Blueprint
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________________
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15(d) OF THE
|
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
|
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018
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OR
|
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15(d) OF THE
|
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
|
For the transition period from to
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Commission File Number 000-30929
___________________
TG THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
|
36-3898269
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
|
|
2 Gansevoort
Street, 9th Floor
New York, New
York 10014
(Address including zip code of
principal executive offices)
(212)
554-4484
(Registrant's telephone number,
including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the
registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90
days.
Yes ☒ No
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the
registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate
Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be
submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T
(§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit
and post such files).
☒ Yes ☐
No
Indicate by check mark whether the
registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging
growth company. See definition of “large accelerated
filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller
reporting company,” and “emerging growth company”
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
☐
|
Accelerated filer
☒
|
Non-accelerated filer ☐ (Do
not check if smaller reporting company)
|
Smaller reporting company
☐
|
|
Emerging growth company
☐
|
If an emerging growth company,
indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the
extended transition period for complying with any new or revised
financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a)
of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by checkmark whether the
registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No
☒
There were 78,010,112 shares of the
registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding as
of May 1, 2018.
TG THERAPEUTICS,
INC.
FORM
10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED MARCH 31, 2018
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
SPECIAL CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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3
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|
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PART
I
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FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
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4
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|
|
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Item 1
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Financial
Statements:
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4
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|
|
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Balance
Sheets as of March 31, 2018 (unaudited) and December 31,
2017
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4
|
|
|
|
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Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017
(unaudited)
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5
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|
|
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Statement of
Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31,
2018 (unaudited)
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6
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017
(unaudited)
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7
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|
|
|
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Notes to Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements (unaudited)
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8
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|
|
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Item 2
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Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
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18
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|
|
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Item 3
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Quantitative and Qualitative
Disclosures About Market Risk
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27
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Item 4
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Controls and
Procedures
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27
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|
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PART
II
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OTHER
INFORMATION
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27
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|
|
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Item 1
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Legal
Proceedings
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27
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|
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Item 1A
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Risk Factors
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27
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|
|
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Item 6
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Exhibits
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49
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SPECIAL
CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
Certain matters discussed in this
report, including matters discussed under the caption
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations,” may constitute
forward-looking statements for purposes of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from the future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may,"
"expect" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ
materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking
statements due to a variety of factors, including, without
limitation, those discussed under the captions “Risk
Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and
elsewhere in this report, as well as other factors which may be
identified from time to time in our other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, or in the documents
where such forward-looking statements appear. All written or oral
forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly
qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Such
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
statements about our:
●
expectations for increases or
decreases in expenses;
●
expectations for the clinical and
pre-clinical development, manufacturing, regulatory approval, and
commercialization of our pharmaceutical product candidates or any
other products we may acquire or in-license;
●
use of clinical research centers
and other contractors;
●
expectations as to the timing of
commencing or completing pre-clinical and clinical trials and the
expected outcomes of those trials;
●
expectations for incurring capital
expenditures to expand our research and development and
manufacturing capabilities;
●
expectations for generating revenue
or becoming profitable on a sustained basis;
●
expectations or ability to enter
into marketing and other partnership
agreements;
●
expectations or ability to enter
into product acquisition and in-licensing
transactions;
●
expectations or ability to build
our own commercial infrastructure to manufacture, market and sell
our drug candidates;
●
products being accepted by doctors,
patients or payors;
●
ability to compete against other
companies and research institutions;
●
ability to secure adequate
protection for our intellectual property;
●
ability to attract and retain key
personnel;
●
availability of reimbursement for
our products;
●
estimates of the sufficiency of our
existing cash and cash equivalents and investments to finance our
operating requirements, including expectations regarding the value
and liquidity of our investments;
●
stock price and its volatility;
and
●
expectations for future capital
requirements.
The forward-looking statements
contained in this report reflect our views and assumptions only as
of the date this report is signed. Except as required by law, we
assume no responsibility for updating any forward-looking
statements.
We qualify all of our
forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. In
addition, with respect to all of our forward-looking statements, we
claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking
statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995.
3
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
TG Therapeutics,
Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance
Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per
share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
$82,896
|
$56,718
|
Short-term
investment securities
|
26,181
|
27,999
|
Interest
receivable
|
79
|
108
|
Prepaid research
and development
|
6,824
|
8,056
|
Other
current assets
|
978
|
437
|
Total current
assets
|
116,958
|
93,318
|
Restricted cash
|
588
|
587
|
Leasehold interest,
net
|
2,397
|
2,429
|
Equipment, net
|
252
|
248
|
Goodwill
|
799
|
799
|
Total assets
|
$120,994
|
$97,381
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and
stockholders’ equity
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses
|
$32,513
|
$25,877
|
Accrued
compensation
|
456
|
1,800
|
Current portion of deferred
revenue
|
152
|
152
|
Notes payable
|
224
|
128
|
Total current
liabilities
|
33,345
|
27,957
|
Deferred rent
|
1,388
|
1,364
|
Deferred revenue, net of current
portion
|
1,029
|
1,067
|
Total
liabilities
|
35,762
|
30,388
|
Commitments and
contingencies
|
|
|
Stockholders’
equity:
|
|
|
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value
per share (10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and
outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31,
2017)
|
--
|
--
|
Common stock, $0.001 par value per
share (150,000,000 shares authorized, 77,134,683 and 73,181,750 shares
issued, 77,093,374 and 73,140,441 shares outstanding at March 31,
2018 and December 31, 2017,
respectively)
|
77
|
73
|
Additional paid-in
capital
|
481,781
|
422,017
|
Treasury stock, at cost, 41,309
shares at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
|
(234)
|
(234)
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
(396,392)
|
(354,863)
|
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
85,232
|
66,993
|
Total liabilities and
stockholders’ equity
|
$120,994
|
$97,381
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed
consolidated financial statements.
TG Therapeutics,
Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Operations
(in thousands, except share
and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
License revenue
|
$38
|
$38
|
|
|
|
Costs and
expenses:
|
|
|
Research and
development:
|
|
|
Noncash
compensation
|
2,859
|
2,306
|
Other research
and development
|
32,159
|
20,376
|
Total research and
development
|
35,018
|
22,682
|
|
|
|
General and
administrative:
|
|
|
Noncash
compensation
|
4,478
|
3,689
|
Other general and
administrative
|
2,119
|
1,333
|
Total general and
administrative
|
6,597
|
5,022
|
|
|
|
Total costs and
expenses
|
40,615
|
27,704
|
|
|
|
Operating loss
|
(41,577)
|
(27,666)
|
|
|
|
Other (income)
expense:
|
|
|
Interest
income
|
(144)
|
(45)
|
Other
expense
|
96
|
106
|
Total other (income) expense,
net
|
(48)
|
61
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
$(41,529)
|
$(27,727)
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per
common share
|
$(0.59)
|
$(0.52)
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares used in
computing basic and diluted net loss per common
share
|
70,636,970
|
53,157,851
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed
consolidated financial statements.
TG Therapeutics,
Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of
Stockholders’ Equity
(in thousands, except share
amounts)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Balance at January 1,
2018
|
73,181,750
|
$73
|
$422,017
|
41,309
|
$(234)
|
$(354,863)
|
$66,993
|
Issuance of restricted
stock
|
87,500
|
*
|
*
|
|
|
|
--
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Forfeiture of restricted
stock
|
(123,911)
|
*
|
*
|
|
|
|
--
|
Issuance of common stock in
At-the-Market offering (net of offering costs of $0.9
million)
|
3,989,344
|
4
|
52,426
|
|
|
|
52,430
|
Compensation in respect of
restricted stock granted to employees, directors and
consultants
|
|
|
7,337
|
|
|
|
7,337
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
(41,529)
|
(41,529)
|
Balance at March 31,
2018
|
77,134,683
|
$77
|
$481,781
|
41,309
|
$(234)
|
$(396,392)
|
$85,232
|
* Amount less
than one thousand dollars.
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed
consolidated financial statements.
TG Therapeutics,
Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
$(41,529)
|
$(27,727)
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
net cash used in operating activities:
|
|
|
Noncash stock compensation
expense
|
7,337
|
5,995
|
Depreciation
|
20
|
20
|
Amortization of premium on
investment securities
|
2
|
31
|
Change
in fair value of notes payable and accrued
interest
|
96
|
106
|
Changes in assets and
liabilities:
|
|
|
Decrease (increase) in prepaid
research and development and other current
assets
|
691
|
(3,585)
|
Decrease in leasehold
interest
|
33
|
20
|
Decrease in accrued interest
receivable
|
30
|
61
|
Decrease in other
assets
|
--
|
242
|
Increase in accounts payable and
accrued expenses
|
5,292
|
2,552
|
Increase in deferred
rent
|
23
|
22
|
Decrease in deferred
revenue
|
(38)
|
(38)
|
Net
cash used in operating activities
|
(28,043)
|
(22,301)
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
Purchases of
equipment
|
(24)
|
--
|
Investment in held-to-maturity
securities
|
(4,184)
|
--
|
Proceeds from maturity of short-term
securities
|
6,000
|
6,000
|
Net
cash provided by investing activities
|
1,792
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
Proceeds from the exercise of
warrants
|
--
|
2,143
|
Proceeds from sale of common stock,
net
|
52,430
|
84,766
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
52,430
|
86,909
|
|
|
|
NET
INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED
CASH
|
26,179
|
70,608
|
|
|
|
CASH,
CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT BEGINNING OF
PERIOD
|
57,305
|
25,614
|
|
|
|
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND
RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD
|
$83,484
|
$96,222
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation to amounts on
consolidated balance sheets:
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$82,896
|
$95,638
|
Restricted
Cash
|
588
|
584
|
Total
cash, cash equivalents and restricted
cash
|
83,484
|
96,222
|
|
|
|
NONCASH
TRANSACTIONS
|
|
|
Reclassification of deferred
financing costs to additional paid-in
capital
|
$--
|
$(3)
|
Accrued offering
costs
|
$--
|
$191
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed
consolidated financial statements.
TG Therapeutics,
Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements (unaudited)
Unless the
context requires otherwise, references in this report to
“TG,” the “Company,” “we,”
“us” and “our” refer to TG Therapeutics,
Inc. and our subsidiaries.
NOTE 1 –
ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES
Description of Business
We are a biopharmaceutical company
focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of
novel treatments for B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases.
Currently, we are developing two therapies targeting hematologic
malignancies. TG-1101 (ublituximab) is a novel, glycoengineered
monoclonal antibody that targets a unique epitope on the CD20
antigen found on mature B-lymphocytes. We are also developing
TGR-1202 (umbralisib), an orally available PI3K delta inhibitor.
The delta isoform of PI3K is strongly expressed in cells of
hematopoietic origin and is believed to be important in the
proliferation and survival of B-lymphocytes. Both TG-1101 and
TGR-1202, or the combination of which is referred to as "U2," are
in Phase 3 clinical development for patients with hematologic
malignancies, with TG-1101 also in Phase 3 clinical development for
Multiple Sclerosis. Additionally, the Company has recently brought
its anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody into Phase 1 development and
aims to bring additional pipeline assets into the clinic in the
future.
We also actively evaluate
complementary products, technologies and companies for
in-licensing, partnership, acquisition and/or investment
opportunities. To date, we have not received approval for the sale
of any of our drug candidates in any market and, therefore, have
not generated any product sales from our drug
candidates.
The accompanying unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or
GAAP, for interim financial information and with the instructions
to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X
of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, they may not include all of the
information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial
statements. All adjustments that are, in the opinion of management,
of a normal recurring nature and are necessary for a fair
presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements
have been included. Nevertheless, these condensed consolidated
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited
consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The accompanying
condensed December 31, 2017 balance sheet has been derived from
these statements. The results of operations for the three months
ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results
that may be expected for the entire fiscal year or any other
interim period.
Certain reclassifications have been made to
the prior period unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements to conform to the current period presentation,
including:
●
Presentation of
restricted cash on the condensed consolidated statements of cash
flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as a result of the
adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-18 in the first
quarter of 2018.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have incurred operating losses
since our inception, expect to continue to incur operating losses
for the foreseeable future, and may never become profitable. As of
March 31, 2018, we have an accumulated deficit of approximately
$396.4 million.
Our major sources of cash have been
proceeds from the private placement and public offering of equity
securities. We have not yet commercialized any of our drug
candidates and cannot be sure if we will ever be able to do so.
Even if we commercialize one or more of our drug candidates, we may
not become profitable. Our ability to achieve profitability depends
on many factors, including our ability to obtain regulatory
approval for our drug candidates; successfully complete any
post-approval regulatory obligations; and successfully
commercialize our drug candidates alone or in partnership. We may
continue to incur substantial operating losses even if we begin to
generate revenues from our drug candidates.
As of March 31, 2018, we had $109.2
million in cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, and
interest receivable. The Company believes its cash, cash
equivalents, investment securities, and interest receivable on hand
as of March 31, 2018 combined with the additional capital raised in
the second quarter of 2018 (see Note 5) will be sufficient to fund
the Company’s planned operations through mid-2019. The actual
amount of cash that we will need to operate is subject to many
factors, including, but not limited to, the timing, design and
conduct of clinical trials for our drug candidates. We are
dependent upon significant future financing to provide the cash
necessary to execute our current operations, including the
commercialization of any of our drug
candidates.
Our common stock is listed on the
Nasdaq Capital Market and
trades under the symbol “TGTX.”
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In May 2017,
the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting
Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-09, “Scope of
Modification Accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”). ASU
2017-09 provides guidance about which changes to the terms or
conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to
apply modification accounting. An entity should account for the
effects of a modification unless all the following are
met:
●
The fair value
(or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative
measurement method is used) of the modified award is the same as
the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an
alternative measurement method is used) of the original award
immediately before the original award is modified. If the
modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation
technique that the entity uses to value the award, the entity is
not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the
modification.
●
The vesting
conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting
conditions of the original award immediately before the original
award is modified.
●
The
classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a
liability instrument is the same as the classification of the
original award immediately before the original award is
modified.
ASU 2017-09 is
effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after
December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for public business
entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have
not yet been issued, and all other entities for reporting periods
for which financial statements have not yet been made available for
issuance. The amendments should be applied prospectively to an
award modified on or after the adoption date. The Company adopted
ASU 2017-09 on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 did not
have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements as
of March 31, 2018.
In January
2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test
for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU
2017-04 removes the requirement to compare the implied fair value
of goodwill with its carrying amount as part of step 2 of the
goodwill impairment test. As a result, under ASU 2017-04, an entity
should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by
comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying
amount and should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by
which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair
value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total
amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition,
ASU 2017-04:
●
Clarifies the requirements for
excluding and allocating foreign currency translation adjustments
to reporting units in connection with an entity’s testing of
reporting units for goodwill impairment.
●
Clarifies that
an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax
deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit
when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if
applicable.
●
Makes minor changes to
the overview and background sections of certain Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC” or
“Codification”) subtopics and topics as part of the
Board’s initiative to unify and improve those sections
throughout the Codification.
ASU 2017-04 is
effective prospectively for annual and interim periods beginning on
or after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted on
testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect
the adoption of ASU 2017-04 to have a material impact on the
Company’s condensed consolidated financial
statements.
In January
2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “FASB Clarifies the
Definition of a Business” (“ASU 2017-01”). ASU
2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business in ASC 805. The
amendments in ASU 2017-01 are intended to make application of the
guidance more consistent and cost-efficient. The amendments in ASU
2017-01:
●
Provide a
screen to determine when a set of assets and activities is not a
business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the
fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is
concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar
identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This screen reduces
the number of transactions that need to be further
evaluated.
●
Provide that
if the screen is not met, (1) to be considered a business, a set
must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that
together significantly contribute to the ability to create output
and (2) remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could
replace missing elements. The amendments provide a framework to
assist entities in evaluating whether both an input and a
substantive process are present. The framework includes two sets of
criteria to consider that depend on whether a set has outputs.
Although outputs are not required for a set to be a business,
outputs generally are a key element of a business; therefore, the
Board has developed more stringent criteria for sets without
outputs.
●
Narrow the
definition of the term output so that the term is consistent with
how outputs are described in Topic 606.
ASU 2017-01 is
effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December
15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for transactions that
occurred before the issuance date or effective date of the standard
if the transactions were not reported in financial statements that
have been issued or made available for issuance. The Company
adopted ASU 2017-01 on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2017-01
did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial
statements as of March 31, 2018.
In November
2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash
Flows – Restricted Cash” (“ASU 2016-18”).
ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the
change during the period for the total of cash, cash equivalents,
and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted
cash equivalents. ASU 2016-18 does not provide a definition of
restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents, and does not change
the balance sheet presentation for such items. The Company adopted
ASU 2016-18 on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 did not
have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements as
of March 31, 2018.
In May 2014,
the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from
Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) (“ASU
2014-09” or “ASC 606”), which supersedes all
existing revenue recognition requirements, including most
industry-specific guidance. ASU 2014-09 provides a single set of
criteria for revenue recognition among all industries. The new
standard requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers
goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the
consideration that the Company expects to receive for those goods
or services.
ASU 2014-09
includes guidance for determining whether a license transfers to a
customer at a point in time or over time based on the nature of the
entity’s promise to the customer. To determine whether the
entity’s promise is to provide a right to access its
intellectual property or a right to use its intellectual property,
the entity should consider the nature of the intellectual property
to which the customer will have rights.
ASU 2014-09 is
effective for interim and annual periods beginning after
December 15, 2017. The standard allows for two transition
methods - full retrospective, in which the standard is applied to
each prior reporting period presented, or modified retrospective,
in which the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard
is recognized at the date of initial adoption. The Company adopted
ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective
approach. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have a material
effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements as of
March 31, 2018.
Other
pronouncements issued by the FASB or other authoritative accounting
standards with future effective dates are either not applicable or
not significant to our condensed consolidated financial
statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make
estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets
and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the applicable
reporting period. On an ongoing
basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those
related to accrued expenses and stock-based compensation.
Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such differences
could be material to the financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We treat liquid investments with
original maturities of less than three months when purchased as
cash and cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
We record cash pledged or held in
trust as restricted cash. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31,
2017, we have approximately $0.6 million of restricted cash
pledged to secure a line of
credit as a security deposit for an Office
Agreement (see Note
8).
Investment Securities
Investment securities at March 31,
2018 and December 31, 2017 consist of short-term government
securities. We classify these securities as held-to-maturity.
Held-to-maturity securities are those securities in which we have
the ability and intent to hold the security until maturity.
Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost,
adjusted for the amortization or accretion of premiums or
discounts. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over
the life of the related held-to-maturity security as an adjustment
to yield using the effective interest method.
A decline in the market value of
any investment security below cost, that is deemed to be other than
temporary, results in a reduction in the carrying amount to fair
value. The impairment is charged to operations and a new cost basis
for the security is established. Other-than-temporary impairment
charges are included in interest and other income (expense), net.
Unrealized gains, if determined to be temporary, are included in
accumulated other comprehensive income in equity. Dividend and
interest income are recognized when earned.
Credit Risk
Financial instruments that
potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk
consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and short-term
investments. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents
and short-term investments with high-credit quality financial
institutions. At times, such amounts may exceed federally-insured
limits.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize license revenue in
accordance with the revenue recognition guidance of ASC 606. We
analyze each element of our licensing agreement to determine the
appropriate revenue recognition. The terms of the license agreement
may include payments to us of non-refundable up-front license fees,
milestone payments if specified objectives are achieved, and/or
royalties on product sales. We recognize revenue from upfront
payments over the period of significant involvement under the
related agreements unless the fee is in exchange for a promise to
transfer more than one good or service to the customer, in which
case the Company would account for each promised good or service as
a performance obligation only if it is (1) distinct or (2) a series
of distinct goods or services that are substantially the same and
have the same pattern of transfer. For each performance obligation,
the Company would determine whether we satisfy the performance
obligation over time by transferring control of a good or service
over time. To determine whether the Company’s promise is
to provide a right to access its intellectual property or a right
to use its intellectual property, the Company would consider the
nature of the intellectual property to which the customer will have
rights. The Company has symbolic intellectual property, derived
from its association with the Company’s ongoing activities,
including its ordinary business activities. We recognize milestone
payments as revenue upon the achievement of specified milestones
only if (1) the milestone payment is non-refundable,
(2) substantive effort is involved in achieving the milestone,
(3) the amount of the milestone is reasonable in relation to
the effort expended or the risk associated with achievement of the
milestone, and (4) the milestone is at risk for both parties.
If any of these conditions are not met, we defer the milestone
payment and recognize it as revenue over the estimated period of
performance under the contract.
Research and Development Costs
Generally, research and development
costs are expensed as incurred. Nonrefundable advance payments for
goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research
and development activities are deferred and amortized over the
period that the goods are delivered or the related services are
performed, subject to an assessment of recoverability. We make
estimates of costs incurred in relation to external clinical
research organizations, or CROs, and clinical site costs. We
analyze the progress of clinical trials, including levels of
patient enrollment, invoices received and contracted costs when
evaluating the adequacy of the amount expensed and the related
prepaid asset and accrued liability. Significant judgments and
estimates must be made and used in determining the accrued balance
and expense in any accounting period. We review and accrue CRO
expenses and clinical trial study expenses based on work performed
and rely upon estimates of those costs applicable to the stage of
completion of a study. Accrued CRO costs are subject to revisions
as such trials progress to completion. Revisions are charged to
expense in the period in which the facts that give rise to the
revision become known. With respect to clinical site costs, the
financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation and
vary from contract to contract. Payments under these contracts may
be uneven, and depend on factors such as the achievement of certain
events, the successful recruitment of patients, the completion of
portions of the clinical trial or similar conditions. The objective
of our policy is to match the recording of expenses in our
financial statements to the actual services received and efforts
expended. As such, expense accruals related to clinical site costs
are recognized based on our estimate of the degree of completion of
the event or events specified in the specific clinical study or
trial contract.
