directors with staggered, three-year
terms;
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prohibiting
us from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested
stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction
in which the person became an interested stockholder unless certain
provisions are met;
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prohibiting
cumulative voting in the election of
directors;
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prohibiting
stockholder action by written consent unless the written consent
is signed
by all stockholders entitled to vote on the
action;
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limiting
the persons who may call special meetings of stockholders;
and
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establishing
advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board
of
directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders
at
stockholder meetings.
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As
a relatively new company with little or no name recognition and with several
risks and uncertainties that could impair our business operations, we are not
likely to generate widespread interest in our common stock. Without widespread
interest in our common stock, our common stock price may be highly volatile
and
an investment in our common stock could decline in
value.
Unlike
many companies with publicly traded securities, we have little or no name
recognition in the investment community. We are a relatively new company and
very few investors are familiar with either our company
or our products. We do not have an active trading market in our common stock,
and one might never develop, or if it does develop, might not
continue.
Additionally,
the market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response
to
many factors, many of which are beyond our control. Risks and uncertainties,
including those described elsewhere in this “Certain Risks and Uncertainties”
section could impair our business operations or otherwise cause our operating
results or prospects to be below expectations of investors and market analysts,
which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As a result,
investors in our common stock may not be able to resell their shares at or
above
their purchase price and could lose all of their investment.
Securities
class action litigation is often brought against public companies following
periods of volatility in the market price of such company’s securities. As a
result, we may become subject to this type of litigation in the future.
Litigation of this type could be extremely expensive and divert management’s
attention and resources from running our company.
If
we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial
reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results,
which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and
the market value of our securities.
Effective
internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide
reliable financial reports. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports,
our
reputation and operating results may be harmed. Management identified a material
weakness in internal control over financial reporting, due to an insufficient
number of resources in the accounting and finance department, resulting in
(i)
an ineffective review, monitoring and analysis of schedules, reconciliations
and
financial statement disclosures and (ii) the misapplication of generally
accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") and SEC reporting requirements.
Due
to the pervasive effect of the lack of resources, including a lack of resources
that are appropriately qualified in the areas of U.S. GAAP and SEC
reporting, and the potential impact on the financial statements and
disclosures and the importance of the annual and interim financial closing
and
reporting process, in the aggregate, there is more than a remote likelihood
that
a material misstatement of the annual financial statements would not have
been
prevented or detected.
Management
is in the process of remediating the above-mentioned weakness in our internal
control over financial reporting and has designed the following steps to
be
implemented:
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Develop
procedures to implement a formal monthly closing calendar and process
and
hold monthly meetings to address the monthly closing
process;
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Establish
a detailed timeline for review and completion of financial reports
to be
included in our Forms 10-QSB and
10-KSB;
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Enhance
the level of service provided by outside accounting service providers
to
further support and supplement our internal staff in accounting
and
related areas;
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Seek
additional staffing to provide additional resources for internal
preparation and review of financial reports;
and
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Employ
the use of appropriate supplemental SEC and U.S. GAAP checklists
in
connection with our closing process and the preparation of our Forms
10-QSB and 10-KSB.
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These
remediation plans will be implemented during the second and third quarters
of
fiscal 2007. The material weakness will not be considered remediated until
the
applicable remedial procedures are tested and management has concluded that
the
procedures are operating effectively.
The
use
of our financial resources will be required not only for implementation of
these
measures, but also for testing their effectiveness. Based on our existing
funds,
there can be no assurance that such procedures will be implemented on a timely
basis, or at all. If we are not able to implement controls to avoid the
occurrence of these kinds of problems in the future, we might report results
that are not consistent with our actual results and we may need to restate
results that will have been previously reported.
Our
directors, executive officers and principal stockholders control a significant
portion of our stock and, if they choose to vote together, could have sufficient
voting power to control the vote on substantially all corporate
matters.
As
of
December 31, 2006, our directors, executive officers and principal stockholders
beneficially owned approximately 58.4% of our outstanding common stock. Should
they act as a group, they will have the power to elect all of our directors
and
to control the vote on substantially all other corporate matters without the
approval of other stockholders. As of December 31, 2006, Ronald O. Perelman
beneficially owned 28.8% of our outstanding common stock. As of December 31,
2006, WPPN, LP, Wasserstein SBIC Ventures II L.P., WV II Employee Partners,
LLC,
and BW Employee Holdings, LLC, entities that may be deemed to be controlled
by
Bruce Wasserstein (collectively, the “Wasserstein Entities”), beneficially owned
an aggregate of 15.7% of our outstanding common stock, although Mr. Wasserstein
himself disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Wasserstein
Entities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein (which is less
than 1% of our outstanding common stock).
Assuming
the holders of our 6% Secured Convertible Notes due 2012 (the “Notes”) converted
all of the outstanding principal and accrued interest on their Notes on December
31, 2006, they would have received approximately 2,476,190
shares
of
our common stock. After conversion, such holders would beneficially own
approximately 15.7%
of
our
outstanding common stock (on an as converted basis).
Our
principal stockholders may have significant influence over our policies and
affairs, including the election of directors. Furthermore, such concentration
of
voting power could enable those stockholders to delay or prevent another party
from taking control of our company even where such change of control transaction
might be desirable to other stockholders.
Future
sales of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock
to
decline.
The
market price of our common stock could decline due to sales of a large number
of
shares in the market, including sales of shares by our large stockholders,
and/or by the holders of our Notes as well as
sales
of the Notes under certain circumstances or
the
perception that such sales could occur. These sales could also make it more
difficult or impossible for us to sell equity securities in the future at a
time
and price that we deem appropriate to raise funds through future offerings
of
common stock.
Prior
to
our initial public offering we entered into registration rights agreements
with
many of our existing security holders that
entitled them to have an aggregate of 10,020,248 shares registered for sale
in
the public market. Moreover, many of those shares, as well as the 184,250 shares
we sold to Asahi, could be sold in the public market without registration once
they have been held for one year, subject to the limitations of Rule 144 under
the Securities Act. In addition, we entered into a registration rights agreement
with the holders of our Notes pursuant to which we granted the holders certain
demand and piggy-back registration rights with respect to the shares of common
stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes.
Risks
Related to the ESRD Therapy Industry
We
expect to face significant competition from existing suppliers of renal
replacement therapy devices, supplies and services. If we are not able to
compete with them effectively, then we may not be
profitable.
We
expect
to compete in the ESRD therapy market with existing suppliers of hemodialysis
and peritoneal dialysis devices, supplies and services. Our competitors include
Fresenius Medical Care AG and Gambro AB, currently two of the primary machine
manufacturers in hemodialysis, as well as B. Braun Biotech International GmbH,
and Nikkiso Corporation and other smaller machine manufacturers in hemodialysis.
B. Braun, Fresenius, Gambro and Nikkiso also manufacture HDF machines. These
companies and most of our other competitors have longer operating histories
and
substantially greater financial, marketing, technical, manufacturing and
research and development resources and experience than we have. Our competitors
could use these resources and experiences to develop products that are more
effective or less costly than any or all of our products or that could render
any or all of our products obsolete. Our competitors could also use their
economic strength to influence the market to continue to buy their existing
products.
We
do not
have a significant established customer base and may encounter a high degree
of
competition in further developing one. Our potential customers are a limited
number of nephrologists, national, regional and local dialysis clinics and
other
healthcare providers. The number of our potential customers may be further
limited to the extent any exclusive relationships exist or are entered into
between our potential customers and our competitors. We cannot assure you that
we will be successful in marketing our products to these potential customers.
If
we are not able to develop competitive products and take and hold sufficient
market share from our competitors, we will not be profitable.
Some
of our competitors own or could acquire dialysis clinics throughout the United
States, our Target European Market and other regions of the world. We may not
be
able to successfully market our products to the dialysis clinics under their
ownership. If our potential market is materially reduced in this manner, then
our potential sales and revenues could be materially
reduced.
Some
of
our competitors, including Fresenius and Gambro, manufacture their own products
and own dialysis clinics in the United States, our Target European Market and/or
other regions of the world. In 2005, Gambro divested its U.S. dialysis clinics
to DaVita, Inc. and entered a preferred, but not exclusive, ten-year supplier
arrangement with DaVita, whereby DaVita will purchase a significant amount
of
renal products and supplies from Gambro Renal Products. Because these
competitors have historically tended to use their own products in their clinics,
we may not be able to successfully market our products to the dialysis clinics
under their ownership. According to the Fresenius 2006 Form 20-F annual report
Fresenius provides treatment in its own dialysis clinics to approximately
163,500 patients in approximately 2,108 facilities around the world of which
approximately 1,560 facilities are located in the United States. According
to
DaVita’s 2006 annual report, DaVita provides treatment in its approximately
1,300 owned and/or operated dialysis centers to approximately 103,000 patients
in the United States, and DaVita and Fresenius combined treat approximately
65%
of the United States dialysis patients.
We
believe that there is currently a trend among ESRD therapy providers towards
greater consolidation. If such consolidation takes the form of our competitors
acquiring independent dialysis clinics, rather than such dialysis clinics
banding together in independent chains, then more of our potential customers
would also be our competitors. If our competitors continue to grow their
networks of dialysis clinics, whether organically or through consolidation,
and
if we cannot successfully market our products to dialysis clinics owned by
these
competitors or any other competitors and do not acquire clinics ourselves,
then
our revenues could be adversely affected.
If
the size of the potential market for our products is significantly reduced
due
to pharmacological or technological advances in preventative and alternative
treatments for ESRD, then our potential sales and revenues will
suffer.
Pharmacological
or technological advances in preventative or alternative treatments for ESRD
could significantly reduce the number of ESRD patients needing our products.
These pharmacological or technological advances may include:
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the
development of new medications, or improvements to existing medications,
which help to delay the onset or prevent the progression of ESRD
in
high-risk patients (such as those with diabetes and
hypertension);
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the
development of new medications, or improvements in existing medications,
which reduce the incidence of kidney transplant rejection;
and
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developments
in the use of kidneys harvested from genetically-engineered animals
as a
source of transplants.
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If
these
or any other pharmacological or technological advances reduce the number of
patients needing treatment for ESRD, then the size of the market for our
products may be reduced and our potential sales and revenues will
suffer.
If
government and other third party reimbursement programs discontinue their
coverage of ESRD treatment or reduce reimbursement rates for ESRD products,
then
we may not be able to sell as many units of our ESRD therapy products as
otherwise expected, or we may need to reduce the anticipated prices of such
products and, in either case, our potential revenues may be
reduced.
