UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 001-31918
IDERA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
167 Sidney Street
Cambridge, Massachusetts
(Address of principal executive offices)
04-3072298
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
02139
(Zip Code)
(617) 679-5500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
Title of Class:
Common Stock, $.001 par value
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Nasdaq Capital Market
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Act. Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and
(2) has been subject to the filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive
Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405) is not contained herein, and
will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in
Part III of this Form 10-K or any 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, smaller reporting
company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions 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
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting
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 or revised 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 No
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $203,037,675 based
on the last sale price of the registrant’s common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on June 30, 2017 (the last business day of
the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter).
As of February 15, 2018, the registrant had 195,635,196 shares of common stock outstanding.
IDERA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I.
Item 1. Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1A. Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 2. Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 3. Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART II.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 6. Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . .
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . .
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9B. Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART III.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 11. Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
121
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
123
PART IV.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
125
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
130
IMO® and Idera® are our trademarks. All other trademarks and service marks appearing in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K are the property of their respective owners.
i
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K (this Form 10-K) and the documents we incorporate by reference contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. All statements, other than
statements of historical fact, included or incorporated in this report regarding our strategy, future operations,
collaborations, intellectual property, cash resources, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects,
plans, and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “anticipates,”
“estimates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “potential,” “likely,” “projects,” “continue,”
“will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all
forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We cannot guarantee that we actually will achieve the
plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue
reliance on our forward-looking statements.
There are a number of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those
indicated or implied by forward-looking statements. These important factors include those set forth below under
Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors.” These factors and the other cautionary statements made in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K and the documents we incorporate by reference should be read as being applicable to all related
forward-looking statements whenever they appear in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents we
incorporate by reference.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K also contains statements about our proposed strategic combination with
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Many risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from
these forward-looking statements with respect to the pending transaction, and these risks, as well as other risks
associated with the pending transaction, are more fully disclosed in the joint proxy statement/prospectus that is
included in the registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-223255) that was filed by Nautilus Holdco, Inc.
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the pending merger.
In addition, any forward-looking statements, including any statements about the proposed transaction,
represent our estimates only as of the date that this Annual Report on Form 10-K is filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. We
do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
ii
Item 1. Business.
Overview
PART I.
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and
commercialization of novel oligonucleotide therapeutics for oncology and rare diseases. We use two distinct
proprietary drug discovery technology platforms to design and develop drug candidates: our Toll-like receptor, or
TLR, targeting technology and our nucleic acid chemistry technology (formerly referred to as our third generation
antisense, or 3GA, technology). We developed these platforms based on our scientific expertise and pioneering
work with synthetic oligonucleotides as therapeutic agents. Using our TLR targeting technology, we design synthetic
oligonucleotide-based drug candidates to modulate the activity of specific TLRs. In addition, using our nucleic acid
chemistry technology, we are developing drug candidates to turn off the messenger RNA, or mRNA, associated with
disease causing genes. We believe our nucleic acid chemistry technology may potentially reduce the
immunotoxicity and increase the potency of earlier generation antisense and RNA interference, or RNAi,
technologies.
Our business strategy is focused on the clinical development of drug candidates for oncology and rare
diseases characterized by small, well-defined patient populations with serious unmet medical needs. We believe
we can develop and commercialize these targeted therapies on our own. To the extent we seek to develop drug
candidates for broader disease indications, we have entered into and may explore additional collaborative
alliances to support development and commercialization.
TLR Modulation Technology Platform
TLRs are key receptors of the immune system and play a role in innate and adaptive immunity. As a result,
we believe TLRs are potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of a broad range of diseases. Using our
chemistry-based platform, we have designed TLR agonists and antagonists to act by modulating the activity of
targeted TLRs. A TLR agonist is a compound that stimulates an immune response through the targeted TLR. A TLR
antagonist is a compound that inhibits an immune response by blocking the targeted TLR.
Our TLR agonist lead drug candidate IMO-2125 is an agonist of TLR9. Our TLR antagonist lead drug
candidate is IMO-8400, which is an antagonist of TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9.
We are developing IMO-2125, via intra-tumoral injection, for the treatment of anti-PD1 refractory metastatic
melanoma in combination with ipilimumab, an anti-CTLA4 antibody marketed as Yervoy® by Bristol-Myers Squibb
Company. We are also investigating the combination of intra-tumoral IMO-2125 in combination with
pembrolizumab for the treatment of anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma and intratumoral IMO-2125 in
various solid tumors as monotherapy. We are developing IMO-8400 for the treatment of dermatomyositis.
Nucleic Acid Chemistry Technology Platform
We are developing our nucleic acid chemistry technology to “turn off” the mRNA associated with disease
causing genes. We have designed gene silencing oligonucleotides to specifically address challenges associated
with earlier generation antisense and RNAi technologies.
We have selected IDRA-008 as our first nucleic acid chemistry research program candidate that we plan to
enter into clinical development. IDRA-008 targets the Apolipoprotein C-III (APOC-III) gene and is being developed for
the treatment of Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS) and Familial Partial Lipodystrophy (FPL) which have
available pre-clinical animal models and well-known clinical endpoints. We expect our development decision to be
made based on the totality of IND-enabling studies and our comparator pharmacology study with the competitive
development asset Volanesorsen.
1
Agreement and Plan of Merger
As further described in Note 17 to the financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K, on January 21, 2018, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, or the Merger Agreement,
with BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or BioCryst, Nautilus Holdco, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of BioCryst, or Holdco, Island Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco, or Merger Sub A, and Boat Merger Sub, Inc., a
Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco, or Merger Sub B. Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions specified therein, (a) Merger Sub A will be
merged with and into us, or the Idera Merger, with us surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco, and
(b) Merger Sub B will be merged with and into BioCryst, or the BioCryst Merger, which we refer to together with the
Idera Merger as the Mergers, with BioCryst surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco. Holdco will be
renamed prior to the closing of the Mergers.
At the effective time of the Mergers, which we refer to as the Effective Time, (i) each share of common stock,
par value $0.001 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than the shares
that are owned by us, BioCryst, Holdco, Merger Sub A or Merger Sub B or any wholly owned subsidiary of ours,
BioCryst, Holdco, Merger Sub A or Merger Sub B) will be converted into the right to receive 0.20 of a newly issued
share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Holdco and (ii) each share of preferred stock, par value
$0.01 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than the shares that are
owned by us, BioCryst, Holdco, Merger Sub A or Merger Sub B or any wholly owned subsidiary of ours, BioCryst,
Holdco, Merger Sub A or Merger Sub B) will be converted into the right to receive an amount of Holdco common
stock based on their liquidation preference.
We expect to consummate the Mergers in the second quarter of 2018. However, we have prepared this
Annual Report on Form 10-K and the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as
if we were going to remain an independent company.
2
Research and Development Programs
The following table summarizes certain information regarding our drug candidates and development
programs.
Drug Candidate(s)
Indication / Application
Development Status
Clinical Programs for the Modulation of Specific Toll-like Receptors
Immuno-oncology
IMO-2125 ............................
Anti-PD1 Refractory
Metastatic Melanoma
Phase 1/2 clinical trial in combination
with ipilimumab and pembrolizumab
ongoing.
Anticipated completion of enrollment in
ipilimumab combination arm of the Phase
2 portion of the trial by the end of 2018.
Phase 3 clinical trial in combination with
ipilimumab initiated in the first quarter of
2018.
Refractory Solid Tumors
Phase 1b monotherapy trial in multiple
tumor types ongoing.
Rare Diseases
IMO-8400 ............................
Dermatomyositis
Nucleic Acid Chemistry Research Programs
Rare Diseases
IDRA-008 .............................
Apolipoprotein C-III gene
target for treatment of
Familial Chylomicronemia
Syndrome and Familial
Partial Lipodystrophy
Nucleic Acid Chemistry
Compound ...........................
Renal Target
IMO-9200 ............................
Non-malignant
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Phase 2 clinical trial—Enrollment
complete. Data anticipated to be
available in the second quarter of 2018.
Research / IND-enabling activities
underway—Development decision to be
made based on the totality of IND-
enabling studies and comparator study
with Volanesorsen.
Collaboration with GSK for an undisclosed
renal target entered into in 2015. Single
candidate selection by GSK for the
selected renal target anticipated in the
second half of 2018.
Exclusive license and collaboration
agreement with Vivelix entered into in
2016.
3
Advancements in cancer immunotherapy have included the approval and late-stage development of multiple
checkpoint inhibitors, which are therapies that target mechanisms by which tumor cells evade detection by the
immune system. Despite these advancements, many patients fail to respond to these therapies. For instance,
approximately 50% of patients with melanoma fail to respond to therapy with approved checkpoint inhibitors.
Current published data suggests that the lack of response to checkpoint inhibition is related to a non-immunogenic
tumor micro environment. Because TLR9 agonists stimulate the immune system, we believe there is a scientific
rationale to evaluate the combination of intra-tumoral injection of our TLR9 agonists with checkpoint inhibitors.
Specifically, we believe intra-tumoral injection of our TLR9 agonists activates a local immune response in the
injected tumor, which may complement the effect of the systemically administered checkpoint inhibitors. In studies
in preclinical cancer models conducted in our laboratories, intra-tumoral injection of TLR9 agonists has potentiated
the anti-tumor activity of multiple checkpoint inhibitors in multiple tumor models. These data have been presented
at several scientific and medical conferences from 2014 through 2018. We believe these data support evaluation
of combination regimens including the combination of a TLR9 agonist and a checkpoint inhibitor for the treatment
of cancer.
ONGOING CANCER CLINICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS
ILLUMINATE (IMO-2125) Clinical Development
IMO-2125 is a synthetic phosphorothioate oligonucleotide that acts as a direct agonist of TLR9 to stimulate
the innate and adaptive immune systems. We are developing IMO-2125 for administration via intra-tumoral
injection, for the treatment of anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma in combination with ipilimumab. We are
also investigating the combination of intra-tumoral IMO-2125 in combination with pembrolizumab for the treatment
of anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma and intratumoral IMO-2125 in various solid tumors as monotherapy.
We refer to our IMO-2125 development program as the Illuminate development program.
We are currently developing IMO-2125 for use in combination with checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment
of patients with anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma. We believe, based on internally conducted commercial
research, that in the United States, by 2025, approximately 20,000 people will have metastatic melanoma and
over 50% will not have responded to first-line anti-PD1 therapy. We also believe TLR9 agonists may be useful in
other solid tumor types that are refractory to anti-PD1 treatment due in part to low mutation load and low dendritic
cell infiltration. We believe, based on internally conducted commercial research, that in the United States, by
2025, approximately 160,000 people will have tumor types that are addressable with current immunotherapy and
approximately 70,000 of those people will have tumor types that are anti-PD1 refractory.
In June 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, granted Orphan Drug Designation for
IMO- 2125 for the treatment of melanoma Stages IIb to IV.
In November 2017, the FDA granted Fast Track designation for IMO-2125 for the treatment of anti-PD1
refractory metastatic melanoma in combination with ipilimumab therapy.
Phase 1/2 Trial of IMO-2125 in Combination with Ipilimumab or Pembrolizumab in Patients with Anti-PD1
Refractory Metastatic Melanoma
In December 2015, we initiated a Phase 1/2 clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of IMO-2125,
administered intra-tumorally, in combination with ipilimumab, in patients with metastatic melanoma (refractory to
treatment with a PD1 inhibitor, also referred to as anti-PD1 refractory), which we refer to as Illuminate 204. We
subsequently amended the trial protocol to enable an additional arm to study the combination of IMO-2125 with
4
pembrolizumab, an anti-PD1 antibody marketed as Keytruda® by Merck & Co., in the same patient population. In
this clinical trial, IMO-2125 is administered intra-tumorally into a selected tumor lesion at weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 11,
17, 23 and 29 (total of 9 doses) together with the standard dosing regimen of ipilimumab or pembrolizumab,
administered intravenously. For patients who lack superficially accessible disease for injection, IMO-2125 is
administered via injection into deep lesions, such as liver metastases, using interventional radiology guidance.
The trial was initiated at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, or MD Anderson, under the
strategic research alliance we entered into with MD Anderson in June 2015, and additional sites have been added
through 2017. We anticipate that more sites will be added, to bring the total number of participating sites for the
trial to ten. The primary objectives of the Phase 1 portion of the trial include characterizing the safety of the
combinations and determining the recommended Phase 2 dose. A secondary objective of the Phase 1 portion of
the trial is describing the anti-tumor activity of IMO-2125 when administered intra-tumorally in combination with
ipilimumab or pembrolizumab. The primary objective of the Phase 2 portion of the trial is to determine the activity
of the combinations utilizing immune-related response criteria. The secondary objectives of the Phase 2 portion of
the trial include the assessment of treatment response using RECIST v1.1 criteria and to continue to characterize
the safety of the combinations. In the Phase 1 portion of the trial, serial biopsies are being taken of selected
injected and non-injected tumor lesions pre- and post-24 hours of the first dose of IMO-2125, as well as at 8 and
13 weeks, to assess immune changes and response assessments. In the Phase 2 portion of the trial, biopsies are
optional.
Phase 1/2 Trial of IMO-2125 in Patients with Anti-PD1 Refractory Metastatic Melanoma: Combination with
Ipilimumab Arm
In the Phase 1 portion of the ipilimumab arm of our Phase 1/2 clinical trial of IMO-2125, escalating doses of
IMO-2125 ranging from 4 mg through 32 mg were evaluated. In April 2017, we completed IMO-2125 dose
escalation and based on the safety and efficacy data and data from translational immune parameters, selected the
8 mg dose level as the recommended dose level for the Phase 2 expansion phase of the IMO-2125–ipilimumab
combination.
In September 2017, we disclosed at the 2017 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress, final results
from the 18 patients that were evaluated with the IMO-2125–ipilimumab combination in the Phase 1 dose
escalation portion of the trial. Each of these patients but one had progressed on nivolumab or pembrolizumab
prior to enrollment in the trial. As of May 31, 2017, the safety data cutoff date for the presentation, the
combination of IMO-2125 and ipilimumab had been well tolerated at all dose levels studied. No dose-limiting
toxicities had been observed and the maximum tolerated dose was not reached.
In January 2018, we provided an update on our Phase 1/2 trial evaluating IMO-2125 in combination with
ipilimumab at the recommended 8 mg dose level, noting that 21 patients had been dosed. As of November 3,
2017, the data cut-off date for the presentation, of the 10 patients that had been treated at the 8 mg dose of IMO-
2125 and who had at least one post-baseline disease assessment, four had a complete response or partial
response under RECIST v.1.1 criteria, with the one patient who had a complete response continuing off active
treatment for more than one year, and remaining disease free. One of the 10 patients had a response which had
not been confirmed as of November 3, 2017 (as required by RECIST). Additionally, two other patients that were
treated at the 8 mg dose experienced stable disease for at least 24 weeks, which is considered to represent
meaningful clinical benefit. Also, as of the response data cutoff date, one patient who was treated at the 4 mg
dose had an ongoing partial response and had been off active treatment for more than one year.
In April 2017, we initiated enrollment in the Phase 2 portion of the ipilimumab arm of our Phase 1/2 clinical
trial of IMO-2125 with the 8 mg dose of intra-tumoral IMO-2125. The Phase 2 portion of the trial utilizes a Simon
two-stage design to evaluate the objective response rate of IMO-2125 in combination with ipilimumab, compared
to historical data for ipilimumab alone in the anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma population. With the
responses noted above, the trial has met the pre-specified futility assessment and advanced into the second stage
of the Phase 2 portion. We anticipate that the Phase 2 portion of the trial will include a total of up to 60 patients
dosed at the 8 mg dose, including some patients from the Phase 1 dose escalation portion who meet the efficacy
criteria for the Phase 2 population, and that these patients may be fully accrued by the end of 2018.
5
Phase 1/2 Trial of IMO-2125 in Patients with Anti-PD1 Refractory Metastatic Melanoma: Combination with
Pembrolizumab Arm
In the Phase 1 portion of the pembrolizumab arm of our Phase 1/2 clinical trial of IMO-2125, we are
evaluating escalating doses of IMO-2125 ranging from 8 mg through 32 mg.
We have completed enrollment of a total of six patients in the 8 mg and 16 mg dosing cohorts in the Phase
1 dose escalation portion of the pembrolizumab arm of the trial and are continuing to enroll patients in the 32 mg
dosing cohort. One patient who was treated at the 16 mg dose has an ongoing partial response by RECIST v1.1
criteria.
Phase 3 Trial of IMO-2125 in Combination with Ipilimumab in Patients with Anti-PD1 Refractory Metastatic
Melanoma
In the first quarter of 2018, we initiated a Phase 3 trial of the IMO-2125–ipilimumab combination in patients
with anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma, which we refer to as Illuminate 301. We expect that this trial will
compare the results of the IMO-2125–ipilimumab combination to those of ipilimumab alone in a 1:1
randomization, will have a sample size of approximately 300 patients and will be conducted at approximately
80 sites worldwide, which are selected to not overlap with the trial sites for Illuminate 204. The primary endpoints
of the trial are overall response rate (ORR) by RECIST v1.1 and median overall survival (OS). Key secondary
endpoints include ORR by irRECIST, durable response rate (DRR), time to response, progression free survival (PFS)
and patient reported outcome (PRO) using a validated scale.
We have held discussions with and plan to continue to engage with regulatory authorities regarding the
paths to registration for IMO-2125 in combination with ipilimumab in anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma
patients, including potentially through an accelerated approval process based on an interim analysis of the Phase
3 trial with the final analysis providing the confirmatory data for full approval.
Phase 1b Trial of Intra-tumoral IMO-2125 Monotherapy in Patients with Refractory Solid Tumors
In March 2017, we initiated a Phase 1 dose escalation trial of IMO-2125 administered intra-tumorally as a
monotherapy in multiple tumor types, which we refer to as Illuminate 101. In this trial, IMO-2125 is administered
intra-tumorally on days 1, 8 and 15 of cycle 1 and on day 1 of each subsequent 21-day cycle, up to 17 cycles
(19 total doses). We anticipate enrolling dose-escalation cohorts of approximately 8 patients at doses of 8mg
(cohort 1), 16mg (cohort 2), 23mg (cohort 3) and 32mg (cohort 4). A fifth cohort will be enrolled based on the
recommended Phase 2 dose. After the last patient in each cohort reaches day 21 of the 21-day dose-limiting
toxicity period, the Cohort Review Committee will review safety and provide a recommendation regarding dose
escalation to the next dose.
We have completed enrollment in the first and second cohorts and in February 2018, based on the
recommendation by the Cohort Review Committee, have begun enrolling in the third cohort. Additionally, we are
enrolling in the melanoma expansion cohort to assess the clinical activity of single agent intratumoral IMO-2125
(8mg dose) in patients with metastatic melanoma which has progressed on or after treatment with a PD-(L)1
inhibitor. This cohort will enroll up to 22 subjects. The melanoma expansion cohort will use a Simon’s Optimal
Two-Stage design to test for clinically and statistically relevant clinical activity. The melanoma expansion cohort will
stop if an interim futility analysis shows there is insufficient evidence of a clinically relevant response rate after
8 subjects (Stage 1).
6
A rare disease is defined by the Orphan Drug Act of 1983 as a disorder or condition that affects less than
200,000 persons in the United States. However, most rare diseases, affect far fewer persons. There are numerous
rare and ultra-rare diseases that currently have no approved drug therapy and for which no therapies are currently
in development. Patients suffering from these diseases often have a high unmet medical need with significant
morbidity and/or mortality.
ONGOING RARE DISEASE RESEARCH PROGRAMS
IMO-8400 in Rare Diseases
We have initiated clinical development of IMO-8400 for the treatment of rare diseases and have selected
dermatomyositis as our lead clinical target for which we are developing IMO-8400. We selected this indication for
development based on the reported increase in TLR expression in this disease state, expression of cytokines
indicative of key TLR-mediated pathways and the presence of auto-antibodies that can induce TLR-mediated
immune responses.
We considered that multiple independent research studies across a broad range of autoimmune diseases,
including both dermatomyositis and psoriasis, have demonstrated that the over-activation of TLRs plays a critical
role in disease maintenance and progression. In autoimmune diseases, endogenous nucleic acids released from
damaged or dying cells initiate signaling cascades through TLRs, leading to the induction of multiple pro-
inflammatory cytokines. This inflammation causes further damage to the body’s own tissues and organs and the
release of more self-nucleic acids, creating a self-sustaining autoinflammatory cycle that contributes to chronic
inflammation in the affected tissue, promoting disease progression.
We believe we demonstrated proof of concept for our approach of using TLRs to inhibit the over-activation of
specific TLRs for the treatment of psoriasis and potentially other autoimmune diseases in a randomized, double-
blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial of IMO-8400 that we conducted in patients with moderate to severe
plaque psoriasis, a well-characterized autoimmune disease. In this trial, we evaluated IMO-8400 at four
subcutaneous dose levels of 0.075 mg/kg, 0.15 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg, and 0.6 mg/kg, versus placebo, administered
once weekly for 12 weeks in 46 patients. The trial met its primary objective as IMO-8400 was well tolerated at all
dose levels with no treatment-related discontinuations, treatment-related serious adverse events or dose
reductions. The trial also met its secondary objective of demonstrating clinical activity in psoriasis patients, as
assessed by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index.
Dermatomyositis is a rare, debilitating, inflammatory muscle and skin disease associated with significant
morbidity, decreased quality of life and an increased risk of premature death. While the cause of dermatomyositis
is not well understood, the disease process involves immune system attacks against muscle and skin that lead to
inflammation and tissue damage. Major symptoms can include progressive muscle weakness, severe skin rash,
calcium deposits under the skin (calcinosis), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and interstitial lung disease. We
believe, based on internally conducted commercial research, that dermatomyositis affects approximately 25,000
people in the United States, and is about twice as common in women as men, with a typical age of onset
between 45 and 65 years in adults. Dermatomyositis represents one form of myositis, a spectrum of inflammatory
muscle diseases that also includes juvenile dermatomyositis, polymyositis and inclusion body myositis.
PIONEER
Phase 2 Trial of IMO-8400 in Patients with Dermatomyositis
In December 2015, we initiated a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
designed to assess the safety, tolerability and treatment effect of IMO-8400 in adult patients with dermatomyositis.
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Eligibility criteria included evidence of active skin involvement. Patients enrolled in the trial were randomized to one
of three groups to receive once weekly subcutaneous injections of: placebo, 0.6 mg/kg of IMO-8400 or 1.8 mg/kg
of IMO-8400, in each case, for a period of 24 weeks. The trial is being conducted at 21 centers in the United
States, the United Kingdom and Hungary. We concluded enrollment in the trial at 30 patients and expect full
Phase 2 trial data in the second quarter of 2018 consisting of top-line primary and secondary endpoint analysis,
complete tables and listings and translational medicine data. The primary efficacy endpoint is the change from
baseline in the Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index (CDASI), a validated outcome
measure of skin disease. Additional exploratory endpoints include muscle strength and function (which are among
the International Myositis Assessment & Clinical Studies Group (IMACS) core set measures), patient-reported
quality of life and biochemical markers of disease activity.
DISCOVERY PROGRAMS
Nucleic Acid Chemistry Research
We are developing our nucleic acid chemistry technology to “turn off” the mRNA associated with disease
causing genes. We have designed gene-silencing oligonucleotides to specifically address challenges associated
with earlier generation antisense and RNAi technologies.
Our focus is on creating candidates targeted to specific genes to treat cancer and rare diseases. Our key
considerations in identifying disease indications and gene targets in our nucleic acid chemistry research program
include: strong evidence that the disease is caused by a specific protein; clear criteria to identify a target patient
population; biomarkers for early assessment of clinical proof of concept; a targeted therapeutic mechanism of
action; unmet medical need to allow for a rapid development path to approval and commercial opportunity. To
date, we have created 22 novel nucleic acid chemistry compounds for specific gene targets that are potentially
applicable across a wide variety of therapeutic areas. These areas include rare diseases, oncology, autoimmune
disorders, metabolic conditions, single point mutations and others. Our current activities with respect to these
compounds range from cell culture through investigational new drug, or IND, application-enabling toxicology.
IDRA-008 Development
In January 2017, we announced that we had selected IDRA-008 as our first nucleic acid chemistry research
program candidate that we plan to enter into clinical development and that we were planning to develop IDRA-008
for a well-established liver target. In January 2018, we announced that IDRA-008 was targeted at Apolipoprotein
C- III (APOC-III) and was being developed for the treatment of Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS) and
Familial Partial Lipodystrophy (FPL) which have available pre-clinical animal models and well-known clinical
endpoints. Our development decision for IDRA-008 will be based on the totality of data from our pre-clinical
toxicology and IND-enabling studies and data from our pre-clinical pharmacology study in a Cyno-model (non-
human primates) comparing IDRA-008 to the competitive development asset Volanesorsen.
Nucleic Acid Chemistry Compound—Undisclosed Renal Target
In November 2015, we entered into a collaboration and license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual
Property Development Limited, or GSK, to license, research, develop and commercialize pharmaceutical
compounds from our nucleic acid chemistry technology for the treatment of selected targets in renal disease,
which agreement we refer to as the GSK Agreement. Under this collaboration, we are creating multiple
development candidates to address the target designated by GSK in connection with entering into the GSK
Agreement. From the population of identified development candidates, GSK may designate one development
candidate in its sole discretion to move forward into clinical development. We expect GSK to select a development
candidate in the second half of 2018. Once GSK designates a development candidate, GSK would be solely
responsible for the development and commercialization activities for that designated development candidate.
OTHER PROGRAMS
IMO-9200 for Autoimmune Disease
We have developed a second novel synthetic oligonucleotide antagonist of TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, IMO-
9200, as a drug candidate for potential use in selected autoimmune disease indications. In 2015, we completed a
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Phase 1 clinical trial of IMO-9200 in healthy subjects as well as additional preclinical studies of IMO-9200 for
autoimmune diseases. In 2015, we determined not to proceed with the development of IMO-9200 because the
large autoimmune disease indications for which IMO-9200 had been developed did not fit within the strategic
focus of our company. In November 2016, we entered into an exclusive license and collaboration agreement with
Vivelix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., or Vivelix, granting Vivelix worldwide rights to develop and market IMO-9200 for non-
malignant gastrointestinal disorders, which agreement we refer to as the Vivelix Agreement.
Collaborative Alliances
In addition to our current alliances, we may explore potential collaborative alliances to support development
and commercialization of our TLR agonists and antagonists. We may also seek to enter into additional collaborative
alliances with pharmaceutical companies with respect to applications of our nucleic acid chemistry research
program. Our current alliances include collaborations with Vivelix, GSK, and Abbott Molecular.
Vivelix
In November 2016, we entered into the Vivelix Agreement, granting Vivelix worldwide rights to develop and
market IMO-9200, an antagonist of TLR 7, 8 and 9, for non-malignant gastrointestinal disorders (the GI Field or
Field as defined in the Vivelix Agreement) and certain back-up compounds to IMO-9200.
In accordance with the Vivelix Agreement, a Joint Research Committee, or JRC, was formed with equal
representation from us and Vivelix. The responsibilities of the JRC, include, but are not limited to monitoring the
progress of the research program, advising on the designation of back-up compounds, sharing information
between the parties and dealing with disputes that may arise between the parties. If a dispute cannot be resolved
by the JRC, Vivelix has final decision making authority.
In connection with the Vivelix Agreement, we transferred certain drug material to Vivelix for Vivelix’s use in its
development activities. Vivelix is solely responsible for the development and commercialization of IMO-9200 and
any designated back-up compounds to IMO-9200.
If requested by Vivelix pursuant to the Vivelix Agreement, we will create, characterize and perform research
on back-up compounds. Such activity is to be mutually agreed upon and moderated by the JRC. The research
period commenced with the execution of the agreement and may last for up to three years. During the research
period, the parties will agree on the number of full time equivalents to work on the program. Vivelix will reimburse
us at an annual market rate for the services rendered.
Vivelix has certain rights under the agreement whereby it may (i) exercise the right of first refusal, (ii) the
right of first negotiation to obtain an exclusive license for any compound controlled by us that has activity in the
field of inflammatory bowel disease and (iii) the right to request an expanded Field beyond the GI Field.
Under the terms of the Vivelix Agreement, we received an upfront, non-refundable fee of $15 million. In
addition, we will be eligible for future IMO-9200 related development, regulatory and sales milestone payments
totaling up to $140 million, including development and regulatory milestones totaling up to $65 million and sales
milestones totaling up to $75 million, and escalating royalties ranging from the mid single-digits to low double-
digits of global net sales, which percentages are subject to reduction under agreed upon circumstances.
Additionally, under the terms of the agreement and if requested by and at Vivelix’s expense, we are responsible for
developing potential back-up compounds to IMO-9200. As it relates to back-up compounds, we will be eligible for
related designation payments and development, regulatory sales and milestone payments totaling up to
$52.5 million, including development and regulatory milestones totaling up to $35 million and sales milestones
totaling up to $17.5 million, and escalating royalties ranging from the mid single-digits to low double-digits of global
net sales, which percentages are subject to reduction under agreed upon circumstances.
GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property Development Limited
In November 2015, we entered into the GSK Agreement to license, research, develop and commercialize
pharmaceutical compounds from our nucleic acid chemistry technology for the treatment of selected targets in
renal disease. The initial collaboration term is currently anticipated to last between two and four years from
signing. In connection with the GSK Agreement, GSK identified an initial target for us to attempt to identify a
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potential population of development candidates to address such target under a mutually agreed upon research
plan, currently estimated to take 36 months to complete. From the population of identified development
candidates, GSK may designate one development candidate in its sole discretion to move forward into clinical
development. Once GSK designates a development candidate, GSK would be solely responsible for the
development and commercialization activities for that designated development candidate.
The GSK Agreement also provided GSK with the option to select up to two additional targets at any time
during the first two years of the agreement, for further research under mutually agreed upon research plans. Upon
selecting additional targets, GSK then had the option to designate one development candidate for each additional
target, at which time GSK would have sole responsibility to develop and commercialize each such designated
development candidate. As of December 31, 2017, GSK had not selected any additional targets for research and
the option period in which GSK could select additional targets had expired.
In accordance with the GSK Agreement, a Joint Steering Committee, or JSC, was formed with equal
representation from us and GSK. The responsibilities of the JSC, include, but are not limited to monitoring the
progress of the collaboration, reviewing research plans and dealing with disputes that may arise between the
parties. If a dispute cannot be resolved by the JSC, GSK has final decision making authority.
Under the terms of the GSK Agreement, we received a $2.5 million upfront, non-refundable, non-creditable
cash payment upon the execution of the GSK Agreement. Additionally, we were eligible to receive a total of up to
approximately $100 million in upfront, license, research, clinical development and commercialization milestone
payments, of which $9 million of these milestone payments would have been payable by GSK upon the
identification of the additional targets, the completion of current and future research plans and the designation of
development candidates and $89 million would have been payable by GSK upon the achievement of clinical
milestones and commercial milestones. As a result of GSK not selecting additional targets during the two-year
option period, we are eligible to receive a total of up to approximately $20 million in upfront, license, research,
clinical development and commercialization milestone payments, of which $1 million of these milestone payments
would be payable by GSK upon the designation of a development candidate from the initial target and $17 million
would be payable by GSK upon the achievement of clinical milestones and commercial milestones. In addition, we
are eligible to receive royalty payments based on net sales of licensed products following commercialization at
varying rates of up to five percent on annual net sales, as defined in the GSK Agreement.
Abbott Molecular
In May 2014, we entered into a development and commercialization agreement with Abbott Molecular for
the development of an in vitro companion diagnostic for use in our clinical development programs to treat certain
genetically defined forms of B-cell lymphoma with IMO-8400. The agreement provides for the development and
subsequent commercialization by Abbott Molecular of a companion diagnostic test utilizing polymerase chain
reaction technology to identify with high sensitivity and specificity the presence in tumor biopsy samples of the
oncogenic mutation referred to scientifically as MYD88 L265P. Under the agreement, Abbott Molecular is primarily
responsible for developing and obtaining regulatory approvals for the companion diagnostic in accordance with an
agreed development plan and regulatory plan and for making the companion diagnostic test commercially
available in accordance with an agreed commercialization plan. Abbott Molecular will retain all proceeds from
commercialization of the companion diagnostic test. Subject to the terms of the agreement, we are required to pay
Abbott Molecular fees and fund Abbott Molecular’s development of the companion diagnostic test in an
approximate aggregate amount of $6.7 million over an approximately five year development period, which includes
clinical trial site costs and Abbott Molecular’s costs of preparation and filing fees for regulatory submissions for the
companion diagnostic with the FDA. This amount is subject to increase if Abbott Molecular incurs additional
expenses in order to meet unexpected material requirements or obligations not included in the agreement or if we
are required to conduct additional or different clinical trials which result in Abbott Molecular incurring additional
costs.
The parties’ activities pursuant to the agreed development, regulatory and commercialization plans are
governed by a joint steering committee, with Abbott Molecular retaining final decision making authority, subject to
its obligations under the agreement, for development, manufacture and marketing of the companion diagnostic
and our retaining final decision making authority, subject to our obligations under the agreement, for the
development, manufacture and marketing of IMO-8400.
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Under the agreement, each party grants the other party specified intellectual property licenses to enable the
other party to perform its obligations and exercise its rights under the agreement, including license grants enabling
Abbott Molecular to develop and commercialize the companion diagnostic test for use with IMO-8400 and enabling
us to develop and commercialize IMO-8400 with Abbott Molecular’s companion diagnostic test. The licenses
granted by the parties to one another generally survive termination of the agreement. Abbott Molecular remains
free to develop its companion diagnostic test for use with third party therapeutic products, and we remain free to
engage third party diagnostics companies to develop other companion diagnostic tests for use with IMO-8400.
We are permitted to terminate the agreement upon 90 days written notice to Abbott Molecular and, under
circumstances specified in the agreement, payment of a termination fee and wind-down costs. The parties also
may terminate the agreement based on uncured material breaches by or the bankruptcy or insolvency of the other
party, and each party has the right to terminate the agreement in the event of specified permanent injunctions
based on infringement of third party intellectual property rights. In September 2016, we suspended clinical
development of IMO-8400 for B-cell lymphomas. However, we have maintained our relationship with Abbott under
the agreement as we may explore potential collaborative alliances to support the development of IMO-8400 for B-
cell lymphomas.
Academic and Research Collaborations
We have entered into research collaborations with scientists at leading academic research institutions.
These research collaborations allow us to augment our internal research capabilities and obtain access to
specialized knowledge and expertise. In general, our research collaborations may require us to supply compounds
and pay various amounts to support the research. Under these research agreements, if a collaborator, solely or
jointly with us, creates any invention, we may own exclusively such invention, have an automatic paid-up, royalty-
free non-exclusive license or have an option to negotiate an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing license to such
invention. Inventions developed solely by our scientists in connection with research collaborations are owned
exclusively by us. These collaborative agreements are non-exclusive and may be terminated with limited notice.
Research and Development Expenses
We are committed to redefining the treatment of certain cancers and rare diseases and have dedicated a
significant portion of our resources to our efforts on the discovery and development of our drug candidates. For
the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we spent approximately $50.7 million, $39.8 million, and
$33.7 million, respectively, on research and development activities. We plan to continue to invest in research and
development. Accordingly, we anticipate that a significant portion of our operating expenses will continue to be
related to research and development in 2018 and beyond as we continue to advance our drug candidates into and
through clinical development.
Patents, Proprietary Rights and Trade Secrets
Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain and maintain proprietary protection for our drug
candidates, technology and know-how, to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of others and to prevent
others from infringing our proprietary rights. We use a variety of methods to seek to protect our proprietary
position, including filing U.S. and foreign patent applications related to our proprietary technology, inventions and
improvements that are important to the development of our business. We also rely on trade secrets, know-how,
continuing technological innovation, and in-licensing opportunities to develop and maintain our proprietary
position.
We have devoted and continue to devote a substantial amount of our resources into establishing intellectual
property protection for:
• Novel chemical entities that function as agonists of TLR3, TLR7, TLR8 or TLR9;
• Novel chemical entities that function as antagonists of TLR7, TLR8 or TLR9; and
• Composition and use of our nucleic acid chemistry compounds to treat and prevent a variety of diseases.
As of February 15, 2018, we owned about 49 U.S. patents and patent applications and about 136 patents
and patent applications throughout the rest of the world for our TLR-targeted immune modulation technologies.
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These patents and patent applications include claims covering the chemical compositions of matter and methods
of use of our IMO compounds, such as IMO-8400, IMO-9200 and IMO-2125, as well as other compounds. These
patents expire at various dates ranging from 2023 to 2037. With respect to IMO-8400, we have five issued U.S.
patents that cover the chemical composition of matter of IMO-8400 and certain methods of its use that provide
exclusivity for IMO-8400 until at least 2031. With respect to IMO-9200, we have six issued U.S. patents and two
U.S. patent applications that cover the chemical composition for IMO-9200 and methods of its use that provide
exclusivity for IMO-9200 until at least 2034. With respect to IMO-2125, we have an issued U.S. patent that covers
the chemical composition of matter of IMO-2125 and methods of its use that will expire in 2025. We have pending
applications in the United States and outside of the United States that cover methods of treatment or use with
IMO-2125 with expiration dates of 2035 and 2037.
As of February 15, 2018, we owned three issued U.S. patents, 25 issued foreign patents, five pending U.S.
patent applications and 12 foreign patent applications (including pending applications under the Patent
Cooperation Treaty, or PCT) related to our nucleic acid chemistry compounds and methods of their use. The issued
patents covering our nucleic acid chemistry technologies have an earliest statutory expiration date in 2030. One
patent family relating to targets for our nucleic acid chemistry compounds is in-licensed.
Because patent applications in the United States and many foreign jurisdictions are typically not published
until 18 months after filing, or in some cases not at all, and because publications of discoveries in the scientific
literature often lag behind actual discoveries, neither we nor our licensors can be certain that we or they were the
first to make the inventions claimed in issued patents or pending patent applications, or that we or they were the
first to file for protection of the inventions set forth in these patent applications.
Litigation may be necessary to defend against or assert claims of infringement, to enforce patents issued to
us, to protect trade secrets or know-how owned by us, or to determine the scope and validity of the proprietary
rights of others or to determine the appropriate term for an issued patent. In addition, the United States Patent and
Trademark Office, or USPTO, may declare interference proceedings to determine the priority of inventions with
respect to our patent applications or reexamination or reissue proceedings to determine if the scope of a patent
should be narrowed. Litigation or any of these other proceedings could result in substantial costs to and diversion
of effort by us, even if the eventual outcome is favorable to us, and could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations. These efforts by us may not be successful.
The term of individual patents depends upon the legal term for patents in the countries in which they are
obtained. In most countries, including the United States, the patent term is 20 years from the earliest filing date of
a non-provisional patent application. In the United States, a patent’s term may be lengthened by patent term
adjustment, which compensates a patentee for administrative delays by the USPTO in examining and granting a
patent, or may be shortened if a patent is terminally disclaimed over an earlier filed patent. The term of a patent
that covers a drug, biological product or medical device approved pursuant to a pre-market approval may also be
eligible for patent term extension when FDA approval is granted, provided statutory and regulatory requirements
are met. The length of the patent term extension is related to the length of time the drug is under regulatory review
while the patent is in force. The Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, or the Hatch-
Waxman Act, permits a patent term extension of up to five years beyond the expiration date set for the patent.
Patent extension cannot extend the remaining term of a patent beyond a total of 14 years from the date of product
approval, only one patent applicable to each regulatory review period may be granted an extension and only those
claims reading on the approved drug are extended. Similar provisions are available in Europe and other foreign
jurisdictions to extend the term of a patent that covers an approved drug.
We may rely, in some circumstances, on trade secrets and confidentiality agreements to protect our
technology. Although trade secrets are difficult to protect, wherever possible, we use confidential disclosure
agreements to protect the proprietary nature of our technology. We regularly implement confidentiality agreements
with our employees, consultants, scientific advisors, and other contractors and collaborators. However, there can
be no assurance that these agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any breach,
or that our trade secrets and/or proprietary information will not otherwise become known or be independently
discovered by competitors. To the extent that our employees, consultants or contractors use intellectual property
owned by others in their work for us, disputes may also arise as to the rights in related or resulting know-how and
inventions.
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Manufacturing
We do not currently own or operate manufacturing facilities for the production of clinical or commercial
quantities of any of our drug candidates. We currently rely and expect to continue to rely on other companies for
the manufacture of our drug candidates for preclinical and clinical development. We currently source our bulk drug
manufacturing requirements from a limited number of contract manufacturers through the issuance of work orders
on an as-needed basis. We depend and will continue to depend on our contract manufacturers to manufacture our
drug candidates in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices, or cGMP, regulations for use in clinical
trials. We will ultimately depend on contract manufacturers for the manufacture of our products for commercial
sale, if and when our drug candidates are approved. Contract manufacturers are subject to extensive governmental
regulation.
Under our collaborative agreement with GSK, GSK is responsible for manufacturing clinical drug candidates.
Under our collaborative agreement with Vivelix, Vivelix is responsible for manufacturing clinical drug candidates.
Competition
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are characterized by rapidly advancing technologies,
intense competition and a strong emphasis on proprietary products. We are currently developing our TLR-targeted
drug candidates for use in our immuno-oncology program and in the treatment of certain rare diseases. IMO-2125,
our TLR agonist lead drug candidate, is being developed for the treatment by intra-tumoral injection of multiple
oncology indications in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. IMO-8400, our TLR antagonist lead drug candidate,
is being developed for the treatment of rare diseases with dermatomyositis as our lead clinical target. We are also
in collaboration with GSK for an undisclosed renal target and expect to continue to seek to enter into additional
collaborative alliances with pharmaceutical companies with respect to applications of our nucleic acid chemistry
technology program. For all of these disease areas, there are many other companies, public and private, that are
actively engaged in discovery, development, and commercializing products and technologies that may compete
with our drug candidates and programs, including TLR-targeted compounds as well as non-TLR-targeted
therapeutics.
We are aware of other companies including Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Mologen AG, BioLineRx Ltd.,
Innate Immunotherapeutics Ltd., VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Telormedix S.A., Gilead Sciences Inc.,
GlaxoSmithKline plc, AstraZeneca plc, Checkmate Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. and
Nektar Therapeutics that are developing TLR agonists and antagonists for various indications, including oncology
and rare diseases.
ILLUMINATE (IMO-2125) Clinical Development Program for Oncology Indications
Immuno-oncology, which utilizes a patient’s own immune system to combat cancer, is currently an active
area of research for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Interest in immuno-oncology is driven by
efficacy data in cancers with historically bleak outcomes and the potential to achieve a cure or functional cure for
some patients. As such, we expect that our efforts in this field will be competitive with a wide variety of different
approaches. Any one of these competitive approaches may result in the development of novel technologies that
are more effective, safer or less costly than any that we are developing. In addition, Dynavax is conducting a Phase
1/2 clinical trial of its proprietary investigational TLR9 agonist, intra-tumoral SD-101, in combination with
checkpoint inhibitors, and OncoSec Medical Incorporated is conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial of intra-tumoral pIL-
12 in metastatic melanoma in combination with checkpoint inhibitors.
PIONEER (IMO-8400) Trial in Dermatomyositis
Many of the drug development programs in dermatomyositis are focusing on expanding the use of drugs
approved in different indications through investigator sponsored studies such as the ongoing studies of the
monoclonal antibodies, belimumab and tocilizumab. In addition, Pfizer is developing PF06823859 (interferon beta
inhibitor) for the treatment of dermatomyositis which is in a Phase 2a trial and Corbus Pharmaceuticals has
reported positive results with lenabasum (synthetic oral endocannabinoid-mimetic drug) for the treatment of
dermatomyositis in a Phase 2b trial. We are not aware of other new chemical or molecular entities being
developed for the treatment of dermatomyositis.
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Nucleic Acid Chemistry Technology to Target RNA
We are developing nucleic acid chemistry drug candidates that we have created using our proprietary
technology to inhibit the production of disease-associated proteins by targeting RNA. We also face competition
from other companies working to develop novel drugs using technologies that may compete with our nucleic acid
chemistry technology. We are aware of multiple companies that are developing technologies that use
oligonucleotide-based compounds to inhibit the production of disease associated proteins. These technologies
include, but are not limited to, antisense technology as well as RNAi. In the field of antisense technologies, we
compete with multiple companies, including Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Ionis, and its strategic partners, as well
as WAVE Life Sciences and its strategic partner. Ionis is currently marketing an antisense drug, Kynamro, and has
submitted via Akcea both an NDA and marketing authorization application for Volanesorsen (targets APOC3) to the
FDA and European regulatory agencies. Ionis has over two dozen antisense drug candidates in clinical trials.
Biogen recently received FDA approval for its antisense drug Spinraza for spinal muscular atrophy. In the field of
RNAi, we compete with Alnylam, Dicerna, Miragen, and their respective partners. Any of the competing companies
may develop gene-silencing technologies more rapidly and more effectively than us, and antisense technology and
RNAi may become the preferred technology for drugs that target RNA in order to inhibit the production of disease-
associated proteins.
Some of these potentially competitive products have been in development or commercialized for years, in
some cases by large, well established pharmaceutical companies. Many of the marketed products have been
accepted by the medical community, patients, and third-party payors. Our ability to compete may be affected by the
previous adoption of such products by the medical community, patients, and third-party payors. Additionally, in
some instances, insurers and other third-party payors seek to encourage the use of generic products, which makes
branded products, such as is planned for our drug candidates upon commercialization, potentially less attractive,
from a cost perspective, to buyers.
We recognize that other companies, including large pharmaceutical companies, may be developing or have
plans to develop products and technologies that may compete with ours. Many of our competitors have
substantially greater financial, technical, and human resources than we have. In addition, many of our competitors
have significantly greater experience than we have in undertaking preclinical studies and human clinical trials of
new pharmaceutical products, obtaining FDA and other regulatory approvals of products for use in health care and
manufacturing, and marketing and selling approved products. Our competitors may discover, develop or
commercialize products or other novel technologies that are more effective, safer or less costly than any that we
are developing. Our competitors may also obtain FDA or other regulatory approval for their products more rapidly
than we may obtain approval for ours.
We anticipate that the competition with our drug candidates and technologies will be based on a number of
factors including product efficacy, safety, availability, and price. The timing of market introduction of our drug
candidates and competitive products will also affect competition among products. We expect the relative speed
with which we can develop products, complete the clinical trials and approval processes, and supply commercial
quantities of the products to the market to be important competitive factors. Our competitive position will also
depend upon our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, to obtain patent protection or otherwise develop
proprietary products or processes, protect our intellectual property, and to secure sufficient capital resources for
the period between technological conception and commercial sales.
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Government Regulation
Government authorities in the United States, at the federal, state and local level, and in other countries and
jurisdictions, including the European Union, extensively regulate, among other things, the research, development,
testing, manufacture, quality control, approval, packaging, storage, recordkeeping, labeling, advertising, promotion,
distribution, marketing, pricing, post-approval monitoring and reporting, and import and export of pharmaceutical
products. The processes for obtaining regulatory approvals in the United States and in foreign countries and
jurisdictions, along with subsequent compliance with applicable statutes and regulations and other regulatory
authorities, require the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources.
Review and Approval of Drugs in the United States
In the United States, the FDA regulates drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or FDCA, and
associated implementing regulations. The failure to comply with the FDCA and other applicable U.S. requirements
at any time during the product development process, approval process or after approval may subject an applicant
and/or sponsor to a variety of administrative or judicial sanctions, including refusal by the FDA to approve pending
applications, withdrawal of an approval, imposition of a clinical hold, issuance of warning letters and other types of
letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines,
refusals of government contracts, restitution, disgorgement of profits, or civil or criminal investigations and
penalties brought by the FDA and the Department of Justice, or DOJ, or other governmental entities, including state
agencies.
An applicant seeking approval to market and distribute a new drug product in the United States must
typically undertake the following:
•
•
•
completion of preclinical laboratory tests, animal studies and formulation studies in compliance with the
FDA’s good laboratory practice, or GLP, regulations;
submission to the FDA of an IND, which must take effect before human clinical trials may begin in the
United States;
approval by an independent institutional review board, or IRB, representing each clinical site before
each clinical trial may be initiated;
• performance of adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials in accordance with good clinical
practices, or GCP, to establish the safety and efficacy of the proposed drug product for each indication;
• preparation and submission to the FDA of a new drug application, or NDA;
•
•
•
review of the product candidate by an FDA advisory committee, where appropriate or if applicable;
satisfactory completion of one or more FDA inspections of the manufacturing facility or facilities at which
the product, or components thereof, are produced to assess compliance with cGMP requirements and to
assure that the facilities, methods and controls are adequate to preserve the product’s identity,
strength, quality and purity;
satisfactory completion of FDA audits of clinical trial sites to assure compliance with GCPs and the
integrity of the clinical data;
• payment of user fees and securing FDA approval of the NDA; and
•
compliance with any post-approval requirements, including Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies, or
REMS, where applicable, and post-approval studies required by the FDA.
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Preclinical Studies
Before an applicant begins testing a product candidate with potential therapeutic value in humans, the
product candidate enters the preclinical testing stage. Preclinical studies include laboratory evaluation of the purity
and stability of the manufactured drug substance or active pharmaceutical ingredient and the formulated drug or
drug product, as well as in vitro and animal studies to assess the safety and activity of the drug for initial testing in
humans and to establish a rationale for therapeutic use. The conduct of preclinical studies is subject to federal
regulations and requirements, including GLP regulations. The results of the preclinical tests, together with
manufacturing information, analytical data, any available clinical data or literature and plans for clinical studies,
among other things, are submitted to the FDA as part of an IND. Additional preclinical testing, such as animal tests
of reproductive adverse events and carcinogenicity, may continue after the IND is submitted.
Human Clinical Studies in Support of an NDA
Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational product to human subjects under the
supervision of qualified investigators in accordance with GCP requirements, which include, among other things, the
requirement that all research subjects provide their informed consent in writing before their participation in any
clinical trial. Clinical trials are conducted under written study protocols detailing, among other things, the objectives
of the study, inclusion and exclusion criteria, the parameters to be used in monitoring safety and the effectiveness
criteria to be evaluated. A protocol for each clinical trial and any subsequent protocol amendments must be
submitted to the FDA as part of the IND. An IND is an exemption from the FDCA that allows an unapproved product
candidate to be shipped in interstate commerce for use in an investigational clinical trial and a request for FDA
authorization to administer such investigational product to humans. An IND automatically becomes effective
30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless before that time the FDA raises concerns or questions related to a
proposed clinical trial and places the trial on clinical hold or partial clinical hold. In such a case, the IND sponsor
and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns before the clinical trial can begin.
Typically, the FDA will require one IND for early development studies where the sponsor is uncertain of the
indication or dosage form of the proposed product, where the drug is being developed for closely related
indications within a single review division at FDA, or where there are multiple closely-related routes of
administration using the same dosage formulation. On the other hand, multiple INDs may be required where there
are two or more unrelated conditions being developed or where multiple dosage forms are being extensively
investigated or where multiple routes of administration are being evaluated.
In addition to the foregoing IND requirements, an IRB representing each institution participating in the
clinical trial must review and approve the plan for any clinical trial before it commences at that institution, and the
IRB must conduct continuing review and reapprove the study at least annually. The IRB must review and approve,
among other things, the study protocol and informed consent information to be provided to study subjects. An IRB
must operate in compliance with FDA regulations. Information about certain clinical trials must be submitted within
specific timeframes to the National Institutes of Health for public dissemination on their ClinicalTrials.gov website.
Additionally, some trials are overseen by an independent group of qualified experts organized by the trial
sponsor, known as a data safety monitoring board or committee, or DSMB. This group provides recommendations
as to whether or not a trial should move forward at designated check points based on access that only the group
maintains to available data from the study. Suspension or termination of development during any phase of clinical
trials can occur if it is determined that the participants or patients are being exposed to an unacceptable health
risk. Other reasons for suspension or termination may be made by us based on evolving business objectives
and/or competitive climate.
Human clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases, which may overlap or be combined:
Phase 1: The drug is initially introduced into healthy human subjects or patients with the target disease
(e.g. cancer) or condition and tested for safety, dosage tolerance, absorption, metabolism, distribution, excretion
and, if possible, to gain an early indication of its effectiveness and to determine optimal dosage.
Phase 2: The drug is administered to a limited patient population to identify possible adverse effects and
safety risks, to preliminarily evaluate the efficacy of the product for specific targeted diseases and to determine
dosage tolerance and optimal dosage.
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Phase 3: The drug is administered to an expanded patient population, generally at geographically
dispersed clinical trial sites, in well-controlled clinical trials to generate enough data to statistically evaluate the
efficacy and safety of the product for approval, to establish the overall risk-benefit profile of the product, and to
provide adequate information for the labeling of the product.
Progress reports detailing the results of the clinical trials must be submitted at least annually to the FDA and
more frequently if serious adverse events occur. In addition, IND safety reports must be submitted to the FDA for
any of the following: serious and unexpected suspected adverse reactions; findings from other studies or animal or
in vitro testing that suggest a significant risk in humans exposed to the drug; and any clinically important increase
in the case of a serious suspected adverse reaction over that listed in the protocol or investigator brochure.
Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials may not be completed successfully within any specified period, or at
all. Furthermore, the FDA, the sponsor or the data monitoring committee for a clinical trial may suspend or
terminate the clinical trial at any time on various grounds, including a finding that the research subjects are being
exposed to an unacceptable health risk. Similarly, an IRB can suspend or terminate approval of a clinical trial at its
institution, or an institution it represents, if the clinical trial is not being conducted in accordance with the IRB’s
requirements or if the drug has been associated with unexpected serious harm to patients. The FDA will typically
inspect one or more clinical sites to assure compliance with GCP and the integrity of the clinical data submitted.
