-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, JLobdKg+reRf3CCTBf2G2HtwljBXMHUbmYkhydnkj5ne2eg0rM41vqlGCraB7H/u TdY1rQRIg8Ui3rwZUTDilg== 0001193125-06-048390.txt : 20060308 0001193125-06-048390.hdr.sgml : 20060308 20060308162557 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-06-048390 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20051231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20060308 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060308 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: EMBREX INC /NC/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000878725 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES) [2836] IRS NUMBER: 561469825 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NC FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-19495 FILM NUMBER: 06673430 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1040 SWABIA COURT CITY: DURHAM STATE: NC ZIP: 27703 BUSINESS PHONE: 9199415185 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: PO BOX 13989 CITY: RESEARCH TRIANGLE PK STATE: NC ZIP: 27709 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: EMBREX INC NC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20030331 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: EMBREX INC/NC/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930328 10-K 1 d10k.htm FORM 10-K Form 10-K
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


Form 10-K

 


ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005

Commission file number 000-19495

 


Embrex, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

North Carolina   56-1469825

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

1040 Swabia Court, Durham, North Carolina   27703
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(919) 941-5185

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: NONE

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value Per Share (and Rights Attached Thereto)

(Title of class)

 


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

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

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

Indicate by check mark 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.  x

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

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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

As of June 30, 2005, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates was $91,877,146 million, based on 7,989,317 outstanding shares of voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates and a closing price per common share of $11.15 on that date. Affiliates held 353,115 shares as of June 30, 2005.

As of February 17, 2006 there were 8,180,047 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Document   Where Incorporated
Portions of the Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2006, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission   Part III

 



Table of Contents

INDEX

 

         PAGE
ITEM 1.   BUSINESS    2
ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS    10
ITEM 1B.   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS    18
ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES    18
ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS    18
ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS    19
ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES    19
ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA    20
ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS    20
ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK    28
ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA    30
ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE    48
ITEM 9A.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES    48
ITEM 9B.   OTHER INFORMATION    50
ITEM 10.   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT    50
ITEM 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION    50
ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS    50
ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS    51
ITEM 14.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES    51
ITEM 15.   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES    52
SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY    59
EXHIBIT INDEX    61

 

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PART I

Information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Embrex, Inc. contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements represent the Company’s judgment concerning the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual operating results and financial position to differ materially. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “target,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe” or “continue,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology.

The Company cautions that any such forward-looking statements include statements with respect to future products, services, markets and financial results. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Risks include, without limitation, the degree of growth in the U.S. and global poultry industry, competition arising within the United States and elsewhere, possible decreases in production by the Company’s customers, avian disease outbreaks in domestic and/or global markets, market acceptance and cost of expansion in new geographic markets, and the Company’s ability to penetrate new markets. Risks also include the degree of market acceptance of new products, such as Newplex, and the ability of the Company’s contract manufacturers to support such products. Additional risks include the complete commercial development of potential future products on a cost effective basis, including Inovocox, the availability of adequate supplies, and the ability to obtain regulatory approval of products. Such approval is dependent upon a number of factors, such as results of trials, the discretion of regulatory officials, and potential changes in regulations. Additional information on these risks and other factors that could affect the Company’s consolidated financial results are described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” below and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Forms 10-Q and 8-K.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL

Embrex, Inc., the In Ovo Company® (“Embrex” or the “Company”), is an international biotechnology company engaged in the development of innovative in ovo (“in the egg”) solutions that meet the needs of the global poultry industry. The Company’s unique integration of several scientific and engineering disciplines enables it to be the leading provider of in ovo, value-added solutions with its automated injection and detection devices as well as certain select vaccines. Embrex is focused on developing patented biological and mechanical products that improve bird health, help reduce production costs and provide other economic benefits to the poultry industry. The Company was incorporated in 1985 in North Carolina and is headquartered in the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina area.

Embrex has developed and commercialized the Inovoject® system, a proprietary, automated in-the-egg injection system that can process 20,000 to 70,000 eggs per hour and eliminates the need for manual, post-hatch injection of certain vaccines. The Inovoject® system is designed to inject vaccines and other compounds into targeted compartments within the egg. Some of these in ovo vaccines are marketed by Embrex while others are marketed by third parties. Embrex primarily markets the Inovoject® system through lease arrangements with commercial poultry producers, charging a fee for each egg processed. The Company is also marketing the Egg Remover® system and Vaccine Saver® option to provide additional automation benefits to the poultry hatchery. The Egg Remover® system works alone or in conjunction with the Inovoject® system to remove infertile and early-dead eggs from incubator trays prior to transfer to the hatching incubator or inoculation through the Inovoject® system. The Vaccine Saver® option for the Inovoject® system identifies infertile and early-dead eggs and selectively prevents vaccination of these eggs.

In addition to the Inovoject® system and related devices, Embrex has developed an antigen-antibody complex technology (“AAC”), formerly known as VNF®, a concept that has been useful in the development of certain avian vaccines. Based on AAC, the Company has developed and is marketing Bursaplex® for protection against avian infectious bursal disease (“IBD”). The Company has developed Newplex™ for protection against Newcastle disease, which is also based on AAC technology. Embrex is also developing various other proprietary mechanical and biological products to improve bird health, reduce bird production costs and provide other economic benefits to the poultry industry, including Inovocox™ for protection against coccidiosis. These products are in various stages of development, and some are being developed or manufactured in collaboration with major animal health companies, federal agencies, major poultry producers and leading universities in the field of avian science. All biological products are designed for in ovo application.

 

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EXISTING PRODUCTS

Inovoject® Egg Injection System and Other Devices

Embrex has developed and commercialized a proprietary, automated in-the-egg injection system, which can process 20,000 to 70,000 eggs per hour and eliminates the need for manual, post-hatch injection of certain vaccines. This proprietary system, called the Inovoject® system, is designed to inject vaccines and other compounds in precisely calibrated volumes into targeted compartments within the egg. Embrex primarily markets the Inovoject® system through lease arrangements with commercial poultry producers, charging a fee for each egg processed. Vaccines and other compounds injected using the Inovoject® system may be produced or distributed to the commercial poultry producers by Embrex, in which case Embrex receives additional compensation for such compounds. Currently, substantially all of the vaccines and other compounds injected using the Inovoject® system are supplied to producers directly by third parties.

In 2005, the Company installed the Inovoject® system in a number of hatcheries and continued operating Inovoject® systems in substantially all of the hatcheries converted prior to 2005. The Company estimates that its Inovoject® system inoculates approximately 85% of all eggs produced for the United States and Canadian broiler poultry markets, and it expects limited growth in the number of egg injections and only minor Inovoject® system revenue growth in this market. Therefore, the Company is expanding its Inovoject® system, Egg Remover® system and Vaccine Saver® option installations and vaccine product sales in worldwide markets to realize sustainable overall revenue growth. The Company estimates that approximately 75% or more of the world broiler production occurs outside the United States.

During 2005, the Company placed a number of Inovoject® systems for trial and on contract at locations outside the United States and Canada. Currently, the Company has Inovoject® systems either operating on contract or on trial in 34 countries, including the U.S. and Canada. Overall, the placement of Inovoject® systems outside the United States and Canada is dependent on market acceptance of various in ovo vaccines and obtaining regulatory approval of these vaccines in numerous countries.

The Company’s revenues attributable to international operations in 2005, 2004 and 2003 were 37%, 34% and 32% of the Company’s consolidated revenues, respectively. The Company’s identifiable assets attributable to international operations in 2005, 2004 and 2003 were 23%, 22% and 18% of the Company’s consolidated assets, respectively. The Company’s gross profit attributable to international operations in 2005, 2004 and 2003 was 26%, 15% and 14% of the Company’s consolidated gross profit, respectively. See “Segments” under Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further discussion of the Company’s revenues from international operations. See “Our Future Growth Depends on Expansion of International Revenues and We Will Be Subject to Increased Risks in the International Marketplace” under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” for additional information on the risks associated with international operations.

Embrex developed the Egg Remover® system that works alone or in conjunction with the Inovoject® system to remove infertile and early-dead eggs from incubator trays. The Egg Remover® system continued to have commercial success with installation and revenue growth in all of the Company’s marketing regions in 2005. The Company anticipates continued growth in Egg Remover® system revenues during 2006. Embrex’s Vaccine Saver® option for the Inovoject® system identifies infertile and early-dead eggs and selectively prevents vaccination of these eggs. It is designed for use in select markets where vaccine prices are high.

Certain poultry diseases are more prevalent in some geographic regions than in others, and in those regions, the prevalence of particular diseases may fluctuate from year to year. For example, Marek’s disease, for which the Inovoject® system primarily is used in the United States, is not as widespread in Europe as in North America. Infectious bursal disease (also known as Gumboro disease) is prevalent in Northern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, parts of Latin America and, to a lesser extent, the United States. The Company expects that the primary usage of its Inovoject® systems will vary by geographic region according to the prevailing diseases. Regulatory approval and market acceptance of vaccines for in ovo delivery are other factors that affect the usage of Inovoject® system by region. There are a number of poultry vaccines and other compounds marketed by various animal health companies in the United States and other markets that can be used with the Inovoject® system or post-hatch. Usage of the Inovoject® system, Egg Remover® system and Vaccine Saver® option is influenced by the relative cost and demand for these vaccines, customer willingness to use in ovo delivery of vaccines, as well as willingness to replace post-hatch vaccines with in ovo vaccines.

Device revenues from the Company’s Inovoject® system, Egg Remover® system and Vaccine Saver® option were $48.7 million, $46.2 million and $43.5 million during 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

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AAC Technology (Antigen-Antibody Complex Technology)

AAC technology is a concept that allows safe in ovo administration of moderately attenuated viruses. By using the AAC technology to form virus-antibody complex vaccines, safe and effective immunization is generally possible in a single step, thus reducing or eliminating the need for multiple vaccinations. The presence of the antibody delays onset of virus replication without compromising the virus’s ability to stimulate the immune system. Prior to 2004, Embrex referred to the AAC technology as virus neutralizing factor, or VNF®. The Company believes AAC more accurately describes the technology and has used that terminology since 2004.

The AAC technology is the subject of five issued U.S. patents and several foreign patents and foreign patent applications. The U.S. patents are owned by the University of Arkansas and exclusively licensed to Embrex for avian use on a royalty basis for the life of the patents. See “Patents and Proprietary Rights” below for additional information on the Company’s AAC patents. The Company’s vaccine for infectious bursal disease, Bursaplex®, and the Company’s Newcastle disease vaccine, Newplex, described below, were developed based on the AAC technology.

Infectious Bursal Disease (“IBD”) Vaccine - Bursaplex®

AAC technology has been used in the Company’s Bursaplex® vaccine, which combats IBD, an infectious disease that weakens a bird’s immune system. Birds infected by IBD virus typically exhibit poor growth or can succumb to other diseases because of a compromised immune system. This disease is currently widespread in Northern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and, to a lesser extent, the United States. Various existing IBD vaccines can be administered in ovo, post-hatch via day of age injection or by drinking water. The Company estimates the worldwide market for IBD vaccines is approximately $55 million annually.

To date, approval to sell Bursaplex® has been received in 33 countries. Currently, Bursaplex® vaccine is being marketed in most of the countries where regulatory approval has been obtained. Pending regulatory approvals are being sought in Latin American, Middle Eastern and Asian markets for in ovo and post-hatch use of Bursaplex® vaccine.

Newcastle Disease (“ND”) Vaccine - Newplex™

The registration application for Newplex™, Embrex’s in ovo vaccine that immunizes against ND, was also developed based on AAC technology and received U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) approval in May 2003. ND is a contagious and sometimes fatal viral respiratory disease affecting all species of birds. Birds infected with ND typically exhibit respiratory problems, lower egg production and increased flock mortality. Currently, ND vaccines containing live or dead viruses are used as an important part of the programs to manage ND. These vaccines are typically administered by several methods including spray cabinets in the hatchery, drinking water, eye drop and hand-held sprayers in the field. To date, approval to sell Newplex™ has been received in nine countries. Embrex is pursuing additional approvals for Newplex™ in key markets worldwide, particularly in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and South Africa, where ND is more prevalent. Although this product has received approval for sale in countries outside the U.S., there is no assurance that approvals in other markets will be granted, that supplies will be available or that Newplex™ will be sold in commercial quantities in the U.S. or in any of the other countries where approval has been obtained. The Company estimates that the worldwide market for products that control ND is approximately $40 million per year.

PRODUCTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Embrex is developing, independently and in collaboration with others, additional products and devices which address poultry health and performance needs in ovo. These additional products are in various stages of development. There can be no assurance that Embrex will successfully develop or market any of these products. Also, there is no assurance regulatory approval will be obtained. Marketing products developed jointly with others may require royalty or other payments by Embrex to its co-developers.

Coccidiosis Vaccine – Inovocox™

The Company is developing a novel in ovo vaccine, Inovocox™, for immunization against coccidiosis. Coccidiosis is caused by a protozoan parasite, which attacks the gut of the chicken, causing significant problems with intake and digestion of feed and, therefore, the physical and economic performance of the bird. Currently, virtually all broiler chickens, and most poultry in general, receive treatments using compounds called anticoccidials, which are incorporated into poultry feed. Over the years, coccidia have developed levels of resistance to many of these

 

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compounds, which have not only reduced their effectiveness, but have forced the poultry industry to continually evaluate and modify treatment programs. Additionally, in certain countries and regions, environmental and food safety groups are lobbying to have anticoccidials removed from the market. Embrex believes that these factors will lead to a change in the market such that coccidiosis vaccines will be favored over anticoccidials, but there is no assurance that such a change will occur. Currently, a limited number of live vaccines have been developed and are administered orally soon after hatch. However, due to difficulties in providing a precise oral dose to each bird, growth depression and non-uniformity can occur in broiler flocks. Using its Inovoject® system technology and its knowledge of avian embryology, the Company is developing a novel, efficacious and cost-effective vaccine for coccidiosis control in broiler chickens. This program is aimed at overcoming many of the problems associated with current practices. The Company estimates that the worldwide market for products that control coccidiosis is approximately $300-350 million per year.

In March 2004, Embrex substantially completed construction of a $14.7 million coccidiosis vaccine manufacturing facility located in Scotland County, North Carolina for the purpose of manufacturing Inovocox™. USDA approval will be necessary for both the Inovocox™ vaccine and the coccidiosis vaccine manufacturing facility. In December 2005, the Company submitted its application to the USDA for approval of the Inovocox™ vaccine. Delays in obtaining either the vaccine or manufacturing facility approval may adversely affect the marketing of and the ability to receive revenues from Inovocox™. Marketing this product outside the U.S. will also require Embrex to pursue separate approvals from regulatory agencies in other countries. See “Production—Inovocox™ In Ovo Coccidiosis Vaccine” below for further discussion of Inovocox™ production.

Gender Sorting Device

As previously announced during the second quarter of 2005, Embrex determined to scale back its efforts to automate avian gender sorting. Embrex believes that the market opportunity for its gender sorting technology is substantial, and that steady progress has been made on a very complex project, with key targets achieved in sampling, hatch and assay on a laboratory basis and limited egg numbers in its multi egg prototype. However, the cost and time associated with scale-up to a commercial device and process remain unclear. After weighing the opportunities provided in the near term by Embrex’s vaccine market, the Company’s current and future investment on Inovocox™, and international expansion, particularly in Latin America, against the uncertainty of successful commercialization of Gender Sort, Embrex believes it is in the Company’s best interests to suspend this project for the time being so that Embrex can focus its efforts and financial resources on those other opportunities. Embrex will continue to monitor technological developments potentially applicable to Gender Sort and will reevaluate Gender Sort’s financial prospects from time to time as compared to the Company’s other opportunities.

The Company’s financial statements in Item 8 reflect the impact of a Credit Agreement with Advanced Automation, Inc. (“AA”) of Greenville, S.C., which Embrex entered into in April 2001. Under that agreement, Embrex agreed to loan AA up to $3.4 million in connection with development and construction of a gender sorting automation multi-egg system (“Gender Sort system”). The Company also entered into a Development and Supply agreement with AA in September 2001 and a Services Agreement in April 2003. In April 2003, Embrex and AA agreed to rollover the $2.5 million outstanding principal and accrued interest under the Credit Agreement that had matured April 1, 2003 into a seven-year 6% fixed-rate collateralized term loan (the “Term Loan”). Subsequently, in December 2003, the Company acquired the first Gender Sort system developed exclusively for Embrex by AA for $2.3 million, AA repaid the Term Loan in the same amount and the related Services Agreement between Embrex and AA to build the first Gender Sort system was terminated. A related Development and Supply Agreement between the two companies remains in effect. The Company accounted for the purchase of the Gender Sort system as a write-down and recorded it as a research and development expense of $2.3 million.

PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS

Embrex controls (either through direct ownership or exclusive license) 47 issued U.S. patents, 15 pending U.S. patent applications, 174 issued foreign patents and 100 pending foreign patent applications. The Inovoject® system utilizes a process of injecting viral, bacterial or fungal vaccines into avian eggs that was patented in the United States by the USDA in 1984 (the “Sharma Patent”). Embrex held the exclusive license to this patent through its expiration in June 2002. Embrex has supplemented this process with seven additional issued U.S. patents (and numerous foreign patents and patent applications) covering specific design features of the Inovoject® system as well as Embrex’s Egg Remover® system and Vaccine Saver® option. The last of these patents will expire in 2018.

Embrex has exclusive rights to method-of-use patents for the in ovo administration of AAC vaccines and other compounds to elicit various beneficial responses in poultry. The AAC technology is the subject of five issued U.S. patents and numerous foreign patents and foreign patent applications. These patents and applications are owned by the University of Arkansas and exclusively licensed to Embrex for avian use on a royalty basis for the life of the

 

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patents. The last of these U.S. patents for AAC viral vaccines will expire in 2012. Of these U.S. patents, one was issued in 1991 and two were issued in 1995 for methods of treating IBD virus infections using AAC technology, including in ovo administration; one patent claiming the use of AAC vaccines in non-human primates was issued in 1999; and a further U.S. patent claiming use of AAC vaccines in any animal was issued in 2001 These patents and additional patent applications encompass the use of AAC vaccine compounds regardless of the source of the AAC. These AAC patents and patent applications additionally include composition-of-matter claims to AAC vaccines against IBD virus disease, and composition-of-matter claims to AAC vaccines for combating viral diseases in any animal.

The Company acquired an exclusive worldwide license from Pfizer, Inc. (“Pfizer”) to three patent families owned by Pfizer that cover the process of vaccination in ovo against coccidiosis. Two patents were issued in the European Union in March and June 2001, two were issued in the United States in December 2002, and two further patents were issued in the United States in September 2003 and January 2006. Embrex made initial payments to Pfizer in 2004 to acquire the license and is obligated to make future royalty payments to Pfizer based on actual product sales. Since then, Embrex has filed patent applications related to additional process improvements in vaccine production. Continued development of the product has demonstrated that Inovocox™ can be simultaneously delivered to the embryo with Marek’s disease vaccine or Bursaplex® bursal disease vaccine. Additionally, the vaccine is delivered uniformly due to the use of the Inovoject® system.

Embrex continues its efforts to patent methods of delivering compounds in ovo, including early intervention methods and devices. During the years 2000 through 2005, 30 U.S. patents were issued or allowed, further expanding Embrex’s proprietary position with respect to in ovo technology. The Company filed nine new U.S. patent applications in 2002, nine new U.S. patent applications in 2003, three new U.S. applications and nine U.S. provisional patent applications in 2004 and six new U.S. patent applications and eight U.S. provisional patent applications in 2005. During 2005, Embrex also filed numerous foreign patent applications. Each application covered various aspects of in ovo technology. Embrex’s competitors or potential competitors may have filed for, or may have received, U.S. and foreign patents and may obtain additional patents and proprietary rights relating to in ovo technology, vaccines, uses or processes that may compete with Embrex’s existing products and products under development. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that Embrex’s patent applications will result in patents being issued or that, if issued, the claims of the patents will afford protection against competitors with similar technology; nor can Embrex be sure that others will not obtain patents that Embrex would need to license or circumvent in order to practice Embrex’s inventions.

In addition to patent rights, Embrex has registered the trademarks Embrex®, Inovoject®, VNF®, Bursaplex®, Vaccine Saver®, Egg Remover®, and The In Ovo Company®, in the United States and certain foreign countries. Embrex has also applied for U.S. and several foreign registrations of other trademarks and service marks including Newplex™, Inovocox™ and Inovometrix™. In addition, Embrex has executed confidentiality agreements with its collaborators, subcontractors and employees.

See “Competition” below and Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” below for further discussion of the Company’s efforts to use its patents and proprietary rights to protect its market position.

COMPETITION

The Company estimates that its Inovoject® system inoculates approximately 85% of all eggs produced for the U.S. and Canadian broiler poultry markets. In addition, the Company has Inovoject® systems either operating on a contract or trial basis in 32 additional countries. The competition for the Inovoject® system primarily is the manual, post-hatch administration of biological products, which was the primary method of administration prior to market acceptance of the Inovoject® system. Post-hatch administration remains the primary method of delivery of biological products in many foreign markets. In addition, Embrex is aware of four companies that are marketing in ovo injection systems to poultry companies. Although there has not been widespread commercial acceptance of any of these competing systems, the Company is aware of direct competition for customers and limited commercial placements by some of these companies, including with some of our customers. Embrex believes that it will continue to compete effectively against other companies based on performance of products, pricing, quality, product features and customer service. In order for the Company to expand placements of the Inovoject® system worldwide, the Inovoject® system and in ovo products must continue to be accepted within the foreign markets and perform as intended under long-term commercial conditions.

The Inovoject® system utilizes a process that was patented in the United States by the USDA in 1984. Embrex held the exclusive license to this Sharma Patent until June 2002, when the Sharma Patent expired. Embrex owns seven additional issued U.S. patents and numerous foreign patents covering specific design features of the Inovoject® system as well as Embrex’s Egg Remover® system and Vaccine Saver® option. Embrex relies on these patents to

 

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protect its intellectual properties and to afford a competitive advantage. In the event that Embrex believes that a competitive system infringes any Embrex patent, the Company plans to take all appropriate steps to protect its patent rights. These matters are discussed in more detail under “Patents and Proprietary Rights” above and Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” below.

The majority of Embrex’s revenues are derived from lease fees received from commercial poultry producers for use of its Inovoject® system, rather than from sales of Embrex’s vaccines. In marketing its vaccines, the Company competes with much larger animal health companies that typically market a broad range of vaccines and other animal products. Embrex’s strategy is to develop and market in ovo delivered vaccines which compete effectively against other vaccines based on factors such as efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Competition for the Company’s in ovo vaccines comes primarily from vaccines that are administered post-hatch. Embrex’s Bursaplex® vaccine for IBD primarily competes with vaccines that are administered post-hatch either manually through injections or in drinking water. Newplex™, Embrex’s vaccine for Newcastle disease, is designed to compete with vaccines that are administered through drinking water, eye drop or spraying. Embrex’s Inovocox™ vaccine for coccidiosis, for which USDA approval is pending, would compete with anticoccidials that are incorporated into poultry feed and to a lesser extent with vaccines that are administered after hatch. The Company completed construction of a vaccine manufacturing facility for Inovocox™ in March 2004. Embrex believes that the marketplace is developing such that sales of coccidiosis vaccines could grow, but there is no assurance that this will occur or that Embrex will obtain necessary regulatory approvals for Inovocox™ and the manufacturing facility. Overall, in order for the Company to expand sales of its in ovo vaccines, these vaccines must obtain necessary regulatory approvals and be commercially accepted worldwide, and the Inovoject® system must also continue to be accepted in the marketplace.

