Cipher reports fiscal 2009 financial results
Toronto Stock Exchange Symbol: DND
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 17 /CNW/ - Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX: DND) today announced its financial and operational results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Fiscal 2009 Summary ------------------- - Total revenue more than doubled to $3.2 million, driven by growth of Lipofen(R) prescriptions. - Strong balance sheet at year end with cash of $9.0 million and no debt, compared with cash of $9.9 million at December 31, 2008. - Commenced CIP-ISOTRETINOIN Phase III safety trial in Q3; with 176 patients enrolled at year-end. - Achieved tentative FDA approval for CIP-TRAMADOL ER; subsequent to year end, received favourable summary judgment motion relating to patent litigation. - Strengthened Board of Directors with the addition of Dr. William Claypool.
"The continued steady growth of Lipofen(R) prescriptions helped us deliver a strong year-over-year increase in revenue and reduce our cash burn, ensuring that our financial position remains solid," said Larry Andrews, President and CEO of Cipher. "From a clinical perspective, we commenced enrolment on our Phase III safety trial for CIP-ISOTRETINOIN, and this continues to progress well. On the regulatory front, 2009 saw us obtain tentative FDA approval for CIP-TRAMADOL ER. More recently, we received a favourable judgment in pending patent litigation for this product, clearing the way for us to pursue final FDA approval."
Financial Review ----------------
Total revenue in 2009 was $3.2 million, compared with $1.5 million in 2008. Revenue from Lipofen(R) totalled $2.9 million in 2009, reflecting the continued market penetration by Lipofen(R) as Kowa increases the sales and promotion effort behind the product. Revenue from CIP-ISOTRETINOIN was $0.3 million in 2009, which relates to revenue recognized on the Company's share of the US$1 million upfront milestone payment received from Ranbaxy in 2008.
Gross Research and Development ("R&D") expenditures for 2009 were $5.4 million, compared with $2.2 million in 2008. The reported R&D amount of $1.0 million for 2009 is net of reimbursements of $4.4 million from Ranbaxy related to the CIP-ISOTRETINOIN clinical study. As previously disclosed, the Company's U.S. marketing partner, Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, is reimbursing Cipher for all costs associated with the clinical studies required to obtain FDA approval, up to a predetermined cap. Any additional development costs associated with initial FDA approval will be shared equally.
Operating, General and Administrative ("OG&A") expenses for 2009 were $4.3 million, compared with $3.6 million in 2008. The year-over-year change reflects the increased level of activity related to pursuing pipeline expansion opportunities. The loss for the 12 months ended December 31, 2009 decreased to $2.7 million ($0.11 per basic and diluted share), compared with a net loss of $3.2 million ($0.13 per basic and diluted share) in 2008.
In Q4 2009, Cipher recorded licensing revenue of $0.8 million, compared with $0.4 million in Q4 2008. Gross R&D expenditures for the fourth quarter were $3.0 million, and reported R&D expenses were $0.3 million. OG&A expenses for Q4 2009 were $1.1 million, compared with $0.9 million in the same period last year. Loss for the three months ended December 31, 2009 was $0.6 million ($0.03 per basic and diluted share), compared with a loss of $0.5 million ($0.02 per basic and diluted share) in the same period last year.
The Company's financial position remained solid at year-end. As at December 31, 2009, Cipher had cash of $9.0 million, compared with $9.9 million as at December 31, 2008.
Product Update --------------
During 2009, Lipofen(R) monthly prescriptions showed steady growth, and Cipher is hopeful that this trend will continue as Kowa increases penetration of the primary care physicians in its targeted regions and expands its sales force. Kowa's sales force reached approximately 200 at the end of the year, and additional increases are expected in Q1 2010 to support the launch of Kowa's pitavastatin product, LIVALO(R), in the second quarter of 2010.
