SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC  20549

FORM 10-Q

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarter Ended  September 30, 2007                 Commission File No. 000-21429

ArQule, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware

04-3221586

(State of Incorporation)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

19 Presidential Way, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(781) 994-0300

(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 Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.       Yes x  No o

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

Large accelerated filer o     Accelerated filer x     Non-accelerated filer o

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

Number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock as of October 31, 2007:

Common Stock, par value $.01                           43,710,379 shares outstanding

 

 



ARQULE, INC.

QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. — Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3. — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4. — Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. — Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A. — Risk Factors

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6. — Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

 

 

 

EX-31.1 Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

EX-31.2 Section 302 Certification of Principal Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

EX-32 Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer

 

               

 

2


 

 


ARQULE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

 

 

September 30,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

 

 

 

(IN THOUSANDS,
EXCEPT SHARE AND
PER SHARE DATA)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

9,213

 

$

6,242

 

Marketable securities

 

134,279

 

89,590

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

1,684

 

2,162

 

Total current assets

 

145,176

 

97,994

 

Property and equipment, net

 

4,021

 

4,549

 

Other assets

 

1,845

 

2,277

 

Total assets

 

$

151,042

 

$

104,820

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

9,371

 

$

10,276

 

Current portion of deferred revenue

 

9,942

 

6,609

 

Current portion of deferred gain on sale leaseback

 

552

 

552

 

Total current liabilities

 

19,865

 

17,437

 

Restructuring accrual, net of current portion

 

895

 

1,366

 

Deferred revenue, net of current portion

 

26,011

 

1,967

 

Deferred gain on sale leaseback, net of current portion

 

3,682

 

4,096

 

Total liabilities

 

50,453

 

24,866

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 43,693,211 and 35,811,709 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively

 

437

 

358

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

367,374

 

307,965

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(22

)

(152

)

Accumulated deficit

 

(267,200

)

(228,217

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

100,589

 

79,954

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

151,042

 

$

104,820

 

 

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

 

3



 

ARQULE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development revenue

 

$

2,736

 

$

1,652

 

$

6,623

 

$

4,956

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

12,529

 

14,944

 

39,310

 

35,007

 

General and administrative

 

3,356

 

3,355

 

10,662

 

8,336

 

Total costs and expenses

 

15,885

 

18,299

 

49,972

 

43,343

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations

 

(13,149

)

(16,647

)

(43,349

)

(38,387

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

2,031

 

1,325

 

4,366

 

3,932

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss from continuing operations

 

(11,118

)

(15,322

)

(38,983

)

(34,455

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

15,845

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(11,118

)

$

(15,322

)

$

(38,983

)

$

(18,610

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss from continuing operations

 

$

(0.26

)

$

(0. 43

)

$

(1.00

)

$

(0.97

)

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

0.45

 

Net loss per share

 

$

(0.26

)

$

(0.43

)

$

(1.00

)

$

(0.52

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average basic and diluted common shares outstanding

 

43,557

 

35,556

 

38,793

 

35,464

 

 

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

 

4



 

ARQULE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended 
September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(38,983

)

$

(18,610

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

(15,845

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,316

 

1,703

 

Amortization of premium/discount on marketable securities

 

(35

)

130

 

Amortization of deferred gain on sale leaseback

 

(414

)

(414

)

Non-cash stock compensation

 

3,559

 

2,540

 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

121

 

4

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

6

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

478

 

(532

)

Other assets

 

432

 

(387

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(905

)

6,474

 

Restructuring accrual, net of current portion

 

(471

)

(495

)

Deferred revenue

 

27,377

 

(1,208

)

Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations

 

 

(6,747

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(7,525

)

(33,381

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(156,559

)

(76,216

)

Proceeds from sale or maturity of marketable securities

 

112,035

 

112,509

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

(909

)

(400

)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(45,433

)

35,893

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from stock offering, net

 

54,104

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

1,825

 

1,520

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

55,929

 

1,520

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

2,971

 

4,032

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

6,242

 

4,805

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

9,213

 

$

8,837

 

 

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

 

5



 

ARQULE, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

1.  NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company organized as a Delaware Corporation in 1993 and are engaged in the research and development of innovative anti-cancer therapies. Our goal is to introduce novel products that act selectively against cancer cells, target multiple tumor types and are well tolerated by patients.

Our clinical-stage products consist of: ARQ 197, an orally administered inhibitor of the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase; ARQ 501, an intravenously administered novel activator of the cell’s DNA damage response mechanism mediated by the E2F-1 transcription factor; and ARQ 171, an intravenously administered second generation activator of E2F-1.

We retain full worldwide commercial rights to ARQ 197 outside of Japan and other select Asian countries, where we granted commercial rights to Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd. (“Kyowa”) on April 27, 2007. We are developing  ARQ 501, ARQ 171 and ARQ 761, a new chemical entity based on ARQ 501, pursuant to our collaboration with Hoffmann-La Roche (“Roche”). Our agreements with Kyowa and Roche each provide for possible future milestone payments, royalties on product sales, and development funding, in addition to upfront payments that we have already received.

As part of our business since inception until 2006, we provided chemistry services to collaborators and customers for their discovery programs. In September 2005, we announced a strategic decision to exit our chemistry services operations in order to focus operationally on developing our oncology portfolio. On December 2, 2005, we received notice that our major collaborator and customer, Pfizer Inc (“Pfizer”), pursuant to the terms of the Collaborative Agreement (“Agreement”) with ArQule, was terminating the Agreement effective on May 22, 2006. We continued to provide chemistry services to Pfizer through this date.

