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CERS > SEC Filings for CERS > Form 10-Q on 10-Aug-2009All Recent SEC Filings

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Form 10-Q for CERUS CORP


10-Aug-2009

Quarterly Report


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this report and the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of results that may occur in future periods.

This report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors." These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about our ability to commercialize and achieve market acceptance of the INTERCEPT Blood Systems, the successful completion of our research, development and clinical programs, our ability to manage cost increases associated with pre-clinical and clinical development for the INTERCEPT Blood Systems, our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals of the INTERCEPT Blood Systems, our ability to protect our intellectual property and operate our business without infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others and our estimates regarding the sufficiency of our cash resources. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "anticipate," "will," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "plan," and similar expressions intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, are based on assumptions, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that these statements will prove to be correct. We discuss many of these risks in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in greater detail in the section entitled "Risk Factors" under Part II, Item 1A below. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. You should read this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents that we incorporate by reference in and have filed as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Overview

Since our inception in 1991, we have devoted substantially all of our efforts and resources to the research, development, clinical testing and commercialization of blood safety systems and, from 2001 until late 2007, immunotherapies for cancer and infectious disease. With the exception of the financial reporting effects of a non-recurring gain recognized in 2005, we have been generally unprofitable since inception and, as of June 30, 2009, had an accumulated deficit of approximately $399.5 million. Our INTERCEPT platelet system, or the "platelet system," and our INTERCEPT plasma system, or the "plasma system," have received CE marks and are being marketed in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and selected countries in other regions around the world. We have not yet received regulatory approvals for the platelet and plasma systems in the United States and other countries. The INTERCEPT red blood cell system, or the "red blood cell system," is in early stage clinical development.

Our near-term capital requirements are dependent on various factors, including operating costs and working capital investments associated with commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System, costs associated with planning and conducting studies and clinical trials of our platelet and red blood cell systems, timing and magnitude of payments under grants from the United States government, and costs related to creating, maintaining and defending our intellectual property. Our long-term capital requirements will also be dependent on competitive developments and regulatory factors. Until we can generate a sufficient amount of product revenue and generate positive net cash flows from operations, meeting our long-term capital requirements is in large part subject to access to public and private equity and debt capital markets, as well as to additional collaborative arrangements with partners or government grants, augmented by cash generated from operations and interest income earned on the investment of our cash balances and short-term investments. We believe that our available cash balances will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements into 2010. We expect to prioritize continued commercialization of the platelet and plasma systems in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and in selected countries in other regions around the world over pursuit of regulatory approval of the platelet system in the United States and development and commercialization of the red blood cell system. We expect to continue efforts to establish an acceptable pathway for U.S. regulatory approval of the platelet system. We also expect to complete a Phase I clinical trial of the INTERCEPT red blood cell system in 2009. Further efforts to gain U.S. regulatory approval of the platelet system and significant development of the red blood cell system are dependent upon securing adequate additional funding to support such activities. We have begun implementing a restructuring plan to focus our resources, consolidate facilities and reduce our cost structure. We anticipate activities under the restructuring plan will continue throughout 2009.

We may borrow additional capital from institutional and commercial sources to fund future growth on terms that may include restrictive covenants, including covenants that restrict the operation of our business, liens on assets, high effective interest rates and repayment provisions that reduce cash resources and limit future access to capital markets. To the extent we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our stockholders may experience substantial dilution. To the extent that we raise additional funds through


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collaboration or partnering arrangements, we may be required to relinquish some of our rights to our technologies or rights to market and sell our products in certain geographies, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. Recently, the credit markets and the financial services industry have been experiencing a period of unprecedented turmoil and upheaval characterized by the bankruptcy, failure, collapse or sale of various financial institutions and an unprecedented level of intervention from the United States federal government. These events have generally made equity and debt financing more difficult to obtain. In addition, our independent registered public accountants have indicated that our recurring operating losses raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. This opinion may make it more difficult for us to raise funds when needed. As a result of these and other factors, we do not know whether additional capital will be available when needed, or that, if available, we will be able to obtain additional capital on reasonable terms. If we are unable to raise additional capital due to the recent disruptions to the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide or other factors, we will need to curtail planned development and commercialization activities.

