SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K/A
AMENDMENT NO. 1
---------------------
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997
OR
[_] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 0-22025
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
---------------------
Michigan 94-3096597
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive
P. O. Box 376
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (313) 930-5555
---------------------
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, no par value
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. [_]
The approximate aggregate market value of the registrant's Common Stock, no par
value ("Common Stock"), held by non-affiliates of the registrant (based on the
closing sales price of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National
Market) on September 15, 1997 was $27,338,000. Excludes shares of Common Stock
held by directors, officers and each person who holds 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, since such persons may be deemed to be
affiliates of the registrant. This determination of affiliate status is not
necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
As of September 15, 1997, 13,285,511 shares of Common Stock, no par value, were
outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Document FORM 10-K REFERENCE
- -------- -------------------
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
scheduled for November 12, 1997 Items 10, 11, 12 and
13 of Part III
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This amendment amends the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the registrant, as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 25, 1997. Items
1, 7, 10 and 14 have been amended, and Items 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13
are restated in their entirety as they appeared in the previously filed Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
No.
----
PART I................................................................... 3
Item 1. BUSINESS.................................................. 3
Item 2. PROPERTIES................................................ 23
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS......................................... 23
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS....... 23
PART II.................................................................. 23
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
SHAREHOLDER MATTERS....................................... 23
Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA................................... 24
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS....................... 25
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA............... 37
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE....................... 37
PART III................................................................. 37
Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT........ 37
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.................................... 37
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT................................................ 37
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS............ 37
PART IV.................................................................. 38
Item 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS
ON FORM 8-K............................................... 38
SIGNATURES............................................................... 53
EXHIBIT INDEX............................................................ 54
Except for the historical information presented, the matters discussed in
this Report include forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the
results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause
or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those
discussed under the caption "Business Risks" in "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. ("Aastrom" or the "Company") is developing
proprietary process technologies and devices for a range of cell therapy
applications, including stem cell therapies and selected emerging therapies such
as immunotherapy, solid tissue repair and ex vivo gene therapy. The Company's
-------
lead product under development, the Aastrom Cell Production System (the "Aastrom
CPS"), consists of a clinical cell culture system with single-use cassettes and
reagents for use in the rapidly growing cell therapy market. The Company is
currently conducting "pre-pivotal" trials at multiple sites in the United States
and Europe of the Aastrom CPS for use in stem cell therapy in preparation for
pivotal trials in the United States and potential marketing in Europe. The
Company believes that the Aastrom CPS procedure will be a cost-effective, less
invasive and less time consuming alternative to currently available stem cell
collection methods and may enhance the clinical utility of umbilical cord blood
("UCB") transplants by expanding the number of cells available for transplant.
For stem cell therapy, the Company has entered into a strategic collaboration
for the marketing, distribution and customer service of the Aastrom CPS with
Cobe BCT, Inc. (collectively with Cobe Laboratories, Inc. "Cobe"), a subsidiary
of Gambro AB and a leading provider of blood cell processing products.
The Aastrom CPS is designed as a platform product which implements the
Company's pioneering stem cell replication technology. The Company believes that
the Aastrom CPS can be modified to produce a wide variety of other cell types
for selected emerging therapies being developed by other companies and
institutions. The Company intends to develop additional strategic collaborations
for the development of the Aastrom CPS in certain of these other cell therapy
market segments. In ex vivo gene therapy, the Company is also developing the
-------
Aastrom Gene Loader, which is being designed to address the production of gene-
modified cells.
CELL THERAPY
Cell therapy or ex vivo gene therapy involves the use of human cells to treat
-------
a medical disorder. The most common types of cell therapy, blood and platelet
transfusions, have been widely used for many decades. More recently, bone
marrow-derived and UCB cells have been used to restore the bone marrow and the
blood and immune system cells which are damaged by chemotherapy and radiation
therapy during the treatment of many types of cancer. Transplantation of these
cells is known as stem cell therapy. Other cell therapies have recently been
used for generating skin and cartilage tissue, and additional cell therapies are
being developed by various companies and researchers to restore immune system
cells as well as bone, kidney, liver, vascular and neuronal tissues.
Cell therapies require the collection of cells, either from the patient or a
suitably matched donor. These cells are typically processed and stored for
administration to the patient. Although cell therapy is being developed for use
in an increasing number of diseases, widespread application of new cell
therapies remains limited by the difficulties and expense associated with
current cell collection and processing procedures. The problems of current cell
collection techniques are exemplified in the area of stem cell therapy where the
patient or donor undergoes invasive, time-consuming and costly procedures to
collect the large volume of cells currently required for effective treatment.
The Company believes an alternative to collecting the required therapeutic dose
of cells is to grow these cells ex vivo from a small starting volume. However,
-------
ex vivo cell expansion, when biologically possible, has typically required
- -------
costly techniques, facilities and operations to comply with U.S. Food and Drug
Administration ("FDA") current good manufacturing practices ("cGMP"), which are
not generally available in hospitals. As a result, cells needed for such
therapies often require specialized cell production facilities which use labor-
intensive, manual cell culture techniques.
3
In ex vivo gene therapy, genes are introduced into target cells in order to
-------
selectively correct or modulate disease conditions, or to modify cells for
production of a therapeutic protein. The Company believes that the successful
practice of ex vivo gene therapy will require the development of processes and
-------
products for the reliable, high-efficiency transfer of genes into cells and a
means to produce the necessary dose of the genetically modified cells under cGMP
conditions.
STEM CELL THERAPY
Stem cell therapy is used to treat cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy or
radiation therapy at dose levels that are toxic to the hematopoietic system,
which is comprised of the bone marrow and the cells of the blood and immune
systems. The objective of stem cell therapy is to restore the hematopoietic
system via the infusion and subsequent engraftment of healthy cells to replace
bone marrow and result in the rapid recovery of neutrophils and platelets that
have been destroyed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Stem cell therapy
reduces the risk of life-threatening infections and bleeding episodes following
cancer treatments. In order to treat many cancers, high intensity chemotherapy
or radiation is often required, which may severely destroy ("myeloablation") or
partially destroy ("myelosuppression") the patient's hematopoietic system.
Cells required for effective stem cell therapy include stem cells, to
replenish depleted bone marrow and provide a long-term ongoing source of the
multilineage progenitor cells of the blood and immune systems, and early and
late stage hematopoietic progenitor cells, to provide for rapid neutrophil and
platelet recoveries. Stromal accessory cells are believed to further augment the
growth of bone marrow. In the adult, all of these cell types originate in the
bone marrow. These cells are currently collected from the donor or patient
directly through multiple syringe aspirations under anesthesia, known as bone
marrow collection, or through blood apheresis following treatment with drugs
which cause cells to be released or mobilized from the bone marrow into the
blood. This latter technique is known as a peripheral blood progenitor cell
("PBPC") collection. See "--Current Stem Cell Collection Methods."
Recently, it has been demonstrated that the blood cells found in the umbilical
cord of newborn infants include cells effective for stem cell therapy. This
source of cells is being explored by physicians as a significant new development
in stem cell therapy, but is currently limited by difficulties in obtaining
sufficient quantities of these cells and by prolonged engraftment times for the
cells once transplanted into the patient.
Once collected, the stem cell mixture is infused intravenously and the stem
and stromal accessory cells migrate into the bone cavity where they engraft to
form a new marrow. The hematopoietic progenitor cell components of the cell
mixture provide early restoration of circulating white blood cells and
platelets. The replenished bone marrow will normally provide long-term
hematopoietic function, but complete restoration of bone marrow may take years
following myeloablative cancer therapy. When the patient's hematopoietic system
is malignant, such as in the case of leukemia, cells from a suitable donor are
generally required in order to avoid reintroducing the disease during cell
infusion. Such donor derived transplants are termed "allogeneic" transplants.
Procedures using cells derived from the patient are termed "autologous"
transplants.
STEM CELL THERAPY MARKET OPPORTUNITY
------------------------------------
The benefits of stem cell therapy in the treatment of cancer patients have
been well established over the past two decades. Stem cell therapy, in the form
of bone marrow transplantation, was originally used in patients who had received
treatment for blood and bone marrow cancers such as leukemia, and genetic
diseases of the blood. However, because stem cell therapy has been shown to
promote the rapid recovery of hematopoietic function, it is now being
increasingly used to enable patients with other forms of cancer to receive high
dose or multicycle chemotherapy and radiation treatments. These high-intensity
therapies have a greater probability of eradicating dose-sensitive cancers but,
because of their hematopoietic toxicity, cannot generally be given without stem
cell therapy. As a result, some patients are treated with lower and less
effective doses, and fewer cycles of therapy than might otherwise be used.
According to an industry source, approximately 32,000 stem cell therapy
procedures were completed worldwide in 1995, and, according to another industry
source, the number of such procedures utilizing donor-derived and patient-
derived cells has been growing annually by approximately 15% and 20%,
respectively. This growth has been driven by encouraging clinical results in the
treatment of dose-sensitive solid tumors, such as breast and ovarian cancers.
The Company expects that the
4
number of stem cell therapy procedures will continue to grow due to increased
incidence and prevalence of cancer, continued clinical demand for myelotoxic
cancer treatment, and the increased cost effectiveness of stem cell therapy
treatments.
Stem cell therapy may also enhance the effectiveness of blood cell growth
factors. The timing and extent of additional cycles of chemotherapy is often
limited by the recovery of a patient's white blood cells and platelets because a
delayed recovery of these cells can leave the patient susceptible to life-
threatening infection and bleeding episodes, and this limitation may allow for
the regrowth of residual tumor cells. Many cancer patients are routinely treated
with growth factors including G-CSF, such as Neupogen and GM-CSF, such as
Leukine, which enhance the development of mature circulating white blood cells
and platelets from the early progenitor bone-marrow derived cells, thereby
decreasing the time between cycles of therapy and the probability of infection.
However, during high dose or multicycle therapy, the stem and progenitor cells
on which these growth factors act are often depleted. Without these cells,
growth factors have a limited or negligible effect. Stem cell therapy generally
enhances the effectiveness of growth factors by introducing target stem and
progenitor cells for growth factors to act upon such that patients generally
exhibit a more rapid and consistent hematopoietic recovery.
CURRENT STEM CELL COLLECTION METHODS
------------------------------------
Currently, the bone marrow-derived cells required for stem cell therapy are
collected primarily either through the bone marrow harvest method or the PBPC
collection method.
Bone Marrow Harvest
-------------------
A traditional bone marrow harvest is a costly and invasive surgical procedure
in which a physician removes approximately one liter of bone marrow from a
patient or donor. This volume of bone marrow is removed using needles inserted
into the cavity of the hip bone. The bone marrow harvest procedure typically
requires between two to four hours of operating room time, with the physician
often making more than 90 separate puncture sites in the hip bone to collect the
necessary amount of bone marrow. Due to the length of the procedure and the
trauma to the patient, general surgical anesthesia is administered and the
patient is often hospitalized for a day. Frequently, the patient suffers pain
from the procedure for several days after being discharged from the hospital.
Furthermore, complications resulting from the general anesthesia or invasive
nature of the procedure occur in a small percentage of patients. Bone marrow
harvest provides a reliable source of stem and stromal accessory cells and has
been the preferred source of cells in allogeneic transplants.
PBPC Mobilization and Collection
--------------------------------
PBPC mobilization is a technique in which bone marrow-derived cells are
harvested from a patient's or donor's circulating blood, rather than from bone
marrow. In a PBPC mobilization procedure, the patient receives multiple
injections of growth factors or cytotoxic drugs, or both, over the course of a
week or more, which cause stem and progenitor cells resident in the bone marrow
to mobilize into the circulating blood. The mobilized cells are then collected
by connecting the patient to a blood apheresis device, which draws and returns
large volumes of the patient's or donor's blood in order to selectively remove
the therapeutic volume of stem and progenitor cells. Each collection procedure
typically lasts for two to six hours and is typically repeated on two to five
consecutive days, however, procedure time has decreased and is expected to
continue to decrease as the procedure is further optimized. Specialized
laboratory testing over the period of mobilization and cell harvesting is
necessary to determine that a sufficient quantity of desired cells has been
collected, adding to the cost of the procedure. The PBPC process has become the
predominant procedure in autologous stem cell therapy.
5
Procedure Considerations
------------------------
Although stem cell therapy is being utilized to treat more patients for a
broader range of diseases, its availability continues to be limited by the high
costs of procuring cells, the invasive nature of traditional cell procurement
techniques, and by the technical difficulties related to those collection
procedures. The Company believes that current charges for bone marrow harvest,
processing and infusion are approximately $10,000 to $15,000 per procedure, with
considerable variability between institutions. The Company believes that current
charges for PBPC collection, including mobilization and infusion, are
approximately $12,000 to $20,000 for a two to three cycle procedure, with
considerable variability between institutions depending on the mobilization
regimen and the total volume, time and number of aphereses required.
Overall costs of stem cell therapy include the costs of the cell collection
and infusion procedures, and the costs associated with supporting the patient
during post-transplant recovery. Post-transplant costs include hospitalization
time, antibiotic support, management of adverse reactions to the large volume
cell infusions, and infusions of platelets and red blood cells. Any new stem
cell therapy process will generally need to provide similar recovery endpoints
to be competitive with the current procedures. In this regard, PBPC procedures
have gained popularity compared with bone marrow harvests because the number of
platelet transfusions is reduced for some patients.
Recently, products to implement a cell isolation method known as CD34
selection have been developed by other companies in conjunction with bone marrow
harvest and PBPC collections. CD34 selection is a process designed to isolate
specific types of cells in order to decrease storage and infusion problems
associated with the large volume of fluids collected in bone marrow or multiple
apheresis procedures. CD34 selection is used after the initial collection of
stem and progenitor cells and, therefore, does not address the difficulties or
costs associated with the basic cell collection procedures. A future objective
of CD34 selection is to assist in depleting tumor cells from the transplant
cells collected, thereby expanding the availability of stem cell therapy to new
patient populations.
UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD
--------------------
UCB, which is collected directly from the umbilical cord of newborn infants,
without pain or risk to the infant or the mother, is emerging as a new source of
cells for stem cell therapy. UCB has been reported to have stem cell
concentrations that are much higher than that typically obtained from
traditional bone marrow and PBPC collection methods. After collection, UCB is
typically frozen for later use in a stem cell therapy procedure. Storage of UCB
samples involves small volumes of cells, compared to typical bone marrow or PBPC
storage. Accordingly, the costs of collection and storage of UCB cells are
comparatively low. This source of cells is also "tumor-free," such that UCB
would be preferred for many current stem cell therapy procedures in metastatic
cancer patients. Before UCB can become a major supply source for stem cell
therapy, a coordinated UCB banking system must emerge. In this regard, several
UCB banking institutions have been established to date, and the group is growing
in both number and size. The establishment of these UCB banking institutions is
an initial step which may lead to a coordinated UCB banking system.
Current disadvantages of UCB include the relatively low number of available
cells which may contribute to prolonged engraftment times for the cells once
transplanted into the patient. Unlike bone marrow or PBPC harvest, where the
collection of more cells to meet a particular treatment is typically achievable,
the number of cells available from a UCB donor is limited. This problem is
exacerbated by the required cryopreservation of the cells, which causes
significant cell loss. The resultant low cell number is believed to be
responsible for the longer hematopoietic recovery times observed with UCB
transplants, as compared with bone marrow or PBPC transplants. Further, because
of the low cell number, UCB transplants are typically restricted to small
patients. Therefore, increasing the number of therapeutic cells from a UCB
sample may facilitate the more widespread use of UCB transplants. Aastrom
believes that providing the transplant site with the capability to carry out the
UCB cell expansion will be a major factor in the increased use of UCB for stem
cell therapy and a significant business opportunity.
6
AASTROM TECHNOLOGY
Aastrom is developing proprietary process technologies that are pioneering the
ex vivo production of human stem and progenitor cells. The Company has also
- -------
developed a proprietary cell culture device that mimics the biological and
physical environment necessary for the growth of certain human cells and
tissues, including bone marrow. The Company's initial product candidate, the
Aastrom CPS, utilizes the Company's process technology and is designed to enable
the ex vivo production of human stem and progenitor cells as an alternative to
-------
bone marrow harvest and PBPC mobilization methods and to enhance the clinical
utility of UCB cells. The Company believes that the Aastrom CPS may be used for
other cell production processes, such as immunotherapy and solid tissue repair,
which are being developed by third parties and, in combination with the
Company's proprietary gene transfer process, may have application in the
developing field of ex vivo gene therapy.
-------
CORE TECHNOLOGY
---------------
Stem Cell Growth Process
------------------------
Aastrom has developed proprietary process technologies for ex vivo production
-------
of therapeutic stem and progenitor cells as well as other key cells found in
human bone marrow. The Company's proprietary process entails the placement of a
stem cell mixture in a culture environment that mimics the biology and
physiology of natural bone marrow. This process enables the stem and early and
late-stage progenitor cells needed for an effective stem cell therapy procedure
to be concurrently expanded. Growth factors can be added to stimulate specific
cell lineages to grow or to increase cell growth to meet a particular
therapeutic objective. The stem cell growth process can best be completed with
little or no additional stem cell selection or purification procedures. This
stem cell replication process can also enable or augment the genetic
modification of cells by providing the cell division step needed for new genes
to integrate into the stem cell DNA. Currently available cell culture methods
tend to result in a loss of stem cells, either through death or through
differentiation into mature cells. The Company has exclusive rights to several
issued U.S. patents that cover these processes and cell compositions. See
"--Additional Stem Cell and Other Cell Therapies."
Aastrom Cell Culture Chamber
----------------------------
Aastrom has developed a proprietary cell culture chamber to implement the
Company's process technology. The culture chamber produces cells on a clinical
scale and allows for simple, sterile recovery of the cells for therapeutic use.
The Company believes that the Aastrom cell culture chamber may also be used for
growing other human therapeutic cells, such as T-Cells and dendritic cells used
for immunotherapies, chondrocytes for cartilage replacement, and mesenchymal
tissues for bone and cartilage replacement. The Company holds exclusive rights
to issued U.S. patents and additional applications for its cell culture chamber
device technology. See "--Additional Stem Cell and Other Cell Therapies."
Efficient Gene Transfer
-----------------------
Aastrom has developed proprietary processes and device technology that may
enable increased efficiency of vector-mediated gene transfer into cells as
compared to conventional procedures. This directed-motion gene transfer or gene
loading technology is being pursued by the Company for application in most cell
and tissue types and most vector technologies. The Company intends to develop
products based upon its gene loading technology. Development of additional
products, however, will require the Company to raise additional funds or to seek
collaborative partners, or both, to finance related research and development
activities, as to which there can be no assurance of success. Furthermore, due
to the uncertainties involved, the Company is unable to estimate the length of
time such development may take. If successfully developed into products, the
Company believes that such products would facilitate the advancement of numerous
gene therapy protocols into the clinic and ultimately the market. The Company
has exclusive rights to three issued U.S. patents, and has additional
applications pending, for this technology. See "Aastrom Product Candidates For
Ex Vivo Gene Therapy."
- -------
7
THE AASTROM CPS
---------------
The Aastrom CPS is the Company's lead product under development. While
potentially applicable to multiple cell therapy applications such as
immunotherapy, solid tissue repair and ex vivo gene therapy, the Aastrom CPS is
-------
being developed initially by the Company for stem cell therapy. The Aastrom CPS
is a proprietary system that the Company believes will enable the large scale
ex vivo production of a variety of therapeutic cells at healthcare facilities,
- -------
independent laboratories, transplant centers and blood banks, and has been
designed to implement Aastrom's stem cell growth process as well as processes
for the production of other cell types.