PRODUCTION

General

Embrex currently outsources production of nearly all its mechanical devices and vaccines and expects to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The Company believes that alternative sources of manufacturing and supply generally exist for products currently manufactured for Embrex by contract manufacturers. In addition, the Company expects to begin to manufacture Inovocox™ in its Embrex Poultry Health LLC coccidiosis vaccine manufacturing facility in Scotland County, North Carolina, once the USDA approves the Inovocox™ vaccine and grants facility licensure to manufacture Inovocox™.

Inovoject® System, Egg Remover® System and Vaccine Saver® Option

Embrex’s in-house engineering staff designs the Inovoject® system, Egg Remover® system and Vaccine Saver® option, which incorporate certain proprietary mechanical, pneumatic and electronic sub-systems and concepts. The Company uses one contract manufacturer, Precision Automation Company, Inc. (“Precision”), to fabricate its Inovoject® and Egg Remover® systems. While other machine fabricators exist and have constructed limited numbers of these devices, a change in fabricators could cause a delay in manufacturing and a possible delay in the timing of future Inovoject® and Egg Remover® system installations and revenues from those installations. The Vaccine Saver® option is assembled in the manufacturing area at the Company’s corporate headquarters from components that are purchased from multiple vendors.

AAC Vaccines (Antigen-Antibody Complex Vaccines)

Since 1993, Charles River Laboratories, Inc., through its SPAFAS Avian Products Services Division (“SPAFAS”), has supplied Embrex with the bursal disease antibody (“BDA”) component for Bursaplex® vaccine. In January 2004, Embrex signed a new agreement with SPAFAS under which SPAFAS will continue to supply the Company’s requirements for BDA through 2006. In connection with this agreement, Embrex seeks to maintain appropriate inventory levels and places orders with SPAFAS to allow Embrex to satisfy anticipated customer demand for the Bursaplex® vaccine. The regulatory approval granted by the USDA for Bursaplex® vaccine in 1997 specifically covers vaccines produced with SPAFAS-manufactured BDA. Additional agreements covering the Company’s needs for Newcastle disease antibody (“NDA”) for the Company’s Newplex™ vaccine for the next four years are in negotiation with SPAFAS.

The Company has a non-exclusive manufacturing agreement with Merial Select, Inc. (“Select”) (a Merck and Sanofi-Aventis company) under which Select manufactures, in the United States, the Company’s Bursaplex® vaccine for Embrex to market worldwide. Abic Ltd. (“Abic”) has been granted similar rights to manufacture and market an IBD AAC vaccine, known as GuMBryo™, in Israel. The Company has also granted Lohmann Animal Health International (“LAHI”) non-exclusive rights to manufacture the Company’s Newcastle vaccine, Newplex™, in the United States, which is based on Embrex’s AAC technology. The manufacture of vaccines by Select, Abic

 

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and LAHI, along with the manufacture of specific vaccine antibodies by SPAFAS, generally must be performed in licensed facilities or under approved regulatory methods. Although the Company believes that there are other manufacturers who should be capable of manufacturing Bursaplex®, Newplex™ and the related BDA and NDA components, a change of supplier for the Company could adversely affect Embrex’s future operating results due to the time it would take a new supplier to obtain regulatory approval of its production process or manufacturing facilities. The Company seeks to minimize this exposure through multi-year supply agreements and the maintenance of appropriate inventories.

Inovocox In Ovo Coccidiosis Vaccine

In March 2004, the Company substantially completed construction of a coccidiosis vaccine manufacturing facility located in Scotland County, North Carolina, at a cost to date of $14.7 million. The facility is designed to manufacture the Company’s Inovocox™ in ovo coccidiosis vaccine upon approval from the USDA. The site includes a main manufacturing facility, poultry brooder houses and a facility for the initial steps of the production process. Certain aspects of the novel manufacturing process are unique and proprietary to Embrex.

See “Products Under Development—Coccidiosis Vaccine—Inovocox™” above for further discussion of Inovocox™.

MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION

Because of the geographical and industrial concentration of the poultry industry in the United States and other global markets, Embrex markets its products and provides ongoing service directly to commercial poultry producers. Embrex’s marketing is focused principally on the broiler chicken segment of the poultry industry, but the Company also has adapted its products for use by, and initiated trials and entered into commercial contracts with, broiler breeder companies and a limited number of layer and turkey producers. Market acceptance of the Inovoject® system generally follows the large-scale integration of poultry production in a market. Therefore, the Company generally focuses on customers in markets that are currently integrating poultry production or have the potential to do so. In addition, the Inovoject® and Egg Remover® systems have been marketed to human flu vaccine producers, who use the systems to inject influenza seed strains into eggs that are used in the flu vaccine production process and to candle eggs before injection.

To protect the Company’s intellectual property, address customer needs and encourage proper use of the Inovoject® system technology within an appropriate production environment, Embrex generally leases and licenses, rather than sells, Inovoject® and Egg Remover® systems and the Vaccine Saver® option to hatcheries. The lease agreements cover the use of the mechanical equipment and ongoing field service, maintenance and technical support provided by Embrex. The agreements include a license with royalty fees payable for use of Embrex’s proprietary injection process. Also, in a very limited number of markets, under specific circumstances, Embrex may sell the Inovoject® and Egg Remover® systems to a distributor or to a human flu vaccine manufacturer. Vaccines and other compounds, which are delivered in ovo, are sold separately by Embrex, and also by third parties.

The Company has agreements with parties to distribute the product in a number of countries in which regulatory approval for Bursaplex® has been granted. Subject to these distribution agreements, the Company will also distribute Bursaplex® directly, outside the United States.

Embrex has expanded operations into selected Asian and Latin American markets and installed Inovoject® systems on a commercial or trial basis into these markets. In 1998, Embrex established Embrex BioTech Trade (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in China, to focus on marketing and distribution of Embrex products in China. Also in 1998, Embrex established Embrex Inc. Sucursal Argentina, a branch office in Argentina, responsible for commercial development and customer service and support. In 1999, Embrex established a subsidiary in Brazil, Inovoject do Brasil Ltda. In 2001, Embrex established subsidiaries in France and Spain to market and service Inovoject® systems in those countries. In 2004, the Company established an office in Mexico and began marketing, servicing and supporting Inovoject® systems and other devices. This office is also responsible for marketing Bursaplex® and initiating the registration process for Newplex™ in Mexico.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURES

Research and development (“R&D”) expense was $12.5 million in 2003, $10.5 million in 2004 and $10.7 million in 2005. The increase in R&D expense from 2004 to 2005 was due primarily to higher Embrex Poultry Health expenses related to pre-licensing serials of Inovocox™, while the decrease in R&D expense from 2003 to 2004 largely reflects the write-down of the Gender Sort system purchased from AA, which increased R&D expenses by $2.3 million in 2003. R&D is principally Company sponsored and funded primarily from internal sources and

 

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supplemented by grant and other sources of funds as appropriate. The Company’s R&D expenses include expenditures from the following groups: R&D, which is responsible for the work on the Company’s product portfolio, particularly the Newplex™ and Inovocox™ vaccines; Global Product Development & Supply, which is responsible for development and testing of commercial machine devices and supply of vaccine products, including start-up of the Embrex Poultry Health manufacturing facility for the production of Inovocox™; and finally Engineering and Manufacturing, which makes design modifications and improvements to the Company’s devices, as well as final assembly and testing prior to installation of a Company device at a customer’s hatchery. See “Products Under Development” above for further discussion of the Company’s research and development efforts.

See “Operating Expenses” under Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” for additional information on R&D expenditures.

GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS AND REGULATION

Regulation by governmental authorities in the United States and other countries is a significant factor in the production and marketing of Embrex’s products and in its on-going R&D activities. Although the use of the Inovoject® system or its other devices are not subject to regulatory approval in the United States, animal health products being developed by Embrex and other companies must receive approval for marketing from either the USDA or the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) and from similar regulatory agencies in foreign countries where the Company has begun or contemplates doing business. These countries also may require approval of the Inovoject® system or its other devices. Regulatory agencies require that products be tested and demonstrate appropriate levels of safety and efficacy. Generally, with respect to animal health products in the United States, the USDA has regulatory authority over products which are biological in origin or which stimulate or affect an animal’s immune system and the FDA has authority over all other animal health products. The time and cost for USDA approvals are generally less than those for FDA approvals. FDA approvals generally require more extensive animal and toxicology testing than USDA approvals and may take five or more years to obtain, whereas USDA approvals generally take one to three years to obtain. In December 2005, the Company submitted its application to the USDA for approval of the Inovocox™ vaccine. The Company currently has no products under development that would require approval by the FDA.

The Company believes that compliance with environmental regulations currently has no material adverse effect on its capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.

EMPLOYEES

At December 31, 2005, Embrex employed 309 persons, 304 of whom were full-time employees, an increase of 3 persons or 1% from the 301 full-time employees at December 31, 2004.

During 2005, the Company increased field service staffing levels related to expanding device installations, especially in Latin America. Similarly, the Company increased production staffing levels at its Inovocox™ manufacturing facility. The Company, however, has maintained or reduced staffing levels elsewhere in conjunction with managing mandated expenses and redefined R&D priorities.

SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS

Tyson Foods, Inc. (“Tyson”) accounted for approximately 17% of Embrex’s consolidated 2005 revenues. Based on millions of pounds of ready-to-cook poultry meat produced in 2005, Tyson accounted for approximately 23% of the broilers grown in the United States. The only other customer representing greater than 10% of total consolidated revenues is Pilgrim’s Pride Inc. (“Pilgrim’s”), representing 11% of consolidated 2005 revenues. Pilgrim’s accounted for approximately 15% of the broilers grown in the United States, based on millions of pounds of ready-to-cook poultry meat produced in 2005. Embrex’s three largest customers, including Tyson and Pilgrim’s, accounted for approximately 33% of consolidated 2005 revenues, down from 36% and 37% in 2004 and 2003, respectively. Revenues from Tyson and Pilgrim’s are primarily associated with the United States operations of Embrex’s business.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Embrex maintains an Internet website, www.embrex.com, which contains additional information concerning the Company. Although the Company endeavors to keep its Internet website current and accurate, there can be no guarantees that the information on the Internet website is up to date or correct. Embrex makes available free of charge through its Internet website its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports

 

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on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and beneficial ownership reports filed by officers, directors and principal security holders under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after Embrex electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Information on the Company’s Internet website is not part of or incorporated into this report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

OUR FUTURE GROWTH DEPENDS ON EXPANSION OF INTERNATIONAL REVENUES AND WE WILL BE SUBJECT TO INCREASED RISKS IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE

We estimate that our Inovoject® system inoculates approximately 85% of all eggs produced for the U.S. and Canadian broiler poultry markets. Given this market penetration, we expect only limited growth in the number of system installations and only minor system revenue growth in this market. Additionally, due to our market penetration and the significance of the U.S. and Canadian poultry markets to our revenue, any adverse conditions in these markets could have a material and adverse effect on our revenues. For this reason, we must expand our device installations and product sales in markets outside the United States and Canada in order to realize revenue growth. In 2005, international sales accounted for 37% of our consolidated revenues. In 2004 and 2003, international sales accounted for 34% and 32% of our consolidated revenues, respectively. Revenue growth outside the United States and Canada depends on gaining and preserving market acceptance of our devices and in ovo administration of vaccine products in markets outside the United States and Canada to treat prevailing poultry diseases in those markets. Lack of market acceptance of our devices and in ovo products in these markets would materially adversely affect our revenue growth. Our operating expenses associated with operations outside the United States and Canada historically have been relatively higher as a percentage of revenues than similar costs for operations inside the United States and Canada. Accordingly, we believe that international sales may result in decreased gross margins for Embrex.

International sales are also subject to a variety of risks, including risks arising from the following:

 

    exchange rate risks (including risk associated with the translation of our subsidiaries’ financial results into U.S. Dollars and transaction risk), tariffs, trade barriers and taxes;

 

    adverse changes in local investment or exchange control regulations, potential restrictions on the flow of international capital and the possibility of confiscatory taxation, price controls or the taking or modification of our property rights by a country in the exercise of its sovereignty;

 

    economic and political conditions beyond our control, including country-specific conditions such as political instability, government corruption and civil unrest;

 

    the risk that we may not be granted a renewal license due to regulatory changes or other reasons with respect to current product registrations in certain foreign countries that are subject to periodic re-registration; and

 

    trade restrictions and economic embargoes imposed by the United States and other countries.

OUR FUTURE GROWTH ALSO DEPENDS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND MARKET ACCEPTANCE OF NEW PRODUCTS

In addition to international expansion, we need to develop and market new products to continue to generate increased revenues and growth of our business. We currently are developing, both independently and in collaboration with others, various products that address poultry health and performance needs. These products are being designed to be delivered in ovo through the Inovoject® system or in conjunction with the Inovoject® system and are in various stages of development. We may increase, decrease or eliminate funding for any product under development at any time depending on our assessment of our priorities, available funding, the probability that the product can be successfully commercialized, potential return on investment and other factors. There is no guarantee that any new products will be successfully developed and marketed. In addition, we have not initiated the regulatory approval process for some of these potential products, and we cannot assure you that regulatory approval will be obtained. Our inability to develop new products or any delay in our development of these products may materially adversely affect our revenue growth. Because of a number of factors, a new product may not reach the market

 

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without lengthy delays, if at all. Some of the factors that may affect our development and marketing of new products include the following:

 

    our research and evaluations of compounds and new technologies may not yield product opportunities;

 

    potential products may involve extensive and time-consuming clinical trials to demonstrate safety and effectiveness, and the results of such trials are uncertain;

 

    potential products may require collaborative partners and we may be unable to identify partners or enter into arrangements on terms acceptable to us;

 

    we may not be able to produce or contract for the manufacture of new products at a cost or in quality or quantities necessary to make them commercially viable;

 

    domestic and international regulatory approval of these products may not be obtained or may be obtained only with lengthy delays;

 

    we may not be able to secure additional financing that may be needed to bring a potential product to market;

 

    we may experience unexpected safety, regulatory or efficacy concerns with respect to marketed products, whether or not scientifically justified, leading to adverse public reaction, product recalls, withdrawals or declining sales;

 

    marketing products developed jointly with other parties may require royalty payments or other payments by us to our co-developers, which may materially adversely affect our profitability;

 

    we may be unable to accurately predict market requirements and evolving standards; and

 

    we may not be able to attract and retain sufficient numbers of qualified development personnel.

We have developed and commercialized two devices that work with the Inovoject® system: the Egg Remover® and Vaccine Saver®. The Egg Remover® can also be used without an Inovoject® system in specific situations where customers do not need injection services. These two devices have had initial success; however, there is no guarantee that acceptance of these devices will continue to grow.

In December 2005, we filed for USDA regulatory approval with respect to our in ovo coccidiosis vaccine, Inovocox. Although this product is in the regulatory review process, there is no assurance that USDA approval will be obtained. Marketing this product in non-U.S. countries will require us to pursue separate approvals from foreign regulatory agencies. We completed construction of a vaccine manufacturing facility, Embrex Poultry Health, in the first quarter of 2004 to commercially produce the Inovocox vaccine. Construction costs for Embrex Poultry Health to date are approximately $14.7 million. In addition to USDA approval for Inovocox, our coccidiosis vaccine manufacturing facility must receive a separate USDA approval to manufacture the Inovocoxvaccine. We cannot assure you that the facility will receive USDA approval to manufacture Inovocox. Delays in obtaining either product or manufacturing facility approvals may materially adversely affect our marketing of, and our ability to receive revenues from, Inovocox. Additionally, even if we receive USDA product and facility approvals, we cannot assure you that Inovocox supplies will be available, that Inovocox will be sold in commercial quantities or that product sales will be sufficient to offset our investment in development of the product and construction of the Inovocox vaccine manufacturing facility.

We have developed and commercialized AAC, which is technology that we use in our Bursaplex® vaccine. Bursaplex® has been sold in commercial quantities during the past six years, and we currently have approval to sell it in 33 countries. However, there is no assurance that supplies will continue to be available or that the product will continue to be sold in commercial quantities.

In May 2003, the USDA provided regulatory approval of Newplex, our in ovo Newcastle Disease vaccine, within the United States. Newplex vaccine is also based on AAC technology. We are now seeking regulatory approval for Newplex in key markets worldwide. Although we have received approval to sell Newplex™ in nine countries, there is no assurance that approvals in other markets will be granted, that supplies will be available or that Newplex will be sold in commercial quantities in the United States or in any of the other countries where approval has been obtained.

There can be no assurance that we will successfully complete the development and commercialization of any new products, or that any of these new products will meet revenue and profit expectations if developed and commercialized.

 

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ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING OUR CUSTOMERS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS

Our revenues principally come from leases and sales to the poultry industry. If there is a general economic decline in that industry, our operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. Also, domestic and global economic factors beyond our control may adversely impact our customers and, as a result, our revenues and earnings. Examples of these factors include the following:

 

    fluctuations in the prices of energy and poultry feed;

 

    disease outbreaks that adversely affect poultry production, including avian influenza;

 

    market demand for poultry products, including the supply and pricing of alternative proteins;

 

    costs to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including those relating to environmental protection, food safety, market regulation and genetically modified organisms or ingredients;

 

    product recalls and related adverse publicity and consumer reaction;

 

    access to foreign markets together with foreign economic conditions, including currency fluctuations and trade restrictions; and

 

    the extent to which our cost of products and operating expenses increase faster than contractual price adjustments with our customers.

For example, if rising poultry feed prices increase the production costs of commercial poultry producers or a foreign government bans the importation of U.S. chicken, these producers may reduce poultry production. This decreased production could adversely impact our revenues, since a principal component of our revenues are fees charged to customers for the number of eggs injected or processed by Embrex devices.

WE FACE RISKS OF COMPETITION AND CHANGING TECHNOLOGY

The Inovoject® system uses a process that was patented in the United States by the USDA in 1984. We held the exclusive license to the Sharma Patent until June 2002, when the Sharma Patent expired. With the expiration of the Sharma Patent, competitive in ovo delivery systems are being developed and marketed. Embrex is aware of four companies that are marketing in ovo injection systems to poultry companies. Although there has not been widespread commercial acceptance of any of these competing systems, we are aware of direct competition for customers and limited commercial placements by some of these companies, including with some of our customers. Increased competition could result in lower prices for our products, reduced demand for our products and a corresponding reduction in our ability to recover development, engineering, manufacturing and service costs. Also, a significant portion of our revenues comes from a relatively small number of customers. If we lose one or more large customers due to competition, our revenues could be significantly lower. Any of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The poultry vaccine business is especially competitive and dominated by a few large companies with an established global presence. In order for us to expand our sales of in ovo vaccines, these products must be commercially accepted worldwide and compete effectively against the vaccines of these other companies. Our inability to compete successfully in the poultry vaccine sector could materially adversely affect our revenue growth.

Our competitors and potential competitors include independent companies that specialize in biotechnology, as well as major agricultural or animal health companies, pharmaceutical companies, chemical companies, universities and public and private research organizations. Many of these competitors are well established and have substantially greater marketing, financial, technological and other resources than we have. Competitors may succeed in developing technologies and products that are more effective than any that have been or are being developed by us or that could render our technology and products obsolete or non-competitive.

THE LOSS OF KEY CUSTOMERS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS

Historically, a significant portion of our revenues has come from a relatively small number of customers. Tyson accounted for approximately 17% and 18% of our consolidated 2005 and 2004 revenues, respectively. The only other customer representing greater than 10% of total consolidated revenues is Pilgrim’s, representing 11% and 12% of consolidated 2005 and 2004 revenues, respectively. As with many of our customers, we have short-term contracts with Tyson and Pilgrim’s. Our top three customers, including Tyson and Pilgrim’s, accounted for approximately 33% and 36% of our consolidated 2005 and 2004 revenues, respectively. We expect a similar level

 

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of customer concentration to continue in future years. The poultry market is highly concentrated, with the largest poultry producers dominating the market. For example, in 2005, Tyson and Pilgrim’s supplied approximately 23% and 15% of all broilers grown in the United States, respectively. The concentration of our revenues with these large customers means factors affecting those customers also will impact our revenues and earnings. If we lose a large customer and fail to add new customers to replace lost revenues, our operating results will be materially and adversely affected. Also, if these customers reduce the number of eggs they incubate at hatcheries, we will receive lower device revenues since our fees are based on the number of eggs injected.

IF WE LOSE THE PROTECTION OF OUR PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS, OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS COULD SUFFER

Importance and Limitations of Patent and Proprietary Rights Protections

Some of our products and processes used to produce our products involve proprietary rights, including patents. We own some of the technologies employed in these processes, and some are owned by others and licensed to us. The Inovoject® system utilizes a process that was patented by the USDA in the United States. We held an exclusive license to the Sharma Patent until it expired in June 2002. We have supplemented the Sharma Patent with additional U.S. and foreign patents and have submitted additional patent applications covering specific design features of the Inovoject® system, as well as Embrex’s Egg Remover® system and Vaccine Saver® option. Our competitors or potential competitors may have filed for or received United States and foreign patents and may obtain additional patents and proprietary rights relating to in ovo technology, vaccines, uses and/or processes which may compete with our existing products and our products under development. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that our patent applications will result in patents being issued or that, if issued, the claims under our patents will afford protection against competitors with similar technology. We cannot be sure that others will not obtain patents of different technology that we would need to license or circumvent in order to practice our inventions. Even though we strive to take appropriate action to protect our intellectual property, there is a risk that competitive systems currently being developed and marketed could gain acceptance in the United States or elsewhere.

We believe that patent protection of materials or processes we develop and any products that may result from the research and development efforts of our licensors and us are important to the commercial success of our products. The loss of the protection of these patents and proprietary rights could materially adversely affect our business and our competitive position in the market. The patent position of companies such as ours generally is highly uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions. Some of the reasons for this uncertainty include the following:

 

    To date, no consistent regulatory policy has emerged regarding the breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology patents. Consequently, there can be no assurance that patent applications relating to our products or technology will result in patents being issued or that, if issued, the patents will afford protection against competitors with similar technology;

 

    Some patent licenses held by us may be terminated upon the occurrence of specified events or become non-exclusive after a specified period;

 

    Companies that obtain patents claiming products or processes that are necessary for or useful to the development of our products could bring legal actions against us claiming infringement (though we currently are not the subject of any patent infringement claim);

 

    Issuance of a valid patent does not prevent other companies from using alternative, non-infringing technology, so we cannot be sure that any of our patents (or patents issued to others and licensed to us) will provide significant commercial protection;

 

    We may not have the financial resources necessary to obtain patent protection in some countries or to enforce any patent rights we may hold;

 

    The laws of some foreign countries may not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States, and many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting their proprietary rights in these foreign countries;

 

    We may be required to obtain licenses from others to develop, manufacture or market our products. We may not be able to obtain these licenses on commercially reasonable terms, and we cannot be sure that the patents underlying the licenses will be valid and enforceable; and

 

    We also rely upon unpatented, proprietary technology, which we may not be able to protect fully if others independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information or techniques, improperly gain access to our proprietary technology or disclose this technology to others.

