UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

OR

For the transition period from            to           

Commission file number: 001-35409

 

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

(617) 441-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such 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 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.

 

 

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  ☒

As of May 3, 2018, there were 13,342,784 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

i

---

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.

The forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, among other things, statements about:

We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, particularly in Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors, that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures, collaborations or investments that we may make.

You should read this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

NOTE REGARDING TRADEMARKS

ONIVYDE^® is a trademark of Ipsen S.A. Any other trademarks, trade names and service marks referred to in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are the property of their respective owners.

 

1

---

 

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.Financial Statements.

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2

---

 

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(unaudited)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

3

---

 

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

---

 

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

 

1. Nature of the Business

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts that is outthinking cancer by targeting biomarker-defined cancers. The Company’s vision is to ensure that cancer patients and their families live fulfilling lives. The Company’s mission is to transform cancer care through the smart design and development of targeted solutions based on a deep understanding of cancer pathways and biological markers. All of the Company’s development programs, including four clinical trials and six candidates in preclinical development, fit into the Company’s strategy of (1) understanding the biological problems it is trying to solve, (2) designing specific solutions against the problems it is trying to solve and (3) developing those solutions for biomarker-selected patients. This three-pronged strategy seeks to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

The Company owns worldwide development and commercial rights to all of its clinical and preclinical programs. The Company’s most advanced assets and a description of the status of each asset are as follows:

The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties common to companies in the biopharmaceutical industry, including, among other things, its ability to secure additional capital to fund operations, success of clinical trials, development by competitors of new technological innovations, dependence on collaborative arrangements, protection of proprietary technology, compliance with government regulations and dependence on key personnel. Product candidates currently under development will require significant additional research and development efforts, including extensive preclinical and clinical testing and regulatory approval prior to commercialization. These efforts require significant amounts of capital, adequate personnel, infrastructure and extensive compliance reporting capabilities.

The Company’s product candidates are in development, and none are approved for any indication by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or any other regulatory agency. There can be no assurance that the Company’s research and development will be successfully completed, that adequate protection for the Company’s intellectual property will be obtained or maintained, that any products developed will obtain necessary government regulatory approval or that any approved products will be commercially viable. Even if the Company’s product development efforts are successful, it is uncertain when, if ever, the Company will generate significant revenue from product sales. The Company operates in an environment of rapid change in technology and substantial competition from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, among others. In addition, the Company is dependent upon the services of its employees and consultants.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Going Concern, the Company has evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $500.6 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company incurred a net loss from continuing operations of $17.8 million and used $17.3 million of cash in continuing operations for operating activities. The Company expects to continue to generate operating losses in the foreseeable future. The Company expects that its cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $76.3 million at March 31, 2018 will be sufficient to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months from the date that the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued.

5

---

 

The Company will ultimately need to seek additional funding through equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, licensing arrangements and other marketing and distribution arrangements, partnerships, joint ventures, combinations or divestitures of one or more of its businesses. The Company may not be able to obtain financing on acceptable terms, or at all, and the Company may not be able to enter into collaborative arrangements or divest its assets. The terms of any financing may adversely affect the holdings or the rights of the Company’s stockholders. Arrangements with collaborators or others may require the Company to relinquish rights to certain of its technologies or product candidates. If the Company is unable to obtain funding, the Company could be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate its research and development programs or commercialization efforts, which could adversely affect its business prospects.

 

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

The accounting policies followed in the preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent in all material respects with those presented in Note 1 to the financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s condensed consolidated balance sheet and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows to enhance comparability with the current year’s condensed consolidated financial statements presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income within the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the condensed consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of Silver Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Silver Creek”). For the three months ended March 31, 2017, Silver Creek represented a variable interest entity that the Company consolidated as the primary beneficiary. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company deconsolidated Silver Creek from its financial statements since the Company was no longer the primary beneficiary of Silver Creek. The Company’s ownership percentage decreased to less than 50% and the Company no longer controlled Silver Creek’s board of directors or directed the activities that had the most significant impact on Silver Creek’s economic performance. The Company accounts for its investment in Silver Creek under the equity method of accounting.

