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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

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 No. 001-33498

BIONOVO, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
20-5526892
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S.  Employer Identification No.)
   
5858 Horton Street, Suite 400
Emeryville, California 94608
 
(510) 601-2000
(Address of principal executive offices,
including zip code)
 
(Telephone Number)

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 þ    No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o
  
Accelerated filer o
  
Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act of 1934).  Yes  ¨    No  þ

As of November 7, 2011, 54,561,312 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.0001, were outstanding.
 

 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
PART I     FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   
Item 1.
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
1
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and from February 1, 2002 (date of inception) to September 30, 2011
2
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and from February 1, 2002 (date of inception) to September 30, 2011
3
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
4
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
18
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
28
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
28
   
PART II     OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
28
Item 1a.
Risk Factors
29
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
30
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
30
Item 4.
Removed and Reserved
30
Item 5.
Other Information
30
Item 6.
Exhibits
31
   
Signatures
32
 
 
i

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
 
Bionovo, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share amounts)
 
   
September 30,
2011
   
December 31,
2010
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(Note 1)
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,229     $ 2,638  
Short-term investments
    6,846       -  
Receivables
    14       49  
Prepaid expenses
    937       973  
Other current assets
    842       396  
Total current assets
    9,868       4,056  
Property and equipment, net
    11,760       6,647  
Patent pending, net
    1,631       1,259  
Other assets
    761       1,020  
Total assets
  $ 24,020     $ 12,982  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 567     $ 655  
Accrued compensation and benefits
    822       901  
Current portion of lease obligations
    1,051       1,055  
Current portion of notes payable
    8       40  
Warrant liability
    8,017       1,843  
Other current liabilities
    1,791       970  
Total current liabilities
    12,256       5,464  
Non-current portion of lease obligations
    121       836  
Non-current portion of notes payable
    75       81  
Total liabilities
    12,452       6,381  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock $0.0001 par value, 340,000,000 shares authorized, 54,561,312 and 24,530,112 shares outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
    5       2  
Additional paid-in capital
    98,622       80,145  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (1 )     -  
Accumulated deficit
    (87,058 )     (73,546 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    11,568       6,601  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 24,020     $ 12,982  

See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements
 
 
1

 

Bionovo, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

   
Three months ended
September 30,
   
Nine months ended
September 30,
   
Accumulated
from February 1,
2002 (Date of
inception) to
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
 
                               
Revenues
  $ 149     $ 68     $ 214     $ 82     $ 2,007  
                                         
Operating expenses:
                                       
Research and development
    5,609       3,673       14,999       10,807       69,347  
General and administrative
    769       987       2,694       2,627       23,822  
Merger cost
    -       -       -       -       1,964  
Total operating expenses
    6,378       4,660       17,693       13,434       95,133  
                                         
Loss from operations
    (6,229 )     (4,592 )     (17,479 )     (13,352 )     (93,126 )
                                         
Other income (expense):
                                       
Change in fair value of warrant liability
    2,316       -       4,017       -       4,753  
Interest income
    6       2       24       16       2,116  
Interest expense
    (24 )     (9 )     (77 )     (33 )     (599 )
Other income (expense)
    -       (28 )     3       (39 )     (202 )
Total other income (expense)
    2,298       (35 )     3,967       (56 )     6,068  
                                         
Net loss
  $ (3,931 )   $ (4,627 )   $ (13,512 )   $ (13,408 )   $ (87,058 )
Basic and diluted net loss per common share
  $ (0.07 )   $ (0.21 )   $ (0.27 )   $ (0.62 )   $ (6.22 )
                                         
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share
    54,561       21,785       50,931       21,607       14,005  

See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements

 
2

 

Bionovo, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited, in thousands)

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Accumulated
from February 1,
2002 (Date of
inception) to
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                 
Net loss
  $ (13,512 )   $ (13,408 )   $ (87,058 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    2,074       1,203       7,535  
Stock-based compensation expense
    1,459       743       7,030  
Amortization and accretion of investments
    61       128       330  
Non-cash compensation for warrants issued
    -       -       1,964  
Amortization of note discount
    -       -       139  
Amortization of deferred stock compensation
    -       -       16  
Change in fair value of warrrant liability
    (4,017 )     -       (4,753 )
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
    -       35       148  
Noncash adjustment to available-for-sale securities
    -       2       1  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                       
Receivables
    35       182       (14 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (410 )     (390 )     (1,179 )
Other assets
    258       (615 )     (733 )
Accounts payable
    (88 )     75       567  
Accrued compensation and benefits
    (79 )     (23 )     822  
Other accrued liabilities
    821       371       1,791  
Net cash used in operating activities
    (13,398 )     (11,697 )     (73,394 )
                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Capital expenditures
    (6,936 )     (1,170 )     (14,783 )
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transaction
    -       1,205       1,205  
Acquisition of intangible assets
    (454 )     (420 )     (1,936 )
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
    (8,508 )     (920 )     (50,200 )
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments
    1,600       13,930       43,024  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (14,298 )     12,625       (22,690 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants, net
    27,211       -       96,774  
Payments under capital lease obligation
    (886 )     (569 )     (4,204 )
Payments under notes payable
    (38 )     (45 )     (120 )
Proceeds from exercise of warrants and options
    -       -       5,000  
Payments of convertible notes payable
    -       -       (50 )
Payments for financing costs for convertible notes
    -       -       (87 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    26,287       (614 )     97,313  
                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (1,409 )     314       1,229  
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
    2,638       2,799       -  
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 1,229     $ 3,113     $ 1,229  

See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements

 
3

 

Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
1.  BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION

Formation of the Company

Bionovo, Inc., (“the Company”) was originally incorporated in California in February of 2002.  In March of 2004, it reincorporated in the state of Delaware and in June of 2005 changed its name from Bionovo, Inc. to Bionovo Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.  On April 6, 2005, Bionovo Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. became public through a reverse merger with Lighten Up International, Inc., whereby Lighten Up Enterprises International, Inc. acquired all the outstanding shares of Bionovo Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. in exchange for 8,422,490 restricted shares of its common stock in a reverse triangular merger. The acquisition was accounted for as a reverse merger in which Bionovo Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. was deemed to be the accounting acquirer. The Company operated as Lighten Up Enterprises International, Inc. until June 29, 2005 when the Company assumed the name Bionovo, Inc. The historical financial information presented herein is that of Bionovo Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (as adjusted for any difference in the par value of each entity’s stock with an offset to capital in excess of par value).  Financial information subsequent to the reverse merger is that of the merged entity, Bionovo, Inc.

Bionovo, Inc. is incorporated in the state of Delaware.
 
Reverse Stock Split

On August 27, 2010, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effect a reverse split of its common stock at a ratio of one-for-five.  The reverse stock split was effective at the close of business on August 31, 2010.  All fractional shares created by the reverse stock split were rounded up to the nearest whole share.  All historical share and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been retroactively restated to reflect the reverse stock split.
 
Liquidity and Going Concern
 
The Company has sustained recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations. At September 30, 2011, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $87.1 million, working capital deficit of $2.4 million and shareholders’ equity of $11.6 million. Over the past years, the Company has been funded through a combination of private equity, debt, lease financing and public offerings. As of September 30, 2011, the Company had $1.23 million in cash and cash equivalents and $6.85 million in short-term securities, for a total of $8.1 million.
 