 

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We attempt to protect our proprietary materials and processes by relying on trade secret laws and non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements with our employees and other persons with access to our proprietary materials or processes or who have licensing or research arrangements with us. We plan to continue to use these protections in the future, but we cannot be sure that these agreements will not be breached or that we would have adequate remedies for any breach. Even with these protections, others may independently develop or obtain access to these materials or processes, which may materially adversely affect our competitive position.

If we are sued for infringing the patent or other proprietary rights of a third party, we could incur substantial costs and diversion of management and technical personnel, whether or not the litigation is ultimately determined in our favor.

For a description of the patent litigations in which we have been involved, see Item 3, “Legal Proceedings.”

WE DO NOT MANUFACTURE MOST OF OUR DEVICES OR ANY OF OUR VACCINE PRODUCTS AND ARE DEPENDENT ON ONE CONTRACT MANUFACTURER FOR INOVOJECT® AND EGG REMOVER® DEVICES AND ANOTHER CONTRACT MANUFACTURER FOR AAC PRODUCTION. WE ARE ALSO DEPENDENT ON SINGLE CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS FOR PRODUCTION OF BOTH BURSAPLEX® AND NEWPLEX™

General Risks Associated with Reliance on Contract Manufacturers

We currently do not have facilities for the production of most of our devices and vaccine products. Therefore, we rely principally upon relationships with contract manufacturers. There can be no assurance that we can maintain manufacture and supply agreements on terms and at costs acceptable to us. We have various relationships with manufacturers and suppliers, including those described below. The loss of any of these relationships could materially adversely affect our operating results. There are a number of risks associated with our dependence on contract manufacturers, including:

 

    reduced control over delivery schedules;

 

    potential inability to monitor and maintain inventory levels;

 

    reduced control over quality assurance;

 

    reduced control over manufacturing yields and costs;

 

    potential lack of adequate capacity during periods of unanticipated demand;

 

    limited warranties on products supplied to us;

 

    increases in prices at a higher rate than our ability to recover our increased costs through contractual price adjustments with our customers;

 

    reduced control over regulatory efforts;

 

    potential misappropriation of our intellectual property;

 

    catastrophic loss of production capacity due to property damage, either man made or by nature;

 

    the loss of these contract manufacturers due to financial circumstances in their respective businesses or their exit from the business lines that manufacture our devices and products; and

 

    minimum purchase requirements, which could result in excessive inventories if the demand for products falls short of such minimum purchase requirements.

If our contract manufacturers failed to provide us with an adequate supply of finished devices or vaccine products, our business would be harmed. We do not have long-term contracts or arrangements with several of our vendors that guarantee product availability or the continuation of particular payment terms. In addition, we are currently dependent on a single contract manufacturer for several of our key products as described below. Although we believe our relationship with each of the manufacturers is sound, we cannot assure you that we will continue to maintain relationships with them or that they will continue to exist.

 

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Inovoject® and Egg Remover® Systems

We rely on Precision to fabricate all of our Inovoject® and Egg Remover® systems. While other machine fabricators exist and have constructed limited numbers of Inovoject® systems, we do not currently have alternative sources for production of either the Inovoject® or Egg Remover® systems. If Precision is unable to carry out its manufacturing obligations to our satisfaction, we may be unable to obtain alternative manufacturing, or to obtain such manufacturing on commercially reasonable terms or on a timely basis. Any delays in the manufacturing process may adversely impact our ability to meet commercial demands for Inovoject® and Egg Remover® system installations and delay receipt of revenues from those installations.

Vaccines and AAC Technology

We obtain all of our requirements for the active ingredient in AAC technology from Charles River Laboratories, Inc. through SPAFAS. Under our agreement with SPAFAS, we are required to purchase minimum amounts of AAC-based antigen on an annual basis. The manufacture of AAC must be performed in licensed facilities and is subject to USDA regulation. The regulatory approvals granted by the USDA for Bursaplex® in January 1997 and for Newplex in May 2003 specifically cover vaccines produced with SPAFAS-manufactured AAC. Although there are other manufacturers that may be capable of manufacturing AAC, we do not currently have alternative sources for production of AAC.

Currently our supplier for Bursaplex® is Select and our supplier of Newplex is LAHI. The manufacture of all vaccine products must be performed in licensed facilities, under approved regulatory methods. As the USDA licensed manufacturers of record, Select holds the USDA permit for Bursaplex® and LAHI holds the USDA permit for Newplex. Although there are other manufacturers that should be capable of manufacturing avian viral vaccines, we do not currently have alternative sources for production of either product.

If SPAFAS, Select or LAHI is unable to carry out its respective manufacturing obligations (described above) to our satisfaction, we may be unable to obtain alternative manufacturing, or to obtain such manufacturing on commercially reasonable terms or on a timely basis. A change of any of our suppliers could materially adversely affect our future operating results due to the time it would take a new supplier to obtain regulatory approval by the USDA of its production process or manufacturing facilities. Current regulatory approvals in foreign countries are or will be based on product manufactured with AAC as manufactured by SPAFAS, Bursaplex® as manufactured by Select or Newplex as manufactured by LAHI. A change of manufacturer would result in the need to reapply for regulatory approval in those countries and may lead to suspended sales of that product until new approvals could be secured. Any delays in securing new approvals would have a material adverse effect on our revenues and growth prospects. We cannot guarantee that we would be able to secure new approvals in every country or that such approvals would be granted in a timely fashion.

WE FACE RISKS RELATED TO COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS IMPACTING CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS

Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”), new Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards and rules, new SEC regulations, and new Nasdaq National Market rules, are creating uncertainty and expense for companies such as ours. These new or changed laws, regulations and standards are complex and extensive, and as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, which could result in evolving disclosure and corporate governance practices. As a result, our efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and management time related to compliance activities. In particular, our efforts to comply with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley and the related regulations regarding our assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting and our external auditors’ audit of that assessment has required the commitment of significant financial and managerial resources. We expect these efforts to require the continued commitment of significant resources including additional outside legal, accounting and advisory services. In addition, as our international operations continue to grow and foreign operations become financially significant, it will be necessary for those foreign subsidiaries to meet requirements for internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley. Due to the limited staffing at some of our foreign subsidiaries, there is no assurance that we would be able to meet requirements for internal control over financial reporting, particularly requirements for segregation of duties. If we fail to comply with new or changed laws, regulations and standards, our reputation may be harmed and we might be subject to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities, such as the SEC. Any such action could adversely affect our financial results and the market price of our Common Stock.

 

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WE FACE THE RISK THAT WE MAY NEED TO MAKE ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR 401(K) PLAN

Historically, under our 401(k) Plan, we have based participant and employer contributions on participants’ salaries. In the third quarter of 2005, we discovered that the 401(k) Plan documents prepared by our third party administrator provide (and we believe incorrectly) that other elements of compensation be included when determining the appropriate contributions. Our intent has always been that contributions be based only on base salary. We intend to seek approval to conform the 401(k) Plan document retroactively to our intent and practice. Should this relief not be granted, we believe we would be required to make additional contributions to the 401(k) Plan for participants who had not already reached the maximum contribution. We are unable to estimate at this time the amount of additional contributions that potentially could be required and for what time periods. We are not able to predict whether any additional contributions would have a material and adverse effect on our historical or future financial statements.

POULTRY HEALTH AND DISEASE FACTORS AFFECTING OUR CUSTOMERS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS

Any widespread poultry health problem or disease outbreak, such as avian influenza in poultry, could have a negative impact on global poultry production. Our revenues and earnings derived from both the U.S. and international poultry industry could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, the emergence of new disease variants, serotypes and strains in the domestic and/or global markets may reduce the efficacy of our vaccine products and result in reduced revenues and earnings.

WE ARE DEPENDENT ON DISTRIBUTORS IN CERTAIN MARKETS

We market and distribute our devices principally by leasing and licensing the systems directly to hatcheries. In some markets, such as Japan, we instead rely upon distributors for our devices. We also rely on third parties to market certain of our vaccine products, such as products containing AAC technology, and we may enter into other arrangements in the future. There can be no assurance that we can maintain these relationships on terms acceptable to us. The loss of any of these relationships could materially adversely affect our operating results. There are a number of risks associated with our dependence on distributors and other third parties including:

 

    reduced control over regulatory efforts, which may delay local regulatory approvals and thus market introduction;

 

    reduced control over marketing and sales efforts and in turn the extent of resulting market penetration or acceptance;

 

    reduced control over distribution and related customer satisfaction; and

 

    potential delays in distribution associated with securing new distributors, including the possible need to seek re-registration in markets where a distributor may hold product registration, if current relationships are not maintained.

THE LOSS OF KEY COLLABORATORS, SUPPLIERS AND OTHER KEY PARTIES COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS

We currently conduct our operations with various third-party collaborators, suppliers, licensors or licensees. We plan to continue developing these relationships and believe our present and future collaborators, suppliers, licensors and licensees will perform their obligations under their agreements with us, based on an economic motivation to succeed. However, financial or other difficulties facing these parties may affect the amount and timing of funds and other resources devoted by the parties under these agreements. In addition, disagreements may arise with these third parties which could delay or lead to the termination of the development or commercialization of new products, or result in litigation or arbitration, which would be time-consuming and expensive. Thus, there is no assurance that we will develop any new products or generate any revenues from these collaborative agreements.

WE ARE SUBJECT TO AN INHERENT RISK OF PRODUCT LIABILITY

The development, manufacture, distribution and marketing of our products involve an inherent risk of product liability claims and associated adverse publicity. These claims may be made even with respect to those products that are manufactured in licensed and approved facilities or that otherwise possess regulatory approval for commercial sale. These claims could expose us to significant liabilities that could prevent or interfere with the development and marketing of our products. Product liability claims could require us to spend significant time and money in litigation or pay significant damages. Although we currently maintain liability insurance that we believe is adequate to cover our potential exposure in this area, there can be no assurance that the coverage limits of our policies will be adequate. Such insurance is expensive, difficult to obtain and may not continue to be available on acceptable terms or at all.

 

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GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND THE NEED FOR REGULATORY APPROVAL MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS

Regulatory approval required in various areas of our business may materially adversely affect our operations. The primary emphasis of these requirements is to assure the safety and effectiveness of our products. While the use of the Inovoject® system is not subject to regulatory approval in the United States, it may require regulatory approval by foreign agencies. Also, research and development activities and the investigation, manufacture and sale of poultry health products are subject to regulatory approval in the United States by either the USDA or the FDA and state agencies, as well as by foreign agencies. Obtaining regulatory approval is a lengthy, costly and uncertain process. Approval by the USDA generally takes one to three years, while approval by the FDA may take five or more years. In December 2005, the Company submitted its application to the USDA for approval of the Inovocox™ vaccine. We currently have no products under development that would require approval by the FDA. Various problems may arise during the regulatory approval process and may have an adverse impact on our operations. Changes in the policies of U.S. and foreign regulatory bodies could increase the time required to obtain regulatory approval for each new product. Delays in obtaining approval may materially adversely affect the marketing of, and the ability to receive revenues and royalties from, products developed by us. There is no assurance that any future products developed by us or by our collaborative partners will receive regulatory approval without lengthy delays, if at all. Even when approved, regulators may impose limitations on the uses for which the product may be marketed and may continue to review a product after approving it for marketing. Regulators may impose restrictions and sanctions, including banning the continued sale of the product, if they discover problems with the product or its manufacturer.

Pursuant to some of our licensing or joint development agreements, the licensees or joint developers bear the costs associated with the regulatory approval process for some products. We plan to continue to enter into these types of agreements in the future. If we cannot generate sufficient funds from operations or enter into licensing or joint development agreements to develop products, we may not have the financial resources to complete the regulatory approval process with respect to all or any of the products currently under development.

Other regulations apply or may apply to research and manufacturing activities, including federal, state and local laws, regulations and recommendations relating to the following:

 

    safe working conditions;

 

    laboratory and manufacturing practices; and

 

    use and disposal of hazardous substances used in conjunction with research activities.

It is difficult to predict the extent to which these or other government regulations may adversely impact the production and marketing of our products.

OUR INABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN KEY PERSONNEL COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS

We must continue to attract and retain experienced and highly educated scientific and management personnel and advisors to be able to develop marketable products and maintain a competitive research and technological position. Competition for qualified employees among biotechnology companies is intense. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to attract and retain qualified staff. The departure of any key executive or our inability to recruit and retain key scientific or management personnel could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Our ability to replace key individuals may be difficult and may take an extended period of time because of the limited number of individuals in the biotechnology industry with the breadth of skills and experience required to develop and commercialize products successfully. Competition to hire from this limited pool is intense, and we may be unable to hire, train, retain or motivate such individuals.

IF WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO PROVIDE TIMELY SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE TO OUR CUSTOMERS, OUR BUSINESS MAY SUFFER

We are required to supply, support and maintain large numbers of Inovoject® systems at our customers’ hatcheries on a timely basis at a reasonable cost to us. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to provide these services on a timely or cost-effective basis. If we are unable to do so, our customers may reduce their use of our products, which could materially adversely affect our operating results.

 

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WE HAVE ANTI-TAKEOVER DEFENSES THAT COULD DISCOURAGE OR DELAY A TAKEOVER

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could have the effect of discouraging or delaying an acquisition of our company. For example, the Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 15,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and to determine the designations, preferences and relative rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the shares constituting any series of Preferred Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock by the Board of Directors could affect the rights of the holders of Common Stock. For example, an issuance could result in a class of securities outstanding that would have preferences with respect to voting rights and dividends and in liquidation over the Common Stock and could (upon conversion or otherwise) enjoy all of the rights applicable to Common Stock. The authority of the Board of Directors to issue Preferred Stock potentially could be used to discourage attempts by others to obtain control of us through merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making these attempts more difficult to achieve or more costly. The Board of Directors may issue the Preferred Stock without shareholder approval and such Preferred Stock could have voting and conversion rights that could materially adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Common Stock. No agreements or understandings currently exist for the issuance of Preferred Stock, and the Board of Directors has no present intention to issue any Preferred Stock. The Board adopted a shareholder rights plan that could have the effect of discouraging a takeover of us. The rights plan, if triggered, would make it more difficult to acquire us by, among other things, allowing existing shareholders to acquire additional shares of Common Stock at a substantial discount, thus substantially inhibiting the ability of an interested party to obtain control of our company.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Embrex leases its corporate headquarters, which occupies approximately 60,000 square feet and is located adjacent to Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. About one-third of the space is devoted to research and development. The lease had an initial six-year term expiring in 2005 and an additional six-year optional renewal term with annual rent increases of approximately 5%. In October 2005, the Company exercised its option to extend the lease for the first two years of the six-year optional renewal term. Embrex paid an annual rent of approximately $0.6 million during 2005. In addition to research and development activities conducted at its corporate headquarters, Embrex leases a 12,800 square-foot research facility near its headquarters. The lease has a 10-year term expiring in 2007, with a five-year renewal option. The annual rent paid in 2005 was approximately $0.2 million, with annual increases of approximately 3% through the first 10 years and approximately 4% during the five-year renewal term.

Embrex purchased approximately 60 acres in Scotland County, North Carolina in December 2002 for the purpose of constructing and equipping the Embrex Poultry Health vaccine manufacturing and testing facility. In January 2003, construction was initiated for this 40,000 square foot facility. Construction of the facility was substantially completed in March 2004 with a cost to date of approximately $14.7 million.

In addition to the Company’s principal facilities located in North Carolina, Embrex purchased an office building in Brazil in September 2005 at a cost of $0.3 million inclusive of the land the building is located on. Embrex also has leased office and warehouse space at other U.S. and international locations.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In December 2003, Embrex filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina against Breuil S.A. of Landivisiau, France, and New Tech Solutions, Inc. of Gainesville, Georgia, asserting patent infringement. Embrex alleges that each of the defendants’ development of candling and in ovo selective injection devices, designed to compete with Embrex’s patented Inovoject® system injection with Vaccine Saver® option and Egg Remover® system, infringes two Embrex patents related to Embrex’s proprietary apparatus and methods for distinguishing live eggs from infertile or “dead” eggs and for selectively injecting specific eggs identified as suitable for inoculation as well as the apparatus performing this function. Embrex seeks injunctive relief and monetary damages and has asked for a jury trial. The defendants have denied infringement and alleged that Embrex’s two patents are invalid. Fact discovery is nearly completed. The court conducted a Markman hearing to determine the meaning and scope of the patent claims. The court issued a Markman opinion adopting Embrex’s claim construction. Embrex filed a motion for summary judgment of infringement, and a motion for summary judgment of patent validity. Briefing on the motions is nearly complete. After briefing, the court will issue an opinion. Because of this lawsuit, the Company’s results of operations have been impacted and will continue to be impacted by the costs of pursuing this litigation. Moreover, there can be no assurance the Company will prevail in its claims against Breuil S.A. or New Tech Solutions, Inc. Even if the court finds in Embrex’s favor, the Company has no assurances that any damage award will exceed the Company’s costs of pursuing this litigation or that the Company would be able to collect any damages from either defendant.

 

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In August 2004, Embrex filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina against AviTech, LLC (“AviTech”) of Hebron, Maryland asserting patent infringement. Embrex alleges that AviTech’s injection system, designed to compete with the Company’s patented Inovoject® system, infringes one of the Company’s patents related to the Company’s proprietary apparatus and methods for accurately and precisely injecting eggs to the same depth and location when the eggs are of varying sizes and may be presented to the injection apparatus in somewhat different orientations. The Company seeks injunctive relief and monetary damages and has asked for a jury trial. The defendant denied that the North Carolina court has jurisdiction and moved to dismiss or, in the alternative, for transfer to the United States District Court in Maryland. The Company opposed the defendant’s motion. The court heard oral argument on the motion, granted the defendant’s motion in part and transferred the case to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division, where AviTech filed a complaint against Embrex for a declaratory judgment of alleged patent invalidity, patent noninfringement, patent unenforceability and monetary damages based on an alleged antitrust claim. Embrex filed a motion to dismiss AviTech’s declaratory judgment claims. The motion is fully briefed, and the court’s decision is pending. Fact discovery recently commenced. Because of this lawsuit, the Company’s results of operations have been impacted and will continue to be affected by the costs of pursuing this litigation. Moreover, there can be no assurance the Company will prevail in its claims against AviTech or that the Company will be able to successfully defend against AviTech’s claims. Even if the court finds in the Company’s favor, the Company has no assurances that any damage award will exceed the Company’s costs of pursuing this litigation or that the Company would be able to collect any damages from the defendant.

The Company filed a lawsuit in April 2002 against Fort Dodge Australia, Pty. Ltd. and Wyeth, alleging breach of contractual obligations to develop, register and market Bursamune®, an IBD vaccine based upon the Company’s AAC technology, in the territories of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, unfair and deceptive trade practices and related claims. In July 2002, Wyeth asserted a counterclaim against Embrex alleging breach of contract and related claims. On June 30, 2003, Embrex announced that it had reached settlement in this litigation with Wyeth. Under the terms of the settlement, Embrex and Fort Dodge dismissed all claims pending between them in return for payment to Embrex by Fort Dodge of $5.0 million. This settlement resulted in net other income of $3.7 million after legal expenses related to the settlement.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

PART II

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

Common Stock Market Information. The Company’s Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol EMBX. The quarterly trading ranges of the sales prices of the Company’s Common Stock (based on each day’s closing prices during the specified quarter) for the last two fiscal years were as shown in the table below:

 

     Common Stock
Price Per Share

Quarter Ended

   High    Low

March 31, 2004

   $ 14.99    $ 10.06

June 30, 2004

   $ 13.54    $ 11.10

September 30, 2004

   $ 14.50    $ 12.60

December 31, 2004

   $ 13.70    $ 13.00

March 31, 2005

   $ 13.31    $ 10.90

June 30, 2005

   $ 12.00    $ 11.10

September 30, 2005

   $ 13.86    $ 11.13

December 31, 2005

   $ 14.69    $ 11.20

Holders and Dividends. At February 17, 2006, there were 360 holders of record of the Common Stock. This number does not include beneficial owners of the Company’s Common Stock whose stock is held in nominee or “street” name accounts through brokers. The Company has paid no dividends on any stock since inception and has

 

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no plans to pay dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Additionally, pursuant to the Company’s line of credit with its bank, without the prior written consent of the bank, the Company may not declare or pay any dividends until payment in full of any indebtedness and performance of all obligations under the related loan documents.

Sales of Unregistered Securities. There were no sales of unregistered securities during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. The Company did not purchase any shares of its Common Stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

5-YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   2005    2004    2003     2002     2001  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA

            

Revenues

   $ 52,592    $ 48,717    $ 46,025     $ 45,325     $ 44,660  

Research and development expenses

     10,692      10,474      12,540       10,162       8,120  

Other operating expenses

     15,996      13,922      9,951       9,107       9,681  

Net income

     2,947      3,313      7,611       7,171       7,967  

Net income per share of Common Stock

            

Basic

   $ 0.37    $ 0.42    $ 0.94     $ 0.88     $ 1.00  

Diluted

   $ 0.35    $ 0.40    $ 0.91     $ 0.82     $ 0.92  

Number of shares used in per share calculation

            

Basic

     8,007      7,954      8,119       8,116       8,007  

Diluted

     8,353      8,343      8,369       8,692       8,644  

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA

            

Working capital

   $ 10,446    $ 12,467    $ 15,746     $ 14,005     $ 9,670  

Total assets

     67,474      62,580      59,717       42,013       34,058  

Long-term liabilities

     8,144      8,518      6,404       46       43  

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

     5,312      2,365      (948 )     (8,559 )     (15,730 )

Shareholders’ equity

     52,447      47,022      45,692       37,164       29,314  

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

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this report.

Embrex is an international biotechnology company engaged in the development of innovative in ovo solutions that meet the needs of the global poultry industry. The Company derives most of its global revenues from lease fees for the number of eggs processed by the Inovoject® system. Other revenue sources for the Company come from lease fees related to the Egg Remover® system and Vaccine Saver® option. In addition to these sources, the Company may sell each of these devices to distributors under special circumstances in selected countries and to human flu vaccine manufacturers. Revenues from all of these sources are categorized as device revenues in the Company’s financial statements. Another source of revenues for the Company is product sales, which currently consist of sales of the Company’s in ovo vaccine, Bursaplex®. The Company also derives some revenues from contract research and development (“R&D”), grant sources and other minor products. The Company’s cost of revenue is primarily attributable to the costs of supporting the Company’s devices at customer locations around the world. These costs include the labor, travel and parts necessary to ensure proper operation and maintenance of Embrex’s devices located at hatcheries of the Company’s customers, as well as associated depreciation, sales and property tax expenses.

