UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K/AA-2

 


 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from            to            

 

Commission File Number 000-30975

 


 

TRANSGENOMIC, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 


 

Delaware 91-1789357

(State or Other Jurisdiction of


Incorporation or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer


Identification Number)

 

12325 Emmet Street


Omaha, NE 68164

 68164
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

(402) 452-5400

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class


 

Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered


None N/A

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

(Title of Class)

 


 

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

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form10-KForm 10-K  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant based on the last reported closing price per share of Common Stock as reported on The Nasdaq National Market on the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was approximately $38.4$38.37 million.

 

As of April 14, 2005, the registrant had 34,238,97034,234,922 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 



Explanatory Note

 

Transgenomic, Inc (the “Company”) isWe are amending itsour annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (“Form 10-K”) for certain adjustments that are required to includeappropriately report cash flows from operating and investing activities in the information required byaudited consolidated statements of cash flows included in Part III of the Form 10-K. The Company filed its Form 10-K on April 15, 2005, which indicated that it would incorporate many sections ofII, Item 8 herein and related cash flow disclosures included in Part III by referenceII, Item 7. These restatements are discussed in Note P to the Company’s definitive proxy statement. At this time, the Company no longer expects to be able to file its definitive proxy statementconsolidated financial statements and result only in a reclassification of certain items within the applicable time frame requiredaudited consolidated statement of cash flows. They have no effect on the net change in cash and cash equivalents for incorporating by reference information intoany period reported or any other line item in the Company’s Form 10-K. Therefore, the Company is filing this amended Form 10-K/A to include such information and to remove references to the proxy statement.audited consolidated financial statements. Except as indicated, the Company haswe have made no other changes to its annual report onour Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.10-K.


Part IIITRANSGENOMIC, INC.

 

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

Directors

The following table sets forth information about our directors, including the nominees who areIndex to be voted on at our annual meeting. There are no arrangements or understandings pursuant to which either nominee was selected. The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Saxena, Sloma, Sklar and Santoni are independent directors of the Company under the listing standards adopted by the Nasdaq Stock Market. All directors have held the positions with the companies (or their predecessors) set forth under “Principal Occupation” for at least five years, unless otherwise indicated.

Name


  Age

  

Principal Occupation


  Director
Since


  Term To
Expire


NOMINEES            
Gregory T. Sloma  53  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of SpeedNet Services, Inc.(1)  2004  2005
Jeffrey L. Sklar, M.D., Ph.D.  57  Professor of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine(2)  1997  2005
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE      
Gregory J. Duman  49  President of Prism Technologies LLC(3)  2000  2006
Roland J. Santoni  63  Vice President of West Development, Inc.(4)  2000  2006
Collin J. D’Silva  48  President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company(5)  1997  2007
Parag Saxena  49  Chief Executive Officer of INVESCO Private Capital, Inc.  1999  2007

(1)Mr. Sloma is also a director of West Corporation. From 1996 to 2003, Mr. Sloma served in several capacities including President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive Officer, and Vice Chairman and Director of Mergers & Acquisitions for DTN Corporation. In September 2003, DTN Corporation filed a pre-packaged Chapter 11 reorganization petition in bankruptcy. DTN Corporation emerged from bankruptcy on October 31, 2003.
(2)From 1989 to 2003, Dr. Sklar was Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School.
(3)From 2001 to 2003, Mr. Duman was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. From 2000 to 2001, Mr. Duman was Chief Financial Officer of Artios, Inc. From 1983 to 2000, Mr. Duman served in several capacities including Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Transaction Systems Architects, Inc.
(4)From 1977 to 2003, Mr. Santoni was Professor of Law at Creighton University. In addition, from 1978 to 2003, he served Of Counsel with the law firm of Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C.
(5)Mr. D’Silva is also a director of Bruker Biosciences Corporation, formerly known as Bruker Daltonics, Inc.

The Board of Directors has established and assigned certain responsibilities to an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee. We do not have a standing nominating committee. The Board determined that due to the relatively small size of the Board, and due to the policy on director nominations, which is described below, it was not necessary to form a separate committee to evaluate director nominations. Under the director nomination policy, director candidates are identified primarily through suggestions made by directors, management and stockholders of the Company. We have implemented no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nomineesForm 10-K/A-2 for the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will consider director nominees


recommended by stockholders that are submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Company in a timely manner and which provide necessary biographical and business experience information regarding the nominee. All candidates for director will be evaluated based on their independence, character, judgment, diversity of experience, financial or business acumen, ability to represent and act on behalf of all shareholders, and the needs of the Board. In general, the Board expects to nominate incumbent directors who express an interest in continuing to serve on the Board. The independent directors of the Company review and consider all candidates to serve as a director of the Company who are properly suggested by directors, management and stockholders of the Company, and that the Board of Directors will select its nominees to serve as a director of the Company from among those candidates who are recommended to the Board of Directors by a majority of the independent directors of the Company.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities include monitoring the integrity of our financial statements, monitoring the independence and performance of our external auditors, and monitoring our compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The functions of the Audit Committee also include reviewing periodically with independent auditors the performance of the services for which they are engaged, including reviewing the scope of the annual audit and its results, reviewing with management and the auditors the adequacy of our internal accounting controls, reviewing with management and the auditors the financial results prior to the filing of quarterly and annual reports, and reviewing fees charged by our independent auditors. Our independent auditors report directly and are accountable solely to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has the sole authority to hire and fire the independent auditors and is responsible for the oversight of the performance of their duties, including ensuring the independence of the independent auditors. The Audit Committee also approves in advance the retention of, and all fees to be paid to, the independent auditors. The rendering of any auditing services and all non-auditing services by the independent auditors is subject to the approval in advance of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter which is available on our website at www.transgenomic.com. The Audit Committee is required to be composed of directors who are independent of the Company under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and under the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The current members of the Audit Committee are directors Santoni, Saxena and Sloma. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Sloma qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Compensation Committee.The Compensation Committee reviews and approves our compensation policy, changes in salary levels and bonus payments to our executive officers and other management and determines the timing and terms of awards made pursuant to our stock option plan. The Compensation Committee currently consists of directors Sklar, Santoni and Saxena, each of whom has been determined by the Board of Directors to be independent under the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Executive Officers.

Our executive officers are appointed annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting following the annual stockholder’s meeting. Other officers are appointed by the Board of Directors from time to time. Each officer holds office until a successor has been duly appointed and qualified or until the death, resignation or removal of such officer.

Our officers and their ages as ofFiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004 are listed below followed by a brief biography.

 

Name


PART II
Item 1.  AgeBusiness

  

Position


1
Collin J. D’Silva
  47Item 7.  ChairmanManagement’s Discussion and Analysis of the Board, Chief Executive OfficerFinancial Condition and Director
Michael A. SummersResults of Operations  401
  Chief Financial Officer
Keith A. JohnsonItem 8.  46Financial Statements and Supplementary Data  Vice President, General Counsel10
Mitchell L. Murphy  48  Vice President, SecretaryReport of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm10
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and Treasurer200311
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 200212
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 200213
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2004 (restated), 2003 (restated) and 200214
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 200215
PART IV
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures29
Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules29
SIGNATURES32

 

Collin J. D’Silva.Mr. D’Silva has served as our ChairmanThis annual report on Form 10-K/A references the following registered trademarks which are the property of Transgenomic: DNASEP® Columns, WAVE® System, WAVEMAKER® Software, TRANSFORMING THE WORLD® for Laboratory Equipment, TRANSGENOMIC® and the BoardGlobe Logo®; MutationDiscovery.com® Website, OLIGOSEP® for Systems and Chief Executive Officer since 1997Reagents, OPTIMASE® Polymerase, RNASEP® Columns, WAVE OPTIMIZED® reagents, and is also a Director. Mr. D’Silva, a co-founderWAVE® MD Systems. Additionally, this Annual report on Form 10-K references the following trademarks which are the property of Transgenomic, has workedTransgenomic: MitoScreen Kits, ProtocolWriter Software, Navigator Software, THE POWER OF DISCOVERY for Lab Reagents and Educational Programs, and Surveyor Nuclease. All other trademarks or trade names referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A are the Company and its predecessors since 1988. Mr. D’Silva was employed by AT&T from 1980 to 1988. At AT&T, he held various positions in engineering, materials management, sales support and business development. His last position at AT&T was Business Unit Manager and Engineering Manager for a network distribution products division. Mr. D’Silva holds a B.S. degree and a M.Eng. degree in industrial engineering from Iowa State University and an M.B.A. from Creighton University.property of their respective owners.


Item 1.Business

 

Michael A. Summers.Mr. Summers joined Transgenomic, Inc. in August 2004We provide innovative products and currently serves as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Summers was employed with C&A Industries, Inc. from 2003 to 2004 where as General Manager he was responsibleservices for the synthesis, purification and analysis of nucleic acids. Our operations fall into two principal business units, BioSystems and Nucleic Acids. Our BioSystems products include our WAVE® automated instrument systems, WAVE associated consumable products and other related consumable products. Our Nucleic Acids products consist principally of various divisions that provided human capital managementchemical building blocks for nucleic acid synthesis. Both business units have service offerings as well, including genetic variation discovery and consulting services. From 2001 to 2003, he was Executive Vice Presidentanalysis services and Chief Financial Officer for Nexterna, Inc., a wholly-owned technology subsidiarycustom synthesis of the Union Pacific Corporation. From 2000 to 2001, he was the Chief Accounting Officer for Able Telcom Holding Corp., a publicly-owned project management and construction company. Mr. Summers graduated from Creighton University in 1987 with a B.S. degree in business administration with an accounting major. He is a Certified Public Accountant.


Keith A. Johnson.Mr. Johnson joined us in 2002 as Vice President, General Counsel. Mr. Johnson has a B.A. in Biochemistry from Kalamazoo College, an M.B.A. in International Business and Marketing from Michigan State, and a law degree from the University of San Diego. Before joining Transgenomic Mr. Johnson was Director of Intellectual Property, Technology Development and Licensing at Integra LifeSciences in Plainsboro, NJ, from 1999 to 2001. Mr. Johnson’s previous experience also includes Senior Licensing Manager, Rutgers University, from 1998 to 1999 and Technology Licensing Officer, Washington State University, from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Johnson is a member of the state bars of California, Washington, New Jersey and Nebraska and is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trade Office.specialty nucleic acids.

 

Mitchell L. Murphy.Mr. Murphy joined usOur technologies center around three core competencies: separation chemistries, enzymology, and nucleic acid chemistries. We employ novel chemistries for separating nucleic acids, proteins, peptides, amino acids and carbohydrates. Our most significant separation technology is currently embodied in 1992. His current duties include the overall corporate administrationWAVE System. The WAVE System is a versatile instrument that can be used for genetic variation detection, size-based double-strand DNA separation and shareholder relations.analysis, single-strand DNA separation and analysis and DNA purification. The WAVE System requires the use of various consumable products that we manufacture and sell separately.

Our second core competency is expertise in developing novel enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts for biochemical reactions. Several of these reactions are useful in genomics. The ability to develop enzymes useful in the experimental manipulation of genes provides powerful tools for producing genetic material in the form needed for further analysis or incorporation into diagnostics and therapeutics. These products can also expand the sale of consumable products to WAVE System users and may also be sold for other applications. Our SURVEYOR® product line of mutation detection kits allow for the cleaving of DNA at points where DNA sequence variations exists. The resulting DNA fragments can then be analyzed by our WAVE System, fluorescent capillary electrophoresis or standard gel electrophoresis. SURVEYOR Kits provide a simple and robust method of scanning relatively large DNA fragments for both known and novel sequence variations.

Our third core competency is nucleic acid chemistries. Our synthetic nucleic acid products consist of chemical building blocks of nucleic acids (known as phosphoramidites). We also manufacture related specialty chemicals such as fluorescent markers and molecular tags, dyes, quenchers, linkers, and solvents used to modify nucleic acids for subsequent detection or manipulation. These products are used by research organizations, diagnostic companies and pharmaceutical companies. These products are produced primarily in our Glasgow, Scotland facility. Prior to joining Transgenomic, he held accountingNovember 11, 2004, we had also manufactured synthesized segments of nucleic acids (known as oligonucleotides) in a facility in Boulder, Colorado. On November 11, 2004, we sold the assets associated with this facility to a subsidiary of Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Eyetech”). As a result of this sale, we no longer manufacture and sell these specialized oligonucleotides.

