10-Q 1 q901.htm 9/30/2001 10-Q FORM 10-Q

Table of Contents

FORM 10-Q

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Quarterly Report under Section 13 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Quarter ended September 30, 2001

 

Commission File Number 0-24320

 

NAPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

Incorporated in Delaware

IRS ID No. 84-1187753

 

6304 Spine Road, Unit A
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 516-8500

 NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc. (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of October 12, 2001:

Common Stock, $.0075 par value 28,234,936

 

NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc.

Table of Contents

Page

Part I Financial Information

Consolidated Financial Statements

Balance Sheet

Operations Statement

Cash Flow Statement

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Part II Other Information

Legal Proceedings

Changes in Securities

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Other Information

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

 

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc.

Balance Sheet

Assets

   

 

September 30,
2001
(unaudited)

December 31,
2000

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 15,034,000

$ 18,982,000

Accounts receivable

3,512,000

1,413,000

Inventory:

Raw materials

4,554,000

2,409,000

Work-in-process

5,009,000

1,438,000

Finished goods

819,000

1,926,000

10,382,000

5,773,000

Prepaid expense and other

1,114,000

1,461,000

Total current assets

30,042,000

27,629,000

Property and equipment, net

14,611,000

9,637,000

Inventory, raw materials

---

484,000

Other assets

406,000

251,000

Total assets

$ 45,059,000

$ 38,001,000

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See accompanying notes

NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc.

Balance Sheet

Liabilities and Stockholder Equity

September 30,
2001
(unaudited)

December 31,
2000

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$ 5,677,000

$ 3,371,000

Accrued payroll and payroll taxes

825,000

955,000

Notes payable-current portion

294,000

135,000

Deferred income

1,400,000

---

Total current liabilities

8,196,000

4,461,000

Notes payable-long term

19,861,000

14,953,000

Deferred income-long term

6,708,000

---

Stockholder equity

Preferred stock, $.001 par value:

Authorized shares-2,000,000

Issued-none

---

---

Non-voting common stock, convertible on disposition

into voting common stock, $.0075 par value:

Authorized shares-1,000,000

Issued and outstanding shares-none in 2001 (unaudited),

395,000 in 2000

---

3,000

Common stock, $.0075 par value:

Authorized shares-45,000,000

Issued shares-28,447,355 in 2001 (unaudited),

26,758,144 in 2000

214,000

201,000

Additional paid-in capital

95,868,000

88,970,000

Accumulated deficit

(84,948,000)

(69,245,000)

Treasury stock-254,306 shares in 2001 (unaudited),

405,885 in 2000

(840,000)

(1,342,000)

Total stockholder equity

10,294,000

18,587,000

Total liabilities and stockholder equity

$ 45,059,000

$ 38,001,000

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See accompanying notes

NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc.

Operations Statement

(Unaudited)

Quarter Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2001

2000

2001

2000

Product Sales

$ 3,872,000

$ 2,343,000

$9,961,000

$ 6,374,000

Expense:

Research, development and cost of products sold

5,543,000

3,571,000

17,819,000

10,197,000

General and administrative

4,500,000

2,072,000

8,530,000

5,709,000

Loss on disposal of assets

---

---

---

2,245,000

10,043,000

5,643,000

26,349,000

18,151,000

Operating loss

(6,171,000)

(3,300,000)

(16,388,000)

(11,777,000)

License fees (Note 1)

350,000

---

742,000

---

Interest income

192,000

104,000

736,000

170,000

Interest expense

(272,000)

(216,000)

(793,000)

(489,000)

Net loss

$(5,901,000)

$(3,412,000)

$(15,703,000)

$(12,096,000)

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=========

==========

==========

Basic and diluted loss per share

$ (0.21)

$ (0.14)

$ (0.57)

$ (0.51)

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=====

=====

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Weighted average shares outstanding

28,218,766

24,059,704

27,345,774

23,502,744

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See accompanying notes.

NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc.