During 2005 the Company experienced consolidated revenue growth of 8% primarily due to an increase in device revenues. Approximately 66% of the device revenue increase occurred outside of the United States primarily driven by new Inovoject® system customers in Latin America. However, the Company’s gross margin of 58% was one

 

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percentage point lower than 2004 as a result of an 11% increase in cost of revenues. Operating profit decreased 14% due primarily to increased Inovocox™ production facility expenses, growth in expenses related to expansion in Brazil, additional Sarbanes-Oxley compliance-related expenses, and other increases described below. In addition, total other income was $0.1 million higher in 2005 than 2004 due to higher interest rates on cash held in non-U.S. regions. Income taxes were 10% lower in 2005 than 2004 with the effective tax rate unchanged at 26%. Overall net income decreased 11%, or $0.4 million, from 2004 to 2005.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Income

 

      2005 vs. 2004     2004 vs. 2003  

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   2005    2004    Change     Change     2004    2003    Change     Change  
               ($)     (%)               ($)     (%)  

Consolidated Revenue

   $ 52,592    $ 48,717    $ 3,875     8 %   $ 48,717    $ 46,025    $ 2,692     6 %

Operating Income

     3,570      4,174    $ (604 )   (14 )%     4,174      4,620      (446 )   (10 )%

Net Income

   $ 2,947    $ 3,313    $ (366 )   (11 )%   $ 3,313    $ 7,611    $ (4,298 )   (56 )%

Earnings per share – basic

   $ 0.37    $ 0.42    $ (0.05 )   (12 )%   $ 0.42    $ 0.94    $ (0.52 )   (55 )%

Earnings per share – diluted

   $ 0.35    $ 0.40    $ (0.05 )   (11 )%   $ 0.40    $ 0.91    $ (0.51 )   (56 )%

Consolidated net income for 2005 decreased to $2.9 million, 11% lower than 2004 net income of $3.3 million, which was 56% lower than 2003 net income of $7.6 million. Diluted earnings per share were $0.91 in 2003, $0.40 in 2004 and $0.35 in 2005. The decrease in net income from 2004 to 2005 is mainly attributed to the start-up of Embrex Poultry Health, preparation of Inovocox™ pre-launch activities and expensing of restricted stock grants. The decrease in 2004 net income compared to 2003 was primarily due to the $3.7 million settlement of the Company’s litigation with Fort Dodge in 2003 (net of legal fees) and $0.9 million spent on accounting fees for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance in 2004, which is a $0.7 million increase over 2003.

Outstanding Shares

 

(In thousands)

 

   2005    2004    2003

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

   8,007    7,954    8,119

Diluted Average Shares Outstanding

   8,353    8,343    8,369

The weighted average shares outstanding increased by 53 thousand shares from 2004 to 2005, or less than 1%, and decreased by 165 thousand shares from 2003 to 2004, or 2%. The increase in shares from 2004 to 2005 is mainly due to stock option exercises and the restricted stock grant awards under the Company’s stock compensation plans. The decrease in outstanding shares from 2003 to 2004 is primarily due to the repurchase of shares in 2004 pursuant to the Company’s share repurchase programs.

Diluted average shares outstanding increased 10 thousand shares, or less than 1% from 2004 to 2005. This increase is due to the exercise of stock options and restricted stock grant awards in 2005, which was partially offset by the decrease in the average closing share price of the Company’s Common Stock from $12.72 in 2004 to $12.21 in 2005, which resulted in fewer in-the-money stock options being taken into account in computing diluted average shares outstanding. The diluted average shares outstanding decreased by 26 thousand shares from 2003 to 2004, or less than 1%, which was due to common stock repurchases by the Company during 2004. Partially offsetting this was the increase in the average closing share price of the Company’s common stock from $9.82 per share in 2003 to $12.72 per share in 2004. The rise in stock price increased the number of outstanding stock options with exercise prices that were less than the market price of Embrex’s stock (i.e., “in-the-money” stock options). Because only in-the-money stock options are counted in computing diluted average shares outstanding, the higher average closing price for the Company’s common stock in 2004 as compared to 2003 resulted in more stock options being taken into account in 2004.

 

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Revenues

 

      2005 vs. 2004     2004 vs. 2003  

(In thousands)

 

   2005    2004    Change    Change     2004    2003    Change     Change  
               ($)    (%)               ($)     (%)  

Device revenues

   $ 48,741    $ 46,157    $ 2,584    6 %   $ 46,157    $ 43,458    $ 2,699     6 %

Product sales

     3,167      2,037      1,130    55 %     2,037      1,970      67     3 %

Other revenues

     684      523      161    31 %     523      597      (74 )   (12 )%
                                                       

Consolidated revenues

   $ 52,592    $ 48,717    $ 3,875    8 %   $ 48,717    $ 46,025    $ 2,692     6 %
                                                       

Consolidated revenues in 2005 totaled $52.6 million, representing an increase of 8% over 2004 revenues of $48.7 million, which was 6% over 2003 revenues of $46.0 million. Device revenues totaled $48.7 million in 2005, compared to $46.2 million in 2004 and $43.5 million in 2003, representing increases of 6% from 2004 to 2005, and 6% from 2003 to 2004. The 2005 revenue increase derives mainly from increased device fees, which is primarily due to an increase in the Inovoject® system customer base, as well as new Egg Remover® installations. Product sales increased 55% from $2.0 million in 2004 to $3.2 million in 2005 as Bursaplex® sales followed increased production in Asian markets as avian flu effects receded, and increased 3% from 2003 to 2004. Other revenues increased 31% from $0.5 million in 2004 to $0.7 million in 2005 and decreased 12% from $0.6 million in 2003 to $0.5 in 2004. The majority of other revenues between 2003 and 2005 consist of funding from contract research and development, grant sources and other minor products. The increase in 2005 of other revenues and the decrease in 2004 other revenues were caused mainly by variability in grant income from year to year.

During 2005, the U.S. Dollar weakened against select currencies compared to the same period during 2004. If average exchange rates during 2005 had remained the same as the average exchange rates for these currencies during 2004, the Company’s revenues would have been approximately $0.8 million lower and the overall increase would have been $3.1 million rather than the actual increase of $3.9 million.

The 2005 revenues include device lease fees for use of Inovoject® and Egg Remover® systems and Vaccine Saver® option by poultry producers in the United States and foreign countries, and the sale of devices to distributors and human flu vaccine manufacturers. The sporadic nature of device sales to distributors and human flu vaccine companies may cause variability in revenue and gross profit on an annual and quarterly basis. Embrex estimates that as of December 31, 2005, it was vaccinating in excess of 85% of the estimated nine billion broiler birds grown in the United States and Canada in 2005. Given its market penetration, the Company expects only limited Inovoject® system revenue and earnings growth in this market, most of which is anticipated to come from new Egg Remover® installations. In addition, the introduction of competitor machines could affect growth and/or the maintenance of the Company’s revenues.

Sales of Bursaplex®, the Company’s proprietary vaccine for the treatment of avian infectious bursal disease, was the source of approximately $3.2 million of product sales in 2005, and $2.0 million in each of 2004 and 2003. Bursaplex® sales growth from 2003 to 2004 was restrained mainly by continued challenges in Asia resulting from avian influenza outbreaks and poor economic conditions. As the effects of avian influenza subsided during 2005, production and consumption levels of poultry increased, as well as exported poultry from the Asian region, leading to a 55% increase in Bursaplex® sales from 2004 to 2005.

Management anticipates limited revenue and earnings growth in 2006 from existing Inovoject® system operations in the United States and Canada, higher revenue growth from new Inovoject® system leases in other countries, and increased sales of Bursaplex® to poultry producers worldwide. However, the rate at which the marketplace will accept the Inovoject® system technology outside the United States and Canada, the degree of acceptance of our competitors’ machines within the United States and elsewhere, the timing of regulatory approvals of third-party vaccines for in ovo use outside the United States and Canada, costs associated with market expansion, possible variability in United States hatchery bird production as a result of grain price fluctuations, and variability in the demand for, and pricing of, U.S. poultry and poultry products both inside and outside the United States will impact the pace of revenue growth, if any, and sustained profitability from the installation and operational throughputs of Inovoject® systems. In addition, avian disease outbreaks in markets where Embrex has device placements and sales also may affect future revenues. Demand for vaccine products is affected by local poultry producers’ perceived degree of viral challenge. This may impact future revenues as well.

 

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Cost of Revenues

 

      2005 vs. 2004     2004 vs. 2003  

(In thousands)

 

   2005     2004     Change    Change     2004     2003     Change    Change  
                 $    %                 $    %  

Consolidated Revenues

   $ 52,592     $ 48,717     $ 3,875    8 %   $ 48,717     $ 46,025     $ 2,692    6 %

Cost of Device Revenues & Product Sales

     22,334       20,147       2,187    11 %     20,147       18,914       1,233    7 %
                                                          

Gross Profit

   $ 30,258     $ 28,570     $ 1,688    6 %   $ 28,570     $ 27,111     $ 1,459    5 %

Gross Margin

     58 %     59 %          59 %     59 %     

Cost of revenues was 42% of total revenues in 2005 as compared to 41% of total revenues for both 2004 and 2003. Consequently, gross margin was 58% for 2005, and 59% for both 2004 and 2003. Gross margin is affected by material costs related to servicing the Company’s devices and changes in the Company’s product mix, described in “Revenues” above. The decrease in gross margin between 2004 and 2005 was primarily due to the regional and revenue mix, which includes higher product sales, additional recurring device lease fees, particularly in Latin America, as well as lower device sales. Since device sales have a higher gross margin than the Company’s other revenue sources, the lower device sales in 2005 contributed to the reduction in gross margin. In addition, gross margin associated with operations outside the United States and Canada, particularly for device leases, has historically been lower than for operations inside the United States and Canada.

In addition, inflationary pressure associated with the increase in the cost of stainless steel resulted in an increase in the material costs used for maintaining the Company’s devices and depreciation expenses in both 2004 and 2005 due to increased capital cost for new devices. These increases, as well as increased depreciation expenses the Company incurs as fully depreciated devices are replaced with new devices, could continue to cause gross margin to decrease in the future. Also, downward pressure on device lease fees, upward changes in other input costs and regional and product mix could cause gross margin to decrease in the future.

Operating Expenses

 

      2005 vs. 2004     2004 vs. 2003  

(In thousands)

 

   2005    2004    Change    Change     2004    2003    Change     Change  
               ($)    (%)               ($)     (%)  

General & Administrative

   $ 11,487    $ 10,983    $ 504    5 %   $ 10,983    $ 7,119    $ 3,864     54 %

Sales & Marketing

     4,509      2,939      1,570    53 %     2,939      2,832      107     4 %

Research & Development

     10,692      10,474      218    2 %     10,474      12,540      (2,066 )   (16 )%
                                                       

Total Operating Expenses

   $ 26,688    $ 24,396    $ 2,292    9 %   $ 24,396    $ 22,491    $ 1,905     8 %
                                                       

Operating expenses totaled $26.7 million in 2005 compared to $24.4 million and $22.5 million in 2004 and 2003, respectively.

General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses were $11.5 million in 2005, up 5% from $11.0 million in 2004, which was up 54% from $7.1 million in 2003. The increase in G&A expenses from 2004 to 2005 was primarily due to additional staff-related expenses supporting business growth in Latin America, restricted stock grant expense, patent-related legal fees and increased accounting fees for internal controls in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley. In addition, state franchise taxes, as well as property taxes related to the Embrex Poultry Health manufacturing facility, contributed to the increase in G&A expenses. The increase in G&A expenses from 2003 to 2004 was principally due to continued growth of expenses for the Company’s Inovocox™ production facility, $0.9 million of accounting and legal expenses related to accounting and internal controls to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley, increased insurance premiums due to increased property and product liability exposures, patent-related legal fees and staff-related increases in support of the business.

Sales and marketing expenses totaled $4.5 million in 2005, compared to $2.9 million and $2.8 million in 2004 and 2003. The primary reason for the overall increase was growth of the marketing group to assist with expansion in Latin American operations, pre-launch activities of Inovocox™ and the continued support of existing products. Additionally, sales and marketing expenses that were previously allocated to cost of revenues in 2004 have been retained in sales and marketing expenses in 2005 because certain sales and marketing expenses are now related to the support rather than the sale of the Company’s products. The increase from 2003 to 2004 is principally due to additional personnel in the marketing group to support and market the Company’s devices, as well as to prepare and support Inovocox™ after registration is achieved. Additional sales and marketing expenses may continue to be recorded under this classification rather than allocated to cost of revenues as infrastructure expands and matures.

 

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R&D expenses were $10.7 million in 2005 compared to $10.5 million in 2004 and $12.5 million in 2003. The increase from 2004 to 2005 is principally due to increased staff-related expenses related to start-up of Embrex Poultry Health in addition to Gender Sort development work. Most of the Gender Sort expenses occurred in the first half of the year before active work efforts on the project were suspended. Approximately $0.5 million of Embrex Poultry Health expense representing manufacturing costs for Inovocox™ pre-licensing serials were capitalized throughout June 2005 as part of a construction-in-process asset and will be depreciated over the useful life of the facility. The decrease in R&D expense from 2003 to 2004 is primarily due to the write-off of the Gender Sort system purchased from AA, which increased 2003 R&D expenses by $2.3 million. The Company continues to manage its R&D effort to leverage its know-how, patent position, market presence and expenditures. See “Products Under Development—Gender Sorting Device” under Item 1, “Business,” above for further discussion of the write-off of the Gender Sort system purchased from AA.

The Company’s overall R&D expenses reflect expenditures incurred in three distinct departments:

The first of these departments, R&D, is responsible for expenditures associated with the work on the Company’s product portfolio, particularly Newplex™ vaccine and Inovocox™, the in ovo coccidiosis vaccine. Operating expenses for R&D in 2005 were $5.2 million, compared to 2004 and 2003 expenses of $5.0 million and $5.5 million, respectively. The increase in expenses from 2004 to 2005 is primarily due to increased staff-related expenses as employees who were previously in Global Product Development & Supply (“GPDS”) were transitioned to R&D as a result of the suspension of active work efforts on the Gender Sort project. The decrease in operating expenses from 2003 to 2004 is primarily due to reclassification of patent-related legal fees previously recorded as R&D expense that now are reflected as G&A expense, as well as the 2003 allocation of indirect expenses related to the Early Delivery Project from G&A to R&D that were not allocated in 2004 due to suspension of the ATP grant and this project in late 2003. Reorganization of R&D staff to GPDS and lower contract R&D expenses contribute to the decrease in 2004 R&D operating expenses as well.

The second of these R&D departments, GPDS, is responsible for development and testing of commercial machine devices and supply of biological products. During 2005 this group also was responsible for development and commercial testing related to the Gender Sort project and overseeing start-up of the Embrex Poultry Health manufacturing facility for the production of Inovocox™. GPDS operating expenses for 2005, 2004 and 2003 were $2.6 million, $3.0 million and $5.4 million, respectively. The decrease in GPDS expenses from 2004 to 2005 is primarily due to the Company’s decision to suspend active work efforts on the Gender Sort project. The decrease from 2003 to 2004 is primarily due to the purchase of the Gender Sort system from AA and the subsequent $2.3 million write-down of the system as an R&D expense in 2003.

The third R&D department is Engineering and Manufacturing, which makes design modifications and improvements to the Inovoject® and Egg Remover® systems, as well as the Vaccine Saver® option. Beginning in 2004, start-up manufacturing costs associated with Embrex Poultry Health were captured in Engineering and Manufacturing expenses. Operating expenses for this department were $2.9 million, $2.5 million and $1.6 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The increase in this group’s expenses from 2004 to 2005 is primarily due to expenses related to the start-up of Embrex Poultry Health for the manufacturing of Inovocox™, as well as development work on the Gender Sort project, which since has been suspended as discussed above. The increase from 2003 to 2004 is due to staff-related and manufacturing expenses related to the start-up of Embrex Poultry Health in 2005. The group to which R&D expenses are classified may change as the purpose of the specific activity or activities change to meet the Company’s strategic and operational objectives. In particular, a number of activities such as product portfolio work for Newplex™ and Inovocox™ may take the form of commercial support.

Other Income and Expense

Interest income totaled $0.2 million, $0.1 million and $0.2 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The increase in interest income from 2004 to 2005 is mainly due to higher interest rates on cash held in non-U.S. regions. The decreasing interest income from 2003 to 2004 is principally due to decreases in interest income received from a loan to AA that was repaid in 2003, in addition to lower available cash balances. See “Products Under Development—Gender Sorting Device” under Item 1, “Business,” above, for further discussion of the Company’s loan to AA.

Other Income totaled $0.3 million in both 2005 and 2004, and approximately $3.6 million in 2003. The other income in 2005 and 2004 is primarily related to foreign currency transaction gains and losses. The other income in 2003 is attributable to the settlement of the $5.0 million Fort Dodge litigation in June 2003, which added $3.7 million of income to the second quarter of 2003 after deducting legal costs. See Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” for further discussion of the Fort Dodge litigation.

 

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Interest expense totaled less than $0.1 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003. Interest costs of $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $0.1 million related to the term loan for construction of the Embrex Poultry Health manufacturing facility are not reflected in the interest expense totals for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. These amounts are being capitalized as part of the construction cost of the facility. Interest expense, depreciation and amortization of the facility will commence once the Embrex Poultry Health facility obtains USDA approval to manufacture Inovocox™. It is anticipated that interest related to the term loan will begin to be expensed during 2006 and is estimated to be approximately $0.5 million in 2006.

Management expects to continue to rely principally on the use of internally generated funds, supplemented by a revolving line of credit, to finance the cost of additional devices in 2006, as was the case in 2005.

Income Tax Expense

 

     2005 vs. 2004     2004 vs. 2003  
     2005     2004     Change     Change     2004     2003     Change     Change  
                 $     %                 $     %  

Income before tax expense (benefit)

   $ 4,003     $ 4,491     $ (488 )   (11 )%   $ 4,491     $ 8,384     $ (3,893 )   (46 )%

Income tax expense (benefit)

   $ 1,056     $ 1,178     $ (122 )   (10 )%     1,178       773       405     52 %
                                                            

Net Income

   $ 2,947     $ 3,313     $ (366 )   (11 )%   $ 3,313     $ 7,611     $ (4,298 )   (56 )%

Effective tax rate

     26 %     26 %         26 %     9 %    

Income taxes totaled $1.1 million for 2005, a $0.1 million decrease from $1.2 million in 2004, which was $0.4 million higher than 2003 income tax expense of $0.8 million. The effective tax rate for both 2004 and 2005 was 26% in comparison to 9% in 2003. In 2004, income tax expense and the effective tax rate increased over 2003 due to a $0.2 million increase in the valuation allowance versus a $1.7 million decrease in 2003, a lower R&D tax credit calculation in 2004 compared to 2003, an increase in 2004 business activities in foreign markets compared to 2003 and the use of net operating losses (“NOL’s”) in Embrex Europe Limited (“Embrex Europe”) for the 2003 Fort Dodge settlement. These were partially offset by miscellaneous decreases including adjustments for amended income tax returns and the reevaluation of tax and inventory accruals. In 2003, the analysis of the Company’s valuation allowance caused the lower income tax expense in comparison to 2004 and 2005. The evaluation indicated that the current and non-current deferred tax asset should be valued at $2.6 million in 2003. As a result, net income increased $2.3 million in 2003, which led to a lower full year tax rate and lower income tax expense in 2003. Income from the Fort Dodge settlement was offset by NOL’s in Embrex Europe as a jurisdiction analysis indicated that the settlement should be recorded by the Company’s European subsidiary. Therefore, no tax provision was recorded for the $3.7 million settlement net of legal expenses in 2003.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates including but not limited to those related to:

 

    Allowance for uncollectible accounts

 

    Warranty accruals

 

    Inventory obsolescence

 

    Deferred tax assets

 

    Employee fringe benefit plan accrual

The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily discernible from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

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The Company believes the following critical accounting policies are material to the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues for devices subject to lease agreements are recognized based on eggs processed during the period in accordance with lease terms. Product sales are recognized upon delivery, as that is when title passes to the customer. Contract research revenue is recognized as services are performed or as milestones are met over the term of the contract. Grant revenue is recognized as expenses related to the specific grants are incurred. Revenue received, but not yet earned, is classified as deferred revenue. Revenue received from sales of devices to vaccine manufacturers is recognized when the device has been installed and has passed on-site testing. These sales frequently include a maintenance agreement for which the revenue is recognized over the period covered by the agreement.

The revenue section of the consolidated statements of operations divides revenues into three sections: device revenues, which include device lease fees and device sales; product sales, all or most of which is derived from sales of the Company’s vaccine, Bursaplex®; and other revenues, which includes income derived from contract research, grants from federal agencies and other miscellaneous sources.

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts

To date, the Company has not experienced any material trade accounts receivable collection issues. However, based on a review of cumulative balances, industry experience and the current economic environment, the Company currently reserves from 2% to 4% of trade accounts receivable, depending on the credit terms in various markets, as an allowance for uncollectible accounts. In addition, adjustments due to the financial stability of individual customers will affect the overall percentage reserved. Once the Company determines an account is uncollectible it writes off the receivable balance against the reserve. Accounts are written off based on individual circumstances and only after all efforts of collection have been exhausted. The consolidated balance reserved for uncollectible accounts as of December 31, 2005 was $0.3 million, which represents 4% of the trade accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2005.

Warranty Accruals

To date, the Company has not experienced any material device or product warranty issues in excess of amounts reserved. Based on the sale and lease of devices and sale of products, the Company has established a reserve for future claims. The reserve is based on the estimated damages that a customer would experience if an Inovoject® system or batch of Bursaplex® or Newplex™ should fail to perform to product specifications. The consolidated balance reserved for warranties as of December 31, 2005 was $0.1 million.

Inventory Obsolescence

To date, the Company has not experienced any material inventory obsolescence. However, based on a percentage of the current product and device parts inventory levels, the Company has established a reserve against future device parts obsolescence due to technological improvements and limited shelf life of product inventories. The percentage used to calculate the reserve is based on a historical percentage rate adjusted for anticipated technological advances on devices and shelf life of existing vaccine product inventories. The consolidated balance reserved for product and parts obsolescence as of December 31, 2005 was $0.3 million.

Deferred Tax Assets

The Company records deferred tax assets based upon amounts that are likely to be realized. Based on the Company’s recent profitability and belief that 2006 will result in an overall profit, the Company has recorded net current and long-term deferred tax assets of $1.3 million. The Company’s net deferred tax assets include a valuation allowance for two items that the Company may not be able to realize in future periods. The two items are research and development tax credits and deferred tax assets in foreign subsidiaries. This determination is based, in part, on historical operating performance as well as the likelihood of future income. The valuation allowance will be reduced when the Company believes that the likelihood of realizability of the related assets is more likely than not. In the event the Company was to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would increase income in the period such determination was made. However, in the event the Company was to determine that it would not be able to realize its net recorded deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would decrease income in the period such determination was made.

 

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Employee Fringe Benefit Plan Accrual

The Company has established a reserve related to Embrex’s employee fringe benefit plan. The most significant component of the accrual is the amount reserved for the employee self-insured health plan. The amount of the reserve is based on management’s estimate of future employee health claims. The reserve covers expected short-term claims and is based on historical data adjusted for major events and anticipated changes in headcount or participation. The net balance reserved for the employee self-insured health plan as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 was $0.2 million.

EFFECT OF INFLATION

The Company expects cost of product sales and device revenues, operating expenses and capital equipment costs to change in line with periodic inflationary changes in price levels. While the Company generally believes that it will be able to offset the effect of price level changes by adjusting selling/lease prices and effecting operating efficiencies, any material unfavorable changes in price levels could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

At December 31, 2005, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balances totaled $2.0 million compared to $4.5 million and $9.6 million at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

During 2005, approximately $11 million of cash flow was generated by operating activities. Of this, nearly $3 million was generated by net income, $7.2 million in cash flows from operations was related to depreciation and amortization, including restricted stock amortization, and the balance was primarily a result of changes in working capital.