The Company has experienced and continues to experience operating losses and negative cash flows from operations, as well as an ongoing requirement for substantial additional capital investment. The Company expects that it will need to raise substantial additional capital to fully pursue its business plan before the end of 2011. The Company is currently pursuing a variety of funding options, including government grants, partnering/co-investment, venture debt, equity offerings and commercial licensing agreements for its products. There can be no assurance as to the availability or terms upon which such financing and capital might be available. If the Company is not successful in its efforts to raise additional funds by the end of 2011, the Company may be required to delay, reduce the scope of, or eliminate one or more of its development programs.  Without substantial reductions or eliminations of its development programs, the Company does not expect that its cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its operating and capital needs for the next six months following September 30, 2011.
 
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of assets and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

 
4

 
 
Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – (continued)
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011 or for any other future period.
 
The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Bionovo, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2011, the consolidated results of the Company’s operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and inception to date from February 1, 2002 to September 30, 2011, and the Company’s cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and inception to date from February 1, 2002 to September 30, 2011.
 
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and related disclosures. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other market specific and other relevant assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates.
 
We consider the following accounting policies related to revenue recognition, clinical trial accruals, share-based compensation, income tax and research and development expenses to be the most critical accounting policies, because they require us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain.

Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue is generated from collaborative research and development arrangements, technology licenses, government grants and contracts.  Revenue is recognized when the four basic criteria of revenue recognition are met: (i) a contractual agreement exists; (ii) transfer of technology (intellectual property) has been completed or services have been rendered; (iii) the fee is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured.
 
 Revenue from technology licenses or other payments under collaborative agreements where the Company has a continuing obligation to perform is recognized as revenue over the expected period of the continuing performance obligation. Revenue from government contracts is recognized on a qualified cost reimbursement basis.  Revenue from grants received on a refundable tax credit basis is recognized when awarded.

 
5

 

Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – (continued)
 
During the first nine months of 2011, the Company recognized approximately $214,000 in revenue from a National Institutes of Health grant.

Research and Development
 
Research and development expenses include internal and external costs. Internal costs include salaries and employment related expenses and allocated facility costs. External expenses consist of costs associated with outsourced clinical research organization activities, sponsored research studies, product registration, and investigator sponsored trials. All such costs are charged to expense as incurred.
 
Warrant Liability
 
In October of 2010 and February of 2011, the Company issued warrants to purchase Bionovo’s common shares.  The Company accounted for these warrants as a liability measured at fair value due to a provision included in the warrant agreements that provides the warrant holders with an option to require the Company (or its successor) to purchase their warrants for cash in an amount equal to their Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model (the “Black-Scholes Model”) value, in the event of a change in control of the Company. The fair value of the warrant liability is estimated using the Black-Scholes Model which requires inputs such as the expected term of the warrants, share price volatility and risk-free interest rate. These assumptions are reviewed on a quarterly basis and changes in the estimated fair value of the outstanding warrants are recognized each reporting period in “Change in fair value of warrant liability” line item under other income (expense) category in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Development Stage Company
 
The Company has not generated any significant revenue since inception. The accompanying financial statements have, therefore, been prepared using the accounting formats prescribed for a development stage enterprise (“DSE”). Although the Company has recognized some nominal amount of revenue, the Company still believes it is devoting substantially all its efforts on developing the business and therefore, qualifies as a DSE.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June of 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income.”  The amendments in this ASU require an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity.  ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted.  The Company has not chosen to early adopt the provisions of this update.  The future adoption of this update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In May of 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and disclosure Requirements in U. S. GAAP & IFRS,” which results in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS.  Consequently, the amendments change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements.  ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The future adoption of ASU 2011-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 
6

 

Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – (continued)
 
3.  SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
The following table shows supplemental cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and inception to date from February 1, 2002 through September 30, 2011 (in thousands).

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Accumulated
from February
1, 2002 (Date of
inception) to
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                 
Interest paid
  $ 78     $ 35     $ 586  
Income taxes paid
  $ 1     $ 1     $ 15  
                         
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing
                       
Initial fair value of warrant liability
  $ 10,191     $ -     $ 11,940  
Non-cash warrant expense for warrants issued
  $ -     $ -     $ 1,964  
Conversion of notes payable to common stock
  $ -     $ -     $ 450  
Assets acquired under capital lease
  $ 167     $ 2,139     $ 5,376  
Assets acquired under notes payable
  $ -     $ -     $ 204  
Issuance of common stock for services
  $ -     $ 600     $ 765  
Conversion of accrued interest payable
  $ -     $ -     $ 12  
Issuance of common stock with reverse merger
  $ -     $ -     $ 4  
 
4.   CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
 
As part of our cash management program, the Company maintains a portfolio of marketable investment securities. The securities are investment grade and generally mature within one year and may include tax exempt securities and certificates of deposit. The fair value of substantially all securities is determined by quoted market prices. The estimated fair value of securities for which there are no quoted market prices is based on similar types of securities that are traded in the market. The Company maintains its cash in bank accounts, which at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses on such accounts. The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
 

 
7

 

Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – (continued)
 
The following is a summary of cash, cash equivalents, and available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands):
 
   
September 30, 2011
 
   
Cost
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Estimated
 
   
Basis
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
                       
Cash
  $ 1,002     $ -     $ -     $ 1,002  
Money market funds
    227       -       -       227  
Total cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,229     $ -     $ -     $ 1,229  
                                 
Available-for-sale securities:
                               
US govt. agency obligations
  $ 3,562     $ 1     $ -     $ 3,563  
Corporate notes
    3,285       -       (2 )   $ 3,283  
Total available-for-sale securities
  $ 6,847     $ 1     $ (2 )   $ 6,846  
                                 
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Cost
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Estimated
 
   
Basis
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
                               
Cash
  $ 445     $ -     $ -     $ 445  
Money market funds
    562       -       -       562  
US govt. agency obligations
    1,631       -       -       1,631  
Total cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,638     $ -     $ -     $ 2,638  
 
As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income were approximately $1,000 and $0, respectively.  The change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities amounted to approximately $4,000 and $1,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and the change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 amounted to $0 and approximately $5,000, respectively.
 
5.  FAIR VALUE
 
U.S. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy which has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine the fair value. These levels include: Level 1, defined as inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for use when little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

 
8

 

Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – (continued)
 
The following table represents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets (cash equivalents and investments) measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands):
 
         
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
September 30, 2011
 
        Total        
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
Money market funds
  $ 227     $ 227     $ -     $ -  
US government agency obligations
    3,563       -       3,563       -  
Corporate notes
    3,283       -       3,283       -  
Total
  $ 7,073     $ 227     $ 6,846     $ -  
                                 
December 31, 2010
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
Money market funds
  $ 562     $ 562     $ -     $ -  
US government agencies
    1,631       -       1,631       -  
Total
  $ 2,193     $ 562     $ 1,631     $ -  

Financial liabilities carried at fair value as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were classified as follows (in thousands):

         
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
September 30, 2011
 
        Total        
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
Warrant liability
  $ 8,017     $ -     $ -     $ 8,017  
                                 
December 31, 2010
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
Warrant liability
  $ 1,843     $ -     $ -     $ 1,843  

As discussed in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” the fair value of the warrant liability was remeasured at September 30, 2011 using the Black-Scholes Model, which requires inputs such as the expected term of the warrants, share price volatility and risk-free interest rate. These inputs are subjective and generally require significant analysis and judgment to develop.