During Q3 2009, Cipher commenced its Phase III safety trial for CIP-ISOTRETINOIN under a Special Protocol Assessment ("SPA") with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"). The 800-patient study is a double-blind, randomized trial comparing CIP-ISOTRETINOIN to an FDA-approved, commercially available isotretinoin product. The study is being conducted in the U.S. and Canada over an 18-month period. The study is progressing well, with enrolment reaching 176 patients at year end and currently nearing the mid-point.
Cipher received tentative FDA approval for CIP-TRAMADOL ER, the Company's extended-release formulation of tramadol, in February 2009. During Q4 2009, the Company announced that Purdue Pharma Products L.P. and Napp Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. filed a complaint against Cipher in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, for alleged infringement of two U.S. patents. Under the applicable provisions of the Hatch-Waxman Act, this patent challenge can delay final FDA approval of Cipher's NDA by 30 months, or until the patent challenge is resolved, whichever occurs first. Subsequent to year end, the Company announced that a final judgment on the above litigation suit has been entered in favour of Cipher. The judgment removes any further stay of FDA approval of Cipher's NDA under the applicable provisions of the Hatch-Waxman Act. Cipher is moving forward to obtain FDA final approval as part of its broader CIP-TRAMADOL ER commercialization strategy.
The final judgment in favour of Cipher holds that the patents-in-suit are invalid for obviousness based on a prior decision of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, invalidating the Orange Book-listed patents for Ultram(R) ER in litigation filed by Purdue against Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. ("Par"). That decision in the Par litigation is currently on appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The Court's decision is not expected until the latter half of 2010. If Par is successful in its appeal, Cipher believes CIP-TRAMADOL ER will no longer face any further risk of litigation from Purdue in connection with the Orange Book-listed patents that were asserted against Cipher.
Cipher continues to actively pursue new early stage pipeline product candidates and advance out-licensing discussions for its current products.
Notice of Conference Call -------------------------
Cipher will hold a conference call today, February 17, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. (ET) to discuss its financial results and other corporate developments. To access the conference call by telephone, dial 647-427-7450 or 1-888-231-8191. A live audio webcast of the call will be available at www.cipherpharma.com. The webcast will be archived for 90 days.
About Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Cipher Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage drug development company focused on commercializing novel formulations of successful, currently marketed molecules using advanced drug delivery technologies. Cipher's strategy is to in-license products that incorporate proven drug delivery technologies and advance them through the clinical development and regulatory approval stages, after which the products are out-licensed to international partners. Because Cipher's products are based on proven technology platforms applied to currently marketed drugs, they are expected to have lower approval risk, shorter development timelines and significantly lower development costs. The Company's lead compound, CIP-FENOFIBRATE, received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada in the first quarter of 2006. The product is being marketed in the United States by Kowa Pharmaceuticals America under the label Lipofen(R). In addition, Cipher is developing formulations of the pain reliever tramadol (tentative FDA approval in February 2009) and the acne treatment isotretinoin (FDA approvable letter in April 2007).
Cipher is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol 'DND' and has approximately 24 million shares outstanding. For more information, please visit www.cipherpharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this news release, other than those concerning historical financial information, may be forward-looking and therefore subject to various risks and uncertainties. The words "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "suspect", "outlook", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "forecast", "objective", "hope" and "continue" (or the negative thereof), and words and expressions of similar import, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Factors that could cause results to vary include those identified in the Company's Annual Information Form and other filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, such as the applicability of patents and proprietary technology; possible patent litigation; regulatory approval of products in the Company's pipeline; changes in government regulation or regulatory approval processes; government and third-party payer reimbursement; dependence on strategic partnerships for product candidates and technologies, marketing and R&D services; meeting projected drug development timelines and goals; intensifying competition; rapid technological change in the pharmaceutical industry; anticipated future losses; the ability to access capital to fund R&D; and the ability to attract and retain key personnel. All forward-looking statements presented herein should be considered in conjunction with such filings. Except as required by Canadian securities laws, the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements; such statements speak only as of the date made.
Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. Balance Sheets (in thousands of dollars) As at December 31, December 31, 2009 2008 ASSETS Current assets Cash $ 9,006 $ 9,881 Accounts receivable 967 512 Income taxes receivable - 6 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 457 380 Current portion of loan receivable (note 5) 800 608 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11,230 11,387 Property and equipment, net (note 4) 86 147 Loan receivable (note 5) - 717 Intangible assets, net (note 6) 3,507 4,126 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 14,823 $ 16,377 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIABILITIES Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 1,570 $ 1,178 Current portion of deferred revenue 1,956 1,177 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3,526 2,355 Deferred revenue 329 994 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3,855 3,349 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Share capital (note 7) 49,948 49,948 Contributed surplus (note 8) 32,268 31,613 Deficit (71,248) (68,533) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10,968 13,028 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 14,823 $ 16,377 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) For the year ended December 31, December 31, 2009 2008 Revenues Licensing revenue $ 3,179 $ 1,543 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Expenses Research and development (note 9) 956 1,303 Operating, general and administrative 4,252 3,565 Amortization of property and equipment 69 71 Amortization of intangible assets 741 466 Recovery of legal fees and court costs - (176) Interest income (124) (456) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5,894 4,773 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss and comprehensive loss for the year $ (2,715) $ (3,230) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic and diluted loss per share (note 11) $ (0.11) $ (0.13) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. Statements of Deficit (in thousands of dollars) For the year ended December 31, December 31, 2009 2008 Deficit, beginning of year $ (68,533) $ (65,303) Loss for the year (2,715) (3,230) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deficit, end of year $ (71,248) $ (68,533) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands of dollars) For the year ended December 31, December 31, 2009 2008 Cash provided by (used in) Operating activities Loss for the year $ (2,715) $ (3,230) Items not affecting cash Amortization of property and equipment 69 71 Amortization of intangible assets 741 466 Stock-based compensation expense 655 581 Imputed interest (note 5) (87) (136) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1,337) (2,248) Net change in non-cash operating items (note 12) (20) 990 Drawdown of loan receivable - 188 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1,357) (1,070) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investing activities Proceeds from loan receivable (note 5) 612 - Acquisition of intangible rights (note 6) (122) - Purchase of property and equipment (8) (10) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 482 (10) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Decrease in cash (875) (1,080) Cash, beginning of year 9,881 10,961 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash, end of year $ 9,006 $ 9,881 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2009 (in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) 1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. Significant accounting policies used in the preparation of these financial statements are as follows: Translation of foreign currencies Revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into Canadian dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the transaction date. Monetary assets and liabilities are translated using the rate in effect at the balance sheet date and non-monetary items are translated at historical exchange rates. Related exchange gains and losses are included in the determination of the loss for the year. Use of estimates The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that could affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods presented. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates include the valuation of intangible assets and measurement of income taxes. By their nature, these estimates are subject to measurement uncertainty. Actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions. Property and equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method using the following estimated useful lives of the assets or lease terms: Computer equipment 3 years Computer software 3 years Furniture and fixtures 5 years Leasehold improvements over the term of the lease Impairment of long-lived assets Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows from the long-lived asset. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds the estimated fair value. Intangible assets Intangible assets consist of marketing and other rights relating to products and are initially recorded at cost. Intangible assets have a finite life and are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of useful life. Amortization commences on the earlier of the date of regulatory (generally, U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA")) approval for marketing the related product or upon substantive revenue being generated from the product under a commercial licensing agreement. The estimated period of useful life has been determined to be 3.5 years from the date of regulatory approval for marketing the related product. Should amortization commence as a result of generating revenue, the amortization period would include the time prior to regulatory approval. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or other changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Revenue recognition The Company recognizes revenue from product sales contracts and licensing and distribution agreements, which may include multiple elements. The individual elements of each agreement are divided into separate units of accounting, if certain criteria are met. The applicable revenue recognition approach is then applied to each unit. Otherwise, the applicable revenue recognition criteria are applied to combined elements as a single unit of accounting. Product sales - revenue from product sales contracts is recognized when the product is shipped to the Company's customers, at which time ownership is transferred. Licensing revenues - for up-front licensing payments and pre-commercialization milestones, revenue is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated term that the Company maintains substantive contractual obligations. Post-commercialization milestone payments are recognized as revenue when the underlying condition is met, the milestone is not a condition to future deliverables and collectability is reasonably assured. Otherwise, these milestone payments are recognized as revenue over the remaining term of the underlying agreement or the term over which the Company maintains substantive contractual obligations. Royalty revenue is recognized in the period in which the Company earns the royalty. Amounts received in advance of recognition as revenue are included in deferred revenue. Revenue from licensing and distribution agreements is presented on a net basis. Research and development The Company conducts research and development programs and incurs costs related to these activities, including employee compensation, materials, professional services and services provided by contract research organizations. Research and development costs, net of related tax credits, are expensed in the periods in which they are incurred. Income taxes The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, future tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted or substantively enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the difference is expected to reverse. The Company provides a valuation allowance for future tax assets when it is more likely than not that some or all of the future tax assets will not be realized. Stock-based compensation The fair value of stock options granted after October 1, 2002 is recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the applicable stock option vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense is included in operating, general and administrative expense in the statements of operations and contributed surplus in the balance sheets. The consideration received on the exercise of stock options is credited to share capital at the time of exercise. Financial instruments Financial instruments are measured at fair value except for loans and receivables, held-to-maturity investments and other financial liabilities, which are measured at cost or amortized cost. Gains and losses on held-for-trading financial assets and liabilities are recognized in net earnings in the period in which they arise. Unrealized gains and losses, including changes in foreign exchange rates on available-for-sale financial assets, are recognized in comprehensive income until the financial assets are derecognized or impaired, at which time any unrealized gains or losses are recorded in net earnings. The following is the basis of classification and measurement of the Company's financial instruments: - Cash is classified as held-for-trading and is measured at fair value; - Accounts receivable and loan receivable are classified as loans and receivables and recorded at cost, which at initial measurement corresponds to fair value. After initial fair value measurement, they are measured at amortized cost; and - Accounts payable and accrued liabilities are classified as other financial liabilities. They are initially measured at fair value and, if necessary, subsequent revaluations are recorded at amortized cost. 2 CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES Goodwill and Intangible Assets As required by The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants ("CICA"), on January 1, 2009, the Company adopted CICA Handbook Section 3064, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, which establishes standards for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of goodwill and intangible assets. Application of this pronouncement had no impact on the reported results of operations. International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") Commencing in the first quarter of 2011, the Company's financial statements will be prepared in accordance with IFRS, with 2010 comparative figures and the January 1, 2010 opening balance sheet restated to conform with IFRS, along with reconciliations from GAAP to IFRS, as per the guidance provided in IFRS 1, First-Time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards. As part of its transition to IFRS, the Company has developed an implementation plan which includes an analysis of accounting differences between GAAP and IFRS and the assessment of the expected impact of the accounting differences on its financial statements. The Company continues to assess the IFRS component evaluation for those areas of the financial statements that have identified accounting differences between GAAP and IFRS. As part of its IFRS implementation plan, the Company will continue to review the impact on its business activities, its disclosure and internal controls over financial reporting and its financial reporting systems. 