Our operations are managed based upon the nature of the products and services provided. Accordingly, we operate in two reportable segments, BioSystems and Nucleic Acids. Operations for these segments are evaluated based upon specific identification of revenues and expenses associated with the business activities resulting in a segment operating income or loss. See Note K to the accompanying consolidated financial management positionsstatements for 15 years withdetailed segment information.

Business Strategy

Since inception, our business strategy has been to provide products and services to biomedical researchers, medical institutions, diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies involvedthat are tied to advancements in manufacturing, steel distributionthe field of genetics. The movement in the field of genomics, and rebar fabrication. He spent over two yearsrelated market opportunities, has shifted from gene discovery to the analysis of variations in gene sequences. Researchers are beginning to link variations in the gene sequences to disorders and diseases. Accordingly, a principal component of our strategy has been to establish our WAVE System as an auditorthe industry standard in the genetic research market and to develop additional markets for the Omaha, Nebraska officeWAVE System such as diagnostics. Through an expanding base of Deloitte, Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte & Touche LLP) workinginstalled systems, we expect to increase the sales of consumable products used with the WAVE.

We have also historically sought to position ourselves as a partner to biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies in a broad rangethe early stages of industries. Mr. Murphy graduatedtheir efforts to develop genomic-based diagnostics and therapeutics, thereby allowing us to participate in future successes of products derived from the expanding knowledge of genomics. While we continue to believe that the long-term prospects for this business segment are favorable, we concluded that near-term revenues from this segment would generate neither positive cash flows nor profits from operations. Consequently, in the second quarter of 2004, our Board of Directors directed management to explore strategic alternatives for our Nucleic Acids operating segment, including the possible sale of one or both of the facilities in Glasgow, Scotland and Boulder, Colorado. On November 11, 2004, we sold the assets associated with honors from Creighton Universityour specialty oligonucleotide manufacturing facility in 1978Boulder, Colorado. We continue to operate our facility in Glasgow, Scotland which primarily produces chemical building blocks used in the synthesis of nucleic acids. However, we have taken steps to consolidate these operations and to reduce costs in order to better align operating expenses with a B.S. degreeanticipated revenues.

Our business strategy going forward is to achieve revenue growth in business administrationour BioSystems operating segment and to better align our cost structure with an accounting major.anticipated revenues in both of our operating segments. We have already taken steps to implement this strategy as more fully discussed under “Significant 2004 Developments,” below.

Significant 2004 Developments

 

Section16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting ComplianceWe determined that our Nucleic Acids operating segment was impaired and sold our specialty oligonucleotides manufacturing facility.. Item 405

Based upon information obtained through the process of Regulation S-K requires disclosureevaluating strategic alternatives for our Nucleic Acids segment, we determined that it was more likely than not that the value of the assets associated with this business were impaired. We engaged an external valuation firm to assist us in conducting an interim period impairment test that resulted in a non-cash charge of $11.97 million related to these assets during the three months ended June 30, 2004. The charge consisted of $9.87 million related to the impairment of goodwill and $2.10 million related to the impairment of property and equipment.

On November 11, 2004, we sold the assets associated with our specialty oligonucleotides manufacturing facility in Boulder, Colorado to Eyetech. The sale price was $3.00 million in cash plus the assumption of the lease on the Boulder facility and of certain equipment leases with a gross value of $2.38 million. Substantially all of the 27 employees at the Boulder facility became Eyetech employees. Net proceeds from the sale (after transaction expenses and fees paid to our investment advisors) equaled approximately $2.70 million. In conjunction with this transaction, we recorded a gain on sale of $1.47 million in the fourth quarter of 2004.

We implemented a restructuring plan to better align costs with expected revenues.

On November 13, 2004, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan designed to refocus the Company on its BioSystems operating segment and to better align our cost structure with anticipated revenues. The plan (which is incremental to the sale of our Boulder, Colorado facility) included a workforce reduction of approximately 60 positions and the closure of two domestic research and development facilities associated with our Nucleic Acids operating segment and two European field offices. Additionally, we eliminated approximately 10 positions at our chemical building blocks manufacturing facility in Glasgow, Scotland. In conjunction with these changes, we incurred a charge of $3.57 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2004 related primarily to severance, benefits and facility closures.

Together, the sale of our specialty oligonucleotide manufacturing facility and the implementation of our restructuring plan are expected to result in $10.0 million to $12.00 million in annual cost savings.

We revised our credit facilities with Laurus Master Funds, Ltd.

We have entered into a $7.50 million convertible line of credit (the ”Credit Line”) and a separate $2.75 million convertible note (the ”Term Note”) with Laurus Master Fund, Ltd. (“Laurus”)(collectively, the “Laurus Loans”). In February 2004, Laurus waived the borrowing base limitation on the Credit Line, thereby making the full $7.50 million facility available to the Company regardless of the available collateral. On August 31, 2004, Laurus agreed to extend the borrowing base waiver on the Credit Line through March 19, 2005. In addition, Laurus has deferred certain payments due under the Term Note and reduced the interest rate on both of the Laurus Loans to 0% for any known late filingday the closing sale price of the Company’s common stock is at or failureabove $1.75 per share. In return, we lowered the conversion price on each of the Laurus Loans to $1.00 per share and issued a warrant to Laurus covering an additional 400,000 common shares at an exercise price of $1.25 per share. The closing price of the Company’s common stock on August 31, 2004 was $1.20 per share.

Subsequent to December 31, 2004, we further amended our Credit Line. On March 18, 2005, Laurus agreed to extend the borrowing base waiver on the Credit Line through March 31, 2006. In addition, we agreed to allow Laurus to convert $1.87 million of the outstanding principal balance under the Credit Line into 3,600,000 shares of common stock on March 18, 2005 and $0.65 million of the outstanding principal balance of the Term Note into 1,250,000 shares of common stock on March 24, 2005. As a result, we have increased the amount available under the Credit Line by $1.87 million and have eliminated substantially all remaining 2005 scheduled principal payments on the Term Loan.

Sales and Marketing

We currently sell our products to customers in over 30 countries. We use a direct sales and support staff for sales in the U.S., U.K. and most countries in Western Europe. For the rest of the world, we sell our products through dealers and distributors located in those local markets. We currently have over 25 dealers and distributors. We also maintain regionally-based technical support staffs and applications scientists to support our sales and marketing activities throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Customers

Customers include numerous leading academic and medical institutions in the U.S. and abroad. In addition, our customers also include a number of large, established U.S. and foreign pharmaceutical, biotech and commercial companies.

During 2004, sales to Geron Corporation totaled $4.15 million and represented 12% of total consolidated net sales and 49% of total net sales within our Nucleic Acids operating segment. We do not have a long-term sales agreement with Geron Corporation and, accordingly, the amount of nucleic acid products we sell to it is subject to change. Revenues from our Nucl eic Acids business would be substantially reduced if Geron Corporation’s need for our products declined or if it decided to obtain these products from other suppliers.

No other customer currently accounts for more than 10% of total consolidated or operating segment net sales.

Research and Development

We maintain an insideractive program of research and development and expect to continue to incur significant expense for these activities going forward. Our research and development activities include the improvement of the DNA separation media used in our WAVE System, the refinement of the hardware and software components of the WAVE System, the creation of unique enzymes and WAVE-Optimized® enzymes, and, to a lesser extent, the improvement of chemical and biochemical reaction techniques for synthetic nucleic acids.

Consistent with our business strategy discussed above, we have taken steps to reduce research and development expenditures to levels that are more consistent with our current levels of revenue. For 2004,

our research and development expenditures were approximately $6.69 million. This represents a substantial reduction from our prior levels of expenditures that were $9.31 million, $12.20 million and $9.37 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. We expect that we will further curtail our research and development activities until we are able to increase our revenues or otherwise improve our liquidity and working capital positions.

Manufacturing

We manufacture bioconsumable products including our separation columns, liquid reagents, enzymes and nucleic acid products. The major components of our WAVE systems are manufactured for us by a third party. We integrate our own hardware and software with these third party manufactured components. Our manufacturing facilities for our WAVE® systems and bioconsumables are located in Omaha, Nebraska, San Jose, California, and Cramlington, England. Our phosphoramidites and related synthetic nucleic acid products are manufactured in our Glasgow, Scotland facility.

Intellectual Property

To establish and protect our proprietary technologies and products, we rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade-secret laws, as well as confidentiality provisions in our contracts. We presently own rights to more than 80 issued patents and 50 pending applications in both the U.S. and abroad. Our BioSystems operating segment products, comprising the WAVE® System and related consumables, are protected by patents and in-licensed technologies with remaining lives of 9 to 18 years. Intellectual property related to our Synthetic Nucleic Acid business unit, other than production trade secrets, is almost entirely in-licensed. A number of these in-licensed patents have recently, or will soon, expire. As a result, we expect price competition in the Nucleic Acids operating segment to intensify in the next year. We will continue to file patent applications and seek new licenses as warranted to protect and develop new technologies of interest to our customer base in the coming years.

Competition

The markets in which our Biosystems operating segment operates are highly competitive, and characterized by rapidly changing technological advances. A number of Transgenomic’s competitors possess substantial resources and are able to develop and offer a much greater breadth of products and/or services, coupled with significant marketing and distribution capabilities. Transgenomic competes principally on the basis of uniquely enabling technical advantages in specific but significant market segments.

Competition for our WAVE Systems arises primarily from DNA sequencing and genotyping technologies. Competitors in these areas include Applied Biosystems, Beckman Coulter, Amersham (now part of GE Healthcare), Affymetrix, Agilent Technologies, Nanogen, Illumina, Sequenom, Pyrosequencing (now part of Biotage AB), Varian, and others. Competition for some of our non-WAVE consumable products comes from numerous well-diversified life sciences reagents providers, including, among others, Invitrogen, Qiagen, Roche, Stratagene, and Promega. Our Discovery Services unit faces competition from a number of companies offering contract DNA sequencing and other genomic analysis services, including Genaissance Pharmaceuticals, GeneLogic, Agencourt, SeqWright, Gentris, and Perlagen. In addition, several clinical diagnostics service providers, such as Labcorp, Quest, and Specialty Laboratories, also offer related laboratory services in support of clinical trials. Finally, additional competition arises from academic core laboratory facilities.

Competition is also intense in the markets in which our Nucleic Acids operating segment functions, and increasingly driven by price. Transgenomic competes on the basis of its ability to develop and manufacture synthetic nucleic acid building blocks used to make DNA and RNA oligonucleotides. Competitors include Proligo Degussa, Pierce Nucleic Acid Technologies, and Applied Byosystems. In addition, competition is expected in the future from new overseas entrants focusing on low cost production.

Employees

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, we had 178 and 244 employees, respectively. Certain of those employees at December 31, 2004 were terminated during January and February 2005 in connection with the 2004 restructuring plan. As of February 28, 2005, we had 157 employees and expect our headcount to be relatively stable throughout the remainder of 2005. These employees are focused in the following areas of our operation:

   February
28, 2005


  December
31, 2004


  December
31, 2003


BioSysytems Operating Segment

         
   
  
  

Manufacturing

  50  52  54

Sales, Marketing and Administration

  68  75  90

Research and Development

  18  19  31
   
  
  
   136  146  175

Nucleic Acids Operating Segment

         
   
  
  

Manufacturing

  16  20  45

Sales, Marketing and Administration

  5  6  8

Research and Development

  0  6  16
   
  
  
   21  32  69
   
  
  
   157  178  244
   
  
  

We supplement our workforce through the use of independent contractors and consultants. As of February 28, 2005 and December 31, 2004, we have engaged independent contractors or consultants who provide services to us approximately equivalent to five and four full-time employees, respectively.

Our employees were employed in the following geographical locations.

