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Delaware
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33-0505269
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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Title of each class
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
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The NASDAQ Global Select Market
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Large accelerated filer
ý
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Accelerated filer
o
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Non-accelerated filer
o
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Smaller reporting company
o
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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ITEM 1.
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BUSINESS
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•
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Product Readiness
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Market and Brand Readiness
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•
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Organizational Readiness
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Established a robust supply chain process and quality management system.
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•
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Implemented our third party logistics (3PL) distribution network.
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Trade and sample stock manufactured and on-track for launch this quarter.
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Launching TRULANCE 3 mg in an innovative 30-count blister pack.
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We are very encouraged by the feedback we have received from our market research, advisory boards and field-based customer meetings.
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◦
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Completed extensive market research with more than 2,700 healthcare providers and over 5,300 patients.
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◦
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Conducted multiple advisory boards with national and regional GI key opinion leaders, other healthcare providers and payers.
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◦
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Since January 2016, our market access team has been meeting with key payer customers that represent over 230 million covered lives in the U.S.
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Initiated pre-launch multimedia and digital campaigns to drive company awareness and disease education, focusing on current unmet needs of patients with CIC.
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Finalized TRULANCE core marketing strategies and launch tactics, including a compliant, value-optimizing, cost effective promotional mix to reach the broadest universe of prescribers.
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Co-pay card programs and other patient assistance programs in place which will help us achieve access in 2017.
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Finalized pricing strategy for TRULANCE and will launch with a wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of $353.48.
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Utilizing a hybrid sales model to reach key prescribers and influencers at launch.
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◦
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Less than 20% of prescribers in the U.S. currently account for over 70% of the branded constipation prescription market. These prescribers, which include gastroenterologists and primary care physicians, will be the focus of our field force at launch.
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Hired Synergy Regional Business Directors averaging 11 years of management experience and over 10 years in relevant GI fields.
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Hired Synergy Regional GI Account Specialists averaging 13 years of pharmaceutical experience and 8.5 years of GI experience.
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Partnered with Publicis Touchpoint Solutions, Inc. who have hired highly experienced sales representatives that will be fully dedicated to TRULANCE at launch.
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◦
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Our Publicis Touchpoint sales representatives have an average of 11.5 years of pharmaceutical experience, and nearly 6 years of GI experience, with over 90% coming from other peer GI and PCP companies.
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Medical education efforts have been ongoing since March 2016.
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preclinical laboratory tests and animal tests conducted in compliance with FDA’s good laboratory practice requirements;
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development, manufacture and testing of active pharmaceutical product and dosage forms suitable for human use in compliance with current good manufacturing practices, or GMP;
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•
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the submission to the FDA of an investigational new drug application, or IND, for human clinical testing, which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin;
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•
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adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the product for its specific intended use(s);
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•
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the submission to the FDA of a New Drug Application, or NDA; and
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FDA review and approval of the NDA.
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evaluate preliminarily the efficacy of the drug for specific, targeted conditions;
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determine dosage tolerance and appropriate dosage as well as other important information about how to design larger Phase 3 trials; and
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identify possible adverse effects and safety risks.
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ITEM 1A.
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RISK FACTORS
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•
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the effectiveness of TRULANCE as a treatment for adult patients with CIC;
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the size of the treatable patient population;
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•
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the effectiveness of the sales, managed markets and marketing efforts by us;
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•
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the adoption of TRULANCE by physicians, which depends on whether physicians view it as a safe and effective treatment for adult patients with CIC;
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•
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our success in educating and activating adult CIC patients to enable them to more effectively communicate their symptoms and treatment history to their physicians;
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•
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our ability to both secure and maintain adequate reimbursement for, and optimize patient access to, TRULANCE by providing third party payers with a strong value proposition based on the existing burden of illness associated with CIC and the benefits of TRULANCE;
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•
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the effectiveness of our partners' distribution networks;
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•
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the occurrence of any side effects, adverse reactions or misuse, or any unfavorable publicity in these areas, associated with TRULANCE; and
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•
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the development or commercialization of competing products or therapies for the treatment of CIC, or their associated symptoms.
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•
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sales of TRULANCE may be impaired;
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•
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regulatory approvals for TRULANCE may be denied, restricted or withdrawn;
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•
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we may decide to, or be required to, send product warning letters or field alerts to physicians, pharmacists and hospitals;
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•
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reformulation of the product, additional nonclinical or clinical studies, changes in labeling or changes to or reapprovals of manufacturing facilities may be required;
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•
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we may be precluded from pursuing additional development opportunities to enhance the clinical profile of TRULANCE within its indicated populations, as well as be precluded from studying TRULANCE in additional indications, populations and formulations;
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•
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our reputation in the marketplace may suffer; and
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•
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government investigations or lawsuits, including class action suits, may be brought against us.
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•
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the level of underlying demand for TRULANCE by prescribers and patients in the U.S.;
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•
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the costs associated with commercializing TRULANCE in the U.S.;
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•
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the costs of maintaining and expanding sales, marketing and distribution capabilities for TRULANCE;
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•
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the rate of progress, the cost of our clinical trials and the other costs associated with our product development programs;
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•
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the costs and timing of in-licensing additional products or product candidates or acquiring other complementary companies;
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the status, terms and timing of any collaboration, licensing, co-commercialization or other arrangements;
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the timing of any regulatory approvals of our product candidates;
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•
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whether the holders of our outstanding Notes hold the notes to maturity without conversion into our common stock and whether we are required to repurchase our Notes prior to maturity upon a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture governing the Notes; and
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•
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whether we seek to redeem or repurchase all or part of our outstanding Notes through cash purchases and/or exchanges, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, by tender offer or otherwise.
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•
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seek collaborators for our product candidates at an earlier stage than otherwise would be desirable and on terms that are less favorable than might otherwise be available; and/or
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•
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relinquish license or otherwise dispose of rights to technologies, product candidates or products that we would otherwise seek to develop or commercialize ourselves on unfavorable terms.
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the federal healthcare program anti-kickback law, which prohibits, among other things, persons from soliciting, receiving or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, to induce either the referral of an individual, for an item or service or the purchasing or ordering of a good or service, for which payment may be made under federal healthcare programs such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs;
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•
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federal false claims laws which prohibit, among other things, individuals or entities from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, claims for payment from Medicare, Medicaid, or other third-party payors that are false or fraudulent, and which may apply to entities like us which provide coding and billing information to customers;
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•
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the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which prohibits executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program or making false statements relating to healthcare matters and which also imposes certain requirements relating to the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information;
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the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which among other things, strictly regulates drug manufacturing and product marketing, prohibits manufacturers from marketing drug products for off-label use and regulates the distribution of drug samples; and
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state law equivalents of each of the above federal laws, such as anti-kickback and false claims laws which may apply to items or services reimbursed by any third-party payor, including commercial insurers, and state laws governing the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are not preempted by federal laws, thus complicating compliance efforts.
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•
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maintain a proprietary position for our products and manufacturing processes and other related product technology;
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attract and retain key personnel;
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ensure competitive patient access to our products in the U.S. based on any required discounts and rebates to payors;
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•
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develop relationships with physicians prescribing these products; and
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build an adequate sales and marketing infrastructure for TRULANCE.
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•
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manage development efforts effectively;
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•
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manage our commercialization activities effectively;
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•
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integrate additional management, administrative, manufacturing and sales and marketing personnel;
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•
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maintain sufficient administrative, accounting and management information systems and controls; and
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hire and train additional qualified personnel.
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demonstration of safety and efficacy;
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•
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changes in the practice guidelines and the standard of care for the targeted indication;
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•
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relative convenience and ease of administration;
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•
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the prevalence and severity of any adverse side effects;
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•
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budget impact of adoption of our product on relevant drug formularies
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•
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the availability, cost and potential advantages of alternative treatments, including less expensive generic drugs;
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pricing, reimbursement and cost effectiveness, which may be subject to regulatory control;
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•
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effectiveness of our or any of our partners' sales and marketing strategies;
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•
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the product labeling or product insert required by the FDA or regulatory authority in other countries; and
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the availability of adequate third-party insurance coverage or reimbursement.
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decreased demand for our approved products;
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impairment of our business reputation;
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withdrawal of clinical trial participants;
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costs of related litigation;
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initiation of investigations by regulators;
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substantial monetary awards to patients or other claimants;
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•
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distraction of management's attention from our primary business;
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•
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product recalls;
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loss of revenue; and
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•
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the inability to commercialize our product candidates.
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disruption of our business and diversion of our management's time and attention to develop acquired products or technologies;
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incurrence of substantial debt, dilutive issuances of securities or depletion of cash to pay for acquisitions;
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higher than expected acquisition and integration costs;
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•
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difficulty in combining the operations and personnel of any acquired businesses with our operations and personnel;
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•
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increased amortization expenses;
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•
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assumption of known and unknown liabilities;
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•
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impairment of relationships with key suppliers or customers of any acquired businesses due to changes in management and ownership; and
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inability to motivate key employees of any acquired businesses.
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issue warning letters or untitled letters;
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•
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impose civil or criminal penalties;
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suspend or withdraw regulatory approval;
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suspend any ongoing clinical trials;
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refuse to approve pending applications or supplements to applications submitted by us;
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impose restrictions on operations, including costly new manufacturing requirements; or
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•
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seize or detain products or require us to initiate a product recall.
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federal healthcare program anti-kickback laws, which prohibit, among other things, persons from soliciting, receiving or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, to induce either the referral of an individual, for an item or service or the purchasing or ordering of a good or service, for which payment may be made under federal healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid;
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•
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federal false claims laws which prohibit, among other things, individuals or entities from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, information or claims for payment from Medicare, Medicaid, or other third-party payers that are false or fraudulent, and which may apply to us for reasons including providing coding and billing advice to customers;
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•
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the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which prohibits executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program or making false statements relating to healthcare matters and which also imposes certain requirements relating to the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information;
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•
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the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which among other things, strictly regulates drug product and medical device marketing, prohibits manufacturers from marketing such products for off-label use and regulates the distribution of samples;
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•
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federal laws that require pharmaceutical manufacturers to report certain calculated product prices to the government or provide certain discounts or rebates to government authorities or private entities, often as a condition of reimbursement under government healthcare programs;
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•
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the so-called "federal sunshine" law, which requires pharmaceutical and medical device companies to monitor and report certain financial interactions with physicians and other healthcare professionals and healthcare organizations to the federal government for re-disclosure to the public; and
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•
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state law equivalents of the above federal laws, such as anti-kickback and false claims laws which may apply to items or services reimbursed by any third-party payer, including commercial insurers, state transparency laws and state laws governing the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are not preempted by federal laws, thus complicating compliance efforts.
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•
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others may be able to make compounds that are competitive with our products but that are not covered by the claims of our patents;
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•
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we may not have been the first to make the inventions covered by our pending patent applications;
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•
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we may not have been the first to file patent applications for these inventions;
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•
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others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies;
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•
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it is possible that our pending patent applications will not result in issued patents
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•
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it is possible that our issued patents could be narrowed in scope, invalidated, held to be unenforceable, or circumvented;
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•
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we may not develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable; or
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•
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the patents of others may have an adverse effect on our business.