 
9

 

Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – (continued)
 
The fair value of the warrant liability was estimated using the following assumptions at September 30, 2011, February 2, 2011 (date of grant of February 2011 warrants), and December 31, 2010:

   
October 2010 Warrants
   
February 2011 Warrants
 
   
September 30, 
2011
   
December 31,
2010
   
September 30, 
2011
   
February 2,
2011
 
Expected volatility
    131 %     126 %     129 %     125 %
Risk-free interest rate
    0.69 %     1.91 %     0.77 %     2.10 %
Expected life
 
4.0 years
   
4.8 years
   
4.3 years
   
5.0 years
 
 
The following table provides a summary of changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial liabilities for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 (in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2010      
  $ 1,843  
Initial fair value of warrants issued in February 2011      
    10,191  
Net decrease in fair value of warrant liability on remeasurement  
    (4,017 )
Balance at September 30, 2011      
  $ 8,017  
 
The change in the fair value of the warrant liability from remeasurement resulted in a net gain of $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and in a net gain of $4.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

6.  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized and minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations for the respective period. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the related assets using the straight-line method for financial statement purposes. The Company uses other depreciation methods for tax purposes where appropriate. The estimated useful lives for significant property and equipment categories are as follows:  

Office and Laboratory equipment
 
3 to 5 years
Computer equipment and software
 
3 years
Leased equipment
 
Term of lease agreement
Leasehold improvements
 
Term of lease agreement
 
The following is a summary of property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

   
September 30,
2011
   
December 31,
2010
 
Office and lab equipment
  $ 9,516     $ 8,030  
Leasehold improvements
    8,883       3,368  
Computer equipment and software
    383       283  
      18,782       11,681  
Less:  accumulated depreciation
    (7,022 )     (5,034 )
Property and equipment, net
  $ 11,760     $ 6,647  
 
 
10

 

Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – (continued)
 
Leasehold improvements include $0.2 million in gross assets acquired under two notes payable with the lessor of the Company’s headquarters (see Note 8, “Notes Payable” for further details).  Office and lab equipment include gross assets acquired under capital leases of approximately $2.3 million as of September 30, 2011 and $3.8 million as of December 31, 2010.  Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation expense.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 the Company recorded depreciation expense of approximately $0.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively compared with approximately $0.4 million and $1.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.
 
Intangible assets - Patent Costs
 
Intangible assets consist of patent licensing costs incurred to date. The Company is amortizing the patent cost incurred to date, over a 15 year period. If the patents are not awarded, the costs related to those patents will be expensed in the period that determination is made. As of September 30, 2011, the Company had capitalized $1.8 million in patent licensing costs. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 the Company recorded amortization expense of approximately $30,000 and $85,000, respectively, compared with approximately $21,000 and $58,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

7.  OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
Other current liabilities include the following as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

   
September 30,
2011
   
December 31,
 2010
 
Accrued clinical trial expenses
  $ 364     $ 7  
Accrued consulting fees
    148       150  
Accrued legal fees
    102       168  
Deferred rent
    531       424  
Other current liabilities
    646       221  
Total other current liabilities
  $ 1,791     $ 970  
 
8.  NOTES PAYABLE
 
In January of 2009, the Company relocated to its new headquarters.  Related to the relocation, the Company financed leasehold improvements under two notes payable with the lessor of the building.  The first note of $100,000 bears interest at 9.5% and is payable in monthly payments of interest and principal amounting to approximately $1,000 beginning May 1, 2009 and continuing over the remaining lease term with a due date of December 31, 2018.  The second note of $104,000 was paid in full in July of 2011.  The future minimum payments as of September 30, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

 
11

 

Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – (continued)
 
   
Notes Payable
 
2011 (1)
  $ 4  
2012
    16  
2013
    16  
2014
    16  
2015
    16  
Thereafter
    47  
Total minimum payments
  $ 115  
Less: Amount representing interest
    (32 )
Present value of minimum payments
  $ 83  
Less: Current portion
    (8 )
Long-term portion of notes payable
  $ 75  
   _______________________
   (1) For the three months ending December 31, 2011
 
9.  BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE

Basic net loss per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted net loss per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares and other dilutive securities outstanding during the period, provided that including these dilutive securities does not increase the net loss per share.

Potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the calculation of earnings per share if their inclusion is antidilutive.  The effect of the options and warrants was antidilutive for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010.  The following table shows the total outstanding securities considered antidilutive and therefore, excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share (in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Options to purchase common stock
    7,634       1,162       7,634       1,162  
Options to purchase common stock - outside plan
    21       21       21       21  
Warrants to purchase common stock
    26,345       8,383       26,345       8,383  
Total
    34,000       9,566       34,000       9,566  

10.  COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
 
Comprehensive loss includes net loss and other comprehensive income, which for us is primarily comprised of unrealized holding gains or losses on our available-for-sale securities that are excluded from the statement of operations in computing net loss and reported separately in shareholders’ equity (deficit). Comprehensive loss and its components are as follows (in thousands):

 
12

 

Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – (continued)
 
   
Three Months Ended 
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net loss
  $ (3,931 )   $ (4,627 )   $ (13,512 )   $ (13,408 )
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale
    (4 )     -       (1 )     5  
Comprehensive loss
  $ (3,935 )   $ (4,627 )   $ (13,513 )   $ (13,403 )

11.  SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Employee Stock Option Plan
 
On April 6, 2005, in connection with the completion of the reverse merger, the board of directors assumed and adopted the Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, (the “Plan”) of Bionovo Biopharmaceuticals and 699,358 shares of common stock for issuance under the Plan. In May 2006 and June 2008, the shareholders approved increases totaling 1,200,000 of additional shares for the option plan resulting in a total of 1,899,358 shares reserved for issuance under the plan.  On May 10, 2011, the shareholders approved an increase of 10,100,642 additional shares for the plan, for a total of 12,000,000.
 
The Company generally grants stock options to employees and directors at exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the Company's stock at the dates of grant. Stock options are typically granted throughout the year and generally vest four years thereafter and expire five years from the date of the award, unless otherwise specified. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the fair value of the stock options over the requisite service period for each stock option award.

The following table shows total share-based compensation expense included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands).

   
Three Months Ended 
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Research and development
  $ 183     $ 82     $ 1,021     $ 298  
General and administrative
    65       120       438       445  
Total share-based compensation expense
  $ 248     $ 202     $ 1,459     $ 743  

There was no capitalized share-based compensation cost as of September 30, 2011 and there were no recognized tax benefits during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

To estimate the value of an award, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  This model requires inputs such as expected life, expected volatility and risk-free interest rate.  The forfeiture rate also impacts the amount of aggregate compensation.  These inputs are subjective and generally require significant analysis and judgment to develop.  While estimates of expected life, volatility and forfeiture rate are derived primarily from the Company’s historical data, the risk-free rate is based on the yield available on U.S. Treasury constant maturity rates with similar terms to the expected term of the stock option awards.

