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As submitted confidentially with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2014

This draft registration statement has not been publicly filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and all information herein remains strictly confidential.

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM F-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Auris Medical AG

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Not Applicable

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

Switzerland		2834		NOT APPLICABLE
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

Falknerstrasse 4

4001 Basel, Switzerland

+41 (0)61 201 13 50

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Agent for Service of Process

 

 

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)

 

 

Copies to:

Richard D. Truesdell, Jr. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP 450 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10017		Rachel W. Sheridan Latham & Watkins LLP 555 Eleventh Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, D.C. 20004

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.  ¨

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED		PROPOSED MAXIMUM AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE (1)		AMOUNT OF REGISTRATION FEE
Common shares, nominal value CHF 0.40 per share		$		$

 

(1)

Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion Dated March 18, 2014

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

                Shares

 

Auris Medical AG

Common Shares

 

 

This is an initial public offering of Auris Medical AG. We are offering                  of our common shares. No public market currently exists for our common shares. We expect our initial public offering price will be between $         and $         per common share. We intend to apply to list our common shares on                  under the symbol “EARS.”

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined under the federal securities laws and, as such, will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Prospectus Summary—Implication of Being an “Emerging Growth Company.”

Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 8.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

		PER COMMON SHARE				TOTAL
Public Offering Price			$			$
Discounts and Commissions (1)		$				$
Proceeds, before expenses, to us		$				$

 

 

(1)

We refer you to “Underwriting” beginning on page 109 of this prospectus for additional information regarding total underwriter compensation.

Delivery of the common shares is expected to be made on or about                 , 2014. We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days from the date of this prospectus to purchase an additional                  common shares to cover over-allotments.

 

Jefferies		Leerink Partners
JMP Securities		Needham & Company

Prospectus dated                , 2014

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		PAGE
Prospectus Summary			1
Risk Factors			8
Presentation of Financial and Other Information			41
Market and Industry Data			41
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			42
Use of Proceeds			43
Dividend Policy			44
Capitalization			45
Dilution			47
Exchange Rates			49
Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Information			50
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			51
Business			62
Management			92
Principal Shareholders			95
Related Party Transactions			96
Description of Share Capital and Articles of Association			98
Common Shares Eligible for Future Sale			99
Taxation			101
Underwriting			109
Expenses of the Offering			116
Legal Matters			117
Experts			117
Enforcement of Judgments			118
Where You Can Find More Information			119
Index to Financial Statements			F-1

 

 

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Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to “Auris Medical AG” or the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us” or similar terms refer to Auris Medical AG, together with its subsidiaries. The trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this prospectus are property of their respective owners.

The terms “dollar,” “USD” or “$” refer to U.S. dollars and the term “Swiss Franc” and “CHF” refer to the legal currency of Switzerland.

In this document, excluding the consolidated financial statements, references to common shares for time periods prior to this offering include our common shares and our Series A, Series B and Series C preferred shares.

 

 

We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we may have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We and the underwriters have not authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. Neither we nor the underwriters are making an offer to sell the common shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. This offering is being made in the United States and elsewhere solely on the basis of the information contained in this prospectus. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the common shares. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the date on the front cover of this prospectus.

 

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this prospectus before making an investment in our common shares. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected if any of these risks occurs, and as a result, the market price of our common shares could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

We are a development stage company and have a limited operating history and a history of operating losses. We anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future.

We are a development-stage biopharmaceutical company with limited operating history. Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. We incurred net losses (defined as net loss attributable to owners of the company) of CHF 15.0 million and CHF 4.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, we had an accumulated deficit of CHF 33.1 million.

Our losses have resulted principally from expenses incurred in research and development of our product candidates and from general and administrative expenses that we have incurred while building our business infrastructure. We expect to continue to incur significant operating losses in the future as we continue our research and development efforts for our product candidates in clinical development AM-101 and AM-111 and seek to obtain regulatory approval and commercialization of our product candidates. In our fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, we expect to incur costs in the range of CHF 30 to 35 million associated with research and development.

To date, we have financed our operations through private placements of equity securities. We have no products approved for commercialization and have never generated any revenues from product sales. Biopharmaceutical product development is a highly speculative undertaking and involves a substantial degree of risk. We are in the late stages of clinical development for our product candidates, but it may be several years, if ever, before we complete pivotal clinical trials and have a product candidate approved for commercialization and begin to generate revenues from product sales.

We have never generated any revenue from product sales and may never be profitable.

We have no products approved for commercialization and have never generated any revenue. Our ability to generate revenue and achieve profitability depends on our ability to successfully complete the development of, and obtain the marketing approvals necessary to commercialize, one or more of our product candidates. We do not anticipate generating revenue from product sales unless and until we obtain regulatory approval for, and commercialize, AM-101 or AM-111. Our ability to generate future revenue from product sales depends heavily on our success in many areas, including but not limited to:

 

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completing research and clinical development of our product candidates, including successfully completing Phase 3 clinical trials of AM-101 or AM-111;

 

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obtaining marketing approvals for our product candidates, including AM-101 or AM-111, for which we complete clinical trials;

 

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developing a sustainable and scalable manufacturing process for any approved product candidates and maintaining supply and manufacturing relationships with third parties that can conduct the process and provide adequate (in amount and quality) products to support clinical development and the market demand for our product candidates, if approved;

 

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launching and commercializing product candidates for which we obtain marketing approval, either directly or with a collaborator or distributor;

 

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obtaining market acceptance of our product candidates as viable treatment options;

 

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addressing any competing technological and market developments;

 

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identifying, assessing, acquiring and/or developing new product candidates;

 

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negotiating favorable terms in any collaboration, licensing, or other arrangements into which we may enter;

 

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maintaining, protecting, and expanding our portfolio of intellectual property rights, including patents, trade secrets, and know-how; and

 

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attracting, hiring, and retaining qualified personnel.

Even if one or more of the product candidates that we develop is approved for commercial sale, we anticipate incurring significant costs associated with commercializing any approved product candidate. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties with pharmaceutical product development, we are unable to accurately predict the timing or amount of increased expenses or when, or if, we will be able to achieve profitability. Our expenses could increase beyond expectations if we are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, the European Medicines Agency, or the EMA, or other regulatory agencies, domestic or foreign, to change our manufacturing processes, or to perform clinical, nonclinical, or other types of trials in addition to those that we currently anticipate. In cases where we are successful in obtaining regulatory approvals to market one or more of our product candidates, our revenue will be dependent, in part, upon the size of the markets in the territories for which we gain regulatory approval, the accepted price for the product, the ability to obtain coverage and reimbursement at any price, and whether we own the commercial rights for that territory. If the number of our addressable patients is not as significant as we estimate, the indication approved by regulatory authorities is narrower than we expect, or the treatment population is narrowed by competition, physician choice or treatment guidelines, we may not generate significant revenue from sales of such products, even if approved. Additionally, if we are not able to generate sufficient revenue from the sale of any approved products, we may never become profitable.

We may be unable to develop and commercialize AM-101, AM-111 or any other product candidate and, even if we do, may never achieve profitability. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Our failure to become and remain profitable would decrease the value of our company and could impair our ability to raise capital, expand our business or continue our operations. A decline in the value of our company could cause you to lose all or part of your investment.

Even if this offering is successful, we expect that we will need substantial additional funding before we can expect to become profitable from sales of our products. If we are unable to raise capital when needed, we could be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our product development programs or commercialization efforts.

We are currently advancing our product candidates AM-101 and AM-111 through clinical development. We expect our research and development expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we continue our ongoing and initiate new trials of AM-101 and AM-111 and initiate preclinical and clinical development of other product candidates. We expect that our total research and development expense in 2014 will be in the range of CHF 30 to 35 million. As of December 31, 2013, our cash and cash equivalents were CHF 23.9 million. We currently believe that the net proceeds of this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next              months. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use our capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including but not limited to:

 

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the scope, rate of progress, results and cost of our clinical trials, nonclinical testing, and other related activities;

 

 

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the cost of manufacturing clinical supplies, and establishing commercial supplies, of our product candidates and any products that we may develop;

 

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the number and characteristics of product candidates that we pursue;

 

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the cost, timing, and outcomes of regulatory approvals;

 

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the cost and timing of establishing sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities; and

 

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the terms and timing of any collaborative, licensing, and other arrangements that we may establish, including any required milestone and royalty payments thereunder.

 

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We expect that we will require additional capital to commercialize our product candidates AM-101 and AM-111. If we receive regulatory approval for AM-101 or AM-111, and if we choose to not grant any licenses to partners, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to product manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution, depending on where we choose to commercialize. We also expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company following this offering. Additional funds may not be available on a timely basis, on favorable terms, or at all, and such funds, if raised, may not be sufficient to enable us to continue to implement our long-term business strategy. If we are not able to raise capital when needed, we could be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our product development programs or commercialization efforts.

Our status as a Swiss corporation means that our shareholders enjoy certain rights that may limit our flexibility to raise capital, issue dividends and otherwise manage ongoing capital needs.

Swiss law reserves for approval by shareholders certain corporate actions over which a board of directors would have authority in some other jurisdictions. For example, dividends must be approved by shareholders. Swiss law also requires that our shareholders authorize increases in our share capital. Swiss law allows our shareholders to authorize share capital that can be issued by the board of directors without additional shareholder approval. This authorization is limited to 50% of the existing registered share capital and must be renewed by the shareholders every two years. Additionally, subject to specified exceptions, Swiss law grants preemptive rights to existing shareholders to subscribe for new issuances of shares. Swiss law also does not provide as much flexibility in the various rights and regulations that can attach to different classes of shares as do the laws of some other jurisdictions. These Swiss law requirements relating to our capital management may limit our flexibility, and situations may arise where greater flexibility would have provided benefits to our shareholders.

Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our shareholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights to our intellectual property or future revenue streams.

Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, grants and license and development agreements in connection with any collaborations. We do not have any committed external source of funds. In the event we need to seek additional funds we may raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities. In such an event, your ownership interest will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a holder of our common shares. Debt financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends.

If we raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our intellectual property or future revenue streams. If we are unable to raise additional funds when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.

We have a limited operating history and no history of commercializing pharmaceutical products, which may make it difficult to evaluate the prospects for our future viability.

We began our current operations in 2003. Our operations to date have been limited to financing and staffing our company, developing our technology and developing AM-101, AM-111 and our other product candidates. We have not yet demonstrated an ability successfully to complete a large-scale, pivotal clinical trial, obtain marketing approval, manufacture a commercial scale product or conduct sales and marketing activities necessary for successful product commercialization. Consequently, predictions about our future success or viability may not be as accurate as they could be if we had a history of successfully developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products.

 

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Risks Related to the Development and Clinical Testing of our Product Candidates

We depend entirely on the success of AM-101 and AM-111, which are still in clinical development. If our clinical trials are unsuccessful, we do not obtain regulatory approval or we are unable to commercialize AM-101 and AM-111, or we experience significant delays in doing so, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected.

We currently have no products approved for sale and have invested a significant portion of our efforts and financial resources in the development of AM-101 and AM-111, which are still in clinical development. Our ability to generate product revenues, which we do not expect will occur for at least the next several years, if ever, will depend heavily on successful clinical development, obtaining regulatory approval and eventual commercialization of these product candidates. We currently generate no revenues from sales of any drugs, and we may never be able to develop or commercialize a marketable drug. The success of AM-101 and AM-111 will depend on several factors, including the following:

 

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completing clinical trials that demonstrate the efficacy and safety of our product candidates;

 

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receiving marketing approvals from applicable regulatory authorities;

 

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establishing commercial manufacturing capabilities;

 

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launching commercial sales, marketing and distribution operations;

 

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acceptance of our product candidates by patients, the medical community and third-party payors,

 

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a continued acceptable safety profile following approval;

 

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competing effectively with other therapies; and

 

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qualifying for, maintaining, enforcing and defending our intellectual property rights and claims.

If we do not achieve one or more of these factors in a timely manner or at all, we could experience significant delays or an inability to successfully commercialize AM-101 or AM-111, which would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Clinical drug development involves a lengthy and expensive process with uncertain timelines and uncertain outcomes, and results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results. If clinical trials of our product candidates are prolonged or delayed, we may be unable to obtain required regulatory approvals, and therefore be unable to commercialize our product candidates on a timely basis or at all.

To obtain the requisite regulatory approvals to market and sell any of our product candidates, we must demonstrate through extensive preclinical studies and clinical trials that our products are safe and effective in humans. Clinical testing is expensive and can take many years to complete, and its outcome is inherently uncertain. Failure can occur at any time during the clinical trial process. The results of preclinical studies and early clinical trials of our product candidates may not be predictive of the results of later-stage clinical trials. For example, the positive results generated to date in clinical trials for our product candidates do not ensure that later clinical trials will demonstrate similar results. Product candidates in later stages of clinical trials may fail to show the desired safety and efficacy traits despite having progressed through preclinical studies and initial clinical trials. A number of companies in the biopharmaceutical industry have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials due to lack of efficacy or adverse safety profiles, notwithstanding promising results in earlier trials. Our future clinical trial results may not be successful.

Clinical trials must be conducted in accordance with FDA, EMA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities’ legal requirements, regulations or guidelines, and are subject to oversight by these governmental agencies and Institutional Review Boards, or IRBs, at the medical institutions where the clinical trials are conducted. In addition, clinical trials must be conducted with supplies of our product candidates produced under current good manufacturing practices, or cGMP, and other requirements. We depend on medical institutions and clinical research organizations, or CROs, to conduct our clinical trials in compliance with current good clinical practice, or cGCP, standards. To the extent the CROs fail to enroll participants for our clinical trials, fail to conduct the trial to cGCP standards or are delayed for a significant time in the execution of trials, including achieving full enrollment, we may be affected by increased costs, program delays or both, which may harm our business.

 

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To date, we have not completed all clinical trials required for the approval of any of our product candidates. Enrollment in two Phase 3 clinical trials of AM-101 has begun; and we expect to begin a Phase 2 trial and a concurrent Phase 3 trial of AM-111 in the fourth quarter of 2014. The development of our other product candidates is less advanced and trials have not yet started.

The completion of clinical trials for our clinical product candidates may be delayed, suspended or terminated as a result of many factors, including but not limited to:

 

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the delay or refusal of regulators or IRBs to authorize us to commence a clinical trial at a prospective trial site and changes in regulatory requirements, policies and guidelines;

 

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delays or failure to reach agreement on acceptable terms with prospective CROs and clinical trial sites, the terms of which can be subject to extensive negotiation and may vary significantly among different CROs and trial sites;

 

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delays in patient enrollment and variability in the number and types of patients available for clinical trials;

 

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the inability to enroll a sufficient number of patients in trials to ensure adequate statistical power to detect statistically significant treatment effects;

 

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negative or inconclusive results, which may require us to conduct additional preclinical or clinical trials or to abandon projects that we expect to be promising;

 

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safety or tolerability concerns could cause us to suspend or terminate a trial if we find that the participants are being exposed to unacceptable health risks;

 

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regulators or IRBs requiring that we or our investigators suspend or terminate clinical research for various reasons, including noncompliance with regulatory requirements or safety concerns, among others;

 

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lower than anticipated retention rates of patients and volunteers in clinical trials;

 

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our CROs or clinical trial sites failing to comply with regulatory requirements or meet their contractual obligations to us in a timely manner, or at all, deviating from the protocol or dropping out of a trial;

 

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delays relating to adding new clinical trial sites;

 

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difficulty in maintaining contact with patients after treatment, resulting in incomplete data;

 

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delays in establishing the appropriate dosage levels;

 

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the quality or stability of the product candidate falling below acceptable standards;

 

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the inability to produce or obtain sufficient quantities of the product candidate to complete clinical trials; and

 

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exceeding budgeted costs due to difficulty in accurately predicting costs associated with clinical trials.

Any delays in completing our clinical trials will increase our costs, slow down our product candidate development and approval process and jeopardize our ability to commence product sales and generate revenues. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, financial condition and prospects significantly. In addition, many of the factors that cause, or lead to, a delay in the commencement or completion of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of our product candidates.

Positive or timely results from preclinical or early stage trials do not ensure positive or timely results in late stage clinical trials or product approval by the FDA, the EMA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities. Products that show positive preclinical or early clinical results may not show sufficient safety or efficacy in later stage clinical trials and therefore may fail to obtain regulatory approvals. For example, although AM-101 achieved favorable results in our Phase 2 efficacy trial, we may nonetheless fail to achieve success in Phase 3 clinical trials of AM-101. In addition, preclinical and clinical data are often susceptible to varying interpretations and analyses. Many companies that believed their product candidates performed satisfactorily in preclinical studies and clinical trials have nonetheless failed to obtain marketing approval for the product candidates. The FDA, the EMA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities have substantial discretion in the approval process and in determining when or whether regulatory approval will be obtained for any of our product candidates. Even if we believe the data collected from clinical trials of our product candidates are promising, such data may not be sufficient to support approval by the FDA, the EMA or any other regulatory authority.

 

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In some instances, there can be significant variability in safety and/or efficacy results between different trials of the same product candidate due to numerous factors, including changes in trial procedures set forth in protocols, differences in the size and type of the patient populations, adherence to the dosing regimen and other trial protocols and the rate of dropout among clinical trial participants. In the case of our late stage clinical product candidates, results may differ in general on the basis of the larger number of clinical trial sites and additional countries and languages involved in Phase 3 clinical trials.

In the case of AM-101 our endpoints in Phase 3 clinical trials are based on patient reported outcomes, some of which are captured daily from trial participants with electronic diaries. We have no assurance and cannot rely on past experience that the high frequency of questioning is not influencing the measured outcome. In addition, low compliance with daily reporting requirements may impact the trials’ validity or statistical power. Under the SPA with the FDA we agreed to use the Tinnitus Functional Index, or TFI, as a co-primary efficacy endpoint in the TACTT2 trial; we also use the questionnaire as a secondary efficacy endpoint in the TACTT3 trial. We used a different tinnitus questionnaire in the previous clinical trials with AM-101, and there is no assurance that outcomes with the TFI will be qualitatively and quantitatively similar or the same. In the case of AM-111 we are evaluating the safety and efficacy in an idiopathic condition which implies a considerable heterogeneity in the etiology and natural history of the condition. This may have an impact on the safety and efficacy outcomes of our Phase 3 clinical trial. We cannot assure you that any Phase 2, Phase 3 or other clinical trials that we may conduct will demonstrate consistent or adequate efficacy and safety to obtain regulatory approval to market our product candidates.

If we are required to conduct additional clinical trials or other testing of AM-101, AM-111 or any other product candidate that we develop beyond the trials and testing that we contemplate, if we are unable to successfully complete clinical trials of our product candidates or other testing, if the results of these trials or tests are unfavorable or are only modestly favorable or if there are safety concerns associated with AM-101, AM-111 or our other product candidates, we may:

 

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be delayed in obtaining marketing approval for our product candidates;

 

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not obtain marketing approval at all;

 

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obtain approval for indications or patient populations that are not as broad as intended or desired;

 

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obtain approval with labeling that includes significant use or distribution restrictions or significant safety warnings, including boxed warnings;

 

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be subject to additional post-marketing testing or other requirements; or

 

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remove the product from the market after obtaining marketing approval.

Our product development costs will also increase if we experience delays in testing or marketing approvals and we may be required to obtain additional funds to complete clinical trials. We cannot assure you that our clinical trials will begin as planned or be completed on schedule, if at all, or that we will not need to restructure our trials after they have begun. Significant clinical trial delays also could shorten any periods during which we may have the exclusive right to commercialize our product candidates or allow our competitors to bring products to market before we do or shorten any periods during which we have the exclusive right to commercialize our product candidates, which may harm our business and results of operations. In addition, some of the factors that cause, or lead to, clinical trial delays may ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of AM-101, AM-111 or any other product candidate.

If serious adverse, undesirable or unacceptable side effects are identified during the development of our product candidates or following approval, if any, we may need to abandon our development of such product candidates, the commercial profile of any approved label may be limited, or we may be subject to other significant negative consequences following marketing approval, if any.

If our product candidates are associated with serious adverse, undesirable or unacceptable side effects, we may need to abandon their development or limit development to certain uses or sub-populations in which such side effects are less prevalent, less severe or more acceptable from a risk-benefit perspective. Many compounds that initially showed promise in preclinical or early stage testing have later been found to cause side effects that restricted their use and prevented further development of the compound for larger indications.

 

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In our clinical trials of AM-101 and AM-111 to date, adverse events have included procedure-related transient changes in tinnitus loudness, muffled hearing, ear discomfort or pain, incision site complications, and middle ear infections. A limited number of serious adverse events were observed, but considered unrelated or unlikely related. Occurrence of serious procedure- or treatment-related side effects could impede clinical trial enrollment and receipt of marketing approval from the FDA, the EMA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities. They could also adversely affect physician or patient acceptance of our product candidates.

Additionally if one or more of our product candidates receives marketing approval, and we or others later identify undesirable side effects caused by such products, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including:

 

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regulatory authorities may withdraw approvals of such product;

 

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regulatory authorities may require additional warnings on the label;

 

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we may be required to create a medication guide outlining the risks of such side effects for distribution to patients;

 

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we could be sued and held liable for harm caused to patients; and

 

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our reputation and physician or patient acceptance of our products may suffer.

Any of these events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of the particular product candidate, if approved, and could significantly harm our business, results of operations and prospects.

We depend on enrollment of patients in our clinical trials for our product candidates. If we are unable to enroll patients in our clinical trials, our research and development efforts could be materially adversely affected.

Successful and timely completion of clinical trials will require that we enroll a sufficient number of patient candidates. Trials may be subject to delays as a result of patient enrollment taking longer than anticipated or patient withdrawal. Patient enrollment depends on many factors, including the size and nature of the patient population, eligibility criteria for the trial, the proximity of patients to clinical sites, the design of the clinical protocol, the availability of competing clinical trials, the availability of new drugs approved for the indication the clinical trial is investigating, and clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions as to the potential advantages of the drug being studied in relation to other available therapies. In our Phase 3 clinical trials of AM-101, we seek to enroll patients with acute inner ear tinnitus, meaning patients with symptom duration of three months or less, due to traumatic injury to their cochlea or otitis media. Thus, we must identify, recruit, enroll and dose patients with tinnitus caused by a pre-determined universe of factors in a limited time frame. Our product candidate AM-111, which is intended for patients with acute inner ear hearing loss, or ASNHL, has orphan drug designation for the treatment of ASNHL, which means that the potential patient population is more limited. In our planned Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials of AM-111 the enrollment window is 72 hours from onset, meaning that we must enroll patients in a short time frame.

The specific target population of patients and therapeutic time windows may make it difficult for us to enroll enough patients to complete our clinical trials in a timely and cost-effective manner. Delays in the completion of any clinical trial of our product candidates will increase our costs, slow down our product candidate development and approval process and delay or potentially jeopardize our ability to commence product sales and generate revenue. In addition, many of the factors that cause, or lead to, a delay in the commencement or completion of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of our product candidates.

We may become exposed to costly and damaging liability claims, either when testing our product candidates in the clinic or at the commercial stage; and our product liability insurance may not cover all damages from such claims.

We are exposed to potential product liability and professional indemnity risks that are inherent in the research, development, manufacturing, marketing and use of pharmaceutical products. Currently we have no products that have been approved for commercial sale; however, the current and future use of product candidates by us in clinical trials, and the sale of any approved products in the future, may expose us to liability claims. These claims might be made by patients that use the product, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies or others selling such products. Any claims against us, regardless of their merit, could be difficult and costly to defend and could materially adversely affect the market for our product candidates or any prospects for commercialization of our product candidates.

 

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Although the clinical trial process is designed to identify and assess potential side effects, it is always possible that a drug, even after regulatory approval, may exhibit unforeseen side effects. If any of our product candidates were to cause adverse side effects during clinical trials or after approval of the product candidate, we may be exposed to substantial liabilities. Physicians and patients may not comply with any warnings that identify known potential adverse effects and patients who should not use our product candidates.

Although we maintain limited product liability insurance for our product candidates, it is possible that our liabilities could exceed our insurance coverage. We intend to expand our insurance coverage to include the sale of commercial products if we obtain marketing approval for any of our product candidates. However, we may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or obtain insurance coverage that will be adequate to satisfy any liability that may arise. If a successful product liability claim or series of claims is brought against us for uninsured liabilities or in excess of insured liabilities, our assets may not be sufficient to cover such claims and our business operations could be impaired.

Should any of the events described above occur, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have obtained orphan drug designation for AM-111 for the treatment of ASNHL by the FDA and the EMA, and we may rely on obtaining and maintaining orphan drug exclusivity for AM-111, if approved. Orphan drug designation may not ensure that we will enjoy market exclusivity in a particular market, and if we fail to obtain or maintain orphan drug exclusivity for AM-111, we may be subject to earlier competition and our potential revenue will be reduced.

AM-111 has been granted orphan drug designation for the treatment of ASNHL by the FDA and EMA. Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may designate a product as an orphan drug if it is intended to treat a rare disease or condition, defined as a patient population of fewer than 200,000 in the United States, or a patient population greater than 200,000 in the United States where there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing the drug will be recovered from sales in the United States. In the European Union, the EMA’s Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products, or COMP, grants orphan drug designation to promote the development of products that are intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a life-threatening or chronically debilitating condition affecting not more than five in 10,000 persons in the European Union. Additionally, designation is granted for products intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a life-threatening, seriously debilitating or serious and chronic condition when, without incentives, it is unlikely that sales of the drug in the European Union would be sufficient to justify the necessary investment in developing the drug or biological product or where there is no satisfactory method of diagnosis, prevention, or treatment, or, if such a method exists, the medicine must be of significant benefit to those affected by the condition.

In the United States, orphan drug designation entitles a party to financial incentives such as opportunities for grant funding towards clinical trial costs, tax advantages and user-fee waivers. In addition, if a product receives the first FDA approval for the indication for which it has orphan designation, the product is entitled to orphan drug exclusivity, which means the FDA may not approve any other application to market the same drug for the same indication for a period of seven years, except in limited circumstances, such as a showing of clinical superiority over the product with orphan exclusivity or where the manufacturer is unable to assure sufficient product quantity. In the European Union, orphan drug designation entitles a party to financial incentives such as reduction of fees or fee waivers and ten years of market exclusivity following drug or biological product approval. This period may be reduced to six years if the orphan drug designation criteria are no longer met, including where it is shown that the product is sufficiently profitable not to justify maintenance of market exclusivity.

Even though we have obtained orphan drug designation for AM-111 for the treatment of ASNHL in the United States and Europe, we may not be the first to obtain marketing approval for any particular orphan indication due to the uncertainties associated with developing pharmaceutical products. Further, even if we obtain orphan drug designation for a product, that exclusivity may not effectively protect the product from competition because different drugs with different active moieties can be approved for the same condition. Orphan drug designation neither shortens the development time or regulatory review time of a drug nor gives the drug any advantage in the regulatory review or approval process.

 

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Due to our limited resources and access to capital, we must and have in the past decided to prioritize development of certain product candidates; these decisions may prove to have been wrong and may adversely affect our revenues.

Because we have limited resources and access to capital to fund our operations, we must decide which product candidates to pursue and the amount of resources to allocate to each. As such, we are currently primarily focused on the development of AM-101 and AM-111 for the treatment of acute inner ear tinnitus and acute inner ear hearing loss, respectively. Our decisions concerning the allocation of research, collaboration, management and financial resources toward particular compounds, product candidates or therapeutic areas may not lead to the development of viable commercial products and may divert resources away from better opportunities. Similarly, our potential decisions to delay, terminate or collaborate with third parties in respect of certain product development programs may also prove not to be optimal and could cause us to miss valuable opportunities. If we make incorrect determinations regarding the market potential of our product candidates or misread trends in the biopharmaceutical industry, in particular for inner ear disorders, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Our research and development activities could be affected or delayed as a result of possible restrictions on animal testing.

Certain laws and regulations require us to test our product candidates on animals before initiating clinical trials involving humans. Animal testing activities have been the subject of controversy and adverse publicity. Animal rights groups and other organizations and individuals have attempted to stop animal testing activities by pressing for legislation and regulation in these areas and by disrupting these activities through protests and other means. To the extent the activities of these groups are successful, our research and development activities may be interrupted, delayed or become more expensive.

Risks Related to Regulatory Approval of our Product Candidates

We cannot give any assurance that any of our product candidates will receive regulatory approval, which is necessary before they can be commercialized.

Our future success is dependent on our ability to successfully develop, obtain regulatory approval for, and then successfully commercialize one or more product candidates. We currently have two product candidates that have completed Phase 2 clinical trials. Enrollment in Phase 3 clinical trials of AM-101 has begun; and we expect to begin enrolling patients in a Phase 3 trial of AM-111 in the fourth quarter of 2014. We are not permitted to market or promote any of our product candidates before we receive regulatory approval from the FDA, EMA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, and we may never receive such regulatory approval for any of our product candidates.

Although certain of our employees have prior experience with submitting marketing applications to the FDA, EMA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, we as a company have not submitted such applications for our product candidates. We cannot be certain that any of our product candidates will be successful in clinical trials or receive regulatory approval. Applications for our product candidates could fail to receive regulatory approval for many reasons, including but not limited to the following:

 

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the FDA, EMA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with the design or implementation of our clinical trials;

 

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the population studied in the clinical program may not be sufficiently broad or representative to assure safety in the full population for which we seek approval, including reliance on foreign clinical data as studies of AM-111 to date have been conducted solely in the European Union;

 

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the FDA, EMA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data from nonclinical trials or clinical trials;

 

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the data collected from clinical trials of our product candidates may not be sufficient to support the submission of a new drug application, or NDA, or other submission or to obtain regulatory approval in the United States or elsewhere;

 

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we may be unable to demonstrate to the FDA, EMA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities that a product candidate’s risk-benefit ratio for its proposed indication is acceptable;

 

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the FDA, EMA or other regulatory authorities may fail to approve the manufacturing processes, test procedures and specifications, or facilities of third-party manufacturers with which we contract for clinical and commercial supplies; and

 

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the approval policies or regulations of the FDA, EMA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may significantly change in a manner rendering our clinical data insufficient for approval.

In addition, no product for the treatment of acute inner ear tinnitus or acute inner ear hearing loss has been approved by the FDA or the EMA. Accordingly, our current product candidates or any of our other future product candidates could take a significantly longer time to gain regulatory approval than expected or may never gain regulatory approval. This could delay or eliminate any potential product revenue by delaying or terminating the potential commercialization of our product candidates.

We generally plan to seek regulatory approval to commercialize our product candidates in the United States, the European Union and in additional foreign countries where we have commercial rights. To obtain regulatory approval in other countries, we must comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements of such other countries regarding safety, efficacy, chemistry, manufacturing and controls, clinical trials, commercial sales, pricing, and distribution of our product candidates. Even if we are successful in obtaining approval in one jurisdiction, we cannot ensure that we will obtain approval in any other jurisdictions. Failure to obtain marketing authorization for our product candidates will result in our being unable to market and sell such products, which would materially adversely affect our business, financial conditional and results of operation. If we fail to obtain approval in any jurisdiction, the geographic market for our product candidates could be limited. Similarly, regulatory agencies may not approve the labeling claims that are necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of our product candidates.

Because we are developing therapies for which there is little clinical experience and, in some cases, using new endpoints, there is more risk that the outcome of our clinical trials will not be favorable. Even if the results of our trials are favorable, there is risk that they will not be acceptable to regulators or physicians.

There are currently no drugs with proven efficacy for acute inner ear tinnitus or acute inner ear hearing loss. In addition, there has been limited historical clinical trial experience generally for the development of drugs to treat these conditions. Regulatory authorities in the United States and European Union have not issued definitive guidance as to how to measure the efficacy of treatments for acute inner ear tinnitus or acute inner ear hearing loss, and regulators have not yet established what is required to be demonstrated in a clinical trial in order to signify a clinically meaningful result and/or obtain marketing approval. We have designed our Phase 3 trials for AM-101 and AM-111 to include endpoints that we believe are clinically justified and meaningful. With regard to AM-101, the EMA indicated that a statistically significant improvement in tinnitus loudness that is supported by several secondary variables would demonstrate a clinically meaningful result. The FDA indicated that a improvement in tinnitus loudness supported by a co-primary efficacy point, such as the TFI questionnaire, would be clinically meaningful. However, no product has been approved for marketing based upon such guidance and we cannot be certain that AM-101 will be approved even if it were to demonstrate such results in its Phase 3 trial. With regard to AM-111, the EMA has issued guidance that a 10 dB improvement in hearing thresholds is clinically significant, in line with clinical practice. However, no product has been approved for marketing based upon such guidance and we cannot be certain that AM-111 will be approved even if it were to demonstrate such results in its Phase 3 trial. We have not sought or received any guidance from the FDA yet that would apply to acute inner ear hearing loss.

Safety issues with isomers of our product candidates or with approved products of third parties that are similar to our product candidates, could delay or prevent the regulatory approval process or result in restrictions on labeling.

Discovery of previously unknown problems, or increased focus on a known problem, with an approved product may result in restrictions on its permissible uses, including withdrawal of the medicine from the market. Esketamine, the active substance of AM-101, is an isomer of Ketamine, and may be affected by the safety of the drugs related to them. Although Ketamine has been used successfully in patients for many years, newly observed toxicities or worsening of known toxicities, in preclinical studies of, or in patients receiving, Ketamine, or reconsideration of known toxicities of Ketamine in the setting of new indications, could result in increased regulatory scrutiny of AM-101. For example, Ketamine is regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, under the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule III drug. DEA scheduling is a separate process that can delay when a drug may become available to patients beyond an NDA approval date, and the timing and outcome of such DEA process is uncertain. Although we have observed no abuse liability associated with AM-101 to date, if AM-101 were to be scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act, such scheduling could negatively impact the ability or willingness of physicians to prescribe AM-101 and our ability to commercialize it.

 

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Our special protocol assessment agreement with the FDA for our Phase 3 study of AM-101 does not guarantee any particular outcome from regulatory review, including ultimate approval and may not lead to a faster development or regulatory review or approval process.

We have obtained agreement from the FDA on a special protocol assessment, or SPA, for the design of our U.S. Phase 3 trial of AM-101. We also designed our Phase 3 clinical trials for AM-101 based on scientific advice that we received from the EMA. The FDA’s SPA process is designed to facilitate the FDA’s review and approval of drugs by allowing the FDA to evaluate the proposed design and size of Phase 3 clinical trials that are intended to form the primary basis for determining a drug product’s efficacy. Upon specific request by a clinical trial sponsor, the FDA will evaluate the protocol and respond to a sponsor’s questions regarding, among other things, primary efficacy endpoints, trial conduct and data analysis, within 45 days of receipt of the request. The FDA ultimately assesses whether the protocol design and planned analysis of the trial are acceptable to support regulatory approval of the product candidate with respect to the effectiveness of the indication studied. All agreements and disagreements between the FDA and the sponsor regarding a SPA must be clearly documented in a SPA letter or the minutes of a meeting between the sponsor and the FDA. However, a SPA agreement does not guarantee approval of a product candidate, and even if the FDA agrees to the design, execution, and analysis proposed in protocols reviewed under the SPA process, the FDA may revoke or alter its agreement in certain circumstances. In particular, a SPA agreement is not binding on the FDA if public health concerns emerge that were unrecognized at the time of the SPA agreement, other new scientific concerns regarding product safety or efficacy arise, the sponsor company fails to comply with the agreed upon trial protocols, or the relevant data, assumptions or information provided by the sponsor in a request for the SPA change or are found to be false or omit relevant facts. In addition, even after a SPA agreement is finalized, the SPA agreement may be modified, and such modification will be deemed binding on the FDA review division, except under the circumstances described above, if the FDA and the sponsor agree in writing to modify the protocol and such modification is intended to improve the study. The FDA retains significant latitude and discretion in interpreting the terms of the SPA agreement and the data and results from any study that is the subject of the SPA agreement.

We cannot assure you that our Phase 3 clinical trial of AM-101 will succeed, will be deemed binding by the FDA under our documented SPA, or will result in any FDA approval for AM-101. The TACTT2 Phase 3 clinical trial to be primarily conducted in the United States and Canada is expected to enroll approximately 330 patients. We expect that the FDA will review our compliance with the protocol under our SPA agreement and that it will conduct inspections of some of the approximately 60 sites where the trial will be conducted. We cannot assure you that each of the clinical trial sites will pass such FDA inspections, and negative inspection results could significantly delay or prevent any potential approval for AM-101. If the FDA revokes or alters its agreement under the SPA, or interprets the data collected from the clinical trial differently than we do, the FDA may not deem the data sufficient to support an application for regulatory approval, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. A revocation or alteration in our existing SPA could significantly delay or prevent approval of our application. Our SPA with the FDA and the scientific advice from the EMA does not ensure that AM-101 will receive marketing approval or that the approval process will be faster than conventional regulatory procedures.

The FDA has requested from us safety data from chronic intermittent use of AM-101 by tinnitus patients to support a new drug application filing for AM-101 in the treatment of acute peripheral tinnitus. We are seeking to address this request by offering all participants completing the TACTT2 and TACTT3 studies and continuing to meet certain criteria the option to roll over into an open label follow-on safety study (AMPACT1 and AMPACT2, respectively) and receive up to three treatment cycles with AM-101 over a period of up to nine months. Together with the three month TACTT study duration, this would cover up to 12 months of exposure. Although we believe that a substantial number of TACTT study participants will be willing and eligible for enrollment into the AMPACT studies, we have no control over the actual number and over the number of treatment cycles that the AMPACT participants will choose. Hence the number of patients with safety data over six months and over 12 months may or may not fail to reach the levels specified and requested by the FDA. In case of insufficient numbers, this will become a review issue at the time of the NDA.

 

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Even if our product candidates obtain regulatory approval, we will be subject to ongoing obligations and continued regulatory review, which may result in significant additional expense. Additionally, our product candidates, if approved, could be subject to labeling and other restrictions and market withdrawal and we may be subject to penalties if we fail to comply with regulatory requirements or experience unanticipated problems with our products.

If marketing authorization is obtained for any of our product candidates, the product will remain subject to continual regulatory review and therefore authorization could be subsequently withdrawn or restricted. Any regulatory approvals that we receive for our product candidates may also be subject to limitations on the approved indicated uses for which the product may be marketed or to the conditions of approval, or contain requirements for potentially costly post-marketing testing, including Phase 4 clinical trials and surveillance to monitor the safety and efficacy of the product candidate. In addition, if the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority approves any of our product candidates, we will be subject to ongoing regulatory obligations and oversight by regulatory authorities, including with respect to the manufacturing processes, labeling, packing, distribution, adverse event reporting, storage, advertising and marketing restrictions, and recordkeeping and, potentially, other post-marketing obligations, all of which may result in significant expense and limit our ability to commercialize such products. These requirements include submissions of safety and other post-marketing information and reports, registration, as well as continued compliance with cGMPs and cGCPs for any clinical trials that we conduct post-approval. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or with our third-party manufacturers or manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in, among other things:

 

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restrictions on the marketing or manufacturing of the product, withdrawal of the product from the market, or voluntary or mandatory product recalls;

 

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fines, warning letters or holds on clinical trials;

 

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refusal by the FDA to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications filed by us, or suspension or revocation of product license approvals;

 

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product seizure or detention, or refusal to permit the import or export of products; and

 

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injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.

If any of these events occurs, our ability to sell such product may be impaired, and we may incur substantial additional expense to comply with regulatory requirements, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The FDA’s policies may change and additional government regulations may be enacted that could prevent, limit or delay regulatory approval of our product candidates. If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any marketing approval that we may have obtained, which would adversely affect our business, prospects and ability to achieve or sustain profitability.

Enacted and future legislation may increase the difficulty and cost for us to obtain marketing approval of and commercialize our product candidates and may affect the prices we may set.

In the United States, the European Union and some other foreign jurisdictions, there have been a number of legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes regarding the healthcare system. These changes could prevent or delay marketing approval of our product candidates, restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect our ability to profitably sell any products for which we obtain marketing approval.

In the United States, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, or the Medicare Modernization Act, changed the way Medicare covers and pays for pharmaceutical products. The legislation expanded Medicare coverage for drug purchases by the elderly and introduced a new reimbursement methodology based on average sale prices for physician-administered drugs. In addition, this legislation provided authority for limiting the number of drugs that will be covered in any therapeutic class. Cost-reduction initiatives and other provisions of this legislation could decrease the coverage and price that we receive for any approved products. While the Medicare Modernization Act applies only to drug benefits for Medicare beneficiaries, private payors often follow Medicare coverage policy and payment limitations in setting their own reimbursement rates. Therefore, any reduction in reimbursement that results from the Medicare Modernization Act may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors.

More recently, in March 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, or collectively, the Health Care Reform Law, a

 

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sweeping law intended to broaden access to health insurance, reduce or constrain the growth of healthcare spending, enhance remedies against fraud and abuse, add new transparency requirements for health care and health insurance industries, impose new taxes and fees on the health industry and impose additional health policy reforms. The Health Care Reform Law, among other things, increased rebates a manufacturer must pay to the Medicaid program, addressed a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for drugs that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted or injected, established a new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, in which manufacturers must provide 50% point-of-sale discounts on products covered under Part D and implemented payment system reforms including a national pilot program on payment bundling to encourage hospitals, physicians and other providers to improve the coordination, quality and efficiency of certain healthcare services through bundled payment models. Further, the new law imposed a significant annual fee on companies that manufacture or import branded prescription drug products. Substantial new provisions affecting compliance were enacted, which may affect our business practices with health care practitioners. Although we will not know the full effects of the Health Care Reform Law until applicable federal and state agencies issue regulations or guidance under the new law, the new law appears likely to continue the pressure on pharmaceutical pricing and may also increase our regulatory burdens and operating costs.

Moreover, other legislative changes have also been proposed and adopted in the United States since the Health Care Reform Law was enacted. On August 2, 2011, the Budget Control Act of 2011, among other things, created measures for spending reductions by Congress. A Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, tasked with recommending a targeted deficit reduction of at least $1.2 trillion for the years 2013 through 2021, was unable to reach required goals, thereby triggering the legislation’s automatic reduction to several government programs. This includes aggregate reductions to Medicare payments to providers of 2% per fiscal year, which went into effect on April 1, 2013. On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, or the ATRA, which, among other things, further reduced Medicare payments to several providers, including hospitals, imaging centers and cancer treatment centers, and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years. These new laws may result in additional reductions in Medicare and other health care funding, which could have a material adverse effect on our customers and accordingly, our financial operations.

Both in the United States and in the European Union, legislative and regulatory proposals have been made to expand post-approval requirements and restrict sales and promotional activities for pharmaceutical products. We do not know whether additional legislative changes will be enacted, or whether the regulations, guidance or interpretations will be changed, or what the impact of such changes on the marketing approvals of our product candidates, if any, may be.

Our relationships with customers and payors will be subject to applicable anti-kickback, fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations, which, if violated, could expose us to criminal sanctions, civil penalties, exclusion from government healthcare programs, contractual damages, reputational harm and diminished profits and future earnings.