Providers
of renal replacement therapy are often reimbursed by government programs, such
as Medicare or Medicaid in the United States, or other third-party reimbursement
programs, such as private medical care plans and insurers. We believe that
the
amount of reimbursement for renal replacement therapy under these programs
has a
significant impact on the decisions of nephrologists, dialysis clinics and
other
health care providers regarding treatment methods and products. Accordingly,
changes in the extent of coverage for renal replacement therapy or a reduction
in the reimbursement rates under any or all of these programs may cause a
decline in recommendations or purchases of our products, which would materially
adversely affect the market for our products and reduce our potential sales.
Alternatively, we might respond to reduced reimbursement rates by reducing
the
prices of our products, which could also reduce our potential
revenues.
As
the number of managed health care plans increases in the United States, amounts
paid for our ESRD therapy products by non-governmental programs may decrease
and
we may not generate sufficient revenues to be
profitable.
We
expect
to obtain a portion of our revenues from reimbursement provided by
non-governmental programs in the United States. Although non-governmental
programs generally pay higher reimbursement rates than governmental programs,
of
the non-governmental programs, managed care plans generally pay lower
reimbursement rates than insurance plans. Reliance on managed care plans for
dialysis treatment may increase if future changes to the Medicare program
require non-governmental programs to assume a greater percentage of the total
cost of care
given
to
dialysis patients over the term of their illness, or if managed care plans
otherwise significantly increase their enrollment of these patients. If the
reliance on managed care plans for dialysis treatment increases, more patients
join managed care plans or managed care plans reduce reimbursement rates, we
may
need to reduce anticipated prices of our ESRD therapy products or sell fewer
units, and, in either case, our potential revenues would
suffer.
If
HDF does not become a preferred therapy for ESRD, then the market for our ESRD
therapy products may be limited and we may not be
profitable.
A
significant portion of our success is dependent on the acceptance and
implementation of HDF as a preferred therapy for ESRD. There are several
treatment options currently available and others may be developed. HDF may
not
increase in acceptance as a preferred therapy for ESRD. If it does not, then
the
market for our ESRD therapy products may be limited and we may not be able
to
sell a sufficient quantity of our products to be profitable.
If
the per-treatment costs for dialysis clinics using our ESRD therapy products
are
higher than the costs of clinics providing hemodialysis treatment, then we
may
not achieve market acceptance of our ESRD therapy products in the United States
and our potential sales and revenues will suffer.
If
the
cost of our ESRD therapy products results in an increased cost to the dialysis
clinic over hemodialysis therapies and such cost is not separately reimbursable
by governmental programs or private medical care plans and insurers outside
of
the per-treatment fee, then we may not gain market acceptance for such products
in the United States unless HDF therapy becomes the standard treatment method
for ESRD. If we do not gain market acceptance for our ESRD therapy products
in the United States, then the size of our market and our anticipated sales
and
revenues will be reduced.
Proposals
to modify the health care system in the United States or other countries could
affect the pricing of our products. If we cannot sell our products at the prices
we plan to, then our margins and our profitability will be adversely
affected.
A
substantial portion of the cost of treatment for ESRD in the United States
is
currently reimbursed by the Medicare program at prescribed rates. Proposals
to
modify the current health care system in the United States to improve access
to
health care and control its costs are continually being considered by the
federal and state governments. We anticipate that the U.S. Congress and state
legislatures will continue to review and assess alternative health care reform
proposals. We cannot predict whether these reform proposals will be adopted,
when they may be adopted or what impact they may have on us if they are adopted.
Any spending decreases or other significant changes in the Medicare program
could affect the pricing of our ESRD therapy products. As we are not yet
established in our business and it will take some time for us to begin to recoup
our research and development costs, our profit margins are likely initially
to
be lower than those of our competitors and we may be more vulnerable to small
decreases in price than many of our competitors.
Health
administration authorities in countries other than the United States may not
provide reimbursement for our products at rates sufficient for us to achieve
profitability, or at all. Like the United States, these countries have
considered health care reform proposals and could materially alter their
government-sponsored health care programs by reducing reimbursement rates for
dialysis products.
Any
reduction in reimbursement rates under Medicare or foreign health care programs
could negatively affect the pricing of our ESRD therapy products. If we are
not
able to charge a sufficient amount for our products, then our margins and our
profitability will be adversely affected.
If
patients in our Target European Market were to reuse dialyzers, then our
potential product sales could be materially adversely
affected.
In
the
United States, a majority of dialysis clinics reuse dialyzers - that is, a
single dialyzer is disinfected and reused by the same patient. However, the
trend in our Target European Market is towards not reusing dialyzers, and some
countries (such as France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands) actually forbid
the reuse of dialyzers. As a result, each patient in our Target European Market
can generally be expected to purchase more dialyzers than each United States
patient. The laws forbidding reuse could be repealed and it may become generally
accepted to reuse dialyzers in our Target European Market, just as it currently
is in the United States. If reuse of dialyzers were to become more common among
patients in our Target European Market, then there would be demand for fewer
dialyzer units and our potential product sales could be materially adversely
affected.
49
Item
7. Financial Statements.
Nephros,
Inc. and Subsidiary
|
Page
|
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-2
|
Consolidated
Financial Statements
|
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
|
F-3
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
|
F-4
|
Statement
of Changes in Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity
|
F-5
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
|
F-6
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-7
|
NEPHROS,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
REPORT
OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Nephros,
Inc.
3960
Broadway
New
York,
NY 10032
We
have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nephros, Inc. and
subsidiary (the "Company") as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' (deficit)
equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December
31, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial
statements based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that
we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required
to
have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over
financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control
over
financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial
reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures
in
the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In
our
opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2006 and
2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of
the
two years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As
discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company
adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R),
Share-Based
Payment,
as of
January 1, 2006, which changed its method of accounting for stock-based
compensation.
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming
that
the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the
consolidated financial statements, the Company's recurring losses and
difficulty in generating sufficient cash flow to meet its obligations and
sustain its operations raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue
as
a going concern. Management's
plans concerning these matters are also described in Note 2 to the consolidated
financial statements. The consolidated financial statements do not include
any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
DELOITTE
& TOUCHE
LLP
Jericho,
New York
April
10,
2007
NEPHROS,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
|
|
December
31,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
253,043
|
|
$
|
746,581
|
|
Short-term
investments
|
|
|
2,800,000
|
|
|
4,500,000
|
|
Accounts
receivable, less allowances of $48,368 and $34,687,
respectively
|
|
|
227,889
|
|
|
244,100
|
|
Inventory,
net
|
|
|
511,714
|
|
|
814,548
|
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
440,294 |
|
|
358,306
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
4,232,940
|
|
|
6,663,535
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
|
|
910,525
|
|
|
1,143,309
|
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
23,233
|
|
|
17,731
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
5,166,698
|
|
$
|
7,824,575
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
$
|
567,566
|
|
$
|
766,158
|
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
649,074
|
|
|
451,109
|
|
Accrued
severance expense
|
|
|
94,270
|
|
|
318,250
|
|
Note
payable - short-term portion
|
|
|
379,701
|
|
|
295,838
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
1,690,611
|
|
|
1,831,355
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible
notes payable
|
|
|
5,204,938
|
|
|
-
|
|
Accrued
interest-convertible notes
|
|
|
183,321
|
|
|
-
|
|
Note
payable - long-term portion
|
|
|
184,025
|
|
|
613,727
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
7,262,895
|
|
|
2,445,082
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders'
(deficit) equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock, $.001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized at
December
31, 2006 and December 31, 2005; 12,317,992 and 12,313,494
shares
issued and outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
|
|
|
12,318 |
|
|
12,313
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
53,135,371
|
|
|
54,848,711
|
|
Deferred
compensation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(2,189,511
|
)
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
11,908 |
|
|
(49,137 |
) |
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(55,255,794
|
)
|
|
(47,242,883
|
)
|
Total
stockholders' (deficit) equity |
|
|
(2,096,197 |
) |
|
5,379,493 |
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders' (deficit) equity
|
|
$
|
5,166,698
|
|
$
|
7,824,575
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
NEPHROS,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
|
|
Twelve
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
December
31
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contract
revenues
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
1,750,000
|
|
Net
product revenues
|
|
|
793,489
|
|
|
674,483
|
|
Net revenues
|
|
|
793,489
|
|
|
2,424,483
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of goods sold
|
|
|
943,726
|
|
|
379,462
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
(loss) profit
|
|
|
(150,237
|
)
|
|
2,045,021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
1,844,220
|
|
|
1,756,492
|
|
Depreciation expense
|
|
|
319,164
|
|
|
305,601
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
5,718,037
|
|
|
6,307,399
|
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
7,881,421
|
|
|
8,369,492
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from operations
|
|
|
(8,031,658
|
)
|
|
(6,324,471
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
211,881
|
|
|
233,207
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
195,089
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
income
|
|
|
1,955
|
|
|
623,087
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(8,012,911
|
)
|
$
|
(5,468,177
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
and diluted net loss per common share
|
|
$
|
(0.65
|
)
|
$
|
(0.45
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
used in computing basic and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
diluted
net loss per common share
|
|
|
12,317,080
|
|
|
12,269,054
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
NEPHROS,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated
Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
Stock
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
Deferred
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Capital
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Loss
|
|
Deficit
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
12,120,248
|
|
$
|
12,120
|
|
$
|
53,740,171
|
|
$
|
(2,479,317
|
)
|
$
|
152,373
|
|
$
|
(41,774,706
|
)
|
$
|
9,650,641
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive
loss:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(5,468,177
|
)
|
|
(5,468,177
|
)
|
Net unrealized losses on foreign currency translation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(205,570
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
(205,570
|
)
|
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
securities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
4,060
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
4,060
|
|
Comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,669,687
|
)
|
Amortization
of deferred compensation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
378,430
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
378,430
|
|
Issuance
of Noncash stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
173,347
|
|
|
(173,347
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancelled
stock options due to terminations
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(84,723
|
)
|
|
84,723
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Exercise
of stock options
|
|
|
8,996
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
2,870
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2,879
|
|
Adjustment
to issuance of common stock in
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
connection with initial public offering
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
44,361
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
44,361
|
|
Issuance
of common stock in connection with
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
private placement
|
|
|
184,250
|
|
|
184
|
|
|
955,337
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
955,521
|
|
Issuance
of warrants in connection with
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
settelement of legal proceedings
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
17,348
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
17,348
|
|
Balance,
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
12,313,494
|
|
$
|
12,313
|
|
$
|
54,848,711
|
|
$
|
(2,189,511
|
)
|
$
|
(49,137
|
)
|
$
|
(47,242,883
|
)
|
$
|
5,379,493
|
|
Comprehensive
loss:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(8,012,911
|
)
|
|
(8,012,911
|
)
|
Net unrealized gains on foreign currency translation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
61,045
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
61,045
|
|
Comprehensive loss
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(7,951,866
|
)
|
Reclassification
of deferred compensation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(2,189,511
|
)
|
|
2,189,511
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Noncash
stock-based compensation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
474,735
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
474,735
|
|
Exercise
of stock options
|
|
|
4,498
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
1,436
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,441
|
|
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
12,317,992
|
|
$
|
12,318
|
|
$
|
53,135,371
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
11,908
|
|
$
|
(55,255,794
|
)
|
$
|
(2,096,197
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
NEPHROS,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
|
|
Year
ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
Operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(8,012,911
|
)
|
$
|
(5,468,177
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
319,164
|
|
|
305,601
|
|
Amortization
of research & development assets
|
|
|
30,318
|
|
|
-
|
|
Loss
on disposal of equipment
|
|
|
37,881
|
|
|
-
|
|
Amortization
of debt discount
|
|
|
4,938
|
|
|
-
|
|
Noncash
stock-based compensation
|
|
|
474,735
|
|
|
374,529
|
|
Gain
on settlement agreement
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(623,087
|
)
|
Provision
for returns
|
|
|
9,417
|
|
|
18,697
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Increase)
decrease in operating assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
59,418
|
|
|
(133,066
|
)
|
Inventory
|
|
|
361,624
|
|
|
(280,613
|
)
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
(53,296
|
)
|
|
87,360
|
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
(5,501
|
)
|
|
(13,909
|
)
|
Increase
(decrease) in operating liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
|
|
(113,807
|
)
|
|
660,123
|
|
Accrued
severance expense
|
|
|
(249,059
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Accrued
interest-convertible notes
|
|
|
183,321
|
|
|
-
|
|
Deferred
revenue
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(64,058
|
)
|
Other
liabilities
|
|
|
(345,839
|
)
|
|
32,652
|
|
Net
cash used in operating activities
|
|
|
(7,299,597
|
)
|
|
(5,103,948
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
of property and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
(397,290
|
)
|
Purchase
of short-term investments
|
|
|
(3,000,000
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Maturities
of short-term investments
|
|
|
4,700,000
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
Net
cash provided by investing activities
|
|
|
1,589,837
|
|
|
1,102,710
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from private placement of common stock
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
955,521
|
|
Proceeds
from private placement of convertible notes
|
|
|
5,200,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
Adjustment
to proceeds from IPO of common stock
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
44,361
|
|
Proceeds
from exercise of stock options
|
|
|
1,441
|
|
|
2,879
|
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
5,201,441
|
|
|
1,002,761
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect
of exchange rates on cash
|
|
|
14,781
|
|
|
25,877
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
decrease in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(493,538
|
)
|
|
(2,972,600
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
|
|
746,581
|
|
|
3,719,181
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, end of period
|
|
$
|
253,043
|
|
$
|
746,581
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
disclosure of cash flow information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
paid for taxes
|
|
$
|
32,283
|
|
$
|
14,240
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
Note
1 - Organization and Nature of Operations
Nephros,
Inc. (“Nephros” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State
of Delaware on April 3, 1997. Nephros was founded by health professionals,
scientists and engineers affiliated with Columbia University to develop advanced
End Stage Renal Disease (“ESRD”) therapy technology and products. The Company
has three products in various stages of development in the hemodiafiltration,
or
HDF, modality to deliver improved therapy for ESRD patients.
