U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

__________________

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended    September 30, 2014  

 

or

 

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

 

For the transition period ended                                      to

  

Commission File Number: 001-15697

 

ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada   22-3542636
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

165 Ludlow Avenue, Northvale, New Jersey   07647
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(201) 750-2646
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T ( § 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a 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   ¨ Accelerated Filer   ¨ Non-Accelerated Filer   ¨  Smaller Reporting Company   x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨ No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. As of November 4, 2014, the issuer had outstanding 596,612,435 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (exclusive of 100,000 shares held in treasury).

 

 
 

  

ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

INDEX

 

    Page No.
  PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Financial Statements  
     
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and March 31, 2014 (audited) F-1
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014  (unaudited) and September 30, 2013 (unaudited) F-3
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit for the six months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited) F-4
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and September 30, 2013 (unaudited) F-5
     
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements F-6
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 1
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 14
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 14
     
  PART II – OTHER INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 14
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 15
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 15
     
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities 15
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 15
     
Item 5. Other Information 15
     
Item 6. Exhibits 15
     
SIGNATURES 26

 

 
 

   

ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

    September 30,
2014
(Unaudited)
    March 31,
2014
(Audited)
 
ASSETS                
CURRENT ASSETS                
Cash   $ 7,627,078     $ 6,941,777  
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $111,404 and $134,083, respectively)     1,097,784       732,076  
Inventories     2,523,617       1,932,486  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     462,973       318,424  
                 
Total Current Assets     11,711,452       9,924,763  
                 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation of $5,934,888 and $5,508,377, respectively     5,167,376       4,199,602  
                 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS – net of accumulated amortization of $-0-     6,358,470       6,349,922  
                 
OTHER ASSETS                
Investment in Novel Laboratories, Inc.           3,329,322  
Security deposits     37,242       16,314  
Restricted cash – debt service for EDA bonds     388,952       265,043  
EDA bond offering costs, net of accumulated amortization of $128,785 and $121,697, respectively     225,667       232,756  
                 
Total Other Assets     651,861       3,843,435  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 23,889,159     $ 24,317,722  

 

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

 

F- 1
 

   

ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

    September 30,
2014
(Unaudited)
    March 31,
2014
(Audited)
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT                
CURRENT LIABILITIES                
Current portion of EDA bonds payable   $ 210,000     $ 3,385,000  
Short term loans and current portion of long-term debt     234,003       18,870  
Related Party Line of Credit     666,329       528,750  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses     2,682,439       2,214,871  
Deferred revenues     13,333       13,333  
                 
Total Current Liabilities     3,806,105       6,160,824  
                 
LONG TERM LIABILITIES                
EDA bonds payable – non current     2,065,000        
Deferred revenues     132,223       138,890  
Other long term liabilities     381,249       131,144  
Derivative liability – preferred shares     45,885,714       60,981,570  
Derivative liability – warrants     26,981,822       38,103,446  
                 
Total Long Term Liabilities     75,446,008       99,355,050  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES     79,252,113       105,515,874  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT                
Common stock – par value $0.001, Authorized 995,000,000 shares and  690,000,000 shares, respectively.                
Issued 591,752,031 shares and 560,242,430 shares, respectively.                
Outstanding 591,652,031 shares and 560,142,430 shares, respectively     591,753       560,244  
                 
Additional paid-in-capital     152,380,767       143,555,091  
                 
Accumulated deficit     (208,028,632 )     (225,006,646 )
                 
Treasury stock at cost (100,000 common shares)     (306,841 )     (306,841 )
                 
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT     (55,362,954 )     (81,198,152 )
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT   $ 23,889,159     $ 24,317,722  

 

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

 

F- 2
 

   

ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

    THREE MONTHS ENDED
September 30,
    SIX MONTHS ENDED
September 30,
 
    2014     2013     2014     2013  
REVENUES                                
Manufacturing Fees   $ 850,934     $ 921,347     $ 1,799,971     $ 1,464,780  
Licensing Fees     405,483       231,578       613,128       404,833  
Lab Fee Revenues           5,972       5,000       10,972  
                                 
Total Revenues     1,256,417       1,158,897       2,418,099       1,880,585  
                                 
COSTS OF REVENUES     681,669       616,635       1,410,199       1,195,647  
                                 
Gross Profit     574,748       542,262       1,007,900       684,938  
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES                                
Research and Development     3,565,181       854,777       7,585,508       1,424,268  
General and Administrative     740,611       272,561       1,367,164       649,018  
Non-cash compensation through issuance of stock options     53,481       18,937       77,143       28,424  
Depreciation and Amortization     276,812       82,567       470,696       245,399  
                                 
Total Operating Expenses     4,636,085       1,228,842       9,500,511       2,347,109  
                                 
(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS     (4,061,337 )     (686,580 )     (8,492,611 )     (1,662,171 )
                                 
OTHER INCOME / (EXPENSES)                                
Interest expense, net     (70,075 )     (255,945 )     (148,281 )     (330,723 )
Change in fair value of warrant derivatives     10,379,665       (6,129,579 )     11,121,624       (3,233,122 )
Change in fair value of preferred share derivatives     15,131,571       (2,565,495 )     12,823,356       (3,466,332 )
Interest expense attributable to preferred share derivatives           (17,476 )           (41,060 )
Gain on Sale on Investment                 1,670,678        
Other Income           19,831             19,831  
                                 
Total Other Income / (Expense)     25,441,161       (8,948,664 )     25,467,377       (7,051,406 )
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES     21,379,824       (9,635,244 )     16,974,766       (8,713,577 )
                                 
PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR INCOME TAXES           2,269     (3,248 )     2,269
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS   $ 21,379,824     $ (9,637,513 )   $ 16,978,014     $ (8,715,846 )
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE                                
Basic   $ 0.04     $ (0.02 )   $ 0.03     $ (0.02 )
Diluted   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.02 )
                                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING                                
Basic     577,691,292       421,991,654       571,455,027       405,073,773  
Diluted     739,869,496       421,991,654       733,633,231       405,073,773  

  

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

 

F- 3
 

   

ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(Unaudited)

 

    Common Stock     Additional
Paid-In
    Treasury Stock     Accumulated     Stockholders’  
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Shares     Amount     Deficit     Deficit  
Balance at March 31, 2014     560,242,430     $ 560,244     $ 143,555,092       100,000     $ (306,841 )   $ (225,006,646 )   $ (81,198,151 )
                                                         
Net Income                                             16,978,014       16,978,014  
                                                         
Common shares sold pursuant to the Lincoln Park Capital purchase agreement     19,004,103       19,004       6,208,481                               6,227,485  
                                                         
Non-cash compensation through the issuance of stock options                     77,143                               77,143  
                                                         
Costs associated with raising capital                     (16,364 )                             (16,364 )
                                                         
Common shares issued as commitment shares pursuant to the Lincoln Park Capital purchase agreement     2,228,910       2,228       (2,228 )                              
                                                         
Common shares issued pursuant to the exercise of cash warrants     4,167,423       4,168       282,063                               286,231  
                                                         
Common shares issued pursuant to the exercise of cash options     33,333       33       3,967                               4,000  
                                                         
Common shares issued in payment of employee salaries     15,842       16       6,175                               6,190  
                                                         
Common shares issued pursuant to the conversion of Series I Preferred Shares     6,060,000       6,060       2,266,440                               2,272,500  
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2014     591,752,041     $ 591,753     $ 152,380,767       100,000     $ (306,841 )   $ (208,028,632 )   $ (55,362,953 )

 

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

 

F- 4
 

 

ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

    SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30  
    2014     2013  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES                
Net Income (Loss)   $ 16,978,014     $ (8,715,845 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     435,537       222,299  
Change in fair value of warrant derivative liability     (11,121,624 )     3,233,122  
Change in fair value of preferred share derivative liability     (12,823,356 )     3,466,332  
Preferred share derivative interest satisfied by the issuance of common stock           52,196  
Non-cash compensation accrued     679,771       154,750  
Salaries satisfied by the issuance of common stock     6,190        
Non-cash interest expense           183,391  
Non-cash compensation from the issuance of common stock and options     83,333       28,424  
Non-cash rent expense     5,189       3,799  
Non-cash lease accretion     752       708  
Gain on Sale of Investment     (1,670,678 )        
Changes in Assets and Liabilities                
Accounts receivable     (365,708 )     29,195  
Inventories     (591,130 )     (361,527 )
Prepaid and other current assets     (60,861 )     (5,865 )
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities     (183,608 )     442,119  
Deferred revenues and Customer deposits     (6,667 )     (6,667 )
Derivative interest payable           (11,135 )
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES     (8,641,036 )     (1,284,704 )
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements     (1,005,087 )     (126,478 )
Costs incurred for intellectual property assets     (8,549 )     (22,261 )
Deposits to / (withdrawals from) restricted cash, net     (123,909 )     (27,642 )
Proceeds from Sale of Investment in Novel     5,000,000        
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES     3,862,456       (176,381 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES                
Proceeds from sale of common shares to Lincoln Park Capital     6,227,485       1,900,000  
Proceeds from exercise of cash warrants and options     290,231       6,250  
Proceeds from draws against credit lines from related parties     137,579        
Payment of NJEDA bonds     (1,110,000 )      
Other loan payments     (65,049 )      
Costs associated with raising capital     (16,364 )     (47,987 )
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES     5,463,881       1,858,263  
                 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS     685,301       397,178  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – beginning of period     6,941,777       369,023  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – end of period   $ 7,627,078     $ 766,201  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION                
Cash paid for interest   $ 141,342     $ 146,624  
Cash paid for taxes            
                 
Non-Cash Financing Transactions                
Financing of equipment purchases and insurance renewal     495,753        
Commitment shares issued to Lincoln Park Capital     756,053       260,538  
Conversion of Preferred Shares to Common Shares     2,272,500       9,597,945  
Acquisition of intellectual property           5,597,317  
Convertible note payable           5,597,317  

 

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

 

F- 5
 

  

ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 AND 2013

( UNAUDITED )

 

NOTE 1    -      DEFINITIONS

 

“Current Balance Sheet Date” means September 30, 2014

 

“Current Fiscal Year” means the twelve months ended March 31, 2015

 

“Current Quarter” means the three months ended September 30, 2014

 

“Current YTD” means the six months ended September 30, 2014

 

FDA ” means the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

 

“Hakim Credit Line Limit” equals $1,000,000

 

“Hakim Credit Line Balance” equals $666,329

 

“Hakim Credit Line Interest Due” equals $16,465

 

Prior Year Balance Sheet Date ” means September 30, 2013

 

Prior Fiscal Year ” means the twelve months ended March 31, 2014

 

Prior Year Quarter ” means the three months ended September 30, 2013

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission

 

NOTE 2    -      BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The information in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q includes the results of operations of Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively the “Company” or “Elite”) for the Current Quarter and Prior Year Quarter. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted for interim financial statement presentation. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented have been included.

 

The financial results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or future interim periods.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014 and filed with the SEC on June 30, 2014. There have been no changes in significant accounting policies since March 31, 2014.

 

F- 6
 

  

The Company does not anticipate being profitable for the Current Fiscal Year; therefore a current provision for income tax was not established for the Current Quarter. Only the minimum liability required for state corporation taxes was considered.

 

Segment Reporting

FASB ASC 280-10-50, “Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. The Company operates in one segment for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014.

 

NOTE 3    -      CASH

Cash consists of cash on deposit with banks and money market instruments. The Company places its cash with high quality, U.S. financial institutions and, to date, has not experienced losses on any of its balances.

 

NOTE 4    -      INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of raw materials, work in process and finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market (net realizable value), and summarized as follows:

 

    September 30, 2014     March 31, 2014  
Raw Materials   $ 2,390,825     $ 1,523,341  
Work-in-Process           409,145  
Finished Goods     132,792        
Total Inventory   $ 2,523,617     $ 1,932,486  

 

NOTE 5    -       NJEDA BONDS

Bond financing consisting of the following, as of:

 

    September 30
2014
    March 31
2014
 
Refinanced NJEDA Bonds   $ 2,275,000     $ 3,385,000  
                 
Current portion     (210,000 )     (3,385,000 )
                 
Long term portion, net of current maturities   $ 2,065,000     $  

 

Maturities of Bonds for the next five years are as follows (please note that $1,110,000 in bond maturities scheduled for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 were paid during the quarter ended September 30, 2014):

 

YEAR ENDING MARCH 31,   AMOUNT  
2016     210,000  
2017     220,000  
2018     85,000  
2019     90,000  
2020     95,000  
Thereafter     1,365,000  
    $ 2,065,000  

 

F- 7
 

 

NOTE 6    -      LOANS PAYABLE

 

During the ordinary course of business, the Company has secured loans to support the collateralized financing of fixed asset acquisitions, or the renewal of insurance policies. During the six months ended September 30, 2014, the Company has secured such loans with initial principal amounts totaling $496k, and with payment terms that range from 9 months to 60 months at interest rates that range from 5.68% to 7.97%.

 

Loans Payable consisted of the following as of:

    September 30
2014
    March 31
2014
 
Total loans   $ 568,766     $ 106,444  
Current Portion     233,827       18,870  
Long-term portion, net of current maturities   $ 334,939       87,574  

 

Principal payments on loans for each fiscal year are:

 

Fiscal year ending March 31, 2015   $ 132,610  
Fiscal year ending March 31, 2016     169,275  
Fiscal year ending March 31, 2017     143,442  
Fiscal year ending March 31, 2018     72,609  
Fiscal year ending March 31, 2019     44,983  
Thereafter     5,847  
Total Principal Payments   $ 568,766  

 

NOTE 7    -       DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES

Accounting Standard Codification “ASC” 815 – Derivatives and Hedging , which provides guidance on determining what types of instruments or embedded features in an instrument issued by a reporting entity can be considered indexed to its own stock for the purpose of evaluating the first criteria of the scope exception in the pronouncement on accounting for derivatives. These requirements can affect the accounting for warrants and convertible preferred instruments issued by the Company. As the conversion features within, and the detachable warrants issued with the Company’s Series I Preferred Stock, do not have fixed settlement provisions because their conversion and exercise prices may be lowered if the Company issues securities at lower prices in the future, we have concluded that the instruments are not indexed to the Company’s stock and are to be treated as derivative liabilities.

