UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-K/A
(Amendment No. 1)

(Mark One)

x                                 ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007

OR

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


For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number: 001-31326

SENESCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

84-1368850

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

303 George Street, Suite 420, New Brunswick, New Jersey

08901

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

 

(732) 296-8400

 

 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

 

None

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

 

American Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act:

None.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes     o                No    x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act .         Yes     o        No     x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.       Yes     x                No    o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer      o Accelerated filer o     Non-accelerated filer x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).                          Yes o            No x

                As of September 15, 2007, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $11,337,784, based on the closing sales price as reported on the American Stock Exchange on that date.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of September 15, 2007:

 

Class

 

Number of Shares

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

 

17,473,694

 

The following documents are incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A:  None.


Explanatory Note

 

We are filing this Amended and Restated Annual Report on Form 10-K of Senesco Technologies, Inc. (the “Form 10-K”) to include the information required by Part III of the Form 10-K as we no longer anticipate filing our proxy statement for the 2007 annual meeting, within 120 days of June 30, 2007.  With the exception of the inclusion of information required by Part III, no information contained in this Form 10-K has been changed.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

PART I

1.

Business

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1A.

Risk Factors

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Properties

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Legal Proceedings

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

PART II

5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.

Selected Financial Data

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.

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

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

9A.

Controls and Procedures

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

9B.

Other Information

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

PART III

10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.

Executive Compensation

 

55

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

73

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

 

75

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

79

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

83

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

83

 

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

F-1

 

 

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PART I

Item 1.                    Business.

Our Business

The primary business of Senesco Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1999, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Senesco, Inc., a New Jersey corporation incorporated in 1998, collectively referred to as “Senesco,” “we,” “us” or “our,” is to utilize our patented and patent-pending genes, primarily eucaryotic translation initiation Factor 5A, or Factor 5A, and deoxyhypusine synthase, or DHS, in human health applications to:

                  Develop novel approaches to treat inflammatory and / apoptotic related diseases in humans;

                  Develop novel approaches to treat cancer, a group of diseases in which apoptosis does not occur normally; and

Factor 5A, DHS and Lipase in agricultural applications, to enhance the quality and productivity of fruits, flowers, and vegetables and agronomic crops through the control of cell death, referred to as senescence, and growth in plants.

Human Health Applications

We believe that our gene technology could have broad applicability in the human health field, by either inhibiting or accelerating apoptosis.  Inhibiting apoptosis may be useful in preventing or treating a wide range of inflammatory and ischemic diseases attributed to premature apoptosis.  Accelerating apoptosis may be useful in treating certain forms of cancer. We have commenced preclinical in-vivo and in-vitro research to determine the ability of Factor 5A to regulate key execution genes, pro-inflammatory cytokines, receptors, and transcription factors, which are implicated in numerous apoptotic diseases.

Certain preclinical human health results to date include:

                  Increasing median survival by approximately 250% in a tumor model of mice injected with melanoma cancer cells;

                  Inducing apoptosis in both human cancer cell lines derived from tumors and in lung tumors in mice;

                  Inducing apoptosis of cancer cells in a human multiple myeloma cell line;

                  Measuring VEGF reduction in mouse lung tumors as a result of treatment with our genes;

                  Reducing the amounts of p24 and IL-8 by approximately 50 percent in an HIV-1 infected human cell line;

                  Increasing the survival, while maintaining functionality, of mouse pancreatic islet cells isolated for transplantation; preliminary animal studies have shown that siRNA to Factor 5A administered prior to harvesting beta islet cells from a mouse, has a significant impact not only on the survival of the beta islet cells, but also on the retention of the cells functionality when compared to the untreated beta islet cells.  Additional studies have

 

 

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also shown that the treated beta islet cells survive a pro-inflammatory cytokine challenge, while maintaining their functionality with respect to insulin levels.

                  Confirmed protection during pro-inflammatory cytokine challenge.

                  Demonstrating that the efficacy of our technology is comparable to that of existing approved anti-inflammatory prescription drugs in reducing certain inflammatory cytokines in mice;

                  Increasing the survival rate of mice in a lethal challenge sepsis model.  Additionally, a broad spectrum of systemic pro-inflammatory cytokines were down-regulated;

 

Inhibiting Apoptosis

We believe that down-regulation of our proprietary Factor 5A gene may have potential application as a means for controlling a broad range of diseases that are attributable to premature apoptosis, ischemia, or inflammation. Apoptotic diseases include glaucoma, heart disease, and certain inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease, sepsis and rheumatoid arthritis, among others.  We have commenced preclinical research on a variety of these diseases. Using small inhibitory RNAs, or siRNAs, against the apoptosis isoform of Factor 5A to inhibit its expression, we have reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine formation and formation of receptors for liposolysaccharide, or LPS, interferon gamma and TNF-alpha.  We have also determined that inhibiting the apoptosis isoform of Factor 5A down-regulates MAPK, NFkB and JAK1 and decreases the pro-inflammatory cytokines formed through these pathways.  Additionally, we have shown in a mouse study that our siRNA is comparable to a steroid and to a prescription anti-TNF drug in its ability to reduce cytokine response to LPS.  In-vivo mouse studies have shown that the siRNA against Factor 5A (i) protects thymocyte cells from apoptosis and decreases formation of myeloperoxidase, or MPO, TNF, MIP-1alpha, and IL-1 in the lungs of mice challenged with LPS; and (ii) increases the survival rate in which sepsis was induced by a lethal injection of LPS and reduced blood serum levels of inflammatory proteins, such as IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, TNFa, IFNg, and MIP-1alpha, while not effecting IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine.  The siRNA’s against Factor 5A are currently being tested in several preclinical in-vivo inflammatory disease models.  Other experiments utilizing siRNA to Factor 5A include inhibition of cell death, or apoptosis, during the processing of mouse pancreatic beta islet cells for transplantation, and the inhibition of viral replication in a human cell line infected with HIV-1.

Proteins required for cell death include p53, interleukins and other cytokines, caspases, and TNF-a. Expression of these cell death proteins is required for the execution of apoptosis.  We have found that downregulating Factor 5A by treatment with siRNA, inhibits the expression of p53, a major cell death transcription factor that in turn controls the formation of a suite of other cell death proteins.  In addition, down-regulation of Factor 5A up-regulates Bcl-2, a major suppressor of apoptosis.

Accelerating Apoptosis

In preclinical studies, we have also established that up-regulation of Factor 5A isoform induces death in cancer cells through both the p53 (intrinsic) and cell death receptor (extrinsic) apoptotic pathways. Tumors arise when cells that have been targeted by the immune system to

 

 

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undergo apoptosis are unable to do so because of an inability to activate the apoptotic pathways. Just as the Factor 5A gene appears to facilitate expression of the entire suite of genes required for programmed cell death in plants, the Factor 5A gene appears to regulate expression of a suite of genes required for programmed cell death in human cells. Because the Factor 5A gene appears to function at the initiation point of the apoptotic pathways, both intrinsic and extrinsic, we believe that our gene technology has potential application as a means of combating a broad range of cancers.  Through in in-vitro studies, we have found that up-regulating Factor 5A results in: the up-regulation of p53, an important tumor suppressor gene that promotes apoptosis in cells with damaged DNA; inflammatory cytokine production; increased cell death receptor formation; and caspase activity.  These features, coupled with a simultaneous down-regulation Bcl-2, a suppressor of apoptosis, result in apoptosis of cancer cells.  In addition, in-vitro studies have shown that up-regulation of Factor 5A also down-regulates VEGF, a growth factor which allows tumors to develop additional vascularization needed for growth beyond a small mass of cells.

 

Human Health Target Markets

We believe that our gene technology could have broad applicability in the human health field, by either inhibiting or accelerating apoptosis.  Inhibiting apoptosis may be useful in preventing or treating a wide range of inflammatory and ischemic diseases attributed to premature apoptosis, including diabetes, diabetic retinopathy and lung inflammation, among others.  Accelerating apoptosis may be useful in treating certain forms of cancer because the body’s immune system is not able to force cancerous cells to undergo apoptosis.

Our preclinical research has yielded data that we have presented to various biopharmaceutical companies that may be prospective licensees for the development and marketing of potential applications of our technology.  Additionally, we plan on using the proceeds of our recent financing to advance a certain cancer target with the goal of initiating a Phase I clinical trial, and may select additional human health indications, to bring into clinical trials on our own. Successful future operations will depend on our ability to transform our research and development activities into a commercially feasible technology.

 

Human Health Research Program

Our human health research program, which has consisted of pre-clinical in-vitro and in-vivo experiments designed to assess the role and method of action of the Factor 5A genes in human diseases, is performed by approximately 16 third party researchers, at our direction, at the University of Waterloo, Mayo Clinic, the University of Colorado, the University of Virginia, and the University of Florida.

Our research and development expenses incurred on human health applications were approximately 42% and 48% of our total research and development expenses for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Since inception, the proportion of research and development expenses on human health applications has increased, as compared to agricultural applications.  This change is primarily due to the fact that our research focus on human health has increased and some of our research costs for plant applications have shifted to our research partners.

 

 

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Our planned future pre-clinical research and development initiatives for human health include:

                  Pancreatic Islets isolated for transplantation.  Additional in vitro experiments will involve moving from mouse beta islet cells to human beta islet cells.  The human cells will be tested for survival and functionality, insulin activity post processing and cytokine challenge.

                  HIV-1.  We will continue in-vitro studies utilizing different siRNA delivery systems in order to increase the transfection efficiency of the siRNA to Factor 5A to determine further decreases in HIV replication and may seek animal models to test.

                  Multiple Myeloma.  The next set of multiple myeloma experiments will involve a mouse model system and may include optimizing the delivery of Factor 5A.  In-vitro experiments will continue with myeloma cells in order to maximize the transfection efficiency while concurrently elucidating the most effective post-translation form of Factor 5A to employ.

                  Delivery Systems.  We are evaluating a number of delivery systems in an effort to maximize the efficacy of Factor 5A.

                  Lung Inflammation.  Optimization of the delivery and dose of the siRNA to Factor 5A to the lungs is the direction of our planned future experiments.  Mouse model systems may be used to evaluate the siRNA to Factor 5A’s ability to reduce morbidity and mortality in lung inflammation, caused by the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by pathogens and other stresses to the lungs.

                  Diabetic Retinopathy.  Based upon the review of data from an ongoing siRNA against Factor 5A diabetic rat experiment, we may be conducting a second round of experiments, which will employ siRNA against Factor 5A in order to decrease pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.

                  Other.  We will continue to look at other disease states in order to determine the role of Factor 5A.

 

Additionally, we are planning to advance a certain cancer target toward a Phase I clinical trial. In connection with the potential clinical trial, we will be working towards engaging a clinical research organization to assist us through the process, completing a pre-clinical animal model of the disease and evaluating potential delivery systems for our technology in the animal model, contracting for the supply of pharmaceutical grade materials to be used in toxicology and human studies, and ultimately filing an investigational new drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their review and consideration in order to initiate a clinical trial.  We estimate that it will take approximately two years to complete this program.

 

In order to pursue the above research initiatives, as well as other research initiatives that may arise, we have recently completed private placements of $10 million of convertible debentures.  The proceeds from the private placements will be received upon the occurrence of the following corporate and development milestones:

                  $1.5 million was received on September 21, 2007, less financing costs;

                  $1.5 million upon our filing of a registration statement;

 

 

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                  $2.0 million upon the later of stockholder approval of the private placement or the filing of the registration statement;

                  $2.0 million upon the later of stockholder approval of the private placement or the effectiveness of the registration statement;

                  $1.5 million on the date that we enter into a supply agreement with a third party manufacturer for sufficient quantity and quality of nano-particle for encapsulation of Factor 5A gene to be used in toxicology and proof of concept human studies;

                  $1.5 million on the date that we enter into a supply agreement with a third party manufacturer to provide sufficient quantity and quality of Factor 5A DNA to carry out toxicology and proof of concept human studies under a FDA accepted investigational new drug application.

However, it may be necessary for us to raise a significant amount of additional working capital in the future to continue to pursue some of the above and new initiatives.  If we are unable to raise the necessary funds or meet the corporate and scientific milestones provided for in the convertible debentures, we may be required to significantly curtail the future development of some of our research initiatives and we will be unable to pursue other possible research initiatives.

 

We may further expand our research and development program beyond the initiatives listed above to include other research centers.

 

Human Health Competition

 

Our competitors in human health that are presently attempting to distribute their technology have generally utilized one of the following distribution channels:

 

                  licensing technology to major marketing and distribution partners;

                  entering into strategic alliances; or

                  developing in-house production and marketing capabilities.

In addition, some competitors are owned by established distribution companies, which alleviates the need for strategic alliances, while others are attempting to create their own distribution and marketing channels.

 

There are many large and development stage companies working in the field of apoptosis research including: Amgen; Centocor; Genzyme; OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Novartis; Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.; Genta, Inc.; and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., among others.

 

Agricultural Applications

 

Our research focuses on the discovery and development of certain gene technologies, which are designed to confer positive traits on fruits, flowers, vegetables, forestry species and agronomic crops.  To date, we have isolated and characterized the senescence-induced Lipase gene, DHS, and Factor 5A in certain species of plants. Our goal is to modulate the expression of these genes in order to achieve such traits as extended shelf life, increased biomass, increased

 

 

5



 

yield and increased resistance to environmental stress and disease, thereby demonstrating proof of concept in each category of crop.

Certain agricultural results to date include:

                  Longer shelf life of perishable produce;

                  Increased biomass and seed yield;

                  Greater tolerance to environmental stresses, such as drought and soil salinity;

                  Greater tolerance to certain fungal and bacterial pathogens;

                  More efficient use of fertilizer; and

                  Advancement of field trials in banana, lettuce, trees, and bedding plants.

The technology presently utilized by the industry for increasing the shelf life in certain flowers, fruits and vegetables relies primarily on reducing ethylene biosynthesis, and therefore only has application to the limited number of crops that are ethylene-sensitive.  Because Factor 5A, DHS and lipase are already present in all plant cells, our technology may be incorporated into crops by using either conventional breeding methods (non-genetically modified) or biotechnology gene suppression techniques.

We have licensed this technology to various strategic partners and have entered into a joint venture, and we intend to continue to license this technology to additional strategic partners and/or enter into additional joint ventures.  Together with our commercial partners, we are currently working with lettuce, turfgrass, canola, corn, soybean, cotton, banana, alfalfa, rice and certain species of trees and bedding plants, and we have obtained proof of concept for enhanced post harvest shelf life, seed yield, biomass, and resistance to disease in several of these plants.  We have ongoing field trials of certain trees and bananas with our respective partners.  The first and second round of banana field trials have shown that our technology extends the shelf life of banana fruit by 100%.  In addition to the post harvest shelf life benefits, an additional field trial generated encouraging disease tolerance data specific to Black Sigatoka (Black Leaf Streak Disease), for banana plants. Additional field trials for banana plants are ongoing for Black Sigatoka.  Commercialization by our partners may require a combination of traits in a crop, such as both shelf life and disease resistance, or other traits.  Our near-term research and development initiatives include modulating the expression of DHS and Factor 5A genes in these plants and then propagation and phenotype testing of such plants.

Our ongoing research and development initiatives for agriculture include assisting our license and joint venture partners to:

                  Further develop and implement the DHS and Factor 5A gene technology in lettuce, melon, banana, canola, cotton, turfgrass, bedding plants, rice, alfalfa, corn, soybean and trees; and

                  Test the resultant crops for new beneficial traits such as increased yield, increased tolerance to environmental stress, disease resistance and more efficient use of fertilizer.

 

 

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Agricultural Target Markets

In order to address the complexities associated with marketing and distribution in the worldwide market, we have adopted a multi-faceted commercialization strategy, in which we have entered into and plan to enter into licensing agreements or other strategic relationships with a variety of companies or other entities on a crop-by-crop basis.

 

Because the agricultural market is dominated by privately held companies or subsidiaries of foreign owned companies, market size and market share data for the crops under our license and development agreements is not readily available.  Additionally, because we have entered into confidentiality agreements with our license and development partners, we are unable to report the specific financial terms of the agreements as well as any market size and market share data that our partners may have disclosed to us regarding their companies.

 

 

Agricultural Development and License Agreements

 

In November 2001, we entered into a worldwide exclusive development and license agreement with the Harris Moran Seed Company, referred to herein as the Harris Moran License, to commercialize our technology in lettuce and certain melons for an indefinite term, unless terminated by either party pursuant to the terms of the agreement.  To date, the development steps performed by Harris Moran and us have all been completed in accordance with the protocol set forth in the Harris Moran License.  There has been extensive characterization of our genes in lettuce in a laboratory setting. The initial lab work has produced genetically modified seed under greenhouse containment, which has been followed by substantial field trials for evaluation.  These field trials represent a vital step in the process necessary to develop a commercial product. Together with Harris Moran, we will evaluate all results to date to determine the direction of further research necessary for our work in lettuce and melon.  Under the Harris Moran License, we have received an upfront payment and we may receive benchmark payments upon achievement of certain research and marketing milestones.

 

In June 2002, we entered into a three-year worldwide exclusive development and option agreement with ArborGen, LLC to develop our technology in certain species of trees.  In June 2006, ArborGen exercised their option to license our technology and in December 2006, converted the development and option agreement into a license agreement, referred to herein as the ArborGen Agreement.  To date, the research being conducted by ArborGen has proceeded according to schedule.  ArborGen has seen promising positive growth responses in greenhouse-grown seedlings.  These initial greenhouse data led to the initiation of field trials by ArborGen in the second half of calendar 2004.  At the end of the 2005 growing season, certain trees which were enhanced by our technology had approximately double the increase in volume relative to control trees.  Further field trials are ongoing to support these data and to analyze the growth rates of trees which incorporate our technology. Under the ArborGen Agreement, we have received an upfront payment and benchmark payments and we may receive additional benchmark payments upon achievement of certain development milestones and royalties upon commercialization.

 

 

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In September 2002, we entered into an exclusive development and license agreement with Cal/West Seeds, referred to herein as the Cal/West License, to commercialize our technology in certain varieties of alfalfa.  The Cal/West License will continue until the expiration of the patents set forth in the agreement, unless terminated earlier by either party pursuant to the terms of the agreement.  The Cal/West License also grants Cal/West an exclusive option to develop our technology in various other forage crops.  The Cal/West development effort successfully incorporated our technology into their alfalfa seed as of July 2004.  Seed transformation and greenhouse trait analysis is ongoing.  Under the Cal/West License, we have received an upfront payment and we may receive benchmark payments as certain development milestones are achieved and a royalty upon commercialization based upon the volume of alfalfa seed sold that contains our technology.

 

In March 2004, we entered into an exclusive development and license agreement with The Scotts Company, referred to herein as the Scotts Agreement, to commercialize our technology in turfgrass and certain species of bedding plants.  Scotts is working on incorporating our technology to enhance a variety of traits in these plants, including environmental stress resistance, disease resistance and enhanced bloom properties.  We are collaborating with Scotts in the areas of ornamental bedding plants and turfgrass.  A large-scale greenhouse evaluation of bedding plants is being conducted.  This greenhouse evaluation has shown that the plants with our technology significantly outperform control plants under adverse conditions.  Transformation and initial tissue culture screening of events have been undertaken in turfgrass.  In tissue culture, turfgrass containing our technology has grown more successfully than control turfgrass without our technology.  Greenhouse testing of the grass containing our technology is the next planned development step. Under the Scotts Agreement, we have received an upfront payment and benchmark payments.  In January 2006, the development and license agreement with The Scotts Company was amended. Due to a change in the corporate financial policy at Scotts, Scotts requested to defer certain milestone payments, which were to be made on a calendar basis.  We agreed and these payments have now been deferred and incorporated in the amount to be paid to us upon commercialization.  Additionally, the commercialization fee has been increased.  All other aspects of the agreement remain unchanged, and the project continues to move forward without interruption. We may also receive royalties upon commercialization from the net sales of turfgrass seed and bedding plants containing our technology.

 

In October 2005, we entered into a license agreement with Poet (formerly the Broin Companies) to license our proprietary gene technology to Poet to improve aspects of Broin’s ethanol production capabilities.  We are currently working on incorporating our technology into those aspects of Poet’s ethanol production.  We will receive an annual payment for each Poet facility that incorporates our technology.  If Poet incorporates our technology into each of its facilities, we would receive an annual payment in excess of $1,000,000.

 

On November 8, 2006, we entered into a license agreement with Bayer CropScience GmbH for the development and commercialization of Canola.  Under the terms of the agreement, we received an upfront payment, will receive milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development milestones, and will receive commercialization fees based upon specified benchmarks.

 

 

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On July 17, 2007 we entered into a license agreement with Bayer CropScience AG for the development and commercialization of Cotton.  Under the terms of the agreement, we received an upfront payment, will receive milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development milestones, and additionally, upon commercialization, and a royalty on net sales.

 

On August 6, 2007 we entered into a license agreement with Monsanto for the development and commercialization of Corn and Soy.  Under the terms of the agreement, we received an upfront payment, will receive milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development milestones, and additionally, upon commercialization, and a royalty on net sales.

 

On September 11, 2007 we entered into a license agreement with Bayer CropScience AG for the development and commercialization of Rice.  Under the terms of the agreement, we received an upfront payment, will receive milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development milestones, and additionally, upon commercialization, and a royalty on net sales.

 

Joint Venture

On May 14, 1999, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Rahan Meristem Ltd., or Rahan Meristem, an Israeli company engaged in the worldwide export marketing of banana germplasm, referred to herein as the Rahan Joint VentureIn general, bananas are grown either for local domestic consumption or grown for export.  According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, there were 12 million metric tons of bananas exported in 2002.  The level of production equates to the fruit of approximately 480 million banana plants.  A percentage of these plants are replaced each year with new banana seedlings.  Rahan Meristem accounts for approximately 10% of the worldwide export of enhanced banana seedlings.

We have contributed, by way of a limited, exclusive, worldwide license to the Rahan Joint Venture, access to our technology, discoveries, inventions and know-how, whether patentable or otherwise, pertaining to plant genes and their cognate expressed proteins that are induced during senescence for the purpose of developing, on a joint basis, genetically enhanced banana plants which will result in a banana that has a longer shelf life.  Rahan Meristem has contributed its technology, inventions and know-how with respect to banana plants.  Rahan Meristem and Senesco equally own the Rahan Joint Venture and have equally shared the expense of field trials.

The Rahan Joint Venture applied for and received a conditional grant that totals approximately $340,000, which constituted 50% of the Rahan Joint Venture’s research and development budget over the five-year period, ending on May 31, 2005, from the Israel - U.S. Binational Research and Development Foundation, or BIRD Foundation, referred to herein as the BIRD Grant.  Such grant, along with certain royalty payments, shall only be repaid to the BIRD Foundation upon the commercial success of the Rahan Joint Venture’s technology. The commercial success is measured based upon certain benchmarks and/or milestones achieved by the Rahan Joint Venture.  The Rahan Joint Venture reports these benchmarks periodically to the BIRD Foundation.

 

 

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All aspects of the Rahan Joint Venture’s research and development initiative are proceeding on timeBoth the DHS and lipase genes have been identified and isolated in banana, and the Rahan Joint Venture is currently in the process of silencing these genes.  Two Israeli field trials indicated that Senesco’s proprietary technology extends the shelf life of the banana fruit up to 100%, while allowing the banana fruit to ripen normally.  Later field trials have shown promising disease tolerance results and we are currently performing additional field trials to further assess disease tolerance.  We believe that these field trials have yielded data sufficient to initiate contact with potential marketing partners.  However, as the banana modified with our technology may be considered a GMO, shelf life extension may have to be combined with disease tolerance to gain acceptance by the growers.

 

Agricultural Research Program

Our agricultural research and development is performed by three researchers, at our direction, at the University of Waterloo, where the technology was developed.  Additional agricultural research and development is performed by our partners in connection with the Harris Moran License, the Scotts Agreement, the ArborGen License, the Cal/West License, the Bayer Licenses, the Monsanto License and through the Rahan Joint Venture.

The discoverer of our technology, John E. Thompson, Ph.D., is the Associate Vice President, Research and former Dean of Science at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, and is our Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer.  Dr. Thompson is also one of our directors and owns 3.3% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value, as of June 30, 2007.  On September 1, 1998, we entered into, and subsequently have extended through August 31, 2008, a research and development agreement with the University of Waterloo and Dr. Thompson as the principal inventor.  The Research and Development Agreement provides that the University of Waterloo will perform research and development under our direction, and we will pay for the cost of this work and make certain payments to the University of Waterloo.  In return for payments made under the Research and Development Agreements, we have all rights to the intellectual property derived from the research.

Agricultural Competition

Our competitors in both human health and agriculture that are presently attempting to distribute their technology have generally utilized one of the following distribution channels:

 

                  licensing technology to major marketing and distribution partners;

                  entering into strategic alliances; or

                  developing in-house production and marketing capabilities.

In addition, some competitors are owned by established distribution companies, which alleviates the need for strategic alliances, while others are attempting to create their own distribution and marketing channels.

Our competitors in the field of delaying plant senescence are companies that develop and produce transformed plants with a variety of enhanced traits.  Such companies include: Icora (formerly Paradigm Genetics); Mendel Biotechnology; Renessen LLC; Exelixis Plant Sciences, Inc.; Syngenta International AG; and Eden Bioscience, among others.

 

 

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Agricultural Marketing Program

 

We presently license our technology to agricultural companies capable of incorporating our technology into crops grown for commercial agriculture.  We anticipate revenues from these relationships in the form of licensing fees and royalties from our partners, usage fees in the case of the agreement with Poet, or sharing gross profits in the case of the joint venture with Rahan Meristem.  In addition, we anticipate payments from our partners upon our achievement of certain research and development benchmarks.  This commercialization strategy allows us to generate revenues at various stages of product development, while ensuring that our technology is incorporated into a wide variety of crops.  Our optimal partners combine the technological expertise to incorporate our technology into their product line along with the ability to successfully market the enhanced final product, thereby eliminating the need for us to develop and maintain a sales force.  Through June 30, 2007, we have entered into six license agreements and one joint venture with established agricultural biotechnology companies.  Subsequent to June 30, 2007, we have entered into three additional license agreements covering four crops.

Generally, projects with our license and joint venture partners begin by transforming seed or germplasm to incorporate our technology.  Those seeds or germplasm are then grown in our partners’ greenhouse.  After successful greenhouse trials, our partners will transfer the plants to the field for field trials.  After completion of successful field trials, our partners may have to apply for and receive regulatory approval prior to initiation of any commercialization activities.

Generally, the approximate time to complete each sequential development step is as follows:

Seed Transformation

 

approximately 1 to 2 years

Greenhouse

 

approximately 1 to 2 years

Field Trials

 

approximately 2 to 5 years

 

 

           The actual amount of time spent on each development phase depends on the crop, its growth cycle and the success of the transformation achieving the desired results.  As such, the amount of time for each phase of development could vary, or the time frames may change.

           The development of our technology with Poet is different than our other licenses in that we are modifying certain production inputs for ethanol.  That process involves modifying the inputs, testing such inputs in Poet’s production process and if successful, implementing such inputs in Poet’s production process on a plant by plant basis.

           The status of each of our projects with our partners is as follows:

Project

 

Partner

 

Status

Banana

 

Rahan Meristem

 

 

— Shelf Life

 

 

 

Field trials

— Disease Resistance

 

 

 

Field trials

Lettuce

 

Harris Moran

 

Seed transformation

Melon

 

Harris Moran

 

Seed transformation

 

 

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Trees

 

Arborgen

 

 

— Growth

 

 

 

Field trials

Alfalfa

 

Cal/West

 

Greenhouse

Corn

 

Monsanto

 

Just initiated

Cotton

 

Bayer

 

Just initiated

Canola

 

Bayer

 

Seed transformation

Rice

 

Bayer

 

Just initiated

Soybean

 

Monsanto

 

Just initiated

Turfgrass

 

The Scotts Company

 

Greenhouse

Bedding Plants

 

The Scotts Company

 

Greenhouse

Ethanol

 

Poet

 

Modify inputs

 

 

Commercialization by our partners may require a combination of traits in a crop, such as both shelf life and disease resistance, or other traits.

Based upon our commercialization strategy, we anticipate that there may be a significant period of time before plants enhanced using our technology reach consumers.  Thus, we have not begun to actively market our technology directly to consumers, but rather, we have sought to establish ourselves within the industry through presentations at industry conferences, our website and direct communication with prospective licensees.

Consistent with our commercialization strategy, we intend to attract other companies interested in strategic partnerships or licensing our technology, which may result in additional license fees, revenues from contract research and other related revenues.  Successful future operations will depend on our ability to transform our research and development activities into a commercially feasible technology.

Intellectual Property

We have fifteen issued patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or PTO, and twelve issued patents from foreign countries as follows:  seven from New Zealand, two from Australia, one from Mexico and one from Hong Kong.

In addition to our twenty-seven patents, we have a wide variety of patent applications, including divisional applications and continuations-in-part, in process with the PTO and internationally.  We intend to continue our strategy of enhancing these new patent applications through the addition of data as it is collected.

Government Regulation

At present, the U.S. federal government regulation of biotechnology is divided among three agencies: (i) the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates the import, field-testing and interstate movement of specific types of genetic engineering that may be used in the creation of transformed plants; (ii) the Environmental Protection Agency regulates activity related to the invention of plant pesticides and herbicides, which may include certain kinds of transformed plants; and (iii) the Food and Drug Administration regulates foods derived from new plant varieties.  The FDA requires that transformed plants meet the same standards for safety that are

 

 

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required for all other plants and foods in general.  Except in the case of additives that significantly alter a food’s structure, the FDA does not require any additional standards or specific approval for genetically engineered foods but expects transformed plant developers to consult the FDA before introducing a new food into the market place.

In addition, our ongoing preclinical research with cell lines and lab animal models of human disease is not currently subject to the FDA requirements that govern clinical trials.  However, use of our technology, if developed for human health applications, will also be subject to FDA regulation.  Generally, the FDA must approve any drug or biologic product before it can be marketed in the United States.  In addition, prior to being sold outside of the U.S., any products resulting from the application of our human health technology must be approved by the regulatory agencies of foreign governments.  Prior to filing a new drug application or biologics license application with the FDA, we would have to perform extensive clinical trials, and prior to beginning any clinical trial, we need to perform extensive preclinical testing which could take several years and may require substantial expenditures.

