Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008

OR

 

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 001-33221

A.P. PHARMA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   94-2875566

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

123 Saginaw Drive

Redwood City CA

  94063
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(650) 366-2626

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x    No  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Small Reporting Company  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)

Yes  ¨    No  x

At October 31, 2008, the number of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.01, was 30,941,149.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

A.P. Pharma, Inc

INDEX

 

          Page No.

PART I.

  

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements (unaudited):

  
  

Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007

   3
  

Condensed Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

   4
  

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

   5
  

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

   6

Item 2.

  

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

   16

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   18

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   18

PART II.

  

OTHER INFORMATION

   19

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   19

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

   19

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   19

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   19

Item.4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   19

Item 5.

  

Other Information

   19

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   20
  

Signatures

   21

 

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PART I. Financial Information

 

Item 1: Financial Statements:

A.P. Pharma, Inc.

Condensed Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

     September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 
     (unaudited)     (Note 1)  

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 15,680     $ 33,510  

Marketable securities

     859       1,552  

Accounts receivable

     32       152  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     323       582  
                

Total current assets

     16,894       35,796  

Property and equipment, net

     1,060       1,079  

Other long-term assets

     103       75  
                

Total assets

   $ 18,057     $ 36,950  
                

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 715     $ 1,437  

Accrued expenses

     4,435       4,347  

Accrued disposition costs

     541       423  
                

Total current liabilities

     5,691       6,207  

Deferred revenue

     1,000       1,000  

Other long-term liabilities

     72       269  
                

Total liabilities

     6,763       7,476  
                

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock

     138,463       137,438  

Accumulated deficit

     (127,106 )     (107,926 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (63 )     (38 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     11,294       29,474  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 18,057     $ 36,950  
                

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

 

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A.P. Pharma, Inc.

Condensed Statements of Operations (unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Contract revenue

   $ 64     $ 121     $ 348     $ 280  
                                

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

     5,069       4,595       16,747       13,344  

General and administrative

     1,272       762       3,215       2,753  
                                

Total operating expenses

     6,341       5,357       19,962       16,097  
                                

Operating loss

     (6,277 )     (5,236 )     (19,614 )     (15,817 )

Interest income, net

     111       561       547       865  

Gain on sale of interest in royalties

     —         —         —         2,500  

Other income (expense), net

     1       (3 )     8       1  
                                

Loss from continuing operations

     (6,165 )     (4,678 )     (19,059 )     (12,451 )

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (40 )     1       (120 )     33  
                                

Loss before income taxes

     (6,205 )     (4,677 )     (19,179 )     (12,418 )

Provision for income taxes

     —         (8 )     —         (44 )
                                

Net loss

   $ (6,205 )   $ (4,685 )   $ (19,179 )   $ (12,462 )
                                

Basic and diluted net loss per share:

        

Loss from continuing operations

   $ (020 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.62 )   $ (0.80 )
                                

Net loss

   $ (0.20 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.62 )   $ (0.80 )
                                

Shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share

     30,819       30,736       30,806       15,553  
                                

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

 

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A.P. Pharma, Inc.

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2008     2007  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (19,179 )   $ (12,462 )

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

    

Loss (gain) from discontinued operations

     120       (33 )

Depreciation and amortization

     310       271  

Stock-based compensation expense

     906       253  

Amortization of discount and accretion of premium on marketable securities

     —         (70 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     100       (104 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     260       (244 )

Other long-term assets

     (28 )     17  

Accounts payable

     (722 )     (272 )

Accrued expenses

     (22 )     (93 )
                

Net cash used in continuing operating activities

     (18,255 )     (12,737 )

Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations

     19       (186 )
                

Net cash used in operating activities

     (18,236 )     (12,923 )
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (291 )     (108 )

Maturities of marketable securities

     668       4,875  

Sales of marketable securities

     —         6,460  
                

Net cash provided by investing activities

     377       11,227  
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance cost

     —         37,198  

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

     2       —    

Proceeds from issuance of shares under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

     27       38  
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     29       37,236  
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (17,830 )     35,540  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period

     33,510       2,333  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period

   $ 15,680     $ 37,873  
                

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

 

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A.P. Pharma, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

September 30, 2008 and 2007 (unaudited)

(1) BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

A.P. Pharma, Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing pharmaceutical products using our proprietary Biochronomer polymer-based drug delivery technology. Our product development philosophy is based on incorporating approved therapeutics into our proprietary bioerodible drug delivery technology to create controlled release pharmaceuticals to improve treatments for diseases or conditions. The Biochronomer technology can effectively deliver drugs over periods varying from days to several months. We have completed comprehensive animal and human toxicology studies that have established that our Biochronomer polymers are safe and well tolerated. We have completed over 100 in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrating that our Biochronomer technology is potentially applicable to a range of therapeutic areas, including prevention of nausea and vomiting, pain management and control of inflammation. Our lead product candidate, APF530, is the subject of a recently concluded pivotal Phase III clinical trial for the prevention of acute and delayed onset chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, or CINV, is designed to prevent CINV for at least five days and contains granisetron, a drug approved for this indication.

