Annual report pursuant to section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

v2.4.0.8
Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
May 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies

9 - Commitments and Contingencies

On July 25, 2012, the Company and Kenneth J. Van Ness entered into a Transition Agreement (the “Transition Agreement”). Pursuant to the Transition Agreement, Mr. Van Ness stepped down as the Chairman of the Board, effective immediately. In addition, Mr. Van Ness agreed to step down as the President and CEO of the Company. Mr. Van Ness ceased to be a director on December 12, 2012.

The Transition Agreement provided that, in lieu of any compensation otherwise payable to Mr. Van Ness under the Executive Employment Agreement, dated April 16, 2012, but effective as of August 9, 2011 (the “Employment Agreement”), by and between the Company and Mr. Van Ness, during the period beginning on July 18, 2012 through October 16, 2012 (the “Transition Period”) Mr. Van Ness would be paid a salary equal to $13,890 per month and continue to receive, during the Transition Period, the fringe benefits, indemnification and miscellaneous business expense benefits provided for in the Employment Agreement. Mr. Van Ness is also entitled to (i) receive a cash severance payment equal to $13,890 per month for 33 months following the Transition Period, (ii) the opportunity to elect the timing of distribution of his account balance in the Company’s 401(k) Plan, and (iii) reimbursement for continuing health care insurance coverage under COBRA for nine months.

The Transition Agreement also amended (A) the CytoDyn Inc. Stock Option Award Agreement, dated December 6, 2010, with Mr. Van Ness to provide for immediate vesting of all of the 500,000 options granted at $1.19 per share, and (B) the CytoDyn Inc. Stock Option Award Agreement, dated April 16, 2012, but effective as of August 9, 2011, with Mr. Van Ness to provide for (i) immediate vesting of 750,000 of the 1,500,000 options granted at $2.00 per share, and (ii) forfeiture of the remaining 750,000 options. In addition, the expiration date of the 25,000 options granted to Mr. Van Ness on September 22, 2010, as well as the options described above, will be August 8, 2016.

Pursuant to the terms of the Transition Agreement described above, during the year ended May 31, 2013, the Company recognized approximately $479,000 in severance expense and has an accrued liability of approximately $365,000, which is included in accrued salaries and severance on the consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2013. The Company accrued for the severance to be paid to Mr. Van Ness, as Mr. Van Ness has no significant continuing service obligation to the Company. Additionally, related to the modification of the above stock option awards to Mr. Van Ness, the Company recognized approximately $1,128,000 of stock-based compensation expense during the year ended May 31, 2013. This amount was determined based on the provisions of the above Transition Agreement, including the impact of the accelerated vesting and forfeitures.

Under the Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), dated July 22, 2012, between the Company and Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Progenics”), the Company acquired from Progenics its proprietary HIV viral-entry inhibitor drug candidate PRO 140 (“PRO 140”), a humanized anti-CCR5 monoclonal antibody, as well as certain other related assets, including the existing inventory of bulk PRO 140 drug product, intellectual property, certain related licenses and sublicenses, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) regulatory filings. On October 16, 2012, the Company paid $3,500,000 in cash to Progenics to close the acquisition transaction. The Company is also required to pay Progenics the following milestone payments and royalties: (i) $1,500,000 at the time of the first dosing in a U.S. Phase III trial or non-US equivalent; (ii) $5,000,000 at the time of the first US new drug application approval by the FDA or other non-U.S. approval for the sale of PRO 140; and (iii) royalty payments of up to five percent (5%) on net sales during the period beginning on the date of the first commercial sale of PRO 140 until the later of (a) the expiration of the last to expire patent included in the acquired assets, and (b) 10 years, in each case determined on a country-by-country basis. Payments to Progenics are in addition to payments due under a Development and License Agreement, dated April 30, 1999 (the “PDL License”), between Protein Design Labs (now AbbVie Inc.) and Progenics, which was assigned to us in the PRO 140 transaction, pursuant to which we must pay additional milestone payments and royalties as follows: (i) $1,000,000 upon initiation of a Phase III clinical trial; (ii) $500,000 upon filing a Biologic License Application with the FDA or non-U.S. equivalent regulatory body; (iii) $500,000 upon FDA approval or approval by another non-U.S. equivalent regulatory body; and (iv) royalties of up to 7.5% of net sales for the longer of 10 years and the date of expiration of the last to expire licensed patent. Additionally, the PDL License provides for an annual maintenance fee of $150,000 until royalties paid exceed that amount. Such amount remains due for calendar year 2013 and the failure to pay such amount gives rise to a termination right after notice and an opportunity to cure.

In addition, from time to time, the Company is involved in claims and suits that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management currently believes that resolving any such claims against the Company will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.