Form 10-K
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

 

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015

 

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

Commission File No. 001-34186

VANDA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   03-0491827

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300 E

Washington D.C. 20037

(202) 734-3400

(Address and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, par value $0.001

  The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
  (NASDAQ Global Market)

Rights to Purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock

 

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

(NASDAQ Global Market)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨        No  þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.    Yes  ¨        No  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  þ        No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  þ        No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    þ

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

 

Large accelerated filer ¨

  Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer ¨   Smaller reporting company ¨
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).    Yes  ¨        No  þ

As of June 30, 2015, the last business day of the registrant’s last completed second quarter, the aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $525.7 million based on the closing price of the registrant’s Common Stock, as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market, on such date. Shares of Common Stock held by each executive officer and director and stockholders known by the registrant to own 10% or more of the outstanding stock based on public filings and other information known to the registrant have been excluded since such persons may be deemed affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding as of January 31, 2016 was 43,102,957.

The exhibit index as required by Item 601(a) of Regulation S-K is included in Item 15 of Part IV of this report.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Specified portions of the registrant’s proxy statement with respect to the registrant’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.


Table of Contents

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Form 10-K

Table of Contents

 

          Page  
   Part I   
   Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements      1   

Item 1

   Business      3   

Item 1A

   Risk Factors      20   

Item 1B

   Unresolved Staff Comments      45   

Item 2

   Properties      45   

Item 3

   Legal Proceedings      45   

Item 4

   Mine Safety Disclosures      46   
   Part II   

Item 5

   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities      47   

Item 6

   Selected Consolidated Financial Data      48   

Item 7

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      50   

Item 7A

   Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk      64   

Item 8

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data      64   

Item 9

   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure      64   

Item 9A

   Controls and Procedures      64   

Item 9B

   Other Information      65   
   Part III   

Item 10

   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance      65   

Item 11

   Executive Compensation      65   

Item 12

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters      65   

Item 13

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence      65   

Item 14

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services      65   
   Part IV   

Item 15

   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules      66   

Signatures

     67   

Exhibits

     102   


Table of Contents

PART I

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Various statements throughout this report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report. Words such as, but not limited to, “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “goal,” “likely,” “will,” “would,” and “could,” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions or words, identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks, changes in circumstances, assumptions and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements include, among others:

 

   

the ability of Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (we, our or Vanda) to successfully commercialize HETLIOZ® (tasimelteon) for the treatment of Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder (Non-24) in the U.S. and Europe;

 

   

uncertainty as to the market awareness of Non-24 and the market acceptance of HETLIOZ®;

 

   

our ability to generate U.S. sales of Fanapt® (iloperidone) for the treatment of schizophrenia;

 

   

the timing and costs of continuing to build a sales and marketing, supply chain, distribution, pharmacovigilance, compliance and safety infrastructure to promote Fanapt® in the U.S.;

 

   

our dependence on third-party manufacturers to manufacture HETLIOZ® and Fanapt® in sufficient quantities and quality;

 

   

our limited sales and marketing infrastructure;

 

   

the regulatory status of Fanapt® in Europe;

 

   

our ability to successfully commercialize HETLIOZ® and Fanapt® outside of the U.S.;

 

   

our ability to prepare, file, prosecute, defend and enforce any patent claims and other intellectual property rights;

 

   

a loss of rights to develop and commercialize our products under our license agreements;

 

   

the ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our products, and the labeling for any approved products;

 

   

the timing and success of preclinical studies and clinical trials conducted by us and our development partners;

 

   

a failure of our products to be demonstrably safe and effective;

 

   

the size and growth of the potential markets for our products and the ability to serve those markets;

 

   

our expectations regarding trends with respect to our revenues, costs, expenses and liabilities;

 

   

the scope, progress, expansion, and costs of developing and commercializing our products;

 

   

our failure to identify or obtain rights to new products;

 

   

a loss of any of our key scientists or management personnel;

 

   

limitations on our ability to utilize some of all of our prior net operating losses and orphan drug and research and development credits;

 

   

the cost and effects of litigation;

 

   

our ability to obtain the capital necessary to fund our research and development or commercial activities;

 

   

losses incurred from product liability claims made against us; and

 

   

use of our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

 

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All written and verbal forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We caution investors not to rely too heavily on the forward-looking statements we make or that are made on our behalf. We undertake no obligation, and specifically decline any obligation, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

We encourage you to read Management’s Discussion and Analysis of our Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our consolidated financial statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K. We also encourage you to read Item 1A of Part I of this annual report on Form 10-K, entitled Risk Factors, which contains a more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties associated with our business. In addition to the risks described above and in Item 1A of this report, other unknown or unpredictable factors also could affect our results. Therefore, the information in this report should be read together with other reports and documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which may supplement, modify, supersede or update those risk factors. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this report will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all.

 

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (we, Vanda or the Company) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of products for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. Vanda commenced its operations in 2003 and our product portfolio includes:

 

   

HETLIOZ® (tasimelteon), a product for the treatment of Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder (Non-24), was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2014 and launched commercially in the U.S. in April 2014. In July 2015, the European Commission (EC) granted centralized marketing authorization with unified labeling for HETLIOZ® for the treatment of Non-24 in totally blind adults. This authorization is valid in the 28 countries that are members of the European Union, as well as European Economic Area members Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. HETLIOZ® has potential utility in a number of other circadian rhythm disorders and is presently in clinical development for the treatment of Jet Lag Disorder and Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS).

 

   

Fanapt® (iloperidone), a product for the treatment of schizophrenia, the oral formulation of which was being marketed and sold in the U.S. by Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis) until December 31, 2014. On December 31, 2014, Novartis transferred all the U.S. and Canadian commercial rights to the Fanapt® franchise to us. See Note 3, Settlement Agreement with Novartis, to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information. In September 2015, the FDA accepted for review a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Fanapt® for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adults. In December 2015, we refiled with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Fanaptum® oral. Additionally, our distribution partners launched Fanapt® in Israel and Mexico in 2014.

 

   

Tradipitant (VLY-686), a small molecule neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonist, which is presently in clinical development for the treatment of chronic pruritus in atopic dermatitis.

 

   

Trichostatin A, a small molecule histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor.

 

   

AQW051, a Phase II alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist.

Since we began operations in March 2003, we have devoted substantially all of our resources to the in-licensing, clinical development and commercialization of our products. Our products target prescription markets with significant unmet medical needs. Our ability to generate revenue and achieve profitability largely depends on our ability, alone or with others, to complete the development of our products, and to obtain the regulatory approvals for and manufacture, market and sell our products, and our ability to successfully commercialize HETLIOZ® for the treatment of Non-24 and Fanapt® for the treatment of schizophrenia. The results of our operations will vary significantly and depend on a number of factors, including risks related to our business, risks related to our industry, and other risks which are detailed in Item 1A of Part I entitled Risk Factors and Item 7 of Part II entitled Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this annual report on Form 10-K.

Our activities will necessitate significant uses of working capital throughout 2016 and beyond. We are currently concentrating our efforts on selling HETLIOZ® and Fanapt® commercially in the U.S. and our upcoming commercial launch of HETLIOZ® in Europe. Additionally, we continue to pursue market approval of HETLIOZ® in other regions and Fanapt® in Europe and other regions. We will continue to work with our distribution partners who launched Fanapt® in Mexico and Israel during 2014. We see opportunities to grow our commercial products through life cycle management strategies that include the addition of new indications and formulations. Our pipeline includes novel programs that could address largely unmet medical needs.

Our founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, M.D., started Vanda’s operations early in 2003 after establishing and leading the Pharmacogenetics Department at Novartis. In acquiring and developing our products, we have relied upon our deep expertise in the scientific disciplines of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics. These scientific disciplines examine both genetic variations among people that influence response to a particular drug, and the multiple pathways through which drugs affect people.

 

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Our strategy

Our goal is to create a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies addressing high unmet medical needs through the application of our drug development expertise and our pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics expertise. The key elements of our strategy to accomplish this goal are to:

 

   

Maximize the commercial success of HETLIOZ® and Fanapt®;

 

   

Enter into strategic partnerships to supplement our capabilities and to extend our commercial reach;

 

   

Pursue the clinical development and regulatory approval of our products;

 

   

Apply our pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics expertise to differentiate our products; and

 

   

Expand our product portfolio through the identification and acquisition of additional products.

Products

We have the following products on the market or under regulatory review:

 

Product

   Indication    Country   

Select Milestones

HETLIOZ®

(tasimelteon)

   Non-24    United States   

FDA approval in January 2014;

Commercial launch in April 2014

          Europe   

EC approval in July 2015;

Expected commercial launch in Germany in 2016

Fanapt® (Oral)

(iloperidone)

   Schizophrenia    United States   

FDA approval in May 2009;

Commercial launch in January 2010;

U.S. and Canada rights sublicensed to Novartis in October 2009 and reacquired by Vanda in December 2014;

Long term maintenance sNDA accepted for review by FDA in September 2015 with a PDUFA date in May 2016

Fanaptum® (Oral)

(iloperidone)

      Europe    EMA accepted for evaluation our MAA in December 2015
      Mexico   

Market approval in October 2013;

Commercial launch in the fourth quarter of 2014 by our local distribution partner, Probiomed S.A. de C.V.

      Israel   

Market approval August 2012;

Commercial launch in the fourth quarter of 2014 by our local distribution partner, Megapharm Ltd.

 

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We have the following products in clinical development:

 

Product

  

Target Indication

  

Select Milestones

HETLIOZ®

(tasimelteon)

   Pediatric Non-24   

Plan to initiate a pharmacokinetic study in the second quarter 2016;

Plan to initiate a Phase III study in the second half of 2016

   SMS   

Initiated open label interventional study in the fourth quarter 2015;

Plan to initiate placebo controlled Phase III study in the second half of 2016

     Jet Lag Disorder   

Completed observational study in the fourth quarter of 2015;

Plan to initiate Phase III study in the second half of 2016

Fanapt® (Oral)

(iloperidone)

   Schizophrenia    Positive results from a Phase III long-term maintenance study in patients with schizophrenia were announced in June 2015
Tradipitant (VLY-686)    Pruritus in patients with Atopic Dermatitis    Plan to initiate a pruritus proof of concept study during 2016
Trichostatin A    Oncology    Plan to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in 2016
AQW051    CNS Disorders    Potential indications are under strategic evaluation including cognitive impairment

HETLIOZ®

Commercial opportunity: Non-24

In January 2014, HETLIOZ® was approved in the U.S. for the treatment of Non-24. Non-24 is a serious, rare and chronic circadian rhythm disorder characterized by the inability to entrain (synchronize) the master body clock with the 24-hour day-night cycle. HETLIOZ® is the first FDA approved treatment for Non-24. HETLIOZ® is a melatonin agonist of the human MT1 and MT2 receptors, with greater specificity for MT2. These receptors are thought to be involved in the control of circadian rhythms. HETLIOZ® is believed to reset the master body clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), located in the hypothalamus, resulting in the entrainment and alignment of the body’s melatonin and cortisol rhythms to the 24-hour day-night cycle. HETLIOZ® was launched commercially in the U.S. in April 2014. In addition, in July 2015, the EC granted centralized marketing authorization with unified labeling for HETLIOZ® for the treatment of Non-24 in totally blind adults. This authorization is valid in the 28 countries that are members of the European Union, as well as European Economic Area members Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

In January 2010, the FDA granted orphan drug designation status for HETLIOZ® in Non-24 in blind individuals. The FDA grants orphan drug designation to drugs that may provide significant therapeutic advantage over existing treatments and target conditions affecting 200,000 or fewer U.S. patients per year. Orphan drug designation provides potential financial and regulatory incentives, including study design assistance, tax credits, waiver of FDA user fees, and up to seven years of market exclusivity upon marketing approval. In February 2011, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) designated HETLIOZ® as an orphan medicinal product for the same indication.

Non-24 is a serious, rare and chronic circadian rhythm disorder characterized by the inability to synchronize the master body clock with the 24-hour day-night cycle. Non-24 affects a majority of totally blind individuals, or between 65,000 and 95,000 people in the U.S. Non-24 occurs almost entirely in individuals who lack the light sensitivity necessary to synchronize the master body clock in the brain with the 24-hour day-night cycle. Most people have a master body clock that naturally runs longer than 24-hours and light is the primary environmental

 

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cue that resets it to 24 hours each day. Individuals with Non-24 have a master body clock that is not reset, and continually delays, resulting in prolonged periods of misalignment between their circadian rhythms and the 24-hour day-night cycle, including the timing of melatonin and cortisol secretion. As a result of this misalignment, Non-24 is associated with significant disruption of the sleep-wake cycle and impairments in social and occupational functioning, and marked subjective distress. Individuals with Non-24 cycle in-and out-of phase and suffer from disrupted nighttime sleep patterns and/or excessive daytime sleepiness.

While there are no FDA or EC approved treatments for Non-24, other than HETLIOZ®, there are a number of drugs approved and prescribed for patients with sleep disorders. The most commonly prescribed drugs are hypnotics. See Competition below for a discussion of commonly prescribed drugs for patients with sleep disorders.

Therapeutic opportunity: Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are segmented into three major categories: primary insomnia, secondary insomnia and circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSDs). Insomnia is a symptom complex that comprises difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or non-refreshing sleep, in combination with daytime dysfunction or distress. The symptom complex can be an independent disorder (primary insomnia) or be a result of another condition such as depression or anxiety (secondary insomnia). CRSDs result from a misalignment of the sleep/wake cycle and an individual’s daily activities or lifestyle. The circadian rhythm is the rhythmic output of the human biological clock and is governed by the hormones melatonin and cortisol. Both the timing of behavioral events (activity, sleep, and social interactions) and the environmental light/dark cycle result in a sleep/wake cycle that follows the circadian rhythm. Examples of CRSDs include transient disorders such as jet lag and chronic disorders such as delayed sleep phase disorder, shift work sleep disorder and Non-24.

Therapeutic opportunity: Other

We are planning to develop HETLIOZ® for the treatment of pediatric Non-24. We expect to initiate a pediatric pharmacokinetic study in the second quarter of 2016 and a Phase III study in the second half of 2016.

We initiated an open label interventional study in patients with SMS in the fourth quarter of 2015. We expect to initiate a placebo controlled Phase III study in the second half of 2016. SMS is a rare genetic disorder caused by a deletion on chromosome 17. The U.S. National Institute of Health estimates that SMS affects approximately one in 20,000 births in the U.S.

We initiated an observational study in Jet Lag Disorder in the fourth quarter of 2015. We expect to initiate a Phase III study in the second half of 2016.

Fanapt®

Commercial Opportunity: Schizophrenia

Fanapt® is a product for the treatment of schizophrenia. In May 2009, the FDA granted U.S. marketing approval of Fanapt® for the acute treatment of schizophrenia in adults. In October 2009, we entered into an amended and restated sublicense agreement with Novartis. We had originally entered into a sublicense agreement with Novartis in June 2004 pursuant to which we obtained certain worldwide exclusive licenses from Novartis relating to Fanapt®. Pursuant to the amended and restated sublicense agreement, Novartis had exclusive commercialization rights to all formulations of Fanapt® in the U.S. and Canada. In January 2010, Novartis launched Fanapt® in the U.S. On December 31, 2014, Novartis transferred all the U.S. and Canadian commercial rights to the Fanapt® franchise to Vanda as part of the Settlement Agreement. See Note 3, Settlement Agreement with Novartis, to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information. In June 2015, we announced positive results from REPRIEVE, a Phase III long-term maintenance study that was conducted by Novartis. In September 2015, the FDA accepted for review a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Fanapt® for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adults. The FDA has set a May 2016 PDUFA date for the Fanapt® sNDA.

 

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We continue to explore the regulatory path and commercial opportunity for Fanapt® oral formulation outside of the U.S. In December 2012, the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a negative opinion recommending against approval of Fanaptum® (oral iloperidone tablets) for the treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients in the European Union. The CHMP was of the opinion that the benefits of Fanaptum® did not outweigh its risks and recommended against marketing authorization. We initiated an appeal of this opinion and requested a re-examination of the decision by the CHMP, but withdrew our Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) in the first quarter of 2013 because the additional clinical data requested by the CHMP would not have been available in the timeframe allowed by the EMA’s Centralized Procedure. In December 2015, we refiled a MAA with the EMA for Fanaptum® which included the results from the REPRIEVE study.

We have entered into agreements with the following partners for the commercialization of Fanapt® in the countries set forth below:

 

Country

  

Partner

  

Market Approval Date

Mexico    Probiomed S.A. de C.V.    October 2013
Israel    Megapharm Ltd.    August 2012

Schizophrenia is a chronic, debilitating mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, racing thoughts and other psychotic symptoms (collectively referred to as “positive symptoms”), as well as moodiness, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), loss of interest, eating disturbances and withdrawal (collectively referred to as “negative symptoms”), and attention and memory deficits (collectively referred to as “cognitive symptoms”). Schizophrenia develops in late adolescence or early adulthood in approximately 1% of the world’s population. Most schizophrenia patients today are treated with drugs known as “atypical” antipsychotics, which were first approved in the U.S. in the late 1980s. These antipsychotics have been named “atypical” for their ability to treat a broader range of negative symptoms than the first-generation “typical” antipsychotics, which were introduced in the 1950s and are now generic. Atypical antipsychotics are generally regarded as having improved side effect profiles and efficacy relative to typical antipsychotics and currently comprise approximately 90% of schizophrenia prescriptions. See Competition below for a discussion of commonly prescribed atypical antipsychotics in addition to Fanapt®.

Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement with Novartis, we reacquired the U.S. and Canadian rights to the long-acting injectable (depot) formulation of Fanapt®. We are evaluating the commercial opportunity around the depot formulation.

Tradipitant (VLY-686)

Tradipitant is a small molecule NK-1R antagonist that we licensed from Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) in April 2012. NK-1R antagonists have been evaluated in a number of indications including chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), alcohol dependence, anxiety, depression and pruritus. We commenced a Phase II clinical study of tradipitant in the treatment of chronic pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis in 2014. Results from a Phase II study for the treatment of chronic pruritus in atopic dermatitis were announced in March 2015. This study showed no significant difference from placebo on the pre-specified primary endpoint. Vanda believes this proof of concept study was informative, in that through subsequent analyses, it revealed significant and clinically meaningful responses across multiple outcomes evaluated in individuals with higher blood plasma levels of tradipitant at the time of their pruritus assessments. We plan to initiate a pruritus proof of concept study in 2016.

Trichostatin A

Trichostatin A is a small molecule HDAC inhibitor with potential use as a treatment for several oncology indications. We plan to file an IND application in the first half of 2016.

 

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AQW051

AQW051 is a Phase II alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist that we licensed from Novartis on December 31, 2014 pursuant to the Settlement Agreement. We are currently in the process of transferring clinical data from Novartis and evaluating potential indications, including cognitive impairment.

License agreements

Our rights to develop and commercialize our products are subject to the terms and conditions of licenses granted to us by other pharmaceutical companies.

HETLIOZ®

In February 2004, we entered into a license agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) under which we received an exclusive worldwide license under certain patents and patent applications, and other licenses to intellectual property, to develop and commercialize HETLIOZ®. In partial consideration for the license, we paid BMS an initial license fee of $0.5 million. We made developmental milestone payments to BMS totaling $12.0 million under the license agreement, including an $8.0 million milestone payment in the first quarter of 2014 as a result of the FDA’s approval of our HETLIOZ® NDA. The $8.0 million milestone payment was capitalized as an intangible asset and is being amortized over the expected HETLIOZ® patent life in the U.S. We are obligated to make a future milestone payment to BMS of $25.0 million in the event that cumulative worldwide sales of HETLIOZ® reach $250.0 million. Additionally, we are obligated to make royalty payments on HETLIOZ® net sales to BMS in any territory where we commercialize HETLIOZ® for a period equal to the greater of 10 years post the first commercial sale in the territory or the expiry of the new chemical entity patent in that territory. During the period prior to the expiry of the new chemical entity patent in a territory, we are obligated to pay a 10% royalty on net sales in that territory. The royalty rate is decreased by half for countries in which no new chemical entity patent existed or for the remainder of the 10 years after the expiry of the new chemical entity patent. We are also obligated under the license agreement to pay BMS a percentage of any sublicense fees, upfront payments and milestone and other payments (excluding royalties) that we receive from a third party in connection with any sublicensing arrangement, at a rate which is in the mid-twenties. We have agreed with BMS in our license agreement for HETLIOZ® to use our commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize HETLIOZ®.

Either party may terminate the HETLIOZ® license agreement under certain circumstances, including a material breach of the agreement by the other. In the event we terminate our license, or if BMS terminates our license due to our breach, all rights licensed and developed by us under this agreement will revert or otherwise be licensed back to BMS on an exclusive basis.

Fanapt®

Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement with Novartis, Novartis transferred all U.S. and Canadian rights in the Fanapt® franchise to Vanda on December 31, 2014.

A predecessor company of Sanofi, Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc. (HMRI), discovered Fanapt® and completed early clinical work on the compound. In 1996, HMRI licensed its rights to the Fanapt® patents and patent applications to Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Titan) on an exclusive basis. In 1997, soon after it had acquired its rights, Titan sublicensed its rights to Fanapt® on an exclusive basis to Novartis. In June 2004, we acquired exclusive worldwide rights to these patents and patent applications as well as certain Novartis patents and patent applications to develop and commercialize Fanapt® through a sublicense agreement with Novartis. In partial consideration for this sublicense, we paid Novartis an initial license fee of $0.5 million and were obligated to make future milestone payments to Novartis of less than $100.0 million in the aggregate (the majority of which were tied to sales milestones), as well as royalty payments to Novartis at a rate which, as a percentage of net sales, was in the mid-twenties. As a result of the FDA’s approval of the NDA for Fanapt® in May 2009, we met a milestone under the sublicense agreement, which required us to make a payment of $12.0 million to Novartis.

 

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In October 2009, we entered into an amended and restated sublicense agreement with Novartis, which amended and restated the June 2004 sublicense agreement. Pursuant to the amended and restated sublicense agreement, Novartis had exclusive commercialization rights to all formulations of Fanapt® in the U.S. and Canada. Novartis began selling Fanapt® in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2010. Novartis was responsible for the further clinical development activities in the U.S. and Canada. Pursuant to the amended and restated sublicense agreement, we received an upfront payment of $200.0 million and were eligible for additional payments totaling up to $265.0 million upon Novartis’ achievement of certain commercial and development milestones for Fanapt® in the U.S. and Canada. We also received royalties, which, as a percentage of net sales, were in the low double-digits, on net sales of Fanapt® in the U.S. and Canada. We retained exclusive rights to Fanapt® outside the U.S. and Canada and are obligated to make royalty payments to Sanofi S.A. on Fanapt® sales outside the U.S. and Canada.

Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Novartis transferred all U.S. and Canadian rights in the Fanapt® franchise to the Company on December 31, 2014. We are obligated to make royalty payments to Sanofi, S.A. (Sanofi) and Titan, at a percentage rate equal to 23% on annual U.S. net sales of Fanapt® up to $200.0 million, and at a percentage rate in the mid-twenties on sales over $200.0 million through November 2016. See Note 3, Settlement Agreement with Novartis, to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information. In February 2016, we amended the agreement with Sanofi and Titan to remove Titan as the entity through which royalty payments from us are directed to Sanofi following the expiration of the new chemical entity (NCE) patent for Fanapt® in the U.S. on November 15, 2016. Under the amended agreement, we will pay directly to Sanofi a fixed royalty of 3% of net sales from November 16, 2016 through December 31, 2019 related to manufacturing know-how. We will make a $2.0 million payment applied to this 3% manufacturing know-how royalty and will make additional royalty payments only to the extent that our cumulative royalty obligations during this period exceed the amount of the pre-payment. No further royalties on manufacturing know-how are payable by us after December 31, 2019. This amended agreement does not alter Titan’s obligation under the License Agreement to make royalty payments to Sanofi prior to November 16, 2016 or our obligations under the Sublicense Agreement to pay Sanofi a fixed royalty on Fanapt net sales equal up to 6% on Sanofi know-how not related to manufacturing under certain conditions for a period of up to 10 years in markets where the NCE patent has expired or was not issued.