 

Preferred Stock Derivative Liabilities

 

    Series I  
Preferred Shares Authorized     500  
         
Preferred shares Outstanding     100  
         
Underlying common shares into which Preferred may convert     142,857,143  
         
Closing price on valuation date   $ 0.3212  
         
Preferred stock derivative liability at Current Balance Sheet Date   $ 45,885,714  
         
Preferred stock derivative liability at March 31, 2014   $ 60,981,570  

 

F- 8
 

  

CHANGE IN VALUE OF PREFERRED STOCK DERIVATIVE LIABILITY
    Three months ended
September 30,
    Six months ended
September 30,
 
    2014     2013     2014     2013  
Change in Preferred Stock Derivative Liability   $ 15,131,571     $ (2,565,495 )     12,823,356       (3,466,332 )

 

Warrant Derivative Liabilities

The portion of derivative liabilities related to outstanding warrants was valued using the Black-Scholes option valuation model and the following assumptions on the following dates:

 

FAIR VALUE OF WARRANT DERIVATIVE LIABILITY
    March 31
2014
    June 30
2014
    Sept 30
2014
 
Risk-Free interest rate     0.05% - 1.32 %     0.02% - 1.25 %     0.6% - 1.4 %
Expected volatility     111% - 207 %     86% - 113 %     65% - 108 %
Expected life (in years)     0.3 – 4.1       0.3 – 3.8       0.0 – 3.6  
Expected dividend yield                  
Number of warrants     102,143,091       98,439,666       97,692,999  
                         
Fair Value of Warrant Derivative Liability   $ 38,103,446     $ 37,361,487     $ 26,981,822  

 

CHANGE IN VALUE OF WARRANT DERIVATIVE LIABILITY
    Three months ended
September 30
    Six months ended
September 30
 
    2014     2013     2014     2013  
Change in Warrant Derivative Liability   $ 10,379,665     $ (6,129,579 )   $ 11,121,624     $ (3,233,122 )

 

The risk free interest rate was based on rates established by the U.S. Treasury Department. The expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s share price for periods equal to the expected life of the outstanding warrants at each valuation date. The expected dividend rate was based on the fact that the Company has not historically paid dividends on common stock and does not expect to pay dividends on common stock in the future.

 

NOTE 8    -       OPERATING LEASES

 

The Company entered into a lease for a portion of a one-story warehouse, located at 135-137 Ludlow Avenue, Northvale, New Jersey, consisting of approximately 15,000 square feet of floor space. The lease term began on July 1, 2010.

 

On July 29, 2014, the Company agreed to a modification of this operating lease, with the material terms of the modification including the Company being permitted to occupy the entire 35,000 square feet in the building.

 

The lease terms, as modified, include an initial term that expires on December 31, 2016, and the Company has the option to renew the lease for two additional terms of five years each. The lease is classified as an operating lease.

 

F- 9
 

  

The property related to this lease is used for the storage of pharmaceutical finished goods, raw materials, equipment and documents, as well as a site at which the Company engages in manufacturing packaging and distribution activities, inclusive of regulatory support and compliance activities.

 

Minimum 5 year payments* for the initial term for the leasing of 35,000 square feet at 135 Ludlow are as follows:

 

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2015     71,913  
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2016     203,850  
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2017     155,169  
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2018      
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2019      
Total Minimum 5 year lease payments   $ 430,932  

 

* Minimum lease payments are exclusive of additional expenses related to certain expenses incurred in the operation and maintenance of the premises, including, without limitation, real estate taxes and common area charges which may be due under the terms and conditions of the lease, but which are not quantifiable at the time of filing of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

 

Rent expense relating to the operating lease is recorded using the straight line method, and is summarized as follows:

 

RENT EXPENSE
    Three months ended
September 30,
    Six months ended
September 30,
 
    2014     2013     2014     2013  
Rent Expense   $ 45,214     $ 22,584     $ 63,003     $ 45,169  
                                 
Change in deferred rent liability   $ 24,010     $ 1,899     $ 20,595     $ 3,799  

 

DEFERRED RENT LIABILITY (LONG-TERM LIABILITY)
    March 31
2014
    June 30
2014
    Sept 30
2014
 
Balance of Deferred Rent Liability   $ 18,824     $ 16,437     $ 7,573  

 

 

NOTE 9           COMMON STOCK

 

During the Current YTD, the Company issued shares of Common Stock, as follows:

 

Description   Shares
Of
Common Stock
 
       
Common shares sold pursuant to the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement     19,004,103  
         
Common shares issued as commitment shares pursuant to the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement     2,228,910  
         
Common shares issued pursuant to the exercise of cash warrants     4,167,423  
         
Common shares issued pursuant to the exercise of cash options     33,333  
         
Common shares issued in payment of employee salaries     15,842  
         
Common shares issued pursuant to the conversion of Series I Preferred Shares     6,060,000  
         
         
Total Common Shares issued during the Current YTD     31,509,611  

 

F- 10
 

 

 

Options

Options issued and outstanding as of the Current Balance Sheet Date are summarized as follows:

 

    Number of Options     Range of Exercise Prices
Vested Options     2,132,333     $0.10 to $2.75
Non-Vested Options     4,810,001     $0.07 to $0.4599

 

Each option represents the right to purchase one share of common stock. The non-vested options are scheduled to vest in various increments during dates that are within the period beginning on June 19, 2015 and through September 15, 2017, or upon the occurrence of certain defined events and require that employees awarded such options be employed by the Company on the vesting date.

 

NOTE 10  -      PER SHARE INFORMATION

 

Basic earnings per share of common stock (“Basic EPS”) is computed by dividing the net (loss) income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share of common stock (“Diluted EPS”) are computed by dividing the net (loss) income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock, and dilutive common stock equivalents and convertible securities then outstanding. GAAP requires the presentation of both Basic and Diluted EPS, if such Diluted EPS is not anti-dilutive, on the face of Company’s Condensed Statements of Operations.

 

The calculation of Basic EPS and Diluted EPS is summarized as follows:

    For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
    For the Six Months
Ended September 30,
 
    2014     2013     2014     2013  
Numerator                                
Net Income (loss) attributable to common shareholders – Basic   $ 21,379,824     $ (9,637,513 )     16,978,014       (8,715,846 )
                                 
Effect of dilutive instruments on Net Income     (25,511,236 )     n/a       (23,944,980 )     n/a  
                                 
Net Income attributable to common shareholders – Diluted     (4,131,412 )     n/a       (6,966,966 )     n/a  
                                 
Denominator                                
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding     577,691,292       421,991,654       571,455,027       40,073,773  
                                 
Dilutive effect of stock options, warrants and convertible securities     162,178,204       n/a       162,178,204       n/a  
                                 
Net (loss) income per share                                
Basic   $ 0.04     $ (0.02 )   $ 0.03     $ (0.02 )
Diluted   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.02 )

 

F- 11
 

  

NOTE 11 -      RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION - BORROWING AGAINST THE TREPPEL AND HAKIM CREDIT LINES

The Treppel Credit Line expired on July 31, 2014, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Treppel Credit. All principal and interest amounts have been repaid in full. As of the Current Balance Sheet Date, there were no amounts due and owing in relation to the Treppel Credit Line. For further details on the Treppel Credit Line, please refer to the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 13, 2012, December 10, 2012 and August 6, 2013, with such filings being herein incorporated by reference.

 

As of the Current Balance Sheet Date, Elite owed the Hakim Credit Line Balance and the Hakim Credit Line Interest Due in relation to the Hakim Credit Line. Both amounts were recorded as current liabilities on Elite’s balance and included in the line item titled “Short term loans and current portion of long-term debt”.

 

For further details on the Hakim Credit Line, please refer to exhibit 10.16 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 14, 2013 and the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 16, 2013 with filings being herein incorporated by reference.

 

NOTE 12 -      RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION – MANUFACTURING AND LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH EPIC PHARMA LLC

On October 2, 2013, we executed a Manufacturing and License Agreement (the “Epic Agreement”) with Epic Pharma LLC. (“Epic”), to manufacture, market and sell in the United States and Puerto Rico 12 generic products owned by Elite. Of the 12 products, Epic will have the exclusive right to market six products as listed in Schedule A of the Epic Agreement, and a non-exclusive right to market six products as listed in Schedule D of the Epic Agreement. Epic is responsible for all regulatory and pharmacovigilance matters related to the products and for all costs related to the site transfer for all products. Pursuant to the Epic Agreement, Elite will receive a license fee and milestone payments. The license fee will be computed as a percentage of the gross profit, as defined in the Epic Agreement, earned by Epic as a result of sales of the products. The manufacturing cost used for the calculation of the license fee is a predetermined amount per unit plus the cost of the drug substance (API) and the sales cost for the calculation is predetermined based on net sales. If Elite manufactures any product for sale by Epic, then Epic shall pay to Elite that same predetermined manufacturing cost per unit plus the cost of the API. The license fee is payable monthly for the term of the Epic Agreement. Epic shall pay to Elite certain milestone payments as defined by the Epic Agreement. We received the first milestone payment in November 2013. Subsequent milestone payments are due upon the filing of each product’s supplement with the FDA and the FDA approval of site transfer for each product as specifically itemized in the Epic Agreement. The filing of the supplement with the FDA for Isradipine 2.5mg and Isradipine 5mg was made on March 24, 2014 and accordingly a milestone of $200,000 has been earned and is due and owing from Epic Pharma to Elite. The term of the Epic Agreement is five years and may be extended for an additional five years upon mutual agreement of the parties. Twelve months following the launch of a product covered by the Epic Agreement, Elite may terminate the marketing rights for any product if the license fee paid by Epic falls below a designated amount for a six month period of that product. Elite may also terminate the exclusive marketing rights if Epic is unable to meet the annual unit volume forecast for a designated Product group for any year, subject to the ability of Epic, during the succeeding six month period, to achieve at least one-half of the prior year’s minimum annual unit volume forecast. The Epic Agreement may be terminated by mutual agreement of Elite and Epic, as a result of a breach by either party that is not cured within 60 days’ notice of the breach or by Elite as a result of Epic becoming a party to a bankruptcy, reorganization or other insolvency proceeding that continues for a period of 30 days or more.

 

Revenues earned pursuant to the Epic Agreement during the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $200,000.

 

F- 12
 

  

NOTE 13-         SALE OF INVESTMENT IN NOVEL LABORATORIES

At the end of 2006, Elite entered into a joint venture with VGS Pharma, LLC (“ VGS ”) and created Novel Laboratories, Inc. (“ Novel ”), a privately-held company specializing in pharmaceutical research, development, manufacturing, licensing, acquisition and marketing of specialty generic pharmaceuticals. Novel's business strategy is to focus on its core strength in identifying and timely executing niche business opportunities in the generic pharmaceutical area. Elite’s ownership interest in Novel consists of 9,800 shares of Novel’s Class A Voting Common Stock. As of October 1, 2007, Elite deconsolidated its financial statements from Novel and the investment in Novel is accounted for under the cost method of accounting.

 

On June 10, 2014, the Company received $5 million in exchange for the 9,800 shares of Novel’s Class A Voting Common Stock owned by the Company.

 

NOTE 14 -        CONCENTRATIONS

 

Revenue Concentrations

Four customers accounted for substantially all of the Company’s revenues for the six months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Four customers accounted for substantially all of the Company’s revenues for the six months ended September 30, 2013.

 

Accounts Receivable Concentrations

Three customers accounted for substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivable as of September 30, 2014.

 

Three customers accounted for substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivable as of September 30, 2013.

 

Purchasing Concentrations

Five suppliers accounted for more than 80% of the Company’s purchases of raw materials for the six months ended September 30, 2014. Included in these five suppliers are one supplier that accounted for approximately 44% of raw material purchases for this period.

 

Four suppliers accounted for more than 80% of the Company’s purchases of raw materials for the six months ended September 30, 2013. Included in these three suppliers are one supplier that accounted for approximately 52% of raw material purchases for this period.

 

NOTE 15-          LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary course of business we may be subject to litigation from time to time. Except as discussed below, there is no current, pending or, to our knowledge, threatened litigation or administrative action to which we are a party or of which our property is the subject (including litigation or actions involving our officers, directors, affiliates, or other key personnel, or holders of record or beneficially of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or any associate of any such party) which in our opinion has, or is expected to have, a material adverse effect upon our business, prospects financial condition or operations.

 

Arbitration with Precision Dose, Inc.

 

On May 9, 2014, Precision Dose Inc., the parent company of TAGI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., commenced an arbitration against the Company alleging that the Company failed to properly supply, price and satisfy gross profit minimums regarding Phentermine 37.5mg tablets, as required by the parties’ agreements. Elite denies Precision Dose’s allegations and has counterclaimed that Precision Dose is no longer entitled to exclusivity rights with respect to Phentermine 37.5mg tablets, and is responsible for certain costs, expenses, price increases and lost profits relating to Phentermine 37.5mg tablets and the parties’ agreements. As of the date of filing of this current report on Form 10-Q this arbitration proceeding was ongoing.

 

F- 13
 

  

GAAP requires that a contingency loss may only be recognized if the event is (1) probable and (2) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. There were no liabilities of this type at September 30, 2014. 

 

NOTE 16 -         EQUITY LINE WITH LINCOLN PARK CAPITAL FUND LLC

On April 10, 2014, we entered into a purchase agreement (the “LPC-40 Purchase Agreement”), together with a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”).

 

Under the terms and subject to the conditions of the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement, the Company has the right to sell to and Lincoln Park is obligated to purchase up to $40 million in shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”), subject to certain limitations, from time to time, over the 36-month period commencing on the date that a registration statement, which the Company agreed to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, is declared effective by the SEC and a final prospectus in connection therewith is filed. The Company may direct Lincoln Park, at its sole discretion and subject to certain conditions, to purchase up to 500,000 shares of Common Stock on any business day, provided that at least one business day has passed since the most recent purchase, increasing to up to 800,000 shares, depending upon the closing sale price of the Common Stock (such purchases, “Regular Purchases”). However, in no event shall a Regular Purchase be more than $760,000. The purchase price of shares of Common Stock related to the future funding will be based on the prevailing market prices of such shares at the time of sales, but in no event will shares be sold to Lincoln Park on a day the Common Stock closing price is less than the floor price as set forth in the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement. In addition, the Company may direct Lincoln Park to purchase additional amounts as accelerated purchases if on the date of a Regular Purchase the closing sale price of the Common Stock is not below the threshold price as set forth in the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement. The Company’s sales of shares of Common Stock to Lincoln Park under the Purchase Agreement are limited to no more than the number of shares that would result in the beneficial ownership by Lincoln Park and its affiliates, at any single point in time, of more than 9.99% of the then outstanding shares of the Common Stock.

 

In connection with the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement, the Company issued to Lincoln Park 1,928,641 shares of Common Stock and is required to issue up to 1,928,641 additional shares of Common Stock pro rata as the Company requires Lincoln Park to purchase the Company’s shares under the Purchase Agreement over the term of the agreement. Lincoln Park represented to the Company, among other things, that it was an “accredited investor” (as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)), and the Company sold the securities in reliance upon an exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) under the Securities Act. The securities sold may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

 

F- 14
 

  

The LPC-40 Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement contain customary representations, warranties, agreements and conditions to completing future sale transactions, indemnification rights and obligations of the parties. The Company has the right to terminate the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement at any time, at no cost or penalty. Actual sales of shares of Common Stock to Lincoln Park under the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by the Company from time to time, including, among others, market conditions, the trading price of the Common Stock and determinations by the Company as to the appropriate sources of funding for the Company and its operations. There are no trading volume requirements or restrictions under the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement. Lincoln Park has no right to require any sales by the Company, but is obligated to make purchases from the Company as it directs in accordance with the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement. Lincoln Park has covenanted not to cause or engage in any manner whatsoever, any direct or indirect short selling or hedging of our shares.