 
13

 

Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – (continued)
 
The fair value of share-based awards was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

   
Three Months Ended 
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Dividend yield
    0 %     0 %     0 %     0 %
Expected volatility
    135.5 %     134.2 %     137.3 %     148.0 %
Risk-free interest rate
    0.52 %     1.18 %     1.22 %     1.44 %
Expected life
 
3.61 years
   
3.66 years
   
3.47 years
   
2.75 years
 

Share option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was as follows:
   
Options
(in thousands)
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
 
Options outstanding at December 31, 2010
    1,246     $ 6.87              
Granted
    6,916       0.76              
Exercised
    -       -              
Forfeited or canceled
    (506 )     2.78              
Expired
    (22 )     8.00              
Options outstanding at September 30, 2011
    7,634     $ 1.61       4.42     $ 20  
Options exercisable at September 30, 2011
    2,103     $ 3.68       3.96     $ 1  
Options exercisable and options expected to vest at September 30, 2011
    6,152     $ 1.81       4.37     $ 15  

Unvested share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was as follows:

   
Unvested
Number of
Options
(in thousands)
   
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 
Unvested balance at December 31, 2010
    189     $ 4.83  
Granted
    6,916       0.61  
Vested
    (1,374 )     0.99  
Forfeited
    (200 )     1.07  
Unvested balance at September 30, 2011
    5,531     $ 0.65  

As of September 30, 2011, the Company had approximately 4.3 million common shares reserved for future grant under its share option plan and there were no shares exercised during the first nine months of 2011.

At September 30, 2011, there was $2.2 million of unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested share options with a weighted average remaining recognition period of 3.5 years.

 
14

 

Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – (continued)
 
Issuance of Stock Options
 
On March 4, 2011, the Board of Directors, on the recommendation of its compensation committee, approved a company-wide grant to employees of approximately 6.3 million options to purchase common shares at $0.79 per share. The purpose of the grants was to improve the level of employee ownership in the Company.  On March 22, 2011, the Board of Directors approved a grant to non-employee directors of 0.3 million options to purchase common shares at $0.62 per share.  The options will vest 20% upon issuance and the remaining 80% will vest over four years. All options were granted subject to shareholder approval of a commensurate increase in the number of shares available for the grant of options under the Company’s existing share option plan.  On May 10, 2011, the shareholders approved the increase in shares available under the Company’s option plan.

12.  STOCK WARRANTS
 
The Company has issued warrants to investors as part of its overall financing strategy. As of September 30, 2011, there were 26.3 million warrants to purchase Bionovo shares outstanding with a weighted average price of $2.92, a weighted average remaining life of 3.72 years and an aggregate exercise price of $77.0 million.
 
In connection with the closing of the Company’s February 2, 2011 public offering of common shares, the investors were issued five-year warrants to purchase up to an aggregate 15,015,600 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.30 per share.  The warrant agreements include a provision that provides the warrant holders with an option to require the Company (or its successor) to purchase their warrants for cash in an amount equal to their Black-Scholes value, in the event of a change in control of the Company. The warrants may also be executed on a cashless basis, in accordance with the terms of the warrant.
 
The following table summarizes information about all warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2011:

Issue Date
 
Expiration Date
 
Number
Outstanding
(in thousands)
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (years)
 
January 2007
 
January 2012
    719     $ 10.62       0.30  
October 2007
 
October 2012
    1,491       12.50       1.09  
October 2009
 
October 2014
    6,174       4.28       3.02  
October 2010
 
October 2015
    2,045       1.64       4.02  
February 2011
 
February 2016
    15,916       1.32       4.35  
          26,345       2.92       3.72  
 
The estimated fair value of warrants granted in January 2007, October 2007 and October 2009 is included in additional paid-in capital along with the proceeds from issuance of common stock.  The estimated fair value of the warrants was calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The following assumptions were used: (i) no expected dividends, (ii) risk free interest rates of 2.2% - 4.0%, (iii) expected volatility of 90% - 187%, and (iv) expected life in the stated life of the warrant. The fair value of the warrants ranged from $0.50 to $4.45.

Warrant Liability
 
As discussed above and in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” the warrants issued in October of 2010 and February of 2011 include provisions that provide the warrant holders with an option to require the Company (or its successor) to purchase their warrants for cash in an amount equal to their Black-Scholes value, in the event of a change in control of the Company. Accordingly, the fair value of the warrants at the issuance date was estimated using the Black-Scholes Model and the Company initially recorded a warrant liability of $1.7 million for the October 2010 warrants and a liability of $10.2 million for the February 2011 warrants. The Company remeasured the warrant liability resulting from these two issuances at March 31, 2011, June 30, 2011 and September 30, 2011 and recorded adjustments resulting in a net decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to the warrant liability of approximately $4.0 million with a corresponding entry to the other income (expense) category in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  Additional disclosures regarding assumptions used in calculating the fair value of the warrant liability are included in Note 5, “Fair Value.”

 
15

 

Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – (continued)
 
The public offering completed on February 2, 2011 did not result in a change of control as defined in the warrant agreements or trigger the cash settlement provisions in relation to the warrants issued in the October 2010 financing transaction.
 
13.  LEASES, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company leases certain office and laboratory equipment under agreements that are classified as capital leases. The cost of equipment under capital leases is included in the Balance Sheets as property and equipment and was $2.3 million at September 30, 2011 and $3.8 million as of December 31, 2010. Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation expense and accumulated amortization at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was $0.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

The Company leases its laboratory and office facilities for various terms under long-term, non-cancelable operating lease agreements. The leases expire at various dates through 2021. The leases provide for increases in future minimum annual rental payments and the agreements generally require the Company to pay executory costs (real estate taxes, insurance, and repairs), which are approximately $48,000 per month.
 
In January of 2011, the Company entered into a ten-year, non-cancelable operating lease agreement for a manufacturing facility in Hayward, California.  The lease began April 1, 2011, and the space is being used for clinical manufacturing operations.  Monthly rental payments of $18,750 began on April 1, 2011 and will increase over the ten-year period. The Company will gradually assume greater space between the first year and the fourth year for a total of 51,472 square feet beginning with the fourth year and through the end of the lease.
 
The Company leases 4,315 square feet of laboratory space in Colorado, wherein its analytical laboratories are housed.  The lease term expired in April of 2011 and the lease was extended on a month-to-month basis. The Company is in the process of relocating its operations to its new facility in Hayward.

Operating lease expense under these lease agreements totaled approximately $0.5 million and $1.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and the corresponding periods of 2010.  Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable capital and operating leases are as follows (in thousands):

   
Capital Leases
   
Operating
Leases
 
2011 (1)
  $ 275     $ 543  
2012
    905       2,390  
2013
    45       2,669  
2014
    -       3,103  
2015
    -       3,294  
Thereafter
    -       13,775  
Total minimum lease payments
  $ 1,225     $ 25,774  
Less: Amount representing interest
    (53 )        
Present value of minimum lease payments
  $ 1,172          
Less: Current portion
    (1,051 )        
Obligations under capital lease, net of current portion
  $ 121          
_______________________
(1) For the three months ending December 31, 2011

 
16

 

Bionovo, Inc
(A Development Stage Company)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – (continued)
 
14.  INCOME TAX

We do not have any unrecognized tax benefits and do not have any accrued interest or penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits, nor was any interest expense recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.  As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we had recorded a full valuation reserve for all of our recognized tax benefits.
 
The U.S. Tax Code limits the annual use of net operating loss and tax credit carry forwards in certain situations where changes occur in stock ownership of a company. Due to the financing that occurred in February of 2011, management believes that a change in control has occurred according to Section 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore, utilization of the Company’s net operating loss would be limited beginning in 2011. Our net operating losses and tax credit carry forwards are more fully described in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. We are subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for all years in which we reported net operating losses that are being carried forward for tax purposes. We do not believe there will be any material changes in our tax positions over the next 12 months.
 
15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the time of filing of these financial statements with the SEC, and has determined that there are no items to disclose.