These
are the OLpūr™
MDHDF
filter series or “dialyzers,” designed expressly for HDF therapy, the
OLpūr™
H2H™,
an
add-on module designed to allow the most common types of hemodialysis machines
to be used for HDF therapy, and the OLpūr™
NS2000
system, a stand-alone hemodiafiltration machine and associated filter
technology. In 2006, the Company introduced its Dual Stage Ultrafilter (“DSU”)
water filter system, which represents a new and complementary product line
to
the Company’s existing ESRD therapy business. The DSU incorporates the Company’s
unique and proprietary dual stage filter architecture.
On
June
4, 2003, Nephros International Limited was incorporated under the laws of
Ireland as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In August 2003, the Company
established a European Customer Service and financial operations center in
Dublin, Ireland.
The
consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of
Nephros, Inc. and Nephros International Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary,
which was formed in August 2003. Material intercompany items have been
eliminated in consolidation.
Note
2 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting
Policies
Going
Concern
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company
will continue as a going concern. The Company’s recurring losses and difficulty
in generating sufficient cash flow to meet its obligations and sustain its
operations raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going
concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments
that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Based on the Company’s
current cash flow projections, it will need to raise additional funds through
either the licensing or sale of its technologies or the additional public or
private offerings of its securities. The Company is currently investigating
additional funding opportunities and it believes that it will be able to secure
financing in the near term. However, there is no guarantee that the Company
will
be able to obtain further financing. If it is unable to raise additional funds
on a timely basis or at all, the Company would not be able to continue it’s
operations.
AMEX
Delisting Issues
During
2006, the Company received notices from AMEX that it is not in compliance with
certain conditions of the continued listing standards of Section 1003 of
the
AMEX
Company Guide. Specifically, AMEX noted the Company’s failure to comply with
Section 1003(a)(i) of the AMEX Company Guide relating to shareholders’ equity of
less than $2,000,000 and losses from continuing operations and/or net losses
in
two out of the Company’s three most recent fiscal years; Section 1003(a)(ii) of
the AMEX Company Guide relating to shareholders’ equity of less than $4,000,000
and losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in three out of the
Company’s four most recent fiscal years; and Section 1003(a)(iii) of the AMEX
Company Guide relating to shareholders’ equity of less than $6,000,000 and
losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in the Company’s five most
recent fiscal years. The Company submitted a plan in August 2006 to advise
AMEX
of the steps it has taken, and will take, to regain compliance with the
applicable listing standards.
On
November 14, 2006, the Company received notice that the AMEX staff had reviewed
the Company’s plan of compliance to meet the AMEX’s continued listing standards
and that AMEX will continue the Company’s listing while it seeks to regain
compliance with the continued listing standards during the period ending January
17, 2008. During the plan period, the Company must continue to provide the
AMEX
staff with updates regarding initiatives set forth in its plan of compliance.
The Company will be subject to periodic review by the AMEX staff during the
plan
period.
The
Company may be unable to show progress consistent with its plan of compliance
to
meet the AMEX continued listing standards or may be otherwise unable to timely
regain compliance with the AMEX listing standards. In order to comply with
the
AMEX’s continued listing standards, the Company will need to raise additional
funds through either the licensing or sale of its technologies or the additional
public or private offerings of its securities. There can be no assurance,
however, that the Company will be able to obtain further financing, do so on
reasonable terms or do so on terms that will satisfy the AMEX’s continued
listing standards. If the Company is unable to raise additional funds on a
timely basis, then it may be delisted from the AMEX.
Use
of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date
of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses,
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
The
Company invests its excess cash in bank deposits and money market accounts.
The
Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original
maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash
equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at fair value, which approximate
cost,
and primarily consist of money market funds maintained at major U.S. financial
institutions.
Short-Term
Investments
All
short-term investments, which are carried at fair market value, primarily
represent auction rate debt securities. These securities have been classified
as
“available-for-sale.” Management determines the appropriate classification of
its short-term investments at the time of purchase and evaluates such
designation as of each balance sheet date. Interest earned on short-term
investments is included in interest income. At December 31, 2006, the fair
value
of the available-for-sale securities was $2,800,000. At December 31, 2005,
the
fair value of the available-for-sale securities was $4,500,000.
Concentration
of Credit Risk
Cash
and
cash equivalents are financial instruments which potentially subject the Company
to concentrations of credit risk. The Company deposits its cash in financial
institutions. At times, such deposits may be in excess of insured limits. To
date, the Company has not experienced any impairment losses on its cash and
cash
equivalents.
For
the
twelve months ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, the following customers
accounted for the following percentages of the Company’s sales,
respectively.
Customer
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
A
|
|
69%
|
|
41%
|
B
|
|
17%
|
|
14%
|
C
|
|
6%
|
|
11%
|
As
of
December 31, 2006 and 2005, the following customers accounted for the following
percentages of the Company’s accounts receivable, respectively.
Customer
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
A
|
|
71%
|
|
63%
|
C
|
|
14%
|
|
8%
|
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
The
carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and
accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these
instruments. At December 31, 2006, the fair value of the convertible notes
was
approximately $5,296,000.
Accounts
Receivable
The
Company provides credit terms to customers in connection with purchases of
the
Company’s products. Management periodically reviews customer account activity in
order to assess the adequacy of the allowances provided for potential collection
issues and returns. Factors considered include economic conditions, each
customer’s payment and return history and credit worthiness. Adjustments, if
any, are made to reserve balances following the completion of these reviews
to
reflect management’s best estimate of potential losses. The allowance for
doubtful accounts was $9,558 at December 31, 2006 and $15,990 at December 31,
2005. The allowance for sales returns was $38,810 at December 31, 2006 and
was
$18,697 at December 31, 2005.
Inventory
The
Company engages third parties to manufacture and package inventory held for
sale, takes title to certain inventory once manufactured, and warehouses such
goods until packaged for final distribution and sale. Inventory consists of
finished goods and raw materials (fiber) held at the manufacturers’ facilities,
and are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out
method.
The
Company’s inventory, net, as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, was as
follows:
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raw
Materials
|
|
$
|
53,358
|
|
$
|
153,299
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finished
Goods
|
|
|
458,356
|
|
|
661,249
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Inventory
|
|
$
|
511,714
|
|
$
|
814,548
|
|
Patents
The
Company has filed numerous patent applications with the United States Patent
and
Trademark Office and in foreign countries. All costs and direct expenses
incurred in connection with patent applications have been expensed as
incurred.
Property
and Equipment, net
Property
and equipment, net is stated at cost and is being depreciated over the estimated
useful lives of the assets, three to seven years, using the straight line
method.
Impairment
for Long-Lived Assets
The
Company periodically evaluates whether current facts or circumstances indicate
that the carrying value of its depreciable assets to be held and used may be
recoverable. If such circumstances are determined to exist, an estimate of
undiscounted future cash flows produced by the long-lived assets, or the
appropriate grouping of assets, is compared to the carrying value to determine
whether an impairment exists. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the
loss
is measured based on the difference between the asset’s fair value and its
carrying value. An estimate of the asset’s fair value is based on quoted market
prices in active markets, if available. If quoted market prices are not
available, the estimate of fair value is based on various valuation techniques,
including a discounted value of estimated future cash flows. The Company reports
an asset to be disposed of at the lower of its carrying value or its estimated
net realizable market value. There was no impairment or loss incurred during
the
year.
Revenue
Recognition
Revenue
is recognized in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff
Accounting Bulletin, or SAB, No. 104, “Revenue
Recognition”
(“SAB
No. 104”). SAB No. 104 requires that four basic criteria must be met before
revenue can be recognized: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
(ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (iii) the fee is
fixed and determinable; and (iv) collectibility is reasonably
assured.
