tamir_s1-043010.htm
                                                 
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2010 
Registration No. 333-                                 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
 


FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 


TAMIR BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
(State of incorporation or other
jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
 
22-2369805
(I.R.S.  Employer Identification No.)

300 Atrium Drive
Somerset, NJ 08873
(732) 652-4525
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
 

 
Charles Muniz
Chief Executive Officer
300 Atrium Drive
Somerset, NJ 08873
(732) 652-4525
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
 

 
Copies to:
 
   
Kevin T. Collins, Esq.
Goodwin Procter LLP
The New York Times Building
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018-1405
   
 

 
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement
 

 
 
 

 
 
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  / /
 
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, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  /x/
 
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please 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 registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. / /
 
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. / /
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a small reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer / /     Accelerated filer / /
     
Non-accelerated filer / / (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)         Smaller reporting company /x/
 
 
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
           
Proposed Maximum
   
Proposed Maximum
   
Amount of
Title of Each Class of
         
Offering Price
   
Aggregate Offering
   
Registration
Securities to be Registered
   
Amount to be Registered(1)
   
per Share
   
Price
   
Fee(5)
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of notes
   
24,916,667 (2)
   
$0.24 (3)
   
$ 5,980,000
   
$426.37
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Series A warrants, execrable at $0.15 per share.
   
21,666,664
   
$0.24 (4)
   
$5,199,999
   
$370.76
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Series B warrants, execrable at $0.25 per share
   
21,666,664
   
$0.25 (4)
   
$5,416,666
   
$386.21

 (1)
We are registering the resale of shares of common stock by Selling Security Holders that we will issue to the Selling Security Holders upon the conversion of the notes and exercise of the warrants, which were issued to the Selling Security Holders as a result of private placements we completed in October 2009. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, this registration statement also covers such additional shares of common stock as may hereafter be offered or issued with respect to the shares being registered hereby as a result of stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalization or similar adjustments.
   
(2)
Assume the accrual of three years interest at a rate of 5% on the principal of the notes and the payment of such accrued interest with shares of common stock upon the maturity date of the notes.
   
(3) 
Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act.  We have estimated the offering price to be $0.24 per share based on the average of the high and low sales prices of the registrant’s common stock as reported on the Pink Sheets market on April 26, 2010.
   
(4)
Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act.  Represents the higher of: (a) the exercise price of the warrants and (b) the offering price of the securities of the same class as the common stock underlying the warrants calculated in accordance with Rule 457(c).
   
(5) 
Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(a) based on an estimate of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price.
 
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 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.
 
 

 
 
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED ____________, 2010
 
TAMIR BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC.
 
68,249,995 shares of Common Stock
 
This prospectus relates to the offer for sale of up to 68,249,995 shares of our common stock by certain existing holders of the securities, referred to as Selling Security Holders throughout this document. Each of the Selling Security Holders will receive all of the net proceeds from the sale of shares by that holder. We will not receive any of the proceeds of this offering.
 
On April 27, 2010, our stockholders approved an amendment to our certificate of incorporation which changed our name from Alfacell Corporation to Tamir Biotechnology, Inc.  This amendment to our certificate of incorporation had been previously approved by our board of directors and was filed with the State of Delaware on April 27, 2010.

Our common stock is traded on the Pink Sheets market and prices are quoted under the symbol “ACEL”. On April 26, 2010, the last reported price was $0.25.
 
Investing in our stock involves substantial risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3.
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
The date of this Prospectus is _________, 2010

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The Selling Security Holders will not sell these securities until after the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
 
 
 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page
Prospectus Summary
1
Risk Factors
3
Forward-Looking Statements
15
Use of Proceeds
16
Determination of Offering Price
16
Dilution
16
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
16
Business
25
Management
37
Executive Compensation
41
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
53
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
54
Selling Security Holders
57
Description of Securities Registered
58
Plan of Distribution
59
Legal Matters
61
Experts
61
Where You Can Find Additional Information
61
Consolidated Financial Statements
F-1
 
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus.

 
 

 
 
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights information found elsewhere in this prospectus. Accordingly, it does not contain all of the information which may be important to you.  Prospective purchasers should read the following summary carefully in conjunction with the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus concerning Tamir Biotechnology, Inc. and the securities being offered, including our financial statements and related notes and the information under “Risk Factors.” As used herein, references to “we”, “our”, “us” and “our Company” refer to Tamir Biotechnology, Inc.
 
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or represent anything not contained in this prospectus.  You should not rely on any unauthorized information.  This prospectus does not offer to sell or buy any securities in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful.  The information in this prospectus is current as of the date on the cover.
 
This prospectus is part of a Registration Statement on Form S-1 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that relates to the offer for sale of 68,249,995 shares of our common stock by certain existing holders of the securities, referred to as Selling Security Holders throughout this document. Each of the Selling Security Holders will receive all of the net proceeds from the sale of shares by that holder. We will not receive any of the proceeds of this offering. The common stock is traded on the Pink Sheets market and prices are quoted under the symbol “ACEL.”  On April 26, 2010, the last reported price was $0.25.

You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

THE COMPANY
 
Tamir Biotechnology, Inc. (formerly known as Alfacell Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company primarily engaged in the discovery and development of a new class of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of cancer and other pathological conditions. Our proprietary drug discovery and development program consists of novel therapeutics developed from amphibian ribonucleases (RNases).
 
RNases are biologically active enzymes that split RNA molecules. RNases are enzymes which play important roles in nature, among which is the development of an organism and in cell functions. RNA is an essential bio-chemical cellular component necessary to support life. There are various types of RNA, all of which have specific functions in a living cell. They help control several essential biological activities, namely, regulation of cell proliferation, maturation, differentiation and cell death. Therefore, we believe they are ideal candidates for the development of therapeutics for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, including HIV and autoimmune diseases, that require anti-proliferative and apoptotic, or programmed cell death, properties.
 
ONCONASE® (ranpirnase) is a novel amphibian ribonuclease, unique among the superfamily of pancreatic ribonuclease isolated from the eggs of the Rana pipiens (the Northern Leopard frog). Ranpirnase is the smallest known protein belonging to the superfamily of pancreatic ribonuclease and has been shown, on a molecular level, to re-regulate the unregulated growth and proliferation of cancer cells. Unlike most anti-cancer agents that attack all cells regardless of phenotype (malignant versus normal) and cause severe toxicities, ONCONASE® is not an indiscriminate cytotoxic drug (cell killing agent). ONCONASE® primarily affects exponentially growing malignant cells, with activity controlled through unique and specific molecular mechanisms.
 
Tamir Biotechnology, Inc. was initially incorporated in Delaware in 1981 under the name of Alfacell Corporation.  The Company changed its name to Tamir Biotechnology, Inc. on April 27, 2010.  Our principal executive offices are located at 300 Atrium Drive, Somerset, New Jersey 08873 and our telephone number is (732) 652-4525.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR BUSINESS
 
Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, as more fully described under “RISK FACTORS” beginning on page 3, which you should carefully consider before purchasing our common stock.  For example:
 
 
·
We are highly dependent on achieving success in the clinical testing, regulatory approval and commercialization of ONCONASE®, and our other compounds currently under development.  If we fail to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals, we will not be allowed to commercialize ONCONASE® and our business will be harmed.

 
·
We have incurred losses since inception and anticipate that we will incur continued losses for the foreseeable future. We do not have a current source of product revenue and may never be profitable.

 
1

 
 
 
·
We will need additional financing to continue operations, which may not be available on favorable or acceptable terms, if it is available at all.

 
·
We are highly dependent on our only executive officer, Charles Muniz, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.  If we lose key management personnel or are unable to attract and retain the talent required for our business, our business could be materially harmed.

 
·
We are involved in several lawsuits, and unfavorable results of legal proceedings could have a material adverse effect on us.

In addition, the ability of new shareholders to influence corporate matters may be limited because a small number of stockholders beneficially currently own a substantial amount of our common stock.  As of March 12, 2010, Mr. Muniz owns approximately 32% of our common stock; Knoll Capital Management LP, Fred Knoll and Europa International, Inc. own a total of approximately 30% of our common stock; McCash Family Limited Partnership owns approximately 10% of our common stock; James O. McCash and James O. McCash Trust own approximately 6% of our common stock; and Unilab LP owns approximately 10% of our common stock.
 
 
2

 

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock is speculative and involves a high degree of risk.  You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this prospectus and our other SEC filings before deciding whether to purchase shares of our common stock.  If any of the following risks actually occur, our business and operating results could be harmed.  This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks related to the Development of our Product Candidates

We are highly dependent on achieving success in the clinical testing, regulatory approval and commercialization of ONCONASE®, and our other compounds currently under development.  If we fail to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals, we will not be allowed to commercialize ONCONASE® and our business will be harmed.

The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, in the United States and comparable regulatory agencies in foreign countries impose substantial pre-market approval requirements on the introduction of pharmaceutical products. These requirements involve the completion of lengthy and detailed pre-clinical and clinical testing and other costly and time consuming procedures. Satisfaction of these requirements typically takes several years depending on the level of complexity and novelty of the product. The length of time required to complete a clinical trial depends on several factors including the size of the patient population, the ability of patients to get to the site of the clinical study, and the criteria for determining which patients are eligible to join the study. A significant portion of our expenditures have been devoted and, in the future will be devoted, to the clinical trials for our lead product candidate, ONCONASE® . Although the financing we received in October 2009 will enable us to commence a new clinical trial for ONCONASE®, we will be required to obtain additional financing to complete this trial and pursue the further development of ONCONASE®.  Such financing may not be available, and even if it is available, it may not be available on terms favorable or acceptable to us.

All statutes and regulations governing the conduct of clinical trials are subject to future changes by various regulatory agencies, including the FDA, which could affect the cost and duration of our clinical trials. Any unanticipated costs or delays in our clinical studies would delay our ability to generate product revenues and to raise additional capital and could cause us to be unable to fund the completion of the studies.

We may not market or sell any product for which we have not obtained regulatory approval.  We cannot assure you that the FDA or other regulatory agencies will ever approve the use of our products that are under development. Even if we receive regulatory approval, such approval may involve limitations on the indicated uses for which we may market our products. Further, even after approval, discovery of previously unknown problems could result in additional restrictions, including withdrawal of our products from the market.
               
If we fail to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals, we cannot market or sell our products in the United States or in other countries and our viability would be threatened. If we fail to achieve regulatory approval or foreign marketing authorizations for ONCONASE® we will not have a product suitable for sale or product revenues and may not be able to continue operations.

Our profitability will depend on our ability to develop, obtain regulatory approvals for, and effectively market ONCONASE® as well as entering into strategic alliances for the development of new drug candidates from the out-licensing of our proprietary RNase technology. The commercialization of our pharmaceutical products involves a number of significant challenges. In particular, our ability to commercialize ONCONASE® depends on the success of our clinical development programs, our efforts to obtain regulatory approval and our sales and marketing efforts or those of our marketing partners, directed at physicians, patients and third-party payors. A number of factors could affect these efforts including
 
·  
our ability to demonstrate clinically that our products are effective and safe;
·  
delays or refusals by regulatory authorities in granting marketing approvals;
·  
our limited financial resources relative to our competitors;
·  
our ability to obtain and maintain relationships with current and additional marketing partners;
·  
the availability and level of reimbursement for our products by third party payors;
·  
incidents of adverse reactions to our products;
·  
misuse of our products and unfavorable publicity that could result; and
·  
the occurrence of manufacturing or distribution disruptions.
 
 
3

 
 
Based upon guidance provided by the FDA at a pre-NDA meeting, we decided not to file a new drug application (NDA) for ONCONASE® for unresectable malignant mesothelioma (UMM) and to not pursue further clinical trials of ONCONASE® for the treatment of UMM.

The results of the preliminary statistical analysis of the data from the confirmatory Phase IIIb clinical trial we conducted for ONCONASE® in patients suffering from UMM did not meet statistical significance for the primary endpoint of survival in UMM.  Although a statistically significant improvement in survival was seen in the treatment of UMM patients who failed one prior chemotherapy regimen, a pre-defined primary data set for this sub-group of patients in the trial, at a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA held in January 2009, the FDA recommended that an additional clinical trial be conducted in this sub-group of patients prior to our submitting an NDA for ONCONASE®.  Based upon our assessment that it would be difficult to design and conduct a clinical trial that would comply with the FDA’s recommendation and allow us to file an NDA, we have determined at this time not to pursue further clinical trials for the treatment of UMM.  Based upon the results of certain preclinical testing performed on ONCONASE® we have decided to pursue a Phase II clinical trial for ONCONASE® for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in patients who have reached maximum progression on their current chemotherapy regimens. Although the financing we received in October 2009 will enable us to initiate this Phase II clinical trial, we will be required to obtain additional financing to complete this clinical trial and pursue further development of ONCONASE®.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to commence or complete the new Phase II clinical trial for ONCONASE®, or that the results from this clinical trial will be positive. Even if the results from this Phase II clinical trial are positive, we cannot assure you that the results of subsequent Phase III clinical trials will be positive or will support marketing approval of ONCONASE® in the United States or in any other jurisdictions.

Budget constraints may force us to delay our efforts to develop certain drug product candidates in favor of developing others, which may prevent us from commercializing all drug product candidates as quickly as possible.

Because we are an emerging company with limited resources, and because developing new drug product candidates is an expensive process, we must regularly assess the most efficient allocation of our research and development budget. As a result, we may have to further prioritize development activities and may not be able to fully realize the value of some of our drug product candidates in a timely manner, and they may be delayed in reaching the market, if at all. A reduction in spending on our other drug product candidates could delay our commercialization efforts and negatively impact our ability to diversify our development risk across a broad portfolio of drug product candidates.

Risks Related to Our Financial Position and Need for Additional Capital

We have incurred losses since inception and anticipate that we will incur continued losses for the foreseeable future. We do not have a current source of product revenue and may never be profitable.
                
We are a development stage company and since our inception one of the principal sources of our working capital has been private sales of our common stock.  Over the past three fiscal years, we have incurred aggregate net losses of approximately $25.6 million and since our inception we have incurred aggregate net losses of approximately $108.9 million. We expect to incur additional losses and, as our development efforts, efforts to file an NDA for ONCONASE® and clinical testing activities continue, our rate of losses may increase. We also expect to experience negative cash flows for the foreseeable future as we fund our losses and capital expenditures. Our losses have adversely impacted, and will continue to adversely impact, our working capital, total assets and stockholders’ equity. To date, we have not sold or received approval to sell any drug product candidates, and it is possible that revenues from drug product sales will never be achieved. We cannot at this time predict when or if we will be able to develop other sources of revenue or when or if our operations will become profitable, even if we are able to commercialize some of our drug product candidates.

 
4

 
 
We will seek to generate revenue through licensing, marketing and development arrangements prior to receiving revenue from the sale of our products. Currently, we are party to four non-US regional marketing and distribution agreements and we may not be able to successfully negotiate any additional agreements. In the past, we have entered into several development arrangements which have resulted in limited revenues for us. We cannot assure investors that these arrangements or future arrangements, if any, will result in significant amounts of revenue for us in the future. We, therefore, are unable to predict the extent of any future losses or the time required to achieve profitability, if at all.

We will need additional financing to continue operations, which may not be available on favorable or acceptable terms, if it is available at all.

Based upon our current operations and our plans for a Phase II clinical trial for ONCONASE® for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in patients who have reached maximum progression on their current chemotherapy regimens, we expect that our current cash reserves should be sufficient to support our activities through July 2010.   Although our current cash reserves will enable to initiate this Phase II clinical trial, provided we obtain the required approval from the FDA, we will need to obtain additional financing to complete the clinical trial and pursue further development of ONCONASE®.  As a result of our continuing losses and lack of capital, the report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our July 31, 2009 audited financial statements included an explanatory paragraph which states that our recurring losses from operations and negative cash flows from operating activities raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.  Our financial statements at July 31, 2009 do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.  We will need additional financing to conduct our business after July 2010.  Factors that would affect our ability to obtain capital in the future and the amount and timing of additional capital required include, but are not limited to, the following:

 
·
the condition of the capital markets in general and the willingness of investors to invest in development stage biotech companies, in particular;
 
 
·
the progress and cost of research and development and clinical trial activities relating to our drug product candidates;
 
 
·
the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and enforcing our patent claims and other intellectual property rights and investigating and defending against infringement claims asserted against us by others;
 
 
·
the emergence of competing technologies and other adverse market developments;

 
·
changes in or terminations of our existing licensing, marketing and distribution arrangements;
 
 
·
the amount of milestone payments we may receive from current and future collaborators, if any; and

 
·
the cost of manufacturing scale-up and development of marketing operations, if we undertake those activities.
 
 
·
our degree of success in commercializing our drug product candidates, including entering into additional marketing and distribution agreements;
 
 
·
our ability to obtain marketing approval of our product candidates

Additional financing may not be available when we need it or be on terms acceptable to us. If adequate financing is not available or we are unable to conclude a strategic transaction prior to the time our current cash reserves are exhausted we will be required to cease operations.  If additional capital is raised through the sale of equity, our stockholders’ ownership interest could be diluted and such newly-issued securities may have rights, preferences, or privileges superior to those of our other stockholders. The terms of any debt securities we may sell to raise additional capital may place restrictions on our operating activities.

We will need additional capital in the future and the Notes may make it more difficult for us to obtain the needed capital.

We will need to obtain additional financing over time to fund our operations.  The security interest in all of our assets which secures our obligations under the Notes, the covenants in the Notes, the conversion terms of the Notes  and the exercise terms of the Warrants issued with the Notes could make it difficult for us to obtain needed financing or could result in our obtaining financing with unfavorable terms.  Our failure to obtain financing or obtaining financing on unattractive terms could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 
5

 
 
A portion of the proceeds received pursuant to our October 2009 private financing were placed in an escrow account, and pursuant to the terms of an escrow agreement governing the escrow account may only be used for certain limited purposes.

In connection with our October 2009 private financing, we entered into an escrow agreement whereby certain investors placed $1.6 million of the proceeds paid for their units purchased in the financing in an escrow account. The escrow agreement shall terminate on the earlier of the date that all funds have been disbursed from the escrow account and April 19, 2011, at which time any remaining funds will be disbursed to us.  Such amounts can be disbursed from the escrow account only to satisfy obligations of ours owed to clinical research organizations, hospitals, doctors and other vendors and service providers associated with the clinical trials which we intend to conduct for our ONCONASE® product.  Until such time that the escrow agreement terminates, we are not permitted to use the funds in the escrow account for any other purposes.

We face certain litigation risks, and unfavorable results of legal proceedings could have a material adverse effect on us.

As described under the heading “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS” of this Registration Statement on Form S-1, we are a party to certain lawsuits. Regardless of the merits of any claim, litigation can be lengthy, time-consuming, expensive, and disruptive to normal business operations and may divert management’s time and resources, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including our cash flow. The results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict. Should we fail to prevail in these matters, or should any of these matters be resolved against us, we may be faced with significant monetary damages, which also could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, including our cash flow. In addition, we may incur higher general and administrative expenses than we have in the past in order to defend and prosecute this litigation, which could adversely affect our operating results.

The ability of our stockholders to recover against Armus Harrison & Co., or AHC, may be limited because we have not been able to obtain the reissued reports of AHC with respect to the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, nor have we been able to obtain AHC’s consent to the use of such report herein.

Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act, provides that any person acquiring or selling a security in reliance upon statements set forth in a Form 10-K may assert a claim against every accountant who has with its consent been named as having prepared or certified any part of the Form 10-K, or as having prepared or certified any report or valuation that is used in connection with the Form 10-K, if that part of the Form 10-K at the time it is filed contains a false or misleading statement of a material fact, or omits a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (unless it is proved that at the time of such acquisition such acquiring person knew of such untruth or omission).

In June 1996, AHC dissolved and ceased all operations. Therefore, we have not been able to obtain the reissued reports of AHC with respect to the financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009 nor have we been able to obtain AHC’s consent to the use of such report herein. As a result, in the event any persons seek to assert a claim against AHC under Section 18 of the Exchange Act for any untrue statement of a material fact contained in these financial statements or any omissions to state a material fact required to be stated therein, such persons will be barred. Accordingly, you may be unable to assert a claim against AHC under Section 18 of the Exchange Act for any purchases of the Company’s common stock made in reliance upon statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009. In addition, the ability of AHC to satisfy any claims properly brought against it may be limited as a practical matter due to AHC’s dissolution in 1996.

Our investments could lose market value and consequently harm our ability to fund continuing operations.

The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while at the same time maximizing yields without significantly increasing risk. To achieve this objective, we maintain our portfolio of cash and cash equivalents in a variety of securities, including government and corporate obligations and money market funds. The market values of these investments may fluctuate due to market conditions and other conditions over which we have no control. Fluctuations in the market price and valuations of these securities may require us to record losses due to impairment in the value of the securities underlying our investment. This could result in future charges to our earnings. All of our investment securities are denominated in US dollars.

 
6

 
 
Investments in both fixed-rate and floating-rate interest earning instruments carry varying degrees of interest rate risk. Fixed-rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates. In general, securities with longer maturities are subject to greater interest rate risk than those with shorter maturities. While floating-rate securities generally are subject to less interest rate risk than fixed-rate securities, floating-rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates decrease. Due in part to these factors, our investment income may fall short of expectations or we may suffer losses in principal if securities are sold that have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates.

Risks Related to the Commercialization of our Product Candidates

Our product candidates may not be accepted by the market.

Even if approved by the FDA and other regulatory authorities, our product candidates may not achieve market acceptance, which means we would not receive significant revenues from these products. Approval by the FDA does not necessarily mean that the medical community will be convinced of the relative safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of our products as compared to other products. In addition, third party reimbursers such as insurance companies and HMOs may be reluctant to reimburse expenses relating to our products.

We are and will be dependent upon third parties for manufacturing our products. If these third parties do not devote sufficient time and resources to our products our revenues and profits may be adversely affected.