Cash Flow Statement

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2001

2000

Operating activity

Net loss

$(15,703,000)

$(12,096,000)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
used by operating activity:

 

Depreciation

1,169,000

1,167,000

Amortization of license fee income

(742,000)

---

Amortization of license fee expense

745,000

---

Biomass development cost

453,000

---

Accretion of debt issue cost

30,000

30,000

Compensation paid with common stock and stock options

373,000

20,000

Retirement contributions paid with common stock

1,080,000

647,000

Loss on disposal of assets

---

2,245,000

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(2,099,000)

(925,000)

Inventory

(3,761,000)

259,000

Prepaid expense and other assets

(194,000)

100,000

Accounts payable

2,306,000

(231,000)

Accrued liabilities

(129,000)

386,000

Deferred income

8,850,000

---

Net cash used by operating activity

(7,622,000)

(8,398,000)

Investing activity

Additions to property and equipment

(6,960,000)

(2,514,000)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

---

1,000

Net cash used by investing activity

(6,960,000)

(2,513,000)

Financing activity

Proceeds from notes payable

5,334,000

9,563,000

Payments of notes payable

(297,000)

(193,000)

Proceeds from the sale of common stock, and exercise
of common stock options and warrants

5,597,000

4,522,000

Net cash provided by financing activity

10,634,000

13,892,000

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(3,948,000)

2,981,000

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

18,982,000

1,937,000

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$15,034,000

$ 4,918,000

=========

=========

 

 

See accompanying notes.

NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc.

Cash Flow Statement (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Nine Months EndedSeptember 30,

2001

2000

Supplemental schedule of activity

Interest paid

$783,000

$ 290,000

Noncash transactions:

Issuance of common stock to prepay retirement-

plan contributions

360,000

215,000

Depletion of plantation cost to inventory

364,000

371,000

Conversion of non-voting common stock to voting common

3,000

---

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

 

NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September 30, 2001
(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and Adoption of Accounting Policy

The accompanying financial statements are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for fair presentation. Interim results of operations are not indicative of results for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.

Effective in 2001 we defer initial payments we receive when we license our technology to third parties. We amortize such deferred cost over the expected economic life of the technology.

2. Common Stock

In September 2001 we issued an option to purchase 62,500 shares of stock to a consultant; we recorded $319,000 of administrative expense in connection with the option.

3. Revenue Recognition

We recognize product sales at the time of shipment or if shipped on consignment, at time of draw-down from consignment. Also, under certain contractual arrangements if a customer resells our product, we receive an additional payment based on the price of this third party sale; we recognize the additional payment as revenue when we determine that the third party sale has been consummated.

 

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis provides information that we believe is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. You should read this discussion in conjunction with (1), the financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this report and (2), the financial statements, notes, and related management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000. Special Note: Certain statements below constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, referred to as the "Reform Act". See "Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements."

General

NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, production and licensing of complex natural product pharmaceuticals as well as the development and licensing of novel genetic technologies for applications in human therapeutics and diagnostics, pharmacogenomics and agrobiotechnology. Natural product substances have been, and continue to be, the primary source of new prototype chemotherapeutic anti-cancer agents. Our lead product is paclitaxel, a naturally occurring chemotherapeutic anti-cancer agent found in certain species of yew, or Taxus trees. In addition to our efforts with paclitaxel and genetics, we are also working on several types of compounds which we believe have promising activity as anti-cancer agents. We believe some of these agents function by new and novel mechanisms, which may increase their likelihood of success as new chemotherapeutics. We are also actively engaged in evaluating the in-licensing or purchase of potential new products and/or technologies, whether or not those products or technologies are derived from natural products. Our evaluations of new products and technologies may involve examination of individual molecules, classes of compounds or platform technologies, in the cancer field and otherwise. Acquisitions of new products or technologies may involve the purchase of, or merger with, other companies.

We continue to incur substantial expense for research and development related to preclinical and clinical studies, improving manufacturing processes and other development activity. Accordingly, we have incurred significant operating losses, including operating losses of $16.2 million and $10.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, we incurred an operating loss of $16.4 million, resulting in an accumulated deficit of $84.9 million as of September 30, 2001. We expect that we will continue to have a high level of operating expense and will be required to make significant up-front expenditures in connection with our paclitaxel biomass procurement, product development and research and development activities. We anticipate that operating losses will continue until such time, if ever, as we are able to generate sufficient revenue to support our operations.

Primarily, our ability to generate sufficient revenue to support our operations depends upon the successful completion of our paclitaxel development program. Our strategy for that program has been to form strategic alliances through long-term exclusive agreements with major pharmaceutical companies. In 1999 we entered into an exclusive collaborative agreement of up to 20 years covering the U.S. and Canada with Abbott Laboratories to develop and commercialize one or more formulations of paclitaxel for the treatment of a variety of cancers. Under our agreement with Abbott, we are responsible for supply of bulk drug. Abbott is responsible for finishing, regulatory filings, marketing, and sale of the finished drug product. Most primary decisions related to the paclitaxel development program are made by a joint Abbott-NaPro Development Committee. In March 2001, we and Abbott filed an ANDA with the FDA for paclitaxel.

