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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K


/x/

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

For the Fiscal Year Ended October 28, 2001, 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: 0-27446


LANDEC CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  94-3025618
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)

3603 Haven Avenue
Menlo Park, California 94025
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(650) 306-1650

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

Title of each class
  Name of each exchange on which registered
None   None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
(Title of Class)

        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 aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $59,742,000 as of January 7, 2002, based upon the closing sales price on the NASDAQ National Market reported for such date. Shares of Common Stock and Convertible Preferred Stock held by each officer and director and by each person who owns 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock and Convertible Preferred Stock have been excluded from such calculation in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

        As of January 7, 2002, there were 16,592,056 shares of Common Stock and 309,524 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into ten shares of Common Stock for each share of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement relating to its 2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which statement will be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report, are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.




LANDEC CORPORATION
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item No.
   
  Page
Part I        

1.

 

Business

 

3

2.

 

Properties

 

19

3.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

19

4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

19

Part II

 

 

 

 

5.

 

Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

20

6.

 

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

 

21

7.

 

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

 

22

7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

34

8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

34

9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

34

Part III

 

 

 

 

10.

 

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

35

11.

 

Executive Compensation

 

35

12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

35

13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

35

Part IV

 

 

 

 

14.

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

 

36

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PART I

Item 1. Business

        Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this report are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those mentioned in this Report and, in particular, the factors described in Item 7 under "Additional Factors That May Affect Future Results."

General

        Landec Corporation and its subsidiaries ("Landec" or the "Company") design, develop, manufacture and sell temperature-activated and other specialty polymer products for a variety of food products, agricultural products, and licensed partner applications. This proprietary polymer technology is the foundation, and a key differentiating advantage, upon which the Company has built its business.

        The principal products and services offered by the Company in its two core businesses—Food Products Technology and Agricultural Seed Technology—and in the Technology Licensing/Research and Development business are described below. Financial information concerning the industry segments for which the Company reported its operations during fiscal years 1999 through 2001 is summarized in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

        Landec's Food Products Technology business, operated through its subsidiary Apio Inc., combines Landec's proprietary food packaging technology with the capabilities of a large national food supplier and value-added produce processor. This combination was consummated in December 1999 when the Company acquired Apio, Inc. and certain related entities (collectively "Apio").

        Landec's Agricultural Seed Technology business, operated through its subsidiary Landec Ag, Inc. ("Landec Ag"), combines Landec's proprietary Intellicoat® seed coating technology with its unique eDC™—e-commerce, direct marketing and consultative selling—capabilities which it obtained with its acquisition of Fielder's Choice Direct ("Fielder's Choice"), a direct marketer of hybrid seed corn, in September 1997.

        In addition to its two core businesses, the Company also operates a Technology Licensing/Research and Development business that licenses products outside of Landec's core businesses to industry leaders such as Alcon Laboratories, Inc. ("Alcon") and UCB Chemicals, a subsidiary of UCB S.A. of Belgium ("UCB"). The Company also engages in research and development activities with companies such as ConvaTec, a division of Bristol-Myers Squibb. For segment disclosure purposes, the Technology Licensing/Research and Development business is included in Corporate and Other (see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

        To remain focused on its core businesses, Landec's Board of Directors approved in October 2001 the sale of Dock Resins Corporation ("Dock Resins"), the Company's specialty chemical subsidiary. The Company made the decision to sell Dock Resins in order to strengthen its balance sheet by reducing debt and other liabilities. The Company expects a sale of Dock Resins to close in the first half of 2002. As a result of the decision to sell Dock Resins, the financial results of Dock Resins have been reclassed to discontinued operations for all years presented, and the estimated loss on the sale was recorded in fiscal year 2001. Unless otherwise specified, the information and descriptions provided in this report relate only to the continuing operations of the Company.

        The Company's core polymer products are based on its patented proprietary Intelimer® polymers, which differ from other polymers in that they can be customized to abruptly change their physical characteristics when heated or cooled through a pre-set temperature switch. For instance, Intelimer polymers can change within the range of one or two degrees Celsius from a non-adhesive state to a

3



highly tacky, adhesive state; from an impermeable state to a highly permeable state; or from a solid state to a viscous liquid state. These abrupt changes are repeatedly reversible and can be tailored by Landec to occur at specific temperatures, thereby offering substantial competitive advantages in the Company's target markets.

        The Company was incorporated in California on October 31, 1986. The Company completed its initial public offering in 1996 and is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "LNDC."

Technology Overview

        Polymers are important and versatile materials found in many of the products of modern life. Certain polymers, such as cellulose and natural rubber, occur in nature. Man-made polymers include nylon fibers used in carpeting and clothing, coatings used in paints and finishes, plastics such as polyethylene, and elastomers used in automobile tires and latex gloves. Historically, synthetic polymers have been designed and developed primarily for improved mechanical and thermal properties, such as strength and the ability to withstand high temperatures. Improvements in these and other properties and the ease of manufacturing of synthetic polymers have allowed these materials to replace wood, metal and natural fibers in many applications over the last 40 years. More recently, scientists have focused their efforts on identifying and developing sophisticated polymers with novel properties for a variety of commercial applications.

        Landec's Intelimer polymers are a proprietary class of synthetic polymeric materials that respond to temperature changes in a controllable, predictable way. Typically, polymers gradually change in adhesion, permeability and viscosity over broad temperature ranges. Landec's Intelimer materials, in contrast, can be designed to exhibit abrupt changes in permeability, adhesion and/or viscosity over temperature ranges as narrow as 1°C to 2°C. These changes can be designed to occur at relatively low temperatures (0°C to 100°C) that are relatively easy to maintain in industrial and commercial environments. Figure 1 illustrates the effect of temperature on Intelimer materials as compared to typical polymers.