The Aastrom CPS is comprised of several components, including single-use Cell
Cassettes and reagents and microprocessor-controlled instruments, which are at
various stages of development. The Cell Cassette is a single-use cartridge which
contains the Aastrom cell culture chamber and the related media supply waste
reservoirs and harvest bag. The microprocessor-controlled instruments include
the Incubator which controls the culture conditions for the operation of the
Cell Cassette, and the Processor which automates the priming and harvesting of
the cells from the Cell Cassette. The System Manager is a user interface
computer that is being developed to simultaneously track and monitor the cell
production process in over thirty CPS Incubators and record relevant process
variables and operator actions. Prototype components of the Aastrom CPS are
currently being used in clinical trials and ongoing development activities are
directed at completing other production level components of the Aastrom CPS.
The Aastrom CPS is designed to be operated with minimal operator activity by a
medical or laboratory technician and can implement clinical scale cell
production at the patient care site. The end product of the Aastrom CPS process
is a blood-bag container with the cell product. The control and documentation
features of the Aastrom CPS have been designed to meet cGMP requirements for the
therapeutic production of cells.
AASTROM CPS FOR STEM CELL THERAPY
- ---------------------------------
The Company's initial application for the Aastrom CPS is expected to be in the
growing field of stem cell therapy, where the Company believes that the Aastrom
CPS may address many of the limitations of existing procedures. The Aastrom CPS
is based on a comparatively simple process in which a small volume of bone
marrow cells are collected from the patient or donor using a needle aspiration
procedure typically under a local anesthetic or sedative. This cell mixture is
quantified, and an appropriate volume of cells is then inoculated into one or
more Cell Cassettes with the necessary growth media. Growth-factor-stimulated
cells are produced using the Aastrom CPS in approximately 12 to 13 days, with no
further patient involvement. Depending upon the cell quantity necessary for a
therapeutic application, single or multiple Cell Cassettes may be required, with
a different volume requirement of starting cells taken from the patient at the
initial visit. The Aastrom CPS has been designed to minimize operator
involvement during the cell production process, and the steps required before
and after the Aastrom CPS are standard laboratory procedures. Cells derived from
UCB may also serve as a tumor-free source of stem and progenitor cells for
expansion in the Aastrom CPS.
8
Potential Advantages of Aastrom CPS
-----------------------------------
The Company believes that the Aastrom CPS, if approved for commercial sale by
the FDA and foreign regulatory agencies, may provide certain improvements and
efficiencies over traditional cell collection and infusion processes. The
following table, which sets forth estimates based on a 1996 survey conducted by
the Company of 11 stem cell transplant physicians at different transplant
institutions throughout the United States, compares estimated patient care
episodes and procedure time for currently established cell collection and
infusion techniques with the Aastrom CPS method of cell procurement:
PROCEDURE TIME
Cell Source CARE EPISODES(1) (HOURS)(1)
----------- ---------------- ----------
Bone Marrow Harvest (2)................ 8 16
PBPC Mobilization and Collection (3)... 21 39
Aastrom CPS (4)........................ 2 1-3
--------------------
(1) Includes all outpatient, inpatient, and home care episodes.
(2) Includes operating room procedure and all preparatory and recovery
procedures.
(3) Based on an average of three rounds of apheresis following cell
mobilization injections.
(4) Projections, based on data accumulated during the Company's research
and clinical trials.
The Company believes that the Aastrom CPS may provide the following benefits
when compared to current cell collection and infusion methods:
Cost-Effectiveness. The Company believes the Aastrom CPS has the potential
------------------
to cost-effectively replace the labor intensive and invasive cell collection and
infusion procedures currently employed for stem cell therapy and to reduce
physician, staff and patient time requirements.
Reduced Patient and Physician Burden. Cell production with the Aastrom CPS
------------------------------------
is expected to require the collection of a small volume of starting material
compared to current collection procedures, eliminating the requirement for
general surgical anesthesia, multiple drug injections or blood apheresis.
Patient benefits are expected to include fewer needle sticks than with current
cell collection and infusion methods and a reduction in overall patient
procedure time. Additionally, Aastrom's process for cell expansion is expected
to minimize the time requirement for physicians compared with bone marrow
harvest.
Enhanced Multicycle High-Dose Chemotherapy. The long restoration period for
------------------------------------------
the hematopoietic system following myeloablative therapy effectively limits
patients to one opportunity for cell collection prior to cancer therapy. The
Aastrom CPS may enhance the practice of multicycle, high-dose chemotherapy by
providing the ability to produce a therapeutic dose of cells from a small
starting volume. The initial cell collection can be divided into multiple
samples and stored frozen until expansion at a later time is required.
Reduced Quantity of Lymphocytes. The Company believes its approach to stem
-------------------------------
cell therapy may provide an additional benefit over current methods by depleting
potentially harmful cells such as T-cells and B-cells. These cells are believed
to be primarily responsible for graft-versus-host disease, a common
manifestation of allogeneic transplants in which the grafted donor's cells
attack the host's tissues and organs.
Tumor Cell Purging. Cancer patients with tumor metastases, in which the
------------------
cancer has spread to the blood and bone marrow, have not traditionally been
candidates for autologous stem cell transplants because such transplant might
reintroduce cancer cells into the patient. Additionally, patients may have
undetected tumor cells present in their marrow or PBPC transplant, which could
re-establish cancer in the patient following transplant. The Company's initial
clinical results, as well as studies conducted by third-party investigators,
have shown that some primary human tumor cells die or do not grow during
hematopoietic cell culture. The smaller volume of starting cells used for the
Aastrom CPS compared with bone marrow
9
harvest or PBPC transplants may provide approximately 10 to 70 fold less tumor
cells in a transplant. Further, in an evaluation of seven tumor-contaminated
bone marrow samples that were expanded with the Aastrom CPS process, the
presence of breast cancer cells in each sample was either substantially reduced
or was no longer detectable. The Company believes that this combination of
passive depletion during culture with the lower starting volume of tumor cells
may result in a tumor-free or tumor-reduced cell product for transplant. The
clinical benefit of such tumor depletion, if any, will vary depending upon the
type of cancer and state of disease.
CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
The Company's clinical development plan is initially to obtain regulatory
approval in the United States to market the Aastrom CPS for autologous stem cell
therapy and UCB transplantation, and in Europe for more general cell therapy
applications. The Company also intends to pursue approval of the Aastrom CPS for
additional clinical indications.
The Company believes that the Aastrom CPS for stem cell therapy will be
regulated as a medical device and that the Company will be required to submit a
Pre-Market Approval ("PMA") application to, and obtain approval from, the FDA to
allow it to market this product in the United States. In order to obtain PMA
registration, the Company will be required to complete clinical trials under an
IDE. See "--Government Regulation--Devices."
Aastrom is currently conducting a pre-pivotal stem cell therapy clinical trial
at four U.S. sites. This clinical trial is designed to demonstrate that cells
produced using the Aastrom CPS can alone provide hematopoietic recovery in
accordance with trial endpoints in breast cancer patients who have received
myeloablative chemotherapy. Bone marrow or mobilized PBPC obtained from the
patients by traditional methods will be available for precautionary reasons at
defined clinical stages.
Initial patient data from one trial site have been presented and demonstrate
that cells produced in the Aastrom CPS can lead to engraftment of stem cells in
patients within a recovery time frame that is comparable with that of
conventional bone marrow transplantation following ablative chemotherapy. These
patients started to recover their white blood cell counts within a median time
of approximately seven days post-transplant and reached safe levels of
neutrophils at approximately 16 days and platelets at approximately 23 days.
Prior to implementing the trial protocol used for these patients, the Company
had evaluated the cells produced in the Aastrom CPS in Stage IV breast cancer
patients who had received significant prior cytotoxic therapy for their advanced
cancer.
The Company has also initiated clinical trials at one site for adult patients
and at another site for pediatric patients to evaluate the use of the Aastrom
CPS to expand cells obtained from UCB for use in patients who have received
myeloablative radiation or chemotherapy.
The objective of the current and anticipated future trials is to establish the
protocols for pivotal trials of the Aastrom CPS in stem cell therapy. Provided
that these pre-pivotal trials provide further evidence of the feasibility and
safety of cells produced in the Aastrom CPS, the Company anticipates initiating
pivotal clinical trials at multiple sites no earlier than late 1997, with
patient enrollment to support a PMA filing, although this schedule is subject to
numerous risks and uncertainties.
Aastrom, in partnership with Cobe, has initiated two clinical sites in Europe
to evaluate the use of Aastrom CPS cells to promote hematopoietic recovery in
breast cancer patients undergoing aggressive myelosuppressive or myelotoxic
chemotherapy. Assuming the successful completion of these and other clinical
trials, the Company intends to seek approval to market the Aastrom CPS in Europe
through CE Mark Registration. See "--Government Regulation--Regulatory Process
in Europe."
The ongoing trials were preceded by earlier studies designed to evaluate
safety and process feasibility. Aastrom completed the first feasibility trial of
its cell production system technology at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in
October 1995. In this trial, ten breast cancer patients, who were subjected to
myeloablative chemotherapy, were treated with cells obtained from a standard
bone marrow harvest and with cells produced from a sample of such cells with a
predecessor of the Aastrom CPS. The patients exhibited standard clinical
recoveries, providing evidence of the clinical safety of cells obtained from the
Company's cell production process and of the feasibility of cell production with
a predecessor of the Aastrom CPS by clinical personnel at an investigational
site. With this study completed, a five-patient study was then conducted to
begin to evaluate the use of cells obtained from the Company's cell production
process alone in the transplant setting.
10
The results from these patients provided evidence of the clinical safety of
the Aastrom CPS-produced cells in patients and that the hematopoietic recovery
endpoints specified for the trial are achievable. Four of these five patients
received the delayed administration of the precautionary bone marrow pursuant to
the trial protocol. Following further review by the FDA, the IDE was amended to
expand the trail to the four additional sites where the clinical trail is now
ongoing. The amended IDE provided for the enrollment of Stage II, III and IV
patients, and a delayed use of the precautionary bone marrow.
In a dose-ranging study conducted by the University of Michigan (the
"University") in 1993, ex vivo produced cells utilizing the Company's
-------
proprietary cell production technology were infused into seven patients with
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after they received myeloablative chemotherapy. These
patients also received cells obtained from either an autologous bone marrow
harvest or PBPC procedure. No safety issues attributable to the infused cells
were observed in this trial and the patients exhibited recovery profiles
consistent with traditional transplantation techniques.
The preliminary results of the Company's pre-pivotal trials may not be
predictive of results that will be obtained from subsequent patients in the
trials or from more extensive trials. Further, there can be no assurance that
the Company's pre-pivotal or pivotal trials will be successful, or that PMA
registration or required foreign regulatory approvals for the Aastrom CPS will
be obtained in a timely fashion, or at all. See "Business Risks--Uncertainties
Related to Clinical Trials."
ADDITIONAL STEM CELL AND OTHER CELL THERAPIES
The Company believes that the Aastrom CPS hardware and single-use Cell
Cassettes may be developed to serve as platform products for application in a
variety of other emerging cell therapies in addition to stem cell therapy. The
Company believes that the Aastrom CPS has the potential to supplant current
manual cell culture methods to produce therapeutic quantities of cell types such
as T-cells, chondrocytes, mesenchymal cells, keratinocytes, neuronal cells and
dendritic cells. Other than a limited application of chondrocyte therapy, novel
cell therapies are still in early stages of development by third parties, and no
assurance can be given that such other cell therapies will be successfully
developed. Potential advantages of the Aastrom CPS in these therapies may
include: (i) reducing labor and capital costs; (ii) enhancing process
reliability; (iii) automating quality assurance; (iv) reducing the need for
specialized, environmentally controlled facilities; and (v) providing greater
accessibility of these procedures to care providers and patients and, in certain
cases, providing a more biologically active cell product.
Modification of such processes and application of the Company's products to
the expansion of other cell types may require substantial additional development
of specialized cell culture environments which may need to be incorporated
within the Company's existing Cell Cassettes. Such modifications may require the
Company to raise substantial additional funds, or to seek additional
collaborative partners, or both. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to successfully modify or develop existing or future products to enable
such additional cell production processes. The Company's business opportunity is
dependent upon successful development and regulatory approval of these novel
cell therapies. No assurance can be given that such novel therapies will be
successfully developed by other companies or approved by applicable regulatory
authorities, or that the Company's processes or product candidates will find
successful application in such therapies. In addition, the Company may be
required to obtain license rights to such technologies in order to develop or
modify existing or future products for use in such therapies. No assurance can
be given that the Company will be able to obtain such licenses or that such
licenses, if available, could be obtained on commercially reasonable terms. See
"--Clinical Development" and "Business Risks--Future Capital Needs; Uncertainty
of Additional Funding."
Immunotherapies
---------------
Immunotherapy involves using cells of the immune system to eradicate a disease
target. T-cell lymphocytes and dendritic cells are being actively investigated
by other companies for this purpose, and the Company anticipates that many of
these procedures will require ex vivo cell production.
-------
T-cells, a class of lymphocyte white blood cells, play a critical role in the
human immune system and are responsible for the human immune response in a broad
spectrum of diseases, including cancers and infectious diseases. Cytotoxic T-
lymphocytes ("CTLs") is a new process that involves collecting T-cells from a
patient and culturing them in an environment
11
resulting in T-cells with specificity for a particular disease target. Clinical
trials by third parties have been initiated to demonstrate CTL effectiveness.
The ex vivo production of these cells under conditions for use in medical
-------
treatment represents a critical step in the advancement of this therapy.
Dendritic cells (the potent antigen presenting cells) are believed to play an
important role in the function of the immune system. Researchers believe that
cultured dendritic cells could augment the natural ability of a patient to
present antigens from the infectious agents to the immune system and aid in the
generation of a cytotoxic T-cell response to the infectious agent.
Solid Tissue Cell Therapies
---------------------------
One of the newest areas of cell therapy involves the production of
chondrocytes for the restoration of cartilage. Chondrocyte therapy involves the
surgical removal of a small amount of tissue from the patient's knee and a
therapeutic quantity of chondrocytes is produced from this surgical biopsy. The
cells are then implanted into the patient's knee. Published reports indicate
that such cells then reestablish mature articular cartilage. Currently, this
cell production process is completed in highly specialized laboratory facilities
using trained scientists and manual laboratory procedures. The Company believes
that the Aastrom CPS may have the potential to reduce costs associated with the
cell production procedure and, if successfully developed by the Company for this
application, may eventually facilitate the transfer of the cell production
capability away from specialized facilities directly to the clinical care sites.
Other Stem Cell Therapies
-------------------------
Autoimmune Diseases. Stem cell therapy is under clinical investigation by
-------------------
third parties for the treatment of other diseases. Clinical studies have
suggested a potential role for stem cell therapy in treatment of autoimmune
diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and lupus
erythematosus. The generic cause of these diseases is a malfunctioning immune
system, including T-lymphocytes. Clinical trials in which the patient receives
treatment resulting in immune ablation (usually involving myelotoxic cancer
drugs or radiation), followed by stem cell therapy to restore the bone marrow
and cells of the blood and immune system, have demonstrated remission of the
autoimmune disease in some patients.
Organ Transplantation. Recently, a number of academic and corporate
---------------------
researchers and companies have identified the potential use of stem cell therapy
to facilitate successful solid organ and tissue transplants between human donors
and recipients, as well as using organs from non-human species for
transplantation into humans. These proposed applications are based on the
observation that donor-specific bone marrow, infused concurrent with or prior to
the organ transplant, can provide for reduction of the normal immune rejection
response by the transplant recipient (e.g. heart, lung, liver or kidney
transplants).
A major limitation to the use of stem cell therapy in solid organ transplant
is the limited availability of sufficient amounts of bone marrow to obtain a
desired therapeutic response of immune tolerization. This limitation is
particularly problematic when cadaveric donor organs are used, which has
traditionally been the source of cells for these procedures. Bone marrow is also
often available from the cadaveric donor, but only in a limited amount. Normally
this amount may be sufficient for one transplant, but a donor might provide
multiple organs for transplant into multiple recipients. Aastrom believes that
the ability to expand the available bone marrow ex vivo will enhance the use of
-------
stem cell therapy for such transplant procedures and may pursue development of
its products for application in such therapy in the future.
AASTROM PRODUCT CANDIDATES FOR EX VIVO GENE THERAPY
-------
A novel form of cell therapy is ex vivo gene therapy. For this type of cell
-------
therapy, cells procured from the patient or a donor are genetically modified
prior to their infusion into the patient. Analogous to other cell therapies, the
ability to produce a therapeutic dose of these gene-modified cells is a major
limitation to the commercialization of these cell therapies. This limitation is
further exacerbated by the additional requirement that the cells be genetically
modified under conditions that are sterile and comply with GMP.
Gene therapy is a therapeutic modality that holds the potential to
significantly impact the delivery of healthcare and the delivery of
therapeutically useful protein-based drugs within the body. Gene therapies are
generally targeted at the introduction of a missing normal gene into otherwise
defective human tissue, or the introduction of novel biologic capability
12
into the body via the introduction of a gene not ordinarily present (for
example, genes providing for the enhanced recognition and destruction or
inhibition of the HIV-1 virus). The major developmental focus of the ex vivo
-------
gene therapy industry has been to identify the therapeutic gene of interest,
insert it into a suitable vector that can be used to transport and integrate the
gene into the DNA of the target cell, and then cause the gene to become
expressed. The Company believes that for ex vivo gene therapy to progress to
-------
clinical applications, a process to produce a sufficient quantity of therapeutic
cells is required as is an efficient means to insert the gene vector into target
cells. Gene therapy is still in an early stage of development by third parties.
The Company's business opportunity is dependent upon the successful development
and regulatory approval of individual gene therapy applications. No assurance
can be given that such applications will be developed or approved or that the
Company's processes or product candidates will find successful applications in
such therapies. Successful development of the Company's processes and product
candidates for application in ex vivo gene therapy will require substantial
-------
additional research and development, including clinical testing, and will be
subject to the Company's ability to finance such activities on acceptable terms,
if at all. See "Business Risks--Future Capital Needs; Uncertainty of Additional
Funding."
THE AASTROM CPS FOR GENE THERAPY (GT-CPS)
-----------------------------------------
The Aastrom CPS has been designed to produce cells for therapy and the Company
believes that the Aastrom CPS may be useful in many potential ex vivo gene
-------
therapy applications. Further, the Company anticipates that its proprietary stem
cell production process technology implemented by the Aastrom CPS may provide
the conditions for clinical scale stem cell division, and enable or enhance the
introduction of therapeutic genes into stem cell DNA. The Company believes that
its technology may also enable expansion of more mature progeny of these stem
cells to create a gene therapy cell product with potential short and long term
therapeutic effect.
The Company has two principal objectives for the development of Aastrom GT-
CPS: (i) the enablement of stem cell gene therapies for a variety of hematologic
and other disorders, based on the GT-CPS's ability to enable large scale stem
cell division ex vivo; and (ii) the enablement of gene transfer and therapeutic
-------
cell production by local and regional primary patient care facilities and
ancillary service laboratories.
THE AASTROM GENE LOADER
-----------------------
The Aastrom Gene Loader product technology, which is under development, is
being designed to enhance the efficiency and reliability of the transfer of new
therapeutic genes, which are carried by vectors, into the target cell. This
process, which is typically inefficient in many human cells inhibits many ex
vivo gene therapies from moving forward in the clinic. The Aastrom Gene Loader
is being designed to incorporate the Company's proprietary directed motion gene
transfer technology. Complete product development is expected to require
additional funding sources or collaborations with others, or both.
The Company believes that these issues represent a general bottleneck for
other companies pursuing ex vivo gene therapy clinical applications. The
-------
Company's technology under development may favorably influence these gene
therapy applications, the development of which are impeded due to low
transduction efficiencies and the resultant need for use of extreme quantities
of gene vectors and/or target "delivery" tissues.
STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS
On October 22, 1993, the Company entered into a Distribution Agreement (the
"Distribution Agreement") with Cobe for Cobe to be the Company's exclusive,
worldwide marketing, distribution and service provider for the Aastrom CPS for
stem cell therapy applications (the "Stem Cell Therapy Applications"). Under the
terms of the Company's Distribution Agreement with Cobe, other than with respect
to sales to affiliates, the Company is precluded from selling the Aastrom CPS to
customers for stem cell therapy applications. The Company has, however, reserved
the right to sell the Aastrom CPS for: (i) all diagnostic or other non-
therapeutic clinical applications; (ii) all gene therapy or gene transfer
applications, including those for stem cells; (iii) all non-human applications;
(iv) certain permitted clinical research applications; and (v) all applications
that are labeled not for human use. The Company has also reserved the
unconditional right to sell other products under development, including but not
limited to products based upon its gene loading technology. The initial term of
the Distribution Agreement expires on October 22, 2003, and Cobe has the option
to extend the term for an additional ten-year period. The Company is responsible
for the expenses to obtain FDA and other regulatory approval in the United
States, while
13
Cobe is responsible for the expenses to obtain regulatory approval in foreign
countries to allow for worldwide marketing of the Aastrom CPS for Stem Cell
Therapy Applications. See "Business Risks--Consequences of Cobe Relationship."
Under the terms of the Distribution Agreement, the Company will realize
approximately 58% to 62% of the net sales price at which Cobe ultimately sells
the Aastrom CPS for Stem Cell Therapy Applications, subject to certain
negotiated discounts and volume-based adjustments and subject to the obligation
of the Company to make aggregate royalty payments of up to 5% to certain
licensors of its technology. The Company is also entitled to a premium on United
States sales in any year in which worldwide sales exceed specified levels.
The Distribution Agreement may be terminated by Cobe upon twelve months prior
notice to the Company in the event that any person or entity other than Cobe
beneficially owns more than 50% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock or
voting securities. The Distribution Agreement may also be terminated by Cobe at
any time after December 31, 1997 if Cobe determines that commercialization of
the Aastrom CPS for stem cell therapy on or prior to December 31, 1998 is
unlikely.
In conjunction with the Distribution Agreement, the Company also entered into
a Stock Purchase Agreement with Cobe (the "Cobe Stock Agreement"), whereby Cobe
acquired certain option, registration, preemptive and other rights pertaining to
shares of the Company's stock. Pursuant to such preemptive rights, Cobe elected
to purchase 714,200 shares of Common Stock in the Company's initial public
offering in February 1997. See "Description of Capital Stock--Rights of Cobe"
and "Certain Transactions."
The Company has entered into a Strategic Planning Consulting Services and
Collaboration Agreement (the "Consulting Agreement") with Burrill & Company, LLC
("Burrill"), pursuant to which Burrill will advise the Company on potential
strategic alliances and seek to identify potential collaborations. Pursuant to
the Consulting Agreement, Burrill will be paid a monthly retainer of $10,000 and
will be reimbursed for expenses incurred pursuant to an approved budget. Aastrom
has issued Burrill an immediately exercisable warrant to purchase 100,000 shares
of Common Stock at an exercise price of $7.24 and a second warrant, which vests
over a one-year period, to purchase 100,000 shares at an exercise price of
$7.24. The Consulting Agreement is terminable by either party following periods
of up to 30 days following notice.
The Consulting Agreement also provides for payments to Burrill that are based
on the timing and amount of proceeds Aastrom may receive from any future
strategic alliances. In the event that the Company enters into strategic
alliances (which exclude minor technology license agreements and customary
manufacturing or supply agreements that do not involve equity investments in
Aastrom, as well as performance pursuant to any of Cobe's existing agreements
with Aastrom), the Company will pay Burrill a success fee ranging from 4% to
7.5% of the proceeds in connection with the strategic alliance. In addition to
the success fee, Aastrom will issue to Burrill additional warrants to purchase
up to 500,000 shares of Common Stock, depending upon the achievement of certain
milestones.
14
MANUFACTURING
The Company has no current intention of internally manufacturing its product
candidates and, accordingly, is developing relationships with third party
manufacturers which are FDA registered as suppliers for the manufacture of
medical products.
In May 1994, the Company entered into a Collaborative Product Development
Agreement with SeaMED Corporation, ("SeaMED"). Pursuant to this agreement, the
Company and SeaMED will collaborate on the further design of certain instrument
components in the Aastrom CPS, and enable SeaMED to manufacture pre-production
units of the instrument components for laboratory and clinical evaluation. The
Company is paying SeaMED for its design and pre-production work on a "time and
materials" basis, utilizing SeaMED's customary hourly billing rates and actual
costs for materials. Subject to certain conditions, the Company has committed to
enter into a manufacturing agreement with SeaMED for commercial manufacture of
the instrument components for three years after shipment by SeaMED of the first
commercial unit pursuant to a pricing formula set forth in the agreement. The
Company retains all proprietary rights to its intellectual property which is
utilized by SeaMED pursuant to this agreement.
In November 1994, the Company entered into a Collaborative Product Development
Agreement with Ethox Corporation ("Ethox"). Pursuant to this agreement, the
Company and Ethox collaborated on the design of certain bioreactor assembly and
custom tubing kit components of the Aastrom CPS. The Company is paying Ethox for
its design and production work on a "time and materials" basis, utilizing
Ethox's customary hourly billing rates and actual costs for materials. The
Company retains all proprietary rights to its intellectual property which are
utilized by Ethox pursuant to this agreement.
In March 1996, the Company entered into a five-year License and Supply
Agreement with Immunex Corporation ("Immunex") to purchase and resell certain
cytokines and ancillary materials for use in conjunction with the Aastrom CPS.
The agreement required the Company to pay Immunex an initial up-front fee of
$1,500,000 to be followed by subsequent annual renewal payments equal to
$1,000,000 per year during the term of the agreement in addition to payment for
supplies purchased by the Company. In August 1997, the Company and Immunex
amended the agreement to expand the Company's territorial rights to use and sell
such materials to a worldwide basis. Unless earlier terminated or renewed by the
Company for an additional five-year term, the agreement will expire in April
2001. The agreement may be terminated by either party effective immediately upon
written notice of termination to the other party in the event that such party
materially breaches the agreement and such breach continues unremedied after
notice and expiration of a specified cure period or in the event that a
bankruptcy proceeding is commenced against a party and is not dismissed or
stayed within a 45-day period. In addition, Immunex has the right to cease the
supply to the Company of cytokines and ancillary materials if the Company fails
to purchase a minimum amount of its forecasted annual needs from Immunex after
notice to the Company and expiration of a specified cure period. The Company
also has the right to terminate the agreement at any time subject to the payment
to Immunex of a specified amount for liquidated damages. In the event that
Immunex elects to cease to supply to the Company cytokines and ancillary
materials or is prevented from supplying such materials to the Company by reason
of force majeure, limited manufacturing rights will be transferred to the
Company under certain circumstances. There is, however, no assurance that the
Company could successfully manufacture the compounds itself or identify others
that could manufacture these compounds to acceptable quality standards and
costs, if at all.
In December 1996, the Company entered into a Collaborative Supply Agreement
with Anchor Advanced Products, Inc., Mid-State Plastics Division ("MSP"). Under
this agreement, MSP will conduct both pre-production manufacturing development
and commercial manufacturing and assembly of the Cell Cassette component of the
Aastrom CPS for the Company. During the initial phase of the seven-year
agreement, the Company will pay MSP for its development activities on a time and
materials basis. Upon reaching certain commercial manufacturing volumes, MSP
will be paid by the Company on a per unit basis for Cell Cassettes delivered to
the Company under a pricing formula specified in the agreement. Throughout the
term of this agreement, the Company has agreed to treat MSP as its preferred
supplier of Cell Cassettes, using MSP as its supplier of at least 60% of its
requirements for Cell Cassettes.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue its
present arrangements with its suppliers, supplement existing relationships or
establish new relationships or that the Company will be able to identify and
obtain the ancillary materials that are necessary to develop its product
candidates in the future. The Company's dependence upon third parties for the
supply and manufacture of such items could adversely affect the Company's
ability to develop and deliver commercially feasible products on a timely and
competitive basis. See "Business Risks--Manufacturing and Supply Uncertainties;
Dependence on Third Parties."
15
PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
The Company's success depends in part on its ability, and the ability of its
licensors, to obtain patent protection for its products and processes. The
Company has exclusive rights to twelve issued U.S. patents and one patent with
respect to which the Company has received notice of allowance that present
claims to (i) certain methods for ex vivo stem cell division as well as ex vivo
------- -------
human hematopoietic stem cell stable genetic transformation and expanding and
harvesting a human hematopoietic stem cell pool; (ii) certain apparatus for cell
culturing, including a bioreactor suitable for culturing human stem cells or
human hematopoietic cells; (iii) certain methods of infecting or transfecting
target cells with vectors; and (iv) a cell composition containing human stem
cells or progenitor cells, or genetically modified stem cells, when such cells
are produced in an ex vivo medium exchange culture. Patents equivalent to two of
-------
these U.S. patents have also been issued in other jurisdictions: one in
Australia and another in Canada and under the European Patent Convention. These
twelve issued patents, in addition to the one patent with respect to which the
Company has received notice of allowance, are due to expire beginning in 2006,
through 2014. In addition, the Company and its exclusive licensors have filed
applications for patents in the United States and equivalent applications in
certain other countries claiming other aspects of the Company's products and
processes, including a number of U.S. patent applications and corresponding
applications in other countries related to various components of the Aastrom
CPS.
The validity and breadth of claims in medical technology patents involve
complex legal and factual questions and, therefore, may be highly uncertain. No
assurance can be given that any patents based on pending patent applications or
any future patent applications of the Company or its licensors will be issued,
that the scope of any patent protection will exclude competitors or provide
competitive advantages to the Company, that any of the patents that have been or
may be issued to the Company or its licensors will be held valid if subsequently
challenged or that others will not claim rights in or ownership of the patents
and other proprietary rights held or licensed by the Company. Furthermore, there
can be no assurance that others have not developed or will not develop similar
products, duplicate any of the Company's products or design around any patents
that have been or may be issued to the Company or its licensors. Since patent
applications in the United States are maintained in secrecy until patents issue,
the Company also cannot be certain that others did not first file applications
for inventions covered by the Company's and its licensors' pending patent
applications, nor can the Company be certain that it will not infringe any
patents that may issue to others on such applications.
The Company relies on certain licenses granted by the University of Michigan
and Dr. Cremonese for the majority of its patent rights. If the Company breaches
such agreements or otherwise fails to comply with such agreements, or if such
agreements expire or are otherwise terminated, the Company may lose its rights
under the patents held by the University of Michigan and Dr. Cremonese, which
would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. See "--Research and License Agreements."
The Company also relies on trade secrets and unpatentable know-how which it
seeks to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements. It is the Company's
policy to require its employees, consultants, contractors, manufacturers,
outside scientific collaborators and sponsored researchers, and other advisors
to execute confidentiality agreements upon the commencement of employment or
consulting relationships with the Company. These agreements provide that all
confidential information developed or made known to the individual during the
course of the individual's relationship with the Company is to be kept
confidential and not disclosed to third parties except in specific limited
circumstances. The Company also requires signed confidentiality or material
transfer agreements from any company that is to receive its confidential data.
In the case of employees, consultants and contractors, the agreements generally
provide that all inventions conceived by the individual while rendering services
to the Company shall be assigned to the Company as the exclusive property of the
Company. There can be no assurance, however, that these agreements will not be
breached, that the Company would have adequate remedies for any breach, or that
the Company's trade secrets or unpatentable know-how will not otherwise become
known or be independently developed by competitors.
The Company's success will also depend in part on its ability to develop
commercially viable products without infringing the proprietary rights of
others. The Company has not conducted freedom of use patent searches and no
assurance can be given that patents do not exist or could not be filed which
would have an adverse effect on the Company's ability to market its products or
maintain its competitive position with respect to its products. If the Company's
technology components, devices, designs, products, processes or other subject
matter are claimed under other existing United States or foreign patents or are
16
otherwise protected by third party proprietary rights, the Company may be
subject to infringement actions. In such event, the Company may challenge the
validity of such patents or other proprietary rights or be required to obtain
licenses from such companies in order to develop, manufacture or market its
products. There can be no assurances that the Company would be able to obtain
such licenses or that such licenses, if available, could be obtained on
commercially reasonable terms. Furthermore, the failure to either develop a
commercially viable alternative or obtain such licenses could result in delays
in marketing the Company's proposed products or the inability to proceed with
the development, manufacture or sale of products requiring such licenses, which
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. If the Company is required to defend itself
against charges of patent infringement or to protect its own proprietary rights
against third parties, substantial costs will be incurred regardless of whether
the Company is successful. Such proceedings are typically protracted with no
certainty of success. An adverse outcome could subject the Company to
significant liabilities to third parties and force the Company to curtail or
cease its development and sale of its products and processes.
Certain of the Company's and its licensors' research has been or is being
funded in part by the Department of Commerce and by a Small Business Innovation
Research Grant obtained from the Department of Health and Human Services. As a
result of such funding, the U.S. Government has certain rights in the technology
developed with the funding. These rights include a non-exclusive, paid-up,
worldwide license under such inventions for any governmental purpose. In
addition, the government has the right to require the Company to grant an
exclusive license under any of such inventions to a third party if the
government determines that (i) adequate steps have not been taken to
commercialize such inventions, (ii) such action is necessary to meet public
health or safety needs or (iii) such action is necessary to meet requirements
for public use under federal regulations. Additionally, under the federal Bayh
Dole Act, a party which acquires an exclusive license for an invention that was
partially funded by a federal research grant is subject to the following
government rights: (i) products using the invention which are sold in the United
States are to be manufactured substantially in the United States, unless a
waiver is obtained; (ii) if the licensee does not pursue reasonable
commercialization of a needed product using the invention, the government may
force the granting of a license to a third party who will make and sell the
needed product; and (iii) the U.S. Government may use the invention for its own
needs.
RESEARCH AND LICENSE AGREEMENTS
-------------------------------
In August 1989, the Company entered into a Research Agreement (the "Research
Agreement") with the University, pursuant to which the Company funded a research
project at the University under the direction of Stephen G. Emerson, M.D.,
Ph.D., as the principal inventor, together with Michael F. Clarke, M.D., and
Bernhard O. Palsson, Ph.D., as co-inventors. Pursuant to the Research Agreement,
the Company was granted the right to acquire an exclusive, worldwide license to
utilize all inventions, know-how and technology derived from the research
project. By Extension Agreements, the Company and the University extended the
scope and term of the Research Agreement through December 1994.
In March 1992, the Company and the University entered into the License
Agreement, as contemplated by the Research Agreement. There have been clarifying
amendments to the License Agreement, in March 1992, October 1993 and June 1995.
Pursuant to this License Agreement, (i) the Company acquired exclusive worldwide
license rights to the patents and know-how for the production of blood cells and
bone marrow cells as described in the University's research project or which
resulted from certain further research conducted through December 1994, and (ii)
the Company is obligated to pay to the University a royalty equal to 2% of the
net sales of products which are covered by the University's patents. Unless it
is terminated earlier at the Company's option or due to a material breach by the
Company, the License Agreement will continue in effect until the latest
expiration date of the patents to which the License Agreement applies.
In July 1992, the Company entered into a License Agreement with Joseph G.
Cremonese pursuant to which the Company obtained exclusive worldwide license
rights for all fields of use, to utilize U.S. Patent No. 4,839,292, entitled
"Cell Culture Flask Utilizing a Membrane Barrier," which patent was issued to
Dr. Cremonese on June 13, 1989, and to utilize any other related patents that
might be issued to Dr. Cremonese. Pursuant to the License Agreement, the Company
has reimbursed Dr. Cremonese for $25,000 of his patent costs. Under the terms of
the License Agreement, the Company is to pay to Dr. Cremonese a royalty of 3% of
net sales of the products which are covered by said patent, subject to specified
minimum royalty payments ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 per year, commencing in
calendar year 1997. Unless earlier terminated, the License Agreement will
continue in effect until the latest expiration date of the patents to which the
License Agreement applies, which latest expiration date is currently August
2009. The License Agreement may be terminated by either party upon
17
default by the other party of any of its obligations under the agreement without
cure after expiration of a 30-day notice period. The Company also has the right
to terminate the License Agreement at any time without cause upon 30 days prior
written notice to Dr. Cremonese.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The Company's research and development activities and the manufacturing and
marketing of the Company's products are subject to the laws and regulations of
governmental authorities in the United States and other countries in which its
products will be marketed. Specifically, in the United States, the FDA, among
other activities, regulates new product approvals to establish safety and
efficacy of these products. Governments in other countries have similar
requirements for testing and marketing. In the United States, in addition to
meeting FDA regulations, the Company is also subject to other federal laws, such
as the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Environmental Protection Act,
as well as certain state laws.
REGULATORY PROCESS IN THE UNITED STATES
---------------------------------------
To the Company's knowledge, it is the first to develop a cell culture system
for ex vivo human cell production to be sold for therapeutic applications.
-------
Therefore, to a certain degree, the manner in which the FDA will regulate the
Company's products is uncertain.
The Company's products are potentially subject to regulation as medical
devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and as biological
products under the Public Health Service Act, or both. Different regulatory
requirements may apply to the Company's products depending on how they are
categorized by the FDA under these laws. To date, the FDA has indicated that it
intends to regulate the Aastrom CPS product for stem cell therapy as a Class III
medical device through the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
However, there can be no assurance that FDA will ultimately regulate the Aastrom
CPS as a medical device.
Further, it is unclear whether the FDA will separately regulate the cell
therapies derived from the Aastrom CPS. The FDA is still in the process of
developing its requirements with respect to somatic cell therapy and gene cell
therapy products and has recently issued draft documents concerning the
regulation of umbilical cord blood stem cell products, as well as cellular and
tissue-based products. If the FDA adopts the regulatory approach set forth in
the draft document, the FDA may require separate regulatory approval for such
cells in some cases. The FDA also recently proposed a new type of license,
called a biologic license application ("BLA"), for autologous cells manipulated
ex vivo and intended for structural repair or reconstruction. This proposal may
- -------
indicate that the FDA will extend a similar approval requirement to other types
of autologous cellular therapies, such as autologous cells for stem cell
therapy. Any such additional regulatory or approval requirements could
significantly delay the introduction of the Company's product candidates to the
market, and have a material adverse impact on the Company.
Approval of new medical devices and biological products is a lengthy procedure
leading from development of a new product through preclinical and clinical
testing. This process takes a number of years and the expenditure of significant
resources. There can be no assurance that the Company's product candidates will
ultimately receive regulatory approval.
Regardless of how the Company's product candidates are regulated, the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other Federal statutes and regulations govern
or influence the research, testing, manufacture, safety, labeling, storage,
recordkeeping, approval, distribution, use, reporting, advertising and promotion
of such products. Noncompliance with applicable requirements can result in civil
penalties, recall, injunction or seizure of products, refusal of the government
to approve or clear product approval applications or to allow the Company to
enter into government supply contracts, withdrawal of previously approved
applications and criminal prosecution.
DEVICES
-------
In order to obtain FDA approval of a new medical device sponsors must
generally submit proof of safety and efficacy. In some cases, such proof entails
extensive clinical and preclinical laboratory tests. The testing, preparation of
necessary
18
applications and processing of those applications by the FDA is expensive and
may take several years to complete. There can be no assurance that the FDA will
act favorably or in a timely manner in reviewing submitted applications, and the
Company may encounter significant difficulties or costs in its efforts to obtain
FDA approvals which could delay or preclude the Company from marketing any
products it may develop. The FDA may also require postmarketing testing and
surveillance of approved products, or place other conditions on the approvals.