 
17

 

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements located in this Quarterly Report and in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and other documents filed by us from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Statements made in this Item other than statements of historical fact, including statements about us and our subsidiaries and our respective clinical trials, research programs, product pipeline, current and potential corporate partnerships, licenses and intellectual property, the adequacy of capital reserves and anticipated operating results and cash expenditures, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“the Exchange Act”). As such, they are subject to a number of uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including risks associated with the success of research and product development programs, the issuance and validity of patents, the development and protection of proprietary technologies, the ability to raise capital, operating expense levels and the ability to establish and retain corporate partnerships. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
 
 Overview
 
Bionovo, Inc. was originally incorporated in California in February of 2002.  In March of 2004, it reincorporated in the state of Delaware and in June of 2005 changed its name from Bionovo, Inc. to Bionovo Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.  On April 6, 2005, Bionovo Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. became public through a reverse merger with Lighten Up International, Inc., whereby Lighten Up Enterprises International, Inc. acquired all the outstanding shares of Bionovo Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. in exchange for 8,422,490 restricted shares of its common stock in a reverse triangular merger. The acquisition was accounted for as a reverse merger in which Bionovo Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. was deemed to be the accounting acquirer. The Company operated as Lighten Up Enterprises International, Inc. until June 29, 2005 when the Company assumed the name Bionovo, Inc. The historical financial information presented herein is that of Bionovo Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (as adjusted for any difference in the par value of each entity’s stock with an offset to capital in excess of par value).  Financial information subsequent to the reverse merger is that of the merged entity, Bionovo, Inc.

Bionovo, Inc. is incorporated in the state of Delaware.
 
Reverse Stock Split
 
In August of 2010, we implemented a 1-for-5 reverse split of our common stock to address The Nasdaq Capital Market’s continuing listing requirement that our stock price exceed $1.00. On September 15, 2010, we were informed by The Nasdaq Capital Market that we had resolved such continuing listing deficiency.
 
NASDAQ Notice
 
On March 14, 2011, the Company received a letter from The NASDAQ Stock Market stating that it was not in compliance with NASDAQ listing rules because it failed to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for the last 30 consecutive business days. NASDAQ granted the Company a period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance.  On September 14, 2011, NASDAQ informed us that we had been granted an additional 180 calendar days, or until March 12, 2012 to regain compliance.  We can provide no assurance that we will be able to regain compliance with NASDAQ’s minimum bid price requirement or comply with the continued listing standards in the future.
 
Business
 
We are a clinical stage drug discovery and development company focusing on women’s health and cancer, two large markets with significant unmet needs. Building on our understanding of the biology of menopause and cancer, we design new drugs derived from botanical sources which have novel mechanisms of action. Based on the results of our clinical trials and preclinical studies to date, we believe that we have discovered new classes of drug candidates with the potential to be leaders in their markets.

 
18

 
 
Our lead drug candidate, Menerba (formerly MF-101), represents a new class of receptor sub-type selective estrogen receptor modulator (“SERM”), for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms of menopause, or “hot flashes.” We have designed Menerba to selectively modulate estrogen receptor beta (“ERß”) and we believe it could provide a safe and effective alternative to existing Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved therapies that have been observed to pose a significant risk to women for developing breast cancer, stroke, cardiovascular disease, blood clots and other serious diseases. In preclinical studies, Menerba does not lead to tumor formation in either breast or uterine tissues and it does not increase the risk for clotting. This characteristic, if confirmed in clinical testing, would differentiate Menerba from some existing therapies and other hormone-based therapies in clinical development. We announced the results in 2007 of our completed, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial, involving 217 women, which showed the higher of two Menerba doses tested was well tolerated and resulted in a statistically significant reduction of hot flashes after 12 weeks of treatment. In addition, treatment with the higher dose of Menerba led to a statistically significant reduction in nighttime awakenings when compared to placebo, which represents superior efficacy to existing non-hormonal therapies in development. We are proceeding with further clinical testing at multiple clinical sites in the U.S. We believe that Menerba’s novel mechanism of action could lead to a more favorable safety profile than currently approved hormone therapies (“HT”) and other therapies under development and testing.
 
During the first nine months of 2011, we completed the development of a cGMP manufacturing facility in preparation for the Phase 3 clinical trial of Menerba. We also completed 1.) the production of 10 clinical batches of Menerba, 2.) 13-week animal toxicology studies in rats and dogs evaluating the safety of Menerba and 3.) enrollment to a tolerability clinical trial assessing the safety and tolerability of higher doses of Menerba.  On October 26, 2011, we announced that we began enrollment for the Menerba Phase 3 clinical trial.
 
Although we are focusing our resources primarily on the development of Menerba, we have a diverse pipeline of additional clinical and preclinical drug candidates in both women’s health and cancer, which we may pursue if additional funding becomes available. As part of our pipeline, we are developing BezielleTM, an oral anticancer agent for advanced breast cancer. Unlike most other anticancer drugs and drug candidates, which try to control cancer through genomic and proteomic signaling pathways, Bezielle is designed to take advantage of a unique metabolism of cancer cells, with a well-characterized mechanism of action which leads to very selective tumor cell DNA damage and the death of cancer cells, without lasting harm to normal cells. This is accomplished by Bezielle’s secondary inhibition of glycolysis, a metabolic pathway on which cancer cells rely for energy production. Glycolysis inhibition leads to energy collapse in the cells and results in death of cancer cells. Since normal cells do not rely for the most part on glycolysis for energy production, they are not killed by Bezielle. Based on our clinical and pre-clinical studies, we believe that Bezielle may have a preferential effect on hormone-independent cancers, a subset with few treatment options. To date, 48 women with metastatic breast cancer have been treated with Bezielle in two separate Phase 1 clinical trials. As predicted by the mechanism of action, Bezielle had very limited toxicities with an extremely favorable tolerability profile. Moreover, Bezielle showed encouraging clinical activity among a cohort of women with metastatic breast cancer who had been heavily pretreated with other regimens. A Phase 2 trial has been approved by the FDA and the institutional review boards (“IRBs”) at several prestigious breast cancer clinical sites in the U.S. We will need to obtain additional funding to commence this open-label, non-randomized trial in 80 women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer who have failed no more than two prior chemotherapy regimens. We believe that Bezielle’s novel mechanism of action and favorable tolerability profile could lead to preferential use over existing drugs in the treatment of advanced breast cancer, and potentially in the broader, adjuvant care of breast cancer. We also plan to evaluate Bezielle for the treatment of other forms of cancer, including pancreatic cancer and adjuvant use in breast cancer.
 
We have also prepared an investigational new drug, or IND, application and plan to initiate a Phase 1 trial for our second women’s health drug candidate, SealaTM (formerly VG101), for the treatment of post-menopausal vulvar and vaginal atrophy, or “vaginal dryness.” We have identified or begun preclinical work on other drug candidates for a variety of indications within women’s health and cancer. We have internally discovered and developed all of our drug candidates using our proprietary biological and chemical techniques.

 
19

 
 
Our drug development process utilizes botanical sources, used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, believed to produce biologically active compounds. We apply our clinical knowledge, experience with natural compounds and knowledge of proper scientific screening tools to isolate and purify botanical compounds and extracts for pharmaceutical development. In June 2004, the FDA released a document to provide drug developers with guidance on the development of botanical drugs. This guidance states that applicants may submit reduced documentation of nonclinical (preclinical) safety to support an investigational new drug application for initial clinical studies of botanicals that have been legally marketed in the U.S. and/or a foreign country as dietary supplements without raising any known safety concerns. The first botanical extract drug developed pursuant to these guidelines was approved by the FDA in October 2006. To date, all of our drug candidates are derived from botanical extracts and are being developed by following this FDA guidance. In addition, we have identified active chemical components underpinning the mechanism of action for all of our drug candidates, and in some cases, we have developed synthetic methods of production.
 