LOGO

        Landec's proprietary polymer technology is based on the structure and phase behavior of Intelimer materials. The abrupt thermal transitions of specific Intelimer materials are achieved through the controlled use of hydrocarbon side chains that are attached to a polymer backbone. Below a pre-determined switch temperature, the polymer's side chains align through weak hydrophobic

4



interactions resulting in a crystalline structure. When this side chain crystallizable polymer is heated to, or above, this switch temperature, these interactions are disrupted and the polymer is transformed into an amorphous, viscous state. Because this transformation involves a physical and not a chemical change, this process is repeatedly reversible. Landec can set the polymer switch temperature anywhere between 0°C to 100°C by varying the length of the side chains. The reversible transitions between crystalline and amorphous states are illustrated in Figure 2 below.

LOGO

        Side chain crystallizable polymers were first discovered by academic researchers in the mid-1950's. These polymers were initially considered to be merely of scientific curiosity from a polymer physics perspective, and, to the Company's knowledge, no significant commercial applications were pursued. In the mid-1980's, Dr. Ray Stewart, the Company's founder, became interested in the idea of using the temperature-activated permeability properties of these polymers to deliver various materials such as drugs and pesticides. After forming Landec in 1986, Dr. Stewart subsequently discovered broader utility for these polymers. After several years of basic research, commercial development efforts began in the early 1990's, resulting in initial products in mid-1994.

        Landec's Intelimer materials are generally synthesized from long side-chain acrylic monomers that are derived primarily from natural materials such as soybean and palm oils, that are highly purified and designed to be manufactured economically through known synthesis processes. These acrylic-monomer raw materials are then polymerized by Landec leading to many different side-chain crystallizable polymers whose properties vary depending upon the initial materials and the synthesis process. Intelimer materials can be made into many different forms, including films, coatings, microcapsules and discrete forms.

5


Description of Core Business

        The Company participates in two core business segments—Food Products Technology and Agricultural Seed Technology. In addition to these two core segments, Landec will license technology and conduct on going research and development through its Technology Licensing/Research and Development Business.

LOGO

        Landec began marketing in early fiscal year 1996 its proprietary Intelimer-based breathable membranes for use in the fresh-cut produce packaging market, one of the fastest growing segments in the food industry. Landec's unique technology enabled Landec's customers to enter into and develop new businesses in this fresh-cut produce market (also known as the "value-added" market). In December 1999, the Company acquired Apio, Landec's largest customer in the Food Products Technology business and one of the nation's leading marketers and packers of produce and specialty packaged fresh-cut vegetables. Apio provides year-round access to produce, utilizes state-of-the-art fresh-cut produce processing technology and distributes to the top U.S. retail grocery chains and major club stores and has recently begun expanding its product offerings to the foodservice industry. Landec's proprietary Intelimer-based packaging business has been combined with Apio into a wholly owned subsidiary that retains the Apio, Inc. name. This vertical integration within the Food Products Technology business places Landec in the unique position of providing the fresh-cut and whole produce market with both technology and access to larger and broader markets.

        Certain types of fresh-cut and whole produce can spoil or discolor rapidly when packaged in conventional packaging materials and are therefore limited in their ability to be distributed broadly to markets. The Company's Intellipac breathable membranes extend the shelf life and quality of fresh-cut and whole produce.

        Fresh-cut produce is pre-washed, cut and packaged in a form that is ready to use by the consumer and is thus typically sold at premium price levels compared to unpackaged produce. According to the Produce Marketing Association ("PMA"), in 2000, the total U.S. fresh produce market exceeded $80 billion. Of this, U.S. retail sales of fresh-cut produce were an estimated $12 billion. The Company believes that the growth of this market has been driven by consumer demand and the willingness to pay for convenience, freshness, uniform quality and nutritious produce delivered to the point of sale. The PMA estimates that by 2003, annual retail sales in the U.S. of fresh-cut produce could grow to $19 billion.

        Although fresh-cut produce companies have had success in the salad market, the industry has been slow to diversify into other fresh-cut vegetables or fruits due primarily to limitations in film and plastic

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tray materials used to package fresh-cut produce. After harvesting, vegetables and fruits continue to respire, consuming oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. Too much or too little oxygen can result in premature spoilage and decay and, in some cases, promote the growth of microorganisms that jeopardize inherent food safety. Conventional packaging films used today, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, can be made with modest permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide, but often do not provide the optimal atmosphere for the produce packaged. Shortcomings of conventional packaging materials have not significantly hindered the growth in the fresh-cut salad market because lettuce, unlike many vegetables and fruits, has low respiration requirements.

        The respiration rate of produce varies from vegetable-to-vegetable and from fruit-to-fruit. The challenge facing the industry is to develop packaging for the high respiring, high value and shelf life sensitive vegetable and fruit markets. The Company believes that today's conventional packaging films face numerous challenges in adapting to meet the diversification of pre-cut vegetables and fruits evolving in the industry without compromising shelf life and produce quality. To mirror the growth experienced in the fresh-cut salad market, the markets for high respiring vegetables and fruits such as broccoli, cauliflower, green onions, asparagus, papayas, bananas and berries will require a more versatile and sophisticated packaging solution for which the Company's Intellipac breathable membranes were developed.

        The respiration rate of produce also varies with temperature. As temperature increases, produce generally respires at a higher rate, which speeds up the aging process, resulting in shortened shelf life and increased potential for decay, spoilage, loss of texture and dehydration. As produce is transported from the processing plant through the refrigerated distribution chain to foodservice locations, retail grocery stores and club stores, and finally to the ultimate consumer, temperatures can fluctuate significantly. Therefore, temperature control is a constant challenge in preserving the quality of fresh-cut and whole produce—a challenge few current packaging films can fulfill. The Company believes that its temperature-responsive Intellipac technology is well suited to the challenges of the produce distribution process.