Section 505(b)(2) NDAs
NDAs for most new drug products are based on two full clinical studies which must contain substantial
evidence of the safety and efficacy of the proposed new product. These applications are submitted under
Section 505(b)(1) of the FDCA. The FDA is, however, authorized to approve an alternative type of NDA under
Section 505(b)(2) of the FDCA. This type of application allows the applicant to rely, in part, on the FDA’s previous
findings of safety and efficacy for a similar product, or published literature. Specifically, Section 505(b)(2) applies
to NDAs for a drug for which the investigations made to show whether or not the drug is safe for use and effective
in use and relied upon by the applicant for approval of the application “were not conducted by or for the applicant
and for which the applicant has not obtained a right of reference or use from the person by or for whom the
investigations were conducted.”
Thus, Section 505(b)(2) authorizes the FDA to approve an NDA based on safety and effectiveness data that
were not developed by the applicant. NDAs filed under Section 505(b)(2) may provide an alternate and potentially
more expeditious pathway to FDA approval for new or improved formulations or new uses of previously approved
products. If the Section 505(b)(2) applicant can establish that reliance on the FDA’s previous approval is
scientifically appropriate, the applicant may eliminate the need to conduct certain preclinical or clinical studies of
the new product. The FDA may also require companies to perform additional studies or measurements to support
the change from the approved product. The FDA may then approve the new drug candidate for all or some of the
label indications for which the referenced product has been approved, as well as for any new indication sought by
the Section 505(b)(2) applicant.
Submission of an NDA to the FDA
Assuming successful completion of required clinical testing and other requirements, the results of the
preclinical and clinical studies, together with detailed information relating to the product’s chemistry, manufacture,
controls and proposed labeling, among other things, are submitted to the FDA as part of an NDA requesting
approval to market the drug product for one or more indications. Under federal law, the submission of most NDAs
is subject to an application user fee, which for federal fiscal year 2018 is $2,421,495 for an application requiring
clinical data. The sponsor of an approved NDA is also subject to an annual program fee, which for fiscal year 2018
is $304,162. Exceptions or waivers for these fees exist for a small company (fewer than 500 employees, including
employees and affiliates) satisfying certain requirements and products with orphan drug designation for a
particular indication are not subject to a fee provided there are no other intended uses in the NDA.
The FDA conducts a preliminary review of an NDA within 60 calendar days of its receipt and strives to inform
the sponsor by the 74th day after the FDA’s receipt of the submission to determine whether the application is
sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. The FDA may request additional information rather than accept
an NDA for filing. In this event, the application must be resubmitted with the additional information. The
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resubmitted application is also subject to review before the FDA accepts it for filing. Once the submission is
accepted for filing, the FDA begins an in-depth substantive review.
The FDA has agreed to specified performance goals in the review process of NDAs. Under the agreement,
90% of applications seeking approval of New Molecular Entities, or NMEs, are meant to be reviewed within ten
months from the date on which the FDA accepts the NDA for filing, and 90% of applications for NMEs that have
been designated for “priority review” are meant to be reviewed within six months of the filing date. For applications
seeking approval of drugs that are not NMEs, the ten-month and six-month review periods run from the date that
the FDA receives the application. The review process may be extended by the FDA for three additional months to
consider new information or clarification provided by the applicant to address an outstanding deficiency identified
by the FDA following the original submission.
Before approving an NDA, the FDA typically will inspect the facility or facilities where the product is or will be
manufactured. These pre-approval inspections cover all facilities associated with an NDA submission, including
drug component manufacturing (such as active pharmaceutical ingredients), finished drug product manufacturing,
and control testing laboratories. The FDA will not approve an application unless it determines that the
manufacturing processes and facilities are in compliance with cGMP requirements and adequate to assure
consistent production of the product within required specifications. Additionally, before approving an NDA, the FDA
will typically inspect one or more clinical sites to assure compliance with GCP.
In addition, as a condition of approval, the FDA may require an applicant to develop a REMS. REMS use risk
minimization strategies beyond the professional labeling to ensure that the benefits of the product outweigh the
potential risks. To determine whether a REMS is needed, the FDA will consider the size of the population likely to
use the product, seriousness of the disease, expected benefit of the product, expected duration of treatment,
seriousness of known or potential adverse events, and whether the product is a new molecular entity. REMS can
include medication guides, physician communication plans for healthcare professionals, and elements to assure
safe use, or ETASU. ETASU may include, but are not limited to, special training or certification for prescribing or
dispensing, dispensing only under certain circumstances, special monitoring, and the use of patient registries. The
FDA may require a REMS before approval or post-approval if it becomes aware of a serious risk associated with use
of the product. The requirement for a REMS can materially affect the potential market and profitability of a product.
The FDA is required to refer an application for a novel drug to an advisory committee or explain why such
referral was not made. Typically, an advisory committee is a panel of independent experts, including clinicians and
other scientific experts, that reviews, evaluates and provides a recommendation as to whether the application
should be approved and under what conditions. The FDA is not bound by the recommendations of an advisory
committee, but it considers such recommendations carefully when making decisions.
Fast Track, Breakthrough Therapy and Priority Review Designations
The FDA is authorized to designate certain products for expedited review if they are intended to address an
unmet medical need in the treatment of a serious or life-threatening disease or condition. These programs are fast
track designation, breakthrough therapy designation and priority review designation.
Specifically, the FDA may designate a product for fast track review if it is intended, whether alone or in
combination with one or more other drugs, for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening disease or condition,
and it demonstrates the potential to address unmet medical needs for such a disease or condition. For fast track
products, sponsors may have greater interactions with the FDA and the FDA may initiate review of sections of a fast
track product’s NDA before the application is complete. This rolling review may be available if the FDA determines,
after preliminary evaluation of clinical data submitted by the sponsor, that a fast track product may be effective.
The sponsor must also provide, and the FDA must approve, a schedule for the submission of the remaining
information and the sponsor must pay applicable user fees. However, the FDA’s time period goal for reviewing a
fast track application does not begin until the last section of the NDA is submitted. In addition, the fast track
designation may be withdrawn by the FDA if the FDA believes that the designation is no longer supported by data
emerging in the clinical trial process.
Second, in 2012, Congress enacted the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, or FDASIA.
This law established a new regulatory scheme allowing for expedited review of products designated as
“breakthrough therapies.” A product may be designated as a breakthrough therapy if it is intended, either alone or
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in combination with one or more other drugs, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and
preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the product may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing
therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints, such as substantial treatment effects observed early in
clinical development. The FDA may take certain actions with respect to breakthrough therapies, including holding
meetings with the sponsor throughout the development process; providing timely advice to the product sponsor
regarding development and approval; involving more senior staff in the review process; assigning a cross-
disciplinary project lead for the review team; and taking other steps to design the clinical trials in an efficient
manner.
Third, the FDA may designate a product for priority review if it is a drug that treats a serious condition and, if
approved, would provide a significant improvement in safety or effectiveness. The FDA determines, on a case-by-
case basis, whether the proposed drug represents a significant improvement when compared with other available
therapies. Significant improvement may be illustrated by evidence of increased effectiveness in the treatment of a
condition, elimination or substantial reduction of a treatment-limiting drug reaction, documented enhancement of
patient compliance that may lead to improvement in serious outcomes, and evidence of safety and effectiveness in
a new subpopulation. A priority designation is intended to direct overall attention and resources to the evaluation
of such applications, and to shorten the FDA’s goal for taking action on a marketing application from ten months to
six months.
Accelerated Approval Pathway
The FDA may grant accelerated approval to a drug for a serious or life-threatening condition that provides
meaningful therapeutic advantage to patients over existing treatments based upon a determination that the drug
has an effect on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. The FDA may also grant
accelerated approval for such a condition when the product has an effect on an intermediate clinical endpoint that
can be measured earlier than an effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality, or IMM, and that is reasonably likely
to predict an effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality or other clinical benefit, taking into account the severity,
rarity, or prevalence of the condition and the availability or lack of alternative treatments. Drugs granted
accelerated approval must meet the same statutory standards for safety and effectiveness as those granted
traditional approval.
For the purposes of accelerated approval, a surrogate endpoint is a marker, such as a laboratory
measurement, radiographic image, physical sign, or other measure that is thought to predict clinical benefit, but is
not itself a measure of clinical benefit. Surrogate endpoints can often be measured more easily or more rapidly
than clinical endpoints. An intermediate clinical endpoint is a measurement of a therapeutic effect that is
considered reasonably likely to predict the clinical benefit of a drug, such as an effect on IMM. The FDA has limited
experience with accelerated approvals based on intermediate clinical endpoints, but has indicated that such
endpoints generally may support accelerated approval where the therapeutic effect measured by the endpoint is
not itself a clinical benefit and basis for traditional approval, if there is a basis for concluding that the therapeutic
effect is reasonably likely to predict the ultimate clinical benefit of a drug.
The accelerated approval pathway is most often used in settings in which the course of a disease is long and
an extended period of time is required to measure the intended clinical benefit of a drug, even if the effect on the
surrogate or intermediate clinical endpoint occurs rapidly. Thus, accelerated approval has been used extensively in
the development and approval of drugs for treatment of a variety of cancers in which the goal of therapy is
generally to improve survival or decrease morbidity and the duration of the typical disease course requires lengthy
and sometimes large trials to demonstrate a clinical or survival benefit.
The accelerated approval pathway is usually contingent on a sponsor’s agreement to conduct, in a diligent
manner, additional post-approval confirmatory studies to verify and describe the drug’s clinical benefit. As a result,
a drug candidate approved on this basis is subject to rigorous post-marketing compliance requirements, including
the completion of Phase 4 or post-approval clinical trials to confirm the effect on the clinical endpoint. Failure to
conduct required post-approval studies, or confirm a clinical benefit during post-marketing studies, would allow the
FDA to withdraw the drug from the market on an expedited basis. All promotional materials for drug candidates
approved under accelerated regulations are subject to prior review by the FDA.
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The FDA’s Decision on an NDA
On the basis of the FDA’s evaluation of the NDA and accompanying information, including the results of the
inspection of the manufacturing facilities, the FDA may issue an approval letter or a complete response letter. An
approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the product with specific prescribing information for specific
indications. A complete response letter generally outlines the deficiencies in the submission and may require
substantial additional testing or information in order for the FDA to reconsider the application. If and when those
deficiencies have been addressed to the FDA’s satisfaction in a resubmission of the NDA, the FDA will issue an
approval letter. The FDA has committed to reviewing such resubmissions in two or six months depending on the
type of information included. Even with submission of this additional information, the FDA ultimately may decide
that the application does not satisfy the regulatory criteria for approval.
If the FDA approves a product, it may limit the approved indications for use for the product, require that
contraindications, warnings or precautions be included in the product labeling, require that post-approval studies,
including Phase 4 clinical trials, be conducted to further assess the drug’s safety after approval, require testing and
surveillance programs to monitor the product after commercialization, or impose other conditions, including
distribution restrictions or other risk management mechanisms, including REMS, which can materially affect the
potential market and profitability of the product. The FDA may prevent or limit further marketing of a product based
on the results of post-market studies or surveillance programs. After approval, many types of changes to the
approved product, such as adding new indications, manufacturing changes and additional labeling claims, are
subject to further testing requirements and FDA review and approval.
FDA Regulation of Companion Diagnostics
If safe and effective use of a therapeutic depends on an in vitro diagnostic, then the FDA generally will
require approval or clearance of that diagnostic, known as a companion diagnostic, at the same time that the FDA
approves the therapeutic product. In August 2014, the FDA issued final guidance clarifying the requirements that
will apply to approval of therapeutic products and in vitro companion diagnostics. According to the guidance, for
novel drugs, a companion diagnostic device and its corresponding therapeutic should be approved or cleared
contemporaneously by the FDA for the use indicated in the therapeutic product’s labeling. In July 2016, the FDA
issued a draft guidance intended to assist sponsors of the drug therapeutic and in vitro companion diagnostic
device on issues related to co-development of the products.
The FDA previously has required in vitro companion diagnostics intended to select the patients who will
respond to the drug candidate to obtain pre-market approval, or PMA, simultaneously with approval of the drug.
The PMA process, including the gathering of clinical and preclinical data and the submission to and review by the
FDA, can take several years or longer. It involves a rigorous premarket review during which the applicant must
prepare and provide the FDA with reasonable assurance of the device’s safety and effectiveness and information
about the device and its components regarding, among other things, device design, manufacturing and labeling.
PMA applications are subject to fees for medical device product review; for federal fiscal year 2018, the standard
fee for review of a PMA is $310,764 and the small business fee is $77,691.
After a device is placed on the market, it remains subject to significant regulatory requirements. Medical
devices may be marketed only for the uses and indications for which they are cleared or approved. Device
manufacturers must also establish registration and device listings with the FDA. A medical device manufacturer’s
manufacturing processes and those of its suppliers are required to comply with the applicable portions of the QSR,
which cover the methods and documentation of the design, testing, production, processes, controls, quality
assurance, labeling, packaging and shipping of medical devices. Domestic facility records and manufacturing
processes are subject to periodic unscheduled inspections by the FDA. The FDA also may inspect foreign facilities
that export products to the U.S.
Post-Approval Requirements
Drugs manufactured or distributed pursuant to FDA approvals are subject to pervasive and continuing
regulation by the FDA, including, among other things, requirements relating to recordkeeping, periodic reporting,
product sampling and distribution, advertising and promotion and reporting of adverse experiences with the
product. After approval, most changes to the approved product, such as adding new indications or other labeling
claims, are subject to prior FDA review and approval. There also are continuing, annual user fee requirements for
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any marketed products and the establishments at which such products are manufactured, as well as new
application fees for supplemental applications with clinical data.
In addition, drug manufacturers and other entities involved in the manufacture and distribution of approved
drugs are required to register their establishments with the FDA and state agencies, and are subject to periodic
unannounced inspections by the FDA and these state agencies for compliance with cGMP requirements. Changes
to the manufacturing process are strictly regulated and often require prior FDA approval before being implemented.
FDA regulations also require investigation and correction of any deviations from cGMP and impose reporting and
documentation requirements upon the sponsor and any third-party manufacturers that the sponsor may decide to
use. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money, and effort in the area of production and
quality control to maintain cGMP compliance.
Once an approval is granted, the FDA may withdraw the approval if compliance with regulatory requirements
and standards is not maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the market. Later discovery of
previously unknown problems with a product, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or
with manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in revisions to the
approved labeling to add new safety information; imposition of post-market studies or clinical trials to assess new
safety risks; or imposition of distribution or other restrictions under a REMS program. Other potential
consequences include, among other things:
•
•
•
restrictions on the marketing or manufacturing of the product, suspension of the approval, complete
withdrawal of the product from the market or product recalls;
fines, warning letters or holds on post-approval clinical trials;
refusal of the FDA to approve pending NDAs or supplements to approved NDAs, or suspension or
revocation of product license approvals;
• product seizure or detention, or refusal to permit the import or export of products; or
•
injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.
The FDA strictly regulates the marketing, labeling, advertising and promotion of prescription drug products
placed on the market. This regulation includes, among other things, standards and regulations for direct-to-
consumer advertising, communications regarding unapproved uses, industry-sponsored scientific and educational
activities, and promotional activities involving the Internet and social media. Promotional claims about a drug’s
safety or effectiveness are prohibited before the drug is approved. After approval, a drug product generally may not
be promoted for uses that are not approved by the FDA, as reflected in the product’s prescribing information. In the
United States, health care professionals are generally permitted to prescribe drugs for such uses not described in
the drug’s labeling, known as off-label uses, because the FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine. However,
FDA regulations impose rigorous restrictions on manufacturers’ communications, prohibiting the promotion of off-
label uses. It may be permissible, under very specific, narrow conditions, for a manufacturer to engage in
nonpromotional, non-misleading communication regarding off-label information, such as distributing scientific or
medical journal information.
If a company is found to have promoted off-label uses, it may become subject to adverse public relations
and administrative and judicial enforcement by the FDA, the Department of Justice, or the Office of the Inspector
General of the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as state authorities. This could subject a
company to a range of penalties that could have a significant commercial impact, including civil and criminal fines
and agreements that materially restrict the manner in which a company promotes or distributes drug products. The
federal government has levied large civil and criminal fines against companies for alleged improper promotion, and
has also requested that companies enter into consent decrees or permanent injunctions under which specified
promotional conduct is changed or curtailed.
In addition, the distribution of prescription pharmaceutical products is subject to the Prescription Drug
Marketing Act, or PDMA, and its implementing regulations, as well as the Drug Supply Chain Security Act, or DSCA,
which regulate the distribution and tracing of prescription drug samples at the federal level, and set minimum
standards for the regulation of drug distributors by the states. The PDMA, its implementing regulations and state
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laws limit the distribution of prescription pharmaceutical product samples and the DSCA imposes requirements to
ensure accountability in distribution and to identify and remove counterfeit and other illegitimate products from the
market.
Abbreviated New Drug Applications for Generic Drugs
In 1984, with passage of the Hatch-Waxman Amendments to the FDCA, Congress authorized the FDA to
approve generic drugs that are the same as drugs previously approved by the FDA under the NDA provisions of the
statute. To obtain approval of a generic drug, an applicant must submit an abbreviated new drug application, or
ANDA, to the agency. In support of such applications, a generic manufacturer may rely on the preclinical and
clinical testing previously conducted for a drug product previously approved under an NDA, known as the reference
listed drug, or RLD.
Specifically, in order for an ANDA to be approved, the FDA must find that the generic version is identical to
the RLD with respect to the active ingredients, the route of administration, the dosage form, and the strength of the
drug. At the same time, the FDA must also determine that the generic drug is “bioequivalent” to the innovator drug.
Under the statute, a generic drug is bioequivalent to a RLD if “the rate and extent of absorption of the drug do not
show a significant difference from the rate and extent of absorption of the listed drug.”
Upon approval of an ANDA, the FDA indicates whether the generic product is “therapeutically equivalent” to
the RLD in its publication “Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations,” also referred to as
the “Orange Book.” Physicians and pharmacists consider a therapeutic equivalent generic drug to be fully
substitutable for the RLD. In addition, by operation of certain state laws and numerous health insurance programs,
the FDA’s designation of therapeutic equivalence often results in substitution of the generic drug without the
knowledge or consent of either the prescribing physician or patient.
Under the Hatch-Waxman Amendments, the FDA may not approve an ANDA until any applicable period of
non-patent exclusivity for the RLD has expired. The FDCA provides a period of five years of non-patent data
exclusivity for a new drug containing a new chemical entity. For the purposes of this provision, a new chemical
entity, or NCE, is a drug that contains no active moiety that has previously been approved by the FDA in any other
NDA. An active moiety is the molecule or ion responsible for the physiological or pharmacological action of the drug
substance. In cases where such exclusivity has been granted, an ANDA may not be filed with the FDA until the
expiration of five years unless the submission is accompanied by a Paragraph IV certification, in which case the
applicant may submit its application four years following the original product approval. The FDCA also provides for
a period of three years of exclusivity if the NDA includes reports of one or more new clinical investigations, other
than bioavailability or bioequivalence studies, that were conducted by or for the applicant and are essential to the
approval of the application. This three-year exclusivity period often protects changes to a previously approved drug
product, such as a new dosage form, route of administration, combination or indication.
The FDA must establish a priority review track for certain generic drugs, requiring the FDA to review a drug
application within eight (8) months for a drug that has three (3) or fewer approved drugs listed in the Orange Book
and is no longer protected by any patent or regulatory exclusivities, or is on the FDA’s drug shortage list. The new
legislation also authorizes FDA to expedite review of ‘‘competitor generic therapies’’ or drugs with inadequate
generic competition, including holding meetings with or providing advice to the drug sponsor prior to submission of
the application.
Hatch-Waxman Patent Certification and the 30-Month Stay
Upon approval of an NDA or a supplement thereto, NDA sponsors are required to list with the FDA each
patent with claims that cover the applicant’s product or an approved method of using the product. Each of the
patents listed by the NDA sponsor is published in the Orange Book. When an Abbreviated New Drug Application, or
ANDA, or 505(b)(2) applicant files its application with the FDA, the applicant is required to certify to the FDA
concerning any patents listed for the reference product in the Orange Book, except for patents covering methods of
use for which the ANDA applicant is not seeking approval.
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Specifically, the applicant must certify with respect to each patent that:
•
•
•
•
the required patent information has not been filed;
the listed patent has expired;
the listed patent has not expired, but will expire on a particular date and approval is sought after patent
expiration; or
the listed patent is invalid, unenforceable or will not be infringed by the new product.
A certification that the new product will not infringe the already approved product’s listed patents or that
such patents are invalid or unenforceable is called a Paragraph IV certification. If the applicant does not challenge
the listed patents or indicates that it is not seeking approval of a patented method of use, the application will not
be approved until all the listed patents claiming the referenced product have expired (other than method of use
patents involving indications for which the ANDA applicant is not seeking approval).
If the ANDA or 505(b)(2) applicant has provided a Paragraph IV certification to the FDA, the applicant must
also send notice of the Paragraph IV certification to the NDA and patent holders once the ANDA or 505(b)(2)
application has been accepted for filing by the FDA. The NDA and patent holders may then initiate a patent
infringement lawsuit in response to the notice of the Paragraph IV certification. The filing of a patent infringement
lawsuit within 45 days after the receipt of a Paragraph IV certification automatically prevents the FDA from
approving the ANDA or 505(b)(2) application until the earlier of 30 months after the receipt of the Paragraph IV
notice, expiration of the patent, or a decision in the infringement case that is favorable to the ANDA applicant.
Pediatric Studies and Exclusivity
Under the Pediatric Research Equity Act of 2003, an NDA or supplement thereto must contain data that are
adequate to assess the safety and effectiveness of the drug product for the claimed indications in all relevant
pediatric subpopulations, and to support dosing and administration for each pediatric subpopulation for which the
product is safe and effective. With enactment of the FDASIA in 2012, sponsors must also submit pediatric study
plans prior to the assessment data. Those plans must contain an outline of the proposed pediatric study or studies
the applicant plans to conduct, including study objectives and design, any deferral or waiver requests, and other
information required by regulation. The applicant, the FDA, and the FDA’s internal review committee must then
review the information submitted, consult with each other, and agree upon a final plan. The FDA or the applicant
may request an amendment to the plan at any time.
For drugs intended to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, the FDA must, upon the request
of an applicant, meet to discuss preparation of the initial pediatric study plan or to discuss deferral or waiver of
pediatric assessments. In addition, FDA will meet early in the development process to discuss pediatric study plans
with sponsors and FDA must meet with sponsors by no later than the end-of-phase 1 meeting for serious or life-
threatening diseases and by no later than ninety (90) days after FDA’s receipt of the study plan.
The FDA may, on its own initiative or at the request of the applicant, grant deferrals for submission of some
or all pediatric data until after approval of the product for use in adults, or full or partial waivers from the pediatric
data requirements. Additional requirements and procedures relating to deferral requests and requests for
extension of deferrals are contained in the FDASIA. Unless otherwise required by regulation, the pediatric data
requirements do not apply to products with orphan designation.
Pediatric exclusivity is another type of non-patent marketing exclusivity in the United States and, if granted,
provides for the attachment of an additional six months of marketing protection to the term of any existing
regulatory exclusivity, including the non-patent and orphan exclusivity. This six-month exclusivity may be granted if
an NDA sponsor submits pediatric data that fairly respond to a written request from the FDA for such data. The
data do not need to show the product to be effective in the pediatric population studied; rather, if the clinical trial is
deemed to fairly respond to the FDA’s request, the additional protection is granted. If reports of requested pediatric
studies are submitted to and accepted by the FDA within the statutory time limits, whatever statutory or regulatory
periods of exclusivity or patent protection cover the product are extended by six months. This is not a patent term
extension, but it effectively extends the regulatory period during which the FDA cannot approve another application.
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Orphan Drug Designation and Exclusivity
Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may designate a drug product as an “orphan drug” if it is intended to
treat a rare disease or condition (generally meaning that it affects fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United
States, or more in cases in which there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and making a drug
product available in the United States for treatment of the disease or condition will be recovered from sales of the
product). A company must request orphan product designation before submitting an NDA. If the request is granted,
the FDA will disclose the identity of the therapeutic agent and its potential use. Orphan product designation does
not convey any advantage in or shorten the duration of the regulatory review and approval process, although it
does convey certain advantages such as tax benefits and exemption from PDUFA fees.
If a product with orphan status receives the first FDA approval for the disease or condition for which it has
such designation or for a select indication or use within the rare disease or condition for which it was designated,
the product generally will receive orphan product exclusivity. Orphan product exclusivity means that the FDA may
not approve any other applications for the same product for the same indication for seven years, except in certain
limited circumstances. Competitors may receive approval of different products for the indication for which the
orphan product has exclusivity and may obtain approval for the same product but for a different indication. If a
drug or drug product designated as an orphan product ultimately receives marketing approval for an indication
broader than what was designated in its orphan product application, it may not be entitled to exclusivity.
Orphan drug exclusivity will not bar approval of another product under certain circumstances, including if a
subsequent product with the same drug for the same condition is shown to be clinically superior to the approved
product on the basis of greater efficacy or safety, or providing a major contribution to patient care, or if the
company with orphan drug exclusivity is not able to meet market demand. This is the case despite an earlier court
opinion holding that the Orphan Drug Act unambiguously required the FDA to recognize orphan exclusivity
regardless of a showing of clinical superiority.
Patent Term Restoration and Extension
A patent claiming a new drug product may be eligible for a limited patent term extension under the Drug
Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, which permits a patent restoration of up to five years
for patent term lost during product development and the FDA regulatory review. The restoration period granted is
typically one-half the time between the effective date of an IND and the submission date of an NDA, plus the time
between the submission date of an NDA and the ultimate approval date. Patent term restoration cannot be used to
extend the remaining term of a patent past a total of 14 years from the product’s approval date. Only one patent
applicable to an approved drug product is eligible for the extension, and the application for the extension must be
submitted prior to the expiration of the patent in question. A patent that covers multiple drugs for which approval is
sought can only be extended in connection with one of the approvals. The USPTO reviews and approves the
application for any patent term extension or restoration in consultation with the FDA.
The 21st Century Cures Act
On December 13, 2016, President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act, or the Cures Act, into law. The
Cures Act is designed to modernize and personalize healthcare, spur innovation and research, and streamline the
discovery and development of new therapies through increased federal funding of particular programs. It
authorizes increasing funding for FDA to spend on innovation projects. The new law also amends the Public Health
Service Act to reauthorize and expand funding for the National Institutes of Health. The Act establishes the NIH
Innovation Fund to pay for the cost of development and implementation of a strategic plan, early stage
investigators and research. It also charges NIH with leading and coordinating expanded pediatric research.
Further, the Cures Act directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand surveillance of
neurological diseases.
With amendments to the FDCA and the Public Health Service Act, Title III of the Cures Act seeks to
accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of new medicines and medical technologies. To that end, and
among other provisions, the Cures Act reauthorizes the priority review voucher program for certain drugs intended
to treat rare pediatric diseases; creates a new priority review voucher program for drug applications determined to
be material threat medical countermeasure applications; revises the FDCA to streamline review of combination
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product applications; requires FDA to evaluate the potential use of “real world evidence” to help support approval
of new indications for approved drugs; provides a new “limited population” approval pathway for antibiotic and
antifungal drugs intended to treat serious or life-threatening infections; and authorizes FDA to designate a drug as
a “regenerative advanced therapy,” thereby making it eligible for certain expedited review and approval
designations.
Review and Approval of Drug Products in the European Union
In order to market any product outside of the United States, a company must also comply with numerous
and varying regulatory requirements of other countries and jurisdictions regarding quality, safety and efficacy and
governing, among other things, clinical trials, marketing authorization, commercial sales and distribution of drug
products. Whether or not it obtains FDA approval for a product, the company would need to obtain the necessary
approvals by the comparable foreign regulatory authorities before it can commence clinical trials or marketing of
the product in those countries or jurisdictions. The approval process ultimately varies between countries and
jurisdictions and can involve additional product testing and additional administrative review periods. The time
required to obtain approval in other countries and jurisdictions might differ from and be longer than that required
to obtain FDA approval. Regulatory approval in one country or jurisdiction does not ensure regulatory approval in
another, but a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one country or jurisdiction may negatively impact
the regulatory process in others.
Clinical Trial Approval in the EU
Pursuant to the European Clinical Trials Directive, a system for the approval of clinical trials in the European
Union has been implemented through national legislation of the member states. Under this system, an applicant
must obtain approval from the competent national authority of a European Union member state in which the
clinical trial is to be conducted. Furthermore, the applicant may only start a clinical trial after a competent ethics
committee has issued a favorable opinion. Clinical trial application must be accompanied by an investigational
medicinal product dossier with supporting information prescribed by the European Clinical Trials Directive and
corresponding national laws of the member states and further detailed in applicable guidance documents. In April
2014, the EU adopted a new Clinical Trials Regulation, which will be directly applicable to and binding without the
need for any national implementing legislation. Under the new coordinated procedure for the approval of clinical
trials, the sponsor of a clinical trial will be required to submit a single application for approval of a clinical trial to a
reporting EU Member State (RMS) through an EU Portal. The submission procedure will be the same irrespective of
whether the clinical trial is to be conducted in a single EU Member State or in more than one EU Member State.
The Clinical Trials Regulation also aims to streamline and simplify the rules on safety reporting for clinical trials.
The Regulation was published on June 16, 2014 but is not expected to apply until 2019.
Orphan Drug Designation and Exclusivity
Regulation 141/2000 provides that a drug shall be designated as an orphan drug if its sponsor can
establish: that the product is intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of a life-threatening or chronically
debilitating condition affecting not more than five in ten thousand persons in the European Community when the
application is made, or that the product is intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of a life-threatening,
seriously debilitating or serious and chronic condition in the European Community and that without incentives it is
unlikely that the marketing of the drug in the European Community would generate sufficient return to justify the
necessary investment. For either of these conditions, the applicant must demonstrate that there exists no
satisfactory method of diagnosis, prevention or treatment of the condition in question that has been authorized in
the European Community or, if such method exists, the drug will be of significant benefit to those affected by that
condition.
Regulation 847/2000 sets out criteria and procedures governing designation of orphan drugs in the EU.
Specifically, an application for designation as an orphan product can be made any time prior to the filing of an
application for approval to market the product. Marketing authorization for an orphan drug leads to a ten-year
period of market exclusivity. This period may, however, be reduced to six years if, at the end of the fifth year, it is
established that the product no longer meets the criteria for orphan drug designation, for example because the
product is sufficiently profitable not to justify market exclusivity. Market exclusivity can be revoked only in very
selected cases, such as consent from the marketing authorization holder, inability to supply sufficient quantities of
the product, demonstration of “clinically relevant superiority” by a similar medicinal product, or, after a review by
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the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products, requested by a member state in the fifth year of the marketing
exclusivity period (if the designation criteria are believed to no longer apply). Medicinal products designated as
orphan drugs pursuant to Regulation 141/2000 shall be eligible for incentives made available by the European
Community and by the member states to support research into, and the development and availability of, orphan
drugs.
Pharmaceutical Coverage, Pricing and Reimbursement
Significant uncertainty exists as to the coverage and reimbursement status of products approved by the FDA
and other government authorities. Sales of products will depend, in part, on the extent to which the costs of the
products will be covered by third-party payors, including government health programs in the United States such as
Medicare and Medicaid, commercial health insurers and managed care organizations. The process for determining
whether a payor will provide coverage for a product may be separate from the process for setting the price or
reimbursement rate that the payor will pay for the product once coverage is approved. Third-party payors are
increasingly challenging the prices charged, examining the medical necessity, and reviewing the cost-effectiveness
of medical products and services and imposing controls to manage costs. Third-party payors may also limit
coverage to specific products on an approved list, or formulary, which might not include all of the approved
products for a particular indication.
In order to secure coverage and reimbursement for any product that might be approved for sale, a company
may need to conduct expensive pharmacoeconomic studies in order to demonstrate the medical necessity and
cost-effectiveness of the product, in addition to the costs required to obtain FDA or other comparable regulatory
approvals. A payor’s decision to provide coverage for a drug product does not imply that an adequate
reimbursement rate will be approved. Third-party reimbursement may not be sufficient to maintain price levels high
enough to realize an appropriate return on investment in product development.
The containment of healthcare costs also has become a priority of federal, state and foreign governments
and the prices of drugs have been a focus in this effort. Governments have shown significant interest in
implementing cost-containment programs, including price controls, restrictions on reimbursement and
requirements for substitution of generic products. Adoption of price controls and cost-containment measures, and
adoption of more restrictive policies in jurisdictions with existing controls and measures, could further limit a
company’s revenue generated from the sale of any approved products. Coverage policies and third-party
reimbursement rates may change at any time. Even if favorable coverage and reimbursement status is attained for
one or more products for which a company or its collaborators receive marketing approval, less favorable coverage
policies and reimbursement rates may be implemented in the future. In the European Union, pricing and
reimbursement schemes vary widely from country to country. Some countries provide that drug products may be
marketed only after a reimbursement price has been agreed. Some countries may require the completion of
additional studies that compare the cost-effectiveness of a particular drug candidate to currently available
therapies, or so called health technology assessments, in order to obtain reimbursement or pricing approval. For
example, the European Union provides options for its member states to restrict the range of drug products for
which their national health insurance systems provide reimbursement and to control the prices of medicinal
products for human use. European Union member states may approve a specific price for a drug product or may
instead adopt a system of direct or indirect controls on the profitability of the company placing the drug product on
the market. Other member states allow companies to fix their own prices for drug products, but monitor and control
company profits. The downward pressure on health care costs in general, particularly prescription drugs, has
become intense. As a result, increasingly high barriers are being erected to the entry of new products. In addition,
in some countries, cross-border imports from low-priced markets exert competitive pressure that may reduce
pricing within a country. Any country that has price controls or reimbursement limitations for drug products may not
allow favorable reimbursement and pricing arrangements.
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Healthcare Law and Regulation
Healthcare providers, physicians and third-party payors play a primary role in the recommendation and
prescription of drug products that are granted marketing approval. Arrangements with providers, consultants, third-
party payors and customers are subject to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and
regulations. Such restrictions under applicable federal and state healthcare laws and regulations, include the
following:
•
•
•
the federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits, among other things, persons from knowingly and willfully
soliciting, offering, receiving or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, to induce
or reward either the referral of an individual for, or the purchase, order or recommendation of, any good
or service, for which payment may be made, in whole or in part, under a federal healthcare program
such as Medicare and Medicaid;
the federal False Claims Act imposes civil penalties, and provides for civil whistleblower or qui tam
actions, against individuals or entities for knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, to the
federal government, claims for payment that are false or fraudulent or making a false statement to
avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the federal government, with potential liability
including mandatory treble damages and significant per-claim penalties, currently set at $5,500 to
$11,000 per false claim;
the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, imposes criminal and
civil liability for executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program or making false
statements relating to healthcare matters;
• HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act and their
respective implementing regulations, including the Final Omnibus Rule published in January 2013, also
imposes obligations, including mandatory contractual terms, with respect to safeguarding the privacy,
security and transmission of individually identifiable health information;
•
•
•
the federal false statements statute prohibits knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up
a material fact or making any materially false statement in connection with the delivery of or payment
for healthcare benefits, items or services;
the federal transparency requirements under the Health Care Reform Law, known as the federal
Physician Payments Sunshine Act, require manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical
supplies to report to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, within the Department of
Health and Human Services information related to payments and other transfers of value to physicians
and teaching hospitals and physician ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their
immediate family members; and
analogous state and foreign laws and regulations, such as state anti-kickback and false claims laws,
may apply to sales or marketing arrangements and claims involving healthcare items or services
reimbursed by non-governmental third-party payors, including private insurers.
Some state laws require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the pharmaceutical industry’s voluntary
compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government in addition to
requiring drug manufacturers to report information related to payments to physicians and other health care
providers or marketing expenditures. State and foreign laws also govern the privacy and security of health
information in some circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are not
preempted by HIPAA, thus complicating compliance efforts.
Healthcare Reform in the United States
A primary trend in the United States healthcare industry and elsewhere is cost containment. There have
been a number of federal and state proposals during the last several years regarding the pricing of pharmaceutical
and biopharmaceutical products, limiting coverage and reimbursement for drugs and other medical products,
government control and other changes to the healthcare system in the United States.
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By way of example, the United States and state governments continue to propose and pass legislation
designed to reduce the cost of healthcare. In March 2010, the United States Congress enacted the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act, or the PPACA, which, among other things, includes changes to the coverage
and payment for products under government health care programs. Among the provisions of the PPACA of
importance to potential drug candidates are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
an annual, nondeductible fee on any entity that manufactures or imports specified branded prescription
drugs and biologic agents, apportioned among these entities according to their market share in certain
government healthcare programs, although this fee would not apply to sales of certain products
approved exclusively for orphan indications;
expansion of eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs by, among other things, allowing states to offer
Medicaid coverage to certain individuals with income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level,
thereby potentially increasing a manufacturer’s Medicaid rebate liability;
expanded manufacturers’ rebate liability under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program by increasing the
minimum rebate for both branded and generic drugs and revising the definition of “average
manufacturer price,” or AMP, for calculating and reporting Medicaid drug rebates on outpatient
prescription drug prices and extending rebate liability to prescriptions for individuals enrolled in
Medicare Advantage plans;
addressed a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug
Rebate Program are calculated for drugs that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted or injected;
expanded the types of entities eligible for the 340B drug discount program;
established the Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program by requiring manufacturers to provide a
50% point-of-sale-discount off the negotiated price of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries
during their coverage gap period as a condition for the manufacturers’ outpatient drugs to be covered
under Medicare Part D;
established a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee, identify priorities in, and
conduct comparative clinical effectiveness research, along with funding for such research;
established the Independent Payment Advisory Board, or IPAB, which has authority to recommend
certain changes to the Medicare program to reduce expenditures by the program that could result in
reduced payments for prescription drugs. However, the IPAB implementation has been not been clearly
defined. The PPACA provided that under certain circumstances, IPAB recommendations will become law
unless Congress enacts legislation that will achieve the same or greater Medicare cost savings; and
established the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation within CMS to test innovative payment
and service delivery models to lower Medicare and Medicaid spending, potentially including prescription
drug spending. Funding has been allocated to support the mission of the Center for Medicare and
Medicaid Innovation from 2011 to 2019. Other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted
since the PPACA was enacted. These changes include the Budget Control Act of 2011, which, among
other things, led to aggregate reductions to Medicare payments to providers of up to 2% per fiscal year
that started in 2013 and will stay in effect through 2024 unless additional Congressional action is
taken, and the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which, among other things, reduced Medicare
payments to several types of providers and increased the statute of limitations period for the
government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years. These new laws may result in
additional reductions in Medicare and other healthcare funding and otherwise affect the prices we may
obtain for any of our product candidates for which we may obtain regulatory approval or the frequency
with which any such product candidate is prescribed or used. Further, there have been several recent
U.S. congressional inquiries and proposed state and federal legislation designed to, among other things,
bring more transparency to drug pricing, review the
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relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, reduce the costs of drugs under
Medicare and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drug products.
These healthcare reforms, as well as other healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future,
may result in additional reductions in Medicare and other healthcare funding, more rigorous coverage criteria, new
payment methodologies and additional downward pressure on the price for any approved product and/or the level
of reimbursement physicians receive for administering any approved product. Reductions in reimbursement levels
may negatively impact the prices or the frequency with which products are prescribed or administered. Any
reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government programs may result in a similar reduction in
payments from private payors. Since enactment of the PPACA, there have been numerous legal challenges and
Congressional actions to repeal and replace provisions of the law. In May 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives
passed legislation known as the American Health Care Act of 2017. Thereafter, the Senate Republicans
introduced and then updated a bill to replace the PPACA known as the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017. The
Senate Republicans also introduced legislation to repeal the PPACA without companion legislation to replace it,
and a “skinny” version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017. In addition, the Senate considered proposed
healthcare reform legislation known as the Graham-Cassidy bill. None of these measures was passed by the U.S.
Senate.
The Trump Administration has also taken executive actions to undermine or delay implementation of the
PPACA. In January 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing federal agencies with authorities
and responsibilities under the PPACA to waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay the implementation of any
provision of the PPACA that would impose a fiscal or regulatory burden on states, individuals, healthcare providers,
health insurers, or manufacturers of pharmaceuticals or medical devices. In October 2017, the President signed a
second Executive Order allowing for the use of association health plans and short-term health insurance, which
may provide fewer health benefits than the plans sold through the PPACA exchanges. At the same time, the
Administration announced that it will discontinue the payment of cost-sharing reduction, or CSR, payments to
insurance companies until Congress approves the appropriation of funds for such CSR payments. The loss of the
CSR payments is expected to increase premiums on certain policies issued by qualified health plans under the
PPACA. A bipartisan bill to appropriate funds for CSR payments was introduced in the Senate, but the future of that
bill is uncertain.
More recently, with enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which was signed by the President on
December 22, 2017, Congress repealed the “individual mandate.” The repeal of this provision, which requires
most Americans to carry a minimal level of health insurance, will become effective in 2019. According to the
Congressional Budget Office, the repeal of the individual mandate will cause 13 million fewer Americans to be
insured in 2027 and premiums in insurance markets may rise. Additionally, on January 22, 2018, President Trump
signed a continuing resolution on appropriations for fiscal year 2018 that delayed the implementation of certain
PPACA-mandated fees, including the so-called “Cadillac” tax on certain high cost employer-sponsored insurance
plans, the annual fee imposed on certain health insurance providers based on market share, and the medical
device excise tax on non-exempt medical devices. The Congress will likely consider other legislation to replace
elements of the PPACA, during the next Congressional session.
Further, there have been several recent U.S. congressional inquiries and proposed federal and proposed and
enacted state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, review the
relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, reduce the costs of drugs under Medicare and
reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drug products. At the federal level, Congress and
the Trump administration have each indicated that it will continue to seek new legislative and/or administrative
measures to control drug costs. At the state level, individual states are increasingly aggressive in passing
legislation and implementing regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing,
including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and
marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and, in some cases, designed to encourage importation
from other countries and bulk purchasing. In addition, regional health care authorities and individual hospitals are
increasingly using bidding procedures to determine what pharmaceutical products and which suppliers will be
included in their prescription drug and other health care programs. These measures could reduce the ultimate
demand for our products, once approved, or put pressure on our product pricing.
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Segment and Geographical Information
We operate in a single operating segment. For segment and geographical financial information, see Note 2
to the financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which are incorporated
herein by reference.
Employees
As of February 15, 2018, we employed 62 individuals, 41 of whom are engaged in research and
development and 21 of whom hold a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree. None of our employees are covered by a
collective bargaining agreement, and we consider relations with our employees to be good.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in Delaware in 1989 and our offices are located at 167 Sidney Street, Cambridge,
Massachusetts 02139 and 505 Eagleview Boulevard, Suite 212, Exton, Pennsylvania 19341.
Information Available on the Internet
Our internet address is www.iderapharma.com. The contents of our website are not part of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K and our internet address is included in this document as an inactive textual reference. We
make available free of charge through our web site our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, as soon as
reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such materials to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or the SEC.
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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties
described below in addition to the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K before purchasing our common stock. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could
be materially and adversely affected by any of these and currently unknown risks or uncertainties. In that case, the
market price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment in our securities.
Risks Relating to the Mergers
Completion of the proposed BioCryst merger is subject to conditions and if these conditions are not satisfied or
waived, the merger will not be completed.
On January 21, 2018, we announced that we had entered into the Merger Agreement with BioCryst, Holdco,
Merger Sub A and Merger Sub B, pursuant to which (i) Merger Sub A will be merged with and into us, with us
surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco, and (ii) Merger Sub B will be merged with and into BioCryst, with
BioCryst surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco. The consummation of the Mergers is subject to
customary closing conditions, including (i) the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of all outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote thereon, (ii) the adoption of the
Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding shares of BioCryst common
stock entitled to vote thereon, (iii) the absence of any adverse law or order promulgated, entered, enforced,
enacted or issued by any governmental entity that prohibits, restrains or makes illegal the consummation of the
Mergers, (iv) the shares of Holdco common stock to be issued in the Mergers being approved for listing on the
Nasdaq Global Select Market, (v) the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and other material government approvals, (vi) the SEC having declared
effective the Form S-4 Registration Statement of Holdco which will contain the joint proxy statement/prospectus of
the parties in connection with the Mergers, (vii) subject to certain materiality exceptions, the accuracy of certain
representations and warranties of us and BioCryst, respectively, contained in the Merger Agreement and the
compliance by each party with the covenants contained in the Merger Agreement, (viii) the receipt of certain
opinions from legal counsel regarding the intended tax treatment of the Mergers and (ix) the absence of a material
adverse effect with respect to us and BioCryst, respectively.
The failure to satisfy all of the required conditions could delay the completion of the Mergers by a significant
period of time or prevent it from occurring. Any delay in completing the Mergers could cause us to not realize some
or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve if the Mergers are successfully completed within the expected
timeframe.
If we are unable to complete the proposed Mergers, we may have incurred substantial expense and diverted
significant management time and resources from our ongoing business. In addition, if the Merger Agreement is
terminated under certain circumstances specified in the Merger Agreement, we may be required to pay BioCryst a
termination fee of $25 million or a fixed expense reimbursement amount of $6 million.
There can be no assurance that the conditions to closing of the Mergers will be satisfied or waived or that
the Mergers will be completed.
Combining Idera and BioCryst may be more difficult, costly or time consuming than expected and the anticipated
benefits and cost savings of the proposed Mergers may not be realized.
We are operating and, until the completion of the Mergers, will continue to operate independently of
BioCryst. The success of the Mergers, including anticipated benefits and cost savings, will depend, in part, on our
ability to successfully combine and integrate the businesses. It is possible that the pendency of the Mergers and/or
the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, higher than expected costs, diversion of
management attention, the disruption of our ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls,
31
procedures and policies that adversely affect the combined company’s ability to maintain relationships with
customers, vendors and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the Mergers.
We will incur transaction fees, including legal, regulatory and other costs associated with closing the
transaction, as well as expenses relating to formulating and implementing integration plans, including facilities and
systems consolidation costs and employment-related costs. We continue to assess the magnitude of these costs,
and additional unanticipated costs may be incurred in the Mergers and the integration of the two companies’
businesses. While we expect that the elimination of duplicative costs as well as the realization of other efficiencies
related to the integration of the businesses should allow us to offset integration-related costs over time, this net
benefit may not be achieved in the near term or at all. As part of the integration process, we may also attempt to
divest certain assets of the combined company, which may not be possible on favorable terms, or at all, or if
successful, may change the profile of the combined company. If we experience difficulties with the integration
process, the anticipated benefits of the Mergers may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize
than anticipated.
Risks Relating to Our Financial Results and Need for Financing
We will need additional financing, which may be difficult to obtain. Our failure to obtain necessary financing or
doing so on unattractive terms could result in the termination of our operations and the sale and license of our
assets or otherwise adversely affect our research and development programs and other operations.
We had cash, cash equivalents and investments of approximately $112.6 million at December 31, 2017.
We believe that, based on our current operating plan, our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments, will
enable us to fund our operations into the second quarter of 2019. Specifically, we believe that our available funds
will be sufficient to enable us to:
•
•
•
complete the dose-finding portion of our ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of IMO-2125 in combination
with pembrolizumab in anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma and complete enrollment in the Phase
2 portion of this trial in combination with iplilimumab;
initiate a Phase 3 clinical trial of IMO-2125 in combination with iplilimumab for the treatment of anti-
PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma;
continue to enroll patients in our Phase 1b intra-tumoral monotherapy clinical trial of IMO-2125 in
multiple refractory tumor types; and
• complete our ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of IMO-8400 in patients with dermatomyositis.
We expect that we will need to raise additional funds in order to complete these trials, conduct any other
clinical development of our TLR drug candidates or to conduct any other development of our nucleic acid chemistry
technology, and to fund our operations. We are seeking and expect to continue to seek additional funding through
collaborations, the sale or license of assets or financings of equity or debt securities. We believe that the key factors
that will affect our ability to obtain funding are:
•
•
•
•
•
the results of our clinical and preclinical development activities in our rare disease program, our immuno-
oncology program and our nucleic acid chemistry research program, and our ability to advance our drug
candidates and nucleic acid chemistry technology on the timelines anticipated;
the cost, timing, and outcome of regulatory reviews;
competitive and potentially competitive products and technologies and investors' receptivity to our drug
candidates and the technology underlying them in light of competitive products and technologies;
the receptivity of the capital markets to financings by biotechnology companies generally and companies
with drug candidates and technologies such as ours specifically; and
our ability to enter into additional collaborations with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and
the success of such collaborations.
In addition, increases in expenses or delays in clinical development may adversely impact our cash position
and require additional funds or cost reductions.
32
Financing may not be available to us when we need it or may not be available to us on favorable or
acceptable terms or at all. We could be required to seek funds through collaborative alliances or through other
means that may require us to relinquish rights to some of our technologies, drug candidates or drugs that we would
otherwise pursue on our own. In addition, if we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our then existing
stockholders will experience dilution. The terms of any financing may adversely affect the holdings or the rights of
existing stockholders. An equity financing that involves existing stockholders may cause a concentration of
ownership. Debt financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our
ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring
dividends, and are likely to include rights that are senior to the holders of our common stock. Any additional debt or
equity financing may contain terms which are not favorable to us or to our stockholders, such as liquidation and
other preferences, or liens or other restrictions on our assets. As discussed in Note 12 to the financial statements
appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, additional equity financings may also result in cumulative
changes in ownership over a three-year period in excess of 50% which would limit the amount of net operating loss
and tax credit carryforwards that we may utilize in any one year.
If we are unable to obtain adequate funding on a timely basis or at all, we will be required to terminate,
modify or delay preclinical or clinical trials of one or more of our drug candidates, significantly curtail or terminate
discovery or development programs for new drug candidates or relinquish rights to portions of our technology, drug
candidates and/or products.
We have incurred substantial losses and expect to continue to incur losses. We will not be successful unless we
reverse this trend.
We have incurred losses in every year since our inception, except for 2002, 2008, and 2009 when our
recognition of revenues under license and collaboration agreements resulted in our reporting net income for those
years. As of December 31, 2017, we had an accumulated deficit of $604.5 million. Since January 1, 2001, we
have primarily been involved in the development of our TLR pipeline. From January 1, 2001 to December 31,
2017, we incurred losses of $344.3 million. We incurred losses of $260.2 million prior to December 31, 2000,
during which time we were primarily involved in the development of earlier generation antisense technology. These
losses, among other things, have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our stockholders' equity, total
assets, and working capital.
We have never had any products of our own available for commercial sale and have received no revenues
from the sale of drugs. As of December 31, 2017, substantially all of our revenues have been from collaborative
and license agreements. We have devoted substantially all of our efforts to research and development, including
clinical trials, and have not completed development of any drug candidates. Because of the numerous risks and
uncertainties associated with developing drugs, we are unable to predict the extent of any future losses, whether or
when any of our drug candidates will become commercially available, or when we will become profitable, if at all.
We expect to incur substantial operating losses in future periods.
Risks Relating to Our Business, Strategy and Industry
We are depending heavily on the development of TLR-targeted drug candidates in our immuno-oncology program
and for the treatment of certain rare diseases and on the development of drug candidates using our nucleic acid
chemistry technology. If we terminate the development of any of our programs or any of our drug candidates in
such programs, are unable to successfully develop and commercialize any of our drug candidates, or experience
significant delays in doing so, our business may be materially harmed.
We have invested a significant portion of our time and financial resources in the development of TLR-
targeted clinical-stage drug candidates as part of our immuno-oncology and rare disease programs. In the future,
we intend to invest a significant portion of our time and financial resources in the development of our TLR-targeted
candidates in our immuno-oncology program and for the treatment of certain rare diseases. We also may invest
substantial time and resources to further advance the development of drug candidates under our nucleic acid
chemistry research program. For instance:
• we are conducting a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of IMO-2125, administered intra-tumorally, in combination
with ipilimumab or pembrolizumab in patients with anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma, a Phase 3
33
clinical trial of IMO-2125, administered intra-tumorally, in combination with ipilimumab in patients with
anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma, and a Phase 1b trial of IMO-2125, administered intra-
tumorally, as a monotherapy in patients with refractory solid tumors;
• we may conduct additional clinical trials of IMO-2125 in our immuno-oncology program in combination
with checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of multiple tumor types;
• we are conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial of IMO-8400 in patients with dermatomyositis; and
• we are developing compounds in our nucleic acid chemistry research program and plan to make a
development decision for IDRA-008 based upon the totality of IND-enabling studies and our comparator
pharmacology study with Volanesorsen.
We anticipate that our ability to generate product revenues will depend heavily on the successful
development and commercialization of our TLR drug candidates in our rare disease and immuno-oncology
programs, and the successful identification, development and commercialization of drug candidates in our nucleic
acid chemistry research program.
Our ability to generate milestone and royalty revenues under any of our current collaborations, including our
collaborations with Vivelix and GSK, and under any other collaboration that we enter into with respect to our other
programs, will depend on the development and commercialization of the drug candidates being developed under
the collaborations.