On April 3, 2017, the Company completed the sale of its right, title and interest in the non-cash assets, equipment, inventory, contracts and intellectual property primarily related to developing, manufacturing and commercializing ONIVYDE and MM-436 (the “Commercial Business”). As of March 31, 2017, the Commercial Business met all the conditions to be classified as a discontinued operation since the disposal of the Commercial Business represented a strategic shift that had a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. Therefore, the operating results of the Commercial Business are reported as a loss from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, there were no discontinued operations.

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are unaudited. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited annual financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and its statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. The financial data and other information disclosed in the notes related to the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are unaudited. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018, any other interim periods, or any future year or period.

6

---

 

The unaudited interim financial statements of the Company included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted from this report, as is permitted by such rules and regulations. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2018.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the statement of financial position that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows:

 

Restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and restricted cash long term on the statement of financial position represent amounts pledged as collateral for operating lease obligations as contractually required. This restriction will lapse when the arrangements expire.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates, assumptions and judgments reflected in these condensed consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the accrual of research and development expenses and the valuation of stock-based awards. Estimates are periodically reviewed in light of changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates.

Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consist of investments with original maturities greater than ninety days. The Company has classified its investments with maturities beyond one year as short term based on their highly liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations. The Company considers its investment portfolio of marketable debt securities as available-for-sale. Accordingly, these marketable debt securities are recorded at fair value and unrealized gains and losses are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary are included as a component of other income (expense), net based on the specific identification method. When determining whether a decline in value is other than temporary, the Company considers various factors, including whether the Company has the intent to sell the security, and whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis.

 

3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is determined based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect certain market assumptions. As a basis for considering such assumptions, GAAP establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to develop the assumptions and for measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets; Level 2 inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which requires the Company to develop its own assumptions. This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value.

7

---

 

The following tables show assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. The fair value of Level 2 instruments classified as cash equivalents and marketable debt securities were determined through third-party pricing services.

The carrying amounts reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets for accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities.

 

4. Marketable Securities and Cash Equivalents

The following table summarizes the Company’s marketable securities and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2018. The Company did not hold any marketable securities as of December 31, 2017.

 

 

 

 

8

---

 

5. Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

6. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”) is administered by the Company’s Board of Directors and permits the Company to grant incentive and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards.

At March 31, 2018, there were 0.5 million shares remaining available for grant under the 2011 Plan.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company issued options to purchase 0.6 million and 0.0 million shares of common stock, respectively. These options generally vest over a three-year period for employees. Options granted to directors generally vest immediately.

The fair value of stock options granted to employees during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was estimated at the date of grant using the following assumptions:

 

 

The Company uses the simplified method to calculate the expected term, as it does not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term. The computation of expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of comparable companies from a representative peer group selected based on industry and market capitalization. The risk-free interest rate is based on a treasury instrument whose term is consistent with the expected life of the stock options. Management estimates expected forfeitures based on historical experience and recognizes compensation costs only for those equity awards expected to vest.

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 as follows:

 

9

---

 

 

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2018:

 

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value per share of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $6.26 and $24.30, respectively.

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the stock options and the fair value of the underlying common stock. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $1.4 million. There were no options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

As of March 31, 2018, there was $7.2 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested employee stock awards. The Company expects to recognize this expense over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.58 years.

 

7. Net Loss Per Common Share

Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. by the weighted-average number of dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive shares outstanding is calculated by adding to the weighted shares outstanding any potential (unissued) shares of common stock from outstanding stock options based on the treasury stock method. In a period when a net loss is reported, all common stock equivalents are excluded from the calculation because they would have an anti-dilutive effect, meaning the loss per share would be reduced. Therefore, in periods where a loss is reported, there is no difference in basic and dilutive loss per share.

The Company follows the two-class method when computing net loss per share when it has issued shares that meet the definition of participating securities. The two-class method determines net loss per share for each class of common and participating securities according to dividends declared or accumulated and participating rights in undistributed earnings. The two-class method requires income available to common stockholders for the period to be allocated between common and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends, as if all income for the period has been distributed or losses to be allocated if they are contractually required to fund losses. There were no amounts allocated to participating securities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, as the Company was in a loss position and had no shares that met the definition of participating securities outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and 2017.