Prepaid research and development in
our consolidated balance sheets includes, among other things,
certain costs to third party service providers related to
development and manufacturing services as well as clinical
development. These agreements often require payments in advance of
services performed or goods received. Accordingly, as of March 31,
2018 and December 31, 2017, we recorded approximately $6.8 million
and $8.1 million, respectively, in prepaid research and development
related to such advance agreements.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted
for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to temporary differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and
their respective tax bases, operating losses and tax credit
carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and
liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in
the period that includes the enactment date. If the likelihood of
realizing the deferred tax assets or liability is less than
“more likely than not,” a valuation allowance is then
created.
We, and our subsidiaries, file
income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction and in various
states. We have tax net operating loss carryforwards that are
subject to examination for a number of years beyond the year in
which they were generated for tax purposes. Since a portion of
these net operating loss carryforwards may be utilized in the
future, many of these net operating loss carryforwards will remain
subject to examination. We recognize interest and penalties related
to uncertain income tax positions in income tax
expense.
Stock-Based Compensation
We recognize all stock-based
payments to employees and non-employee directors (as compensation
for service) as noncash compensation expense in the condensed
consolidated financial statements based on the fair values of such
payments. Stock-based compensation expense recognized each period
is based on the value of the portion of stock-based payment awards
that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. Forfeitures
are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in
subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those
estimates.
For stock-based payments to
consultants and other third-parties (including related parties),
noncash compensation expense is determined at the
“measurement date.” The expense is recognized over the
vesting period of the award. Until the measurement date is reached,
the total amount of compensation expense remains uncertain. We
record compensation expense based on the fair value of the award at
the reporting date. The awards to consultants and other
third-parties (including related parties) are then revalued, or the
total compensation is recalculated based on the then current fair
value, at each subsequent reporting date.
In addition, because some of the
options, restricted stock and warrants issued to employees,
consultants and other third-parties vest upon achievement of
certain milestones, the total expense is uncertain. Compensation
expense for such awards that vest upon the achievement of
milestones is recognized when the achievement of such milestones
becomes probable.
Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share
Basic net loss per share of our
common stock is calculated by dividing net loss applicable to the
common stock by the weighted average number of our common stock
outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss per share of common
stock is the same as basic net loss per share of common stock since
potentially dilutive securities from stock options, stock warrants
and convertible preferred stock would have an antidilutive effect
either because we incurred a net loss during the periods presented
or because such potentially dilutive securities were out of the
money and the Company realized net income during the periods
presented. The amounts of potentially dilutive securities excluded
from the calculation were 4,660,180 and 3,634,008 for the three
months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The following outstanding shares of
potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the computation
of net loss per share attributable to common stockholders for the
periods presented because including them would have been
antidilutive:
|
Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
|
|
Unvested restricted
stock
|
4,159,428
|
3,619,016
|
Stock options
|
485,000
|
--
|
Shares issuable upon note
conversion
|
15,752
|
14,992
|
Total
|
4,660,180
|
3,634,008
|
Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill
Long-lived assets are reviewed for
potential impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying
value of long-lived tangible and intangible assets with finite
lives may not be recoverable. Management’s policy in
determining whether an impairment indicator exists, a triggering
event, comprises measurable operating performance criteria as well
as qualitative measures. If an analysis is necessitated by the
occurrence of a triggering event, we make certain assumptions in
determining the impairment amount. If the carrying amount of an
asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge
is recognized.
Goodwill is reviewed for impairment
annually, or earlier when events arise that could indicate that an
impairment exists. We test for goodwill impairment using a two-step
process. The first step compares the fair value of the reporting
unit with the unit's carrying value, including goodwill. When the
carrying value of the reporting unit is greater than fair value,
the unit’s goodwill may be impaired, and the second step must
be completed to measure the amount of the goodwill impairment
charge, if any. In the second step, the implied fair value of the
reporting unit’s goodwill is compared with the carrying
amount of the unit’s goodwill. If the carrying amount is
greater than the implied fair value, the carrying value of the
goodwill must be written down to its implied fair value. We will
continue to perform impairment tests annually, at December 31, and
whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the
carrying value of an asset may not be
recoverable.
Rent Expense and Deferred Rent
Rent expense and lease incentives,
including landlord construction allowances, are recognized on a
straight-line basis over the lease term, commencing generally on
the date the Company takes possession of the leased property. The
Company records lease incentives as deferred rent and recognizes
the lease incentives as reductions of rental expense. The
unamortized portion of deferred rent is included in deferred rent
in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
NOTE 2 –
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The following tables summarize our
cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2018 and December 31,
2017:
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Checking and bank
deposits
|
$79,923
|
$$55,682
|
Money market
funds
|
2,973
|
1,036
|
Total
|
$82,896
|
$$56,718
|
NOTE 3 –
INVESTMENT SECURITIES
Our investments as of March 31,
2018 and December 31, 2017 are classified as held-to-maturity.
Held-to-maturity investments are recorded at amortized
cost.
The following tables summarize our
investment securities at March 31, 2018 and December 31,
2017:
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
Amortized cost,
as adjusted
|
Gross unrealized
holding gains
|
Gross unrealized
holding losses
|
|
Short-term
investments:
|
|
|
|
|
Obligations of domestic
governmental agencies (maturing between April 2018 and January
2019) (held-to-maturity)
|
$26,181
|
$--
|
$39
|
$26,142
|
Total short-term investment
securities
|
$26,181
|
$--
|
$39
|
$26,142
|
|
|
|
Amortized cost,
as adjusted
|
Gross unrealized
holding gains
|
Gross unrealized
holding losses
|
|
Short-term
investments:
|
|
|
|
|
Obligations of domestic
governmental agencies (maturing between January 2018 and November
2018) (held-to-maturity)
|
$27,999
|
$--
|
$35
|
$27,964
|
Total short-term investment
securities
|
$27,999
|
$--
|
$35
|
$27,964
|
NOTE 4 –
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
We measure certain financial assets
and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis in the condensed
consolidated financial statements. The fair value hierarchy ranks
the quality and reliability of inputs, or assumptions, used in the
determination of fair value and requires financial assets and
liabilities carried at fair value to be classified and disclosed in
one of the following three categories:
●
|
Level 1 – quoted prices in
active markets for identical assets and
liabilities;
|
●
|
Level 2 – inputs other than
Level 1 quoted prices that are directly or indirectly observable;
and
|
●
|
Level 3 – unobservable inputs
that are not corroborated by market data.
|
As of March 31, 2018 and December
31, 2017, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted
cash, and notes and interest payable, approximate their carrying
value.
At the time of our merger (we were then known as Manhattan
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) with Ariston Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(“Ariston”) in March 2010, Ariston issued $15.5 million
of five-year 5% notes payable (the “5% Notes”) in
satisfaction of several note payable issuances. The 5% Notes and
accrued and unpaid interest thereon are convertible at the option
of the holder into common stock at the conversion price of $1,125
per share. Ariston agreed to make quarterly payments on the 5%
Notes equal to 50% of the net product cash flow received from the
exploitation or commercialization of Ariston’s product
candidates, AST-726 and AST-915. We have no obligations under the
5% Notes aside from (a) 50% of the net product cash flows from
Ariston’s product candidates, if any, payable to noteholders;
and (b) the conversion feature, discussed
above.
The
cumulative liability to the Ariston subsidiary including accrued
and unpaid interest of the 5% Notes was approximately $17.7 million
at March 31, 2018 and $17.5 million at December 31, 2017. No
payments have been made on the 5% Notes as of March 31,
2018.
In December 2011, we elected the
fair value option for valuing the 5% Notes. The fair value option
was elected in order to reflect in our financial statements the
assumptions that market participants use in evaluating these
financial instruments.
As of December 31, 2013, as a
result of expiring intellectual property rights and other factors,
it was determined that net product cash flows from AST-726 were
unlikely. As we have no other obligations under the 5% Notes aside
from the net product cash flows and the conversion feature, the
conversion feature was used to estimate the 5% Notes’ fair
value as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The assumptions,
assessments and projections of future revenues are subject to
uncertainties, difficult to predict, and require significant
judgment. The use of different assumptions, applying different
judgment to inherently subjective matters and changes in future
market conditions could result in significantly different estimates
of fair value and the differences could be material to our
condensed consolidated financial statements.
The following tables provide the
fair value measurements of applicable financial liabilities as of
March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
|
Financial
liabilities at fair value as of March 31, 2018
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5% Notes
|
$--
|
$--
|
$224
|
$224
|
Total
|
$--
|
$--
|
$224
|
$224
|
|
Financial
liabilities at fair value as of December 31,
2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5% Notes
|
$--
|
$--
|
$128
|
$128
|
Total
|
$--
|
$--
|
$128
|
$128
|
The Level 3 amounts above represent
the fair value of the 5% Notes and related accrued
interest.
The following table summarizes the
changes in Level 3 instruments during the three months ended March
31, 2018:
(in thousands)
|
|
Fair value at December 31,
2017
|
$128
|
Interest accrued on face value of
5% Notes
|
213
|
Change in fair value of Level 3
liabilities
|
(117)
|
Fair value at March 31,
2018
|
$224
|
The change in the fair value of the
Level 3 liabilities is reported in other (income) expense in the
accompanying condensed consolidated statements of
operations.
NOTE 5 -
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock
Our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to
10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value, with rights
senior to those of our common stock, issuable
in one or more series. Upon issuance, we can determine the rights,
preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof. These rights,
preferences and privileges could include dividend rights,
conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation
preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares
constituting any series or the designation of such series, any or
all of which may be greater than the rights of common
stock.
Common Stock
Our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to
150,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value common
stock.
In May 2017, we filed a shelf
registration statement on Form S-3 (the "2017 S-3"), which was
declared effective in June 2017, replacing the 2015 S-3. Under the
2017 S-3, the Company may sell up to a total of $300 million of its
securities. In connection with the 2017 S-3, we entered into an
At-the-Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the "2017 ATM") with
Jefferies LLC, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., FBR Capital Markets
& Co., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., Raymond James &
Associates, Inc., Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. and H.C.
Wainwright & Co., LLC (each a "2017 Agent" and collectively,
the "2017 Agents"), relating to the sale of shares of our common
stock. Under the 2017 ATM we pay the 2017 Agents a commission rate
of up to 3.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of any shares of
common stock.
During
the three months ended March 31, 2018, we sold a total of 3,989,344
shares of common stock under the 2017 ATM for total gross proceeds
of approximately $53.4 million at an average selling price of
$13.38 per share, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $52.4
million after deducting commissions and other transaction
costs.
Subsequent to the first quarter,
from April 1, 2018 through May 4, 2018, we sold an aggregate of
1,014,605 shares of common stock pursuant to the 2017 ATM for total
gross proceeds of approximately $14.3 million at an average selling
price of $14.12 per share, resulting in net proceeds of
approximately $14.1 million after deducting commissions and other
transactions costs.
The 2017 S-3 is currently our only
active shelf registration statement. After deducting shares already
sold there is approximately $198.9 million of common stock that
remains available for sale under the 2017 S-3. We may offer the
securities under the 2017 S-3 from time to time in response to
market conditions or other circumstances if we believe such a plan
of financing is in the best interests of our stockholders. We
believe that the 2017 S-3 provides us with the flexibility to raise
additional capital to finance our operations as
needed.
Equity Incentive
Plans
The TG Therapeutics, Inc. Amended
and Restated 2012 Incentive Plan (“2012 Incentive
Plan”) was approved by stockholders in June 2015. As of March
31, 2018, 485,000 options were outstanding and up to an additional
55,539 shares may be issued under the 2012 Incentive
Plan.
Effective as of January 1, 2017, we
entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the
employment agreement entered into as of December 15, 2011 (together
with the Amendment, the “Employment Agreement”) with
Michael S. Weiss, our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer and President. Under the Amendment, Mr. Weiss will remain
as Chief Executive Officer and President, removing the interim
status. Simultaneously, we entered into a Strategic Advisory
Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Caribe
BioAdvisors, LLC (the “Advisor”) owned by Mr. Weiss to
provide the services of Mr. Weiss as Chairman of the Board and as
Executive Chairman. As part of the Amendment, Mr. Weiss also agreed
to forfeit 3,381,866 restricted shares previously granted under the
Employment Agreement that were predominantly subject to time-based
vesting over the next three years. Simultaneously, (i) Mr. Weiss
was issued 418,371 restricted shares under the Employment Agreement
that vest in 2018 and 2019 and (ii) the Advisor was issued
2,960,000 restricted shares under the Advisory Agreement that
vested on market capitalization thresholds ranging from $375
million to $750 million. In accordance with GAAP, there was no
incremental stock compensation expense recognition as a result of
the modification.
Stock
Options
The following table summarizes
stock option activity for the three months ended March 31,
2018:
|
|
Weighted-
average
exercise
price
|
Weighted-
average
Contractual
Term
|
Aggregate Intrinsic
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31,
2017
|
--
|
$--
|
--
|
$--
|
Granted
|
485,000
|
11.30
|
|
|
Exercised
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
Expired
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
Outstanding at March 31,
2018
|
485,000
|
$11.30
|
9.85
|
$1,406,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at March 31,
2018
|
--
|
$11.30
|
--
|
$--
|
As of March 31, 2018, the stock
options outstanding include options granted to both employees and
non-employees which are milestone-based and vest upon certain
corporate milestones. Stock-based compensation will be recorded if
and when a milestone occurs.
Restricted
Stock
Certain employees, directors and consultants
have been awarded restricted stock. The restricted stock vesting
consists of milestone and time-based vesting. The following
table summarizes restricted share activity for the three months
ended March 31, 2018:
|
|
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
|
Outstanding at December 31,
2017
|
6,321,643
|
$7.17
|
Granted
|
87,500
|
14.40
|
Vested
|
(625,802)
|
7.23
|
Forfeited
|
(123,911)
|
8.03
|
Outstanding at March 31,
2018
|
5,659,430
|
$7.26
|
Total expense associated with
restricted stock grants was approximately $7.3 million and $6.0
million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017,
respectively. As of March 31, 2018, there was approximately $11.5
million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested
time-based restricted stock, which is expected to be recognized
over a weighted average period of 1.0 year. This amount does not
include, as of March 31, 2018, 110,000 shares of restricted stock
outstanding which are milestone-based and vest upon certain
corporate milestones; and 2,224,167 shares of restricted stock
outstanding issued to non-employees, the expense for which is
determined each reporting period at the measurement date. The
expense is recognized over the vesting period of the award. Until
the measurement date is reached for milestone awards, the total
amount of compensation expense remains uncertain. We record
compensation expense based on the fair value of the award at the
reporting date.
Stock-Based Compensation
The fair value of stock options
granted is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes
pricing model. The expected term of options granted is derived from
historical data and the expected vesting period. Expected
volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common
stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury
yield for a period consistent with the expected term of the option
in effect at the time of the grant. We have assumed no expected
dividend yield, as dividends have never been paid to stock or
option holders and will not be paid for the foreseeable future. We
granted 500,000 and zero stock options during the three months
ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The following table summarizes
stock-based compensation expense information about restricted stock
and stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and
2017:
|
Three months
ended March 31,
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
associated with restricted stock
|
$7,337
|
$5,995
|
Stock-based compensation expense
associated with option grants
|
--
|
--
|
Total
|
$7,337
|
$5,995
|
NOTE 6 –
NOTES PAYABLE
The following is a summary of notes
payable:
|
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible 5% Notes
Payable
|
$224
|
$-
|
$224
|
$128
|
$-
|
$128
|
Total
|
$224
|
$-
|
$224
|
$128
|
$-
|
$128
|
Convertible 5% Notes Payable
The 5% Notes and accrued and unpaid
interest thereon are convertible at the option of the holder into
common stock at the conversion price of $1,125 per share.
We
have no obligation under the 5% Notes aside from (a) 50% of the net
product cash flows from Ariston’s product candidates, if any,
payable to noteholders; and (b) the conversion feature, discussed
above. Interest accrues monthly, is added to principal on an
annual basis, every March 8, and is payable at maturity, which was
March 8, 2015 (see Note 4 for further details).
The
cumulative liability including accrued and unpaid interest of these
notes was approximately $17.7 million at March 31, 2018 and $17.5
million at December 31, 2017. No payments have been made on
the 5% Notes as of March 31, 2018.
In December 2011, we elected the
fair value option for valuing the 5% Notes. The fair value option
was elected in order to reflect in our financial statements the
assumptions that market participants use in evaluating these
financial instruments (see Note 4 for further
details).
NOTE 7 –
LICENSE AGREEMENTS
BTK
In January
2018, we entered into a global exclusive license agreement with
Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., or Jiangsu, to acquire worldwide
intellectual property rights, excluding Asia but including Japan,
and for the research, development, manufacturing, and
commercialization of products containing or comprising of any of
Jiangsu’s Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors
containing the compounds of either TG-1701 (SHR-1459 or EBI-1459)
or TG-1702 (SHR-1266 or EBI-1266). Pursuant to the agreement, in
April 2018, we paid Jiangsu an upfront fee of $1.0 million in our
common stock. Jiangsu is eligible to receive milestone payments
totaling approximately $350 million upon and subject to the
achievement of certain milestones. Various provisions allow for
payments in conjunction with the agreement to be made in cash or
our common stock, while others limit the form of payment. Royalty
payments in the low double digits are due on net sales of licensed
products and revenue from sublicenses.
TG-1101
In November 2012, we entered into
an exclusive (within the territory) sublicense agreement with
Ildong relating to the development and commercialization of TG-1101
in South Korea and Southeast Asia. Under the terms of the
sublicense agreement, Ildong has been granted a royalty bearing,
exclusive right, including the right to grant sublicenses, to
develop and commercialize TG-1101 in South Korea, Taiwan,
Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, and
Myanmar.
An upfront payment of $2.0 million
which was received in December 2012 (net
of $0.3 million of income tax withholdings), is recognized
as license revenue on a straight-line basis over the life of the
agreement, which is through the expiration of the last licensed
patent right or 15 years after the first commercial sale of a
product in such country, unless the agreement is earlier
terminated, and represents the estimated period over which we will
have certain ongoing responsibilities under the sublicense
agreement. We recorded license revenue of approximately $38,000 for
each of the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and, at
both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, have deferred revenue of
approximately $1.2 million associated with this $2.0 million
payment (approximately $152,000 of which has been classified in
current liabilities at March 31, 2018 and December 31,
2017).
We may receive up to an additional
$5.0 million in payments upon the achievement of pre-specified
milestones. In addition, upon commercialization, Ildong will make
royalty payments to us on net sales of TG-1101 in the sublicense
territory.
NOTE 8 –
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
LFB Biotechnologies
On January 30, 2012, we entered
into an exclusive license agreement with LFB Biotechnologies, GTC
Biotherapeutics and LFB/GTC LLC, all wholly-owned subsidiaries of
LFB Group, relating to the development of ublituximab (the
“LFB License Agreement”). In connection with the LFB
License Agreement, LFB Group was issued 5,000,000 shares of common
stock, and a warrant to purchase 2,500,000 shares of common stock
at a purchase price of $0.001 per share. LFB Group no longer has
the right to nominate a board member since the LFB Group owns less
than 10% of our outstanding common stock.
Under the terms of the LFB License
Agreement, we utilize LFB Group for certain development and
manufacturing services. We incurred expenses of approximately
$130,000 and $27,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2018
and 2017, respectively, which have been included in other research
and development expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated
statements of operations. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31,
2017, we had approximately $130,000 and zero, respectively,
recorded in accounts payable related to the LFB License Agreement.
In conjunction with the development and manufacturing services
discussed above, certain agreements between us and LFB Group
require payments in advance of services performed or goods
delivered. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017,
we recorded no prepaid research and development for such advance
payments.
Other Parties
In March 2014, we entered into a
shared services agreement (the “Opus Shared Services
Agreement”) with Opus Point Partners Management, LLC
(“Opus”) in which the parties agreed to share the costs
of a rented facility and certain other services. Our Executive
Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer is a Managing Member
of Opus. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we
incurred no expenses related to this agreement. The Opus Shared
Services Agreement is no longer in effect as we began occupying new
space in April 2016.
In October 2014, we entered into an
agreement (the “Office Agreement”) with Fortress
Biotech, Inc. (“FBIO”) to occupy approximately 45% of
the 24,000 square feet of New York City office space leased by
FBIO, which is now our corporate headquarters. The Office Agreement
requires us to pay our respective share of the average annual rent
and other costs of the 15-year lease. We approximate an average
annual rental obligation of $1.1 million under the Office
Agreement. We began to occupy this new space in April 2016, with
rental payments beginning in the third quarter of 2016. During the
three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we recorded rent
expense of approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million,
respectively, and at March 31, 2018, have deferred rent of
approximately $1.4 million. Mr. Weiss, our Executive Chairman and
CEO, is also Executive Vice Chairman of FBIO.
Under the Office Agreement, we
agreed to pay FBIO our portion of the build out costs, which have
been allocated to us at the 45% rate mentioned above. The allocated
build-out costs have been recorded in Leasehold Interest and will
be amortized over the 15-year term of the Office Agreement. After
an initial commitment of the 45% rate for a period of three (3)
years, we and FBIO will determine actual office space utilization
annually and if our utilization differs from the amount we have
been billed, we will either receive credits or be assessed
incremental utilization charges. As of March 31, 2018, we had
approximately $0.4 million recorded in accounts payable related to
FBIO of which approximately $0.1 million related to rent and
build-out costs.