Our efforts and the efforts of our collaborators, including Vivelix and GSK, to develop and commercialize
compounds, are at an early stage and are subject to many challenges. For instance, we previously experienced a
setback with respect to our program for IMO-2125 for hepatitis C. In April 2011, we chose to delay initiation of our
planned 12-week Phase 2 randomized clinical trial of IMO-2125 plus ribavirin in treatment-naïve,
genotype 1 hepatitis C virus, or HCV, patients based on observations of lymphoproliferative malignancies in an
ongoing 26- week chronic nonclinical toxicology study of IMO-2125 in rodents. We subsequently completed a
39- week chronic nonclinical toxicology study of IMO-2125 in non-human primates in which there were no similar
observations. Also, in September 2016, we suspended our development program of IMO-8400 for the treatment of
B-cell lymphomas and suspended our ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trials of IMO-8400 in patients with Waldenström's
macroglobulinemia and in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, or DLBCL, harboring the MYD88 L265P
oncogenic mutation due to several factors, including the lack of a strong clinical signal for Waldenström's
macroglobulinemia patients and the inability to adequately enroll patients with DLBCL.
We have entered into and expect to continue to seek to enter into collaborative alliances with
pharmaceutical companies to advance our TLR agonists and antagonist candidates and with respect to additional
applications of our nucleic acid chemistry technology program. Our previous setbacks with respect to our program
for IMO-2125 in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus and our program for IMO-8400 in patients with B-cell
lymphomas could negatively impact our ability to license any of such compounds, or any of our other compounds,
to a third party.
Our ability to successfully develop and commercialize these drug candidates, or other potential drug
candidates, will depend on our ability to overcome these recent challenges and on several factors, including the
following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
the drug candidates demonstrating activity in clinical trials;
the drug candidates demonstrating an acceptable safety profile in nonclinical toxicology studies and
during clinical trials;
timely enrollment in clinical trials of IMO-8400, IMO-2125 and other drug candidates, which may be slower
than anticipated, potentially resulting in significant delays;
satisfying conditions imposed on us and/or our collaborators by the FDA or equivalent foreign regulatory
authorities regarding the scope or design of clinical trials;
the ability to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA, or equivalent foreign regulatory authorities, the
safety and efficacy of the drug candidates through current and future clinical trials;
timely receipt of necessary marketing approvals from the FDA and equivalent foreign regulatory
authorities;
34
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the ability to combine our drug candidates and the drug candidates being developed by our collaborators
and any other collaborators safely and successfully with other therapeutic agents;
achieving and maintaining compliance with all regulatory requirements applicable to the products;
establishment of commercial manufacturing arrangements with third-party manufacturers;
the ability to secure orphan drug exclusivity for our drug candidates either alone or in combination with
other products;
the successful commercial launch of the drug candidates, assuming FDA approval is obtained, whether
alone or in combination with other products;
acceptance of the products as safe and effective by patients, the medical community, and third-party
payors;
competition from other companies and their therapies;
changes in treatment regimens;
favorable market conditions in which to raise additional capital;
the strength of our intellectual property portfolio in the United States and abroad; and
a continued acceptable safety and efficacy profile of the drug candidates following marketing approval.
We are in the early stages of developing our TLR9 agonists in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, which is a
novel technology, and our efforts may not be successful or result in any approved and marketable products.
In June 2015, we entered into a strategic clinical research alliance with MD Anderson to advance clinical
development of TLR9 agonists in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. We initiated the first trial from the
research alliance, a Phase 1/2 clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of IMO-2125, administered intra-
tumorally in combination with ipilimumab, a CTLA4 antibody, in patients with metastatic melanoma (anti-PD1
refractory) in the fourth quarter of 2015. While we have evaluated the safety profile of IMO-2125 in previous trials,
in those trials we evaluated the safety profile of IMO-2125 by subcutaneous injection and not by intra-tumoral
injection. In addition, while, as a marketed product, the safety profile of ipilimumab is known, the safety profile of
the combination of IMO-2125 and ipilimumab has not been evaluated in previous trials. These factors may result in
participating subjects experiencing serious adverse events or undesirable side effects or exposure to unacceptable
health risks requiring us to suspend or terminate any clinical trials that we may conduct of IMO-2125 in
combination with ipilimumab, or any other checkpoint inhibitor. Furthermore, we have expanded the Phase 1/2
clinical trial to include the assessment of safety and efficacy of IMO-2125, administered intra-tumorally in
combination with pembrolizumab, an anti-PD1 antibody in patients with metastatic melanoma (anti-PD1
refractory). While, as a marketed product, the safety profile of pembrolizumab is known, the safety profile of the
combination of IMO-2125 and pembrolizumab has not been evaluated in previous trials and may result in
participating subjects experiencing serious adverse events or undesirable side effects or exposure to unacceptable
health risks requiring us to suspend or terminate any clinical trials that we may conduct of IMO-2125 in
combination with pembrolizumab, or any other checkpoint inhibitor.
We are in the early stages of developing our nucleic acid chemistry program, which is a novel technology, and our
efforts may not be successful or result in any approved and marketable products.
We are in the early stages of developing our nucleic acid chemistry technology program, and the scientific
evidence to support the feasibility of developing drugs based on this technology is limited. In addition, the FDA has
relatively limited experience with nucleic acid therapeutics, which may increase the complexity, uncertainty and
length of the regulatory review process for our drug candidates. To date, the FDA has approved only five nucleic
acid-based therapeutics for marketing and commercialization, and the FDA and its foreign counterparts have not
yet established any definitive policies, practices or guidelines specifically in relation to these drugs.
The future success of our nucleic acid chemistry technology program depends on our success in identifying
and developing marketable products based on such technology and the effectiveness of our platform. Although the
results of our preclinical studies to date have been supportive of the viability of this technology, it is unknown
whether these results are indicative of results that may be obtained in any future clinical trials that we may
35
conduct. We are currently undertaking an analysis of priority oncology and rare disease indications for
development of drug candidates generated from our nucleic acid chemistry technology. We are also conducting
preliminary analysis of nucleic acid chemistry compounds for an undisclosed renal gene target.
However, many steps must be successfully achieved prior to the declaration of a nucleic acid chemistry drug
candidate and the initiation of clinical development. Given the level of uncertainty of our ability to successfully
achieve these many steps and the uncertainty of the drug discovery and clinical development processes in general,
there can be no assurance that we will succeed in developing any marketable products as a result of our efforts
with respect to our nucleic acid chemistry technology program.
If we experience delays or difficulties in the enrollment of patients in clinical trials, our receipt of necessary regulatory
approvals could be delayed or prevented.
We may not be able to initiate or continue clinical trials for our drug candidates if we are unable to locate
and enroll a sufficient number of eligible patients to participate in these trials as required by the FDA or similar
regulatory authorities outside the United States. For example, in September 2016, we suspended our clinical trial
of IMO-8400 in patients with DLBCL harboring the MYD88 L265P oncogenic mutation due to difficulty in enrolling
patients. Additionally, because there are a limited number of patients with dermatomyositis, or other rare diseases
having indications for which we may determine to develop our TLR antagonists, our ability to enroll eligible patients
in any clinical trials for these indications may be limited or may result in slower enrollment than we anticipated. In
addition, some of our competitors have ongoing clinical trials for drug candidates that treat the same indications
as our drug candidates, and patients who would otherwise be eligible for our clinical trials may instead enroll in
clinical trials of our competitors' drug candidates.
Patient enrollment is affected by other factors including the:
•
severity of the disease under investigation;
•
eligibility criteria for the trial in question;
• perceived risks and benefits of the TLR-targeted drug candidates under study;
•
efforts to facilitate timely enrollment in clinical trials;
•
availability of competing clinical trials or other therapies;
• patient referral practices of physicians;
•
ability to monitor patients adequately during and after treatment; and
• proximity and availability of clinical trial sites for prospective patients.
Our inability to enroll a sufficient number of patients for our clinical trials would result in significant delays
and could require us to abandon one or more clinical trials altogether. Enrollment delays in our clinical trials may
result in increased development costs for our drug candidates, which would cause the value of our company to
decline and limit our ability to obtain additional financing.
If our clinical trials are unsuccessful, or if they are delayed or terminated, we may not be able to develop and
commercialize our drug candidates.
In order to obtain regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of our drug candidates, we are required to
complete extensive clinical trials in humans to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our drug candidates. Clinical
trials are lengthy, complex, and expensive processes with uncertain results. We may not be able to complete any
clinical trial of a potential product within any specified time period. Moreover, clinical trials may not show our
potential products to be both safe and efficacious. The FDA or other equivalent foreign regulatory agencies may not
allow us to complete these trials or commence and complete any other clinical trials.
The results from preclinical testing of a drug candidate that is under development may not be predictive of
results that will be obtained in human clinical trials. In addition, the results of early human clinical trials may not be
predictive of results that will be obtained in larger scale, advanced stage clinical trials.
36
Furthermore, interim results of a clinical trial do not necessarily predict final results, and failure of any of our
clinical trials can occur at any stage of testing. Companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries,
including companies with greater experience in preclinical testing and clinical trials than we have, have suffered
significant setbacks in clinical trials, even after demonstrating promising results in earlier trials. Moreover, effects
seen in nonclinical studies, even if not observed in clinical trials, may result in limitations or restrictions on clinical
trials. Numerous unforeseen events may occur during, or as a result of, preclinical testing, nonclinical testing or the
clinical trial process that could delay or inhibit the ability to receive regulatory approval or to commercialize drug
products.
Other companies developing drugs targeted to TLRs have experienced setbacks in clinical trials. These
setbacks may result in enhanced scrutiny by regulators or institutional review boards, or IRBs, of clinical trials of
our drug candidates, including our TLR-targeted drug candidates, which could result in regulators or IRBs
prohibiting the commencement of clinical trials, requiring additional nonclinical studies as a precondition to
commencing clinical trials or imposing restrictions on the design or scope of clinical trials that could slow
enrollment of trials, increase the costs of trials or limit the significance of the results of trials. Such setbacks could
also adversely impact the desire of investigators to enroll patients in, and the desire of patients to enroll in, clinical
trials of our drug candidates.
Other events that could delay or inhibit conduct of our clinical trials include:
•
regulators or IRBs may not authorize us to commence a clinical trial or conduct a clinical trial at a
prospective trial site;
• nonclinical or clinical data may not be readily interpreted, which may lead to delays and/or
misinterpretation;
•
•
our nonclinical tests, including toxicology studies, or clinical trials may produce negative or inconclusive
results, and we may decide, or regulators may require us, to conduct additional nonclinical testing or
clinical trials or we may abandon projects that we expect may not be promising;
the rate of enrollment or retention of patients in our clinical trials may be lower than we expect;
• we might have to suspend or terminate our clinical trials if the participating subjects experience serious
adverse events or undesirable side effects or are exposed to unacceptable health risks;
•
•
regulators or IRBs may hold, suspend or terminate clinical research for various reasons, including
noncompliance with regulatory requirements, issues identified through inspections of manufacturing or
clinical trial operations or clinical trial sites, or if, in their opinion, the participating subjects are being
exposed to unacceptable health risks;
regulators may hold or suspend our clinical trials while collecting supplemental information on, or
clarification of, our clinical trials or other clinical trials, including trials conducted in other countries or
trials conducted by other companies;
• we, along with our collaborators and subcontractors, may not employ, in any capacity, persons who have
been debarred under the FDA's Application Integrity Policy, or similar policy under foreign regulatory
authorities. Employment of such debarred persons, even if inadvertent, may result in delays in the FDA's
or foreign equivalent's review or approval of our drug candidates, or the rejection of data developed with
the involvement of such person(s);
• we or our contract manufacturers may be unable to manufacture sufficient quantities of our drug
candidates for use in clinical trials;
•
•
the cost of our clinical trials may be greater than we currently anticipate making continuation and/or
completion improbable; and
our drug candidates may not cause the desired effects or may cause undesirable side effects or our
drug candidates may have other unexpected characteristics.
We do not know whether clinical trials will begin as planned, will need to be restructured or will be completed
on schedule, if at all. Significant clinical trial delays also could allow our competitors to bring products to market
before we do and impair our ability to commercialize our drug candidates.
37
Delays in commencing clinical trials of potential products could increase our costs, delay any potential revenues,
and reduce the probability that a potential product will receive regulatory approval.
Our drug candidates and our collaborators' drug candidates will require preclinical and other nonclinical
testing and extensive clinical trials prior to submission of any regulatory application for commercial sales. In
conducting clinical trials, we cannot be certain that any planned clinical trial will begin on time, if at all. Delays in
commencing clinical trials of potential products could increase our drug candidate development costs, delay any
potential revenues, reduce the potential length of patent exclusivity and reduce the probability that a potential
product will receive regulatory approval.
Commencing clinical trials may be delayed for a number of reasons, including delays in:
• manufacturing sufficient quantities of drug candidate that satisfy the required quality standards for use
in clinical trials;
• demonstrating sufficient safety to obtain regulatory approval for conducting a clinical trial;
•
•
reaching an agreement with any collaborators on all aspects of the clinical trial;
reaching agreement with contract research organizations, if any, and clinical trial sites on all aspects of
the clinical trial;
•
•
•
•
resolving any objections from the FDA or any regulatory authority on an IND or proposed clinical trial
design;
obtaining additional financing;
obtaining IRB approval for conducting a clinical trial at a prospective site; and
enrolling patients in order to commence the clinical trial.
The technologies on which we rely are unproven and may not result in any approved and marketable products.
Our technologies or therapeutic approaches are relatively new and unproven. We have focused our efforts
on the research and development of RNA- and DNA-based compounds, or oligonucleotides, targeted to TLRs and
on drug candidates using our nucleic acid technology. Neither we nor any other company have obtained regulatory
approval to market such TLR-targeted drug candidates or drug candidates using our nucleic acid technology as
therapeutic drugs, and no such products currently are being marketed. The results of preclinical studies with TLR-
targeted compounds may not be indicative of results that may be obtained in clinical trials, and results we have
obtained in the clinical trials we have conducted to date may not be predictive of results in subsequent large-scale
clinical trials. Further, the chemical and pharmacological properties of RNA- and DNA-based compounds targeted
to TLRs or of drug candidates using our nucleic acid technology may not be fully recognized in preclinical studies
and small-scale clinical trials, and such compounds may interact with human biological systems in unforeseen,
ineffective or harmful ways that we have not yet identified.
Moreover, only five nucleic acid-based therapeutics have been approved by the FDA for marketing in the
United States since 1998 and are currently being marketed.
As such, oligonucleotides as a chemical class of drug candidates have limited precedence for successful
late-stage development and regulatory approval. As we progress our oligonucleotide drug candidates into Phase 2
clinical trials involving patients with severe disease and as we conduct long-term nonclinical toxicology studies, we
expect to encounter an increased risk of generating clinical adverse events and nonclinical toxicology study results
that will require careful interpretation. In animal toxicology studies, we have observed adverse treatment-related
effects on serum complement as well as evidence of adverse kidney, vascular, and heart pathology in longer term
dosing of animals with our oligonucleotide compounds, which we believe are consistent with data previously
generated with other third party oligonucleotides. Given the limited experience in assessing the relevance of
oligonucleotide-related adverse animal toxicology findings to humans, the clinical and regulatory context for
interpreting the significance of such events and results is not well established.
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As a result of these factors, we may never succeed in obtaining regulatory approval to market any product.
Furthermore, the commercial success of any of our drug candidates for which we may obtain marketing approval
from the FDA or other regulatory authorities will depend upon their acceptance by patients, the medical
community, and third-party payors as clinically useful, safe, and cost-effective. In addition, if products being
developed by our competitors have negative clinical trial results or otherwise are viewed negatively, the perception
of our technologies and market acceptance of our drug candidates could be impacted negatively.
Our setbacks with respect to our TLR-targeted compounds, together with the setbacks experienced by other
companies developing oligonucleotides-based compounds and TLR-targeted compounds, may result in a negative
perception of our technology and our TLR-targeted compounds, impact our ability to obtain marketing approval of
these drug candidates and adversely affect acceptance of our technology and our TLR-targeted compounds by
patients, the medical community and third-party payors.
Our efforts to educate the medical community on our potentially unique approaches may require greater
resources than would be typically required for products based on conventional technologies or therapeutic
approaches. The safety, efficacy, convenience, and cost-effectiveness of our drug candidates as compared to
competitive products will also affect market acceptance.
We face substantial competition, which may result in others discovering, developing or commercializing drugs before
or more successfully than us.
We are developing our TLR-targeted drug candidates for use in our immuno-oncology program and in the
treatment of certain rare diseases. We are conducting a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of IMO-2125, administered intra-
tumorally, in combination with ipilimumab, a CTLA4 antibody, or pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic
melanoma and plan to initiate additional clinical trials of IMO-2125 in our immuno-oncology program both as a
monotherapy and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of multiple tumor types. We are
conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial of IMO-8400 in patients with dermatomyositis. We also entered into a
collaborative alliance agreement with GSK, and expect to seek to enter into additional collaborative alliances with
pharmaceutical companies with respect to applications of our nucleic acid chemistry technology research program.
For all of these disease areas, there are many other companies, public and private, that are actively engaged in
discovery, development, and commercializing products and technologies that may compete with our drug
candidates and programs, including TLR-targeted compounds as well as non-TLR-targeted therapeutics.
We are aware of other companies including Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Mologen AG, BioLineRx Ltd.,
Innate Immunotherapeutics Ltd., VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Telormedix S.A., Gilead Sciences Inc.,
GlaxoSmithKline plc, AstraZeneca plc, Checkmate Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. that are
developing TLR agonists and antagonists for various indications, including oncology and rare diseases.
Immuno-oncology, which utilizes a patient's own immune system to combat cancer, is currently an active
area of research for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Interest in immuno-oncology is driven by recent
efficacy data in cancers with historically bleak outcomes and the potential to achieve a cure or functional cure for
some patients. As such, our efforts in this field will be competitive with a wide variety of different approaches. Any
one of these competitive approaches may result in the development of novel technologies that are more effective,
safer or less costly than any that we are developing. In addition, Dynavax is conducting a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of
an investigational TLR9 agonist in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and Checkmate is conducting a Phase 1b
clinical trial of an investigational TLR9 agonist in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor.
Many of the drug development programs in dermatomyositis are focusing on expanding the use of drugs
approved in different indications through investigator sponsored studies such as the ongoing studies of the
monoclonal antibodies, belimumab and tocilizumab. We are not aware of other new chemical or molecular entities
being developed for the treatment of dermatomyositis.
We are also developing nucleic acid chemistry drug candidates that we have created using our proprietary
technology to inhibit the production of disease-associated proteins by targeting RNA. We also face competition
from other companies working to develop novel drugs using technologies that may compete with our nucleic acid
chemistry technology. We are aware of multiple companies that are developing technologies that use
oligonucleotide-based compounds to inhibit the production of disease associated proteins. These technologies
include, but are not limited to, antisense technology as well as RNAi. In the field of antisense technologies, we
39
compete with multiple companies, including Ionis and its partners, as well as WAVE Life Sciences and its partner.
Ionis is currently marketing an antisense drug, Kynamro, and Biogen recently received FDA approval for its
antisense drug Spinraza for spinal muscular atrophy. Ionis has over two dozen antisense drug candidates in
clinical trials. In the field of RNAi, our primary competition is with Alnylam, Dicerna, Miragen, and their respective
partners. For example, Alnylam is developing multiple RNAi-based technologies and has six drug candidates in
clinical trials. Any of the competing companies may develop gene-silencing technologies more rapidly and more
effectively than us, and antisense technology and RNAi may become the preferred technology for drugs that target
RNA in order to inhibit the production of disease-associated proteins.
Some of these potentially competitive products have been in development or commercialized for years, in
some cases by large, well established pharmaceutical companies. Many of the marketed products have been
accepted by the medical community, patients, and third-party payors. Our ability to compete may be affected by the
previous adoption of such products by the medical community, patients, and third-party payors. Additionally, in
some instances, insurers and other third-party payors seek to encourage the use of generic products, which makes
branded products, such as is planned for our drug candidates upon commercialization, potentially less attractive,
from a cost perspective, to buyers.
We recognize that other companies, including large pharmaceutical companies, may be developing or have
plans to develop products and technologies that may compete with ours. Many of our competitors have
substantially greater financial, technical, and human resources than we have. In addition, many of our competitors
have significantly greater experience than we have in undertaking preclinical studies and human clinical trials of
new pharmaceutical products, obtaining FDA and other regulatory approvals of products for use in health care and
manufacturing, and marketing and selling approved products. Our competitors may discover, develop or
commercialize products or other novel technologies that are more effective, safer or less costly than any that we
are developing. Our competitors may also obtain FDA or other regulatory approval for their products more rapidly
than we may obtain approval for ours.
We anticipate that the competition with our drug candidates and technologies will be based on a number of
factors including product efficacy, safety, availability, and price. The timing of market introduction of our drug
candidates and competitive products will also affect competition among products. We expect the relative speed
with which we can develop products, complete the clinical trials and approval processes, and supply commercial
quantities of the products to the market to be important competitive factors. Our competitive position will also
depend upon our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, to obtain patent protection or otherwise develop
proprietary products or processes, protect our intellectual property, and to secure sufficient capital resources for
the period between technological conception and commercial sales.
Competition for technical and management personnel is intense in our industry, and we may not be able to sustain
our operations or grow if we are unable to attract and retain key personnel.
Our success is highly dependent on the retention of principal members of our technical and management
staff, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Vincent Milano.
We are a party to an employment agreement with Mr. Milano, which is terminable upon 15 days prior written
notice at the election of either party and immediately in the event of a termination for cause (as defined therein).
We do not carry key man life insurance for Mr. Milano.
Furthermore, our future growth will require hiring a number of qualified technical and management
personnel. Accordingly, recruiting and retaining such personnel in the future will be critical to our success. There is
intense competition from other companies and research and academic institutions for qualified personnel in the
areas of our activities. If we are not able to continue to attract and retain, on acceptable terms, the qualified
personnel necessary for the continued development of our business, we may not be able to sustain our operations
or growth.
40
Risks Related to Regulatory Approval and Marketing of Our Drug Candidates and Other
Legal Compliance Matters
Even if we complete the necessary preclinical studies and clinical trials, the marketing approval process is
expensive, time-consuming and uncertain and may prevent us from obtaining approvals for the commercialization
of some or all of our drug candidates. As a result, we cannot predict when or if we, or any future collaborators, will
obtain marketing approval to commercialize a drug candidate.
Our drug candidates and the activities associated with their development and commercialization, including
their design, testing, manufacture, safety, efficacy, recordkeeping, labeling, storage, approval, marketing,
promotion, sale and distribution, export and import are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and comparable
foreign regulatory authorities, whose laws and regulations may differ from country to country. We are not permitted
to market our drug candidates in the United States or in other countries until we, or any future collaborators,
receive approval of an NDA from the FDA or marketing approval from applicable regulatory authorities outside of
the United States.
All of the drug candidates that we are developing, or may develop in the future, will require additional
research and development, extensive preclinical studies, nonclinical testing, clinical trials, and regulatory approval
prior to any commercial sales. This process is lengthy, often taking a number of years, is uncertain, and is
expensive. Securing marketing approval requires the submission of extensive preclinical and clinical data and
supporting information to regulatory authorities for each therapeutic indication to establish the drug candidate's
safety and purity. Securing marketing approval also requires the submission of information about the product
manufacturing process to, and inspection of manufacturing facilities by, the regulatory authorities.
Since our inception, we have conducted clinical trials of a number of compounds and are planning to initiate
clinical trials for a number of additional disease indications. Specifically:
• we are conducting a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of IMO-2125, administered intra-tumorally, in combination
with ipilimumab or pembrolizumab in patients with anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma, a Phase 3
clinical trial of IMO-2125, administered intra-tumorally, in combination with ipilimumab in patients with
anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma, and a Phase 1b trial of IMO-2125 administered intra-
tumorally, as a monotherapy in patients with refractory solid tumors;
• we may conduct additional clinical trials of IMO-2125 in our immuno-oncology program and in
combination with checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of multiple tumor types;
• we are conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial of IMO-8400 in patients with dermatomyositis; and
• we are developing compounds in our nucleic acid chemistry research program and plan to make a
development decision for IDRA-008 based upon the totality of IND-enabling studies and our comparator
pharmacology study with Volanesorsen.
The FDA and other regulatory authorities may not approve any of our potential products for any indication.
We may need to address a number of technological challenges in order to complete development of our drug
candidates. Moreover, these products may not be effective in treating any disease or may prove to have undesirable
or unintended side effects, unintended alteration of the immune system over time, toxicities or other characteristics
that may preclude our obtaining regulatory approval or prevent or limit commercial use. In addition, changes in
marketing approval policies during the development period, changes in or the enactment of additional statutes or
regulations, or changes in regulatory review for each submitted product application, may cause delays in the approval
or rejection of an application. The FDA and comparable authorities in other countries have substantial discretion in
the approval process and may refuse to accept any application or may decide that our data is insufficient for approval
and require additional preclinical, clinical or other studies. In addition, varying interpretations of the data obtained
from preclinical and clinical testing could delay, limit or prevent marketing approval of a drug candidate.
Any delay in obtaining or failure to obtain required approvals could materially adversely affect our ability or
that of any collaborators we may have to generate revenue from the particular drug candidate, which likely would
result in significant harm to our financial position and adversely impact our stock price.
41
Our failure to obtain marketing approval in foreign jurisdictions would prevent our drug candidates from being
marketed abroad, and any approval we are granted for our drug candidates in the United States would not assure
approval of drug candidates in foreign jurisdictions.
In order to market and sell our drugs in the European Union and many other jurisdictions, we, and any future
collaborators, must obtain separate marketing approvals and comply with numerous and varying regulatory
requirements. The approval procedure varies among countries and can involve additional testing. The time
required to obtain approval may differ substantially from that required to obtain FDA approval. The marketing
approval process outside of the United States generally includes all of the risks associated with obtaining FDA
approval. In addition, in many countries outside of the United States, it is required that the drug be approved for
reimbursement before the drug can be approved for sale in that country. We, and any future collaborators, may not
obtain approvals from regulatory authorities outside of the United States on a timely basis, if at all. Approval by the
FDA does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions, and approval by one
regulatory authority outside of the United States does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other
countries or jurisdictions or by the FDA.
Additionally, on June 23, 2016, the electorate in the United Kingdom voted in favor of leaving the European
Union, commonly referred to as Brexit. On March 29, 2017, the country formally notified the European Union of its
intention to withdraw pursuant to Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. Since a significant proportion of the regulatory
framework in the United Kingdom is derived from European Union directives and regulations, the referendum could
materially impact the regulatory regime with respect to the approval of our drug candidates in the United Kingdom
or the European Union. Any delay in obtaining, or an inability to obtain, any marketing approvals, as a result of
Brexit or otherwise, would prevent us from commercializing our drug candidates in the United Kingdom and/or the
European Union and restrict our ability to generate revenue and achieve and sustain profitability. If any of these
outcomes occur, we may be forced to restrict or delay efforts to seek regulatory approval in the United Kingdom
and/or European Union for our drug candidates, which could significantly and materially harm our business.
Even if we, or any future collaborators, obtain marketing approvals for our drug candidates, the terms of approvals
and ongoing regulation of our drugs may limit how we, or they, manufacture and market our drugs, which could
materially impair our ability to generate revenue.
Once marketing approval has been granted, an approved drug and its manufacturer and marketer are
subject to ongoing review and extensive regulation. We, and any future collaborators, must therefore comply with
requirements concerning advertising and promotion for any of our drug candidates for which we or they obtain
marketing approval. Promotional communications with respect to prescription drugs are subject to a variety of legal
and regulatory restrictions and must be consistent with the information in the drug’s approved labeling. Thus, we,
and any future collaborators, may not be able to promote any drugs we develop for indications or uses for which
they are not approved.
In addition, manufacturers of approved drugs and those manufacturers’ facilities are required to comply with
extensive FDA requirements, including ensuring that quality control and manufacturing procedures conform to
cGMPs, which include requirements relating to quality control and quality assurance as well as the corresponding
maintenance of records and documentation and reporting requirements. We, our contract manufacturers, our
future collaborators and their contract manufacturers could be subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the
FDA to monitor and ensure compliance with cGMPs.
Accordingly, assuming we, or our future collaborators, receive marketing approval for one or more of our
drug candidates, we, and our future collaborators, and our and their contract manufacturers will continue to
expend time, money and effort in all areas of regulatory compliance, including manufacturing, production, product
surveillance and quality control.
If we, and our future collaborators, are not able to comply with post-approval regulatory requirements, we,
and our future collaborators, could have the marketing approvals for our drugs withdrawn by regulatory authorities
and our, or our future collaborators’, ability to market any future drugs could be limited, which could adversely
affect our ability to achieve or sustain profitability. Further, the cost of compliance with post-approval regulations
may have a negative effect on our operating results and financial condition.
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Moreover, legislative and regulatory proposals have been made to expand post-approval requirements and
restrict sales and promotional activities for pharmaceutical products. We cannot be sure whether additional
legislative changes will be enacted, or whether the FDA regulations, guidance or interpretations will be changed, or
what the impact of such changes on the marketing approvals of our drug candidates, if any, may be. In addition,
increased scrutiny by the United States Congress of the FDA's approval process may significantly delay or prevent
marketing approval, as well as subject us and any collaborators to more stringent product labeling and post-
marketing testing and other requirements.
Any of our drug candidates for which we, or our future collaborators, obtain marketing approval in the future could
be subject to post-marketing restrictions or withdrawal from the market and we, and our future collaborators, may
be subject to substantial penalties if we, or they, fail to comply with regulatory requirements or if we, or they,
experience unanticipated problems with our drugs following approval.
Any of our drug candidates for which we, or our future collaborators, obtain marketing approval in the future,
as well as the manufacturing processes, post-approval studies and measures, labeling, advertising and
promotional activities for such drug, among other things, will be subject to continual requirements of and review by
the FDA and other regulatory authorities. These requirements include submissions of safety and other post-
marketing information and reports, registration and listing requirements, requirements relating to manufacturing,
quality control, quality assurance and corresponding maintenance of records and documents, requirements
regarding the distribution of samples to physicians and recordkeeping. Even if marketing approval of a drug
candidate is granted, the approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which the drug may be
marketed or to the conditions of approval, including the requirement to implement a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation
Strategy, which could include requirements for a restricted distribution system.
The FDA may also impose requirements for costly post-marketing studies or clinical trials and surveillance to
monitor the safety or efficacy of a drug. The FDA and other agencies, including the Department of Justice, or the
DOJ, closely regulate and monitor the post-approval marketing and promotion of drugs to ensure that they are
manufactured, marketed and distributed only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of
the approved labeling. The FDA imposes stringent restrictions on manufacturers’ communications regarding off-
label use and if we, or our future collaborators, do not market any of our drug candidates for which we, or they,
receive marketing approval for only their approved indications, we, or they, may be subject to warnings or
enforcement action for off-label marketing. Violation of the FDCA and other statutes, including the False Claims Act,
relating to the promotion and advertising of prescription drugs may lead to investigations or allegations of
violations of federal and state health care fraud and abuse laws and state consumer protection laws.
In addition, later discovery of previously unknown adverse events or other problems with our drugs or their
manufacturers or manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may yield various
results, including:
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•
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litigation involving patients taking our drug;
restrictions on such drugs, manufacturers or manufacturing processes;
restrictions on the labeling or marketing of a drug;
restrictions on drug distribution or use;
requirements to conduct post-marketing studies or clinical trials;
• warning letters or untitled letters;
• withdrawal of the drugs from the market;
•
refusal to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications that we submit;
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recall of drugs;
fines, restitution or disgorgement of profits or revenues;
•
suspension or withdrawal of marketing approvals;
• damage to relationships with any potential collaborators;
• unfavorable press coverage and damage to our reputation;
43
refusal to permit the import or export of drugs;
•
• drug seizure; or
•
injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.
Under the CURES Act and the Trump Administration’s regulatory reform initiatives, the FDA’s policies, regulations
and guidance may be revised or revoked and that could prevent, limit or delay regulatory approval of our drug
candidates, which would impact our ability to generate revenue.
In December 2016, the 21st Century Cures Act, or Cures Act, was signed into law. The Cures Act, among
other things, is intended to modernize the regulation of drugs and spur innovation, but its ultimate implementation
is unclear. If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new
requirements or policies, or if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any marketing
approval that we may have obtained and we may not achieve or sustain profitability, which would adversely affect
our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We also cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future
legislation or administrative or executive action, either in the United States or abroad. For example, certain policies
of the Trump administration may impact our business and industry. Namely, the Trump administration has taken
several executive actions, including the issuance of a number of Executive Orders, that could impose significant
burdens on, or otherwise materially delay, the FDA’s ability to engage in routine regulatory and oversight activities
such as implementing statutes through rulemaking, issuance of guidance, and review and approval of marketing
applications. An under-staffed FDA could result in delays in the FDA’s responsiveness or in its ability to review
submissions or applications, issue regulations or guidance, or implement or enforce regulatory requirements in a
timely fashion or at all. Moreover, on January 30, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order, applicable to
all executive agencies, including the FDA, which requires that for each notice of proposed rulemaking or final
regulation to be issued in fiscal year 2017, the agency shall identify at least two existing regulations to be
repealed, unless prohibited by law. These requirements are referred to as the “two-for-one” provisions. This
Executive Order includes a budget neutrality provision that requires the total incremental cost of all new
regulations in the 2017 fiscal year, including repealed regulations, to be no greater than zero, except in limited
circumstances. For fiscal years 2018 and beyond, the Executive Order requires agencies to identify regulations to
offset any incremental cost of a new regulation and approximate the total costs or savings associated with each
new regulation or repealed regulation. In interim guidance issued by the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs within OMB on February 2, 2017, the administration indicates that the “two-for-one” provisions may apply
not only to agency regulations, but also to significant agency guidance documents. In addition, on February 24,
2017, President Trump issued an executive order directing each affected agency to designate an agency official as
a “Regulatory Reform Officer” and establish a “Regulatory Reform Task Force” to implement the two-for-one
provisions and other previously issued executive orders relating to the review of federal regulations, however it is
difficult to predict how these requirements will be implemented, and the extent to which they will impact the FDA’s
ability to exercise its regulatory authority. If these executive actions impose constraints on the FDA’s ability to
engage in oversight and implementation activities in the normal course, our business may be negatively impacted.
We may not be able to obtain orphan drug exclusivity for applications of our TLR drug candidates.
Regulatory authorities in some jurisdictions, including the United States and Europe, may designate drugs
for relatively small patient populations as orphan drugs. Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may designate a
product as an orphan drug if it is a drug intended to treat a rare disease or condition, which is generally defined as
a patient population of fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States.
Generally, if a product with an orphan drug designation subsequently receives the first marketing approval
for the indication for which it has such designation, the product is entitled to a period of marketing exclusivity,
which precludes the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, or the FDA from approving another marketing
application for the same drug for the same indication for that exclusivity period. The applicable period is seven
years in the United States and ten years in Europe. The European exclusivity period can be reduced to six years if a
drug no longer meets the criteria for orphan drug designation or if the drug is sufficiently profitable such that
market exclusivity is no longer justified. Orphan drug exclusivity may be lost if the FDA or EMA determines that the
request for designation was materially defective or if the manufacturer is unable to assure sufficient quantity of the
drug to meet the needs of patients with the rare disease or condition.
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In June 2017, the FDA granted us orphan drug designation for IMO-2125 for the treatment of melanoma
Stages IIb to IV. However, there can be no assurance that we will obtain orphan drug designation or exclusivity for
any other disease indications for which we develop IMO-2125, or for our other drug candidates. Even if we obtain
orphan drug exclusivity for a product, that exclusivity may not effectively protect the product from competition
because different drugs can be approved for the same condition. Even after an orphan drug is approved, the FDA
can subsequently approve the same drug for the same condition if the FDA concludes that the later drug is
clinically superior in that it is shown to be safer, more effective or makes a major contribution to patient care.
On August 3, 2017, Congress passed the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017, or FDARA. FDARA, among other
things, codified the FDA’s pre-existing regulatory interpretation, to require that a drug sponsor demonstrate the
clinical superiority of an orphan drug that is otherwise the same as a previously approved drug for the same rare
disease in order to receive orphan drug exclusivity. The new legislation reverses prior precedent holding that the
Orphan Drug Act unambiguously requires that the FDA recognize the orphan exclusivity period regardless of a
showing of clinical superiority. The FDA may further reevaluate the Orphan Drug Act and its regulations and
policies. We do not know if, when, or how the FDA may change the orphan drug regulations and policies in the
future, and it is uncertain how any changes might affect our business. Depending on what changes the FDA may
make to its orphan drug regulations and policies, our business could be adversely impacted.
A fast track designation by the FDA may not actually lead to a faster development or regulatory review or approval
process, and does not increase the likelihood that drug candidates will receive marketing approval.
We intend to seek fast track designation for some applications of our drug candidates. If a drug is intended
for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition and the drug demonstrates the potential to address
unmet medical needs for this condition, the drug sponsor may apply for FDA fast track designation. The FDA has
broad discretion whether or not to grant this designation, so even if we believe a particular drug candidate is
eligible for this designation, we cannot assure you that the FDA would decide to grant it.
In November 2017, the FDA granted us fast track designation for IMO-2125 for the treatment of anti-PD1
refractory metastatic melanoma in combination with ipilimumab therapy. However, even with fast track
designation, we may not experience a faster development process, review or approval compared to conventional
FDA procedures. The FDA may withdraw fast track designation if it believes that the designation is no longer
supported by data from our clinical development program.
A breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA for any application of our drug candidates may not lead to a faster
development or regulatory review or approval process, and it does not increase the likelihood that those drug
candidates will receive marketing approval.
We may seek a breakthrough therapy designation for some applications of our drug candidates. A
breakthrough therapy is defined as a drug that is intended, alone or in combination with one or more other drugs,
to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug
may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints,
such as substantial treatment effects observed early in clinical development. For drugs and biologics that have
been designated as breakthrough therapies, interaction and communication between the FDA and the sponsor of
the trial can help to identify the most efficient path for clinical development while minimizing the number of
patients placed in ineffective control regimens. Drugs designated as breakthrough therapies by the FDA are also
eligible for accelerated approval.
Designation as a breakthrough therapy is within the discretion of the FDA. Accordingly, even if we believe an
application of one of our drug candidates meets the criteria for designation as a breakthrough therapy, the FDA
may disagree and instead determine not to make such designation. In any event, the receipt of a breakthrough
therapy designation for a drug candidate may not result in a faster development process, review or approval
compared to drugs considered for approval under conventional FDA procedures and does not assure ultimate
approval by the FDA. In addition, even if one or more of our drug candidates qualify as breakthrough therapies, the
FDA may later decide that the products no longer meet the conditions for qualification or decide that the time
period for FDA review or approval will not be shortened.
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If we are required by the FDA to obtain approval of a companion diagnostic in connection with and as a condition
to approval of a drug candidate, and we do not obtain or we experience delays in obtaining FDA approval of a
diagnostic device, we will not be able to commercialize the drug candidate and our ability to generate revenue will
be materially impaired.
According to FDA guidance, if the FDA determines that a companion diagnostic device is essential to the
safe and effective use of a novel therapeutic product or indication, the FDA generally will not approve the
therapeutic product or new therapeutic product indication if the companion diagnostic is not also approved or
cleared for that indication. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, companion diagnostics are regulated
as medical devices and the FDA has generally required companion diagnostics intended to select the patients who
will respond to cancer treatment to obtain Premarket Approval, or a PMA. The PMA process, including the gathering
of clinical and preclinical data and the submission to and review by the FDA, involves a rigorous premarket review
during which the applicant must prepare and provide the FDA with reasonable assurance of the device's safety and
effectiveness and information about the device and its components regarding, among other things, device design,
manufacturing and labeling. PMA approval is not guaranteed and may take considerable time, and the FDA may
ultimately respond to a PMA submission with a not approvable determination based on deficiencies in the
application and require additional clinical trial or other data that may be expensive and time-consuming to
generate and that can substantially delay approval.
We do not have experience or capabilities in developing or commercializing diagnostics and plan to rely on
third parties or collaborators to perform these functions. Companion diagnostics are subject to regulation by the
FDA and similar regulatory authorities outside the United States as medical devices and require separate
regulatory approval prior to commercialization.
If we, or any third parties that we engage to assist us or any of our collaborators, are unable to successfully
develop companion diagnostics for our TLR antagonist drug candidates that require a companion diagnostic, or
experience delays in doing so:
•
•
the development of such TLR antagonist drug candidates may be adversely affected if we are unable to
appropriately select patients for enrollment in our clinical trials;
such TLR antagonist drug candidates may not receive marketing approval if their safe and effective use
depends on a companion diagnostic; and
• we may not realize the full commercial potential of any TLR antagonist drug candidate that receives
marketing approval if, among other reasons, we are unable to appropriately identify patients with the
specific oncogenic mutation targeted by such TLR antagonist drug candidate.
If any of these events were to occur, our business would be harmed, possibly materially.
We have only limited experience in regulatory affairs and our drug candidates are based on new technologies;
these factors may affect our ability or the time we require to obtain necessary regulatory approvals.
We have only limited experience in filing the applications necessary to obtain regulatory approvals.
Moreover, the products that result from our research and development programs will likely be based on new
technologies and new therapeutic approaches that have not been extensively tested in humans. The regulatory
requirements governing these types of products may be more rigorous than for conventional drugs. As a result, we
may experience a longer regulatory process in connection with obtaining regulatory approvals of any product that
we develop.
Our relationships with healthcare providers and physicians and third-party payors will be subject to applicable anti-
kickback, fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations, which could expose us to criminal
sanctions, civil penalties, contractual damages, reputational harm and diminished profits and future earnings.
Healthcare providers, physicians and third party payors will play a primary role in the recommendation and
prescription of any drugs for which we obtain marketing approval. Our future arrangements with third party payors,
healthcare providers and physicians may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare
46
laws and regulations that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which
we market, sell and distribute any drugs for which we obtain marketing approval. These include the following:
• Anti-Kickback Statute—the federal healthcare anti-kickback statute prohibits, among other things,
persons from knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, receiving or providing remuneration, directly or
indirectly, in cash or in kind, to induce or reward, or in return for, either the referral of an individual for,
or the purchase, order or recommendation or arranging of, any good or service, for which payment may
be made under a federal healthcare program such as Medicare and Medicaid;
•
False Claims Act—the federal False Claims Act imposes criminal and civil penalties, including through
civil whistleblower or qui tam actions, against individuals or entities for, among other things, knowingly
presenting, or causing to be presented false or fraudulent claims for payment by a federal healthcare
program or making a false statement or record material to payment of a false claim or avoiding,
decreasing or concealing an obligation to pay money to the federal government, with potential liability
including mandatory treble damages and significant per-claim penalties, currently set at $5,500 to
$11,000 per false claim;
• HIPAA—the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, imposes
criminal and civil liability for executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program or making
false statements relating to healthcare matters, and, as amended by the Health Information Technology
for Economic and Clinical Health Act and its implementing regulations, also imposes obligations,
including mandatory contractual terms and technical safeguards, with respect to maintaining the
privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information;
•
Transparency Requirements—federal laws require applicable manufacturers of covered drugs to report
payments and other transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals; and
• Analogous State and Foreign Laws—analogous state and foreign fraud and abuse laws and regulations,
such as state anti-kickback and false claims laws, can apply to sales or marketing arrangements and
claims involving healthcare items or services and are generally broad and are enforced by many
different federal and state agencies as well as through private actions.
Some state laws require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the pharmaceutical industry’s voluntary
compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government and require
drug manufacturers to report information related to payments and other transfers of value to physicians and other
healthcare providers or marketing expenditures. State and foreign laws also govern the privacy and security of
health information in some circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are
not pre-empted by HIPAA, thus complicating compliance efforts.
Efforts to ensure that our business arrangements with third parties will comply with applicable healthcare
laws and regulations will involve substantial costs. It is possible that governmental authorities will conclude that
our business practices may not comply with current or future statutes, regulations or case law involving applicable
fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of
these laws or any other governmental regulations that may apply to us, we may be subject to significant civil,
criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, imprisonment, exclusion of products from government
funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and the curtailment or restructuring of our
operations. If any of the physicians or other healthcare providers or entities with whom we expect to do business is
found to be not in compliance with applicable laws, they may be subject to criminal, civil or administrative
sanctions, including exclusions from government funded healthcare programs.
Current and future legislation may increase the difficulty and cost for us and any collaborators to obtain marketing
approval of our drug candidates and may affect the prices we, or they, may obtain.
In the United States and some foreign jurisdictions, there have been a number of legislative and regulatory
changes and proposed changes regarding the healthcare system that could, among other things, prevent or delay
marketing approval of our drug candidates, restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect our ability, or the
ability of any collaborators, to profitably sell any products for which we, or they, obtain marketing approval. We
expect that current laws, as well as other healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future, may
result in more rigorous coverage criteria and in additional downward pressure on the price that we, or any
collaborators, may receive for any approved products.
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For example, in March 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, or collectively the PPACA. Among the
provisions of the PPACA of potential importance to our business and our drug candidates are the following:
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an annual, non-deductible fee on any entity that manufactures or imports specified branded prescription
drugs and biologic agents;
an increase in the statutory minimum rebates a manufacturer must pay under the Medicaid Drug
Rebate Program;
expansion of healthcare fraud and abuse laws, including the civil False Claims Act and the federal Anti-
Kickback Statute, new government investigative powers and enhanced penalties for noncompliance;
a new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, in which manufacturers must agree to offer 50%
point-of-sale discounts off negotiated prices;
extension of manufacturers’ Medicaid rebate liability;
expansion of eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs;
expansion of the entities eligible for discounts under the Public Health Service pharmaceutical pricing
program;
• new requirements to report certain financial arrangements with physicians and teaching hospitals;
•
a new requirement to annually report drug samples that manufacturers and distributors provide to
physicians; and
•
a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee, identify priorities in, and conduct
comparative clinical effectiveness research, along with funding for such research.
In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the PPACA was enacted. These
changes include the Budget Control Act of 2011, which, among other things, led to aggregate reductions to
Medicare payments to providers of up to 2% per fiscal year that started in 2013 and, due to subsequent legislative
amendments to the statute, will stay in effect through 2025 unless additional congressional action is taken, and
the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which, among other things, reduced Medicare payments to several types
of providers and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to
providers from three to five years. These new laws may result in additional reductions in Medicare and other
healthcare funding and otherwise affect the prices we may obtain for any of our drug candidates for which we may
obtain regulatory approval or the frequency with which any such drug candidate is prescribed or used. Further,
there have been several recent U.S. congressional inquiries and proposed state and federal legislation designed to,
among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, review the relationship between pricing and
manufacturer patient programs, reduce the costs of drugs under Medicare and reform government program
reimbursement methodologies for drug products.
We expect that these healthcare reforms, as well as other healthcare reform measures that may be adopted
in the future, may result in additional reductions in Medicare and other healthcare funding, more rigorous coverage
criteria, new payment methodologies and additional downward pressure on the price that we receive for any
approved product and/or the level of reimbursement physicians receive for administering any approved product we
might bring to market. Reductions in reimbursement levels may negatively impact the prices we receive or the
frequency with which our products are prescribed or administered. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare
or other government programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors. Since enactment
of the PPACA, there have been numerous legal challenges and Congressional actions to repeal and replace
provisions of the law. In May 2017, the House of Representatives passed legislation known as the American
Health Care Act of 2017. Thereafter, the Senate Republicans introduced and then updated a bill to replace the
PPACA known as the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017. The Senate Republicans also introduced legislation to
repeal the PPACA without companion legislation to replace it, and a “skinny” version of the Better Care
Reconciliation Act of 2017. In addition, the Senate considered proposed healthcare reform legislation known as
the Graham-Cassidy bill. None of these measures was passed by the Senate.
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The Trump Administration has also taken executive actions to undermine or delay implementation of the
PPACA. In January 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing federal agencies with authorities
and responsibilities under the PPACA to waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay the implementation of any
provision of the PPACA that would impose a fiscal or regulatory burden on states, individuals, healthcare providers,
health insurers, or manufacturers of pharmaceuticals or medical devices. In October 2017, the President signed a
second Executive Order allowing for the use of association health plans and short-term health insurance, which
may provide fewer health benefits than the plans sold through the PPACA exchanges. At the same time, the
Administration announced that it will discontinue the payment of cost-sharing reduction, or CSR, payments to
insurance companies until Congress approves the appropriation of funds for such CSR payments. The loss of the
CSR payments is expected to increase premiums on certain policies issued by qualified health plans under the
PPACA. A bipartisan bill to appropriate funds for CSR payments was introduced in the Senate, but the future of that
bill is uncertain.
More recently, with enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which was signed by the President on
December 22, 2017, Congress repealed the “individual mandate.” The repeal of this provision, which requires
most Americans to carry a minimal level of health insurance, will become effective in 2019. According to the
Congressional Budget Office, the repeal of the individual mandate will cause 13 million fewer Americans to be
insured in 2027 and premiums in insurance markets may rise. Further, each chamber of the Congress has put
forth multiple bills designed to repeal or repeal and replace portions of the PPACA. Although none of these
measures has been enacted by Congress to date, Congress may consider other legislation to repeal and replace
elements of the PPACA. Congress will likely consider other legislation to replace elements of the PPACA, during the
next Congressional session.
We will continue to evaluate the effect that the PPACA and its possible repeal and replacement could have
on our business. It is possible that repeal and replacement initiatives, if enacted into law, could ultimately result in
fewer individuals having health insurance coverage or in individuals having insurance coverage with less generous
benefits. While the timing and scope of any potential future legislation to repeal and replace PPACA provisions is
highly uncertain in many respects, it is also possible that some of the PPACA provisions that generally are not
favorable for the research-based pharmaceutical industry could also be repealed along with PPACA coverage
expansion provisions Accordingly, such reforms, if enacted, could have an adverse effect on anticipated revenue
from drug candidates that we may successfully develop and for which we may obtain marketing approval and may
affect our overall financial condition and ability to develop commercialize drug candidates.
The costs of prescription pharmaceuticals in the United States has also been the subject of considerable
discussion in the United States, and members of Congress and the Administration have stated that they will
address such costs through new legislative and administrative measures. The pricing of prescription
pharmaceuticals is also subject to governmental control outside the United States. In these countries, pricing
negotiations with governmental authorities can take considerable time after the receipt of marketing approval for a
product. To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval in some countries, we may be required to conduct a clinical
trial that compares the cost effectiveness of our drug candidates to other available therapies. If reimbursement of
our products is unavailable or limited in scope or amount, or if pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels, our ability to
generate revenues and become profitable could be impaired. In the European Union, similar political, economic
and regulatory developments may affect our ability to profitably commercialize our products. In addition to
continuing pressure on prices and cost containment measures, legislative developments at the European Union or
member state level may result in significant additional requirements or obstacles that may increase our operating
costs.
Moreover, legislative and regulatory proposals have also been made to expand post-approval requirements
and restrict sales and promotional activities for pharmaceutical drugs. We cannot be sure whether additional
legislative changes will be enacted, or whether the FDA regulations, guidance or interpretations will be changed, or
what the impact of such changes on the marketing approvals of our drug candidates, if any, may be. In addition,
increased scrutiny by Congress of the FDA’s approval process may significantly delay or prevent marketing
approval, as well as subject us and any future collaborators to more stringent drug labeling and post-marketing
testing and other requirements.
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Laws and regulations governing any international operations we may have in the future may preclude us from
developing, manufacturing and selling certain drug candidates outside of the United States and require us to
develop and implement costly compliance programs.
We are subject to numerous laws and regulations in each jurisdiction outside the United States in which we
operate. The creation, implementation and maintenance of international business practices compliance programs
is costly and such programs are difficult to enforce, particularly where reliance on third parties is required.
The FCPA prohibits any U.S. individual or business from paying, offering, authorizing payment or offering of
anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any foreign official, political party or candidate for the purpose of
influencing any act or decision of the foreign entity in order to assist the individual or business in obtaining or
retaining business. The FCPA also obligates companies whose securities are listed in the United States to comply
with certain accounting provisions requiring the company to maintain books and records that accurately and fairly
reflect all transactions of the corporation, including international subsidiaries, and to devise and maintain an
adequate system of internal accounting controls for international operations. The anti-bribery provisions of the
FCPA are enforced primarily by the DOJ. The Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, is involved with
enforcement of the books and records provisions of the FCPA.
Compliance with the FCPA is expensive and difficult, particularly in countries in which corruption is a
recognized problem. In addition, the FCPA presents particular challenges in the pharmaceutical industry, because,
in many countries, hospitals are operated by the government, and doctors and other hospital employees are
considered foreign officials. Certain payments to hospitals in connection with clinical trials and other work have
been deemed to be improper payments to government officials and have led to FCPA enforcement actions.
Various laws, regulations and executive orders also restrict the use and dissemination outside of the United
States, or the sharing with certain non-U.S. nationals, of information classified for national security purposes, as
well as certain products and technical data relating to those products. Our expansion outside of the United States,
has required, and will continue to require, us to dedicate additional resources to comply with these laws, and these
laws may preclude us from developing, manufacturing, or selling certain drugs and drug candidates outside of the
United States, which could limit our growth potential and increase our development costs. The failure to comply
with laws governing international business practices may result in substantial penalties, including suspension or
debarment from government contracting. Violation of the FCPA can result in significant civil and criminal penalties.
Indictment alone under the FCPA can lead to suspension of the right to do business with the U.S. government until
the pending claims are resolved. Conviction of a violation of the FCPA can result in long-term disqualification as a
government contractor. The termination of a government contract or relationship as a result of our failure to satisfy
any of our obligations under laws governing international business practices would have a negative impact on our
operations and harm our reputation and ability to procure government contracts. The SEC also may suspend or bar
issuers from trading securities on U.S. exchanges for violations of the FCPA’s accounting provisions.
Governments outside of the United States tend to impose strict price controls, which may adversely affect our
revenues from the sales of drugs, if any.