We do not have the required manufacturing facilities to manufacture our product. We presently rely on third parties to produce ONCONASE® for use in clinical trials. We have entered into a ten-year purchase and supply agreement with SPL, for the manufacturing of ranpirnase (protein drug substance) from the oocytes, or the unfertilized eggs, of the Rana pipiens frog, which is found in the Northwest United States and is commonly called the leopard frog.

Additionally, we contract with Ben Venue for the manufacturing of ONCONASE® and with Bilcare, Catalent and Aptuit for the storage, labeling and shipping of ONCONASE® for clinical trial use. We utilize the services of these third party manufacturers solely on an as needed basis with terms and prices customary for our industry.

We use FDA CGMP licensed manufacturers for ranpirnase and ONCONASE®. We have identified alternative providers for the manufacturing services for which we may contract. In order to replace an existing service provider we must amend the Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for our Product Candidate to notify the FDA of the new manufacturer. Although the FDA generally will not suspend or delay a clinical trial as a result of replacing an existing manufacturer, the FDA has the authority to suspend or delay a clinical trial if, among other grounds, human subjects are or would be exposed to an unreasonable and significant risk of illness or injury as a result of the replacement manufacturer.

We intend to rely on third parties to manufacture our products if they are approved for sale by the appropriate regulatory agencies and are commercialized. Third party manufacturers may not be able to meet our needs with respect to the timing, quantity or quality of our products or to supply products on acceptable terms.

Because we do not have in-house marketing, sales or distribution capabilities, we have contracted with third parties and expect to contract with third parties in the future for these functions and we will therefore be dependent upon such third parties to market, sell and distribute our products in an effort to generate revenues.

We currently have no in-house sales, marketing or distribution capabilities. In order to commercialize any product candidates for which we receive FDA or non-U.S. approval, we expect to rely on established third parties who have strategic partnerships with us to perform these functions. To date, we have entered into four marketing and distribution agreements for ONCONASE® in regions outside the United States. We cannot assure you we will be able to maintain these relationships or establish new relationships with biopharmaceutical or other marketing companies with existing distribution systems and direct sales forces to market any or all of our product candidates on acceptable terms, if at all.
 
 
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In addition, we may incur significant expenses in determining our commercialization strategy with respect to one or more of our product candidates for regions outside the United States. The determination of our commercialization strategy with respect to a product candidate will depend on a number of factors, including:

 
·
the extent to which we are successful in securing third parties to collaborate with us to offset some or all of the funding obligations with respect to product candidates;
 
·
the extent to which our agreement with our collaborators permits us to exercise marketing or promotion rights with respect to the product candidate;
 
·
how our product candidates compare to competitive products with respect to labeling, pricing, therapeutic effect, and method of delivery; and
 
·
whether we are able to establish agreements with third party collaborators, including large biopharmaceutical or other marketing companies, with respect to any of our product candidates on terms that are acceptable to us.

If we are unable to obtain favorable reimbursement for our product candidates, their commercial success may be severely hindered.

Our ability to sell our future products may depend in large part on the extent to which reimbursement for the costs of our products is available from government entities, private health insurers, managed care organizations and others. Third-party payors are increasingly attempting to contain their costs. We cannot predict what actions third-party payors may take, or whether they will limit the coverage and level of reimbursement for our products or refuse to provide any coverage at all. Reduced or partial reimbursement coverage could make our products less attractive to patients, suppliers and prescribing physicians and may not be adequate for us to maintain price levels sufficient to realize an appropriate return on our investment in our product candidates or to compete on price.

In some cases, insurers and other healthcare payment organizations try to encourage the use of less expensive generic brands and over-the-counter, or OTC, products through their prescription benefits coverage and reimbursement policies. These organizations may make the generic alternative more attractive to the patient by providing different amounts of reimbursement so that the net cost of the generic product to the patient is less than the net cost of a prescription brand product. Aggressive pricing policies by our generic product competitors and the prescription benefits policies of insurers could have a negative effect on our product revenues and profitability.

Many managed care organizations negotiate the price of medical services and products and develop formularies for that purpose. Exclusion of a product from a formulary can lead to its sharply reduced usage in the managed care organization patient population. If our products are not included within an adequate number of formularies or adequate reimbursement levels are not provided, or if those policies increasingly favor generic or OTC products, our market share and gross margins could be negatively affected, as could our overall business and financial condition.

The competition among pharmaceutical companies to have their products approved for reimbursement may also result in downward pricing pressure in the industry or in the markets where our products will compete. We may not be successful in any efforts we take to mitigate the effect of a decline in average selling prices for our products. Any decline in our average selling prices would also reduce our gross margins.

In addition, managed care initiatives to control costs may influence primary care physicians to refer fewer patients to oncologists and other specialists. Reductions in these referrals could have a material adverse effect on the size of our potential market and increase costs to effectively promote our products.

We are subject to new legislation, regulatory proposals and managed care initiatives that may increase our costs of compliance and adversely affect our ability to market our products, obtain collaborators and raise capital.

 
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There have been a number of legislative and regulatory proposals aimed at changing the healthcare system and pharmaceutical industry, including reductions in the cost of prescription products and changes in the levels at which consumers and healthcare providers are reimbursed for purchases of pharmaceutical products.  These include the Affordable Health Care for America Act, recently passed by the United States Congress and singed into law by the President and the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003. Although we cannot predict the full effects on our business of the implementation of this new legislation, it is possible that current legislation, as well as legislation that may be adopted in the future, will result in decreased reimbursement for prescription drugs, which may further exacerbate industry-wide pressure to reduce the prices charged for prescription drugs. This could harm our ability to market our products and generate revenues.  As a result of current legislation, as well as legislation that may be adopted in the future, we may determine to change our current manner of operation, provide additional benefits or change our contract arrangements, any of which could harm our ability to operate our business efficiently, obtain collaborators and raise capital.

Competition in the biopharmaceutical field is intense and subject to rapid technological change. Our principal competitors have substantially greater resources to develop and market products that may be superior to ours.

If we obtain regulatory approval for any of our drug product candidates, the extent to which they achieve market acceptance will depend, in part, on competitive factors. Competition in our industry is intense, and it is increased by the rapid pace of technological development. Existing drug products or new drug products developed by our competitors may be more effective or have fewer side effects, or may be more effectively marketed and sold, than any that we may develop. Our principal competitors have substantially greater research and development capabilities and experience and greater manufacturing, marketing, financial, and managerial resources than we do. Competitive drug compounds may render our technology and drug product candidates obsolete or noncompetitive prior to our recovery of research, development, or commercialization expenses incurred through sales of any of our drug product candidates. The FDA’s policy of granting “fast track” approval for cancer therapies may also expedite the regulatory approval of our competitors’ drug product candidates.

To our knowledge, no other company is developing a product with the same mechanism of action as ONCONASE®. However, there may be other companies, universities, research teams or scientists who are developing products to treat the same medical conditions our products are intended to treat.

We also compete with other drug development companies for collaborations with large pharmaceutical and other companies.

Risks Related to this Offering and the Market for our Common Stock

Our stock price has been and is likely to continue to be volatile, and an investment in our common stock could decline in value.

The market price of our common stock, like that of the securities of many other development stage biotechnology companies, has fluctuated over a wide range and it is likely that the price of our common stock will fluctuate in the future. For example, over our past three fiscal years, the sale price for our common stock has fluctuated from a low of $0.06 to a high of $4.29.  The market price of our common stock could be impacted by a variety of factors, including:

 
·
the success or failure of our clinical trials or those of our competitors;
 
·
announcements of technological innovations or new drug products by us or our competitors;
 
·
Actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial results;
 
·
our ability to obtain financing, when needed;
 
·
economic conditions in the United States and abroad;
 
·
Comments by or changes in our assessments or financial estimates by securities analysts;
 
·
adverse regulatory actions or decisions;
 
·
Losses of key management;
 
·
changing governmental regulations;
 
·
our ability to secure adequate third party reimbursement for products developed by us;
 
·
developments or disputes concerning patents or other proprietary rights;
 
·
product or patent litigation; and
 
·
Public concern as to the safety of products developed by us.

 
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The stock market continues to experience extreme price and volume fluctuations and these fluctuations have especially affected the market price of many biotechnology companies. Such fluctuations have often been unrelated to the operating performance of these companies. Volatility or a lack of positive performance in our stock price may adversely affect our ability to retain key employees, all of whom have been granted stock options. These factors and fluctuations, as well as political and market conditions, may materially adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

A few significant stockholders control the direction of our business.  If the ownership of our common stock continues to be highly concentrated, it will prevent other shareholders from influencing significant corporate actions.

The ability of other shareholders to influence corporate matters may be limited because a small number of stockholders beneficially currently own a substantial amount of our common stock.  As of March 12, 2010, Mr. Muniz owns approximately 32% of our common stock; Knoll Capital Management LP, Fred Knoll and Europa International, Inc. own a total of approximately 30% of our common stock; McCash Family Limited Partnership owns approximately 10% of our common stock; James O. McCash and James O. McCash Trust own approximately 6% of our common stock; and Unilab LP owns approximately 10% of our common stock.  For more details of beneficial ownership of our shares, see “SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.”  Our significant shareholders will be able to exert a significant degree of influence over our management and affairs and all actions requiring stockholders approval, such as the election of directors and approval of significant corporation transaction.

In addition, Delaware corporate law provides that certain actions may be taken by consent action of stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares. In the event that the requisite approval of stockholders is obtained by consent action, without any meeting of stockholders, dissenting or non-participating stockholders generally would be bound by such vote. Through their concentration of voting power, our significant shareholders could delay, deter or prevent a change in control of our company or other business combinations that might otherwise be beneficial to our other stockholders. Accordingly, this concentration of ownership may harm the market price of our common stock. In addition, the interest of our significant stockholders may not always coincide with the interest of the Company’s other stockholders. In deciding how to vote on such matters, they may be influenced by interests that conflict with our other shareholders’.

Our incorporation documents may delay or prevent the removal of our current management or a change of control that a stockholder may consider favorable.

We are currently authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Our Board of Directors is authorized, without any approval of the stockholders, to issue the preferred stock and determine the terms of the preferred stock. This provision allows the Board to affect the rights of stockholders, since the Board of Directors can make it more difficult for common stockholders to replace members of the Board.  Because the Board is responsible for appointing the members of our management, these provisions could in turn affect any attempt to replace current management by the common stockholders. Furthermore, the existence of authorized shares of preferred stock might have the effect of discouraging any attempt by a person, through the acquisition of a substantial number of shares of common stock, to acquire control of us. Accordingly, the accomplishment of a tender offer may be more difficult. This may be beneficial to management in a hostile tender offer, but have an adverse impact on stockholders who may want to participate in the tender offer or inhibit a stockholder’s ability to receive an acquisition premium for his or her shares.

Events with respect to our share capital could cause the price of our common stock to decline.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the open market, or the availability of such shares for sale, could adversely affect the price of our common stock. We had 47,313,880 shares of common stock outstanding as of the end of our most recently completed fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2010. The following securities that may be exercised into shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding as of January 31, 2010:

 
·
Options. Stock options to purchase 3,624,267 shares of our common stock at a weighted average exercise price of approximately $1.82 per share.
 
·
Warrants. Warrants to purchase 51,183,890 shares of our common stock at a weighted average exercise price of approximately $0.56 per share.  These warrants include warrants issued in connection with the private financing we completed in October 2009.
 
·
Notes. Senior Secured Convertible Notes convertible into an aggregate of 24,916,667 shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $0.15 per share, assuming the accrual of three years interests at a rate of 5% on the principals of the Notes upon their maturity date and the payment of such accrued interest with shares of our common stock.

 
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The shares of our common stock that may be issued under the options and warrants are currently registered with the SEC, are being registered with the SEC on a registration statement to which this prospectus forms a part, or are eligible for sale without any volume limitations pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

The securities issued in our October 2009 private financing include the following:

 
·
Notes. Senior Secured Convertible Notes, or the Notes, convertible into an aggregate of 24,916,667 shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $0.15 per share, assuming three-year interests will accrue in full at a rate of 5% on the principals of the Notes upon their maturity date.
 
·
Series A Warrants. Series A Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 21,666,664 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.15 per share with a three-year term.
 
·
Series B Warrants. Series B Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 21,666,664 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.25 per share with a five-year term (the Series B Warrants and the Series A Warrants collectively refereed to as the Warrants).

Pursuant to the terms of an investor rights agreement or the Investor Rights Agreement entered into in connection with the financing, we must file a “resale” registration statement covering all of the shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes and the shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, up to the maximum number of shares able to be registered pursuant to applicable SEC regulations, by May 1, 2010 as the filing deadline and obtain the effectiveness of such registration statement within 90 days following the filing deadline or within 120 days following the filing deadline if the SEC reviews and has written comments  to the registration statement.  If any securities issuable upon conversion or exercise, respectively, of the Notes and Warrants are unable to be included on the initial “resale” registration statement, we have agreed to file subsequent registration statements until all of the securities have been registered. We are obligated to maintain the effectiveness of the “resale” registration statement until all securities therein are sold or otherwise can be sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, without any restrictions. A cash penalty at the rate of 1% per month will be triggered in the event the Company fails to file or obtain the effectiveness of a registration statement prior to the deadlines set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement or if the Company ceases to be current in filing its periodic reports with the SEC. The aggregate penalty accrued with respect to each investor may not exceed 6% of the original purchase price paid by that investor, or 12% if the only effectiveness failure is the Company’s failure to be current in its periodic reports with the SEC.

We have significant secured indebtedness as a result of a private financing, which we closed in October 2009, pursuant to which we issued the Notes.  If we are unable to perform our obligations under such notes, the holders of such notes would be entitled to realize upon their security interest by taking control of all or a portion of our assets.

We substantially increased our debt when we issued the Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $3.25 million pursuant to a private financing in October 2009.  The Notes mature on the earliest of (i) October 19, 2012; (ii) the closing of a public or private offering of the Company’s debt or equity securities subsequent to the date of issuance of the Notes resulting in gross proceeds of at least $8,125,000, other than a transaction involving a stockholder who holds 5% or more of the Company’s outstanding capital stock as of the date of issuance of the Notes; or (iii) on the demand of the holder of a Note upon the Company’s consummation of a merger, sale of substantially all of its assets, or the acquisition by any entity, person or group of 50% or more of the voting power of the Company. Interest accrues on the principal amount outstanding under the Notes at a rate of 5% per annum, and is due upon maturity. Upon an event of default under the Notes, the interest rate shall increase to 7%.  The Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at the option of the holder of such note at a price of $0.15 per share at any time prior to the date on which the Company makes payment in full of all amounts outstanding under such note. The Notes are not prepayable for a period of one year following the issuance thereof.

 
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The Notes are secured by a senior security interest and lien on all of the Company’s rights, title and interest to all of the assets owned by the Company as of the issuance of the Notes or thereafter acquired pursuant to the terms of a security agreement entered into by the Company with each of the investors. In the case of an event of default under the Notes, the holders of the notes would be entitled to realize their security interests and foreclose on our assets. In addition, the holders of the notes would be entitled to declare the principal and accrued interest thereunder to be due and payable. Our assets may not be sufficient to fully repay amounts outstanding under the Notes in the event of any such acceleration upon an event of default.

The trading market for our common stock may be limited since our common stock is no longer listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

On January 6, 2009 our common stock was delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market.  Since then our common stock has been quoted on the Pink Sheets and may be thinly traded at times.  You may be unable to sell our common stock during times when the trading market is limited.

We are subject to penny stock rules. As a consequence, sale of our stock by investors may be difficult.

The term “penny stock” generally refers to low-priced speculative securities of very small companies. We are subject to SEC's penny stock rules.

Before a broker-dealer can sell a penny stock, SEC rules require the firm to first approve the customer for the transaction and receive from the customer a written agreement to the transaction. The firm must furnish the customer a document describing the risks of investing in penny stocks. The firm must tell the customer the current market quotation, if any, for the penny stock and the compensation the firm and its broker will receive for the trade. Finally, the firm must send monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account.

Penny stocks may trade infrequently, which means that it may be difficult to sell our shares once you own them. Because it may be difficult to find quotations for certain penny stocks, they may be impossible to accurately price. Investors in penny stocks should be prepared for the possibility that they may lose their whole investment.
 
Risks Related to Our Operations

Our lack of operating experience may cause us difficulty in managing our growth.

We have no experience in selling pharmaceutical or other products or in manufacturing or procuring drug products in commercial quantities in compliance with FDA regulations and we have only limited experience in negotiating, establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships and conducting later stage phases of the regulatory approval process. Our ability to manage our growth, if any, will require us to improve and expand our management and our operational and financial systems and controls. If our management is unable to manage growth effectively, our business and financial condition would be adversely affected. In addition, if rapid growth occurs, it may strain our operational, managerial and financial resources, which are limited.

If we lose key management personnel or are unable to attract and retain the talent required for our business, our business could be materially harmed.

We currently have only one executive officer, Charles Muniz, our President, CEO and CFO.  We are highly dependent on Mr. Muniz, who has an employment contract with us.  During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, Kuslima Shogen, our scientific founder and former CEO retired, and Lawrence A. Kenyon, our former President, CFO and Corporate Secretary, resigned.

We do not have key man insurance on any of our management.  If we were to lose the services of Mr. Muniz or other members of our management team, and were unable to replace them, our product development and the achievement of our strategic objectives could be delayed.

 
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In addition, our success will depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified commercial, scientific, technical, and managerial personnel. While we have not experienced unusual difficulties to date in recruiting and retaining personnel, there is intense competition for qualified staff and there is no assurance that we will be able to retain existing personnel or attract and retain qualified staff in the future.

We handle hazardous materials and must comply with environmental laws and regulations, which can be expensive and restrict how we do business. We could also be liable for damages, penalties, or other forms of censure if we are involved in a hazardous waste spill or other accident.

Our research and development processes involve the controlled storage, use, and disposal of hazardous materials and biological hazardous materials. We are subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the use, manufacture, storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials and certain waste products. Although we believe that our safety procedures for handling and disposing of these hazardous materials comply with the standards prescribed by law and regulation, the risk of accidental contamination or injury from hazardous materials cannot be completely eliminated.  In the event of an accident, even by a third party, we could be held liable for any damages that result, and such liability could exceed the $2,000,000 limit of our current general liability insurance coverage and our financial resources. In the future, we may not be able to maintain insurance on acceptable terms, or at all. We could also be required to incur significant costs to comply with current or future environmental laws and regulations.

We may be sued for product liability.

Our business exposes us to potential product liability that may have a negative effect on our financial performance and our business generally. The administration of drugs to humans, whether in clinical trials or commercially, exposes us to potential product and professional liability risks which are inherent in the testing, production, marketing and sale of new drugs for humans. Product liability claims can be expensive to defend and may result in large judgments or settlements against us, which could have a negative effect on our financial performance and materially adversely affect our business.  We maintain product liability insurance to protect our products and product candidates in amounts customary for companies in businesses that are similarly situated, but our insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover claims. Furthermore, liability insurance coverage is becoming increasingly expensive and we cannot be certain that we will always be able to maintain or increase our insurance coverage at an affordable price or in sufficient amounts to protect against potential losses. A product liability claim, product recall or other claim, as well as any claim for uninsured liabilities or claim in excess of insured liabilities, may significantly harm our business and results of operations. Even if a product liability claim is not successful, adverse publicity and time and expense of defending such a claim may significantly interfere with our business.

Material weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting could harm stockholders’ and business partners’ confidence in our financial reporting, our ability to obtain financing, and other aspects of our business.

Internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance that deficiencies or weaknesses are identified. Additionally, potential control deficiencies that are not yet identified could emerge and internal controls that are currently deemed to be in place and operating effectively are subject to the risk that those controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Identification and corrections of these types of potential control deficiencies could have a material impact on our business, financial position, results of operations and disclosures and impact our ability to raise funds.

 
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Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
 
Our proprietary technology and patents may offer only limited protection against infringement and the development by our competitors of competitive products.

We own two patents jointly with the United States government. These patents expire in 2016. We also own eighteen other United States patents with expiration dates ranging from 2013 to 2024, four European patents with expiration dates ranging from 2010 to 2019, three Japanese patents with expiration dates ranging from 2010 to 2016 and one Singaporean patent with an expiration date in 2024.  Of the patents we own, five of the United States patents, two of the European patents and two of the Japanese patents have claims that cover ONCONASE® (by itself or together with other pharmaceuticals) or relevant manufacturing methodology.  The scope of protection afforded by patents for biotechnological inventions is uncertain, and such uncertainty applies to our patents as well. Therefore, our patents may not give us competitive advantages or afford us adequate protection from competing products. Furthermore, others may independently develop products that are similar to our products, and may design around the claims of our patents. Patent litigation and intellectual property litigation are expensive and our resources are limited. To date, we have not received any threats of litigation regarding patent issues.  However, if we were to become involved in litigation, we might not have the funds or other resources necessary to conduct the litigation effectively. This might prevent us from protecting our patents, from defending against claims of infringement, or both.

We may be sued for infringing on the intellectual property rights of others.

Our commercial success also depends in part on ensuring that we do not infringe the patents or proprietary rights of third parties. The biotechnology industry has produced a proliferation of patents, and it is not always clear to industry participants, including us, which patents cover various types of products. The coverage of patents is subject to interpretation by the courts, and the interpretation is not always uniform. While we have not been sued for infringing the intellectual property rights of others, there can be no assurance that the drug product candidates that we have under development do not or will not infringe on the patent or proprietary rights of others. Third parties may assert that we are employing their proprietary technology without authorization. Moreover, United States patent applications filed in recent years are confidential for 18 months, while older applications are not published until the patent issues. Further, some applications are kept secret during the entire length of their pendency by request of the applicant in special circumstances. As a result, there may be patents of which we are unaware, and avoiding patent infringement may be difficult. Patent holders sometimes send communications to a number of companies in related fields, suggesting possible infringement. If we are sued for patent infringement, we would need to demonstrate that we either do not infringe the patent claims of the relevant patent and/or that the patent claims are invalid, which we may not be able to do. Proving invalidity, in particular, is difficult since it requires a showing of clear and convincing evidence to overcome the presumption of validity enjoyed by issued patents. Parties making claims against us may be able to obtain injunctive or other equitable relief that could effectively block our ability to further develop, commercialize and sell products, and such claims could result in the award of substantial damages against us. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us, we may be required to pay damages and obtain one or more licenses from third parties. We may not be able to obtain these licenses at a reasonable cost, if at all. In that event, we could encounter delays in product introductions while we attempt to develop alternative methods or products or be required to cease commercializing affected products and our operating results would be harmed.