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•
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declare or pay any dividends on our or our subsidiaries' capital stock;
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•
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redeem or repurchase capital stock, or prepay or repurchase subordinated debt.
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•
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the commercial performance of TRULANCE in the U.S.;
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•
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any third-party coverage and reimbursement policies for TRULANCE;
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•
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market conditions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors;
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•
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our ability to execute our business plan;
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•
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announcements regarding regulatory developments with respect to our product candidates;
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•
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announcements concerning product development results, including clinical trial results, or intellectual property rights of others;
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•
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developments, litigation or public concern about the safety of TRULANCE or our potential products;
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•
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our issuance of additional securities, including debt or equity or a combination thereof, necessary to fund our operating expenses;
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•
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announcements of technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors;
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•
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loss of any strategic relationship;
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•
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industry developments, including, without limitation, changes in healthcare policies or practices or third-party reimbursement policies;
|
•
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deviations in our operating results from any guidance we may provide or the estimates of securities analysts;
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•
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economic and other external factors effecting U.S. or global equity markets;
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•
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period-to-period fluctuations in our financial results; and
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•
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discussion of us or our stock price in the financial or scientific press or in online investor communities.
|
•
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the level of underlying demand for TRULANCE in the U.S. and wholesalers' buying patterns;
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•
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the costs associated with commercializing TRULANCE in the U.S.;
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•
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variations in the level of expenses related to our development programs;
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•
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any excess or obsolete inventory or asset impairments and associated write-downs;
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•
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initiation or completion of clinical trials;
|
•
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any intellectual property infringement lawsuit in which we may become involved;
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•
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regulatory developments affecting our product candidates;
|
•
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our execution of any collaborative, licensing or similar arrangements, and the timing of payments under these arrangements;
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•
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any material lawsuit in which we may become involved; and
|
•
|
interest payments on our outstanding Notes.
|
•
|
provide the board of directors with the ability to alter the bylaws without stockholder approval;
|
•
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place limitations on the removal of directors; and
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•
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provide that vacancies on the board of directors may be filled by a majority of directors in office, although less than a quorum.
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ITEM 1B.
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UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
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ITEM 2.
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PROPERTIES
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ITEM 3.
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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
|
ITEM 4.
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MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
|
ITEM 5.
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MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
|
|
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High
|
|
Low
|
||||
Year Ended December 31, 2015
|
|
|
|
|
||||
First quarter
|
|
$
|
4.68
|
|
|
$
|
2.75
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
$
|
9.52
|
|
|
$
|
3.35
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
$
|
9.56
|
|
|
$
|
5.20
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
$
|
6.66
|
|
|
$
|
5.62
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
||||
First quarter
|
|
$
|
5.37
|
|
|
$
|
2.59
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
$
|
4.11
|
|
|
$
|
2.67
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
$
|
5.83
|
|
|
$
|
3.61
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
$
|
6.09
|
|
|
$
|
4.14
|
|
Plan Category
|
|
(a)
Number of Shares
of Common Stock
to be Issued
upon Exercise
of Outstanding
Options
|
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options
|
|
Number of Options
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
|
||||
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Stockholders
|
|
26,107,067
|
|
|
$
|
4.14
|
|
|
4,392,933
|
|
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders (1)
|
|
1,760,104
|
|
|
$
|
0.50
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total
|
|
27,867,171
|
|
|
|
|
4,392,933
|
|
(1)
|
Consists of options issued in conjunction with sales of our common stock as well as for consulting and professional services.
|
ITEM 6.
|
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
||||||||||
Revenues
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Costs and Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Research and development
|
|
89,562
|
|
|
78,028
|
|
|
83,274
|
|
|
50,630
|
|
|
29,294
|
|
|||||
Purchased in-process research and development
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|||||
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
55,724
|
|
|
21,794
|
|
|
11,004
|
|
|
11,681
|
|
|
7,941
|
|
|||||
Loss from Operations
|
|
(145,286
|
)
|
|
(99,822
|
)
|
|
(94,278
|
)
|
|
(62,311
|
)
|
|
(38,235
|
)
|
|||||
Other Income/(Loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Interest and investment expense, net
|
|
(13,390
|
)
|
|
(17,284
|
)
|
|
(2,875
|
)
|
|
38
|
|
|
218
|
|
|||||
Debt conversion expense
|
|
(40,158
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||||
State R&D tax credits
|
|
121
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
83
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
506
|
|
|||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments-warrants
|
|
106
|
|
|
(394
|
)
|
|
1,362
|
|
|
149
|
|
|
(1,933
|
)
|
|||||
Total Other Loss
|
|
(53,321
|
)
|
|
(17,678
|
)
|
|
(1,430
|
)
|
|
187
|
|
|
(1,209
|
)
|
|||||
Net Loss
|
|
$
|
(198,607
|
)
|
|
$
|
(117,500
|
)
|
|
$
|
(95,708
|
)
|
|
$
|
(62,124
|
)
|
|
$
|
(39,444
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Basic and diluted
|
|
164,437,548
|
|
|
105,570,960
|
|
|
94,276,178
|
|
|
85,220,458
|
|
|
61,702,277
|
|
|||||
Net Loss per Common Share, Basic and Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
(1.21
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.11
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.02
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.73
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.64
|
)
|
|
|
December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
||||||||||
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities
|
|
$
|
82,387
|
|
|
$
|
111,750
|
|
|
$
|
196,367
|
|
|
$
|
68,157
|
|
|
$
|
32,502
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Working capital
|
|
$
|
59,486
|
|
|
$
|
95,476
|
|
|
$
|
181,872
|
|
|
$
|
56,199
|
|
|
$
|
26,734
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Total assets
|
|
$
|
89,852
|
|
|
$
|
115,929
|
|
|
$
|
201,008
|
|
|
$
|
72,558
|
|
|
$
|
37,405
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity/(deficit)
|
|
$
|
37,541
|
|
|
$
|
(55,213
|
)
|
|
$
|
(5,159
|
)
|
|
$
|
55,348
|
|
|
$
|
24,832
|
|
ITEM 7.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
|
•
|
On January 19, 2017, we announced TRULANCE was approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of adult patients with CIC. The recommended adult dosage of TRULANCE is 3 mg taken orally, once daily, with or without food. TRULANCE can be swallowed whole or crushed in applesauce for those who are unable to swallow medication. TRULANCE will be available in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2017.
|
•
|
On February 7, 2017, we announced that the American Journal of Gastroenterology published detailed results from a pivotal Phase 3 trial that demonstrated the efficacy and safety of TRULANCE (plecanatide) for the treatment of adults with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).
|
•
|
On December 22, 2016, we announced top-line results from the second of two pivotal Phase 3 trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of TRULANCE in 1,054 adult patients with IBS-C. Preliminary analysis of the data indicates that both TRULANCE 3 mg and 6 mg doses met the study's primary endpoint showing statistical significance in the percentage of patients who were Overall Responders compared to placebo during the 12-week treatment period (30.2% in 3 mg and 29.5% in 6 mg dose groups compared to 17.8% in placebo; p<0.001 for 3 mg and p<0.001 for 6 mg). The most common adverse event was diarrhea which occurred in 5.4% of patients in 3 mg and 4.3% of patients in 6 mg dose groups compared to 0.6% of placebo-treated patients. Ten patients in the trial (<1.0%) experienced serious adverse events but there was no imbalance across treatment groups in either incidences or individual serious adverse events. Overall, the rates of withdrawal from treatment because of an adverse event were low (2.6% in 3 mg and 2.3% in 6 mg dose groups compared to 0.8% in placebo) and discontinuations due to diarrhea were infrequent (1.7% in 3 mg and 1.2% in 6 mg dose groups compared to 0 in placebo).
|
•
|
On December 9, 2016, we announced top-line results from the first of two pivotal phase 3 trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of TRULANCE in 1,135 adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Preliminary analysis of the data indicates that both TRULANCE 3 mg and 6 mg doses met the study's primary endpoint showing statistical significance in the percentage of patients who were Overall Responders compared to placebo during the 12-week treatment period (21.5% in 3 mg and 24.0% in 6 mg dose groups compared to 14.2% in placebo; p=0.009 for 3 mg and p<0.001 for 6 mg). The most common adverse event was diarrhea which occurred in 3.2% of patients in 3 mg and 3.7% of patients in 6 mg dose groups compared to 1.3% of placebo-treated patients. Four patients in the trial (0.4%) experienced serious adverse events but there was no imbalance across treatment groups in either incidences or individual serious adverse events. Overall, the rates of withdrawal from treatment because of an adverse event were low (1.9% in 3 mg and 1.8% in 6 mg dose groups compared to 0 in placebo) and discontinuations due to diarrhea were infrequent (0.8% in 3 mg and 1.6% in 6 mg dose groups compared to 0 in placebo)
|
•
|
Product Readiness
|
•
|
Market and Brand Readiness
|
•
|
Organizational Readiness
|
•
|
Established a robust supply chain process and quality management system.
|
•
|
Implemented our third party logistics (3PL) distribution network.
|
•
|
Trade and sample stock manufactured and on-track for launch this quarter.
|
•
|
Launching TRULANCE 3 mg in an innovative 30-count blister pack.
|
•
|
We are very encouraged by the feedback we have received from our market research, advisory boards and field-based customer meetings.
|
◦
|
Completed extensive market research with more than 2,700 healthcare providers and over 5,300 patients.
|
◦
|
Conducted multiple advisory boards with national and regional GI key opinion leaders, other healthcare providers and payers.
|
◦
|
Since January 2016, our market access team has been meeting with key payer customers that represent over 230 million covered lives in the U.S.
|
•
|
Initiated pre-launch multimedia and digital campaigns to drive company awareness and disease education, focusing on current unmet needs of patients with CIC.
|
•
|
Finalized TRULANCE core marketing strategies and launch tactics, including a compliant, value-optimizing, cost effective promotional mix to reach the broadest universe of prescribers.
|
•
|
Co-pay card programs and other patient assistance programs in place which will help us achieve access in 2017.
|
•
|
Finalized pricing strategy for TRULANCE and will launch with a wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of $353.48.
|
•
|
Utilizing a hybrid sales model to reach key prescribers and influencers at launch.
|
◦
|
Less than 20% of prescribers in the U.S. currently account for over 70% of the branded constipation prescription market. These prescribers, which include gastroenterologists and primary care physicians, will be the focus of our field force at launch.
|
•
|
Hired Synergy Regional Business Directors averaging 11 years of management experience and over 10 years in relevant GI fields.
|
•
|
Hired Synergy Regional GI Account Specialists averaging 13 years of pharmaceutical experience and 8.5 years of GI experience.
|
•
|
Partnered with Publicis Touchpoint Solutions, Inc. who have hired highly experienced sales representatives that will be fully dedicated to TRULANCE at launch.
|
◦
|
Our Publicis Touchpoint sales representatives have an average of 11.5 years of pharmaceutical experience, and nearly 6 years of GI experience, with over 90% coming from other peer GI and PCP companies.