These requirements could cause it to be more difficult or expensive to sell the
products, and could therefore restrict the commercial applications of such
products. Product approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with regulatory
standards is not maintained or if problems occur following initial marketing.
For patented technologies, delays imposed by the governmental approval process
may materially reduce the period during which the Company will have the
exclusive right to exploit such technologies.
If human clinical trials of a proposed device are required and the device
presents significant risk, the manufacturer or distributor of the device will
have to file an IDE submission with the FDA prior to commencing human clinical
trials. The IDE submission must be supported by data, typically including the
results of pre-clinical and laboratory testing. If the IDE submission is
granted, human clinical trials may commence at a specified number of
investigational sites with the number of patients approved by the FDA.
The FDA categorizes devices into three regulatory classifications subject to
varying degrees of regulatory control. In general, Class I devices require
compliance with labeling and recordkeeping regulations, GMPs, 510(k) pre-market
notification, and are subject to other general controls. Class II devices may be
subject to additional regulatory controls, including performance standards and
other special controls, such as postmarket surveillance. Class III devices,
which are either invasive or life-sustaining products, or new products never
before marketed (for example, non-"substantially equivalent" devices), require
clinical testing to demonstrate safety and effectiveness and FDA approval prior
to marketing and distribution. The FDA also has the authority to require
clinical testing of Class I and Class II devices.
If a manufacturer or distributor of medical devices cannot establish that a
proposed device is substantially equivalent, the manufacturer or distributor
must submit a PMA application to the FDA. A PMA application must be supported by
extensive data, including preclinical and human clinical trial data, to prove
the safety and efficacy of the device. Upon receipt, the FDA conducts a
preliminary review of the PMA application. If sufficiently complete, the
submission is declared filed by the FDA. By regulation, the FDA has 180 days to
review a PMA application once it is filed, although PMA application reviews more
often occur over a significantly protracted time period, and may take
approximately one year or more from the date of filing to complete.
Some of the Company's products may be classified as Class II or Class III
medical devices. The Company has submitted several IDEs for the Aastrom CPS, and
is currently conducting pre-pivotal clinical studies under these IDEs. The
Company believes that the Aastrom CPS product will be regulated by the FDA as a
Class III device, although there can be no assurance that the FDA will not
choose to regulate this product in a different manner.
The Company and any contract manufacturer are required to be registered as a
medical device manufacturer with the FDA. As such, they will be inspected on a
routine basis by the FDA for compliance with the FDA's GMP regulations. These
regulations will require that the Company and any contract manufacturer
manufacture products and maintain documents in a prescribed manner with respect
to manufacturing, testing, distribution, storage, design control and service
activities, and that adequate design and service controls are implemented. The
Medical Device Reporting regulation requires that the Company provide
information to the FDA on deaths or serious injuries alleged to be associated
with the use of its devices, as well as product malfunctions that are likely to
cause or contribute to death or serious injury if the malfunction were to recur.
In addition, the FDA prohibits a company from promoting an approved device for
unapproved applications and reviews company labeling for accuracy.
BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS
-------------------
For certain of the Company's new products which may be regulated as biologics,
the FDA requires (i) preclinical laboratory and animal testing, (ii) submission
to the FDA of an investigational new drug ("IND") application which must be
effective prior to the initiation of human clinical studies, (iii) adequate and
well-controlled clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the
product for its intended use, (iv) submission to the FDA of a product license
application ("PLA") and establishment license application ("ELA") and (v) review
and approval of the PLA and ELA as well as inspections of the manufacturing
facility by the FDA prior to commercial marketing of the product.
19
Preclinical testing covers laboratory evaluation of product chemistry and
formulation as well as animal studies to assess the safety and efficacy of the
product. The results of these tests are submitted to the FDA as part of the IND.
Following the submission of an IND, the FDA has 30 days to review the
application and raise safety and other clinical trial issues. If the Company is
not notified of objections within that period, clinical trials may be initiated.
Clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases. Phase I
represents the initial administration of the drug or biologic to a small group
of humans, either healthy volunteers or patients, to test for safety and other
relevant factors. Phase II involves studies in a small number of patients to
assess the efficacy of the product, to ascertain dose tolerance and the optimal
dose range and to gather additional data relating to safety and potential
adverse effects. Once an investigational drug is found to have some efficacy and
an acceptable safety profile in the targeted patient population, multi-center
Phase III studies are initiated to establish safety and efficacy in an expanded
patient population and multiple clinical study sites. The FDA reviews both the
clinical plans and the results of the trials and may request the Company to
discontinue the trials at any time if there are significant safety issues.
The results of the preclinical tests and clinical trials are submitted to the
FDA in the form of a PLA for marketing approval. The testing and approval
process is likely to require substantial time and effort and there can be no
assurance that any approval will be granted on a timely basis, if at all.
Additional animal studies or clinical trials may be requested during the FDA
review period that may delay marketing approval. After FDA approval for the
initial indications, further clinical trials may be necessary to gain approval
for the use of the product for additional indications. The FDA requires that
adverse effects be reported to the FDA and may also require post-marketing
testing to monitor for adverse effects, which can involve significant expense.
Under current requirements, facilities manufacturing biological products must
be licensed. To accomplish this, an ELA must be filed with the FDA. The ELA
describes the facilities, equipment and personnel involved in the manufacturing
process. An establishment license is granted on the basis of inspections of the
applicant's facilities in which the primary focus is on compliance with cGMP and
the ability to consistently manufacture the product in the facility in
accordance with the PLA. If the FDA finds the inspection unsatisfactory, it may
decline to approve the ELA, resulting in a delay in production of products.
Although reviewed separately, approval of both the PLA and ELA must be received
prior to commercial marketing of a cellular biologic.
As part of the approval process for human biological products, each
manufacturing facility must be registered and inspected by FDA prior to
marketing approval. In addition, state agency inspections and approvals may also
be required for a biological product to be shipped out of state.
REGULATORY PROCESS IN EUROPE
----------------------------
The Company believes that the Aastrom CPS will be regulated in Europe as a
Class IIb medical device, under the authority of the new Medical Device
Directives ("MDD") being implemented by European Union ("EU") member countries.
This classification applies to medical laboratory equipment and supplies
including, among other products, many devices that are used for the collection
and processing of blood for patient therapy. Certain ancillary products (e.g.,
biological reagents) used with the Aastrom CPS may be considered Class III
medical devices.
The MDD regulations vest the authority to permit affixing of the "CE Mark"
with various "Notified Bodies." These are private and state organizations which
operate under license from the EU to certify that appropriate quality assurance
standards and compliance procedures are followed by developers and manufacturers
of medical device products or, alternatively, that a manufactured medical
product meets a more limited set of requirements. Notified Bodies are also
charged with responsibility for determination of the appropriate standards to
apply to a medical product. Receipt of permission to affix the CE Mark enables a
company to sell a medical device in all EU member countries. Other registration
requirements may also need to be satisfied in certain countries, although there
is a general trend among EU member countries not to impose additional
requirements beyond those specified for CE Mark certification.
COMPETITION
20
The biotechnology and medical device industries are characterized by rapidly
evolving technology and intense competition. The Company's competitors include
major pharmaceutical, medical device, medical products, chemical and specialized
biotechnology companies, many of which have financial, technical and marketing
resources significantly greater than those of the Company. In addition, many
biotechnology companies have formed collaborations with large, established
companies to support research, development and commercialization of products
that may be competitive with those of the Company. Academic institutions,
governmental agencies and other public and private research organizations are
also conducting research activities and seeking patent protection and may
commercialize products on their own or through joint ventures. The Company's
product development efforts are primarily directed toward obtaining regulatory
approval to market the Aastrom CPS for stem cell therapy. That market is
currently dominated by the bone marrow harvest and PBPC collection methods. The
Company's clinical data, although early, suggests that cells expanded in the
Aastrom CPS using its current process will enable hematopoietic recovery within
the time frames currently achieved by bone marrow harvest, however, neutrophil
and platelet recovery times may be slower than with PBPC collection methods. The
Company is evaluating techniques and methods to optimize the cells produced in
the Aastrom CPS to reduce the recovery time of neutrophils and platelets in
patients. There can be no assurance that if such procedure optimization does not
lead to recovery times equal to or faster than those of PBPC collection methods,
such outcome would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the bone marrow
harvest and PBPC collection methods have been widely practiced for a number of
years and, recently, the patient costs associated with these procedures have
begun to decline. There can be no assurance that the Aastrom CPS method, if
approved for marketing, will prove to be competitive with these established
collection methods on the basis of hematopoietic recovery time, cost or
otherwise. The Company is aware of certain other products manufactured or under
development by competitors that are used for the prevention or treatment of
certain diseases and health conditions which the Company has targeted for
product development. In particular, the Company is aware that competitors such
as Amgen, Inc., CellPro, Incorporated, Novartis, A.G., Baxter Healthcare Corp.
and Rhne-Poulenc Rorer Inc. ("RPR") are in advanced stages of development of
technologies and products for use in stem cell therapy and other market
applications currently being pursued by the Company. In addition, Cobe, a
significant shareholder of the Company, is a market leader in the blood cell
processing products industry and, accordingly, a potential competitor of the
Company. There can be no assurance that developments by others will not render
the Company's product candidates or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive,
that the Company will be able to keep pace with new technological developments
or that the Company's product candidates will be able to supplant established
products and methodologies in the therapeutic areas that are targeted by the
Company. The foregoing factors could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company's products under development are expected to address a broad range
of existing and new markets. The Company believes that its stem cell therapy
products will, in large part, face competition by existing procedures rather
than novel new products. The Company's competition will be determined in part by
the potential indications for which the Company's products are developed and
ultimately approved by regulatory authorities. In addition, the first product to
reach the market in a therapeutic or preventive area is often at a significant
competitive advantage relative to later entrants to the market. Accordingly, the
relative speed with which the Company or its corporate partners can develop
products, complete the clinical trials and approval processes and supply
commercial quantities of the products to the market are expected to be important
competitive factors. The Company's competitive position will also depend on its
ability to attract and retain qualified scientific and other personnel, develop
effective proprietary products, develop and implement production and marketing
plans, obtain and maintain patent protection and secure adequate capital
resources. The Company expects its products, if approved for sale, to compete
primarily on the basis of product efficacy, safety, patient convenience,
reliability, value and patent position.
EMPLOYEES
As of August 31, 1997, the Company employed approximately 72 individuals full-
time. A significant number of the Company's management and professional
employees have had prior experience with pharmaceutical, biotechnology or
medical product companies. None of the Company's employees are covered by
collective bargaining agreements, and management considers relations with its
employees to be good.
21
Executive Officers of the Company
The executive officers of the Company, and their respective ages as of August
31, 1997, are as follows:
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
R. Douglas Armstrong, Ph.D.............. 44 President and Chief Executive
Officer
James Maluta............................ 50 Vice President, Product
Development
Todd E. Simpson......................... 36 Vice President, Finance &
Administration, Chief
Financial Officer, Secretary
and Treasurer
Walter C. Ogier......................... 40 Vice President, Marketing
Thomas E. Muller, Ph.D.................. 61 Vice President, Regulatory
Affairs
Alan K. Smith, Ph.D..................... 42 Vice President, Research
R. Douglas Armstrong, Ph.D. joined the Company in June 1991 as a director and
--------------------------
as its President and Chief Executive Officer. From 1987 to 1991, Dr. Armstrong
served in different capacities, including as Executive Vice President and a
Trustee of the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation ("LJCRF"), a 250-employee
scientific research institute located in San Diego, California. Dr. Armstrong
received his doctorate in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the Medical College
of Virginia, and has held faculty and staff positions at Yale University,
University of California, San Francisco, LJCRF and University of Michigan. Dr.
Armstrong also serves on the Board of Directors of Nephros Therapeutics, Inc.
James Maluta joined the Company in August 1992 as Vice President, Product
------------
Development. Mr. Maluta has a broad background in the development and
manufacturing of medical devices, with 25 years of experience in the industry,
principally with OHMEDA and with Cobe BCT, Inc. While with Cobe BCT, Inc., Mr.
Maluta was Program Manager for the Cobe Spectra Apheresis System, a device for
blood cell processing and apheresis. Mr. Maluta held other engineering
management positions and also was director of Quality Assurance for Cobe BCT.
Mr. Maluta received his degree in electrical engineering from the University of
Wisconsin, Madison.
Todd E. Simpson joined the Company in January 1996 as Vice President, Finance
---------------
and Administration and Chief Financial Officer and is also the Company's
Secretary and Treasurer. Prior to that, Mr. Simpson was Treasurer of Integra
LifeSciences Corporation ("Integra"), a biotechnology company, which acquired
Telios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Telios") in August 1995 in connection with the
reorganization of Telios under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Mr.
Simpson served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of
Telios up until its acquisition by Integra and held various other financial
positions at Telios after joining that company in February 1992. Telios was a
publicly-held company engaged in the development of pharmaceutical products for
the treatment of dermal and ophthalmic wounds, fibrotic disease, vascular
disease, and osteoporosis. From August 1983 through February 1992, Mr. Simpson
practiced public accounting with the firm of Ernst & Young, LLP. Mr. Simpson is
a Certified Public Accountant and received his B.S. degree in Accounting and
Computer Science from Oregon State University.
Walter C. Ogier joined the Company in March 1994 as Director of Marketing and
---------------
was promoted to Vice President, Marketing during 1995. Prior to that, Mr. Ogier
was at Baxter Healthcare Corporation's Immunotherapy Division, where he served
as Director, Business Development from 1992 to 1994 and as Manager, Marketing
and Business Development in charge of the company's cell therapy product lines
from 1990 to 1992. Mr. Ogier previously held positions with Ibbottson Associates
and with the Business Intelligence Center at SRI International (formerly
Stanford Research Institute). Mr. Ogier received his B.A. degree in Chemistry
from Williams College in 1979 and his Masters of Management degree from the Yale
School of Management in 1987.
Thomas E. Muller, Ph.D. joined the Company in May 1994 as Vice President,
----------------------
Regulatory Affairs. Prior to that, Dr. Muller was Director, Biomedical Systems
with W.R. Grace & Company in Lexington, Massachusetts. Prior to this, Dr. Muller
was Vice President, Engineering and Director of Research and Development with
the Renal Division of Baxter Healthcare in Deerfield, Illinois. Dr. Muller has
also served as Adjunct Professor at Columbia University and as Visiting
Professor at the University of Gent, Belgium. Dr. Muller graduated from the
Technical University in Budapest, Hungary, in 1956 with a B.S. in Chemical
Engineering. Dr. Muller received his M.S. degree in 1959 and was awarded a Ph.D.
in 1964, both in Polymer Chemistry, from McGill University.
22
Alan K. Smith, Ph.D. joined the Company in November 1995 as Vice President,
-------------------
Research. Previously, Dr. Smith was Vice President of Research and Development
at Geneic Sciences, Inc., a developmental stage bone marrow transplantation
company. Prior to that, Dr. Smith held the position of Director, Cell
Separations Research and Development of the Immunotherapy Division of Baxter
Healthcare Corporation. In this capacity, he was responsible for the research
and development activities for a stem cell concentration system approved for
clinical use in Europe and currently in pivotal clinical trials in the United
States. Dr. Smith has also held positions as Research and Development Manager at
BioSpecific Technologies, as Director of Biochemistry at HyClone Laboratories
and as a member of the Board of Directors of Dallas Biomedical. Dr. Smith
received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from Southern Utah State College in 1976
and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Utah State University in 1983.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company leases approximately 20,000 square feet of office and research and
development space in Ann Arbor, Michigan under a lease agreement expiring in May
1998. The lease is renewable at the option of the Company for up to an
additional five-year term. The Company believes that its facilities will be
adequate for its currently anticipated needs. Contract manufacturing or
additional facilities will be required in the future to support expansion of
research and development and to manufacture products.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is not party to any material legal proceedings, although from time
to time it may become involved in disputes in connection with the operation of
its business.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of the Company's security holders during
the fourth quarter of the Company's fiscal year ended June 30, 1997.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The Company effected an initial public offering of its Common Stock during
February 1997 at a price of $7.00 per share. Commencing on February 4, 1997,
the Company's Common Stock has been quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under
the symbol "ASTM." The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated,
the high and low sales prices per share of Common Stock as reported on the
Nasdaq National Market:
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 HIGH LOW
------------------------ ---- ---
3rd Quarter (from February 4, 1997) 7 5/8 5 3/4
4th Quarter 8 1/2 3 1/2
As of August 31, 1997, there were approximately 140 shareholders of record of
the Common Stock. The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on
its Common Stock and does not anticipate paying such cash dividends in the
foreseeable future. The Company currently anticipates that it will retain all
future earnings, if any, for use in the development of its business.
23
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The statement of operations data presented below for the five years ended
June 30, 1997 and for the period from the Company's inception on March 24, 1989
("Inception") to June 30, 1997 and the balance sheet data at June 30, 1993,
1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997, were derived from the audited financial statements of
the Company.
The data set forth below should be read in conjunction with "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Report.
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, INCEPTION TO
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- JUNE 30,
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
Research and development
agreements............................ $ -- $ 49,000 $ 396,000 $ 1,342,000 $ 230,000 $ 2,017,000
Grants................................. 784,000 823,000 121,000 267,000 148,000 2,143,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Total revenues......................... 784,000 872,000 517,000 1,609,000 378,000 4,160,000
Costs and expenses:
Research and development............... 2,600,000 5,627,000 4,889,000 10,075,000 13,357,000 38,432,000
General and administrative............. 1,153,000 1,565,000 1,558,000 2,067,000 1,953,000 9,042,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Total costs and expenses.............. 3,753,000 7,192,000 6,447,000 12,142,000 15,310,000 47,474,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Loss from operations.................... (2,969,000) (6,320,000) (5,930,000) (10,533,000) (14,932,000) (43,314,000)
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Other income (expense):
Interest income........................ 148,000 245,000 279,000 678,000 676,000 2,252,000
Interest expense....................... (26,000) (65,000) (66,000) (62,000) (32,000) (251,000)
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net loss................................ $(2,847,000) $(6,140,000) $(5,717,000) $ (9,917,000) $(14,288,000) $(41,313,000)
=========== =========== =========== ============ ============ ============
Net loss per share(1)................... $ (.52) $ (.82) $ (.66) $ (.98) $ (1.26)
=========== =========== =========== ============ ============
Weighted average number of shares
oustanding(1).......................... 5,480,000 7,461,000 8,644,000 10,103,000 11,315,000
============ ============ ============= =========== ===========
JUNE 30,
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments................................ $ 3,085,000 $ 6,730,000 $ 11,068,000 $ 10,967,000 $ 17,007,000
Working capital............................. 2,744,000 6,187,000 10,319,000 9,851,000 15,600,000
Total assets................................ 4,156,000 8,227,000 12,551,000 12,673,000 18,410,000
Long-term capital lease obligations......... 311,000 425,000 412,000 189,000 65,000
Deficit accumulated during the development
stage...................................... (5,251,000) (11,391,000) (17,108,000) (27,025,000) (41,313,000)
Total shareholders' equity.................. 3,268,000 6,985,000 11,186,000 10,850,000 16,583,000
- --------------
(1) See Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements for information concerning the
computation of net loss per share and shares used in computing pro forma net
loss per share.
24
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This section of this Report on Form 10-K contains, in addition to
historical information, forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those
discussed in the forward looking statements. Factors that could cause or
contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed
under the caption "Business Risks."