   February
28, 2005


  December
31, 2004


  December
31, 2003


United States

  93  106  166

Europe (other than the United Kingdom)

  20  22  20

United Kingdom

  44  50  58
   
  
  
   157  178  244
   
  
  

General Information

We were incorporated in Delaware on March 6, 1997. Our principal office is located at 12325 Emmet Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68164 (telephone: 402-452-5400). We maintain manufacturing facilities in Omaha, Nebraska, San Jose, California, Glasgow, Scotland and Cramlington, England. We maintain research and development offices in Gaithersburg, Maryland and Omaha, Nebraska.

Our Internet address iswww.transgenomic.com. We make our annual report requiredon Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file these documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Risks Related to Our Business

We may not have adequate financial resources to execute our business plan and may be need to terminate some operations.

We have experienced net losses and had an accumulated deficit of $107,101 at December 31, 2004. As of March 31, 2005, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1.37 million plus an additional $2.29 million available under our Credit Line. Based on our 2005 operating plan, we believe existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet cash needs during 2005. If necessary, we believe we can manage costs and expenses at reduced levels to conserve working capital. The need for any such cost and expense reductions during 2005 would likely delay implementation of our business plan. Additionally, we may pursue additional financing alternatives. Ultimately, we must achieve sufficient revenue levels to support its cost structure.

Not withstanding our beliefs, there is no assurance that we will be able to achieve all of these steps or that any of these steps will allow us to meet our cash needs. Accordingly, our existing cash balances, cash generated by Section 16operations, and available borrowings under the Credit Line may be insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements if our operating plan is not met. In addition, there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional debt or equity financing to meet future cash needs. If we are not able to meet our needs for working capital, we may not be able to execute parts or all of our business plan and may need to discontinue operations in one or both of our operating segments.

We have a history of operating losses and may incur losses in the future.

We have experienced losses from operations since inception of our operations. Our operating losses for each of the Securities Exchange Actlast three fiscal years were $29.06 million, $22.59 million and $21.70 million, respectively. These losses have been due principally to the high levels of 1934. research and development expenses and sales and marketing expenses that we have incurred in order to develop and market our products, restructuring charges and impairment charges. In addition, markets for our products have developed more slowly than expected in many cases and may continue to do so. As a result, we may incur operating losses in the future, and we may never be profitable.

We may issue a substantial amount of our stock in conversion of our debt and exercise of options and warrants and this could reduce the market price for our stock.

As of April 14, 2005, we had outstanding 34,234,922 million shares of common stock. We also had obligations to issue approximately 6.2 million shares of common stock under outstanding stock options and warrants. Additionally, we may issue shares of common stock upon conversion of all or part of the Laurus Loans. Currently, Laurus may acquire 2.8 million shares of our common stock upon conversion of this debt. The issuance of such additional shares of common stock may be dilutive to our current shareholders and could negatively impact the market price of our common stock.

Markets for our products and services may develop slowly.

There are many factors that affect the market demand for our products and services that we cannot control. This is especially true in our Nucleic Acids operating segment where the demand for our products depends to a large degree on the success that our customers and potential customers have in developing useful pharmaceutical products based on genetic intervention. A central strategy for our Nucleic Acids operating segment is to sell synthetic nucleic acid products to biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies that are seeking to develop commercially viable genomic-based diagnostic and therapeutic products. We have invested a significant amount of capital into acquiring and developing manufacturing facilities and other assets to allow us to pursue this market. However, this is a new field of commercial development, and many of these biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies are in the early stages of their efforts to develop genomic-based diagnostics and therapeutics and have encountered difficulties in these efforts. As a result, the demand for our synthetic nucleic acid products is difficult to forecast and may develop slowly or sporadically. In addition, we cannot assure you that these companies will not internally develop the chemistries and manufacturing capabilities to produce the products they could buy from us. Demand for our WAVE System is similarly affected by the needs and budgetary resources of research institutions, universities, hospitals and others who use the WAVE System for genetic-variation research. The WAVE System represents a significant expenditure by these types of customers and often requires a long sales cycle. If revenues from the sales of our products and services continue at current levels, we may need to take steps to further reduce operating expenses or raise additional working capital. We cannot assure you that sales will increase or that we will be able to reduce operating expenses or raise additional working capital.

A single customer accounts for a significant portion of consolidated net sales and net sales in our Nucleic Acids operating segment.

During 2004, sales to Geron Corporation totaled $4.15 million and represented 12% of total consolidated net sales and 49% of total net sales within our Nucleic Acids operating segment. We do not have a long-term sales agreement with Geron Corporation and, accordingly, the amount of nucleic acid products we sell to it is subject to change. Revenues from our Nucleic Acids operating segment business would be substantially reduced if Geron Corporation’s need for our products declined or if it decided to obtain these products from other suppliers.

No other customer currently accounts for more than 10% of total consolidated or operating segment net sales.

Customer clinical trials may be delayed or discontinued.

A significant percentage of our Nucleic Acids operating segment and Discovery Services revenues are generated by sales to customers involved in drug development. Our products and services are generally used by these customers in the manufacture of drug candidates in varying stages clinical trials. If these clinical trials are delayed or cancelled or are otherwise not successful, this could have a significant impact on revenues.

The sale of our products and business operations in international markets subjects us to additional risks.

During the last three fiscal years, our international sales have been approximately 55-65% of our net sales. As a result, a major portion of our revenues and expenses are subject to risks associated with international sales and operations. These risks include:

• payment cycles in foreign markets are typically longer than in the U.S. and capital spending budgets for research agencies can vary over time with foreign governments;

• changes in foreign currency exchange rates can make our products more costly and operating expenses higher in local currencies since our foreign sales and operating expenses are typically paid for in U.S. Dollars, British Pounds or the Euro; and

• the potential for changes in U.S. and foreign laws or regulations that result in additional import or export restrictions, higher tariffs or other taxes, more burdensome licensing requirements or similar impediments to our ability to sell products and services profitably in these markets.

Our WAVE System includes hardware components and instrumentation manufactured by a single supplier and if we are no longer able to obtain these components and instrumentation our ability to manufacture our products could be impaired.

We currently rely on a single supplier, Hitachi High Technologies America, to provide the basic instrument used in our WAVE Systems. While other suppliers of instrumentation and computer hardware are available, we believe all Section 16 reportsthat our arrangement with Hitachi offers strategic advantages. Hitachi is replacing its current instrument line with a new instrument line. While we presently plan to convert our technology and applications to this new instrument line, such conversion may not be successful and, therefore, we may incur additional costs for the custom manufacturing of the current instrument line. If we were filedrequired to seek alternative sources of supply, it could be time consuming or expensive or require significant and costly modification of our WAVE System. Also, if we were unable to obtain instruments from Hitachi in sufficient quantities or in a timely manner, our ability to manufacture our products could be impaired, which could limit our future revenues.

We may not have adequate personnel to execute our business plan.

In order to reduce our operating costs, we have significantly reduced the number of employees, including reductions in our research and development staff and our sales and marketing personnel. In addition, we may lose other key management, scientific, technical, sales and manufacturing personnel from time to time. It may be very difficult to replace personnel if they are needed in the future, and the loss of key personnel could harm our business and operating results. We cannot assure you that our employee reductions will not impair our ability to continue to develop new products and refine existing products in order to remain competitive. In addition, these reductions could prevent us from successfully marketing our products and developing our customer base.

Our markets are very competitive.

As described above, we compete with many other companies in both our Biosystems and Nucleic Acids operating segments. Many of these competing companies have greater resources than we do or may enjoy other competitive advantages. This may allow them to more effectively market their products to our customers or potential customers, to develop products that make our products obsolete or to produce and sell products less expensively than us. As a result of these competitive factors, demand for and pricing of our products and services could be negatively affected.

The price for our common stock is volatile and may drop further.

The trading price for our common stock has fluctuated significantly over recent years. The volatility in the price of our stock is attributable to a number of factors, not all of which relate to our operating results and financial position. Nevertheless, continued volatility in the market price for our stock should be expected and we cannot assure you that the price of our stock will increase in the future. Fluctuations or further declines in the price of our stock may affect our ability to sell shares of our stock and to raise capital through future equity financing.

If we are unable to maintain our Nasdaq listing, your ability to trade shares of our common stock could suffer.

In order for our common stock to remain listed on the Nasdaq National Market (“Nasdaq”), we must meet the minimum listing requirements for continued listing, including, among other requirements, minimum bid price and market value of public float requirements. On March 31, 2005, we were notified that the bid price for our common stock over a 30-day period was below the $1.00 minimum required for continued listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq. In order to remain listed, the minimum bid price for our common stock must be at least $1.00 per share over ten consecutive business days before September 27, 2005. If we are not able to regain compliance with this listing requirement, we may be delisted from the Nasdaq. If our common stock is delisted from the Nasdaq, transactions in our common stock would likely be conducted only in the over-the counter market, or potentially on regional exchanges, which could negatively impact the trading volume and price of our common stock, and investors may find it more difficult to purchase or dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of, our common stock. In addition, if our common stock were not listed on the Nasdaq and the trading price of our common stock fell below $1.00 per share, trading in our common stock would also be subject to the requirements of certain rules which require additional disclosures by broker-dealers in connection with any trades involving a stock defined as a “penny stock.” In such event, the additional burdens imposed on broker-dealers to effect transactions in our common stock could further limit the market liquidity of our common stock and the ability of investors to trade our common stock.

Our patents may not protect us from others using our technology that could harm our business and competitive position.

Patent law relating to the scope of claims in the technology fields in which we operate is still evolving. The degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is uncertain. Furthermore, we cannot be certain that others will not independently develop similar or alternative products or technology, duplicate any of our products, or, if patents are issued to us, design around the patented products developed by us. Our patents or licenses could be challenged by litigation and, if the outcome of such litigation were

adverse to us, our competitors could be free to use our technology. We may not be able to obtain additional patents for our technology, or if we are able to do so, patents may not provide us with substantial protection or be commercially beneficial. In addition, we could incur substantial costs in litigation if we are required to defend ourselves in patent suits brought by third parties or if we initiate such suits.

We cannot be certain that other measures taken to protect our intellectual property will be effective.

We rely upon trade secret protection, copyright and trademark laws, non-disclosure agreements and other contractual provisions for some of our confidential and proprietary information that is not subject matter for which patent protection is being sought. Such measures, however, may not provide adequate protection for our trade secrets or other proprietary information. If they do not protect our rights, third parties could use our technology and our ability to compete in the market would be reduced.

We are dependent upon our licensed technologies and may need to obtain additional licenses in the future to offer our products and remain competitive.

We have licensed key components of our technologies from third parties. If these agreements were to terminate prematurely due to our breach of the terms of these licenses or we otherwise fail to maintain our rights to such technology, we may lose the right to manufacture or sell a substantial portion of our products. In addition, we may need to obtain licenses to additional technologies in the future in order to keep our products competitive. If we fail to license or otherwise acquire necessary technologies, we may not be able to develop new products that we need to remain competitive.

The patent underlying our nonexclusive license to manufacture standard nucleic acid building blocks expired as of March 15, 2005. The expiration of this patent could result in additional manufacturers entering the market for these products. Some of these manufacturers may have lower cost structures or other competitive advantages which may reduce our market share and/or our operating margins related to these products.

The protection of intellectual property in foreign countries is uncertain.

A significant percentage of our sales are to customers located outside the U.S. The patent and other intellectual property laws of some foreign countries may not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as U.S. laws. We may need to bring proceedings to defend our patent rights or to determine the validity of our competitors’ foreign patents. These proceedings could result in substantial cost and diversion of our efforts. Finally, some of our patent protection in the U.S. is not available to us in foreign countries due to the laws of those countries.

Our products could infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.

There are a significant number of U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications submitted for technologies in, or related to, our area of business. As a result, any application or exploitation of our technology could infringe patents or proprietary rights of others and any licenses that we might need as a result of such infringement might not be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. This may lead others to assert patent infringement or other intellectual property claims against us.

Our failure to comply with any applicable government regulations or otherwise respond to claims relating to improper handling, storage or disposal of hazardous chemicals that we use may adversely affect our results of operations.