The
Company began sales of its first product in March 2004. Prior to fiscal year
2005, the Company’s sales history did not provide a basis from which to
reasonably estimate rates of product return. Consequently, for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2004 the Company did not recognize revenue from sales until
the rights of return expired (thirty days after the date of shipment).
Similarly, the Company deferred cost of goods sold to the extent of amounts
billed to customers.
Effective
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the Company started to recognize
revenue related to product sales when delivery is confirmed by its external
logistics provider and the other criterion of SAB No. 104 were met. All costs
and duties relating to delivery are absorbed by Nephros. All shipments are
currently received directly by the Company’s customers. Sales made on a returned
basis were recorded net of a provision for estimated returns. These estimates
are revised as necessary, to reflect actual experience and market conditions.
The returns provision is based on historical unit returns levels and valued
relative to debtors at the end of each quarter. For the twelve months ended
December 31, 2006 returns were less than 5% of annual sales.
During
fiscal 2005, the Company received an up front license fee in the amount of
$1,750,000 from Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd. (“Asahi”), a business unit of
Asahi Kasei Corporation granting Asahi exclusive rights to manufacture and
distribute the Company’s
OLpūr MDHDF hemodiafilter series in Japan for 10 years commencing when the first
such product receives Japanese regulatory approval. The Company is entitled
to
receive additional royalties and milestone payments based on the future sales
of
products
in
Japan, which sales are subject to Japanese regulatory approval. Because (i)
the
license agreement requires no continuing involvement in the manufacture and
delivery of the licensed product in the covered territory of Japan; (ii) the
criteria of SAB No. 104 have been met; and (iii) the license fee received is
non-refundable, the Company recognized $1,750,000 in contract revenue on the
effective date of the license agreement.
Stock
Plans
In
2000,
the Company adopted the Nephros 2000 Equity Incentive Plan. In January 2003,
the
Board of Directors adopted an amendment and restatement of the plan and renamed
it the Amended and Restated Nephros 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2000
Plan”), under which 2,130,750 shares of common stock have been authorized for
issuance upon exercise of options granted and which may be granted by the
Company. As of December 31, 2006, 1,316,235 options had been issued to employees
and were outstanding. The options expire on various dates between January 24,
2010 and March 15, 2014 and vest upon a combination of the following: immediate
vesting; straight line vesting of two, three or four years; and certain
milestones.
As
of
December 31, 2006, 155,261 options had been issued to non-employees under the
2000 Plan and were outstanding. Such options expire at various dates between
January 13, 2013 and March 15, 2014 and vest upon a combination of the
following: immediate vesting; straight line vesting of two, three or four years;
and certain milestones.
The
Board
retired the 2000 Plan in June 2004, and thereafter no additional awards may
be
granted under the 2000 Plan.
In
2004,
the Board of Directors adopted and the Company’s stockholders approved the
Nephros, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, and, in June 2005, the Company’s
stockholders approved an amendment to such plan (as amended, the “2004 Plan”),
that increased to 800,000 the number of shares of the Company’s common stock
that are authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to grants of awards
under the 2004 Plan. As of December 31, 2006, 655,912 options had been issued
to
employees under the 2004 Plan and were outstanding. The options expire on
various dates between November 11, 2014 and December 15, 2016, and vest upon
a
combination of the following: immediate vesting; straight line vesting of two,
three or four years; and certain milestones. At December 31,
2006, there were 84,384 shares available for future grants under the 2004
Plan.
As
of
December 31, 2006, 164,140 options had been issued to non-employees under the
2004 Plan and were outstanding. Such options expire at various dates between
November 11, 2014 and December 15, 2016, and vest upon a combination of the
following: immediate vesting; straight line vesting of two, three or four years;
and certain milestones.
Stock-Based
Compensation
The
Company has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123
(Revised 2004), “Share-Based
Payment”
(“SFAS
123R”), effective January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R requires the recognition of
compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of all share-based
payments granted to employees. The Company has elected the modified prospective
transition method and therefore adjustments to prior periods are not required
as
a result of adopting SFAS 123R. Under this method, the provisions of SFAS 123R
apply to all awards granted after the date of adoption and to any unrecognized
expense of awards unvested at the date of adoption based on the grant date
fair
value. SFAS 123R also amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows,” to require
that excess tax benefits that had been reflected as operating cash flows be
reflected as financing cash flows. Deferred compensation of $2,189,511 related
to the awards granted in periods prior to January 1, 2006 were reclassified
against additional paid-in capital, as required by SFAS 123R.
Prior
to
the Company’s initial public offering, options were granted to employees,
non-employees and non-employee directors at exercise prices which were lower
than the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. After
the date of the Company’s initial public offering, stock options are granted to
employees, non-employees and non-employee directors at exercise prices equal
to
the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Stock options
granted have a life of 10 years and vest upon a combination of the following:
immediate vesting; straight line vesting of two, three, or four years; and
upon
the achievement of certain milestones.
Expense
is recognized, net of expected forfeitures, over the vesting period of the
options. For options that vest upon the achievement of certain milestones,
expense is recognized when it is probable that the condition will be met. Stock
based compensation expense recognized for the twelve months ended December
31,
2006 and 2005 was $474,735 or $0.04 per share and $374,529 or $0.03 per share,
respectively.
In
2005,
we identified an immaterial adjustment to the amounts and calculations reported
in 2004 for deferred compensation. The 2005 non cash stock based compensation
reflects a revision to the prior year in the amount of $173,347.
The
fair
value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the below assumptions related to
risk-free interest rates, expected dividend yield, expected lives and expected
stock price volatility.
|
|
Option
Pricing Assumptions
|
Grant
Year
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
Price Volatility
|
|
65%
to 92%
|
|
80%
|
Risk-Free
Interest Rates
|
|
4.34%
to 4.97%
|
|
3.33%
|
Expected
Life (in years)
|
|
5.8
to 6.0
|
|
7.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
There
is
no expected dividend yield. Expected volatility is based on historical
volatility of the Company’s common stock at the time of grant. The risk-free
interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of
grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the options. For
the
expected life, the Company is using the simplified method as described in the
SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 107. This method assumes that stock option grants
will be exercised based on the average of the vesting periods and the grant’s
life.
Prior
to
January 1, 2006, stock-based compensation was determined using the intrinsic
value method. The following table provides supplemental information for 2005
as
if stock-based compensation had been computed under SFAS 123:
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Net
loss as reported
|
|
$
|
(5,468,177
|
)
|
Add
back: compensation expense recorded under the intrinsic
method
|
|
|
374,529
|
|
Deduct:
compensation expense under the fair value method
|
|
|
(730,143
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro
forma net loss using the fair value method
|
|
$
|
(5,819,890
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss per share:
|
|
|
|
|
As reported
|
|
$
|
(0.45
|
)
|
Pro forma
|
|
$
|
(0.47
|
)
|
The
total
fair value of options vested during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
was
$522,454.
The
following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and
exercisable at December 31, 2006:
|
|
Options
Outstanding
|
|
Options
Exerciseable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Range
of exercise price
|
|
Number
outstanding as of December 31, 2006
|
|
Weighted
average remaining contractual life in years
|
|
Weighted
average exercise price
|
|
Number
exercisable as of December 31, 2006
|
|
Weighted
average exercise price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0.32
|
|
520,471
|
|
3.1
|
|
$0.32
|
|
520,471
|
|
$0.32
|
$1.36
- $1.49
|
|
548,500
|
|
9.5
|
|
$1.38
|
|
145,333
|
|
$1.38
|
$1.76
|
|
496,890
|
|
6.4
|
|
$1.76
|
|
397,512
|
|
$1.76
|
$2.32
- $2.64
|
|
241,380
|
|
7.8
|
|
$2.47
|
|
100,975
|
|
$2.45
|
$2.77
- $2.78
|
|
363,306
|
|
6.4
|
|
$2.78
|
|
173,358
|
|
$2.78
|
$3.40
- $5.45
|
|
144,000
|
|
8.1
|
|
$4.30
|
|
105,667
|
|
$4.35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,314,547
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,443,316
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
number of new options granted in 2006 and 2005 is 665,500 and 65,000,
respectively. The weighted-average fair value of options granted in 2006 and
2005 is $1.13 and $2.89, respectively.
The
following table summarizes the option activity for the year ended December
31,
2006:
|
|
Shares
|
|
Weighted
average exercise price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
at January 1, 2005
|
|
|
1,852,540
|
|
$
|
1.85
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
granted
|
|
|
65,000
|
|
$
|
3.49
|
|
Options
exercised
|
|
|
(8,997
|
)
|
$
|
0.32
|
|
Options
canceled
|
|
|
(24,006
|
)
|
$
|
2.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
1,884,537
|
|
$
|
1.91
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
granted
|
|
|
665,500
|
|
$
|
1.59
|
|
Options
exercised
|
|
|
(4,499
|
)
|
$
|
0.32
|
|
Options
canceled
|
|
|
(230,991
|
)
|
$
|
2.61
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
at December 31, 2006
|
|
|
2,314,547
|
|
$
|
1.74
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vested
or expected
to vest
at
December 31, 2006 |
|
|
1,982,486 |
|
$
|
2.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exerciseable
at December 31, 2006
|
|
|
1,443,316
|
|
$
|
1.56
|
|
The
aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding at December 31,
2006 and the stock options vested or expected to vest is $630,651. The
aggregate intrinsic value of stock options currently exercisable at December
31,
2006 is $599,376.
The
weighted-average remaining contractual life of options vested or expected to
vest is 7.8 years.
The
following table summarizes nonvested stock option activity as of December 31,
2006
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average
fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonvested
at January 1, 2006
|
|
|
608,938
|
|
$
|
3.87
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
granted
|
|
|
423,015
|
|
$
|
2.60
|
|
Options
vested
|
|
|
(141,250
|
)
|
$
|
4.70
|
|
Options
forfeited
|
|
|
(145,161
|
)
|
$
|
1.72
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonvested
at December 31, 2006
|
|
|
745,542
|
|
$
|
3.41
|
|
As
of
December 31, 2006, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related
to
non-vested stock options amounted to $2,538,973. Of this amount, $1,292,312
will
be amortized over the weighted-average remaining requisite service period of
1.4
years and $1,246,661will be recognized upon the attainment of related
milestones.
Income
Taxes
The
Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting
for Income Taxes,” which requires accounting for deferred income taxes under the
asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax
consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates
applicable in future years to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and
liabilities.
For
financial reporting purposes, the Company has incurred a loss in each period
since its inception. Based on available objective evidence, including the
Company's history of losses, management believes it is more likely than not
that
the net deferred tax assets will not be fully realizable. Accordingly, the
Company provided for a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax
assets at December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005.