|
•
|
Medical education efforts have been ongoing since March 2016.
|
($ in thousands)
|
Total
|
|
Less than 1 Year
|
|
1-3 Years
|
|
3-5 Years
|
|
More than 5 years
|
||||||||||
Long term debt obligations
(1)
|
$
|
28,665
|
|
|
$
|
1,755
|
|
|
$
|
26,910
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Operating leases
|
5,896
|
|
|
1,065
|
|
|
3,303
|
|
|
1,528
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||||
Purchase obligations—principally employment and consulting services
(2)
|
7,285
|
|
|
3,561
|
|
|
3,724
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||||
Purchase obligations—major vendors
(3)
|
138,619
|
|
|
131,381
|
|
|
7,238
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Total obligations
|
$
|
180,465
|
|
|
$
|
137,762
|
|
|
$
|
41,175
|
|
|
$
|
1,528
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
(1)
|
Represents Senior Convertible Notes, including interest. See Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
(2)
|
Represents salary, bonus, and benefits for employment and consulting agreements with remaining terms greater than one year.
|
(3)
|
Represents amounts that will become due upon future delivery of supplies, drug substance and test results from various suppliers, under open purchase orders. Generally these purchase orders represents commitments to suppliers with cancellation provisions that allow early termination with notice, penalties and payment of certain non-cancelable vendor commitments.
|
•
|
Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets in active markets;
|
•
|
Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
|
•
|
Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring management to develop its own assumptions based on best estimates of what market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability at the reporting date.
|
ITEM 7A.
|
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
|
ITEM 9.
|
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
|
ITEM 9A.
|
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
|
(1)
|
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
|
(2)
|
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and
|
(3)
|
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
|
ITEM 9B.
|
OTHER INFORMATION
|
ITEM 10.
|
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
|
ITEM 11.
|
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
|
ITEM 12.
|
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
|
ITEM 13.
|
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
|
ITEM 14.
|
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
|
ITEM 15.
|
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
|
(a)
|
List of Documents Filed as a Part of This Report:
|
(b)
|
Index to Financial Statement Schedules:
|
(c)
|
Index to Exhibits
|
Exhibit No.
|
|
Description
|
|
3.1
|
|
|
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed June 19, 2015).
|
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
|
Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed January 17, 2013).
|
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-K filed March 15, 2012).
|
|
|
|
|
3.4
|
|
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws
|
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
|
2008 Equity Compensation Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed July 18, 2008)*
|
|
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
|
2009 Directors Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 10-K filed March 15, 2010)*
|
|
|
|
|
4.3
|
|
|
Form of Stock Certificate of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Form S-3 filed November 24, 2009).
|
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
Form of Warrant in connection with June 30, 2010 financing (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed July 7, 2010).
|
|
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
Form of Warrant in connection with October 1, 2010 financing (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed October 5, 2010).
|
|
|
|
|
4.6
|
|
|
Form of Warrant in connection with March 4, 2011 financing (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed March 10, 2011).
|
|
|
|
|
4.7
|
|
|
Form of Warrant in connection with October 4, 2011 financing (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed October 6, 2011).
|
|
|
|
|
4.8
|
|
|
Form of Warrant in connection with October 14, 2011 financing (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed October 14, 2011).
|
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
Form of Warrant in connection with November 17, 2011 financing (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed November 15, 2011).
|
|
|
|
|
4.10
|
|
|
Indenture related to the 7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2019, dated as of November 3, 2014, by and between Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed November 3, 2014).
|
|
|
|
|
4.11
|
|
|
Form of 7.50% Convertible Senior Note due 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K filed November 3, 2014).
|
|
|
|
|
4.12
|
|
|
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 28, 2017 between Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Wells Fargo, National Association, as Trustee.
|
|
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
|
Form of Executive Non-statutory Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K filed July 18, 2008)*
|
|
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
|
Form of Non-Executive Non-statutory Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Form 8-K filed July 18, 2008)*
|
|
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
|
Fifth Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement dated as of December 29, 2016 between Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Gary S. Jacob *
|
|
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
|
Third Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement dated as of January 7, 2015 between Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Kunwar Shailubhai (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-K filed March 16, 2015)*
|
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
|
Master Services Agreement dated July 20, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q filed November 9, 2010)**
|
|
|
|
|
10.6
|
|
|
Master Services Agreement dated August 5, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q filed November 9, 2010)**
|
|
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
|
Asset Purchase Agreement dated August 17, 2012 between Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Form 10-K filed March 18, 2013)**
|
|
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
|
Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement dated as of July 12, 2013 between Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Patrick H. Griffin, M.D., FACP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Form 10-K filed March 16, 2015).*
|
|
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
|
Executive Employment Agreement dated as of May 29, 2015 between Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Troy Hamilton (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Form 10-K filed February 25, 2016).*
|
|
|
|
|
10.10
|
|
|
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement dated as of January 18, 2016 by and between Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Patrick H. Griffin, M.D., FACP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Form 10-K filed February 25, 2016).*
|
|
|
|
|
10.11
|
|
|
Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement dated January 18, 2016 by and between Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Kunwar Shailubhai (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Form 10-K filed February 25, 2016).*
|
|
|
|
|
10.12
|
|
|
Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement dated January 18, 2016 by and between Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Troy Hamilton (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Form 10-K filed February 25, 2016).*
|
|
|
|
10.13
|
|
|
Form of Exchange Agreement Related to 7.50% Convertible Senior Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K filed March 18, 2016).
|
|
|
|
|
10.14
|
|
|
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 4, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed May 5, 2016).
|
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
List of Subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
Consent of BDO USA, LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting firm
|
|
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer required under Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act
|
|
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
|
Certification of Principal Financial Officer required under Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act
|
|
|
|
|
32.1
|
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
|
|
|
|
32.2
|
|
|
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
|
|
|
|
101
|
|
|
Financial statements from the annual report on Form 10-K of Synergy for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed on March 1, 2017, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders Equity (Deficit) (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements tagged as blocks of text.
|
*
|
Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
|
**
|
Portions of this exhibit were omitted and filed separately with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.
|
|
|
SYNERGY PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
|
|
|
|
(Registrant)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date:
|
March 1, 2017
|
By:
|
/s/ GARY S. JACOB
|
|
|
|
Gary S. Jacob
|
|
|
|
President, Chairman of Board, and Chief Executive Officer
|
Signature
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ GARY S. JACOB
|
|
President, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
March 1, 2017
|
Gary S. Jacob
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ BERNARD F. DENOYER
|
|
Senior Vice President, Finance and Secretary
|
|
March 1, 2017
|
Bernard F. Denoyer
|
|
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ MELVIN K. SPIGELMAN
|
|
Director
|
|
March 1, 2017
|
Melvin K. Spigelman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ ALAN JOSLYN
|
|
Director
|
|
March 1, 2017
|
Alan Joslyn
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ THOMAS H. ADAMS
|
|
Director
|
|
March 1, 2017
|
Thomas H. Adams
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ JOHN BRANCACCIO
|
|
Director
|
|
March 1, 2017
|
John Brancaccio
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ TIMOTHY CALLAHAN
|
|
Director
|
|
March 1, 2017
|
Timothy Callahan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ RICHARD DALY
|
|
Director
|
|
March 1, 2017
|
Richard Daly
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
December 31, 2015
|
||||
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
||||
Current Assets:
|
|
|
|
||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
82,387
|
|
|
$
|
61,653
|
|
Available-for-sale securities
|
—
|
|
|
50,097
|
|
||
Inventories
|
5,640
|
|
|
—
|
|
||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
889
|
|
|
3,305
|
|
||
Total Current Assets
|
88,916
|
|
|
115,055
|
|
||
Property and equipment, net
|
593
|
|
|
531
|
|
||
Security deposits
|
343
|
|
|
343
|
|
||
Total Assets
|
$
|
89,852
|
|
|
$
|
115,929
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY/(DEFICIT)
|
|
|
|
||||
Current Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
||||
Accounts payable
|
$
|
15,584
|
|
|
$
|
13,263
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
13,552
|
|
|
4,328
|
|
||
Interest payable on senior convertible notes
|
294
|
|
|
1,988
|
|
||
Total Current Liabilities
|
29,430
|
|
|
19,579
|
|
||
Senior convertible notes, net
|
22,665
|
|
|
151,241
|
|
||
Derivative financial instruments, at estimated fair value-warrants
|
216
|
|
|
322
|
|
||
Total Liabilities
|
52,311
|
|
|
171,142
|
|
||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Stockholders’ Equity/(Deficit):
|
|
|
|
||||
Preferred stock, Authorized 20,000,000 shares and none outstanding, at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
||
Common stock, par value of $.0001, 350,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Issued and outstanding 202,737,860 shares and 113,694,606 shares at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
|
20
|
|
|
11
|
|
||
Additional paid-in capital
|
620,513
|
|
|
329,161
|
|
||
Accumulated deficit
|
(582,992
|
)
|
|
(384,385
|
)
|
||
Total Stockholders’ Equity/(Deficit)
|
37,541
|
|
|
(55,213
|
)
|
||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity/(Deficit)
|
$
|
89,852
|
|
|
$
|
115,929
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Costs and Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Research and development
|
89,562
|
|
|
78,028
|
|
|
83,274
|
|
|||
Selling, general and administrative
|
55,724
|
|
|
21,794
|
|
|
11,004
|
|
|||
Loss from Operations
|
(145,286
|
)
|
|
(99,822
|
)
|
|
(94,278
|
)
|
|||
Other Income/(Loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Interest and investment expense, net
|
(13,390
|
)
|
|
(17,284
|
)
|
|
(2,875
|
)
|
|||
Debt conversion expense
|
(40,158
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||
State R&D tax credits
|
121
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
83
|
|
|||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments-warrants
|
106
|
|
|
(394
|
)
|
|
1,362
|
|
|||
Total Other Loss
|
(53,321
|
)
|
|
(17,678
|
)
|
|
(1,430
|
)
|
|||
Net Loss
|
$
|
(198,607
|
)
|
|
$
|
(117,500
|
)
|
|
$
|
(95,708
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Basic and Diluted
|
164,437,548
|
|
|
105,570,960
|
|
|
94,276,178
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Net Loss per Common Share, Basic and Diluted
|
$
|
(1.21
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.11
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.02
|
)
|
|
Common
Shares |
|
Common
Stock, Par Value |
|
Additional
Paid in Capital |
|
Deficit
Accumulated |
|
Non-Controlling
Interest |
|
Total
Stockholders’ Equity/(Deficit) |
|||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2013
|
90,182,115
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
226,515
|
|
|
(171,177
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
55,348
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Common stock issued pursuant to a controlled equity “at-the-market” sales agreement
|
6,417,650
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
30,699
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
30,700
|
|
|||||
Fees and expenses related to controlled equity sales
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(846
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(846
|
)
|
|||||
Stock based compensation expense
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
4,722
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
4,722
|
|
|||||
Exercise of stock options
|
9,999
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
36
|
|
|||||
Private placement of ContraVir common stock
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,224
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,224
|
|
|||||
Fees and expenses associated with ContraVir Private Placement