        Using its Intelimer polymer technology, Landec has developed Intellipac breathable membranes that it believes address many of the shortcomings of conventional packaging materials. A membrane is applied over a small cutout section or an aperture of a flexible film bag or plastic tray. This highly permeable "window" acts as the mechanism to provide the majority of the gas transmission requirements for the entire package. These membranes are designed to provide three principal benefits:

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        Landec believes that growth of the overall produce market will be driven by the increasing demand for the convenience of fresh-cut produce. This demand will in turn require packaging that facilitates the quality and shelf life of produce transported to fresh-cut distributors in bulk and pallet quantities. The Company believes that in the future its Intellipac breathable membranes will be useful for packaging a diverse variety of fresh-cut produce products. Potential opportunities for using Landec's technology outside of the fresh-cut produce market exist in cut flowers and in other food products.

        Landec is working with leaders in the fresh-cut foodservice, club store and retail grocery markets. The Company believes it will have growth opportunities for the next several years through new customers and products in the United States, expansion of its existing customer relationships, and through export and shipments of specialty packaged produce.

        Landec manufactures its Intellipac breathable membrane packaging both internally and through selected qualified contract manufacturers and markets and sells Intellipac breathable membrane packaging directly to food distributors.

        In December 1999, Landec completed the acquisition of Apio and certain related entities. Landec paid $21.0 million in cash and Landec Common Stock, before expenses, at close and $1.1 million in January 2001 with another $1.2 million to be paid in the first quarter of fiscal year 2002, $579,000 to be paid in the second quarter of fiscal year 2002 and $4.4 million, which includes $273,000 of accrued interest, due to be paid by October 2002. After the payments in fiscal year 2002, an additional $3.7 million in future payments may be paid over the next three years. Apio had revenues of approximately $174 million in fiscal year 2001 and $179 million in the eleven-month period ended October 29, 2000.

        Based in Guadalupe, California, Apio, when acquired in 1999, consisted of two major businesses—first being the "fee-for-service" selling and marketing of whole produce and second, the specialty packaged fresh-cut and whole value-added processed products that are washed and packaged in Landec's Intellipac packaging. The "fee-for-service" business historically included field harvesting and packing, cooling and marketing of vegetables and fruits on a contract basis for growers in California's Santa Maria, San Joaquin and Imperial Valleys as well as in Arizona and Mexico. Apio currently has approximately 12,500 acres under contract, consisting of approximately 17 percent of the farmable land in the Santa Maria Valley. The fresh-cut value-added processing products business, developed within the last 6 years, sources a variety of fresh-cut vegetables to the top retail grocery chains representing over 7,600 retail and club stores. During the fiscal year ended October 28, 2001, Apio shipped more than 21 million cartons of produce to some 700 customers including leading supermarket retailers, wholesalers, foodservice suppliers and club stores throughout the United States and internationally, primarily in Asia.

        During the third quarter of fiscal year 2001, the Company announced that Apio was discontinuing its field harvesting and packing operations in order to focus on its specialty packaging technology products, and the marketing and sales of whole produce products. Exiting the labor and equipment-intensive field harvesting and packing portion of the "fee-for-service" business and focusing on selling and marketing of whole produce should result in considerably higher margins per dollar of revenue. As a result of the transition of Apio's "fee-for-service" business, the Company anticipates that service revenues will decrease in fiscal year 2002 as compared to fiscal year 2001. Annual revenues from the "fee-for-service" business for fiscal 2002 are projected to decrease to a range of $30 million to $35 million from $55.5 million in fiscal 2001. However, gross margins as a percent of revenues for the

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"fee-for-service" business are projected to increase to between 20% to 25% from the current average margin of 12%.

        In September 2000, the Company discontinued its processing of fruit at its Reedley facility. The Company has put the facility and the packing and cold storage assets up for sale. The Company will continue to provide field support, and sales and marketing services to current contracted growers through Apio's existing staff. As a result of the shutdown of the Reedley facility, the Company recorded a $525,000 charge during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2000, primarily for severance and payroll related costs. This amount was fully paid in fiscal year 2001. The sale is expected to result in a gain. The current net book value of the assets is $2.8 million.

        There are five major distinguishing characteristics of Apio that provide competitive advantages in the Food Products Technology market:

        For the past 6 years, the Company has marketed its Eat Smart fresh-cut vegetables, party trays and iceless products using Intellipac specialty packaging and has now expanded its technology to include packaging for bananas. The Company is currently conducting laboratory, shipping, ripening room and retail grocery store trials on its own and with select banana companies. Bananas are a $4 to $4.5 billion annual worldwide market for distributors, which in turn, is a $9 to $10 billion annual worldwide market for retailers. Bananas are the nation's leading produce item, contributing approximately nine to ten percent of produce department sales in the United States.

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        Recent trials have shown that Intellipac breathable membrane packaging can significantly extend the shelf life of bananas at the prime color stage for consumers and retailers. By extending the shelf life of the number one item in the produce department, retailers can reduce shrink (waste) and increase sales by displaying bananas at the optimum ripeness.

        The Company is finalizing scale-up and validation work before commercially launching the banana packaging technology. The likely initial launch will be in early 2002 under the Eat Smart label. The Company, in parallel, is conducting trials with select banana companies.

        In addition to the introduction of specialty packaging for bananas, the Company has rapidly extended its commercialization of Intellipac technology for case liner packaging for bunch and crown broccoli, eighteen pound cases of loose broccoli florets, Asian cut broccoli crowns, export cut broccoli crowns, cauliflower and green onions.

        In November 2000, the Company introduced eighteen-pound cases of iceless packaging for broccoli crowns, its first whole produce item that utilizes its Intellipac packaging technology. Since that successful introduction, six other products have been launched using the Company's iceless Intellipac case liners.

        The Company's specialty packaging for case liner products reduces freight expense up to 50% by eliminating the weight and space consumed by ice. In addition to reducing the cost of freight, the removal of ice from the distribution system offers additional benefits. The Company's new packaging system can decrease the potential for work-related accidents due to melted ice, eliminate the risk of ice as a carrier of microorganisms that could potentially contaminate produce and eliminate the need for expensive waxed cartons that cannot be recycled.

        The Company also anticipates that in early 2002, commercial shipments will begin for a re-sealable package utilizing the Intellipac technology on its larger-sized fresh-cut vegetable packages. The Company expects the re-sealable package to facilitate the introduction of new retail products and to enhance sales of three-pound bags at club stores.