Tradipitant (VLY-686)

In April 2012, we entered into a license agreement with Lilly pursuant to which we acquired an exclusive worldwide license under certain patents and patent applications, and other licenses to intellectual property, to develop and commercialize an NK-1R antagonist, tradipitant, for all human indications.

Pursuant to the agreement, we paid Lilly an initial license fee of $1.0 million and we will be responsible for all development costs for tradipitant. Lilly is also eligible to receive additional payments based upon achievement of specified development and commercialization milestones as well as tiered-royalties on net sales at percentage rates up to the low double digits. These milestones include $4.0 million for pre-NDA approval milestones and up to $95.0 million for future regulatory approval and sales milestones. We have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize tradipitant.

Either party may terminate the agreement under certain circumstances, including a material breach of the agreement by the other. In the event that we terminate the agreement, or if Lilly terminates the agreement due to our breach or for certain other reasons set forth in the agreement, all rights licensed and developed by us under the agreement will revert or otherwise be licensed back to Lilly on an exclusive basis, subject to payment by Lilly to us of a royalty on net sales of products that contain tradipitant.

AQW051

In December 2014, we entered into a license agreement with Novartis pursuant to which we acquired an exclusive worldwide license under certain patents and patent applications, and other licenses to intellectual property, to develop and commercialize an alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, AQW051, for all human indications.

 

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Pursuant to the agreement, we will be responsible for all development costs for AQW051. Novartis is eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales at percentage rates up to the low double digits. We have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize AQW051.

Either party may terminate the agreement under certain circumstances, including a material breach of the agreement by the other. In the event that we terminate the agreement, or if Novartis terminates the agreement due to our breach or for certain other reasons set forth in the agreement, all rights licensed and developed by us under the agreement will revert or otherwise be licensed back to Novartis on an exclusive basis, subject to payment by Novartis to us of a royalty on net sales of products that contain AQW051.

Government regulation

Government authorities in the U.S., at the federal, state and local level, as well as foreign countries and local foreign governments, regulate the research, development, testing, manufacture, labeling, promotion, advertising, distribution, sampling, marketing, import and export of our products. Other than HETLIOZ® in the U.S. and the European Union and Fanapt® in the U.S., Israel and Mexico, all of our products will require regulatory approval by government agencies prior to commercialization. In particular, human pharmaceutical products are subject to rigorous pre-clinical and clinical trials and other approval procedures of the FDA and similar regulatory authorities in foreign countries. The process of obtaining these approvals and the subsequent compliance with appropriate domestic and foreign laws, rules and regulations require the expenditure of significant time and human and financial resources.

United States government regulation

FDA approval process

In the U.S., the FDA regulates drugs under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended, and implements regulations. If we fail to comply with the applicable requirements at any time during the product development process, approval process, or after approval, we may become subject to administrative or judicial sanctions. These sanctions could include the FDA’s refusal to approve pending applications, withdrawals of approvals, clinical holds, warning letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of our operations, injunctions, fines, civil penalties or criminal prosecution. Any such sanction could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The steps required before a drug may be marketed in the U.S. include:

 

   

pre-clinical laboratory tests, animal studies and formulation studies under Current Good Laboratory Practices (cGLP);

 

   

submission to the FDA of an investigational new drug application (IND), which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin;

 

   

execution of adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the drug for each indication for which approval is sought;

 

   

submission to the FDA of an NDA;

 

   

satisfactory completion of an FDA inspection of the manufacturing facility or facilities at which the drug is produced to assess compliance with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP); and

 

   

FDA review and approval of the NDA.

Pre-clinical studies generally are conducted in laboratory animals to evaluate the potential safety and activity of a drug. Violation of the FDA’s cGLP regulations can, in some cases, lead to invalidation of the studies, requiring these studies to be replicated. In the U.S., drug developers submit the results of pre-clinical trials, together with manufacturing information and analytical and stability data, to the FDA as part of the IND, which must become effective before clinical trials can begin in the U.S. An IND becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA unless before that time the FDA raises concerns or questions about issues such as the

 

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proposed clinical trials outlined in the IND. In that case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding FDA concerns or questions before clinical trials can proceed. If these concerns or questions are unresolved, the FDA may not allow the clinical trials to commence.

Pilot studies generally are conducted in a limited patient population, approximately three to 25 subjects, to determine whether the drug warrants further clinical trials based on preliminary indications of efficacy. These pilot studies may be performed in the U.S. after an IND has become effective or outside of the U.S. prior to the filing of an IND in the U.S. in accordance with applicable government regulations and institutional procedures.

Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational new drug to human subjects under the supervision of qualified investigators. Clinical trials are conducted under protocols detailing, among other things, the objectives of the study, the parameters to be used in assessing the safety and the effectiveness of the drug. Each protocol must be submitted to the FDA as part of the IND prior to beginning the trial.

Typically, clinical evaluation involves a time-consuming and costly three-Phase sequential process, but the phases may overlap. Each trial must be reviewed, approved and conducted under the auspices of an independent Institutional Review Board, and each trial must include the patient’s informed consent.

 

   

Phase I: refers typically to closely-monitored clinical trials and includes the initial introduction of an investigational new drug into human patients or healthy volunteer subjects. Phase I trials are designed to determine the safety, metabolism and pharmacologic actions of a drug in humans, the potential side effects associated with increasing drug doses and, if possible, to gain early evidence of the drug’s effectiveness. Phase I trials also include the study of structure-activity relationships and mechanism of action in humans, as well as studies in which investigational new drugs are used as research tools to explore biological phenomena or disease processes. During Phase I trials, sufficient information about a drug’s pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effects should be obtained to permit the design of well-controlled, scientifically valid Phase II studies. The total number of subjects and patients included in Phase I trials varies, but is generally in the range of 20 to 80 people.

 

   

Phase II: refers to controlled clinical trials conducted to evaluate appropriate dosage and the effectiveness of a drug for a particular indication or indications in patients with a disease or condition under study and to determine the common short-term side effects and risks associated with the drug. These trials are typically well-controlled, closely monitored and conducted in a relatively small number of patients, usually involving no more than several hundred subjects.

 

   

Phase III: refers to expanded controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials. These trials are performed after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of a drug has been obtained. Phase III trials are intended to gather additional information about the effectiveness and safety that is needed to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and to provide an adequate basis for physician labeling. Phase III trials usually include several hundred to several thousand subjects.

Phase I, II and III testing may not be completed successfully within any specified time period, if at all. The FDA closely monitors the progress of each of the three phases of clinical trials that are conducted in the U.S. and may, at its discretion, reevaluate, alter, suspend or terminate the testing based upon the data accumulated to that point and the FDA’s assessment of the risk/benefit ratio to the patient. A clinical program is designed after assessing the causes of the disease, the mechanism of action of the active pharmaceutical ingredient of the drug and all clinical and pre-clinical data of previous trials performed. Typically, the trial design protocols and efficacy endpoints are established in consultation with the FDA. Upon request through a special protocol assessment, the FDA can also provide specific guidance on the acceptability of protocol design for clinical trials. The FDA, we or our partners may suspend or terminate clinical trials at any time for various reasons, including a finding that the subjects or patients are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk. The FDA can also request additional clinical trials be conducted as a condition to drug approval. During all clinical trials, physicians monitor the patients to determine effectiveness and to observe and report any reactions or other safety risks that may result from use of the drug.

 

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Assuming successful completion of the required clinical trials, drug developers submit the results of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, together with other detailed information including information on the manufacture and composition of the drug, to the FDA, in the form of an NDA, requesting approval to market the drug for one or more indications. In most cases, the NDA must be accompanied by a substantial user fee. The FDA reviews an NDA to determine, among other things, whether a drug is safe and effective for its intended use.

Before approving an NDA, the FDA will inspect the facility or facilities where the drug is manufactured. The FDA will not approve the application unless cGMP compliance is satisfactory. The FDA will issue an approval letter if it determines that the application, manufacturing process and manufacturing facilities are acceptable. If the FDA determines that the NDA, manufacturing process or manufacturing facilities are not acceptable, it will issue a complete response letter (CRL), in which it will outline the deficiencies in the submission and will often request additional testing or information. Notwithstanding the submission of any requested additional information, the FDA may ultimately decide that the NDA does not satisfy the regulatory criteria for approval and refuse to approve the NDA.

The testing and approval process requires substantial time, effort and financial resources, and each may take several years to complete. The FDA may not grant approval on a timely basis, or at all. We or our partners may encounter difficulties or unanticipated costs in our efforts to secure necessary governmental approvals, which could delay or preclude us or our partners from marketing our products. Furthermore, the FDA may prevent a drug developer from marketing a drug under a label for its desired indications or place other conditions on distribution as a condition of any approvals, which may impair commercialization of the drug. After approval, some types of changes to the approved drug, such as adding new indications, manufacturing changes and additional labeling claims, are subject to further FDA review and approval. Similar regulatory procedures must also be complied within countries outside the U.S.

If the FDA approves the NDA, the drug becomes available for physicians to prescribe in the U.S. After approval of our products, we have to comply with a number of post-approval requirements, including delivering periodic reports to the FDA, submitting descriptions of any adverse reactions reported, and complying with drug sampling and distribution requirements. We and our partners also are required to provide updated safety and efficacy information and to comply with requirements concerning advertising and promotional labeling. Also, our quality control and manufacturing procedures must continue to conform to cGMP after approval. Drug manufacturers and their subcontractors are required to register their facilities and are subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA to assess compliance with cGMP which imposes certain procedural and documentation requirements relating to quality assurance and quality control. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money and effort in the area of production and quality control to maintain compliance with cGMP and other aspects of regulatory compliance. The FDA may require post market testing and surveillance to monitor the drug’s safety or efficacy, including additional studies, known as Phase IV trials, to evaluate long-term effects.

In addition to studies requested by the FDA after approval, we or our partners may have to conduct other trials and studies to explore use of the approved product for treatment of new indications, which require FDA approval. The purpose of these trials and studies is to broaden the application and use of the product and its acceptance in the medical community.

We use, and will continue to use, third-party manufacturers to produce our products in clinical and commercial quantities. Future FDA inspections may identify compliance issues at our facilities or at the facilities of our contract manufacturers that may disrupt production or distribution, or require substantial resources to correct. In addition, discovery of problems with a product or the failure to comply with requirements may result in restrictions on a product, manufacturer or holder of an approved NDA, including withdrawal or recall of the product from the market or other voluntary or FDA-initiated action that could delay further marketing. Newly discovered or developed safety or effectiveness data may require changes to a product’s approved labeling, including the addition of new warnings and contraindications.

In September 2007, the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (FDAAA), was enacted into law, amending the U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Service Act. The FDAAA made a number of substantive and incremental changes to the review and approval processes in ways that could make it

 

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more difficult or costly to obtain approval for new pharmaceutical products, or to produce, market and distribute existing pharmaceutical products. Most significantly, the law changed the FDA’s handling of postmarked drug product safety issues by giving the FDA authority to require post approval studies or clinical trials, to request that safety information be provided in labeling, or to require an NDA applicant to submit and execute a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS).

The FDAAA made certain changes to the user fee provisions to permit the use of user fee revenue to fund the FDA’s drug product safety activities and the review of Direct-to-Consumer advertisements. The Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act of 2012, which became effective in October 2012, reauthorized the authority of the FDA to collect user fees to fund the FDA’s review activities.

In addition, new government requirements may be established that could delay or prevent regulatory approval of our products under development.

The Hatch-Waxman Act

In seeking approval for a drug through an NDA, applicants are required to list with the FDA each patent with claims that cover the applicant’s drug. Upon approval of a drug, each of the patents listed in the application for the drug is then published in the FDA’s Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, commonly known as the Orange Book. Drugs listed in the Orange Book can, in turn be cited by potential competitors in support of approval of an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA). An ANDA provides for marketing of a drug that has the same active ingredients in the same strengths and dosage form as the listed drug and has been shown through bioequivalence testing to be therapeutically equivalent to the listed drug. ANDA applicants are not required to conduct or submit results of pre-clinical or clinical tests to prove the safety or effectiveness of their drug, other than the requirement for bioequivalence testing. Drugs approved in this way are commonly referred to as “generic equivalents” to the listed drug, and can often be substituted by pharmacists under prescriptions written for the original listed drug.

The ANDA applicant is required to certify to the FDA concerning any patents listed for the approved drug in the FDA’s Orange Book. Specifically, the applicant must certify that: (i) the required patent information has not been filed; (ii) the listed patent has expired; (iii) the listed patent has not expired, but will expire on a particular date and approval is sought after patent expiration; or (iv) the listed patent is invalid or will not be infringed by the new drug. A certification that the new drug will not infringe the already approved drug’s listed patents or that such patents are invalid is called a Paragraph IV certification. If the applicant does not challenge the listed patents, the ANDA application will not be approved until all the listed patents claiming the referenced drug have expired.

If the ANDA applicant has provided a Paragraph IV certification to the FDA, the applicant must also send notice of the Paragraph IV certification to the NDA and patent holders once the ANDA has been accepted for filing by the FDA. The NDA and patent holders may then initiate a patent infringement lawsuit in response to the notice of the Paragraph IV certification. The filing of a patent infringement lawsuit within 45 days of the receipt of a Paragraph IV certification automatically prevents the FDA from approving the ANDA until the earlier of 30 months, expiration of the patent, settlement of the lawsuit or a decision in the infringement case that is favorable to the ANDA applicant.

The ANDA application also will not be approved until any non-patent exclusivity, such as exclusivity for obtaining approval of a new chemical entity, listed in the Orange Book for the referenced drug has expired. The U.S. Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, more commonly known as the “Hatch-Waxman Act,” provides a period of five years following approval of a drug containing no previously approved active ingredients, during which ANDAs for generic versions of those drugs cannot be submitted unless the submission contains a Paragraph IV challenge to a listed patent, in which case the submission may be made four years following the original drug approval. Federal law provides for a period of three years of exclusivity following approval of a listed drug that contains previously approved active ingredients but is approved in a new dosage form, route of administration or combination, or for a new use, the approval of which was required to be supported by new clinical trials conducted by or for the sponsor, during which FDA cannot grant effective approval of an ANDA based on that listed drug.

 

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Foreign regulation

Whether or not we or our partners obtain FDA approval for a product, we must obtain approval by the comparable regulatory authorities of foreign countries before we can commence clinical trials or marketing of the product in those countries. The approval process varies from country to country, and the time may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA approval. The requirements governing the conduct of clinical trials, product licensing, pricing and reimbursement also vary greatly from country to country. Although governed by the applicable country, clinical trials conducted outside of the U.S. typically are administered with the three-Phase sequential process that is discussed above under “United States government regulation.” However, the foreign equivalent of an IND is not a prerequisite to performing pilot studies or Phase I clinical trials.

Under European Union regulatory systems, we may submit MAAs either under a centralized or decentralized procedure. The centralized procedure, which is available for drugs produced by biotechnology or which are highly innovative, provides for the grant of a single marketing authorization that is valid for all European Union member states. This authorization is a marketing authorization approval. The decentralized procedure provides for mutual recognition of national approval decisions. Under this procedure, the holder of a national marketing authorization may submit an application to the remaining member states. Within 90 days of receiving the applications and assessment report, each member state must decide whether to recognize approval. This procedure is referred to as the mutual recognition procedure.

In addition, regulatory approval of prices is required in most countries other than the U.S. We face the risk that the resulting prices would be insufficient to generate an acceptable return to us or our partners.

Patents and proprietary rights; Hatch-Waxman protection

We and our partners will be able to protect our products from unauthorized use by third parties only to the extent that our products are covered by valid and enforceable patents, either licensed in from third parties or generated internally, that give us or our partners sufficient proprietary rights. Accordingly, patents and other proprietary rights are essential elements of our business.

HETLIOZ®, Fanapt®, tradipitant and AQW051 are covered by new chemical entity and other patents and patent applications. The patents cover the active pharmaceutical ingredient and provide patent protection for all formulations containing these active pharmaceutical ingredients. For more on these license and sublicense arrangements, see License agreements above. In addition, we have generated our own intellectual property, and filed patent applications covering this intellectual property, for HETLIOZ® and Fanapt.

The table below is a summary of select patents for our commercial products.

 

    

Number

 

Type

 

Country

HETLIOZ®

 

US 5,856,529

US 8,785,492

US 9,060,995

US 7,754,902

US 8,097,738

US 8,558,017

 

NCE

Method of treatment

Method of treatment

Synthesis

Synthesis

Synthesis

 

Issued in 39 countries including US, EU and Japan

US issued, pending in 15 countries and EU

US issued, pending in 15 countries and EU

US

US

US

Fanapt®

 

RE 39198

US 8,586,610

US 9,138,432

PCT/EP2002/012073

PCT/EP2003/007619

PCT/EP2002/013937

 

NCE

Method of treatment

Method of treatment

Iloperidone microparticle depot formulation

Iloperidone aq. crystal depot formulation

Method of treatment

 

US

US & Japan, pending in Canada, EU, Australia

US, pending in Japan, Canada, EU, Australia

US, EU & Japan, issued in 29 countries

US, EU & Japan, issued in 34 countries

US, EU & Japan, issued in 30 countries

HETLIOZ®

Our rights to the new chemical entity patent covering HETLIOZ® and related intellectual property have been acquired through a license with BMS. HETLIOZ® and its formulations, genetic markers and uses are covered by a total of 14 patent and patent application families worldwide. The primary new chemical entity patent covering HETLIOZ® expires normally in 2017 in the U.S. and in most European markets. The “Hatch-Waxman Act” provides for an extension of new chemical entity patents for a period of up to five years following

 

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the expiration of the patent covering that compound to compensate for time spent in development. We believe that HETLIOZ® will meet the various criteria of the Hatch-Waxman Act and will receive five additional years of patent protection in the U.S., which would extend its new chemical entity patent protection in the U.S. until 2022. An application for the five year patent term extension has been filed and is being processed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In July 2014, a new method of use patent was issued to us by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for HETLIOZ® in the treatment of Non-24. This method of use patent is expected to expire in 2033, potentially further extending the exclusivity protection of HETLIOZ®. In June 2015, an additional method of use patent was issued to us by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for HETLIOZ®. This method of use patent is also expected to expire in 2033. Both the new chemical entity patent and the method of use patents are listed in the FDA’s Orange Book.

In Europe, the law provides for ten years of data exclusivity (with the potential for an additional year if the drug is developed for a significant new indication). As such, in Europe, data exclusivity will protect HETLIOZ® for at least ten years from approval. A completed Pediatric Investigation Plan could further extend this exclusivity for two years in an orphan indication, for a total of 12 years of exclusivity. It is also possible that the term of the new chemical entity patent in Europe could be extended by issuance of a supplementary protection certificate (SPC). The European Patent Office has granted the Company’s patent application directed to the 20 mg/day dose. This patent will expire normally in 2027. Patent applications directed to the treatment of Non-24, if granted, would provide exclusivity in Europe for this indication until at least 2033.

Outside the U.S. and Europe, data exclusivity will protect HETLIOZ® from generic competition for varying numbers of years depending on the country.

Additional patent applications directed to specific sleep disorders and to methods of treating patients with HETLIOZ®, if issued, would provide exclusivity for such indications and methods of treatment, potentially extending the effective patent protection period in the U.S., Europe, and other major markets.

Fanapt®

The new chemical entity patent for Fanapt® is owned by Sanofi, and other patents and patent applications relating to Fanapt® previously owned by Novartis are now owned by Vanda. We originally obtained exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize the products covered by these patents through license and sublicense arrangements. Then, pursuant to an amended sublicense agreement with Novartis, Novartis retained exclusive commercialization rights to all formulations of Fanapt® in the U.S. and Canada. However, as of December 2014, pursuant to an asset transfer agreement, we acquired all rights in Fanapt®, including in the U.S. and Canada.

Fanapt® and its metabolites, formulations, genetic markers and uses are covered by a total of 17 patent and patent application families in the U.S., Europe, and other markets. The primary new chemical entity patent covering Fanapt® was set to expire normally in 2011 in the U.S. and expired in 2010 in major markets outside the U.S. Fanapt® has qualified for the full five-year patent term extension under the Hatch-Waxman Act and so the term of the new chemical entity patent in the U.S. has been extended until November 2016. In November 2013, a patent directed to a method of treating patients with Fanapt® based on genotype was issued to the Company by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This patent, which was listed in the FDA’s Orange Book in January 2015, is set to expire in 2027, potentially further extending the exclusivity protection of Fanapt®. Additional method of treatment patents were issued and listed in the Orange Book with the latest expected expiry in December 2031. We have asserted our patents against Roxane Laboratories and several other paragraph IV filers. See Note 18, Legal Matters, to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information.

In Europe, the law provides for ten years of data exclusivity (with the potential for an additional year if the drug is developed for a significant new indication). No generic versions of Fanapt® would be permitted to be marketed or sold during this 10-year (or 11-year) period in most European countries. Consequently, we expect our rights to commercialize Fanapt® will be exclusive for at least 10 years from approval in Europe. Outside the U.S. and Europe, data exclusivity will protect Fanapt® from generic competition for varying numbers of years depending upon the country. Several other patent applications covering metabolites, uses, formulations and

 

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genetic markers relating to Fanapt® extend beyond 2020. The patent family for the microsphere depot formulation of Fanapt® expires in 2024 in the U.S. and 2022 in most of the major markets in Europe. The patent family for the aqueous microcrystals depot formulation of Fanapt® expires in 2023 in the U.S. and in most of the major markets in Europe.

Tradipitant

Lilly owns a new chemical entity patent as well as patent applications directed to polymorphic forms of, and methods of making tradipitant. Thus, tradipitant is covered by a total of three patent and patent application families worldwide, which have been licensed to the Company. The new chemical entity patent covering tradipitant expires in 2023, except in the U.S., where it expires normally in 2024 subject to any extension that may be received under Hatch-Waxman. We have filed additional patent applications based on discoveries made during recent studies with tradipitant.

AQW051

Novartis owns a new chemical entity patent as well as patent applications directed to methods of using AQW051, AQW051 formulations, and combinations of AQW051 with other active pharmaceutical ingredients. The new chemical entity patent expires normally in 2023 in the U.S., Europe, and other markets.

Trichostatin A

Trichostatin A is a small molecule HDAC inhibitor with potential use as a treatment for several oncology indications. We have pending patent applications covering the use of Trichostatin A and plan on filing additional applications based on discoveries made throughout the development plan of this molecule.

Other Patents

Aside from the new chemical entity patents and other in-licensed patents relating to Fanapt®, HETLIOZ®, tradipitant, and AQW051, we have numerous patent and patent application families, most of which have been filed in key markets including the U.S., relating to our products and development compounds. In addition, we have several other patent application families relating to drugs not presently in clinical studies. The claims in these various patents and patent applications are directed to compositions of matter, including claims covering other products, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use.

Proprietary Know-how

For proprietary know-how that is not appropriate for patent protection, processes for which patents are difficult to enforce and any other elements of our discovery process that involve proprietary know-how and technology that are not covered by patent applications, we generally rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements to protect our interests. We require all of our employees, consultants and advisors to enter into confidentiality agreements. Where it is necessary to share our proprietary information or data with outside parties, our policy is to make available only that information and data required to accomplish the desired purpose and only pursuant to a duty of confidentiality on the part of those parties.

Third-party reimbursement and pricing controls

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, collectively referred to as the ACA, has changed and is expected to further significantly change the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers. The provisions of the ACA became effective over various periods from 2010 through 2014. We cannot predict the complete impact of the ACA on pharmaceutical companies because many of the ACA’s reforms require the promulgation of detailed regulations to implement the statutory provisions, which has not yet occurred. While we cannot predict the complete impact on federal reimbursement policies this law will have in general or specifically on any product we commercialize, the ACA may result in downward pressure on pharmaceutical reimbursement, which could negatively affect market acceptance of new products. The rebates, discounts, taxes and other costs

 

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resulting from the ACA may have a significant effect on our profitability in the future. In addition, potential reductions of the per capita rate of growth in Medicare spending under the ACA, could potentially limit access to certain treatments or mandate price controls for our products. Moreover, although the United States Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of most of the ACA, some states have indicated that they intend not to implement certain sections of the ACA, and some members of the U.S. Congress are still working to repeal the ACA. We cannot predict whether these challenges will continue or other proposals will be made or adopted, or what impact these efforts may have on us or our partners.