We have prepared the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to these rules and regulations.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and footnotes related thereto for the year ended December 31, 2006 that are included in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2007.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include, in our opinion, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly our financial position as of September 30, 2007, and the results of our operations and cash flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved for the full year.

2.  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On September 27, 2005, we announced our intention to exit our chemistry services operations. We received notice on December 2, 2005 that Pfizer had elected to terminate the Agreement, pursuant to the Agreement’s terms, effective on May 22, 2006. The Agreement provided for six months prior written notice by either party to the other for termination without cause and, in the event of termination by Pfizer, certain payments to us. In accordance with these provisions, we received approximately $19.8 million in December 2005 in connection with the termination. This amount was recorded as deferred revenue and was recognized as revenue when compounds were delivered through the termination date. We have fulfilled our compound production obligations under the Agreement, and recognized the remaining deferred revenue and ceased chemistry services operations in 2006.

The net book value of the assets associated with the chemistry services operations, which totaled $1.4 million, approximated the fair market value of the underlying assets. In December 2006, management  completed the sale of the chemistry services assets, which consisted of commercially available laboratory instrumentation, for approximately $1.3 million, net of direct costs to sell such assets.

 

6


 


 

We considered the chemistry services asset group to be a “component of an entity”, as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“SFAS 144”), since it comprised operations and cash flows that were clearly distinguished, both operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from the remainder of our operations. Pursuant to SFAS 144, we reported the results of the chemistry services component as discontinued operations, since the related cash flows had been eliminated from our ongoing operations and we did not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component or the assets that were disposed.

The following table presents operating results for the discontinued chemical services operations:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Revenue

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

26,718

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

 

 

8,375

 

Restructuring charge

 

 

 

 

2,498

 

Total costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

10,873

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

15,845

 

 

3.  KYOWA LICENSING AGREEMENT

On April 27, 2007, we entered into an exclusive license agreement with Kyowa to develop and commercialize ARQ 197, a small molecule, selective inhibitor of the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase, in Japan and parts of Asia. A $3 million portion of an upfront licensing fee was received by the Company under this agreement in the first quarter of 2007 and an additional $27 million in upfront licensing fees was received on May 7, 2007.  The agreement includes $123 million in upfront and potential development milestone payments from Kyowa to ArQule, including the $30 million cash upfront licensing payments. In addition, the agreement includes sales milestone payments. Upon commercialization, ArQule will receive double-digit royalties from Kyowa on net sales of ARQ 197. Kyowa will be responsible for all clinical development costs and commercialization of the compound in certain Asian countries, consisting of Japan, China (including Hong Kong), South Korea and Taiwan.

 Under the Kyowa agreement, the initial license fee and any subsequent milestone payments, once earned, will be recognized as research and development revenue using the contingency-adjusted performance model. Under this model, when payments are earned, revenue is immediately recognized on a pro-rata basis in the period we achieve the milestone based on the time elapsed from inception of the Kyowa agreement to the time the milestone is earned over the estimated duration of the development period under the agreement. Thereafter, the remaining portion of the milestone payment is recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated development period  under the agreement. We currently estimate the development period to be through April 2016. This period may ultimately be shorter or longer depending upon the outcome of the development work, resulting in accelerated or deferred recognition of the development revenue. Royalty payments will be recognized as revenue when earned. The cost associated with satisfying the Kyowa contract is included in research and development expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, $0.8 million and  $1.4 million were recognized as revenue. At September 30, 2007 $28.6 million remains in deferred revenue.

4.  COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other comprehensive income (loss).  Other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gains (losses) on our available-for-sale securities that are excluded from net loss.  Total comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006 was as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net loss

 

$

(11,118

)

$

(15,322

)

$

(38,983

)

$

(18,610

)

Unrealized gain on marketable securities

 

15

 

275

 

130

 

494

 

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(11,103

)

$

(15,047

)

$

(38,853

)

$

(18,116

)

 

 

7



 

5.  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accounts payable and accrued expenses include the following at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006:

 

 

September 30,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

 

Accounts payable

 

$

535

 

$

208

 

Accrued payroll

 

1,718

 

1,726

 

Accrued outsourced pre-clinical and clinical fees

 

4,773

 

6,197

 

Accrued professional fees

 

640

 

434

 

Accrued restructuring-current portion

 

636

 

678

 

Other accrued expenses

 

1,069

 

1,033

 

 

 

$

9,371

 

$

10,276

 

 

6.              RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

In 2002, we recorded a restructuring charge associated with abandoning our facility in Redwood City, California, which was comprised of the difference between the remaining lease obligation, which runs through 2010, and our estimate of potential future sublease income.  The accrual balance was adjusted in 2003 to reflect a change in estimate due to continued deterioration in the local real estate market.  The accrual balance was adjusted again in 2004 as a result of us entering into a sublease for the facility.  The remaining facility-related restructuring accrual is primarily comprised of the difference between our lease obligation for this facility, which will be paid out through 2010, and the amount of sublease payments we will receive under our sublease agreement.

On January 19, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized termination benefits for employees in connection with a plan of termination for our chemistry services operations. The termination benefits, which affected 104 employees, consisted of cash payments and continuation of health care benefits. In 2006, a restructuring charge of $2.5 million was recorded pursuant to this action and is included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, as part of “Income from discontinued operations”. As of December 31, 2006, all affected employees had been separated from the Company and the restructuring costs were fully paid.