Since February 2006, we have begun to recognize modest product revenue from the sale of our platelet and plasma systems in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and certain other countries around the world. Prior to initiating such commercial operations, our primary sources of revenue were milestone payments, development contracts and collaborative agreements and grants from United States government agencies, including the United States Armed Forces and the National Institutes of Health, or NIH. We must conduct significant research, development, preclinical and clinical evaluation, commercialization and regulatory compliance activities for our products that, together with anticipated general and administrative expenses, are expected to result in substantial losses at least until after our platelet and plasma systems gain widespread commercial acceptance in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and selected countries in other regions around the world. Our ability to achieve a profitable level of operations in the future will depend on our ability to successfully commercialize and achieve market acceptance of our blood safety products. We may never achieve a profitable level of operations.

Under the agreements with BioOne, we have received milestone payments in the past and may receive additional contingent milestone payments and royalties on future product sales.

We pay royalties to Fenwal on product sales, at rates of 10% of net sales for the platelet system, 3% for the plasma system, 5% for the red blood cell system, and 6.5% on sales of UVA illuminators. In December 2008, we amended and extended our manufacturing and supply agreement with Fenwal to include Fenwal's manufacture of finished disposable kits for the platelet and plasma systems through December 31, 2013. Under the amended manufacturing and supply agreement, we pay Fenwal a set price per kit, which is established annually plus a fixed surcharge per kit. In addition, at the end of each year, volume driven manufacturing overhead will be paid or refunded if actual manufacturing volumes are lower or higher, respectively, than the annually estimated production volumes.

We are responsible for the commercialization and ongoing development of the platelet and plasma systems, except in parts of Asia, where BioOne is responsible for such commercialization. Subject to the availability of adequate funding from partners, government grants, and/or capital markets, we also anticipate continuing our expenditures in support of preclinical and clinical trials and device development of our red blood cell system over the next several years if we can attract financing from partners, government grants, and/or the capital markets.

In November 2007, we spun-off our immunotherapy business to Anza Therapeutics, Inc., or Anza. In exchange for contributed tangible and intangible assets, we received Preferred Stock representing an equity interest of approximately 20% of Anza's preferred equity. Anza ceased its operations on March 31, 2009. The terms of sale provided Anza a right to redeem up to 1,000,000 of such shares for a nominal amount upon the failure to occur of certain circumstances relating to possible research grant funding from the DoD. We have been advised that, based upon such provision, Anza may seek to redeem 1,000,000 shares held by us. If such shares are redeemed by Anza, we would own fewer shares of Anza's Preferred Stock, reducing our preferred equity interest to approximately 16.0% of Anza's outstanding preferred equity. There is no assurance that the equity will have monetary value at such time we are allowed to sell it or that we will receive any proceeds upon liquidation or sale of Anza. We are evaluating whether Anza may redeem such shares in the present circumstances.

Because of the risks and uncertainties underlying Anza's business we have not assigned a value to our ownership interest in Anza on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Prior to Anza ceasing operations in March 2009, we had provided certain transition services to Anza under terms of a transition services agreement under which Anza reimbursed us for our direct costs associated with providing such services. The transition services we were providing to Anza were generally ancillary in nature and did not involve Anza's core business or any scientific research or development. We also sublet 14,800 square feet to Anza under a month-to-month sublease that expired on March 31, 2009.

Through June 30, 2009, in addition to the product revenues from sales of our platelet and plasma systems, we have recognized revenue from grants and cooperative agreements with the Armed Forces.

Critical Accounting Policies and Management Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, inventory valuation, accrued liabilities, non-cash stock compensation


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assumptions, and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form our basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the following critical accounting policies require us to make significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements:

•Revenue - Revenue is recognized when (i) persuasive evidence of an agreement with the funding party exists; (ii) services have been rendered or product has been delivered; (iii) pricing is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collection is probable.

Revenue related to product sales is generally recognized when we fulfill our obligations for each element of an agreement. For all sales of our INTERCEPT Blood System products, we use a binding purchase order and signed sales contract as evidence of a written agreement. We sell INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets and plasma directly to blood banks, hospitals, universities, government agencies, as well as to distributors in certain regions. Generally, our contracts with customers do not provide for open return rights, except within a reasonable time after receipt of goods in the case of non-conforming product. Deliverables and the units of accounting vary according to the provisions of each purchase order or sales contract. For revenue arrangements with multiple elements we evaluate whether the delivered elements have standalone value to the customer, whether the fair value of the undelivered elements is reliably determinable, and whether the delivery of the remaining elements is probable and within our control. When all of these conditions are met, we recognize the revenue on the delivered elements. If these conditions are not met, we defer revenue until such time as all of the conditions have been met or all of the elements have been delivered. Consideration received is allocated to elements that are identified as discrete units of accounting based on the relative fair market value method. Freight costs charged to customers are recorded as a component of revenue and value-added-taxes, or VAT, that we invoice to our customers and remit to governments are recorded on a net basis, which excludes such VAT from product revenue.