In the U.S. and elsewhere, sales of pharmaceutical products depend in significant part on the availability of reimbursement to the consumer from third-party payors, such as government and private insurance plans. Third-party payors are increasingly challenging the prices charged for medical products and services. It will be time consuming and expensive for us or our partners to go through the process of seeking reimbursement from Medicare and private payors. Our products may not be considered cost-effective, and coverage and reimbursement may not be available or sufficient to allow us or our partners to sell our compounds on a competitive and profitable basis. The passage of the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003 imposes additional requirements for the distribution and pricing of prescription drugs which may affect the marketing of our products.

In many foreign markets, including the countries in the European Union and Japan, pricing of pharmaceutical products is subject to governmental control. In the U.S., there have been, and we expect that there will continue to be, a number of federal and state proposals to implement similar governmental pricing control. While we cannot predict whether such legislative or regulatory proposals will be adopted, the adoption of such proposals could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and profitability.

Marketing and sales

HETLIOZ® was approved in the U.S. for the treatment of Non-24 in January 2014 and commercially launched in the U.S. in April 2014. Additionally, HETLIOZ® was approved in the Europe Union for the treatment of Non-24 in July 2015 and we expect to commercially launch the product in Germany in 2016.

Given the range of potential indications for HETLIOZ®, we may pursue one or more partnerships for the development and commercialization of HETLIOZ® worldwide.

Fanapt® was approved in the U.S. for the treatment of schizophrenia in May 2009 and commercially launched in the U.S. in January 2010. In October 2009, we entered into an amended and restated sublicense agreement with Novartis pursuant to which Novartis has exclusive commercialization rights to all formulations of Fanapt® in the U.S. and Canada. Novartis began selling Fanapt® in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2010. Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement with Novartis, Novartis transferred all U.S. and Canadian rights in the Fanapt® franchise to Vanda on December 31, 2014.

Fanapt® was launched in Israel and Mexico by our distribution partners in 2014. We continue to explore the regulatory path and commercial opportunity for Fanapt® oral formulation outside of the U.S. and Canada.

Manufacturing

We currently utilize a virtual supply manufacturing and distribution chain in which we do not have our own facilities to manufacture commercial or clinical trial supplies of drugs and we do not have our own distribution facilities. Additionally, we do not intend to develop such facilities for any product in the near future. Instead, we contract with third parties for the manufacture, warehousing, order management, billing and collection and distribution of our products and product candidates.

We expect to continue to rely solely on third-party manufacturers to manufacture drug substance and final drug products for both clinical development and commercial sale. However, there are numerous factors that could cause interruptions in the supply of our products, including regulatory reviews, changes in our sources for manufacturing, disputes with a manufacturer, or financial instability of manufacturers, all of which could negatively impact our operation and our financial results.

 

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In January 2014, we entered into a manufacturing agreement with Patheon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Patheon) for the manufacture of commercial supplies of HETLIOZ® 20 mg capsules at Patheon’s Cincinnati, Ohio manufacturing site. Under the HETLIOZ® manufacturing agreement, we are responsible for supplying the active pharmaceutical ingredient for HETLIOZ® to Patheon and have agreed to certain minimum yearly order requirements. Patheon is responsible for manufacturing the HETLIOZ® 20 mg capsules, conducting quality control and stability testing, and packaging the HETLIOZ® capsules. The HETLIOZ® manufacturing agreement has an initial term of five years and will automatically renew after the initial term for successive terms of one year each, unless either party gives notice of its intention to terminate the agreement at least twelve months prior to the end of the then current term. Either party may terminate the HETLIOZ® manufacturing agreement under certain circumstances upon specified written notice to the other party.

As part of the Settlement Agreement, we assumed Novartis’ manufacturing agreement with Patheon for the manufacture of commercial supplies of Fanapt®. Under the Fanapt® manufacturing agreement, we may procure bulk, partially packaged and finished supplies of various dosages of Fanapt® for sale worldwide. We are responsible for sourcing the supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (iloperidone), and Patheon will manufacture 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 mg tablets pursuant to orders placed by us. The Fanapt® manufacturing agreement contains specific forecasting, order lead time, minimum order quantities, yield requirements, delivery terms and alternative manufacturing provisions. Generally, all product shipped to us must have a remaining shelf life of more than four-fifths of its total shelf life, but no less than one year of shelf life remaining for certain products. The Fanapt® manufacturing agreement continues on a year-to-year basis, and can be terminated by either party on at least 12 months prior notice, or prior to the end of the then current term for uncured breach, insolvency/bankruptcy, or by us if a regulatory action prevents the supply of iloperidone to Patheon or otherwise the purchase or sale of Fanapt®.

Research and Development

We have built a research and development organization that includes extensive expertise in the scientific disciplines of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics. We operate cross-functionally and are led by an experienced research and development management team. We use rigorous project management techniques to assist us in making disciplined strategic research and development program decisions and to help limit the risk profile of our product pipeline. We also access relevant market information and key opinion leaders in creating target product profiles and, when appropriate, as we advance our programs towards commercialization. We engage third parties to conduct portions of our preclinical research. In addition, we utilize multiple clinical sites to conduct our clinical trials; however, we are not substantially dependent upon any one of these sites for our clinical trials nor do any of them conduct a major portion of our clinical trials.

We incurred $29.1 million, $19.2 million and $28.5 million in research and development expenses in the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Customers

Our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 consisted of revenue from product sales, license revenue, and royalty revenue. Six customers, each based in the U.S., accounted for 94% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue in 2015. One company, headquartered in Switzerland with our revenue generated from sales in the U.S., accounted for 74% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue in 2014. One company, headquartered in Switzerland with our revenue generated from sales in the U.S., accounted for 100% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue in 2013. Future revenue is uncertain and may fluctuate significantly from period to period. We have not experienced any losses relating to receivables from customers.

Competition

The pharmaceutical industry and the central nervous system segment of that industry, in particular, is highly competitive and includes a number of established large and mid-sized companies with greater financial, technical and personnel resources than we have and significantly greater commercial infrastructures than we have. Our

 

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market segment also includes several smaller emerging companies whose activities are directly focused on our target markets and areas of expertise. Our products, once approved for commercial use, will compete with numerous therapeutic treatments offered by these competitors. While we believe that our products will have certain favorable features, existing and new treatments may also possess advantages. Additionally, the development of other drug technologies and methods of disease prevention are occurring at a rapid pace. These developments may render our products or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive.

We believe the primary competitors for HETLIOZ® and Fanapt® are as follows:

 

   

For HETLIOZ® in the treatment of Non-24, there are no FDA approved direct competitors. Sedative-Hypnotic treatments include, Ambien® (zolpidem) by Sanofi (including Ambien CR®), Lunesta® (eszopiclone) by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Sonata® (zaleplon) by Pfizer Inc., Rozerem® (ramelteon) by Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company Limited, Silenor® (doxepin) by Pernix Therapeutics, Belsomra® (suvorexant) by Merck & Co., Inc., generic products such as zolpidem, trazodone and doxepin, and over-the-counter remedies such as Benadryl® and Tylenol PM®. The class of melatonin agonists includes Rozerem® (ramelteon) by Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company Limited, Valdoxan® (agemelatine) by Servier, Circadin® (long-acting melatonin) by Neurim Pharmaceuticals and the food supplement melatonin. Shift work and excessive sleepiness disorder treatments include Nuvigil® (armodafinil) and Provigil® (modafinil) both by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

 

   

For Fanapt® in the treatment of schizophrenia, the atypical antipsychotics competitors are Risperdal® (risperidone), including the depot formulation Risperdal® Consta® and Invega® (paliperidone), including the depot formulation Invega® Sustenna®, each by Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Zyprexa® (olanzapine), including the depot formulation Zyprexa® Relprevv™, each by Eli Lilly and Company, Seroquel® (quetiapine) by AstraZeneca PLC, Abilify® (aripiprazole) by BMS/Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Abilify® Maintena® (the depot formulation of Abilify®) by Lundbeck/Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Geodon® (ziprasidone) by Pfizer Inc., Saphris® (asenapine) by Actavis plc, Latuda® (lurasidone) by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Rexulti® (brexpiprazole) by Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Inc., Aristada™ (aripiprazole lauroxil) extended-release injectible suspension by Alkermes, Inc. and generic clozapine, as well as the typical antipsychotics haloperidol, chlorpromazine, thioridazine, and sulpiride (all of which are generic).

Our ability to compete successfully will depend in part on our ability to utilize our pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics and drug development expertise to identify, develop, secure rights to and obtain regulatory approvals for promising pharmaceutical products before others are able to develop competitive products. Our ability to compete successfully will also depend on our ability to attract and retain skilled and experienced personnel. Additionally, our ability to compete may be affected because insurers and other third-party payors in some cases seek to encourage the use of cheaper, generic products, which could make our products less attractive.

Employees

We had 118 full-time employees as of December 31, 2015, compared with 64 as of December 31, 2014. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. We have not experienced any work stoppages and consider our employee relations to be good.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in Delaware in 2002. Our principal executive offices are located at 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300E, Washington D.C. 20037, and our telephone number is (202) 734-3400. Our website address is www.vandapharma.com and the information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this annual report and should not be considered part of this annual report.

Available Information

We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). The public

 

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may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Also, the SEC maintains an internet website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC.

We also make available free of charge on our Internet website at www.vandapharma.com our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and, if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

Our code of ethics, other corporate policies and procedures, and the charters of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee are available through our Internet website at www.vandapharma.com.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our business, financial condition and operating results can be affected by a number of factors, whether current known or unknown, including but not limited to those described below, any one or more of which could, directly or indirectly, cause our actual operating results and financial condition to vary materially from past, or anticipated future, operating results and financial condition. Any of these factors, in whole or in part, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and the price of our common stock.

The following discussion of risk factors contains forward-looking statements. These risk factors may be important to understanding any statement in this annual report on Form 10-K or elsewhere. The following information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements and Part I, Item 2, Management’s, Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Because of the following factors, as well as other factors affecting our financial condition and operating results, past financial performance should not be considered to be a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods.

Risks related to our business and industry

We are heavily dependent on the commercial success of HETLIOZ®.

Our future success is currently substantially dependent upon the commercial success of HETLIOZ® for the treatment of Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder (Non-24). In January 2014, the FDA approved our New Drug Application (NDA) for HETLIOZ® for the treatment of Non-24 and in April 2014, we commenced the U.S. commercial launch of HETLIOZ®. In July 2015, the European Commission (EC) granted centralized marketing authorization with unified labeling for HETLIOZ® for the treatment of Non-24 in blind adults. This authorization is valid in the 28 countries that are members of the European Union, as well as European Economic Area members Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Because we have limited information with regard to the market acceptance of HETLIOZ® in the U.S. or elsewhere abroad, we may have to revise our commercial strategy for, or estimates regarding the market acceptance of, HETLIOZ® or our strategy to commercialize the product.

Market acceptance of and demand for HETLIOZ® depends on many factors, including, but not limited to:

 

   

cost of treatment;

 

   

pricing and availability of alternative products;

 

   

the cost and success of our Non-24 awareness campaign;

 

   

our ability to obtain third-party coverage or reimbursement for HETLIOZ®;

 

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perceived efficacy relative to other available therapies;

 

   

shifts in the medical community to new treatment paradigms or standards of care;

 

   

relative convenience and ease of administration; and

 

   

prevalence and severity of adverse side effects associated with treatment.

In addition, we expect to continue to incur significant expenses and to utilize a substantial portion of our cash resources as we continue the commercialization of HETLIOZ® and our Non-24 awareness campaign in the U.S., evaluate foreign market opportunities for HETLIOZ® and continue to grow our operational capabilities, both domestically and abroad. This represents a significant investment in the commercial success of HETLIOZ ®, which is uncertain.

If we do not successfully commercialize HETLIOZ® in the U.S., Europe or other jurisdictions in which HETLIOZ® may be approved for sale, our ability to generate increased product sales revenue may be jeopardized and, consequently, our business may be seriously harmed.

We recently acquired further rights to Fanapt® in the United States, and began selling, marketing and distributing Fanapt® in the United States in the first quarter of 2015, and our ability to generate meaningful product sales from Fanapt® will depend on the success of this product in the marketplace.

Our ability to generate meaningful product sales from Fanapt® will depend on many factors, including the following:

 

   

the unfavorable outcome or other negative effects of any pending litigation relating to Fanapt®;

 

   

the effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts in support of Fanapt®;

 

   

the ability of patients to be able to afford Fanapt® or obtain health care coverage that covers Fanapt®;

 

   

acceptance of, and ongoing satisfaction, with Fanapt® by the medical community, patients receiving therapy and third party payors;

 

   

a satisfactory efficacy and safety profile as demonstrated in a broad patient population;

 

   

the size of the market for Fanapt®;

 

   

the ability of our manufacturing partners to successfully expand and sustain capacity to meet demand;

 

   

cost and availability of raw materials;

 

   

safety concerns in the marketplace for schizophrenia therapies;

 

   

regulatory developments relating to the manufacture or continued use of Fanapt®;

 

   

decisions as to the timing of product launches, pricing and discounts;

 

   

the competitive landscape for approved and developing therapies that will compete with Fanapt®; and

 

   

our or our partners’ ability to obtain regulatory approval for Fanapt® in additional countries.

For reasons outside of our control, including those mentioned above, sales of Fanapt® may not meet our or financial or industry analysts’ expectations. Any significant negative developments relating to Fanapt®, such as the loss of patent protection, safety or efficacy issues, the introduction or greater acceptance of competing products or adverse regulatory or legislative developments, will have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

As a company, we have minimal experience selling, marketing or distributing products, which may make commercializing our products difficult.

At present, we as a company have minimal marketing experience. Therefore, in order for us to successfully commercialize HETLIOZ®, Fanapt® or our other products, we must either acquire or continue to internally develop sales, marketing and distribution capabilities, or enter into collaborations with partners to perform these services for us. We may, in some instances, rely significantly on sales, marketing and distribution arrangements with our collaborative partners and other third parties.

 

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For the commercialization of HETLIOZ®, Fanapt® or our other products, we may not be able to establish additional sales, marketing and distribution capabilities or partnerships on acceptable terms or at all. In regard to our current foreign partners and any additional distribution arrangements or other agreements we may enter into, our success will be materially dependent upon the performance of our partners. Factors that may inhibit our efforts to commercialize our products without partners or licensees include:

 

   

our inability to recruit and retain adequate numbers of effective sales and marketing personnel;

 

   

the inability of sales personnel to obtain access to or persuade adequate numbers of physicians to prescribe our products;

 

   

the lack of complementary products to be offered by our sales personnel, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage with respect to companies with broader product lines; and

 

   

unforeseen costs associated with growing our own sales and marketing team or with entering into a partnering agreement with an independent sales and marketing organization.

The cost of growing and maintaining a sales, marketing and distribution organization may exceed its cost effectiveness. If we fail to continue to develop sales, marketing and distribution capabilities, if sales efforts are not effective or if costs of developing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities exceed their cost effectiveness, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

We may enter into third party collaborations from time to time in order to commercialize our products. If we are unable to identify or enter into an agreement with any material third-party collaborator, if our collaborations with any such third-party are not commercially successful or if our agreement with any such third-party is terminated or allowed to expire, we could be adversely affected financially or our business reputation could be harmed.

Our business strategy includes entering into collaborations with corporate collaborators for the commercialization of HETLIOZ®, Fanapt® and our other products. Areas in which we may potentially enter into third-party collaboration arrangements include joint sales and marketing arrangements for sales and marketing in certain European Union countries and elsewhere outside of the U.S., and future product development arrangements. If we are unable to identify or enter into an agreement with any material third-party collaborator, this could result in an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Any arrangements we do enter into may not be scientifically or commercially successful. The termination of any of these arrangements might adversely affect our ability to develop, commercialize and market our products.

The success of our collaboration arrangements will depend heavily on the efforts and activities of our collaborators. Our collaborators will have significant discretion in determining the efforts and resources that they will apply to these collaborations. We expect that the risks which we face in connection with these future collaborations will include the following:

 

   

our collaboration agreements are expected to be for fixed terms and subject to termination under various circumstances, including, in many cases, on short notice without cause;

 

   

our collaborators may develop and commercialize, either alone or with others, products and services that are similar to or competitive with our products which are the subject of their collaboration with us; and

 

   

our collaborators may change the focus of their commercialization efforts. In recent years there have been a significant number of mergers and consolidations in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, some of which have resulted in the participant companies reevaluating and shifting the focus of their business following the completion of these transactions. The ability of our products to reach their potential could be limited if any of our future collaborators decreases or fails to increase spending relating to such products.

Collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and other third-parties often are terminated or allowed to expire by the other party. With respect to our future collaborations, any such termination or expiration could adversely affect us financially as well as harm our business reputation.

 

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Even after we or our partners obtain regulatory approvals of a product, acceptance of the product in the marketplace is uncertain and failure to achieve commercial acceptance will prevent or delay our ability to generate significant revenue from such product.

Even after obtaining regulatory approvals for the sale of our products, the commercial success of these products will depend, among other things, on their acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payors and other members of the medical community as therapeutic and cost-effective alternatives to competing products and treatments. The degree of market acceptance of any product will depend on a number of factors, including the demonstration of its safety and efficacy, its cost-effectiveness, its potential advantages over other therapies, the reimbursement policies of government and third-party payors with respect to such product, our ability to attract and maintain corporate partners, including pharmaceutical companies, to assist in commercializing our products, receipt of regulatory clearance of marketing claims for the uses that we or our partners are developing and the effectiveness of our and our partners’ marketing and distribution capabilities. If our approved products fail to gain market acceptance or do not become widely accepted by physicians, patients, third-party payors and other members of the medical community, it is unlikely that we will ever become profitable on a sustained basis or achieve significant revenues.

We rely and will continue to rely on outsourcing arrangements for many of our activities, including clinical development and supply of HETLIOZ®, Fanapt® and our other products.

As of December 31, 2015, we had 118 full-time employees and, as a result, we rely, and expect to continue to rely, on outsourcing arrangements for a significant portion of our activities, including distribution, clinical research and development, data collection and analysis and manufacturing, as well as for certain functions as a public company. We may have limited control over these third parties and we cannot guarantee that they will perform their obligations in an effective and timely manner.

Disruptions to our HETLIOZ® or Fanapt® supply chains could materially affect our ability to successfully commercialize HETLIOZ® or Fanapt®, thereby reducing our future earnings and prospects.

A loss or disruption with any one of our manufacturers or suppliers could disrupt the supply of HETLIOZ® or Fanapt®, possibly for a significant time period, and we may not have sufficient inventories to maintain supply before the manufacturer or supplier could be replaced or the disruption is resolved. In addition, marketed drugs and their contract manufacturing organizations are subject to continual review, including review and approval of their manufacturing facilities and the manufacturing processes, which can result in delays in the regulatory approval process and/or commercialization. Introducing a replacement or backup manufacturer or supplier for HETLIOZ® or Fanapt® requires a lengthy regulatory and commercial process and there can be no guarantee that we could obtain necessary regulatory approvals in a timely fashion or at all. In addition, it is difficult to identify and select qualified suppliers and manufacturers with the necessary technical capabilities, and establishing new supply and manufacturing sources involves a lengthy and technical engineering process.

We and our partners face heavy government regulation. We and our partners are also continually at risk of the FDA or applicable foreign agency requiring us or them to discontinue marketing any products that have obtained, or in the future may obtain, regulatory approval.

Following marketing approval of a product, we and our partners will continue to face heavy governmental regulation. The marketing, distribution and manufacture of approved products remain subject to extensive ongoing regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements could result in, among other things:

 

   

warning letters;

 

   

fines;

 

   

civil penalties;

 

   

injunctions;

 

   

recall or seizure of products;

 

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total or partial suspension of production;

 

   

refusal of the government to grant future approvals;

 

   

withdrawal of approvals; and

 

   

criminal prosecution.

If we or our partners become subject to any of these foregoing items, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Failure to comply with government regulations regarding the sale and marketing of our products could harm our business.

Our and our partners’ activities, including the sale and marketing of our products, are subject to extensive government regulation and oversight, including regulation under the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and other federal and state statutes. We are also subject to the provisions of the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute and several similar state laws, which prohibit payments intended to induce physicians or others either to purchase or arrange for or recommend the purchase of healthcare products or services. While the federal law applies only to products or services for which payment may be made by a federal healthcare program, state laws may apply regardless of whether federal funds may be involved. These laws constrain the sales, marketing and other promotional activities of manufacturers, suppliers or sponsors, including third-parties performing similar functions, of drugs and biologicals, by limiting the kinds of financial arrangements, including sales programs, with hospitals, physicians, and other potential purchasers of drugs and biologicals. Other federal and state laws generally prohibit 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, or are for items or services that were not provided as claimed. Anti-kickback and false claims laws prescribe civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance that can be substantial, including the possibility of exclusion from federal healthcare programs (including Medicare and Medicaid).

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have been the target of lawsuits and investigations alleging violations of government regulation, including claims asserting antitrust violations, violations of the Federal False Claim Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Prescription Drug Marketing Act and other violations in connection with off-label promotion of products and Medicare and/or Medicaid reimbursement or related to environmental matters and claims under state laws, including state anti-kickback and fraud laws.

While we continually strive to comply with these complex requirements, interpretations of the applicability of these laws to marketing practices are ever evolving. If any such actions are instituted against us or our partners and we or they are not successful in defending such actions or asserting our rights, those actions could have a significant and material adverse impact on our business, including the imposition of significant fines or other sanctions. Even an unsuccessful challenge could cause adverse publicity and be costly to respond to, and thus could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We intend to seek regulatory approvals for our products in additional foreign jurisdictions, but we may not obtain any such approvals.

We intend to market our products, alone or with others, in foreign jurisdictions. In order to market our products in foreign jurisdictions, we or our partners may be required to obtain separate regulatory approvals and to comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements. The approval procedure varies among countries and jurisdictions and can involve additional trials, and the time required to obtain approval may differ from that required to obtain FDA approval. Additionally, the foreign regulatory approval process may include all of the risks associated with obtaining FDA approval. For all of these reasons, we or our partners may not obtain foreign regulatory approvals on a timely basis, if at all. Approval by the FDA does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions, and approval by one foreign regulatory authority does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other foreign countries or jurisdictions or by the FDA. We or our partners may not be able to file for regulatory approvals and may not receive necessary approvals to commercialize our products in any market. The failure to obtain these approvals could harm our business materially.

 

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We rely on a limited number of specialty pharmacies for distribution of HETLIOZ® in the U.S., and the loss of one or more of these specialty pharmacies or their failure to distribute HETLIOZ® effectively would materially harm our business.

HETLIOZ® is only available for distribution through a limited number of specialty pharmacies in the U.S. A specialty pharmacy is a pharmacy that specializes in the dispensing of medications for complex or chronic conditions, which often require a high level of patient education and ongoing management. The use of specialty pharmacies involves certain risks, including, but not limited to, risks that these specialty pharmacies will:

 

   

not provide us accurate or timely information regarding their inventories, the number of patients who are using HETLIOZ® or complaints about HETLIOZ®;

 

   

reduce their efforts or discontinue to sell or support or otherwise not effectively sell or support HETLIOZ®;

 

   

not devote the resources necessary to sell HETLIOZ® in the volumes and within the time frames that we expect;

 

   

be unable to satisfy financial obligations to us or others; or

 

   

cease operations.

In addition, if one or more of our specialty pharmacies do not fulfill their contractual obligations to us, or refuse or fail to adequately serve patients, or their agreements are terminated without adequate notice, shipments of HETLIOZ®, and associated revenues, would be adversely affected. We expect that it would take a significant amount of time if we were required to replace one or more of our specialty pharmacies.

Our revenues from Fanapt® are substantially dependent on sales through a limited number of wholesalers, and such revenues may fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

We sell Fanapt® primarily through a limited number of pharmaceutical wholesalers in the U.S. The use of pharmaceutical wholesalers involves certain risks, including, but not limited to, risks that these pharmaceutical wholesalers will:

 

   

not provide us accurate or timely information regarding their inventories, demand from wholesaler customers buying Fanapt® or complaints about Fanapt®;

 

   

reduce their efforts or discontinue to sell or support or otherwise not effectively sell or support Fanapt®;

 

   

not devote the resources necessary to sell Fanapt® in the volumes and within the time frames that we expect;

 

   

be unable to satisfy financial obligations to us or others; or

 

   

cease operations.