In July 2015, we entered into
a Shared Services Agreement (the “Shared Services
Agreement”) with FBIO to share the cost of certain services
such as facilities use, personnel costs and other overhead and
administrative costs. This Shared Services Agreement requires us to
pay our respective share of services utilized. In connection with
the Shared Services Agreement, we incurred expenses of
approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million for shared services for
the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively,
primarily related to shared personnel.
In May 2016, as part of a broader
agreement with Jubilant Biosys ("Jubilant"), an India-based
biotechnology company, we entered into a sublicense agreement
("JBET Agreement") with Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.
("Checkpoint"), a subsidiary of FBIO, for the development and
commercialization of Jubilant’s novel BET inhibitor program
in the field of hematological malignancies. We paid Checkpoint an
up-front licensing fee of $1.0 million in July 2016 and incurred
expenses of $0.2 million in March 2017 for the first milestone
achievement as part of the JBET Agreement which is recorded in
other research and development in the accompanying consolidated
statement of operations. As of March 31, 2018 and 2017, we had
approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, recorded
in accounts payable, related mostly to the JBET Agreement. Mr.
Weiss is also the Executive Chairman of
Checkpoint.
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and
analysis contains forward-looking statements about our plans and
expectations of what may happen in the future. Forward-looking
statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that
are inherently subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and
our results could differ materially from the results anticipated by
our forward-looking statements as a result of many known or unknown
factors, including, but not limited to, those factors discussed in
“Risk Factors.” See also the “Special Cautionary
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” set forth at the
beginning of this report.
You should read the following
discussion and analysis in conjunction with the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements, and the related footnotes
thereto, appearing elsewhere in this report, and in conjunction
with management’s discussion and analysis and the audited
consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
OVERVIEW
We are a biopharmaceutical company
focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of
novel treatments for B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases.
Currently, we are developing two therapies targeting hematologic
malignancies. TG-1101 (ublituximab) is a novel, glycoengineered
monoclonal antibody that targets a unique epitope on the CD20
antigen found on mature B-lymphocytes. We are also developing
TGR-1202 (umbralisib), an orally available PI3K delta inhibitor.
The delta isoform of PI3K is strongly expressed in cells of
hematopoietic origin and is believed to be important in the
proliferation and survival of B-lymphocytes. Both TG-1101 and
TGR-1202, or the combination which is referred to as "U2," are in
Phase 3 clinical development for patients with hematologic
malignancies, with TG-1101 also in Phase 3 clinical development for
patients with multiple sclerosis. Additionally, we have recently
brought its anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody into Phase 1 development
and aims to bring additional pipeline assets into the clinic in the
future.
We also actively evaluate
complementary products, technologies and companies for
in-licensing, partnership, acquisition and/or investment
opportunities. To date, we have not received approval for the sale
of any of our drug candidates in any market and, therefore, have
not generated any product sales from our drug
candidates.
TG-1101 (ublituximab)
Overview
TG-1101 (ublituximab) is a
chimeric, glycoengineered monoclonal antibody that targets a unique
epitope on the CD20 antigen found on the surface of B-lymphocytes
developed to aid in the depletion of circulating B-cells. We hold
exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize TG-1101 for
all indications, except for the territories of France and Belgium
which have been retained by LFB Biotechnologies, and South Korea
and Southeast Asia which were licensed by us to Ildong in November
2012.
Generally, anti-CD20 antibodies are
believed to exert their B-cell depleting effects through three
primary mechanisms: antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
(“ADCC”), complement dependent cytotoxicity
(“CDC”), and direct or programmed cell death
(“DCD” or “PCD”). TG-1101 has been
specifically glycoengineered to enhance ADCC activity, which should
enhance its ability to deplete B-cells and may improve its
anti-cancer effects when compared to Rituxan®, the leading
anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, which had worldwide sales in 2016 of
more than $7 billion.
Clinical Trials
Overview and Recent Developments
Two single-agent, dose-escalation,
Phase I studies were undertaken with TG-1101 to establish an
optimal dose in patients with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
(“NHL”) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
(“CLL”). A two part first-in-human Phase I clinical
trial was first completed in France in which TG-1101 was evaluated
in relapsed or refractory CLL. Subsequently, a single-agent Phase I
study was undertaken in the US enrolling patients with both NHL and
CLL. In both studies, single agent therapy with TG-1101 was deemed
well tolerated by treating investigators and displayed promising
clinical activity in relapsed and refractory
patients.
In
oncology settings, anti-CD20 therapy is generally used in
combination with other anti-cancer agents where it demonstrates
maximum activity as opposed to single agent usage. As a result,
subsequent clinical development for TG-1101 has focused on
combination therapy. Currently, our priority combination trials for
TG-1101 are:
●
The GENUINE Trial – a
randomized controlled Phase 3 trial evaluating TG-1101 in
combination with ibrutinib, for previously treated CLL patients
with high risk cytogenetics;
●
The UNITY-CLL Trial – a
randomized controlled Phase 3 trial under Special Protocol
Assessment ("SPA") evaluating TG-1101 in combination with TGR-1202,
the Company’s development stage PI3K delta inhibitor, for
patients with front line and previously treated
CLL;
●
The UNITY-NHL Trial –
registration-directed Phase 2b clinical study evaluating TGR-1202
alone and in combination with TG-1101 with or without bendamustine,
in patients with previously treated Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
("NHL"); and
●
TG-1101 + TGR-1202 + Pembrolizumab
for patients with CLL.
In non-oncology settings, anti-CD20
therapy has generally been used as monotherapy. In addition to the
above oncology studies, TG-1101 is being evaluated in a Phase 2
study for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis ("MS") and in an
investigator initiated Phase 1 study for the treatment of acute
neuromyelitis optica ("NMO") relapses, with additional autoimmune
related indications planned to be studied. On August 1, 2017, we
announced we had reached an agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration ("FDA") regarding an SPA on the design of two global
Phase 3 clinical trials for TG-1101, referred to as the ULTIMATE I
and ULTIMATE II Phase 3 clinical trials.
Manufacturing of TG-1101 is
currently performed by a contract manufacturer based in the US and
our partner, LFB Biotechnologies.
Further details on our priority
ongoing trials for TG-1101 are as follows:
TG-1101 +
Ibrutinib Phase 3 Study Program – The GENUINE
Trial
The GENUINE trial is a randomized
controlled clinical trial in patients with previously treated CLL
with specific high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, with patients
randomized to receive either TG-1101 plus ibrutinib or ibrutinib
alone. In October 2016, we announced revisions to the design of the
GENUINE study to accelerate its completion. Initially the study was
being conducted pursuant to an SPA with the FDA, and was designed
to enroll approximately 330 patients, with a two-part analysis of
both overall response rate ("ORR") and progression-free survival
("PFS"). The trial was amended in October 2016 to enroll
approximately 120 patients, with the PFS analysis component
removed. Following the revisions, the sole primary endpoint of the
study is ORR, and the SPA is no longer in
effect.
In June 2017, the positive results
from our Phase 3 GENUINE trial were presented by Dr. Jeff Sharman,
Medical Director, Hematology Research, US Oncology in an oral
session during the 53rd American Society of Clinical Oncology
("ASCO") Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.
This presentation included data
from the GENUINE Phase 3 trial, a multicenter, randomized trial,
which assessed the efficacy and safety of TG-1101 plus ibrutinib
versus ibrutinib alone in patients with high risk CLL. For the
trial, high-risk was defined as having any one or more of the
following centrally confirmed features: 17p deletion, 11q deletion
or p53 mutation. The GENUINE study was designed to demonstrate the
value of adding TG-1101 to ibrutinib monotherapy in high-risk CLL,
and was powered to show a statistically significant improvement in
ORR of 30%, with a minimal absolute detectable difference between
the two arms of approximately 20%.
We continue to follow patients in
the GENUINE study for safety and efficacy including Overall
Response, MRD and Progression Free Survival ("PFS"). We are
currently working on preparing a Biologics License Application for
a potential accelerated approval filing for TG-1101 in combination
with ibrutinib in previously treated CLL patients with high-risk
cytogenetics, which filing could occur in 2018.
TG-1101 in
Combination with TGR-1202 Phase 3 Study Program – The
UNITY-CLL Trial
In September 2015, we reached an
agreement with the FDA regarding an SPA on the design, endpoints
and statistical analysis approach of a Phase 3 clinical trial for
the proprietary combination of TG-1101 plus TGR-1202, for the
treatment of CLL. The SPA provides agreement that the Phase 3 trial
design adequately addresses objectives that, if met, would support
the regulatory submission for drug approval of both TG-1101 and
TGR-1202 in combination.
The Phase 3 trial, called the
UNITY-CLL trial, is a randomized controlled clinical trial that
includes two key objectives: first, to demonstrate contribution of
each agent in the TG-1101 + TGR-1202 regimen (the combination
sometimes referred to as "U2"), and second, to demonstrate
superiority in Progression Free Survival (PFS) over the standard of
care to support the submission for full approval of the
combination. The study will randomize patients into four treatment
arms: TG-1101 + TGR-1202, TG-1101 alone, TGR-1202 alone, and an
active control arm of obinutuzumab (GAZYVA®) + chlorambucil.
An early interim analysis will assess contribution of each single
agent in the TG-1101 + TGR-1202 combination regimen, which, if
successful, will allow early termination of both single agent arms.
A second interim analysis will be conducted following full
enrollment into the study, which, if positive, we plan to utilize
for accelerated approval.
In September 2017, we announced
that target enrollment in the UNITY-CLL trial was met and that we
were extending enrollment until October 12, 2017 for any additional
identified study patients to be allowed in the trial. We expect
top-line ORR data from this study to be reported in
2018.
TG-1101 in
Combination with TGR-1202 with or without bendamustine Phase 2b
Registration-Directed Program – The UNITY-NHL
Trial
In June 2016, we commenced a
registration-directed UNITY-DLBCL Phase 2b clinical study
evaluating TG-1101 in combination with TGR-1202, as well as
TGR-1202 alone, in patients with previously treated DLBCL. In
mid-2017, this study was expanded to allow enrollment of patients
with follicular lymphoma (FL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL),
mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), as
well as to add a cohort evaluating the triplet regimen of TG-1101 +
TGR-1202 + bendamustine which has previously been explored in Phase
1. The cohorts of DLBCL, FL/SLL, MCL, and MZL are each being
enrolled to and evaluated independently.
The updated study, called
UNITY-NHL, is entitled "A Phase 2b Randomized Study to Assess the
Efficacy and Safety of the Combination of Ublituximab + TGR-1202
with or without bendamustine and TGR-1202 alone in Patients with
Previously Treated Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.” The DLBCL
component is being led by Owen A. O'Connor, MD, PhD, Professor of
Medicine and Experimental Therapeutics, and Director of the Center
for Lymphoid Malignancies at Columbia University Medical Center,
while the indolent NHL component of the study is being led by
Nathan H. Fowler, MD, Associate Professor, Department of
Lymphoma/Myeloma at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer
Center, and the MCL component of the study is being led by Michael
Wang MD, Director of Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) Program of
Excellence and Co-Director of Clinical Tirals at The University of
Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The primary objective of the study
is to assess the efficacy of TGR-1202 alone, in combination with
TG-1101, or in combination with TG-1101 and bendamustine in
patients with previously treated NHL as measured by Overall
Response Rate (ORR). The study will also provide important
information as to the contribution of each agent, TGR-1202 and
TG-1101, to the combination regimen of both agents, as well as the
contribution of bendamustine to the combination regimen of both
agents.
Single Agent
TG-1101 in Relapsing Forms of Multiple
Sclerosis
In May 2016,
we commenced our first study of TG-1101 in patients with relapsing
remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), a chronic demyelinating
disease of the central nervous system (CNS).
The study,
entitled "A Placebo-Controlled Multi-Center Phase 2 Dose Finding
Study of Ublituximab, a Third-Generation Anti-CD20 Monoclonal
Antibody, in Patients with Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis,"
is being led by Edward Fox, MD, PhD, Director of the Multiple
Sclerosis Clinic of Central Texas and Clinical Assistant Professor
at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Round Rock, TX. The
primary objective of the study is to determine the optimal dosing
regimen for TG-1101 with a focus on accelerating infusion times. In
addition to monitoring for safety and tolerability at each dosing
cohort, B-cell depletion and established MS efficacy endpoints will
also be evaluated.
Data from this study was most
recently presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 70th
Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California, as well as the Third
Annual ACTRIMS Forum 2018 meeting in San Diego, CA. Additional data
presentations are to be expected at upcoming medical
conferences.
TG-1101 in
relapsing forms of Multiple Sclerosis Phase 3 Study Program –
The ULITIMATE I and ULTIMATE II Trial
In August 2017, we reached an
agreement with the FDA regarding an SPA on the design of two Phase
3 clinical trials for TG-1101, for the treatment of relapsing forms
of Multiple Sclerosis (RMS). The SPA provides agreement that the
two Phase 3 trial designs adequately address objectives that, if
met, would support the regulatory submission for approval of
TG-1101.
The RMS Phase 3 program consists of
two trials, called the ULTIMATE I and ULTIMATE II trials. Each
trial is a global, randomized, multi-center, double-blinded,
double-dummy, active-controlled study comparing TG-1101
(ublituximab) to teriflunomide in subjects with RMS. The primary
endpoint for each study is Annualized Relapse Rate (ARR) following
96 weeks of treatment. Each trial is ongoing and was designed to
enroll approximately 440 subjects, randomized in a 1:1
ratio.
TGR-1202
Overview
The phosphoinositide-3-kinases
(“PI3Ks”) are a family of enzymes involved in various
cellular functions, including cell proliferation and survival, cell
differentiation, intracellular trafficking, and immunity. There are
four isoforms of PI3K (alpha, beta, delta, and gamma), of which the
delta isoform is strongly expressed in cells of hematopoietic
origin, and often implicated in B-cell related
lymphomas.
TGR-1202 (also referred to as
umbralisib) is an orally available PI3K delta inhibitor with
nanomolar potency to the delta isoform and high selectivity over
the alpha, beta, and gamma isoforms. TGR-1202 has demonstrated
activity in several pre-clinical models and primary cells from
patients with hematologic malignancies.
We hold exclusive worldwide rights
to develop and commercialize TGR-1202 for all indications
worldwide, except for India which has been retained by Rhizen
Pharmaceuticals S A.
The Company’s Investigational
New Drug (“IND”) application for TGR-1202 was accepted
by the FDA in December 2012 and a first in-human Phase I clinical
trial was initiated in January 2013.
Clinical Trials
Overview and Recent Developments
Initial clinical development of
TGR-1202 was focused on establishing preliminary safety and
efficacy in a wide variety of hematologic malignancies. Upon
identification of safe and active doses of TGR-1202, a combination
clinical trial program was opened, exploring TGR-1202 in
combination with a variety of agents. In addition to the previously
described study in combination with TG-1101 with or without the BTK
inhibitor, ibrutinib, our current combination clinical trials for
TGR-1202 include:
●
TGR-1202 as a single agent in CLL
patients who are intolerant to prior BTK inhibitor or PI3K-delta
inhibitor therapy;
●
TGR-1202 in combination with the
BTK inhibitor, ibrutinib, in patients with previously treated CLL
and MCL; and
●
TGR-1202 in combination with the
JAK inhibitor, ruxolitinib (JAKAFI®), in patients with
previously treated Myelofibrosis or Polycythemia
Vera.
Single Agent
TGR-1202 in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Hematologic
Malignancies
In January 2013, the Company
initiated a Phase I, open label, multi-center, first-in-human
clinical trial of TGR-1202 in patients with hematologic
malignancies. The study entitled TGR-1202-101, "A Phase I Dose
Escalation Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of TGR-1202 in
Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Hematologic Malignancies," is
being run in collaboration with the Sarah Cannon Research
Institute in Nashville, TN with Howard “Skip”
Burris, MD, Executive Director, Drug Development as the acting
Study Chair. Enrollment is open to patients with relapsed or
refractory NHL, CLL, and other select hematologic
malignancies. As of February 2016, this study has closed to
enrollment.
Data from this ongoing Phase I
study was published in full
in The Lancet Oncology
in February 2018, including
safety and efficacy information from 90 patients with relapsed or
refractory b-cell malignancies, including patients with CLL and
various forms of lymphoma treated with single agent
umbralisib.
TGR-1202
Long-term Follow-up Integrated Analysis in Patients with
Relapsed/Refractory Hematologic Malignancies
In December 2017, at the
59th
American Society of Hematology ("ASH") Annual Meeting, the Company
presented integrated data with long term follow-up from 347
patients exposed to TGR-1202 across 5 studies, which continued to
demonstrate high response rates in CLL, and FL coupled with a
favorable safety profile distinct from other PI3K delta
inhibitors.
TGR-1202 TKI
Intolerance Study
In December 2017, at the 59th ASH
Annual Meeting, the Company presented data from 33 patients with
CLL who were intolerant to prior BTK or PI3K delta inhibitor
therapy who were then treated with single agent TGR-1202. TGR-1202
appeared to demonstrate a favorable safety profile in patients
intolerant to prior ibrutinib (BTK) or idelalisib (PI3K) with only
2 patients (6%) discontinuing due to an adverse event, neither of
which was a recurrent adverse event from their prior BTK or PI3K
therapy. Enrollment continues in this Phase 2
study.
TGR-1202
Combination Trials
TGR-1202 is being evaluated in
combination with the anti-CD30 antibody drug conjugate, brentuximab
vedotin, in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin’s
lymphoma; in combination with the BTK inhibitor, ibrutinib, in
patients with CLL and MCL; and in combination with the JAK
inhibitor, ruxolitinib, in patients with Myelofibrosis or
Polycythemia Vera. Additional
investigator sponsored trials are also underway which are combining
TGR-1202 with other approved agents for the treatment of B-cell
malignancies.
It is anticipated that updated
results from these studies will be presented or updated at future
medical conferences.
TGR-1202 in
Solid Tumors
In addition to the exploration of
TGR-1202 in various hematologic malignancies, a study was opened in
October 2015 to evaluate TGR-1202 as a single agent as well as in
combination with various chemotherapies for the treatment of select
solid tumors. The study, entitled TGR-1202-102, “A Phase I
Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of TGR-1202 Alone and in
Combination with either nab-paclitaxel + Gemcitabine or with FOLFOX
in Patients with Select Relapsed or Refractory Solid Tumors”
is being run in collaboration with the Sarah Cannon Research
Institute in Nashville, TN with Johanna Bendell, MD, Director of GI
Oncology Research as the acting study chair. The study is currently
closed to enrollment with patients continuing to be followed for
safety and efficacy.
IRAK4
We hold global
rights to develop and commercialize the IRAK4 program, which was
licensed from Ligand Pharmaceuticals. Our IRAK4 program is
currently in pre-clinical development.
PD-L1 and GITR
In March 2015, we entered into a
global collaboration agreement for the development and
commercialization of anti-PD-L1 and anti-GITR antibody research
programs in the field of hematological malignancies. Our anti-PD-L1
recently entered the clinic and our anti-GITR program is currently
in pre-clinical development, with pre-clinical data most recently
presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual
Meeting in March 2017.
In October 2017, we announced that
the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 1 clinical trial
evaluating the safety and tolerability of our anti-PD-L1 monoclonal
antibody, enrolling patients across sites in Australia and New
Zealand.
BET
In May 2016,
as part of a broader agreement with Jubilant Biosys
(“Jubilant”), an India-based biotechnology company, we
entered into a sub-license agreement (“JBET Agreement”)
with Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. (“Checkpoint”), a
subsidiary of FBIO, for the development and commercialization of
Jubilant’s novel BET inhibitor program in the field of
hematological malignancies. The BET inhibitor program is the
subject of a family of patents covering compounds that inhibit
BRD4, a member of the BET (Bromodomain and Extra Terminal) domain
for cancer treatment. Our BET inhibitor program is currently in
pre-clinical development.
In April 2018, pre-clinical data
for TG-1601, the BET inhibitor, was announced at the American
Association for Cancer Research ("AACR") Annual Meeting in Chicago,
IL.
BTK
In January
2018, we entered into a global exclusive license agreement with
Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., or Jiangsu (“BTK
Agreement”), pursuant to which we obtained worldwide rights,
excluding Asia but including Japan, for the development of
Hengrui's Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase ("BTK") inhibitor program,
including lead candidate TG-1701 (known in China as SHR-1459), as
monotherapy and in combination with TG-1101 and TGR-1202. In
addition to TG-1701, the global license agreement covers TG-1702
(SHR-1266), another BTK inhibitor in pre-clinical development. BTK
is an essential component of the B-cell receptor signaling pathways
that regulate the survival, activation, proliferation, and
differentiation of B lymphocytes. Targeting BTK with small molecule
inhibitors has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment
option for B-cell lymphomas and autoimmune
diseases.
GENERAL
CORPORATE
Our license revenues currently
consist of license fees arising from our agreement with Ildong. We
recognize upfront license fee revenues ratably over the estimated
period in which we will have certain significant ongoing
responsibilities under the sublicense agreement, with unamortized
amounts recorded as deferred revenue.
We have not earned any revenues
from the commercial sale of any of our drug
candidates.
Our research and development
expenses consist primarily of expenses related to in-licensing of
new product candidates, fees paid to consultants and outside
service providers for clinical and laboratory development,
facilities-related and other expenses relating to the design,
development, manufacture, testing and enhancement of our drug
candidates and technologies. We expense our research and
development costs as they are incurred.
Our general and administrative
expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses for
executive, finance and other administrative personnel, recruitment
expenses, professional fees and other corporate expenses, including
investor relations, legal activities and facilities-related
expenses.