The stock options and conversion premium on the 4.50% convertible notes due 2020 (the “Convertible Notes”) are excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share because the net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 causes such securities to be anti-dilutive. Outstanding securities excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are shown in the chart below:

 

 

 

10

---

 

8. Discontinued Operations

On April 3, 2017, the Company completed the sale of the Commercial Business. As of March 31, 2017, the Commercial Business met all the conditions to be classified as a discontinued operation since the disposal of the Commercial Business represented a strategic shift that had a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results.

The condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflect the operations of the Commercial Business as a discontinued operation. Discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 includes the following:

 

 

 

On January 8, 2017, the Company announced a reduction in headcount by approximately 30% in connection with the sale of the Commercial Business and the completion of its strategic pipeline review.

Under this corporate restructuring, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized total restructuring expenses of $5.3 million related to contractual termination benefits for employees with pre-existing severance arrangements. These one-time employee termination benefits are comprised of severance, benefits and related costs, all of which resulted in cash expenditures. The expense of $5.3 million was included in discontinued operations, as the costs are directly associated with the sale of the Commercial Business. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, there were no discontinued operations.

 

 

9. Investment in Silver Creek

 

On August 20, 2010, the Company acquired a controlling financial interest in Silver Creek. At such time, the Company had the ability to direct the activities of Silver Creek that most significantly impacted Silver Creek’s economic performance through its ownership percentage and through the board of director seats controlled by the Company. As such, Silver Creek was consolidated by the Company.

Since the Company acquired its financial interest, Silver Creek has raised funding through the issuance of preferred stock. The Company has not participated in any Silver Creek financings nor has it provided any funding.

During the third quarter of 2017, Silver Creek completed its Series C preferred stock financing, reducing the Company’s ownership percentage in Silver Creek below 50% and resulting in the Company no longer controlling the Silver Creek board of directors. Accordingly, the Company determined that it was no longer the primary beneficiary of Silver Creek and deconsolidated Silver Creek from its financial statements on July 13, 2017. Starting on July 14, 2017, the Company accounted for its investment in Silver Creek under the equity method of accounting since the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over Silver Creek. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company has recorded its proportionate share of the investee’s earnings (losses) in its results of operations with a corresponding increase (decrease) in the carrying value of the investment. Silver Creek continues to be a related party to the Company after deconsolidation.

 

11

---

 

10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued the following new Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”), which the Company adopted on January 1, 2018:

 

The adoption of these standards did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or statement of cash flows; however, the adoption of ASU 2016-18 resulted in the reclassification of certain prior year amounts in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to the current year presentation.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which supersedes all existing lease accounting guidance within ASC 840, Leases. The new standard requires that lease assets and lease liabilities be recognized by lessees for those leases previously classified as operating leases under ASC 840, with limited exceptions. This update also creates a new definition of a lease and provides guidance as to whether a contract is or contains a lease. This guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of this guidance may have on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which represents a new credit loss standard that will change the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other financial instruments. Specifically, this guidance will require entities to utilize a new “expected loss” model as it relates to trade and other receivables. In addition, entities will be required to recognize an allowance for estimated credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities, regardless of the length of time that a security has been in an unrealized loss position. This guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of this guidance may have on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)”. ASU 2018-02 addresses the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate tax rate due to the enactment of the December 22, 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) on items within accumulated other comprehensive loss. The guidance will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting standard will have on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies that the Company adopts as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed above, the Company does not believe that the adoption of recently issued standards has or may have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

 

 

12

---

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes to those financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors, such as those set forth in Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated herein by reference, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.

Overview

We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts that is outthinking cancer by targeting biomarker-defined cancers. Our vision is to ensure that cancer patients and their families live fulfilling lives. Our mission is to transform cancer care through the smart design and development of targeted solutions based on a deep understanding of cancer pathways and biological markers. All of our development programs, including four clinical trials and six candidates in preclinical development, fit into our strategy of (1) understanding the biological problems we are trying to solve, (2) designing specific solutions against the problems we are trying to solve and (3) developing those solutions for biomarker-selected patients. This three-pronged strategy seeks to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

We own worldwide development and commercial rights to all of our clinical and preclinical programs. Our most advanced assets and a description of the status of each asset are as follows:

On April 3, 2017, we completed the sale, or the asset sale, to Ipsen S.A., or Ipsen, of our right, title and interest in the non-cash assets, equipment, inventory, contracts and intellectual property primarily related to or used in our business operations and activities involving or relating to developing, manufacturing and commercializing ONIVYDE, our first commercial product, and MM-436, or the commercial business, for $580.7 million. Pursuant to the Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of January 7, 2017, or the asset sale agreement, between us and Ipsen, we are eligible to receive up to $450.0 million in additional regulatory approval-based milestone payments. We also retained the right to receive net milestone payments that may become payable for the ex-U.S. development and commercialization of ONIVYDE for up to $33.0 million pursuant to a license and collaboration agreement, which we refer to as the Baxalta agreement, with Baxalta Incorporated, Baxalta US Inc. and Baxalta GmbH, collectively Baxalta. The Baxalta agreement was assigned to Ipsen in connection with the completion of the asset sale. As of March 31, 2017, the commercial business met all the conditions to be classified as a discontinued operation since the disposal of the commercial business represented a strategic shift that had a major effect on our operations and financial results. Therefore, the operating results of the commercial business are reported as a loss from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, there were no discontinued operations.

We have devoted substantially all of our resources to our drug discovery and development efforts, including conducting clinical trials for our product candidates, protecting our intellectual property and providing general and administrative support for these operations. We currently have no products approved for sale. We have financed our operations primarily through private placements of convertible preferred stock, collaborations, public offerings of our securities, secured debt financings, sales of ONIVYDE and the asset sale.

13

---

 

As of March 31, 2018, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $76.3 million. We believe that at our currently forecasted spending rates, our existing financial resources, together with the net milestone payments we expect to receive under the Baxalta agreement, assuming certain milestones under such agreement are met, will be sufficient to fund our planned operations into the second half of 2019.

We have never been profitable and, as of March 31, 2018, we had an accumulated deficit of $500.6 million. Our net loss from continuing operations was $17.8 million and $29.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses for at least the next several years as we continue the research and development of our product candidates, including multiple clinical trials for certain product candidates. Until such time, if ever, as we can generate sufficient product revenues, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, licensing arrangements and other marketing and distribution arrangements. We also could engage in discussions with third parties regarding partnerships, joint ventures, combinations or divestitures of one or more of our product candidates as we seek to further the development of our research programs, improve our cash position and maximize stockholder value. There can be no assurance as to the timing, terms or consummation of any financing, collaboration, licensing arrangement or other marketing and distribution arrangement, partnership, joint venture, combination or divestiture. We may be unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, which would force us to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our research and development programs. We will need to generate significant revenues to achieve profitability, and we may never do so.

Financial Operations Overview

Revenues

In the future, we may generate revenue from a combination of research and development payments, license fees and other upfront payments, milestone payments, product sales and royalties in connection with any future collaborations and licenses. We expect that any revenue we generate will fluctuate in future periods as a result of the timing of our or a collaborator’s achievement of preclinical, clinical, regulatory and commercialization milestones, if at all, the timing and amount of any payments to us relating to such milestones and the extent to which any of our product candidates are approved and successfully commercialized by us or a collaborator. If we fail, or any future collaborator fails, to develop product candidates in a timely manner or to obtain regulatory approval for them, our ability to generate future revenue, and our results of operations and financial position, would be materially adversely affected.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses consist of the costs associated with our preclinical research activities, conduct of clinical trials, manufacturing development efforts and activities related to regulatory filings. Our research and development expenses consist of:

We expense research and development costs as incurred. Conducting a significant amount of research and development is central to our business model. Product candidates in late stages of clinical development generally have higher development costs than those in earlier stages of clinical development, primarily due to the increased size and duration of late stage clinical trials. We expect to maintain or increase our research and development expenses for the foreseeable future as we continue to develop our clinical stage product candidates and further advance our preclinical products and earlier stage research and development projects.

We use our employee and infrastructure resources across multiple research and development programs. We track expenses related to our most advanced product candidates on a per project basis. Accordingly, we allocate internal employee-related and infrastructure costs, as well as third-party costs, to each of these programs. We do not allocate to specific development programs either stock-based compensation expense or expenses related to preclinical programs. Costs that are not directly attributable to specific clinical programs, such as wages related to shared laboratory services, travel and employee training and development, are not allocated and are considered general research and discovery expenses.