Additionally, our reliance on a small number of wholesalers could cause revenues to fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on the buying patterns of these wholesalers. In addition, if any of these wholesalers fails to pay on a timely basis or at all, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

We face substantial competition, which may result in others developing or commercializing products before or more successfully than we do.

Our future success will depend on our or our partners’ ability to demonstrate and maintain a competitive advantage with respect to our products and our ability to identify and develop additional products. Large, fully integrated pharmaceutical companies, either alone or together with collaborative partners, have substantially greater financial resources and have significantly greater experience than we do in:

 

   

developing products;

 

   

undertaking pre-clinical testing and clinical trials;

 

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obtaining FDA and other regulatory approvals of products; and

 

   

manufacturing, marketing and selling products.

These companies may invest heavily and quickly to discover and develop novel products that could make our products obsolete. Accordingly, our competitors may succeed in obtaining patent protection, receiving FDA or foreign regulatory approval or commercializing superior products or other competing products before we do. Technological developments or the FDA or foreign regulatory approval of new therapeutic indications for existing products may make our products obsolete or may make them more difficult to market successfully, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our products, if successfully developed and approved for commercial sale, will compete with a number of drugs and therapies currently manufactured and marketed by major pharmaceutical and other biotechnology companies. Our products may also compete with new products currently under development by others or with products which may cost less than our products. Physicians, patients, third party payors and the medical community may not accept or utilize any of our products that may be approved. If HETLIOZ®, Fanapt® and our other products, if and when approved, do not achieve significant market acceptance, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely affected. We believe the primary competitors for HETLIOZ® and Fanapt® are as follows:

 

   

For HETLIOZ® in the treatment of Non-24, there are no FDA approved direct competitors. Sedative-Hypnotic treatments include, Ambien® (zolpidem) by Sanofi (including Ambien CR®), Lunesta® (eszopiclone) by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Sonata® (zaleplon) by Pfizer Inc., Rozerem® (ramelteon) by Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company Limited, Silenor® (doxepin) by Pernix Therapeutics, Belsomra® (suvorexant) by Merck & Co., Inc., generic products such as zolpidem, trazodone and doxepin, and over-the-counter remedies such as Benadryl® and Tylenol PM®. The class of melatonin agonists includes Rozerem® (ramelteon) by Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company Limited, Valdoxan® (agemelatine) by Servier, Circadin® (long-acting melatonin) by Neurim Pharmaceuticals and the food supplement melatonin. Shift work and excessive sleepiness disorder treatments include Nuvigil® (armodafinil) and Provigil® (modafinil) both by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

 

   

For Fanapt® in the treatment of schizophrenia, the atypical antipsychotics competitors are Risperdal® (risperidone), including the depot formulation Risperdal® Consta® and Invega® (paliperidone), including the depot formulation Invega® Sustenna®, each by Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Zyprexa® (olanzapine), including the depot formulation Zyprexa® Relprevv™, each by Eli Lilly and Company, Seroquel® (quetiapine) by AstraZeneca PLC, Abilify® (aripiprazole) by BMS/Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Abilify® Maintena® (the depot formulation of Abilify®) by Lundbeck/Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Geodon® (ziprasidone) by Pfizer Inc., Saphris® (asenapine) by Actavis plc, Latuda® (lurasidone) by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Rexulti® (brexpiprazole) by Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Inc., Aristada™ (aripiprazole lauroxil) extended-release injectible suspension by Alkermes, Inc. and generic clozapine, as well as the typical antipsychotics haloperidol, chlorpromazine, thioridazine, and sulpiride (all of which are generic).

Additionally, we may face competition from newly developed generic products. Under the U.S. Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, more commonly known as the “Hatch-Waxman Act,” newly approved drugs and indications may benefit from a statutory period of non-patent marketing exclusivity. The Hatch-Waxman Act seeks to stimulate competition by providing incentives to generic pharmaceutical manufacturers to introduce non-infringing forms of patented pharmaceutical products and to challenge patents on branded pharmaceutical products. If we are unsuccessful at challenging an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA), filed pursuant to the Hatch-Waxman Act, cheaper generic versions of our products, which may be favored by insurers and third-party payors, may be launched commercially, which would significantly harm our business.

In June 2014, we filed suit against Roxane Laboratories, Inc. (Roxane) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The suit seeks adjudication that Roxane has infringed one or more claims of our U.S. Patent No. 8,586,610 (the ‘610 Patent) by submitting to the FDA an ANDA for generic versions of Fanapt® oral tablets

 

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in 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg, 8 mg, 10 mg and 12 mg strengths. The relief requested by us includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Roxane from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘610 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘610 Patent in 2027.

Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, we assumed Novartis’ patent infringement action against Roxane in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The suit alleges that Roxane’s filing of an ANDA for generic iloperidone with a paragraph IV certification infringes Sanofi’s new chemical entity patent. Roxane is defending on the grounds that the patent claims are invalid or unenforceable or that certain patent claims are not infringed. Roxane also filed a motion to dismiss on the grounds that the court lacks jurisdiction.

The two pending cases against Roxane were consolidated by agreement of the parties in April 2015 and are scheduled to be tried together in a four-day bench trial beginning on February 29, 2016.

In May 2015, we filed a lawsuit against Inventia Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. (Inventia) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The suit seeks an adjudication that Inventia has infringed one or more claims of the ‘610 Patent by submitting to the FDA an ANDA for a generic version of Fanapt®. The relief requested by us includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Inventia from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘610 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘610 Patent in 2027. This lawsuit is scheduled to be tried in a four-day bench trial beginning on January 17, 2017.

In October 2015, we filed four separate patent infringement lawsuits in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the October 2015 Lawsuits). Two of the October 2015 Lawsuits join the existing litigations against the previous Fanapt® ANDA filers, Roxane and Inventia, described above. The other two October 2015 Lawsuits were filed against new ANDA filers, Taro Pharmaceuticals, U.S.A., Inc./Taro Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Taro) and Apotex Inc. (Apotex).

The first of the October 2015 Lawsuits, which was filed against Roxane, seeks an adjudication that Roxane has infringed one or more claims of our U.S. Patent No. 9,138,432 (the ‘432 Patent) by submitting to the FDA its ANDA for a generic version of Fanapt® prior to the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in September 2025. The relief requested by us includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Roxane from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘432 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in 2025.

The second of the October 2015 Lawsuits, which was filed against Inventia, seeks an adjudication that Inventia has infringed one or more claims of the ‘432 Patent by submitting to the FDA its ANDA for a generic version of Fanapt® prior to the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in September 2025. The relief requested by us includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Inventia from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘432 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in 2025.

The third of the October 2015 Lawsuits, which was filed against Taro, seeks an adjudication that Taro has infringed one or more claims of the ‘432 Patent and the ‘610 Patent by submitting to the FDA an ANDA for a generic version of Fanapt® prior to the expiration of the ‘432 patent in September 2025 and the ‘610 Patent in November 2027. The relief requested by us includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Taro from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘432 Patent and the ‘610 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in 2025 and the ‘610 Patent in 2027.

The fourth of the October 2015 Lawsuits, which was filed against Apotex and Apotex Corp., seeks an adjudication that Apotex has infringed one or more claims of the ‘432 Patent and the ‘610 Patent by submitting to the FDA an ANDA for a generic version of Fanapt® prior to the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in September 2025 and the ‘610 Patent in November 2027. The relief requested by us includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Apotex from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘432 Patent and the ‘610 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in 2025 and the ‘610 Patent in 2027.

 

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In November 2015, we filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against Lupin Limited and Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (collectively, Lupin). The suit seeks an adjudication that Lupin has infringed one or more claims of the ‘432 Patent and the ‘610 Patent by submitting to the FDA its ANDA for a generic version of Fanapt® prior to the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in September 2025 and the ‘610 Patent in November 2027. The relief requested by us in the lawsuit includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Lupin from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘432 Patent and the ‘610 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in 2025 and the ‘610 Patent in 2027.

FDA and foreign regulatory approval of our products is uncertain.

The research, testing, manufacturing and marketing of products such as those that we have developed or that we or our partners are developing are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local government authorities, including the FDA, as well as foreign regulatory authorities in jurisdictions in which we seek approval. To obtain regulatory approval of such products, we or our partners must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the applicable regulatory agency that, among other things, the product is safe and effective for its intended use. In addition, we or our partners must show that the manufacturing facilities used to produce such products are in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices regulations (cGMP).

The process of obtaining FDA and other required regulatory approvals and clearances can take many years and will require us and our partners, as applicable, to expend substantial time and capital. Despite the time and expense expended, regulatory approval is never guaranteed. The number of pre-clinical and clinical trials that will be required for FDA or foreign regulatory approval varies depending on the product, the disease or condition that the product is in development for, and the requirements applicable to that particular product. The FDA or applicable foreign regulatory agency can delay, limit or deny approval of a product for many reasons, including that:

 

   

a product may not be shown to be safe or effective;

 

   

the FDA or foreign agency may interpret data from pre-clinical and clinical trials in different ways than we or our partners do;

 

   

the FDA or foreign agency may not approve our or our partners’ manufacturing processes or facilities;

 

   

a product may not be approved for all the indications we or our partners request;

 

   

the FDA or foreign agency may change its approval policies or adopt new regulations;

 

   

the FDA or foreign agency may not meet, or may extend, the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA-V) date or its foreign equivalent with respect to a particular NDA or foreign application; and

 

   

the FDA or foreign agency may not agree with our or our partners’ regulatory approval strategies or components of the regulatory filings, such as clinical trial designs.

For example, if certain of our or our partners’ methods for analyzing trial data are not accepted by the FDA or the applicable foreign agency, we or our partners may fail to obtain regulatory approval for our products.

Any delay or failure to obtain regulatory approvals for our products will result in increased costs, could diminish competitive advantages that we may attain and would adversely affect the marketing and sale of our products. Other than HETLIOZ® in the U.S. and the 31 countries in Europe covered by the recent centralized marketing authorization by the EC, and Fanapt® in the U.S., Mexico and Israel, we have not received regulatory approval to market any of our products in any jurisdiction.

Even following regulatory approval of our products, the FDA or the applicable foreign agency may impose limitations on the indicated uses for which such products may be marketed, subsequently withdraw approval or take other actions against us, our partners or such products that are adverse to our business. The FDA and foreign agencies generally approve drugs for particular indications. An approval for a more limited indication reduces the size of the potential market for the product. Product approvals, once granted, may be withdrawn or modified if problems occur after initial marketing.

 

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We and our partners also are subject to numerous federal, state, local and foreign laws, regulations and recommendations relating to safe working conditions, laboratory and manufacturing practices, the environment and the use and disposal of hazardous substances used in connection with discovery, research and development work. In addition, we cannot predict the extent to which new governmental regulations might significantly impede the discovery, development, production and marketing of our products. We or our partners may be required to incur significant costs to comply with current or future laws or regulations, and we may be adversely affected by the cost of such compliance or the inability to comply with such laws or regulations.

If our products are determined to be unsafe or ineffective in humans, whether commercially or in clinical trials, our business will be materially harmed.

Despite the FDA’s approval of the NDA for HETLIOZ® in January 2014 and the NDA for Fanapt® in May 2009, the EC’s grant of the centralized marketing authorization for HETLIOZ® in July 2015, and the positive results of our completed trials for HETLIOZ® and Fanapt®, we are uncertain whether either of these products will ultimately prove to be effective and safe in humans. Frequently, products that have shown promising results in clinical trials have suffered significant setbacks in later clinical trials or even after they are approved for commercial sale. Future uses of our products, whether in clinical trials or commercially, may reveal that the product is ineffective, unacceptably toxic, has other undesirable side effects, is difficult to manufacture on a large scale, is uneconomical, infringes on proprietary rights of another party or is otherwise not fit for further use. If our products are determined to be unsafe or ineffective in humans, our business will be materially harmed.

Clinical trials for our products are expensive and their outcomes are uncertain. Any failure or delay in completing clinical trials for our products could severely harm our business.

Pre-clinical studies and clinical trials required to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our products are time-consuming and expensive and together take several years to complete. Before obtaining regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of any of our products, we or our partners must demonstrate through preclinical testing and clinical trials that such product is safe and effective for use in humans. We have incurred, and we will continue to incur, substantial expense for, and devote a significant amount of time to, preclinical testing and clinical trials.

Historically, the results from preclinical testing and early clinical trials often have not predicted results of later clinical trials. A number of new drugs have shown promising results in clinical trials, but subsequently failed to establish sufficient safety and efficacy data to obtain necessary regulatory approvals. Clinical trials conducted by us, by our partners or by third parties on our or our partners’ behalf may not demonstrate sufficient safety and efficacy to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals for our products. Regulatory authorities may not permit us or our partners to undertake any additional clinical trials for our products, may force us to stop any ongoing clinical trials and it may be difficult to design efficacy studies for our products in new indications.

Clinical development efforts performed by us or our partners may not be successfully completed. Completion of clinical trials may take several years or more. The length of time can vary substantially with the type, complexity, novelty and intended use of the products and the size of the prospective patient population. The commencement and rate of completion of clinical trials for our products may be delayed by many factors, including:

 

   

the inability to manufacture or obtain from third parties materials sufficient for use in pre-clinical studies and clinical trials;

 

   

delays in beginning a clinical trial;

 

   

delays in patient enrollment and variability in the number and types of patients available for clinical trials;

 

   

difficulty in maintaining contact with patients after treatment, resulting in incomplete data;

 

   

poor effectiveness of our products during clinical trials;

 

   

unforeseen safety issues or side effects; and

 

   

governmental or regulatory delays and changes in regulatory requirements and guidelines.

 

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If we or our partners fail to complete successfully one or more clinical trials for our products, we or they may not receive the regulatory approvals needed to market that product. Therefore, any failure or delay in commencing or completing these clinical trials would harm our business materially.

Our products may cause undesirable side effects or have other properties that could delay, prevent or result in the revocation of their regulatory approval or limit their marketability.

Undesirable side effects caused by our products could interrupt, delay or halt clinical trials and could result in the denial of regulatory approval by the FDA or other regulatory authorities for any or all targeted indications, and in turn prevent us or our partners from commercializing or continuing the commercialization of such products and generating revenues from their sale. We will continue to assess the side effect profile of our products in ongoing clinical development programs. However, we cannot predict whether the commercial use of our approved products (or our products in development, if and when they are approved for commercial use) will produce undesirable or unintended side effects that have not been evident in the use of, or in clinical trials conducted for, such products to date. Additionally, incidents of product misuse may occur. These events, among others, could result in product recalls, product liability actions or withdrawals or additional regulatory controls, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, if after receiving marketing approval of a product, we, our partners or others identify undesirable side effects caused by such product, we or our partners could face one or more of the following:

 

   

regulatory authorities may require the addition of labeling statements, such as a “black box” warning or a contraindication;

 

   

regulatory authorities may withdraw their approval of the product;

 

   

we or our partners may be required to change the way the product is administered, conduct additional clinical trials or change the labeling of the product; and

 

   

our, our partner’s or the product’s reputation may suffer.

Any of these events could prevent us or our partners from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of the affected product or could substantially increase the costs and expenses of commercializing the product, which in turn could delay or prevent us from generating significant revenues from its sale.

We have a history of operating losses, anticipate future losses and may never become profitable on a sustained basis.

We have been engaged in identifying and developing products since March 2003, which has required, and will continue to require, significant research and development expenditures. The continued commercialization of HETLIOZ® and Fanapt® will require substantial additional expenditures.

As of December 31, 2015, we had an accumulated deficit of $327.8 million and we cannot estimate with precision the extent of our future losses. In April 2014, we commercially launched HETLIOZ® in the U.S. for the treatment of Non-24. We are currently evaluating the commercial opportunity for HETLIOZ® in Europe. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we acquired all further rights to Fanapt® from Novartis. The continued commercialization of HETLIOZ® and Fanapt® will require substantial additional expenditures. In addition, we may not succeed in commercializing HETLIOZ®, Fanapt® or any other products. Novartis launched Fanapt® in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2010 and we began selling Fanapt® on our own in the first quarter of 2015. We may not succeed in gaining additional market acceptance of Fanapt® in the U.S. and we may not succeed in commercializing HETLIOZ® or Fanapt® outside of the U.S. We may not be profitable even if our products are successfully commercialized. We may be unable to fully develop, obtain regulatory approval for, commercialize, manufacture, market, sell and derive revenue from our products in the timeframes we project, if at all, and our inability to do so would materially and adversely impact the market price of our common stock and our ability to raise capital and continue operations.

 

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There can be no assurance that we will achieve sustained profitability. Our ability to achieve sustained profitability in the future depends, in part, upon:

 

   

our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval for our products, particularly HETLIOZ® for the treatment of Non-24, both in the U.S. and in foreign countries;

 

   

our ability to successfully commercialize HETLIOZ® in the U.S., Europe and other jurisdictions in which HETLIOZ® may receive regulatory approval, if any;

 

   

our ability to successfully raise awareness regarding Non-24 in the medical and patient communities;

 

   

our ability to successfully market and sell Fanapt® in the U.S. and our or our partners’ ability to successfully market and sell Fanapt® in Israel, Mexico and other jurisdictions in which we may receive regulatory approval, if any;

 

   

our ability to enter into and maintain agreements to develop and commercialize our products;

 

   

our and our partners’ ability to develop, have manufactured and market our products;

 

   

our and our partners’ ability to obtain adequate reimbursement coverage for our products from insurance companies, government programs and other third party payors; and

 

   

our ability to obtain additional research and development funding from collaborative partners or funding for our products.

In addition, the amount we spend will impact our profitability. Our spending will depend, in part, upon:

 

   

the costs of our marketing or awareness campaigns;

 

   

the progress of our research and development programs for our products, including clinical trials;

 

   

the time and expense that will be required to pursue FDA and/or foreign regulatory approvals for our products and whether such approvals are obtained on a timely basis, if at all;

 

   

the time and expense required to prosecute, enforce and/or challenge patent and other intellectual property rights;

 

   

the cost of operating and maintaining development and research facilities;

 

   

the cost of third party manufacturers;

 

   

the number of additional products we pursue;

 

   

how competing technological and market developments affect our products;

 

   

the cost of possible acquisitions of technologies, products, product rights or companies;

 

   

the cost of obtaining licenses to use technology owned by others for proprietary products and otherwise;

 

   

the costs and effects of potential litigation; and

 

   

the costs associated with recruiting and compensating a highly skilled workforce in an environment where competition for such employees may be intense.

We may not achieve all or any of these goals and, thus, we cannot provide assurances that we will ever be profitable on a sustained basis or achieve significant revenues. Even if we do achieve some or all of these goals, we may not achieve significant or sustained commercial success.

Our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards to offset future taxable income may be limited as a result of transactions involving our common stock.

In general, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (IRC), a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” is subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its pre-change net operating losses (NOLs) and certain other tax assets (tax attributes) to offset future taxable income. In general, an ownership change occurs if the aggregate stock ownership of certain stockholders increases by more than

 

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50 percentage points over such stockholders’ lowest percentage ownership during the testing period (generally three years). Transactions involving our common stock, even those outside our control, such as purchases or sales by investors, within the testing period could result in an ownership change. A limitation on our ability to utilize some or all of our NOLs or credits could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows. Ownership changes did occur as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2014. Our management determined that there was sufficient Built-In-Gain as of December 31, 2008 to offset the IRC Section 382 limitation generated by the ownership change. Our management believes that there is sufficient Built-In-Gain as of December 31, 2014 to offset the IRC Section 382 limitation generated by the ownership change. Any future ownership changes may cause our existing tax attributes to have additional limitations.

If we fail to obtain the capital necessary to fund our research and development activities and commercialization efforts, we may be unable to continue operations or we may be forced to share our rights to commercialize our products with third parties on terms that may not be attractive to us.

Our activities will necessitate significant uses of working capital throughout 2016 and beyond. It is uncertain whether our existing funds will be sufficient to meet our operating needs. As of December 31, 2015, our total cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities were $143.2 million. Our long term capital requirements are expected to depend on many factors, including, among others:

 

   

our ability to successfully commercialize HETLIOZ® and Fanapt® globally;

 

   

costs of developing and maintaining sales, marketing and distribution channels and our ability to sell our products;

 

   

market acceptance of our products;

 

   

costs involved in establishing manufacturing capabilities for commercial quantities of our products;

 

   

the number of potential formulations and products in development;

 

   

progress with pre-clinical studies and clinical trials;

 

   

time and costs involved in obtaining regulatory (including FDA) approval;

 

   

costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining and enforcing patent, trademark and other intellectual property claims;

 

   

competing technological and market developments;

 

   

costs for recruiting and retaining employees and consultants;

 

   

costs for training physicians; and

 

   

legal, accounting, insurance and other professional and business related costs.

As a result, we may need to raise additional capital to fund our anticipated operating expenses and execute on our business plans. In our capital-raising efforts, we may seek to sell debt securities or additional equity securities, obtain a bank credit facility, or enter into partnerships or other collaboration agreements. The sale of additional equity or debt securities, if convertible, could result in dilution to our stockholders and may also result in a lower price for our common stock. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could also result in covenants that could restrict our operations. However, we may not be able to raise additional funds on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to secure sufficient capital to fund our planned activities, we may not be able to continue operations, or we may have to enter into partnerships or other collaboration agreements that could require us to share commercial rights to our products to a greater extent or at earlier stages in the drug development process than is currently intended. These partnerships or collaborations, if consummated prior to proof-of-efficacy or safety of a given product, could impair our ability to realize value from that product. If additional financing is not available when required or is not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to fund our operations and planned growth, develop or enhance our technologies or products, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive market pressures, any of which would materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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If our contract research organizations do not successfully carry out their duties or if we lose our relationships with contract research organizations, our drug development efforts could be delayed.

Our arrangements with contract research organizations are critical to our success in bringing our products to the market and promoting such marketed products profitably. We are dependent on contract research organizations, third-party vendors and investigators for pre-clinical testing and clinical trials related to our drug discovery and development efforts and we will likely continue to depend on them to assist in our future discovery and development efforts. These parties are not our employees and we cannot control the amount or timing of resources that they devote to our programs. As such, they may not complete activities on schedule or may not conduct our clinical trials in accordance with regulatory requirements or our stated protocols. The parties with which we contract for execution of our clinical trials play a significant role in the conduct of the trials and the subsequent collection and analysis of data. If they fail to devote sufficient time and resources to our drug development programs or if their performance is substandard, it will delay the development, approval and commercialization of our products. Moreover, these parties may also have relationships with other commercial entities, some of which may compete with us. If they assist our competitors, it could harm our competitive position.

Our contract research organizations could merge with or be acquired by other companies or experience financial or other setbacks unrelated to our collaboration that could, nevertheless, materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If we lose our relationship with any one or more of these parties, we could experience a significant delay in both identifying another comparable provider and then contracting for its services. We may be unable to retain an alternative provider on reasonable terms, if at all. Even if we locate an alternative provider, it is likely that this provider may need additional time to respond to our needs and may not provide the same type or level of service as the original provider. In addition, any provider that we retain will be subject to current Good Laboratory Practices, and similar foreign standards and we do not have control over compliance with these regulations by these providers. Consequently, if these practices and standards are not adhered to by these providers, the development and commercialization of our products could be delayed.

We rely on a limited number of third party manufacturers to formulate and manufacture our products and our business will be seriously harmed if these manufacturers are not able to satisfy our demand and alternative sources are not available.

Our expertise is primarily in the research and development and pre-clinical and clinical trial phases of product development. We do not have an in-house manufacturing capability and depend completely on a small number of third-party manufacturers and active pharmaceutical ingredient formulators for the manufacture of our products. Therefore, we are dependent on third parties for our formulation development and manufacturing of our products. This may expose us to the risk of not being able to directly oversee the production and quality of the manufacturing process and provide ample commercial supplies to successfully launch and maintain the marketing of our products. Furthermore, these third party contractors, whether foreign or domestic, may experience regulatory compliance difficulty, mechanical shut downs, employee strikes, or other unforeseeable events that may delay or limit production. Our inability to adequately establish, supervise and conduct (either ourselves or through third parties) all aspects of the formulation and manufacturing processes would have a material adverse effect on our ability to develop and commercialize our products.