Research
and Development Costs
Research
and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Loss
per Common Share
In
accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share,” net loss per common share
amounts (“basic EPS”) were computed by dividing net loss attributable to common
stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and
excluding any potential dilution. Net loss per common share amounts assuming
dilution (“diluted EPS”) is generally computed by reflecting potential dilution
from conversion of convertible securities and the exercise of stock options
and
warrants. However, because their effect is antidilutive, the Company has
excluded stock options and warrants aggregating 2,706,315 and 2,265,092 from
the
computation of diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005,
respectively.
Translation
of Foreign Currency
The
functional currency of Nephros International Limited is the Euro, and its
translation gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss). The balance sheet is translated at the year-end rate. The
statement of operations is translated at the weighted average rate for the
year.
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
The
Company complies with the provisions of SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive
Income,” which requires companies to report all changes in equity during a
period, except those resulting from investment by owners and distributions
to
owners, for the period in which they are recognized. Comprehensive income (loss)
is the total of net income (loss) and all other non-owner changes in equity
(or
other comprehensive income (loss)) such as unrealized gains or losses on
securities classified as available-for-sale and foreign currency translation
adjustments. For the fiscal years ended 2006 and 2005, the comprehensive loss
was $(7,951,866) and $(5,669,687), respectively.
Reclassification
Depreciation
expenses were previously classified as selling, general and administrative
expenses and have been reclassified to conform to current year
presentation.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No.
123 (Revised 2004) “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”) which requires companies
to measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payments
at
fair-value. Stock based payments include stock option grants. SFAS 123R is
effective for small business issuers for the first interim reporting period
beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company adopted SFAS 123R effective
January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R requires the recognition of compensation expense
in
an amount equal to the fair value of all share-based payments granted to
employees.
Effective
January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error
Correction - A replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB No. 3” (“SFAS 154”).
The adoption of SFAS 154 did not have a material impact on the Company’s
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In
June
2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in
Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48
requires companies to determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax
position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing
authorities before any part of the benefit can be recorded in the financial
statements. This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition,
classification, accounting in interim periods, and expanded disclosure
requirements. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15,
2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN 48 on
its
financial position, cash flows, and results of operations.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS
157”), which applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or
liabilities to be measured at fair value. SFAS 157 established a fair value
hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop the assumption that
market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. SFAS 157
is
effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods
within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of
adopting SFAS 157 on the Company’s financial position, cash flows, and results
of operations
In
September 2006, the Staff of the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108,
“Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying
Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”). SAB 108
provides guidance on the consideration of the effects of prior year
misstatements in quantifying current year misstatements for the purpose of
determining whether the current year’s financial statements are materially
misstated. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15,
2006.
The adoption of SAB 108 did not have a material impact on the Company’s
financial statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”), which permits entities
to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at
fair
value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS 159
will be effective for the fiscal years ending after November 15, 2007. The
Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 159 on its financial
position, cash flows, and results of operations.
Note
3 - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets are comprised of the following:
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid
insurance premiums
|
|
$
|
177,336
|
|
$
|
94,556
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advances
on product development services
|
|
|
102,500
|
|
|
96,565
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
160,458
|
|
|
167,185
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid
Expenses and Other Current Assets
|
|
$
|
440,294
|
|
$
|
358,306
|
|
Note
4 - Property and Equipment, net
Property
and equipment is comprised of the following:
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Life
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufacturing
equipment
|
|
|
5
years
|
|
$
|
1,808,701
|
|
$
|
1,742,358
|
|
Research
equipment
|
|
|
5
years
|
|
|
91,275
|
|
|
34,500
|
|
Computer
equipment
|
|
|
4
years
|
|
|
122,015
|
|
|
158,169
|
|
Furniture
and fixtures
|
|
|
7
years
|
|
|
54,123
|
|
|
83,066
|
|
Leasehold
improvement
|
|
|
1
year
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,091,114
|
|
|
2,018,093
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less:
accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,180,589
|
|
|
874,784
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property
and Equipment, net
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
910,525
|
|
$
|
1,143,309
|
|
The
Company contracts with Medica s.r.l. to manufacture the Company’s ESRD therapy
products. The Company owns certain manufacturing equipment located at Medica's
manufacturing plant in Italy. Depreciation expense for the years ended December
31, 2006 and 2005 was $319,164 and $305,601, respectively.
Note
5 - Stockholders’ Equity and Redeemable Convertible Preferred
Stock
On
June
24, 2005, the Company filed its Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, reducing the number of authorized shares of common stock from
49,000,000 to 25,000,000, and reducing the number of authorized shares of
preferred stock from 31,000,000 to 5,000,000.
On
March
2, 2005, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement with Asahi pursuant
to which Asahi purchased 184,250 shares of the Company’s common stock at an
aggregate purchase price of $955,521, the fair market value at the date of
issuance.
In
connection with its initial public offering, the Company issued to its
underwriters (The Shemano Group, Inc. and National Securities Corporation),
in
exchange for $100, warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 200,000 shares
of
its common stock. The Company has reserved an equivalent number of shares of
common stock for issuance upon exercise of these warrants. Each warrant
represents the right to purchase one share of common stock for a period of
four
and one-half years commencing six months from September 24, 2004, the effective
date of the offering. The exercise price of the warrants is $7.50, and they
have
a cash-less exercise feature which allows them to be exercised through the
surrender of a portion of the warrants (determined based on the market price
of
the Company’s common stock at the time of exercise) in lieu of cash payment of
the exercise price. The warrants contain provisions that protect their holders
against dilution by adjustment of the exercise price and number of shares
issuable upon exercise on the occurrence of specific events, such as stock
dividends or other changes in the number of the Company’s outstanding shares
except for shares issued under certain circumstances, including shares issued
under the Company’s equity incentive plan and any equity securities for which
adequate consideration is received. No holder of these warrants will possess
any
rights as a stockholder unless the warrant is exercised. The holders of the
warrants will be entitled to one demand and customary “piggy-back” registration
rights to register the shares underlying the warrants. Such registration rights
shall continue for a period of five years from the effective date of the initial
public offering.
Warrants
Outstanding
Lancer
Warrants - These warrants were issued during 2005 as a result of a settlement
agreement disclosed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements,
Commitments and Contingencies. The Company recorded the issuance of the warrants
at their fair market value of $17,348 based on a Black-Scholes calculation.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, this amount has been reflected as
additional paid in capital on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Changes
in
Stockholders' Equity.
Underwriter
Warrants - As disclosed above, these warrants were issued to the Company's
underwriters in connection with the initial public offering. These warrants
were
a non-cash cost of the offering. As an offering cost and an issuance of equity,
the impact would be to decrease and increase additional paid in capital by
equal
offsetting amounts (i.e. the fair value of the warrants). Accordingly, the
Company did not value these warrants at the issuance date.
Plexus
Warrants - These warrants were issued during 2002 as a result of a settlement
agreement disclosed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements,
Commitments and Contingencies. The Company recorded the issuance of the warrants
at their fair market value of $400,000 based on a Black- Scholes calculation.
During the year ended December 31, 2002, this amount was reflected as additional
paid in capital on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Changes in
Stockholders' Equity.
The
following table summarizes certain terms of all of the Company’s outstanding
warrants at December 31, 2006.
Total
Outstanding Warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title
of Warrant
|
|
Date
Issued
|
|
Expiry
Date
|
|
Exercise
Price
|
|
Total
Common Shares Issuable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lancer
Warrants
|
|
1/18/2006
|
|
1/18/2009
|
|
$
1.50
|
|
21,308
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriter
Warrants
|
|
3/24/2005
|
|
9/20/2009
|
|
$
7.50
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plexus
Warrants
|
|
6/19/2002
|
|
6/19/2007
|
|
$
10.56
|
|
170,460
|
Note
6 - 401(k) Plan
The
Company has established a 401(k) deferred contribution retirement plan (the
“401(k) Plan”) which covers all employees. The 401(k) Plan provides for
voluntary employee contributions of up to 15% of annual earnings, as defined.
As
of January 1, 2004, the Company began matching 100% of the first 3% and 50%
of
the next 2% of employee earnings to the 401(k) Plan. The Company contributed
and
expensed $45,713 and $49,965 in 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Note
7 - Short-Term Investments
The
Company’s short-term investments are intended to establish a high-quality
portfolio that preserves principal, meets liquidity needs, avoids inappropriate
concentrations and delivers an appropriate yield in relationship to the
Company’s Corporate Investment Policy and market conditions.
The
following is a summary of available-for-sale securities as of December 31,
2006
and December 31, 2005:
|
|
December
31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
Gross
Fair
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
Losses
|
|
Value
|
|
Auction
rate securities
|
|
$
|
2,800,000
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
2,800,000
|
|
Total
securities
|
|
$
|
2,800,000
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
2,800,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December
31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Gross
Fair
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Auction
rate securities
|
|
$
|
4,500,000
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
4,500,000
|
|
Total
securities
|
|
$
|
4,500,000
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
4,500,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
of
the available-for-sale securities held by the Company at December 31, 2006
were
due in one year or less. Market values were determined for each individual
security in the investment portfolio. Any declines in value of these investments
are primarily related to changes in interest rates and are considered to be
temporary in nature. Investments are reviewed periodically to identify possible
impairment. When evaluating the investments, the Company reviews factors such
as
the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost basis,
the
financial condition of the investee, and the Company's ability and intent to
hold the investment for a period of time which may be sufficient for anticipated
recovery in market value.
Note
8 - Convertible Notes
In
June
2006, the Company entered into subscription agreements with certain investors
who purchased an aggregate of $5,200,000 principal amount of 6% Secured
Convertible Notes due 2012 (the “Notes”) issued by the Company for the face
value thereof. The Company closed on the sale of the first tranche of Notes,
in
an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000, on June
1, 2006
(the “First Tranche”) and closed on the sale of the second tranche of Notes, in
an aggregate principal amount of $200,000, on June 30, 2006 (the “Second
Tranche”). The Notes are secured by substantially all of the Company’s
assets.
The
Notes
accrue interest at a rate of 6% per annum, compounded annually and payable
in
arrears at maturity. Subject to certain restrictions, principal and accrued
interest on the Notes are convertible at any time at the holder’s option into
shares of the Company’s common stock, at an initial conversion price of $2.10
per share (subject to anti-dilution adjustments upon the occurrence of certain
events). There is no cap on any increases to the conversion price. The
conversion price may not be adjusted to an amount less than $0.001 per share,
the current par value of the Company’s common stock. The Company may cause the
Notes to be converted at their then effective conversion price, if the common
stock achieves average last sales prices of at least 240% of the then effective
conversion price and average daily volume of at least 35,000 shares (subject
to
adjustment) over a prescribed time period. In the case of an optional conversion
by the holder or a compelled conversion by the Company, the Company has 15
days
from the date of conversion to deliver certificates for the shares of common
stock issuable upon such conversion. As further described below, conversion
of
the Notes is restricted, pending stockholder approval.