We completed enrollment and patient treatment of this APF530 clinical trial in the second quarter of 2008, encompassing 1,395 patients treated at 103 centers in the United States, Poland and India. We announced positive top-line data from the trial on September 30, 2008, followed by the release of more detailed data on November 5, 2008. We expect to submit our new drug application, or NDA, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of APF530 in December 2008.

The goals of the Phase III trial were to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of APF530 in the treatment of CINV following the administration of highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, and to establish an effective dose for APF530, creating a data package suitable for inclusion in the NDA that we plan to submit to the FDA during December of 2008. In the trial 5mg and 10mg doses of granisetron were evaluated; based on the results the 10mg dose appears to provide greater efficacy with a side effect profile similar to the 5mg dose. As such, the APF530 10mg dose will be the proposed therapeutic dose included in the NDA. The NDA will be submitted under section 505(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, whereby we can rely on the significant clinical data for safety and efficacy of APF530’s active ingredient, granisetron.

The trial was structured to compare the two APF530 doses with Aloxi in four different assessments: acute onset (0 to 24 hours after chemotherapy) and delayed onset (24 to 120 hours after chemotherapy) CINV following both moderately and highly emetogenic chemotherapy. The 10mg dose of APF530 achieved complete response (CR) rates that were numerically higher than Aloxi across all four assessments. The results met the primary endpoint of “non-inferiority” (comparability) for three assessments, including moderately emetogenic (acute and delayed onset) and highly emetogenic (acute onset). Although the CR rates for APF530 were numerically higher than those for Aloxi in the highly emetogenic delayed onset assessment, they did not achieve the primary endpoint of superiority vs. Aloxi in this segment. Aloxi is not approved for use in highly emetogenic delayed onset CINV. CR was defined as the absence of emetic episodes and use of anti-emetic rescue medications during a specified period of time.

 

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The results summarized below are the primary endpoints from the study, with such data being drawn from the first cycle of four cycles of treatment available to the patients:

Complete Response by Treatment – Cycle 1

 

Emetogenicity Level

   Treatment Group    Statistics vs. Aloxi
(Confidence Interval)
 
   APF530
(5mg)
   APF530
(10mg)
   Aloxi    5mg     10mg  

Moderately emetogenic

   (n=214)    (n=212)    (n=208)     

•        Acute onset

   74.8%    76.9%    75.0%    NI (-9.8, 9.3 )   NI (-7.5, 11.4 )

•        Delayed onset

   51.4%    59.0%    57.7%    I (-17.1, 4.6 )   NI (-9.5, 12.1 )

Highly emetogenic

   (n=229)    (n=240)    (n=238)     

•        Acute onset

   77.7%    81.3%    80.7%    NI (-12.1,6.1 )   NI (-8.2, 9.3 )

•        Delayed onset

   64.6%    68.3%    66.4%    NS (-12.4, 8.8 )   NS (-8.3, 12.2 )

(NI) Non-inferior efficacy was established using a modified Bonferroni step down procedure. AP530 non-inferior to Aloxi (i.e. lower bound of adjusted 95% CI for AP530), Aloxi difference excludes less than or equal to negative 15%. The Confidence Intervals shown for the moderately emetogenic and highly emetogenic levels are 97.5% and 98.3%, respectively. (NS) No significant difference. (I) Inferior efficacy.

In addition to our lead drug candidate, we have a pipeline of other product candidates. One of these, APF112, incorporates the well-known local anesthetic, mepivacaine. It is designed to provide up to 36 hours of post-surgical pain relief and to minimize the use of morphine-like drugs, or opiates, which are used extensively in post-surgical pain management. Post-surgical pain can be treated with local anesthetics, but the usefulness of these drugs is currently limited by the short duration of their effectiveness. A longer acting local anesthetic would be expected to result in better pain management and a reduced need for opiates. Our plan was to initiate a Phase IIb clinical trial for APF112 in 2008. We have temporarily deferred ongoing APF112 development activities in order to devote our complete attention and resources towards the APF530 NDA and negotiations of a commercialization partnership for that CINV prevention product.