Revenue related to the cost reimbursement provisions under development contracts is recognized as the costs on the projects are incurred. We receive certain United States government grants and contracts that support research in defined research projects. These grants generally provide for reimbursement of approved costs incurred as defined in the various grants. Revenue associated with these grants is recognized as costs under each grant are incurred.

Revenue related to substantive at-risk milestones specified under development contracts is recognized as the milestones are achieved. To date, we have not received license fees or milestone payments that are refundable. To the extent that license fees or milestone payments that we have received are subject to future performance criteria, we recognize revenue ratably over the estimated term of the license or the development period. We have received up-front payments from collaboration agreements which are deferred and recognized over the period during which we estimate we are likely to have involvement. We have also received equity in two privately held companies in addition to cash as consideration for licensed rights or technologies. We evaluate several criteria to determine the fair value of the equity received and to conclude whether the facts and circumstances support a fair value for revenue recognition and the investment balance. These criteria include, but are not limited to, third-party investor interest and participation in recent equity offerings at current pricing, business outlook of the privately held company, and available financial information of the privately held company. The financial information we receive is generally only available on an infrequent basis. Although management uses the best available information at the time, there can be no absolute assurance that facts and circumstances will not change in the future. Should these facts and circumstances change, they may negatively impact our condensed consolidated financial statements.

•Inventory - We own work-in-process inventory for certain components of INTERCEPT disposable kits, finished INTERCEPT disposable kits, illuminators, and certain replacement parts for our illuminators. Our supply chain for certain of these components, held as work-in-process on our condensed consolidated balance sheet, can take over one year to complete production before being utilized in finished disposable kits. Under our manufacturing agreement with Fenwal, our carrying value of INTERCEPT disposable kits is dependent on an annually set price. In addition, at the end of each year, volume driven manufacturing overhead is either paid or refunded by or to us if manufacturing volumes are higher or lower than the anticipated manufacturing volumes at the time the price is established. As a result, at each interim period, manufacturing overhead can fluctuate and requires us to use judgment in accruing the manufacturing overhead. In addition, we use judgment in determining whether the manufacturing overhead is a cost of our inventory and recoverable when product is sold. Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost, determined on a first in, first-out basis, or market value. Our platelet and plasma system disposable kits generally have a two-year shelf life from the date of manufacture. Illuminators and replacement parts do not have regulated expiration dates. We use significant judgment to analyze and determine if the composition of our inventory is obsolete, slow-moving, or unsalable and frequently review such determinations. Our limited history selling the INTERCEPT Blood System limits the amount of historical data we have to perform this analysis. Generally, we write-down specifically identified obsolete, slow-moving, or known unsalable inventory that has no alternative use, using a number of factors including product expiration dates, open and unfulfilled orders, and sales forecasts.

•Accrued expenses - We record accrued liabilities for expenses related to certain contract research activities and development services, including those related to clinical trials, preclinical safety studies and external laboratory studies, as well as transition services and development activities being performed by third parties. Some of those accrued liabilities are based on estimates because billings for these activities may not occur on a timely basis consistent with the performance of the services. Specifically, accruals for clinical trials require us to make estimates surrounding costs associated with patients at various stages of the clinical trial, pass through costs to clinical sites, contract research organization costs including fees, database development, and reporting costs, among others.