Activities against the restructuring accrual in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2007 were as follows:

 

 

Balance as of
December 31, 2005

 

2006
Provisions

 

2006
Payments

 

Balance as of
September 30, 2006

 

Termination benefits-discontinued operations

 

$

 

$

2,383

 

$

(2,163

)

$

220

 

Other charges-discontinued operations

 

 

115

 

(107

)

8

 

Facility-related

 

2,706

 

 

(495

)

2,211

 

Total restructuring accrual

 

$

2,706

 

$

2,498

 

$

(2,765

)

$

2,439

 

 

 

 

Balance as of
December 31, 2006

 

2007
Provisions

 

2007
 Payments

 

Balance as of
September 30, 2007

 

Facility-related

 

$

2,044

 

$

 

$

(513

)

$

1,531

 

 

7.   NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

Net loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share amounts are equivalent for the periods presented as the inclusion of potential common shares in the number of shares used for the diluted computation would be anti-dilutive to loss per share from continuing operations. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, Earnings Per Share, no potential common shares are included in the computation of any diluted per share amounts, including income (loss) per share from discontinued operations, as the Company reported a net loss from continuing operations for all periods presented. Potential common shares, the shares that would be issued upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, were 4,424,397 and 3,977,222 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

8



 

8.   STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND STOCK PLANS

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No.123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123 (R)”), which establishes accounting for equity instruments exchanged for employee services. Under the provisions of SFAS 123(R), stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the employees’ requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant).

We estimate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Key input assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the exercise price of the award, expected option term, expected volatility of our stock over the option’s expected term, risk-free interest rate over the option’s expected term, and the expected annual dividend yield. We believe that the valuation technique and approach utilized to develop the underlying assumptions are appropriate in calculating the fair values of our stock options granted in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006.

The following table presents stock-based compensation expense included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September  30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September  30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Research and development

 

$

378

 

$

437

 

$

1,759

 

$

1,188

 

General and administrative

 

770

 

252

 

1,800

 

1,015

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

337

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$

1,148

 

$

689

 

$

3,559

 

$

2,540

 

 

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006, no stock-based compensation expense was capitalized and there were no recognized tax benefits associated with the stock-based compensation charge. In the nine months ended September 30, 2007, stock-based compensation expense of $637, included in research and development, was related to Boston Biomedical, Inc. transition costs (see Note 11, Boston Biomedical, Inc. Collaboration in this  Form 10-Q). In the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, $438 of stock-based compensation expense was incurred in conjunction with the acceleration of vesting of 103,798 stock options and the extension of the post-employment exercise period of 395,942 stock options  held by certain employees who will meet eligibility criteria for a retirement benefit within the next four years. On October 4, 2007 the exercise period associated with 1,115,000 stock options was extended and the vesting of 165,625 stock options was accelerated in conjunction with an amendment to the CEO’s employment agreement. The amount of stock option expense associated with this amendment is expected to be $703 in  the quarter ending December 31, 2007 and $1,406 in 2008.

Option activity under our stock plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was as follows:

Stock Options

 

Number
of Shares

 

Weighted Average
Exercise Price

 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2006

 

3,872,946

 

$

6.66

 

Granted

 

1,195,325

 

6.51

 

Exercised

 

(330,587

)

5.13

 

Cancelled

 

(313,287

)

6.40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding as of September 30, 2007

 

4,424,397

 

$

6.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable as of September 30, 2007

 

2,321,585

 

$

7.33

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding at September 30, 2007 was $5.5 million, of which $3.3 million related to exercisable options. The weighted average fair value of options granted in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $3.40 and $4.05 per share, respectively. The intrinsic value of options exercised in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $1,131and $291.

 

9



 

The total compensation cost not yet recognized as of September 30, 2007 related to non-vested option awards was $6.4 million, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.7 years. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, there were 275,245 shares forfeited with a weighted average grant date fair value of $4.01 per share. The weighted average remaining contractual life for options exercisable at September 30, 2007 was 4.9 years.

9.  STOCK OFFERING

On June 13, 2007, we sold 7 million shares of common stock at $7.75 per share for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $50.5 million after commissions and other offering expenses. On July 18, 2007, we sold an additional 502,000 shares of common stock upon exercise of the underwriter’s over allotment option at $7.75 per share for aggregate additional net proceeds of approximately $3.6 million after commissions and other offering expenses.

10.  RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157 Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”).  SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS 157 is not anticipated to have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” (“SFAS 159”), which is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007, provided the entity also elects to apply the provisions SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The Statement also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 requires companies to provide additional information that will help investors and other users of financial statements to more easily understand the effect of the company’s choice to use fair value on its earnings. It also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which the company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet. The implementation of SFAS 159 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In June 2007, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”), reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 07-03, Accounting for Nonrefundable Advance Payments for Goods or Services to Be Used in Future Research and Development Activities. EITF 07-03 concludes that non-refundable advance payments for future research and development activities should be deferred and capitalized until the goods have been delivered or the related services have been performed. If an entity does not expect the goods to be delivered or services to be rendered, the capitalized advance payment should be charged to expense. This consensus is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007.  The initial adjustment to reflect the effect of applying the consensus as a change in accounting principle would be accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption.  We do not believe that our adoption of EITF 07-03 in the first quarter of 2008 will have a material impact on our financial statements.

11. BOSTON BIOMEDICAL, INC. COLLABORATION

In January 2007, we entered into a $5.0 million, eight-month sponsored research agreement with the newly established Boston Biomedical, Inc. (“BBI”), an independent corporation led by our former chief scientific officer. Approximately 26 former employees of ArQule joined BBI.

BBI is conducting scientific research under the agreement that includes a number of in vivo and in vitro studies, reports and publications related to mechanisms of action and biomarkers for our clinical-stage products. These products include ARQ 197, ARQ 501 and ARQ 171. We retain all intellectual property and technology rights related to research conducted by BBI employees under the contract. ArQule has no equity position in BBI.