Our research and development and manufacturing activities involve the controlled use of hazardous materials and chemicals. We are subject to federal, state, local and international laws and regulations governing the use, storage, handling and disposal of hazardous materials and waste products. If we fail to comply with applicable laws or regulations, we could be required to pay penalties or be held liable for any damages that result and this liability could exceed our financial resources. We cannot assure you that accidental contamination or injury will not occur. Any such accident could damage our research and manufacturing facilities and operations, resulting in delays and increased costs.

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

The following analysis gives effect to the restatement of our statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, as discussed in Note P to the consolidated financial statements.

Overview

Since 2000 (the year of our initial public offering), we have incurred net losses of $94.76 million generally related to our Nucleic Acids operating segment, research and development and selling, general and administrative costs. Our liquidity and working capital positions continued to deteriorate during 2004 predominately due to operating losses that were funded during the year primarily by borrowings under our Credit Line and the sale of our specialty oligonucleotides facility in Boulder, Colorado. At December 31, 2004, we had an accumulated deficit of $107.10 million.

To respond to changes in the overall business climate for our products, our liquidity position and our demand for capital, we instituted significant changes during 2004 designed to, among other things, align our cost structure with projected revenues, focus on opportunities in our BioSystems operating segment, and minimize the adverse financial effect of our Nucleic Acids operating segment. While the primary goals of these changes were to provide the foundation for a self-sustaining, growth-oriented company with positive cash flows and earnings, there can be no assurances that we can achieve these goals.

We determined that our Nucleic Acids operating segment was impaired and sold our specialty oligonucleotide facility.

Based upon information obtained through the process of evaluating strategic alternatives for our Nucleic Acids operating segment, we determined that it was more likely than not that the value of the assets associated with this business were impaired. We engaged an external valuation firm to assist us in conducting an interim period impairment test that resulted in a non-cash charge of $11.97 million related to these assets during the three months ended June 30, 2004. The charge consisted of $9.87 million related to the impairment of goodwill and $2.10 million related to the impairment of property and equipment.

On November 11, 2004, we sold the assets associated with our specialty oligonucleotides manufacturing facility in Boulder, Colorado to a subsidiary of Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Eyetech”). The sale price was $3.00 million in cash plus the assumption of the lease on the Boulder facility and certain equipment leases with a gross value of $2.38 million. Substantially all of the 27 employees at the Boulder facility became Eyetech employees. Net proceeds from the sale (after transaction expenses and fees paid to our investment advisors) equaled approximately $2.70 million. In conjunction with this transaction, we recorded a gain on sale of $1.47 million in the fourth quarter of 2004.

We implemented a restructuring plan to better align costs with expected revenues.

On November 13, 2004, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan designed to refocus the Company on its BioSystems business segment and to better align our cost structure with anticipated revenues. The plan (which is incremental to the sale of our Boulder, Colorado facility) included a workforce reduction of approximately 60 positions and the closure of two domestic research and development facilities associated with our nucleic acids operating segment and two European field offices. Additionally, we eliminated 11 positions at our chemical building blocks manufacturing facility in Glasgow, Scotland. In conjunction with these changes, we incurred a charge of $3.57 million during the quarter ending December 31, 2004 related primarily to severance, benefits and facility closures.

We expect the 2004 restructuring plan and the sale of our specialty oligonucleotide manufacturing facility to have a significant impact on our ongoing costs. The pro forma effects on our 2004 loss from operations are as follows.

   

2004

As Reported


  Sale of
Oligonucleotide
Facility


  Restructuring
Plan(1)


  

Impairment

Charges(2)


  

2004

Pro Forma


 
   In thousands 

Net sales

  $33,789  $2,051  $—    $—    $31,738 

Cost of goods sold

   24,596   5,456   706   —     18,434 
   


 


 


 


 


Gross profit (loss)

   9,193   (3,405)  (706)  —     13,304 

Selling, general and administrative

   17,499   33   1,304   —     16,162 

Research and development

   6,685   4   3,068   —     3,613 

Restructuring charges

   3,570   —     3,570   —     —   

Impairment charges(2)

   11,965   —     —     11,965   —   

Gain on sale of facility(3)

   (1,466)  (1,466)  —     —     —   
   


 


 


 


 


Operating expenses

   38,253   (1,429)  7,942   11,965   19,775 
   


 


 


 


 


Loss from operations

  $(29,060) $(1,976) $(8,648) $(11,965) $(6,471)
   


 


 


 


 



(1)These restructuring plan pro forma adjustments include the restructuring charge incurred in the fourth quarter of 2004 (see Note N to the accompanying consolidated financial statements) plus actual 2004 direct and identifiable expenses associated with terminated employees and closed offices that were incurred and recorded as costs of goods sold or operating expense prior to the implementation of the restructuring plan. For example, they include personnel costs associated with severed employees, rent associated with closed facilities and other specifically identifiable costs. These costs are not expected to recur in the future. They do not include anticipated additional savings from indirect costs (travel, supplies, etc.) associated with fewer employees and facilities.
(2)The impairment charges in 2004 related to the write-off of all goodwill and impairment of property and equipment in our Nucleic Acids operating segment. We do not expect these charges to recur. Our December 31, 2004 consolidated balance sheet reflects goodwill of $0.64 million that related entirely to our BioSystems operating segment.
(3)The gain on sale of facility related to the sale of our specialty olignucleotide manufacturing facility in Boulder, Colorado.

Results of Operations

Changes in Results of Operations

   Amounts in Thousands

       
            Dollar Change

  Percent Change

 
   2004

  2003

  2002

  2003 to
2004


  2002 to
2003


  2003 to
2004


  2002 to
2003


 

Net Sales

                           

Bioinstruments

  $14,385  $17,916  $19,098  $(3,581) $(1,182) (20)% (6)%

Bioconsumables

   8,838   7,260   5,137   1,578   2,123  22% 41%

Discovery Services

   2,020   868   —     1,152   868  133% —   
   


 


 

  


 


 

 

Total BioSystems operating segment

   25,243   26,044   24,235   (801)  1,809  (3)% 7%

Chemical Building Blocks

   6,488   6,631   13,319   (143)  (6,688) (2)% (50)%

Specialty Oligonucleotides

   2,058   1,191   —     867   1,191  73% —   
   


 


 

  


 


 

 

Total Nucleic Acids operating segment

   8,546   7,822   13,319   724   (5,497) 9% (41)%
   


 


 

  


 


 

 

Total Net Sales

   33,789   33,866   37,554   (77)  (3,688) (1)% (10)%

Cost of Goods Sold

                           

Bioinstruments

   6,382   7,343   7,650   85   250  1% 3%

Bioconsumables

   4,012   3,475   2,284   537   1,191  15% 52%

Discovery Services

   1,603   557   —     1,046   557  188% —   
   


 


 

  


 


 

 

Total BioSystems operating segment

   11,997   11,375   9,934   622   1,441  5% 15%

Chemical Building Blocks

   7,165   6,937   9,635   228   (2,698) 3% (28)%

Specialty Oligonucleotides

   5,434   6,003   —     (569)  6,003  (9)% —   
   


 


 

  


 


 

 

Total Nucleic Acids operating segment

   12,599   12,940   9,635   (341)  3,305  (3)% 34%
   


 


 

  


 


 

 

Total Cost of Goods Sold

   24,596   24,315   19,569   (281)  4,746  (1)% 24%

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

   17,499   17,324   24,199   175   (6,875) 1% (28)%

Research and Development Expenses

   6,685   9,305   12,201   (2,620)  (2,896) (28)% (24)%

Restructuring Charges

   3,570   738   3,282   2,832   (2,544) 384% (78)%

Impairment Charges

   11,965   4,772   —     5,726   4,772  120% —   

Gain on sale of facility

   1,466   —     —     1,466   —    —    —   

Other Income (Expense)

 �� (5,406)  (305)  437   5,102   742  1673% 170%

Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

Net Sales. Net sales during 2004 decreased $0.08 million or 1% from 2003 as a result of a $0.80 million or 3% decrease in sales in our BioSystems operating segment offset by a $0.72 million or 9% increase in sales in our Nucleic Acids operating segment.

The decrease in sales in our BioSystems operating segment resulted from a decrease of $3.58 million or 20% from bioinstruments that was partially offset by increases in sales of bioconsumables of $1.58 million or 22% and Discovery Services of $1.15 million or 133%. The decrease of bioinstrument sales was primarily the result of a decline in the number of WAVE Systems sold from 122 in 2003 to 107 in 2004. The selling prices of our instruments vary based on the specific model and optional accessories. We had an installed base of approximately 1,200 units at December 31, 2004. The increase in the installed base of instruments

continues to drive increases in sales of bioconsumables used with these instruments. The increase in Discovery Services revenue during 2004 was primarily attributable to the discovery services agreements that we entered into with pharmaceutical companies to support their clinical development of oncology therapeutics. We plan to continue to seek opportunities to provide genetic variation discovery and analysis services to pharmaceutical and other customers and believe that these services provide us a significant opportunity to expand revenues in the future.

Nucleic Acids operating segment sales increased by $0.72 million or 9% in 2004 compared to 2003 as a result of a substantial increase in sales of specialty oligonucleotides produced by our facility in Boulder, Colorado as raw materials in DNA-based drug candidates. As a result of the sale of this facility in November 2004, we will no longer manufacture or sell oligonucleotides. Sales of our chemical building block products produced in our Glasgow, Scotland facility were essentially the same in 2004 as in 2003. During 2004, sales of chemical building blocks to Geron Corporation totaled $4.15 million and represented 12% of total consolidated net sales, 49% of total net sales within our Nucleic Acids operating segment and 61% of chemical building blocks revenue. We do not have long-term sales commitments from Geron Corporation and, accordingly, the amount we sell them is subject to change. Revenues from our Nucleic Acids operating segment would be substantially reduced if Geron’s need for our products declined or if it decided to obtain these products from other suppliers.

Costs of Goods Sold.Costs of goods sold include material costs for the products that we sell and substantially all other costs associated with our manufacturing facilities (primarily personnel costs, rent and depreciation). It also includes direct costs (primarily personnel costs and supplies) associated with our Discovery Services product line. Depreciation expense included in costs of goods sold totaled $2.10 million and $1.74 million in 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Costs of goods sold during 2004 decreased $0.28 million or 1% from 2003 as a result of a $0.62 million or 5% increase in our BioSystems operating segment offset by a $0.34 million or 3% decrease in our Nucleic Acids operating segment. The overall decrease is consistent with the decrease in net sales.

Gross profit was $9.19 million or 27% of total net sales during 2004 compared to $9.55 million and 28% during 2003. A summary of margins by operating segment follows (dollars in thousands):

   2004

  2003

 
   Dollars

  Percent

  Dollar

  Percent

 

BioSystems operating segment

  $13,246  52% $14,669  56%

Nucleic Acids operating segment

   (4,053) (47)%  (5,118) (65)%
   


 

 


 

   $9,193  27% $9,551  28%
   


 

 


 

We expect gross profits from our BioSystems operating segment to be within historic ranges of 50% to 60%. As a result of the sale of our Boulder, Colorado facility and the restructuring plan implemented in November 2004, we anticipate that our cost of goods sold will be significantly improved. However, our Nucleic Acids operating segment continues to have excess capacity in its Glasgow, Scotland manufacturing facility that will adversely impact costs of goods sold and margins until demand for our Nucleic Acids building block products increase.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include personnel costs, marketing, travel and entertainment costs, professional fees, and facility costs. These costs totaled $17.50 million in 2004 compared to $17.32 million in 2003, an increase of $0.18 million or 1%. This increase related to a $1.26 million increase in selling expenses offset by a $1.09 million reduction in general and administrative expenses. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses totaled just over 51% in both 2004 and 2003. Depreciation expense include in selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $1.02 million and $1.28 million in 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses primarily include personnel costs, supplies, and facility costs. These costs totaled $6.69 million in 2004 compared to $9.31 million in 2003, a decrease of $2.62 million or 28%. As a percentage of revenue, research and development expenses totaled 20% and 27% of revenue in 2004 and 2003, respectively. These decreases related to our focus on expense control, the sale of our Boulder, Colorado facility and the restructuring plan implemented in November 2004. Depreciation expense included in research and development expenses included $0.88 million and $0.89 million in 2004 and 2003, respectively. We expect to continue to invest a substantial portion of our revenues in research and development activities primarily associated with our BioSystems operating segment. Research and development costs are expensed in the year in which they are incurred.