Cash from operations was invested in nearly $15 million of capital expenditures, of which $10 million or approximately 70% was used to acquire revenue generating devices, such as Inovoject® and Egg Remover® systems.

Approximately $1.4 million was provided from the issuance of Common Stock related to the exercise of stock options and purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Repayments of long-term debt used to fund most of the Inovocox manufacturing facility consumed $425 thousand.

Consequently, the Company consumed $2.6 million of cash during 2005. Cash consumption during 2004 amounted to $5.7 million, and was $3.1 million higher than 2005 due primarily to $3.5 million of share repurchases that did not occur in 2005.

The Company obtained a $9.0 million construction/term loan from BB&T in August 2003 that was used for building and equipping the Embrex Poultry Health coccidiosis vaccine manufacturing facility located in Scotland County, North Carolina. At December 31, 2005, $8.6 million of the construction/term loan was outstanding.

The Company has a $6.0 million secured revolving line of credit with BB&T, which may be used for working capital purposes. The term of this line of credit has been extended to May 2006, and the Company anticipates BB&T will renew this credit facility for a renewal term beyond May 2006. The line of credit carries an interest rate of the current LIBOR rate plus 1.60%. At December 31, 2005, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under this credit facility.

In August 2002, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program (the “2002 Repurchase Program”) to purchase up to 6% of outstanding shares of Common Stock, or up to approximately 500,000 shares over 17 months, in open market or privately negotiated transactions. In November 2003, the Board of Directors extended the term of the 2002 Repurchase Program to June 30, 2004. During the first half of 2004, the Company purchased 241,200 shares of its Common Stock for $2.9 million at an average price of $12.20 per share. The Company repurchased an aggregate of 455,100 shares of its Common Stock for $5.1 million at an average price of $11.15 per share during the entire term of the 2002 Repurchase Program.

In May 2004, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program (the “2004 Repurchase Program”) to purchase up to 500,000 of outstanding shares of Common Stock through December 2005 in open market or privately negotiated transactions on or after July 1, 2004. During the second half of 2004, the Company purchased 44,350 shares of its Common Stock for $0.6 million at an average price of $12.84 per share. The Company made no share repurchases during 2005.

 

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See Note 4, “Shareholders’ Equity” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further discussion of the Company’s repurchase programs.

Based on its current operations, management believes that the Company’s available cash and cash equivalents, together with cash flow from operations and its bank line of credit, will be sufficient to meet its cash requirements as these currently exist. However, Embrex may continue to explore additional alternative funding opportunities with respect to collaborative ventures and product expansion and would evaluate its cash requirements as appropriate.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

Embrex’s known contractual obligations as of December 31, 2005 are summarized below:

 

      Payments due by period (thousands of dollars)

Contractual Obligations

   Total    Less than
1 year
   1-3 years    3-5 years    More than
5 years

Long-term debt obligations

   $ 11,895    $ 963    $ 2,889    $ 2,889    $ 5,154

Capital lease obligations

     19      8      11      —        —  

Operating lease obligations

     3,065      962      2,097      6      —  

Purchase obligations

     3,853      2,925      861      67      —  
                                  

Total

   $ 18,832    $ 4,858    $ 5,858    $ 2,962    $ 5,154
                                  

The long-term debt obligation listed in the chart represents the total amount due plus interest under Embrex’s construction/term loan with BB&T. Embrex borrowed $9.0 million as of December 31, 2005, and will be obligated to repay the debt as shown in the chart. See Note 3, “Debt,” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further discussion of the Company’s long-term debt obligation. Long-term debt and certain lease obligations contain acceleration provisions requiring immediate repayment in the event of default as defined in each agreement. Short-term obligations recorded on the consolidated balance sheet equaled $0.5 million as of December 31, 2005. Of the outstanding purchase obligations included in the table above, a total of $0.7 million were purchased during 2005.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that may have a current or future material effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capitalization resources.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk of potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. The Company’s primary market risk exposure is in changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Approximately 37%, 34% and 32% of Embrex’s revenues for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, were derived from the Company’s operations outside the United States. The Company’s consolidated financial statements are denominated in U.S. Dollars and, accordingly, changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. Dollar will affect the translation of the Company’s subsidiaries’ financial results into U.S. Dollars for purposes of reporting the Company’s consolidated financial results. From 2004 to 2005, select Latin American currencies appreciated against the U.S. Dollar, particularly the Brazilian Real, which appreciated 17% against the U.S. Dollar. Conversely, the Pound Sterling depreciated 1% against the U.S. Dollar. If average exchange rates during 2005 had remained the same as the average exchange rates for these currencies during 2004, then the Company’s 2005 revenues would have been approximately $51.8 million instead of $52.6 million, representing a year-to-year growth rate of 6% as compared to the actual exchange-adjusted growth rate of 8%.

Accumulated currency translation adjustments recorded as a separate component of shareholders’ equity were $0.3 million at December 31, 2005 as compared with $0.2 million at December 31, 2004. This $0.1 million increase was mainly attributable to the overall weakening of the U.S. Dollar with respect to the currencies in which the Company has an exchange rate risk. The primary contributor to the $0.1 million change in currency translation adjustments was the Latin America region, specifically Brazil. To date, the Company has not utilized any derivative financial instruments or other hedging instruments to affect this exposure.

 

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In addition to currency translation risk described above, the Company is subject to transaction risk. Transaction risk is the risk of potential loss arising from adverse changes in exchange rates from the date invoices are issued until the receipts are collected. Most of Embrex’s transaction risk resides in the Company’s largest subsidiary, Embrex Europe, where accrued revenues are recorded in the functional currency, British Pounds. However, most of Embrex Europe’s revenues are invoiced in U.S. Dollars or Euros. When revenues are collected, there is a risk that changes in the respective exchange rates could cause the amount collected (when converted to British Pounds) to be less than originally accrued. As the Company’s business grows in other markets, such as Brazil, it expects that transaction and translation risk may increase in these markets.

As of December 31, 2005, the Company’s exposure to market risk for a change in interest rates is related solely to debt outstanding under the term loan used for construction and equipping of the Inovocox manufacturing facility. At December 31, 2005, the variable rate debt outstanding that is exposed to fluctuations in the market rate of interest under this term loan totaled $8.6 million. The definitive extent of the Company’s interest rate risk under this term loan is not quantifiable or predictable because of the variability of future interest rates and business financing requirements. Based on the current balance outstanding, an increase in the LIBOR rate of 100 basis points would increase the Company’s annualized interest expense by approximately $0.1 million.

 

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Embrex, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Embrex, Inc. as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and shareholders’ equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Embrex, Inc. at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Embrex, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 6, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina

March 6, 2006

 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,  

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

   2005     2004  

ASSETS

    

Current Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,975     $ 4,469  

Restricted cash (Note 1)

     116       115  

Accounts receivable – trade (net of allowance of $332 and $415 in 2005 and 2004, respectively)

     7,815       7,816  

Inventories:

    

Materials and supplies

     2,927       2,107  

Product

     1,377       1,448  

Current deferred tax asset (Note 8)

     1,149       706  

Other current assets

     1,970       2,846  
                

Total Current Assets

     17,329       19,507  

Land

     336       147  

Devices under construction

     3,368       3,055  

Devices

     52,998       47,379  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (32,653 )     (31,864 )
                
     20,345       15,515  

Plant and Equipment (Note 1)

     31,869       28,953  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (11,371 )     (9,704 )
                
     20,498       19,249  

Other Assets:

    

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $682 in 2005 and $538 in 2004)

     5,371       4,025  

Long-term deferred tax asset (Note 8)

     45       949  

Other long-term assets

     182       133  
                

Total Other Assets

     5,598       5,107  

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 67,474     $ 62,580  
                

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current Liabilities

    

Accounts payable

   $ 949     $ 887  

Accrued expenses

     4,647       5,351  

Deferred revenue

     668       145  

Product warranty accrual

     149       136  

Current portion of long-term debt

     463       514  

Current portion of capital lease obligations

     7       7  
                

Total Current Liabilities

     6,883       7,040  

Long-term debt, less current portion (Note 3)

     8,133       8,516  

Capital lease obligations, less current portion

     11       2  

Shareholders’ Equity (Notes 4, 5 and 6)

    

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share: authorized - 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding – 8,134,447 net of 1,674,666 treasury shares and 7,921,605 net of 1,674,666 treasury shares at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively

     97       95  

Additional paid-in capital

     67,854       64,938  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     349       196  

Deferred compensation

     (1,318 )     (725 )

Retained earnings

     5,312       2,365  

Treasury stock

     (19,847 )     (19,847 )
                

Total Shareholders’ Equity

     52,447       47,022  
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 67,474     $ 62,580  
                

See accompanying notes.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

      Year ended December 31,  

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   2005     2004     2003  

REVENUES

      

Device revenues

   $ 48,741     $ 46,157     $ 43,458  

Product sales

     3,167       2,037       1,970  

Other revenues

     684       523       597  
                        

Total Revenues

     52,592       48,717       46,025  

Cost of Device Revenues and Product Sales

     22,334       20,147       18,914  
                        

Gross Profit

     30,258       28,570       27,111  

OPERATING EXPENSES

      

General and administrative

     11,487       10,983       7,119  

Sales and marketing

     4,509       2,939       2,832  

Research and development

     10,692       10,474       12,540  
                        

Total Operating Expenses

     26,688       24,396       22,491  
                        

Operating Income

     3,570       4,174       4,620  

Other Income (Expense)

      

Interest income

     163       87       163  

Interest expense

     (29 )     (29 )     (20 )

Other income

     299       259       3,621  
                        

Total Other Income

     433       317       3,764  
                        

Income Before Income Tax Expense

     4,003       4,491       8,384  

Income Tax Expense (Note 8)

     1,056       1,178       773  
                        

Net Income

   $ 2,947     $ 3,313     $ 7,611  
                        

Net Income Per Share (Note 10)

      

Basic

   $ 0.37     $ 0.42     $ 0.94  

Diluted

   $ 0.35     $ 0.40     $ 0.91  

Number of Shares Used in Per Share Calculation (Note 10)

      

Basic

     8,007       7,954       8,119  

Diluted

     8,353       8,343       8,369  

See accompanying notes.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

      Year ended December 31,  

(In thousands)

 

   2005     2004     2003  

Operating Activities

      

Net income

   $ 2,947     $ 3,313     $ 7,611  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     6,463       5,879       5,320  

Gain/(loss) on sale of fixed assets

     174       115       (6 )

Change in restricted cash

     (1 )     258       (118 )

Change in deferred tax asset

     461       968       (1,855 )

Restricted stock amortization (Note 5)

     694       254       97  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable, inventories and other current assets

     368       (1,214 )     (2,851 )

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, deferred revenue and warranty accrual

     (106 )     33       1,585  
                        

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     11,000       9,606       9,783  

Investing Activities

      

Land acquisition

     (189 )     -0-       (18 )

Purchases of devices, equipment, furniture and fixtures

     (12,922 )     (12,414 )     (18,038 )

Cash proceeds from sale of devices, equipment, furniture and fixtures

     60       53       19  

Investments in patents and other non-current assets

     (1,562 )     (1,562 )     1,434  
                        

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (14,613 )     (13,923 )     (16,603 )

Financing Activities

      

Issuance of common stock

     1,391       651       1,310  

Net change in the line of credit

     —         (1,128 )     1,128  

Drawdown of long-term debt and capital leases

     34       2,641       6,364  

Repayment of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and other long-term liabilities

     (459 )     (13 )     —    

Repurchase of common stock

     -0-       (3,512 )     (1,343 )
                        

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     966       (1,361 )     7,459  
                        

CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (2,647 )     (5,678 )     639  

CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENTS

     153       518       951  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR

     4,469       9,629       8,039  
                        

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR

   $ 1,975     $ 4,469     $ 9,629  
                        

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

Total interest paid inclusive of capitalized interest was $478, $288 and $78 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Total income taxes paid/(refunded) were ($26), $1,052 and $1,512 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

See accompanying notes.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

(In thousands)

 

   Common
Stock
   Additional
Paid-in
Capital
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Deferred
Compensation
    Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)
    Treasury
Stock
    Total  

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2002

   $ 93    $ 61,895    $ (1,273 )   $ 0     $ (8,559 )   $ (14,992 )   $ 37,164  

Stock repurchased

                 (1,343 )     (1,343 )

Stock issued:

                

Upon exercise of options and issuance of bonus stock

     1      308              309  

Under employee stock purchase plan

        238              238  

Issuance of restricted stock

        466        (466 )         -0-  

Amortization of deferred compensation

             97           97  

Employee compensation

        631              631  

Payment for services

        34              34  

Other comprehensive income, net of tax (Note 1):

                

Currency translation adjustments

           951             951  

Net income

               7,611         7,611  
                                                      

Comprehensive income

                   8,562  
                      

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2003

   $ 94    $ 63,572    $ (322 )   $ (369 )   $ (948 )   $ (16,335 )   $ 45,692  

Stock repurchased

                 (3,512 )     (3,512 )

Stock issued:

                

Upon exercise of options

     1      310              311  

Under employee stock purchase plan

        350              350  

Issuance of restricted stock

        600        (600 )         -0-  

Amortization of deferred compensation

             244           244  

Tax benefits of options & ESPP

        106              106  

Other comprehensive income, net of tax (Note 1):

                

Currency translation adjustments

           518             518  

Net income

               3,313         3,313  
                                                      

Comprehensive income

                   3,831  
                      

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2004

   $ 95    $ 64,938    $ 196     $ (725 )   $ 2,365     $ (19,847 )   $ 47,022  

Stock repurchased

                 -0-       -0-  

Stock issued:

                

Upon exercise of options

     2      1,038              1,040  

Under employee stock purchase plan

        352              352  

Issuance of restricted stock

        1,287        (1,287 )         -0-  

Amortization of deferred compensation

             694           694  

Tax benefits of options & ESPP

        239              239  

Other comprehensive income, net of tax (Note 1):

                

Currency translation adjustments

           153             153  

Net income

               2,947         2,947  
                                                      

Comprehensive income

                   3,100  
                      

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2005

   $ 97    $ 67,854    $ 349     $ (1,318 )   $ 5,312     $ (19,847 )   $ 52,447  
                                                      

See accompanying notes.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

Embrex, Inc. (the “Company”) is an international biotechnology company specializing in the poultry industry. Embrex is focused on developing patented vaccine and mechanical products that improve bird health, help reduce production costs and provide other economic benefits to the poultry industry. Embrex has developed and commercialized the Inovoject® system, a proprietary, automated in-the-egg injection system which can inoculate 20,000 to 70,000 eggs per hour and eliminates the need for manual, post-hatch injection of certain vaccines. Embrex primarily markets the Inovoject® system through lease arrangements with commercial poultry producers, charging a fee for each egg injected. The Company is also marketing the Egg Remover® system and Vaccine Saver® option to provide additional automation benefits to the poultry hatchery. The Egg Remover® system works alone or in conjunction with the Inovoject® system to remove infertile and early-dead eggs from incubator trays prior to transfer or inoculation through the Inovoject® system. The Vaccine Saver® option for the Inovoject® system identifies infertile and early-dead eggs and selectively prevents vaccination of these eggs. In addition to the Inovoject® and Egg Remover® systems and Vaccine Saver® option, Embrex has developed an antigen-antibody complex technology (“AAC”) useful in the development of certain avian vaccines. Based on AAC, the Company has developed and currently is marketing Bursaplex® for protection against avian infectious bursal disease (“IBD”).

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Embrex, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Embrex Europe Limited, Embrex France s.a.s., Embrex Iberica, Embrex Poultry Health, LLC, Embrex BioTech Trade (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Inovoject® do Brasil Ltda., Embrex de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. and Vaccination Services, S. de R.L. de C.V. (collectively, the “Company”). All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. Currently, international operations account for approximately 37% of the Company’s revenues.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash and cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

The Company maintains deposits of restricted cash for VAT import duties and a company credit card.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, and current liabilities approximate fair values at December 31, 2005 and 2004 due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt approximates fair values at December 31, 2005 and 2004 because it is variable-rate debt.

Inventories

Items recorded as inventory are generally purchased from others and recorded at the lower of cost or market using the average cost method or standard cost method. Materials and supplies inventories include spare parts for the Company’s devices as well as laboratory and general supplies. Product inventories consist of biological compounds, principally vaccines based on the Company’s AAC technology, Bursaplex® and Newplex™. To date, the Company has not experienced any material inventory obsolescence. However, based on a percentage of the current product and device parts inventory levels, the Company has established a reserve against future device parts obsolescence due to technological improvements and limited shelf life of product inventories. The percentage used to calculate

 

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the reserve is based on a historical percentage rate adjusted for anticipated technological advances on devices and shelf life of existing vaccine product inventories. The consolidated balance reserved for product and parts obsolescence as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 was $0.3 million for both years..

Devices

Devices are comprised of egg injection and related equipment, including the Inovoject® system, Egg Remover® system and Vaccine Saver® option, available for lease to customers. The equipment is recorded at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value. Depreciation is computed principally by using straight-line methods over the estimated useful lives of the equipment and commences after construction is complete and the equipment is placed in service. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred to cost of revenue and material betterments are capitalized as Devices in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Plant and Equipment

Plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed principally by using straight-line methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets placed in service, generally three to seven years. The Company’s total depreciation expense for 2005, 2004 and 2003 including devices, plant and equipment was $6.3 million, $5.7 million and $5.2 million, respectively. Plant and equipment, at cost, consist of (in thousands):

 

     At December 31,  
     2005     2004  

Plant and equipment

    

Office Buildings

   $ 122     $ —    

Manufacturing buildings and equipment

     1,310       745  

Construction in progress

     13,225       12,063  

Leasehold improvements

     5,613       5,529  

Furniture, office and lab equipment, other

     9,164       8,542  

Vehicles

     2,435       2,074  
                

Total Plant and equipment

   $ 31,869     $ 28,953  

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (11,371 )     (9,704 )
                

Net Plant and equipment

   $ 20,498     $ 19,249  
                

Intangible Assets

The Company capitalizes legal costs incurred in conjunction with the application for and filing of U.S. patents on internally developed technology, as well as the costs incurred to acquire exclusive licenses of U.S. patents. Exclusive license agreements are amortized over the period of the license, and patents are amortized over the shorter of the useful or legal life of the patent. In some cases, patent infringement lawsuit expenses are capitalized and then amortized using the straight-line method upon successful defense and over the remaining life of the related patent. Trademarks and goodwill are not amortized, but analyzed for impairment annually. During 2005, approximately $1.2 million of expenses related to patent infringement lawsuits were capitalized. As of December 31, 2005, an aggregate of $2.0 million of legal expenses related to patent infringement lawsuits currently pending were capitalized. If the lawsuits covered by these expenses are not resolved in the Company’s favor, either via settlement or judgment by the applicable court, the capitalized cost will be expensed at the earlier of the time of resolution or when the Company’s legal counsel determines that the lawsuits will not be resolved in the Company’s favor. In addition, capitalized costs incurred to obtain patents on internally developed technology would be expensed at the time the Company decides to abandon a patent application or a patent is denied. The Company’s total amortization expense of intangible assets for 2005, 2004 and 2003 was $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The Company estimates amortization of intangible assets will be approximately $0.2 million per year over the next five years based on current asset values and remaining lives. Net intangible assets consist of (in thousands):

 

     At December 31,
     2005    2004

Intangible assets

     

Patents and exclusive patent licenses

   $ 4,583    $ 3,189

Goodwill

     587      655

Trademarks

     163      140

Other intangibles

     38      41
             

Net intangible assets

   $ 5,371    $ 4,025
             

 

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Foreign Currency Translation

All assets and liabilities in the balance sheets of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, Embrex Europe Limited, Embrex France s.a.s., Embrex Iberica, Embrex BioTech Trade (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Inovoject do Brasil Ltda., Embrex de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. and Vaccination Services, S. de R.L. de C.V. are translated at year-end exchange rates except shareholders’ equity and any related balance sheet accounts, which are translated at historical rates. Revenues, costs and expenses are recorded at average rates of exchange during the year. Translation gains and losses are accumulated as a component of shareholders’ equity. Recognized foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in determining net income in the other income/ (expense) line item on the consolidated statements of operations.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues for devices subject to lease agreements are recognized based on eggs processed during the period in accordance with lease terms. Device and product sales are recognized upon delivery, which is when title passes to the customer. Contract research revenue is recognized as services are performed or as milestones are met over the term of the contract. Grant revenue is recognized when expenses related to the specific grants are incurred. Revenue received, but not yet earned, is classified as deferred revenue. The revenue section of the consolidated statements of operations divides revenues into three sections: device revenues, which include revenues derived from a combination of the Company’s devices such as Inovoject® system lease fees, Inovoject® system sales, Egg Remover® fees, Egg Remover® sales, Vaccine Saver® fees, Vaccine Saver® sales and Inovoject® system distributor royalties; product sales, all or most of which is derived from sales of Bursaplex®, the Company’s in ovo IBD vaccine; and other revenues, which include revenues derived from contract research and development, grant sources and other minor products.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue includes costs associated with servicing the Company’s Inovoject® systems and other devices around the world. These costs include replacement parts, labor, travel, depreciation, property taxes and related shipping costs. Cost of revenue also includes the costs associated with sales of products and devices.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs, including costs incurred to complete contract research, are charged to operations when incurred and are included in operating expenses.

Advertising Expenses

Advertising expenses include costs associated with creating and printing marketing materials along with the cost of trade shows and other marketing materials needed for these events. The Company has incurred $0.2 million for these activities for each of the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS 109”). SFAS 109 requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary basis differences that have arisen between financial statement and income tax reporting.

 

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Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted net income per share is based on the average number of shares used for the basic net income per share calculation, adjusted for the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units.

Use of Estimates

The presentation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Principal Customers

Tyson Foods, Inc. (“Tyson”) accounted for approximately 17%, 18% and 20% of consolidated 2005, 2004 and 2003 revenues, respectively. Pilgrim’s Pride Inc. (“Pilgrim’s”) accounted for approximately 11%, 12% and 12% of consolidated 2005, 2004 and 2003 revenues, respectively. In 2005, 2004 and 2003, Tyson and Pilgrim’s were the only customers that represented greater than 10% of total revenues.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company’s principal financial instrument, subject to potential concentration of credit risk, is accounts receivable, which is unsecured. As of December 31, 2005, both Pilgrim’s and Tyson accounted for 11% of consolidated accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2004, Pilgrim’s and Tyson’s accounted for 15% and 11% of consolidated accounts receivable, respectively. Substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivable is due from companies in the poultry industry.

Sources of Supply

General

Embrex currently outsources the production of all of its mechanical and vaccine products, with the exception of the Vaccine Saver® option, and expects to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The Company believes that alternative sources of manufacture and supply generally exist. The Company signed a purchase commitment in January 2004 that will require the Company to purchase minimum amounts of bursal disease antibody (“BDA”) over the three-year term of the contract. The Company produced its Inovocox™ vaccine in-house at the Embrex Poultry Health manufacturing facility in 2005 for USDA registration field trials.