In some countries, particularly the countries of the European Union, the pricing of prescription
pharmaceuticals is subject to governmental control. In these countries, pricing negotiations with governmental
authorities can take considerable time after the receipt of marketing approval for a drug. To obtain reimbursement
or pricing approval in some countries, we, or our future collaborators, may be required to conduct a clinical trial
that compares the cost-effectiveness of our drug to other available therapies. If reimbursement of our drugs is
unavailable or limited in scope or amount, or if pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels, our business could be
materially harmed.
If we fail to comply with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, we could become subject to fines
or penalties or incur costs that could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We are subject to numerous environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including those
governing laboratory procedures and the handling, use, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous materials
and wastes. Our operations involve the use of hazardous and flammable materials, including chemicals and
biological and radioactive materials. Our operations also produce hazardous waste products. We generally contract
with third parties for the disposal of these materials and wastes. We cannot eliminate the risk of contamination or
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injury from these materials. In the event of contamination or injury resulting from our use of hazardous materials,
we could be held liable for any resulting damages, and any liability could exceed our resources. We also could incur
significant costs associated with civil or criminal fines and penalties.
Although we maintain workers’ compensation insurance to cover us for costs and expenses we may incur
due to injuries to our employees resulting from the use of hazardous materials, this insurance may not provide
adequate coverage against potential liabilities. We do not maintain insurance for environmental liability or toxic tort
claims that may be asserted against us in connection with our storage or disposal of biological, hazardous or
radioactive materials.
In addition, we may incur substantial costs in order to comply with current or future environmental, health
and safety laws and regulations. These current or future laws and regulations may impair our research,
development or commercialization efforts. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations also may result in
substantial fines, penalties or other sanctions.
Our employees may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including non-compliance with regulatory
standards and requirements, which could cause significant liability for us and harm our reputation.
We are exposed to the risk of employee fraud or other misconduct, including intentional failures to comply
with FDA regulations or similar regulations of comparable foreign regulatory authorities, provide accurate
information to the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, comply with manufacturing standards we have
established, comply with federal and state healthcare fraud and abuse laws and regulations and similar laws and
regulations established and enforced by comparable foreign regulatory authorities, report financial information or
data accurately or disclose unauthorized activities to us. Employee misconduct could also involve the improper use
of information obtained in the course of clinical trials, which could result in regulatory sanctions and serious harm
to our reputation. It is not always possible to identify and deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take
to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in
protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to be in
compliance with such laws, standards or regulations. If any such actions are instituted against us, and we are not
successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could have a significant impact on our
business and results of operations, including the imposition of significant fines or other sanctions.
Risks Relating to Collaborators
Our existing collaborations and any collaborations we enter into in the future may not be successful.
Historically, an important element of our business strategy has included entering into collaborative alliances
with corporate collaborators, primarily large pharmaceutical companies, for the development, commercialization,
marketing, and distribution of some of our drug candidates. In December 2006, we entered into an exclusive
license and research collaboration with Merck & Co. to research, develop, and commercialize vaccine products
containing our TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9 agonists in the fields of cancer, infectious diseases, and Alzheimer's disease.
In November 2015, we entered into a collaboration and license agreement with GSK for the development of our
nucleic acid chemistry technology for certain renal indications and in November 2016, we entered into a license
agreement with Vivelix granting them exclusive rights for the development of IMO-9200 for non-malignant
indication of the GI Field.
Any collaboration we enter into may not be successful. The success of our collaborative alliances, if any, will
depend heavily on the efforts and activities of our collaborators. Our existing collaborations and any potential
future collaborations have risks, including the following:
•
•
•
our collaborators may control the development of the drug candidates being developed with our
technologies and compounds including the timing of development;
our collaborators may control the development of the companion diagnostic to be developed for use in
conjunction with our drug candidates including the timing of development;
our collaborators may control the public release of information regarding the developments, and we may
not be able to make announcements or data presentations on a schedule favorable to us;
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• disputes may arise in the future with respect to the ownership of or right to use technology and
intellectual property developed with our collaborators;
• disagreements with our collaborators could delay or terminate the research, development or
commercialization of products, or result in litigation or arbitration;
• we may have difficulty enforcing the contracts if any of our collaborators fail to perform;
•
our collaborators may terminate their collaborations with us, which could make it difficult for us to
attract new collaborators or adversely affect the perception of us in the business or financial
communities;
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
our collaboration agreements are likely to be for fixed terms and subject to termination by our
collaborators in the event of a material breach or lack of scientific progress by us;
our collaborators may have the first right to maintain or defend our intellectual property rights and,
although we would likely have the right to assume the maintenance and defense of our intellectual
property rights if our collaborators do not, our ability to do so may be compromised by our collaborators'
acts or omissions;
our collaborators may challenge our intellectual property rights or utilize our intellectual property rights
in such a way as to invite litigation that could jeopardize or invalidate our intellectual property rights or
expose us to potential liability;
our collaborators may not comply with all applicable regulatory requirements, or may fail to report safety
data in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements;
our collaborators may change the focus of their development and commercialization efforts.
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies historically have re-evaluated their priorities following
mergers and consolidations, which have been common in recent years in these industries. The ability of
our drug candidates to reach their potential could be limited if our collaborators decrease or fail to
increase spending relating to such drug candidates;
our collaborators may under fund or not commit sufficient resources to the testing, marketing,
distribution or development of our drug candidates; and
our collaborators may develop alternative products either on their own or in collaboration with others, or
encounter conflicts of interest or changes in business strategy or other business issues, which could
adversely affect their willingness or ability to fulfill their obligations to us.
Given these risks, it is possible that any collaborative alliance into which we enter may not be successful.
Collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and other third parties often are terminated or allowed to expire by
the other party. The termination or expiration of our current collaboration agreements or any other collaboration
agreement that we enter into in the future may adversely affect us financially and could harm our business
reputation.
If we are unable to establish additional collaborative alliances, our business may be materially harmed.
Collaborators provide the necessary resources and drug development experience to advance our
compounds in their programs. We have entered into and expect to continue to seek to enter into collaborative
alliances with pharmaceutical companies to advance our TLR agonist and antagonist candidates and with respect
to additional applications of our nucleic acid chemistry technology research program. Upfront payments and
milestone payments received from collaborations help to provide us with the financial resources for our internal
research and development programs. Our internal programs are focused on developing TLR-targeted drug
candidates for the potential treatment of certain rare diseases and in our immuno-oncology program and on
nucleic acid chemistry drug candidates. We believe that additional resources will be required to advance
compounds in all of these areas. If we do not reach agreements with additional collaborators in the future, we may
not be able to obtain the expertise and resources necessary to achieve our business objectives, our ability to
advance our compounds will be jeopardized and we may fail to meet our business objectives.
We may have difficulty establishing additional collaborative alliances, particularly with respect to our TLR-
targeted drug candidates and technology and our nucleic acid chemistry technology. For example, potential
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collaborators may note that our prior TLR collaborations with Novartis and with Merck KGaA have been terminated.
Potential collaborators may also be reluctant to establish collaborations with respect to IMO-2125 or IMO-8400,
given our prior setbacks with respect to these drug candidates. We also face, and expect to continue to face,
significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborators.
Even if a potential partner were willing to enter into a collaborative alliance with respect to our TLR-targeted
compounds or technology or our nucleic acid chemistry technology, the terms of such a collaborative alliance may
not be on terms that are favorable to us. Moreover, collaborations are complex and time consuming to negotiate,
document, and implement. We may not be successful in our efforts to establish and implement collaborations on a
timely basis.
Risks Relating to Intellectual Property
If we are unable to obtain and maintain patent protection for our discoveries, the value of our technology and
products will be adversely affected.
Our patent positions, and those of other drug discovery companies, are generally uncertain and involve
complex legal, scientific, and factual questions. Our ability to develop and commercialize drugs depends in
significant part on our ability to:
•
•
obtain and maintain valid and enforceable patents;
obtain licenses to the proprietary rights of others on commercially reasonable terms;
operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others;
•
• prevent others from infringing on our proprietary rights; and
• protect our trade secrets.
We do not know whether any of our currently pending patent applications or those patent applications that
we license will result in the issuance of any patents. Our issued patents and those that may be issued in the future,
or those licensed to us, may be challenged, invalidated, held unenforceable, narrowed in the course of a post-
issuance proceeding or circumvented, and the rights granted thereunder may not provide us proprietary protection
or competitive advantages against competitors with similar technology. Moreover, intellectual property laws may
change and negatively impact our ability to obtain issued patents covering our technologies or to enforce any
patents that issue. Because of the extensive time required for development, testing, and regulatory review of a
potential product, it is possible that, before any of our products can be commercialized, any related patent may
expire or remain in force for only a short period following commercialization, thus reducing any advantage provided
by the patent.
Because patent applications in the United States and many foreign jurisdictions are typically not published
until 18 months after filing, or in some cases not at all, and because publications of discoveries in the scientific
literature often lag behind actual discoveries, neither we nor our licensors can be certain that we or they were the
first to make the inventions claimed in issued patents or pending patent applications, or that we or they were the
first to file for protection of the inventions set forth in these patent applications.
As of February 15, 2018, we owned about 49 U.S. patents and patent applications and about 136 patents
and patent applications throughout the rest of the world for our TLR-targeted immune modulation technologies.
These patents and patent applications include claims covering the chemical compositions of matter and methods
of use of our IMO compounds, such as IMO-8400, IMO-9200 and IMO-2125, as well as other compounds. These
patents expire at various dates ranging from 2023 to 2037. With respect to IMO-8400, we have five issued U.S.
patents that cover the chemical composition of matter of IMO-8400 and certain methods of its use that provide
exclusivity for IMO-8400 until at least 2031. With respect to IMO-9200, we have six issued U.S. patents and two
U.S. patent applications that cover the chemical composition for IMO-9200 and methods of its use that provide
exclusivity for IMO-9200 until at least 2034. With respect to IMO-2125, we have an issued U.S. patent that covers
the chemical composition of matter of IMO-2125 and methods of its use that will expire in 2025. We have pending
applications in the U.S. and outside of the U.S. that cover methods of treatment or use with IMO-2125 with
expiration dates of 2035 and 2037.
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As of February 15, 2018, we owned three issued U.S. patents, 25 issued foreign patents, five pending U.S.
patent applications and 12 foreign patent applications (including pending applications under the Patent
Cooperation Treaty, or PCT) related to our nucleic acid chemistry compounds and methods of their use. The issued
patents covering our nucleic acid chemistry technologies have an earliest statutory expiration date in 2030. One
patent family relating to targets for our nucleic acid chemistry compounds is in-licensed.
Third parties may own or control patents or patent applications and require us to seek licenses, which could
increase our development and commercialization costs, or prevent us from developing or marketing products.
Although we have many issued patents and pending patent applications in the United States and other
countries, we may not have rights under certain third-party patents or patent applications related to our
compounds under development. Third parties may own or control these patents and patent applications in the
United States and abroad. In particular, we are aware of certain third-party U.S. patents that contain claims related
to immunostimulatory polynucleotides and their use to stimulate an immune response, as well as to antisense
technology. Although we do not believe any of our TLR or antisense compounds under development infringe any
valid claim of these patents, we cannot be assured that the holder of such patents would not seek to assert such
patents against us or, if the holder did, that the courts would not interpret the claims of such patents more broadly
than we believe appropriate and determine that we are in infringement of such patents. In addition, there may be
other patents and patent applications related to our current or future drug candidates of which we are not aware.
Therefore, in some cases, in order to develop, manufacture, sell or import some of our drug candidates, we or our
collaborators may choose to seek, or be required to seek, licenses under third-party patents issued in the United
States and abroad or under third-party patents that might issue from U.S. and foreign patent applications. In such
an event, we would be required to pay license fees or royalties or both to the licensor. If licenses are not available
to us on acceptable terms, we or our collaborators may not be able to develop, manufacture, sell or import these
products, or may be delayed in doing so. Either of these results could have a material adverse effect on our
business.
We may become involved in expensive patent litigation or other proceedings, which could result in our incurring
substantial costs and expenses or substantial liability for damages, require us to stop our development and
commercialization efforts or result in our patents being invalidated, interpreted narrowly or limited.
There has been substantial litigation and other proceedings regarding patent and other intellectual property
rights in the biotechnology industry. We may become a party to various types of patent litigation or other
proceedings regarding intellectual property rights from time to time even under circumstances where we are not
practicing and do not intend to practice any of the intellectual property involved in the proceedings.
In addition to litigation, we may become involved in patent office proceedings, including oppositions,
reexaminations, supplemental examinations and inter partes reviews involving our patents or the patents of third
parties. We may initiate such proceedings or have such proceedings brought against us. An adverse determination
in any such proceeding, or in litigation, could reduce the scope of, or invalidate, our patent rights, allow third
parties to commercialize our technology or products and compete directly with us, without payment to us, or result
in our inability to manufacture or commercialize products without 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 license, develop or commercialize current or future drug
candidates. An adverse determination in a proceeding involving a patent in our portfolio could result in the loss of
protection or a narrowing in the scope of protection provided by that patent.
The cost to us of any patent litigation or other proceeding, even if resolved in our favor, could be substantial.
Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the cost of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than we
can because of their substantially greater financial resources. If any patent litigation or other proceeding is
resolved against us, we or our collaborators may be enjoined from developing, manufacturing, selling or importing
our drugs without a license from the other party and we may be held liable for significant damages. We may not be
able to obtain any required license on commercially acceptable terms or at all. In a patent office proceeding, such
as an opposition, reexamination or inter partes review, our patents may be narrowed or invalidated.
Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could
have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace. Patent litigation and other
proceedings may also absorb significant management time.
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Risks Relating to Product Manufacturing, Marketing and Sales, and Reliance on Third Parties
Because we have limited manufacturing experience, and no manufacturing facilities or infrastructure, we are
dependent on third-party manufacturers to manufacture drug candidates for us. If we cannot rely on third-party
manufacturers, we will be required to incur significant costs and devote significant efforts to establish our own
manufacturing facilities and capabilities.
We have limited manufacturing experience and no manufacturing facilities, infrastructure or clinical or
commercial scale manufacturing capabilities. In order to continue to develop our drug candidates, apply for
regulatory approvals, and ultimately commercialize products, we need to develop, contract for or otherwise arrange
for the necessary manufacturing capabilities.
We currently rely upon third parties to produce material for nonclinical and clinical testing purposes and
expect to continue to do so in the future. We also expect to rely upon third parties to produce materials that may be
required for the commercial production of our drug candidates, if approved. Our current and anticipated future
dependence upon others for the manufacture of our drug candidates may adversely affect our future profit margins
and our ability to develop drug candidates and commercialize any drug candidates on a timely and competitive
basis. We currently do not have any long term supply contracts.
There are a limited number of manufacturers that operate under the FDA's cGMP regulations capable of
manufacturing our drug candidates. As a result, we may have difficulty finding manufacturers for our drug
candidates with adequate capacity for our needs. If we are unable to arrange for third-party manufacturing of our
drug candidates on a timely basis, or to do so on commercially reasonable terms, we may not be able to complete
development of our drug candidates or market them.
Reliance on third-party manufacturers entails risks to which we would not be subject if we manufactured
drug candidates ourselves, including:
•
•
•
•
•
reliance on the third party for regulatory compliance and quality assurance;
the possibility of breach of the manufacturing agreement by the third party because of factors beyond
our control;
the possibility of termination or nonrenewal of the agreement by the third party, based on its own
business priorities or otherwise, at a time that is costly or inconvenient for us;
the potential that third-party manufacturers will develop know-how owned by such third party in
connection with the production of our drug candidates that becomes necessary for the manufacture of
our drug candidates; and
reliance upon third-party manufacturers to assist us in preventing inadvertent disclosure or theft of our
proprietary knowledge.
Any contract manufacturers with which we enter into manufacturing arrangements will be subject to ongoing
periodic, unannounced inspections by the FDA, or foreign equivalent, and corresponding state and foreign agencies
or their designees to ensure compliance with cGMP requirements and other governmental regulations and
corresponding foreign standards. Any failure by our third-party manufacturers to comply with such requirements,
regulations or standards could lead to a delay in the conduct of our clinical trials, or a delay in, or failure to obtain,
regulatory approval of any of our drug candidates. Such failure could also result in sanctions being imposed,
including fines, injunctions, civil penalties, delays, suspension or withdrawal of approvals, product seizures or
recalls, imposition of operating restrictions, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, or criminal
prosecution.
Additionally, contract manufacturers may not be able to manufacture our drug candidates at a cost or in
quantities necessary to make them commercially viable. As of February 15, 2018, our third-party manufacturers
have met our manufacturing requirements, but we cannot be assured that they will continue to do so. Furthermore,
changes in the manufacturing process or procedure, including a change in the location where the drug substance
or drug product is manufactured or a change of a third-party manufacturer, may require prior FDA review and
approval in accordance with the FDA's cGMP and New Drug Application/biologics license application regulations.
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Contract manufacturers may also be subject to comparable foreign requirements. This review may be costly and
time-consuming and could delay or prevent the launch of a drug candidate. The FDA or similar foreign regulatory
agencies at any time may also implement new standards, or change their interpretation and enforcement of
existing standards for manufacture, packaging or testing of products. If we or our contract manufacturers are
unable to comply, we or they may be subject to regulatory action, civil actions or penalties.
We have no experience selling, marketing or distributing products and no internal capability to do so.
If we receive regulatory approval to commence commercial sales of any of our drug candidates, we will face
competition with respect to commercial sales, marketing, and distribution. These are areas in which we have no
experience. To market any of our drug candidates directly, we would need to develop a marketing and sales force
with technical expertise and with supporting distribution capability. In particular, we would need to recruit
experienced marketing and sales personnel. Alternatively, we could engage a pharmaceutical or other healthcare
company with an existing distribution system and direct sales force to assist us. However, to the extent we entered
into such arrangements, we would be dependent on the efforts of third parties. If we are unable to establish sales
and distribution capabilities, whether internally or in reliance on third parties, our business would suffer materially.
If third parties on whom we rely for clinical trials do not perform as contractually required or as we expect, we may
not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize our drug candidates and our business may suffer.
We do not have the ability to independently conduct the clinical trials required to obtain regulatory approval
for our drug candidates. We depend on independent clinical investigators, contract research organizations, and
other third-party service providers in the conduct of the clinical trials of our drug candidates and expect to continue
to do so. We have contracted with contract research organizations to manage our ongoing clinical trials of IMO-
2125 and IMO-8400 and expect to contract with such organizations for future clinical trials. We rely heavily on
these parties for successful execution of our clinical trials, but do not control many aspects of their activities. We
are responsible for ensuring that each of our clinical trials is conducted in accordance with the general
investigational plan and protocols for the trial. Moreover, the FDA and foreign regulatory agencies require us to
comply with certain standards, commonly referred to as good clinical practices, and applicable regulatory
requirements, for conducting, recording, and reporting the results of clinical trials to assure that data and reported
results are credible and accurate and that the rights, integrity, and confidentiality of clinical trial participants are
protected. Our reliance on third parties that we do not control does not relieve us of these responsibilities and
requirements. Third parties may not complete activities on schedule, or at all, or may not conduct our clinical trials
in accordance with regulatory requirements or our stated protocols. If these third parties fail to carry out their
obligations, we may need to enter into new arrangements with alternative third parties. This could be difficult,
costly or impossible, and our preclinical studies or clinical trials may need to be extended, delayed, terminated or
repeated, and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval in a timely fashion, or at all, for the applicable drug
candidate, or to commercialize such drug candidate being tested in such studies or trials. If we seek to conduct any
of these activities ourselves in the future, we will need to recruit appropriately trained personnel and add to our
research, clinical, quality and corporate infrastructure.
The commercial success of any drug candidates that we may develop will depend upon the degree of market
acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payors, and others in the medical community.
Any products that we ultimately bring to the market, if they receive marketing approval, may not gain market
acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payors or others in the medical community. For example, current
cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy are well established in the medical community, and
doctors may continue to rely on these treatments. If our products do not achieve an adequate level of acceptance,
we may not generate product revenue and we may not become profitable. The degree of market acceptance of our
products, if approved for commercial sale, will depend on a number of factors, including:
•
•
•
•
the prevalence and severity of any side effects, including any limitations or warnings contained in the
product's approved labeling;
the efficacy and potential advantages over alternative treatments;
the ability to offer our drug candidates for sale at competitive prices;
relative convenience and ease of administration;
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•
•
the willingness of the target patient population to try new therapies and of physicians to prescribe these
therapies;
the strength of marketing and distribution support and the timing of market introduction of competitive
products; and
• publicity concerning our products or competing products and treatments.
Even if a potential product displays a favorable efficacy and safety profile, market acceptance of the product
will not be known until after it is launched. Our efforts to educate patients, the medical community, and third-party
payors on the benefits of our drug candidates may require significant resources and may never be successful. Such
efforts to educate the marketplace may require more resources than are required by conventional technologies
marketed by our competitors.
If we are unable to obtain adequate reimbursement from third-party payors for any products that we may develop
or acceptable prices for those products, our revenues and prospects for profitability will suffer.
Most patients rely on Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurers, and other third-party payors to pay for
their medical needs, including any drugs we may market. If third-party payors do not provide adequate coverage or
reimbursement for any products that we may develop, our revenues and prospects for profitability will suffer.
Congress enacted a limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients in the Medicare Prescription Drug,
Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. While the program established by this statute may increase demand
for our products if we were to participate in this program, our prices will be negotiated with drug procurement
organizations for Medicare beneficiaries and are likely to be lower than we might otherwise obtain. Non-Medicare
third-party drug procurement organizations may also base the price they are willing to pay on the rate paid by drug
procurement organizations for Medicare beneficiaries or may otherwise negotiate the price they are willing to pay.
A primary trend in the United States healthcare industry is toward cost containment. In addition, in some
foreign countries, particularly the countries of the European Union, the pricing of prescription pharmaceuticals is
subject to governmental control. In these countries, pricing negotiations with governmental authorities can take six
months or longer after the receipt of regulatory marketing approval for a product. To obtain reimbursement or
pricing approval in some countries, we may be required to conduct a clinical trial that compares the cost
effectiveness of our drug candidates or products to other available therapies. The conduct of such a clinical trial
could be expensive and result in delays in commercialization of our drug candidates. These further clinical trials
would require additional time, resources, and expenses. If reimbursement of our products is unavailable or limited
in scope or amount, or if pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels, our prospects for generating revenue, if any, could
be adversely affected and our business may suffer.
In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education
Reconciliation Act became law. These health care reform laws are intended to broaden access to health insurance;
reduce or constrain the growth of health care spending, especially Medicare spending; enhance remedies against
fraud and abuse; add new transparency requirements for health care and health insurance industries; impose new
taxes and fees on certain sectors of the health industry; and impose additional health policy reforms. Among the
new fees is an annual assessment on makers of branded pharmaceuticals and biologics, under which a company's
assessment is based primarily on its share of branded drug sales to federal health care programs. Such fees could
affect our future prospects for profitability. Although it is too early to determine the effect of the health care
legislation on our future prospects for profitability and financial condition, the law appears likely to continue the
pressure on pharmaceutical pricing, especially under the Medicare program, and may also increase our regulatory
burdens and operating costs.
Third-party payors are challenging the prices charged for medical products and services, and many third-
party payors limit reimbursement for newly-approved health care products. These third-party payors may base their
coverage and reimbursement on the coverage and reimbursement rate paid by carriers for Medicare beneficiaries.
Furthermore, many such payors are investigating or implementing methods for reducing health care costs, such as
the establishment of capitated or prospective payment systems. Cost containment pressures have led to an
increased emphasis on the use of cost-effective products by health care providers. In particular, third-party payors
may limit the indications for which they will reimburse patients who use any products that we may develop. Cost
control initiatives could limit the price we might establish for products that we or our current or future collaborators
may develop or sell, which would result in lower product revenues or royalties payable to us.
57
We face a risk of product liability claims and may not be able to obtain insurance.
Our business exposes us to the risk of product liability claims that is inherent in the manufacturing, testing,
and marketing of human therapeutic drugs. We face an inherent risk of product liability exposure related to the
testing of our drug candidates in human clinical trials and will face an even greater risk if we commercially sell any
products. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims and product recalls may result in:
• decreased demand for our drug candidates and products;
• damage to our reputation;
•
regulatory investigations that could require costly recalls or product modifications;
• withdrawal of clinical trial participants;
•
•
costs to defend related litigation;
substantial monetary awards to clinical trial participants or patients, including awards that substantially
exceed our product liability insurance, which we would then have to pay using other sources, if available,
and would damage our ability to obtain liability insurance at reasonable costs, or at all, in the future;
•
•
•
loss of revenue;
the diversion of management's attention away from managing our business; and
the inability to commercialize any products that we may develop.
Although we have product liability and clinical trial liability insurance that we believe is adequate, this
insurance is subject to deductibles and coverage limitations. We may not be able to obtain or maintain adequate
protection against potential liabilities. If we are unable to obtain insurance at acceptable cost or otherwise protect
against potential product liability claims, we will be exposed to significant liabilities, which may materially and
adversely affect our business and financial position. These liabilities could prevent or interfere with our
commercialization efforts.
Risks Relating to Ownership of Our Common Stock
Our corporate governance structure, including provisions in our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and
Delaware law, may prevent a change in control or management that stockholders may consider desirable.
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and our certificate of incorporation and by-laws
contain provisions that might enable our management to resist a takeover of our company or discourage a third
party from attempting to take over our company. These provisions include:
•
•
•
•
•
a classified board of directors;
limitations on the removal of directors;
limitations on stockholder proposals at meetings of stockholders;
the inability of stockholders to act by written consent or to call special meetings; and
the ability of our board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preferred stock
without stockholder approval.
In addition, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law imposes restrictions on our ability to
engage in business combinations and other specified transactions with significant stockholders. These provisions
could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us or a change in our management
that stockholders may consider favorable or beneficial. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and
make it more difficult for you and other stockholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. These
provisions could also limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common
stock.
58
We have two significant securityholders. If these securityholders choose to act together, they could exert
substantial influence over our business. In addition, in connection with any merger, consolidation or sale of all or
substantially all of our assets, they would be entitled to receive consideration in excess of their reported beneficial
ownership of our common stock.
As of February 15, 2018, Baker Bros. Advisors LP, and certain of its affiliated funds, which we refer to
collectively as Baker Brothers, held 18,325,135 shares of our common stock, warrants to purchase
up to 20,316,327 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.47 per share and pre-funded warrants to
purchase up to 22,151,052 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. In addition, two
members of our board of directors are affiliates of Baker Brothers. Under the terms of the warrants and pre-funded
warrants issued to Baker Brothers, Baker Brothers is not permitted to exercise such warrants to the extent that
such exercise would result in Baker Brothers (and its affiliates) beneficially owning more than 4.999% of the
number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants. Baker Brothers has the right to increase this beneficial
ownership limitation in its discretion on 61 days' prior written notice to us, provided that in no event is Baker
Brothers permitted to exercise such warrants to the extent that such exercise would result in Baker Brothers (and
its affiliates) beneficially owning more than 19.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding or
the combined voting power of our securities outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares
of common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants. On March 5, 2018, Baker Brothers provided us such
61 days’ notice in regards to the above mentioned warrants to purchase up to 20,316,327 shares of our common
stock at an exercise price of $0.47 per share. After giving effect to the 4.999% beneficial ownership limitation
currently in effect with respect to the warrants and pre-funded warrants held by Baker Brothers, as of February 15,
2018, Baker Brothers beneficially owned 9.5% of our outstanding common stock. If the warrants and pre-funded
warrants held by Baker Brothers could be exercised without this limitation, then as of February 15, 2018, Baker
Brothers would have beneficially owned 25.6% of our common stock. The information in this paragraph is based on
a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on October 30, 2017; a Form 4 filed with the SEC on January 4, 2018; and on
information provided to us by Baker Brothers. On February 9, 2015, we entered into a registration rights
agreement with Baker Brothers, pursuant to which we agreed to file registration statements to register for resale
the shares of our common stock, including shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants, held by Baker Brothers
As of February 15, 2018, entities affiliated with Pillar Invest Corporation, which we refer to collectively as the
Pillar Investment Entities, held 25,413,574 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase up to
1,200,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.47 per share. As of February 15, 2018, the Pillar
Investment Entities beneficially owned 13.6% of our outstanding common stock. The Pillar Investment Entities are
subject to contractual limitations that limit their ability to exercise any securities held by them that are exercisable
into shares of our common stock to the extent that such exercise would result in the Pillar Investment Entities and
their affiliates beneficially owning more than 19.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding or
the combined voting power of our securities outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares
of common stock issuable upon exercise of such securities. The information in this paragraph is based on a
Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on October 17, 2016; Form 4s filed with the SEC on May 3, 2017, October 17,
2017, December 15, 2017 and January 19, 2018; and on information provided to us by Pillar Invest Corporation.
Although there are contractual limitations on the beneficial ownership of Baker Brothers and the Pillar
Investment Entities, which we refer to collectively as our significant securityholders, if our significant
securityholders were to exercise their warrants for common stock and were to choose to act together, they could be
able to exert substantial influence over our business. This concentration of voting power could delay, defer or
prevent a change of control, entrench our management and the board of directors or delay or prevent a merger,
consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us on terms that other stockholders may desire. In
addition, conflicts of interest could arise in the future between us, on the one hand, and either or both of our
significant securityholders on the other hand, concerning potential competitive business activities, business
opportunities, the issuance of additional securities and other matters. Furthermore in the event of a sale of our
company, whether by merger, sale of all or substantially all of our assets or otherwise, our significant
securityholders would be entitled to receive, with respect to each share of common stock issuable upon exercise of
the warrants then held by them and without regard to the beneficial ownership limitations imposed on the
conversion or exercise of such securities, the same amount and kind of securities, cash or property as they would
have been entitled to receive if such securities had been converted into or exercised for shares of our common
stock immediately prior to such sale of our company. Because the significant securityholders would receive this
sale consideration with respect to warrants not included in their reported beneficial ownership of our common
59
stock, in the event of a sale of our company, they would be entitled to receive a significantly larger portion of the
total proceeds distributable to the holders of our securities than is represented by their reported beneficial
ownership of our common stock.
Our stock price has been and may in the future be extremely volatile. In addition, because our common stock has
historically been traded at low volume levels, our investors' ability to trade our common stock may be limited. As a
result, investors may lose all or a significant portion of their investment.
Our stock price has been and may in the future be volatile. During the period from January 1, 2017 to
February 15, 2018, the closing sales price of our common stock ranged from a high of $2.87 per share to a low of
$1.30 per share. The stock market has also experienced periods of significant price and volume fluctuations and
the market prices of biotechnology companies in particular have been highly volatile, often for reasons that have
been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. The market price for our common stock may
be influenced by many factors, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
our cash resources;
timing and results of nonclinical studies and clinical trials of our drug candidates or those of our
competitors;
the regulatory status of our drug candidates;
failure of any of our drug candidates, if approved, to achieve commercial success;
the success of competitive products or technologies;
regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries;
our success in entering into collaborative agreements;
• developments or disputes concerning patents or other proprietary rights;
•
•
the departure of key personnel;
our ability to maintain the listing of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market or an alternative
national securities exchange;
•
•
variations in our financial results or those of companies that are perceived to be similar to us;
the terms of any financing consummated by us;
changes in the structure of healthcare payment systems;
•
• market conditions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors and issuance of new or changed
securities analysts' reports or recommendations; and
•
general economic, industry, and market conditions.
In addition, our common stock has historically been traded at low volume levels and may continue to trade
at low volume levels. As a result, any large purchase or sale of our common stock could have a significant impact
on the price of our common stock and it may be difficult for investors to sell our common stock in the market
without depressing the market price for the common stock or at all.
The announcement and pendency of the Mergers, whether or not consummated, may adversely affect the
trading price of our common stock and our business prospects. In the event that the Mergers are not completed,
the announcement of the termination of the Merger Agreement may also adversely affect the trading price of our
common stock and our business prospects.
As a result of the foregoing, investors may not be able to resell their shares at or above the price they paid
for such shares. Investors in our common stock must be willing to bear the risk of fluctuations in the price of our
common stock and the risk that the value of their investment in our stock could decline.
60
Because we do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock, investor returns will be limited to any increase in
the value of our stock.
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. In addition, under the terms of
our loan and security agreement with Oxford Finance LLC, we are required to obtain the prior written consent of
Oxford Finance LLC in order to declare or pay a cash dividend on our common stock in an amount in excess of
$500,000 in any fiscal year. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our
operations and finance the growth and development of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any
cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any return to stockholders will therefore be limited
to the appreciation of their stock, if any.
Our stockholders approved an amendment to our certificate of incorporation that allows our board of directors to
effect a reverse stock split by a ratio within a specified range, which reverse stock split, if implemented, may not
achieve one or more of our objectives.
There can be no assurance that the market price per new share of our common stock after a reverse stock
split will remain unchanged or increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our common
stock outstanding before the reverse stock split. The market price of our shares may fluctuate and potentially
decline after a reverse stock split. Accordingly, the total market capitalization of our common stock after a reverse
stock split, if implemented, may be lower than the total market capitalization before the reverse stock split.
Moreover, in the future, the market price of our common stock following a reverse stock split may not exceed or
remain higher than the market price prior to the reverse stock split.
In addition, while our board of directors believes that a higher stock price may help generate investor
interest, there can be no assurance that a reverse stock split will result in a per-share market price that will attract
institutional investors or investment funds or that such share price will satisfy the investing guidelines of
institutional investors or investment funds. As a result, the trading liquidity of our common stock may not
necessarily improve. Further, if a reverse stock split is effected and the market price of our common stock declines,
the percentage decline may be greater than would occur in the absence of a reverse stock split.
Following the reverse stock split, if implemented, the number of our outstanding shares will be reduced by a
whole number factor ranging from four to eight, which may lead to reduced trading and a smaller number of
market makers for our common stock. Brokerage firms often do not permit stocks trading below $5.00 per share
to be sold short, but permit short-selling of shares which are traded at higher prices. Following the reverse stock
split, to the extent our per-share trading price is consistently above $5.00, investors may short our stock. This may
increase the volatility of our stock price.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2. Properties.
We lease approximately 27,000 square feet of laboratory and office space located in Cambridge,
Massachusetts. The lease expires on August 31, 2022 subject to a five-year renewal option exercisable by us. We
also lease approximately 11,000 square feet of office space located in Exton, Pennsylvania. The lease expires on
May 31, 2020 subject to a three-year renewal option exercisable by us. We have specified rights to sublease these
facilities.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
61
PART II.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
Our common stock is listed under the symbol “IDRA” on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of our
common stock during each of the quarters set forth below as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
2016
First Quarter .......................................................................................................................... $
Second Quarter .....................................................................................................................
Third Quarter .........................................................................................................................
Fourth Quarter .......................................................................................................................
2017
First Quarter .......................................................................................................................... $
Second Quarter .....................................................................................................................
Third Quarter .........................................................................................................................
Fourth Quarter .......................................................................................................................
High
Low
3.10 $
2.14
3.33
2.66
2.60 $
2.62
2.39
2.87
1.50
1.19
1.52
1.43
1.30
1.51
1.68
1.32
Holders of Record
As of February 15, 2018, we had approximately 92 common stockholders of record registered on our books,
excluding shares held through banks and brokers.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock, and we do not expect to pay any cash
dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Under the terms of our loan and security agreement with
Oxford Finance LLC, we are required to obtain the prior written consent of Oxford Finance LLC in order to declare or
pay a cash dividend on our common stock in an amount in excess of $500,000 in any fiscal year.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
In October 2017, we issued 6,842,844 shares of our common stock in unregistered sales to holders of
warrants upon the exercise of such warrants. We issued the 6,842,844 shares upon the payment of a warrant
exercise price of $0.70 per share. We received approximately $4.8 million of cash proceeds in the aggregate upon
the exercise of the foregoing warrants.
In December 2017, we issued 700,000 shares of our common stock in unregistered sales to a holder of
warrants upon the exercise of such warrants. We issued the 700,000 shares upon the payment of a warrant
exercise price of $0.47 per share. We received approximately $0.3 million of cash proceeds in the aggregate upon
the exercise of the foregoing warrants.
The issuance of shares of our common stock upon exercise of outstanding warrants described above were
exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of Regulation D
promulgated thereunder as not involving a public offering. The shares of common stock issued by us upon these
warrant exercises have been registered for resale by the holders under our Registration Statement on Form S-3,
File No. 333-185392.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
We did not repurchase any of our equity securities during the year ended December 31, 2017.
62
Comparative Stock Performance
The information included under the heading “Comparative Stock Performance” in Item 5 of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K is “furnished” and not “filed” and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or subject to
Regulation 14A, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to
the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
The comparative stock performance graph shown below compares cumulative stockholder return on our
common stock from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2017, with the cumulative total return of the
Russell 2000 Index and the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index. This graph assumes an investment of $100 on
December 31, 2012 in our common stock and in each of the indices and assumes that dividends are reinvested.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the Russell 2000 Index
and the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ......................... $
Russell 2000 Index ...................................... $
Nasdaq Biotechnology Index ....................... $
12/31/12 12/31/13 12/31/14 12/31/15 12/31/16 12/31/17
237
496 $
194
146 $
239
223 $
347 $
139 $
249 $
100 $
100 $
100 $
520 $
139 $
166 $
169 $
169 $
196 $
63
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The following selected financial data are derived from our financial statements. The data should be read in
conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the
financial statements, related notes, and other financial information included elsewhere in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
Statement of Operations and Comprehensive
(Loss) Income Data:
Alliance revenue ...................................................... $
Operating expenses:
Research and development .................................
General and administrative ..................................
Total operating expenses ................................
Loss from operations ...............................................
Other income (expense):
Interest income .....................................................
Interest expense ...................................................
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss) .................
2017
2016
Year Ended December 31,
2015
(In thousands, except per share data)
2014
2013
902 $
16,199 $
249 $
73 $
47
50,653
16,716
67,369
(66,467)
39,824
15,132
54,956
(38,757)
33,699
15,396
49,095
(48,846)
27,493
11,332
38,825
(38,752)
574
(50)
(41)
415
(80)
33
357
(105)
39
66
(27)
71
Net loss .................................................................... $ (65,984) $ (38,389) $ (48,555) $ (38,642) $
Loss on extinguishment of convertible preferred
stock, and preferred stock accretion and
dividends ..................................................................
Net loss applicable to common stockholders ........ $ (65,984) $ (38,389) $ (48,555) $ (39,161) $
519
—
—
—
10,475
7,741
18,216
(18,169)
11
—
(68)
(18,226)
2,866
(21,092)
Net loss per share applicable to common
stockholders - basic and diluted ............................. $
Weighted-average number of common shares
used in computing net loss per common share
applicable to common stockholders - basic and
diluted (1) .................................................................
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss ....................................................................
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized income (loss) on available-for-sale
securities ...............................................................
Total other comprehensive income (loss) .........
(0.42) $
(0.30) $
(0.42) $
(0.47) $
(0.48)
157,398
127,597
115,092
82,827
43,906
(65,984)
(38,389)
(48,555)
(38,642)
(18,226)
Comprehensive loss ................................................ $ (65,967) $ (38,272) $ (48,672) $ (38,652) $
17
17
117
117
(117)
(117)
(10)
(10)
(7)
(7)
(18,233)
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash, cash equivalents and investments ............... $ 112,629 $ 109,014 $
Working capital ........................................................
Total assets ..............................................................
Capital lease obligations .........................................
Note payable ............................................................
Accumulated deficit .................................................
Total stockholders’ equity .......................................
106,512
118,417
15
209
(604,494)
107,695
101,691
113,231
15
501
(538,470)
103,349
87,157 $
56,427
92,276
22
762
(500,081)
83,582
48,571 $
35,384
51,426
21
870
(451,526)
43,402
35,592
25,867
36,867
9
—
(412,884)
32,452
(1) Computed on the basis described in Note 15 to the financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
64
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction
with our audited financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and
commercialization of novel oligonucleotide therapeutics for oncology and rare diseases. We use two distinct
proprietary drug discovery technology platforms to design and develop drug candidates: our Toll-like receptor, or
TLR, targeting technology and our nucleic acid chemistry technology (formerly referred to as our third generation
antisense, or 3GA, technology). We developed these platforms based on our scientific expertise and pioneering
work with synthetic oligonucleotides as therapeutic agents. Using our TLR targeting technology, we design synthetic
oligonucleotide-based drug candidates to modulate the activity of specific TLRs. In addition, using our nucleic acid
chemistry technology, we are developing drug candidates to turn off the messenger RNA, or mRNA, associated with
disease causing genes. We believe our nucleic acid chemistry technology may potentially reduce the
immunotoxicity and increase the potency of earlier generation antisense and RNA interference, or RNAi,
technologies.
Our business strategy is focused on the clinical development of drug candidates for oncology and rare
diseases characterized by small, well-defined patient populations with serious unmet medical needs. We believe
we can develop and commercialize these targeted therapies on our own. To the extent we seek to develop drug
candidates for broader disease indications, we have entered into and may explore additional collaborative
alliances to support development and commercialization.
Our TLR-targeted clinical-stage drug candidates are IMO-2125 and IMO-8400. IMO-2125 is an agonist of
TLR9, and IMO-8400 is an antagonist of TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9.
We are developing IMO-2125, via intra-tumoral injection, for the treatment of anti-PD1 refractory metastatic
melanoma in combination with ipilimumab, an anti-CTLA4 antibody marketed as Yervoy® by Bristol-Myers Squibb
Company. We are also investigating the combination of intra-tumoral IMO-2125 in combination with
pembrolizumab for the treatment of anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma and intratumoral IMO-2125 in
various solid tumors as monotherapy. We are developing IMO-8400 for the treatment of dermatomyositis.
At December 31, 2017, we had an accumulated deficit of $604.5 million. We expect to incur substantial
operating losses in future periods. We do not expect to generate product revenue, sales-based milestones or
royalties from our development programs until we successfully complete development and obtain marketing
approval for drug candidates, either alone or in collaborations with third parties, which we expect will take a
number of years. In order to commercialize our drug candidates, we need to complete clinical development and
comply with comprehensive regulatory requirements.
Agreement and Plan of Merger
As further described in Note 17 to the financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K, on January 21, 2018, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, or the Merger Agreement,
with BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or BioCryst, Nautilus Holdco, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of BioCryst, or Holdco, Island Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco, or Merger Sub A, and Boat Merger Sub, Inc., a
Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco, or Merger Sub B. Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions specified therein, (a) Merger Sub A will be
merged with and into us, or the Idera Merger, with us surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco, and
(b) Merger Sub B will be merged with and into BioCryst, or the BioCryst Merger, which we refer to together with the
Idera Merger as the Mergers, with BioCryst surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco. Holdco will be
renamed prior to the closing of the Mergers.
65
At the effective time of the Mergers, which we refer to as the Effective Time, (i) each share of our common
stock, par value $0.001 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than the
shares that are owned by us, BioCryst, Holdco, Merger Sub A or Merger Sub B or any wholly owned subsidiary of
ours, BioCryst, Holdco, Merger Sub A or Merger Sub B) will be converted into the right to receive 0.20 of a newly
issued share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Holdco and (ii) each share of our preferred stock, par
value $0.01 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than the shares that
are owned by us, BioCryst, Holdco, Merger Sub A or Merger Sub B or any wholly owned subsidiary of ours, BioCryst,
Holdco, Merger Sub A or Merger Sub B) will be converted into the right to receive an amount of Holdco common
stock based on their liquidation preference.
We expect to consummate the Mergers in the second quarter of 2018. However, we have prepared this
Annual Report on Form 10-K and the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as
if we were going to remain an independent company. See Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the
Mergers” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for certain risks related to the Mergers.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our
financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those
related to revenue recognition, stock-based compensation and research and development prepayments, accruals
and related expenses. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various
other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for
making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other
sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We regard an accounting estimate or assumption underlying our financial statements as a “critical
accounting estimate” where:
•
•
the nature of the estimate or assumption is material due to the level of subjectivity and judgment
necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change; and
the impact of the estimates and assumptions on financial condition or operating performance is
material.
While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in Note 2 to our financial statements
appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we believe the following accounting policies to be most
critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s, or FASB, Accounting
Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. Accordingly, revenue is recognized for each unit
of accounting when all of the following criteria are met:
• persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
• delivery has occurred or services have been rendered;
•
•
the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and
collectability is reasonably assured.
Amounts received prior to satisfying the revenue recognition criteria are recognized as deferred revenue in
our balance sheet. Amounts expected to be recognized as revenue within the 12 months following the balance
66
sheet date are classified as deferred revenue, current. Amounts not expected to be recognized as revenue within
the 12 months following the balance sheet date are classified as deferred revenue, net of current portion.
Our revenues have primarily been generated through collaborative research, development and/or
commercialization agreements. The terms of these agreements typically may include payment to us of one or
more of the following: nonrefundable, up-front license fees, research, development and commercial milestone
payments, other contingent payments due based on the activities of the counterparty or the reimbursement by
licensees of costs associated with patent maintenance. Each of these types of revenue are recorded as Alliance
revenues in our statement of operations.
For each collaborative research, development and/or commercialization agreement, which results in
revenues, we determine (i) whether multiple deliverables exist, (ii) whether the delivered elements have value to
the customer on a stand-alone basis, (iii) how the deliverables should be separated or combined and (iv) how the
consideration should be allocated to the deliverables.
Arrangement consideration that is fixed or determinable is allocated among the separate units of accounting
using the relative selling price method. Then, the applicable revenue recognition criteria in ASC 605 are applied to
each of the separate units of accounting in determining the appropriate period and pattern of recognition. We
determine the selling price of a unit of accounting following the hierarchy of evidence prescribed by ASC 605-25.
Accordingly, we determine the estimated selling price for units of accounting within each arrangement using
vendor-specific objective evidence, or VSOE, of selling price, if available, third-party evidence, or TPE, of selling
price if VSOE is not available, or best estimate of selling price, or BESP, if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. We
typically use BESP to estimate the selling price, since we generally do not have VSOE or TPE of selling price for our
units of accounting. Determining the BESP for a unit of accounting requires significant judgment. In developing the
BESP for a unit of accounting, we consider applicable market conditions and relevant entity-specific factors,
including factors that were contemplated in negotiating the agreement with the customer and estimated costs. We
validate the BESP for units of accounting by evaluating whether changes in the key assumptions used to determine
the BESP will have a significant effect on the allocation of arrangement consideration between multiple units of
accounting.
Options are considered substantive if, at the inception of the arrangement, we are at risk as to whether the
collaborator will choose to exercise the option. Factors that we consider in evaluating whether an option is
substantive include the overall objective of the arrangement, the benefit the collaborator might obtain from the
arrangement without exercising the option, the cost to exercise the option and the likelihood that the option will be
exercised. For arrangements under which an option is considered substantive, we do not consider the item
underlying the option to be a deliverable at the inception of the arrangement and the associated option fees are
not included in allocable arrangement consideration, assuming the option is not priced at a significant and
incremental discount. Conversely, for arrangements under which an option is not considered substantive or if an
option is priced at a significant and incremental discount, we would consider the item underlying the option to be a
deliverable at the inception of the arrangement and a corresponding amount would be included in allocable
arrangement consideration. The license to the first product candidate is considered a deliverable at the inception
of the arrangement but options to license any additional product candidates are substantive options and therefore
are not considered deliverables at inception.
We recognize arrangement consideration allocated to each unit of accounting when all of the revenue
recognition criteria in ASC 605 are satisfied for that particular unit of accounting. We will recognize as revenue
arrangement consideration attributed to licenses that have standalone value from the other deliverables to be
provided in an arrangement upon delivery. We will recognize as revenue arrangement consideration attributed to
licenses that do not have standalone value from the other deliverables to be provided in an arrangement over our
estimated performance period as the arrangement would be accounted for as a single unit of accounting.
Our multiple element revenue arrangements may include the following:
Up-front License Fees: If a license does not have stand-alone value, we recognize revenues from
nonrefundable, up-front license fees on a straight-line basis over the contracted or estimated period of
performance of the services under the related agreement, unless evidence suggests that revenue is earned or
obligations are fulfilled in a different pattern. We evaluate the period of performance each reporting period and
adjust the period of performance on a prospective basis if there are changes to be made. If a license were to have
67
stand-alone value and the other criteria of revenue recognition were satisfied, then revenue would be recognized in
the period earned.
Milestone Payments: At the inception of an agreement that includes research and development milestone
payments, we evaluate whether each milestone is substantive or represents a deliverable of the counterparty to
the agreement. We recognize revenues related to substantive milestones in full in the period in which the
substantive milestone is achieved if payment is reasonably assured. If a milestone is a deliverable of the
counterparty to the agreement, it is considered contingent revenue and is recognized when we are informed by the
counterparty that they have achieved it and such amount is reasonably assured of payment.
Research and Development Activities: If we are entitled to reimbursement from our collaborators for
specified research and development activities or the reimbursement of costs associated with patent maintenance,
we determine whether such funding would result in alliance revenues or an offset to research and development
expenses. Reimbursement of patent maintenance costs are recognized during the period in which the related
expenses are incurred as alliance revenues in our statement of operations.
Royalties: If we are entitled to receive royalties from our collaborator for product sales, we will recognize
royalty revenue in the period of sale of the related product(s), based on the underlying contract terms, provided
that the reported sales are reliably measurable and we have no remaining performance obligations, assuming all
other revenue recognition criteria are met.
Under the terms of our exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Vivelix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., or
Vivelix, we are eligible for future IMO-9200 related development, regulatory and sales milestone payments totaling
up to $140 million, including development and regulatory milestones totaling up to $65 million and sales
milestones totaling up to $75 million, and escalating royalties ranging from the mid single-digits to low double-
digits of global net sales, which percentages are subject to reduction under agreed upon circumstances. As it
relates to back-up compounds we are eligible for related designation payments and development, regulatory sales
and milestone payments totaling up to $52.5 million, including development and regulatory milestones totaling up
to $35 million and sales milestones totaling up to $17.5 million and escalating royalties ranging from the mid
single-digits to low double-digits of global net sales, which percentages are subject to reduction under agreed upon
circumstances.
Under the terms of our collaboration and license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property
Development Limited, or GSK, we are eligible to receive a total of up to approximately $20 million in upfront,
license, research, clinical development and commercialization milestone payments, including the $2.5 million
upfront, non-refundable, non-creditable cash payment received upon execution of the agreement. Of the
approximately $20 million in total payments we are eligible to receive, $1 million is payable by GSK upon the
designation of a development candidate from the initial target and $17 million is payable by GSK upon the
achievement of clinical milestones and commercial milestones. In addition, we are eligible to receive royalty
payments based on net sales of licensed products following commercialization at varying rates of up to five percent
on annual net sales.
We are adopting new revenue accounting guidance in the first quarter of 2018. With respect to both our
license and collaboration agreements with Vivelix and GSK, we are substantially complete with our assessment
and currently estimate that there will be no material impact to the amount of revenue previously recognized in our
historical financial statements after adoption of the new guidance. For further discussion, see Note 2, “Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies—New Accounting Pronouncements—Recently Issued (Not Yet Adopted) Accounting
Pronouncements”, in the Notes to Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for
further discussion regarding Topic 606.
Stock-Based Compensation
We recognize all share-based payments to employees and directors as expense in our statements of
operations and comprehensive loss based on their fair values. We record compensation expense over an award’s
requisite service period, or vesting period, based on the award’s fair value at the date of grant. Our policy is to
charge the fair value of stock options as an expense, adjusted for forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the
vesting period, which is generally four years for employees and one year for directors.
68
We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option grants. The Black-
Scholes option pricing model relies on a number of key assumptions to calculate estimated fair values, including
assumptions as to average risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield, expected life and expected volatility. For
the assumed risk-free interest rate, we use the U.S. Treasury security rate with a term equal to the expected life of
the option. Our assumed dividend yield of zero is based on the fact that we have never paid cash dividends to
common stockholders and have no present intention to pay cash dividends. We use an expected option life based
on actual experience. Our assumption for expected volatility is based on the actual stock-price volatility over a
period equal to the expected life of the option.
If factors change and we employ different assumptions for estimating stock-based compensation expense in
future periods, or if we decide to use a different valuation model, the stock-based compensation expense we
recognize in future periods may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period and could
materially affect our operating income (loss), net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share. It may also result in a
lack of comparability with other companies that use different models, methods and assumptions. The Black-
Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no
vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. These characteristics are not present in our option grants. Although
the Black-Scholes option pricing model is widely used, existing valuation models, including the Black-Scholes
option pricing model, may not provide reliable measures of the fair values of our stock-based compensation.
Research and Development Prepayments, Accruals and Related Expenses
As part of the process of preparing our financial statements, we are required to estimate our accrued and
prepaid expenses for research and development activities performed by third parties, including Clinical Research
Organizations, or CROs, and clinical investigators. These estimates are made as of the reporting date of the work
completed over the life of the individual study in accordance with agreements established with CROs and clinical
trial sites. Some CROs invoice us on a monthly basis, while others invoice upon achievement of milestones and the
expense is recorded as services are rendered. We determine the estimates of research and development activities
incurred at the end of each reporting period through discussion with internal personnel and outside service
providers as to the progress or stage of completion of trials or services, as of the end of each reporting period,
pursuant to contracts with clinical trial centers and CROs and the agreed upon fee to be paid for such services. We
periodically confirm the accuracy of our estimates with the service providers and make adjustments if necessary.
Clinical trial site costs related to patient enrollments are recorded as patients are entered into the trial.
69
Results of Operations
Years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
Alliance Revenue
Alliance revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were comprised of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2016
15,000 $
14 $
2017
Vivelix collaboration .................................. $
GSK collaboration .....................................
Other ..........................................................