OVERVIEW
Since its Inception, the Company has been in the development stage and engaged
in research and product development, conducted both on its own behalf and in
connection with various collaborative research and development agreements with
other entities. The Company does not expect to generate positive cash flows from
operations for at least the next several years and, until product sales
commence, the Company expects that its revenue sources will continue to be
limited to grant revenue, research funding and milestone payments and licensing
fees from potential future corporate collaborators. The timing and amount of
such future cash payments and revenues, if any, will be subject to significant
fluctuations, based in part on the success of the Company's research activities,
the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, the timing of the achievement of
certain other milestones and the extent to which associated costs are reimbursed
under grant or other arrangements. Substantially all of the Company's revenues
from product sales, if any, will be subject to the Company's obligation to make
aggregate royalty payments of up to 5% to certain licensors of its technology.
Further, under the Company's Distribution Agreement with Cobe, Cobe will perform
marketing and distribution activities and in exchange will receive approximately
38% to 42% of the Company's product sales in the area of stem cell therapy,
subject to negotiated discounts and volume-based adjustments. Research and
development expenses may fluctuate due to the timing of expenditures for the
varying stages of the Company's research and clinical development programs.
Research and development expenses will increase as product development programs
and applications of the Company's products progress through research and
development stages. Under the Company's License Agreement with Immunex, annual
renewal fees of $1,000,000 are payable in each of the next three fiscal years.
Under the Company=s Distribution Agreement with Cobe, regulatory approval
activities for the Company's products for stem cell therapies outside of the
United States will be conducted, and paid for, by Cobe. As a result of these and
other factors, the Company's results of operations have fluctuated and are
expected to continue to fluctuate significantly from year to year and from
quarter to quarter and therefore may not be comparable to or indicative of the
result of operations for any future periods.
Over the past several years, the Company's net loss has primarily increased,
consistent with the growth in the Company's scope and size of operations. In the
near term, the Company plans additional moderate growth in employee headcount
necessary to address increasing requirements in the areas of product
development, research, clinical and regulatory affairs, quality systems and
administration. Assuming capital is available to finance such growth, the
Company's operating expenses will continue to increase as a result. At least
until such time as the Company enters into arrangements providing research and
development funding or initiates product sales, the net loss will continue to
increase as well. The Company has never been profitable and does not anticipate
having net income for at least the next several years. Through June 30, 1997,
the Company had an accumulated deficit of $41,313,000. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to achieve profitability on a sustained basis, if
at all.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Years Ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995
----------------------------------------
Total revenues were $378,000 in 1997, $1,609,000 in 1996 and $517,000 in 1995.
Grant revenues decreased to $148,000 in 1997 from $267,000 in 1996 and were
$121,000 in 1995, reflecting the timing of grant awards and related research
activities, to the extent that such associated costs are reimbursed under the
grants. Grant revenues accounted for 39%, 17% and 23% of total revenues for the
years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and are recorded on a
cost-reimbursement basis. Revenues from research and development agreements
totaled $230,000 in 1997, $1,342,000 in 1996 and $396,000 in 1995, reflecting
research funding received by the Company under its collaboration with RPR which
commenced in September 1995 and ended in September 1996. Revenues from RPR
accounted for 52%, 83% and 48% of such revenue in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
25
Total costs and expenses were $15,310,000 in 1997, $12,142,000 in 1996 and
$6,447,000 in 1995. The increases in costs and expenses in 1997 and 1996 are
primarily the result of increases in research and development expense to
$13,357,000 in 1997 from $10,075,000 in 1996 and $4,889,000 in 1995. Research
and development expense includes charges of $1,000,000 and $1,500,000 for the
years ended June 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, representing license fee
payments pursuant to the Company's supply agreement with Immunex. The increase
in research and development expense reflects an increase in research, clinical
development and product development activities. General and administrative
expenses were $1,953,000 in 1997, $2,067,000 in 1996 and $1,558,000 in 1995.
General and administrative expenses, which decreased slightly in 1997 compared
to 1996, are expected to increase as a result of increasing finance, legal and
other administrative and marketing expenses in support of the Company's
increasing product development and research activities.
Interest income was $676,000 in 1997, $678,000 in 1996 and $279,000 in 1995.
The fluctuations in interest income are due primarily to corresponding changes
in the levels of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments for such
periods. Interest expense was $32,000 in 1997, $62,000 in 1996 and $66,000 in
1995, reflecting decreasing amounts outstanding under capital leases during
these periods.
The Company's net loss was $14,288,000 in 1997, $9,917,000 in 1996 and
$5,717,000 in 1995. The Company expects to report substantial net losses for at
least the next several years.
The Company has not generated any profits to date and therefore has not paid
any federal income taxes since inception. At June 30, 1997, the Company's
federal tax net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards were $40,420,000 and
$971,000, respectively, which will expire from 2004 through 2012, if not
utilized. The Company underwent an ownership change in October 1993, which has
resulted in a limitation under which the Company can utilize a portion of its
federal net operating loss carryforward amounting to $1,153,000 per year. As of
June 1997, the portion of the Company's net operating loss that remains subject
to this limitation is $2,490,000 and therefore is not expected to ultimately
effect the Company's ability to utilize this benefit. If certain changes in
ownership should occur again in the future, the Company's ability to utilize its
net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards may become subject to further
annual limitation.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company has financed its operations since Inception primarily through
public and private sales of its equity securities, which, from Inception through
June 30, 1997, have totaled approximately $57,906,000, and, to a lesser degree,
through grant funding, payments received under research agreements and
collaborations, interest earned on cash, cash equivalents, and short-term
investments, and funding under equipment leasing agreements. These financing
sources have historically allowed the Company to maintain adequate levels of
cash and other liquid investments. Under the Company's primary equipment leasing
agreement, the lessor is granted a security interest in all of the Company's
property and assets.
The Company's combined cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
totaled $17,007,000 at June 30, 1997, an increase of $6,040,000 from June 30,
1996. The primary uses of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
during the year ended June 30, 1997 included $13,214,000 to finance the
Company's operations and working capital requirements, $424,000 in capital
equipment additions and $223,000 in scheduled debt payments. On February 7,
1997, the Company completed an underwritten initial public offering of 3,000,000
shares of its Common Stock at an offering price of $7.00 per share. On March 5,
1997, the underwriters elected to purchase an additional 250,000 shares of
Common Stock pursuant to the underwriters' over-allotment option at a price of
$7.00 per share. Proceeds from the offering, net of underwriters' commissions
and expenses, were $19,885,000. The Company plans to continue its policy of
investing excess funds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing
instruments.
The Company's future cash requirements will depend on many factors, including
continued scientific progress in its research and development programs, the
scope and results of clinical trials, the time and costs involved in obtaining
regulatory approvals, the costs involved in filing, prosecuting and enforcing
patents, competing technological and market developments and the cost of product
commercialization. The Company does not expect to generate a positive cash flow
from operations for at least the next several years due to the expected increase
in spending for research and development programs and the expected cost of
commercializing its product candidates. The Company intends to seek additional
funding through research and development agreements with suitable corporate
collaborators, grants and through public or private financing
26
transactions. The Company expects that its primary sources of capital for the
foreseeable future will be through collaborative arrangements and through the
public or private sale of its debt or equity securities. There can be no
assurance that such collaborative arrangements, or any public or private
financing, will be available on acceptable terms, if at all, or can be
sustained. Several factors will affect the Company's ability to raise additional
funding, including, but not limited to, market volatility of the Company's
Common Stock and economic conditions affecting the public markets generally or
some portion or all of the technology sector. If adequate funds are not
available, the Company may be required to delay, reduce the scope of, or
eliminate one or more of its research and development programs, which may have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business. See "Business Risks--Future
Capital Needs; Uncertainty of Additional Funding" and Notes to Financial
Statements.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT
During March 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" ("SFAS 128"),
which amends the standards for computing earnings per share previously set forth
in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 15, "Earnings per Share" ("APB 15").
SFAS 128, which will be adopted by the Company for the period ending December
31, 1997, will not have a material effect on the computation of the Company's
historical net loss per share amounts.
27
BUSINESS RISKS
The Company's business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties,
including those discussed below.
UNCERTAINTIES RELATED TO PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETABILITY
The Company has not completed the development or clinical trials of any of its
cell culture technologies or product candidates and, accordingly, has not begun
to market or generate revenue from their commercialization. Furthermore, the
Company's technologies and product candidates are based on cell culture
processes and methodologies which are not widely employed. Commercialization of
the Company's lead product candidate, the Aastrom CPS, will require substantial
additional research and development by the Company as well as substantial
clinical trials. There can be no assurance that the Company will successfully
complete development of the Aastrom CPS or its other product candidates, or
successfully market its technologies or product candidates, which lack of
success would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
The Company or its collaborators may encounter problems and delays relating to
research and development, regulatory approval and intellectual property rights
of the Company's technologies and product candidates. There can be no assurance
that the Company's research and development programs will be successful, that
its cell culture technologies and product candidates will facilitate the ex vivo
-------
production of cells with the expected biological activities in humans, that its
technologies and product candidates, if successfully developed, will prove to be
safe and efficacious in clinical trials, that the necessary regulatory approvals
for any of the Company's technologies or product candidates and the cells
produced in such products will be obtained or, if obtained, will be as broad as
sought, that patents will issue on the Company's patent applications or that the
Company's intellectual property protections will be adequate. The Company's
product development efforts are primarily directed toward obtaining regulatory
approval to market the Aastrom CPS as an alternative to the bone marrow harvest
and PBPC stem cell collection methods. These stem cell collection methods have
been widely practiced for a number of years, and there can be no assurance that
any of the Company's technologies or product candidates will be accepted by the
marketplace as readily as these or other competing processes and methodologies,
or at all. The failure by the Company to achieve any of the foregoing would have
a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
UNCERTAINTIES RELATED TO CLINICAL TRIALS
The approval of the FDA will be required before any commercial sales of the
Company's product candidates may commence in the United States, and approvals
from foreign regulatory authorities will be required before international sales
may commence. Prior to obtaining necessary regulatory approvals, the Company
will be required to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its processes and
product candidates and the cells produced by such processes and in such products
for application in the treatment of humans through extensive preclinical studies
and clinical trials. The Company is currently conducting pre-pivotal clinical
trials to demonstrate the safety and biological activity of patient-derived or
UCB cells produced in the Company's prototype of the Aastrom CPS in a limited
number of patients with breast cancer. If the results from these pre-pivotal
trials are successful, the Company intends to seek clearance from the FDA to
commence pivotal clinical trials. The results of preclinical studies and
clinical trials of the Company's product candidates, however, may not
necessarily be predictive of results that will be obtained from subsequent or
more extensive clinical trials. Further, there can be no assurance that pre-
pivotal or pivotal clinical trials of any of the Company's product candidates
will demonstrate the safety, reliability and efficacy of such products, or of
the cells produced in such products, to the extent necessary to obtain required
regulatory approvals or market acceptance.
The ability of the Company to complete its clinical trials in a timely manner
is dependent upon many factors, including the rate of patient enrollment.
Patient enrollment is a function of many factors, including the size of the
patient population, the proximity of suitable patients to clinical sites and the
eligibility criteria for the study. The Company has experienced delays in
patient accrual in its current pre-pivotal clinical trials. Further delays in
patient accrual, in the Company's current pre-pivotal clinical trials or in
future clinical trials, could result in increased costs associated with clinical
trials or delays in receiving regulatory approvals and commercialization, if
any. Furthermore, the progress of clinical investigations with the Aastrom CPS
and the Company's other product candidates will be monitored by the FDA, which
has the authority to cease clinical investigations, at any time, due to patient
safety or other considerations. Any of the foregoing would have a material
adverse
28
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
See "--Uncertainty of Regulatory Approval; Extensive Government Regulation."
The Company's current pre-pivotal trials are designed to demonstrate specific
biological safety and activity of cells produced in the Aastrom CPS, but is not
designed to demonstrate long-term sustained engraftment of such cells. The
patients enrolled in this pre-pivotal trial will have undergone extensive
chemotherapy treatment prior to the infusion of cells produced in the Aastrom
CPS. Such treatments will have substantially weakened these patients and may
have irreparably damaged their hematopoietic systems. Due to these and other
factors, it is possible that one or more of these patients may die or suffer
severe complications during the course of the pre-pivotal trial. Further, there
can be no assurance that patients receiving cells produced with the Company's
technologies and product candidates will demonstrate long-term engraftment in a
manner comparable to cells obtained from current stem cell therapy procedures,
or at all. The failure to adequately demonstrate the safety or efficacy of the
Company's technologies and product candidates, including long-term sustained
engraftment, or the death of, or occurrence of severe complications in, one or
more patients could substantially delay, or prevent, regulatory approval of such
product candidates and have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
MANUFACTURING AND SUPPLY UNCERTAINTIES; DEPENDENCE ON THIRD PARTIES
The Company does not operate and has no current intention to operate
manufacturing facilities for the production of its product candidates. The
Company currently arranges for the manufacture of its product candidates and
their components, including certain cytokines, serum and media, with third
parties, and expects to continue to do so in the foreseeable future. The Company
has entered into collaborative product development and supply agreements with
SeaMED, Ethox and MSP for the collaborative development and manufacture of
certain components of the Aastrom CPS and is dependent upon those suppliers to
manufacture its products. The Company is also dependent upon Immunex, Life
Technologies, Inc. and Biowhittaker for the supply of certain cytokines, serum
and media to be used in conjunction with the Aastrom CPS. With regard to
cytokines that are not commercially available from other sources, Immunex is
currently the Company's sole supplier and few alternative supply sources exist.
Apart from SeaMED, Ethox, MSP and Immunex, the Company currently does not have
contractual commitments from any of these manufacturers or suppliers. There can
be no assurance that the Company's supply of such key cytokines, components and
other materials will not become limited, be interrupted or become restricted to
certain geographic regions. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the
Company will not require additional cytokines, components and other materials to
manufacture, use or market its product candidates, or that necessary key
components will be available for use on a sustained basis, if at all, by the
Company in the markets in which it intends to sell its products. There can also
be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain alternative components
and materials from other manufacturers of acceptable quality, or on terms or in
quantities acceptable to the Company or that the Company will not require
additional cytokines, components and other materials to manufacture or use its
product candidates. In the event that any of the Company's key manufacturers or
suppliers fail to perform their respective obligations or the Company's supply
of such cytokines, components or other materials become limited or interrupted,
the Company would not be able to market its product candidates on a timely and
cost-competitive basis, if at all, which would have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Certain of the compounds used by the Company in its current stem cell
expansion process involve the use of animal-derived products. The availability
of these compounds for clinical and commercial use may become limited by
suppliers or restricted by regulatory authorities, which may impose a potential
competitive disadvantage for the Company's products compared to competing
products and procedures. There can be no assurance that the Company will not
experience delays or disadvantages related to the future availability of such
materials. Any restriction on the use of such materials could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
develop or obtain alternative compounds.
Like SeaMED, Ethox and MSP, other suppliers would need to meet FDA
manufacturing requirements and undergo rigorous facility and process validation
tests required by federal and state regulatory authorities. Any significant
delays in the completion and validation of such facilities could have a material
adverse effect on the ability of the Company to complete clinical trials and to
market its products on a timely and profitable basis, which in turn would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
29
There can also be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue its
present arrangements with its suppliers, supplement existing relationships or
establish new relationships or that the Company will be able to identify and
obtain the ancillary materials that are necessary to develop its product
candidates in the future. The Company's dependence upon third parties for the
supply and manufacture of such items could adversely affect the Company's
ability to develop and deliver commercially feasible products on a timely and
competitive basis.
HISTORY OF OPERATING LOSSES; ANTICIPATION OF FUTURE LOSSES
The Company is a development stage company and there can be no assurance that
its product applications for cell therapy will be successful. The Company has
not yet completed the development and clinical trials of any of its product
candidates and, accordingly, has not yet begun to generate revenues from the
commercialization of any of its product candidates. Aastrom was incorporated in
1989 and has experienced substantial operating losses since inception. As of
June 30, 1997, the Company has incurred net operating losses totaling
approximately $41.3 million. Such losses have resulted principally from costs
incurred in the research and development of the Company's cell culture
technologies and the Aastrom CPS, general and administrative expenses, and the
prosecution of patent applications. The Company expects to incur significant and
increasing operating losses for at least the next several years, primarily owing
to the expansion of its research and development programs, including preclinical
studies and clinical trials. The amount of future losses and when, if ever, the
Company will achieve profitability, are uncertain. The Company's ability to
achieve profitability will depend, among other things, on successfully
completing the development of its product candidates, obtaining regulatory
approvals, establishing manufacturing, sales and marketing arrangements with
third parties, and raising sufficient funds to finance its activities. No
assurance can be given that the Company's product development efforts will be
successful, that required regulatory approvals will be obtained, that any of the
Company's product candidates will be manufactured at a competitive cost and will
be of acceptable quality, or that the Company will be able to achieve
profitability or that profitability, if achieved, can be sustained.
LIMITED SALES AND MARKETING CAPABILITIES; DEPENDENCE ON COLLABORATIVE
RELATIONSHIPS
The Company has limited internal sales, marketing and distribution
capabilities. If any of the Company's product candidates are successfully
developed and the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained, the Company
intends to market such products through collaborative relationships with
companies that have established sales, marketing and distribution capabilities.
The Company has established a strategic alliance with Cobe for the worldwide
distribution of the Aastrom CPS for stem cell therapy and related uses. Cobe has
the right to terminate its Distribution Agreement with the Company upon twelve
months notice upon a change of control of the Company, other than to Cobe, or at
any time after December 31, 1997, if Cobe determines that commercialization of
the Aastrom CPS for stem cell therapy on or prior to December 31, 1998 is
unlikely. See "--Consequences of Cobe Relationship."
The amount and timing of resources that Cobe commits to its strategic alliance
activities with the Company are, to a significant extent, outside of the control
of the Company. There can be no assurance that Cobe will pursue the marketing
and distribution of the Company's products, continue to perform its obligations
under its agreements with the Company or that the Company's strategic alliance
with Cobe will result in the successful commercialization and distribution of
the Company's technologies and product candidates. There can also be no
assurance that Cobe will be successful in its efforts to market and distribute
the Company's products for stem cell therapy. The suspension or termination of
the Company's strategic alliance with Cobe or the failure of the strategic
alliance to be successful would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Subject to the contractual requirements of the Cobe relationship, the Company
will seek to enter into other agreements relating to the development and
marketing of product candidates and in connection with such agreements may rely
upon corporate partners to conduct clinical trials, seek regulatory approvals
for, manufacture and market its potential products. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to establish collaborative relationships for the
development or marketing of the Company's product candidates on acceptable
terms, if at all, or, if such relationships are established, that they will be
successful or sustained on a long-term basis. The inability of the Company to
establish such collaborative relationships may require the Company to curtail
its development or marketing activities with regard to its potential products
which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations.
30
FUTURE CAPITAL NEEDS; UNCERTAINTY OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING
To date, Aastrom has funded its operations primarily through the sale of
equity securities and corporate collaborations. In order to grow and expand its
business, and to introduce its product candidates into the marketplace, the
Company will need, among other things, to raise additional funds. The
development of the Company's products for the expansion of additional cell types
will require the Company to raise additional funds or to seek collaborative
partners, or both, to finance related research and development activities.
The Company's future capital requirements will depend upon many factors,
including, but not limited to, continued scientific progress in its research and
development programs, costs and timing of conducting clinical trials and seeking
regulatory approvals and patent prosecutions, competing technological and market
developments, possible changes in existing collaborative relationships, the
ability of the Company to establish additional collaborative relationships, and
effective commercialization activities and facilities expansions if and as
required. Because of the Company's potential long-term funding requirements, it
may attempt to access the public or private equity markets if and whenever
conditions are favorable, even if it does not have an immediate need for
additional capital at that time. There can be no assurance that any such
additional funding will be available to the Company on reasonable terms, or at
all. If adequate funds are not available, the Company may be required to delay
or terminate research and development programs, curtail capital expenditures,
and reduce business development and other operating activities. If the Company
is not successful in finding, entering into and maintaining arrangements with
collaborative partners, its development efforts could be delayed. Furthermore,
there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to implement
collaborative development agreements under acceptable terms, if at all. Any of
the foregoing capital constraints would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
UNCERTAINTY OF REGULATORY APPROVAL; EXTENSIVE GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The Company's research and development activities, preclinical studies,
clinical trials, and the anticipated manufacturing and marketing of its product
candidates are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and other regulatory
authorities in the United States. These activities are also regulated in other
countries where the Company intends to test and market its product candidates.