        Additional product enhancements in the fresh-cut vegetable line include a new five-pound rectangular vegetable party tray launched in December 2001. This new shaped tray is convenient for storage in consumers' refrigerators and expands the Company's wide-ranging party tray line.

        The Company also recently introduced its new Eat Smart meals. These meals are designed to enhance Apio's fresh-cut vegetable category with additional options to further capitalize on the high demand for wholesome and convenient products. The Eat Smart meal line is comprised of three ready-to-prepare meals; chicken stir-fry, stir fry with noodles and potato leek soup.

        Landec formed its Landec Ag (formerly Intellicoat Corporation) subsidiary in 1995. Landec Ag's strategy is to build a vertically integrated seed technology company based on the proprietary Intellicoat® seed coating technology and its eDC—e-commerce, direct marketing and consultative selling capabilities.

        Landec has developed and, through Landec Ag, is conducting field trials of its Intellicoat seed coatings, an Intelimer-based agricultural material designed to control seed germination timing, increase crop yields and extend crop planting windows. These coatings are initially being applied to corn, soybean, and canola seeds. According to the U.S. Agricultural Statistics Board, the total planted acreage in 2001 in the United States for corn, soybean, and canola seed exceeded 76.1 million, 75.4 million, and 1.6 million, respectively.

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        In fiscal year 2000, the Company successfully launched its first commercial product, Pollinator Plus™ coatings for inbred corn seed. As a result of the success realized in fiscal year 2000, the Company expanded its sales of inbred corn seed coating products in fiscal year 2001 to regional and national seed companies in the United States. This application is targeted to approximately 640,000 acres in ten states and is now being used by 31 seed companies in the United States. In addition, based on the successful field trial results during 2000 for its Relay Crop™ System for wheat and coated soybeans and its Early Plant™ hybrid coated seed corn, the Company expanded its sales in 2001. The Company's Relay Crop System will allow farmers to plant and harvest two crops during the same year on the same land, providing significant financial benefit for the farmer. Early Plant hybrid seed corn, perhaps Landec Ag's largest seed coating opportunity, allows the farmer to plant corn seed 2 to 4 weeks earlier than typically possible due to cold soil temperatures. By allowing the farmer to plant earlier than normal, Early Plant hybrid seed corn will enable large farmers to utilize staff and equipment more efficiently and provide flexibility during the critical planting period. Recent market research with farmers in seven corn growing states verified that farmers would pay a significant premium for Landec Ag's Early Plant hybrid seed corn product if they were able to plant a portion of their acreage up to one month early. The Company estimates that 1 of every 7 corn acres could be converted to Intellicoat coated seed within 3 years of industry-wide commercialization.

        Currently, farmers must work within a narrow window of time to plant seeds. If the seeds are planted too early, they may rot or suffer chilling injury due to the absorption of water at cold soil temperatures below which germination occurs. If they are planted too late, the growing season may end prior to the crop reaching full maturity. In either case, the resulting crop yields are sub-optimal. Moreover, the planting window can be fairly brief, requiring the farmer to focus almost exclusively on planting during this time. Seeds also germinate at different times due to variations in absorption of water, thus providing for variations in the growth rate of the crops.

        The Company's Intellicoat seed coating prevents planted seeds from absorbing water when the ground temperature is below the coating's pre-set temperature switch. Intellicoat seed coatings are designed to enable coated seeds to be planted early without risk of chilling damage caused by the absorption of water at cold soil temperatures. As spring advances and soil temperatures rise to the pre-determined switch temperature close to where seed germination normally occurs, the polymer's permeability increases and the coated seeds absorb water and begin to germinate. The Company believes that Intellicoat seed coatings provide the following advantages: a longer planting window, avoidance of chilling injury, more uniform germination and better utilization of equipment and labor. As a result, the Company believes that Intellicoat seed coatings offer the potential for improvements in crop yields and net income to the farmer.

        In September 1997, Landec Ag completed the acquisition of Fielder's Choice, a direct marketer of hybrid seed corn to farmers. Landec paid approximately $3.6 million in cash and direct acquisition costs and $5.2 million in Landec Common Stock for Fielder's Choice. Terms of the agreement include a cash earn-out of $2.4 million based on future sales of Fielder's Choice Direct® hybrid seed corn. As of October 28, 2001, $1.6 million of the earn-out had been earned and paid. Fielder's Choice had sales of approximately $15.2 million for the twelve months ended October 31, 1999, $17.2 million for the twelve months ended October 29, 2000 and $16.2 million for the twelve months ended October 28, 2001.

        Based in Monticello, Indiana, Fielder's Choice offers a comprehensive line of hybrid seed corn to more than 14,000 farmers in over forty states through direct marketing programs. The success of Fielder's Choice comes, in part, from its expertise in selling directly to the farmer, bypassing the traditional and costly farmer-dealer system. The Company believes that this direct channel of distribution provides a 35% cost advantage to its customers.

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        In order to support its direct marketing programs, Fielder's Choice has developed a proprietary e-commerce direct marketing, and consultative selling information technology, called "eDC", that enables state-of-the-art methods for communicating with a broad array of farmers. This proprietary direct marketing information technology includes a current database of over 90,000 farmers. In August 1999, the Company launched the seed industry's first comprehensive e-commerce website. This new website furthers the Company's ability to provide a high level of consultation to Fielder's Choice customers, backed by a six day a week call center capability that enables the Company to use the internet as a natural extension of its direct marketing strategy.

        The acquisition of Fielder's Choice was strategic in providing a cost-effective vehicle for marketing Intellicoat seed coating products. The Company believes that the combination of a direct channel of distribution, telephonic and electronic commerce capabilities will enable Landec Ag to more quickly achieve meaningful market penetration.