In connection with the foregoing events, on January 26, 2007, our former chief scientific officer entered into a separation agreement and general release with us and was paid a lump sum severance payment comprised of (i) one year’s salary in the amount of $321, (ii) the average of his cash bonuses over the last two years in the amount of $110, and (iii) the amount of $113 to which he was entitled under our Annual Incentive Program for fiscal year 2006.

 

10



 

In addition, he was granted an option to purchase 64,375 shares of our common stock, which is fully vested and exercisable on the date of grant and will expire on December 31, 2008. His previously vested option grants covering 216,250 shares were amended to extend the exercise period through December 31, 2007. In connection with his appointment as Chairman of our Scientific Advisory Board, he was granted an additional option to purchase 12,500 shares, which is fully vested and exercisable on the date of grant and will expire ten years after the date of grant. As a result of his separation from service, all his unvested options have lapsed.

Approximately 26 of our former employees joined BBI in January 2007 and each employee who transitioned to BBI executed and delivered a separation agreement and general release. In consideration for entering into such agreement, each employee received a fully-vested option to purchase shares of our common stock with an exercise period terminating on December 31, 2008, as well as an amendment to their previously vested stock options to extend the exercise period through December 31, 2007. The total number of fully vested stock options issued to these employees was 87,500, and the total number of stock options that were amended to extend the exercise period was 92,504. As a result of separation of service all unvested options of such employees have lapsed.

In the first quarter of 2007, we expensed approximately: $431 related to lump sum cash payments under the separation and general release agreement with our former chief scientific officer, as well as certain non-cash charges for stock based compensation, including $201 for stock options granted to him; and $168 arising from the extension of the exercise period of his vested options. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2007, we expensed approximately $197 for stock options granted to other employees related to their separation agreements and releases, and $71 arising from the extension of the exercise period of their vested options.

Through September 30, 2007, in conjunction with the BBI sponsored research agreement, we incurred $4,569 of research and development expense. We made payments of $4,389 to BBI and the remaining $180 is reported in other accrued expenses.

12. INCOME TAXES

We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”) Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“SFAS 109”) on January 1, 2007.  As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, we recorded no adjustment for unrecognized income tax benefits.  At the adoption date of January 1, 2007 and also at September 30, 2007, we had no unrecognized tax benefits.  We do not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase in the next twelve months.

We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.  As of September 30, 2007, we had no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The tax years 2003 through 2006 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject, which is primarily the U.S.

As of December 31, 2006, we had federal net operating loss (“NOL”), state NOL, and research and development (“R&D”) credit carryforwards of approximately $126,104, $75,723 and $13,724 respectively, which can be used to offset future federal and state income tax liabilities and expire at various dates through 2026.  Federal net capital loss carryforwards of approximately $5,000 can be used to offset future federal capital gains and expire at various dates through 2008.

Utilization of NOL and R&D credit carryforwards may be subject to a substantial annual limitation due to ownership change limitations that have occurred previously or that could occur in the future provided by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as well as similar state provisions.  These ownership changes may limit the amount of NOL and R&D credit carryforwards that can be utilized annually to offset future taxable income and tax, respectively.  In general, an ownership change, as defined by Section 382, results from transactions increasing the ownership of certain shareholders or public groups in the stock of a corporation by more than 50 percentage points over a three-year period.  Since the Company’s formation, the Company has raised capital through the issuance of capital stock on several occasions which, combined with the purchasing shareholders’ subsequent disposition of those shares, may have resulted in a change of control, as defined by Section 382, or could result in a change of control in the future upon subsequent disposition.  The Company has not currently completed a study to assess whether a change of control has occurred or whether there have been multiple changes of control since the Company’s formation due to the significant complexity and cost associated with such study and that there could be additional changes in control in the future.  If we have experienced a change of control at any time since Company formation, utilization of our NOL or R&D credit carryforwards would be subject to an annual limitation under Section 382.  Any limitation may result in expiration of a portion of the NOL or R&D credit carryforwards before utilization.  Further, until a study is completed and any limitation known, no amounts are being presented as an uncertain tax position under FIN 48.

 

11



 

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

OVERVIEW

We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company organized as a Delaware Corporation in 1993 and are engaged in the research and development of innovative anti-cancer therapies. Our goal is to introduce novel products that act selectively against cancer cells, target multiple tumor types and are well tolerated by patients. We believe our clinical-stage products represent potential best-in class or first-in class small molecule candidates based on highly differentiated mechanisms of action.

Our clinical-stage products consist of: ARQ 197, an orally administered inhibitor of the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase; ARQ 501, an intravenously administered novel activator of the cell’s DNA damage response mechanism mediated by the E2F-1 transcription factor; and ARQ 171, an intravenously administered second generation activator of E2F-1. Results from Phase 1 clinical trials of ARQ 501 and ARQ 197 showed promising anti-cancer activity across multiple types of tumors.  In these early-stage studies, there was no drug-related, serious adverse event (Grades 3/4) associated with ARQ 197; ARQ 501 showed clinical tolerability with hemolytic anemia identified as the dose-limiting toxicity.

We retain full worldwide commercial rights to ARQ 197 outside of Japan and other select Asian countries, where we granted commercial rights to Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd. (“Kyowa”) on April 27, 2007. We are developing ARQ 501, ARQ 171 and ARQ 761, a new chemical entity based on ARQ 501, pursuant to our collaboration with Hoffmann-La Roche (“Roche”). Our agreements with Kyowa and Roche each provide for possible future milestone payments, royalties on product sales, and development funding, in addition to upfront payments that we have already received.