The
Company may prepay outstanding principal and interest on the Notes at any time.
Any prepayment requires the Company to pay each holder a premium equal to 15%
of
the principal amount of the Notes held by such holder receiving the prepayment
if such prepayment is made on or before June 1, 2008, and 5% of the principal
amount of the Notes held by such holder receiving prepayment in connection
with
prepayments made thereafter. In addition to the applicable prepayment premium,
upon any prepayment of the Notes occurring on or before June 1, 2008, the
Company must issue the holder of such Notes warrants (“Prepayment Warrants”) to
purchase a quantity of common stock equal to three shares for every $20
principal amount of Notes prepaid at an exercise price of $0.01 per share
(subject to adjustment). Upon issuance, the Prepayment Warrants would expire
on
June 1, 2012.
Unless
and until its stockholders approve the issuance of shares of common stock in
excess of such amount, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon
conversion of the First Tranche of Notes and exercise of the Prepayment Warrants
related thereto, in the aggregate, is limited to 2,451,280 shares, which equals
approximately 19.9% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding
immediately prior to the issuance of the Notes. The Company will not issue
any
shares of common stock upon conversion of the Second Tranche of Notes or
exercise of any Prepayment Warrants that may be issued pursuant to such Notes
until its stockholders approve the issuance of shares of common stock upon
conversion of the Notes and exercise of the Prepayment Warrants as may be
required by the applicable rules and regulations of the American Stock Exchange
(the “AMEX”).
In
connection with the sale of the Notes, the Company has entered into a
registration rights agreement with the investors pursuant to which the Company
granted the investors two demand registration rights and unlimited piggy-back
and short-form registration rights with respect to the shares of common stock
issuable upon conversion of the Notes or exercise of Prepayment Warrants, if
any.
Subject
to terms and conditions set forth in the Notes, the outstanding principal of
and
accrued interest on the Notes may become immediately due and payable upon the
occurrence of any of the following events of default: the Company’s failure to
pay principal or interest on the Notes when due; certain bankruptcy-related
events with respect to the Company; material breach of any representation,
warranty or certification made by the Company in or pursuant to the Notes,
or
under the registration rights agreement or the subscription agreements; its
incurrence of Senior Debt (as defined in the Notes); the acceleration of certain
of the Company’s other debt; or the rendering of certain judgments against the
Company.
The
Notes
contain a prepayment feature that requires the Company to issue common stock
purchase warrants to the Note holders for partial consideration of certain
Note
prepayments that the Note holders may demand under
certain circumstances. Pursuant to the Notes, the Company must offer the Note
holders the option (the “Holder Prepayment Option”) of prepayment (subject to
applicable premiums) of their Notes, if the Company completes an asset sale
in
excess of $250,000 outside the ordinary course of business (a “Major Asset
Sale”), to the extent of the net cash proceeds of such Major Asset Sale.
Paragraph 12 of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities”, (“SFAS 133”), provides that an embedded derivative shall be
separated from the host contract and accounted for as a derivative instrument
if
and only if certain criteria are met. In consideration of SFAS 133, the Company
has determined that the Holder Prepayment Option is an embedded derivative
to be
bifurcated from the Notes and carried at fair value in the financial statements.
At December 31, 2006, the value of the embedded derivative was a liability
of
$68,942. The change in value was recorded as other income. Also, the debt
discount, of $70,897, created by bifurcating the Holder Prepayment Option,
is
being amortized over the term of the debt. During the year ended December 31,
2006, the Company recorded interest expense of $6,893.
Note
9 - Commitments and Contingencies
Settlement
Agreements
Hermitage
Capital Corporation
In
April
2002, we entered into a letter agreement with Hermitage Capital Corporation
(“Hermitage”), as placement agent, the stated term of which was from April 30,
2002 through September 30, 2004. As of February 2003, we entered into a
settlement agreement with Hermitage pursuant to which, among other things:
the
letter agreement was terminated; the parties gave mutual releases relating
to
the letter agreement, and we agreed to issue Hermitage or its designees, upon
the closing of certain transactions contemplated by a separate settlement
agreement between us and Lancer Offshore, Inc., warrants exercisable until
February 2006 to purchase an aggregate of 60,000 shares of common stock for
$2.50 per share (or 17,046 shares of our common stock for $8.80 per share,
if
adjusted for the reverse stock split pursuant to the antidilution provisions
of
such warrant, as amended.) Because Lancer Offshore, Inc. never satisfied the
closing conditions and, consequently, a closing has not been held, we have
not
issued any warrants to Hermitage in connection with our settlement with them.
In
June 2004, Hermitage threatened to sue us for warrants it claims are due to
it
under its settlement agreement with us as well as a placement fee and additional
warrants it claims are, or will be, owed in connection with our initial public
offering completed on September 24, 2004, as compensation for allegedly
introducing us to one of the underwriters. We had some discussions with
Hermitage in the hopes of reaching an amicable resolution of any potential
claims, most recently in January 2005. We have not heard from Hermitage since
then. As of December 31, 2006, no loss amount has been accrued because a loss
is
not considered probable or estimable.
Plexus
Services Corp.
In
June
2002, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with one of its suppliers,
Plexus Services Corp. The Company had an outstanding liability to such supplier
in the amount of approximately $1,900,000. Pursuant to this settlement
agreement, the Company and the supplier agreed to release each other from any
and all claims or liabilities, whether known or unknown, that each had against
the other as of the date of the settlement agreement, except for obligations
arising out of the settlement agreement itself. The settlement agreement
required the Company to grant to the supplier (i) warrants to purchase 170,460
shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of approximately
$10.56 per share that expire in June 2007 and (ii) cash payments of an aggregate
amount of $650,000 in three installments. The warrants were valued at $400,000
using the Black-Scholes model. Accordingly, the Company recorded a gain of
approximately $850,000 based on such settlement agreement. On June 19, 2002,
the
Company issued the warrant to the supplier, and on August 7, 2002, the Company
satisfied the first $300,000 installment of the agreement. The second
installment of $100,000 was due on February 7, 2003, and the Company paid
$75,000 towards the installment. On November 11, 2004, after the successful
closing of its initial public offering, the Company paid an additional $25,000
and agreed with the supplier to pay the remaining
$250,000
over time. The outstanding balance at December 31, 2006 was $50,000 and is
included in “Accounts Payable” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Lancer
Offshore, Inc.
In
August
2002, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with Lancer Offshore,
Inc. (“Lancer”). The subscription agreement provided, among other things, that
Lancer would purchase, in several installments, (1) $3,000,000 principal
amount of secured notes due March 15, 2003 convertible into 340,920 shares
of
the Company’s common stock and (2) warrants to purchase until December 2007 an
aggregate of 68,184 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of
approximately $8.80 per share. In accordance with the subscription agreement,
the first installment of securities, consisting of $1,500,000 principal amount
of the notes and 34,092 of the warrants (which 34,092 warrants had nominal
value
at such time), were tendered. However, Lancer failed to fund the remaining
installments. Following this failure, the Company entered into a settlement
agreement with Lancer dated as of January 31, 2003, pursuant to which, (i)
the
parties terminated the subscription agreement; (ii) Lancer agreed to surrender
12,785 of the original 34,092 warrants issued to it; (iii) the warrants that
were not surrendered were amended to provide that the exercise price per share
and the number of shares issuable upon exercise thereof would not be adjusted
as
a result of a 0.2248318-for one reverse stock split of the Company’s common
stock that was contemplated at such time but never consummated; and (iv) the
secured convertible note in the principal amount of $1,500,000 referred to
above
was cancelled. Lancer agreed, among other things, to deliver to the Company
at
or prior to a subsequent closing the cancelled note and warrants and to reaffirm
certain representations and warranties and, subject to the satisfaction of
these
and other conditions, the Company agreed to issue to Lancer at such subsequent
closing an unsecured note in the principal amount of $1,500,000 bearing no
interest, not convertible into common stock and due on January 31, 2004 or
earlier under certain circumstances. Lancer never fulfilled the conditions
to
the subsequent closing and, accordingly, the Company never issued the $1,500,000
note that the settlement agreement provided would be issued at such
closing.
The
above
transaction resulted in the Company becoming a defendant in an action captioned
Marty Steinberg, Esq. as Receiver for Lancer Offshore, Inc. v. Nephros, Inc.,
Case No. 04-CV-20547, that was commenced on March 8, 2004, in the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of Florida (the “Ancillary Proceeding”). That
action was ancillary to a proceeding captioned Securities and Exchange
Commission v. Michael Lauer, et. al., Case No.03-CV-80612, pending in the U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of Florida, in which the court had
appointed a Receiver to manage Lancer and various related entities (the
“Receivership). In the Ancillary Proceeding, the Receiver sought payment of
$1,500,000, together with interest, costs and attorneys’ fees, as well as
delivery of a warrant evidencing the right to purchase until December 2007
an
aggregate of 75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for $2.50 per share (or
21,308 shares of the Company’s common stock for $8.80 per share, if adjusted for
the 0.2841-for-one reverse stock split the Company effected on September 10,
2004 pursuant to the antidilution provisions of such warrant, as amended).
On or
about April 29, 2004, the Company served an answer in which it denied liability
for, and asserted numerous defenses to, the Receiver’s claims. In addition, on
or about March 30, 2004, the Company asserted claims for damages against Lancer
Offshore, Inc. that exceeded the amount sought in the Ancillary Proceeding
by
submitting a proof of claim in the Receivership.
On
December 19, 2005, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
approved the Stipulation of Settlement with respect to the Ancillary Proceeding
dated November 8, 2005 (the “Settlement”). Pursuant to the terms of the
Settlement, the Company agreed to pay the Receiver an aggregate of $900,000
under the following payment terms: $100,000 paid on January 5, 2006; and four
payments of $200,000 each at six month intervals thereafter. In addition, any
warrants previously issued to Lancer were cancelled, and, on January 18, 2006,
the Company issued to the Receiver warrants to purchase 21,308 shares of the
Company’s common stock at $1.50 per share exercisable until January 18, 2009.
The
Company had reserved for the Ancillary Proceeding on its balance sheet as of
December 31, 2004 as a
$1,500,000 accrued liability. As a result of the above Settlement the Company
has adjusted such accrual liability and recorded a note payable to the Receiver
to reflect the present value of the above amounts due to the Receiver of
$563,726 of which $379,701 is reflected as short-term note payable and $184,025
reflected as a long-term note payable. Additionally, we recorded the issuance
of
the warrants issued at their fair market value of $17,348 based on a
Black-Scholes calculation. Such Settlement resulted in a gain of $623,087
recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005
which
is
recorded as “Other Income” on the consolidated statements of operations as it
was for compensation for damages sustained in the financing
transaction.