In the future, others may file patent applications covering technologies that we may wish to utilize with our proprietary technologies, or products that are similar to products developed with the use of our technologies. If these patent applications result in issued patents and we wish to use the claimed technology, we would need to obtain a license from the third party, and this would increase our costs of operations and harm our operating results.

 
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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus includes forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, our business, or our management, are intended to identify forward looking statements. We have based these forward looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of our business.  These forward looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may be beyond our control.  All of our forward looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed in this prospectus under the heading “RISK FACTORS”that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in these forward looking statements.

We caution you that the risk factors contained herein are not exhaustive.  We operate in a continually changing business climate which can be expected to impact our forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this prospectus. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward looking statements.  Accordingly, you should not rely on forward looking statements as a prediction of actual results.

 
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USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Each of the Selling Security Holders will receive all of the net proceeds from the sale of shares by that holder. We will not receive any of the net proceeds from the sale of the shares. The Selling Security Holders will pay any underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses incurred by the Selling Security Holders for brokerage, accounting, tax or legal services or any other expenses incurred by the Selling Security Holders in offering or selling their shares. We will bear all other costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the shares covered by this prospectus, including, without limitation, blue sky registration and filing fees, and fees and expenses of our counsel and accountants.
 
A portion of the shares covered by this prospectus are, prior to their sale under this prospectus, issuable upon conversion of the Notes or exercise of the Warrants.   When the Notes are converted we will be relieved of our debt obligations for the Notes at the rate of $0.15 per share issued. Assuming that the Notes are converted on October 19, 2012, the maturity date of the Notes, and that interest will accrue at the rate of 5% through the maturity date, a total of $3,737,500 of principal and accrued interest would be converted into 24,916,667 shares of our common stock. If all of the Series A Warrants are exercised for cash at the exercise price of $0.15 per share, we will receive a total of $3,250,000 from such exercise. If all of the Series B Warrants are exercised for cash at the exercise price of $0.25 per share, we will receive a total of $5,416,666 from such exercise.
 
The Notes and Warrants were issued in a private placement which we closed in October 2009.  We received proceeds from the Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $3,250,000 and assuming 100% exercise of the Warrants for cash, we will receive $8,666,666 from the payment of the exercise price.  At the time of the private placement, we intended to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the funding of research and development activities.  The use of a portion of such proceedings is subject to certain limitations.  In connection with our October 2009 private financing, we entered into an escrow agreement whereby certain investors placed $1.6 million of the proceeds paid for their units purchased in the financing in an escrow account.  The escrow agreement will terminate on the earlier of the date that all funds have been disbursed from the escrow account and April 19, 2011, at which time any remaining funds will be disbursed to us.  Such amounts can be disbursed from the escrow account only to satisfy obligations of ours owed to clinical research organizations, hospitals, doctors and other vendors and service providers associated with the clinical trials which we intend to conduct for our ONCONASE® product.  Until such time that the escrow agreement terminates, we are not permitted to use the funds in the escrow account for any other purposes.
 
 
DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE

The securities may be sold in one or more transactions at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale on the over-the counter bulletin board or at privately negotiated prices determined at the time of sale.
 
 
DILUTION
 
We are not selling any of the shares of common stock in this offering. All of the shares sold in this offering will be held by the Selling Security Holders at the time of the sale, so that no dilution will result from the sale of the shares.
 

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

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements included in this prospectus.
 
Overview

We are a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of drugs for life threatening-diseases, such as malignant mesothelioma and other cancers.  Our corporate strategy is to become a leader in the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel ribonuclease (RNase) therapeutics for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

 
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We are a development stage company as defined in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) “Development Stage Entities”.  We are devoting substantially all of our present efforts to establishing a new business and developing new drug products. Our planned principal operations of marketing and/or licensing new drugs have not commenced and, accordingly, we have not derived any significant revenue from these operations.

Since our inception in 1981, we have devoted the vast majority of our resources to the research and development of ONCONASE®, our lead drug candidate, as well as other related drug candidates.  In recent years we have focused our resources towards the completion of the clinical program for ONCONASE® in patients suffering from unresectable malignant mesothelioma, or UMM.

During our fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, our efforts were primarily focused on the completion of our confirmatory Phase IIIb clinical trial for UMM and preparation of the remaining components of our NDA.   The results of the preliminary statistical analysis of the data from the confirmatory Phase IIIb clinical trial for ONCONASE® in patients suffering from UMM did not meet statistical significance for the primary endpoint of survival in UMM.  However, a statistically significant improvement in survival was seen in the treatment of UMM patients who failed one prior chemotherapy regimen, a currently unmet medical need and one of the predefined primary sub-group data sets for patients in the trial.  At the pre-NDA meeting with the FDA in January 2009, the FDA recommended that an additional clinical trial be conducted in UMM patients that have failed one prior chemotherapy regimen, prior to filing an NDA.  At this time, we do not expect to pursue further clinical trials for ONCONASE® for the UMM indication.  We are evaluating which indications to pursue, including lung cancer and other solid tumors and currently we expect to use the proceeds we received from the private financing we closed in October 2009 to pursue a Phase II clinical trial of ONCONASE® for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in patients who have reached maximum progression on their current chemotherapy regimens.
 
We effected a reduction in force and reduced our operations to the minimum sustainable level required to pursue strategic alternatives and additional capital during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009.  Charles Muniz, a long time supporter and significant shareholder our company, was elected to our Board and appointed our President, CEO and CFO.  Additional changes to our executive team during the fiscal year included the resignation of James Loughlin as a member of our Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee, resignation of Lawrence A. Kenyon as our President, CFO, Corporate Secretary and member of our Board and pursuant to a retirement agreement, Kuslima Shogen, our scientific founder, retired as our CEO and scientific founder.  Ms. Shogen resigned from our Board in January 2010.

Almost all of the $72.6 million of research and development expenses we have incurred since our inception has gone toward the development of ONCONASE® and related drug candidates.  For the fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007, our research and development expenses were approximately $3.3 million, $8.5 million, and $5.5 million, respectively, almost all of which were used for the development of ONCONASE® and related drug candidates.

 We have incurred losses since inception and we have not received FDA approval of any of our drug candidates.  We expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future as we continue our efforts to receive marketing approval for our drug candidates, which includes the sponsorship of human clinical trials.  Until we are able to consistently generate revenue through the sale of drug or non-drug products, we anticipate that we will be required to fund the development of our pre-clinical compounds and drug product candidates primarily by other means, including, but not limited to, licensing the development or marketing rights to some of our drug candidates to third parties, collaborating with third parties to develop our drug candidates, or selling Company issued securities.

We fund the research and development of our products primarily from cash receipts resulting from the sale of our equity securities and convertible debentures in registered offerings and private placements.  Additionally, we have raised capital through other debt financings, the sale of our tax benefit and research products, interest income and financing received from Kuslima Shogen, our former CEO.  During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, we received gross proceeds of $13,220 from exercises of stock options and approximately $1.1 million from the sale of our tax benefit.  In October 2009, we received a capital infusion of $3.25 million in gross proceeds from a private financing.  These proceeds will be used to continue our operations, explore strategic alternatives and initiate a Phase II clinical study for non-small cell lung cancer in patients who have reached maximum progression on their current chemotherapy regimens.  We have incurred losses since inception and, to date, we have generated only small amounts of capital from commercial agreements for ONCONASE®.

 
17

 
 
Results of Operations

Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2009, as Compared to Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2008

We are a development stage company as defined in ASC “Development Stage Entities.”  We are devoting substantially all our present efforts to establishing a new business and developing new drug products.  Our planned principal operations of marketing of new drugs have not commenced and, accordingly, we have not derived any significant revenue from these operations.  We focus most of our productive and financial resources on the development of ONCONASE®.  We did not record any revenue in fiscal years 2009 or 2008.

Research and development expense for fiscal year 2009 was $3.3 million compared to $8.5 million for fiscal year 2008, a decrease of approximately $5.2 million, or 61.6%.  The decrease was primarily due to decreased expenses of approximately $4.2 million related to costs incurred for the ONCONASE® rolling NDA submission of our confirmatory Phase IIIb ONCONASE® clinical trial for malignant mesothelioma; decreased compensation expense of approximately $0.7 million, due to the reduction in force; and a decrease of approximately $0.3 million in expenses due to the completion of the Phase I component of our Phase I/II ONCONASE® clinical trials.
 
General and administrative expense for fiscal year 2009 was approximately $2.4 million compared to approximately $5.8 million for fiscal year 2008, a decrease of approximately $3.4 million, or 58%.  This decrease was primarily due to decreased compensation expense of approximately $2.4 million directly related to the retirement agreement executed by Kuslima Shogen, our former CEO in fiscal year 2008, the resignation of our President and CFO in fiscal 2009 and share-based compensation.  Additionally, a decrease in professional fees for consultants and legal advisors of approximately $0.9 million was related to negotiations that resulted in commercial partnerships for ONCONASE® in fiscal year 2008 and reduced operations in fiscal year 2009.  Other general and administrative expenses also decreased by approximately $0.1 million. 
 
Investment income for fiscal year 2009 was approximately $26,000 compared to $228,000 for fiscal year 2008, a decrease of $202,000.  The decrease was due to lower balances of cash and cash equivalents on hand during the fiscal year 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008.

New Jersey has enacted legislation permitting certain corporations located in New Jersey to sell a portion of its state tax loss carryforwards and state research and development credits in order to obtain tax benefits.  For the state fiscal year 2009 (July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009), we had approximately $1,274,000 of total available state tax benefit that was saleable.  On December 1, 2008, we received approximately $1,140,000 from the sale of our total available state tax benefit, which was recognized as state tax benefit in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009.
 
We have incurred net losses during each year since our inception.  The net loss for fiscal year 2009 was approximately $4.5 million as compared to $12.3 million in fiscal year 2008.  The decreased net loss was primarily related to the decreased research and development expenses incurred in 2009 as compared to 2008.  The cumulative loss from the date of inception, August 24, 1981 to July 31, 2009, amounted to $108.9 million.  Such losses are attributable to the fact that we are still in the development stage and, accordingly, have not derived sufficient revenues from operations to offset the development stage expenses.

Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2008, as Compared to Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2007

We did not record any revenue in fiscal years 2008 and 2007.
 
Research and development expense for fiscal year 2008 was $8.5 million compared to $5.5 million for fiscal year 2007, an increase of approximately $3 million, or 53.4%.  The increase in research and development expenses is directly related to increased expenses of approximately $3.2 million related to our preparations for the completion of the ONCONASE® rolling NDA submission, which included the required statistical analysis of the data from our confirmatory Phase IIIb clinical trial, offset by a decrease of approximately $0.2 million in expenses incurred from the completion of the Phase I component of our Phase I/II ONCONASE® clinical trials.

 
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General and administrative expense for fiscal year 2008 was approximately $5.8 million compared to approximately $4.1 million for fiscal year 2007, an increase of approximately $1.7 million, or 41.6%.  This increase was primarily the result of increased compensation expense of approximately $1.1 million directly related to the planned retirement of Kuslima Shogen, our former CEO, in 2009.  Additionally, professional service fees for consultants and legal advisors increased approximately $0.5 million as a result of our increased activity in pursuing and negotiating commercial agreements in fiscal year 2008.  Other general and administrative expenses increased by a total of approximately $0.1 million in 2008 as a result of increased commercial insurance premiums.

Investment income for fiscal year 2008 was $0.2 million compared to $0.4 million for fiscal year 2007, a decrease of $0.2 million.  The decrease was due to lower balances of cash and cash equivalents on hand during the fiscal year 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007.

New Jersey has enacted legislation permitting certain corporations located in New Jersey to sell a portion of its state tax loss carryforwards and state research and development credits in order to obtain tax benefits.  For the state fiscal year 2008 (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008), we had approximately $2.5 million of total available state tax benefits that qualified for sale, of which New Jersey permitted us to sell approximately $2.0 million.  In December 2007, we received approximately $1.8 million from the sale of these state tax benefits, which was recognized as state tax benefit in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008.

For the state fiscal year 2007 (July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007), we had approximately $2.3 million of total available state tax benefits that qualified for sale, of which New Jersey permitted us to sell approximately $0.6 million.  In December 2006, we received approximately $0.5 million from the sale of these state tax benefits, which was recognized as state tax benefit in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007.

The net loss for fiscal year 2008 was $12.3 million as compared to $8.8 million in fiscal year 2007.

Six-Month Period Ended January 31, 2010, as Compared to Six-Month Period Ended January 31, 2009

We focus most of our productive and financial resources on the development of ONCONASE® and as such, except for the sales for the six month period ended January 31, 2010 in the amount of $18,750 which resulted from the sale on a named-patient basis of our product ONCONASE® as approved by the Swiss government, we did not have any material sales in the six month periods ended January 31, 2010 and 2009.

Research and development expense for the six month period ended January 31, 2010 was approximately $0.3 million compared to approximately $2.8 million for the same period in 2009, a decrease of approximately $2.5 million, or 90%.  The decrease was primarily related to decreased expenses of approximately $1.8 million related to costs incurred for the ONCONASE® rolling NDA submission for our Phase IIIb clinical trial for malignant mesothelioma and decreased compensation expense of approximately $0.7 million from the reduction in force and decreased stock-based compensation.
 
General and administrative expense for the six month period ended January 31, 2010 was approximately $0.8 million compared to $1.8 million for the same period in 2009, a decrease of $1.0, or 54%.  This decrease was primarily due to decreased compensation expense of approximately $0.7 million from decreased stock-based compensation expense, the retirement of Kuslima Shogen, our former CEO and the resignation of Lawrence Kenyon, our former CFO.  Public relations related costs and other general administrative expenses also decreased by approximately $0.3 million due to our reduced operations in fiscal year 2010.
 
          Interest expense for the six month period ended January 31, 2010 increased by approximately $5.9 million compared to the same period last year.  This increase was directly due to the beneficial conversion feature of the convertible debenture and warrants we issued in October 2009 and the original recognition of and the change in valuation of the derivative liability.
 
New Jersey permits certain corporations located in New Jersey to sell a portion of their state tax loss carryforwards and state research and development credits, or state tax benefit.  For the state fiscal year 2010 (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, we had approximately $723,000 of total available state tax benefit that was saleable.  On February 8, 2010, we received approximately $647,000 from the sale of our total available state tax benefit, which will be recognized as state tax benefit in the period it was received.  For the state fiscal year 2009 (July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009), we had approximately $1,274,000 of total available state tax benefit that was saleable.  On December 1, 2008, we received approximately $1,140,000 from the sale of our total available state tax benefit, which was recognized as state tax benefit for the six months ended January 31, 2009.
 
 
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The net loss for the six month period ended January 31, 2010 was approximately $6.9 million as compared to $3.5 million for the same period last year, an increase of $3.4 million.  The cumulative loss from the date of inception, August 24, 1981 to January 31, 2010, amounted to $115.9 million.  We have incurred net losses during each year since our inception.  Such losses are attributable to the fact that we are still in the development stage and, accordingly, have not derived sufficient revenues from operations to offset our development stage expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have reported cumulative net losses of approximately $25.6 million for the three most recent fiscal years ended July 31, 2009.  The net losses from date of inception, August 24, 1981, to January 31, 2010 amount to approximately $115.9 million.  As of January 31, 2010, we have a working capital deficit of approximately $10.5 million.

We have financed our operations since inception primarily through the sale of our equity securities and convertible debentures in registered offerings and private placements.  Additionally, we have raised capital through other debt financings, the sale of our state tax benefit and research products, and investment income and financing received from Kuslima Shogen, our former CEO.  As of January 31, 2010, we had approximately $0.7 million in cash and cash equivalents.  We currently believe that our cash reserves including the proceeds received in February 2010 from the sale of our state tax benefit of approximately $0.6 million and the $1.6 million restricted cash intended for future clinical trials can support our activities through July 2010, based upon our reduced operations.

The primary use of cash over the next six months will be to fund our clinical and pre-clinical research and development efforts for ONCONASE®.  The most significant expenses will be incurred for the currently planned Phase II clinical study for non-small cell lung cancer.  Additional expenses are also expected to be incurred as we continue to move our drug product candidates towards the next phase of clinical and pre-clinical development.  We will need to obtain additional financing in order to continue our operations.  Given current market conditions, it may be very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain such financing.  If we are not able to obtain additional financing, in order to continue our operations we will need to pursue strategic alternatives for the further development of ONCONASE®.

The audit report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our fiscal year ended July 31, 2009 financial statements expressed that there was substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.  Continued operations are dependent on our ability to raise additional capital from various sources such as those described above.  Such capital raising opportunities may not be available or may not be available on reasonable terms.  Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet debt, no exposure to off-balance sheet arrangements, no special purpose entities, nor activities that include non-exchange-traded contracts accounted for at fair value as of January 31, 2010.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Our major outstanding contractual obligations relate to our building and equipment operating leases.  During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, we entered into an equipment capital lease which obligates us to pay $635 per month for five years and during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007, we entered into separate building and equipment operating leases, which obligates us to pay an average of $25,393 per month for the building and $1,866 per month for the equipment for ten and five years, respectively.  Below is a table that presents our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of July 31, 2009:

         
Payments Due in Fiscal Year
 
   
Total
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
2015 and Thereafter
 
Building lease
 
$
2,750,685
   
$
302,036
   
$
317,446
   
$
317,446
   
$
317,446
   
$
332,856
   
$
1,163,455
 
Equipment lease
   
83,612
     
31,024
     
25,976
     
25,976
     
636
     
-
     
-
 
Total Contractual cash  obligations
 
$
2,834,297
   
$
333,060
   
$
343,422
   
$
343,422
   
$
318,082
   
$
332,856
   
$
1,163,455
 
 
 
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On January 15, 2010, Charles Muniz, our President and CEO, as an individual, entered into a quarterly lease agreement with I&G Garden State, LLC or I&G for new office on the fourth floor of 300 Atrium Drive, Somerset, NJ, which space we will occupy as our new office.  The lease expires on June 30, 2010, renewable for successive three-month periods upon thirty days prior notice and payment of $15,790.50 for the following three months' rent.  Since the beginning of the lease term, we have been paying the quarterly rent payments directly to I&G.

In January 2010, we vacated our old facility pursuant to the complaint filed by our landlord, I&G in November 2009.  In February 2010, I&G withdrew the remaining balance of the Company’s secured irrevocable letter of credit which was placed in March 2007 in the amount of approximately $81,000.  On February 5, 2010, our former landlord, I&G, commenced an action against us.  The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for an alleged breach of a lease agreement dated March 14, 2007 between the Company and I&G.  We intend to vigorously defend this action.

Critical Accounting Policies

In December 2001, the SEC requested that all registrants discuss their most "critical accounting policies" in Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The SEC indicated that a "critical accounting policy" is one which is both important to the portrayal of the company's financial condition and results and requires management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.   The accounting policies set forth below have been considered critical because changes to certain judgments, estimates and assumptions could significantly affect our financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  The carrying value of these investments approximates their fair market value due to their short maturity and liquidity.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets.  Maintenance and repairs that do not extend the life of assets are charged to expense when incurred.  When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in operations for the period in which the transaction takes place.

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  If the carrying amount exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset.

 
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Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of ASC "Accounting for Income Taxes".  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  Management provides valuation allowances against the deferred tax assets for amounts which are not considered “more likely than not” to be realized.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” issued by the staff of the SEC.  Under SAB No. 104, revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred and/or services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.

We enter into marketing and distribution agreements, which contain multiple deliverables.  Under the provisions of  “Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables,” we evaluate whether these deliverables constitute separate units of accounting to which total arrangement consideration is allocated.  A deliverable qualifies as a separate unit of accounting when the item delivered to the customer has standalone value, there is objective and reliable evidence of fair value of items that have not been delivered to the customer, and, if there is a general right of return for the items delivered to the customer, delivery or performance of the undelivered items is considered probable and substantially in the control of the company.  Arrangement consideration is allocated to units of accounting on a relative fair-value basis or the residual method if the company is unable to determine the fair value of all deliverables in the arrangement.  Consideration allocated to a unit of accounting is limited to the amount that is not contingent upon future performance by the company.  Upon determination of separate units of accounting and allocated consideration, the general criteria for revenue recognition are applied to each unit of accounting.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.  These costs include, among other things, consulting fees and costs related to the conduct of human clinical trials.  We also allocate indirect costs, consisting primarily of operational costs for administering research and development activities, to research and development expenses.

Share-Based Compensation

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued amended guidance on accounting for “Stock Compensation”.  The amended guidance requires all share-based payments, including stock option grants to employees, to be recognized as an operating expense in the statement of operations.  The expense is recognized over the requisite service period based on fair values measured on the date of grant.  We adopted the amended guidance on Stock Compensation effective August 1, 2005 using the modified prospective method and, accordingly, prior period amounts have not been restated.  Under the modified prospective method, the fair value of all new stock options issued after July 31, 2005 and the unamortized fair value of unvested outstanding stock options at August 1, 2005 are recognized as expense as services are rendered.

Leases

With respect to our operating leases, we apply the provisions of ASC “Accounting for Leases”, recognizing rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term due to escalating lease payments and landlord incentives.

Contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Recoveries from other parties are recorded when realized.