The approval of the FDA will be required before any commercial sales of the
Company's product candidates may commence in the United States. Additionally,
the Company will be required to obtain approvals from foreign regulatory
authorities before international sales may commence.
The Company's products are potentially subject to regulation as medical
devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or as biological
products under the Public Health Service Act, or both. Different regulatory
requirements may apply to the Company's products depending on how they are
categorized by the FDA under these laws. To date, the FDA has indicated that it
intends to regulate the Aastrom CPS for stem cell therapy as a Class III medical
device through the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. However, there
can be no assurance that the FDA will ultimately regulate the Aastrom CPS for
stem cell therapy as a medical device or that regulatory approval for such
product will be obtained in a timely fashion or at all.
Further, it is unclear whether the FDA will separately regulate the cell
therapies derived from the Aastrom CPS. The FDA is in the process of developing
its requirements with respect to somatic cell therapy and gene cell therapy
products, and recently proposed a new type of license for autologous cells
manipulated ex vivo and intended for structural repair or reconstruction;
-------
autologous cells are cells obtained from, and administered to, the same patient.
This proposal may indicate that the FDA will impose a similar approval
requirement on other types of autologous cellular therapies, such as autologous
cells for stem cell therapy. Any such additional regulatory or approval
requirement could significantly delay the introduction of the Company's product
candidates to the market, and have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. Until the FDA issues
definitive regulations covering the Company's product candidates, the regulatory
guidelines or requirements for approval of such product candidates will continue
to be subject to significant uncertainty.
31
Before marketing, the Aastrom CPS or other product candidates developed by the
Company must undergo an extensive regulatory approval process. The regulatory
process, which includes preclinical studies and clinical trials to establish
safety and efficacy, takes many years and requires the expenditure of
substantial resources. Data obtained from preclinical and clinical activities
are susceptible to varying interpretations which could delay, limit or prevent
FDA approval. In addition, delays or rejections may be encountered based upon
changes in FDA policy for medical product approvals during the period of product
development and FDA regulatory review of applications submitted by the Company
for product approval. Similar delays may also be encountered in foreign
countries. There can be no assurance that, even after the expenditures of
substantial time and financial resources, regulatory approval will be obtained
for any products developed by the Company. Moreover, if regulatory approval of a
product is obtained, such approval may be subject to limitations on the
indicated uses for which it may be marketed. Further, even if such regulatory
approval is obtained, a marketed product, its manufacturer and its manufacturing
facilities are subject to continual review and periodic inspections by the FDA,
and later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product, manufacturer
or facility may result in restrictions on such product or manufacturer,
including a withdrawal of the product from the market. Failure to comply with
the applicable regulatory requirements can, among other things, result in fines,
suspensions of regulatory approvals, product recalls, operating restrictions and
criminal prosecution. Further, additional government regulation may be
established which could prevent or delay regulatory approval of the Company's
products.
The Company believes that the Aastrom CPS will be regulated in Europe as a
Class IIb medical device, under the authority of the new Medical Device
Directives ("MDD") being implemented by European Union ("EU") member countries.
In order for the Company to market its products in Europe, it must obtain a CE
Mark from a Notified Body to certify that the Company and its operations comply
with certain minimum quality standards and compliance procedures, or,
alternatively, that its manufactured products meet a more limited set of
requirements. There can be no assurance that the Company and its suppliers will
be able to meet these minimum requirements, or, if met, that the Company and its
suppliers will be able to maintain such compliance. The result of such non-
compliance would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance,
however, that the Aastrom CPS will be regulated in Europe as a Class IIb medical
device, and, if the Aastrom CPS is not so regulated, the Company could be forced
to obtain additional regulatory approvals and could be subjected to additional
regulatory requirements and uncertainty, which would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
See "Business--Government Regulation."
CONSEQUENCES OF COBE RELATIONSHIP
Cobe is the largest single shareholder of the Company, beneficially owning
approximately 24% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock as of August 31,
1997. In addition, Cobe has certain preemptive rights to maintain its relative
percentage ownership and voting interest in the Company and has an option, until
February 2000, to purchase from the Company an amount of Common Stock equal to
30% of the Company's fully diluted shares after the exercise of such option, at
a purchase price equal to 120% of the public market trading price of the
Company's Common Stock. If such option is exercised, Cobe would significantly
increase its ownership interest in the Company and, as a consequence of such
share ownership, obtain effective control of the Company. Such effective control
would include the ability to influence the outcome of shareholder votes,
including votes concerning the election of directors, the amendment of
provisions of the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, and
the approval of mergers and other significant transactions. Cobe also has been
granted a "right of first negotiation" in the event that the Company determines
to sell all, or any material portion, of its assets to another company or to
merge with another company. Furthermore, the Company has agreed to use
reasonable and good faith efforts to cause a nominee designated by Cobe to be
elected to the Board of Directors for as long as Cobe owns at least 15% of the
outstanding Common Stock. In addition, Edward C. Wood, Jr., the President of
Cobe BCT, is a director of the Company. The agreements establishing the
Company's relationship with Cobe provide the Company with an option (the "Put
Option") to require Cobe to purchase the lesser of 20%, or $5,000,000, in an
initial public offering ("IPO") or a private offering meeting certain minimum
requirements. In the event that the Company exercises the Put Option, Cobe then
has the option to purchase up to 40% of that offering. While the Put Option was
not exercised by the Company in connection with the IPO, Cobe voluntarily
elected to purchase an additional 714,200 shares of Common Stock in the IPO, for
an aggregate purchase price of approximately $5,000,000. The Put Option does not
apply to any public offerings, and the Company and Cobe are evaluating whether
or not the Put Option remains in effect as to any future private offerings of
the Company's equity securities. The existence of the foregoing rights or the
exercise of such control by Cobe could have the effect of delaying, deterring or
32
preventing certain takeovers or changes in control of the management of the
Company, including transactions in which shareholders might otherwise receive a
premium for their shares over then current market prices.
COMPETITION AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
The Company is engaged in the development of medical products and processes
which will face competition in a marketplace characterized by rapid
technological change. Many of the Company's competitors have significantly
greater resources than the Company, and have developed and may develop product
candidates and processes that directly compete with the Company's products.
Moreover, competitors that are able to achieve patent protection, obtain
regulatory approvals and commence commercial sales of their products before the
Company, and competitors that have already done so, may enjoy a significant
competitive advantage. The Company's product development efforts are primarily
directed toward obtaining regulatory approval to market the Aastrom CPS for stem
cell therapy. That market is currently dominated by the bone marrow harvest and
PBPC collection methods. The Company's clinical data, although early, suggests
that cells expanded in the Aastrom CPS using its current process will enable
hematopoietic recovery within the time frames currently achieved by bone marrow
harvest, however, neutrophil and platelet recovery times may be slower than with
PBPC collection methods. The Company is evaluating techniques and methods to
optimize the cells produced in the Aastrom CPS to reduce the recovery time of
neutrophils and platelets in patients. There can be no assurance that if such
procedure optimization does not lead to recovery times equal to or faster than
those of PBPC collection methods, such outcome would not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, the bone marrow harvest and PBPC collection methods have been
widely practiced for a number of years and, recently, the patient costs
associated with these procedures have begun to decline. There can be no
assurance that the Aastrom CPS method, if approved for marketing, will prove to
be competitive with these established collection methods on the basis of
hematopoietic recovery time, cost or otherwise. The Company also is aware of
certain other products manufactured or under development by competitors that are
used for the prevention or treatment of certain diseases and health conditions
which the Company has targeted for product development. In particular, the
Company is aware that competitors such as Amgen, Inc., CellPro, Incorporated,
Novartis, A.G., Baxter Healthcare Corp. and RPR are in advanced stages of
development of technologies and products for use in stem cell therapy and other
market applications currently being pursued by the Company. In addition, Cobe, a
significant shareholder of the Company, is a market leader in the blood cell
processing products industry and, accordingly, a potential competitor of the
Company. There can be no assurance that developments by others will not render
the Company's product candidates or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive,
that the Company will be able to keep pace with new technological developments
or that the Company's product candidates will be able to supplant established
products and methodologies in the therapeutic areas that are targeted by the
Company. The foregoing factors could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
UNCERTAINTY REGARDING PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
Aastrom's success depends in part on its ability, and the ability of its
licensors, to obtain patent protection for its products and processes, preserve
its trade secrets, defend and enforce its rights against infringement and
operate without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties, both in the
United States and in other countries. The validity and breadth of claims in
medical technology patents involve complex legal and factual questions and,
therefore, may be highly uncertain. No assurance can be given that any patents
based on pending patent applications or any future patent applications of the
Company or its licensors will be issued, that the scope of any patent protection
will exclude competitors or provide competitive advantages to the Company, that
any of the patents that have been or may be issued to the Company or its
licensors will be held valid if subsequently challenged or that others will not
claim rights in or ownership of the patents and other proprietary rights held or
licensed by the Company. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that others have
not developed or will not develop similar products, duplicate any of the
Company's products or design around any patents that have been or may be issued
to the Company or its licensors. Since patent applications in the United States
are maintained in secrecy until patents issue, the Company also cannot be
certain that others did not first file applications for inventions covered by
the Company's and its licensors' pending patent applications, nor can the
Company be certain that it will not infringe any patents that may issue to
others on such applications. The Company relies on certain licenses granted by
the University of Michigan and Dr. Cremonese for the majority of its patent
rights. If the Company breaches such agreements or otherwise fails to comply
with such agreements, or if such agreements expire or are otherwise terminated,
the Company may lose its rights under the patents held by the University of
Michigan and Dr. Cremonese, which would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operation. See
"Business--Patents and Proprietary Rights--Research and License
33
Agreements." The Company also relies on trade secrets and unpatentable know-how
which it seeks to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with its
employees, consultants, suppliers and licensees. There can be no assurance that
these agreements will not be breached, that the Company would have adequate
remedies for any breach, or that the Company's trade secrets or unpatentable
know-how will not otherwise become known or be independently developed by
competitors.
The Company's success will also depend in part on its ability to develop
commercially viable products without infringing the proprietary rights of
others. The Company has not conducted freedom of use patent searches and no
assurance can be given that patents do not exist or could not be filed which
would have an adverse effect on the Company's ability to market its products or
maintain its competitive position with respect to its products. If the Company's
technology components, devices, designs, products, processes or other subject
matter are claimed under other existing United States or foreign patents or are
otherwise protected by third party proprietary rights, the Company may be
subject to infringement actions. In such event, the Company may challenge the
validity of such patents or other proprietary rights or be required to obtain
licenses from such companies in order to develop, manufacture or market its
products. There can be no assurance that the Company would be able to obtain
such licenses or that such licenses, if available, could be obtained on
commercially reasonable terms. Furthermore, the failure to either develop a
commercially viable alternative or obtain such licenses could result in delays
in marketing the Company's proposed products or the inability to proceed with
the development, manufacture or sale of products requiring such licenses, which
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. If the Company is required to defend itself
against charges of patent infringement or to protect its own proprietary rights
against third parties, substantial costs will be incurred regardless of whether
the Company is successful. Such proceedings are typically protracted with no
certainty of success. An adverse outcome could subject the Company to
significant liabilities to third parties, and force the Company to curtail or
cease its development and sale of its products and processes. See
"Business--Patents and Proprietary Rights."
NO ASSURANCE OF THIRD PARTY REIMBURSEMENT
The Company's ability to successfully commercialize its product candidates
will depend in part on the extent to which payment for the Company's products
and related treatments will be available from government healthcare programs,
such as Medicare and Medicaid, as well as private health insurers, health
maintenance organizations and other third party payors. Government and other
third-party payors are increasingly attempting to contain health care costs, in
part by challenging the price of medical products and services. Reimbursement by
third-party payors depends on a number of factors, including the payor's
determination that use of the product is safe and effective, not experimental or
investigational, medically necessary, appropriate for the specific patient and
cost-effective. Since reimbursement approval is required from each payor
individually, seeking such approvals is a time-consuming and costly process
which will require the Company to provide scientific and clinical support for
the use of each of the Company's products to each payor separately. Significant
uncertainty exists as to the payment status of newly approved medical products,
and there can be no assurance that adequate third-party payments will be
available to enable the Company to establish or maintain price levels sufficient
to realize an appropriate return on its investment in product development. If
adequate payment levels are not provided by government and third-party payors
for use of the Company's products, the market acceptance of those products will
be adversely affected.
There can be no assurance that reimbursement in the United States or foreign
countries will be available for any of the Company's product candidates, that
any reimbursement granted will be maintained, or that limits on reimbursement
available from third-party payors will not reduce the demand for, or negatively
affect the price of, the Company's products. The unavailability or inadequacy of
third-party reimbursement for the Company's product candidates would have a
material adverse effect on the Company. Finally, the Company is unable to
forecast what additional legislation or regulation relating to the healthcare
industry or third-party coverage and reimbursement may be enacted in the future,
or what effect such legislation or regulation would have on the Company's
business.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
The Company's research and development activities involve the controlled use
of hazardous materials, chemicals and various radioactive compounds. The Company
is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the use,
manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of such materials and certain waste
products. In the event of any contamination or injury from these materials, the
Company could be held liable for any damages that result and any such liability
could exceed
34
the resources of the Company. Furthermore, the failure to comply with current or
future regulations could result in the imposition of substantial fines against
the Company, suspension of production, alteration of its manufacturing processes
or cessation of operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will not
be required to incur significant costs to comply with any such laws and
regulations in the future, or that such laws or regulations will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. Any failure by the Company to control the use, disposal,
removal or storage of, or to adequately restrict the discharge of, or assist in
the cleanup of, hazardous chemicals or hazardous, infectious or toxic substances
could subject the Company to significant liabilities, including joint and
several liability under certain statutes. The imposition of such liabilities
would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations.
POTENTIAL PRODUCT LIABILITY; AVAILABILITY OF INSURANCE
The Company is, and will continue to be, subject to the risk of product
liability claims alleging that the use of its products has adverse effects on
patients. This risk exists for product candidates tested in human clinical
trials as well as products that are sold commercially, if any. Further, given
the medical conditions for which the Aastrom CPS is expected to be utilized, any
product liability claim could entail substantial compensatory and punitive
damages. The assertion of product liability claims against the Company could
result in a substantial cost to, and diversion of efforts by, the Company. There
can be no assurance that the Company would prevail in any such litigation or
that product liability claims, if made, would not result in a recall of the
Company's products or a change in the indications for which they may be used.
The Company maintains product liability insurance coverage up to an aggregate of
$5,000,000 for claims arising from the use of its product candidates in clinical
trials. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain such
insurance or obtain product liability insurance in the future to cover any of
its product candidates which are commercialized or that such existing or any
future insurance and the resources of the Company would be sufficient to satisfy
any liability resulting from product liability claims. Consequently, a product
liability claim or other claim with respect to uninsured or underinsured
liabilities could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
The success of the Company depends in large part upon the Company's ability to
attract and retain highly qualified scientific and management personnel. The
Company faces competition for such personnel from other companies, research and
academic institutions and other entities. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be successful in hiring or retaining key personnel. See
"Business--Employees" and "--Executive Officers of the Company."
CONTROL BY EXISTING MANAGEMENT AND SHAREHOLDERS
As of August 31, 1997, the Company's directors, executive officers, and
certain principal shareholders, including Cobe, affiliated with members of the
Board of Directors and their affiliates beneficially owned approximately 36% of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Accordingly, such shareholders, acting
together, may have the ability to exert significant influence over the election
of the Company's Board of Directors and other matters submitted to the Company's
shareholders for approval. The voting power of these holders may discourage or
prevent certain takeovers or changes in control of the management of the Company
unless the terms are approved by such holders. See "Principal Shareholders."
POSSIBLE STOCK PRICE VOLATILITY
The price of the Company's Common Stock has experienced significant volatility.
The trading price of the Common Stock and the price at which the Company may
sell securities in the future could be subject to wide fluctuations in response
to announcements of clinical results, research activities, technological
innovations or new products by the Company or competitors, changes in government
regulation, developments concerning proprietary rights, variations in the
Company's operating results, announcements by the Company of regulatory
developments, litigation, disputes concerning patents or proprietary rights or
public concern regarding the safety, efficacy or other implications of the
products or methodologies to be developed by the Company or its collaborators or
enabled by the Company's technology, general market conditions, the liquidity of
the Company or its ability to raise additional funds, and other factors or
events. In addition, the stock market has
35
experienced extreme fluctuations in price and volume. This volatility has
significantly affected the market prices for securities of emerging
biotechnology companies for reasons frequently unrelated to or disproportionate
to the operating performance of the specific companies. These market
fluctuations, as well as shortfalls in revenue or earnings as compared with
public market analysts' expectations, changes in such analysts' recommendations
or projections and fluctuations in the stock markets generally may adversely
affect the market price of the Common Stock. In addition, since the Company's
initial public offering in February 1997, the average daily trading volume of
the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market has generally been relatively
low. There can be no assurance that a more active trading market will develop in
the future.
36
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The Company's financial statements as of June 30, 1996 and 1997, for each
of the three years in the period ended June 30, 1997 and for the period from
Inception to June 30, 1997 and the report of independent accountants are
included in this Report as listed in Item 14(a).
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
See Item 14(b) of this Report.
PART III
Certain information required by Part III is omitted from this Report, in
that on October 10, 1997, the Company filed its Proxy Statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with
its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on November 12, 1997 (the "Proxy
Statement"), and certain information included therein is incorporated herein by
reference.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information relating to the directors of the Company is incorporated by
reference to the Proxy Statement as set forth under the caption "General
Information -- Board of Directors." Information relating to the executive
officers of the Company is set forth in Part I of this Report under the caption
"Executive Officers of the Company."
Information with respect to delinquent filings pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement as set forth
under the caption "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance."
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information relating to executive compensation is incorporated by
reference to the Proxy Statement under the caption "Executive Compensation and
Other Matters."
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information relating to ownership of equity securities of the Company
by certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated by reference to the
Proxy Statement as set forth under the caption "General Information -- Stock
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management."
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information relating to certain relationships and related transactions
is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement under the captions "Certain
Transactions" and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation."
37
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE FILED AS PART OF THIS REPORT:
1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
Balance Sheets -- As of June 30, 1996 and 1997
Statements of Operations -- For the years Ended June 30,
1995, 1996 and 1997, and from March 24, 1989 (Inception)
to June 30, 1997
Statements of Shareholders' Equity -- From March 24, 1989
(Inception) to June 30, 1997
Statements of Cash Flows -- For the years Ended June 30,
1995, 1996 and 1997, and from March 24, 1989 (Inception)
to June 30, 1997
Notes to Financial Statements
2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE:
All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or
not required, or because the required information is
included in the Financial Statements or Notes thereto.
3. EXHIBITS:
See Exhibit Index.
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K:
On July 16, 1997, the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 9, 1997,
which contains disclosure under Item 4 concerning a change in the
Company's independent auditors. A letter from Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P., dated July 15, 1997, was filed as an exhibit to such
report.
38
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.