863
25
Total Alliance Revenue ........................ $
902 $
1,111
88
16,199 $
2015
2017 vs 2016 2016 vs 2015
% Change
—
126
123
249
-100%
-22%
-72%
-94%
100% (1)
782% (2)
-28%
6406%
(1) Vivelix collaboration revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016 reflects the recognition of an
upfront, non-refundable fee of $15 million received in connection with the execution of the Vivelix
Agreement in November 2016. Vivelix collaboration revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017
reflects reimbursement of certain research activities we have performed under the Vivelix Agreement. See
Part I, Item 1, "Business —Collaborative Alliances" of this Form 10-K for additional details regarding our
collaboration with Vivelix and Note 8 to the financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K for information on the related accounting treatment.
(2) GSK collaboration revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 primarily relate to the
recognition of a $2.5 million upfront payment received in connection with the execution of the GSK
Agreement in November 2015, which was initially recorded as deferred revenue. We are recognizing this
deferred revenue as revenue on a straight line basis over the anticipated performance period under the
GSK Agreement. The decrease in GSK collaboration revenues during 2017 as compared to 2016 is
primarily due to a change that we made during the second quarter of 2017 with respect to our anticipated
performance period under our collaboration with GSK from the original estimate of 27 months to an
updated estimate of 36 months, which we accounted for on a prospective basis. See Part I, Item 1,
"Business —Collaborative Alliances" of this Form 10-K for additional details regarding our collaboration
with GSK and Note 8 to the financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
for information on the related accounting treatment.
Research and Development Expenses
For each of our research and development programs, we incur both direct and indirect expenses. We track
direct research and development expenses by program, which include third party costs such as contract research,
consulting and clinical trial and manufacturing costs. We do not allocate indirect research and development
expenses, which may include regulatory, laboratory (equipment and supplies), personnel, facility and other
overhead costs (including depreciation and amortization), to specific programs.
70
In the table below, research and development expenses are set forth in the following categories which are
discussed beneath the table:
2017
IMO-2125 external development expense ........... $ 10,930 $
IMO-8400 external development expense ...........
IMO-9200 external development expense ...........
Other drug development expense.........................
Basic discovery expense .......................................
Severance and option modification expense .......
2015
1,183
9,561
2,498
11,847
8,610
—
Total research and development expenses .... $ 50,653 $ 39,824 $ 33,699
11,150
392
14,221
9,874
—
8,484
7
16,675
8,980
5,577
% Change
2017 vs 2016 2016 vs 2015
161%
-24%
-98%
17%
-9%
100%
27%
254% (1)
17% (2)
-84% (3)
20% (4)
15% (5)
0% (6)
18%
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2016
4,187 $
(1) IMO-2125 External Development Expenses. These expenses include external expenses that we have
incurred in connection with the development of IMO-2125 as part of our immuno-oncology program. These
external expenses include payments to independent contractors and vendors for drug development
activities conducted after the initiation of IMO-2125 clinical development in immuno-oncology, but exclude
internal costs such as payroll and overhead expenses. We commenced clinical development of IMO-2125
as part of our immuno-oncology program in July 2015 and from July 2015 through December 31, 2017 we
incurred approximately $16.3 million in IMO-2125 external development expenses as part of our immuno-
oncology program, including costs associated with the preparation for and conduct of the ongoing
Phase 1/2 clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of IMO-2125 in combination with ipilimumab and
with pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic melanoma (Illuminate 204), the preparation and conduct
of our Phase 1b clinical trial of IMO-2125 monotherapy in patients with refractory solid tumors
(Illuminate 101), the preparation for our Phase 3 clinical trial of IMO-2125 in combination with ipilimumab
in patients with metastatic melanoma (Illuminate 301), and the manufacture of additional drug substance
for use in our clinical trials and additional nonclinical studies. The $16.3 million in IMO-2125 external
development expenses excludes costs incurred prior to July 2015 with respect to IMO-2125, including
costs incurred for the development of IMO-2125 for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus
which we discontinued in the third quarter of 2011.
The increases in our IMO-2125 external development expenses in both 2017 and 2016, as compared to
the corresponding prior period, were primarily due to increases in costs associated with the design and
planning for additional clinical trials of IMO-2125 and increased clinical activity under our ongoing
Phase 1/2 clinical trial, including costs incurred with contract research organizations and drug
manufacturing costs. In addition, expenses incurred during the 2017 period included costs associated
with our Phase 1b clinical trial of IMO-2125 monotherapy in patients with refractory solid tumors, which
was initiated in March 2017, and costs associated with the design and planning of our Phase 3 clinical
trial of IMO-2125 in combination with ipilimumab in patients with metastatic melanoma, which was
initiated in the first quarter of 2018.
(2)
IMO-8400 External Development Expenses. These expenses include external expenses that we have
incurred in connection with IMO-8400 since October 2012, when we commenced clinical development of
IMO-8400. These external expenses include payments to independent contractors and vendors for drug
development activities conducted after the initiation of IMO-8400 clinical development but exclude
internal costs such as payroll and overhead expenses. Since October 2012, we have incurred
approximately $42.8 million in IMO-8400 external development expenses through December 31, 2017,
including costs associated with our Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy subjects; our Phase 2 clinical trial in
patients with psoriasis, our Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia and
our Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, or DLBCL, harboring the MYD88
L265P oncogenic mutation, which we discontinued in September 2016; the preparation for and conduct
of our ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with dermatomyositis; the manufacture of additional drug
substance for use in our clinical trials; and expenses associated with our collaboration with Abbott
Molecular for the development of a companion diagnostic for identification of patients with DLBCL
harboring the MYD88 L265P oncogenic mutation.
71
The decrease in our IMO-8400 external development expenses in 2017, as compared to 2016, was
primarily due to lower costs incurred on clinical development of IMO-8400 for B-cell lymphomas, including
our trials in Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia and DLBCL harboring the MYD88 L265P oncogenic
mutation which we discontinued in 2016, partially offset by increased spending on our ongoing Phase 2
clinical trial of IMO-8400 in patients with dermatomyositis.
The increase in our IMO-8400 external development expenses in 2016, as compared to 2015, was
primarily due to increases in costs associated with our ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with
dermatomyositis and costs incurred in connection with the manufacture of additional drug substance for
use in our clinical trials in 2016. An increase in the cost of conducting our Phase 1/2 clinical trial in
patients with DLBCL harboring the MYD88 L265P oncogenic mutation also contributed to the increase in
IMO-8400 external development expenses in 2016. These increases were partially offset by a decrease
related to lower enrollment in our Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with Waldenström’s
macroglobulinemia and a decrease in the cost of developing a companion diagnostic for identification of
patients with B-cell lymphoma harboring the MYD88 L265P oncogenic mutation as compared to 2015.
(3) IMO-9200 External Development Expenses. These expenses include external expenses that we have
incurred in connection with IMO-9200 since October 2014, when we commenced clinical development of
IMO-9200. These external expenses include payments to independent contractors and vendors for drug
development activities conducted after the initiation of IMO-9200 clinical development but exclude
internal costs such as payroll and overhead expenses. We have incurred approximately $4.6 million in
IMO-9200 external development expenses from October 2014 through December 31, 2017 including
costs associated with our Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy subjects, the manufacture of additional drug
substance for use in our clinical and nonclinical trials and additional nonclinical studies. In September
2016, we determined not to proceed with the development of IMO-9200 and, in November 2016, we
entered into the Vivelix Agreement, granting Vivelix worldwide rights to develop and market IMO-9200 for
nonmalignant gastrointestinal disorders.
The decreases in our IMO-9200 external development expenses in both 2017 and 2016, as compared to
the corresponding prior period, primarily reflects lower spending on manufacturing and nonclinical
toxicology as a result of our decision to not proceed with the development of IMO-9200 in September
2016. Accordingly, we anticipate our IMO-9200 external development expenses will be nominal going
forward.
(4) Other Drug Development Expenses. These expenses include external expenses associated with
preclinical development of identified compounds in anticipation of advancing these compounds into
clinical development, including IDRA-008. In addition, these expenses include internal costs, such as
payroll and overhead expenses, associated with preclinical development and products in clinical
development. The external expenses associated with preclinical compounds include payments to contract
vendors for manufacturing and the related stability studies, preclinical studies, including animal toxicology
and pharmacology studies, and professional fees. Other drug development expenses also include costs
associated with compounds that were previously being developed but are not currently being developed.
The increase in other drug development expenses in 2017, as compared to 2016, was primarily due to an
increase in external costs of preclinical programs, including toxicology/pharmacology and bioanalytical
studies, storage fees and awareness and education programs, in addition to higher payroll and overhead
costs.
The increase in other drug development expenses in 2016, as compared to 2015, was primarily due the
costs of additional headcount associated with our expanded drug development programs and costs
associated with the manufacture of drug supplies for use in our nucleic acid chemistry research programs,
partially offset by lower consulting costs during 2016. In addition, other drug development expenses in
2015 included costs associated with the manufacture of IMO-2055 drug supply and other drug
development expenses of IMO-2125 incurred prior to the commencement of its clinical development in
our immuno-oncology program in July 2015. Costs associated with the clinical development of IMO-2125
since July 2015 are included in IMO-2125 external development expenses.
72
(5) Basic Discovery Expenses. These expenses include our internal and external expenses relating to our
discovery efforts with respect to our TLR-targeted programs, including agonists and antagonists of TLR3,
TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9, and our nucleic acid chemistry research programs. These expenses reflect charges
for laboratory supplies, external research, and professional fees, as well as payroll and overhead
expenses.
The decrease in basic discovery expenses in 2017, as compared to 2016, is primarily due to lower
compensation related expenses, including salaries and non-cash stock-based compensation resulting
from the resignation of our President of Research in May 2017 (see discussion of Severance and Option
Modification Expenses below) as well as lower facility related charges, including overhead expenses.
The increase in basic discovery expenses in 2016, as compared to 2015, was primarily due to increases in
payroll and stock-based compensation associated with additional research and development headcount,
the costs of laboratory supplies and facilities expenses during 2016. The increase in basic discovery
expenses in 2016 was partially offset by decreases in external research and recruiting expenses in 2016.
(6) Severance and Option Modification Expenses. The expenses incurred during 2017 relate to charges for
severance benefits provided pursuant to a separation agreement entered into in April 2017 in connection
with the resignation of our former President of Research, effective May 31, 2017. Of the $5.6 million
incurred, $1.3 million relates to severance pay in the form of salary continuation payments which will be
paid over a two-year period through May 31, 2019 and a pro-rated 2017 bonus payment, and $4.3 million
relates to non-cash stock-based compensation expense resulting from modifications to previously issued
stock option awards. No such expenses were incurred in 2016 or 2015.
We do not know if we will be successful in developing any drug candidate from our research and
development programs. At this time, and without knowing the results from our ongoing clinical trials of IMO-2125,
our ongoing clinical trial of IMO-8400, and our ongoing development of compounds in our nucleic acid chemistry
research program, we cannot reasonably estimate or know the nature, timing, and costs of the efforts that will be
necessary to complete the remainder of the development of, or the period, if any, in which material net cash
inflows may commence from, any drug candidate from our research and development programs. Moreover, the
clinical development of any drug candidate from our research and development programs is subject to numerous
risks and uncertainties associated with the duration and cost of clinical trials, which vary significantly over the life
of a project as a result of unanticipated events arising during clinical development.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll, stock-based compensation expense,
consulting fees and professional legal fees associated with our patent applications and maintenance, our
corporate regulatory filing requirements, our corporate legal matters, and our business development initiatives. For
the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, general and administrative expenses totaled $16.7 million,
$15.1 million and $15.4 million, respectively.
General and administrative expenses increased by approximately $1.6 million, or 10.5%, in 2017, as
compared to 2016, primarily due to increases in corporate legal fees, investor relations and information technology
expenses.
General and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $0.3 million, or 2%, in 2016, as
compared to 2015, primarily due to decreases in corporate legal fees and investor relations expenses, partially
offset by increases in payroll, stock compensation, legal fees associated with our patent filing and maintenance,
and accounting and auditing fees, including the cost of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and the related internal control
audit.
73
Interest Income
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, interest income totaled $0.6 million, $0.4 million
and $0.4 million, respectively.
Interest income increased by approximately $0.2 million, or 38.3%, in 2017, as compared to 2016, primarily
due to an increase in average investment balances, including money market funds classified as cash equivalents,
during 2017 resulting from our follow-on underwritten public offerings in October 2016 and October 2017. Interest
income for 2016 remained consistent with that earned during 2015.
Interest Expense
For both the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, interest expense totaled less than $0.1 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, interest expense totaled approximately $0.1 million.
Interest expense decreased in both 2017 and 2016, as compared to the corresponding prior period,
primarily due to a decrease in the outstanding principal amount of our note under our loan and security agreement
with Oxford Finance LLC executed on September 30, 2014.
Net Loss Applicable to Common Stockholders
As a result of the factors discussed above, our net loss applicable to common stockholders was $66.0
million, $38.4 million and $48.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards
In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or the TCJA, was signed into law. Among other things, the
TCJA permanently lowers the corporate federal income tax rate to 21% from the existing maximum rate of 35%,
effective for tax years including or commencing January 1, 2018. Certain provisions from the Tax Reform Act of
1986 were not impacted by TCJA, such as those limiting the amount of net operating loss carryforwards, or NOLs,
and tax credit carryforwards that companies may utilize in any one year in the event of cumulative changes in
ownership over a three-year period in excess of 50%.
We have completed several financings since the effective date of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which as of
December 31, 2017, have resulted in ownership changes in excess of 50% that will significantly limit our ability to
utilize our NOL and tax credit carryforwards. In December, 2017, we completed a study which determined that a
cumulative three-year ownership change in excess of 50% had occurred in February 2015. The 2017 and 2016
federal and state NOLs, tax credit carryforwards and related deferred tax assets included in Note 12 to the
financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been adjusted to reflect the
ownership change limitations that resulted from this study.
After adjusting our federal and state NOLs to reflect the ownership change limitations that resulted from this
study, as of December 31, 2017, we had cumulative federal and state NOLs of approximately $200.4 million and
$177.0 million available to reduce federal and state taxable income, respectively. These NOLs expire through
2037. In addition, at December 31, 2017, we had cumulative federal and state tax credit carryforwards of
$12.7 million and $1.8 million available to reduce federal and state income taxes which expire through 2037 and
2032, respectively. Additional ownership change limitations may result from ownership changes that occur after
February 2015.
74
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
We require cash to fund our operating expenses and to make capital expenditures. Historically, we have
funded our cash requirements primarily through the following:
•
•
sale of common stock, preferred stock and warrants;
exercise of warrants;
• debt financing, including capital leases;
•
•
license fees, research funding and milestone payments under collaborative and license agreements;
and
interest income.
We filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 on August 10, 2017, which was declared effective on
September 8, 2017. Under this registration statement, we may sell, in one or more transactions, up to $250.0
million of common stock, preferred stock, depository shares and warrants. As of February 15, 2018, we may sell up
to an additional $192.5 million of securities under this registration statement.
See Note 9 to the financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for
additional information regarding our recent equity financings and common stock warrant activity.
Cash Flows
The following table presents a summary of the primary sources and uses of cash for the years ended
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:
(in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in):
2017
Year Ended December 31,
2016
2015
Operating activities ................................................................
Investing activities .................................................................
Financing activities ................................................................
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ...........
$
$
(55,259)
28,064
59,157
31,962
$
$
(28,203)
31,366
50,918
54,081
$
$
(42,986)
(33,414)
83,015
6,615
Operating Activities. The use of cash in all periods resulted primarily from our net losses adjusted for non-
cash charges and changes in components of working capital. The increase in cash used in operating activities for
the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to 2016, was primarily due to increased internal and external
research and development expenses as we continued to progress our IMO-2125 development program and TLR
Modulation Technology Platform. The decrease in cash used in operating activities for the year ended
December 31, 2016, as compared to 2015, was primarily due to an upfront cash payment of $15 million received
in 2016 in connection with the Vivelix Agreement; partially offset by an increase in internal and external research
and development expenses.
Investing Activities. Cash provided by (used in) investing activities primarily consisted of the following
amounts relating to our investments in available-for-sale securities and purchases of property and equipment:
•
•
for the year ended December 31, 2017, the purchase of $0.2 million of property and equipment, offset
by proceeds from the maturity of available-for-sale securities of $28.3 million.
for the year ended December 31, 2016, the purchase of $2.9 million of available-for-sale securities and
$0.4 million of property and equipment, offset by proceeds from the maturity of available-for-sale
securities of $32.7 million and proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities of $2.0 million.
75
•
for the year ended December 31, 2015, the purchase of $63.1 million of available-for-sale securities
and $0.7 million of property and equipment, offset by proceeds from the maturity of available-for-sale
securities of $29.4 million and proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities of $1.0 million.
Financing Activities. Cash provided by financing activities primarily consisted of the following amounts
raised in connection with issuances of equity instruments:
•
•
•
for the year ended December 31, 2017, net proceeds of $53.8 million from our follow-on underwritten
public offering of our common stock in October 2017, excluding less than $0.1 million of costs that were
unpaid at December 31, 2017, and $5.7 million in aggregate net proceeds from employee stock
purchases under our 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or 2017 ESPP, and the exercise of common
stock options and warrants.
for the year ended December 31, 2016, net proceeds of $49.0 million from our follow-on underwritten
public offering of our common stock in October 2016, excluding the $0.2 million of costs that were
unpaid at December 31, 2016, and $2.2 million in aggregate net proceeds from employee stock
purchases under our 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or 1995 ESPP, and the exercise of common
stock warrants.
for the year ended December 31, 2015, net proceeds of $80.6 million from our follow-on underwritten
public offering of our common stock in February 2015 and $2.5 million in aggregate net proceeds from
employee stock purchases under our 1995 ESPP and the exercise of common stock options and
warrants.
Financial Condition and Funding Requirements
We have incurred operating losses in all fiscal years since our inception except 2002, 2008 and 2009, and
we had an accumulated deficit of $604.5 million at December 31, 2017. We expect to incur substantial operating
losses in future periods. These losses, among other things, have had and will continue to have an adverse effect
on our stockholders’ equity, total assets and working capital. We have received no revenues to date from the sale
of commercial products. As of February 15, 2018, substantially all of our revenues have been from collaboration
and license agreements. We have devoted substantially all of our efforts to research and development, including
clinical trials, and we have not completed development of any commercial products. Because of the numerous
risks and uncertainties associated with developing commercial products, we are unable to predict the extent of any
future losses, whether or when any of our products will become commercially available or when we will become
profitable, if at all.
We do not expect to generate significant additional funds internally until we successfully complete
development and obtain marketing approval for products, either alone or in collaboration with third parties, which
we expect will take a number of years. In addition, we have no committed external sources of funds.
We had cash, cash equivalents and investments of approximately $112.6 million at December 31, 2017.
We believe that, based on our current operating plan, our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments will
enable us to fund our operations into the second quarter of 2019. Specifically, we believe that our available funds
will be sufficient to enable us to:
•
•
•
•
complete the dose-finding portion of our ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of IMO-2125 in combination
with pembrolizumab in anti-PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma and complete enrollment in the Phase
2 portion of this trial in combination with ipilimumab;
initiate a Phase 3 clinical trial of IMO-2125 in combination with ipilimumab for the treatment of anti-PD1
refractory metastatic melanoma;
continue to enroll patients in our Phase 1b intra-tumoral monotherapy clinical trial of IMO-2125 in
multiple refractory tumor types; and
complete our ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of IMO-8400 in patients with dermatomyositis.
We expect that we will need to raise additional funds in order to complete these trials, conduct any other
clinical development of our TLR drug candidates or to conduct any other development of our nucleic acid chemistry
76
technology, and to fund our operations. We are seeking and expect to continue to seek additional funding through
collaborations, the sale or license of assets or financings of equity or debt securities. We believe that the key
factors that will affect our ability to obtain funding are:
•
•
•
•
•
the results of our clinical and preclinical development activities in our rare disease program, our
immuno-oncology program and our nucleic acid chemistry research program, and our ability to advance
our drug candidates and nucleic acid chemistry technology on the timelines anticipated;
the cost, timing, and outcome of regulatory reviews;
competitive and potentially competitive products and technologies and investors' receptivity to our drug
candidates and the technology underlying them in light of competitive products and technologies;
the receptivity of the capital markets to financings by biotechnology companies generally and
companies with drug candidates and technologies such as ours specifically; and
our ability to enter into additional collaborations with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and
the success of such collaborations.
In addition, increases in expenses or delays in clinical development may adversely impact our cash position
and require additional funds or cost reductions.
Financing may not be available to us when we need it or may not be available to us on favorable or
acceptable terms or at all. We could be required to seek funds through collaborative alliances or through other
means that may require us to relinquish rights to some of our technologies, drug candidates or drugs that we would
otherwise pursue on our own. In addition, if we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our then existing
stockholders will experience dilution. The terms of any financing may adversely affect the holdings or the rights of
existing stockholders. An equity financing that involves existing stockholders may cause a concentration of
ownership. Debt financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our
ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring
dividends, and are likely to include rights that are senior to the holders of our common stock. Any additional debt or
equity financing may contain terms which are not favorable to us or to our stockholders, such as liquidation and
other preferences, or liens or other restrictions on our assets. As discussed in Note 12 to the financial statements
appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, additional equity financings may also result in cumulative
changes in ownership over a three-year period in excess of 50% which would limit the amount of net operating loss
and tax credit carryforwards that we may utilize in any one year.
If we are unable to obtain adequate funding on a timely basis or at all, we will be required to terminate,
modify or delay preclinical or clinical trials of one or more of our drug candidates, significantly curtail or terminate
discovery or development programs for new drug candidates or relinquish rights to portions of our technology, drug
candidates and/or products.
Contractual Obligations
As of December 31, 2017, our contractual commitments and the effects such commitments are expected to
have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods are as follows:
Payments Due by Period
(in thousands)
2018
Operating leases ........................... $ 9,458 $ 2,024 $ 2,084 $ 2,018 $ 1,984 $ 1,348 $
209
Loan and security agreement .......
Total ............................................... $ 9,667 $ 2,233 $ 2,084 $ 2,018 $ 1,984 $ 1,348 $
209
2019
2020
2021
2022
Total
—
—
—
—
2023 and
thereafter
—
—
—
Our only material lease commitments relate to our facilities in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which expires on
August 31, 2022 subject to a five-year renewal option exercisable by us, and Exton, Pennsylvania, which expires on
May 31, 2020 subject to a three-year renewal option exercisable by us.
See Note 7 to the financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for
additional information regarding our note payable.
77
In the normal course of business, we enter into contracts with clinical research organizations, drug
manufacturers and other vendors for preclinical and clinical research studies, research and development supplies
and other services and products for operating purposes. These contracts generally provide for termination on
notice, and therefore are cancellable contracts and not included in the table of contractual obligations and
commitments.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2017, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
New accounting pronouncements are discussed in Note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements in this
Annual Report on Form10-K.
78
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
As of December 31, 2017, all material assets and liabilities are in U.S. dollars, which is our functional currency.
We maintain investments in accordance with our investment policy. The primary objectives of our investment
activities are to preserve principal, maintain proper liquidity to meet operating needs and maximize yields. Although
our investments are subject to credit risk, our investment policy specifies credit quality standards for our
investments and limits the amount of credit exposure from any single issue, issuer or type of investment. We
regularly review our investment holdings in light of the then current economic environment. At December 31,
2017, all of our invested funds were invested in a money market fund classified in cash and cash equivalents on
the accompanying balance sheet.
Based on a hypothetical ten percent adverse movement in interest rates, the potential losses in future
earnings, fair value of risk sensitive financial instruments, and cash flows are immaterial, although the actual
effects may differ materially from the hypothetical analysis.
79
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
All financial statements required to be filed hereunder are filed as listed under Item 15(a) of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K and are incorporated herein by this reference.
Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited)
The following table presents the unaudited statement of operations and comprehensive loss data for each of
the eight quarters in the period ended December 31, 2017. The information for each of these quarters is
unaudited, but has been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements appearing elsewhere in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In our opinion, all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments, have been made to present fairly the unaudited quarterly results when read in conjunction with the
audited financial statements and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this document. These operating results
are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for any future period.
Dec. 31, Sep. 30,
2017
2017
Three months ended
Jun. 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sep. 30,
Jun. 30, Mar. 31,
2017
2017
2016
2016
2016
2016
Statement of Operations and
Comprehensive (Loss) Income Data:
Alliance revenue ....................................... $
Operating expenses:
(In thousands, except per share data)
173 $
164 $
187 $
378 $ 15,281 $
323 $
301 $
294
Research and development ..................
General and administrative ..................
Total operating expenses ...................
(Loss) income from operations ................
Other income (expense):
Interest income ......................................
Interest expense ....................................
Foreign currency exchange
gain (loss) ...............................................
10,365
4,828
15,193
(15,020)
10,912
3,919
14,831
(14,667)
17,891
3,888
21,779
(21,592)
11,485
4,081
15,566
(15,188)
11,007
3,531
14,538
743
9,393
3,907
13,300
(12,977)
10,128
3,778
13,906
(13,605)
9,296
3,916
13,212
(12,918)
118
(10)
(14)
159
(11)
(11)
144
(13)
(10)
153
(16)
(6)
95
(17)
90
(19)
110
(21)
120
(23)
1
(2)
822 $ (12,903) $ (13,485) $ (12,823)
31
3
Net (loss) income ...................................... $ (14,926) $ (14,530) $ (21,471) $ (15,057) $
Net (loss) income per share applicable
to common stockholders (1)
— Basic.................................................... $
— Diluted .................................................
(0.08) $
(0.08)
(0.10) $
(0.10)
(0.14) $
(0.14)
(0.10) $
(0.10)
0.01 $
0.01
(0.10) $
(0.10)
(0.11) $
(0.11)
(0.11)
(0.11)
Weighted-average number of common
shares used in computing net (loss)
income per share applicable to
common stockholders (1) (2)
— Basic....................................................
— Diluted .................................................
181,176
181,176
149,638
149,638
149,412
149,412
149,100
149,100
146,255
151,930
121,389
121,389
121,323
121,323
121,284
121,284
Comprehensive loss:
Net (loss) income ...................................... $ (14,926) $ (14,530) $ (21,471) $ (15,057) $
Other comprehensive income
(loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on
available-for-sale securities ..................
Total other comprehensive
income (loss) .......................................
2
2
(1)
(1)
—
—
16
16
Comprehensive (loss) income ................. $ (14,924) $ (14,531) $ (21,471) $ (15,041) $
822 $ (12,903) $ (13,485) $ (12,823)
(16)
(13)
12
134
(16)
134
806 $ (12,916) $ (13,473) $ (12,689)
(13)
12
(1) Computed on the basis described in Note 15 to the financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
(2) In the quarter ending December 31, 2016, shares used in computing diluted net income per share includes
1,315,000 common stock equivalents related to exercisable stock options and 4,360,000 common stock equivalents
related to exercisable warrants.
80
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer,
evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and
15d- 15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2017. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls
and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and
operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and our management necessarily
applied its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on this
evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that as of December 31, 2017,
our disclosure controls and procedures were (1) designed to ensure that material information relating to us is
made known to our principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others, particularly during the period
in which this report was prepared, and (2) effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance that information
required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
a) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, is
responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control
over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a
process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers
and effected by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures
that:
• Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
• Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and
expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management
and directors of the Company; and
• Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use
or disposition of the Company’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. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance
with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to
future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or
that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2017. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013).
81
Based on its assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2017, the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on
the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. This report appears
immediately below.
b)
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,
based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States) (PCAOB), the balance sheets of Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the
related statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 of the Company and our report dated March 7, 2018
expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and
for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting
firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting
was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a
material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based
on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we 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 Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting
includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail,
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made
82
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the
company’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 of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 7, 2018
c)
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal
control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
83
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance.
Information about our Directors
PART III.
Set forth below is information about each member of our board of directors, including (a) the year in which
each director first became a director, (b) their age as of February 15, 2018, (c) their positions and offices with our
Company, (d) their principal occupations and business experience during at least the past five years and (e) the
names of other public companies for which they currently serve, or have served within the past five years, as a
director. We have also included information about each director's specific experience, qualifications, attributes or
skills that led our board of directors to conclude that such individual should serve as one of our directors. We also
believe that all of our directors have a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards.
They each have demonstrated business acumen and an ability to exercise sound judgment, as well as a
commitment of service to Idera and our board of directors.
Class I Directors—Terms to Expire in 2020
Vincent J. Milano
Director since 2014
Vincent Milano, age 54, has been our President and Chief Executive Officer, and a member of our board of
directors, since December 2014. Prior to joining us, Mr. Milano served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of ViroPharma Inc., a pharmaceutical company that was acquired by Shire Plc in January 2014, from March
2008 to January 2014, as its Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer from January 2006
to March 2008 and as its Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from April 1996 to December 2005.
Mr. Milano also served on the board of directors of ViroPharma from March 2008 to January 2014. Prior to joining
ViroPharma, Mr. Milano served in increasingly senior roles, most recently senior manager, at KPMG LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, from July 1985 to March 1996. Mr. Milano currently serves on the
board of directors of Spark Therapeutics, Inc. and Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., each a publicly traded company,
and VenatoRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mr. Milano holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Rider
College. We believe Mr. Milano's qualifications to sit on our board of directors include his knowledge of our
company as our President and Chief Executive Officer, knowledge of our industry, including over 20 years of
experience serving in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility in the finance department, corporate
administration and operations of a multinational biopharmaceutical company, and understanding of
pharmaceutical research and development, sales and marketing, strategy, and operations in both the United
States and overseas. He also has corporate governance experience through service on other public company
boards.
Kelvin M. Neu, M.D.
Director since 2014
Dr. Neu, age 44, is a Managing Director of Baker Bros. Advisors LP and has been with the firm since 2004.
The firm primarily manages long-term investment funds focused on publicly traded life sciences companies.
Dr. Neu previously served on the board of directors of XOMA Corporation, a publicly traded company. Dr. Neu also
served as a director of AnorMED Inc. and diaDexus, Inc. Dr. Neu holds an A.B. in Molecular Biology from Princeton
University and an M.D. from Harvard Medical School and the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and
Technology. He also trained for three years in the Immunology Ph.D. program at Stanford University. We believe
that Dr. Neu's qualifications to sit on our board of directors include his scientific background, affiliation with one of
our significant stockholders and knowledge of our industry.
84
William S. Reardon, C.P.A.
Director since 2002
Mr. Reardon, age 71, has been a director since 2002 and served as lead independent director of our board
of directors from September 2010 to July 2013. He served as an audit partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
where he led the Life Science Industry Practice for New England and the Eastern United States from 1986 until his
retirement from the firm in July 2002. Mr. Reardon currently serves as a trustee of closed-end mutual funds Tekla
Healthcare Investors, Tekla Life Sciences Investors and of Tekla Healthcare Opportunities Fund and Tekla World
Healthcare Fund. Mr. Reardon also previously served as a director of Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp., a publicly
traded company. We believe that Mr. Reardon's qualifications to sit on our board of directors include his
accounting and financial experience, including as a partner at a leading accounting firm leading its life science
practice, his role in keeping the board of directors and senior management team abreast of current accounting
regulations and his experience as a member of several boards of directors of biotechnology companies.
Additionally, we value Mr. Reardon's role in leading the board on matters of corporate governance, before, during
and after his service as lead independent director.
Class II Directors—Terms to Expire in 2018
Julian C. Baker
Director since 2014
Mr. Baker, age 51, is a Managing Partner of Baker Brothers Investments, which he founded in 2000 with his
brother, Dr. Felix J. Baker. The firm primarily manages long-term investment funds focused on publicly traded life
sciences companies. Mr. Baker's career as a fund manager began in 1994 when he co-founded a biotechnology
investing partnership with his brother and the Tisch Family. Previously, Mr. Baker was employed from 1988 to
1993 by the private equity investment arm of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation. He also serves on the boards
of directors of Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Incyte Corporation and Genomic Health, Inc. and previously served on
the board of directors of Trimeris, Inc. Mr. Baker holds an A.B. from Harvard University. We believe that Mr. Baker's
qualifications to sit on our board of directors include his financial expertise, affiliation with one of our significant
stockholders, knowledge of our industry and significant public company board experience.
James A. Geraghty
Director since 2013
Mr. Geraghty, age 63, has served as chairman of our board of directors since July 2013. He was an
Entrepreneur in Residence at Third Rock Ventures from May 2013 to October 2016. Mr. Geraghty served as a
Senior Vice President of Sanofi, a global healthcare company, from April 2011 to December 2012. Prior to that, he
served in various senior management roles at Genzyme Corporation, a biotechnology company, from 1992 to April
2011, including as Senior Vice President, International Development from January 2007 to April 2011.
Mr. Geraghty currently serves as chairman of the board of Juniper Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly traded
company, and as a member of the board of Voyager Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly traded company. He also serves
as a director of Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc. He previously served as a director of bluebird bio Inc. and GTC
Biotherapeutics, Inc. We believe that Mr. Geraghty's qualifications to sit on our board of directors include his public
company board and management experience and his broad and deep knowledge of the industry in which we
operate.
Maxine Gowen, Ph.D.
Director since 2016
Dr. Gowen, age 59, has served as the founding President and CEO and a member of the board of directors of
Trevena, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, since November 2007. Prior to joining Trevena, Dr. Gowen was Senior
Vice President for the Center of Excellence for External Drug Discovery at GlaxoSmithKline plc, or GSK, where she
held a variety of leadership positions during her tenure of 15 years. Before GSK, Dr. Gowen was Senior Lecturer
and Head, Bone Cell Biology Group, Department of Bone and Joint Medicine, of the University of Bath, U.K.
Dr. Gowen has served as a director of Akebia Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly traded company, since July 2014. From
2008 until 2012, Dr. Gowen served as a director of Human Genome Sciences, Inc., a publicly traded company. She
received her Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield, U.K., an M.B.A. with academic honors from The Wharton School
of the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.Sc. with Honors in Biochemistry from the University of Bristol, U.K. We
85
believe that Dr. Gowen's qualifications to sit on our board of directors include her significant public company
management and board experience and knowledge of our industry.
Class III Directors—Terms to Expire in 2019
Mark Goldberg, M.D.
Director since 2014
Dr. Goldberg, age 63, served as consultant and medical and regulatory strategist for Synageva BioPharma
Corp., a biopharmaceutical company, from October 2014 until June 2015. Prior to that, he served as the Executive
Vice President for Medical and Regulatory Strategy of Synageva from January 2014 to October 2014 and as the
Senior Vice President of Medical and Regulatory Affairs of Synageva from September 2011 to January 2014.
Dr. Goldberg served in a variety of senior management positions at Genzyme Corporation from 1996 to July 2011,
including most recently as Senior Vice President for Clinical Development and Therapeutic Group Head for
Oncology and Personalized Genetic Health from 2009 to July 2011. Prior to working at Genzyme Corporation, he
was a full time staff physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, where he still
holds appointments. He has also been an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School since 1996.
Dr. Goldberg is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist and has more than 50 published papers.
Dr. Goldberg currently serves on the board of directors of ImmunoGen, Inc. GlycoMimetics, Inc., Blueprint
Medicines Corporation and Audentes Therapeutics, Inc., all publicly traded companies. He also served on the board
of directors of aTyr Pharma, Inc. from 2015 to 2017. Dr. Goldberg holds an A.B. from Harvard College and an M.D.
from Harvard Medical School. We believe that Dr. Goldberg's qualifications to sit on our board of directors include
his extensive scientific and medical background, public company board experience and extensive experience in the
management and operations of pharmaceutical companies.
Audit Committee
Our board of directors has established a standing committee. Our audit committee operates under a charter
that has been approved by our board of directors. A current copy of the charter for the audit committee is posted
on our website, www.iderapharma.com, and can be accessed by clicking "Investors" and "Corporate Governance."
Our audit committee's responsibilities include:
•
appointing, approving the compensation of, and assessing the independence of our independent
registered public accounting firm;
•
•
overseeing the work of our independent registered public accounting firm, including through the receipt
and consideration of certain reports from such accounting firm;
reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm our
annual and quarterly financial statements and related disclosures;
• monitoring our internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures and code of
business conduct and ethics;
• discussing our risk management policies;
•
establishing procedures for the receipt and retention of accounting related complaints and concerns;
•
reviewing and approving related party transactions;
• meeting independently with our independent registered public accounting firm and management; and
• preparing the audit committee report required by SEC rules.
The current members of our audit committee are Mr. Reardon (Chairman), Mr. Geraghty and Dr. Goldberg.
Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Reardon is an "audit committee financial expert" within the
meaning of SEC rules and regulations. Each member of the audit committee is independent as defined under
applicable rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, including the independence requirements contemplated by
Rule 10A- 3 under the Exchange Act. During 2017, our audit committee held seven meetings in person or by
teleconference.
86
Our Executive Officers
Our executive officers and their respective ages and positions as of February 15, 2018 are described below.
Our executive officers serve until they resign or the board terminates their position.
Name
Vincent J. Milano* ...................
Louis J. Arcudi, III, M.B.A. .......
Age
Position
54 President and Chief Executive Officer
57 Senior Vice President of Operations, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
R. Clayton Fletcher ..................
Joanna Horobin, M.B., Ch.B ....
Jonathan Yingling, Ph.D. ........
55 Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategy
63 Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer
49 Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer
and Assistant Secretary
* Mr. Milano is a member of our board of directors. See "Information about our Directors" above for more
information about Mr. Milano.
Louis J. Arcudi, III, M.B.A., has been our Senior Vice President of Operations since April 2011 and our Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer since he joined us in December 2007. Mr. Arcudi served as our Secretary from
December 2007 until June 2015 and has been our Assistant Secretary since June 2015. Prior to joining us,
Mr. Arcudi served as Vice President of Finance and Administration and Treasurer for Peptimmune, Inc., a
biotechnology company, from 2003 to 2007. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Arcudi was Senior Director of Finance and
Administration at Genzyme Molecular Oncology Corporation, a division of Genzyme Corporation. He was Director of
Finance Business Planning and Operations International at Genzyme from 1998 to 2000. Prior to joining Genzyme,
he held finance positions with increasing levels of responsibility at Cognex Corporation, a supplier of machine
vision systems, Millipore Corporation, a provider of technologies, tools and services for bioscience, research and
biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and General Motors Corporation, an automobile manufacturer. Mr. Arcudi holds
an M.B.A. from Bryant College and a B.S. in accounting and information systems from the University of Southern
New Hampshire.
R. Clayton Fletcher, has been our Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Planning since
January 2015. Prior to joining us, Mr. Fletcher served in increasingly senior positions at ViroPharma Inc., which was
acquired by Shire Plc in January 2014, from April 2001 until January 2014, including as Vice President, Business
Development and Project Management from 2005 until January 2014. Mr. Fletcher served as Senior Project
Manager at SmithKline Beecham plc, a pharmaceutical company, which was purchased by Glaxo Wellcome plc in
December 2000, from 1997 until 2001. Prior to working at SmithKline Beecham, he served as Project Scientist, at
Becton, Dickinson and Company, a medical devices company and as Principal Scientist at Intracel Corporation, a
biopharmaceutical company. Prior to working at Intracel, he served as Senior Associate Scientist at Centocor
Biotech, Inc., a biotechnology company from 1991 until 1993. Mr. Fletcher holds a B.S. and a M.S. in biology from
Wake Forest University.
Joanna Horobin, M.B., Ch.B, has been our Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer since November
2015. Prior to joining us, Dr. Horobin served as the Chief Medical Officer of Verastem, Inc., a biopharmaceutical
company, from October 2012 to June 2015. Prior to joining Verastem, she served as President of Syndax
Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company, from September 2006 to October 2012 and as Chief Executive
Officer from September 2006 until April 2012. Prior to that, Dr. Horobin held several roles of increasing
responsibility at global pharmaceutical corporations such as Rhône-Poulenc Rorer (now Sanofi) and Chugai-Rhône-
Poulenc. Dr. Horobin received her medical degree from the University of Manchester, England.
Jonathan Yingling, Ph.D. joined our company as Senior Vice President, Early Development in February 2017
and since January 2018 has been serving as our Chief Scientific Officer. Prior to joining us, Dr. Yingling was Chief
Scientific Officer at Bind Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company that filed for bankruptcy in May 2016, from
December 2015 to August 2016. Prior to joining Bind Therapeutics, Dr. Yingling served as vice president, Oncology
Discovery and Translational Research at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, or BMS, a pharmaceutical company, from
June 2013 to October 2015. During his tenure at BMS, he was responsible for the oncology research portfolio as
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well as translational capabilities in immuno-oncology. Dr. Yingling earned his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology
and Pharmacology at Duke University and was a Howard Hughes Postdoctoral Fellow at Vanderbilt University.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our principal executive
officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.
We have posted a current copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics in the “Investors — Corporate
Governance” section of our website, which is located at www.iderapharma.com. We intend to satisfy the disclosure
requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our code of
business conduct and ethics by posting such information on our website at www.iderapharma.com.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, officers and the holders of more than 10% of our
common stock, which we refer to collectively as reporting persons, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership
of our common stock and other equity securities on a Form 3 and reports of changes in such ownership on a Form
4 or Form 5. Reporting persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms
they file. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of our records and written representations by the persons
required to file these reports, during 2017, the reporting persons complied with all Section 16(a) filing
requirements.
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Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis, or CD&A, should be read in conjunction with the compensation
tables and narratives that immediately follow this section.
Introduction
This CD&A provides an overview and analysis of the philosophy, objectives, process, components and
additional aspects of our 2017 executive compensation program. This analysis focuses on the compensation paid
to our named executive officers, or NEOs:
• Vincent J. Milano, President and Chief Executive Officer,
•
Louis J. Arcudi, III, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Operations,
• R. Clayton Fletcher, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy,
•
•
Joanna Horobin, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer
Jonathan Yingling, Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer
• Sudhir Agrawal, Former President of Research
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Our general executive compensation philosophy has been established by our compensation committee,
which acts pursuant to authority delegated to it by our board. Our compensation committee is comprised solely of
independent directors as defined by applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq and the SEC. The compensation
committee seeks to achieve the following broad goals in connection with our executive compensation program:
•
•
attract, retain and motivate the best possible executive talent;
ensure executive compensation is aligned with our corporate strategies and business objectives,
including our short-term operating goals and longer-term strategic objectives;
• promote the achievement of key strategic and financial performance measures by linking short- and
long-term cash and equity incentives to the achievement of measurable corporate and individual
performance goals; and
•
align executives’ incentives with the creation of stockholder value.
To achieve these objectives, the compensation committee:
•
•
sets short- and long-term compensation at levels the compensation committee believes are competitive
with those of other companies in our industry and our region that compete with us for executive talent;
ties a substantial portion of each executive officer’s overall cash compensation to key strategic,
financial, research, and operational goals such as clinical trial and regulatory progress, intellectual
property portfolio development, establishment and maintenance of key strategic relationships, and
exploration of business development opportunities, as well as our financial and operational
performance; and
• provides a portion of our executive compensation in the form of stock options that vest over time from
the date of grant of the option awards and from the time of achievement of performance milestones
when applicable, which we believe helps to retain our executives and align their interests with those of
our stockholders by allowing them to participate in the longer term success of our company as reflected
in stock price appreciation.
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Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
We conducted an advisory vote on executive compensation, commonly referred to as a "say-on-pay"
proposal, at our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. While this vote was not binding on us, we value the
opinions of our stockholders and, to the extent there is any significant vote against the compensation of our named
executive officers in the future, we will consider our stockholders' concerns and our board and compensation
committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.
At our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, approximately 99% of the votes cast on the advisory vote on
executive compensation approved the compensation paid to our named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy
statement for that meeting. The board of directors and compensation committee considered the results of this
advisory vote, together with the other factors and data, in determining executive compensation decisions and will
continue to consider the outcome of our say on pay votes when making future compensation decisions for our
named executive officers.
Also at our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we conducted an advisory, non-binding vote on the
frequency of voting on executive compensation in which approximately 97% of the votes cast approved the
frequency of every “one year” for future executive compensation advisory votes. We plan to propose an advisory
vote on the frequency of the executive compensation advisory vote at least once every six calendar years.
Executive Compensation Process
Role of Our Compensation Committee and Our Chief Executive Officer
In order to accomplish its objectives consistent with its philosophy for executive compensation and
determine compensation for our named executive officers, our compensation committee reviews competitive
information on executive compensation practices from peer companies as well as an assessment of overall
corporate performance and individual performance. In connection therewith, our compensation committee typically
takes the following actions annually:
•
•
•
•
reviews chief executive officer performance;
seeks input from our chief executive officer on the performance of all other executive officers;
reviews all components of executive officer compensation, including base salary, cash bonus targets
and awards, equity compensation, the dollar value to the executive and cost to us of all health and life
insurance and other employee benefits, and the estimated payout obligations under severance and
change in control scenarios;
consults with its independent compensation consultant;
• holds executive sessions (without our management present);
•
•
reviews information regarding the performance and executive compensation of other companies; and
reviews the outcomes from the foregoing with the board of directors.
Our chief executive officer does not submit an assessment of his own performance, does not present a
recommendation on his own compensation, and does not participate in the portion of the meeting where his
compensation is determined. Our compensation committee determines and approves the compensation for our
chief executive officer and other executive officers.
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Under our annual performance review program for our executive officers, annual performance goals are
determined for our company as a whole and for each executive officer individually.
• Annual corporate goals are proposed by management and approved by the board of directors. These
corporate goals target the achievement of specific research, clinical, operational, and financial
milestones. The compensation committee determines how the components of our annual corporate
goals will contribute to the overall performance evaluation.
• Annual individual goals focus on contributions that facilitate the achievement of our corporate goals.
Individual goals are proposed at the start of each year by each executive and approved by the chief
executive officer and, as appropriate, the compensation committee. Typically, the compensation
committee sets the chief executive officer’s goals and reviews and discusses with the chief executive
officer the goals for all other executive officers. The individual performance goals of each named
executive officer consist primarily of the key objectives and goals from our annual business plan that
relate to the functional area for which the executive officer is responsible. The individual performance
goals for the chief executive officer are largely coextensive with the corporate goals.
At the end of each year, the compensation committee evaluates corporate and individual performance.
•
•
In assessing corporate performance, the compensation committee evaluates corporate performance
alongside the approved corporate goals for the year and also evaluates other aspects of corporate
performance, including achievements and progress made by us outside of the corporate goals.
In assessing individual performance, the compensation committee evaluates corporate performance in
the areas of each officer’s responsibility and relies on the chief executive officer’s evaluation of each
other officer. The chief executive officer prepares evaluations of the other executives and in doing so
compares individual performance to the individual performance goals. The chief executive officer
recommends annual executive salary increases, annual stock option awards and bonuses, if any, for the
other executives, which are then reviewed and approved by the compensation committee. In the case of
the chief executive officer, the compensation committee conducts his individual performance
evaluation.
During this process, the compensation committee consults with its independent compensation consultant.
To that end, in connection with the compensation committee’s annual performance and compensation review in
the fourth quarter of 2016, Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC, or Pearl Meyer, provided the compensation committee
with a blend of the data from the 2016 peer group (identified below) and compensation survey data from the
Radford 2016 Global Life Sciences Survey, a survey of U.S. biotech companies. We refer to this blended data as
the “2016 market compensation data.”
For all executives, annual base salary increases, if any, are awarded during the first quarter following the
end of the fiscal year. Annual stock option awards and bonuses, if any, are granted as determined by the
compensation committee and are typically granted in the first quarter of the fiscal year.
The compensation committee generally does not plan to approve annual equity grants to employees,
including named executive officers, at a time when our company is in possession of material non-public
information. We do not award stock options to named executive officers concurrently with the release of material
non-public information.
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Role of the Compensation Committee's Independent Consultant
In the fourth quarter of 2016, our compensation committee engaged Pearl Meyer in connection with our
2017 annual compensation assessment to review our executive compensation practices and to provide the
compensation committee with an assessment of our compensation program against competitive market data.
See "Use of Market Compensation Data" below for a discussion of the competitive market compensation data
compiled by Pearl Meyer. Based on this assessment, Pearl Meyer made recommendations to our compensation
committee regarding the amount and form of executive compensation, equity incentive programs, and
compensation generally. Pearl Meyer did not provide any services to our company during 2016 or 2017 other than
pursuant to their respective engagement by the compensation committee.
Our compensation committee analyzed whether the work of Pearl Meyer as a compensation consultant has
raised any conflict of interest, taking into consideration the following factors: (a) the provision of other services to
us by Pearl Meyer; (b) the amount of fees received from us by Pearl Meyer, as a percentage of the total revenue of
Pearl Meyer; (c) Pearl Meyer’s policies and procedures that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest; (d) any
business or personal relationship of Pearl Meyer or the individual advisors employed by Pearl Meyer with a member
of the compensation committee or any executive officer; and (e) any shares of our stock owned by Pearl Meyer or
the individual advisors employed by Pearl Meyer. Our compensation committee determined, based on its analysis
of the above factors, that the work of Pearl Meyer and the individual compensation advisors employed by Pearl
Meyer as compensation consultants has not created any conflict of interest and the compensation committee is
satisfied with the independence of Pearl Meyer. Going forward, the compensation committee intends to assess the
independence of any of our compensation advisers by reference to the foregoing factors, consistent with
applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq and the SEC.
Use of Market Compensation Data
In making compensation decisions, our compensation committee reviewed competitive market
compensation data compiled by Pearl Meyer. As part of its engagement, Pearl Meyer worked with the
compensation committee in the fourth quarter of 2016 to select a peer group of publicly traded companies to be
used in connection with our 2017 compensation decisions, including stock options granted during 2017, fiscal
year 2017 salary adjustments and fiscal year 2017 target bonus percentages. In selecting this peer group, the
compensation committee and Pearl Meyer generally targeted mid- to late-development stage companies in the
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Life Sciences sectors that generally met the following screening criteria:
• Company Size: revenue less than or equal to $150M; operating expense less than or equal to four times
our operating expense (i.e., less than or equal to $230M); employees between 20-200;
• Business Operations: conducting Phase 2 or Phase 3 clinical trials in at least one of oncology, rare
diseases, or leveraging a ‘technology platform’ model; and
• Other: exclude subsidiaries; companies with business challenges; companies having market valuations
below $50M; and companies that have recently conducted an initial public offering.
The following table lists the companies included in the 2016 peer group used in connection with our 2017
compensation decisions referred to above:
Argos Therapeutics, Inc.
Aduro BioTech, Inc.
Advaxis, Inc.
Arrowhead Research Corp.
Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.
Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Dynavax Technologies Corp.
Endocyte, Inc.
GlycoMimetics, Inc.
Immune Design Corp.
Immunomedics, Inc.
Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Regulus Therapeutics, Inc.
WAVE Life Sciences, Inc.
Xencor, Inc.
The foregoing peer group companies were recommended by Pearl Meyer and approved by our compensation
committee because they have similar business profiles to ours taking into account number of employees, market
value and stage of development. Additionally, while there were no changes to the screening criteria used for
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determining the 2016 peer group, as compared to the determination of the 2015 peer group, certain companies
were excluded from or added to the 2016 peer group, primarily due to application of our screening criteria (e.g.
quantitative metrics and market capitalization).
Our compensation committee intends that if we achieve our corporate goals and the executive performs at
the level expected, the executive should have the opportunity to receive compensation that is competitive with
industry norms. Accordingly, our compensation committee generally targets overall compensation for executives
towards the 50th percentile of the market data. However, the compensation committee does not apply those
targets formulaically and allows for individuals to be positioned at different percentiles based on experience,
performance levels and potential performance levels of the executive, and changes in duties and responsibilities.
Components of Executive Compensation
The primary elements of our executive compensation program are:
• base salary;
•
•
annual cash bonuses;
stock option awards;
• health insurance, life insurance, and other employee benefits; and
•
severance and change in control benefits.
The value of our variable, performance-based compensation is allocated between short-term compensation
in the form of a cash bonus and long-term compensation in the form of stock option awards that vest over time
from the date of grant of the option awards or from the time of achievement of performance milestones. The
annual cash bonus is intended to provide an incentive to our executives to achieve short-term operational
objectives. The stock option award is intended to provide an incentive for our executives to achieve longer-term
strategic business goals, which should lead to higher stock prices and increased stockholder value. We have not
had any formal or informal policy or target for allocating compensation between long-term and short-term
compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation, or among the different forms of non-cash
compensation. Instead, the compensation committee, after reviewing industry information and our cash resources,
determines subjectively what it believes to be the appropriate level and mix of the various compensation
components.
We do not have any defined benefit pension plans or any non-qualified deferred compensation plans.
We are party to employment agreements and employment offer letters with each of our named executive
officers. Employment agreements and employment offer letters with our named executive officers are described
below under the caption “Employment and Separation Agreements with our Named Executive Officers.”
Base Salary
In establishing base salaries for our named executive officers, our compensation committee typically reviews
the market compensation data presented by the committee’s independent compensation consultant, considers
historic salary levels of the executive officer and the nature of the executive officer’s responsibilities, compares the
executive officer’s base salary with those of our other executives, and considers the executive officer’s experience,
performance and contributions. The compensation committee also typically considers the challenges involved in
hiring and retaining executive talent in our industry and region. In assessing the executive officer’s performance,
the compensation committee considers the executive officer’s role in the achievement of the annual corporate
goals, as well as, in the case of our executive officers other than our chief executive officer, the performance
evaluation prepared by our chief executive officer with respect to such executive officer. The compensation
committee considers such evaluation as a means of informing the compensation committee’s decision as to
whether the executive officer’s performance was generally consistent with our expectations.