In January 2014, we entered into a manufacturing agreement with Patheon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Patheon) for the manufacture of commercial supplies of HETLIOZ® 20 mg capsules. In addition, we assumed Novartis’ agreement with Patheon for the manufacture of Fanapt® in the fourth quarter of 2014. We do not have exclusive long-term agreements with any other third party manufacturers of our products. If Patheon, or any other third party manufacturer, is unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under our manufacturing agreements for any reason, we may not be able to locate alternative acceptable manufacturers or formulators or enter into favorable agreements with them. Any inability to acquire sufficient quantities of our products in a timely manner from these third parties could adversely affect sales of our products, delay clinical trials and prevent us from developing our products in a cost-effective manner or on a timely basis. In addition, manufacturers of our products are subject to cGMP and similar foreign standards and we do not have control over compliance with

 

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these regulations by our manufacturers. If one of our contract manufacturers fails to maintain compliance, the production of our products could be interrupted, resulting in delays and additional costs. In addition, if the facilities of such manufacturers do not pass a pre-approval or post-approval plant inspection, the FDA will not grant approval and may institute restrictions on the marketing or sale of our products.

Our manufacturing strategy presents the following additional risks:

 

   

because most of our third-party manufacturers and formulators are located outside of the U.S., there may be difficulties in importing our products or their components into the U.S. as a result of, among other things, FDA import inspections, incomplete or inaccurate import documentation or defective packaging; and

 

   

because of the complex nature of our products, our manufacturers may not be able to successfully manufacture our products in a cost-effective and/or timely manner.

Materials necessary to manufacture our products may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, which may delay the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of our products.

We and our partners rely on manufacturers to purchase from third-party suppliers the materials necessary to produce our products for clinical trials and commercialization. Suppliers may not sell these materials to such manufacturers at the times we or our partners need them or on commercially reasonable terms. We do not have any control over the process or timing of the acquisition of these materials by these manufacturers. Moreover, we currently do not have any agreements for the commercial production of these materials. If the manufacturers are unable to obtain these materials for our or our partners’ clinical trials, product testing, potential regulatory approval of our products and commercial scale manufacturing could be delayed, significantly affecting our and our partners’ ability to further develop and commercialize our products. If we, our manufacturers or our partners, as applicable, are unable to purchase these materials for our products, there would be a shortage in supply or the commercial launch of such products would be delayed, which would materially and adversely affect our or our partners’ ability to generate revenues from the sale of such products.

If we cannot identify, or enter into licensing arrangements for, new products, our ability to develop a diverse product portfolio will be limited.

A component of our business strategy is acquiring rights to develop and commercialize products discovered or developed by other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for which we may find effective uses and markets through our unique pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics expertise for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. Competition for the acquisition of these products is intense. If we are not able to identify opportunities to acquire rights to commercialize additional products, we may not be able to develop a diverse portfolio of products and our business may be harmed. Additionally, it may take substantial human and financial resources to secure commercial rights to promising products. Moreover, if other firms develop pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics capabilities, we may face increased competition in identifying and acquiring additional products.

We may not be successful in the development of products for our own account.

In addition to our business strategy of acquiring rights to develop and commercialize products, we may develop products for our own account by applying our technologies to off-patent drugs as well as developing our own proprietary molecules. Because we will be funding the development of such programs, there is a risk that we may not be able to continue to fund all such programs to completion or to provide the support necessary to perform the clinical trials, obtain regulatory approvals or market any approved products. We expect the development of products for our own account to consume substantial resources. If we are able to develop commercial products on our own, the risks associated with these programs may be greater than those associated with our programs with collaborative partners.

 

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If we lose key scientists or management personnel, or if we fail to recruit additional highly skilled personnel, it will impair our ability to identify, develop and commercialize products.

We are highly dependent on principal members of our management team and scientific staff, including our Chief Executive Officer, Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, M.D. These executives each have significant pharmaceutical industry experience. The loss of any such executives, including Dr. Polymeropoulos, or any other principal member of our management team or scientific staff, would impair our ability to identify, develop and market new products. Our management and other employees may voluntarily terminate their employment with us at any time. The loss of the services of these or other key personnel, or the inability to attract and retain additional qualified personnel, could result in delays to development or approval, loss of sales and diversion of management resources. In addition, we depend on our ability to attract and retain other highly skilled personnel, including research scientists. Competition for qualified personnel is intense, and the process of hiring and integrating such qualified personnel is often lengthy. We may be unable to recruit such personnel on a timely basis, if at all, which would negatively impact our development and commercialization programs.

Additionally, we do not currently maintain “key person” life insurance on the lives of our executives or any of our employees. This lack of insurance means that we may not have adequate compensation for the loss of the services of these individuals.

Product liability lawsuits could divert our resources, result in substantial liabilities and reduce the commercial potential of our products.

The risk that we may be sued on product liability claims is inherent in the development and sale of pharmaceutical products. For example, we face a risk of product liability exposure related to the testing of our products in clinical trials and will face even greater risks upon commercialization by us or our partners of our products. We believe that we may be at a greater risk of product liability claims relative to other pharmaceutical companies because our products are intended to treat central nervous system disorders, and it is possible that we may be held liable for the behavior and actions of patients who use our products. These lawsuits may divert our management from pursuing our business strategy and may be costly to defend. In addition, if we are held liable in any of these lawsuits, we may incur substantial liabilities and we or our partners may be forced to limit or forego further commercialization of one or more of our products. Although we maintain product liability insurance, our aggregate coverage limit under this insurance is $25.0 million, and while we believe this amount of insurance is sufficient to cover our product liability exposure, these limits may not be high enough to fully cover potential liabilities. As our development activities and commercialization efforts progress and we and our partners sell our products, this coverage may be inadequate, we may be unable to obtain adequate coverage at an acceptable cost or we may be unable to get adequate coverage at all or our insurer may disclaim coverage as to a future claim. This could prevent the commercialization or limit the commercial potential of our products. Even if we are able to maintain insurance that we believe is adequate, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected by a product liability claim. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of products liability litigation or other proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace. Product liability litigation and other related proceedings may also require significant management time.

European Union Member States tend to impose strict price controls, which may delay or prevent the commercial launch or impede the commercial success of HETLIOZ® in Europe and adversely affect our future results of operations.

In the European Union, prescription drug pricing and reimbursement are subject to governmental control and reimbursement mechanisms used by private and public health insurers in the European Union vary by Member State. For the public systems, reimbursement is determined by guidelines established by the legislature or responsible national authority. As elsewhere, inclusion in reimbursement catalogues focuses on the medical usefulness, need, quality and economic benefits to patients and the health care system. Acceptance for reimbursement comes with cost, use and often volume restrictions, which can vary by Member State. Although we have received marketing authorization for HETLIOZ® from the EC, pricing negotiations with governmental authorities may take a considerable amount of time in those Member States that impose price controls. In

 

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addition, to obtain reimbursement or pricing approval for HETLIOZ® in some Member States, we may be required to conduct a clinical trial that compares the cost-effectiveness of HETLIOZ®, to other available therapies.

Some Member States require approval of the sale price of a drug before it can be marketed. In many countries, the pricing review period begins after marketing or product licensing approval is granted. In some Member States, prescription pharmaceutical pricing remains subject to continuing governmental control even after initial approval is granted. As a result, we may be subject to lengthy price regulations that delay or prevent the commercial launch of HETLIOZ® in a particular Member State and negatively impact the revenues that are generated from the sale of HETLIOZ® in that country. If reimbursement of HETLIOZ® is unavailable or limited in scope or amount, or if pricing for HETLIOZ® is set at unsatisfactory levels or takes too long to establish, or if there is competition from lower priced cross-border sales, our results of operations will be negatively affected.

Legislative or regulatory reform of the healthcare system in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions may affect our ability to sell our products profitably.

The continuing efforts of the U.S. and foreign governments, insurance companies, managed care organizations and other payors of health care services to contain or reduce health care costs may adversely affect our or our partners’ ability to set prices for our products which we or our partners believe are fair, and our ability to generate revenues and achieve and maintain profitability.

Specifically, in both the U.S. and some foreign jurisdictions there have been a number of legislative and regulatory proposals to change the healthcare system in ways that could affect our or our partners’ ability to sell our products profitably. In the U.S., the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 reformed the way Medicare covered and provided reimbursement for pharmaceutical products. This legislation could decrease the coverage and price that we or our partners may receive for our products. Other third-party payors are increasingly challenging the prices charged for medical products and services. It will be time-consuming and expensive for us or our partners to go through the process of seeking reimbursement from Medicare and private payors. Our products may not be considered cost effective, and coverage and reimbursement may not be available or sufficient to allow the sale of such products on a competitive and profitable basis. Further federal and state proposals and healthcare reforms are likely which could limit the prices that can be charged for the drugs we develop and may further limit our commercial opportunity. Our results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the Medicare prescription drug coverage legislation, by the possible effect of this legislation on amounts that private insurers will pay and by other healthcare reforms that may be enacted or adopted in the future.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (PPACA), is a sweeping measure intended to expand healthcare coverage within the U.S., primarily through the imposition of health insurance mandates on employers and individuals and expansion of the Medicaid program, and the establishment of health care exchanges. Several provisions of the new law, which have varying effective dates, may affect us, and will likely increase certain of our costs. For example, an increase in the Medicaid rebate rate from 15.1% to 23.1% was effective as of January 1, 2010, and the volume of rebated drugs was expanded to include beneficiaries in Medicaid managed care organizations effective as of March 23, 2010. The PPACA also imposes an annual fee on pharmaceutical manufacturers which began in 2011, based on the manufacturer’s sale of branded pharmaceuticals and biologics (excluding orphan drugs); expands the 340B drug discount program (excluding orphan drugs) including the creation of new penalties for non-compliance; and includes a 50% discount on brand name drugs for Medicare Part D participants in the coverage gap, or “doughnut hole”. The law also revised the definition of “average manufacturer price” for reporting purposes (effective October 1, 2010), which could increase the amount of Medicaid drug rebates to states. Substantial new provisions affecting compliance also have been added, which may require us to modify our business practices with health care practitioners.

The reforms imposed by PPACA significantly impact the pharmaceutical industry; however, the full effects of the PPACA cannot be known until these provisions are implemented and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other federal and state agencies issue applicable regulations or guidance. Moreover, in the coming years, additional changes could be made to governmental healthcare programs that could significantly

 

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impact the success of our products. We will continue to evaluate the PPACA, as amended, the implementation of regulations or guidance related to various provisions of the PPACA by federal agencies, as well as trends and changes that may be encouraged by the legislation and that may potentially impact on our business over time. The financial impact of the U.S. healthcare reform legislation over the next few years will depend on a number of factors including but not limited to the policies reflected in implementing regulations and guidance and changes in sales volumes for products affected by the new system of rebates, discounts and fees. These developments could, however, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Further, in September 2007, the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 was enacted giving the FDA enhanced post-marketing authority including the authority to require post-marketing studies and clinical trials, labeling changes based on new safety information and compliance with REMS approved by the FDA. The FDA’s exercise of this authority could result in delays or increased costs during product development, clinical trials and regulatory review, increased costs to ensure compliance with post-approval regulatory requirements and potential restrictions on the sale and/or distribution of approved products.

Moreover, we cannot predict what healthcare reform initiatives may be adopted in the future. Further federal and state legislative and regulatory developments are likely, and we expect ongoing initiatives in the United States to increase pressure on drug pricing. Such reforms could have an adverse effect on anticipated revenues from product candidates that we may successfully develop and for which we may obtain regulatory approval and may affect our overall financial condition and ability to develop product candidates.

In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted in the United States since the PPACA was enacted. On August 2, 2011, the Budget Control Act of 2011 among other things, created measures for spending reductions by Congress. A Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, tasked with recommending a targeted deficit reduction of at least $1.2 trillion for the years 2013 through 2021, was unable to reach required goals, thereby triggering the legislation’s automatic reduction to several government programs. This includes aggregate reductions to Medicare payments to providers of up to 2% per fiscal year, starting in 2013, which will remain in effect until 2024 unless additional congressional action is taken. On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law, which, among other things, increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years. We expect that additional federal healthcare reform measures will be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that federal and state governments will pay for healthcare products and services, and in turn could significantly reduce the projected value of certain development projects and reduce our profitability.

In some foreign countries, including major markets in the European Union and Japan, the pricing of prescription pharmaceuticals is subject to governmental control. In these countries, pricing negotiations with governmental authorities can take nine to twelve months or longer after the receipt of regulatory marketing approval for a product. To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval in some countries, we may be required to conduct a clinical trial that compares the cost-effectiveness of our product to other available therapies. Our business could be materially harmed if reimbursement of our products is unavailable or limited in scope or amount or if pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels.

Additionally, drug prices are under significant scrutiny, and along with other health care costs, continue to be subject to intense political and societal pressures, which we anticipate will continue and escalate, including on a global basis. As a result, our business and reputation may be harmed, our stock price may be adversely impacted and experience periods of volatility, and our results of operations may be adversely impacted.

Our business is subject to extensive governmental regulation and oversight and changes in laws could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our business is subject to extensive government regulation and oversight. As a result, we may become subject to governmental actions which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, including:

 

   

new laws, regulations or judicial decisions, or new interpretations of existing laws, regulations or decisions, related to patent protection and enforcement, health care availability, method of delivery and payment for health care products and services or our business operations generally;

 

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changes in the FDA and foreign regulatory approval processes that may delay or prevent the approval of new products and result in lost market opportunity;

 

   

new laws, regulations and judicial decisions affecting pricing or marketing; and

 

   

changes in the tax laws relating to our operations.

Future transactions may harm our business or the market price of our stock.

We regularly review potential transactions related to technologies, products or product rights and businesses complementary to our business. These transactions could include:

 

   

mergers;

 

   

acquisitions;

 

   

strategic alliances;

 

   

licensing agreements; and

 

   

co-promotion and similar agreements.

We may choose to enter into one or more of these transactions at any time, which may cause substantial fluctuations in the market price of our stock. Moreover, depending upon the nature of any transaction, we may experience a charge to earnings, which could also materially adversely affect our results of operations and could harm the market price of our stock.

We may undertake strategic acquisitions in the future, and difficulties integrating such acquisitions could damage our ability to achieve or sustain profitability.

Although we have no experience in acquiring businesses, we may acquire businesses or assets that complement or augment our existing business. If we acquire businesses with promising products or technologies, we may not be able to realize the benefit of acquiring such businesses if we are unable to move one or more products through preclinical and/or clinical development to regulatory approval and commercialization. Integrating any newly acquired businesses or technologies could be expensive and time-consuming, resulting in the diversion of resources from our current business. We may not be able to integrate any acquired business successfully. We cannot assure you that, following an acquisition, we will achieve revenues, specific net income or loss levels that justify the acquisition or that the acquisition will result in increased earnings, or reduced losses, for the combined company in any future period. Moreover, we may need to raise additional funds through public or private debt or equity financing to acquire any businesses, which would result in dilution for stockholders or the incurrence of indebtedness and may not be available on terms which would otherwise be acceptable to us. We may not be able to operate acquired businesses profitably or otherwise implement our growth strategy successfully.

Our operating results may fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors which make our future results difficult to predict and could cause our operating results to fall below expectations or our guidance.

Our operating results will continue to be subject to fluctuations. The revenues we generate and our operating results will be affected by numerous factors, including:

 

   

product sales;

 

   

cost of product sales;

 

   

marketing and other expenses;

 

   

manufacturing or supply issues;

 

   

the timing and amount of royalties or milestone payments;

 

   

our addition or termination of development programs;

 

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variations in the level of expenses related to our products or future development programs;

 

   

regulatory developments affecting our products or those of our competitors; our execution of collaborative, licensing or other arrangements, and the timing of payments we may make or receive under these arrangements;

 

   

any intellectual property infringement or other lawsuit in which we may become involved; and

 

   

the timing and recognition of stock-based compensation expense.

If our operating results fall below the expectations of investors or securities analysts or below any guidance we may provide, the price of our common stock could decline substantially. Furthermore, any fluctuations in our operating results may, in turn, cause the price of our stock to fluctuate substantially. We believe that comparisons of our financial results are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of our future performance.

We are increasingly dependent on information technology systems, infrastructure and data.

We are increasingly dependent upon information technology systems, infrastructure and data. Our computer systems may be vulnerable to service interruption or destruction, malicious intrusion and random attack. Security breaches pose a risk that sensitive data, including intellectual property, trade secrets or personal information may be exposed to unauthorized persons or to the public. Cyber-attacks are increasing in their frequency, sophistication and intensity, and have become increasingly difficult to detect. Cyber-attacks could include the deployment of harmful malware, denial-of service, social engineering and other means to affect service reliability and threaten data confidentiality, integrity and availability. Our key business partners face similar risks, and a security breach of their systems could adversely affect our security posture. While we continue to invest data protection and information technology, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent service interruptions, or identify breaches in our systems, that could adversely affect our business and operations and/or result in the loss of critical or sensitive information, which could result in financial, legal, business or reputational harm.

Risks related to intellectual property and other legal matters

Our rights to develop and commercialize our products are subject in part to the terms and conditions of licenses or sublicenses granted to us by other pharmaceutical companies.

HETLIOZ® is based in part on patents that we have licensed on an exclusive basis and other intellectual property licensed from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS). BMS holds certain rights with respect to HETLIOZ® in the license agreement. Either party may terminate the license agreement under certain circumstances, including a material breach of the agreement by the other. In the event we terminate our license, or if BMS terminates our license due to our breach, all rights to HETLIOZ® (including any intellectual property we develop with respect to HETLIOZ®) will revert or otherwise be licensed back to BMS on an exclusive basis. Any termination or reversion of our rights to develop or commercialize HETLIOZ®, including any reacquisition by BMS of our rights, would have a material adverse effect on our business.

Fanapt® is based in part on patents and other intellectual property owned by Sanofi. Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Titan) holds an exclusive license from Sanofi to the intellectual property owned by Sanofi, and Titan has sublicensed its rights under such license on an exclusive basis to Novartis. We acquired exclusive rights to this and other intellectual property through a further sublicense from Novartis. The sublicense with Novartis was amended and restated in October of 2009 to provide Novartis with exclusive rights to commercialize Fanapt® in the U.S. and Canada. We retained exclusive rights to Fanapt® outside the U.S. and Canada. We acquired all of Novartis’ rights to Fanapt® in the fourth quarter of 2014 pursuant to an asset transfer agreement and related agreements with Novartis. We may lose our rights to develop and commercialize Fanapt® if we fail to comply with certain requirements in the Titan license agreement regarding our financial condition, or if we fail to comply with certain diligence obligations regarding our development or commercialization activities. Our loss of rights in Fanapt® would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Tradipitant is based in part on patents that we have licensed on an exclusive basis and other intellectual property licensed from Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly). Lilly may terminate our license if we fail to use our commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize tradipitant or if we materially breach the agreement and fail to cure that breach. In the event that we terminate our license, or if Lilly terminates our license for the reasons stated above, all of our rights to tradipitant (including any intellectual property we develop with respect to tradipitant) will revert back to Lilly, subject to payment by Lilly to us of a royalty on net sales of products that contain tradipitant.

AQW051, to which we acquired rights from Novartis in the fourth quarter of 2014, is based on patents and other intellectual property that we have licensed on an exclusive basis from Novartis. Novartis may terminate our license if we materially breach the agreement, which includes an obligation to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize AQW051, and fail to cure that breach. In the event that Novartis terminates our license for the reasons stated above, all of our rights to AQW051 (including any intellectual property we develop with respect to AQW051) will revert back to Novartis without compensation.

If our efforts to protect the proprietary nature of the intellectual property related to our products are not adequate, we may not be able to compete effectively in our markets.

Method of treatment patents protect the use of a product for the method specified in the patent claims. This type of patent does not prevent a competitor from making and marketing a product that is identical to our product for a use that is outside the scope of the patented method. Moreover, even if competitors do not actively promote their product for our patented methods, physicians may prescribe these products “off-label.” Although off-label prescriptions may infringe or contribute to the infringement of method of treatment patents, such infringement may be difficult to prevent.

Our patents and patent applications may be challenged or fail to result in issued patents and our existing or future patents may be too narrow to prevent third parties from developing or designing around these patents. In addition, we generally rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements to protect certain proprietary know-how that is not patentable, for processes for which patents are difficult to enforce and for any other elements of our drug development processes that involve proprietary know-how, information and technology that is not covered by patent applications. While we require all of our employees, consultants, advisors and any third parties who have access to our proprietary know-how, information and technology to enter into confidentiality agreements, we cannot be certain that this know-how, information and technology will not be disclosed or that competitors will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or independently develop substantially equivalent information and techniques. Further, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. As a result, we may encounter significant problems in protecting and defending our intellectual property both in the U.S. and abroad. If we are unable to protect or defend the intellectual property related to our technologies, we will not be able to establish or maintain a competitive advantage in our market.

If we do not obtain protection under the Hatch-Waxman Act and similar foreign legislation to extend our patents and to obtain market exclusivity for our products, our business will be harmed.

The Hatch-Waxman Act provides for an extension of patent term for drugs for a period of up to five years to compensate for time spent in development. Assuming we gain a five-year patent term extension for HETLIOZ®, and that we continue to have rights under our license agreement with respect to this product, we would have exclusive rights to the HETLIOZ® U.S. “new chemical entity” patent (the primary patent covering the product as a new composition of matter) until 2022. We also own two HETLIOZ® U.S. method of treatment patents (directed to the approved method of treatment as described in the HETLIOZ® label approved by the FDA). These patents expire normally in 2033. The Fanapt® U.S. “new chemical entity” patent has received the full five-year patent term extension under the Hatch-Waxman Act and so the term of this patent in the U.S. has been extended until November 2016. In November 2013, a patent directed to a method of treating patients with Fanapt® based on genotype was issued to us by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This patent, which was listed in the FDA’s Orange Book in January 2015, is set to expire in 2027. Eight additional U.S. patents directed to methods of treating patients with Fanapt®, which are set to expire between 2025 and 2031, were issued to us in 2014 and 2015.

 

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A directive in the European Union provides that companies that receive regulatory approval for a new medicinal product will have a 10-year period of market exclusivity for that product (with the possibility of a further one-year extension), beginning on the date of such European regulatory approval, regardless of when the European new chemical entity patent covering such product expires. A generic version of the approved drug may not be marketed or sold in Europe during such market exclusivity period. This directive is of material importance with respect to Fanapt®, since the European new chemical entity patent for Fanapt® has expired.

Assuming we gain a five-year patent term restoration for tradipitant, and that we continue to have rights under our license agreement with respect to this product, we would have exclusive rights to tradipitant’ s U.S. new chemical entity patent until 2029. Assuming we gain a five-year patent term restoration for AQW051, and that we continue to have rights under our license agreement with respect to this product, we would have exclusive rights to AQW051’s U.S. new chemical entity patent until 2028.

However, there is no assurance that we will receive the extensions of our patents or other exclusive rights available under the Hatch-Waxman Act or similar foreign legislation. If we fail to receive such extensions or exclusive rights, our or our partners’ ability to prevent competitors from manufacturing, marketing and selling generic versions of our products will be materially impaired.

Litigation or third-party claims of intellectual property infringement could require us to divert resources and may prevent or delay our drug discovery and development efforts.

Our commercial success depends in part on our not infringing the patents and proprietary rights of third parties. Third parties may assert that we are employing their proprietary technology without authorization. In addition, third parties may obtain patents in the future and claim that use of our technologies infringes upon these patents.

Furthermore, parties making claims against us may obtain injunctive or other equitable relief, which could effectively block our ability to develop and commercialize one or more of our products. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, would divert substantial financial and employee resources from our business. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us, we may have to pay substantial damages, obtain one or more licenses from third parties or pay royalties. In addition, even in the absence of litigation, we may need to obtain additional licenses from third parties to advance our research or allow commercialization of our products. We may fail to obtain any of these licenses at a reasonable cost or on reasonable terms, if at all. In that event, we would be unable to develop and commercialize further one or more of our products.