We believe that our current activities, which to date have been confined to research and development efforts, do not require licensing or approval by any governmental regulatory agency. However, we, or our licensees, may be required to obtain such licensing or approval from governmental regulatory agencies prior to the commercialization of our genetically transformed plants and the application of our human health technology.

Employees

In addition to the 19 scientists performing funded research for us at the University of Waterloo, Mayo Clinic, the University of Virginia, the University of Florida and the University of Colorado, we have five employees and one consultant, four of whom are executive officers and are involved in our management.   We do not anticipate hiring any additional employees over the next twelve months.

The officers are assisted by a Scientific Advisory Board that consists of prominent experts in the fields of plant and human cell biology.  Alan Bennett, Ph.D., who serves as the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board, is the Associate Vice Chancellor of the Office of Technology Transfer at the University of California.  His research interests include the molecular biology of tomato fruit development and ripening, the molecular basis of membrane transport, and cell wall disassembly.  Charles A. Dinarello, M.D., who serves as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the author of over 500 published research articles.  In addition to his active academic research career, Dr. Dinarello has held advisory positions with two branches of the National Institutes of Health and positions on the Board of Governors of both the Weizmann Institute and Ben Gurion University.  James E. Meier is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. He is also a practicing physician in the Division of Hematology-Oncology at Beth Israel. Dr. Mier’s research is funded by the NIH and he is a member of numerous professional societies.

 

 

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Furthermore, pursuant to the Research and Development Agreements, a substantial amount of our research and development activities are conducted at the University of Waterloo under the supervision of Dr. Thompson, our Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. We utilize the University’s research staff including graduate and post-graduate researchers.

We have also undertaken preclinical apoptosis research at the University of Colorado under the supervision of Dr. Dinarello.  In addition to the research being conducted at the University of Colorado, we have also undertaken preclinical apoptosis research at the Mayo Clinic, University of Florida and the University of Virginia.  This research is performed pursuant to specific project proposals that have agreed-upon research outlines, timelines and budgets.  We may also contract research to additional university laboratories or to other companies in order to advance the development of our technology.

Safe Harbor Statement

The statements contained in this amended and restated Annual Report on Form 10-K/A that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” or “anticipates” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties.  In particular, our statements regarding the anticipated growth in the markets for our technologies, the continued advancement of our research, the approval of our patent applications, the possibility of governmental approval in order to sell or offer for sale to the general public a genetically engineered plant or plant product, the successful implementation of our commercialization strategy, including the success of the Harris Moran License, the ArborGen Agreement, the Cal/West License, The Scotts License, the Broin License, the Bayer Licenses, the Monsanto License, and the Research and Development Agreements, the successful implementation of the Rahan Joint Venture, statements relating to our patent applications, the anticipated longer term growth of our business, the results of our preclinical studies, our ability to meet our funding milestones under our financing transaction, our ability to comply with the continued listing standards of the AMEX,  and the timing of the projects and trends in future operating performance are examples of such forward-looking statements.  The forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the timing of revenues due to the variability in size, scope and duration of research projects, regulatory delays, research study results which lead to cancellations of research projects, and other factors, including general economic conditions and regulatory developments, not within our control.  The factors discussed herein and expressed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed in or implied by such statements.  The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this filing, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

 

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Factors That May Affect Our Business, Future Operating Results and Financial Condition

The more prominent risks and uncertainties inherent in our business are described below. However, additional risks and uncertainties may also impair our business operations.  If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations may suffer.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Risks Related to Our Business

We have a limited operating history and have incurred substantial losses and expect future losses.

We are a development stage biotechnology company with a limited operating history and limited assets and capital.  We have incurred losses each year since inception and have an accumulated deficit of $25,621,540 at June 30, 2007.  We have generated minimal revenues by licensing our technology for certain crops to companies willing to share in our development costs. However, our technology may not be ready for widespread commercialization for several years. We expect to continue to incur losses for the next several years because we anticipate that our expenditures on research and development, commercialization and administrative activities will significantly exceed our revenues during that period. We cannot predict when, if ever, we will become profitable.

Our independent auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

In their audit opinion issued in connection with our consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2007 and our related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended and for the period ending June 30, 2007, our auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern given our recurring net losses, negative cash flows from operations, planned spending levels and the limited amount of funds on our balance sheet.  We have prepared our financial statements on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.  The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary should we be unable to continue in existence.

We may need additional capital to fund our operations until we are able to generate a profit.

Our operations to date have required significant cash expenditures.  Our future capital requirements will depend on the results of our research and development activities, preclinical studies and competitive and technological advances.

We do not expect that our revenue and/or cash and investments on hand will cover our expenses during the next twelve months.  However, we have entered into definitive agreements to issue convertible debentures and warrants for aggregate gross proceeds of $10,000,000, of which $1,500,000 have been issued on September 21, 2007.  The balance of $8,500,000 convertible debentures will be issued as follows: $1,500,000 upon the filing of a registration statement; $2,000,000 upon the later of the filing of a registration statement or receiving

 

 

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shareholder approval; $2,000,000 upon the later of receiving shareholder approval or the effectiveness of the registration statement, $1,500,000 on the date we enter into a supply agreement with a third party manufacturer for sufficient quantity and quality of nano-particle for encapsulation of Factor 5A gene to be used in toxicology and proof of concept human studies under a United States Food and Drug Administration accepted Investigational New Drug application; and $1,500,000 on the date we enter into a supply agreement with a third party manufacturer to provide sufficient quantity and quality of Factor 5A DNA to carry out toxicology and proof of concept human studies under a United States Food and Drug Administration accepted Investigational New Drug application.   However, we can not assure you that we will meet the funding milestones or that our stockholders will approve this financing.  In addition, this financing is secured by all of our assets.  If we default under the convertible debentures, the investors may foreclose on our assets and our business.  As a result, we may need to obtain more funding in the future through collaborations or other arrangements with research institutions and corporate partners or public and private offerings of our securities, including debt or equity financing.  We may not be able to obtain adequate funds for our operations from these sources when needed or on acceptable terms.  Future collaborations or similar arrangements may require us to license valuable intellectual property to, or to share substantial economic benefits with, our collaborators.  If we raise additional capital by issuing additional equity or securities convertible into equity, our stockholders may experience dilution and our share price may decline.  Any debt financing may result in restrictions on our spending.

 

If we are unable to raise additional funds, we will need to do one or more of the following:

                  delay, scale-back or eliminate some or all of our research and product development programs;

                  license third parties to develop and commercialize products or technologies that we would otherwise seek to develop and commercialize ourselves.

                  attempt to sell our company;

                  cease operations; or

                  declare bankruptcy.

We will continue to maintain an appropriate level of spending over the upcoming fiscal year, given the uncertainties inherent in our business and our current liquidity position.  We believe that at the projected rate of spending and the additional $8,500,000 proceeds from the issuance of the convertible debentures, we should have sufficient cash and investments to maintain our present operations for the next 24 months.  However, if we do not receive the additional $8,500,000 proceeds from the issuance of the convertible debentures, we should have sufficient cash and investments to maintain our present operations for the next 6 months.  ..

We depend on a single principal technology and, if our technology is not commercially successful, we will have no alternative source of revenue.

Our primary business is the development and commercial exploitation of technology to identify, isolate, characterize and silence genes which control the death of cells in humans and plants.  Our future revenue and profitability critically depend upon our ability to successfully develop apoptosis and senescence gene technology and later license or market such technology.  We have conducted experiments on certain crops with favorable results and have conducted

 

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certain preliminary cell-line and animal experiments, which have provided us with data upon which we have designed additional research programs. However, we cannot give any assurance that our technology will be commercially successful or economically viable for any crops or human health applications.

In addition, no assurance can be given that adverse consequences might not result from the use of our technology such as the development of negative effects on humans or plants or reduced benefits in terms of crop yield or protection.  Our failure to obtain market acceptance of our technology or to successfully commercialize such technology or develop a commercially viable product would have a material adverse effect on our business.

We outsource all of our research and development activities and, if we are unsuccessful in maintaining our alliances with these third parties, our research and development efforts may be delayed or curtailed.

We rely on third parties to perform all of our research and development activities.  Our primary research and development efforts take place at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, where our technology was discovered, the University of Colorado, Mayo Clinic, the University of Virginia, the University of Florida, and with our commercial partners.  At this time, we do not have the internal capabilities to perform our research and development activities. Accordingly, the failure of third-party research partners, such as the University of Waterloo, to perform under agreements entered into with us, or our failure to renew important research agreements with these third parties, may delay or curtail our research and development efforts.

We have significant future capital needs and may be unable to raise capital when needed, which could force us to delay or reduce our research and development efforts.

As of June 30, 2007, we had cash and highly-liquid investments valued at $658,061 and working capital of $259,303.  Using our available reserves as of June 30, 2007 and the $1,500,000 gross proceeds from the issuance of a convertible debenture on September 21, 2007, we believe that we can operate according to our current business plan for the next six months.  However, with the potential additional gross proceeds of $8,500,000 from the issuance of additional convertible debentures, we believe that we can operate according to our current business plan for the next 24 months.  To date, we have generated minimal revenues and anticipate that our operating costs will exceed any revenues generated over the next several years. Therefore, we will be required to raise additional capital in the future in order to operate according to our current business plan, and this funding may not be available on favorable terms, if at all.  If we are unable to raise additional funds, we will need to do one or more of the following:

                  delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our research and development programs;

                  license third parties to develop and commercialize our technology that we would otherwise seek to develop and commercialize ourselves;

                  seek strategic alliances or business combinations, or attempt to sell our company; or

                  cease operations.

 

In addition, in connection with any funding, if we need to issue more equity securities than our certificate of incorporation currently authorizes, or more than 20% of the shares of our

 

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common stock outstanding, we may need stockholder approval.  If stockholder approval is not obtained or if adequate funds are not available, we may be required to curtail operations significantly or to obtain funds through arrangements with collaborative partners or others that may require us to relinquish rights to certain of our technologies, product candidates, products or potential markets. Investors may experience dilution in their investment from future offerings of our common stock. For example, if we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, such an issuance would reduce the percentage ownership of existing stockholders.  In addition, assuming the exercise of all options and warrants outstanding, as of June 30, 2007, we had 31,471,491 shares of common stock authorized but unissued, which may be issued from time to time by our board of directors without stockholder approval.  We also have reserved for issuance the proper number of shares to be issued in connection with the convertible dentures issued and to be issued prior to shareholder approval.  The total number of shares that may be issued under the financing is subject to certain caps as more fully described elsewhere in the Form 10-K.  Furthermore, we may need to issue securities that have rights, preferences and privileges senior to our common stock.  Failure to obtain financing on acceptable terms would have a material adverse effect on our liquidity.

Since our inception, we have financed all of our operations through private equity financings. Our future capital requirements depend on numerous factors, including:

                  the scope of our research and development;

                  our ability to attract business partners willing to share in our development costs;

                  our ability to successfully commercialize our technology;

                  competing technological and market developments;

                  our ability to enter into collaborative arrangements for the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of other products; and

                  the cost of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing patent claims and other intellectual property rights.

Our business depends upon our patents and proprietary rights and the enforcement of these rights.  Our failure to obtain and maintain patent protection may increase competition and reduce demand for our technology.

As a result of the substantial length of time and expense associated with developing products and bringing them to the marketplace in the biotechnology and agricultural industries, obtaining and maintaining patent and trade secret protection for technologies, products and processes is of vital importance.  Our success will depend in part on several factors, including, without limitation:

                  our ability to obtain patent protection for our technologies and processes;

                  our ability to preserve our trade secrets; and

                  our ability to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of other parties both in the United States and in foreign countries.

We have been issued fifteen patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or PTO, and twelve patents from foreign countries.  We have also filed numerous patent applications for our technology in the United States and in several foreign countries, which technology is vital to our primary business, as well as several Continuations in Part on these patent applications.  Our success depends in part upon the grant of patents from our pending patent applications.

 

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Although we believe that our technology is unique and will not violate or infringe upon the proprietary rights of any third party, we cannot assure you that these claims will not be made or if made, could be successfully defended against.  If we do not obtain and maintain patent protection, we may face increased competition in the United States and internationally, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.

Since patent applications in the United States are maintained in secrecy until patents are issued, and since publication of discoveries in the scientific and patent literature tend to lag behind actual discoveries by several months, we cannot be certain that we were the first creator of the inventions covered by our pending patent applications or that we were the first to file patent applications for these inventions.

In addition, among other things, we cannot assure you that:

                  our patent applications will result in the issuance of patents;

                  any patents issued or licensed to us will be free from challenge and that if challenged, would be held to be valid;

                  any patents issued or licensed to us will provide commercially significant protection for our technology, products and processes;

                  other companies will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information which is not covered by our patent rights;

                  other companies will not obtain access to our know-how;

                  other companies will not be granted patents that may prevent the commercialization of our technology; or

                  we will not require licensing and the payment of significant fees or royalties to third parties for the use of their intellectual property in order to enable us to conduct our business.

Our competitors may allege that we are infringing upon their intellectual property rights, forcing us to incur substantial costs and expenses in resulting litigation, the outcome of which would be uncertain.

Patent law is still evolving relative to the scope and enforceability of claims in the fields in which we operate.  We are like most biotechnology companies in that our patent protection is highly uncertain and involves complex legal and technical questions for which legal principles are not yet firmly established.  In addition, if issued, our patents may not contain claims sufficiently broad to protect us against third parties with similar technologies or products, or provide us with any competitive advantage.

The PTO and the courts have not established a consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology patents.  The allowance of broader claims may increase the incidence and cost of patent interference proceedings and the risk of infringement litigation.  On the other hand, the allowance of narrower claims may limit the value of our proprietary rights.

The laws of some foreign countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States, and many companies have encountered significant problems and costs in protecting their proprietary rights in these foreign countries.

We could become involved in infringement actions to enforce and/or protect our patents.  Regardless of the outcome, patent litigation is expensive and time consuming and would distract our management from other activities.  Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs

 

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of complex patent litigation more effectively than we could because they have substantially greater resources.  Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of any patent litigation could limit our ability to continue our operations.

If our technology infringes the intellectual property of our competitors or other third parties, we may be required to pay license fees or damages.

If any relevant claims of third-party patents that are adverse to us are upheld as valid and enforceable, we could be prevented from commercializing our technology or could be required to obtain licenses from the owners of such patents.  We cannot assure you that such licenses would be available or, if available, would be on acceptable terms.  Some licenses may be non-exclusive and, therefore, our competitors may have access to the same technology licensed to us.  In addition, if any parties successfully claim that the creation or use of our technology infringes upon their intellectual property rights, we may be forced to pay damages, including treble damages.

Our security measures may not adequately protect our unpatented technology and, if we are unable to protect the confidentiality of our proprietary information and know-how, the value of our technology may be adversely affected.

Our success depends upon know-how, unpatentable trade secrets, and the skills, knowledge and experience of our scientific and technical personnel.  As a result, we require all employees to agree to a confidentiality provision that prohibits the disclosure of confidential information to anyone outside of our company, during the term of employment and thereafter.  We also require all employees to disclose and assign to us the rights to their ideas, developments, discoveries and inventions.  We also attempt to enter into similar agreements with our consultants, advisors and research collaborators.  We cannot assure you that adequate protection for our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information against unauthorized use or disclosure will be available.

We occasionally provide information to research collaborators in academic institutions and request the collaborators to conduct certain tests.  We cannot assure you that the academic institutions will not assert intellectual property rights in the results of the tests conducted by the research collaborators, or that the academic institutions will grant licenses under such intellectual property rights to us on acceptable terms, if at all.  If the assertion of intellectual property rights by an academic institution is substantiated, and the academic institution does not grant intellectual property rights to us, these events could limit our ability to commercialize our technology.

As we evolve from a company primarily involved in the research and development of our technology into one that is also involved in the commercialization of our technology, we may have difficulty managing our growth and expanding our operations.

As our business grows, we may need to add employees and enhance our management, systems and procedures.  We will need to successfully integrate our internal operations with the operations of our marketing partners, manufacturers, distributors and suppliers to produce and market commercially viable products.  We may also need to manage additional relationships with various collaborative partners, suppliers and other organizations.  Although we do not presently conduct research and development activities in-house, we may undertake those activities in the future.  Expanding our business will place a significant burden on our management and operations.  We may not be able to implement improvements to our

 

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management information and control systems in an efficient and timely manner and we may discover deficiencies in our existing systems and controls.  Our failure to effectively respond to changes may make it difficult for us to manage our growth and expand our operations.

We have no marketing or sales history and depend on third-party marketing partners.  Any failure of these parties to perform would delay or limit our commercialization efforts.

We have no history of marketing, distributing or selling biotechnology products and we are relying on our ability to successfully establish marketing partners or other arrangements with third parties to market, distribute and sell a commercially viable product both here and abroad.  Our business plan also envisions creating strategic alliances to access needed commercialization and marketing expertise.  We may not be able to attract qualified sub-licensees, distributors or marketing partners, and even if qualified, these marketing partners may not be able to successfully market agricultural products or human health applications developed with our technology.  If we fail to successfully establish distribution channels, or if our marketing partners fail to provide adequate levels of sales, our commercialization efforts will be delayed or limited and we will not be able to generate revenue.

We will depend on joint ventures and strategic alliances to develop and market our technology and, if these arrangements are not successful, our technology may not be developed and the expenses to commercialize our technology will increase.

In its current state of development, our technology is not ready to be marketed to consumers.  We intend to follow a multi-faceted commercialization strategy that involves the licensing of our technology to business partners for the purpose of further technological development, marketing and distribution.  We are seeking business partners who will share the burden of our development costs while our technology is still being developed, and who will pay us royalties when they market and distribute products incorporating our technology upon commercialization.  The establishment of joint ventures and strategic alliances may create future competitors, especially in certain regions abroad where we do not pursue patent protection.  If we fail to establish beneficial business partners and strategic alliances, our growth will suffer and the continued development of our technology may be harmed.

Competition in the human health and agricultural biotechnology industries is intense and technology is changing rapidly.  If our competitors market their technology faster than we do, we may not be able to generate revenues from the commercialization of our technology.

Many human health and agricultural biotechnology companies are engaged in research and development activities relating to senescence and apoptosis.  The market for plant protection and yield enhancement products is intensely competitive, rapidly changing and undergoing consolidation.  We may be unable to compete successfully against our current and future competitors, which may result in price reductions, reduced margins and the inability to achieve market acceptance for products containing our technology.  Our competitors in the field of plant senescence gene technology are companies that develop and produce transgenic plants and include major international agricultural companies, specialized biotechnology companies, research and academic institutions and, potentially, our joint venture and strategic alliance partners.  These companies include: Icoria (formerly Paradigm Genetics); Mendel Biotechnology; Renessen LLC; Exelixis Plant Sciences, Inc.; Syngenta International AG; and Eden Bioscience, among others.  Some of our competitors that are involved in apoptosis research include:  Amgen; Centocor; Genzyme; OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Novartis; Introgen

 

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Therapeutics, Inc.; Genta, Inc.; and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  Many of these competitors have substantially greater financial, marketing, sales, distribution and technical resources than us and have more experience in research and development, clinical trials, regulatory matters, manufacturing and marketing.  We anticipate increased competition in the future as new companies enter the market and new technologies become available.  Our technology may be rendered obsolete or uneconomical by technological advances or entirely different approaches developed by one or more of our competitors, which will prevent or limit our ability to generate revenues from the commercialization of our technology.

Our business is subject to various government regulations and, if we are unable to obtain regulatory approval, we may not be able to continue our operations.

At present, the U.S. federal government regulation of biotechnology is divided among three agencies:

                  the USDA regulates the import, field testing and interstate movement of specific types of genetic engineering that may be used in the creation of transgenic plants;

                  the EPA regulates activity related to the invention of plant pesticides and herbicides, which may include certain kinds of transgenic plants; and

                  the FDA regulates foods derived from new plant varieties.

 

The FDA requires that transgenic plants meet the same standards for safety that are required for all other plants and foods in general.  Except in the case of additives that significantly alter a food’s structure, the FDA does not require any additional standards or specific approval for genetically engineered foods, but expects transgenic plant developers to consult the FDA before introducing a new food into the marketplace.

 

Use of our technology, if developed for human health applications, will also be subject to FDA regulation.  The FDA must approve any drug or biologic product before it can be marketed in the United States.  In addition, prior to being sold outside of the U.S., any products resulting from the application of our human health technology must be approved by the regulatory agencies of foreign governments.  Prior to filing a new drug application or biologics license application with the FDA, we would have to perform extensive clinical trials, and prior to beginning any clinical trial, we need to perform extensive preclinical testing which could take several years and may require substantial expenditures.

We believe that our current activities, which to date have been confined to research and development efforts, do not require licensing or approval by any governmental regulatory agency. However, federal, state and foreign regulations relating to crop protection products and human health applications developed through biotechnology are subject to public concerns and political circumstances, and, as a result, regulations have changed and may change substantially in the future.  Accordingly, we may become subject to governmental regulations or approvals or become subject to licensing requirements in connection with our research and development efforts. We may also be required to obtain such licensing or approval from the governmental regulatory agencies described above, or from state agencies, prior to the commercialization of our genetically transformed plants and human health technology.  In addition, our marketing partners who utilize our technology or sell products grown with our technology may be subject to government regulations.  If unfavorable governmental regulations are imposed on our

 

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technology or if we fail to obtain licenses or approvals in a timely manner, we may not be able to continue our operations.

 

Preclinical studies and clinical trials of our human health applications may be unsuccessful, which could delay or prevent regulatory approval.

Preclinical studies may reveal that our human health technology is ineffective or harmful, and/or clinical trials may be unsuccessful in demonstrating efficacy and safety of our human health technology, which would significantly limit the possibility of obtaining regulatory approval for any drug or biologic product manufactured with our technology.  The FDA requires submission of extensive preclinical, clinical and manufacturing data to assess the efficacy and safety of potential products. Furthermore, the success of preliminary studies does not ensure commercial success, and later-stage clinical trials may fail to confirm the results of the preliminary studies.

Even if we receive regulatory approval, consumers may not accept products containing our technology, which will prevent us from being profitable since we have no other source of revenue.

We cannot guarantee that consumers will accept products containing our technology.  Recently, there has been consumer concern and consumer advocate activism with respect to genetically engineered consumer products.  The adverse consequences from heightened consumer concern in this regard could affect the markets for products developed with our technology and could also result in increased government regulation in response to that concern. If the public or potential customers perceive our technology to be genetic modification or genetic engineering, agricultural products grown with our technology may not gain market acceptance.

We depend on our key personnel and, if we are not able to attract and retain qualified scientific and business personnel, we may not be able to grow our business or develop and commercialize our technology.

We are highly dependent on our scientific advisors, consultants and third-party research partners.  Our success will also depend in part on the continued service of our key employees and our ability to identify, hire and retain additional qualified personnel in an intensely competitive market.  Although we have employment agreements with all of our key employees and a research agreement with Dr. Thompson, these agreements may be terminated upon short or no notice.  We do not maintain key person life insurance on any member of management.  The failure to attract and retain key personnel could limit our growth and hinder our research and development efforts.

Certain provisions of our charter, by-laws and Delaware law could make a takeover difficult.

Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, even if the change in control would be beneficial to stockholders.  Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to issue, without stockholder approval, except as may be required by the rules of the American Stock Exchange, 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock with voting, conversion and other rights and preferences that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock.  Similarly, our by-laws do not restrict our board of directors from issuing preferred stock without stockholder approval.

 

23



 

In addition, we are subject to the Business Combination Act of the Delaware General Corporation Law which, subject to certain exceptions, restricts certain transactions and business combinations between a corporation and a stockholder owning 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock for a period of three years from the date such stockholder becomes a 15% owner.  These provisions may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us without action by our stockholders and, therefore, could adversely affect the value of our common stock.

Furthermore, in the event of our merger or consolidation with or into another corporation, or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets in which the successor corporation does not assume outstanding options or issue equivalent options, our board of directors is required to provide accelerated vesting of outstanding options.

Increasing political and social turmoil, such as terrorist and military actions, increase the difficulty for us and our strategic partners to forecast accurately and plan future business activities.

Recent political and social turmoil, including the conflict in Iraq and the current crisis in the Middle East, can be expected to put further pressure on economic conditions in the United States and worldwide.  These political, social and economic conditions may make it difficult for us to plan future business activities.  Specifically, if the current situation in Israel continues to escalate, our joint venture with Rahan Meristem Ltd. could be adversely affected.

 

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

Our management and other affiliates have significant control of our common stock and could significantly influence our actions in a manner that conflicts with our interests and the interests of other stockholders.

As of June 30, 2007, our executive officers, directors and affiliated entities together beneficially own approximately 38.9% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, assuming the exercise of options and warrants which are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 2007, held by these stockholders. As a result, these stockholders, acting together, will be able to exercise significant influence over matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors, and may not always act in the best interests of other stockholders.  Such a concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us, including transactions in which our stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current market prices.

Our stockholders may experience substantial dilution as a result of the conversion of outstanding convertible debentures, or the exercise of options and warrants to purchase our common stock.

As of June 30, 2007, we have granted options outside of our stock option plan to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock and outstanding warrants to purchase 5,134,815 shares of our common stock.  In addition, as of June 30, 2007, we have reserved 6,000,000 shares of our common stock for issuance upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to our stock option plan, 2,754,500 of which have been granted, 90,000 of which have been exercised since inception, 2,646,000 of which are outstanding, and 3,264,000 of which may be granted in the future.  The exercise of these options and warrants will result in dilution to our existing stockholders and could have a material adverse effect on our stock price. In addition, any shares

 

24



 

issued in connection with the YA Global or Stanford financings, as further discussed below, can also have a dilutive effect and a possible material adverse effect on our stock price.

A significant portion of our total outstanding shares of common stock may be sold in the market in the near future, which could cause the market price of our common stock to drop significantly.

As of June 30, 2007, we had 17,473,694 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, of which approximately 1,986,306 shares  are registered pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective on November 27, 2006, and the remainder of which are either eligible to be sold under SEC Rule 144 or are in the public float.  In addition, we have registered 2,701,715 shares of our Common Stock underlying warrants previously issued on the Form S-3 registration statement that was declared effective on November 27, 2006, and we registered 6,000,000 shares of our common stock underlying options granted or to be granted under our stock option plan.  Consequently, sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, may have a material adverse effect on our stock price.

Our common stock has a limited trading market, which could limit your ability to resell your shares of common stock at or above your purchase price.

Our common stock is quoted on the American Stock Exchange and currently has a limited trading market.  The American Stock Exchange requires us to meet minimum financial requirements in order to maintain our listing.  Currently, we do not meet the continued listing requirements of the American Stock Exchange We cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop or, if developed, will be maintained.  As a result, our stockholders may find it difficult to dispose of shares of our common stock and, as a result, may suffer a loss of all or a substantial portion of their investment.

We currently do not meet the American Stock Exchange continued listing standards.  If our common stock is delisted from the American Stock Exchange, we may not be able to list on any other stock exchange, and our common stock may be subject to the “penny stock” regulations which may affect the ability of our stockholders to sell their shares.

The American Stock Exchange requires us to meet minimum financial requirements in order to maintain our listing.  Currently, we do not meet the $6,000,000 minimum net worth continued listing requirement of the American Stock Exchange and have received a notice of noncompliance from the American Stock Exchange.  We have submitted a plan to the American Stock Exchange discussing how we intend to regain compliance with the continued listing requirements.  The American Stock Exchange has accepted our plan and has given us until March 1, 2008 to effectuate the plan and regain compliance with the continued listing requirements.  If we are unable to execute on the plan, it is possible that we will be delisted.  If we are delisted from the American Stock Exchange, our common stock likely will become a “penny stock.”  In general, regulations of the SEC define a “penny stock” to be an equity security that is not listed on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market and that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or with an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions.  If our common stock becomes a penny stock, additional sales practice requirements would be imposed on broker-dealers that sell such securities to persons other than certain qualified investors.  For transactions involving a penny stock, unless exempt, a broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to the sale.  In addition, the rules

 

25



 

on penny stocks require delivery, prior to and after any penny stock transaction, of disclosures required by the SEC.

If our stock is not accepted for listing on the American Stock Exchange, we will make every possible effort to have it listed on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board, or the OTC Bulletin Board.  If our common stock were to be traded on the OTC Bulletin Board, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and related Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules would impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that sell our securities.  These rules may adversely affect the ability of stockholders to sell our common stock and otherwise negatively affect the liquidity, trading market and price of our common stock.

We believe that the listing of our common stock on a recognized national trading market, such as the American Stock Exchange, is an important part of our business and strategy.  Such a listing helps our stockholders by providing a readily available trading market with current quotations.  Without that, stockholders may have a difficult time getting a quote for the sale or purchase of our stock, the sale or purchase of our stock would likely be made more difficult and the trading volume and liquidity of our stock would likely decline.  The absence of such a listing may adversely affect the acceptance of our common stock as currency or the value accorded it by other parties.  In that regard, the absence of a listing on a recognized national trading market will also affect our ability to benefit from the use of our operations and expansion plans, including for use in licensing agreements, joint ventures, the development of strategic relationships and acquisitions, which are critical to our business and strategy and none of which is currently the subject of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, with respect to any future financing or strategic relationship it may undertake.  The delisting from the American Stock Exchange would result in negative publicity and would negatively impact our ability to raise capital in the future.

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate and may drop below the price you paid.

We cannot assure you that you will be able to resell the shares of our common stock at or above your purchase price.  The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control.  These factors include:

                  quarterly variations in operating results;

                  the progress or perceived progress of our research and development efforts;

                  changes in accounting treatments or principles;

                  announcements by us or our competitors of new technology, product and service offerings, significant contracts, acquisitions or strategic relationships;

                  additions or departures of key personnel;

                  future offerings or resales of our common stock or other securities;

                  stock market price and volume fluctuations of publicly-traded companies in general and development companies in particular; and

                  general political, economic and market conditions.

Because we do not intend to pay, and have not paid, any cash dividends on our shares of common stock, our stockholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless the value of our common stock appreciates and they sell their shares.

We have never paid or declared any cash dividends on our common stock and we intend to retain any future earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business.  We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. 

 

26



 

Therefore, our stockholders will not be able to receive a return on their investment unless the value of our common stock appreciates and they sell their shares.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2.                    Properties.