        The Company believes its technology has commercial potential in a wide range of industrial, consumer and medical applications beyond those identified in its core businesses. For example, Landec's core patented technology Intelimer materials, can be used to trigger release of small molecule drugs, catalysts, pesticides or fragrances just by changing the temperature of the Intelimer materials or to activate adhesives through controlled temperature change. In order to exploit these opportunities, the Company has entered into or will enter into licensing and collaborative corporate agreements for product development and/or distribution in certain fields.

        Landec's industrial products development strategy is to focus on catalysts, resins, and adhesives in the polymer materials market. During the product development stage, the Company identifies corporate partners to support the ongoing development and testing of these products, with the ultimate goal of licensing the applications at the appropriate time.

        Intelimer Polymer Systems.    Landec has developed award wining latent catalysts useful in extending pot-life, extending shelf-life, reducing waste and improving thermoset cure methods. Some of these latent catalysts are currently being distributed by Akzo-Nobel Chemicals B.V. and The Norac Company. The Company has also developed Intelimer polymer materials useful in enhancing the formulating options for various personal care products. Landec's pressure sensitive adhesives ("PSA") technology is currently being evaluated in a variety of industrial and medical applications where strong adhesion to a substrate (i.e. steel, glass, silicon, skin, etc.) is desired for a defined time period and upon thermal triggering, results in a significant peel strength reduction. For example, select PSA systems exhibit greater than 90% reduction in peel strength upon warming, making them ideal for applications on fragile substrates.

        Nitta Corporation.    On March 14, 1995, the Company entered into a license agreement with Nitta Corporation ("Nitta") in the industrial adhesives area. The agreement provides Nitta with a co-exclusive license to manufacture and sell products using Landec's Intelimer materials in certain Asian countries. Landec received up-front license fees upon signing the agreement and is entitled to future royalties based on net sales by Nitta of the licensed products. Any fees paid to the Company are non-refundable. This agreement is terminable at Nitta's option. Nitta and the Company entered into an additional exclusive license arrangement in February 1996 covering Landec's medical adhesives technology for use in Asia. The Company received up-front license fees upon execution of the agreement and research and development payments and is entitled to receive future royalties under this agreement. Any fees paid to the Company are non-refundable. Nitta and the Company also entered into another worldwide exclusive agreement on January 1, 1998 in the area of industrial adhesives

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specific to one field of electronic polishing adhesives. The Company received research and development payments as a part of this agreement. As of January 1999, the Company had no future obligations under any of the aforementioned agreements with Nitta.

        UCB Chemicals Corporation.    On April 10, 2000, the Company entered into a research and development agreement with UCB Chemicals Corporation ("UCB"), an operating entity of UCB S.A., a major pharmaceutical and chemical company located in Belgium. UCB's chemical business is a major supplier of radiation curing and powder coating resins. Under this agreement, the Company will explore polymer systems for evaluation in several industrial product applications. Based on the success of this initial research and development collaboration, in December 2001, the Company entered into a $2.5 million license and research and development agreement with UCB. This new agreement has a term of one year through December 2002 and is for the exclusive rights to use the Company's Intelimer materials technology in the fields of powder coatings worldwide and pressure sensitive adhesives worldwide, except Asia.

        PORT™ Ophthalmic Devices.    Landec developed the PORT (Punctal Occluder for the Retention of Tears) ophthalmic device initially to address a common, yet poorly diagnosed condition known as dry eye that is estimated to affect 30 million Americans annually. The device consists of a physician-applied applicator containing solid Intelimer material that transforms into a flowable, viscous state when heated slightly above body temperature. After inserting the Intelimer material into the lacrimal drainage duct, it quickly solidifies into a form-fitting, solid plug. Occlusion of the lacrimal drainage duct allows the patient to retain tear fluid and thereby provides relief and therapy to the dry eye patient.

        The PORT product is currently in final stages of human clinical trials. Landec and its partner, Alcon, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nestlé S.A., believe that PORT plugs will have additional ophthalmic applications beyond the dry eye market. This would include applications for people who cannot wear contact lenses due to limited tear fluid retention and patients receiving therapeutic drugs via eye drops that require longer retention in the eye.

        In December 1997, Landec licensed the rights to worldwide manufacturing, marketing and distribution of its PORT ophthalmic device to Alcon. Under the terms of the transaction, Landec received an up-front cash payment of $500,000, a $750,000 milestone payment in November 1998, research and development funding and will receive ongoing royalties of 11.5% on product sales of each PORT device over an approximately 15-year period. Any fees paid to the Company are non-refundable. In September 1999, Alcon submitted a 510K application to the FDA seeking approval to commercially sell the PORT device. Landec will continue to provide development support on a contract basis through the FDA approval process and product launch. Landec also provides the Intelimer polymer to Alcon which is used in the PORT device.

        ConvaTec.    On October 11, 1999, the Company entered into a joint development agreement with ConvaTec, a division of Bristol-Myers Squibb, under which Landec will develop adhesive film products for select ConvaTec medical products. Landec is receiving funding support for this program. Upon completion of this agreement, the companies have the option to consider a license and supply agreement where Landec would supply materials to ConvaTec for use in specific medical devices.

Discontinued Operations

        Dock Resins.    In April 1997, Landec acquired Dock Resins, a privately-held manufacturer and marketer of specialty acrylic and other polymers based in Linden, New Jersey. Dock Resins sells products under the Doresco® trademark which are used by more than 300 customers throughout the United States and other countries in the coatings, printing inks, laminating and adhesives markets. Dock Resins is a supplier of proprietary polymers including acrylic, methacrylic, alkyd, polyester,

13


urethane and polyamide polymers to film converters engaged in hot stamping, decorative wood grain, automotive interiors, holograms, and metal foil applications. Dock Resins also supplies products to a number of other markets, such as, graphic arts, automotive refinishing, construction, pressure-sensitive adhesives, paper coatings, caulks, concrete curing compounds and sealers.

        In October 2001, the Board of Directors approved a plan to sell Dock Resins in order to strengthen its balance sheet and focus management's attention on the Company's core food and agricultural technology businesses. A sale is expected to close in the first half of 2002. As a result of this decision, the financial results of Dock Resins have been included in the consolidated statement of operations as a discontinued operation and its net assets have been reclassified in the consolidated balance sheets to assets held for sale.