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(15
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(15
|
)
|
|||||
Fair value of ContraVir warrants issued in connection with private placement
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(880
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(880
|
)
|
|||||
Noncontrolling interest of ContraVir
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,622
|
)
|
|
(1,622
|
)
|
|||||
Distribution of ContraVir common stock to Synergy shareholders
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,740
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,740
|
)
|
|||||
Elimination of noncontrolling interest of ContraVir upon distribution
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,622
|
|
|
1,622
|
|
|||||
Net loss for the period
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(95,708
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(95,708
|
)
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2014
|
96,609,764
|
|
|
$
|
11
|
|
|
$
|
261,715
|
|
|
$
|
(266,885
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(5,159
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Common stock issued pursuant to a controlled equity “at-the-market” sales agreement
|
3,435,998
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
14,672
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
14,672
|
|
|||||
Fees and expenses related to controlled equity sales
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(404
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(404
|
)
|
|||||
Common stock issued in connection with exercise of stock options
|
269,720
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,142
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,142
|
|
|||||
Common stock issued in connection with exercise of warrants
|
189,412
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,012
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,012
|
|
|||||
Shares issued in connection with conversion of Senior Convertible Debentures
|
13,179,712
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
40,989
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
40,989
|
|
|||||
Change in fair value of warrants due to expiration of certain warrants
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
244
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
244
|
|
|||||
Stock based compensation expense
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
9,724
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
9,724
|
|
|||||
Stock issues in exchange for certain intellectual property
|
10,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
67
|
|
|||||
Net loss for the period
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(117,500
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(117,500
|
)
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2015
|
113,694,606
|
|
|
$
|
11
|
|
|
$
|
329,161
|
|
|
$
|
(384,385
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(55,213
|
)
|
Shares issued in connection with conversion of Senior Convertible Debentures
|
44,432,408
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
137,937
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
137,941
|
|
|||||
Debt conversion expense
|
12,161,671
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
40,157
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
40,158
|
|
|||||
Transaction fees on Note conversions
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(711
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(711
|
)
|
|||||
Common stock issued in connection with exercise of stock options
|
70,185
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
222
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
222
|
|
|||||
Common stock issued in connection with exercise of warrants
|
2,430,656
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
11,330
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
11,331
|
|
|||||
Common stock issued in registered direct offering, net of issuance costs
|
29,948,334
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
89,842
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
89,845
|
|
|||||
Stock based compensation expense
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
12,575
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
12,575
|
|
|||||
Net loss for the period
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(198,607
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(198,607
|
)
|
|||||
Balance, December 31, 2016
|
202,737,860
|
|
|
$
|
20
|
|
|
$
|
620,513
|
|
|
$
|
(582,992
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
37,541
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
||||||
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Net loss
|
$
|
(198,607
|
)
|
|
$
|
(117,500
|
)
|
|
$
|
(95,708
|
)
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
233
|
|
|
163
|
|
|
120
|
|
|||
Amortization of deferred debt costs
|
6,921
|
|
|
4,566
|
|
|
411
|
|
|||
Stock-based compensation expense
|
12,575
|
|
|
9,724
|
|
|
4,722
|
|
|||
Value of common stock issued for patent license
|
—
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||
Accretion of discount/premium on available for sale securities
|
—
|
|
|
(109
|
)
|
|
130
|
|
|||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments—warrants
|
(106
|
)
|
|
394
|
|
|
(1,362
|
)
|
|||
Common stock issued for interest on Notes
|
2,445
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||
Debt conversion expense
|
40,158
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Inventories
|
(5,640
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||
Security deposits
|
—
|
|
|
(180
|
)
|
|
(69
|
)
|
|||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
11,546
|
|
|
1,867
|
|
|
316
|
|
|||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
2,416
|
|
|
531
|
|
|
(124
|
)
|
|||
Accrued interest expense on senior convertible notes
|
(1,694
|
)
|
|
(512
|
)
|
|
2,500
|
|
|||
Total Adjustments
|
68,854
|
|
|
16,511
|
|
|
6,644
|
|
|||
Net Cash used in Operating Activities
|
(129,753
|
)
|
|
(100,989
|
)
|
|
(89,064
|
)
|
|||
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Net sales (purchases) of available-for-sale securities
|
50,097
|
|
|
(200
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|||
Additions to property and equipment
|
(297
|
)
|
|
(50
|
)
|
|
(173
|
)
|
|||
Repayment on ContraVir loan receivable
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
455
|
|
|||
Net Cash provided by (used in) Investing Activities
|
49,800
|
|
|
(250
|
)
|
|
282
|
|
|||
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Proceeds of sale of common stock
|
89,845
|
|
|
14,672
|
|
|
30,700
|
|
|||
Proceeds of sale of common stock — ContraVir
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,224
|
|
|||
Issuance of Senior Convertible Debentures
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|||
Fees and expenses — note conversions
|
(711
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||
Payment for debt financing costs
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(12,747
|
)
|
|||
Fees and expenses — sale of common stock
|
—
|
|
|
(404
|
)
|
|
(861
|
)
|
|||
Proceeds from exercise of warrants
|
11,331
|
|
|
1,012
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
|
222
|
|
|
1,142
|
|
|
36
|
|
|||
Distribution associated with ContraVir Spinoff
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(3,230
|
)
|
|||
Net Cash provided by Financing Activities
|
100,687
|
|
|
16,422
|
|
|
217,122
|
|
|||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
20,734
|
|
|
(84,817
|
)
|
|
128,340
|
|
|||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
61,653
|
|
|
146,470
|
|
|
18,130
|
|
|||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
$
|
82,387
|
|
|
$
|
61,653
|
|
|
$
|
146,470
|
|
Supplementary disclosure of cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Cash paid for interest on senior convertible notes
|
$
|
5,939
|
|
|
$
|
13,379
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Cash paid for taxes
|
$
|
45
|
|
|
$
|
258
|
|
|
$
|
55
|
|
Supplementary disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Distribution of net assets of ContraVir
|
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
84
|
|
|
Conversion of senior convertible notes to Synergy Common Stock
|
$
|
137,941
|
|
|
$
|
40,989
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
•
|
Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets in active markets;
|
•
|
Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
|
•
|
Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring management to develop its own assumptions based on best estimates of what market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability at the reporting date.
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2016 |
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2015 |
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2014 |
|||
Stock Options
|
27,867,171
|
|
|
20,953,375
|
|
|
16,567,020
|
|
Warrants
|
919,690
|
|
|
4,726,823
|
|
|
5,647,203
|
|
Senior Convertible Notes
|
7,560,772
|
|
|
51,128,939
|
|
|
64,308,680
|
|
Total shares issuable upon exercise or conversion
|
36,347,633
|
|
|
76,809,137
|
|
|
86,522,903
|
|
($ in thousands)
|
|
Balance February 18, 2014
|
||
Assets
|
|
|
||
Cash
|
|
$
|
3,230
|
|
Prepaid expense
|
|
6
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
3,236
|
|
|
Accounts payable and other liabilities
|
|
(107
|
)
|
|
Note Payable to Synergy
|
|
(455
|
)
|
|
Due to Synergy
|
|
(54
|
)
|
|
Derivative financial instruments, at estimated fair value-warrants
|
|
(880
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total Liabilities
|
|
(1,496
|
)
|
|
Net assets
|
|
$
|
1,740
|
|
|
Notes Balance
|
|
Deferred Debt Costs
|
|
Notes, net of
Deferred Debt Costs |
||||||
Balance at issuance November 1, 2014
|
$
|
200,000
|
|
|
$
|
12,747
|
|
|
$
|
187,253
|
|
Less: amortization two months ended December 31, 2014
|
|
|
(411
|
)
|
|
411
|
|
||||
Balance December 31, 2014
|
200,000
|
|
|
12,336
|
|
|
187,664
|
|
|||
Less: amortization three months ended March 31, 2015
|
|
|
(617
|
)
|
|
617
|
|
||||
Balance March 31, 2015
|
200,000
|
|
|
11,719
|
|
|
188,281
|
|
|||
Less: amortization three months ended June 30, 2015
(1)
|
|
|
(1,899
|
)
|
|
1,899
|
|
||||
Conversions
|
(22,213
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(22,213
|
)
|
|||
Balance June 30, 2015
|
177,787
|
|
|
9,820
|
|
|
167,967
|
|
|||
Less: amortization three months ended September 30, 2015
(1)
|
|
|
(1,544
|
)
|
|
1,544
|
|
||||
Conversions
|
(18,776
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(18,776
|
)
|
|||
Balance, September 30, 2015
|
159,011
|
|
|
8,276
|
|
|
150,735
|
|
|||
Less: amortization three months ended December 31, 2015
|
|
|
(506
|
)
|
|
506
|
|
||||
Balance December 31, 2015
|
159,011
|
|
|
7,770
|
|
|
151,241
|
|
|||
Less: amortization three months ended March 31, 2016
(1)
|
|
|
(4,153
|
)
|
|
4,153
|
|
||||
Conversions
|
(79,829
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(79,829
|
)
|
|||
Balance, March 31, 2016
|
79,182
|
|
|
3,617
|
|
|
75,565
|
|
|||
Less: amortization three months ended June 30, 2016
|
|
|
(253
|
)
|
|
253
|
|
||||
Balance, June 30, 2016
|
79,182
|
|
|
3,364
|
|
|
75,818
|
|
|||
Less: amortization three months ended September 30, 2016
|
|
|
(252
|
)
|
|
252
|
|
||||
Balance, September 30, 2016
|
79,182
|
|
|
3,112
|
|
|
76,070
|
|
|||
Less: amortization three months ended December 31, 2016
(1)
|
|
|
(2,263
|
)
|
|
2,263
|
|
||||
Conversions
|
(55,668
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(55,668
|
)
|
|||
Balance, December 31, 2016
|
$
|
23,514
|
|
|
$
|
849
|
|
|
$
|
22,665
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, |
||||||||||
($ in thousands)
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
||||||
Included in research and development
|
|
$
|
3,451
|
|
|
$
|
2,452
|
|
|
$
|
1,914
|
|
Included in general and administrative
|
|
9,124
|
|
|
7,272
|
|
|
2,808
|
|
|||
Total stock-based compensation expense
|
|
$
|
12,575
|
|
|
$
|
9,724
|
|
|
$
|
4,722
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, |
|||||||
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|||
Risk-free interest rate
|
1.13%-2.19%
|
|
|
1.46%-2.02%
|
|
|
1.78%-2.30%
|
|
Dividend yield
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Expected volatility
|
50%-60%
|
|
|
50%-80%
|
|
|
52%-60%
|
|
Expected term (in years)
|
6 years
|
|
|
6 years
|
|
|
6 years
|
|
|
Number of
Options
|
|
Exercise Price
Per Share
|
|
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
|
|
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)
|
|
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
|
|||||
Balance outstanding, December 31, 2013
|
11,324,049
|
|
|
$0.44-20.01
|
|
$
|
3.31
|
|
|
$
|
37,521
|
|
|
6.94 years
|
Granted
|
5,528,000
|
|
|
$2.83-4.24
|
|
$
|
3.47
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
(9,999
|
)
|
|
$3.40-3.95
|
|
$
|
3.58
|
|
|
$
|
25
|
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
(275,030
|
)
|
|
$4.24-20.01
|
|
$
|
13.42
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance outstanding, December 31, 2014
|
16,567,020
|
|
|
$0.44-17.79
|
|
$
|
3.20
|
|
|
$
|
8,949
|
|
|
7.29 years
|
Granted
|
4,961,112
|
|
|
$2.94-9.33
|
|
$
|
6.51
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
(269,720
|
)
|
|
$2.98-6.28
|
|
$
|
4.24
|
|
|
$
|
904
|
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
(305,037
|
)
|
|
$2.98-9.45
|
|
$
|
6.22
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance outstanding, December 31, 2015
|
20,953,375
|
|
|
$0.44-9.12
|
|
$
|
3.86
|
|
|
$
|
42,438
|
|
|
7.15 years
|
Granted
|
7,537,000
|
|
|
$2.93-5.63
|
|
$
|
3.99
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
(70,185
|
)
|
|
$2.94-4.61
|
|
$
|
3.17
|
|
|
$
|
143
|
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
(553,019
|
)
|
|
$2.98-9.12
|
|
$
|
5.98
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
Balance outstanding, December 31, 2016
(1)
|
27,867,171
|
|
|
$0.44-9.12
|
|
$
|
3.78
|
|
|
$
|
65,618
|
|
|
7.05 years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Exercisable, at December 31, 2016
|
12,732,928
|
|
|
$0.44-9.12
|
|
$
|
3.88
|
|
|
$
|
33,626
|
|
|
6.16 years
|
($ in thousands)
|
|
Total
|
|
Less than 1 Year
|
|
1-3 Years
|
|
3-5 Years
|
|
More than 5 years
|
||||||||||
Long term debt obligations
(1)
|
|
$
|
28,665
|
|
|
$
|
1,755
|
|
|
$
|
26,910
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Operating leases
|
|
5,896
|
|
|
1,065
|
|
|
3,303
|
|
|
1,528
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||||
Purchase obligations—principally employment and consulting services
(2)
|
|
7,285
|
|
|
3,561
|
|
|
3,724
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||||
Purchase obligations—major vendors
(3)
|
|
138,619
|
|
|
131,381
|
|
|
7,238
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Total obligations
|
|
$
|
180,465
|
|
|
$
|
137,762
|
|
|
$
|
41,175
|
|
|
$
|
1,528
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
(1)
|
Represents Senior Convertible Notes, including interest. See Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
(2)
|
Represents salary, bonus, and benefits for employment and consulting agreements with remaining terms greater than one year.