In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheets and the related statements of
operations, of shareholders' equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (a
development stage company) at June 30, 1996 and 1997, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
June 30, 1997, and for the period from March 24, 1989 (Inception) to June 30,
1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards which 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,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Detroit, Michigan
August 15, 1997
39
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
BALANCE SHEETS
June 30,
--------------------------
1996 1997
------------ -----------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents.. $10,967,000 $ 1,943,000
Short-term investments..... -- 15,064,000
Receivables................ 81,000 229,000
Prepaid expenses........... 437,000 126,000
---------- ----------
Total current assets...... 11,485,000 17,362,000
PROPERTY, NET............... 1,188,000 1,048,000
---------- ----------
Total assets.............. $12,673,000 $18,410,000
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses................... $ 1,192,000 $ 1,508,000
Accrued employee expenses... 97,000 130,000
Current portion of capital
lease obligations.......... 223,000 124,000
Deferred revenue............ 122,000 --
---------- ----------
Total current liabilities.. 1,634,000 1,762,000
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS..... 189,000 65,000
COMMITMENTS (Note 7)
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred Stock, no par value;
shares authorized - 9,951,765
and 5,000,000, respectively;
shares issued and outstanding -
9,451,766 and 0, respectively. 34,218,000 --
Common Stock, no par value;
shares authorized - 18,500,000
and 40,000,000, respectively;
shares issued and outstanding -
1,886,479 and 13,275,208,
respectively.................. 324,000 58,073,000
Deficit accumulated during the
development stage............. (27,025,000) (41,313,000)
Shareholder notes receivable... (167,000) (167,000)
Stock purchase rights.......... 3,500,000 --
Unrealized losses on
investments................... -- (10,000)
---------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity.... 10,850,000 16,583,000
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity....... $ 12,673,000 $ 18,410,000
============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
40
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
MARCH 24, 1989
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, (INCEPTION) TO
---------------------------------------------------- JUNE 30,
1995 1996 1997 1997
----------- ------------ ------------ --------------
REVENUES:
Research and development agreements................. $ 396,000 $ 1,342,000 $ 230,000 $ 2,017,000
Grants.............................................. 121,000 267,000 148,000 2,143,000
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
Total revenues..................................... 517,000 1,609,000 378,000 4,160,000
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Research and development............................ 4,889,000 10,075,000 13,357,000 38,432,000
General and administrative.......................... 1,558,000 2,067,000 1,953,000 9,042,000
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total costs and expenses........................... 6,447,000 12,142,000 15,310,000 47,474,000
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS................................. (5,930,000) (10,533,000) (14,932,000) (43,314,000)
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income..................................... 279,000 678,000 676,000 2,252,000
Interest expense.................................... (66,000) (62,000) (32,000) (251,000)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Other income....................................... 213,000 616,000 644,000 2,001,000
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
NET LOSS............................................. $(5,717,000) $ (9,917,000) $(14,288,000) $(41,313,000)
=========== ============ ============ ------------
NET LOSS PER SHARE................................... $ (.66) $ (.98) $ (1.26)
=========== ============ ============
Weighted average number of common and common
equivalent shares outstanding.................... 8,644,000 10,103,000 11,315,000
=========== ============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
41
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deficit
accumulated
Preferred Stock Common Stock during the Shareholder
----------------------------- ----------------------------- development notes
Shares Amount Shares Amount stage receivable
--------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------
BALANCE, MARCH 24,
1989 (Inception).......... -- $ -- -- $ -- $ -- $ --
Non-cash issuance of
Common Stock............. 454,545 --
Issuance of Series
A Preferred Stock at
$1.00 per
share in August 1989..... 1,500,000 1,500,000
Issuance of Series A
Preferred Stock in March
1991 at $1.00 per share,
net of issuance
costs of $5,000.......... 1,000,000 995,000
Issuance of Series B
Preferred Stock in April
1992 at $2.00 per share,
net of issuance
costs of $46,000......... 3,030,000 6,014,000
Issuance of Common Stock
for services............. 33,333 10,000
Issuance of Series C
Preferred Stock in
October 1993 at $1,000
per share, net of
issuance costs of $175,000 10,000 9,825,000
Exercise of stock options. 1,229,482 230,000 (198,000)
Net loss.................. (11,391,000)
--------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 1994..... 5,540,000 18,334,000 1,717,360 240,000 (11,391,000) (198,000)
Issuance of Series D
Preferred Stock in April
and May 1995 at $4.00
per share, net of
issuance costs of $81,000 2,500,001 9,919,000
Exercise of stock options. 39,103 8,000
Retirement of Common
Shares outstanding....... (25,000) (7,000)
Unrealized loss on
investments..............
Net loss.................. (5,717,000)
--------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 1995..... 8,040,001 28,253,000 1,731,463 241,000 (17,108,000) (198,000)
Issuance of Series E
Preferred Stock in
January 1996 at $4.25 per
share, net of issuance
costs of $35,000......... 1,411,765 5,965,000
Exercise of stock options. 130,016 53,000
Issuance of Common Stock
at $1.20 per share....... 25,000 30,000
Issuance of Stock
Purchase Rights for cash
in September 1995 and
March 1996...............
Repurchase of Series D
Preferred Stock
at $4.00 per share....... (62,500) (250,000)
Sale of Series D Preferred
Stock at
$4.00 per share.......... 62,500 250,000
Principal payment received
under shareholder
note receivable.......... 31,000
Unrealized gain on
investments..............
Net loss.................. (9,917,000)
--------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 1996..... 9,451,766 34,218,000 1,886,479 324,000 (27,025,000) (167,000)
Exercise of stock options. 40,307 26,000
Issuance of Series E
Preferred Stock at
$17.00 per share......... 205,882 3,500,000
Issuance of Common Stock
at $7.00 per share, net
of issuance costs of
$2,865,000............... 3,250,000 19,885,000
Conversion of Preferred
Stock.................... (9,657,648) (37,718,000) 8,098,422 37,718,000
Compensation expense
related to stock
options granted.......... 120,000
Unrealized losses on
investments..............
Net loss.................. (14,288,000)
--------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 1997..... -- $ -- $13,275,208 $58,073,000 $(41,313,000) $ (167,000)
========= ========== =========== =========== ============ ==========
Unrealized
Stock gain Total
purchase (losses) on shareholders'
rights investments equity
---------- ----------- -----------
BALANCE, MARCH 24, 1989
(Inception)............... -- $ -- $ --
Non--cash issuance of
Common Stock.............. --
Issuance of Series A
Preferred Stock at $1.00
per share in August
1989..................... 1,500,000
Issuance of Series A
Preferred Stock in March
1991 at $1.00 per share,
net of issuance costs of
$5,000................... 995,000
Issuance of Series B
Preferred Stock in April
1992 at $2.00 per share,
net of issuance costs of
$46,000.................. 6,014,000
Issuance of Common Stock
for services.............. 10,000
Issuance of Series C
Preferred Stock in October
1993 at $1,000 per share,
net of issuance costs of
$175,000................. 9,825,000
Exercise of stock options.. 32,000
Net loss................... (11,391,000)
---------- ----------- -----------
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 1994..... -- -- 6,985,000
Issuance of Series D
Preferred Stock in April
and May 1995 at $4.00 per
share, net of issuance
costs of $81,000......... 9,919,000
Exercise of stock options.. 8,000
Retirement of Common Shares
outstanding................ (7,000)
Unrealized loss on
investments................ (2,000) (2,000)
Net loss................... (5,717,000)
---------- ----------- -----------
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 1995..... -- (2,000) 11,186,000
Issuance of Series E
Preferred Stock in January
1996 at $4.25 per share,
net of issuance costs of
$35,000.................. 5,965,000
Exercise of stock options. 53,000
Issuance of Common Stock
at $1.20 per share....... 30,000
Issuance of Stock Purchase
Rights for cash in
September 1995 and March
1996..................... 3,500,000 3,500,000
Repurchase of Series D
Preferred Stock at $4.00
per share................ (250,000)
Sale of Series D
Preferred Stock at $4.00
per share................ 250,000
Principal payment received
under shareholder note
receivable............... 31,000
Unrealized gain on
investments.............. 2,000 2,000
Net loss.................. (9,917,000)
---------- ----------- -----------
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 1996..... 3,500,000 -- 10,850,000
Exercise of stock options. 26,000
Issuance of Series E
Preferred Stock at $17.00
per share................ (3,500,000) --
Issuance of Common Stock
at $7.00 per share, net
of issuance costs of
$2,865,000............... 19,885,000
Conversion of Preferred
Stock.................... --
Compensation expense
related to stock options
granted.................. 120,000
Unrealized losses on
investments.............. (10,000) (10,000)
Net loss.................. (14,288,000)
---------- ----------- -----------
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 1997..... $ -- $ (10,000) $16,583,000
========== =========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
42
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
MARCH 24, 1989
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, (INCEPTION) TO
-------------------------------------------- JUNE 30,
1995 1996 1997 1997
------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss............................................... $ (5,717,000) $(9,917,000) $(14,288,000) $(41,313,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
used for operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization....................... 329,000 536,000 564,000 1,831,000
Loss on property held for resale.................... -- -- -- 110,000
Amortization of discounts and.......................
premiums on investments............................ (9,000) (110,000) (84,000) (203,000)
Stock compensation expense.......................... -- -- 120,000 130,000
Changes in assets and liabilities:..................
Receivables........................................ 132,000 18,000 (148,000) (229,000)
Prepaid expenses................................... (59,000) (332,000) 311,000 (126,000)
Accounts payable and accrued.......................
expenses.......................................... (40,000) 864,000 316,000 1,508,000
Accrued employee expenses.......................... 28,000 (33,000) 33,000 130,000
Deferred revenue................................... 79,000 (103,000) (122,000) --
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
Net cash used for operating activities............... (5,257,000) (9,077,000) (13,298,000) (38,162,000)
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Organizational costs................................... -- -- -- (73,000)
Purchase of short--term investments.................... (10,981,000) -- (19,190,000) (31,138,000)
Maturities of short--term investments.................. 3,567,000 8,500,000 4,200,000 16,267,000
Capital purchases...................................... (118,000) (445,000) (424,000) (2,142,000)
Proceeds from sale of property held for resale........ -- -- -- 400,000
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
Net cash provided by (used for) investing
activities.......................................... (7,532,000) 8,055,000 (15,414,000) (16,686,000)
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of Preferred Stock............................ 9,919,000 5,965,000 -- 34,218,000
Issuance of Common Stock............................... 1,000 83,000 19,911,000 20,027,000
Payments received for stock purchase rights............ -- 3,500,000 -- 3,500,000
Payments received under shareholder notes.............. -- 31,000 -- 31,000
Principal payments under capital lease obligations.. (214,000) (270,000) (223,000) (985,000)
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities............. 9,706,000 9,309,000 19,688,000 56,791,000
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS.... (3,083,000) 8,287,000 (9,024,000) 1,943,000
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
BEGINNING OF PERIOD.................................... 5,763,000 2,680,000 10,967,000 --
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
END OF PERIOD.......................................... $ 2,680,000 $10,967,000 $ 1,943,000 $ 1,943,000
============ =========== ============ ============
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid........................................ $ 66,000 $ 62,000 $ 32,000 $ 251,000
Additions to capital lease obligations............... 270,000 -- -- 1,174,000
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
43
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (the Company) was incorporated in March 1989
(Inception) under the name Ann Arbor Stromal, Inc. The Company changed its name
in 1991 concurrent with the commencement of employee-based operations. The
Company is in the development stage with its principal business activities being
research and product development, conducted both on its own behalf and in
connection with various collaborative research and development agreements with
other companies, involving the development of processes and instrumentation for
the ex vivo production of human stem cells and their progeny, and hematopoetic
-------
and other tissues.
Successful future operations are subject to several technical and business
risks, including satisfactory product development, obtaining regulatory approval
and market acceptance for its products and the Company's continued ability to
maintain adequate levels of funding.
SIGNIFICANT REVENUE RELATIONSHIPS - Two companies accounted for 49% and 28% of
- ---------------------------------
total revenues for the year ended June 30, 1995 and one company accounted for
83% and 52% of total revenues for the year ended June 30, 1996 and 1997,
respectively. One company accounted for 43% of total revenues for the period
from Inception to June 30, 1997. Grant revenues consist of grants sponsored by
the U.S. government.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-
- -------------------------
term investments with original maturities of three months or less.
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - Short-term investments consist of U.S. government
- ----------------------
securities and commercial paper with original maturities of over three months
but less than one year. Short-term investments are classified as available-for-
sale, and are presented at market value, with unrealized gains and losses on
investments reflected as a component of shareholders' equity.
DIVERSITY OF CREDIT RISK - The Company invests its excess cash in U.S.
- ------------------------
government securities and commercial paper, maintained in U.S. financial
institutions, and has established guidelines relative to diversification and
maturities in an effort to maintain safety and liquidity. These guidelines are
periodically reviewed and modified to take advantage of trends in yields and
interest rates. The Company has not experienced any significant realized losses
on its cash equivalents or short-term investments.
PROPERTY - Property is recorded at cost and depreciated or amortized using the
- --------
straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset (primarily five
years), or the remaining lease term, if shorter, with respect to leasehold
improvements and certain capital lease assets.
REVENUE RECOGNITION - Revenue from grants and research agreements is recognized
- -------------------
on a cost reimbursement basis consistent with the performance requirements of
the related agreement. Funding received in advance of costs incurred is
presented as deferred revenue in the accompanying financial statements.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS - Research and development costs are expensed as
- ------------------------------
incurred. Such costs and expenses related to programs under collaborative
agreements with other companies totaled $146,000, $1,294,000 and $154,000 for
the years ended June 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively, and $1,642,000 for
the period from Inception to June 30, 1997.
STOCK COMPENSATION - The Company adopted the disclosure provisions of Statement
- ------------------
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation" (SFAS 123) as of July 1, 1996. As permitted by SFAS 123, the
Company continues to apply Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," (APB 25) and related interpretations
in accounting for its plans and does not recognize compensation expense for its
employee stock-based compensation plans as prescribed in SFAS 123.
44
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
INCOME TAXES - The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for
- ------------
the differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and
liabilities, as well as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.
Additionally, the Company establishes a valuation allowance to reflect the
likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets.
NET LOSS PER SHARE - Net loss per share is computed using the weighted average
- ------------------
number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period.
Common equivalent shares are not included in the per share calculation where the
effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. However, common and common
equivalent shares issued during the twelve month period preceding the filing of
the registration statement for the Company's initial public offering which was
completed in February 1997, (the IPO) at a price below the expected offering
price are considered to be cheap stock and are included in the calculation for
periods prior to the IPO, as if they were outstanding for all periods using the
treasury stock method, as applicable, even though their inclusion is anti-
dilutive. Due to the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock into Common Stock upon the completion of the IPO, Preferred
Stock is assumed to have been converted into Common Stock at the time of
issuance, except for those shares considered to be cheap stock which are treated
as outstanding for all periods presented.
During March 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" (SFAS 128) which
amends the standards for computing earnings per share previously set forth in
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 15 "Earnings per Share" (APB 15). SFAS
128, which will be adopted by the Company for the period ending December 31,
1997, will not have a material effect on the computation of net loss per share
for the periods presented in the accompanying financial statements.
USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in accordance with
- ----------------
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and disclosures
made in the accompanying notes to financial statements. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - The Company evaluates the fair value of those assets
- ---------------------
and liabilities identified as financial instruments and estimates that the fair
value of such financial instruments generally approximates the carrying value in
the accompanying financial statements. Fair values have been determined through
information obtained from market sources and management estimates.
LONG-LIVED ASSETS - The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
- -----------------
Standards No. 121 (SFAS 121) as of July 1, 1996 and evaluates the impairment of
long-lived assets and long-lived assets to be disposed of whenever events or
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of those assets may
not be recoverable. Adoption of this pronouncement has not significantly
impacted the accompanying financial statements as no impairment losses have been
identified by the Company.
2. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
----------------------
All short-term investments are available-for-sale and have maturities of one
year or less and are summarized as follows:
Gross Gross
Unrealized Unrealized Estimated
Cost Gains Losses Fair Value
------------ ----------- ---------- ----------
June 30, 1997:
U.S. Government Securities.................... $13,574,000 $1,000 $(11,000) $13,564,000
Commercial Paper.............................. 1,500,000 -- -- 1,500,000
----------- ------ -------- -----------
$15,074,000 $1,000 $(11,000) $15,064,000
=========== ====== ======== ===========
45
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
3. PROPERTY
--------
Property consists of the following:
June 30,
----------------------------
1996 1997
----------- -----------
Machinery and equipment................ $ 1,337,000 $ 1,425,000
Office equipment....................... 482,000 733,000
Leasehold improvements................. 520,000 605,000
----------- -----------
2,339,000 2,763,000
Less accumulated depreciation and
amortization.......................... (1,151,000) (1,715,000)
----------- -----------
$ 1,188,000 1,048,000
=========== ===========
Equipment under capital leases totaled $1,131,000 at June 30, 1996 and 1997,
with related accumulated amortization of $622,000 and $844,000, respectively
(Note 7).
4. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
--------------------
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING - In February 1997, the Company completed an
- -----------------------
underwritten initial public offering of 3,000,000 shares of its Common Stock at
an offering price of $7.00 per share. In March 1997, the underwriters elected
to purchase an additional 250,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the
underwriters' over-allotment option at a price of $7.00 per share. Proceeds
from the offering, net of underwriters' commissions and expenses, were
$19,885,000.
PREFERRED STOCK - The Company had the following classes of preferred stock
- ---------------
outstanding as of June 30, 1996. As a result of the IPO, all 9,657,648 shares
of previously outstanding preferred stock were automatically converted into
8,098,422 shares of Common Stock.
Shares Shares Issued Liquidation
Authorized and Outstanding Preference
-------------- --------------- -----------
Series A....................... 2,500,000 2,500,000 $ 2,500,000
Series B....................... 3,030,000 3,030,000 6,060,000
Series C....................... 10,000 10,000 10,000,000
Series D....................... 3,000,000 2,500,001 10,000,000
Series E....................... 1,411,765 1,411,765 6,000,000
--------- --------- -----------
Balance, June 30, 1996......... 9,951,765 9,451,766 $34,560,000
========= ========= ===========
No dividends have ever been declared or paid.
COBE LABORATORIES, INC. STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS - In connection with the purchase
- ---------------------------------------------
of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock by Cobe Laboratories, Inc. (Cobe) in
October 1993, Cobe received a preemptive right to purchase a pro-rata portion of
any newly issued shares of stock by the Company in order to maintain its then
current percentage ownership interest. Any such purchase of newly issued shares
shall be at the net price to the Company after deducting underwriters' discounts
and commissions, if any. The agreements establishing the Company's relationship
with Cobe provide the Company with an option (the Put Option) to require Cobe to
purchase the lesser of 20%, or $5,000,000, in an initial public offering or a
private offering meeting certain minimum requirements. In the event that the
Company exercises the Put Option, Cobe then has the
46
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
option to purchase up to 40% of that offering. While the Put Option was not
exercised by the Company in connection with he IPO, Cobe elected to purchase an
additional $5,000,000 in Common Stock as part of the IPO. The Company and Cobe
are evaluating whether or not the Put Option remains in effect as it relates to
the Company's ability to exercise the option in a subsequent private offering of
its equity securities.
Cobe has an option to purchase additional shares from the Company equal to 30%
of the total number of shares outstanding assuming exercise of the option. Such
option, which is exercisable until February 2000, must be exercised in full
with the purchase price of the shares equal to 120% of the public market trading
price as determined by the 30-day average market price preceding the date of
exercise of the option.
The Company has granted Cobe a right of first negotiation in the event the
Company receives any proposal concerning, or otherwise decides to pursue, a
merger, consolidation or other transaction in which all or a majority of the
Company's equity securities or substantially all of the Company's assets, or any
material portion of the assets of the Company used by the Company in performing
its obligation under the Distribution Agreement (Note 6), would be acquired by a
third party outside of the ordinary course of business.