 

The net proceeds under the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement to the Company will depend on the frequency and prices at which the Company sells shares of its stock to Lincoln Park. The Company expects that any proceeds received by the Company from such sales to Lincoln Park under the Purchase Agreement will be used for general corporate purposes and working capital requirements.

 

The foregoing descriptions of the LPC-40 Purchase Agreements and the Registration Rights Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, copies of which are attached to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 14, 2014 as Exhibit 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, and each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in such agreements were made only for purposes of such agreements and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreements, and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures exchanged between the parties in connection with execution of the agreements.

 

A Registration Statement on Form S-1 was filed with the SEC in relation to this transaction with Lincoln Park and it was declared effective by the SEC as of May 1, 2014. A post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement was subsequently filed with the SEC and declared effective on July 1, 2014.

 

During the six months ended September 30, 2014, a total of 19,004,103 shares of Common Stock were sold to Lincoln Park pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, with the proceeds of such sales of Common Stock totaling $6,227,485. An additional 300,269 shares of Common Stock were issued to Lincoln Park during this same period with such shares constituting additional commitment shares issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

 

NOTE 17 -       SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Common Stock sold pursuant to the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement

Subsequent to the Current Balance Sheet Date and up to November 4, 2014 (the latest practicable date), a total of 4,582,256 shares of Common Stock were sold pursuant to the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement inclusive of purchase and commitment shares, with proceeds received from such transactions totaling $1,273,128.

 

For further details on the LPC-40 Purchase Agreement and LPC Registration Rights Agreement, please refer to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 14, 2014, with such filing being herein incorporated by reference. A Registration Statement on Form S-3 was filed with the SEC on April 15, 2014, with amendments on Form S-1 being filed on April 28, 2014 and May 1, 2014. The Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on May 1, 2014. A post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement was filed with the SEC and declared effective on July 1, 2014.

 

F- 15
 

  

Common shares issued pursuant to the exercise of cash warrants and options

Subsequent to the Current Balance Sheet Date, and up to November 4, 2014 (the latest practicable date), a total of 246,591 shares of Common Stock were issued pursuant to the exercise of cash warrants, with proceeds received from such transactions totaling $17,870.

 

F- 16
 

 

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

COMPARED TO THE

THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

(UNAUDITED)

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read with the financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014. It is intended to assist the reader in understanding and evaluating our financial position.

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated herein contain “forward-looking statements”. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this Form 10-Q, statements that are not statements of current or historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “plan”, “intend”, “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe”, “could,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” or “continue” or similar expressions or other variations or comparable terminology are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 10-Q regarding our financial position, business strategy and plans or objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the broader description of forward-looking statements above, we specifically note, without limitation, that statements regarding the preliminary nature of the clinical program results and the potential for further product development, that involve known and unknown risks, delays, uncertainties and other factors not under our control, the requirement of substantial future testing, clinical trials, regulatory reviews and approvals by the Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory authorities prior to the commercialization of products under development, and our ability to manufacture and sell any products, gain market acceptance, earn a profit from sales or licenses of any drugs or our ability to discover new drugs in the future, are all forward-looking in nature. These risks and other factors are discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Any reference to “Elite”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, “our” or the “Registrant” refers to Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

Overview

 

We are a specialty pharmaceutical company principally engaged in the development and manufacture of oral, controlled-release products, using proprietary know-how and technology, particularly as it relates to abuse deterrent products. Our strategy includes improving off-patent drug products for life cycle management and developing generic versions of controlled-release drug products with high barriers to entry.

 

We own, license or contract manufacture eight products currently being sold or approved for commercial sale, as follows:

· Phentermine 37.5mg tablets (“Phentermine 37.5mg”)
· Lodrane D® Immediate Release capsules (“Lodrane D”)
· Methadone 10mg tablets (“Methadone 10mg”)
· Hydromorphone Hydrochloride 8mg tablets (“Hydromorphone 8mg”)
· Phendimetrazine tartrate 35mg tablets (“Phendimetrazine 35mg”)
· Phentermine 15mg capsules (“Phentermine 15mg”)

 

1
 

 

· Phentermine 30mg capsules (“Phentermine 30mg”)
· Naltrexone HCl 50mg tablets (“Naltrexone 50mg”)
· Isradipine 2.5mg capsules (“Isradipine 2.5mg”)
· Isradipine 5mg capsules (“Isradipine 5mg”)

 

In August 2013, we acquired (the “Mikah 13 ANDA Acquisition”) approved Abbreviated New Drug Applications (“ANDAs”) for 12 products, inclusive of Isradipine 2.5mg and Isradipine 5mg, (the “Mikah Approved ANDAs”) and one ANDA that is under active review with the FDA that were acquired pursuant to the asset purchase agreement with Mikah Pharma dated August 1, 2013 (the “Mikah Asset Purchase Agreement”).

 

On October 2, 2013, we executed a Manufacturing and License Agreement (the “Epic Agreement”) with Epic Pharma LLC. (“Epic”), to manufacture, market and sell in the United States and Puerto Rico 12 generic products owned by Elite. Of the 12 products, Epic will have the exclusive right to market six products as listed in Schedule A of the Epic Agreement, and a non-exclusive right to market six products as listed in Schedule D of the Epic Agreement. Epic is responsible for all regulatory and pharmacovigilance matters related to the products and for all costs related to the site transfer for all products. Pursuant to the Epic Agreement, Elite will receive a license fee and milestone payments. The license fee will be computed as a percentage of the gross profit, as defined in the Epic Agreement, earned by Epic as a result of sales of the products. The manufacturing cost used for the calculation of the license fee is a predetermined amount per unit plus the cost of the drug substance (API) and the sales cost for the calculation is predetermined based on net sales. If Elite manufactures any product for sale by Epic, then Epic shall pay that same predetermined manufacturing cost per unit plus the cost of the API. The license fee is payable monthly for the term of the Epic Agreement. Epic shall pay to Elite certain milestone payments as defined by the Epic Agreement. We received the first milestone payment in November 2013. Subsequent milestone payments are due upon the filing of each product’s supplement with the FDA and the FDA approval of site transfer for each product as specifically itemized in the Epic Agreement. The term of the Epic Agreement is five years and may be extended for an additional five years upon mutual agreement of the parties. Twelve months following the launch of a product covered by the Epic Agreement, Elite may terminate the marketing rights for any product if the license fee paid by Epic falls below a designated amount for a six month period of that product. Elite may also terminate the exclusive marketing rights if Epic is unable to meet the annual unit volume forecast for a designated Product group for any year, subject to the ability of Epic, during the succeeding six month period, to achieve at least one-half of the prior year’s minimum annual unit volume forecast. The Epic Agreement may be terminated by mutual agreement of Elite and Epic, as a result of a breach by either party that is not cured within 60 days’ notice of the breach or by Elite as a result of Epic becoming a party to a bankruptcy, reorganization or other insolvency proceeding that continues for a period of 30 days or more.

 

Elite has executed a license agreement with Precision Dose, Inc. (the “Precision Dose License Agreement”) and a manufacturing agreement with The PharmaNetwork LLC (the “TPN Agreement”). The PharmaNetwork LLC was recently purchased by Alkem Laboratories Ltd (“Alkem”). The PharmaNetwork now goes by the name Ascend Laboratories LLC (“Ascend”) and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alkem.

 

The Precision Dose License Agreement provides for the marketing and distribution, in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada, of Phentermine 37.5mg, Phentermine Capsules, Hydromorphone 8mg, Naltrexone Generic, and certain additional products that require approval from the FDA. Phentermine 37.5mg tablets were launched in April 2011. Hydromorphone 8mg was launched in March 2012. Phentermine 15mg and Phentermine 30mg were launched in April 2013. Naltrexone 50mg was launched in September 2013.

 

On May 9, 2014 Precision Dose Inc, the parent company of TAGI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., commenced an arbitration proceeding alleging that the Company failed to properly supply, price and satisfy gross profit minimums regarding Phentermine 37.5mg tablets, as required by the parties’ agreements. Elite denies Precision Dose’s allegations and has counterclaimed that Precision Dose is no longer entitled to exclusivity rights with respect to Phentermine 37.5mg tablets, and is responsible for certain costs, expenses, price increases and lost profits relating to Phentermine 37.5mg tablets and the parties’ agreements.

 

2
 

  

As of the date of filing of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, this arbitration proceeding was ongoing.

 

The TPN Agreement, executed on June 23, 2011, and amended on September 24, 2012, provides for the manufacture and packaging by the Company of Ascend’s methadone hydrochloride, 10mg tablets (“Methadone 10mg”), with the Methadone 10mg to be marketed by Ascend. The FDA has approved the manufacturing of Methadone 10mg at the Northvale Facility and the initial shipment of Methadone 10mg occurred during January 2012.

 

In addition, Elite also has an undisclosed generic product filed with the FDA that is awaiting review and for which Elite retains all rights.

 

The Company also has a pipeline of additional generic drug candidates under active development.

 

Additionally, the Company is developing abuse deterrent opioid products, and once-daily opioid products.

 

On May 22, 2012, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) issued U.S. Patent No. 8,182,836, entitled “Abuse-Resistant Oral Dosage Forms and Method of Use Thereof, with such patent providing further protection for the Company’s Abuse Deterrent Technology.

 

On April 23, 2013, the USPTO issued U.S. Patent No. 8,425,933, entitled “Abuse-Resistant Oral Dosage Forms and Method of User Thereof”, with such patent providing further protection for the Company’s Abuse Deterrent Technology.

 

On February 11, 2014, the Canadian Patent Office issued Canadian Patent 2,521,655 entitled “Abuse-Resistant Oral Dosage Forms and Method of Use Thereof”, with such patent providing further protection for the Company’s abuse deterrent technology

 

On April 22, 2014, the USPTO issued U.S. Patent No. 8,703,186, entitled “Abuse-Resistant Oral Dosage Forms and Method of Use Thereof”, with such patent providing further protection for the Company’s Abuse Deterrent Technology.

 

On September 16,2014, the Canadian Patent Office allowed Canadian Patent application 2,541,371 entitled “Extended Release Formulations of Opioids and Method of Use Thereof”, with such patent providing further protection for the Company’s controlled release technologies. This patent has not issued yet.

 

The Northvale Facility operates under Current Good Manufacturing Practice (“cGMP”) and is a United States Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”) registered facility for research, development and manufacturing.

 

Strategy

Elite is focusing its efforts on the following areas: (i) development of Elite’s pain management products; (ii) manufacturing of a line of generic pharmaceutical products with approved ANDAs; (iii) development of additional generic pharmaceutical products; (iv) development of the other products in our pipeline including the products with our partners; (v) commercial exploitation of our products either by license and the collection of royalties, or through the manufacture of our formulations; and (vi) development of new products and the expansion of our licensing agreements with other pharmaceutical companies, including co-development projects, joint ventures and other collaborations.

 

Elite is focusing on the development of various types of drug products, including branded drug products which require new drug applications (“NDAs”) under Section 505(b)(1) or 505(b)(2) of the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 (the “ Drug Price Competition Act ”) as well as generic drug products which require ANDAs.

 

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Elite believes that its business strategy enables it to reduce its risk by having a diverse product portfolio that includes both branded and generic products in various therapeutic categories and to build collaborations and establish licensing agreements with companies with greater resources thereby allowing us to share costs of development and improve cash-flow.

 

Commercial Products

 

Phentermine 37.5mg, Phentermine 15mg and Phentermine 30mg

The first shipment of Phentermine 37.5 mg to TAGI was made in April 2011, with such initial shipment triggering a milestone payment under the Precision Dose License Agreement. The first shipments of Phentermine 15mg and Phentermine 30mg were made in April 2013, with such initial shipments triggering a milestone payment under the Precision Dose License Agreement, with such milestone payments being made. All three products are now commercial products being manufactured by Elite and distributed by TAGI under the Precision Dose License Agreement.

 

Lodrane D® Immediate Release capsules

On September 27, 2011, the Company, along with ECR Pharmaceuticals (“ECR”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hi-Tech Pharmacal (“Hi-Tech”) launched Lodrane D®, an immediate release formulation of brompheniramine maleate and pseudoephedrine HCl, an effective, low-sedating antihistamine combined with a decongestant.

 

Lodrane D® is promoted and distributed in the U.S. by ECR, Hi-Tech’s branded division. Lodrane D® is available over-the-counter but also has physician promotion. Lodrane D® is the one of the only adult brompheniramine containing products available to the consumer at this time.

 

Lodrane D® is marketed under the Over-the-Counter Monograph (the “OTC Monograph”) and accordingly, under the Code of Federal Regulations can be lawfully marketed in the US without prior approval. Under the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”), FDA regulations and statements of FDA policy, certain drug products are permitted to be marketed in the U.S. without prior approval. Within the past few years, the FDA has revised its enforcement policies, significantly limiting the circumstances under which these unapproved products may be marketed. If the FDA determines that a company is distributing an unapproved product that requires approval, the FDA may take enforcement action in a variety of ways, including, without limitation, product seizures and seeking a judicial injunction against distribution.

 

Elite is manufacturing the product for ECR and will receive revenues for the manufacturing, packaging and laboratory stability study services for the product, as well as royalties on sales.

 

Methadone 10mg tablets

On January 17, 2012, Elite commenced shipping Methadone 10mg tablets to Ascend Laboratories, LLC. (“Ascend”) pursuant to a commercial manufacturing and supply agreement dated June 23, 2011 between Elite and Ascend (the “Methadone Manufacturing and Supply Agreement”). Under the terms of the Methadone Manufacturing and Supply Agreement, Elite performs manufacturing and packaging of Methadone 10mg for Ascend.

 

Hydromorphone 8mg tablets

The first shipment of Hydromorphone 8mg to TAGI was made in March 2012, with such initial shipment triggering a milestone payment under the Precision Dose License Agreement. This product is now a commercial product being manufactured by Elite and distributed by TAGI under the Precision Dose License Agreement.

 

Phendimetrazine Tartrate 35 mg tablets

On November 13, 2012, the Company made the initial shipment of Phendimetrazine tartrate 35mg tablets, the generic equivalent of Bontril PDM® 35mg tablets under a previously announced manufacturing and supply agreement with Mikah Pharma (“Mikah”). Subsequently, Elite acquired the ANDA for Phendimetrazine 35mg as part of the Mikah 13 ANDA Acquisition. This product is now a commercial product being manufactured by Elite and distributed by Epic on a non-exclusive basis, and by Elite.

 

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Naltrexone 50mg tablets

The first shipment of Naltrexone 50mg to TAGI was made in September 2013, with such initial shipment triggering a milestone payment under the Precision Dose License Agreement. This product is now a commercial product being manufactured by Elite and distributed by TAGI under the Precision Dose License Agreement.