In connection with the Abbott agreement, we may receive total funding of up to $118 million in the form of development and marketing milestone payments, secured debt, and equity investments. Through April 2001 Abbott had purchased 2,000,000 shares of our common stock for a total purchase price of $11 million, including 888,889 shares purchased in April 2001 for $5 million.

Contingent upon our successful achievement of all development milestones, we could receive up to $30 million of the possible $118 million in development fees, including an initial $1 million fee we received in July 1999.

In addition, we have $20 million of secured debt with Abbott. The debt bears a primary interest rate of 6.5% and is due in full on the earlier of: (i) the second anniversary of the first sale of finished product by Abbott to a wholesaler or end-user customer following approval of finished product by the FDA; (ii) the termination of the Abbott agreement; or (iii) January 1, 2007. The debt is limited to a borrowing base of collateralized assets, recomputed monthly. The majority of our hard assets are collateralized as security for the debt.

Of the possible $118 million, contingent upon receiving regulatory approval and achieving certain commercial sales thresholds over several years, we may receive additional milestone payments from Abbott of up to $57 million. We cannot assure that regulatory approval or sales thresholds necessary to trigger any of the future milestone payments will be achieved.

Under terms of the agreement, Abbott will purchase bulk drug from us. If the paclitaxel product is approved and commercialized, Abbott will pay a percentage of its net paclitaxel sales to us, less Abbott's payments for purchase of bulk drug. Abbott may terminate the agreement at any time with or without cause. Should Abbott terminate without cause, it is obligated to make payments to us.

In 1992 we entered into a 20-year exclusive agreement with F.H. Faulding & Co., Ltd., Australia's largest domestic pharmaceutical company, for the clinical development, sale, marketing and distribution of our paclitaxel. Faulding, with 2000 sales of approximately $1.2 billion, actively markets anti-cancer pharmaceuticals and other health care products in Australia, Asia and other countries throughout the world. In 2000, we amended the Faulding agreement to, among other things, add additional countries to Faulding's exclusive territory. In 2001 we entered into a separate agreement with Faulding covering development and sale of paclitaxel in Europe. Including the new agreement for Europe, the Faulding territory includes substantially all of the world other than the U.S., Canada, Japan, Israel, the former Soviet Union and parts of Africa. Faulding has received marketing approval for, and is selling, our paclitaxel as ANZATAX™ in more than 20 countries.

In Europe, we are responsible for regulatory filings and will supply paclitaxel raw material exclusively to Faulding to formulate and finish the product. We cannot assure that we will receive regulatory approval in Europe. Should we receive approval, Faulding will then market and sell the final proprietary paclitaxel formulation in Europe. We will share equally the net sales of the product in Europe. Under the agreement, Faulding paid an up-front licensing fee to us of $7.5 million. We deferred the $7.5 million, $5.5 million of which we will amortize over five years to license fee income. We will defer the remaining $2 million until agreed upon events occur. We may be obligated to return part or all of the $2 million should these events not occur.

Faulding has announced the success of an offer by Mayne-Nickless Limited, an Australian company, to acquire all of Faulding's shares. Mayne-Nickless has indicated its intent to sell the pharmaceutical businesses of Faulding after the completion of the merger. We are uncertain what effect these transactions could have on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In January 2001 we received approval in Israel to sell paclitaxel under the trade name Biotax™. We have established an exclusive supply and distribution agreement with Tzamal Pharma for the development and distribution of paclitaxel in Israel. The Israeli Ministry of Health has approved Biotax for use in treating a variety of cancers.

In June 2001 we and JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. entered into a mutually exclusive development, supply and distribution agreement for paclitaxel in Japan. Under the agreement, we will be responsible for manufacturing and supplying the finished drug. JCR and we will jointly be responsible for the clinical and regulatory program necessary for seeking approval to market paclitaxel in Japan. JCR will fund the clinical and regulatory program. JCR will be responsible for the sales and distribution of the product in Japan upon its approval.

JCR, headquartered in Ashiya, Japan, is a research and development oriented pharmaceutical manufacturer, focusing on the research of bioactive substances such as enzymes, hormones, enzyme inhibitors, growth factors and stimulating factors. It is also engaged in the development and research of bioengineered products such as recombinant human growth hormone.