14

---

 

The following table summarizes our principal product development programs, including the research and development expenses allocated to each clinical product candidate, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

 

The successful development of our product candidates is highly uncertain. At this time, other than as discussed below, we cannot reasonably estimate the nature, timing or costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the remainder of the development of any of our product candidates or the period, if any, in which material net cash flows from these product candidates may commence. This is due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing drugs, including the uncertainty of:

A change in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of a product candidate could mean a significant change in the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate. For example, if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, or another regulatory authority were to require us to conduct clinical trials beyond those which we currently anticipate will be required for the completion of clinical development of a product candidate or if we experience significant delays in enrollment in any of our clinical trials, we could be required to expend significant additional financial resources and time on the completion of clinical development.

MM-121 (seribantumab)

In February 2015, we initiated the global, open-label, biomarker-selected, Phase 2 randomized SHERLOC clinical trial evaluating MM-121 in combination with docetaxel, versus docetaxel alone, in patients with heregulin positive NSCLC. We expect to report top-line results from the SHERLOC clinical trial in the second half of 2018.

In February 2018, we dosed the first patient in our global, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, biomarker-selected Phase 2 randomized SHERBOC clinical trial evaluating MM-121 in combination with fulvestrant, versus fulvestrant alone, in patients with heregulin positive, hormone receptor positive, ErbB2 (HER2) negative, metastatic breast cancer.

MM-141 (istiratumab)

In May 2015, we initiated the global, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 randomized CARRIE clinical trial evaluating MM-141 in combination with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine, versus nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine alone, in patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic cancer with high serum levels of free IGF-1. We expect to report top-line results from the CARRIE clinical trial in the first half of 2018.

15

---

 

MM-310

In March 2017, we initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of MM-310 to evaluate its safety and preliminary activity in patients with solid tumors and to identify the maximum tolerated dose. We expect to report safety data and the maximum tolerated dose from this trial in the second half of 2018.

Legacy Programs

In January 2017, we announced the completion of our strategic pipeline review resulting in the identification of what we believe to be our three most promising clinical programs, MM-121, MM-141 and MM-310. As a result, certain other product candidates in our pipeline were put on hold or discontinued, and we do not plan to invest in their additional development at this time.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and other related costs for personnel, including stock-based compensation expenses and benefits, in our legal, intellectual property, business development, finance, information technology, corporate communications, investor relations and human resources departments. Other general and administrative expenses include costs for employee training and development, board of directors costs, depreciation, insurance expenses, facility-related costs not otherwise included in research and development expenses and professional fees for legal, accounting and information technology services. We expect to maintain general and administrative expenses at similar levels in future periods as we continue to support the further research and development and commercialization of our product candidates.

Interest income

Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 consisted primarily of interest income associated with our marketable securities. Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 consisted primarily of interest income associated with our interest bearing cash and cash equivalent accounts.

Interest expense

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 consisted primarily of cash and non-cash interest related to our 4.50% convertible notes due 2020, or convertible notes, and our 11.50% senior secured notes due 2022, or 2022 notes, both of which were extinguished in 2017. We had no debt at March 31, 2018.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net consists primarily of our proportionate share of losses from our equity method investment in Silver Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Silver Creek.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which we have prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires us 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, as well as the reported expenses during the reporting periods. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Our critical accounting policies and the methodologies and assumptions we apply under them have not materially changed since March 12, 2018, the date we filed our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. For more information on our critical accounting policies, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

16

---

 

Results of Operations

Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

Research and development expenses

 

Research and development expenses were $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $21.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, a decrease of $8.5 million, or 39%. This decrease was primarily attributable to:

This decrease was partially offset by $1.3 million of increased expenses related to the progression of the MM-121 and MM-141 programs.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses were $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $5.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, a decrease of $1.3 million, or 23%. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in corporate expenses related to headcount and stock-based compensation.

Interest income

Interest income was $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $0.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, primarily attributable to the interest income associated with our marketable securities.

Interest expense

Interest expense was $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. There was no interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2018 due to the extinguishment of our debt in 2017.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net was $0.7 million of expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $0.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, primarily attributable to our proportionate share of losses from our equity method investment in Silver Creek.