In addition, in the future we could be required to initiate litigation to enforce our proprietary rights against infringement by third parties. Prosecution of these claims to enforce our rights against others could divert substantial financial and employee resources from our business. If we fail to enforce our proprietary rights against others, our business will be harmed.

As described elsewhere in these risk factors and in Part I, Item 3, Legal Proceedings, of this annual report on Form 10-K, we have initiated lawsuits to enforce our patent rights against Roxane, Inventia, Taro, Apotex and Lupin.

Risks related to our common stock

Our stock price has been highly volatile and may be volatile in the future, and purchasers of our common stock could incur substantial losses.

The realization of any of the risks described in these risk factors or other unforeseen risks could have a dramatic and adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. Between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015, the high and low sale prices of our common stock as reported on The NASDAQ Global Market varied between $8.00 and $15.00. Additionally, market prices for securities of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including ours, have historically been very volatile. The market for these securities has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations for reasons that were unrelated to the operating performance of any one company.

 

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The following factors, in addition to the other risk factors described in this section, may also have a significant impact on the market price of our common stock:

 

   

publicity regarding actual or potential testing or trial results relating to products under development by us or our competitors;

 

   

the outcome of regulatory review relating to products under development by us or our competitors;

 

   

regulatory developments in the U.S. and foreign countries;

 

   

developments concerning any collaboration or other strategic transaction we may undertake;

 

   

the outcome of pending litigation or the initiation of new litigation concerning us, our products or our intellectual property;

 

   

announcements of patent issuances or denials, technological innovations or new commercial products by us or our competitors;

 

   

termination or delay of development or commercialization program(s) by our partners;

 

   

safety issues with our products or those of our competitors;

 

   

our or our partners’ ability to successfully commercialize our products;

 

   

our ability to successfully execute our commercialization strategies;

 

   

announcements of technological innovations or new therapeutic products or methods by us or others;

 

   

actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results;

 

   

changes in estimates of our financial results or recommendations by securities analysts or failure to meet such financial expectations;

 

   

changes in government regulations or policies;

 

   

changes in patent legislation or patent decisions or adverse changes to patent law;

 

   

additions or departures of key personnel or members of our board of directors;

 

   

financial guidance or business updates we may provide;

 

   

announcements about our financial results that are not in line with analyst expectations or guidance we provide;

 

   

the publication of negative research or articles about our company, our business or our products by industry analysts or others;

 

   

publicity regarding actual or potential transactions involving us; and

 

   

economic, political and other external factors beyond our control.

We may be subject to litigation, which could harm our stock price, business, results of operations and financial condition.

We have been the subject of litigation in the past and may be subject to litigation in the future. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of their stock, many companies, including us, have been the subjects of securities class action litigation. Any such litigation can result in substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention and resources and could harm our stock price, business results of operations and financial condition. As a result of these factors, holders of our common stock might be unable to sell their shares at or above the price they paid for such shares.

If there are substantial sales of our common stock, our stock price could decline.

A small number of institutional investors and private equity funds hold a significant number of shares of our common stock. Sales by these stockholders of a substantial number of shares, or the expectation of such sales, could cause a significant reduction in the market price of our common stock.

 

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In addition to our outstanding common stock, as of December 31, 2015 there were a total of 7,275,129 shares of our common stock that we have registered and that we are obligated to issue upon the exercise of currently outstanding options and settlement of restricted stock unit awards granted under our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. Upon the exercise of these options or settlement of the shares underlying these restricted stock units, as the case may be, in accordance with their respective terms, these shares may be resold freely, subject to restrictions imposed on our affiliates under Rule 144. If significant sales of these shares occur in short periods of time, these sales could reduce the market price of our common stock. Any reduction in the trading price of our common stock could impede our ability to raise capital on attractive terms, if at all.

If we fail to maintain the requirements for continued listing on The NASDAQ Global Market, our common stock could be delisted from trading, which would adversely affect the liquidity of our common stock and our ability to raise additional capital.

Our common stock is currently listed for quotation on The NASDAQ Global Market. We are required to meet specified listing criteria in order to maintain our listing on The NASDAQ Global Market. If we fail to satisfy The NASDAQ Global Market’s continued listing requirements, our common stock could be delisted from The NASDAQ Global Market, in which case we may transfer to The NASDAQ Capital Market, which generally has lower financial requirements for initial listing or, if we fail to meet its listing requirements, the over-the-counter bulletin board. Any potential delisting of our common stock from The NASDAQ Global Market would make it more difficult for our stockholders to sell our stock in the public market and would likely result in decreased liquidity and increased volatility for our common stock.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports or publish unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We currently have research coverage by securities and industry analysts. If one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our stock, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our Company or fails to regularly publish reports on us, interest in the purchase of our stock could decrease, which could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.

In order to raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that may not be the same as the price per share in previous offerings. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by investors in previous offerings, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock, or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid by investors.

Our business could be negatively affected as a result of the actions of activist stockholders.

Proxy contests have been waged against many companies in the biopharmaceutical industry, including us, over the last several years. If faced with a proxy contest or other type of shareholder activism, we may not be able to respond successfully to the contest or dispute, which would be disruptive to our business. Even if we are successful, our business could be adversely affected by a proxy contest or shareholder dispute involving us or our partners because:

 

   

responding to proxy contests and other actions by activist stockholders can be costly and time-consuming, disrupting operations and diverting the attention of management and employees;

 

   

perceived uncertainties as to future direction may result in the loss of potential acquisitions, collaborations or in-licensing opportunities, and may make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel and business partners; and

 

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if individuals are elected to a board of directors with a specific agenda, it may adversely affect our ability to effectively and timely implement our strategic plan and create additional value for our stockholders.

These actions could cause our stock price to experience periods of volatility.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter and bylaws and under Delaware law, and our rights plan could prevent or delay a change in control of our company.

We are a Delaware corporation and the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control by prohibiting us from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years after the person becomes an interested stockholder, even if a change of control would be beneficial to our existing stockholders. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or control over us that stockholders may consider favorable. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws:

 

   

authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that could be issued by our board of directors to thwart a takeover attempt;

 

   

do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors, which would allow holders of less than a majority of the stock to elect some directors;

 

   

establish a classified board of directors, as a result of which the successors to the directors whose terms have expired will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following their election;

 

   

require that directors only be removed from office for cause;

 

   

provide that vacancies on the board of directors, including newly-created directorships, may be filled only by a majority vote of directors then in office;

 

   

limit who may call special meetings of stockholders;

 

   

prohibit stockholder action by written consent, requiring all actions to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders; and

 

   

establish advance notice requirements for nominating candidates for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings.

Moreover, in September 2008, our board of directors adopted a rights agreement that unless renewed expires in September 2018, the provisions of which could result in significant dilution of the proportionate ownership of a potential acquirer and, accordingly, could discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or control over us.

Prolonged economic uncertainties or downturns, as well as unstable market, credit and financial conditions, may exacerbate certain risks affecting our business and have serious adverse consequences on our business.

The global economic downturn and market instability has made the business climate more volatile and more costly. These economic conditions, and uncertainty as to the general direction of the macroeconomic environment, are beyond our control and may make any necessary debt or equity financing more difficult, more costly, and more dilutive. While we believe we have adequate capital resources to meet current working capital and capital expenditure requirements, a lingering economic downturn or significant increase in our expenses could require additional financing on less than attractive rates or on terms that are excessively dilutive to existing stockholders. Failure to secure any necessary financing in a timely manner and on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our stock price and could require us to delay or abandon clinical development plans.

Sales of our products will be dependent, in large part, on reimbursement from government health administration authorities, private health insurers, distribution partners and other organizations. As a result of negative trends in the general economy in the U.S. or other jurisdictions in which we may do business, these

 

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organizations may be unable to satisfy their reimbursement obligations or may delay payment. In addition, federal and state health authorities may reduce Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, and private insurers may increase their scrutiny of claims. A reduction in the availability or extent of reimbursement could negatively affect our or our partners’ product sales and revenue.

In addition, we rely on third parties for several important aspects of our business. For example, we use third parties for sales, distribution, medical affairs and clinical research, and we rely upon several single source providers of raw materials and contract manufacturers for the manufacture of our products. During challenging and uncertain economic times and in tight credit markets, there may be a disruption or delay in the performance of our third party contractors, suppliers or partners. If such third parties are unable to satisfy their commitments to us, our business and results of operations would be adversely affected.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our headquarters is located in Washington, D.C., consisting of approximately 30,260 square feet of office space. Our lease and a subsequent amendment for additional space for this facility expire in 2023 and 2027, respectively, each subject to five year renewal options. Management believes that this facility is suitable and adequate to meet our anticipated near-term needs. We anticipate that following the expiration of the lease, additional or alternative space will be available at commercially reasonable terms.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In June 2014, we filed suit against Roxane Laboratories, Inc. (Roxane) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The suit seeks an adjudication that Roxane has infringed one or more claims of our U.S. Patent No. 8,586,610 (the ‘610 Patent) by submitting to the FDA an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for generic versions of Fanapt® oral tablets in 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg, 8 mg, 10 mg and 12 mg strengths. The relief requested by us includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Roxane from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘610 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘610 Patent in 2027.

Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, we assumed Novartis’ patent infringement action against Roxane in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The suit alleges that Roxane’s filing of an ANDA for generic iloperidone with a paragraph IV certification infringes Sanofi’s new chemical entity patent. Roxane is defending on the grounds that the patent claims are invalid or unenforceable or that certain patent claims are not infringed. Roxane also filed a motion to dismiss on the grounds that the court lacks jurisdiction.

The two pending cases against Roxane were consolidated by agreement of the parties in April 2015 and are scheduled to be tried together in a four-day bench trial beginning on February 29, 2016.

In May 2015, we filed a lawsuit against Inventia Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. (Inventia) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The suit seeks an adjudication that Inventia has infringed on one or more claims of the ‘610 Patent by submitting to the FDA an ANDA for a generic version of Fanapt®. The relief requested by us includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Inventia from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘610 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘610 Patent in 2027. This lawsuit is scheduled to be tried in a four-day bench trial beginning on January 17, 2017.

In October 2015, we filed four separate patent infringement lawsuits in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the October 2015 Lawsuits). Two of the October 2015 Lawsuits join the existing litigations against the previous Fanapt® ANDA filers, Roxane and Inventia, described above. The other two October 2015 Lawsuits were filed against new ANDA filers, Taro Pharmaceuticals, U.S.A., Inc./Taro Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Taro) and Apotex Inc. (Apotex).

 

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The first of the October 2015 Lawsuits, which was filed against Roxane, seeks an adjudication that Roxane has infringed one or more claims of our U.S. Patent No. 9,138,432 (the ‘432 Patent) by submitting to the FDA its ANDA for a generic version of Fanapt® prior to the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in September 2025. The relief requested by us includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Roxane from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘432 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in 2025.

The second of the October 2015 Lawsuits, which was filed against Inventia, seeks an adjudication that Inventia has infringed one or more claims of the ‘432 Patent by submitting to the FDA its ANDA for a generic version of Fanapt® prior to the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in September 2025. The relief requested by us includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Inventia from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘432 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in 2025.

The third of the October 2015 Lawsuits, which was filed against Taro, seeks an adjudication that Taro has infringed one or more claims of the ‘432 Patent and the ‘610 Patent by submitting to the FDA an ANDA for a generic version of Fanapt® prior to the expiration of the ‘432 patent in September 2025 and the ‘610 Patent in November 2027. The relief requested by us includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Taro from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘432 Patent and the ‘610 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in 2025 and the ‘610 Patent in 2027.

The fourth of the October 2015 Lawsuits, which was filed against Apotex and Apotex Corp., seeks an adjudication that Apotex has infringed one or more claims of the ‘432 Patent and the ‘610 Patent by submitting to the FDA an ANDA for a generic version of Fanapt® prior to the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in September 2025 and the ‘610 Patent in November 2027. The relief requested by us includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Apotex from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘432 Patent and the ‘610 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in 2025 and the ‘610 Patent in 2027.

In November 2015, we filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against Lupin Limited and Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (collectively, Lupin). The suit seeks an adjudication that Lupin has infringed one or more claims of the ‘432 Patent and the ‘610 Patent by submitting to the FDA its ANDA for a generic version of Fanapt® prior to the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in September 2025 and the ‘610 Patent in November 2027. The relief requested by us in the lawsuit includes a request for a permanent injunction preventing Lupin from infringing the asserted claims of the ‘432 Patent and the ‘610 Patent by engaging in the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale, importation or distribution of generic versions of Fanapt® before the expiration of the ‘432 Patent in 2025 and the ‘610 Patent in 2027.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “VNDA.” The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of high and low sale prices of our common stock as reported on The NASDAQ Global Market:

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015

   High      Low  

First quarter

   $ 15.00       $ 8.80   

Second quarter

     13.92         8.92   

Third quarter

     14.50         10.57   

Fourth quarter

     12.28         8.00   

Year Ended December 31, 2014

   High      Low  

First quarter

   $ 19.25       $ 10.00   

Second quarter

     17.69         9.27   

Third quarter

     16.48         10.33   

Fourth quarter

     15.51         8.34   

As of January 31, 2016, there were 11 holders of record of our common stock. The number of holders of record of our common stock does not reflect the number of beneficial holders whose shares are held by depositors, brokers or other nominees.

Dividends

We have not paid dividends to our stockholders (other than a dividend of preferred share purchase rights which was declared in September 2008) since our inception and do not plan to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain earnings, if any, to finance our growth.

 

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Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

The following graph shows the cumulative five-year total return on our common stock relative to the cumulative total returns of the NASDAQ Composite Index and the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index. An investment of $100 (with reinvestment of dividends) is assumed to have been made in our common stock and in each of the indexes on December 31, 2010 and its relative performance is tracked through December 31, 2015. The comparisons in the table are required by the SEC and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible future performance of our common stock. We have not paid dividends to our stockholders since the inception (other than a dividend of preferred share purchase rights which was declared in September 2008) and do not plan to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. The following graph and related information is being furnished solely to accompany this annual report on Form 10-K pursuant to Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K and shall not be deemed “soliciting materials” or to be “filed” with the SEC (other than as provided in Item 201), nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof, and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

 

LOGO

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are each derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K. The consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are each derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included herein. Our historical results for any prior period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in any future period.

 

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The following data should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and the section entitled Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in this annual report on Form 10-K.

 

    Year Ended December 31,  

(in thousands, except for share and per share
amounts)

  2015     2014 (1)     2013     2012     2011  

Statements of Operations Data

         

Total revenues

  $ 109,925      $ 50,157      $ 33,879      $ 32,727      $ 31,270   

Operating expenses:

         

Cost of goods sold

    23,462        1,583               129          

Research and development

    29,145        19,230        28,502        45,764        28,857   

Selling, general and administrative

    84,531        84,644        25,082        14,517        11,294   

Intangible asset amortization

    12,972        2,254        1,495        1,495        1,495   

Gain on arbitration settlement

           (77,616                     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    150,110        30,095        55,079        61,905        41,646   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

    (40,185     20,062        (21,200     (29,178     (10,376

Other income

    320        124        145        561        461   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before taxes

    (39,865     20,186        (21,055     (28,617     (9,915

Tax provision (benefit)

                                (444
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  $ (39,865   $ 20,186      $ (21,055   $ (28,617   $ (9,471
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share:

         

Basic

  $ (0.94   $ 0.58      $ (0.69   $ (1.01   $ (0.34

Diluted

  $ (0.94   $ 0.55      $ (0.69   $ (1.01   $ (0.34

Weighted average shares outstanding:

         

Basic

    42,250,254        34,774,163        30,351,353        28,228,409        28,106,831   

Diluted

    42,250,254        36,686,723        30,351,353        28,228,409        28,106,831   

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Balance Sheet Data

         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 50,843      $ 60,901      $ 64,764      $ 88,772      $ 87,923   

Marketable securities, current

    92,337        68,921        65,586        31,631        60,961   

Marketable securities, non-current

                                19,012   

Working capital

    115,230        133,944        102,763        93,705        121,882   

Total assets

    213,050        171,704        143,349        135,448        182,618   

Total liabilities

    80,023        10,887        99,225        125,543        149,144   

Accumulated deficit

    (327,849     (287,984     (308,170     (287,115     (258,498

Total stockholders’ equity

    133,027        160,817        44,124        9,905        33,474   

 

 

 

(1) Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 included a gain on arbitration settlement of $77.6 million, or $2.23 and $2.12 per basic and diluted share, respectively.

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with Selected Consolidated Financial Data and our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in this annual report on Form 10-K. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K include historical information and other information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business and contain forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to those set forth under the “Risk Factors” section of this report and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Overview

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (we, our or Vanda) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapies addressing high unmet medical needs. We commenced operations in 2003 and our product portfolio includes:

 

   

HETLIOZ® (tasimelteon), a product for the treatment of Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder (Non-24), was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2014 and launched commercially in the U.S. in April 2014. In July 2015, the European Commission (EC) granted centralized marketing authorization with unified labeling for HETLIOZ® for the treatment of Non-24 in totally blind adults. This authorization is valid in the 28 countries that are members of the European Union, as well as European Economic Area members Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. We are preparing to launch HETLIOZ® in Germany in 2016. HETLIOZ® has potential utility in a number of other circadian rhythm disorders and is presently in clinical development for the treatment of Jet Lag Disorder and Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS).

 

   

Fanapt® (iloperidone), a product for the treatment of schizophrenia, the oral formulation of which was being marketed and sold in the U.S. by Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis) until December 31, 2014. On December 31, 2014, Novartis transferred all of the U.S. and Canadian commercial rights to the Fanapt® franchise to us. See Note 3, Settlement Agreement with Novartis, to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II of in this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information. In September 2015, the FDA accepted for review a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Fanapt® for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adults. In December 2015, we refiled with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Fanaptum® oral. Additionally, our distribution partners launched Fanapt® in Israel and Mexico in 2014.

 

   

Tradipitant (VLY-686), a small molecule neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonist, which is presently in clinical development for the treatment of chronic pruritus in atopic dermatitis.

 

   

Trichostatin A, a small molecule histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor.

 

   

AQW051, a Phase II alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist.

Operational Highlights

HETLIOZ® (tasimelteon)

 

   

HETLIOZ® net product sales grew to $15.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, a 30% increase compared to $11.7 million in the third quarter of 2015 and a 152% increase compared to $6.0 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

   

HETLIOZ® net product sales were $44.3 million for the full year 2015, a 246% increase compared to $12.8 million reported for the full year 2014.

 

   

During the fourth quarter of 2015, we initiated an open label interventional study of tasimelteon for the treatment of SMS. A placebo controlled, Phase III study is planned to begin in the second half of 2016.

 

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During the fourth quarter of 2015, we completed an observational study of Jet Lag Disorder. A placebo controlled, Phase III study is planned to begin in the second half of 2016.

Fanapt® (iloperidone)

 

   

Fanapt® net product sales were $16.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to $16.7 million in the third quarter of 2015.

 

   

Fanapt® net product sales were $65.6 million for the full year 2015, compared to $65.0 million in 2014, as reported by Novartis.

 

   

In December 2015, the MAA for oral Fanaptum® tablets was accepted for evaluation by the EMA for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.

 

   

The FDA review of the sNDA for Fanapt® for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adults is ongoing. The FDA has set a PDUFA goal date in May 2016.

Since we began operations in March 2003, we have devoted substantially all of our resources to the in-licensing, clinical development and commercialization of our products. Our ability to generate meaningful product sales and achieve profitability largely depends on our ability to successfully commercialize HETLIOZ® and Fanapt® in the U.S. and Europe, on our ability, alone or with others, to complete the development of our products, and to obtain the regulatory approvals for and to manufacture, market and sell our products. The results of our operations will vary significantly from year-to-year and quarter-to-quarter and depend on a number of factors, including risks related to our business, risks related to our industry, and other risks which are detailed in Risk Factors reported in Item 1A of Part I of this annual report on Form 10-K.

As described in Part I, Item 3, Legal Proceedings, of this annual report on Form 10-K, we have initiated lawsuits to enforce our patent rights against Roxane Laboratories, Inc., Inventia Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Taro Pharmaceuticals, U.S.A., Inc./Taro Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Apotex Inc. and Lupin Limited and Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reported periods. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

A summary of our significant accounting policies appears in the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 included in this annual report on Form 10-K. However, we believe that the following accounting policies are important to understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, and we have accordingly included them in this discussion.

Inventory.    Inventory, which is recorded at the lower of cost or market, includes the cost of third-party manufacturing and other direct and indirect costs and is valued using the first-in, first-out method. We capitalize inventory costs associated with our products upon regulatory approval when, based on management’s judgment, future commercialization is considered probable and the future economic benefit is expected to be realized; otherwise, such costs are expensed as research and development. Inventory is evaluated for impairment by consideration of factors such as lower of cost or market, net realizable value, obsolescence or expiry.

Net Product Sales.    Our net product sales consist of sales of HETLIOZ® and sales of Fanapt®. We apply the revenue recognition guidance in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Subtopic 605-15, Revenue Recognition—Products. We recognize revenue from product sales when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, title to product and associated risk of loss has passed to the customer, the price is fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and we have no further performance obligations.

 

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HETLIOZ® is only available in the U.S. for distribution through a limited number of specialty pharmacies, and is not available in retail pharmacies. Fanapt® is available in the U.S. for distribution through a limited number of wholesalers and is available in retail pharmacies. We invoice and record revenue when our customers, specialty pharmacies and wholesalers, receive product from the third-party logistics warehouse. Revenues and accounts receivable are concentrated with these customers.

We have entered into distribution agreements with Probiomed S.A. de C.V. (Probiomed) for the commercialization of Fanapt® in Mexico and Megapharm Ltd. for the commercialization of Fanapt® in Israel.

Product Sales Discounts and Allowances.    Product sales are recorded net of applicable discounts, chargebacks, rebates, co-pay assistance, service fees and product returns that are applicable for various government and commercial payors. Reserves established for discounts and returns are classified as reductions of accounts receivable if the amount is payable to direct customers, with the exception of service fees. Service fees are classified as a liability. Reserves established for chargebacks, rebates or co-pay assistance are classified as a liability if the amount is payable to a party other than customers. We currently record sales allowances for the following:

Rebates:    Allowances for rebates include mandated and supplemental discounts under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program as well as contracted rebate programs with other payors. Rebate amounts owed after the final dispensing of the product to a benefit plan participant are based upon contractual agreements or legal requirements with public sector benefit providers, such as Medicaid. The allowance for rebates is based on statutory or contracted discount rates and expected utilization. Estimates for the expected utilization of rebates are based on historical activity and, where available, actual and pending prescriptions for which we have validated the insurance benefits. Rebates are generally invoiced and paid in arrears, such that the accrual balance consists of an estimate of the amount expected to be incurred for the current quarter’s activity, plus an accrual balance for known prior quarter’s unpaid rebates. If actual future invoicing varies from estimates, we may need to adjust accruals, which would affect net revenue in the period of adjustment.

Chargebacks:    Chargebacks are discounts that occur when contracted customers purchase directly from specialty pharmacies and wholesalers. Contracted customers, which currently consist primarily of Public Health Service institutions, non-profit clinics, and Federal government entities purchasing via the Federal Supply Schedule, generally purchase the product at a discounted price. The specialty pharmacy or wholesaler, in turn, charges back the difference between the price initially paid by the specialty pharmacy or wholesaler and the discounted price paid to the specialty pharmacy or wholesaler by the contracted customer. The allowance for chargebacks is based on historical activity and, where available, actual and pending prescriptions for which we have validated the insurance benefits.

Medicare Part D Coverage Gap:    Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit mandates manufacturers to fund approximately 50% of the Medicare Part D insurance coverage gap for prescription drugs sold to eligible patients. Estimates for expected Medicare Part D coverage gap are based in part on historical activity and, where available, actual and pending prescriptions for which we have validated the insurance benefits. Funding of the coverage gap is generally invoiced and paid in arrears so that the accrual balance consists of an estimate of the amount expected to be incurred for the current quarter’s activity, plus an accrual balance for known prior quarter activity. If actual future funding varies from estimates, we may need to adjust accruals, which would affect net sales in the period of adjustment.