|
(3)
|
Represents amounts that will become due upon future delivery of supplies, drug substance and test results from various suppliers, under open purchase orders. Generally these purchase orders represents commitments to suppliers with cancellation provisions that allow early termination with notice, penalties and payment of certain non-cancelable vendor commitments.
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2016 |
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2015 |
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2014 |
||||||
Fair value of Synergy common stock
|
$
|
6.09
|
|
|
$
|
5.67
|
|
|
$
|
3.05
|
|
Expected warrant term
|
1.2 years
|
|
|
2.2 years
|
|
|
0.49-3.9 years
|
|
|||
Risk-free interest rate
|
1.03
|
%
|
|
1.18
|
%
|
|
0.08%-1.32%
|
|
|||
Expected volatility
|
50
|
%
|
|
50%-80%
|
|
|
52%-60%
|
|
|||
Dividend yield
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Date
|
|
Description
|
|
Warrants
|
|
Derivative
Instrument
Liability
(in thousands)
|
|||
12/31/2014
|
|
Balance of derivative financial instruments liability
|
|
858,469
|
|
|
$
|
172
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
3/31/2015
|
|
Change in fair value of warrants during the quarter
|
|
—
|
|
|
268
|
|
|
6/30/2015
|
|
Change in fair value of warrants during the quarter
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,541
|
|
|
6/30/2015
|
|
Expiration of warrants
|
|
(324,000
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
9/30/2015
|
|
Change in fair value of warrants during the quarter
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,445
|
)
|
|
9/30/2015
|
|
Exercise of warrants
|
|
(30,000
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
9/30/2015
|
|
Expiration of warrants
|
|
(2,469
|
)
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
12/31/2015
|
|
Change in fair value of warrants during the quarter
|
|
—
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
12/31/2015
|
|
Exercise of warrants
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
12/31/2015
|
|
Expiration of warrants
|
|
(292,000
|
)
|
|
(241
|
)
|
|
12/31/2015
|
|
Balance of derivative financial instruments liability
|
|
210,000
|
|
|
322
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
3/31/2016
|
|
Change in fair value of warrants during the 3 months ended March 31, 2016
|
|
—
|
|
|
(260
|
)
|
|
6/30/2016
|
|
Change in fair value of warrants during the 3 months ended June 30, 2016
|
|
—
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
9/30/2016
|
|
Change in fair value of warrants during the 3 months ended September 30, 2016
|
|
—
|
|
|
87
|
|
|
12/31/2016
|
|
Change in fair value of warrants during the 3 months ended December 31, 2016
|
|
—
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
12/31/2016
|
|
Balance of derivative financial instruments liability
|
|
210,000
|
|
|
$
|
216
|
|
Description
|
|
Quoted Prices
in
Active
Markets
for Identical
Assets and
Liabilities
(Level 1)
|
|
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
|
|
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
|
|
Balance as of
December 31, 2015 |
|
Quoted Prices
in
Active
Markets
for Identical
Assets and
Liabilities
(Level 1)
|
|
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
|
|
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
|
|
Balance as of
December 31, 2016 |
||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities related to Warrants
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
322
|
|
|
$
|
322
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(106
|
)
|
|
$
|
216
|
|
Description
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2014
|
|
(Gain) or loss
recognized in earning from Change in Fair Value |
|
Expiration of
warrants |
|
Balance as of
December 31, 2015 |
|
(Gain) or loss
recognized in
earning from
Change in Fair
Value
|
|
Balance as of
December 31, 2016 |
||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities related to Warrants
|
|
$
|
172
|
|
|
$
|
394
|
|
|
$
|
(244
|
)
|
|
$
|
322
|
|
|
$
|
(106
|
)
|
|
$
|
216
|
|
($ in thousands)
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
December 31, 2015
|
||||
Furniture and equipment
|
|
$
|
357
|
|
|
$
|
243
|
|
Leasehold improvement
|
|
665
|
|
|
674
|
|
||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
(429
|
)
|
|
(386
|
)
|
||
Property and equipment, net
|
|
$
|
593
|
|
|
$
|
531
|
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
||||||||||||||
|
March 31,
2016 |
|
June 30,
2016 |
|
September 30,
2016 |
|
December 31,
2016 |
||||||||
|
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
||||||||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Costs and Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Research and development
|
21,175
|
|
|
26,611
|
|
|
24,610
|
|
|
17,166
|
|
||||
Selling, general and administrative
|
6,375
|
|
|
10,249
|
|
|
13,872
|
|
|
25,232
|
|
||||
Loss from Operations
|
(27,550
|
)
|
|
(36,860
|
)
|
|
(38,482
|
)
|
|
(42,398
|
)
|
||||
Other Loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Interest and investment income/(expense), net
|
(7,036
|
)
|
|
(1,673
|
)
|
|
(1,674
|
)
|
|
(3,007
|
)
|
||||
Debt conversion expense
|
(25,615
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(14,543
|
)
|
||||
Tax credits
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
126
|
|
||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments—warrants
|
260
|
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
(87
|
)
|
|
(45
|
)
|
||||
Total Other Loss
|
(32,391
|
)
|
|
(1,696
|
)
|
|
(1,761
|
)
|
|
(17,469
|
)
|
||||
Net loss
|
$
|
(59,941
|
)
|
|
$
|
(38,556
|
)
|
|
$
|
(40,243
|
)
|
|
$
|
(59,867
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding—basic and diluted
(a)
|
117,626,669
|
|
|
168,127,144
|
|
|
179,786,580
|
|
|
190,093,786
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Net Loss per Common Share—basic and diluted
(a)
|
$
|
(0.51
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.23
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.22
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.31
|
)
|
(a)
|
Basic and diluted EPS are computed independently for each of the periods presented. Accordingly, the sum of the quarterly EPS amounts may not agree to the total for the year.
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
||||||||||||||
|
March 31,
2015 |
|
June 30,
2015 |
|
September 30,
2015 |
|
December 31,
2015 |
||||||||
|
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
||||||||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Research and Development
|
18,198
|
|
|
19,525
|
|
|
20,424
|
|
|
19,881
|
|
||||
General and administrative
|
4,606
|
|
|
7,394
|
|
|
2,728
|
|
|
7,066
|
|
||||
Loss from operations
|
(22,804
|
)
|
|
(26,919
|
)
|
|
(23,152
|
)
|
|
(26,947
|
)
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Other income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Interest and investment income/(expense), net
|
(4,317
|
)
|
|
(5,207
|
)
|
|
(4,291
|
)
|
|
(3,469
|
)
|
||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments—warrants
|
(268
|
)
|
|
(1,542
|
)
|
|
1,446
|
|
|
(30
|
)
|
||||
Total other income/(loss)
|
(4,585
|
)
|
|
(6,749
|
)
|
|
(2,845
|
)
|
|
(3,499
|
)
|
||||
Net Loss
|
$
|
(27,389
|
)
|
|
$
|
(33,668
|
)
|
|
$
|
(25,997
|
)
|
|
$
|
(30,446
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding—basic and diluted (a)
|
96,683,525
|
|
|
100,343,637
|
|
|
111,328,339
|
|
|
113,678,306
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Net Loss per Common Share, basic and diluted (a):
|
$
|
(0.28
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.34
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.23
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.27
|
)
|
(a)
|
Basic and diluted EPS are computed independently for each of the periods presented. Accordingly, the sum of the quarterly EPS amounts may not agree to the total for the year.
|
SYNERGY PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Gary S. Jacob
|
Name: Gary S. Jacob
|
|
Title: CEO
|
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Mark F. McLaughlin
|
Name: Mark F. McLaughlin
|
|
Title: Vice President
|
1.1
|
Duties and Responsibilities
. Executive shall serve as Chief Executive Officer and President. During the Employment Term, Executive shall perform all duties and accept all responsibilities incident to such positions and other appropriate duties as may be assigned to Executive by the Company's Board of Directors (the “Board”) from time to time. Executive shall also serve as a director of the Company if requested by the Board, and as an officer of one or more of the Company's subsidiaries without any additional compensation. The Company shall retain full direction and control of the manner, means and methods by which Executive performs the services for which he is employed hereunder and of the place or places at which such services shall be rendered. The Executive also agrees that in the absence of a Chief Accounting Officer, he will sign various federal and state securities filings as the Company's principal accounting officer.