Restructuring Charges. On November 13, 2004, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan designed to refocus on the BioSystems operating segment and to better align the Company’s cost structure with anticipated revenues. The plan (which is incremental to the sale of the specialty oligonucleotide manufacturing facility in Boulder, Colorado) included a workforce reduction of approximately 60 positions and the closure of two domestic research and development facilities associated with our Nucleic Acids

operating segment and two European field offices. Additionally, we eliminated approximately 10 positions at its chemical building blocks manufacturing facility in Glasgow, Scotland. In conjunction with these changes, we incurred a charge of $3.57 million during the quarter ending December 31, 2004 consisting of severance benefits of $1.41 million, future rents on closed facilities (net of projected sublease rents) of $1.24 million, the write-off of property and equipment specifically attributable to closed facilities of $0.74 million and other costs of $0.18 million. We had accrued expenses associated with this restructuring plan of $1.91 million at December 31, 2004 of which $1.49 million is expect to be paid in 2005.

Impairment Charges.During the second quarter of 2004, our Board of Directors directed us to explore strategic alternatives for the Nucleic Acids operating segment. The process included significant due diligence by us, our advisors and prospective independent buyers and other interested parties. Based upon information obtained through this process, we determined that it was more likely than not that the value of the assets associated with this business were impaired. We engaged an external valuation firm to assist us in conducting an interim period impairment test that resulted in us recording a non-cash charge of $11.97 million related to these assets during the three months ended June 30, 2004. The charge consisted of $9.87 million related to the impairment of goodwill and $2.10 million related to the impairment of property and equipment.

Gain on Sale of Facility. On November 11, 2004, we sold the assets associated with our specialty oligonucleotides manufacturing facility in Boulder, Colorado to a subsidiary of Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Eyetech”). The sale price was $3.00 million in cash plus the assumption of the lease on the Boulder facility and of certain equipment leases with a gross value of $2.38 million. Net proceeds from the sale (after transaction expenses and fees paid to our investment advisors) equaled approximately $2.70 million. In conjunction with this transaction, we recorded a gain on sale of $1.47 million in the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

CodeOther Income (Expense). Other expense during 2004 of Ethics$5.41 million consisted of interest expense of $2.38 million, loss on debt extinguishment of $2.86 million, and other net expense of $0.16 million which consisted primarily of net investment losses associated with available-for-sales securities (Geron stock). Other expense during 2003 of $0.31 million consisted of interest income of $0.20 million, interest expense of $0.31 million and other net expenses of $0.20 million.

The increase in interest expense resulted from higher average debt balances and interest rates. Gross debt totaled $8.95 million at December 31, 2004 compared to $4.69 million at December 31, 2003. Our Credit Line and Term Note had average balances during 2004 of $5.69 million and $2.73 million, respectively, with weighted average interest rates of 6.39% and 6.48%, respectively. The high and low borrowings under our Credit Line during 2004 were $7.23 million and $2.63 million, respectively. Interest expense in 2004 and 2003 includes amortization of related premiums and discounts of $1.64 million and $0, respectively.

Loss on debt extinguishment totaled $2.86 million during 2004. As described in Note E to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, certain August 31, 2004 modifications to our Laurus Loans were treated as extinguishments for financial reporting purposes since the change in present value of expected cash flows between the original and modified agreements is greater than 10%. As such, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.86 million at August 31, 2004 reflecting the difference between (i) the recorded amount of debt, net of related discounts, of $7.43 million and (ii) the fair value of the new debt instrument of $10.29 million plus the fair value of the new warrants of $0.11 million. The difference between the fair value of the new debt of $10.29 million and the face value of the debt of $8.57 million represents a premium, which will be reflected as a reduction of interest expense over the life of the new debt.

Income Tax Expense.Income tax expense relates solely to our operations in certain foreign countries and certain states. In addition to income tax expense in these jurisdictions, we do not record any income tax benefits due to our cumulative losses in recent years, expected losses in future years and the uncertainty as to whether we will be able to utilize any additional losses as carrybacks. We will continue to assess the recoverability of deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowance. We expect to continue to incur losses and expect to continue to provide valuation allowances against deferred tax assets. To the extent we begin to generate income in future years and it is determined that such valuation allowance is no longer required, the tax benefit of the remaining deferred tax assets will be recognized. Our deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2004 were $38.29 million and were entirely offset by a valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2004, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $91.47 million. Our net operating loss carryforwards will expire at various dates from 2008 through 2024, if not utilized. We also had state income tax loss carryforwards of $37.62 million at December 31, 2004. These carryforwards will also expire at various dates beginning in 2005 if not utilized.

Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

Net Sales.Net sales decreased in 2003, as compared to 2002, due to a significant decline in demand for our Nucleic Acids products. Sales in our Nucleic Acids operating segment decreased due to a significant decline in demand for our chemical building block products. These products are used by our biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical customers as raw materials in DNA based drug candidates. The decrease in demand is largely attributable to the timing of completion and/or failure of Phase III clinical trials by certain of our large customers. This decrease in demand for DNA building blocks in 2003 was partially offset by sales of oligonucleotides generated by our start-up manufacturing facility in Boulder, Colorado.

Sales in our BioSystems operating segment increased in 2003. Revenues from sales of WAVE systems and related services were relatively flat with 2002. However, bioconsumable product sales strength resulted from increased WAVE related consumable usage as the installed base of WAVE Systems has increased and as researchers begin to use them more extensively in place of other methods of DNA analysis. Also contributing to the increase were revenues generated by new product sales including our Optimase product line that was launched in 2002 and began to see increased usage in 2003. Sales of WAVE systems declined slightly from 2002 to 2003 offset by an increase in related services revenues. The slight decline in systems sales was mainly due to continued low sales volumes to our North American customer base. Increased services revenue was attributable to our focus on providing genetic variation discovery and analysis services to our pharmaceutical base of customers.

Cost of Goods Sold.Cost of goods sold increased in 2003 over 2002 despite the decline in our revenues. This increase was anticipated and was attributable mainly to excess manufacturing capacity in our Nucleic Acids operating segment. The BioSystems operating segment cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales declined year over year but remained within historical ranges at approximately 43%. The margins in our Nucleic Acids operating segment were negatively impacted by higher manufacturing costs and excess capacity due largely to our plant expansion efforts in Glasgow, Scotland and Boulder, Colorado.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased significantly from 2002 to 2003 as a result of our restructuring activities and focus on expense control. Nearly half of the total decrease was in personnel and personnel related expenses as we significantly reduced our employee headcount. Additionally, reductions in outside services, advertising, sales promotions, depreciation and travel expenses accounted for approximately 30% of the total decrease.

Research and Development Expenses.Research and development expenses decreased significantly as a result of our restructuring activities and focus on expense control. Over 60% of the total decrease was in personnel and personnel related expenses as we significantly reduced our employee headcount. Additionally, significant reductions in outside services, supplies, depreciation and travel expenses were realized. During 2003 there were no capitalized software costs, whereas in the prior year we capitalized approximately $1.13 million of development costs. Research and development expenses consist of salaries and related personnel costs of researchers and software developers, material costs for prototypes and test units, legal expenses relating to intellectual property research and application development activities, testing and enhancement of our products, and amortization of intellectual property. We expense our research and development costs in the year in which they are incurred with the exception of certain capitalized software development costs.

Restructuring Charges.During the fourth quarter of 2002 management formulated and executed a significant portion of a restructuring plan. The plan was developed to reduce expenses thereby better aligning the Company’s expense structure with current business prospects. The plan included employee terminations, office closures, termination of collaborations and write-offs of abandoned intellectual property. We continued to execute the plan during the first half of 2003 resulting in the additional charges recorded in 2003. These charges consisted of mainly employee severance costs and the write-off of a note receivable related to the abandonment of a product development collaboration. The note receivable write-off was a non-cash charge of $0.35 million.

Goodwill Impairment Charge.Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 142,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, establishes guidelines for accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets and provides that goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives will not be amortized, but will be evaluated for impairment annually. The Company engaged an external valuation firm to assist with the completion of its annual impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2003. As a result of this test we recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $4.77 million related to our nucleic acids segment.

Income Taxes.The Company’s tax expense relates to its operations in certain foreign countries and certain states. No tax benefits are being recorded due to our cumulative losses in recent years, expected losses in future years and the uncertainty as to whether we will be able to utilize any additional losses as carrybacks. We will continue to assess the recoverability of deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowance. We expect to continue to incur losses and expect to continue to provide valuation allowances against deferred tax assets. To the extent we begin to generate income in future years and it is determined that such valuation allowance is no longer required, the tax benefit of the remaining deferred tax assets will be recognized. Our deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2003 were $30.60 million and were entirely offset by a valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2003, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $78.50 million. We also had state income tax loss carryforwards of $28.70 million at December 31, 2003.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our working capital (deficiency) positions at December 31, 2004 and 2003 were as follows:

   December 31,

    
   2004

  2003

  Change

 
   In Thousands 

Current assets(1)

  $17,908  $24,378  $(6,470)

Current liabilities

   18,724   12,248   6,476 
   


 

  


Working capital (deficiency)

  $(816) $12,130  $(12,946)
   


 

  



(1)Current assets include cash and cash equivalents of $1.00 million and $1.24 million at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

The deterioration of our working capital position during 2004 was predominately due to operating losses that were funded primarily by borrowings under our Credit Line, the sale of our specialty oligonucleotides facility in Boulder, Colorado and the reclassification at December 31, 2004 of a portion of our chemical building blocks inventory with a book value of $2.86 million as a long-term asset rather than as a current asset. The reclassification of these inventories was based on sales forecasts for these products. As of March 31, 2005, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1.37 million plus an additional $2.29 million available under our Credit Line.

We have experienced recurring net losses and had an accumulated deficit of $107,101 at December 31, 2004. Based on our 2005 operating plan, we believe existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet cash needs during 2005. If necessary, we believe we can manage costs and expenses at reduced levels to conserve working capital. The need for any such cost and expense reductions during 2005 would likely delay implementation of our business plan. Additionally, we may pursue additional financing alternatives. Ultimately, we must achieve sufficient revenue levels to support our cost structure.

Laurus Loans. The Credit Line is a $7.50 million line of credit that we entered into with Laurus in December 2003. The term of the Credit Line is three years carrying an interest rate of 2.0% over the prime rate or a minimum of 6.0%. Funds available under the Credit Line are determined by a borrowing base equal to 90% of eligible accounts receivable balances plus up to $1.00 million related to inventory balances. The Credit Line is secured by most of our assets. Prior to amendments to the Credit Line discussed below, payment of interest and principal could, under certain circumstances, be made with shares of our common stock at a fixed conversion price of $2.20 per share. Conversion of this debt to common stock may be made at the election of Laurus or the Company. We could elect to convert only if our shares trade at a price exceeding $2.42 per share for ten consecutive trading days, and such conversion is further subject to trading volume limitations and a limitation on the total beneficial ownership by Laurus of our common stock. Upon entering into the Credit Line, we issued warrants to Laurus to acquire 550,000 shares of the our common stock at an exercise price exceeding the average trading price of our common stock over the ten trading days prior to the date of the warrant.

In February 2004, we entered into the $2.75 million Term Note with Laurus. The Term Note carries an interest rate of 2.0% over the prime rate or a minimum of 6.0% and has a term of 3 years. Prior to amendments to the Term Note discussed below, the principal and interest on the Term Note could be converted into our common stock at a fixed conversion price of $2.61 per share. Upon entering the Term Note, we issued warrants to Laurus to acquire 125,000 shares of our common stock. Borrowings under the Term Note were primarily used to retire the mortgage debt on our Glasgow, Scotland facility. Remaining borrowings of approximately $0.75 million were used to complete the build-out of the Glasgow facility, complete the consolidation our Glasgow operations into the new facility and provide funds for operations.