 
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Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments consist of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.  The carrying value of these financial instruments is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”).  Effective July 1, 2009, the Codification became the single source of authoritative nongovernmental U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), superseding existing rules and related literature issued by the FASB, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF).  The Codification also eliminates the previous U.S. GAAP hierarchy and establishes one level of authoritative GAAP.  Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants.  All other literature is considered non-authoritative.  The Codification, which has not changed GAAP, was effective for interim and annual periods ended after September 15, 2009.  The Company adopted the Codification for the quarter ended October 31, 2009.  Other than the manner in which accounting guidance is referenced, the adoption of the Codification had no impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to the accounting for business combinations and related disclosures.  This guidance establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, and any goodwill acquired in a business combination.  It also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of a business combination.  The guidance is to be applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  The Company adopted this guidance, effective August 1, 2009, and it did not have any effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In February 2008, the FASB issued amended guidance to delay the fair value measurement and expanded disclosures about fair value measurements for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.  Effective August 1, 2009, the Company adopted the guidance related to fair value measurements for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities and the adoption of such guidance did not have any effect on the Company’s financial statements. 

In June 2008, the FASB issued guidance for determining whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock, which would qualify as a scope exception to derivative classification under ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”.  The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and early adoption for an existing instrument is not permitted.  The Company adopted this guidance, effective August 1, 2009.  The adoption had no impact on the Company’s previously accounted for equity-linked financial instruments that were considered to be indexed to its own equity.  Refer to Note 6 for the result of the adoption on the equity-linked instruments included within the Securities Purchase Agreement entered into on October 19, 2009.

            In May 2009, the FASB issued guidelines on subsequent event accounting which sets forth: (1) the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements; (2) the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements; (3) the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date and (4) requires the reporting entity to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are issued.  The Company adopted these amendments for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009 and determined that it did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.  The Company evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after January 31, 2010 through the date the financial statements were issued.
 
In August 2009, the FASB issued amended guidance on the measurement of liabilities at fair value.  The guidance provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted market price in an active market for an identical liability is not available, the fair value of a liability be measured using one or more of the valuation techniques that uses the quoted price of an identical liability when traded as an asset or, if unavailable, quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar assets when traded as assets.  If none of this information is available, an entity should use a valuation technique in accordance with existing fair valuation principles.  This guidance is effective for the first reporting period (including interim periods) after issuance.  The Company adopted this guidance in the quarter ended October 31, 2009.  The adoption had no impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
23

 
 
In October 2009, the FASB issued amended guidance for separating consideration in multiple-deliverable arrangements.  It eliminates the requirement under previous guidance that all undelivered elements have vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) or third-party evidence (TPE) of fair value before recognizing a portion of revenue related to the delivered items, and establishes that revenue be allocated to each element based on its relative selling price, as determined by VSOE, TPE, or the entity’s estimated selling price if neither of the aforementioned is available.  Additionally, the amended guidance eliminates the residual method of allocation and expands required disclosures about multiple-element revenue arrangements.  It will be effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into beginning January 1, 2011, with early adoption permitted.
 
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
There have been no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting or financial disclosures in the past two fiscal years and the subsequent interim period thereafter.

On December 1, 1993, certain stockholders of Armus Harrison & Co., or AHC, terminated their association with AHC, or the AHC termination, and AHC ceased performing accounting and auditing services, except for limited accounting services to be performed on our behalf.  In June 1996, AHC dissolved and ceased all operations.  The report of J.H. Cohn LLP with respect to our financial statements from inception to July 31, 2008 is based on the report of KPMG LLP from August 1, 1992 to July 31, 2002 and of AHC for the period from inception to July 31, 1992, although AHC has not consented to the use of such report herein and will not be available to perform any subsequent review procedures with respect to such report.  Accordingly, investors will be barred from asserting claims against AHC under Section 18 of the Exchange Act on the basis of the use of such report in any Annual Report on Form 10-K into which such report is incorporated by reference.  In addition, in the event any persons seek to assert a claim against AHC for false or misleading financial statements and disclosures in documents previously filed by us, such claim will be adversely affected and possibly barred.  Furthermore, as a result of the lack of a consent from AHC to the use of its audit report herein, or to its incorporation by reference into an Annual Report on Form 10-K, our officers and directors will be unable to rely on the authority of AHC as experts in auditing and accounting in the event any claim is brought against such persons under Section 18 of the Exchange Act based on alleged false and misleading Financial Statements and disclosures attributable to AHC.  The discussion regarding certain effects of the AHC termination is not meant and should not be construed in any way as legal advice to any party and any potential purchaser should consult with his, her or its own counsel with respect to the effect of the AHC termination on a potential investment in our common stock or otherwise

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risks, primarily changes in U.S. interest rates. As of January 31, 2010, we held total cash and cash equivalents of approximately $0.7 million. All cash equivalents have a maturity less than 90 days. Declines in interest rates over time would reduce our interest income from our investments.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)  Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act), as of January 31, 2010, the end of our most recently completed fiscal quarter.  Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission including without limitation, controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in reports by us that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely discussion regarding required disclosures.
 
            (b)  Changes in internal controls.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended January 31, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting subsequent to the date of the evaluation referred to above.

 
24

 
 
BUSINESS
 
BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Tamir Biotechnology, Inc. is a Delaware corporation initially incorporated on August 24, 1981 under the name of Alfacell Corporation.  The Company changed its name to Tamir Biotechnology, Inc. on April 27, 2010.  We are a biopharmaceutical company primarily engaged in the discovery and development of a new class of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of cancer and other pathological conditions.  Our proprietary drug discovery and development program consists of novel therapeutics which is being developed from amphibian ribonucleases (RNases).

RNases are biologically active enzymes that split RNA molecules.  RNases are enzymes which play important roles in nature, including the embryonic development of an organism and regulation of various cell functions.  RNA is an essential bio-chemical cellular component necessary to support life.  There are various types of RNA, all of which have specific functions in a living cell.  They help control several essential biological activities, namely; regulation of cell proliferation, maturation, differentiation and cell death.  Therefore, they are believed to be good candidates for the development of therapeutics for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, including HIV and autoimmune diseases, that require anti-proliferative and apoptotic, or programmed cell death, properties.

ONCONASE® (ranpirnase) is a novel amphibian ribonuclease, unique among the superfamily of pancreatic ribonuclease, isolated from the eggs of the Rana pipiens (the Northern Leopard frog).  Ranpirnase is the smallest known protein belonging to the superfamily of pancreatic ribonuclease and has been shown, on a molecular level, to re-regulate the unregulated growth and proliferation of cancer cells.  Unlike most anti-cancer agents that attack all cells regardless of phenotype (malignant versus normal) and cause severe toxicities, ONCONASE® is not an indiscriminate cytotoxic drug (cell killing agent).  ONCONASE® primarily affects exponentially growing malignant cells, with activity controlled through unique and specific molecular mechanisms.

The molecular mechanisms which determine the apoptotic cell death induced by ranpirnase have been identified.  tRNA (transfer RNA), rRNA (ribosomal RNA), mRNA (messenger RNA) and miRNA (micro RNA) are all different types of RNA with specific functions in a living cell.  Ranpirnase preferentially degrades tRNA and targets miRNA, leaving rRNA and mRNA apparently undamaged.  The RNA damage induced by ranpirnase appears to represent a “death signal”, or triggers a chain of molecular events culminating in the activation of proteolytic enzyme cascades which, in turn, induces disintegration of the cellular components and finally leads to cell death.  It has been shown that there is a protein synthesis inhibition-independent component, which, together with the changes induced by the protein synthesis inhibition, results in tumor cell death.

ONCONASE®, our lead drug product candidate, has been evaluated in human clinical trials for the treatment of various forms of cancer.  Our most recent clinical trial for ONCONASE® was a confirmatory Phase IIIb registration trial that was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the combination of ONCONASE® and doxorubicin as compared to doxorubicin alone in the treatment of patients with unresectable (inoperable) malignant mesothelioma or UMM, a rare and deadly form of lung cancer.  Enrollment in the Phase IIIb trial was completed in September 2007.  In May 2008, we reported that the preliminary statistical analysis of data from our ONCONASE® confirmatory Phase IIIb clinical trial did not meet statistical significance for the primary endpoint of survival in UMM. However, a statistically significant improvement in survival was seen in the treatment of UMM patients who failed one prior chemotherapy regimen, a predefined primary data set for this sub-group of patients in the trial, which represents a currently unmet medical need.  The Food and Drug Administration or the FDA, recommended that an additional clinical trial be conducted in UMM patients that have failed one prior chemotherapy regimen, prior to filing a New Drug Application or NDA.  At this time we do not expect to pursue further clinical trials for ONCONASE® for the UMM indication.  We are evaluating which indications to purse, including lung cancer and other solid tumors and currently we expect to use the proceeds we received from the private financing we closed in October 2009 to pursue a Phase II clinical trial of ONCONASE® for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in patients who have reached maximum progression on their current chemotherapy regimens.

 
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We believe that ONCONASE®, as well as another group of our amphibian RNases known as Amphinases, may also have applications in a variety of other areas in addition to those being investigated currently in our clinical development program.  Amphinase is currently in the pre-clinical research and development stage.

We are a development stage company as defined in the ASC “Development Stage Entities.”  We are devoting substantially all of our present efforts to establishing a new business and developing new drug products. Our planned principal operations of marketing and/or licensing new drugs have not commenced and, accordingly, we have not derived any significant revenue from these operations.

MARKET OVERVIEW

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) 2009 Cancer Facts and Figures, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for one in every four deaths.  The ACS 2009 Cancer Facts and Figures also estimates that doctors will diagnose over 1.5 million new cases of cancer in the United States in 2009.  The National Institutes of Health or NIH estimate that the annual cost of cancer in 2008 was approximately $228.1 billion, including $93.2 billion in direct medical costs and $18.8 billion for morbidity costs, which includes the cost of lost productivity.

Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell division resulting in the growth of a mass of cells commonly known as a tumor.  Cancerous tumors can arise in almost any tissue or organ and cancer cells, if not eradicated, spread, or metastasize, throughout the body.  Cancer is believed to occur as a result of a number of factors, including hereditary and environmental factors.

For the most part, cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer and the stage of disease progression. Generally, staging is based on the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has metastasized or spread.  Following diagnosis, solid tumors are typically surgically removed or the patient is given radiation therapy.  Chemotherapy is the principal treatment for tumors that are likely to, or have, metastasized.  Chemotherapy involves the administration of drugs which are designed to kill cancer cells, affect the growth of tumors, or reduce bloodflow to tumors, in an effort to reduce or eliminate cancerous tumors.

Because in most cases cancer is fatal, cancer specialists attempt to attack the cancer aggressively, with as many therapies as available and with as high a dose as the patient can tolerate.  Since traditional chemotherapy attacks both normal and cancerous cells, treatment often tends to result in complicating side effects.  Additionally, cells which have been exposed to several rounds of chemotherapy develop a resistance to the cancer drugs that are being administered.  This is known as “multi-drug resistance.”  The side effects of chemotherapy often limit the effectiveness of treatment.  Cancers often recur and mortality rates remain high.  Despite large sums of money spent on cancer research, current treatments are largely inadequate and improved anti-cancer agents are needed.

We believe that the products we currently have under development could be used to target a broad range of solid tumors.  The table below shows the incidence and mortality estimated for the year 2009 for various types of solid tumor cancers that our products could be designed to treat:

Cancer Indication
 
New Cases
 
Deaths
Lung
 
219,440
 
159,390
Breast
 
194,280
 
40,610
Brain
 
22,070
 
12,920
Esophageal
 
16,470
 
14,530
         
Source: National Cancer Institute
   

COMPETITION

There are many companies with resources significantly greater than ours that are currently marketing approved drug products that treat, and are developing new drug products that are designed to treat, several of the cancers that we may seek to treat with our products. The drug products currently marketed or developed by these companies may prove to be more effective that the products we seek to develop.
 
 
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We are not aware, however, of any product currently being marketed that has the same mechanism of action as our proposed anti-tumor agent, ONCONASE®.  Search of scientific literature reveals no published information that would indicate that others are currently employing this method or producing such an anti-tumor agent.  However, we cannot assure you that others may not develop new treatments that are more effective than ONCONASE®.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

Our goal is to become a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative anti-cancer treatments based on our proprietary RNase technology platform.  Our strategy consists of the following key elements:

Focus on the growing cancer market

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, yet there remain unmet needs, and current treatments remain ineffective and inadequate for some populations.  Given the life-threatening nature of cancer, the FDA has adopted procedures to accelerate the approval of cancer drugs.  We intend to continue to use our expertise in the field of cancer research to target this significant market opportunity for cancer drug development.
 
Develop our existing product portfolio
 
We currently have a portfolio of clinical and pre-clinical drug product candidates under development for potential use as anti-cancer, and other therapeutics.  We intend to further develop these drug product candidates both by utilizing our internal resources and by continuing to collaborate with other companies and leading governmental and academic research institutions.
 
Commercialize pharmaceutical products focused on cancer in selected markets
 
Our current strategy is to partner with third parties to market our future products to oncologists and other key specialists involved in the treatment of cancer patients.  We may also elect to develop an appropriately-sized internal oncology sales and marketing capability in the United States.  This group may function as a standalone operation or in a supportive, co-promotion capacity in collaboration with a partner. 
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
 
Research and development expenses for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were approximately $3,268,000, $8,503,000 and $5,543,000, respectively.  Our research and development programs focus primarily on the clinical and pre-clinical research and development of therapeutics from our pipeline of amphibian RNases.

Clinical Development Program

ONCONASE® was most recently evaluated as a treatment for UMM in an international, centrally randomized, confirmatory Phase IIIb registration trial.  Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer, primarily affecting the pleura (lining of the lungs), and is usually associated with asbestos exposure.  The first Phase III trial of ONCONASE® in UMM was completed in 2000. The most recent confirmatory Phase IIIb registration trial was closed to patient accrual in September 2007.

The confirmatory Phase IIIb registration trial was a randomized and controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the combination of ONCONASE® and doxorubicin as compared to doxorubicin alone, and powered to reach a statistically significant difference in overall survival between the ONCONASE® + doxorubicin treatment group and the doxorubicin treatment group at 316 evaluable events.  Patients were stratified based on Cancer Adult Leukemia Group B (CALGB) Group (1 to 4) and histology and then assigned treatment using a centralized randomization plan.  The primary endpoint of the trial was overall patient survival.  The following data sets were analyzed for efficacy as per the statistical analysis plan for this clinical trial:

 
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·
All patients randomized who received at least one dose of study therapy (evaluable patients),
 
·
Previously treated patients,
 
·
All patients randomized,
 
·
All patients who completed 6 cycles of therapy per protocol, and
 
·
All patients with identical inclusion criteria as used in the Alimta submission.

In addition, secondary endpoints that were analyzed in accordance with the Phase IIIb clinical trial statistical analysis plan included:

 
·
Tumor response rates,
 
·
Progression free survival,
 
·
Patient assessment of symptoms associated with malignant mesothelioma,
 
·
Investigator assessment of malignant mesothelioma symptoms,
 
·
Narcotic pain medication usage,
 
·
Lung function, and
 
·
Performance status.

In May 2008, we reported that the results of the preliminary statistical analysis of data from our ONCONASE® confirmatory Phase IIIb clinical trial did not meet statistical significance for the primary endpoint of survival in UMM. However, a statistically significant improvement in survival was seen in the treatment of UMM patients who failed one prior chemotherapy regimen, one of the predefined primary sub-group data sets for patients in the trial, which represents a currently unmet medical need.  At the pre-NDA meeting with the FDA in January 2009, the FDA recommended that an additional clinical trial be conducted in UMM patients that have failed one prior chemotherapy regimen, prior to filing an NDA.

A Phase I/II program to evaluate a new dose and administration schedule of ONCONASE® was initiated in 2005 to attempt to take advantage of potentially increased efficacy with higher and more frequent doses of ONCONASE®.  The Phase I portion of this program is complete and currently, we plan to initiate a Phase II clinical trial in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for patients who have reached maximum progression on their current chemotherapy regimens in 2010.

Pre-Clinical Research Program

Our drug discovery and pre-clinical research programs form the basis for the development of specific recombinant RNases for chemically linking drugs and other compounds such as monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, etc., as well as developing gene fusion products with the goal of targeting various molecular functions.   These programs provide for joint design and generation of new products with outside collaborators.  Through these collaborations, we may own these new products along with, or we may grant an exclusive license to, the collaborating partner(s).

The multiple effects of biological activity of ONCONASE® has led to research in other areas of cancer biology.  Two important areas associated with significant market opportunities are radiation therapy and control of tumor angiogenesis, or new tumor blood vessel formation.  Many types of cancers undergo radiation therapy at early stages of the disease; however, success of such treatment is often limited.  We believe any agent capable of enhancing tumor radiosensitivity has great market potential.  Moreover, since the growth of essentially all types of cancer is dependent on new blood vessel formation, any agent that has anti-angiogenic activity, we believe, is most desirable.

Ranpirnase Conjugates and Fusion Proteins

The concept of targeting potent toxins as effector molecules to kill cancer or other specifically targeted cells has been extensively evaluated over the last two decades.  An immunotoxin is an antibody linked to a toxic molecule that is used to destroy specific cells.  Several immunotoxins containing bacterial and plant toxins or other biotoxins, have been evaluated in human clinical trials.  Efficacy has always been limited due to the high incidence of immunogenicity, or an immune response, and other intolerable toxicities, including death.  Conjugation of ranpirnase to targeting ligands, or binding to other molecules, appears to eliminate this safety problem in pre-clinical studies.

 
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A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Cancer Institute, or NCI, has produced RN321, a conjugate of ranpirnase with a monoclonal antibody that has demonstrated activity against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in preclinical studies.  The relative benefit of killing targeted tumor cells versus non-targeted healthy cells, or the therapeutic index, is greater than 200,000-fold with this conjugate.  This CRADA has been concluded and data published.  
 
We have also developed a variety of uniquely designed versions of ONCONASE® and amphinase conjugates.  These compounds target the EGF receptors and neo-vascularization (tumor blood vessel formation) which have potential clinical application in a broad spectrum of solid tumors.

Novel Amphibian Ribonucleases (Amphinases)

We have also discovered another series of proteins, collectively named amphinases that may have therapeutic uses.  These proteins are bioactive in that they have an effect on living cells and organisms and have both anti-cancer and anti-viral activity.  All of the proteins characterized to date are RNases.  Preclinical testing of the new candidates collectively called amphinases showed them to be similarly active to ranpirnase.  Their chemical structure makes them ideal candidates for genetic engineering of designer products.

These compounds have undergone screening by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) against various RNA viruses and by outside collaborators.  One of these compounds, AC-03-636 has been determined to be active in yellow fever, Hepatitis C and Dengue fever.  The same compound has been evaluated at Johns Hopkins University in a sustained time release formulation for the treatment of brain tumors, or gliomas.

Evaluation Of ONCONASE® As A Radiation Enhancer

The p53 gene is a tumor-suppressor gene, which means that if it malfunctions, tumors may be more likely to develop.  Published preclinical studies have demonstrated that ONCONASE® causes an increase in both tumor blood flow and in median tumor oxygen partial pressure, causing tumor cells to become less resistant to radiation therapy regardless of the presence or absence of the functional p53 tumor-suppressor gene.  In pre-clinical research at the University of Pennsylvania, ONCONASE®, when combined with radiation therapy, enhanced the radiation-sensitivity to treatment in NSCLC tumor cells without causing the common radiation-induced tissue damage to non-tumor cells.  ONCONASE® inhibited sub-lethal damage repair, or  SLDR and potentially lethal damage repair, or  PLDR in these animal models.  We believe these findings further expand the profile of ONCONASE® in vivo activities and its potential clinical utility and market potential.

ONCONASE® As a Resistance-Overcoming and  Apoptosis-Enhancing Agent

The Fas (CD95) cell surface receptor (and its Fas ligand FasL) has been recognized as an important “death” receptor involved in the induction of the “extrinsic” pathway of apoptosis.  The apoptotic pathways have been the preferred target for new drug development in cancer, autoimmune, and other therapeutic areas.

The Thoracic Surgery Branch of the NCI confirmed the synergy between ranpirnase and soluble Fas ligand, or sFasL in inducing significant apoptosis in sFasL-resistant Fas+tumor cells.  These results provided rationale for using ONCONASE® as a potential treatment of FasL-resistant tumors and possibly other disorders such as the autoimmune lympho-proliferative syndrome (ALPS).

Evaluation Of ONCONASE® As An Anti-Viral Agent

The ribonucleolytic activity was the basis for testing ONCONASE® as a potential anti-viral agent against HIV.  The NIH has performed an independent in vitro screen of ONCONASE® against the HIV virus type 1.  The results showed ONCONASE® to inhibit replication of HIV by up to 99.9% after a four-day incubation period at concentrations not toxic to uninfected cells.  In vitro findings by the NIH revealed that ONCONASE® significantly inhibited production of HIV in several persistently infected human cell lines, preferentially breaking down viral RNA while not affecting normal cellular ribosomal RNA and messenger RNAs, which are essential to cell function.

 
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Moreover, the NIAID also screened ONCONASE® for anti-HIV activity.  ONCONASE® demonstrated highly significant anti-HIV activity in the monocyte/macrophage, or anti-viral, system.  Ranpirnase may inhibit viral replication at several points during the life cycle of HIV, including its early phases.  Ranpirnase may inhibit replication of all different HIV-1 subtypes.  These properties of ranpirnase are particularly relevant in view of the extremely high and exponentially increasing rate of mutations of HIV that occur during infection, and which are primarily responsible for the development of resistance to several currently available anti-viral drugs.  At present, over 50% of clinical isolates of HIV are resistant to both reverse transcriptase, mechanisms which combat viral replication, and protease inhibitors drugs, a class of anti-viral drugs.  An additional 25%, while being sensitive to protease inhibitors, are resistant to reverse transcriptase inhibitor drugs.

COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

License Agreements

In January 2008, we entered into a U.S. License Agreement for ONCONASE® with Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. or Par.  Under the terms of the License Agreement, Strativa Pharmaceuticals or “Strativa, the proprietary products division of Par, received exclusive marketing, sales and distribution rights to ONCONASE® for the treatment of cancer in the United States and its territories. We retained all rights and obligations for product manufacturing, clinical development and obtaining regulatory approvals, as well as all rights for those non-U.S. jurisdictions in which we have not currently granted any such rights or obligations to third parties. We received a cash payment of $5 million upon the signing of the License Agreement and were entitled to additional development and sales milestone payments and double-digit royalties on net sales of ONCONASE®.

On September 8, 2009, we entered into a Termination and Mutual Release Agreement or Termination Agreement with Par pursuant to which our License Agreement and Supply Agreement with Par were terminated.  The License Agreement was terminated and all rights under the license granted to Par revert back to us under the Termination Agreement.  Under the Supply Agreement, we had agreed to supply all of Par’s requirements for ONCONASE®. Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, Par will be entitled to a royalty of 2% of net sales of ONCONASE® or any other ranpirnase product developed by us for use in the treatment of cancer in the United States and its territories commencing with the first sale of such product and terminating upon the later to occur of the 12th anniversary of the first sale and the date of expiration of the last valid claim of a pending application or issued patent owned or controlled by us with respect to such product.

Marketing and Distribution Agreements

Megapharm Ltd.

In May 2008, we entered into an exclusive marketing, sales and distribution agreement with Megapharm Ltd. for the commercialization of ONCONASE® in Israel.  Under the agreement, we are eligible to receive 50% of net sales in the territory.  We will be responsible for the manufacture and supply of ONCONASE® to Megapharm, while Megapharm will be responsible for all activities and costs related to regulatory filings and commercial activities in the territory.

BL&H Co.  Ltd.

In January 2008, we entered into a marketing and distribution agreement with BL&H Co. Ltd. for the commercialization of ONCONASE® in Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Under the agreement, we received a $100,000 up-front fee and are eligible to receive additional cash milestones and 50% of net sales in the territory. We will be responsible for the manufacture and supply of ONCONASE® to BL&H, while BL&H will be responsible for all activities and costs related to regulatory filings and commercial activities in the territory.

US Pharmacia

In July 2007,  we entered into a Distribution and Marketing Agreement or the Distribution Agreement, with USP Pharma Spolka Z.O.O. or the Distributor, an affiliate of US Pharmacia, pursuant to which the Distributor was granted exclusive rights for the marketing, sales, and distribution of ONCONASE® for use in oncology in Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania or the Territory for an initial term that ends upon the earlier of (i) 10 years from the first commercial sale in the Territory and (ii) the date all of the patents covering the product in the Territory expire.  We received an up-front payment of $100,000 and will also be entitled to receive milestone payments based on the achievement of certain regulatory approvals and certain sales goals.  In addition, we will receive a royalty on net sales as well as a transfer price for product sold by us to the Distributor. We will be responsible for making regulatory filings with and seeking marketing approval of ONCONASE® in the Territory and manufacturing and supplying ONCONASE® to the Distributor.  The Distributor will be responsible for all commercial activities and related costs in the Territory.

 
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In connection with the Distribution Agreement, we also entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, with Unilab LP, an affiliate of US Pharmacia, pursuant to which we issued a total of 553,360 shares of restricted common stock for approximately $1.4 million, or $2.53 per share.

GENESIS Pharma S.A.

In December 2006,  we entered into a Distribution and Marketing Agreement with GENESIS Pharma S.A. or GENESIS, pursuant to which GENESIS was granted exclusive rights for the marketing, sales, and distribution of ONCONASE® for use in oncology in Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia or the Region for an initial term that ends upon the earlier of (i) 10 years from the first commercial sale in the Region and (ii) the date all of the patents covering the product in the Region expire.  We will retain ownership of all intellectual property relating to ONCONASE® and responsibility for all regulatory filings with EMEA in the European Union (EU), with GENESIS providing assistance with regard to regulatory filings in the non-EU countries included in this agreement.  We will also be responsible for manufacturing and supplying the product to GENESIS, which will distribute the product.  GENESIS will have lead responsibility for all ONCONASE® commercialization activities and will manage all operational aspects of the marketing, sales and distribution of the product in the Region.  We are entitled to receive milestone payments based on the achievement of certain regulatory approvals and certain sales goals.  In addition, we will receive a royalty on net sales as well as a transfer price for product sold by us to GENESIS.

Manufacturing

In January 2008, we entered into a Purchase and Supply Agreement or the Supply Agreement with Scientific Protein Laboratories LLC or SPL. Under the Supply Agreement, SPL will manufacture and be our exclusive supplier for the bulk drug substance used to make ONCONASE®.  The term of the Supply Agreement shall be ten years and we have the right to terminate the Supply Agreement at any time without cause on two years prior notice to SPL.

Additionally, we contract with Ben Venue Laboratories Inc. or Ben Venue for vial filling and with Bilcare Global Clinical Supplies, Americas or Bilcare, Aptuit, Inc. or Aptuit and Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc. or Catalent for the labeling, storage and shipping of ONCONASE® for use in clinical trials.  Other than these arrangements we do not have specific arrangements for the manufacture of ONCONASE®.

Products manufactured for use in clinical trials and for commercial sale must be manufactured in compliance with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP).  SPL, Ben Venue, Aptuit and Catalent are all licensed or approved by the appropriate regulatory agencies and all work is performed in accordance with CGMP.  For the foreseeable future, we intend to rely on these manufacturers and related service providers, or substitute vendors, if necessary, to manufacture our product.  We believe, however, that there are substantial alternative providers for the services for which we contract.  For those relationships where we have not entered into formal agreements, we utilize the services of these third party contractors solely on an as needed basis with prices and terms customary for companies in businesses that are similarly situated.  In order to replace an existing manufacturer, we must amend our Investigational New Drug application to notify the appropriate regulatory agencies of the change.  We are dependent upon our contract manufacturers to comply with CGMP and to meet our production requirements. It is possible that our contract manufacturers may not comply with CGMP or deliver sufficient quantities of our products on schedule, or that we may be unable to find suitable and cost effective alternative providers if necessary.

Raw Materials

The major active ingredient derived from leopard frog eggs is the protein ranpirnase.  We believe we have sufficient egg inventory on hand to produce enough ONCONASE® for our future clinical trials and early commercialization.  In addition, we have successfully produced ranpirnase in small proof-of-concept size batches using recombinant technology.  However, this technology requires additional testing and FDA approval and it may be determined to not be more cost effective than current methods of production.

 
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PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY

We have sought to protect our technology by applying for, and obtaining, patents and trademark registrations.  We have also relied on trade secrets and know-how to protect our proprietary technology.  We continue to develop our portfolio of patents, trade secrets, and know how.  We have obtained, and continue to apply for, patents concerning our RNase-based technology.

In addition, we have filed (and we intend to continue to file) foreign counterparts to certain U.S. patent applications. Generally, we apply for patent protection in the United States, Europe, Japan, and certain other foreign countries.

We own the following U.S. patents:

Patent No.
Issue Date
Subject Matter
Expiration **
5,529,775
June 1996
covers combinations of ONCONASE® with certain other pharmaceuticals
June 2013
5,728,805
Mar. 1998
covers a family of variants of ONCONASE®
June 2013
5,540,925
July 1996
covers combinations of ONCONASE® with certain other pharmaceuticals
July 2013
5,559,212
Sept. 1996
covers the amino acid sequence of ONCONASE®
Sept. 2013
5,595,734
Jan. 1997
covers combinations of ONCONASE® with certain other pharmaceuticals
Jan. 2014
6,649,392 B1*
Nov. 2003
covers a family of recombinant variants of ONCONASE®
Apr. 2016
6,649,393 B1*
Nov. 2003
covers nucleic acids encoding recombinant variants of ONCONASE® and methodology for producing such variants
Apr. 2016
6,290,951 B1
Sept. 2001
covers alteration of the cell cycle in vivo, particularly for inducing apoptosis of tumor cells
Aug. 2018
6,239,257 B1
May 2001
covers a family of variants of ONCONASE®
Dec. 2018
6,175,003 B1
Jan. 2001
covers the genes of ONCONASE® and a variant of ONCONASE®
Sept. 2019
6,423,515 B1
July 2002
covers methodology for synthesizing gene sequences of ranpirnase and a genetically engineered variant of ranpirnase
Sept. 2019
7,229,824 B1***
June 2007
covers a vector containing DNA encoding a genetically engineered variant of ONCONASE®
May 2024
7,556,952 B2
July 2009
covers a gene encoding a genetically engineered variant of ONCONASE®
July 2023
7,556,951 B2
July 2009
covers a gene encoding a genetically engineered variant of ONCONASE®, and a vector containing DNA encoding a genetically engineered variant of ONCONASE®
July 2023
7,556,953 B2
July 2009
covers a gene encoding a genetically engineered variant of ONCONASE®, and a vector containing DNA encoding a genetically engineered variant of ONCONASE®
July 2023
7,442,535 B2
October 2008
covers a fusion protein containing a genetically engineered variant of ONCONASE®
July 2023
7,585,655 B2
September 2009
covers a gene encoding a genetically engineered variant of ONCONASE®, and a vector containing DNA encoding such variant
July 2023
7,442,536 B2
October 2008
covers genetically engineered variants of ONCONASE®
July 2023
7,585,654 B2
September 2009
covers a vector containing DNA encoding a genetically engineered variant of ONCONASE®, and a gene encoding a genetically engineered variant of ONCONASE®
July 2023
7,473,542 B2
January 2009
Covers a fusion protein containing a genetically engineered variant of ONCONASE®
July 2023
 
*We own this patent jointly with the U.S. Government.  We do not pay maintenance fees to keep this patent in force.

 
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We own the following foreign patents in Europe (European patents are validated in selected European nations), Japan and Singapore:

Patent No.
Subject Matter
Expiration **
EP 0 500 589
JP 2972334
cover combinations of  ONCONASE® with certain other pharmaceuticals
Oct. 2010
EP 0 656 783
JP 3655628
covers combinations of  ONCONASE® with certain other pharmaceuticals
July 2013
EP 0 837 878
JP 3779999
covers a variant of ONCONASE®
June 2016
EP 1 141 004
covers a family of variants of ONCONASE®
December 2019
SG 118886
covers variants of ONCONASE® and methods of making them
May 2024

**Assumes timely payment of all applicable maintenance fees and annuities; excludes term extensions that do or may apply.

***Includes a term extension of 312 days under 35 U.S.C. §154(b).

We also have patent applications pending in the United States, Europe, Japan, and other foreign countries.

The scope of protection afforded by patents for biotechnological inventions can be uncertain, and such uncertainty may apply to our patents as well.  The patent applications we have filed, or that we may file in the future, may not result in patents.  Our patents may not give us a competitive advantage, may be wholly or partially invalidated or held unenforceable, or may be held not to have been infringed by products that compete with our products.  Patents owned by others may adversely affect our ability to do business.  Furthermore, others may independently develop products that are similar to our products or that duplicate our products, and may design around the claims of our patents.  Although we believe that our patents and patent applications are of substantial value to us, we cannot assure you that such patents and patent applications will be of commercial benefit to us, will adequately protect us from competing products or will not be challenged, declared invalid, or found not to have been infringed by competing products.  We also rely on proprietary know-how and on trade secrets to develop and maintain our competitive position.  Others may independently develop or obtain access to such know-how or trade secrets.  Although our employees and consultants having access to proprietary information are required to sign agreements that require them to keep such information confidential, our employees or consultants may breach these agreements or these agreements may be held to be unenforceable.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

The manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products in the United States require the approval of the FDA under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.  Similar approvals by comparable regulatory agencies are required in most foreign countries. The FDA has established mandatory procedures and safety standards that apply to the clinical testing, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products in the United States. Obtaining FDA approval for a new therapeutic may take many years and involve substantial expenditures.  State, local and other authorities also regulate pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.

 
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As the initial step in the FDA regulatory approval process, preclinical studies are conducted in laboratory dishes and animal models to assess the drug's efficacy and to identify potential safety problems. Moreover manufacturing processes and controls for the product are required.  The manufacturing information along with the results of these studies is submitted to the FDA as a part of the Investigational New Drug Application, or IND, which is filed to obtain approval to begin human clinical testing. The human clinical testing program typically involves up to three phases. Data from human trials as well as other regulatory requirements such as chemistry, manufacturing and controls, pharmacology and toxicology sections, are submitted to the FDA in an NDA or Biologics License Application, or BLA.  Preparing an NDA or BLA involves considerable data collection, verification and analysis.  A similar process in accordance with EMEA regulations in Europe and with TGA regulations in Australia is required to gain marketing approval.  Moreover, a commercial entity must be established and approved by the EMEA in a member state of the EU at least three months prior to filing the Marketing Authorization Application, or MAA.

We have not received United States or other marketing approval for any of our product candidates and may not receive any approvals.  We may encounter difficulties or unanticipated costs in our effort to secure necessary governmental approvals, which could delay or preclude us from marketing our products.

With respect to patented products, delays imposed by the governmental approval process may materially reduce the period during which we may have the exclusive right to exploit them.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Our operations are subject to comprehensive regulation with respect to environmental, safety and similar matters by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and similar state and local agencies. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits can result in injunctive actions, damages and civil and criminal penalties. If we expand or change our existing operations or propose any new operations, we may need to obtain additional or amend existing permits or authorizations.  We spend time, effort and funds in operating our facilities to ensure compliance with environmental and other regulatory requirements.

Such efforts and expenditures are common throughout the biotechnology industry and generally should have no material adverse effect on our financial condition.  The principal environmental regulatory requirements and matters known to us requiring or potentially requiring capital expenditures by us do not appear likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.  We believe that we are in compliance with all current laws and regulations.

EMPLOYEES

As of April 20, 2010, we had four full time employees of whom two were engaged in clinical and pre-clinical research and development activities and two were engaged in administration and management.  All of our employees have entered into confidentiality agreements with us.  We consider relations with our employees to be good.  None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
 
In March 2007, we entered into a lease for 15,410 square feet in an industrial office building located in Somerset, New Jersey to replace our facility in Bloomfield, NJ as our principal office.  The lease term commenced on July 3, 2007 and is scheduled to terminate on November 30, 2017.  The average monthly rental obligation over the full term of the lease is approximately $25,000.  Currently, we are in default of our lease agreement for non payment of rent and failure to maintain security deposit, although Landlord has been drawing funds from our secured irrevocable letter of credit. In January 2010, the Company vacated the facility pursuant to the mutual agreement between the Company and the landlord.  The landlord is currently seeking unspecified damage for an alledged breach of the lease agreement.  For further details, please see “Legal Proceedings” below.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
On October 9, 2009, Robert Love, a former Chief Financial Officer and alleged shareholder of the Company, filed a complaint, Love v. Alfacell Corp. et al., Case No. 3:09-cv-05199-MLC-LHG, against the Company and certain of its current and former directors in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey, asserting violations of federal and state securities laws, direct and derivative common law claims for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, and a direct claim for negligent misrepresentation in connection with the Company’s Phase IIIb clinical trial for ONCONASE®.  The complaint alleges that the Company misled shareholders by issuing allegedly false projections of when the required number of patients deaths would occur in the Phase IIIb trial.  The Complaint seeks compensatory damages of no less than $350,000, punitive damages of no less than $20 million, and an accounting and constructive trust.  The Company believes that the claims are meritless and intends to defend the case vigorously.

 
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Premier Research Group filed and served a lawsuit against the Company in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Essex County, on or about July 26, 2009, seeking the recovery of professional fees that arose from clinical trials purportedly performed in Europe by Premier Research Group as assignee of a contract between the Company and IMFORM GmbH dated October 27, 2005.  An Answer with Separate Defenses and Counterclaim was filed on or about July 30, 2009.  This case remains in the early stages of discovery.

I & G Garden State, LLC filed and served a complaint against the Company in the Superior Court of New Jersey Law Division, Special Civil Part Landlord-Tenant Section, Somerset County, on or about October 30, 2009, for non-payment of rent and failure to maintain security deposit.  The complaint seeks to have us vacate the property.  On November 13, 2009, the Company and I & G mutually agreed that the Company will vacate the property on or before December 31, 2009.  In January 2010, the Company vacated the facility pursuant to the mutual agreement.  In February 2010, I & G withdrew the remaining balance of the Company’s secured irrevocable letter of credit which was placed in March 2007 in the amount of approximately $81,000.  On February 5, 2010, I & G commenced an action against the Company.  The lawsuit seeks unspecified damage for an alleged breach of the lease agreement entered into in March 2007 between  the Company and I & G.  The Company intends to vigorously defend this action.

COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
Our common stock has been quoted on the Pink Sheets since our delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, on January 6, 2009 for failure to comply with the $35 million minimum market value requirement under Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(3)(B) or the $1 per share minimum bid price requirement under Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(4).  In addition, we also did not meet the $2.5 million minimum stockholders’ equity requirement under Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(3)(A) or the requirement for a minimum net income from continuing operations of $500,000 in the most recently completed fiscal year or in two of the last three most recently completed fiscal years under Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(3)(C).  Our common stock remains thinly traded at times and you may be unable to sell our common stock during times when the trading market is limited. As of November 10, 2009, there were approximately 975 stockholders of record of our common stock.

Prior to January 6, 2009, our common stock was listed on Nasdaq and had traded under the symbol "ACEL" since September 9, 2004.  Before September 9, 2004, our common stock was traded on the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB).

The following table sets forth the range of high and low sale prices of our common stock for the two fiscal years ended July 31, 2009 and 2008.  The prices were obtained from Pink Sheets and Nasdaq, and are believed to be representative of inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

   
High
   
Low
 
Year Ending July 31, 2010:
           
First Quarter
 
$ 0.32
   
$ 0.21
 
Second Quarter
 
0.30
   
0.14
 
Third Quarter
 
0.35
   
0.13
 
             
Year Ended July 31, 2009:
           
First Quarter
   
0.85
     
0.40
 
Second Quarter
   
0.54
     
0.08
 
Third Quarter
   
0.20
     
0.06
 
Fourth Quarter
   
0.52
     
0.11
 
                 
Year Ended July 31, 2008:
               
First Quarter
   
2.70
     
1.75
 
Second Quarter
   
2.69
     
1.45
 
Third Quarter
   
2.60
     
1.70
 
Fourth Quarter
   
2.20
     
0.35
 
 
 
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STOCKHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph summarizes the total cumulative return experienced by our stockholders during the five-year period ended July 31, 2009, compared to the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Pharmaceutical Index.  The changes for the periods shown in the graph and table are based on the assumption that $100.00 was invested in our common stock and in each index below on July 31, 2004 and that all cash dividends were reinvested.  The table does not forecast performance of our common stock.
 
DIVIDENDS

We have not paid dividends on our common stock since inception, and we do not plan to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.  Any earnings we may realize will be retained to finance our growth.  Additionally, pursuant to the terms of senior secured notes issued in connection with our October 2009 private financing, we are not permitted to declare or pay any cash dividends or distributions on its outstanding capital stock for so long as the notes are outstanding.

 
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MANAGEMENT
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
Name
Age
Director/Officer Since
Current Position With Company
Charles Muniz(1)
55
2009
President, CEO, CFO and Director
       
David Sidransky, M.D
49
2004
Chairman of the Board
       
John P. Brancaccio
62
2004
Director
       
Paul M. Weiss, Ph.D.
52
2003
Director

(1)  Mr. Muniz was elected as our Company’s President, Chief Operating Officer, CFO and director on April 3, 2009 and entered into an employment agreement with the Company to serve as our President, CEO and CFO on October 19, 2009. Mr. Muniz will hold office until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal, death or resignation.

Business Experience of Directors and Executive Officers

The Company’s directors and executive officers have provided the following information about their principal occupation, business experience and other matters.

Charles Muniz joined us on April 3, 2009 as our President, COO, CFO and a member of our Board of Directors and entered into an employment agreement with the Company to serve as our President, CEO and CFO on October 19, 2009.  From 2007 until he joined our company, Mr. Muniz was a consultant to a wide variety of clients focusing primarily on the strategic use of operations and technology.  Prior to consulting, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Creations Corp., a company he founded which sold high-end systems, work stations, peripherals, networking and software products, from 1989 to 2007.  Mr. Muniz attended Pace University in New York and majored in Business Administration.  Mr. Muniz’s extensive entrepreneurial and executive experience and his in-depth knowledge of our company in his executive capacity enable him to make critical contributions as a member of our Board.
 
David Sidransky, M.D., joined the Board in May 2004, was elected Chairman of the Board in January 2008 and is the Chairman of our Scientific Advisory Board.  Dr. Sidransky is a founder of several private biotechnology companies and has served on scientific advisory boards of numerous private and public companies, including Medimmune, Telik, Roche and Amgen.  He was formerly on the board of scientific counselors at the NIDCR and a member of the Recombinant DNA advisory committee at the National Institute of Health NIH (RAC).  He served on the board of directors of ImClone Systems, Zila Inc, and Xenomics and is now chairman of the board of Champions Biotechnology Inc.  Dr. Sidransky is on numerous editorial boards and has served as senior editor of several cancer related journals.  Currently, Dr. Sidransky is the director of the Head and Neck Cancer Research Division at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.  In addition, he is Professor of Oncology, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Urology, Genetics, and Pathology at John Hopkins University and Hospital.  Dr. Sidransky is certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology by the American Board of Medicine.  He has over 400 peer-reviewed publications, has contributed more than 60 cancer reviews and chapters, and also has numerous issued biotechnology patents.  He has been the recipient of many awards and honors, including the 1997 Sarstedt International Prize from the German Society of Clinical Chemistry, the 1998 Alton Ochsner Award Relating Smoking and Health by the American College of Chest Physicians and the 2004 Hinda Rosenthal Award by the American Association of Cancer Research.  Dr. Sidransky received his B.A. from Brandeis University and his M.D. from the Baylor College of Medicine.  Dr. Sidransky’s extensive knowledge of, and experience in, scientific research, our business strategy, industry and R&D programs, experience as a founder of several biotechnology companies and long-term medical background make him uniquely qualified to serve on our board.