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As part of our 2016 annual performance and compensation review, the compensation committee approved
annual base salaries for our executive officers for 2017. In setting these annual base salaries, the compensation
committee reviewed the 2016 market compensation data presented by Pearl Meyer. Similarly, as part of our
December 2017 annual performance and compensation review, the compensation committee reviewed the 2017
market compensation data and approved new annual base salaries for our executive officers for 2018. In each of
the 2016 and 2017 reviews, after considering each executive’s current salary, performance, and experience in the
context of the market compensation data as well as relative to one another, the compensation committee
approved the following salary increases and resulting base salaries:
Executive
Mr. Milano................................
Mr. Arcudi ................................
Mr. Fletcher .............................
Dr. Horobin ..............................
Dr. Yingling (1) .........................
Dr. Agrawal (2) .........................
2016 Base
Salary
$600,000
$347,500
$375,000
$390,000
—
$588,100
$600,000
$357,900
$386,300
$410,000
$385,000
$588,100
0.0
3.0
3.0
5.1
—
0.0
2018 Base
Salary
$600,000
$370,000
$400,000
$425,000
$400,000
—
0.0
3.4
3.5
3.7
3.9
—
2017 Base Salary % Increase
% Increase
(1) Dr. Yingling commenced employment with us in February 2017.
(2) Effective May 31, 2017, Dr. Agrawal resigned as our President of Research and as a member of our board.
Annual Cash Performance Bonuses
The compensation committee generally structures cash bonuses by linking them to the achievement of the
annual corporate goals, corporate performance outside of the corporate goals (i.e. an unexpected opportunistic
business development deal would be factored subjectively as an adjustment to the score that the committee
derived from evaluation of the corporate goals), and individual performance. The amount of the bonus paid, if any,
varies among the executive officers depending on individual performance and their contribution to the
achievement of our annual corporate goals and corporate performance generally. The compensation committee
reviews and assesses corporate goals and individual performance by executive officers and considers the reasons
why specific goals have been achieved or have not been achieved. While achievement against the applicable
corporate goals is given substantial weight in connection with the determination of annual bonuses, we also factor
in an evaluation of our named executive officers’ individual performance based on analysis of achievement of
individual performance goals as well as the following subjective criteria:
•
leadership;
• management;
•
•
•
judgment and decision making skills;
results orientation; and
communication
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The compensation committee sets the individual bonus target percentages for each of our named executive
officers. In determining the target bonus percentages to be used for 2017, the compensation committee
concluded that the target bonus percentages should be competitive with the 50th percentile of the 2016 market
compensation data and that there be no difference in the target bonus percentages of our named executive
officers, other than Mr. Milano and Dr. Agrawal. The following table sets forth the individual bonus target
percentages for each of our named executive officers for 2017 and 2018.
Target Cash Bonus
(% of Base Salary)
Executive
Mr. Milano ....................................
Mr. Arcudi.....................................
Mr. Fletcher .................................
Dr. Horobin ..................................
Dr. Yingling ...................................
Dr. Agrawal...................................
2017
50%
40%
40%
40%
40%
50%
2018
50%
40%
40%
40%
40%
—
Consistent with our company-wide annual incentive plan applicable to all employees, including our named
executive officers, both a corporate performance score and individual performance score factored into the
determination of each executive officer’s cash bonus award for 2017.
Under the terms of our incentive plan, the corporate performance score is based on the degree to which
corporate performance objectives have been achieved. This score is determined by the compensation committee
and may range from 0-125%. The individual performance score is based on:
•
•
•
•
the degree to which individual performance objectives have been achieved;
the competencies and behaviors demonstrated in achieving results;
the technical skills required by the position; and
the completion of the ongoing responsibilities required by the position.
The individual performance score may range from 0-125% and is approved by the compensation committee.
The individual’s actual award is then calculated as follows:
Annual Base Salary ($)
X
Individual Target Bonus %
X
Corporate Performance Score
(0-125%)
X
Individual Performance Score
(0-125%)
Annual Incentive Award
($ Individual Payout)
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In setting corporate goals in the first quarter of 2017, the committee agreed to group the business
objectives into one of three primary categories, each of which would contribute toward the overall assessment of
our corporate performance. In assessing our corporate performance against our 2017 corporate goals, and
determining the corporate performance score, the compensation committee considered the extent to which the
company achieved the business objectives in each of the categories, and assigned a score for each category, as
summarized in the following table:
Primary Goals
Advance IMO-2125
program toward Phase
3 and beyond PD-1
refractory melanoma .......
Advance 3GA program
through IND-enabling
activities ............................
Advance IMO-8400
program toward next
decision point ...................
Enhance our ability to be
successful through
relevant foundational
objectives ..........................
Contribution
toward
Corporate
Performance
Score
55%
Committee’s
Assessment of
Performance
(out of 100%)
Highlights of
Performance on
Key Objectives
50%
• Completed Phase 1/2 enrollment and
related study goals with positive momentum
as the trial progresses into 2018.
• Readiness on schedule for planned Q1-2018
initiation of a Phase 3 trial. Progress in
expanding program beyond anti-PD1
refractory melanoma vis a vis initiation of
single-agent study, business case analyses,
and pre-clinical assessments of other novel
combinations.
15%
15%
• Completed IND-enabling activities for lead
10%
7%
20%
18%
discovery compound.
• Significantly increased objective knowledge
and understanding of 3GA mechanism of
action.
• Completed enrollment of IMO-8400 Phase 2
trial, although with longer timelines than
planned.
• Achieved target of 18 months cash on hand
at year-end, in part as a result of financing
though also partially enabled by delaying
planned programs.
• Reviewed strategic business development
options including recommendations to Board
on opportunities to explore/pursue.
• Continued to advance company values and
desired culture.
Based on these achievements and resulting category scores, the compensation committee determined to
use a corporate performance score of 90% for the 2017 bonus calculation.
In assessing each named executive officer’s individual performance score, the compensation committee
determined:
• Mr. Milano’s overall score would be equivalent to the corporate performance score of 90%;
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• Mr. Arcudi’s individual performance score, recognizing his achievement against his personal objectives,
including his contributions to the completion of our 2017 offering and general leadership contributions,
would be 95%, resulting in an overall bonus equal to 86% of his bonus target;
• Mr. Fletcher’s individual performance score, recognizing his achievement against his personal
objectives, including his role in business development along with his general leadership contributions,
would be 105%, resulting in an overall bonus equal to 95% of his bonus target;
• Dr. Horobin’s individual performance score, recognizing her achievement against her personal
objectives, including her role in achievements against our IMO-2125 and IMO-8400 clinical program
goals along with her general leadership contributions, would be 90%, resulting in an overall bonus equal
to 81% of her bonus target; and
• Dr. Yingling’s individual performance score, recognizing his achievement against his personal objectives,
including his role in advancing objective knowledge and understanding of our discovery platform along
with his general leadership contributions, would be 115%, resulting in an overall bonus equal to 103%
of his bonus target.
Dr. Agrawal resigned from the Company prior to the compensation committee’s determinations and in
connection with his severance agreement, received a prorated bonus for 2017 at 100% of target.
Equity Compensation
Our equity award program is the primary vehicle for offering long-term incentives to our executive officers,
including our named executive officers. We believe that equity awards provide our executives with a strong link to
our long-term performance, create an ownership culture and help to align the interests of our named executive
officers and our stockholders. Equity grants are intended as both a reward for contributing to the long-term success
of our company and an incentive for future performance. The vesting feature of our equity awards is intended to
further our goal of executive retention by providing an incentive to our named executive officers to remain in our
employ during the vesting period. In determining the size of equity awards to our executives, our compensation
committee considers:
•
•
•
•
•
the achievement of our annual corporate goals;
individual performance; the applicable executive officer’s previous awards, including the exercise price
of such previous awards;
the recommendations of management;
the market compensation data presented by the committee’s independent compensation consultant,
and
the combined components of the executive officer’s compensation.
The compensation committee approves all equity awards to our executive officers. Our equity awards have
typically taken the form of stock options. However, under the terms of our stock incentive plans, we may grant
equity awards other than stock options, such as restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, and restricted
stock units.
The compensation committee typically makes initial stock option awards to named executive officers upon
commencement of their employment and annual stock option awards thereafter. Stock option awards to our
named executive officers after the initial stock option awards are typically granted annually after the annual
performance review. For 2017, this review occurred at the regularly scheduled meeting of the compensation
committee held in the first quarter of 2017. In general, annual stock option grants vest with respect to 25% of the
shares subject to the option on the first anniversary of the date of grant and with respect to the balance of the
shares subject to the option in 12 equal quarterly installments over the three-year period thereafter. The exercise
price of stock options equals the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, which is typically
equal to the closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq on the date of compensation committee approval
except in the case of new-hire grants, which are approved in advance by the compensation committee with the
grant occurring at an exercise price established at the closing price of our common stock on the first day of
employment.
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In December 2016, as part of its annual executive compensation and performance review, the
compensation committee reviewed the 2016 market compensation data regarding annual stock option grants. The
committee granted our named executive officers options to purchase shares of our common stock in January 2017
as follows:
Executive
Mr. Milano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mr. Arcudi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mr. Fletcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dr. Horobin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dr. Yingling (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dr. Agrawal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2017 Option Award
(# options)
300,000
185,000
185,000
185,000
600,000
185,000
(1) In connection with the hiring of Dr. Yingling and in addition to the option granted to Dr. Yingling to
purchase 325,000 shares of our common stock upon commencement employment, our board of directors
approved the grant to Dr. Yingling of a stock option to purchase 275,000 shares of our common stock. The
option was granted as an inducement equity award outside of our 2013 Stock Incentive Plan and was
made as an inducement material to Dr. Yingling’s acceptance of employment with us.
Benefits and Other Compensation
We maintain broad-based benefits that are provided to all employees, including health and dental insurance,
life and disability insurance, and a 401(k) plan. During 2017, consistent with our prior practice, we matched 50%
of the employee contributions to our 401(k) plan up to a maximum of 6% of the participating employee’s annual
salary, resulting in a maximum company match of 3% of the participating employee’s annual salary, and subject to
certain additional statutory dollar limitations. Named executive officers are eligible to participate in all of our
employee benefit plans, in each case on the same basis as other employees and subject to any limitations in such
plans. Each of our named executive officers except for Mr. Fletcher contributed to our 401(k) plan and their
contributions were matched by us.
Our board of directors has adopted a retirement policy to address the treatment of options in the event of an
employee’s retirement that applies to all employees, including all officers. For purposes of this policy, an employee
will be deemed to have retired if the employee terminates his or her employment with us, has been an employee of
ours for more than 10 years and is older than 65 upon termination of employment. Under the policy, if an
employee retires, then:
•
•
all outstanding options held by the employee will automatically vest in full; and
the period during which the employee may exercise the options will be extended to the expiration of the
term of the option under the applicable option agreement.
Our board adopted this policy for our employees in recognition of the importance of stock options to the
compensation of employees and in order to provide each of our employees with the opportunity to get the full
benefit of the options held by the employee in the event of his or her retirement after making 10 years of
contributions to our company.
We occasionally pay relocation expenses for newly-hired executive officers who we require to relocate as a
condition to their employment by us. We also occasionally pay local housing expenses and travel costs for
executives who maintain a primary residence outside of a reasonable daily commuting range to our headquarters.
We believe that these are typical benefits offered by comparable companies to executives who are asked to
relocate and that we would be at a competitive disadvantage in trying to attract executives who would need to
relocate in order to work for us if we did not offer such assistance. We did not provide any relocation benefits to
any of our executives in 2017.
Our named executive officers may also participate in our employee stock purchase plan, which is generally
available to all employees who work over 20 hours per week, so long as they own less than 5% of our common
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stock, including for this purpose vested and unvested stock options. Mr. Arcudi participated in the employee stock
purchase plan in 2017.
Severance and Change in Control Benefits
Under our employment agreements and employment offer letters with our named executive officers, we
have agreed to provide severance and other benefits in the event of the termination of their employment under
specified circumstances. On March 7, 2017, the board of directors approved a form of Severance and Change of
Control Agreement to be entered into between the Company and our named executive officers. The severance
benefits contained in the Change of Control Agreements supersede the severance and change of control terms
contained in the existing employment agreements and employment offer letters. We have provided more detailed
information about these benefits, along with estimates of their value under various circumstances, under the
captions “Employment and Separation Agreements with our Named Executive Officers” and “Potential Payments
Upon Termination or Change in Control” below.
We believe providing severance and/or change in control benefits as a component of our compensation
structure can help us compete for executive talent and attract and retain highly talented executive officers whose
contributions are critical to our long-term success. After reviewing the practices of companies in general industry
surveys published by Radford Survey + Consulting, and consultation with Pearl Meyer, we believe that our
severance and change in control benefits are appropriate.
Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Prior to December 22, 2017, when the TCJA was signed into law, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code generally disallowed a tax deduction to publicly held companies for compensation paid to the chief executive
officer and the three other most highly compensated executives (other than the chief financial officer) in excess of
$1 million per officer in any year that such compensation did not qualify as performance-based. In connection with
fiscal 2017 compensation decisions, the compensation committee considered the potential tax deductibility of
executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and sought to qualify certain
elements of these applicable executives’ compensation as performance-based while also delivering competitive
levels and forms of compensation.
Under the TCJA, the performance-based exception has been repealed and the $1 million deduction limit now
applies to anyone serving as the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer at any time during the taxable
year and the top three other highest compensated executive officers serving at fiscal year end. In addition, once an
individual becomes a covered employee under Section 162(m) for any taxable year beginning after December 31,
2016, this status carries forward to all future years, even in the event of the employee’s termination or death. The
new rules generally apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, but do not apply to remuneration
provided pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on November 2, 2017 that is not modified in any material
respect after that date.
The compensation committee reserves the right to use its judgment to authorize compensation payments
that may be subject to the limit when the compensation committee believes such payments are appropriate and in
the best interests of our company and our stockholders. There can be no assurance that compensation awarded to
our executive officers will be treated as qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).
Employment and Separation Agreements with our Named Executive Officers
We have entered into agreements with our named executive officers, as discussed below, that provide
benefits to the executives upon their termination of employment in certain circumstances or under which we have
agreed to specific compensation elements. Our named executive officers are at-will employees.
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Employment Agreements and Offer Letters
Vincent J. Milano
We are a party to an employment offer letter with Mr. Milano, our President and Chief Executive Officer.
Under the employment offer letter, Mr. Milano is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $600,000 or such
higher amount as our compensation committee or our board of directors may determine. In addition, under the
employment offer letter, Mr. Milano is eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to 50% of his base salary, subject
to adjustment, based on the achievement of both individual and company performance objectives as developed
and determined by our board of directors.
Under the employment offer letter, if we terminate Mr. Milano’s employment without cause, prior to a
change-in-control, as such terms are defined in the agreement, he will be entitled to severance payments for 24
months equivalent to his then-current base salary, payable in accordance with our then-current payroll practices,
and benefits continuation for the shorter of 24 months or the date his COBRA continuation coverage expires and to
receive any bonus that he earned and that our board of directors approved prior to the termination to the extent
not then paid. If we terminate Mr. Milano’s employment without cause or Mr. Milano terminates his employment
with us for good reason, as such terms are defined in the agreement, upon or within one year after a change in
control, he will be entitled to severance payments for 24 months equivalent to his then-current base salary,
payable in accordance with our then-current payroll practices, and benefits continuation for the shorter of 24
months or the date his COBRA continuation coverage expires and to receive any bonus that he earned and that our
board of directors approved prior to the termination to the extent not then paid and the inducement option award
that he received upon his commencement of employment with us will vest in full and become immediately
exercisable.
Our agreement to pay severance and benefits pursuant to the employment offer letter is subject to
Mr. Milano entering into a separation and release agreement and is superseded by his severance and change in
control agreement described below to the extent then in effect.
Louis J. Arcudi, III
We are a party to an employment letter, as amended, with Mr. Arcudi, our Senior Vice President of
Operations, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary. Under the employment letter, Mr. Arcudi was
initially entitled to receive an annual base salary of $315,000, which amount is subject to adjustment from time to
time in accordance with normal business practices. In addition, under the employment letter, Mr. Arcudi is entitled
to receive an annual bonus in an amount approved by our board or the compensation committee based on the
achievement of both individual and company performance objectives as developed and determined by our board of
directors.
Under the employment letter, if we terminate Mr. Arcudi’s employment without cause at any time, or if he
terminates his employment for good reason upon a change in control or within one year after a change of control,
as such terms are defined in the agreement, we have agreed to:
•
•
continue to pay Mr. Arcudi his base salary as severance for 12 months following such termination
payable in accordance with our then current payroll practices; and
continue to provide Mr. Arcudi with health and dental benefits for 12 months following such termination,
except to the extent another employer provides Mr. Arcudi with comparable benefits.
Our agreement to pay severance and benefits pursuant to the employment letter is subject to Mr. Arcudi
entering into a separation and release agreement and is superseded by his severance and change in control
agreement described below to the extent then in effect.
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R. Clayton Fletcher
We are a party to an employment letter with Mr. Fletcher, our Senior Vice President of Business
Development and Strategic Planning. Under the terms of the employment letter, Mr. Fletcher is entitled to receive
an annual base salary of $360,000 or such higher amount as our compensation committee or our board of
directors may determine. In addition, under the employment letter, Mr. Fletcher is eligible to receive an annual
bonus of up to 35% of his base salary, subject to adjustment, based on the achievement of both individual and
company performance objectives as established by our board of directors. Under the employment letter, if we
terminate Mr. Fletcher’s employment without cause at any time, or if he terminates his employment for good
reason upon a change in control or within one year after a change in control, as such terms are defined in the
agreement, we have agreed to:
•
•
•
continue to pay Mr. Fletcher his base salary as severance for 12 months following such termination
payable in accordance with our then current payroll practices plus any bonus earned and approved by
the board of directors but unpaid at the time of termination;
continue to provide Mr. Fletcher with health and dental benefits for 12 months following such
termination, except to the extent another employer provides Mr. Fletcher with comparable benefits; and
only in the event of a termination described above that occurs upon or within one year after a change in
control, fully vest all options granted to Mr. Fletcher upon the commencement of his employment.
Our agreement to pay severance and benefits pursuant to the employment offer letter is subject to
Mr. Fletcher entering into a separation and release agreement and is superseded by his severance and change in
control agreement (described below) to the extent then in effect.
Joanna Horobin, M.B., Ch.B
We are a party to an employment letter with Dr. Horobin, our Chief Medical Officer. Under the terms of the
employment letter, Dr. Horobin is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $390,000 or such higher amount as
our compensation committee or our board of directors may determine. In addition, under the employment letter,
Dr. Horobin is eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to 40% of her base salary, subject to adjustment, based on
the achievement of both individual and company performance objectives as established by our board of directors.
Under the employment letter, if we terminate Dr. Horobin’s employment without cause at any time, or if she
terminates her employment for good reason upon a change in control or within one year after a change in control,
as such terms are defined in the agreement, we have agreed to:
•
•
•
continue to pay Dr. Horobin her base salary as severance for 12 months following such termination
payable in accordance with our then current payroll practices plus any bonus earned and approved by
the board of directors but unpaid at the time of termination;
continue to provide Dr. Horobin with health and dental benefits for 12 months following such
termination, except to the extent another employer provides Dr. Horobin with comparable benefits; and
only in the event of a termination described above that occurs upon or within one year after a change in
control, fully vest all options granted to Dr. Horobin upon the commencement of her employment.
Our agreement to pay severance and benefits pursuant to the employment offer letter is subject to
Dr. Horobin entering into a separation and release agreement and is superseded by her severance and change in
control agreement (described below) to the extent then in effect.
Jonathan Yingling, Ph.D.
We are a party to an employment letter with Dr. Yingling, our prior Senior Vice President of Early
Development and, effective January 1, 2018, our current Chief Scientific Officer. Under the terms of the
employment letter, Dr. Yingling is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $385,000 or such higher amount as
our compensation committee or our board of directors may determine. In addition, under the employment letter,
Mr. Fletcher is eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to 40% of his base salary, subject to adjustment, based on
the achievement of both individual and company performance objectives as established by our board of directors.
101
Under the employment letter, if we terminate Dr. Yingling’s employment without cause at any time, or if he
terminates his employment for good reason upon a change in control or within one year after a change in control,
as such terms are defined in the agreement, we have agreed to:
•
•
•
continue to pay Dr. Yingling his base salary as severance for 12 months following such termination
payable in accordance with our then current payroll practices plus any bonus earned and approved by
the board of directors but unpaid at the time of termination;
continue to provide Dr. Yingling with health and dental benefits for 12 months following such
termination, except to the extent another employer provides Dr. Yingling with comparable benefits; and
only in the event of a termination described above that occurs upon or within one year after a change in
control, fully vest all options granted to Dr. Yingling upon the commencement of his employment.
Our agreement to pay severance and benefits pursuant to the employment offer letter is subject to
Dr. Yingling entering into a separation and release agreement and is superseded by his severance and change in
control agreement (described below) to the extent then in effect.
Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil.
Prior to his resignation on May 31, 2017, the terms of Dr. Agrawal’s employment as our President of
Research were set forth in an employment agreement, as amended, with Dr. Agrawal. The agreement had an initial
three-year term that was automatically extended for an additional year unless either party provided prior written
notice to the other that the term of the agreement was not to be extended. As a result, on each renewal date, the
term of the agreement, as extended, was three years. On October 19, 2016, the term was extended from
October 19, 2018 to October 19, 2019.
Under the agreement, Dr. Agrawal was entitled to receive an annual base salary of $588,100 or such higher
amount as determined by our compensation committee or our board of directors. In addition, under the
agreement, as modified in December 2014, Dr. Agrawal was eligible to receive an annual bonus in an amount
equal to 50% of his base salary, as determined by the compensation committee or our board of directors.
Pursuant to his employment agreement, if Dr. Agrawal’s employment was terminated by us without cause or
terminated by Dr. Agrawal for good reason, as such terms are defined in the agreement, we agreed to:
•
continue to pay Dr. Agrawal his base salary as severance for a period ending on the earlier of the final
day of the term of the agreement in effect immediately prior to such termination and the second
anniversary of his termination date;
• pay Dr. Agrawal a lump sum cash payment equal to the pro rata portion of the annual bonus that he
earned in the year preceding the year in which his termination occurs;
•
•
continue to provide Dr. Agrawal with healthcare, disability and life insurance benefits for a period ending
on the earlier of the final day of the term of the agreement in effect immediately prior to the termination
date and the second anniversary of the termination date, except to the extent another employer
provides Dr. Agrawal with comparable benefits;
accelerate the vesting of any stock options or other equity incentive awards previously granted to
Dr. Agrawal as of the termination date to the extent such options or equity incentive awards would have
vested had he continued to be an employee until the final day of the term of the agreement in effect
immediately prior to such termination; and
• permit Dr. Agrawal to exercise any vested stock options until the second anniversary of the termination
date.
If Dr. Agrawal’s employment was terminated by him for good reason or by us without cause in connection
with, or within one year after, a change in control, as such terms are defined in the agreement, we agreed to
provide Dr. Agrawal with all of the items listed above, except that in lieu of the severance amount described above,
we agreed to pay Dr. Agrawal a lump sum cash payment equal to his base salary multiplied by the lesser of the
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aggregate number of years or portion thereof remaining in his employment term and two years. We also agreed
that if we executed an agreement that provides for our company to be acquired or liquidated, or otherwise upon a
change in control, all unvested stock options held by Dr. Agrawal would vest in full.
Our employment agreement with Dr. Agrawal provides that if all or a portion of the payments made under the
agreement are subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, or a similar state
tax or assessment, we will pay him an amount necessary to place him in the same after-tax position as he would
have been had no excise tax or assessment been imposed. Any amounts paid pursuant to the preceding sentence
will also be increased to the extent necessary to pay income and excise tax on those additional amounts.
In the event of Dr. Agrawal’s death or the termination of his employment due to disability, we agreed to pay
Dr. Agrawal or his beneficiary a lump sum cash payment equal to the pro rata portion of the annual bonus that he
earned in the year preceding his death or termination due to disability. Additionally, any stock options or other
equity incentive awards previously granted to Dr. Agrawal and held by him on the date of his death or termination
due to disability would vest as of such date to the extent such options or equity incentive awards would have
vested had he continued to be an employee until the final day of the term of the employment agreement in effect
immediately prior to his death or termination due to disability. Dr. Agrawal or his beneficiary would have been
permitted to exercise such stock options until the second anniversary of his death or termination of employment
due to disability.
Dr. Agrawal agreed that during his employment with us and for a one-year period thereafter, he will not hire
or attempt to hire any of our employees or compete with us.
In connection with his transition to his new role of President of Research in December 2014, we and
Dr. Agrawal agreed that his employment would continue to be subject to and on the terms and conditions set forth
in his employment agreement but for the change in position and the modification of Dr. Agrawal’s target bonus to
be a fixed at 50% of base salary rather than the 20% to 70% of base salary range set forth in the employment
agreement. In addition, Dr. Agrawal acknowledged and agreed that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set
forth in his employment agreement, the transition of his employment from President and Chief Executive Officer to
President of Research, and the changes in his authority, duties, responsibilities and reporting structure associated
with such event, would not constitute good reason, as defined in the employment agreement, and that he would
not and could not terminate his employment for good reason on the basis of such event and changes.
In consideration of the foregoing agreements, we agreed that the vesting of any and all stock options then
held by Dr. Agrawal would be accelerated such that, as of that date, such options would be deemed vested to the
extent such options would have been vested had Dr. Agrawal continued to be employed by us on October 19,
2017, and any portion of such options that remained unvested after giving effect to such acceleration would
continue to vest in accordance with their respective terms. This acceleration did not apply to the options granted to
Dr. Agrawal in December 2014 or January 2016.
On April 18, 2017, we entered into a separation agreement and release of claims with Dr. Agrawal, under
which Dr. Agrawal agreed to resign as our President of Research and as a member of our board of directors,
effective May 31, 2017. Pursuant to the agreement, we provided Dr. Agrawal the following separation benefits in
exchange for him agreeing to a release of claims and complying with certain other continuing obligations contained
therein (including compliance with the restrictive covenants in his employment agreement):
• We paid Dr. Agrawal a pro-rated 2017 bonus payment of $121,648, less all applicable taxes and
witholdings;
• We paid $8,000, on behalf of Dr. Agrawal, for legal fees associated with the review, negotiation and
execution of his separation agreement;
• We have agreed that, commencing on the first regular payroll date following his separation date until
May 31, 2019, we will provide Dr. Agrawal with severance pay in the form of salary continuation
payments at his annualized base salary rate in effect on the date of the separation agreement
($588,100), payable in installments in accordance with our regular payroll practices;
• Dr. Agrawal is eligible to receive health and dental benefits through reimbursement of COBRA premiums
from his separation date through no later than May 31, 2019;
103
• Dr. Agrawal is eligible to receive life and/or disability insurance benefits through reimbursement of costs
of obtaining life and/or disability insurance substantially comparable to such benefits as were being
provided immediately prior to his separation, until the earlier of May 31, 2019 and the date on which
Dr. Agrawal becomes eligible through other employment for disability and/or life insurance; and
• Any stock options or other equity incentive awards previously granted to Dr. Agrawal and held by
Dr. Agrawal on his separation date will, to the extent not already vested, continue to vest to the extent
such options or equity incentive awards, as applicable, would have vested had Dr. Agrawal continued to
be an employee through October 19, 2019, and Dr. Agrawal will be entitled to exercise any such options
until the earlier of the expiration of such option and October 19, 2022.
In addition, we (a) paid all of Dr. Agrawal’s compensation due and owing to him as of May 31, 2017 in
accordance with our usual compensation and payroll practices, and (b) reimbursed Dr. Agrawal for all reasonable
unreimbursed business expenses incurred by him as of May 31, 2017 in accordance with our expense
reimbursement policy.
Dr. Agrawal also entered into a Scientific Advisor Agreement with us, effective June 1, 2017, under which
Dr. Agrawal agreed to provide consulting services to us, and we have agreed to pay Dr. Agrawal consulting fees
equal to $10,000 per month for a term of six months.
Severance and Change in Control Agreements
We have entered into a Severance and Change of Control Agreement with each of Messrs. Milano, Arcudi
and Fletcher, and Drs. Yingling and Horobin.
The Severance and Change of Control Agreements provide that if we consummate a change of control (as
defined in the Severance and Change of Control Agreements), we will employ the executive for a period of
24 months from the date of the consummation of the change of control. Pursuant to the Severance and Change of
Control Agreements, during such period:
(i)
the executive's position and duties for the company will be commensurate with the most significant of
the duties and positions held by the executive during the 90 day period preceding the date of the
consummation of the change of control;
(ii) the executive's annual base salary will equal at least 12 times the highest monthly base salary paid to
the executive during the 12 months prior to the date of the change of control;
(iii) the executive will be entitled to an annual bonus equal to at least the greatest of (a) the average bonus
paid to the executive in respect of the three years immediately preceding the year in which the change
of control occurs, (b) the annual bonus paid for the year immediately preceding the year in which the
change of control occurs and (c) 100% of the target bonus for (1) the year immediately preceding the
year in which the change of control occurs, (2) the year in which the change of control occurs or (3) any
year following the year in which the change of control occurs and prior to the then-current year,
whichever is highest; and
(iv) the executive will be entitled to certain other benefits as are consistent with the benefits paid to the
executive during the year prior to the change of control.
The Severance and Change of Control Agreements also provide that if an executive is terminated without
“cause” or resigns for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the Severance and Change of Control
Agreements) in either case, within 24 months following a change of control, subject to the executive’s timely
execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in a form provided by us and the executive’s continued
compliance with the invention, non-disclosure and non-competition agreement previously entered into in
connection with the commencement of executive’s employment, executives would receive a lump sum cash
payment payable within 30 days after the date of termination equal to:
(i)
the executive's target bonus for the year of termination prorated for the portion of the year worked;
104
(ii) 150% of the sum of (a) such executive's annual base salary for the year immediately preceding the year
of termination and (b) the greatest of (1) the average bonus paid or earned and accrued, but unpaid to
the executive in respect of the three years immediately preceding the year of termination, (2) the annual
bonus paid for the year immediately preceding the year of termination and (3) the target bonus for the
year of termination; and
(iii) 150% of the Company’s share of the annual premium for group medical and/or dental insurance
coverage that was in place for the executive immediately prior to the date of termination.
In addition, all unvested options, restricted stock or stock appreciation rights held by the executive as of the
date of termination will be immediately and automatically vested and/or exercisable in full as of the date of
termination, and the executive will have the right to exercise any such options or stock appreciation rights for the
longer of (A) the period of time provided for in the applicable equity award agreement or plan, or (B) the shorter
of one year after the date of termination or the remaining term of the applicable equity award. However, under the
terms of the Merger Agreement the post-termination exercise period of all outstanding stock options will continue
in the event of the executive's termination of employment within 24 months following the effective time of the
Mergers (other than for cause or due to the executive's resignation without good reason), until the three-year
anniversary of such executive's termination, but in no event past the remaining term of the applicable equity
award.
If the executive is terminated without “cause” or resigns for “good reason,” prior to the date of a change of
control, such executive will be entitled to the following under the Severance and Change of Control Agreement,
subject to the executive’s timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in a form provided by
us and the executive’s continued compliance with the invention, non-disclosure and non-competition agreement
previously entered into in connection with the commencement of executive’s employment:
(i) a lump sum cash payment payable within 30 days after the date of termination in an amount equal to
the greater of (x) the average bonus paid or earned and accrued, but unpaid to the executive in respect
of the three years immediately preceding the year of termination, and (y) the annual bonus paid for the
year immediately preceding the year of termination prorated for the portion of the year worked;
(ii) continued payment of the executive's base salary payable in accordance with our standard payroll
practices over the one-year period following termination; and
(iii) if the executive elects to continue receiving group medical and/or dental insurance under COBRA (to the
extent the executive previously participated in such group insurance plans immediately prior to the date
of termination), payment by us of our share of the premium for such coverage that we pay for active and
similarly-situated employees who receive the same type of coverage for the one-year period following
termination.
The Severance and Change of Control Agreements expire on December 31, 2018, but on each anniversary
thereof, unless notice of termination has been provided by a party, the term of such agreements will automatically
be extended by one year.
Indemnification Agreements
On March 7, 2017, the board of directors approved a form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into
between the Company and our directors and officers. Each of Messrs. Milano, Arcudi, and Fletcher, and Drs.
Horobin and Yingling entered into an Indemnification agreement with the Company. In general, the Indemnification
Agreements provide that the Company will indemnify the director or officer to the fullest extent permitted by law for
claims arising in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company or in connection with their service at our
request for another corporation or entity. The Indemnification Agreements also provide for procedures that will
apply in the event that a director or officer makes a claim for indemnification and establish certain presumptions
that are favorable to the director or officer.
105
Formal Clawback Policy
In April 2015, ahead of any such requirement in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act, our compensation committee adopted a formal clawback policy, which will apply in the event we are
required to prepare an accounting restatement after the adoption of the clawback policy due to any material
noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the U.S. federal securities laws. This policy requires
us to use reasonable efforts to recover from any of our current or former executive officers who receive incentive-
based compensation (including stock options awarded as compensation) during the three-year period preceding
the date on which we are required to prepare an accounting restatement based on erroneous data, the excess of
what would have been paid to such executive officer under the accounting restatement.
Compensation Committee Report
The compensation committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with our management. Based on this review and discussion, the
compensation committee recommended to our board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
By the compensation committee of the board of directors,
Kelvin Neu, Chairman
Maxine Gowen
106
Additional Compensation Information
Summary Compensation Table
The table below summarizes compensation paid to or earned by our named executive officers for 2017,
2016 and 2015.
Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 2017
Name and Principal Position
Vincent J. Milano .................... 2017 600,000
2016 600,000
President and Chief
2015 600,000
Executive Officer
Year Salary ($) Bonus ($)
—
—
—
Louis J. Arcudi, III ................... 2017 357,900
2016 347,500
Senior Vice President of
2015 337,400
Operations, Chief
Financial Officer
Treasurer and Assistant
Secretary
R. Clayton Fletcher ................ 2017 386,300
2016 375,000
Senior Vice President,
Business Development
2015 336,818
and Strategy (4)
Joanna Horobin ...................... 2017 410,000
2016 390,000
Senior Vice President,
2015 34,079
Chief Medical Officer (5)
Jonathan Yingling .................. 2017 348,542
Senior Vice President,
Chief Scientific Officer (6)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation All Other Compensation
($)(2)
Total
($)
Option Awards
($)(1)
296,634
573,780
— (3)
182,924
353,831
— (3)
($)
270,000
211,680
288,120
122,436
116,760
132,261
31,106 1,197,740
31,555 1,417,015
921,070
32,950
25,786
26,276
26,989
689,046
844,367
496,650
182,924
353,831
1,857,180 (3)
145,908
114,660
132,032
738,120
22,988
23,580
867,071
22,794 2,348,824
182,924
—
1,582,860 (3)
132,840
119,246
13,319
31,754
31,187
757,518
540,433
1,953 1,632,211
577,782
144,296
31,277 1,101,897
Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil. ......... 2017 245,042 121,648 (8) 4,428,935 (9)
2016 588,100
Former President of
2015 588,100
Research (7)
442,289
—
—
— (3)
—
207,482
302,577
369,131 5,286,404
32,495 1,270,366
923,849
33,172
(1) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of options granted to each of the named executive officers
as computed in accordance with ASC 718. These amounts do not represent the actual amounts paid to or
realized by the named executive officers. See Note 10 to the financial statements included elsewhere in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding assumptions we made in determining the fair value of option
awards.
107
(2) “All Other Compensation” for 2017 for each of the named executive officers includes the following:
Premiums paid by
us for all insurance Company match
plans ($)
on 401(k) ($) Severance ($)
Mr. Milano . . . . . . . . .
Mr. Arcudi . . . . . . . . . .
Mr. Fletcher . . . . . . . .
Dr. Horobin . . . . . . . . .
Dr. Yingling . . . . . . . . .
Dr. Agrawal . . . . . . . . .
23,006
17,686
22,988
23,654
23,177
18,722
8,100
8,100
—
8,100
8,100
7,351
—
—
—
—
—
343,058
Total ($)
31,106
25,786
22,988
31,754
31,277
369,131
(3) None of our named executive officers received an annual equity grant during 2015. Mr. Fletcher received
an inducement grant of 600,000 options upon commencement of his employment in 2015. Dr. Horobin
received an inducement grant of 275,000 options and a new hire grant of 325,000 options upon
commencement of her employment in 2015.
(4) Mr. Fletcher joined our company and became our Senior Vice President, Business Development and
Strategy effective as of January 26, 2015.
(5) Dr. Horobin joined our company and became our Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer effective as
of November 30, 2015.
(6) Dr. Yingling joined our company and became our Senior Vice President, Early Development effective as of
February 6, 2017 and has served as our Chief Scientific Officer since January 1, 2018.
(7) Dr. Agrawal served as our President of Research until his resignation, effective May 31, 2017.
(8) Pursuant to Dr. Agrawal’s separation agreement, Dr. Agrawal received a pro-rated cash bonus in 2017
calculated at 100% of his target 2017 bonus.
(9) Amount consists of the aggregate grant date fair value of options granted to Dr. Agrawal during 2017 in
the amount of $182,924 as computed in accordance with ASC 718 and incremental fair value of
outstanding options modified during 2017 in connection with Dr. Agrawal’s separation agreement in the
amount of $4,246,211 as computed in accordance with ASC 718. See “Employment and Separation
Agreements with our Named Executive Officers” for further information about continued vesting of
Dr. Agrawals options provided for in his separation agreement.
CEO Pay Ratio
Following is a reasonable estimate, prepared under applicable SEC rules, of the ratio of the annual total
compensation of our CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of our other employees. We determined
our median employee based on 2017 annual base salary and 2017 bonus awards for each of our 66 employees
(excluding the CEO) as of December 31, 2017. The annual total compensation of our median employee (other
than the CEO) for 2017 was $218,372. As disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table included in this CD&A,
our CEO’s annual total compensation for 2017 was $1,197,740. Based on the foregoing, the ratio of the 2017
annual total compensation of our CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all other employees was
6 to 1. Given the different methodologies that various public companies will use to determine an estimate of their
pay ratio, the estimated ratio reported above should not be used as a basis for comparison between companies.
108
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth information regarding grants of plan-based awards to our named executive
officers during 2017.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal Year 2017
All Other
Option
Awards:
Name
Vincent J. Milano ....................
Grant Date
Estimated Possible Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
($)
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)(1)
— 300,000 468,750
Exercise
or Base Grant Date
Fair Value
Price of
of Option
Option
Awards
Awards
($)(2)
($/Sh)
1/4/2017(3)
300,000
1.59 296,634
Louis J. Arcudi, III ...................
— 143,200 223,750
1/4/2017(3)
185,000
1.59 182,924
R. Clayton Fletcher.................
— 154,400 241,250
1/4/2017(3)
185,000
1.59 182,924
Joanna Horobin ......................
— 164,000 256,250
1/4/2017(3)
185,000
1.59 182,924
Jonathan Yingling...................
— 139,417 217,839
2/6/2017(3)
600,000
1.55 577,782
Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil. (4) ....
— 121,648 190,075
1/4/2017(3)
185,000
1.59 182,924 (5)
(1) The term of these options is ten years. The vesting of these stock options is time-based. See
“Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Executive Compensation — Equity
Compensation” for a full description of the vesting terms for these options. See “Employment and
Separation Agreements with our Named Executive Officers” for further information about acceleration of
vesting of options in the event of the termination of employment and/or a change of control.
(2) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards made to the named executive officers in
2017 as computed in accordance with ASC 718. These amounts do not represent the actual amounts
paid to or realized by the named executive officers during 2017. See Note 10 to the financial statements
included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding assumptions we made in determining
the fair value of option awards.
(3) Granted pursuant to our 2013 Stock Incentive Plan.
(4) The target and maximum amounts reported under Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards for Dr. Agrawal are pro-rated for Dr. Agrawal’s resignation effective May 31, 2017. Pursuant
to the Separation Agreement and Release of Claims dated April 18, 2017 by and between Dr. Agrawal and
us, Dr. Agrawal received a pro-rated bonus for 2017 in the amount of $121,648 (100% of target).
(5) Amount consists of the aggregate grant date fair value of options granted to Dr. Agrawal during 2017 in
the amount of $182,924 as computed in accordance with ASC 718 and excludes the incremental fair
value of outstanding options modified during 2017 in connection with Dr. Agrawal’s separation agreement
in the amount of $4,246,211 as computed in accordance with ASC 718 as reflected in the “Summary
Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 2017” shown above.
109
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information regarding the outstanding stock options held by our named
executive officers as of December 31, 2017. None of our named executive officers held shares of unvested
restricted stock as of December 31, 2017.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End for 2017
Name
Vincent J. Milano ................................................
Louis J. Arcudi, III ...............................................
R. Clayton Fletcher.............................................
Joanna Horobin ..................................................
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
1,500,000
131,250
—
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
500,000 (1)
168,750 (2)
300,000 (3)
40,000
110,000
95,000
146,000
348,333
300,000
150,000
80,937
—
412,500
80,937
—
300,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
50,000 (4)
104,063 (2)
185,000 (3)
187,500 (5)
104,063 (2)
185,000 (3)
300,000 (6)
185,000 (3)
Jonathan Yingling...............................................
—
600,000 (7)
Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil.(8) .................................
125,000
200,000
300,000
231,000
365,000
25,551
500,000
500,000
850,000
637,500
101,172
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
212,500 (4)
130,078 (2)
185,00 (3)
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
3.12
2.88
1.59
8.70
5.24
2.74
1.157
0.69
2.56
3.97
2.88
1.59
4.67
2.88
1.59
3.88
1.59
1.55
13.28
8.70
5.24
2.74
1.157
1.16
0.69
1.50
2.56
3.97
2.88
1.59
Option
Expiration
Date
12/1/2024
1/6/2026
1/4/2027
12/16/2018
12/23/2019
12/27/2020
11/28/2021
5/22/2023
12/10/2023
12/10/2024
1/6/2026
1/4/2027
1/26/2025
1/6/2026
1/4/2027
11/30/2025
1/4/2027
2/6/2027
1/2/2018
12/16/2018
12/23/2019
12/27/2020
11/28/2021
11/28/2021
10/19/2022 (9)
10/19/2022 (9)
10/19/2022 (9)
10/19/2022 (9)
10/19/2022 (9)
10/19/2022 (9)
(1) Represents unvested portion of stock option award that vested 25% on December 1, 2015 (first
anniversary date following the December 1, 2014 grant date), with the remainder vesting in 12 equal
quarterly installments thereafter (until December 1, 2018), provided the named executive officer is still
employed with us on each vesting date.
(2) Represents unvested portion of stock option award that vested 25% on January 6, 2017 (first anniversary
date following the January 6, 2016 grant date), with the remainder vesting in 12 equal quarterly
110
installments thereafter (until January 6, 2020), provided the named executive officer is still employed with
us on each vesting date.
(3) Represents unvested portion of stock option award that will vest 25% on the first anniversary date
following the January 4, 2017 grant date, with the remainder vesting in 12 equal quarterly installments
thereafter (until January 4, 2021), provided the named executive is still employed with us on each vesting
date.
(4) Represents unvested portion of stock option award that vested 25% on December 10, 2015 (first
anniversary date following the December 10, 2014 grant date), with the remainder vesting in 12 equal
quarterly installments thereafter (until December 10, 2018), provided the named executive officer is still
employed with us on each vesting date.
(5) Represents unvested portion of stock option award that vested 25% on January 26, 2016 (first
anniversary date following the January 26, 2015 grant date), with the remainder vesting in 12 equal
quarterly installments thereafter (until January 26, 2019), provided the named executive officer is still
employed with us on each vesting date.
(6) Represents unvested portion of stock option award that vested 25% on November 30, 2016 (first
anniversary date following the November 30, 2015 grant date), with the remainder vesting in 12 equal
quarterly installments thereafter (until November 30, 2019), provided the named executive officer is still
employed with us on each vesting date.
(7) Represents unvested portion of stock option award that will vest 25% on the first anniversary date
following the February 6, 2017 grant date, with the remainder vesting in 12 equal quarterly installments
thereafter (until February 6, 2021), provided the named executive is still employed with us on each vesting
date
(8) Pursuant to our December 2014 letter agreement with Dr. Agrawal, the vesting of all stock options held by
Dr. Agrawal as of the letter agreement date was accelerated to the extent that such options would have
been vested had Dr. Agrawal continued to be employed by us on October 19, 2017. Stock options that
remained unvested after giving effect to this acceleration continue to vest in accordance with the terms of
the underlying stock option agreement.
(9) Pursuant to the separation agreement and release of claims by and between us and Dr. Agrawal, all stock
options previously granted to Dr. Agrawal and held by Dr. Agrawal on his separation date will, to the extent
not already vested, continue to vest to the extent such options or equity incentive awards, as applicable,
would have vested had Dr. Agrawal continued to be an employee through October 19, 2019, and
Dr. Agrawal will be entitled to exercise any such options until the earlier of the expiration of such option
and October 19, 2022.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
None of our named executive officers exercised any options during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
Under our employment agreement and employment offer letters with our executive officers, we have agreed
to provide severance and other benefits in the event of the termination of their employment under specified
circumstances. These agreements are described above under the caption “Employment and Separation
Agreements with our Named Executive Officers.”
However, in March 2017, we entered into a Severance and Change of Control Agreement with each of
Messrs. Milano, Arcudi and Fletcher, and Drs. Horobin and Yingling that superseded the severance and change in
control provisions of each of their respective employment offer letters. These agreements are also described
above under the caption “Employment and Separation Agreements with our Named Executive Officers.”
In April 2017, we entered into a separation agreement and release of claims with Dr. Agrawal, under which
Dr. Agrawal agreed to resign, and did resign effective May 31, 2017, as our President of Research and as a
member of our board of directors, and we agreed to provide him certain severance benefits and other
111
compensation. This agreement is described above under the caption “Employment and Separation Agreements
with our Named Executive Officers,” and the payments upon Dr. Agrawal’s resignation were paid in accordance
with this agreement and are set forth above in the “Summary Compensation Table.”
Termination of Employment Not In Connection With or Following a Change in Control
The following table sets forth the estimated potential benefits that our named executive officers would be
entitled to receive upon their termination of employment with our company (other than a termination in connection
with or following a change in control of our company) if the named executive officer’s employment was terminated
on December 29, 2017. This table represents estimates only and does not necessarily reflect the actual amounts
that would be paid to our named executive officers, which would only be known at the time that they become
eligible for payment following their termination.
Name
Vincent J. Milano . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Louis J. Arcudi, III . . . . . . . . . . . . .
R. Clayton Fletcher . . . . . . . . . . . .
Joanna Horobin . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jonathan Yingling . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash
Severance (1)
($)
856,600
481,719
520,338
547,305
544,390
Perquisites/
Benefits (2)
($)
20,237
14,912
20,237
21,801
20,237
Total
($)
876,837
496,631
540,575
569,106
564,627
(1) Cash severance under the Severance and Change of Control Agreements would be payable to Messrs.
Milano, Arcudi and Fletcher, and Drs. Horobin and Yingling upon a termination of the executive’s
employment by the executive for “good reason” or by us without “cause”, in either case, subject to the
executive’s timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in a form provided by the
Company and the executive’s continued compliance with the invention, non-disclosure and non-
competition agreement previously entered into in connection with the commencement of executive’s
employment. In such an event, executives would receive:
(i) a lump sum cash payment payable within 30 days after the date of termination equal to the
greater of (1) the average bonus paid or earned and accrued, but unpaid to the executive in
respect of the three fiscal years immediately preceding the year of termination, and (2) the annual
bonus paid for the year immediately preceding the year of termination ($256,600 for Mr. Milano,
$123,819 for Mr. Arcudi, $134,038 for Mr. Fletcher, $137,305 for Dr. Horobin and $159,390 for
Dr. Yingling); and
(ii) salary continuation payments at the executives base salary on termination date for a period of
12 months paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and subject to
applicable tax withholding ($600,000 for Mr. Milano, $357,900 for Mr. Arcudi, $386,300 for Mr.
Fletcher, $410,000 for Dr. Horobin and $385,000 for Dr. Yingling).
(2) Under the Severance and Change of Control Agreements, upon a qualifying termination by Messrs. Milano,
Arcudi and Fletcher, and Drs. Horobin and Yingling, to the extent the executives participated in our group
medical/dental insurance immediately prior to the termination date, if executives elect to continue
receiving group medical and/or dental insurance under the continuation coverage rules known as COBRA,
the Company will pay the Company’s share of the premium for such coverage that it pays for active and
similarly-situated employees who receive the same type of coverage until the end of the period for which
the Company is paying the salary continuation payments described within note (1)(ii), above.
The payments described in this column include an estimated value of the employer share of the premiums
for our insurance plans as follows:
Name
Vincent J. Milano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Louis J. Arcudi, III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
R. Clayton Fletcher . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Joanna Horobin, M.B., Ch.B . . . . . .
Jonathan Yingling, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . .
Medical Insurance
Premiums ($)
Dental Insurance
Premiums ($)
Total ($)
1,464
1,464
1,464
1,464
1,464
20,237
14,912
20,237
21,801
20,237
18,773
13,448
18,773
20,337
18,773
112
Termination of Employment In Connection With or Following a Change in Control
The following table sets forth the estimated potential benefits that our named executive officers would be
entitled to receive upon their termination of employment with our company in connection with or following a
change in control of our company if the named executive officer’s employment was terminated on December 29,
2017. The amounts indicated below are estimates based on the material assumptions described in the notes to
the table below, which may or may not actually occur. Some of these assumptions are based on information
currently available and, as a result, the actual amounts, if any, that may become payable to a named executive
officer may differ in material respects from the amounts set forth below. Furthermore, for purposes of calculating
such amounts, we have assumed:
•
•
•
a change of control date of December 29, 2017;
each named executive officer’s employment is terminated by us without “cause” or by the named
executive officer for “good reason”, in each case on the date of the change of control; and
the value of the accelerated vesting of any equity award is calculated assuming a market price per share
of our common stock equal to $2.11 (which equals the closing price of a share of our common stock on
the Nasdaq Capital Market on December 29, 2017, the last trading day of 2017).
This table represents estimates only and does not necessarily reflect the actual amounts that would be paid
to our named executive officers, which would only be known at the time that they become eligible for payment
following their termination.
Name
Vincent J. Milano .........................
Louis J. Arcudi, III .........................
R. Clayton Fletcher ......................
Joanna Horobin ...........................
Jonathan Yingling ........................
Cash
Severance (1)
($)
1,650,000
894,750
965,750
1,025,000
933,361
Equity (2)
($)
156,000
96,200
96,200
96,200
336,000
Perquisites/
Benefits (3)
($)
30,356
22,368
30,356
32,702
30,356
Total
($)
1,836,356
1,013,318
1,092,306
1,153,902
1,299,717
(1) Cash severance under the Severance and Change of Control Agreements would be payable to Messrs.
Milano, Arcudi and Fletcher, and Drs. Horobin and Yingling upon a termination of the executive’s
employment by the executive for “good reason” or by us without “cause”, in either case, within 24 months
following a change of control (i.e., pursuant to a “double trigger” arrangement), subject to the executive’s
timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in a form provided by the Company and
the executive’s continued compliance with the invention, non-disclosure and non-competition agreement
previously entered into in connection with the commencement of executive’s employment. In such an
event, executives would receive a lump sum cash payment payable within 30 days after the date of
termination equal to:
(i)
the executive's target bonus for the year of termination prorated for the portion of the year worked
($300,000 for Mr. Milano, $143,160 for Mr. Arcudi, $154,520 for Mr. Fletcher, $164,000 for
Dr. Horobin and $139,417 for Dr. Yingling); and
(ii) 150% of the sum of (a) such executive's annual base salary for the year immediately preceding
the year of termination and (b) the greatest of (1) the average bonus paid or earned and accrued,
but unpaid to the executive in respect of the three years immediately preceding the year of
termination, (2) the annual bonus paid for the year immediately preceding the year of termination
and (3) the target bonus for the year in which the termination occurs ($1,350,000 for Mr. Milano,
$751,590 for Mr. Arcudi, $811,230 for Mr. Fletcher, $861,000 for Dr. Horobin and $793,944 for
Dr. Yingling).
(2) Amounts in this column quantify the intrinsic value of the unvested stock options held by the named
executive officers that would accelerate upon a qualifying termination of employment in connection with a
change in control based on the assumptions described above.
113
Under the Severance and Change of Control Agreements, upon a qualifying termination by Messrs. Milano,
Arcudi and Fletcher, and Drs. Horobin and Yingling within 24 months following a change of control, all
outstanding stock options held by the executive as of the date of termination will be automatically vested
in full as of the date of termination, and the executive will have the ability to exercise any such options
until the three year anniversary of such executive’s termination, but in no event past the remaining term of
the applicable equity award.
(3) Under the Severance and Change of Control Agreements, upon a qualifying termination by Messrs. Milano,
Arcudi and Fletcher, and Drs. Horobin and Yingling within 24 months following a change of control, the
executive will be eligible to receive 150% of the Company’s share of the annual premium for group
medical and/or dental insurance coverage that was in place for the executive immediately prior to the
date of termination, payable in a lump sum cash payment within 30 days after the date of termination.
The payments described in this column include an estimated value of the employer share of the premiums
for our insurance plans as follows:
Name
Vincent J. Milano ...............................
Louis J. Arcudi, III ..............................
R. Clayton Fletcher ............................
Joanna Horobin, M.B., Ch.B .............
Jonathan Yingling, Ph.D. ...................