|
1.2
|
Employment Term
. The term of Executive's employment under this Agreement commences as of January 1, 2013 (the "Effective Date") and shall continue until December 31, 2019, unless earlier terminated in accordance with Section 4 hereof. The term of Executive's employment shall be automatically renewed for successive one (1) year periods until the Executive or the Company delivers to the other party a written notice of their intent not to renew the "Employment Term," such written notice to be delivered at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the then-effective "Employment Term" as that term is defined below. The period commencing as of the Effective Date and ending December 31, 2019 or such later date to which the term of Executive's employment under the Agreement shall have been extended is referred to herein as the "Employment Term" and the end of the Employment Term is referred to herein as the “Expiration Date.”
|
1.3
|
Extent of Service
. During the Employment Term, Executive agrees to use Executive's best efforts to carry out the duties and responsibilities under Section 1.1 hereof and to devote substantially all Executive's business time, attention and energy thereto. Executive further agrees not to work either on a part-time or independent contracting basis for any other business or enterprise during the Employment Term without the prior written consent of the Board, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
|
1.4
|
Base Salary
. The Company shall pay Executive a base salary (the "Base Salary") at the annual rate of $556,200 (U.S.) payable at such times as the Company customarily pays its other senior level executives (but in any event no less often than monthly). The Base Salary shall be subject to all state, federal, and local payroll tax withholding and any other withholdings required by law. The Executive’s Base Salary may be increased, but not decreased by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) Once increased, such increased amount shall constitute the Executive’s Base Salary and shall not be decreased.
|
1.5
|
Incentive Compensation
.
|
(a)
|
Incentive Compensation
. Executive shall be eligible to earn a cash bonus of up to 50% of his base salary for each calendar year during the Employment Term (such 50% amount, the “Target Bonus”) at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors, or if the Board organizes a compensation committee, such committee (the “Committee”). Executive’s bonus, if any, shall be subject to all applicable tax and payroll withholdings. The bonus shall be determined on or before March 1 of each year and paid on or before April 14 of each year.
|
(A)
|
engages in (i) a merger transaction as a result of which the stockholders of the Company existing immediately before the consummation of such merger beneficially own less than 20% of the stock of the ultimate parent of the surviving entity immediately after the consummation of the merger, where the Enterprise Value equals or exceeds a minimum value of $400 million or (ii) a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, where the Enterprise Value equals or exceeds a minimum value of $400 million, the Executive shall accrue a bonus in an amount determined by multiplying the Enterprise Value by 2.5% (a “Sale Transaction”); or
|
(B)
|
engages in (i) a merger transaction as a result of which the stockholders of the Company existing immediately before the consummation of such merger beneficially own less than 20% of the stock of the ultimate parent of the surviving entity immediately after the consummation of the merger, where the Enterprise Value equals or exceeds a minimum value of $1 billion or (ii) a Sale Transaction where the Enterprise Value equals or exceeds a minimum value of $1 billion, the Executive shall accrue a bonus in an amount determined by multiplying the Enterprise Value by 3.5% ; or
|
(C)
|
engages in (i) a merger transaction as a result of which the stockholders of the Company existing immediately before the consummation of such merger beneficially own less than 20% of the stock of the ultimate parent of the surviving entity immediately after the consummation of the merger, where the Enterprise Value equals or exceeds a minimum value of $2.0 billion or (ii) a Sale Transaction where the Enterprise Value equals or exceeds a minimum value of $2.0 billion, the Executive shall accrue a bonus in an amount determined by multiplying the Enterprise Value by 4.5% ; or
|
(D)
|
engages in (i) a merger transaction, as a result of which the stockholders of the Company existing immediately before the consummation of such merger beneficially own 20% or more of the stock of the ultimate parent of the surviving entity immediately after the consummation of the merger, where the Enterprise Value of the Company (either at the effective date of the transaction or 12 months after the effective date of the transaction) equals or exceeds a minimum value of $250 million or (ii) a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, where the Enterprise Value equals or exceeds a minimum value of $250 million, the Executive shall accrue a bonus in an amount determined by multiplying the Enterprise Value by 2.5% (a “Combination Transaction”).
|
1.6
|
Other Benefits
. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans and programs made available to the Company's senior level executives as a group or to its employees generally, as such plans or programs may be in effect from time to time (the "Benefit Coverages"), including, without limitation, medical, dental, hospitalization, short-term and long-term disability and life insurance plans, accidental death and dismemberment protection and travel accident insurance. Executive shall be provided office space and staff assistance appropriate for Executive's position and adequate for the performance of his duties.
|
1.7
|
Reimbursement of Expenses; Vacation; Sick Days and Personal Days
. Executive shall be provided with reimbursement of expenses related to Executive's employment by the Company on a basis no less favorable than that which may be authorized from time to time by the Board, in its sole discretion, for senior level executives as a group. Executive shall be entitled to vacation and holidays in accordance with the Company's normal personnel policies for senior level executives, but not less than three (3) weeks of vacation per calendar year, provided Executive shall not utilize more than ten (10) consecutive business days without the express consent of the Board of Directors. Unused vacation time will be forfeited as of December 31 of each calendar year of the Employment Term. Executive shall be entitled to no more than an aggregate of ten (10) sick days and personal days per calendar year.
|
1.8
|
No Other Compensation
. Except as expressly provided in Sections 1.4 through 1.7, Executive shall not be entitled to any other compensation or benefits.
|
3.1
|
Non-Compete
. The Executive hereby covenants and agrees that during the term of this Agreement and for a period of one year following the end of the Employment Term, the Executive will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, on his own behalf or in the service or on behalf of others, whether or not for compensation, engage in any business activity, or have any interest in any person, firm, corporation or business, through a subsidiary or parent entity or other entity (whether as a shareholder, agent, joint venturer, security holder, trustee, partner, Executive, creditor lending credit or money for the purpose of establishing or operating any such business, partner or otherwise) with any Competing Business in the Covered Area. For the purpose of this Section 3.1, (i) "Competing Business" means any biotechnology or pharmaceutical company, any contract manufacturer, any research laboratory or other company or entity (whether or not organized for profit) that has, or is seeking to develop, one or more products or therapies that is related to guanylyl cyclase receptor agonists and (ii) "Covered Area" means all geographical areas of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the Company then has offices and/or sells its products directly or indirectly through distributors and/or other sales agents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may own shares of companies whose securities are publicly trades, so long as such securities do not constitute more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding securities of any such company.
|
3.2
|
Non-Solicitation
. The Executive further agrees that as long as the Agreement remains in effect and for a period of one (1) year from its termination, the Executive will not divert any business of the Company and/or its affiliates or any customers or suppliers of the Company and/or the Company's and/or its affiliates' business to any other person, entity or competitor, or induce or attempt to induce, directly or indirectly, any person to leave his or her employment with the Company.
|
3.3
|
Remedies
. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that his obligations provided herein are necessary and reasonable in order to protect the Company and its affiliates and their respective business and the Executive expressly agrees that monetary damages would be inadequate to compensate the Company and/or its affiliates for any breach by the Executive of his covenants and agreements set forth herein. Accordingly, the Executive agrees and acknowledges that any such violation or threatened violation of this Section 3 will cause irreparable injury to the Company and that, in addition to any other remedies that may be available, in law, in equity or otherwise, the Company and its affiliates shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against he threatened breach of this Section 3 or the continuation of any such breach by the Executive without the necessity of proving actual damages.
|
(a)
|
If this Agreement is terminated by the Company other than for Cause (as defined in Section 4.4 hereof) or as a result of Executive’s death or Permanent Disability (as defined in Section 4.2 hereof), or if Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason (as defined in Section 4.1(b) hereof) prior to the Expiration Date, Executive shall receive or commence receiving as soon as practicable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement:
|
(i)
|
a severance payment (the “Severance Payment”), which amount shall be paid in a cash lump sum within ten (10) days of the date of termination, in an amount equal to the higher of the aggregate amount of the Executive's Base Salary for the then remaining term of this Agreement or twelve times the average monthly Base Salary paid or accrued during the three full calendar months immediately preceding such termination;
|
(ii)
|
expense compensation, which shall be paid in a lump sum payment within ten (10) days of the date of termination, in an amount equal to the higher of the aggregate amount of the sum of average monthly cost during the three full months immediately preceding such termination of Executive’s reimbursed expenses set forth in Section 1.7 for the then remaining term of this Agreement or twelve times the sum of average monthly cost during the three full months immediately preceding such termination of Executive’s reimbursed expenses set forth in Section 1.7;
|
(iii)
|
immediate vesting of all unvested stock options and the extension of the exercise period of such options to the earlier of the longest period permitted by the Company’s stock option plans or ten years following the Termination Date;
|
(iv)
|
payment in respect of compensation earned but not yet paid (the “Compensation Payment”) which amount shall be paid in a cash lump sum within ten (10) days of the date of termination; and
|
(v)
|
payment of the cost of comprehensive medical insurance for Executive for the greater of the then remaining term of this Agreement or for a period of twelve months following the termination.
|
(b)
|
For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean any of the following (without Executive’s express prior written consent):
|
(i)
|
Any material breach by Company of any provision of this Agreement, including any material reduction by Company of Executive’s duties or responsibilities (except in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment for Cause, as a result of Permanent Disability, as a result of Executive's death or by Executive other than for Good Reason);
|
(ii)
|
A reduction by the Company in Executive’s Base Salary or any failure of the Company to reimburse Executive for material expenses described in Section 1.7;
|
(iii)
|
The failure by the Company to obtain the specific assumption of this Agreement by any successor or assign of Company as provided for in Section 8.6 hereof;
|
(iv)
|
Moving the principal offices of Company to a location outside of the Metropolitan New York Area; or
|
(v)
|
Upon a Change of Control of Company (as such term is hereinafter defined).
|
(c)
|
The following provisions shall apply in the event compensation provided in Section 4.1(a) becomes payable to the Executive:
|
(i)
|
if the severance compensation provided for in subsection 4.1(a) above cannot be finally determined on or before the tenth day following such termination, the Company shall pay to the Executive on such day an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Company of the minimum amount of such compensation and shall pay the remainder of such compensation (together with interest at the Federal short-term rate provided in Section 1274(d)(7)(C)(1) of the Code) as soon as the amount thereof can be determined but in no event later than the thirtieth day after the Date of Termination. In the event the amount of the estimated payment exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to the Executive payable on the fifth day after demand by the Company (together with interest at the Federal short-term rate provided in Section 1274(d)(7)(C)(1) of the Code).