 
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John P. Brancaccio joined the Board in January 2004. Since April 2004, Mr. Brancaccio has been the chief financial officer of Accelerated Technologies, Inc., an incubator for venture backed medical device companies. He also serves on the boards of Callisto Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Xenomics, Inc., all of which are publicly traded biopharmaceutical companies where he is chairman of their respective audit committees and a member of their respective compensation and nominating committees. He was the secretary and treasurer of Memory Pharmaceuticals Corporation from December 2003 to March 2004 after serving in the capacity of their acting chief financial officer from May 2002 to December 2003. Prior to Memory Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Brancaccio held the positions of chief financial officer and chief operating officer of Eline Group, a publicly traded entertainment and media company, where he oversaw the roll up of several related companies into the group and completed private equity financing placements. Prior to joining Eline Group, he held a number of senior executive positions in public and private companies including Atlantic Pharmaceuticals, Zambon Corporation, Deven International and Health Learning Systems. During his tenure with these companies he participated in initial public offerings and negotiation of licensing and development agreements within both the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. He is a retired Certified Public Accountant and a graduate of Seton Hall University.
 
Paul Weiss, Ph.D., joined the Board in February 2003.  Since October 2007, Dr. Weiss has been a Managing Director at Venture Investors, LLC, a Madison, Wisconsin-based venture capital group focusing on early-stage life sciences companies.  Prior to joining Venture Investors, LLC, Dr. Weiss was President of the Gala Biotech business unit of Cardinal Health (now Catalent Pharma Solutions) from February 2002 until October 2007.  He had served as a director on Gala’s Board from 1998 to 2001, when he joined the management team as Senior Vice President of Business Development.  He later became President of Gala and remained so during the acquisition of Gala by Cardinal Health in 2003 and then the acquisition of Gala (and other Cardinal Health businesses) by The Blackstone Group in 2007.  Prior to joining Gala, Dr. Weiss was Vice President of Technology and Product Licensing at 3-Dimensional Pharmaceuticals (3DP) from 1998 to 2001, which went public in 2001 and was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson.  Prior to joining 3DP, Dr. Weiss was director of Licensing for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.  Dr. Weiss holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the Carleton University Institute of Biochemistry in Ottawa, Ontario.  Dr. Weiss in-depth knowledge of our business strategy and our industry and his extensive executive experience make him qualified to serve on our board.

The Company closed on a private placement of convertible promissory notes and warrants in which the Company received $3,250,000 in gross proceeds on October 19, 2009.  As a condition to such financing, each member of the Board, other than Dr. Sidransky, Chairman of the Board and Mr. Muniz, agreed to resign from the Board upon the request of Dr. Sidransky made at any time following October 19, 2009 and December 31, 2009.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of the Company’s directors or executive officers.

Board Meetings
 
The Board met fourteen times during the 2009 fiscal year.  Each of our current directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and committees on which he served.  
 
Independent Directors
 
The Board has determined that the following directors are “independent” under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15):   John P. Brancaccio, David Sidransky, M.D. and Paul M. Weiss, Ph.D.  The Board has also determined that each of John Brancaccio and Paul M. Weiss, Ph.D (who are members of the Audit Committee) is “independent” in accordance with Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 
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Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

Dr. Sidransky serves as the Chairman of the Board.  Dr. Sidransky has extensive knowledge of, and experience in, scientific research and our industry.  He also has strong leadership skills as he has been founder of several biotechnology companies and has long-term medical background.  Dr. Sidransky has been with the Company since 2004 and is familiar with our business strategy and industry.  The Board also believes that independent oversight of management is an important component of an effective board of directors.  Therefore, the Board believes that the most effective Board leadership structure for our company at the present time is for Dr. Sidransky to lead the Board as the Chairman.  The Board retains its authority to modify this structure to best address the Company’s unique circumstances, and to advance the best interest of stockholders, as and when appropriate.

Our audit committee is responsible for overseeing our risk management function. While the audit committee has primary responsibility for overseeing risk management, our entire Board of Directors is actively involved in overseeing our risk management. For example, the Board of Directors engages in periodic discussions with such company officers as the Board of Directors deems necessary, including our CEO, CFO and COO. We believe that the leadership structure of our Board of Directors supports effective risk management oversight.

Board Committee Membership
 
The Board has standing Compensation, Corporate Governance and Nominating, Audit, Research and Clinical Oversight, and Commercial and Business Development Oversight Committees.  The current membership of the standing committees is set forth in the following table:

 
Name
 
Compensation
Committee
 
Corporate
Governance and Nominating
Committee
 
Audit
Committee
 
Research and
Clinical Oversight
Committee
 
Commercial and Business
Development Oversight
Committee
Charles Muniz
                   
John P. Brancaccio
 
**
     
**
       
David Sidransky, M.D.
     
**
     
**
 
*
Paul M. Weiss, Ph.D.
 
*
 
*
 
*
 
*
 
**

 
*    Member
 
**  Chair

Compensation Committee.  All of the members of our Compensation Committee are considered “independent directors” in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15).  In fiscal year 2009, the Compensation Committee met twice.

On June 28, 2004, the Board adopted a Compensation Committee Charter, a copy of which is maintained on our website at www.alfacell.com.  According to its charter, the Compensation Committee shall consist of at least three members, each of whom shall be a non-employee director who has been determined by the Board to meet the independence requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market.  Given the reduction in the size of the Board, the Compensation Committee currently has only two members.

The Compensation Committee Charter describes the primary functions of the Compensation Committee as follows:

 
·
Review and approve executive compensation on an annual basis, including the corporate goals and objectives to be used in evaluating the performance of the CEO and determining the CEO’s compensation;
 
·
Review trends in management compensation, oversee the development of new compensation plans and, when necessary, approve the revision of existing plans;
 
·
Oversee management’s decisions concerning compensation and performance for non-executive officers;
 
·
Review our incentive compensation and other stock-based plans and recommend change to such plans to the Board as needed;
 
·
Administer stock plans and benefit programs and approve any amendments to existing plans;
 
·
Recommend director compensation;
 
·
Evaluate compliance with our compensation plans and policies; and
 
·
Review the compensation policy for all of our employees.

 
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            Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.  All of the members of our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are considered “independent directors” in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15).  In fiscal year 2009, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee did not meet.

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee was formed by the Board for the purpose of considering future nominees to the Board.  On November 28, 2007, the Board adopted a Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter, a copy of which is maintained on our website at www.alfacell.com.  According to its charter, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee shall be comprised of at least three directors, each of whom shall meet the independence requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market.  Given the reduction in the size of the Board, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee currently has only two members.

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter describes the primary functions of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee as follows:

 
·
Identify and evaluate individuals qualified to serve as members of the Board (including individuals nominated by stockholders in proposals made in writing to the Company’s Secretary that are timely received and that contain sufficient background information concerning the nominee to enable proper judgment to be made as to the nominee’s qualifications);
 
·
Recommend for the Board’s selection nominees for election as directors of the Company at the next annual or special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected or to fill any vacancies then existing on the Board;
 
·
Cause to be prepared and recommend to the Board the adoption of corporate governance guidelines and from time to time, review and assess the guidelines and recommend changes for approval by the Board;
 
·
From time to time, review and assess the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and recommend changes for approval by the Board;
 
·
Make recommendations to the Board regarding issues of management succession; and
 
·
Conduct annual reviews and assessments of the adequacy of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.

Audit Committee.  All of the members of our Audit Committee are considered “independent directors” in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15) and Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act.  Our Board has determined that Mr. Brancaccio qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by Item 407 of Regulation S-K.  In fiscal year 2009, the Audit Committee met five times.

On November 25, 2008, the Board adopted the Amended and Restated Audit Committee Charter, a copy of which is maintained on our website at www.alfacell.com.  According to its charter, the Audit Committee shall be comprised of at least three directors, each of whom shall meet the independence requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and Section 10A(m)(3) of the Exchange Act, and each of whom shall not have participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company at any time during the past three years.  The Audit Committee’s purpose, duties and responsibilities under its charter include those specified in the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Exchange for audit committees.  Given the reduction in the size of the Board, the Audit Committee currently has only two members.

The Audit Committee Charter describes the primary functions of the Audit Committee as follows:

 
·
Appoint, evaluate and, as the Committee may deem appropriate, terminate and replace our independent registered public accounting firm;
 
·
Monitor the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm;
 
·
Determine the compensation to be paid to our independent registered public accounting firm;
 
·
Review with management and our independent registered public accounting firm the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives as well as off-balance sheet structures on the Company’s financial statements;
 
·
Review the experience and qualifications of the Company’s senior finance executives as well as senior members of the independent registered public accounting firm team and the quality control procedures thereof;
 
·
Pre-approve all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm and establish policies and procedures for the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm to provide permitted non-audit services;

 
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·
Conduct annual reviews and assessments of the adequacy of the Audit Committee Charter and the continued independence of the independent registered public accounting firm and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval;
 
·
Advise the Board with respect to the Company’s policies and procedures regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations and with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics;
 
·
Review all related-party transactions for potential conflict of interest situations and approve such related-party transactions;
 
·
Establish procedures for the confidential and anonymous receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding the Company’s accounting, internal controls and auditing matters; and
 
·
Report to the Board on all of the foregoing matters.

 Research and Clinical Oversight Committee. The Research and Clinical Oversight Committee, or Research Committee, was established in February 2007 and is chaired by David Sidransky, M.D.  All of the members of our Research Committee are considered “independent directors” in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15).

The primary function of the Research Committee is to work closely with management and the Scientific Advisory Board to provide support and direction to the Company’s research and development programs. The Research Committee functions as an advisory committee and does not hold formal committee meetings or take formal committee actions.

Commercial and Business Development Oversight Committee.  The Commercial and Business Development Oversight Committee, or the Development Committee, was established in February 2007 and is chaired by Paul Weiss, Ph.D.  All of the members of our Development Committee are considered “independent directors” in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15).

The primary function of the Development Committee is to assist management in pursuing commercial and business development opportunities for the products currently in development.  The Development Committee functions as an advisory committee and does not hold formal committee meetings or take formal committee actions.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or Code of Ethics, that applies to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, and controller and to all its other employees.  These standards are a guide to help ensure that all our employees live up to our high ethical standards.  A copy of the Code of Ethics is maintained on our website at www.alfacell.com.
 
We intend to post on our website, any amendment to or waiver from any provision in our Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, and that relates to any element of the standards enumerated in the rules of the SEC.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Compensation Philosophy

Our compensation program is based on the philosophy that the interests of our employees should be closely aligned with those of our stockholders.  The Company’s compensation program is based on the following principles:

·
Compensation opportunities should attract the best talent, motivate individuals to perform at their highest levels, reward outstanding achievement and retain the leadership and skills necessary for building long-term stockholder value;
·
Compensation should include a bonus potential which is tied directly to operating objectives; and
·
Compensation should include a long-term incentive award generally in the form of stock option grants to increase ownership in the Company and encourage executives to manage from the perspective of owners of the Company.

 
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The Compensation Committee believes that the compensation program for executive officers should reward the achievement of the short-term and long-term objectives of the Company, and that compensation should be related to the value created for its stockholders.  However, given the highly volatile nature of biotechnology company stocks it would be impracticable for the Company to tie executive compensation solely to stock performance.  In making its compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee generally reviews the progress made by the individual officer in attaining his or her individual performance goals and the progress made by the Company in its drug development programs, while keeping the Company’s stock performance in mind.  Generally, performance tied to the long-term objectives of the Company or the overall business objectives of the Company are rewarded with equity compensation, whereas performance tied to short-term goals of the Company or individual performance.  As different elements of the Company’s compensation have different underlying rationale and policy, determinations the Compensation Committee made with regard to one compensation element have not influenced decisions it made with respect to other compensation elements it contemplated or awarded.  For example, the factor that our CEO may receive a bonus if the performance objectives are satisfied and may receive additional value through his stock options if the Company’s stock performs well has not influenced the determination as to the base salary of our CEO.

The Company’s compensation philosophy was last reviewed by the Board in May 2007, at which time two new compensation programs were approved by the Board, the Incentive Bonus Program and the Annual Milestones bonus program.  These two bonus programs were approved by the Board because they each met the Company’s desire to reward and encourage executive officers and employees for not only causing the Company to meet its primary objectives but also to meet certain short-term objectives within a timeline prescribed by management.  See “Incentive Compensation” below for details relating to these two programs.

Role of the Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee in our fiscal year 2009 consisted of Messrs. John P. Brancaccio, Chairman, Donald R. Conklin (resigned subsequently), and Paul M. Weiss Ph.D.  All committee members had been and were non-employee directors as defined under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and satisfy the director independence standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the definition of “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.  No special expertise in compensation matters is required for appointment to the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee is responsible for all components of the Company’s executive compensation program and for administering all stock option plans including the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, under which stock option grants may be made to executive officers.  On an annual basis, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation for the CEO and other executive officers, if any.  The Compensation Committee evaluates at least once a year, the CEO and executive officers’ performance in light of these established goals and objectives and based upon these evaluations will set the CEO’s and executive officers’ annual compensation, including salary, bonus, incentive and equity compensation.

Role of Consultants and Market Review

The Compensation Committee possesses the authority under its charter to hire advisors to provide it with information as needed in making compensation decisions.  The Compensation Committee did not use a compensation consultant for fiscal year 2009.

 
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Role of Management
 
While the Compensation Committee determines overall compensation philosophy, it relies on the CEO and other executive officers, if any, to make recommendations in accordance with such compensation philosophy.  The Company’s CEO and CFO, if any, provide the Board and the Compensation Committee with feedback on the performance of the Company’s non-executive officers and make compensation recommendations to the Compensation Committee for its approval.  In 2009, the CEO attended the Compensation Committee’s meetings to provide the CEO’s perspectives on competition in the industry and the needs of the business, information regarding the Company’s performance and other advice specific to the CEO’s areas of expertise.  However, the CEO did not attend meetings where the CEO’s compensation and/or performance was discussed.  Once a recommendation has been approved by the Compensation Committee, it is sent to the Board for ratification.  Upon ratification by the Board, the execution and administration of the recommendation may be delegated by the Compensation Committee to management as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate.
 
On April 3, 2009, Mr. Muniz joined our company and acted as our President, COO and CFO.  With the retirement of Kuslima Shogen as our CEO in March 2009 and the departure of our former CFO, Lawrence Kenyon, in December 2008, Mr. Muniz has been our only executive officer since he joined the Company.  At the time he joined the Company, the Compensation Committee agreed to pay him a consulting fee of $3,500 per week plus cost of travel between his home state of Florida and New Jersey.  On October 19, 2009, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Muniz to serve as the Company’s President, CEO and CFO.  Under his Employment Agreement, Mr. Muniz will receive an annual base salary of $300,000 and is entitled to receive cash incentive compensation or annual stock option awards as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board from time to time. In addition, Mr. Muniz is entitled to participate in any and all employee benefit plans established and maintained by the Company for executive officers of the Company. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Muniz received an Option granted under and in accordance with the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, to purchase an aggregate of 500,000 shares of common stock exercisable for ten years from the date the Option is granted. The Option shall vest in equal amounts on each of the first, second and third year anniversary of the grant so long as Mr. Muniz remains employed by the Company. The exercise price of the Option equals the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant.
 
The Employment Agreement continues in effect for two years following the date of the agreement and automatically renews for successive one-year periods, unless Mr. Muniz’s employment is terminated by him or by the Company. In the event that Mr. Muniz’s employment is terminated by the Company for any reason, then Mr. Muniz is entitled to receive his earned but unpaid base salary and incentive compensation, unpaid expense reimbursements, accrued but unused vacation and any vested benefits under any employee benefit plan of the Company. In the event that Mr. Muniz’s employment is terminated by the Company without “Cause” or by Mr. Muniz for “Good Reason” (as such terms are defined in the Employment Agreement), and provided Mr. Muniz executes a release in favor of the Company, then in addition to the above mentioned payments and benefits, Mr. Muniz is entitled to receive an amount equal to his then current annual base salary, payable in equal installments over 12 months in accordance with the Company’s payroll practice, and all medical and health benefits for 18 months following the termination date.  In addition, in the event Mr. Muniz’s employment is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control (as defined in the Employment Agreement), and provided Mr. Muniz executes a release in favor of the Company, in lieu of the severance described above, Mr. Muniz is entitled to receive a lump cash payment equal to his then current annual base salary, all medical and health benefits for 18 months following the termination date and full acceleration of vesting of all unvested stock options and other stock-based awards.  Mr. Muniz’s Employment Agreement requires him to refrain from competing with the Company and from hiring our employees and soliciting our customers for a period of one year following the termination of his employment with the Company for any reason.  

Executive Compensation Components

Compensation for the Company’s executive officers includes the following components:

Base Salary.  Fixed annual compensation that is certain as to payment and provides continuous income to meet ongoing living costs.  This component is intended to ensure that we are able to retain executives capable of achieving the Company’s strategic and business objectives.  The Compensation Committee reviews executive officers’ salaries annually and will make adjustments based on its expectations of that officer’s performance as compared to the officer’s actual performance and what the Compensation Committee’s expectations are for that officer’s future performance.  Additionally, the Compensation Committee factors in cost of living adjustments as well as the Company’s overall performance and stock performance.   In 2008, the Compensation Committee also utilized a study of market compensation levels prepared by an independent compensation consultant in order to evaluate the executive’s compensation, including base salaries.  Such a study was used by the Compensation Committee in setting base salaries for the Company’s fiscal year 2008.  Such a study was not used in previous years and was not used in fiscal year 2009.

 
43

 
 
In the fiscal year 2009, in light on the Company’s financial difficulties, lack of executive leadership and inability to conduct a thorough market-based analysis of executive compensation, the Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Muniz, the Company’s sole executive officer, should receive the same base compensation package, in all material respects, as his predecessor, Kuslima Shogen.

Stock Option Grants.  Long-term incentive plan which offers eligible Company officers and employees incentives to put forth maximum efforts for the success of the Company’s business, to afford executive officers an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and to relate the compensation of officers to the value they create for the Company’s stockholders.  Currently, all stock-based awards are granted under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, which was approved by the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company in November 2003 and in January 2004, respectively.  The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the grant of stock options and other stock-based awards to employees, officers, consultants, independent contractors and directors providing services to us and our subsidiaries as determined by the Board or by the Compensation Committee.  The types of awards that may be granted under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan are stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards, dividend equivalents, other stock grants, other stock-based awards and any combination thereof.  Stock options are granted based on the fair market value of a share on the date of grant of such option.  The terms, time and method of the options are determined at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee.

At the time he joined in the Company in April 2009, Mr. Muniz did not receive any stock-based compensation.  After completion of the Company’s financing in October 2009, pursuant to his Employment Agreement, Mr. Muniz received stock options to purchase a total of 500,000 shares of common stock.  The Compensation Committee determined that this was an appropriate grant in light of prior grants made to the Company’s former CEO, Mr. Muniz’s success in obtaining financing for the Company in very difficult market conditions and the need to provide Mr. Muniz with additional incentive to create further value for the Company’s stockholders.

Incentive Compensation.  The primary purpose is to align the interests of the executive officers with those of the stockholders by rewarding executive officers for creating stockholder value over the long-term.  The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the award of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards, dividend equivalents, and other stock grants or stock based awards.

Other Benefits.  The CEO is eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) plan, health and dental coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, paid time off and paid holidays on the same terms as are available to all employees generally.  Other benefits available to the CEO are the payment of reasonable costs of temporary housing, reasonable airfare associated with relocation and relocation assistance.  The CEO’s compensation is designed to be competitive with overall market practices, and is in place to attract and retain the personnel needed in the business.

Post-termination Agreements.  Other than severance payments provided for in Mr. Muniz’s Employment Agreement and Ms. Shogen’s Retirement Agreement, as described below, the Company does not utilize post-termination agreements.  In addition, under grants awarded pursuant to the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, the  recipients of such grants have received Stock Option Agreements which contain provisions that allow for the awarded options to become fully vested and immediately exercisable or exercisable during the six months following a change in control but in no event beyond the option period provided in the Stock Option Agreement; provided, however, that the terms of Mr. Muniz’s Employment Agreement, as described above, supersede the terms set forth in his Stock Option Agreement.  Per the Company’s standard Stock Option Agreement, a change in control is deemed to occur if (i) a person, as defined by Section 13 (d) and 14 (d) of the Exchange Act, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding shares (except that ownership by the McCash Family Limited Partnership must be 50% to qualify as a change in control); (ii) during any 12 month period, the individuals who were, at the beginning of such period, a majority of the Board cease to be a majority of the Board; (iii) the Company’s stockholders approve a merger or consolidation with another corporation except where the Company remains in control after such merger or consolidation or where the merger or consolidation was effected to recapitalize the Company and no one person acquired more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company; or (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or enter into an agreement for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
 
 
44

 
 
Additionally, under the terms of the Stock Option Agreements issued under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, if there is a termination of service due to the death, total disability or retirement of the optionee on or after age 65 after seven years of service with the Company, then the options become fully exercisable at the time of death, total disability or retirement, as the case may be, and may be exercised by the optionee or optionee’s estate during the six months following the month of optionee’s death, total disability or retirement but in no event beyond the option period provided in the Stock Option Agreement.  If there is a termination of employment due to voluntary resignation then to the extent options are exercisable as of the date of the termination, such options may be exercised within six months of the date of termination of employment.  If there is termination for cause, then to the extent options are exercisable as of the date of the termination, such options may be exercised within 30 days of the date of termination.  “Cause” is defined as (i) frequent and unjustifiable absenteeism other than optionee’s illness or physical or mental disability; (ii) fraud or dishonesty materially injurious to the Company; (iii) gross or willful misconduct or willful neglect to act which is committed or omitted by optionee in bad faith; (iv) gross breach of optionee’s fiduciary duties which has a materially injurious effect on the Company; (v) optionee’s conviction as a felon; or (vi) optionee’s willful or continuous neglect or refusal to perform his or her duties.  If there is termination for any reason other than those described above, then to the extent options are exercisable as of the date of the termination, such options may be exercised within 12 months of the date of termination of employment.
 