Healthcare providers, physicians and others play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of any products for which we obtain marketing approval. Our future arrangements with third-party payors and customers may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations, primarily in the United States, that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we market, sell and distribute our products for which we obtain marketing approval. Restrictions under applicable healthcare laws and regulations, include the following:

 

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the U.S. healthcare anti-kickback statute prohibits, among other things, persons from knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, receiving or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, to induce or reward either the referral of an individual for, or the purchase, order or recommendation of, any good or service, for which payment may be made under U.S. government healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid;

 

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the U.S. False Claims Act imposes criminal and civil penalties, including civil whistleblower or qui tam actions, against individuals or entities for knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, to the U.S. government, claims for payment that are false or fraudulent or making a false statement to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the federal government;

 

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the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, imposes criminal and civil liability for executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program or making false statements relating to healthcare matters;

 

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HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, imposes obligations, including mandatory contractual terms, with respect to safeguarding the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information;

 

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the transparency requirements under the Health Care Reform Law require manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies to report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services information related to payments and other transfers of value made by such manufacturers to physicians and teaching hospitals, and ownership and investment interests held by physicians or their immediate family members; and

 

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analogous laws and regulations, such as state anti-kickback and false claims laws, may apply to sales or marketing arrangements and claims involving healthcare items or services reimbursed by non-governmental third-party payors, including private insurers, and some state laws require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the pharmaceutical industry’s voluntary compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government in addition to requiring manufacturers to report information related to payments to physicians and other health care providers or marketing expenditures.

Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of the statutory exceptions and safe harbors available under the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute, it is possible that some of our future business activities could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws. In addition, recent health care reform legislation has strengthened these laws. For example, the Health Care Reform Law, among other things, amends the intent requirement of the federal anti-kickback and criminal healthcare fraud statutes. A person or entity no longer needs to have actual knowledge of this statute or specific intent to violate it. Moreover, the Health Care Reform Law provides that the government may assert that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal anti-kickback statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the False Claims Act.

Efforts to ensure that our business arrangements with third parties will comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations will involve substantial costs. It is possible that governmental authorities will conclude that our business practices may not comply with current or future statutes, regulations or case law involving applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of these laws or any other governmental regulations that may apply to us, we may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, exclusion from U.S. government funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations. If any of the physicians or other providers or entities with whom we expect to do business with are found to be not in compliance with applicable laws, they may be subject to criminal, civil or administrative sanctions, including exclusions from government funded healthcare programs.

Risks Related to Commercialization of Our Product Candidates

We operate in highly competitive and rapidly changing industries, which may result in others discovering, developing or commercializing competing products before or more successfully than we do.

The biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industries are highly competitive and subject to significant and rapid technological change. Our success is highly dependent on our ability to discover, develop and obtain marketing approval for new and innovative products on a cost-effective basis and to market them successfully. In doing so, we face and will continue to face intense competition from a variety of businesses, including large, fully integrated pharmaceutical companies, specialty pharmaceutical companies and biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, government agencies and other private and public research institutions in Europe, the United States and other jurisdictions. These organizations may have significantly greater resources than we do and conduct similar research, seek patent protection and establish collaborative arrangements for research, development, manufacturing and marketing of products that compete with our product candidates.

We believe that our key competitors are Otonomy, Inc., or Otonomy, and Sound Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Sound Pharma, both U.S. companies developing pharmaceutical treatments for ear disorders. In October 2013, Otonomy announced the launch of a development program for the treatment of tinnitus, OTO-311, which may directly compete with our AM-101 product candidate. For OTO-311 the company acquired certain assets and rights to

 

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intellectual property related to the use of the NMDA receptor antagonist gacyclidine for the treatment of tinnitus from NeuroSystec Corporation. NeuroSystec was founded in 2004 and sought to develop a drug-device combination product that could provide sustained delivery of gacyclidine (NST-001) to the inner ear. A 2010 article in European Archives of Otorhinolaryngology by Wenzel et al. described how in a compassionate use study in Europe four out of six tinnitus patients receiving a constant perfusion of gacyclidine onto their round window membrane for 40 to 63 hours reported temporary relief, and one among them lasting relief. NeuroSystec initiated a Phase 1b trial with NST-001 in January 2009, but never published outcomes thereof and ceased activities in 2013. We expect Otonomy to reformulate gacyclidine in a poloxamer gel formulation targeting single dose administration and to launch clinical development of OTO-311 in the near future. OTO-311’s competitive strength will ultimately depend on the demonstration of clinical efficacy and safety and its comparison with AM-101.

In June 2006, Sound Pharma began clinical testing of an oral treatment for hearing loss (SPI-1005, ebselen). Its active substance mimics and prompts production of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme. In February 2014, Sound Pharma announced positive outcomes from a placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial with SPI-1005 in the prevention and treatment of temporary inner ear hearing loss from listening to loud music with a mobile digital media player. Although AM-111 targets permanent rather than transient hearing loss, SPI-1005 may become a competing product if Sound Pharma seeks and manages to demonstrate clinical efficacy also in the prevention and treatment of permanent inner ear hearing loss.

The highly competitive nature of and rapid technological changes in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries could render our product candidates or our technology obsolete or non-competitive. Our competitors may, among other things:

 

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develop and commercialize products that are safer, more effective, less expensive, or more convenient or easier to administer;

 

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obtain quicker regulatory approval;

 

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establish superior proprietary positions;

 

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have access to more manufacturing capacity;

 

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implement more effective approaches to sales and marketing; or

 

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form more advantageous strategic alliances.

Should any of these occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

The successful commercialization of our product candidates will depend in part on the extent to which governmental authorities and health insurers establish adequate coverage and reimbursement levels and pricing policies.

The successful commercialization of AM-101, AM-111 or our other product candidates will depend, in part, on the extent to which coverage and reimbursement for our products or procedures using our products will be available from government and health administration authorities, private health insurers and other third-party payors. To manage healthcare costs, many governments and third-party payors increasingly scrutinize the pricing of new technologies and require greater levels of evidence of favorable clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness before extending coverage. In light of such challenges to prices and increasing levels of evidence of the benefits and clinical outcomes of new technologies, we cannot be sure that coverage will be available for AM-101, AM-111 or any other product candidate that we commercialize and, if available, that the reimbursement rates will be adequate. If we are unable to obtain adequate levels of coverage and reimbursement for our product candidates, their marketability will be negatively and materially impacted.

Our customers, including hospitals, physicians and other healthcare providers that purchase certain injectable drugs administered during a procedure, such as our product candidates, generally rely on third-party payors to pay for all or part of the costs and fees associated with the drug and the procedures adminstering the drug. These third-party payors may pay separately for the drug or may bundle or otherwise include the costs of the drug in the payment for the procedure. We are unable to predict at this time whether our product candidates, if approved, will be eligible for such separate payments. Nor can we predict at this time the adequacy of payments, whether made separately for the drug and procedure or with a bundled or otherwise aggregate payment amount for the drug and procedure. In addition, obtaining and maintaining adequate coverage and reimbursement status is time-consuming and costly.

 

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Third party payors may deny coverage and reimbursement status altogether of a given drug product, or cover the product but may also establish prices at levels that are too low to enable us to realize an appropriate return on our investment in product development. Because the rules and regulations regarding coverage and reimbursement change frequently, in some cases at short notice, even when there is favorable coverage and reimbursement, future changes may occur that adversely impact the favorable status. Further, the net reimbursement for drug products may be subject to additional reductions if there are changes to laws that presently restrict imports of drugs from countries where they may be sold at lower prices than in the United States.

The unavailability or inadequacy of third-party coverage and reimbursement could have a material adverse effect on the market acceptance of our product candidates and the future revenues we may expect to receive from those products. In addition, we are unable to predict what additional legislation or regulation relating to the healthcare industry or third-party coverage and reimbursement may be enacted in the future, or what effect such legislation or regulation would have on our business.

Our products may not gain market acceptance, in which case we may not be able to generate product revenues, which will materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Even if the FDA, the EMA or other regulatory authority approves the marketing of any product candidates that we develop, physicians, healthcare providers, patients or the medical community may not accept or use them. Efforts to educate the medical community and third-party payors on the benefits of our product candidates may require significant resources and may not be successful. If AM-101, AM-111 or any other product candidate that we develop does not achieve an adequate level of acceptance, we may not generate significant product revenues or any profits from operations. The degree of market acceptance of AM-101, AM-111 or any of our product candidates that is approved for commercial sale will depend on a variety of factors, including:

 

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how clinicians and potential patients perceive our novel products;

 

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the timing of market introduction;

 

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the number and clinical profile of competing products;

 

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our ability to provide acceptable evidence of safety and efficacy;

 

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the prevalence and severity of any side effects;

 

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relative convenience and ease of administration, particularly as AM-101 and AM-111 require multiple outpatient procedures to administer the drug;

 

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cost-effectiveness;

 

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patient diagnostics and screening infrastructure in each market, particularly as AM-101 and AM-111 are being developed for the treatment of acute inner ear disorders and are thus dependent on a relatively rapid diagnosis and dosing process;

 

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marketing and distribution support;

 

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availability of coverage, reimbursement and adequate payment from health maintenance organizations and other third-party payors, both public and private; and

 

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other potential advantages over alternative treatment methods.

If our product candidates fail to gain market acceptance, this will have a material adverse impact on our ability to generate revenues to provide a satisfactory, or any, return on our investments. Even if some products achieve market acceptance, the market may prove not to be large enough to allow us to generate significant revenues.

In addition, the potential market opportunity of AM-101 and AM-111 are difficult to precisely estimate. Our estimates of the potential market opportunity are predicated on several key assumptions such as industry knowledge and publications, third-party research reports and other surveys. While we believe that our internal assumptions are reasonable, these assumptions involve the exercise of significant judgment on the part of our management, are inherently uncertain and the reasonableness of these assumptions could not have been assessed by an independent source in every detail. If any of the assumptions proves to be inaccurate, then the actual market for AM-101 and AM-111 could be smaller than our estimates of the potential market opportunity. If the actual market for AM-101 and AM-111 is smaller than we expect, or if the products fail to achieve an adequate level of acceptance by physicians, health care payors and patients, our product revenue may be limited and it may be more difficult for us to achieve or maintain profitability.

 

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We have never commercialized a product candidate before and may lack the necessary expertise, personnel and resources to successfully commercialize our products on our own or together with suitable partners.

We have never commercialized a product candidate, and we currently have no sales force, marketing or distribution capabilities. To achieve commercial success for AM-101, AM-111 and our other product candidates, we will have to develop our own sales, marketing and supply organization or outsource these activities to a third party.

Factors that may affect our ability to commercialize our product candidates on our own include recruiting and retaining adequate numbers of effective sales and marketing personnel, obtaining access to or persuading adequate numbers of physicians to prescribe our drug candidates and other unforeseen costs associated with creating an independent sales and marketing organization. Developing a sales and marketing organization requires significant investment, is time-consuming and could delay the launch of our product candidates. We may not be able to build an effective sales and marketing organization. If we are unable to build our own distribution and marketing capabilities or to find suitable partners for the commercialization of our product candidates, we may not generate revenues from them or be able to reach or sustain profitability.

Risks Related to Our Reliance on Third Parties

If we fail to maintain our current strategic relationships with INSERM and Xigen, our business, commercialization prospects and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

We have a co-ownership/exploitation agreement with the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, or INSERM, governing the exploitation of any products derived from patents that resulted from our joint research program with INSERM that was conducted in 2003 to 2005. Additionally, we have an exclusive worldwide license from Xigen S.A., or Xigen, for the application of Xigen’s novel intracellular peptide therapeutics in the area of ear disorders. These intellectual property rights have been the basis of our research and development of AM-101 and AM-111.

The continuation of good relationships with INSERM and Xigen is important for our business prospects. If our relationships with INSERM or Xigen were to deteriorate substantially or INSERM or Xigen were to challenge our use of their intellectual property or our calculations of the payments we owe under our agreements, our business, financial condition, commercialization prospects and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

We may seek to form additional strategic alliances in the future with respect to our product candidates, and if we do not realize the benefits of such alliance, our business, financial condition, commercialization prospects and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

Our product development programs and the potential commercialization of our product candidates will require substantial additional cash to fund expenses and may require expertise, such as sales and marketing expertise, which we do not currently possess. Therefore, in addition to our relationships with INSERM and Xigen, for our AM-101 and AM-111 product candidates respectively, for one or more of our product candidates, we may decide to enter into strategic alliances, or create joint ventures or collaborations with pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical companies for the further development and potential commercialization of those product candidates.

We face significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborators. Collaborations are complex and time-consuming to negotiate and document. Any delays in entering into new strategic partnership agreements related to our product candidates could delay the development and commercialization of our product candidates and reduce their competitiveness even if they reach the market. We may also be restricted under existing and future collaboration agreements from entering into strategic partnerships or collaboration agreements on certain terms with other potential collaborators. We may not be able to negotiate collaborations on acceptable terms, or at all, for any of our existing or future product candidates and programs because the potential partner may consider that our research and development pipeline is insufficiently developed to justify a collaborative effort, or that our product candidates and programs do not have the requisite potential to demonstrate safety and efficacy in the target population. If we are unsuccessful in establishing and maintaining a collaboration with respect to a particular product candidate, we may have to curtail the development of that product candidate, reduce the scope of or delay its development program or one or more of our other development programs, delay its potential commercialization or reduce the scope of our sales or marketing activities, or increase our expenditures and undertake development or commercialization activities at our own expense for which we have not budgeted. If we elect to increase our expenditures to fund development or commercialization activities on our own, we may need to obtain additional capital, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. If we do not have sufficient funds, we will

 

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not be able to bring our product candidates to market and generate product revenue. Even if we are successful in establishing a new strategic partnership or entering into a collaboration agreement, we cannot be certain that, following such a strategic transaction or license, we will be able to progress the development and commercialization of the applicable product candidates as envisaged, or that we will achieve the revenues that would justify such transaction, and we could be subject to the following risks, each of which may materially harm our business, commercialization prospects and financial condition:

 

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we may not be able to control the amount and timing of resources that the collaboration partner devotes to the product development program;

 

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the collaboration partner may experience financial difficulties;

 

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we may be required to relinquish important rights such as marketing, distribution and intellectual property rights;

 

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a collaboration partner could move forward with a competing product developed either independently or in collaboration with third parties, including our competitors; or

 

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business combinations or significant changes in a collaboration partner’s business strategy may adversely affect our willingness to complete our obligations under any arrangement.

We rely on third parties to conduct our nonclinical and clinical trials and perform other tasks for us. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties, meet expected deadlines, or comply with regulatory requirements, we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize our product candidates and our business could be substantially harmed.

We have relied upon and plan to continue to rely upon third-party CROs to monitor and manage data for our ongoing nonclinical and clinical programs, including the clinical trials of AM-101 and AM-111. We rely on these parties for execution of our nonclinical and clinical studies and control only certain aspects of their activities. Nevertheless, we are responsible for ensuring that each of our trials is conducted in accordance with the applicable protocol, legal, regulatory, and scientific standards and our reliance on the CROs does not relieve us of our regulatory responsibilities. We and our CROs and other vendors are required to comply with cGMP, cGCP, and Good Laboratory Practice, or GLP, which are regulations and guidelines enforced by the FDA, the Competent Authorities of the Member States of the European Union and comparable foreign regulatory authorities for all of our product candidates in nonclinical and clinical development. Regulatory authorities enforce these regulations through periodic inspections of study sponsors, principal investigators, trial sites and other contractors. If we or any of our CROs or vendors fail to comply with applicable regulations, the data generated in our nonclinical and clinical trials may be deemed unreliable and the EMA, FDA, other regulatory authorities may require us to perform additional nonclinical and clinical trials before approving our marketing applications. We cannot assure you that upon inspection by a given regulatory authority, such regulatory authority will determine that all of our clinical trials comply with cGCP regulations. In addition, our clinical trials must be conducted with product produced under cGMP regulations. Our failure to comply with these regulations may require us to repeat clinical trials, which would delay the regulatory approval process.

If any of our relationships with these third-party CROs terminates, we may not be able to enter into arrangements with alternative CROs or do so on commercially reasonable terms. In addition, our CROs are not our employees, and except for remedies available to us under our agreements with such CROs, we cannot control whether or not they devote sufficient time and resources to our on-going nonclinical and clinical programs. If CROs do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or obligations or meet expected deadlines, if they need to be replaced or if the quality or accuracy of the data they obtain is compromised due to the failure to adhere to our protocols, regulatory requirements, or for other reasons, our clinical trials may be extended, delayed, or terminated and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or successfully commercialize our product candidates. CROs may also generate higher costs than anticipated. As a result, our results of operations and the commercial prospects for our product candidates would be harmed, our costs could increase, and our ability to generate revenue could be delayed.

Switching or adding additional CROs involves additional cost and requires management time and focus. In addition, there is a natural transition period when a new CRO commences work. As a result, delays occur, which can materially impact our ability to meet our desired clinical development timelines. Though we carefully manage our relationships with our CROs, there can be no assurance that we will not encounter similar challenges or delays in the future or that these delays or challenges will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and prospects.

 

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We currently rely on third-party suppliers and other third parties for production of our product candidates and our dependence on these third parties may impair the advancement of our research and development programs and the development of our product candidates.

We currently rely on and expect to continue to rely on third parties, for the manufacturing and supply of chemical compounds for the clinical trials of our product candidates, including AM-101 and AM-111, and others for the manufacturing and supply of pre-filled syringes. For the foreseeable future, we expect to continue to rely on such third parties for the manufacture of any of our product candidates on a clinical or commercial scale, if any of our product candidates receives regulatory approval. Reliance on third-party providers may expose us to different risks than if we were to manufacture product candidates ourselves. The facilities used by our contract manufacturers to manufacture our product candidates must be approved by the FDA or other regulatory authorities pursuant to inspections that will be conducted after we submit our NDA or comparable marketing application to the FDA or other regulatory authority. Although we have auditing rights with all our manufacturing counterparties, we do not have control over a supplier’s or manufacturer’s compliance with these laws, regulations and applicable cGMP standards and other laws and regulations, such as those related to environmental health and safety matters. If our contract manufacturers cannot successfully manufacture material that conforms to our specifications and the strict regulatory requirements of the FDA or others, they will not be able to secure and/or maintain regulatory approval for their manufacturing facilities. In addition, we have no control over the ability of our contract manufacturers to maintain adequate quality control, quality assurance and qualified personnel. If the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority does not approve these facilities for the manufacture of our product candidates or if it withdraws any such approval in the future, we may need to find alternative manufacturing facilities, which would significantly impact our ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for or market our product candidates, if approved. Any failure to achieve and maintain compliance with these laws, regulations and standards could subject us to the risk that we may have to suspend the manufacturing of our product candidates or that obtained approvals could be revoked, which would adversely affect our business and reputation. Furthermore, third-party providers may breach agreements they have with us because of factors beyond our control. They may also terminate or refuse to renew their agreements because of their own financial difficulties or business priorities, potentially at a time that is costly or otherwise inconvenient for us. If we were unable to find adequate replacement or another acceptable solution in time, our clinical trials could be delayed or our commercial activities could be harmed.

In addition, the fact that we are dependent on our suppliers and other third parties for the manufacture, storage and distribution of our product candidates means that we are subject to the risk that our product candidates and, if approved, commercial products may have manufacturing defects that we have limited ability to prevent or control. The sale of products containing such defects could result in recalls or regulatory enforcement action that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Growth in the costs and expenses of components or raw materials may also adversely influence our business, financial condition and results of operations. Supply sources could be interrupted from time to time and, if interrupted, that supplies could be resumed (whether in part or in whole) within a reasonable timeframe and at an acceptable cost or at all.

Our current and anticipated future dependence upon others for the manufacturing of AM-101, AM-111 and any other product candidate that we develop may adversely affect our future profit margins and our ability to commercialize any products that receive marketing approval on a timely and competitive basis.

The drug substance and drug product for our product candidates are currently acquired from single-source suppliers. The loss of these suppliers, or their failure to supply us with the drug substance or drug product, could materially and adversely affect our business.

We currently have a relationship with only one supplier Lifecore Biomedical, or Lifecore, for the supply of the hyaluronic acid component of our AM-101 and AM-111 product candidates, and intend to continue to do so in the future. We do not currently, and do not expect to in the future, independently conduct manufacturing activities for our product candidates, including AM-101 and AM-111. We are reliant upon single source third party contract manufacturing organizations to manufacture and supply the drug substance and drug product and components thereof for each of AM-101 and AM-111. We do not currently have any other suppliers for the drug substance or drug product of our product candidates and, although we believe that there are alternate sources of supply that could satisfy our clinical

 

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and commercial requirements, and we have performed some preliminary investigations to assess this availability, we cannot assure you that identifying alternate sources and establishing relationships with such sources would not result in significant delay in the development of our product candidates. Additionally, we may not be able to enter into supply arrangements with alternative suppliers on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. A delay in the development of our product candidates or having to enter into a new agreement with a different third party on less favorable terms than we have with our current suppliers could have a material adverse impact upon on our business.

Risks Related to Intellectual Property

If we or our licensors are unable to obtain and maintain effective patent rights for our technologies, product candidates or any future product candidates, or if the scope of the patent rights obtained is not sufficiently broad, we may not be able to compete effectively in our markets.

We rely upon a combination of patents, trade secret protection, and confidentiality agreements to protect the intellectual property related to our technologies and product candidates. Our success depends in large part on our and our licensors’ ability to obtain and maintain patent and other intellectual property protection in the United States and in other countries with respect to our proprietary technology and products.

We have sought to protect our proprietary position by filing patent applications in the United States and abroad related to our novel technologies and products that are important to our business. This process is expensive and time consuming, and we may not be able to file and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost, in a timely manner or in all jurisdictions. It is also possible that we will fail to identify patentable aspects of our research and development output before it is too late to obtain patent protection. Moreover, in some circumstances, we do not have the right to control the preparation, filing and prosecution of patent applications, or to maintain the patents, covering technology that we license from third parties. Therefore, these patents and applications may not be prosecuted and enforced in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business.

The patent position of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies generally is highly uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions for which legal principles remain unsolved. The patent applications that we own or in-license may fail to result in issued patents with claims that cover our product candidates in the United States or in other foreign countries. Publications of discoveries in the scientific literature often lag behind the actual discoveries, and patent applications in the United States and other jurisdictions remain confidential for a period of time after filing, and some remain so until issued, we cannot be certain that we were the first to file any patent application related to our product candidates, or whether we were the first to make the inventions claimed in our owned patents or pending patent applications, nor can we know whether those from whom we license patents were the first to make the inventions claimed or were the first to file. As a result, the issuance, scope, validity, enforceability and commercial value of our patent rights are highly uncertain. There is no assurance that all potentially relevant prior art relating to our patents and patent applications has been found, which can invalidate a patent or prevent a patent from issuing from a pending patent application. Even if patents do successfully issue, and even if such patents cover our product candidates, third parties may challenge their validity, enforceability, or scope, which may result in such patents being narrowed, found unenforceable or invalidated, which could allow third parties to commercialize our technology or products and compete directly with us, without payment to us, or result in our inability to manufacture or commercialize products without infringing third party patent rights. Furthermore, even if they are unchallenged, our patents and patent applications may not adequately protect our intellectual property, provide exclusivity for our product candidates, prevent others from designing around our claims or provide us with a competitive advantage. Any of these outcomes could impair our ability to prevent competition from third parties, which may have an adverse impact on our business.

We, independently or together with our licensors, have filed several patent applications covering various aspects of our product candidates. We cannot offer any assurances about which, if any, patents will issue, the breadth of any such patent or whether any issued patents will be found invalid and unenforceable or will be challenged by third parties. Any successful opposition to these patents or any other patents owned by or licensed to us after patent issuance could deprive us of rights necessary for the successful commercialization of any product candidates that we may develop. Further, if we encounter delays in regulatory approvals, the period of time during which we could market a product candidate under patent protection could be reduced.

 

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We may not have sufficient patent terms to effectively protect our products and business.

Patents have a limited lifespan. In the United States, the natural expiration of a patent is generally 20 years after it is filed. Although various extensions may be available, the life of a patent, and the protection it affords, is limited. Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates, patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly after such candidates are commercialized. As a result, our owned and licensed patent portfolio may not provide us with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing products similar or identical to ours or otherwise provide us with a competitive advantage. Even if patents covering our product candidates are obtained, once the patent life has expired for a product, we may be open to competition from generic medications.

While patent term extensions under the Hatch-Waxman Act in the United States and under supplementary protection certificates in Europe may be available to extend the patent exclusivity term for AM-101 and AM-111, we cannot provide any assurances that any such patent term extension will be obtained and, if so, for how long. Specifically, Xigen is concurrently developing another indication for XG-102, the active substance of AM-111. Since for each product only a single patent can be selected for patent term extension, there may be a conflict of interest with respect to patent selection for extending patent terms covering two different indications of XG-102. It is possible that Xigen may select a patent that does not provide the longest patent term for the AM-111 indication developed by us. In addition, upon issuance in the United States any patent term can be adjusted based on certain delays caused by the applicant(s) or USPTO. For example, a patent term can be reduced based on certain delays caused by the patent applicant during patent prosecution.

While in both the United States and Europe there is a possibility to obtain market protection independent from any patent protection for up to 5 and 10 years from approval, respectively, there is no assurance that we can obtain such data exclusivity with respect to AM-101, AM-111, or any of our other product candidates.

Patent policy and rule changes could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our issued patents.

Changes in either the patent laws or interpretation of the patent laws in the United States and other countries may diminish the value of our patents or narrow the scope of our patent protection. The laws of foreign countries may not protect our rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Assuming the other requirements for patentability are met, in the United States prior to March 15, 2013, the first to make the claimed invention is entitled to the patent, while outside the United States, the first to file a patent application is entitled to the patent. After March 15, 2013, under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or the Leahy-Smith Act, enacted on September 16, 2011, the United States has moved to a first to file system. The Leahy-Smith Act also includes a number of significant changes that affect the way patent applications will be prosecuted and may also affect patent litigation. The effects of these changes are currently unclear as the USPTO must still implement various regulations, the courts have yet to address any of these provisions and the applicability of the act and new regulations on specific patents discussed herein have not been determined and would need to be reviewed. In general, the Leahy-Smith Act and its implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our issued patents, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. In addition, recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have narrowed the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances and weakened the rights of patent owners in certain situations. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard to our ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents, once obtained. Depending on future actions by the U.S. Congress, the federal courts, and the USPTO, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that would weaken our ability to obtain new patents or to enforce our existing patents and patents that we might obtain in the future.

If we are unable to maintain effective proprietary rights for our technologies, product candidates or any future product candidates, we may not be able to compete effectively in our markets.

In addition to the protection afforded by patents, we rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements to protect proprietary know-how that is not patentable or that we elect not to patent, processes for which patents are difficult to enforce and any other elements of our product candidate discovery and development processes that involve proprietary know-how, information or technology that is not covered by patents. However, trade secrets can be difficult to protect. We seek to protect our proprietary technology and processes, in part, by entering into

 

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confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, scientific advisors, and contractors. We also seek to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of our data and trade secrets by maintaining physical security of our premises and physical and electronic security of our information technology systems. While we have confidence in these individuals, organizations and systems, agreements or security measures may be breached, and we may not have adequate remedies for any breach. Moreover, if any of our trade secrets were to be lawfully obtained or independently developed by a competitor, we would have no right to prevent such competitor from using that technology or information to compete with us, which could harm our competitive position.

Although we expect all of our employees and consultants to assign their inventions to us, and all of our employees, consultants, advisors, and any third parties who have access to our proprietary know-how, information or technology to enter into confidentiality agreements, we cannot provide any assurances that all such agreements have been duly executed or that our trade secrets and other confidential proprietary information will not be disclosed or that competitors will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or independently develop substantially equivalent information and techniques. Misappropriation or unauthorized disclosure of our trade secrets could impair our competitive position and may have a material adverse effect on our business. Additionally, if the steps taken to maintain our trade secrets are deemed inadequate, we may have insufficient recourse against third parties for misappropriating such trade secrets. In addition, others may independently discover our trade secrets and proprietary information. For example, the FDA, as part of its Transparency Initiative, is currently considering whether to make additional information publicly available on a routine basis, including information that we may consider to be trade secrets or other proprietary information, and it is not clear at the present time how the FDA’s disclosure policies may change in the future, if at all.

Further, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent or in the same manner as the laws of the U.S. As a result, we may encounter significant problems in protecting and defending our intellectual property both in the U.S. and abroad. If we are unable to prevent material disclosure of the intellectual property related to our technologies to third parties, we will not be able to establish or maintain a competitive advantage in our market, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Third-party claims of intellectual property infringement may expose us to substantial liability or prevent or delay our development and commercialization efforts.

Our commercial success depends in part on our ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell our product candidates and use our proprietary technology without alleged or actual infringement, misappropriation, or other violation of the patents and proprietary rights of third parties. There have been many lawsuits and other proceedings involving patent and other intellectual property rights in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, including patent infringement lawsuits, interferences, oppositions, and reexamination proceedings before the USPTO and corresponding foreign patent offices. Numerous U.S. and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications, which are owned by third parties, exist in the fields in which we are developing product candidates. Some claimants may have substantially greater resources than we do and may be able to sustain the costs of complex intellectual property litigation to a greater degree and for longer periods of time than we could. In addition, patent holding companies that focus solely on extracting royalties and settlements by enforcing patent rights may target us. As the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries expand and more patents are issued, the risk increases that our product candidates may be subject to claims of infringement of the patent rights of third parties.

Third parties may assert that we are employing their proprietary technology without authorization. There may be third-party patents or patent applications with claims to materials, formulations, methods of manufacture, or methods of treatment related to the use or manufacture of our product candidates. Although we generally conduct certain freedom to operate search and review with respect to our product candidates, we cannot guarantee that any of our search and review is complete and thorough, nor can we be sure that we have identified each and every patent and pending application in the United States and abroad that is relevant or necessary to the commercialization of our product candidates. Because patent applications can take many years to issue, there may be currently pending patent applications that may later result in issued patents that our product candidates may infringe. In addition, third parties may obtain patents in the future and claim that use of our technologies infringes upon these patents. If any third-party patents were held by a court of competent jurisdiction to cover the manufacturing process of any of our product candidates, any molecules formed during the manufacturing process or any final product itself, the

 

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holders of any such patents may be able to block our ability to commercialize such product candidate unless we obtained a license under the applicable patents, or until such patents expire or are finally determined to be invalid or unenforceable. Similarly, if any third-party patents were held by a court of competent jurisdiction to cover aspects of our formulations, processes for manufacture, or methods of use, the holders of any such patents may be able to block our ability to develop and commercialize the applicable product candidate unless we obtained a license or until such patent expires or is finally determined to be invalid or unenforceable. In either case, such a license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Even if we were able to obtain a license, it could be non-exclusive, thereby giving our competitors access to the same technologies licensed to us.

Parties making claims against us may obtain injunctive or other equitable relief, which could effectively block our ability to further develop and commercialize one or more of our product candidates. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, would involve substantial litigation expense and would be a substantial diversion of employee resources from our business. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us, we may have to pay substantial damages, including treble damages and attorneys’ fees for willful infringement, pay royalties, redesign our infringing products or obtain one or more licenses from third parties, which may be impossible or require substantial time and monetary expenditure.

Additional competitors could enter the market with generic versions of our products, which may result in a material decline in sales of affected products.

Under the Hatch-Waxman Act, a pharmaceutical manufacturer may file an abbreviated new drug application, or ANDA, seeking approval of a generic copy of an approved innovator product. Under the Hatch-Waxman Act, a manufacturer may also submit an NDA under section 505(b)(2) that references the FDA’s prior approval of the innovator product. A 505(b)(2) NDA product may be for a new or improved version of the original innovator product. Hatch-Waxman also provides for certain periods of regulatory exclusivity, which preclude FDA approval (or in some circumstances, FDA filing and reviewing) of an ANDA or 505(b)(2) NDA. These include, subject to certain exceptions, the period during which an FDA-approved drug is subject to orphan drug exclusivity. In addition to the benefits of regulatory exclusivity, an innovator NDA holder may have patents claiming the active ingredient, product formulation or an approved use of the drug, which would be listed with the product in the FDA publication, “Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations,” known as the “Orange Book.” If there are patents listed in the Orange Book, a generic or 505(b)(2) applicant that seeks to market its product before expiration of the patents must include in the ANDA what is known as a “Paragraph IV certification,” challenging the validity or enforceability of, or claiming non-infringement of, the listed patent or patents. Notice of the certification must be given to the innovator, too, and if within 45 days of receiving notice the innovator sues to protect its patents, approval of the ANDA is stayed for 30 months, or as lengthened or shortened by the court.

Accordingly, if AM-101 and AM-111 are approved, competitors could file ANDAs for generic versions of AM-101 and AM-111, or 505(b)(2) NDAs that reference AM-101 and AM-111, respectively. If there are patents listed for AM-101 and AM-111 in the Orange Book, those ANDAs and 505(b)(2) NDAs would be required to include a certification as to each listed patent indicating whether the ANDA applicant does or does not intend to challenge the patent. We cannot predict whether any patents issuing from our pending patent applications will be eligible for listing in the Orange Book, how any generic competitor would address such patents, whether we would sue on any such patents, or the outcome of any such suit.

We may not be successful in securing or maintaining proprietary patent protection for products and technologies we develop or license. Moreover, if any patents that are granted and listed in the Orange Book are successfully challenged by way of a Paragraph IV certification and subsequent litigation, the affected product could immediately face generic competition and its sales would likely decline rapidly and materially. Should sales decline, we may have to write off a portion or all of the intangible assets associated with the affected product and our results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.

Periodic maintenance fees on any issued patent are due to be paid to the USPTO and foreign patent agencies in several stages over the lifetime of the patent. The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require

 

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compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process. While an inadvertent lapse can in many cases be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules, there are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. Non-compliance events that could result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application include, but are not limited to, failure to respond to official actions within prescribed time limits, non-payment of fees and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents. In such an event, our competitors might be able to enter the market, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.

The patent protection and patent prosecution for some of our product candidates is dependent on third parties.

While we normally seek to obtain the right to control prosecution, maintenance and enforcement of the patents relating to our product candidates, there may be times when the filing and prosecution activities for patents relating to our product candidates are controlled by our licensors. This is the case under our agreement with Xigen, where Xigen is entirely responsible for the prosecution and maintenance of the licensed patents and patent applications directed to AM-111. Xigen has no obligation to provide us any information with respect to such prosecution and we will not have access to any patent prosecution or maintenance information that is not publicly available. Although we monitor Xigen’s ongoing prosecution and maintenance of the licensed patents, if Xigen or any of our future licensing partners fail to prosecute, maintain and enforce such patents and patent applications in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business, including by payment of all applicable fees for patents covering AM-111 or any of our product candidates, we could lose our rights to the intellectual property or our exclusivity with respect to those rights, our ability to develop and commercialize those product candidates may be adversely affected and we may not be able to prevent competitors from making, using, and selling competing products. Specifically Xigen is concurrently developing another indication for XG-102, the active substance of AM-111. This may cause a conflict of interest and adversely affect Xigen’s ability to prosecute the patent portfolio licensed to us in the best interest of our business. In addition, even where we have the right to control patent prosecution of patents and patent applications we have licensed from third parties including with respect to the patents and applications licensed to us under our co-ownership and exploitation agreement with INSERM for AM-101, we may still be adversely affected or prejudiced by actions or inactions of our licensors and their counsel that took place prior to the date upon which control over patent prosecution. We are required to consult and cooperate with INSERM regarding the prosecution, maintenance, and enforcement of, and in certain instances INSERM has the right to independently enforce, the relevant patents, which may place those patents at risk or hinder our ability to develop and commercialize those product candidates or protect our patent rights.

If we fail to comply with the obligations in our intellectual property agreements, including those under which we license intellectual property and other rights from third parties, or otherwise experience disruptions to our business relationships with our licensors and partners, we could lose intellectual property rights that are important to our business.

We are a party to a number of intellectual property license and co-ownership agreements that are important to our business and expect to enter into additional such agreements in the future. Our existing agreements impose, and we expect that future agreements will impose, various diligence, commercialization, milestone payment, royalty, and other obligations on us. If we fail to comply with our obligations under these agreements, or we are subject to a bankruptcy, we may be required to make certain payments to the licensor, we may lose the exclusivity of our license, or the licensor may have the right to terminate the license, in which event we would not be able to develop or market products covered by the license. Moreover, if we fail to comply with our obligations under our co-ownership and exploitation agreement with INSERM for AM-101, including certain commercialization requirements, or we are subject to a bankruptcy INSERM may terminate the agreement and we may lose our rights to exclusively exploit and commercialize the applicable patents. In such event we would not be able to prevent INSERM from exploiting or licensing to the third parties the rights to exploit the applicable patents, which would have a materially adverse effect on our ability to successfully commercialize the affected product candidates. Under our co-ownership agreement with INSERM we may be required to assign our rights in the relevant patents to our partner if we choose not to or fail to continue to prosecute maintain or patents or patent applications in a given country or countries, in which event we would not be able to develop or market products covered by the applicable patents.

 

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Licensing of intellectual property is of critical importance to our business and involves complex legal, business, and scientific issues. Disputes may arise regarding intellectual property subject to a licensing or co-ownership agreement, including:

 

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the scope of rights granted under the agreement and other interpretation-related issues;

 

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the extent to which our technology and processes infringe on intellectual property of the licensor or partner that is not subject to the agreement;

 

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the sublicensing of patent and other rights;

 

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our diligence and commercialization obligations under the agreement and what activities satisfy those obligations;

 

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the ownership of inventions and know-how resulting from the joint creation or use of intellectual property by our licensors or partners and us and our collaborators; and

 

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the priority of invention of patented technology.

If disputes over intellectual property and other rights that we have licensed or co-own prevent or impair our ability to maintain our current licensing or exclusivity arrangements on acceptable terms, we may be unable to successfully develop and commercialize the affected product candidates.

We may not be successful in obtaining or maintaining necessary rights to our product candidates through acquisitions and in-licenses.

We currently have rights to the intellectual property, through licenses from third parties and under patents that we own, to develop our product candidates. Because our programs may require the use of proprietary rights held by third parties, the growth of our business will likely depend in part on our ability to acquire, in-license, maintain or use these proprietary rights. In addition, our product candidates may require specific formulations to work effectively and efficiently and the rights to these formulations may be held by others. We may be unable to acquire or in-license any compositions, methods of use, processes, or other third-party intellectual property rights from third parties that we identify as necessary for our product candidates. The licensing and acquisition of third-party intellectual property rights is a competitive area, and a number of more established companies are also pursuing strategies to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights that we may consider attractive. These established companies may have a competitive advantage over us due to their size, cash resources, and greater clinical development and commercialization capabilities.

For example, we sometimes collaborate with U.S. and foreign academic institutions to accelerate our preclinical research or development under written agreements with these institutions. Typically, these institutions provide us with an option to negotiate a license to any of the institution’s rights in technology resulting from the collaboration. Regardless of such option, we may be unable to negotiate a license within the specified timeframe or under terms that are acceptable to us. If we are unable to do so, the institution may offer the intellectual property rights to other parties, potentially blocking our ability to pursue our applicable product candidate or program.

In addition, companies that perceive us to be a competitor may be unwilling to assign or license rights to us. We also may be unable to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights on terms that would allow us to make an appropriate return on our investment. If we are unable to successfully obtain a license to third-party intellectual property rights necessary for the development of a product candidate or program, we may have to abandon development of that product candidate or program and our business and financial condition could suffer.

We may be involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents or the patents of our licensors, which could be expensive, time consuming, and unsuccessful.

Competitors may infringe our patents or the patents of our licensors. To counter such infringement, we may be required to file claims against those competitors, which can be expensive and time-consuming. If we or one of our licensing partners were to initiate legal proceedings against a third party to enforce a patent covering one of our product candidates, the defendant could counterclaim that the patent covering our product candidate is invalid, overbroad and/or unenforceable, or that we infringe the defendant’s patents. In patent litigation in the United States, defendant counterclaims alleging invalidity, overbreadth and/or unenforceability are commonplace. Grounds for a validity challenge could be an alleged failure to meet any of several statutory requirements, including lack of novelty, obviousness, or non-enablement. Grounds for an unenforceability assertion could be an allegation that someone

 

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connected with prosecution of the patent withheld relevant information from the USPTO, or made a misleading statement, during prosecution. The outcome following legal assertions of invalidity and unenforceability is unpredictable. A court may decide that a patent of ours is invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, construe the patent’s claims narrowly or refuse to stop a third party from using the technology in question on the grounds that our patents do not cover that technology. An adverse result in any litigation proceeding could put one or more of our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly, which could adversely affect us.

Interference proceedings provoked by third parties or brought by us or declared by the USPTO may be necessary to determine the priority of inventions with respect to our patents or patent applications or those of our licensors. An unfavorable outcome could require us to cease using the related technology or to attempt to license rights to it from the prevailing party. Our business could be harmed if the prevailing party does not offer us a license on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Our defense of litigation or interference proceedings may fail and, even if successful, may result in substantial costs and distract our management and other employees. In addition, the uncertainties associated with litigation could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise the funds necessary to continue our clinical trials, continue our research programs, license necessary technology from third parties, or enter into development partnerships that would help us bring our product candidates to market. We may not be able to prevent, alone or with our licensors, misappropriation of our intellectual property rights, particularly in countries where the laws may not protect those rights as fully as in the United States.

Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. There could also be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions, or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common shares.

We may be subject to claims that our employees, consultants, or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential information of third parties or that our employees have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their former employers.

We employ and utilize the services of individuals who were previously employed or provided services to universities or other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies. Although we try to ensure that our employees, consultants, and independent contractors do not use the proprietary information or know-how of others in their work for us, we may be subject to claims that we or our employees, consultants, or independent contractors have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed intellectual property, including trade secrets or other proprietary information, of any of our employee’s, consultant’s or independent contractor’s former employer or other third parties. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel, which could adversely impact our business. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management and other employees.

Our reliance on our advisors, employees and third parties requires us to share our intellectual property and trade secrets, which increases the possibility that a competitor will discover them or that our intellectual property will be misappropriated or disclosed.

Because we rely on our advisors, employees and third-party contractors and consultants to research and develop and to manufacture our product candidates, we must, at times, share our intellectual property with them. We seek to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary technology in part by entering into confidentiality agreements and, if applicable, material transfer agreements, consulting agreements or other similar agreements with our advisors, employees, third-party contractors and consultants prior to beginning research or disclosing proprietary information. These agreements typically limit the rights of these advisors, employees and third parties to use or disclose our confidential information, including our intellectual property and trade secrets. Despite the contractual provisions employed when working with these advisors, employees and third parties, the need to share intellectual property and other confidential information increases the risk that such confidential information becomes known by our competitors, are inadvertently incorporated into the product development of others or are disclosed or used in violation of these agreements. Given that our proprietary position is based, in part, on our know-how, intellectual property and trade secrets, a competitor’s discovery of our intellectual property or trade secrets or other unauthorized use or disclosure would impair our competitive position and may have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

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In addition, these agreements typically restrict the ability of our advisors, employees, third-party contractors and consultants to publish data potentially relating to our intellectual property, although our agreements may contain certain limited publication rights. For example, any academic institution that we may collaborate with in the future may expect to be granted rights to publish data arising out of such collaboration, provided that we are notified in advance and given the opportunity to delay publication for a limited time period in order for us to secure patent protection of intellectual property rights arising from the collaboration, in addition to the opportunity to remove confidential or trade secret information from any such publication. In the future, we may also conduct joint research and development programs that may require us to share intellectual property under the terms of our research and development or similar agreements. Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property, our competitors may discover our trade secrets, either through breach of our agreements with third parties, independent development or publication of information by any of our third-party collaborators. A competitor’s discovery of our intellectual property would impair our competitive position and have an adverse impact on our business.

