UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012

 

or

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

 

Commission file number: 001-15281

 

REPROS THERAPEUTICS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or
organization)

2408 Timberloch Place, Suite B-7

The Woodlands, Texas 77380

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

(281) 719-3400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

76-0233274

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

 

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

 

As of May 9, 2012, there were outstanding 14,821,981 shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Registrant.

 

 

 
 

 

REPROS THERAPEUTICS INC.

(A development stage company)

 

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2012

 

INDEX

 

  Page
   

FACTORS AFFECTING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS  

3
   

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

4
   

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)  

4
   
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 5
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 and from Inception (August 20, 1987) through March 31, 2012 6
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2012 7
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 and from Inception (August 20, 1987) through March 31, 2012 8
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 9
Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 13
Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 23
Item 4.     Controls and Procedures 23
   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

24
Item 1.     Legal Proceedings 24
Item 1A.  Risk Factors 24
Item 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 24
Item 3.     Defaults Upon Senior Securities 25
Item 4.     Mine Safety Disclosures 25
Item 5.     Other Information 25
Item 6.     Exhibits 25
   

SIGNATURES

27

 

2
 

 

FACTORS AFFECTING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words “may,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “suggest,” “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, expected, estimated, projected, suggested or intended. These risks and uncertainties include risks associated with the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to continue to be able to raise additional capital on acceptable terms or at all in order to have available funding for the continued development of Androxal® and Proellex®; the success of the clinical trials for Androxal® and Proellex®; uncertainty related to the Company’s ability to obtain approval of the Company’s products by the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions; uncertainty relating to the Company’s patent portfolio; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional discussion of such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, see “Part I. Financial Information - Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources” included elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” to Part I of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

 

3
 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

The following unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement of the interim periods presented have been included. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all the disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2012. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

 

4
 

 

 

REPROS THERAPEUTICS INC.

(A development stage company)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited and in thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

         
   March 31,   December 31, 
   2012   2011 
         
ASSETS             
           
Current Assets          
    Cash and cash equivalents  $12,108   $4,565 
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   298    99 
Total current assets   12,406    4,664 
Fixed assets, net   29    15 
Other assets, net   1,572    1,385 
Total assets  $14,007   $6,064 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
           
Current Liabilities          
    Accounts payable  $744   $1,145 
    Accrued expenses   165    253 
Total current liabilities   909    1,398 
           
Commitments & Contingencies (note 5)          
           
Stockholders’ Equity          
    Undesignated Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, 5,000,000          
         shares authorized, none issued and outstanding   -    - 
    Common Stock, $.001 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized,          
         14,934,331 and 12,470,694 shares issued, respectively;          
         14,821,981 and 12,358,344 shares outstanding, respectively   15    12 
    Additional paid-in capital   208,637    197,769 
    Cost of treasury stock, 112,350 shares   (1,380)   (1,380)
    Deficit accumulated during the development stage   (194,174)   (191,735)
Total stockholders’ equity   13,098    4,666 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $14,007   $6,064 

 

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

 

 

5
 

  

REPROS THERAPEUTICS INC.

(A development stage company)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited and in thousands except per share amounts)
           From Inception 
           (August 20, 1987) 
           through 
   Three Months Ended March 31,   March 31, 
   2012   2011   2012 
             
Revenues and other income               
Licensing fees  $-   $-   $28,755 
Product royalties   -    -    627 
Research and development grants   -    -    1,219 
Interest income   -    -    16,299 
Gain on disposal of fixed assets   -    -    102 
Other Income   -    -    1,003 
Total revenues and other income   -    -    48,005 
Expenses               
Research and development   1,466    1,480    183,382 
General and administrative   973    635    49,066 
Interest expense and amortization               
    of intangibles   -    -    388 
Total expenses   2,439    2,115    232,836 
                
Loss from continuing operations   (2,439)   (2,115)   (184,831)
Loss from discontinued operations   -    -    (1,828)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operation   -    -    939 
Net loss before cumulative effect of               
    change in accounting principle   (2,439)   (2,115)   (185,720)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting               
    principle   -    -    (8,454)
Net loss  $(2,439)  $(2,115)  $(194,174)
                
                
Loss per share - basic and diluted  $(0.17)  $(0.20)     
                
Shares used in loss per share calculation:               
Basic   13,983    10,790      
Diluted   13,983    10,790      

 

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

 

6
 

   

REPROS THERAPEUTICS INC.

(A development stage company)

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(unaudited and in thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

                       Deficit     
                       Accumulated     
           Additional           During the   Total 
    Common Stock    Paid-in     Treasury Stock    Development    Stockholders’ 
   Shares    Amount    Capital     Shares    Amount    Stage    Equity  
Balance at December 31, 2011   12,470,694   $12   $197,769    112,350   $(1,380)  $(191,735)  $4,666 
Stock based option compensation   -    -    561    -    -    -    561 
Issuance of 100 shares of common stock at a share                                   
 price of $5.07   100    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Issuance of 2,463,537 shares of common stock at a share                                   
 price of $4.50, net of offering costs of $777   2,463,537    3    10,307    -    -    -    10,310 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (2,439)   (2,439)
Balance at March 31, 2012   14,934,331   $15   $208,637    112,350   $(1,380)  $(194,174)  $13,098 

  

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

 

7
 

  

REPROS THERAPEUTICS INC.

(A development stage company)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited and in thousands)

 

           From Inception 
           (August 20, 1987) 
           through 
   Three Months Ended March 31,   March 31, 
   2012   2011   2012 
             
Cash Flows from Operating Activities               
Net loss  $(2,439)  $(2,115)  $(194,174)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations   -    -    (939)
Gain on disposal of fixed assets             (102)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash               
used in operating activities:               
Noncash financing costs   -    -    316 
Noncash inventory impairment   -    -    4,417 
Noncash patent impairment   -    -    2,614 
Noncash other income             (709)
Noncash decrease in accounts payable   -    -    (1,308)
Depreciation and amortization   31    26    4,187 
Noncash stock-based compensation   561    125    10,094 
Common stock issued for agreement not to               
    compete   -    -    200 
Series B Preferred Stock issued for consulting               
    services   -    -    18 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities               
(net effects of purchase of businesses in 1988 and 1994):               
Increase in receivables   -    -    (199)
Increase in inventory   -    -    (4,447)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other               
    current assets   (200)   23    4 
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and               
    accrued expenses   (489)   153    9,081 
Net cash used in operating activities   (2,536)   (1,788)   (170,947)
                
Cash Flows from Investing Activities               
Change in trading marketable securities   -    -    (191)
Capital expenditures   (16)   -    (2,409)
Purchase of other assets   (215)   (48)   (5,171)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets   -    -    225 
Cash acquired in purchase of FTI   -    -    3 
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary, less               
    $12,345 for operating losses during               
    1990 phase-out period   -    -    138 
Proceeds from sale of the assets of FTI   -    -    2,250 
Increase in net assets held for disposal   -    -    (213)
Net cash used in investing activities   (231)   (48)   (5,368)
                
Cash Flows from Financing Activities               
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and               
  warrants, net of offering costs   10,310    11,509    184,413 
Exercise of stock options & warrants   -    -    375 
Proceeds from a shareholder transaction   -    -    327 
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock   -    -    23,688 
Purchase of treasury stock   -    -    (21,487)
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable   -    -    2,839 
Principal payments on notes payable   -    -    (1,732)
Net cash provided by financing activities   10,310    11,509    188,423 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   7,543    9,673    12,108 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   4,565    2,957    - 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $12,108   $12,630   $12,108 

 

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

8
 

 

 

REPROS THERAPEUTICS INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

(A development stage company)

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2012

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 — Organization, Operations and Liquidity

 

Repros Therapeutics Inc. (the “Company”, “RPRX,” “Repros,” or “we,” “us” or “our”) was organized on August 20, 1987. We are a development stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of new drugs to treat hormonal and reproductive system disorders.