We expect to continue to incur significant operating losses over the next few years, and do not expect to generate profits until and unless Menerba or one of our other drug candidates has been approved and is being marketed with commercial partners. As of September 30, 2011, we had an accumulated deficit of $87.1 million. Historically, we have funded our operations primarily through private placements and public offerings of our capital stock, equipment lease financings, license fees and interest earned on investments.
 
We will need to raise and are pursuing additional funds through grants, strategic collaborations, public or private equity or debt financing, commercial licensing agreements for our products or other funding sources. This funding may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all, and may be dilutive to shareholder interests.
 
Development Stage Company
 
We have not generated any significant revenue since inception. The accompanying financial statements have, therefore, been prepared using the accounting formats prescribed for a development stage enterprise (“DSE”). Although we have recognized some nominal amount of revenue, we still believe we are devoting, substantially, all our efforts on developing the business and, therefore, still qualify as a DSE.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The accompanying discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses, and related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate these estimates, including those related to clinical trial accruals, income taxes (including the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets), and share-based compensation. Estimates are based on historical experience, information received from third parties and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could therefore differ materially from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
 
We consider the following accounting policies related to revenue recognition, clinical trial accruals, share-based compensation, income tax and research and development expenses to be the most critical accounting policies, because they require us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Our revenues are derived from collaborative research and development arrangements, technology licenses, and government grants and contracts.

 
20

 
 
Revenue is recognized when the four basic criteria of revenue recognition are met: (i) a contractual agreement exists; (ii) transfer of technology has been completed or services have been rendered; (iii) the fee is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.
 
Revenue from technology licenses or other payments under collaborative agreements where we have a continuing obligation to perform is recognized as revenue over the expected period of the continuing performance obligation.
 
 Revenue from government contracts is recognized on a qualified cost reimbursement basis.  Revenue from grants received on a refundable tax credit basis is recognized when awarded.
 
Accruals
 
As part of the process of preparing financial statements, we are required to estimate accrued expenses. This process involves communicating with our applicable personnel to identify services that have been performed on our behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when we have not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of actual cost. The majority of our service providers invoice us monthly in arrears for services performed. We make estimates of our accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date in our financial statements based on facts and circumstances known to us. We periodically confirm the accuracy of our estimates with selected service providers and make adjustments, if necessary. Examples of estimated accrued expenses include:
 
 
·
fees paid to contract research organizations in connection with preclinical and toxicology studies and clinical trials;
 
·
fees paid to investigative sites in connection with clinical trials;
 
·
fees paid to contract manufacturers in connection with the production of clinical trial materials; and
 
·
professional service fees.
 
We base our expenses related to clinical trials on our estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with multiple research institutions and clinical research organizations that conduct and manage clinical trials on our behalf. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. Payments under some of these contracts depend on factors such as the successful enrollment of patients and the completion of clinical trial milestones. In accruing service fees, we estimate the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period. If we do not identify costs that we have begun to incur or if we underestimate or overestimate the level of services performed or the costs of these services, our actual expenses could differ from our estimates.
 
Warrant Liability
 
In October of 2010 and February of 2011, we issued warrants to purchase our common shares in connection with a registered direct offering and an underwritten public offering, respectively.  The Company accounted for these warrants as a liability measured at fair value due to a provision included in the warrant agreement that provides the warrant holders with an option to require the Company (or its successor) to purchase their warrants for cash in an amount equal to their Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model (the “Black-Scholes Model”) value, in the event of a change in control of the Company. The fair value of the warrant liability is estimated using the Black-Scholes Model which requires inputs such as the expected term of the warrants, share price volatility and risk-free interest rate. These assumptions are reviewed on a quarterly basis and changes in the estimated fair value of the outstanding warrants are recognized each reporting period in “Change in fair value of warrant liability” line item under other income (expense) category in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
Share-Based Compensation
 
Share-based compensation granted to employees and consultants is recorded based on the fair value at the time of grant. The fair value of stock options and warrants is calculated using the Black-Scholes pricing method on the date of grant. This option valuation model requires input of highly subjective assumptions. Because employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in our management’s opinion, the existing model does not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of fair value of our employee stock options.

 
21

 
 
Income Tax
 
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and the California state jurisdiction. To date, we have not been audited by the Internal Revenue Service or any state income tax jurisdiction. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to the underpayment of income taxes as a component of income tax expense. As of September 30, 2011, there have been no interest or penalties charged to us in relation to the underpayment of income taxes.
 
We generated net losses since inception through the year ended December 31, 2010, and accordingly did not record a provision for federal income taxes. Deferred tax assets of $28.8 million as of December 31, 2010 were primarily comprised of federal and state tax net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards. Due to uncertainties surrounding our ability to continue to generate future taxable income to realize these tax assets, a full valuation allowance has been established to offset our deferred tax assets. Additionally, the future utilization of our NOL carry-forwards to offset future taxable income may be subject to an annual limitation as a result of ownership changes that may have occurred previously or that could occur in the future. If necessary, the deferred tax assets will be reduced by any carryforwards that expire prior to utilization as a result of such limitations, with a corresponding reduction of the valuation allowance.
 
Due to the financing that occurred in February of 2011, management believes a change in control has occurred according to Section 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code.  Therefore, utilization of the Company’s net operating loss would be limited beginning in 2011.
 
Research and Development Activities
 
Research and development costs are charged to expense when incurred. The major components of research and development costs include clinical manufacturing costs, pre-clinical and clinical trial expenses, consulting and other third-party costs, salaries and employee benefits, share-based compensation expense, supplies and materials, and facilities costs.
 
Our cost accruals for clinical trials are based on estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with numerous clinical trial sites and clinical research organizations. In the normal course of business we contract with third parties to perform various clinical trial activities in the on-going development of potential products. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation and variation from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. Payments under the contracts depend on factors such as the achievement of certain events, the successful enrollment of patients, and the completion of portions of the clinical trial or similar conditions. The objective of our accrual policy is to match the recording of expenses in our financial statements to the actual services received and efforts expended. As such, expense accruals related to clinical trials are recognized based on our estimate of the degree of completion of the event or events specified in the specific clinical study or trial contract. We monitor service provider activities to the extent possible; however, if we underestimate activity levels associated with various studies at a given point in time, we could record significant research and development expenses in future periods.
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we incurred research and development expenses of $5.6 million and $15.0 million, respectively compared with $3.7 million and $10.8 million for the same periods in 2010. We expect that research and development expenses will continue to increase as we continue our development of Menerba, Bezielle and other drug candidates and initiate our Menerba Phase 3 clinical trial.
 
Most of our product development programs are at an early stage. Accordingly, the successful development of our product candidates is highly uncertain and may not result in approved products. Completion dates and completion costs can vary significantly for each product candidate and are difficult to predict. Product candidates that may appear promising at early stages of development may not reach the market for a number of reasons.