Manufacturing
and Suppliers
The
Company does not intend to manufacture any of its products or components. The
Company has entered into an agreement dated May 12, 2003, and amended on March
22, 2005 with Medica s.r.l., (“Medica”) a developer and manufacturer of medical
products with corporate headquarters located in Italy, to assemble and
produce
the
Company’s OLpūr MD190, MD220 or other filter products at the Company’s option.
The agreement requires the Company to purchase from Medica the OLpūr MD190s and
MD220s or other filter products that the Company directly markets in Europe,
or
are marketed by our distributor in Italy. In addition, Medica will be given
first consideration in good faith for the manufacture of OLpūr MD190s, MD220s or
other filter products that the Company does not directly market. No less than
semiannually, Medica will provide
a
report to representatives of both parties to the agreement detailing any
technical know-how that Medica has developed that would permit them to
manufacture the filter products less expensively and both parties will jointly
determine the actions to be taken with respect to these findings. If the fiber
wastage with respect to the filter products manufactured in any given year
exceeds 5%, then Medica will reimburse the Company up to half of the cost of
the
quantity of fiber represented by excess wastage.
Medica will manufacture the OLpūr MD190 or other filter products in accordance
with the quality standards outlined in the agreement. Upon recall of any OLpūr
MD190 or other filter product due to Medica’s having manufactured one or more
products that fail
to
conform to the required specifications or having failed to manufacture one
or
more products in accordance with any applicable laws, Medica will be responsible
for the cost of recall. The agreement also requires that the Company maintain
certain minimum product-liability insurance coverage and that the Company
indemnify Medica against certain liabilities arising out of the Company’s
products that they manufacture, providing they do not arise out of Medica’s
breach of the agreement, negligence or willful misconduct. The term of the
agreement is through May 12, 2009, with successive automatic one-year renewal
terms, until either party gives the other notice that it does not wish to renew
at least 90 days prior to the end of the term. The agreement may be terminated
prior to the end of the term by either party upon the occurrence of certain
insolvency-related events or breaches by the other party. Although the Company
has no separate agreement with respect to such activities, Medica has also
been
manufacturing the Company’s DSU in limited quantities.
The
Company also entered into an agreement in December 2003, and amended in June
2005, with Membrana GmbH (“Membrana”), a manufacturer of medical and technical
membranes for applications like dialysis with
corporate headquarters located in Germany, to continue to produce the fiber
for
the OLpūr MDHDF filter series. Pursuant to the agreement, Membrana is the
Company’s exclusive provider of the fiber for the OLpūr MDHDF filter series in
the European Union as
well as
certain other territories through September 2009. Notwithstanding the
exclusivity provisions, the Company may purchase membranes from other providers
if Membrana is unable to timely satisfy the Company’s orders. If and when the
volume-discount pricing provisions of the Company’s agreement with Membrana
become applicable, for each period the Company will record inventory and cost
of
goods sold for the Company’s fiber requirements pursuant to the agreement with
Membrana based on the volume-discounted price level applicable to the actual
year-to-date cumulative orders at the end of such period. If, at the end of
any
subsequent period in the same calendar year, actual year-to-date cumulative
orders entitle the Company to a greater volume-discount for such calendar year,
then the Company will adjust inventory and cumulative cost of goods sold amounts
quarterly throughout the calendar year to reflect the greater volume-discount.
In August 2006, Membrana awarded the Company temporary pricing concessions
until
June 2007. The Company anticipates that these prices will remain in effect
throughout 2007.
The
Company is committed to use one supplier for its production of products for
sale
in Europe; however no minimum purchase requirements are in effect.
Contractual
Obligations
At
December 31, 2006, the Company had noncancellable operating leases on real
and
personal property that expire in 2007 for the rental of its office and research
and development facilities and equipment. Rent expense for the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005 totaled approximately $190,095 and $170,259,
respectively. Leases are renewable on the anniversary of their respective
commencements.
The
following tables summarize our minimum contractual obligations and commercial
commitments as of December 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
Payments
Due in Period
|
|
Contractual
Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
Within
|
|
Years
|
|
Years
|
|
More
than
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
1
Year
|
|
1-3
|
|
3-5
|
|
5
Years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible
Notes (1)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7,290,229
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
7,290,229
|
|
Leases
|
|
|
|
|
|
133,612
|
|
|
133,612
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Employment
Contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
567,075
|
|
|
424,163
|
|
|
142,912
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7,990,916
|
|
$
|
557,775
|
|
$
|
142,912
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
7,290,229
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
Includes interest of $2,090,229.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee
Severance Agreement
During
the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company expensed $318,250 for severance
costs associated with the termination of the employment of Jan Rehnberg, our
former Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales. These severance expenses
were
reported within accrued expenses and presented as accrued severance expenses
at
December 31, 2005. In accordance with the terms and provisions of his employment
agreement, the Company paid a lump sum severance payment of $253,856 of the
balance to Mr. Rehnberg on April 19, 2006. During September 2006, the Company
reversed the $64,394 residual portion of the severance accrual as it was
determined during the quarter that this liability was no longer required. In
2006, the Company expensed $93,072 for severance costs associated with the
termination of an employee in France.
Note
10 - Income Taxes
A
reconciliation of the income tax provision computed at the statutory tax rate
to
the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
U.S.
federal statutory rate
|
|
|
35.00
|
%
|
|
35.00
|
%
|
State
& local taxes
|
|
|
8.67
|
%
|
|
6.13
|
%
|
Tax
on foreign operations
|
|
|
(5.68)
|
%
|
|
(10.68)
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
0.01
|
%
|
|
0.10
|
%
|
Valuation
Allowance
|
|
|
(38.00)
|
%
|
|
(30.55)
|
%
|
Effective
tax rate
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Significant
components of the Company’s deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005
are shown below:
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
Deferred
tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
operating loss carryforwards
|
|
$
|
14,926,870
|
|
$
|
12,077,036
|
|
Research
and development credits
|
|
|
825,079
|
|
|
745,141
|
|
Nonqualified
stock option compensation expense
|
|
|
1,367,354
|
|
|
1,130,179
|
|
Other
Temporary Book - Tax differences
|
|
|
11,562
|
|
|
52,968
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
deferred tax assets
|
|
|
17,130,865
|
|
|
14,005,324
|
|
Valuation
allowance for deferred tax assets
|
|
|
(17,130,865
|
)
|
|
(14,005,324
|
)
|
Net
deferred tax assets
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
A
valuation allowance has been recognized to offset the Company’s net deferred tax
asset as it is more likely than not that such net asset will not be realized.
The Company primarily considered its historical loss and potential Internal
Revenue Code Section 382 limitations to arrive at its conclusion that a
valuation allowance was required.
At
December 31, 2006, the Company had Federal, New York State and New York City
income tax net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $30 million each
and foreign income tax net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $7.5
million. The Company also had Federal research tax credit carryforwards of
approximately $745,000 at December 31, 2005 and $825,000 at December 31, 2006.
The Federal net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards will expire at
various times between 2012 and 2026 unless utilized.
The
Company’s net operating loss carryforwards and net losses for each jurisdiction
as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 are shown below:
|
|
US
|
|
IRELAND
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
Net
Operating Loss Carryforward
|
|
$
|
30,017,322
|
|
$
|
24,579,888
|
|
$
|
7,510,384
|
|
$
|
4,836,445
|
|
$
|
37,527,706
|
|
$
|
29,416,333
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Loss
|
|
$
|
5,998,491
|
|
$
|
2,872,981
|
|
$
|
2,014,420
|
|
$
|
2,595,196
|
|
$
|
8,012,911
|
|
$
|
5,468,177
|
|
Note
11 - Related Party Transactions
The
Lead
Director of the Company’s Board is on leave from his position as the Chairman of
Columbia University’s Department of Surgery. The Company licenses the right to
use approximately 2,788 square feet of office space from the Trustees of
Columbia University. The term of the license agreement is for one year through
September 30, 2007 at a monthly cost of $11,965, including monthly internet
access. The Company does not currently have any other material relationship
with
Columbia University.
F-25
Item
8.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure.
Not
applicable.
Item
8A. Controls and Procedures.
Under
the
supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation
of the
Company’s effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on
Form 10-KSB. Management identified a material weakness, due to an insufficient
number of resources in the accounting and finance department, resulting in
(i)
an ineffective review, monitoring and analysis of schedules, reconciliations
and
financial statement disclosures and (ii) the misapplication of U.S. GAAP
and SEC
reporting requirements. Due to the pervasive effect of the lack of resources,
including a lack of resources that are appropriately qualified in the areas
of
U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting, and the potential impact on the financial
statements and disclosures and the importance of the annual and interim
financial closing and reporting process, in the aggregate, there is more
than a
remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual financial
statements would not have been prevented or detected. Based on that evaluation,
the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our
disclosure controls and procedures have not been operating effectively as
of the
end of the period covered by this report.
Remediation
Plans
Management
is also in the process of remediating the above-mentioned weakness in our
internal control over financial reporting and has designed the following
steps
to be implemented:
Ÿ |
Develop
procedures to implement a formal monthly closing calendar and process
and
hold monthly meetings to address the monthly closing
process;
|
Ÿ |
Establish
a detailed timeline for review and completion of financial reports
to be
included in our Forms 10-QSB and 10-KSB;
|
Ÿ |
Enhance
the level of service provided by outside accounting service providers
to
further support and supplement our internal staff in accounting and
related areas;
|
Ÿ |
Seek
additional staffing to provide additional resources for internal
preparation and review of financial reports;
and
|
Ÿ |
Employ
the use of appropriate supplemental SEC and U.S. GAAP checklists
in
connection with our closing process and the preparation of our Forms
10-QSB and 10-KSB.
|
These
remediation plans will be implemented during the second and third quarters
of
fiscal 2007. The material weakness will not be considered remediated until
the
applicable remedial procedures are tested and management has concluded that
the
procedures are operating effectively.
Management
recognizes that use of our financial resources will be required not only
for
implementation of these measures, but also for testing their effectiveness.
Based on our existing funds, there can be no assurance that such procedures
will
be implemented on a timely basis, or at all.
Changes
in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There
were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the
quarter ended December 31, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably
likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
Item
8B. Other Information.
Not
applicable.
PART
III
Item
9. Directors,
Executive Officers, Promoters, Control Persons and Corporate Governance;
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.
We
have
adopted a written code of ethics and business conduct that applies to our
directors, executive officers and all employees. We intend to disclose any
amendments to, or waivers from, our code of ethics and business conduct that
are
required to be publicly disclosed pursuant to rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission and the American Stock Exchange by filing such amendment
or
waiver with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This code of ethics and
business conduct can be found in the corporate governance section of our
website, www.nephros.com.