We may be subject to claims challenging the inventorship of our patents and other intellectual property.

We may be subject to claims that former employees, collaborators or other third parties have an interest in our patents or other intellectual property as an inventor or co-inventor. For example, we may have inventorship disputes arise from conflicting obligations of consultants or others who are involved in developing our product candidates. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these and other claims challenging inventorship or our ownership of our patents or other intellectual property. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights, such as exclusive ownership of, or right to use, valuable intellectual property. Such an outcome could have a material adverse effect on our business. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management and other employees.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.

Filing, prosecuting, and defending patents on product candidates in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and our intellectual property rights in some countries outside the United States can be less extensive than those in the United States. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the United States. Consequently, we may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in all countries outside the United States, or from selling or importing products made using our inventions in and into the United States or other jurisdictions. As part of ordinary course prosecution and maintenance activities, we determine whether to seek patent protection outside the U.S. and in which countries. This also applies to patents we have acquired or in-licensed from third parties. In some cases this means that we, or our predecessors in interest or licensors of patents within our portfolio, have sought patent protection in a limited number of countries for patents covering our product candidates. Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained or are unable to adequately enforce patent protection to develop their own products and further, may export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patent protection, but enforcement is not as strong as that in the United States. These products may compete with our products and our patents or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing.

Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents, trade secrets, and other intellectual property protection, particularly those relating to biotechnology products, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents, the reproduction of our manufacturing or other know-how or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions, whether or not successful, could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license.

 

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Risks Related to Employee Matters and Managing Growth

Our future growth and ability to compete depends on retaining our key personnel and recruiting additional qualified personnel.

Our success depends upon the continued contributions of our key management, scientific and technical personnel, many of whom have substantial experience with or been instrumental for us and our projects. Key management individuals include the members of our executive management team consisting of Thomas Meyer, our founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sven Zimmermann, our Chief Financial Officer, and Bettina Stubinski, our Chief Medical Officer.

The loss of key managers and senior scientists could delay our research and development activities. Laws and regulations on executive compensation, including legislation in our home country, Switzerland, may restrict our ability to attract, motivate and retain the required level of qualified personnel. In addition, the competition for qualified personnel in the biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical field is intense, and our future success depends upon our ability to attract, retain and motivate highly-skilled scientific, technical and managerial employees. We face competition for personnel from other companies, universities, public and private research institutions and other organizations. If our recruitment and retention efforts are unsuccessful in the future, it may be difficult for us to implement business strategy, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We expect to expand our sales and marketing, development, and regulatory capabilities, and as a result, we may encounter difficulties in managing our growth, which could disrupt our operations.

We expect to experience significant growth in the number of our employees and the scope of our operations, particularly in the areas of sales and marketing, and to a lesser extent, drug development and regulatory affairs. To manage our anticipated future growth, we must continue to implement and improve our managerial, operational and financial systems, expand our facilities and continue to recruit and train additional qualified personnel. Due to our limited financial resources, we may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our operations or recruit and train additional qualified personnel. The expansion of our operations may lead to significant costs and may divert our management and business development resources. Any inability to manage growth could delay the execution of our business plans or disrupt our operations.

Risks Related to the Offering and our Common Shares

The price of our common shares may be volatile and may fluctuate due to factors beyond our control.

The share price of publicly traded emerging biopharmaceutical and drug discovery and development companies has been highly volatile and is likely to remain highly volatile in the future. The market price of our common shares may fluctuate significantly due to a variety of factors, including:

 

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positive or negative results of testing and clinical trials by us, strategic partners, or competitors;

 

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delays in entering into strategic relationships with respect to development and/or commercialization of our product candidates or entry into strategic relationships on terms that are not deemed to be favorable to us;

 

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technological innovations or commercial product introductions by us or competitors;

 

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changes in government regulations;

 

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developments concerning proprietary rights, including patents and litigation matters;

 

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public concern relating to the commercial value or safety of any of our product candidates;

 

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financing or other corporate transactions;

 

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publication of research reports or comments by securities or industry analysts;

 

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general market conditions in the pharmaceutical industry or in the economy as a whole; or

 

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other events and factors beyond our control.

In addition, the stock market in general has recently experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of individual companies. Broad market and industry factors may materially affect the market price of companies’ stock, including our, regardless of actual operating performance.

 

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There was no public market for our common shares prior to this offering, and an active market in the shares may not develop in which investors can resell our common shares.

Prior to this offering there was no public market for our common shares. We cannot predict the extent to which an active market for our common shares will develop or be sustained after this offering, or how the development of such a market might affect the market price for our common shares. The initial public offering price of our common shares in this offering was agreed between us and the underwriters based on a number of factors, including market conditions in effect at the time of the offering, which may not be indicative of the price at which our common shares will trade following completion of the offering. Investors may not be able to sell their common shares at or above the initial public offering price.

Certain of our existing shareholders and members of our Board of Directors will continue to own a majority of our common shares and as a result will be able to exercise significant control over us, and your interests may conflict with the interests of our existing shareholders.

Following completion of this offering, our existing shareholders are expected to own approximately     % of our common shares. Depending on the level of attendance at our general meetings of shareholders, these shareholders may be in a position to determine the outcome of decisions taken at any such general meeting. Any shareholder or group of shareholders controlling more than 50% of the capital present or represented by independent proxy and voting at our general meetings of shareholders may control any shareholder resolution requiring a simple majority, including the election of members to the board of directors of our company, certain decisions relating to our capital structure, the approval of certain significant corporate transactions and certain amendments to our articles of association. To the extent that the interests of these shareholders may differ from the interests of the company’s other shareholders, the latter may be disadvantaged by any action that these shareholders may seek to pursue. Among other consequences, this concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control and might therefore negatively affect the market price of our common shares.

Future sales, or the possibility of future sales, of a substantial number of our common shares could adversely affect the price of the shares and dilute shareholders.

Future sales of a substantial number of our common shares, or the perception that such sales will occur, could cause a decline in the market price of our common shares. Following the completion of this offering, we will have             common shares outstanding (assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option) based on             common shares outstanding as of                 , 2014 and             additional common shares issuable upon the automatic conversion of all of our outstanding preferred shares into common shares. This includes the common shares in this offering, which may be resold in the public market immediately without restriction, unless purchased by our affiliates. Approximately     % of the common shares outstanding are expected to be held by existing shareholders. A significant portion of these common shares will be subject to the lock-up agreements described in the “Underwriting” section of this prospectus. If, after the end of such lock-up agreements, these shareholders sell substantial amounts of common shares in the public market, or the market perceives that such sales may occur, the market price of our common shares and our ability to raise capital through an issue of equity securities in the future could be adversely affected. We also intend to enter into a registration rights agreement upon consummation of this offering pursuant to which we will agree under certain circumstances to file a registration statement to register the resale of the common shares held by certain of our existing shareholders, as well as to cooperate in certain public offerings of such common shares. In addition, following the completion of this offering, we intend to cease any new grants under our existing equity incentive plans and to adopt a new omnibus equity incentive plan under which we would have the discretion to grant a broad range of equity-based awards to eligible participants. We intend to register all common shares that we may issue under this equity compensation plan. Once we register these common shares, they can be freely sold in the public market upon issuance, subject to volume limitations applicable to affiliates and the lock-up agreements described in the “Underwriting” section of this prospectus. If a large number of shares of our common shares or securities convertible into our common shares are sold in the public market after they become eligible for sale, the sales could reduce the trading price of our common shares and impede our ability to raise future capital.

If you purchase common shares in this offering, you will suffer immediate dilution of your investment.

The initial public offering price of our common shares is substantially higher than the as adjusted net tangible book value per common share. Therefore, if you purchase common shares in this offering, you will pay a price per common share that substantially exceeds our as adjusted net tangible book value per common share after this

 

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offering. To the extent outstanding options are exercised, you will incur further dilution. Based on the assumed initial public offering price of $         per common share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, you will experience immediate dilution of $         per common share, representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value per common share after giving effect to this offering and the assumed initial public offering price. In addition, purchasers of common shares in this offering will have contributed approximately     % of the aggregate price paid by all purchasers of our common shares but will own only approximately     % of our common shares outstanding after this offering. See “Dilution.”

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common shares. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, cause the price of our common shares to decline and delay the development of our product candidates. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.

We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

We have not paid any dividends since our incorporation. Even if future operations lead to significant levels of distributable profits, we currently intend that any earnings will be reinvested in our business and that dividends will not be paid until we have an established revenue stream to support continuing dividends. The proposal to pay future dividends to shareholders will in addition effectively be at the discretion of our Board of Directors after taking into account various factors including our business prospects, cash requirements, financial performance and new product development. In addition, payment of future dividends may be made only if our shareholders’ equity exceeds the sum of our paid-in and called-up share capital plus the reserves required to be maintained by Swiss law or by our Articles of Association. Accordingly, investors cannot rely on dividend income from our common shares and any returns on an investment in our common shares will likely depend entirely upon any future appreciation in the price of our common shares.

We are a Swiss corporation. The rights of our shareholders may be different from the rights of shareholders in companies governed by the laws of U.S. jurisdictions.

We are a Swiss corporation. Our corporate affairs are governed by our articles of association and by the laws governing companies incorporated in Switzerland. The rights of shareholders and the responsibilities of members of our board of directors may be different from the rights and obligations of shareholders in companies governed by the laws of U.S. jurisdictions. In the performance of its duties, our board of directors is required by Swiss law to consider the interests of our company, our shareholders, our employees and other stakeholders, in all cases with due observation of the principles of reasonableness and fairness. It is possible that some of these parties will have interests that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder. Swiss corporate law limits the ability of our shareholders to challenge resolutions made or other actions taken by our board of directors in court. Our shareholders generally are not permitted to file a suit to reverse a decision or an action taken by directors but are instead only permitted to seek damages for breaches of fiduciary duty. As a matter of Swiss law, shareholder claims against a member of our board of directors for breach of fiduciary duty would have to be brought in our jurisdiction of incorporation, or where the relevant member of our board of directors is domiciled. In addition, under Swiss law, any claims by our shareholders against us must be brought exclusively in our jurisdiction of incorporation. See “Description of Share Capital and Articles of Association.”

Our common shares are issued under the laws of Switzerland, which may not protect investors in a similar fashion afforded by incorporation in a U.S. state.

We are organized under the laws of Switzerland. A further summary of applicable Swiss company law is contained in this prospectus. However, there can be no assurance that Swiss law will not change in the future or that it will serve to protect investors in a similar fashion afforded under corporate law principles in the U.S., which could adversely affect the rights of investors.

 

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U.S. shareholders may not be able to obtain judgments or enforce civil liabilities against us or our executive officers or members of our board of directors.

We are organized under the laws of Switzerland and our jurisdiction of incorporation is Basel, Basel-City, Switzerland. Moreover, a number of our directors and executive officers and a number of directors of each of our subsidiaries are not residents of the United States, and all or a substantial portion of the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or upon such persons or to enforce against them judgments obtained in U.S. courts, including judgments in actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. We have been advised by our Swiss counsel that there is doubt as to the enforceability in Switzerland of original actions, or in actions for enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts, of civil liabilities to the extent predicated upon the federal and state securities laws of the United States. Original actions against persons in Switzerland based solely upon the U.S. federal or state securities laws are governed, among other things, by the principles set forth in the Swiss Federal Act on International Private Law. This statute provides that the application of provisions of non-Swiss law by the courts in Switzerland shall be precluded if the result was incompatible with Swiss public policy. Also, mandatory provisions of Swiss law may be applicable regardless of any other law that would otherwise apply.

Switzerland and the United States do not have a treaty providing for reciprocal recognition of and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. The recognition and enforcement of a judgment of the courts of the United States in Switzerland is governed by the principles set forth in the Swiss Federal Act on Private International Law. This statute provides in principle that a judgment rendered by a non-Swiss court may be enforced in Switzerland only if:

 

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the non-Swiss court had jurisdiction pursuant to the Swiss Federal Act on Private International Law;

 

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the judgment of such non-Swiss court has become final and non-appealable;

 

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the judgment does not contravene Swiss public policy;

 

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the court procedures and the service of documents leading to the judgment were in accordance with the due process of law; and

 

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no proceeding involving the same position and the same subject matter was first brought in Switzerland, or adjudicated in Switzerland, or was earlier adjudicated in a third state and this decision is recognizable in Switzerland.

We will be a foreign private issuer and, as a result, we will not be subject to U.S. proxy rules and will be subject to Exchange Act reporting obligations that, to some extent, are more lenient and less frequent than those of a U.S. domestic public company.

Upon consummation of this offering, we will report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, as a non-U.S. company with foreign private issuer status. Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act and although we are subject to Swiss laws and regulations with regard to such matters and intend to furnish quarterly financial information to the SEC, we are exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that are applicable to U.S. domestic public companies, including (i) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; (ii) the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and (iii) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial and other specified information, or current reports on Form 8-K, upon the occurrence of specified significant events. In addition, foreign private issuers are not required to file their annual report on Form 20-F until four months after the end of each fiscal year, while U.S. domestic issuers that are accelerated filers are required to file their annual report on Form 10-K within 75 days after the end of each fiscal year. Foreign private issuers are also exempt from the Regulation Fair Disclosure, aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information. As a result of the above, you may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are not foreign private issuers.

 

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As a foreign private issuer and as permitted by the listing requirements of the stock exchange, we will rely on certain home country governance practices rather than the corporate governance requirements of the stock exchange.

We will be a foreign private issuer. As a result, in accordance with the listing requirements of the stock exchange, we will rely on home country governance requirements and certain exemptions thereunder rather than relying on the corporate governance requirements of the stock exchange. For an overview of our corporate governance principles, see “Description of Share Capital and Articles of Association.” As a result of the above, you may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are not foreign private issuers.

We may lose our foreign private issuer status which would then require us to comply with the Exchange Act’s domestic reporting regime and cause us to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses.

We are a foreign private issuer and therefore we are not required to comply with all of the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. We may no longer be a foreign private issuer as of June 30, 2015 (the end of our second fiscal quarter in the fiscal year after this offering), which would require us to comply with all of the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to U.S. domestic issuers as of January 1, 2016. In order to maintain our current status as a foreign private issuer, either (a) a majority of our common shares must be either directly or indirectly owned of record by non-residents of the United States or (b)(i) a majority of our executive officers or directors may not be United States citizens or residents, (ii) more than 50 percent of our assets cannot be located in the United States and (iii) our business must be administered principally outside the United States. If we lost this status, we would be required to comply with the Exchange Act reporting and other requirements applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, which are more detailed and extensive than the requirements for foreign private issuers. We may also be required to make changes in our corporate governance practices in accordance with various SEC and stock exchange rules. The regulatory and compliance costs to us under U.S. securities laws if we are required to comply with the reporting requirements applicable to a U.S. domestic issuer may be significantly higher than the cost we would incur as a foreign private issuer. As a result, we expect that a loss of foreign private issuer status would increase our legal and financial compliance costs and would make some activities highly time consuming and costly. We also expect that if we were required to comply with the rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, it would make it more difficult and expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These rules and regulations could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our Board of Directors.

We are an “emerging growth company,” and we cannot be certain if the reduced reporting requirements applicable to “emerging growth companies” will make our common shares less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. For as long as we continue to be an “emerging growth company,” we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As an “emerging growth company” in our initial registration statement we are required to report only two years of financial results and selected financial data compared to three and five years, respectively, for comparable data reported by other public companies. We could be an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our common shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 (the end of our second fiscal quarter) before that time, in which case we would no longer be an “emerging growth company” as of the following December 31 (our fiscal year end). We cannot predict if investors will find our common shares less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common shares and the price of our common shares may be more volatile.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, shareholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our common shares.

Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet

 

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our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by us conducted in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or any subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to our financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Inferior internal controls could also subject us to regulatory scrutiny and sanctions, impair our ability to raise revenue and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common shares.

We will be required to disclose changes made in our internal controls and procedures and our management will be required to assess the effectiveness of these controls annually. However, for as long as we are an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404. We could be an “emerging growth company” for up to five years. An independent assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls could detect problems that our management’s assessment might not. Undetected material weaknesses in our internal controls could lead to financial statement restatements and require us to incur the expense of remediation.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research, or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research, about our business, the price of our common shares and our trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common shares will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. Securities and industry analysts do not currently, and may never, publish research on our company. If no or too few securities or industry analysts commence coverage of our company, the trading price for our common shares would likely be negatively affected. In the event securities or industry analysts initiate coverage, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our common shares or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the price of our common shares would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common shares could decrease, which might cause the price of our common shares and trading volume to decline.

We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, in 2013 or any future years. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year, this could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.

Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, we will be a PFIC for any taxable year in which, after the application of certain “look-through” rules with respect to subsidiaries, either (i) 75% or more of our gross income consists of “passive income,” or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of our assets consist of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, “passive income.” Passive income generally includes interest, dividends, rents, certain non-active royalties and capital gains. Whether we will be a PFIC in any year depends on the composition of our income and assets, and the relative fair market value of our assets from time to time, which we expect may vary substantially over time. Because (i) we currently own, and will own after the completion of this offering, a substantial amount of passive assets, including cash, and (ii) the values of our assets, including our intangible assets, that generate non-passive income for PFIC purposes, is uncertain and may vary substantially over time, it is uncertain whether we will be or will not be a PFIC in 2013 or any future years.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. investor holds common shares, the U.S. investor may be subject to adverse tax consequences, including (i) the treatment of all or a portion of any gain on disposition as common income, (ii) the application of a deferred interest charge on such gain and the receipt of certain dividends and (iii) compliance with certain reporting requirements.

For further discussion of the adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences of our classification as a PFIC, see “Taxation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders.”

 

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PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

We report under IFRS. None of the financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. We present our consolidated financial statements in Swiss Francs and in accordance with IFRS.

The terms “dollar,” “USD” or “$” refer to U.S. dollars, the term, “Swiss Francs” or “CHF” refers to the legal currency of Switzerland and the terms “€” or “euro” are to the currency introduced at the start of the third stage of European economic and monetary union pursuant to the treaty establishing the European Community, as amended. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to currency amounts in this prospectus are in Swiss Francs.

We have made rounding adjustments to some of the figures included in this prospectus. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that preceded them.

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

This prospectus contains industry, market, and competitive position data that are based industry publications and studies conducted by third parties as well as our own internal estimates and research. These industry publications and third-party studies generally state that the information that they contain has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. While we believe that each of these publications and third-party studies is reliable, we have not independently verified the market and industry data obtained from these third-party sources. While we believe our internal research is reliable and the definition of our market and industry are appropriate, neither such research nor these definitions have been verified by any independent source.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate” and “potential,” among others.

Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this prospectus and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to of various factors, including, but not limited to, those identified under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus. These risks and uncertainties include factors relating to:

 

n

our operation as a development stage company with limited operating history and a history of operating losses;

 

n

our need for substantial additional funding before we can expect to become profitable from sales of our products;

 

n

our dependence on the success of AM-101 and AM-111, which are still in clinical development and may eventually prove to be unsuccessful;

 

n

the chance that we may become exposed to costly and damaging liability claims resulting from the testing of our product candidates in the clinic or in the commercial stage;

 

n

uncertainty surrounding whether any of our product candidates will receive regulatory approval, which is necessary before they can be commercialized;

 

n

if our product candidates obtain regulatory approval, our being subject to expensive ongoing obligations and continued regulatory overview;

 

n

enacted and future legislation may increase the difficulty and cost for us to obtain marketing approval and commercialization;

 

n

the chance that we do not obtain orphan drug exclusivity for AM-111, which would allow our competitors to sell products that treat the same conditions;

 

n

dependence on governmental authorities and health insurers establishing adequate reimbursement levels and pricing policies;

 

n

our products may not gain market acceptance, in which case we may not be able to generate product revenues;

 

n

our reliance on our current strategic relationships with INSERM or Xigen and the potential failure to enter into new strategic relationships;

 

n

our reliance on third parties to conduct our nonclinical and clinical trials and on third-party single-source suppliers to supply or produce our product candidates; and

 

n

other risk factors discussed under “Risk Factors.”

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future developments or to release publicly any revisions to these statements in order to reflect later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the offering will be approximately $        , assuming an initial public offering price of $         per common share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us. Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per common share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) our net proceeds, assuming that the number of common shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, by $         million. If the underwriters exercise in full their over-allotment option, we estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $         million.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash and cash equivalents on hand, as follows:

 

n

approximately $         to $         to fund research and development expenses for AM-101 up to approval;

 

n

approximately $         to $         to fund research and development expenses for AM-111 up to approval;

 

n

approximately $         to $         to fund other research and development activities;

 

n

the remainder for working capital and other financial corporate purposes.

Our expected use of net proceeds from this offering represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business condition. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the completion of this offering or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. The amounts and timing of our actual use of net proceeds will vary depending on numerous factors, including the relative success and cost of our research, preclinical and clinical development programs, our ability to obtain additional financing, the status of and results from clinical trials of AM-101 and AM-111 and whether regulatory authorities require us to perform additional clinical trials of AM-101 or AM-111 in order to obtain marketing approvals. As a result, our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds of this offering, and investors will be relying on our judgment regarding the application of the net proceeds. In addition, we might decide to postpone or not pursue certain preclinical activities or clinical trials if the net proceeds from this offering and our other sources of cash are less than expected.

Based on our planned use of the net proceeds of this offering and our current cash and cash equivalents described above, we estimate that such funds will be sufficient to enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next         months. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, and we could use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect.

Pending their use, we plan to invest the net proceeds of this offering in short- and intermediate-term interest-bearing investments.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

Any dividend must be proposed by our board of directors and approved by a shareholders’ meeting. In addition, our auditors must confirm that the dividend proposal of our board of directors conforms to Swiss statutory law and our articles of incorporation. Since our incorporation, no dividend has ever been paid and no dividend is anticipated to be paid in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and expansion of our business. As a result, investors in shares will benefit in the foreseeable future only if the shares appreciate in value.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The table below sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our total capitalization (defined as total debt and shareholders’ equity) as of December 31, 2013 derived from our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS:

 

n

on an actual basis;

 

n

on an as adjusted basis to give effect to (i) the conversion of our Series A, Series B and Series C preferred shares into common shares on a one-for-one basis upon closing of this offering, (ii) our issuance and sale of              common shares in this offering, assuming an initial public offering price of $         per common share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and (iii) the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated articles of association.

 

n

U.S. dollar amounts have been translated into Swiss Francs at a rate of USD          to CHF 1.00, the official exchange rate quoted as of                     , 2014 by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank. Such Swiss Franc amounts are not necessarily indicative of the amounts of Swiss Francs that could actually have been purchased upon exchange of U.S. dollars at the dates indicated and have been provided solely for the convenience of the reader. On                     , 2014, the exchange rate as reported by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank was USD          to CHF 1.00.

Investors should read this table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus as well as “Use of Proceeds,” “Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Information” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013
		ACTUAL				AS ADJUSTED
		(in thousands of CHF except share and per share data)
Cash and cash equivalents (1)			23,866
Total debt			13,711
Shareholders’ equity:
Share capital
Common shares, nominal value CHF 0.40 per share; 72,600 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis;              shares issued and oustanding on an adjusted basis			29
Series A preferred shares, nominal value CHF 0.40 per share; 5,999,750 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis; no shares issued and outstanding on an adjusted basis			2,400
Series B preferred shares, nominal value CHF 0.40 per share; 5,509,100 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis; no shares issued and outstanding on an adjusted basis			2,204
Series C preferred shares, nominal value CHF 0.40 per share; 4,636,375 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis; no shares issued and outstanding on an adjusted basis			1,855
Share premium			35,608
Foreign currency translation reserve			54
Accumulated deficit			(33,116	)
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to owners of the company (1)			9,034
Total capitalization (1)			22,745

 

 

(1)

As adjusted cash and cash equivalents represents actual cash and cash equivalents plus the assumed net proceeds of this offering. Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price per common share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) our as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization, assuming that the number of common shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, by $            .

 

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The table above does not include:

 

n

of our common shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of             , 2014 at a weighted average exercise price of                      per common share;

 

n

of our common shares covered by additional awards available for future issuance under our equity incentive plans as of                 , 2014; and

 

n

the Series C shares that were issued upon conversion of the loan in January 2014 and in satisfaction in full of the convertible loan.

 

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DILUTION

If you invest in our common shares, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per common share and the as adjusted net tangible book value per common share after this offering. References to our common shares for time periods prior to this Offering include our common shares and our Series A, Series B and Series C preferred shares.

At December 31, 2013, we had a net tangible book value of $         million, corresponding to a net tangible book value of $         per common share. Net tangible book value per share represents the amount of our total assets less our total liabilities, excluding intangible assets, divided by                 , the total number of our common shares outstanding at December 31, 2013.

After giving effect to the sale by us of the              common shares offered by us in the offering and considering an offering price of $         per common share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us (excluding reimbursement to the underwriters for certain expenses as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement), our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value estimated at December 31, 2013 would have been approximately $        , representing $         per common share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $         per common share to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $         per common share to new investors purchasing common shares in this offering. Dilution for this purpose represents the difference between the price per common share paid by these purchasers and net tangible book value per common share immediately after the completion of the offering.

The following table illustrates this dilution to new investors purchasing common shares in the offering.

 

 

 

Net tangible book value per common share at December 31, 2013
Increase in net tangible book value per common share attributable to new investors
As adjusted net tangible book value per common share after the offering
Dilution per common share to new investors
Percentage of dilution in net tangible book value per common share for new investors				%

 

 

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial offering price of $         per common share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), respectively, would increase (decrease) the as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering by $         per common share and the dilution per common share to new investors in the offering by $         per common share, assuming that the number of common shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same.

If the underwriters were to fully exercise their over-allotment option, the as adjusted net tangible book value per common shares after the offering would be $         per common share, and the dilution per common share to new investors would be $         per share.

If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, the following will occur:

 

n

the percentage of our common shares held by existing shareholders will decrease to approximately     % of the total number of our common shares outstanding after this offering; and

 

n

the percentage of our common shares held by new investors will increase to approximately     % of the total number of our common shares outstanding after this offering.

The above discussion and tables are based on our actual common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2013 on an as adjusted basis and excludes:

 

n

of our common shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of                 , 2014 at a weighted average exercise price of          per common share; and

 

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n

of our common shares covered by additional awards available for future issuance under our equity incentive plans as of                 , 2014.

To the extent that outstanding options are exercised, you will experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities may result in further dilution to our shareholders.

 

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EXCHANGE RATES

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high, low, average and period-end exchange rates for the purchase of U.S. dollars expressed in CHF per U.S. dollar. The average rate is calculated by using the average of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank’s reported exchange rates on each day during a monthly period and on the last day of each month during an annual period. On March     , 2014, the exchange rate as reported by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank was CHF      to $1.00.

 

 

 

		PERIOD-END				AVERAGE FOR PERIOD				LOW				HIGH
		(CHF per U.S. dollar)
Year Ended December 31:
2009			1.0358				1.0824				0.9984				1.1893
2010			0.9369				1.0264				0.9369				1.1614
2011			0.9374				0.8802				0.7296				0.9755
2012			0.9155				0.9314				0.8949				0.9957
2013			0.8904				0.9241				0.8856				0.9814
Month Ended:
September 30, 2013			0.9041				0.9231				0.9041				0.9437
October 31, 2013			0.9056				0.9025				0.8916				0.9163
November 30, 2013			0.9047				0.9129				0.9047				0.9220
December 31, 2013			0.8904				0.8933				0.8856				0.9052
January 31, 2014			0.9052				0.9038				0.8948				0.9116
February 28, 2014			0.8810				0.8937				0.8810				0.9050
March 2014 (through March     , 2014)

 

 

 

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

The following selected consolidated historical financial information should be read in conjunction with “Presentation of Financial and Other Information,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future.

The summary consolidated income statement and balance sheet data for and as of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 of Auris Medical AG are derived from the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, which have been audited by KPMG AG.

We present our consolidated financial statements in CHF and in accordance with IFRS.

 

 

 

		FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
		2013				2012
		(in thousands of CHF except for share and per share data)
Income Statement Data:
Research and development			(13,254	)			(3,987	)
General and administrative			(1,362	)			(624	)
Operating loss			(14,616	)			(4,611	)
Finance expense.			(159	)			(2	)
Finance income			76				10
Loss before tax			(14,699	)			(4,602	)
Income tax expense			(306	)			—
Net loss attributable to owners of the company			(15,005	)			(4,602	)
Other comprehensive income:
Items that will never be reclassified to profit or loss:
Remeasurements of defined benefits liability			(58	)			(55	)
Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss:
Foreign currency translation differences			32				22
Other comprehensive income			(26	)			(32	)
Total comprehensive loss attributable to owners of the company			(15,031	)			(4,635	)
Net loss per share (1)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted (2)			(1.01	)			(0.40	)
Weighted-average number of shares used to compute net loss per common share, basic and diluted			14,917,064				11,581,450

 

 

 

 

 

		AS OF DECEMBER 31,
		2013				2012
		(in thousands of CHF)
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents			23,866				64
Total assets			26,252				866
Total liabilities			17,219				1,110
Share capital			6,487				4,633
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to owners of the company			9,034				(244	)

 

 

(1)

Includes preferred shares, which will be converted on a one-for-one basis upon the closing of this offering.

(2)

Basic and diluted net loss per common share are the same because outstanding options and convertible loans would be anti-dilutive due to our net loss in this period.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the information under “Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Information” and our consolidated audited financial statements, including the notes thereto, included in this prospectus. The following discussion is based on our financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS (unless otherwise indicated) as issued by the IASB, which might differ in material respects from generally accepted accounting principles in other jurisdictions. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including but not limited to those described under “Risk factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel products for the treatment of inner ear disorders. Our most advanced product candidate, AM-101, is in Phase 3 clinical development for acute inner ear tinnitus under a special protocol assessment, or SPA, from the FDA. In two recently completed Phase 2 clinical trials, AM-101 demonstrated a favorable safety profile and statistically significant improvement in tinnitus loudness and other patient reported outcomes. We are also developing AM-111 for acute inner ear hearing loss, and we expect to begin Phase 3 clinical development in the fourth quarter of 2014. We expect to have top-line Phase 3 clinical data for AM-101 and AM-111 in late 2015 and 2016, respectively. Both acute inner ear tinnitus and hearing loss are conditions for which there is high unmet medical need, and we believe that we have the potential to be the first to market in these indications.

To date, we have financed our operations through private placements of equity securities and short term loans. We have no products approved for commercialization and have never generated any revenues from royalties or product sales. As of December 31, 2013, we had cash and cash equivalents of CHF 23.9 million. Based on our current plans, we do not expect to generate royalty or product revenues unless and until we obtain marketing approval for, and commercialize, AM-101, AM-111 or any of our other product candidates.

Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. We incurred net losses (defined as net losses attributable to the owners of the company) of CHF 15.0 million and CHF 4.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, we had an accumulated deficit of CHF 33.1 million. We expect to continue incurring losses as we continue our clinical and preclinical development programs, apply for marketing approval for our product candidates and, subject to obtaining regulatory approval of our product candidates, build a sales and marketing force in preparation for the potential commercialization of our product candidates.

Collaboration and License Agreements

INSERM

In 2006, we entered into a co-ownership/exploitation agreement with the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, or INSERM, a publicly funded government science and technology agency in France. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we were granted the exclusive worldwide right to exploit any products derived from patents that resulted from our joint research program with INSERM that was conducted in 2003 to 2005 and led to the development of AM-101. Given our current stage of product development, to date, we have not paid INSERM any amounts.

Xigen

In 2003, we entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Xigen S.A., or Xigen, a Swiss company developing therapeutic peptides that primarily target inflammation. Pursuant to the agreement Xigen granted us an exclusive world-wide license to use specified compounds for the treatment of ear disorders. To date, we have paid CHF 1,325,000 to Xigen under the agreement.

 

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Financial Operations Overview

Research and development expense

Research and development expense consists principally of:

 

n

salaries for research and development staff and related expenses, including employee benefits;

 

n

costs for production of preclinical compounds and drug substances by contract manufacturers;

 

n

fees and other costs paid to contract research organizations in connection with additional preclinical testing and the performance of clinical trials;

 

n

costs of related facilities, materials and equipment;

 

n

costs associated with obtaining and maintaining patents; and

 

n

depreciation and amortization of tangible and intangible fixed assets used to develop our product candidates.

We expect that our total research and development expense in 2014 will be in the range of CHF 30 to 35 million. Our research and development expense mainly relates to the following key programs:

 

n

AM-101. We have commenced a Phase 3 program of AM-101 comprising two Phase 3 studies and expect top-line date in late 2015. These two studies will be extended into two open label extension studies. We anticipate that our research and development expenses will increase substantially in connection with these clinical trials

 

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AM-111. We will soon commence two late stage clinical trials including a pivotal Phase 3 trial with AM-111. We anticipate that our research and development expenses will increase substantially in connection with the clinical trials of AM-111.

 

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Other development programs. Other research and development expenses mainly relate to our preclinical studies of AM-102 and AM-123. The expenses mainly consist of salaries, costs for production of the preclinical compounds and costs paid to academic research institutions in conjunction with preclinical testing.

Since inception of the Company in 2003, we cumulatively have spent a cash amount of approximately CHF 38 million on research and development activities which we would now group under research and development expenses for our IFRS accounts. However, due to the absence of IFRS figures for the years prior to 2012, this amount is an estimate only. Going forward, our research and development expense may vary substantially from period to period based on the timing of our research and development activities, including timing due to the launch of projects and enrollment of patients in clinical trials. Research and development expense is expected to increase as we advance the clinical development of AM-101 and AM-111 and to further advance the research and development of our pre-clinical product candidates. The successful development of our product candidates is highly uncertain. At this time we cannot reasonably estimate the nature, timing and estimated costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the development of, or the period, if any, in which material net cash inflows may commence from, any of our product candidates. This is due to numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing drugs, including the uncertainty of:

 

n

the scope, rate of progress, results and cost of our clinical trials, nonclinical testing, and other related activities;

 

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the cost of manufacturing clinical supplies, and establishing commercial supplies, of our product candidates and any products that we may develop;

 

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the number and characteristics of product candidates that we pursue;

 

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the cost, timing, and outcomes of regulatory approvals;

 

n

the cost and timing of establishing sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities; and

 

n

the terms and timing of any collaborative, licensing, and other arrangements that we may establish, including any required milestone and royalty payments thereunder.

A change in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of AM-101, AM-111 or any other product candidate that we may develop could mean a significant change in the costs and timing associated with the development of such product candidate. For example, if the FDA or other regulatory authority were to require us to

 

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conduct preclinical and clinical studies beyond those which we currently anticipate will be required for the completion of clinical development or if we experience significant delays in enrollment in any clinical trials, we could be required to expend significant additional financial resources and time on the completion of the clinical development.

General and administrative expense

Our general and administrative expense consists principally of:

 

n

salaries for general and administrative staff and related expenses, including employee benefits;

 

n

business development expenses, including travel expenses;

 

n

professional fees for auditors and other consulting expenses not related to research and development activities;

 

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professional fees for lawyers not related to the protection and maintenance of our intellectual property;

 

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cost of facilities, communication and office expenses;

 

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IT expenses; and

 

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depreciation and amortization of tangible and intangible fixed assets not related to research and development activities.

We expect that our general and administrative expense will increase in the future as our business expands and we incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. These public company-related increases will likely include costs of additional personnel, additional legal fees, accounting and audit fees, managing directors’ and supervisory directors’ liability insurance premiums and costs related to investor relations.

Finance income

Our policy is to invest funds in low risk investments including interest bearing deposits. Saving and deposit accounts generate a small amount of interest income. We expect to continue this investment philosophy.

Finance expense

Our finance expense consists principally of commercial banking fees and foreign exchange losses.

Other comprehensive income

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability, which comprise actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets (excluding interest) and the effect of the asset ceiling (if any, excluding interest), are recognized immediately in other comprehensive income.

We determine the net interest expense or income on the net defined benefit liability or asset for the period by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual period to the then-net defined benefit liability or asset, taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability or asset during the period as a result of contributions and benefit payments. Net interest expense and other expenses related to defined benefit plans are recognized in profit or loss.

Assets and liabilities of our subsidiaries with functional currency other than CHF are included in our consolidated financial statements by translating the assets and liabilities into CHF at the exchange rates applicable at the end of the reporting period. Income and expenses for each consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income are translated at average exchange rates (unless this average is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the dates of the transaction).

Foreign currency differences arising from translating the financial statements of our subsidiaries from currencies other than CHF are recognized in other comprehensive income and presented in the foreign currency translation reserve under equity in the statement of financial position. When a foreign operation is disposed of such that control, significant influence or joint control is lost, the cumulative amount in the translation reserve related to that foreign operation is reclassified to profit or loss as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

 

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Results of Operations

We have based the following discussion on our audited consolidated financial statements. You should read it along with these financial statements, and it is qualified in its entirety by reference to them.

Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

 

 

 

		YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
		2013				2012				CHANGE
		(in thousands of CHF)								%
Research and development			(13,254)				(3,987)				232 %
General and administrative			(1,362)				(624)				118 %
Operating loss			(14,616)				(4,611)				217 %
Finance expense			(159)				(2)				8713 %
Finance income.			76				10				666 %
Loss before tax			(14,699)				(4,602)				219 %
Income tax expense			(306)				—
Net loss attributable to owners of the Company			(15,005)				(4,602)				226 %
Other comprehensive income:
Items that will never be reclassified to profit or loss
Remeasurements of defined benefit liability			(58)				(55)				6 %
Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss
Foreign currency translation differences			32				22				42 %
Other comprehensive income			(26)				(32)				(20)%
Total comprehensive loss attributable to owners of the Company			(15,031)				(4,635)				224 %

 

 

Research and development expense

 

 

 

		2013				2012				CHANGE
		(in thousands of CHF)								%
Research and development expense
Clinical projects			8,753				1,687				419	%
Preclinical projects			2,078				298				598	%
Drug manufacture and substance			1,036				915				13	%
Employee benefits			1,074				770				40	%
Other research and development expenses			311				316				(1)	%
Total			13,254				3,987				232	%

 

 

Research and development expense increased 232% from CHF 4.0 million in 2012 to CHF 13.3 million in 2013. Our research and development expense is highly dependent on the development phases of our research projects and therefore fluctuates highly from year to year. The variances in expense between 2012 and 2013 are mainly due to the following factors:

 

n

Clinical Projects. In 2013 we completed the second Phase 2 study with AM-101. At the same time we incurred substantial costs related to the preparation of the AM-101 Phase 3 program (TACTT2 and TACTT3), notably for feasibility assessments, investigator and site selections, investigator meetings, validation and translation work on questionnaires and other study documents, procurement of electronic patient diaries, set-up of electronic data capture systems, databases and procedures as well as submissions to regulatory agencies and institutional review boards. In contrast, expense levels related to the AM-111 project decreased from 2012 levels because Phase 2 clinical trial work was completed.

 

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n

Preclinical projects. In 2013, we stepped up our activities related to project AM-102, including screening of compounds for a new pharmacological target in tinnitus. In addition, we initiated additional toxicology studies with repeated AM-101 dosing in rodents, and conducted reproduction toxicology studies with AM-111.

 

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Drug manufacture and substance. In 2013 we incurred substantial costs related to the manufacture, labeling and packaging of supplies for the AM-101 Phase 3 trials.

 

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Employee benefits. Headcount continued to increase in 2013 in line with the expansion of our research and development activities.

General and administrative expense

General and administrative expense increased 118% from CHF 0.6 million in 2012 to CHF 1.4 million in 2013. The increase reflects higher business activity levels as well as additional business development activities.

We expect that general and administrative expense will increase significantly in the future as our business expands and we continue to increase headcount as well as incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company.

Finance income

Finance income increased from CHF 9,894 in 2012 to CHF 75,747 in 2013. Finance income in these periods consisted primarily of interest income recognized on short-term deposits.

Finance income increased in 2013 as a result of an increase in average cash and cash equivalents following our private placement of preferred equity securities to new investors with total net proceeds of CHF 24.1 million in April 2013, and, to a lesser extent, a subsequent convertible loan from the same investors with total net proceeds of CHF 13.8 million in December 2013.

Finance expense

Finance expense increased from CHF 1,800 in 2012 to CHF 158,641 in 2013. Higher finance expense were mainly due to adverse currency movements in 2013.

Income tax expense

As we have never generated revenue or other taxable income, there have been no income taxes paid so far. We have recorded a deferred income tax expense of CHF 305,750 (related to taxable temporary differences) for 2013.

Remeasurements of defined benefits liability

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability, which comprise actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets (excluding interest) and the effect of the asset ceiling (if any, excluding interest), increased 6% from 2012 to 2013. The increase was primarily related to a higher actuarial loss partially offset by a higher return on plan assets.

Foreign currency translation differences

Foreign currency translation differences increased by 42% from 2012 to 2013. The increase was primarily related to unfavorable movements in the CHF/USD exchange. The average and the year-end CHF/USD exchange rates for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were CHF 0.9391, CHF 0.8894, CHF 0.9481 and CHF 0.9154, respectively. The average and the year-end CHF /EUR exchange rates for years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were CHF 1.2414, CHF 1.2255, CHF 1.2196 and CHF 1.2068, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. To date, we have not generated any product sale revenue. We have financed our operations primarily through private placements of equity securities and loans from existing shareholders.

 

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Cash flows

Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

The table below summarizes our consolidated statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

 

 

		YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
		2013				2012
		(in thousands of CHF)
Cash used in operating activities .			(14,044	)			(4,499	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(35	)			(53	)
Net cash from financing activities .			37,881				3,862
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period			64				753
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period			23,866				64

 

 

The increase in cash used in operating activities by 212% from CHF 4.5 million in 2012 to CHF 14.0 million in 2013 was mainly due to the substantial increase in development activities, notably clinical projects. The increase was partially offset by an increase in trade payables and accrued expenses.

The decrease in net cash used in investing activities by 34% from 2012 to 2013 reflected lower capital expenditures in dedicated manufacturing equipment.

The increase in net cash from financing activities from CHF 3.9 million in 2012 to CHF 37.9 million in 2013 is due to the private placement of our Series C preferred shares to new investors providing total net proceeds of CHF 24.1 million in April 2013 as well as a convertible loan from Series C shareholders providing CHF 13.8 million in December 2013.