Sales and Marketing

        Each of the Company's core businesses are supported by dedicated sales and marketing resources. The Company intends to develop its internal sales capacity as more products progress toward commercialization and as business volume expands geographically.

        Apio has 23 sales people, located in central California and throughout the U.S., supporting both the traditional produce marketing business and the specialty packaged value-added produce business.

        In preparation for the launch of Early Plant hybrid corn seed and Relay Crop wheat/soybean products, Landec Ag has identified a small internal sales force to target a very focused group of seed customers. For future coated seed products that are sold directly to farmers, the Company will utilize 31 direct seed sales consultants and associates located in Monticello, Indiana. These consultants and associates also support Landec Ag in its direct marketing of corn seed. Customer contacts are made based on direct responses and inquiries from customers.

Manufacturing and Processing

        Landec intends to control the manufacturing of its own products whenever possible, as it believes that there is considerable manufacturing margin opportunity in its products. In addition, the Company believes that know-how and trade secrets can be better maintained by Landec retaining manufacturing capability in-house.

        The manufacturing process for the Company's Intellipac breathable membrane products is comprised of polymer manufacturing, membrane manufacturing and label package conversion. Dock Resins currently manufactures virtually all of the polymers for the Intellipac breathable membranes and the Company anticipates that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Select outside contractors currently manufacture the breathable membranes and Landec has recently transitioned most of the label package conversion to its Menlo Park facility to meet the increasing product demand and to provide additional developmental capabilities.

        Apio processes all of its fresh-cut value-added products in its state-of-the-art processing facility located in Guadalupe, California. Cooling of produce is done through third parties and Apio Cooling, a separate company of which Apio has a 60% ownership interest and is the general partner.

14



        During fiscal year 2001, the Company moved its batch coating capabilities from Menlo Park, California to a new leased facility in Oxford, Indiana. This facility will be used to coat other seed companies' inbred seed corn using the Company's Pollinator Plus corn seed coatings.

        During fiscal year 2000, the Company completed construction of a pilot and semi-works manufacturing facility in Indiana to support the commercialization of its Relay Crop System for wheat/coated soybean products and for Early Plant hybrid corn. The new facility utilizes a new continuous coating process that has increased seed coating capabilities by tenfold compared to the previous system using batch coaters. Landec Ag purchases its hybrid seed corn from an established producer under an exclusive purchase agreement.

        Many of the raw materials used in manufacturing certain of the Company's products are currently purchased from a single source, including certain monomers used to synthesize Intelimer polymers and substrate materials for the Company's breathable membrane products. In addition, virtually all of the hybrid corn varieties sold by Fielder's Choice are purchased from a single source. Upon manufacturing scale-up of seed coating operations and as hybrid corn sales increase, the Company may enter into alternative supply arrangements. Although to date the Company has not experienced difficulty acquiring materials for the manufacture of its products nor has Fielder's Choice experienced difficulty in acquiring hybrid corn varieties, no assurance can be given that interruptions in supplies will not occur in the future, that the Company will be able to obtain substitute vendors, or that the Company will be able to procure comparable materials or hybrid corn varieties at similar prices and terms within a reasonable time. Any such interruption of supply could have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to manufacture and distribute its products and, consequently, could materially and adversely affect the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

        The Company desires to maintain an externally audited quality system and achieved ISO 9001 registration for the Menlo Park research and development site in fiscal year 1999 and for both the Menlo Park research and development and manufacturing sites in fiscal year 2000. Such registration is required in order for the Company to sell product to certain potential customers, primarily in Europe.

Research and Development

        Landec is focusing its research and development resources on both existing and new applications of its Intelimer technology. Expenditures for research and development in fiscal year 2001 were $3.3 million, compared with $3.4 million in fiscal year 2000 and $4.7 million in fiscal year 1999. In fiscal year 2001, research and development expenditures funded by corporate partners were $473,000 compared with $539,000 in fiscal year 2000 and $770,000 in fiscal year 1999. The Company may continue to seek funds for applied materials research programs from U.S. government agencies as well as from commercial entities. The Company anticipates that it will continue to have significant research and development expenditures in order to maintain its competitive position with a continuing flow of innovative, high-quality products and services. As of October 28, 2001, Landec had 27 employees, including 4 with Ph.D.'s, engaged in research and development with experience in polymer and analytical chemistry, product application, product formulation, mechanical and chemical engineering.

Competition

        The Company operates in highly competitive and rapidly evolving fields, and new developments are expected to continue at a rapid pace. Competition from large food packaging and agricultural companies is intense. In addition, the nature of the Company's collaborative arrangements and its technology licensing business may result in its corporate partners and licensees becoming competitors

15



of the Company. Many of these competitors have substantially greater financial and technical resources and production and marketing capabilities than the Company, and many have substantially greater experience in conducting field trials, obtaining regulatory approvals and manufacturing and marketing commercial products. There can be no assurance that these competitors will not succeed in developing alternative technologies and products that are more effective, easier to use or less expensive than those which have been or are being developed by the Company or that would render the Company's technology and products obsolete and non-competitive.