We lease office space in New Brunswick, New Jersey for a current monthly rental fee of $6,460, subject to certain escalations for our proportionate share of increases, over the base year of 2001, in the building’s operating costs.  The monthly rental fee will continue to increase by one percent each year through the expiration date of the lease.  The lease expires in May 2011.  The space is in good condition, and we believe it will adequately serve as our headquarters over the term of the lease.  We also believe that this office space is adequately insured by the lessor.

Item 3.                    Legal Proceedings.

We are not currently a party to any legal proceedings; however, we may become involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.

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

None.

 

 

27


 

 


 

 

PART II

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

                                  Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Our common stock trades on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol SNT.

The following table sets forth the range of the high and low sales price for our common stock for each of the quarters since the quarter ended September 30, 2005, as reported on the American Stock Exchange.

QuarterEnded

 

Common
Stock

 

 

High

 

Low

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2005

 

$

2.17

 

$

1.30

 

December 31, 2005

 

$

2.00

 

$

1.16

 

March 31, 2006

 

$

2.25

 

$

1.20

 

June 30, 2006

 

$

2.24

 

$

1.40

 

September 30, 2006

 

$

1.83

 

$

1.08

 

December 31, 2006

 

$

1.40

 

$

0.90

 

March 31, 2007

 

$

1.33

 

$

0.97

 

June 30, 2007

 

$

1.69

 

$

0.80

 

 


 

As of September 20, 2007, the approximate number of holders of record of our common stock was 296This number does not include “street name” or beneficial holders, whose shares are held of record by banks, brokers and other financial institutions.

We have neither paid nor declared dividends on our common stock since our inception and we do not plan to pay dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We expect that any earnings, which we may realize, will be retained to finance the growth of our company.

The following table provides information about the securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans as of June 30, 2007.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

 

 

Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights

 


Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 


Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity

compensation plans

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

2,646,000(1

)

$

2.33

 

3,264,000(2

)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

Total

 

2,646,000(1

)

$

2.33

 

3,264,000(2

)

 


 

(1)           Issued pursuant to our 1998 Stock Plan.

 

28



 

 

(2)           Available for future issuance pursuant to our 1998 Stock Plan.

 

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

 

In connection with a private placement in October 2006, we sold an aggregate of 1,986,306 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase our common stock to certain institutions, accredited investors and certain directors. The issuance to our directors is summarized as follows:

 

 

Amount

 

# of Shares

 

# of Warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher Forbes

 

$

1,000,000

 

883,002

 

441,501

 

Thomas C. Quick Charitable Foundation

 

$

300,000

 

264,901

 

132,450

 

Rudolf Stalder

 

$

105,841

 

93,458

 

46,729

 

Bruce C. Galton

 

$

75,000

 

66,225

 

33,113

 

John N. Braca

 

$

11,325

 

10,000

 

5,000

 

David Rector

 

$

11,325

 

10,000

 

5,000

 

 

All of such warrants will become exercisable six months from the closing date at an exercise price equal to $1.18 and have a term of five (5) years.

The private placement closed on October 11, 2006.  We received gross proceeds equal to $2,249,491. The proceeds will be used for research and development and working capital purposes.

H.C. Wainwright & Co., Inc. acted as the placement agent for this private placement pursuant to the terms of a placement agent agreement.  The placement agent was entitled to receive 7% of the gross proceeds from investors introduced by the placement agent and 3% of the gross proceeds from investors introduced by us.  The actual placement agent fee amounted to 3.6% of the gross proceeds of the private placement, and warrants to purchase shares of common stock equal to 7% of the shares so issued in the private placement.

A registration statement on Form S-3 was filed on November 3, 2006 covering the common stock and warrants sold in this private placement.  Such registration statement was declared effective on November 13, 2006.

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

 

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock with the cumulative total return on the AMEX Market Value (U.S.) Index and the RDG Microcap Biotechnology Index for the period beginning July 1, 2002 and ending on the last day of our last completed fiscal year. The stock performance shown on the graph below is not indicative of future price performance.

 

29



 

 

 

 

7/1/02

 

6/30/03

 

6/30/04

 

6/30/05

 

6/30/06

 

6/30/07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senesco Technologies, Inc.

 

$

100.00

 

$

106.00

 

$

157.50

 

$

89.50

 

$

95.00

 

$

57.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMEX Market Value (U.S.) Index

 

$

100.00

 

$

108.49

 

$

141.09

 

$

179.55

 

$

221.32

 

$

273.59

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RDG Microcap Biotechnology Index

 

$

100.00

 

$

106.15

 

$

107.12

 

$

69.49

 

$

47.57

 

$

35.81

 

 

The information in the performance graph is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into such filing.

 

30



 

 

Item 6.                Selected Financial Data.

 

                The following Selected Financial Data should be read in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” included elsewhere in this amended and restated Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.

 

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Statement of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

300

 

$

67

 

$

125

 

$

17

 

$

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

2,413

 

1,920

 

2,030

 

2,907

 

2,093

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

1,208

 

1,566

 

1,417

 

1,147

 

897

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

3,621

 

3,486

 

3,447

 

4,054

 

2,990

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

(3,321

)

(3,419

)

(3,322

)

(4,037

)

(2,980

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncash income

 

 

 

136

 

186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sale of state income tax loss - net

 

 

 

153

 

91

 

131

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income, net

 

69

 

104

 

54

 

33

 

71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(3,252

)

$

(3,315

)

$

(2,979

)

$

(3,727

)

$

(2,778

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

 

$

(.19

)

$

(.21

)

$

(.21

)

$

(.29

)

$

(.23

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

16,917

 

15,469

 

14,054

 

12,668

 

11,880

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and investments

 

$

658

 

$

1,168

 

$

4,481

 

$

4,136

 

$

2,419

 

Working capital

 

259

 

859

 

3,959

 

3,840

 

2,285

 

Total assets

 

3,322

 

3,535

 

6,113

 

5,211

 

3,266

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(25,622

)

(22,370

)

(19,055

)

(16,076

)

(12,349

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

2,690

 

2,952

 

5,590

 

4,731

 

2,857

 

 

31



 

 

Item 7.                    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of

                                Operations.

 

                The discussion in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contains trend analysis, estimates and other forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “continue,” and other words of similar import or the negative of those terms or expressions.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, estimates and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Actual results could differ materially from those set forth in such forward-looking statements as a result of, but not limited to, the “Risk Factors” described in Part I, Item 1A.  You should read the following discussion and analysis along with the “Selected Financial Data” and the financial statements and notes attached to those statements included elsewhere in this report.

Overview

We are a development stage company.  We do not expect to generate significant revenues for approximately the next one to three years, during which time we will engage in significant research and development efforts.  However, we have entered into the Harris Moran License, the ArborGen License, the Cal/West License, the Scotts License, the Bayer Licenses, the Monsanto License and the Poet Agreement to develop and commercialize our technology in certain varieties of lettuce, melons, trees, alfalfa, bedding plants, turf grass, canola, cotton, soy, corn, rice and ethanol.  The Harris Moran License, the ArborGen License, the Cal/West License, the Scotts License, the Bayer Licenses, and the Monsanto License also provide for royalty payments to us upon commercial introduction.  The Cal/West License contains an option for Cal/West to develop our technology in various other forage crops.  The Poet License provides for annual payments for each of Poet’s ethanol production facilities that incorporates our technology.  We also have entered into the Rahan Joint Venture to develop and commercialize our technology in banana plants.  In connection with the Rahan Joint Venture, we will receive 50% of the profits from the sale of enhanced banana plants.

Consistent with our commercialization strategy, we intend to license our technology for additional crops, as the opportunities may arise, that may result in additional license fees, revenues from contract research and other related revenues.  Successful future operations will depend on our and our partners’ ability to transform our research and development activities into a commercially feasible technology.

                We plan to employ the same partnering strategy in both the human health and agricultural target markets.  Our preclinical research has yielded data that we have presented to various biopharmaceutical companies that may be prospective licensees for the development and marketing of potential applications of our technology.

 

32



 

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Revenue Recognition

 

                We record revenue under technology license and development agreements related to the following.  Actual fees received may vary from the recorded estimated revenues.

                  Nonrefundable upfront license fees that are received in exchange for the transfer of our technology to licensees, for which no further obligations to the licensee exist with respect to the basic technology transferred, are recognized as revenue on the earlier of when payments are received or collections are assured.

                  Nonrefundable upfront license fees that are received in connection with agreements that include time-based payments are, together with the time-based payments, deferred and amortized ratably over the estimated research period of the license.

                  Milestone payments, which are contingent upon the achievement of certain research goals, are recognized as revenue when the milestones, as defined in the particular agreement, are achieved.

The effect of any change in revenues from technology license and development agreements would be reflected in revenues in the period such determination was made. Historically, no such adjustments have been made.

 

Estimates of Expenses

Our research and development agreements with third parties provide for an estimate of our expenses and costs, which are variable and are based on the actual services performed by the third party.  We estimate the aggregate amount of the expenses based upon the projected amounts that are set forth in the agreements, and we accrue the expenses for which we have not yet been invoiced.  In estimating the expenses, we consider, among other things, the following factors:

                  the existence of any prior relationship between us and the third party provider;

                  the past results of prior research and development services performed by the third party provider; and

                  the scope and timing of the research and development services set forth in the agreement with the third party provider.

After the research services are performed and we are invoiced, we make any adjustments that are necessary to accurately report research and development expense for the period.

Valuation Allowances and Carrying Values

We have recorded valuation allowances against our entire deferred tax assets of $7,719,000 at June 30, 2007.  The valuation allowances relate primarily to the net operating loss carryforward deferred tax asset where the tax benefit of such asset is not assured.

 

                As of June 30, 2007, we have determined that the estimated future discounted cash flows related to our patent applications will be sufficient to recover their carrying value.

 

33



 

 

We had determined that the economic benefit of the patent applications did not begin until they were issued.  As such, we would amortize the issued patent costs beginning on the date of issue, but did not amortize the cost of patent applications that were still pending.  Due to the increasing number and scope of license agreements we have entered into, we have determined that we are now receiving the economic benefit of the patent applications as well as the issued patents and have begun amortizing the patent application costs during the year ended June 30, 2007.

                We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Stock-Based Compensation

                We adopted FAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payments”, effective July 1, 2005, using the modified-retrospective method.  The adoption of this standard requires the recognition of stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated financial statements.  Prior to July 1, 2005, we followed Accounting Principles Board Opinion 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and related interpretations.

Research Program

We do not expect to generate significant revenues for approximately the next one to three years, during which time we will engage in significant research and development efforts.  We expect to spend significant amounts on the research and development of our technology.  We also expect our research and development costs to increase as we continue to develop and ultimately commercialize our technology.  However, the successful development and commercialization of our technology is highly uncertain.  We cannot reasonably estimate or know the nature, timing and expenses of the efforts necessary to complete the development of our technology, or the period in which material net cash inflows may commence from the commercialization of our technology, including the uncertainty of:

                  the scope, rate of progress and expense of our research activities;

                  the interim results of our research;

                  the expense of additional research that may be required after review of the interim results;

                  the terms and timing of any collaborative, licensing and other arrangements that we may establish;

                  the expense and timing of regulatory approvals;

                  the effect of competing technological and market developments; and

                  the expense of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims or other intellectual property rights.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

                Overview

                As of June 30, 2007, our cash balance and investments totaled $658,061, and we had working capital of $259,303.  As of June 30, 2007, we had a federal tax loss carryforward of

 

34



 

 

approximately $17,212,000 and a state tax loss carry-forward of approximately $9,854,000 to offset future taxable income. We cannot assure you that we will be able to take advantage of any or all of such tax loss carryforwards, if at all, in future fiscal years.

 

                Contractual Obligations

The following table lists our cash contractual obligations as of June 30, 2007:

 

 

Payments Due by Period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

Less than
1 year

 

1 - 3 years

 

4 - 5 years

 

More than
5 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and Development Agreements (1)

 

$

640,000

 

$

550,000

 

$

90,000

 

$

 

$

 

Facility, Rent and Operating Leases (2)

 

$

309,092

 

$

77,596

 

$

157,928

 

$

73,568

 

$

 

Employment, Consulting and Scientific Advisory Board Agreements (3)

 

$

799,371

 

$

666,542

 

$

132,830

 

$

 

$

 

Total Contractual Cash Obligations

 

$

1,748,463

 

$

1,294,138

 

$

380,758

 

$

73,568

 

$

 

 


 

(1)          Certain of our research and development agreements disclosed herein provide that payment is to be made in Canadian dollars and, therefore, the contractual obligations are subject to fluctuations in the exchange rate.

(2)          The lease for our office space in New Brunswick, New Jersey is subject to certain escalations for our proportionate share of increases in the building’s operating costs.

(3)          Certain of our employment and consulting agreements provide for automatic renewal, which is not reflected in the table, unless terminated earlier by the parties to the respective agreements.

We expect our capital requirements to increase significantly over the next several years as we commence new research and development efforts, increase our business and administrative infrastructure and embark on developing in-house business capabilities and facilities. Our future liquidity and capital funding requirements will depend on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the levels and costs of our research and development initiatives and the cost and timing of the expansion of our business development and administrative staff.

                Effective September 1, 2007, we extended our research and development agreement with the University of Waterloo for an additional one-year period through August 31, 2008, in the amount of CAD $652,600 or approximately USD $555,000. Research and development expenses under this agreement for years ended ended June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2006 aggregated USD $568,872 and USD $692,982, respectively, and USD $3,896,304 for the cumulative period from

 

35



 

 

inception through June 30, 2007. Total research and development expenses for the years ended June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2006 aggregated $1,208,321 and $1,566,267, respectively, and $8,193,169 for the cumulative period from inception through June 30, 2007.

Capital Resources

Since inception, we have generated revenues of $718,333 in connection with the initial fees and milestone payments received under our license and development agreements.  We have not been profitable since inception, we will continue to incur additional operating losses in the future, and we will require additional financing to continue the development and subsequent commercialization of our technology.  While we do not expect to generate significant revenues from the licensing of our technology for the next one to three years, we may enter into additional licensing or other agreements with marketing and distribution partners that may result in additional license fees, receive revenues from contract research, or other related revenue.

On October 11, 2006, we completed a private placement to certain members of our board of directors, institutional and accredited investors for an aggregate amount of 1,986,306 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 993,153 shares of our common stock for the aggregate net cash consideration of $2,019,008.  The private placement offered units of one share of common stock and a five-year warrant to purchase 0.50 shares of common stock at a price equal to $1.1325 per unit.  The warrants were offered with an exercise price equal to $1.18 per share, with such warrants becoming exercisable six months from the date of closing.  The costs associated with the private placement totaled $230,483.

On November 8, 2006, we entered into a license agreement with Bayer CropScience GmbH for the development and commercialization of Canola.  Under the terms of the license agreement, we received an upfront payment, will receive milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development milestones, and will receive commercialization fees based upon specified benchmarks.

On December 21, 2006, we converted our development agreement with ArborGen, LLC into a commercial license agreement for the development and commercialization of certain species of trees.  Under the terms of the license agreement, we will receive certain annual payments over the next two years and, additionally, upon commercialization, a royalty on incremental net sales.

On July 17, 2007 we entered into a license agreement with Bayer CropScience AG for the development and commercialization of Cotton.  Under the terms of the license agreement, we received an upfront payment, will receive milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development milestones, and additionally, upon commercialization, a royalty on net sales.

                On August 6, 2007 we entered into a license agreement with Monsanto for the development and commercialization of Corn and Soy.  Under the terms of the license agreement, we received an upfront payment, will receive milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development milestones, and additionally, upon commercialization, a royalty on net sales.

On September 11, 2007 we entered into a license agreement with Bayer CropScience AG for the development and commercialization of Rice.  Under the terms of the agreement, we

 

36



 

 

received an upfront payment, will receive milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development milestones, and additionally, upon commercialization, a royalty on net sales.

 

On August 1, 2007 and August 29, 2007, we entered into binding Securities Purchase Agreements with YA Global Investments, referred to herein as YA Global, and Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc., referred to herein as Stanford, respectively, to sell each of YA Global and Stanford up to $5,000,000 of secured convertible debentures and accompanying warrants for an aggregate gross proceeds of $10,000,000.  The convertible debentures convert into shares of our common stock at a fixed price of $0.90 per share subject to certain adjustments, referred to herein as the fixed conversion price for a period of two years immediately following the signing date, provided that we have achieved the following milestones by January 31, 2008:

                  successful completion of animal studies, other than toxicology studies, necessary for the advancement of factor 5A 1 in human clinical trials,

                  The engagement of a contract research organization for human clinical studies of factor 5A1, and

                  The signing of at least one (1) corporate partnership or license agreements after August 1, 2007 with agricultural companies utilizing our proprietary platform.

 

After the second anniversary of the signing date, or if we don not achieve the foregoing milestones by January 31, 2008, the convertible debentures may convert into shares of our common stock at the lower of the fixed conversion price or 80% of the lowest daily volume-weighted average price, referred to herein as the VWAP, of the common stock during the five trading days prior to the conversion date.  The maturity date of each of the convertible debentures for YA Global and Stanford is December 30, 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  Currently, at the fixed conversion price, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the convertible debentures and exercise of the warrants represents in the aggregate, 25,000,000 shares plus an estimated additional 2,000,000 shares for the payment of interest in stock under the convertible debentures.

 

                    Pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase agreements, we are required to seek shareholder approval to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock from 60,000,000 shares to 100,000,000 shares.

 

The convertible debentures accrue interest on their outstanding principal balances at an annual rate of 8%.  We have the option to pay interest in cash or, upon certain conditions, shares of common stock.  If we pay interest in shares of common stock, the stock will be valued at a 10% discount to the average daily VWAP for the five day trading period prior to the interest payment date, referred to herein as the interest shares.

 

                    At our option, we can redeem a portion of, or all of, the principal owed under the convertible debentures by providing the investors with at least 30 business days’ written notice, provided that, at the time of receipt of the notice, either:

 

                  If

 

37



 

 

                                          The VWAP of the common stock exceeds 130% of the Fixed Conversion Price for at least 20 of 30 prior trading days, and

 

                                          there is an effective registration statement for the resale of the commonstock that will be issued under the redemption

 

                  or we redeem a portion, or all, of the principal owed at a 20% premium above the principal then outstanding and any accrued interest thereupon.

 

                    If we redeem all or any of the principal outstanding under the convertible debentures, we will pay an amount equal to the principal being redeemed plus accrued interest.

 

                    If there is an effective registration statement for the resale of the shares underlying the convertible debentures or if such shares become 144(k) eligible, we will have the option to force the investors to convert 50% and 100% of our then-outstanding convertible debentures if our common stock price exceeds 150% and 175% of the fixed conversion price, respectively, for any 20 out of 30 trading days, provided that such forced conversion meets certain conditions, referred to herein as the call option.  If we exercise our call option prior to the third anniversary of the signing date, we will issue additional warrants to the investor equal to 50% of the number of shares underlying the convertible debenture subject to the forced conversion.  These warrants will be exercisable at the fixed conversion price and will have the same maturity as the other warrants issued under the YA Global Financing.

 

                    Our obligations under the convertible debentures are secured by all of our and our subsidiary’s assets and intellectual property, as evidenced by the Security Agreements and the Patent Security Agreements.  Pursuant to a subordination agreement, YA Global is the senior secured creditor.

 

                    YA Global and Stanford will also be issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 5,555,555 and 8,333,333 shares, respectively, of our common stock, exercisable six months and one day from the date of issuance until their expiration on the date that is five years from the date of issuance.  The warrants will be issued in two series.  Generally, the Series A warrants may be issued prior to stockholder approval, while the Series B warrants are only issued after stockholder approval.  The exercise price of the Series A warrants is $1.01 per share, and the exercise price of the Series B warrants is $0.90 per share, subject to certain adjustments.  The warrants provide a right of cashless exercise if, at the time of exercise, there is no effective registration statement registering the resale of the shares underlying the warrants.

 

                    The conversion rate of each convertible debenture and the exercise price of the Series B warrants are subject to adjustment for certain events, including dividends, stock splits, combinations and the sale of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for our common stock at a price less than the then applicable conversion or exercise price.

 

                    The investors have a right of first refusal on any future funding that involves the issuance of our capital stock for so long as a portion of the convertible debentures is outstanding.

 

38



 

 

                    Under the registration rights agreements executed with each of YA Global and Stanford, we have agreed to file an initial registration statement with the SEC to register the resale of common stock issuable to YA Global (including interest shares), such shares are also referred to herein as the registrable shares, within 30 days of the first closing of the YA Global deal.  Also, we have agreed to respond to all SEC comment letters as promptly as reasonably possible and to use our best efforts to have the registration statement declared effective within 120 days of the aforementioned first closing.  The initial registration statement covering YA Global’s shares shall include 33% of the public float.  If the registrable shares remain outstanding after all shares under the initial registration statement have been sold, we may be required to file additional registration statements for those registrable shares.  These registration rights will cease once the registrable shares are eligible for sale by the investor without restriction under Rule 144(k).  Upon certain events, we have agreed to pay as partial liquidated damages an amount equal to 1.0% of the aggregate purchase price paid by the investors for any convertible debentures then held by the investors, but these payments may not exceed 12% of the aggregate purchase price paid by the investors.

 

                    The gross proceeds of the sale will be $10,000,000 before payment of 3.25% of the purchase price in commissions to Wainwright & Co., Inc, also referred to herein as the placement agent.  We will issue to the placement agent warrants to purchase 7% of the purchase price, or 777,777 shares, of our common stock with similar terms to the warrants that will be issued to the investors.  We paid YA Global and Stanford a non-refundable structuring/ due diligence fee of $30,000 each.  We have also agreed to pay YA Global and Stanford a commitment fee of 5% and 7%, respectively, of its purchase price, which is paid proportionately at each closing.

 

Specifics of YA Global Financing

 

                    Pursuant to the YA Global Securities Purchase Agreement, we have issued a convertible debenture in the amount of $1,500,000 and will issue and sell to YA Global:

 

(1)            a convertible debenture in the amount of $1,500,000 on the date the

registration statement is filed, pursuant to the registration rights agreement, with the SEC; and

 

(2)            a convertible debenture in the amount of $2,000,000 on the date that is the

later of the following:

 

      the date stockholders approve the transaction, or

      the date the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC.

 

                    Pursuant to the rules of the American Stock Exchange, the convertible debentures and warrants issued and issuable to YA Global at the first two closings will be subject to a cap on the number of shares of common stock that can be issued upon the conversion of the convertible debentures and the exercise of the warrants, until the Company receives shareholder approval.  The cap of 3,493,000 shares is equal to 19.99% of the company’s outstanding common stock on

 

39



 

 

the signing date.  In addition, there is a maximum overall cap of 30,500,000 shares for the YA Global financing.

 

Specifics of Stanford Financing

 

                    Pursuant to the Stanford securities purchase agreement, we will issue and sell to Stanford:

 

(1)            a convertible debenture in the amount of $2,000,000 and warrants within two

business days of the later of the following:

 

                  the date stockholders approve the transaction, or

                  the date that the initial registration statement relating to the YA Global financing is filed with the SEC;

 

(2)            a convertible debenture in the amount of $1,500,000 on the date the Company

Enters into a supply agreement with a third party manufacturer for sufficient quantity and quality of nano-particle for encapsulation of Factor 5A gene to be used in toxicology and proof of concept human studies under a United States Food and Drug Administration, referred to herein as FDA, accepted Investigational New Drug application, referred to herein as IND application; and

 

(3)  a convertible debenture in the amount of $1,500,000 on the date the Company enters into a supply agreement with a third party manufacturer to provide sufficient quantity and quality of Factor 5A DNA to carry out toxicology and proof of concept human studies under a FDA accepted IND application.

 

                    The convertible debentures and warrants issuable to Stanford will be subject to a maximum cap of 31,888,888 on the number of shares of common stock that can be issued upon the conversion of the convertible debentures and the exercise of the warrants.

 

We anticipate that, based upon our current cash and investments and the additional $8,500,000 proceeds from the issuance of convertible debentures, we will be able to fund our operations for the next twenty-four months.  If we are unable to issue the additional $8,500,000 of convertible debentures, we will only be able to fund our operations for the next six months.  Over the next twelve months, we plan to fund our research and development and commercialization activities by:

                        utilizing our current cash balance and investments,

                        achieving some of the milestones set forth in our current licensing agreements,

                        through the execution of additional licensing agreements for our technology, and

                        through the issuance of convertible debentures under the recently completed transaction with YA Global and Stanford Financial.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to raise money through any of the foregoing transactions, or on favorable terms, if at all.

 

40



 

 

Results of Operations

Fiscal Years ended June 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005

Revenue

Total revenues consisted of initial fees and milestone payments on our agricultural development and license agreements.  During the year ended June 30, 2007, revenue of $300,000 consisted of initial payments, current milestone payments, and the amortized portion of previous milestone payments in connection with certain license agreements.  During the years ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005, revenue of $66,666 and $125,000, respectively, consisted of current milestone payments and the amortized portion of previous milestone payments in connection with certain license agreements.

We anticipate that we will continue to receive milestone payments in connection with our current agricultural development and license agreements while we continue to pursue our goal of attracting other companies to license our technologies in various other crops.  Additionally, we anticipate that we will receive royalty payments from our license agreements when our partners commercialize their crops containing our technology.  However, it is difficult for us to determine our future revenue expectations because we are a development stage biotechnology company.  As such, the timing and outcome of our experiments, the timing of signing new partners and the timing of our partners moving through the development process into commercialization is difficult to accurately predict.

Operating expenses

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Change

 

%

 

2006

 

2005

 

Change

 

%

 

 

(In thousands, except% values)

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

$

2,413

 

$

1,920

 

$

493

 

26

 %

$

1,920

 

$

2,029

 

$

(109

)

(5)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

1,208

 

1,566

 

(358

)

(23

)%

1,566

 

1,417

 

149

 

11

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

$

3,621

 

$

3,486

 

$

135

 

4

 %

$

3,486

 

$

3,446

 

$

40

 

1

%

 

We expect operating expenses to increase over the next twelve months as we anticipate that research and development expenses and other general and administrative expenses will increase as we continue to expand our research and development activities.

 

                General and administrative expenses

 

                General and administrative expenses consist of the following:

 

 

 

Year ended June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

$

910

 

$

488

 

$

691

 

Payroll and benefits

 

616

 

607

 

564

 

Investor relations

 

278

 

341

 

328

 

Professional fees

 

217

 

211

 

197

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

166

 

40

 

43

 

Other general and administrative expenses

 

226

 

233

 

206

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total general and administrative expenses

 

$

2,413

 

$

1,920

 

$

2,029

 

 

41



 

 

                  Stock-based compensation consists primarily of the amortized portion of the Black-Scholes value of options and warrants granted to consultants, directors and employees. During Fiscal 2007 and 2006, there were 240,000 and 235,000 options granted to such directors, employees and consultants and 2,500 and 5,000 warrants granted to a consultant. Additionally, during Fiscal 2007, 1,500,000 warrants were extended and repriced in connection with a financial advisory agreement.

Stock-based compensation was higher in Fiscal 2007 due to the extension and repricng of warrants in connection with a financial advisory agreement, which had a Black-Scholes value of $683.  This was partially offset by a decrease in the Black-Scholes value of the options and warrants granted during Fiscal 2007 compared to the Black-Scholes value of the options and warrants granted during Fiscal 2006 because the market price of the common stock on the date of grant in Fiscal 2007 was lower than the market price of the common stock on the date of grant in Fiscal 2006.

Stock-based compensation was lower in Fiscal 2006 compared to Fiscal 2005 primarily due to the Black-Scholes value of the options and warrants granted during Fiscal 2006 being lower than the Black-Scholes value of the options and warrants granted during Fiscal 2005 because the market price of the common stock on the date of grant in Fiscal 2006 was lower than the market price of the common stock on the date of grant in Fiscal 2005.

                  Payroll and benefits increased primarily as a result of salary and health insurance rate increases.

                  Investor relations expense for Fiscal 2007 is lower than Fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of a decrease in consulting fees incurred.

Investor relations expense for Fiscal 2006 is higher than Fiscal 2007 primarily as a result of an increase in the amount of investor relations consulting fees.

                  Professional fees increased during Fiscal 2007 compared to Fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of an increase in accounting fees which was partially offset by a decrease in legal fees.

Professional fees increased during Fiscal 2006 compared to Fiscal 2005 primarily as a result of an increase in legal fees due to the increased regulatory environment, which was partially offset by a decrease in accounting and consulting fees as a result of the postponement by the SEC of the auditing requirements in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

                  Depreciation and amortization increased during Fiscal 2007 compared to Fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of an increase in amortization of patent costs.  During Fiscal 2007, we began amortizing the cost of our pending patent applications.

 

42



 

 

We expect general and administrative expenses to modestly increase over the next twelve months primarily due to an increase in legal and accounting fees related to the increased regulatory environment surrounding our business.

Research and development expenses

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Change

 

%

 

2006

 

2005

 

Change

 

%

 

 

(In thousands, except % values)

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

$

60

 

$

189

 

$

(129

)

(68)

%

$

189

 

$

283

 

$

(94

)

(3)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other research and development

1,148

 

1,377

 

(229

)

(17)

%

1,377

 

1,134

 

243

 

21

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total research and development

$

1,208

 

$

1,566

 

$

(358

)

(23)

%

$

1,566

 

$

1,417

 

$

149

 

11

%

 

                  Stock-based compensation decreased during Fiscal 2007 compared to Fiscal 2006 primarily because the Black-Scholes value of the options and warrants granted during Fiscal 2007 were lower than Fiscal 2006 because the market price of the common stock on the date of grant in Fiscal 2007 was lower than the market price of the common stock on the date of grant in Fiscal 2006.

                  Stock-based compensation increased during Fiscal 2006 compared to Fiscal 2005 because the market price of the common stock on the date of grant in Fiscal 2006 was lower than the market price of the common stock on the date of grant in Fiscal 2005.

                  Other research and development costs decreased during Fiscal 2007 compared to Fiscal 2006  primarily as a result of a reduction of the budget in connection with the research agreement with the University of Waterloo as well as the completion of certain human health research programs being performed at certain universities.

Other research and development costs increased during Fiscal 2006 compared to Fiscal 2005 primarily as a result of the expanded research programs in both the agricultural and human health applications of our technology and the weakness of the U.S. currency against the Canadian currency.