Under grants awarded pursuant to the Company’s 1997 and 1993 Stock Option Plans, prior to a dissolution or liquidation of the Company or a merger or consolidation where the Company is not the surviving corporation, the optionee has the right to exercise all outstanding options.  If the optionee terminates employment, then to the extent options are exercisable as of the date of termination, such options may be exercised within 190 days of the date of termination of employment.  If the Board determines that the optionee engaged in activities or employment contrary to the best interest of the Company, then the Board can cancel the options within 190 days of the termination of employment.  If an optionee dies while still in service to the Company, then to the extent options are exercisable as of the date of death, such options may be exercised.
 
The rationale for the acceleration of the options under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, and the 1997 and 1993 Stock Option Plans upon a change in control of the Company is to ensure that officers are motivated to pursue creating or obtaining the maximum value for stockholders and to encourage officers to remain with the Company after a change in control has occurred.
 
Kuslima Shogen, the Company’s former CEO and scientific founder, retired on March 31, 2009.  On April 25, 2008, we entered into a Retirement Agreement with Ms. Shogen.  Under the terms of the Retirement Agreement, during the two year period commencing April 1, 2008, Ms. Shogen was entitled to receive periodic payments at the rate of $300,000 per year.  The options to purchase the Company’s common stock held by Ms. Shogen on the date of her retirement remained exercisable after Ms. Shogen’s retirement in accordance with their terms. No change was made to the terms of such existing options under the Retirement Agreement, except the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors amended the Company’s 1993 Stock Option Plan and 1997 Stock Option Plan to allow such options to be transferred by Ms. Shogen to members of her family. The Compensation Committee agreed to give Ms. Shogen the ability to transfer her existing options granted under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan to members of her family.  If Ms. Shogen elects COBRA continuation coverage after her retirement date, the Company will pay for Ms. Shogen’s COBRA insurance continuation premiums until the earliest of the second anniversary of her retirement date and the date Ms. Shogen is no longer eligible for COBRA insurance overage under applicable law or the date on which Ms. Shogen becomes eligible for Medicare. In the event Ms. Shogen becomes ineligible for COBRA coverage under the Company’s insurance plans for any reason other than her death prior to the second anniversary of her retirement date, the Company will make a lump sum cash payment to Ms. Shogen equal to the amount of the premiums the Company would have had to pay to maintain Ms. Shogen’s coverage under the Company’s insurance plans had Ms. Shogen remained eligible for coverage under such plans for the period commencing on the date Ms. Shogen became ineligible for such coverage and ending on the second anniversary of her retirement date.

 
45

 
 
Pursuant to the terms of the Retirement Agreement, Ms. Shogen also agreed to terminate the Royalty Agreement dated July 24, 1991, as amended on April 16, 2001 by and between the Company and Ms. Shogen. In exchange for termination of the Royalty Agreement, the Company agreed to make the following payments and awards to Ms. Shogen:

 
·
A lump sum payment of $500,000 made within ten business days of the date of the Retirement Agreement, from which we were entitled to deduct the amount of the outstanding principal and accrued interest of $187,410 owed by Ms. Shogen to us as of the date of the Retirement Agreement.
 
 
·
If the NDA for ONCONASE®for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma is approved by the FDA, Ms. Shogen would receive a one time payment equal to 5% of the initial milestone payment payable to the Company by Par Pharmaceutical Inc. or Par pursuant to the License Agreement dated as of January 14, 2008 by and between the Company and Par, or the License Agreement.
 
 
·
If the NDA for ONCONASE® for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma is approved by the FDA, Ms. Shogen would also receive a payment of $350,000 on each of the first and second anniversaries of the date of such approval for a total payment of $700,000.
 
 
·
An option to purchase an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of the Retirement Agreement as determined under such plan. The option has a term of ten years and will become exercisable only upon the approval by the FDA of the NDA for ONCONASE® for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma. As the result of the option to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock granted under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan to Ms. Shogen on March 5, 2008 in connection with the Company’s execution of the License Agreement and in order to enable the Company to grant this option to Ms. Shogen, the Board of Directors amended the annual award limitation for a participant in the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan for 2008 as it relates to Ms. Shogen from 1,000,000 shares to 1,250,000 shares.
 
 
·
Payments equal to 15% of any royalties payable with respect to net sales which are received by us pursuant to any and all license agreements entered into by us for the marketing and distribution of ONCONASE® and any other products derived from amphibian source extract, produced either as a natural, synthesized, and/or genetically engineered drug which are covered by the claims of any issued patent owned or controlled by us which is issued and valid as of December 31, 2007, or the Licensed Products, and 5% of net sales of Licensed Products which we book on our financial statements but only to the extent that the aggregate annual net sales of Licensed Products upon which such royalty payments are received by us and annual net sales of Licensed Products booked by us when combined are in excess of $100 million in a year. In the event either or both of the aggregate annual net sales of Licensed Products upon which we receive royalties and the annual net sales of Licensed Products which we book on our financial statements are less than $100 million, but when combined such aggregate annual net sales exceed $100 million, the payments to be received by Ms. Shogen in that year will be paid with respect to the amount of such aggregate net sales that exceeds $100 million and pro rated between the 15% Ms. Shogen is entitled to receive on royalties received by us and the 5% Ms. Shogen is entitled to receive on net sales booked by us based upon the percentage of the total net sales of the Licensed Products that year represented by aggregate net sales upon which we receive a royalty and the net sales booked by us. Ms. Shogen’s rights to receive these payments shall terminate when all claims under the relevant patents which cover the Licensed Products have expired.
 
On September 14, 2009, the Company entered into an amendment to the Retirement Agreement amending certain terms.  Under the Retirement Agreement, Ms. Shogen was entitled to receive periodic payments during the two year period commencing April 1, 2008 at the rate of $300,000 per year.  Pursuant to the amendment, the periodic payments were reduced to $150,000 per year.   Under the Retirement Agreement, Ms. Shogen was entitled to receive continuing payments equal to 15% of any royalties received by us pursuant to any and all license agreements entered into by us for the marketing and distribution of Licensed Products. Under the amendment, the amount of such royalties related to net sales of Licensed Products to be received by Ms. Shogen has been reduced to 5%.  Under the Retirement Agreement, Ms. Shogen was entitled to receive continuing payments equal to 5% of net sales of Licensed Products booked by us on our financial statements.  Under the amendment, the amount of such net sales booked by us has been reduced to 2% of net sales. Under the amendment, in the event we obtain marketing approval for ONCONASE® from the FDA or the European Medicines Agency, Ms. Shogen will be entitled to receive an additional payment equal to the difference between the continuing payments actually paid to Ms. Shogen during the two year period commencing April 1, 2008 and $600,000, the original aggregate amount of continuing payments to which Ms. Shogen was entitled under the Retirement Agreement.  Such additional payment may be made by us, at our option, in cash, common stock or a combination of both.   Except as specifically amended in the Amendment, all terms and conditions of the Retirement Agreement remain in full force and effect.

 
46

 
 
The following table summarizes the estimated value of the stock options for each named executive officer derived from the terms of the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, the 1997 Stock Option Plan and the 1993 Stock Option Plan assuming that a triggering event took place on the last business day of our most recently completed fiscal year, July 31, 2009 and that the price per share of our common stock is the closing market price as of that date.
 
Name
Death or Total
Disability(1)
Voluntary Termination or
Termination for Cause(1)
Change in
Control(1)
Charles Muniz
$0
$0
$0
Kuslima Shogen(2)
$1,380
$1,380
$1,380
Lawrence Kenyon(3)
$0
$0
$0

 
 (1)
These amounts represent the aggregate in-the-money value of stock options which would become vested as a direct result of the termination event or change in control before the applicable stated vesting date. The stated vesting date is the date at which an award would have vested absent such termination event or change in control.  This calculation of value does not attribute any additional value to stock options based on their remaining terms and does not discount the value of awards based on the portion of the vesting period elapsed at the date of the termination event or change in control.  These amounts represent the intrinsic value of stock options, based on a closing stock price of $0.28 on July 31, 2009.
(2)
Kuslima Shogen retired from the Company in March 31, 2009 and resigned from the Board on January 29, 2010.
(3)
Lawrence Kenyon resigned as the Company’s President and CFO on December 12, 2008 and as Corporate Secretary and member of the Board on April 2, 2009.

Pension Plans. The Company does not have pension plans for its employees, executive officers or directors.

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans.  The Company does not have non-qualified deferred compensation plans for its employees, executive officers or directors.

Tax and Accounting Considerations

Deductibility of Executive Compensation.  In making compensation decisions affecting the executive officers, the Compensation Committee considers the Company’s ability to deduct under applicable federal corporate income tax law compensation payments made to executives.  Specifically, the Compensation Committee considers the requirements and impact of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which generally disallows a tax deduction for annual compensation in excess of $1 million paid to our named executive officers.  Certain compensation that qualifies under applicable tax regulations as “performance-based” compensation is specifically exempted from this deduction rule.  The Compensation Committee cannot assure that it will be able to fully deduct all amounts of compensation paid to persons who are named executive officers in the future.  Further, because the Compensation Committee believes it is important to preserve flexibility in designing its compensation programs, it has not adopted a policy that all compensation must qualify as deductible under Section 162(m).  The cash compensation that the Company paid to each of its named executive officers during 2009 was below $1 million.  We believe that stock options granted to named executive officers under the 1997 Stock Option Plan and the 2004 Stock Incentive Program would qualify as “performance-based compensation” and therefore are Section 162(m) qualified.
 
Accounting for Stock Based Compensation.  On August 1, 2005, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of the amended guidance on ASC Stock Compensation to account for all stock grants under all of its stock plans.
 
 
47

 
 
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Summary Compensation Table
 
The following table provides a summary of cash and non-cash compensation for each of the last three fiscal years ended July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 with respect to the one person who served as our CEO and the two other people who served as our only other executive officers during the year ended July 31, 2009, collectively referred to as the Named Executive Officers.

Principal Position
 
Year
 
Salary
($)
 
Bonus
($)
 
Stock
Awards
($)
 
Option
Awards
($)(1)
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
 
Non-Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
 
All Other
Compensation
($)(2)
 
Total
($)
                                     
Charles Muniz
 
President, CEO and CFO (3)
 
 
2009
 
87,500 (4)
 
-
     
-
 
-
 
-
 
11,041(5)
 
98,541
                                   
                                   
Kuslima Shogen
 
Former CEO (6)
 
 
2009
 
207,692
 
-
     
-
 
-
 
-
 
139,241(7)
 
346,933
 
2008
 
278,877
 
-
     
2,305,000
 
-
 
-
 
525,514(8) (9)
 
3,109,391
 
2007
 
233,688
 
-
     
565,460
 
-
 
-
 
24,026(10)
 
823,174
Lawrence A. Kenyon
 
Former President, CFO and Corporate Secretary (11)
 
2009
 
109,615
                         
109,615
 
2008
 
215,231
 
42,000
     
-
 
-
 
-
 
6,990(12)
 
264,221
 
2007
 
104,192(13)
 
-
     
666,875
 
-
 
-
 
38,157(14)
 
809,224

 
(1)
These amounts represent the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes the grant date fair value of stock options granted to the named executive officers in accordance with ASC Stock Compensation.  The grant date fair value was estimated using the Black-Scholes stock option pricing model in accordance with ASC Stock Compensation.  Pursuant to the SEC rules, the amounts exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions.  Valuation assumptions used in the calculation are as disclosed in Note 7 to the financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2009 filed with this prospectus.
 (2)
Excludes perquisites and other personal benefits that in the aggregate do not exceed $10,000.  These amounts consist of our annual contributions to a 401(k) plan unless otherwise noted.
(3)
Mr. Muniz was appointed as the Company’s President, COO and CFO and director to the Board on April 3, 2009.
(4)
Mr. Muniz initially began consulting with the Company on February 9, 2009.  On April 3, 2009, Mr. Muniz was appointed as the Company’s President, COO and CFO.  Given the Company’s difficult financial condition, Mr. Muniz continued to receive consulting payments from the date he first began consulting with the Company continuing through October 19, 2009.  This amount represents consulting fees from his first day of employment through July 31, 2009.
(5)
This amount consists of travel cost between Mr. Muniz’ home state of Florida and New Jersey for a period of six months totaling $5,218 and health insurance reimbursement of $5,823 for fiscal year 2009.
(6)
Ms. Shogen retired from the Company on March 31, 2009 and resigned from the Board on January 29, 2010.
(7)
This amount consists of post-retirement payments of $126,923, our annual contribution to a 401(k) plan totaling $3,461 and a monthly auto allowance totaling $8,857 for fiscal year 2009.
 
 
48

 
 
(8)
$500,000 of this amount a lump sum payment as part of Ms. Shogen’s Retirement Agreement in exchange for the termination of the Royalty Agreement.
(9)
$25,514 of this amount consists of our annual contribution to a 401(k) plan totaling $9,999, a monthly auto allowance totaling $12,997 for fiscal year 2008 and premiums paid by the Company on a life insurance policy on Ms. Shogen totaling $2,518.  The Company is not the beneficiary of the life insurance policy.
(10)
This amount consists of our annual contribution to a 401(k) plan totaling $6,738, a monthly auto allowance totaling $13,000 for fiscal year 2007 and premiums paid by the Company on a life insurance policy on Ms. Shogen totaling $4,288.  The Company is not the beneficiary of the life insurance policy.
(11)
  Mr. Kenyon resigned as the Company’s President and CFO on December 12, 2008 and as Corporate Secretary and director on the Board on April 2, 2009.
(12)
This amount consists of our annual contribution to a 401(k) plan.
(13)
Represents salary for period commencing on January 16, 2007, Mr. Kenyon’s first day of employment with the Company, through July 31, 2007.
(14)
As part of Mr. Kenyon’s employment arrangements approved by the Board, the Company provided for  moving expenses totaling $9,146 and cost of travel between his home state of Illinois and New Jersey for a period of 12 months totaling $29,011.  We made no contributions to Mr. Kenyon’s 401(k) plan during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007.
 
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2009

There were no grant of stock options under equity and non-equity incentive plans to the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table sets forth the information with respect to the Named Executive Officers concerning the exercisable and unexercisable stock option awards held as of July 31, 2009

Name (1)
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options
(#)
Option Exercise
Price
($)
Option
Expiration Date
Kuslima Shogen(2)
23,000(3)
-
-
$0.85
8/21/09
 
23,000(3)
-
-
$0.49
10/4/09
 
23,000(3)
-
-
$0.49
10/7/09
 
69,000(3)
-
-
$0.26
10/7/09
 
30,000(3)
-
-
$1.58
9/19/09
 
90,000(3)
-
-
$1.58
10/7/09
 
150,000(3)
-
-
$6.73
10/7/09
 
100,000(3)
-
-
$6.73
3/31/10
 
100,000(3)
-
-
$1.61
10/7/09
 
72,000(3)
-
-
$1.29
10/7/09
 
250,000(3)
-
 
$2.18
3/31/10
     
1,000,000(4)
$2.00
4/25/18
Lawrence A. Kenyon(5)
225,000(3)
-
-
$1.55
8/17/09


(1)
The Company does not have stock awards as part of its compensation program, therefore the columns entitled “Stock Awards” have been omitted from this table.
(2)
Ms. Shogen retired from the Company on March 31, 2009.
(3)
These options expired on their respective expiration dates.
(4)
These performance options are only exercisable upon the meeting of the conditions set out in Ms. Shogen’s Retirement Agreement as described above.
(5)
Mr. Kenyon resigned as the Company’s President and CFO on December 12, 2008 and as Corporate Secretary and director on April 2, 2009.

 
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Option Exercises and Stocks Vested

The Named Executive Officers did not exercise options during fiscal year 2009 and the Company did not grant stock awards as part of its compensation program.

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS’ COMPENSATION

In February 2007, the Board adopted a non-employee director compensation policy whereby each member of the Board who was not an employee of our company will receive $15,000 per year in consideration of the member’s serving on the Board, payable in four equal quarterly installments.  In addition, each non-employee director will be granted an annual retainer of 20,000 options on the last trading day of December for each year under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.  The Chairman of the Board will receive an option bonus equal to the number of options received by the Chairman for his board and committee memberships.  Committee chairpersons receive 10,000 options for each committee chaired while each committee member receives 5,000 options for each committee on which he serves.  The exercise price of the options will be equal to the closing price of the common stock on the date of the grant.  The options will vest on the first anniversary of the date of the grant provided that the option holder remains a director as of such anniversary date and the options will terminate on the sixth anniversary of the date of the grant.

On October 20, 2009, the Company closed on a private placement of convertible promissory notes and warrants in which the Company received $3,250,000 in gross proceeds on October 19, 2009.  As a condition to the closing of such financing, each member of the Board other than David Sidransky, Chairman of the Board, and Mr. Muniz agreed to resign from the Board upon the request of Dr. Sidransky made at any time following the closing and December 31, 2009.  In connection with such condition, the Board amended the vesting of the options granted on December 31, 2008 to non-employee directors, except for Dr. Sidransky, to be accelerated in full upon their resignation as requested by the Chairman of the Board.  Additionally, with the exception of Dr. Sidransky, the terms of the options granted to non-employee directors on February 8, 2007, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008 were amended to provide that if the non-employee director leaves the Board, the option will be exercisable for two years, instead of one year, from the date such non-employee director leaves the Board any time between October 19, 2009 and December 31, 2009.

In January 2009, the Board ceased the non-employee director compensation; however, on April 27, 2010, the Board made the following option grants to our non-employee directors as compensation for their service on the Board: (i) options to purchase 180,000 shares of common stock to Dr. Sidransky, (ii) options to purchase 125,000 shares of common stock to Mr. Brancaccio, and (iii) options to purchase 125,000 shares of common stock to Dr. Weiss, each at an exercise price of $0.26 per share and with a vesting date of December 31, 2010.

Under our director compensation policies, directors who also serve as executive officers do not receive additional compensation for their service on our Board.

The exercise price and vesting schedules for the regular and discretionary option grants described above are set forth in the table titled “Directors’ Stock Options” below.  The total compensation paid to independent directors for their service as directors of the Company for fiscal year 2009 is set forth in the table titled “Directors’ Compensation” below.

 
50

 

Name
 
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash(1)
($)
 
Stock Awards
($)
 
Option Awards(2)
($)
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensa-tion
($)
 
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
 
All Other Compen-sation
($)
 
Total
($)
 
John P. Brancaccio
   
$7,500
   
-
   
$5,600
     
-
   
-
   
-
   
$13,100
 
Stephen K. Carter, M.D. (3)
   
$7,500
   
-
   
$4,000
     
-
   
-
   
-
   
$11,500
 
Donald R. Conklin (4)
   
$7,500
   
-
   
$4,800
     
-
   
-
   
-
   
$12,300
 
James J. Loughlin(5)
   
$7,500
   
-
   
$5,600
(5)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
$13,100
 
David Sidransky, M.D.
   
$7,500
   
-
   
$14,400
     
-
   
-
   
-
   
$21,900
 
Paul Weiss, Ph.D.
   
$7,500
   
-
   
$8,000
     
-
   
-
   
-
   
$15,500
 
 
During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, the following independent or non-employee directors were compensated as follows for their service as directors of the Company:

(1)
These amounts represent the retainer paid for services as director.
(2)
These amounts represent the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fair value of stock options granted to non-employee directors for fiscal year 2009.  The grant date fair value of the options was estimated using the Black-Scholes stock option pricing model in accordance with ASC Stock Compensation.  Valuation assumptions used in the calculation are as disclosed in Note 7 to the financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2009 filed with this prospectus.
(3)
Mr. Carter did not stand for reelection on our April 27, 2010 Annual Stockholders Meeting and is currently no longer on our Board of Directors.
(4)
Mr. Conklin resigned as a member of the Board on January 29, 2010.
(5)
Mr. Loughlin resigned as a member of the Board on March 5, 2009.  The stock options granted to him in December 2008 were forfeited.

Directors’ Stock Options

During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, the following independent or non-employee directors were granted options under our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan as described above:

Name
Number of
Options Granted(1)
Exercise Price of
Options Granted
John P. Brancaccio
35,000(2)
$0.24
Stephen K. Carter, M.D. (3)
25,000(4)
$0.24
Donald R. Conklin (5)
30,000(6)
$0.24
James J. Loughlin(7)
35,000(8)
$0.24
David Sidransky, M.D.
90,000(9)
$0.24
Paul M. Weiss, Ph.D.
50,000(10)
$0.24

 
(1)
All the options listed here were granted on December 31, 2008, vest on December 31, 2009, provided that the option holder continuously remains a director until such time, and expire on December 31, 2014.  The exercise price of these options was the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant.  As described above, these options will be accelerated in full upon the resignation of the non-employee director, except Dr. Sidransky, as requested by the Chairman of the Board any time between October 19, 2009 and December 31, 2009.
(2)
Mr. Brancaccio’s options are the result of his serving on the Audit Committee and as Chairman of the Compensation Committee.
(3)
Mr. Carter did not stand for reelection on our April 27, 2010 Annual Stockholders Meeting and is currently no longer on our Board of Directors.
(4)
Dr. Carter’s’ options are the result of his serving on the Research and Clinical Oversight Committee.