Inovoject® System, Egg Remover® System and Vaccine Saver® Option

Embrex’s in-house engineering staff designs the Inovoject® system, Vaccine Saver® option and Egg Remover® system, which incorporate proprietary mechanical, pneumatic and electronic sub-systems and concepts. The Company uses one contract manufacturer, Precision Automation Company, Inc., to fabricate its Inovoject® systems and Egg Remover® systems. While other machine fabricators exist and have constructed limited numbers of these devices, a change in fabricators could cause a delay in manufacturing and a possible delay in the timing of future Inovoject® and Egg Remover® system installations and revenues from those installations. The Vaccine Saver® option is assembled in the manufacturing area at the Company’s corporate headquarters from components that are sourced from multiple vendors.

 

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AAC (Antigen-Antibody Complex) Vaccines

Since 1993, Charles River Laboratories, Inc., through its SPAFAS Avian Products Services Division (“SPAFAS”), has supplied Embrex with the BDA component for Bursaplex® vaccine. In January 2004, Embrex signed a new agreement with SPAFAS under which SPAFAS will continue to supply the Company’s requirements for BDA through 2006. In connection with this agreement, Embrex seeks to maintain appropriate inventory levels and places orders with SPAFAS to allow Embrex to satisfy anticipated customer demand for the Bursaplex® vaccine. The regulatory approval granted by the USDA for Bursaplex® vaccine in 1997 specifically covers vaccines produced with SPAFAS-manufactured BDA. Additional agreements covering the Company’s needs for Newcastle disease antibody (“NDA”) for the Company’s Newplex™ vaccine for the next four years are in negotiation with SPAFAS.

The Company has a non-exclusive manufacturing agreement with Merial Select, Inc. (“Select”) (a Merck and Sanofi-Aventis company) under which Select manufactures, in the United States, the Company’s Bursaplex® vaccine, an IBD virus-antibody complex vaccine, for Embrex to market worldwide. Abic Ltd. (“Abic”) has been granted similar rights to manufacture and market an IBD AAC vaccine, known as GuMBryo™, in Israel. The Company has also granted Lohmann Animal Health International (“LAHI”) non-exclusive rights to manufacture, in the United States, the Company’s Newcastle vaccine, Newplex™, based on Embrex’s AAC technology. The manufacture of vaccines by Select, Abic and LAHI, along with the manufacture of specific vaccine antibodies by SPAFAS, generally must be performed in licensed facilities or under approved regulatory methods. Although there are other manufacturers who should be capable of manufacturing Bursaplex®, Newplex™ and the related BDA and NDA components, a change of supplier for the Company could adversely affect Embrex’s future operating results due to the time it would take a new supplier to obtain regulatory approval of its production process or manufacturing facilities. The Company seeks to minimize this exposure through multi-year supply agreements and the maintenance of adequate inventories.

Comprehensive Income

SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (“SFAS 130”), establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements. In accordance with SFAS 130, the Company has determined total comprehensive income net of tax to be $3.1 million, $3.8 million and $8.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The Company’s total comprehensive income represents net income plus the after-tax effect of foreign currency translation adjustments for the years presented as summarized below (in thousands):

 

     2005    2004    2003

Net Income

   $ 2,947    $ 3,313    $ 7,611

Currency translation adjustment

     153      518      951
                    

Comprehensive income

   $ 3,100    $ 3,831    $ 8,562
                    

Segments

The Company operates in a single segment. The table below presents the Company’s operations by geographic area (in thousands):

 

     2005    2004    2003

U.S. Revenue:

        

Device Revenues

   $ 32,701    $ 31,812    $ 30,760

Product Sales

     —        11      25

Other Revenues

     563      421      507
                    

Total United States Revenues

     33,264      32,244      31,292

International Revenue:

        

Device Revenues

     16,041      14,345      12,698

Product Sales

     3,167      2,026      1,945

Other Revenues

     120      102      90
                    

Total International Revenues

     19,328      16,473      14,733

Total Consolidated Revenues

   $ 52,592    $ 48,717    $ 46,025
                    

Assets:

        

United States

   $ 51,885    $ 48,613    $ 48,770

International

     15,589      13,967      10,947
                    

Total Assets

   $ 67,474    $ 62,580    $ 59,717
                    

Depreciation and Amortization Expense:

        

United States

   $ 3,914    $ 3,620    $ 3,226

International

     2,549      2,259      2,094
                    

Total Depreciation and Amortization Expense

   $ 6,463    $ 5,879    $ 5,320
                    

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s stock plans (the “Plans”) are designed to provide incentives to eligible employees, officers and directors in the form of awards of restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options, as well as the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Company accounts for the Plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”), and related interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income with respect to options granted under the Plans, as all options granted under the Plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Net income does reflect the compensation cost of restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards granted, which are amortized over the respective vesting periods for such awards. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure” (“SFAS 148”), for all awards granted (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  

Net income, as reported

   $ 2,947     $ 3,313     $ 7,611  

Add: Non-cash stock-based compensation included in net income, net of related tax effects

     523       188       88  

Deduct: Total stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (1,224 )     (1,316 )     (1,503 )
                        

Pro forma net income

   $ 2,246     $ 2,185     $ 6,196  
                        

Earnings per share:

      

Basic—as reported

   $ 0.37     $ 0.42     $ 0.94  
                        

Basic—pro forma

   $ 0.28     $ 0.27     $ 0.76  
                        

Diluted—as reported

   $ 0.35     $ 0.40     $ 0.91  
                        

Diluted—pro forma

   $ 0.27     $ 0.26     $ 0.74  
                        

The Company computes fair value for purposes of SFAS 123 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted-average assumptions used in this model to estimate fair value and resulting values are as follows:

 

     Stock Option Plans     Employee Stock Purchase Plan  
     2005     2004     2003     2005     2004     2003  

Expected dividend yield

     0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %

Risk-free interest rate

     3.6 %     3.1 %     2.5 %     3.5 %     1.6 %     1.3 %

Expected volatility

     57.0 %     57.0 %     57.0 %     57.0 %     57.0 %     57.0 %

Expected life (in years)

     4.5       5.2       5.2       1.0       1.0       0.9  

Weighted-average fair value per share

   $ 5.70     $ 6.19     $ 4.91     $ 4.31     $ 4.62     $ 4.95  

 

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The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the awards granted under the Plans.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”). SFAS 123(R), a revision of SFAS 123, supersedes APB 25 and amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. SFAS 123(R) is effective for the beginning of the first interim or annual period beginning after December 31, 2005. Therefore, the Company adopted SFAS 123(R) on January 1, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the two fair value pricing methods permitted by SFAS 123(R) and has not selected a final fair value pricing model nor determined the impact such model will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs” (“SFAS 151”). SFAS 151 amends the guidance in Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing,” to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material (spoilage). SFAS 151 requires that those items be recognized as current period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal.” In addition, SFAS 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The adoption of SFAS 151 is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company.

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” (“SFAS 154”), which replaces APB Opinion No. 20, “Accounting Changes” (“APB 20”), and FASB Statement No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements.” SFAS 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle and modifies the requirements for accounting for and reporting a change in accounting principle. SFAS 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of a voluntary change in accounting principle unless it is impracticable. SFAS 154 requires that a change in method of depreciation, amortization or depletion for long-lived, non-financial assets be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate that is affected by a change in accounting principle. APB 20 previously required that such a change be reported as a change in accounting principle. The adoption of SFAS 154 is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company.

2. LEASES

At December 31, 2005, the Company had approximately $42 thousand of assets financed by capital lease agreements. At December 31, 2004, the Company had approximately $20 thousand of assets financed by capital lease agreements.

The Company leases its facilities under a number of operating leases extending through November 2007. The Company has the option to cancel one of its operating lease agreements with the payment of a $0.2 million penalty. Total rent expense was $1.1 million, $1.0 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The lease on the Company’s corporate headquarters had an initial six-year term expiring in 2005 with annual rent increases of approximately 3% and an additional six-year optional renewal term with annual rent

 

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increases of approximately 4%. In October 2004, the Company exercised its option to extend the lease for the first two years of the six-year optional renewal term. In addition, the lease at Embrex’s research facility has a 10-year term expiring in November 2007, with a five-year renewal option and annual increases of approximately 3% through the first 10 years and approximately 4% during the five-year renewal term.

At December 31, 2005, the Company’s minimum future commitments under operating leases were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Operating Leases

2006

   $ 962

2007

     927

2008

     669

2009

     501

Thereafter

     6
      

Total

   $ 3,065
      

3. DEBT

The Company obtained a $9.0 million construction/term loan from its bank, Branch Banking and Trust Company (“BB&T”), in August 2003, to be used for construction and equipping of Embrex Poultry Health, LLC, the Company’s Inovocox™ vaccine manufacturing facility located in Scotland County, North Carolina. The interest rate of the loan is based on the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.65%, which was 5.96% as of December 31, 2005. The loan has a term of 138 months or 11.5 years with payments of interest only for the first 18 months. Principal repayment on the loan began in March 2005 at the end of the interest only period, and equal monthly installments of principal plus interest are payable over the remainder of the loan term. At December 31, 2005, $8.6 million of the construction/term loan was outstanding.

Interest costs of $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $0.1 million related to the term loan for construction of the Embrex Poultry Health manufacturing facility are not reflected in the interest expense totals for 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. These amounts are being capitalized as part of the construction cost of the facility. Depreciation of the capitalized interest costs will begin when the related assets are placed in service.

4. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

At December 31, 2005, the Company had reserved a total of 2,353,994 shares of its Common Stock for future issuance as follows:

 

For exercise of Common Stock options, for possible awards of Common Stock, and for possible settlement of Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights in Common Stock, in each case, to employees and others under the Company’s Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan

   2,098,410

For possible future issuance to employees and others under employee stock purchase plans.

   255,584
    

Total reserved

   2,353,994
    

At December 31, 2005, the Company had no issued and outstanding warrants to purchase Common Stock.

In August 2002, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program (the “2002 Repurchase Program”) to purchase up to 6% of outstanding shares of Common Stock, or up to approximately 500,000 shares over 17 months, in open market or privately negotiated transactions. In November 2003, the Board of Directors extended the term of the 2002 Repurchase Program to June 30, 2004. During 2002, the Company purchased 66,500 shares of its Common Stock for $0.8 million at an average price of $11.88 per share. During

 

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2003, the Company purchased 147,400 shares of its Common Stock for $1.3 million at an average price of $9.11 per share. During the first half of 2004, the Company purchased 241,200 shares of its Common Stock for $2.9 million at an average price of $12.20 per share under the 2002 Repurchase Program. During the entire term of the 2002 Repurchase Program, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 455,100 shares of Common Stock for $5.1 million at an average price of $11.15 per share.

In May 2004, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program (the “2004 Repurchase Program”) to purchase up to 500,000 of outstanding shares of Common Stock through December 2005, in open market or privately negotiated transactions on or after July 1, 2004. During the second half of 2004, the Company purchased 44,350 shares of its Common Stock for $0.6 million at an average price of $12.84 per share under the 2004 Repurchase Program. The Company made no share repurchases during 2005.

The Company has purchased a total of 1,674,666 shares for $19.8 million at an average price of $11.83 per share under all repurchase programs to date.

5. STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company’s Plans are designed to provide incentives to eligible employees, officers and directors in the form of awards of stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options. As of December 31, 2005, a total of 2,098,410 shares of Common Stock have been reserved for future issuance under the Plans. Of this amount, 507,582 shares are available for future stock-based awards.

During the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, the Company made aggregate stock awards of 114,940, 48,400 and 51,500 shares of Common Stock, respectively. The stock awards issued during the year ended December 31, 2005 were subject to a four-year vesting schedule. Previous stock awards were fully vested on the date of grant as they were granted in lieu of a cash bonus. The compensation expense recognized in connection with stock awards was $0.7 million, $0.3 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. As of December 31, 2005, the amount of unamortized compensation expense related to stock awards was $1.3 million.

Stock options generally vest and become exercisable over a four-year period and expire 10 years from the date of grant. In general, the exercise price of stock options is the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant.

Stock option activity with respect to all of the Plans follows:

 

     Options
Outstanding
    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

Balance at December 31, 2002

   1,594,759     $ 11.31

Granted

   209,735       9.69

Exercised

   (52,845 )     5.85

Canceled

   (57,348 )     14.33
        

Balance at December 31, 2003

   1,694,301       11.21

Granted

   193,075       13.09

Exercised

   (70,146 )     7.10

Canceled

   (44,298 )     14.25
        

Balance at December 31, 2004

   1,772,932       11.50

Granted

   2,000       11.57

Exercised

   (151,594 )     6.86

Canceled

   (32,510 )     14.80
        

Balance at December 31, 2005

   1,590,828     $ 11.88
            

 

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The Company’s exercisable stock options as of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 were 1,324,922, 1,269,778 and 1,091,678, respectively.

Selected information regarding stock options as of December 31, 2005 follows:

 

     Options Outstanding    Options Currently Exercisable

Exercise Price

   Number
Outstanding
  

Weighted-Average
Remaining

Contractual Life
(yrs.)

  

Weighted-Average
Exercise

Price

   Number
Exercisable
   Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

$  4.84  – $  6.88

   401,683    2.0    $ 5.79    401,683    $ 5.79

$  7.00  – $11.80

   402,597    5.4    $ 10.08    314,282    $ 10.17

$13.00 – $15.63

   476,805    6.3    $ 14.62    361,856    $ 15.10

$15.94 – $17.99

   309,743    6.1    $ 17.90    247,101    $ 17.87
                  
   1,590,828    4.9    $ 11.88    1,324,922    $ 11.63
                  

6. EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

The Company maintains an Employee Stock Purchase Plan for its U.S.-based employees (the “U.S. Purchase Plan”) and a similar plan for some of its employees outside the U.S. (the “Non-U.S. Purchase Plan,” and together with the U.S. Purchase Plan, the “Purchase Plans”) to provide an additional opportunity for the Company’s employees to share in the ownership of the Company. Under terms of each of the Purchase Plans, all regular full-time employees of the Company (or the Company’s subsidiaries) may make voluntary payroll contributions thereby enabling them to purchase Common Stock. Contributions are limited to 20% of an employee’s compensation. As of December 31, 2005, the number of shares that may be issued under the Purchase Plans together shall not exceed 500,000. Of this amount, 255,584 shares are available for future purchases. The purchase price of the stock is the lesser of 85% of the fair market value on the first business day of the plan year, which runs from July 1 in one year to June 30 in the succeeding year, or 85% of the fair market value on the date of exercise, which can occur at any time during the plan year, as determined by each participating employee.

Under the Purchase Plans, there were 36,584, 37,429 and 31,007 shares of Common Stock purchased during 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

7. 401(k) RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN

The Company has a 401(k) Plan that is available to all U.S.-based employees who are at least 18 years of age. Employer contributions are voluntary at the discretion of the Company.

Historically, under its 401(k) Plan, Embrex has based participant and employer contributions on participants’ salary. In the third quarter of 2005, the Company discovered that the 401(k) Plan documents prepared by its third party administrator provide (and the Company believes incorrectly) that other elements of compensation be included when determining the appropriate contributions. The Company’s intent always has been that contributions be based only on base salary. The Company intends to seek approval to conform the 401(k) Plan document retroactively to its intent and practice. Should this relief not be granted, the Company believes it would be required to make additional contributions to the 401(k) Plan for participants who had not already reached the maximum contribution. The Company is unable to estimate at this time the amount of additional contributions that potentially could be required and for what time periods.

Company contributions to the 401(k) Plan amounted to $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, and $0.4 million for each year ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

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8. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s income before income taxes separated by those operations subject to foreign and United States tax jurisdictions for years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 are listed as follows (in thousands):

 

     2005    2004     2003

Total income before taxes for operations subject to foreign tax jurisdictions:

   $ 617    $ (287 )   $ 2,903

Total income before taxes for operations subject to United States tax jurisdiction:

     3,386      4,778       5,481
                     

Income before taxes

   $ 4,003    $ 4,491     $ 8,384
                     

The components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     2005     2004     2003  

Current:

      

Federal

   $ (434 )   $ (450 )   $ 2,297  

State

     67       121       251  

Foreign

     962       539       548  
                        

Total Current

     595       210       3,096  

Deferred

     461       968       (2,323 )
                        

Total

   $ 1,056     $ 1,178     $ 773  
                        

The Company’s consolidated effective tax rate differed from the statutory rate as set forth below for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 as follows (in thousands):

 

     2005     2004     2003  

Federal taxes at statutory rate

   $ 1,361     $ 1,527     $ 2,850  

State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit

     77       173       222  

Non-deductible expenses and credits

     89       (40 )     (220 )

Extra-territorial income exclusion benefit

     (735 )     (587 )     -0-  

Other

     (235 )     (628 )     (143 )

Foreign losses for which no benefit has been recognized/foreign earnings offset by foreign net operating losses

     75       103       (809 )

Change in valuation allowance

     156       231       (1,675 )

Foreign taxes

     268       399       548  
                        
   $ 1,056     $ 1,178     $ 773  
                        

Deferred income taxes reflect the net effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The tax effects of temporary differences and carry-forwards that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     At December 31,  
     2005     2004  

Deferred tax assets (liabilities):

    

Book under tax depreciation and amortization

   $ (1,509 )   $ (1,665 )

Patent costs

     (1,212 )     (681 )

Research and experimental tax credit carry-forwards

     3,302       3,524  

Accrued liabilities and reserves

     1,329       737  

Foreign net operating loss carry-forwards

     323       370  

Alternative minimum tax credit carry-forward

     234       426  
                

Total deferred tax assets

     2,467       2,711  

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

     (1,273 )     (1,056 )
                

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 1,194     $ 1,655  
                

 

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During 2005, 2004 and 2003, the valuation allowance (increased)/decreased by ($0.2 million), ($0.2 million) and $1.7 million, respectively.

In addition, the Company has research and experimental tax credit carry-forwards totaling approximately $3.3 million, which are available to offset future federal income taxes. These credits expire during the years 2006 through 2023.

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company has certain contractual obligations due to mortgage financing of the Inovocox manufacturing facility, capital leases, operating leases related to office and storage space rentals and purchase obligations related to the manufacturing of devices, serum and vaccines and the purchase of other miscellaneous supplies. The terms of these obligations vary from less than a year to 10 years. The total amount of these contractual obligations is $18.8 million. The amounts payable over the next five years are $7.5 million during 2006 and 2007, $3.3 million during 2008 and 2009 and $1.0 million during 2010.

The Company is engaged in certain legal and administrative proceedings incidental to its normal business activities. While it is not possible to determine the ultimate outcome of those actions, in the opinion of management after discussion with legal counsel, it is unlikely that the outcome of such litigation and other proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the results of the Company’s operations or its financial position, except that capitalized costs related to lawsuits could be expensed in future periods. See “Intangible Assets” under Note 1, “Significant Accounting Policies,” above.

The Company operates in multiple tax jurisdictions and significant judgment is required in determining its worldwide provision for income taxes. In the ordinary course of a global business, there are many transactions for which the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. Although the Company believes its approach to determining its various tax provisions is reasonable, no assurance can be given that the final outcome will not be materially different from that which is reflected in the Company’s historical income tax provision and accruals upon review by taxing authorities. The Company believes that adequate amounts of tax and related interest and penalties, if any, have been reserved for any adjustments that may result from years open to examination from taxing authorities. As of December 31, 2005, $0.9 million had been reserved. As of December 31, 2004, $1.5 million had been reserved.

10. NET INCOME PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     2005    2004    2003

Numerator:

        

Net income

   $ 2,947    $ 3,313    $ 7,611
                    

Denominator:

        

Denominator for basic net income per share—weighted-average

     8,007      7,954      8,119

Effect of Dilutive Securities:

        

Employee Stock Options

     301      365      245

Restricted Stock Grants

     45      24      5
                    

Dilutive Potential Shares

     346      389      250

Denominator for diluted net income per share — adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed option exercises

     8,353      8,343      8,369
                    

Basic net income per share

   $ 0.37    $ 0.42    $ 0.94
                    

Diluted net income per share

   $ 0.35    $ 0.40    $ 0.91
                    

 

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For the diluted net income per share denominator, 803, 803 and 919 shares underlying outstanding stock options were excluded from the calculation for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, because the exercise price of such options exceeded the average closing share price of the Company’s Common Stock during the applicable year and thus are non-dilutive.

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS BY QUARTERS (UNAUDITED)

The selected financial data below should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in this Item 8.

 

     2005    2004

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   1st Qtr    2nd Qtr    3rd Qtr    4th Qtr    1st Qtr    2nd Qtr    3rd Qtr    4th Qtr

Revenues

   $ 12,763    $ 13,018    $ 13,328    $ 13,483    $ 11,956    $ 11,727    $ 12,765    $ 12,269

Gross Profit

   $ 7,270    $ 7,531    $ 7,697    $ 7,760    $ 7,120    $ 6,953    $ 7,633    $ 6,864

Net income

   $ 610    $ 1,246    $ 660    $ 431    $ 1,109    $ 808    $ 770    $ 626
     2005    2004
     1st Qtr    2nd Qtr    3rd Qtr    4th Qtr    1st Qtr    2nd Qtr    3rd Qtr    4th Qtr

Net income per share

                       

Basic

   $ 0.08    $ 0.16    $ 0.08    $ 0.05    $ 0.14    $ 0.10    $ 0.10    $ 0.08

Diluted

   $ 0.07    $ 0.15    $ 0.08    $ 0.05    $ 0.13    $ 0.10    $ 0.09    $ 0.08

Weighted-average number of shares used in per share calculation

                       

Basic

     7,935      7,964      8,010      8,106      8,034      7,960      7,919      7,911

Diluted

     8,255      8,278      8,340      8,471      8,346      8,268      8,290      8,220

 

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

Not applicable.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to provide reasonable assurances that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Finance and Administration (the Company’s Chief Financial Officer), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurances of achieving the desired control objectives, as the Company’s are designed to do, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer believe, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in that they provide reasonable assurances that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We routinely review our internal control over financial reporting and from time to time make changes intended to enhance the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. As a result, the Company has made changes in its internal control over financial reporting which are summarized below. The Company made no changes in its internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

The 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

 

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(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.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005. In making its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management used the criteria issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on its assessment using those criteria, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2005, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting below.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Embrex, Inc.

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that Embrex, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Embrex, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

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 (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

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.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that Embrex, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, Embrex, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on the COSO criteria.

 

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We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Embrex, Inc. as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and shareholders’ equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005 of Embrex, Inc. and our report dated March 6, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina

March 6, 2006

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Information on the Company’s executive officers and directors is incorporated by reference from the sections captioned “Management” and “Proposal 1: Election of Directors” of the Company’s Proxy Statement with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2006 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Embrex has adopted a code of ethics applicable to its directors, officers (including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions) and employees. The Company makes its code of ethics available on the Company’s Internet website, www.embrex.com. The Company intends to post on its Internet website any amendments to, or waivers from, its code of ethics that apply to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, promptly following any such amendment or waiver.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

This information is incorporated by reference from the sections captioned “Executive Compensation,” “Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors,” “Compensation of Directors,” and “Comparison of Cumulative Total Return” of the Company’s Proxy Statement with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2006 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission

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

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2005 with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance.