The breakdown of our research and development expenses between our agricultural and human health research programs are as follows:

 

 

 

Year ended June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

%

 

2006

 

%

 

2005

 

%

 

 

 

(In thousands, except % values)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agricultural research programs

 

$

701

 

58

%

$

813

 

52

%

$

711

 

50

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Human health research programs

 

507

 

42

%

753

 

48

%

706

 

50

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total research and development expenses

 

$

1,208

 

100

%

$

1,417

 

100

%

$

1,417

 

100

%

 

                  Agricultural research expenses decreased during Fiscal 2007 compared to Fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of a decrease in the budget in connection with our research agreement at the University of Waterloo and a decrease in stock-based compensation.

 

43



 

 

                                                Agricultural research expenses increased during Fiscal 2006 compared to Fiscal 2007 primarily as a result of the expanded research program at the University of Waterloo and the weakness of the U.S. currency against the Canadian currency.

 

                  Human health research expenses decreased during Fiscal 2007 compared to Fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of the completion of certain human health research programs being performed at certain universities.

Human health research expenses increased during Fiscal 2006 compared to Fiscal 2005 primarily as a result of the expanded human health research program.

We expect the percentage of human health research programs to increase as a percentage of the total research and development expenses as we continue to expand our human health initiatives.

                Noncash income

                In May 2005, we completed a private placement of common stock and warrants.  In the private placement, we were obligated to file a registration statement to register all of the shares and the shares underlying the warrants.  Due to our obligation to file a registration to register for resale the shares underlying the warrants, in accordance with EITF 00-19. “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed To, and Potentially Settled In a Company’s Own Common Stock,” the value of the warrants in the private placement was recorded as a liability until the filing was made.  The decrease in market value of the Common Stock from the closing of the financings until the date of the filing or effectiveness of  the registration statement resulted in noncash income of $135,632.

                Sale of state income tax loss

                During fiscal 2005, we received net proceeds of $153,160 from the sale of our New Jersey state tax loss for fiscal 2003.  Because the criteria required for approval changed, we have not been approved to sell our New Jersey state tax loss for fiscal 2004 and thereafter, and therefore, we did not receive any proceeds during fiscal 2007 or 2006.

                Interest income

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Change

 

%

 

2006

 

2005

 

Change

 

%

 

 

 

(In thousands, except % values)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

69

 

$

105

 

$

(36

)

(34)

%

$

105

 

$

54

 

$

51

 

94

%

 

                The decrease in interest income for fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006 is lower due to a lower average cash and investments balance during the year, which was partially offset by higher interest rates.  The increase in interest income for fiscal 2006 compared to fiscal 2005 is related to a higher rate of interest earned on our investments.

From Inception on July 1, 1998 through June 30, 2007

 

                From inception of operations on July 1, 1998 through June 30, 2007, we had revenues of $718,333, which consisted of the initial license fees and milestone payments in connection with our various development and license agreements.  We do not expect to generate significant

 

44



 

 

revenues for approximately the next one to three years, during which time we will engage in significant research and development efforts.

We have incurred losses each year since inception and have an accumulated deficit of $25,621,540 at June 30, 2007.  We expect to continue to incur losses as a result of expenditures on research, product development and administrative activities.

Item 7A.       Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Foreign Currency Risk

                Our financial statements are denominated in United States dollars and, except for our agreement with the University of Waterloo, which is denominated in Canadian dollars, all of our contracts are denominated in United States dollars.  Therefore, we believe that fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates will not result in any material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.  In the event we derive a greater portion of our revenues from international operations or in the event a greater portion of our expenses are incurred internationally and denominated in a foreign currency, then changes in foreign currency exchange rates could effect our results of operations and financial condition.

Interest Rate Risk

                We invest in high-quality financial instruments, primarily money market funds, federal agency notes, corporate debt securities and United States treasury notes, with an effective duration of the portfolio of less than nine months, and no security with an effective duration in excess of one year, which we believe are subject to limited credit risk.  We currently do not hedge our interest rate exposure.  Due to the short-term nature of our investments, which we plan to hold until maturity, we do not believe that we have any material exposure to interest rate risk arising from our investments.

Item 8.                    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The financial statements required to be filed pursuant to this Item 8 are included in this amended and restated Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.  A list of the financial statements filed herewith is found at “Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.”

Item 9.                    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and

                                Financial Disclosure.

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

                Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of June 30, 2007.  Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that as of June 30, 2007, our disclosure controls and procedures were (1) designed to ensure that material information relating to us, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to our chief executive officer and

 

45



 

 

chief financial officer by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared and (2) effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management including our chief executive office and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosures.

 

                No change in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information.

 

On August 1, 2007 and August 29, 2007, we entered into binding Securities Purchase Agreements with YA Global Investments, referred to herein as YA Global, and Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc., referred to herein as Stanford, respectively, to sell to each of YA Global and Stanford up to $5,000,000 of secured convertible debentures and accompanying warrants for an aggregate gross proceeds of $10,000,000.  The convertible debentures convert into shares of our common stock at a fixed price of $0.90 per share subject to certain adjustments, referred to herein as the fixed conversion price, for a period of two years immediately following the signing date, provided that we have achieved the following milestones by January 31, 2008:

 

                  successful completion of animal studies, other than toxicology studies, necessary for the advancement of factor 5A 1 in human clinical trials,

                  the engagement of a contract research organization for human clinical studies of factor 5A 1, and

                  the signing of at least one (1) corporate partnership or license agreements after August 1, 2007 with agricultural companies utilizing our proprietary platform.

 

                After the second anniversary of the signing date, or if we do not achieve the foregoing milestones by January 31, 2008, the convertible debentures may convert into shares of our common stock at the lower of the fixed conversion price or 80% of the lowest daily volume-weighted average price, referred to herein as the VWAP, of the common stock during the five trading days prior to the conversion date.. The maturity date of each of the convertible debentures for YA Global and Stanford is December 30, 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  Currently, at the fixed conversion price, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the convertible debentures and exercise of warrants represents, in the aggregate, 25,000,000 shares, plus an estimated additional 2,000,000 shares for the payment of interest in stock under the convertible debentures.

 

                    Pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase agreements, we are required to seek shareholder approval to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock from 60,000,000 shares to 100,000,000 shares.

 

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                The convertible debentures accrue interest on their outstanding principal balances at an annual rate of 8%.  We have the option to pay interest in cash or, upon certain conditions, shares of common stock.  If we pay interest in shares of common stock, the stock will be valued at a 10% discount to the average daily VWAP for the five day trading period prior to the interest payment date, referred to herein as the interest shares.

 

                At our option, we can redeem a portion of, or all of, the principal owed under the convertible debentures by providing the investors with at least 30 business days’ written notice; provided that, at the time of receipt of the notice, either:

 

                  If

                  the VWAP of the common stock exceeds 130% of the Fixed Conversion Price for at least 20 of 30 prior trading days, and

                  there is an effective registration statement for the resale of the common stock that will be issued under the redemption

 

                  or we redeem a portion, or all, of the principal owed at a 20% premium above the principal then  outstanding and any accrued interest thereupon.

 

                If we redeem all or any of the principal outstanding under the convertible debentures, we will pay an amount equal to the principal being redeemed plus accrued interest.

 

                If there is an effective registration statement for the resale of the shares underlying the convertible debentures or if such shares become 144(k) eligible, we will have the option to force the investors to convert 50% and 100% of our then-outstanding convertible debentures if our common stock price exceeds 150% and 175% of the fixed conversion price, respectively, for any 20 out of 30 trading days; provided that such forced conversion meets certain conditions, referred to herein as the call option.  If we exercise our call option prior to the third anniversary of the signing date, we will issue additional warrants to the investor equal to 50% of the number of shares underlying the convertible debenture subject to the forced conversion.  These warrants will be exercisable at the fixed conversion price and will have the same maturity as the other warrants issued under the YA Global Financing.

 

                Our obligations under the convertible debentures are secured by all of our and our subsidiary’s assets and intellectual property, as evidenced by the Security Agreements and the Patent Security Agreements.  Pursuant to a subordination agreement, YA Global is the senior secured creditor.

 

                YA Global and Stanford will also be issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 5,555,555 and 8,333,333 shares, respectively, of our common stock, exercisable six months and one day from the date of issuance until their expiration on the date that is five years from the date of issuance.  The warrants will be issued in two series. Generally, the Series A warrants may be issued prior to stockholder approval, while the Series B warrants are only issued after stockholder approval.  The exercise price of the Series A warrants is $1.01 per share, and the exercise price of the Series B warrants is $0.90 per share, subject to certain adjustments.  The warrants provide a right of cashless exercise if, at the time of exercise, there is no effective registration statement registering the resale of the shares underlying the warrants.

 

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                The conversion rate of each convertible debenture and the exercise price of the Series B warrants are subject to adjustment for certain events, including dividends, stock splits, combinations and the sale of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for our common stock at a price less than the then applicable conversion or exercise price.

 

                The investors have a right of first refusal on any future funding that involves the issuance of our capital stock for so long as a portion of the convertible debentures is outstanding.

 

                Under the registration rights agreements executed with each of YA Global and Stanford, we have agreed to file an initial registration statement with the SEC to register the resale of common stock issuable to YA Global (including interest shares), such shares are also referred to herein as the registrable shares, within 30 days of the first closing of the YA Global deal.  Also, we have agreed to respond to all SEC comment letters as promptly as reasonably possible and to use our best efforts to have the registration statement declared effective within 120 days of the aforementioned first closing.  The initial registration statement covering YA Global’s shares shall include 33% of the public float.  If the registrable shares remain outstanding after all shares under the initial registration statement have been sold, we may be required to file additional registration statements for those registrable shares.  These registration rights will cease once the registrable shares are eligible for sale by the investor without restriction under Rule 144(k).  Upon certain events, we have agreed to pay as partial liquidated damages an amount equal to 1.0% of the aggregate purchase price paid by the investors for any convertible debentures then held by the investors, but these payments may not exceed 12% of the aggregate purchase price paid by the investors.

 

                The gross proceeds of the sale will be $10,000,000 before payment of 3.25% of the purchase price in commissions to Wainwright & Co., Inc., also referred to herein as the placement agent.  We will issue to the placement agent warrants to purchase 7% of the purchase price, or 777,777 shares, of our common stock with similar terms to the warrants that will be issued to the investors.  We paid YA Global and Stanford a non-refundable structuring/ due diligence fee of $30,000 each.  We have also agreed to pay YA Global and Stanford a commitment fee of 5% and 7%, respectively, of its purchase price, which is paid proportionately at each closing.

 

Specifics of YA Global Financing

 

                Pursuant to the YA Global Securities Purchase Agreement, we have issued a convertible debenture in the amount of $1,500,000 and will issue and sell to YA Global:

 

(1) a convertible debenture in the amount of $1,500,000 on the date the registration statement is filed, pursuant to the registration rights agreement, with the SEC; and

 

(2) a convertible debenture in the amount of $2,000,000 on the date that is the later of the following:

 

                  the date stockholders approve the transaction, or

 

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                  the date the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC.

 

                The convertible debentures and warrants issued and issuable to YA Global at the first two closings will be subject to a cap on the number of shares of common stock that can be issued upon the conversion of the convertible debentures and the exercise of the warrants, until the Company receives shareholder approval.  The cap of 3,493,000 shares is equal to 19.99% of the company’s outstanding common stock on the signing date.  In addition, there is a maximum overall cap of 30,500,000 shares for the YA Global financing.

 

Specifics of Stanford Financing

 

                Pursuant to the Stanford securities purchase agreement, we will issue and sell to Stanford:

 

(1) a convertible debenture in the amount of $2,000,000 and warrants within two business days of the later of the following:

                  the date stockholders approve the transaction, or

                  the date that the initial registration statement relating to the YA Global financing is filed with the SEC;

 

(2) a convertible debenture in the amount of $1,500,000 on the date the Company enters into a supply agreement with a third party manufacturer for sufficient quantity and quality of nano-particle for encapsulation of Factor 5A gene to be used in toxicology and proof of concept human studies under a United States Food and Drug Administration, referred to herein as FDA, accepted Investigational New Drug application, referred to herein as IND application; and

 

(3) a convertible debenture in the amount of $1,500,000 on the date the Company enters into a supply agreement with a third party manufacturer to provide sufficient quantity and quality of Factor 5A DNA to carry out toxicology and proof of concept human studies under a FDA accepted IND application.

 

The convertible debentures and warrants issuable to Stanford will be subject to a maximum cap of 31,888,888 on the number of shares of common stock that can be issued upon the conversion of the convertible debentures and the exercise of the warrants.

 

49



 

PART III

Item 10.                                                    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

Our Directors and executive officers, on September 30, 2007, together with their ages and business backgrounds were as follows:

Name

 

Age

 

Served Since

 

Position(s)
with Senesco

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rudolf Stalder (1)

 

66

 

1999

 

Chairman of the Board and
Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bruce C. Galton

 

55

 

2001

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John E. Thompson, Ph.D.

 

66 

 

2001 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer and Director  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sascha P. Fedyszyn

 

32

 

1999

 

Vice President of Corporate Development and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joel Brooks

 

48

 

2000

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Dondero

 

57

 

2004

 

Vice President of Research and Development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John N. Braca (2)(3)

 

49

 

2003

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher Forbes (1)

 

56

 

1999

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas C. Quick (1)(2)

 

52

 

1999

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Rector (2)(3)

 

60

 

2002

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jack Van Hulst (3)

 

68

 

2007

 

Director


(1)   Member of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

(2)          Member of Audit Committee

(3)          Member of Compensation Committee

Each Director holds office until the next Annual Meeting of shareholders and until his successor has been elected and qualified.

The principal occupations and business experience, for at least the past five (5) years, of each director and executive officer is as follows:

Rudolf Stalder has been our director since February 1999 and was appointed as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer on January 10, 2000.  On October 4, 2001, Mr. Stalder resigned as our Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Stalder is a former member of the Executive

 

50



 

Boards of Credit Suisse Group and Credit Suisse First Boston and former Chief Executive Officer of the Americas Region of Credit Suisse Private Banking.  Mr. Stalder joined Credit Suisse in 1980 as a founding member and Deputy Head of the Multinational Services Group.  In 1986, he became Executive Vice President.  He was named to Credit Suisse’s Executive Board in 1989.  In 1990, he became Head of the Commercial Banking Division and a Member of the Executive Committee.  From 1991 to 1995, Mr. Stalder was Chief Financial Officer of Credit Suisse First Boston and a Member of the Executive Boards of Credit Suisse Group and Credit Suisse First Boston.  He became head of the Americas Region of Credit Suisse Private Banking in 1995 and retired in 1998.  Prior to moving to the United States, Mr. Stalder was a member of the Board of Directors for several Swiss subsidiaries of major corporations including AEG, Bayer, BTR, Hoechst, Saint Gobain, Solvay and Sony.  He is a fellow of the World Economic Forum and a board member of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony.  He was a member of the Leadership Committee of the Consolidated Corporate Fund of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Board of The American Ballet Theatre, and a Trustee of Carnegie Hall.  From 1991 through 1998, Mr. Stalder was Chairman of the New York Chapter of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce.  He continues to serve as an Advisory Board Member of the American-Swiss Foundation.  Mr. Stalder received a diploma in advanced finance management at the International Management Development Institute in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1976.  He completed the International Senior Managers Program at Harvard University in 1985.

Bruce C. Galton has been our director since November 2001, and he was appointed our President and Chief Executive Officer on October 4, 2001.  From April 2000 until June 2001, when it was acquired by Transgenomic, Inc., Mr. Galton was President and Chief Operating Officer and a director of Annovis, Inc., a manufacturer of specialty chemicals for DNA synthesis with operations in Pennsylvania and Glasgow, United Kingdom.  From January 1985 to May 1999, Mr. Galton held various senior management positions at Cistron Biotechnology, Inc., including President and Chief Operating Officer from 1988 to 1997 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1997 to 1999.  Cistron Biotechnology, Inc. was engaged in the research and development of certain cytokines, which act as key immune regulators.  Mr. Galton is a trustee of the Interfaith Food Pantry (Morris County New Jersey) and is a former member of the Borough of Madison, New Jersey Downtown Development Commission and a former trustee of the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts.  Mr. Galton had also served as a Councilman from 1996 through 1998 and a member of Madison’s Planning Board from 1994 through 1998.  Mr. Galton received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a major in accounting from the University of Virginia in 1974 and an M.B.A. in finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1977.

John E. Thompson, Ph.D. has been our director since October 2001.  Dr. Thompson was appointed our President and Chief Executive Officer in January 1999, and he continued in that capacity until September 1999 when he was appointed Executive Vice President of Research and Development.  In July 2004, Dr. Thompson became our Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer.  Dr. Thompson is the inventor of the technology that we develop.  Since July 2001, he has been the Associate Vice President, Research and, from July 1990 to June 2001, he was the Dean of Science at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.  Dr. Thompson has a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, and he is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.  Dr. Thompson is also the recipient of a Lady Davis Visiting Fellowship, the Sigma Xi Award for Excellence in Research, the CSPP Gold Medal and the Technion Visiting Fellowship.

 

51



 

Sascha P. Fedyszyn was appointed our Vice President of Corporate Development in January 1999 and was appointed our Secretary in January 2000.  Mr. Fedyszyn has been a Vice President of Senesco since its inception in June 1998.  Mr. Fedyszyn was also a Research Associate at the Logistics Management Institute from May 1995 to September 1995.  Mr. Fedyszyn received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Princeton University in June 1997.

Joel Brooks was appointed our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in December 2000. From September 1998 until November 2000, Mr. Brooks was the Chief Financial Officer of Blades Board and Skate, LLC, a retail establishment specializing in the action sports industry.  Mr. Brooks was Chief Financial Officer from 1997 until 1998 and Controller from 1994 until 1997 of Cable and Company Worldwide, Inc.  He also held the position of Controller at USA Detergents, Inc. from 1992 until 1994, and held various positions at several public accounting firms from 1983 through 1992.  Mr. Brooks received his Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce with a major in Accounting from Rider University in February 1983.

Richard Dondero was appointed our Vice President of Research and Development in July 2004.  From July 2002 until July 2004, Mr. Dondero was a Group Leader in the Proteomics Reagent Manufacturing division of Molecular Staging, Inc., a biotech firm engaged in the measurement and discovery of new biomarkers.  From 1985 through June 2001, Mr. Dondero served in several roles of increasing responsibility through Vice President of Operations and Product Development at Cistron Biotechnology, Inc.  From 1977 through 1985, Mr. Dondero served as a senior scientist at Johnson and Johnson, and from 1975 through 1977, as a scientist at Becton Dickinson.  Mr. Dondero received his Bachelor of Arts degree from New Jersey State University in 1972 and his Master of Science degree from Seton Hall University in 1976.

 

John N. Braca has been our director since October 2003.  Mr. Braca has also served as a director and board observer for other healthcare, technology and biotechnology companies over the course of his career.  From April 2006, Mr. Braca has been the managing director of Fountainhead Venture Group, a healthcare information technology venture fund based in the Philadelphia area.  From May 2005 through March 2006, Mr. Braca was a consultant and advisor to GlaxoSmithKline management in their research operations.  From 1997 to April 2005, Mr. Braca was a general partner and director of business investments for S.R. One, Limited, or S.R. One, the venture capital subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline.  In addition, from January 2000 to July 2003, Mr. Braca was a general partner of Euclid SR Partners Corporation, an independent venture capital partnership.  Prior to joining S.R. One, Mr. Braca held various finance and operating positions of increasing responsibility within several subsidiaries and business units of GlaxoSmithKline.  Mr. Braca is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of Pennsylvania and is affiliated with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  Mr. Braca received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Villanova University and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University.

Christopher Forbes has been our director since January 1999.  Since 1989, Mr. Forbes has been Vice Chairman of Forbes, Inc., which publishes Forbes Magazine and Forbes.com.  From 1981 to 1989, Mr. Forbes was Corporate Secretary at Forbes. Prior to 1981, he held the position of Vice President and Associate Publisher.  Mr. Forbes has been a director of Forbes, Inc. since 1977.  Mr. Forbes is the Chairman of the American Friends of the Louvre, and he also

 

52



 

sits on the Boards of The Business Committee for the Arts, The Brooklyn Museum, The Friends of New Jersey State Museum, The New York Academy of Art, The Victorian Society in America and the Prince Wales Foundation.  He is also a member of the Board of Advisors of The Princeton University Art Museum. Mr. Forbes received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Princeton University in 1972.  In 1986, he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by New Hampshire College and in 2003 was appointed a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the French Government.

Thomas C. Quick has been our director since February 1999.  Since 2003, Mr. Quick has been the President of First Palm Beach Properties, Inc.  From 2001 through 2003, Mr. Quick was the Vice Chairman of Quick & Reilly/Fleet Securities, Inc., successor to The Quick & Reilly Group, Inc., a holding company for four (4) major financial services businesses.  From 1996 until 2001, Mr. Quick was the President and Chief Operating Officer and a director of Quick & Reilly/Fleet Securities, Inc.  From 1985 to 1996, he was President of Quick & Reilly, Inc., a Quick & Reilly subsidiary and a national discount brokerage firm.  Mr. Quick serves as a member of the Board of Directors and compensation committee of B.F. Enterprises. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Best Buddies, The American Ireland Fund, Venetian Heritage, Inc. and serves on the Investment Advisory Board for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  He is a trustee of the National Corporate Theater Fund, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, the Norton Museum, the Inter-City Scholarship Foundation of New York City, and an advisory board member of Christie, European.  Mr. Quick is a graduate of Fairfield University.

David Rector has been our director since February 2002.  Mr. Rector also serves as a director and member of the compensation and audit committee of the Dallas Gold and Silver Exchange (formerly Superior Galleries, Inc.)and a director and member of the audit committee of Southridge Technology Group, Inc.   From May 2004 through December 2006, Mr. Rector had served in senior management positions with Nanoscience Technologies, Inc., a development stage company engaged in the development of DNA Nanotechnology.  Also, since 1985, Mr. Rector has been the Principal of The David Stephen Group, which provides enterprise consulting services to emerging and developing companies in a variety of industries.  From 1983 until 1985, Mr. Rector served as President and General Manager of Sunset Designs, Inc., a domestic and international manufacturer and marketer of consumer product craft kits, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reckitt & Coleman N.A.  From 1980 until 1983, Mr. Rector served as the Director of Marketing of Sunset Designs.  From 1971 until 1980, Mr. Rector served in progressive roles in both the financial and product marketing departments of Crown Zellerbach Corporation, a multi-billion dollar pulp and paper industry corporation.  Mr. Rector received a Bachelor of Science degree in business/finance from Murray State University in 1969.

Jack Van Hulst has been our director since January 2007.  Mr. Van Hulst also serves as a director and member of the compensation committee of Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  He has more than 39 years of international experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He began his career in 1968 at Organon, which was subsequently acquired by AKZO, N.V., the multinational human and animal healthcare company, where he was based in Europe and US and responsible for establishing AKZO’s position in the US in the manufacturing and sales and marketing of fine chemicals. Mr. Van Hulst later became President of AKZO’s US Pharmaceutical Generic Drug Business and was responsible for establishing AKZO in the US generic drug industry. From

 

53



 

1989 to 1999 Mr. Van Hulst successively owned and led two generic pharmaceutical companies, improving their operations and then selling them to a private equity group and a pharmaceutical company. From 1999 to 2005, he was Executive Vice President at Puerto Rico-based MOVA Pharmaceutical Corporation, a contract manufacturer to the pharmaceutical industry that recently merged with Canadian-based Patheon.

Board Determination of Independence

Under the current AMEX rules, a director will, among other things, qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of our board of directors, that person does not have a material relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.  Our board of directors currently consists of Rudolf Stalder, Bruce C. Galton, John E. Thompson, Ph.D., John N. Braca, Christopher Forbes, Thomas C. Quick, David Rector and Jack Van Hulst.  We are currently traded on the AMEX, which requires our board be comprised of a majority of independent directors.  Our board of directors has determined that each of Messrs. Stalder, Braca, Forbes, Quick, Rector and Van Hulst is an “independent director” as defined under Sections 121(A) and 802 of the AMEX rules.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

Our Audit Committee is comprised of John N. Braca, David Rector and Thomas C. Quick.  Mr. Braca currently serves as the chairman of the Audit Committee.  AMEX currently requires an Audit Committee comprised solely of independent directors.  Messrs. Braca, Rector and Quick are “independent” members of our board of directors as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and Sections 121(A) and 803 of the AMEX rules.  In addition, our board of directors has determined that Mr. Braca satisfies the definition of an audit committee “financial expert” as set forth in Item 401(e) of Regulation S-B promulgated by the SEC.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Section 807 of the AMEX rules, on March 17, 2003, our board of directors adopted a Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, which may also be found on our website at www.senesco.com.  Our Code of Ethics contains written standards designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

                  honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

                  full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents filed with the SEC;

                  compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

                  the prompt internal reporting of violations of our Code of Ethics to an appropriate person or persons identified in our Code of Ethics; and

                  accountability for adherence to our Code of Ethics.

Each of our employees, officers and directors completed a signed certification to document his or her understanding of and compliance with our Code of Ethics.

 

 

54



 

Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires a company’s directors, officers and stockholders who beneficially own more than 10% of any class of equity securities of the company registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, collectively referred to herein as the Reporting Persons, to file initial statements of beneficial ownership of securities and statements of changes in beneficial ownership of securities with respect to the company’s equity securities with the SEC.  All Reporting Persons are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all reports that such Reporting Persons file with the SEC pursuant to Section 16(a).

Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us and upon written representations of the Reporting Persons received by us, we believe that there has been compliance with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our Reporting Persons.

Item 11.                 Executive Compensation.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis explains the principles underlying our compensation policies and decisions and the principal elements of compensation paid to our executive officers during Fiscal 2007.  Our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the other executive officers included in the Summary Compensation Table will be referred to as the “named executive officers” for purposes of this discussion.  In general, the compensation principles for our named executive officers are similar to those of all our other executive officers.

Compensation Objectives and Philosophy

The Compensation Committee, also referred to herein as the Committee, of the Board of Directors is responsible for the following:

                  to discharge the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation of our directors and named executive officers;

                  to have overall responsibility for approving and evaluating our director and officer compensation plans, policies and programs;

                  to have responsibility for producing an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in our proxy statement; and

                  to review and discuss with Senesco management, the Compensation Discussion & Analysis which is included in Senesco’s annual proxy statement.

As part of this process, the Committee seeks to accomplish the following objectives with respect to our executive compensation programs:

                  to motivate, recruit and retain executives capable of meeting our strategic objectives;

                  to provide incentives to ensure superior executive performance and successful financial results for us; and

                  to align the interests of executives with the long-term interests of our stockholders.

 

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The Committee seeks to achieve these objectives by:

                  establishing a compensation structure that is both market competitive and internally fair, taking into account the value of the position in the marketplace;

                  linking a substantial portion of compensation to our achievement of long-term and short-term financial objectives and the individual’s contribution to the attainment of those objectives;

                  providing risk for underachievement and upward leverage for overachievement of goals; and

                  providing long-term equity-based incentives and encouraging direct share ownership by executives with the intention of providing incentive-based compensation to encourage a long-term focus on company profitability and stockholder value.

 

Setting Executive Compensation

In Fiscal 2007, the Committee engaged J. Richard and Co., also referred to herein as J. Richard, a nationally recognized compensation consulting firm, to provide competitive compensation data and general advice on our compensation programs and policies for our Chief Executive Officer, and J. Richard was available for consultation with the Committee to discuss the compensation programs for our other named executive officers.  During Fiscal 2007, J. Richard performed a market analysis of the compensation paid by comparable companies and provided the Committee with recommended compensation ranges for the Chief Executive Officer based on the competitive data.  In addition, the Chief Executive Officer provided recommendations to the Committee with respect to the compensation packages for those other named executive officers for Fiscal 2007, and the Committee also reviewed the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation against compensation paid by comparable companies.

It is the Committee’s objective to target each component of compensation listed below to be competitive with comparable positions at peer group companies, and to target the total annual compensation of each named executive officer at the appropriate level for comparable positions at the competitive peer group companies.  Our list of peer group companies is as follows:  Amarillo Biosciences, Inc., A.P.Pharma, Inc., Applied NeuroSolutions, Inc., AutoImmune Inc., Avax Technologies, Inc., Cadus Corporation, Helix BioMedix, Inc., ImmuCell Corporation, Medistem Laboratories, Inc., MicroIslet, Inc., Millennium Biotechnologies Group, Inc., Nanobac Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Neurologix, Inc., Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., Point Therapeutics, Inc., Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sanguine Corporation, Symbollon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Synthetech, Inc., Synthetic Blood International, Inc., and TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc.

However, in determining the compensation of each named executive officer, the Committee also considers a number of other factors, including Senesco’s recent performance and the named executive officer’s individual performance, the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations, the importance of the executive’s position and role in relation to execution of the Company’s strategic plan, and the cost of living in the geographic area in which the named executive officer’s office is located.  There is no pre-established policy for allocation of compensation between cash and non-cash components or between short-term and long-term

 

56



 

components.  Instead, the Committee determines the mix of compensation for each named executive officer based on its review of the competitive data and its subjective analysis of that individual’s performance and contribution to our financial performance.  For the Chief Executive Officer, for fiscal 2008, the Committee set his performance targets and compensation levels based upon the input from the Compensation Committee’s consultant and from the Chief Executive Officer. For other named executive officers, the Committee sets performance targets and compensation levels after receiving recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer.

In selecting companies to survey for such compensation purposes, the Compensation Committee considered many factors not directly associated with the stock price performance of those companies, such as geographic location, development stage, organizational structure and market capitalization.  For this reason, there is not a meaningful correlation between the companies included within the peer group identified for comparative compensation purposes and the companies included within the RDG Micro Biotechnology Index.

Components of Compensation

For Fiscal 2007, our executive compensation program included the following components:

                  base salary;

                  annual short-term equity incentives; and

                  change in control and other severance arrangements.

 

For Fiscal 2008, our executive compensation program included the following components:

                  base salary;

                  annual short-term equity incentives;

                  long-term equity incentive awards; and

                  change in control and other severance arrangements.

 

The Committee seeks to align the named executive officers’ and shareholders’ interests in a pay for performance environment. On average, a large portion of an executive officer’s total compensation is at risk, with the amount actually paid tied to achievement of pre-established objectives and individual goals.

Base Salary

In General — It is the Committee’s objective to set a competitive rate of annual base salary or consulting fees for each named executive officer.  The Committee believes competitive base salaries are necessary to attract and retain top quality executives, since it is common

 

57



 

practice for public companies to provide their executive officers with a guaranteed annual component of compensation that is not subject to performance risk.  However, the Committee recognizes that Senesco is still a development stage company, with little to no revenue currently.