We have other additional product candidates using our Biochronomer technology in early stages of development. This includes APF580, which incorporates an opiate into our Biochronomer technology, and is designed to provide analgesia lasting up to seven days by a single injection. It is targeted for situations where the intensity and duration of pain require use of an opiate rather than a local anesthetic. Animal studies with APF580 are currently being conducted, and data from those studies are being supplemented with additional preclinical data from a research and development agreement with a major animal health company, which is evaluating a variant of APF580 for use in cats and dogs.

Our Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for APF580 was successfully filed with the FDA during the third quarter of 2008. As with APF112, we have temporarily deferred ongoing APF580 development activities in order to devote our complete attention and resources towards the APF530 NDA and negotiations of a commercialization partnership for our CINV product.

Additionally, as further discussed in Note 9, Subsequent Events, in November 2008 in conjunction with focusing our efforts and resources on APF530 and putting earlier stage development programs “on hold”, we eliminated approximately 35% of our workforce and implemented other cash conservation measures, including broad operating expense constraints

To date, we have financed our operations including technology and product research and development through the sale of common stock, royalties received on sales of Retin-A Micro® and Carac®, income from collaborative research and development fees, the proceeds received from the sales of our Analytical Standards division and our cosmeceutical and toiletry business, interest earned on short-term investments and the sale of our interest in the royalty income from Retin-A Micro® and Carac®. We anticipate expenditures to decrease as activities associated with our Phase III APF530 trial wind down, we have placed earlier development stage programs on hold , have implemented a significant headcount reduction and imposed operating expense constraints. We believe our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, together with interest income will be sufficient to meet our cash needs into the third quarter of 2009.

 

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Our capital requirements going forward will depend on numerous factors including, among others, our ability to enter into collaborative research and development and licensing agreements; progress of product candidates in preclinical and clinical trials; investment in new research and development programs; time required to gain regulatory approvals; resources that we devote to self-funded products; resources required for gross margin guarantees, potential acquisitions of technology, product candidates or businesses; and the costs of defending or prosecuting any patent opposition or litigation necessary to protect our proprietary technology.

We may not be able to raise sufficient additional capital when we need it or to raise capital on favorable terms. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt securities in the future may be dilutive to our stockholders, and debt financing arrangements may require us to pledge certain assets and enter into covenants that could restrict certain business activities or our ability to incur further indebtedness and may contain other terms that are not favorable to us or our stockholders. If we are unable to obtain adequate funds on reasonable terms, we may be required to curtail operations significantly or to obtain funds by entering into financing, supply or collaboration agreements on unattractive terms.

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. All adjustments (all of which are of a normal recurring nature) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 are not indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008 or for any other period. The condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2007 has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date but it does not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP. These condensed financial statements and the notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 30, 2008 (our “2007 10-K”).

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires our management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. We believe the following policies to be critical to understanding our financial condition, results of operations, and expectations for 2008, because these policies require management to make significant estimates, assumptions and judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain.

 

 

Revenue Recognition

Our revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are divided into separate units of accounting if certain criteria are met, including whether the delivered item has stand-alone value to the customer and whether there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered items. The consideration we receive is allocated among the separate units based on their respective fair values, and the applicable revenue recognition criteria are considered separately for each of the separate units. Advance payments received in excess of amounts earned are classified as deferred revenue until earned.

 

 

Sale of Royalty Revenue

In January 2006, we completed the sale of our rights to royalties on sales of Retin-A Micro® and Carac® for up to $30 million. We received proceeds of $25 million upon the closing of the transaction and received a $2.5 million milestone payment in June 2007. We may receive an additional $2.5 million based on the satisfaction of certain other predetermined milestones.

 

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Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

We invest excess cash primarily in various money market funds. We have also invested a minor portion of our portfolio in high grade primarily short–term interest-bearing securities. We consider all short-term investments in debt securities which have original maturities of less than three months at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Investments with maturities of three months or longer are classified as marketable securities in the accompanying condensed balance sheets. Marketable securities are classified as available for sale at the time of purchase and carried at fair value. Unrealized gains or losses, if any, are recorded as other comprehensive income or loss in stockholders’ equity. If the estimated fair value of a security is below its carrying value, we evaluate whether we have the intent and ability to retain our investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value and whether evidence indicating that the cost of the investment is recoverable within a reasonable period of time outweighs evidence to the contrary. If the impairment is considered to be other-than–temporary, the security is written down to its estimated fair value. Other-than-temporary declines in estimated fair value of all marketable securities are charged to “other income (loss), net”. The cost of all securities sold is based on the specific identification method.