We have purchased land in Boulder County, Colorado, for the possible construction of new manufacturing and headquarters facilities. We also anticipate further expansion of our existing manufacturing facilities. We anticipate financing this activity with new capital, either in the form of debt or otherwise, if available on acceptable terms, although we cannot assure that we will be able to do so.

Results of Operations

Quarter ended September 30, 2001, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2000 Sales for the 2001 quarter were $3.9 million, an increase of $1.6 million from the 2000 quarter. Sales to strategic partners may vary significantly on a quarter-to-quarter basis depending on a number of factors including the level of sales to the customers of the strategic partners, the selling price of such sales, changes in approved markets, and the level of inventory carried by the strategic partners. This quarter-to-quarter variability will continue until stable commercial demand has been established for the product in a major market, if ever.

Research and development and cost of products sold expense for the 2001 quarter was $5.5 million, an increase of $1.9 million from the 2000 quarter. The increase resulted primarily from cost related to increased sales volume and increases in development expense for products and technology other than paclitaxel.

General and administrative expense for the 2001 quarter was $4.5 million, an increase of $2.4 million from the 2000 quarter. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in regulatory expense, payroll and consulting.

In the 2001 quarter we earned $400,000 of license fee income. We had no comparable income in the 2000 quarter. This income related to amortization of license fees recorded as deferred income.

Interest income for the 2001 quarter was $200,000, an increase of $100,000 from the 2000 quarter. This increase is a result of carrying higher cash balances.

Interest expense for the 2001 quarter was $300,000, an increase of $100,000 from the 2000 quarter. This increase is primarily a result of a larger balance on the Abbott loan.

Nine months ended September 30, 2001, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2000 Sales for the 2001 period were $10 million, up $3.6 million from the 2000 period. Sales to strategic partners may vary significantly between periods depending on a number of factors including the level of sales to the customers of the strategic partners, the selling price of such sales, changes in approved markets, and the level of inventory carried by the strategic partners.

Research and development and cost of products sold expense for the 2001 period was $17.8 million, an increase of $7.6 million from the 2000 period. The increase resulted primarily from cost incurred in support of initial commercial production of paclitaxel in the U.S., cost related to increased paclitaxel sales volume and increases in development expense for products and technology other than paclitaxel.

General and administrative expense for the 2001 period was $8.5 million, an increase of $2.8 million from the 2000 period. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in regulatory expense, payroll, consulting, travel and recruiting.

Loss on disposal of assets for the 2000 period was $2.2 million. There was no comparable expense in the 2001 period. In 1996 we initiated the construction of expanded manufacturing facilities in Boulder, Colorado. We suspended such construction in 1998. Upon signing of the agreement with Abbott and for other reasons, we restarted such construction. Because of manufacturing improvements and design changes, certain cost incurred in the earlier construction that had been recorded in fixed assets as construction-in-progress no longer had utility in the current improvements. Accordingly, in the 2000 period we expensed $2.2 million of such cost.

In the 2001 period we earned $700,000 of license fee income. We had no comparable income in the 2000 period. This income related to amortization of up-front license fees paid by our partners and deferred in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 101.

Interest income for the 2001 period was $700,000, an increase of $500,000 from the 2000 period. This increase is a result of carrying higher cash balances.

Interest expense for the 2001 period was $800,000, an increase of $300,000 from the 2000 period. This increase is primarily a result of a larger balance on the Abbott loan.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our capital requirements have been, and will continue to be, significant. As of September 30, 2001, we had a working capital balance (current assets minus current liabilities) of $21.8 million compared to a working capital balance of $23.1 million as of December 31, 2000. We have $20 million of secured debt with Abbott. To date, we have funded our capital requirements primarily with the net proceeds of public offerings of common stock of approximately $21.1 million, with private placements of equity securities of approximately $54.8 million, with the exercise of warrants and options of $7.1 million and with net borrowing of $20 million.

To date, we have received $32 million under the Abbott agreement. We believe this agreement will be a significant ongoing capital source. See Management's Discussion and Analysis - General.

We believe our existing capital, anticipated sales in the near future, and milestone payments from our development partners can provide adequate funding for our necessary operations and capital expenditures in the near future. However, pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, and the related capital expenditures, are costly processes. We may in-license or purchase new products or technologies and we expect to make significant capital expenditures. We may commence paclitaxel sales in a major market. Related to such potential sales we are planning and implementing significant expansion of our manufacturing capacity, we are hiring more employees, and we plan on significant increases in inventory and accounts receivable. We anticipate that such activities will use substantial capital. We therefore will seek substantial additional capital in the near future, if it is available at financially acceptable terms. We cannot assure that we will be able to obtain such capital.