In February 2004, Laurus waived the borrowing base limitation on the Credit Line, thereby making the full $7.50 million facility available to us regardless of the available collateral. On August 31, 2004, Laurus agreed to extend the borrowing base waiver on the Credit Line through March 19, 2005. In addition, Laurus deferred certain payments due under the Term Note and reduced the interest rate on both of the Laurus Loans to 0% for any day the closing sale price of our common stock is at or above $1.75 per share. In return, we lowered the conversion price on each of the Laurus Loans to $1.00 per share and issued a warrant to Laurus covering an additional 400,000 common shares at an exercise price of $1.25 per share. The closing price of our common stock on August 31, 2004 was $1.20 per share.

On March 18, 2005, Laurus agreed to further extend the borrowing base waiver on the Credit Line until March 31, 2006. In connection with this waiver, we agreed to allow Laurus to convert $1.88 million of the outstanding principal balance under the Credit Line into 3,600,000 shares of common stock. In addition, on March 24, 2005 we agreed to allow Laurus to convert $0.65 million of the outstanding principal balance of the Term Note into 1,250,000 shares of common stock. As a result, we have increased the amount available under the Credit Line by $1.88 million and have eliminated substantially all remaining 2005 scheduled principal payments on the Term Loan.

Analysis of Cash Flows

Cash flows used in operating activities totaled $12.75 million during 2004 compared to $13.02 million during 2003. The use in 2004 related primarily to a net loss of $34.37 million offset by non-cash charges of $21.80 million. Non-cash charges consisted of depreciation and amortization, certain restructuring charges, impairment charges, certain financing costs and loss on debt extinguishment. Working capital and other adjustments decreased cash flows from operating activities by $0.18 million.

Cash flows from investing activities totaled $6.03 million during 2004 compared to cash flows used in investing activities of $2.95 million during 2003. The investing cash flows generated in 2004 were from the sale of available for sale securities received from Geron for goods and services and the sale of our specialty oligoneucleotide manufacturing facility and reductions in other assets that were offset by purchases of property and equipment.

Cash flows from financing activities totaled $6.00 million during 2004 compared to $7.30 million during 2003. The cash from financing activities in 2004 relate primarily to net draws on our Credit Line and proceeds from the Term Note that were offset by payments of long-term debt.

Obligations and Commitments

Our ongoing capital commitments consist of debt service requirements and obligations under capital leases. The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2004 along with cash payments due in each period indicated:

   Payments Due by Period

   2005

  2006

  2007

  2008

  

2009 and

Thereafter


   In thousands

Credit Line(1)

  $5,948  $—    $—    $—    $—  

Term Note (1)

   850   900   850   —     —  

Operating lease payments(2)

   1,958   1,382   486   187   372
   

  

  

  

  

Total contractual obligations

  $8,756  $2,282  $1,336  $187  $372
   

  

  

  

  


(1)Interest payments under the Laurus Loans are paid monthly based on outstanding debt and prevailing interest rates. We currently expect to pay total interest on these loans of between $0.60 million and $0.75 million during 2005.
(2)These are gross lease commitments. Certain facilities underlying these commitments are sublet to independent third parties. Annual rents from these tenants are expected to total $0.32 million, $0.17 million, and $0.02 million in 2005, 2006 and thereafter, respectively.

At December 31, 2004, we had firm commitments totaling $0.80 million to Hitachi High Technologies America to purchase components used in our WAVE Systems. These commitments will be fulfilled during 2005.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

Critical Accounting Policies

Accounting policies used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements may involve the use of management judgments and estimates. Certain of the Company’s accounting policies are considered critical as they are both important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial statements and they require significant or complex judgments on the part of management. Our judgments and estimates are based on experience and assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Further, we evaluate our judgments and estimates from time to time as circumstances change. Actual financial results based on judgment or estimates may vary under different assumptions or circumstances. The following are certain critical accounting policies that may involve the use of judgment or estimates.

Allowance for Doubtful Account.Accounts receivable are shown net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. In determining an allowance for doubtful accounts, we consider the following.

The age of the accounts receivable,

Customer credit history,

Customer financial information,

Reasons for non-payment, and

Our knowledge of the customer.

If our customers’ financial condition were to deteriorate, resulting in a change in their ability to make payment, additional allowances may be required.

Inventories.Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is computed using standard costs for finished goods and average or latest actual cost for raw materials and work in process.

Depreciation and Amortization of Long-Lived Assets.The Company’s long-lived assets consist primarily of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, patents, intellectual property and capitalized software development costs. We believe the useful lives we assigned to these assets are reasonable. If our assumptions about these assets change as a result of events or circumstances and we believe the assets may have declined in value we may record impairment charges resulting in lower profits. Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets ranging from 3 to 15 years. The Company capitalizes the external and in-house legal costs and filing fees associated with obtaining patents on its new discoveries and amortizes these costs using the straight-line method over the shorter of the legal life of the patent or its economic life, generally 17 years, beginning on the date the patent is issued. Intellectual property, which is purchased technology, is recorded at cost and is amortized over its estimated useful life.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets.The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis. The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. These computations utilize judgments and assumptions inherent in management’s estimate of future undiscounted and discounted cash flows to determine recoverability of these assets. If management’s assumptions about these assets were to change as a result of events or circumstances, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss.

Revenue Recognition.Revenue on the sales of products is recognized in accordance with the terms of the sales arrangement. Such recognition is based on receipt of an unconditional customer order and transfer of title and risk of ownership to the customer, typically upon shipment of the product. Our sales terms do not provide for the right of return unless the product is damaged or defective. Revenues from certain services associated with our analytical instruments, to be performed subsequent to shipment of the products, is deferred and recognized when the services are provided. Such services, mainly limited to installation and training services that are not essential to the functionality of the instruments, typically are performed in a timely manner subsequent to shipment of the instrument.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, Share-Based Payment. SFAS No.123R addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions in which an enterprise receives employee services in exchange for (a) equity instruments of the enterprise or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of the enterprise’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuace of such equity instruments. SFAS No. 123R eliminates the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions using Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and generally requires that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method. We expect to adopt this standard on January 1, 2006. We are currently assessing the final impact of this standard on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. This assessment includes evaluating option valuation methodologies and assumptions as well as potential changes to compensation strategies.

On November 24, 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs – an amendment of ARB No. 43. SFAS No. 151 requires idle facility expenses, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage) costs to be excluded from the cost of inventory and expensed when incurred. It also requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS No. 151 will be effective at the beginning of 2006. We are currently assessing the final impact of this standard on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows

Impact of Inflation

We do not believe that price inflation had a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations during the periods presented.

Foreign Currency Rate Fluctuations

During the last three fiscal years, our international sales have represented approximately 50-65% of our net sales. These sales of products in foreign countries are mainly completed in either British Pounds Sterling or the Euro. Additionally, we have two wholly owned subsidiaries, Transgenomic, LTD., and Cruachem, LTD., whose operating currency is British Pounds Sterling and the Euro. Results of operations for the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated using the average exchange rate during the period. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect on the balance sheet dates. As a result we are subject to exchange rate risk. The operational expenses of our foreign subsidiaries help to reduce the currency exposure we have based on our sales denominated in foreign currencies by converting foreign currencies directly into goods and services. As such management feels we do not have a material exposure to foreign currency rate fluctuations at this time.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors has adopted a codeand Stockholders of ethical conduct that applies to our principal executive officersTransgenomic, Inc.

Omaha, Nebraska

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Transgenomic, Inc. and senior financial officerssubsidiaries (the “Company”) as required by Section 406of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the Sarbanes Oxley Actthree years in the period ended December 31, 2004. Our audit also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of 2002. This codethe Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of ethical conductthe Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is embodied withinnot required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Transgenomic, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note O, during the first quarter of 2005, the Company obtained an extension of the waiver of the borrowing base limit through March 31, 2006.

As discussed in Note P, the Company restated its consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Omaha, Nebraska

April 14, 2005 (May 25, 2005, as to the effects of the restatement discussed in Note P)

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

   2004

  2003

 
ASSETS         
CURRENT ASSETS:         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $1,002  $1,241 

Accounts receivable (net of allowances for bad debts of $1,051 and $549)

   10,197   10,877 

Inventories

   5,366   10,584 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   1,343   1,676 
   


 


Total current assets

   17,908   24,378 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:         

Land and buildings

   2,427   2,239 

Equipment

   19,263   20,362 

Furniture and fixtures

   5,781   9,054 
   


 


    27,471   31,655 

Less: accumulated depreciation

   13,946   12,951 
   


 


    13,525   18,704 
GOODWILL   638   10,503 
OTHER ASSETS   5,387   3,721 
   


 


   $37,458  $57,306 
   


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY         
CURRENT LIABILITIES:         

Accounts payable

  $3,431  $3,580 

Other accrued expenses

   7,318   3,874 

Accrued compensation

   636   959 

Line of credit

   6,514   2,142 

Current portion of long-term debt

   825   1,693 
   


 


Total current liabilities

   18,724   12,248 

Long-term debt

   2,199   —   
   


 


Total liabilities

   20,923   12,248 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note F)         
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:         

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding

   —     —   

Common stock, $.01 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized, 29,330,874 and 28,119,122 shares outstanding in 2004 and 2003, respectively

   299   286 

Additional paid-in capital

   120,798   115,904 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   2,539   1,597 

Accumulated deficit

   (107,101)  (72,729)
   


 


Total stockholders’ equity

   16,535   45,058 
   


 


   $37,458  $57,306 
   


 


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

   2004

  2003

  2002

 
NET SALES  $33,789  $33,866  $37,554 
COST OF GOODS SOLD   24,596   24,315   19,569 
   


 


 


Gross profit

   9,193   9,551   17,985 
OPERATING EXPENSES:             

Selling, general and administrative

   17,499   17,324   24,199 

Research and development

   6,685   9,305   12,201 

Restructuring charges (Note N)

   3,570   738   3,282 

Impairment charges (Note C)

   11,965   4,772   —   

Gain on sale of facility (Note M)

   (1,466)  —     —   
   


 


 


    38,253   32,139   39,682 
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS   (29,060)  (22,588)  (21,697)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):             

Interest expense

   (2,383)  (315)  (62)

Loss on debt extinguishment

   (2,859)  —     —   

Other—net

   (164)  10   499 
   


 


 


    (5,406)  (305)  437 
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES   (34,466)  (22,893)  (21,260)
CURRENT INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)   (94)  65   105 
   


 


 


NET LOSS  $(34,372) $(22,958) $(21,365)
   


 


 


BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE  $(1.19) $(0.94) $(0.91)

BASIC AND DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

   29,006,241   24,483,861   23,582,687 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

  Common Stock

 

Additional

Paid in

Capital


 

Unearned
Compensation


  

Accumulated

Deficit


  

Accumulated
Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)


  

Treasury

Stock


  Total

 
  

Outstanding

Shares


  

Par

Value


      

Balance, January 1, 2002

 23,606,003  $239 $113,260 $(158) $(28,406) $(81) $(2,750) $82,104 

Net loss

 —     —    —    —     (21,365)  (21,365)  —     (21,365)

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                             

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 —     —    —    —     —     493   —     493 

Unrealized gain on available for sale securities

 —     —    —    —     —     (34)  —     (34)
                   


        

Comprehensive loss

 —     —    —    —     —     (20,906)  —       

Issuance and exercise of stock options or warrants

 81,900   1  460  (51)          —     410 

Issuance of shares for employee stock purchase plan

 56,842   —    214  —     —     —     —     214 

Deferred compensation

 —     ���    —    131   —     —     —     131 

Purchase of treasury stock

 (232,700)  —    —    —     —     —     (438)  (438)
  

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


Balance, December 31, 2002

 23,512,045   240  113,934  (78)  (49,771)  378   (3,188)  61,515 

Net loss

 —     —    —        (22,958)  (22,958)  —     (22,958)

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                       —       

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 —     —    —    —     —     1,219   —     1,219 
                   


        

Comprehensive loss

 —     —    —    —     —     (21,739)  —       

Issuance of stock options and warrants

 —     —    386  —     —     —     —     386 

Beneficial Conversion Premium

 —     —    480  —     —     —     —     480 

Issuance of shares

 4,500,000   45  969  —     —     —     3,188   4,202 

Issuance of shares for employee stock purchase plan

 107,077   1  135  —     —     —     —     136 

Amortization of unearned compensation

           78   —     —     —     78 
  

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


Balance, December 31, 2003

 28,119,122   286  115,904  —     (72,729)  1,597   —     45,058 

Net loss

 —     —    —    —     (34,372)  (34,372)      (34,372)