Our pre-clinical programs are directed toward molecular targets that we believe play critical roles in the development of human cancers. The most advanced of these programs is focused on the development of inhibitors of the Eg5 Kinesin motor protein and the B-RAF kinase. Toxicology testing is planned to begin in late 2007 with a product candidate from one of these programs.  Select additional molecular targets being explored in our research programs include Hsp90, HDAC and selected onco-kinases. We may elect to out-license certain product candidates discovered through our pre-clinical programs to corporate partners.

Our products and research programs are based on our understanding of biological processes that lead to the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells, combined with our ability to generate product candidates possessing certain pre-selected drug-like properties and acting specifically against cancer cells. We believe that these qualities, when present from the earliest stages of product development, increase the likelihood of producing safe, effective and marketable drugs. We believe that our combined expertise in biology and chemistry differentiates us from other biotech companies.

In September 2005, we announced a strategic decision to exit our chemistry services operations in order to focus operationally on developing our oncology portfolio.  We continued to provide chemistry services to Pfizer Inc (“Pfizer”) under a previous agreement until May 2006, at which time the collaboration with Pfizer was terminated, and we ceased chemistry services operations.  We are retaining and continuing to use a broad spectrum of well-established chemistry capabilities in the discovery and development of our oncology portfolio.

We have an accumulated deficit of $267 million at September 30, 2007. We expect research and development costs to increase throughout 2007 due to clinical testing of our lead product candidates. Although we have generated positive cash flow from operations for the six consecutive years from 2000-2005, these cash flows were attributable to our discontinued chemistry services operations. We recorded a net loss for all but one of those years. We recorded a net loss for 2006 and expect a net loss for 2007.

Our revenue consists of development funding from our alliance with Roche and license fee and development revenues from Kyowa. Under the Roche alliance, we are responsible for advancing drug candidates from early stage development to Phase 2 trials. Roche may opt to license worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of products resulting from this collaboration by paying an option fee. Assuming the successful development and commercialization of a compound under the program, we could receive up to $276 million in pre-determined payments, plus royalties based on net sales. Additionally, we have the option to co-promote products in the U.S.

 

12



 

On April 27, 2007, we entered into an exclusive license agreement with Kyowa to develop and commercialize ARQ 197, a small molecule, selective inhibitor of the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase, in Japan and parts of Asia. A $3 million portion of an upfront licensing fee was received by the Company under this agreement in the first quarter of 2007 and an additional $27 million in upfront licensing fees was received on May 7, 2007.  The agreement includes $123 million in upfront and potential development milestone payments from Kyowa to ArQule, including the $30 million cash upfront licensing payments. In addition, the agreement includes sales milestone payments. Upon commercialization, ArQule will receive double-digit royalties from Kyowa on net sales of ARQ 197. Kyowa will be responsible for all clinical development costs and commercialization of the compound in certain Asian countries, consisting of Japan, China (including Hong Kong), South Korea and Taiwan.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, $0.8 million and $1.4 million were recognized as revenue. At September 30, 2007, $28.6 million remains in deferred revenue.

Revenue and expenses fluctuate from quarter-to-quarter based upon a number of factors, notably the timing and extent of our cancer-related research and development activities together with the duration and outcomes of our clinical trials.

Revenue from our chemistry services operations ceased in the second quarter of 2006 as a result of our strategic decision to exit this business and the subsequent decision by Pfizer to terminate its Agreement with us effective on May 22, 2006.  From December 2001 until that date, we produced for Pfizer annually an average of approximately 160,000 synthetic chemical compounds and received average annual cash payments of approximately $50 million for those compounds and related services. The Agreement provided for six months prior written notice by either party to the other for termination without cause and, in the event of termination by Pfizer, certain payments to us. In accordance with these provisions, we received approximately $19.8 million in December 2005 in connection with the termination.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

Increase (decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

 

$

143.5

 

$

95.8

 

$

47.7

 

49.7

%

Working capital

 

125.3

 

80.6

 

44.7

 

55.6

%

 

 

 

Q3 YTD 2007

 

Q3 YTD  2006

 

Increase (decrease)
$

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Cash flow from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

(7.5

)

$

(33.4

)

$

25.9

 

Investing activities

 

(45.4

)

35.9

 

(81.3

)

Financing activities

 

55.9

 

1.5

 

54.4

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities.   Our uses of cash for operating activities have primarily consisted of salaries and wages for our employees, facility and facility-related costs for our offices and laboratories, fees paid in connection with pre-clinical and clinical studies, laboratory supplies and materials and professional fees. The sources of our cash flow from operating activities have consisted primarily of payments from our collaborators for services performed or upfront payments for license rights or future services. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, our decrease in cash from operating activities was primarily driven by the difference between cash receipts from collaborators, and payments for operating expenses which resulted in a net cash outflow of $7.5 million.

Cash flow from investing activities.   Our net cash used by investing activities of $45.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was comprised of net sales of marketable securities of $44.5 million and acquisitions of fixed assets of $0.9 million. The composition and mix of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities may change frequently as a result of the Company’s constant evaluation of conditions in financial markets, the maturity of specific investments and our near term liquidity needs.

Cash flow from financing activities.   Our net cash provided by financing activities of $55.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was comprised primarily of the proceeds from our June 13, 2007 stock offering, wherein we sold 7 million shares of common stock at $7.75 per share for aggregate net proceeds of $50.5 million after commissions and offering expenses. During July 2007, the Company received net proceeds of $3.6 million when the underwriters of our June 13, 2007 offering exercised their over-allotment option to purchase an additional 502,000 shares of common stock.  Stock option exercises provided additional cash inflow of $1.8 million.

