BioSpecifics Technologies Corp.
Annual Report 2017

Plain-text annual report

Morningstar® Document Research℠ FORM 10-KBIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP - BSTCFiled: March 14, 2018 (period: December 31, 2017)Annual report with a comprehensive overview of the companyThe information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The userassumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information, except to the extent such damages or losses cannot belimited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, D.C. 20549FORM 10-K(Mark One)☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934For the transition period from __________________ to __________________Commission File Number: 001-34236BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP.(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)Delaware 11-3054851(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)35 Wilbur Street, Lynbrook, NY 11563(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 516.593.7000 Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:Title of each className of each exchange on which registeredCommon StockThe Nasdaq Global MarketSecurities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: NONEIndicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.☐Yes ☑NoIndicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.☐Yes ☑NoIndicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 duringthe preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirementsfor the past 90 days. ☑Yes ☐NoIndicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required tobe submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period thatthe Registrant was required to submit and post such files). ☑Yes ☐NoIndicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and willnot 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-K orany amendment to this Form 10-K. ☑Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See thedefinitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☑ Non-accelerated filer ☐(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new orrevised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐Yes ☑NoThe aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2017, the last business day of theregistrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $276 million.Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of March 13, 2018 is 7,199,233.DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCEPortions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is expected to be filed with the Securities andExchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, are incorporated by reference into Part IIIof this annual report on Form 10-K. With the exception of the portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2018 Annual Meeting ofStockholders that are expressly incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K, such proxy statement shall not be deemed filed as part ofthis Annual Report on Form 10-K. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PART I7 Item 1.BUSINESS.7 Item 1A.RISK FACTORS.32 Item 1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.59 Item 2.PROPERTIES.59 Item 3.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.60 Item 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.60 PART II60 Item 5.MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.60 Item 6.SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA63 Item 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.64 Item 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RIS74 Item 8.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA74 Item 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.74 Item 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES75 Item 9B.OTHER INFORMATION.75 PART III75 Item 10.DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.75 Item 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.75 Item 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERMATTERS.76 Item 13.CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.76 Item 14.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.76 PART IV77 Item 15.EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.77 Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIntroductory CommentsThroughout this annual report on Form 10-K (this “Report”), the terms “BioSpecifics,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to BioSpecifics TechnologiesCorp. and its subsidiary, Advance Biofactures Corporation (“ABC-NY”).SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTSThis Report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of, the Private SecuritiesLitigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, futurefinancial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, expected revenue growth, and the assumptionsunderlying or relating to such statements, are “forward-looking statements”. The forward-looking statements in this Report include statements concerning,among other things,·the opportunity for minimally invasive non-surgical treatment XIAFLEX in several potential pipeline indications; ·whether and when the Company will hear from Endo the results of their full commercial assessment and analysis regarding the XIAFLEX R&Dpipeline; ·the Company’s ability to achieve its future growth initiatives with regard to Dupuytren’s Contracture; ·the expansion of the market for XIAFLEX through future growth initiatives; ·the timing of the Company’s release of data in connection with its Phase 1 clinical trial of XIAFLEX for the treatment of uterine fibroids; ·whether treating uterine fibroids with XIAFLEX will achieve the advantages over major surgery identified by the Company; ·Endo’s interest in currently unlicensed indications, including capsular contracture of the breast, Dercum’s disease, knee arthrofibrosis, urethralstrictures, hypertrophic scars and keloids;·whether XIAFLEX will be the only FDA approved nonsurgical therapy for adhesive capsulitis; ·the projected receipt of payments from Endo and sublicense income payments based on Endo’s partnerships; ·and the strength of the Company’s IP portfolio.In some cases, these statements can be identified by forward-looking words such as “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “potential,” “estimate,” “can,” “will,”“continue,” the negative or plural of these words, and other similar expressions.These forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations and our projections about future events and various assumptions. Therecan be no assurance that we will realize our expectations or that our beliefs will prove correct. There are a number of important factors that could causeBioSpecifics’ actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including the timing of regulatory filings andaction; the ability of Endo and its partners, Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation, Actelion Ltd. and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB, to achieve their objectives forXIAFLEX in their applicable territories; the market for XIAFLEX in, and timing, initiation and outcome of clinical trials for, additional indications, whichwill determine the amount of milestone, royalty, mark-up on cost of goods sold, license and sublicense income that BioSpecifics may receive; the potential ofXIAFLEX to be used in additional indications; Endo modifying its objectives or allocating resources other than to XIAFLEX; and other risk factors identifiedin this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, specifically in Part I, Item IA of this Report under the heading “Risk Factors” andunder the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis.” All forward-looking statements included in this Report are made as of the date hereof, areexpressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this Report and, except as may be required by law, we assume no obligation toupdate these forward-looking statements. 6Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsPART IItem 1.BUSINESS.OverviewWe are a biopharmaceutical company involved in the development of an injectable collagenase clostridium histolyticum for multiple indications. Wecurrently have a development and license agreement with Endo Global Ventures, a Bermuda unlimited liability company (“Endo Global Ventures”), anaffiliate of Endo International plc (“Endo”), for injectable collagenase for marketed indications and indications in development. Endo assumed thisagreement when Endo acquired Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Auxilium”) on January 29, 2015 (the “Acquisition”). Injectable collagenase clostridiumhistolyticum is marketed as XIAFLEX® (or Xiapex® in Europe).On August 31, 2011, we entered into the Second Amended and Restated Development and License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Auxilium forXIAFLEX. The License Agreement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 1, 2011 as Exhibit 10.1 to a CurrentReport on Form 8-K. Auxilium subsequently assigned the License Agreement to Auxilium Bermuda ULC. As a result of the Acquisition and resulting internalrestructuring, the counterparty to the agreement is now Endo Global Ventures.On February 1, 2016, we entered into with Endo the First Amendment (the “First Amendment”) to the Second Amended and Restated Development andLicensing Agreement (the “Auxilium Agreement”), by and between us and Auxilium, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Endo, to amend certain provisionsof the Auxilium Agreement (as amended by the First Amendment, the “License Agreement”). The First Amendment was filed with the SEC on February 5,2016 as Exhibit 10.1 to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The effective date of the First Amendment was January 1, 2016. Pursuant to the First Amendment, weand Endo mutually agreed that in exchange for a $8.25 million lump sum payment, we will not receive future additional mark-up on cost of goods sold forsales by non-affiliated sublicensees of Endo outside of the U.S.; provided, however, that Endo will still be required to pay a mark-up on cost of goods sold forsales made in the “Endo Territory,” which includes sales made in the U.S. and sales made in any other country where Endo sells the product directly orthrough affiliated sublicensees. We received this $8.25 million lump sum payment in February 2016 and began recognizing this income over time based onsales by non-affiliated sublicensees of Endo outside of the U.S. according to our revenue recognition policy in the second quarter of 2016.Additionally, we agreed that Endo may opt-in early to indications, prior to our submission of a clinical trial report, with our consent, such consent not to beunreasonably withheld. For early opt-ins, Endo will be required to make an opt-in payment of $0.5 million on a per indication basis. For regular opt-ins,following our submission of a clinical trial report, Endo will be required to make an opt-in payment of $0.75 million on a per indication basis.The two marketed indications involving our injectable collagenase are Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease. Prior to the Acquisition, Auxiliumhad, and after the Acquisition, Endo has, opted-in to the following indications: frozen shoulder, cellulite, canine lipoma, lateral hip fat, plantar fibromatosisand human lipoma. Endo exercised, with our consent, an early opt-in for lateral hip fat and plantar fibromatosis in November 2015. Endo opted-in for humanlipoma in July 2016. We manage the development of XIAFLEX for uterine fibroids and initiate the development of XIAFLEX in new potential indications,not licensed by Endo.Endo is currently selling XIAFLEX in the U.S. for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease and has an agreement with SwedishOrphan Biovitrum AB (“Sobi”), pursuant to which Sobi has marketing rights for Xiapex for Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease in Europe andcertain Eurasian countries. Sobi is currently selling Xiapex in Europe and certain Eurasian countries for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture andPeyronie’s disease. In addition, Endo has an agreement with Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation (“Asahi”) pursuant to which Asahi has the right tocommercialize XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease in Japan. Asahi is selling XIAFLEX for the treatment ofDupuytren’s contracture in Japan. Endo is currently distributing XIAFLEX in Canada through Paladin Labs Inc, an operating company of Endo. In December2016, Endo entered into a new out-licensing agreement with Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (“Actelion”), pursuant to which Actelion obtained marketing andcommercial rights for XIAFLEX in Australia and New Zealand. 7Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsOperational HighlightsIndicationsOn February 27, 2018, in Endo’s earnings release for the year ended December 31, 2017, Endo noted that it began its Phase 3 clinical trials for XIAFLEX(CCH in development) for the treatment of cellulite and stated “we view this as a major milestone for a new and important growth driver of our Company.”Endo-Marketed IndicationsDupuytren’s Contracture. Dupuytren’s contracture is a deforming condition of the hand in which the formation of a collagen cord causes one or more fingersto contract towards the palm. On February 2, 2010, we announced that the FDA had approved XIAFLEX for the treatment of adult Dupuytren’s contracturepatients with a palpable cord. Auxilium launched XIAFLEX in March 2010. In May 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, approved alabel expansion for XIAFLEX to include the indication of treatment of recurrent contractures. In October 2014, the FDA approved the sBLA for XIAFLEX forthe treatment of up to two Dupuytren’s contracture cords in the same hand. The FDA-approved label expansion permits patients with up to two cords to betreated in a single office visit. In November 2015, the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, approved Sobi’s request for label expansion of Xiapex for thetreatment of two Dupuytren’s contracture cords concurrently. In July 2014, Asahi successfully submitted an application to the Japanese Pharmaceutical andMedical Device Agency, or PMDA, for the potential approval of XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture in Japan. On July 20, 2015, weannounced that Asahi received approval for its regulatory application to the PMDA for XIAFLEX for the treatment of patients with Dupuytren’s contracturein Japan and on August 31, 2015, we announced that XIAFLEX had been listed on the Japanese National Health Insurance, or NHI, drug price standard fortreatment of patients with Dupuytren’s contracture. The first commercial sale of XIAFLEX by Asahi for the treatment of Dupuytren’s in Japan occurred inSeptember 2015. XIAFLEX and Xiapex are currently approved in the U.S., EU, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and Japan, among other jurisdictions, for thetreatment of Dupuytren’s contracture.Peyronie’s Disease. Peyronie’s disease is characterized by the presence of inelastic collagen on the shaft of the penis. In December 2013, the FDA approvedAuxilium’s sBLA for XIAFLEX for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease. This is the first and only FDA-approved biologic therapy indicated for the treatmentof Peyronie’s disease in men with a palpable plaque and a curvature of 30 degrees or greater at the start of therapy. In February 2015, the EU Commissionapproved Sobi’s expansion to market Xiapex for the treatment of adult men with Peyronie’s disease with a palpable plaque and curvature deformity of at least30 degrees at the start of therapy. On May 19, 2015, we announced that on May 18, 2015 at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American UrologicalAssociation, or AUA, the AUA presented the first ever treatment guidelines for Peyronie’s disease, recommending the use of XIAFLEX in combination withmodeling in patients with stable Peyronie’s disease, penile curvature greater than 30 degrees and less than 90 degrees and intact erectile function. In addition,at the AUA 2015 Annual meeting, Endo presented positive data evaluating the efficacy of XIAFLEX treatment for Peyronie’s disease as well as the impact ofPeyronie’s disease on erectile dysfunction and female partners. In October 2015, Xiapex received approval from Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency forTherapeutic Products, for the treatment of adult men with Peyronie’s disease with a palpable plaque and curvature deformity of at least 30 degrees at the startof therapy. XIAFLEX and Xiapex are currently approved in the U.S., EU, Switzerland, Canada and Australia for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease.Indications that Endo has Under DevelopmentOn November 8, 2016, following the change in Endo management, Endo announced as part of its earnings call that a commercial review is ongoing of theXIAFLEX exercised but non-marketed indications, including frozen shoulder, cellulite, canine lipoma, lateral hip fat, plantar fibromatosis and human lipoma,so that Endo can best prioritize its R&D efforts and determine clinical trial timelines moving forward.Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis). Frozen shoulder is a clinical syndrome of pain and decreased motion in the shoulder joint resulting frominflammation and thickening of the shoulder capsule due to collagen. Auxilium reported positive top-line data in the first quarter of 2013 from its Phase 2aclinical trial of XIAFLEX for the potential treatment of frozen shoulder. In December 2013, Auxilium dosed the first patient in its Phase 2b study of XIAFLEXfor the treatment of frozen shoulder. On March 12, 2015, Endo provided an update on the results of the Phase 2b study, which Auxilium had initiated,without releasing all of the data. The data released showed an increased and unexpectedly robust placebo effect in those patients who did not receiveXIAFLEX. Endo announced that it plans to initiate another Phase 2b study after a discussion with the FDA scheduled to occur in the first quarter of 2016. NoFDA-approved pharmaceutical therapies are currently available for the treatment of frozen shoulder syndrome. We are awaiting an update from Endo’songoing commercial review. 8Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsCellulite (Edematous Fibrosclerotic Panniculopathy). Edematous fibrosclerotic panniculopathy, commonly known as cellulite, describes a condition, inwhich lobules of subcutaneous adipose tissue extend into the dermal layer. No FDA-approved pharmaceutical therapies are currently available for thetreatment of cellulite. In August 2014, Auxilium announced positive, statistically significant top-line results from the randomized, double-blind Phase 2astudy for the treatment of cellulite. The results showed that all three doses of XIAFLEX used in the study, including a low, medium and high dose,demonstrated an improvement in the appearance of cellulite as measured by the trial endpoints of physician and patient-assessed improvements. Endoannounced on January 11, 2016 at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, that Endo had a productive meeting with the FDA in December 2015 concerningits cellulite development program. On February 17, 2016, Endo announced the initiation of a Phase 2b trial of XIAFLEX in cellulite. On November 17, 2016,we announced positive, highly statistically significant results from Endo’s Phase 2b study of XIAFLEX in cellulite. Trial subjects receiving XIAFLEXshowed statistically significant levels of improvement in the appearance of the cellulite with treatment, as measured by the trial’s primary endpoint(p<0.001), compared to those subjects receiving placebo. XIAFLEX was well-tolerated in the actively treated subjects with most adverse events being mild tomoderate in severity, and primarily limited to the local injection area. Endo announced on February 6, 2018 the initiation of two identical Phase 3randomized evaluation of cellulite reduction by collagenase clostridium histolyticum (“RELEASE”) clinical trials of XIAFLEX for the treatment of cellulite.The multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled RELEASE studies will evaluate the safety and efficacy of XIAFLEX in reducing theappearance of cellulite.Dupuytren’s Disease Nodules. The onset of Dupuytren’s contracture is characterized by the formation of nodules in the palm that are composed primarily ofcollagen. Thus, the presence of single or multiple nodules in the hand is far more prevalent than the eventual presence of contractures. In December 2014,Auxilium completed a Phase 2a, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of XIAFLEX totreat Dupuytren’s disease nodules. The study produced statistically significant results which Endo announced in June 2015. We are awaiting an update fromEndo’s ongoing commercial review.Canine Lipoma. In July 2014, we submitted the full study report for Chien-804, a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized Phase 2 trial evaluating theefficacy of XIAFLEX in canines with benign subcutaneous lipomas, to Auxilium, which resulted in an opt-in payment and potential future milestone androyalty payments from Auxilium. In November 2014, Auxilium exercised its option to expand its rights to XIAFLEX to include the potential treatment ofcanine lipomas. Endo is responsible for further development of this indication, but has not yet announced its plans for the indication.Lateral Hip Fat. Lateral hip fat accumulation is common among women particularly as they age and it is often very difficult to improve its appearancethrough exercise and diet alone. Patients frequently avoid exercise and are unable to restrict their caloric intake. In some cases, cyrolipolysis and liposuctionare performed to remove the unsightly fat deposits in the lateral hip. Currently, there are no pharmaceutical products that are labeled for use on lateral hip fatin the U.S. In November 2015, with our consent, Endo exercised an early opt-in for XIAFLEX for this potential indication. Endo is responsible for furtherdevelopment of this indication. We are awaiting an update on Endo’s ongoing commercial review.Plantar fibromatosis. Plantar fibromatosis or Ledderhose disease is a medical condition characterized by pain and disability caused by the thickening of thefeet’s deep connective tissue resulting in the formation of nodules or cords along the tendons of the foot. Patients with plantar fibromatosis often haveDupuytren’s contracture and adhesive capsulitis. Current treatment options include orthotics and anti-inflammatory drugs in the early stages of the disease,steroid injections and surgery in advanced cases. Currently, there are no pharmaceutical products that are approved for use by the FDA in this indication inthe U.S. In November 2015, with our consent, Endo exercised an early opt-in for XIAFLEX for this potential indication. Endo is responsible for furtherdevelopment of this indication. We are awaiting an update on Endo’s ongoing commercial review. 9Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsHuman Lipoma. Lipomas are encapsulated deposits of benign fatty tumors, often detected as bulges under the skin. In the first quarter of 2014, we announcedtop-line data from the Phase 2 dose escalation clinical trial of XIAFLEX for the treatment of human lipoma. The primary efficacy outcome of active reductionof the visible surface area of the lipoma as measured by caliper was met, combining all patients (p<0.0001). There were no serious adverse events reportedduring the trial. In August 2014, we initiated our randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial of XIAFLEX for human lipoma. In June2016, we announced positive, statistically significant top-line results from our placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 2 clinical trial. This trial, conducted in19 patients with two or more benign lipomas, met its primary endpoint of reduction in the visible surface area of the target lipomas relative to placebo, asdetermined by caliper, at six months post injection (and also met all secondary efficacy endpoints). There were no serious adverse events reported during thetrial. Endo opted-in for human lipoma in July 2016. We are awaiting an update on Endo’s ongoing commercial review.BioSpecifics-Managed IndicationsUterine Fibroids. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that form on the wall of the uterus that contain large amounts of collagen and are associated withsignificant co-morbidities. Approximately 200,000 hysterectomies and 30,000 myomectomies are performed annually to treat fibroids. Uterine fibroids havebeen estimated to result in direct costs of $9.4 billion annually in the U.S., including costs for surgery, hospital admissions, outpatient visits and medications.In October 2014, we announced that a paper titled, “Stiffness of Human Uterine Fibroids is Reduced After Treatment with Purified Clostridial Collagenasedue to Collagen Degradation” was presented at the Mechanotransduction in the Reproductive Tract conference hosted by the Campion Fund of the Phyllisand Mark Leppert Foundation for Fertility Research in Durham, North Carolina. The promising preclinical data, resulting from a collaboration with DukeMedicine, showed that highly purified collagenase can reduce the rigidity of human uterine fibroid tissue and potentially shrink uterine fibroid tumors byinterrupting the accumulation of poorly aligned and altered collagen. In May 2016, we announced that an article titled, “Loss of Stiffness in Collagen-RichUterine Fibroids after Digestion with Purified Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum” was published in the May 2016 issue of American Journal ofObstetrics & Gynecology. The study, led by Dr. Phyllis Leppert, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke University School of Medicine, showedreduction in stiffness and demonstrated the benefits of XIAFLEX as a potential non-surgical treatment for uterine fibroid patients.On April 18, 2017, we announced that we had initiated an open-label, dose escalation Phase 1 clinical trial of XIAFLEX for the treatment of uterine fibroids. Our Phase 1 clinical trial of XIAFLEX for the treatment of uterine fibroids is ongoing and we plan to announce the results in 2018. The study, beingconducted at the Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University, is designed to enroll 15 female subjects treated prior to hysterectomy.The primary endpoint of the study will assess the safety and tolerability of a single injection of XIAFLEX directly into the uterine fibroids under transvaginalultrasound guidance. The secondary endpoints will assess symptoms of pain and bleeding, quality of life throughout the study, shrinkage of XIAFLEXtreated fibroids in size, increased rates of apoptosis in treated fibroids and a decrease in the collagen content of the treated fibroids.The following sections describe the clinical development and commercialization activities for marketed indications and indications in development.Background on CollagenaseCollagenase is the only protease that can hydrolyze the triple helical region of collagen under physiological conditions. The specific substrate collagencomprises approximately one-third of the total protein in mammalian organisms, and it is the main constituent of skin, tendon, and cartilage, as well as theorganic component of teeth and bone. The body relies on endogenous collagenase production to remove dead tissue, and collagenase production is anessential biological mechanism, which regulates matrix remodeling and the normal turnover of tissue. The Clostridial collagenase produced by us has abroad specificity towards all types of collagen and is acknowledged as much more efficient than mammalian collagenases. Clostridial collagenase cleavesthe collagen molecule at multiple sites along the triple helix whereas the mammalian collagenase is only able to cleave the molecule at a single site along thetriple helix. 10Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsCollagenase is widely used for cell dispersion for tissue disassociation and cell culture because it does not damage the cell membrane. Since the maincomponent of scar tissue is collagen, collagenase has been used in a variety of clinical investigations to remove scar tissue without surgery. Histological andbiochemical studies have shown that the tissue responsible for the deformities associated with Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease is primarilycomposed of collagen.The two marketed indications involving our injectable collagenase are Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease. Endo has opted-in to develop frozenshoulder, cellulite, canine lipoma, lateral hip fat, plantar fibromatosis and human lipoma. Endo exercised its early opt-in for lateral hip fat and plantarfibromatosis in November 2015 and its opt-in for human lipoma in July 2016. We manage the development of XIAFLEX for uterine fibroids and initiate thedevelopment of XIAFLEX in new potential indications, not licensed by Endo.Research and Development of Injectable Collagenase for Multiple IndicationsOn June 3, 2004, we entered into, and later amended, a development and license agreement with Auxilium pursuant to which we granted to Auxilium anexclusive worldwide license to develop, market and sell products containing our injectable collagenase for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture,Peyronie’s disease, frozen shoulder, canine lipoma, cellulite and human lipoma, as well as an exclusive option to develop and license the technology for usein additional indications, such as uterine fibroids, other than dermal formulations labeled for topical administration. We entered into the First Amended andRestated Development and License Agreement on December 11, 2008 in connection with the Development, Commercialization and Supply Agreement,dated December 17, 2008 between an Auxilium subsidiary and Pfizer, Inc. (“Pfizer”). We entered into the License Agreement (the Second Amended andRestated Development and License Agreement) on August 31, 2011. Auxilium then assigned the License Agreement to Auxilium Bermuda ULC. On January29, 2015 the Acquisition occurred and the License Agreement was assigned to Endo Global Ventures, an affiliate of Endo. We amended the LicenseAgreement once on February 1, 2016.Endo-Marketed IndicationsCollagenase for Treatment of Dupuytren’s ContractureDupuytren’s contracture is a deforming condition of the hand in which one or more fingers contract toward the palm, often resulting in physical disability.The onset of Dupuytren’s contracture is characterized by the formation of nodules in the palm that are composed primarily of collagen. As the diseaseprogresses, the collagen nodules begin to form a cord causing the patient’s finger(s) to contract, making it impossible to open the hand fully. Patients oftencomplain about the inability to wash their hands, wear gloves, or grasp some objects. Dupuytren’s contracture is a genetic condition and the incidence ofDupuytren’s contracture is estimated to be between 3% and 9% of the population among adult Caucasians. Dupuytren’s contracture is more common in menthan in women, and increases in incidence with age. Well-known individuals with Dupuytren’s contracture include President Ronald Reagan, PresidentGeorge Bush, and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.XIAFLEX is the only drug approved by the FDA, the EMA and the PMDA for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture. Prior to FDA approval of XIAFLEX,the only proven treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture was surgery.Commercialization of XIAFLEX for Dupuytren’s Contracture in the United StatesPrior to the Acquisition, Auxilium had been marketing XIAFLEX for the treatment of adult Dupuytren’s contracture patients with a palpable cord since itbecame available by prescription in March 2010, following Auxilium’s receipt of marketing approval from the FDA. Since the Acquisition, Endo hascontinued this marketing. The prescribing information for XIAFLEX made available by Auxilium, and now Endo, lists “tendon rupture or other serious injuryto the injected extremity,” as well as “pulley rupture, ligament injury, complex regional pain syndrome, sensory abnormality of the hand, and skin laceration(tear),” and one “anaphylactic reaction reported in a post-marketing clinical study in a patient who had previous exposure to XIAFLEX for the treatment ofDupuytren’s contracture” as reported serious adverse reactions to XIAFLEX. The prescribing information for XIAFLEX also states that the most frequentlyreported adverse drug reactions in XIAFLEX clinical trials included swelling of the injected hand, contusion, injection site reaction, injection sitehemorrhage, and pain in the treated extremity. The prescribing information notes that adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug may notreflect those observed in practice because such trials “are conducted under widely varying conditions.” As a condition of its approval of XIAFLEX, the FDAand Auxilium had agreed upon a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, or REMS, program for XIAFLEX, which consists of a communication plan and amedication guide. This REMS program was designed (1) to evaluate and mitigate known and potential risks and serious adverse events; (2) to informhealthcare providers about how to properly inject XIAFLEX and perform finger extension procedures; and (3) to inform patients about the serious risksassociated with XIAFLEX. The REMS program is no longer an FDA requirement for Dupuytren’s Contracture only. 11Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIn September 2014, Auxilium presented positive safety and efficacy data from the MULTICORD study showing that concurrent injections of XIAFLEX totreat two Dupuytren’s contractures on the same hand reduced fixed flexion contractures and increased range of motion. Delayed manipulation data from theMULTICORD study were also presented which support the ability to vary the time between a XIAFLEX injection and the finger extension procedure from 24,48 or 72 hours, allowing for greater flexibility for both patients and physicians. Results from the MULTICORD study showed that joints with lower baselineseverity showed greater reduction in fixed flexion contractures and higher clinical success rates following concurrent XIAFLEX injections (one injection pertreated joint) to two affected joints, compared to those joints with higher baseline severity. Lacerations were more common among patients with more severepretreatment contractures. A post-hoc analysis of the MULTICORD study examined concurrently treating two affected joints (one injection per treated hand)of the same hand using local anesthesia prior to finger extension, which may result in greater reduction in fixed flexion contractures. Although the risk ofskin laceration may be increased with local anesthesia, it was numerically lower when the finger extension was performed at 72 hours as opposed to 24 or 48hours. All lacerations were treated with wound care or suture placement. Data from an additional study support retreatment of recurrent contractures in jointsthat were previously treated with XIAFLEX. There were positive outcomes in 85% of retreated joints based on investigator-assessed improvement and patientsatisfaction rates. Study results also suggest an improvement in fixed flexion contracture and range of motion in both metacarpophalangeal and proximalinterphalangeal joints.In October 2014, the FDA approved the sBLA for XIAFLEX for the treatment of up to two Dupuytren’s contracture cords in the same hand. The FDA-approved label expansion permits patients with up to two cords to be treated in a single office visit. It is estimated that 35-40% of annual surgical proceduresinvolve two cords.In May 2015, the FDA approved a label expansion for XIAFLEX to include the indication of treatment of recurrent contractures. The updated U.S. label forXIAFLEX now includes a long-term, observational study demonstrating the rate of recurrence for up to 5 years after successful treatment with XIAFLEX, andthe efficacy and safety of retreatment in patients with recurrent Dupuytren’s contracture. The long-term, observational study (referred to as Study 4 in theproduct label) evaluated the recurrence of contracture and safety at Year 2 to Year 5 in patients who had received up to 8 single injections of XIAFLEX in aprevious open-label or double-blind with open-label extension study. A total of 645 patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 30% discontinued thestudy. Recurrence was assessed in successfully treated joints (i.e., a reduction in contracture to 5 degrees or less 30 days after the last injection of XIAFLEX)and was defined as an increase in joint contracture by at least 20 degrees in the presence of a palpable cord, or the joint underwent medical or surgicalintervention primarily to correct a new or worsening Dupuytren’s contracture in that joint. Following successful treatment, the probability of remainingrecurrence free was 80% at Year 2 and 50 % at Year 5.The second study (referred to as Study 5 in the product label) evaluated a subset of patients from Study 4 for a joint that was previously successfully treatedbut had recurrence. Patients in this study received up to 3 injections of XIAFLEX. Of the 91 patients eligible for the study, 52 enrolled. In the study, 65 % ofrecurrence in the metacarpophalangeal joints (i.e., the knuckle between the hand and the finger) and 45% of recurrence in the proximal interphalangeal joints(i.e., middle joint of a finger) achieved clinical success after retreatment. No new safety signals were identified among subjects who were retreated withXIAFLEX. 12Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIn June 2015, the five-year results from the CORDLESS study were announced. CORDLESS was 5-year noninterventional follow-up study to determine long-term efficacy and safety of XIAFLEX treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture. Patients from previous XIAFLEX clinical studies were eligible. Enrolled patientswere evaluated annually for contracture and safety at 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after their first injection (0.58 mg) of XIAFLEX. In successfully treated joints (≤ 5degrees contracture following XIAFLEX treatment), recurrence was defined as 20 degrees or greater worsening (relative to day 30 after the last injection) witha palpable cord or any medical/surgical intervention to correct new/worsening contracture. A post hoc analysis was also conducted using a less stringentthreshold (≥ 30 degrees worsening) for comparison with criteria historically used to assess surgical treatment. Of 950 eligible patients, 644 enrolled (1,081treated joints). At year 5, 47% (291 of 623) of successfully treated joints had recurrence (≥ 20 degrees worsening)-39% (178 of 451) of metacarpophalangealand 66% (113 of 172) of proximal interphalangeal joints. At year 5, 32% (198 of 623) of successfully treated joints had 30° or greater worsening(metacarpophalangeal 26% [119 of 451] and proximal interphalangeal 46% [79 of 172] joints). Of 105 secondary interventions performed in the successfullytreated joints, 47% (49 of 105) received fasciectomy, 30% (32 of 105) received additional XIAFLEX, and 23% (24 of 105) received other interventions. Onemild adverse event was attributed to XIAFLEX treatment (skin atrophy [decreased ring finger circumference from thinning of Dupuytren tissue]). Antibodiesto clostridial type I and/or II collagenase were found in 93% of patients, but over the 5 years of follow-up, this did not correspond to any reported clinicaladverse events. Five years after successful XIAFLEX treatment, the overall recurrence rate of 47% was comparable with published recurrence rates aftersurgical treatments, with one reported long-term treatment-related adverse event. Collagenase clostridium histolyticum injection proved to be an effectiveand safe treatment for Dupuytren contracture. For those receiving treatment during follow-up, both XIAFLEX and fasciectomy were elected options.Status of Regulatory Approval of XIAFLEX for Dupuytren’s Contracture Outside of the United StatesSobi has exclusive rights to commercialize Xiapex for Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease, subject to applicable regulatory approvals, in 28 EUmember countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, 18 Central Eastern Europe/Commonwealth of Independent countries, including Russia and Turkey, and 22Middle Eastern & North African countries. Sobi Partner Products, a business unit within Sobi, is primarily responsible for the applicable regulatory, clinicaland commercialization activities for Xiapex in Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease in these countries. In November 2015, following the October2014 U.S. approval of the sBLA for XIAFLEX for treatment of up to two Dupuytren’s contracture cords in the same hand during the same office visit, the EUCommission approved Sobi’s label expansion for Xiapex.In July 2014, Asahi successfully submitted an application to the PMDA for the potential approval of XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracturein Japan. In July 2015, Asahi received approval for its regulatory application to the PMDA for XIAFLEX for the treatment of patients with Dupuytren’scontracture in Japan. Asahi has the rights to develop and market XIAFLEX in Japan through an agreement with BioSpecifics’ partner, Endo. In August 2015,XIAFLEX was listed on the Japanese NHI drug price standard for treatment of patients with Dupuytren’s contracture. The first commercial sale of XIAFLEXby Asahi for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture in Japan occurred in September 2015.Endo is currently distributing XIAFLEX in Canada through Paladin Labs Inc. In December 2016, Endo entered into a new out-licensing agreement withActelion, pursuant to which Actelion obtained marketing and commercial rights for XIAFLEX in Australia and New Zealand.Collagenase for Treatment of Peyronie’s DiseasePeyronie’s disease is characterized by the presence of a collagen plaque on the shaft of the penis, which can distort an erection and make intercourse difficultor impossible in advanced cases. In some mild cases, the plaque can resolve spontaneously without medical intervention. In severe cases, the penis can bebent at a 90-degree angle during erection. Significant psychological distress has been noted in patients with Peyronie’s disease who are sexually active.Frequent patient complaints include increased pain, painful erections, palpable plaque, penile deformity, and erectile dysfunction. Patients with Peyronie’sdisease have been reported to have an increased likelihood of having Dupuytren’s contracture, frozen shoulder, plantar fibromatosis, knuckle pads,hypertension and diabetes. Peyronie’s disease is a disease with an initial inflammatory component. This inflammatory phase is poorly understood with asomewhat variable disease course and spontaneous resolution occurring in an estimated 20% of cases. After approximately 12 months of disease, the diseaseis reported to often develop into a more chronic, stable phase. The incidence of Peyronie’s disease is estimated between 3% and 9% of the population;however, the disease is believe to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. (See L.A. Levine Peyronie’s Disease: A Guide to Clinical Management. HumanaPress: 10-17, 2007). The cause of Peyronie’s disease is unknown, although some investigators have proposed that it may be due to trauma or an autoimmunecomponent. A number of researchers have suggested that the incidence of Peyronie’s disease has increased due to the use of erectile dysfunction drugs. Basedon U.S. historical medical claims data, it is estimated that around 95,000 patients are diagnosed with Peyronie’s disease every year. 13Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsApproval by the FDA and the EMAIn December 2013, the FDA approved the sBLA submitted by Auxilium for XIAFLEX, an in-office, biologic for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease. This isthe first and only FDA-approved biologic therapy indicated for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease in men with a palpable plaque and a curvature of 30degrees or greater at the start of therapy. In June 2014, Sobi filed with the EMA to expand the label for Xiapex to include the indication of Peyronie’s disease.In February 2015, the EU Commission approved Sobi’s expansion to market Xiapex for the treatment of adult men with Peyronie’s disease with a palpableplaque and curvature deformity of at least 30 degrees at the start of therapy. In October 2015, Xiapex received approval from Swissmedic, the Swiss Agencyfor Therapeutic Products for treatment of Peyronie’s disease.The approval by the FDA of Auxilium’s sBLA for XIAFLEX for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease is based on safety and efficacy data from Auxilium’sPhase 3 clinical trials and other controlled and open label clinical studies in which over 1,000 patients with Peyronie’s disease were enrolled and receivedover 7,400 injections of XIAFLEX. In the two identical Phase 3 double-blind placebo-controlled studies, XIAFLEX demonstrated statistically significantimprovement in the co-primary endpoints of penile curvature deformity and patient-reported bother versus placebo. The approved dose of XIAFLEX for thetreatment of Peyronie’s disease is 0.58 mg per injection administered into a Peyronie’s plaque. Up to eight injections (four treatment cycles) may beadministered in the course of treatment. Also, a penile modeling procedure is recommended after every treatment cycle of two injections in an effort to furtherdisrupt the plaque. If more than one plaque is present, it should be injected into the plaque causing the curvature deformity.The approval by the EU Commission of Sobi’s expansion to market Xiapex for the treatment of adult men with Peyronie’s disease with a palpable plaque andcurvature deformity of at least 30 degrees at the start of therapy is based on safety and efficacy data from two Phase 3 double-blind placebo-controlledstudies, IMPRESS I and II (The Investigation for Maximal Peyronie’s Reduction Efficacy and Safety Studies), which evaluated XIAFLEX for the treatment ofPeyronie’s disease and reported that 75% of men with Peyronie’s disease treated with XIAFLEX in the IMPRESS pivotal studies had a clinically meaningfulimprovement in their penile curvature deformity by the end of the trials. These subjects reported an improvement of 25% or greater in penile curvaturedeformity. The mean reduction in penile curvature deformity for XIAFLEX subjects in IMPRESS I trial was 38 degrees. Under the terms of the EndoAgreement, we will receive a certain percentage of milestone payments that Sobi pays to Endo as well as royalties from net sales of Xiapex for Dupuytren’scontracture and Peyronie’s disease.Auxilium created Auxilium Advantage™ to support access to XIAFLEX and provide a single point of contact for health care providers and patients for helpaccessing the product. Since the Acquisition, Endo has continued this effort. A REMS for XIAFLEX went into effect after the product first received FDAapproval in February 2010 for adults with Dupuytren’s contracture with a palpable cord, and Auxilium further collaborated with the FDA to update theREMS with an Elements to Assure Safe Use, or ETASU, for XIAFLEX for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease in men with a palpable plaque and curvaturedeformity of 30 degrees or greater at the start of therapy. In November 2016, FDA released the REMS for the Dupuytren’s contracture indication only. Now,because of the risks of corporal rupture or other serious penile injury XIAFLEX is only available for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease through a restrictedprogram called the XIAFLEX REMS. Required components of the XIAFLEX REMS Program include the following: (1) Prescribers must be certified with theprogram by enrolling and completing training in the administration of XIAFLEX treatment for Peyronie’s disease and (2) Healthcare sites must be certifiedwith the program and ensure that XIAFLEX is only dispensed for use by certified prescribers. The serious risks related to XIAFLEX use for treatment ofPeyronie’s disease are highlighted in the Boxed Warning within the Full Prescribing Information (the label).Indications that Endo has Under DevelopmentOn November 8, 2016, following the change in Endo management, Endo announced as part of its earnings call that a commercial review is ongoing of theXIAFLEX exercised but non-marketed indications, including frozen shoulder, cellulite, canine lipoma, lateral hip fat, plantar fibromatosis and human lipoma,so that Endo can best prioritize its R&D efforts and determine clinical trial timelines moving forward. We are awaiting an update on Endo’s ongoingcommercial review. 14Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsCollagenase for Treatment of Frozen Shoulder Syndrome (Adhesive Capsulitis)Frozen shoulder syndrome is a clinical syndrome of pain and decreased motion in the shoulder joint which results from inflammation and thickening of theshoulder capsule due to collagen. It is estimated to affect 20 to 50 million people worldwide with a slightly higher incidence in women. It is estimated that300,000 cases of frozen shoulder syndrome are diagnosed annually in the U.S. It typically occurs in adults between the ages of 40-70. It is estimated that 20%of diabetics have frozen shoulder syndrome. No FDA-approved pharmaceutical therapies are currently available for the treatment of frozen shoulder. Themost common treatments for frozen shoulder syndrome are longer-term extensive physical therapy, manipulation under anesthesia, corticosteroids and/orarthroscopy, and some drugs are used to manage pain.Phase 2In the first quarter of 2013, Auxilium reported the top-line results of its Phase 2a study. The Phase 2a study was an open-label, controlled dose-ranging studydesigned to assess the safety and efficacy of XIAFLEX for the treatment of Stage 2 unilateral idiopathic frozen shoulder in comparison to an exercise-onlycontrol group. The study involved 50 adult men and women at 11 sites throughout the U.S. Four cohorts of 10 patients each received up to three ultrasound-guided extraarticular injections of varying doses of XIAFLEX (ranging from 0.29 mg to 0.58 mg in three different volumes; 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 ml), separated by aminimum of 21 days. All patients were instructed to perform home shoulder exercises. The fifth cohort of ten patients received no XIAFLEX injections andonly performed home shoulder exercises. The study’s primary endpoint was the change (in degrees) from baseline to the day 92 follow-up in active forwardflexion in the affected shoulder compared to the exercise-only cohort. Safety assessments were made during all study visits and immunogenicity testing wasperformed at screening and day 92.Both the 0.58mg (1ml) and 0.58mg (2ml) dosing arms showed positive, statistically significant improvement from baseline in forward flexion vs. theexercise-only group. The 0.58mg (1ml) dosing arm also showed statistically significant improvement from baseline in shoulder abduction vs. the exercise-only group. Positive trends with improvement in degrees were also seen in other active range of motion, AROM, assessments vs. the exercise-only group.Twenty-nine study patients (72.5%) received three XIAFLEX injections with 5 subjects receiving two injections and 6 subjects receiving one injection only.Patients were also assessed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, or ASES, Scale for function and pain. Both the 0.58 mg(1ml) and 0.58 mg(2ml)cohort demonstrated statistically significant improvement in pain and function over baseline scores vs. the exercise-only group (p<0.05).Treatment-related adverse events with XIAFLEX were mostly localized bruising, injection site pain and swelling, hematoma, and musculoskeletal pain. Allsuch events resolved without intervention, and are consistent with XIAFLEX use in other approved and potential indications. No subjects discontinued thestudy due to an adverse event. A shoulder MRI was performed on all patients at screening and day 92. Screening MRIs were performed to exclude thepresence of other clinically significant conditions such as concomitant rotator cuff injury. Day 92 MRI evaluations indicated there were no rotator cuffinjuries. There were no drug-related serious adverse events reported.In the fourth quarter of 2013, Auxilium reported that it had initiated a Phase 2b double-blind, placebo-controlled study based on positive, statisticallysignificant results in the Phase 2a study. The Phase 2b study evaluated the safety and efficacy of XIAFLEX for the treatment of Stage 2 unilateral idiopathicfrozen shoulder. Following the Acquisition, Endo assumed Auxilium’s responsibilities with respect to the Phase 2b trial. Three hundred twenty one adult menand women were enrolled at approximately 35 sites in the U.S. and Australia. Subjects were randomized 3:1 to receive XIAFLEX or placebo and received upto three ultrasound-guided injections of study drug. Each injection was separated by a minimum of 21 days. All subjects also performed home shoulderexercises after the first injection.The primary endpoint of the Phase 2b study was change in degrees from baseline to the day 95 follow-up visit in active forward flexion in the affectedshoulder compared to placebo. Patients were assessed using the ASES Scale for function and pain as well as additional patient reported outcome measures.Safety assessments will be made during all study visits and immunogenicity testing was performed at screening and at the end of the study. 15Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsOn March 12, 2015, Endo provided an update on the results of the Phase 2b study without releasing all of the data. Endo noted strong drug effect and similarXIAFLEX patient improvements in flexion, shoulder abduction and external and internal rotation seen across both Phase 2a and 2b trials and similar patientimprovement in pain seen across both trials. Endo also noted an increased and unexpectedly robust placebo effect in those patients who did not receiveXIAFLEX.We are awaiting the results of Endo’s ongoing commercial review.Collagenase for Treatment of Cellulite (Edematous Fibrosclerotic Panniculopathy)Edematous fibrosclerotic panniculopathy, commonly known as cellulite, describes a condition in which lobules of subcutaneous adipose tissue extend intothe dermal layer. Cellulite can involve the loss of elasticity or shrinking of collagen cords, called septae, that attach the skin to lower layers of muscle. Whenfat in cellulite prone areas swells and expands, the septae tether the skin, which causes surface dimpling characteristic of cellulite. These changes can visiblyaffect the shape of the epidermis and resemble an orange peel-like dimpling of the skin. (See Avram, Cellulite: a review of its physiology and treatment,Journal of Cosmetic Laser Therapy 2004; 6: 181-185).Cellulite has been reported to occur in 85-98% (est.) of post-pubertal females and rarely in men, and it is believed to be prevalent in women of all races. (SeeAvram, Cellulite: a review of its physiology and treatment, Journal of Cosmetic Laser Therapy 2004; 6: 181-185; Khan MH et al. Treatment of cellulite: PartI. Pathophysiology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 Mar;62(3):361-70). Current treatments for cellulite include massage devices, creams, unapproved injectables,laser-based procedures or liposuction. There are no drugs currently approved by the FDA to treat cellulite, and devices cleared by the FDA to treat thecondition have varying degrees of success in eliminating cellulite. Cellfina and Cellulaze, the devices of two competitors in the cellulite market, havealready received medical device approval. Treatment with XIAFLEX is intended to target and lyse, or break, those collagen tethers with the goal of releasingthe skin dimpling and potentially resulting in smoothing of the skin.In January 2013, Auxilium exercised its exclusive opt-in under the License Agreement to expand the field of its license for injectable collagenase to includethe potential treatment of adult patients with cellulite. As a result, we received a one-time license fee payment of $0.5 million, a portion of which we paid tothe Research Foundation of the State University of New York at Stony Brook pursuant to the terms of our in-licensing agreement described below in the “In-Licensing and Royalty Agreements” section under the heading “Cellulite”. Auxilium’s license was expanded to include an exclusive, worldwide license,subject to the terms of the License Agreement, which includes all research, development, use, commercialization, marketing, sales and distribution rights forinjectable collagenase for the potential treatment of cellulite. Endo assumed this expanded license in the Acquisition.In October 2013, Auxilium announced the initiation of its Phase 2a study of XIAFLEX for the treatment of cellulite. The Phase 2a study was a randomized,double-blind, multiple-dose study and enrolled approximately 150 women between the ages of 18 and 45 in the U.S. Each subject received up to threetreatment sessions of drug or placebo according to randomization (5 high-dose (0.84mg): 5 mid (0.48mg): 5 low (0.06mg): 3 placebo) and each treatmentsession was approximately 21 days apart. Up to 12 injections were administered into cellulite dimples during each session across an entire treatment quadrant- left or right buttock or left or right posterior thigh. Only the dimples treated on day 1 were able to be retreated on day 22 (Treatment Session 2) and day 43(Treatment Session 3) if, in the opinion of the investigator, the dimple continued to be evident. A variable number of dimples were able to be treated withinone treatment quadrant. The primary trial endpoint was an investigator and a patient score on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, or GAIS, which is anFDA-recognized scale developed as an assessment of degree of improvement and adapted by Auxilium for use in the cellulite study. Investigators andpatients used the respective GAIS to compare a day 1 pretreatment digital image of their cellulite to their treatment results. A score of -1 indicated that theresults were “Worse.” A score of 0 indicated “No Change.” A score of +1 indicated “Improved.” A score of +2 indicated “Much Improved” and a score of +3indicated “Very Much Improved.” Additional study endpoints included Physician and Patient-assessed Composite Responder Analyses. 16Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIn August 2014, Auxilium announced positive, statistically significant top-line results from the randomized, double-blind Phase 2a study. The results showedthat all three doses of XIAFLEX used in the study, including a low, medium and high dose, demonstrated an improvement in the appearance of cellulite asmeasured by the trial endpoints of physician and patient-assessed improvements. XIAFLEX was well-tolerated by all dose groups with most adverse eventsbeing mild to moderate and primarily limited to the local injection area. Specifically, both the mid and high dose groups of XIAFLEX demonstrated astatistically significant improvement in investigators’ assessments of the appearance of cellulite, as measured by GAIS scores, with a p-value of <0.05 versusplacebo, as well as in patients’ assessments of the appearance of cellulite, as measured by GAIS scores, with a p-value of <0.02 versus placebo. Sixty-eightpercent of both the mid- and high-dose groups reported being “Satisfied” or “Very Satisfied” with their cellulite treatment, compared to only 34% of placebopatients. Both the mid and high dose groups of XIAFLEX demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the post-hoc composite responder analysis,as measured by combined investigator and patient GAIS scores, with p-values of <0.021 and <0.004, respectively, versus placebo. Eighty-six percent of allrelated adverse events resolved within 21 days and there was only one serious adverse event in the trial determined to be unrelated to the treatment drug.On February 17, 2016, Endo announced the initiation of a Phase 2b trial of XIAFLEX in cellulite. The Phase 2b trial enrolled 375 women aged 18 years orolder in the U.S. Each subject received three treatment sessions of XIAFLEX (0.84 mg / session) or placebo with each treatment session occurringapproximately 21 days apart. Twelve injections were administered into cellulite dimples during each session across an entire treatment quadrant - left or rightbuttock or left or right posterior thigh. At both the outset and conclusion of treatment, cellulite severity was assessed by each patient and clinician using twophotonumeric cellulite severity scales developed by Endo and third-party experts and reviewed by the FDA. The scales - the Photonumeric Cellulite SeverityScale (PCSS) - are 5-point scales ranging from 0 (no cellulite) to 4 (severe cellulite) that measure improvement in the appearance of cellulite. In addition tothe patient and physician assessments, an independent, blinded five-member panel of trained aesthetic clinicians evaluated pre-treatment and end-of-studyphoto images of patients using the PCSS. The Phase 2b trial’s primary endpoint was the proportion of composite responders at Day 71 defined as subjectswith a 2-point improvement in severity from baseline in the clinician-rated PCSS (CR-PCSS) and a 2-point improvement in the patient-rated PCSS (PR-PCSS). Additional endpoints include assessment of patient and clinician satisfaction using the GAIS and change in the Hexsel cellulite severity scale.On November 17, 2016, Endo announced positive results from its Phase 2b trial of XIAFLEX in cellulite. Trial subjects receiving XIAFLEX demonstrated ahighly statistically significant improvement in the primary endpoint of composite investigators’ and patients’ assessments of the appearance of cellulite, asmeasured by a two-point improvement in both the CR-PCSS and PR-PCSS scores, with a p-value of <0.001 versus placebo. Subjects receiving XIAFLEXdemonstrated a highly statistically significant improvement in the composite investigators’ and patients’ assessments of the appearance of cellulite, asmeasured by a one-point improvement in both the CR-PCSS and PR-PCSS scores, with a p-value of <0.001 versus placebo. A highly significant proportion ofXIAFLEX subjects reported being “Satisfied” or “Very Satisfied” with their cellulite treatment, compared to placebo subjects, with a p-value of <0.001. Ahighly significant proportion of XIAFLEX subjects were reported as “Improved” or “Very Improved” or “Very Much Improved” in global appearance of theircellulite area as assessed by the subjects and investigators, compared to placebo subjects, with a p-value of <0.001. XIAFLEX was well-tolerated by all dosegroups with most adverse events (AEs) being mild to moderate and primarily limited to the local injection area; 92 percent of all related AEs were mild tomoderate in the XIAFLEX group compared to 96 percent in the placebo group; the most common AEs were expected and included injection site bruising(approximately 75 percent) and injection site pain (approximately 59 percent). XIAFLEX was well-tolerated in the actively treated subjects with most adverseevents AEs being mild to moderate in severity, and primarily limited to the local injection area.On February 6, 2018, Endo announced the initiation of two identical Phase 3 RELEASE clinical trials of XIAFLEX for the treatment of cellulite. Themulticenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled RELEASE studies will evaluate the safety and efficacy of XIAFLEX in reducing the appearance ofcellulite. The Phase 3 RELEASE studies are expected to enroll 840 women (420 in each trial) aged 18 years or older with moderate to severe cellulite in theUnited States. Each subject will receive up to three treatment visits of XIAFLEX (0.84 mg / treatment area, two treatment areas per visit) or placebo, with eachtreatment visit occurring approximately 21 days apart. Twelve injections will be administered into cellulite dimples during each visit across each treatmentarea – the left and right buttock. At both the outset and conclusion of treatment, cellulite severity will be assessed by each patient and clinician using twovalidated photonumeric cellulite severity scales developed by Endo and third-party psychometric experts. The primary endpoint is a composite responderanalysis demonstrating at least a 2-level composite improvement, independently reported by both patient and clinician on the photonumeric scales ofcellulite severity. Key secondary endpoints include the percentage of subjects that experience at least a 1-level or 2-level improvement in patient reportedassessment, percentage of subjects with a 1-level composite improvement, percentage of satisfied subjects, change from baseline in a cellulite impact scale,i.e., patients' self-perception related to their cellulite, as well as the percentage of subjects with at least a 1-level or 2-level improvement in the GAIS. 17Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsCanine LipomaBased on the encouraging results reported in the clinical investigations in human lipoma, we began clinical trials in canine lipoma. As many as 1.7 millioncanines per year are affected with lipomas in the U.S. Lipomas in older canines are very common, and lipomas that restrict motion in older canines are aserious problem. The only proven therapy for this condition is surgical excision of the lipoma, which necessarily involves the use of general anesthesia.There are approximately 1 million lipomas excised each year from dogs in the U.S.Chien-804In December 2013, we announced top-line data from Chien-804, the placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized Phase 2 trial evaluating the efficacy ofXIAFLEX in canines with benign subcutaneous lipomas. The Chien-804 trial enrolled 37 dogs in a single injection study randomized 1:1 XIAFLEX toplacebo with lipoma volume being measured by CT scan and lipoma surface area being measured by caliper at baseline, one month and 90 days. The data at90 days show a post-treatment difference in the mean percent change in lipoma volume by CT scan between the XIAFLEX and placebo-treated groups of -11.58% (p=0.52), which was not statistically significant. The percent change at 90 days in mean visible surface area measured by caliper showed a differenceof -44.12% versus 4.0% in the placebo group (p=0.006), which was statistically significant. Among those dogs whose lipomas decreased by 50% or more, theresults achieved statistical significance and showed that the visible surface area as measured by caliper decreased by 50% or more in 45.0% of XIAFLEX-treated dogs (9 out of 20) versus 0% of placebo-treated dogs (0 out of 17), with a p-value of 0.0015. A questionnaire administered to pet owners, whileblinded to the study, showed 70.0% satisfaction with the results of XIAFLEX treatment versus 23.6% satisfaction with the placebo results (p=0.0027). Therewere no drug-related serious adverse events reported during the trial. The most frequent treatment-related adverse events were local injection site reactionsincluding bruising, injection site swelling, injection site pain and injection site edema. These adverse events are consistent with those seen previously inclinical experience in humans.We provided Auxilium with the Chien-804 final study report in July 2014, which triggered the 120 day opt-in period. In November 2014, Auxiliumexercised its option to expand its rights to XIAFLEX to include the potential treatment of canine lipomas. Endo is responsible for further development of thisindication, but has not yet announced its plans for the indication.Lateral Hip FatLateral hip fat accumulation is common among women particularly as they age and it is often very difficult to improve its appearance through exercise anddiet alone. Patients frequently avoid exercise and are unable to restrict their caloric intake. The prevalence of lateral hip fat is similar to the prevalence ofcellulite. In some cases, cyrolipolysis and liposuction are performed to remove the unsightly fat deposits in the lateral hip. There are no pharmaceuticalproducts that are labeled for use on lateral hip fat in the U.S. In November 2015, with our consent, Endo exercised an early opt-in for XIAFLEX for thispotential indication. Endo is responsible for further development of this indication. We are awaiting the results of Endo’s ongoing commercial review.Plantar fibromatosisPlantar fibromatosis or Ledderhose disease is a medical condition characterized by pain and disability caused by the thickening of the feet’s deep connectivetissue resulting in the formation of nodules or cords along the tendons of the foot. Patients with plantar fibromatosis often have Dupuytren’s contracture andadhesive capsulitis. It is estimated that there are approximately 200,000 patients in the U.S. Treatment may include orthotics and anti-inflammatory drugs inthe early stages of the disease, steroid injections and surgery in advanced cases. There are no pharmaceutical products that are FDA approved for use in thisindication in the U.S. In November 2015, with our consent, Endo exercised an early opt-in for XIAFLEX for this potential indication. Endo is responsible forfurther development of this indication. We are awaiting the results of Endo’s ongoing commercial review. 18Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsHuman LipomaLipomas are benign fatty tumors that occur as bulges under the skin and affect humans and canines. It is estimated that lipomas are the primary diagnosis inapproximately 600,000 human patients in the U.S. annually. The only proven therapy for lipoma treatment is surgery, which is often not practical for patientswith multiple lipomas. Twenty percent of patients have multiple lipomas. Based on observations made during preclinical studies that a collagenase injectiondecreased the size of fat pads in animals, we initiated, monitored and supplied the requisite study drug for a Phase 1 open label clinical trial for the treatmentof human lipomas with a single injection of collagenase. Favorable initial results (10 out of 12 patients had a 50-90% reduction in the size of the lipomas)from this trial for the treatment of human lipomas were presented at a meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.In January 2014, we announced the top-line data from the Phase 2 dose escalation clinical trial of XIAFLEX for the treatment of human lipoma. This Phase 2open-label single-center dose escalation study assessed the safety and efficacy of XIAFLEX in 14 patients with lipoma, divided into four dose cohorts. Eachpatient received a single injection of XIAFLEX in one of four ascending doses based on the current commercial dose of XIAFLEX in marketed indications,ranging from 0.058mg (10% of commercial dose) to 0.44mg (75% of commercial dose). The primary efficacy outcome was a statistically significant(p<0.0001) reduction in lipoma visible surface area as measured by caliper, combining all patients. Data showed patients in the highest dose group (75% ofcommercial dose) achieved the best efficacy results with an average of 67% reduction of lipoma visible surface area as measured by caliper at six monthspost-treatment. Additionally, data demonstrated that 75% of patients in the highest dose group achieved reduction of 50% or more in lipoma visible surfacearea. There were no drug-related serious adverse events reported during the trial. The most frequent treatment-related adverse events were localized to theinjection site and included bruising, injection site swelling and injection site pain. These adverse events are consistent with those seen previously in clinicalexperience.In August 2014, we initiated our randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial of XIAFLEX for the treatment of lipoma. We completedpatient enrollment during the fourth quarter of 2015. The study was conducted at two centers in the U.S. and enrolled 18 adult men and women presentingwith at least two benign lipomas of similar size. Subjects were randomized to have two lipomas treated in immediate succession; one with XIAFLEX and onewith placebo. The primary endpoint of the Phase 2 clinical trial is the reduction in the measureable surface area of the target lipomas, as determined bycaliper, at six months post injection. The secondary efficacy endpoints include responders at six months post injection who show a ≥50% decrease in lipomasurface area relative to baseline between XIAFLEX and placebo, the change in the length of the target lipoma, the relative change in lipoma surface area asmeasured by caliper at one month and three months, and the relative change in lipoma volume as measured by MRI. The study also gathered qualitativelipoma characteristics and an assessment of patient satisfaction through a questionnaire administered to each subject prior to injection and at each follow-upvisit.In June 2016, we announced positive, statistically significant top-line results from our placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 2 clinical trial. This trial,conducted in 19 patients with two or more benign lipomas, met its primary endpoint of reduction in the visible surface area of the target lipomas relative toplacebo, as determined by caliper, at six months post injection (and also met all secondary efficacy endpoints). 81.3 percent reduction in the visible surfacearea for patients who received XIAFLEX compared to a 2.1 percent increase for treatment with placebo in the target lipoma, as measured by caliper at sixmonths post-treatment, resulting in an 83.4 percent difference in favor of XIAFLEX (p˂0.0001). 89.5 percent of XIAFLEX patients (17 of 19 patients) wereresponders at six months post-injection (showed a ≥50% decrease in lipoma visible surface area relative to baseline) compared to 0 percent for placebo(p˂0.0001). The mean decrease in the length of the target lipoma at 6 months was 64.8 percent from baseline for XIAFLEX treated lipomas and 0.2 percentincrease for placebo (p<0.0001). As measured by caliper, the mean decrease in lipoma visible surface area at three months was 62.5 percent for XIAFLEX and0.4 percent increase for placebo (p<0.0001). As measured by caliper, the mean decrease in lipoma visible surface area at one month was 26.8 percent forXIAFLEX and 0.2 percent increase for placebo (p=0.0042). The mean decrease in lipoma volume as measured by MRI at 6 months was 47.2 percent forXIAFLEX treated lipomas and 4.9 percent for placebo (p=0.0013). Patient satisfaction was assessed through a questionnaire administered to each subjectprior to injection and at the one, three and six month follow-up visits. For the lipomas that received XIAFLEX treatment, at six months, 57.9 percent ofpatients reported being very satisfied; 36.8 were somewhat satisfied and zero were not satisfied verses placebo where 21.1 percent were very satisfied; 15.8percent were somewhat satisfied and 57.9 percent were not satisfied (p=0.0010 in favor of XIAFLEX). There were no drug-related serious adverse eventsreported during the trial and XIAFLEX was well-tolerated, with no trial dropouts. The most frequent treatment-related adverse events were localized to theinjection site and included bruising, injection site swelling/pain and pruritus. These adverse events are consistent with those seen previously in clinicalexperience. 19Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIn August 2016, we announced that Endo opted in to this indication. We are awaiting the results of Endo’s ongoing commercial review.BioSpecifics-Managed IndicationsUterine FibroidsUterine fibroids are benign tumors that form on the wall of the uterus that contain large amounts of collagen and are associated with significant co-morbidities, which can include pain, decreased fertility, pregnancy complications, miscarriage, heavy menstrual bleeding and frequent urination. Uterinefibroids are the primary indication for hysterectomy in the U.S. Approximately 200,000 hysterectomies and 30,000 myomectomies are performed annually totreat fibroids. Uterine fibroids have been estimated to result in direct costs of $9.4 billion annually in the U.S., including costs for surgery, hospitaladmissions, outpatient visits and medications.In October 2014, we announced that a paper titled, “Stiffness of Human Uterine Fibroids is Reduced After Treatment with Purified Clostridial Collagenasedue to Collagen Degradation” was presented at the Mechanotransduction in the Reproductive Tract conference hosted by the Campion Fund of the Phyllisand Mark Leppert Foundation for Fertility Research in Durham, North Carolina. The data presented showed that highly purified collagenase can reduce therigidity of human uterine fibroid tissue and potentially shrink uterine fibroid tumors by interrupting the accumulation of poorly aligned and altered collagen.Accumulation of collagen in uterine fibroid tumors is thought to contribute to the many morbidities associated with uterine fibroids. The preclinical resultswere presented by Dr. Friederike Jayes, D.V.M., Ph.D. of Duke Medicine. In the ex vivo study, uterine fibroid tissues from eight patients were injected with 50microliters of highly purified XIAFLEX at four different dose levels (0-1-2-4 mg/ml), and compared to uninjected tissue as a control. Following incubation(37º C for 0-24-48-72-96 hours), tissue samples were confirmed for high collagen content through Masson-Trichrome staining and tested by rheometry tomeasure stiffness. Collagen content degradation was evident at all dose levels after 96 hours and collagen fibrils were undetectable under electronmicroscopy in tissue treated with the highest dose. Treatment with 1 mg/ml caused statistically significant softening after 24 hours to 4005±608 Pa comparedto vehicle-injected controls (7416±801 Pa; p<0.007). The 2 and 4 mg/ml treatments resulted in statistically significant decreased stiffness after 24 hours(3145±689 Pa; p<0.0005) and 96 hours (1440±115 Pa; p<0.0005). A statistically significant decrease in stiffness was achieved with all doses and at all-timepoints.This collaborative study was conducted by researchers at Duke Medicine including Dr. Jayes and Dr. Phyllis Leppert, a Professor of Obstetrics andGynecology and Professor of Pathology at Duke Medicine with our support.In May 2016, we announced that an article titled, “Loss of Stiffness in Collagen-Rich Uterine Fibroids after Digestion with Purified Collagenase ClostridiumHistolyticum” was published in the May 2016 issue of American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. The study, led by Dr. Phyllis Leppert, showedreduction in stiffness and demonstrated the benefits of XIAFLEX as a potential non-surgical treatment for uterine fibroid patients.On April 18, 2017, we announced that we had initiated an open-label, dose escalation Phase 1 clinical trial of XIAFLEX for the treatment of uterine fibroids. Our Phase 1 clinical trial of XIAFLEX for the treatment of uterine fibroids is ongoing and we plan to announce the results in 2018. The study, beingconducted at the Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University, is designed to enroll 15 female subjects treated prior to hysterectomy.The primary endpoint of the study will assess the safety and tolerability of a single injection of XIAFLEX directly into the uterine fibroids under transvaginalultrasound guidance. The secondary endpoints will assess symptoms of pain and bleeding, quality of life throughout the study, shrinkage of XIAFLEXtreated fibroids in size, increased rates of apoptosis in treated fibroids and a decrease in the collagen content of the treated fibroids.Other Clinical IndicationsOther clinical indications for which our collagenase injection has been tested include keloids, hypertrophic scars, scarred tendons, glaucoma, herniatedintervertebral discs, and as an adjunct to vitrectomy. We are currently evaluating our options for development of additional indications using collagenase. 20Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsLICENSING AND MARKETING AGREEMENTSEndo AgreementUnder the License Agreement, we granted to Auxilium exclusive worldwide rights to develop, market and sell certain products containing our injectablecollagenase. Auxilium subsequently assigned the License Agreement to Auxilium Bermuda ULC. Endo acquired Auxilium on January 29, 2015, and a resultof the Acquisition and resulting internal restructuring, the counterparty to the agreement is now Endo Global Ventures. On February 1, 2016, we entered intothe First Amendment with Endo Global Ventures.As noted above, on February 1, 2016 we entered into the First Amendment. The First Amendment has an effective date of January 1, 2016. Pursuant to theFirst Amendment, the Company and Endo Global Ventures mutually agreed that in exchange for an $8.25 million lump sum payment by Endo GlobalVentures to the Company, Endo Global Ventures is no longer required to pay an additional mark-up of cost of goods to the Company for sales by non-affiliated sublicensees of Endo Global Ventures outside of the United States; provided, however, that Endo Global Ventures will still be required to pay amark-up on cost of goods for sales made in the “Endo Territory”, which will always include sales made in the United States and sales made in any othercountry where Endo Global Ventures sells the product directly or through affiliated sublicensees. The $8.25 million lump sum payment was received by theCompany on February 11, 2016, and will be recognized over time based on sales by non-affiliated sublicensees of Endo Global Ventures outside of the U.S.In addition, pursuant to the First Amendment, the Company and Endo Global Ventures agreed that Endo Global Ventures may opt-in early to indications,prior to the Company’s submission of a clinical trial report, with the Company’s consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld (as Endo GlobalVentures did previously with the consent of the Company, in the case of lateral hip fat and plantar fibromatosis as documented by a Current Report on Form8-K filed with the SEC on November 6, 2015). For early opt-ins, Endo Global Ventures will be required to make an opt-in payment of $0.5 million on a perindication basis. For regular opt-ins, Endo Global Ventures will be required to make an opt-in payment of $0.75 million on a per indication basis, followingthe submission of a clinical trial report. Endo has opted-in to the following indications: frozen shoulder, cellulite, canine lipoma, lateral hip fat, plantarfibromatosis and human lipoma.Pursuant to the Endo Agreement, we are entitled to receive certain up-front licensing and sublicensing fees, and milestone, mark-up on cost of goods sold androyalty payments. Through December 31, 2017, Auxilium and Endo have collectively paid us up-front licensing and sublicensing fees and milestone, mark-up on cost of goods sold and royalty payments under the Endo Agreement of $133 million, including Endo’s agreements with Pfizer, Sobi , Asahi andActelion. In addition to the payments already received by us and to be received by us with respect to the Dupuytren’s contracture indication and Peyronie’sindication, Endo will be obligated to make contingent milestone payments to us, with respect to each of frozen shoulder, cellulite and canine lipoma, lateralhip fat, plantar fibromatosis indications and human lipoma, upon the acceptance of the regulatory filing and upon receipt by Endo, its affiliate or sublicenseeof regulatory approval. The remaining contingent milestone payments that may be received, in the aggregate, from Endo in respect of frozen shoulder,cellulite, canine lipoma, lateral hip fat, plantar fibromatosis and human lipoma are $6.0 million.Endo has partnered with Sobi, Asahi and Actelion to commercialize XIAFLEX and Xiapex outside of the United States. Sobi has exclusive rights tocommercialize Xiapex for Dupuytren's contracture and Peyronie's disease, subject to applicable regulatory approvals, in 28 EU member countries,Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, 18 Central Eastern Europe/Commonwealth of Independent countries, including Russia and Turkey, and 22 Middle Eastern &North African countries. Sobi, via its Partner Products business unit, is primarily responsible for the applicable regulatory, and commercialization activitiesfor Xiapex in Dupuytren's contracture and Peyronie's disease in these countries. Endo has granted to Asahi the exclusive right to develop and commercializeXIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease in Japan. Endo is currently distributing XIAFLEX in Canada through PaladinLabs Inc. In December 2016, Endo entered into a new out-licensing agreement with Actelion, pursuant to which Actelion obtained marketing and commercialrights for XIAFLEX in Australia and New Zealand. 21Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsPursuant to the Endo Agreement, we will receive a certain percentage of milestone payments that each of Sobi, Asahi and Actelion pays to Endo. We will alsoreceive royalties from net sales in Sobi, Asahi and Actelion territories from Endo, which will be a specified percentage of what Endo receives from Sobi, Asahiand Actelion. To the extent Endo enters into an agreement or agreements related to Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease in other territories, thepercentage of sublicense income that Endo would pay us will depend on the territory, the stage of development and approval of XIAFLEX for the particularindication at the time such other agreement or agreements are executed. Pursuant to the First Amendment, BioSpecifics no longer receives a mark-up onCOGS for sales made by Endo outside of the U.S. to unaffiliated parties; provided however that if the sale is made outside of the U.S. by Endo directly, Endois still required to pay us a mark-up on COGS. Endo must pay us on a country-by-country and product-by-product basis a low double digit royalty as a percentage of net sales for products covered by theEndo Agreement and sold in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and certain Eurasian countries and Japan. In the case of products covered by theEndo Agreement and sold in other countries, or the Rest of the World (as defined in the Endo Agreement), Endo must pay us on a country-by-country andproduct-by-product basis a specified percentage of the royalties it is entitled to receive from a partner or partners with whom it has contracted for suchcountries. The royalty rate is independent of sales volume and clinical indication in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and certain Eurasiancountries and Japan, but is subject to set-off in those other countries and the Rest of the World for certain expenses we owe to Endo relating to certaindevelopment and patent costs. In addition, the royalty percentage may be reduced if (i) market share of a competing product exceeds a specified threshold; or(ii) Endo is required to obtain a license from a third party in order to practice our patents without infringing such third party’s patent rights. To date, neitherAuxilium nor Endo has paid any royalties to third parties. In addition, if Endo out-licenses to a third party, then we will receive a specified percentage ofcertain payments made to Endo in consideration of such out-licenses.These royalty obligations extend, on a country-by-country and product-by-product basis, for the longer of the patent life (including pending patents), theexpiration of any regulatory exclusivity period based on orphan drug designation or foreign equivalent thereof or June 3, 2016. Endo may terminate theEndo Agreement upon 90 days prior written notice. If Endo terminates the Endo Agreement other than because of an uncured, material breach by us, all rightsrevert to us. Pursuant to our August 31, 2011 settlement agreement with Endo, we are now co-owners and two of our employees will be co-inventors of U.S.Patent No. 7,811,560 and any continuations and divisionals thereof. We expect that this patent will expire in July 2028.On top of the payments set forth above, as a result of the First Amendment, Endo must pay to us an amount equal to a specified mark-up of the cost of goodssold for products sold in the Endo Territory, which will always include sales made in the United States and sales made in any other country where EndoGlobal Ventures sells the product directly or through affiliated sublicensees. Pursuant to the First Amendment, in exchange for the $8.25 million lump sumpayment, Endo is no longer required to pay for costs of goods sold for sales within the Partner II Territory or the Japan Territory (as defined in the EndoAgreement).Endo is generally responsible, at its own cost and expense, for developing the formulation and finished dosage form of products and arranging for the clinicalsupply of products. Endo is generally responsible for all clinical development and regulatory costs for Peyronie’s disease, Dupuytren’s contracture, frozenshoulder, cellulite, canine lipoma, lateral hip fat, plantar fibromatosis, human lipoma and all additional indications for which it exercises its options.A redacted copy of the License Agreement was filed on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on September 1, 2011. Aredacted copy of the First Amendment was filed on Form 8-K with the SEC, on February 5, 2016. The foregoing descriptions of the License Agreement andthe First Amendment do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the License Agreement and the FirstAmendment.In-Licensing and Royalty AgreementsWe have entered into several in-licensing and royalty agreements with various investigators, universities and other entities throughout the years. It is thepolicy of the Company not to announce publicly royalty rates for potential future indications under development before commercialization. It is important toemphasize that in-licensing royalty rates vary from indication to indication and it should not be assumed that the in-licensing royalty rates for potentialfuture indications will be the same as those for currently marketed indications. 22Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsDupuytren’s DiseaseOn November 21, 2006, we entered into a license agreement (the “Dupuytren’s License Agreement”), with the Research Foundation of the State University ofNew York at Stony Brook, or the Research Foundation, pursuant to which the Research Foundation granted to us and our affiliates an exclusive worldwidelicense, with the right to sublicense to certain third parties, to know-how owned by the Research Foundation related to the development, manufacture, use orsale of (i) the collagenase enzyme obtained by a fermentation and purification process, the Enzyme, and (ii) all pharmaceutical products containing theEnzyme or injectable collagenase, in each case to the extent it pertains to the treatment and prevention of Dupuytren’s disease.In consideration of the license granted under the Dupuytren’s License Agreement, we agreed to pay to the Research Foundation certain royalties on net sales(if any) of pharmaceutical products containing the Enzyme or injectable collagenase for the treatment and prevention of Dupuytren’s disease, each aDupuytren’s Licensed Product.Our obligation to pay royalties to the Research Foundation with respect to sales by us, our affiliates or any sublicensee of any Dupuytren’s Licensed Productin any country (including the U.S.) arises only upon the first commercial sale of such Dupuytren’s Licensed Product on a country-by-country basis. Theroyalty rate is 0.5% of net sales. Our obligation to pay royalties to the Research Foundation will continue until the later of (i) the expiration of the last validclaim of a patent pertaining to the Dupuytren’s Licensed Product; (ii) the expiration of the regulatory exclusivity period conveyed by the FDA’s Office ofOrphan Products Development, or the OOPD, with respect to the Dupuytren’s Licensed Product; or (iii) June 3, 2016.Unless terminated earlier in accordance with its termination provisions, the Dupuytren’s License Agreement and the licenses granted under that agreementwill continue in effect until the termination of our royalty obligations. After that, all licenses granted to us under the Dupuytren’s License Agreement willbecome fully paid, irrevocable exclusive licenses.A redacted copy of the Dupuytren’s License Agreement was filed on Form 8-K with the SEC on November 28, 2006. The foregoing descriptions of theDupuytren’s License Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Dupuytren’s LicenseAgreement.Peyronie’s DiseaseOn August 27, 2008, we entered into an agreement with Dr. Martin K. Gelbard to improve the deal terms related to our future royalty obligations forPeyronie’s disease by buying down our future royalty obligations with a one-time cash payment. On March 31, 2012, we entered into an amendment to thisagreement, which enables us to buy down a portion of our future royalty obligations in exchange for an initial cash payment and five additional cashpayments. We are currently making the payments to buy down the future royalty obligations, which royalty obligations terminate 5 years after firstcommercial sale.A redacted copy of the amendment was filed on Form 8-K/A with the SEC on August 8, 2012. The foregoing descriptions of the agreement with Dr. Gelbardand the amendment to that agreement do not comport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of that agreement, asamended.Frozen ShoulderOn November 21, 2006, we entered into a license agreement (the “Frozen Shoulder License Agreement”) with the Research Foundation, pursuant to whichthe Research Foundation granted to us and our affiliates an exclusive worldwide license, with the right to sublicense to certain third parties, to know-howowned by the Research Foundation related to the development, manufacture, use or sale of (i) the Enzyme and (ii) all pharmaceutical products containing theEnzyme or injectable collagenase, in each case to the extent it pertains to the treatment and prevention of frozen shoulder. 23Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsAdditionally, the Research Foundation granted to us an exclusive license to the patent applications in respect of frozen shoulder. The license granted to usunder the Frozen Shoulder License Agreement is subject to the non-exclusive license (with right to sublicense) granted to the U.S. government by theResearch Foundation in connection with the U.S. government’s funding of the initial research.In consideration of the license granted under the Frozen Shoulder License Agreement, we agreed to pay to the Research Foundation certain royalties on netsales (if any) of pharmaceutical products containing the Enzyme or injectable collagenase for the treatment and prevention of frozen shoulder, each a FrozenShoulder Licensed Product. In addition, we and the Research Foundation will share in any milestone payments and sublicense income received by us inrespect of the rights licensed under the Frozen Shoulder License Agreement.Our obligation to pay royalties to the Research Foundation with respect to sales by us, our affiliates or any sublicensee of any Frozen Shoulder LicensedProduct in any country (including the U.S.) arises only upon the first commercial sale of a Frozen Shoulder Licensed Product. Our obligation to pay royaltiesto the Research Foundation will continue until, the later of (i) the expiration of the last valid claim of a university patent pertaining to a Frozen ShoulderLicensed Product or (ii) June 3, 2016.Unless terminated earlier in accordance with its termination provisions, the Frozen Shoulder License Agreement and licenses granted under that agreementwill continue in effect until the termination of our royalty obligations. After that, all licenses granted to us under the Frozen Shoulder License Agreement willbecome fully paid, irrevocable exclusive licenses.In connection with the execution of the Dupuytren’s License Agreement and the Frozen Shoulder License Agreement, we made certain up-front payments tothe Research Foundation for working on the Dupuytren’s disease and frozen shoulder indications for the Enzyme.A redacted copy of the Frozen Shoulder License Agreement was filed on Form 8-K with the SEC on November 28, 2006. The foregoing descriptions of theFrozen Shoulder License Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Frozen ShoulderLicense Agreement.CelluliteWe have two in-licensing and royalty agreements related to cellulite. One is a license agreement (“Cellulite License Agreement”), with the ResearchFoundation that we entered into on August 23, 2007. Pursuant to the Cellulite License Agreement, the Research Foundation granted to us and our affiliatesan exclusive worldwide license, with the right to sublicense to certain third parties, to know-how owned by the Research Foundation related to themanufacture, preparation, formulation, use or development of (i) the Enzyme and (ii) all pharmaceutical products containing the Enzyme, which are made,used and sold for the prevention or treatment of cellulite. Additionally, the Research Foundation granted to us an exclusive license to the patent applicationsin respect of cellulite. The license granted to us under the Cellulite License Agreement is subject to the non-exclusive license (with right to sublicense)granted to the U.S. government by the Research Foundation in connection with the U.S. government’s funding of the initial research.In consideration of the license granted under the Cellulite License Agreement, we agreed to pay to the Research Foundation certain royalties on net sales (ifany) of pharmaceutical products containing the Enzyme, which are made, used and sold for the prevention or treatment of cellulite, each a Cellulite LicensedProduct. In addition, we and the Research Foundation will share in any milestone payments and sublicense income received by us in respect of the rightslicensed under the Cellulite License Agreement. We paid a portion of the $0.5 million milestone payment we received from Auxilium in respect of itsexercise of cellulite as an addition indication under the License Agreement, subject to certain credits for certain up-front payments we made to the ResearchFoundation.Our obligation to pay royalties to the Research Foundation with respect to sales by us, our affiliates or any sublicensee of any Cellulite Licensed Product inany country (including the U.S.) arises only upon the first commercial sale of a Cellulite Licensed Product. Our obligation to pay royalties to the ResearchFoundation will continue until, the later of (i) the expiration of the last valid claim of a patent pertaining to a Cellulite Licensed Product or (ii) June 3, 2016.Valid claim is defined only to include an issued specified Research Foundation patent. 24Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsUnless terminated earlier in accordance with its termination provisions, the Cellulite License Agreement and licenses granted under that agreement willcontinue in effect until the termination of our royalty obligations. After that, all licenses granted to us under the Cellulite License Agreement will becomefully paid, irrevocable exclusive licenses. The other in-licensing and royalty agreement we have related to cellulite is a license agreement with Dr. Zachary Gerut that we entered into on March 27,2010 (the “Gerut License Agreement”). Pursuant to the Gerut License Agreement, Dr. Gerut granted to us and our affiliates an exclusive worldwide license,with the right to sublicense to certain third parties to know-how owned by Dr. Gerut related to the manufacture, preparation, formulation, use or developmentof (i) the Enzyme and (ii) all pharmaceutical products containing the Enzyme or injectable collagenase, in each case to the extent it pertains to the treatmentof fat. As the in-license granted in the Gerut License Agreement pertains to the treatment of fat, this in-license also relates to human lipoma and caninelipoma.In consideration of the license granted under the Gerut License Agreement, we agreed to pay to Dr. Gerut certain royalties on net sales (if any) ofpharmaceutical products containing the Enzyme which are made, used and sold for the removal or treatment of fat in humans or animals, each a GerutLicensed Product. In addition, in the event the FDA approves a Gerut Licensed Product, we agreed to make a one-time stock option grant to Dr. Gerut with astrike price equal to the closing trading price on the day before the date of such grant.Our obligation to pay royalties to Dr. Gerut with respect to sales by us, our affiliates or any sublicensee of any Gerut Licensed Product in any country(including the U.S.) arises only upon the first commercial sale of a Gerut Licensed Product. Our obligation to pay royalties to Dr. Gerut will continue untilJune 3, 2016 or such longer period as we continue to receive royalties for such Gerut Licensed Product.Unless terminated earlier in accordance with its termination provisions, the Gerut License Agreement and licenses granted under that agreement will continuein effect until the termination of our royalty obligations. After that, all licenses granted to us under the Gerut License Agreement will become fully paid,irrevocable exclusive licenses.Redacted copies of the Cellulite License Agreement and the Gerut License Agreement were filed on our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2013.The foregoing descriptions of the Cellulite License Agreement and the Gerut License Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in theirentirety by reference to the full text of these agreements.Other IndicationsWe may enter into certain other license and royalty agreements with respect to other indications that we may elect to pursue.COMPETITIONWe and our licensees face worldwide competition from larger pharmaceutical companies, specialty pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms,universities and other research institutions and government agencies that are developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products. Many of ourcompetitors have substantially greater financial, technical and human resources than we have and may subsequently develop products that are more effective,safer or less costly than any products that we have developed, are developing, or will develop, or that are generic products. Our success will depend on ourability to acquire, develop and commercialize products and our ability to establish and maintain markets for our products that receive marketing approval.Our marketed indication, Peyronie’s disease, currently enjoys Orphan Drug Protection until December 6, 2020. Orphan drug status for Dupuytren’scontracture expired on February 2, 2017. For more information on orphan drug designations, please see the discussion below. We may face greatercompetition, including from biosimilars, after the expiration of the orphan drug designations and the expiration of the 12 year marketing exclusivity undercertain laws as further described below in “Public Health Service Act and Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act”.COST OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIESDuring fiscal years 2017 and 2016, the company invested $1.2 million dollars and $1.3 million dollars, respectively, in R&D activities. 25Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsGOVERNMENT REGULATIONGovernment authorities in the United States, at the federal, state, and local level, and in other countries, extensively regulate, among other things, theresearch, development, testing, approval, manufacture, packaging, storage, recordkeeping, labeling, advertising, promotion, distribution, reporting,marketing, import, and export of biopharmaceutical products such as those we and our partners are developing and have developed. In addition,manufacturers of biopharmaceutical products participating in Medicaid and Medicare are required to comply with mandatory price reporting, discount, andrebate requirements, among other requirements. The processes for obtaining regulatory approvals in the United States and in foreign countries, along withsubsequent compliance with applicable statutes and regulations, require the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources. In the United States, theFDA regulates our and our partners’ products and product candidates as biologics, a drug subset, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or FDCA,the Public Health Services Act, or PHSA, and their implementing regulations.Any product labeled for use in humans requires regulatory approval by government agencies prior to commercialization. In particular, human therapeuticproducts are subject to rigorous preclinical and clinical trials to demonstrate their safety purity, and potency, and must comply with additional regulatoryrequirements of the FDA and similar regulatory authorities in foreign countries, such as the EMA in Europe and the PMDA in Japan. Preclinical studiesinclude laboratory evaluation of chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, and product formulation, as well as animal studies to assess potential safety and efficacy.Clinical and preclinical trials must be conducted in accordance with the applicable regulatory standards, good clinical practices, or GCPs, and goodlaboratory practices, or GLPs, respectively. Various federal, state, local, and foreign statutes and regulations also govern the activities of biopharmaceuticalsponsors and manufacturers, including the testing, manufacturing, labeling, distribution, storage, and record-keeping related to such products and theirpromotion and marketing. The process of obtaining marketing approvals and the compliance with federal, state, local, and foreign statutes and regulationsrequire the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources.Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational product candidate or approved products to human subjects under the supervision of qualifiedinvestigators. Each trial must be conducted under an FDA Investigational New Drug Application, or IND. Prior to commencing the first clinical trial with aproduct candidate, an IND sponsor must submit the results of the preclinical tests and preclinical literature, together with manufacturing information,analytical data, any available clinical data or literature, and proposed clinical study protocols among other things, to the FDA as part of an IND. An INDautomatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless the FDA, within the 30-day time period, notifies the applicant of safety concerns orquestions related to one or more proposed clinical trials and places the trial on a clinical hold. In such a case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve anyoutstanding concerns before the clinical trial can begin. Clinical holds also may be imposed by the FDA at any time before or during trials due to safetyconcerns or non-compliance. As a result, submission of an IND may not result in FDA authorization to commence a clinical trial. A separate submission to anexisting IND must also be made for each successive clinical trial conducted during product development.In addition to FDA review and supervision, each trial must also be reviewed, approved and conducted under the auspices of an independent institutionalreview board, or IRB, and each trial must include the patient’s informed consent. Investigators must also provide certain information to the clinical trialsponsors to allow the sponsors to make certain financial disclosures to the FDA. Clinical trials are conducted under protocols detailing, among other things,the objectives of the study and the parameters to be used in assessing the safety and the effectiveness of the biologic, and a statistical analysis plan. Aprotocol for each clinical trial, and any subsequent protocol amendments, must be submitted to the FDA as part of the IND. In addition, an IRB at each studysite participating in the clinical trial or a central IRB must review and approve the plan for any clinical trial, informed consent forms, and communications tostudy subjects before a study commences at that site. An IRB considers, among other things, whether the risks to individuals participating in the trials areminimized and are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits, and whether the planned human subject protections are adequate. The IRB must continue tooversee the clinical trial while it is being conducted. Once an IND is in effect, each new clinical protocol and any amendments to the protocol must besubmitted to the IND for FDA review, and to the IRB for approval. 26Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents Typically, clinical evaluation involves a time-consuming and costly three-phase sequential process, but the phases may overlap. •Phase 1—Studies are initially conducted in healthy human volunteers or subjects with the target disease or condition and test the productcandidate for safety, dosage tolerance, structure‑activity relationships, mechanism of action, absorption, metabolism, distribution, andexcretion. If possible, Phase 1 trials may also be used to gain an initial indication of product effectiveness. •Phase 2—Controlled studies are conducted in limited subject populations with a specified disease or condition to evaluate preliminaryefficacy, identify optimal dosages, dosage tolerance and schedule, possible adverse effects and safety risks, and expanded evidence of safety. •Phase 3—These adequate and well‑controlled clinical trials are undertaken in expanded subject populations, generally at geographicallydispersed clinical trial sites, to generate enough data to provide statistically significant evidence of clinical efficacy and safety of the productfor approval, to establish the overall risk‑benefit profile of the product, and to provide adequate information for the labeling of the product.Typically, two Phase 3 trials are required by the FDA for product approval.There are typically multiple studies conducted within any given phase to collect the data necessary to support a marketing application. The recently passed21st Century Cures Act, however, provides for FDA acceptance of new kinds of data such as patient experience data and, for appropriate indications soughtthrough supplemental marketing applications, data summaries. The FDA may also require, or companies may conduct, additional clinical trials for the sameindication after a product is approved, referred to as Phase 4 studies. Moreover, for certain products, FDA may require pediatric studies either before or afterproduct approval, if the product candidate is not eligible for a waiver. Concurrent with clinical trials, companies usually complete additional animal studies,develop additional chemistry, manufacturing, and controls information, including stability, and finalize a process for manufacturing the product incommercial quantities in accordance with cGMP requirements.Information about certain clinical trials, including a description of the study and study results, must be submitted within specific timeframes to the NationalInstitutes of Health, or NIH, for public dissemination on their clinicaltrials.gov website. Moreover, under the 21st Century Cures Act, manufacturers ordistributors of investigational products for the diagnosis, monitoring, or treatment of one or more serious diseases or conditions must have a publiclyavailable policy concerning expanded access.In addition to requirements concerning the conduct of clinical and preclinical trials, the manufacture of investigational biologics for the conduct of humanclinical trials is subject to cGMP requirements. Sponsors of clinical trials must provide FDA annual updates on their development program and more frequentreports in the case of serious adverse events. Investigational biologics and active ingredients imported into the United States are also subject to regulation bythe FDA relating to their labeling and distribution. Further, the export of investigational products outside of the United States is subject to regulatoryrequirements of the receiving country as well as U.S. export requirements.Clinical testing may not be completed successfully within any specified time period, if at all. The FDA monitors the progress of all clinical trials that areconducted in the U.S. and may, at its discretion, reevaluate, alter, suspend or terminate the testing based upon the data accumulated to that point and theFDA’s assessment of the risk/benefit ratio to the patient. The FDA can also provide specific guidance on the acceptability of protocol design for clinicaltrials. The FDA, an IRB, we or our partners may suspend or terminate clinical trials at any time for various reasons, including a finding that the subjects orpatients are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk, the clinical trial is not being conducted in accordance with the FDA’s or the IRB’s requirements,the product has been associated with unexpected serious harm to the subjects, or based on evolving business objectives or competitive climate. The FDA canalso request that additional clinical trials be conducted as a condition to product approval. During all clinical trials, physicians monitor the patients todetermine effectiveness and/or to observe and report any reactions or other safety risks that may result from use of the product candidate.Assuming successful completion of the required clinical trials, sponsors submit the results of preclinical studies and clinical trials, together with otherdetailed information including information on the chemistry, manufacture and control of the product, to the FDA, in the form of a Biologics LicenseApplication, or BLA, requesting approval to market the product for one or more indications. In most cases, the BLA must be accompanied by a substantialuser fee, which must be paid at the time of the first submission, if not waived. Orphan products, discussed further below, are not subject to application userfees unless the application includes an indication other than the orphan indication. 27Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsWithin 60 days of receiving an application, the FDA determines if the application will be considered filed, meaning that it is substantially complete to permita substantive review. If the FDA does not accept an application for filing, it must be resubmitted with the FDA requested information. Once the submission isaccepted for filing, the FDA begins an in‑depth substantive review to determine, among other things, whether a product is safe pure and potent and whetherthe manufacturing methods and controls are adequate. The FDA also will inspect the product manufacturing facilities and selected clinical trial sites. TheFDA will not approve the BLA unless Current Good Manufacturing Practices, or cGMP, and GCP compliance is satisfactory. The FDA may further refer aBLA to an advisory committee, which is a panel of experts, that recommend whether the application should be approved and under what conditions. TheFDA aims to complete its review of standard BLAs within ten months from the 60‑day filing date. This timeframe, however, may not be met or may beextended.The FDA will issue an approval letter, authorizing commercial marketing, if it determines that the BLA, clinical and pre-clinical trial conduct, manufacturingprocess and manufacturing facilities are acceptable. If the FDA determines that the BLA, clinical or pre-clinical trial conduct, manufacturing process ormanufacturing facilities are not acceptable, it will outline the deficiencies in a complete response letter, or CRL, indicating that the application is not readyfor approval, and will often request additional testing, clinical trials, or information. If a CRL is issued, the applicant may either: resubmit the BLA,addressing all of the deficiencies identified in the letter; withdraw the application; or request an opportunity for a hearing. The FDA has the goal of reviewingresubmissions in either two or six months of the resubmission date, depending on the kind of resubmission. Notwithstanding the submission of any requestedadditional information, the FDA ultimately may decide that the BLA does not satisfy the regulatory criteria for approval and refuse to approve the BLA.The testing and approval process requires substantial time, effort and financial resources, which may take several years to complete. The FDA may not grantapproval on a timely basis, or at all. We or our partners may encounter difficulties or unanticipated costs in our or their efforts to secure necessarygovernmental approvals, which could delay or preclude us or them from marketing our products. Furthermore, the FDA may prevent a sponsor from marketinga product under a label for its desired indications or place other conditions, including restrictive labeling, on distribution as a condition of any approvals,which may impair commercialization of the product. After approval, some types of changes to the approved product, such as adding new indications,manufacturing changes and additional labeling claims, are subject to further FDA review and approval.If the FDA approves the BLA, the product can be marketed to physicians to prescribe in the U.S. FDA, however, may approve product candidates for fewer ormore limited indications or uses than requested, may require significant safety warnings, including black box warnings, contraindications, and precautions,may grant approval contingent on the performance of costly post-marketing clinical trials, surveillance, or other requirements, including REMS, to monitorthe safety or efficacy of the product, or may approve a product candidate with a label that does not include the labeling claims necessary or desirable forsuccessful commercialization. The REMS plan could include medication guides, physician communication plans, and elements to assure safe use, such asrestricted distribution methods, patient registries, or other risk minimization tools. An assessment of the REMS must also be conducted at set intervals. Forexample, XIAFLEX is subject to a REMS which requires health care provider training and certification, healthcare provider risk education, certification ofdispensing pharmacies and health care settings, and patient risk education. Following product approval, a REMS may also be required by the FDA if newsafety information is discovered and the FDA determines that a REMS is necessary to ensure that the benefits of the biologic outweigh the risks.After approval, the sponsor must comply with a number of post-approval requirements, including delivering periodic reports to the FDA (i.e., annual reports),submitting descriptions of any adverse reactions reported, biological product deviation reporting, and complying with sampling and distributionrequirements, including tracking and tracing requirements and suspect and illegitimate product investigation and notification requirements, ensuringproducts are properly imported and exported, as well as any other requirements set forth in the FDA’s approval (such as REMS and Phase 4 studies). Theholder of an approved BLA is further required to provide updated safety and efficacy information and to comply with requirements concerning advertisingand promotional labeling. The holder must also ensure compliance with other FDA requirements including requirements related to manufacturing,recordkeeping, advertising, marketing, promotion, and certain electronic records and signatures. For instance, the holder must ensure that approved productsare not promoted for unapproved uses and are otherwise marketed in accordance with FDA’s promotional requirements. Improper promotion can subject theholder to significant enforcement by FDA, other regulatory authorities, and private parties. 28Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsAlso, quality control and manufacturing procedures must continue to conform to cGMP after approval. Manufacturers and their subcontractors are required toregister their facilities with the FDA and certain state agencies, list their products, and are subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA to assesscompliance with cGMP which impose procedural and documentation requirements relating to manufacturing, quality assurance and quality control. In somecase, after a BLA is approved, the product may also be subject to official lot release as a condition of approval. As part of the manufacturing process, themanufacturer is required to perform certain tests on each lot of the product before it is released for distribution. If the product is subject to official release bythe FDA, the manufacturer submits samples of each lot of product to the FDA together with a release protocol showing the results of all of the manufacturer’stests performed on the lot. The FDA may also perform certain confirmatory tests on lots of some products before releasing the lots for distribution by themanufacturer. Changes to the manufacturing process are further strictly regulated and often require prior FDA approval or notification before beingimplemented. FDA regulations also require investigation and correction of any deviations from cGMP and specifications, and impose reporting anddocumentation requirements upon the sponsor and any third‑party manufacturers that the sponsor may decide to use. Accordingly, manufacturers mustcontinue to expend time, money and effort in the area of production and quality control to maintain compliance with cGMP and other regulatoryrequirements. The FDA may require post-market testing and surveillance to monitor the product’s safety or efficacy, including additional studies to evaluatelong-term effects. There also are continuing annual program user fee requirements for any approved products. Orphan products, however, may be exemptfrom program fees under certain circumstances.In addition to studies requested by the FDA after approval, a sponsor may conduct other trials and studies to explore use of the approved product fortreatment of new indications, which require submission of a supplemental or new BLA and FDA approval of the new labeling claims. The purpose of thesetrials and studies is to broaden the application and use of the product and its acceptance in the medical community.We use, and will continue to use, third party manufacturers to produce our products in clinical quantities. We additionally use third party contract researchorganizations, clinical trial sites, and outside laboratories to conduct our clinical and preclinical studies. Future FDA inspections may identify complianceissues at our facilities, at the facilities of our contract manufacturers and other third parties or at those of our partners that may disrupt production ordistribution, disrupt clinical or preclinical studies, or require substantial resources to correct. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with aproduct, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or with manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements,may result in significant regulatory actions. Such actions may include restrictions on a product, studies, manufacturer or holder of an approved BLA, refusalto approve pending applications, license suspension or revocation, withdrawal of an approval, imposition of a clinical hold or termination of clinical trials,warning letters, untitled letters, cyber letters, modification of promotional materials or labeling, provision of corrective information, imposition ofpost‑market requirements including the need for additional testing, imposition of distribution or other restrictions under a REMS, product recalls orwithdrawals, product seizures or detentions, refusal to allow imports or exports, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, FDA debarment,injunctions, fines, consent decrees, corporate integrity agreements, debarment from receiving government contracts and new orders under existing contracts,exclusion from participation in federal and state healthcare programs, restitution, disgorgement, or civil or criminal penalties, including fines andimprisonment, and result in adverse publicity, among other adverse consequences. Newly discovered or developed safety or effectiveness data may requirechanges to a product’s approved labeling, including the addition of new warnings and contraindications. Also, new government requirements may beestablished that could delay or prevent regulatory approval of our products under development. 29Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsINTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND RIGHTSOur success will depend in part on our ability to protect our existing products and the products we acquire or in-license by obtaining and maintaining astrong proprietary position both in the U.S. and in other countries. To develop and maintain such a position, we intend to continue relying upon patentprotection, trade secrets, know-how, continuing technological innovations and licensing opportunities. In addition, we intend to seek patent protectionwhenever available for any products or product candidates and related technology we develop or acquire in the future.PatentsWe are the assignee or licensee of various U.S. patents, which have received patent protection in various foreign countries. Pursuant to our August 31, 2011settlement agreement with Auxilium, we are now co-owners and two of our employees will be added as co-inventors of U.S. Patent No. 7,811,560, have beenadded to a pending continuation, and will be named as co-inventors of any further continuations and divisionals thereof. We expect this patent will expire inJuly 2028. In addition, we have licenses to other pending patent applications. Although we believe these patent applications, if they issue as patents, willprovide a competitive advantage, the scope of the patent positions of pharmaceutical firms involves complex legal, scientific and factual questions and, assuch, is generally uncertain. In addition, the coverage claimed in a patent application can be significantly reduced before the patent is issued. Consequently,we do not know whether any of our current patent applications, or the products or product candidates we develop, acquire or license will result in theissuance of patents or, if any patents are issued, whether they will provide significant proprietary protection, will be of any value to us or will be challenged,circumvented or invalidated by our competitors or otherwise.While we attempt to ensure that our product candidates and the methods we employ to manufacture them do not infringe other parties’ patents andproprietary rights, competitors or other parties may assert that we infringe their proprietary rights. Because patent applications in the U.S. and some otherjurisdictions can proceed in secrecy until patents issue, third parties may obtain other patents without our knowledge prior to the issuance of patents relatingto our product candidates, which they could attempt to assert against us. Also, since publication of discoveries in the scientific or patent literature often lagsbehind actual discoveries, we cannot be certain of the priority of inventions covered by pending patent applications.Although we believe that our product candidates, production methods and other activities do not currently infringe the intellectual property rights of thirdparties, we cannot be certain that a third party will not challenge our position in the future. If a third party alleges that we are infringing its intellectualproperty rights, we may need to obtain a license from that third party, but there can be no assurance that any such license will be available on commerciallyacceptable terms or at all. Any infringement claim that results in litigation could result in substantial cost to us and the diversion of management’s attentionfrom our core business. To enforce patents issued, assigned or licensed to us or to determine the scope and validity of other parties’ proprietary rights, we mayalso become involved in litigation or in interference proceedings declared by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, which could result insubstantial costs to us or an adverse decision as to the priority of our inventions. We may be involved in interference and/or opposition proceedings in thefuture. We believe there will continue to be litigation in our industry regarding patent and other intellectual property rights.We have licensed to Endo our injectable collagenase for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture, Peyronie’s disease, frozen shoulder, cellulite, caninelipoma, lateral hip fat, plantar fibromatosis and human lipoma. We have two use patents in the U.S. covering the enzyme underlying our injectablecollagenase, one for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture, which issued from a reissue proceeding in December 2007, and one for the treatment ofPeyronie’s disease. The Dupuytren’s patent would have expired in 2014 if were it not for an extension based on regulatory delay discussed below. Because ofthe extension it has not expired yet, and the Peyronie’s patent expires in 2019. Both the Dupuytren’s and Peyronie’s patents are limited to the use of theenzyme for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease within certain dose ranges. An application to extend the term of the Dupuytren’spatent to August 22, 2019 based upon regulatory delay in granting approval to sell XIAFLEX was filed in the USPTO on April 1, 2010. On July 17, 2015, theUSPTO granted the application extending the expiration date to August 24, 2019. Orphan Drug DesignationsTwo indications, Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease, have received orphan drug designation from the OOPD. These indications did not receivethe European equivalent of orphan drug designation. 30Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsThe orphan drug provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act provide incentives to biologics sponsors to develop and supply products for thetreatment of rare diseases, currently defined as diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 individuals in the U.S. or, for a disease that affects more than 200,000individuals in the U.S. and for which there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and making available in the U.S. a product for suchdisease or condition will be recovered from its sales in the U.S. If there is a product already approved by the FDA that is intended for the same indication andthat is considered by the FDA to be the same as the already approved product, sponsors must present a plausible hypothesis for clinical superiority to obtainorphan designation. This hypothesis must be demonstrated to obtain orphan exclusivity. Under the orphan regulations the holder of the first FDA approvalof a designated orphan product will be granted a seven-year period of marketing exclusivity for that product for the orphan indication which means the FDAmay not approve any other application to market the same product for the same indication except in limited circumstances, such as a showing of clinicalsuperiority over the product with orphan exclusivity. In the case of Dupuytren’s contracture, orphan drug status expired on February 2, 2017; in the case ofPeyronie’s Disease, orphan drug status expires on December 6, 2020. Orphan exclusivity would not prevent other products from being approved for the sameindication or the same biologic from being approved for different indications. If granted, prior to product approval, orphan designation, companiesdeveloping orphan drugs may also be eligible for tax credits for expenses associated with clinical trials including a 20 year tax carry-forward, availability ofFDA grants, and advice on design of the clinical development plan. The tax advantages, however, were recently limited in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.Public Health Service Act and Biologics Price Competition and Innovation ActXIAFLEX is regulated and marketed as a biologic product pursuant to BLAs. Our and our partners’ other product candidates will also be regulated andmarketed as biologic products pursuant to a BLA. XIAFLEX was licensed based on a determination by the FDA of safety, purity, and potency as requiredunder the Public Health Service Act, or PHSA. In 2010, Congress enacted the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009, or BPCIA, as part ofthe Healthcare Reform Law, which amended the PHSA to create an abbreviated licensure pathway for products deemed to be biosimilar to or interchangeablewith FDA-licensed reference biological products as well as protections for reference biologics.Under the BPCIA, a reference biologic is granted 12 years of exclusivity from the time of first licensure. During this 12 year period, no application for abiosimilar product can be submitted for four years from the date of licensure of the reference product and FDA may not make a biosimilar product approvaleffective until the expiration of the 12 years. Not all reference product biologic applications and supplements, however, will qualify for 12 years ofexclusivity. For instance, certain changes and supplements to an approved BLA, and subsequent applications filed by the same sponsor, manufacturer,licensor, predecessor in interest, or other related entity do not qualify for the twelve year exclusivity period. The BPCIA also includes provisions to protectreference products that have patent protection. The biosimilar product sponsor and reference product sponsor may exchange certain patent and productinformation for the purpose of determining whether there should be a legal patent challenge. Based on the outcome of negotiations surrounding theexchanged information, the reference product sponsor may bring a patent infringement suit and injunction proceedings against the biosimilar productsponsor. The biosimilar applicant may also be able to bring an action for declaratory judgment concerning the patent.Under the BPCIA, following the expiration of a 12-year reference exclusivity period, the FDA may license under section 351(k) of the PHSA a biologic that itdetermines is biosimilar to or interchangeable with a reference product. Biosimilarity is defined to mean that the section 351(k) product is highly similar tothe reference product notwithstanding minor differences in clinically inactive components and that there are no clinically meaningful differences betweenthe section 351(k) product and the reference product in terms of the safety, purity, and potency of the product. To be considered interchangeable, a productmust be biosimilar to the reference product, be expected to produce the same clinical result as the reference product in any given patient, and, if administeredmore than once to an individual, the risks in terms of safety or diminished efficacy of alternating or switching between use of the product and its referenceproduct is not greater than the risk of using the reference product without such alternation or switch. Interchangeable products may be substituted for thereference product without the intervention of the prescribing doctor. Depending on the product, additional periods of regulatory exclusivity may beavailable. 31Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsOnce any reference exclusivity period for our BLA-licensed biologics expires, the FDA may make an approval under section 351(k) of the PHSA for abiosimilar or interchangeable version of our product effective. Licensure of a biosimilar or interchangeable product under section 351(k) generally requiresless than the full complement of product-specific preclinical and clinical data required for innovator products licensed under section 351(a). The FDA hasconsiderable discretion over the kind and amount of scientific evidence required to demonstrate biosimilarity and interchangeability.Trade SecretsWe also rely on trade secret protection for our confidential and proprietary information. No assurance can be given that others will not independentlydevelop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques or otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or disclose such technology or that wecan meaningfully protect our trade secrets.It is our policy to require certain employees, consultants, outside scientific collaborators, sponsored researchers and other advisors to execute confidentialityagreements upon the commencement of employment or consulting relationships with us. These agreements provide that all confidential informationdeveloped or made known to the individual during the course of the individual’s relationship with us is to be kept confidential and not disclosed to thirdparties except in specific circumstances. In the case of employees, the agreements provide that all inventions conceived by the individual shall be ourexclusive property. There can be no assurance, however, that these agreements will provide meaningful protection or adequate remedies for our trade secretsin the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of such information.EMPLOYEESThe Company currently has five employees, who are all full-time employees.CORPORATE INFORMATIONBioSpecifics Technologies Corp. was incorporated in Delaware in 1990. ABC-NY was incorporated in New York in 1957. Our telephone number is 516-593-7000. Our corporate headquarters are currently located at 35 Wilbur St., Lynbrook, NY 11563, as further described in this Report under “Item 2 - Properties”.AVAILABLE INFORMATIONWe file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with theSEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549, at prescribed rates. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for furtherinformation on the public reference room. You may also obtain our SEC filings free of charge from the SEC’s Internet website at www.sec.gov.Our website address is www.biospecifics.com. We make available free of charge through our website’s “Investors Relations” page most of our filings with theSEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other information. These reports andinformation are available as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.References to these websites do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained therein and should not be considered part of thisdocument.Item 1A.RISK FACTORSIn addition to the other information included in this Report, the following factors should be considered in evaluating our business and future prospects. Anyof the following risks, either alone or taken together, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations. If one ormore of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially fromwhat we projected. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know or that we currently believe are immaterial which could also impair ourbusiness or financial position.Please also see the “Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” on page 2 of this Annual Report. 32Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsRisks Related to Our Limited Sources of RevenueWe are dependent on Endo for future opt-in, milestone, mark-up on cost of goods sold and royalty payments and there is uncertainty surroundingEndo’s plans for licensed indications and, therefore, decisions made by Endo may negatively impact our financial position.Our primary sources of revenues are from opt-in, milestone, mark-up on cost of goods sold and royalty payments from Endo under the Endo Agreement. Asdescribed in Item 1 above, under the Endo Agreement, in exchange for the right to receive royalties and other payments, we have granted to Endo the right todevelop, manufacture, market and sell worldwide products (other than dermal formulations for topical administration) that contain collagenase for thetreatment of Dupuytren’s contracture, Peyronie’s disease, frozen shoulder, cellulite, canine lipoma, plantar fibromatosis, lateral hip fat and human lipoma.However, we have no control over Endo’s ability to successfully market, sell and manufacture products for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture andPeyronie’s disease, or, in the case of frozen shoulder, cellulite, canine lipoma, plantar fibromatosis, lateral hip fat and human lipoma, to pursuecommercialization, and we may receive limited, if any, royalty payments from Endo. We have no control over Endo’s future plans for any licensedindications. We have received in the past, and are entitled to receive in the future, certain milestone payments from Endo in respect of its efforts tocommercialize products, but we have no control over Endo’s ability to achieve the milestones. As also described in Item 1 above, Endo has sublicensed tothird parties some of the development and commercialization rights it licenses from us. We have received in the past a percentage of sublicense income thatEndo receives from these third parties based on the achievement of certain regulatory and sales related milestones. There is no guarantee that these thirdparties will continue to pursue development and commercialization of XIAFLEX (or Xiapex in Europe). If any third party stops pursuing such developmentand commercialization, sublicense income would no longer be payable to Endo or us.Even if Endo or its sublicensees pursues development and commercialization, there is no guarantee that the FDA or equivalent foreign regulatory body willapprove XIAFLEX for a given indication or that commercialization will be successful, if the FDA or equivalent foreign regulatory body does approveXIAFLEX for a given indication. Moreover, under the Endo Agreement, royalty payments are subject to set-off for certain expenses we owe Endo related todevelopment and patent costs. We anticipate that the amount of royalties due to us will exceed the amount of any set-offs on a going forward basis.In addition, we have granted to Endo an opt-in right to expand its license and development rights to one or more additional indications for injectablecollagenase not currently licensed to Endo, including for the treatment of uterine fibroids. Endo may exercise its opt-in prior the Company’s submission of aclinical trial report to Endo, with the Company’s consent. Alternatively, Endo may opt-in following our submission of such a report. If Endo exercises its opt-in with respect to an additional indication, we are entitled to receive a one-time license fee for the rights to, as well as potential milestone, royalty and otherpayments with respect to, such new indication. If Endo does not exercise its opt-in as to any additional indication, we may offer to any third party suchdevelopment rights with regard to products in the Endo Territory (as defined in the Endo Agreement), provided that we first offer the same terms to Endo, ordevelop the product ourselves. Endo has no obligation to exercise its opt-in with respect to any such additional indication, and its decision to do so is in itscomplete discretion. Clinical trials can be expensive and the results are subject to different interpretations, and therefore, there is no assurance that afterconducting Phase 2 clinical trials on any additional indication, and incurring the associated expenses, Endo will exercise its opt-in or we will receive anyrevenue from it. Under the Endo Agreement, we may only offer to a third party development rights with regard to products in the Endo Territory and not inEurope and certain Eurasian countries. Even if Endo exercises its opt-in as to any additional indication, its obligations to develop the product for suchindication are limited to initiating Stage II Development (as defined in the Endo Agreement) for such additional indication within one year of exercising theopt-in as to such indication.The outcome and effects of Endo’s ongoing commercial review of the XIAFLEX exercised but non-marketed indications is uncertain.Following the change in Endo management, Endo has announced a commercial review of the XIAFLEX exercised but non-marketed indications, includingfrozen shoulder, canine lipoma, lateral hip fat, plantar fibromatosis and human lipoma, so that Endo can best prioritize its R&D efforts and determine clinicaltrial timelines moving forward. At the present time, except for cellulite, which Endo is advancing in development, it is unclear how long this commercialreview will take to complete and the effect that it will have on Endo’s willingness to develop further such exercised but non-marketed indications. It is alsounclear what effect, if any, the commercial review will have on the willingness of Endo to exercise its rights to opt in for any additional indications,including uterine fibroid, currently under development by the Company. 33Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsDue to our dependence on Endo for future royalty, milestone, cost of goods mark up and sublicense income payments and the commercialization oflicensed indications and further development of future indications of XIAFLEX, the restructuring of Endo’s business and Endo’s failure to achieveprojected revenues could have a material adverse effect on our business.Our performance is substantially dependent on Endo’s performance, stability and success. Endo’s operations are substantially dependent on the continuedservices and performance of its senior management and other key personnel as well as the stability and performance of its various business units. The on-going reshaping of Endo’s business, the restructuring of the generics business and litigation and associated legal reserves could have the effect of distractingthe attention of management and other resources away from the commercialization and further development of XIAFLEX, thereby materially and adverselyour financial condition by slowing down the growth of, or reducing, XIAFLEX sales and development and payments by Endo to us for royalties, cost ofgoods sold, milestones, and sublicense income.Our dependence upon revenue from Endo makes us subject to the commercialization and other risk factors affecting Endo over which we have limitedor no control, including those risk factors identified by Endo in their 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed on February 27, 2018.We are dependent upon revenue from Endo and Endo’s operating success or failure has a significant impact on our potential royalty stream and otherpayment rights. The risk factors risks effecting Endo and, consequently us, include the following:Endo is subject to various regulations pertaining to the marketing of their products and services.Endo is subject to various federal and state laws pertaining to healthcare fraud and abuse, including prohibitions on the offer of payment or acceptance ofkickbacks or other remuneration for the purchase of Endo’s products and services, including inducements to potential patients to request Endo’s productsand services and inducements to healthcare professionals to prescribe and use Endo’s products. Additionally, product promotion, educational activities,support of continuing medical education programs, and other interactions with healthcare professionals and patients must be conducted in a mannerconsistent with the FDA regulations and the Anti-Kickback Statute. The Anti-Kickback Statute, with certain exceptions or exemptions published by theOffice of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS-OIG, prohibits persons or entities from knowingly and willfullysoliciting, receiving, offering or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, to induce either the referral of an individual, or the furnishing, recommending,or arranging for a good or service, for which payment may be made under federal healthcare programs, such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs.Violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute also carry potential federal False Claims Act liability. Additionally, many states have adopted laws similar to theAnti-Kickback Statute, without identical exceptions or exemptions. Some of these state prohibitions apply to referral of patients for healthcare items orservices reimbursed by any third-party payer, not only the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Any such new regulations or requirements may be difficult andexpensive for Endo to comply with, may delay Endo’s introduction of new products, may adversely affect Endo’s total revenues and may have a materialadverse effect on Endo’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.Sanctions for violating these laws include criminal penalties and civil sanctions and possible exclusion from federal funded healthcare programs such asMedicare and Medicaid as well as potential liability under the False Claims Act and applicable state false claims acts. There can be no assurance that Endo’spractices will not be challenged under these laws in the future or that such a challenge would not have a material adverse effect on their business and Endo’sbusiness or results of operations. 34Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIn addition, Endo is subject to statutory and regulatory restrictions on the promotion of uses of prescription drugs that are not approved by the FDA.Although the FDA does not regulate a physician’s choice of medications or treatments, the FDCA and FDA regulations and guidance significantly restrict theability of pharmaceutical companies to communicate with patients, physicians, and other third-parties about unapproved product uses. FDA, FTC, the HHS-OIG, the DOJ and various state Attorneys General actively enforce state and federal prohibitions on the promotion of unapproved uses, as well as prohibitionsagainst promotional practices deemed false or misleading. A company that is found to have improperly promoted its products under these laws may besubject to significant liability, including significant administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions, including but not limited to, significant civil damages,criminal fines, and exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal healthcare programs. Applicable laws governing product promotionalso provide for administrative, civil, and criminal liability for individuals, including, in some circumstances, potential strict vicarious liability. Conductgiving rise to such liability could also form the basis for private civil litigation by third-party payers or other persons allegedly harmed by such conduct, aswell as qui tam actions under the federal False Claims Act in which the government could chose to intervene.Endo has endeavored to establish and implement a corporate compliance program designed to prevent, detect, and correct violations of state and federalhealthcare laws, including laws related to advertising and promotion of Endo’s drugs. Nonetheless, the FDA, FTC, HHS-OIG, the DOJ and/or the stateAttorneys General, and qui tam relators may take the position that Endo is not in compliance with such requirements, and, if such non-compliance is proven,Endo and, in some cases, individual employees, may be subject to significant liability, including the aforementioned administrative, civil, and criminalsanctions. This could have a material adverse effect on Endo’s business and financial operations. For instance, while not related to Xiaflex or any of ourproduct candidates, in 2014, Endo entered into a settlement and corporate integrity agreement to resolve criminal and civil liability arising from itsmarketing of an unrelated drug.The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, which creates uncertainty about Endo’s ability to bring new products to market and imposes substantialcompliance costs on their business.Governmental authorities such as the FDA impose substantial requirements on the development, manufacture, holding, labeling, marketing, advertising,promotion, distribution and sale of therapeutic pharmaceutical products through lengthy and detailed laboratory and clinical testing and other costly andtime-consuming procedures A failure to obtain satisfactory results in required pre-marketing trials may prevent Endo from obtaining required regulatoryapprovals. The FDA may also require companies to conduct post-approval studies and post-approval surveillance regarding their drug products and doesrequire companies to report adverse events.Before obtaining regulatory approvals for the sale of any of Endo’s new product candidates, Endo must demonstrate through preclinical studies and clinicaltrials that the product is safe and effective for each intended use. Preclinical and clinical studies may fail to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of aproduct. Likewise, Endo may not be able to demonstrate through clinical trials that a product candidate’s therapeutic benefits outweigh its risks. Evenpromising results from preclinical and early clinical studies do not always accurately predict results in later, large scale trials. A failure to demonstrate safetyand efficacy could or would result in Endo’s failure to obtain regulatory approvals. Clinical trials can be delayed for reasons outside of Endo’s control whichcan lead to increased development costs and delays in regulatory approval. For example, there is substantial competition to enroll patients in clinical trialsand such competition has delayed clinical development of Endo’s products in the past. For example, patients may not enroll in clinical trials at the rateexpected or patients may drop out after enrolling in the trials or during the trials. In addition, Endo relies on collaboration partners that may control or makechanges in trial protocol and design enhancements, or encounter clinical trial compliance-related issues, which may also delay clinical trials or require thatclinical trials be suspended or terminated. Product supplies may be delayed or be insufficient to treat the patients participating in the clinical trials, ormanufacturers or suppliers may not meet the requirements of the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities, such as those relating to cGMP or GCPs. Endo alsomay experience delays in obtaining, or Endo may not obtain, required initial and continuing approval of Endo’s clinical trials from institutional reviewboards. Endo cannot confirm that it will not experience delays or undesired results their clinical trials.Endo cannot confirm that the FDA or foreign regulatory agencies will approve, clear for marketing or certify any products developed by Endo or that suchapproval will not subject the marketing of Endo’s products to certain limits on indicated use. The FDA or foreign regulatory authorities may not agree withEndo’s assessment of the clinical data or they may interpret it differently. Such regulatory authorities may require additional or expanded clinical trials. Anylimitation on use imposed by the FDA or delay in or failure to obtain FDA approvals or clearances of products developed by Endo would adversely affect themarketing of these products and Endo’s ability to generate product revenue, which would adversely affect Endo’s financial condition and results ofoperations. 35Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIn addition, with respect specifically to pharmaceutical products, the submission of a marketing application to the FDA with supporting clinical safety andefficacy data, for example, does not guarantee that the FDA will grant approval to market the product. Meeting the FDA’s regulatory requirements to obtainapproval to market a drug product, which varies substantially based on the type, complexity and novelty of the pharmaceutical product, typically takes yearsand is subject to uncertainty. The approval process for a new product varies in time. Approvals, if granted, may not include all uses (known as indications) forwhich a company may seek to market a product.Further, once a product is approved for marketing, failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements can result in, among other things, suspensions orwithdrawals of approvals or clearances, seizures or recalls of products, injunctions against the manufacture, holding, distribution, marketing and sale of aproduct, and civil and criminal sanctions. Furthermore, changes in existing regulations or the adoption of new regulations could prevent Endo fromobtaining, or affect the timing of, future regulatory approvals or clearances. Meeting regulatory requirements and evolving government standards may delaymarketing of Endo’s new products for a considerable period of time, impose costly procedures upon Endo’s activities and result in a competitive advantageto larger companies that compete against Endo.Based on scientific developments, post-market experience, or other legislative or regulatory changes, the current FDA standards of review for approving newpharmaceutical products, or new indications or uses for approved products, are sometimes more stringent than those that were applied in the past.The FDA has the authority to require companies to undertake additional post-approval studies to assess known or signaled safety risks and to make anylabeling changes to address those risks. The FDA also can require companies to formulate approved REMS to ensure a drug’s benefits outweigh its riskseither for approval or following approval. The FDA’s exercise of its authority under the FFDCA could result in delays or increased costs during productdevelopment, clinical trials and regulatory review, increased costs to comply with additional post-approval regulatory requirements and potential restrictionson sales of approved products. Foreign regulatory agencies often have similar authority and may impose comparable requirements and costs. Post-marketingstudies and other emerging data about marketed products, such as adverse event reports, may also adversely affect sales of Endo’s products or promptregulatory authorities to take regulatory actions with regard to the product. Furthermore, the discovery of significant safety or efficacy concerns or problemswith a product in the same therapeutic class as one of Endo’s products that implicate or appear to implicate the entire class of products could have an adverseeffect on sales of Endo’s product or, in some cases, result in product withdrawals or other regulatory action. Furthermore, new data and information, includinginformation about product misuse or abuse at the user level, may lead government agencies, professional societies, practice management groups or patient ortrade organizations to recommend or publish guidance or guidelines related to the use of Endo’s products, which may lead to reduced sales of Endo’sproducts.The FDA regulates and monitors the quality of drug clinical trials to provide human subject protection and to support marketing applications. The FDA mayplace a hold on a clinical trial and may cause a suspension or withdrawal of product approvals if regulatory standards are not maintained. The FDA alsoregulates the facilities, processes, and procedures used to manufacture and market pharmaceutical products in the U.S. both for clinical supply and marketedproducts. Manufacturing facilities must be registered with the FDA and all commercially distributed products made in such facilities must be manufactured inaccordance with the latest cGMP regulations, which are enforced by the FDA. Compliance with clinical trial requirements and cGMP regulations requires thededication of substantial resources and requires significant expenditures. In the event an approved manufacturing facility for a particular drug is required bythe FDA to curtail or cease operations, or otherwise becomes inoperable, or a third party contract manufacturing facility faces manufacturing problems,obtaining the required FDA authorization to manufacture at the same or a different manufacturing site could result in production delays, which couldadversely affect Endo’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow. 36Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsThe FDA is authorized to perform inspections of U.S. and foreign manufacturing facilities and clinical trial sites under the FFDCA. Following suchinspections, the FDA may issue an untitled letter as an initial correspondence that cites violations that do not meet the threshold of regulatory significance ofa Warning Letter. FDA guidelines also provide for the issuance of Warning Letters for violations of “regulatory significance” for which the failure toadequately and promptly achieve correction may be expected to result in an enforcement action. Finally, the FDA could issue a Form 483 Notice ofInspectional Observations, which could cause Endo to modify certain activities identified during the inspection FDA also may issue Warning Letters anduntitled letters in connection with events or circumstances unrelated to an FDA inspection.Similar to other healthcare companies, during 2016, Endo’s facilities, in multiple countries, across the full range of Endo’s business units, were subject toroutine and new-product related inspections by the FDA, MHRA, HPRA and Health Canada. Some of these inspections resulted in non-critical inspectionobservations (including FDA Form 483 observations). Endo has responded to all inspection observations within the required time frame and haveimplemented, or are continuing to implement, the corrective action plans as agreed with the relevant regulatory agencies.Endo cannot determine what effect changes in regulations or legal interpretations or requirements by the FDA or the courts, when and if promulgated orissued, may have on Endo’s business in the future. Changes could, among other things, require different labeling, monitoring of patients, interaction withphysicians, education programs for patients or physicians, curtailment of necessary supplies, or limitations on product distribution. These changes, or othersrequired by the FDA or DEA could have an adverse effect on the sales of these products. The evolving and complex nature of regulatory science andregulatory requirements, the broad authority and discretion of the FDA and the generally high level of regulatory oversight results in a continuing possibilitythat, from time to time, Endo will be adversely affected by regulatory actions despite Endo’s ongoing efforts and commitment to achieve and maintain fullcompliance with all regulatory requirements.Any issues that Endo or any other companies to which we grant licensing rights experience concerning regulatory and legal compliance generally, as well asthe development, manufacturing, approval, sale, marketing, promotion, and distribution specifically of our products and/or product candidates may limit theopt-in, mark up on COGs, milestone and/or royalty payments that we are due under our agreements.The availability of third party reimbursement for Endo’s products is uncertain, and thus Endo may find it difficult to maintain current price levels.Additionally, the market may not accept those products for which third party reimbursement is not adequately provided.Endo’s ability to commercialize Endo’s products depends, in part, on the extent to which reimbursement for the costs of these products is available fromgovernment healthcare programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare, private health insurers and others. Endo cannot be certain that, over time, third partyreimbursements for Endo’s products will be adequate for Endo to maintain price levels sufficient for realization of an appropriate return on Endo’sinvestment. Government payers, private insurers and other third party payers are increasingly attempting to contain healthcare costs by (1) limiting bothcoverage and the level of reimbursement (including adjusting co-pays) for products approved for marketing by the FDA, (2) refusing, in some cases, toprovide any coverage for uses of approved products for indications for which the FDA has not granted marketing approval and (3) requiring or encouraging,through more favorable reimbursement levels or otherwise, the substitution of generic alternatives to branded products.Endo may experience pricing pressure on the price of Endo’s products due to social or political pressure to lower the cost of drugs, which would reduceEndo’s revenue and future profitability.Endo may experience downward pricing pressure on the price of Endo’s products due to social or political pressure to lower the cost of drugs, which wouldreduce Endo’s revenue and future profitability. Recent events have resulted in increased public and governmental scrutiny of the cost of drugs, especially inconnection with price increases following companies’ acquisitions of the rights to certain drug products. In particular, U.S. federal prosecutors recently issuedsubpoenas to a pharmaceutical company seeking information about its drug pricing practices, among other issues, and members of the U.S. Congress havesought information from certain pharmaceutical companies relating to post-acquisition drug-price increases. Endo’s revenue and future profitability could benegatively affected if these inquiries were to result in legislative or regulatory proposals that limit Endo’s ability to increase the prices of Endo’s products.Pressure from social activist groups and future government regulations may also put downward pressure on the price of drugs, which could result indownward pressure on the prices of Endo’s products in the future. 37Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIf Endo’s manufacturing facilities are unable to manufacture Endo’s products or the manufacturing process is interrupted due to failure to comply withregulations or for other reasons, it could have a material adverse impact on Endo’s business.If any of Endo’s manufacturing facilities or contract manufacturers that Endo may use in the future fail to comply with regulatory requirements or encounterother manufacturing difficulties, it could adversely affect Endo’s ability to supply products. All facilities and manufacturing processes used for themanufacture of pharmaceutical products (including many components of such products) are subject to inspection by regulatory agencies at any time andmust be operated in conformity with cGMP. Compliance with the FDA’s cGMP requirements applies to both drug products seeking regulatory approval andto approved drug products. In complying with cGMP requirements, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities must continually expend significant time, moneyand effort in production, record-keeping and quality assurance and control so that their products meet applicable specifications and other requirements forproduct safety, efficacy and quality. Failure to comply with applicable legal requirements subjects Endo’s manufacturing facilities to possible legal orregulatory action, including shutdown, which may adversely affect the ability to supply XIAFLEX or any product candidate for clinical and preclinical trials.If Endo or its contract manufacturers are not able to manufacture products at its manufacturing facilities because of regulatory, business or any other reasons,the manufacture and marketing of XIAFLEX would be interrupted. This could have a material adverse impact on Endo’s business, results of operation,financial condition, cash flows and competitive position.Endo acquired Auxilium on January 29, 2015. Auxilium’s Horsham, Pennsylvania facilities and the facilities of the manufacturer that Endo has sincequalified as an alternate manufacturer for XIAFLEX® (the “Alternate Manufacturer” and such facility, the “Alternate Facility”) are subject to such regulatoryrequirements and oversight. If Endo or the Alternate Manufacturer fail to comply with cGMP requirements, Endo may not be permitted to sell its products ormay be limited in the jurisdictions in which it is permitted to sell them. Such noncompliance could also impact the Company’s ability to supply thenecessary product required for clinical and preclinical development. Further, if an inspection by regulatory authorities indicates that there are deficienciesincluding non-compliance with regulatory requirements, Endo could be required to take remedial actions, stop production or close Endo’s Horsham or theAlternate Facility, which would disrupt the manufacturing processes, limit the supplies of XIAFLEX and delay clinical trials and subsequent licensure, and/orlimit the sale of commercial supplies. In addition, future noncompliance with any applicable regulatory requirements may result in refusal by regulatoryauthorities to allow use of XIAFLEX or any other products or product candidates in clinical trials, refusal of the government to allow distribution ofXIAFLEX or any other products or product candidates within the U.S. or other jurisdictions, criminal prosecution and fines, recall or seizure of products, totalor partial suspension of production, prohibitions or limitations on the commercial sale of products, refusal to allow the entering into of federal and statesupply contracts, and follow-on civil litigation.Endo has limited experience in manufacturing biologic products and may encounter difficulties in Endo’s manufacturing processes, which couldmaterially adversely affect Endo’s results of operations or delay or disrupt manufacture of those of Endo’s products that are reliant upon Endo’smanufacturing operations.The manufacture of biologic products requires significant expertise and capital investment. Although Endo’s subsidiary, Auxilium, leased its facilities inHorsham, Pennsylvania in order to have direct control over the manufacturing of the active ingredient of XIAFLEX, Endo has limited experience inmanufacturing XIAFLEX or any other biologic product. Biologics such as XIAFLEX require processing steps that are highly complex and generally moredifficult than those required for most chemical pharmaceuticals. If Endo’s manufacturing processes at the Rye, New York facility or Horsham facility aredisrupted, it may be difficult to find alternate manufacturing sites. Endo may encounter difficulties with the manufacture of the active ingredient ofXIAFLEX which could delay, disrupt or halt Endo’s manufacture of XIAFLEX and require write-offs which may affect Endo’s financial results, result inproduct recalls or product liability claims or otherwise materially affect Endo’s results of operations. 38Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsThe regulatory approval process outside the U.S. varies depending on foreign regulatory requirements, and failure to obtain regulatory approval inforeign jurisdictions would prevent the marketing of Endo’s products in those jurisdictions.Endo has worldwide intellectual property rights to market many of Endo’s products and product candidates and intends to seek approval to market certain ofEndo’s products outside of the U.S. Approval of a product by the regulatory authorities of foreign countries must be obtained prior to manufacturing ormarketing that product in those countries. The approval procedure varies among countries and can involve additional testing and the time required to obtainsuch approval may differ from that required to obtain FDA approval. The non-U.S. regulatory approval process includes all of the risks associated withobtaining FDA approval set forth herein. Approval by the FDA does not secure approval by the regulatory authorities of any other country, nor does theapproval by foreign regulatory authorities in one country secure approval by regulatory authorities in other foreign countries or the FDA. If Endo fails tocomply with these regulatory requirements or fails to obtain and maintain required approvals, Endo’s target market will be reduced and Endo’s ability togenerate revenue from abroad will be adversely affected.The expanding nature of Endo’s business in global markets exposes Endo to risks associated with adapting to emerging markets and taking advantage ofgrowth opportunities.The globalization of Endo’s business may expose Endo to increased risks associated with conducting business in emerging markets. Any difficulties inadapting to emerging markets could impair Endo’s ability to take advantage of growth opportunities in these regions and a decline in the growth of emergingmarkets could negatively affect Endo’s business, results of operations or financial condition.The expansion of Endo’s activities in emerging markets may further expose Endo to more volatile economic conditions and political instability. Endo alsofaces competition from companies that are already well established in these markets. Endo’s inability to adequately respond to the unique characteristics ofthese markets, particularly with respect to their regulatory frameworks, the difficulties in recruiting qualified personnel, potential exchange controls, weakerintellectual property protection, higher crime levels and corruption and fraud, could have a material adverse effect on Endo’s business.Endo’s policies and procedures, which are designed to help Endo, Endo’s employees and agents comply with various laws and regulations regarding corruptpractices and anti-bribery, cannot guarantee protection against liability for actions taken by businesses in which Endo invests. Failure to comply withdomestic or international laws could result in various adverse consequences, including possible delay in the approval or refusal to approve a product, recalls,seizures, withdrawal of an approved product from the market, or the imposition of criminal or civil sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties.In addition, differences in banking systems and business cultures could have an adverse effect on the efficiency of internal controls over financial reportingmatters. Given the significant learning curve to fully understand the emerging markets’ business, operating environment and the quality of controls in place,Endo may not be able to adequately assess the efficiency of internal controls over financial reporting or the effects of the laws and requirements of the localbusiness jurisdictions.Many jurisdictions require specific permits or business licenses, particularly if the business is considered foreign. These requirements may affect Endo’sability to carry out Endo’s business operations in emerging markets.The risks of selling and shipping products and of purchasing components and products internationally may adversely impact Endo’s revenues, results ofoperations and financial condition.The sale and shipping of Endo’s products and services across international borders is subject to extensive U.S. and foreign governmental trade regulations,such as various anti-bribery laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, export control laws, customs and import laws, and anti-boycott laws.Endo’s failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could result in significant criminal, civil and administrative penalties, including, but notlimited to, imprisonment of individuals, fines, denial of export privileges, seizure of shipments, restrictions on certain business activities, and exclusion ordebarment from government contracting. Also, the failure to comply with applicable legal and regulatory obligations could result in the disruption of Endo’sshipping and sales activities.In addition, some countries in which Endo’s subsidiaries sell products are, to some degree, subject to political, economic and/or social instability. Endo’sinternational sales operations expose Endo and Endo’s representatives, agents and distributors to risks inherent in operating in foreign jurisdictions. Theserisks include: 39Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents•the imposition of additional U.S. and foreign governmental controls or regulations;•the imposition of costly and lengthy new export licensing requirements;•the imposition of U.S. and/or international sanctions against a country, company, person or entity with whom the company does business thatwould restrict or prohibit continued business with the sanctioned country, company, person or entity;•economic and political instability or disruptions, including local and regional instability, or disruptions due to natural disasters, such assevere weather and geological events, disruptions due to civil unrest and hostilities, rioting, military activity, terror attacks or armedhostilities;•changes in duties and tariffs, license obligations and other non-tariff barriers to trade;•the imposition of new trade restrictions; •imposition of restrictions on the activities of foreign agents, representatives and distributors;•foreign tax authorities imposing significant fines, penalties and additional taxes;•pricing pressure that Endo may experience internationally;•laws and business practices favoring local companies;•difficulties in enforcing or defending intellectual property rights; and•exposure to different legal and political standards due to Endo’s conducting business in several foreign countries.Endo cannot provide assurance that one or more of these factors will not harm Endo’s business. Additionally, Endo is experiencing fluidity in regulatory andpricing trends as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Any materialdecrease in Endo’s international sales would adversely impact Endo’s results of operations and financial condition.If physicians do not prescribe XIAFLEX or the medical profession or patients do not accept XIAFLEX, our ability to grow or maintain revenues will belimited.Our revenues are dependent on market acceptance of XIAFLEX. Physician willingness to prescribe, and patients’ willingness to accept, XIAFLEX depend onmany factors, including:☐perceived safety and efficacy;☐convenience and ease of administration;☐incidence and severity of adverse side effects in both clinical trials and commercial use;☐availability of alternative treatments or products;☐cost effectiveness and pricing;☐the adequacy and effectiveness of Endo’s sales force and that of any partner’s sales force;☐the adequacy and effectiveness of Endo’s production, distribution and marketing capabilities and those of Endo’s international partners; 40Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents☐publicity concerning Endo’s products or competing products; and☐existence and level of third-party or government coverage or reimbursement for XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture andPeyronie’s disease.Even though there is regulatory approval for XIAFLEX, physicians may not prescribe, and patients may not accept, XIAFLEX if Endo or its partners do notpromote it effectively. If XIAFLEX fails to achieve market acceptance, Endo may not be able to market and sell XIAFLEX successfully, which would limitour ability to receive revenue and could harm our business.We may not be able to obtain or maintain orphan drug exclusivity for XIAFLEX, which could significantly harm our business.Some jurisdictions, including Europe and the U.S., may designate drugs intended to treat relatively small patient populations as orphan drugs. The FDAgranted orphan drug status to XIAFLEX in the U.S. for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease. The orphan drug designation forDupuytren’s contracture expired on February 2, 2017. Orphan drug designation must be requested before submitting an application for marketingauthorization. Orphan drug designation may not convey any advantage in, or shorten the duration of, the regulatory review and approval process, but doesmake the product eligible for orphan drug exclusivity and, in the U.S., specific tax credits. Generally, if a product with an orphan drug designationsubsequently receives the first marketing approval for the indication for which it has such designation, the product is entitled to orphan drug exclusivity.Orphan drug exclusivity means that another application to market the same drug for the same indication may not be approved, except in limitedcircumstances, for a period of up to 10 years in Europe and for a period of seven years in the U.S. Maintaining orphan drug designations and orphan drugexclusivity for XIAFLEX for the treatment Peyronie’s disease may be critical to its success. Peyronie’s disease currently enjoys Orphan Drug Protection untilDecember 6, 2020. Even with orphan drug exclusivity, we may not be able to maintain it. For example, if a competitive product is shown to be different orclinically superior, any orphan drug exclusivity we have obtained will not block the approval of such competitive product.Endo is dependent upon Endo’s collaborative relationships with third parties to further develop and commercialize XIAFLEX outside of the U.S. Theremay be circumstances that delay or prevent the ability of any of these third parties’ to develop and commercialize XIAFLEX.Endo has assumed all agreements that Auxilium entered into with each of Sobi and Asahi under which Auxilium has granted them the right to develop andcommercialize XIAFLEX/Xiapex in 71 Eurasian and African countries, in Japan, respectively. In December 2016, Endo entered into a new out-licensingagreement with Actelion, pursuant to which Actelion obtained marketing and commercial rights for XIAFLEX in Australia and New Zealand. In addition,Endo may seek to enter into similar arrangements with other third parties with respect to the development and commercialization of XIAFLEX/Xiapex in therest of the world. Endo is subject to a number of risks associated with Endo’s dependence on Endo’s collaborative relationship with these third parties,including:☐adverse decisions by a third party regarding the amount and timing of resource expenditures for the development and commercialization ofXIAFLEX/Xiapex;☐possible disagreements as to the timing, nature and extent of Endo’s development plans, including clinical trials or regulatory approvalstrategy;☐the right of a third party to terminate its collaboration agreement with Endo on limited notice upon the occurrence of certain defined events;☐loss of significant rights if Endo fails to meet Endo’s obligations under the collaboration agreement;☐withdrawal of support by a third party following change of that third party’s corporate strategy or due to competing priorities; 41Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents☐changes in key management personnel at a third party that are members of the collaboration’s various operating committees; and☐possible disagreements with a third party regarding the collaboration agreement or ownership of proprietary rights, including with respect toinventions discovered under the applicable collaborative agreement.Due to these factors and other possible disagreements with a third party, including potential disputes over intellectual property ownership, Endo may bedelayed or prevented from further developing, manufacturing or commercializing XIAFLEX outside the U.S., or Endo may become involved in litigation orarbitration, which would be time consuming and expensive.If a third party were to terminate its collaboration agreement with Endo, Endo would need to undertake development and marketing activities for XIAFLEXin that third party’s territory solely at Endo’s own expense and/or seek another partner for some or all of these activities in that territory. If Endo pursued theseactivities in that territory on Endo’s own, it would significantly increase Endo’s capital and infrastructure requirements, and might limit the indications Endois able to pursue and could prevent Endo from effectively developing and commercializing XIAFLEX. If Endo sought to find another pharmaceuticalcompany partner for some or all of these activities, Endo may not be successful in such efforts, or they may result in a collaboration that has Endo expendinggreater funds and efforts than the relationship with the terminating third party.In general, Endo cannot control the amount and timing that Endo’s third party partners may devote to Endo’s collaborations. Endo is relying on Endo’s third-party partners to obtain regulatory approvals for and successfully commercialize XIAFLEX in the relevant territories. If a third party fails to adequatelymarket and promote XIAFLEX in its territory, Endo may be unable to obtain any remedy against that third party and sales of XIAFLEX may be harmed, whichwould negatively impact Endo’s business, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity due to reduced milestone and royalty payments under the applicablethird party agreement and, subsequently, our business and results of operations. In addition, third party partners may have difficulty obtaining reimbursementfor their products and may withdraw from certain markets outside of the U.S.As a condition for approval of XIAFLEX for Dupuytren’s contracture and for Peyronie’s disease, Endo is required to comply with post-marketingrequirements. Failure to comply with these requirements or any future post-marketing requirements, or the cost of compliance with such requirements,may harm our business.The FDA or, for products outside the U.S. for which Endo holds the regulatory approvals, international regulatory agencies can establish requirements forXIAFLEX or Xiapex with which Endo must comply. Data from preclinical testing and clinical trials are submitted to the FDA in an NDA or BLA formarketing approval and to foreign government health authorities in a marketing authorization application, consistent with each health authority’s specificregulatory requirements. The process of completing clinical trials for a new drug may take many years and require the expenditures of substantial resources.As a condition of approval, the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities may require further studies, including Phase 4 post-marketing studies and pediatricstudies, to provide additional data. In September 2007, Congress passed legislation authorizing the FDA to require companies to undertake such studies toassess the risks of drugs known or signaling potential to have serious safety issues. For some drugs, the FDA may require a Risk Evaluation and MitigationStrategy (REMS), which could include medication guides, physician communication plans, or restrictions on distribution and use, such as limitations on whomay prescribe the drug or where it may be dispensed or administered. Other post-marketing studies could be used to gain approval for the use of a product asa treatment for clinical indications other than those for which the product was initially tested. Also, the FDA or foreign government regulatory authoritiesrequire post-marketing reporting to monitor the adverse effects of drugs. Results of post-marketing programs may limit or expand the further marketing of theproducts. Failure to report or conduct the studies is considered a violation and can result in enforcement action. These studies or clinical trials could be time-consuming and costly and the results could have negative effects on Endo’s ability to market the product. 42Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsXIAFLEX is regulated and marketed as biologic products pursuant to BLAs. XIAFLEX is licensed based on a determination by the FDA of safety, purity, andpotency as required under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA). In 2010, Congress enacted the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009(BPCIA), as part of the Healthcare Reform Law, which amended the PHSA to create an abbreviated licensure pathway for products deemed to be biosimilar toor interchangeable with FDA-licensed reference biological products. Under the BPCIA, an approval for a biosimilar product cannot be made effective by theFDA until 12 years after the original branded product was approved under a BLA. Certain changes, however, and supplements to an approved BLA, andsubsequent applications filed by the same sponsor, manufacturer, licensor, predecessor in interest, or other related entity do not qualify for the 12-yearexclusivity period.Under the BPCIA, following the expiration of a 12-year reference exclusivity period, FDA may license under section 351(k) of the PHSA effective for abiologic that it determines is biosimilar to or interchangeable with a reference product licensed under section 351(a) of the PHSA. Biosimilarity is defined tomean that the section 351(k) product is highly similar to the reference product notwithstanding minor differences in clinically inactive components and thatthere are no clinically meaningful differences between the section 351(k) product and the reference product in terms of the safety, purity, and potency of theproduct. To be considered interchangeable, a product must be biosimilar to the reference product, be expected to produce the same clinical result as thereference product in any given patient, and, if administered more than once to an individual, the risks in terms of safety or diminished efficacy of alternatingor switching between use of the product and its reference product is not greater than the risk of using the reference product without such alternation or switch.Once any reference exclusivity period for a BLA-licensed biologics expires, FDA may make an approval under section 351(k) effective of the PHSA anothercompany’s BLA for a biosimilar or interchangeable version of our product. Although licensure of a biosimilar or interchangeable under section 351(k) isgenerally expected to require less than the full complement of product-specific preclinical and clinical data required for innovator products licensed undersection 351(a), FDA has considerable discretion over the kind and amount of scientific evidence required to demonstrate biosimilarity andinterchangeability.’We believe that Xiaflex, which was initially approved in 2010, would have exclusivity protection through 2022. However, there is a risk that the FDA willnot consider our product candidates to be reference products for competing products, potentially creating the opportunity for biosimilar competition soonerthan anticipated. Additionally, this period of regulatory exclusivity does not apply to companies pursuing regulatory approval via their own traditional BLA,rather than via the abbreviated pathway. Moreover, the extent to which a biosimilar, once approved, will be substituted for any one of our reference productsin a way that is similar to traditional generic substitution for non-biological products is not yet clear, and will depend on a number of marketplace andregulatory factors that are still developing. It is possible that payers will give reimbursement preference to biosimilars even over reference biologics absent adetermination of interchangeability.For XIAFLEX for Peyronie’s disease, Endo is required to implement a REMS or other programs. Failure to comply, or the cost of compliance withsuch REMS or other programs, may harm our business.The FDA is authorized to require Endo as the sponsor of an approved or unapproved marketing application to submit a proposed REMS if the FDAdetermines that a REMS is necessary to ensure that the benefits of a drug outweigh the risks of the drug. Failure to comply with the requirements of theapproved REMS can render the drug misbranded. A violation of a REMS requirement is subject to civil penalties. Complying with the requirements of aREMS can be costly and time-consuming and adversely affect Endo’s operations.Because of the risks of corporal rupture (penile fracture) or other serious penile injury in the treatment of Peyronie’s disease, XIAFLEX is available onlythrough the XIAFLEX REMS Program. The required components of the XIAFLEX REMS Program include (i) Prescribers must be certified with the programby enrolling and completing training in the administration of XIAFLEX treatment for Peyronie’s disease, and (ii) Healthcare sites must be certified with theprogram and ensure that XIAFLEX is only dispensed for use by certified prescribers.If we are unable to obtain opt-in, milestone, mark-up on cost of goods sold and royalty payments from Endo or meet our needs for additional fundingfrom other sources, we may be required to limit, scale back or cease our operations.Our business strategy contains elements that we will not be able to implement if we do not receive the anticipated opt-in, milestone, royalty or mark-up oncost of goods sold payments from Endo, or secure additional funding from other sources. While we anticipate being profitable on an ongoing, annual basis,our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including: 43Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents☐Endo’s ability to manufacture and commercialize XIAFLEX for which we would receive milestone, mark-up on cost of goods sold and royaltypayments;☐The ability of Endo’s sublicensees to commercialize XIAFLEX/Xiapex in their respective territories;☐the amount actually owed by us to Endo for certain patent costs;☐the scope, rate of progress, cost and results of our clinical trials on additional indications, including uterine fibroids, for which Endo couldexercise its opt-in to acquire its rights;☐the terms and timing of any future collaborative, licensing, co-promotion and other arrangements that we may establish;☐the cost of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights or defending against any otherlitigation; and☐the extent to which Endo may reallocate priority away from XIAFLEX.These factors could result in variations from our currently projected operating requirements. If our existing resources are insufficient to satisfy our operatingrequirements, we may need to limit, scale back or cease operations or, in the alternative, borrow money. Given our operations and history, we may not be ableto borrow money on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. If we issue any equity or debt securities, the terms of such issuance may not be acceptable to usand would likely result in substantial dilution of our stockholders’ investment. If we do not receive revenues from Endo, and are unable to secure additionalfinancing, we may be required to cease operations.We depend on Endo for the determination of royalty payments and cost of goods sold. While we have rights to audit Endo, the independent auditorsmay have difficulty determining the correct royalty and cost of goods sold calculations, we may not be able to detect errors and payment calculationsmay call for retroactive adjustments. We may have to exercise legal remedies to resolve any disputes resulting from the audit.The royalty payments we receive are determined by Endo based on reported sales. Endo’s calculation of the royalty payments are subject to and dependentupon the adequacy and accuracy of its sales and accounting functions. Endo’s calculation of cost of goods sold are subject to and dependent upon theadequacy and accuracy of its internal accounting of costs. Errors may occur from time to time in these calculations. The Endo Agreement provides us theright to audit the calculations and sales data for the associated royalty payments. Although we may exercise our audit rights, such audits may occur manymonths following our recognition of the royalty revenue, may require us to adjust our royalty revenues in later periods and may require expense on the part ofthe Company. Further, Endo may be uncooperative or have insufficient records, which may complicate and delay the audit process.Although we may exercise our audit rights, we rely in the first instance on Endo to accurately report sales and calculate and pay applicable royalties. Suchaudits may occur many months following our recognition of the royalty revenue, may require us to adjust our royalty revenues in later periods and mayrequire expense on the part of the Company. We also rely on Endo’s cooperation and maintenance of sufficient records in performing such audits. If Endo isuncooperative or has insufficient records, it may complicate and delay the audit process. In the absence of such cooperation, we may be forced to exerciselegal remedies to enforce our rights.In order to finance and to secure the rights to conduct clinical trials for products we have licensed to Endo, we have granted to third parties significantrights to share in royalty payments received by us and, in some case, milestone payments to be received by us.To finance and secure the rights to conduct clinical trials for products we have licensed to Endo, we have granted to third parties certain rights to share inroyalty payments and, in some cases milestone payments, received by us from Endo under the Endo Agreement. Consequently, we will be required to share asignificant portion of the payments due to us from Endo under the Endo Agreement. 44Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIf we breach our agreements with third parties or if there is a dispute concerning any of our agreements with third parties, our business could bematerially harmed.Our agreements with third parties impose on us various obligations, such as those related to intellectual property rights, non-competition, and developmentof products, as described throughout this Item 1A of this Report. If we fail to comply with such obligations, or a counterparty to our agreements believes thatwe have failed to comply with such obligations, we may be sued and the costs of the resulting litigation could materially harm our business. Additionally,disputes may arise under these agreements, including with respect to the interpretation of such agreements and fee redeterminations or renegotiations thereof.These disputes may lead to litigation, termination of the agreement, or amendments that change our rights under the agreement, which could materially affectour financial position and materially harm our business. We agreed, for example, to resolve a dispute with Endo, to grant Endo an early opt-in to indicationswhich may, if we consent, limit our ability to conduct clinical trials pursuant to the First Amendment which is described more fully in Item 1 above.Our results of operations and financial position could be negatively impacted if our tax positions are challenged by tax authorities.We are a U.S.-based company subject to tax in certain U.S. jurisdictions. U.S. federal, state and local tax laws and regulations are extremely complex andsubject to varying interpretations. Although we believe that our tax estimates and tax positions are reasonable, there can be no assurance that our taxpositions will not be challenged by relevant tax authorities or that we would be successful in any such challenge. If we are unsuccessful in such a challenge,the relevant tax authorities may assess additional taxes, which could result in adjustments to, or impact the timing or amount of, taxable income, deductionsor other tax allocations, which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.Risks Related to Clinical Trials and Development of Drug CandidatesOur ability to conduct future clinical trials and develop products for injectable administration of collagenase may be limited by the Endo Agreement.Under the Endo Agreement, we have the right to conduct trials, studies or development work for, among other things, uterine fibroids, and, upon approval bythe parties’ joint development committee, or the JDC, additional indications. Endo has pre-approved our protocol for uterine fibroids. However, certainmaterial changes to the protocol must be approved by the JDC, and the JDC may decide not to approve such changes if the JDC has reasonable safetyconcerns. In addition, the JDC has the right to stop our study or trial in uterine fibroids if the rate of serious adverse events exceeds certain thresholds. If theJDC fails to approve changes to our protocol for uterine fibroids or if the JDC stops our studies or trials in uterine fibroids due to safety concerns, our abilityto obtain milestones and royalty payments with respect to this indication would be limited. We may only conduct in vivo trials, studies or development workfor additional indications beyond the pre-approved indications upon submission to and approval by the JDC of our development plan which includes in vivostudies of uterine fibroids. In the case of indications in keloids, capsular contraction after breast augmentation, arthrofibrosis following total jointreplacement in humans and equine suspensory ligament desmitis, the JDC may reject our submission only for reasonable safety concerns. The JDC may rejectour submission for any other additional indications for safety or commercial concerns. If the JDC rejects our submissions in any additional indications, ourability to obtain opt-in, milestone and royalty payments with respect to those additional indications would be limited.Additionally, under the Endo Agreement, we have licensed or granted options to certain of our rights to conduct clinical trials and develop products forinjectable administration of collagenase. We agreed, for example, to certain non-competition provisions, which may limit our clinical development activities. 45Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsWe are dependent on Endo for access to XIAFLEX, which may limit our ability to conduct future clinical trials and to obtain the associated opt-in,milestone, mark-up on cost of goods sold payments and royalty payments under the Endo Agreement.Under the Endo Agreement, we have agreed to buy at cost plus a mark-up XIAFLEX from Endo for conducting our trials, studies and development work. IfEndo does not supply XIAFLEX to us, our ability to conduct clinical trials using XIAFLEX would be limited because we do not have the right to makeXIAFLEX or to purchase it from third parties. . Similarly, any interruptions in Endo’s manufacturing as a result of regulatory issues or noncompliance wouldlimit our ability to conduct our trials. We may also be held responsible for any Endo departures from the applicable regulatory manufacturing requirements,to the extent it impacts our clinical supply. Moreover, our ability to use our own clinical material may be limited both by lack of availability and by certainpotential regulatory restrictions. Without adequate supply of clinical material our ability to obtain additional opt-in, milestone and royalty payments underthe Endo Agreement would be limited.If clinical trials for our potential new indications are delayed, we may not be able to obtain opt-in, milestone or royalty payments under the EndoAgreement for new indications.Clinical trials that we, Endo, or our investigators may conduct may not begin on time or may need to be restructured or temporarily suspended after they havebegun. Clinical trials can be delayed, may never be completed or may need to be restructured for a variety of reasons, including delays, impediments orrestructuring related to:☐changes to the regulatory approval process for product candidates;☐obtaining regulatory approval to commence a clinical trial;☐timing of responses required from regulatory authorities;☐negotiating acceptable clinical trial agreement terms with prospective investigators or trial sites;☐obtaining institutional review board, or equivalent, approval to conduct a clinical trial at a prospective site;☐recruiting subjects to participate in a clinical trial;☐competition in recruiting clinical investigators;☐shortage or lack of availability of clinical trial supplies from external and internal sources;☐the need to repeat clinical trials as a result of inconclusive results or poorly executed testing, or to conduct additional clinical or preclinicaltrials or analyses;☐failure to validate a patient-reported outcome questionnaire;☐the placement of a clinical hold on a study;☐the failure of third parties conducting and overseeing the operations of our clinical trials to perform their contractual or regulatory obligationsin a timely fashion; ☐exposure of clinical trial subjects to unexpected and unacceptable health risks or noncompliance with regulatory requirements, which mayresult in suspension of the trial; and☐manufacturing and/or distribution issues associated with clinical supplies. 46Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsCompletion of clinical trials for each product candidate will be required before commercialization. If Endo or we experience delays in, or termination of,clinical trials, or fails to enroll patients in clinical trials in a timely manner, or if the cost or timing of the regulatory approval process increases, our financialresults and the commercial prospects for product candidates for new indications will be adversely impacted.The process of conducting clinical trials and developing product candidates involves a high degree of risk, may take several years, and may ultimatelynot be successful.Product candidates that appear promising in the early phases of development may fail to reach the market for several reasons, including:☐clinical trials may show product candidates to be ineffective or not as effective as anticipated or to have harmful side effects or any unforeseenresult;☐experience with marketed versions of product candidates may reveal harmful side effects or other unforeseen results;☐regulatory authorities may disagree with study design and/or data interpretation from preclinical and clinical trials, or may find that a productcandidate’s benefits do not outweigh its risks;☐regulatory authorities may take longer than anticipated to make a decision on the product candidates; ☐product candidates may fail to receive regulatory approvals required to bring the products to market;☐manufacturing costs, the inability to scale up to produce supplies for clinical trials or other factors may make our product candidatesuneconomical;☐changes in approval policies, data standards, statutes, and regulations; and☐the proprietary rights of others and their competing products and technologies may prevent product candidates from being effectivelycommercialized or from obtaining exclusivity.Success in preclinical and early clinical trials does not ensure that large-scale clinical trials will be successful. Clinical results are frequently susceptible tovarying interpretations that may delay, limit or prevent regulatory approvals. The length of time necessary to complete clinical trials and to submit anapplication for marketing approval for a final decision by a regulatory authority varies significantly and may be difficult to predict. Any changes to the U.S.regulatory approval process could significantly increase the timing or cost of regulatory approval for product candidates making further developmentuneconomical or impossible. In addition, once Endo exercises its opt-in with respect to an additional indication, further clinical trials, development,manufacturing, marketing and selling of such product are out of our control. Our interest is limited to receiving opt-in, milestone, mark-up on cost of goodssold payments and royalty payments.Successful development of drug candidates is inherently difficult and uncertain, and our long-term prospects depend upon our ability and the ability ofour partners, particularly with respect to XIAFLEX, to continue to successfully commercialize these drug candidates.Successful development of drugs is inherently difficult and uncertain. Our business requires investments in R&D over many years, often for drug candidatesthat may fail during the R&D process. Even if the Company is able to successfully complete the development of our drug candidates, our long-term prospectsdepend upon our ability and the ability of our partners, particularly with respect to XIAFLEX, to continue to successfully commercialize these drugcandidates.There is significant uncertainty regarding our ability to successfully develop drug candidates in other indications. These risks include the uncertainty of: ☐the nature, timing and estimated costs of the efforts necessary to complete the development of our drug candidate projects; 47Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents☐the anticipated completion dates for our drug candidate projects;☐the scope, rate of progress and cost of our clinical trials that we are currently running or may commence in the future with respect to our drugcandidate projects;☐the scope, rate of progress of our preclinical studies and other R&D activities related to our drug candidate projects;☐clinical trial results for our drug candidate projects;☐the cost of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights relating to our drug candidateprojects;☐the terms and timing of any strategic alliance, licensing and other arrangements that we have or may establish in the future relating to ourdrug candidate projects;☐the cost and timing of regulatory approvals with respect to our drug candidate projects; and☐the cost of establishing clinical supplies for our drug candidate projects.Risks Related to Regulatory RequirementsWe are subject to numerous complex regulatory requirements and failure to comply with these regulations, or the cost of compliance with theseregulations, may harm our business.Conducting clinical trials for human drugs and, in certain circumstances, veterinarian trials for animal drugs, and the testing, development and manufacturingand distribution of product candidates are subject to regulation by numerous governmental authorities in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, if we desire toexport the resulting products to such other jurisdictions. These regulations govern or affect the testing, manufacture, safety, labeling, storage, record-keeping,approval, distribution, advertising and promotion of product candidates, as well as safe working conditions. Noncompliance with any applicable regulatoryrequirements can result in suspension or termination of any ongoing clinical trials of a product candidate or refusal of the government to approve a productcandidate for commercialization, criminal prosecution and fines, recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production, prohibitions orlimitations on the commercial sale of products or refusal to allow the entering into of federal and state supply contracts. The FDA and comparablegovernmental authorities have the authority to suspend or terminate any ongoing clinical trials of a product candidate or withdraw product approvals thathave been previously granted. Even after a product candidate has been approved, the FDA and comparable governmental authorities subject such product tocontinuing review and regulatory requirements including, for example, requiring the conducting and reporting of the results of certain clinical studies ortrials and commitments to voluntarily conduct additional clinical trials. In addition, regulatory approval could impose limitations on the indicated orintended uses for which product candidates may be marketed. With respect to its approval of XIAFLEX for the treatment of adult Dupuytren’s contracturepatients with a palpable cord, for example, the FDA and Auxilium agreed upon a REMS program consisting of a communication plan and a medicationguide. The REMS program is no longer an FDA requirement for Dupuytren’s Contracture only. With respect to its approval of XIAFLEX for Peyronie’sdisease, Auxilium, and now Endo, has further collaborated with the FDA for a REMS for XIAFLEX for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease in men with apalpable plaque and curvature deformity of 30 degrees or greater at the start of therapy. The required components of the XIAFLEX REMS Program include (i)Prescribers must be certified with the program by enrolling and completing training in the administration of XIAFLEX treatment for Peyronie’s disease, and(ii) Healthcare sites must be certified with the program and ensure that XIAFLEX is only dispensed for use by certified prescribers. Currently, there is asubstantial amount of congressional and administrative review of the FDA and the regulatory approval process for drug candidates in the U.S. As a result,there may be significant changes made to the regulatory approval process in the U.S. In addition, the regulatory requirements relating to the development,manufacturing, testing, promotion, marketing and distribution of product candidates may change in the U.S. Such changes may increase our costs andadversely affect our operations. 48Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsAdditionally, failure to comply with, or changes to applicable regulatory requirements may result in a variety of consequences, including the following:☐restrictions on our products or the manufacturing processes of such products;☐warning letters, untitled letters and cyber letters;☐withdrawal of a product from the market;☐voluntary or mandatory recall of a product;☐fines;☐suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals for a product;☐refusal to permit the import or export of our products;☐refusal to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications that we submit;☐denial of permission to file an application or supplement in a jurisdiction;☐debarment, exclusion from participation in federal healthcare programs, exclusion or debarment from government contracting, consentdecrees, or corporate integrity agreements;☐product seizure; and ☐injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties against us.To the extent that we or our partners do not perform particular regulated functions ourselves but contract out to third parties, including contractmanufacturers, contract research organizations, clinical trial sites, and laboratories, we or our partners may be held responsible for such third parties’ failure tofollow the applicable regulatory requirements.Our corporate compliance program cannot guarantee that we are in compliance with all potentially applicable laws and regulations and we haveincurred and will continue to incur costs relating to compliance with applicable laws and regulations.We are a small company and we rely heavily on third parties and outside consultants to conduct many important functions. As a biopharmaceutical company,we are subject to a large body of legal and regulatory requirements. In addition, as a publicly traded company we are subject to significant regulations,including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or SOX, some of which have only recently been revised or adopted. We cannot assure you that we are or will be incompliance with all potentially applicable laws and regulations. Failure to comply with all potentially applicable laws and regulations could lead to theimposition of fines, cause the value of our common stock to decline, and impede our ability to raise capital or list our securities on certain securitiesexchanges. New rules could make it more difficult or more costly for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance,and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. The impact ofthese events could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our Board, our committees and as executive officers. Wecannot predict or estimate the amount of the additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs to comply with these rules and regulations. 49Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsWe may fail to maintain effective internal controls over external financial reporting or such controls may fail or be circumvented.SOX requires us to report annually on our internal controls over financial reporting, and our business and financial results could be adversely affected if we,or our independent registered public accounting firm, determine that these controls are not effective. In addition, any failure or circumvention of our internalcontrols and procedures or failure to comply with regulations concerning controls and procedures could have a material effect on our business, results ofoperation and financial condition. The impact of these events could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on ourBoard, our committees and as executive officers.Risks Related to Growth and EmployeesBecause of the specialized nature of our business, the termination of relationships with key management, consulting and scientific personnel or theinability to recruit and retain additional personnel could prevent us from developing our technologies, conducting clinical trials and/or obtainingfinancing.Because of the specialized scientific nature of our business, our ability to develop products and to compete with our current and future competitors largelydepends upon our ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified managerial, consulting and scientific personnel. If we are unable to retain theservices of one or more of the principal members of senior management, consultants or other key employees, our ability to implement our business strategycould be materially harmed. We face intense competition for qualified employees and consultants from biopharmaceutical companies, research organizationsand academic institutions. Attracting, retaining or replacing these personnel on acceptable terms may be difficult and time-consuming given the highdemand in our industry for similar personnel. There is intense competition for qualified personnel in the areas of our activities, and we cannot assure you thatwe will be able to continue to attract and retain the qualified personnel necessary for the development of our business.Adverse events or lack of efficacy in clinical trials may force us and/or our partners upon whom we are wholly dependent to stop development of ourproduct candidates or prevent regulatory approval of our product candidates or significant safety issues could arise after regulatory approval of ourproducts, any of which could materially harm our business.The prescribing information for XIAFLEX for Dupuytren’s contracture originally made available by Auxilium lists “tendon ruptures or other serious injury tothe injected extremity” and one “anaphylactic reaction reported in a post-marketing clinical study in a patient who had previous exposure to XIAFLEX forthe treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture” as a reported serious adverse reaction to XIAFLEX and states that the most frequently reported adverse drugreactions in XIAFLEX clinical trials included swelling of the injected hand, contusion, injection site reaction, injection site hemorrhage, and pain in thetreated extremity. The prescribing information notes that adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug may not reflect those observed in practicebecause such trials “are conducted under widely varying conditions.”In the case of Peyronie’s disease, the serious risks include penile fracture (corporal rupture) and other serious injuries to the penis such as hematoma. Theseserious risks are highlighted in the Boxed Warning within the Full Prescribing Information (the label).Adverse events or lack of efficacy may force us to stop development of our product candidates or prevent or limit regulatory approval of our productcandidates, which could materially harm our business. In addition, any adverse events or lack of efficacy may force Endo to stop development of the productswe have licensed to it or prevent or limit regulatory approval of such products, which could materially impair all or a material part of the future revenue wehope to receive from Endo. Even if our product candidates receive regulatory approval, new safety issues may be reported and we or our partners may berequired to amend the conditions of use for a product and may make it difficult to obtain product liability insurance for clinical trials. 50Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsWe and our licensees face competition in our product development and marketing efforts from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies,universities and other not-for-profit institutions.We and our licensees face competition in our product development and marketing efforts from entities that have substantially greater research and productdevelopment capabilities and greater financial, scientific, marketing and human resources. These entities include pharmaceutical and biotechnologycompanies, as well as universities and not-for-profit institutions. Our and our licensees’ competitors may succeed in developing products or intellectualproperty earlier than we or our licensees do, entering into successful collaborations before us or our licensees, obtaining approvals from the FDA or otherregulatory agencies for such products before us or our licensees, or developing or marketing products that are more effective than those we or our licenseescould develop or market. The success of any one competitor in these or other respects will have a material adverse effect on our business, our ability toreceive opt-in payments from Endo or our ability to generate revenues from third party arrangements with respect to additional indications for which Endodoes not exercise its opt-in.We may face financial pressures because of our lack of diversity in our research and product development.All of our income is derived from products marketed by Endo and Endo has the right under the Endo Agreement to opt-in to all work we do in the Field (asdefined in the Endo Agreement). Therefore, with respect to those products for which Endo opts-in, the Company’s upside is limited by the Endo Agreement.For example, Endo may opt-in to an indication and then choose not to vigorously pursue the development of that indication which may result inBioSpecifics negotiating with Endo for repurchase rights to the indication. In order to eliminate this financial pressure and diversify our portfolio, we maychoose to acquire or in-license non-collagenase opportunities.Our strategy of generating growth through acquisitions and in-licensing deals may not be successful.Because of limits in the Endo Agreement, our business strategy may include growing our business through acquisition and in-licensing transactions. We maynot be successful in identifying, effectively evaluating, acquiring or in-licensing, and developing and commercializing additional products on favorableterms, or at all. Competition for attractive product opportunities is intense and may require us to devote substantial resources, both managerial and financial,to an acquisition or in-licensing opportunity.Acquisition and in-licensing efforts can consume significant management attention and require substantial expenditures, which could detract from our otherprograms. In addition, we may devote significant resources to potential deals that are never completed. Even if we are successful in acquiring a product orcompany or obtaining licensing terms favorable to us, it may not result in a successfully developed or commercialized product or, even if an acquired productis commercialized, competing products or technologies could render a product noncompetitive, uneconomical or obsolete. Moreover, the cost of acquiringother companies or in-licensing products could be substantial. If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to acquire other companies or in-license and developadditional products, or if we acquire or in-license unproductive assets, it could have a material adverse effect on the growth of our business.We may face pressure from activist stockholders to declare dividends which may negatively affect our business.Campaigns by stockholders to effect changes at publicly-listed companies are sometimes led by investors seeking to increase short-term stockholder value byadvocating corporate actions including special dividends. We have built a substantial amount of cash. Given our stockholder composition and other factors,it is possible such stockholder or future activist stockholders may attempt to effect a distribution of this cash. Responding to actions by such activiststockholders or others in the future would be costly and time-consuming, disrupt our operations and divert the attention of our Board and senior managementfrom the pursuit of business strategies, including new collagenase or non-collagenase opportunities, acquisitions or in-licenses of other indications ortechnologies, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, if faced with actions by activist stockholders, wemay not be able to respond effectively to such actions, which could be disruptive to our business. 51Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIf product liability lawsuits are brought against us, we may incur substantial liabilities.Our business exposes us to potential liability risks that arise from the clinical testing and, if approved, the commercialization of our products. We continue tohave product liability exposure for topical products sold by us prior to the sale of our topical business. In addition to direct expenditures for damages,settlement and defense costs, there is a possibility of adverse publicity and loss of revenues as a result of product liability claims. Product liability is asignificant commercial risk for us. Some plaintiffs have received substantial damage awards in some jurisdictions against pharmaceutical companies basedupon claims for injuries allegedly caused by the use of their products. In addition, in the age of social media, plaintiffs’ counsel now have a wide variety oftools to advertise their services and solicit new clients for litigation. Thus, we could expect that any significant product liability litigation or mass tort inwhich we are a defendant will have a larger number of plaintiffs than such actions have seen historically because of the increasing use of widespread andmedia-varied advertising. In addition, under the Endo Agreement, we are obligated to indemnify Endo and its affiliates for any harm or losses they sufferrelating to any personal injury and other product liability resulting from our development, manufacture or commercialization of any injectable collagenaseproduct. We have clinical trial and product liability insurance in the aggregate amount of $5.0 million dollars that we believe is adequate in both scope andamount and has been placed with what we believe are reputable insurers. We may not be able to maintain our clinical trial and product liability insurance atan acceptable cost, if at all, and this insurance may not provide adequate coverage against potential claims or losses. If losses from product liability claimsexceed our insurance coverage, we may incur substantial liabilities that exceed our financial resources, and our business and results of operations may beharmed. Whether or not we are ultimately successful in product liability litigation, such litigation could consume substantial amounts of our financial andmanagerial resources, and might result in adverse publicity, all of which could impair our businessIn addition, it may be necessary for us to voluntarily or mandatorily recall or withdraw products that do not meet approved specifications or whichsubsequent data demonstrate may be unsafe or ineffective, which would also result in adverse publicity as well as in costs connected to the recall and loss ofrevenue.Risks Related to Intellectual Property RightsIf we are unable to obtain, maintain and enforce intellectual property protection covering our products, others may be able to make, use or sellproducts substantially the same as ours, which could adversely affect our ability to compete in the market.Our commercial success depends, in part, on our ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patents, trade secrets, trademarks and other intellectual propertyrights and to operate without having third parties infringe, misappropriate or circumvent the rights that we own or license. If we are unable to obtain, maintainand enforce intellectual property protection covering our products, others may be able to make, use or sell products that are substantially the same as ourswithout incurring the sizeable development and licensing costs that we have incurred, which would adversely affect our ability to compete in the market. Ourability to stop third parties from making, using, selling, offering to sell or importing our product candidates is dependent upon the extent to which we haverights under valid and enforceable patents or trade secrets that cover these activities. However, the patent positions of biopharmaceutical companies,including ours, can be highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions for which important legal principles remain unresolved. Therefore,there is no assurance that our pending patent applications will result in the issuance of patents or that we will develop additional proprietary products whichare patentable. Moreover, patents issued or to be issued to us may not provide us with any competitive advantage. Our patent position is subject to numerousadditional risks, including the following:·we may fail to seek patent protection for inventions that are important to our success;·our pending patent applications may not result in issued patents;·we cannot be certain that we were the first to invent the inventions covered by pending pre-America Invents Act patent applications or that wewere the first to file such applications and, if we are not, we may be subject to priority disputes; ·we may be required to disclaim part or all of the term of certain patents or all of the term of certain patent applications;·we may file patent applications but have claims restricted or we may not be able to supply sufficient data to support our claims and, as aresult, may not obtain the original claims desired or we may receive restricted claims. Alternatively, it is possible that we may not receive anypatent protection from an application; 52Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents·we could inadvertently abandon a patent or patent application, resulting in the loss of protection of certain intellectual property rights in acertain country. We, our collaborators or our patent counsel may take action resulting in a patent or patent application becoming abandonedwhich may not be able to be reinstated or if reinstated, may suffer patent term adjustments;·the claims of our issued patents or patent applications when issued may not cover our products;·no assurance can be given that our patents would be declared by a court to be valid or enforceable or that a competitor’s technology orproduct would be found by a court to infringe our patents. Our patents or patent applications may be challenged by third parties in patentlitigation or in proceedings before the USPTO or its foreign counterparts, and may ultimately be declared invalid or unenforceable, ornarrowed in scope;·there may be prior art of which we are not aware that may affect the validity or enforceability of a patent claim. There also may be prior art ofwhich we are aware, but which we do not believe affects the validity or enforceability of a claim, which may, nonetheless, ultimately be foundto affect the validity or enforceability of a claim;·third parties may develop products which have the same or similar effect as our products without infringing our patents. Such third partiesmay also intentionally circumvent our patents by means of alternate designs or processes or file applications or be granted patents that wouldblock or hurt our efforts;·there may be dominating patents relevant to our product candidates of which we are not aware;·our patent counsel, lawyers or advisors may have given us, or may in the future give us incorrect advice or counsel. Opinions from such patentcounsel or lawyers may not be correct or may be based on incomplete facts;·obtaining regulatory approval for biopharmaceutical products is a lengthy and complex process, and as a result, any patents covering ourproduct candidates may expire before, or shortly after such product candidates are approved and commercialized;·the patent and patent enforcement laws of some foreign jurisdictions do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as laws inthe U.S., and many companies have encountered significant difficulties in protecting and defending such rights in foreign jurisdictions. If weencounter such difficulties or we are otherwise precluded from effectively protecting our intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions,our business prospects could be substantially harmed; and·we may not develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable.Any of these factors could hurt our ability to gain full patent protection for our products. Registered trademarks and trademark applications in the U.S. andother countries are subject to similar risks as described above for patents and patent applications.Moreover, we may be subject to a third-party pre-issuance submission of prior art to the USPTO, or become involved in opposition, nullity, derivation,reexamination, inter partes review, post-grant review or interference proceedings challenging our patent rights or the patent rights of others. An adversedetermination in any such submission, proceeding or litigation could reduce the scope of, or invalidate, our patent rights, allow third parties tocommercialize our technology or drugs and compete directly with us, without payment to us or result in our inability to manufacture or commercialize drugswithout infringing third-party patent rights. In addition, if the breadth or strength of protection provided by our patents and patent applications is threatened,it could dissuade companies from collaborating with us to seek patent protection or to license, develop or commercialize current or future product candidates. 53Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsDevelopments in patent law could have a negative impact on our business.From time to time, the United States Supreme Court, or the Supreme Court, other federal courts, the United States Congress, or the USPTO, may change thestandards of patentability and any such changes could have a negative impact on our business.Two cases involving diagnostic method claims and “gene patents” have recently been decided by the Supreme Court. On March 20, 2012, the Supreme Courtissued a decision in Mayo Collaborative v. Prometheus Laboratories, or Prometheus, a case involving patent claims directed to optimizing the amount ofdrug administered to a specific patient. According to that decision, Prometheus’ claims failed to incorporate sufficient inventive content above and beyondmere underlying natural correlations to allow the claimed processes to qualify as patent-eligible processes that apply natural laws. On June 13, 2013, theSupreme Court subsequently decided Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, or Myriad, a case brought by multiple plaintiffs challengingthe validity of patent claims held by Myriad Genetics, Inc. relating to the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, holding that genomic DNAthat exists in nature, even if isolated, such as the DNA constituting the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, is not patentable subject matter under 35 U.S.C. §101.On March 4, 2014, the USPTO issued a memorandum to patent examiners providing guidance for examining claims reciting laws of nature/natural principles,natural phenomena, and/or natural products for patent eligibility in view of the Supreme Court decisions in Prometheus and Myriad. The guidance indicatesthat claims reciting such natural products, even in combination, that do not significantly differ from such natural products could be rejected as directed tonon-statutory subject matter. That guidance was replaced by a memorandum issued December 15, 2014, that modified some of the earlier guidance, but anumber of the aspects have not substantially changed, and it is too soon to determine how the revised guidance will be applied. These guidelines, and theMyriad discussion that isolation of natural products may not confer eligibility under 35 U.S.C. §101, are relevant to our patent portfolio and thusenforcement of these patents.A further case relevant to these issues was decided by the Supreme Court on June 19, 2014, in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International, 573 U.S. __, 134 S. Ct.2347 (2014). While the Alice case related to computer-implemented inventions, the holdings in that case, which also related to natural laws or “abstractideas” have been used to reject claims in applications directed to other technologies. As a result of the Alice case, the March guidance issued by the USPTOwas replaced by the memorandum issued December 15, 2014, that modified some of the earlier guidance. In June of 2015, an additional case was decided bythe Federal Circuit, namely, Ariosa Diagnostics, Inc. v. Sequenom, Inc., 788 F.3d 1371 (Fed. Cir. 2015). The Federal Circuit affirmed the district court, findingthat methods of detecting paternally inherited nucleic acids were not patent eligible. Sequenom’s petition for rehearing en banc and its petition for certiorarito the Supreme Court were both denied.On July 30, 2015, the USPTO issued a “July 2015 Update on Subject Matter Eligibility,” which provided further guidance, as well as examples of patent-eligible and patent-ineligible subject matter, which was largely directed to computer-implemented inventions. However, in May of 2016, the Patent Officeissued an additional “Subject Matter Eligibility Update,” as well as “Subject Matter Eligibility Examples: Life Sciences,” which included examples ofeligible and non-eligible claims relating to vaccines, diagnosis and treatment of disease, dietary sweeteners, screening for gene alterations, a paper-makingmachine, and a process for hydrolysis of fat. Additional business method examples were issued in December of 2016. These examples are useful guidance fordrafting eligible claims in the chemical and biological arts. In addition, the Patent Office provided an additional memorandum in November of 2016,summarizing more recent decisions by the Federal Circuit in the area of software claim eligibility.In light of the developing case law and guidance from the USPTO on subject matter eligibility, we cannot assure you that our efforts to seek patent protectionfor our technology and products will not be negatively impacted by the guidance issued by the USPTO, the decisions described above, rulings in other cases,or changes in guidance or procedures issued by the USPTO, or changes in statutes implemented by Congress.Furthermore, we cannot fully predict what impact the Supreme Court’s decisions in Prometheus, Myriad and Alice may have on the ability ofbiopharmaceutical companies or other entities to obtain or enforce patents relating to purified natural products in the future. The Prometheus, Myriad andAlice decisions are new and the contours of when claims to laws of nature, natural phenomena or natural products meet the patent eligibility requirements arenot clear and may take many years to develop via interpretation in the courts. Thus, we may not be able to successfully defend the validity of our patents ifchallenged. 54Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIn addition, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or the America Invents Act, which was signed into law in 2011, includes a number of significant changesto U.S. patent law. These changes include a transition from a “first-to-invent” system to a “first-to-file” system, changes to the way issued patents arechallenged, and changes to the way patent applications are disputed during the examination process. These changes may favor larger and more establishedcompanies that have greater resources to devote to patent application filing and prosecution. The USPTO has developed new and untested regulations andprocedures to govern the full implementation of the America Invents Act, and many of the substantive changes to patent law associated with the AmericaInvents Act, and, in particular, the first-to-file provisions, became effective on March 16, 2013. Substantive changes to patent law associated with theAmerica Invents Act may affect our ability to obtain patents, and, if obtained, to enforce or defend them. Accordingly, it is not clear what, if any, impact theAmerica Invents Act will ultimately have on the cost of prosecuting our patent applications, our ability to obtain patents based on our discoveries and ourability to enforce or defend any patents that may issue from our patent applications, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.In addition, the laws of foreign countries may not protect our rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. or visa-versa. For example, European patent lawrestricts the patentability of methods of treatment of the human body more than U.S. law. Publications of discoveries in the scientific literature often lagbehind the actual discoveries, and utility, or equivalent, patent applications in the U.S. and other jurisdictions are typically not published until 18 monthsafter the filing date of such patent applications, or in some cases, not at all. Therefore, we cannot know with certainty whether we were the first to make theinventions claimed in our owned or licensed patents or pending patent applications, or that we were the first to file for patent protection of such inventions.As a result, the issuance, scope, validity, enforceability and commercial value of our patent rights are highly uncertain. Our pending and future patentapplications may not result in patents being issued that protect our product candidates, in whole or in part, or which effectively prevent others fromcommercializing competitive technologies and drugs. Changes in either the patent laws or interpretation of the patent laws in the U.S. and other countriesmay diminish the value of our patents or narrow the scope of our patent protection.If we breach any of the agreements under which we license rights to products or technology from others, we could lose license rights that are critical toour business and our business could be harmed.We are a party to a number of license agreements by which we have acquired rights to use the intellectual property of third parties that are necessary for us tooperate our business. If any of the parties terminates its agreement, whether by its terms or due to our breach, our right to use the party’s intellectual propertymay negatively affect our licenses to Endo, and, in turn, their obligation to make opt-in, milestone, mark-up on cost of goods sold, royalty or other paymentsto us.Our ability and the ability of our licensees and collaborators to develop and license products based on our patents may be impaired by the intellectualproperty of third parties.Endo’s, and our commercial success in developing and manufacturing collagenase products based on our patents is dependent on these products notinfringing the patents or proprietary rights of third parties. While we currently believe that we, our licensees and collaborators have freedom to operate in thecollagenase market, others may challenge that position in the future. There has been, and we believe that there will continue to be, significant litigation inthe pharmaceutical industry regarding patent and other intellectual property rights.Third parties could bring legal actions against us, our licensees, licensors or collaborators claiming damages and seeking to enjoin clinical testing,manufacturing and marketing of the affected product or products. A third party might request a court to rule that the patents we in-licensed or licensed toothers, or those we may in-license in the future, are invalid or unenforceable. In such a case, even if the validity or enforceability of those patents wereupheld, a court might hold that the third party’s actions do not infringe the patent we license to others, which could, in effect, limit the scope of our patentrights and those of our licensees or collaborators. Our agreements with Endo require us to indemnify them against any claims for infringement based on theuse of our technology. If we become involved in any litigation, it could consume a substantial portion of our resources, regardless of the outcome of thelitigation. If Endo becomes involved in such litigation, it could also consume a substantial portion of their resources, regardless of the outcome of thelitigation, thereby jeopardizing their ability to commercialize candidate products and/or their ability to make opt-in, milestone, mark-up on cost of goodssold or royalty payments to us. If any of these actions is successful, in addition to any potential liability for damages, we could be required to obtain a licenseto permit ourselves, our licensees, licensors or our collaborators to conduct clinical trials, manufacture or market the affected product, in which case we maybe required to pay substantial royalties or grant cross-licenses to our patents. However, there can be no assurance that any such license will be available oncommercially acceptable terms or at all. Ultimately, we, our licensees or collaborators could be prevented from commercializing a product, or forced to ceasesome aspect of their or our business, as a result of patent infringement claims, which could harm our business or right to receive opt-in, milestone, mark-up oncost of goods sold and royalty payments. 55Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsOur intellectual property may be infringed by a third party.Third parties may infringe one or more of our issued patents or trademarks. We cannot predict if, when or where a third party may infringe one or more of ourissued patents or trademarks. To counter infringement, we may be required to file infringement claims, which can be expensive and time consuming. There isno assurance that we would be successful in a court of law in proving that a third party is infringing one or more of our issued patents or trademarks. Anyclaims we assert against perceived infringers could also provoke these parties to assert counterclaims against us, alleging that we infringe their intellectualproperty. In addition, in a patent infringement proceeding, a court may decide that a patent of ours is invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, construethe patent’s claims narrowly and/or refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at issue on the grounds that our patents do not cover thetechnology in question, any of which may adversely affect our business. Even if we are successful in proving in a court of law that a third party is infringingone or more of our issued patents or trademarks there can be no assurance that we would be successful in halting their infringing activities, for example,through a permanent injunction, or that we would be fully or even partially financially compensated for any harm to our business. We may be forced to enterinto a license or other agreement with the infringing third party at terms less profitable or otherwise commercially acceptable to us than if the license oragreement were negotiated under conditions between those of a willing licensee and a willing licensor. We may not become aware of a third-party infringerwithin legal timeframes for compensation or at all, thereby possibly losing the ability to be compensated for any harm to our business. Such a third party maybe operating in a foreign country where the infringer is difficult to locate and/or the intellectual property laws may be more difficult to enforce. Some third-party infringers may be able to sustain the costs of complex infringement litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greaterresources. Any inability to stop third-party infringement could result in loss in market share of some of our products or even lead to a delay, reduction and/orinhibition of the development, manufacture or sale of certain products by us. There is no assurance that a product produced and sold by a third-party infringerwould meet our or other regulatory standards or would be safe for use. Such third‑party infringer products could irreparably harm the reputation of ourproducts thereby resulting in substantial loss in market share and profits.We may be subject to claims that our employees, consultants or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential information ofthird parties.We employ individuals who were previously employed at other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies. We may be subject to claims that we or ouremployees, consultants or independent contractors have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed confidential information of our employees’ formeremployers or other third parties. We may also be subject to claims that former employers or other third parties have an ownership interest in our patents.Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. There is no guarantee of success in defending these claims, and if we do not prevail, we could berequired to pay substantial damages and could lose rights to important intellectual property. Even if we are successful, litigation could result in substantialcost and be a distraction to our management and other employees.Risks Related to our Common StockWe have no current plan to pay dividends on our common stock and investors must rely on an increase in stock price for any return on theirinvestment.We retain the earnings that we generate and we have no current plans to pay dividends on our common stock. Because we historically have not declareddividends, stockholders must rely on an increase in the stock price for any return on their investment in us. Investors will not receive any funds absent a saleof their shares. We cannot assure investors of a positive return on their investment when they sell their shares. 56Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsOur stock price has, in the past, been volatile, and the market price of our common stock may drop below the current price.Our stock price has, at times, been volatile. Currently, our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Market, or NASDAQ, and is thinly traded.Market prices for securities of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and specialty pharmaceutical companies have been particularly volatile. Some of the factorsthat may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate include:☐results of our clinical trials;☐failure of any product candidates we have licensed to Endo to achieve commercial success;☐failure of Endo to exercise any opt in rights to new indications;☐regulatory developments in the U.S. and foreign countries;☐developments or disputes concerning patents or other proprietary rights;☐litigation involving us or our general industry, or both;☐future sales of our common stock by the estate of our former Chairman and CEO, directors, officers, or others;☐changes in the structure of healthcare payment systems, including developments in price control legislation;☐departure of key personnel;☐termination of agreements with our licensees or their sublicensees;☐announcements of material events by those companies that are our competitors or perceived to be similar to us;☐changes in estimates of our financial results;☐investors’ general perception of us;☐general economic, industry and market conditions; and☐the reallocation by Endo of its priorities away from XIAFLEX.If any of these risks occurs, or continues to occur, it could cause our stock price to fall and may expose us to class action lawsuits that, even if unsuccessful,could be costly to defend and a distraction to management. 57Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsWe cannot guarantee that we will repurchase our common stock pursuant to our stock repurchase program or that our stock repurchase program willenhance long-term stockholder value. Stock repurchases could also increase the volatility of the price of our common stock and could diminish our cashreserves.In August 2015, our Board authorized an increase in the repurchase amount of our stock repurchase program under which we are authorized to repurchaseshares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price not to exceed $2.5 million in open market transactions in compliance with SEC Rule 10b-18.Although our Board has authorized the stock repurchase program, the stock repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any specific dollar amountor to acquire any specific number of shares. Stock will be purchased from time to time, in the open market in compliance with SEC Rule 10b-18, subject tomarket conditions and applicable state and federal securities laws. The timing and amount of repurchases, if any, will depend upon several factors, includingmarket and business conditions, the trading price of our common stock and the nature of other investment opportunities. In addition, repurchases of ourcommon stock pursuant to our stock repurchase program could affect the market price of our common stock or increase its volatility. For example, theexistence of a stock repurchase program could cause our stock price to be higher than it would be in the absence of such a program and could potentiallyreduce the market liquidity for our stock. Additionally, our stock repurchase program could diminish our cash reserves, which may impact our ability tofinance future growth and to pursue possible future strategic opportunities and acquisitions. There can be no assurance that any stock repurchases willenhance stockholder value because the market price of our common stock may decline below the levels at which we determine to repurchase our stock.Although our stock repurchase program is intended to enhance long-term stockholder value, there is no assurance that it will do so and short-term stock pricefluctuations could reduce the program’s effectiveness.Actual or potential sales of our common stock by our directors, employees and consultants, during open trading windows and pursuant to pre-arrangedstock trading plans, could cause our stock price to fall or prevent it from increasing for numerous reasons, and actual or potential sales by such personscould be viewed negatively by other investors.We have a number of insiders that own significant blocks of our Common Stock. If one or more of these stockholders sell large portions of their holdings in arelatively short time, for liquidity, tax, or other reasons, the prevailing market price of our Common Stock could be negatively affected. In addition, it ispossible that our executive officer, consultants, or non-employee members of our Board could sell shares of our Common Stock during an open tradingwindow under our Insider Trading Policy. These transactions and the perceived reasons for these transactions could be viewed negatively by other investorsand could have a negative effect on the prevailing market price of our Common Stock.In accordance with the guidelines specified under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, and our policies regarding stock transactions, certain of our directorsand consultants have adopted and may continue to adopt stock trading plans pursuant to which they have arranged to sell shares of our common stock fromtime to time in the future. Generally, sales under such plans by our directors require public filings. Actual or potential sales of our common stock by suchpersons could cause the price of our common stock to fall or prevent it from increasing for numerous reasons. For example, a substantial number of shares ofour common stock becoming available (or being perceived to become available) for sale in the public market could cause the market price of our commonstock to fall or prevent it from increasing.Our outstanding options to purchase shares of common stock could have a possible dilutive effect.As of December 31, 2017, options to purchase 232,000 shares of common stock were outstanding. In addition, as of December 31, 2017, a total of 229,098options were available for grant under our stock option plans. The issuance of common stock upon the exercise of these options could adversely affect themarket price of the common stock or result in substantial dilution to our existing stockholders.If securities analysts do not publish research reports about our or Endo’s business or if they downgrade us, Endo or our sector, the price of our commonstock could decline.The trading market for our common stock will depend in part on research reports that industry or financial analysts publish about us or our business or aboutEndo. If analysts downgrade us or any of our licensees, including Endo, or other research analysts downgrade the industry in which we operate or the stock ofany of our competitors or licensees, the price of our common stock may decline. We currently have one analyst covering our stock. We lack the potentialbenefit that coverage by other analysts may provide.Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may prevent or frustrate a change in control.Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control that stockholdersmay consider favorable, including transactions in which you might otherwise receive a premium for your shares. These provisions: 58Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents☐provide for a classified Board;☐give our Board the ability to designate the terms of and issue new series of preferred stock without stockholder approval, commonly referredto as “blank check” preferred stock, with rights senior to those of our common stock;☐limit the ability of the stockholders to call special meetings; and☐impose advance notice requirements on stockholders concerning the election of directors and other proposals to be presented at stockholdermeetings.In addition, during May 2002, the Board implemented a rights agreement, commonly known as a Poison Pill, which effectively discourages or preventsacquisitions of more than 15% of our common stock in transactions (mergers, consolidations, tender offer, etc.) that have not been approved by our Board.The Board amended the Poison Pill in February 2011 to increase the threshold from 15% to 18% and extended the expiration date of the Poison Pill for anadditional two years, to May 31, 2014. In February 2014, the Board amended the Poison Pill again to extend the term for an additional two years, to May 31,2016. In May 2016, the Board again amended the Poison Pill to extend the term for an additional two years, to May 31, 2018. These provisions could make itmore difficult for common stockholders to replace members of the Board. Because our Board is responsible for appointing the members of our managementteam, these provisions could in turn affect any attempt to replace the current management team.If our principal stockholders, executive officer and directors choose to act together, they may be able to control our operations, acting in their own bestinterests and not necessarily those of other stockholders.As of March 13, 2018 our executive officer, directors and their affiliates, in the aggregate, beneficially owned shares representing approximately 21% of ourcommon stock. Beneficial ownership includes shares over which an individual or entity has investment or voting power and includes shares that could beissued upon the exercise of options within 60 days. As a result, if these stockholders were to choose to act together, they may be able to control all matterssubmitted to our stockholders for approval, as well as our management and affairs. For example, these individuals, if they chose to act together, could controlthe election of directors and approval of any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. This concentration of ownership could havethe effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or impeding a merger or consolidation, takeover or other business combination that couldbe favorable to other stockholders.This significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price for our common stock because investors often perceivedisadvantages in owning stock in companies with controlling stockholders.Item1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.None.Item 2.PROPERTIES.Our corporate headquarters are currently located at 35 Wilbur St., Lynbrook, NY 11563 (the “Headquarters”) and consists of approximately 10,000 squarefeet of office and lab space.On August 14, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with 35 Wilbur Street Associates, LLC (the “Landlord”) to extend the term of the lease to theHeadquarters for an additional one year period (the “Extended Lease Agreement”). The one year extension ended on November 30, 2016. Pursuant to theExtended Lease Agreement the base rent was $10,213 per month and the Company was able to cancel the lease with three months’ prior written notice to theLandlord at any time during the term. The Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SECon November 9, 2015. 59Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsOn November 1, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement with the Landlord to extend the term of the lease to the Headquarters for an additional oneyear period (the “2016 Extended Lease Agreement”). The one year extension ended on November 30, 2017. Pursuant to the 2016 Extended Lease Agreement,the base rent was $10,757 per month and the Company was able to cancel the lease with three months’ prior written notice to the Landlord at any time duringthe term. The 2016 Extended Lease Agreement was filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q on November 9,2016.On November 6, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with the Landlord to extend the term of the lease to the Headquarters for an additional oneyear period (the “2017 Extended Lease Agreement”). The one year extension will end on November 30, 2018. Pursuant to the 2017 Extended LeaseAgreement, the base rent is $11,165 per month and the Company may cancel the lease with three months’ prior written notice to the Landlord at any timeduring the term. The 2017 Extended Lease Agreement was filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q on November9, 2017.Item 3.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.None.Item 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.Not Applicable.PART II Item 5.MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES. Market Information Our common stock currently trades under the symbol BSTC on NASDAQ. On March 13, 2018, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $43.44per share. The table below sets forth the high and low closing sale prices for our common stock as reported by and as quoted by NASDAQ for each of the quarterlyperiods in 2017 and 2016: 2017 HIGH LOW Fourth Quarter $48.93 $42.81 Third Quarter $52.05 $45.00 Second Quarter $58.00 $48.15 First Quarter $57.19 $49.35 2016 HIGH LOW Fourth Quarter $55.70 $41.01 Third Quarter $46.87 $36.10 Second Quarter $39.94 $33.79 First Quarter $40.10 $31.32 These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions.Holders of RecordAs of March 13, 2018, there were approximately 57 holders of record of our common stock. Because many of such shares are held by brokers and otherinstitutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these nominees and we believe that the totalnumber of beneficial owners is considerably higher. 60Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsDividendsIt has been our policy to retain potential earnings to finance the growth and development of our business and not pay dividends, and we have no currentplans to pay dividends. Any payment of cash dividends in the future will depend upon our financial condition, capital requirements and earnings as well assuch other factors as our Board of Directors (the “Board”) may deem relevant.Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation PlansThe following table provides information as of December 31, 2017 with respect to the shares of our common stock that may be issued under our existingequity compensation plans:Plan CategoryNumber of securities to beissued upon exercise ofoutstanding options,warrants and rights (a)Weighted-averageexercise price ofoutstanding options,warrants and rights (b)Number of securitiesremaining availablefor future issuanceunder equitycompensation plans(excluding securitiesreflected in column (a))(c)Equity compensation plans approvedby security holders(1)232,000$21.56229,098Equity compensation plans notapproved by security holders---Total232,000$21.56229,098(1) Please see Note 9, “Stockholders’ Equity,” of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for a description of the material features of each of ourplans.Recent Sales of Unregistered SecuritiesFor the year ended December 31, 2017, we did not issue any unregistered shares of securities. Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities (1)There were no share repurchases made by us during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2017. 61Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results. 12/31/2012 12/31/2013 12/31/2014 12/31/2015 12/31/2016 12/31/2017 Biospecifics Technologies Corp $100.00 $144.95 $258.33 $287.42 $372.58 $289.83 Nasdaq Biotechnology Index $100.00 $165.61 $222.08 $247.44 $193.79 $234.60 Nasdaq Composite Index $100.00 $138.32 $156.85 $165.84 $178.28 $228.63 Table of ContentsThe following table presents a summary of share repurchases made by us during the year ended December 31, 2017:Month Total Numberof SharesPurchased (2) AveragePrice PaidPer Share (3) TotalCumulativeNumber ofSharesPurchased asPart of PubliclyAnnounced Plan MaximumDollar Value ofShares that mayyet be Purchasedunder the Plan $571,419(1) January 1, 2017 – January 31, 2017 1,625 $52.75 264,591 485,708 February 1, 2017 – February 28, 2017 1,915 50.99 266,506 388,069 March 1, 2017 – March 31, 2017 720 53.43 267,226 349,598 April 1, 2017 – April 30, 2017 773 53.48 267,999 359,929 May 1, 2017 – May 31, 2017 1,195 53.36 269,194 296,162 June 1, 2017 – June 30, 2017 3,055 49.70 272,249 144,328 July 1, 2017 – July 31, 2017 1,555 50.77 273,804 65,384 August 1, 2017 – August 31, 2017 1,210 48.59 275,014 6,590 September 1, 2017 – September 30, 2017 - - - - (1)On August 17, 2015, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $2.5 million of our common stock under thestock repurchase program.(2)The purchases were made under the company’s 10b-18 plan.(3)Includes commissions paid, if any, related to the stock repurchase transactions.Performance GraphThe graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock with the cumulative total stockholder return of (i) the NASDAQBiotechnology Index, and (ii) the NASDAQ Composite Index, assuming an investment of $100 on December 31, 2012, in our common stock; the stockscomprising the NASDAQ Composite Index; and the stocks comprising the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index.Comparison of Cumulative Total Return* Among BioSpecifics Technologies Corp, the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index and the NASDAQ CompositeIndex 62Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents*Total return assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2012 in our common stock, the NASDAQ Composite Index, and the NASDAQ Biotechnology Indexand reinvestment of dividends through fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Item 6.SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition andResults of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Report. The consolidated statements ofincome data for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 have beenderived from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes, which are included elsewhere in this Report. The consolidated statement ofincome data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 have beenderived from audited financial statements which do not appear in this Report. The historical results presented are not necessarily indicative of results to beexpected in any future period.Consolidated Statement of Income Data Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 Total revenues $27,443,752 $26,250,955 $22,750,135 $14,044,624 $14,429,782 Operating expenses: Research and development 1,223,277 1,327,923 1,034,288 1,263,512 1,484,416 General and administrative 8,542,324 7,896,616 7,272,532 5,814,185 5,038,363 Total costs and expenses 9,765,601 9,224,539 8,306,820 7,077,697 6,522,779 Operating income 17,678,151 17,026,416 14,443,315 6,966,927 7,907,003 Other income: Interest income 636,568 295,783 92,926 32,158 26,202 Other 51,074 52,805 14,719 33,582 37,458 687,642 348,588 107,645 65,740 63,660 Income before income tax 18,365,793 17,375,004 14,550,960 7,032,667 7,970,663 Provision for income tax expense (7,037,527) (6,002,765) (4,933,328) (2,386,707) (2,684,816)Net income $11,328,266 $11,372,239 $9,617,632 $4,645,960 $5,285,847 Earnings per common share: Basic $1.58 $1.61 $1.41 $0.72 $0.83 Diluted $1.55 $1.56 $1.32 $0.66 $0.76 Shares used in calculation of net income per common share: Basic 7,170,701 7,061,404 6,827,355 6,477,457 6,345,615 Diluted 7,321,805 7,283,262 7,272,989 7,079,570 6,922,274 Years Ended December 31, Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 Cash and cash equivalents $7,333,810 $4,763,364 $5,137,875 $9,810,816 $5,624,860 Investments 57,719,945 48,026,242 31,944,083 12,150,436 6,966,964 Total assets 74,996,394 64,696,280 45,698,113 31,026,824 23,252,244 Total stockholders’ equity 67,516,838 56,281,943 44,810,209 30,256,855 22,332,439 63Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsItem 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OFOPERATIONS.You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our consolidated financialstatements and the related notes appearing at the end of this Report. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forthelsewhere in this Report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business and related financing, includes forward-lookingstatements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should review the “Risk Factors” section of this Report for a discussion of important factors that couldcause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussionand analysis.OverviewWe are a biopharmaceutical company involved in the development of an injectable collagenase clostridium histolyticum for multiple indications. Wecurrently have a development and license agreement with Endo Global Ventures, a Bermuda unlimited liability company (“Endo Global Ventures”), anaffiliate of Endo International plc (“Endo”), for injectable collagenase for marketed indications and indications in development. Endo assumed thisagreement when Endo acquired Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Auxilium”) on January 29, 2015 (the “Acquisition”). Injectable collagenase clostridiumhistolyticum is marketed as XIAFLEX® (or Xiapex® in Europe).On August 31, 2011, we entered into the Second Amended and Restated Development and License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Auxilium forXIAFLEX. The License Agreement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 1, 2011 as Exhibit 10.1 to a CurrentReport on Form 8-K. Auxilium subsequently assigned the License Agreement to Auxilium Bermuda ULC. As a result of the Acquisition and resulting internalrestructuring, the counterparty to the agreement is now Endo Global Ventures.On February 1, 2016, we entered into with Endo the First Amendment (the “First Amendment”) to the Second Amended and Restated Development andLicensing Agreement (the “Auxilium Agreement”), by and between us and Auxilium, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Endo, to amend certain provisionsof the Auxilium Agreement (as amended by the First Amendment, the “License Agreement”). The First Amendment was filed with the SEC on February 5,2016 as Exhibit 10.1 to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The effective date of the First Amendment was January 1, 2016. Pursuant to the First Amendment, weand Endo mutually agreed that in exchange for a $8.25 million lump sum payment, we will not receive future additional mark-up on cost of goods sold forsales by non-affiliated sublicensees of Endo outside of the U.S.; provided, however, that Endo will still be required to pay a mark-up on cost of goods sold forsales made in the “Endo Territory,” which includes sales made in the U.S. and sales made in any other country where Endo sells the product directly orthrough affiliated sublicensees. We received this $8.25 million lump sum payment in February 2016 and began recognizing this income over time based onsales by non-affiliated sublicensees of Endo outside of the U.S. according to our revenue recognition policy in the second quarter of 2016.Additionally, we agreed that Endo may opt-in early to indications, prior to our submission of a clinical trial report, with our consent, such consent not to beunreasonably withheld. For early opt-ins, Endo will be required to make an opt-in payment of $0.5 million on a per indication basis. For regular opt-ins,following our submission of a clinical trial report, Endo will be required to make an opt-in payment of $0.75 million on a per indication basis.The two marketed indications involving our injectable collagenase are Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease. Prior to the Acquisition, Auxiliumhad, and after the Acquisition, Endo has, opted-in to the following indications: frozen shoulder, cellulite, canine lipoma, lateral hip fat, plantar fibromatosisand human lipoma. Endo exercised, with our consent, an early opt-in for lateral hip fat and plantar fibromatosis in November 2015. Endo opted-in for humanlipoma in July 2016. We manage the development of XIAFLEX for uterine fibroids and initiate the development of XIAFLEX in new potential indications,not licensed by Endo. 64Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsEndo is currently selling XIAFLEX in the U.S. for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease and has an agreement with SwedishOrphan Biovitrum AB (“Sobi”), pursuant to which Sobi has marketing rights for Xiapex for Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease in Europe andcertain Eurasian countries. Sobi is currently selling Xiapex in Europe and certain Eurasian countries for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture andPeyronie’s disease. In addition, Endo has an agreement with Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation (“Asahi”) pursuant to which Asahi has the right tocommercialize XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease in Japan. Asahi is selling XIAFLEX for the treatment ofDupuytren’s contracture in Japan. Endo is currently distributing XIAFLEX in Canada through Paladin Labs Inc, an operating company of Endo. In December2016, Endo entered into a new out-licensing agreement with Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (“Actelion”), pursuant to which Actelion obtained marketing andcommercial rights for XIAFLEX in Australia and New Zealand.OutlookWe generated revenue from primarily one source, the License Agreement. Under the License Agreement, we receive license, sublicense income, royalties,milestones and mark-up on cost of goods sold payments related to the sale, regulatory submissions and approval of XIAFLEX as described above.Significant RisksWe are dependent to a significant extent on third parties, and our principal licensee, Endo, may not be able to continue successfully commercializingXIAFLEX for Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease, successfully develop XIAFLEX for additional indications, obtain required regulatoryapprovals, manufacture XIAFLEX at an acceptable cost, in a timely manner and with appropriate quality, or successfully market products or maintain desiredmargins for products sold, and, as a result, we may not achieve sustained profitable operations.The Company maintains bank account balances, which, at times, may exceed insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses with theseaccounts and believes that it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash. The Company maintains its investment in FDIC insured certificates ofdeposits with several banks, and invests in municipal bonds and corporate bonds.For more information regarding the risks facing the Company, please see the risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” under Item. 1A of Part 1within this Report for the year ended December 31, 2017.Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and AssumptionsThe preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to makeestimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of theconsolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates are based on historicalexperience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Whileour significant accounting policies are described in more detail in the notes to our consolidated financial statements, we believe the following accountingpolicies to be critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenues from product sales when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, title passes, the price is fixedand determinable, and payment is reasonably assured. We currently recognize revenues resulting from the licensing, sublicensing and use of our technology.We enter into product development licenses and collaboration agreements that may contain multiple elements, such as upfront license and sublicense fees,milestones related to the achievement of particular stages in product development and royalties. As a result, significant contract interpretation is sometimesrequired to determine the appropriate accounting, including whether the deliverables specified in a multiple-element arrangement should be treated asseparate units of accounting for revenue recognition purposes, and if so, how the aggregate contract value should be allocated among the deliverableelements and when to recognize revenue for each element. 65Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsWe recognize revenue for delivered elements only when the fair values of undelivered elements are known, when the associated earnings process is completeand, to the extent the milestone amount relates to our performance obligation, when our licensee confirms that we have met the requirements under the termsof the agreement, and when payment is reasonably assured. Changes in the allocation of the contract value between various deliverable elements mightimpact the timing of revenue recognition, but in any event, would not change the total revenue recognized on the contract. For example, nonrefundableupfront product license fees, for product candidates for which we are providing continuing services related to product development, are deferred andrecognized as revenue over the development period.Milestones, in the form of additional license fees, typically represent nonrefundable payments to be received in conjunction with the achievement of aspecific event identified in a contract, such as completion of specified clinical development activities and/or regulatory submissions and/or approvals. Webelieve that a milestone represents the culmination of a distinct earnings process when it is not associated with ongoing research, development or otherperformance on our part. We recognize such milestones as revenue when they become due and payment is reasonably assured. When a milestone does notrepresent the culmination of a distinct earnings process, we recognize revenue in a manner similar to that of an upfront product license fee.Royalty and Mark-up on Cost of Goods Sold. For those arrangements for which royalty and mark-up on cost of goods sold revenue information becomesavailable and collectability is reasonably assured, we recognize revenue during the applicable period earned. For interim quarterly reporting purposes andyear end, when collectability is reasonably assured but a reasonable estimate of royalty and mark-up on cost of goods sold revenues cannot be made, theroyalty, and mark-up on cost of goods sold revenues are generally recognized in the quarter that the applicable licensee provides the written report andrelated information to us.Under the License Agreement, we do not participate in the selling, marketing or manufacturing of products for which we receive royalties and a mark-up ofthe cost of goods sold revenues. The royalty and mark-up on cost of goods sold revenues will generally be recognized in the quarter that Endo provides thewritten reports and related information to us, that is, royalty and mark-up on cost of goods sold revenues are generally recognized one quarter following thequarter in which the underlying sales by Endo occurred. The royalties payable by Endo to us are subject to set-off for certain patent costs.Reimbursable Third Party Development Costs. We accrue patent expenses for research and development (“R&D”) that are reimbursable by us under theLicense Agreement. We accrue patent costs that are reimbursable to Endo by us under the License Agreement. We capitalize certain patent costs related topatent prosecution and maintenance and expense others.Receivables. Trade accounts receivable are stated at the amount the Company expects to collect. We consider the following factors when determining thecollectability of specific customer accounts: customer credit-worthiness; past transaction history with the customer; current economic industry trends; andchanges in customer payment terms. Our accounts receivable balance is typically due from Endo, our one large specialty pharmaceutical customer. Endo hashistorically paid timely and has been a financially stable organization. Due to the nature of the accounts receivable balance, we believe the risk of doubtfulaccounts is minimal. If the financial condition of our customer were to deteriorate, adversely affecting its ability to make payments, allowances would berequired. Balances that remain outstanding after we have used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance and acredit to accounts receivable.Deferred Revenue. Nonrefundable upfront product license fees, for product candidates for which we are providing continuing services related to productdevelopment, are deferred and recognized as revenue over the development period.Deferred revenue consists of the remaining $6.3 million related to the First Amendment with Endo of mark-up on cost of goods sold revenue for sales by non-affiliated sublicensees, approximately $40,000 related to nonrefundable upfront product license fees for product candidates for which we are providingcontinuing services related to product development and $100,000 related to a milestone payment withheld by Endo due to a foreign tax withholding whichremains uncollected. Currently, the Company expects to recover the full amount. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, deferred revenue was $6.4 million and$7.6 million, respectively. 66Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsThird Party Royalties. We have entered into licensing and royalty agreements with third parties and agreed to pay certain royalties on net sales of productsfor specific indications. The royalty rates differ from agreement to agreement and, in certain cases, have been redacted with the permission of the SEC. Noassumptions should be made that any disclosed royalty rate payable to a particular third party is the same or similar with respect to any royalty rate payableto any other third parties. We accrue third-party royalty expenses on net sales reported to us by Endo. Third-party royalty costs are generally expensed in thequarter that Endo provides the written reports and related information to us; that is, generally one quarter following the quarter in which the underlying salesby Endo occurred. Our third-party royalty expense under general and administrative expenses may increase if net sales by Endo and its partners for XIAFLEXand XIAPEX increase and potential new indications for XIAFLEX are approved.Royalty Buy-Down. On March 31, 2012, we entered into an amendment to our existing agreement with Dr. Martin K. Gelbard, dated August 27, 2008, relatedto our future royalty obligations in connection with Peyronie’s disease. The amendment enabled us to buy down a portion of our future royalty obligations inexchange for an initial cash payment of $1.5 million and five additional cash payments of $600,000, all of which have been paid as of December 31, 2017. Royalty obligations terminate five years after first commercial sale. The Company amortizes long-term contracts with finite lives in a manner that reflects thepattern in which the economic benefits of the assets are consumed or otherwise used up. Dr. Gelbard’s agreement is amortized based on an income forecastmethod by estimating sales of XIAFLEX for Peyronie’s disease on an annual basis as measured by the proportion of the total estimated sales over the five yearperiod. We perform an evaluation of the recoverability of the carrying value to determine if facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of theassets may be impaired and if any adjustment is warranted. Based on our evaluation as of December 31, 2017, no impairment existed and no adjustment waswarranted.Stock-Based Compensation. Under Accounting Standards Codification 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, or ASC 718, we estimate the fair value ofour employee stock awards at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires the use of certain subjective assumptions. Themost significant assumptions are our estimates of the expected volatility of the market price of our common stock and the expected term of an award.Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock. When establishing an estimate of the expected term of an award, we considerthe vesting period for the award, our historical experience of employee stock option exercises (including forfeitures) and the expected volatility. As requiredunder the accounting rules, we review our valuation assumptions at each grant date and, as a result, we are likely to change our valuation assumptions used tovalue future employee stock-based awards granted, to the extent any such awards are granted.Further, ASC 718 requires that employee stock-based compensation costs to be recognized over the requisite service period, or the vesting period, in amanner similar to all other forms of compensation paid to employees. The allocation of employee stock-based compensation costs to each operating expenseline are estimated based on specific employee headcount information at each grant date and estimated stock option forfeiture rates and revised, if necessary,in future periods if actual employee headcount information or forfeitures differ materially from those estimates. As a result, the amount of employee stock-based compensation costs we recognize in each operating expense category in future periods may differ significantly from what we have recorded in thecurrent period.R&D Expenses. R&D expenses include, but are not limited to, internal costs, such as salaries and benefits, costs of materials, lab expenses, facility costs andoverhead. R&D expenses also consist of third party costs, such as medical professional fees, product costs used in clinical trials, consulting fees and costsassociated with clinical study arrangements. We may fund R&D at medical research institutions under agreements that are generally cancelable. All of thesecosts are charged to R&D as incurred, which may be measured by percentage of completion, contract milestones, patient enrollment, or the passage of time.Clinical Trial Expenses. Our cost accruals for clinical trials are based on estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts withvarious clinical trial centers and clinical research organizations. In the normal course of business we contract with third parties to perform various clinicaltrial activities in the ongoing development of potential drugs. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation and vary from contract tocontract and may result in uneven payment flows. Payments under the contracts depend on factors such as the achievement of certain events, the successfulenrollment of patients, the completion of portions of the clinical trial, and other similar conditions. The objective of our accrual policy is to match therecording of expenses in our financial statements to the actual cost of services received and efforts expended. As such, expenses related to each patientenrolled in a clinical trial are recognized beginning upon entry into the trial and over the course of the patient’s continued participation in the trial. In theevent of early termination of a clinical trial, we accrue an amount based on our estimate of the remaining non-cancelable obligations associated with thewinding down of the clinical trial. Our estimates and assumptions could differ significantly from the amounts that may actually be incurred. 67Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIncome Taxes. Our deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets are impacted by events and transactions arising in the ordinary course of business, R&Dactivities, vesting of nonqualified options, deferred revenues and other items. We account for income taxes using an asset and liability approach to financialaccounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statementcarrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. We periodically assess the likelihood of the realization of deferred tax assets,and reduce the carrying amount of these deferred tax assets to an amount that is considered to be more-likely-than-not realizable. Our assessment considersrecent cumulative earnings experience, estimated future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Significant judgment isrequired in making this assessment.Adopted Accounting Standard. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-09, which amends the existingaccounting standards for share-based payments, including the accounting for income taxes and forfeitures, as well as the classifications on the statements ofcash flows. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2017. Beginning January 1, 2017, stock-based compensation excess tax benefits or tax deficienciesare reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of the provision for taxes, whereas they previously were recognized as additionalpaid in capital in the stockholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets. We have elected to continue to estimate forfeitures expected to occur todetermine stock-based compensation expense. Additionally, beginning with the three months ended March 31, 2017, and on a prospective basis, theconsolidated statements of cash flows now requires excess tax benefits be presented as an operating activity rather than as a financing activity, while thepayment of withholding taxes on the settlement of stock-based compensation awards continues to be presented as a financing activity. The implementationof this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.New Accounting Pronouncements. FASB, issued several accounting standards updates establishing ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts withCustomers”. ASC 606 requires retrospective implementation, and replaces most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP with a newprinciples-based, five-step revenue recognition model. It also requires new disclosures, such as qualitative and quantitative information about revenuerecognized from contracts with customers (including disaggregated revenue, contract balances, and performance obligations) and significant judgments andchanges in judgments. ASC 606 provides specific guidance for determining whether to recognize licensing revenue at a point in time or over time, andapplication of this guidance may result in a different pattern of recognition than under current U.S. GAAP. We plan to adopt this guidance effective January1, 2018, as required. We are adopting these standards using the modified retrospective approach. We have completed our assessment of the effect of adoption.Based on our assessment, the recognition of royalty revenues will be estimated and recognized in the periods in which the net sales occurred. Previously,these amounts were not recognized until they were fixed and determinable. In addition, prepayment of foreign cost of goods sold revenue will be recognizedwhen the transaction occurred. The cumulative effect of adopting these standards will result in us recording an increase of approximately $10 million toretained earnings on January 1, 2018.In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The new guidance will impactthe accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financialinstruments. All equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for under the equity method of accounting) will generally bemeasured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized through earnings. There will no longer be an available-for-sale classification (changes in fairvalue reported in other comprehensive income (loss) for equity securities with readily determinable fair values). In addition, the FASB clarified the need for avaluation allowance on deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities. In general, the new guidance will requiremodified retrospective application to all outstanding instruments, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to opening retained earnings. This guidancewill be effective for us on January 1, 2018. We do not currently have any available-for-sale equity investments. We do not anticipate that such guidance willhave a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 68Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIn February 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under the new guidance, lessees will be required torecognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the lease commencement date: a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligationto make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use,or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Certain targeted improvementswere made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The newlease guidance simplified the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities.Lessees will no longer be provided with a source of off-balance sheet financing. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 forfiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years (i.e., January 1, 2019, for a calendar year entity). Earlyapplication is permitted. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modifiedretrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financialstatements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative periodpresented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. We do not anticipate that such guidance will have a material impact onour consolidated financial statements.In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. The amendment revises the impairment model to utilize an expected lossmethodology in place of the currently used incurred loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of losses on financial instruments,including, but not limited to, available for sale debt securities and accounts receivable. The Company is required to adopt this standard starting in the firstquarter of fiscal year 2021. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on our consolidated financialstatements and related disclosures.Results of Operations for Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015RevenuesThe following table summarizes our primary sources of revenue during the periods presented: Year Ended December 31 2017 2016 2015 Royalties $27,426,117 $25,431,012 $20,800,757 Licensing revenue 17,635 819,943 1,949,378 Total revenues 27,443,752 $26,250,955 $22,750,135 RoyaltiesRoyalties consist of royalties and the mark-up on cost of goods sold under the License Agreement. Royalty and the mark-up on cost of goods sold revenues recognized under the License Agreement for years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $27.4million and $25.4 million, respectively. The increase in 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016 of $2.0 million, or 8%, was primarily due to theincreased sales and a slight price increase of XIAFLEX for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease and Dupuytren’s contracture reported to us by Endo. Royalty and the mark-up on cost of goods sold revenues recognized under the License Agreement for years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $25.4million and $20.8 million, respectively. The increase in 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 of $4.6 million, or 22%, was primarily due to theincreased sales of XIAFLEX for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease and a moderate increase in sales of XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracturereported to us by Endo. Licensing Revenue Licensing revenue consists of licensing fees, sublicensing fees and milestones. 69Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsThe following table summarizes our licensing revenues under our agreement with Endo during the periods presented: Year Ended December 31 2017 2016 2015 Licensing fees $- $750,000 $1,000,000 Development licensing fees 17,635 41,443 49,378 Milestones - 28,500 900,000 Total Licensing revenues $17,635 $819,943 $1,949,378 Licensing fees recognized for the years ended December 31, 2017 were zero, $0.8 million in 2016 and $1.0 million in the 2015 period. In the 2016 period,licensing fees recognized of $0.8 million were related to the exercise of an opt-in right by Endo for the human lipoma indication. In 2015 period, licensingfees recognized of $1.0 million were related to the early opt-in exercise by Endo for XIAFLEX to two new potential indications, lateral hip fat and plantarfibromatosis.Development licensing fees recognized for XIAFLEX are related to the cash payments received under the License Agreement in prior years and amortizedover the expected development period. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we recognized development licensing fees of $17,635 as compared to$41,433 in the 2016 period. This decrease was directly related to the stage of development for certain indications. For the year ended December 31, 2016, werecognized development licensing fees of $41,433 as compared to $49,378 in the 2015 period. This decrease was directly related to the stage of developmentfor certain indications.Milestone revenue recognized for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were zero and $28,500, respectively. The $28,500 milestone revenuerecognized in the 2016 period related to the approval of XIAFLEX in Australia for the treatment of Peyronie’s Disease by Actelion.Milestone revenue recognized for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $28,500 and $0.9 million, respectively. The $0.9 million (net of foreigntax withholding) milestone revenue recognized in the 2015 period related to the first commercial sale of XIAFLEX by Asahi for the treatment of Dupuytren'scontracture in Japan.Under current accounting guidance, nonrefundable upfront license fees for product candidates for which we are providing continuing services related toproduct development are deferred and recognized as revenue over the development period. The remaining balance will be recognized over the respectivedevelopment periods or when we determine that we have no ongoing performance obligations.Research and Development ActivitiesR&D expenses include, but are not limited to, internal costs, such as salaries and benefits, costs of materials, lab expense, facility costs and overhead. R&Dexpenses also consist of third party costs, such as medical professional fees, product costs used in clinical trials, consulting fees and costs associated withclinical study arrangements.R&D expenses were $1.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, representing a decrease in 2017 of $0.1million, or 8%. This decrease in R&D expenses are primarily related to the timing of our uterine fibroid clinical program in 2017 and the completion of thephase 2 clinical trial of XIAFLEX for the treatment of human lipoma in 2016.R&D expenses were $1.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, representing an increase in 2016 of $0.3million, or 30%. This increase in R&D expenses was primarily due to the completion of the phase 2 clinical trial of XIAFLEX for the treatment of humanlipoma and the development of our uterine fibroid program.We manage the development of XIAFLEX for uterine fibroids and initiate the development of XIAFLEX in new potential indications, not licensed by Endo.On April 18, 2017, we announced the initiation of an open-label, dose escalation Phase 1 clinical trial of XIAFLEX for the treatment of uterine fibroids.We have finished the development work on human lipomas. On July 29, 2016, Endo exercised its opt-in right under the license agreement with respect to thehuman lipoma indication. 70Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results. Year EndedDecember 31, 2017 Year EndedDecember 31, 2016 Year EndedDecember 31, 2015 Program Human Lipoma $- $412,933 $252,029 Uterine Fibroids 500,719 214,221 65,152 Pre-clinical/other research projects 722,558 700,769 717,108 Table of ContentsThe following table summarizes our R&D expenses related to our pre-clinical and clinical development programs:The successful development of drugs is inherently difficult and uncertain. Our business requires investments in R&D over many years, often for drugcandidates that may fail during the R&D process. Even if the Company is able to successfully complete the development of our drug candidates, our long-term prospects depend upon our ability and the ability of our partners, particularly with respect to XIAFLEX and XIAFLEX, to continue to successfullycommercialize these drug candidates.There is significant uncertainty regarding our ability to successfully develop drug candidates in other indications. These risks include the uncertainty of: ·the nature, timing and estimated costs of the efforts necessary to complete the development of our drug candidate projects;·the anticipated completion dates for our drug candidate projects;·the scope, rate of progress and cost of our clinical trials that we are currently running or may commence in the future with respect to our drugcandidate projects;·the scope, rate of progress of our preclinical studies and other R&D activities related to our drug candidate projects;·clinical trial results for our drug candidate projects;·the cost of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights relating to our drug candidateprojects;·the terms and timing of any strategic alliance, licensing and other arrangements that we have or may establish in the future relating to ourdrug candidate projects;·the cost and timing of regulatory approvals with respect to our drug candidate projects; and·the cost of establishing clinical supplies for our drug candidate projects.We believe that our current resources and liquidity are sufficient to advance our current clinical and R&D projects.General and Administrative ExpensesGeneral and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and other related costs for personnel, third-party royalty fees, amortization of deferredroyalty buy-down, consultant costs, legal fees, investor relations, professional fees and overhead costs.General and administrative expenses were $8.5 million and $7.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase ingeneral and administrative expenses of $0.6 million, or 8%, in the 2017 period as compared to 2016 was mainly due to the increased amortization of thedeferred royalty buy-down, third party royalties, and legal fees partially offset by lower patent, investor relations and consulting fees.General and administrative expenses were $7.9 million and $7.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase ingeneral and administrative expenses of $0.6 million, or 8%, in the 2016 period as compared to 2015 was mainly due to the increased amortization of thedeferred royalty buy-down, third party royalties, patent fees partially offset by lower legal and consulting fees. 71Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsOther IncomeOther income consists primarily of interest earned on our investments and a limited amount related to product sales of collagenase for laboratory use. Otherincome for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2106 and 2015 was $0.7 million, $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively.Provision for Income TaxesOur deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets are impacted by events and transactions arising in the ordinary course of business, R&D activities, vestingof nonqualified options, deferred revenues and other items. The provision for income taxes is based on an estimated effective tax rate derived from ourconsolidated earnings before taxes, adjusted for nondeductible expenses and other permanent differences for the fiscal year.The provision for income taxes in 2017 was $7.0 million as compared to $6.0 million in 2016.On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Job Act ("Tax Act"). The Tax Actmakes complex changes to the tax law which will impact the 2017 year, including but not limited to a re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities asa result of the corporate tax rate change from 35% to 21%. Based on the initial analysis of the Tax Act, the Company has made reasonable estimates of its2017 impact and due to the federal corporate rate reduction, a re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities resulted in the recording of a charge ofapproximately $1.1 million.The Tax Act will also affect 2018 and forward, including but not limited to a reduction in the federal corporate rate from 35% to 21%, elimination of thecorporate alternative minimum tax, a new limitation on the deductibility of certain executive compensation, limitations on net operating losses ("NOL’s")generated after December 31, 2017, and various other items. The Company has evaluated the above provisions and other than the reduction in corporate taxrate, it does not believe that the new provisions will have a material impact on the provision for income taxes.The provision for income taxes in 2016 was $6.0 million as compared to $4.9 million in 2015. In 2016, our deferred tax assets increased by $2.7 million dueto the deferred revenue associated with the receipt of $8.25 million under the First Amendment with Endo on sales by non-affiliated sublicensees of Endooutside of the U.S. During 2016, the Company has recorded $0.3 million of excess tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock options which wasrecorded in additional paid in capital.Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital ResourcesTo date, we have financed our operations primarily through product sales, licensing revenues and royalties under agreements with third parties and sales ofour common stock. At December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents and investments in the aggregate of approximately $65.1million, $52.8 million, and $37.1 million, respectively.Sources and Uses of CashOperating ActivitiesNet cash provided by operating activities was $13.2 million, $16.4 million and $10.6 million for the 2017, 2016 and 2015 periods.Net cash provided by operating activities for 2017 was primarily attributable to our net income of $11.3 million, adjustments to reconcile net income to netcash provided by operating activities related to amortization, stock-based compensation expense and deferred tax expense of $3.9 million and a decrease inoperating assets and liabilities of $2.1 million of which $1.2 million was related to the recognition of revenue from the First Amendment with Endo for mark-up on cost of goods sold for sales by non-affiliated sublicensees and a reduction in our income tax receivable, and an increase in accounts receivable of $0.8million related to royalties due from Endo. 72Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsNet cash provided by operating activities for 2016 was primarily attributable to our net income of $11.4 million, an increase in operating assets and liabilitiesof $5.8 million of which $7.4 million was related to the First Amendment with Endo for mark-up on cost of goods sold for sales by non-affiliated sublicenseesof Endo outside of the U.S. partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $1.3 million related to royalties due from Endo. Non-cash items includedamortization, stock-based compensation expense, and deferred taxes which was reduced by adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided byoperating activities of $0.8 million.Net cash provided by operating activities for 2015 was primarily attributable to our net income of $9.6 million, adjustments to reconcile net income to netcash provided by operating activities of $1.5 million and offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities of $0.5 million. Non-cash items includedamortization, stock-based compensation expense, deferred taxes and deferred revenue.The majority of our cash expenditures in 2017, 2016, and 2015 were to fund R&D, our general and administrative business activities and our stockrepurchase program.Investing ActivitiesNet cash used in investing activities was $10.4 million, $16.7 million and $20.1 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.The net cash used in investing activities in the 2017 period reflects the reinvestment of $64.7 million in marketable securities offset by the maturing ofinvestments of $54.3 million.The net cash used in investing activities in the 2016 period reflects the reinvestment of $59.9 million in marketable securities and the maturing ofinvestments of $43.2 million.The net cash used in investing activities in the 2015 period reflects the reinvestment of $34.2 million in marketable securities and the maturing ofinvestments of $14.1 million.Financing ActivitiesNet cash used in financing activities for 2017 was approximately $0.2 as compared to net cash used in financing for 2016 of approximately $34,000 and netcash provided by financing activities of $4.8 million in 2015.In 2017, net cash used in financing activities was mainly related to the repurchase of our common stock under our stock repurchase program of $0.6 millionoffset stock option exercise proceeds of $0.4 million.In 2016, net cash used in financing activities was mainly related to the repurchase of our common stock under our stock repurchase program of $1.0 millionoffset by excess tax benefits related to share-based payments and stock option exercise proceeds of $1.0 million.In 2015, net cash provided by financing activities was mainly related to stock option exercise proceeds of $2.8 million and excess tax benefits related toshare-based payments of $3.8 million partially offset by the repurchase of our common stock under our stock repurchase program of $1.8 million.Contractual CommitmentsWe are involved with licensing of products which are generally associated with payments to third parties from whom we have licensed the product. Suchpayments may take the form of an up-front payment; milestone payments which are paid when certain parts of the overall development program areaccomplished; payments upon certain regulatory events, such as the filing of an IND, an NDA or BLA or approval of an NDA or BLA, or the equivalents inother countries; and payments based on a percentage of sales. 73Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsWe may also out-license products, for which we hold the rights, to other companies for commercialization in other territories, or at times, for other uses. Whenthis happens, the payments to us would also take the same form as described above.Operating LeasesOur operating leases are principally for facilities and equipment. We currently lease approximately 10,000 square feet of space at our headquarters inLynbrook, New York which expires in November 2018. Additionally, we lease certain vehicle and certain office equipment which generally expire in 2022and 2020, respectively.Operating lease expenses amounted to approximately $132,000, $127,000 and $130,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015,respectively.Future minimum annual payments required under non-cancelable operating leases are approximated as follows: Year ending December 31, 2018 $124,000 2019 6,500 2020 3,400 2021 2,300 2022 600 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.Item 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. As of December 31, 2017, we invested our cash in a variety of financial instruments,principally money market funds, certificates of deposit, municipal bonds, and corporate bonds. Most of our interest-bearing securities are subject to interestrate risk and could decline in value if interest rates fluctuate. Our investment portfolio is comprised of marketable securities of highly rated financialinstitutions and investment-grade debt instruments, and we have guidelines to limit the term-to-maturity of our investments. Based on the type of securitieswe hold, we do not believe a change in interest rates would have a material impact on our financial statements. If interest rates were to increase or decrease by100 basis points the fair value of our investment portfolio would (decrease) increase by approximately ($70,000) and $468,000, respectively. All investmentsare classified as held to maturity.Item 8.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.For the discussion of Item 8, “Financial Statements” please see the Consolidated Financial Statements, beginning on page F-1 of this Report. Item 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE. None 74Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsItem 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of Thomas L. Wegman, the Company’s President, Principal Executive Officer, PrincipalFinancial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period coveredby this Report. Based on that evaluation, management has concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure thatinformation required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed,summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated tothe Company’s management, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, any controlsand procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, andmanagement necessarily is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Furthermore, ourcontrols and procedures can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of thecontrol and misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected on a timely basis.Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial ReportingManagement of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company as definedin Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to theCompany’s management and Board regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements and the reliability of financial reporting.Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systemsdetermined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment,management used the 2013 criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – IntegratedFramework. We believe that, as of December 31, 2017, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on this criteria.EisnerAmper LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report, audited theeffectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, as stated in their report which is included in Part IV, Item 15 of thisReport.Changes in Internal Control Over Financial ReportingThere were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter identified in connection with the evaluation ofour controls and procedures that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.Item 9B.OTHER INFORMATION.Not applicable.PART IIIItem 10.DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE. The information required by this Item is set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120days of December 31, 2017, and is incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference.Item 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. The information required by this Item is set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120days of December 31, 2017, and is incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference. 75Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsItem 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.The information required by this Item is set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120days of December 31, 2017, and is incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference and is also included in under the heading “SecuritiesAuthorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans”, in Item 5 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.Item 13.CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE. The information required by this Item is set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120days of December 31, 2017, and is incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference.Item 14.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.The information required by this Item is set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120days of December 31, 2017, and is incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference. 76Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsPART IVItem 15.EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.a)The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:(1)Consolidated Financial Statements (See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page F-1)(2)Financial Statement SchedulesAll schedules to the consolidated financial statements are omitted as the required information is either inapplicable orpresented in the consolidated financial statements.(3)ExhibitsThe information required by this Item is set forth in the Exhibit Index hereto which is incorporated herein by reference.b)ExhibitsThe information required by this Item is set forth in the Exhibit Index hereto which is incorporated herein by reference. 77Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsBIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP.INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 PageReports of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-2 Consolidated Balance SheetsF-4 Consolidated Statements of IncomeF-5 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ EquityF-6 Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsF-7 Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsF-8 F-1Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsREPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of BioSpecifics Technologies Corp.Opinion on the Financial StatementsWe have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. and subsidiary (the “Company") as of December 31,2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period endedDecember 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in allmaterial respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the consolidated results of their operations andtheir cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in theUnited States of America.We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB"), the Company'sinternal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued bythe Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 14, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion.Basis for OpinionThese financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financialstatements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Companyin accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonableassurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, andperforming procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures inthe financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well asevaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion./s/ EisnerAmper LLPWe have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014EISNERAMPER LLPNew York, New YorkMarch 14, 2018 F-2Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsREPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMTo the Board of Directors and Stockholders BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. Opinion on the Internal Control over Financial ReportingWe have audited BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. and subsidiary’s (the “Company") internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, basedon criteria established in the Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the TreadwayCommission (“COSO”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December31, 2017, based on criteria established in the Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB"), the consolidatedbalance sheets of BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2107, and the related notes and our report dated March 14, 2018expressed an unqualified opinion.Basis for OpinionThe Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness ofinternal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Ourresponsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firmregistered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and theapplicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonableassurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financialreporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing andevaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures aswe considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial ReportingAn entity’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting andthe preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. An entity’s internal control overfinancial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflectthe transactions and dispositions of the assets of the entity; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparationof financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the entity are being made only inaccordance with authorizations of management and directors of the entity; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection ofunauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the entity’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation ofeffectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliancewith the policies or procedures may deteriorate. /s/ EisnerAmper LLPEISNERAMPER LLPNew York, New YorkMarch 14, 2018 F-3Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsBioSpecifics Technologies Corp.Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31, 2017 2016 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $7,333,810 $4,763,364 Short term investments 51,973,971 44,254,862 Accounts receivable 4,655,105 3,810,792 Income tax receivable - 494,711 Deferred royalty buy-down 1,794,126 1,451,893 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 623,503 624,345 Total current assets 66,380,515 55,399,967 Long-term investments 5,745,974 3,771,380 Deferred royalty buy-down – long term, net 732,206 1,976,456 Deferred tax assets, net 1,739,706 3,290,122 Patent costs, net 397,993 258,355 Total assets $74,996,394 $64,696,280 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $933,998 $738,649 Income tax payable 68,733 - Deferred revenue 1,057,979 1,179,848 Accrued liabilities of discontinued operations 78,138 78,138 Total current liabilities 2,138,848 1,996,635 Long-term deferred revenue 5,340,708 6,417,702 Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) Stockholders' equity: Series A Preferred stock, $.50 par value, 700,000 shares authorized; none outstanding - - Common stock, $.