 

Our primary product candidate, Androxal®, is a single isomer of clomiphene citrate and is an orally active proprietary small molecule compound. We are developing Androxal® for men of reproductive age with low testosterone levels. Androxal® treats the underlying mechanism that causes secondary hypogonadism and restores normal testicular function.

 

Proellex®, our product candidate for female reproductive health, is a new chemical entity that acts as a selective blocker of the progesterone receptor and is being developed for the treatment of symptoms associated with uterine fibroids and endometriosis. We recently completed a low dose study to demonstrate both safety and signals of efficacy in low oral doses of Proellex®. Additionally, the FDA has accepted an Investigational New Drug Application for vaginally delivered Proellex® and, as a result, we have commenced a Phase 1/2 vaginal administration study for uterine fibroids in the first quarter of 2012.

 

Our product development pipeline is summarized in the table below:

 

Product Candidate (Indication)

Androxal®

  Status   Next Expected Milestone(s)
Secondary Hypogonadism   Phase 2B   Commence Phase 3 safety study (Q2 2012)

Commence Phase 3 pivotal study (Q3 2012)
Proellex®        
Uterine Fibroids   Phase 2  

Complete a Phase 1/2 study (vaginal delivery) (Q4 2012)

 

Commence Phase 3 study (vaginal delivery) (Q1 2013) 

         

Endometriosis 

  Phase 2  

Commence Phase 2 or 3 study (oral delivery) (Q3 2012)

 

We also continue to maintain our patent portfolio of our phentolamine-based products for the treatment of sexual dysfunction and in order to create value from these assets in various ways which includes product out-licensing.

 

On February 1, 2012, we completed a registered direct offering to certain institutional investors, including certain existing shareholders, of 2,463,537 shares of our common stock at a price per share of $4.50. Net proceeds to us, after deducting placement agent’s fees and offering expenses, were approximately $10.3 million.

 

9
 

 

On May 9, 2012, the Company announced that it held a meeting with the FDA to discuss the design of pivotal Phase 3 efficacy studies for Androxal® as well as the components of the overall drug development program required for a New Drug Application submission. During this meeting, the FDA and the Company agreed upon registration requirements for Androxal® oral therapy for the treatment of secondary hypogonadism, which requirements include safety data for 100 subjects for one year and 800 subjects for six months focusing on overweight men under 60 years of age. Through the date of this meeting, the Company had safety data for approximately 70 subjects for one year and 150 subjects for six months.

 

As of March 31, 2012, we had accumulated losses of $194.2 million, approximately $12.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, and our accounts payable and accrued expenses were approximately $909,000. We believe we have sufficient funding to complete all of our clinical trials currently underway and to commence subsequent planned clinical trials in 2012; however, significant additional capital will be required for us to complete development of either of our product candidates. Based on these current and planned clinical trials, we will need to raise additional capital no later than the second quarter of 2013. We continue to explore potential additional financing alternatives (including corporate partnering opportunities) that would provide sufficient funds to enable us to continue to develop our two product candidates through completion of the outlined clinical trials; however, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in raising any such additional funds on a timely basis or at all. The foregoing matters raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

NOTE 2 — Patents and Patent Applications

 

As of March 31, 2012, the Company had approximately $1,572,000 in capitalized patent and patent application costs reflected on its balance sheet. Of this amount, $1,465,000 relates to patent and patent application costs for Androxal® and $107,000 relates to patent and patent application costs for Proellex®.

 

Should the Company not continue development of either drug candidate or should the Company not continue as a going concern, the remaining capitalized patent and patent application costs may not be recoverable, which would result in charges to operating results in future periods.

 

NOTE 3 — Accrued Expenses

 

Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):

 

   March 31, 2012   December 31, 2011 
           
Patent costs  $75   $51 
Research and development costs   36    87 
Other   34    45 
Personnel related costs   20    70 
Total  $165   $253 

  

NOTE 4 — Loss Per Share

 

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is computed using the average share price for the period and applying the treasury stock method to potentially dilutive outstanding options. In all applicable periods, all potential common stock equivalents were anti-dilutive and, accordingly, were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share.

 

The following table presents information necessary to calculate loss per share for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

10
 

  

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2012   2011 
         
Net Loss  $(2,439)  $(2,115)
Average common shares outstanding   13,983    10,790 
Basic and diluted loss per share  $(0.17)  $(0.20)

  

Potential common stock of 5,376,023 and 4,378,204 common shares underlying stock options for the periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were excluded from the above calculation of diluted loss per share because they were anti-dilutive. Other potential common stock at March 31, 2012 includes Series A Warrants to purchase 1,749,270 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 and Series B Warrants to purchase 1,690,500 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.49 issued in our February 8, 2011 public offering. Other potential common stock at March 31, 2011 includes Series A Warrants to purchase 2,070,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 and Series B Warrants to purchase 1,690,500 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.49 issued in our February 8, 2011 public offering.

 

NOTE 5 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

Therapeutic uses of our Androxal® product candidate are covered in the United States by four issued U.S. patents and seven pending patent applications. Foreign coverage of therapeutic uses of our Androxal® product candidate includes 52 issued foreign patents and 53 foreign pending patent applications. The issued patents and pending applications relate to methods for treating certain conditions including the treatment of testosterone deficiency in men, the treatment of diabetes mellitus Type 2, the treatment of metabolic syndrome and conditions associated therewith, and the treatment of infertility in hypogonadal men. Androxal® (the trans-isomer of clomiphene) is purified from clomiphene citrate. A third party individual holds two issued patents related to the use of an anti-estrogen such as clomiphene citrate and others for use in the treatment of androgen deficiency and disorders related thereto. We requested re-examination of one of these patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) based on prior art. The patent holder amended the claims in the re-examination proceedings, which led the PTO to determine that the amended claims were patentable in view of those publications under consideration and a re-examination certificate was issued. We subsequently filed a second request for re-examination by the PTO in light of a number of additional publications. The request was granted and all of the claims were finally rejected by the PTO in the re-examination. The patent holder appealed the rejections to the PTO Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (the “PTO Board”) which ultimately reversed the rejections of several dependent claims in view of those publications under consideration. The patent holder filed a Notice of Appeal to the Federal Circuit on September 28, 2010 contesting the rejections maintained by the PTO Board. A decision was rendered by the Federal Circuit on December 12, 2011, affirming the rejection of the appealed claims. We expect that a re-examination certificate will be issued confirming the patentability of the remaining claims; however, if such a re-examination certificate were to issue, we believe that our development of Androxal® would not infringe any of the remaining claims and that all of the remaining claims are invalid on various grounds including additional prior art publications. We also believe that the second of these two patents is invalid in view of published prior art not considered by the PTO. We may be required to defend our position against the holder of such patents in a court of competent jurisdiction in order to develop Androxal® further. Adverse determinations in litigation proceedings could require us to seek licenses which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, or subject us to significant liabilities, in which case we may not be able to successfully commercialize or out-license Androxal® until such patents expire.