 

Isradipine 2.5mg and Isradipine 5mg capsules

The ANDAs for the Isradipine Capsules were acquired by Elite as part of the Mikah 13 ANDA Acquisition. The transfer of the manufacturing process of these products to the Northvale Facility was completed during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and Elite is currently planning to commence commercial shipments during the current fiscal year.

 

The Isradipine Capsules are included as products in the Epic Agreement for which certain licenses and rights are granted to Epic in relation to the distribution and sale of these products.

 

Approved Products

Elite is the owner of the following approved Abbreviated New Drug Applications:

· Phentermine 37.5mg
· Hydromorphone 8mg
· Naltrexone 50mg
· Phentermine 15mg
· Phentermine 30mg
· Phendimetrazine 35mg
· Isradipine 2.5mg capsules and Isradipine 5mg capsules (“Isradipine Capsules”)
· 10 undisclosed ANDAs acquired as part of the Mikah 13 ANDA Acquisition

 

Phentermine HCl 37.5mg tablets

The ANDA for Phentermine 37.5mg was acquired pursuant to an asset purchase agreement with Epic Pharma LLC (“Epic”) dated September 10, 2010 (the “Phentermine Purchase Agreement”).

 

Hydromorphone HCl 8mg tablets

The ANDA for Hydromorphone 8mg was acquired pursuant to an asset purchase agreement with Mikah Pharma LLC (the “Hydromorphone Purchase Agreement”).

 

Transfer of the manufacturing process of Hydromorphone 8mg to the Northvale Facility, a prerequisite of the Company’s commercial launch of the product, was approved by the FDA on January 23, 2012. However, please note that the completion of such transfer had been significantly delayed as a result of the FDA’s reclassification of the Company’s CBE-30 supplement filing to a prior approval supplement filing. As a result of the delays caused by this reclassification, the Company recorded an impairment of the Hydromorphone 8mg ANDA in an amount equal to the entire purchase price of the acquisition. This impairment was recorded and is included in the Company’s audited financial statements as of March 31, 2011.

 

Naltrexone HCl 50mg tablets

The ANDA for Naltrexone 50mg was acquired pursuant to an asset purchase agreement with Mikah Pharma LLC (the “Naltrexone Purchase Agreement”).

 

Transfer of the manufacturing process of Naltrexone 50mg to the Northvale Facility, a prerequisite of the Company’s commercial launch of the product, was approved and initial shipment of Naltrexone 50mg was made in September 2013. However, please note that the completion of such transfer had been significantly delayed as a result of the FDA’s reclassification of the Company’s CBE-30 supplement filing to a prior approval supplement filing. As a result of the delays caused by this reclassification, the Company recorded an impairment of the Naltrexone 50mg ANDA in an amount equal to the entire purchase price of the acquisition. This impairment was recorded and is included in the Company’s audited financial statements as of March 31, 2011.

 

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Phentermine 15mg and Phentermine 30mg

Elite received approval as of September 28, 2012 from the FDA for Phentermine 15mg and Phentermine 30mg. These products were developed by Elite. The commercial launch of Phentermine 15mg and Phentermine 30mg had been delayed due to the sole supplier of the API approved for these products restricting the amount of such API available to Elite. We resolved this issue and the Phentermine 15mg and Phentermine 30mg products were launched in April 2013. The resolution of this issue related to the supply of API, however, required us to pay substantially higher prices than previously paid for the Phentermine API in order to launch the products in April 2013, while seeking approval from the FDA of an alternate supplier of the API. Approval by the FDA of the alternate supplier was received in January 2014, resulting in lower prices and a sufficient supply of materials.

 

Phendimetrazine 35mg

The ANDA for Phendimetrazine 35mg was acquired by Elite as part of the Mikah 13 ANDA Acquisition. The Northvale Facility was already an approved manufacturing site for this product as of the date of the Mikah Purchase Agreement. Prior to the acquisition of this ANDA, Elite had been manufacturing this product on a contract basis pursuant to a manufacturing and supply agreement with Mikah Pharma, dated June 1, 2011 (please see below for details).

 

Isradipine 2.5mg tablets and Isradipine 5mg tablets

The ANDAs for the Isradipine Capsules were acquired by Elite as part of the Mikah 13 ANDA Acquisition. The transfer the manufacturing process of these products to the Northvale Facility was completed during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and the Company is currently planning to commence commercial shipments during the current fiscal year.

 

The Isradipine Capsules are included as products in the Epic Agreement for which certain licenses and rights are granted to Epic in relation to the distribution and sale of these products.

 

Development and License Agreement with Hong Kong based company

On March 16, 2012, Elite executed a Development and License Agreement (“D&L Agreement”) with a private Hong Kong-based company (the “Hong Kong-based Customer”) for Elite to develop for the Hong Kong-based Customer a branded prescription pharmaceutical product in the United States. The Hong Kong-based Customer has informed us that it has been in business for more than five years and it has multiple FDA approved manufacturing sites outside of the United States.

 

Pursuant to the D&L Agreement, the Hong Kong-based Customer has engaged Elite to develop and manufacture a prescription pharmaceutical product (the “Prescription Product”). Elite agrees to be the Preferred Manufacturer and supplier of the Prescription Product pursuant to the D&L Agreement and perform maintenance activities such as stability or annual report filings for the Prescription Product. The Hong Kong-based Customer, or its designees, shall prepare all applications necessary to obtain any Prescription Product registration and permits required to file the Prescription Product in the Territories required to market the Prescription Product. All Registrations shall be solely owned by the Hong Kong-based Customer including any NDA filed with the FDA for the Prescription Product. Elite shall provide the Hong Kong-based Customer with all pharmaceutical, technical, and clinical data and information in support of the NDA application by the Hong Kong-based Customer for the approval of the Prescription Product. In consideration of Elite’s performance in accordance with the terms and conditions of the D&L Agreement, the Hong Kong-based Customer shall pay Elite milestone for the Development Program and shall pay Elite for the manufacturing of the Prescription Product. Maintenance activities will be paid separately on a quarterly basis.

 

The Hong Kong-based Customer shall own and market the Prescription Product under its own Trademark. The term of this D&L Agreement shall be effective from the date consummated and shall continue for a five (5) year term after the commercial launch of the Prescription Product. Upon the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term, this D&L Agreement will automatically renew for an additional one (1) year term, unless one Party gives at least six (6) months notice in writing in advance of its intent not to renew.

 

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Products Under Development

It is our general policy not to disclose products in our development pipeline or the status of such products until a product reaches a stage that we determine, for competitive reasons, in our discretion, to be appropriate for disclosure and because the disclosure of such information might suggest the occurrence of future matters or events that may not occur.

 

Abuse Deterrent and Sustained Release Opioids

The abuse deterrent opioid products utilize our patented abuse-deterrent technology that is based on a pharmacological approach. These products are combinations of a narcotic agonist formulation intended for use in patients with moderate to severe pain, and an antagonist, formulated to deter abuse of the drug.  Both, agonist and antagonist, have been on the market for a number of years and sold separately in various dose strengths.  Elite has filed INDs for the first two abuse deterrent products under development and has tested products in various pharmacokinetic studies.  Elite expects to continue to develop multiple abuse deterrent products. Products utilizing the pharmacological approach to deter abuse such as Suboxone®, a product marketed in the United States by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Embeda®, a product marketed in the United States by Pfizer, Inc., have been approved by the FDA and are being marketed in the United States.

 

Elite has developed, and retains the rights to these abuse deterrent and sustained release opioid products.  Elite may license these products at a later date to a third party who could provide funding for the remaining clinical studies and who could provide sales and distribution for the product. The drug delivery technology development underlying the sustained release products was initiated under a joint venture with Elan which terminated in 2002.

 

According to the Elan Termination Agreement, Elite acquired all proprietary, development and commercial rights for the worldwide markets for the products developed by the joint venture, including the sustained release opioid products. Upon licensing or commercialization of a once daily oxycodone product, Elite will pay a royalty to Elan pursuant to the Termination Agreement.  If Elite were to sell the product itself, Elite will pay a 1% royalty to Elan based on the product’s net sales, and if Elite enters into an agreement with another party to sell the product, Elite will pay a 9% royalty to Elan based on Elite’s net revenues from this product. (Elite’s net product revenues would include license fees, royalties, manufacturing profits and milestones) Elite is allowed to recoup all development costs including research, process development, analytical development, clinical development and regulatory costs before payment of any royalties to Elan.

 

Product Development Agreements

Elite is currently performing services pursuant to product development agreements with the following:

· Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co. (the “Hi-Tech Development Agreement”)
· A Private Hong Kong based company (the “Hong Kong D&L Agreement”)

 

For further details on the Hi-Tech Development Agreement, please refer to the current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 4, 2011 and exhibit 10.68 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, such filings being herein incorporated by reference.

 

For further details on the Hong Kong D&L Agreement, please refer to the current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 22, 2012, our amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 (filed with the SEC on September 14, 2012), and exhibit 10.77 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, such filings being herein incorporated by reference.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion addresses our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgment, including those related to bad debts, intangible assets, income taxes, workers compensation, and contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Management believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its Consolidated Financial Statements. Our most critical accounting policies include the recognition of revenue upon completion of certain phases of projects under research and development contracts. We also assess a need for an allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that we believe are more likely than not to be realized. We assess a need for allowances relating to the valuation of inventories. We assess the recoverability of long-lived assets and intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. We assess our exposure to current commitments and contingencies. It should be noted that actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Results of Consolidated Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

Our revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $1,256k, an increase of $98k or approximately 8% over revenues for the comparable period of the prior year, and consisted of $851k in manufacturing fees and $405k in licensing fees. Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2013, consisted of $921k in manufacturing fees, $232k in licensing fees and $6k in lab fees.

 

Manufacturing fees decreased by approximately 8%, mostly due to timing differences in shipments, with product shipments in 2014 missing the September 30 th cutoff by a few days and accordingly being recorded in the subsequent period. In addition, the Company launched Naltrexone 50mg in September 2013, recording shipments of launch quantities in that period, which also contributed to the variance in manufacturing revenues between the period. Licensing fees increased by approximately 75% due to milestones earned pursuant the Epic Agreement and related to the successful manufacturing site transfer of Isradipine 2.5mg and Isradipine 5mg.

 

Research and development costs for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $3,565k, an increase of $2,710k or approximately 317% from $855k of such costs for the comparable period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to increased activities related to the development of Elite’s abuse deterrent opioid products.

 

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014, were $741k, an increase of $468k, or approximately 172% from $273k of general and administrative expenses for the comparable period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to significant increases in regulatory costs, including, without limitation, increased fees paid to the US-FDA and the hiring of additional staff to support regulatory compliance activities, additional costs incurred in relation to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and significant increases in legal fees, insurance and employee benefits. Please note that these higher levels of overhead costs are expected to continue.

 

Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $276k, an increase of $194k, or approximately 235%, from $83k for the comparable period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to the expansion and upgrade of the Northvale facility, which has required significant investments in property, plant and equipment, which, when commissioned and placed in service result in increased depreciation.

 

Non-cash compensation through the issuance of stock options and warrants for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $54k, an increase of $35k, or approximately 182% from $19k for the comparable period of the prior year. The increase is due to the issuance of employee stock options during the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For further details on such employee stock options, please see Note 9 of the financial statements included herein.

 

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As a result of the foregoing, our loss from operations for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $4,261k, compared to a loss from operations of $687k for the three months ended September 30, 2013.

 

Other income/expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were a net income of $25,441k, an increase in other income of $34,390k from the net other expense of $8,949k for the comparable period of the prior year. The increase in other income/expense was due to derivative income relating to changes in the fair value of our preferred shares and outstanding warrants during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 totaling an income of $25,511k, as compared to a net derivative expense of $8,695k for the comparable period of the prior year. Please note that derivative income/(expenses) are most significantly determined by the number of preferred shares and warrants outstanding and the change in the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock as of the end of the period, as compared to the closing price at the beginning of the period, with a strong inverse correlation between derivative revenues and increases in the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

As a result of the foregoing, our net income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $21,380k, compared to a net loss of $9,638k million for the comparable period of the prior year.

 

Six Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to Six Months Ended September 30, 2014

Our revenues for the six months ended September 30, 2014 were $2,418k, an increase of $537k or approximately 29% over revenues for the comparable period of the prior year, and consisted of $1,800k in manufacturing fees, $613k in licensing fees and $5k. Revenues for the six months ended September 30, 2013, consisted of $1,465k in manufacturing fees, $405k in licensing fees and $11k in lab fees.

 

Manufacturing fees increase by approximately 23%, as a result of continued growth in the Company’s generic product sales, combined with the current year period including a full six months of sales of Naltrexone 50mg, as compared to only one shipment of this product in the comparable period of the prior year, due to this product being launched in September 2013. Licensing fees increased by approximately 51% due to milestones earned pursuant the Epic Agreement and related to the successful manufacturing site transfer of Isradipine 2.5mg and Isradipine 5mg.

 

Research and development costs for the six months ended September 30, 2014 were $7,586k, an increase of $6,161k or approximately 432% from $1,424k of such costs for the comparable period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to increased activities related to the development of Elite’s abuse deterrent opioid products.

 

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2014, were $1,367k, an increase of $718k, or approximately 111% from $649k of general and administrative expenses for the comparable period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to significant increases in regulatory costs, including, without limitation, increased fees paid to the US-FDA and the hiring of additional staff to support regulatory compliance activities, additional costs incurred in relation to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and significant increases in legal fees, insurance and employee benefits. Please note that these higher levels of overhead costs are expected to continue.

 

Depreciation and amortization for the six months ended September 30, 2014 was $471k, an increase of $225k, or approximately 92%, from $245k for the comparable period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to the expansion and upgrade of the Northvale facility, which has required significant investments in property, plant and equipment, which, when commissioned and placed in service result in increased depreciation.

 

Non-cash compensation through the issuance of stock options and warrants for the six months ended September 30, 2014 was $77k, an increase of $49k, or approximately 171% from $28k for the comparable period of the prior year. The increase is due to the issuance of employee stock options during the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For further details on such employee stock options, please see Note 9 of the financial statements included herein.

 

As a result of the foregoing, our loss from operations for the six months ended September 30, 2014 was $8,693k, compared to a loss from operations of $1,662k for the six months ended September 30, 2013.

 

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Other income/expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2014 were a net income of $25,467k, an increase in other income of $32,519k from the net other expense of $7,051k for the comparable period of the prior year. The increase in other income/expense was due to derivative income relating to changes in the fair value of our preferred shares and outstanding warrants during the six months ended September 30, 2014 totaling an income of $23,945k, as compared to a net derivative expense of $6,699k for the comparable period of the prior year, offset by a gain on sale of investment totaling $1,671k during the current year, without a corresponding gain in the comparable period of the prior year. Please note that derivative income/(expenses) are most significantly determined by the number of preferred shares and warrants outstanding and the change in the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock as of the end of the period, as compared to the closing price at the beginning of the period, with a strong inverse correlation between derivative revenues and increases in the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

As a result of the foregoing, our net income for the six months ended September 30, 2014 was $16,978k, compared to a net loss of $8,716k million for the comparable period of the prior year.