|
(ii)
|
If the payment of the Total Payments (as defined below) will be subject to the tax (the “Excise Tax”) imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, the Company shall pay the Executive on or before the tenth day following the Date of Termination, an additional amount (the “Gross-Up Payment”) such that the net amount retained by the Executive, after deduction of any Excise Tax on Total Payments and any federal and state and local income tax and Excise Tax upon the payment provided for by this paragraph, shall be equal to the Total Payments. For purposes of determining whether any of the payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax, (A) any payments or benefits received or to be received by the Executive in connection with a Change in Control of the Company or the Executive’s termination of employment, whether payable pursuant to the terms of Section 10 of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement with the Company, its successors, any person whose actions result in a Change in Control of the Company or any corporation affiliated (or which, as a result of the completion of transaction causing such a Change in control, will become affiliated) with the Company within the meaning of Section 1504 of Code (the “Total Payments”) shall be treated as “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 28OG(b)(2) of the Code, and all “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 28OG(b)(1) shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless, in the opinion of tax counsel selected by the Company’s independent auditors and acceptable to the Executive, the Total Payments (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments, or such excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent reasonable compensation for services actually rendered within the meaning of Section 28OG(b)(4) of the Code either in their entirety or in excess of the base amount within the meaning of Section 28OG(b)(3) of the Code, or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, (B) the amount of the Total Payments that shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax shall be equal to the lesser of (I) the total amount of the Total Payments or (II) the amount of excess parachute payments or benefit shall be determined by the Company’s independent auditors in accordance with the principles of Section 28OG(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive’s residence an the Date of Termination, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes. In the event the Excise Tax is subsequently determined to be less than the amount taken into account hereunder at the time of termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall repay to the Company at the time the amount of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined the portion of the Gross-Up Payment that can be repaid such that the Executive remains whole on an after-tax basis following such repayment (taking into account any reduction in income or excise taxes to the Executive from such repayment) plus interest on the amount of such repayment at the Federal short-term rate provided in Section 1274(d)(1)(C)(i) of the Code. In the event the Excise Tax is determined to exceed the amount taken into account hereunder at the time of the termination of the Executive’s employment (including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time of the Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall make an additional gross-up payment in respect of such excess (plus any interest payable with respect to such excess) at the time that the amount of such excess is finally determined.
|
4.2
|
Permanent Disability
. If Executive becomes totally and permanently disabled (as defined in the Company’s disability benefit plan applicable to senior executive officers as in effect on the date thereof) (“Permanent Disability”), Company or Executive may terminate this Agreement on written notice thereof, and Executive shall receive or commence receiving, as soon as practicable:
|
(a)
|
amounts payable pursuant to the terms of the disability insurance policy or similar arrangement which Company maintains for the Executive, if any, during the term hereof;
|
(a)
|
the Compensation Payment which shall be paid to Executive as a cash lump sum within 30 days of such termination; and
|
(b)
|
immediate vesting of all unvested stock options.
|
4.3
|
Death
. In the event of Executive’s death during the term of his employment hereunder, Executive's estate or designated beneficiaries shall receive or commence receiving, as soon as practicable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement:
|
(a)
|
compensation equal to one year’s Base Salary (calculate by multiplying the average monthly Base Salary paid or accrued for the three full calendar months immediately such event, which shall be paid within 30 days of such termination;
|
(b)
|
any death benefits provided under the Executive benefit programs, plans and practices in which the Executive has an interest, in accordance with their respective terms;
|
(c)
|
the Compensation Payment which shall be paid to Executive’s estate as a cash lump sum within 30 days of such termination; and
|
(c)
|
such other payments under applicable plans or programs to which Executive's estate or designated beneficiaries are entitled pursuant to the terms of such plans or programs.
|
4.4
|
Voluntary Termination by Executive: Discharge for Cause
. The Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement for Cause (as hereinafter defined). In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated by Company for Cause, as hereinafter defined, or by Executive other than for Good Reason or other than as a result of the Executive’s Permanent Disability or death, prior to the Termination Date, Executive shall be entitled only to receive, as a cash lump sum within 30 days of such termination, the Compensation Payment. As used herein, the term “Cause” shall be limited to (a) willful malfeasance or willful misconduct by Executive in connection with the services to the Company in a matter of material importance to the conduct of the Company's affairs which has a material adverse affect on the business of the Company, or (b) the conviction of Executive for commission of a felony. For purposes of this subsection, no act or failure to act on the Executive’s part shall be considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. Termination of this Agreement for Cause pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be made by delivery to Executive of a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of all of the members of the Board of Directors called and held for such purpose (after 30 days prior written notice to Executive and reasonable opportunity for Executive to be heard before the Board of Directors prior to such vote), finding that in the good faith business judgment of such Board of Directors, Executive was guilty of conduct set forth in any of clauses (a) through (b) above and specifying the particulars thereof.
|
5.1
|
Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) there shall be consummated (A) any consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of the Company’s Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which the holders of the Company’s Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have substantially the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger, or (B) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the assets of the Company, or (ii) the stockholders of the Company shall approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or (iii) any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)), other than the Company or any executive benefit plan sponsored by the Company, or such person on the Effective Date hereof is a 20% or more beneficial owner, shall become the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities ordinarily (and apart from rights accruing in special circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors, as a result of a tender or exchange offer, open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise, or (iv) at any time during a period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period, constituted the Board of Directors of the Company shall cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election or the nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders of each new director during such two-year period was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office, who were directors at the beginning of such two-year period.
|
5.2
|
Rights and Obligations
. If a Change in Control of the Company shall have occurred while the Executive is an officer of the Company, the Executive shall be entitled to the compensation provided in Section 4.1(a) of this Agreement upon the subsequent termination of this Agreement by either the Company, or the Executive within two years of the date upon which the Change in Control shall have occurred, unless such termination is a result of (i) the Executive’s death; (ii) the Executive’s Disability; (iii) the Executive’s Retirement; or (iv) the Executive’s termination for Cause.
|
8.1
|
Modification: No Waiver
. No modification, amendment or discharge of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same is in writing and signed by all parties hereto. Failure of any party at any time to enforce any provisions of this Agreement or any rights or to exercise any elections hall in no way be considered to be a waiver of such provisions, rights or elections and shall in no way affect the validity of this Agreement. The exercise by any party of any of its rights or any of this elections under this Agreement shall not preclude or prejudice such party from exercising the same or any other right it may have under this Agreement irrespective of any previous action taken.
|
8.2
|
Notices
. All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder or necessary or convenient in connection herewith shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail as follows (provided that notice of change of address shall be deemed given only when received):
|
8.3
|
Governing Law
. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
|
8.4
|
Further Assurances
. Each party to this Agreement shall execute all instruments and documents and take all actions as may be reasonably required to effectuate this Agreement.
|
8.5
|
Severability
. Should any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement or of any agreement entered into pursuant to this Agreement be determined to be illegal or unenforceable, then such illegal or unenforceable provision shall be modified by the proper court or arbitrator to the extent necessary and possible to make such provision enforceable, and such modified provision and all other provisions of this Agreement and of each other agreement entered into pursuant to this Agreement shall be given effect separately from the provisions or portion thereof determined to be illegal or unenforceable and shall not be affected thereby.
|
8.6
|
Successors and Assigns
. Executive may not assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company. The Company may assign its rights without the written consent of the executive, so long as the Company or its assignee complies with the other material terms of this Agreement. The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company, and the Executive's rights under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon his heirs and executors. The Company's subsidiaries and controlled affiliates shall be express third party beneficiaries of this Agreement.
|
8.7
|
Entire Agreement.
This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties, oral or written. No modification, termination or attempted waiver shall be valid unless in writing, signed by the party against whom such modification, termination or waiver is sought to be enforced.
|
8.8
|
Counterparts; Facsimile
. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile with original signatures to follow.
|
EXECUTIVE:
|
|
SYNERGY PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
|
/s/ Gary S. Jacob
|
|
/s/ Bernard Denoyer
|
Gary S. Jacob, Ph.D.
|
|
Bernard Denoyer, Senior Vice President, Finance
|
1.
|
Introduction
|
2.
|
Honest and Ethical Conduct
|
3.
|
Legal Compliance
|
4.
|
Insider Trading
|
5.
|
International Business & Trade Laws
|
•
|
U.S. Embargoes, which generally prohibit U.S. companies, their subsidiaries and their employees from doing business or traveling to countries, subject to sanctions imposed by the U.S. government (currently, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria), as well as specific companies and individuals identified on lists published by the U.S. Treasury Department;
|
•
|
Export Controls, which restrict travel to designated countries or prohibit or restrict the export of goods, services and technology to designated countries, denied persons or denied entities from the U.S., or the re-export of U.S. origin goods from the country of original destination to such designated countries, denied companies or denied entities; and
|
•
|
Anti-Boycott Compliance, which prohibits U.S. companies from taking any action that has the effect of furthering or supporting a restrictive trade practice or boycott that is fostered or imposed by a foreign country against a country friendly to the U.S. or against any U.S. person.
|
6.
|
Anti-Corruption Laws
|
7.
|
Antitrust
|
•
|
Price Fixing. Synergy may not agree, formally or informally, with its competitors to raise, lower or stabilize prices or any element of price, including discounts and credit terms, or establish or fix the price at which a customer may resell a product.
|
•
|
Limitation of Supply. Synergy may not agree, formally or informally, with its competitors to limit its production or restrict the supply of its services.
|
•
|
Allocation of Business. Synergy may not agree, formally or informally, with its competitors to divide or allocate markets, territories or customers.
|
•
|
Monopolies. Synergy may not engage in any behavior that can be construed as an attempt to monopolize through anti-competitive conduct.
|
•
|
Boycott. Synergy may not agree, formally or informally, with its competitors to refuse to sell or purchase products from third parties. In addition, Synergy may not prevent a customer from purchasing or using non-Synergy products or services.
|
•
|
Tying. Synergy may not require a customer to purchase a product that it does not want as a condition to the sale of a different product that the customer does wish to purchase.
|
8.
|
Meetings with Competitors
|
•
|
Prices;
|
•
|
Costs;
|
•
|
Market share;
|
•
|
Allocation of sales territories;
|
•
|
Profits and profit margins;
|
•
|
Supplier’s terms and conditions;
|
•
|
Product or service offerings;
|
•
|
Terms and conditions of sale;
|
•
|
Production facilities or capabilities;
|
•
|
Bids for a particular contract or program;
|
•
|
Selection, retention or quality of customers;
|
•
|
Distribution; or
|
•
|
Methods or channels.
|
9.
|
Professional Organizations and Trade Associations
|
•
|
Discuss pricing policy or other competitive terms, plans for new or expanded facilities or any other proprietary, competitively sensitive information; or
|
•
|
Engage in pre-approval promotion and off-label marketing.
|
10.
|
Environment; Health and Safety
|
10.1.
|
Environment
|
10.2.
|
Health and Safety
|
11.
|
Employment Practices
|
12.
|
The Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the “FDCA”) and Interactions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”)
|
12.1.
|
General
|
12.2.
|
Compliance with the FDCA and FDA Laws and Regulations
|
13.
|
Harassment and Discrimination
|
13.1.
|
General
|
13.2.
|
Employee Reporting Requirements
|
13.3.
|
Management Reporting Requirements
|
14.
|
Alcohol and Drugs
|
15.
|
Violence Prevention and Weapons
|
16.