 

On March 1, 2010, we were served with a lawsuit where we were named as a co-defendant along with one of our clinical regulatory service providers (“CRO”) relating to the Proellex® clinical trial study.  The lawsuit was filed in the State of Tennessee, 30th Judicial District Chancery Court at Memphis by an investigator and claims that the CRO did not pay it amounts owing to it relating to the Proellex® study.  We did not engage the investigator and under our agreement with the CRO, we believe the CRO is responsible for any such costs or damages regarding such lawsuit.  Pursuant to a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release entered into in October 2009, such CRO, on behalf of itself and its agents, released us from all claims which could be asserted by them against us.  We believe such release covers the claims set forth in this lawsuit. The CRO failed to respond to the lawsuit, and a default judgment was entered against it in the amount of $172,901.29. We intend to vigorously defend any and all claims asserted by the investigator. An estimate of the possible costs or expenses to defend ourselves in this matter or risk of exposure under the litigation cannot be made at this time.

 

11
 

 

 

NOTE 6 — Subsequent Events

 

On May 9, 2012, the Company announced that it held a meeting with the FDA to discuss the design of pivotal Phase 3 efficacy studies for Androxal® as well as the components of the overall drug development program required for a New Drug Application submission. During this meeting, the FDA and the Company agreed upon registration requirements for Androxal® oral therapy for the treatment of secondary hypogonadism, which requirements include safety data for 100 subjects for one year and 800 subjects for six months focusing on overweight men under 60 years of age. Through the date of this meeting, the Company had safety data for approximately 70 subjects for one year and 150 subjects for six months.

 

On April 30, 2012, the Company announced information relating to the following with respect to its Proellex®-V, or vaginally delivered Proellex®, for the treatment of uterine fibroids: vaginal delivery of 12 mg Proellex® has exhibited the systemic drug exposure designed to optimize risk/benefit clinical profile; encouraging preliminary signs of efficacy in first cohort dosed with 12 mg Proellex®-V; animal studies indicate that greater fibroid size reduction will occur at much lower doses of Proellex®-V than previously tested oral doses; and Proellex®-V is on track for an end of Phase 2 meeting with FDA at year end 2012.

 

 

 

 

12
 

 

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

 

 

 

The following discussion contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") that involve risk and uncertainties. Any statements contained in this quarterly report that are not statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. When we use the words "may," "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "expects" and similar expressions, we are identifying forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. The following discussion of financial condition should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes.

  

Repros Therapeutics Inc.

  

Repros Therapeutics Inc. (the “Company,” “Repros,” or “we,” “us” or “our”) was organized on August 20, 1987. We are a development stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of new drugs to treat hormonal and reproductive system disorders. Both of our product candidates have exhibited strong efficacy results in every study completed to date, and we believe the studies presently underway or scheduled to start in 2012 will place both programs on a clear late stage clinical development path.

 

We are developing Androxal®, an oral therapy that normalizes testicular function, for the treatment of low testosterone due to secondary hypogonadism. Secondary hypogonadism is associated with obesity and we believe it is among the most common causes of low testosterone in men. It is estimated that 13 million men in the U.S. experience low levels of testosterone, and the condition is becoming recognized with more frequency. In 2010, for the first time, sales of preparations for the treatment of low testosterone exceeded $1 billion in the U.S. and first tier pharmaceutical companies have entered the low testosterone marketplace.

 

The Company believes Androxal® is highly differentiated from currently marketed testosterone treatments or those treatments in late stage development because it is an oral therapy and it treats the cause of secondary hypogonadism, which is inadequate pituitary hormones. We believe that by treating the cause of secondary hypogonadism Androxal® also has the potential to maintain reproductive status and potentially improve overall metabolic profiles.

 

We have recently completed a Phase 2B study of Androxal® in men with secondary hypogonadism, but naïve to testosterone treatment, at the Food and Drug Administration’s (the “FDA”) recommendation. We have since announced top line results of this study that Androxal® was generally well tolerated compared to placebo and there were no drug related serious adverse events that led to discontinuation. The Company recently announced that it held a meeting with the FDA to discuss the design of pivotal Phase 3 efficacy studies for Androxal® as well as the components of the overall drug development program required for a New Drug Application (“NDA”) submission. During this meeting, the FDA and the Company agreed upon registration requirements for Androxal® oral therapy for the treatment of secondary hypogonadism. Based on the outcome of this meeting, we plan to proceed with Phase 3 studies in accordance with such registration requirements.

 

We are also developing Proellex®, an orally administered selective blocker of the progesterone receptor in women, for the treatment of uterine fibroids and endometriosis. Uterine fibroids and endometriosis affect millions of women of reproductive age. Proellex® has shown statistically significant results in previous Phase 2 studies for endometriosis and uterine fibroids.  We have recently completed a low dose escalating study as permitted by the FDA, which was intended to determine both signals of efficacy and safety for low oral doses of the drug.  We recently announced that there was no evidence of elevations of liver enzymes over baseline, suggesting these lower doses avoid the type of adverse events seen at much higher doses in earlier studies. We plan to request a Type B meeting with the FDA on completion of the final clinical study report. Based on the present data and the strong efficacy signal in its previous Phase 2 studies, we hope to re-enter Phase 3 with low dose oral Proellex®. Following such meeting, we intend to commence a Phase 2 or 3 oral administration study for endometriosis in the third quarter of 2012.

 

13
 

 

The FDA has accepted an Investigational New Drug Application (“IND”) for vaginally delivered Proellex® and, as a result, we have commenced a Phase 1/2 vaginal administration study for uterine fibroids in the first quarter of 2012. Depending on the outcome of this study, we intend to commence a Phase 3 vaginal administration study for uterine fibroids in the fourth quarter of 2012.