 

Material Changes in Financial Condition

Our working capital (total current assets less total current liabilities), increased to a surplus of $7.9 million as of September 30, 2014 from a working capital surplus of $3.8 million as of March 31, 2014, primarily due to the loss from operations sustained during the six months ended September 30, 2014 being financed by $6.2 million in proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to the Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”) and $5.0 million in proceeds from the sale of our investment in Novel Laboratories. Capital financings, such as those occurring pursuant to the Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park provide cash to the Company without a corresponding current liability and accordingly have an accretive effect on working capital. In addition, the Company retired the Series B NJEDA Bonds and cured the monetary default in the Series A NJEDA Bonds during the current year which resulted in the Company recording as a current liability only those principal amounts scheduled for redemption within 12 months from the balance sheet date, and all other principal amounts being recorded as non-current liabilities. In prior periods, the entire principal amount of the NJEDA Bonds were recorded as a current liability due to the monetary defaults which have now been cured. The classification of a portion of the bond liability as a non-current asset has an accretive effect on working capital.

 

Net cash used by operations was $8.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 2014, primarily due to our net income from continuing operations of $17.0 million, offset by non-cash credits totaling $24.4 million, which included, without limitation, depreciation and amortization charges of $0.4 million, net income credits from the change in fair value of derivative liabilities of $23.945 million and gain from the sale of investment of $1.7 million. In addition, net cash used by operations was effected by changes in the balances of assets and liabilities, including, without limitation, increases in inventories of $0.6 and increases in accounts receivable of $0.4 million, all of which result in a net outflow of cash.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Cash and Working Capital

 

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had cash on hand of $7.6 million and a working capital surplus of $7.9 million. The Company believes that such resources, combined with the Company’s access to amounts available pursuant to the $40 million equity line with Lincoln Park, and approximately $0.4 million available under the Hakim Credit Line are sufficient to fund operations through the current operating cycle. For the six months ended September 30, 2014, it had losses from operations totaling $8.7 million, net other income totaling $25.5 million and a net income of $17.0 million. Please note that the Company’s other income/(expenses) are significantly influenced by the fluctuations in the fair value of outstanding preferred share and warrant derivatives, and that such fair values strongly correlate to and vary inversely with the market share price of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

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The Company does not anticipate being profitable for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, due in large part to its plans to conduct clinical development and commercialization activities on a range of abuse deterrent opioid products, on an accelerated and simultaneous basis. Such activities require the investment of significant amounts in clinical trials, safety and efficacy studies, bioequivalence studies, product manufacturing, regulatory expertise and filings, as well as investments in manufacturing and lab equipment and software. In order to finance these significant expenditures, the Company entered into two purchase agreements with Lincoln Park, with such agreements providing the company with equity lines totaling $50 million. We believe this amount of financing, if received, is sufficient to fund the commercialization of the abuse deterrent opioid products identified. Please see below for further details on the financing transactions with Lincoln Park.

 

Lincoln Park Capital

 

Pursuant to an April 19, 2013 purchase agreement with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”) we had the right to sell to and Lincoln Park was obligated to purchase up to $10 million in shares of the Company’s Common Stock, subject to certain limitations, from time to time, over the 36 month period commencing on May 9, 2013. We raised the entire $10 million from the sale of shares to Lincoln Park pursuant to that agreement. That agreement terminated in March 2014 with the sale of all shares covered by that agreement.

 

On April 10, 2014, we entered into another Purchase Agreement and a Registration Rights Agreement with Lincoln Park. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Lincoln Park has agreed to purchase from us up to $40 million of our common stock (subject to certain limitations) from time to time over a 36-month period. Pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, we have filed with the SEC a registration statement to register for resale under the Securities Act the shares that have been or may be issued to Lincoln Park under the Purchase Agreement. That registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on May 1, 2014. A post-effective amendment to that Registration Statement was subsequently filed with the SEC and declared effective on July 1, 2014.

 

Upon execution of the Purchase Agreement, we have issued 1,928,641 shares of our common stock to Lincoln Park pursuant to the Purchase Agreement as consideration for its commitment to purchase additional shares of our common stock under that agreement and we are obligated to issue up to an additional 1,928,641 commitment shares to Lincoln Park pro rata as up to $40 million of our common stock is purchased by Lincoln Park. Through November 4, 2014, we have sold to Lincoln Park an aggregate of 23,524,974 shares under the Purchase Agreement for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $7.5 million. In addition, we have issued an additional 361,654 Commitment Shares.

 

We may, from time to time and at our sole discretion but no more frequently than every other business day, direct Lincoln Park to purchase (a “Regular Purchase”) up to 500,000 shares of our common stock on any such business day, increasing up to 800,000 shares, depending upon the closing sale price of the common stock, provided that in no event shall Lincoln Park purchase more than $760,000 worth of our common stock on any single business day. The purchase price of shares of Common Stock related to the future Regular Purchase funding will be based on the prevailing market prices of such shares at the time of sales (or over a period of up to 10 business days leading up to such time), but in no event will shares be sold to Lincoln Park on a day the Common Stock closing price is less than the floor price of $0.10 per share, subject to adjustment.

 

In addition to Regular Purchases, on any business day on which we have properly submitted a Regular Purchase notice and the closing sale price is not below $0.15, we may purchase (an “Accelerated Purchase”) an additional “accelerated amount” under certain circumstances. The amount of any Accelerated Purchase cannot exceed the lesser of three times the number of purchase shares purchased pursuant to the corresponding Regular Purchase; and 30% of the aggregate shares of our common stock traded during normal trading hours on the purchase date. The purchase price per share for each such Accelerated Purchase will be equal to the lower of (i) 97% of the volume weighted average price during the purchase date; or (ii) the closing sale price of our common stock on the purchase date.

 

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In the case of both Regular Purchases and Accelerated Purchases, the purchase price per share will be equitably adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction occurring during the business days used to compute the purchase price.

 

Other than as set forth above, there are no trading volume requirements or restrictions under the Purchase Agreement, and we will control the timing and amount of any sales of our common stock to Lincoln Park.

 

Our sales of shares of Common Stock to Lincoln Park under the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement are limited to no more than the number of shares that would result in the beneficial ownership by Lincoln Park and its affiliates, at any single point in time, of more than 9.99% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock.

 

The Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement and the Lincoln Park Registration Rights Agreement contain customary representations, warranties, agreements and conditions to completing future sale transactions, indemnification rights and obligations of the parties. The Company has the right to terminate the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement at any time, at no cost or penalty. Actual sales of shares of Common Stock to Lincoln Park under the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by the Company from time to time, including, without limitation, market conditions, the trading price of the Common Stock and determinations by the Company as to appropriate sources of funding for the Company and its operations. There are no trading volume requirements or restrictions under the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement. Lincoln Park has no right to require any sales by the Company, but is obligated to make purchases from the Company as it directs in accordance with the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement. Lincoln Park has covenanted not to cause or engage in any manner whatsoever, any direct or indirect short selling or hedging of our shares.

 

The net proceeds under the Purchase Agreement to the Company will depend on the frequency and prices at which the Company sells shares of its stock to Lincoln Park. The Company expects that any proceeds received by the Company from such sales to Lincoln Park under the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement will be used for general corporate purposes and working capital requirements.

 

Treppel $1,000,000 Bridge Revolving Credit Line

On November 21, 2013, Elite entered into an unsecured convertible note (the “Treppel Note”) with Jerry Treppel (“Treppel”), Elite’s Chairman of the Board, in the amount of $600,000 for the unpaid current principal amount owed pursuant to the Treppel Bridge Loan Agreement (“Treppel Credit Line”). The original Treppel Credit Line agreement was executed on June 12, 2012 and amended on December 5, 2012 and August 2, 2013. The Treppel Note was amended on February 7, 2014 to make it convertible into shares of the Company’s Series I Preferred Stock. The Treppel Note, as amended, was interest free and due and payable on the third anniversary of its issuance. Subject to certain limitations, the principal amount of the Note was convertible at the option of Treppel on and after the first anniversary of the date of the Note into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a rate of $0.099 (approximately 10,101 shares per $1,000 in principal amount), the closing market price of the Company’s Common Stock on the date that the Note was executed, and/or into shares of the Company’s Series I Preferred Stock at a rate of 1 share of Series I Preferred Stock for each $141,442.7157 of principal owed on the Treppel Note. The conversion rate was adjustable for customary corporate actions such as stock splits and, subject to certain exclusions, includes weighted average anti-dilution for common stock transactions at prices below the then applicable conversion rate.

 

On February 7, 2014, Treppel converted the principal amount of $600,000, representing the entire principal balance due under the Treppel Note into 4.242 shares of the Company’s Series I Preferred Stock.

 

The Treppel Credit Line expired on July 31, 2014, with no amounts due or owing.

 

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Hakim $1,000,000 Bridge Revolving Credit Line

On October 15, 2013 (the “Hakim Credit Line Effective Date”), we entered into a bridge loan agreement (the “Hakim Loan Agreement”) with Nasrat Hakim, our President and CEO. Under the terms of the Hakim Loan Agreement, we have the right, in our sole discretion, to a line of credit (“Hakim Credit Line”) in the maximum principal amount of up to $1,000,000 at any one time. Mr. Hakim provided the Credit Line for the purpose of supporting the acceleration of our product development activities. The outstanding amount will be evidenced by a promissory note which shall mature on June 30, 2015, at which time the entire unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest thereon shall be due and payable in full. We may prepay any amounts owed without penalty. Any such prepayments shall first be attributable to interest due and owing and then to principal. Interest only shall be payable quarterly on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year. Prior to maturity or the occurrence of an Event of Default as defined in the Hakim Loan Agreement, we may borrow, repay, and reborrow under the Hakim Credit Line through maturity. Amounts borrowed under the Hakim Credit Line will bear interest at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum. As of September 30, 2014, the principal balance owed under the Credit Line was $666,329 with an additional $16,465 in accrued interest being also owed, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Credit Line.

 

NJEDA Bonds

On August 31, 2005, the Company successfully completed a refinancing of a prior 1999 bond issue through the issuance of new tax-exempt bonds (the “Bonds”). The refinancing involved borrowing $4,155,000, evidenced by a 6.5% Series A Note in the principal amount of $3,660,000 maturing on September 1, 2030 and a 9% Series B Note in the principal amount of $495,000 maturing on September 1, 2012. The net proceeds, after payment of issuance costs, were used (i) to redeem the outstanding tax-exempt Bonds originally issued by the Authority on September 2, 1999, (ii) refinance other equipment financing and (iii) for the purchase of certain equipment to be used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products. As of June 30 2014, all of the proceeds were utilized by the Company for such stated purposes.

 

Interest is payable semiannually on March 1 and September 1 of each year. The Bonds are collateralized by a first lien on the Company’s facility and equipment acquired with the proceeds of the original and refinanced Bonds. The related Indenture requires the maintenance of a $415,500 Debt Service Reserve Fund consisting of $366,000 from the Series A Notes proceeds and $49,500 from the Series B Notes proceeds. The Debt Service Reserve is maintained in restricted cash accounts that are classified in Other Assets. $1,274,311 of the proceeds had been deposited in a short-term restricted cash account to fund the purchase of manufacturing equipment and development of the Company’s facility.

 

Bond issue costs of $354,000 were paid from the bond proceeds and are being amortized over the life of the bonds. Amortization of bond issuance costs amounted to $3,545 for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

 

The NJEDA Bonds require the Company to make an annual principal payment on September 1st of varying amounts as specified in the loan documents and semi-annual interest payments on March 1st and September 1st, equal to interest due on the outstanding principal at the applicable rate for the semi-annual period just ended.

 

The interest payments due on March 1st and September 1st of 2009, 2010 2011, 2012 and 2013, totaling $1,146,150 for all ten payments, were paid from the debt service reserved held in the restricted cash account, due to the Company not having sufficient funds to make such payments when they were due.

 

The principal payment due on September 1, 2009, totaling $210,000 was paid from the debt service reserve held in the restricted cash account, due to the Company not having sufficient funds to make the payment when due.

 

The Company did not have sufficient funds available to make principal payments due on September 1, 2010, September 1, 2011, September 1, 2012 and September 1, 2013, on their scheduled due dates. These principal payments, totaling $915,000, were paid on July 23, 2014. By making this payment, plus also paying accrued interest of $25,876 due and owing on the principal amounts paid, the Company retired all outstanding Series B Notes at par, as well as all amounts which were in arrears at the time.

 

On September 1, 2014, the Company paid the scheduled principal payment of $195,000 on the Series A Notes, plus the scheduled interest payment of $80,275.

 

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As of the date of filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there are no amounts scheduled for payment under the bond indenture as of this date which have not been paid.

 

As a result of the Company’s curing of all prior monetary defaults, and in accordance with GAAP, the Company has classified the principal amounts with a maturity of not more than twelve months from September 30, 2014, totaling $210,000, as current liabilities. Principal amounts with maturities in excess of twelve months from September 30, 2014, totaling $2,065,000 have been recorded as non-current liabilities.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources that would be considered material to investors.

 

Effects of Inflation

We are subject to price risks arising from price fluctuations in the market prices of the products that we sell. Management does not believe that inflation risk is material to our business or our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were not effective so that that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management in order to allow for timely decisions regarding disclosure. A controls system cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

 

Changes in Internal Controls

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15 (f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended September 30, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

In the ordinary course of business we may be subject to litigation from time to time. Except as discussed below, there is no current, pending or, to our knowledge, threatened litigation or administrative action to which we are a party or of which our property is the subject (including litigation or actions involving our officers, directors, affiliates, or other key personnel, or holders of record or beneficially of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or any associate of any such party) which in our opinion has, or is expected to have, a material adverse effect upon our business, prospects financial condition or operations.

 

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Arbitration with Precision Dose, Inc.

On May 9, 2014, Precision Dose Inc., the parent company of TAGI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., commenced an arbitration against the Company alleging that the Company failed to properly supply, price and satisfy gross profit minimums regarding Phentermine 37.5mg tablets, as required by the parties’ agreements. Elite denies Precision Dose’s allegations and has counterclaimed that Precision Dose is no longer entitled to exclusivity rights with respect to Phentermine 37.5mg tablets, and is responsible for certain costs, expenses, price increases and lost profits relating to Phentermine 37.5mg tablets and the parties’ agreements. As of the date of filing of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q this arbitration proceeding was ongoing.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes from the Risk Factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

 

During the six months ended September 30, 2014, we issued 10,227,423 shares of Common Stock that were unregistered, consisting of 4,167,423 shares being issued pursuant to the exercise of cash warrants and options, with proceeds received totaling $290,231 and 6,060,000 shares being issued pursuant to the conversion of Series I Preferred Stock. We relied on the exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 to issue the common stock The securities were offered and sold without any form of general solicitation or general advertising and the offerees made representations that they were accredited investors.