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 7,600,167 and 7,555,167 shares issued, 7,189,233and 7,156,281 outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively 7,600 7,555 Additional paid-in capital 33,468,323 32,945,240 Retained earnings 41,939,115 30,610,849 Treasury stock, 410,934 and 398,886 shares at cost as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (7,898,200) (7,281,701)Total stockholders' equity 67,516,838 56,281,943 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $74,996,394 $64,696,280 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements F-4Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsBioSpecifics Technologies Corp.Consolidated Statements of Income Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Revenues: Royalties $27,426,117 $25,431,012 $20,800,757 Licensing revenue 17,635 819,943 1,949,378 Total revenues 27,443,752 26,250,955 22,750,135 Costs and expenses: Research and development 1,223,277 1,327,923 1,034,288 General and administrative 8,542,324 7,896,616 7,272,532 Total costs and expenses 9,765,601 9,224,539 8,306,820 Operating income 17,678,151 17,026,416 14,443,315 Other income: Interest income 636,568 295,783 92,926 Other 51,074 52,805 14,719 687,642 348,588 107,645 Income before income tax 18,365,793 17,375,004 14,550,960 Income tax provision (7,037,527) (6,002,765) (4,933,328)Net income $11,328,266 $11,372,239 $9,617,632 Earnings per common share: Basic $1.58 $1.61 $1.41 Diluted $1.55 $1.56 $1.32 Shares used in calculation of net income per common share: Basic 7,170,701 7,061,404 6,827,355 Diluted 7,321,805 7,283,262 7,272,989 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statementsF-5Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsBioSpecifics Technologies Corp.Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity Common Stock Shares Amount AdditionalPaid inCapital RetainedEarnings TreasuryStock StockholderEquityTotal Balances - December 31, 2014 7,062,209 7,062 25,059,458 9,620,978 (4,430,643) 30,256,855 Issuance of common stock upon stockoption exercise 227,958 228 2,823,755 - - 2,823,983 Stock compensation expense - - 105,782 - - 105,782 Repurchases of common stock - - - - (1,802,466) (1,802,466)Excess tax benefits from share-basedpayment arrangements - - 3,808,423 - - 3,808,423 Net income - - - 9,617,632 - 9,617,632 Balances - December 31, 2015 7,290,167 7,290 31,797,418 19,238,610 (6,233,109) 44,810,209 Issuance of common stock upon stockoption exercise 265,000 265 711,135 - - 711,400 Stock compensation expense - - 133,904 - - 133,904 Repurchases of common stock - - - - (1,048,592) (1,048,592)Excess tax benefits from share-basedpayment arrangements - - 302,783 - - 302,783 Net income - - - 11,372,239 - 11,372,239 Balances - December 31, 2016 7,555,167 $7,555 $32,945,240 $30,610,849 $(7,281,701) $56,281,943 Issuance of common stock upon stockoption exercise 45,000 45 395,705 - - 395,750 Stock compensation expense - - 127,378 - - 127,378 Repurchases of common stock - - - - (616,499) (616,499)Net income - - - 11,328,266 - 11,328,266 Balances - December 31, 2017 7,600,167 $7,600 $33,468,323 $41,939,115 $(7,898,200) $67,516,838 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements F-6Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsBioSpecifics Technologies Corp.Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Years Ended December 31, Cash flows from operating activities: 2017 2016 2015 Net income $11,328,266 $11,372,239 $9,617,632 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided in operating activities: Amortization 2,239,551 1,691,539 933,009 Stock-based compensation expense 127,378 133,904 105,782 Deferred tax expense 1,550,416 (2,667,150) 455,799 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (844,313) (1,262,872) 390,811 Income tax receivable 563,444 422,132 (263,727)Prepaid expenses and other current assets 842 (240,535) (124,647)Patent costs (204,416) (23,341) (25,934)Accounts payable and accrued expenses 195,349 127,640 67,313 Deferred royalty buy-down (600,000) (600,000) (600,000)Deferred revenue (1,198,863) 7,398,793 50,622 Net cash provided by operating activities from operations 13,157,654 16,352,349 10,606,660 Cash flows from investing activities: Maturities of marketable securities 54,320,741 43,242,679 14,070,544 Purchases of marketable securities (64,687,200) (59,935,130) (34,180,085)Net cash used in investing activities from operations (10,366,459) (16,692,451) (20,109,541) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from stock option exercises 395,750 711,400 2,823,983 Repurchases of common stock (616,499) (1,048,592) (1,802,466)Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements - 302,783 3,808,423 Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (220,749) (34,409) 4,829,940 Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2,570,446 (374,511) (4,672,941)Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 4,763,364 5,137,875 9,810,816 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $7,333,810 $4,763,364 $5,137,875 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Cash paid during the year for: Interest $- $- $- Taxes $5,400,000 $7,945,000 $1,906,000 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements F-7Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsBIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2017, 2016 and 20151. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESSWe are a biopharmaceutical company involved in the development of an injectable collagenase clostridium histolyticum for multiple indications. Wecurrently have a development and license agreement with Endo Global Ventures, a Bermuda unlimited liability company (“Endo Global Ventures”), anaffiliate of Endo International plc (“Endo”), for injectable collagenase for marketed indications and indications in development. Endo assumed thisagreement when Endo acquired Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Auxilium”) on January 29, 2015 (the “Acquisition”). Injectable collagenase clostridiumhistolyticum is marketed as XIAFLEX® (or Xiapex® in Europe).On August 31, 2011, we entered into the Second Amended and Restated Development and License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Auxilium forXIAFLEX. The License Agreement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 1, 2011 as Exhibit 10.1 to a CurrentReport on Form 8-K. Auxilium subsequently assigned the License Agreement to Auxilium Bermuda ULC. As a result of the Acquisition and resulting internalrestructuring, the counterparty to the agreement is now Endo Global Ventures.On February 1, 2016, we entered into with Endo the First Amendment (the “First Amendment”) to the Second Amended and Restated Development andLicensing Agreement (the “Auxilium Agreement”), by and between us and Auxilium, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Endo, to amend certain provisionsof the Auxilium Agreement (as amended by the First Amendment, the “License Agreement”). The First Amendment was filed with the SEC on February 5,2016 as Exhibit 10.1 to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The effective date of the First Amendment was January 1, 2016. Pursuant to the First Amendment, weand Endo mutually agreed that in exchange for a $8.25 million lump sum payment, we will not receive future additional mark-up on cost of goods sold forsales by non-affiliated sublicensees of Endo outside of the U.S.; provided, however, that Endo will still be required to pay a mark-up on cost of goods sold forsales made in the “Endo Territory,” which includes sales made in the U.S. and sales made in any other country where Endo sells the product directly orthrough affiliated sublicensees. We received this $8.25 million lump sum payment in February 2016 and began recognizing this income over time based onsales by non-affiliated sublicensees of Endo outside of the U.S. according to our revenue recognition policy in the second quarter of 2016.Additionally, we agreed that Endo may opt-in early to indications, prior to our submission of a clinical trial report, with our consent, such consent not to beunreasonably withheld. For early opt-ins, Endo will be required to make an opt-in payment of $0.5 million on a per indication basis. For regular opt-ins,following our submission of a clinical trial report, Endo will be required to make an opt-in payment of $0.75 million on a per indication basis.The two marketed indications involving our injectable collagenase are Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease. Prior to the Acquisition, Auxiliumhad, and after the Acquisition, Endo has, opted-in to the following indications: frozen shoulder, cellulite, canine lipoma, lateral hip fat, plantar fibromatosisand human lipoma. Endo exercised, with our consent, an early opt-in for lateral hip fat and plantar fibromatosis in November 2015. Endo opted-in for humanlipoma in July 2016. We manage the development of XIAFLEX for uterine fibroids and initiate the development of XIAFLEX in new potential indications,not licensed by Endo.Endo is currently selling XIAFLEX in the U.S. for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease and has an agreement with SwedishOrphan Biovitrum AB (“Sobi”), pursuant to which Sobi has marketing rights for Xiapex for Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease in Europe andcertain Eurasian countries. Sobi is currently selling Xiapex in Europe and certain Eurasian countries for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture andPeyronie’s disease. In addition, Endo has an agreement with Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation (“Asahi”) pursuant to which Asahi has the right tocommercialize XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease in Japan. Asahi is selling XIAFLEX for the treatment ofDupuytren’s contracture in Japan. Endo is currently distributing XIAFLEX in Canada through Paladin Labs Inc, an operating company of Endo. In December2016, Endo entered into a new out-licensing agreement with Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (“Actelion”), pursuant to which Actelion obtained marketing andcommercial rights for XIAFLEX in Australia and New Zealand. F-8Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIESPrinciples of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary, Advance Biofactures Corp., a New York corporation (“ABC-NY”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and AssumptionsThe preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) requires the use ofmanagement’s estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The Companymakes certain assumptions and estimates for its deferred tax assets and deferred royalty buy-down. Actual results could differ from those estimates.Cash, Cash Equivalents and InvestmentsCash equivalents include only securities having a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase. Investments are stated on an amortized cost basis.The Company limits its credit risk associated with cash, cash equivalents and investments by placing its investments with banks it believes are highlycreditworthy and with highly rated money market funds, certificates of deposit, municipal bonds and corporate bonds. All investments are classified as heldto maturity. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the amortized cost of these investments was $57.7 million and $48.0 million, respectively. No unrealizedgains or losses were recorded in either period.Fair Value MeasurementsManagement believes that the carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash, cash equivalents, held to maturity investments,accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of those instruments. As of December 31,2017 and 2016, there were no recorded unrealized gains or losses on our investments as they are held to maturity. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016,amortized cost basis of the investments approximate their fair value. In 2017 and 2016, the amortized premium included in interest income was $673,000 and$610,000, respectively. The schedule of maturities at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows: Maturities as ofDecember 31, 2017 Maturities as ofDecember 31, 2016 1 Year orLess Greater than 1Year 1 Year orLess Greater than 1Year Municipal bonds $1,002,650 $100,000 $6,967,954 $586,074 Corporate Bonds 48,143,495 3,155,573 30,418,120 2,936,287 Certificates of deposit 2,827,826 2,490,401 6,868,788 249,019 Total $51,973,971 $5,745,974 $44,254,862 $3,771,380 Concentration of Credit Risk and Major CustomersThe Company maintains bank account balances, which, at times, may exceed insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses with theseaccounts and believes that it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash.The Company maintains its investment in FDIC insured certificates of deposits with several banks, pre-refunded municipal bonds, municipal bonds andcorporate bonds. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsAt December 31, 2017 our accounts receivable balance was $4.7 million and was from one customer, Endo.At December 31, 2016 our accounts receivable balance was $3.8 million and was from one customer, Endo.The Company is currently dependent on one customer, Endo, who generates almost all its revenues. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015,the licensing, sublicensing, milestones and royalty revenues under the License Agreement with Endo were approximately $27.4 million, $26.3 million and$22.8 million, respectively.Revenue Recognition We currently recognize revenues resulting from the licensing and sublicensing of the use of our technology and from services we sometimes perform inconnection with the licensed technology under the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”).If we determine that separate elements exist in a revenue arrangement under ASC 605, we recognize revenue for delivered elements only when the fair valuesof undelivered elements are known, when the associated earnings process is complete, when payment is reasonably assured and, to the extent the milestoneamount relates to our performance obligation, when our customer confirms that we have met the requirements under the terms of the agreement.Revenues, and their respective treatment for financial reporting purposes, are as follows:Royalty / Mark-Up on Cost of Goods SoldFor those arrangements for which royalty and mark-up on cost of goods sold information becomes available and collectability is reasonably assured, werecognize revenue during the applicable period in which it is earned. For interim quarterly and year-end reporting purposes, when collectability is reasonablyassured, but a reasonable estimate of royalty and mark-up on cost of goods sold cannot be made, the royalty and mark-up on cost of goods sold are generallyrecognized in the quarter that the applicable licensee provides the written report and related information to us.Under the License Agreement, we do not participate in the selling, marketing or manufacturing of products for which we receive royalties and a mark-up onthe cost of goods sold. The royalty and mark-up on cost of goods sold will generally be recognized in the quarter that Endo provides the written reports andrelated information to us; that is, royalty and mark-up on cost of goods sold are generally recognized one quarter following the quarter in which theunderlying sales by Endo occurred. The royalties payable by Endo to us are subject to set-off for certain patent costs.Pursuant to the First Amendment with Endo, in exchange for a $8.25 million lump sum payment, we will not receive future additional mark-up on cost ofgoods sold for sales by non-affiliated sublicensees of Endo outside of the U.S.; provided, however, that Endo will still be required to pay a mark-up on cost ofgoods sold for sales made in the “Endo Territory,” which includes sales made in the U.S. and sales made in any other country where Endo sells the productdirectly or through affiliated sublicensees. We received this $8.25 million lump sum payment in February 2016. We classified this payment as deferredrevenue in our balance sheet and began recognizing this income over time in the second quarter of 2016 based on sales by non-affiliated sublicensees ofEndo outside of the U.S. according to our revenue recognition policy. We recognized approximately $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, $0.8million in 2016, and zero in the 2015 corresponding periods.Licensing RevenueWe include revenue recognized from upfront licensing, sublicensing and milestone payments in “License Revenues” in our consolidated statements ofincome in this Report.Upfront License and Sublicensing FeesWe generally recognize revenue from upfront licensing and sublicensing fees when the agreement is signed, we have completed the earnings process and wehave no ongoing performance obligation with respect to the arrangement. Nonrefundable upfront technology license for product candidates for which we areproviding continuing services related to product development are deferred and recognized as revenue over the development period. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsMilestonesMilestones, in the form of additional license fees, typically represent nonrefundable payments to be received in conjunction with the achievement of aspecific event identified in the contract, such as completion of specified development activities and/or regulatory submissions and/or approvals. We believethat a milestone represents the culmination of a distinct earnings process when it is not associated with ongoing research, development or other performanceon our part. We recognize such milestones as revenue when they become due and collection is reasonably assured. When a milestone does not represent theculmination of a distinct earnings process, we recognize revenue in a manner similar to that of an upfront license fee.The timing and amount of revenue that we recognize from licenses of technology, either from upfront fees or milestones where we are providing continuingservices related to product development, is primarily dependent upon our estimates of the development period. We define the development period as thepoint from which research activities commence up to regulatory approval of either our, or our partners’, submission assuming no further research is necessary.As product candidates move through the development process, it is necessary to revise these estimates to consider changes to the product development cycle,such as changes in the clinical development plan, regulatory requirements, or various other factors, many of which may be outside of our control. Should theFDA or other regulatory agencies require additional data or information, we would adjust our development period estimates accordingly. The impact onrevenue of changes in our estimates and the timing thereof is recognized prospectively over the remaining estimated product development period.Treasury StockThe Company accounts for treasury stock under the cost method and includes treasury stock as a component of stockholders’ equity. For the year endedDecember 31, 2017, we repurchased 12,048 shares at an average price of $51.17 as compared to 27,298 shares at an average price of $38.41 in the 2016period. In the 2015 period, we purchased 40,001 shares at an average price of $45.06.ReceivablesTrade accounts receivable are stated at the amount the Company expects to collect. We may maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated lossesresulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. We consider the following factors when determining the collectability of specificcustomer accounts: customer credit-worthiness, past transaction history with the customer, current economic industry trends, and changes in customerpayment terms. Our accounts receivable balance is typically due from Endo, our one large specialty pharmaceutical customer. Endo has historically paidtimely and has been a financially stable organization. Due to the nature of the accounts receivable balance, we believe the risk of doubtful accounts isminimal. If the financial condition of our customer were to deteriorate, adversely affecting its ability to make payments, additional allowances would berequired. We may provide for estimated uncollectible amounts through a charge to earnings and a credit to a valuation allowance. Balances that remainoutstanding after we have used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance and a credit to accounts receivable.At December 31, 2017 and 2016, our accounts receivable balance was $4.7 million and $3.8 million, respectively and was from one customer, Endo.Deferred RevenueDeferred revenue consists of the remaining $6.3 million related to the First Amendment with Endo of mark-up on cost of goods sold revenue for sales by non-affiliated sublicensees, approximately $40,000 related to nonrefundable upfront product license fees for product candidates for which we are providingcontinuing services related to product development and $100,000 related to a milestone payment withheld by Endo due to a foreign tax withholding whichremains uncollected. Currently, the Company expects to recover the full amount. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, deferred revenue was $6.4 million and$7.6 million, respectively. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsReimbursable Third Party Development CostsWe accrued patent expenses that are reimbursable by us under the License Agreement. We capitalize certain patent costs related to estimated third-partydevelopment costs that are reimbursable under the License Agreement. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our net reimbursable third party patent expenseaccrual was approximately zero and $25,000, respectively.Third Party RoyaltiesWe have entered into licensing and royalty agreements with third parties and agreed to pay certain royalties on net sales of products for specific indications.The royalty rates differ from agreement to agreement and, in certain cases, have been redacted with the permission of the SEC. No assumptions should bemade that any disclosed royalty rate payable to a particular third party is the same or similar with respect to any royalty rate payable to any other thirdparties. We accrue third-party royalty expenses on net sales reported to us by Endo. Third-party royalty costs are generally expensed under general andadministrative in the quarter that Endo provides the written reports and related information to us; that is, generally one quarter following the quarter in whichthe underlying sales by Endo occurred. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, third party royalty expenses was $1.8 million, $1.6 millionand $1.4 million, respectively. Our third-party royalty expense under general and administrative expenses may increase if net sales by Endo and its partnersfor XIAFLEX and XIAPEX increase and potential new indications for XIAFLEX are approved. Royalty Buy-DownOn March 31, 2012, we entered into an amendment to our existing agreement with Dr. Martin K. Gelbard, dated August 27, 2008, related to our future royaltyobligations in connection with Peyronie’s disease. The amendment enabled us to buy down a portion of our future royalty obligations in exchange for aninitial cash payment of $1.5 million and five additional cash payments of $600,000, all of which have been paid as of December 31, 2017. Royaltyobligations terminate five years after the first commercial sale. The Company amortizes long-term contracts with finite lives in a manner that reflects thepattern in which the economic benefits of the assets are consumed or otherwise used up. Dr. Gelbard’s agreement is amortized based on an income forecastmethod by estimating sales of XIAFLEX for Peyronie’s disease on an annual basis as measured by the proportion of the total estimated sales over the five yearperiod. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, we amortized approximately $1.5 million, $1.0 million and $0.6 million related to thisagreement, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the remaining capitalized balances were approximately $2.5 million and $3.4 million,respectively. We perform an evaluation of the recoverability of the carrying value to determine if facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value ofthe assets may be impaired and if any adjustment is warranted. As of December 31, 2017, there was no indicator that an impairment existed. Research and Development ExpensesR&D expenses include, but are not limited to, internal costs, such as salaries and benefits, costs of materials, lab expense, facility costs and overhead. R&Dexpenses also consist of third party costs, such as medical professional fees, product costs used in clinical trials, consulting fees and costs associated withclinical study arrangements. We may fund R&D at medical research institutions under agreements that are generally cancelable. All of these costs are chargedto R&D as incurred, which may be measured by percentage of completion, contract milestones, patient enrollment, or the passage of time.Clinical Trial ExpensesOur cost accruals for clinical trials are based on estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with various clinical trial centersand clinical research organizations. In the normal course of business we contract with third parties to perform various clinical trial activities in the ongoingdevelopment of potential drugs. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation and vary from contract to contract and may result inuneven payment flows. Payments under the contracts depend on factors such as the achievement of certain events, the successful enrollment of patients, thecompletion of portions of the clinical trial, or similar conditions. The objective of our accrual policy is to match the recording of expenses in our financialstatements to the actual cost of services received and efforts expended. As such, expenses related to each patient enrolled in a clinical trial are recognizedbeginning upon entry into the trial and over the course of the patient’s continued participation in the trial. In the event of early termination of a clinical trial,we accrue an amount based on our estimate of the remaining non-cancelable obligations associated with the winding down of the clinical trial. Our estimatesand assumptions could differ significantly from the amounts that may actually be incurred. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIncome TaxesDeferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the expected future tax consequences, using current tax rates, of temporary differences between thefinancial statement carrying amounts and the income tax basis of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is applied against any net deferred tax asset if,based on the weighted available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, as set forth in Accounting Standards Codification 740 Income Taxes (“ASC 740”).Under this method, deferred income taxes, when required, are provided on the basis of the difference between the financial reporting and income tax basis ofassets and liabilities at the statutory rates enacted for future periods. In accordance with ASC 740, we classify interest associated with income taxes underinterest expense and tax penalties under other.The Company recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examinationby taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such position aremeasured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon the ultimate settlement. As of December 31, 2017 and2016, the Company no unrecognized tax benefits or related interest and penalties.Stock-Based CompensationThe Company has one stock-based compensation plan in effect which is described more fully in Note 9. Accounting Standards Codification 718,Compensation - Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”) requires the recognition of compensation expense, using a fair-value based method, for costs related to allshare-based awards including stock options and common stock issued to our employees and directors under our stock plan. It requires companies to estimatethe fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected tovest is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods in our consolidated statements of income.Under ASC 718, we estimate the fair value of our employee stock awards at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requiresthe use of certain subjective assumptions. The most significant of these assumptions are our estimates of the expected volatility of the market price of ourstock and the expected term of an award. When establishing an estimate of the expected term of an award, we consider the vesting period for the award, ourrecent historical experience of employee stock option exercises (including forfeitures) and the expected volatility. When there is uncertainty in the factorsused to determine the expected term of an award, we use the simplified method. As required under the accounting rules, we review our valuation assumptionsat each grant date and, as a result, our valuation assumptions used to value employee stock-based awards granted in future periods may change.We account for stock options granted to persons other than employees or directors at fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model in accordancewith Accounting Standards Codification 505-50, Equity Based Payments to Non-Employees (“ASC 505-50”). Stock options granted to such persons andstock options that are modified and continue to vest when an employee has a change in employment status are subject to periodic revaluation over theirvesting terms. We recognize the resulting stock-based compensation expense during the service period over which the non-employee provides services to us.Patent CostsWe amortize intangible assets with definite lives on a straight-line basis over their remaining estimated useful lives, ranging from 2 to 10 years, and reviewfor impairment on an annual basis and when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Asof December 31, 2017, there was no indicator that an impairment existed. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsFor the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we capitalized patent costs related to patent prosecution and maintenance of approximately $204,000 and$23,000 based on the most current information reported to us by Endo. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s estimated patent costs which arereimbursable to Endo under the License Agreement are zero and $25,000, respectively. These patent costs are creditable against future royalty revenues. Foreach period presented below net patent costs consisted of: December 31, 2017 2016 Patents $925,016 $720,601 Accumulated Amortization (527,023) (462,246)Net Patent Costs $397,993 $258,355 The amortization expense for patents for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were approximately $65,000, $40,000 and $46,000,respectively. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years is approximately as follows:2018 $65,000 2019 65,000 2020 49,000 2021 34,000 2022 34,000 Adopted Accounting StandardIn March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-09, which amends the existing accounting standards for share-basedpayments, including the accounting for income taxes and forfeitures, as well as the classifications on the statements of cash flows. We adopted this guidanceeffective January 1, 2017. Beginning January 1, 2017, stock-based compensation excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies are reflected in the consolidatedstatements of operations as a component of the provision for taxes, whereas they previously were recognized as additional paid in capital in the stockholders’equity in the consolidated balance sheets. We have elected to continue to estimate forfeitures expected to occur to determine stock-based compensationexpense. Additionally, beginning with the three months ended March 31, 2017, and on a prospective basis, the consolidated statements of cash flows nowrequires excess tax benefits be presented as an operating activity rather than as a financing activity, while the payment of withholding taxes on the settlementof stock-based compensation awards continues to be presented as a financing activity. The implementation of this guidance did not have a material impacton the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.New Accounting PronouncementsFASB, issued several accounting standards updates establishing ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. ASC 606 requires retrospectiveimplementation, and replaces most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP with a new principles-based, five-step revenue recognitionmodel. It also requires new disclosures, such as qualitative and quantitative information about revenue recognized from contracts with customers (includingdisaggregated revenue, contract balances, and performance obligations) and significant judgments and changes in judgments. ASC 606 provides specificguidance for determining whether to recognize licensing revenue at a point in time or over time, and application of this guidance may result in a differentpattern of recognition than under current U.S. GAAP. We plan to adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2018, as required. We are adopting these standardsusing the modified retrospective approach. We have completed our assessment of the effect of adoption. Based on our assessment, the recognition of royaltyrevenues will be estimated and recognized in the periods in which the net sales occurred. Previously, these amounts were not recognized until they were fixedand determinable. In addition, prepayment of foreign cost of goods sold revenue will be recognized when the transaction occurred. The cumulative effect ofadopting these standards will result in us recording an increase of approximately $10 million to retained earnings on January 1, 2018. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsIn January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The new guidance will impactthe accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financialinstruments. All equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for under the equity method of accounting) will generally bemeasured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized through earnings. There will no longer be an available-for-sale classification (changes in fairvalue reported in other comprehensive income (loss) for equity securities with readily determinable fair values). In addition, the FASB clarified the need for avaluation allowance on deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities. In general, the new guidance will requiremodified retrospective application to all outstanding instruments, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to opening retained earnings. This guidancewill be effective for us on January 1, 2018. We do not currently have any available-for-sale equity investments. We do not anticipate that such guidance willhave a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.In February 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under the new guidance, lessees will be required torecognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the lease commencement date: a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligationto make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use,or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Certain targeted improvementswere made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The newlease guidance simplified the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities.Lessees will no longer be provided with a source of off-balance sheet financing. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 forfiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years (i.e., January 1, 2019, for a calendar year entity). Earlyapplication is permitted. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modifiedretrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financialstatements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative periodpresented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. We do not anticipate that such guidance will have a material impact onour consolidated financial statements.In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. The amendment revises the impairment model to utilize an expected lossmethodology in place of the currently used incurred loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of losses on financial instruments,including, but not limited to, available for sale debt securities and accounts receivable. The Company is required to adopt this standard starting in the firstquarter of fiscal year 2021. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on our consolidated financialstatements and related disclosures. 3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTSThe authoritative literature for fair value measurements established a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs in measuring fair value. Thesetiers are as follows: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than the quotedprices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as significant unobservable inputs (entity developedassumptions) in which little or no market data exists. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsAs of December 31, 2017, the Company held certain investments that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The following tablespresent the Company’s fair value hierarchy for these financial assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:December 31, 2017 Type of Instrument Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash equivalentsInstitutional Money Market $3,108,549 $3,108,549 $- $- Cash equivalentsMunicipal Bonds 800,000 - 800,000 - InvestmentsMunicipal Bonds 1,102,650 - 1,102,650 - InvestmentsCorporate Bonds 51,299,068 - 51,299,068 - InvestmentsCertificates of Deposit 5,318,227 5,318,227 - - December 31, 2016 Type of Instrument Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash equivalentsInstitutional Money Market $2,290,331 $2,290,331 $- $- InvestmentsMunicipal Bonds 7,554,028 - 7,554,028 - InvestmentsCorporate Bonds 33,354,407 - 33,354,407 - InvestmentsCertificates of Deposit 7,117,807 7,117,807 - - 4. EARNINGS PER SHAREBasic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutedearnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased toinclude all additional common shares that would have been outstanding assuming potentially dilutive common shares, resulting from option exercises, hadbeen issued and any proceeds thereof used to repurchase common stock at the average market price during the period. 2017 2016 2015 Net income $11,328,266 $11,372,239 $9,617,632 Weighted average shares: Basic 7,170,701 7,061,404 6,827,355 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options 151,104 221,858 445,634 Diluted 7,321,805 7,283,262 7,272,989 Net income per share: Basic $1.58 $1.61 $1.41 Diluted $1.55 $1.56 $1.32 We exclude from earnings per share the weighted-average number of securities whose effect is anti-dilutive. There were no shares excluded from thecalculation earnings per share for the period ended December 31, 2017. Excluded from the calculation of earnings per share for each of the years endedDecember 31, 2016 and 2015 were 20,000 options to purchase shares of common stock, because their effect is anti-dilutive.5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENTProperty and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, and autos are depreciated on thestraight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 5 to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their estimated useful lives orthe remaining life of the lease. As of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, property and equipment were fully depreciated. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents6. COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEFor the years ended 2017, 2016, 2015, we had no components of other comprehensive income other than net income itself.7. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIESAccounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following: December 31, 2017 2016 Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses $567,985 $505,098 Accrued legal and other professional fees 150,691 51,000 Accrued payroll and related costs 215,322 182,551 $933,998 $738,649 8. INCOME TAXESThe provision for income taxes consists of the following: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Current taxes: Federal $5,513,691 $8,571,034 $4,428,344 State (26,580) 98,881 49,185 Total current taxes 5,487,111 8,669,915 4,477,529 Deferred taxes: Federal 1,548,247 (2,647,363) 452,761 State 2,169 (19,787) 3,038 Total deferred taxes 1,550,416 (2,667,150) 455,799 Total provision for income taxes $7,037,527 6,002,765 $4,933,328 On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Job Act ("Tax Act"). The Tax Actmakes complex changes to the tax law which will impact the 2017 year, including but not limited to a re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities asa result of the corporate tax rate change from 35% to 21%. Based on the initial analysis of the Tax Act, the Company has made reasonable estimates of its2017 impact and due to the federal corporate rate reduction, a re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities resulted in the recording of a charge ofapproximately $1.1 million.The Tax Act will also affect 2018 and forward, including but not limited to a reduction in the federal corporate rate from 35% to 21%, elimination of thecorporate alternative minimum tax, a new limitation on the deductibility of certain executive compensation, limitations on net operating losses ("NOL’s")generated after December 31, 2017, and various other items. The Company has evaluated the above provisions and other than the reduction in corporate taxrate, it does not believe that the new provisions will have a material impact on the provision for income taxes. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsThe effective income tax rate of the Company differs from the federal statutory tax rate due to the following items: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Statutory rate 35.00% 35.00% 34.00%State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit (0.08)% 0.26% 0.25%Stock-based compensation (3.33)% (0.50)% (0.46)%Deferred rate change 6.21% - - Miscellaneous other, net 0.52% (0.21)% 0.11%Effective tax rate 38.32% 34.55% 33.90%The increase in the effective tax rate in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily due to lowered federal income tax rates as a result of U.S. Tax Reform and theadoption of ASU No. 2016-09.Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposesand the carrying amounts for income tax purposes. The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 Deferred revenue $1,344,232 $2,643,678 Stock option based compensation 322,524 536,065 Other 72,950 110,379 Net deferred tax asset $1,739,706 $3,290,122 Qualified stock option compensation, recorded in the Company's consolidated financial statements, is not deductible for tax purposes which increases theCompany's effective tax rate. Deferred tax assets, including those associated with non-qualified stock option compensation, are reviewed and adjusted forapportionment and tax law changes in various jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has no unrecognized tax benefits or related interest and penalties. Management does not believe that there is any taxposition which it is reasonably possible that will result in unrecognized tax benefit within the next 12 months. Deductibility of Executive CompensationSection 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code denies a federal income tax deduction for certain compensation in excess of $1.0 million per year paid tocertain employees of publicly traded companies. Beginning January 1, 2018, on account of the passage and signing of the Tax Reform Act, this limitationwill apply to the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, any other named executive officers and anyone who is such a covered person after December31, 2016. Prior to January 1, 2018, this limitation only applied to the chief executive officer and the three most highly-paid executive officers of theCompany (other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer). In addition, prior to January 1, 2018, compensation that met the requirements ofperformance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code was excluded from the deduction limit. Beginning January 1, 2018(with the exception of certain grandfathered arrangements), a deduction will be denied for any compensation payable to covered employees that exceeds $1.0million, regardless of whether such compensation is performance-based compensation. To retain highly skilled executives and remain competitive with otheremployers, the compensation committee may authorize compensation that will not be deductible under Section 162(m) or otherwise. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITYStock Option PlanAt December 31, 2017, we have one stock option plan, the Amended and Restated 2001 Stock Option Plan (“2001 Plan”). Under the 2001 Plan, qualifiedincentive stock options and non-qualified stock options may be granted to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,050,000 shares of the Company's common stock,subject to certain anti-dilution provisions. The exercise price per share of common stock may not be less than 100% (110% for qualified incentive stockoptions granted to stockholders owning at least 10% of common shares) of the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Ingeneral, the options vest and become exercisable in four equal annual installments following the date of grant, although the Company’s Board, at itsdiscretion, may provide for different vesting schedules. The options expire 10 years (five years for qualified incentive stock options granted to stockholdersowning at least 10% of common shares) after such date. As of December 31, 2017, options to purchase 232,000 shares of common stock were outstandingunder the 2001 Plan, and a total of 229,098 shares remain available for grant under the 2001 Plan.Stock-Based CompensationASC 718 requires that employee stock-based compensation costs to be recognized over the requisite service period, or the vesting period, in a manner similarto all other forms of compensation paid to employees. The allocation of employee stock-based compensation costs to each operating expense line areestimated based on specific employee headcount information at each grant date and estimated stock option forfeiture rates and revised, if necessary, in futureperiods if actual employee headcount information or forfeitures differ materially from those estimates. As a result, the amount of employee stock-basedcompensation costs we recognize in each operating expense category in future periods may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the currentperiod.Stock-based compensation expense recognized under ASC 718 was as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Research and development $- $- $- General and administrative 127,378 133,904 105,782 Total stock-based compensation expense $127,378 $133,904 $105,782 Stock Options No stock options were granted during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2015, 30,000 stock options valuedat approximately $450,000 were granted to two new members of the Board (Jennifer Chao and Jyrki Mattila, M.D., Ph.D.). The following table presents theassumptions used to estimate the fair values of the stock options granted in the periods presented: 2017 2016 2015 Risk-free interest rate - - 1.41%Expected volatility - - 39%Expected life (in years) - - 6.25 Dividend yield - - - Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsThe summary of the stock options activity is as follows for year ended: Shares Weighted-AverageExercisePrice Weighted-AverageRemainingContractualTerm AggregateIntrinsicValue Outstanding at January 1, 2015 562,000 $11.91 2.51 $17,456,220 Grants - - - - Exercised (265,000) 2.68 - 9,392,150 Forfeitures or expirations - - - - Outstanding at December 31, 2016 297,000 20.14 3.10 10,561,380 Grants - - - - Exercised (45,000) 8.79 - 1,554,100 Forfeitures or expirations (20,000) 29.21 - - Outstanding at December 31, 2017 232,000 21.56 2.52 5,050,990 Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2017 232,000 21.56 2.52 5,050,990 Exercisable at December 31, 2017 217,000 $20.45 2.19 $4,965,640 The following table summarizes information relating to stock options by exercise price at December 31, 2017: Outstanding Shares Exercisable Shares OptionExercise Price Number ofShares WeightedAverageLife(years) WeightedAverageExercise Price NumberofShares WeightedAverageOptionPrice WeightedAverageLife(years) $13.24 - 15.85 55,000 2.80 $14.73 55,000 $14.73 2.80 17.00 - 21.00 125,000 1.39 19.69 125,000 19.69 1.39 $26.43 - 37.64 52,000 4.96 33.27 37,000 31.50 4.01 232,000 2.52 $21.56 217,000 $20.45 2.19 During the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, $0.4 million, $0.7 million and $2.8 million proceeds were received from stock options exercised, respectively.Aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on the closing price of our common stock of $43.33 on December 29, 2017, whichwould have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date. Total unrecognized compensation cost relatedto non-vested stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2017 was approximately $140,000 which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average periodof 1.42 years.10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIESLease AgreementsThe Company’s corporate headquarters are currently located at 35 Wilbur St., Lynbrook, NY 11563 (the “Headquarters”). On August 14, 2015, the Companyentered into an agreement with 35 Wilbur Street Associates, LLC (the “Landlord”) to extend the term of the lease to the Headquarters for an additional oneyear period (the “Extended Lease Agreement”). The one year extension ended on November 30, 2016. Pursuant to the Extended Lease Agreement, theLandlord took occupancy of 1,000 square feet in the front of the building, the base rent was $10,213 per month and the Company was able to cancel the leasewith three months’ prior written notice to the Landlord at any time during the term. The Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to theQuarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 9, 2015.On November 1, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement with the Landlord to extend the term of the lease to the Headquarters for an additional oneyear period (the “2016 Extended Lease Agreement”). The one year extension ended on November 30, 2017. Pursuant to the 2016 Extended Lease Agreement,the base rent was $10,757 per month and the Company was able to cancel the lease with three months’ prior written notice to the Landlord at any time duringthe term. The 2016 Extended Lease Agreement was filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q on November 9,2016. On November 6, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with the Landlord to extend the term of the lease to the Headquarters for an additional oneyear period (the “2017 Extended Lease Agreement”). The one year extension will end on November 30, 2018. Pursuant to the 2017 Extended LeaseAgreement, the base rent is $11,165 per month and the Company may cancel the lease with three months’ prior written notice to the Landlord at any timeduring the term. The 2017 Extended Lease Agreement was filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q on November9, 2017. Additionally, we lease certain vehicle and certain office equipment which generally expire in 2022 and 2020, respectively. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Year ending December 31, 2018 $124,000 2019 6,500 2020 3,400 2021 2,300 2022 600 Table of ContentsFuture minimum annual rental payments required under non-cancelable operating leases are $137,260 at year end December 31, 2017.Expense under all operating leases amounted to approximately $132,000, $127,000 and $130,000 for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.Future minimum annual payments required under non-cancelable operating leases are approximated as follows:11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONSDuring the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 there were no related party transactions.12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANSABC-NY has a 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan for employees who meet minimum age and service requirements. Contributions to the plan by ABC-NY arediscretionary and subject to certain vesting provisions. The Company made no contributions to this plan for fiscal years 2017, 2016 or 2015.14. SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA (Unaudited)The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly data for each of the four quarters in the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The data hasbeen derived from the Company's unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements that, in management's opinion, include all adjustments (consisting of normalrecurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of such information when read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notesthereto. The results of operations for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for any future period. FirstQuarter SecondQuarter ThirdQuarter FourthQuarter Year ended December 31, 2017 Net revenues $7,690,619 $6,535,516 $6,516,108 $6,701,509 Operating profit 5,010,121 3,882,502 3,983,760 4,801,768 Net income 3,344,753 2,624,091 2,714,832 2,644,590 Basic earnings per share $0.47 $0.37 $0.38 $0.37 Diluted earnings per share $0.46 $0.36 $0.37 $0.36 FirstQuarter SecondQuarter ThirdQuarter FourthQuarter Year ended December 31, 2016 Net revenues $6,567,991 $6,180,156 $6,882,160 $6,620,648 Operating profit 4,155,158 3,833,596 4,725,885 4,311,777 Net income 2,829,124 2,572,715 3,053,593 2,916,807 Basic earnings per share $0.40 $0.37 $0.43 $0.41 Diluted earnings per share $0.39 $0.35 $0.42 $0.40 Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsEXHIBIT INDEXExhibitNumberDescription 3.1Registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the Commission on March 2, 2007)3.2Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-laws, as amended February 25, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registrant’sAnnual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 7, 2014)3.3Amendment to Amended and Restated By-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filedwith the Commission on February 26, 2014)4.1Rights Agreement dated as of May 14, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-A filed with the Commissionon May 30, 2002)4.2Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement, dated June 19, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Registrant’s Annual Reporton Form 10-KSB filed with the Commission on March 2, 2007)4.3Amendment No. 2 to Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s CurrentReport on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 4, 2011)4.4Amendment No. 3 Rights Agreement, dated as of March 5, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Registrant’s Annual Reporton Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 7, 2014)10.1Agreement of Lease, dated as of November 21, 2013, among the Company, ABC-NY and 35 Wilbur Street Associates, LLC (incorporated byreference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 7, 2014)10.2Consulting Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2014, by and between BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. and Mr. Henry Morgan (incorporatedby reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 5, 2014)10.3Asset Purchase Agreement among the Company, ABC-NY and DFB dated March 3, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of theRegistrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 9, 2006)10.4Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company, ABC-NY and DFB dated January 8, 2007 (incorporated by reference toExhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 12, 2007)10.5Dupuytren’s License Agreement dated November 21, 2006 between the Company and the Research Foundation (incorporated by reference toExhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 28, 2006)10.6Frozen Shoulder License Agreement dated November 21, 2006 between the Company and the Research Foundation (incorporated byreference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 28, 2006)10.7Cellulite License Agreement dated August 23, 2007 between the Company and the Research Foundation (incorporated by reference toExhibit 10.7 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 15, 2013)10.8License Agreement dated March 27, 2010 between the Company and Zachary Gerut, M.D. (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.8 of theRegistrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 15, 2013)10.9Form of 1997 Stock Option Plan of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant’s Form S-8 filed with theCommission on September 26, 1997) Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents10.10Amended and Restated 2001 Stock Option Plan of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Appendix D of the Registrant’s Schedule 14Afiled with the Commission on April 30, 2009)10.11Change of Control Agreement, dated June 18, 2007 between the Company and Henry Morgan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 ofthe Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the Commission on September 26, 2007)10.12Change of Control Agreement, dated June 18, 2007 between the Company and Michael Schamroth (incorporated by reference to Exhibit10.22 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the Commission on September 26, 2007)10.13Change of Control Agreement, dated June 18, 2007 between the Company and Dr. Paul Gitman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 ofthe Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the Commission on September 26, 2007)10.14Amendment to Amended and Restated Agreement between the Company and Dr. Marty Gelbard dated March 31, 2012 between the Companyand Marty Gelbard (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-KA filed with the Commission onAugust 13, 2012)10.15Amended and Restated Development and License Agreement, dated December 11, 2008, between the Company and AuxiliumPharmaceuticals, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission onDecember 19, 2008)10.16Executive Employment Agreement, dated August 5, 2008 between the Company and Thomas L. Wegman (incorporated by reference toExhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 8, 2008)10.17Change of Control Agreement, dated October 1, 2008 between the Company and Dr. Matthew Geller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit10.23 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 31, 2009)10.18Change of Control Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2015, between the Company and Jyrki Mattila (incorporated by reference to Exhibit10.19 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 14, 2016)10.19Change of Control Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2015, between the Company and Jennifer Chao (incorporated by reference to Exhibit10.20 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 14, 2016)10.20Second Amended and Restated Development and License Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2011, by and between BioSpecificsTechnologies Corp. and Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form8-K filed with the SEC on September 1, 2011)10.21Settlement Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2011, by and between BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. and Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 1, 2011)10.22Amended Agreement of Lease, dated as of August 14, 2015, among the company, ABC NY and 35 Wilbur Street Associates (incorporated byreference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 9, 2015)10.23Lease Renewal Letter Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2016, among the company, ABC NY and 35 Wilbur Street Associates(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 9, 2016)10.24Lease Renewal Letter Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2017, among the company, ABC NY and 35 Wilbur Street Associates(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 9, 2017)10.25First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Development and License Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2016, by and betweenBioSpecifics Technologies Corp. and Endo Global Ventures. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report onForm 8-K filed with the SEC on February 5, 2016) 14.1Amended and Restated Code of Business Conduct and Ethics*Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of Contents21.1*Subsidiaries of the Registrant23.1*Consent of EisnerAmper LLP31.1*Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200232.1**Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002101*The following materials from BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017,formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements ofIncome, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes toConsolidated Financial Statements*filed herewith**furnished herewith. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Table of ContentsSIGNATURESIn accordance with section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant caused this Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf bythe undersigned, thereto duly authorized individual.Date: March 14, 2018 BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP. By:/s/ Thomas L. Wegman Name:Thomas L. Wegman Title:PresidentIn accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in thecapacities and on the dates indicated.SIGNATURETITLE /s/ Thomas L. Wegman President, Director, and Principal Executive, FinancialName: Thomas L. Wegmanand Accounting OfficerDate: March 14, 2018 /s/ Paul Gitman DirectorName: Dr. Paul Gitman Date: March 14, 2018 /s/ Michael Schamroth DirectorName: Michael Schamroth Date: March 14, 2018 /s/ Dr. Mark Wegman DirectorName: Dr. Mark Wegman Date: March 14, 2018 /s/ Toby Wegman DirectorName: Toby Wegman Date: March 14, 2018 /s/ Dr. Jyrki Mattila DirectorName: Dr. Jyrki Mattila Date: March 14, 2018 /s/ Jennifer Chao DirectorName: Jennifer Chao Date: March 14, 2018 Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Exhibit 14.1 BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP. AMENDED AND RESTATEDCODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS ADOPTED ON DECEMBER 8, 2017 ARTICLE I.Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Introduction This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) embodies the commitment of BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. (together with its consolidatedsubsidiaries, “BSTC” or the “Company”), to conduct our business in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and the highest ethicalstandards. All employees, officers, notified consultants and members of our Board of Directors (the “Board”) are expected to adhere to those principles andprocedures set forth in this Code that apply to them. We also expect the consultants we retain and notify in writing to abide by this Code to the same extentas an employee; provided that in no event will any consultant be deemed or considered to be an employee solely due to such application. We expect ourpeople to maintain high ethical standards in everything they do, both in their work for the Company and in their personal lives. A. Compliance and Reporting Employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants should strive to identify and raise potential issues before they lead to problems, and should ask aboutthe application of this Code whenever in doubt. Any employee, officer, director, or notified consultant who becomes aware of any existing or potentialviolation of this Code should promptly notify Carl Valenstein at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, counsel to the Company, or such other individual from timeto time listed in Article V of this Code (“Appropriate Ethics Contacts”). The Company will take such disciplinary or preventive action as it deems appropriateto address any existing or potential violation of this Code brought to its attention. Any questions relating to how these policies should be interpreted or applied should be addressed to an Appropriate Ethics Contact. B. Personal Conflicts of Interest A “personal conflict of interest” occurs when an individual’s private interest improperly interferes with the interests of the Company. Personal conflicts ofinterest are prohibited as a matter of Company policy, unless they have been approved by the Company. In particular, an employee, officer, director, ornotified consultant must never use or attempt to use his or her position at the Company to obtain any improper personal benefit for himself or herself, for hisor her family members, or for any other person, including loans or guarantees of obligations, from any person or entity. Service to the Company should never be subordinated to personal gain and advantage. Conflicts of interest should, to the extent possible, be avoided. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Any employee, officer, director, or notified consultant who is aware of a material transaction or relationship that could reasonably be expected to give rise toa conflict of interest should discuss the matter promptly with an Appropriate Ethics Contact. C. Public Disclosure It is the Company’s policy that the information in its public communications, including SEC filings, be full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. Allemployees, officers, directors, and notified consultants who are involved in the company’s disclosure process, including the Chief Executive Officer,President, the Chief Financial Officer and/or other senior officer, are responsible for acting in furtherance of this policy. In particular, these individuals arerequired to maintain familiarity with the disclosure requirements applicable to the Company and are prohibited from knowingly misrepresenting, omitting, orcausing others to misrepresent or omit, material facts about the Company to others, whether within or outside the Company, including the Company’sregistered public accounting firm. In addition, any employee, officer, director, or notified consultant who has a supervisory role in the Company’s disclosureprocess has an obligation to discharge his or her responsibilities diligently. D. Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations It is the Company’s policy to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. It is the personal responsibility of each employee, officer, director, andnotified consultant to adhere to the standards and restrictions imposed by those laws, rules and regulations. This Code provides guidance as to certain of thelaws, rules and regulations that apply to the Company’s activities. It is the Company’s position that it is both illegal and against Company policy for any employee, officer, director, or notified consultant who is aware ofmaterial nonpublic information relating to the Company, or any of the Company’s clients, investors, vendors or suppliers, to buy or sell any securities ofthose issuers, or recommend that another person buy, sell or hold the securities of those issuers. More detailed rules governing the trading of securities by the Company’s employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants are set forth in the PolicyStatement on Insider Trading. Any employee, officer, director, or notified consultant who is uncertain about the legal rules involving his or her purchase orsale of any Company securities or any securities in issuers that he or she is familiar with by virtue of his or her work for the Company should consult withcounsel to the Company before making any such purchase or sale. E. Protection of Corporate Assets and Corporate Opportunities Employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants should seek to protect the Company’s assets. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on theCompany’s financial performance. Employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants must use the Company’s assets and services solely for legitimatebusiness purposes of the Company and not for any personal benefit or the personal benefit of anyone else. Employees, officers, directors, and notifiedconsultants also must advance the Company’s legitimate business interests when the opportunity to do so arises. Employees, officers, directors, and notifiedconsultants are not permitted to take for themselves business opportunities that are discovered through their position with the Company or to use Companyproperty, resources or information to advance their own personal interests without approval by the Board. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.F. Confidentiality Employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants may have access to proprietary and confidential information concerning the Company’s business andthe business of the Company’s clients, collaboration partners, suppliers, or vendors. Employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants are required tokeep such information confidential during their employment or service to the Company, as well as thereafter, and not to use, disclose or communicate thatconfidential information other than in their role as an employee, officer, director, or notified consultant, except where disclosure is authorized by theCompany or legally mandated. The Company’s confidential business information, technical information, trade secrets, and financial and administrative information are valuable Companyassets. Protection of this information is vital to the Company’s continued growth and ability to compete. The Company may require each employee, officer,director, and/or notified consultant to sign a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement with the Company that more completely describes the duties andresponsibilities of such employee, officer, director, or notified consultant to maintain in confidence information belonging to the Company. Each employee, officer, director, and notified consultant must abide by any lawful obligations they have to their former or current employers. Theseobligations may include restrictions on the use and disclosure of confidential information, restrictions on the solicitation of former colleagues to work at theCompany and non-competition obligations. The Company does not tolerate, and employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants must avoid using, any form of industrial espionage, piracy oftrade secrets, piracy of software or similar attempts to acquire by unlawful or unfair practices nonpublic information relating to the business of an existing orpotential customer, competitor or supplier. This would include, by way of example, any bribe for access to confidential business information, acquiringinformation by unlawful entry into a premises, or use of electronic or photographic devices in an effort to acquire confidential business information. G. Fair Dealing We have a history of succeeding through honest business competition. We do not seek competitive advantages through illegal or unethical businesspractices. Each employee, officer, director, and notified consultant should endeavor to deal fairly with the Company’s investors, service providers, suppliers,vendors, competitors, employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants. No employee, officer, director, or notified consultant should take unfairadvantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any unfair dealing practice. H. Equal Employment Opportunity and Harassment Our focus in personnel decisions is on merit and contribution to the Company’s success. Concern for the personal dignity and individual worth of everyperson is an indispensable element in the standard of conduct that we have set for ourselves. The Company affords equal employment opportunity to allqualified persons without regard to any impermissible criterion or circumstance. This means equal opportunity in regard to each individual’s terms andconditions of employment and in regard to any other matter that affects in any way the working environment of the employee. We do not tolerate or condoneany type of discrimination prohibited by law, including harassment. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.I. Business Gifts and Entertainment The purpose of business entertainment and gifts in a commercial setting is to create goodwill and sound working relationships, not to gain unfair advantage.No gift or entertainment should ever be offered, given, provided or accepted by any employee, officer, director, or notified consultant in connection withBSTC’s business unless it (1) is not a cash gift, (2) is consistent with customary business practices, (3) is not excessive in value, (4) cannot be construed as abribe, payoff or kickback and (5) does not violate any laws or regulations. J. Insider Trading All employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants shall pay particular attention to potential violations of insider trading laws. Insider trading is bothunethical and illegal and will be dealt with decisively if it occurs. All employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants are expected to familiarizethemselves with the Policy Statement on Insider Trading adopted by the Company. If they have questions about these guidelines, they should consult withthe counsel to the Company. K. Transactions Involving Suppliers and Customers The Company expects that all procurement and other business decisions made by employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants will be based onnormal commercial considerations, such as quality, cost, availability, service, reputation and other factors bearing directly on the product, service or otherrelationship between the Company and its suppliers and customers. The Company will neither seek nor tolerate special favors or arrangements with suppliersor customers that impair, or give the appearance of impairing, fair and unfettered commercial relationships. Employees, officers, directors, and notifiedconsultants shall not offer, give to, solicit from, or accept from (for themselves or for their family members) a person or firm doing business, or seeking to dobusiness, with the Company, any thing of value when its receipt might be construed to obligate the recipient to any reciprocal dealing, or influence or seek toinfluence a business transaction in which the donor or the donor’s employer has any material interest. Any gifts that are not of insignificant value should bereturned and reported to your supervisor. If immediate return is not practical, the gifts should be given to the Company for charitable disposition or suchother disposition as the Company, in its sole discretion, believes appropriate. L. Anti-Kickback Rules The providing, offering, soliciting, accepting, or attempting to provide, offer, solicit or accept, any kickback to or from any person or any employee orofficial of any corporation, entity or federal, state or local government or governmental entity with whom the Company is engaged or seeks to becomeengaged in business dealings ordinarily constitutes a violation of law. A “kickback” includes any money, fee, commission, or gift that is provided to anyemployee or official of a company or governmental entity with whom the Company is engaged or seeks to become engaged in business dealings for thepurpose of improperly obtaining or rewarding favorable treatment in connection with business dealings. The Company prohibits employees, officers,directors, and notified consultants from providing, offering or attempting to provide or offer any kickbacks to any person or entity with which the Companydoes business. The Company also prohibits employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants from soliciting, accepting or attempting to solicit oraccept any kickback from any entity with which the Company does business and from including the amount of any kickback in the price of goods or servicesunder any Company contract. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.M. Antitrust and Competition Laws Antitrust laws are designed to preserve and foster fair and honest competition and the language of these laws is deliberately broad, prohibiting such activitiesas unfair methods of competition and agreements in restraint of trade. These laws grant enforcement agencies the right to examine many different businessactivities to judge their effect on competition. The penalties for antitrust violations can be severe and may include imprisonment, large monetary fines,payment of triple damages and injunctions or consent decrees. In general, antitrust laws prohibit agreements or actions that may restrain trade or reducecompetition. Violations include agreements among competitors to fix or control prices or to allocate territories or markets, subject to limited exceptions. Tie-in sales and reciprocal dealing are, under certain circumstances, legally prohibited. Tie-in sales occur when a customer must purchase one product or serviceto be able to purchase another product or service. No employee, officer, director, or notified consultant is permitted to alter or amend the Company’sestablished product pricing without following established corporate policy and procedure, which may include prior approval from the counsel to theCompany. N. Dealings with Independent Auditors No employees, officers, directors, or notified consultants shall, directly or indirectly, make (or cause to be made) a materially false or misleading statement (oromit to state, or cause another person to omit to state, any material fact necessary in order to make statements not misleading) to an accountant in connectionwith any audit, review or examination of the Company’s financial statements or the preparation or filing of any document or report with the Securities andExchange Commission (“SEC”). No employee, officer, director, or notified consultants shall, directly or indirectly, take any action to coerce, manipulate,mislead or fraudulently influence any independent public or certified public accountant engaged in the performance of an audit or review of the Company’sfinancial statements. O. Health and Safety The health and safety of employees, officers, directors, notified consultants and others on Company property is of the utmost concern. It is the policy of theCompany to strive constantly for safety in all activities and operations and to carry out our commitment of compliance with all health and safety lawsapplicable to our businesses by enlisting the help of all employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants to ensure that public and work areas are free ofhazardous conditions. Each employee, officer, director, and notified consultant is expected to be conscientious about work place safety, including properwork methods, reporting potential hazards and abating known hazards. Safety equipment such as protective eye glasses, ear plugs, gloves, and safety shoes,as well as other special precautions are required for certain employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants entering into or working in certain areas ofthe Company’s property. The Company safety policies and practices will be strictly enforced for the benefit of all. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.P. Internet and Email Use Generally, the email and internet systems should be used for Company business only. The Company reserves the right to access and disclose, as necessary, anemployee, officer, director, or notified consultant’s use of these systems. Each employee, officer, director, and notified consultant should exercise goodjudgment regarding the reasonableness of personal use. In that regard, employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants should not use these systems tofurther personal monetary interests or for such purposes as soliciting or proselytizing for commercial ventures or other non-job-related solicitations. Noemployee, officer, director, or notified consultant may (i) send unsolicited bulk or spam email, (ii) send email with a return address other than their own, or(iii) use the Company’s email or internet system in any way that may be seen as insulting, disruptive, or offensive by other persons. Examples may includeposting, viewing or sending sexually explicit, racist, sexist, threatening, obscene, harassing, or otherwise objectionable visual, textual or auditory material;making unwanted or unwelcome propositions; making racial or ethnic slurs; or any other messages that can be construed as harassing or disparaging of othersbased on their gender, race, age, national origin, sexual orientation or religious or political beliefs. In addition, employees, officers, directors, and notifiedconsultants are prohibited from using the Company’s email and internet systems to receive or distribute any copyrighted or proprietary materials in violationof laws governing intellectual property or Company policy. Q. Maintaining Integrity of Records and Reporting of Business Information Accuracy and reliability in the preparation of all business records is mandated by law and is of critical importance to the Company’s decision-making processand to the proper discharge of the Company’s financial, legal, regulatory and reporting obligations. Applicable laws require the Company to maintainaccurate books and records and to devise an adequate system of internal controls. Similarly, the statutes, rules and regulations governing the manufacture,testing and sale of pharmaceutical products require strict adherence to record keeping requirements. Such laws may provide for criminal and civil penaltiesfor violations of these requirements. The integrity of the Company’s records and other business information is based on the accuracy and completeness of the information supporting the entriesto the Company’s books of account. The integrity of the Company’s products is dependent upon the accuracy of the Company’s records and businessinformation derived from its operations. Therefore, all employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants involved in creating, processing or recordingsuch information are responsible for its accuracy and completeness. All employees, officers, directors, and notified consultants responsible for creating, processing or recording production, research and development,engineering, accounting and financial information and other business information shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that all entries, books,records and accounts of the Company for which they are responsible accurately and fairly reflect the Company’s operations, transactions and acquisition anddisposition of assets. Direct or indirect falsification of such documents, whether by alteration, destruction, intentional omission, misstatement or otherwise, isstrictly prohibited and is grounds for immediate termination of employment or service to the Company. No employee, officer, director, or notified consultant shall make any statement to (i) any stockholder, employee, officer, director, or notified consultant of theCompany, (ii) any independent auditor, lawyer or accountant retained by the Company, or (iii) any government agency, if the statement relates to theCompany’s business and the employee, officer, director, or notified consultant knows or has reason to believe that such statement is false or misleading inany material respect. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.The financial statements of the Company shall conform to generally accepted accounting rules and the Company’s accounting policies. No undisclosed orunrecorded account or fund shall be established for any purpose. No false or misleading entries shall be made in the Company’s books or records, for anyreason, and no disbursement of corporate funds or other corporate property shall be made without adequate supporting documentation. It is the policy of theCompany to provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents filed with or submitted to the SEC and in other publiccommunications. R. Waivers of This Code From time to time, the Company may waive certain provisions of this Code. Any employee, officer, director, or notified consultant who believes that a waivermay be called for should discuss the matter with an Appropriate Ethics Contact. Waivers for Executive Officers or directors of the Company may be madeonly by the Board or a committee of the Board. ARTICLE II.Director Independence Determinations A. Policy Regarding Director Independence Determinations The Board will make determinations as to which of its members are independent for purposes of applicable rules for inclusion in the proxy statement issuedin connection with the annual meeting of stockholders and, if a director is appointed to the Board between annual meetings, at the time of such appointment.The Board may determine a director to be independent only if the Board and the Company determine that the director has no material relationship with theCompany (either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company). The Board has established thefollowing standards to assist it in determining independence. If a director has a relationship that violates any standard in Paragraphs A or B, then that directorwill not be considered independent, regardless of whether the relationship would otherwise be deemed not material by any other standard. The fact that aparticular relationship or transaction is not addressed by the other standards or exceeds the thresholds in the other standards shall not create a presumptionthat the director is or is not independent. The Board will determine whether, after taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances, relationships ortransactions that are not addressed by the other standards or that exceed the thresholds in the other standards are, in the Board’s judgment, material, andtherefore whether the affected director is independent, The Company will explain in its next annual proxy statement for the election of directors the basis forany Board determination that any such relationship or transaction was not material. B. Employment/Other Compensation A director will not be considered independent if, at any time within the Applicable Period (as defined below): 1.such director is or has been an employee, or has an Immediate Family Member (as defined below) who is or has been an Executive Officer of, theCompany; 2.such director receives or has received, or has an Immediate Family Member who receives or has received, more than $120,000 per year in directcompensation from the Company, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service(provided that such compensation is not in any way contingent on continued service); Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.3.such director is or has been affiliated with or employed by, or has an Immediate Family Member who is or has been affiliated with or employed in aprofessional capacity by, the Company’s present or former internal or external auditor; or 4.such director is or has been employed, or has an Immediate Family Member who is or has been employed, as an Executive Officer of anothercompany where any of the Company’s present Executive Officers serve on that company’s compensation committee. The receipt by a director ofdirector and committee fees, including regular benefits received by other directors, and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for priorservice (provided that such compensation is not in any way contingent on continued service), from the Company shall not be deemed to be amaterial relationship or transaction that would cause such director not to be independent. C. Relationships With For-Profit Organizations A director will not be considered independent if such director is a partner in, or a Controlling Shareholder or Executive Officer of, or has an Immediate FamilyMember who is a partner in, or a Controlling Shareholder or Executive Officer of, a company that makes payments to, or receives payments from, theCompany for property or services in an amount which, in any single year in the Applicable Period, that exceed 5% of the recipient’s consolidated grossrevenues for that year, or $200,000, whichever is more (other than (A) payments arising solely from investments in the Company’s securities or (B) paymentsunder non-discretionary charitable contribution matching programs). A relationship arising solely from a director’s status as an Executive Officer, employee or equity owner of a company that has made payments to or receivedpayments from the Company shall not be deemed a material relationship or transaction that would cause a director not to be independent so long as thepayments made or received during the past three fiscal years are not in excess of the greater of $200,000 or 5% of the other company’s consolidated grossrevenues for the company’s fiscal year in which the payments were made. A relationship arising solely from a director’s ownership of an equity or limited partnership interest in a party that engages in a transaction with the Companyshall not be deemed a material relationship or transaction that would cause a director not to be independent so long as such director’s ownership interest doesnot exceed 5% of the total equity or partnership interests in that other party. A relationship arising solely from a director’s position as a director or advisory director (or similar position) of another company or for-profit corporation ororganization that engages in a transaction with the Company shall not be deemed a material relationship or transaction that would cause a director not to beindependent, An extension of credit to, underwriting securities of, or entering into a derivative or commodity transaction or other banking or financial relationship with, acompany of which a director is an Executive Officer shall not be deemed a material relationship or transaction that would cause a director not to beindependent if such loan, underwriting, derivative or commodity transaction or other relationship is made or extended on terms and under circumstances,including credit or underwriting standards, that are substantially similar to those prevailing at the time for companies with which the Company has acomparable relationship and that do not have a director of the Company serving as Executive Officer. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.D. Relationships With Charitable Organizations A relationship arising solely from a director’s affiliation with a charitable organization that receives contributions from the Company shall not be deemed amaterial relationship or transaction that would cause a director not to be independent so long as such contributions (other than employee matchingcontributions) for a particular fiscal year are not in excess of the greater of $200,000 or 5% of the charitable organization’s consolidated gross revenues forsuch fiscal year. A relationship arising solely from a director’s affiliation with a charitable organization that has a transaction or other financial relationship with the Companyshall not be deemed a material relationship or transaction that would cause a director not to be independent so long as such transaction or relationship is onsubstantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for similarly-situated organizations that do not have an affiliation with a director of the Company, E. Client Relationships The ownership by a director of equity securities of the Company, or the maintenance by a director of a brokerage, margin or similar account with, or thepurchase of investment services, investment products, securities or similar products and services from, the Company, shall not be deemed to be a materialrelationship or transaction that would cause a director not to be independent so long as the relationship is on substantially the same terms as those prevailingat the time for similarly-situated persons who are not directors or Executive Officers of the Company. The ownership by a director of an interest in a partnership or fund which is sponsored or managed by the Company shall not be deemed to be a materialrelationship or transaction that would cause a director not to be independent so long as the terms on which such director acquired the interest and participatesin the fund are substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the relevant time for similarly-situated persons who are not directors or Executive Officersof the Company. F. Indebtedness A relationship arising solely from a director’s status as an Executive Officer, employee or equity owner of a company to which the Company was indebted atthe end of the Company’s last full fiscal year shall not be deemed a material relationship or transaction that would cause a director not to be independent solong as the aggregate amount of the indebtedness is not in excess of 5% of the Company’s total consolidated assets. G. Other Any other relationship or transaction that is not covered by any of the standards listed above and in which the amount involved does not exceed $10,000 inany fiscal year shall not be deemed a material relationship or transaction that would cause a director not to be independent. Any relationship or transaction between an Immediate Family Member of a director and the Company shall not be deemed a material relationship ortransaction that would cause the director not to be independent if the above standards would permit the relationship or transaction to occur between thedirector and the Company. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.H. Additional Audit Committee Requirements. Audit Committee members may not be “affiliated persons” of the Company or any Company subsidiary, as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.At any time during the preceding three years, Audit Committee members may not have participated in the preparation of the financial statements of theCompany or any Company subsidiary (other than entities that have ceased to be subsidiaries of the Company). I. Confidentiality Please refer to Article I, Paragraph F, Confidentiality. J. Conflict of Interest Directors must avoid any conflicts of interest with the Company. A “conflict of interest” occurs when a Director’s private interest interferes in any way withthe interests of the Company as a whole. In addition to avoiding conflicts of interest, Directors should also avoid even the appearance of a conflict. This Codedoes not attempt to describe all possible conflicts of interest that could develop. Some of the more common conflicts that Directors must resolve or avoid,however, are set out below: • A conflict situation can arise when a Director or a member of his or her family or affiliate takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult for theDirector to make decisions on behalf of the Company objectively and effectively. • A conflict of interest can also arise when a Director or a member of his or her family receives improper personal benefits as a result of the Director’s positionat the Company. If a Director believes he or she has an actual or potential conflict of interest with the Company, the Director shall notify the Chairman and counsel to theCompany as promptly as practicable and shall in any event not participate in any decision by the Board that in any way relates to the matter that gives rise tothe conflict of interest. K. Definitions For purposes of these guidelines: “Applicable Period” means, if the Company is traded on a stock exchange, the applicable period set by the exchange, and if the Company is not so listed,then Applicable Period shall mean a period extending back three (3) years. “Appropriate Ethics Contacts” has the meaning specified in Article I, Paragraph A. - Compliance and Reporting. “Board” has the meaning specified in Article I. - Introduction. “BTSC” has the meaning specified in Article I. - Introduction. “Code” has the meaning specified in Article I. - Introduction. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.“Company” has the meaning specified in Article I. - Introduction. “Executive Officer” means an entity’s chief executive officer, president, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer (or, if there is no suchaccounting officer, the controller), any vice-president of the entity in charge of a principal business unit, division or function, any other officer who performsa policy-making function, or any other person who performs similar policy-making functions for the entity. See Rule 16a-1(f) under the Securities ExchangeAct of 1934, as amended. “Immediate Family Members” of a director means the director’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law, sistersin- law and anyone (other than domestic employees) who shares the director’s home. When applying the look-back provisions ofthe standards, persons who are no longer Immediate Family Members as a result of legal separation or divorce or those who have died or becomeincapacitated shall not be considered. “SEC” has the meaning specified in Article I, Paragraph N – Dealings with Independent Auditors. ARTICLE III.Financial Management Code of Professional Conduct This portion of this Code applies to the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, and all professionals in a finance, accounting,treasury, tax, actuarial, audit or investor relations role in the Company enterprise. Such professionals are expected to adhere to this portion of this Code, takepersonal responsibility for conducting the business endeavors of the Company fairly, promote a culture of honesty and accountability, and act and advocatethat others act in conformity with the core values of the Company and this Code. These professionals are also expected to adhere to all other sections of thisCode, to this Article III as well as all other applicable Company policies and guidelines. Every employee, officer, director, and notified consultant involvedin financial management in the Company enterprise shall: • Act honestly and ethically, avoid or resolve actual or apparent conflicts of interest in personal and professional relationships, and promptly disclose anymaterial transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to such a conflict of interest to the counsel to the Company or as providedin the other sections of this Code. • Promote and provide appropriate disclosures to stakeholders that present fairly the information therein (e.g., accurately, completely, objectively, relevantly,timely and understandably), in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. • Comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations of federal, state, foreign and local governments, and private and public regulatory agencies. • Adhere to, and, where applicable, monitor and improve, the Company’s processes to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting. • Act in good faith, responsibly, with due care, competence and diligence, using considered, professional, independent judgment, and seek at all times topresent all reasonably available material information on a timely basis to management and others in accordance with the Company’s policies. • Protect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of his or her work. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.• Use confidential information acquired in the course of his or her work only for proper Company business purposes, and not for personal advantage. • Proactively promote and be an example of ethical behavior as a responsible partner among peers and other associates in the work environment. • Promptly report violations of this Article using the procedures set forth under the Administration section of this Article for reporting violations under thisArticle. • In the event of any question as to whether an associate is subject to this Article, the Board, and the counsel to the Company shall make a determination ofits applicability and inform the appropriate associate and business units. This Article of the Code shall be administered as provided in the Administration section of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics forenforcement of that Code. Violators of this Code and those who supervise or manage them shall be subject to disciplinary action. Managers who retaliate against an employee, officer, director, or notified consultant reporting a violation shall be subject to disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, reprimands and warnings, probation, suspension, demotion, reassignment, reduction in compensationor immediate termination. Certain actions and omissions prohibited by the Code might also be unlawful and could lead to criminal prosecution, theimposition of fines or imprisonment. Only the Board or the Audit Committee may waive provisions of this Code and this Article for the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief FinancialOfficer, or any other professional and any such waiver shall be promptly disclosed in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. ARTICLE IV.Compliance Reporting Any employee, officer, director, notified consultant, customer, stockholder or other interested party may communicate known or suspected concernsregarding accounting, internal controls or audit matters, or fraud and unethical behaviors to the Company by e-mailing correspondence to the outsidecounsel to the Company at carl.valenstein@morganlewis.com. The Company will treat such communications as confidential and take all reasonableprecautions to protect such transmissions. Interested parties may also report concerns in writing or by calling Carl Valenstein at Morgan, Lewis & BockiusLLP at (617) 341-7501. Any employee, officer, director, notified consultant, customer, stockholder or other interested parties may communicate known or suspected concernsregarding accounting, internal accounting controls or audit matters, or fraud and unethical behaviors to the Company by writing to: Carl A. Valenstein, Esq.Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLPOne Federal StreetBoston, MA 02110-1726Direct Dial: +1.617.341.7501Direct Fax: +1.617.341.7700E-Mail: carl.valenstein@morganlewis.com Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.All communications, whether in writing or when contacting the Company’s Appropriate Ethics Contact, will be treated confidentially. Interested parties canremain anonymous when communicating their concerns. ARTICLE V.Directory of Contact Counsel:Carl A. Valenstein, Esq.Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLPOne Federal StreetBoston, MA 02110-1726Direct Dial: +1.617.341.7501Direct Fax: +1.617.341.7700E-Mail: carl.valenstein@morganlewis.com Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Exhibit 21.1List of SubsidiariesAdvance Biofactures Corp., a New York corporation Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Exhibit 23.1CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMWe consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. on Form S-8 (No. 333-160583) of our reportsdated March 14, 2018, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for each of the years in the three-yearperiod ended December 31, 2017 and the effectiveness of BioSpecifics Technologies Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,2017, which reports are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be filed on or about March 14, 2018. /s/ EisnerAmper LLP EISNERAMPER LLP New York, New York March 14, 2018 Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Exhibit 31.1CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERPURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) OFTHE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934I, Thomas L. Wegman, certify that:1.I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 of BioSpecifics Technologies Corp.;2.Based on my knowledge, the report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make thestatements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by thisreport;3.Based on my knowledge, the consolidated financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all materialrespects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined inExchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others withinthose entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under oursupervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements forexternal purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about theeffectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s mostrecent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likelyto materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, tothe registrant’s auditors and to the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which arereasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internalcontrols over financial reporting.Date: March 14, 2018/s/ Thomas L. WegmanThomas L. WegmanPresident, Principal Executive and Financial Officer Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Exhibit 32.1 CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICERPURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14(b) AND 15d-14(b) OFTHE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350The undersigned, Thomas L. Wegman, the President, Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. (the“Company”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:1.The Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (the “Report”), fully complies with the requirements ofSection 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company forthe period covered by the Report.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this certification this 14th day of March, 2018./s/ Thomas L. WegmanThomas L. WegmanPresident, Principal Executive and Financial OfficerThis certification shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liabilitypursuant to that section. Such certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference. Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.Source: BIOSPECIFICS TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 10-K, March 14, 2018Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠The information contained herein may not be copied, adapted or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. The user assumes all risks for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information,except to the extent such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.

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