Our results of operations include
non-cash compensation expenses as a result of the grants of stock
options and restricted stock. Compensation expense for awards of
options and restricted stock granted to employees and directors
represents the fair value of the award recorded over the respective
vesting periods of the individual awards. The expense is included
in the respective categories of expense in the condensed
consolidated statements of operations. We expect to continue to
incur significant non-cash compensation
expenses.
For awards of options and
restricted stock to consultants and other third-parties,
compensation expense is determined at the “measurement
date.” The expense is recognized over the vesting period of
the award. Until the measurement date is reached, the total amount
of compensation expense remains uncertain. We record compensation
expense based on the fair value of the award at the reporting date.
The awards to consultants and other third-parties are then
revalued, or the total compensation is recalculated based on the
then current fair value, at each subsequent reporting date. This
results in a change to the amount previously recorded in respect of
the equity award grant, and additional expense or a reversal of
expense may be recorded in subsequent periods based on changes in
the assumptions used to calculate fair value, such as changes in
market price, until the measurement date is reached and the
compensation expense is finalized.
In addition, certain restricted
stock issued to employees vest upon the achievement of certain
milestones; therefore, the total expense is uncertain until the
milestone is probable.
Our clinical trials will be lengthy
and expensive. Even if these trials show that our drug candidates
are effective in treating certain indications, there is no
guarantee that we will be able to record commercial sales of any of
our drug candidates in the near future. In addition, we expect
losses to continue as we fund in-licensing and development of new
drug candidates. As we further our development efforts, we may
enter into additional third-party collaborative agreements and
incur additional expenses, such as licensing fees and milestone
payments. In addition, we may need to establish a commercial
infrastructure required to manufacture, market and sell our drug
candidates following approval, if any, by the FDA or a foreign
health authority, which would result in incurring additional
expenses. As a result, our quarterly results may fluctuate and a
quarter-by-quarter comparison of our operating results may not be a
meaningful indication of our future
performance.
RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Three months
ended March 31, 2018 and 2017
License Revenue. License revenue was
approximately $38,000 for each of the three months ended March 31,
2018 and 2017. License revenue is related to the amortization of an
upfront payment of $2.0 million received in 2012 associated with
our license agreement with Ildong. The upfront payment from Ildong
will be recognized as license revenue on a straight-line basis
through December 2025, which represents the estimated period over
which the Company will have certain ongoing responsibilities under
the sublicense agreement.
Noncash Compensation Expense (Research and
Development). Noncash compensation expense (research and
development) related to equity incentive grants totaled $2.9
million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to
$2.3 million during the comparable period in 2017. The increase in
noncash compensation expense was primarily related to an increase
in the measurement date fair value of certain consultant restricted
stock during the period ended March 31, 2018.
Other Research and Development
Expenses. Other research and development expenses increased
by $11.8 million to $32.2 million for the three months ended March
31, 2018, as compared to $20.4 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2017. The increase was mainly due to the ongoing clinical
development programs and related manufacturing costs for TG-1101
and TGR-1202 during the three months ended March 31, 2018. We
expect our other research and development costs to increase
modestly for the remainder of 2018 as the enrollment of additional
patients in our Phase 3 clinical trials increases and we prepare
for potential commercialization.
Noncash Compensation Expense (General and
Administrative). Noncash
compensation expense (general and administrative) related to equity
incentive grants increased by $0.8 million to $4.5 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $3.7 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in noncash
compensation expense was primarily related to greater compensation
expense during the three months ended March 31, 2018 related to
restricted stock granted to executive
personnel.
Other General and Administrative
Expenses. Other general
and administrative expenses increased by $0.8 million to
$2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $1.3 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was due primarily to rent
related expenses of our office space, as well as increased
personnel and other general and administrative costs. We expect our
other general and administrative expenses to remain at a comparable
level for the remainder of 2018.
Other (Income) Expense. Other income
increased by $0.1 million to approximately $48,000 for the three
months ended March 31, 2018, as
compared to expense of approximately $61,000 for the three
months ended March 31, 2017. The increase is mainly due to an
increase in interest income for the three months ended March 31,
2018.
LIQUIDITY AND
CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our primary sources of cash have
been from the sale of equity securities, warrant exercises, and the
upfront payment from our Sublicense Agreement with Ildong. We have
not yet commercialized any of our drug candidates and cannot be
sure if we will ever be able to do so. Even if we commercialize one
or more of our drug candidates, we may not become profitable. Our
ability to achieve profitability depends on a number of factors,
including our ability to obtain regulatory approval for our drug
candidates, successfully complete any post-approval regulatory
obligations and successfully commercialize our drug candidates
alone or in partnership. We may continue to incur substantial
operating losses even if we begin to generate revenues from our
drug candidates.
As of March 31, 2018, we had
approximately $109.2 million in cash and cash equivalents,
investment securities, and interest receivable.
We anticipate that our
cash, cash equivalents, investment
securities, and interest receivable on hand as of March 31, 2018,
combined with the additional capital raised in the second quarter
of 2018, will be sufficient to fund the Company’s planned
operations through mid-2019. The actual amount of
cash that we will need to operate is subject to many factors,
including, but not limited to, the timing, design and conduct of
clinical trials for our drug candidates. We are dependent upon
significant financing to provide the cash necessary to execute our
current operations, including the commercialization of any of our
drug candidates.
Cash used in operating activities
for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $28.0 million as
compared to $22.3 million for the three months ended March 31,
2017. The increase in cash used in operating activities was due
primarily to increased expenditures associated with our clinical
development programs for TG-1101 and TGR-1202.
For the three months ended March
31, 2018, net cash provided by investing activities was $1.8
million as compared to $6.0 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2017. The decrease in net cash provided by investing
activities was primarily due to the greater investment in treasury
securities during the three months ended March 31,
2018.
For the three months ended March
31, 2018, net cash provided by financing activities of $52.4
million related to net proceeds from the issuance of common stock
as part of our ATM program.
OFF-BALANCE
SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We have not entered into any
transactions with unconsolidated entities whereby we have financial
guarantees, subordinated retained interests, derivative instruments
or other contingent arrangements that expose us to material
continuing risks, contingent liabilities, or any other obligations
under a variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides
us with financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk
support.
CRITICAL
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The discussion and analysis of our
financial condition and results of operations is based upon our
consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The
preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us
to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of
assets and liabilities and related disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of our financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the applicable
period. Actual results may differ from these estimates under
different assumptions or conditions.
We define critical accounting
policies as those that are reflective of significant judgments and
uncertainties and which may potentially result in materially
different results under different assumptions and conditions. In
applying these critical accounting policies, our management uses
its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in
making certain estimates. These estimates are subject to an
inherent degree of uncertainty. Our critical accounting policies
include the following:
Revenue Recognition.
We recognize license revenue in
accordance with the revenue recognition guidance of ASC 606. We
analyze each element of our licensing agreement to determine the
appropriate revenue recognition. The terms of the license agreement
may include payments to us of non-refundable up-front license fees,
milestone payments if specified objectives are achieved, and/or
royalties on product sales. We recognize revenue from upfront
payments over the period of significant involvement under the
related agreements unless the fee is in exchange for a promise to
transfer more than one good or service to the customer, in which
case we would account for each promised good or service as a
performance obligation only if it is (1) distinct or (2) a series
of distinct goods or services that are substantially the same and
have the same pattern of transfer. For each performance obligation,
we would determine whether we satisfy the performance obligation
over time by transferring control of a good or service over time.
To determine whether our promise is to provide a right to access
its intellectual property or a right to use its intellectual
property, we would consider the nature of the intellectual property
to which the customer will have rights. We have symbolic
intellectual property, derived from our association with ongoing
activities, including our ordinary business activities. We
recognize milestone payments as revenue upon the achievement of
specified milestones only if (1) the milestone payment is
non-refundable, (2) substantive effort is involved in
achieving the milestone, (3) the amount of the milestone is
reasonable in relation to the effort expended or the risk
associated with achievement of the milestone, and (4) the
milestone is at risk for both parties. If any of these conditions
are not met, we defer the milestone payment and recognize it as
revenue over the estimated period of performance under the
contract.
Stock-Based Compensation. We have
granted stock options and restricted stock to employees, directors
and consultants, as well as warrants to other third parties. For
employee and director grants, the value of each option award is
estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes
option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes model takes into account
volatility in the price of our stock, the risk-free interest rate,
the estimated life of the option, the closing market price of our
stock and the exercise price. We base our estimates of our stock
price volatility on the historical volatility of our common stock
and our assessment of future volatility; however, these estimates
are neither predictive nor indicative of the future performance of
our stock. For purposes of the calculation, we assumed that no
dividends would be paid during the life of the options and
warrants. The estimates utilized in the Black-Scholes calculation
involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management
judgment. We recognize forfeitures as incurred. As a result, if
other assumptions had been used, our recorded stock-based
compensation expense could have been materially different from that
reported. In addition, because some of the options and warrants
issued to employees, consultants and other third-parties vest upon
the achievement of certain milestones, the total expense is
uncertain.
Total compensation expense for
options and restricted stock issued to consultants is determined at
the “measurement date.” The expense is recognized over
the vesting period for the options and restricted stock. Until the
measurement date is reached, the total amount of compensation
expense remains uncertain. We record stock-based compensation
expense based on the fair value of the equity awards at the
reporting date. These equity awards are then revalued, or the total
compensation is recalculated based on the then current fair value,
at each subsequent reporting date. This results in a change to the
amount previously recorded in respect of the equity award grant,
and additional expense or a reversal of expense may be recorded in
subsequent periods based on changes in the assumptions used to
calculate fair value, such as changes in market price, until the
measurement date is reached and the compensation expense is
finalized.
Accruals
for Clinical Research Organization and Clinical Site Costs.
We make estimates of costs incurred in relation to external
clinical research organizations, or CROs, and clinical site costs.
We analyze the progress of clinical trials, including levels of
patient enrollment, invoices received and contracted costs when
evaluating the adequacy of the amount expensed and the related
prepaid asset and accrued liability. Significant judgments and
estimates must be made and used in determining the accrued balance
and expense in any accounting period. We review and accrue CRO
expenses and clinical trial study expenses based on work performed
and rely upon estimates of those costs applicable to the stage of
completion of a study. Accrued CRO costs are subject to revisions
as such trials progress to completion. Revisions are charged to
expense in the period in which the facts that give rise to the
revision become known. With respect to clinical site costs, the
financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation and
vary from contract to contract. Payments under these contracts may
be uneven, and depend on factors such as the achievement of certain
events, the successful recruitment of patients, the completion of
portions of the clinical trial or similar conditions. The objective
of our policy is to match the recording of expenses in our
financial statements to the actual services received and efforts
expended. As such, expense accruals related to clinical site costs
are recognized based on our estimate of the degree of completion of
the event or events specified in the specific clinical study or
trial contract.
Accounting For Income Taxes. In
preparing our condensed consolidated financial statements, we are
required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions
in which we operate. This process involves management estimation of
our actual current tax exposure and assessment of temporary
differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and
accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax
assets and liabilities. We must then assess the likelihood that our
deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income
and, to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we must
establish a valuation allowance. To the extent we establish a
valuation allowance or increase this allowance in a period, we must
include an expense within the tax provision in the consolidated
statements of operations. Significant management judgment is
required in determining our provision for income taxes, our
deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance
recorded against our net deferred tax assets. We have fully offset
our deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance. Our lack of
earnings history and the uncertainty surrounding our ability to
generate taxable income prior to the reversal or expiration of such
deferred tax assets were the primary factors considered by
management in maintaining the valuation
allowance.
RECENTLY ISSUED
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In May 2017,
the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting
Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-09, “Scope of
Modification Accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”). ASU
2017-09 provides guidance about which changes to the terms or
conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to
apply modification accounting. An entity should account for the
effects of a modification unless all the following are
met:
●
The fair value
(or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative
measurement method is used) of the modified award is the same as
the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an
alternative measurement method is used) of the original award
immediately before the original award is modified. If the
modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation
technique that the entity uses to value the award, the entity is
not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the
modification.
●
The vesting
conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting
conditions of the original award immediately before the original
award is modified.
●
The
classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a
liability instrument is the same as the classification of the
original award immediately before the original award is
modified.
ASU 2017-09 is
effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after
December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for public business
entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have
not yet been issued, and all other entities for reporting periods
for which financial statements have not yet been made available for
issuance. The amendments should be applied prospectively to an
award modified on or after the adoption date. The Company adopted
ASU 2017-09 on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 did not
have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements as
of March 31, 2018.
In January
2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test
for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU
2017-04 removes the requirement to compare the implied fair value
of goodwill with its carrying amount as part of step 2 of the
goodwill impairment test. As a result, under ASU 2017-04, an entity
should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by
comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying
amount and should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by
which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair
value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total
amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition,
ASU 2017-04:
●
Clarifies the requirements for
excluding and allocating foreign currency translation adjustments
to reporting units in connection with an entity’s testing of
reporting units for goodwill impairment.
●
Clarifies that
an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax
deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit
when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if
applicable.
●
Makes minor changes to
the overview and background sections of certain Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC” or
“Codification”) subtopics and topics as part of the
Board’s initiative to unify and improve those sections
throughout the Codification.
ASU 2017-04 is
effective prospectively for annual and interim periods beginning on
or after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted on
testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect
the adoption of ASU 2017-04 to have a material impact on the
Company’s condensed consolidated financial
statements.
In January
2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “FASB Clarifies the
Definition of a Business” (“ASU 2017-01”). ASU
2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business in ASC 805. The
amendments in ASU 2017-01 are intended to make application of the
guidance more consistent and cost-efficient. The amendments in ASU
2017-01:
●
Provide a
screen to determine when a set of assets and activities is not a
business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the
fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is
concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar
identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This screen reduces
the number of transactions that need to be further
evaluated.
●
Provide that
if the screen is not met, (1) to be considered a business, a set
must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that
together significantly contribute to the ability to create output
and (2) remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could
replace missing elements. The amendments provide a framework to
assist entities in evaluating whether both an input and a
substantive process are present. The framework includes two sets of
criteria to consider that depend on whether a set has outputs.
Although outputs are not required for a set to be a business,
outputs generally are a key element of a business; therefore, the
Board has developed more stringent criteria for sets without
outputs.
●
Narrow the
definition of the term output so that the term is consistent with
how outputs are described in Topic 606.
ASU 2017-01 is
effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December
15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for transactions that
occurred before the issuance date or effective date of the standard
if the transactions were not reported in financial statements that
have been issued or made available for issuance. The Company
adopted ASU 2017-01 on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2017-01
did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial
statements as of March 31, 2018.
In November
2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash
Flows – Restricted Cash” (“ASU 2016-18”).
ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the
change during the period for the total of cash, cash equivalents,
and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted
cash equivalents. ASU 2016-18 does not provide a definition of
restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents, and does not change
the balance sheet presentation for such items. The Company adopted
ASU 2016-18 on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 did not
have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements as
of March 31, 2018.
In May 2014,
the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from
Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) (“ASU
2014-09” or “ASC 606”), which supersedes all
existing revenue recognition requirements, including most
industry-specific guidance. ASU 2014-09 provides a single set of
criteria for revenue recognition among all industries. The new
standard requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers
goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the
consideration that the Company expects to receive for those goods
or services.
ASU 2014-09
includes guidance for determining whether a license transfers to a
customer at a point in time or over time based on the nature of the
entity’s promise to the customer. To determine whether the
entity’s promise is to provide a right to access its
intellectual property or a right to use its intellectual property,
the entity should consider the nature of the intellectual property
to which the customer will have rights.
ASU 2014-09 is
effective for interim and annual periods beginning after
December 15, 2017. The standard allows for two transition
methods - full retrospective, in which the standard is applied to
each prior reporting period presented, or modified retrospective,
in which the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard
is recognized at the date of initial adoption. The Company adopted
ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective
approach. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have a material
effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements as of
March 31, 2018.
Other
pronouncements issued by the FASB or other authoritative accounting
standards with future effective dates are either not applicable or
not significant to our condensed consolidated financial
statements.
ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
RISK
The primary objective of our
investment activities is to preserve principal while maximizing our
income from investments and minimizing our market risk. We invest
in government and investment-grade corporate debt in accordance
with our investment policy. Some of the securities in which we
invest have market risk. This means that a change in prevailing
interest rates, and/or credit risk, may cause the fair value of the
investment to fluctuate. For example, if we hold a security that
was issued with a fixed interest rate at the then-prevailing rate
and the prevailing interest rate later rises, the fair value of our
investment will probably decline. As of March 31, 2018, our
portfolio of financial instruments consists of cash equivalents,
including bank deposits, and investments. Due to the short-term
basis as well as the nature of our investments, we believe there is
no material exposure to interest rate risk, and/or credit risk,
arising from our investments.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of March 31, 2018, management
carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of
our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, an
evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e)
and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Our disclosure controls and
procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that
information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file
or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized
and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules
and forms. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2018,
our disclosure controls and procedures were
effective.
Internal Control
Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our
internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended
March 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably
likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
PART II. OTHER
INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
We, and our subsidiaries, are not a
party to, and our property is not the subject of, any material
pending legal proceedings.
ITEM 1A. RISK
FACTORS
You should carefully consider the
following risks and uncertainties. If any of the following occurs,
our business, financial condition or operating results could be
materially harmed. These factors could cause the trading price of
our common stock to decline, and you could lose all or part of your
investment.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
Because we have in-licensed our product candidates from third
parties, any dispute with or non-performance by our licensors will
adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize the
applicable product candidates.
Because we license our foundational
intellectual property from third parties and we expect to continue
to in-license additional intellectual property rights, if there is
any dispute between us and our licensor regarding our rights under
a license agreement,
our ability to develop and commercialize our product candidates may
be adversely affected. Disputes may arise with the third parties
from whom we license our intellectual property rights from for a
variety of reasons, including:
●
the scope
of rights granted under the license agreement and other
interpretation-related issues;
●
the extent
to which our technology and processes infringe on intellectual
property of the licensor that is not subject to the licensing
agreement;
●
the
sublicensing of patent and other rights under our collaborative
development relationships and obligations associated with
sublicensing;
●
our
diligence obligations under the license agreement and what
activities satisfy those diligence obligations;
●
the
inventorship and ownership of inventions and know-how resulting
from the joint creation or use of intellectual property by our
licensors and us and our partners; and
●
the
priority of invention of patented technology.
In addition, the agreements under which
we currently license intellectual property or technology from third
parties are complex,
and certain provisions in such agreements may be susceptible to
multiple interpretations, or may conflict in such a way that puts
us in breach of one or more agreements, which would make us
susceptible to lengthy and expensive disputes with one or more of
our licensing partners. The resolution of any contract
interpretation disagreement that may arise could narrow what we
believe to be the scope of our rights to the relevant intellectual
property or technology, or increase what we believe to be our
financial or other obligations under the relevant agreement, either
of which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
Moreover, if disputes over intellectual property that we have
licensed prevent or impair our ability to maintain our current
licensing arrangements on commercially acceptable terms, we may be
unable to successfully develop and commercialize the affected
product candidates, which could have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial conditions, results of operations, and
prospects.
We do not have full internal development capabilities, and are thus
reliant upon our partners and third parties to generate clinical,
preclinical and quality data necessary to support the regulatory
applications needed to conduct clinical trials and file for
marketing approval.
In order to submit and maintain an
IND, Biologics License Application (“BLA”), or New Drug
Application (“NDA”) to the FDA, it is necessary to
submit all information on the clinical, non-clinical, chemistry,
manufacturing, controls and quality aspects of the product
candidate. We rely on our third party contractors and our licensing
partners to provide a significant portion of this data. If we are
unable to obtain this data, or the data is not sufficient to meet
the regulatory requirements, we may experience significant delays
in our development programs. Additionally, an IND must be active in
each division in which we intend to conduct clinical trials.
Currently we do not have an active IND for any of the IRAK4, BTK,
or BET inhibitors, nor for our anti-GITR antibody. Additionally,
there can be no assurance given that any of the molecules under
development in our IRAK4, BTK, or BET inhibitor program or in our
anti-GITR antibody research program will demonstrate sufficient
pharmacologic properties during pre-clinical evaluation to advance
to IND enabling studies, or that such IND enabling studies, if any
are conducted, will provide data sufficient to support the filing
of an IND, or that such IND, if filed, would be accepted by any FDA
division under which we would seek to develop any product
candidate. While we maintain an active IND for TG-1101 and TGR-1202
enabling the conduct of studies in the FDA’s Division of
Hematology and Oncology, and an active IND for TG-1101 under the
FDA’s Division of Neurology, there can be no assurance that
we will be successful in obtaining an active IND for these drugs in
any other division under whose supervision we may seek to develop
our product candidates, or that the FDA will allow us to continue
the development of our product candidates in those divisions where
we maintain an active IND.
We are highly dependent on the success of our product candidates
and cannot give any assurance that these or any future product
candidates will be successfully commercialized.
We are a development-stage
biopharmaceutical company, and do not currently have any commercial
products that generate revenues or any other sources of revenue. We
may never be able to successfully develop marketable products. Our
pharmaceutical development methods are unproven and may not lead to
commercially viable products for any of several
reasons.
If we are unable to develop, or
receive regulatory approval for or successfully commercialize any
of our product candidates, we will not be able to generate product
revenues. Even if we are able to develop or receive regulatory
approval for or successfully commercialize any of our product
candidates, we may not be able to gain market acceptance for our
product candidates and future products and may never become
profitable.
Because the results of preclinical studies and early clinical
trials are not necessarily predictive of future results, any
product candidate we advance into clinical trials may not have
favorable results in later clinical trials, if any, or receive
regulatory approval.