 

 

Contract Revenue

Contract revenue relates to research and development arrangements that generally provide for us to invoice research and development fees based on full-time equivalent hours for each project. Revenue from these arrangements are recognized as the related development services are rendered. This revenue approximates the costs incurred.

 

 

Clinical Trial Accruals

Our expenses related to clinical trials are based on estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with multiple research institutions and clinical research organizations that conduct and manage clinical trials on our behalf. Since the invoicing related to these services does not always coincide with our financial statement close process, we must estimate the level of services performed and fees incurred in determining the accrued clinical trial costs. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation and variation from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. Payments under the contracts depend on factors such as the successful enrollment of patients or achievement of certain events or the completion of portions of the clinical trial or similar conditions. The Phase III clinical trial of APF530 has a significant effect on the Company’s research and development expenses. Expenses related to clinical trials generally are accrued based on the level of patient enrollment and services performed by the clinical research organization or related service provider according to the protocol. We monitor patient enrollment levels and related activity to the extent possible and adjust our estimates accordingly. Historically these estimates have been accurate and no material adjustments have had to be made.

 

 

Income Taxes

We make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities, which arise from differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. As part of the process of preparing our financial statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves us estimating our current tax exposure under the most recent tax laws and assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes.

We assess the likelihood that we will be able to recover our deferred tax assets. We consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, including our historical levels of income and losses, expectations and risks associated with estimates of future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. If we do not consider it more likely than not that we will recover our deferred tax assets, we will record a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that we estimate will not ultimately be recoverable. At September 30, 2008, we believed that the amount of our deferred income taxes would not be ultimately recovered. Accordingly, we recorded a full valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. However, should there be a change in our ability to recover our deferred tax assets, we would recognize a benefit to our tax provision in the period in which we determine that it is more likely than not that we will recover our deferred tax assets.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

We measure stock-based compensation at the grant date based on the award’s fair value and recognize the expense ratably over the requisite vesting period, net of estimated forfeitures, for all stock-based awards granted after January 1, 2006 and all stock-based awards granted prior to, but not vested as of January 1, 2006.

We have elected to calculate an award’s fair value based on the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes model requires various assumptions, including expected option life and volatility. If any of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model or the estimated forfeiture rate changes significantly, stock-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period. Prior to January 1, 2008, we calculated the expected term of an option using the simplified method provided in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 and starting January 1, 2008, we are using historical data to calculate the expected option term.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2008 we adopted SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS157”). In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No 157, which provides a one year deferral (effective for years beginning after November 15, 2008) of the effective date of SFAS 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed in the financial statements at fair value at least annually. Therefore, we have adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 with respect to our financial assets and liabilities only. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined under SFAS 157 as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under SFAS 157 must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value which are the following:

 

   

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.

Effective January 1, 2008 we adopted SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities- including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 allows an entity the irrevocable option to elect fair value for the initial and subsequent measurement for specified financial assets and liabilities on a contract-by-contract basis. We did not elect to apply the fair value option under SFAS 159.

Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted EITF 07-3, Accounting for Advance Payments for Goods and Services to be Received for Use in Future Research and Development Activities (“EITF 07-03). EITF 07 03 requires that non-refundable advance payments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities be deferred and capitalized and recognized as an expense as the goods are delivered or the related services are performed, subject to an assessment of recoverability. The adoption did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

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In November 2007, the EITF issued EITF Issue No. 07-1 (“EITF 07-1”), Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements Related to the Development and Commercialization of Intellectual Property. Companies may enter into arrangements with other companies to jointly develop, manufacture, distribute, and market a product. Often the activities associated with these arrangements are conducted by the collaborators without the creation of a separate legal entity (that is, the arrangement is operated as a “virtual joint venture”). The arrangements generally provide that the collaborators will share, based on contractually defined calculations, the profits or losses from the associated activities. Periodically, the collaborators share financial information related to product revenues generated (if any) and costs incurred that may trigger a sharing payment for the combined profits or losses. The consensus requires collaborators in such an arrangement to present the result of activities for which they act as the principal on a gross basis and report any payments received from (made to) other collaborators based on other applicable GAAP or, in the absence of other applicable GAAP, based on analogy to authoritative accounting literature or a reasonable, rational, and consistently applied accounting policy election. EITF 07-1 is effective for collaborative arrangements in place at the beginning of the annual period beginning after December 15, 2008. Management does not expect that the adoption EITF 07-1 will have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS141R”). SFAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any non-controlling interest of the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. SFAS 141R also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the business combination. This statement is effective for us beginning January 1, 2009. We will assess the potential impact of the adoption of SFAS 141R if and when a future acquisition occurs.