Working Capital and Cash Flow Cash and cash equivalents decreased $4 million to $15 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001, from $19 million at December 31, 2000. During the 2001 period net cash used by operations of $7.6 million and by investment activity of $7 million was offset by financing activity of $10.6 million.

Inventory was $10.4 million at September 30, 2001. The amount of inventory is dependent on a number of factors, including, among others, the shipping requirements of our strategic partners, our production planning for meeting those needs, and the timing of biomass harvests. Inventory balances may vary significantly during product development and launch periods.

Capital Expenditures We spent $7 million during the 2001 period for capital projects. These expenditures primarily included expansion of our manufacturing and other facilities, plantation cost and laboratory equipment. We anticipate additional expenditures in the near term, particularly for expansion of manufacturing facilities.

The amount and timing of future capital expenditures will depend upon numerous factors, including:

the cost of manufacturing scale-up for paclitaxel;

the development of new products;

the acquisition of new products or technologies;

the cost of manufacturing resources for new products;

the nature of our relationship with our strategic partners;

the progress of our research and development programs;

the magnitude and scope of these activities;

changes in manufacturing processes;

competing technological and marketing developments; and

changes in or terminations of existing strategic relationships.

In the near future we are anticipating significant expenditures for improving efficiency and expanding capacity at our existing manufacturing facilities. We have purchased land for, and broken ground on, a new large-scale manufacturing facility during 2001. The expanded scope of our research and development activity will require significant additions to laboratory equipment.

Net Operating Loss Carryforwards As of December 31, 2000, we had approximately $59 million of net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 contains provisions that limit the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards if there has been a "change of ownership" as described in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Such a change of ownership may limit our utilization of our net operating loss carryforwards, and could be triggered by sales of securities by us or our stockholders.

Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "estimates", "may" and words of similar import or statements of management's opinion or statements that are not historical fact. Such forward-looking statements include, among others:

statements concerning our plans, objectives and future economic prospects, such as matters relative to developing new products;

the availability of patent and other protection for our intellectual property;

the completion of regulatory filings;

the prospects for and timing of regulatory approvals;

the need and plans for and availability of additional capital;

the amount and timing of capital expenditures;

the timing of product introductions and sales;

the availability of raw materials;

prospects for future operations; and

other statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things, the following:

the inability to obtain regulatory approvals for paclitaxel or a delay in such approvals;

competition from Bristol and other existing and new producers of paclitaxel and other drugs;

technological advances in cancer treatment and drug development that may obsolesce paclitaxel;

the risks associated with patent litigation;

the ability to obtain rights to technology;

the ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patents;

the ability to maintain trade secrets;

the ability to obtain raw materials and commercialize manufacturing processes;

the effectiveness of our paclitaxel and other pharmaceuticals we develop in treating disease;

the results of preclinical and clinical studies;

the results of research and development activities;

the ability to purchase or license new products;

the successful development of new products;

the business abilities and judgment of our management and other personnel;

the ability to hire skilled personnel to perform research and development and to run our manufacturing operations;

the ability of contract manufacturers to perform adequately under anticipated contracts;

the decision-making processes of regulatory agencies;

changes in and compliance with governmental regulations;

the effect of capital market conditions and other factors on capital availability;

the ability of Abbott, Faulding, Tzamal and JCR to perform their obligations under their existing agreements with us;

our ability to perform our obligations under our existing and future agreements;

our limited relevant operating history upon which an evaluation of our prospects can be made;

the effect on sales, cash flow and earnings from foreign exchange rate fluctuations;

adverse economic and general business conditions;

and other factors referenced in this report.

These factors are not intended to be an all-inclusive enumeration of the business risks we face. Reference is also made to the risk factors discussed in our registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 1, 2000. The forward-looking statements included in this report represent our view as of the date of this report. The reader should not assume that the statements made herein remain accurate at any future date. We do not intend to update these statements and undertake no duty to any person to make any update under any circumstance.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2001, the majority of our revenue resulted from sales of paclitaxel to Faulding.