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                             

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 —     —    ��    —     —     942   —     942 
                   


        

Comprehensive loss

 —     —    —    —     —     (33,430)  —       

Issuance of stock options and warrants

 —     —    189  —     —     —     —     189 

Beneficial Conversion Premium

 —     —    2,420  —     —     —     —     2,420 

Issuance of shares

 1,134,850   12  2,198  —     —     —     —     2,210 

Issuance of shares for employee stock purchase plan

 76,902   1  87  —     —     —     —     88 
  

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


Balance, December 31, 2004

 29,330,874  $299 $120,798 $—    $(107,101) $2,539  $—    $16,535 
  

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

   

2004

(as restated, see
Note P)


  

2003

(as restated,
see Note P)


  2002

 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:             

Net loss

  $(34,372) $(22,958) $(21,365)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities:

             

Depreciation and amortization

   4,625   4,597   3,993 

Non-cash restructuring charges (Note N)

   2,027   364   1,698 

Impairment charges (Note C)

   11,965   4,772   —   

Gain on sale of facility (Note M)

   (1,466)  —     —   

Non-cash financing costs

   1,642   —     —   

Loss on debt extinguishment

   2,859   —     —   

(Gain)/Loss on sale of securities

   128   (64)  —   

Other

   18   93   131 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

             

Purchase of trading securities

   —     (1,566)  —   

Proceeds from sale of trading securities

   —     1,519   —   

Accounts receivable

   (3,334)  342   794 

Inventories

   2,611   2,887   (5,767)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   (130)  334   527 

Accounts payable

   (268)  (1,509)  2,249 

Accrued expenses

   941   (1,828)  (204)
   


 


 


Net cash flows from operating activities

   (12,754)  (13,017)  (17,944)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:             

Securities received in settlement of accounts receivable

   (4,397)  (277)  —   

Purchases of available for sale securities

   —     —     (19,088)

Proceeds from the maturities and sale of available for sale securities

   4,269   4,000   39,355 

Purchase of property and equipment

   (1,758)  (6,413)  (11,468)

Change in other assets

   522   (543)  (2,871)

Proceeds from sale of specialty oligonuceotide manufacturing facility (Note M)

   3,000   —     —   

Proceeds from asset sales

   —     9   —   
   


 


 


Net cash flows from investing activities

   6,033   (2,947)  5,928 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:             

Net change in line of credit

   4,956   2,992   —   

Proceeds from long-term debt

   2,750   —     1,559 

Payments on long-term debt

   (1,779)  (35)  —   

Issuance of common stock, net of expenses

   71   4,338   624 

Purchase of treasury stock

   —     —     (438)
   


 


 


Net cash flows from financing activities

   5,998   7,295   1,745 

EFFECT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH

   484   175   393 
   


 


 


NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   (239)  (8,494)  (9,878)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR   1,241   9,735   19,613 
   


 


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR  $1,002  $1,241  $9,735 
   


 


 


SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION             

Cash paid during the year for:

             

Interest

  $560  $314  $30 

Income taxes, net

   (94)  70   120 

Non-cash transactions:

             

Available for sale securities acquired for goods and services

   4,397   277   —   

Conversions of debt to equity

   2,226   —     —   

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

A. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business Ethics Policy, which appliesDescription.

Transgenomic, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) provide innovative products and services for the synthesis, purification and analysis of nucleic acids. The Company’s products and services include automated instrument systems, associated consumables, nucleic acid chemical building blocks, nucleic acid synthesis products, novel chemistry development for nucleic acids, and genetic variation discovery services. The Company develops, assembles, manufactures and markets its products and services to all personsthe life sciences industry to be used in research focused on molecular genetics of humans and other organisms. Such research could lead to development of new diagnostics and therapeutics. The Company’s business plan is to participate in the value chain associated with these activities by providing key technology, tools, consumables, biochemical reagents and services to those entities engaged in basic biomedical research and the development of diagnostics and therapeutic agents.

The Company operates in two reportable segments, BioSystems and Nucleic Acids. The BioSystems operating segment generates revenue from the sale of automated instrument systems and associated consumable products and services. The Nucleic Acids operating segment generates revenue from the sale of nucleic acid-based products and services.

The Company markets and sells these products primarily through a direct sales and support group in North America and Europe and through a network of distributors in the Pacific Rim and other international markets. These sales efforts are directed from the Company including our directors, officers,headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska and employees,through a series of sales and compliessupport offices strategically located throughout the United States, Europe and Japan.

The Company has experienced recurring net losses and had an accumulated deficit of $107,101 at December 31, 2004. Based on the Company’s 2005 operating plan, management believes its existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet its cash needs during 2005. If necessary, the Company’s management believes they can manage costs and expenses at reduced levels to conserve working capital. The need for any such costs and expense reductions during 2005 would likely delay implementation of the Company’s business plan. Additionally, management may pursue additional financing alternatives. Ultimately, the Company must achieve sufficient revenue levels to support its cost structure.

Principles of Consolidation.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Transgenomic, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents.

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and temporary investments with original maturities at acquisition of three months or less.

Short Term Investments.

The Company classifies all of its short-term investments with maturities at acquisition of greater than three months as available for sale securities. Such short-term investments consist primarily of United States government and federal agency securities, corporate commercial paper and corporate debt that are stated at market value, with unrealized gains and losses on such securities reflected, net of tax, as other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses on short term investments are included in earnings and are derived using the listing standards adoptedspecific identification method for determining the cost of securities. It is the Company’s intent to maintain a liquid portfolio to take advantage of investment opportunities; therefore, all securities are considered to be available for sale and are classified as current assets.

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

During 2003 and 2004, the Company accepted common stock from one of its customers (Geron Corporation) as payment for goods and services. These shares were classified as available-for-sale securities. Net losses on these securities of $128 during 2004 and net gains of $111 during 2003 were reflected as other expense on the consolidated statement of operations. Proceeds from the sales of these available for sale securities were reflected within net cash flows from investing activities.

Accounts Receivable.

Accounts receivable are shown net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The following is a summary of activity for the allowance for doubtful accounts during each of the three years ended December 31, 2004:

   

Beginning

Balance


  

Additional

Charges

to Income


  

Deductions

from Reserve


  

Ending

Balance


Year Ended December 31, 2004

  $549  $534  $32  $1,051

Year Ended December 31, 2003

  $450  $174  $75  $549

Year Ended December 31, 2002

  $213  $418  $181  $450

While payment terms are generally 30 days, the Company has also provided extended payment terms of up to 90 days in certain cases.

Inventories.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is computed using standard costs for finished goods and average or latest actual cost for raw materials and work in process.

Property and Equipment.

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed by the Nasdaq Stock Market. straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:

Buildings

15 years

Leasehold improvements

3 to 7 years

Furniture and fixtures

5 to 7 years

Production equipment

5 to 7 years

Computer equipment

3 to 5 years

Research and development equipment

3 to 5 years

Demonstration equipment

3 to 5 years

Depreciation of property and equipment totaled $4,009, $3,983 and $3,993 in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Goodwill and other Intangible Assets

The Business Ethics PolicyCompany adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,beginning on January 1, 2002. SFAS No. 142 provides that goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives will not be amortized, but will be tested for impairment annually. Impairment occurs when the fair value of the asset is available on our website at www.transgenomic.com.less than its carrying amount. If impaired, the asset’s carrying value is reduced to its fair value. Identifiable intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and tested for impairment as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may be impaired. Impairment occurs when the carrying value is not recoverable and the fair value of the asset is less than the carrying value.

The Company has not amortized goodwill for any period presented. Accordingly, there are no differences between reported net loss and loss per share related to goodwill amortization.


Item 11. ExecutiveTRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

Other Assets.

Other assets include long-term inventory, patents, intellectual property, deferred financing costs and capitalized software development costs. The Company capitalizes the external and in-house legal costs and filing fees associated with obtaining patents on its new discoveries and amortizes these costs using the straight-line method over the shorter of the legal life of the patent or its economic life, generally 17 years, beginning on the date the patent is issued. The Company capitalized software development costs for products offered for sale in accordance with SFAS No. 86,Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed. This Standard allows for the capitalization of certain development costs once a software product has reached technological feasibility. Development costs capitalized totaled $0 in 2004 and 2003 and $1,127 in 2002.

Stock Based Compensation.

The Company accounts for its employee stock option grants under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, which utilizes the intrinsic value method. Accordingly, compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant over the stock option exercise price. Stock option grants to non-employees are accounted for using the fair value method of accounting in accordance with SFAS No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, using the Black-Scholes model.

 

The following table sets forth information regardingillustrates the effect on net loss and loss per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock based employee compensation.

   2004

  2003

  2002

 

Net Loss:

             

As reported

  $(34,372) $(22,958) $(21,365)

Pro forma

  $(35,432) $(24,794)  (23,274)

Basic and diluted loss per share:

             

As reported

   (1.19)  (0.94)  (0.91)

Pro forma

   (1.22)  (1.01)  (0.99)

Income Taxes.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities at each balance sheet date using tax rates expected to be in effect in the year the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent that it is unlikely they will be realized.

Revenue Recognition.

Revenue on the sales of products is recognized in accordance with the terms of the sales arrangement. Such recognition is based on receipt of an unconditional customer order and transfer of title and risk of ownership to the customer, typically upon shipment of the product. Our sales terms do not provide for the right of return unless the product is damaged or defective. Revenues from certain services associated with our analytical instruments, to be performed subsequent to shipment of the products, is deferred and recognized when the services are provided. Such services, mainly limited to installation and training services that are not essential to the functionality of the instruments, typically are performed in a timely manner subsequent to shipment of the instrument. The Company also enters into various service contracts that cover installed WAVE systems. These contracts cover specific time periods and revenue associated with these contracts is deferred and recognized over the service period. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, deferred revenue, mainly associated with the Company’s service contracts, included on the Company’s balance sheet was approximately $1,478 and $1,792 respectively.

Research and Development.

Research and development costs are charged to expense when incurred.

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

Translation of Foreign Currency.

Financial statements of subsidiaries outside the U.S. are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. The adjustments to translate those amounts into U.S. dollars are accumulated in a separate account in stockholders’ equity and are included in other comprehensive income. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses resulting from changes in currency exchange rates are included in the determination of net income. Foreign currency transaction adjustments decreased net loss approximately $328 in 2004 and $1,089 in 2003 and 2002.

Comprehensive Income.

Accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2004 and 2003 consisted of foreign currency translation adjustments, net of applicable tax of $0. For all previous periods presented, accumulated other comprehensive income consists of foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains or losses on available for sale investments, net of applicable tax of $0. The Company deems its foreign investments to be permanent in nature and does not provide for taxes on currency translation adjustments arising from converting its investments in a foreign currency to U.S. dollars. There were no reclassification adjustments to be reported in the periods presented.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

The carrying amount of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments. The Company derives the fair value of its short-term investments based on quoted market prices. The carrying value of long-term debt and the line of credit approximates fair value based upon existing interest rates available to the Company for similar debt.

Earnings Per Share.

Basic earnings per share are calculated based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share include shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants or conversion of convertible notes, where dilutive. Potentially dilutive securities totaling 13,484,072, 7,671,771 and 5,158,672 in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as they have an antidilutive effect due to the Company’s net loss.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment. SFAS No.123R addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions in which an enterprise receives employee services in exchange for (a) equity instruments of the enterprise or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of the enterprise’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuace of such equity instruments. SFAS No. 123R eliminates the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions using Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and generally requires that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method. The Company expects to adopt this standard on January 1, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the final impact of this standard on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. This assessment includes evaluating option valuation methodologies and assumptions as well as potential changes to compensation strategies.