 

 

13


 


 

Although we were cash flow positive from operations from 1999 through 2005, we were not cash flow positive from operations in 2006, nor do we expect to be cash flow positive from operations for 2007, as a result of our decision to exit our chemistry services operations and the increased cost of developing our clinical candidates. We expect that our available cash and marketable securities, together with cash from operations and investment income, will be sufficient to finance our working capital and capital requirements into the second half of 2009, depending on decisions we may make regarding our clinical trials.

Our cash requirements may vary materially from those now planned depending upon the results of our drug discovery and development strategies, our ability to enter into additional corporate collaborations and the terms of such collaborations, results of research and development, unanticipated required capital expenditures, competitive and technological advances, acquisitions and other factors. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to develop any of our drug candidates into a commercial product.  It is likely we will need to raise additional capital or incur indebtedness to continue to fund our operations in the future. Our ability to raise additional funds will depend on financial, economic and market conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available to us when required, on satisfactory terms, or at all. If necessary funds are not available, we may have to delay, reduce the scope of, or eliminate some of our development programs, potentially delaying the time to market for any of our product candidates.

Our contractual obligations were comprised of the following as of September 30, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

Payment due by period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

Less than
1 year

 

1-3 years

 

3-5 years

 

More than
5 years

 

Operating lease obligations

 

$

26,692

 

$

3,848

 

$

7,552

 

$

7,072

 

$

8,220

 

Purchase obligations

 

6,055

 

6,055

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

32,747

 

$

9,903

 

$

7,552

 

$

7,072

 

$

8,220

 

 

Included in the total minimum payments for operating leases is approximately $1.5 million related to abandoned real estate in California, net of contractual sublease income. This net amount has been accrued as a liability as a part of the Company’s restructuring charge in 2002 and subsequently adjusted in 2003 and 2004 (see Note 6 Restructuring Charges to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q). Purchase obligations are comprised primarily of outsourced pre-clinical and clinical trial expenses and payments to license certain intellectual property to support the Company’s research efforts.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

A “critical accounting policy” is one which is both important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results and requires management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. For additional information, please see the discussion of our significant accounting policies in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Research and Development Revenue Recognition

Under the terms of the Roche agreement, Roche obtained an option to license ArQule’s E2F program in the field of cancer therapy. Roche provided immediate research funding of $15 million, and financial support for ongoing research and development. ArQule is responsible for advancing drug candidates from early stage development into Phase 2 trials. Roche may opt to license worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of products resulting from this collaboration by paying an option fee. Assuming the successful development and commercialization of a compound under the program, ArQule could receive up to $276 million in pre-determined milestone payments, plus royalties based on net sales. ArQule considers the development portion of the arrangement to be a single unit of accounting under EITF No. 00-21, Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables for purposes of revenue recognition, and will recognize the initial and ongoing development payments as research and development revenue over the maximum estimated development period. We estimate the maximum development period could extend until December 2009. This period may ultimately be shorter depending upon the outcome of the development work, resulting in accelerated recognition of the development revenue. Milestone and royalty payments will be recognized as revenue when earned. The costs associated with satisfying the Roche contract are included in research and development expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

14



 

On April 27, 2007, we entered into an exclusive license agreement with Kyowa to develop and commercialize ARQ 197, a small molecule, selective inhibitor of the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase, in Japan and parts of Asia. A $3 million portion of an upfront licensing fee was received by the Company under this agreement in the first quarter of 2007 and an additional $27 million in upfront licensing fees was received on May 7, 2007. The agreement includes $123 million in upfront and potential development milestone payments from Kyowa to ArQule, including the $30 million cash upfront licensing payments. In addition, the agreement includes sales milestone payments. Upon commercialization, ArQule will receive double-digit royalties from Kyowa on net sales of ARQ 197. Kyowa will be responsible for all clinical development costs and commercialization of the compound in certain Asian countries, consisting of Japan, China (including Hong Kong), South Korea and Taiwan.

Under the Kyowa agreement, the initial license fee and any subsequent milestone payments, once earned, will be recognized as research and development revenue using the contingency-adjusted performance model. Under this model, when payments are earned, revenue is immediately recognized on a pro-rata basis in the period we achieve the milestone based on the time elapsed from inception of the Kyowa agreement to the time the milestone is earned over the estimated duration of the development period under the agreement. Thereafter, the remaining portion of the milestone payment is recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated development period  under the agreement. We currently estimate the development period to be through April 2016. This period may ultimately be shorter or longer depending upon the outcome of the development work, resulting in accelerated or deferred recognition of the development revenue. Royalty payments will be recognized as revenue when earned. The cost associated with satisfying the Kyowa contract is included in research and development expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, $0.8 million and $1.4 million were recognized as revenue. At September 30, 2007, $28.6 million remains in deferred revenue.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following are the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006:

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended September30:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development revenue

 

$

2.7

 

$

1.7

 

$

1.0

 

65.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development revenue

 

$

6.6

 

$

5.0

 

$

1.6

 

33.6

%

 

Research and development revenue increased by $1.0 million in the three month period and $1.6 million in the nine month period primarily from revenue recognized in connection with the Kyowa licensing agreement.

Research and development

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended September 30:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

$

12.5

 

$

14.9

 

$

(2.4

)

(16.2

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

$

39.3

 

$

35.0

 

$

4.3

 

12.3

%

 

Overview

Our research and development expense consists primarily of salaries and related expenses for personnel, costs of contract manufacturing services, costs of facilities and equipment, fees paid to professional service providers in conjunction with our clinical trials, fees paid to research organizations in conjunction with pre-clinical animal studies, costs of materials used in research and development, consulting, license, and sponsored research fees paid to third parties and depreciation of

 

15



 

associated laboratory equipment. We expect our research and development expense to increase as we continue to develop our portfolio of oncology programs.