When compared to comparable positions at the competitive peer group companies, it is the Committee’s objective to target the base compensation level of executive officers below the 50th percentile because of our current financial position.  However, historically the compensation levels for our executive officers has been below the 25th percentile of competitive peer group companies. However, in determining the compensation of each executive officer, the Committee also considers a number of other factors, including recent Company and individual performance, the CEO’s recommendations and cost of living.  There is no pre-established policy for allocation of compensation between cash and non-cash components or between short-term and long-term components.  Instead, the Committee determines the mix of compensation for each executive officer based on its review of the competitive data and its subjective analysis of that individual’s performance and contribution to the Company’s financial performance.

Base Salary for Fiscal 2007 — For Fiscal 2007, each named executive officer’s salary, except for the President and Chief Executive Officer, was increased to cover cost of living increases.  The table below shows annual Fiscal 2006 and Fiscal 2007 base salary or consulting rates for each named executive officer:

Name

 

Title

 

2006
Salary

 

2007
Salary (1)

 

%

Increase

 

Bruce C. Galton

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

$

242,500

 

$

242,500

 

0.0

%

John E. Thompson

 

Executive Vice-President and Chief

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scientific Officer

 

$

62,400 (2

)

$

65,000 (2

)

4.2

%

Sascha P. Fedyszyn

 

Vice-President of Corporate

Development and Secretary

 

$

93,600

 

$

97,500

 

4.2

 %

Joel Brooks

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

$

139,100

 

$

145,000

 

4.2

%

Richard Dondero

 

Vice President of Research and

Development

 

$

120,000

 

$

125,000

 

4.2

 %


(1) Annual salary increases became effective January 1, 2007.

(2) Represents consulting fees paid under a consulting agreement.

 

Base Salary for Fiscal 2008 — The Committee has not approved any increases in base salary for Fiscal 2008, but it will consider a cost of living adjustment for the named executive officers for calendar 2008.

Annual Bonuses for Fiscal 2007 and Fiscal 2008 — Bonuses are determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors based upon the recommendation of the Committee.  There were no cash bonuses granted during Fiscal 2007, and it is anticipated that there will be no cash bonuses granted for Fiscal 2008.

Short Term Incentive Equity Awards

In General — A portion of each named officer’s compensation is provided in the form of short-term equity awards.  It is the Committee’s belief that properly structured equity awards are an effective method of aligning the short-term interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders.

 

58



 

Equity awards were made in the form of incentive stock options.  The Committee has followed a grant practice of tying equity awards to its annual calendar year-end review of individual performance, its assessment of our performance and our operational results.

Incentive Stock Option Fiscal 2007 Awards — In Fiscal 2007, equity grants to our named executive officers were in the form of incentive stock options, also referred herein as ISO’s.  Each ISO entitles the recipient to purchase a stated amount of shares of common stock at a fixed price, which represents the closing market price of the common stock on the day prior to the date of grant.

The President and Chief Executive Officer received ISO’s in the amount of 40,000 shares at an exercise price of $1.08 on December 14, 2006.  The ISO’s vest as follows:  one-third on December 14, 2006; one-third on December 14, 2007; and one-third on December 14, 2008.

The Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Corporate Development and Vice President of Research and Development each received ISO’s in the amount of 25,000 shares at an exercise price of $1.08 on December 14, 2006.  The ISO’s vest as follows:  one-third on December 14, 2006; one-third on December 14, 2007; and one-third on December 14, 2008.

Restricted Stock Unit Short-Term Incentive Plan for Fiscal 2008 — The Company’s Restricted Stock Unit Short-Term Incentive Plan, or STIP, covering Fiscal 2008, equity grants to our named executive officers will be in the form of restricted stock units, also referred to herein as RSU’s.  Each RSU entitles the recipient to receive one share of our common stock upon vesting or upon a designated date or event following such vesting.   All RSUs will be awarded together and will be available for distribution on or around July-August 2008 upon evaluation of performance objectives that have been identified further below under the heading STIP Performance Objectives, or SPO’s.

The Committee will follow a grant practice of tying equity awards to its annual year-end review of individual performance, its assessment of our performance and our financial results.  Accordingly, it is expected that any equity awards to the named executive officers will be made on an annual basis promptly after the release of our financial results.  The Committee has established short-term incentive grant guidelines for eligible named executive officers each year based on competitive annual grant data provided by management’s compensation consultant and by J. Richard, the Committee’s compensation consultant.

The total amount of RSU’s in the STIP pool awarded to our named executive officers will be 175,000 shares representing one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares as of July 1, 2007. The specific amount of RSU’s awarded to each individually named executive officer relating to the performance objectives are based on (i) the functional areas assessed by the underlying detailed objectives of each named executive officer, (ii) the weight of each of the functions of each named executive officer, and (iii) the contribution to each function by each named executive officer.

The amount and percentage of the RSU’s awarded to all the named executive officers as a whole for the their contributions to each of the STIP Performance Objectives will be as follows:

 

59



 

STIP Performance Objective

 

Percentage of STIP RSU Award Pool

 

Total Amount of RSUs Awarded As a Whole to All Named Executive Officers per SPO

 

First STIP Performance Objective.
Contributions Relating to Cancer Target

 

45

%

78,750

 

Second STIP Performance Objective.
Contributions Relating to Financing

 

25

%

43,750

 

Third STIP Performance Objective.
Contributions Relating to Licensing and Support

 

15

%

26,250

 

Fourth STIP Performance Objective.
Contributions Relating to Intellectual Property Administration

 

4

%

7,000

 

Fifth STIP Performance Objective.
Contributions Relating to Investor Relations

 

3

%

5,250

 

Sixth STIP Performance Objective.
Contributions Relating to Website Administration

 

1

%

1,750

 

Seventh STIP Performance Objective.
Contributions Relating to Audits and Securities Filings

 

5

%

8,750

 

Eighth STIP Performance Objective.
Contributions Relating to the American Stock Exchange Duties

 

1

%

1,750

 

Ninth STIP Performance Objective.
Contributions Relating to the Future Financing Plan

 

1

%

1,750

 

 

Each named executive officer eligible to receive an award pursuant to the STIP is required to be employed by the Company upon vesting date in or around July-August 2008 (the “Vesting Date”).  If a named executive officer is no longer employed by the Vesting Date, then such named executive officer’s respective RSU award tied to such STIP Performance Objective will be forfeited. The Committee shall have the sole discretion to reinstate any eliminated portion or segment of a STIP Performance Objective award or that portion of a STIP Performance Objective award for an award to a successor to the STIP Performance Objectives.

The amount and percentage of RSU’s awarded to the named executive officers individually for their contributions to each of the STIP Performance Objectives may be modified, altered and redistributed by the Chief Executive Officer, subject to Committee review, to reflect (i) the actual performance of each named executive officer, (ii) the potential reassignment of duties of each named executive officer, and (iii) the unanticipated accomplishments by any of the named executive officers after the outset of the STIP that contribute significantly to shareholder value during fiscal 2008.

 

60



 

Subject to the preceding paragraph, the approximate individual amounts and percentages of RSU awards to the named executive officers are as follows:

Name

 

Bruce C.
Galton

 

John E. Thompson

 

Sascha P.
Fedyszyn

 

Joel
Brooks

 

Richard Dondero

 

Title

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Executive Vice-President and Chief Scientific Officer

 

Vice-President of Corporate Development and Secretary

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Vice-President of Research and Development

 

Percentage of 78,750 RSU’s Awarded for First SPO

 

20

%

25

%

10

%

10

%

35

%

Number of RSU’s Awarded for the First SPO

 

15,750

 

19,687.5

 

7,875

 

7,875

 

27,562.5

 

Percentage of 43,750 RSU’s Awarded for the Second SPO

 

45

%

0

%

5

%

45

%

5

%

Number of RSU’s Awarded for the Second SPO

 

19,687.5

 

0

 

2,187.5

 

19,687.5

 

2,187.5

 

Percentage of 26,250 RSU’s Awarded for the Third SPO

 

35

%

15

%

35

%

5

%

10

%

Number of RSU’s Awarded for the Third SPO

 

9,187.5

 

3,937.5

 

9,187.5

 

1,312.5

 

2,625

 

Percentage of 7,000 RSU’s Awarded for the Fourth SPO

 

4

%

30

%

30

%

0

%

30

%

Number of RSU’s Awarded for the Fourth SPO

 

700

 

2,100

 

2,100

 

0

 

2,100

 

Percentage of 5,250 RSU’s Awarded for the Fifth SPO

 

30

%

0

%

30

%

30

%

10

%

Number of RSU’s Awarded for the Fifth SPO

 

1,575

 

0

 

1,575

 

1,575

 

525

 

Percentage of 1,750 RSU’s Awarded for the Sixth SPO

 

10

%

0

%

70

%

10

%

10

%

Number of RSU’s Awarded for the Sixth SPO

 

175

 

0

 

1,225

 

175

 

175

 

Percentage of 8,750 RSU’s Awarded for the Seventh SPO

 

20

%

5

%

10

%

60

%

5

%

Number of RSU’s Awarded for the Seventh SPO

 

1,750

 

437.5

 

875

 

5,250

 

437.5

 

Percentage of 1,750 RSU’s Awarded for the Eighth SPO

 

50

%

0

%

0

%

50

%

0

%

Number of RSU’s Awarded for the Eighth SPO

 

875

 

0

 

0

 

875

 

0

 

Percentage of 1,750 RSU’s Awarded for the Ninth SPO

 

30

%

10

%

10

%

30

%

20

%

Number of RSU’s Awarded for the Ninth SPO

 

525

 

175

 

175

 

525

 

350

 

Total RSU’s Awarded

 

50,225

 

26,338

 

25,200

 

37,275

 

35,962

 

Percentage of 175,000 RSU’s Awarded for All SPOs

 

29

%

15

%

14

%

21

%

21

%

 

 

61



 

It is the Committee’s belief that equity awards are essential to the retention of the named executive officers and crucial to our long-term financial successes.   The equity award’s have vesting schedules that provide a meaningful incentive for the named executive officer to remain in our service.  These equity awards also serve as an important vehicle to achieve the Committee’s objective of aligning management and stockholders interests.  Equity awards in the form of ISO’s and RSU’s promote all of these objectives.

Long-Term Incentive Equity Awards

In General — A portion of each named executive officer’s compensation is provided in the form of long-term incentive equity awards as set forth in the Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) discussed below.  It is the Committee’s belief that properly structured equity awards are an effective method of aligning the long term interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders.

There was no formal LTIP in Fiscal 2007.  Beginning with Fiscal 2008, equity awards will be made in the form of restricted stock units.  The Committee will follow a grant practice of tying equity awards upon of the completion of certain event milestones (“LTIP Event Milestones”) discussed below.  Accordingly, it is expected that any equity awards to the named executive officers will be made on promptly after the completion of each LTIP Event Milestone.  The Committee has established long-term incentive grant guidelines for eligible named executive officers based on competitive annual grant data provided by management’s compensation consultant and by J. Richard, the Committee’s compensation consultant.

Long-Term Incentive Plan — Beginning on October 23, 2007 (the “LTIP Effective Date”) and ending on the earlier of (i) the completion of the Third LTIP Event Milestone or (ii) three (3) years from the LTIP Effective Date, LTIP equity grants to our named executive officers will be in the form of RSU’s.  Each RSU entitles the recipient to receive one share of our common stock upon vesting or upon a designated date or event following such vesting.

The total RSU’s in the LTIP pool awarded to our named executive officers will be 500,000 shares representing three percent (3%) of the outstanding shares as of July 1, 2007.

The amount and percentage of the RSU’s awarded to all the named executive officers as a whole for the completion of each of the three LTIP Event Milestones are as follows:

LTIP Event Milestone

 

Percentage of LTIP RSU Award Pool

 

Total Amount of RSUs Awarded As a Whole to All Named Executive Officers

 

First LTIP Event Milestone.
The Execution of a Research Agreement to Conduct Phase I/II Trials by a Research Facility

 

20

%

100,000

 

Second LTIP Event Milestone.
The Filing and Acceptance by the U.S. FDA of an investigation new drug application, or IND, by the date set by the Committee

 

20

%

100,000

 

Third LTIP Event Milestone.
The Successful Completion of Phase I/II Trials Approved by the FDA by the date set by the Committee

 

60

%

300,000

 

 

62



 

Each named executive officer eligible to receive an award pursuant to the LTIP is required to be employed by the Company upon the completion of each individual LTIP Event Milestone.  If a named executive officer is no longer employed by the Company before the completion of an individual LTIP Event Milestone, then such named executive officer’s respective RSU award tied to such uncompleted LTIP Event Milestone will be forfeited and so will that total portion of the whole LTIP award pool. The Committee shall have the sole discretion to reinstate any eliminated portion or segment of a LTIP Event Milestone award or that portion of a LTIP Event Milestone award for a successor to the LTIP Event Milestones.

The LTIP awards for each named executive officer upon the completion of each individual LTIP Event Milestone shall be as follows:

Name

 

Title

 

Percentage of Total RSU’s Awarded Upon Completion of a LTIP Event Milestone

 

Number of RSU’s Awarded upon Completion of First LTIP Event Milestone

 

Number of RSU’s Awarded upon Completion of Second LTIP Event Milestone

 

Number of RSU’s Awarded upon Completion of Third LTIP Event Milestone

 

Bruce C. Galton

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

25

%

25,000

 

25,000

 

75,000

 

John E. Thompson

 

Executive Vice-President and Chief Scientific Officer

 

25

%

25,000

 

25,000

 

75,000

 

Sascha P. Fedyszyn

 

Vice-President of Corporate Development and Secretary

 

10

%

10,000

 

10,000

 

30,000

 

Joel Brooks

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

10

%

10,000

 

10,000

 

30,000

 

Richard Dondero

 

Vice-President of Research and Development

 

30

%

30,000

 

30,000

 

90,000

 

 

It is the Committee’s belief that RSU awards are essential to the retention of the named executive officers, crucial to our long-term financial successes and will help to advance the share ownership guidelines, which may be established by the Committee for the executive officers. The RSU’s have award schedules which provide a meaningful incentive for the named executive officer to remain in our service.  These equity awards also serve as an important vehicle to achieve the Committee’s objective of aligning management and stockholder interests.  Equity awards in the form of RSU’s promote all of these objectives in a manner which is less dilutive to the stockholders than traditional option grants and provide a more direct correlation between our

 

63



 

compensation cost that we must record for financial accounting purposes and the value delivered to the named executive officers.

Market Timing of Equity Awards. The Compensation Committee does not engage in any market timing of the equity awards made to the executive officers or other award recipients, and accordingly, there is no established practice of timing our awards in advance of the release of favorable financial results or adjusting the award date in connection with the release of unfavorable financial developments affecting our business.

Executive Benefits and Perquisites

In General — The named executive officers also are provided with certain market competitive benefits.  They are currently not provided with any perquisites.  It is the Committee’s belief that such benefits are necessary for us to remain competitive and to attract and retain top caliber executive officers, since such benefits are typically provided by companies in the biotechnology industry and with other companies with which we compete for executive talent.

Retirement Benefits — The named executive officers may participate in the company-wide 401(k) plan.  We do not make any contributions to the 401(k) plan and do not have any additional retirement benefits.

Other Benefits and Perquisites — All administrative employees, including the named executive officers, are eligible to receive standard health, disability, and life insurance.  We do not provide any additional benefits and perquisites.

IRC Section 162(m) compliance

As a result of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, publicly-traded companies such as us are not allowed a federal income tax deduction for compensation, paid to the Chief Executive Officer and the four other highest paid executive officers, to the extent that such compensation exceeds $1 million per officer in any one year and does not otherwise qualify as performance-based compensation. Currently, our stock option compensation packages are structured so that compensation deemed paid to an executive officer in connection with the exercise of a stock option should qualify as performance-based compensation that is not subject to the $1 million limitation. However, other awards, like RSU’s, made under that Plan may or may not so qualify. In establishing the cash and equity incentive compensation programs for the executive officers, it is the Committee’s view that the potential deductibility of the compensation payable under those programs should be only one of a number of relevant factors taken into consideration, and not the sole governing factor. For that reason the Committee may deem it appropriate to continue to provide one or more executive officers with the opportunity to earn incentive compensation, including cash bonus programs tied to our financial performance and restricted stock units awards, which may be in excess of the amount deductible by reason of Section 162(m) or other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. It is the Committee’s belief that cash and equity incentive compensation must be maintained at the requisite level to attract and retain the executive officers essential to our financial success, even if part of that compensation may not be deductible by reason of the Section 162(m) limitation. For Fiscal 2007, none of our executive officer's compensation reached the $1 million limitation. The Committee will continue to evaluate such $1 million limitation in Fiscal 2008.

 

64


 

 


Report of the Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation, Discussion and Analysis with management, and based on this review and these discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation, Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s amended and restated Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.

This report is submitted on behalf of the

Compensation Committee

David Rector, Chairman

John. N Braca

Jack Van Hulst

Summary Compensation Table

The following Tables sets forth information concerning compensation for services rendered in all capacities during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 awarded to, earned by or paid to: (i) each person who served as our Chief Executive Officer at any time during fiscal 2007; (ii) our executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer who were serving as our executive officers at the end of fiscal 2007; and (iii) those individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided but for the fact that the individual was not serving as our executive officer at the end of fiscal 2007, collectively referred to herein as the Named Executives.

 

Name and Principal Position

 

Year (1)

 

Salary
($)(2)

 

Bonus
($)(3)

 

Stock
Awards
($)

 

Option
Awards
($) (4)

 

Non-
Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
($)

 

Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($)

 

All
Other Compensation
($)

 

Total
($)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

(h)

 

(i)

 

(j)

 

Bruce C. Galton

(President and Chief

 

2007

 

$

244,722

 

 

 

$

34,000

 

 

 

 

$

278,722

 

Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joel Brooks

(Chief Financial Officer

 

2007

 

$

143,450

 

 

 

$

21,250

 

 

 

 

$

164,700

 

and Treasurer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Dondero

(Vice-President of Research)

 

2007

 

$

124,500

 

 

 

$

21,250

 

 

 

 

$

145,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sascha P. Fedyszyn

(Vice-President of Corporate

 

2007

 

$

95,750

 

 

 

$

21,250

 

 

 

 

$

117,000

 

Development and Secretary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John E. Thompson Ph.D

(Executive Vice-President and

 

2007

 

$

63,700

 

 

 

$

21,250

 

 

 

 

$

84,950

 

Chief Scientific Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)          For the Company’s fiscal year ended June 30.

 

65



(2)          Such amount represents actual salary paid.

(3)          There were no bonuses earned or paid during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007

(4)          Such amount represents the black-sholes value of stock options granted during the fiscal year.

 

 

Executive Compensation Agreements

On October 4, 2001, we hired Bruce C. Galton as our new President and Chief Executive Officer. In conjunction with Mr. Galton’s appointment, we entered into a three-year employment agreement with Mr. Galton, effective October 4, 2001.  The agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms thereafter, unless written notice of termination is provided at least 120 days prior to the end of the applicable term.  The term of Mr. Galton’s employment agreement currently runs through October 3, 2008.  The agreement provides Mr. Galton with an annual base salary of $200,000 plus certain benefits, including potential bonuses, equity awards and other perquisites as determined by our board of directors.  Our board of directors have since approved several increases in Mr. Galton’s annual base salary, which is currently $255,000.  The agreement also provides that Mr. Galton is entitled to a lump sum payment of 1.5 times his base annual salary plus an additional 1.5 times his base salary, payable in common stock in three annual installments, if his employment with us is terminated without cause or with good reason, as defined in his employment agreement.  If Mr. Galton’s employment with us is terminated pursuant to a change in control, as defined in his employment agreement, he is entitled to receive the difference between the monies actually received upon termination and 1.5 times his annual base salary plus an additional 1.5 times his base salary, payable in common stock.

On January 21, 1999, Sascha P. Fedyszyn entered into an employment agreement with Senesco for a term of two (2) years, whereby we agreed to pay Mr. Fedyszyn an annual base salary of $36,000 plus certain benefits, including potential bonuses, equity awards and other perquisites as determined by the board of directors.  Our board of directors has since approved several increases in Mr. Fedyszyn’s base salary, which is currently $97,500 per annum. Mr. Fedyszyn’s employment contract automatically renews for additional one-year periods, unless terminated by either party before September in the year prior to expiration.  The term of Mr. Fedyszyn’s employment agreement currently runs through January 21, 2009.  The agreement also provides that Mr. Fedyszyn is entitled to a lump sum payment of 2.0 times his base annual salary if his employment with us is terminated without cause or with good reason, as defined in his employment agreement.  If Mr. Fedyszyn’s employment with us is terminated pursuant to a change of control, as defined in his employment agreement, he is entitled to receive the difference between the monies actually received upon termination and 2.99 times his annual base salary.

On July 1, 2003, Joel Brooks entered into an employment agreement with Senesco for a term of three (3) years. The agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms thereafter, unless written notice of termination is provided at least 120 days prior to the end of the applicable term.  The term of Mr. Brooks employment agreement currently runs through June 30, 2008. The agreement provides Mr. Brooks with an annual base salary of $122,000 plus certain

 

 

66



 

benefits, including potential bonuses, equity awards and other perquisites as determined by the board of directors.  Our board of directors has since approved several increases in Mr. Brooks’ base salary, which is currently $145,000.  The agreement also provides that Mr. Brooks is entitled to a lump sum payment of 1.0 times his base annual salary if his employment with us is terminated without cause or with good reason or pursuant to a change in control, as defined in his employment agreement.

 

On July 19, 2004, we hired Richard Dondero as our new Vice President of Research and Development.  In conjunction with Mr. Dondero’s appointment, we entered into a three-year employment agreement with Mr. Dondero, effective July 19, 2004.  The agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms thereafter, unless written notice of termination is provided at least 120 days prior to the end of the applicable term. The term of Mr. Dondero’s employment agreement currently runs through July 19, 2008.  The agreement provides Mr. Dondero with an annual base salary of $110,000 plus certain benefits, including potential bonuses, equity awards and other perquisites as determined by our board of directors.  Our board of directors has since approved several increases in Mr. Dondero’s base salary, which is currently $125,000.  The agreement also provides that Mr. Dondero is entitled to a lump sum payment of 1.0 times his base annual salary if his employment with us is terminated without cause or with good reason, as defined in his employment agreement.  If Mr. Dondero’s employment with us is terminated pursuant to a change in control, as defined in his employment agreement, he is entitled to receive the difference between the monies actually received upon termination and 1.0 times his annual base salary.

 

 

67



 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

The following Grants of Plan Based Awards table provides additional information about stock and option awards and equity incentive plan awards granted to our named executive officers during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

Option

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

Awards:

 

 

 

Grant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards:

 

Number

 

 

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

of

 

Exercise

 

Fair

 

 

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts

 

Estimated Future Payouts

 

of

 

Securities

 

or Base

 

Value

 

 

 

 

Under Non-Equity Incentive

 

Under Equity Incentive Plan

 

Shares

 

Under

 

Price of

 

of

 

 

 

 

Plan Awards

 

Awards

 

of Stock

 

lying

 

Option

 

Equity

 

Name

Grant
Date

 

Threshold
($)

 

Target
($)

 

Maximum
($)

 

Threshold
(#)

 

Target
(#)

 

Maximum (#)

 

or Units
(#)

 

Options
(#)

 

Awards
($/Sh)

 

Awards
($)

 

(a)

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

(h)

 

(i)

 

(j)(1)

 

(k)(2)

 

(l)(3)

 

Bruce C. Galton

12/14/2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,000

 

$

1.08

 

$

34,000

 

Joel Brooks

12/14/2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

$

1.08

 

$

21,250

 

Richard Dondero

12/14/2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

$

1.08

 

$

21,250

 

Sascha P. Fedyszyn

12/14/2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

$

1.08

 

$

21,250

 

John E. Thompson Ph.D.

12/14/2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

$

1.08

 

$

21,250

 


(1)     One-third of such options were exercisable on the date of grant, one-third of such options will become exercisable on December 14, 2007 and one-third of such options will become exercisable on December 14, 2008.

(2)     Represents the closing market price on December 13, 2007.

(3)     Represents the black-sholes value of such options on the date of grant.

 

 

68



 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-End

The following table summarizes the equity awards we have made to our named executive officers which are outstanding as of June 30, 2007.

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable

 

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexer-
cisable

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)

 

Option Exercise Price ($)

 

Option Expiration Date

 

Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)

 

Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units of Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

(h)

 

(i)

 

(j)

 

Bruce C.

 

130,000

 

 

 

$

2.10

 

10/05/2011

 

 

 

 

 

Galton

 

300,000

 

 

 

$

2.05

 

12/01/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

$

2.16

 

06/19/2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,000

 

 

 

$

3.15

 

12/16/2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

35,000

 

 

 

$

3.45

 

12/16/2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,000

 

13,334

 

 

$

1.40

 

12/14/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,000

 

26,666

 

 

$

1.08

 

12/14/2016

 

 

 

 

 

Joel Brooks

 

25,000

 

 

 

$

2.25

 

12/01/2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

$

2.15

 

11/01/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,500

 

 

 

$

1.65

 

10/09/2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

$

2.16

 

06/19/2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

$

3.15

 

12/16/2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

$

3.45

 

12/16/2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

8,333

 

 

$

1.40

 

12/14/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

16,667

 

 

$

1.08

 

12/14/2016

 

 

 

 

 

Richard

 

10,000

 

 

 

$

3.45

 

12/16/2014

 

 

 

 

 

Dondero

 

25,000

 

8,333

 

 

$

1.40

 

12/14/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

16,667

 

 

$

1.08

 

12/14/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sascha P.

 

30,000

 

 

 

$

3.50

 

09/07/2019

 

 

 

 

 

Fedyszyn

 

35,000

 

 

 

$

2.25

 

2/01/2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

$

2.15

 

11/01/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

$

1.65

 

10/09/2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

$

2.16

 

06/19/2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

$

3.15

 

12/16/2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

$

3.45

 

12/16/2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

6,667

 

 

$

1.40

 

12/14/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

16,666

 

 

$

1.08

 

12/14/2016

 

 

 

 

 

John E. 

 

80,000

 

 

 

$

2.05

 

12/01/2011

 

 

 

 

 

Thompson

 

20,000

 

 

 

$

2.35

 

01/07/2013

 

 

 

 

 

Ph.D.

 

20,000

 

 

 

$

3.15

 

12/16/2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

55,000

 

 

 

$

3.45

 

12/16/2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

6,667

 

 

$

1.40

 

12/14/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

16,666

 

 

$

1.08

 

12/14/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment, and Change-in-Control Arrangements

Executive Severance.  Certain of our named executive officer’s have employment agreements which contain severance provisions.  The following table shows the potential

 

 

69



 

incremental payments to our named executive officers in the event of their termination or termination in connection with a change of control of our company as of June 30, 2007.

 

 

 

Bruce C. Galton

 

Joel Brooks

 

Richard Dondero

 

Sasha Fedyszyn

 

 

 

Without Cause

 

Change in Control

 

Without Cause

 

Change in Control

 

Without Cause

 

Change in Control

 

Without Cause

 

Change in Control

 

Benefit

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Cash Severance(2)

 

$

386,025

 

$

386,025

 

$

146,400

 

$

146,400

 

$

127,000

 

$

127,000

 

$

195,400

 

$

292,123

 

# of Months

 

18

 

18

 

12

 

12

 

12

 

12

 

24

 

36

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unvested Restricted Stock

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Unvested RSU’s

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Unvested Options(3)

 

$

7,213

 

$

7,213

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Common Stock(4)

 

$

386,025

 

$

386,025

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Other Benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health, Disability and Life Insurance

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Total

 

$

779,263

 

$

779,263

 

$

146,400

 

$

146,400

 

$

127,000

 

$

127,000

 

$

195,400

 

$

292,123

 


(1)          John E. Thompson Ph.D. is not included on this table as he does not have an employment contract or any termination or change in control arrangements.

(2)          Such amounts are payable as a lump sum.

(3)          Calculated using the black-sholes value of unvested options at June 30, 2007.  The assumptions used were a market price of $1.15, which was the closing price of our common stock on June 29, 2007, volatility of 80%, a term of 90 days, a risk-free interest rate of 4.68% and a dividend yield of zero.  Unvested options at June 30, 2007 were 13,334 at an exercise price of $1.40 and 26,666 at an exercise price of $1.08.

(4)          Mr. Galton in entitled to receive an amount equal to one and one-half times his base salary, payable in the form of common stock in three annual installments, commencing on the date of termination, to be calculated based upon the market price of the common stock at each installment date.

Equity Compensation Plans

The following table reflects information relating to equity compensation plans as of June 30, 2007.

 

 

 

Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights

 

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 

Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation plans

 

Stock Option plans approved by security holders

 

2,646,000(1

)

$

2.33

 

3,264,000(2

)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

Total

 

2,646,000(1

)

$

2.33

 

3,264,000(2

)


(1)          Issued pursuant to our 1998 Stock Plan.

 

 

70



 

(2)          Available for future issuance pursuant to our 1998 Stock Plan.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

                The members of the Compensation Committee from July 1, 2007, through February 21, 2007, were David Rector, John N. Braca and Rudolf Stalder.  From February 21, 2007 through present, our Compensation Committee was comprised of David Rector, John. N. Braca and Jack Van Hulst.  No member of the Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of our company or any of our subsidiaries. In addition, no member of the Compensation Committee had any relationships with us or any other entity that requires disclosure under the proxy rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and none of our executive officers served on the Compensation Committee or Board of any company that employed any member of our Board of Directors.

 

Compensation of Directors

In accordance with a resolution unanimously approved by our board of directors on December 14, 2006, we granted options to purchase shares of our common stock, pursuant to and in accordance with our 1998 Stock Plan, as consideration for their service on our board of directors through June 30, 2006, or fiscal 2006, except for Jack Van Hulst, whose options were granted as an incentive to join our board of directors during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, as follows:

 

Director

 

Number of Shares
Underlying
Options Granted

 

Grant Date

 

Exercise Price
Per Share

 

Rudolf Stalder

 

40,000

 

December 14, 2006

 

$

1.08

 

Christopher Forbes

 

30,000

 

December 14, 2006

 

$

1.08

 

Thomas Quick

 

20,000

 

December 14, 2006

 

$

1.08

 

John Braca

 

30,000

 

December 14, 2006

 

$

1.08

 

David Rector

 

30,000

 

December 14, 2006

 

$

1.08

 

Jack Van Hulst

 

10,000

 

March 20, 2007

 

$

1.05

 

Options granted to the board of directors have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, have a term of ten (10) years, and are exercisable as follows: (i) one-half (1/2) of the options were exercisable as of the date of grant; and (ii) one-half (1/2) of the options shall become exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

 

 

71



 

The table below shows the compensation paid or awarded to our independent directors during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.