 
51

 
 
(5)
Mr. Conklin resigned as a member of the Board on January 29, 2010.
(6)
Mr. Conklin’s options are the result of his serving on the Compensation Committee and Commercial and Business Development Oversight Committee.
(7)
Mr. Loughlin resigned as a member of the Board on March 5, 2009.
(8)
Mr. Loughlin’s options are the result of his serving on the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and as Chairman of the Audit Committee.   Mr. Loughlin resigned as a member of the Board on March 5, 2009 and these options were forfeited as a result of his resignation.
(9)
Dr. Sidransky’s options are the result of his serving as Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, Chairman of the Research and Clinical Oversight Committee and a member of the Commercial and Business Development Oversight Committee.
(10)
Dr. Weiss’ options are the result of his serving on the Compensation Committee, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the Audit Committee, the Research and Clinical Oversight Committee and as Chairman of the Commercial and Business Development Oversight Committee.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table sets forth the information with respect to the independent or non-employee directors concerning exercisable and unexercisable stock options held as of July 31, 2009:

 
Name (1)
Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options (#) Exercisable
Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
Option Exercise
Price
($)
Option
Expiration Date
 
John P. Brancaccio
13,750(2)
-
$3.74
12/30/09
 
20,000
-
$4.38
12/30/10
 
20,000
-
$1.89
12/30/11
 
20,000
-
$1.60
12/30/12
 
15,000
-
$1.49
02/08/13
 
35,000
-
$1.72
12/31/13
 
-
35,000(3)
$0.24
12/31/14
Stephen K. Carter, M.D. (4)
15,000(5)
-
$3.78
12/30/09
 
20,000
-
$4.38
12/30/10
 
20,000
-
$1.89
12/30/11
 
20,000
-
$1.60
12/30/12
 
5,000
-
$1.49
02/08/13
 
25,000
-
$1.72
12/31/13
 
-
25,000(3)
$0.24
12/31/14
Donald R. Conklin (5)
15,000(2)
-
$3.78
12/30/09
 
20,000
-
$4.38
12/30/10
 
20,000
-
$1.89
12/30/11
 
20,000
-
$1.60
12/30/12
 
10,000
-
$1.49
02/08/13
 
30,000
-
$1.72
12/31/13
 
-
30,000(3)
$0.24
12/31/14
James J. Loughlin(6)
13,750(2)
-
$3.74
9/11/09
 
20,000(2)
-
$4.38
9/11/09
 
20,000(2)
-
$1.89
9/11/09
 
20,000(2)
-
$1.60
9/11/09
 
15,000(2)
-
$1.49
9/05/09
 
35,000(2)
-
$1.72
9/05/09
 
-
35,000(3)(7)
$0.24
12/31/14
David Sidransky, M.D.
  8,750(2)
-
$8.18
12/30/09
 
20,000
-
$4.38
12/30/10
 
20,000
-
$1.89
12/30/11
 
20,000
-
$1.60
12/30/12
 
70,000
-
$1.49
02/08/13
 
90,000
-
$1.72
12/31/13
 
-
90,000(3)
$0.24
12/31/14
 
 
52

 
 
Paul M. Weiss, Ph.D.
15,000(2)
-
$3.78
12/30/09
 
20,000
-
$4.38
12/30/10
 
20,000
-
$1.89
12/30/11
 
20,000
-
$1.60
12/30/12
 
30,000
-
$1.49
02/08/13
 
50,000
-
$1.72
12/31/13
 
-
50,000(3)
$0.24
12/31/14

 
(1)
The Company does not have stock awards as part of its compensation program, therefore the columns entitled “Stock Awards” have been omitted from this table.
(2)
These options expired on their respective expiration dates.
(3)
These options vested on December 31, 2009, provided that the option holder continuously remained a director as of December 31, 2009.
(4)
Mr. Carter did not stand for reelection on our April 27, 2010 Annual Stockholders Meeting and is currently no longer on our Board of Directors.
(5)
Mr. Conklin resigned as a member of the Board on January 29, 2010.
(6)
Mr. Loughlin resigned as a member of the Board on March 5, 2009.
(7)
These options were forfeited as a result of Mr. Loughlin’s resignation.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, the members of the Board who served on the Compensation Committee were Messrs. John P. Brancaccio, Donald R. Conklin (resigned subsequently) and Paul M. Weiss, Ph.D.  All such directors were independent directors and have never been our officers. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, no executive officer of us served on the compensation committee or board of directors of any other entity which had any executive officer who also served on the Compensation Committee or Board.


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The Company recognizes that related party transactions can create the appearance that Company decisions are made based on factors other than the Company’s best interest or the best interest of the Company’s stockholders.  Related party transactions can also create potential or actual conflicts of interest between the Company and the related party.  For purposes of Item 404 of Regulation S-K, related person transactions are transactions which exceed $120,000 in the aggregate or 1% of the average of the Company’s total assets at year end for the last three completed fiscal years, to which the Company and a related party with a direct or indirect material interest, participated.  The Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics requires that any such related party transactions be specifically approved by the Audit Committee.  In addition directors, officers and employees must notify the Ethics Officer or the Chair of the Audit Committee of the existence of any actual or potential conflicts of interest.  The Audit Committee performs a review of related party transactions as part of its review of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K.

The Company was a party to the following transactions in which the amount involved exceeded $120,000 and in which any executive officers, directors, holders of more than 5% of our capital stock and members of such person’s immediate families had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

Fiscal Year 2007
 
At fiscal year ended July 31, 2007, $180,397 were due to the Company from Kuslima Shogen, the Company's former CEO, from which the Company earned 8% interest in the amount of approximately $9,500 on the unpaid principal balance for fiscal year 2007. This loan was made prior to July 30, 2002 and has not since been materially modified, thus it is not in violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
53

 
 
                   On July 23, 1991, the Board agreed to pay Ms. Shogen an amount equal to 15% of any gross royalties which the Company may receive from any license(s) with respect to the Company's lead drug product candidate, ONCONASE®, or any other products derived from amphibian source extract, produced either as a natural, synthesized, and/or genetically engineered drug for which the Company is the owner or co-owner of the patents, or acquires such rights in the future, for a period not to exceed the life of the patents. If the Company manufactures and markets any of these drugs, then Ms. Shogen will receive an amount equal to 5% of gross sales from any products sold during the term of the patents. On April 16, 2001, this agreement was amended and clarified to provide that Ms. Shogen would receive the 15% royalty payment relating to licenses or 5% of net sales relating to sales but not both, unless both the Company and the licensee market the licensed product.
 
Fiscal Year 2008
 
Amounts due from a loan to Ms. Shogen totaling $180,397 were repaid in full plus interest in April 2008. The Company earned 8% interest on the unpaid principal balance in the amount of approximately $7,000 for fiscal year ended July 31, 2008. This loan was made prior to July 30, 2002 and has not since been materially modified.
 
In addition, see the discussion of the Retirement Agreement and arrangements related thereto by and between the Company and the Company’s former CEO, Kuslima Shogen, set forth above in the Post-Termination Agreement subsection of the “Compensation and Discussion Analysis”.
 
In fiscal year 2009, March 2008 and September 2008, the Company engaged Champions Biotechnology, Inc. to provide certain services for approximately $12,300 and $81,200, respectively.  The Company’s non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. David Sidransky, is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors as well as a principal stockholder of Champions Biotechnology, Inc.  As of July 31, 2009, the agreed amount was paid in full.

On October 20, 2009, the Company announced that it completed a sale of 65 Units in a private placement to certain investors pursuant to a securities purchase agreement entered into on October 19, 2009.  Each Unit consists of (i) $50,000 principal amount of 5% Senior Secured Convertible Notes convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, (ii) Series A Warrants to purchase in the aggregate that number of shares of common stock initially issuable upon conversion of the aggregate amount of Notes issued as part of the Unit, at an exercise price of $0.15 per share with a three year term and (iii) Series B Warrants to purchase in the aggregate that number of shares of common stock initially issuable upon conversion of the aggregate amount of Notes issued as part of the Unit, at an exercise price of $0.25 per share with a five year term. The closing of the Offering occurred on October 19, 2009 and the Company received an aggregate of $3,250,000 in gross proceeds.  Charles Muniz, the Company’s President, CEO, CFO and a director, subscribed for 20 Units, certain trusts and individuals related to James O. McCash, a beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Company’s voting securities, subscribed for an aggregate of 20 Units, Europa International Inc., an affiliate of Knoll Capital Management LP, a beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Company’s voting securities, subscribed for 15 Units.  The Company’s entry into an employment agreement with Mr. Muniz upon terms reasonably acceptable to the investors in the Offering was a condition to the Closing.

In addition, see the discussion of the Retirement Agreement and arrangements related thereto by and between the Company and the Company’s CEO, Kuslima Shogen, set forth above in the Post-Termination Agreement subsection of the “Compensation and Discussion Analysis”.  

 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT 
 
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 12, 2010 concerning stock ownership of all persons known by the Company to own beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock.
 
 
54

 
 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
 
Name and address of beneficial
owner or identity of group
 
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
   
Percent of shares
outstanding(1)
 
             
Charles Muniz(2)
c/o Tamir Biotechnology, Inc.
300 Atrium Drive
Somerset, NJ 08873
   
21,609,999(3)
     
31.63%
 
                 
Knoll Capital Management LP, Fred Knoll and Europa International, Inc. (4)
666 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3702
New York, NY 10103
   
19,030,520(5)
     
29.97%
 
                 
McCash Family Limited Partnership
N3810 S. Grand Oak Drive
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
   
4,821,452(6)
     
9.9%
 
                 
James O. McCash, and the James O. McCash Trust
N3820 S. Grand Oak Drive
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
   
2,910,820(7)
     
6.1%
 
                 
Unilab LP
966 Hungerford Drive, Ste 3B
Rockville, MD 20850
   
5,195,038(8)
     
9.99%
 

 
(1)
The percentage of stock outstanding for each stockholder is calculated by dividing (i) the number of shares deemed to be beneficially held by such stockholder as of the date of the calculation by (ii) the sum of (A) the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of the date of the calculation, plus (B) the number of shares issuable upon conversion of securities convertible into shares of common stock and upon exercise of options or warrants held by such stockholder which were convertible or exercisable as of the date of the calculation or which will become exercisable within 60 days after the date of the calculation, taken into consideration certain provisions in the warrants which limit the amount of shares that the warrant holders can exercise for.
(2)
Mr. Muniz is the Company’s President, CEO, CFO and a director.
(3)
Includes (i) 310,000 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Muniz, (ii) 300,000 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Muniz’ wife and (iii) 20,999,999 shares subject to a convertible note and warrants which are currently convertible or exercisable or which will become convertible or exercisable within 60 days after March 12, 2010.
(4)
Knoll Capital Management LP, Fred Knoll and Europa International, Inc., or Europa, filed a Schedule 13D on December 7, 2009 with the SEC as joint filers.
(5)
Includes (i) 2,010,985 shares of common stock owned by Europa. (ii) 840,963 shares held by Knoll Special Opportunities Fund Master Fund Ltd, or Knoll Fund, (iii) 15,750,000 shares of common stock subject to a convertible note and warrants which are currently convertible or exercisable or will become convertible or exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2010 held by Europa and (iv) 428,572 shares subject to warrants which are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2010 held by Europa and Knoll Fund.  This information concerning the stock ownership of Knoll Capital Management LP, Fred Knoll and Europa. was obtained from the Schedule 13D filed by them with the SEC on December 7, 2009 and other information known to the Company.
(6)
Includes 1,399,890 shares of common stock subject to warrants which are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2010.  This information concerning the stock ownership of the McCash Family Limited Partnership was obtained from the Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on January 8, 2007 and other information known to the Company.
(7)
This information concerning the stock ownership of the James O. McCash, and the James O. McCash Trust was obtained from the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 5, 2008 and other information known to the Company.
(8)
Includes (i) 4,641,678 shares of common stock subject to notes and warrants which are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2010, and (ii) 553,360 shares of common stock.
 
 
55

 
 
The table below shows the amount of our common stock beneficially owned (unless otherwise indicated) by our directors and the Named Executive Officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table individually, and our directors and Named Executive Officers as a group.  All information is as of March 12, 2010.

Security Ownership of Management

Name and address of beneficial
owner or identity of group(1)
 
Position
 
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership(2)
   
Percent of shares
outstanding(3)
 
Charles Muniz
 
President, CEO, CFO and Director
   
21,609,999(4)
     
31.63%
 
John P. Brancaccio
 
Director
   
151,300(5)
     
*
 
David Sidransky, M.D.
 
Chairman of the Board
   
355,000(6)
     
*
 
Paul M. Weiss, Ph.D.
 
Director
   
230,090(7)
     
*
 
All Named Executive Officers and directors as a group (4 persons)
       
22,346,389(8)
     
33.23%
 

*
Represents less than 1% of our outstanding common stock.
(1)
Unless otherwise indicated below, the persons in the above table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned by them.  The address of all Named Executive Officers and directors is c/o Tamir Biotechnology, Inc., 300 Atrium Drive, Somerset, New Jersey, 08873.
(2)
All shares listed are common stock.  Except as discussed below, none of these shares are subject to rights to acquire beneficial ownership, as specified in Rule 13d-3(1) under the Exchange Act, and the beneficial owner has sole voting and investment power, subject to community property law where applicable.
(3)
The percentage of stock outstanding for each stockholder is calculated by dividing (i) the number of shares deemed to be beneficially held by such stockholder as of March 12, 2010 by (ii) the sum of (A) the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of March 12, 2010 plus (B) the number of shares issuable upon exercise of options or warrants held by such stockholder which were exercisable as of March 12, 2010 or which will become exercisable within 60 days after December March 12, 2010.
(4)
Includes 310,000 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Muniz, 300,000 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Muniz’ wife and 20,999,999 shares subject to a convertible note and warrants which are currently convertible or exercisable or which will become convertible or exercisable within 60 days after March 12, 2010.
(5)
Includes 145,000 shares underlying options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days after March 12, 2010.
(6)
Includes 310,000 shares underlying options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days after March 12, 2010.
(7)
Includes 6,535 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Weiss’ wife and 190,000 shares underlying options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days after March 12, 2010.
(8)
Includes all shares owned beneficially by the directors and the executive officers named in the table.

 
56

 
 
SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS 
 
We are registering the shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Notes and exercise of the Warrants, including: (a) 24,916,667 shares of common stock that will be issued upon conversion of the Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $3,250,000, referred to as Note Shares, (b) 21,666,664 shares of common stock that will be issued upon the exercise of the Series A Warrants at $0.15 per share, referred to as Series A Warrant Shares, and (c) 21,666,664 shares of common stock that will be issued upon the exercise of the Series B Warrants at $0.25 per share, referred to as Series B Warrant Shares. The Notes and the Warrants were issued to the Selling Security Holders in a private placement which closed in October 2009. The Notes and the Warrants were issued in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act under Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act to persons reasonably believed to be “accredited investors” as defined in Regulation D under the 1933 Act. Pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement under which the Notes and Warrants were issued, we agreed to file the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part in order to permit those investors to sell the shares underlying the notes and warrants. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the Registration Statement also purports to register such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may become issuable by reason of stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalization and similar capital adjustments in accordance with the provisions of the notes and warrants.
 
SELLING SECURITY HOLDER TABLE
 
The table below lists the Selling Security Holders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock by each of the Selling Security Holders.  The first column lists the number of Note Shares being offered pursuant to this prospectus by each of the Selling Security Holders.  The second column lists the number of Series A Warrant Shares being offered pursuant to this prospectus by each of the Selling Security Holders. The third column lists the number of Series B Warrant Shares being offered pursuant to this prospectus by each of the Selling Security Holders. The fourth column lists total number of common stock held by each Selling Security Holder before any offering pursuant to this prospectus. The fifth column lists the shares of common stock being offered pursuant to this prospectus by each of the Selling Security Holders.  The six column lists the number of shares that will be beneficially owned by the Selling Security Holders assuming all of the shares offered pursuant to this prospectus are sold and that shares beneficially owned by them, but not offered hereby are not sold. The Selling Security Holder Table and the footnotes to the table are prepared based on the Company’s records as of April 26, 2010 and the completed selling stockholder questionnaires the Company has received.
 
The inclusion of any securities in the following table does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership by the persons named below. Except as indicated in the footnotes to the table, no Selling Security Holder has had any material relationship with us or our predecessors or affiliates during the last three years.
 
Name
Note Shares
Series A
Warrant Shares
Series B
Warrant Shares
Total
Shares
Shares
being Offered
Shares Owned
after Offering (1)
Europa International, Inc. (Knoll Capital Management LP)(2), (3)
5,750,000
                   5,000,000
                                         5,000,000
19,030,520(4)
15,750,000
3,280,520
Charles Muniz (5)
7,666,667
                      6,666,666
                                         6,666,666
21,609,999 (6)
20,999,999
 610,000
Unilab LP (Francis Patrick Ostronic(2)), (7)
3,833,333
                                3,333,333
                                            3,333,333
11,053,359 (8)
10,499,999
   553,360
Mary M. McCash Trust Declaration Declared October 20, 2008 (Mary M. McCash(2)), (9)
1,533,333
                                1,333,333
                                            1,333,333
4,199,999
4,199,999
0
The Michael J. McCash Living Trust (Michael J. McCash(2)), (10)
1,533,333
                                1,333,333
                                            1,333,333
4,199,999
4,199,999
   0
Coleen A. Lowe (11)
1,533,333
                                1,333,333
                                            1,333,333
4,199,999
4,199,999
0
Corinne M. Poquette (12)
1,533,333
                                1,333,333
                                            1,333,333
4,199,199
4,199,999
0
David J. McCash (13)
1,533,333
                                1,333,333
                                            1,333,333
4,199,199
4,199,999
0
 Total
24,916,667
21,666,664
21,666,664
72,693,875
68,249,995
4,443,880

 
 
57

 
 
(1)
Assumes that all of the shares offered hereby are sold and that shares owned before the offering but not offered hereby are not sold.
(2)
Person who has voting and the power to vote, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the common stock.
(3)
Address: c/o Knoll Capital Management, 1114 Avenue of Americans, 45th Floor, New York, NY 10036.  Europa International, Inc., together with Knoll Capital Management LP and Fred Knoll, with whom it filed a Schedule 13D on December 7, 2009 with the SEC as joint filers, is a significant shareholder of the Company that owns more than 5% of the total outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.
(4)
Includes (i) 2,010,985 shares of Common Stock owned by Europa, (ii) 840,963 shares held by Knoll Fund, (iii) 15,750,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes and exercise of the Warrants held by Europa and (iv) 428,572 shares subject to warrants which are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2010 held by Europa and Knoll Fund.
(5)
Address: c/o Tamir Biotechnology, Inc., 300 Atrium Drive,
Somerset, NJ 08873.  Mr. Muniz is the Company’s President, CEO, CFO and a director.
(6)
Includes (i) 20,999,999 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes and exercise of the Warrants, (ii) 310,000 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Muniz, and (iii) 300,000 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Muniz’ wife.
(7)
Address: 966 Hungerford Drive, Ste 3B, Rockville, MD 20850.  In July 2007, in connection with a Distribution and Marketing Agreement with USP Pharma Spolka Z.O.O., an affiliate of US Pharmacia, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Unilab LP, an affiliate of US Pharmacia, pursuant to which we issued a total of 553,360 shares of restricted common stock Unilab LP for approximately $1.4 million, or $2.53 per share.
(8)
Includes (i) 10,499,999 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes and exercise of the Warrants, and (ii) 553,360 shares of common stock.
(9)
Address: 5660 Rush Road, Conover, Wisconsin 54519.  Mary M. McCash is a partner of McCash Family Limited Partnership, which is a significant shareholder of the Company that owns more than 5% of the total outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.  Mary M. McCash does not have the power to vote or dispose of the shares of the Company owned by McCash Family Limited Partnership.
(10)
Address: N 3810 South Grand Oak Road, Iron Mountain, Michigan 49801. Michael J. McCash is a partner of McCash Family Limited Partnership, which is a significant shareholder of the Company that owns more than 5% of the total outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.  Michael J. McCash does not have the power to vote or dispose of the shares of the Company owned by McCash Family Limited Partnership.
(11)
Address: 13639 Bridle Trail Road, Draper, Utah 84020.  Coleen A. Lowe is a partner of McCash Family Limited Partnership, which is a significant shareholder of the Company that owns more than 5% of the total outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.  Coleen A. Lowe does not have the power to vote or dispose of the shares of the Company owned by McCash Family Limited Partnership.
(12)
Address: W 4454 County Road 573, Kulcan, Michigan 49892.  Corinne M. Poquette is a partner of McCash Family Limited Partnership, which is a significant shareholder of the Company that owns more than 5% of the total outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.  Corinne M. Poquette does not have the power to vote or dispose of the shares of the Company owned by McCash Family Limited Partnership.
(13)
Address: 716 Hillcrest Drive, Iron Mountain, Michigan 49801.  David J. McCash is a partner of McCash Family Limited Partnership, which is a significant shareholder of the Company that owns more than 5% of the total outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.  David J. McCash does not have the power to vote or dispose of the shares of the Company owned by McCash Family Limited Partnership.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED
 
The following description of our common stock, together with the additional information included in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of these types of securities but is not complete.  For the complete terms of our common stock, please refer to our certificate of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws that are incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement which includes this prospectus.
 
 
58

 
 
As of March 12, 2010, our authorized capital stock consists of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.  No share of preferred stock is outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.
 
Common Stock
 
Under our certificate of incorporation, as amended, we may issue up to 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share.  As of March 12, 2010, we have 47,313,880 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.  The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders.  Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for that purpose.  In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to the prior distribution rights of any outstanding preferred stock.  The common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights.  There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.  The outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
 
Our common stock is listed on the Pink Sheets under the symbol “ACEL”.  The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company.
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
We are registering shares of common stock to permit the resale of such common stock by the holders from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the Selling Security Holders of the securities. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the shares of common stock.
 
The Selling Security Holders may sell all or a portion of the securities beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the securities are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the Selling Security Holders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The securities may be sold in one or more transactions at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale on the over-the-counter bulletin board or at privately negotiated prices determined at the time of sale. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions,
 
·  
on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;
·  
in the over-the-counter market;
·  
in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market;
·  
through the writing of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise;
·  
ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;