Medical Insurance
Premiums ($)
Dental Insurance
Premiums ($)
Total ($)
28,160
20,172
28,160
30,506
28,160
2,196
2,196
2,196
2,196
2,196
30,356
22,368
30,356
32,702
30,356
114
Director Compensation
We use a combination of cash and equity-based compensation to attract and retain candidates to serve on
our board of directors. We do not compensate directors who are also our employees for their service on our board
of directors. As a result, Mr. Milano does not, and Dr. Agrawal did not, receive any compensation for their service
on our board of directors.
We generally review our director compensation program every two years with the advice of an independent
compensation consultant. In November 2016, we modified our director compensation program, effective
January 1, 2017.
Under our director compensation program, we pay our non-employee directors retainers in cash. Each
director receives a cash retainer for service on the board of directors and for service on each committee on which
the director is a member. The chairmen of each committee receive higher retainers for such service. These fees
are paid quarterly in arrears. The fees paid to non-employee directors for service on the board of directors and for
service on each committee of the board of directors on which the director was a member during 2017 were as
follows:
Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Audit Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Compensation Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee . . $
35,000 $
7,500 $
6,250 $
4,000 $
70,000
15,000
12,500
8,000
Member
Annual Fee
Chairman
Annual Fee
Our director compensation program includes a stock-for-fees policy, under which directors have the right to
elect to receive common stock in lieu of cash fees. These shares of common stock are issued under our 2013
Stock Incentive Plan. The number of shares issued to participating directors is determined on a quarterly basis by
dividing the cash fees to be paid through the issuance of common stock by the fair market value of our common
stock, which is the closing price of our common stock, on the first business day of the quarter following the quarter
in which the fees are earned. In 2017, several of our directors elected to receive shares of our common stock in
lieu of cash fees as set forth in the footnotes to the Director Compensation table below. No other director elected
to receive shares of our common stock in lieu of cash fees during 2017.
Under our director compensation program, we also reimburse our directors for travel and other related
expenses for attendance at meetings.
Under our current director compensation program, upon their initial election to the board of directors, new
non-employee directors receive an initial option grant to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock, and all
non-employee directors, other than the chairman, receive an annual option grant to purchase 50,000 shares of our
common stock. The chairman receives an annual option grant for 63,000 shares of our common stock. The annual
grants are made on the date of our annual meeting of stockholders and fully vest one year from that date of grant.
The initial options granted to our non-employee directors vest with respect to one third of the underlying shares on
the first anniversary of the date of grant and the balance of the underlying shares vest in eight equal quarterly
installments following the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to continued service as a director, and are
granted under our 2013 Stock Incentive Plan. These options are granted with exercise prices equal to the fair
market value of our common stock, which is the closing price of our common stock, on the date of grant and will
become immediately exercisable in full if there is a change in control of our company.
Under our retirement policy for non-employee members of the board, if a non-employee director is deemed
to retire, then:
•
•
all outstanding options held by such director will automatically vest in full; and
the period during which such director may exercise the options will be extended to the expiration of the
option under the plan.
115
Under the policy, a non-employee director will be deemed to have retired if:
•
•
the director resigns from the board or determines not to stand for re-election or is not nominated for re-
election at a meeting of our stockholders and has served as a director for more than 10 years; or
the director does not stand for re-election or is not nominated for re-election due to the fact that he or
she is or will be older than 75 at the end of such director’s term.
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation we paid to our non-employee directors who
served on our board in 2017.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR 2017
Fees Earned or
Name
Julian C. Baker .....................................................
James A. Geraghty ...............................................
Mark Goldberg .....................................................
Maxine Gowen .....................................................
Kelvin M. Neu ......................................................
William S. Reardon ..............................................
Youssef El Zein (5) ..............................................
Paid in Cash
($)
35,000 (2)
85,500
42,500
41,250
47,500 (3)
54,000 (4)
36,889 (6)
Option Awards
($) (1)
All Other
Compensation
($)
55,915
70,452
55,915
55,915
55,915
55,915
55,915
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Total ($)
90,915
155,952
98,415
97,165
103,415
109,915
92,803
(1) These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards made to each listed
director in 2017 as computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting
Standards Codification Topic 718, “Stock Compensation,” or ASC 718. These amounts do not represent
the actual amounts paid to or realized by the directors during 2017. See Note 10 to the financial
statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding assumptions we made in
determining the fair value of option awards. As of December 31, 2017, our non-employee directors, or
former director in the case of Mr. El Zein, held options to purchase shares of our common stock as follows:
Mr. Baker: 225,000; Mr. Geraghty: 710,500; Dr. Goldberg: 225,000; Dr. Gowen: 155,000; Dr. Neu:
225,000; Mr. Reardon: 302,250; and Mr. El Zein: 302,250.
(2) Includes cash meeting fees of $35,000 in lieu of which Mr. Baker elected to receive 16,398 shares of our
common stock.
(3) Includes cash meeting fees of $47,500 in lieu of which Dr. Neu elected to receive 22,254 shares of our
common stock.
(4) Includes cash meeting fees of $13,500 in lieu of which Mr. Reardon elected to receive 7,714 shares of
our common stock
(5) Mr. El Zein resigned from our board of directors on October 24, 2017.
(6) Consists of cash meeting fees in lieu of which Mr. El Zein elected to receive 16,573 shares of our common
stock.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Our compensation committee currently consists of Dr. Neu and Dr. Gowen, who were both members of our
compensation committee throughout 2017. In 2017, Youssef El Zein was a member of our compensation
committee from January until October when he resigned from our board of directors. No member of our
compensation committee was at any time during 2017, or was formerly, an officer or employee of ours. No
member of our compensation committee engaged in any related person transaction involving our company during
2017 other than Dr. Neu and Mr. El Zein. See "Transactions with Related Persons" for information about the terms
of the transactions we engaged in with affiliates of Dr. Neu and Mr. El Zein. None of our executive officers has
served as a director or member of the compensation committee (or other committee serving the same function as
the compensation committee) of any other entity, while an executive officer of that other entity served as a director
or member of our compensation committee.
116
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of February 15, 2018, information we know about the beneficial ownership
of our common stock by:
•
•
•
•
each person or entity, including any “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange
Act, who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of our
common stock;
each of our current directors;
each of our named executive officers, as defined in Item 11 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K; and
all of our current directors and executive officers as a group.
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and the information in
the table below is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. The SEC has defined
“beneficial” ownership of a security to mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of voting power and/or
investment power. In computing the percentage ownership of each person, shares of common stock subject to
options, warrants or rights held by that person that are currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days of
February 15, 2018, are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by that person. These shares, however,
are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
To our knowledge and except as indicated in the notes to this table and pursuant to applicable community
property laws, each stockholder named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the
shares set forth opposite such stockholder’s name. The percentage of ownership is based on 195,635,196 shares
of our common stock issued and outstanding on February 15, 2018. All fractional common share amounts have
been rounded to the nearest whole number.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)
5% Stockholders
Pillar Investment Entities c/o Pillar Invest Offshore SAL Starco Ctr Bloc B,
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
Percentage of
Outstanding Shares
3rd Flr Omar Daouk St. Beirut, M8 2020-3313 ...............................................
26,898,574 (2)
13.65 %
Affiliates of Baker Brothers Advisors, LLC 667 Madison Avenue,
21st Floor New York, NY 10065 ........................................................................
18,640,135 (3)
Named Executive Officers and Directors
Vincent J. Milano ...................................................................................................
Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil. .........................................................................................
Louis J. Arcudi, III ...................................................................................................
Julian C. Baker .......................................................................................................
R. Clayton Fletcher ................................................................................................
James A. Geraghty .................................................................................................
Mark Goldberg .......................................................................................................
Maxine Gowen .......................................................................................................
Joanna Horobin .....................................................................................................
Kelvin M. Neu ........................................................................................................
William S. Reardon ................................................................................................
Jonathan Yingling ..................................................................................................
All current directors and executive officers as a group (11 individuals) ............
2,134,027 (4)
3,976,343 (5)
1,405,434 (6)
18,640,135 (7)
611,874 (8)
1,056,621 (9)
157,500 (10)
79,917 (11)
395,311 (12)
231,184 (13)
250,473 (14)
150,000 (15)
24,881,292 (16)
9.51 %
1.08 %
1.99 %
*
9.51 %
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
12.35 %
* Denotes less than 1% beneficial owner.
117
(1) Except as otherwise noted, the address for each person listed above is c/o Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
167 Sidney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139.
(2) Consists of (i) 2,090,125 shares of common stock held by Pillar Pharmaceuticals I, L.P., or Pillar I,
(ii) 9,959,956 shares of common stock held by Pillar Pharmaceuticals II, L.P., or Pillar II, (iii) 2,871,839
shares of common stock held by Pillar Pharmaceuticals III, L.P., or Pillar III, (iv) 200,000 shares of common
stock held by Pillar Pharmaceuticals IV, L.P., or Pillar IV, (v) 875,000 shares of common stock held by Pillar
V, (vi) 8,875,973 shares of common stock held by Participations Besancon, or Besancon, and over which
Pillar Invest Corporation has investment discretion, pursuant to an advisory agreement between Pillar
Invest Corporation and Besancon, or the Advisory Agreement, (vii) 1,200,000 shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of warrants to purchase common stock held by Besancon and over which Pillar
Invest Corporation has investment discretion pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, (viii) 540,681 shares of
common stock held directly by Mr. El Zein and (ix) 285,000 shares of common stock subject to
outstanding stock options that are exercisable within 60 days after February 15, 2018 held by Mr. El Zein.
Mr. El Zein, a member of the Idera board until October 31, 2017, is a director and controlling stockholder
of Pillar Invest Corporation, which is the general partner of Pillar I, Pillar II, Pillar III, Pillar IV and Pillar V and
is a limited partner of Pillar I, Pillar II, Pillar III, Pillar IV and Pillar V. Mr. El Zein expressly disclaims
beneficial ownership over shares held directly by Pillar I, Pillar II, Pillar III, Pillar IV, Pillar V and indirectly by
Pillar Invest Corporation, including the warrants to purchase common stock issued in connection therewith
held by Besancon, or the Besancon Warrants. Pillar I, Pillar II, Pillar III, Pillar IV and Pillar V expressly
disclaim beneficial ownership of the Besancon Warrants. Besancon is an investment fund having no
affiliation with Mr. El Zein, Pillar I, Pillar II, Pillar III, Pillar IV, Pillar V or Pillar Invest Corporation. The
information in this footnote is based on a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on October 17, 2016; Form
4s filed with the SEC on May 3, 2017,October 17, 2017, December 15, 2017 and January 19, 2018; and
on information provided to us by Pillar Invest Corporation and Mr. El Zein. Pursuant to the terms of the
warrants to purchase common stock issued to the Pillar Investment Entities, the warrants to purchase
common stock issued to the Pillar Investment Entities cannot be exercised by the holders thereof with
respect to any portion of the shares, to the extent that such exercise would result in the Pillar Investment
Entities beneficially owning in the aggregate more than 19.99% of (x) the number of shares of common
stock issued outstanding or (y) the voting power of our securities outstanding immediately after giving
effect to the exercise of the warrants to purchase common stock.
(3) Consists of (i) 1,723,224 shares of our common stock owned by 667, L.P., (ii) 16,438,080 shares of our
common stock owned by Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P., (iii) 35,105 shares of our common stock
owned by 14159, L.P., (iv) (a) 55,042 shares of our common stock held directly by Mr. Baker and
(b) 73,684 shares of our common stock held directly by Dr. Neu, and in which each of 667, L.P., Baker
Brothers Life Sciences, L.P. and 14159, L.P., which we refer to collectively as the Funds, has an indirect
pecuniary interest and may be deemed to own a portion of these shares, and (v) (a) 157,500 shares of
common stock subject to outstanding stock options that are exercisable within 60 days after February 13,
2018 held by Mr. Baker and (b) 157,500 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options that are
exercisable within 60 days after February 15, 2018 held by Dr. Neu. As a result of the application of the
Beneficial Ownership Cap, as described below in this footnote, the table above does not include the
following as being beneficially owned by the Funds: (a) 4,640,773 shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of warrants to purchase common stock owned by 667, L.P., (b) 36,907,015 shares of common
stock issuable upon exercise of warrants to purchase common stock owned by Baker Brothers Life
Sciences, L.P. and (c) 919,591 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants to purchase
common stock owned by 14159, L.P. The information in this footnote is based on a Schedule 13D/A filed
with the SEC on October 30, 2017; a Form 4 filed with the SEC on January 4, 2018; and on information
provided to us by the Funds and Mr. Baker. Mr. Baker, a member of the Idera board, is a managing
member of Baker Bros. Advisors LP and is a principal of Baker Bros. Advisors (GP), LLC, the sole general
partner of Baker Bros. Advisors LP. Baker Bros. Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor to the Funds.
Accordingly, Mr. Baker may be deemed to have sole power to direct the voting and disposition of the
shares of common stock held directly by the Funds and indirectly by Baker Bros. Advisors LP and Baker
Bros. Advisors (GP), LLC. Mr. Baker expressly disclaims beneficial ownership over shares held directly by
the Funds and indirectly by Baker Bros. Advisors LP and Baker Bros. Advisors (GP), LLC, except to the
extent of his pecuniary interest therein, if any, by virtue of his pecuniary interest therein. Dr. Neu, a
member of the Idera board, is an employee of Baker Bros. Advisors LP. Under the terms of the warrants
issued to the Funds, the Funds are not permitted to exercise such warrants to purchase common stock to
the extent that such exercise would result in the Funds (and their affiliates) beneficially owning more than
118
4.99% of the number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding immediately after giving
effect to the issuance of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants to purchase
common stock. This limitation on exercise of the warrants to purchase common stock issued to the Funds
is referred to in this footnote as the Beneficial Ownership Cap. The Funds have the right to increase this
beneficial ownership limitation in their discretion on 61 days' prior written notice to us, provided that in no
event are the Funds permitted to exercise such warrants to purchase common stock to the extent that
such exercise would result in the Funds (and their affiliates) beneficially owning in the aggregate more
than 19.99% of the number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding or the combined
voting power of our securities outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants to purchase common stock.
(4) Includes 1,887,500 shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options that are exercisable
within 60 days after February 15, 2018.
(5) Includes 3,850,066 shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options that are exercisable
within 60 days after February 15, 2018.
(6) Includes 1,363,706 shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options that are exercisable
within 60 days after February 15, 2018.
(7) Consists of shares reported under footnote 3 to this table above. Mr. Baker is a managing member of
Baker Bros. Advisors LP and is a principal of Baker Bros. Advisors (GP), LLC, the sole general partner of
Baker Bros. Advisors LP. Baker Bros. Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor to the Funds.
Accordingly, Mr. Baker may be deemed to have sole power to direct the voting and disposition of the
shares of common stock held directly by the Funds and indirectly by Baker Bros. Advisors LP and Baker
Bros. Advisors (GP), LLC. Mr. Baker expressly disclaims beneficial ownership over shares held directly by
the Funds and indirectly by Baker Bros. Advisors LP and Baker Bros. Advisors (GP), LLC, except to the
extent of his pecuniary interest therein, if any, by virtue of his pecuniary interest therein.
(8) Consists of 611,874 shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options that are exercisable
within 60 days after February 15, 2018.
(9) Includes 621,252 shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options that are exercisable
within 60 days after February 15, 2018.
(10) Consists of 157,500 shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options that are exercisable
within 60 days after February 15, 2018.
(11) Includes 72,917 shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options that are exercisable within
60 days after February 15, 2018, and 7,000 shares of common stock held in the name Brian Macdonald
for Maxine Gowen Trust, for which Dr. Gowen is a beneficiary and trustee.
(12) Consists of 395,311 shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options that are exercisable
within 60 days after February 15, 2018.
(13) Includes 157,500 shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options that are exercisable
within 60 days after February 15, 2018.
(14) Includes 217,500 shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options that are exercisable
within 60 days after February 15, 2018.
(15) Consists of 150,000 shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options that are exercisable
within 60 days after February 15, 2018.
(16) Includes 5,792,560 shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options held by the directors
and executive officers as a group that are exercisable within 60 days after February 15, 2018 and shares
reported in clauses (i) through (iv) of the first sentence of footnote 3 to this table above.
119
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2017 regarding total shares subject to
outstanding stock options, warrants and rights and total additional shares available for issuance under our existing
equity incentive and employee stock purchase plans. In addition, from time to time, we grant “inducement grants”
pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans approved by
Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(a)
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(b)
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected in Column (a))
(c)
stockholders (1) .............................................
17,977,200 $
Equity compensation plans not approved
by stockholders (2) .........................................
3,425,000 $
Total ...................................................................
21,402,200 $
2.86
3.35
2.94
13,500,778
—
13,500,778
(1) Consists of our: 1995 Director Stock Option Plan; 1997 Stock Incentive Plan; 2005 Stock Incentive Plan;
2008 Stock Incentive Plan; 2013 Stock Incentive Plan and 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Shares are available for future issuance only under our 2013 Stock Incentive Plan and 2017 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan.
(2) Consists of stock options issued as inducement grants as of December 31, 2017. These stock options are
generally subject to the same terms and conditions as those awarded pursuant to the plans approved by
our stockholders.
120
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
Since January 1, 2017, except as discussed below regarding transactions with (i)(a) 667, L.P., Baker
Brothers Life Sciences, L.P. and 14159, L.P., which we refer to collectively as the Funds, and (b) Baker Bros.
Advisors L.P., or BBA, which, in each case, are affiliated with Mr. Baker and Dr. Neu, who are currently members of
our board of directors, and (ii) Pillar Invest Corporation, which is affiliated with Mr. El Zein, who was a member of
our board of directors until October 2017, we have not entered into or engaged in any related party transactions,
as defined by the SEC, with our directors, officers and stockholders who beneficially owned more than 5% of our
outstanding common stock, as well as affiliates or immediate family members of those directors, officers and
stockholders. We believe that the terms of our transactions described below were no less favorable than those that
we could have obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
Public Offering
On October 30, 2017, we completed a follow-on underwritten public offering, in which we sold
33,333,334 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $1.50 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of
$50.0 million. On November 1, 2017, we sold an additional 5,000,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the
exercise in full of the underwriters’ 30-day option to purchase additional shares of our common stock at the public
offering price less the underwriting discount. We refer to this offering as the 2017 Offering. The net proceeds to us
from the 2017 Offering, including the exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares
and after deducting underwriters’ discounts and commissions and other offering costs and expenses, were
approximately $53.7 million.
Certain affiliates of the Funds participated in the 2017 Offering and purchased in the aggregate
8,000,000 shares of our common stock at the price offered to the public for an aggregate purchase price of
$12.0 million.
Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions
Our board of directors is committed to upholding the highest legal and ethical conduct in fulfilling its
responsibilities and recognizes that related party transactions can present a heightened risk of potential or actual
conflicts of interest. Accordingly, as a general matter, it is our preference to avoid related party transactions.
In accordance with our audit committee charter, members of the audit committee, all of whom are
independent directors, review and approve all related party transactions for which approval is required under
applicable laws or regulations, including SEC and the Nasdaq Listing Rules. Current SEC rules define a related
party transaction to include any transaction, arrangement or relationship in which we are a participant and the
amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any of the following persons has or will have a direct or indirect
interest:
•
•
•
•
our executive officers, directors or director nominees;
any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock;
any person who is an immediate family member, as defined under Item 404 of Regulation S-K, of any of
our executive officers, directors or director nominees or beneficial owners of more than 5% of our
common stock; or
any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a partner or
principal or in a similar position or in which such person, together with any other of the foregoing
persons, has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest.
In addition, the audit committee reviews and investigates any matters pertaining to the integrity of
management, including conflicts of interest and adherence to our code of business conduct and ethics. Under our
code of business conduct and ethics, our directors, officers and employees are expected to avoid any relationship,
influence or activity that would cause or even appear to cause a conflict of interest. Under our code of business
121
conduct and ethics, a director is required to promptly disclose to our board of directors any potential or actual
conflict of interest involving him or her. In accordance with our code of business conduct and ethics, the board of
directors will determine an appropriate resolution on a case-by-case basis. All directors must recuse themselves
from any discussion or decision affecting their personal, business or professional interests.
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Under applicable rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, a director will only qualify as an “independent director”
if, in the opinion of our board of directors, that person does not have a relationship which would interfere with the
exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Our board of directors has
determined that Mr. Baker, Mr. Geraghty, Dr. Goldberg, Dr. Gowen, Dr. Neu and Mr. Reardon and all of the
members of each of the audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees are
independent as defined under applicable rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market including, in the case of all members of
the audit committee, the independence requirements contemplated by Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and, in
the case of all members of the compensation committee, the independence requirements contemplated by Rule
10C-1 under the Exchange Act.
Our board of directors had previously made a similar determination of independence with respect to
Mr. El Zein, who served as a director until October 2017.
122
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
ACCOUNTING MATTERS
Report of the Audit Committee
The audit committee has reviewed our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2017 and discussed them with our management and our independent registered public accounting firm.
The audit committee has also received from, and discussed with, our independent registered public
accounting firm various communications that our independent registered public accounting firm is required to
provide to the audit committee, including the matters required to be discussed by the AS 1301: Communications
with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
The audit committee has received from Ernst & Young LLP the letter and other written disclosures required
by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding its communication with
the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its independence from
the Company. The audit committee has also considered whether the provision of other non-audit services by
Ernst & Young LLP is compatible with maintaining their independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the audit committee recommended to our board of
directors that the audited financial statements be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2017.
By the audit committee of the board of directors,
William S. Reardon, Chairman
James Geraghty
Mark Goldberg, M.D.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees
The following table sets forth all fees paid or accrued by us for professional services rendered by Ernst &
Young LLP during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
Fee Category
Audit Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 600,122 $ 828,737
119,330
Audit-Related Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28,780
1,995
All Other Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 933,911 $ 978,842
204,814
126,980
1,995
2016
2017
Audit Fees
Audit fees represent the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by our independent
registered public accounting firm for the audit of our annual financial statements and internal controls over
financial reporting, review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and services that
are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit-Related Fees
Audit-related fees represent the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related professional services
rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm that are reasonably related to the performance of
the audit or review of our financial statements and that are not reported under "Audit Fees" including consultations
regarding internal controls, financial accounting and reporting standards; the issuance of consents in connection
with registration statement filings with the SEC and comfort letters in connection with securities offerings.
123
Tax Fees
Tax fees represent the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by our independent
registered public accounting firm for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services. Tax compliance
services, which relate to preparation of tax returns, accounted for $25,000 of the total tax fees billed in both 2017
and 2016. Tax advice and tax planning services primarily relate to consultations on our net operating loss carry
forwards and payroll taxes.
All Other Fees
All other fees represent the aggregate fees billed for all other products and services rendered by our
independent registered public accounting firm other than the services reported in the other categories. All other
fees for all periods presented related to our subscription to Ernst & Young’s online accounting research tool.
Our audit committee believes that the non-audit services described above did not compromise Ernst &
Young LLP’s independence. Our audit committee charter, which you can find by clicking “Investors” and “Corporate
Governance” on our website, www.iderapharma.com, requires that all proposals to engage Ernst & Young LLP for
services, and all proposed fees for these services, be submitted to the audit committee for approval before Ernst &
Young LLP may provide the services.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Our audit committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the approval of all audit and non-audit
services that are to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. This policy generally
provides that we will not engage our independent registered public accounting firm to render audit or non-audit
services unless the service is specifically approved in advance by the audit committee or the engagement is
entered into pursuant to the pre-approval procedures described below.
From time to time, the audit committee may pre-approve specified types of services that are expected to be
provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm during the next 12 months. Any such pre-
approval is detailed as to the particular service or type of services to be provided and is also generally subject to a
maximum dollar amount. All of the services described above under the headings “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related
Fees,” “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” were pre-approved by our audit committee.
124
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)
(1) Financial Statements.
PART IV.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31,
2017, 2016 and 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016
and 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Notes to Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page number in
this Report
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
(2) We are not filing any financial statement schedules as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K
because they are not applicable or the required information is included in the financial
statements or notes thereto.
(3)
The list of Exhibits filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is set forth on the
Exhibit Index below.
(b)
The list of Exhibits filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is set forth on the Exhibit Index
below.
(c) None.
125
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
2.1
Description
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as
January 21, 2018, by and among Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., BioCryst
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Nautilus Holdco, Inc.,
Island Merger Sub, Inc. and Boat Merger Sub,
Inc.
Incorporated by Reference to
SEC File
No.
001-31918
Exhibit(s)
2.1
Form
8-K
Filing Date
January 22, 2018
3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as amended.
10-Q
001-31918
3.1
August 6, 2015
3.2*
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
4.1
Specimen Certificate for shares of Common
S-1
33-99024
4.1
December 8, 1995
Stock, $.001 par value, of Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
4.2
Form of Warrant issued in May 2013 to
purchasers in Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s
registered public offering on Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s registration
statement on Form S-1
(File No. 333- 187155)
4.3
Form of Warrant issued in May 2013 to
entities affiliated with Pillar Invest
Corporation in Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s
registered public offering on Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s registration
statement on Form S-1
(File No. 333- 187155)
4.4
Form of Pre-Funded Warrant issued in May
2013 to purchasers in Idera Pharmaceuticals,
Inc.’s registered public offering on Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s registration
statement on Form S-1
(File No. 333- 187155)
10-Q
001-31918
10.3
May 15, 2013
10-Q
001-31918
10.4
May 15, 2013
10-Q
001-31918
10.5
May 15, 2013
4.5
Form of Pre-Funded Warrant issued in
8-K
001-31918
4.1
September 26, 2013
September 2013 to purchasers in Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s registered public
offering on Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s
registration statement on Form S-3
(File No. 333-191073)
4.6
Form of Pre-Funded Warrant issued in
February 2014 to purchasers in Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s registered public
offering on Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s
registration statement on Form S-3
(File No. 333-191073)
8-K
001-31918
4.1
February 5, 2014
126
Exhibit
Number
10.1
Description
Unit Purchase Agreement by and among Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and certain persons
and entities listed therein, dated April 1,
1998
10.2
10.3
10.4
Registration Rights Agreement, dated
March 24, 2006, by and among Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the Investors
named therein
Registration Rights Agreement, dated
March 24, 2006, by and among Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Biotech Shares Ltd.
and Youssef El Zein
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Rights
Agreement dated March 24, 2006, by and
among Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and
Biotech Shares Ltd.
10.5
Registration Rights Agreement, dated
February 9, 2015, among Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the Selling
Stockholders named therein
Incorporated by Reference to
SEC File
Form
10-K
No.
Exhibit(s)
000-27352 10.39
Filing Date
April 1, 2002
8-K
001-31918 10.2
March 29, 2006
8-K
001-31918 10.6
March 29, 2006
10-Q
001-31918 10.3
August 14, 2006
8-K
001-31918 4.1
February 9, 2015
10.6
Amendment to the Registration Rights
8-K
001-31918 10.1
January 22, 2018
Agreement, dated January 21, 2018, by and
among Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 667, L.P.,
Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P. and
14159, L.P.
10.7
Agreement, dated April 22, 2013, among
8-K
001-31918 10.1
April 23, 2013
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pillar
Pharmaceuticals I, L.P. and Pillar
Pharmaceuticals II, L.P.
10.8
Agreement, dated April 30, 2013, among
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pillar
Pharmaceuticals I, L.P., Pillar
Pharmaceuticals II, L.P. and Participations
Besancon
S-1/A
333-187155 10.50
May 1, 2013
10.9† 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended
10-Q
001-31918 10.4
August 14, 2006
10.10† 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended
8-K
001-31918 99.2
June 17, 2011
10.11† 2013 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended
8-K
001-31918 10.1
June 13, 2014
10.12† Amendment to 2013 Stock Incentive Plan, as
amended
10.13† Amendment to 2013 Stock Incentive Plan, as
amended
8-K
001-31918 10.1
June 11, 2015
8-K
001-31918 10.1
June 9, 2017
10.14† 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
8-K
001-31918 10.2
June 9, 2017
127
Exhibit
Number
10.15† Policy on Treatment of Stock Options in the
Description
Event of Retirement, approved April 28, 2014
10.16† Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement
Granted Under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan
10.17† Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option
Agreement Granted Under the 2005 Stock
Incentive Plan
Incorporated by Reference to
Form
10-Q
SEC File
No.
001-31918
Exhibit(s)
10.1
Filing Date
August 12, 2014
8-K
001-31918
10.2
June 21, 2005
8-K
001-31918
10.3
June 21, 2005
10.18† Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement
Granted Under the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan
8-K
001-31918
10.2
June 10, 2008
10.19† Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option
Agreement Granted Under the 2008 Stock
Incentive Plan
10.20† Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option
Agreement (Non-Employee Directors) Granted
Under the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan
10.21† Form of Restricted Stock Agreement Under
the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan
10.22† Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement
granted under the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan
10.23† Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option
Agreement granted under the 2013 Stock
Incentive Plan
10.24† Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option
Agreement (Non-Employee Directors) granted
under the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan
10.25† Form of Inducement Stock Option Award –
Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement
10.26† Employment Agreement dated October 19,
2005 between Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
and Dr. Sudhir Agrawal
10.27† Amendment dated December 17, 2008 to
Employment Agreement by and between
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Dr. Sudhir
Agrawal dated October 19, 2005
10.28† Second Amendment dated December 1,
2014 to Employment Agreement by and
between Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and
Dr. Sudhir Agrawal dated October 19, 2005
10.29† Separation Agreement and Release of Claims
dated April 18, 2017 between Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sudhir Agrawal
10.30† Scientific Advisor Agreement effective June 1,
2017 by and between Idera Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. and Sudhir Agrawal
8-K
001-31918
10.3
June 10, 2008
8-K
001-31918
10.4
June 10, 2008
8-K
001-31918
10.5
June 10, 2008
8-K
001-31918
10.2
July 29, 2013
8-K
001-31918
10.3
July 29, 2013
8-K
001-31918
10.4
July 29, 2013
10-Q
001-31918
10.1
November 6, 2015
10-Q
001-31918
10.1
November 9, 2005
8-K
001-31918
10.1
December 18, 2008
10-K
001-31918 10.31
March 12, 2015
10-Q
001-31918
10.1
August 7, 2017
128
Exhibit
Number
10.31† Amended and Restated Employment Letter
Agreement by and between Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Louis J. Arcudi, III,
Dated December 2, 2011
Description
Incorporated by Reference to
Form
10-K
SEC File
No.
Exhibit(s)
001-31918 10.17
Filing Date
March 13, 2012
10.32† Employment Letter Agreement, dated
10-K
001-31918 10.24
March 12, 2015
December 1, 2014, by and between Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Vincent Milano
10.33† Employment Letter, dated January 26, 2015,
by and between Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
and Clayton Fletcher
10.34† Employment Letter, dated June 5, 2015, by
and between Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and
Mark J. Casey
10.35†* Employment Letter, dated November 11,
2015 by and between Idera Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. and Joanna Horobin
10.36†* Employment Letter, dated February 2, 2017,
by and between Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
and Jonathan Yingling
10.37† Form of Director and Officer Indemnification
Agreement
10.38† Form of Executive Severance and Change of
Control Agreement
10-Q
001-31918
10.1
May 11, 2015
10-Q
001-31918
10.1
May 9, 2016
10-Q
001-31918
10.1
May 4, 2017
10-Q
001-31918
10.2
May 4, 2017
10.39† Director Compensation Program
10-Q
001-31918
10.4
May 12, 2014
10.40†† Development and Commercialization
10-Q
001-31918
10.3
August 12, 2014
Agreement, dated May 1, 2014, by and
between Abbott Molecular Inc. and Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
10.41†† License Agreement, dated November 28,
2016, by and between Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Vivelix
Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
10.42 Lease Agreement dated October 31, 2006
between Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and
ARE-MA-Region No. 23, LLC
10-K
001-31918 10.56
March 15, 2017
10-K/A 001-31918 10.44
May 8, 2007
10.43 First Amendment dated February 21, 2014 to
Lease Agreement dated October 31, 2006
between Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and
ARE-MA-Region No. 23, LLC
10.44 Second Amendment dated November 17,
2016 to Lease Agreement dated October 31,
2006 between Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
and ARE-MA-Region No. 23, LLC
10.45* Lease Agreement dated March 31, 2015
between Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and 505
Eagleview Boulevard Associates, L.P.
10-Q
001-31918
10.1
May 12, 2014
10-K
001-31918 10.57
March 15, 2017
129
Incorporated by Reference to
Form
SEC File
No.
Exhibit(s)
Filing Date
Exhibit
Number
10.46* First Amendment dated September 23, 2015
Description
to Lease Agreement dated March 31, 2015
between Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and
505 Eagleview Boulevard Associates, L.P.
23.1* Consent of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
31.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer
pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and
15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302
of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2* Certification of Chief Financial Officer
pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and
15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302
of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2* Certification of Chief Financial Officer
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
Linkbase Document
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
Linkbase Document
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase
Document
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
Linkbase Document
* Filed herewith.
† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an Exhibit to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
†† Confidential treatment granted as to certain portions, which are omitted and filed separately with the
Commission.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
Not applicable.
130
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized,
on this 7th day of March 2018.
SIGNATURES
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
By:
/S/ VINCENT J. MILANO
Vincent J. Milano
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/S/ VINCENT J. MILANO
Vincent J. Milano
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director (Principal Executive Officer)
March 7, 2018
/S/ LOUIS J. ARCUDI III
Louis J. Arcudi, III
/S/ JAMES A. GERAGHTY
James A. Geraghty
/S/ JULIAN C. BAKER
Julian C. Baker
/S/ MARK GOLDBERG
Mark Goldberg, M.D.
/S/ MAXINE GOWEN
Maxine Gowen, Ph.D.
/S/ KELVIN M. NEU
Kelvin M. Neu, M.D.
/S/ WILLIAM S. REARDON
William S. Reardon, C.P.A.
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
March 7, 2018
Chairman of the Board of Directors
March 7, 2018
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
March 7, 2018
March 7, 2018
March 7, 2018
March 7, 2018
March 7, 2018
131
IDERA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2017
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm .................................................................................
Balance Sheets .......................................................................................................................................................
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss ...........................................................................................
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity ......................................................................................................................
Statements of Cash Flows ......................................................................................................................................
Notes to Financial Statements ...............................................................................................................................
Page
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the Company) as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’
equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes
(collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on
criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated March 7, 2018 expressed an
unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the
PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in 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 reasonable assurance 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, and performing procedures that
respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts
and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial
statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 7, 2018
F-2
IDERA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
December 31,
2017
2016
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ...................................................................................... $
Short-term investments ............................................................................................
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ...........................................................
Total current assets ...............................................................................................
Property and equipment, net ......................................................................................
Restricted cash and other assets ..............................................................................
Total assets ................................................................................................................. $
112,629 $
—
3,992
116,621
1,472
324
118,417 $
80,667
28,347
2,030
111,044
1,853
334
113,231
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable ...................................................................................................... $
Accrued expenses .....................................................................................................
Current portion of note payable ...............................................................................
Current portion of deferred revenue ........................................................................
Total current liabilities ............................................................................................
Deferred revenue, net of current portion ...................................................................
Note payable, net of current portion ..........................................................................
Other liabilities ............................................................................................................
Total liabilities .........................................................................................................
1,334 $
8,000
209
566
10,109
—
—
613
10,722
556
7,394
292
1,111
9,353
152
209
168
9,882
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, Authorized — 5,000 shares:
Series A convertible preferred stock; Designated — 1,500 shares,
Issued and outstanding — 1 share ..........................................................................
Common stock, $0.001 par value, Authorized — 280,000 shares; Issued and
outstanding — 195,625 and 149,065 shares at December 31, 2017 and
December 31, 2016, respectively .............................................................................
Additional paid-in capital ............................................................................................
Accumulated deficit ....................................................................................................
Accumulated other comprehensive loss ....................................................................
Total stockholders’ equity ......................................................................................
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity ................................................................... $
—
—
196
711,993
(604,494)
—
107,695
118,417 $
149
641,687
(538,470)
(17)
103,349
113,231
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-3
IDERA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Alliance revenue ............................................................................... $
Operating expenses:
Research and development ..........................................................
General and administrative ...........................................................
Total operating expenses ............................................................
Loss from operations .......................................................................
Other income (expense):
2017
Year Ended December 31,
2016
16,199 $
902 $
50,653
16,716
67,369
(66,467)
39,824
15,132
54,956
(38,757)
2015
249
33,699
15,396
49,095
(48,846)
Interest income ..............................................................................
Interest expense ............................................................................
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain .........................................
Net loss ............................................................................................. $
574
(50)
(41)
(65,984) $
415
(80)
33
(38,389) $
357
(105)
39
(48,555)
Net loss per share applicable to common stockholders - basic
and diluted (Note 15) ....................................................................... $
Weighted-average number of common shares used in
computing net loss per share applicable to common
stockholders - basic and diluted .....................................................
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss ............................................................................................. $
Other comprehensive income (loss):
(0.42) $
(0.30) $
(0.42)
157,398
127,597
115,092
(65,984) $
(38,389) $
(48,555)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities ................
Total other comprehensive income (loss) ..................................
Comprehensive loss ......................................................................... $
17
17
(65,967) $
117
117
(38,272) $
(117)
(117)
(48,672)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-4
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F-5
IDERA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss ................................................................................................................. $ (65,984) $ (38,389) $ (48,555)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
2015
2017
Year Ended December 31,
2016
Loss from disposition of assets ......................................................................
Non-employee stock option expense .............................................................
Stock-based compensation ............................................................................
Issuance of common stock for services rendered ........................................
Accretion of discounts and premiums on investments .................................
Depreciation and amortization expense ........................................................
—
—
10,720
150
94
746
4
—
6,847
172
566
656
—
143
5,442
122
599
488
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ..................................................
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities ..........................
Deferred revenue ............................................................................................
(1,962)
1,674
(697)
Net cash used in operating activities ........................................................ (55,259)
1,064
1,988
(1,111)
(28,203)
(1,889)
(1,709)
2,373
(42,986)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities ..........................................................
Proceeds from maturity of available-for-sale securities ....................................
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities ...........................................
Purchases of property and equipment ...............................................................
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities ..................................
—
28,270
—
(206)
28,064
(2,946)
32,746
1,974
(408)
31,366
(63,106)
29,420
999
(727)
(33,414)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from equity financings, net of issuance costs ...................................
Proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants and options and
2,546
employee stock purchases ..................................................................................
(120)
Payments on note payable ..................................................................................
(10)
Payments on capital lease...................................................................................
83,015
Net cash provided by financing activities ..................................................
6,615
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents ........................................................
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period ...............................................
19,971
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period ......................................................... $ 112,629 $ 80,667 $ 26,586
2,172
(261)
(7)
50,918
54,081
26,586
5,697
(292)
(11)
59,157
31,962
80,667
80,599
49,014
53,763
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-6
IDERA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2017
Note 1. Business and Organization
Business Overview
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Idera” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, is a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel
oligonucleotide therapeutics for oncology and rare diseases. The Company uses two distinct proprietary drug
discovery technology platforms to design and develop drug candidates: its Toll-like receptor (“TLR”) targeting
technology and its nucleic acid chemistry technology (formerly referred to as the Company’s third generation
antisense, or 3GA, technology). The Company developed these platforms based on its scientific expertise and
pioneering work with synthetic oligonucleotides as therapeutic agents. Using its TLR targeting technology, the
Company designs synthetic oligonucleotide-based drug candidates to modulate the activity of specific TLRs. In
addition, using its nucleic acid chemistry technology, the Company is developing drug candidates to turn off the
messenger RNA (“mRNA”) associated with disease causing genes. The Company believes its nucleic acid chemistry
technology may potentially reduce the immunotoxicity and increase the potency of earlier generation antisense and
RNA interference (“RNAi”) technologies.
Idera is focused on the clinical development of drug candidates for oncology and rare diseases
characterized by small, well-defined patient populations with serious unmet medical needs. The Company believes
it can develop and commercialize these targeted therapies on its own. To the extent the Company seeks to
develop drug candidates for broader disease indications, it has entered into and may explore additional
collaborative alliances to support development and commercialization.
Agreement and Plan of Merger
As further described in Note 17, in January 2018, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger with BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and affiliated entities. However, the Company has prepared these
financial statements as if the Company will remain an independent company. See Note 17 for further details.
Liquidity and Financial Condition
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $604.5 million. The Company
expects to incur substantial operating losses in future periods and will require additional capital to advance its drug
candidates through development to commercialization. The Company does not expect to generate product
revenue, sales-based milestones or royalties until the Company successfully completes development and obtains
marketing approval for the Company’s drug candidates, either alone or in collaboration with third parties, which the
Company expects will take a number of years. In order to commercialize its drug candidates, the Company needs to
complete clinical development and comply with comprehensive regulatory requirements. The Company is subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties similar to those of other companies of the same size within the
biotechnology industry, such as uncertainty of clinical trial outcomes, uncertainty of additional funding, and history
of operating losses.
The Company believes, based on its current operating plan, that its existing cash, cash equivalents and
investments will enable the Company to fund its operations into the second quarter of 2019. The Company has
and will continue to evaluate available alternatives to extend its operations beyond the second quarter of 2019.
F-7
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (“GAAP”).
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates,
judgements, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and
expenses, and related disclosure of contingencies in the accompanying Financial Statements and these Notes. In
addition, management’s assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern involves the
estimation of the amount and timing of future cash inflows and outflows. On an ongoing basis, the Company
evaluates its estimates, judgements and methodologies. The Company bases its estimates on historical
experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable. Actual results could differ
materially from those estimates.
Segment Information
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise in which separate discrete information is
available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to
allocate resources and assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business as
one operating segment, which is the business of discovering and developing novel oligonucleotide therapeutics for
oncology and rare diseases. Additionally, for all periods presented (a) all of the Company's revenues were
generated in the United States, (b) all research and development activities occurred in the United States, and (c) all
assets were located in the United States.
Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is determined and disclosed in accordance with the
three-tier fair value hierarchy specified in Note 3. The Company is required to disclose the estimated fair values of
its financial instruments. The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, cash equivalents, available-for-sale
investments, receivables and a note payable. The estimated fair values of these financial instruments approximate
their carrying values as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did
not have any derivatives, hedging instruments or other similar financial instruments except for the note issued
under the Company’s loan and security agreement, which is discussed in Note 7, and which includes put and call
features, which features the Company determined are clearly and closely associated with the debt host and do not
require bifurcation as a derivative liability, or the fair value of the feature is immaterial.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents
and available-for-sale investments. The Company’s credit risk is managed by investing its cash and cash
equivalents and marketable securities in highly rated money market instruments, certificates of deposit, corporate
bonds, and debt securities. Due to these factors, no significant additional credit risk is believed by management to
be inherent in the Company’s assets. As of December 31, 2017, all of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and
investments are held at two financial institutions.
F-8
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of 90 days or less when purchased to
be “cash equivalents.” Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of cash and money
market funds.
Restricted Cash
As part of the Company’s lease arrangement for its office and laboratory facility in Cambridge,
Massachusetts, the Company is required to restrict cash held in a certificate of deposit securing a line of credit for
the lessor. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the restricted cash amounted to $0.3 million and is recorded in
“Restricted cash and other assets” in the accompanying balance sheets.
Investments
Management determines the appropriate classification of marketable securities at the time of purchase.
Investments that the Company does not have the positive intent to hold to maturity are classified as “available-for-
sale” and reported at fair market value. Available-for-sale investments are classified as long-term if their
contractual maturity is greater than one year at the balance sheet date and the Company does not have the intent
to sell them in order to fund current operations. Unrealized gains and losses associated with available-for-sale
investments are recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” on the accompanying balance sheets.
The amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, and any realized gains and losses and declines in value
judged to be other-than-temporary, and interest and dividends for all available-for-sale securities are included in
“Interest income” on the accompanying statements of operations. Investments that the Company intends to hold to
maturity are classified as “held-to-maturity” investments. The Company had no “held-to-maturity” investments at
either December 31, 2017 or 2016. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.
The Company had no realized gains or losses from available-for-sale securities in 2017, 2016 or 2015.
There were no losses or other-than-temporary declines in value included in “Interest income” for any securities for
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is carried at acquisition cost less accumulated depreciation, subject to review for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not
be recoverable as described further under the heading "Impairment of Long-Lived Assets" below. The cost of
normal, recurring, or periodic repairs and maintenance activities related to property and equipment are expensed
as incurred. The cost for planned major maintenance activities, including the related acquisition or construction of
assets, is capitalized if the repair will result in future economic benefits.
Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful
lives of the related assets. Laboratory and other equipment are depreciated over three to five years. Leasehold
improvements are amortized over the remaining lease term or the related useful life, if shorter.
When an asset is disposed of, the associated cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the
related accounts on the Company's balance sheet with any resulting gain or loss included in the Company's
statement of operations.
F-9
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification
(“ASC”) 360-10-35, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the Company reviews its long-lived assets and
identifiable finite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that
the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable (i.e. impaired). Once an impairment is determined, the
actual impairment recognized is the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value (less costs to sell
for assets to be disposed of) as estimated using one of the following approaches: income, cost and/or market. Fair
value using the income approach is determined primarily using a discounted cash flow model that uses the
estimated cash flows associated with the asset or asset group under review, discounted at a rate commensurate
with the risk involved. Fair value utilizing the cost approach is determined based on the replacement cost of the
asset reduced for, among other things, depreciation and obsolescence. Fair value, utilizing the market approach,
benchmarks the fair value against the carrying amount. No impairment expense was recognized during the years
ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. Accordingly,
revenue is recognized for each unit of accounting when all of the following criteria are met:
• persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
• delivery has occurred or services have been rendered;
•
•
the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and
collectability is reasonably assured.
Amounts received prior to satisfying the revenue recognition criteria are recognized as deferred revenue in
the Company’s balance sheet. Amounts expected to be recognized as revenue within the 12 months following the
balance sheet date are classified as deferred revenue, current. Amounts not expected to be recognized as
revenue within the 12 months following the balance sheet date are classified as deferred revenue, net of current
portion.
Alliance Revenues
The Company’s revenues have primarily been generated through collaborative research, development
and/or commercialization agreements. The terms of these agreements typically may include payment to the
Company of one or more of the following: nonrefundable, up-front license fees, research, development and
commercial milestone payments, other contingent payments due based on the activities of the counterparty or the
reimbursement by licensees of costs associated with patent maintenance. Each of these types of revenue are
recorded as Alliance revenues in the Company’s statement of operations.
For each collaborative research, development and/or commercialization agreement, which results in
revenues, the Company determines (i) whether multiple deliverables exist, (ii) whether the delivered elements have
value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, (iii) how the deliverables should be separated or combined and
(iv) how the consideration should be allocated to the deliverables.
See Note 8, “Collaboration and License Agreements” for additional details surrounding the Company’s
collaboration arrangements.
F-10
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Arrangement consideration that is fixed or determinable is allocated among the separate units of accounting
using the relative selling price method. Then, the applicable revenue recognition criteria in ASC 605 are applied to
each of the separate units of accounting in determining the appropriate period and pattern of recognition. The
Company determines the selling price of a unit of accounting following the hierarchy of evidence prescribed by
ASC 605-25. Accordingly, the Company determines the estimated selling price for units of accounting within each
arrangement using vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of selling price, if available, third-party evidence
(“TPE”) of selling price if VSOE is not available, or best estimate of selling price (“BESP”) if neither VSOE nor TPE is
available. The Company typically uses BESP to estimate the selling price, since the Company generally does not
have VSOE or TPE of selling price for its units of accounting. Determining the BESP for a unit of accounting requires
significant judgment. In developing the BESP for a unit of accounting, the Company considers applicable market
conditions and relevant entity-specific factors, including factors that were contemplated in negotiating the
agreement with the customer and estimated costs. The Company validates the BESP for units of accounting by
evaluating whether changes in the key assumptions used to determine the BESP will have a significant effect on
the allocation of arrangement consideration between multiple units of accounting.
Options are considered substantive if, at the inception of the arrangement, this Company is at risk as to
whether the collaborator will choose to exercise the option. Factors that the Company considers in evaluating
whether an option is substantive include the overall objective of the arrangement, the benefit the collaborator
might obtain from the arrangement without exercising the option, the cost to exercise the option and the likelihood
that the option will be exercised. For arrangements under which an option is considered substantive, the Company
does not consider the item underlying the option to be a deliverable at the inception of the arrangement and the
associated option fees are not included in allocable arrangement consideration, assuming the option is not priced
at a significant and incremental discount. Conversely, for arrangements under which an option is not considered
substantive or if an option is priced at a significant and incremental discount, the Company would consider the
item underlying the option to be a deliverable at the inception of the arrangement and a corresponding amount
would be included in allocable arrangement consideration.
The Company recognizes arrangement consideration allocated to each unit of accounting when all of the
revenue recognition criteria in ASC 605 are satisfied for that particular unit of accounting. The Company will
recognize as revenue arrangement consideration attributed to licenses that have standalone value from the other
deliverables to be provided in an arrangement upon delivery. The Company will recognize as revenue arrangement
consideration attributed to licenses that do not have standalone value from the other deliverables to be provided in
an arrangement over the Company’s estimated performance period as the arrangement would be accounted for as
a single unit of accounting.
The Company’s multiple element revenue arrangements may include the following:
Up-front License Fees: If a license does not have stand-alone value, the Company recognizes revenues from
nonrefundable, up-front license fees on a straight-line basis over the contracted or estimated period of
performance of the services under the related agreement, unless evidence suggests that revenue is earned or
obligations are fulfilled in a different pattern. The Company evaluates the period of performance each reporting
period and adjusts the period of performance on a prospective basis if there are changes to be made. If a license
were to have stand-alone value and the other criteria of revenue recognition were satisfied, then revenue would be
recognized in the period earned.
Milestone Payments: At the inception of an agreement that includes research and development milestone
payments, the Company evaluates whether each milestone is substantive or represents a deliverable of the
counterparty to the agreement. The Company recognized revenues related to substantive milestones in full in the
period in which the substantive milestone is achieved if payment is reasonably assured. If a milestone is a
deliverable of the counterparty to the agreement, it is considered contingent revenue and is recognized when the
Company is informed by the counterparty that they have achieved it and such amount is reasonably assured of
payment.
F-11
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Research and Development Activities: If the Company is entitled to reimbursement from its collaborators for
specified research and development activities or the reimbursement of costs associated with patent maintenance,
the Company determines whether such funding would result in alliance revenues or an offset to research and
development expenses. Reimbursement of patent maintenance costs are recognized during the period in which
the related expenses are incurred as alliance revenues in the Company’s statement of operations.
Royalties: If the Company is entitled to receive royalties from its collaborator for product sales, the Company
will recognize royalty revenue in the period of sale of the related product(s), based on the underlying contract
terms, provided that the reported sales are reliably measurable and the Company has no remaining performance
obligations, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met.
Research and Development Expenses
All research and development expenses are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses are
comprised of costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including drug development trials
and studies, drug manufacturing, laboratory supplies, external research, payroll including stock-based
compensation and overhead. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in the future
for use in research and development activities are deferred and capitalized. The capitalized amounts are expensed
as the related goods are accepted by the Company or the services are performed. As of December 31, 2017 and
2016, the Company recorded approximately $2.6 million and $1.4 million as prepaid research and development,
respectively, which is included within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying balance
sheets.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation
(“ASC 718”), or ASC 505-50, Equity – Equity Based Payments to Non-Employees, as applicable. The Company
accounts for stock-based awards to employees and non-employee directors using the fair value based method to
determine compensation expense for all arrangements where shares of stock or equity instruments are issued for
compensation. In addition, the Company accounts for stock-based compensation to other non-employees in
accordance with the accounting guidance for equity instruments that are issued to entities or persons other than
employees.
The Company recognizes all share-based payments to employees and directors as expense in the
statements of operations and comprehensive loss based on their fair values. The Company records compensation
expense over an award’s requisite service period, or vesting period, based on the award’s fair value at the date of
grant. Vesting is generally four years for employees and one year for directors. The Company uses a Black-Scholes
option-pricing model to determine the fair value of each option grant as of the date of grant for expense incurred.
The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires inputs for risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, expected stock
price volatility and expected term of the options. The value of the award that is ultimately expected to vest based
on the achievement of a performance condition (i.e., service period) is recognized as expense on a straight-line
basis over the requisite service period. See Note 10, “Stock-based Compensation” for additional details.
Previously, ASC 718 required forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in
subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differed from those estimates. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company
adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718):
Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”), which allows an entity to elect as
an accounting policy either to continue to estimate the total number of awards for which the requisite service
period will not be rendered or to account for forfeitures when they occur. In connection with the adoption of this
ASU, the Company made an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur and applied this
change in accounting policy on a modified retrospective basis. See discussion under Recently Adopted Accounting
Pronouncements for the impact this adoption had on the Company’s financial statements.
F-12
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Income Taxes
An asset and liability approach is used for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred
income taxes arise from temporary differences between income tax and financial reporting and principally relate to
recognition of revenue and expenses in different periods for financial and tax accounting purposes and are
measured using currently enacted tax rates and laws. In addition, a deferred tax asset can be generated by a net
operating loss carryover. If it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be
realized, a valuation allowance is recognized.
In the event the Company is charged interest or penalties related to income tax matters, the Company would
record such interest as interest expense and would record such penalties as other expense in the Statements of
Operations. No such charges have been incurred by the Company. For each of the years ended December 31,
2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company had no uncertain tax positions. See Note 12, “Income Taxes” for additional
details.
Net Loss per Common Share applicable to Common Stockholders
Basic and diluted net loss per common share applicable to common stockholders is computed using the
weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per common
share applicable to common stockholders is the same as basic net loss per common share applicable to common
stockholders for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 as the effects of the Company’s
potential common stock equivalents are antidilutive (see Note 15).