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•Stock-based compensation - We issue stock-based awards to our employees, members of our Board of Directors, our Scientific Advisory Board and certain contractors as strategic, long-term incentives. We recorded stock-based compensation expense for employee awards in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or FAS, No. 123R, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," or FAS 123R. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the grant-date fair value of a stock award. We continue to apply the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, 96-18, "Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunctions with Selling, Goods or Services," for our non-employee stock-based awards. Under EITF 96-18, the measurement date at which the fair value of the stock-based award is measured is equal to the earlier of (i) the date at which a commitment for performance by the grantee to earn the equity instrument is reached or (ii) the date at which the grantee's performance is complete. We recognize stock-based compensation expense for the fair value of the vested portion of the non-employee awards in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Black-Scholes option pricing model calculates the grant-date fair value using certain variables. These variables are impacted by our stock price, award exercise behaviors, the risk free interest rate and our expected dividends and many of these variables require us to use significant judgment.

Expected Term. We estimate the expected term of options granted using a variety of factors. Where possible, we estimate the expected term of options granted by analyzing employee exercise and post-vesting termination behavior. To make this estimation, we analyze the population of options granted by discreet homogeneous groups. For those homogeneous groups where we are unable to obtain sufficient information to estimate the expected term in this manner, we estimate the expected term of the options granted by taking the average of the vesting term and the contractual term of the option, as illustrated in the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 and 110, "Share-Based Payment," or SAB 107 and SAB 110. The expected term of employee stock purchase plan shares is the term of each offering period.

Estimated Forfeiture Rate. We estimate the forfeiture rate of options at the time of grant and revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. We use historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and record stock-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest. We estimate the historic pre-vesting forfeiture rates by groups that possess a degree of homogeneity regarding average time to vest and expected term. All stock-based payment awards are amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which are generally the vesting periods.

Estimated Volatility. We estimate the volatility of our common stock by using historical volatility of our common stock. We have used significant judgment in making these estimates and we will continue to monitor the availability of actively traded options on our common stock. If we determine that sufficient actively traded options on our common stock exist, we may consider a combination of historical and implied volatility, or solely implied volatility.

Risk-Free Interest Rate. We base the risk-free interest rate that we use in the option valuation model on United States Treasury zero-coupon issues with remaining terms similar to the expected term on the options.

Expected Dividend. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and therefore use an expected dividend yield of zero in the option valuation model.

If factors change and we utilize different assumptions in determining the grant-date fair value of stock compensation expense in the future, or if we utilize a different option pricing model in the future, then those results may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period and could materially affect our operating results. There is significant risk that the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the judgment we have used in ascertaining the variables will yield results that differ materially from the actual values realized upon the exercise, expiration, termination or forfeitures of the awards in the future. Historical results were utilized in deriving our variables, which may not be indicative of the future.

•Income Taxes - Since our inception we have accumulated significant net operating losses and research and development credits that may be used in future periods to offset future taxable income. We currently estimate that we may not be able to utilize all of our deferred tax assets. In addition, we may not generate future taxable income prior to the expiration of our net operating loss carry forwards and research and development credits. Timing and significance of any estimated future taxable income is highly subjective and is beyond the control of management due to uncertainties in market conditions, economic environments in which we operate, and timing of regulatory approval of our products. We do not recognize tax positions that have a lower than 50% likelihood of being recognized upon review by a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. Use of a valuation allowance as described in Financial Accounting Standard 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," or FAS 109, is not an appropriate substitute for the derecognition of a tax position. We did not have any recorded liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits at June 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008. We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our income tax expense. To date, we have not recognized any interest and penalties in our statements of operations, nor have we accrued for or made payments for interest and penalties. We continue to carry a full valuation allowance on all of our deferred tax assets. Although we believe it more likely than not that a taxing authority would agree with our current tax positions, there can be no assurance that the tax positions we have taken will be substantiated by a taxing authority if reviewed.


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Results of Operations

Three and Six-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008

Revenue



                                                 Three months ended                            Six months ended
                                                      June 30,                                     June 30,
(in thousands, except percentage)                 2009         2008         Change              2009       2008          Change
Product revenue                                $    3,871    $  4,030   $ (159 )    (4 )%    $    6,956   $ 8,882   $ (1,926 )    (22 )%
Government grants and cooperative agreement           335          -       335      -  %            738       117        621      531 %

Total revenue                                  $    4,206    $  4,030   $  176       4 %     $    7,694   $ 8,999   $ (1,305 )    (15 )%

Product revenue decreased $0.2 million to $3.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $4.0 million during the comparable period in the prior year. The decrease was largely due to the recognition in 2008 of $0.3 million in revenue deferred in 2007 relating to the sale of INTERCEPT units to customers in 2007. We anticipate product revenue for both the platelet and . . .

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