3 RISK MANAGEMENT Financial risk management In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to a number of financial risks that can affect its operating performance. These risks are: credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk. The Company's overall risk management program and prudent business practices seek to minimize any potential adverse affects on the Company's financial performance. (i) Credit risk Accounts receivable - the Company licenses its products to distribution partners in major markets. The credit risk associated with the accounts receivable pursuant to these agreements is evaluated during initial negotiations and on an ongoing basis. There have been no events of default under these agreements. As of December 31, 2009, no accounts receivable balances were considered impaired or past due. Loan receivable - the loan receivable is repaid in annual instalments over a five year period, with one instalment remaining as at December 31, 2009, which was received subsequent to year end. (ii) Liquidity risk The Company has no long term debt with specified repayment terms. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities are settled in the regular course of business, based on negotiated terms with trade suppliers. All components of the balance of $1,570 as at December 31, 2009 are expected to be settled in less than one year. The carrying value of the balances approximate their fair value as the impact of discounting is not significant. (iii) Market risk Currency risk - the majority of the Company's revenue and a portion of its expenses are denominated in US currency. The accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2009 includes a total of US$864 and accounts payable and accrued liabilities includes a total of US$882. There is no currency hedging program currently in place due to the relatively short time frame for settlement of these balances. A 10% change in the US/CDN exchange rate on the net December 31, 2009 balances would have had a $2 impact on net income. Capital risk management Shareholders' equity is managed as the capital of the Company. The Company's objective when managing capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to minimize the cost of capital. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may issue new common shares from time to time. 4 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT The following is a summary of property and equipment as at December 31, 2009: December 31, 2009 December 31, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Accumulated Accumulated Cost Amortization Cost Amortization --------------------------------------------------------------------- Computer equipment $ 106 $ 97 $ 101 $ 79 Computer software 38 34 35 24 Furniture and fixtures 126 85 126 58 Leasehold improvements 67 35 67 21 ---------------------------------------------- 337 $ 251 329 $ 182 Accumulated amortization (251) (182) --------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 86 $ 147 --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 LOAN RECEIVABLE On February 28, 2005, the Company completed the sale of its wholly-owned pharmaceutical research services business, Pharma Medica Research Inc. (Pharma Medica). Consideration consisted of a cash payment of $14,000 and a deferred payment of $4,000. The deferred payment is non-interest bearing and is repayable in annual instalments of $800 over a five year period. As the deferred payment is non-interest bearing, it was originally recorded at its fair value of $3,112 based on a discount rate of 9%. Imputed interest of $87 has been recorded on this deferred payment during the year ended December 31, 2009 ($136 during the year ended December 31, 2008). In accordance with the terms of the deferred payment agreement, $188 of clinical services purchased from Pharma Medica were offset against the annual instalment received on January 30, 2009. The final instalment of $800 was received on January 30, 2010. 