We have not accumulated and tracked our internal historical research and development costs or our personnel and personnel-related costs on a program-by-program basis. Our employee and infrastructure resources are allocated across several projects, and many of our costs are directed to broadly applicable research endeavors. As a result, we cannot state the costs incurred for each of our oncology programs on a program-by-program basis, or the cost to support our alliance agreement with Roche. The expenses incurred by us to third-parties for pre-clinical and clinical trials in the third quarter of 2007 and since inception of each program were as follows (in thousands):

Oncology program

 

Current status

 

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2007

 

Program-to-date

 

E2F modulation—ARQ 501

 

Phase 2

 

$

1,415

 

$

25,415

 

E2F modulation—ARQ 171

 

Phase 1

 

374

 

5,062

 

c-Met program—ARQ 197

 

Phase 1

 

3,342

 

13,875

 

 

Our future research and development expenses in support of our current and future oncology programs will be subject to numerous uncertainties in timing and cost to completion. We test potential products in numerous pre-clinical studies for safety, toxicology, and efficacy. We may conduct multiple clinical trials for each product. As we obtain results from trials, we may elect to discontinue or delay clinical trials for certain products in order to focus our resources on more promising products. Completion of clinical trials may take several years or more, but the length of time generally varies substantially according to the type, complexity, novelty and intended use of a product. It is not unusual for the pre-clinical and clinical development of these types of products to each take nine years or more, and for total development costs to exceed $500 million for each product.

We estimate that clinical trials of the type generally needed to secure new drug approval are typically completed over the following timelines:

Clinical Phase

 

Estimated Completion Period

 

Phase 1

 

1-2 years

 

Phase 2

 

2-3 years

 

Phase 3

 

2-4 years

 

 

The duration and the cost of clinical trials may vary significantly over the life of a project as a result of differences arising during clinical development, including, among others, the following:

  the number of clinical sites included in the trials;

  the length of time required to enroll suitable patients;

       the number of patients that ultimately participate in the trials;

       the duration of patient follow-up to ensure the absence of long-term product-related adverse events; and

       the efficacy and safety profile of the product.

An element of our business strategy is to pursue the research and development of a broad pipeline of products. This is intended to allow us to diversify the risks associated with our research and development expenditures. As a result, we believe our future capital requirements and future financial success are not substantially dependent on any one product. To the extent we are unable to maintain a broad pipeline of products, our dependence on the success of one or a few products increases.

Our strategy includes entering into alliance arrangements with third parties to participate in the development and commercialization of our products, such as our collaboration agreements with Roche and Kyowa. In the event that third parties have control over the clinical trial process for a product, the estimated completion date would largely be under control of that third party rather than under our control. We cannot forecast with any degree of certainty whether our products will be subject to future collaborative arrangements or how such arrangements would affect our development plans or capital requirements.

As a result of the uncertainties discussed above, we are unable to determine the duration and completion costs of our oncology programs or when and to what extent we will receive cash inflows from the commercialization and sale of a product. Our inability to complete our oncology programs in a timely manner or our failure to enter into appropriate collaborative agreements could significantly increase our capital requirements and could adversely impact our liquidity.

 

16



 

These uncertainties could force us to seek additional, external sources of financing from time-to-time in order to continue with our product development strategy. Our inability to raise additional capital, or to do so on terms reasonably acceptable to us, would jeopardize the future success of our business.

The $2.4 million decrease in research and development expense in the third quarter of 2007 compared with the prior year’s quarter was primarily due to $5.1 million lower costs for the Phase 2 trials with ARQ 501. This decrease was partially offset by a $2.7 million increase in costs for Phase 1 trials and preparation for Phase 2 trials with ARQ 197.

 

The $4.3 million increase in research and development expense in the first nine months of 2007 compared with the prior year’s nine month period is primarily due to a $6.0 million increase in costs for Phase 1 trials and preparation for Phase 2 trials with ARQ 197 and $4.6 million of costs incurred in conjunction with our sponsored research agreement with BBI. These increases were offset in part by $5.6 million lower costs for Phase 1 and  2 trials with ARQ 501 and lower lab expenses of $0.7 million.  At September 30, 2007, we had 72 employees dedicated to our research and development program, compared with 90 employees at September 30, 2006.

 

General and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended September 30:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

$

3.4

 

$

3.4

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

$

10.7

 

$

8.4

 

$

2.3

 

27.9

%

 

 General and administrative expense was unchanged in the three month period.  The increase  in the nine month period was due to increases of  $1.4 million in personnel related expenses, $0.3 million in professional fees and $0.6 million for  facility costs, which are no longer absorbed by the chemical services operations.  General and administrative headcount was 34 at September 30, 2007, compared to 40 at September 30, 2006.

 

Investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended September 30:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income

 

$

2.0

 

$

1.3

 

$

0.7

 

53.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income

 

$

4.3

 

$

3.9

 

$

0.4

 

11.0

%

 

Investment income is derived from our portfolio of cash and short-term investments. Investment income increased in the three month and nine month periods due to an increase in the average portfolio balance from our June 2007 stock offering.

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

$

 

$

15.8

 

$

(15.8

)

(100

)%

 

The decrease in income from the chemical services operations, discontinued operations, in first nine months of 2007 reflects the termination of the Pfizer collaboration during the second quarter of 2006.

