Debt

2014 Convertible Notes

In September 2014, the Company issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2014 Convertible Notes to Deerfield Partners, L.P., Deerfield International Master Fund, L.P., Deerfield Private Design Fund III, L.P., Deerfield Special Situations Fund, L.P. and Deerfield Special Situations International Master Fund, L.P., collectively with their transferees, “Deerfield.” The 2014 Convertible Notes were issued pursuant to a note purchase agreement (as amended and supplemented from time to time, the “Note Purchase Agreement”), dated as of September 8, 2014, among Aerie and the Deerfield entities party thereto.

The 2014 Convertible Notes were scheduled to mature on the seventh anniversary from the date of issuance, unless earlier converted. The 2014 Convertible Notes were convertible at any time at the option of Deerfield, in whole or in part, into shares of common stock. In July 2018, Deerfield converted the entire outstanding principal amount of the 2014 Convertible Notes into shares of Aerie common stock.

The 2014 Convertible Notes bore interest at a rate of 1.75% per annum payable quarterly in arrears on the first business day of each January, April, July and October. The Company recorded the 2014 Convertible Notes as long-term debt at face value less $2.1 million in debt discount and issuance costs incurred at the time of the transaction, which were being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method through the conversion of the 2014 Convertible Notes.

The table below summarizes the carrying value of the 2014 Convertible Notes as of December 31, 2017:



	DECEMBER 31,
(in thousands)	2017
Gross proceeds	$	125,000
Unamortized debt discount and issuance costs	(1,155		)
Carrying value	$123,845

Conversion of 2014 Convertible Notes

On July 23, 2018, Aerie entered into an Exchange and Termination Agreement (the “Exchange and Termination Agreement”) with Deerfield Private Design Fund III, L.P., Deerfield Partners, L.P. and Deerfield Special Situations Fund, L.P. (collectively, the “Holders”). Pursuant to the Exchange and Termination Agreement, (i) the Holders converted the entire outstanding principal amount of the 2014 Convertible Notes into 5,040,323 shares of Aerie common stock (the “Conversion Shares”) in accordance with the terms of the 2014 Convertible Notes, which was recognized in stockholders’ equity, (ii) Aerie issued the Conversion Shares, and (iii) Aerie paid accrued and unpaid interest on the Convertible Notes through July 23, 2018.

In addition, as mutually agreed to with the Holders in order to complete the conversion on the date of the Exchange and Termination Agreement, Aerie issued an additional 329,124 shares of Aerie common stock (the “Additional Shares”) to the Holders. Aerie expensed the value of the Additional Shares in the amount of $24.1 million to other expense during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Entry into Credit Facility

On July 23, 2018, Aerie entered into a credit agreement (as amended on August 7, 2018) with certain entities affiliated with Deerfield Management Company L.P. providing for a $100 million credit facility. The credit facility includes fees upon drawdown of 1.75% of amounts drawn, an 8.625% annual interest rate on drawn amounts, and annual fees on undrawn amounts of 1.5%. There is also an exit fee of $1.5 million payable upon termination of the credit facility (whether at maturity or otherwise). The allowable draw period ends two years from the effective date of the credit facility. Fees on undrawn amounts are not payable until July 23, 2020, and no principal payments will be due on drawn amounts, if any, until July 23, 2020. The credit facility matures on July 23, 2024 in respect of any drawn amounts. The credit facility includes affirmative and negative covenants and prepayment terms. No funds were drawn at closing or as of December 31, 2018.

Interest expense was $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, and included amortization of debt discount and issuance costs related to the 2014 Convertible Notes through the date of conversion as well as issuance costs and fees related to the credit facility. Interest expense was $2.4 million and $2.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which included amortization of debt discount and issuance costs related to the 2014 Convertible Notes.