In December 2007, the FASB approved the issuance of SFAS No. 160. Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 will change the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will now be termed non-controlling interests. SFAS 160 requires non-controlling interest to be presented as a separate component of equity and requires the amount of net income attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling interest to be separately identified on the consolidated statement of operations. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. At this time, we do not expect adoption of SFAS 160 to have any impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 ( “SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure related to derivatives and hedging activities and thereby seeks to improve the transparency of financial reporting. Under SFAS 161, entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures relating to: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) how derivative instruments and related hedge items are accounted for under SFAS 133 Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 133’) and its related interpretations; and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS 161 must be applied prospectively to all derivative instruments and non-derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments and related hedged items accounted for under SFAS 133 for all financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We do not expect adoption of SFAS 161 to have any impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 142-3 Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP 142-3”). FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No 142 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and requires enhanced disclosures relating to: (a) the entity’s accounting policy on the treatment costs incurred to renew or extend the term of a recognized intangible asset; (b) in the period of acquisition or renewal, the weighted-average period prior to the next renewal or extension (both explicit and implicit), by major intangible asset class and (c) for an entity that capitalizes renewal or extension costs, the total amount of costs incurred in the period to renew or extend the term of a recognized intangible asset for each period for which a statement of financial

 

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position is presented by major intangible asset class. FSP 142-3, must be applied prospectively to all intangible assets acquired as of and subsequent to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is prohibited. We do not expect adoption of FSP142-3 to have any impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

(2) FAIR VALUE

In accordance with SFAS 157, the following table represents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets (cash equivalents and investments) measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Total

Money market funds

   $ 15,549    $ —      $ —      $ 15,549

Asset backed securities

     —        859      —        859
                           

Total

   $ 15,549    $ 859    $ —      $ 16,408
                           

(3) NET LOSS PER SHARE INFORMATION

Basic and diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per share excludes the effect of potentially dilutive securities because they are anti-dilutive. Such potentially dilutive securities at September 30, 2008 include outstanding stock options for 3,073,123 common shares and unearned restricted stock awards for 72,750 common shares.

(4) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The following table shows the stock-based compensation expense for all awards (in thousands except per share amount):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2008    2007     2008    2007

Operating expenses:

          

Research and development

   $ 98    $ (31 )   $ 383    $ 73

General and administrative

     230      8       523      180
                            

Total stock-based compensation expense

   $ 328    $ (23 )   $ 906    $ 253
                            

Impact on basic and diluted net loss per common share

   $ .01    $ *     $ .03    $ .02
                            

 

* Impact on basic and diluted net loss per common share was less than $0.01 per share.

 

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The following table summarizes option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2008:

 

     Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Outstanding at January 1, 2008

   550,383     $ 8.57

Granted

   2,599,300     $ 1.29

Expired and Forfeited

   (74,852 )   $ 7.52

Exercised

   (1,708 )   $ 1.37
        

Outstanding at September 30, 2008

   3,073,123     $ 2.44
        

Non- Qualified Stock Option Plan. On July 3, 2008, our Board of Directors approved an increase to the number of shares available for grant under our Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan by one million shares. The Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan is used for inducement grants.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan. We adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ( “ESPP”) in 1997. Qualified employees may elect to have a certain percentage of their salary withheld to purchase shares of our common stock under the ESPP. The purchase price per share is equal to 85% of the fair market value of the stock on specified dates. Sales under the ESPP in the nine months periods ending September 30, 2008 and 2007 were 26,103 and 11,254 shares at an average price of $1.03 and $3.40 per share respectively. Shares available for future purchase under the ESPP are 107,057 at September 30, 2008.

We modified our ESPP such that the length of all offering periods, beginning May 1, 2008 is six months. Consequently, there is no reset feature associated with any new offering period. Our closing stock price on the April 30, 2008 ESPP purchase date was lower than the closing price on the November 1, 2007 offering date. As a result, participants were re-enrolled into a new six-month offering period, beginning May 1, 2008 and ending October 31, 2008. As a result of the amendment, $41 of compensation cost was accelerated or generated of which $6 and $39 was recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.