|
Conflicts of Interest
|
•
|
Whether it may interfere with the employee’s job performance, responsibilities or morale;
|
•
|
Whether the employee has access to confidential information;
|
•
|
Whether it may interfere with the job performance, responsibilities or morale of others within the organization;
|
•
|
Any potential adverse or beneficial impact on our business;
|
•
|
Any potential adverse or beneficial impact on our relationships with our customers or suppliers or other service providers;
|
•
|
Whether it would enhance or support a competitor’s position;
|
•
|
The extent to which it would result in financial or other benefit (direct or indirect) to the employee;
|
•
|
The extent to which it would result in financial or other benefit (direct or indirect) to one of our customers, suppliers or other service providers; and
|
•
|
The extent to which it would appear improper to an outside observer.
|
•
|
Employment by (including consulting for) or service on the board of a competitor, customer or supplier or other service provider. Activity that enhances or supports the position of a competitor to the detriment of Synergy is prohibited, including employment by or service on the board of a competitor. Employment by or service on the board of a customer or supplier or other service provider is generally discouraged and you must seek authorization from the Corporate Compliance Officer in advance if you plan to take such action.
|
•
|
Owning, directly or indirectly, a significant financial interest in any entity that does business, seeks to do business or competes with us. In addition to the factors described above, persons evaluating ownership for conflicts of interest will consider the size and nature of the investment; the nature of the relationship between the other entity and Synergy; the employee’s access to confidential information and the employee’s ability to influence Synergy’s decisions. If you would like to acquire a financial interest of that kind, you must seek approval in advance.
|
•
|
Soliciting or accepting gifts, favors, loans or preferential treatment from any person or entity that does business or seeks to do business with us. See Section 21,
“Competition and Fair Dealing”
, for further discussion of the issues involved in this type of conflict.
|
•
|
Soliciting contributions to any charity or for any political candidate from any person or entity that does business or seeks to do business with us.
|
•
|
Taking personal advantage of corporate opportunities. See Section 17,
“Corporate Opportunities”
, for further discussion of the issues involved in this type of conflict.
|
•
|
Moonlighting without permission.
|
•
|
Conducting our business transactions with your family member or a business in which you have a significant financial interest. Material related-party transactions approved by the Board of Directors and involving any executive officer or director will be publicly disclosed as required by applicable laws and regulations.
|
•
|
Exercising supervisory or other authority on behalf of Synergy over a co-worker who is also a family member. The employee’s supervisor and/or the Corporate Compliance Officer will consult with the Human Resources Department to assess the advisability of reassignment.
|
17.
|
Corporate Opportunities
|
18.
|
Interactions with the Government
|
•
|
Be forthright and candid at all times. No employee should intentionally misstate or omit any material information from any written or oral communication with the government.
|
•
|
Ensure that all required written submissions are made to the government and are timely, and that all written submissions, whether voluntary or required, satisfy applicable laws and regulations.
|
•
|
Not offer or exchange any gifts, gratuities or favors with, or pay for meals, entertainment, travel or other similar expenses for, government employees.
|
19.
|
Political Contributions and Activities
|
19.1.
|
General
|
19.2.
|
Guidelines
|
•
|
Contribution of Funds
. You may contribute your personal funds to political parties or candidates. Synergy will not reimburse you for personal political contributions.
|
•
|
Volunteer Activities
. You may participate in volunteer political activities during non-work time. You may not participate in political activities during working hours.
|
•
|
Use of Synergy Facilities
. Synergy’s facilities generally may not be used for political activities (including fundraisers or other activities related to running for office). However, Synergy may make its facilities available for limited political functions, including speeches by government officials and political candidates, with the approval of Synergy’s Corporate Compliance Officer.
|
•
|
Use of Synergy Name
. When you participate in political affairs, you should be careful to make it clear that your views and actions are your own, and not made on behalf of Synergy. For instance, neither Synergy letterhead nor your Synergy email account should be used to send out personal letters in connection with political activities.
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20.
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Maintenance of Corporate Books, Records, Documents and Accounts; Financial Integrity; Public Reporting
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•
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No entry be made in our books and records that intentionally hides or disguises the nature of any transaction or of any of our liabilities, or misclassifies any transactions as to accounts or accounting periods;
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•
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Transactions be supported by appropriate documentation;
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•
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The terms of sales and other commercial transactions be reflected accurately in the documentation for those transactions and all such documentation be reflected accurately in our books and records;
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•
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Employees comply with our system of internal controls; and
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•
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No cash or other assets be maintained for any purpose in any unrecorded or “off-the-books” fund.
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•
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No employee may take or authorize any action that would cause our financial records or financial disclosure to fail to comply with generally accepted accounting principles, the rules and regulations of the SEC or other applicable laws, rules and regulations;
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•
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All employees must cooperate fully with our Finance Department, as well as our independent public accountants and counsel, respond to their questions with candor and provide them with complete and accurate information to help ensure that our books and records, as well as our reports filed with the SEC, are accurate and complete; and
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•
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No employee should knowingly make (or cause or encourage any other person to make) any false or misleading statement in any of our reports filed with the SEC or knowingly omit (or cause or encourage any other person to omit) any information necessary to make the disclosure in any of our reports accurate in all material respects.
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•
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Financial results that seem inconsistent with the performance of the underlying business;
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•
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Transactions that do not seem to have an obvious business purpose; and
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•
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Requests to circumvent ordinary review and approval procedures.
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21.
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Competition and Fair Dealing
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21.1.
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Relationships with Customers
|
•
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Information we supply to customers should be accurate and complete to the best of our knowledge. Employees should not deliberately misrepresent information to customers.
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•
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Customer gifts and entertainment, when permitted, should not exceed reasonable and customary business practice. Employees should not provide gifts or entertainment or other benefits to customers that could be viewed as an inducement to or a reward for, customer purchase decisions. See Section 21.4,
“Meals, Gifts and Entertainment”
, for additional guidelines in this area.
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21.2.
|
Relationships with Suppliers
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21.3.
|
Relationships with Competitors
|
•
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The items are of reasonable value;
|
•
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A primary purpose of the meeting or attendance at the event is business related; and
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•
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The expenses would be paid by Synergy as a reasonable business expense, if not paid for by another party.
|
•
|
Advertising and Promotional Materials
: You may occasionally accept or give advertising or promotional materials of nominal value. All advertising and
|
•
|
Personal Gifts
: You may accept or give personal gifts of reasonable value that are related to recognized special occasions such as a graduation, promotion, new job, wedding, birth of a child, retirement or a holiday. A gift is also acceptable if it is based on a family or personal relationship and unrelated to the business involved between the individuals.
|
•
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Gifts Rewarding Service or Accomplishment
: You may accept a gift from a civic, charitable or religious organization specifically related to your service or accomplishment.
|
•
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An occasional, modest meal may be provided in connection with an informational presentation, in an office or hospital setting or outside an office or hospital setting, when deemed appropriate, provided, (i) the place and manner are conducive to informational communication that provides scientific or educational value and (ii) the location and cost comply with the restrictions set forth in Synergy’s Travel and Entertainment Policy and Guidelines; and
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•
|
The meal is not in any way intended to influence or attempt to influence the purchase of Synergy products reimbursable by a federal or state reimbursement system.
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22.
|
Protection and Proper Use of Synergy Assets
|
•
|
Access the internal computer system (also known as “hacking”) or other resource of another entity without express written authorization from the entity responsible for operating that resource; or
|
•
|
Commit any unlawful or illegal act, including harassment, libel, fraud, sending of unsolicited bulk email (also known as “spam”) in violation of applicable law, trafficking in contraband of any kind, or espionage.
|
23.
|
Confidentiality
|
•
|
Synergy representatives should avoid situations in which the representative may be exposed to PHI without an individual’s consent. In the event a health care professional (“HCP”) or other person exposes a representative to PHI, the representative should not document or reproduce the information in any media or form. The representative must strictly maintain the confidentiality of such information.
|
•
|
Synergy representatives should take reasonable steps to avoid inadvertently reviewing, seeing, hearing about, or otherwise learning about PHI when on-site at a covered entity and immediately return to the covered entity or destroy any paper or electronic copies of PHI that are inadvertently disclosed.
|
•
|
Synergy representatives should seek only de-identified data or non-patient identified prescriber data. Under limited and specific circumstances, and in consultation with Healthcare Compliance Officer, it may be appropriate for employees to receive certain “aggregated” or “de-identified” patient information from an HCP or other third party. “Aggregated” data is information about multiple individuals that is compiled and does not allow for the identification of any one individual. “De-identified” data is data that cannot be attributed to any specific individual or used to identify any individual and usually has been stripped of certain key identifiers which, either alone or in combination with other available information, could link the information with a specific individual or be used to identify a specific individual (including the individual’s name, many elements of the individual’s address, telephone number, and social security number, among others). HIPAA regulations include strict standards for what is “de-identified.” Accordingly, before assuming information is “de-identified,” consult the Healthcare Compliance Officer.
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24.
|
Corporate Communications Policy
|
25.
|
Waivers
|
26.
|
Compliance Standards and Procedures
|
26.1.
|
Compliance Resources
|
•
|
Investigating possible violations of the Code;
|
•
|
Educating new employees in Code policies;
|
•
|
Conducting initial education sessions for newly hired employees to provide introductory education regarding the Code no later than the first full quarter following the employee’s date of hire;
|
•
|
Conducting biennial education sessions to refresh employees’ familiarity with the Code;
|
•
|
Distributing copies of the Code annually to each employee with a reminder that each employee is responsible for reading, understanding and complying with the Code;
|
•
|
Updating the Code as needed and alerting employees to any updates, with appropriate approval of the Board of Directors, to reflect changes in the law, Synergy’s operations and in recognized best practices, and to reflect Synergy’s
experience; and
|
•
|
Otherwise promoting a corporate culture that promotes responsible and ethical conduct.
|
(1)
|
Toll-Free Telephone:
|
•
|
English speaking (USA and Canada): 844-280-0005
|
•
|
Spanish speaking (USA and Canada): 800-216-1288
|
•
|
Spanish speaking (Mexico): 01-800-681-5340
|
•
|
French speaking (Canada): 855-725-0002
|
(2)
|
Website:
www.lighthouse-services.com/Synergy
|
(3)
|
E-mail: reports@lighthouse-services.com (must include company name with report)
|
(4)
|
Fax: 215-689-3885 (must include company name with report)
|
26.2.
|
Reporting Possible Violations; Anti-Retaliation Policy
|
27.
|
Acknowledgment Process
|
SMRH:226193008.1
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
1)
|
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Synergy 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 we 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; and
|
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:
|
March 1, 2017
|
|
/s/ GARY S. JACOB
|
|
|
|
Gary S. Jacob
|
|
|
|
President, Chairman of Board, and Chief Executive Officer
|
1)
|
I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Synergy 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 annual 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 we 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; and
|
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:
|
March 1, 2017
|
|
/s/ BERNARD F. DENOYER
|
|
|
|
Bernard F. Denoyer
|
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Finance
|
Date:
|
March 1, 2017
|
/s/ GARY S. JACOB
|
|
|
Gary S. Jacob
|
|
|
President, Chairman of Board, and Chief Executive Officer
|
Date:
|
March 1, 2017
|
|
/s/ BERNARD F. DENOYER
|
|
|
|
Bernard F. Denoyer
|
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Finance
|