Cash and funding sources

 

 

 

		EQUITY CAPITAL AND PREFERRED SHARES				LOANS				TOTAL
		(in thousands of CHF)
2013			24,111				13,770				37,881
2012			3,862				—				3,862
Total			27,973				13,770				41,743

 

 

Our sources of financing in 2013 included the private placement of our Series C preferred shares providing total net proceeds of CHF 24.1 million as well as a convertible loan from Series C shareholders providing CHF 13.8 million. Prior to the closing of the Series C financing round in April 2013, a bridge loan was provided by Altamira Pharma GmbH, a company wholly owned by our CEO; a portion of the net proceeds from our Series C financing were used to repay that loan.

Under the terms of the Series C investment agreement, we agreed that up to two further closings resulting in further capital increase and issuance of new Series C preferred shares may be completed (the “Second Closing” and/or, the “Third Closing”, respectively). Pursuant to the terms of the convertible loan agreement, on January 13, 2014 the lenders exercised their right to convert the full amount of the loan into Series C preferred shares, replacing the Second Closing of the Series C financing. The obligation of the Series C investors to effect the Third Closing is subject to the satisfaction or waiver in writing by the holders of Series C preferred shares holding at least two thirds of the Series C preferred shares of certain conditions, including the Company reaching certain milestones, such as setting the size and scope of the next clinical trial for AM-111 with regulators.

 

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Our sources from financing in 2012 were the payment of additional premiums on Series B preferred shares originally issued in 2011 as well as the placement of Series B preferred shares held in treasury.

As of December 31, 2013, we had no long-term debt.

We have no ongoing material financial commitments, such as lines of credit or guarantees that are expected to affect our liquidity over the next five years, other than leases.

Funding requirements

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements at least through the end of 2014. We believe that the net proceeds of this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least        months. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use our capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including but not limited to:

 

n

the scope, rate of progress, results and cost of our clinical trials, nonclinical testing, and other related activities;

 

n

the cost of manufacturing clinical supplies, and establishing commercial supplies, of our product candidates and any products that we may develop;

 

n

the number and characteristics of product candidates that we pursue;

 

n

the cost, timing, and outcomes of regulatory approvals;

 

n

the cost and timing of establishing sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities; and

 

n

the terms and timing of any collaborative, licensing, and other arrangements that we may establish, including any required milestone and royalty payments thereunder.

We expect that we will require additional capital to commercialize our product candidates AM-101 and AM-111. If we receive regulatory approval for AM-101 or AM-111, and if we choose not to grant any licenses to partners, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to product manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution, depending on where we choose to commercialize. We also expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company following this offering. Additional funds may not be available on a timely basis, on favorable terms, or at all, and such funds, if raised, may not be sufficient to enable us to continue to implement our long-term business strategy. If we are not able to raise capital when needed, we could be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our product development programs or commercialization efforts.

We may raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities. In such an event, your ownership interest will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a holder of our common shares.

For more information as to the risks associated with our future funding needs, see “Risk factors.”

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table presents information relating to our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2013:

 

 

 

		PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD
		LESS THAN 1 YEAR				BETWEEN 1 AND 5 YEARS				TOTAL
		(in thousands of CHF)
Convertible loans (1)			13,770				—				13,770
Operating lease obligations (2)			92				122				214
Total			13,862				122				13,984

 

 

 

(1)	On December 9, 2013, the Company issued two non-interest bearing convertible loans to shareholders with a nominal value of CHF 13,769,976 and a maximum term of 12 months. On January 13, 2014 the convertible

 

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loan lenders exercised their conversion option, and the total loan amount of CHF 13,769,976 was converted into 2,607,950 Series C preferred shares of the Company. The Series C preferred shares were created as of January 27, 2014 from the Company’s authorized capital. As a result, the Company’s share capital increased from CHF 6,487,130 to CHF 7,536,510.

 

(2)	Operating lease obligations consist of payments pursuant to non-cancellable operating lease agreements relating to our lease of office space and are not accounted for in the balance sheet. The lease term is 5 years with an early termination option as of March 2016.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

As of the date of this prospectus, we do not have any, and during the periods presented we did not have any, off-balance sheet arrangements except for the Operating Lease mentioned above.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Credit Risk

We manage credit risk on a group basis. Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents and deposits with banks, as well as from other receivables. Our policy is to invest funds in low risk investments including interest bearing deposits. For banks and financial institutions, only independently rated parties with a minimum S&P rating of “A” are accepted. Receivables are not past due and not impaired and include only well-known counterparties.

We hold cash and cash equivalents in our principal operating currencies (CHF, USD and EUR).

Market Risk

In the ordinary course of our business activities, we are exposed to various market risks that are beyond our control, including fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, and which may have an adverse effect on the value of our financial assets and liabilities, future cash flows and profit. As a result of these market risks, we could suffer a loss due to adverse changes in foreign exchange rates. Our policy with respect to these market risks is to assess the potential of experiencing losses and the consolidated impact thereof, and to mitigate these market risks.

Interest rate risk

We are not currently exposed to significant interest rate risk because we have no borrowings at variable interest rates, no fixed rate financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss and no derivatives. Our only variable interest-bearing financial asset is cash at banks. The effect of an increase or decrease in interest rates would only have an immaterial effect in profit or loss.

Currency Risk

We operate internationally and are exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various exposures, primarily with respect to the US Dollar and Euro. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognized assets and liabilities and net investments in foreign operations. To manage foreign exchange risk we maintain foreign currency cash balances to cover anticipated future purchases of materials and services in foreign currencies.

As of December 31, 2013, a 5% increase or decrease in the USD/CHF exchange rate with all other variables held constant would have resulted in a CHF 175,115 (2012: CHF 2,081) increase or decrease in the net result. A 5% increase or decrease in the EUR/CHF exchange rate with all other variables held constant would have resulted in a CHF 107,672 (2012: CHF 23,047) increase or decrease in the net result.

We have subsidiaries in the United States and Ireland, whose net assets are exposed to foreign currency translation risk. Due to the small size of these subsidiaries the translation risk is not significant. In the future we intend to maintain foreign exchange balances matched to the currencies required to fund our primary costs, that is the conduct of our clinical trials.

Significant accounting policies and use of estimates and judgment

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which we have prepared in accordance with IFRS. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

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While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in the notes to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, we believe that the following accounting policies are the most critical to aid you in fully understanding and evaluating our financial condition and results of operations.

Intangible assets

Research and development

Expenditures on the research programs of the Company are not capitalized, they are expensed when incurred.

Expenditures on the Company’s development programs are generally not capitalized except if development costs can be measured reliably, the product or process is technically and commercially feasible, future economic benefits are probable, and the Company intends to and has sufficient resources to complete development and to use or sell the asset. For the development projects of the Company, these criteria are generally only met when regulatory approval for commercialization is obtained. Given the current stage of the development projects, no development expenditures have yet been capitalized. Intellectual property-related costs for patents are part of the expenditure for the research and development projects. Therefore, registration costs for patents are expensed when incurred as long as the research and development project concerned does not meet the criteria for capitalization.

Licenses

Intellectual property rights that are acquired by the Company are capitalized as intangible assets if they are controlled by the Company, are separately identifiable and are expected to generate future economic benefits, even if uncertainty exists as to whether the research and development will ultimately result in a marketable product. Consequently, upfront and milestone payments to third parties for the exclusive use of pharmaceutical compounds in specified areas of treatment are recognized as intangible assets.

Measurement

Intangible assets acquired that have finite useful lives are measured at cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses.

Subsequent expenditure

Subsequent expenditure is capitalized only when it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates. All other expenditure, including expenditure on internally generated goodwill and brands, is recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Amortization

All licenses of the group have finite lives. Amortization will start once the Company’s intangible assets will be available for use. Amortization of licenses is calculated on a straight line basis over the period of the expected benefit or until the license expires. The estimated useful life of the Company’s licenses is 10 years from the date first available for use or the remaining term of patent protection. The Company assesses at each balance sheet date whether intangible assets which are not yet ready for use are impaired.

Income tax

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. It is recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to a business combination, or items recognized directly in equity or in OCI.

Current tax

Current tax comprises the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year and any adjustment to tax payable or receivable in respect of previous years. It is measured using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

Deferred tax

Deferred income tax is recognized, using the balance sheet liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax is not recognized for:

 

n

temporary differences on the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss;

 

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n

temporary differences related to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that the Company is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future; and

 

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taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill.

Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only if certain criteria are met.

Employee benefits

The Company maintains a pension plan for all employees in Switzerland through payments to a legally independent collective foundation. This pension plan qualifies under IFRS as defined benefit pension plan. There are no pension plans for the subsidiaries in Ireland and the United States.

The Company’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit plans is calculated by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods, discounting that amount and deducting the fair value of any plan assets.

The recognized asset is limited to the present value of economic benefits available in the form of any future refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan. In order to calculate the present value of economic benefits, consideration is given to any minimum funding requirements.

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability, which comprise actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets (excluding interest) and the effect of the asset ceiling (if any, excluding interest), are recognized immediately in OCI. The Company determines the net interest expense (income) on the net defined benefit liability (asset) for the period by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual period to the then-net defined benefit liability (asset), taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability (asset) during the period as a result of contributions and benefit payments. Net interest expense and other expenses related to defined benefit plans are recognized in profit or loss.

Share-based compensation

Share Options

The Company maintains various share-based payment plans in the form of stock option plans for its employees, directors and key service providers. Stock options are granted at the Board’s discretion without any contractual or recurring obligations.

The share-based compensation plans qualify as equity settled plans. The grant-date fair value of share-based payment awards granted to employees is recognized as an expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period that the employees become unconditionally entitled to the awards. The vesting of share options is conditional on the employee completing a period of service of three and four years respectively in accordance with Stock Option Plan A, or Plan A, and Stock Option Plan C, or Plan C. Stock Option Plan B, or Plan B, was created to provide shares for share based compensation plans; it was used in the years 2008 and 2009 and is still in effect. However, no options are currently outstanding under Plan B.

The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of awards for which the related service and non-market performance conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognized as an expense is based on the number of awards that meet the related service and non-market performance conditions at the vesting date. Share-based payments that are not subject to any further conditions are expensed immediately at grant date. In the year the options are exercised the proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction costs are credited to share capital (nominal value) and share premium.

 

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Valuation of share options

The fair value of our shares is determined by our management and our board of directors, and takes into account numerous factors to determine a best estimate of the fair value of our common shares as of each grant date.

In our historic financing rounds we have mainly relied on the prior sale of stock method where the company and new investors negotiate the company’s valuation at arm’s length. Typical considerations in this method may include the type and amount of equity sold, the estimated volatility, the estimated time to liquidity, the relationship of the parties involved, the timing compared to the ordinary shares valuation date and the financial condition and structure of the company at the time of the sale.

In this process, we have taken into consideration the guidance recommended by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or AICPA, Audit and Accounting Practice Aid, specifically the Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation. The most frequent types of private transaction and their relevance to the derived fair value of our shares are the “Simple preferred stock financing transaction” (AICPA 8.03 a. i. and ii.) with new investors.

Convertible loans

Convertible loans are classified as financial liabilities and initially measured at fair value excluding transaction costs where these are not material. The difference to the nominal value is recorded directly in equity as a transaction with a shareholder in its capacity as shareholder. Subsequent to initial recognition, the convertible loans are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Except for IFRS 9 for which the impact cannot be determined with sufficient reliability, there are no IFRS standards as issued by the IASB or interpretations issued by the IFRS interpretations committee that are effective for the first time for the financial year beginning on or after January 1, 2014 that would be expected to have a material impact on our financial position.

JOBS Act exemptions

On April 5, 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, reduce certain reporting requirements for an “emerging growth company.” As an emerging growth company, we are electing to take advantage of the following exemptions:

 

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including the use of two years of audited financial statements as opposed to three years in our initial registration statement;

 

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not providing an auditor attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting;

 

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not providing all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act;

 

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not disclosing certain executive compensation-related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation to median employee compensation; and

 

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not complying with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis).

These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our initial public offering or until we no longer meet the requirements of being an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier. We would cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.0 billion in annual revenue, have more than $700 million in market value of our common shares held by non-affiliates or issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period.

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel products for the treatment of inner ear disorders. Our most advanced product candidate, AM-101, is in Phase 3 clinical development for acute inner ear tinnitus under a special protocol assessment, or SPA, from the FDA. In two recently completed Phase 2 clinical trials, AM-101 demonstrated a favorable safety profile and statistically significant improvement in tinnitus loudness and other patient reported outcomes. We are also developing AM-111 for acute inner ear hearing loss, and we expect to begin Phase 3 clinical development in the fourth quarter of 2014. We expect to have top-line Phase 3 clinical data for AM-101 and AM-111 in late 2015 and 2016, respectively. Both acute inner ear tinnitus and hearing loss are conditions for which there is high unmet medical need, and we believe that we have the potential to be the first to market in these indications.

With two product candidates in Phase 3 clinical trials, we believe we are currently the clinically most advanced company working on inner ear therapeutics. We believe that AM-101 and AM-111 are the only drug candidates that have demonstrated positive efficacy in randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials in acute inner ear tinnitus and acute inner ear hearing loss. Our products are protected through intellectual property rights and, in addition, orphan drug status has been granted to AM-111.

Our product candidates are injected under local anesthesia into the middle ear by a technique called intratympanic, or i.t., injection. Once injected into the middle ear, the active substance, which is formulated in a biocompatible gel, diffuses into the inner ear. The procedure is short, safe, has a long history of use and allows for highly targeted drug delivery with minimal systemic exposure. It is performed by an ear, nose and throat, or ENT specialist on an outpatient basis over one or more visits.

Our lead product candidate, AM-101, is targeting acute inner ear tinnitus. Tinnitus, frequently perceived as a ringing in the ears, is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. Similar to pain, it is an unwanted, unpleasant and thus distressing sensation. Tinnitus may result in further symptoms such as inability to concentrate, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and clinical depression. In many cases, tinnitus significantly impairs quality of life and affects normal day-to-day activities.

Tinnitus is categorized as acute during the three months after onset and chronic when it persists for more than three months. Approximately 25% of American adults (50 million people) have experienced tinnitus with nearly 8% of American adults (16 million people) having frequent occurrences. Epidemiological studies reveal comparable prevalence rates for Europe. Among the tinnitus patients seen by general practitioners and ENT specialists in the United States and the top five European markets who reported seeing at least one tinnitus patient in the previous three months, approximately 36% of patients sought medical treatment during the first three months following tinnitus onset.

One of the frequent causes of acute inner ear tinnitus is traumatic insult such as exposure to excessive noise, or middle ear infection (otitis media, or OM). We have conducted Phase 2 trials in this specific tinnitus population with AM-101 which demonstrated a favorable safety profile. Furthermore, in our Phase 2 clinical trials, AM-101 showed a dose dependent, persistent and clinically relevant improvement, as compared to the placebo, in subjective tinnitus loudness as well as other patient reported outcomes, such as tinnitus annoyance, tinnitus severity, sleep difficulties and general tinnitus impact. Our Phase 3 clinical program, which is similar in design to our Phase 2 trial design, is being conducted under a SPA from the FDA and also incorporates guidance from the European Medicines Agency, or EMA. We expect to have top-line data in late 2015. We believe that AM-101 has the potential to become the first product approved for the treatment of acute inner ear tinnitus.

Our second product candidate, AM-111, is being developed for the treatment of acute sensorineural hearing loss, or ASNHL. In sensorineural hearing loss, which is also referred to as inner ear hearing loss, there is damage to the sensory cells of the inner ear or the auditory nerve. Hearing loss is a heterogeneous disorder of many forms with a variety of causes. ASNHL may be triggered by a variety of insults, such as exposure to excessively loud sound, infection, inflammation or certain ototoxic drugs. These insults may also result in tinnitus. Over 60,000 people in the United States are affected by sudden deafness annually. There are no currently approved pharmaceutical treatments for this patient population in the United States.

 

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In our Phase 2 clinical trial, AM-111 showed a favorable safety profile. Furthermore, in patients with severe to profound ASNHL, we observed a clinically relevant improvement in hearing threshold, speech discrimination and a higher rate of complete tinnitus remission compared with placebo. We plan to begin two late stage clinical trials in ASNHL, including a pivotal Phase 3 trial in the fourth quarter of 2014. We expect to have top-line data from these trials in late 2016. We believe that, if approved, AM-111 could become the first approved pharmaceutical treatment for ASNHL. AM-111 received orphan drug designation for the treatment of ASNHL from both the FDA and the EMA.

Strengths

We believe we are a leader in the development of novel therapeutic products for inner ear disorders due to several factors.

 

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First mover advantage. With two product candidates in late stage clinical development, we believe we are currently the clinically most advanced company working on inner ear therapeutics. We believe that AM-101 and AM-111 are the only drug candidates that have demonstrated positive efficacy in randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials in acute inner ear tinnitus and acute inner ear hearing loss. As a result, we believe we will be the first to market with FDA or EMA-approved products for these indications.

 

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Barriers to entry. Our products are protected not only through intellectual property rights but also by the orphan drug status granted to AM-111 as well as by the know-how across several disciplines that is required to formulate and reliably deliver drugs to the inner ear. Our proprietory gel formulation, its manufacturing and its application are part of our intellectual property, know-how and competitive advantage.

 

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Efficient commercialization. Given that the market for our therapeutic product candidates can be efficiently accessed through a limited number of specialist ENT physicians and specialist neurotologists, we intend to build our own sales force in order to commercialize these products in the United States and key European markets.

 

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Experienced management. Having been focused on developing therapeutic products for inner ear indications for over a decade, we believe that our senior management provides us with significant capabilities. Our Chief Executive Officer and founder, Thomas Meyer, has played several pivotal roles in our development and evolution. Prior to Auris, he was the CEO of Disetronic, a fast growing Swiss diabetes care company sold to Roche in 2003. Other key members of our management team bring significant experience in clinical, product and business development in biopharmaceutical companies.

Strategy

Our goal is to become the leading biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics to treat inner ear disorders. The key elements of our strategy to achieve this goal are:

 

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Target inner ear disorders that have a defined pathophysiology and that are amenable to treatment. We are focusing on inner ear disorders for which the pathophysiology is well characterized, can be effectively targeted and where affected patients seek medical attention proactively.

 

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Use drug delivery techniques and proprietary drug formulations for effective, safe and rapid local administration to the inner ear. We are developing treatments for inner ear disorders based on i.t. injections into the middle ear. This short outpatient procedure allows us to deliver therapeutic concentrations of drug in a highly targeted fashion with only minimal systemic exposure. We are using proprietary, fully biocompatible and biodegradable gel formulations for optimum middle ear tolerance and effective diffusion of active substances into the inner ear.

 

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Bring AM-101 and AM-111 to market. We plan to focus most of our resources on the development and commercialization of our two lead product candidates. AM-101 is in two Phase 3 clinical trials, based on a SPA from the FDA and guidance from the EMA. We are preparing to initiate a pivotal Phase 3 trial for AM-111 in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

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Build an efficient commercial infrastructure to maximize the value of our product candidates. We intend to build commercial operations in the North American market and in select European markets. In those markets, we expect our commercial operations to include specialty sales forces targeting ENTs and specialists in neurotology both in hospitals and in private practice. In other markets, we expect to seek partnerships that would maximize our products’ commercial potential.

 

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Expand our pipeline through internal development, academic collaborations, in-licensing and acquisitions. Through our work with academic research partners on the pathophysiology of tinnitus and hearing loss and clinical development we have gained novel insights that will help us both to create new pipeline products that act by way of novel mechanisms as well as to expand the therapeutic focus for our existing product candidates beyond their current indications. We plan to further maximize our commercial potential through product life cycle management, and with licensing or acquisition of compounds that could augment our product offering in ENT disorders.

The Inner Ear

We have focused our drug discovery and development efforts on targeting the cochlea, which together with the vestibular system constitutes the inner ear. The snail-shaped cochlea is the sensory organ at the periphery of the auditory system, which transmits sound along the auditory pathway up to the brain for hearing. Acute insults to the cochlea from a variety of sources – for example, loud noise, infection or insufficient blood supply – may lead to excessive levels of glutamate, the principal neurotransmitter in the cochlea as well as other pathological processes. This in turn may damage cochlear hair cells, which tune and amplify sound inside the cochlea or convert mechanical movement into neural signals, as well as cochlear neurons. Such damage may result in the symptoms of inner ear hearing loss and/or inner ear tinnitus that can be transitory as natural repair mechanisms set in or that become permanent when hair cells or neurons die or are permanently injured.

 

The human ear and its key elements		Principle of intratympanic injection

 

 

 

The human ear and its key elements (left). The external ear captures sound waves, amplifies and directs them through the ear canal to the ear drum, also known as the tympanic membrane, which transfers them further via the three small bones of the ossicular chain to the oval window of the inner ear. Here, the sound waves enter the fluid filled cochlea, travel up the turns and down again and are dissipated by the round window membrane. On their way through the cochlea, the sound waves are transduced by inner hair cells into neural activity by excitation of the cochlear nerve.

Principle of intratympanic injection (right). For the administration, the patient is positioned with the ear pointing up to ensure that the round window membrane is at the bottom of the middle ear. Following local anesthesia of the ear drum the drug is injected by the ENT into the middle ear, where it collects in the bottom part, allowing for diffusion of the active substance across the round window membrane.

Because the cochlea is located deep inside the head and because it is separated from the middle ear by a combination of bone and membranes, the interior of the cochlea is a challenging location for drug delivery. We have chosen to deliver our products via i.t. injection across the ear drum (also known as the tympanic membrane) into the middle ear cavity. By formulating our products with biocompatible gels, we facilitate the diffusion of active substances across the round window membrane into the cochlea at clinically meaningful concentrations.

 

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Market

Inner ear disorders, including hearing loss, tinnitus, Meniere’s disease and balance disorders, are common and often inter-related conditions. Chronic inner ear disorders such as tinnitus and hearing loss are highly prevalent. According to a 2012 publication by Langguth and Elgoyhen in the journal Expert Opinion in Pharmacotherapy, approximately 25% of American adults (50 million people) have experienced tinnitus with nearly 8% of American adults (16 million people) having frequent occurrences. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 36 million Americans, or 17% of the adult U.S. population, have a hearing loss. Epidemiological studies reveal comparable prevalence rates for Europe.

According to a 2011 publication by Hall et al. in the journal BMC Health Services Research, among the tinnitus patients seen by physicians who reported seeing at least one tinnitus patient in the previous three months, approximately 36% of patients sought medical treatment during the first three months following the onset of the disorder. Over 60,000 people in the United States are affected by sudden deafness annually.

The market for ear disorders is underserved despite the fact that according to a 2007 report by the consulting firm NeuroInsights, hearing loss ranks among the top ten neurologic disorders by worldwide prevalence, ranking above attention deficit disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. There are three main reasons for this:

Inner ear physiology. It has been extremely challenging for pharmaceutical companies to deliver drugs at effective concentrations to the inner ear. Like the eye, the inner ear is a protected space. Systemically administered drugs such as intravenous or oral formulations in doses high enough to reach effective inner-ear concentrations often bring unacceptable systemic toxicity.

Heterogeneity of inner ear disorders. Hearing loss and tinnitus are symptoms of many different underlying etiologies, and they manifest themselves in many different ways. For example, tinnitus may be provoked by such different proximal causes as whiplash injury, excessive noise exposure, the flu or even certain dental problems. In some cases, the tinnitus originates inside the cochlea, but then becomes “centralized,” that is, the phantom sound persists even long after the initial source of the sensation has been removed. There has been a dearth of knowledge about the pathophysiology of tinnitus and hearing loss, which has hindered the pharmaceutical industry in pursuing therapeutics in this area.

Lack of clinical trial paradigms. Historically, there have been challenges regarding the clinical endpoints used in measuring changes in tinnitus. Since tinnitus usually is perceived only by the patient affected by it, there is no direct way of measuring it. Like pain, tinnitus assessments have to rely on subjective endpoints. Tinnitus assessments consist either of psychoacoustic measures, performed by audiologists and other hearing specialists and sometimes considered as “semi-objective,” or they are based on patient reported outcomes, or PROs. Unlike in pain, there has been a lack of guidelines and validation work on these PROs, and the relevance and reliability of psychoacoustic measures as efficacy outcome variables have been questioned.

For these reasons, the industry’s discovery and development of novel therapies for inner ear disorders has lagged far behind efforts in other therapeutic areas.

We are addressing each of these issues with our approach to developing therapeutics targeting the inner ear. Using i.t. injection to deliver our product candidates to the inner ear reduces systemic exposure. We target specific types of tinnitus and hearing loss that are addressable with drug-based therapies. We have worked with regulatory agencies to develop an acceptable clinical trial paradigm assessing subjective endpoints culminating, for example, in our SPA for AM-101.

Our Localized Delivery Solution for the Inner Ear

The inner ear is a protected part of the body, analogous to the eye. It is hidden in the temporal bone, behind the middle ear and the ear drum. In addition, it is very tiny: the cochlea measures about the size of the fingernail on the little finger. Therefore, therapeutically targeting the inner ear is not easy. There is currently no FDA or EMA approved drug therapy for the treatment of inner ear disorders on the market.

 

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The blood labyrinth barrier is a major physiological divider separating the inner ear from systemic circulation, critically preserving the inner ear’s microenvironment. Systemic drug dose levels capable of having a therapeutic effect on the inner ear are often high enough to cause adverse side effects.

An alternative approach is to administer drugs locally through i.t. injection to maximize efficacy and minimize systemic side effects. With i.t. administration, the drug is injected via a needle through the anesthetized ear drum into the middle ear cavity. The drug then diffuses across the semi-permeable round window membrane (RWM) into the inner ear. Our lead product candidates are administered by i.t. injection. We chose this approach after thorough evaluation of all available alternatives because it offers the optimal combination of access, convenience, physician familiarity and safety. We formulated our product candidates specifically with i.t. delivery in mind.

One of the key shortcomings of current i.t. approaches is the use of injectable solutions that may easily drain off via the Eustachian tube, thus preventing or reducing effective diffusion into the cochlea. With our proprietary gel formulations for i.t. injections we overcome this “draining off,” facilitate contact with the RWM and achieve effective diffusion into the cochlea.

Both AM-101 and AM-111 are formulated in a viscous gel of sodium hyaluronate that is biocompatible, biodegradable, and isotonic (that is, having the same salt concentration and therefore not causing any pressure build up on either side of the RWM). The gel has a neutral pH which helps minimize potential irritation to the ear. In addition, in the case of AM-111, we are employing D-TAT, a peptidic active transporter technology that allows the transport of a large molecule to the inner ear that would normally be blocked by the RWM. This novel use of D-TAT brings peptides not only behind the RWM but inside cells in the inner ear. To our knowledge, we are the first company to be delivering intracellular peptides to the inner ear using an active transporter such as D-TAT.

The i.t. injection procedure by which our therapeutics are delivered to the RWM is a minimally invasive procedure that is relatively simple to perform by an experienced ENT specialist. Most ENT physicians and neurotologists have a high degree of comfort with i.t. injection and it is well-accepted by patients. A billable procedure, i.t. injection is routinely reimbursed under a broader reimbursement code. For the injection, patients lie on a stretcher or on a reclined exam chair, treated ear up; the injection is performed under local anesthesia of the eardrum by an ENT specialist using a microscope. Following the procedure, patients rest for 20 to 30 minutes to ensure maximum physical contact of the drug with the RWM. The tympanic membrane heals rapidly, usually within a few days, and the procedure may be performed several times. Often performed in children suffering from ear infections, the reversible opening of the eardrum is one of the most frequent ENT procedures.

Our Product Candidates

The following table summarizes our product development pipeline:

 

(1)	Dates of key milestones are indicative and subject to change.

 

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AM-101 in Tinnitus

Our most advanced clinical program is AM-101, Esketamine hydrochloride gel, which has commenced Phase 3 clinical trials in acute inner ear tinnitus in both the United States under a SPA from the FDA and in Europe. Esketamine hydrochloride is a potent, small molecule non-competitive NMDA, or N-methyl-D-aspartate, receptor antagonist. AM-101 is formulated in a biocompatible gel and delivered via i.t. injection. It has demonstrated safety and efficacy in two Phase 2 clinical trials. Based on our SPA agreement with the FDA and scientific advice from the EMA, we have initiated two pivotal clinical trials with highly similar design, one in North America (Efficacy and Safety of AM-101 in the Treatment of Acute Peripheral Tinnitus 2, or TACTT2) and one in Europe, which we refer to as TACTT3. AM-101 has the potential to be the first drug to gain approval for treating acute inner ear tinnitus.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus, frequently perceived as a ringing in the ears, is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. Similar to pain, it is an unwanted, unpleasant and thus distressing sensation. Tinnitus may result in further symptoms such as inability to concentrate, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and clinical depression. In many cases, tinnitus significantly impairs quality of life and affects normal day-to-day activities.

Tinnitus is categorized as acute during the first three months and chronic when it persists for more than three months. The distinction between acute and chronic is based on the clinical observation that spontaneous recovery or complete remission of tinnitus is much more likely to occur in the first days, weeks and months following its onset. The chances of spontaneous recovery decline exponentially as the acute phase progresses. In the chronic stage, improvement is much more unlikely, and the therapeutic focus shifts from curing to managing the disorder. In some cases, tinnitus originates inside the cochlea, or the periphery of the auditory system, but then becomes “centralized,” that is, the phantom sound persists even long after the initial source of the sensation has been removed.

Tinnitus is a symptom that can be triggered by a variety of diseases or incidents such as noise trauma, infection, inflammation, vascular problems, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, head trauma or whiplash injury. In the majority of cases the tinnitus originates in the cochlea, but the precise mechanisms of tinnitus generation are still the subject of considerable debate and remain to be fully elucidated. In our development we are focusing on one particular, well-defined type of tinnitus generation based on glutamate excitotoxicity.

Acoustic trauma and other insults to the inner ear may trigger increased levels of extra-cellular glutamate, which in turn cause excessive activation of cochlear NMDA receptors. This process results in damage or killing of sensory cells and is thought to be responsible for abnormal spontaneous “firing” of auditory nerves, which may be perceived as tinnitus. Under normal circumstances, the NMDA receptors are thought to play no role in the auditory nerve’s transmission of nerve pulses that carry sound information. In case of a trauma such as excessive sound exposure these receptors are activated and thus tinnitus is triggered.

Current Therapies and Unmet Need

Tinnitus treatments may be categorized according to whether they treat the underlying cause or provide symptomatic relief. It is rarely possible to treat the underlying cause. When it is possible, treatment often involves a surgical procedure to resect tumors or vascular abnormalities. In contrast, treatments to provide symptomatic relief are highly diverse, reflecting the general lack of understanding of the underlying pathophysiology.

Currently, the most widely employed treatment options include counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, various forms of sound therapies, tinnitus retraining therapy, or TRT, herbal and vitamin supplements, ginkgo biloba, vasodilators, steroids, benzodiazepine and tricyclic antidepressants.

Sound-based therapies and TRT are some of the most commonly employed treatments for tinnitus. TRT is a non-pharmacological intervention that employs low-level sound emitted by a so-called “masking device” worn behind or in the ear. TRT also incorporates patient counseling to help habituate patients to their tinnitus. In those cases in which it is effective, TRT takes one to two years before patients “learn” to ignore tinnitus without the aid of a masking device. TRT can cost $2,500 to $3,000, including the masking devices. After an initial period of enthusiasm in the 1980s, masking devices declined in popularity among clinicians because it became clear that many patients who agreed to try them were nonusers six months later. While classic sound based therapies are based on broadband sound, newer therapies use sound individually tailored to the hearing loss and tinnitus characteristics.

 

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Although there are no approved drugs in the United States for the treatment of tinnitus, there is widespread off-label use of drugs approved for other indications. The U.K. Royal National Institute for the Deaf reports that more than three million prescriptions are written each year in the United States and Europe for drugs that purport to offer tinnitus relief, drugs for which there is no proven efficacy.

The local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug lidocaine is the only substance to date that is known to attenuate tinnitus, albeit only temporarily. This illustrates that tinnitus can be addressed using pharmacological intervention. However, lidocaine causes severe vertigo and other side effects, preventing its widespread clinical use.

Our Solution – AM-101

Therapeutic rationale for AM-101 in tinnitus

The active pharmaceutical ingredient of AM-101 is Esketamine hydrochloride, a well-known small molecule non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist. As described above, acoustic trauma and other insults to the inner ear have been shown in animal studies to activate cochlear NMDA receptors. The antagonist effect of Esketamine towards the NMDA receptor aims to suppress the aberrant activity of the auditory nerve and thus diminish tinnitus.

The NMDA receptor was first validated as a target for the treatment of tinnitus using an animal behavioral model of tinnitus triggered by salicylate, the active substance of aspirin. Salicylate is known to trigger temporary tinnitus when administered in high doses. The animal model demonstrated that local administration of different NMDA antagonists to the inner ear allowed for suppression of salicylate induced tinnitus. Together with an academic partner, we developed a much more clinically relevant model of tinnitus induced by acute acoustic trauma, or AAT. Unlike salicylate-induced tinnitus, AAT triggers glutamate excitotoxicity and may lead to irreversible damage to sensory cells. It does not result in tinnitus in all cases, but where it sets in, it may be permanent. In our pre-clinical trials, we demonstrated that AM-101 was able to suppress this type of tinnitus. Further preclinical work demonstrated that tinnitus could be suppressed even when drug was administered after the onset of tinnitus.

Toxicology and tolerability studies confirmed that AM-101 had no impact on hearing, even at much higher doses than those needed for suppressing tinnitus. Animal biodistribution studies showed rapid diffusion of the active substance into the cochlea. Concentrations decreased over several days due to clearance.

Ketamine has been used clinically for decades as an anesthetic and analgesic. Esketamine is the S-enantiomer of Ketamine and was introduced in a small number of markets outside the United States as a more potent NMDA receptor antagonist with more favorable side effects than racemic Ketamine. The development of AM-101 has benefitted from the long-standing clinical use of Ketamine and Esketamine as well as the wealth of published pharmacology, pharmacokinetic and safety data. We are using Esketamine in doses that result in systemic exposure several orders of magnitude lower than those seen when Esketamine is used as an anesthetic at clinically safe doses.

Tinnitus endpoints

Given the lack of existing tinnitus treatments, there have been no fully validated or universally accepted outcome measures for clinical trials. There are two fundamental types of efficacy outcome variables. Patient reported outcomes, or PROs, such as the visual or numerical rating of tinnitus loudness or tinnitus questionnaires provide direct subjective measures of tinnitus and its impact on sleep, relaxation, communication, emotions, social interactions and other factors. For example patients are asked a single question to rate the loudness of their tinnitus “right now” on a scale from 0 (“no tinnitus heard”) to 100 (“tinnitus extremely loud”). Among several tinnitus questionnaires, the 25 item TFI is the most recent. It was developed and validated broadly in line with the PRO guidelines of the FDA and was introduced in 2011 by Meikle et al. following extensive validation work in the journal Ear & Hearing. Alternatively, measures commonly referred to as psychoacoustic may be performed by an audiologist, which is why they are considered “semi-objective.” They seek to determine how loud a masking sound has to be to cover the tinnitus (minimum masking level) or how loud the tinnitus is compared to reference sound (equal loudness match).

In our Phase 2 clinical trials, PROs showed good responsiveness and consistent results, whereas psychoacoustic measures proved highly variable and unreliable. Therefore, following discussions with the FDA and EMA, it was

 

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agreed that our Phase 3 clinical program for AM-101 will be based on PROs with the improvement of subjective tinnitus loudness being defined as the primary efficacy endpoint. As part of the SPA with the FDA, it was agreed that improvement as measured by the TFI questionnaire will serve as a co-primary efficacy endpoint in our TACTT2 trial.

AM-101 Clinical Development

Phase 1/2

We conducted the first clinical evaluation of AM-101 in a Phase 1/2 double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that included dose escalation from 0.03 to 0.81 mg/mL. The trial enrolled 24 patients suffering for up to three months from severe or disabling permanent inner ear tinnitus caused by AAT or sudden deafness and after unsuccessful steroid treatment. The primary objective of the trial was to evaluate the safety of intratympanically delivered AM-101. This first clinical trial showed that single doses of intratympanically administered AM-101 were well tolerated up to the highest tested dose of 0.81 mg/mL. Only small traces of Esketamine and its primary metabolite were detected in blood samples within the first hours following treatment administration.

Phase 2

Following successful completion of our Phase 1/2 trial, we conducted two multi-center Phase 2 trials, one in Europe (Treatment of Acute Inner Ear Tinnitus 0 or TACTT0) and the other in Europe and the United States (which we refer to as TACTT1).

TACTT0

TACTT0 was conducted at 28 European sites between March 2009 and May 2011. This trial was a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, multiple dose, parallel group, Phase 2 clinical trial. It enrolled patients with persistent inner ear tinnitus as a result of AAT, OM, or idiopathic inner ear hearing loss, or ISSNHL, occurring not more than three months prior, and with a minimum masking level of at least 5 dB. Trial participants received three i.t. administrations of AM-101 at dose levels of either 0.27 mg/mL or 0.81 mg/mL or placebo over three consecutive days. A total of 248 patients were randomized (approximately eighty per treatment group). The improvement in the minimum masking level was the primary efficacy endpoint. The improvement in subjective tinnitus loudness and in tinnitus annoyance were co-primary efficacy endpoints.

In this trial, AM-101 further demonstrated a favorable safety profile. AM-101 was well tolerated and had no negative impact on hearing. Adverse events were mostly local and related primarily to anticipated temporary changes in tinnitus loudness and muffled hearing following the i.t. injection procedure. These effects usually resolved with closure of the ear drum. In 93% of cases, the ear drum was fully closed five days after the last injection.

The trial demonstrated a dose-dependent and persistent improvement in PROs. Patients suffering from acute inner ear tinnitus with established cochlear origin (such as AAT and OM) who received AM-101 at a dose level of 0.81 mg/mL showed a statistically significant improvement 90 days post-treatment in the two co-primary endpoints of tinnitus loudness and tinnitus annoyance as well as in tinnitus-related sleep difficulties and overall tinnitus impact compared with placebo. The improvement was dose dependent and statistically significant across all PROs in the analysis of covariance, or ANCOVA, statistical test. The ANCOVA model is commonly used in statistics for testing for differences between multiple treatment groups, and takes into account the baseline value of the respective test variable (covariate).

 

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Improvement in tinnitus PROs

 

						AM-101
		PLACEBO				LOW DOSE				HIGH DOSE
Point improvement in tinnitus loudness (0-100 point scale)
LS means (n)			1.4 (23	)			16.0 (25	)			24.1 (29	)
LS mean difference (95% confidence interval)							14.6 (1.4, 27.7	)			22.7 (10.3, 35.1	)
P-value							0.0308	*			0.0005	***
Point improvement in tinnitus annoyance (0-100 point scale)
LS means (n)			10.8 (23	)			21.7 (25	)			27.8 (29	)
LS mean difference (95% confidence interval)							10.9 (1.4, 23.2	)			17.0 (5.4, 28.6	)
P-value							0.0805				0.0047	**
Point improvement in difficulties falling asleep (0-100 point scale)
LS means (n)			11.8 (21	)			29.8 (15	)			38.7 (22	)
LS mean difference (95% confidence interval)							18.1 (2.5, 33.6	)			26.9 (13.0, 40.9	)
P-value							0.0234	*			0.0003	***
Point improvement in tinnitus impact (0-24 point scale)
LS means (n)			2.5 (22	)			5.5 (25	)			5.9 (27	)
LS mean difference (95% confidence interval)							3.0 (0.1, 5.8	)			3.4 (0.8, 6.0	)
P-value							0.0400	*			0.0124	*

 

 

ANCOVA results for changes in PROs from baseline to Day 90 in patients with unilateral tinnitus following AAT or OM. Shown are least square (LS) means for treatment groups, differences for the active groups compared with placebo including 95% confidence interval and the p-value: * significant at 0.05 level; ** significant at 0.01 level; *** significant at 0.001 level. Tinnitus loudness, annoyance and difficulties falling asleep were rated by patients on a scale from 0 to 100 and tinnitus impact by the THI-12 questionnaire (maximum score 24 points).

The improvement in PROs was gradual over the 90 day observation period. At Day 90 the mean improvement in tinnitus loudness was 48% in the AM-101 0.81 mg/mL group compared to 9% in the placebo group.

Improvement in tinnitus loudness over time

 

Mean improvement of tinnitus loudness from baseline in patients with unilateral tinnitus following AAT or OM (n=84). Shown are changes from baseline D0 (before first injection) to D1 (before second injection), D2 (before third injection) and the follow-up visits at D7, D30 and D90. Whiskers: standard error mean.

 

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64% of patients in the High Dose group rated their tinnitus severity at Day 90 compared to baseline as “much improved” or “very much improved”, compared with 34% of patients in the placebo group. The majority of placebo treated patients reported only “somewhat improved” tinnitus severity.

Global patient impression of change in tinnitus severity

 

Percentage of patients with unilateral tinnitus following AAT or OM (n=76) reporting at Day 90 “much improved” or “very much improved” tinnitus severity compared with baseline.

The minimum masking level displayed unexpectedly high variability and consequently failed to demonstrate efficacy. Results in ISSNHL-related tinnitus cases were also not conclusive. This subgroup showed an unexpectedly high rate of spontaneous remission. In addition, given the idiopathic nature of their tinnitus, some patients may have been inadvertently enrolled whose tinnitus did not originate inside the cochlea. We therefore decided to continue clinical development exclusively in tinnitus with established cochlear origin (such as AAT and OM) by excluding patients where the origin of their tinnitus is unknown.

TACTT1

TACTT1, our second double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial, was conducted between 2011 and 2013 in the United States, Belgium, Germany and Poland to complement the TACTT0 trial. The trial was designed to evaluate whether repeated doses were better than a single dose in attenuating tinnitus, and whether longer intervals between doses had an impact on treatment effect size.

Enrollment consisted of 85 patients suffering from acute inner ear tinnitus following AAT or OM. Tinnitus after barotrauma and middle ear surgery were added as traumatic cases in addition to AAT.

Patients received single (Cohort 1) or multiple (Cohort 2: three injections over two weeks) doses of AM-101 at a dose level of 0.81 mg/mL or placebo. Unlike TACTT0, this trial allowed bilateral treatment where tinnitus was present in both ears. The outcome measures in TACTT1 reflected insights gained from TACTT0. Specifically, subjective tinnitus loudness was selected as the primary efficacy measure, while the highly variable minimum masking level was monitored as a secondary readout.

TACTT1 demonstrated the safety and tolerability outcomes observed in the preceding trials. Again, there were no systemic side effects. It further demonstrated the gradual improvement in PROs in AM-101 treated groups that had already been observed in TACTT0.

 

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When comparing the improvement in tinnitus loudness in patients with unilateral tinnitus following traumatic injury to the cochlea or OM, treatment effects in TACTT1 were smaller than in TACTT0. The effect size was 0.81 where AM-101 had been administered three times over three consecutive days in TACTT0, 0.47 for three injections in weekly intervals and 0.39 with single dose administration. The effect size is a commonly used standardized measure of the magnitude of observed effect to compare outcomes across different trials. Effect sizes between 0.5 and 0.8 are considered moderate, and above 0.8 as large. The observed differences in effect sizes suggest that repeated and concentrated application of AM-101 and hence concentrated inhibition of cochlear NMDA receptors provides superior treatment benefits. Over the two Phase 2 clinical trials, AM-101 0.81 mg/mL showed a statistically significant improvement in the AAT and OM group of patients when compared against placebo (p=0.002).