17

---

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of liquidity

We have financed our operations through March 31, 2018 primarily through private placements of convertible preferred stock, collaborations, public offerings of our securities, secured debt financings, sales of ONIVYDE and the asset sale. Through March 31, 2018, we have received $580.7 million from the asset sale, $268.2 million from the sale of convertible preferred stock and warrants, $126.7 million of net proceeds from the sale of common stock in our initial public offering and a July 2013 follow-on public offering, $38.6 million of net proceeds from our 2015 “at the market offering” program, $39.6 million of net proceeds from a secured debt financing, $120.6 million of net proceeds from the issuance of the convertible notes in our July 2013 public offering, $168.5 million of net proceeds from the issuance of the 2022 notes, $492.5 million of upfront license fees, milestone payments, reimbursement of research and development costs and manufacturing services and other payments from our collaborations and $68.9 million of cash receipts related to ONIVYDE sales. As of March 31, 2018, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $76.3 million.

Cash flows

The following table provides information regarding our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

Operating activities

Cash used in operating activities was $17.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018. The cash used in operating activities was primarily a result of our $17.8 million net loss from operations and changes in assets and liabilities of $2.1 million. The net decrease in operating assets and liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2018 was primarily driven by decreases in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other, prepaid expenses and other current assets and deferred rent. This decrease was offset by non-cash items, including $1.2 million in depreciation and amortization, $0.8 million of stock-based compensation expense, $0.7 million in loss on equity method investment. Cash used in operating activities of $10.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017, of which $18.1 million was used by continuing operations and $8.0 million was provided by discontinued operations, was primarily a result of our $29.2 million net loss from continuing operations and a net increase in operating assets and liabilities of $7.6 million. The net increase in operating assets and liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was primarily driven by cash management strategies. This increase was offset by $3.5 million of non-cash items, including $0.8 million of stock-based compensation expense and $1.5 million in non-cash interest expense.

Investing activities

Cash used in investing activities of $41.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 was primarily due to purchases of marketable securities totaling $41.8 million. Cash used in investing activities of $0.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was primarily due to purchases of property and equipment.

Financing activities

There was no cash provided by or used in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2018. Cash provided by financing activities of $6.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was primarily due to $4.0 million of proceeds received from the exercise of stock options and $2.0 million of proceeds received from the issuance of Series C preferred stock by Silver Creek.

18

---

 

Funding requirements

We have incurred significant expenses and operating losses to date, and we expect to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses for at least the next several years. We anticipate that we will continue to incur significant expenses as we:

We believe that at our currently forecasted spending rates, our existing financial resources, together with the net milestone payments we expect to receive under the Baxalta agreement, assuming certain milestones under such agreement are met, will be sufficient to fund our planned operations into the second half of 2019. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the development and commercialization of our product candidates, and the extent to which we utilize collaborations with third parties to participate in their development and commercialization, we are unable to estimate the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures associated with our current and anticipated clinical trials. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

Until such time, if ever, as we can generate sufficient product revenues, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, licensing arrangements and other marketing and distribution arrangements. We also could engage in discussions with third parties regarding partnerships, joint ventures, combinations or divestitures of one or more of our product candidates as we seek to further the development of our research programs, improve our cash position and maximize stockholder value. There can be no assurance as to the timing, terms or consummation of any financing, collaboration, licensing arrangement or other marketing and distribution arrangement, partnership, joint venture, combination or divestiture. We do not have any committed external sources of funds. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our stockholders. 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. For example, if we raise additional funds through marketing and distribution arrangements or other collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates or to grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

Our contractual obligations and commitments were reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which was filed with the SEC on March 12, 2018.

19

---

 

There have been no material changes from the contractual obligations and commitments previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 10, “Recent Accounting Pronouncements,” in the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements.

 

 

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We invest in a variety of financial instruments, principally cash deposits, money market funds, securities issued by the U.S. government and its agencies and corporate debt securities. The goals of our investment policy are preservation of capital, fulfillment of liquidity needs and fiduciary control of cash and investments. We also seek to maximize income from our investments without assuming significant risk.

Our primary exposure to market risk is interest income sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of interest rates, particularly because our investments are in short-term marketable securities. Due to the short-term duration of our investment portfolio and the low risk profile of our investments, an immediate 10% change in interest rates would not have a material effect on the fair market value of our portfolio. We have the ability and intention to hold our investments until maturity, and therefore, we would not expect our operating results or cash flows to be affected to any significant degree by the effect of a sudden change in market interest rates on our investment portfolio.

We do not currently have any auction rate or mortgage-backed securities. We do not believe our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities have significant risk of default or illiquidity, however we cannot provide absolute assurance that in the future our investments will not be subject to adverse changes in market value.