Service Fees:    We also incur specialty pharmacy fees and wholesaler for services and their data. These fees are based on contracted terms and are known amounts. We accrue service fees at the time of revenue recognition, resulting in a reduction of product sales and the recognition of an accrued liability, unless it receives an identifiable and separate benefit for the consideration and it can reasonably estimate the fair value of the benefit received. In which case, service fees are recorded as selling, general and administrative expense.

Co-payment Assistance:    Patients who have commercial insurance and meet certain eligibility requirements may receive co-payment assistance. Co-pay assistance utilization is based on information provided by our third-party administrator. The allowance for co-pay assistance is based on actual sales and an estimate for pending sales based on either historical activity or pending sales for which we have validated the insurance benefits.

 

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Prompt-pay:    Specialty pharmacies and wholesalers are offered discounts for prompt payment. We expect that the specialty pharmacies and wholesalers will earn prompt payment discounts and, therefore, deduct the full amount of these discounts from total product sales when revenues are recognized.

Product Returns:    Consistent with industry practice, we generally offer direct customers a limited right to return as defined within our returns policy. We consider several factors in the estimation process, including historical return activity, expiration dates of product shipped to specialty pharmacies, inventory levels within the distribution channel, product shelf life, prescription trends and other relevant factors.

The following table summarizes sales discounts and allowance activity as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

(in thousands)

   Rebates &
Chargebacks
     Discounts,
Returns
and Other
     Total  

Balance at December 31, 2013

   $       $       $   

Provision related to current period sales

     419         720         1,139   

Adjustments for prior period sales

                       

Credits/payments made

     (51      (452      (503
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

     368         268         636   

Provision related to current period sales

     57,424         17,940         75,364   

Adjustments for prior period sales

     (114      (25      (139

Credits/payments made

     (24,255      (14,626      (38,881
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2015

   $ 33,423       $ 3,557       $ 36,980   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The provision of $57.4 million for rebates and chargebacks for the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily represents Medicaid rebates and contracted rebate programs applicable to sales of Fanapt®. The provision of $17.9 million for discounts, returns and other for the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily represents wholesaler distribution fees applicable to sales of Fanapt® and co-pay assistance costs and prompt pay discounts applicable to the sales of both HETLIOZ® and Fanapt®.

License revenue.    Our license revenues in 2014 and prior years were derived from the amended and restated sublicense agreement with Novartis and include an upfront payment and future milestone and royalty payments. Pursuant to the amended and restated sublicense agreement, Novartis had the right to commercialize and develop Fanapt® in the U.S. and Canada. Under the amended and restated sublicense agreement, we received an upfront payment of $200.0 million. Revenue related to the upfront payment was recognized ratably from the date the amended and restated sublicense agreement became effective (November 2009) through the expected duration of the Novartis commercialization of Fanapt® in the U.S. which was estimated to be through the expiry of the Fanapt® composition of patent, including a granted Hatch-Waxman extension (November 2016). In connection with the Settlement Agreement, we recognized the remaining deferred revenue as of December 31, 2014 as part of the gain on arbitration settlement. See Note 3, Settlement Agreement with Novartis, to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information.

Stock-based compensation.    We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options. The determination of the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using an option pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include the expected stock price volatility over the expected term of the awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Expected volatility rates are based on the historical volatility of our publicly traded common stock and other factors. The risk-free interest rates are based on the U.S. Treasury yield for a period consistent with the expected term of the option in effect at the time of the grant. We have not paid dividends to our stockholders since our inception (other than a dividend of preferred share purchase rights which was declared in September 2008) and do not plan to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Stock-based compensation expense is also

 

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affected by the expected forfeiture rate for the respective option grants. If our estimates of the fair value of these equity instruments or expected forfeitures are too high or too low, it would have the effect of overstating or understating expenses.

Stock-based compensation expense related to stock-based awards for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, was included in the following:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  

(in thousands)

   2015      2014      2013  

Research and development

   $ 2,269       $ 1,933       $ 2,166   

Selling, general and administrative

     5,692         3,945         3,238   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 7,961       $ 5,878       $ 5,404   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense increased by $2.1 million, or 36%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 to $8.0 million compared to $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in expense was primarily the result of an increase in the number of employees during 2015 due to the hiring of new members of the executive management team, the field-based sales team and the medical affairs team.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses consist primarily of fees for services provided by third parties in connection with the clinical trials, costs of contract manufacturing services, milestone payments made under licensing agreements prior to regulatory approval, costs of materials used in clinical trials and research and development, costs for regulatory consultants and filings, depreciation of capital resources used to develop products, related facilities costs, and salaries, other employee-related costs and stock-based compensation for research and development personnel. We expense research and development costs as they are incurred for products in the development stage, including manufacturing costs and milestone payments made under license agreements prior to FDA approval. Upon and subsequent to FDA approval, manufacturing and milestone payments made under license agreements are capitalized. Milestone payments are accrued when it is deemed probable that the milestone event will be achieved. Costs related to the acquisition of intellectual property are expensed as incurred if the underlying technology is developed in connection with our research and development efforts and has no alternative future use.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, other related costs for personnel, including stock-based compensation, related to executive, finance, accounting, information technology, marketing, medical affairs and human resource functions. Other costs include facility costs not otherwise included in research and development expenses and fees for marketing, medical affairs, legal, accounting and other professional services. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include third party expenses incurred to support sales, business development, marketing and other business activities. Additionally, selling, general and administrative expenses included our estimate for the annual Patient Protection and Affordable Care fee.

Income taxes.    On a periodic basis, we evaluate the realizability of our deferred tax assets and liabilities and will adjust such amounts in light of changing facts and circumstances, including but not limited to future projections of taxable income, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, tax legislation, rulings by relevant tax authorities and tax planning strategies. Settlement of filing positions that may be challenged by tax authorities could impact our income taxes in the year of resolution.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the period in which those temporary differences becomes deductible or the net operating losses (NOLs) and credit carryforwards can be utilized. When considering the reversal of the valuation allowance, we consider the level of past and future taxable income, the

 

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reversal of deferred tax liabilities, the utilization of the carryforwards and other factors. Revisions to the estimated net realizable value of the deferred tax asset could cause our provision for income taxes to vary significantly from period to period.

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The fact that we have historically generated NOLs serves as strong evidence that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized in the future. Therefore, we have a full valuation allowance against all deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2015.

Intangible Assets

The following is a summary of our intangible assets as of December 31, 2015:

 

          December 31, 2015  

(in thousands)

   Estimated
Useful Life
(Years)
   Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net
Carrying
Amount
 

HETLIOZ®

   January 2033    $ 33,000       $ 3,460       $ 29,540   

Fanapt®

   November 2016      27,941         18,729         9,212   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
      $ 60,941       $ 22,189       $ 38,752   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In January 2014, we announced that the FDA had approved the NDA for HETLIOZ®. As a result of this approval, we met a milestone under our license agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) that required us to make a license payment of $8.0 million to BMS. The $8.0 million is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the U.S. patent for HETLIOZ®, which prior to June 2014, we expected to last until December 2022. In June 2014, we received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a patent covering the method of use of HETLIOZ®. The patent expires in January 2033, thereby potentially extending the exclusivity protection in the U.S. beyond the composition of matter patent. As a result of the patent allowance, we extended the estimated useful life of the U.S. patent for HETLIOZ® from December 2022 to January 2033.

We are obligated to make a future milestone payment to BMS of $25.0 million in the event that cumulative worldwide sales of HETLIOZ® reach $250.0 million. The likelihood of achieving the milestone and the related milestone obligation was determined to be probable during the year ended December 31, 2015. As a result, the future obligation of $25.0 million was recorded as a non-current liability as of December 31, 2015 along with an addition of $25.0 million to capitalized intangible assets relating to HETLIOZ®. The $25.0 million was determined to be additional consideration for the acquisition of the HETLIOZ® intangible asset, which was created upon FDA approval on January 31, 2014. The actual payment of the $25.0 million will occur once the $250.0 million in cumulative worldwide sales of HETLIOZ® is realized. The $25.0 million is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the U.S. patent for HETLIOZ®, which is expected to be January 2033. Amortization of intangible assets relating to HETLIOZ® amounted to $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and includes a catch-up adjustment of $1.2 million to retroactively record cumulative amortization from January 31, 2014 to December 31, 2014 for the milestone obligation of $25.0 million. In future periods, we expect annual amortization of capitalized intangible asset costs relating to HETLIOZ® will amount to $1.7 million until the expiration of the patent in 2033.

In 2009, we announced that the FDA had approved the NDA for Fanapt®. As a result of this approval, we met a milestone under our original sublicense agreement with Novartis that required us to make a license payment of $12.0 million to Novartis. The $12.0 million is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the U.S. composition of matter patent for Fanapt® to November 2016.

Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, Novartis transferred all U.S. and Canadian rights in the Fanapt® franchise to us. As a result, we recognized an intangible asset of $15.9 million on December 31, 2014 related to the reacquired rights to Fanapt®, which is being amortized on a straight-line basis through November 2016. The useful life estimation for the Fanapt® intangible asset is based on the market participant methodology prescribed

 

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by ASC 805, and therefore does not reflect the impact of additional Fanapt® patents solely owned by us with varying expiration dates, the latest of which is December 2031. Amortization of intangible assets relating to Fanapt® amounted to $10.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. See Note 3, Settlement Agreement with Novartis, to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information.

The intangible assets are being amortized over their estimated useful economic life using the straight line method. Total amortization expense was $13.0 million, $2.3 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The following is a summary of the future intangible asset amortization schedule as of December 31, 2015:

 

(in thousands)

   Total      2016      2017      2018      2019      2020      Thereafter  

HETLIOZ®

   $ 29,540       $ 1,721       $ 1,721       $ 1,721       $ 1,721       $ 1,721       $ 20,935   

Fanapt®

     9,212         9,212                                           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 38,752       $ 10,933       $ 1,721       $ 1,721       $ 1,721       $ 1,721       $ 20,935   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K for information on recent accounting pronouncements.

Results of Operations

We anticipate that our results of operations will fluctuate for the foreseeable future due to several factors, including our and our partners’ ability to successfully commercialize our products, any possible payments made or received pursuant to license or collaboration agreements, progress of our research and development efforts, the timing and outcome of clinical trials and related possible regulatory approvals. Our limited operating history makes predictions of future operations difficult. Since our inception, we have incurred significant losses resulting in an accumulated deficit of $327.8 million as of December 31, 2015. Our total stockholders’ equity was $133.0 million as of December 31, 2015, and reflects net proceeds of $62.3 million from the public offering of common stock completed in October 2014 and $25.0 million from the issuance of common stock to Novartis in December 2014.

Year ended December 31, 2015 compared to year ended December 31, 2014

Revenues.    Total revenues increased by $59.7 million, or 119%, to $109.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $50.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, revenues consisted of the following:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  

(in thousands)

   2015      2014      Change  

HETLIOZ® product sales, net

   $ 44,302       $ 12,802       $ 31,500   

Fanapt® product sales, net

     65,623         107         65,516   

Fanapt® royalty revenue

             6,502         (6,502

Fanapt® licensing agreement

             30,746         (30,746
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 109,925       $ 50,157       $ 59,768   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

HETLIOZ® was commercially launched in the U.S. in April 2014. Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Novartis transferred all U.S. and Canadian rights in the Fanapt® franchise to us in December 2014. We began selling Fanapt® commercially in the U.S. in January 2015. Fanapt® royalty revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014 represented amounts due from Novartis based on quarterly U.S. sales of Fanapt® by Novartis, and Fanapt® license revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014 represented amortization of

 

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deferred revenue from the $200.0 million up-front license fee received from Novartis. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, royalties from Novartis ceased, and the remaining balance of the deferred revenue as of December 31, 2014 related to the up-front license fee was recognized as part of gain on arbitration settlement in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. See Note 3, Settlement Agreement with Novartis, to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information.

Cost of goods sold.    Cost of goods sold was $23.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. HETLIOZ® was commercially launched in the U.S. in April 2014, and we began selling Fanapt® commercially in the U.S. in January 2015. Cost of goods sold includes third party manufacturing costs of product sold, third party royalty costs and distribution and other costs. Third party royalty costs are 10% of net U.S. sales of HETLIOZ® and 23% of net U.S. sales of Fanapt®.

HETLIOZ® cost of goods sold as a percentage of HETLIOZ® revenue depends upon our cost to manufacture inventory at normalized production levels with our third party manufacturers. We expect that, in the future, total HETLIOZ® manufacturing costs included in cost of goods sold will be less than 2% of our net HETLIOZ® product sales.

Fanapt® work-in-process inventory and finished goods inventory acquired from Novartis as part of the acquisition of the Fanapt® business were recorded at fair value. The fair value of the inventory acquired from Novartis represents a higher cost than if new work-in-process inventory and finished goods inventory was manufactured at this time. We expect that, in the future, total U.S. Fanapt® manufacturing costs included in cost of goods sold will be less than 4% of our net U.S. Fanapt® product sales.

Research and development expenses.    Research and development expenses increased by $9.9 million, or 52%, to $29.1 million for year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $19.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase is primarily the result of the close out of Fanapt® clinical trial expenses transitioned to us as part of the Settlement Agreement and regulatory expenses related to our sNDA and EMA filings. The following table summarizes the costs of our product development initiatives for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Included in this table are the research and development expenses recognized in connection with the clinical development of HETLIOZ®, Fanapt®, tradipitant and Trichostatin A.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  

(in thousands)

       2015              2014      

Direct project costs (1)

     

HETLIOZ®

   $ 10,444       $ 12,478   

Fanapt®

     8,501         160   

Tradipitant

     4,006         2,303   

Trichostatin A

     1,681         335   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     24,632         15,276   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Indirect project costs (1)

     

Stock-based compensation

     2,269         1,933   

Other indirect overhead

     2,244         2,021   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,513         3,954   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total research & development expense

   $ 29,145       $ 19,230   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1) We record direct costs, including personnel costs and related benefits, on a project-by-project basis. Many of our research and development costs are not attributable to any individual project because we share resources across several development projects. We record indirect costs that support a number of our research and development activities in the aggregate, including stock-based compensation expense.

 

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We expect to incur significant research and development expenses as we continue to develop our products. In addition, we expect to incur licensing costs in the future that could be substantial, as we continue our efforts to develop our products.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.    Selling, general and administrative expenses were $84.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, relatively unchanged from $84.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. We incurred costs associated with our Non-24 Disease Awareness campaign and HETLIOZ® branded advertising campaign during the year ended December 31, 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we continued to incur costs associated with these campaigns but at reduced amounts when compared with the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease associated with these campaigns was partially offset by marketing and sales efforts around both HETLIOZ® and Fanapt® in the U.S., an increase in the number of employees during the year ended December 31, 2015, as well as increased legal fees associated with ongoing patent litigation. Stock-based compensation expense associated with selling, general and administrative expense increased by $1.8 million, or 46%, to $5.7 million, for year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in expense was primarily the result of an increase in the number of employees during 2015 due to the hiring of new members of the executive management team, the field-based sales team and the medical affairs team.

Intangible asset amortization.    Intangible asset amortization increased by $10.7 million to $13.0 million for year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase reflects additional amortization of $8.3 million relating to Fanapt®. Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Novartis transferred all U.S. and Canadian rights in the Fanapt® franchise to us in December 2014 resulting in an increase in capitalized intangible assets of $15.9 million that is being amortized until November 2016. The increase also reflects additional amortization of $2.4 million relating to HETLIOZ®. The likelihood of achieving a future milestone obligation that becomes payable to BMS when cumulative sales of HETLIOZ® equal $250.0 million was determined to be probable in the first quarter of 2015 resulting in an increase in capitalized intangible assets of $25.0 million and a corresponding increase in accrued non-current liabilities. The additional amortization relating to HETLIOZ® in 2015 includes a catch-up adjustment of $1.2 million to retroactively record cumulative amortization from February 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. We expect that annual amortization of capitalized intangible asset costs relating to HETLIOZ® will amount to $1.7 million in future years until the expiration of the patent in 2033.

Gain on arbitration settlement.    Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement with Novartis, we recorded a gain of $77.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. See Note 3, Settlement Agreement with Novartis, to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information.

Tax provision (benefit).    The tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was fully offset by a tax valuation allowance resulting from our assessment that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the period in which NOLs and credit carryforwards can be utilized.

Year ended December 31, 2014 compared to year ended December 31, 2013

Revenues.    Total revenues increased by $16.3 million, or 48%, to $50.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $33.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, revenues consisted of the following:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  

(in thousands)

   2014      2013      Change  

HETLIOZ® product sales, net

   $ 12,802       $       $ 12,802   

Fanapt® product sales, net

     107                 107   

Fanapt® royalty revenue

     6,502         7,090         (588

Fanapt® licensing agreement

     30,746         26,789         3,957   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 50,157       $ 33,879       $ 16,278   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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HETLIOZ® was commercially launched in the U.S. in April 2014. Fanapt® royalty revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 represent amounts due from Novartis based on U.S. sales of Fanapt® by Novartis.

Fanapt® license revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 represent amortization of deferred revenue from the $200.0 million up-front license fee received from Novartis. The following is a summary of changes in total deferred licensing revenue for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  

(in thousands)

           2014                      2013          

Balance beginning of year

   $ 90,275       $ 117,064   

Licensing revenue recognized

     (30,746      (26,789

Recognized as part of gain on arbitration settlement

     (59,529        
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance end of year

   $       $ 90,275   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

We entered into an amended and restated sublicense agreement with Novartis in 2009, pursuant to which Novartis had the right to commercialize and develop Fanapt® in the U.S. and Canada. Under the amended and restated sublicense agreement, we received an upfront payment of $200.0 million. Revenue related to the upfront payment was recognized ratably from the date the amended and restated sublicense agreement became effective (November 2009) through the expected life of the U.S. patent for Fanapt® (November 2016). During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we recognized revenue of $30.7 million and $26.8 million, respectively, related to the license agreement.

In connection with the Settlement Agreement with Novartis, we recognized the remaining deferred revenue balance of $59.5 million as part of the gain on arbitration settlement. See Note 3, Settlement Agreement with Novartis, to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information

Cost of goods sold.    Cost of goods sold for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $1.6 million compared to zero for the year ended December 31, 2013. Cost of goods sold includes third party manufacturing costs of product sold, third party royalty costs and distribution and other costs. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we made royalty payments to BMS equal to 10% of net sales of HETLIOZ®.

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue for the expected sales of inventory capitalized after FDA approval will depend upon our cost to manufacture inventory at normalized production levels with our third party manufacturers. However, we expect that, in the future, total HETLIOZ® manufacturing cost included in cost of goods sold will be less than 2% of our net HETLIOZ® product sales.

 

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Research and development expenses.    Research and development expenses decreased by $9.3 million, or 33%, to $19.2 million for year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $28.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Lower research and development expenses were primarily due to 2013 costs incurred for the HETLIOZ® NDA submission to the FDA and completion of Non-24 and Major Depressive Disorder efficacy studies in 2013. The following table summarizes the costs of our product development initiatives for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Included in this table are the research and development expenses recognized in connection with the clinical development of HETLIOZ®, tradipitant, Trichostatin A and Fanapt®.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  

(in thousands)

       2014              2013      

Direct project costs (1)

     

HETLIOZ®

   $ 12,478       $ 22,307   

Fanapt®

     160         493   

Tradipitant

     2,303         2,343   

Trichostatin A

     335           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     15,276         25,143   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Indirect project costs (1)

     

Stock-based compensation

     1,933         2,166   

Other indirect overhead

     2,021         1,193   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,954         3,359   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total research & development expense

   $ 19,230       $ 28,502   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1) We record direct costs, including personnel costs and related benefits, on a project-by-project basis. Many of our research and development costs are not attributable to any individual project because we share resources across several development projects. We record indirect costs that support a number of our research and development activities in the aggregate, including stock-based compensation expense.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.    Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $59.5 million, or 237%, to $84.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $25.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase is primarily due to the commercial launch of HETLIOZ® in the U.S. for the treatment of Non-24. Our sales and marketing effort included the addition of marketing programs, field-based sales and national account teams. We incurred cost associated with a HETLIOZ® branded advertising campaign and our Non-24 Disease Awareness campaign, which included radio and television advertisements broadcast nationwide. In addition, we added a medical affairs team, which were deployed in 2014 to support HETLIOZ® and Non-24 medical education.

Gain on arbitration settlement.    Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement with Novartis, we recorded a gain of $77.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. See Note 3, Settlement Agreement with Novartis, to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information.

Intangible asset amortization.    Intangible asset amortization was $2.3 million for year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase is primarily due to amortization related to the $8.0 million milestone payment made to BMS as a result of receiving FDA approval for HETLIOZ® that was capitalized in the first quarter of 2014.

Tax provision (benefit).    The tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was fully offset by a tax valuation allowance resulting from our assessment that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the period in which NOLs and credit carryforwards can be utilized.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2015, our total cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities were $143.2 million compared to $129.8 million at December 31, 2014. Our cash and cash equivalents are deposits in operating accounts and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at date of purchase and consist of time deposits, investments in money market funds with commercial banks and financial institutions, and commercial paper of high-quality corporate issuers. Our marketable securities consist of investments in government sponsored enterprises and commercial paper.

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, our liquidity resources are summarized as follows:

 

     December 31,      December 31,  

(in thousands)

   2015      2014  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 50,843       $ 60,901   

Marketable securities:

     

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

     44,057         30,618   

Corporate debt

     48,280         38,303   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total marketable securities

     92,337         68,921   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

   $ 143,180       $ 129,822   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2015, we maintained all of our cash and cash equivalents in two financial institutions. Deposits held with these institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits, but we do not anticipate any losses with respect to such deposits.

We expect to incur substantial costs and expenses throughout 2016 and beyond in connection with our U.S. commercial activities for HETLIOZ® and Fanapt®, including Medicaid rebates, the European commercial launch activities for HETLIOZ® and a probable future milestone payment of $25.0 million to BMS in the event cumulative worldwide sales of HETLIOZ® reach $250.0 million. During this time, we will evaluate the commercial opportunity for Fanapt® in Europe, assuming EMA approval. Additionally, we continue to pursue market approval of HETLIOZ® and Fanapt® in other regions. Because of the uncertainties discussed above, the costs to advance our research and development projects and the U.S. commercial activities for HETLIOZ® and Fanapt®, are difficult to estimate and may vary significantly. Management believes that our existing funds will be sufficient to meet our operating plans for the foreseeable future. Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of our available funds will depend on many factors, primarily including our ability to generate revenue, the scope and costs of our commercial, manufacturing and process development activities and the magnitude of our discovery, preclinical and clinical development programs.

We may need or desire to obtain additional capital to finance our operations through debt, equity or alternative financing arrangements. We may also seek capital through collaborations or partnerships with other companies. The issuance of debt could require us to grant liens on certain of our assets that may limit our flexibility and debt securities may be convertible into common stock. If we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, the terms and prices for these financings may be much more favorable to the new investors than the terms obtained by our existing stockholders. These financings also may significantly dilute the ownership of our existing stockholders. If we are unable to obtain additional financing, we may be required to reduce the scope of our future activities which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results. There can be no assurance that any additional financing required in the future will be available on acceptable terms, if at all.

 

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Cash flow

The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2015      2014      2013  

Net cash provided by (used in):

        

Operating activities

   $ 12,449       $ (81,554    $ (39,592

Investing activities

     (26,598      (12,037      (34,275

Financing activities

     4,091         89,728         49,859   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (10,058    $ (3,863    $ (24,008
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In assessing cash used in operating activities, we consider several principal factors: (i) net income (loss) for the period; (ii) adjustments for non-cash charges and credits, including deferred revenue, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets and depreciation of property and equipment; and (iii) the extent to which receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, or other working capital components increase or decrease.