Effect size of tinnitus loudness improvement in TACTT0 and TACTT1

Effect size of tinnitus loudness improvement from baseline to 90 days after last treatment administration for three different dose regimens – three doses over three consecutive days, three doses over two weeks, single dose – and pooled together in patients with unilateral tinnitus following AAT or OM (n=118) in the TACTT0 and TACTT1 trials. Effect size is calculated as mean difference in tinnitus loudness improvement between patients treated with AM-101 0.81 mg/mL and patients treated with placebo, standardized by the standard deviation. Whiskers: 95% confidence interval.

As in the TACTT0 trial, psychoacoustic measures such as minimum masking level were marked by high variability, confirming their limited suitability and reliability as efficacy outcome measure.

AM-101 Phase 3 Clinical Program

With a clear regulatory plan in place based on our SPA with the FDA and scientific advice from the EMA, we have initiated two pivotal trials with AM-101 with highly similar design, one in North America (TACTT2) and one in Europe (TACTT3). TACTT2 will enroll 330 patients, while TACTT3 (Europe) will enroll 300 patients, both during the acute stage. In addition, TACTT3 will enroll another 300 patients during the post-acute stage (4 to 12 months from onset) since data from our Phase 2 clinical program suggest that AM-101 may be effective beyond the three month acute stage. Trial participants will receive three injections of AM-101 0.87 mg/mL or placebo over three to five days and will be followed for 84 days.

The same, well-defined patient population we used in Phase 2 (acute inner ear tinnitus following traumatic injury to the cochlea or OM) will be selected in our Phase 3 clinical trials. Furthermore, based on the data we have gathered on the various subjective clinical readouts, we believe we have identified the most reliable and relevant measures for efficacy. Efficacy endpoints include PRO measures of loudness and annoyance, the TFI as well as global patient

 

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scores of tinnitus status and change. Based on our discussions with the FDA and EMA, we agreed that psychoacoustic measures were not relevant or reliable enough for the purpose of measuring clinical efficacy of AM-101.

Based on our estimates regarding patient enrollment, we expect to have top-line data from this Phase 3 clinical program in late 2015.

Two further trials, AMPACT1 and AMPACT2 (AM-101 in the Post-Acute Treatment of Peripheral Tinnitus) will be nine-month open label extension trials conducted at the same sites as for TACTT2 and TACTT3. These extension trials will be open to participants who complete the TACTT2 or the TACTT3 trial and will evaluate the safety and local tolerance of up to three treatment cycles, each with three repeated doses of AM-101 0.87 mg/mL.

The extension trials were designed in response to the FDA’s request for safety data from chronic intermittent use by tinnitus patients in support of a new drug application, or NDA, filing. Although we do not have any plans to seek a label for such use, the FDA considered such unintended use likely to occur. Therefore, we have designed these trials to provide further evidence of safety over a longer duration and also to study the effect of repeated administration over up to four treatment cycles in total.

AM-111 in Hearing Loss

AM-111 is being developed for the treatment of ASNHL. In sensorineural hearing loss, there is damage to the sensory cells of the inner ear or the auditory nerve. Sensorineural hearing loss is also called “inner ear hearing loss”. Hearing loss is a heterogeneous disorder of many forms with a variety of causes. ASNHL may be triggered by a variety of insults, such as exposure to excessively loud sound, infection, inflammation or certain ototoxic drugs. These insults may also result in tinnitus. According to an article by Rauch and Geller published in the Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research in 2012, over 60,000 people in the United States are affected by sudden deafness annually. There are no currently approved treatments for this patient population.

AM-111 will soon enter two late stage clinical trials including a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial in acute inner ear hearing loss. AM-111 contains a synthetic D-form peptide (D-JNKI-1) that protects sensorineural structures in the inner ear from stress-induced damage. AM-111 has been granted orphan drug status by both EMA and FDA for the treatment of ASNHL.

Hearing Loss

Hearing loss, like tinnitus, is a heterogeneous disorder of many forms with diverse etiology. There are two general categories: conductive hearing loss in which sound waves are not conducted efficiently to the inner ear due to build-up of earwax, fluid, or a punctured eardrum; and sensorineural hearing loss, in which there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. Acute hearing loss can occur in either category. Hearing loss is amenable to pharmaceutical intervention (and thus relevant to our drug development) only when it is sensorineural in origin. ASNHL is often accompanied by tinnitus.

There are two main types of acute hearing loss: hearing loss induced by trauma, such as from a loud rock concert or an explosion; and hearing loss that arises from unknown origins, that is, idiopathically, based on causes suspected to include changes in blood flow to the inner ear, bacterial and viral infections, autoimmune disease and others. The former is known as AAT for acute acoustic trauma. The latter is known as ISSNHL for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Together they can be defined as acute sensorineural hearing loss or ASNHL. In both cases, the onset is sudden. And in both cases, part of the initial hearing loss tends to recover naturally in the days and weeks following the loss; however, some of the loss may remain and, over time, become chronic in nature and less amenable to therapeutic intervention.

ASNHL differs from age-related hearing loss or hearing loss driven by chronic exposure to noise. Those types of hearing loss arise more slowly or on the basis of repeated insults, in slow motion. By contrast, in the case of ASNHL, the effects are felt immediately. This difference in the speed of progression is significant since sudden hearing losses are noticed much more readily.

ASNHL involves a variety of pathologic processes such as massive release of free reactive oxygen species, excessive and pathological stimulation of receptors on neurons by neurotransmitters like glutamate, and inflammation. These

 

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reactions, in turn, can damage sensorineural structures of the inner ear such as the sensitive inner and outer hair cells and nerve cells that line the interior of the cochlea. If the stress incident is severe enough, it may lead to permanent cochlear injury with irreversible loss of hair cells and nerve cells. Cell death occurs primarily through so-called programmed cell death, which is driven by damaged cells (apoptosis), and to a lesser extent also through necrosis, which is a passive consequence of gross injury to the cell.

The enzyme JNK is a signal transmitting enzyme that is stress-activated and regulates a number of important cellular activities. Stresses to the cochlea such as those described above, if severe enough, can activate the JNK signal transduction pathway, leading to the activation of transcription factors such as c-jun and c-fos that are found in the cell nucleus. This activation, in turn, activates genes encoding inflammatory molecules or promoting cell death.

Current Therapies and Unmet Need

Hearing loss may have a serious impact on people’s personal and professional lives. Severe to profound hearing loss can result in high societal costs, mostly due to reduced work productivity, as reported in 2000 in the International Journal of Technology Assessment in Healthcare. Yet no treatment currently exists that has unequivocal evidence of efficacy for AAT or ISSNHL. There is no FDA- or EMA- approved drug on the market for hearing loss. The only remaining therapeutic option is a hearing aid or, in cases of deafness or near-deafness, a cochlear implant.

A patient with the acute form of hearing loss may recover on his or her own, especially if the loss is of low or moderate intensity and severity. This is due to intrinsic repair mechanisms inside the cochlea. However, in other cases the patient may recover only partially or not at all. In those cases, in the absence of effective treatment, acute hearing loss will become chronic and irreversible. There is currently no possibility to regrow or replace sensory structures inside the inner ear that are not recovered in the weeks immediately following the loss.

For ASNHL, non-specific treatments are frequently prescribed, mostly on an off-label empirical basis. These may include glucocorticoids and steroids such as prednisolone or dexamethasone; vasodilators such as pentoxyfilline; rheologics; ionotropics and local anesthetics; antioxidants and thrombolytics.

In the United States, most frequently oral prednisolone is administered for the treatment of ASNHL. Corticosteroids are intended to reduce inflammation and swelling in the ear that may be related to hearing loss. The U.S. treatment guideline issued in 2012 by the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery for ISSNHL recommends oral steroids and hyperbaric oxygen as treatment options, but refrains from prescribing them in light of the low evidence level for their efficacy. Indeed, Nosrati-Zarenoe and colleagues presented in 2012 in the journal Otology and Neurotology the results of a Swedish placebo controlled trial with oral prednisolone in the treatment of ISSNHL that showed no therapeutic effect on hearing loss from active treatment.

Our Solution – AM-111

We are developing AM-111 as a treatment for acute inner ear hearing loss. AM-111 contains a synthetic D-form peptide (D-JNKI-1) that acts as a c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) ligand, thereby protecting sensorineural structures in the inner ear from stress-induced damage. We are developing D-JNKI-1 under a worldwide exclusive license for the treatment of ear disorders from Xigen S.A. (Switzerland). Like AM-101, AM-111 is delivered in a biocompatible gel formulation via i.t. injection. We have established the safety and preliminary efficacy of AM-111 in a Phase 2 clinical trial. We expect to initiate the next two late stage clinical trials in acute inner ear hearing loss, including a pivotal Phase 3 trial in the fourth quarter of 2014. The acute stage of hearing loss represents a window in time in which the inner ear can be protected from permanent hearing loss. AM-111 was granted orphan drug status by both EMA and FDA in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Therapeutic rationale for AM-111 in hearing loss

The proprietary active pharmaceutical ingredient of AM-111 is D-JNKI-1, a 31 amino acid synthetic D-form peptide that binds to JNK and inhibits activation of transcription factors such as c-jun and c-fos, thereby protecting sensorineural structures from stress-induced inflammation and apoptosis. D-JNKI-1 comprises an active transporter sequence, or D-TAT, that enables AM-111 to cross the round window membrane quickly, diffuse widely throughout the cochlea, transfect sensorineural cells effectively and reach its target inside the cell nucleus. The D-form of the

 

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peptide provides for protease resistance and hence enhanced stability. AM-111 was shown to remain pharmacologically active for several days inside the cochlea. The D-form is necessary for AM-111 to cross the RWM.

By attenuating inflammation and protecting cells from apoptosis, we believe that AM-111 reinforces natural recovery processes and helps to prevent or minimize permanent damage respectively chronic hearing loss. AM-111’s otoprotective effect has been demonstrated in various animal models of cochlear stress, including AAT, acute labyrinthitis (inflammation), drug ototoxicity (aminoglycosides), bacterial infection, cochlear ischemia and cochlear implantation trauma.

We conducted our preclinical development program for AM-111 in close collaboration with academic partners and various contract research organizations, or CROs. D-JNKI-1 was invented by Xigen S.A. in Lausanne, Switzerland. In 2003, we signed a Collaboration and License Agreement with Xigen, under which we in-licensed worldwide exclusive rights for use of D-JNKI-1 in the treatment of ear disorders. Under the agreement with Xigen, we have exchanged various preclinical and clinical data.

Hearing loss endpoints

Unlike tinnitus, where measures of therapeutic outcomes have to rely on PROs, the evaluation of hearing is based on psychoacoustic measures performed by audiologists. Audiometric procedures and equipment are highly standardized around the world; hearing thresholds are typically determined by presenting pure tones in the 250 Hz to 8 kHz range through headphones or ear inserts (air conduction) or through a vibrator placed behind the ear or on the forehead (bone conduction). An increase in volume of 10 dB is perceived as twice as loud. In other words, a person whose hearing thresholds improved by 10 dB can hear sounds at half the intensity level that was necessary before. A change of this magnitude is generally considered to be clinically relevant. In addition to pure tone audiometry usually speech audiometry is conducted, in which the audiologist measures a patient’s ability to hear and correctly understand a series of monosyllabic words.

The primary efficacy endpoint in our Phase 2 clinical trial was hearing loss recovery from baseline to Day 7 at the three worst affected frequencies. The percentage improvement of the patient’s hearing across an average of three frequencies was measured relative to baseline hearing loss. This percentage improvement and the percentage of patients with complete remission (hearing recovery to within 10 dB of the pre-ASNHL level) at Day 7 were co-primary endpoints. We also monitored change in the speech discrimination score, or SDS, which measures the correct understanding of 20 monosyllabic words presented to patients, as well as subjective tinnitus loudness as secondary outcome variables.

AM-111 Clinical Development

We have successfully completed two clinical trials of AM-111 that demonstrated its safety and efficacy. We are planning to initiate late stage clinical trials in the fourth quarter of 2014. We will conduct a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial that largely follows the design of our previously completed Phase 2 clinical trial. In parallel, we are planning to conduct one more Phase 2 clinical trial to explore the potential benefits of repeated AM-111 dosing.

We have benefited several times from engaging in a protocol assistance procedure with the EMA, most recently for the design of the Phase 3 clinical development. We are planning to request a Pre-IND meeting with the FDA later in 2014.

We designed the planned pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial based on the outcomes from our Phase 2 clinical trial and our discussions with the EMA. We decided to make some adjustments to the definition of the target patient population to ensure that the trial enrolls only those subjects who have a clear medical need and in whom a clinically meaningful therapeutic benefit can be shown.

We expect to have top-line data from the two late stage clinical studies in late 2016. If their results are favorable, we plan to submit applications for marketing approval for AM-111 with the FDA and EMA in early 2017.

Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial

A Phase 1/2 clinical trial was conducted at two centers in Germany in January 2006, with 11 patients suffering from AAT due to New Year’s firecracker accidents. Patients had at least 30 dB hearing loss by pure tone audiometry (average of 4 and 6 kHz) and were treated within 24 hours of onset.

 

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Trial participants received a single dose of AM-111 at either 0.4 mg/mL or 2 mg/mL in a biocompatible gel formulation by i.t. injection into the most affected ear. The primary endpoint of the trial was the recovery of hearing thresholds from baseline to Day 30. AM-111 was well tolerated by all trial participants, regardless of the dose. Adverse events occurred in only small numbers and were either unrelated or considered unlikely to be related to the treatment. The Phase 1/2 trial provided the first indications of therapeutic benefit of AM-111 in humans.

Phase 2 Clinical Trial

To further evaluate the efficacy and safety of AM-111 we conducted a Phase 2b clinical trial between March 2009 and 2012. Since preclinical tests had demonstrated AM-111’s otoprotective effects in many different types of cochlear stress, the patient population was expanded from AAT cases to also include patients affected by ISSNHL. In addition, based on observations from our Phase 1 clinical trial, we expanded the allowed time window from 24 to 48 hours from onset. The design for this Phase 2b trial was discussed with the EMA under a protocol assistance procedure.

The trial enrolled 210 participants who suffered from ASNHL (unilateral ISSNHL, uni- or bilateral AAT) with hearing loss of at least 30 dB at the average of the three worst affected frequencies (pure tone average; PTA) and onset not more than 48 hours previously. AM-111 was dosed at 0 mg/mL (placebo), 0.4 mg/mL (Low Dose) and 2.0 mg/mL (High Dose). All patients without a clinically relevant hearing recovery on Day 7 were given the option to take a course of oral prednisolone as a reserve therapy.

The trial consisted of a baseline assessment and four follow-up visits on Days 3, 7, 30, and 90. The primary efficacy endpoint was hearing loss recovery from baseline to Day 7 at the three worst affected frequencies. The percentage improvement of PTA relative to baseline hearing loss and the percentage of patients with complete remission (PTA recovering to within 10 dB of the pre-ASNHL level) at Day 7 were co-primary endpoints. We also monitored change in the speech discrimination score, or SDS, measuring the correct understanding of 20 monosyllabic words presented to patients, and subjective tinnitus loudness as secondary outcome variables.

AM-111 was safe and well tolerated in this trial. There were no statistically significant differences in the occurrence of clinically relevant hearing deterioration in the treated ear. Also, there were no apparent differences in the frequency of adverse events between placebo and AM-111 treated patients at any time points, no systemic side effects and no negative impact on balance or tinnitus. There were transient procedure related effects in less than 5% of cases.

The trial demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement for the primary as well as the co-primary endpoints in patients with severe to profound ASNHL (those patients with hearing loss of at least 60 dB) treated with AM-111 0.4 mg/mL compared with placebo.

 

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Improvement in hearing and speech discrimination

 

						AM-111
		PLACEBO				LOW DOSE				HIGH DOSE
Absolute hearing improvement, dB
LS means (n)			17.9 (30)				29.9 (29)				22.7 (33)
LS mean difference (95% confidence interval)							12.1 (2.2, 22.0)				4.9 (-4.8, 14.6)
P-value							0.017*				0.319
Relative hearing improvement, %
LS means (n)			30.9 (30)				50.4 (29)				37.6 (33)
LS mean difference (95% confidence interval)							19.5 (3.0, 35.9)				6.6 (-9.6, 22.8)
P-value							0.021*				0.419
Frequency complete hearing recovery, %
Mean (n)			13.3 (30)				31.0 (29)				24.2 (33)
Odds ratio (95% confidence interval)							5.5 (1.1, 29.0)				1.6 (0.4, 6.7)
P-value							0.044*				0.530
Speech discrimination score improvement, % points
LS means (n)			9.1 (29)				27.4 (29)				23.2 (33)
LS mean difference (95% confidence interval)							18.3 (3.1, 33.4)				14.1 (0.7, 28.9)
P-value							0.019*				0.061*

ANCOVA results for changes in hearing (absolute and relative to initial hearing loss) and speech discrimination score from baseline to Day 7 as well as frequency of complete hearing recovery in patients with severe to profound hearing loss. Shown are mean values for treatment groups (least square (LS) means for ANCOVA), differences for the active groups compared with placebo (odds ratio from logistic regression for frequency of complete hearing recovery) including 95% confidence interval and the p-value: * significant at 0.05 level.

A clinically relevant and statistically significant therapeutic effect of AM-111 Low Dose was apparent at Day 3; it continued to Day 30 and leveled off somewhat by Day 90, but still remained clinically relevant.

Improvement in hearing over time

Treatment effect of AM-111 as difference in hearing recovery over placebo from baseline to follow-up visits in patients with severe to profound hearing loss (n=92). A difference of 10 dB is considered clinically relevant. Whiskers: 95% confidence interval. * Significant at 5% level when compared to placebo.

At Day 90, 42% of patients had achieved complete recovery as compared to 26% in the placebo group. The High Dose group overall showed improvement between the Low Dose and the placebo groups, without reaching statistical

 

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significance. Sensitivity analysis showed that the therapeutic effect did not depend on early treatment: in patients who were treated more than 24 hours after the treatment effect, it actually was larger as the frequency of spontaneous recovery decreased.

Improvement in hearing over time – ASNHL onset 24 to 48 hours before

Treatment effect of AM-111 as difference in hearing recovery over placebo from baseline to follow-up visits in patients with severe to profound hearing loss treated 24 to 48 hours post ASNHL onset (n=66). A difference of 10 dB is considered clinically relevant. Whiskers: 95% confidence interval. * Significant at 5% level when compared to placebo.

The superior hearing recovery in the AM-111 0.4 mg/mL group vs. placebo was supported by more frequent complete tinnitus remission. The latter finding, which was not yet apparent in the previous smaller Phase 1/2 clinical trial, suggests that preservation of sensory cochlear cells may help to prevent permanent tinnitus and hearing loss at the same time.

 

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Complete tinnitus remission

Percentage of severe to profound hearing loss patients and tinnitus at baseline whose tinnitus was completely resolved by Day 90 (n=76).

In contrast to the patients with severe to profound hearing loss at baseline, there was no therapeutic benefit observed in patients with mild to moderate hearing loss (i.e. less than 60 dB) due to unexpectedly strong spontaneous recovery. Patients with mild hearing loss recovered essentially all of their initial hearing loss naturally, and those with moderate levels recovered most of it. In hindsight, the inclusion criteria for hearing loss severity had been set too low. Although there is consensus that spontaneous recovery can be substantial in ISSNHL, no reliable data had been available prior to our Phase 2b clinical trial, partly due to the dearth of placebo-controlled trials.

In the present trial, patients in the Low Dose group initially appeared to show greater improvement than those in the High Dose group. The difference, however, was not statistically significant for absolute PTA improvement and was much smaller or absent for the other efficacy outcomes.

Planned Late Stage Clinical Trials

Based on Phase 2 clinical trial outcomes and after obtaining guidance from the EMA, we decided to prepare two late stage clinical trials. The trials will focus on the severe to profound hearing loss population with ISSNHL as the onset factor and an enrollment time window that is extended from 48 to 72 hours. We are planning to conduct confirmatory testing of AM-111 0.4 mg/mL as well as to explore potential incremental therapeutic benefits from repeated administration and the use of a higher concentration. Animal studies show that the acute stage of inflammation following cochlear insults lasts up to 1 week; hence a second injection may prove beneficial. Since a “bell shaped” dose response curve was observed in animal studies, a concentration between 0.4 and 2.0 mg/mL may be even more effective than the low dose.

We are planning to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial called HEALOS1 primarily in Asia. We will recruit approximately 180 patients to evaluate the efficacy of two doses of AM-111 at 0.4 mg/mL or 0.8 mg/mL. We expect the trial to begin in the fourth quarter of 2014. We are further planning to conduct in parallel one pivotal Phase 3 trial called HEALOS2 in European countries with approximately 240 patients. A single dose of either 0.4 mg/mL or 0.8 mg/mL of AM-111 will be compared to placebo. We anticipate this trial will begin in the third quarter of 2014.

 

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Competition

We believe that we are the clinically most advanced company in the emerging field of inner ear therapeutics and that our innovative technology, knowledge, experience and scientific resources provide us with competitive advantages. However, we may face competition from different sources with respect to our product candidates AM-101 and AM-111 and our pipeline products or any product candidates that we may seek to develop or commercialize in the future. Because there are a variety of means to block the activity of NMDA receptors or the JNK pathway, our patents and other proprietary protections for AM-101 and AM-111 may not prevent development or commercialization of all viable product candidates that are different from our lead product candidates.

Any product candidates that we successfully develop and commercialize will compete with existing therapies, even if they are not licensed specifically for use in our target therapeutic indications or if they lack clear proof of efficacy. There exist no FDA or EMA approved products for the treatment of acute inner ear tinnitus or acute inner ear hearing loss; however, some drug products such as pentoxifylline, gingko biloba, corticosteroids, betahistine, trimetazidine or piracetam are frequently prescribed off-label. Some of them are even licensed as tinnitus or hearing loss treatments in certain countries of the European Union. We therefore may have to expend particular efforts in order to overcome established prescribing behavior.

Possible competitors may be biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies as well as academic institutions, government agencies and private and public research institutions, which may in the future develop products to treat acute inner ear tinnitus or acute inner ear hearing loss. Any product candidates that we successfully develop and commercialize will compete with new therapies that may become available in the future. We believe that the key competitive factors affecting the success of our product candidates, if approved, are likely to be efficacy, safety, convenience, price, tolerability and the availability of reimbursement from government and other third-party payors.

Acute inner ear tinnitus

There are a number of products in preclinical research and clinical development by third parties to treat tinnitus in the broader sense. Most of them are aiming to provide symptomatic relief (without treating the underlying cause) and targeting chronic rather than acute tinnitus. Examples include Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) or tinnitus maskers as well as more recent approaches like transcranial magnetic stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, or customized sound therapy. Based on publicly available information, we have further identified, among others, the following drug product candidates that are currently in clinical development:

 

n

Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH has a product candidate that is a low affinity NMDA receptor antagonist and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist (neramexane) designed for oral treatment of tinnitus. In November 2011 Merz Pharma announced the suspension of its tinnitus development program with neramexane due to lack of efficacy in Phase 3 clinical trials in post-acute tinnitus; the product candidate is currently still being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trial by Merz’s Japanese collaboration partner Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

 

n

Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG has a product candidate that is an AMPA receptor antagonist designed for oral administration (BGG492) and that has been tested in chronic tinnitus patients in a phase 2 clinical trial. The trial was completed in January 2012 with no outcomes being reported to date.

Since AM-101 targets a particular tinnitus generating mechanism during the acute stage, we consider these less specific products or product candidates as complementary rather than competing. Further progress in the development of AM-101 and in particular market approval may attract increased interest in developing treatments for acute inner ear tinnitus and may lead to the arrival of new competitors. For example, Otonomy Inc. acquired an early stage NMDA receptor antagonist product candidate (NST-001, gacyclidine) from Neurosystec Inc. in October 2013 and is planning to develop it as OTO-311 for i.t. injection.

Acute inner ear hearing loss

There are a number of product candidates in preclinical research and clinical development by third parties that aim to prevent or treat acute inner ear hearing loss. Based on publicly available information, we have identified, among others, the following product candidates:

 

n

AudioCure Pharma GmbH has a ß-carboline product candidate (AC-002) in preclinical development that is designed for i.t. treatment of noise induced hearing loss in a gel-based formulation.

 

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n

Autifony Therapeutics Ltd. has a Kv3 potassium channel agonist product candidate (AUT00063) that is designed for oral administration and that is currently being evaluated in a phase 1 clinical trial with healthy volunteers. The company plans to develop AUT00063 for the treatment of age-related hearing loss and tinnitus.

 

n

Sound Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has a product candidate (SPI-1005, ebselen), that mimics and prompts production of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase and is designed for oral administration, and that has been tested for the prevention and treatment of temporary inner ear hearing loss in a Phase 2 clinical trial.

 

n

Otologic Pharmaceutics, Inc. has a product candidate (NHPN1010) designed for oral administration that combines the two free radical scavengers N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and HPN-07 and that is planned to enter clinical trials for noise induced hearing loss treatment in 2014.

 

n

Southern Illinois University has an antioxidant product candidate (D-methionine) that is designed for oral administration in the prevention and treatment of noise induced hearing loss and currently being tested in a late stage study with the Department of Defense.

We believe that AM-111 is the only product candidate administered after an incidence of hearing loss that so far has demonstrated in a randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial a clinically relevant and statistically significant improvement in patients with severe to profound ASNHL and to have a therapeutic effect on tinnitus as well. To our knowledge, we are also the only company to have obtained orphan drug designation for a product candidate in the treatment of ASNHL in both the United States and the European Union. To the extent that other drug developers demonstrate clinical efficacy for their product candidates in the prevention and treatment of permanent hearing loss from ASNHL, our competitive position may be weakened, and the market exclusivity under the orphan drug designation may be circumvented.

Intellectual Property

Patents

We seek regulatory approval for our products in disease areas with high unmet medical need, great market potential and where we have a proprietary position through patents covering various aspects of our products, e.g., composition, dosage, formulation, and use, etc. Our success depends on an intellectual property portfolio that supports our future revenue streams as well as erects barriers to our competitors. We are maintaining and building our patent portfolio through: filing new patent applications; prosecuting existing applications and licensing and acquiring new patents and patent applications.

Despite these measures, any of our intellectual property and proprietary could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented, infringed or misappropriated, or such intellectual property and proprietary rights may not be sufficient to permit us to take advantage of current market trends or otherwise to provide competitive advantages. For more information, please see “Risk factors-Intellectual property.”

As of March 1, 2014 we own two (2) issued U.S. patents and three (3) pending U.S. patent applications along with foreign counterparts of such patents and applications in various jurisdictions. We co-own both of our issued U.S. patents, and one of our pending patent applications with INSERM, along with their foreign counterparts, pursuant to the terms of our co-ownership and exploitation agreement. In addition, as of March 1, 2014, we have exclusively licensed from Xigen ten (10) issued U.S. patents and four (4) pending U.S. patent applications, along with their foreign counterparts in various jurisdictions that cover the composition of matter or method of use of the JNK ligand peptides solely for the treatment of ear disorders.

With respect to our issued patents in the United States and Europe, we may also be entitled to obtain a patent term extension to extend the patent expiration date. For example, in the United States, we can apply for a patent term extension of up to 5 years for one of the patents covering a product once the product is approved by the FDA. The exact duration of the extension depends on the time we spend in clinical trials as well as getting a new drug application approval from the FDA.

The patent portfolios for our two (2) leading product candidates as of March 1, 2014 are summarized below.

 

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AM-101

We are the owner or co-owner of patents and patent applications relating to Ketamine or its use in inner ear tinnitus. In particular, we have an agreement entitled “Co-Ownership/Exploitation Agreement” with INSERM with respect to its Ketamine patent portfolio. We have rights to two (2) issued U.S. patents and two (2) pending U.S. applications and corresponding patents and applications in other jurisdictions covering formulation and use of Ketamine. Our issued patents and pending patent applications relating to AM-101 are expected to expire between 2024 and 2028, prior to any patent term extensions to which we may be entitled under applicable laws.

AM-111

We are the exclusive licensee under our agreement with Xigen of a portfolio of patents and patent applications that relate, among other things, to JNK ligand peptides or their use in hearing loss. This portfolio includes ten (10) issued U.S. patents and four (4) pending U.S. applications along with their foreign counterparts in various jurisdictions that cover the composition of matter or method of use of the JNK ligand peptides. These licensed patents and patent applications relating to AM-111 are expected to expire between 2020 and 2025, prior to any patent term extensions to which we may be entitled under applicable laws.

Proprietary Rights

In addition to patent protection, we intend to use other means to protect our proprietary rights. We may pursue marketing exclusivity periods that are available under regulatory provisions in certain countries, including the US, Europe and Japan. For example, if we are the first to obtain market approval of a small molecule product in the United States, we would expect to receive at least 5 years of market exclusivity in the US.

Furthermore, orphan drug exclusivity has been or may be sought where available. Such exclusivity has a term of 7 years in the United States and 10 years in Europe. We have obtained orphan drug designation for AM-111 for the treatment of ASNHL in the United States and Europe. Orphan drug protection has been or may be sought where available if such protection also grants 7 years of market exclusivity.

We have obtained U.S. trademark registrations for Auris Medical Cochlear Therapies (and Design) and AURILIUM.

In addition, we rely upon unpatented trade secrets, know-how, and continuing technological innovation to develop and maintain our competitive position. We seek to protect our ownership of know-how and trade secrets through an active program of legal mechanism including assignments, confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, research collaborations and licenses.

Collaboration and License Agreements

INSERM

In 2006, we entered into a co-ownership/exploitation agreement with the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, or INSERM, a publicly funded government science and technology agency in France. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we were granted the exclusive worldwide right to exploit any products derived from patents that resulted from our joint research program with INSERM that was conducted in 2003 to 2005 and led to the development of AM-101. Given our current stage of product development, to date, we have not paid INSERM any amounts.

Xigen

In 2003, we entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Xigen S.A., or Xigen, a Swiss company developing therapeutic peptides that primarily target inflammation. Pursuant to the agreement Xigen granted us an exclusive world-wide license to use specified compounds for the treatment of ear disorders. To date, we have paid CHF 1,325,000 to Xigen under the agreement.

Manufacturing

We currently rely on and expect to continue to rely on third parties for the supply of raw materials and to manufacture drug supplies for clinical trials of our product candidates, including AM-101 and AM-111, including Lifecore with respect to the hyaluronic acid component of our AM-101 and AM-111 product candidates. For the foreseeable future, we expect to continue to rely on such third parties for the manufacture of any of our product

 

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candidates on a clinical or commercial scale, if any of our product candidates receives regulatory approval. Reliance on third-party providers may expose us to more risk than if we were to manufacture product candidates ourselves. The facilities used by our contract manufacturers to manufacture our product candidates must be approved by the FDA or other regulatory authorities pursuant to inspections that will be conducted after we submit our NDA or comparable marketing application to the FDA or other regulatory authority. We do not have control over a supplier’s or manufacturer’s compliance with these laws, regulations and applicable cGMP standards and other laws and regulations, such as those related to environmental health and safety matters. If our contract manufacturers cannot successfully manufacture material that conforms to our specifications and the strict regulatory requirements of the FDA or others, they will not be able to secure and/or maintain regulatory approval for their manufacturing facilities. In addition, we have no control over the ability of our contract manufacturers to maintain adequate quality control, quality assurance and qualified personnel. If the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority does not approve these facilities for the manufacture of our product candidates or if it withdraws any such approval in the future, we may need to find alternative manufacturing facilities, which would significantly impact our ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for or market our product candidates, if approved. Any failure to achieve and maintain compliance with these laws, regulations and standards could subject us to the risk that we may have to suspend the manufacturing of our product candidates or that obtained approvals could be revoked, which would adversely affect our business and reputation. Furthermore, third-party providers may breach agreements they have with us because of factors beyond our control. They may also terminate or refuse to renew their agreements because of their own financial difficulties or business priorities, potentially at a time that is costly or otherwise inconvenient for us. If we were unable to find adequate replacement or another acceptable solution in time, our clinical trials could be delayed or our commercial activities could be harmed.

In addition, the fact that we are dependent on our suppliers and other third parties for the manufacture, storage and distribution of our product candidates means that we are subject to the risk that the products may have manufacturing defects that we have limited ability to prevent or control. The sale of products containing such defects could result in recalls or regulatory enforcement action that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Growth in the costs and expenses of components or raw materials may also adversely influence our business, financial condition and results of operations. Supply sources could be interrupted from time to time and, if interrupted, that supplies could be resumed (whether in part or in whole) within a reasonable timeframe and at an acceptable cost or at all.

Commercialization Strategy

Given our current stage of product development, we currently do not have a commercialization infrastructure. If any of our product candidates is granted marketing approval, we intend to focus our initial commercial efforts in the United States and select European markets, which we believe represent the largest market opportunities for us. In those markets, we expect our commercial operations to include our own specialty sales force that we will specifically develop to target ENTs and specialists in neurotology, both in hospitals and in private practice. In other markets, we expect to seek partnerships that would maximize our products’ commercial potential.

Government Regulation

Product Approval Process

The clinical testing, manufacturing, labeling, storage, distribution, record keeping, advertising, promotion, import, export and marketing, among other things, of our product candidates are subject to extensive regulation by governmental authorities in the United States and other countries. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or FDCA, regulates pharmaceutical products in the United States. The steps required before a drug may be approved for marketing in the United States generally include:

 

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the completion of preclinical laboratory tests and animal tests conducted under GLP regulations;

 

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the submission to the FDA of an Investigational New Drug, or IND, application for human clinical testing, which must become effective before human clinical trials commence;

 

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the performance of adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the product candidate for each proposed indication and conducted in accordance with cGCP;

 

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the submission to the FDA of a New Drug Application, or NDA;

 

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the FDA’s acceptance of the NDA;

 

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satisfactory completion of an FDA inspection of the manufacturing facilities at which the product is made to assess compliance with cGMPs; and

 

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the FDA’s review and approval of an NDA prior to any commercial marketing or sale of the drug in the United States.

The testing and approval process requires substantial time, effort and financial resources, and the receipt and timing of any approval is uncertain.

Preclinical studies include laboratory evaluations of the product candidate, as well as animal studies to assess the potential safety and efficacy of the product candidate. The results of the preclinical studies, together with manufacturing information and analytical data, are submitted to the FDA as part of the IND, which must become effective before clinical trials may be commenced. The IND will become effective automatically 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless the FDA raises concerns or questions about the conduct of the trials as outlined in the IND prior to that time. In this case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns before clinical trials can proceed.

Clinical trials involve the administration of the product candidates to healthy volunteers or patients with the disease to be treated under the supervision of a qualified principal investigator. Clinical trials are conducted under protocols detailing, among other things, the objectives of the study, the parameters to be used in monitoring safety, and the efficacy criteria to be evaluated. A protocol for each clinical trial and any subsequent protocol amendments must be submitted to the FDA as part of the IND. Further, each clinical trial must be reviewed and approved by an independent institutional review board, or IRB, either centrally or individually at each institution at which the clinical trial will be conducted. The IRB will consider, among other things, ethical factors, the safety of human subjects and the possible liability of the institution. There are also requirements governing the reporting of ongoing clinical trials and clinical trial results to public registries. The FDA, the IRB or the clinical trial sponsor may suspend or terminate clinical trials at any time on various grounds, including a finding that the subjects or patients are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk. Additionally, some clinical trials are overseen by an independent group of qualified experts organized by the clinical trial sponsor, known as a data safety monitoring board or committee. This group provides authorization for whether or not a trial may move forward at designated check points based on access to certain data from the study. We may also suspend or terminate a clinical trial based on evolving business objectives and/or competitive climate.

Clinical trials typically are typically conducted in three sequential phases prior to approval, but the phases may overlap. These phases generally include the following:

 

Phase 1.		Phase 1 clinical trials represent the initial introduction of a product candidate into human subjects, frequently healthy volunteers. In Phase 1, the product candidate is usually tested for safety, including adverse effects, dosage tolerance, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and pharmacodynamics.
Phase 2.		Phase 2 clinical trials usually involve studies in a limited patient population to (1) evaluate the efficacy of the product candidate for specific indications, (2) determine dosage tolerance and optimal dosage and (3) identify possible adverse effects and safety risks.
Phase 3.		If a product candidate is found to be potentially effective and to have an acceptable safety profile in Phase 2 studies, the clinical trial program will be expanded to Phase 3 clinical trials to further demonstrate clinical efficacy, optimal dosage and safety within an expanded patient population at geographically dispersed clinical study sites.

Phase 4 clinical trials are conducted after approval to gain additional experience from the treatment of patients in the intended therapeutic indication and to document a clinical benefit in the case of drugs approved under accelerated approval regulations, or when otherwise requested by the FDA in the form of post-market requirements or commitments. Failure to promptly conduct any required Phase 4 clinical trials could result in withdrawal of approval.

 

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The results of preclinical studies and clinical trials, including negative or ambiguous results as well as positive findings, together with detailed information on the manufacture, composition and quality of the product, are submitted to the FDA in the form of an NDA requesting approval to market the product. The NDA must be accompanied by a significant user fee payment. The FDA has substantial discretion in the approval process and may refuse to accept any application or decide that the data is insufficient for approval and require additional preclinical, clinical or other studies.

In addition, under the Pediatric Research Equity Act, or PREA, an NDA or supplement to an NDA must contain data to assess the safety and effectiveness of the drug for the claimed indications in all relevant pediatric subpopulations and to support dosing and administration for each pediatric subpopulation for which the product is safe and effective. The FDA may grant deferrals for submission of data or full or partial waivers. Unless otherwise required by regulation, PREA does not apply to any drug for an indication for which orphan designation has been granted. However, if only one indication for a product has orphan designation, a pediatric assessment may still be required for any applications to market that same product for the non-orphan indication(s).

Once the NDA submission has been submitted, the FDA has 60 days after submission of the NDA to conduct an initial review to determine whether it is sufficient to accept for filing. Under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or PDUFA, the FDA sets a goal date by which it plans to complete its review. This is typically 12 months from the date of submission of the NDA application. The review process is often extended by FDA requests for additional information or clarification. Before approving an NDA, the FDA will inspect the facilities at which the product is manufactured and will not approve the product unless the manufacturing facility complies with cGMPs and may also inspect clinical trial sites for integrity of data supporting safety and efficacy. The FDA may also convene an advisory committee of external experts to provide input on certain review issues relating to risk, benefit and interpretation of clinical trial data. The FDA is not bound by the recommendations of an advisory committee, but generally follows such recommendations in making its decisions. The FDA may delay approval of an NDA if applicable regulatory criteria are not satisfied and/or the FDA requires additional testing or information. The FDA may require post-marketing testing and surveillance to monitor safety or efficacy of a product.

After the FDA evaluates the NDA and conducts inspections of manufacturing facilities where the drug product and/or its API will be produced, it may issue an approval letter or a Complete Response Letter. An approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the drug with specific prescribing information for specific indications. A Complete Response Letter indicates that the review cycle of the application is complete and the application is not ready for approval. A Complete Response Letter may require additional clinical data and/or an additional pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial(s), and/or other significant, expensive and time-consuming requirements related to clinical trials, preclinical studies or manufacturing. Even if such additional information is submitted, the FDA may ultimately decide that the NDA does not satisfy the criteria for approval. The FDA could also approve the NDA with a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, plan to mitigate risks, which could include medication guides, physician communication plans, or elements to assure safe use, such as restricted distribution methods, patient registries and other risk minimization tools. The FDA also may condition approval on, among other things, changes to proposed labeling, development of adequate controls and specifications, or a commitment to conduct one or more post-market studies or clinical trials. Such post-market testing may include Phase 4 clinical trials and surveillance to further assess and monitor the product’s safety and effectiveness after commercialization.

Special Protocol Assessment

The FDA and an IND sponsor may agree in writing on the design and size of clinical studies intended to form the primary basis of a claim of effectiveness in an NDA. This process is known as a special protocol assessment, or SPA. Upon a specific request for a SPA by an IND sponsor, the FDA will evaluate the protocol. If a SPA agreement is reached, however, it is not a guarantee of product approval by the FDA or approval of any permissible claims about the product. The FDA retains significant latitude and discretion in interpreting the terms of the SPA agreement and the data and results from any study that is the subject of the SPA agreement. In particular, the SPA agreement is not binding on the FDA if previously unrecognized public health concerns later come to light, other new scientific concerns regarding product safety or efficacy arise, the IND sponsor fails to comply with the protocol agreed upon, or the relevant data, assumptions, or information provided by the IND sponsor when requesting a SPA agreement change, are found to be false statements or misstatements, or are found to omit relevant facts. A SPA agreement

 

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may not be changed by the sponsor or the FDA after the trial begins except with the written agreement of the sponsor and the FDA, or if the FDA determines that a substantial scientific issue essential to determining the safety or effectiveness of the drug was identified after the testing began.

Orphan Drug Designation

Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may grant orphan designation to a drug or biological product intended to treat a rare disease or condition, which is a disease or condition that affects fewer than 200,000 individuals in the US, or if it affects more than 200,000 individuals in the US there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and making a drug product available in the US for this type of disease or condition will be recovered from sales of the product. Orphan product designation must be requested before submitting an NDA. After the FDA grants orphan product designation, the identity of the therapeutic agent and its potential orphan use are disclosed publicly by the FDA. Orphan product designation does not convey any advantage in or shorten the duration of the regulatory review and approval process.

If a product that has orphan designation subsequently receives the first FDA approval for the disease or condition for which it has such designation, the product is entitled to orphan product exclusivity, which means that the FDA may not approve any other applications to market the same drug or biological product for the same indication for seven years, except in limited circumstances, such as a showing of clinical superiority to the product with orphan exclusivity. The designation of such drug also entitles a party to financial incentives such as opportunities for grant funding towards clinical trial costs, tax advantages and user-fee waivers. Competitors, however, may receive approval of different products for the indication for which the orphan product has exclusivity or obtain approval for the same product but for a different indication for which the orphan product has exclusivity. Orphan product exclusivity also could block the approval of one of our products for seven years if a competitor obtains approval of the same drug or biological product as defined by the FDA or if our drug candidate is determined to be contained within the competitor’s product for the same indication or disease. If a drug product designated as an orphan product receives marketing approval for an indication broader than what is designated, it may not be entitled to orphan product exclusivity. Orphan drug status in the European Union has similar but not identical benefits in that jurisdiction.

DEA Regulation

The Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, regulates drugs that are controlled substances. Controlled substances are those drugs that appear on one of the five schedules promulgated and administered by the DEA under the Controlled Substances Act, or CSA, such as Ketamine, which is a Schedule III controlled substance. The CSA governs, among other things, the inventory, distribution, recordkeeping, handling, security and disposal of controlled substances. Any drug that acts on the central nervous system has the potential to become a controlled substance, and scheduling by the DEA is a separate process that may delay the commercial launch of a drug even after FDA approval of the NDA. Companies with a scheduled drug are subject to periodic and ongoing inspections by the DEA and similar state drug enforcement authorities to assess ongoing compliance with the DEA’s regulations. Any failure to comply with these regulations could lead to a variety of sanctions, including the revocation or a denial of renewal of any DEA registration, injunctions, or civil or criminal penalties.