 
22

 
 
Product candidates may be found ineffective or cause harmful side effects during clinical trials, may take longer to progress through clinical trials than anticipated, may fail to receive necessary regulatory approvals and may prove impracticable to manufacture in commercial quantities at a reasonable cost and with acceptable quality. The lengthy process of seeking FDA approvals requires the expenditure of substantial resources. Any failure by us to obtain, or any delay in obtaining regulatory approvals could adversely affect our product development efforts. Because of these risks and uncertainties, we cannot predict when or whether we will successfully complete the development of our product candidates or the ultimate product development cost or whether we will obtain any approval required by the FDA on a timely basis, if at all.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June of 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income.”  The amendments in this ASU require an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity.  ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted.  We have not chosen to early adopt the provisions of this Update.  The future adoption of this update is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In May of 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and disclosure Requirements in U. S. GAAP & IFRS,” which results in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS.  Consequently, the amendments change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements.  ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The future adoption of ASU 2011-04 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 
23

 

Results of Operations

Revenues

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Change in
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Change in
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
%
 
   
(1,000's)
   
(1,000's)
         
(1,000's)
   
(1,000's)
       
Revenues
  $ 149     $ 68       119 %   $ 214     $ 82       161 %
 
All revenue recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, was earned under a grant from the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) awarded in 2010.  An additional $51,000 is available under the grant.  During the nine months ended September 31, 2010, we recognized $68,000 under the NIH grant and the remaining revenue related to limited research services provided to one customer and was not significant to our operations as a whole.

Research and Development Expenses

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Change in
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Change in
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
%
 
   
(1,000's)
   
(1,000's)
         
(1,000's)
   
(1,000's)
       
Research and development expenses
  $ 5,609     $ 3,673       53 %   $ 14,999     $ 10,807       39 %
 
Research and development (“R&D”) expenses reflect costs for the development of drugs and include salaries, contractor and consultant fees and other support costs, including employee stock-based compensation expense. The increase in R&D expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010 represent costs associated with the start-up of our cGMP manufacturing facility in Hayward, California in preparation for the Phase 3 clinical trial of Menerba. The Company also completed 1.) the production of ten clinical batches of Menerba, 2.) 13-week animal toxicology studies evaluating the safety of Menerba and 3.) the enrollment to a tolerability clinical trial assessing the safety and tolerability of higher doses of Menerba.  In addition, we recognized approximately $0.7 million in stock compensation expense related to options granted to R&D employees in May 2011.
 
We lease 4,315 square feet of laboratory space in Colorado, wherein our analytical laboratories are housed.  The lease term expired in April of 2011 and the lease was extended on a month-to-month basis.  We are currently relocating the Colorado operations to our new facility in Hayward, California.  Costs incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2011 were approximately $51,000.  We do not expect the total moving expenses to be material to our operations as a whole.
 
On October 26, 2011, we announced that we began enrollment for the Menerba Phase 3 clinical trial and we anticipate that R&D expenses will increase as the trial progresses.
 
General and Administrative Expenses

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Change in
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Change in
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
%
 
   
(1,000's)
   
(1,000's)
         
(1,000's)
   
(1,000's)
       
General and administrative expense
  $ 769     $ 987       -22 %   $ 2,694     $ 2,627       3 %
 
General and administrative (“G&A”) expense includes personnel costs for finance, administration, information systems, marketing, professional fees as well as facilities expenses. We do not currently have any dedicated sales support or marketing personnel. Marketing and communications expenses include public relations related to our drug development and clinical trials, participation in conventions and tradeshows, and website related expenses. The decrease in G&A expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, is primarily due to approximately $0.2 million in costs recognized in 2010 for unsuccessful financing efforts.

 
24

 

Other Income (Expense)

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(1,000's)
   
(1,000's)
   
(1,000's)
   
(1,000's)
 
Other income (expense):
                       
Change in fair value of warrant liability
  $ 2,316     $ -     $ 4,017     $ -  
Interest income
    6       2       24       16  
Interest expense
    (24 )     (9 )     (77 )     (33 )
Other expense, net
    -       (28 )     3       (39 )
Total other income (expense)
  $ 2,298     $ (35 )   $ 3,967     $ (56 )
 
The change in fair value of warrant liability during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 is due to the remeasurement of our warrant liability at March 31, 2011, June 30, 2011 and September 30, 2011 and was driven by fluctuations in our stock price.  We did not have any warrant liabilities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
Interest expense includes interest expense from lease agreements for laboratory equipment and two notes payable to finance $0.2 million of leasehold improvements.  The increase in interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared with the same periods of 2010 is due to the addition of new commitments for additional leased laboratory equipment.
 
Income Taxes
 
We anticipate losses for the current fiscal year and no income tax provision for the current quarter has been provided. In addition, we have substantial net operating loss carry forwards available to offset future taxable income, if any, for federal and state income tax purposes. Our ability to utilize our net operating losses may be limited due to changes in our ownership as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Since our inception, we have incurred losses, and we have relied primarily on leasing, public and private financing to fund our operations.
 
As of September 30, 2011 we had cash, cash equivalents and short term investments of $8.1 million compared to $2.6 million at December 31, 2010. This increase in cash, cash equivalents and short term investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is due to proceeds of $27.2 million from our public offering of February 2011 partially offset by net cash used in operating activities of $13.4 million, $6.9 million in expenditures for capital assets, $0.5 million in expenditures for patent costs and $0.9 million in payments on our capital lease agreements and notes payable.
 
Net cash used in investing activities was $14.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $12.6 million during the same period in 2010. Cash used in net short-term investment activities was $6.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to cash provided by net short-term investment activities of $13.0 million during the same period in 2010.  In 2011, we invested proceeds from our February 2011 financing in short-term investments whereas during the first nine months of 2010 we used the proceeds from short-term investments to fund operations. Expenditures for capital assets were $6.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared with $1.2 million for the same period of 2010.  The increase in spending on capital assets in 2011 was due to laboratory equipment purchases to support the start-up of our cGMP manufacturing facility in Hayward, California.

 
25

 

Net cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was primarily attributable to approximately $27.2 million in net proceeds from our 2011 public offering.
 
Financing Transactions
 
On February 2, 2011, we closed an underwritten public offering and issued 30,031,200 shares of our common stock and 15,015,600 warrants at a price of $1.00 per unit, with each unit including one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase one half of one share of our common stock.  The warrants are exercisable any time after the closing date and will expire five years from the date of issuance.  The warrants contain a provision that provides the warrant holders with an option to require us to purchase their warrants for cash in an amount equal to their Black-Scholes Model value, in the event of a change in control of the Company.  The offering produced approximately $27.2 million, net of financing costs.
 
Going Concern
 
We will need to obtain substantial amounts of cash to achieve our objectives of internally developing drugs, which may take many years and potentially significantly more amounts of cash to develop. If we decide to market and commercialize any other drug candidate independently or with a partner, we may need to invest heavily in associated manufacturing, marketing and commercialization costs. Such costs will be substantial and some will need to be incurred prior to receiving marketing approval. We do not currently have adequate internal liquidity to meet these objectives in the long term. To do so, we will need to continue our partnering activities and look to other external sources of liquidity, including the public and private financial markets and strategic partners.
 
The length of time that our current cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and any available borrowings will sustain our operations will be based on, among other things, our prioritization decisions regarding funding for our programs, our progress in our clinical and earlier-stage programs, the time and costs related to current and future clinical trials and regulatory decisions, our research, development, manufacturing and commercialization costs (including personnel costs), the progress in our collaborations, costs associated with intellectual property, our capital expenditures, and costs associated with securing any future licensing opportunities.  Without substantial reductions or eliminations of our development programs, we do not expect that our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our operating and capital needs for the next six months following September 30, 2011.
 
As of September 30, 2011, we had an accumulated deficit of $87.1 million, working capital deficit of $2.4 million and total shareholders’ equity of $11.6 million.
 