 

Our Research and Development Program

 

Our product development pipeline is summarized in the table below:

  

Product Candidate (Indication)

 

Androxal®

 

  Status   Next Expected Milestone(s)
Secondary Hypogonadism   Phase 2B   Commence Phase 3 safety study (Q2 2012)

Commence Phase 3 pivotal study (Q3 2012)
Proellex®        
Uterine Fibroids   Phase 2  

Complete a Phase 1/ 2 study (vaginal delivery) (Q4 2012)

 

Commence Phase 3 study (vaginal delivery) (Q1 2013) 

         

Endometriosis

  Phase 2  

Commence Phase 2 or 3 study (oral delivery) (Q3 2012)

  

As of March 31, 2012, we had accumulated losses of $194.2 million, approximately $12.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, and our accounts payable and accrued expenses were approximately $909,000. On February 1, 2012, we completed a registered direct offering to certain institutional investors, including certain existing shareholders, of 2,463,537 shares of our common stock at a price per share of $4.50. Net proceeds to us, after deducting placement agent's fees and offering expenses, were approximately $10.3 million. We believe we have sufficient funding to complete all of our clinical trials currently underway and to commence planned subsequent clinical trials in 2012; however, significant additional capital will be required for us to complete development of either of our product candidates. Based on these current or planned clinical trials, we will need to raise additional capital no later than the second quarter of 2013. We continue to explore potential additional financing alternatives (including corporate partnering opportunities) that would provide sufficient funds to enable us to continue to develop our two product candidates through completion of the outlined clinical trials; however, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in raising any such additional funds on a timely basis or at all. The foregoing matters raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Androxal®

 

Product Overview

 

Our primary product candidate, Androxal®, is a single isomer of clomiphene citrate and is an orally active proprietary small molecule compound. We are developing Androxal® for men of reproductive age with low testosterone levels. Androxal® treats the underlying mechanism that causes secondary hypogonadism and restores normal testicular function. Unlike testosterone replacement which suppresses testicular function, Androxal® does not impair the reproductive status of men being treated for low testosterone.

 

 

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Testosterone is an important male hormone. Testosterone deficiency in men is linked to several negative physical and mental conditions, including loss of muscle tone, reduced sexual desire and deterioration of memory and certain other cognitive functions. Testosterone production normally decreases as men age and this decline can be accelerated by obesity, sometimes leading to testosterone deficiency. The leading therapy for low testosterone is AndroGel®, a commercially available testosterone replacement cream marketed by Abbott Laboratories for the treatment of low testosterone, which we believe has had and continues to have significant sales in North America.

 

Based on our own clinical trial screening data, we believe over 70% of men that have low testosterone suffer from secondary hypogonadism, a pituitary defect which is characterized by suboptimal levels of LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). LH and FSH are the pituitary hormones that stimulate testicular testosterone and sperm production, respectively. Men with secondary hypogonadism can be readily distinguished from those that have primary testicular failure via assessment of the levels of secretions of pituitary hormones, as men with primary testicular failure experience elevated secretions of pituitary hormones. In secondary hypogonadism, the low levels of LH and FSH fail to provide adequate hormone signaling to the testes, causing testosterone levels to drop to a level where we believe pituitary secretions fall under the influence of estrogen, which is enhanced in obese men, thus further suppressing the testicular stimulation from the pituitary.

 

Androxal® acts centrally to restore testicular function and, hence, normal testosterone in the body. The administration of exogenous testosterone can restore serum testosterone levels, but does not restore testicular function and thereby generally leads to the cessation of or significant reduction in sperm production. Androxal®, by contrast, restores levels of both LH and FSH, which stimulate testicular testosterone and sperm production, respectively.

 

We tested Androxal® in two studies designed to show that Androxal® improved testosterone levels as well as AndroGel® in men with secondary hypogonadism. These studies indicated that Androxal® had a superior ability to improve testosterone levels when compared to AndroGel® and that the improvement was statistically significant. In the meeting held on November 8, 2010, the FDA determined that improved testosterone levels would be sufficient provided that both placebo and Androxal® maintained sperm counts in a statistically significant manner as compared to an approved topical testosterone.

 

Androxal® will be required to undergo the full regulatory approval process, including pivotal Phase 3 trials and long-term Open Label Safety Studies as well as other requirements. Androxal® is closely related chemically to the drug, Clomid®, which is approved for use in women to treat certain infertility disorders. Clomid® contains both the trans and cis isomers of clomiphene citrate; Androxal® contains only the trans isomer. The FDA has indicated that testicular tumors, gynecomastia and adverse ophthalmologic events, which have been reported in males taking Clomid®, are potential risks that should be included in informed consent forms for our Androxal® clinical trials. We do not believe that Androxal® will present with the same adverse events given its reduced half-life and lack of cis isomer as compared to Clomid®. In our preclinical studies and our clinical trials to date, we have observed no evidence of any of these events except for certain ophthalmologic events in our preclinical dog study at doses significantly higher than those administered in the clinical trials.

 

All clinical trial results are subject to review by the FDA and the FDA may disagree with our conclusions about safety and efficacy. We caution that the results discussed herein are based on data from non-pivotal trials and that any necessary pivotal Phase 3 and long-term Open Label Safety Trial data may not agree with these results which will be based upon significantly larger and more diverse patient populations treated for longer periods of time.

 

 

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Treatment for Secondary Hypogonadism in Men Wishing to Preserve Testicular Function (Reproductive Status)

  

On November 8, 2010, we held a Type B meeting with the FDA to discuss whether the FDA would review our protocols for a Phase 3 trial of Androxal® in men with secondary hypogonadism under a Special Protocol Assessment (“SPA”). In the meeting, the FDA recommended that a Phase 2B study in men with secondary hypogonadism but naïve to testosterone treatment be conducted if the Company desired the protocols to be reviewed under an SPA. The FDA further opined that such Phase 2B study would provide for a more solid data base for design of Phase 3 studies and eventual approval of such studies under an SPA.

 

The Company has completed the Phase 2B trial which consisted of four arms; placebo, two doses of Androxal® and topical testosterone. In this study, at baseline the men exhibited morning testosterone less than 250 ng/dl and there was no statistical difference between the groups in testosterone at baseline. At the end of the three month dosing period, median morning testosterone levels were placebo (196 ng/dl), 12.5 mg Androxal® (432 ng/dl), 25 mg Androxal® (416 ng/dl) and Testim® (393 ng/dl). A comparison of final median morning testosterone in all three of the active arms to placebo showed them to be highly statistically different and there was no statistical difference observed between these active arms. This trial also showed that Androxal® was able to maintain sperm counts in men being treated for their low testosterone levels, whereas Testim® resulted in suppressed sperm levels.

 

Unlike testosterone replacement therapies, Androxal® maintains the normal daily rhythm of testosterone peaks and valleys. We previously conducted three studies in which 24 hour testosterone levels were obtained and, unlike topical testosterone, morning testosterone was the maximum concentration observed, consistent with the normal circadian rhythm in men. These studies provide evidence that one assessment of testosterone between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. correlates to the maximum value of testosterone for a given subject on a given day. Additionally, we conducted one additional 24 hour study which showed that Androxal®’s action in maintaining the normal rhythm is both predictable and dose-dependent.

 

We believe the advantages of oral delivery, maintenance of testicular function and additional metabolic benefits will be important differentiating factors for Androxal®, should it be approved. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful in implementing this strategy or that the FDA will approve our drug for commercial use.