 

Name

 

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)

 

Stock Awards ($)

 

Option Awards (1) ($)

 

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)

 

Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings

 

All Other Compensation ($)

 

Total ($)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

(h)

 

Rudolf Stalder

 

 

 

$34,000

 

 

 

 

$34,000

 

Christopher Forbes

 

 

 

$25,500

 

 

 

 

$25,500

 

Thomas Quick

 

 

 

$17,000

 

 

 

 

$17,000

 

John Braca

 

 

 

$25,500

 

 

 

 

$25,500

 

David Rector

 

 

 

$25,500

 

 

 

 

$25,500

 

Jack Van Hulst

 

 

 

$10,500

 

 

 

 

$10,500

 


(1)          Sets forth the black-sholes value of the options on the date of grant.

No director has received cash compensation for his services on our board of directors.  We provide reimbursement to directors for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the board of directors and other Senesco business.

Dr. Thompson has received compensation for providing research and development management services to us.  See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” which sets forth the details of the compensation for Dr. Thompson.

 

 

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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

The following table sets forth certain information, as of the October 22, 2007, with respect to holdings of our common stock by (i) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of such date; (ii) each of our directors, which includes all nominees, and our Named Executives; and (iii) all of our directors and our current executive officers as a group.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)

 

Amount and Nature
of Beneficial
Ownership
(2)

 

Percent
of Class
(3)

 

(i)

Certain Beneficial Owners:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YA Global Investments, L.P.
101 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302

 

6,108,333

(4)

25.9

 

Stanford International Bank Limited
No 11 Pavilion Drive
St. John’s Antigua, West Indies

 

2,470,535

(5)

13.6

 

Heartland Advisors, Inc.
789 North Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

1,329,925

(6)

7.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Directors (which includes all nominees),
Named Executives and Chief Executive Officer:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rudolf Stalder

 

794,323

(7)

4.4

 

Bruce C. Galton.

 

718,005

(8)

4.0

 

John E. Thompson, Ph.D

 

783,667

(9)

4.4

 

Christopher Forbes

 

2,189,895

(10)

12.1

 

Thomas C. Quick

 

717,085

(11)

4.0

 

David Rector

 

146,000

(12)

*

 

Jack Van Hulst

 

5,000

(13)

*

 

John N. Braca

 

113,000

(14)

*

 

Sascha P. Fedyszyn

 

215,027

(15)

1.2

 

Joel P. Brooks

 

153,167

(16)

*

 

Richard Dondero

 

51,667

(17)

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

All Directors and current executive officers as a group (10 persons)

 

5,886,836

(18)

28.7

 


*

 

Less than 1%

 

 

 

(1)

 

Unless otherwise provided, all addresses should be care of Senesco Technologies, Inc., 303 George Street, Suite 420, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901.

 

 

 

(2)

 

Except as otherwise indicated, all shares are beneficially owned and sole investment and voting power is held by the persons named.

 

 

 

(3)

 

Applicable percentage of ownership is based on 17,473,694 shares of our common stock outstanding as of October 22, 2007, plus any common stock equivalents and options or warrants held by such holder which are presently or will become exercisable within sixty (60) days after the Record Date.

 

 

73



 

(4)

 

Includes 3,333,333 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of secured convertible debentures and 2,775,000 shares of common stock issuable under warrants, one-half of which are exercisable after March 21, 2008 and one-half of which are exercisable after April 16, 2008. Does not include 250,000 shares of common stock purchased on October 22, 2007, but the trade had not been settled as of October 22, 2007.

 

 

 

(5)

 

Includes 750,000 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable warrants issued to Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. and 6,248 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable warrants issued to Stanford Group Company.

 

 

 

(6)

 

Represents 1,279,925 shares held by Heartland Advisors, Inc. and its affiliates and 50,000 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable warrants issued to Heartland Advisors, Inc.

 

 

 

(7)

 

Includes 582,552 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable warrants and options or options which will become exercisable within sixty (60) days after the Record Date.

 

 

 

(8)

 

Includes 644,780 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options or options which will become exercisable within sixty (60) days after the Record Date. Excludes 13,334 shares underlying options which become exercisable over time more than sixty (60) days after the Record Date.

 

 

 

(9)

 

Represents 572,000 shares held by 2091794 Ontario Ltd. and 211,667 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options or options which will become exercisable within sixty (60) days after the Record Date issued to John E. Thompson, Ph.D. Excludes 8,333 shares underlying options which become exercisable over time more than sixty (60) days after the Record Date.

 

 

 

(10)

 

Includes 657,324 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable warrants and options or options which will become exercisable within sixty (60) days after the Record Date.

 

 

 

(11)

 

Represents 264,901 shares and 132,450 shares issuable pursuant to warrants issued to Thomas C. Quick Charitable Foundation. Represents 139,734 shares and 180,000 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options or options which will become exercisable within sixty (60) days after the Record Date issued to Thomas C. Quick.

 

 

 

(12)

 

Includes 125,000 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options or options which will become exercisable within sixty (60) days after the Record Date.

 

 

 

(13)

 

Includes 5,000 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options or options which will become exercisable within sixty (60) days after the Record Date. Excludes 5,000 shares underlying options which become exercisable over time more than sixty (60) days after the Record Date.

 

 

 

(14)

 

Includes 95,000 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options or options which will become exercisable within sixty (60) days after the Record Date.

 

 

 

(15)

 

Includes 176,667 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options or options which will become exercisable within sixty (60) days after the Record Date. Excludes 8,333 shares underlying options which become exercisable over time more than sixty (60) days after the Record Date.

 

 

 

(16)

 

Includes 149,167 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options or options which will become exercisable within sixty (60) days after the Record Date. Excludes 8,333 shares underlying options which become exercisable over time more than sixty (60) days after the Record Date.

 

 

 

(17)

 

Represents 51,667 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options or options which will become exercisable within sixty (60) days after the Record Date. Excludes 8,333 shares underlying options which become exercisable over time more than sixty (60) days after the Record Date.

 

 

 

(18)

 

See Notes 9 through 16.

 

 

74



 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

Our Audit Committee Charter requires that our Audit Committee review and approve or ratify transactions involving us and any executive officer, director, director nominee, 5% stockholder and certain of their immediate family members, also referred to herein as a related person. The policy and procedures cover any transaction involving a related person, also referred to herein as a related person transaction, in which the related person has a material interest and which does not fall under an explicitly stated exception set forth in the applicable disclosure rules of the SEC.

A related person transaction will be considered approved or ratified if it is authorized by the Audit Committee after full disclosure of the related person’s interest in the transaction. In considering related person transactions, the Audit Committee will consider any information considered material to investors and the following factors:

 

 

 

the related person’s interest in the transaction;

 

 

 

the approximate dollar value of the transaction;

 

 

 

whether the transaction was undertaken in the ordinary course of our business;

 

 

 

whether the terms of the transaction are no less favorable to us than terms that we could have reached with an unrelated third party; and

 

 

 

the purpose and potential benefit to us of the transaction.

 

Contractual Relationships

Service Agreements

                Christopher Forbes, our director, is also Vice Chairman of Forbes, Inc., which publishes Forbes Magazine.  Forbes, Inc. has provided and will continue to provide us with advertising, introductions to strategic alliance partners and, from time to time, use of its office space, entertainment facilities and various other support services.  In recognition of these past services and services to be provided in the future, during the last two fiscal years, we granted to Forbes, Inc., warrants to purchase shares of our common stock as follows:

 

 

# of Warrant

 

Exercise

 

Value of Services

 

# of Warrant

 

Date of Grant

 

Shares

 

Price

 

On Date of Grant

 

Shares Vested

 

December 14, 2006

 

2,500

 

$

1.08

 

$

48,450

 

833

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 14, 2005

 

5,000

 

$

1.40

 

$

6,550

 

3,334

 

 

The exercise price of the warrants granted to Forbes, Inc. represented the fair market value of our common stock on the dates of grant.

 

Verge 180, Inc., a marketing communications firm, is 50% owned by Alan Brooks, a brother of Joel Brooks, our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.  Verge 180, Inc. has provided

 

 

75



 

and will continue to provide various services to us.  We paid Verge 180, Inc. $64,575 in fiscal 2007 for services in connection with the design and printing of our annual report and proxy for fiscal 2006, and the design of our new corporate logo, web site and stationery.  Alan Brooks Design, Inc., a marketing communications firm, was also owned by Alan Brooks.  Alan Brooks Design, Inc. had provided various services to us.  We paid Alan Brooks Design, Inc. $51,374 in fiscal 2006 for services in connection with the design and printing of our annual report and proxy for fiscal 2005, and the design and printing of a new print ad for us.  Neither we nor Joel Brooks receives any remuneration from these services, and we believe that such services were provided on terms at least as favorable as we would have received from a third party.

Research and Development Agreements

Effective September 1, 1998, we entered into a three-year research and development agreement, which has been extended for successive periods through August 31, 2008, with John E. Thompson, Ph.D. and the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, referred to as the University.  Dr. Thompson is our director and officer and beneficially owns approximately 4.4% of our common stock.  Dr. Thompson is the Associate Vice President, Research and former Dean of Science of the University.  Dr. Thompson and the University will provide research and development under our direction.  Research and development expenses under this agreement for the years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 aggregated US $568,872 and US $629,982, respectively.  Effective September 1, 2007, we, Dr. Thompson and the University extended the agreement for an additional one-year period through August 31, 2008 in the amount of CAN $652,600.  As of October 1, 2007, such amount represented approximately US $650,000.

Consulting Agreement

Effective May 1, 1999, we entered into a three-year consulting agreement, which has been extended for successive periods through June 30, 2009,  for research and development with Dr. Thompson.  This agreement provided for monthly payments of $3,000 through June 2004.  However, effective January 1, 2003, 2006 and 2007, the agreement was amended to increase the monthly payments from $3,000 to $5,000, from $5,000 to $5,200, and from $5,200 to $5,417, respectively.

Debt / Equity Transactions

2006 Private Placement

In connection with a private placement in October 2006, we sold shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase our common stock to certain institutions, accredited investors and certain directors as follows:

 

 

Amount

 

# of Shares

 

# of Warrants

 

Christopher Forbes

 

$

1,000,000

 

883,002

 

441,501

 

Thomas C. Quick Charitable Foundation

 

$

300,000

 

264,901

 

132,450

 

Rudolf Stalder

 

$

105,841

 

93,458

 

46,729

 

Bruce C. Galton

 

$

75,000

 

66,225

 

33,113

 

John N. Braca

 

$

11,325

 

10,000

 

5,000

 

David Rector

 

$

11,325

 

10,000

 

5,000

 

 

 

76



 

 

All of such warrants will become exercisable six months from the closing date at an exercise price equal to $1.18 and have a term of five (5) years.

2004 Private Placement

In connection with a private placement, commencing in January 2004 and ending in February 2004, we sold shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase our common stock to certain accredited investors and directors, including Seneca Capital L.P. and its affiliates, Rudolf Stalder and Christopher Forbes  On January 15, 2004, Seneca Capital L.P. and its affiliates purchased 421,941 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 210,970 shares of our common stock for the aggregate cash consideration of $1,000,000.  On January 15, 2004, Ruedi Stalder and Christopher Forbes each purchased 31,616 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 15,823 shares of our common stock for the aggregate cash consideration of $75,000 each.  All of such warrants were exercisable as of the date of grant at an exercise price equal to $3.79 and have a term of five (5) years.

Director Independence

Our board of directors has determined that each of Messrs. Stalder, Braca, Forbes, Quick, Rector and Van Hulst is an “independent director” as defined under Sections 121(A) and 802 of the AMEX rules.

Our board of directors has three standing committees: the Compensation Committee, the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, each of which operates under a charter that has been approved by our board. Each of these charters are also posted on our website at www.senesco.com.  Our corporate governance guidelines provide that directors are expected to attend the annual meeting of stockholders.  All directors attended the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders.

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee was established in July 1999, pursuant to the Compensation Committee Charter.  Our Compensation Committee generally makes recommendations concerning salaries and incentive compensation for our management and our employees. The primary responsibilities of our Compensation Committee, as more fully set forth in the Compensation Committee Charter adopted in July 1999 and amended and restated on July 7, 2004, include:

                  annually reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to CEO compensation;

                  reviewing and approving, or recommending for approval by our board, the salaries and incentive compensation of our executive officers;

                  preparing the Compensation Committee report;

                  administering our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, or our 1998 Stock Plan; and

 

 

77



 

                  reviewing and making recommendations to our board with respect to director compensation.

In addition, our Compensation Committee periodically reviews the potential effect of Section 162(m) and uses its judgment to authorize compensation payments that may be subject to the limit when our Compensation Committee believes such payments are appropriate and in the best interests of Senesco and our stockholders, after taking into consideration changing business conditions and the performance of our employees.  Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for certain compensation in excess of $1 million paid to a company’s CEO and the four other most highly compensated executive officers.  Certain compensation, including qualified performance-based compensation, will not be subject to the deduction limit if certain requirements are met.

Through February 21, 2007, our Compensation Committee was comprised of David Rector, John N. Braca and Rudolf Stalder.  From February 21, 2007 through present, our Compensation Committee was comprised of David Rector, John. N. Braca and Jack Van Hulst.  Mr. Rector currently serves as the chairman of the Compensation Committee.  All members of our Compensation Committee are considered independent pursuant to Sections 121(A) and 805 of the AMEX rules.  Our Compensation Committee held eight (8) meetings during fiscal 2007.

Audit Committee

Our Audit Committee was established in July 1999.  On October 8, 2003, our board of directors adopted an Amended and Restated Audit Committee Charter.  The primary responsibilities of our Audit Committee include:

                  appointing, approving the compensation of, and assessing the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm;

                  overseeing the work of our independent registered public accounting firm, including through the receipt and consideration of certain reports from our independent registered public accounting firm;

                  reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm our annual and quarterly financial statements and related disclosures;

                  monitoring our internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures and code of business conduct and ethics;

                  discussing our risk management policies;

                  establishing policies regarding hiring employees from our independent registered public accounting firm and procedures for the receipt and retention of accounting related complaints and concerns;

                  meeting independently with independent registered public accounting firm and management; and

                  preparing the audit committee report required by SEC rules, which is included on page 83 of this annual report.

 

 

78



 

Our Audit Committee is comprised of John N. Braca, David Rector and Thomas C. Quick.  Mr. Braca currently serves as the chairman of the Audit Committee.  AMEX currently requires an Audit Committee comprised solely of independent directors.  Messrs. Braca, Rector and Quick are “independent” members of our board of directors as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and Sections 121(A) and 803 of the AMEX rules.  In addition, our board of directors has determined that Mr. Braca satisfies the definition of an audit committee “financial expert” as set forth in Item 401(e) of Regulation S-B promulgated by the SEC.  Our Audit Committee held four (4) meetings during fiscal 2007.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The process followed by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to identify and evaluate director candidates includes requests to board members and others for recommendations, meetings from time to time to evaluate biographical information and background material relating to potential candidates and interviews of selected candidates by members of the committee and the board.

 

In considering whether to recommend any particular candidate for inclusion in the board’s slate of recommended director nominees, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will apply the criteria contained in the committee’s charter.  These criteria include the candidate’s integrity, business acumen, knowledge of our business and industry, age, experience, diligence, conflicts of interest and the ability to act in the interests of all stockholders.  Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not assign specific weights to particular criteria and no particular criterion is a prerequisite for each prospective nominee.  We believe that the backgrounds and qualifications of our directors, considered as a group, should provide a composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will allow the board to fulfill its responsibilities.

 

Stockholders may recommend individuals to our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for consideration as potential director candidates by submitting their names, together with appropriate biographical information and background materials and a statement as to whether the stockholder or group of stockholders making the recommendation has beneficially owned more than 5% of our common stock for at least one year as of the date such recommendation is made, to: Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o Corporate Secretary, Senesco Technologies, Inc., 303 George Street, Suite 420, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901.  Assuming that appropriate biographical and background material has been provided on a timely basis, the committee will evaluate stockholder-recommended candidates by following substantially the same process, and applying substantially the same criteria, as it follows for candidates submitted by others.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

On October 24, 2007, we filed a Form 8-K disclosing that, on October 22, 2007, we were notified that the partners of Goldstein Golub Kessler LLP, or GGK, became partners of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP in a limited asset purchase agreement and that its position as our independent registered public accounting firm will cease upon completion of its procedures regarding the following: (i) the unaudited interim financial statements of the Company as of September 30, 2007

 

 

79



 

and for the three month period ending September 30, 2007 and (ii) the Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ending September 30, 2007.  We will file a Form 8-K/A once such procedures are completed.

Our board of directors intends to, subject to stockholder ratification, retain McGladrey & Pullen, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008.  Neither the firm nor any of its directors has any direct or indirect financial interest in or any connection with us in any capacity other than as auditors.

Leased Employees

Through September 30, 2005, GGK, our independent registered public accounting firm, had a continuing relationship with American Express Tax and Business Services, Inc., or TBS, from which it leased auditing staff who were full time, permanent employees of TBS and through which its partners provide non-audit services.  Subsequent to September 30, 2005, the relationship ceased and the firm established a similar relationship with RSM McGladrey, Inc., or RSM. GGK has no full-time employees and therefore, none of the audit services performed were provided by permanent full-time employees of GGK.  GGK manages and supervises the audit and audit staff, and is exclusively responsible for the opinion rendered in connection with its examination.

Other services, which do not include Financial Information System Design and Implementation fees, have been provided by TBS or RSM.

The following table summarizes the fees GGK, TBS, or RSM billed us for each of the last two fiscal years for audit services and other services:

Fee Category

 

2007

 

2006

 

Audit Fees (1)

 

$

70,596

 

$

59,330

 

Audit-Related Fees (2)

 

13,796

 

4,442

 

Tax Fees (3)

 

2,250

 

3,092

 

All Other Fees

 

 

 

Total Fees

 

$

86,642

 

$

66,864

 


(1)          Consists of fees for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our financial statements for the years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and the reviews of the financial statements included in each of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q during the years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and fees for professional services rendered in connection with documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

(2)          Consists of fees relating to the review of our documents in connection with an equity offering, fees in connection with correspondence with the SEC and the AMEX, fees in connection with the implementation of SOX 404, and fees in connection with attending the annual shareholders meeting.

 

 

80



 

(3)          Consists of fees relating to our tax compliance, tax planning and tax return review for the years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 provided by TBS and / or RSM.

Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees

GGK, RSM or TBS did not bill us for any professional services rendered to us and our affiliates during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 in connection with financial information systems design or implementation, the operation of our information system or the management of our local area network.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

None of the audit-related fees billed in fiscal 2007 and 2006 related to services provided under the de minimis exception to the audit committee pre-approval requirements.

The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services that are to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm.  This policy generally provides that we will not engage our independent registered public accounting firm to render audit or non-audit services unless the service is specifically approved in advance by the Audit Committee or the engagement is entered into pursuant to one of the pre-approval procedures described below.

From time to time, the Audit Committee may pre-approve specified types of services that are expected to be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm during the next 12 months.  Any such pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or type of services to be provided and is also generally subject to a maximum dollar amount.

The Audit Committee has also delegated to the chairman of the Audit Committee the authority to approve any audit or non-audit services to be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm.  Any approval of services by a member of the Audit Committee pursuant to this delegated authority is reported on at the next meeting of the Audit Committee.

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee oversees our financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors.  The Audit Committee consists of three members of the Board of Directors who meet the independence and experience requirements of the AMEX.

On October 8, 2003, we amended and restated our Audit Committee Charter, which was originally adopted on July 26, 1999.

The Audit Committee held four meetings during fiscal 2007.

Management is responsible for our financial reporting process including its system of internal controls and for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing those financial statements. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and review these processes.  As appropriate, the Audit Committee reviews and evaluates, and discusses with our management and our independent registered public accounting firm, the following:

                  the plan for, and the independent registered public accounting firm’s report on, each audit of our financial statements;

 

 

81



 

                  the independent registered public accounting firm’s review of our unaudited interim financial statements;

                  our financial disclosure documents, including all financial statements and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or sent to stockholders;

                  our management’s selection, application and disclosure of critical accounting policies;

                  changes in our accounting practices, principles, controls or methodologies;

                  significant developments or changes in accounting rules applicable to us; and

                  the adequacy of our internal controls and accounting and financial personnel.

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with our management our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2007.  The Audit Committee also reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements and the matters required by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, 89 and 90, titled Communication with Audit Committees, with our independent registered public accounting firm. These standards require our independent registered public accounting firm to discuss with our Audit Committee, among other things, the following:

                  methods used to account for significant unusual transactions;

                  the effect of significant accounting policies in controversial or emerging areas for which there is a lack of authoritative guidance or consensus;

                  the process used by management in formulating particularly sensitive accounting estimates and the basis for the auditors’ conclusions regarding the reasonableness of those estimates; and

                  disagreements with management over the application of accounting principles, the basis for management’s accounting estimates and the disclosures in the financial statements.

Our independent registered public accounting firm also provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, titled Independence Discussions with Audit Committees. Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 requires auditors annually to disclose in writing all relationships that, in the auditor’s professional opinion, may reasonably be thought to bear on independence, confirm their perceived independence and engage in a discussion of independence.  In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm their independence from Senesco.  The Audit Committee also considered whether our independent registered public accounting firm’s provision of certain other non-audit related services to Senesco is compatible with maintaining our auditors’ independence.

Based on our discussions with management and our independent registered public accounting firm, and our review of the representations and information provided by our management and our independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to our board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in our annual report on Form 10-K and amended and restated Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended June 30, 2007.

By the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of

Senesco Technologies, Inc.

John N. Braca, Chairman

Thomas C. Quick

David Rector

 

 

82



Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)           (1)           Financial Statements.

Reference is made to the Index to Financial Statements on Page F-1.

(a)           (2)           Financial Statement Schedules.

None.

(a)           (3)           Exhibits.

Reference is made to the Exhibit Index on Page 86.

 

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 this 29th day of October 2007.

 

SENESCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Bruce C. Galton

 

 

Bruce C. Galton, President and

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(principal executive officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joel Brooks

 

 

Joel Brooks, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(principal financial and accounting

 

 

officer)

 

 

83



 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Rudolf Stalder

 

Chairman and Director

 

October 29, 2007

Rudolf Stalder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Bruce C. Galton

 

President and Chief Executive

 

October 29, 2007

Bruce C. Galton

 

Officer (principal executive officer)

 

 

 

 

and Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Joel Brooks

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

October 29, 2007

Joel Brooks

 

(principal financial and accounting officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John E. Thompson

 

Executive Vice President, Chief

 

October 29, 2007

John E. Thompson

 

Scientific Officer and Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Christopher Forbes

 

Director

 

October 29, 2007

Christopher Forbes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Thomas C. Quick

 

Director

 

October 29, 2007

Thomas C. Quick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ David Rector

 

Director

 

October 29, 2007

David Rector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jack Van Hulst

 

Director

 

October 29, 2007

Jack Van Hulst

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John Braca

 

Director

 

October 29, 2007

John Braca

 

 

 

 

 

 

84



 

SENESCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARY

(a development stage company)

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

JUNE 30, 2007

 



 

SENESCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

(a development stage company)

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-2

 

 

Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

 

 

Balance Sheet

F-3

Statement of Operations

F-4

Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

F-5 - F-8

Statement of Cash Flows

F-9

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-10 - F-30

 

F-1



 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors of

Senesco Technologies, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiary (a development stage company) as of June 30, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2007 and cumulative amounts from July 1, 1998 (inception) to June 30, 2007.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the Standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiary as of June 30, 2007 and 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2007 and cumulative amounts from July 1, 1998 (inception) to June 30, 2007 in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern.  As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company is a development stage company and has incurred recurring losses from operations that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.  Management’s plan in regard to these matters is also described in Note 1.  The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

/s/ GOLDSTEIN GOLUB KESSLER LLP

GOLDSTEIN GOLUB KESSLER LLP

New York, New York

September 26, 2007

 

F-2



 

SENESCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

(a development stage company)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

408,061

 

$

318,473

 

Short-term investments

 

250,000

 

850,000

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

104,526

 

139,584

 

Total current assets

 

762,587

 

1,308,057

 

Property and Equipment, net

 

7,526

 

10,318

 

Intangibles, net

 

2,544,447

 

2,209,796

 

Deferred Income Tax Asset, net of valuation allowance of $7,719,000 and $6,523,000, respectively

 

 

 

Security Deposit

 

7,187

 

7,187

 

Total Assets

 

$

3,321,747

 

$

3,535,358

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

109,258

 

$

77,695

 

Accrued expenses

 

377,359

 

329,884

 

Deferred revenue

 

16,667

 

41,667

 

Total current liabilities

 

503,284

 

449,246

 

Grant Payable

 

99,728

 

99,728

 

Other Liability

 

29,196

 

34,418

 

Total liabilities

 

632,208

 

583,392

 

Commitments

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock - $0.01 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares, no shares issued

 

 

 

Common stock - $0.01 par value; authorized 60,000,000 and 30,000,000 shares, respectively, issued and outstanding 17,473,694 and 15,477,388, respectively

 

174,737

 

154,774

 

Capital in excess of par

 

28,136,342

 

25,167,035

 

Deficit accumulated during the development stage

 

(25,621,540

)

(22,369,843

)

Stockholders’ equity

 

2,689,539

 

2,951,966

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

3,321,747

 

$

3,535,358

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-3



 

SENESCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

(a development stage company)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 30,

 

Amounts from

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Inception

 

 

Revenue

 

$

300,000

 

$

66,666

 

$

125,000

 

$

718,333

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

2,412,679

 

1,919,740

 

2,029,400

 

19,434,193

 

 

Research and development

 

1,208,321

 

1,566,267

 

1,417,337

 

8,193,169

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

3,621,000

 

3,486,007

 

3,446,737

 

27,627,362

 

 

Loss from operations

 

(3,321,000

)

(3,419,341

)

(3,321,737

)

(26,909,029

)

 

Noncash income

 

 

 

135,632

 

321,259

 

 

Sale of state income tax loss - net

 

 

 

153,160

 

586,442

 

 

Interest income - net

 

69,303

 

104,456

 

54,027

 

379,788

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(3,251,697

)

$

(3,314,885

)

$

(2,978,918

)

$

(25,621,540

)

 

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

 

$

(.19

)

$

(.21

)

$

(.21

)

 

 

Basic and diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

 

16,916,918

 

15,469,881

 

14,053,808

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-4



 

SENESCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

(a development stage company)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Period from July 1, 1998 (date of inception) to June 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deficit

 

Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

Related to

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Capital

 

During the

 

Issuance of

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

in Excess

 

Development

 

Options and

 

Equity

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

of Par

 

Stage

 

Warrants

 

(Deficiency)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock outstanding

 

2,000,462

 

$

20,005

 

$

(20,005

)

 

 

 

Contribution of capital

 

 

85,179

 

 

 

 

$

85,179

 

Issuance of common stock in reverse merger on January 22, 1999 at $0.01 per share

 

3,400,000

 

34,000

 

(34,000

)

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock for cash on May 21, 1999 for $2.63437 per share

 

759,194

 

7,592

 

1,988,390

 

 

 

1,995,982

 

Issuance of common stock for placement fees on May 21, 1999 at $0.01 per share

 

53,144

 

531

 

(531

)

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

$

(1,168,995

)

 

(1,168,995

)

Balance at June 30, 1999

 

6,212,800

 

62,128

 

2,019,033

 

(1,168,995

)

 

912,166

 

Issuance of common stock for cash on January 26, 2000 for $2.867647 per share

 

17,436

 

174

 

49,826

 

 

 

50,000

 

Issuance of common stock for cash on January 31, 2000 for $2.87875 per share

 

34,737

 

347

 

99,653

 

 

 

100,000

 

Issuance of common stock for cash on February 4, 2000 for $2.924582 per share

 

85,191

 

852

 

249,148

 

 

 

250,000

 

Issuance of common stock for cash on March 15, 2000 for $2.527875 per share

 

51,428

 

514

 

129,486

 

 

 

130,000

 

Issuance of common stock for cash on June 22, 2000 for $1.50 per share

 

1,471,700

 

14,718

 

2,192,833

 

 

 

2,207,551

 

Commissions, legal and bank fees associated with issuances for the year ended June 30, 2000

 

 

 

(260,595

)

 

 

(260,595

)

Fair market value of options and warrants granted and vested during the year ended June 30, 2000

 

 

 

1,656,659

 

 

$

(180,732

)

1,475,927

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

(3,346,491

)

 

(3,346,491

)

Balance at June 30, 2000

 

7,873,292

 

78,733

 

6,136,043

 

(4,515,486

)

(180,732

)

1,518,558

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-5



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deficit

 

Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

Related to

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Capital

 

During the

 

Issuance of

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

in Excess

 

Development

 

Options and

 

Equity

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

of Par

 

Stage

 

Warrants

 

(Deficiency)

 

Fair market value of options and warrants granted and vested during the year ended June 30, 2001

 

 

 

$

392,182

 

 

$

(83,563

)

$

308,619

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

$

(2,033,890

)

 

(2,033,890

)

Balance at June 30, 2001

 

7,873,292

 

$

 78,733

 

6,528,225

 

(6,549,376

)

(264,295

)

(206,713

)

Issuance of common stock and warrants for cash from November 30, 2001 through April 17, 2002 at $1.75 per unit

 

3,701,430

 

37,014

 

6,440,486

 

 

 

6,477,500

 

Issuance of common stock and warrants associated with bridge loan conversion on December 3, 2001

 

305,323

 

3,053

 

531,263

 

 

 

534,316

 

Commissions, legal and bank fees associated with issuances for the year ended June 30, 2002

 

 

 

(846,444

)

 

 

(846,444

)

Fair market value of options and warrants granted and vested during the year ended June 30, 2002

 

 

 

1,644,913

 

 

203,813

 

1,848,726

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

(3,021,709

)

 

(3,021,709

)

Balance at June 30, 2002

 