Item 4.Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2018. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2018, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

20

---

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A.Risk Factors.

The following risk factors and other information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be carefully considered. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we presently deem less significant may also impair our business operations. Please see page 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of some of the forward-looking statements that are qualified by these risk factors. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected.

Risks Related to the Sale of the Commercial Business to Ipsen

Because the commercial business represented all of our revenues for fiscal year 2016 and the three months ended March 31, 2017, our business following the sale of the commercial business is substantially different than it was prior to such sale.

As a result of the completion of the asset sale with Ipsen, Ipsen acquired our right, title and interest in the commercial business. The commercial business represented all of our revenues for the fiscal year 2016 and the three months ended March 31, 2017. Following the asset sale, we retained only non-commercial assets, including our clinical and preclinical development programs, or the pipeline business. Our results of operations and financial condition may be materially affected if we fail to grow the pipeline business, if we are unable to raise additional capital when needed to run the pipeline business, if we must incur significant costs in order to raise additional capital to run the pipeline business or if we are unable to successfully develop and commercialize our remaining product candidates.

We have been, and in the future may be, subject to securities litigation, which is expensive and could divert our attention.

We have been, and may in the future be, subject to securities class action litigation in connection with the asset sale. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention, which could seriously harm our business. For instance, a putative stockholder class action suit was filed by a purported stockholder of ours in the Superior Court of Massachusetts for the County of Middlesex against us and our directors. The case was captioned Robert Garfield v. Merrimack Pharmaceuticals Inc., et al., or the Garfield Action. The Garfield Action complaint alleged that our directors breached their fiduciary duties by entering into the asset sale agreement and that the definitive proxy statement relating to the asset sale contained inadequate disclosures and omissions. Although we believed that the Garfield Action was without merit, to avoid the risk of the litigation delaying or adversely affecting the asset sale and to minimize the expense of defending the litigation related to the asset sale, we agreed to make supplemental disclosures related to the asset sale and to pay the plaintiff’s counsel $375,000 in attorney’s fees in connection with the resolution of the Garfield Action. As a result, the plaintiff concluded that the claims in the Garfield Action were mooted, and the Garfield Action was dismissed with prejudice. Nonetheless, there can be no guarantee that there will not be additional securities class action litigation in connection with the asset sale.

There can be no guarantee that Ipsen will comply with its obligation to use commercially reasonable efforts in connection with the development of ONIVYDE or that the milestones set forth in the Baxalta agreement will be achieved.

Ipsen has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop ONIVYDE in connection with obtaining the regulatory approval by the FDA of ONIVYDE for certain indications. Although the results of this approval process may enable Ipsen to achieve the milestones necessary for us to receive the contingent payments under the asset sale agreement, there is no guarantee that Ipsen will take the steps set forth in the asset sale agreement and that such development will lead to the successful approval of ONIVYDE for such additional indications. Therefore, there can be no guarantees that any of the milestones set forth in the asset sale agreement will be achieved and that we will receive any future contingent payments.

Additionally, although the asset sale agreement entitles us to receive certain net milestone payments of up to $33.0 million that may become payable under the Baxalta agreement, achievement of such milestones and payment of any or all of the $33.0 million is not guaranteed.

21

---

 

Ipsen did not assume any of the excluded liabilities under the asset sale agreement.

Pursuant to the asset sale agreement, Ipsen assumed only certain specified liabilities set forth in the asset sale agreement and did not assume all of the liabilities associated with the commercial business. Certain liabilities remain with us post-closing. While we believe that we have adequately accrued for these liabilities or are adequately insured against certain of the risks associated with such excluded liabilities, there can be no assurances that additional expenditures will not be incurred in resolving any such liabilities.

The asset sale agreement may expose us to contingent liabilities.

We have agreed to indemnify Ipsen for certain breaches of representations, warranties or covenants made by us in the asset sale agreement and for certain specified existing litigation. We have agreed that if we cannot pay our indemnification obligations, Ipsen will have set-off rights against any future contingent payments. Significant indemnification claims by Ipsen could further materially and adversely affect our financial condition and/or significantly reduce any future contingent payments.

Risks Related to Our Financial Position and Need for Additional Capital

We have incurred significant losses since our inception. We expect to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never achieve or maintain profitability.

Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. Our net loss from continuing operations was $17.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Our net loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit was $118.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, $169.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and $162.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2018, we had an accumulated deficit of $500.6 million. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through private placements of convertible preferred stock, collaborations, public offerings of our securities, secured debt financings, sales of ONIVYDE and the asset sale. We have devoted substantially all of our efforts to research and development, including clinical trials and recently to commercialization of our first product, ONIVYDE, which was sold to Ipsen. We have not completed development of or commercialized any other product candidates or diagnostics other than ONIVYDE. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for at least the next several years. We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially as we:

To become and remain profitable, we must succeed in developing and commercializing products with significant market potential. This will require us to be successful in a range of challenging activities, including discovering product candidates, completing preclinical testing and clinical trials of our product candidates, obtaining regulatory approval for these product candidates and manufacturing, marketing and selling or partnering those products for which we may seek and receive regulatory approval. We may never succeed in these activities and may never generate revenues that are significant or large enough to achieve profitability. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Our failure to become and remain profitable would depress the value of our company and could impair our ability to raise capital, expand our business, diversify our product offerings or continue our operations. A decline in the value of our company could also cause our stockholders to lose all or part of their investment.

We will need substantial additional funding. If we are unable to raise capital when needed, we would be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our product development programs or commercialization efforts.

We will need substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations. We expect to continue to incur significant research and development expenses in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we continue the research, development and clinical trials of, and seek regulatory approval for, our product candidates. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we would be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or commercialization efforts.

22

---

 

Upon the closing of the asset sale with Ipsen, which occurred on April 3, 2017, we received a $575.0 million upfront cash payment from Ipsen, subject to the working capital adjustment. We used these proceeds to redeem the 2022 notes, including payment of the $175.0 million outstanding aggregate principal amount, interest through the redemption date and an additional make-whole premium payment of approximately $20.1 million, and our board of directors declared a special cash dividend of $140.0 million, which was payable on May 26, 2017 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 17, 2017. Additionally, if certain milestones under the Baxalta agreement are met, we currently expect to receive up to an aggregate of $33.0 million in net milestone payments in future periods. As a result of the cash received from the consummation of the asset sale, we believe that at our currently forecasted spending rates, our existing financial resources, together with the net milestone payments we expect to receive under the Baxalta agreement, assuming certain milestones under such agreement are met, will be sufficient to fund our planned operations into the second half of 2019. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the development and commercialization of our product candidates, and the extent to which we may utilize collaborations with third parties to participate in their development and commercialization, we are unable to estimate the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures associated with our current and anticipated clinical trials. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

Conducting preclinical testing and clinical trials is a time-consuming, expensive and uncertain process that takes years to complete, and we may never generate the necessary data required to obtain regulatory approval and, even if regulatory approval is obtained, achieve product sales of any of our product candidates. In addition, any of our product candidates, even if approved, may not achieve commercial success. If we fail to generate sufficient revenues from collaborations or the commercialization of any of our product candidates, we will need to continue to rely on additional financing to achieve our business objectives.

Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our existing stockholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or product candidates.

We do not have any committed external source of funds. Sources of funds may not be available or, if available, may not be available on terms satisfactory to us and could result in significant stockholder dilution.

Until such time, if ever, as we can generate sufficient product revenues, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, licensing arrangements and other marketing and distribution arrangements. We also could engage in discussions with third parties regarding partnerships, joint ventures, combinations or divestitures of one or more of our product candidates as we seek to further the development of our research programs, improve our cash position and maximize stockholder value. There can be no assurance as to the timing, terms or consummation of any financing, collaboration, licensing arrangement or other marketing and distribution arrangement, partnership, joint venture, combination or divestiture.

On December 15, 2017, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC to allow the issuance of our securities from time to time in one or more offerings of up to $150,000,000 in aggregate dollar amount. This registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on January 5, 2018. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our existing common stockholders will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our stockholders. 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 these covenants may also require us to attain certain levels of financial performance and we may not be able to do so; any such failure may result in the acceleration of such debt and the foreclosure by our creditors on the collateral we used to secure the debt. The debt issued in a debt financing would also be senior to our outstanding shares of capital

23

---

 

stock upon our liquidation. Significant indebtedness and the pledge of our assets as collateral in the future could limit our ability to obtain additional debt financing. If we raise additional funds t