Post-Approval Requirements

Drugs manufactured or distributed pursuant to FDA approvals are subject to pervasive and continuing regulation by the FDA, including, among other things, requirements relating to recordkeeping, periodic reporting, product distribution, advertising and promotion and reporting of adverse experiences with the product. After approval, most changes to the approved product, such as adding new indications or other labeling claims are subject to prior FDA review and approval. There also are continuing, annual user fee requirements for any marketed products and the establishments at which such products are manufactured, as well as new application fees for supplemental applications with clinical data.

In addition, drug manufacturers and other entities involved in the manufacture and distribution of approved drugs are required to register their establishments with the FDA and state agencies, and are subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA and these state agencies for compliance with cGMP requirements. Changes to the manufacturing process are strictly regulated and often require prior FDA approval before being implemented. FDA regulations also require investigation and correction of any deviations from cGMP and impose reporting and

 

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documentation requirements upon the sponsor and any third-party manufacturers that the sponsor may decide to use. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money, and effort in the area of production and quality control to maintain cGMP compliance.

Once an approval is granted, the FDA may withdraw the approval if compliance with regulatory requirements and standards is not maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the market. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or with manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in revisions to the approved labeling to add new safety information; imposition of post-market studies or clinical trials to assess new safety risks; or imposition of distribution or other restrictions under a REMS program. Other potential consequences include, among other things:

 

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restrictions on the marketing or manufacturing of the product, complete withdrawal of the product from the market or product recalls;

 

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fines, warning letters or holds on post-approval clinical trials;

 

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refusal of the FDA to approve pending NDAs or supplements to approved NDAs, or suspension or revocation of product license approvals;

 

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product seizure or detention, or refusal to permit the import or export of products; or

 

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injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.

The FDA strictly regulates marketing, labeling, advertising and promotion of products that are placed on the market. Drugs may be promoted only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved label. The FDA and other agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses, and a company that is found to have improperly promoted off-label uses may be subject to significant liability.

Foreign Regulation

In order to market any product outside of the United States, we would need to comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements of other countries and jurisdictions regarding quality, safety and efficacy and governing, among other things, clinical trials, marketing authorization, commercial sales and distribution of our products. Whether or not we obtain FDA approval for a product, we would need to obtain the necessary approvals by the comparable foreign regulatory authorities before we can commence clinical trials or marketing of the product in foreign countries and jurisdictions. Although many of the issues discussed above with respect to the United States apply similarly in the context of the European Union, the approval process varies between countries and jurisdictions and can involve additional product testing and additional administrative review periods. The time required to obtain approval in other countries and jurisdictions might differ from and be longer than that required to obtain FDA approval. Regulatory approval in one country or jurisdiction does not ensure regulatory approval in another, but a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one country or jurisdiction may negatively impact the regulatory process in others.

Other Healthcare Laws

In addition to FDA restrictions on marketing of pharmaceutical products, federal and state healthcare laws restrict certain business practices in the biopharmaceutical industry. These laws include, but are not limited to, anti-kickback, false claims, data privacy and security, and transparency statutes and regulations.

The federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits, among other things, knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration, directly or indirectly, to induce, or in return for, purchasing, leasing, ordering or arranging for the purchase, lease or order of any good, facility, item or service reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid or other federal healthcare programs. The term “remuneration” has been broadly interpreted to include anything of value, including for example, gifts, discounts, the furnishing of supplies or equipment, credit arrangements, payments of cash, waivers of payment, ownership interests and providing anything at less than its fair market value. The Anti-Kickback Statute has been interpreted to apply to arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers on one hand and prescribers, purchasers and formulary managers on the other. Although there are a number of statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors protecting certain common activities from prosecution, the exceptions and safe harbors are drawn narrowly, and our practices may not in all cases meet all of the criteria for a statutory exception or safe harbor protection. Practices that involve remuneration that may be alleged to be intended to induce

 

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prescribing, purchases or recommendations may be subject to scrutiny if they do not qualify for an exception or safe harbor. Failure to meet all of the requirements of a particular applicable statutory exception or regulatory safe harbor does not make the conduct per se illegal under the Anti-Kickback Statute. Instead, the legality of the arrangement will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on a cumulative review of all of its facts and circumstances. Several courts have interpreted the statute’s intent requirement to mean that if any one purpose of an arrangement involving remuneration is to induce referrals of federal healthcare covered business, the statute has been violated. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, or collectively, PPACA, amended the intent requirement under the Anti-Kickback Statute and criminal healthcare fraud statutes (discussed below) such that a person or entity no longer needs to have actual knowledge of the statute or the specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation. In addition, PPACA provides that the government may assert that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the civil False Claims Act (discussed below). Further, the civil monetary penalties statute imposes penalties against any person or entity who, among other things, is determined to have presented or caused to be presented a claim to a federal health program that the person knows or should know is for an item or service that was not provided as claimed or is false or fraudulent.

The federal false claims laws prohibit, among other things, any person or entity from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval to the federal government or knowingly making, using or causing to be made or used a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim to the federal government. As a result of a modification made by the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009, a claim includes “any request or demand” for money or property presented to the U.S. government. Recently, several pharmaceutical and other healthcare companies have been prosecuted under these laws for, among other things, allegedly providing free product to customers with the expectation that the customers would bill federal programs for the product. Other companies have been prosecuted for causing false claims to be submitted because of the companies’ marketing of the product for unapproved, and thus non-covered, uses. The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, created new federal criminal statutes that prohibit knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, including private third-party payors and knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of, or payment for, healthcare benefits, items or services.

In addition, we may be subject to data privacy and security regulation by both the federal government and the states in which we conduct our business. HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or HITECH, and its implementing regulations, imposes certain requirements relating to the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information. Among other things, HITECH makes HIPAA’s privacy and security standards directly applicable to business associates — independent contractors or agents of covered entities that receive or obtain protected health information in connection with providing a service on behalf of a covered entity. HITECH also created four new tiers of civil monetary penalties, amended HIPAA to make civil and criminal penalties directly applicable to business associates, and gave state attorneys general new authority to file civil actions for damages or injunctions in federal courts to enforce the federal HIPAA laws and seek attorney’s fees and costs associated with pursuing federal civil actions. In addition, state laws govern the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and may not have the same effect, thus complicating compliance efforts.

Additionally, the PPACA also included the federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which requires that certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologicals and medical supplies for which payment is available under Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (with certain exceptions) to report information related to certain payments or other transfers of value made or distributed to physicians and teaching hospitals, or to entities or individuals at the request of, or designated on behalf of, the physicians and teaching hospitals and to report annually certain ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members.

Also, many states have similar healthcare statutes or regulations that apply to items and services reimbursed under Medicaid and other state programs, or, in several states, apply regardless of the payor. Certain states require the posting of information relating to clinical studies, pharmaceutical companies to implement a comprehensive compliance program that includes a limit on expenditures for, or payments to, individual medical or health

 

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professionals and track and report gifts and other payments made to physicians and other healthcare providers. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the health regulatory laws described above or any other laws that apply to us, we may be subject to penalties, including potentially significant criminal, civil and/or administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, individual imprisonment, exclusion of products from reimbursement under government programs, contractual damages, reputational harm, administrative burdens, diminished profits and future earnings and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations. To the extent that any of our products will be sold in a foreign country, we may be subject to similar foreign laws and regulations, which may include, for instance, applicable post-marketing requirements, including safety surveillance, anti-fraud and abuse laws and implementation of corporate compliance programs and reporting of payments or transfers of value to healthcare professionals.

Pharmaceutical Coverage, Pricing and Reimbursement

In both domestic and foreign markets, our sales of any approved products will depend in part on the availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement from third-party payors. Third-party payors include government authorities, managed care providers, private health insurers and other organizations. Patients who are prescribed treatments for their conditions and providers performing the prescribed services generally rely on third-party payors to reimburse all or part of the associated healthcare costs. Patients are unlikely to use our products, if approved, unless coverage is provided and reimbursement is adequate to cover a significant portion of the cost of our products. Sales of our products will therefore depend substantially, both domestically and abroad, on the extent to which the costs of our products will be paid by third-party payors. These third-party payors are increasingly focused on containing healthcare costs by challenging the price and examining the cost-effectiveness of medical products and services.

In addition, significant uncertainty exists as to the coverage and reimbursement status of newly approved healthcare product candidates. The market for our product candidates for which we may receive regulatory approval will depend significantly on access to third-party payors’ drug formularies, or lists of medications for which third-party payors provide coverage and reimbursement. The industry competition to be included in such formularies often leads to downward pricing pressures on pharmaceutical companies. Also, third-party payors may refuse to include a particular branded drug in their formularies or otherwise restrict patient access to a branded drug when a less costly generic equivalent or other alternative is available. Furthermore, third-party payor reimbursement to providers for our product candidates may be subject to a bundled payment that also includes the procedure administering our products. To the extent there is no separate payment for our product candidates, there may be further uncertainty as to the adequacy of reimbursement amounts. Because each third-party payor individually approves coverage and reimbursement levels, obtaining coverage and adequate reimbursement is a time-consuming, costly and sometimes unpredictable process. We may be required to provide scientific and clinical support for the use of any product to each third-party payor separately with no assurance that approval would be obtained, and we may need to conduct expensive pharmacoeconomic studies in order to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of our products. This process could delay the market acceptance of any product and could have a negative effect on our future revenues and operating results. We cannot be certain that our product candidates will be considered cost-effective. Because coverage and reimbursement determinations are made on a payor-by-payor basis, obtaining acceptable coverage and reimbursement from one payor does not guarantee the Company will obtain similar acceptable coverage or reimbursement from another payor. If we are unable to obtain coverage of, and adequate reimbursement and payment levels for, our product candidates from third-party payors, physicians may limit how much or under what circumstances they will prescribe or administer them and patients may decline to purchase them. This in turn could affect our ability to successfully commercialize our products and impact our profitability, results of operations, financial condition and future success.

Furthermore, in many foreign countries, particularly the countries of the European Union, the pricing of prescription drugs is subject to government control. In some non-U.S. jurisdictions, the proposed pricing for a drug must be approved before it may be lawfully marketed. The requirements governing drug pricing vary widely from country to country. For example, the European Union provides options for its member states to restrict the range of medicinal products for which their national health insurance systems provide reimbursement and to control the prices of medicinal products for human use. A member state may approve a specific price for the medicinal product or it may instead adopt a system of direct or indirect controls on the profitability of the company placing the medicinal product on the market. We may face competition for our product candidates from lower-priced products in foreign

 

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countries that have placed price controls on pharmaceutical products. In addition, there may be importation of foreign products that compete with our own products, which could negatively impact our profitability.

Healthcare Reform

In the United States and foreign jurisdictions, there have been, and we expect there will continue to be, a number of legislative and regulatory changes to the healthcare system that could affect our future results of operations as we begin to directly commercialize our products.

In particular, there have been and continue to be a number of initiatives at the U.S. federal and state level that seek to reduce healthcare costs. Initiatives to reduce the federal deficit and to reform healthcare delivery are increasing cost-containment efforts. We anticipate that Congress, state legislatures and the private sector will continue to review and assess alternative benefits, controls on healthcare spending through limitations on the growth of private health insurance premiums and Medicare and Medicaid spending, the creation of large insurance purchasing groups, price controls on pharmaceuticals and other fundamental changes to the healthcare delivery system. Any proposed or actual changes could limit or eliminate our spending on development projects and affect our ultimate profitability.

In March 2010, PPACA was signed into law. PPACA has the potential to substantially change the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers. PPACA, among other things, established: an annual, nondeductible fee on any entity that manufactures or imports certain branded prescription drugs and biologic agents; revised the methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers for covered outpatient drugs under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated; increased the minimum Medicaid rebates owed by most manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program; extended the Medicaid Drug Rebate program to utilization of certain injectable outpatient drugs, as well as prescriptions of individuals enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations; required manufacturers to offer 50% point-of-sale discounts on negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D; and implemented payment system reforms including a national pilot program on payment bundling to encourage hospitals, physicians and other providers to improve the coordination, quality and efficiency of certain healthcare services through bundled payment models.

In the future, there may continue to be additional proposals relating to the reform of the United States healthcare system, some of which could further limit the prices we are able to charge for our products candidates, or the amounts of reimbursement available for our product candidates. If future legislation were to impose direct governmental price controls and access restrictions, it could have a significant adverse impact on our business. Managed care organizations, as well as Medicaid and other government agencies, continue to seek price discounts. Some states have implemented, and other states are considering, price controls or patient access constraints under the Medicaid program, and some states are considering price-control regimes that would apply to broader segments of their populations that are not Medicaid-eligible. Due to the volatility in the current economic and market dynamics, we are unable to predict the impact of any unforeseen or unknown legislative, regulatory, payor or policy actions, which may include cost containment and healthcare reform measures. Such policy actions could have a material adverse impact on our profitability.

Moreover, the recently enacted federal Drug Supply Chain Security Act imposes new obligations on manufacturers of pharmaceutical products, among others, related to product tracking and tracing. Among the requirements of this new federal legislation, manufacturers will be required to provide certain information regarding the drug product to individuals and entities to which product ownership is transferred, label drug product with a product identifier, and keep certain records regarding the drug product. Further, under this new legislation, manufacturers will have drug product investigation, quarantine, disposition, and notification responsibilities related to counterfeit, diverted, stolen, and intentionally adulterated products, as well as products that are the subject of fraudulent transactions or which are otherwise unfit for distribution such that they would be reasonably likely to result in serious health consequences or death.

Properties

We lease approximately 3,250 square feet of office space in Basel, Switzerland. This property serves as our corporate headquarters. We believe that our existing facility is adequate to meet our current needs, and that suitable additional alternative spaces will be available in the future on commercially reasonable terms.

 

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Employees

As of March 1, 2014, we had 11 employees, seven of whom hold M.D. or Ph.D. degrees. None of our employees is subject to a collective bargaining agreement or represented by a trade or labor union. We consider our relations with our employees to be good.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time we may become involved in legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. During the period covered by the approved and audited financial statements contained herein, we have not been a party to or paid any damages in connection with litigation that has had a material adverse effect on our financial position. No assurance can be given that future litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers and Board of Directors

The following table presents information about our executive officers and directors. The term of each of our directors is one year and, accordingly, will expire one year from the date of our 2014 annual shareholder meeting on                          , 2014.

 

 

 

NAME		POSITION		AGE				INITIAL YEAR OF APPOINTMENT
Executive Officers
Thomas Meyer		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer			46				2003
Bettina Stubinski		Chief Medical Officer			47				2013
Sven Zimmermann		Chief Financial Officer			43				2014
Non-Executive Directors
Wolfgang Arnold		Director			72				2007
James I. Healy		Director			49				2013
Oliver Kubli		Director			41				2010
Alain Munoz		Director			64				2007
Antoine Papiernik		Director			47				2013

 

 

Unless otherwise indicated, the current business addresses for our executive officers and directors is Auris Medical AG, Falknerstrasse 4, 4001 Basel, Switzerland.

Executive Officers

Thomas Meyer, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer: Mr. Meyer founded Auris Medical in April 2003. Prior to founding us, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Disetronic Group, a leading Swiss supplier of precision infusion and injection systems. He worked for Disetronic in various functions starting in 1988, becoming member of the board of directors in 1996, Deputy Chief Executive Officer in 1999 and Chief Executive Officer in early 2000. Prior to joining Disetronic, he advised several Swiss companies in strategy, marketing and corporate finance. He holds a Ph.D. in business administration from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.

Bettina Mirella Stubinski, Chief Medical Officer: Dr. Stubinski has been serving as Auris Medical’s Chief Medical Officer since September 2013. She previously spent nine years with Merck Serono, Geneva (Switzerland), her last position there being Head of Global Clinical Development Multiple Sclerosis. Prior to Serono she was employed with Novartis Consumer Health, and previous to that led the Clinical Research department of Berlin Chemie, a division of the Menarini Group, which she joined in 1996. Dr. Stubinski holds an M.D. with specialization in Clinical Neurophysiology from the Medical Faculty of the University of Genova, Italy, and started her career as a practicing Neurologist. Dr. Stubinski is in the process of completing an executive M.B.A. at MIT’s Sloan School of Management.

Sven Zimmermann, Chief Financial Officer: Mr. Zimmermann has served as our Chief Financial Officer since January 2014. He has over 10 years of experience in finance and equity capital markets. Before joining Auris Medical, Mr. Zimmermann was Chief Financial Officer of PregLem SA from June 2008 to March 2014 where he contributed to its acquisition by Gedeon Richter Plc in October 2010. Prior to PregLem SA, he worked as a Sell and Buy Side analyst for UBS in London and Zürich from March 2001 to June 2008. He has a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland and a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Zurich, Switzerland.

Non-Executive Directors

Wolfgang Arnold, Director: Dr. Arnold has been a member of our board of directors since 2007. He is a professor emeritus in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery, and an internationally renowned expert in the field of inner ear disorders. Dr. Arnold has authored or co-authored more than 365 peer-reviewed scientific and medical articles and more than 10 textbooks. From 1992-2007, he served as Director of the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery of the Technical University of Munich, Germany. He is still practicing today. Dr. Arnold holds an M.D. from the University of Munich.

 

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James I. Healy, Director: Dr. Healy has been a member of our board of directors since April 2013. Dr. Healy has been a General Partner of Sofinnova Ventures, a venture capital firm, since June 2000. Prior to June 2000, Dr. Healy held various positions at Sanderling Ventures, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals (as successor to Miles Laboratories) and ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Healy is currently on the board of directors of Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc., Amarin Corporation, plc., InterMune, Inc., KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and several private companies. Previously, he served as a board member of Durata Therapeutics, Inc., CoTherix, Inc. and Movetis NV and several private companies. Dr. Healy was nominated to our board of directors by Sofinnova Ventures. Dr. Healy holds an M.D. and a Ph.D. in Immunology from the Stanford School of Medicine and holds a B.A. in molecular biology and a B.A. in Scandinavian Studies from the University of California at Berkeley.

Oliver Kubli, Vice-Chairman: Mr. Kubli has been a member of our board of directors since June 2010. He is a Managing Director and member of the board of directors of Adamant Biomedical Investments AG, a life science asset management boutique, majority owned by Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), Switzerland’s third largest bank. Mr. Kubli is the Senior Portfolio Manager for several public health care funds. Prior to joining Adamant in 2008, he held various management positions at ZKB and was responsible for the global health care sector within the bank’s Asset Management Division. Mr. Kubli started his career as a financial analyst and portfolio manager with UBS and Swiss Re. Mr. Kubli was nominated to our board of directors by Adamant. He is a chartered financial analyst (CFA) and holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Applied Sciences, Zürich/Winterthur, Switzerland.

Alain Munoz, Director: Dr. Munoz has been a member of our board of directors since December 2007. He is an independent management consultant in the pharmaceutical industry and Venture Partner with Kurma Biofund, Paris. From 1990 to 2000, Dr. Munoz held various management positions with the Fournier Group, including Senior Vice President of the Pharmaceutical Division. He joined Fournier from Sanofi Research, where he first started as Director in the cardiovascular and anti-thrombotic products business and then as Vice President international development. Dr. Munoz is qualified in cardiology and anesthesiology from the University Hospital of Montpellier, France. He serves on the Board of Valneva SA, Umecrine Mood AB, Hybrigenics S.A. and Zealand Pharma A/S. He was nominated to our board of directors by Idinvest.

Antoine Papiernik, Director: Mr. Papiernik has been a member of our board of directors since April 2013. He is a Managing Partner at Sofinnova Partners, a French venture capital firm, which he joined in 1997. He serves on the boards of directors of Shockwave Medical, Inc., Pixium Vision, Stentys S.A., ReCord Medical, ProQR Therapeutics BV and Mainstay Medical Ltd. Mr. Papiernik was nominated to our board of directors by Sofinnova Partners. He has an MBA from the Wharton School of Business.

Board Composition and Election of Directors After This Offering

Our board of directors is composed of six members. Each director is elected for a one year term. Our directors do not have a retirement age requirement under our articles of association. The current members of the board of directors were appointed at a shareholders’ meeting held on to serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

We will be a foreign private issuer. As a result, in accordance with the stock exchange listing requirements, we will rely on home country governance requirements and certain exemptions thereunder rather than relying on the stock exchange corporate governance requirements. For an overview of our corporate governance principles, see “Description of Share Capital and Articles of Association.”

Committees of the Board of Directors

Our board of directors will establish an audit committee and a compensation committee prior to the consummation of this offering.

Audit Committee

The audit committee, which is expected to consist of                 ,                  and                 , will assist the board in overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of our financial statements. In addition, the audit committee will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm. Our board of directors has determined that                 

 

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satisfies the “independence” requirements set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. The board of directors has determined that                  qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in the rules of the SEC.

Compensation Committee

The compensation committee, which is expected to consist of                 ,                  and                 , will assist the board in overseeing our cash compensation and equity award recommendations for our executive offices along with the rationale for such recommendations, as well as summary information regarding the aggregate compensation provided to our executive officers.

Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the aggregate compensation accrued or paid to the members of our Board of Directors and our executive officers for services in all capacities was CHF 418,332.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, we had no performance based compensation programs.

The amount set aside or accrued by us to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits to members of our board of directors or officers with executive responsibilities amounted to a total of CHF 6,836 in the year ended December 31, 2013.

Employment Agreements

Certain of our executive officers have entered into employment agreements with the company, certain of which provide for notice of termination periods and include restrictive covenants. None of our directors have entered into service agreements with the company. However, we may in the future enter into employment or services agreements with such individuals, the terms of which may provide for, among other things, cash or equity based compensation and benefits.

Equity Incentive Plans

Following the completion of this offering, we intend to cease issuing any new grants under our existing equity incentive plans and to adopt a new omnibus equity incentive plan under which we would have the discretion to grant a broad range of equity-based awards to eligible participants.

Stock Option Plans

In 2013 we established Plan C, in 2008 we established Plan A and Plan B. We refer to Plan A, Plan B and Plan C together as the Prior Plans. Each of the Prior Plans permits the grant of options, or Options, which are subject to transfer restrictions. As of December 31, 2013, there were                  shares underlying outstanding Options granted pursuant to Plan A and                  shares underlying outstanding Options granted pursuant to Plan C. There are no outstanding Options under Plan B.

Plan Administration. Under each of the Prior Plans, an Option, which can only be granted with the approval of the board of directors, is evidenced by an option agreement signed by the participant to indicate his acceptance of the Option subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Prior Plan.

Eligibility. Under Plan A and Plan C, Options may be granted to directors, employees, advisors and agents of the Company. Under Plan B, Options may be granted to employees entitled to receive a portion of their remuneration in equity.

Option Exercise Price. The exercise price of each Option is set forth in the applicable option agreement. The exercise prices for currently granted and unexercised Options range from CHF 3.20 to CHF 5.28.

Vesting Period. Under Plan A and Plan C, the option period commences on the date of grant and lasts for five years and six years, respectively. Under Plan B, the option period commences on the date of grant and lasts for three months. Under Plan A and Plan C, Options vest after three years and four years, respectively. Options granted under Plan B are exercisable at any time during their term. Options granted under Plan A will vest and must be exercised within 60 days of the closing of this offering or will be forfeited.

Amendment. The board of directors has the authority to amend each of the Prior Plans.

 

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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

The following table presents information relating to the beneficial ownership of our common shares as of                , 2014:

 

n

each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of our outstanding common shares;

 

n

each of our executive officers and directors; and

 

n

all executive officers and directors as a group.

The number of common shares beneficially owned by each entity, person, executive officer or director is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any common shares over which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power as well as any common shares that the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of             , 2014 through the exercise of any option, warrant or other right. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all common shares held by that person.

The percentage of outstanding common shares is computed on the basis of             common shares outstanding as of             , 2014 after giving effect to the conversion of our Series A, B and C preferred shares into common shares on a one-for-one basis upon the closing of this offering. Common shares that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days of             , 2014 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such rights, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person, except with respect to the percentage ownership of all executive officers directors as a group. Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each beneficial owner is Auris Medical AG, Falknerstrasse 4, 4001 Basel, Switzerland.

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDER		SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BEFORE THIS OFFERING				SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED AFTER THIS OFFERING				PERCENT OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED ASSUMING FULL EXERCISE OF OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTIONS
		NUMBER		PERCENT		NUMBER		PERCENT
5% Shareholders
Sofinnova Ventures Partners VIII, L.P. (1)
Sofinnova Capital VII FCPR (2)
Entities affiliated with ZKB (3)
Entities affiliated with Idinvest Partners (4)
Executive Officers and Directors
Thomas Meyer, Ph.D.
Wolfgang Arnold, M.D.
Alain Munoz, M.D. (5)
James I. Healy, M.D., Ph.D. (6)
Oliver Kubli (7)
Antoine Papiernik (8)
Bettina Stubinski, M.D.
Sven Zimmermann, Ph.D.

 

 

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

 

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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Series C Financing

In April 2013, we entered into an investment agreement pursuant to which we issued and sold an aggregate of 185,455 of our Series C preferred shares at a price per share of CHF 132 for an aggregate purchase price of CHF 24,480,060 (the “Initial Closing”) to certain investors. Pursuant to a 25:1 forward stock split, the shares issued in the Initial Closing now equal 4,636,375 Series C preferred shares.

Under the terms of the Series C investment agreement, we agreed that up to two further closings resulting in further capital increase and issuance of new Series C preferred shares may be completed (the “Second Closing” and/or, the “Third Closing”, respectively). Pursuant to the terms of a convertible loan agreement, on January 13, 2014 the lenders thereunder exercised their right to convert the full amount of the loan into Series C preferred shares, replacing the Second Closing of the Series C financing. The obligation of the Series C investors to effect the Third Closing is subject to the satisfaction or waiver in writing by the holders of Series C preferred shares holding at least two thirds of the Series C preferred shares of certain conditions, including the Company reaching certain milestones, such as setting the size and scope of the next clinical trial for AM-111 with regulators.

The following table sets forth the number of our Series C preferred shares purchased by our 5% shareholders and their affiliates at the Initial Closing and upon the conversion of the convertible loan into Series C preferred shares, which replaced the Second Closing and taking into account the 25:1 forward stock split.

 

 

 

NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER		C SHARES				PURCHASE PRICE (CHF)
Sofinnova Ventures Partners VIII, L.P (1)			3,693,175				5.28
Sofinnova Capital VII FCPR (2)			3,551,150				5.28

 

 

(1)

(2)

Series C Shareholders’ Agreement

On April 5, 2013 all of our then existing shareholders entered into a shareholders agreement, or the Series C Shareholders’ Agreement. The Series C Shareholders’ Agreement will terminate upon the consummation of this offering.

Pursuant to the Series C Shareholders’ Agreement, in the event of our initial public offering, all of our outstanding preferred shares will convert into our common shares. The conversion rate offering will be one-for-one, and therefore, upon the consummation of this offering, all of our outstanding preferred shares will convert into an aggregate of                  common shares, which will result in us having                  common shares outstanding after this offering.

Convertible Loan Agreement

On December 9, 2013, the Company entered into a non-interest bearing convertible loan with Sofinnova Venture Partners VIII, L.P. and Sofinnova Capital VII FCPR, the lenders, with a nominal value of CHF 13,769,976 and a maximum term of 12 months. On January 13, 2014 the convertible loan lenders exercised their conversion option, and the total loan amount of CHF 13,769,976 was converted into 2,607,950 Series C preferred shares of the Company.

Altamira Pharma GmbH Service Agreement

In January 2011, we entered into a service agreement with Altamira Pharma GmbH, Zuchwil, or Altamira, for the provision of strategic management services and support to the Company. Altamira is owned by our Chairman and CEO, Thomas Meyer. This agreement was terminated on January 31, 2014 with a final payment of CHF 14,500. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we paid CHF 248,000, CHF 247,200 and CHF 247,200 respectively, to Altamira pursuant to the agreement.

 

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Altamira Pharma GmbH Loan Agreement

In January 2013, we entered into a loan agreement with Altamira for bridge financing in the form of unsecured revolving credit facilities of up to CHF 1,400,000 and up to EUR 300,000 at an annual interest rate of 5%. In April 2013, we repaid the loan in full in the amount of CHF 1,186,386 and EUR 258,847, including accrued interest, using the proceeds from our Series C financing.

Registration Rights Agreement

Effective upon consummation of this offering, we intend to enter into a registration rights agreement with certain of our existing shareholders pursuant to which we will grant them customary registration rights for the resale of the common shares held by certain of our existing shareholders.

Indemnification Agreements

We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our managing directors and supervisory directors. The indemnification agreements and our Articles of Association require us to indemnify our managing directors and supervisory directors to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Employment Agreements

Certain of our executive officers have entered into employment agreements with the company, certain of which provide for notice of termination periods and include restrictive covenants. None of our directors have entered into service agreements with the company.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

General

We were formed in 1998 and took our current name and business objective on May 22, 2003. We are currently registered in Switzerland.

Articles of Association

Prior to the closing of this offering, we intend to adopt amended and restated Articles of Association which will become effective upon the closing of this offering. When we refer to our Articles of Association in this prospectus, we refer to our amended and restated Articles of Association as they will be in force upon the closing of this offering. Our Articles of Association will provide for our authorized share capital and the rights of holders of our common shares, including dividend and voting rights. Our Articles of Association will also set out the procedures for convening and carrying out business at our shareholders’ meetings and for the election of members of our board of directors. Additionally, our Articles of Association will establish corporate governance guidelines, including the necessary qualifications and duties of our directors.

Composition of the Board

Our board of directors is composed of six members. Each director is elected for a one year term. Our directors do not have a retirement age requirement under our Articles of Association. The board of directors shall appoint its chairman, its vice-chairman and a secretary, who needs not be a shareholder or a member of the board of directors.

Listing

The Company will apply to list the common shares on the                  under the symbol “EARS.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The U.S. transfer agent and registrar for the common shares is                 . The U.S. transfer agent and registrar’s address is                 , Attention:              .              will be the transfer agent and registrar for the common shares in Switzerland, and its address is                 .

 

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COMMON SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Prior to this offering, there has been no market for our common shares. Future sales of substantial amounts of our common shares in the public market could adversely affect market prices prevailing from time to time. Furthermore, because only a limited number of common shares will be available for sale shortly after this offering due to existing contractual and legal restrictions on resale as described below, there may be sales of substantial amounts of our common shares in the public market after such restrictions lapse. This may adversely affect the prevailing market price and our ability to raise equity capital in the future.

Upon completion of this offering, we will have                  common shares outstanding assuming the exercise in full of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common shares and the conversion of all of our Series A, Series B and Series C preferred shares into common shares on a one-for-one basis upon the closing of this offering. Of these shares,                  common shares, or                  common shares if the underwriters exercise their option in full to purchase additional common shares, sold in this offering will be freely transferable without restriction or registration under the Securities Act, except for any common shares purchased by one of our existing “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The remaining                  common shares existing are “restricted shares” as defined in Rule 144. Restricted shares may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rules 144 or 701 of the Securities Act. As a result of the contractual 180-day lock-up period described below and the provisions of Rules 144 and 701, these shares will be available for sale in the public market as follows:

Rule 144

In general, a person who has beneficially owned our common shares that are restricted shares for at least six months would be entitled to sell such securities, provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the 90 days preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least 90 days before the sale. Persons who have beneficially owned our common shares that are restricted shares for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or any time during the 90 days preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of either of the following:

 

n

1% of the number of our common shares then outstanding, which will equal approximately                  common shares immediately after this offering, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares; or

 

n

the average weekly trading volume of our common shares on the         during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale; provided, in each case, that we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least 90 days before the sale. Such sales both by affiliates and by non-affiliates must also comply with the manner of sale, current public information and notice provisions of Rule 144 to the extent applicable.

Rule 701

In general, under Rule 701, any of our employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who purchases shares from us in connection with a compensatory share or option plan or other written agreement before the effective date of this offering is entitled to resell such shares 90 days after the effective date of this offering in reliance on Rule 144, without having to comply with the holding period requirements or other restrictions contained in Rule 701.

The SEC has indicated that Rule 701 will apply to typical share options granted by an issuer before it becomes subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, along with the shares acquired upon exercise of such options, including exercises after the date of this prospectus. Securities issued in reliance on Rule 701 are restricted securities and, subject to the contractual restrictions described below, beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, may be sold by persons other than “affiliates,” as defined in Rule 144, subject only to the manner of sale provisions of Rule 144 and by “affiliates” under Rule 144 without compliance with its one-year minimum holding period requirement.

 

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Regulation S

Regulation S provides generally that sales made in offshore transactions are not subject to the registration or prospectus-delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

Registration rights

We intend to enter into a registration rights agreement upon consummation of this offering pursuant to which we will agree under certain circumstances to file a registration statement to register the resale of the shares held by certain of our existing shareholders, as well as to cooperate in certain public offerings of such shares. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in these shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration, except for shares purchased by affiliates. See “Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement.”

Lock-up agreements

All of our directors, executive officers and the holders of all or substantially all of our capital stock have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common shares or such other securities for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions, without the prior written consent of Jefferies LLC and Leerink Partners LLC. See “Underwriting.”

 

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TAXATION

The following summary contains a description of certain Swiss and U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase common shares. The summary is based upon the tax laws of Switzerland and regulations thereunder and on the tax laws of the United States and regulations thereunder as of the date hereof, which are subject to change.

Swiss Tax Considerations

This summary of certain aspects of the Swiss tax consequences is based on Swiss law and regulations and the practice of the Swiss tax administration as in effect on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change (or subject to changes in interpretation), possibly with retroactive effect. The summary does not purport to take into account the specific circumstances of any particular shareholder or potential investor and does not relate to persons in the business of buying and selling common shares or other securities. The summary is not intended to be, and should not be interpreted as, legal or tax advice to any particular potential shareholder/s, and no representation with respect to the tax consequences to any particular shareholder/s is made.

Current and prospective shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers in light of their particular circumstances as to the Swiss tax laws, regulations and regulatory practices that could be relevant for them in connection with the offering, the acquiring, owning and selling or otherwise disposing of common shares and receiving dividends and similar cash or in-kind distributions on common shares (including dividends on liquidation proceeds and stock dividends) or distributions on common shares based upon a capital reduction (Nennwertrückzahlungen) or reserves paid out of capital contributions (Reserven aus Kapitaleinlagen) and the consequences thereof under the tax laws, regulations and regulatory practices of Switzerland.

Taxation of common shares

Swiss Federal Withholding Tax on Dividends and Distributions

Dividend payments and similar cash or in-kind distributions on the common shares (including dividends on liquidation proceeds and stock dividends) that the Company makes to shareholders are subject to Swiss federal withholding tax (Verrechnungssteuer) at a rate of 35% on the gross amount of the dividend. The Company is required to withhold the Swiss federal withholding tax from the dividend and remit it to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration. Distributions based upon a capital reduction (Nennwertrückzahlungen) and reserves paid out of capital contributions (Reserven aus Kapitaleinlagen) are not subject to Swiss federal withholding tax.

The Swiss federal withholding tax may under certain circumstances also apply to gains realized upon a repurchase of shares by the company, on the difference between the repurchase price and the nominal value of the shares (Nennwertprinzip); a different basis of taxation may apply under the capital contribution principle (Kapitaleinlageprinzip).

The Swiss federal withholding tax is under certain conditions refundable or creditable in full to a Swiss tax resident corporate and individual shareholder as well as to a non-Swiss tax resident corporate or individual shareholder who holds the common shares as part of a trade or business carried on in Switzerland through a permanent establishment or fixed place of business situated for tax purposes in Switzerland, if such person is the beneficial owner of the distribution and, in the case of a Swiss tax resident individual who holds the common shares as part of his private assets, duly reports the gross distribution received in his individual income tax return or, in the case of a person who holds the common shares as part of a trade or business carried on in Switzerland through a permanent establishment or fixed place of business situated for tax purposes in Switzerland, recognizes the gross dividend distribution for tax purposes as earnings in the income statements and reports the annual profit in the income tax return.

If a shareholder who is not a Swiss resident for tax purposes and does not hold the common shares in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in Switzerland through a permanent establishment or fixed place of business situated, for tax purposes in Switzerland, receives a distribution from the Company, the shareholder may be entitled

 

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to a full or partial refund or credit of Swiss federal withholding tax incurred on a taxable distribution if the country in which such shareholder is resident for tax purposes has entered into a treaty for the avoidance of double taxation with Switzerland and the further prerequisites of the treaty for a refund have been met. Shareholders not resident in Switzerland should be aware that the procedures for claiming treaty benefits (and the time required for obtaining a refund or credit) may differ from country to country.

Besides the bilateral treaties Switzerland has entered into an agreement with the European Community providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments. This agreement contains in its Article 15 provisions on taxation of dividends which apply with respect to EU member states and provides for an exemption of Withholding Tax for companies under certain circumstances.

On 1 January 2013, treaties on final withholding taxes entered into by Switzerland with the United Kingdom and Austria came into force (each a “Contracting State”). The treaties require a Swiss paying agent, as defined in the treaties, to levy a flat-rate final withholding tax at rates specified in the treaties on certain capital gains and income items (including dividends), all as defined in the treaties, deriving from assets, including the common shares held in account or deposits with a Swiss paying agent by (i) an individual resident in a Contracting State, or (ii) if certain requirements are met, by a domiciliary company (Sitzgesellschaft), an insurance company in connection with a so-called insurance wrapper (Lebensversicherungsmantel) or other individuals if the beneficial owner is an individual resident in a Contracting State. Under the treaty with the UK, the tax rate for individuals resident and domiciled in the UK is 35% on dividends and 27% on capital gains, and, under the treaty with Austria, 25% on dividends and capital gains. The flat-rate tax withheld substitutes the ordinary capital gains tax and income tax on the relevant capital gains and income items in the Contracting State where the individuals are tax resident, unless the individuals elect for the flat-rate tax withheld to be treated as if it were a credit allowable against the income tax or, as the case may be, capital gains tax, due for the relevant tax year in the relevant Contracting State. Alternatively, instead of paying the flat-rate tax, such individuals may opt for a disclosure or the relevant capital gains and income items to the tax authorities of the Contracting State where they are tax residents. If Swiss federal withholding tax of 35% has been withheld on dividends, the Swiss paying agent will – to the extent provided in the applicable bilateral treaty for the avoidance of double taxation between Switzerland and the Contracting State – in its own name and on behalf of the relevant shareholder file with the Swiss tax authorities a request for the partial refund of the Swiss federal withholding tax. The Swiss federal withholding tax which is not refundable according to the bilateral tax treaty (residual tax) is credited against the flat-rate final withholding tax.

Individual and Corporate Income Tax on Dividends

Swiss resident individuals holding the common shares as part of their private assets who receive dividends and similar distributions (including stock dividends and liquidation proceeds), which are not repayments of the nominal value (Nennwertrückzahlungen) of the common shares or reserves paid out of capital contributions (Reserven aus Kapitaleinlagen) are required to report such payments in their individual income tax returns and are liable to Swiss federal, cantonal and communal income taxes on any net taxable income for the relevant tax period. Furthermore, for the purpose of the Direct Federal Tax, dividends, shares in profits, liquidation proceeds and pecuniary benefits from shares (including bonus shares) are included in the tax base for only 60% of their value (Teilbesteuerung), if the investment amounts to at least 10% of nominal capital of the Company. All cantons, save for Neuenburg, have introduced similar partial taxation measures at cantonal and communal levels.

Swiss resident individuals as well as non-Swiss resident individual taxpayers holding the common shares in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in Switzerland through a permanent establishment or fixed place of business situated, for tax purposes, in Switzerland, are required to recognise dividends, distributions based upon a capital reduction (Nennwertrückzahlungen) and reserves paid out of capital contributions (Reserven aus Kapitaleinlagen) in their income statements for the relevant tax period and are liable to Swiss federal, cantonal and communal individual or corporate income taxes, as the case may be, on any net taxable earnings accumulated (including the payment of dividends) for such period. Furthermore, for the purpose of the Direct Federal Tax, dividends, shares in profits, liquidation proceeds and pecuniary benefits from shares (including bonus shares) are

 

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included in the tax base for only 50% (Teilbesteuerung), if the investment is held in connection with the conduct of a trade or business or qualifies as an opted business asset (gewillkürtes Geschäftsvermögen) according to Swiss tax law and amounts to at least 10% of nominal capital of the Company. All cantons, save for Neuenburg, have introduced similar partial taxation measures at cantonal and communal levels.

Swiss resident corporate taxpayers as well as non-Swiss resident corporate taxpayers holding the common shares in connection with the conduct of a trade or business through a permanent establishment or fixed place of business situated, for tax purposes, in Switzerland, are required to recognise dividends, distributions based upon a capital reduction (Nennwertrückzahlungen) and reserves paid out of capital contributions (Reserven aus Kapitaleinlagen) in their income statements for the relevant tax period and are liable to Swiss federal, cantonal and communal corporate income taxes on any net taxable earnings accumulated for such period. Swiss resident corporate taxpayers as well as non-Swiss resident corporate taxpayers holding the common shares in connection with the conduct of a trade or business through a permanent establishment or fixed place of business situated, for tax purposes, in Switzerland may be eligible for dividend relief (Beteiligungsabzug) in respect of dividends and distributions based upon a capital reduction (Nennwertrückzahlungen) and reserves paid out of capital contributions (Reserven aus Kapitaleinlagen) if the common shares held by them as part of a Swiss business have an aggregate market value of at least CFH 1 million of represent at least 10% of the share capital of the Company or give entitlement to at least 10% of the profits and reserves of the Company, respectively.

Recipients of dividends and similar distributions on the common shares (including stock dividends and liquidation proceeds) who are neither residents of Switzerland nor during the current taxation year have engaged in a trade or business in Switzerland and who are not subject to taxation in Switzerland for any other reason are not subject to Swiss federal, cantonal or communal individual or corporate income taxes in respect of dividend payments and similar distributions because of the mere holding of the common shares.

Wealth and Annual Capital Tax on Holding of Common Shares

Swiss resident individuals and non-Swiss resident individuals holding the common shares in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in Switzerland through a permanent establishment or fixed place of business situated, for tax purposes, in Switzerland, are required to report their common shares as part of their wealth and will be subject to cantonal and communal wealth tax to the extent the aggregate taxable net wealth is allocable to Switzerland.

Swiss resident corporate taxpayers and non-Swiss resident corporate taxpayers holding the common shares in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in Switzerland through a permanent establishment or fixed place of business situated, for tax purposes, in Switzerland, will be subject to cantonal and communal annual capital tax on the taxable capital to the extent the aggregate taxable capital is allocable to Switzerland.

Individuals and corporate taxpayers not resident in Switzerland for tax purposes and not holding the common shares in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in Switzerland through a permanent establishment or fixed place of business situated, for tax purposes, in Switzerland, are not subject to wealth or annual capital tax in Switzerland because of the mere holding of the common shares.

Capital Gains on Disposal of Common Shares

Swiss resident individuals who sell or otherwise dispose of the common shares realize a tax-free capital gain, or a non-deductible capital loss, as the case may be, provided that they hold the common shares as part of their private assets.