Patents and Proprietary Rights

        The Company's success depends in large part on its ability to obtain patents, maintain trade secret protection and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of third parties. The Company has been granted twenty U.S. patents with expiration dates ranging from 2006 to 2018 and has filed applications for additional U.S. patents, as well as certain corresponding patent applications outside the United States, relating to the Company's technology. The Company's issued patents include claims relating to compositions, devices and use of a class of temperature sensitive polymers that exhibit distinctive properties of permeability, adhesion and viscosity. There can be no assurance that any of the pending patent applications will be approved, that the Company will develop additional proprietary products that are patentable, that any patents issued to the Company will provide the Company with competitive advantages or will not be challenged by any third parties or that the patents of others will not prevent the commercialization of products incorporating the Company's technology. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that others will not independently develop similar products, duplicate any of the Company's products or design around the Company's patents. Any of the foregoing results could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

        The commercial success of the Company will also depend, in part, on its ability to avoid infringing patents issued to others. The Company has received, and may in the future receive, from third parties, including some of its competitors, notices claiming that it is infringing third party patents or other proprietary rights. If the Company were determined to be infringing any third-party patent, the Company could be required to pay damages, alter its products or processes, obtain licenses or cease certain activities. In addition, if patents are issued to others which contain claims that compete or conflict with those of the Company and such competing or conflicting claims are ultimately determined to be valid, the Company may be required to pay damages, to obtain licenses to these patents, to develop or obtain alternative technology or to cease using such technology. If the Company is required to obtain any licenses, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do so on commercially favorable terms, if at all. The Company's failure to obtain a license to any technology that it may require to commercialize its products could have a material adverse impact on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

        Litigation, which could result in substantial costs to the Company, may also be necessary to enforce any patents issued or licensed to the Company or to determine the scope and validity of third-party proprietary rights. If competitors of the Company prepare and file patent applications in the United States that claim technology also claimed by the Company, the Company may have to participate in interference proceedings declared by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to determine priority of invention, which could result in substantial cost to and diversion of effort by the Company, even if the eventual outcome is favorable to the Company. Any such litigation or interference proceeding, regardless of outcome, could be expensive and time consuming and could subject the Company to significant liabilities to third parties, require disputed rights to be licensed from third parties or require the Company to cease using such technology and consequently, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

        In addition to patent protection, the Company also relies on trade secrets, proprietary know-how and technological advances which the Company seeks to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements

16



with its collaborators, employees and consultants. There can be no assurance that these agreements will not be breached, that the Company will have adequate remedies for any breach, or that the Company's trade secrets and proprietary know-how will not otherwise become known or be independently discovered by others.

Government Regulations

        The Company's products and operations are subject to regulation in the United States and foreign countries.

        The Company's food packaging products are subject to regulation under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act ("FDC Act"). Under the FDC Act any substance that when used as intended may reasonably be expected to become, directly or indirectly, a component or otherwise affect the characteristics of any food may be regulated as a food additive unless the substance is generally recognized as safe. Food additives may be substances added directly to food, such as preservatives, or substances that could indirectly become a component of food, such as waxes, adhesives and packaging materials.

        A food additive, whether direct or indirect, must be covered by a specific food additive regulation issued by the FDA. The Company believes its Intellipac breathable membrane products are not subject to regulation as food additives because these products are not expected to become a component of food under their expected conditions of use. If the FDA were to determine that the Company's Intellipac breathable membrane products are food additives, the Company may be required to submit a food additive petition. The food additive petition process is lengthy, expensive and uncertain. A determination by the FDA that a food additive petition is necessary would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

        The Company's agricultural operations are subject to a variety of environmental laws including the Food Quality Protection Act of 1966, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. Compliance with these laws and related regulations is an ongoing process. Environmental concerns are, however, inherent in most agricultural operations, including those conducted by the Company, and there can be no assurance that the cost of compliance with environmental laws and regulations will not be material. Moreover, it is possible that future developments, such as increasingly strict environmental laws and enforcement policies thereunder, and further restrictions on the use of manufacturing chemicals could result in increased compliance costs.

        The Company is subject to USDA rules and regulations concerning the safety of the food products handled and sold by Apio, and the facilities in which they are packed and processed. Failure to comply with the applicable regulatory requirements can, among other things, result in fines, injunctions, civil penalties, suspensions or withdrawal of regulatory approvals, product recalls, product seizures, including cessation of manufacturing and sales, operating restrictions and criminal prosecution.

        The Company's agricultural products are subject to regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA") and the EPA. The Company believes its current Intellicoat seed coatings are not pesticides as defined in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act ("FIFRA") and are not subject to pesticide regulation requirements. The process of meeting pesticide registration requirements is lengthy, expensive and uncertain, and may require additional studies by the Company. There can be no assurance that future products will not be regulated as pesticides. In addition, the Company believes

17


that its Intellicoat seed coatings will not become a component of the agricultural products which are produced from the seeds to which the coatings are applied and therefore are not subject to regulation by the FDA as a food additive. While the Company believes that it will be able to obtain approval from such agencies to distribute its products, there can be no assurance that the Company will obtain necessary approvals without substantial expense or delay, if at all.

        The Company's manufacture of polymers is subject to regulation by the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act ("TSCA"). Pursuant to TSCA, manufacturers of new chemical substances are required to provide a Pre-Manufacturing Notice ("PMN") prior to manufacturing the new chemical substance. After review of the PMN, the EPA may require more extensive testing to establish the safety of the chemical, or limit or prohibit the manufacture or use of the chemical. To date, PMNs submitted by the Company have been approved by the EPA without any additional testing requirements or limitation on manufacturing or use. No assurance can be given that the EPA will grant similar approval for future PMNs submitted by the Company.

        The Company and its products under development may also be subject to other federal, state and local laws, regulations and recommendations. Although Landec believes that it will be able to comply with all applicable regulations regarding the manufacture and sale of its products and polymer materials, such regulations are always subject to change and depend heavily on administrative interpretations and the country in which the products are sold. There can be no assurance that future changes in regulations or interpretations made by the FDA, EPA or other regulatory bodies, with possible retroactive effect, relating to such matters as safe working conditions, laboratory and manufacturing practices, environmental controls, fire hazard control, and disposal of hazardous or potentially hazardous substances will not adversely affect the Company's business. There can also be no assurance that the Company will not be required to incur significant costs to comply with such laws and regulations in the future, or that such laws or regulations will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company's ability to do business. Furthermore, the introduction of the Company's products in foreign markets may require obtaining foreign regulatory clearances. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain regulatory clearances for its products in such foreign markets.