6 INTANGIBLE ASSETS During fiscal 2001, the Company entered into certain agreements with Galephar Pharmaceutical Research Inc. ("Galephar") for the rights to package, test, obtain regulatory approvals and market certain products in various countries around the world. In accordance with the terms of the agreements, the Company has acquired these intangible rights through an investment in three separate series of preferred shares of Galephar. The Company may be required to pay additional amounts to Galephar in respect of the CIP-ISOTRETINOIN and CIP-TRAMADOL ER intangible rights of up to $1,465 (US$1,400) if certain future milestones are achieved as defined in the agreements. These additional payments will be made in the form of additional Galephar preferred share purchases. The recoverability of these intangible rights is dependant upon sufficient revenues being generated from the related products currently under development and commercialization. The Company is currently amortizing the intangible rights related to CIP-FENOFIBRATE and CIP-ISOTRETINOIN. With regard to CIP-FENOFIBRATE, in July 2007 the Company entered into a licensing and distribution agreement with Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. ("Kowa"), under which Kowa was granted the exclusive right to market, sell and distribute Lipofen in the United States. The Company received an up-front licensing payment of US$2 million and, under the terms of the agreement, could receive additional milestone payments of up to US$20 million based on the achievement of certain net sales targets. The Company also receives a royalty based on a percentage of net sales. These elements are reflected in licensing revenue, net of product-related expenses and amounts due to Galephar, the Company's technology partner. During the second quarter of 2009, the Company received a US$1 million payment from Kowa in return for the partial waiver of a non-compete covenant in the licensing and distribution agreement for Lipofen. The waiver relates to a combination product and not a fenofibrate-only formulation that would compete with Lipofen. Under the revised agreement, the Company will receive additional payments should Kowa be successful in commercializing its combination product and it includes provisions to ensure Lipofen revenue is not impacted once the combination product reaches the market. Revenue is being recognized on this payment using a straight-line amortization method over the estimated commercial life of the product. After product-related expenses are deducted, approximately 50% of all milestone and royalty payments received by the Company under the agreement will be paid to Galephar. Lipofen was launched in the U.S. market in 2007. In August 2008, the Company entered into a development and supply agreement with Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Ranbaxy") under which Ranbaxy was granted the exclusive right to market, sell and distribute CIP-ISOTRETINOIN in the United States. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company received an up-front licensing payment of US$1 million and could receive additional pre- and post-commercialization milestone payments of up to US$23 million, based on the achievement of certain milestone targets. Once the product is successfully commercialized, the Company will also receive a royalty based on a percentage of net sales. In addition, Ranbaxy will reimburse the Company for all costs associated with the clinical studies required by the FDA to secure NDA approval, up to a predetermined cap. Any additional development costs associated with initial FDA approval will be shared equally. The Company is responsible for all product development activities, including management of the clinical studies required by the FDA to secure NDA approval and is also responsible for product supply and manufacturing, which will be fulfilled by Galephar. During 2009, a payment of $122 was made to acquire additional intangible rights for CIP-ISOTRETINOIN. After product-related expenses are deducted, approximately 50% of all milestone and royalty payments received by the Company under the agreement will be paid to Galephar. The following is a summary of intangible assets as at December 31, 2009: December 31, 2009 December 31, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Accumulated Accumulated Cost Amortization Cost Amortization --------------------------------------------------------------------- CIP-FENOFIBRATE $ 2,332 $ 1,865 $ 2,332 $ 1,398 CIP-ISOTRETINOIN 1,579 274 1,457 - CIP-TRAMADOL ER 1,735 - 1,735 - ---------------------------------------------- 5,646 $ 2,139 5,524 $ 1,398 Accumulated amortization (2,139) (1,398) --------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 3,507 $ 4,126 --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 SHARE CAPITAL Authorized share capital The authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of preference shares, issuable in series, and an unlimited number of voting common shares. Issued share capital There have been no changes in the Company's share capital during the period from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2009. The following is a summary of the Company's share capital as at December 31, 2009: Number of common shares Amount (in thousands) $ Balance - December 31, 2009 24,055 49,948 ---------------------------- ---------------------------- Stock option plan The following is a summary of the changes in the stock options outstanding from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2009: Weighted average Number of exercise options price (in thousands) $ Balance - December 31, 2007 998 3.36 Granted in 2008 483 0.78 Expired or cancelled in 2008 (105) 2.55 -------------- Balance - December 31, 2008 1,376 2.51 Granted in 2009 224 0.60 Expired in 2009 (20) 4.33 -------------- Balance - December 31, 2009 1,580 2.22 -------------- -------------- At December 31, 2009, 806,974 options were fully vested and exercisable (540,482 at December 31, 2008). During 2009, the Company issued 224,375 stock options under the employee and director stock option plan, with exercise prices of $0.61 and $0.55, 25% of which vest on either February 20 or November 