 

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Plan Category

   Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
   Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
   Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in the first column (1))

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   1,590,828    $ 11.88    763,166

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   -0-      Not Applicable    -0-
                

Total

   1,590,828    $ 11.88    763,166
                

(1) The Company’s stock plans (the “Stock Plans”) are designed to provide incentives to eligible employees, officers and directors through grants in the form of awards of stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options. The Stock Plans provide for a maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued with respect to all such awards but do not reserve a portion of such maximum for particular types of awards. Thus, any award of one type of stock-based compensation will reduce the number of shares available for future grants with respect to the other types of stock-based compensation. The Company maintains an Employee Stock Purchase Plan for its U.S.-based employees (the “U.S. Purchase Plan”) and a similar plan for some of its employees outside the U.S. (the “Non-U.S. Purchase Plan,” and together with the U.S. Purchase Plan, the “Purchase Plans”) to provide an additional opportunity for the Company’s employees to share in the ownership of the Company. As of December 31, 2005, 507,582 shares of Common Stock remain available for future issuance with respect to stock-based compensation grants under the Stock Plans and 255,584 shares of Common Stock remain available for purchase under the Purchase Plans.

The remainder of the information required to be included under this Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the section captioned “Share Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners” of the Company’s Proxy Statement with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2006 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Not applicable.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

This information is incorporated by reference from the sections captioned “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees” and “Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditor” of the Company’s Proxy Statement with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2006 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)(1) The consolidated financial statements listed below are included in Item 8 of this report.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2005 and 2004

Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedule

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (appears following Signatures in this report)

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are not required under the related instructions, are included within the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2005, or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.

(a)(3) The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this report. Executive compensation plans and arrangements are listed in Exhibits 10.11 through 10.56.

 

Exhibit
Number
  

Description

3.1    Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 1992)
3.2    Articles of Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation, effective March 21, 1996 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996)
3.3    Articles of Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation, effective May 28, 1996 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 1996)
3.4    Amended and Restated Bylaws, effective September 21, 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months period ended September 30, 2000, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2000)
4.1    Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4
4.2    Specimen of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
4.3    Rights Agreement dated as of March 21, 1996 between Embrex and Branch Banking and Trust Company, as Rights Agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996)
4.4    Amendment to Rights Agreement dated as of January 6, 2003 between Embrex and Branch Banking and Trust Company, as Rights Agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Embrex’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 9, 2003)
10.1    Collaborative Research Agreement dated January 17, 1989 between Embrex and the University of Arkansas (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information that has been deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)

 

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10.2    License Agreement dated October 1, 1988 between Embrex and the National Technical Information Service, a primary operating unit of the United States Department of Commerce (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information that has been deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.3    Lease Agreement dated December 9, 1986 between Embrex, as tenant, and Imperial Center Partnership and Petula Associates, Ltd., as landlord, as amended by First Amendment dated June 11, 1987, Second Amendment dated December 1, 1988, and Third Amendment dated May 2, 1989 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.4    Lease for Royal Center II dated October 13, 1997 between the Company and Petula Associates, Ltd. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 1998)
10.5    Sublease Agreement dated October 1, 1999, between Embrex, as subtenant, and Wandel & Goltermann Technologies, Inc., as sublandlord (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2000)
10.6    First Amendment to Sublease Agreement dated February 29, 2000, among Wandel & Goltermann Technologies, Inc., Embrex and W & G Associates (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2000)
10.7    Subtenant Non-Disturbance and Substitute Lease Agreement dated January 16, 2004 between Embrex and W & G Associates, L.P. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2005)
10.8    First Amendment to Substitute Lease Agreement dated October 1, 2004 between Embrex and W & G Associates, L.P. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2005)
10.9    Unrestricted Grant Agreement dated November 1, 1986, between Embrex and North Carolina State University, as Amended by Amendment dated May 3, 1989, Amendment dated September 15, 1989, and Amendment dated April 22, 1991 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.10    Basic Research Agreement dated October 24, 1989, between Embrex and University of Arkansas, as amended on October 23, 1990, February 1, 1991 and July 22, 1991 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.11    1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan and form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.12    1991 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan and form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.13    Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan and forms of Stock Option Agreements – June 1993 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1993)
10.14    Amendment dated May 16, 1996 to Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – June 1993 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 1996)

 

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10.15    Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – May 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-56279), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 8, 1998)
10.16    Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – January 1999 and form of Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 1999)
10.17    Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – July 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-42676), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2000)
10.18    Amendment dated May 16, 2002 to Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – July 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2002)
10.19    Amendment dated July 18, 2002 to Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – July 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2002)
10.20    Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2003)
10.21    Form of Stock Option Agreement under Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2003)
10.22    Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Option Plan – February 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2005)
10.23    Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – February 2006
10.24    Form of Stock Appreciation Right Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Embrex’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2005)
10.25    Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Embrex’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2005)
10.26    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Employees (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Embrex’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2005)
10.27    Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan – November 1996 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
10.28    Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan – July 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-42676), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2000)
10.29    Amendment dated July 18, 2002 to Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan – July 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2002)

 

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10.30    Amendment dated May 15, 2003 to Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-105924), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2003)
10.31    Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan for Non-U.S. Employees – July 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-42676), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2000)
10.32    Amendment dated February 6, 2003 to Amended and Restated Non-U.S. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-105924), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2003)
10.33    Amendment dated May 15, 2003 to Amended and Restated Non-U.S. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-105924), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2003)
10.34    Employment Agreement dated November 15, 1989, between Embrex and Randall L. Marcuson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.35    Amendment to Employment Agreement dated May 21, 1996 between Embrex and Randall L. Marcuson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
10.36    Change In Control Severance Agreement dated May 21, 1996 between Embrex and Randall L. Marcuson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
10.37    Amendment to Change in Control Severance Agreement dated October 1, 1998 between Embrex and Randall L. Marcuson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999)
10.38    Employment Agreement dated October 16, 1989, between Embrex and Catherine A. Ricks (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.39    Change In Control Severance Agreement dated May 21, 1996 between Embrex and Catherine A. Ricks (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
10.40    Amendment to Change in Control Severance Agreement dated October 1, 1998 between Embrex and Catherine A. Ricks (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999)
10.41    Terms and Conditions of Employment between Embrex Europe Limited and David M. Baines dated May 12, 1994 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996)
10.42    Change In Control Severance Agreement dated June 9, 1996 between Embrex and David M. Baines (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
10.43    Amendment to Change in Control Severance Agreement dated October 1, 1998 between Embrex and David M. Baines (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999)
10.44    Letter Agreement and General Provisions to Employment Agreement dated August 20, 1996 between Embrex and Don T. Seaquist and Amendment to Employment Agreement dated September 9, 1996 between Embrex and Don T. Seaquist (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)

 

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10.45    Change In Control Severance Agreement dated September 9, 1996 between Embrex and Don T. Seaquist (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
10.46    Amendment to Change in Control Severance Agreement dated October 1, 1998 between Embrex and Don T. Seaquist (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999)
10.47    Letter Agreement and General Provisions to Employment Agreement dated February 3, 1999 between Embrex and Brian C. Hrudka (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999)
10.48    Change In Control Severance Agreement dated March 24, 1999 between Embrex and Brian C. Hrudka (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999)
10.49    Letter Agreement and General Provisions to Employment Agreement dated May 23, 1997 between Embrex and Joseph P. O’Dowd (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2003)
10.50    Amendment to Employment Agreement dated May 1, 2001 between Embrex and Joseph P. O’Dowd (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2003)
10.51    Change In Control Severance Agreement dated April 12, 2002 between Embrex and Joseph P. O’Dowd (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2003)
10.52    Amendment to Change in Control Agreement dated September 4, 2003 between Embrex and Joseph P. O’Dowd (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2003)
10.53    Indemnification Agreement among Embrex, Randall L. Marcuson, Charles E. Austin, C. Daniel Blackshear, Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M. Ph.D., Peter J. Holzer, Kenneth N. May, Ph.D., and Arthur M. Pappas dated as of April 1, 1999 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 1999)
10.54    Amendment to Indemnification Agreement among Embrex, John E. Klein and Walter V. Smiley dated as of May 17, 2001 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2002)
10.55    Amendment to Indemnification Agreement between Embrex and Ganesh M. Kishore dated as of January 14, 2002 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2002)
10.56    Amendment to Indemnification Agreement among Embrex, Inc. and David L. Castaldi dated as of January 13, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2003)
10.57    Agreement dated as of January 22, 1996 between Embrex and Merial Select, Inc., as successor to Select Laboratories, Inc. (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information that has been deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996)

 

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10.58    Letter Agreement dated as of January 22, 1996 between Merial Select, Inc., as successor to Select Laboratories, Inc., and Embrex (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996)
10.59    License dated as of January 22, 1996 granted by Merial Select, Inc., as successor to Select Laboratories, Inc., to Embrex (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information that has been deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996)
10.60    Loan Agreement between Embrex and Branch Banking and Trust Company dated as of April 7, 1999 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 1999)
10.61    License and Royalty Agreement between Embrex and Pfizer, Inc. and it Affiliates dated as of June 22, 2001 (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information that has been deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2001, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2001)
10.62    Credit Agreement between Embrex and Advanced Automation, Inc. dated as of April 1, 2001 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2001, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2001)
10.63    Term Loan and Security Agreement between Embrex and Advanced Automation, Inc. dated as of April 30, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2003)
10.64    Services Agreement between Embrex and Advanced Automation, Inc. dated as of April 30, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2003)
10.65    Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Agreement dated November 26, 2002 between Embrex and Lockwood Greene E&C, L.L.C. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.58 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2003)
10.66    Loan Agreement dated August 6, 2003 between Embrex and Branch Banking and Trust (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2003)
10.67    Promissory Note dated August 6, 2003 of Embrex payable to Branch Banking and Trust (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2003)
10.68    BDA Production and Supply Agreement dated January 29, 2004 between Embrex and Charles River Laboratories, Inc. (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information that has been deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2004)
21    Subsidiaries

 

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23    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, to the incorporation of their report dated March 6, 2006 with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Embrex, Inc. included in this Form 10-K and of their attestation report dated March 6, 2006, regarding management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Registration Nos. 333-18231 and 333-31811), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 1996 and July 22, 1997, respectively, and into the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Registration Nos. 33-51582, 33-63318, 333-04109, 333-56279, 333-42676, 333-91304 and 333-105924), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 1992, May 25, 1993, May 20, 1996, June 8, 1998, July 31, 2000, June 27, 2002, and June 6, 2003, respectively
24    Powers of Attorney (included in the signature page for this report)
31.1    Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2    Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
32.1    Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2    Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

 

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SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

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

 

  EMBREX, INC.
  By:  

/s/ Randall L. Marcuson

Date: March 8, 2006     Randall L. Marcuson
    President and Chief Executive Officer

We, the undersigned directors and officers of Embrex, Inc. (the “Company”), do hereby constitute and appoint Randall L. Marcuson and Don T. Seaquist, or either of them, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, to execute and deliver an Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”), with respect to the year ended December 31, 2005 (the “Report”), to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Act and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Report, including without limitation the power and authority to execute and deliver for us or any of us in our names and in the capacities indicated below any and all amendments to the Report; and we do hereby ratify and confirm all that the said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue of this power of attorney.

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

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Randall L. Marcuson

 

Randall L. Marcuson

  

President, Chief Executive Officer

and Director

 

March 8, 2006

/s/ Don T. Seaquist

 

Don T. Seaquist

  

Vice President, Finance and Administration

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

March 8, 2006

/s/ C. Daniel Blackshear

 

  

Director

 

March 8, 2006

C. Daniel Blackshear

    

/s/ David L. Castaldi

 

  

Director

 

March 8, 2006

David L. Castaldi

    

/s/ Peter J. Holzer

 

  

Director

 

March 8, 2006

Peter J. Holzer

    

/s/ Ganesh M. Kishore, Ph.D.

 

  

Director

 

March 8, 2006

Ganesh M. Kishore, Ph.D.

    

/s/ John E. Klein

 

  

Director

 

March 8, 2006

John E. Klein

    

 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

EMBREX, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

(In thousands)         ADDITIONS              

DESCRIPTION

   BALANCE AT
BEGINNING
OF PERIOD
   CHARGED TO
COSTS AND
EXPENSES
    CHARGED TO
OTHER
ACCOUNTS
    DEDUCTIONS     BALANCE AT
END OF
PERIOD
 

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005

           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 415    $ 24     (14 )   $ (94 )   $ 331  

Inventory valuation allowance

     296      120     (3 )     (126 )     287  

Warranty reserve

     136      38     (3 )     (21 )     150  

Amortization of intangible assets

     538      167     0       (23 )     682  

Valuation allowance for deferred tax asset

     1,056      156     61       0       1,273  

Employee fringe benefit plan (a)

     153      2,525     0       (2,482 )     196  

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004

           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 418    $ 45     0       (48 )     415  

Inventory valuation allowance

     298      103     0       (105 )     296  

Warranty reserve

     288      (122 )   0       (30 )     136  

Amortization of intangible assets

     410      185     12       (69 )     538  

Valuation allowance for deferred tax asset

     288      231     537       0       1,056 (b)

Employee fringe benefit plan (a)

     320      1,825     0       (1,992 )     153  

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 247    $ 182     0     $ (11 )   $ 418  

Inventory valuation allowance

     224      146     0       (72 )     298  

Warranty reserve

     270      18     0       0       288  

Amortization of intangible assets

     275      135     0       0       410  

Valuation allowance for deferred tax asset

     1,963      0     0       (1,675 )     288  

Employee fringe benefit plan (a)

     220      1,914     0       (1,814 )     320  

(a) The Company has established a reserve related to Embrex’s employee fringe benefit plan. The most significant component of the accrual is the amount reserved for the employee self-insured health plan. The amount of the reserve is based on management’s estimate of future employee health claims. The reserve covers expected short-term claims and is based on historical data adjusted for major events and anticipated changes in headcount or participation.
(b) Adjustment to record gross components of foreign deferred tax assets (fully reserved).

Charged To Other Accounts is primarily composed of foreign currency gains and losses.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

3.1    Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 1992)
3.2    Articles of Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation, effective March 21, 1996 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996)
3.3    Articles of Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation, effective May 28, 1996 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 1996)
3.4    Amended and Restated Bylaws, effective September 21, 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months period ended September 30, 2000, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2000)
4.1    Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4
4.2    Specimen of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
4.3    Rights Agreement dated as of March 21, 1996 between Embrex and Branch Banking and Trust Company, as Rights Agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996)
4.4    Amendment to Rights Agreement dated as of January 6, 2003 between Embrex and Branch Banking and Trust Company, as Rights Agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Embrex’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 9, 2003)
10.1    Collaborative Research Agreement dated January 17, 1989 between Embrex and the University of Arkansas (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information that has been deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.2    License Agreement dated October 1, 1988 between Embrex and the National Technical Information Service, a primary operating unit of the United States Department of Commerce (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information that has been deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.3    Lease Agreement dated December 9, 1986 between Embrex, as tenant, and Imperial Center Partnership and Petula Associates, Ltd., as landlord, as amended by First Amendment dated June 11, 1987, Second Amendment dated December 1, 1988, and Third Amendment dated May 2, 1989 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.4    Lease for Royal Center II dated October 13, 1997 between the Company and Petula Associates, Ltd. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 1998)
10.5    Sublease Agreement dated October 1, 1999, between Embrex, as subtenant, and Wandel & Goltermann Technologies, Inc., as sublandlord (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2000)

 

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10.6    First Amendment to Sublease Agreement dated February 29, 2000, among Wandel & Goltermann Technologies, Inc., Embrex and W & G Associates (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2000)
10.7    Subtenant Non-Disturbance and Substitute Lease Agreement dated January 16, 2004 between Embrex and W & G Associates, L.P. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2005)
10.8    First Amendment to Substitute Lease Agreement dated October 1, 2004 between Embrex and W & G Associates, L.P. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2005)
10.9    Unrestricted Grant Agreement dated November 1, 1986, between Embrex and North Carolina State University, as Amended by Amendment dated May 3, 1989, Amendment dated September 15, 1989, and Amendment dated April 22, 1991 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.10    Basic Research Agreement dated October 24, 1989, between Embrex and University of Arkansas, as amended on October 23, 1990, February 1, 1991 and July 22, 1991 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.11    1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan and form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.12    1991 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan and form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.13    Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan and forms of Stock Option Agreements – June 1993 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1993)
10.14    Amendment dated May 16, 1996 to Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – June 1993 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 1996)
10.15    Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – May 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-56279), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 8, 1998)
10.16    Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – January 1999 and form of Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 1999)
10.17    Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – July 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-42676), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2000)
10.18    Amendment dated May 16, 2002 to Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – July 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2002)

 

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10.19    Amendment dated July 18, 2002 to Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – July 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2002)
10.20    Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2003)
10.21    Form of Stock Option Agreement under Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2003)
10.22    Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Option Plan – February 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2005)
10.23    Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan – February 2006
10.24    Form of Stock Appreciation Right Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Embrex’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2005)
10.25    Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Embrex’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2005)
10.26    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Employees (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Embrex’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2005)
10.27    Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan – November 1996 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
10.28    Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan – July 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-42676), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2000)
10.29    Amendment dated July 18, 2002 to Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan – July 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2002)
10.30    Amendment dated May 15, 2003 to Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-105924), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2003)
10.31    Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan for Non-U.S. Employees – July 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-42676), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2000)
10.32    Amendment dated February 6, 2003 to Amended and Restated Non-U.S. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-105924), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2003)
10.33    Amendment dated May 15, 2003 to Amended and Restated Non-U.S. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-105924), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2003)

 

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10.34    Employment Agreement dated November 15, 1989, between Embrex and Randall L. Marcuson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.35    Amendment to Employment Agreement dated May 21, 1996 between Embrex and Randall L. Marcuson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
10.36    Change In Control Severance Agreement dated May 21, 1996 between Embrex and Randall L. Marcuson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
10.37    Amendment to Change in Control Severance Agreement dated October 1, 1998 between Embrex and Randall L. Marcuson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999)
10.38    Employment Agreement dated October 16, 1989, between Embrex and Catherine A. Ricks (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Embrex’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-42482), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1991)
10.39    Change In Control Severance Agreement dated May 21, 1996 between Embrex and Catherine A. Ricks (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
10.40    Amendment to Change in Control Severance Agreement dated October 1, 1998 between Embrex and Catherine A. Ricks (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999)
10.41    Terms and Conditions of Employment between Embrex Europe Limited and David M. Baines dated May 12, 1994 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996)
10.42    Change In Control Severance Agreement dated June 9, 1996 between Embrex and David M. Baines (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
10.43    Amendment to Change in Control Severance Agreement dated October 1, 1998 between Embrex and David M. Baines (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999)
10.44    Letter Agreement and General Provisions to Employment Agreement dated August 20, 1996 between Embrex and Don T. Seaquist and Amendment to Employment Agreement dated September 9, 1996 between Embrex and Don T. Seaquist (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
10.45    Change In Control Severance Agreement dated September 9, 1996 between Embrex and Don T. Seaquist (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997)
10.46    Amendment to Change in Control Severance Agreement dated October 1, 1998 between Embrex and Don T. Seaquist (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999)
10.47    Letter Agreement and General Provisions to Employment Agreement dated February 3, 1999 between Embrex and Brian C. Hrudka (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999)
10.48    Change In Control Severance Agreement dated March 24, 1999 between Embrex and Brian C. Hrudka (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999)

 

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10.49    Letter Agreement and General Provisions to Employment Agreement dated May 23, 1997 between Embrex and Joseph P. O’Dowd (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2003)
10.50    Amendment to Employment Agreement dated May 1, 2001 between Embrex and Joseph P. O’Dowd (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2003)
10.51    Change In Control Severance Agreement dated April 12, 2002 between Embrex and Joseph P. O’Dowd (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2003)
10.52    Amendment to Change in Control Agreement dated September 4, 2003 between Embrex and Joseph P. O’Dowd (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2003)
10.53    Indemnification Agreement among Embrex, Randall L. Marcuson, Charles E. Austin, C. Daniel Blackshear, Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M. Ph.D., Peter J. Holzer, Kenneth N. May, Ph.D., and Arthur M. Pappas dated as of April 1, 1999 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 1999)
10.54    Amendment to Indemnification Agreement among Embrex, John E. Klein and Walter V. Smiley dated as of May 17, 2001 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2002)
10.55    Amendment to Indemnification Agreement between Embrex and Ganesh M. Kishore dated as of January 14, 2002 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2002)
10.56    Amendment to Indemnification Agreement among Embrex, Inc. and David L. Castaldi dated as of January 13, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2003)
10.57    Agreement dated as of January 22, 1996 between Embrex and Merial Select, Inc., as successor to Select Laboratories, Inc. (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information that has been deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996)
10.58    Letter Agreement dated as of January 22, 1996 between Merial Select, Inc., as successor to Select Laboratories, Inc., and Embrex (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996)
10.59    License dated as of January 22, 1996 granted by Merial Select, Inc., as successor to Select Laboratories, Inc., to Embrex (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information that has been deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996)
10.60    Loan Agreement between Embrex and Branch Banking and Trust Company dated as of April 7, 1999 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 1999)
10.61    License and Royalty Agreement between Embrex and Pfizer, Inc. and it Affiliates dated as of June 22, 2001 (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information that has been deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2001, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2001)

 

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10.62    Credit Agreement between Embrex and Advanced Automation, Inc. dated as of April 1, 2001 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2001, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2001)
10.63    Term Loan and Security Agreement between Embrex and Advanced Automation, Inc. dated as of April 30, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2003)
10.64    Services Agreement between Embrex and Advanced Automation, Inc. dated as of April 30, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2003)
10.65    Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Agreement dated November 26, 2002 between Embrex and Lockwood Greene E&C, L.L.C. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.58 to Embrex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2003)
10.66    Loan Agreement dated August 6, 2003 between Embrex and Branch Banking and Trust (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2003)
10.67    Promissory Note dated August 6, 2003 of Embrex payable to Branch Banking and Trust (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2003)
10.68    BDA Production and Supply Agreement dated January 29, 2004 between Embrex and Charles River Laboratories, Inc. (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information that has been deleted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Embrex’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2004)
21    Subsidiaries
23    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, to the incorporation of their report dated March 6, 2006 with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Embrex, Inc. included in this Form 10-K and of their attestation report dated March 6, 2006, regarding management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Registration Nos. 333-18231 and 333-31811), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 1996 and July 22, 1997, respectively, and into the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Registration Nos. 33-51582, 33-63318, 333-04109, 333-56279, 333-42676, 333-91304 and 333-105924), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 1992, May 25, 1993, May 20, 1996, June 8, 1998, July 31, 2000, June 27, 2002, and June 6, 2003, respectively
24    Powers of Attorney (included in the signature page for this report)
31.1    Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2    Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
32.1    Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2    Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

 

66

EX-10.23 2 dex1023.htm AMENDED AND RESTATED INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AND NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan

EXHIBIT 10.23

EMBREX, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED

INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION

AND NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

(Re-adopted May 16, 2002 and most recently amended and restated February 6, 2006)

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”) is to provide a special incentive to selected individuals (“Participants”) who have made significant contributions to the business of Embrex, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”). The Plan is designed to accomplish this purpose by offering such individuals an opportunity to acquire shares of the Common Stock of the Company so that they will share in the Company’s future growth and success. Options, stock awards, Restricted Stock Units and Stock Appreciation Rights may be awarded under this Plan and are collectively referred to herein as “awards.”