(5) COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 consists of the following (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Net loss

   $ (6,205 )   $ (4,685 )   $ (19,179 )   $ (12,462 )

Unrealized losses on available-for-sale marketable securities

     (9 )     (20 )     (25 )     (8 )
                                

Comprehensive loss

   $ (6,214 )   $ (4,705 )   $ (19,204 )   $ (12,470 )
                                

(6) INCOME TAXES

There is no provision for income taxes for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2008 because we incurred net operating losses. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 we recorded catch up provisions of $8 and $44 respectively for California State Alternative Minimum Tax.

 

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(7) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

In June, 2007, we sold 24,393,939 shares of common stock in a public offering at a price of $1.65 per share, for net proceeds of approximately $37.2 million after deducting underwriting fees and costs associated with the offering. The shares were offered under our registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-141918).

On May 23, 2007, we filed a Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware affecting a 1-for-4 reverse stock split of our common stock. All share and per share amounts for all periods presented have been retroactively restated to reflect the reverse stock split.

(8) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

We completed the sale of certain assets of our Analytical Standards division as well as certain technology rights for our topical pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical product lines and other assets (“cosmeceutical and toiletry business”) in February 2003 and July 2000, respectively.

The Analytical Standards division and cosmeceutical and toiletry business are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the accompanying Condensed Statements of Operations.

Income (loss) from discontinued operations represents primarily the loss attributable to changes in estimates of our cosmeceutical and toiletry business that was sold to RP Scherer on July 25, 2000, as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2008     2007    2008     2007

Analytical Standards Division

         

Royalties earned in excess of minimum amount recorded

   $ —       $ 1    $ —       $ 18

Cosmeceutical and Toiletry Business

         

Change in estimates for gross profit guarantees

     (40 )     —        (120 )     15
                             

Total income (loss) from discontinued operations

   $ (40 )   $ 1    $ (120 )   $ 33
                             

Impact on basic and diluted loss per share

   $ *     $ *    $ *     $ *
                             

 

* Impact on basic and diluted loss per share from discontinued operations was less than $0.01 per share.

As of September 30, 2008, liabilities related to the discontinued operations in the amount of $541 represent accruals for gross profit guarantees. These liabilities are reported as accrued disposition costs in the accompanying balance sheets.

The cash provided by discontinued operations of $19 in 2008 relates primarily to royalties received from GFS Chemicals, Inc. (“GFS”), a privately held company based in Columbus, Ohio, from sales of Analytical Standards products. The cash used in discontinued operations of $186 in 2007 relates to royalties received from GFS from sales of Analytical Standards products, offset by a payment relating to the Gross Profit Guaranty (as defined below).

On February 13, 2003, we completed the sale of our Analytical Standards division to GFS. In this transaction, we received $2.1 million on closing and were entitled to receive royalties on sales of Analytical Standards products for a period of five years following the sale at rates ranging from 5% to 15%. As of September 30, 2008, all royalties due from GFS have been received.

 

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In conjunction with the terms of an agreement with RP Scherer, a subsidiary of Cardinal Health, pursuant to which we sold certain technology rights associated with our cosmeceutical and toiletry business, we guaranteed a minimum gross profit percentage on RP Scherer’s combined sales of products to Ortho Neutrogena and Dermik (“Gross Profit Guaranty”). The guaranty period commenced on July 1, 2000 and ends on the earlier of July 1, 2010 or the end of two consecutive guaranty periods where the combined gross profit on sales to Ortho and Dermik equals or exceeds the guaranteed gross profit (the “two period test”). The Gross Profit Guaranty expense totaled $944 for the first seven guaranty years and in those years profits did not meet the two period test. Effective March 2007, in conjunction with a sale of assets by RP Scherer’s successor company to an Amcol International subsidiary (“Amcol”), a new agreement was signed between us and Amcol to provide continuity of product supply to Ortho and Dermik. This new agreement potentially extends the gross profit guaranty period an additional three years to July 1, 2013 unless it is terminated earlier with the two period test. Therefore, we expect the annual Gross Profit Guaranty payment to range from $100 to $200 per annum. Amcol has indicated that its costs differ from those it charged historically to the RP Scherer successor company to produce the product; we have requested documentation of actual costs and have accrued for 2008 at the historical rate. As there is no minimum amount of Gross Profit Guaranty due, no accrual for the guaranty is estimable for future years. A liability of $541 and $420 related to the amount due under the gross profit guaranty is included in accrued disposition costs as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

(9) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In November 2008, we announced that in response to the deterioration of the overall economic environment and the financial markets, to better focus our resources on APF 530 we implemented a corporate realignment placing earlier stage development programs “on hold”, headcount reductions of approximately 35% of our workforce and other cost-saving initiatives to reduce expenses. In connection with the staff reduction, we expect to make severance payments of approximately $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including uncertainties associated with timely development, approval, launch and acceptance of new products, satisfactory completion of clinical studies, establishment of new corporate alliances, progress in research and development programs, reliance on third parties, including contract manufacturers and other risks and uncertainties identified in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution investors that forward-looking statements reflect our analysis only on their stated date. We do not intend to update them except as required by law.

Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

Contract revenue, which is derived from work performed under collaborative research and development arrangements, was $64, $121, $348 and $280 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The amount of contract revenue varies from period to period depending on the level of activity requested of us by our collaborators. Therefore, we cannot predict the amount of contract revenue in future periods.

Research and development expense for the three months ended September 30, 2008 increased by $474 from $4,595 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 to $5,069. The increase was primarily as a result of higher salaries and other payroll related expenses, including increased stock-based compensation expense and, to a lesser extent, outside consultants. Research and development expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased by $3,403 from $13,344 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $16,747. The increase was primarily due to increased clinical and related expenses representing increased expenses for our undisclosed opiate pain product and our post-operative pain product, offset by a decrease in expenses related to APF530 due to the winding down of our Phase 3 clinical trial. Additionally, research and development expenses increased due to salaries and other payroll related expenses, including stock-based compensation expense and, to a lesser extent, increased consulting and other outside services.

General and administrative expense increased for the three months ended September 30, 2008 by $510 from $762 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, to $1,272. General and administrative expense increased by $462 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from $2,753 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $3,215. The increases were primarily a result of higher professional fees and consulting expenses and stock–based compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and stock-based compensation and outside consultants for the nine months ending September 30, 2008.

Interest income, net, decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2008 by $450 from $561 to $111 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Interest income, net decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 by $318 to $547 from $865 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. These decreases were primarily due to lower average balance of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

In January 2006, we completed the sale of our rights to royalties on sales of Retin-A Micro® and Carac® for up to $30 million. We received proceeds of $25 million upon the closing of the transaction and received a $2.5 million milestone payment in June 2007, which was recorded as gain on sale of interest in royalties. We may receive up to an additional $2.5 million based on the satisfaction of certain other predetermined milestones.

Loss from discontinued operations represents the net income/loss attributable to the Analytical Standards division which was sold to GFS Chemicals, Inc. in February 2003 and the cosmeceutical and toiletries business which was sold to RP Scherer Corporation in July 2000. Net loss from discontinued operations totaled $40 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to net income of $1 in the three

 

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months ended September 30, 2007. Net loss from discontinued operations totaled $120 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to net income of $33 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The loss from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 reflects our expectation that the Gross Profit Guaranty payment for fiscal 2008 will be in the range of $100 to $200 for 2008. The company that now owns the rights to the cosmeceutical and toiletries business has indicated that its costs differ from those it charged historically to the RP Scherer successor company to produce the product; we have requested documentation of the actual costs.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities decreased by $18.5 million to $16.5 million at September 30, 2008 from $ 35.1 million at December 31, 2007 due primarily to our net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Net cash used in continuing operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $18.3 million, compared to net cash used of $12.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in net cash used by continuing operating activities from 2008 to 2007 was mainly due to the increased loss in 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007.

Net cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $377, compared to net cash provided of $11.2 million from investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease in cash provided by investing activities was primarily due to lower sales and maturities of marketable securities in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2007 $37.2 million cash was provided by proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs.

To date, we have financed our operations including technology and product research and development through the sale of common stock, royalties received on sales of Retin-A Micro® and Carac®, income from collaborative research and development fees, the proceeds received from the sales of our Analytical Standards division and our cosmeceutical and toiletry business, interest earned on short-term investments and the sale of our interest in the royalty income from Retin-A Micro® and Carac®. We anticipate expenditures to decrease as activities associated with our Phase III APF530 trial wind down, we have placed earlier development stage programs on hold, have implemented a significant headcount reduction and imposed operating expense constraints. We believe our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, together with interest income will be sufficient to meet our cash needs into the third quarter of 2009.

Our capital requirements going forward will depend on numerous factors including, among others, our ability to enter into collaborative research and development and licensing agreements; progress of product candidates in preclinical and clinical trials; investment in new research and development programs; time required to gain regulatory approvals; resources that we devote to self-funded products; resources required for gross margin guarantees, potential acquisitions of technology, product candidates or businesses; and the costs of defending or prosecuting any patent opposition or litigation necessary to protect our proprietary technology.