 

Proellex®

 

Product Overview

 

Proellex®, our product candidate for female reproductive health, is a new chemical entity that acts as a selective blocker of the progesterone receptor and is being developed for the treatment of symptoms associated with uterine fibroids and endometriosis. There are currently no FDA-approved orally administered drug treatments for the long-term treatment of either uterine fibroids or endometriosis. The National Uterine Fibroids Foundation estimates that 80% of all women in the U.S. have uterine fibroids, and one in four of these women have symptoms severe enough to require treatment. According to the Endometriosis Association, endometriosis affects 6.3 million women in the U.S. and Canada and millions more worldwide.

 

The current standards of care for uterine fibroids and endometriosis consist of surgery or short-term treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (“GnRH”) agonists drugs, such as Lupron®. GnRH agonists induce a low estrogen, menopausal-like state and promote bone loss and are not recommended for use for more than six months.

 

We have conducted numerous studies with Proellex® dosing approximately 700 women with the drug. All Proellex® studies completed to date exhibited strong efficacy signals, whether in uterine fibroids or endometriosis. In a 120 patient study of Proellex® as a treatment of uterine fibroids conducted in the United States (roughly 40 subjects per arm), both a 12.5 and 25 mg dose of Proellex® were compared to placebo. In this study each of the 12.5 and 25 mg doses achieved highly statistically significant results when compared to placebo when menstrual bleeding was assessed (p<0.0001). The two doses also achieved highly statistically significant improvement in quality of life measures using the Uterine Fibroid Symptom Quality of Life questionnaire developed and validated by Georgetown University and used in the development of device like treatments of uterine fibroids such as uterine artery embolization. There was no statistical difference in efficacy measures between the two doses. Importantly, in the Phase 2 U.S. trial a significant percentage of women stopped menstruating. Proellex® resulted in the induction of amenorrhea (cessation of menses), which we believe is a strong surrogate signal of efficacy. Over 80% of women on both the 12.5 and 25 mg doses exhibited no menses during the three month trial, whereas all women on placebo exhibited at least one menses.

 

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Up until the summer of 2009, all side effects exhibited in the studies were considered manageable and the benefit of Proellex® far outweighed the risk. However, in Phase 3 efficacy and larger Phase 3 safety studies in diverse populations, a small number of subjects exhibited serious adverse effects associated with elevated liver enzymes. As a result of these findings, we elected to stop the trials and the FDA subsequently placed Proellex® on full clinical hold. All women that experienced elevated liver enzymes and returned for follow-up visits returned to baseline conditions with no overnight hospitalization necessary. An analysis of all the subjects that experienced such serious adverse effects showed that the effect only occurred in a small percentage of subjects that were exposed to the 50 mg dose of the drug for any period of time. Based on these findings, the Company petitioned the FDA to allow it to conduct a low dose study to demonstrate both safety and signals of efficacy in low oral doses of Proellex®, up to 12 mg administered per day. The FDA upgraded the full clinical hold to a partial hold to allow the low dose study to be conducted. In addition, the Company has undertaken two related initiatives. The first is the exploration of vaginal delivery as an alternative administrative route to bypass first-pass liver effects and reduce systemic exposure currently in a Phase 2 study. The second is the screening of second generation molecules that do not possess the specific structures the Company believes induced the liver toxicity exhibited at higher doses of Proellex®.

 

Low Dose Study

 

Pursuant to the terms of the partial clinical hold currently in place as a result of the liver toxicity exhibited by Proellex®, the FDA allowed us to run a single study to test low doses of Proellex® for signals of safety and efficacy. The study tested 5 different doses of Proellex® (1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 mg), with 1 mg being the first dose tested. Each dose was then compared to placebo with weekly assessments of liver function during both the placebo and drug period. Subjects were dosed with the active drug for 10 weeks, which allowed for adequate time to determine the impact of a given dose on trends in liver function. Each dose was tested in up to 12 different subjects and assessment of pharmacokinetic parameters was obtained at the start of dosing and the end of the dosing period to determine overall and maximum drug exposure for a given dose. We also monitored changes in menstrual bleeding patterns and ovulation as well as changes in endometrial thickness. The FDA required that an independent Drug Safety Monitoring Board be established and that the informed consent clearly state the liver toxicity previously experienced with Proellex®. We have recently completed this study and have announced that there was no evidence of elevations of liver enzymes over baseline, suggesting these lower doses avoid the type of adverse events seen at much higher doses in earlier studies.

 

We have requested a lift of clinical hold for the endometriosis IND in order to proceed with a Phase 3 study and the FDA has not responded to us at this date. Following the lift of clinical hold by the FDA and possible subsequent meeting, we intend to commence either a Phase 2 or 3 oral administration study for endometriosis in the third quarter of 2012. We believe that the induction of amenorrhea in the low dose trial provides strong evidence for efficacy warranting further development.

 

Vaginal Administration

 

We are assessing vaginal administration of Proellex® to avoid first pass liver effects and achieve higher reproductive tract concentrations of the drug while minimizing systemic exposure. We reported results from two in vivo animal studies which confirmed reduced maximum circulating concentrations of the drug when administered vaginally, as well as efficacy signals at substantially lower doses than oral administration. The FDA has since accepted an IND for vaginally delivered Proellex® and, as a result, we have commenced a Phase 1/2 vaginal administration study for uterine fibroids in the first quarter of 2012. Depending on the outcome of our Phase 1/2 vaginal administration study for uterine fibroids, we intend to commence a Phase 3 vaginal administration study for uterine fibroids in the first quarter of 2013.

 

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Second Generation Compound

 

We believe we understand the cause of the liver toxicity observed at high doses in the prior Phase 3 Proellex® studies. Our hypothesis is that liver adverse events are associated with a specific part of the chemical structure of Proellex®. To that end, we have synthesized new but related molecules that we believe are devoid of the specific toxicity-causing part of the chemical structure of Proellex® and initial preclinical screening has begun. If we are successful in identifying such a molecule, we believe we will be able to achieve high oral doses and systemic exposure, opening the path to aggressive anti-progestin therapy for conditions such as breast cancer. Screening of the potential new molecules is ongoing.

 

Other Products

 

We continue limited out-licensing efforts for our phentolamine-based product candidates, including VASOMAX®, which had previously been approved for marketing in several countries in Latin America for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction under the brand name Z-Max. VASOMAX® has been on partial clinical hold in the U.S. since 1998, and no further development activities are planned.

 

Business Strategy

 

We plan to focus our clinical program on (i) conducting Phase 3 secondary hypogonadism trials for Androxal®, (ii) conducting a Phase 1/2 vaginal administration trial, and a subsequent Phase 3 trial, for Proellex® for uterine fibroids and (iii) conducting a Phase 2 or 3 trial for Proellex® for endometriosis. We anticipate that our current liquidity will be sufficient to conduct all of these planned studies into the second quarter of 2013; however, significant additional capital will be required for us to complete the studies and development of either of our product candidates. We will continue to explore corporate partnering opportunities for assistance in the clinical development funding and commercialization of our products, as appropriate; however, there can be no assurance that an acceptable corporate partnering opportunity will be successfully completed or that we will be successful in raising the additional funds.