Faulding purchases paclitaxel from us at a price that varies in proportion to the price at which Faulding sells paclitaxel. Under the Faulding agreement, we are paid a fixed percentage of Faulding's sales price for paclitaxel. Each year, Faulding estimates the sales price it will receive for paclitaxel in the upcoming year, and, based upon that estimate, we determine the price we will charge Faulding (the "Unadjusted Price"). We recognize the corresponding sales at the time of shipment of paclitaxel to Faulding. However, Faulding's actual selling price may differ from the amounts originally budgeted and indicated to us by Faulding. In the summer, Faulding communicates to us the final amount and type of sales made during the preceding applicable Faulding fiscal year, and an adjustment is calculated that may increase or decrease our sales of products to Faulding during their preceding fiscal year.

Faulding's sales are made in the currencies of each of the countries in which it sells paclitaxel. As a result, our sales are affected by fluctuations in the value of these various foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. In the past, fluctuations in various currencies were a significant factor in reductions in the price we charge Faulding. If changes in foreign currency markets continue to cause a decrease in the price per gram we receive from Faulding, there could be a material adverse effect on our earnings and cash flow. Our sales to JCR, if any, are subject to the same risk.

Certain statements set forth in Item 3 may constitute "forward-looking statements". See "Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements."

 

Part II--Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In September 2000 we and Abbott filed a patent infringement suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado against Bristol alleging infringement of U.S. Patent numbers 5,972,992 and 5,977,164 which relate to paclitaxel. In November 2000 we amended the complaint to add U.S. Patent number 6,140,359 to our claims of patents that Bristol is infringing. Bristol has asserted defenses that if successful, would result in the invalidity or unenforceability of the patents. A finding of invalidity or unenforceability of the patents could have a material adverse affect on us. The trial is set for June 2002.

In June 2001 we and Abbott filed a patent infringement suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Mylan Laboratories, Inc. The suit alleges infringement of U.S. Patent numbers 5,733,888 and 6,140,359 which relate to paclitaxel. Mylan has asserted defenses that if successful, would result in the invalidity or unenforceability of the patents. A finding of invalidity or unenforceability of the patents could have a material adverse affect on us.

In July 2001 we were successful in opposing European Patent number 0 584 001, issued to Bristol relating to methods of administering paclitaxel, the active ingredient in Bristol's anticancer drug, TAXOL®, in Europe. The European Patent Office ruled that this patent is now invalid. A related United Kingdom administration patent we opposed last year was similarly revoked by the United Kingdom courts.

Existing regulatory approvals have a direct impact on the clinical and marketing strategy we are pursuing.

In December 1992, Bristol obtained NDA approval in the U.S. for its paclitaxel product. Under the Waxman-Hatch Act, a non-patented drug such as paclitaxel that gains approval through an NDA process is granted a five-year period of marketing exclusivity, which prevents approval of another party's ANDA for generic substitutes until such period of exclusivity expires. Bristol's exclusivity period in the United States expired in December 1997. However, additional Waxman-Hatch Act provisions may result in an additional 30 month delay in the approval of an ANDA if the sponsor (in this case Bristol) has listed a patent related to the product with the FDA, and institutes a lawsuit based on that patent prior to the time that a generic approval is received. Bristol currently has several patents related to paclitaxel listed. In March 2001, we and Abbott filed an ANDA for paclitaxel with the FDA. In June, 2001, Bristol filed a lawsuit against Abbott based upon those patents in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Accordingly, Abbott's ANDA approval in the United States could be delayed. A statute comparable to the Waxman-Hatch Act exists in Europe, although the related period of exclusivity is ten years. We believe that Bristol's European exclusivity period ends in 2003.

 

Item 2. Changes in Securities. None.

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities. None.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. None.

 

Item 5. Other Information. None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

Current reports on Form 8-K: None.

Exhibits

Number Description of Exhibit

4.1 Amended Rights Agreement dated November 8, 1996 between NaPro and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company as Rights Agent, as amended September 25, 2001. Incorporated herein by reference from amended registration statement on Form 8-A12G/A filed October 23, 2001.

10.1* NaPro's 1994 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan, as amended June 21, 2001.

10.2* NaPro's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan.

* a management compensation plan

 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, NaPro has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf.

 

 

 

November 12, 2001

NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc.

/s/ Leonard P. Shaykin
Leonard P. Shaykin
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

November 12, 2001

/s/ Gordon Link
Gordon Link
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
President, NaPro Genomics

November 12, 2001

/s/ Robert L. Poley
Robert L. Poley
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)