 

17



 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS 157 is not anticipated to have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” (“SFAS 159”), which is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007, provided the entity also elects to apply the provisions of FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The Statement also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 requires companies to provide additional information that will help investors and other users of financial statements to more easily understand the effect of the company’s choice to use fair value on its earnings. It also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which the company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet. The implementation of SFAS 159 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In June 2007, the EITF, reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 07-03, Accounting for Nonrefundable Advance Payments for Goods or Services to Be Used in Future Research and Development Activities. EITF 07-03 concludes that non-refundable advance payments for future research and development activities should be deferred and capitalized until the goods have been delivered or the related services have been performed. If an entity does not expect the goods to be delivered or services to be rendered, the capitalized advance payment should be charged to expense. This consensus is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007.  The initial adjustment to reflect the effect of applying the consensus as a change in accounting principle would be accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption.  We do not believe that our adoption of EITF 07-03 in the first quarter of 2008 will have a material impact on our financial statements.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to historical information, this report contains forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by their use of words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “will” and other words and terms of similar meaning. You also can identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.  All statements which address operating performance, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will occur in the future, such as projections about its future results of operations, its financial condition, research, development and commercialization of its products and anticipated trends in its business are forward-looking statements.

In this report we make forward-looking statements regarding our drug development pipeline and our Phase 1 and 2 monotherapy and combination therapy clinical trials involving ARQ 501 and ARQ 197, and the second generation ACT compound, ARQ 171. Additional forward-looking statements relate to our agreement with Kyowa, including potential future milestones and royalty payments that could result from the future development of ARQ 197.

Drug development involves a high degree of risk. Only a small number of research and development programs result in the commercialization of a product.  For example, pre-clinical efforts associated with our product pipeline may fail or prove disappointing because our technology platform did not produce candidates with the desired characteristics. Animal xenograft pre-clinical studies may be unpredictive of human response.   Positive information about early stage clinical trial results will not ensure that later stage or larger scale clinical trials will be successful.

Furthermore, our drugs may not demonstrate promising therapeutic effects; in addition, they may not demonstrate appropriate safety profiles in ongoing or later stage or larger scale clinical trials as a result of known or as yet unidentified side effects. The results achieved in later stage trials may not be sufficient to meet applicable regulatory standards. Problems or delays may arise during clinical trials or in the course of developing, testing or manufacturing our drugs that could lead us or our partner to discontinue development.

 

18



 

Even if later stage clinical trials are successful, the risk exists that unexpected concerns may arise from analysis of data or from additional data or that obstacles may arise or issues be identified in connection with review of clinical data with regulatory authorities or that regulatory authorities may disagree with the Company’s view of the data or require additional data or information or additional studies. Also, the planned timing of initiation of clinical trials and the duration and conclusion of such trials for our drugs are subject to the ability of the company to enroll patients, enter into agreements with clinical trial sites and investigators, and other technical hurdles and issues that may not be resolved.

We also make forward-looking statements regarding the adequacy of our financial resources.  Our capital resources may not be adequate because our cash requirements may vary materially from those now planned depending upon the results of our drug discovery and development strategies, the outcomes of our clinical trials, our ability to enter into additional corporate collaborations in the future and the terms of such collaborations, results of research and development, the need for currently unanticipated capital expenditures, competitive and technological advances, acquisitions and other factors.   Additionally, our corporate collaborators may terminate their agreements with us, thereby eliminating that source of funding, because we may fail to satisfy the prescribed terms of the collaborations or for other reasons.

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to develop any of our drug candidates into a commercial product generating revenues.  If we experience increased losses, we may have to seek additional financing from public and private sales of our securities, including equity securities.  There can be no assurance that additional funding will be available when needed or on acceptable terms.

The factors, risks and uncertainties referred to above and others are more fully described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 as filed with the SEC on March 12, 2007, as updated from time to time in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.  The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the judgment of the Company as of the date of this report.  We are not under any obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As part of our investment portfolio we own financial instruments that are sensitive to market risk. Our investment portfolio is used to preserve our capital until it is used to fund operations, including our research and development activities. None of these market-risk sensitive instruments are held for trading purposes. We invest our cash primarily in money market mutual funds and U.S. federal and state agency backed obligations and other investment grade debt securities. These investments are evaluated quarterly to determine the fair value of the portfolio. Our investment portfolio includes only marketable securities with active secondary or resale markets to help ensure liquidity. We have implemented policies regarding the amount and credit ratings of investments. Due to the conservative nature of these policies, we do not believe we have material exposure from market risk.

The carrying amounts reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and trade payables approximate fair value at September 30, 2007, due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer (Principal Financial Officer), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2007. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and our management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2007, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer (Principal Financial officer) concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

19



 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.  None.

ITEM 1A. — RISK FACTORS.  For information regarding factors that could affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, see the risk factors discussion provided under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of ArQule’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the SEC on March 12, 2007, as updated from time to time in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.  See also, “Forward-Looking Statements” included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 2. — UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.  None.

ITEM 3. — DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.  None.

ITEM 4. — SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.  None.

ITEM 5. — OTHER INFORMATION.  None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

EXHIBIT
NO.

 

DESCRIPTION

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certificate of Chief Executive Officer (1)

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certificate of Principal Financial Officer (1)

32

 

Rule 13a-14(b) Certificate of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer (1)


(1)           Filed herewith.

 

20



 

ARQULE, INC.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

ArQule, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: November 6, 2007

/s/ PETER S. LAWRENCE

 

 

Peter S. Lawrence
Chief Operating Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ ROBERT J. WEISKOPF

 

 

Robert J. Weiskopf
Vice President of Finance,
Corporate Controller and Treasurer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

21