The
other
information called for by this item is incorporated by reference to our
definitive proxy statement relating to our 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
which will be filed with the SEC. If such proxy statement is not filed on or
before April 30, 2007, the information called for by this item will be
filed as part of an amendment to this Form 10-KSB on or before such date,
in accordance with General Instruction E(3).
Item
10. Executive
Compensation.
The
information called for by this item is incorporated herein by reference
to our
definitive proxy statement relating to our 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
which will be filed with the SEC. If such proxy statement is not filed
on or
before April 30, 2007, the information called for by this item will be
filed as part of an amendment to this Form 10-KSB on or before such date,
in accordance with General Instruction E(3).
Item
11. Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters.
The
following table provides information as of December 31, 2006 about compensation
plans under which shares of our common stock may be issued to employees,
consultants or members of our Board of Directors upon exercise of options,
warrants or rights under all of our existing equity compensation plans. Our
existing equity compensation plans consist of our Amended and Restated Nephros
2000 Equity Incentive Plan and our Nephros, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan
(together, our “Stock Option Plans”) in which all of our employees and directors
are eligible to participate.
Plan
Category
|
|
(a)
Number
of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options,
Warrants
and Rights
|
|
(b)
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
|
|
(c)
Number
of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column
(a))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by stockholders
|
|
|
2,314,548
|
|
$
|
1.74
|
|
|
84,384
|
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by stockholders
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
All
plans
|
|
|
2,314,548
|
|
$
|
1.74
|
|
|
84,384
|
|
The
other
information called for by this item is incorporated by reference to our
definitive proxy statement relating to our 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
which will be filed with the SEC. If such proxy statement is not filed on or
before April 30, 2007, the information called for by this item will be
filed as part of an amendment to this Form 10-KSB on or before such date,
in accordance with General Instruction E(3).
Item
12. Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence.
The
information called for by this item is incorporated herein by reference to
our
definitive proxy statement relating to our 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
which will be filed with the SEC. If such proxy statement is not filed on or
before April 30, 2007, the information called for by this item will be
filed as part of an amendment to this Form 10-KSB on or before such date,
in accordance with General Instruction E(3).
Item
13. Exhibits.
EXHIBIT
INDEX
3.1
|
Fourth
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.
(5)
|
3.2
|
Amended
and Restated By-laws of the Registrant. (1)
|
4.1
|
Specimen
of Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant. (1)
|
4.2
|
Form
of Underwriter’s Warrant. (1)
|
4.3
|
Form
of Convertible Promissory Note due August 7, 2002. (1)
|
4.4
|
Form
of Senior Convertible Bridge Notes due 2004. (1)
|
4.5
|
Class
C Warrant for the Purchase of Shares of Common Stock, dated September
22,
2003, issued to Joseph Giamanco by the Registrant. (1)
|
4.6
|
Class
C Warrant for the Purchase of Shares of Common Stock, dated September
22,
2003, issued to George Hatsopoulous by the Registrant. (1)
|
4.7
|
Stock
Purchase Warrant, dated June 19, 2002, issued to Plexus Services
Corp. by
the Registrant. (1)
|
4.8
|
Class
A Warrant for the Purchase of Shares of Common Stock, dated August
5,
2002, issued to Lancer Offshore, Inc. (1)
|
4.9
|
Warrant
for the purchase of shares of common stock dated January 18, 2006,
issued
to Marty Steinberg, Esq., as Court-appointed Receiver for Lancer
Offshore,
Inc.
|
10.1
|
Amended
and Restated 2000 Nephros Equity Incentive Plan. (1) (2)
|
10.2
|
2004
Nephros Stock Incentive Plan. (1) (2)
|
10.3
|
Form
of Subscription Agreement dated as of June 1997 between the Registrant
and
each Purchaser of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. (1)
|
10.4
|
Amendment
and Restatement to Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May
17, 2000
and amended and restated as of June 26, 2003, between the Registrant
and
the holders of a majority of Registrable Shares (as defined therein).
(1)
|
10.5
|
Employment
Agreement dated as of November 21, 2002 between Norman J. Barta and
the
Registrant. (1) (2)
|
10.6
|
Amendment
to Employment Agreement dated as of March 17, 2003 between Norman
J. Barta
and the Registrant. (1) (2)
|
10.7
|
Amendment
to Employment Agreement dated as of May 31, 2004 between Norman J.
Barta
and the Registrant. (1) (2)
|
10.8
|
Form
of Employee Patent and Confidential Information Agreement. (1)
|
10.9
|
Form
of Employee Confidentiality Agreement. (1)
|
10.10
|
Settlement
Agreement dated June 19, 2002 between Plexus Services Corp. and the
Registrant. (1)
|
10.11
|
Settlement
Agreement dated as of January 31, 2003 between Lancer Offshore, Inc.
and
the Registrant. (1)
|
10.12
|
Settlement
Agreement dated as of February 13, 2003 between Hermitage Capital
Corporation and the Registrant. (1)
|
10.13
|
License
Agreement dated as of July 1, 2003 between the Trustees of Columbia
University in the City of New York and the Registrant. (1)
|
10.14
|
Form
of Transmittal Letter Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2004, between
each
holder of convertible promissory notes due August 7, 2002 and the
Registrant. (1)
|
10.15
|
Commitment
Agreement between Ronald Perelman and the Registrant, dated as of
May 30,
2003. (1)
|
10.16
|
Form
of Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and each purchaser
of
Senior Convertible Bridge Notes due 2004. (1)
|
10.17
|
Supply
Agreement between Nephros, Inc. and Membrana GmbH, dated as of December
17, 2003. (1) (3)
|
10.18
|
Employment
Agreement dated as of June 16, 2004 between Marc L. Panoff and the
Registrant. (1) (2)
|
10.19
|
Manufacturing
and Supply Agreement between Nephros, Inc. and Medica s.r.l., dated
as of
May 12, 2003. (1) (3)
|
10.20
|
License
Agreement dated as of July 1, 2005 between the Trustees of Columbia
University in the City of New York and the Registrant. (1)
|
10.21
|
HDF-Cartridge
License Agreement dated as of March 2, 2005 between Nephros, Inc.
and
Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd. (4)
|
10.22
|
Subscription
Agreement dated as of March 2, 2005 between Nephros, Inc. and Asahi
Kasei
Medical Co., Ltd. (4)
|
10.23
|
Amendment
No. 1 to 2004 Nephros Stock Incentive Plan. (2) (5)
|
10.24
|
Non-employee
Director Compensation Summary. (2) (6)
|
10.25
|
Named
Executive Officer Summary of Changes to Compensation. (2) (6)
|
10.26
|
Stipulation
of Settlement Agreement between Lancer Offshore, Inc. and Nephros,
Inc.
approved on December 19, 2005. (8)
|
10.27
|
Consulting
Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2006, between the Company and
Bruce
Prashker. (2) (8)
|
10.28
|
Summary
of Changes to Chief Executive Officer’s Compensation. (2) (8)
|
10.29
|
Employment
Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2006, between the Company and
Mark W.
Lerner. (2) (8)
|
10.30
|
Amended
Supply Agreement between Nephros, Inc. and Membrana GmbH dated as
of June
16, 2005. (3) (7)
|
10.31
|
Amended
Manufacturing and Supply Agreement between Nephros, Inc. and Medica
s.r.l., dated as of March 22, 2005. (3) (8)
|
10.32
|
Form
of 6% Secured Convertible Note due 2012 for June 1, 2006 Investors.
(9)
|
10.33
|
Form
of Prepayment Warrant. (9)
|
10.34
|
Form
of Subscription Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2006. (9)
|
10.35 |
Form
of Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2006.
(9) |
10.36
|
Form
of 6% Secured Convertible Note due 2012 for June 30, 2006 Investors.
(10)
|
10.37
|
Form
of Subscription Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2006. (10)
|
10.38
|
Employment
Agreement between Nephros, Inc. and William J. Fox, entered into
on August
2, 2006. (2) (11)
|
10.39
|
Addendum
to Commercial Contract between Nephros, Inc. and Bellco S.p.A, effective
as of January 1, 2007. (3)
|
21.1
|
Subsidiaries
of Registrant.
|
23.1
|
Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP, dated as of April 10, 2007.
|
31.1
|
Certification
by the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
31.2
|
Certification
by the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
32.1
|
Certification
by the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
32.2
|
Certification
by the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
________________________
|
(1)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Nephros, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, File
No. 333-116162.
|
(2)
|
Management
contract or compensatory plan arrangement.
|
(3)
|
Portions
omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.
|
(4)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Nephros, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K Filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2005.
|
(5)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Nephros, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No.
333-127264), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on
August 5, 2005.
|
(6)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Nephros, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2005.
|
(7)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Nephros, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15,
2005.
|
(8)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Nephros, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 20, 2006.
|
(9)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Nephros, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2006.
|
(10)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Nephros, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2006.
|
(11)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Nephros, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2006.
|
Item
14. Principal
Accountant Fees and Services.
The
information called for by this item is incorporated herein by reference to
our
definitive proxy statement relating to our 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
which will be filed with the SEC. If such proxy statement is not filed on or
before April 30, 2007, the information called for by this item will be
filed as part of an amendment to this Form 10-KSB on or before such date,
in accordance with General Instruction E(3).
SIGNATURES
In
accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Registrant caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
NEPHROS
INC.
Date:
April 10, 2007 By: /s/
Norman J.
Barta
Norman J. Barta
President
and Chief Executive Officer
In
accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and the
dates indicated.
Signature
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
/s/
Norman J Barta
Norman
J. Barta
|
President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
|
April
10, 2007
|
/s/
Mark W. Lerner
Mark
W. Lerner
|
Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
April
10, 2007
|
/s/
William J. Fox
William
J. Fox
|
Executive
Chairman and Director
|
|
April
10, 2007
|
/s/
Eric A. Rose, M.D.
Eric
A. Rose, M.D.
|
Lead
Director of the Board of Directors
|
|
April
10, 2007
|
/s/
Lawrence J. Centella
Lawrence
J. Centella
|
Director
|
|
April
10, 2007
|
/s/
Donald G. Drapkin
Donald
G. Drapkin
|
Director
|
|
April
10, 2007
|
/s/
Howard Davis
Howard
Davis
|
Director
|
|
April
10, 2007
|
/s/
Bernard Salick, M.D.
Bernard
Salick, M.D.
|
Director
|
|
April
10, 2007
|
/s/
Judy S. Slotkin
Judy
S. Slotkin
|
Director
|
|
April
10, 2007
|
/s/
W. Townsend Ziebold, Jr.
W.
Townsend Ziebold, Jr.
|
Director
|
|
April
10, 2007
|
56