Capital gains realized on the sale of the common shares held by Swiss resident individuals, Swiss resident corporate taxpayers as well as non-Swiss resident individuals and corporate taxpayers holding the common shares in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in Switzerland through a permanent establishment or fixed place of business situated, for tax purposes, in Switzerland, will be subject to Swiss federal, cantonal and communal individual or corporate income tax, as the case may be. This also applies to Swiss resident individuals who, for individual income tax purposes, are deemed to be professional securities dealers for reasons of, inter alia, frequent

 

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dealing and debt-financed purchases. Capital gains realized by resident individuals who hold the common shares as business assets might be entitled to reductions or partial taxations similar to those mentioned above for dividends (Teilbesteuerung) if certain conditions are met (e.g. holding period of at least one year and participation of at least 10% of nominal capital).

Swiss resident corporate taxpayers as well as non-Swiss resident corporate taxpayers holding the common shares in connection with the conduct of a trade or business, through a permanent establishment or fixed place of business situated, for tax purposes, in Switzerland, are required to recognize such capital gain in their income statements for the relevant tax period. Corporate taxpayers may qualify for participation relief on capital gains (Beteiligungsabzug), if the common shares sold during the tax period reflect an interest of at least 10% in the Company’s capital or if the common shares sold allow for at least 10% of the Company’s profit and reserve and were held for at least one year. The tax relief applies to the difference between the sale proceeds of common shares by the Company and the initial costs of the participation (Gestehungskosten).

Individuals and corporations not resident in Switzerland for tax purposes and not holding the common shares in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in Switzerland through a permanent establishment or fixed place of business situated, for tax purposes, in Switzerland, are not subject to Swiss federal, cantonal and communal individual income or corporate income tax, as the case may be, on capital gains realized on the sale of the common shares.

Gift and Inheritance Tax

Transfers of common shares may be subject to cantonal and/or communal inheritance or gift taxes if the deceased or the donor or the recipient were resident in a Canton levying such taxes and, in international circumstances where residency requirements are satisfied, if the applicable tax treaty were to allocate the right to tax to Switzerland.

Swiss Issuance Stamp Duty

The Company will be subject to and pay to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration a 1 percent Swiss federal issuance stamp tax (Emissionsabgabe) on the consideration received by it for the issuance of the Shares less certain costs incurred in connection with the issuance.

Swiss Securities Transfer Tax

The purchase or sale of the common shares, whether by Swiss residents or non-Swiss residents, may be subject to Swiss securities transfer tax of up to 0.15 percent, calculated on the purchase price or the proceeds if the purchase or sale occurs through or with a Swiss bank or other Swiss securities dealer as defined in the Swiss Federal Stamp Duty Act as an intermediary or party to the transaction unless an exemption applies. The issuance of the common shares to the initial shareholders at the offering price is not subject to Swiss securities transfer tax.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders

In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell, the following is a description of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holders described below of owning and disposing of common shares, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person’s decision to acquire the securities. This discussion applies only to a U.S. Holder that holds common shares as capital assets for tax purposes. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of the U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including alternative minimum tax consequences, the potential application of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the Code, known as the Medicare contribution tax and tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as:

 

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certain financial institutions;

 

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dealers or traders in securities who use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting;

 

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persons holding common shares as part of a hedging transaction, straddle, wash sale, conversion transaction or integrated transaction or persons entering into a constructive sale with respect to the common shares;

 

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persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;

 

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entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

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tax-exempt entities, including an “individual retirement account” or “Roth IRA”;

 

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persons that own or are deemed to own ten percent or more of our voting stock; or

 

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persons holding shares in connection with a trade or business conducted outside of the United States.

If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds common shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding common shares and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of the common shares.

This discussion is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, and the income tax treaty between Switzerland and the United States (the “Treaty”) all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.

A “U.S. Holder” is a holder who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of common shares who is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty and is:

 

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an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

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a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; or

 

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an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of owning and disposing of common shares in their particular circumstances.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

The Company expects that it is likely to be a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for its 2013 taxable year, for its current taxable year, and for the foreseeable future. In addition, the Company may, directly or indirectly, hold equity interests in other PFICs, or collectively with subsidiaries which are PFICs, Lower-tier PFICs. In general, a non-U.S. corporation will be considered a PFIC for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of its assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of the above calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that directly or indirectly owns at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties and capital gains.

Under attribution rules, if the Company is a PFIC, U.S. Holders will be deemed to own their proportionate shares of Lower-tier PFICs and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax according to the rules described in the following paragraphs on (i) certain distributions by a Lower-tier PFIC and (ii) a disposition of shares of a Lower-tier PFIC, in each case as if the U.S. Holder held such shares directly, even though holders have not received the proceeds of those distributions or dispositions directly.

If the Company is a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds (or, as discussed in the previous paragraph, is deemed to hold) its shares, the U.S. Holder may be subject to certain adverse tax consequences. Unless a holder makes a timely “mark to market” election or “qualified electing fund” election each as discussed below, gain recognized on a disposition (including, under certain circumstances, a pledge) of common shares by the U.S. Holder, or on an indirect disposition of shares of a Lower-tier PFIC, will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of disposition and to years before the Company became a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income. The amounts allocated to each other taxable year will be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for that taxable year for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, and an interest charge will be imposed on the tax attributable to the allocated amounts. Further, to the extent that any distribution received by a U.S. Holder on its common shares (or a distribution by a Lower-tier PFIC to its shareholder that is deemed to be received by a U.S. Holder) exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions on the common shares received during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter, the distribution will be subject to taxation in the same manner as gain, described immediately above.

 

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If the Company is a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds common shares, it generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to the holder for all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder holds common shares, even if the Company ceases to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the potential availability of a “deemed sale” election that would allow them to eliminate this continuing PFIC status under certain circumstances.

If the common shares are “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange,” a U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election that would result in tax treatment different from the general tax treatment for PFICs described above. The common shares will be treated as “regularly traded” in any calendar year in which more than a de minimis quantity of the common shares are traded on a qualified exchange on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability and advisability of making a mark-to-market election in their particular circumstances. In particular, U.S. Holders should consider carefully the impact of a mark-to-market election with respect to their common shares given that the Company may have Lower-tier PFICs for which a mark-to-market election may not be available.

If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, the holder generally will recognize as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of the common shares at the end of each taxable year over their adjusted tax basis, and will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of any excess of the adjusted tax basis of the common shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes the election, the holder’s tax basis in the common shares will be adjusted to reflect the income or loss amounts recognized. Any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of common shares in a year when the Company is a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as an ordinary loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). Distributions paid on common shares will be treated as discussed below under “Taxation of Distributions.”

To avoid the foregoing rules, a U.S. Holder can make an election, if the Company provides the necessary information, to treat the Company and each Lower-tier PFIC as a qualified electing fund (a “QEF Election”) in the first taxable year that the entity is treated as a PFIC with respect to the holder. A U.S. Holder must make the QEF Election for each PFIC by attaching a separate properly completed IRS Form 8621 for each PFIC to the holder’s timely filed U.S. federal income tax return. Upon request of a U.S. Holder, the Company may provide the information necessary for a U.S. Holder to make a QEF Election with respect to the Company and will use its best efforts to cause each Lower-tier PFIC which it controls to provide such information with respect to such Lower-tier PFIC. However, no assurance can be given that such QEF information will be available for any Lower-tier PFIC.

If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election with respect to a PFIC, the holder will be currently taxable on its pro rata share of the PFIC’s ordinary earnings and net capital gain (at ordinary income and capital gain rates, respectively) for each taxable year that the entity is classified as a PFIC. If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election with respect to the Company, any distributions paid by the Company out of its earnings and profits that were previously included in the holder’s income under the QEF Election would not be taxable to the holder. A U.S. Holder will increase its tax basis in its common shares by an amount equal to any income included under the QEF Election and will decrease its tax basis by any amount distributed on the common shares that is not included in the holder’s income. In addition, a U.S. Holder will recognize capital gain or loss on the disposition of common shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares, as determined in U.S. dollars. U.S. Holders should note that if they make QEF Elections with respect to the Company and Lower-tier PFICs, they may be required to pay U.S. federal income tax with respect to their common shares for any taxable year significantly in excess of any cash distributions received on the shares for such taxable year. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding making QEF Elections in their particular circumstances.”

Furthermore, as discussed below, if the Company were a PFIC or, with respect to a particular U.S. Holder, were treated as a PFIC for the taxable year in which it paid a dividend or the prior taxable year, the 15% dividend rate with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders would not apply.

If the Company were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held common shares, such U.S. Holder will be required to file an annual information report with such U.S. Holder’s U.S. Federal income tax return on IRS Form 8621.

 

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U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning the Company’s PFIC status and the tax considerations relevant to an investment in a PFIC.

Taxation of Distributions

Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules described above, distributions paid on common shares, other than certain pro rata distributions of common shares, will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Because the Company does not maintain calculations of its earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, it is expected that distributions generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. The amount of a dividend will include any amounts withheld by the Company in respect of Swiss taxes. The amount of the dividend will be treated as foreign-source dividend income to U.S. Holders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally available to U.S. corporations under the Code. Dividends will be included in a U.S. Holder’s income on the date of the U.S. Holder’s receipt of the dividend. The amount of any dividend income paid in Swiss Francs will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt.

Dividends paid by the Company will generally be taxable to a non-corporate U.S. Holder at the special reduced rate normally applicable to long-term capital gains, provided the Company qualifies for the benefits of the Treaty and the Company is not a PFIC in the taxable year in which the dividends are received or in the preceding taxable year, so long as certain holding period requirements are met. As discussed above under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” the Company believes it is likely to be a PFIC, and as a result, the special reduced rate is unlikely to be available currently with respect to dividends paid by the Company.

Subject to applicable limitations, some of which vary depending upon the U.S. Holder’s circumstances, Swiss income taxes withheld from dividends on common shares at a rate not exceeding the rate provided by the Treaty will be creditable against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. Swiss taxes withheld in excess of the rate applicable under the Treaty will not be eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s federal income tax liability. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex, and U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the creditability of foreign taxes in their particular circumstances. In lieu of claiming a foreign tax credit, U.S. Holders may, at their election, deduct foreign taxes, including the Swiss tax, in computing their taxable income, subject to generally applicable limitations under U.S. law. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits applies to all foreign taxes paid or accrued in the taxable year.

Sale or Other Disposition of Common Shares

Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules described above, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, gain or loss realized on the sale or other disposition of common shares will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the common shares for more than one year The amount of the gain or loss will equal the difference between the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares disposed of and the amount realized on the disposition, in each case as determined in U.S. dollars. This gain or loss will generally be U.S.-source gain or loss for foreign tax credit purposes.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries generally are subject to information reporting, and may be subject to backup withholding, unless (i) the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii) in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding.

The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

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Information With Respect to Foreign Financial Assets

Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals (and, under proposed regulations, certain entities) may be required to report information relating to an interest in our common shares, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for common shares held in accounts maintained by certain U.S. financial institutions). U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this legislation on their ownership and disposition of the common shares.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, dated             , 2014, among us and Jefferies LLC and Leerink Partners LLC, as the representatives of the underwriters named below, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the respective number of shares of common shares shown opposite its name below:

 

 

 

UNDERWRITER		NUMBER OF SHARES
Jefferies LLC
Leerink Partners LLC
JMP Securities LLC
Needham & Company, LLC
Total

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions and approval of certain legal matters by their counsel. The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters will purchase all of the common shares if any of them are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and certain of their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The common shares will constitute a new class of securities with no established trading market. The underwriters have advised us that, following the completion of this offering, they currently intend to make a market in the common shares as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, the underwriters are not obligated to do so, and the underwriters may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice in their sole discretion. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the common shares, that you will be able to sell any of the common shares held by you at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

The underwriters are offering the common shares subject to their acceptance of the common shares from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part. In addition, the underwriters have advised us that they do not intend to confirm sales to any account over which they exercise discretionary authority.

Commission and Expenses

The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the common shares to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers, which may include the underwriters, at that price less a concession not in excess of $         per common share. The underwriters may allow, and certain dealers may reallow, a discount from the concession not in excess of $         per common share to certain brokers and dealers. After the offering, the initial public offering price, concession and reallowance to dealers may be reduced by the representative. No such reduction will change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

 

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The following table shows the public offering price, the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay the underwriters and the proceeds, before expenses, to us in connection with this offering. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE

TOTAL

WITHOUT OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES

WITH OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES

WITHOUT OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES

WITH OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES

Public offering price

$

$

$

$

Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us

$

$

$

$

Proceeds to us, before expenses

$

$

$

$

 

 

We estimate expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions referred to above, will be approximately $        . We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses, including up to an aggregate of $         in connection with the clearance of this offering with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, as set forth in the underwriting agreement.

Determination of Offering Price

Prior to this offering, there has not been a public market for our common shares. Consequently, the initial public offering price for our common shares will be determined by negotiations between us and the representatives. Among the factors to be considered in these negotiations will be prevailing market conditions, our financial information, market valuations of other companies that we and the underwriters believe to be comparable to us, estimates of our business potential, the present state of our development and other factors deemed relevant.

We offer no assurances that the initial public offering price will correspond to the price at which the common shares will trade in the public market subsequent to the offering or that an active trading market for the common shares will develop and continue after the offering.

Listing

We intend to apply to have our common shares approved for listing on the                 under the trading symbol “EARS.”

Stamp Taxes

If you purchase shares offered in this prospectus, you may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges under the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition to the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of                 shares from us at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. If the underwriters exercise this option, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to specified conditions, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment as indicated in the table above. This option may be exercised only if the underwriters sell more shares than the total number set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We, our executive officers, directors and holders of all or substantially all our outstanding capital stock have agreed, subject to specified exceptions, not to directly or indirectly:

 

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sell, offer, contract or grant any option to sell (including any short sale), pledge, transfer, establish an open “put equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-l(h) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or

 

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otherwise dispose of any common shares, options or warrants to acquire common shares or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into shares of common shares currently or hereafter owned either of record or beneficially, or

 

n

publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of Jefferies LLC and Leerink Partners LLC.

This restriction terminates after the close of trading of the common shares on and including the 180^th day after the date of this prospectus.

Jefferies LLC and Leerink Partners LLC may, in their sole discretion and at any time or from time to time before the termination of the 180-day period release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements. There are no existing agreements between the underwriters and any of our shareholders who will execute a lock-up agreement, providing consent to the sale of shares prior to the expiration of the lock-up period.

Stabilization

The underwriters have advised us that they, pursuant to Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in short sale transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions or the imposition of penalty bids in connection with this offering. These activities may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the common shares at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Establishing short sales positions may involve either “covered” short sales or “naked” short sales.

“Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common shares in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares of our common shares or purchasing shares of our common shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares.

“Naked” short sales are sales in excess of the option to purchase additional shares of our common shares. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares of our common shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.

A stabilizing bid is a bid for the purchase of common shares on behalf of the underwriters for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the common shares. A syndicate covering transaction is the bid for or the purchase of common shares on behalf of the underwriters to reduce a short position incurred by the underwriters in connection with the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriter’s purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common shares. As a result, the price of our common shares may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. A penalty bid is an arrangement permitting the underwriters to reclaim the selling concession otherwise accruing to a syndicate member in connection with the offering if the common shares originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction and therefore have not been effectively placed by such syndicate member.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common shares. The underwriters are not obligated to engage in these activities and, if commenced, any of the activities may be discontinued at any time.

The underwriters may also engage in passive market making transactions in our common shares on in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of shares of our common shares in this offering and extending through the completion of distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.

 

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Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available by e-mail or on the web sites or through online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters or their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of common shares for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ web sites and any information contained in any other web site maintained by any of the underwriters is not part of this prospectus, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.

Directed Share Program

At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale at the initial public offering price up to             common shares for employees, directors and other persons associated with us who have expressed an interest in purchasing shares in the offering. The number of common shares available for sale to the general public in the offering will be reduced to the extent these persons purchase the directed shares in the program. Any directed shares not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same terms as the other shares. Except for certain participants who have entered into lock-up agreements as contemplated above, each person buying shares through the directed share program has agreed that, for a period of 180 days from and including the date of this prospectus, he or she will not, without the prior written consent of Jefferies LLC and Leerink Partners LLC, dispose of or hedge any common shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for common shares with respect to shares purchased in the program. For those participants who have entered into lock-up agreements as contemplated above, the lock-up agreements contemplated therein shall govern with respect to their purchases of common shares in the program. Jefferies LLC and Leerink Partners LLC in their sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities and expenses, including liabilities under the Securities Act, in connection with sales of the directed shares.

Other Activities and Relationships

The underwriter and certain of its affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriter and certain of its affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for us and our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriter and certain of its affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments issued by us and our affiliates. If the underwriters or their respective affiliates have a lending relationship with us, they routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities or the securities of our affiliates, including potentially the common shares offered hereby. Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the common shares offered hereby. The underwriters and certain of their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Selling Restrictions

This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell to, or a solicitation of an offer to buy from, anyone in any country or jurisdiction (i) in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized, (ii) in which any person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or (iii) in which any such offer or solicitation would otherwise be unlawful. No

 

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action has been taken that would, or is intended to, permit a public offer of the common shares or possession or distribution of this prospectus or any other offering or publicity material relating to the common shares in any country or jurisdiction (other than the United States) where any such action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, each underwriter has undertaken that it will not, directly or indirectly, offer or sell any common shares or have in its possession, distribute or publish any prospectus, form of application, advertisement or other document or information in any country or jurisdiction except under circumstances that will, to the best of its knowledge and belief, result in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations and all offers and sales of the common shares by it will be made on the same terms.

European Economic Area

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), an offer to the public of any common shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be made in that Relevant Member State except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any common shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:

 

n

to any legal entity which is a “qualified investor” as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

n

to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters or the underwriters nominated by us for any such offer; or

 

n

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of common shares shall require us or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer common shares to the public” in relation to the common shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the common shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe to the common shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

United Kingdom

This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) and/or (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated (each such person being referred to as a “relevant person”).

This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

 

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Australia

This prospectus is not a disclosure document for the purposes of Australia’s Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or Corporations Act, has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to the categories of exempt persons set out below. Accordingly, if you receive this prospectus in Australia:

You confirm and warrant that you are either:

 

n

a “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act;

 

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a “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(c) or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountant’s certificate to the Company which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)(c)(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made;

 

n

a person associated with the Company under Section 708(12) of the Corporations Act; or

 

n

a “professional investor” within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act.

To the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor, associated person or professional investor under the Corporations Act any offer made to you under this prospectus is void and incapable of acceptance.

You warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the securities issued to you pursuant to this prospectus for resale in Australia within 12 months of those securities being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.

Hong Kong

No securities have been offered or sold, and no securities may be offered or sold, in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent; or to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (“SFO”) and any rules made under that Ordinance; or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (“CO”) or which do not constitute an offer or invitation to the public for the purpose of the CO or the SFO. No document, invitation or advertisement relating to the securities has been issued or may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made under that Ordinance.

This prospectus has not been registered with the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong. Accordingly, this prospectus may not be issued, circulated or distributed in Hong Kong, and the securities may not be offered for subscription to members of the public in Hong Kong. Each person acquiring the securities will be required, and is deemed by the acquisition of the securities, to confirm that he is aware of the restriction on offers of the securities described in this prospectus and the relevant offering documents and that he is not acquiring, and has not been offered any securities in circumstances that contravene any such restrictions.

Japan

The offering has not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948 of Japan, as amended), or FIEL, and the Initial Purchaser will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

 

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Singapore

This prospectus has not been and will not be lodged or registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

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a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

n

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

n

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

n

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

n

where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

n

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

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as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

Switzerland

The common shares will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or SIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company or the common shares have been filed or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority.

 

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EXPENSES OF THE OFFERING

We estimate that our expenses in connection with this offering, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, will be as follows:

 

 

 

EXPENSES		AMOUNT
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee
Stock exchange listing fee
FINRA filing fee
Printing and engraving expenses
Legal fees and expenses
Accounting fees and expenses
Miscellaneous costs
Total

 

 

All amounts in the table are estimates except the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee, the listing fee and the FINRA filing fee. The Company will pay all of the expenses of this offering.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the common shares and certain other matters of Swiss law will be passed upon for us by Froriep, Zurich, Switzerland. Certain matters of U.S. federal and New York State law will be passed upon for us by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York, and for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP, Washington, D.C.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Auris Medical AG as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and January 1, 2012 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2013, have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG AG, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The current address of KPMG AG is Badenerstrasse 172, CH-8004 Zurich, Switzerland.

 

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ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS

We are incorporated under the laws of Switzerland. Substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. The majority of our directors and officers reside in Switzerland. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons or to enforce against them or us in United States courts judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States.

We have been advised by our Swiss counsel that judgments of United States courts for civil liabilities based upon the federal securities laws of the United States may not be enforced in Switzerland, pursuant to Article 165(2) of the Swiss Private International Law Act.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement (including amendments and exhibits to the registration statement) on Form F-1 under the Securities Act. This prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as part of the registration statement. If a document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the copy of the document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit.

Upon completion of this offering, we will become subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports and other information with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K. You may inspect and copy reports and other information filed with the SEC at the Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

We will send the transfer agent a copy of all notices of shareholders’ meetings and other reports, communications and information that are made generally available to shareholders. The transfer agent has agreed to mail to all shareholders a notice containing the information (or a summary of the information) contained in any notice of a meeting of our shareholders received by the transfer agent and will make available to all shareholders such notices and all such other reports and communications received by the transfer agent.

 

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements—Auris Medical AG

As at December 31, 2013, 2012 and January 1, 2012 and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			F-2
Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income			F-3
Consolidated statement of financial position			F-4
Consolidated statement of changes in equity			F-5
Consolidated statement of cash flows			F-6
Notes to the consolidated financial statements			F-7

 

 

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Auris Medical AG:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Auris Medical AG and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and January 1, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows, for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2013. 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 financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall 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 financial position of Auris Medical AG and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and January 1, 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

KPMG AG

/s/ Martin Rohrbach                                                                         /s/ Charles Errico        

Martin Rohrbach                                                                              Charles Errico

Zurich, Switzerland

March 18, 2014

 

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AURIS MEDICAL AG

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

For the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

(in CHF)

 

 

 

		NOTE				2013				2012
Research and development			17				-13,253,638				-3,986,691
General and administrative			18				-1,362,211				-623,812
Operating loss							-14,615,849				-4,610,503
Finance expense			20				-158,641				-1,800
Finance income			20				75,747				9,894
Loss before tax							-14,698,743				-4,602,409
Income tax expense			21				-305,750				—
Net loss attributable to owners of the Company							-15,004,493				-4,602,409
Other comprehensive income:
Items that will never be reclassified to profit or loss
Remeasurements of defined benefit liability			19				-57,716				-54,577
Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss
Foreign currency translation differences							31,720				22,275
Other comprehensive income							-25,996				-32,302
Total comprehensive loss attributable to owners of the Company							-15,030,489				-4,634,711
Basic and diluted loss per share			22				-1.01				-0.40

 

 

 

The notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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AURIS MEDICAL AG

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As of December 31, 2013, 2012 and January 1, 2012

(in CHF)

 

 

 

						DECEMBER 31,				DECEMBER 31,				JANUARY 1,
		NOTE				2013				2012				2012
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property and equipment			7				195,915				124,496				1,987
Intangible assets			8				1,482,520				357,520				357,520
Total non-current assets							1,678,435				482,016				359,507
Current assets
Current financial assets			5				—				—				72,850
Other receivables			9				524,786				235,449				110,453
Prepayments			10				183,137				84,325				68,666
Cash and cash equivalents			11				23,865,842				63,967				752,874
Total current assets							24,573,765				383,741				1,004,843
Total assets							26,252,200				865,757				1,364,350
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Share capital			12				6,487,130				4,632,580				4,632,580
Share premium							35,608,210				13,341,942				10,006,179
Treasury shares			12				—				—				-526,320
Foreign currency translation reserve							53,995				22,275				—
Accumulated deficit							-33,115,689				-18,240,831				-13,639,857
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to owners of the Company							9,033,646				-244,034				472,582
Non-current liabilities
Employee benefits			19				328,342				242,646				178,524
Deferred tax liabilities			21				327,637				—				—
Total non-current liabilities							655,979				242,646				178,524
Current liabilities
Convertible loans			14				13,711,200				—				—
Trade and other payables			15				954,257				424,877				170,863
Accrued expenses			16				1,897,118				442,268				542,381
Total current liabilities							16,562,575				867,145				713,244
Total liabilities							17,218,554				1,109,791				891,768
Total equity and liabilities							26,252,200				865,757				1,364,350

 

 

 

The notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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AURIS MEDICAL AG

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

(in CHF)

 

 

 

		NOTE				ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF THE COMPANY
						SHARE CAPITAL				SHARE PREMIUM				TREASURY SHARES				FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION RESERVE				ACCUMULATED DEFICIT				TOTAL EQUITY
As of January 1, 2012							4,632,580				10,006,179				-526,320				—				-13,639,857				472,582
Total comprehensive loss
Net loss							—				—				—				—				-4,602,409				-4,602,409
Other comprehensive income (-loss)							—				—				—				22,275				-54,577				-32,302
Total comprehensive loss							—				—				—				22,275				-4,656,986				-4,634,711
Transactions with owners of the Company
Additional paid-in capital			12				—				3,335,763				—				—				—				3,335,763
Share based payments			13				—				—				—				—				56,013				56,013
Treasury shares sold			12				—				—				526,320				—				—				526,320
Balance at December 31, 2012							4,632,580				13,341,942				—				22,275				-18,240,831				-244,034
Total comprehensive loss
Net loss							—				—				—				—				-15,004,493				-15,004,493
Other comprehensive income (-loss)							—				—				—				31,720				-57,716				-25,996
Total comprehensive loss																			31,720				-15,062,209				-15,030,489
Transactions with owners of the Company
Issue of ordinary shares			12				1,854,550				22,625,510				—				—				—				24,480,060
Share issuance costs			12				—				-359,242				—				—				—				-359,242
Convertible loans - equity component			14				—				—				—				—				99,038				99,038
Convertible loans - deferred tax			21				—				—				—				—				-21,886				-21,886
Share based payments			13																				110,198				110,198
Balance at December 31, 2012							6,487,130				35,608,210				—				53,995				-33,115,689				9,033,646

 

 

 

The notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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AURIS MEDICAL AG

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

(in CHF)

 

 

 

		NOTE				2013				2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss							-15,004,493				-4,602,409
Adjustments for:
Depreciation			7				37,517				9,242
Unrealized exchange differences							32,076				20,920
Net interest income			20				-23,859				-5,825
Share based payments			13				110,198				56,013
Employee benefits							27,980				9,545
Income tax expense			21				305,750				—
							-14,514,831				-4,512,514
Changes in:
Other receivables							-288,765				-125,782
Prepayments							-98,812				-15,659
Trade and other payables							530,080				254,063
Accrued expenses							328,719				-98,575
Cash used in operating activities							-14,043,609				-4,498,467
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment			7				-108,936				-131,751
Sale of financial assets			5				—				72,850
Interest received			20				74,036				5,825
Net cash used in investing activities							-34,900				-53,076
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from share capital increase			12				24,120,818				3,335,762
Proceeds from issue of convertible loans			14				13,769,976				—
Sale of treasury shares			12				—				526,320
Interest paid			20				-9,915				—
Net cash from financing activities							37,880,879				3,862,082
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents							23,802,370				-689,461
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period			11				63,967				752,874
Net effect of currency translation on cash							-495				554
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period			11				23,865,842				63,967

 

 

The notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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AURIS MEDICAL AG

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

as at December 31, 2013, 2012 and January 1, 2012

and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in CHF)

1. Reporting entity

Auris Medical AG (the “Company”) is domiciled in Switzerland. The Company’s registered address is at Falknerstrasse 4, 4001 Basel. These consolidated financial statements comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group” and individually as “Group entities”). The Company is the ultimate parent of the following Group entities:

 

n

Auris Medical Inc., Chicago, United States (100%)

 

n

Auris Medical Ltd., Dublin, Ireland (100%)

The Group is primarily involved in the development of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of inner ear disorders, in particular tinnitus and hearing loss. Its most advanced projects are in the late stage of clinical development.

2. Basis of preparation

Statement of compliance

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”). These are the Group’s first consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRSs; accordingly IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards has been applied. The Group’s date of transition to IFRS is January 1, 2012.

These consolidated financial statements were approved by the board of directors of Auris Medical AG on March 14, 2014.

An explanation of how the transition to IFRSs has affected the reported financial position, financial performance and cash flows of the Group is disclosed in Note 26.

Basis of measurement

The consolidated financial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis, except for the revaluation to fair value of certain financial assets and the net defined benefit liability which is measured at the present value of the defined benefit obligation less the fair value of plan assets as described in Note 3.

Functional and reporting currency

These consolidated financial statements are presented in Swiss Francs (CHF), which is the Company’s functional (“functional currency”) and the Group’s reporting currency.

Use of estimates and judgments

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRSs requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions of accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

Information about judgments made in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effects on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements are described below.

Income taxes

As disclosed in Note 21 the Group has significant tax losses in Switzerland. These tax losses represent potential value to the Group to the extent that the Group is able to create taxable profits in Switzerland within 7 years of the

 

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end of the year in which the losses arose. The Group has also some tax losses in the United States which may be used within 20 years of the end of the year in which losses arose, respectively for a shorter time period in accordance with prevailing federal and state law. The Group has not recorded any deferred tax assets in relation to these tax losses. The key factors which have influenced management in arriving at this evaluation are the fact that the business is still in a development phase and the Group has not yet a history of making profits. Should management’s assessment of the likelihood of future taxable profits change, a deferred tax asset will be recorded.

Development expenditures

The project stage forms the basis for the decision whether costs incurred for the Group’s development projects can be capitalized or not. Generally clinical development expenditures are not capitalized until the Group obtains regulatory approval (i.e. approval to commercially use the product), as this is considered to be essentially the first point in time where it becomes probable that future revenues can be generated and the project becomes commercially successful. Given the current stage of the development projects, no development expenditures have yet been capitalized. The group has capitalized certain milestone payments with regard to license payments.

As of each reporting date, the Group estimates the level of service performed by the vendors and the associated costs incurred for the services performed. As part of the process of preparing the Group’s financial statements, the Group is required to estimate its accrued expenses. This process involves reviewing contracts, identifying services that have been performed on the Group’s behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when it has not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of the actual cost.

Employee benefits

The Group maintains a pension plan for all employees in Switzerland through payments to a legally independent collective foundation. This pension plan qualifies under IFRS as defined benefit pension plan. There are no pension plans for the subsidiaries in Ireland and the United States.

The Group’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit plans is calculated by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods, discounting that amount and deducting the fair value of any plan assets.

The recognized asset is limited to the present value of economic benefits available in the form of any future refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan. In order to calculate the present value of economic benefits, consideration is given to any minimum funding requirements.

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability, which comprise actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets (excluding interest) and the effect of the asset ceiling (if any, excluding interest), are recognized immediately in OCI. The Group determines the net interest expense (income) on the net defined benefit liability (asset) for the period by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual period to the then-net defined benefit liability (asset), taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability (asset) during the period as a result of contributions and benefit payments. Net interest expense and other expenses related to defined benefit plans are recognized in profit or loss.

3. Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements and in preparing the opening IFRS statement of financial position at 1 January 2012 for the purposes of the transition to IFRSs, unless otherwise indicated.

The accounting policies have been applied consistently by Group entities thereafter.

Basis of consolidation

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date on which control commences until the date on which control ceases.

 

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Transactions eliminated on consolidation

All inter-company balances, transactions and unrealized gains on transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

Segment reporting

A segment is a distinguishable component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any of the Group’s other components.

The Chief Executive Officer is determined to be the Group’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) of the Group. He assesses the performance and allocates the resources of the Group as a whole, as all of the Group’s activities are focusing on the development of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of inner ear disorder. Financial information is only available for the Group as a whole. Therefore, management considers there is only one operating segment under the requirements of IFRS 8, Operating Segments.

Foreign currency

Foreign currency transactions

Items included in the financial statements of Group entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in profit or loss. Non-monetary items that are measured based on historical cost in a foreign currency are not re-translated.

Foreign operations

Assets and liabilities of Group entities whose functional currency is other than CHF are included in the consolidation by translating the assets and liabilities into the reporting currency at the exchange rates applicable at the end of the reporting period. Income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates (unless this average is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the dates of the transaction).

Foreign currency differences are recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and presented in the foreign currency translation reserve in equity. When a foreign operation is disposed of such that control is lost, the cumulative amount in the translation reserve related to that foreign operation is reclassified to profit or loss as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

Closing rates for the most significant foreign currencies:

 

 

 

CURRENCY				GEOGRAPHICAL AREA		REPORTING ENTITIES				DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
CHF		Swiss Franc		Switzerland			1				1.0000				1.0000				1.0000
USD		Dollar		United States			1				0.8894				0.9154				0.9351
EUR		Euro		Europe			1				1.2255				1.2068				1.2139

 

 

Average exchange rates for the year for the most significant foreign currencies:

 

 

 

CURRENCY				GEOGRAPHICAL AREA		REPORTING ENTITIES				2013				2012
CHF		Swiss Franc		Switzerland			1				1.0000				1.0000
USD		Dollar		United States			1				0.9391				0.9481
EUR		Euro		Europe			1				1.2414				1.2196

 

 

 

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Property and equipment

Property and equipment is measured at historical costs less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Historical costs include expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. When parts of an item of tangible assets have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate tangible asset items (major components). Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of the individual asset or the shorter remaining lease term for leasehold improvements. The applicable estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

 

 

Production equipment			5 years
Office furniture and electronic data processing equipment (“EDP”)			3 years
Leasehold improvements			5 years

 

 

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to profit or loss during the financial period in which they are incurred.

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted if appropriate. When an asset is reviewed for impairment, the asset’s carrying amount may be written down immediately to its recoverable amount, provided the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount. Management assesses the recoverable amount by assessing the higher of its fair value less costs to sell or its value in use.

Cost and accumulated depreciation related to assets retired or otherwise disposed are removed from the accounts at the time of retirement or disposal and any resulting gain or loss is included in profit or loss in the period of disposition.

Intangible assets

Research and development

Expenditures on the research programs of the Group are not capitalized, they are expensed when incurred.

Expenditures on the Group’s development programs are generally not capitalized except if development costs can be measured reliably, the product or process is technically and commercially feasible, future economic benefits are probable, and the Group intends to and has sufficient resources to complete development and to use or sell the asset. For the development projects of the Group, these criteria are generally only met when regulatory approval for commercialization is obtained. Given the current stage of the development projects, no development expenditures except certain milestone payments have yet been capitalized (see note on Development Expenditures). Intellectual property-related costs for patents are part of the expenditure for the research and development projects. Therefore, registration costs for patents are expensed when incurred as long as the research and development project concerned does not meet the criteria for capitalization.

Licenses

Intellectual property rights that are acquired by the Group are capitalized as intangible assets if they are controlled by the Group, are separately identifiable and are expected to generate future economic benefits, even if uncertainty exists as to whether the research and development will ultimately result in a marketable product. Consequently, upfront and milestone payments to third parties for the exclusive use of pharmaceutical compounds in specified areas of treatment are recognized as intangible assets.

Measurement

Intangible assets acquired that have finite useful lives are measured at cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses.

Subsequent expenditure

Subsequent expenditure is capitalized only when it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates. All other expenditure, including expenditure on internally generated goodwill and brands, is recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

 

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Amortization

All licenses of the group have finite lives. Amortization will start once the Group’s intangible assets will be available for use. Amortization of licenses is calculated on a straight line basis over the period of the expected benefit or until the license expires, whichever is shorter. The estimated useful life is 10 years or the remaining term of patent protection. The Group assesses at each balance sheet date whether intangible assets which are not yet ready for use are impaired.

Impairment of non-financial assets

Property and equipment and intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. For the purpose of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-generating units). An impairment loss is recognized as the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell or value in use. Impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss. Assets that were previously impaired are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date. Any increase in the carrying amount of an asset will be based on the depreciated historical costs had the initial impairment not been recognized.

Financial instruments

The Group classifies its financial assets in the following categories: loans and receivables and available-for-sale financial assets.

The Company classifies non-derivative financial liabilities as other liabilities.

Recognition and derecognition of non-derivative financial assets and liabilities

The Group initially recognizes loans and receivables and debt securities issued on the date when they are originated. All other financial assets and financial liabilities are initially recognized on the trade date.

The Group derecognizes a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows in a transaction in which substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred, or it neither transfers nor retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership and does not retain control over the transferred asset. Any interest in such derecognized financial assets that is created or retained by the Group is recognized as a separate asset or liability.

The Group derecognizes a financial liability when its contractual obligations are discharged or cancelled, or expire.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount presented in the statement of financial position when, and only when, the Group has a legal right to offset the amounts and intends either to settle them on a net basis or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Non-derivative financial assets and liabilities—measurement

Loans and receivables

These are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. Loans and receivables are initially recognized at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, they are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses. Loans and receivables are mainly comprised of other receivables and cash and cash equivalents.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Group considers all short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value with original maturities of three months or less at the date of the purchase to be cash equivalents.

Available-for-sale financial assets

Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivatives that are either designated in this category or not classified in any of the other categories. They are included in non-current assets unless the investment matures or management intends to dispose of it within 12 months of the end of the reporting period. These assets are initially recognized at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, they are measured at fair value and changes therein, other than impairment losses and foreign currency differences on debt instruments, are recognized in OCI and accumulated in the fair value reserve. When these assets are derecognized, the gain or loss accumulated in equity is reclassified to profit or loss.

 

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Non-derivative financial liabilities - measurement

Non-derivative financial liabilities are initially recognized at fair value less any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, these liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Share capital

All shares of the Company are registered shares and classified as part of shareholders’ equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of the Company’s shares, net of any tax effects, are recognized as a deduction from equity. The Company has not paid any dividends since its inception and does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

Repurchase and reissue of ordinary shares (treasury shares)

When shares recognized as equity are repurchased, the amount of the consideration paid, which includes directly attributable costs, net of any tax effects, is recognized as a deduction from equity. Repurchased shares are classified as treasury shares and are presented in the treasury share reserve. When treasury shares are sold or reissued subsequently, the amount received is recognized as an increase in equity and the resulting surplus or deficit (calculated as the difference between initial cost and fair value) on the transaction is presented within share premium.

Convertible loans

The difference to the initial recognition value is recorded directly in equity as a transaction with a shareholder in its capacity as shareholder. Subsequent to initial recognition, the convertible loans are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Impairment of non-derivative financial assets

Financial assets are assessed at each reporting date to determine whether there is objective evidence of impairment.

Objective evidence that financial assets are impaired includes:

 

n

default or delinquency by a debtor;

 

n

indications that a debtor or issuer will enter bankruptcy;

 

n

adverse changes in the payment status of borrowers or issuers;

 

n

the disappearance of an active market for a security; or

 

n

observable data indicating that there is measurable decrease in expected cash flows from a group of financial assets.

For an investment in an equity security, objective evidence of impairment includes a significant or prolonged decline in its fair value below its cost. Available-for-sale equity securities that have a market value of more than 20% below their original cost, or have a market value below their original cost for a sustained six-month period will be considered as impaired.

Financial assets measured at amortized cost

The Group considers evidence of impairment for these assets at an individual asset level. An impairment loss is calculated as the difference between an asset’s carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. Losses are recognized in profit or loss and reflected in an allowance account. When the Group considers that there are no realistic prospects of recovery of the asset, the relevant amounts are written off. If the amount of impairment loss subsequently decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized, then the previously recognized impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss.

Available-for-sale financial assets

Impairment losses on available-for-sale financial assets are recognized by reclassifying the losses accumulated in the fair value reserve to profit or loss. The amount reclassified is the difference between the acquisition cost (net of any principal repayment and amortization) and the current fair value, less any impairment loss previously recognized in profit or loss.

 

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Income tax

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. It is recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to a business combination, or items recognized directly in equity or in OCI.

Current tax

Current tax comprises the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year and any adjustment to tax payable or receivable in respect of previous years. It is measured using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

Deferred tax

Deferred income tax is recognized, using the balance sheet liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax is not recognized for:

 

n

temporary differences on the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss;

 

n

temporary differences related to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future; and

 

n

taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill.

Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only if certain criteria are met.

Employee benefits

The Group maintains a pension plan for all employees in Switzerland through payments to a legally independent collective foundation. This pension plan qualifies under IFRS as defined benefit pension plan. There are no pension plans for the subsidiaries in Ireland and the United States.

The Group’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit plans is calculated by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods, discounting that amount and deducting the fair value of any plan assets.

The recognized asset is limited to the present value of economic benefits available in the form of any future refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan. In order to calculate the present value of economic benefits, consideration is given to any minimum funding requirements.

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability, which comprise actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets (excluding interest) and the effect of the asset ceiling (if any, excluding interest), are recognized immediately in OCI. Past service costs, including curtailment gains or losses, are recognized immediately in general and administrative expenses within the operating results. Settlement gains or losses are recognized in general and administrative expenses within the operating results. The Group determines the net interest expense (income) on the net defined benefit liability (asset) for the period by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual period or in case of any significant events between measurement dates to the then-net defined benefit liability (asset), taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability (asset) during the period as a result of contributions and benefit payments. Net interest expense and other expenses related to defined benefit plans are recognized in profit or loss.

Share-based compensation

The Group maintains various share-based payment plans in the form of stock option plans for its employees, members of the board of directors as well as key service providers. Stock options are granted at the Board’s discretion without any contractual or recurring obligations.

 

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The share-based compensation plans qualify as equity settled plans. The grant-date fair value of share-based payment awards granted to employees is recognized as an expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period that the employees become unconditionally entitled to the awards. The vesting of share options is conditional on the employee completing a period of service of three and four years respectively in accordance with Stock Option Plans A and C. Stock Option Plan B was created to provide shares for share based compensation plans; it was used in the years 2008 and 2009 and is still in force. However, no options are currently outstanding under Stock Option Plan B.

The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of awards for which the related service and non-market performance conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognized as an expense is based on the number of awards that meet the related service and non-market performance conditions at the vesting date. Share-based payments that are not subject to any further conditions are expensed immediately at grant date. In the year the options are exercised the proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction costs are credited to share capital (nominal value) and share premium.

Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, where it is more likely than not that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and where a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. Provisions are not recognized for future operating losses. Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognized as finance cost.