 

Risks Affecting Us

 

 Our business is subject to numerous risks as discussed more fully in “Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this quarterly report.  We are investigating a variety of sources for raising capital. No assurance can be given that we will be successful in obtaining financing on acceptable terms or at all.  We anticipate that if we are able to secure financing, that such financing will result in significant dilution of the ownership interests of our current stockholders and may provide certain rights to the new investors senior to the rights of our current stockholders, including but not limited to voting rights and rights to proceeds in the event of a sale or liquidation of the Company.  In the event that we are unable to obtain adequate financing to meet our future needs, we will pursue other options, including but not limited to, reductions of expenses, sale of the Company, sale or license of a portion or all of our assets or the liquidation of the Company.

 

 In addition, we have not received regulatory approval for any of our product candidates, have not successfully earned any significant commercial revenues from any of our product candidates and may never launch either of our product candidates.  If we do not successfully commercialize any of our product candidates, we will be unable to achieve our business objectives.  In addition, the reported results of our clinical trials completed to date may not be indicative of results that will be achieved in later-stage clinical trials involving larger and more diverse patient populations.  As of March 31, 2012, we had accumulated losses of $194.2 million, approximately $12.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, and our accounts payable and accrued expenses were approximately $909,000.   We believe we have sufficient funding to complete all of the clinical trials currently underway and to commence planned subsequent clinical trials in 2012; however, significant additional capital will be required for us to complete development of either of our product candidates. Based on these current and planned clinical trials, we will need to raise additional capital no later than the second quarter of 2013. We continue to explore potential additional financing alternatives (including corporate partnering opportunities) that would provide sufficient funds to enable us to continue to develop our two product candidates through completion of the outlined clinical trials; however, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in raising any such additional funds on a timely basis or at all. The foregoing matters raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and we expect to continue to incur significant losses over the next several years, and we may never become profitable.  Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

 

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Corporate Information

 

We were organized as a Delaware corporation in August 1987.  Our principal executive offices are located at 2408 Timberloch Place, Suite B-7, The Woodlands, Texas, 77380, and our telephone number is (281) 719-3400. We maintain an internet website at www.reprosrx.com.  The information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this quarterly report and does not constitute a part of this quarterly report. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to such reports are made available free of charge through the Investor Relations section of our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed or furnished with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

General

 

We have experienced negative cash flows from operations since inception and have funded our activities to date primarily from equity financings and corporate collaborations. Based on our current and planned clinical trials, we will need to raise additional capital no later than the second quarter of 2013 in order to continue our development activities. It is possible that our current and planned clinical trial activities will be more costly and take longer than we anticipate; accordingly, there can be no assurance that additional capital will not be necessary prior to the time anticipated. We believe that we will secure sufficient capital to continue our ongoing and planned clinical programs assuming that the results of our current or planned clinical trials with Androxal® and Proellex® are favorable. If the results of these trials are unfavorable, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining additional capital in amounts sufficient to continue to fund its operations, which outcome would have a material adverse effect on the Company. The uncertainties relating to the foregoing matters raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

 

We have 17 full-time employees. We utilize the services of contract research organizations, contract manufacturers and various consultants to assist us in performing clinical and regulatory services for the clinical development of our products. We are substantially dependent on our various contract groups to adequately perform the activities required to obtain regulatory approval of our products.

 

We have accumulated net operating losses through March 31, 2012 and the value of the tax asset associated with these accumulated net operating losses can be substantially diminished in value due to various tax regulations, including change in control provisions in the tax code. The Company’s public offerings completed on February 5, 2007, October 2, 2008, September 11, 2009, October 13, 2009, February 8, 2011, February 1, 2012, the sale and issuance of the ATM Shares and the issuance of unregistered shares as part of previously-disclosed settlements of certain claims may have created a change of ownership for Federal income tax purposes. The Company has not undertaken a study to determine if this has occurred. A change in ownership for Federal income tax purposes may result in a limitation on the use of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards in future periods.

 

 

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Losses have resulted principally from costs incurred in conducting clinical trials for our product candidates, in research and development activities related to efforts to develop our products and from the associated administrative costs required to support those efforts. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully complete the transition from a development stage company to the successful introduction of commercially viable products. Our ability to achieve profitability will depend on, among other things, successfully completing the clinical development of our products in a reasonable time frame and at a reasonable cost, obtaining regulatory approvals, establishing marketing, sales and manufacturing capabilities or collaborative arrangements with others that possess such capabilities, and, if applicable, continuing to raise sufficient funds to finance our activities. There can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve profitability.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and the Use of Estimates

  

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Capitalized Patent and Patent Application Costs

 

We capitalize the cost associated with building our patent library for Androxal® and Proellex®. As of March 31, 2012, other assets consist of capitalized patent and patent application costs in the amount of $1,572,000. Patent costs, which include legal and application costs related to the patent portfolio, are being amortized over 20 years, or the lesser of the legal or the estimated economic life of the patent. Amortization of patent costs was $29,000 and $24,000 for the three month periods ended March, 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

We review capitalized patent and patent application costs for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment exists when estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the patent are less than its carrying amount. The impairment loss recognized represents the excess of the patent cost as compared to its estimated fair value. We believe that our remaining capitalized patent and patent application costs are not impaired as of March 31, 2012.

 

Should the Company not continue development of either drug candidate or should the Company not continue as a going concern, capitalized patent and patent application costs may not be recoverable, which would result in a charge to operating results in future periods.

 

Accrued Expenses

 

We estimate accrued expenses as part of our process of preparing financial statements. Examples of areas in which subjective judgments may be required include costs associated with services provided by contract organizations for clinical trials, preclinical development and manufacturing of clinical materials. We accrue for costs incurred as the services are being provided by monitoring the status of the trials or services provided and the invoices received from our external service providers. In the case of clinical trials, a portion of the estimated cost normally relates to the projected cost to treat a patient in our trials, and we recognize this cost over the estimated term of the study based on the number of patients enrolled in the trial on an ongoing basis, beginning with patient enrollment. As actual costs become known to us, we adjust our accruals. To date, our estimates have not differed significantly from the actual costs incurred. However, subsequent changes in estimates may result in a material change in our accruals, which could also materially affect our balance sheet and results of operations.

 

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R&D Expense

 

Research and development, or R&D, expenses include salaries and related employee expenses, contracted regulatory affairs activities, insurance coverage for clinical trials and prior product sales, contracted research and consulting fees, facility costs, amortization of capitalized patent costs and internal research and development supplies. We expense research and development costs in the period they are incurred. These costs consist of direct and indirect costs associated with specific projects as well as fees paid to various entities that perform research on our behalf.

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

We had one stock-based compensation plan at March 31, 2012, the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. Accounting for stock based compensation generally requires the recognition of the cost of employee services for share-based compensation based on the grant date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of our stock options. Expected volatility is determined using historical volatilities based on historical stock prices for a period equal to the expected term. The expected volatility assumption is adjusted if future volatility is expected to vary from historical experience. The expected term of options represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding and falls between the options' vesting and contractual expiration dates. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield at the date of grant of a zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bond whose maturity period equals the option's expected term.