 

Subsequent to September 30, 2014 and up to and including November 4, 2014 (the latest practicable date), we issued a total of189,924 shares of Common Stock that were unregistered, with all such unregistered shares being issued pursuant to the exercise of cash warrants, with proceeds received totaling $11,870.

  

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

The exhibits listed in the index below are filed as part of this report. .

 

15
 

  

Exhibit

No.

 

 

Description

     
2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger  between Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Elite-Delaware”) and Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Elite-Nevada”), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 9, 2012.
     
3.1(a)   Articles of Incorporation of Elite-Nevada, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 9, 2012.
     
3.1(b)   Certificate of Incorporation of Elite-Delaware, together with all other amendments thereto, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, incorporated by reference to (a) Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No. 333-101686), filed with the SEC on December 6, 2002 (the “Form S-4”), (b) Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 28, 2004 and filed with the SEC on July 29, 2004, (c) Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 26, 2008 and filed with the SEC on July 2, 2008, and (d) Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 19, 2008 and filed with the SEC on December 23, 2008.*
     
3.1(c)   Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock, as filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 6, 2004, and filed with the SEC on October 12, 2004.*
     
3.1(d)   Certificate of Retirement with the Secretary of the State of the Delaware to retire 516,558 shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, as filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 10, 2006, and filed with the SEC on March 14, 2006.*
     

 3.1(e)

 

  Amended Certificate of Designations of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series B 8% Convertible Preferred Stock, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2007, and filed with the SEC on April 25, 2007.*
     
3.1(f)   Amended Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series C 8% Convertible Preferred Stock, as filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2007, and filed with the SEC on April 25, 2007.*
     
3.1(g)   Amended Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series C 8% Convertible Preferred Stock, as filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 15, 2008, and filed with the SEC on September 16, 2008.*
     
3.1(h)   Amended Certificate of Designations of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series D 8% Convertible Preferred Stock, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 15, 2008, and filed with the SEC on September 16, 2008.*
     
3.1(i)   Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2009, and filed with the SEC on June 5, 2009.*
     
3.1(j)   Amended Certificate of Designations of the Series D 8% Convertible Preferred Stock as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 29, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 24, 2010 and filed with the SEC on July 1, 2010.*
     
3.1(k)   Amended Certificate of Designations of the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 29, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 24, 2010 and filed with the SEC on July 1, 2010.*
     
3.1(l)   Certificate of Designations of the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on April 18, 2013, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 18, 2013 and filed with the SEC on April 22, 2013 .

 

16
 

  

3.1(m)   Certificate of Designation of the Series H Junior Participating Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 (contained in Exhibit 1) to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on November 15, 2013.
     
3.1(n)   Certificate of Designations of the Series I Convertible Preferred Stock as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on February 6, 2014, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 6, 2014 and filed with the SEC on February 7, 2014
     
3.2(a)   Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 17, 2014 and filed with the SEC on March 18, 2014.
     
3.2(b)   By-Laws of Elite-Delaware, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Reg. No. 333-90633) made effective on February 28, 2000 (the “Form SB-2”).*
     
4.1   Form of specimen certificate for Common Stock of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form SB-2.*
     
4.2   Form of specimen certificate for Series B 8% Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 15, 2006 and filed with the SEC on March 16, 2006.*
     
4.3   Form of specimen certificate for Series C 8% Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 24, 2007 and filed with the SEC on April 25, 2007.*
     
4.4   Form of Warrant to purchase shares of Common Stock issued to purchasers in the private placement which closed on March 15, 2006 (the “Series B Financing”), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 15, 2006 and filed with the SEC on March 16, 2006.*
     
4.5   Form of Warrant to purchase shares of Common Stock issued to purchasers in the Series B Financing, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 15, 2006 and filed with the SEC on March 16, 2006.*
     
4.6   Form of Warrant to purchase shares of Common Stock issued to the Placement Agent, in connection with the Series B Financing, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 15, 2006 and filed with the SEC on March 16, 2006.*
     
4.7   Form of Warrant to purchase 600,000 shares of Common Stock issued to Indigo Ventures, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 12, 2006 and filed with the SEC on July 18, 2006.*
     
4.8   Form of Warrant to purchase up to 478,698 shares of Common Stock issued to VGS  PHARMA,  LLC, incorporated by reference as Exhibit 3(a) to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 6, 2006 and filed with the SEC on December 12, 2006.*
     
4.9   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for 1,750,000 shares of Common Stock granted to Veerappan Subramanian, incorporated by reference as Exhibit 3(b) to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 6, 2006 and filed with the SEC on December 12, 2006.*
     
4.10   Form of Warrant to purchase shares of Common Stock issued to purchasers in the private placement which closed on April 24, 2007 (the “Series C Financing”), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 24, 2007 and filed with the SEC on April 25, 2007.*

 

17
 

  

4.11   Form of Warrant to purchase shares of Common Stock issued to the placement agent in the Series C Financing, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 24, 2007 and filed with the SEC on April 25, 2007.*
     
4.12   Form of specimen certificate for Series D 8% Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 15, 2008 and filed with the SEC on September 16, 2008.*
     
4.13   Form of Warrant to purchase shares of Common Stock issued to purchasers in the private placement which closed on September 15, 2008 (the “Series D Financing”), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 15, 2008 and filed with the SEC on September 16, 2008.*
     
4.14   Form of Warrant to purchase shares of Common Stock issued to the placement agent in the Series D Financing, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 15, 2008 and filed with the SEC on September 16, 2008.*
     
4.15   Form of specimen certificate for Series E Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 1, 2009, and filed with the SEC on June 5, 2009.*
     
4.16   Warrant to purchase shares of Common Stock issued to Epic Investments, LLC in the initial closing of the Strategic Alliance Agreement, dated as of March 18, 2009, by and among the Company, Epic Pharma, LLC and Epic Investments, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 1, 2009, and filed with the SEC on June 5, 2009.*
     
4.17   Form of specimen certificate for Series G Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 18, 2013 and filed with the SEC on April 22, 2013.
     
4.18   Form of specimen certificate for Series I Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 6, 2014 and filed with the SEC on February 7, 2014.
     
4.19   Rights Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2013, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on November 15, 2013.
     
4.20   Form of Series H Preferred Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on November 15, 2013.
     
10.1   Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed with the SEC on April 3, 2014.
     
10.2   Form of Confidentiality Agreement (corporate), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Form SB-2.
     
10.3   Form of Confidentiality Agreement (employee), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Form SB-2.

 

18
 

  

10.4   Product Development and Commercialization Agreement, dated as of June 21, 2005, between the Company and IntelliPharmaceutics, Corp., incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 21, 2005 and originally filed with the SEC on June 27, 2005, as amended on the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed September 7, 2005, as further amended by the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed December 7, 2005 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).
     
10.5   Agreement, dated December 12, 2005, by and among the Company, Elite Labs, and IntelliPharmaCeutics Corp., incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 12, 2005, and originally filed with the SEC on December 16, 2005, as amended by the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed March 7, 2006 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).
     
10.6   Loan Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2005, between New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA”) and the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 31, 2005 and filed with the SEC on September 6, 2005.
     
10.7   Series A Note in the aggregate principal amount of $3,660,000.00 payable to the order of the NJEDA, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 31, 2005 and filed with the SEC on September 6, 2005.
     
10.8   Series B Note in the aggregate principal amount of $495,000.00 payable to the order of the NJEDA, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 31, 2005 and filed with the SEC on September 6, 2005.
     
10.9   Mortgage from the Company to the NJEDA, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 31, 2005 and filed with the SEC on September 6, 2005.
     
10.10   Indenture between NJEDA and the Bank of New York as Trustee, dated as of August 15, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 31, 2005 and filed with the SEC on September 6, 2005.
     
10.11   Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, between the Registrant and the signatories thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 15, 2006 and filed with the SEC on March 16, 2006.
     
10.12   Form of Registration Rights Agreement, between the Registrant and signatories thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 15, 2006 and filed with the SEC on March 16, 2006.
     
10.13   Form of Placement Agent Agreement, between the Registrant and Indigo Securities, LLC, incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 15, 2006, and filed with the SEC on March 16, 2006.
     
10.14   Financial Advisory  Agreement  between  the  Registrant and Indigo Ventures LLC, incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 12, 2006 and filed with the SEC on July 18, 2006.
     
10.15   Product Collaboration Agreement between the Registrant and ThePharmaNetwork LLC, incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 10, 2006 and filed with the SEC on November 15, 2006. (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).

 

19
 

  

10.16   Strategic Alliance Agreement among the Registrant, VGS Pharma (“VGS”) and Veerappan S. Subramanian  (“VS”), incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10(a) to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 6, 2006 and filed with the SEC on December 12, 2006.
     
10.17   Advisory Agreement, between the Registrant and VS, incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10(b) to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 6, 2006 and filed with the SEC on December 12, 2006.
     
10.18   Registration Rights Agreement between the Registrant, VGS and VS, incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10(c) to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 6, 2006 and filed with the SEC on December 12, 2006.
     
10.19   Employment Agreement between Novel Laboratories Inc. (“Novel”) and VS, incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10(d) to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 6, 2006 and filed with the SEC on December 12, 2006.
     
10.20   Stockholders’ Agreement between Registrant, VGS, VS and Novel, incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10(e) to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 6, 2006 and filed with the SEC on December 12, 2006.
     
10.21   Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, between the Registrant and the signatories thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 24, 2007 and filed with the SEC on April 25, 2007.
     
10.22   Form of Registration Rights Agreement, between the Registrant and the signatories thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 24, 2007 and filed with the SEC on April 25, 2007.
     
10.23   Form of Placement Agent Agreement, between the Company and Oppenheimer & Company, Inc., incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 24, 2007 and filed with the SEC on April 25, 2007.
     
10.24   Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, between the Registrant and the signatories thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 17, 2007 and filed with the SEC on July 23, 2007.
     
10.25   Form of Registration Rights Agreement, between the Registrant and the signatories thereto, incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 17, 2007 and filed with the SEC on July 23, 2007.
     
10.26   Consulting Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2007, between the Registrant and Willstar Consultants, Inc., incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2007 and filed with the SEC on November 14, 2007.
     
10.27   Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, between the Company and the signatories thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 15, 2008 and filed with the SEC on September 16, 2008.
     
10.28   Form of Placement Agent Agreement, between the Company, ROTH Capital Partners, LLC and Boenning & Scattergood, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 15, 2008 and filed with the SEC on September 16, 2008.
     
10.29   Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims, dated as of October 20, 2008, by and between the Company and Stuart Apfel, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 15, 2008 and filed with the SEC on October 21, 2008.

 

20
 

  

10.30   Consulting Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2008, by and between the Company and Parallex Clinical Research, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 15, 2008 and filed with the SEC on October 21, 2008.
     
10.31   Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims, dated as of November 3, 2008, by and between the Company and Charan Behl, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 28, 2008 and filed with the SEC on November 3, 2008.
     
10.32   Consulting Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2008, by and between the Company and Charan Behl, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 28, 2008 and filed with the SEC on November 3, 2008.
     
10.33   Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims, dated as of November 5, 2008, by and between the Company and Bernard J. Berk, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 6, 2008 and filed with the SEC on November 6, 2008.
     
10.34   Compensation Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2008, by and between the Company and Jerry I. Treppel, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 1, 2008 and filed with the SEC on December 4, 2008.
     
10.35   Strategic Alliance Agreement, dated as of March 18, 2009, by and among the Company, Epic Pharma, LLC and Epic Investments, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 18, 2009 and filed with the SEC on March 23, 2009.
     
10.36   Amendment to Strategic Alliance Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2009, by and among the Company, Epic Pharma, LLC and Epic Investments, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 30, 2009 and filed with the SEC on May 6, 2009.
     
10.37   Second Amendment to Strategic Alliance Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2009, by and among the Company, Epic Pharma, LLC and Epic Investments, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 1, 2009, and filed with the SEC on June 5, 2009.
     
10.38   Third Amendment to Strategic Alliance Agreement, dated as of Aug 18, 2009, by and among the Company, Epic Pharma LLC and Epic Investments, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ending June 30, 2009 and filed with the SEC on August 19, 2009.
     
 10.39   Employment Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2009, by and between the Company and Chris Dick, , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ending September 30, 2009 and filed with the SEC on November 16, 2009.
     
10.40   Employment Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2009, by and between the Company and Carter J. Ward, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ending September 30, 2009 and filed with the SEC on November 16, 2009.
     
10.41   Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, as adopted November 24, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement Under the Securities Act of 1933 on Form S-8, dated December 18, 2009 and filed with the SEC on December 22, 2009.

 

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10.42   Stipulation of Settlement and Release, dated as of June 25, 2010, by and among the Company, Midsummer Investment, Ltd., Bushido Capital Master Fund, LP, BCMF Trustees, LLC, Epic Pharma, LLC and Epic Investments, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 25, 2010 and filed with the SEC on July 1, 2010
     
10.43   Amendment Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2010, by and among the Company, and the investors signatory thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 25, 2010 and filed with the SEC on July 1, 2010
     
10.44   Amendment Agreement, dated as of June 2010, by and among the Company, Epic Pharma, LLC and Epic Investments, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 25, 2010 and filed with the SEC on July 1, 2010
     
10.45   Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of May 18, 2010, by and among Mikah Pharma LLC and the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ended September 30, 2010 and filed with the SEC on November 15, 2010.
     
10.46   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2010, by and among Mikah Pharma LLC and the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ended September 30, 2010 and filed with the SEC on November 15, 2010 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).
     
10.47   Master Development and License Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2010, by and among Mikah Pharma LLC and the Company incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ended September 30, 2010 and filed with the SEC on November 15, 2010 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).
     
 10.48   Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 10, 2010, by and among Epic Pharma LLC and the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ended September 30, 2010 and filed with the SEC on November 15, 2010 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).
     
10.49   License Agreement, dated as of September 10, 2010, by and among Precision Dose Inc. and the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ended September 30, 2010 and filed with the SEC on November 15, 2010 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).
     
10.50   Manufacturing and Supply Agreement, dated as of September 10, 2010, by and among Precision Dose Inc. and the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ended September 30, 2010 and filed with the SEC on November 15, 2010 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).
     
10.51   Product Development Agreement between the Company and Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co., Inc. dated as of January 4, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 4, 2011 and filed with the SEC on January 10, 2011 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement). 
     
10.52   Settlement Agreement between the Company and ThePharmaNetwork, LLC, dated as of March 11, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 11, 2011 and filed with the SEC on March 17, 2011.
     
10.53   Manufacturing & Supply Agreement between the Company and Mikah Pharma LLC, dated as of June 1, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.70 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the period ended March, 31, 2011 and filed with the SEC on June 29, 2011 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).

 

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10.54   Manufacturing & Supply Agreement between the Company and ThePharmaNetwork, LLC, dated as of June 23, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.71 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the period ended March, 31, 2011 and filed with the SEC on June 29, 2011 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).
     