Notes Payable
 
In connection with the move to our new headquarters, we financed leasehold improvements under two notes payable with the lessor of the building.  The first note of $100,000 bears interest at 9.5% and is payable in monthly payments of interest and principal amounting to approximately $1,000 beginning May 1, 2009 and continuing over the remaining lease term with a due date of December 31, 2018.  The second note of $104,000 was paid in full in July of 2011.  The future minimum payments as of September 30, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

 
26

 
 
   
Notes Payable
 
2011 (1)
  $ 4  
2012
    16  
2013
    16  
2014
    16  
2015
    16  
Thereafter
    47  
Total minimum payments
  $ 115  
Less: Amount representing interest
    (32 )
Present value of minimum payments
  $ 83  
Less: Current portion
    (8 )
Long-term portion of notes payable
  $ 75  
_______________________
(1) For the three months ending December 31, 2011
 
Commitments and Contingencies
 
Our contractual obligations and future minimum lease payments that are non-cancelable at September 30, 2011 are disclosed in the following table (in thousands).

   
Total
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
2015
   
2016 and
beyond
 
Contractual obligations
  $ 177     $ 177     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Operating lease obligations
    25,774       543       2,390       2,669       3,103       3,294       13,775  
Notes payable
    115       4       16       16       16       16       47  
Capital lease obligations
    1,225       275       905       45       -       -       -  
Total contractual commitments
  $ 27,291     $ 999     $ 3,311     $ 2,730     $ 3,119     $ 3,310     $ 13,822  
 
Off-Balance Sheet Financings and Liabilities

Other than contractual obligations incurred in the normal course of business, we do not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements or liabilities, guarantee contracts, retained or contingent interests in transferred assets or any obligation arising out of a material variable interest in an unconsolidated entity.

 
27

 

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
In the normal course of business, our financial position is routinely subject to a variety of risks, including market risk associated with interest rate movement. We regularly assess these risks and have established policies and business practices intended to protect against these and other exposures. As a result, we do not anticipate material potential losses in these areas.

As of September 30, 2011, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $8.1 million, consisting of cash, cash equivalents and highly liquid short-term investments. Our short-term investments will likely decline by an immaterial amount if market interest rates increase and, therefore, we believe our exposure to interest rate changes is immaterial. Declines of interest rates over time will, however, reduce our interest income from short-term investments.
 
The fair market value of our warrant liability is calculated using the Black-Scholes pricing model which requires inputs such as expected life, expected volatility and risk-free interest rate in addition to the fair value of the Company’s stock as of the measurement date.  Fluctuations in the Company’s stock price may result in significant fluctuations in the fair value of the warrant liability.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures: We have performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2011 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted by us under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
 
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls: We believe that a controls system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and our CEO and our CFO have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective at the “reasonable assurance” level.
 
Changes in internal controls: There were no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
 
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.       LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
None.

 
28

 

ITEM 1a.     RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed on March 16, 2011, except as noted below:
 
If our securities are removed from NASDAQ listing, you may have more difficulty purchasing and selling our common stock.
 
Our securities are currently listed and traded on The NASDAQ Capital Market. To maintain our listing, we must meet NASDAQ’s continued listing standards, including minimum stockholders’ equity, number of stockholders, and bid price. As previously disclosed in our filings with the SEC, on March 14, 2011, the Company received a letter from The NASDAQ Stock Market stating that it was not in compliance with NASDAQ listing rules because it failed to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for the last 30 consecutive business days. NASDAQ granted the Company a period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance.  On September 14, 2011, NASDAQ informed us that we had been granted an additional 180 calendar days, or until March 12, 2012 to regain compliance.  We can provide no assurance that we will be able to regain compliance with NASDAQ’s minimum bid price requirement or comply with the continued listing standards in the future. If we are delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market, we may not be able to secure listing on other exchanges or quotation systems. As a result, investors may have less liquidity and more difficulty purchasing and selling shares of our common stock, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

We have incurred losses in the research and development of our product candidates since inception. No assurance can be given that we will ever generate revenue or become profitable.
 
Since inception we have sustained recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations. From inception through September 30, 2011, we have a deficit accumulated during the development stage of approximately $87.1 million, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we experienced a net loss of approximately $13.5 million. In addition, we expect to incur increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future as we continue to incur costs for research and development and clinical trials, and in other development activities. Our ability to generate revenue and achieve profitability depends upon our ability, alone or with others, to complete the development of our proposed products, obtain the required regulatory approvals and manufacture, market and sell our proposed products. Development is costly and requires significant investment. In addition, we may be required to obtain licenses to patents or proprietary rights of others. Fees associated with licenses may increase our costs. We cannot assure you that any licenses required under any such patents or proprietary rights would be made available on terms acceptable to us or at all. If we do not obtain such licenses, we could encounter delays in product market introductions while we attempt to design around such patents, or could find that the development, manufacture, or sale of products requiring such licenses could be foreclosed.
 
As we continue to engage in the development of Menerba and develop other products there can be no assurance that we will ever be able to achieve or sustain market acceptance, profitability or positive cash flow. Our ultimate success will depend on many factors, including whether Menerba receives FDA approval. We cannot be certain that we will receive FDA approval for Menerba, or that we will reach the level of sales and revenues necessary to achieve and sustain profitability. Unless we raise additional capital, we will not be able to execute our business plan or fund business operations. Furthermore, we will be forced to reduce our expenses and cash expenditures to a material extent, which would impair or delay our ability to execute our business plan

We require substantial additional capital to continue development of our product candidates, which may not be available on commercially acceptable terms. We cannot be certain that funds will be available and, if they are not available, we may not be able to continue as a going concern which may result in actions that could adversely impact our stockholders.
 
In order to continue development of our product candidates, we need to raise significant additional funds. This may occur through future public or private financings and/or strategic alliance and licensing arrangements. We expect to continue to spend substantial funds in connection with:

 
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·         development and manufacturing of our product candidates, particularly Menerba
 
 
·         various clinical trials for our product candidates; and
 
 
·         protection of our intellectual property.

          We do not expect that our cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our operating and capital needs for the next six months following September 30, 2011. Sufficient additional financing through future public or private financings, strategic alliance and licensing arrangements or other financing sources may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Additional equity financings could result in significant dilution or otherwise adverse effects on the rights of existing shareholders. If we are not successful in our efforts to raise additional funds by the end of 2011, we will be required to delay, reduce the scope of, or eliminate one or more of our development programs and may be required to discontinue operations.

ITEM 2.       UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3.       DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.       Removed and reserved.

ITEM 5.       OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 
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ITEM 6.       EXHIBITS

Exhibit
   
Number
   
     
3.1
 
Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant dated as of June 27, 2005. (1)
3.2
 
Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant dated May 9, 2007. (2)
3.3
 
Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant dated July 7, 2010. (3)
3.4*
 
Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant dated August 27, 2010.
3.5
 
Amended and Restated By-Laws of the registrant. (4)
31.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS**
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.LAB**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
101.DEF**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Document
 

 
Filed herewith
 
** 
Furnished herewith
 
(1) 
Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2, as amended, initially filed with the SEC on July 5, 2005.
 
(2) 
Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 10, 2007.
 
(3) 
Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on July 16, 2010.
 
(4) 
Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 7, 2008.

 
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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 on the 10th day of November 2011.

BIONOVO, INC.
   
By:
/s/ Isaac Cohen
 
Isaac Cohen
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
   
By:
/s/ Thomas Chesterman
 
Thomas Chesterman
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
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