Year ended December 31, 2015 compared to year ended December 31, 2014

Net cash provided by operating activities was $12.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $94.0 million from net cash used in operating activities of $81.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase resulted from a reduction in the net loss of $17.6 million, excluding the non-cash gain of $77.6 million on arbitration settlement recognized in 2014, and an increase of $44.2 million in net non-cash charges and credits. Non-cash charges resulting from the amortization of intangible assets increased $10.7 million, of which $8.3 million was for Fanapt® and $2.4 million was for HETLIOZ®. Non-cash charges for stock-based compensation increased $2.1 million reflecting an increase in the number of employees during 2015. The year ended December 31, 2014 included a credit for non-cash licensing revenue of $30.6 million from the amortization of deferred licensing revenue relating to Fanapt®. In addition, the increase in net cash provided by operating activities reflects a net increase in accrued government and other rebates of $34.6 million primarily for sales allowances relating to initial sales of Fanapt® in 2015 and an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $8.4 million. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was partly offset by a net increase of $11.1 million in accounts receivable resulting from U.S. sales of Fanapt® which we commenced in 2015.

Net cash used in investing activities was $26.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $14.6 million from net cash used in investing activities of $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase resulted primarily from net purchases of marketable securities of $24.1 million in 2015 compared with net purchases of marketable securities of $3.5 million in 2014. Additionally, purchases of property, plant and equipment increased $1.8 million related to leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures and computer equipment. Net cash used by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2014 included a milestone payment of $8.0 million to BMS as a result of the FDA approval of HETLIOZ® in January 2014.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $89.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 that had included cash proceeds of $62.3 million from a public offering of common stock and cash proceeds of $25.0 million related to the issuance of common stock to Novartis. See Note 3, Settlement Agreement with Novartis, to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information. Proceeds from the exercise of stock options increased by $1.5 million for 2015 compared with 2014.

Year ended December 31, 2014 compared to year ended December 31, 2013

Net cash used in operating activities was $81.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $42.0 million from net cash used in operating activities of $39.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase in net cash used for operating activities resulted from an increase of $79.9 million in net non-cash credits, driven primarily by a $77.6 million gain on arbitration settlement recognized in 2014 and a $3.3 million net use of working capital. These increases were partially offset by a change in net income (loss) of $41.2 million.

 

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Net cash used in investing activities of $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, a decrease of $22.3 million, from net cash used in investing activities of $34.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease primarily resulted from $30.6 million in higher net proceeds from sales, maturities and purchases of marketable securities, which was partially offset by an $8.0 million milestone payment to BMS as a result of the FDA approval of HETLIOZ® in January 2014.

Net cash provided by financing activities of $89.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $39.8 million from net cash provided by financing activities of $49.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase primarily reflects the proceeds related to the issuance of stock to Novartis of $25.0 million, $13.8 million in higher net proceeds received from the public offering of common stock in 2014 versus 2013 and $1.3 million higher proceeds received from the exercise of stock options.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-K.

Contractual obligations and commitments

The following is a summary of our non-cancellable long-term contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2015:

 

     Cash payments due by year (1) (2) (3)  

(in thousands)

   Total      2016      2017      2018      2019      2020      Thereafter  

Operating leases

   $ 13,315       $ 1,500       $ 1,538       $ 1,576       $ 1,616       $ 1,656       $ 5,429   

 

 

(1) This table does not include various agreements that we have entered into for services with third party vendors, including agreements to conduct clinical trials, to manufacture products, and for consulting and other contracted services due to the cancelable nature of the services. We accrued the costs of these agreements based on estimates of work completed to date. Additionally, this table does not include rebates, chargebacks or discounts recorded as liabilities at the time that product sales are recognized as revenue.

 

(2)

This table does not include a probable future milestone obligation under our license agreement with BMS, where we will be obligated to make a future milestone payment of $25.0 million in the event cumulative worldwide sales of HETLIOZ® reach $250.0 million. This probable obligation has been accrued as a non-current liability in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015.

 

(3) This table does not include potential future milestone obligations under our license agreement with Eli Lilly for the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize tradipitant where we could be obligated to make future milestone payments of up to $4.0 million for pre-NDA approval milestones and up to $95.0 million for future regulatory approval and sales milestones.

Operating leases

Our commitments related to operating leases represent the minimum annual payments for the operating leases for our headquarters located in Washington, D.C., which expires in 2023. In 2011 we entered into an office lease, which was subsequently amended in 2014, with Square 54 Office Owner LLC (Landlord) for our headquarters, consisting of a total of 30,260 square feet of office space at 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. in Washington, D.C. (Lease). Subject to the prior rights of other tenants in the building, we have the right to renew the Lease for five years following its expiration. We also have the right to sublease or assign all or a portion of the premises, subject to standard conditions. The Lease may be terminated early by us or the Landlord upon certain conditions.

 

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ITEM 7A. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest rate risks

Our exposure to market risk is currently confined to our cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted cash. We currently do not hedge interest rate exposure. We have not used derivative financial instruments for speculation or trading purposes. Because of the short-term maturities of our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities, we do not believe that an increase in market rates would have any significant impact on the realized value of our investments.

Concentrations of credit risk

We deposit our cash with financial institutions that we consider to be of high credit quality and purchase marketable securities which are generally investment grade, liquid, short-term fixed income securities and money-market instruments denominated in U.S. dollars. Our marketable securities consist of certificates of deposit, commercial paper, corporate notes and U.S. government agency notes.

Revenues and accounts receivable are concentrated with specialty pharmacies and wholesalers. The top six customers represented 94% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015, and the top five customers represented 87% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2015. We have not experienced any losses relating to receivables from customers.

Effects of inflation

Inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The consolidated financial statements and related financial statement schedules required to be filed are listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and are incorporated herein.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act)) as of December 31, 2015. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2015, the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K, to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting, as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Management conducted an assessment of our internal control over financial reporting based on the original framework established in 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Based

 

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on the assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2015, our internal control over financial reporting was effective. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information required under this item will be contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Corporate Governance,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information required under this item will be contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, under the captions “Corporate Governance” and “Executive Compensation,” and is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, except that information required by Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K will be deemed furnished in this Form 10-K and will not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into such filing.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information required under this item will be contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, under the captions “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Information required under this item will be contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, under the caption “Corporate Governance” and is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Information required under this item will be contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, under the caption “Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G (3) to Form 10-K.

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES

The consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K are listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, or not required, or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto. The Exhibits are listed in the Exhibit Index.

 

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this annual report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.
February 12, 2016     By:  

/s/    Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, M.D.      

      Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, M.D.
      President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this annual report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, M.D.      

Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, M.D.

   President and Chief Executive
Officer and Director (principal
executive officer)
  February 12, 2016

/s/    James P. Kelly      

James P. Kelly

   Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
(principal financial officer and
principal accounting officer)
  February 12, 2016

/s/    H. Thomas Watkins      

H. Thomas Watkins

   Chairman of the Board and
Director
  February 12, 2016

/s/    Kenneth M. Bate      

Kenneth M. Bate

   Director   February 12, 2016

/s/    Michael Cola      

Michael Cola

   Director   February 12, 2016

/s/    Richard W. Dugan      

Richard W. Dugan

   Director   February 12, 2016

/s/    Vincent J. Milano      

Vincent J. Milano

   Director   February 12, 2016

/s/    Howard Pien      

Howard Pien

   Director   February 12, 2016

 

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Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     69   

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014

     70   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

     71   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December  31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

     72   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December  31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

     73   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

     74   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     75   

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income (loss), of changes in stockholders’ equity, and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) 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 only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) 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.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Baltimore, Maryland

February 12, 2016

 

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VANDA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,
    December 31,
 

(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

   2015     2014  
ASSETS   

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 50,843      $ 60,901   

Marketable securities

     92,337        68,921   

Accounts receivable, net

     16,331        3,654   

Inventory

     1,294        5,170   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     5,742        3,084   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     166,547        141,730   

Property and equipment, net

     4,570        2,437   

Intangible assets, net

     38,752        26,724   

Non-current inventory and other

     3,181        813   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 213,050      $ 171,704   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 15,767      $ 7,291   

Accrued government and other rebates

     35,550        495   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     51,317        7,786   

Milestone obligation under license agreement

     25,000        —     

Other non-current liabilities

     3,706        3,101   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     80,023        10,887   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 13 and 18)

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, and no shares issued or outstanding

              

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 42,815,291 and 41,486,361 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively

     43        41   

Additional paid-in capital

     460,794        448,744   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     39        16   

Accumulated deficit

     (327,849     (287,984
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     133,027        160,817   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 213,050      $ 171,704   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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VANDA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

      Year Ended December 31,  

(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

   2015     2014     2013  

Revenues:

      

Net product sales

   $ 109,925      $ 12,909      $   

Royalty revenue

            6,502        7,090   

Licensing agreement

            30,746        26,789   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     109,925        50,157        33,879   

Operating expenses:

      

Cost of goods sold

     23,462        1,583          

Research and development

     29,145        19,230        28,502   

Selling, general and administrative

     84,531        84,644        25,082   

Intangible asset amortization

     12,972        2,254        1,495   

Gain on arbitration settlement

            (77,616       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     150,110        30,095        55,079   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

     (40,185     20,062        (21,200

Other income

     320        124        145   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ (39,865   $ 20,186      $ (21,055
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share:

      

Basic

   $ (0.94   $ 0.58      $ (0.69
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ (0.94   $ 0.55      $ (0.69
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

      

Basic

     42,250,254        34,774,163        30,351,353   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     42,250,254        36,686,723        30,351,353   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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VANDA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  

(in thousands)

   2015     2014     2013  

Net income (loss)

   $ (39,865   $ 20,186      $ (21,055
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

      

Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities

     23        (5     11   

Tax provision on other comprehensive income (loss)

                     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

     23        (5     11   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (39,842   $ 20,181      $ (21,044
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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VANDA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

    Common Stock     Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total  

(in thousands, except for share amounts)

  Shares     Par Value          

Balances at December 31, 2012

    28,241,743      $ 28      $ 296,982      $ 10      $ (287,115   $ 9,905   

Net proceeds from public offering of common stock

    4,680,000        5        48,500                      48,505   

Issuance of common stock from the exercise of stock options and settlement of restricted stock units

    466,320               1,550                      1,550   

Shares withheld upon settlement of restricted stock units

    (49,520            (196                   (196

Stock-based compensation expense

                  5,404                      5,404   

Net loss

                                (21,055     (21,055

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                         11               11   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2013

    33,338,543        33        352,240        21        (308,170     44,124   

Net proceeds from public offering of common stock

    5,750,000        5        62,308                      62,313   

Issuance of common stock to Novartis Pharma AG

    1,808,973        2        25,903                      25,905   

Issuance of common stock from the exercise of stock options and settlement of restricted stock units

    621,231        1        2,851                      2,852   

Shares withheld upon settlement of restricted stock units

    (32,386            (436                   (436

Stock-based compensation expense

                  5,878                      5,878   

Net income

                                20,186        20,186   

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

                         (5            (5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2014

    41,486,361        41        448,744        16        (287,984     160,817   

Issuance of common stock from the exercise of stock options and settlement of restricted stock units

    1,353,877        2        4,372                      4,374   

Shares withheld upon settlement of equity awards

    (24,947            (283                   (283

Stock-based compensation expense

                  7,961                      7,961   

Net loss

                                (39,865     (39,865

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                         23               23   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2015

    42,815,291      $ 43      $ 460,794      $ 39      $ (327,849   $ 133,027   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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VANDA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Year Ended December 31,  

(in thousands)

   2015     2014     2013  

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Net income (loss)

   $ (39,865   $ 20,186      $ (21,055

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

      

Depreciation of property and equipment

     582        530        432   

Stock-based compensation

     7,961        5,878        5,404   

Amortization of discounts and premiums on marketable securities

     677        174        155   

Intangible asset amortization

     12,972        2,254        1,495   

Gain on arbitration settlement with Novartis Pharma AG

            (77,616       

Deferred revenues

     (174     (30,572     (26,789

Other non-cash adjustments

     657        239        104   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     (12,677     (1,623     (863

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (2,558     (318     1,264   

Inventory

     387        (2,210       

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     9,432        1,029        261   

Accrued government and other rebates

     35,055        495          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     12,449        (81,554     (39,592
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Acquisition of intangible assets

            (8,000       

Purchases of property and equipment

     (2,527     (769     (176

Purchases of marketable securities

     (193,111     (93,343     (65,598

Proceeds from sale of marketable securities

     999        8,948          

Maturities of marketable securities

     168,041        80,882        31,499   

Change in restricted cash

            245          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (26,598     (12,037     (34,275
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Net proceeds from public offering of common stock

            62,313        48,505   

Net proceeds from offering common stock to Novartis Pharma AG

            25,000          

Tax obligations paid in connection with settlement of restricted stock units

     (283     (436     (196

Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options

     4,374        2,851        1,550   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     4,091        89,728        49,859   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (10,058     (3,863     (24,008

Cash and cash equivalents

      

Beginning of year

     60,901        64,764        88,772   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 50,843      $ 60,901      $ 64,764   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities

      

Acquisition of intangible asset accrued in non-current liabilities

   $ 25,000      $      $   

Intangible asset related to re-acquired right to Fanapt®

            (15,940       

Inventories

            2,960          

Prepaid services

            91          

Purchases of property and equipment accrued in current liabilities

     187               106   

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

 

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Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1.    Business Organization and Presentation

Business organization

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Vanda or the Company) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapies addressing high unmet medical needs. Vanda commenced its operations in 2003 and the Company’s portfolio includes the following products:

 

   

HETLIOZ® (tasimelteon), a product for the treatment of Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder (Non-24), which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2014 and launched commercially in the U.S. in April 2014. In July 2015, the European Commission (EC) granted centralized marketing authorization with unified labeling for HETLIOZ® for the treatment of Non-24 in totally blind adults. This authorization is valid in the 28 countries that are members of the European Union, as well as European Economic Area members Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. HETLIOZ® has potential utility in a number of other circadian rhythm disorders and is presently in clinical development for the treatment of Jet Lag Disorder and Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS).

 

   

Fanapt® (iloperidone), a product for the treatment of schizophrenia, the oral formulation of which was being marketed and sold in the U.S. by Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis) until December 31, 2014. On December 31, 2014, Novartis transferred all the U.S. and Canadian commercial rights to the Fanapt® franchise to the Company. See Note 3, Settlement Agreement with Novartis, for additional information. Additionally, the Company’s distribution partners launched Fanapt® in Israel and Mexico in 2014.

 

   

Tradipitant (VLY-686), a small molecule neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonist, which is presently in clinical development for the treatment of chronic pruritus in atopic dermatitis.

 

   

Trichostatin A, a small molecule histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor.

 

   

AQW051, a Phase II alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist.

Basis of presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform with current year classifications.

 

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Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows, cash equivalents represent highly-liquid investments with a maturity date of three months or less at the date of purchase. Restricted cash of $0.8 million included in current and non-current assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, relates to the lease for office space for the Company’s headquarters located in Washington, D.C.

Marketable Securities

The Company classifies all of its marketable securities as available-for-sale securities. The Company’s investment policy requires the selection of high-quality issuers, with bond ratings of AAA to A1+/P1. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair market value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of stockholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income/loss. Interest and dividend income is recorded when earned and included in interest income. Premiums and discounts on marketable securities are amortized and accreted, respectively, to maturity and included in interest income. The Company uses the specific identification method in computing realized gains and losses on the sale of investments, which would be included in the consolidated statements of operations when generated. Marketable securities with a maturity of more than one year as of the balance sheet date and which the Company does not intend to sell within the next twelve months are classified as non-current. All other marketable securities are classified as current.

Inventory

Inventory, which is recorded at the lower of cost or market, includes the cost of third-party manufacturing and other direct and indirect costs and is valued using the first-in, first-out method. The Company capitalizes inventory costs associated with its products upon regulatory approval when, based on management’s judgment, future commercialization is considered probable and the future economic benefit is expected to be realized; otherwise, such costs are expensed as research and development. Inventory is evaluated for impairment by consideration of factors such as lower of cost or market, net realizable value, obsolescence or expiry. Inventory not expected to be consumed within 12 months following the balance sheet date are classified as non-current.

Intangible Assets

Costs incurred for products not yet approved by the FDA and for which no alternative future use exists are recorded as expense. In the event a product has been approved by the FDA or an alternative future use exists for a product, patent and license costs are capitalized and amortized over the expected patent life of the related product. Milestone payments to the Company’s partners are recognized when it is deemed probable that the milestone event will occur.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The costs of leasehold improvements funded by or reimbursed by the lessor are capitalized and amortized as leasehold improvements along with a corresponding deferred rent liability. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements is

 

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Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

provided on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful life or the lease term. The costs of additions and improvements are capitalized, and repairs and maintenance costs are charged to operations in the period incurred. Upon retirement or disposition of property and equipment, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the statement of operations for that period.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

The Company’s management is required to estimate accrued liabilities as part of the process of preparing financial statements. The estimation of accrued liabilities involves identifying services that have been performed on the Company’s behalf, and then estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for such services as of each balance sheet date in the financial statements. Accrued liabilities include professional service fees, such as lawyers and accountants, contract service fees, such as those under contracts with clinical monitors, data management organizations and investigators in conjunction with clinical trials, fees to contract manufacturers in conjunction with the production of clinical materials, and fees for marketing and other commercialization activities. Pursuant to management’s assessment of the services that have been performed on clinical trials and other contracts, the Company recognizes these expenses as the services are provided. Such management assessments include, but are not limited to: (i) an evaluation by the project manager of the work that has been completed during the period, (ii) measurement of progress prepared internally and/or provided by the third-party service provider, (iii) analyses of data that justify the progress, and (iv) management’s judgment. In the event that the Company does not identify certain costs that have begun to be incurred or the Company under- or over-estimates the level of services performed or the costs of such services, the Company’s reported expenses for such period would be too low or too high.

Net Product Sales

The Company’s net product sales consist of sales of HETLIOZ® and, beginning in 2015, sales of Fanapt®. Net sales by product for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2014 were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  

(in thousands)

   2015      2014      2013  

HETLIOZ® product sales, net

   $ 44,302       $ 12,802       $   

Fanapt® product sales, net

     65,623         107           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 109,925       $ 12,909       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company applies the revenue recognition guidance in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Subtopic 605-15, Revenue Recognition—Products. The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, title to product and associated risk of loss has passed to the customer, the price is fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and the Company has no further performance obligations.

Product Sales Discounts and Allowances

The Company’s product sales are recorded net of applicable discounts, chargebacks, rebates, co-pay assistance, service fees and product returns that are applicable for various government and commercial payors. Reserves established for discounts and returns are classified as reductions of accounts receivable if the amount is payable to direct customers, with the exception of service fees. Service fees are classified as a liability. Reserves established for chargebacks, rebates or co-pay assistance are classified as a liability if the amount is payable to a party other than customers. The Company currently records sales allowances for the following:

 

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Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Rebates:    Allowances for rebates include mandated and supplemental discounts under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program as well as contracted rebate programs with other payors. Rebate amounts owed after the final dispensing of the product to a benefit plan participant are based upon contractual agreements or legal requirements with public sector benefit providers, such as Medicaid. The allowance for rebates is based on statutory or contracted discount rates and expected utilization. Estimates for the expected utilization of rebates are based on historical activity and, where available, actual and pending prescriptions for which the Company has validated the insurance benefits. Rebates are generally invoiced and paid in arrears, such that the accrual balance consists of an estimate of the amount expected to be incurred for the current quarter’s activity, plus an accrual balance for known prior quarter’s unpaid rebates. If actual future invoicing varies from estimates, the Company may need to adjust accruals, which would affect net revenue in the period of adjustment.

Chargebacks:    Chargebacks are discounts that occur when contracted customers purchase directly from specialty pharmacies and wholesalers. Contracted customers, which currently consist primarily of Public Health Service institutions, non-profit clinics, and Federal government entities purchasing via the Federal Supply Schedule, generally purchase the product at a discounted price. The specialty pharmacy or wholesaler, in turn, charges back the difference between the price initially paid by the specialty pharmacy or wholesaler and the discounted price paid to the specialty pharmacy or wholesaler by the contracted customer. The allowance for chargebacks is based on historical activity and, where available, actual and pending prescriptions for which the Company has validated the insurance benefits.

Medicare Part    D Coverage Gap: Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit mandates manufacturers to fund approximately 50% of the Medicare Part D insurance coverage gap for prescription drugs sold to eligible patients. Estimates for expected Medicare Part D coverage gap are based in part on historical activity and, where available, actual and pending prescriptions for which the Company has validated the insurance benefits. Funding of the coverage gap is generally invoiced and paid in arrears so that the accrual balance consists of an estimate of the amount expected to be incurred for the current quarter’s activity, plus an accrual balance for known prior quarter activity. If actual future funding varies from estimates, the Company may need to adjust accruals, which would affect net revenue in the period of adjustment.

Service Fees:    The Company also incurs specialty pharmacy and wholesaler fees for services and their data. These fees are based on contracted terms and are known amounts. The Company accrues service fees at the time of revenue recognition, resulting in a reduction of product sales and the recognition of an accrued liability, unless it receives an identifiable and separate benefit for the consideration and it can reasonably estimate the fair value of the benefit received. In which case, service fees are recorded as selling, general and administrative expense.

Co-payment Assistance:    Patients who have commercial insurance and meet certain eligibility requirements may receive co-payment assistance. Co-pay assistance utilization is based on information provided by the Company’s third-party administrator. The allowance for co-pay assistance is based on actual sales and an estimate for pending sales based on either historical activity or pending sales for which the Company has validated the insurance benefits.

Prompt-pay: Specialty pharmacies and wholesalers are offered discounts for prompt payment. The Company expects that the specialty pharmacies and wholesalers will earn prompt payment discounts and, therefore, deducts the full amount of these discounts from total product sales when revenues are recognized.

Product Returns: Consistent with industry practice, the Company generally offers direct customers a limited right to return as defined within the Company’s returns policy. The Company considers several factors in the estimation process, including historical return activity, expiration dates of product shipped to specialty pharmacies, inventory levels within the distribution channel, product shelf life, prescription trends and other relevant factors

 

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Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes accounts receivable allowance activity as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

 

(in thousands)

   Accounts
Receivable

Allowances
 

Balance at December 31, 2012

   $   

Provision related to current period sales

       

Adjustments for prior period sales

       

Credits/payments made

       
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

   $   

Provision related to current period sales

     85   

Adjustments for prior period sales

       

Credits/payments made

       
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

   $ 85   

Provision related to current period sales

     1,071   

Adjustments for prior period sales

     (85

Credits/payments made

     (12
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2015

   $ 1,059   
  

 

 

 

License Revenue

The Company’s license revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were derived from the amended and restated sublicense agreement with Novartis and include an upfront payment and future milestone and royalty payments. Pursuant to the amended and restated sublicense agreement, Novartis had the right to commercialize and develop Fanapt® in the U.S. and Canada. Under the amended and restated sublicense agreement, the Company received an upfront payment of $200.0 million. Revenue related to the upfront payment was recognized ratably from the date the amended and restated sublicense agreement became effective (November 2009) through the expected duration of the Novartis commercialization of Fanapt® in the U.S. which was estimated to be through the expiry of the Fanapt® composition of patent, including a granted Hatch-Waxman extension (November 2016). In connection with the Settlement Agreement with Novartis, the Company recognized the remaining deferred revenue as of December 31, 2014 as part of the gain on arbitration settlement. See Note 3, Settlement Agreement with Novartis, for additional information.

Major Customers

HETLIOZ® is only available in the U.S. for distribution through a limited number of specialty pharmacies, and is not available in retail pharmacies. Fanapt® is available in the U.S. for distribution through a limited number of wholesalers and is available in retail pharmacies. The Company invoices and records revenue when its customers, specialty pharmacies and wholesalers, receive product from the third-party logistics warehouse. Revenues and accounts receivable are concentrated with these customers. The Company has not experienced any losses relating to receivables from customers.

 

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Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

The following table presents each major customer that represented more than 10% of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  

Percent of Total Revenues

   2015      2014      2013  

Novartis -royalty revenue

             13%         21%   

Novartis -license agreement

             61%         79%   

Distributor A

     17%                   

Distributor B

     18%                   

Distributor C

     19%                   

Distributor D

     14%                   

Distributor E

     14%                   

Distributor F

     12%                   

The following table presents each major customer that represented more than 10% of accounts receivable, net, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     December 31,  

Percent of Accounts Receivable, Net

   2015      2014  

Novartis -royalty

             42%   

Distributor A

     22%