Pharmaceutical development has
inherent risk. We will be required to demonstrate through adequate
and well-controlled clinical trials that our product candidates are
effective with a favorable benefit-risk profile for use in diverse
populations for their target indications before we can seek
regulatory approvals for their commercial sale. Success in early
clinical trials does not mean that later clinical trials will be
successful because product candidates in later-stage clinical
trials may fail to demonstrate sufficient safety or efficacy
despite having progressed through initial clinical testing.
Companies frequently suffer significant setbacks in advanced
clinical trials, even after earlier clinical trials have shown
promising results. In addition, there is typically an extremely
high rate of failure of pharmaceutical candidates proceeding
through clinical trials.
We plan on conducting additional
Phase I, II and III clinical trials for TG-1101 and TGR-1202. Early
clinical results seen with TG-1101 and TGR-1202 in a small number
of patients may not be reproduced in expanded or larger clinical
trials. Additionally, individually reported outcomes of patients
treated in clinical trials may not be representative of the entire
population of treated patients in such studies. Further, larger
scale Phase III studies, which are often conducted internationally,
are inherently subject to increased operational risks compared to
earlier stage studies, including the risk that the results could
vary on a region to region, or country to country basis which could
materially adversely affect the study’s outcome or the
opinion of the validity of the study results by applicable
regulatory agencies. Early clinical trial results from interim
analysis or from the review of a Data Safety Monitoring Board
(DSMB) or similar safety committee may not be reflective of the
results of the entire study, when completed. Additionally, many of
the results reported in our early clinical trials rely on local
investigator assessed safety and efficacy outcomes which may differ
from results assessed in a blinded, independent, centrally reviewed
manner, often required of adequate and well controlled registration
directed clinical trials which may be undertaken at a later date.
If the results from expansion cohorts or later trials are different
from those found in the earlier studies of TG-1101 and TGR-1202, we
may need to terminate or revise our clinical development plan,
which could extend the time for conducting our development program
and could have a material adverse effect on our business. Our
IRAK4, BTK, BET, and anti-GITR programs are all in pre-clinical
development and no assurance can be given that they will advance
into clinical development. If the results from additional
pre-clinical studies or early clinical trials differ from those
found in earlier studies, our clinical development plans and
timelines for this program could be adversely affected which could
have a material adverse effect on our business. Many drugs fail in
the early stages of clinical development for safety and
tolerability issues, accordingly if our pre-clinical assets advance
into clinical development, no assurance can be made that a safe and
efficacious dose can be found.
If we are unable to successfully complete our clinical trial
programs, or if such clinical trials take longer to complete than
we project, our ability to execute our current business strategy
will be adversely affected.
Whether or not and how quickly we
complete clinical trials is dependent in part upon the rate at
which we are able to engage clinical trial sites and, thereafter,
the rate of enrollment of patients, and the rate we collect, clean,
lock and analyze the clinical trial database. Patient enrollment is
a function of many factors, including the size of the patient
population, the proximity of patients to clinical sites, the
eligibility criteria for the study, the existence of competitive
clinical trials, and whether existing or new drugs are approved for
the indication we are studying. We are aware that other companies
are currently conducting or planning clinical trials that seek to
enroll patients with the same diseases that we are studying.
Certain clinical trials are designed to continue until a
pre-determined number of events have occurred in the patients
enrolled. Trials such as this are subject to delays stemming from
patient withdrawal and from lower than expected event rates. They
may also incur additional costs if enrollment is increased in order
to achieve the desired number of events. If we experience delays in
identifying and contracting with sites and/or in patient enrollment
in our clinical trial programs, we may incur additional costs and
delays in our development programs, and may not be able to complete
our clinical trials in a cost-effective or timely manner. In
addition, conducting multi-national studies adds another level of
complexity and risk. We are subject to events affecting countries
outside the U.S. Negative or inconclusive results from the clinical
trials we conduct or unanticipated adverse medical events could
cause us to have to repeat or terminate the clinical
trials.
In September 2015 we announced a
Phase 3 clinical trial for the combination of TG-1101 + TGR-1202
for patients with CLL, which is being conducted pursuant to an SPA
with the FDA and in August 2017 we announced an SPA for our
registration program for TG-1101 in relapsing forms of MS. Many
companies which have been granted SPAs and/or the right to utilize
the FDA’s Fast Track or accelerated approval process have
ultimately failed to obtain final approval to market their drugs.
Since we are seeking approvals under SPAs for some of our product
registration strategies, based on protocol designs negotiated with
the FDA, we may be subject to enhanced scrutiny. Further, any
changes or amendments to a protocol that is being conducted under
SPA will have to be reviewed and approved by the FDA to verify that
the SPA agreement is still valid. Even if the primary endpoint in a
Phase 3 clinical trial is achieved, a SPA does not guarantee
approval. The FDA may raise issues of safety, study conduct, bias,
deviation from the protocol, statistical power, patient completion
rates, changes in scientific or medical parameters or internal
inconsistencies in the data prior to making its final decision. The
FDA may also seek the guidance of an outside advisory committee
prior to making its final decision.
The sufficiency of our GENUINE trial results for approval are subject to
FDA’s discretion.
Obtaining accelerated approval for
an agent requires demonstration of meaningful benefit over
available therapies. While we believe we have an understanding of
what is considered available therapy today, ultimately the
determination of what constitutes available therapy is wholly up to
the FDA and is subject to change. In October 2017, we announced the
outcome of a meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) regarding the use of the results from the GENUINE Phase 3
trial to support a Biologics License Application (BLA) filing for
accelerated approval of TG-1101 in combination with
ibrutinib. As part of the discussion, the FDA also
guided that if one or more agents obtained full approval before we
could obtain accelerated approval, those agents could be considered
available therapy, and we would need to show meaningful benefit
over those agents as well. No assurance can be given that other
agents will not receive full approval prior to our potential
receipt of accelerated approval. If that were to occur, no
assurance can be given that we would be successful in proving
meaningful benefit over those later approved drugs. If we were
unable to prove meaningful benefit over any such agents, we would
be effectively blocked from receiving accelerated
approval.
While we wait to see if any drugs
receive full approval and can evaluate the data associated with any
such agents, we are continuing to make preparations for a BLA
filing for accelerated approval. Whether or not we ultimately file
such application will be subject to multiple factors and no
assurance can be given that a filing will be made. If a filing is
made, the FDA acceptance of such a filing will depend on the
FDA’s views on the adequacy of the filing, and further even
if the filing is accepted, approval of such a filing is a question
wholly within the FDA’s discretion to determine. In
addition, if we were to receive accelerated approval, we would be
required to conduct a post-market confirmatory study, which we may
not complete, or if completed, may prove unsuccessful. In such
instance, the FDA can remove the product from the
market.
The GENUINE study in its final form
was not powered for progression-free survival (PFS). There can be
no assurance given that we will reach agreement with the FDA on an
acceptable use of PFS data from GENUINE to support approval of
TG-1101, or even if an agreement is reached, that the PFS results
of TG-1101 will be positive and/or sufficient to support a
regulatory approval of TG-1101.
Any product candidates we may advance through clinical development
are subject to extensive regulation, which can be costly and time
consuming, cause unanticipated delays or prevent the receipt of the
required approvals or “fast track” or “priority
review” status to commercialize our product
candidates.
The clinical development,
manufacturing, labeling, storage, record-keeping, advertising,
promotion, import, export, marketing and distribution of our
product candidates or any future product candidates are subject to
extensive regulation by the FDA in the United States and by
comparable health authorities worldwide or in foreign markets. In
the United States, we are not permitted to market our product
candidates until we receive approval of a BLA or NDA from the FDA.
The process of obtaining BLA and NDA approval is expensive, often
takes many years and can vary substantially based upon the type,
complexity and novelty of the products involved. Approval policies
or regulations may change and the FDA has substantial discretion in
the pharmaceutical approval process, including the ability to
delay, limit or deny approval of a product candidate for many
reasons. Even with “fast track” or “priority
review” status which we intend to seek for our product
candidates, where possible, including with regard to TG-1101, such
designations do not necessarily mean a faster development process
or regulatory review process or necessarily confer any advantage
with respect to approval compared to conventional FDA procedures.
In addition, the FDA may require post-approval clinical trials or
studies which also may be costly. The FDA approval for a limited
indication or approval with required warning language, such as a
boxed warning, could significantly impact our ability to
successfully market our product candidates. Finally, the FDA may
require adoption of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy
(“REMS”) requiring prescriber training, post-market
registries, or otherwise restricting the marketing and
dissemination of these products. Despite the time and expense
invested in clinical development of product candidates, regulatory
approval is never guaranteed. Assuming successful clinical
development, we intend to seek product approvals in countries
outside the United States. As a result, we would be subject to
regulation by the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”), as
well as the other regulatory agencies in many of these countries,
and other regulatory agencies around the world.
Approval procedures vary among
countries and can involve additional product testing and additional
administrative review periods. The time required to obtain approval
in other countries might differ from that required to obtain FDA
approval. Regulatory approval in one country does not ensure
regulatory approval in another, but a failure or delay in obtaining
regulatory approval in one country may negatively impact the
regulatory process in others. As in the United States, the
regulatory approval process in Europe and in other countries is a
lengthy and challenging process. The FDA, and any other regulatory
body around the world can delay, limit or deny approval of a
product candidate for many reasons, including:
●
the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with
the design or implementation of our clinical
trials;
●
we
may be unable to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA or
comparable foreign regulatory authorities that a product candidate
is safe and effective for any indication;
●
the
FDA may not accept clinical data from trials which are conducted by
individual investigators or in countries where the standard of care
is potentially different from the United
States;
●
the
results of clinical trials may not meet the level of statistical
significance required by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory
authorities for approval;
●
we
may be unable to demonstrate that a product candidate's clinical
and other benefits outweigh its safety risks;
●
the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with
our interpretation of data from preclinical studies or clinical
trials;
●
the
data collected from clinical trials of our product candidates may
not be sufficient to support the submission of a BLA, NDA or other
submission or to obtain regulatory approval in the United States or
elsewhere;
●
the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may fail to
approve the manufacturing processes or facilities of third-party
manufacturers with which we or our collaborators contract for
clinical and commercial supplies; or
●
the
approval policies or regulations of the FDA or comparable foreign
regulatory authorities may significantly change in a manner
rendering our clinical data insufficient for
approval.
In addition, recent events raising
questions about the safety of certain marketed pharmaceuticals may
result in increased cautiousness by the FDA and other regulatory
authorities in reviewing new pharmaceuticals based on safety,
efficacy or other regulatory considerations and may result in
significant delays in obtaining regulatory approvals. Regulatory
approvals for our product candidates may not be obtained without
lengthy delays, if at all. Any delay in obtaining, or inability to
obtain, applicable regulatory approvals would prevent us from
commercializing our product candidates.
Any product candidate we advance into clinical trials may cause
unacceptable adverse events or have other properties that may delay
or prevent their regulatory approval or commercialization or limit
their commercial potential.
Unacceptable adverse events caused
by any of our product candidates that we take into clinical trials
could cause either us or regulatory authorities to interrupt,
delay, modify or halt clinical trials and could result in the
denial of regulatory approval by the FDA or other regulatory
authorities for any or all targeted indications. This, in turn,
could prevent us from commercializing the affected product
candidate and generating revenues from its
sale.
We have not completed testing of
any of our product candidates for the treatment of the indications
for which we intend to seek product approval in humans, and we
currently do not know the extent that adverse events, if any, will
be observed in patients who receive any of our product candidates.
To date, clinical trials using TG-1101 and TGR-1202 have
demonstrated a toxicity profile that was deemed acceptable by the
investigators performing such studies. Such interpretation may not
be shared by future investigators or by the FDA and in the case of
TG-1101 and TGR-1202, even if deemed acceptable for oncology
applications, it may not be acceptable for diseases outside the
oncology setting, and likewise for any other product candidates we
may develop. Additionally, the severity, duration and incidence of
adverse events may increase in larger study populations. With
respect to both TG-1101 and TGR-1202, the toxicity when
manufactured under different conditions and in different
formulations is not known, and it is possible that additional
and/or different adverse events may appear upon the human use of
those formulations and those adverse events may arise with greater
frequency, intensity and duration than in the current formulation.
Should the Company not be able to adequately demonstrate analytical
comparability between drug product manufactured under different
conditions, the introduction of such new drug product into ongoing
trials also has the potential to confound the interpretation of the
results or complicate the statistical analysis of such trial.
Further, with respect to TGR-1202, although approximately one
thousand patients have been dosed amongst all ongoing TGR-1202
studies, the full adverse effect profile of TGR-1202 is not known.
It is also unknown as additional patients are exposed for longer
durations to TGR-1202, whether greater frequency and/or severity of
adverse events are likely to occur. Common toxicities of other
drugs in the same class as TGR-1202 include high levels of liver
toxicity, infections and colitis, the latter of which notably has
presented with later onset, with incidence increasing with duration
of exposure. To date, the incidence of these events has been
limited for TGR-1202, however no assurance can be given that this
safety and tolerability profile will continue to be demonstrated in
the future as higher doses, longer durations of exposure, and
multiple drug combinations are explored. If any of our product
candidates cause unacceptable adverse events in clinical trials, we
may not be able to obtain marketing approval and generate revenues
from its sale, or even if approved for sale may lack
differentiation from competitive products, which could have a
material adverse impact on our business and
operations.
Additionally, in combination
clinical development, there is an inherent risk of drug-drug
interactions between combination agents which may affect each
component’s individual pharmacologic properties and the
overall efficacy and safety of the combination regimen. Both
TG-1101 and TGR-1202 are being evaluated in combination together,
as well as with a variety of other active anti-cancer agents, which
may cause unforeseen toxicity, or impact the severity, duration,
and incidence of adverse events observed compared to those seen in
the single agent studies of these agents. Further, with multi-drug
combinations, it is often difficult to interpret or properly assign
attribution of an adverse event to any one particular agent,
introducing the risk that toxicity caused by a component of a
combination regimen could have a material adverse impact on the
development of our product candidates. There can be no assurances
given that the combination regimens being studied will display
tolerability or efficacy suitable to warrant further testing or
produce data that is sufficient to obtain marketing
approval.
If any of our product candidates
receives marketing approval and we, or others, later identify
unacceptable adverse events caused by the product, a number of
significant negative consequences could result,
including:
●
regulatory authorities may withdraw
their approval of the affected product;
●
regulatory authorities may require
a more significant clinical benefit for approval to offset the
risk;
●
regulatory authorities may require
the addition of labeling statements that could diminish the usage
of the product or otherwise limit the commercial success of the
affected product;
●
we
may be required to change the way the product is administered,
conduct additional clinical trials or change the labeling of the
product;
●
we
may choose to discontinue sale of the product;
●
we
could be sued and held liable for harm caused to
patients;
●
we
may not be able to enter into collaboration agreements on
acceptable terms and execute on our business model;
and
●
our
reputation may suffer.
Any one or a combination of these
events could prevent us from obtaining or maintaining regulatory
approval and achieving or maintaining market acceptance of the
affected product or could substantially increase the costs and
expenses of commercializing the affected product, which in turn
could delay or prevent us from generating any revenues from the
sale of the affected product.
We may experience delays in the commencement of our clinical trials
or in the receipt of data from preclinical and clinical trials
conducted by third parties, which could result in increased costs
and delay our ability to pursue regulatory
approval.
Delays in the commencement of
clinical trials and delays in the receipt of data from preclinical
or clinical trials conducted by third parties could significantly
impact our product development costs. Before we can initiate
clinical trials in the United States for our product candidates, we
need to submit the results of preclinical testing, usually in
animals, to the FDA as part of an IND, along with other information
including information about product chemistry, manufacturing and
controls and its proposed clinical trial protocol for our product
candidates.
We plan to rely on preclinical and
clinical trial data from third parties, if any, for the IND
submissions for our product candidates. If receipt of that data is
delayed for any reason, including reasons outside of our control,
it will delay our plans for IND filings, and clinical trial plans.
This, in turn, will delay our ability to make subsequent regulatory
filings and ultimately, to commercialize our products if regulatory
approval is obtained. If those third parties do not make this data
available to us, we will likely, on our own, have to develop all
the necessary preclinical and clinical data which will lead to
additional delays and increase the costs of our development of our
product candidates.
Before we can test any product
candidate in human clinical trials the product candidate enters the
preclinical testing stage. Preclinical tests include laboratory
evaluations of product chemistry, toxicity and formulation, as well
as in-vitro and animal studies to assess the potential safety and
activity of the pharmaceutical product candidate. The conduct of
the preclinical tests must comply with federal regulations and
requirements including good laboratory practices
(“GLP”).
We must submit the results of the
preclinical tests, together with manufacturing information,
analytical data, any available clinical data or literature and a
proposed clinical protocol, to the FDA as part of the IND. The IND
automatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA,
unless the FDA places the IND on a clinical hold within that 30-day
time period. In such a case, we must work with the FDA to resolve
any outstanding concerns before the clinical trials can begin. The
FDA may also impose clinical holds on a product candidate at any
time before or during clinical trials due to safety concerns or
non-compliance. Accordingly, we cannot be sure that submission of
an IND will result in the FDA allowing clinical trials to begin, or
that, once begun, issues will not arise that suspend or terminate
such clinical trial.
The
FDA may require that we conduct additional preclinical testing for
any product candidate before it allows us to initiate the clinical
testing under any IND, which may lead to additional delays and
increase the costs of our preclinical
development.
Even assuming an active IND for a
product candidate, we do not know whether our planned clinical
trials for any such product candidate will begin on time, or at
all. The commencement of clinical trials can be delayed for a
variety of reasons, including delays in:
●
obtaining regulatory clearance to
commence a clinical trial;
●
identifying, recruiting and
training suitable clinical investigators;
●
reaching agreement on acceptable
terms with prospective contract research organizations
(“CROs”) and trial sites, the terms of which can be
subject to extensive negotiation, may be subject to modification
from time to time and may vary significantly among different CROs
and trial sites;
●
obtaining sufficient quantities of
a product candidate for use in clinical trials;
●
obtaining institutional review
board (“IRB”) or ethics committee approval to conduct a
clinical trial at a prospective site;
●
identifying, recruiting and
enrolling patients to participate in a clinical
trial;
●
retaining patients who have
initiated a clinical trial but may withdraw due to adverse events
from the therapy, insufficient efficacy, fatigue with the clinical
trial process or personal issues; and
●
unexpected safety
findings.
Any delays in the commencement of
our clinical trials will delay our ability to pursue regulatory
approval for our product candidates. In addition, many of the
factors that cause, or lead to, a delay in the commencement of
clinical trials may also ultimately lead to the denial of
regulatory approval of a product candidate.
Delays in the completion of clinical testing could result in
increased costs and delay our ability to generate product
revenues.
Once a clinical trial has begun,
patient recruitment and enrollment may be slower than we
anticipate. Clinical trials may also be delayed as a result of
ambiguous or negative interim results. Further, a clinical trial
may be suspended or terminated by us, an IRB, an ethics committee
or a Data Safety and Monitoring Committee overseeing the clinical
trial, any of our clinical trial sites with respect to that site or
the FDA or other regulatory authorities due to a number of factors,
including:
●
failure to conduct the clinical
trial in accordance with regulatory requirements or our clinical
protocols;
●
inspection of the clinical trial
operations or clinical trial site by the FDA or other regulatory
authorities resulting in the imposition of a clinical
hold;
●
unforeseen safety issues or any
determination that the clinical trial presents unacceptable health
risks; and
●
lack
of adequate funding to continue the clinical
trial.
Changes in regulatory requirements
and guidance also may occur and we may need to amend clinical trial
protocols to reflect these changes. Amendments may require us to
resubmit our clinical trial protocols to IRBs for re-examination,
which may impact the costs, timing and successful completion of a
clinical trial. If we experience delays in the completion of, or if
we must terminate, any clinical trial of any product candidate that
we advance into clinical trials, our ability to obtain regulatory
approval for that product candidate will be delayed and the
commercial prospects, if any, for the product candidate may be
harmed. In addition, many of these factors may also ultimately lead
to the denial of regulatory approval of a product candidate. Even
if we ultimately commercialize any of our product candidates, other
therapies for the same indications may have been introduced to the
market during the period we have been delayed and such therapies
may have established a competitive advantage over our product
candidates.
We intend to rely on third parties to help conduct our planned
clinical trials. If these third parties do not meet their deadlines
or otherwise conduct the trials as required, we may not be able to
obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize our product
candidates when expected or at all.
We intend to use CROs to assist in
the conduct of our planned clinical trials and will rely upon
medical institutions, clinical investigators and contract
laboratories to conduct our trials in accordance with our clinical
protocols. Our future CROs, investigators and other third parties
may play a significant role in the conduct of these trials and the
subsequent collection and analysis of data from the clinical
trials.
There is no guarantee that any
CROs, investigators and other third parties will devote adequate
time and resources to our clinical trials or perform as
contractually required. If any third parties upon whom we rely for
administration and conduct of our clinical trials fail to meet
expected deadlines, fail to adhere to its clinical protocols or
otherwise perform in a substandard manner, our clinical trials may
be extended, delayed or terminated, and we may not be able to
commercialize our product candidates.
If any of our clinical trial sites
terminate for any reason, we may experience the loss of follow-up
information on patients enrolled in our ongoing clinical trials
unless we are able to transfer the care of those patients to
another qualified clinical trial site. In addition, principal
investigators for our clinical trials may serve as scientific
advisors or consultants to us from time to time and receive cash or
equity compensation in connection with such services. If these
relationships and any related compensation result in perceived or
actual conflicts of interest, the integrity of the data generated
at the applicable clinical trial site may be
jeopardized.