10.55   Amendment, dated as of November 1, 2011, to the Master Development and License Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2010, by and amount Mikah Pharma LLC and the Company (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for three and nine months ended December 31, 2011.
     
10.56   Settlement Agreement between the Company and ThePharmaNetwork, LLC, dated as of March 11, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 11, 2011 and filed with the SEC on March 17, 2011.
     
10.57   Securities Purchase Agreement with Socius dated December 30, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 5, 2012.
     
10.58   Amendment to Agreement with Socius dated February 28, 2012, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC February 29, 2012.
     
10.59   Manufacturing & Supply Agreement between the Company and Mikah Pharma LLC, dated as of June 1, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.70 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the period ended March, 31, 2011 and filed with the SEC on June 29, 2011 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).
     
10.60   Manufacturing & Supply Agreement between the Company and ThePharmaNetwork, LLC, dated as of June 23, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.71 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the period ended March, 31, 2011 and filed with the SEC on June 29, 2011 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).
     
10.61   Amendment, dated as of November 1, 2011, to the Master Development and License Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2010, by and amount Mikah Pharma LLC and the Company (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for three and nine months ended December 31, 2011.
     
10.62   Treppel $500,000 Bridge Loan Agreement dated June 12, 2012, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 13, 2012.
     
10.63   December 5, 2012 amendment to the Treppel Bridge Loan Agreement incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 10, 2012.
     
10.64   Development And License Agreement between the Company and a Hong Kong-based client dated March 16, 2012 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.77 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on June 29,2012 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).
     
10.65   Letter Agreement between the Company and ThePharmaNetwork LLC, dated September 21, 2012 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 14,2012 (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).

 

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10.66   Purchase Agreement between the Company and Lincoln Park Capital LLC dated April 19, 2013 , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 18, 2013 and filed with the SEC on April 22, 2013.
     
10.67   Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and Lincoln Park Capital LLC dated April 19, 2013 , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 18, 2013 and filed with the SEC on April 22, 2013.
     
10.68   August 1, 2013 Employment Agreement with Nasrat Hakim, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 1, 2013 and filed with the SEC on August 5, 2013.
     
10.69   August 1, 2013 Mikah LLC Asset Purchase Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 1, 2013 and filed with the SEC on August 5, 2013.  (Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement).
     
10.70   Revised Schedule 1 to the August 1, 2013 Mikah LLC Asset Purchase Agreement (revised to remove confidential treatment with regard to one item set forth thereon) incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending December 31, 2013, filed with the SEC on February 14, 2014.
     
10.71   August 1, 2013 Secured Convertible Note from the Company to Mikah Pharma LLC., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 1, 2013 and filed with the SEC on August 5, 2013.
     
10.72   August 1, 2013 Security Agreement from the Company to Mikah Pharma LLC., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 1, 2013 and filed with the SEC on August 5, 2013.
     
10.73   Termination of June 2011, Manufacturing and Supply Agreement between Mikah Pharma LLC and the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending December 31, 2014 and filed with the SEC on February 14, 2014.
     
10.74   October 15, 2013 Hakim Credit Line Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2013.
     
10.75   October 2, 2013 Manufacturing and Licensing Agreement with Epic Pharma LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Amended Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the period ended September 30, 2013 and filed with the SEC on April 25, 2014.  Confidential Treatment granted with respect to portions of the Agreement.
     
10.76   August 19, 2013, Master Services Agreement with Camargo Pharmaceutical Services, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2013 and filed with the SEC on November 14, 2013
     
10.77   November 21, 2013 Unsecured Convertible Note from the Company to Jerry Treppel, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 26, 2013 and filed with the SEC on November 26, 2013.
     
10.78   February 7,2014 Amendment to Secured Convertible Note from the Company to Mikah, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 7, 2014 and filed with the SEC on February 7, 2014.

 

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10.79   February 7, 2014 Amendment to Secured Convertible Note from the Company to Jerry Treppel, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 7, 2014 and filed with the SEC on February 7, 2014.
     
10.80   Purchase Agreement between the Company and Lincoln Park Capital LLC dated April 10, 2014 , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 10, 2014 and filed with the SEC on April 14, 2014.
     
10.81   Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and Lincoln Park Capital LLC dated April 10, 2014 , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 10, 2014 and filed with the SEC on April 14, 2014.
     

10.82**

 

October 20, 2014 Employment Agreement with Dr. G. Kenneth Smith.

     
31.1**   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
31.2**   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.1**   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.2**   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
101   The following materials from Elite Pharmaceuticals’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, related to the audited financial statements as and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income; (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

* On January 5, 2011, the Company changed its domicile from Delaware to Nevada. All corporate documents from Delaware have been superseded by Nevada corporate documents filed or incorporated by reference herein. All outstanding Delaware securities certificates are now outstanding Nevada securities certificates.

 

** Filed herewith.

  

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

    ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
     
Date:  November 14, 2014   /s/ Nasrat Hakim
    Nasrat Hakim
    Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)
     
Date:  November 14, 2014   /s/ Carter J. Ward
    Carter J. Ward
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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Exhibit 10.82

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This agreement (“ Agreement ”) is made on October 20, 2014, by and between Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“ Company ”), and George Kenneth Smith (“Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, Company desires Executive to be General Counsel (“General Counsel”) and Executive desires to provide employment services to Company in such a capacity and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

In consideration of the mutual promises and considerations herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

AGREEMENT:

1.           Employment .

 

1.1           Company hereby employs Executive in the capacity of General Counsel reporting to the CEO (the “CEO”) effective October 20, 2014. Executive hereby accepts such employment, subject to the terms herein contained. In such capacity Executive’s duties shall include leading strategic and tactical legal initiatives, providing senior management with effective advice on legal strategies and their implementation; managing the legal function; and obtaining and overseeing the work of outside counsel; and negotiating critical business contracts. The General Counsel shall report to and receive direction from the CEO and shall perform such functions and duties as are required by the Company’s CEO (collectively the “Duties”). Executive shall devote such time and effort to his Duties as are reasonably necessary for him to perform such Duties in a competent and professional manner.

 

2.           Compensation and Benefits .

 

2.1.           Salary . During the Term (as defined below), Company shall pay to Executive a base salary at the annual rate of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000) (the “ Salary ”) which shall be payable in Cash (the “ Cash ”) and Stocks Compensation portion (the “Stock Compensation”). The Cash portion of the Salary shall be one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) and shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices. The Stock Compensation portion of the Salary shall be two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) and shall be earned in equal increments, on an annual basis, with amounts accruing only while Executive is employed by the Company. The Stock Compensation shall be paid annually on or before March 31 st via the issuance of shares of $0.001 par value common stock (the “ELTP Shares”) of Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Elite”). The number of ELTP Shares to be issued in payment of the Stock Compensation is calculated as the quotient of the annual amount of Stock Compensation accrued as of the December 31 st immediately preceding such issuance of ELTP Shares divided by the simple average of the daily closing price (as posted on Google, Yahoo, Wall Street Journal or any similar data source) of each trading day during which Executive was employed by the Company during the prior year. The ELTP Shares will be registered on Form S-8, if deemed appropriate by Elite’s Board of Directors.

 

 
 

 

2.2            Discretionary Bonuses . In addition to the Annual Bonus, the CEO may award discretionary bonuses from time to time.

 

2.3            Stock Options . Upon the approval by the Board of Directors of Elite, you will be granted stock options to purchase one million five hundred thousand (1,500,000) ELTP Shares. The options will vested over a three year period, commencing one year from the date of issuance. The stock purchase price will be equal to the closing stock price on your first day of employment (October 20, 2014).

 

2.4.           Executive Benefits .

 

2.4.1. Expenses . The Company shall promptly reimburse Executive for all reasonable and documented travel, entertainment and other business expenses actually and properly incurred by him in relation to Company’s business. No such expense reimbursement shall be allowed with regard to such expenses that exceed $5,000 unless such expenses have been pre-approved by Company in writing. Such expense reimbursement shall include reasonable hotel accommodations and/or housing incurred by Executive specifically related to his duties under this Agreement against receipts or other appropriate written evidence of such expenditures as required by the appropriate Internal Revenue Service regulations or by Company.

 

2.4.2. Company Plans . Executive shall be entitled to participate in such employee benefit plans and programs as Company may from time to time generally offer or provide to senior executive officers of Company, including medical and retirement plans. Nothing in the foregoing shall limit or restrict Company’s discretion to amend, revise or terminate any benefit or plan without notice to or consent of Executive.

 

2.4.3. Vacation . Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation per Fiscal Year, pro-rated for periods of less than a full Fiscal Year.

 

3.         Employment Term; Termination .

 

3.1.           Employment Term . Executive’s employment hereunder shall commence on October 20, 2014 (the “ Commencement Date ”).

 

3.2.          Events of Termination . Executive’s employment may be terminated as follows:

 

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3.2.1         Termination for Cause . This Agreement may be terminated by Company for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” justifying the termination of this Agreement by Company is defined as: (1) failure or refusal to perform the services required hereunder; (2) a material breach by Executive of any of the terms of this Agreement; or (3) Executive’s conviction of a crime that either results in imprisonment or involves embezzlement, dishonesty, or activities injurious to Company or its reputation. Following termination pursuant to this subsection, Company’s only obligation to Executive shall be to pay to Executive all accrued Annual Salary and all accrued vacation time (both payable in Stock computed in the same manner as set forth in Section 2.1) and any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive in connection with his duties, all to the Date of Termination and payable in a lump sum, less applicable deductions and withholdings, as soon as administratively practicable following Executive’s termination, but in no event later than March 15 th following the end of the calendar year in which such termination occurs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any expense reimbursement will take place no later than the time required under Section 409A.

 

3.2.2         Disability . This Agreement may be terminated by Company upon at least thirty (30) days’ written notice if Executive is prevented by illness, accident or other disability (mental or physical) from performing the essential functions of the position for one or more periods cumulatively totaling three (3) months during any consecutive twelve (12) month period. In the event this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this subsection, Company shall pay to Executive all accrued Salary, pro rata Annual Bonus, and all accrued vacation time (all payable in Stock computed in the same manner as set forth in Section 2.1) and any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive in connection with his duties, all to the Date of Termination and payable in a lump sum, less applicable deductions and withholdings. In addition, Company shall pay to Executive severance payments in an amount equal to one (1) year of Executive’s Salary, payable in Stock computed in the same manner as set forth in Section 2.1 and payable in a lump sum, less applicable deductions and withholdings, as soon as administratively practicable (but in no event later than 60 days) following Executive’s termination, but in no event later than March 15 th following the end of the calendar year in which such termination occurs (“ Disability Severance Payments ”). Disability Severance Payments made by Company to Executive pursuant to this Section 3.2.2 are conditioned on the Executive signing a Confidential Severance Agreement and Release. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any expense reimbursement will take place no later than the time required under Section 409A

 

3.2.4         Death . This Agreement shall be automatically terminated in the event of Executive’s death during the Term of employment. In the event this Agreement terminates upon Executive’s death, Company shall pay Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, all accrued Salary, pro-rated Annual Bonus and all accrued vacation time (both payable in Stock computed in the same manner as set forth in Section 2.1) and any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive in connection with his duties, all to the Date of Termination and all payable in a lump sum, less applicable deductions and withholdings, as soon as administratively practicable (but in no event later than 60 days) following Executive’s termination, but in no event later than March 15 th following the end of the calendar year in which such termination occurs.

 

3.2.5         Without Cause . This Agreement may be terminated by Company without Cause provided that Company pays Executive the following:

 

(i)          Company shall pay Executive severance payments, payable in cash and Stock computed in the same manner as set forth in Section 2.1 (the “ Severance Payments ”) in an amount equal to one years’ Salary at the rate in effect upon the Date of Termination, less applicable deductions and withholdings, as soon as administratively practicable following Executive’s termination. In addition, Company shall pay to Executive all accrued vacation time and any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive in connection with his duties, all to the Date of Termination and payable in a lump sum, less applicable deductions and withholdings, as soon as administratively practicable (but in no event later than 60 days) following Executive’s termination.

 

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3.2.6         Resignation . This Agreement may be terminated by Executive for any reason or no reason at all by giving notice to Company of Executive’s resignation at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective resignation date. Following termination pursuant to this subsection 3.2.6, Company’s only obligation to Executive shall be to pay to Executive all accrued Salary and all accrued vacation time (both payable in Stock computed in the same manner as set forth in Section 2.1) and any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive in connection with his duties, all to the Date of Termination and payable in a lump sum, less applicable deductions and withholdings no later than March 15 th following the end of the calendar year in which such termination occurs.

 

3.2.7.      Termination Upon Change of Control . Upon “Change of Control” as defined in section 3.3.1, Executive is entitled to a payment in an amount equal to one (1) year Annual Salary in effect upon the Date of Termination, less applicable deductions and withholdings, payable in Stock computed in the same manner as set forth in Section 2.1 as soon as administratively practicable (but in no event later than 60 days) following Executive’s termination, but in no event later than March 15 th following the end of the calendar year in which such termination occurs. Executive also shall be entitled to a continuation of his Executive benefits for a period of (1) year from the Date of Termination. In addition, Company shall pay to Executive all accrued Annual Salary, pro-rated Annual Bonus and all accrued vacation time (both payable in Stock computed in the same manner as set forth in Section 2.1) and any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive in connection with his duties, all to the Date of Termination and payable in a lump sum, less applicable deductions and withholdings, as soon as administratively practicable (but in no event later than 60 days) following Executive’s termination, but in no event later than March 15 th following the end of the calendar year in which such termination occurs. In addition any securities of the Company owned by Executive and subject to vesting schedules shall immediately vest.

 

3.2.8         Section 409A Compliance .

 

(i)          All in-kind benefits provided and expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Agreement shall be provided by the Company or incurred by the Executive during the time periods set forth in this Agreement. All reimbursements shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event shall any reimbursement be paid after the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of in-kind benefits provided or reimbursable expenses incurred in one taxable year shall not affect the in-kind benefits to be provided or the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year. Such right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

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(ii)         To the extent that any of the payments or benefits provided for in Section 3 are deemed to constitute non-qualified deferred compensation benefits subject to Section 409A of Code, the following interpretations apply: (A) Any termination of the Executive’s employment triggering payment of benefits under Section 3 must constitute a “separation from service” under Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code and Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(h) before distribution of such benefits can commence. To the extent that the termination of the Executive’s employment does not constitute a separation of service under Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code and Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(h) (as the result of further services that are reasonably anticipated to be provided by the Executive to the Company or any of its affiliates, at the time the Executive’s employment terminates), any benefits payable under Section 3 that constitute deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code shall be delayed until after the date of a subsequent event constituting a separation of service under Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code and Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(h). For purposes of clarification, this Section 3.2.8(ii) shall not cause any forfeiture of benefits on the Executive’s part, but shall only act as a delay until such time as a “separation from service” occurs. (B) If the Executive is a “specified employee” (as that term is used in Section 409A of the Code and regulations and other guidance issued thereunder) on the date his separation from service becomes effective, any benefits payable under Section 3 that constitute non-qualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code shall be delayed until the earlier of (1) the business day following the six-month anniversary of the date his separation from service becomes effective, and (2) the date of the Executive’s death, but only to the extent necessary to avoid such penalties under Section 409A of the Code. On the earlier of (3) the business day following the six-month anniversary of the date his separation from service becomes effective, and (4) the Executive’s death, the Company shall pay the Executive in a lump sum the aggregate value of the non-qualified deferred compensation that the Company otherwise would have paid the Executive prior to that date under Section 5(b) of this Agreement. (C) It is intended that each installment of the payments and benefits provided under Section 3 shall be treated as a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code; and neither the Company nor the Executive shall have the right to accelerate or defer the delivery of any such payments or benefits except to the extent specifically permitted or required by Section 409A of the Code.