 

Income Taxes

 

Our losses from inception to date have resulted principally from costs incurred in conducting clinical trials and in research and development activities related to efforts to develop our products and from the associated administrative costs required to support those efforts. We have recorded a deferred tax asset for our net operating losses (“NOL”); however, as the Company has incurred losses since inception, and since there is no certainty of future profits, a valuation allowance has been provided in full on our deferred tax assets in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. If the Company has an opportunity to use this NOL to off-set tax liabilities in the future, the use of this asset would be restricted based on Internal Revenue Service, state and local NOL use guidelines. The Company’s public offerings completed on February 5, 2007, October 2, 2008, September 11, 2009, October 13, 2009, February 8, 2011, February 1, 2012, the sale and issuance of the ATM Shares and the issuance of unregistered shares as part of previously-disclosed settlements of certain claims may have created a change of ownership for Federal income tax purposes. The Company has not undertaken a study to determine if this has occurred. A change in ownership for Federal income tax purposes may result in a limitation on the use of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards in future periods.

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development, or R&D, expenses include contracted services relating to our clinical product development activities which include preclinical studies, clinical trials, regulatory affairs and bulk manufacturing scale-up activities and bulk active ingredient purchases for preclinical and clinical trials primarily relating to our two products in clinical development, which are Androxal® and Proellex®. Research and development expenses also include internal operating expenses relating to our general research and development activities. R&D expenses remained constant at approximately $1.5 million for both three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. Our primary R&D expenses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are shown in the following table (in thousands):

 

Research and Development 

Three-months

ended 

March 31, 2012 

  

Three-months

ended 

March 31, 2011

   Variance   Change (%) 
Androxal® clinical development  $369   $871   $(502)   (58)%
Proellex® clinical development   324    225    99    44%
Payroll and benefits   440    191    249    130%
Operating and occupancy   333    193    140    73%
Total  $1,466   $1,480   $(14)   (1)%

  

R&D expenses related to the clinical development of Androxal® decreased 58%, or approximately $502,000, as a result of the completion of the Phase 2B study in men with secondary hypogonadism and the Phase 2 study as a potential treatment for improving glycemic control in hypogonadal men with Type 2 diabetes. R&D expenses related to the clinical development of Proellex® increased 44%, or approximately $99,000, due to the commencement of our Phase 1/2 vaginal administration study for uterine fibroids in the first quarter of 2012.

 

Payroll and benefits expenses increased 130%, or approximately $249,000, to $440,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 as compared to $191,000 for the same period in the prior year. Included in payroll and benefits expense is a charge for non-cash stock based compensation of $214,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 as compared to $47,000 for the same period in the prior year. Additionally, salaries for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 were $195,000 as compared to $110,000 for the same period in the prior year. The increase in salaries is due to increased headcount.

 

Operating and occupancy expenses increased 73%, or approximately $140,000, to $333,000 as compared to $193,000 for the same period in the prior year primarily due to an increase in professional services and travel expenses.

 

To date through March 31, 2012 we have incurred approximately $20.2 million for the development of Androxal® and approximately $57.6 million for the development of Proellex®. These accumulated costs exclude any internal operating expenses.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses, or G&A, increased 53%, or approximately $338,000, to $973,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 as compared to $635,000 for the same period in the prior year. Our primary G&A expenses for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are shown in the following table (in thousands):

 

General and Administrative 

Three-months

ended 

March 31, 2012 

  

Three-months
ended 

March 31, 2011

   Variance   Change (%) 
Payroll and benefits  $579   $196   $383    195%
Operating and occupancy   394    439    (45)   (10)%
Total  $973   $635   $338    53%

 

G&A payroll and benefits expenses include salaries, bonuses, relocation expense, severance costs, non-cash stock based compensation expense and fringe benefits. Included in payroll and benefits expense is a charge for non-cash stock based compensation of $348,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 as compared to $78,000 for the same period in the prior year. Additionally, salaries for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 were $194,000 as compared to $104,000 for the same period in the prior year due to increased headcount and the discontinuation on December 31, 2011 of the salary reduction program put in place in August 2009 for all salaried employees.

 

G&A operating and occupancy expenses, which include expenses to operate as a public company, decreased 10%, or approximately $45,000, to $394,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 as compared to $439,000 for the same period in the prior year primarily due to a decrease in professional services.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of March 31, 2012, the only off-balance sheet arrangement we have is the operating lease relating to our facility.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Since our inception, we have financed our operations primarily with proceeds from private placements and public offerings of equity securities and with funds received under collaborative agreements.

 

On February 12, 2010, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”) with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (“Ladenburg”), pursuant to which we may issue and sell from time to time through Ladenburg, as sales agent and/or principal, shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $10 million (the “ATM Shares”). Ladenburg is not required to sell on our behalf any specific number or dollar amount of the ATM Shares, but Ladenburg, upon acceptance of written instructions from us, agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its customary trading and sales practices, to sell the ATM Shares up to the amount specified, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of a placement notice delivered to Ladenburg. We have no obligation to sell any ATM Shares under the Equity Distribution Agreement, and may at any time suspend sales under the Equity Distribution Agreement, provided that such suspension shall not affect either party’s obligations with respect to the ATM Shares sold prior to the receipt of notice of such suspension. Ladenburg receives a commission of 4% of the gross sales price of all ATM Shares sold through it under the Equity Distribution Agreement. The ATM Shares are issued pursuant to our shelf registration statement on Form S-3, as amended (File No. 333-163648). Between January 1, 2012 and March 31, 2012, we sold an aggregate of 100 ATM Shares at a weighted average share price of $5.07, for proceeds of approximately $500, net of expenses. Cumulative through March 31, 2012, we have sold 2,775,476 ATM Shares at a weighted average share price of $2.67, for proceeds of approximately $7.4 million, net of expenses. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3, we may not sell more than one-third of the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates during a period of 12 calendar months immediately prior to, and including, the date of such sale of such common stock.

 

On February 1, 2012, we completed a registered direct offering to certain institutional investors, including certain existing shareholders, of 2,463,537 shares of our common stock at a price per share of $4.50 (the “2012 Public Offering”). Net proceeds to us, after deducting placement agent's fees and offering expenses, were approximately $10.3 million.

 

Our primary use of cash to date has been in operating activities to fund research and development, including preclinical studies and clinical trials, and general and administrative expenses. We had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $12.1 million as of March 31, 2012 as compared to $4.6 million as of December 31, 2011. All cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were held in an account backed by U.S. government securities.

 

Net cash of approximately $2.5 million and $1.8 million was used in operating activities during the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The major use of cash for operating activities for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 was to fund our operations and pay down our current liabilities. Cash used in investing activities during the three month period ended March 31, 2012 was approximately $231,000 primarily for capitalized patent and patent application costs for Androxal® and Proellex®. Cash provided by financing activities during the three month period ended March 31, 2012 was approximately $10.3 million as a result of completing the 2012 Public Offering.