As all of our product candidates are still under development,
manufacturing and process improvements implemented in the
production of those product candidates may affect their ultimate
activity or function.
Our product candidates are in the
initial stages of development and are currently manufactured in
small batches for use in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Process
improvements implemented to date have changed, and process
improvements in the future may change, the activity profile of the
product candidates, which may affect the safety and efficacy of the
products. No assurance can be given that the material manufactured
from any of the optimized processes will perform comparably to the
product candidates as manufactured to date and used in currently
available pre-clinical data and or in early clinical trials
reported in this or any previous filing. Additionally, future
clinical trial results will be subject to the same level of
uncertainty if, following such trials, additional process
improvements are made. In addition, we have engaged a secondary
manufacturer for TG-1101 to meet our current clinical and future
commercial needs and anticipate engaging additional manufacturing
sources for TGR-1202 to meet expanded clinical trial and commercial
needs. While material produced from this secondary manufacturer for
TG-1101 has to date demonstrated acceptable comparability to enable
introduction into our clinical trials, no assurance can be given
that any additional manufacturers will be successful or that
material manufactured by the additional manufacturers will perform
comparably to TG-1101 or TGR-1202 as manufactured to date and used
in currently available pre-clinical data and or in early clinical
trials reported in this or any previous filing, or that the
relevant regulatory agencies will agree with our interpretation of
comparability. If a secondary manufacturer is not successful in
replicating the product or experiences delays, or if regulatory
authorities impose unforeseen requirements with respect to product
comparability from multiple manufacturing sources, we may
experience delays in clinical development.
If we fail to adequately understand and comply with the local laws
and customs as we expand into new international markets, these
operations may incur losses or otherwise adversely affect our
business and results of operations.
We expect to operate a portion of
our business in certain countries through subsidiaries or through
supply and marketing arrangements. In those countries, where we
have limited experience in operating subsidiaries and in reviewing
equity investees, we will be subject to additional risks related to
complying with a wide variety of national and local laws, including
restrictions on the import and export of certain intermediates,
drugs, technologies and multiple and possibly overlapping tax
structures. In addition, we may face competition in certain
countries from companies that may have more experience with
operations in such countries or with international operations
generally. We may also face difficulties integrating new facilities
in different countries into our existing operations, as well as
integrating employees hired in different countries into our
existing corporate culture. If we do not effectively manage our
operations in these subsidiaries and review equity investees
effectively, or if we fail to manage our alliances, we may lose
money in these countries and it may adversely affect our business
and results of our operations. In all interactions with foreign
regulatory authorities, the Company is exposed to liability risks
under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or similar anti-bribery
laws.
If our competitors develop treatments for the target indications
for which any of our product candidates may be approved, and they
are approved more quickly, marketed more effectively or
demonstrated to be more effective than our product candidates, our
commercial opportunity will be reduced or
eliminated.
We operate in a highly competitive
segment of the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical market. We face
competition from numerous sources, including commercial
pharmaceutical and biotechnology enterprises, academic
institutions, government agencies, and private and public research
institutions. Many of our competitors have significantly greater
financial, product development, manufacturing and marketing
resources. Large pharmaceutical companies have extensive experience
in clinical testing and obtaining regulatory approval for drugs.
Additionally, many universities and private and public research
institutes are active in cancer research, some in direct
competition with us. We may also compete with these organizations
to recruit scientists and clinical development personnel. Smaller
or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant
competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with
large and established companies.
The cancer indications for which we
are developing our products have a number of established therapies
with which we will compete. Most major pharmaceutical companies and
many biotechnology companies are aggressively pursuing new cancer
development programs for the treatment of NHL, CLL, and other
B-cell proliferative malignancies, including both therapies with
traditional, as well as novel, mechanisms of action. Additionally,
numerous established therapies exist for the autoimmune disorders
for which we are developing TG-1101, including and in particular,
multiple sclerosis (MS).
If approved, we expect TG-1101 to
compete directly with Roche Group’s Rituxan® (rituximab)
and Gazyva® (obinutuzumab or GA-101), and Novartis’
Arzerra® (ofatumumab) among others, each of which is currently
approved for the treatment of various diseases including NHL and
CLL. In addition, a number of pharmaceutical companies are
developing antibodies targeting CD20, CD19, and other B-cell
associated targets, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T)
immunotherapy, and other B-cell ablative therapy which, if
approved, would potentially compete with TG-1101 both in oncology
settings as well as in autoimmune disorders. In 2017, the Roche
Group’s anti-CD20 antibody ocrelizumab was approved for the
treatment of MS. Genmab and GSK’s (ofatumumab) is also under
clinical development for patients with MS. New developments,
including the development of other pharmaceutical technologies and
methods of treating disease, occur in the pharmaceutical and life
sciences industries at a rapid pace.
With respect to TGR-1202, there are
several PI3K delta targeted compounds both approved, such as
Gilead’s Zydelig® (idelalisib)
and Bayer’s Aliqopa™ (copanlisib), and in development,
including, but not limited to, Verastem’s duvelisib which if
approved we would expect to compete directly with TGR-1202. In
addition, there are numerous other novel therapies targeting
similar pathways to TGR-1202 both approved and in development,
which could also compete with TGR-1202 in similar indications, such
as the BTK inhibitor, ibrutinib (FDA approved for MCL, CLL,
Marginal Zone Lymphoma and WM and marketed by AbbVie and Janssen),
the BTK inhibitor acalabrutinib (FDA approved for MCL and marketed
by AstraZeneca), or the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax (FDA approved
for CLL and marketed by AbbVie and Roche).
These developments may render our
product candidates obsolete or noncompetitive. Compared to us, many
of our potential competitors have substantially
greater:
●
research and development resources,
including personnel and technology;
●
pharmaceutical development,
clinical trial and pharmaceutical commercialization
experience;
●
experience and expertise in
exploitation of intellectual property rights;
and
As a result of these factors, our
competitors may obtain regulatory approval of their products more
rapidly than us or may obtain patent protection or other
intellectual property rights that limit our ability to develop or
commercialize our product candidates. Our competitors may also
develop products for the treatment of lymphoma, CLL, or other
B-cell and autoimmune related disorders that are more effective,
better tolerated, more useful and less costly than ours and may
also be more successful in manufacturing and marketing their
products. Our competitors may succeed in obtaining approvals from
the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities for their product
candidates sooner than we do for our products.
We will also face competition from
these third parties in recruiting and retaining qualified
personnel, establishing clinical trial sites and enrolling patients
for clinical trials and in identifying and in-licensing new product
candidates.
We rely completely on third parties to manufacture our preclinical
and clinical pharmaceutical supplies and we intend to rely on third
parties to produce commercial supplies of any approved product
candidate, and our commercialization of any of our product
candidates could be stopped, delayed or made less profitable if
those third parties fail to obtain approval of the FDA, fail to
provide us with sufficient quantities of pharmaceutical product or
fail to do so at acceptable quality levels or
prices.
The facilities used by our contract
manufacturers to manufacture our product candidates must be
approved by the FDA pursuant to inspections that will be conducted
only after we submit a BLA or NDA to the FDA, if at all. We do not
control the manufacturing process of our product candidates and are
completely dependent on our contract manufacturing partners for
compliance with the FDA’s requirements for manufacture of
finished pharmaceutical products (good manufacturing practices,
GMP). If our contract manufacturers cannot successfully manufacture
material that conforms to our target product specifications, patent
specifications, and/or the FDA’s strict regulatory
requirements of safety, purity and potency, we will not be able to
secure and/or maintain FDA approval for our product candidates. In
addition, we have no control over the ability of our contract
manufacturers to maintain adequate quality control, quality
assurance and qualified personnel. If our contract manufacturers
cannot meet FDA standards, we may need to find alternative
manufacturing facilities, which would significantly impact our
ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for or market our
product candidates. No assurance can be given that a long-term,
scalable manufacturer can be identified or that they can make
clinical and commercial supplies of our product candidates that
meets the product specifications of previously manufactured
batches, or is of a sufficient quality, or at an appropriate scale
and cost to make it commercially feasible. If they are unable to do
so, it could have a material adverse impact on our
business.
In addition, we do not have the
capability to package finished products for distribution to
hospitals and other customers. Prior to commercial launch, we
intend to enter into agreements with one or more alternate
fill/finish pharmaceutical product suppliers so that we can ensure
proper supply chain management once we are authorized to make
commercial sales of our product candidates. If we receive marketing
approval from the FDA, we intend to sell pharmaceutical product
finished and packaged by such suppliers. We have not entered into
long-term agreements with our current contract manufacturers or
with any fill/finish suppliers, and though we intend to do so prior
to commercial launch of our product candidates in order to ensure
that we maintain adequate supplies of finished product, we may be
unable to enter into such an agreement or do so on commercially
reasonable terms, which could have a material adverse impact upon
our business.
In
most cases, our manufacturing partners are single source suppliers.
It is expected that our manufacturing partners will be sole source
suppliers from single site locations for the foreseeable future.
Given this, any disruption of supply from these partners could have
a material, long-term impact on our ability to supply products for
clinical trials or commercial sale. If our suppliers do not deliver
sufficient quantities of our product candidates on a timely basis,
or at all, and in accordance with applicable specifications, there
could be a significant interruption of our supply, which would
adversely affect clinical development and commercialization of our
products. In addition, if our current or future supply of any or
our product candidates should fail to meet specifications during
its stability program there could be a significant interruption of
our supply of drug, which would adversely affect the clinical
development and commercialization of the
product.
Our product
candidates may compete with other product candidates and products
for access to manufacturing facilities. There are a limited number
of manufacturers that operate under cGMP regulations and that might
be capable of manufacturing for us. Any performance failure on the
part of our existing or future manufacturers could delay clinical
development or marketing approval. We do not currently have
arrangements in place for redundant supply or a second source for
bulk drug substance. If our current contract manufacturers cannot
perform as agreed, we may be required to replace such
manufacturers. We may incur added costs and delays in identifying
and qualifying any replacement manufacturers.
Our current
and anticipated future dependence upon others for the manufacture
of our product candidates or products may adversely affect our
future profit margins and our ability to commercialize any products
that receive marketing approval on a timely and competitive
basis.
We also
expect to rely on other third parties to store and distribute drug
supplies for our clinical trials. Any performance failure on the
part of our distributors could delay clinical development or
marketing approval of any future product candidates or
commercialization of our products, producing additional losses and
depriving us of potential product revenue.
We currently have no marketing and sales organization and no
experience in marketing pharmaceutical products. If we are unable
to establish sales and marketing capabilities or fail to enter into
agreements with third parties to market and sell any products we
may develop, we may not be able to effectively market and sell our
products and generate product revenue.
We do not currently have the
infrastructure for the sales, marketing and distribution of our
biotechnology products, and we must build this infrastructure or
make arrangements with third parties to perform these functions in
order to commercialize our products. We plan to either develop
internally or enter into collaborations or other commercial
arrangements to develop further, promote and sell all or a portion
of our product candidates.
The establishment and development
of a sales force, either by us or jointly with a development
partner, or the establishment of a contract sales force to market
any products we may develop will be expensive and time-consuming
and could delay any product launch, and we cannot be certain that
we or our development partners would be able to successfully
develop this capability. If we or our development partners are
unable to establish sales and marketing capability or any other
non-technical capabilities necessary to commercialize any products
we may develop, we will need to contract with third parties to
market and sell such products. We currently possess limited
resources and may not be successful in establishing our own
internal sales force or in establishing arrangements with third
parties on acceptable terms, if at all.
We may seek to establish additional collaborations and, if we are
not able to establish them on commercially reasonable terms, we may
have to alter our development and commercialization
plans.
Any future product candidate development
programs and the potential commercialization of our
product candidates will
require substantial additional cash to fund expenses. For
any current or future product
candidates, we may decide to collaborate with additional
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for the development and
potential commercialization of those product
candidates.
We face
significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborators.
Whether we reach a definitive agreement for any additional
collaborations will depend, among other things, upon our assessment
of the collaborator’s resources and expertise, the terms and
conditions of the proposed collaboration and the proposed
collaborator’s evaluation of a number of factors. Those
factors may include the design or results of clinical trials, the
likelihood of approval by FDA or similar regulatory authorities
outside the United States, the potential market for the subject
product candidate, the costs and complexities of manufacturing and
delivering such product candidate to patients, the potential of
competing drugs, the existence of uncertainty with respect to our
ownership of technology, which can exist if there is a challenge to
such ownership without regard to the merits of the challenge and
industry and market conditions generally. The collaborator may also
consider alternative product candidates or technologies for similar
indications that may be available to collaborate on and whether
such a collaboration could be more attractive than the one with us
for any future product candidate. The terms of any additional
collaborations or other arrangements that we may establish may not
be favorable to us.
We may not
be able to negotiate additional collaborations on a timely basis,
on acceptable terms, or at all. Collaborations are complex and
time-consuming to negotiate and document. In addition, there have
been a significant number of recent business combinations among
large pharmaceutical companies that have resulted in a reduced
number of potential future collaborators. If we are unable to
negotiate and enter into new collaborations, we may have to curtail
the development of the product candidate for which we are seeking
to collaborate, reduce or delay its development program or reduce
or delay any other future development programs.
If conflicts arise between us and our future collaborators or
strategic partners, these parties may act in a manner adverse to us
and could limit our ability to implement our
strategies.
If
conflicts arise between our future corporate or academic
collaborators or strategic partners and us, the other party may act
in a manner adverse to us and could limit our ability to implement
our strategies. Future collaborators or strategic partners, may
develop, either alone or with others, products in related fields
that are competitive with the products or potential products that
are the subject of these collaborations. Competing products, either
developed by the collaborators or strategic partners or to which
the collaborators or strategic partners have rights, may result in
the withdrawal of partner support for any future product
candidates. Our current or future collaborators or strategic
partners may preclude us from entering into collaborations with
their competitors, fail to obtain timely regulatory approvals,
terminate their agreements with us prematurely, or fail to devote
sufficient resources to the development and commercialization of
products. Any of these developments could harm any future product
development efforts.
We will need to obtain FDA approval of any proposed product brand
names, and any failure or delay associated with such approval may
adversely impact our business.
A pharmaceutical product candidate cannot
be marketed in the United States or other countries until we have
completed a rigorous and extensive regulatory review processes,
including approval of a brand name. Any brand names we intend to
use for TG-1101, TGR-1202 or any future product candidates will
require approval from the FDA regardless of whether we have secured
a formal trademark registration from the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office, or USPTO. The FDA typically conducts a review of proposed
product brand names, including an evaluation of potential for
confusion with other product names. The FDA may also object to a
product brand name if it believes the name inappropriately implies
medical claims. If the FDA objects to any of our proposed product
brand names, we may be required to adopt an alternative brand name
for TG-1101, TGR-1202 or any future product candidates. If we
adopt an alternative brand name, we would lose the benefit of our
existing trademark applications for such product candidate and may
be required to expend significant additional resources in an effort
to identify a suitable product brand name that would qualify under
applicable trademark laws, not infringe the existing rights of
third parties and be acceptable to the FDA. We may be unable to
build a successful brand identity for a new trademark in a timely
manner or at all, which would limit our ability to
commercialize TG-1101, TGR-1202, or any future product
candidates.
If any product candidate that we successfully develop does not
achieve broad market acceptance among physicians, patients,
healthcare payors, and the medical community, the revenues that we
generate from its sales will be limited.
Even if our product candidates
receive regulatory approval, they may not gain market acceptance
among physicians, patients, healthcare payors, and the medical
community. Coverage and reimbursement of our product candidates by
third-party payors, including government payors, generally is also
necessary for commercial success. The degree of market acceptance
of any of our approved products will depend on a number of factors,
including:
●
the
efficacy and safety as demonstrated in clinical
trials;
●
the
clinical indications for which the product is
approved;
●
acceptance by physicians, major
operators of cancer clinics and patients of the product as a safe
and effective treatment;
●
the
potential and perceived advantages of product candidates over
alternative treatments;
●
the
safety of product candidates seen in a broader patient group,
including its use outside the approved
indications;
●
the
cost of treatment in relation to alternative
treatments;
●
the
availability of adequate reimbursement and pricing by third parties
and government authorities;
●
relative convenience and ease of
administration;
●
the
prevalence and severity of adverse events; and
●
the
effectiveness of our sales and marketing
efforts.
If any product candidate is
approved but does not achieve an adequate level of acceptance by
physicians, hospitals, healthcare payors and patients, we may not
generate sufficient revenue from these products and we may not
become or remain profitable.
If the market opportunities for our product candidates are smaller
than we believe they are, even assuming approval of a drug
candidate, our business may suffer.
Our projections of both the number of
people who are affected by disease within our target indications,
as well as the subset of these people who have the potential to
benefit from treatment with our product candidates, are based on our
beliefs and estimates. These estimates have been derived from a
variety of sources, including the scientific literature, healthcare
utilization databases and market research, and may prove to be
incorrect. Further, new studies may change the estimated incidence
or prevalence of these diseases. The number of patients may turn
out to be lower than expected. Likewise, the potentially
addressable patient population for each of our product candidates may be limited or may
not be amenable to treatment with our product candidates, and new patients may
become increasingly difficult to identify or gain access to, which
would adversely affect our results of operations and our
business.
If product liability lawsuits are brought against us, we may incur
substantial liabilities and may be required to limit
commercialization of our product candidates.
We face an inherent risk of product
liability exposure related to the testing of our product candidates
in human clinical trials, and will face an even greater risk if we
sell our product candidates commercially. Although we are not aware
of any historical or anticipated product liability claims against
us, if we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product
liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be
required to cease clinical trials of our drug candidates or limit
commercialization of any approved products. An individual may bring
a liability claim against us if one of our product candidates
causes, or merely appears to have caused, an injury. If we cannot
successfully defend our self against product liability claims, we
will incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual
outcome, liability claims may result in:
●
decreased demand for our product
candidates;
●
impairment to our business
reputation;
●
withdrawal of clinical trial
participants;
●
costs of related
litigation;
●
distraction of management’s
attention from our primary business;
●
substantial monetary awards to
patients or other claimants;
●
the
inability to commercialize our product candidates;
and
We believe that we have obtained
sufficient product liability insurance coverage for our clinical
trials. We intend to expand our insurance coverage to include the
sale of commercial products if marketing approval is obtained for
any of our product candidates. However, we may be unable to obtain
this product liability insurance on commercially reasonable terms
and with insurance coverage that will be adequate to satisfy any
liability that may arise. On occasion, large judgments have been
awarded in class action or individual lawsuits relating to marketed
pharmaceuticals. A successful product liability claim or series of
claims brought against us could cause our stock price to decline
and, if judgments exceed our insurance coverage, could decrease our
cash and adversely affect our business.
Reimbursement may be limited or unavailable in certain market
segments for our product candidates, which could make it difficult
for us to sell our products profitably.
We intend to seek approval to
market our future products in both the United States and in
countries and territories outside the United States. If we obtain
approval in one or more foreign countries, we will be subject to
rules and regulations in those countries relating to our product.
In some foreign countries, particularly in the European Union, the
pricing of prescription pharmaceuticals and biologics is subject to
governmental control. In these countries, pricing negotiations with
governmental authorities can take considerable time after the
receipt of marketing approval for a product candidate. In addition,
market acceptance and sales of our product candidates will depend
significantly on the availability of adequate coverage and
reimbursement from third-party payors for any of our product
candidates and may be affected by existing and future healthcare
reform measures.
Government authorities and
third-party payors, such as private health insurers and health
maintenance organizations, decide which pharmaceuticals they will
pay for and establish reimbursement levels. Reimbursement by a
third-party payor may depend upon a number of factors, including
the third-party payor’s determination that use of a product
is:
●
a
covered benefit under its health plan;
●
safe, effective and medically
necessary;
●
appropriate for the specific
patient;
●
neither experimental nor
investigational.
Obtaining coverage and
reimbursement approval for a product from a government or other
third-party payor is a time consuming and costly process that could
require that we provide supporting scientific, clinical and
cost-effectiveness data for the use of our products to the payor.
We may not be able to provide data sufficient to gain acceptance
with respect to coverage and reimbursement. If reimbursement of our
future products is unavailable or limited in scope or amount, or if
pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels, we may be unable to
achieve or sustain profitability. Additionally, while we may seek
approval of our products in combination with each other, there can
be no guarantee that we will obtain coverage and reimbursement for
any of our products together, or that such reimbursement will
incentivize the use of our products in combination with each other
as opposed to in combination with other agents which may be priced
more favorably to the medical community.
In both the United States and
certain foreign countries, there have been a number of legislative
and regulatory changes to the healthcare system that could impact
our ability to sell our products profitably. In particular, the
Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 revised the payment methodology
for many products reimbursed by Medicare, resulting in lower rates
of reimbursement for many types of drugs, and added a prescription
drug benefit to the Medicare program that involves commercial plans
negotiating drug prices for their members. Since 2003, there have
been a number of other legislative and regulatory changes to the
coverage and reimbursement landscape for
pharmaceuticals.
Most recently, the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care
and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, collectively, the
“ACA,” was enacted. The ACA and any revisions or
replacements of that Act, any substitute legislation, and other
changes in the law or regulatory framework could have a material
adverse effect on our business.