11,880,045

 

118,800

 

14,298,443

 

(9,571,085

)

(60,482

)

4,785,676

 

Fair market value of options and warrants granted and vested during the year ended June 30, 2003

 

 

 

788,360

 

 

60,482

 

848,842

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

(2,778,004

)

 

(2,778,004

)

Balance at June 30, 2003

 

11,880,045

 

118,800

 

15,086,803

 

(12,349,089

)

 

2,856,514

 

Issuance of common stock and warrants for cash from January 15, 2004 through February 12, 2004 at $2.37 per unit

 

1,536,922

 

15,369

 

3,627,131

 

 

 

3,642,500

 

Allocation of proceeds to warrants

 

 

 

(2,099,090

)

 

 

 

 

(2,099,090

)

Reclassification of warrants

 

 

 

1,913,463

 

 

 

1,913,463

 

Commissions, legal and bank fees associated with issuances from January 15, 2004 through February 12, 2004

 

 

 

(378,624

)

 

 

(378,624

)

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-6



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deficit

 

Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

Related to

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Capital

 

During the

 

Issuance of

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

in Excess

 

Development

 

Options and

 

Equity

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

of Par

 

Stage

 

Warrants

 

(Deficiency)

 

Fair market value of options and warrants vested during the year ended June 30, 2004

 

 

 

$

1,826,514

 

 

 

$

1,826,514

 

Options and warrants exercised during the year ended June 30, 2004 at exercise prices ranging from $1.00 - $3.25

 

370,283

 

$

3,704

 

692,945

 

 

 

696,649

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

$

(3,726,951

)

 

(3,726,951

)

Balance at June 30, 2004

 

13,787,250

 

137,873

 

20,669,142

 

(16,076,040

)

 

4,730,975

 

Issuance of common stock and warrants for cash on May 9, 2005 at $2.11 per unit

 

1,595,651

 

15,957

 

3,350,872

 

 

 

3,366,829

 

Allocation of proceeds to warrants

 

 

 

(1,715,347

)

 

 

(1,715,347

)

Reclassification of warrants

 

 

 

1,579,715

 

 

 

1,579,715

 

Commissions, legal and bank fees associated with issuance on May 9, 2005

 

 

 

(428,863

)

 

 

(428,863

)

Fair market value of options and warrants vested during the year ended June 30, 2005

 

 

 

974,235

 

 

 

974,235

 

Options and warrants exercised during the year ended June 30, 2005 at exercise prices ranging from $1.50 - $3.25

 

84,487

 

844

 

60,281

 

 

 

61,125

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

(2,978,918

)

 

(2,978,918

)

Balance at June 30, 2005

 

15,467,388

 

154,674

 

24,490,035

 

(19,054,958

)

 

5,589,751

 

Fair market value of options and warrants vested during the year ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

677,000

 

 

 

677,000

 

Warrants exercised during the year ended June 30, 2006 at an exercise price of $0.01

 

10,000

 

100

 

 

 

 

100

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

(3,314,885

)

 

(3,314,885

)

Balance at June 30, 2006

 

15,477,388

 

154,774

 

25,167,035

 

(22,369,843

)

 

2,951,966

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-7



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deficit

 

Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

Related to

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Capital

 

During the

 

Issuance of

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

in Excess

 

Development

 

Options and

 

Equity

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

of Par

 

Stage

 

Warrants

 

(Deficiency)

 

Issuance of common stock and warrants for cash on October 10, 2006 at $1.135 per unit

 

1,986,306

 

19,863

 

2,229,628

 

 

 

2,249,491

 

Commissions, legal and bank fees associated with issuance on October 10, 2006

 

 

 

(230,483

)

 

 

(230,483

)

Warrants exercised during the year ended June 30, 2007 at an exercise price of $0.01

 

10,000

 

100

 

 

 

 

100

 

Fair market value of options and warrants vested during the year ended June 30, 2007

 

 

 

970,162

 

 

 

970,162

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

(3,251,697

)

 

(3,251,697

)

Balance at June 30, 2007

 

17,473,694

 

$

174,737

 

$

28,136,342

 

$

(25,621,540

)

 

$

2,689,539

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-8



 

SENESCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

(a development stage company)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

 

Year ended June 30,

 

Amounts from

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Inception

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(3,251,697

)

$

(3,314,885

)

$

(2,978,918

)

$

(25,621,540

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncash capital contribution

 

 

 

 

85,179

 

Noncash conversion of accrued expenses into equity

 

 

 

 

131,250

 

Noncash income related to change in fair value of warrant liability

 

 

 

(135,632

)

(321,259

)

Issuance of common stock and warrants for interest

 

 

 

9,316

 

 

 

Issuance of stock options and warrants for services

 

970,162

 

677,000

 

974,235

 

8,798,775

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

166,172

 

40,112

 

43,719

 

363,841

 

(Increase) decrease in operating assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

35,058

 

16,960

 

(62,577

)

(104,526

)

Security deposit

 

 

 

 

(7,187

)

Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

31,563

 

(139,874

)

148,561

 

109,258

 

Accrued expenses

 

47,475

 

149,882

 

(107,624

)

377,359

 

Deferred revenue

 

(25,000

)

8,334

 

 

16,667

 

Other liability

 

(5,222

)

32,082

 

2,336

 

29,196

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(2,031,489

)

(2,530,389

)

(2,115,900

)

(16,133,671

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patent costs

 

(495,852

)

(792,069

)

(531,988

)

(2,745,707

)

Redemption (purchase) of investments, net

 

600,000

 

3,339,395

 

(239,621

)

(250,000

)

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(2,179

)

 

(5,972

)

(170,107

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

101,969

 

2,547,326

 

(777,581

)

(3,165,814

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from grant

 

 

9,578

 

 

99,728

 

Proceeds from issuance of bridge notes

 

 

 

 

525,000

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants, net and exercise of warrants and options

 

2,019,108

 

100

 

2,999,091

 

19,082,818

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

2,019,108

 

9,678

 

2,999,091

 

19,707,546

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

89,588

 

26,615

 

105,610

 

408,061

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

318,473

 

291,858

 

186,248

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

408,061

 

$

318,473

 

$

291,858

 

$

408,061

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for interest

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

22,317

 

Supplemental schedule of noncash financing activity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion of bridge notes into stock

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

534,316

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-9



SENESCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

(a development stage company)

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.   PRINCIPAL BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Senesco Technologies, Inc. (“ST”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Senesco, Inc. (“SI”) (collectively, the “Company”).  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The Company is a development stage biotechnology company whose mission is to develop novel approaches to treat programmed cell death diseases in humans (apoptosis) and cancer, and to enhance the quality and productivity of fruits, flowers, vegetables and agronomic crops through the control of cell death in plants (senescence).

 

SI, a New Jersey corporation, was incorporated on November 24, 1998 and is the successor entity to Senesco, L.L.C., a New Jersey limited liability company that was formed on June 25, 1998 but commenced operations on July 1, 1998.

 

On December 12, 2002, the stockholders approved a proposal to increase the authorized Common Stock of the Company from 20,000,000 shares to 30,000,000 shares.  On December 14, 2006, the stockholders approved a proposal to increase the authorized Common Stock of the Company from 30,000,000 shares to 60,000,000 shares.

 

As shown in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company has a history of losses with a deficit accumulated during the development stage from July 1, 1998 (inception) through June 30, 2007 of $25,621,540.  These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.  The Company’s continuation as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to ultimately attain profitable operations, generate sufficient cash flow to meet its obligations and / or obtain additional financing as may be required and complying with regulatory requirements.  The outcome of these uncertainties cannot be assured.

 

The American Stock Exchange requires the Company to meet minimum financial requirements in order to maintain its listing.  Currently, the Company does not meet the $6,000,000 minimum net worth continued listing requirement of the American Stock Exchange and the Company has received a notice of noncompliance from the American Stock Exchange.  The Company submitted a plan to the American Stock Exchange discussing how it intends to regain compliance with the continued listing requirements.  The American Stock Exchange has accepted the Company’s plan and has given it until March 1, 2008 to effectuate the plan and regain compliance with the continued listing requirements.

 

The Company’s ability to maintain sufficient liquidity in the future is dependent on raising additional capital.  As disclosed in Note 14, on August 1, 2007 and August 29, 2007, the Company entered into agreements that will provide sufficient working capital to fund its operations for approximately the next two years. However, if the Company does not meet all or some of the funding milestones, then the Company cannot provide assurance that it will continue as a going concern.

 

Cash equivalents consist of investments which are readily convertible into cash with original maturities of three months or less.  The Company maintains its cash

 

F-10



 

in money market and bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits.  The Company believes that there is no significant credit risk with respect to these accounts.

 

The Company’s invests in United States treasury notes and high-grade corporate and federal governmental agency debt instruments.  Based on the Company’s intentions regarding these instruments, the Company has classified all marketable debt securities as held-to-maturity and has accounted for these investments at amortized cost.  Marketable securities maturing in one year or less are classified as current assets.

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation of property and equipment is provided for by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the assets’ useful lives or the remaining term of the lease.

 

The Company conducts research and development activities, the cost of which is expensed as incurred, in order to generate patents that can be licensed to third parties in exchange for license fees and royalties.  Because the patents are the basis of the Company’s future revenue, the patent costs are capitalized.   The capitalized patent costs represent the outside legal fees incurred by the Company to submit and undertake all necessary efforts to have such patent applications issued as patents.

 

The length of time that it takes for an initial patent application to be approved is generally between four to six years, however, due to the unique nature of each patent application, the actual length of time may vary.  If a patent application is denied, the associated cost of that application would be written off.  However, the Company has not had any patent applications denied as of the date of this Report on Form 10-K.  Additionally, should a patent application become impaired during the application process, the Company would write down or write off the associated cost of that patent application.

 

The Company had determined that the economic benefit of the patent applications did not begin until they were issued.  As such, the Company would amortize the issued patent costs beginning on the date of issue, but did not amortize the cost of patent applications that were still pending.  Due to the increasing number and scope of license agreements the Company has entered into, the Company has determined that it is now receiving the economic benefit of certain patent applications as well as the issued patents and has begun amortizing the patent application costs during the year ended June 30, 2007.

 

Patent costs are being amortized over a period of 17 years, the life of the patent.

 

The Company assesses the impairment in value of intangible assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable.  Factors the Company considers important which could trigger an impairment review include the following:

 

            significant negative industry trends:

            significant underutilization of the assets:

            significant changes in how the Company uses the assets or its plans for their use; and

 

F-11



 

            changes in technology and the appearance of competing technology.

 

If the Company’s review determines that the future discounted cash flows related to these assets will not be sufficient to recover their carrying value, the Company will reduce the carrying values of these assets down to its estimate of fair value and continue amortizing them over their remaining useful lives.  To date, the Company has not recorded any impairment of intangible assets.

 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted rates expected to apply when the differences are expected to be realized.

 

The Company receives certain nonrefundable upfront fees in exchange for the transfer of its technology to licensees.  Upon delivery of the technology, the Company has no further obligations to the licensee with respect to the basic technology transferred and, accordingly, recognizes revenue at that time.  The Company may, however, receive additional payments from its licensees in the event such licensees achieve certain development or commercialization milestones in their particular field of use.  Other nonrefundable upfront fees and milestone payments, where the milestone payments are a function of time as opposed to achievement of specific achievement-based milestones, are deferred and amortized ratably over the estimated research period of the license.

 

As further discussed in Note 7, the Company adopted FAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS No. 123R”) effective July 1, 2005 using the modified-retrospective method.  The adoption of this standard requires the recognition of stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated financial statements.  Prior to July 1, 2005, the Company followed Accounting Principles Board Opinion 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB No. 25”), and related interpretations.

 

Loss per common share is computed by dividing the loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Shares to be issued upon the exercise of the outstanding options and warrants aggregating 7,790,315 and 8,296,591 as of June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, are not included in the computation of loss per share as their effect is anti-dilutive.

Certain amounts have been reclassified in the prior year’s consolidated financial statements to conform with the June 30, 2007 presentation.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  The critical accounting policies that require management’s most significant estimate and judgment are the assessment of the recoverability

 

F-12



 

of intangible assets, and the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.  Actual results experienced by the Company may differ from management’s estimates

 

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”).  FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”.  FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006.  The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, that FIN 48 will have on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”(“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies under other accounting standards that require or permit fair value measurements.  Accordingly, SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurement. SFAS No. 157 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Companies will be required to disclose the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the inputs used to develop the measurements and the effect of certain of the measurements on earnings (or changes in net assets) for the period. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, that SFAS No. 157 will have on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS No. 159”).  SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value.  SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, that SFAS No. 159 will have on its consolidated financial position o r results of operations.

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB No. 108”). SAB No. 108 provides guidance on the consideration of the effects of prior year misstatements in quantifying current year misstatements for the purpose of determining whether the current year’s financial statements are materially misstated. SAB No. 108 is effective as of the end of the Company’s 2007 fiscal year, allowing a one-time transitional cumulative effect adjustment to beginning

 

F-13



 

retained earnings as of July 1, 2006, for errors that were not previously deemed material, but are material under the guidance in SAB No. 108.  SAB No. 108 did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations for the year ended June 30, 2007.

 

In December 2006, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. EITF 00-19-2. This FSP addresses an issuer’s accounting for registration payment arrangements and specifies that the contingent obligation to make future payments or otherwise transfer consideration under a registration payment arrangement should be separately recognized and measured in accordance with FASB No. 5. The guidance in this FSP amends FASB Statements 133 and 150 and FASB Interpretation No. 45 to include scope exceptions for registration payment arrangements. This FSP further clarifies that a financial instrument subject to a registration payment arrangement should be accounted for without regard to the contingent obligation to transfer consideration pursuant to the registration payment arrangement. This guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and for transactions entered on o r after December 22, 2006. The standard did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations for the year ended June 30, 2007.

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.

2.   INVESTMENTS:

 

At June 30, 2007 and 2006, the amortized cost basis, aggregate fair value, gross unrealized gains and maturity by majority security type were as follows:

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

Aggregate

 

Amortized

 

 

 

Gain / (Loss)

 

Fair Value

 

Cost Basis

 

June 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt securities (maturing within one year)

 

$

0

 

$

250,000

 

$

250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt securities (maturing within one year)

 

$

0

 

$

850,000

 

$

850,000

 

 

 

$

0

 

$

850,000

 

$

850,000

 

 

Realized gains and losses are determined based on the specific-identification method.

 

F-14



 

3.   PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS:

 

The following are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets at:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Prepaid insurance

 

$

34,361

 

$

34,800

 

Prepaid license fee

 

 

45,833

 

Prepaid research

 

11,796

 

19,635

 

Prepaid legal

 

41,051

 

13,391

 

Prepaid other

 

17,318

 

25,925

 

 

 

$

104,526

 

$

139,584

 

 

4.   PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

 

Property and equipment, at cost, consists of the following at:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

Estimated

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Useful Life

 

Company Web site

 

$

 

$

26,500

 

3 years

 

Equipment

 

32,953

 

38,872

 

4 years

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

67,674

 

67,674

 

7 years

 

 

 

100,627

 

133,046

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(93,101

)

(122,728

)

 

 

 

 

$

7,526

 

$

10,318

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense aggregated $4,971, $19,720, $27,636 and $162,581 for the years ended June 30, 2007, 2006, 2005, and cumulatively from inception through June 30, 2007, respectively.

 

5.   INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

 

Intangible assets, at cost, consists of the following at:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Patents approved

 

$

473,847

 

$

379,371

 

Patents pending

 

2,271,860

 

1,870,484

 

 

 

2,745,707

 

2,249,885

 

Accumulated amortization

 

(201,260

)

(40,059

)

 

 

$

2,544,447

 

$

2,209,796

 

 

Amortization expense amounted to $161,201, $20,392, $16,083 and $201,260 for the years ended June 30, 2007, 2006, 2005, and cumulatively from inception through June 30, 2007, respectively.

 

F-15



 

Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows:

 

Year ending June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

$

165,000

 

2009

 

165,000

 

2010

 

165,000

 

2011

 

165,000

 

2012

 

165,000

 

 

6.   ACCRUED EXPENSES:

 

The following are included in accrued expenses at:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Accrued research

 

$

271,000

 

$

228,265

 

Accrued accounting

 

40,000

 

40,000

 

Accrued patent costs

 

45,000

 

28,202

 

Accrued legal

 

10,186

 

33,417

 

Accrued other

 

11,173

 

 

 

 

$

377,359

 

$

329,884

 

 

7.   STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

In February 2004, the Company completed a private placement to certain accredited investors (the “2004 Accredited Investor Private Placement”) for an aggregate amount of 1,536,922 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase 768,459 shares of Common Stock for the aggregate cash consideration of $3,642,500.  The 2004 Accredited Investor Private Placement offered units of one share of Common Stock and a five-year warrant to purchase 0.50 shares of Common Stock at a price equal to $2.37 per unit.  The warrants were issued at an exercise price equal to $3.79 per share, with such warrants vesting on the date of grant.  The costs associated with the 2004 Accredited Investor Private Placement totaled $378,624.  The Company did not engage a placement agent for the sale of such securities.

 

Two directors of the Company participated in the 2004 Accredited Investor Private Placement.  Specifically, such directors of the Company purchased, in the aggregate, 63,292 shares of Restricted Common Stock on the same terms and conditions as all purchasers hereunder.

 

On March 17, 2004, the Company filed a registration statement with the SEC on Form S-3 to register all of the shares and the shares underlying the warrants acquired by the purchasers and finders (see below) in the 2004 Accredited Investor Private Placement.  The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on May 14, 2004, and remained in effect until February 2, 2006.

 

Due to the Company’s obligation to file a registration statement to register for resale the shares underlying the warrants under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in accordance with EITF 00-19, “Accounting for Derivative Financial

 

F-16



 

Instruments Indexed To, and Potentially Settled In a Company’s Own Common Stock,” the value of the warrants amounting to $2,099,090 was recorded as a liability until the filing was made.  The decrease in market value of the Common Stock from the closing of its financing to March 17, 2004, the date of filing the registration statement, resulted in noncash other income to reflect the decrease in Black-Scholes value of the warrants between those two dates.  As a result, the Company incurred a decrease in liability and other noncash income of $185,627 as of March 17, 2004.  Upon the Company meeting its obligation to file a registration statement, the fair value of the warrants amounting to $1,913,463, was reclassified to equity.

 

Sands Brothers and Stanford Group Company acted as co-managing finders of the 2004 Accredited Investor Private Placement, and certain consultants to the Company provided financial advisory services in connection with the 2004 Accredited Investor Private Placement.  As consideration for their services to the Company, such finders were issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 73,682 shares of Common Stock, on the same terms and conditions as the warrants issued to the purchasers in the 2004 Accredited Investor Private Placement.

 

In May 2005, the Company completed another private placement to certain accredited investors (the “2005 Accredited Investor Private Placement”) for an aggregate amount of 1,595,651 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase 797,836 shares of Common Stock for the aggregate cash consideration of $3,366,829.  The 2005 Accredited Investor Private Placement offered units of one share of Common Stock and a five-year warrant to purchase 0.50 shares of Common Stock at a price equal to $2.11 per unit.  The warrants were issued at an exercise price equal to $3.38 per share, with such warrants vesting on the date of grant.  The costs associated with the 2005 Accredited Investor Private Placement totaled $428,863.  In addition, the Company has caused its directors and officers to enter into Lock-up Agreements for a period of six months from the Closing Date with the Placement Agent for the benefit of the Purchasers.

 

On May 27, 2005, the Company filed a registration statement with the SEC on Form S-3 to register all of the shares and the shares underlying the warrants acquired by the purchasers and placement agent (see below) in the 2005 Accredited Investor Private Placement.  The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on June 17, 2005, and remained in effect until May 9, 2007.

 

Due to the Company’s obligation to file a registration statement to register for resale the shares underlying the warrants under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in accordance with EITF 00-19, “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed To, and Potentially Settled In a Company’s Own Common Stock,” the value of the warrants amounting to $1,715,347 was recorded as a liability until the filing was declared effective.  The decrease in market value of the Common Stock from the closing of its financing to June 17, 2005, the effective date of the registration statement, resulted in noncash other income to reflect the decrease in Black-Scholes value of the warrants between those two dates.  As a result, the Company incurred a decrease in liability and other noncash income of $135,632 as of June 17, 2005.  Upon the Company meeting its obligation to file a registration statement, the fair value of the warrants amounting to $1,579,715, was reclassified to equity.

 

F-17



 

Oppenheimer and Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) acted as the placement agent for the 2005 Accredited Investor Private Placement, As consideration for their services to the Company, Oppenheimer was issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 167,544 shares of Common Stock, on the same terms and conditions as the warrants issued to the purchasers in the 2005 Accredited Investor Private Placement.

 

On October 11, 2006, the Company completed a private placement to certain members of the Company’s board of directors, institutional and accredited investors (the “Private Placement”) for an aggregate amount of 1,986,306 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase 993,153 shares of Common Stock for the aggregate cash consideration of $2,249,491.  The Private Placement offered units of one share of Common Stock and a five-year warrant to purchase 0.50 shares of Common Stock at a price equal to $1.1325 per unit.  The warrants were issued at an exercise price equal to $1.18 per share, with such warrants vesting on the date of grant, but not exercisable for a six-month period from the date of closing.  The costs associated with the Private Placement totaled $230,483.  In addition, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with these purchasers.  The Registration Rights Agreement required the Company to file a registration statement for the shares within 30 days of the closing date (the “Filing Date”), and to have such registration statement declared effective within 120 days of the closing date (the “Effective Date”).  If the Company failed to file a registration statement on or before the Filing Date, it was required to pay to each purchaser in the Private Placement 1.0% of the aggregate purchase price for each 30 day period that such registration statement had not been filed.  If the registration statement was not declared effective on or before the Effective Date, the Company was required to pay to each purchaser in the Private Placement 2.0% of the aggregate purchase price paid by such purchaser for the first thirty day period following the Effective Date and 1.0% for each thirty day period thereafter, with all payments subject to a maximum of 10.0% of the purchase price.   The Company filed the registration statement on November 3, 2006 and the registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on November 27, 2006, and will remain in effect, subject to the Company being in compliance with all the applicable rules and regulations, until October 10, 2011.  Accordingly, the Company was not required to pay any liquidated damages to any of the purchasers.

 

H.C. Wainwright and Co., Inc. (“Wainwright”) acted as the placement agent for the Private Placement.  As consideration for their services to the Company, Wainwright was issued a five-year warrant to purchase 139,041 shares of Common Stock, at a strike price equal to $1.07.  Such warrant is immediately exercisable.

 

In 1999, the Company adopted the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), which provides for the grant of stock options and stock purchase rights to certain designated employees and certain other persons performing services for the Company, as designated by the board of directors.  Pursuant to the Plan, an aggregate of 6,000,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance.  On March 28, 2003, the Company filed a registration statement with the SEC to register all of the 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock underlying the

 

F-18



 

Plan.  On January 26, 2007, the Company amended the registration statement to register an additional 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock underlying the Plan. The registration statement and amendment was deemed effective upon filing.

 

Effective July 1, 2005, the Company adopted FAS No. 123R, utilizing the modified-retrospective method.  FAS No. 123R requires the recognition of stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated financial statements.  Under the modified-retrospective method, the provisions of FAS No. 123R apply to all awards granted or modified after the date of adoption. Prior year results have been adjusted to reflect the amortized portion of the fair value of the options granted prior to the date of adoption, which have been measured under the original provisions of FAS No. 123.  In addition, the unamortized portion of the options that were granted prior to the date of adoption, also determined under the original provisions of FAS No. 123, shall be recognized in the periods after the date of adoption.

 

The terms and vesting schedules for share-based awards vary by type of grant and the employment status of the grantee.  Generally, the awards vest based upon time-based conditions.

 

The fair value of each stock option granted has been determined using the Black-Scholes model.  The material factors incorporated in the Black-Scholes model in estimating the value of the options reflected in the above table include the following:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Estimated life in years

 

6-10

 

6-10

 

10

 

Risk-free interest rate (1)

 

4.2-4.65%

 

4.2-4.5%

 

4.2%

 

Volatility

 

70-80%

 

70-111%

 

111-148%

 

Dividend paid

 

None

 

None

 

None

 


(1)                                  represents the interest rate on a U.S. Treasury security with a maturity date corresponding to that of the option term.

The ultimate values of the options will depend on the future price of the Company’s Common Stock, which cannot be forecast with reasonable accuracy.

 

F-19



 

Stock option activity under the Plan is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average

 

 

 

Shares

 

Exercise Price

 

Options outstanding at July 1, 2004

 

1,878,500

 

$

2.64

 

Granted

 

295,500

 

$

3.45

 

Exercised

 

(22,500

)

$

2.05

 

Expired

 

(40,000

)

$

3.85

 

Options outstanding at June 30, 2005

 

2,111,500

 

$

2.74

 

Granted

 

318,000

 

$

1.40

 

Exercised

 

 

 

Expired

 

(3,000

)

$

3.48

 

Options outstanding at June 30, 2006

 

2,426,500

 

$

2.56

 

Granted

 

338,000

 

$

1.08

 

Exercised

 

 

 

Expired

 

(118,500

)

$

3.42

 

Options outstanding at June 30, 2007

 

2,646,000

 

$

2.33

 

Options exercisable at June 30, 2005

 

1,834,508

 

$

2.68

 

Options exercisable at June 30, 2006

 

2,181,337

 

$

2.64

 

Options exercisable at June 30, 2007

 

2,396,334

 

$

2.45

 

Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year ended June 30, 2005

 

 

 

$

3.23

 

Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

$

0.92

 

Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year ended June 30, 2007

 

 

 

$

0.85

 

 

Non-vested stock option activity under the Plan is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-
average

 

 

 

Number of

 

Grant-Date

 

 

 

Options

 

Fair Value

 

Non-vested stock options at July 1, 2004

 

342,500

 

$

      2.46

 

Granted

 

295,500

 

$

      3.23

 

Vested

 

(361,008

)

$

      2.69

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

Non-vested stock options at June 30, 2005

 

276,992

 

$

      2.98

 

Granted

 

318,000

 

$

      0.92

 

Vested

 

(349,162

 

$

      2.05

 

Forfeited

 

(667

)

$

      3.23

 

Non-vested stock options at June 30, 2006

 

245,163

 

$

      1.47

 

Granted

 

338,000

 

$

      0.86

 

Vested

 

(328,497

)

$

      1.30

 

Forfeited

 

(5,000

)

$

      0.87

 

Non-vested stock options at June 30, 2007

 

249,666

 

$

      1.07

 

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at June 30, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted -average

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

Number

 

Remaining

 

average

 

Number

 

average

 

Ranges of

 

Outstanding at

 

Contractual

 

Exercise

 

Exercisable at

 

Exercise

 

Exercise Prices

 

June 30, 2007

 

Life (Years)

 

Price

 

June 30, 2007

 

Price

 

$ 1.05 - $1.65

 

743,500

 

8.40

 

$

1.27

 

493,834

 

$

1.28

 

$ 2.05 - $2.35

 

1,025,000

 

3.90

 

$

2.12

 

1,015,000

 

$

2.12

 

$ 3.15 - $4.00

 

877,500

 

5.30

 

$

3.49

 

887,500

 

$

3.49

 

$ 1.05 - $4.00

 

2,646,000

 

5.65

 

$

2.33

 

2,396,334

 

$

2.45

 

 

As of June 30, 2007, the aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding was $23,610, with a weighted-average remaining term of 5.7 years.  The

 

F-20



 

aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercisable at that same date was $9,787, with a weighted-average remaining term of 5.3 years.  As of June 30, 2007, the Company has 3,264,000 shares available for future stock option grants.

As of June 30, 2007, total compensation expense not yet recognized related to stock option grants amounted to $223,037, which will be recognized over the next 18 months.

On September 7, 1999, the Company granted to its patent counsel, as partial consideration for services rendered, options to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price equal to $3.50 per share, with 3,332 options vesting on the date of grant, 3,334 options vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and 3,334 options vesting on the second anniversary of the date of grant.  Such options were granted outside of the Company’s Plan.

The following table represents warrants outstanding as of:

 

 

June 30,

 

Exercise Price

 

2007

 

2006

 

$

7.00

 

10,000

 

10,000

 

 

3.79

 

842,141

 

842,141

 

 

3.59

 

237,600

 

237,600

 

 

3.50

 

280,000

 

280,000

 

 

3.45

 

15,000

 

15,000

 

 

3.38

 

965,380

 

965,380

 

 

3.25

 

750,000

 

1,779,203

 

 

3.15

 

20,000

 

20,000

 

 

2.35

 

15,000

 

15,000

 

 

2.15

 

110,000

 

110,000

 

 

2.00

 

750,000

 

1,570,767

 

 

1.40

 

5,000

 

5,000

 

 

1.18

 

993,153

 

 

 

1.08

 

2,500

 

 

 

1.07

 

139,041

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

5,134,815

 

5,860,091

 

 

As of June 30, 2007, 5,131,482 of the above warrants are exercisable expiring at various dates through 2016.  At June 30, 2007, the weighted-average exercise price on the above warrants was $2.48.

The following stock-based compensation expense of $970,162, $677,000, $974,235 and $8,798,776 was recognized for the years ended June 30, 2007, 2006, 2005 and cumulatively from inception through June 30, 2007, respectively:

 

F-21



 

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

Cumulative

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

From Inception

 

General and administrative expenses

 

$

909,848

 

$

488,000

 

$

691,843

 

$

7,536,940

 

Research and development expenses

 

60,314

 

189,000

 

282,392

 

1,261,835

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$

970,162

 

$

677,000

 

$

974,235

 

$

8,798,775

 

Basic and diluted loss per common share

 

$

.06

 

$

.04

 

$

.07

 

 

 

 

8.   INCOME TAXES:

 

The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return.  The subsidiary files separate state and local income tax returns.

The reconciliation of the effective income tax rate to the federal statutory rate is as follows:

Year ended June 30,

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Federal statutory rate

 

(34%

)

(34%

)

(34%

)

Valuation allowance

 

34

 

34

 

34

 

 

 

0

%

0

%

0

%

 

The deferred income tax asset consists of the following at:

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Deferred tax asset:

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforward

 

$

6,443,000

 

$

5,531,000

 

Stock-based compensation

 

1,181,000

 

897,000

 

Other

 

95,000

 

95,000

 

 

 

7,719,000

 

6,523,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation allowance

 

(7,719,000

)

(6,523,000

)

 

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

 

In December 2004, the Company sold its entire state net operating losses for the year ended June 30, 2003, and received net proceeds of $153,160.