We may not be able to raise sufficient additional capital when we need it or to raise capital on favorable terms. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt securities in the future may be dilutive to our stockholders, and debt financing arrangements may require us to pledge certain assets and enter into covenants that could restrict certain business activities or our ability to incur further indebtedness and may contain other terms that are not favorable to us or our stockholders. If we are unable to obtain adequate funds on reasonable terms, we may be required to curtail operations significantly or to obtain funds by entering into financing, supply or collaboration agreements on unattractive terms.

 

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Below is a summary of fixed payments related to certain contractual obligations (in thousands). This table excludes amounts already recorded on our condensed balance sheet as current liabilities at September 30, 2008.

 

     Total    Less than
1 year
   2 to 3
years
   4 to 5
Years
   More than
5 years

Operating Leases

   1,412    553    841    18    —  
                        

Off- Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2008 we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Our exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to our investment portfolio. We do not use derivative financial instruments. We manage our interest rate risk by maintaining an investment portfolio primarily consisting of money market funds and debt instruments of high credit quality and relatively short average maturities. At September 30, 2008, 94% of our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were held in money market funds.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures: We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Interim Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of September 30, 2008, the end of period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level to alert them in a timely manner to material information relating to the Company required to be included in our Exchange Act filings.

Changes in internal controls: During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Not applicable

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, which have not materially changed other than as set forth below. Those risks, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results, are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

The current volatility and disruption in the capital and credit markets may continue to exert downward pressure on our stock price and we may cease to be in compliance with the continued listing standards set forth by The Nasdaq Global Market.

If we cease to be in compliance with the continued listing standards, The Nasdaq Global Market may commence delisting proceedings against us.

The capital and credit markets have been experiencing extreme volatility and disruption for more than twelve months. In recent weeks, the volatility and disruption have reached unprecedented levels. Stock markets in general and our stock prices in particular, have experienced significant price and volume volatility over the past year. Our stock is trading at historic lows and we could continue to experience further declines in stock price. Our stock is currently trading below $1.00 per share, which is in violation of Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements.

Although Nasdaq has suspended the enforcement of rules requiring a minimum $1.00 closing bid price and the rules requiring a minimum market value of publicly held shares, this suspension is currently only in effect through January 16, 2009. There is no guarantee that we will be in compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements when this suspension is lifted. If our stock continues to trade below $1.00 when the temporary suspension is lifted, Nasdaq may commence delisting procedures against us. If we were delisted, the market liquidity of our common stock could be adversely affected and the market price of our common stock could decrease. Such a delisting could also adversely affect our ability to obtain financing for the continuation of our operations and could result in a loss of confidence by investors, suppliers and employees. In addition, our stockholders’ ability to trade or obtain quotations on our shares could be severely limited because of lower trading volumes and transaction delays. These factors could contribute to lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask price for our common stock.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

 

Item 5 Other Information

Not applicable.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit 4.1    Non-Qualified Stock Plan *
Exhibit 4.2    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Plan Stock Option Agreement*
Exhibit 10-U    Employment Letter Agreement with Ronald Prentki President and Chief Executive Officer**
Exhibit 31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13A-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exhibit 31.2    Certification of Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13A- 15(f) promulgated under the Securities exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exhibit 32    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

* Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on August 7, 2008

 

** Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 14, 2008

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    A.P. PHARMA, INC.
Date: November 7, 2008     /s/ Ronald J. Prentki
    Ronald J. Prentki
    President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 7, 2008     /s/ Gregory H. Turnbull
    Gregory H. Turnbull
    Interim Chief Financial Officer

 

21

Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302

Exhibit 31.1

SECTION 302 CERTIFICATIONS

I, Ronald J. Prentki, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of A.P. Pharma, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors:

 

  a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which could be reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 7, 2008

 

/s/ Ronald J. Prentki
Ronald J. Prentki

President and Chief Executive Officer

Certification of Interim CFO pursuant to Section 302

Exhibit 31.2

SECTION 302 CERTIFICATIONS

I, Gregory H. Turnbull, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of A.P. Pharma, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors:

 

  a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which could be reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 7, 2008

 

/s/ Gregory H. Turnbull
Gregory H. Turnbull
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Certification of CEO and Interim CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION

906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of A.P. Pharma, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Ronald J. Prentki, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ Ronald J. Prentki
Ronald J. Prentki,
President and Chief Executive Officer

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION

906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of A.P. Pharma, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Gregory H. Turnbull, Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ Gregory H. Turnbull
Gregory H. Turnbull,
Interim Chief Financial Officer