 

We have experienced negative cash flows from operations since inception. We will require substantial funds for research and development, including preclinical studies and clinical trials of our product candidates, and to commence sales and marketing efforts if appropriate, if the FDA or other regulatory approvals are obtained. Based on our current and planned clinical activities, we will need to raise additional capital no later than the second quarter of 2013 or seek additional funding in the public or private capital markets through corporate collaborations or other financing vehicles in order to continue our development activities. There can be no assurance that any such funding will be available to us on favorable terms or at all. If we are successful in obtaining additional financing, the terms of such financing may have the effect of diluting or adversely affecting the holdings or the rights of holders of our common stock. It is possible that our clinical trial activities will be more costly and take longer than we anticipate; accordingly, there can be no assurance that additional capital will not be necessary prior to the time anticipated. Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, which are discussed in detail in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” to Part I of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Additionally, as discussed in Note 5, there is a third party individual patent holder that claims priority over our patent application for Androxal®. The uncertainties relating to the foregoing matters raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

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Our results of operations may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year, and depend on, among other factors, our ability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms or at all, on our ability to be successful in our clinical trials, the regulatory approval process in the United States and other foreign jurisdictions and the ability to complete strategic licenses and product development agreements. The timing of our revenues may not match the timing of our associated product development expenses. To date, research and development expenses have usually exceeded revenue in any particular period and/or fiscal year.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Interest Rate Risk. We had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $12.1 million at March 31, 2012 which is held in an account backed by U.S. government securities. Although this cash account is subject to fluctuations in interest rates and market conditions, no significant gain or loss on this account is expected to be recognized in earnings. We do not invest in derivative securities.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e)) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), were effective as of March 31, 2012.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

In connection with the evaluation described above, we identified no change in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

Therapeutic uses of our Androxal® product candidate are covered in the United States by four issued U.S. patents and seven pending patent applications. Foreign coverage of therapeutic uses of our Androxal® product candidate includes 52 issued foreign patents and 53 foreign pending patent applications. The issued patents and pending applications relate to methods for treating certain conditions including the treatment of testosterone deficiency in men, the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2, the treatment of metabolic syndrome and conditions associated therewith, and the treatment of infertility in hypogonadal men. Androxal® (the trans-isomer of clomiphene) is purified from clomiphene citrate. A third party individual holds two issued patents related to the use of an anti-estrogen such as clomiphene citrate and others for use in the treatment of androgen deficiency and disorders related thereto. We requested re-examination of one of these patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) based on prior art. The patent holder amended the claims in the re-examination proceedings, which led the PTO to determine that the amended claims were patentable in view of those publications under consideration and a re-examination certificate was issued. We subsequently filed a second request for re-examination by the PTO in light of a number of additional publications. The request was granted and all of the claims were finally rejected by the PTO in the re-examination. The patent holder appealed the rejections to the PTO Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (the “PTO Board”) which ultimately reversed the rejections of several dependent claims in view of those publications under consideration. The patent holder filed a Notice of Appeal to the Federal Circuit on September 28, 2010 contesting the rejections maintained by the PTO Board. A decision was rendered by the Federal Circuit on December 12, 2011, affirming the rejection of the appealed claims. We expect that a re-examination certificate will be issued confirming the patentability of the remaining claims; however, if such a re-examination certificate were to issue, we believe that our development of Androxal® would not infringe any of the remaining claims and that all of the remaining claims are invalid on various grounds including additional prior art publications. We also believe that the second of these two patents is invalid in view of published prior art not considered by the PTO. We may be required to defend our position against the holder of such patents in a court of competent jurisdiction in order to develop Androxal® further. Adverse determinations in litigation proceedings could require us to seek licenses which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, or subject us to significant liabilities, in which case we may not be able to successfully commercialize or out-license Androxal® until such patents expire.

 

On March 1, 2010, we were served with a lawsuit where we were named as a co-defendant along with one of our clinical regulatory service providers (“CRO”) relating to the Proellex® clinical trial study.  The lawsuit was filed in the State of Tennessee, 30th Judicial District Chancery Court at Memphis by an investigator and claims that the CRO did not pay it amounts owing to it relating to the Proellex® study.  We did not engage the investigator and under our agreement with the CRO, we believe the CRO is responsible for any such costs or damages regarding such lawsuit.  Pursuant to a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release entered into in October 2009, such CRO, on behalf of itself and its agents, released us from all claims which could be asserted by them against us.  We believe such release covers the claims set forth in this lawsuit. The CRO failed to respond to the lawsuit, and a default judgment was entered against it in the amount of $172,901.29. We intend to vigorously defend any and all claims asserted by the investigator. An estimate of the possible costs or expenses to defend ourselves in this matter or risk of exposure under the litigation cannot be made at this time.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

There were no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 in response to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” to Part I of Form 10-K.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None

 

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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

  

None

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

None

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

3.1(a)Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (No. 33-57728-FW), as amended ("Registration Statement")).

  

3.1(b)Certificate of Amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated as of May 2, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on May 2, 2006).

  

3.1(c)Certificate of Amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, dated as of December 16, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(d) to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on December 23, 2008).

  

3.1(d)Certificate of Designation of Series One Junior Participating Preferred Stock dated September 2, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the Commission on September 3, 1999).

  

3.1(e)Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated as of November 18, 2009. Exhibit 3.1(e) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 19, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

3.1(f)Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated October 14, 2010. Exhibit 3.1(f) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 14, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference.

  

3.2Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registration Statement).

  

4.1Form of Series A Warrant Certificate. Exhibit 4.10 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (No. 333-171196) as filed with the Commission on February 2, 2011 is incorporated herein by reference.

  

4.2Form of Series B Warrant Certificate. Exhibit 4.11 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (No. 333-171196) as filed with the Commission on February 2, 2011 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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4.3Series A Warrant Agreement dated February 8, 2011 by and among the Company and Computershare Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on February 9, 2011 is incorporated herein by reference.

  

4.4Series B Warrant Agreement dated February 8, 2011 by and among the Company and Computershare Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on February 9, 2011 is incorporated herein by reference.

  

10.1Placement Agency Agreement dated January 26, 2012 by and between the Company and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on January 27, 2012).

  

10.2Form of Subscription Agreement between the Company and the investors identified on the signature pages thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on January 27, 2012).

  

31.1*Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive Officer).

  

31.2*Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Financial Officer).

  

32.1*Certification furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive Officer).

 

32.2*Certification furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Financial Officer).

  

* Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

  

  REPROS THERAPEUTICS INC.  
       
       
Date:  May 15, 2012      
  By:   /s/ Joseph S. Podolski  
    Joseph S. Podolski  
    Chief Executive Officer and Director  
    (Principal Executive Officer)  
       
Date:  May 15, 2012      
  By:   /s/ Katherine A. Anderson  
    Katherine A. Anderson  
    Chief Financial Officer  
    (Principal Financial Officer)  

 

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