Leases

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

Earnings/(loss) per share

Basic earnings/(loss) per share are calculated by dividing the net profit/(loss) attributable to shareholders of the parent company by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings/(loss) per share are calculated by dividing the net profit/(loss) attributable to the shareholders of the parent company by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period adjusted for the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

 

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4. New standards and interpretations not yet adopted

A number of new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations are effective for annual periods beginning after January 1, 2013, and have not been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

STANDARD/INTERPRETATION				IMPACT				EFFECTIVE DATE		PLANNED APPLICATION BY THE GROUP
New standards, interpretations or amendments
IAS 32		Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (Amendments)			1	)		January 1, 2014		Reporting year 2014
IFRS 10 IFRS 12 IAS 27		Investment Entities (Amendments)			1	)		January 1, 2014		Reporting year 2014
IAS 36		Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets (Amendments)			1	)		January 1, 2014		Reporting year 2014
IAS 39		Novation of Derivatives and Continuation of Hedge Accounting (Amendments)			1	)		January 1, 2014		Reporting year 2014
IFRIC 21		Levies			1	)		January 1, 2014		Reporting year 2014
IAS 19		Employee Contributions (Amendments)			1	)		July 1, 2014		Reporting year 2015
Various		Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010-2012 Cycle			1	)		July 1, 2014		Reporting year 2015
Various		Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2011-2013 Cycle			1	)		July 1, 2014		Reporting year 2015
IFRS 9		Financial Instruments			2	)		January 1, 2017 at the earliest		To be determined

 

 

 

1)

No or no significant impacts are expected on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.

2)

The impact on the consolidated financial statements of Group cannot yet be determined with sufficient reliability.

5. Financial instruments and risk management

The following table shows the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities:

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Financial assets
Available for sale
Current financial assets			—				—				72,850
Loans and receivables
Cash and cash equivalents			23,865,842				63,967				752,874
Other receivables			451,206				141,589				9,902
Total financial assets			24,317,048				205,556				835,626
Financial liabilities
at amortized cost
Convertible loans from shareholders			13,711,200				—				—
Trade and other accounts payable			954,257				424,877				170,863
Accrued expenses			1,871,598				424,997				523,427
Total financial liabilities			16,537,055				849,874				694,290

 

 

Fair values

Current financial assets as at January 1, 2012, consisted of an unconsolidated minority investment in the company Xigen SA, Lausanne. The investment was valued at its fair value based on the sales price which was negotiated with Xigen’s majority shareholder, in view of a sale in early 2012 (Level 2 in fair value measurement hierarchy).

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, other receivables, trade and other payables and accrued expenses is a reasonable approximation of their fair value.

 

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The fair value of any other financial assets and liabilities for disclosure purposes is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at the current market interest rate that is available to the Group for similar financial instruments.

Financial risk factors

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk, credit risk, liquidity risk. The Group’s overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimize potential adverse effects on the Group’s financial performance. Management identifies, evaluates and controls financial risks. No financial derivatives have been used in 2013 and 2012 to hedge risk exposures. The Group invests its available cash in instruments with the main objectives of preserving principal, meeting liquidity needs and minimizing foreign exchange risks. The Group allocates its liquid assets to first tier Swiss or international banks with an S&P credit rating of at least A.

Liquidity risk

The Group’s principal source of liquidity is its cash reserves which are mainly obtained through the issue of new shares. The Group has succeeded in raising capital to fund its development activities to date and has raised funds that will allow it to meet short term development expenditures. The Company will require regular capital injections to continue its development work, which may be dependent on meeting development milestones, technical results and/or commercial success. Management monitors rolling forecasts of the Group’s liquidity requirements to ensure it has sufficient cash to meet operational needs. The ability of the Group to maintain adequate cash reserves to sustain its activities in the medium term is highly dependent on the Group’s ability to raise further funds. Consequently, the Group is exposed to continued liquidity risk.

The table below analyses the remaining contractual maturities of financial liabilities, including estimated interest payments as at reporting. The amounts disclosed in the table are the undiscounted cash flows:

 

 

 

		CARRYING AMOUNT				LESS THAN 3 MONTHS				BETWEEN 3 MONTHS AND 2 YEARS				2 YEARS AND LATER				TOTAL
December 31, 2013
Convertible loans from shareholders			13,711,200				13,769,976				—				—				13,769,976
Trade and other accounts payable			954,257				954,257				—				—				954,257
Accrued expenses			1,871,598				1,871,598				—				—				1,871,598
Total			16,537,055				16,595,831				—				—				16,595,831

 

 

 

 

 

 

		CARRYING AMOUNT				LESS THAN 3 MONTHS				BETWEEN 3 MONTHS AND 2 YEARS				2 YEARS AND LATER				TOTAL
December 31, 2012
Trade and other accounts payable			424,877				424,877				—				—				424,877
Accrued expenses			424,997				424,997				—				—				424,997
Total			849,874				849,874				—				—				849,874

 

 

 

 

 

 

		CARRYING AMOUNT				LESS THAN 3 MONTHS				BETWEEN 3 MONTHS AND 2 YEARS				2 YEARS AND LATER				TOTAL
January 1, 2012
Trade and other accounts payable			170,863				170,863				—				—				170,863
Accrued expenses			523,427				523,427				—				—				523,427
Total			694,290				694,290				—				—				694,290

 

 

 

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Credit risk

Credit risk is managed on a Group basis. Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents and deposits with banks, as well as from other receivables. The Company’s policy is to invest funds in low risk investments including interest bearing deposits. For banks and financial institutions, only independently rated parties with a minimum rating of “A” are accepted. Receivables were current as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, not impaired and included only well-known counterparties.

The Group has been holding cash and cash equivalents in the Group’s principal operating currencies (CHF, USD and EUR) with international banks of high credit rating.

The Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount of each financial asset in the consolidated statement of financial position:

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents			23,865,842				63,967				752,874
Other receivables			451,206				141,589				9,902
Total			24,317,048				205,556				762,776

 

 

As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 other receivables consisted of advance payments to supplier as well as claims for reimbursement of value added and withholding taxes (see Note 9).

Market risk

Currency risk

The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various exposures, primarily with respect to US Dollar and Euro. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognized assets and liabilities and net investments in foreign operations. To manage foreign exchange risk Management maintains foreign currency cash balances to cover anticipated future purchases of materials and services in foreign currencies.

The summary of quantitative data about the exposure of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities to currency risk was as follows:

 

 

 

		2013								2012
in CHF		USD				EUR				USD				EUR
Prepayments			11,321				112,133				—				—
Other receivables			145,636				273,438				—				143,835
Cash and cash equivalents			4,267,768				2,309,318				8,475				9,513
Trade and other accounts payable			334,896				502,645				15,746				287,520
Accrued expenses			219,304				435,046				38,194				247,785
Net statement of financial position exposure - asset/(liability)			3,870,525				1,757,198				-45,465				-381,957

 

 

As at December 31, 2013, a 5% increase or decrease in the USD/CHF exchange rate with all other variables held constant would have resulted in a CHF 175,115 (2012: CHF 2,081) increase or decrease in the net result. Also, a 5% increase or decrease in the EUR/CHF exchange rate with all other variables held constant would have resulted in a CHF 107,672 (2012: CHF 23,047) increase or decrease in the net result.

The Company has subsidiaries in the United States and Ireland, whose net assets are exposed to foreign currency translation risk. Due to the small size of the subsidiaries the translation risk is not significant.

 

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Interest rate risk

In the period under review, the Group had no borrowings at variable interest rates. The Group had no fixed rate financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss and no derivatives. Therefore a change in interest rates at the end of the reporting period would not affect profit or loss.

The only variable interest-bearing financial asset of the Group is cash at banks. As at December 31, 2013 an increase or decrease in interest rates by 50 basis points with all other variables held constant would have resulted in a CHF 119,329 (2012: CHF 320) increase or decrease in the net result.

Other market price risk

Following the sale of its minority stake in Xigen, the Group is not exposed to equity price risk or commodity price risk as it does not invest in these classes of investment.

Capital risk management

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to capital maintenance requirements under local law in the country in which it operates. To ensure that statutory capital requirements are met, the Company monitors capital, at the entity level, on an interim basis as well as annually. From time to time the Company may take appropriate measures or propose capital increases to ensure the necessary capital remains intact.

6. Segment information

Geographical information

The Group’s non-current assets by the Company’s country of domicile were as follows:

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Switzerland			1,678,435				482,016				359,507
Total			1,678,435				482,016				359,507

 

 

Non-current assets exclude financial instruments.

7. Property and Equipment

 

 

 

		PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT				OFFICE FURNITURE AND EDP				LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS				TOTAL
At cost
As at January 1, 2012			—				75,240				—				75,240
Additions			123,330				8,421				—				131,751
As at December 31, 2012			123,330				83,661				—				206,991
Additions			43,420				48,384				17,132				108,936
As at December 31, 2013			166,750				132,045				17,132				315,927
Accumulated depreciation
As at January 1, 2012			—				-73,253				—				-73,253
Charge for the year			-5,787				-3,455				—				-9,242
As at December 31, 2012			-5,787				-76,708				—				-82,495
Charge for the year			-25,575				-9,580				-2,362				-37,517
As at December 31, 2013			-31,362				-86,288				-2,362				-120,012
Net book value
As at January 1, 2012			—				1,987				—				1,987
As at December 31, 2012			117,543				6,953				—				124,496
As at December 31, 2013			135,388				45,757				14,770				195,915

 

 

As at December 31, 2013, 2012 and January 1, 2012 no items of property and equipment were pledged.

 

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8. Intangible assets

 

 

 

		LICENSES				TOTAL
At cost
As at January 1, 2012			357,520				357,520
As at December 31, 2012			357,520				357,520
Additions			1,125,000				1,125,000
As at December 31, 2013			1,482,520				1,482,520
Accumulated amortization and impairment losses
As at January 1, 2012			—				—
As at December 31, 2012			—				—
As at December 31, 2013			—				—
Net book value
As at January 1, 2012			357,520				357,520
As at December 31, 2012			357,520				357,520
As at December 31, 2013			1,482,520				1,482,520

 

 

Intangible assets comprise upfront and milestone payments related to licenses. In 2013 a milestone payment of CHF 1,125,000 related to the AM-111 program was recorded.

Amortization will start once the intangible assets will be available for use, which will be the case after regulatory approval has been obtained and the related product will be available for use.

No amortization or impairment was recorded in 2013 and 2012.

9. Other receivables

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Advance payments to suppliers			413,169				110,422				—
Value added tax receivable (VAT)			47,714				91,897				97,225
Withholding tax receivable			25,866				1,963				3,326
Deposit for rent			38,037				9,233				9,214
Other receivables from third parties			—				21,934				688
Total other receivables			524,786				235,449				110,453

 

 

Other receivables were not considered impaired in the years under review.

10. Prepayments

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Clinical projects			114,076				67,158				46,900
Insurance, social charges			26,773				16,842				21,377
Capital taxes			32,910				—				—
Other prepayments			9,378				325				389
Total prepayments			183,137				84,325				68,666

 

 

 

 

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11. Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Cash in bank accounts			23,865,165				63,020				752,338
Petty cash			677				947				536
Total cash and cash equivalents			23,865,842				63,967				752,874

 

 

12. Capital and reserves

Share capital

As of January 1, 2012, the share capital amounted to CHF 4,632,580, divided into 463,258 shares at a nominal value of CHF 10.00 each. Effective December 27, 2013, the nominal value of all shares was reduced from CHF 10.00 to CHF 0.40 each by way of a stock split 25:1. All shares are fully paid in.

Beside common shares, the Company had also preferred shares outstanding. Preferred shares have the same voting rights as common shares but enjoy a liquidation preference: in 2012, the Company had Series A and Series B preferred shares outstanding; in 2013 Series C preferred shares were issued. Series C shares carry a liquidation preference senior to Series B shares, which carry a liquidation preference senior to Series A shares, which in turn carry a liquidation preference to common shares.

All disclosed numbers and nominal value of shares in these financial statements are adjusted for the 25:1 stock split effected in December 2013 unless otherwise indicated.

The issued share capital of Auris Medical AG at December 31, 2013 consisted of:

 

 

 

		NUMBER				CHF
Common shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.40 each			72,600				29,040
Preferred shares Series A with a nominal value of CHF 0.40 each			5,999,750				2,399,900
Preferred shares Series B with a nominal value of CHF 0.40 each			5,509,100				2,203,640
Preferred shares Series C with a nominal value of CHF 0.40 each			4,636,375				1,854,550
Total, as at December 31, 2013			16,217,825				6,487,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

		COMMON SHARES (NUMBER)								PREFERRED SHARES (NUMBER)
		2013				2012				2013				2012
As of January 1			72,600				72,600				11,508,850				11,508,850
Shares issued for cash			—				—				4,636,375				—
As at December 31			72,600				72,600				16,145,225				11,508,850

 

 

Issue of preferred shares

In 2011, the Company increased its share capital by CHF 421,140 through the issuance of 1,052,850 preferred shares Series B at an issue price of CHF 4.80 per share. One third of the issue price (nominal CHF 0.40 and premium CHF 1.20 per share) was paid in in 2011, the second third (CHF 1.60 premium per share) in March 2012 and the final third (CHF 1.60 premium per share) in June 2012. Total proceeds in 2012 were CHF 3,369,120 less CHF 33,358 in transaction costs. 328,950 of the newly issued preferred Series B shares were held in treasury at January 1, 2012 and sold to existing and new shareholders during 2012.

In April 2013, the shareholders approved the issue of 4,636,375 preferred shares Series C at an issue price of CHF 5.28 per share. All issued Series C shares were fully paid in.

 

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Authorized share capital

In April 2013, the shareholders approved an extension and increase of the authorized capital of the Company. The Board is authorized to increase the share capital at any time until April 5, 2015 by the maximum amount of CHF 1,715,450 by issuing not more than 4,288,625 registered preferred shares Series C with a nominal value of CHF 0.40 each. The shares will have to be fully paid-in and have preference rights of Series C shares as described above. Please also refer to Note 25 (Events after the balance sheet date).

Conditional share capital

The share capital may be increased by the issuance of up to 927,650 fully paid registered Common Shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.40 per share and to the maximum amount of CHF 371,060 in execution of subscription rights, which may be granted to employees, members of the board of directors as well as key service providers (see Note 13 for further reference). The amount of the conditional capital remained unchanged in 2012 and 2013.

Treasury shares

The reserve for treasury shares comprises the cost of the Group’s shares held by the Group. At December 31, 2013 and 2012 the Group did not hold any treasury shares. At January 1, 2012 the Group held 328,950 preferred shares Series B in treasury which were sold during 2012.

13. Share based compensation

Description

On November 21, 2008, one of the Group’s entities established a share option program (Stock Option Plans A and B) for employees, members of the board of directors as well as key service providers to purchase shares in the Company. Plan A was amended and superseded by an updated version effective November 24, 2009, and replaced with amendments by Plan C for any future option grants effective April 5, 2013. Grants under Plan A and subsequently under Plan C were offered in each year with vesting periods of three and four years; grants under Plan B were made in 2008 and 2009 only. In accordance with these programs, holders of vested options are entitled to purchase common shares of Auris Medical AG at an exercise price equal to the value per share at the most recent financing round. All options are to be settled by the physical delivery of shares.

The key terms and conditions related to the grants under these programs are as follows:

 

 

 

GRANT DATE / PLAN		NUMBER OF INSTRUMENTS (1)				VESTING CONDITIONS		CONTRACTUAL LIFE OF OPTIONS
Stock option plan A						3 years’ service from grant date			5 years
November 21, 2008			42,500
April 28, 2009			3,000
November 24, 2009			22,500
April 26, 2010			8,500
November 25, 2010			22,500
April 27, 2011			16,250
November 24, 2011			23,750
April 23, 2012			16,250
June 29, 2012			2,500
October 19, 2012			5,000
November 23, 2012			23,750
January 1, 2013			50,000
			236,500
Stock option plan B						None			3 months
November 21, 2008			34,375
November 24, 2009			37,975
			72,350
Stock option plan C						4 years’service from grant date			6 years
September 24, 2013			21,250
December 09, 2013			55,000
			76,250

 

 

 

(1)

Number of instruments adjusted for the increase in the number of issued shares resulting from the 25:1 stock split in December 2013.

 

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Measurement of fair values

The fair value of the options was measured based on the Black-Scholes formula.

 

 

 

		STOCK OPTION PLAN
		PLAN C 2013				PLAN A 2013				PLAN A 2012
Fair value at grant date			3.03				2.43				2.43
Share price at grant date			5.28				4.80				4.80
Exercise price			5.28				4.80				4.80
Expected volatility			78	%			78	%			78	%
Expected life			4 years				3 years				3 years
Expected dividends			—				—				—
Risk-free interest rate			1.0	%			1.0	%			0.7	%

 

 

The risk free interest rate was based on the average yield of published 10 year Swiss Federal Bonds in the reporting year. We have historically been a private company and lack company-specific historical and implied volatility information. Therefore, we estimate our expected volatility based on comparable public company data.

The total expenses recognized for equity-settled share-based payment transactions were CHF 56,013 in 2012 and CHF 110,198 in 2013.

The number and weighted average exercise prices of options under the share option program are as follows:

 

 

 

		2013												2012
		NUMBER OF OPTIONS				WEIGHTED AVERAGE EXERCISE PRICE				WEIGHTED AVERAGE REMAINING TERM (Y)				NUMBER OF OPTIONS				WEIGHTED AVERAGE EXERCISE PRICE				WEIGHTED AVERAGE REMAINING TERM (Y)
Outstanding at January 1			146,500				3.66				3.29				109,000				3.20				3.70
Forfeited during the year			—				—				—				-10,000				4.00				—
Exercised during the year			—				—				—				—				—				—
Granted during the year			126,250				5.09				2.43				47,500				4.80				1.38
Outstanding at December 31			272,750				4.32				3.64				146,500				3.66				3.29
Exercisable at December 31			69,000				3.20				0.28				38,000				3.20				0.41

 

 

14. Convertible loans

On December 9, 2013, the Company issued non-interest bearing convertible loans to two shareholders with a nominal value of CHF 13,769,976 and a maximum term of 12 months. Between January 10 and January 17, 2014, the lenders as well as the Company have the right to convert the loans into new registered Series C shares with nominal value of CHF 0.40 each for CHF 5.28 per share. In case of non-conversion, the Company has the right to repay the convertible loans any time after February 1, 2014, and the obligation to repay them at the latest December 8, 2014.

The fair value of the convertible loans, recorded at initial recognition in “current liabilities,” was calculated using a market interest rate for an equivalent non-convertible loan (5% p.a.). The residual amount, representing the difference between the fair value and nominal value, is included in shareholders’ equity as a transaction with a shareholder in its capacity as shareholder.

 

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Convertible loan notes recognized in the balance sheet are calculated as follows:

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Nominal value of the convertible loans			13,769,976				—				—
Difference to fair value, recognized in equity			-99,038				—				—
Fair value on initial recognition			13,670,938				—				—
Imputed interest expense			40,262
Convertible loans at December 31			13,711,200				—				—

 

 

15. Trade and other payables

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Trade accounts payable - third parties			946,215				410,065				145,431
Other accounts payable			8,042				14,812				25,432
Total trade and other payables			954,257				424,877				170,863

 

 

16. Accrued expenses

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Accrued research and development costs including milestone payments			1,791,638				350,041				507,336
Professional fees			57,950				14,600				420
Accrued Vacation & Overtime			25,520				17,271				18,954
Board of directors fees			9,836				3,500				3,500
Social security			10,700				23,590				5,315
Other accrued expenses			1,474				33,266				6,856
Total accrued expenses			1,897,118				442,268				542,381

 

 

17. Research and development expense

 

 

 

		2013				2012
Pre-clinical projects			2,078,407				297,960
Clinical projects			8,753,398				1,687,368
Drug manufacturing and substance			1,036,152				915,368
Employee benefits			1,074,398				770,124
Lease expenses			74,065				35,556
Patents and trademarks			100,702				53,473
Regulatory projects			106,325				219,106
Depreciation tangible assets			30,191				7,736
Total research and development expense			13,253,638				3,986,691

 

 

 

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18. General and administrative expense

 

 

 

		2013				2012
Employee benefits			195,739				116,251
Business development			479,027				86,231
Travel expenses			77,616				9,551
Administration costs			556,445				375,155
Lease expenses			3,968				2,340
Depreciation tangible assets			7,326				1,506
Capital tax expenses			42,090				32,778
Total general and administrative expenses			1,362,211				623,812

 

 

19. Employee benefits

 

 

 

		2013				2012
Salaries			836,686				711,883
Pension costs			78,917				50,046
Other social benefits			71,878				39,921
Share option cost			110,198				56,013
Other employee cost			172,458				28,512
Total employee benefits			1,270,137				886,375

 

 

Benefit plans

The Company participates in a retirement plan (the “Plan”) organized through an affiliation to an independent collective foundation, that covers all of its employees in Switzerland including Management. The collective foundation is governed by foundation board. The board is made up of an equal number of employee and employer representatives of the different affiliated companies. The Company has no direct influence on the investment strategy of the collective foundation. Moreover, certain elements of the employee benefits are defined in the same way for all affiliated companies. This is mainly related to the annuity factors at retirement and to the interest allocated on the retirement savings. The employer itself cannot determine the benefits or how they are financed directly. The foundation board of the collective foundation is responsible for defining the investment strategy, for making changes to the pension fund regulations and in particular also for defining the financing of the pension benefits.

The old age benefits are based on retirement savings for each employee. To the retirement savings the annual retirement credits and the interest will be credited (there is no possibility to credit negative interest). At retirement age, the insured members can choose whether to take a pension for life, which includes a spouse’s pension, or a lump sum. In addition to retirement benefits, the plans benefits also include disability and death benefits. Insured members may also buy into the scheme to improve their pension provision up to the maximum amount permitted under the rules of the plan and may withdraw funds early for the purchase of a residential property for their own use subject to limitations under Swiss law. On leaving the company, the retirement savings will be transferred to the pension institution of the new employer or to a vested benefits institution. This type of benefit may result in pension payments varying considerably between individual years. In defining the benefits, the minimum requirements of the Swiss Law on Occupational Retirement, Survivors and Disability Pension Plans (BVG) and its implementing provisions must be observed. The BVG defines the minimum pensionable salary and the minimum retirement credits. In Switzerland, the minimum interest rate applicable to these minimum retirement savings is set by the Swiss Federal Council at least once every two years. In 2013 and 2012 the rate was 1.5%.

The assets are invested by the collective foundation in a diversified portfolio that respects the requirements of the Swiss BVG. Under the Plan, both the Company and the employee share the costs equally. The structure of the plan

 

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and the legal provisions of the BVG mean that the employer is exposed to actuarial risks. The main risks are investment risk, interest risk, disability risk and the risk of longevity. Through the affiliation to a collective foundation, the Company has minimized these risks, since they are shared between a much greater number of participants.

The following tables present information about the net defined benefit liability and its components:

Change in defined benefit obligation

 

 

 

		2013				2012
Defined benefit obligation at January 1			1,030,145				658,061
Service cost			72,803				45,036
Plan participants’ contribution			50,937				40,501
Interest cost			23,133				17,730
Actuarial losses			136,933				107,438
Benefits paid			-107,303				-15,318
Transfer-in amounts of new employees			419,593				176,697
Defined benefit obligation at December 31			1,626,241				1,030,145

 

 

The defined benefit obligation includes only liabilities for active employees. The weighted average modified duration of the defined benefit obligation at December 31, 2013 is 19.9 years (2012: 20.5 years).

Change in fair value of plan assets

 

 

 

		2013				2012
Fair value of plan assets at January 1			787,499				479,537
Interest income			19,394				14,417
Return on plan assets excl. interest income			79,217				52,861
Employer contributions			50,937				40,501
Plan participants’ contributions			50,937				40,501
Benefits paid			-107,303				-15,318
Transfer-in amounts of new employees			419,593				176,697
Administration expense			-2,375				-1,697
Fair value of plan assets at December 31			1,297,899				787,499

 

 

Net defined benefit liability recognized in the balance sheet

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Present value of funded defined benefit obligation			1,626,241				1,030,145				658,061
Fair value of plan assets			-1,297,899				-787,499				-479,537
Net defined benefit liability			328,342				242,646				178,524

 

 

 

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Major asset categories

 

 

 

		2013				2012
Equities			485,414				274,837
Bonds			476,329				306,337
Real estate			138,875				107,100
Alternative investments			—				1,575
Cash			197,281				97,650
Total			1,297,899				787,499

 

 

Substantially all equities, bonds and investments in real estate funds (included in real estate) have quoted market prices in active markets.

Defined Benefit Cost

 

 

 

		2013				2012
Service cost			72,803				45,036
Net interest expense			3,739				3,313
Administration expense			2,375				1,697
Total defined benefit cost for the year recognized in profit or loss			78,917				50,046

 

 

Remeasurements of the Defined Benefit Liability

 

 

 

Actuarial (gain)/loss arising from changes in financial assumptions			-44,737				49,754
Actuarial (gain)/loss arising from experience adjustments			181,670				57,684
Return on plan assets excluding interest income			-79,217				-52,861
Total defined benefit cost for the year recognized in Other comprehensive income (OCI)			57,716				54,577

 

 

In 2014, the Group expects to contribute approximately CHF 144,000 to the Plan.

Assumptions

 

 

 

AT DECEMBER 31		2013				2012
Discount rate			2.20%				1.95%
Future salary increase			1.50%				1.50%
Pension indexation			0.00%				0.00%
Mortality and disability rates			BVG 2010G				BVG 2010G

 

 

 

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Sensitivity analysis

Reasonably possible changes at the reporting date to one of the relevant actuarial assumptions, holding other assumptions constant, would have affected the defined benefit obligation by the amounts shown below.

 

 

 

DECEMBER 31, 2013
Change in assumption			0.25% increase				0.25% decrease
Discount rate			-63,257				68,928
Salary increase			12,747				-12,423
Pension indexation			36,784				N/A
Change in assumption			+1 year				-1 year
Life expectancy			24,623				-25,305

 

 

20. Finance income and finance expense

 

 

 

		2013				2012
Interest income			74,036				5,825
Investment income			—				1,216
Net foreign exchange gain			1,711				2,853
Total finance income			75,747				9,894
Interest expense related parties			50,177				—
Bank charges			2,454				1,800
Net foreign exchange loss			106,010				—
Total finance expense			158,641				1,800
Finance (expense)/income, net			-82,894				8,094

 

 

Interest expense on convertible loans in 2013 of CHF 40,262 was not cash relevant.

21. Taxation

The Group’s income tax expense recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income was as follows:

 

 

 

		2013				2012
Current income tax expense			—				—
Deferred income tax expense			305,750				—
Total income tax expense			305,750				—

 

 

The Group’s effective income tax expense differed from the expected theoretical amount computed by applying the Group’s applicable statutory tax rates of 23.7% (2012: 23.3%) as summarized in the following table:

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION		2013				2012
Loss before income tax			-14,698,743				-4,602,409
Income tax at statutory tax rates applicable to results in the respective countries			-3,488,916				-1,071,976
Effect of unrecognized temporary differences			-1,343,556				-823,403
Effect of unrecognized taxable losses			5,160,108				1,895,379
Deferred tax recognised directly in equity			-21,886				—
Income tax expense			305,750				—

 

 

 

 

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The tax effect of taxable temporary differences that give rise to deferred income tax liabilities as at December 31 is presented below:

 

 

 

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Intangible Assets			327,637				—				—
Total			327,637				—				—

 

 

No income taxes were paid and no current income tax was recognized through profit or loss in the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The Group has not recorded any provisions for current income taxes payable.

As of December 31, 2013, the Group had total gross tax loss carry forwards amounting to CHF 38.9 million, of which CHF 38.0 million related to Auris Medical AG in Switzerland and CHF 0.9 million to Auris Medical Inc. in the United States.

The Group’s tax loss carry-forwards with their expiry dates are as follows:

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Within 1 year			18,568				32,654				277,672
Between 1 and 3 years			3,755,427				2,087,009				2,119,663
Between 3 and 7 years			34,194,937				13,474,978				5,300,985
More than 7 years			938,560				785,439				397,762
Total			38,907,492				16,380,080				8,096,082

 

 

The tax effect of the major unrecognized temporary differences and loss carry-forwards is presented in the table below:

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Deductible temporary differences
Intangible assets			—				1,526,406				2,352,971
Employee benefit plan			75,174				55,517				40,846
Stock option plans			56,262				31,012				18,196
Accrued expenses			26,097				—				390
Total potential tax assets			157,533				1,612,935				2,412,403
Taxable tempoary differences
Property and equipment			4,719				4,626				—
Intangible assets			327,637				81,801				81,801
Other receivables			—				25,265				—
Prepayments			—				—				10,731
Accrued expenses			—				4,591				—
Total potential tax liabilities			332,356				116,283				92,532
Recognized deferred tax liability on intangible assets			327,637				—				—
Offsetting potential tax liabilities with potential tax assets			4,719				116,283				92,532
Net potential tax assets from temporary differences not recognized			152,814				1,496,652				2,319,871
Potential tax assets from loss carry-forwards not recognized			8,907,870				3,747,762				1,852,384
Total potential tax assets from loss carry-forwards and temporary differences not recognized			9,060,684				5,244,414				4,172,255

 

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22. Loss per share

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012
Loss attributable to owners of the Company			-15,004,493				-4,602,409
Weighted average number of shares outstanding			14,917,064				11,581,450
Basic and diluted loss per share			-1.01				-0.40

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 basic and diluted loss per share is based on the weighted average number of shares issued and outstanding and excludes shares to be issued under the Stock option plans (Note 13) and conversion rights related to the convertible loans (Note 14) as they would be anti-dilutive. In case the Group shows a profit in the future, the options may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and will need to be included in the above calculation.

23. Commitments and contingencies

Operating lease commitments

On April 1, 2013, the Group entered into a lease for office space under an operating lease agreement with a cancelation option at the Company’s discretion in March 2016. The lease agreement will expire in March 31, 2018 with an option to prolong it for a further 5 years.

The future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases that are not accounted for in the balance sheet were as of year-end were as follows:

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Within one year			91,572				12,632				37,896
Between one and five years			122,096				—				12,632
Total			213,668				12,632				50,528

 

 

Office lease expenses of CHF 78,033 were booked in 2013 and of CHF 37,896 in 2012 in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.

24. Related party transactions

For the purposes of these consolidated financial statements, parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial or operational decisions. Also parties under common control of the Group are considered to be related. Key management personnel are also related parties. In considering each possible related party relationship, attention is directed to the substance of the relationship, and not merely the legal form.

The prices on related party transactions are determined at arm’s length.

Compensation of the members of the Board of Directors and Management

In 2013 the total compensation to Directors and Management was CHF 418,332 (previous year: CHF 287,320).

The fees paid to members of the board of directors of Auris Medical AG in 2013 for their activities as board members totaled CHF 10,500 (2012: CHF 8,750).

Non-executive Directors received part or all of their remuneration in stock options; travel and out of pocket expenses were reimbursed in cash by the Group. Executive Directors and Directors delegated and remunerated by a Shareholder for its representation on the Board were not entitled to any specific remuneration for their Board membership and work.

 

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The Chief Executive Officer was compensated in 2012 and 2013 by means of a management agreement between Auris Medical AG and Altamira Pharma GmbH, a company fully owned by the CEO. During 2013 and 2012, the Group paid CHF 248,000 and CHF 247,200, respectively, for the management services rendered.

CHF 74,145 (2012: CHF 31,370) was expensed for grants of stock options to members of the board of directors and Management. Contributions to post employment schemes amounted to CHF 6,836 and CHF 0 during the years 2013 and 2012. No termination benefits or other long term benefits were paid.

Members of the board of directors and Management held 187,500 and 87,500 Stock options as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

In January 2013 Auris Medical AG obtained a bridge financing from Altamira Pharma GmbH through unsecured revolving credit facilities of up to CHF 1,400,000 and up to EUR 300,000 at an interest rate of 5% p.a. The bridge financing were repaid by the Group as of April 10, 2013. Interest of CHF 6,386 and EUR 2,847 was paid in 2013 under the agreements to the lender.

Liabilities to related parties

 

 

 

		DECEMBER 31, 2013				DECEMBER 31, 2012				JANUARY 1, 2012
Convertible loans from shareholders			13,711,200				—				—
Trade and other payables			22				286				—
Total liabilities to related parties			13,711,222				286				—

 

 

The convertible loans from shareholders with a nominal value of CHF 13,769,976 are subordinated to any other indebtedness of the Group; they bear no interest (see Note 14).

 

 

 

		2013				2012
Interest income related parties			—				—
Interest expense related parties			-50,177				—
Net interest income/(expense)—related parties			-50,177				—

 

 

In 2013 the interest expense to related parties includes the calculated effective interest on the convertible loans from shareholders and the interest on a bridge loan from a related party. No interest was paid to related parties in 2012.

25. Events after the balance sheet date

In January 2014 the convertible loan lenders exercised their conversion option, and the total loan amount of CHF 13,769,976 was converted into 2,607,950 Series C shares of the Company. The Series C shares were issued as of January 27, 2014 from the Company’s authorized capital. As a result, the Company’s issued share capital increased from CHF 6,487,130 at December 31, 2013 to CHF 7,536,510.

26. Transition to IFRSs

As stated in Note 2, these are the Group’s first consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.

The accounting policies set out in Note 3 have been applied in preparing the financial statements for the periods ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and in the preparation of an opening IFRS statement of financial position at January 1, 2012 (the Group’s date of transition).

 

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In preparing its opening IFRS statement of financial position, the Group has adjusted amounts reported previously in financial statements prepared in accordance with Swiss GAAP FER (Core FER). The latest period presented in the entity’s most recent annual statements under Swiss GAAP FER was the year ended December 31, 2012. An explanation of how the transition from previous Core FER to IFRSs has affected the Group’s financial position and financial performance is set out in the following tables and the notes that accompany the tables.

Reconciliation of Statement of Financial Position as previously reported:

 

 

 

						DECEMBER 31, 2012												JANUARY 1, 2012
		NOTE				PREVIOUS GAAP				ADJ.				IFRS				PREVIOUS GAAP				ADJ.				IFRS
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property and equipment			a	)			104,278				20,218				124,496				1,987				—				1,987
Intangible assets			b	)			385,823				-28,303				357,520				275,099				82,421				357,520
Non-current financial assets			c	)			—				—				—				72,850				-72,850				—
Total non-current assets							490,101				-8,085				482,016				349,936				9,571				359,507
Current assets
Current financial assets			c	)															—				72,850				72,850
Other receivables			e	)			125,027				110,422				235,449				110,452				1				110,453
Prepayments			e	)			84,325				—				84,325				21,766				46,900				68,666
Cash and cash equivalents							63,967				—				63,967				752,874				—				752,874
Total current assets							273,319				110,422				383,741				885,092				119,751				1,004,843
Total assets							763,420				102,337				865,757				1,235,028				129,322				1,364,350
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Share capital							4,632,580				—				4,632,580				4,632,580				—				4,632,580
Share premium							13,341,942				—				13,341,942				10,006,179				—				10,006,179
Treasury shares							—				—				—				-526,320				—				-526,320
Currency translation reserve			f	)			22,275				—				22,275				—				—				—
Accumulated deficit							-18,120,588				-120,243				-18,240,831				-13,588,951				-50,906				-13,639,857
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to owners of the Company							-123,791				-120,243				-244,034				523,488				-50,906				472,582
Non-current liabilities
Employee benefits			d	)			—				242,646				242,646				—				178,524				178,524
Total non-current liabilities							—				242,646				242,646				—				178,524				178,524
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables							424,877				—				424,877				170,863				—				170,863
Accrued expenses			e	)			462,334				-20,066				442,268				540,677				1,704				542,381
Total current liabilities							887,211				-20,066				867,145				711,540				1,704				713,244
Total liabilities							887,211				222,580				1,109,791				711,540				180,228				891,768
Total equity and liabilities							763,420				102,337				865,757				1,235,028				129,322				1,364,350

 

 

Explanatory notes:

 

a)

The calculation of depreciation of items of Property and equipment is performed on a pro rata basis under IFRS taking into account the date of acquisition of the item of property and equipment. Under previous GAAP, the calculation was performed based on the cost value at the end of the year for the full year, not taking in consideration the date of acquisition.

b)

Under previous GAAP expenses for patent filings and the prosecution costs were capitalized and amortized over the remaining term of the patent. Under IFRS intellectual property related costs for patents are considered as part of the expenditure for the internal research and development projects. Consequently previously capitalized intangible assets with a net book value of CHF 385,823 and CHF 275,099 as at December 31, 2012 and January 1, 2012 respectively were removed from the balance sheet. On the other hand expenses related to acquired licenses of CHF 357,520 are capitalized under IFRS, these costs were expensed under previous GAAP.

c)

The unconsolidated minority investment in the company Xigen SA was reclassified from non current financial assets to current financial assets as at January 1, 2012 under IFRS, because management intended to dispose of this investment in early 2012.

 

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d)

Under previous GAAP, no liability was recognized for the Group’s pension plan organized through a legally independent collective foundation. Under IFRS this pension plan qualifies as a defined benefit plan. Accordingly the Group has recognized its obligation in respect of the plan in the statement of financial position in accordance with IAS 19 (see Note 19 Employee benefits).

e)

As part of the transition process to IFRS, the Group has performed a detailed analysis of the various contracts, the level of services performed and the associated costs incurred. This process resulted in a restatement of accrued liabilities, prepayments and other receivables as at January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. Under previous GAAP a concept of prudence was applied in estimating service related accruals.

f)

Cumulative translation adjustment: In accordance with IFRS 1.D13 the company has not applied IAS 21 with regard to the translation of foreign operations retrospectively. Accordingly, the cumulative translation differences for all foreign operations are deemed to be zero at the transition date.

Reconciliation of consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as previously reported:

 

 

 

						2012
		NOTE				PREVIOUS GAAP				ADJ.				IFRS
Operating loss			a	)			-4,532,348				-78,155				-4,610,503
Financial result			b	)			33,490				-25,396				8,094
Loss before tax							-4,498,858				-103,551				-4,602,409
Taxes			c	)			-32,778				32,778				—
Net loss attributable to owners of the Company							-4,531,636				-70,773				-4,602,409
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Remeasurement of defined benefit liability							—				-54,577				-54,577
Currency translation difference							22,275				—				22,275
Other comprehensive loss							22,275				-54,577				-32,302
Total comprehensive loss							-4,509,361				-125,350				-4,634,711

 

 

Explanatory notes:

 

a)

Under previous GAAP the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income was presented using a classification of expenses based on their nature, whereas under IFRS the Group elected to present expenses based on their function.

The differences of the operating loss compared to previous GAAP are related to the following expense items:

 

 

 

		2012
Depreciation of property and equipment			20,218
Reversal capitalization of intellectual property related costs			-110,724
Services related adjustments of accruals, receivables, prepayments			86,726
Expense for employee stock option plan			-56,013
Incremental expense for defined benefit plan			-9,545
Reclassification of insurance income from finance costs to G&A			23,961
Reclassification of expenses for capital taxes from taxes to G&A			-32,778
Operating loss adjustment			-78,155

 

 

 

b)

Reclassification of an income from insurance from financial result to general and administrative expense of CHF 23,961 and currency difference adjustments of CHF 1,435 led to the adjustment of the financial result of CHF 25,396.

c)

Under IFRS it is not appropriate to classify taxes on capital under income taxes, therefore the amount of capital taxes paid of CHF 32,778 was reclassified into general and administrative expenses.

 

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Consolidated statement of cash flows:

 

 

 

		2012
		PREVIOUS GAAP				ADJ.				IFRS
Cash used in operating activities			-4,380,675				-117,792				-4,498,467
Net cash used in investing activities			-192,408				139,332				-53,076
Net cash from financing activities			3,862,369				-287				3,862,082
Net effect of currency translation			21,807				-21,807				—
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			-688,907				-554				-689,461
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			752,874				—				752,874
Net effect of currency translation on cash			—				554				554
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period			63,967				—				63,967

 

 

The main deviation in the presentation of the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year 2012 results from the different treatment of intellectual property related expenses. These expenses were capitalized under previous GAAP and presented as cash used in investing activities. Under IFRS these costs are expensed as incurred, consequently the related cash outflows form part of the cash used in operating activities.

Under IFRS currency translation differences resulting from the translation of foreign subsidiaries are excluded from the presented cash flows, except for currency translation differences on cash and cash equivalents. Under previous GAAP, the net effect of the currency translation was presented as a separate line item in the statement of cash flows.

 

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Through and including                 , 2014 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

Common Shares

 

Auris Medical AG

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

 

Jefferies

Leerink Partners

JMP Securities

Needham & Company

                , 2014

 

 

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Item 7. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Item 8. Exhibits

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this registration statement:

 

 

 

1.1*		Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1*		Articles of Association
4.1*		Form of Certificate of common shares of Auris Medical AG
5.1*		Form of opinion of Froriep, Swiss counsel of Auris Medical AG, as to the validity of the common shares
8.1*		Form of opinion of Froriep, Swiss counsel of Auris Medical AG, as to Swiss tax matters
8.2*		Form of opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, as to U.S. tax matters
10.1*		Series C Investment Agreement, dated April 2013
10.2*		Convertible Loan Agreement, dated December 2013, between Auris Medical AG and Sofinnova Venture Partners VIII, L.P. and Sofinnova Capital VII FCPR
10.3*		Service Agreement, dated January 2011 between Auris Medical AG and Altamira Pharma GmbH
10.4*		Loan Agreement, dated January 2013 between Auris Medical AG and Altamira Pharma GmbH
21.1*		List of subsidiaries
23.1*		Consent of KPMG AG
23.2*		Consent of Froriep, Swiss counsel of Auris Medical AG (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.3*		Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (included in 8.2)*
24.1		Powers of attorney (included on signature page to the registration statement)

 

 

*

To be filed by amendment.

(b) Financial Statement Schedules

None.

Item 9. Undertakings

The undersigned hereby undertakes:

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

(b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such

 

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indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Basel, Switzerland on             , 2014.

 

 

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KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Thomas Meyer and Sven Zimmermann and each of them, individually, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead in any and all capacities, in connection with this registration statement, including to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, this registration statement and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments and registrations filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on                 , 2014 in the capacities indicated:

 

NAME		TITLE
Thomas Meyer		Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
Sven Zimmermann		Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)
Wolfgang Arnold		Director
Alain Munoz		Director
James I. Healy		Director
Oliver Kubli		Director
Antoine Papiernik		Director
		Authorized Representative in the United States

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

The following documents are filed as part of this registration statement:

 

 

 

1.1*		Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1*		Articles of Association
4.1*		Form of Certificate of common shares of Auris Medical AG
5.1*		Form of opinion of Froriep, Swiss counsel of Auris Medical AG, as to the validity of the common shares
8.1*		Form of opinion of Froriep, Swiss counsel of Auris Medical AG, as to Swiss tax matters
8.2*		Form of opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, as to U.S. tax matters
10.1*		Series C Investment Agreement, dated April 2013
10.2*		Convertible Loan Agreement, dated December 2013, between Auris Medical AG and Sofinnova Venture Partners VIII, L.P. and Sofinnova Capital VII FCPR
10.3*		Service Agreement, dated January 2011 between Auris Medical AG and Altamira Pharma GmbH
10.4*		Loan Agreement, dated January 2013 between Auris Medical AG and Altamira Pharma GmbH
14.1*		Code of Ethics of Auris Medical AG
21.1*		List of subsidiaries
23.1*		Consent of KPMG AG
23.2*		Consent of Froriep, Swiss counsel of Auris Medical AG (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.3*		Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (included in 8.2)*
24.1		Powers of attorney (included on signature page to the registration statement)

 

 

*

To be filed by amendment.

 

II-5