2. Administration and Types of Awards

(a) Administration. The Plan shall be administered by a Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) to be established by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). To the extent that the Board determines it to be desirable to qualify awards granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3 under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), the Compensation Committee shall consist, as applicable, of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) or two or more “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3. The Committee shall have authority, consistent with the Plan,

(1) to grant awards pursuant to this Plan;

(2) to determine which individuals shall be granted awards;

(3) to determine the time or times when awards shall be granted and the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to each award;

(4) to determine the type of award, including the type of option, to be granted pursuant to this Plan;

(5) to determine the price of the shares subject to each award and the method of payment of such price, as applicable;


(6) to determine the time or times when each award becomes exercisable and the duration of the exercise period, as applicable;

(7) to prescribe the form or forms of the instruments evidencing any awards granted under the Plan and of any other instruments required under the Plan and to change such forms from time to time;

(8) to adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan and awards granted hereunder and for its own acts and proceedings; and

(9) to decide all questions and settle all controversies and disputes which may arise in connection with the Plan. All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Committee shall be binding on all parties concerned.

(b) Types of Options. Pursuant to this Plan, the Company is authorized to grant two types of options: “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and nonstatutory stock options.

(c) Stock Awards. Pursuant to this Plan, the Company is authorized to award compensation in the form of stock awards. Stock awards shall be settled in shares of Common Stock of the Company.

(d) Restricted Stock Units. Pursuant to this Plan, the Company is authorized to grant Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units shall be settled in shares of Common Stock of the Company.

(e) Stock Appreciation Rights. Pursuant to this Plan, the Company is authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be settled in shares of Common Stock of the Company.

3. Participants

(a) Incentive Stock Options. Incentive stock options shall be granted only to Participants who are, at the time of grant, employees of the Company or of any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary. No Participant shall be granted any incentive stock option under the Plan who, at the time such option is granted, owns, directly or indirectly, Common Stock of the Company possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary, unless the requirements of paragraph (4)(ii) of Section 7(a) are satisfied. A Participant who has been granted an incentive stock option may, if he or she is otherwise eligible, be granted an additional option or options if the Board shall so determine.

(b) Nonstatutory Stock Options. Nonstatutory stock options may be granted to Participants who are, at the time of grant, employees, officers, directors, consultants or advisors of the Company or of any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary or any other parties who have made a significant contribution to the business and success of the Company, as may be selected from

 

2


time to time by the Board or Committee in its discretion. A Participant who has been granted a nonstatutory stock option may, if he or she is otherwise eligible, be granted an additional option or options if the Board shall so determine.

(c) Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock awards, Restricted Stock Units and Stock Appreciation Rights shall be granted, in the sole discretion of the Board or Committee, to Participants who are, at the time of grant, employees, officers, directors, consultants or advisors of the Company or any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary of the Company, or any other parties who have made a significant contribution to the business and success of the Company.

4. Stock Subject to the Plan

Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 17 of the Plan, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock of the Company which may be issued and sold under the Plan is Three Million Four Hundred Thousand (3,400,000) shares. Such shares may be authorized and unissued shares or may be shares issued and thereafter acquired by the Company. If an award granted under the Plan shall expire or terminate for any reason without having been exercised or settled in full, the shares subject to such award shall again be available for subsequent grants under the Plan. Stock issuable upon exercise of an award granted under the Plan may be subject to such restrictions on transfer, repurchase rights or other restrictions as shall be determined by the Board or the Committee.

5. Forms of Option Agreements

As a condition to the grant of any award under the Plan, each recipient of an award shall execute an agreement in a form not inconsistent with the Plan as shall be specified by the Board or the Committee at the time such award is authorized to be granted.

6. Annual Limitations

The following limitations shall apply to grants of options:

(a) No Participant shall be granted, in any fiscal year of the Company, options to purchase more than 300,000 shares of Common Stock.

(b) In connection with his or her initial service, a Participant may be granted options to purchase up to an additional 300,000 shares of Common Stock which shall not count against the limit set forth in Section 6(a) above.

(c) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as described in Section 17 hereof.

(d) If an option is canceled in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction described in Section 18) hereof, the canceled option will be counted against the limits set forth in Section 6(a) and Section 6(b) above. For this purpose, if the exercise price of an option is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a cancellation of the option and the grant of a new option.

 

3


7. Terms and Conditions of Options

All options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions (except as provided in Section 11 hereof) and to such other terms and conditions as the Board or Committee shall determine to be appropriate to accomplish the purposes of the Plan:

(a) Incentive Stock Options

(1) Purchase Price. The purchase price per share of stock deliverable upon exercise of an option shall be determined by the Board or Committee on the date such option is granted; provided, however, that the exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of such stock, as determined by the Board, at the grant of such option, or less than 110% of such fair market value in the case of options described in paragraph (4)(ii) of Section 7(a) hereof.

(2) Option Period. Each option shall expire on such date as the Board or the Committee shall determine on the date such option is granted, but in no event after the expiration of ten years from the day on which the option is granted (or five years in the case of options described in paragraph (4)(ii) of Section 7(a) hereof), and shall be subject to earlier termination as provided in the Plan.

(3) Termination of Employment. No option may be exercised unless, at the time of such exercise, the Participant is, and has been, since the date of grant of his or her option, continuously employed by one or more of the Company, a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary, except that if and to the extent the option agreement or instrument so provides:

(i) the option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the option agreement to the extent that the option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such option as set forth in the option agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the option agreement, the option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination;

(ii) if the Participant dies while in the employ of the Company, a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary or within three months after the Participant ceases to be such an employee, the option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the option agreement to the extent that the option is vested on the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such option as set forth in the option agreement) by the Participant’s estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the option by bequest or inheritance. In the absence of a specified time in the option agreement, the option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s death; and

(iii) if the Participant becomes disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) while in the employ of the Company, a Parent Corporation or Subsidiary, and ceases to be an employee as a result of such disability (a “Disability”), the Participant may

 

4


exercise his or her option within such period of time as is specified in the option agreement to the extent the option is vested on the date of termination, but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such option as set forth in the option agreement. In the absence of a specified time in the option agreement, the option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s termination;

(iv) if the Participant ceases his or her employment with the Company, a Parent Corporation or Subsidiary because he or she is discharged for cause, the right to exercise the option shall terminate immediately upon such cessation of employment; provided, however, that in no event may any option be exercised after the expiration date of the option nor may any option be exercised to an extent greater than that exercisable on the last day of the Participant’s employment. For all purposes of the Plan and any award granted hereunder, “employment” shall be defined in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.421-7(h) of the Income Tax Regulations (or any successor regulations).

(4) Limitations.

(i) Dollar Limitation. The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which incentive stock options granted to any employee under the Plan (and under any other incentive stock option plans of the Company, and any Parent Corporation and Subsidiary) are exercisable for the first time shall not exceed $100,000 in any one calendar year. In the event that Section 422 of the Code is amended to alter the limitation set forth therein so that following such amendment such limitation shall differ from the limitation set forth in this paragraph, the limitation of this paragraph shall be automatically adjusted accordingly.

(ii) Ten Percent Shareholder. If any employee to whom an option is to be granted under the Plan is at the time of the grant of such option the owner of stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Parent Corporation or any Subsidiary, then the following special provisions shall be applicable to the option granted to such individual: the purchase price per share of the Common Stock subject to such option shall not be less than 110% of the fair market value of one share of Common Stock at the time of grant and the option exercise period shall not exceed five years from the date of grant.

(b) Nonstatutory Stock Options

(1) Purchase Price. The purchase price per share of stock deliverable upon exercise of an option shall be determined by the Board or Committee on the date such option is granted; provided, however, that the exercise price shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market value of such stock, as determined by the Board or Committee, at the grant of such option.

(2) Option Periods. The period of an option shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant.

 

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(3) Termination of Service. No option may be exercised unless, at the time of such exercise, the Participant is, and has been continuously since the date of grant of his or her option, providing services to one or more of the Company, a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary, except that if and to the extent the option agreement or instrument so provides:

(i) the option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the option agreement to the extent that the option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such option as set forth in the option agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the option agreement, the option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination;

(ii) if the Participant dies while providing services to the Company, a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary or within three months after the Participant ceases to provide such services, the option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the option agreement to the extent that the option is vested on the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such option as set forth in the option agreement) by the Participant’s estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the option by bequest or inheritance. In the absence of a specified time in the option agreement, the option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s death; and

(iii) if the Participant ceases to provide services to the Company, a Parent Corporation or Subsidiary as a result of a Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her option within such period of time as is specified in the option agreement to the extent the option is vested on the date of termination, but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such option as set forth in the option agreement. In the absence of a specified time in the option agreement, the option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s termination;

(iv) if the Participant ceases to provide services to the Company, a Parent Corporation or Subsidiary because he or she is discharged for cause, the right to exercise the option shall terminate immediately upon such termination; provided, however, that in no event may any option be exercised after the expiration date of the option nor may any option be exercised to an extent greater than that exercisable on the last day of the Participant’s service.

8. Exercise of Options

(a) Exercisability. Each option granted under the Plan shall be exercisable either in full or in installments at such time or times, and during such period, as shall be set forth in the agreement evidencing such option; provided, however, that no option granted under the Plan shall have a term in excess of ten years from the date of grant.

(b) Manner of Exercise; Consideration. A person electing to exercise an option shall give written notice to the Company, as specified by the Board or Committee, of his election and of the number of shares he/she has elected to purchase, such notice to be accompanied by such instruments or documents as may be required by the Board or Committee, and unless otherwise directed by the Board or Committee shall at the time of such exercise tender the

 

6


purchase price in cash of the shares he/she has elected to purchase. For all nonstatutory stock options granted prior to April 30, 1998 and for all nonstatutory and all incentive stock options issued after April 30, 1998, payment of the purchase price of the shares may be made, at the discretion of the Participant, and to the extent permitted by the Board or Committee, (i) in cash, (ii) in Common Stock of the Company (valued at the fair market value thereof on the date of exercise) through the surrender of previously held shares of Common Stock of the Company (by delivery of stock certificates in negotiable form), (iii) by a combination of cash and Common Stock of the Company or (iv) with any other consideration (including payment in accordance with a cashless exercise program under which, if so authorized by the Participant, shares of Common Stock of the Company may be issued directly to the Participant’s broker or dealer upon receipt of the purchase price in cash from the broker or dealer).

9. Limitations on Issuance of Shares.

The Company shall not be obligated to issue any shares unless and until, in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, all applicable laws and regulations have been complied with, nor, in the event the outstanding Common Stock is at the time listed upon any stock exchange, unless and until the shares to be issued have been listed or authorized to be added to the list upon official notice of issuance upon such exchange, nor unless or until all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of shares have been approved by the Company’s counsel. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company may require from the Participant such investment representation or such agreement, if any, as counsel for the Company may consider necessary in order to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 as then in effect, and may require that the Participant agree that any sale of the shares will be made only in such manner as is permitted by the Board or Committee and that the Participant will notify the Company when he/she intends to make any disposition of the shares whether by sale, gift or otherwise. The Participant shall take any action reasonably requested by the Company in such connection. A Participant shall have the rights of a shareholder only as to shares actually acquired by him/her under the Plan.

10. Nontransferability of Options

Unless determined otherwise by the Committee, an option may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Committee makes an option transferable, such option shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate.

11. Replacement Options

The Company may grant options under the Plan on terms differing from those provided for in Section 7 where such options are granted in substitution for options held by employees of other corporations who concurrently become employees of the Company or a Subsidiary as the result of a merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the employing corporation with the Company or Subsidiary, or the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of the business, property or stock of the employing corporation. The Committee may direct that the substitute options be granted on such terms and conditions as the Board or Committee considers appropriate in the circumstances.

 

7


12. Stock Awards

Stock awards are awards payable to Participants in shares of Common Stock. Stock awards may be granted either alone or in addition to cash awards. The Board or the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine eligibility, the number of shares covered by stock awards and all other terms and conditions of stock awards, which need not be identical with respect to all stock awards.

 

13. Restricted Stock Units

(a) Grants of Restricted Stock Units. A Restricted Stock Unit shall entitle the Participant to receive one share of Common Stock at such future time and upon such terms as specified by the Board or the Committee in the agreement evidencing such award (the “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement”). The Board or the Committee may grant Restricted Stock Units that vest on the service of the Participant or on the attainment of performance goals determined by the Board or the Committee.

(b) Vesting of Restricted Stock Units. The Committee shall establish the vesting schedule applicable to Restricted Stock Units and shall specify the vesting and/or performance goal requirements in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Until the end of the period(s) of time specified in the vesting schedule and/or the satisfaction of any performance criteria, the Restricted Stock Units shall remain subject to forfeiture.

(c) Exercise. The terms and conditions of exercise of Restricted Stock Units shall be determined by the Committee and shall be set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. As determined by the Committee, exercise of Restricted Stock Units may occur automatically upon vesting or may occur in conjunction with an election by the Participant to defer receipt of shares subject to the Restricted Stock Unit.

(d) Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Each grant of Restricted Stock Unit(s) shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement that shall specify the terms, conditions and restrictions regarding the Participant’s right to receive share(s) in the future, and shall incorporate such other terms and conditions as the Board or Committee, acting in its sole discretion, deems consistent with the terms of this Plan.

(e) Non-Transferability of Restricted Stock Units. Unless determined by the Board or Committee, no Restricted Stock Unit granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated by the holder Participant, except upon the death of the holder Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

(f) Voting, Dividend & Other Rights. Restricted Stock Units shall not entitle a Participant to vote or to receive dividends until the Participant becomes the owner of the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Units.

 

8


14. Stock Appreciation Rights

(a) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the Participant to receive shares of Common Stock upon exercise equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock at the time of exercise, over a specified price, which shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market value of the share, subject to the Stock Appreciation Right on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted.

(b) Vesting of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee shall establish the vesting schedule applicable to Stock Appreciation Rights and shall specify the times, vesting and performance goal requirements in the agreement evidencing such award (the “Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement”). Until the end of the period(s) of time specified in the vesting schedule and/or the satisfaction of any performance criteria, the Stock Appreciation Rights shall remain subject to forfeiture.

(c) Exercise. Upon exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights, the Company shall issue to the Participant shares equal to the appreciation of the Stock Appreciation Rights.

(d) Termination of Service. No Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised unless, at the time of such exercise, the Participant is, and has been, since the date of grant of his or her Restricted Stock Unit, continuously providing services to one or more of the Company, a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary, except that if and to the extent the Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement or instrument so provides:

(i) the Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement to the extent that the Stock Appreciation Right is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Stock Appreciation Right as set forth in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, the Stock Appreciation Right shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination;

(ii) if the Participant dies while providing services to the Company, a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary or within three months after the Participant ceases to provide such service, the Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement to the extent that the Stock Appreciation Right is vested on the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Stock Appreciation Right as set forth in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement) by the Participant’s estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right by bequest or inheritance. In the absence of a specified time in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, the Stock Appreciation Right shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s death; and

(iii) if the Participant ceases to provide service as a result of a Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Stock Appreciation Right within such period of time as is

 

9


specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement to the extent the Stock Appreciation Right is vested on the date of termination, but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Restricted Stock Unit as set forth in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement. In the absence of a specified time in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, the Stock Appreciation Right shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s termination;

(iv) if the Participant ceases to provide services to the Company, a Parent Corporation or Subsidiary because he or she is discharged for cause, the right to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right shall terminate immediately upon such cessation of services; provided, however, that in no event may any Stock Appreciation Right be exercised after the expiration date of the Stock Appreciation Right nor may any Stock Appreciation Right be exercised to an extent greater than that exercisable on the last day of the Participant’s service.

(e) Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement. Each grant of Stock Appreciation Rights shall be evidenced by a Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement that shall specify the terms, conditions and restrictions regarding the Participant’s right to receive share(s) in the future, and shall incorporate such other terms and conditions as the Board or Committee, acting in its sole discretion, deems consistent with the terms of this Plan.

(f) Non-Transferability of Stock Appreciation Rights. Except as otherwise, no Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, except upon the death of the holder Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

(g) Voting, Dividend & Other Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights shall not entitle a Participant to vote or to receive dividends until the Participant becomes the owner of the shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Rights.

15. General Restrictions

(a) Investment Representation. The Company may require any person to whom an award is granted, to give written assurances in substance and form satisfactory to the Company to the effect that such person is acquiring the Common Stock subject to the award for his or her own account for investment and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the same, and to such other effects as the Company deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with Federal and applicable state securities laws.

(b) Compliance with Securities Laws. Each award shall be subject to the requirement that, if at any time counsel to the Company shall determine that the listing, registration or qualification of the shares subject to such award upon any securities exchange or under any state or Federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental or regulatory body, is necessary as a condition of, or in connection with, the issuance or purchase of shares thereunder, such award may not be accepted or exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained on conditions acceptable to the Board. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Company to apply for or to obtain such a listing, registration or qualification.

 

10


16. Rights as a Shareholder

The holder of an award shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares covered by the award until the date of issue of a stock certificate to him or her for such shares. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, no adjustments shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.

17. Recapitalization

In the event that the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company by reason of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend, combination or subdivision, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number and kind of shares available under the Plan and under any awards granted under the Plan. Such adjustments to outstanding awards shall be made without change in the total price applicable to the unexercised portion of such awards, and a corresponding adjustment in the applicable option price per share shall be made. No such adjustment shall be made which would, within the meaning of any applicable provisions of the Code, constitute a modification, extension or renewal of any option or a grant of additional benefits to the holder of an option or which would cause any incentive stock option to fail to continue to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

18. Reorganization

In case the Company is merged or consolidated with another corporation and the Company is not the surviving corporation, or in case all or substantially all of the assets or more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of the Company is acquired by any other corporation, or in case of a reorganization or liquidation of the Company, the Board or the board of directors of any corporation assuming the obligations of the Company, shall, as to outstanding awards, either (i) make appropriate provisions for the protection of any such outstanding awards by the substitution on an equitable basis of appropriate stock of the Company, or of the merged, consolidated or otherwise reorganized corporation which will be issuable in respect of the shares of Common Stock of the Company, provided that no additional benefits shall be conferred upon Participants as a result of such substitution, and the excess of the aggregate fair market value of the shares subject to the awards immediately after such substitution over the purchase price thereof shall not be more than the excess of the aggregate fair market value of the shares subject to such awards immediately before such substitution over the purchase price thereof, or (ii) provide written notice to the Participants that all unexercised awards must be exercised within a specified number of days of the date of such notice or they will be terminated. In any such case, the exercise dates of outstanding awards shall automatically accelerate and the awards shall become fully vested and exercisable as of the date of such notice and shall remain exercisable for such specified period of days thereafter.

 

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19. No Special Rights

In the event the holder of an award is also an employee of, or has any other relationship with, the Company, nothing contained in this Plan or in any award granted under the Plan shall confer upon any holder of an award any right with respect to the continuation of his or her employment or other relationship with the Company (or any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary), nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company (or any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary) at any time to terminate such employment or other relationship or to increase or decrease the compensation of the holder of the award from the rate in existence at the time of the grant of an award. Whether an authorized leave or absence, or absence in military or governmental service, shall constitute termination or cessation of employment for purposes of this Plan shall be determined by the Board, except as regulated by law.

20. Definitions

(a) Subsidiary. The term “Subsidiary” as used in the Plan shall mean any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

(b) Parent Corporation. The term “Parent” and “Parent Corporation” as used in the Plan shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

21. Amendment

The Board or the Committee may at any time discontinue granting awards under the Plan. In addition, the Board may at any time and from time to time modify or amend the Plan in any respect, except that any modification or amendment of the Plan shall be subject to shareholder approval when applicable NASD rules or SEC or IRS regulations would require such approval. The modification or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of a Participant, affect his or her rights under an award previously granted to him or her; provided, however, that with the consent of the Participant affected, the Board may amend outstanding awards in a manner not inconsistent with the Plan and, with respect to incentive stock options, the Board shall have the right to amend or modify the terms and provisions of the Plan and of any such options outstanding granted under the Plan to the extent necessary to qualify any or all such options for favorable income tax treatment (including deferral of taxation upon exercise) as may be afforded incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code.

 

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22. Withholding

The Company’s obligation to deliver shares upon the exercise of any award granted under the Plan shall be subject to the holder’s satisfaction of all applicable Federal, state and local tax withholding requirements.

23. Section 16 Compliance

With respect to persons subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act, transactions under this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 or its successor rules under the 1934 Act. To the extent that any provision of this Plan or action by the Committee or Board fails to so comply, such provision or action shall be deemed null and void to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee or Board.

24. Effective Date and Duration of the Plan

(a) Effective Date. The Plan shall become effective when adopted by the Board, but no award granted under the Plan shall become exercisable and no stock award shall be granted unless and until the Plan shall have been approved by the Company’s shareholders. If such shareholder approval is not obtained within twelve months after the date of the Board’s adoption of the Plan, any awards previously granted under the Plan shall terminate and no further awards shall be granted. Subject to this limitation, awards may be granted under the Plan at any time after the effective date and before the date fixed for termination of the Plan.

(b) Termination. The Plan shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the close of business on the day preceding the tenth anniversary of the date of its adoption by the Board, or (ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Plan shall have been issued pursuant to the exercise or cancellation of awards granted under the Plan. If the date of termination is determined under (i) above, awards outstanding on such date shall continue to have force and effect in accordance with the provisions of the instruments evidencing such grants.

 

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EX-21 3 dex21.htm SUBSIDIARIES Subsidiaries

EXHIBIT 21

EMBREX, INC.

SUBSIDIARIES

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of Organization

Embrex Europe Limited

 

United Kingdom

Embrex Sales, Inc.

 

North Carolina

Embrex BioTech Trade (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

 

People’s Republic of China

Inovoject® do Brasil Ltda.

 

Brazil

Embrex France s.a.s.

 

France

Embrex Iberica

 

Spain

Embrex Poultry Health, LLC

 

North Carolina

Embrex de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.

 

Mexico

Vaccination Services, S. de R.L. de C.V.

 

Mexico

EX-23 4 dex23.htm CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm

EXHIBIT 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

 

  (1) Registration Statements (Form S-3 Nos. 333-18231 and 333-31811) of Embrex, Inc.,

 

  (2) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-105924) pertaining to the Embrex, Inc. Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Amended and Restated Non-U.S. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and

 

  (3) Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 33-51582, 33-63318, 333-04109, 333-42676, 333-56279, and 333-91304) pertaining to the Embrex, Inc. Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan;

of our reports dated March 6, 2006, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Embrex, Inc., Embrex, Inc. management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Embrex, Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Embrex, Inc.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina

March 6, 2006

EX-31.1 5 dex311.htm SECTION 302 CEO CERTIFICATION Section 302 CEO Certification

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Randall L. Marcuson, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Embrex, Inc.;

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

Date: March 8, 2006

 

/s/ Randall L. Marcuson

Randall L. Marcuson
President and Chief Executive Officer
EX-31.2 6 dex312.htm SECTION 302 CFO CERTIFICATION Section 302 CFO Certification

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Don T. Seaquist, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Embrex, Inc.;

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

Date: March 8, 2006

 

/s/ Don T. Seaquist

Don T. Seaquist
Vice President, Finance and Administration
EX-32.1 7 dex321.htm SECTION 906 CEO CERTIFICATION Section 906 CEO Certification

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Embrex, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Randall L. Marcuson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

March 8, 2006

 

/s/ Randall L. Marcuson

Randall L. Marcuson
President and Chief Executive Officer
EX-32.2 8 dex322.htm SECTION 906 CFO CERTIFICATION Section 906 CFO Certification

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Embrex, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Don T. Seaquist, Vice President, Finance and Administration of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

March 8, 2006

 

/s/ Don T. Seaquist

Don T. Seaquist
Vice President, Finance and Administration
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