Employees

        As of October 28, 2001, Landec had 233 full-time employees, of whom 61 were dedicated to research, development, manufacturing, quality control and regulatory affairs and 172 were dedicated to sales, marketing and administrative activities. Landec intends to recruit additional personnel in connection with the development, manufacturing and marketing of its products. None of Landec's employees is represented by a union, and Landec believes relationships with its employees are good.

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Item 2. Properties

        The Company has offices in Menlo Park, Guadalupe and Reedley, California, and Monticello, Indiana. During fiscal year 2001, Landec leased a 13,400 square foot facility in Oxford, Indiana to support the seed coating efforts of the Agricultural Seed Technology business. In addition, the Reedley facility is currently for sale with an offer pending.

        These properties are described below (list excludes Dock Resins' property to be sold):

Location
  Business
Segment

  Ownership
  Facilities
  Acres
of Land

  Lease
Expiration

 
Menlo Park, CA   All   Leased   21,000 square feet of office and laboratory space     12/31/03  

Menlo Park, CA

 

All

 

Subleased

 

11,000 square feet of warehouse and manufacturing space

 


 

7/31/02

(1)

Monticello, IN

 

Agricultural Seed Technology

 

Owned

 

19,400 square feet of office space

 

0.5

 


 

West Lebanon, IN

 

Agricultural Seed Technology

 

Owned

 

4,000 square feet of warehouse and manufacturing space

 


 


 

Oxford, IN

 

Agricultural Seed Technology

 

Leased

 

13,400 square feet of laboratory and manufacturing space

 


 

6/30/05

 

Guadalupe, CA

 

Food Products Technology

 

Owned

 

94,000 square feet of office space, manufacturing and cold storage

 

11.6

 


 

Reedley, CA(2)

 

Food Products Technology

 

Owned

 

152,600 square feet of office space, manufacturing and cold storage

 

19.3

 


 

(1)
Lease contains one two-year renewal option.

(2)
Currently for sale.


Item 3. Legal Proceedings

        The Company is currently not a party to any material legal proceedings.


Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

        There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the Company's fiscal year ending October 28, 2001.

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

        The Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "LNDC". The following table sets forth for each period indicated the high and low sales prices for the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market.

Fiscal Year 2001

  High
  Low
  4th Quarter ending October 28, 2001   $ 5.25   $ 3.22
  3rd Quarter ending July 29, 2001   $ 5.27   $ 3.02
  2nd Quarter ending April 29, 2001   $ 4.50   $ 3.31
  1st Quarter ending January 28, 2001   $ 4.59   $ 2.50
Fiscal Year 2000

  High
  Low
  4th Quarter ending October 29, 2000   $ 6.63   $ 4.13
  3rd Quarter ending July 30, 2000   $ 6.75   $ 4.00
  2nd Quarter ending April 30, 2000   $ 7.50   $ 5.06
  1st Quarter ending January 30, 2000   $ 8.81   $ 4.56

        There were approximately 125 holders of record of 16,592,056 shares of outstanding Common Stock as of January 7, 2002. Since holders are listed under their brokerage firm's names, the actual number of shareholders is higher. The Company has not paid any dividends on the Common Stock since its inception. The Company presently intends to retain all future earnings, if any, for its business and does not anticipate paying cash dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future.

        Pursuant to a Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated November 19, 1999, by and among the Company and Frederick Frank, the Company completed a financing that raised approximately $10.0 million through a private placement of its Series A-1 Preferred Stock and Series A-2 Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred Stock"). Pursuant to this agreement, the Company issued 166,667 shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company at $60.00 per share (representing 1,666,670 shares of Common Stock on a converted basis). Frederick Frank was elected as a director of the Company in December 1999.

        In connection with the Company's acquisition of Apio, Inc. on December 2, 1999, the prior owners of Apio received 2.5 million shares of Common Stock. As compensation for services rendered by Lehman Brothers Inc. in connection with the closing of the Apio acquisition, the Company issued 62,500 shares of Common Stock to Lehman Brothers, Inc. at $6.00 per share.

        Pursuant to a Series B Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated October 24, 2001, by and among the Company and the Seahawk Ranch Irrevocable Trust, the Company completed a financing that raised approximately $5.0 million through a private placement of its Series B Preferred Stock (the "Series B Preferred Stock"). Pursuant to this agreement, the Company issued 142,857 shares of Series B Preferred Stock of the Company at $35.00 per share (representing 1,428,570 shares of Common Stock on a converted basis). Ken Jones, a director of the Company, is a trustee of the Seahawk Ranch Irrevocable Trust.

        The issuance of securities in this Item 5 was deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving any public offering. The recipients of the securities in such transaction represented their intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof and appropriate legends were affixed to the securities issued in such transaction. The recipients were given adequate access to information about the Company.

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Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data

        The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations and should be read in conjunction with the information contained in Item 7—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this report.

 
  Year Ended October 28, 2001
  Year Ended October 29, 2000
  Year Ended October 31,
 
Statement of Operations Data:

  1999
  1998
  1997
 
 
  (in thousands, except per share data)

 
Revenues:                                
  Product sales   $ 134,437   $ 123,026   $ 19,926   $ 16,244   $ 1,280  
  Services revenue     50,479     71,280              
  Services revenue, related party     5,065     1,898              
  Research, development and royalty revenues     529     586     770     1,352     863  
  License fees     374     374     750     500      
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total revenues     190,884     197,164     21,446     18,096     2,143  

Cost of revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Cost of product sales     114,414     104,496     12,016     10,119     912  
  Cost of services revenue     48,881     63,075              
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total cost of revenue     163,295     167,571     12,016     10,119     912  

Gross profit

 

 

27,589

 

 

29,593

 

 

9,430

 

 

7,977

 

 

1,231

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Research and development     3,270     3,444     4,653     4,643     4,059  
  Selling, general and administrative     26,966     26,449     8,523     8,260     3,627  
  Exit of fruit processing         525              
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total operating costs and expenses     30,236     30,418     13,176     12,903     7,686  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Operating loss     (2,647 )   (825 )   (3,746 )   (4,926 )   (6,455