6 of each year for the next four years, commencing in 2010, and all of which expire in 2019. Total compensation cost for these stock options is estimated to be $125. This cost will be recognized over the vesting period of the stock options. The stock options issued during 2009 were valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: Risk-free interest rate 2.87% and 3.52% Expected life 10 years Expected volatility 106% and 114% Expected dividend Nil The following is a summary of the outstanding options as at December 31, 2009: Exercise Expiry date price Number of options (in thousands) ---------------------------------- $ Vested Unvested Total January 11, 2012 1.09 125 - 125 September 17, 2014 2.35 125 - 125 March 23, 2016 4.12 150 50 200 June 28, 2016 4.00 135 45 180 September 13, 2016 2.90 52 17 69 March 9, 2017 3.90 112 112 224 February 28, 2018 1.05 53 160 213 November 7, 2018 0.45 45 135 180 December 3, 2018 0.50 10 30 40 February 20, 2019 0.61 - 204 204 November 6, 2019 0.55 - 20 20 ---------------------------------- 807 773 1,580 ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- 8 CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS The following is a summary of the changes in contributed surplus from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2009: Amount $ Balance - December 31, 2007 31,032 Stock-based compensation expense in 2008 581 --------- Balance - December 31, 2008 31,613 Stock-based compensation expense in 2009 655 --------- Balance - December 31, 2009 32,268 --------- --------- 9 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT A total of $5,381 of research and development costs were incurred in 2009 ($2,239 in 2008). The research and development expense reflected in the Statement of Operations is presented net of Ontario Innovation Tax Credit ("OITC") program credits of $53 ($440 in 2008) for qualifying research and development expenditures and an amount of $4,372 reimbursed by Ranbaxy ($496 in 2008). Under the terms of the agreement with Ranbaxy, research and development costs incurred for clinical studies required by the FDA to secure approval for CIP-ISOTRETINOIN are reimbursed to the Company and as a result, there was a nil impact to research and development expense with respect to these costs. 10 INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to the loss for the year. The sources and tax effects of the differences are as follows: For the year ended December 31, 2009 2008 $ $ Statutory income tax rate of 33% applied to loss for the year (2008 - 33.5%) (896) (1,082) Permanent differences 192 57 Change in enacted income tax rates and other items 3,382 (599) Change in valuation allowance (2,678) 1,624 ----------------------- Provision for income taxes - - ----------------------- ----------------------- The significant components of future income tax assets are summarized as follows: As at December 31, 2009 2008 $ $ Non-capital losses 9,811 10,776 Excess of tax value of property and equipment over book value 59 49 SR&ED expenditure pool 3,097 3,466 Excess of tax value of intangible assets over book value 6,194 7,581 Benefit of investment tax credits 2,038 2,057 Capital losses 177 93 Deductible share issue costs 55 127 Ontario harmonization tax credit 120 - Other temporary differences 407 487 ----------------------- 21,958 24,636 Valuation allowance (21,958) (24,636) ----------------------- - - ----------------------- ----------------------- The Company has non-capital loss carry forwards of $39,300 as at December 31, 2009 that expire in varying amounts from 2014 to 2029. The Company has Scientific Research and Experimental Development ("SR&ED") expenditures of $12,400 which can be carried forward indefinitely to reduce future years' taxable income. The Company has approximately $2,700 of investment tax credits on SR&ED expenditures that are available to be applied against federal taxes otherwise payable in future years and expire in varying amounts from 2012 to 2029. 11 LOSS PER SHARE Loss per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares outstanding. The weighted average number of shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008 was 24,054,878. As the Company had a loss for each of the periods presented, basic and diluted loss per share are the same because the exercise of all stock options would have an anti-dilutive effect. 12 SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION The following is a summary of the changes in non-cash operating items: For the year ended December 31, 2009 2008 $ $ Accounts receivable (455) 884 Income taxes receivable 6 122 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (77) (324) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 392 119 Deferred revenue 114 189 ----------------------- (20) 990 ----------------------- ----------------------- 13 SEGMENTED INFORMATION The Company's operations are categorized into one industry segment, being specialty pharmaceuticals. All of the Company's assets, including capital and intangible assets, are in Canada, while all licensing revenue is derived from the United States.
%SEDAR: 00020415E
For further information: Craig Armitage, Investor Relations, The Equicom Group, (416) 815-0700 ext 278, (416) 815-0080 fax, [email protected]; Larry Andrews, President and CEO, Cipher Pharmaceuticals, (905) 602-5840 ext 324, (905) 602-0628 fax, [email protected]
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