Among the provisions of the ACA of
importance to our potential product candidates
are:
●
an
annual, nondeductible fee on any entity that manufactures or
imports specified branded prescription drugs and biologic agents,
apportioned among these entities according to their market share in
certain government healthcare programs;
●
an
increase in the statutory minimum rebates a manufacturer must pay
under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program to 23.1% and 13.0% of the
average manufacturer price for branded and generic drugs,
respectively;
●
expansion of healthcare fraud and
abuse laws, including the federal False Claims Act and the federal
Anti-Kickback Statute, new government investigative powers and
enhanced penalties for non-compliance;
●
a
new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, in which
manufacturers must agree to offer 50% point-of-sale discounts off
negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible
beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for
a manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under
Medicare Part D;
●
extension of a manufacturer’s
Medicaid rebate liability to covered drugs dispensed to individuals
who are enrolled in Medicaid managed care
organizations;
●
expansion of eligibility criteria
for Medicaid programs by, among other things, allowing states to
offer Medicaid coverage to additional individuals and by adding new
mandatory eligibility categories for certain individuals with
income at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, thereby
potentially increasing a manufacturer’s Medicaid rebate
liability;
●
expansion of the entities eligible
for discounts under the 340B Drug Pricing
Program;
●
the
new requirements under the federal Open Payments program and its
implementing regulations;
●
a
new requirement to annually report drug samples that manufacturers
and distributors provide to physicians;
●
a
new regulatory pathway for the approval of biosimilar biological
products, all of which will impact existing government healthcare
programs and will result in the development of new programs;
and
●
a
new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee,
identify priorities in, and conduct comparative clinical
effectiveness research, along with funding for such
research.
The Supreme Court upheld the ACA in
the main challenge to the constitutionality of the law in 2012. The
Supreme Court also upheld federal subsidies for purchasers of
insurance through federally facilitated exchanges in a decision
released in June 2015. Any remaining legal challenges to the ACA
are viewed generally as not significantly impacting the
implementation of the law if the plaintiffs
prevail.
President Trump ran for office on a
platform that supported the repeal of the ACA, and one of his first
actions after his inauguration was to sign an Executive Order
instructing federal agencies to waive or delay requirements of the
ACA that impose economic or regulatory burdens on states, families,
the health-care industry and others. Modifications to or repeal of
all or certain provisions of the ACA have been attempted in
Congress as a result of the outcome of the recent presidential and
congressional elections, consistent with statements made by the
incoming administration and members of Congress during the
presidential and congressional campaigns and following the
election. In January 2017, Congress voted to adopt a budget
resolution for fiscal year 2017, or the Budget Resolution, that
authorizes the implementation of legislation that would repeal
portions of the ACA. The Budget Resolution is not a law. However,
it is widely viewed as the first step toward the passage of
legislation that would repeal certain aspects of the ACA. In March
2017, following the passage of the budget resolution for fiscal
year 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation
known as the American Health Care Act of 2017, which, if enacted,
would amend or repeal significant portions of the ACA. Attempts in
the Senate in 2017 to pass ACA repeal legislation, including the
Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, so far have been
unsuccessful.
There have been, and likely will
continue to be, legislative and regulatory proposals at the federal
and state levels directed at broadening the availability of
healthcare and containing or lowering the cost of healthcare
products and services. We cannot predict the initiatives that may
be adopted in the future. The continuing efforts of the government,
insurance companies, managed care organizations and other payors of
healthcare services to contain or reduce costs of healthcare may
adversely affect:
●
the
demand for any products for which we may obtain regulatory
approval;
●
our
ability to set a price that we believe is fair for our
products;
●
our
ability to generate revenues and achieve or maintain
profitability;
●
the
level of taxes that we are required to pay; and
●
the
availability of capital.
In addition, governments may impose
price controls, which may adversely affect our future
profitability.
We will need to increase the size of our organization and the scope
of our outside vendor relationships, and we may experience
difficulties in managing this growth.
As of May 1, 2018, we had 76 full
and part time employees. Over time, we will need to expand our
managerial, operational, financial and other resources in order to
manage and fund our operations and clinical trials, continue
research and development activities, and commercialize our product
candidates. Our management and scientific personnel, systems and
facilities currently in place may not be adequate to support our
future growth. Our need to effectively manage our operations,
growth, and various projects requires that we:
●
manage our clinical trials
effectively;
●
manage our internal development
efforts effectively while carrying out our contractual obligations
to licensors, contractors and other third
parties;
●
continue to improve our
operational, financial and management controls and reporting
systems and procedures; and
●
attract and retain sufficient
numbers of talented employees.
We may utilize the services of
outside vendors or consultants to perform tasks including clinical
trial management, statistics and analysis, regulatory affairs,
formulation development, chemistry, manufacturing, controls, and
other pharmaceutical development functions. Our growth strategy may
also entail expanding our group of contractors or consultants to
implement these tasks going forward. Because we rely on a
substantial number of consultants, effectively outsourcing many key
functions of our business, we will need to be able to effectively
manage these consultants to ensure that they successfully carry out
their contractual obligations and meet expected deadlines. However,
if we are unable to effectively manage our outsourced activities or
if the quality or accuracy of the services provided by consultants
is compromised for any reason, our clinical trials may be extended,
delayed or terminated, and we may not be able to obtain regulatory
approval for our product candidates or otherwise advance its
business. There can be no assurance that we will be able to manage
our existing consultants or find other competent outside
contractors and consultants on economically reasonable terms, or at
all. If we are not able to effectively expand our organization by
hiring new employees and expanding our groups of consultants and
contractors, we may be unable to successfully implement the tasks
necessary to further develop and commercialize our product
candidates and, accordingly, may not achieve our research,
development and commercialization goals.
We may not be successful in our efforts to identify or discover
additional product candidates and may fail to capitalize on
programs or product candidates that may present a greater
commercial opportunity or for which there is a greater likelihood
of success.
The success
of our business depends upon our ability to identify, develop and
commercialize product candidates based on our programs. If we do
not successfully develop and eventually commercialize products, we
will face difficulty in obtaining product revenue in future
periods, resulting in significant harm to our financial position
and adversely affecting our share price. Research programs to
identify new product candidates require substantial technical,
financial and human resources.
Additionally,
because we have limited resources, we may forego or delay pursuit
of opportunities with certain programs or product candidates or for
indications that later prove to have greater commercial potential.
Our estimates regarding the potential market for a product
candidate could be inaccurate, and our spending on current and
future research and development programs may not yield any
commercially viable products. If we do not accurately evaluate the
commercial potential for a particular product candidate, we may
relinquish valuable rights to that product candidate through
strategic collaboration, licensing or other arrangements in cases
in which it would have been more advantageous for us to retain sole
development and commercialization rights to such product candidate.
Alternatively, we may allocate internal resources to a product
candidate in a therapeutic area in which it would have been more
advantageous to enter into a partnering
arrangement.
If any of
these events occur, we may be forced to abandon or delay our
development efforts with respect to a particular product candidate
or fail to develop a potentially successful product candidate,
which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, results of operations and
prospects.
If we fail to attract and keep key management and clinical
development personnel, we may be unable to successfully develop or
commercialize our product candidates.
We will need to expand and
effectively manage our managerial, operational, financial and other
resources in order to successfully pursue our clinical development
and commercialization efforts for our product candidates and future
product candidates. We are highly dependent on the development,
regulatory, commercial and financial expertise of the members of
our senior management. The loss of the services of any of our
senior management could delay or prevent the further development
and potential commercialization of our product candidates and, if
we are not successful in finding suitable replacements, could harm
our business. We do not maintain “key man” insurance
policies on the lives of these individuals. We will need to hire
additional personnel as we continue to expand our manufacturing,
research and development activities.
Our success depends on our
continued ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified
management and scientific personnel and we may not be able to do so
in the future due to the intense competition for qualified
personnel among biotechnology, pharmaceutical and other businesses.
Our industry has experienced a high rate of turnover of management
personnel in recent years. If we are not able to attract and retain
the necessary personnel to accomplish our business objectives, we
may experience constraints that will impede significantly the
achievement of our development objectives, our ability to raise
additional capital, and our ability to implement our business
strategy.
If we fail to comply with healthcare regulations, we could face
substantial penalties and our business, operations and financial
condition could be adversely affected.
In addition to FDA restrictions on
the marketing of pharmaceutical and biotechnology products, several
other types of state and federal laws have been applied to restrict
certain marketing practices in the pharmaceutical and medical
device industries, as well as consulting or other service
agreements with physicians or other potential referral sources and
regulate the use and disclosure of identifiable patient
information. These laws include anti-kickback statutes and false
claims statutes that prohibit, among other things, knowingly and
willfully offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration to
induce, or, in return for, purchasing, leasing, ordering,
recommending or arranging for the purchase, lease or order of any
healthcare item or service reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid or
other federally-financed healthcare programs, and knowingly
presenting, or causing to be presented, a false claim for payment
to the federal government, or knowingly making, or causing to be
made, a false statement to get a false claim paid. The majority of
states also have statutes or regulations similar to the federal
anti-kickback law and false claims laws, which apply to items and
services reimbursed under Medicaid and other state programs, or, in
several states, apply regardless of the payor. Although there are a
number of statutory exemptions and regulatory safe harbors
protecting certain common activities from prosecution, the
exemptions and safe harbors are drawn narrowly, and any practices
we adopt may not, in all cases, meet all of the criteria for safe
harbor protection from anti-kickback liability. Sanctions under
these federal and state laws may include civil monetary penalties,
exclusion of a manufacturer’s products from reimbursement
under government programs, criminal fines and imprisonment. Any
challenge to its business practices under these laws could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and
results of operations. Finally, the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as amended by the Health
Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of
2009, or HITECH, their respective implementing regulations and
similar state laws and regulations, impose obligations on covered
healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses,
as well as their business associates that create, receive, maintain
or transmit individually identifiable health information for or on
behalf of a covered entity, with respect to safeguarding the
privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable
health information. In the event our operations result in our
receiving such information, we could become subject to the
requirements of these laws and regulations, including potential
civil and criminal penalties.
Our employees, consultants, or third party partners may engage in
misconduct or other improper activities, including noncompliance
with regulatory standards and requirements, which could have a
material adverse effect on our business.
We are exposed to the risk of employee
fraud or other misconduct. Misconduct by employees, consultants, or
third party partners could include intentional failures to comply
with FDA regulations, provide accurate information to the FDA,
comply with manufacturing standards we have established, comply
with federal and state healthcare fraud and abuse laws and
regulations, report financial information or data accurately or
disclose unauthorized activities to us. In
particular, sales, marketing
and business arrangements in the healthcare industry are subject to
extensive laws and regulations intended to prevent fraud,
kickbacks, self-dealing and other abusive practices. These laws and
regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing,
discounting, marketing and promotion, sales commission, customer
incentive programs and other business arrangements. Employee,
consultant, or third party misconduct could also involve the
improper use of information obtained in the course of clinical
trials, which could result in regulatory sanctions and serious harm
to our reputation. The precautions we take to detect and prevent
this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or
unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental
investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure
to be in compliance with such laws or regulations. If any such
actions are instituted against us, and we are not successful in
defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could
have a significant impact on our business and results of
operations, including the imposition of significant fines or other
sanctions.
We use biological and hazardous materials, and any claims relating
to improper handling, storage or disposal of these materials could
be time consuming or costly.
We use hazardous materials,
including chemicals and biological agents and compounds, which
could be dangerous to human health and safety or the environment.
Our operations also produce hazardous waste products. Federal,
state and local laws and regulations govern the use, generation,
manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and
wastes. Compliance with applicable environmental laws and
regulations may be expensive, and current or future environmental
laws and regulations may impair our pharmaceutical development
efforts.
In addition, we cannot entirely
eliminate the risk of accidental injury or contamination from these
materials or wastes. If one of our employees was accidentally
injured from the use, storage, handling or disposal of these
materials or wastes, the medical costs related to his or her
treatment would be covered by our workers’ compensation
insurance policy. However, we do not carry specific biological or
hazardous waste insurance coverage and our property and casualty
and general liability insurance policies specifically exclude
coverage for damages and fines arising from biological or hazardous
waste exposure or contamination. Accordingly, in the event of
contamination or injury, we could be held liable for damages or
penalized with fines in an amount exceeding our resources, and our
clinical trials or regulatory approvals could be suspended, or
operations otherwise affected.
All product candidate development timelines and projections in this
report are based on the assumption of further
financing.
The timelines and projections in
this report are predicated upon the assumption that we will raise
additional financing in the future to continue the development of
our product candidates. In the event we do not successfully raise
subsequent financing, our product development activities will
necessarily be curtailed commensurate with the magnitude of the
shortfall. If our product development activities are slowed or
stopped, we would be unable to meet the timelines and projections
outlined in this filing. Failure to progress our product candidates
as anticipated will have a negative effect on our business, future
prospects, and ability to obtain further financing on acceptable
terms (if at all), and the value of the
enterprise.
We incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a
public company, and our management is required to devote
substantial time to compliance initiatives.
As a public
company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses
under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently
implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and
the rules of any stock exchange on which we may become listed.
These rules impose various requirements on public companies,
including requiring establishment and maintenance of effective
disclosure and financial controls and appropriate corporate
governance practices. Our team has devoted and will continue to
devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance
initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations increase our
legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more
time-consuming and costly. For example, these rules and regulations
make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director
and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept
reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher
costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may
be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to
serve on our Board of Directors, our Board committees or as
executive officers.
The
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires, among other things, that we
maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and
disclosure controls and procedures. As a result, we are required to
periodically perform an evaluation of our internal control over
financial reporting to allow management to report on the
effectiveness of those controls, as required by Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Additionally, our independent auditors are
required to perform a similar evaluation and report on the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
These efforts to comply with Section 404 will require the
commitment of significant financial and managerial resources. While
we anticipate maintaining the integrity of our internal control
over financial reporting and all other aspects of Section 404, we
cannot be certain that a material weakness will not be identified
when we test the effectiveness of our control systems in the
future. If a material weakness is identified, we could be subject
to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory
authorities, which would require additional financial and
management resources, costly litigation or a loss of public
confidence in our internal control, which could have an adverse
effect on the market price of our stock.
Risks Relating to Acquisitions
Acquisitions, investments and strategic alliances that we may make
in the future may use significant resources, result in disruptions
to our business or distractions of our management, may not proceed
as planned, and could expose us to unforeseen
liabilities.
We may seek to expand our business
through the acquisition of, investments in and strategic alliances
with companies, technologies, products, and services. Acquisitions,
investments and strategic alliances involve a number of special
problems and risks, including, but not limited
to:
●
difficulty integrating acquired
technologies, products, services, operations and personnel with the
existing businesses;
●
diversion of management’s
attention in connection with both negotiating the acquisitions and
integrating the businesses;
●
strain on managerial and
operational resources as management tries to oversee larger
operations;
●
difficulty implementing and
maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting at
businesses that we acquire, particularly if they are not located
near our existing operations;
●
exposure to unforeseen liabilities
of acquired companies;
●
potential costly and time-consuming
litigation, including stockholder lawsuits;
●
potential issuance of securities to
equity holders of the company being acquired with rights that are
superior to the rights of holders of our common stock or which may
have a dilutive effect on our stockholders;
●
risk
of loss of invested capital;
●
the
need to incur additional debt or use cash; and
●
the
requirement to record potentially significant additional future
operating costs for the amortization of intangible
assets.
As a result of these or other
problems and risks, businesses we acquire may not produce the
revenues, earnings, or business synergies that we anticipated, and
acquired products, services, or technologies might not perform as
we expected. As a result, we may incur higher costs and realize
lower revenues than we had anticipated. We may not be able to
successfully address these problems and we cannot assure you that
the acquisitions will be successfully identified and completed or
that, if acquisitions are completed, the acquired businesses,
products, services, or technologies will generate sufficient
revenue to offset the associated costs or other negative effects on
our business.
Any of these risks can be greater
if an acquisition is large relative to our size. Failure to
effectively manage our growth through acquisitions could adversely
affect our growth prospects, business, results of operations,
financial condition and cash flows.
Risks Relating to Our Intellectual Property
Our success depends upon our ability to protect our intellectual
property and proprietary technologies, and the intellectual
property protection for our product candidates depends
significantly on third parties.
Our commercial success depends on
obtaining and maintaining patent protection and trade secret
protection in the US and other countries with respect to our
product candidates or any future product candidate that we may
license or acquire, their formulations and uses and the methods we
use to manufacture them, as well as successfully defending these
patents against third-party challenges. We seek to protect our
proprietary position by filing patent applications in the United
States and abroad related to our novel technologies and product
candidates, and by maintenance of our trade secrets through proper
procedures. We will only be able to protect our technologies from
unauthorized use by third parties to the extent that valid and
enforceable patents or trade secrets cover them in the market they
are being used or developed. If any of our licensors or partners
fails to appropriately prosecute and maintain patent protection for
these product candidates, our ability to develop and commercialize
these product candidates may be adversely affected and we may not
be able to prevent competitors from making, using and selling
competing products. This failure to properly protect the
intellectual property rights relating to these product candidates
could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations.
Currently, the composition of
matter patent and several method of use patents for TG-1101 and
TGR-1202 in various indications and settings have been applied for
but have not yet been issued, or have been issued in certain
territories but not under all jurisdictions in which such
applications have been filed. While composition of matter patents
have been granted in the US for TG-1101 and TGR-1202, no patents to
date have been issued for our IRAK4 inhibitor, BET inhibitor, BTK
inhibitor and anti-PD-L1 and anti-GITR programs. There can be no
guarantee that any of these patents for which an application has
already been filed, nor any patents filed in the future for our
product candidates will be granted in any or all jurisdictions in
which there were filed, or that all claims initially included in
such patent applications will be allowed in the final patent that
is issued. The patent application process is subject to numerous
risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that we or
our partners will be successful in protecting our product
candidates by obtaining and defending patents.
These risks and uncertainties
include the following:
●
the
patent applications that we or our partners file may not result in
any patents being issued;
●
patents that may be issued or
in-licensed may be challenged, invalidated, modified, revoked or
circumvented, or otherwise may not provide any competitive
advantage;
●
as
of March 16, 2013, the U.S. converted from a “first to
invent” to a “first to file” system. If we do not
win the filing race, we will not be entitled to inventive
priority;
●
our
competitors, many of which have substantially greater resources
than we do, and many of which have made significant investments in
competing technologies, may seek, or may already have obtained,
patents that will limit, interfere with, or eliminate its ability
to make, use, and sell our potential products either in the United
States or in international markets;
●
there may be significant pressure
on the U.S. government and other international governmental bodies
to limit the scope of patent protection both inside and outside the
United States for disease treatments that prove successful as a
matter of public policy regarding worldwide health concerns;
and
●
countries other than the United
States may have less restrictive patent laws than those upheld by
United States courts, allowing foreign competitors the ability to
exploit these laws to create, develop, and market competing
products.
If patents are not issued that
protect our product candidates, it could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations. The
patent prosecution process is expensive and time-consuming, and we
may not be able to file and prosecute all necessary or desirable
patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner. It
is also possible that we will fail to identify any patentable
aspects of our research and development output and methodology,
and, even if we do, an opportunity to obtain patent protection may
have passed. Given the uncertain and time-consuming process of
filing patent applications and prosecuting them, it is possible
that our product(s) or process(es) originally covered by the scope
of the patent application may have changed or been modified,
leaving our product(s) or process(es) without patent protection. If
our licensors or we fail to obtain or maintain patent protection or
trade secret protection for one or more product candidates or any
future product candidate we may license or acquire, third parties
may be able to leverage our proprietary information and products
without risk of infringement, which could impair our ability to
compete in the market and adversely affect our ability to generate
revenues and achieve profitability. Moreover, should we enter into
other collaborations we may be required to consult with or cede
control to collaborators regarding the prosecution, maintenance and
enforcement of licensed patents. Therefore, these patents and
applications may not be prosecuted and enforced in a manner
consistent with the best interests of our
business.
The patent position of
biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies generally is highly
uncertain, involves complex legal and factual questions, and has in
recent years been the subject of much litigation. In addition, no
consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed in
pharmaceutical or biotechnology patents has emerged to date in the
US. The patent situation outside the US is even more uncertain. The
laws of foreign countries may not protect our rights to the same
extent as the laws of the US, and we may fail to seek or obtain
patent protection in all major markets. For example, European
patent law restricts the patentability of methods of treatment of
the human body more than US law does. Our pending and future patent
applications may not result in patents being issued which protect
our technology or products, in whole or in part, or which
effectively prevent others from commercializing competitive
technologies and products. Changes in either the patent laws or
interpretation of the patent laws in the US and other countries may
diminish the value of our patents or narrow the scope of our patent
protection. For example, the federal courts of the US have taken an
increasingly dim view of the patent eligibility of certain subject
matter, such as naturally occurring nucleic acid sequences, amino
acid sequences and certain methods of utilizing same, which include
their detection in a biological sample and diagnostic conclusions
arising from their detection. Such subject matter, which had long
been a staple of the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industry
to protect their discoveries, is now considered, with few
exceptions, ineligible in the first instance for protection under
the patent laws of the US. Accordingly, we cannot predict the
breadth of claims that may be allowed or enforced in our patents or
in those licensed from a third-party.
Recent patent reform legislation
could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the
prosecution of our patent applications and the enforcement or
defense of our issued patents. On September 16, 2011, the
Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or the Leahy-Smith Act, was signed
into law. The Leahy-Smith Act includes a number of significant
changes to United States patent law. These include changes to
transition from a “first-to-invent” system to a
“first-to-file” system and to the way issued patents
are challenged. The formation of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
now provides a quicker and less expensive process for challenging
issued patents. The PTO recently developed new regulations and
procedures to govern administration of the Leahy-Smith Act, and
many of the substantive changes to patent law associated with the
Leahy-Smith Act, and in particular, the first inventor-to-file
provisions, only became effective on March 16, 2013. Accordingly,
it is not clear what, if any, impact the Leahy-Smith Act will have
on the operation of our business. However, the Leahy-Smith Act and
its implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs
surrounding the prosecution of our patent applications and the
enforcement or defense of our issued patents, all of which could
have a material adverse effect on our business and financial
condition.