 

(iii)        It is the intention of the parties that payments or benefits payable under this Agreement not be subject to the additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. To the extent such potential payments or benefits could become subject to such Section, the parties shall cooperate to amend this Agreement with the goal of giving Executive the economic benefits described herein in a manner that does not result in such tax being imposed.

 

3.2.9.       Termination of Employment . This Agreement shall terminate simultaneously with the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason; provided , that the covenants set forth in Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement to the extent provided in such Sections.

 

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3.3.           Definitions .

 

3.3.1.          “Change of Control” Defined . The term “ Change of Control ” shall mean (a) the acquisition of Company pursuant to a consolidation of Company with, or merger of Company with or into, any other Person with the result of which the holders of Company’s voting stock immediately prior to such transaction hold less than fifty (50%) percent of the combined voting power after giving effect to such transaction; (b) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of Company to any other Person; or (c) securities of Company representing greater than fifty (50%) percent of the combined voting power of Company’s then outstanding voting securities are acquired by a Person, or group of related Persons, in a single transaction or series of related transactions.

 

3.3.2.          “Notice of Termination” Defined . “ Notice of Termination ” means a written notice that indicates the specific termination provision relied upon by Company or Executive.

 

3.3.3.          “Date of Termination” Defined . “ Date of Termination ” means such date as Executive’s employment expires as written in the Notice of Termination.

 

5.           Proprietary Information .

 

5.1           Executive represents and warrants to Company that (i) Executive is not subject to any limitation or agreement restricting employment by Company or performance of Executive’s Duties hereunder, and (ii) neither Executive nor any third party has any right or claim to Executive’s work produced on behalf of Company or using the property, personnel, or facilities of Company. Executive shall not misappropriate proprietary rights of Company or any third party.

 

5.2           Executive further agrees not to make, use, disclose to any third party, or permit to be made, used, or disclosed, any records, plans, papers, articles, notes, memoranda, reports, lists, records, drawings, sketches, specifications, software programs, data, or other materials of any nature relating to any matter within the scope of the business of Company or concerning any of its dealings or affairs (“ Materials ”), whether or not developed, in whole or in part, by Executive and whether or not embodying Confidential Information (defined below), otherwise than for the benefit of Company. Executive shall not, on and after the Date of Termination, use, disclose, or permit to be used or disclosed, any such Materials, it being agreed that all such Materials shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of Company. Immediately upon the Date of Termination, Executive shall deliver all such Materials, and all copies thereof, to Company, at its designated office.

 

6.           Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation; Anti-Raiding; Non-Disparagement . Without the prior written approval of the CEO, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, during his employment and until the end of one (1) year after the Date of Termination (however such termination occurs, including, without limitation, termination pursuant to Section 3.2):

 

6.1           Solicit, offer employment to, otherwise attempt to hire, or assist in the hiring of any employee or officer of Company or any of its Affiliates; (ii) encourage, induce, assist or assist others in inducing any such person to terminate his or her employment with Company or any of its Affiliates; or (iii) in any way interfere with the relationship between Company or any of its Affiliates and their employees; or

 

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6.2           Make any public statement or perform or do any other act prejudicial or injurious to the reputation or goodwill of Company or any of its Affiliates or otherwise interfere with the business of Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

7.           Confidentiality .

 

7.1           The term “Confidential Information” shall include, but not be limited to confidential information and the workpapers, concepts, formulas, techniques, strategies, components, programs, reports, studies, memoranda, correspondence, materials, manuals, records, data, technology, financial information, products, plans, research, service, design information, procedures, methods, documentation, policies, pricing, billing, customer lists and leads, and any other technical data, information and know-how which relates to products or customers or potential customers or suppliers or potential suppliers or are otherwise useful in the parties' businesses, and which one of the parties considers proprietary and desires to maintain confidential. Confidential Information is entitled to protection hereunder whether or not such information is oral or written, whether or not such information is identified as such by an appropriate stamp or marking on each document provided or, if orally first provided, identified at that time as proprietary or confidential. In addition, Confidential Information shall include information developed by the Executive in the performance of his Duties under this Agreement. All such Confidential Information is extremely valuable and is intended to be kept secret to Company; is the sole and exclusive property of Company or its Affiliates; and, is subject to the restrictive covenants set forth herein. The term Confidential Information shall not include any information generally available to the public or publicly disclosed by Company (other than by the act or omission of Executive), information disclosed to Executive by a third party under no duty of confidentiality to Company or its Affiliates, information that Executive can demonstrate was in his possession prior to the date of this Agreement or Executive can demonstrate was independently developed by him without the use or assistance of Confidential Information, or information required by law or court order to be disclosed by Executive.

 

7.2           Executive shall not, without Company’s prior written approval, use, disclose, or reveal to any person or entity any of Company’s Confidential Information, except as required in the ordinary course of performing duties hereunder. Executive shall not use or attempt to use any Confidential Information in any manner which has the possibility of injuring or causing loss, whether directly or indirectly, to Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

7.3           In the event that Executive’s employment with Company is terminated for any reason whatsoever, he shall return to Company, promptly upon Company’s written request therefore, any documents, photographs, tapes, discs, memory devices, and other property containing Confidential Information which were received by him during his employment, without retaining copies thereof.

 

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8          Assignment of Intellectual Property .

 

8.1.          Executive shall promptly disclose to Company any and all Inventions (as defined below). Executive shall promptly communicate to Company all information, details and data pertaining to any Inventions in such form as Company requests. Executive agrees that Inventions, patents and patent applications are the property of Company, and any and all rights, titles or interests in and to Inventions, patents or patent applications which Executive may have in any and every jurisdiction are hereby assigned in full. Whenever Executive is requested to do so by Company, during or after the Term, Executive shall, at the Company’s sole cost and expense, promptly execute and deliver any and all applications, assignments or other documents or instruments reasonably deemed necessary or advisable by Company to apply for and obtain Letters Patent of the United States or any foreign country or to otherwise protect, confirm or establish Company’s full and exclusive interests in any Inventions. The obligations set forth in this Section 8.1 shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, executors, administrators and other legal representatives of Executive.

 

8.2           Any and all Works for Hire (as defined below) shall be considered “works made for hire” under the copyright laws of the United States or property of Company under applicable federal, state, local and foreign trademark laws (as appropriate). Executive shall promptly communicate to Company any and all Works for Hire, and any and all information, details and data pertaining to any Works for Hire, in such form as Company requests. To the extent that Works for Hire fail to qualify as (A) “works made for hire” under the copyright laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction or (B) property of Company under applicable federal, state, local or foreign trademark laws, Executive hereby assigns each Work for Hire and all right, title and interest therein in any and every jurisdiction to Company. Whenever Executive is requested to do so by Company, during or after the Term, Executive shall, at the Company’s sole cost and expense, promptly execute and deliver any and all applications, assignments or other documents or instruments reasonably deemed necessary or advisable by Company to apply for and confirm and effectuate full and exclusive ownership of Works for Hire in Company, including, but not limited to, ownership of any moral rights under the copyright law of any nation, or any other rights under the intellectual property laws of any nation. The obligations set forth in this Section 8.2 shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, executors, administrators and other legal representatives of Executive.

 

8.3           If a court declares that any term or provision of this Section 8 is invalid or unenforceable, the parties to this Agreement agree that the court making the determination of invalidity or unenforceability shall have the power to reduce the scope, duration or area of the term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified.

 

8.4            Definitions .

 

8.4.1            “Inventions” Defined . “ Inventions ” means any and all inventions, discoveries, improvements, patent, copyrights and/or other property rights, whether or not patented or patentable made, conceived, created, developed or contributed to by Executive during the Term which are (i) directly or indirectly related to the business, operations or activities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, (ii) directly or indirectly related to Executive’s employment by, or performance of other services (including as a director, manager, officer, advisor, agent, representative, consultant or other independent contractor) for, the Company or any of its Affiliates, or (iii) based upon Confidential Information.

 

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8.4.2            “Work for Hire” Defined . “ Work for Hir e” means any and all sales approaches, sales material, training material, computer software, documentation, other copyrightable works or any other intellectual property (including, but not limited to, materials or services subject to trademark or service mark registration, but excluding Inventions) made, conceived, created, developed or contributed to by Executive during the Term and which are (i) directly or indirectly related to the business, operations or activities of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) directly or indirectly related to Executive’s employment by, or performance of other services (including as a director, manager, officer, advisor, agent, representative, consultant or other independent contractor) for, the Company or any of its Affiliates, or (iii) based upon Confidential Information.

 

9.           Acknowledgments; Equitable Remedies . Executive acknowledges that the covenants contained in Sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, including those related to duration, geographic scope, and the scope of prohibited conduct, are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of Company. He further acknowledges that the covenants contained in Sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are designed, intended, and necessary to protect, and are reasonably related to the protection of, Company’s proprietary information, to which he will be exposed and with which he will be entrusted. Specifically, without limitation, Executive is entrusted with trade secrets regarding: Inventions, the strategic planning initiatives; business development plans; budgets; financial information; management training; future business plans; and operational strategies and procedures. Executive understands that any breach of Sections 5 or 7 will also constitute a misappropriation of Company’s proprietary rights, and may constitute a theft of Company’s trade secrets under applicable local, state, and federal statutes, and will result in a claim for injunctive relief, damages, and/or criminal sanctions and penalties against Executive by Company, and possibly others. Executive acknowledges that any breach of Sections 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 will cause Company immediate and irreparable injury and damage, for which monetary relief would be inadequate or difficult to quantify. Company will be entitled to, in addition to all other remedies available to it, injunctive relief and specific performance to prevent a breach and to secure the enforcement of Sections 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8. Executive further acknowledges that the covenants set forth in Sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive the Date of Termination in accordance with their terms

 

10.          Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

10.1          Severability . If, in any jurisdiction, any term or provision hereof is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, (a) the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall be unimpaired; (b) any such invalidity or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction; and (c) the invalid or unenforceable term or provision shall, for purposes of such jurisdiction, be deemed replaced by a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision.

 

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10.2          Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the two parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement (and all signatures need not appear on any one counterpart), and this Agreement shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto. This Agreement, once executed by a Party, may be delivered to the other Party hereto by facsimile or electronic transmission of a copy of this Agreement bearing the signature of the Party so delivering this Agreement. A faxed or electronically delivered signature shall have the same legally binding effect as an original signature.

 

10.3.           Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given upon receipt when delivered by hand, overnight delivery or facsimile (with confirmed delivery), or three (3) business days after posting, when delivered by registered or certified mail or private courier service, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, as follows:

 

If to Company, to:

 

Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

165 Ludlow Avenue

Northvale, New Jersey

Facsimile No.: (201) 391-7693

Attn: CEO

 

If to Executive, to:

 

George Kenneth Smith

 

or to such other address(es) as a party hereto shall have designated by like notice to the other parties hereto.

 

10.4.           Amendment . No provision of this Agreement may be modified, amended, waived or discharged in any manner except by a written instrument executed by both Company and Executive.

 

10.5.           Entire Agreement . Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties hereto, oral or written. Company and Executive shall execute and deliver all such further documents as may be necessary to carry out the intent of the preceding sentence.

 

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10.6.           Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey applicable to contracts made and to be wholly performed therein.

 

10.7.           Headings . The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.

 

10.8.           Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns . Executive may not delegate any of his duties or assign any of his rights hereunder. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal representatives and beneficiaries, successors and permitted assigns. Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of Company, by an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

10.9.           Waiver . The failure of either of the parties hereto to at any time enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any such provision , nor to in any way affect the validity of this Agreement or any provision hereof or the right of either of the parties hereto thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

 

10.10.          Capacity, etc. Each of Executive and Company hereby represents and warrants to the other that, as the case may be: (a) he or it has full power, authority and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform his or its obligations hereunder; (b) such execution, delivery and performance shall not (and with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would not) result in the breach of any agreements or other obligations to which he or it is a party or he or it is otherwise bound or violate any law; and (c) this Agreement is his or its valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

10.11.          Enforcement; Jurisdiction . If any party institutes legal action to enforce or interpret the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be awarded reasonable attorneys’ fees at all trial and appellate levels and the expenses and costs incurred by such prevailing party in connection therewith. Any legal action, suit or proceeding, in equity or at law, arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be instituted exclusively in the State or Federal courts located in the State of New Jersey and each party agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such action, suit or proceeding, any claim that such party is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of any such court, that the action, suit or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the action, suit or proceeding is improper or should be transferred, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by any such court. Each party further irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such action, suit or proceeding. Any and all service of process and any other notice in any such action, suit or proceeding shall be effective against any party if given personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested or by any other means of mail that requires a signed receipt, postage prepaid, mailed to such party as herein provided. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect or limit the right of any party to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law.

  

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10.12.          Advice of Counsel . Executive represents and warrants that he has had full opportunity to seek advice and representation by independent counsel of his own choosing in connection with the interpretation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and delivered by the parties hereto as of the date first above written.

 

  Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
     
  By: s/ Nasrat Hakim
   

Name: Nasrat Hakim

    Title: President and CEO
     
  By: s/ George Kenneth Smith
    Name: George Kenneth Smith

 

13

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Nasrat Hakim, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 of Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Registrant”);

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:    November 14, 2014   /s/ Nasrat Hakim  
    Nasrat Hakim  
    Chief Executive Officer  
    (Principal Executive Officer)  

  

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Carter J. Ward, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 of Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Registrant”);

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date:   November 14, 2014   /s/ Carter J. Ward  
    Carter J. Ward  
    Chief Financial Officer  
    (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Registrant”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Nasrat Hakim, Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S. C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) Information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

Date: November 14, 2014   /s/ Nasrat Hakim  
    Nasrat Hakim  
    Chief Executive Officer  
    of Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  
    (Principal Executive Officer)  

 

This certification has been furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and will be retained by Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Registrant”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Carter J Ward, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S. C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) Information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

Date: November 14, 2014   /s/ Carter J. Ward  
    Carter J. Ward  
    Chief Financial Officer of  
    Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  
    (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer  

 

This certification has been furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and will be retained by Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.