STOCK OPTION PLANS - The Company has various stock option plans which provide
- ------------------
for the issuance of nonqualified and incentive stock options to acquire up to
2,986,594 shares of Common Stock. Such options may be granted by the Company's
Board of Directors to certain of the Company's founders, employees, directors
and consultants. The exercise price of incentive stock options shall not be
less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. In the case
of individuals who are also holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock, the exercise price of incentive stock options shall not be less
than 110% of the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. The
exercise price of non-qualified stock options shall not be less than 85% of the
fair market value on the date of grant. Options granted under these plans
expire no later than ten years from the date of grant and generally become
exercisable ratably over a four-year period following the date of grant.
For certain options granted, the Company recognizes compensation expense for the
difference between the deemed value for accounting purposes and the option
exercise price on the date of grant. During the year ended June 30, 1997,
compensation expense totaling approximately $120,000 has been charged with
respect to these options. Additional future compensation expense with respect
to the issuance of such options totals approximately $135,000 and will be
recognized through December 2001.
As permitted by SFAS 123, the Company continues to apply APB 25 and related
interpretations in accounting for its stock option plans and does not recognize
compensation expense for its employee stock-based compensation plans as
prescribed in SFAS 123. If the Company had elected to recognize compensation
expense based upon the fair value at the grant dates for stock option awards
granted in 1996 and 1997, in accordance with SFAS No. 123, the pro forma net
loss and net loss per share would be as follows.
June 30,
--------------------------------
1996 1997
------------ ------------
Net Loss:
As reported......................... $9,917,000 $14,288,000
Pro forma........................... 9,942,000 14,793,000
Net Loss per common share:
As reported......................... $ (.98) $ (1.26)
Pro forma........................... (.98) (1.31)
The fair value of options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-
Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions; no dividend yields,
40% volatility, risk free interest rates ranging from 5.2% to 6.8% and expected
option lives of three to five years.
47
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
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 use of highly
subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because
the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly
different from those of traded options, and because changes in subjective
assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates, in management's
opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single
measure of the fair value of its employee stock based compensation plans.
The following table summarizes option activity under the Company's stock option
plans:
Weighted Average Options
Options Options Available Exercise Price Exercisable
Outstanding For Grant Per Share At Period End
---------- ---------- ------------ ------------
March 24, 1989 (Inception)
Options authorized........ -- 1,703,261
Options granted........... 1,727,111 (1,727,111) $ .31
Options exercised......... (1,229,482) -- $ .19
Options canceled.......... (103,964) 103,964 $ .66
---------- ----------
Balance, June 30, 1994...... 393,665 80,114 $ .61 77,682
Options authorized........ -- 333,333
Options granted........... 55,333 (55,333) $1.20
Options exercised......... (39,103) -- $ .21
Options canceled.......... (60,230) 60,230 $ .34
---------- ----------
Balance, June 30, 1995...... 349,665 418,344 $ .78 108,492
Options authorized........ -- 800,000
Options granted........... 155,337 (155,337) $1.44
Options exercised......... (130,016) -- $ .41
Options canceled.......... (44,690) 44,690 $ .85
---------- ----------
Balance, June 30, 1996...... 330,296 1,107,697 $1.20 101,021
Options authorized........ -- 150,000
Options granted........... 785,200 (785,200) $6.78
Options exercised......... (40,307) -- $ .65
Options canceled.......... (16,818) 16,818 $1.83
---------- ----------
Balance, June 30, 1997...... 1,058,371 489,315 $5.36 483,376
========== ==========
OUTSIDE DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN - The Company has an outside directors'
- ------------------------------------
stock option plan which provides for the issuance of options to purchase up to
150,000 shares of Common Stock to outside directors. Under this plan, non-
qualified options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock are granted to each
outside director on the day of the Annual Shareholders' meeting. These options
generally vest over a one-year period and expire ten years after the date of
grant. As of June 30, 1997, options to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock
at $7.00 per share are outstanding under this plan, of which options to purchase
10,002 shares of Common Stock are exercisable.
48
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The following table summarizes information about stock-based compensation plans
outstanding as of June 30, 1997:
Weighted
Average
Weighted Exercise
Range of Number of Remaining Average Price of
Exercise Options Contractual Exercise Number Exercisable
Prices Outstanding Life-years Price Exercisable Options
---------------- ---------- ---------- ------- ---------- ----------
$ .30 - $1.20 260,170 7.7 $1.15 135,542 $1.11
$3.20 - $3.88 58,418 9.2 $3.24 4,501 $3.20
$7.00 - $7.13 739,783 9.6 $7.00 343,333 $7.00
---------- ----------
1,058,371 483,376
========== ==========
The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year ended June
30, 1997 was $6.78 per share.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN - The Company has an employee stock purchase plan
- ----------------------------
under which eligible employees can purchase Common Stock, at a discount to the
market price, through payroll deductions up to 10% of the employees base
compensation, subject to certain limitations, during sequential 24-month
offering periods. Each offering period is divided into four consecutive six-
month purchase periods ending on March 1 and September 1 of each year. Unless
otherwise provided by the Board of Directors prior to the commencement of an
offering period, the price at which stock is purchased under the plan for such
offering period is equal to 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the first day of such offering period or the last day of the
purchase period of such offering period. The initial purchase date under this
plan is August 31, 1997, accordingly, no shares have been sold under this plan
as of June 30, 1997.
STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS - The Company has issued warrants to purchase 69,444
- -----------------------
shares of Common Stock which expire on October 15, 2000. These warrants may be
exercised, in whole or in part, at a price equal to the lesser of (a) $9.00 per
share, which price increases by $3.00 per share on February 3, 1998, 1999 and
2000; or (b) 85% of the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock at the
time of exercise.
COMMON SHARES RESERVED - As of June 30, 1997, the Company has reserved shares of
- ----------------------
Common Stock for future issuance as follows:
Issuance under stock option plans:
1992 Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan....... 1,397,686
1995 Outside Director Stock Option Plan.................. 150,000
---------
1,547,686
Issuance under 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan......... 250,000
Exercise of Stock Purchase Warrants...................... 69,444
---------
1,867,130
=========
49
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
5. INCOME TAXES
------------
Deferred tax assets consist of the following:
June 30,
----------------------------------
1996 1997
------------- -------------
Net operating loss carryforwards...... $ 9,210,000 $ 14,150,000
Tax credits and other................. 440,000 1,162,000
----------- ------------
Gross deferred tax assets............. 9,650,000 15,312,000
Deferred tax assets valuation
allowance............................ $(9,650,000) $(15,312,000)
----------- ------------
$ -- $ --
=========== ===========
Due to the historical losses incurred by the Company, a full valuation allowance
for deferred tax assets has been provided. If the Company achieves
profitability, these deferred tax assets may be available to offset future
income taxes.
At June 30, 1997, the Company's Federal tax net operating loss and tax credit
carryfowards were $40,420,000 and $971,000, respectively, which will expire from
2004 through 2012, if not utilized. The Company underwent an ownership change
in October 1993 which has resulted in a limitation under which the Company can
utilize a portion of its federal net operating loss carryforward amounting to
$1,153,000 per year. As of June 1997, the portion of the Company's net
operating loss that remains subject to this limitation is $2,490,000 and
therefore is not expected to ultimately effect the Company's ability to utilize
the benefit. If certain changes in ownership should occur again in the future,
the Company's ability to utilize its net operating loss and tax credit
carryforwards may become subject to further annual limitation.
6. LICENSES, ROYALTIES AND COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENTS:
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN - In August 1989, the Company entered into a research
- ----------------------
agreement with the University of Michigan (the University). Under the terms of
this research agreement, as amended, the Company agreed to reimburse the
University for certain research costs through the date of its expiration in
December 1994. Payments made to the University under the aforementioned
agreements totaled $121,000 and $2,521,000 for the years ended June 30, 1995 and
for the period from Inception to June 30, 1997, respectively, which amounts are
included in research and development expense in the accompanying Statements of
Operations. As part of this relationship, the Company issued to the University
454,545 shares of Common Stock in August 1989. No value has been assigned to
these shares in the accompanying financial statements. In March 1992, and as
provided for under the research agreement, the Company entered into a license
agreement for the technology developed under the research agreement. The
license agreement, as amended, provides for a royalty to be paid to the
University equal to 2% of net sales of products containing the licensed
technology sold by the Company.
COBE BCT, INC. - In connection with the issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock
- -------------
to Cobe in October 1993, the Company and Cobe BCT, Inc. (Cobe BCT), an affiliate
of Cobe, entered into an agreement which grants to Cobe BCT exclusive worldwide
distribution and marketing rights to the Company's Cell Production System (CPS)
for stem cell therapy applications (Distribution Agreement). The term of the
Distribution Agreement is ten years, with an option, exercisable by Cobe BCT, to
extend the term for an additional ten years. Cobe has the right to terminate its
Distribution Agreement with the Company with twelve months' notice upon a change
of control of the Company, other than to Cobe, or at any time after December 31,
1997, if Cobe determines that commercialization of the Aastrom CPS for stem cell
therapy on or prior to December 31, 1998 is unlikely. Pursuant to the
Distribution Agreement, Cobe BCT will perform worldwide marketing and
distribution activities of the CPS for use in stem cell therapy and will receive
a share of the resulting net sales, as defined, ranging from 38% to 42%, subject
to certain negotiated discounts and volume-based adjustments.
50
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The agreements establishing this collaboration provided for payments totaling
$5,000,000 to be made by Cobe BCT upon the Company meeting certain development
milestones. In May 1995, the Company accepted, as part of the sale of the
Series D Preferred Stock, an equity investment of $5,000,000 from Cobe in lieu
of those future milestone payments.
LICENSE AND ROYALTY AGREEMENTS - In July 1992, the Company licensed certain cell
- ------------------------------
culture technology under which it obtained an exclusive worldwide license to the
technology in exchange for a royalty payable of up to 3% of net sales on
products containing the licensed technology.
In March 1996, the Company executed a license agreement which provides for the
use of licensed products in the CPS. Pursuant to this license agreement, the
Company recorded a charge to research and development expense of $1,500,000
representing the license fee payable upon execution of the agreement. The
license agreement provides for annual renewal fees of $1,000,000 over the five
year license term, if renewed by the Company, and can be extended at the
Company's option for an additional five years.
RHONE-POULENC RORER, INC. - In September 1995, the Company entered into a
- ----------------------
research and development collaboration with Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Inc. (RPR),
granting RPR a right to license the Company's CPS for Lymphoid cell
applications. Pursuant to the agreements establishing this collaboration, RPR
was obligated to fund certain research costs associated with the development of
the CPS for Lymphoid cell applications and was entitled to make equity purchases
of up to $12,500,000 subject to the Company's satisfaction of certain milestones
and RPR's decision to exercise certain options. In September 1996, RPR notified
the Company of its intent to not exercise its additional options under the
collaboration. This notification was made after RPR had determined that for
strategic reasons it would not pursue Lymphoid cell therapy applications,
including those being pursued under the collaboration the Company. The Company
received $3,500,000 in equity payments and recognized $1,538,000 in research
revenue under this collaboraton. As a result of this termination, no further
equity payments or research funding is due from RPR and RPR's license rights to
the Company's CPS for Lymphoid cell applications have been terminated.
7. COMMITMENTS
-----------
The Company leases certain machinery and equipment and office equipment under
capital leases. Obligations under these leasing arrangements bear interest at
rates ranging from 9.7% to 12.1% and mature through May 1999. Additionally, the
Company leases its facility under an operating lease which expires in May 1998,
at which time the Company has the option to renew the lease for an additional
period of up to five years.
Future minimum payments under capital leases and non-cancelable operating leases
are as follows:
CAPITAL OPERATING
LEASES LEASES
-------- ---------
Year Ending June 30,
1998..................................... $138,000 $435,000
1999..................................... 69,000 --
-------- --------
Total minimum lease payments............. 207,000 $435,000
========
Less amount representing interest........ (18,000)
--------
Obligations under capital lease........... $189,000
========
Certain of the Company's capital lease agreements contain restrictive provisions
which require that the Company's total assets exceed its total liabilities by at
least $1,000,000. Should the Company fall out of compliance with this
provision, and a
51
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
waiver cannot be obtained from the lessor, remaining amounts due under the lease
agreements become immediately due and payable.
Rent expense for the years ended June 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, was $241,000,
$338,000 and $456,000, respectively, and for the period from Inception to June
30, 1997 was $1,278,000.
8. EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLAN
---------------------
The Company has a 401(k) plan that became effective in January 1994. The plan
allows participating employees to contribute up to 15% of their salary, subject
to annual limits and minimum qualifications. The Board may, at its sole
discretion, approve Company contributions. Through June 30, 1997, the Company
has made no contributions to the plan.
52
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: October 20, 1997 AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
By: /s/ R. Douglas Armstrong
------------------------
R. Douglas Armstrong, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
---------------------------
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
Report has been signed below on October 20, 1997 by the following persons in the
capacities indicated.
Signature Title
--------- -----
/s/ R. DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG President, Chief Executive Officer
- ---------------------------- and Director
R. Douglas Armstrong, Ph.D. Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ TODD E. SIMPSON Vice President, Finance & Administration,
- ----------------------------- Chief Financial Officer, Secretary
Todd E. Simpson and Treasurer (Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer)
/s/ ROBERT J. KUNZE Chairman of the Board and Director
- ------------------------------
Robert J. Kunze
/s/ STEPHEN G. EMERSON Director
- ------------------------------
Stephen G. Emerson, M.D., Ph.D.
/s/ G. BRADFORD JONES Director
- ------------------------------
G. Bradford Jones
/s/ HORST R. WITZEL Director
- ------------------------------
Horst R. Witzel, Dr.-Ing.
/s/ EDWARD C. WOOD Director
- ------------------------------
Edward C. Wood, Jr.
53
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
NUMBER Description of Document
- ------ -----------------------
3.1* Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company.
3.2** Bylaws, as amended.
4.1** Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
4.2** Amended and Restated Investors' Rights Agreement, dated April 7, 1992.
10.1**# Form of Indemnification Agreement.
10.2**# Amended and Restated 1992 Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan and forms of agreements
thereunder.
10.3**# 1996 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan and forms of agreements thereunder.
10.4**# 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and form of agreement thereunder.
10.5** Stock Purchase Agreement, dated October 22, 1993, between Cobe Laboratories, Inc. and the Company
and amendment thereto dated October 29, 1996.
10.6**+ Distribution Agreement, dated October 22, 1993, between Cobe BCT, Inc. and the Company and
amendments thereto dated March 29, 1995, September 11, 1995 and October 29, 1996.
10.7** Lease Agreement, dated May 18, 1992, between Domino's Farms Holdings, L.P. and the Company and
amendments thereto dated February 26, 1993, October 3, 1994, November 16, 1994 and July 29, 1996.
10.8**# Promissory Note, dated November 18, 1993, for $120,000 loan by the Company to R. Douglas
Armstrong, Ph.D. and amendment thereto dated October 30, 1996.
10.9**# Promissory Note, dated October 20, 1993, for $47,303 loan by the Company to Stephen G. Emerson,
M.D., Ph.D. and amendment thereto dated October 30, 1996.
10.10** Clinical Trial Agreement dated August 28, 1996 between the Company and Loyola University Medical
Center Cancer Center.
10.11** Stock Purchase Commitment Agreement, dated October 15, 1996, between the State Treasurer of the
State of Michigan and the Company.
10.12** Convertible Loan Commitment Agreement, dated October 15, 1996, between the State Treasurer of the
State of Michigan and the Company.
10.13** Letter Agreement, dated November 11, 1996, between the Company and Cobe Laboratories, Inc.
10.14** Termination Agreement, dated November 14, 1996, between the Company and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc.
10.15** Stock Purchase Agreement, dated November 14, 1996, between the Company and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer
Inc.
10.16** Collaborative Supply Agreement, dated December 16, 1996, between the Company and Anchor Advanced
Products, Inc. Mid-State Plastics Division.
10.17**# 1989 Stock Option Plan and form of agreement thereunder.
10.18**# Ancillary Stock Option Plan and form of agreement thereunder.
10.19**# 401(k) Plan.
54
10.20**# Form of Employment Agreement.
10.21** License Agreement, dated July 17, 1992, between J.G. Cremonese and the Company and related
addenda thereto dated July 14, 1992 and July 7, 1993.
10.22**+ Collaborative Product Development Agreement, dated May 10, 1994, between SeaMED Corporation and
the Company.
10.23**+ Collaborative Product Development Agreement, dated November 8, 1994, between Ethox Corporation
and the Company.
10.24**+ License and Supply Agreement, dated April 1, 1996, between Immunex Corporation and the Company.
10.25** Clinical Trial Agreement, dated April 19, 1996, between the Company and the University of Texas
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
10.26** License Agreement, dated March 13, 1992, between the Company and the University of Michigan and
amendments thereto dated March 13, 1992, October 8, 1993 and June 21, 1995.
10.27**# Employee Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement, effective June 1, 1991, between the
Company and R. Douglas Armstrong, Ph.D.
10.28**# Employment Agreement, dated June 19, 1992, between the Company and James Maluta.
10.29**# Employment Agreement, dated December 8, 1995, between the Company and Todd E. Simpson.
10.30**# Employment Agreement, dated February 10, 1994, between the Company and Walter C. Ogier.
10.31**# Employment Agreement, dated April 19, 1994, between the Company and Thomas E. Muller, Ph.D.
10.32**# Employment Agreement, dated October 26, 1995, between the Company and Alan K. Smith, Ph.D.
10.33**# Consulting Agreement, dated June 1, 1995, between the Company and Stephen G. Emerson, M.D., Ph.D.
10.34** Form of Subscription Agreement for the purchase of Series D Preferred Stock (Enterprise
Development Fund L.P., Enterprise Development Fund II, L.P. and Northwest Ohio Venture Fund
Limited Partnership).
10.35** Stock Purchase Agreement, dated January 8, 1996, among the Company, SBIC Partners, L.P. and the
State Treasurer of the State of Michigan.
10.36** Form of Subscription Agreement for the purchase of Series D Preferred Stock (Brentwood Associates
V, L.P., Candice E. Appleton Family Trust, Candis J. Stern, Helmut F. Stern, H&Q Life Science
Technology Fund, H&Q London Ventures, State Treasurer of the State of Michigan and Windpoint
Partners II, Limited Partnership).
10.37** Subscription Agreement, dated December 11, 1995, between the Company and Northwest Ohio Venture
Fund Limited Partnership.
10.38# Second Amendment to Promissory Note payable to the Company by Stephen G. Emerson, M.D., Ph.D.,
dated June 30, 1997.
10.39# Second Amendment to Promissory Note payable to the Company by R. Douglas Armstrong, Ph.D., dated
June 30, 1997.
10.40**** Amendment to License and Supply Agreement, dated August 25, 1997, between Immunex Corporation and
the Company.
55
10.41% Strategic Planning Consulting Services and Collaboration Agreement, dated October 7, 1997,
between Burrill & Company, LLC and the Company.
11.1**** Statement regarding computation of net loss per share.
16.1*** Letter from Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., dated July 15, 1997.
23.1 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.
27.1**** Financial Data Schedule.
- -------------------------
* Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended December 31, 1996, as filed on March 7, 1997.
** Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (No. 333-15415), declared effective on February 3, 1997.
*** Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, as
filed on July 16, 1997.
**** Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended June 30, 1997, as filed on September 25, 1997.
% Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (No. 333-37439), as filed on October 8, 1997.
+ Confidential treatment has been granted as to a portion of this exhibit.
# Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement covering executive
officers or directors of the Company.
56
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-25021) of Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. of our report
dated August 15, 1997 appearing on page 39 of this Form 10-K/A.
/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Battle Creek, Michigan
October 20, 1997