Moreover, we may be subject to a
third-party pre-issuance submission of prior art to the PTO, or
become involved in opposition, derivation, reexamination, inter
partes review, post-grant review or interference proceedings
challenging our patent rights or the patent rights of others. The
costs of these proceedings could be substantial and it is possible
that our efforts to establish priority of invention would be
unsuccessful, resulting in a material adverse effect on our US
patent position. An adverse determination in any such submission,
patent office trial, proceeding or litigation could reduce the
scope of, render unenforceable, or invalidate, our patent rights,
allow third parties to commercialize our technology or products and
compete directly with us, without payment to us, or result in our
inability to manufacture or commercialize products without
infringing third-party patent rights. In addition, if the breadth
or strength of protection provided by our patents and patent
applications is threatened, it could dissuade companies from
collaborating with us to license, develop or commercialize current
or future product candidates.
Even if our patent applications
issue as patents, they may not issue in a form that will provide us
with any meaningful protection, prevent competitors from competing
with us or otherwise provide us with any competitive advantage. Our
competitors may be able to circumvent our owned or licensed patents
by developing similar or alternative technologies or products in a
non-infringing manner.
The issuance of a patent does not
foreclose challenges to its inventorship, scope, validity or
enforceability. Therefore, our owned and licensed patents may be
challenged in the courts or patent offices in the United States and
abroad. Such challenges may result in loss of exclusivity or in
patent claims being narrowed, invalidated or held unenforceable, in
whole or in part, which could limit our ability to stop others from
using or commercializing similar or identical technology and
products, or limit the duration of the patent protection of our
technology and products. Given the amount of time required for the
development, testing and regulatory review of new product
candidates, patents protecting such product candidates might expire
before or shortly after such product candidates are commercialized.
As a result, our owned and licensed patent portfolio may not
provide us with sufficient rights to exclude others from
commercializing products similar or identical to
ours.
In addition to patents, we and our
partners also rely on trade secrets and proprietary know-how,
technology and other proprietary information, to maintain our
competitive position, particularly where we do not believe patent
protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are
difficult to protect. Although we have taken steps to protect our
trade secrets and unpatented know-how, including entering into
confidentiality agreements with third parties, and confidential
information and inventions agreements with employees, consultants
and advisors, third parties may still obtain this information or we
may be unable to protect its rights. If any of these events occurs,
or we otherwise lose protection for our trade secrets or
proprietary know-how, the value of this information may be greatly
reduced and we may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for such
breaches. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or
misappropriated a trade secret is difficult, expensive and
time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, some
courts inside and outside the United States are less willing or
unwilling to protect trade secrets. Moreover, if any of our trade
secrets were to be lawfully obtained or independently developed by
a competitor, we would have no right to prevent them, or those to
whom they communicate it, from using that technology or information
to compete with us. If any of our trade secrets were to be
disclosed to or independently developed by a competitor, our
competitive position would be harmed.
Patent protection and other
intellectual property protection are crucial to the success of our
business and prospects, and there is a substantial risk that such
protections will prove inadequate.
If we or our partners are sued for infringing intellectual property
rights of third parties, it will be costly and time consuming, and
an unfavorable outcome in that litigation would have a material
adverse effect on our business.
Our commercial success also depends
upon our ability and the ability of any of our future collaborators
to develop, manufacture, market and sell our product candidates
without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties.
Numerous United States and foreign issued patents and pending
patent applications, which are owned by third parties, exist in the
fields in which we are developing products, some of which may be
directed at claims that overlap with the subject matter of our
intellectual property. For example, Roche has the Cabilly patents
in the U.S. that block the commercialization of antibody products
derived from a single cell line, like TG-1101. Also, Roche, Biogen
Idec, and Genentech hold patents for the use of anti-CD20
antibodies utilized in the treatment of CLL in the U.S. While these
patents have been challenged, to the best of our knowledge, those
matters were settled in a way that permitted additional anti-CD20
antibodies to be marketed for CLL. If those patents are still
enforced at the time we are intending to launch TG-1101, then we
will need to either prevail in a litigation to challenge those
patents or negotiate a settlement agreement with the patent
holders. If we are unable to do so we may be forced to delay the
launch of TG-1101 or launch at the risk of litigation for patent
infringement, which may have a material adverse effect on our
business and results of operations.
In addition, because patent
applications can take many years to issue, there may be currently
pending applications, unknown to us, which may later result in
issued patents that our product candidates or proprietary
technologies may infringe. Similarly, there may be issued patents
relevant to our product candidates of which we are not aware.
Publications of discoveries in the scientific literature often lag
behind the actual discoveries, and patent applications in the US
and other jurisdictions are typically not published until 18 months
after a first filing, or in some cases not at all. Therefore, we
cannot know with certainty whether we or our licensors were the
first to make the inventions claimed in patents or pending patent
applications that we own or licensed, or that we or our licensors
were the first to file for patent protection of such
inventions.
There is a substantial amount of
litigation involving patent and other intellectual property rights
in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries generally. If
a third party claims that we or any collaborators of ours infringe
their intellectual property rights, we may have
to:
●
obtain licenses, which may not be
available on commercially reasonable terms, if at
all;
●
abandon an infringing product
candidate or redesign its products or processes to avoid
infringement;
●
pay
substantial damages, including treble damages and attorneys’
fees, which we may have to pay if a court decides that the product
or proprietary technology at issue infringes on or violates the
third party’s rights;
●
pay
substantial royalties, fees and/or grant cross licenses to our
technology; and/or
●
defend litigation or administrative
proceedings which may be costly whether we win or lose, and which
could result in a substantial diversion of our financial and
management resources.
No assurance can be given that
patents issued to third parties do not exist, have not been filed,
or could not be filed or issued, which contain claims covering its
products, technology or methods that may encompass all or a portion
of our products and methods. Given the number of patents issued and
patent applications filed in our technical areas or fields, we
believe there is a risk that third parties may allege they have
patent rights encompassing our products or
methods.
Other product candidates that we
may in-license or acquire could be subject to similar risks and
uncertainties.
We may need to license certain intellectual property from third
parties, and such licenses may not be available or may not be
available on commercially reasonable terms.
A third party may hold intellectual
property, including patent rights that are important or necessary
to the development and commercialization of our products. It may be
necessary for us to use the patented or proprietary technology of
third parties to commercialize our products, in which case we would
be required to obtain a license from these third parties, whom may
or may not be interested in granting such a license, on
commercially reasonable terms, or our business could be harmed,
possibly materially.
We may be involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents or
the patents of our licensors, which could be expensive, time
consuming and unsuccessful.
Competitors may infringe our
patents or the patents of our licensors. To counter infringement or
unauthorized use, we may be required to file infringement claims,
which typically are very expensive, time-consuming and disruptive
of day-to-day business operations. Any claims we assert against
accused infringers could provoke these parties to assert
counterclaims against us alleging that we infringe their patents;
or provoke those parties to petition the PTO to institute inter
parties review against the asserted patents, which may lead to a
finding that all or some of the claims of the patent are invalid.
In addition, in an infringement proceeding, a court may decide that
a patent of ours or our licensors is not valid or is unenforceable,
or may refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at
issue on the grounds that our patents do not cover the technology
in question. An adverse result in any litigation or defense
proceedings could put one or more of our patents at risk of being
invalidated, held unenforceable, or interpreted narrowly.
Furthermore, adverse results on US patents may affect related
patents in our global portfolio. The adverse result could also put
related patent applications at risk of not
issuing.
Interference proceedings provoked
by third parties or brought by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
(“PTO”) may be necessary to determine the priority of
inventions with respect to our patents or patent applications or
those of our collaborators or licensors. An unfavorable outcome
could require us to cease using the related technology or to
attempt to license rights to it from the prevailing party. The
costs of these proceedings could be substantial. As a result, the
issuance, scope, validity, enforceability and commercial value of
our patent rights are highly uncertain. Our business could be
harmed if the prevailing party does not offer us a license on
commercially reasonable terms. Litigation or interference
proceedings may fail and, even if successful, may result in
substantial costs and distract our management and other employees.
We may not be able to prevent, alone or with our licensors,
misappropriation of our trade secrets or confidential information,
particularly in countries where the laws may not protect those
rights as fully as in the United States.
Furthermore, because of the
substantial amount of discovery required in connection with
intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our
confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during
this type of litigation. In addition, there could be public
announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim
proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors
perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial
adverse effect on the price of our common
stock.
We may be subject to claims that our consultants or independent
contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets
of their other clients or former employers to
it.
As is common in the biotechnology
and pharmaceutical industry, we engage the services of consultants
to assist us in the development of our product candidates. Many of
these consultants were previously employed at, may have previously
been, or are currently providing consulting services to, other
biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our
competitors or potential competitors. Although no claims against us
are currently pending, we may be subject to claims that these
consultants or we have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed
trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former
employers or their former or current customers. Even if frivolous
or unsubstantiated in nature, litigation may be necessary to defend
against these claims. Even if we are successful in defending
against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs
and be a distraction to management, day-to-day business operations,
and the implicated employee(s).
Risks Relating to Our Finances and Capital
Requirements
We will need to raise additional capital to continue to operate our
business.
As of March 31, 2018, we had
approximately $109.2 million in cash, cash equivalents, investment
securities, and interest receivable, which in addition to the
capital raised in the second quarter of 2018, will be sufficient to
fund the Company’s planned operations through
mid-2019. As a result, we will need additional
capital to continue our operations beyond that time. Required
additional sources of financing to continue our operations in the
future might not be available on favorable terms, if at all. If we
do not succeed in raising additional funds on acceptable terms, we
might be unable to complete planned preclinical and clinical trials
or obtain approval of any of our product candidates from the FDA or
any foreign regulatory authorities. In addition, we could be forced
to discontinue product development, reduce or forego sales and
marketing efforts and forego attractive business opportunities. Any
additional sources of financing will likely involve the issuance of
our equity securities, which would have a dilutive effect to
stockholders.
Currently, none of our product
candidates have been approved by the FDA or any foreign regulatory
authority for sale. Therefore, for the foreseeable future, we will
have to fund all of our operations and capital expenditures from
cash on hand and amounts raised in future offerings or
financings.
We have a history of operating losses, expect to continue to incur
losses, and are unable to predict the extent of future losses or
when we will become profitable, if ever.
We have not yet applied for or
demonstrated an ability to obtain regulatory approval for or
commercialize a product candidate. Our short operating history
makes it difficult to evaluate our business prospects and
consequently, any predictions about our future performance may not
be as accurate as they could be if we had a history of successfully
developing and commercializing pharmaceutical or biotechnology
products. Our prospects must be considered in light of the
uncertainties, risks, expenses and difficulties frequently
encountered by companies in the early stages of operations and the
competitive environment in which we operate.
We have never been profitable and,
as of March 31, 2018, we had an accumulated deficit of $396.4
million. We have generated operating losses in all periods since we
were incorporated. We expect to make substantial expenditures
resulting in increased operating costs in the future and our
accumulated deficit will increase significantly as we expand
development and clinical trial efforts for our product candidates.
Our losses have had, and are expected to continue to have, an
adverse impact on our working capital, total assets and
stockholders’ equity. Because of the risks and uncertainties
associated with product development, we are unable to predict the
extent of any future losses or when we will become profitable, if
ever. Even if we achieve profitability, we may not be able to
sustain or increase profitability on an ongoing
basis.
We have not generated any revenue from our product candidates and
may never become profitable.
Our ability to become profitable
depends upon our ability to generate significant continuing
revenues. To obtain significant continuing revenues, we must
succeed, either alone or with others, in developing, obtaining
regulatory approval for and manufacturing and marketing our product
candidates (or utilize early access programs to generate such
revenue). To date, our product candidates have not generated any
revenues, and we do not know when, or if, we will generate any
revenue. Our ability to generate revenue depends on a number of
factors, including, but not limited to:
●
successful completion of
preclinical studies of our product candidates;
●
successful commencement and
completion of clinical trials of our product candidates and any
future product candidates we advance into clinical
trials;
●
achievement of regulatory approval
for our product candidates and any future product candidates we
advance into clinical trials (unless we successfully utilize early
access programs which allow for revenue generation prior to
approval);
●
manufacturing commercial quantities
of our products at acceptable cost levels if regulatory approvals
are obtained;
●
successful sales, distribution and
marketing of our future products, if any; and
●
our
entry into collaborative arrangements or co-promotion agreements to
market and sell our products.
If we are unable to generate
significant continuing revenues, we will not become profitable and
we may be unable to continue our operations without continued
funding.
We will need substantial additional funding and may be unable to
raise capital when needed, which would force us to delay, reduce or
eliminate our development programs or commercialization
efforts.
We expect to spend substantial
amounts on development, including significant amounts on conducting
clinical trials for our product candidates, manufacturing clinical
supplies and expanding our pharmaceutical development programs. We
expect that our monthly cash used by operations will continue to
increase for the next several years. We anticipate that we will
continue to incur operating losses for the foreseeable
future.
We will require substantial
additional funds to support our continued research and development
activities, as well as the anticipated costs of preclinical studies
and clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and eventual
commercialization. We anticipate that we will incur operating
losses for the foreseeable future. We have based these estimates,
however, on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could
expend our available financial resources much faster than we
currently expect. Further, we will need to raise additional capital
to fund our operations and continue to conduct clinical trials to
support potential regulatory approval of marketing applications.
Future capital requirements will also depend on the extent to which
we acquire or in-license additional product candidates. We
currently have no commitments or agreements relating to any of
these types of transactions.
The amount and timing of our future
funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but
not limited to, the following:
●
the
progress of our clinical trials, including expenses to support the
trials and milestone payments that may become payable under our
license agreements;
●
the
costs and timing of regulatory approvals;
●
the
costs and timing of clinical and commercial manufacturing supply
arrangements for each product candidate;
●
the
costs of establishing sales or distribution
capabilities;
●
the
success of the commercialization of our
products;
●
our
ability to establish and maintain strategic collaborations,
including licensing and other arrangements;
●
the
costs involved in enforcing or defending patent claims or other
intellectual property rights; and
●
the
extent to which we in-license or invest in other indications or
product candidates.
Until we can generate a sufficient
amount of product revenue and achieve profitability, we expect to
finance future cash needs through public or private equity
offerings, debt financings or corporate collaboration and licensing
arrangements, as well as through interest income earned on cash
balances. If we were to be unable to raise additional capital, we
would have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue one or
more of our pharmaceutical development programs. We also may be
required to relinquish, license or otherwise dispose of rights to
product candidates or products that it would otherwise seek to
develop or commercialize itself on terms that are less favorable
than might otherwise be available.
Raising additional funds by issuing securities or through licensing
or lending arrangements may cause dilution to our existing
stockholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish
proprietary rights.
We may raise additional funds
through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or
licensing arrangements. To the extent that we raise additional
capital by issuing equity securities, the share ownership of
existing stockholders will be diluted. Any future debt financing we
enter into may involve covenants that restrict our operations,
including limitations on our ability to incur liens or additional
debt, pay dividends, redeem our stock, make certain investments and
engage in certain merger, consolidation or asset sale transactions,
among other restrictions.
In addition, if we raise additional
funds through licensing arrangements, it may be necessary to
relinquish potentially valuable rights to our product candidates,
or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. If
adequate funds are not available, our ability to achieve
profitability or to respond to competitive pressures would be
significantly limited and we may be required to delay,
significantly curtail or eliminate the development of one or more
of our product candidates.
Our tax position could be affected by recent changes in U.S.
federal income tax laws.
On December
22, 2017, legislation commonly referred to as the “Tax Cuts
and Jobs Act” was signed into law and is generally effective
after December 31, 2017. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act makes
significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax rules for
taxation of individuals and business entities. Most of the changes
applicable to individuals are temporary and apply only to taxable
years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026.
For corporations, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduces the top
corporate income tax rate to 21% and repeals the corporate
alternative minimum tax, limits the deduction for net interest
expense, limits the deduction for net operating losses and
eliminates net operating loss carrybacks, modifies or repeals many
business deductions and credits, shifts the United States toward a
more territorial tax system, and imposes new taxes to combat
erosion of the U.S. federal income tax base. The Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act makes numerous other large and small changes to the federal
income tax rules that may affect potential investors and may
directly or indirectly affect us. We continue to examine the impact
this tax reform legislation may have on our business. However, the
effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on us and our affiliates,
whether adverse or favorable, is uncertain, and may not become
evident for some period of time. This document does not discuss
such legislation or the manner in which it might affect us or
purchasers of our common stock. Prospective investors are urged to
consult with their legal and tax advisors with respect to the Tax
Cuts and Jobs Act and any other regulatory or administrative
developments and proposals, and their potential effects on them
based on their unique circumstances.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
We are controlled by current officers, directors and principal
stockholders.
Our directors, executive officers,
their affiliates, and our principal stockholders beneficially own
approximately 37% of our outstanding voting stock, including shares
underlying outstanding options and warrants. Our directors,
officers and principal stockholders, taken as a whole, have the
ability to exert substantial influence over the election of our
Board of Directors and the outcome of issues submitted to our
stockholders.
Our stock price is, and we expect it to remain, volatile, which
could limit investors’ ability to sell stock at a
profit.
The trading price of our common
stock is likely to be highly volatile and subject to wide
fluctuations in price in response to various factors, many of which
are beyond our control. These factors include:
●
publicity regarding actual or
potential clinical results relating to products under development
by our competitors or us;
●
delay or failure in initiating,
completing or analyzing nonclinical or clinical trials or the
unsatisfactory design or results of these
trials;
●
achievement or rejection of
regulatory approvals by our competitors or us;
●
announcements of technological
innovations or new commercial products by our competitors or
us;
●
developments concerning proprietary
rights, including patents;
●
developments concerning our
collaborations;
●
regulatory developments in the
United States and foreign countries;
●
economic or other crises and other
external factors;
●
period-to-period fluctuations in
our revenues and other results of operations;
●
changes in financial estimates by
securities analysts; and
●
sales of our common
stock.
We will not be able to control many
of these factors, and we believe that period-to-period comparisons
of our financial results will not necessarily be indicative of our
future performance.
In addition, the stock market in
general, and the market for biotechnology companies in particular,
has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that may have
been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of
individual companies. These broad market and industry factors may
seriously harm the market price of our common stock, regardless of
our operating performance.
We have not paid dividends in the past and do not expect to pay
dividends in the future, and any return on investment may be
limited to the value of your stock.
We have never paid dividends on our
common stock and do not anticipate paying any dividends for the
foreseeable future. You should not rely on an investment in our
stock if you require dividend income. Further, you will only
realize income on an investment in our stock in the event you sell
or otherwise dispose of your shares at a price higher than the
price you paid for your shares. Such a gain would result only from
an increase in the market price of our common stock, which is
uncertain and unpredictable.
Certain anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and
Delaware law could make a third-party acquisition of us difficult.
This could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the
future for our common stock.
Provisions in our amended and
restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws could
have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to
acquire, or of discouraging a third party from attempting to
acquire, or control us. These factors could limit the price that
certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares
of our common stock. Our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation allows us to issue preferred stock without the
approval of our stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock could
decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for
distribution to the holders of our common stock or could adversely
affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of such
holders. In certain circumstances, such issuance could have the
effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock. Our
restated bylaws eliminate the right of stockholders to call a
special meeting of stockholders, which could make it more difficult
for stockholders to effect certain corporate actions. Any of these
provisions could also have the effect of delaying or preventing a
change in control.
On July 18, 2014, the Board of
Directors declared a distribution of one right for each outstanding
share of common stock. The rights may have certain anti-takeover
effects. The rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or
group that attempts to acquire us on terms not approved by the
Board of Directors unless the offer is conditioned on a substantial
number of rights being acquired. However, the rights should not
interfere with any merger, statutory share exchange or other
business combination approved by the Board of Directors since the
rights may be terminated by us upon resolution of the Board of
Directors. Thus, the rights are intended to encourage persons who
may seek to acquire control of the Company to initiate such an
acquisition through negotiations with the Board of Directors.
However, the effect of the rights may be to discourage a third
party from making a partial tender offer or otherwise attempting to
obtain a substantial equity position in the equity securities of,
or seeking to obtain control of, the Company. To the extent any
potential acquirers are deterred by the rights, the rights may have
the effect of preserving incumbent management in
office.
We may become involved in securities class action litigation that
could divert management’s attention and harm our
business.
The stock markets have from time to time
experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have
affected the market prices for the common stock of biotechnology
and pharmaceutical companies. These broad market fluctuations may
cause the market price of our stock to decline. In the past,
securities class action litigation has often been brought against a
company following a decline in the market price of its securities.
This risk is especially relevant for us because biotechnology and
biopharmaceutical companies have experienced significant stock
price volatility in recent years. We may become involved in this
type of litigation in the future. Litigation often is expensive and
diverts management’s attention and resources, which could
adversely affect our business.
ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
The exhibits listed on the Exhibit
Index are included with this report.
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Certification of Chief Executive
Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant
to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated May 10,
2018.
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Certification of Chief Financial
Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant
to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated May 10,
2018.
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Certification of Chief Executive
Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated May 10,
2018.
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Certification of Chief Financial
Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated May 10,
2018.
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101
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The following financial information
from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
period ended March 31, 2018, formatted in Extensible Business
Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance
Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations,
(iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’
Equity, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows,
and (v) Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(filed herewith).
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
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TG THERAPEUTICS,
INC.
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Date: May 10,
2018
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By:
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/s/ Sean A.
Power
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Sean A. Power
Chief Financial
Officer
Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer
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50