 

At June 30, 2007, the Company has federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $17,212,000 and $9,854,000, respectively, available to offset future taxable income expiring on various dates through 2027, which may be subject to certain limitations in the future.

 

F-22


 


 

9.   COMMITMENTS:

Effective September 1, 1998, the Company entered into a three-year research and development agreement, which has subsequently been renewed, with a university that a researcher, who is an officer, director and stockholder of the Company, is affiliated.  Pursuant to the agreement, the university provides research and development under the direction of the researcher and the Company.  The agreement is renewable annually by the Company which has the right of termination upon 30 days’ advance written notice.  Effective September 1, 2004, the Company extended the research and development agreement for an additional two-year period through August 31, 2006, in the amount of Can $1,529,430 or approximately U.S. $1,337,000.  Effective September 1, 2006, the Company extended the research and development agreement for an additional one-year period through August 31, 2007, in the amount of Can $631,050, or approximately U.S. $550,000.  Effective September 1, 2007, the Company extended the research and development agreement for an additional one-year period through August 31, 2008, in the amount of Can $652,600, or approximately U.S. $555,000.  Research and development expenses under this agreement for the years ended June 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 aggregated U.S. $568,872, U.S. $692,982 and U.S. $628,341, respectively, and U.S. $3,896,304 for the cumulative period through June 30, 2007.  Future obligations to be paid under the agreement through August 31, 2008 equal approximately $640,000.

Effective May 1, 1999, the Company entered into a consulting agreement for research and development with such researcher.  Effective January 1, 2003, 2005, and 2007, the agreement was amended to provide for an increase in the monthly payments from $3,000 to $5,000, $5,000 to $5,200, and $5,200 to $5,417, respectively.  The agreement was renewed for an additional two-year term through June 30, 2009.  Future obligations to be paid under the agreement equal $130,000.

The Company has employment agreements with certain employees, all of whom are also stockholders of the Company.  These agreements provide for a base compensation and additional amounts, as defined.  The agreements expire between January 2008 and October 2008.  Future base compensation to be paid through October 2008 under the agreements as of June 30, 2007 is $637,372.

The Company is obligated under a noncancelable operating lease of office space expiring on May 31, 2011.  The aggregate minimum future payments, subject to certain escalations, is payable as follows:

Year ending June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

77,596

 

2009

 

78,508

 

2010

 

79,420

 

2011

 

73,568

 

 

 

$

309,092

 

 

Rent expense charged to operations aggregated $92,872, $86,849, $47,759 and $510,207 for the years ended June 30, 2007, 2006, 2005, and from inception through June 30, 2007, respectively.

 

F-23



 

The lease provides for scheduled increases in base rent.  Rent expense is charged to operations ratably over the term of the lease, which results in deferred rent payable and represents the cumulative rent expense charged to operations from inception of the lease in excess of the required lease payments.

On October 11, 2006, the Company entered into a three-year non-exclusive financial advisory agreement with Stanford Group Company (“Stanford”).  As compensation under the agreement, previously issued warrants that were purchased by Stanford and its affiliates in a private placement were amended.  The original exercise prices on 1,500,000 warrants, 750,000 of which had an exercise price of $3.25 and 750,000 of which had an exercise price of $2.00, were reduced to $2.00 and $1.50, respectively.  Additionally, the original expiration dates of December 2006 and January 2007 were each extended for a three-year period through December 2009 and January 2010, respectively.  Stock-based compensation in the amount of $683,000 related to the amendment of such warrants was recorded during the year ended ended June 30, 2007. The agreement may be terminated by either party upon sixty days written notice.  Stanford was also granted piggyback registration rights in connection with the shares underlying the warrants.

10. JOINT VENTURE:

On May 14, 1999, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement (“Joint Venture”) with an Israeli partnership that is engaged in the worldwide marketing of tissue culture plants.  The purpose of the Joint Venture is to develop enhanced banana plants which will result in banana fruit with improved consumer- and grower-driven traits.  For the period from inception on May 14, 1999 to June 30, 2005, the Joint Venture has had no revenue, expenses, assets or liabilities.  The Company’s portion of the Joint Venture’s expenses approximated $162,500 and $121,832 for the years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and is included in research and development expenses.

In July 1999, the Joint Venture applied for and received a conditional grant from the Israel - United States Binational Research and Development Foundation (the “BIRD Foundation”).  This agreement, as amended, allowed the Joint Venture to receive $340,000 over a five-year period ending May 31, 2004.  Grants received from the BIRD Foundation will be paid back only upon the commercial success of the Joint Venture’s technology, as defined.  The Company has received a total of $99,728, of which $9,578 was received during the year ended June 30, 2006 and none was received during the year ended June 30, 2007.

11. LICENSE AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS:

In June 2002, the Company entered into a three-year exclusive worldwide development and option agreement with ArborGen, (“ArborGen”) (the “Agreement”) to develop the Company’s technology in certain species of trees.  In July 2002, the Company received an initial fee.  In November 2004 and January 2006, the Company received milestone payments.  On December 21, 2006, ArborGen converted the Agreement into a commercial license agreement for the development and commercialization of certain species of trees.  Under

 

F-24



 

the terms of the license agreement, the Company will receive certain annual payments over the next two years and, additionally, upon commercialization, a royalty on incremental net sales.

On March 8, 2004, the Company entered into a Development and License Agreement with The Scotts Company (the “Scotts Agreement”), which will enable the two companies to incorporate the Company’s proprietary Factor 5A and DHS technology into a variety of garden plants, bedding plants and turfgrasses.  The Scotts Agreement provides for an upfront payment upon execution of the Scotts Agreement, milestone payments and a one-time fee, as well as royalty payments, upon commercial introduction.  Pursuant to the terms of the Scotts Agreement and in conjunction with SAB No. 104, the Company is amortizing the upfront and milestone payments over the term of the estimated development period of the Agreement.  As of June 30, 2007, the amount of deferred revenue is $16,667.

On October 18, 2004, the Company entered into a license agreement with Poet, (formerly Broin Companies), (“Poet”) to license the Company’s proprietary gene technology to Poet to improve aspects of Poet’s ethanol production capabilities.  The Company will receive an annual payment for each Poet facility that incorporates the Company’s technology.

On November 8, 2006, the Company entered into a license agreement with Bayer CropScience GmbH for the development and commercialization of Canola (the “Agreement”).  Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company received an upfront payment, will receive milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development milestones, and will receive commercialization fees based upon specified benchmarks.

12. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS:

 

 

Years Ended June 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005 .

 

 

 

Balance at
Beginning of
Year

 

Additions
Charged
to Expense(*)

 

Deductions

 

Balance at
End of Year

 

Year ended June 30, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation allowance — deferred tax asset

 

$

6,523,000

 

$

1,196,000

 

$

0

 

$

7,719,000

 

Year ended June 30, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation allowance — deferred tax asset

 

$

5,428,000

 

$

1,095,000

 

$

0

 

$

6,523,000

 

Year ended June 30, 2005:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation allowance — deferred tax asset

 

$

4,499,000

 

$

929,000

 

$

0

 

$

5,428,000

 


(*) Offset to tax benefit of net operation losses.

 

F-25



 

13. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) :

 

 

Year Ended June 30, 2007

 

Quarter Ended

 

September 30

 

December 31

 

March 31

 

June 30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

81,250

 

$

181,250

 

$

6,250

 

$

31,250

 

Total operating expenses

 

692,633

 

1,342,989

 

828,483

 

756,895

 

Loss from operations

 

(611,383

)

(1,161,739

)

(822,233

)

(725,645

)

Other income, net

 

10,918

 

26,102

 

20,916

 

11,367

 

Net loss

 

$

(600,465

)

$

(1,135,637

)

$

(801,317

)

$

(714,278

)

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

 

$

(0.04

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.05

)

$

(0.04

)

Basic and diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

 

15,480,649

 

17,257,791

 

17,473,694

 

17,473,694

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30, 2006

 

Quarter Ended

 

September 30

 

December 31

 

March 31

 

June 30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

12,500

 

$

12,500

 

$

35,416

 

$

6,250

 

Total operating expenses

 

941,990

 

954,181

 

777,447

 

812,389

 

Loss from operations

 

(929,490

)

(941,681

)

(742,031

)

(806,139

)

Other income, net

 

32,368

 

27,672

 

24,610

 

19,806

 

Net loss

 

$

(897,122

)

$

(914,009

)

$

(717,421

)

$

(786,333

)

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

 

$

(0.06

)

$

(0.06

)

$

(0.04

)

$

(0.05

)

Basic and diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

 

15,467,388

 

15,467,388

 

15,467,388

 

15,477,388

 

 

14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

       Licensing Agreements

On July 17, 2007, the Company entered into a license agreement with Bayer CropScience AG for the development and commercialization of cotton (the “Bayer Cotton Agreement”).  Under the terms of the Bayer Cotton Agreement, the Company received, (i) an upfront initial payment, (ii) will receive milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development milestones, and (iii) additionally, upon commercialization, a royalty on net sales.

 On August 6, 2007, the Company entered into a license agreement with the Monsanto Company for the development and commercialization of corn and soy (the “Monsanto Agreement”).  Under the terms of the Monsanto Agreement, the Company received, (i) an upfront initial payment, (ii) will receive milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development milestones, and (iii) additionally, upon commercialization, a royalty on net sales.

 

F-26



 

On September 11, 2007, the Company entered into a license agreement with Bayer CropScience AG for the development and commercialization of Rice (the “Bayer Rice Agreement”).  Under the terms of the Bayer Rice Agreement, the Company received, (i) an upfront payment, (ii) will receive milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development milestones, and (iii) additionally, upon commercialization, a royalty on net sales.

Financing

Overall Financing

On August 1, 2007 and August 29, 2007, the Company entered into binding Securities Purchase Agreements with YA Global Investments (“YA Global”) and Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. (“Stanford”), respectively, to sell to each of YA Global and Stanford up to $5,000,000 of secured convertible debentures and accompanying warrants for an aggregate gross proceeds of $10,000,000.  The convertible debentures convert into the Company’s common stock at a fixed price of $0.90 per share subject to certain adjustments (the “Fixed Conversion Price”), for a period of two years immediately following the signing date, provided that the Company has achieved the following milestones by January 31, 2008: (i) successful completion of animal studies, other than toxicology studies, necessary for the advancement of factor 5A 1 in human clinical trials, (ii) the engagement of a contract research organization for human clinical studies of factor 5A 1, and (iii) the signing of at least one (1) corporate partnership or license agreements after August 1, 2007 with agricultural companies utilizing the Company’s proprietary platform.  After the second anniversary of the signing date, or if the Company does not achieve the foregoing milestones by January 31, 2008, the convertible debentures may convert into shares of the Company’s common stock at the lower of the fixed conversion price or 80% of the lowest daily volume-weighted average price (the “VWAP”), of the common stock during the five trading days prior to the conversion date. The maturity date of each of the convertible debentures for YA Global and Stanford is December 30, 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  Currently, at the fixed conversion price, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the convertible debentures and exercise of warrants represents, in the aggregate, 25,000,000 shares, plus an estimated additional 2,000,000 shares for the payment of interest in stock under the convertible debentures.

Pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase agreements, the Company is required to seek shareholder approval to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock from 60,000,000 shares to 100,000,000 shares.

The convertible debentures accrue interest on their outstanding principal balances at an annual rate of 8%.  The Company has the option to pay interest in cash or, upon certain conditions, common stock.  If the Company pays interest in common stock, the stock will be valued at a 10% discount to the average daily VWAP for the five day trading period prior to the interest payment date (the “Interest Shares”)

At the Company’s option, it can redeem a portion of, or all of, the principal owed under the convertible debentures by providing the investors with at least 30 business days’ written notice; provided that, at the time of receipt of the notice, either: (A)(i) the VWAP of the common stock exceeds 130% of the Fixed

 

F-27



 

Conversion Price for at least 20 of 30 prior trading days and (ii) there is an effective registration statement for the resale of the common stock that will be issued under the redemption or (B) it redeems a portion, or all, of the principal owed at a 20% premium above the principal then outstanding and any accrued interest thereupon.  If the Company redeems all or any of the principal outstanding under the convertible debentures, it will pay an amount equal to the principal being redeemed plus accrued interest.

If there is an effective registration statement for the resale of the shares underlying the convertible debentures or if such shares become 144(k) eligible, the Company will have the option to force the investors to convert 50% and 100% of its then-outstanding convertible debentures if its common stock price exceeds 150% and 175% of the Fixed Conversion Price, respectively, for any 20 out of 30 trading days; provided that such forced conversion meets certain conditions (the “Call Option”).  If the Company exercises its Call Option prior to the third anniversary of the signing date, it will issue additional warrants to the investor equal to 50% of the number of shares underlying the convertible debenture subject to the forced conversion.  These warrants will be exercisable at the fixed conversion price and will have the same maturity as the other warrants issued under the YA Global Financing.

The Company’s obligations under the convertible debentures are secured by all of its and its subsidiary’s assets and intellectual property, as evidenced by the Security Agreements and the Patent Security Agreements.  Pursuant to a subordination agreement, YA Global is the senior secured creditor.

YA Global and Stanford will also be issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 5,555,555 and 8,333,333, respectively, of the Company’s common stock, exercisable six months and one day from the date of issuance until their expiration on the date that is five years from the date of issuance.  The warrants will be issued in two series. Generally, the Series A warrants may be issued prior to stockholder approval, while the Series B warrants are only issued after stockholder approval.  The exercise price of the Series A warrants is $1.01 per share, and the exercise price of the Series B warrants is $0.90 per share, subject to certain adjustments.  The warrants provide a right of cashless exercise if, at the time of exercise, there is no effective registration statement registering the resale of the shares underlying the warrants.

The conversion rate of each convertible debenture and the exercise price of the Series B warrants are subject to adjustment for certain events, including dividends, stock splits, combinations and the sale of the Company’s common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for the Company’s common stock at a price less than the then applicable conversion or exercise price.

The investors have a right of first refusal on any future funding that involves the issuance of the Company’s capital stock for so long as a portion of the convertible debentures is outstanding.

Under the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed to file an initial registration statement with the SEC to register the resale of common stock issuable to YA Global (including Interest Shares), (the “Registrable Shares”), within 30 days of the signing date.  Also, the Company has agreed to respond to

 

F-28



 

all SEC comment letters as promptly as reasonably possible and to use its best efforts to have the registration statement declared effective within 120 days of the signing date.  The initial registration statement covering YA Global’s shares shall include 33% of the public float.  If the Registrable Shares remain outstanding after all shares under the initial registration statement have been sold, the Company may be required to file additional registration statements for those Registrable Shares.  These registration rights will cease once the Registrable Shares are eligible for sale by the investor without restriction under Rule 144(k).  Upon certain events, the Company has agreed to pay as partial liquidated damages an amount equal to 1.0% of the aggregate purchase price paid by the investors for any convertible debentures then held by the investors, but these payments may not exceed 12% of the aggregate purchase price paid by the investors.

The gross proceeds of the sale will be $10,000,000 before payment of 3.25% of the purchase price in commissions to Wainwright & Co., Inc. (the “Placement Agent”).  The Company will issue to the Placement Agent warrants to purchase 7% of the purchase price, or 777,777 shares, of the Company’s common stock with similar terms to the warrants that will be issued to the investors.  The Company paid YA Global and Stanford a non-refundable structuring/ due diligence fee of $30,000 each.  The Company has also agreed to pay YA Global and Stanford a commitment fee of 5% and 7%, respectively, of its purchase price, which is paid proportionately at each closing.

Specifics of YA Global Financing

Pursuant to the YA Global Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company has issued a convertible debenture in the amount of $1,500,000 and will issue and sell to YA Global:

(1) a convertible debenture in the amount of $1,500,000 on the date the registration statement is filed, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); and

(2) a convertible debenture in the amount of $2,000,000 on the date that is the later of (a) the date stockholders approve the transaction or (b) the date the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC.

Pursuant to the rules of the American Stock Exchange, the convertible debentures and warrants issued and issuable to YA Global at the first two closings will be subject to a cap on the number of shares of common stock that can be issued upon the conversion of the convertible debentures and the exercise of the warrants, until the Company receives shareholder approval.  The cap of 3,493,000 shares is equal to 19.99% of the company’s outstanding common stock on the signing date.  In addition, there is a maximum overall cap of 30,500,000 shares for the YA Global financing.

 

F-29



 

Specifics of Stanford Financing

Pursuant to the Stanford Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company will issue and sell to Stanford:

(1) a convertible debenture in the amount of $2,000,000 and warrants within two business days of the later of (a) the date stockholders approve the transaction or (b) the date that the initial registration statement relating to the YA Global financing is filed with the SEC;

(2) a convertible debenture in the amount of $1,500,000 on the date the Company enters into a supply agreement with a third party manufacturer for sufficient quantity and quality of nano-particle for encapsulation of Factor 5A gene to be used in toxicology and proof of concept human studies under a United States Food and Drug Administration, referred to herein as FDA, accepted Investigational New Drug application, referred to herein as IND application.

(3) a convertible debenture in the amount of $1,500,000 on the date the Company enters into a supply agreement with a third party manufacturer to provide sufficient quantity and quality of Factor 5A DNA to carry out toxicology and proof of concept human studies under a FDA accepted IND application.

The convertible debentures and warrants issuable to Stanford will be subject to a maximum cap of 31,888,888 on the number of shares of common stock that can be issued upon the conversion of the convertible debentures and the exercise of the warrants.

 

F-30



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description of Exhibit

  2.1

 

Merger Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Nava Leisure USA, Inc., an Idaho corporation, the Principal Stockholders (as defined therein), Nava Leisure Acquisition Corp., and Senesco, Inc., dated October 9, 1998. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A dated January 11, 1999.)

 

 

 

  2.2

 

Merger Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc., an Idaho corporation, and Senesco Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, dated September 30, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended September 30, 1999.)

 

 

 

  3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Senesco Technologies, Inc. filed with the State of Delaware on January 22, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2006.)

 

 

 

  3.2

 

Amended and Restated By-laws of Senesco Technologies, Inc. as adopted on October 2, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended December 31, 2000.)

 

 

 

  4.1

 

Form of Warrant with Forbes, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended September 30, 1999.)

 

 

 

  4.2

 

Form of Option Agreement with Kenyon & Kenyon. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended September 30, 1999.)

 

 

 

  4.3

 

Form of Warrant with Parenteau Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended December 31, 1999.)

 

 

 

  4.4

 

Form of Warrant with Strategic Growth International, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended December 31, 1999.)

 

 

 

  4.5

 

Form of Warrant issued to Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. and certain officers of Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. (with attached schedule of parties and terms thereto). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended December 31, 2001.)

 

 

 

  4.6

 

Form of Warrant issued to certain accredited investors (with attached schedule of parties and terms thereto). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended December 31, 2002.)

 

 

 

  4.7

 

Form of Warrant issued to certain third parties for services rendered (with attached schedule of parties and terms thereto). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended December 31, 2002.)

 

 

 

 



 

  4.8

 

Warrant issued to Sands Brothers International Ltd. dated September 25, 2003. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended September 30, 2003.)

 

 

 

  4.9

 

Warrant issued to Sands Brothers International Ltd. Dated September 25, 2003. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended September 30, 2003.)

 

 

 

  4.10

 

Form of Warrant issued to certain accredited investors (with attached schedule of parties and terms thereto). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 3, 2004.)

 

 

 

  4.11

 

Form of Warrant issued to certain accredited investors (with attached schedule of parties and terms thereto). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 4, 2005.)

 

 

 

  4.12

 

Form of Warrant issued to Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. or its designees, dated as of May 9, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended March 31, 2005.)

 

 

 

  4.13

 

Form of Warrant issued to H.C. Wainwright & Co., Inc., or its designees, dated as of October 10, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2006.)

 

 

 

  4.14

 

Form or Warrant issued to certain accredited investors dated October 10, 2006 (with attached schedule of parties and terms thereto). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2006.)

 

 

 

  4.15

 

Form of Series A Warrant issued to YA Global Investments, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

  4.16

 

Form of Series A Warrant issued to Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

  4.17

 

Form of Debenture issued to YA Global Investments, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

  4.18

 

Form of Debenture issued to Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

  4.19

 

Form of Series B Warrant issued to YA Global Investments, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.19 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

 



 

  4.20

 

Form of Series B Warrant issued to Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

10.1

 

Indemnification Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Christopher Forbes, dated January 21, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended December 31, 1998.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 3, 2004.)

 

 

 

10.2

 

Indemnification Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Thomas C. Quick, dated February 23, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended March 31, 1999.)

 

 

 

10.3

 

Indemnification Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Ruedi Stalder, dated March 1, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended March 31, 1999.)

 

 

 

10.4 *

 

Employment Agreement by and between Senesco, Inc. and Sascha P. Fedyszyn, dated January 21, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended December 31, 1998.)

 

 

 

10.5

 

Research Agreement by and among Senesco Technologies, Inc., Dr. John E. Thompson and the University of Waterloo, dated September 1, 1998, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended December 31, 1998.)

 

 

 

10.6 *

 

Consulting Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and John E. Thompson, Ph.D., dated July 12, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-KSB for the period ended June 30, 2000.)

 

 

 

10.7

 

Office lease by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Matrix/AEW NB, LLC, dated March 16, 2001. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended March 31, 2001.)

 

 

 

10.8

 

First amendment of office lease by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Matrix/AEW NB, LLC, dated May 13, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of Senesco Technologies, Inc annual report on Form 10-KSB for the period ended June 30, 2005.)

 

 

 

10.9 *

 

1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended on December 13, 2002. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended December 31, 2002.)

 

 

 

10.10 +

 

License Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Harris Moran Seed Company, dated November 19, 2001. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended December 31, 2001.)

 

 

 

 



 

10.11 *

 

Employment Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Bruce C. Galton, dated October 4, 2001. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended December 31, 2001.)

 

 

 

10.12

 

Indemnification Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Bruce C. Galton, dated October 4, 2001. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2001.)

 

 

 

10.13

 

Indemnification Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Jack Van Hulst, dated January 16, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

10.14+

 

License Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Bayer CropScience GmbH, dated as of November 8, 2006. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2006.)

 

 

 

10.15

 

Agreement for Service on Senesco Technologies, Inc. Scientific Advisory Board by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Dr. Charles A. Dinarello, dated February 12, 2002. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended March 31, 2002.)

 

 

 

10.16

 

Research Agreement by and among Senesco Technologies, Inc., Dr. John E. Thompson and the University of Waterloo, dated May 1, 2002. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended June 30, 2002.)

 

 

 

10.17 +

 

Development Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and ArborGen, LLC, dated June 28, 2002. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended June 30, 2002.)

 

 

 

10.18 +

 

Development and License Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Calwest Seeds, dated September 14, 2002. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended September 30, 2002.)

 

 

 

10.19+

 

Commercial License Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and ArborGen, LLC dated as of December 21, 2006. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2006.)

 

 

 

10.20 *

 

Amendment to Consulting Agreement of July 12, 1999, as modified on February 8, 2001, by and between Senesco, Inc. and John E. Thompson, Ph.D., dated December 13, 2002. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended December 31, 2002.)

 

 

 

 



 

10.21 *

 

Employment Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Joel Brooks, dated July 1, 2003. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-KSB for the period ended June 30, 2003.)

 

 

 

10.22

 

Form of Securities Purchase Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and certain accredited investors (with attached schedule of parties and terms thereto). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 3, 2004.)

 

 

 

10.23

 

Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and certain accredited investors (with attached schedule of parties and terms thereto). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 3, 2004.)

 

 

 

10.24

 

Amendment No. 1 to the Securities Purchase Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Crestview Capital Master, L.L.C. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 13, 2004.)

 

 

 

10.25

 

Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Rights Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Crestview Capital Master, L.L.C. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 13, 2004.)

 

 

 

10.26 +

 

Development and License Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and The Scotts Company, dated March 8, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended March 31, 2004.)

 

 

 

10.27

 

Amendment to Research Agreement by and among the University of Waterloo, Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Dr. John E. Thompson, dated March 11, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended March 31, 2004.)

 

 

 

10.28

 

Extension to Research Agreement by and among the University of Waterloo, Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Dr. John E. Thompson, dated August 1, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-KSB for the period ended June 30, 2004.)

 

 

 

10.29

 

Indemnification Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and John Braca, dated October 8, 2003. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-KSB for the period ended June 30, 2004.)

 

 

 

10.30 *

 

Employment Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Richard Dondero, dated July 19, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-KSB for the period ended June 30, 2004.)

 

 

 

 



 

10.31

 

Indemnification Agreement with David Rector dated as of April, 2002. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended September 30, 2004.)

 

 

 

10.32 +

 

Development and License Agreement with Broin and Associates, Inc. (currently known as Poet) dated as of October 14, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended September 30, 2004.)

 

 

 

10.33

 

Form of Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and certain accredited investors (with schedule of parties and terms thereto). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2005.)

 

 

 

10.34

 

Placement Agent Agreement by and between the Company and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. dated as of February 15, 2005 (with attachments thereto). (Incorporated by reference on Exhibit 10.2 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 4, 2005.)

 

 

 

10.35

 

Financial Advisory Agreement by and among Senesco Technologies, Inc., Stanford Group Company, Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc., Stanford International Bank, Ltd., Ronald Stein, Daniel Bogar, Osvaldo Pi and William Fusselmann dated October 11, 2006. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2006.)

 

 

 

10.36

 

Registration Rights Agreement by and among Senesco Technologies, Inc., Stanford Group Company, Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc., Stanford International Bank, Ltd., Ronald Stein, Daniel Bogar, Osvaldo Pi and William Fusselmann dated October 11, 2006. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2006.)

 

 

 

10.37

 

Extension to Research Agreement by and among the University of Waterloo, Senesco, Inc. and Dr. John E. Thompson, Ph.D., dated August 1, 2006. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2006.)

 

 

 

10.38

 

Form of Securities Purchase Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and certain accredited investors dated October 10, 2006 (with attached schedule of parties and terms thereto). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2006.)

 

 

 

10.39

 

Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc and certain accredited investors dated October 10, 2006 (with attached schedule of parties and terms thereto). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2006.)

 

 

 

 



 

10.40

 

Placement Agent Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and H.C. Wainwright & Co., Inc., dated May 1, 2006. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2006.)

 

 

 

10.41

 

Amendment to Placement Agent Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and H.C. Wainwright & Co., Inc. dated August 3, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

10.42

 

Amendment to Research Agreement by and among the University of Waterloo, Senesco, Inc., and Dr. John E. Thompson, Ph.D., dated August 1, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

10.43

 

Agreement for Service on Senesco Technologies, Inc. Scientific Advisory Board by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and James W. Mier, M.D., dated April 2, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

10.44

 

Securities Purchase Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and YA Global Investments, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

10.45

 

Registration Rights Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and YA Global Investments, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

10.46

 

Securities Purchase Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

10.47

 

Registration Rights Agreement by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

10.48

 

Security Agreement dated as of September 21, 2007 by and between Senesco Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries and YA Global Investments, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

10.49

 

Amendment # 5 to Consulting Agreement of July 12, 1999, as modified, by and between Senesco, Inc. and John E. Thompson, Ph.D., dated June 15, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 of Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2007.)

 

 

 

 



 

21

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Senesco Technologies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-KSB for the period ended June 30, 1999.)

 

 

 

23.1 

 

Consent of Goldstein Golub Kessler LLP.

 

 

 

31.1 

 

Certification of the principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2 

 

Certification of the principal financial and accounting officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1 

 

Certification of the principal executive officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2 

 

Certification of the principal financial and accounting officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


*  A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 13(a) of Form 10-K.

†  Filed herewith.

+  The SEC granted Confidential Treatment for portions of this Exhibit.

 


Exhibit 23.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors of
Senesco Technologies, Inc.

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of Senesco Technologies, Inc. on Forms S-3 (Nos. 333-125299 and 333-138405) and on Form S-8 (No. 333-140238) of our report dated September 26, 2007 on the consolidated financial statements of Senesco Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiary as of June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2006 and for each of the three fiscal years ended June 30, 2007 and cumulative amounts from July 1, 1998 (inception) to June 30, 2007 appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended June 30, 2007.

 

 

GOLDSTEIN GOLUB KESSLER LLP

New York, New York

 

October 26, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1185 Avenue of the Americas   Suite 500   New York, NY 10036-2602

TEL 212 372 1800   FAX 212 372 1801   www.ggkllp.com

 


 

EXHIBIT 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Bruce C. Galton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Senesco Technologies, Inc., certify that:

1.                                       I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, as amended and restated, of Senesco Technologies, Inc.

 

2.                                       Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                                       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)                                      Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)                                     [Paragraph omitted in accordance with SEC transition instructions contained in SEC Release 34-47986]

c)                                      Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)                                     Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the

 

 

 



 

                audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)                                      All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)                                     Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: October 29, 2007

 

/s/ Bruce C. Galton

 

 

Bruce C. Galton

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(principal executive officer)

 


 

EXHIBIT 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Joel Brooks, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Senesco Technologies, Inc., certify that:

1.                                       I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, as amended and restated, of Senesco Technologies, Inc.

 

2.                                       Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                                       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)                                      Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)                                     [Paragraph omitted in accordance with SEC transition instructions contained in SEC Release 34-47986]

c)                                      Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)                                     Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)                                      All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)                                     Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: October 29, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Joel Brooks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joel Brooks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(principal financial and accounting officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

EXHIBIT 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, as amended and restated, of Senesco Technologies, Inc. for the year ended June 30, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, the undersigned, Bruce C. Galton, President and Chief Executive Officer, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

(1)           The Annual Report, as amended and restated, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)           The information contained in the Annual Report, as amended and restated, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Senesco Technologies, Inc.

Dated: October 29, 2007

/s/ Bruce C. Galton *

 

Bruce C. Galton

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

(principal executive officer)


*  A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to us and will be retained by us and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 


 

EXHIBIT 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, as amended and restated, of Senesco Technologies, Inc. for the year ended June 30, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, the undersigned, Joel Brooks, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

(1)           The Annual Report, as amended and restated, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)           The information contained in the Annual Report as amended and restated, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Senesco Technologies, Inc.

 

Dated:  October 29, 2007

/s/ Joel Brooks *

 

Joel Brooks

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

(principal financial and accounting officer)


*  A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to us and will be retained by us and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.