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period
from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income (loss) for
the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is comprised of reported net income (loss) and any change
in net unrealized gains and losses on investments during each year, which is included in “Accumulated other
comprehensive income” on the accompanying balance sheets. In accordance with ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive
Income, the Company has elected to present the components of net income and other comprehensive income as
one continuous statement.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718):
Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which became effective for the Company on
January 1, 2017. The Company adopted this ASU during the first quarter of 2017 which had the following impacts
on the Company’s financial statements. (1) ASU 2016-09 requires organizations to recognize all income tax effects
of awards in the statement of operations when the awards vest or are settled. The Company’s net operating loss
deferred tax assets increased by $1.4 million and were offset by a corresponding increase in the valuation
allowance given the Company’s continued loss position. Accordingly, the adoption of this portion of ASU 2016-09
had no impact on the Company’s Accumulated deficit. (2) ASU 2016-09 allows organizations to repurchase more
shares from employees than they could previously purchase for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability
accounting. The adoption of this portion of ASU 2016-09 had no impact on the Company’s financial
statements. (3) ASU 2016-09 allows companies to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they
occur. The Company has made the policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur and has used the
modified retrospective transition method, resulting in less than a $0.1 million reduction in Additional paid-in capital
and an increase in Accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2017, to reflect the cumulative effect of previously
estimated forfeitures.
F-13
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Recently Issued (Not Yet Adopted) Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),
which was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2015-14, which deferred the effective date, and several other ASU’s
related to Topic 606 through December 31, 2017 (e.g. ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, 2016-12 and 2016-20) which
clarify various aspects of the new revenue guidance including principal versus agent considerations, identifying
performance obligations, and licensing, and include other improvements and practical expedients (as amended,
“ASU 2014-09”). ASU No. 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue from the transfer of promised goods or
services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in
exchange for those goods or services. In addition, this ASU addresses contracts with more than one performance
obligation, as well as the accounting for costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer, and provides for
additional disclosures with respect to revenues and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. This
guidance is applicable to the Company's fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018 and the Company will adopt
ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method.
To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that an entity determines are within the scope of Topic
606, the entity performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the
performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to
the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a
performance obligation. To date, the Company has derived its revenues from a limited number of license and
collaboration agreements. The consideration the Company is eligible to receive under these agreements includes
upfront payments, research and development funding, contingent revenues in the form of commercial and
development milestones and option payments and royalties. Each of the Company’s license and collaboration
agreements has unique terms and has been evaluated separately under the new standard.
With respect to its license and collaboration agreements with Vivelix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (“Vivelix”) and
GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property Development Limited (“GSK”), the Company is substantially complete with its
assessment and currently estimates that there will be no material impact to Alliance revenues for any of the years
presented after the adoption of Topic 606. Additionally, the Company does not expect to revise any balance sheet
components of Alliance revenues such as accounts receivable and deferred revenues or beginning retained
earnings as of January 1, 2016 as a result of the modified retrospective method of adoption. The Company will
continue to monitor additional changes, modifications, clarifications or interpretations being undertaken by the
FASB, which may impact the Company’s current conclusion.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”). The amendments in ASU 2016-01 address certain aspects of recognition,
measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. This guidance is applicable to the Company's
fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018 and the Company will adopt this ASU in the first quarter of 2018. Based on
the Company’s current investment holdings, the adoption of this new standard is not expected to have a material
impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02
requires organizations that lease assets, with lease terms of more than 12 months, to recognize on the balance
sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. Consistent with GAAP, the
recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily
will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. However, unlike current GAAP which requires only
capital leases to be recognized on the balance sheet, ASU No. 2016-02 will require both types of leases to be
recognized on the balance sheet. This guidance is applicable to the Company's fiscal year beginning January 1,
2019. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on its financial
statements.
F-14
Note 3. Fair Value Measurements
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The Company applies the guidance in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, to account for financial assets and
liabilities measured on a recurring basis. Fair value is measured at the price that would be received to sell an
asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market
participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
The Company uses a fair value hierarchy, which distinguishes between assumptions based on market data
(observable inputs) and an entity's own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The guidance requires that fair value
measurements be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
•
•
•
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for
identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs which are observable, either directly or
indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;
Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value
measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).
Determining which category an asset or liability falls within the hierarchy requires significant judgment. The
Company evaluates its hierarchy disclosures each reporting period. There were no transfers between Level 1, 2
and 3 during each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
The table below presents the assets and liabilities measured and recorded in the financial statements at fair
value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2017 and 2016 categorized by the level of inputs used in the valuation
of each asset and liability.
(In thousands)
Assets
Total
December 31, 2017
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Money market funds .......................................................... $ 66,183 $ 66,183 $
Total Assets ........................................................................... $ 66,183 $ 66,183 $
— $
Total Liabilities ...................................................................... $
— $
— $
— $
— $
—
—
—
(In thousands)
Assets
December 31, 2016
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Money market funds .......................................................... $ 67,580 $ 67,580 $
Short-term investments – corporate bonds .....................
Short-term investments – municipal bonds ......................
19,729
8,618
—
—
— $
19,729
8,618
Total Assets ........................................................................... $ 95,927 $ 67,580 $ 28,347 $
— $
Total Liabilities ...................................................................... $
— $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
The Level 1 assets consist of money market funds, which are actively traded daily. The Level 2 assets
consist of corporate bond and municipal bond investments whose fair value may not represent actual transactions
of identical securities. The fair value of corporate and municipal bonds is generally determined from quoted market
prices received from pricing services based upon quoted prices from active markets and/or other significant
observable market transactions at fair value. Since these fair values may not be based upon actual transactions of
identical securities, they are classified as Level 2. Since any investments are classified as available-for-sale
securities, any unrealized gains or losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss within
stockholders’ equity on the balance sheet.
F-15
Note 4. Investments
The Company held no available-for-sale investments at December 31, 2017. The Company’s available-for-
sale investments at December 31, 2016 were as follows:
December 31, 2016
(In thousands)
Short-term investments – corporate bonds .................. $ 19,740 $
Short-term investments – municipal bonds ..................
Total short-term investments .........................................
Total investments ............................................................ $ 28,364 $
8,624
28,364
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Estimated
Fair
Value
(11) $
(6)
(17)
(17) $
— $ 19,729
8,618
—
—
28,347
— $ 28,347
Realized gains and losses from available-for-sale securities were immaterial for 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Additionally, there were no losses or other-than-temporary declines in value included in the Company’s statements
of operations and comprehensive loss for any securities for the three year period ended December 31, 2017. See
Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 3, “Fair Value Measurements” for additional
information related to the Company’s investments.
Note 5. Property and Equipment
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, net property and equipment at cost consisted of the following:
(In thousands)
Leasehold improvements ............................................................................
Laboratory equipment and other ................................................................
Total property and equipment, at cost ........................................................
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization ....................................
Property and equipment, net .......................................................................
$
$
December 31,
2017
2016
671
5,261
5,932
4,460
1,472
$
$
671
5,127
5,798
3,945
1,853
Depreciation and amortization expense on Property and equipment was approximately $0.7 million,
$0.6 million and $0.5 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. See Note 16, “Supplemental Disclosure of
Cash Flow Information”, for information related to non-cash property additions.
Note 6. Accrued Expenses
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, accrued expenses consisted of the following:
(In thousands)
Payroll and related costs ..........................................................................
Clinical and nonclinical trial expenses .....................................................
Professional and consulting fees .............................................................
Equipment purchase .................................................................................
Other ..........................................................................................................
December 31,
2017
2016
3,108
3,495
1,317
—
80
8,000
$
$
2,498
3,577
840
368
111
7,394
$
$
Included in accrued Payroll and related costs as of December 31, 2017 is the current portion, or
$0.6 million, of the remaining $0.9 million of salary continuation severance benefits to be paid in equal
installments through May 31, 2019 to a former executive. The long-term portion of $0.3 million is included within
Other liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2017. The Equipment purchase relates to
equipment received by the Company that was not in service and unpaid as of December 31, 2016.
F-16
Note 7. Note Payable
On September 30, 2014, the Company executed a loan and security agreement with Oxford Finance LLC
(“Oxford”). Under the agreement, Oxford committed to lend the Company up to an aggregate principal amount of
$3 million, through December 31, 2015, in one or more advances each of which is to be evidenced by a
promissory note. The Company received total advances of $0.9 million under the loan and security agreement
during the draw down period. The Company’s obligations to Oxford are secured by the specific laboratory,
manufacturing, office or computer equipment financed under the agreement. Each equipment advance includes
interest at a fixed interest rate equal to the greater of 7.50% per annum and 7.27% plus the three-month U.S. Libor
Rate per annum, set at the time of funding. The principal amount of each equipment advance will be repaid in 36
monthly installments commencing on the applicable amortization date, which was July 1, 2015 for any equipment
advance made on or before June 30, 2015. Monthly installments payable prior to July 1, 2015 consisted of
interest only and monthly installments payable on or after July 1, 2015 consist of principal and accrued interest.
The Company is required to pay a final payment in an amount equal to 5.7% of the aggregate advanced
amount under each equipment advance at the time that the final monthly installment is due or such earlier date as
specified in the loan and security agreement. The final payments are being accrued as interest expense over the
term of each equipment advance using the effective interest method. The weighted average annual effective
interest rate on the notes payable based on the amount advanced through December 31, 2015, including accrual
of the final payment, is 11.1%. If the Company prepays all or a portion of the principal amount of any equipment
advance prior to maturity, it will be required to pay Oxford a prepayment fee of between 1% and 3% of the principal
amount of such equipment advance.
As of December 31, 2017, the total outstanding balance of the note payable to Oxford in the amount of
$0.2 million is classified in Current portion of note payable within the accompanying balance sheet.
The loan and security agreement includes standard affirmative and restrictive covenants, but does not
include any covenants to attain or maintain any financial metrics, and also includes standard events of default,
including payment defaults, breaches of covenants following any applicable cure period, a material impairment in
the perfection or priority of Oxford’s security interest or in the value of the collateral, a material impairment of the
prospect of repayment of the loans and a material adverse change in the business, operations or conditions of the
Company. Upon the occurrence of an event of default and following any applicable cure periods, a default interest
rate of an additional 5% may be applied to the outstanding loan balances, and Oxford may declare all outstanding
obligations immediately due and payable and take such other actions as set forth in the loan and security
agreement.
The Company assessed all terms and features of the note that the Company issued under its loan and
security agreement in order to identify any potential embedded features that would require bifurcation. As part of
this analysis, the Company assessed the economic characteristics and risks of the note, including put and call
features. The Company determined that all features of the note are clearly and closely associated with a debt host
and do not require bifurcation as a derivative liability, or the fair value of the feature is immaterial. The Company
will continue to reassess the features to determine if they require separate accounting on a quarterly basis.
Note 8. Collaboration and License Agreements
Collaboration with Vivelix
In November 2016, the Company entered into an exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Vivelix
pursuant to which the Company granted Vivelix worldwide rights to develop and market IMO-9200, an antagonist of
TLR7, 8, and 9, for non-malignant gastrointestinal disorders (the GI Field or Field as defined in the Vivelix
Agreement), and certain back-up compounds to IMO-9200 (the “Vivelix Agreement”). The Company was previously
developing IMO-9200 for potential use in selected autoimmune disease indications. However, the Company
determined not to proceed with internal development of IMO-9200 because the large autoimmune disease
indications for which IMO-9200 had been developed did not fit within the strategic focus of the Company. Under
the terms of the Vivelix Agreement, Vivelix is solely responsible for the development and commercialization of
IMO- 9200 and any designated back-up compounds. In connection with the Vivelix Agreement, Idera also
transferred certain drug material to Vivelix for Vivelix’s use in its development activities.
F-17
Note 8. Collaboration and License Agreements (Continued)
In accordance with the Vivelix Agreement, a Joint Research Committee (“JRC”) was formed with equal
representation from Idera and Vivelix. The responsibilities of the JRC, include, but are not limited to monitoring the
progress of the research program, advising on the designation of back-up compounds, sharing information
between the parties and dealing with disputes that may arise between the parties. If a dispute cannot be resolved
by the JRC, Vivelix has final decision making authority.
If requested by Vivelix pursuant to the Vivelix Agreement, Idera will create, characterize and perform
research on back-up compounds. Such activity is to be mutually agreed upon and moderated by the JRC. The
research period commenced with the execution of the agreement and may last for up to three years. During the
research period, the parties will agree on the number of full time equivalents to work on the program. Vivelix will
reimburse Idera at an annual market rate for the services rendered.
Vivelix has certain rights under the agreement whereby it may (i) exercise the right of first refusal, (ii) the
right of first negotiation to obtain an exclusive license for any compound controlled by Idera that has activity in the
field of inflammatory bowel disease and (iii) the right to request an expanded Field beyond the GI Field. The
Company has determined that these rights are substantive options.
Under the terms of the Vivelix Agreement, the Company received an upfront, non-refundable fee of
$15 million. In addition, the Company will be eligible for future IMO-9200 related development, regulatory and
sales milestone payments totaling up to $140 million, including development and regulatory milestones totaling up
to $65 million and sales milestones totaling up to $75 million, and escalating royalties ranging from the mid single-
digits to low double-digits of global net sales, which percentages are subject to reduction under agreed upon
circumstances. As it relates to back-up compounds, the Company will be eligible for related designation payments
and development, regulatory sales and milestone payments totaling up to $52.5 million, including development
and regulatory milestones totaling up to $35 million and sales milestones totaling up to $17.5 million and
escalating royalties ranging from the mid single-digits to low double-digits of global net sales, which percentages
are subject to reduction under agreed upon circumstances. Under the terms of the agreement and if requested by
and at Vivelix’s expense, the Company is responsible for performing research services related to the back-up
compounds.
At the effective date of the Vivelix Agreement, Baker Bros. Advisors LP and certain of its affiliated funds
(“Baker Brothers”) beneficially owned approximately 7.0% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Baker
Brothers also owned a controlling financial interest of Vivelix at the effective date of the Vivelix Agreement and as
of December 31, 2017. Affiliates of Baker Brothers constitute two of the four directors on the Board of Directors of
Vivelix and two of the seven directors on the Board of Directors of the Company. However, the Boards of the
Company and Vivelix share no individual common Board members.
Accounting Analysis under ASC 605
The Company evaluated the Vivelix Agreement in accordance with the provisions of ASC 605-25. The Vivelix
Agreement contains the following initial deliverables: (i) a research and commercialization license for IMO-9200
and back-up compounds to IMO-9200 (the “IMO-9200 License”), (ii) drug materials transferred, and
(iii) participation in the JRC (the “JRC Deliverable”).
The Company has determined that Vivelix’s right of first refusal, the right of first negotiation and the right to
request an expanded field are substantive options. Vivelix is not contractually obligated to exercise the options
and Idera is not contractually obligated to perform. Accordingly, the substantive options are not considered
deliverables at the inception of the arrangement and the associated payments are not accounted for at inception
of the agreement.
F-18
Note 8. Collaboration and License Agreements (Continued)
The Company concluded that the IMO-9200 License has standalone value from the undelivered elements as
Vivelix could benefit from the IMO-9200 License on a standalone basis as they would be able to sell the compound
in the market without any additional involvement or participation from Idera. Idera has no further obligations
related to the IMO-9200 License. In the event that Vivelix does not make a designated compound payment, the
license to back-up compounds reverts back to Idera at the end of the research term at no cost or payment by either
party. The research and development services in the Vivelix Agreement relate to the back-up compounds and
Vivelix would be able to conduct research and development activities with external third parties, as IMO-9200 is at
an advanced enough stage where Idera’s expertise would not be required. Accordingly, the IMO-9200 License is a
separate unit of accounting.
The Company concluded that the materials transferred identified at the inception and the JRC Deliverable of
the Vivelix Agreement also have standalone value from the other deliverables based on their nature. In the case of
the materials transferred, it was noted that Vivelix would not be able to realize any of the value associated without
the IMO-9200 License; however, the IMO-9200 License was provided at the inception of the arrangement and
therefore, this determination is not relevant.
Therefore, the Company has identified three units of accounting in connection with its initial deliverables
under the Vivelix Agreement as follows: (i) the IMO-9200 License, (ii) drug materials transferred, and (iii) the JRC
Deliverable.
Allocable arrangement consideration at inception of the Vivelix Agreement is comprised of the up-front
payment of $15 million. The $15 million was allocated based on the relative values of the best estimate of selling
price of the units of accounting. Allocated revenue associated with the IMO-9200 License was recognized at the
inception of the Vivelix Agreement in the fourth quarter of 2016 as Vivelix was granted an exclusive, perpetual
license to develop and commercialize IMO-9200 and certain back-up compounds to IMO-9200, subject to certain
designation milestone and royalty payments, and the performance obligations of Idera under the agreement are
extinguished at that point. Allocable revenue associated with drug materials transferred shortly after the inception
of the agreement was recognized upon delivery, in the fourth quarter of 2016. The JRC deliverable was deemed to
be de minimus and no amount separately accounted for.
The development and commercial milestones provided for in the Vivelix Agreement are all performance
obligations of Vivelix occurring after the Company has completed its obligations. As a result, they represent
contingent revenue to the Company and will be accounted for at the time the contingencies are resolved.
The Company will recognize royalty revenue in the period of sale of the related product(s), based on the
underlying contract terms, provided that the reported sales are reliably measurable and the Company has no
remaining performance obligations, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met.
The Company recognized revenue of less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 and
$15.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 related to the Vivelix Agreement. This revenue is classified as
Alliance revenue in the accompanying statements of operations and comprehensive loss. No such revenues were
recognized in 2015.
Collaboration with GSK
In November 2015, the Company entered into a collaboration and license agreement with GSK to license,
research, develop and commercialize pharmaceutical compounds from the Company’s nucleic acid chemistry
technology for the treatment of selected targets in renal disease (the “GSK Agreement”). The initial collaboration
term is currently anticipated to last between two and four years. In connection with the GSK Agreement, GSK
identified an initial target for the Company to attempt to identify a potential population of development candidates
to address such target under a mutually agreed upon research plan, currently estimated to take 36 months to
complete. From the population of identified development candidates, GSK may designate one development
candidate in its sole discretion to move forward into clinical development. Once GSK designates a development
candidate, GSK would be solely responsible for the development and commercialization activities for that
designated development candidate.
F-19
Note 8. Collaboration and License Agreements (Continued)
The GSK Agreement also provided GSK with the option to select up to two additional targets at any time
during the first two years of the agreement, for further research under mutually agreed upon research plans. Upon
selecting additional targets, GSK then had the option to designate one development candidate for each additional
target, at which time GSK would have sole responsibility to develop and commercialize each such designated
development candidate. As of December 31, 2017, GSK had not selected any additional targets for research and
the option period in which GSK could select additional targets had expired.
In accordance with the GSK Agreement, a Joint Steering Committee (“JSC”) was formed with equal
representation from Idera and GSK. The responsibilities of the JSC, include, but are not limited to monitoring the
progress of the collaboration, reviewing research plans and dealing with disputes that may arise between the
parties. If a dispute cannot be resolved by the JSC, GSK has final decision making authority.
Under the terms of the GSK Agreement, the Company received a $2.5 million upfront, non-refundable, non-
creditable cash payment upon the execution of the GSK Agreement. Additionally, the Company was eligible to
receive a total of up to approximately $100 million in upfront, license, research, clinical development and
commercialization milestone payments of which $9 million of these milestone payments would have been payable
by GSK upon the identification of the additional targets, the completion of current and future research plans and
the designation of development candidates and $89 million would have been payable by GSK upon the
achievement of clinical milestones and commercial milestones. As a result of GSK not selecting additional targets
during the two-year option period, the Company is eligible to receive a total of up to approximately $20 million in
upfront, license, research, clinical development and commercialization milestone payments, of which $1 million of
these milestone payments would be payable by GSK upon the designation of a development candidate from the
initial target and $17 million would be payable by GSK upon the achievement of clinical milestones and
commercial milestones. In addition, the Company is eligible to receive royalty payments based on sales of licensed
products following commercialization at varying rates of up to five percent on annual net sales, as defined in the
GSK Agreement.
Accounting Analysis
The Company evaluated the GSK Agreement in accordance with the provisions of ASC 605-25. The GSK
Agreement contains the following initial deliverables: (i) a collaboration license for Idera’s proprietary technology
related to the initial target (the “Collaboration License”), (ii) research services (the “Research Services”), and
(iii) participation in the JSC (the “JSC Deliverable”).
The Company determined that GSK’s options to choose up to two additional targets and to purchase
additional collaboration licenses for the Company’s proprietary technology related to each additional target were
substantive options. GSK was not contractually obligated to exercise the options and as a result of the uncertain
outcome of the research activities, there was significant uncertainty as to whether GSK would decide to exercise its
options for any additional targets. Consequently, the Company was at risk with regard to whether GSK would
exercise the options. Additionally, the Company determined that GSK’s options to choose up to two additional
targets and to purchase additional collaboration licenses for the Company’s proprietary technology related to each
additional target were not priced at a significant and incremental discount. During 2017, the two-year option period
in which GSK could exercise the options had expired.
The Company has concluded that the Collaboration License does not qualify for separation from the
Research Services. As it relates to the assessment of standalone value, the Company has determined that GSK
cannot fully exploit the value of the Collaboration License without receipt of the Research Services from the
Company. The Research Services involve unique skills and specialized expertise, particularly as it relates to the
Company’s proprietary technology, which is not available in the marketplace. Accordingly, GSK must obtain the
Research Services from the Company which significantly limits the ability for GSK to utilize the Collaboration
License for its intended purpose on a standalone basis. Therefore, the Collaboration License does not have
standalone value from the Research Services. As a result, the Collaboration License and the Research Services
have been combined as a single unit of accounting (the R&D Services Unit of Accounting). The Company has
concluded that the JSC Deliverable identified at the inception of the arrangement has standalone value from the
other deliverables noted based on its nature. Factors considered in this determination included, among other
F-20
Note 8. Collaboration and License Agreements (Continued)
things, the capabilities of the collaborator, whether any other vendor sells the item separately, whether the value of
the deliverable is dependent on the other elements in the arrangement, whether there are other vendors that can
provide the items and if the customer could use the item for its intended purpose without the other deliverables in
the arrangement.
Therefore, the Company has identified two units of accounting in connection with its initial deliverables
under the GSK Agreement as follows: (i) R&D Services Unit of Accounting, and (ii) JSC Deliverable.
Allocable arrangement consideration at inception of the GSK Agreement is comprised of the up-front
payment of $2.5 million, which was allocated to the R&D Services Unit of Accounting. No amount was allocated to
the JSC Deliverable because the related best estimate of selling price was determined to be de minimis. The
$2.5 million was recorded as deferred revenue in the Company’s balance sheet and is being recognized as
revenue on a straight line basis as the Research Services are delivered. In the second quarter of 2017, the
Company revised its estimate of the research period from 27 months to 36 months, which is being accounted for
on a prospective basis.
Payments to be received in connection with GSK’s identification of additional targets and designation of
development candidates were considered substantive options as a result of the uncertainties related to the
research, development and commercialization activities, and the uncertainty as to whether GSK would exercise the
options. Additionally, the substantive options were not priced at a significant incremental discount. Accordingly,
the substantive options were not considered deliverables at the inception of the arrangement and the associated
option exercise payments were not accounted for at inception of the agreement. Furthermore, GSK did not exercise
such options prior to the two-year option period expiration.
The clinical and commercial milestones provided for in the GSK Agreement are all performance obligations
of GSK occurring after the Company has completed its obligations. As a result, they represent contingent revenue
to the Company and will be accounted for at the time the contingencies are resolved.
The Company will recognize royalty revenue in the period of sale of the related product(s), based on the
underlying contract terms, provided that the reported sales are reliably measurable and the Company has no
remaining performance obligations, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met.
The Company recognized revenue of $0.9 million, $1.1 million and $0.1 million related to the GSK
Agreement during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. This revenue is classified as
Alliance revenue in the accompanying statements of operations and comprehensive loss. There was $0.5 million of
deferred revenue related to the GSK Agreement at December 31, 2017 all classified within the current portion of
deferred revenue in the accompanying balance sheet.
Collaboration with Abbott Molecular Inc.
In May 2014, the Company entered into a development and commercialization agreement with Abbott
Molecular, Inc. (“Abbott Molecular”) for the development of an in vitro companion diagnostic for use in the
Company’s clinical development programs to treat certain genetically defined forms of B-cell lymphoma with
IMO- 8400, the Company’s TLR antagonist lead drug candidate. The agreement provides for the development and
subsequent commercialization by Abbott Molecular of a companion diagnostic test utilizing polymerase chain
reaction technology to identify with high sensitivity and specificity the presence in tumor biopsy samples of the
oncogenic mutation referred to scientifically as MYD88 L265P. Under the agreement, Abbott Molecular is primarily
responsible for developing and obtaining regulatory approvals for the companion diagnostic in accordance with an
agreed development plan and regulatory plan and for making the companion diagnostic test commercially
available in accordance with an agreed commercialization plan. Abbott Molecular will retain all proceeds from
commercialization of the companion diagnostic test. Subject to the terms of the agreement, the Company will pay
Abbott Molecular fees and fund Abbott Molecular’s development of the companion diagnostic test in an
approximate aggregate amount of $6.7 million over an approximately five year development period, which includes
clinical trial site costs and Abbott Molecular’s costs of preparation and filing fees for regulatory submissions for the
companion diagnostic with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This amount is subject to increase if Abbott
Molecular incurs additional expenses in order to meet unexpected material requirements or obligations not
included in the agreement or if the Company is required to conduct additional or different clinical trials which result
F-21
Note 8. Collaboration and License Agreements (Continued)
in Abbott Molecular incurring additional costs. The Company incurred approximately $0.8 million, $0.4 million and
$0.9 million in expenses under the Abbott Molecular agreement during the years ended December 31, 2017,
2016 and 2015, respectively. In September 2016, the Company suspended internal clinical development of
IMO- 8400 for B-cell lymphomas. However, the Company has maintained its relationship with Abbott under the
agreement as the Company may explore potential collaborative alliances to support the development of IMO-8400
for B-cell lymphomas.
Note 9. Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred Stock
The Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company permits its board of directors to
issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in one or more series, to designate
the number of shares constituting such series, and fix by resolution, the powers, privileges, preferences and
relative, optional or special rights thereof, including liquidation preferences and dividends, and conversion and
redemption rights of each such series. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has designated 1,500,000 shares
as Series A convertible preferred stock.
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. The dividends on the Series A convertible preferred stock are payable
semi-annually in arrears at the rate of 1% per annum, at the election of the Company, either in cash or additional
duly designated, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Series A preferred stock. In the event of liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company, after payment of debts and other liabilities of the Company, the holders
of the Series A convertible preferred stock then outstanding will be entitled to a distribution of $1 per share out of
any assets available to shareholders. The Series A convertible preferred stock is non-voting. All remaining shares of
Series A preferred stock rank as to payment upon the occurrence of any liquidation event senior to the common
stock. Shares of Series A convertible preferred stock are convertible, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder
into fully paid and nonassessable shares of common stock at $34.00 per share, subject to adjustment. As of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were 655 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock outstanding.
Common Stock
Common Stock Authorized
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had 280,000,000 shares of common stock authorized. In January
2018, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, in connection with the Company’s proposed reverse stock split, as more fully described
in Note 17.
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had 78,662,283 shares of common stock reserved for the
issuance upon the exercise of outstanding warrants and options to purchase common stock, the conversion of
Series A convertible preferred stock, shares available for grant under the Company’s 2013 Stock Incentive Plan
and shares available for purchase under the Company’s 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Put Shares
Pursuant to the terms of a unit purchase agreement dated as of May 5, 1998, the Company issued and sold
a total of 1,199,684 shares of common stock (the “Put Shares”) at a price of $16.00 per share. Under the terms of
the unit purchase agreement, the initial purchasers (the “Put Holders”) of the Put Shares have the right (the “Put
Right”) to require the Company to repurchase the Put Shares. The Put Right may not be exercised by any Put
Holder unless: (1) the Company liquidates, dissolves or winds up its affairs pursuant to applicable bankruptcy law,
whether voluntarily or involuntarily; (2) all of the Company’s indebtedness and obligations, including without
limitation the indebtedness under the Company’s then outstanding notes, has been paid in full; and (3) all rights of
the holders of any series or class of capital stock ranking prior and senior to the common stock with respect to
liquidation, including without limitation the Series A convertible preferred stock, have been satisfied in full. The
Company may terminate the Put Right upon written notice to the Put Holders if the closing sales price of its
common stock exceeds $32.00 per share for the twenty consecutive trading days prior to the date of notice of
F-22
Note 9. Stockholders’ Equity (Continued)
termination. Because the Put Right is not transferable, in the event that a Put Holder has transferred Put Shares
since May 5, 1998, the Put Right with respect to those shares has terminated. As a consequence of the Put Right,
in the event the Company is liquidated, holders of shares of common stock that do not have Put Rights with
respect to such shares may receive smaller distributions per share upon the liquidation than if there were no Put
Rights outstanding.
As of December 31, 2017, the Company has repurchased or received documentation of the transfer of
399,950 Put Shares and 35,780 of the Put Shares continued to be held in the name of Put Holders. The Company
cannot determine at this time what portion of the Put Rights of the remaining 763,954 Put Shares have
terminated.
Equity Financings
October 2017 Follow-on Underwritten Public Offering
On October 30, 2017, the Company closed a follow-on underwritten public offering, in which it sold
33,333,334 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $1.50 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of
$50.0 million (“2017 Offering”). On November 1, 2017, the Company sold an additional 5,000,000 shares of
common stock pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters’ 30-day option to purchase additional shares of
the Company’s common stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The net proceeds to the
Company from the 2017 Offering, including the exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional
shares and after deducting underwriters’ discounts and commissions and other offering costs and expenses, were
approximately $53.7 million.
Baker Brothers, which is affiliated with two of the Company’s directors, participated in the 2017 Offering and
purchased 8,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at the price offered to the public.
October 2016 Follow-on Underwritten Public Offering
On October 13, 2016, the Company closed a follow-on underwritten public offering, in which it sold
25,000,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $2.00 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of
$50.0 million. On October 28, 2016, the Company sold an additional 1,225,243 shares of common stock pursuant
to the underwriters’ 30-day option to purchase additional shares at the public offering price less the underwriting
discount. The net proceeds to the Company from the offering, including the exercise by the underwriters of their
option to purchase additional shares and after deducting underwriters’ discounts and commissions and other
offering costs and expenses, were approximately $48.8 million. Investment funds affiliated with Baker Brothers
and Pillar Invest Corporation, two of the Company’s principal stockholders, and certain members of the Company’s
board of directors, purchased a total of 5,125,000 shares in this offering at the $2.00 per share purchase price.
February 2015 Follow-on Underwritten Public Offering
On February 19, 2015, the Company closed a follow-on underwritten public offering, in which it sold
23,000,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $3.75 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of
$86.3 million. The net proceeds to the Company from the offering, after deducting underwriters’ discounts and
commissions and other offering costs and expenses, were $80.6 million. Investment funds affiliated with Baker
Brothers and two members of the Company’s board of directors purchased 5,333,333 shares in this offering at the
$3.75 per share purchase price.
Common Stock Warrants
In connection with various financing transactions, the Company has issued warrants to purchase shares of
the Company’s common stock. The Company accounts for common stock warrants as equity instruments,
derivative liabilities, or liabilities, depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. As of December 31,
2017 and 2016, all of the Company’s outstanding common stock warrants were equity-classified.
F-23
Note 9. Stockholders’ Equity (Continued)
The following table summarizes outstanding warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock
as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:
Number of Shares
December 31,
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Expiration Date
Description
Issued in Series E Preferred Stock financing .............
Issued in May 2013 financing ..................................... 21,606,327 22,306,327
Issued in May 2013 financing (pre-funded) ............... 15,816,327 15,816,327
4,175,975
Issued in September 2013 financing .........................
Issued in February 2014 financing (pre-funded) .......
2,158,750
Total .............................................................................. 43,757,379 51,709,460
4,175,975
2,158,750
2016
2017
—
7,252,081 $
0.70 Nov 2017
0.47 May 2018
0.01 May 2020
0.01 Sep 2020
0.01 Feb 2021
The table below is a summary of the Company's warrant activity for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Outstanding at December 31, 2016...............................................................
Issued ...............................................................................................................
Exercised (1) .....................................................................................................
Expired ..............................................................................................................
Outstanding at December 31, 2017...............................................................
51,709,460 $
—
(7,952,081)
—
43,757,379 $
0.31
—
0.68
—
0.24
Number of
Warrants
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
(1) During the year ended December 31, 2017, certain related parties exercised warrants as more fully
described in Note 14.
Note 10. Stock-based Compensation
As of December 31, 2017, the only equity compensation plans from which the Company may currently issue
new awards are the Company’s 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended to date, the “2013 Plan”) and 2017
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2017 ESPP”), each as more fully described below.
Equity Incentive Plans
2013 Stock Incentive Plan
The Company's board of directors adopted the 2013 Plan, which was approved by the Company’s
stockholders effective July 26, 2013. The 2013 Plan is intended to further align the interests of the Company and
its stockholders with its employees, including its officers, non-employee directors, consultants and advisers by
providing equity-based incentives. The 2013 Plan allows for the issuance of up to such number of shares of the
Company’s common stock as equal to (a) 25,224,460 shares of common stock; plus (b) such additional number of
shares of common stock (up to 6,946,978 shares) as is equal to the sum of the number of shares of common
stock subject to awards granted under the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) or the
Company’s 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan” and, together with the 2005 Plan, the “Existing Plans”)
which awards expire, terminate or are otherwise surrendered, canceled, forfeited or repurchased by the Company
at their original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right (subject, however, in the case of
Incentive Stock Options to any limitations of the Internal Revenue Code).
F-24
Note 10. Stock-based Compensation (Continued)
Under the 2013 Plan, the Company may grant options to purchase common stock, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock awards and other forms of stock-based compensation. Stock options generally vest over one to
four years, and expire no later than 10 years from the date of grant. The maximum number of shares of common
stock with respect to which awards may be granted to any participant under the plan is 1,500,000 per calendar
year. The compensation committee of the board of directors has the authority to select the employees to whom
options are granted and determine the terms of each option, including (i) the number of shares of common stock
subject to the option; (ii) when the option becomes exercisable, which generally may be no earlier than the first
anniversary of the date of grant; (iii) the option exercise price, which must be at least 100% of the fair market value
of the common stock as of the date of grant; and (iv) the duration of the option, which may not exceed 10 years.
Stock options may not be re-priced without shareholder approval. Discretionary awards to non-employee directors
are granted and administered by a committee comprised of independent directors. As of December 31, 2017,
options to purchase a total of 13,524,763 shares of common stock were outstanding and up to
13,043,817 shares of common stock remain available for grant under the 2013 Plan.
The Company is no longer granting stock options or other awards pursuant to the share-based compensation
plans that were utilized prior to the approval of the 2013 Plan, including the Existing Plans. Under these earlier
plans, stock options generally vested over three to four years and expired no later than 10 years from the date of
grant. As of December 31, 2017, options to purchase a total of 4,452,437 shares of common stock were
outstanding under these earlier plans.
In addition, as of December 31, 2017, non-statutory stock options to purchase an aggregate of
3,425,000 shares of common stock were outstanding that were issued outside of the 2013 Plan to certain
employees in 2017, 2015 and 2014 pursuant to the Nasdaq inducement grant exception as a material component
of new hires’ employment compensation.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company’s 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “1995 ESPP”), as amended, provided for the
issuance of up to 500,000 shares of common stock to participating employees of the Company or its subsidiaries.
The 1995 ESPP was terminated effective August 31, 2017 as a result of the adoption by the Board and approval of
shareholders of the 2017 ESPP, as described below.
2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In March 2017, the Board adopted the 2017 ESPP which was approved by the Company’s stockholders and
became effective June 7, 2017. The 2017 ESPP provides for the issuance of up to 500,000 shares of common
stock to participating employees of the Company or its subsidiaries. Participation is limited to employees that
would not own 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of the stock of the Company after the grant.
As of December 31, 2017, 456,961 shares remained available for issuance.
Stock Purchase Plan Administration
The 1995 ESPP provided for and 2017 ESPP provides for offerings to employees to purchase common stock
with offerings beginning on dates determined by the compensation committee of the Board or on the first business
day thereafter. Each offering begins a “plan period” during which payroll deductions are to be made and held for
the purchase of common stock at the end of the plan period. The compensation committee may, at its discretion,
choose a plan period of 12 months or less for subsequent offerings and/or choose a different commencement
date for offerings. During each plan period participating employees may elect to have a portion of their
compensation, ranging from 1% to 10% of compensation as defined by the plan, withheld and used for the
purchase of common stock at the end of each plan period. The purchase price is equal to 85% of the lower of the
fair market value of a share of common stock on the first trading date of each plan period or the fair market value
of a share of common stock on the last trading day of the plan period, and is limited by participant to $25,000 in
fair value of common stock per year as well as other quarterly plan limitations as defined by each plan.
F-25
Note 10. Stock-based Compensation (Continued)
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company issued 174,972, 121,460, and
27,951 shares of common stock, respectively, under the Company’s employee stock purchase plans and
recognized $0.2 million, $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, in related stock-based compensation
expense.
Accounting for Stock-based Compensation
The Company recognizes non-cash compensation expense for stock-based awards based on their grant date
fair value, determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. During the years ended December 31, 2017,
2016 and 2015, the weighted average fair market value of stock options granted was $1.01, $1.75 and $2.51,
respectively.
Total stock-based compensation expense attributable to share-based payments made to employees and
directors and included in operating expenses in the Company's statements of operations for the years ended
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:
(in thousands)
Stock-based Compensation:
2017
2016
2015
Research and development ............................................................... $
General and administrative ................................................................
6,494 $
4,226
Total stock-based compensation expense ..................................... $
10,720 $
2,719 $
4,128
6,847 $
1,688
3,754
5,442
•
•
The 2017 charge to research and development expense includes approximately $4.3 million of
additional stock-based compensation recognized as a result of modifications to previously issued stock
option awards in connection with the resignation of an executive.
The 2015 charge to general and administrative expense includes approximately $0.3 million of
additional stock-based compensation as a result of modifications to previously issued stock option
awards in connection with the retirement of a director.
Assumptions Used in Determining Fair Value of Stock Options
Inherent in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model are the following assumptions:
Volatility. The Company estimates stock price volatility based on the Company’s historical stock price
performance over a period of time that matches the expected term of the stock options.
Risk-free interest rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the
time of grant commensurate with the expected term assumption.
Expected term. The expected term of stock options granted is based on an estimate of when options will be
exercised or cancelled in the future.
Dividend rate. The dividend rate is based on the historical rate, which the Company anticipates will remain at
zero.
Forfeitures. The Company accounts for forfeitures when they occur. Ultimately, the actual expense
recognized over the vesting period will be for only those shares that vest. See Note 2.
The fair value of each option award at the date of grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model. All options granted during the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 were granted at
exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the dates of grant.
F-26
Note 10. Stock-based Compensation (Continued)
The following weighted average assumptions apply to the options to purchase 4,216,500, 3,346,250, and
3,533,250 shares of common stock granted to employees and directors during the years ended December 31,
2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively:
Average risk free interest rate .................................................................
Expected dividend yield ...........................................................................
Expected lives (years) ..............................................................................
Expected volatility ....................................................................................
Weighted average exercise price (per share) ......................................... $
1.7%
—
4.0
86%
1.62 $
1.4%
—
4.2
93%
2.64 $
1.4%
—
4.2
93%
3.74
2017
2016
2015
Stock Option Activity
The following table summarizes stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and
2015.
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Weighted-Average Contractual Life
Exercise Price
(in years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Stock
Options
($ in thousands, except share and per share data)
Outstanding at December 31, 2014 ............................. 16,950,988 $
Granted .........................................................................
Exercised .......................................................................
Forfeited ........................................................................
Expired ...........................................................................
3,533,250
(405,025)
(2,518,107)
(1,300,354)
Outstanding at December 31, 2015 ............................. 16,260,752 $
Granted .........................................................................
Exercised .......................................................................
Forfeited ........................................................................
Expired ...........................................................................
3,346,250
—
(878,579)
(726,903)
Granted .........................................................................
Exercised .......................................................................
Forfeited ........................................................................
Expired ...........................................................................
Outstanding at December 31, 2016 ............................. 18,001,520 $
4,216,500
(18,250)
(460,319)
(337,251)
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 (1) ......................... 21,402,200 $
Exercisable at December 31, 2017 ............................... 13,748,469 $
3.56
3.74
1.44
3.81
5.65
3.45
2.64
—
3.15
3.85
3.30
1.62
2.04
2.39
6.22
2.94
3.25
7.7 $
8,274
7.1 $ 1,648
6.5 $ 5,805
5.5 $ 3,708
(1) Includes both vested stock options as well as unvested stock options for which the requisite service period
has not been rendered but that are expected to vest based on achievement of a service condition.
The fair value of options that vested during 2017, 2016 and 2015 amounted to $7.3 million, $6.9 million
and $5.4 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, there was $9.1 million of unrecognized compensation
cost related to unvested options, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average period of
2.0 years.
F-27
Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies
Lease Commitments
The Company leases its facilities in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Exton, Pennsylvania. During 2017, 2016
and 2015, rent expense, including real estate taxes, was $2.4 million, $1.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
As part of the Cambridge facility lease, the Company is required to restrict approximately $0.3 million of cash for a
security deposit as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. The leases are classified as operating leases.
Future minimum commitments as of December 31, 2017 under the Company’s lease agreements are
approximately:
December 31,
2018 ....................................................................................................................................................
2019 ....................................................................................................................................................
2020 ....................................................................................................................................................
2021 ....................................................................................................................................................
2022 ....................................................................................................................................................
Operating Leases
(In thousands)
$
$
2,024
2,084
2,018
1,984
1,348
9,458
The Cambridge facility lease was amended on November 17, 2016 to, among other things, extend the
expiration date to August 31, 2022 subject to a five-year renewal option exercisable by the Company. The
Cambridge facility lease amendment includes certain lease incentives including a premises improvement
allowance of up to $0.3 million. Amounts will be recorded in future periods when such premises improvements are
made. The Company entered into the Exton facility lease on April 1, 2015 and amended it on September 23, 2015
to include additional space. The Exton facility lease term ends on May 31, 2020 subject to a three-year renewal
option exercisable by the Company.
Note 12. Income Taxes
In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) was signed into law. Among other things, the TCJA
permanently lowers the corporate federal income tax rate to 21% from the existing maximum rate of 35%, effective
for tax years including or commencing January 1, 2018. As a result of the reduction of the corporate federal
income tax rate to 21%, GAAP requires companies to revalue their deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities
as of the date of enactment, with the resulting tax effects accounted for in the reporting period of enactment. This
revaluation resulted in a provision of $27.6 million to income tax expense in and a corresponding reduction in the
valuation allowance. As a result, there was no impact to the Company’s statement of operations and
comprehensive loss as a result of reduction in tax rates. The Company’s preliminary estimate of the TCJA and the
remeasurement of its deferred tax assets and liabilities is subject to the finalization of management’s analysis
related to certain matters, such as developing interpretations of the provisions of the TCJA, changes to certain
estimates and the filing of the Company’s tax returns. U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations or
court decisions interpreting the TCJA may require further adjustments and changes in the Company’s estimates.
The final determination of the TCJA and the remeasurement of the Company’s deferred assets and liabilities will be
completed as additional information becomes available, but no later than one year from the enactment of the
TCJA.
Certain provisions from the Tax Reform Act of 1986 were not impacted by TCJA, such as those limiting the
amount of net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and tax credit carryforwards that companies may utilize in any
one year in the event of cumulative changes in ownership over a three-year period in excess of 50%. The Company
has completed several financings since the effective date of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which as of
December 31, 2017, have resulted in ownership changes in excess of 50% that will significantly limit the
Company’s ability to utilize its NOL and tax credit carryforwards. In December 2017, the Company completed a
study which determined that a cumulative three-year ownership change in excess of 50% had occurred in February
2015. The 2017 and 2016 federal and state NOLs, tax credit carryforwards and related deferred tax assets shown
below have been adjusted to reflect the ownership change limitations that resulted from this study.
F-28
Note 12. Income Taxes (Continued)
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had cumulative federal and state NOLs of approximately
$200.4 million and $177.0 million available to reduce federal and state taxable income, respectively. These NOLs
expire through 2037. In addition, at December 31, 2017, the Company had cumulative federal and state tax credit
carryforwards of $12.7 million and $1.8 million available to reduce federal and state income taxes, respectively,
which expire through 2037 and 2032, respectively.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the components of the deferred tax assets are approximately as
follows:
2017
2016
(In thousands)
Operating loss carryforwards ....................................................................................... $
Tax credit carryforwards ..............................................................................................
Other .............................................................................................................................
Total deferred tax assets ...........................................................................................
Valuation allowance ..................................................................................................
53,276 $
14,099
7,552
74,927
(74,927)
Net deferred tax assets ............................................................................................... $
— $
56,832
9,428
7,710
73,970
(73,970)
—
The Company has provided a full valuation allowance for its deferred tax asset due to the uncertainty
surrounding the ability to realize these assets.
The difference between the 34% U.S. federal corporate tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate is as
follows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:
Expected federal income tax rate ...............................................................
Expiring credits and NOLs ............................................................................
Change in valuation allowance ...................................................................
Federal and state credits .............................................................................
State income taxes, net of federal benefit .................................................
Permanent differences ................................................................................
Rate change related to TCJA .......................................................................
Other .............................................................................................................
Effective tax rate ..........................................................................................
2017
(34.0)%
—
0.9
(6.9)
(3.7)
2.4
41.9
(0.6)
0.0 %
2016
(34.0)%
—
42.2
(9.9)
(3.7)
3.5
—
1.9
0.0 %
2015
(34.0)%
—
39.8
(7.4)
(4.5)
2.4
—
3.7
0.0 %
The Company applies ASC 740-10, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of
ASC 740. ASC 740-10 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements
and requires the impact of a tax position to be recognized in the financial statements if that position is more likely
than not of being sustained by the taxing authority. The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits resulting from
uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2017 and 2016.
The Company has not, as of yet, conducted a study of its research and development credit carryforwards.
Such a study might result in an adjustment to the Company’s research and development credit carryforwards,
however, until a study is completed and any adjustment is known, no amounts are being presented as an uncertain
tax position under ASC 740-10. A full valuation allowance has been provided against the Company’s research and
development credits and, if an adjustment is required, this adjustment would be offset by an adjustment to the
valuation allowance. Thus, there would be no impact to the statements of operations and comprehensive loss if an
adjustment was required.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania jurisdictions. The
Company is no longer subject to tax examinations for years before 2014, except to the extent that it utilizes NOLs
or tax credit carryforwards that originated before 2014. The Company does not believe there will be any material
changes in its unrecognized tax positions over the next 12 months. The Company has not incurred any interest or
penalties. In the event that the Company is assessed interest or penalties at some point in the future, they will be
classified in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss as general and administrative expense.
F-29
Note 13. Employee Benefit Plan
The Company has an employee benefit plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan
allows employees to make contributions up to a specified percentage of their compensation. Under the plan, the
Company matches a portion of the employees’ contributions up to a defined maximum. The Company is currently
contributing up to 3% of employee base salary, by matching 50% of the first 6% of annual base salary contributed
by each employee. Approximately $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million of 401(k) benefits were charged to
operating expenses during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Note 14. Related Party Transactions
Overview of Related Parties
Youssef El Zein, a member of the Company’s Board until his resignation in October 2017, is a director and
controlling stockholder of Pillar Invest Corporation (“Pillar Invest”), which is the general partner of Pillar
Pharmaceuticals I, L.P. (“Pillar I”), Pillar Pharmaceuticals II, L.P. (“Pillar II”), Pillar Pharmaceuticals III, L.P. (“Pillar
III”), Pillar Pharmaceuticals IV, L.P. (“Pillar IV”) and Pillar Pharmaceuticals V, L.P. (“Pillar V”) and limited partner of
Pillar I, Pillar II, Pillar III, Pillar IV and Pillar V. Entities affiliated with Pillar Invest and Participations Besancon
(“Besancon”), an investment fund advised by Pillar Invest having no affiliation with Mr. El Zein, Pillar I, Pillar II, Pillar
III, Pillar IV, Pillar V or Pillar Invest (collectively, the “Pillar Investment Entities”), own approximately 13.1% of the
Company's common stock as of December 31, 2017.
Julian C. Baker, a member of the Company’s Board, is a principal of Baker Bros. Advisors LP. Baker Bros.
Advisors LP, and certain of its affiliated funds, owned approximately 9.4% of the Company's common stock as of
December 31, 2017. Additionally, one of the Company’s directors, Kelvin M. Neu, is an employee of Baker Bros.
Advisors LP as of December 31, 2017.
Pillar Investment Entities
During 2017, Pillar II exercised 5,034,061 warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at
a total exercise price of approximately $3.5 million and Besancon exercised 2,918,020 warrants to purchase
shares of the Company’s common stock at a total exercise price of approximately $1.9 million. The warrant
exercise prices had been established at the time that the warrants were purchased.
During 2016, Pillar I exercised 1,370,000 warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a
total exercise price of approximately $2 million. The warrant exercise prices had been established at the time that
the warrants were purchased. Additionally during 2016, investment funds affiliated with Pillar Invest Corporation
purchased shares of the Company’s common stock in connection with the 2016 Offering as more fully described in
Note 9.
During 2015, Pillar II exercised 232,759 warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a
total exercise price of approximately $0.2 million and Pillar III exercised 2,600,000 warrants to purchase shares of
the Company’s common stock at a total exercise price of approximately $1.2 million. The warrant exercise prices
had been established at the time that the warrants were purchased.
As of December 31, 2017, Besancon held warrants to purchase up to 1,200,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock at an exercise price of $0.47 per share.
Baker Brothers
During 2017, 2016 and 2015, Baker Brothers purchased shares of the Company’s common stock in
connection with underwritten public offerings of shares of the Company’s common stock as more fully described in
Note 9.
As of December 31, 2017, Baker Brothers held warrants to purchase up to 20,316,327 shares of the
Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.47 per share and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to
22,151,052 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share.
F-30
Note 14. Related Party Transactions (Continued)
Board Fees Paid in Stock
Pursuant to the Company’s director compensation program, in lieu of director board and committee fees of
approximately $0.1 million, $0.2 million, and $0.1 million incurred during the years ended December 31, 2017,
2016 and 2015, respectively, the Company issued 62,939, 101,239, and 40,934 shares of common stock,
respectively, to certain of its directors. Director board and committee fees are paid in arrears and the number of
shares issued was calculated based on the market closing price of the Company’s common stock on the issuance
date.
Note 15. Net Loss per Common Share Applicable to Common Stockholders
Basic and diluted net loss per common share applicable to common stockholders is calculated by dividing
net loss applicable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock
outstanding during the period, without consideration of common stock equivalents. The Company’s potentially
dilutive shares, which include outstanding stock option awards, common stock warrants and convertible preferred
stock, are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted net loss
per share when their effect is dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, diluted net loss
per common share applicable to common stockholders was the same as basic net loss per common share
applicable to common stockholders as the effects of the Company’s potential common stock equivalents are
antidilutive.
Total antidilutive securities that were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share, due to their
anti-dilutive effect, were 65,161,505, 69,712,906 and 70,782,788 as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015,
respectively, and consisted of stock options, preferred stock and warrants.
Note 16. Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information for the periods presented is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2017
2016
(In thousands)
2015
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest .............................................................................................. $
42 $
72 $
93
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Non-cash property additions ................................................................................... $
Accrued financing transaction costs ...................................................................... $
150 $ 425 $ 123
—
17 $ 166 $
17. Subsequent Events
The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but prior to the
issuance of the financial statements to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify
matters that require additional disclosure.
Reverse Stock Split Proposal
On January 4, 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding
common stock by a whole number ratio of not less than 1-for-4 and not more than 1-for-8, such ratio and the
implementation and timing of such reverse stock split to be determined in the discretion of the Board at any time
prior to the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, and, in connection therewith, to decrease the
number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock on a basis proportional to the reverse stock split
ratio. The Company’s stockholders also approved an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, to set the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock at a number
determined by calculating the product of 280,000,000 multiplied by two times (2x) the reverse stock split ratio.
F-31
17. Subsequent Events (Continued)
Agreement and Plan of Merger
On January 21, 2018, the Company, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“BioCryst”),
Nautilus Holdco, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of BioCryst (“Holdco”), Island
Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco (“Merger Sub A”), and
Boat Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco (“Merger Sub B”),
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and
subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions specified therein, (a) Merger Sub A will be merged with and
into Idera (the “Idera Merger”), with Idera surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco, and (b) Merger Sub B
will be merged with and into BioCryst (the “BioCryst Merger”, and, together with the Idera Merger, the “Mergers”),
with BioCryst surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco. Holdco will be renamed prior to the closing of the
Mergers.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each share of BioCryst common stock will be exchanged for 0.50
shares of the new company stock and each share of Idera common stock will be exchanged for 0.20 shares of the
new company stock. The exchange ratio reflects an “at market” combination based upon the approximate 30-day
average volume weighted trading prices for each company. On a proforma, fully diluted basis, giving effect to all
dilutive stock options, units and warrants, BioCryst stockholders will own 51.6 percent of the stock of the combined
company and Idera stockholders will own 48.4 percent.
The board of directors of each of Idera and BioCryst has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby. The transaction is subject to approval by the stockholders of both
companies, as well as regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. A significant
stockholder of each company has agreed to enter into a voting and support agreement and has agreed to vote in
favor of the transaction. This stockholder owns approximately 9% of Idera shares outstanding and approximately
14% of BioCryst shares outstanding.
F-32