On November 24, 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs – an amendment of ARB No. 43. SFAS No. 151 requires idle facility expenses, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage) costs to be excluded from the cost of inventory and expensed when incurred. It also requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS No. 151 will be effective at the beginning of 2006. The Company is currently assessing the final impact of this standard on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Use of Estimates.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

B. INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following at December 31:

   

Biosystems Operating

Segment


  

Nucleic Acids Operating

Segment


  Total

   2004

  2003

  2004

  2003

  2004

  2003

Finished goods

  $2,637  $2,875  $2,380  $2,247  $5,017  $5,122

Raw materials and work in process

   780   1,223   2,275   3,851   3,055   5,074

Demonstration inventory

   153   388   —     —     153   388
   

  

  

  

  

  

    3,570   4,486   4,655   6,098   8,225   10,584

Less inventory classified as a long-term asset

 �� —     —     2,859   —     2,859   —  
   

  

  

  

  

  

Net Inventory

  $3,570  $4,486  $1,796  $6,098  $5,366  $10,584
   

  

  

  

  

  

The Nucleic Acids operating segment inventory at December 31, 2004 and 2003 consisted primarily of phosphoramadites and the raw materials to produce phosphoramadites which are used and produced at the Company’s facility in Glasgow, Scotland. As of December 31, 2004, the Company has classified a portion of this inventory as a long-term other asset based on its existing sales forecasts for these products.

The Company periodically evaluates its inventory of chemical building blocks to determine whether they continue to meet quality and other specifications and over what time period such products are expected to be sold. Product that does not meet quality and other specifications can generally be re-worked to enhance purity. Costs to purify such product and related yield losses are expensed as incurred.

C. GOODWILL

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, goodwill by operating segment consist of the following:

   

Biosystems

Operating

Segment


  

Nucleic Acids
Operating

Segment


  Total

 

Net balance December 31, 2002

  $638  $14,637  $15,275 

Goodwill impairment charge

   —     (4,772)  (4,772)
   

  


 


Net balance December 31, 2003

   638   9,865   10,503 

Goodwill impairment charge

   —     (9,865)  (9,865)
   

  


 


Net Balance December 31, 2004

  $638  $0  $638 
   

  


 


The Company recorded charges of $9,865 and $4,772 during 2004 and 2003, respectively, related to the impairment of goodwill associated with the Nucleic Acids operating segment. In each case, the amount of the impairment charge was based, in part, on independent valuations performed by the same unaffiliated valuation firm. The 2003 charge resulted from the Company’s annual impairment test that was performed in the fourth quarter of 2003. The 2004 charge resulted from an interim period impairment test performed during the second quarter of 2004.

The interim period impairment test became necessary after the Company’s Board of Directors directed management during the second quarter of 2004 to explore strategic alternatives for the Nucleic Acids operating segment. This process included significant due diligence by management, third-party advisors and long-term compensationprospective independent buyers and other interested parties. Information obtained through this process indicated that it was more likely than not that the assets associated with the Nucleic Acids operating segment were impaired.

The Company also recorded a charge of $2,100 during the second quarter of 2004 related to the impairment of property and equipment associated with the Nucleic Acids operating segment.

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

D. OTHER ASSETS

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, finite lived intangible assets and other assets consisted of the following:

   2004

  2003

   Cost

  Accumulated
Reserve


  

Net Book

Value


  Cost

  Accumulated
Reserve


  

Net Book

Value


Capitalized software

  $2,132  $1,468  $664  $2,132  $758  $1,374

Intellectual property

   765   476   289   765   165   600

Patents

   1,071   194   877   1,035   170   865

Deferred Financing Costs

   576   183   393   409   —     409

Long Term Inventory

   4,797   1,938   2,859   —     —     —  

Other

   452   147   305   656   183   473
   

  

  

  

  

  

Total

  $9,793  $4,406  $5,387  $4,997  $1,276  $3,721
   

  

  

  

  

  

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $1,197, $825 and $150 during 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets is expected to be approximately $1,009 in 2005, $342 in 2006, $320 in 2007, $62 in 2008 and $130 in 2009.

E. DEBT

Debt consisted of the following at December 31:

   2004

  2003

 

Credit Line

         

Gross amount due (2% above prime, due December 2006)

  $5,948  $2,992 

Debt premium

   1,004   —   

Debt discount - warrants

   (85)  (370)

Debt discount - beneficial conversion premium

   (353)  (480)
   


 


   $6,514  $2,142 
   


 


Long-Term Debt

         

Convertible debt (2% above prime, due February 2007)

  $2,550  $—   

Debt Premium

   474   —   

Mortgage debt

   —     1,693 

Less current portion

   (825)  (1,693)
   


 


   $2,199  $—   
   


 


In December 2003, the Company entered into a $7,500 line of credit (the “Credit Line”) with Laurus Master Fund, Ltd. (“Laurus”). The term of the Credit Line is three years carrying an interest rate of 2.0% over the prime rate or a minimum of 6.0% (7.25% at December 31, 2004). Funds available under the Credit Line are determined by a borrowing base equal to 90% of eligible accounts receivable balances plus up to $1,000 related to inventory balances. The Credit Line is secured by most of the Company’s assets. Prior to amendments to the Credit Line discussed below, payment of interest and principal could, under certain circumstances, be made with shares of the Company’s common stock at a fixed conversion price of $2.20 per share. Conversion of this debt to common stock may be made at the election of Laurus or the Company. The Company could elect to convert only if its shares trade at a price exceeding $2.42 per share for ten consecutive trading days, and such conversion is further subject to trading volume limitations and a limitation on the total beneficial ownership by Laurus of the Company’s common stock. Upon entering into the Credit Line, the Company issued warrants to Laurus to acquire 550,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price exceeding the average trading price of the Company’s common stock over the ten trading days prior to the date of the warrant. The amount available under the Credit Line at December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $1,552 and $4,508, respectively.

In February 2004, the Company entered into a separate $2,750 convertible note with Laurus (the “Term Note”). The Term Note carries an interest rate of 2.0% over the prime rate or a minimum of 6.0% (7.25% at December 31, 2004) and has a term of 3 years. Prior to amendments to the Term Note discussed below, the principal and interest on the Term Note could be converted into common stock of the Company at a fixed conversion price of $2.61 per share. Upon entering the Term Note, the Company issued warrants to Laurus to acquire 125,000 shares of its common stock. Borrowings under the Term Note were primarily used to retire the mortgage debt on the Company’s Glasgow facility. Remaining borrowings of approximately $750 were used to complete the build-out of the Glasgow facility, complete the consolidation the Company’s Glasgow operations into the new facility and provide funds for operations.

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

Certain features of the Credit Line and Term Note (collectively, the “Laurus Loans”) require the Company to separately account for the value of certain amounts related to the warrants issued and the conversion feature of the Laurus Loans. Specifically, Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 00-27,Application of Issue No. 98-5 to Certain Convertible Instruments, requires the Company to separately value the warrants issued and the “beneficial conversion premium” related to the Laurus Loans. Any borrowings under the Credit Line may result in additional beneficial conversion premiums. The values of the warrants and the beneficial conversion premium have been recorded on the balance sheet as a debt discount and an increase to additional paid in capital. The debt discount recorded for these items will be amortized as expense to the income statement over the terms of the Laurus Loans or as the warrants are exercised or the debt is converted into common stock thereby increasing the effective interest rate on the Laurus Loans. In January and February 2004, Laurus exercised its conversion rights on the Credit Line and converted $2,000 of amounts outstanding on the Credit Line into approximately 910,000 shares of common stock of the Company. In connection with this conversion, the Company accelerated the amortization of approximately $480 of the beneficial conversion premium.

In February 2004, Laurus waived the borrowing base limitation on the Credit Line, thereby making the full $7,500 facility available to the Company regardless of the available collateral. On August 31, 2004, Laurus agreed to extend the borrowing base waiver on the Credit Line through March 19, 2005. In addition, Laurus deferred certain payments due under the Term Note and reduced the interest rate on both of the Laurus Loans to 0% for any day the closing sale price of the Company’s common stock is at or above $1.75 per share. In return, the Company lowered the conversion price on each of the Laurus Loans to $1.00 per share and issued a warrant to Laurus covering an additional 400,000 common shares at an exercise price of $1.25 per share. The closing price of the Company’s common stock on August 31, 2004 was $1.20 per share.

The August 31, 2004 Laurus modifications were treated as extinguishments for financial reporting purposes since the change in present value of expected cash flows between the original and modified agreements is greater than 10%. As such, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2,859 at August 31, 2004 reflecting the difference between (i) the recorded amount of debt, net of related discounts, of $7,427 and (ii) the fair value of the new debt instrument of $10,287 plus the fair value of the new warrants of $111. The difference between the fair value of the new debt of $10,287 and the face value of the debt of $8,572 represents a premium, which will be reflected as a reduction of interest expense over the life of the new debt.

Prospectively, draws on the Credit Line may result in beneficial conversion charges to the extent the price of the Company’s common stock exceeds the conversion price on the day of the draw. Such beneficial charges will be amortized as expense to the income statement during the period the draw remains outstanding or up to the point the debt is converted into common stock thereby increasing the effective interest rate on the Credit Line.

Principal repayments under the Term Note are scheduled as follows: $850 in 2005, $900 in 2006, and $800 in 2007.

Amortization of debt premiums and discounts totaled $1,644 during 2004 and $0 in each 2003 and 2002 and is reflected as interest expense in the accompanying statement of operations.

During 2002, Cruachem Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a mortgage loan with The Royal Bank of Scotland. The original principal amount of the loan was £1.0 million. Principal and interest were payable in quarterly installments. The loan carried a 15-year term and a fixed annual interest rate of 6.77%. Security for this loan was the Company’s 45,000 square foot manufacturing facility located in Glasgow, Scotland. The loan carried certain financial and non-financial covenants that included a minimum net cash flow requirement. The net book value of the facility was approximately $2,000 at December 31, 2003. During February 2004, the Company repaid the principal balance of the mortgage loan and therefore, the Company included the entire outstanding principal balance of this loan at December 31, 2003 within current liabilities.

F. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in Spain by usa prospective distributor who claims that the Company breached a promise to our Chief Executive Officer, our threegrant the plaintiff a distributorship for certain of the Company’s products in a specific geographic area in Europe. The plaintiff is seeking monetary relief of approximately $500. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend this matter.

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

The Company is subject to a number of other executive officersclaims of various amounts, which arise out of the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the disposition of all claims currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows, after considering amounts already reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

The Company leases certain equipment, vehicles and two former executive officersoperating facilities. The Company’s leases related to its operating facilities currently expire on various dates through 2010. At December 31, 2004, the future minimum lease payments required under non-cancellable lease provisions are approximately $1,958 in 2005, $1,382 in 2006, $486 in 2007, $187 in 2008, $191 in 2009, and $181 in 2010. Rent expense related to all operating leases for services rendered duringthe years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 was approximately $2,007, $2,487 and $2,266, respectively.

At December 31, 2004, the Company had firm commitments totaling $798 to a vendor to purchase components used in WAVE Systems.

G. INCOME TAXES

Loss before income taxes consists of the following:

   Years ended December 31,

 
   2004

  2003

  2002

 

United States

  $(30,467) $(19,809) $(19,640)

International

   (3,999)  (3,084)  (1,620)
   


 


 


   $(34,466) $(22,893) $(21,260)
   


 


 


The Company’s provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 differs from the amounts determined by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate to loss before income taxes for the following reasons:

   2004

  2003

  2002

 

Benefit at Federal Rate

  $(11,718) $(7,784) $(7,228)

Increase (decrease) resulting from:

             

State income taxes—net of federal benefit

   (595)  (485)  (518)

Foreign subsidiary tax rate difference

   493   427   224 

Research and development tax credit

   (141)  (250)  (188)

Impairment charges

   3,569   —     —   

Other—net

   78   82   137 

Valuation allowance

   8,220   8,075   7,678 
   


 


 


Total income tax expense (benefit)

  $(94) $65  $105 
   


 


 


The Company’s deferred income tax asset at December 31, 2004 and 2003 is comprised of the following temporary differences:

   2004

  2003

 

Net operating loss carryforward

  $35,587  $29,292 

Research and development credit carryforwards

   1,328   1,188 

Deferred revenue

   708   400 

Accrued vacation

   81   134 

Other

   583   (422)
   


 


    38,287   30,592 

Less valuation allowance

   (38,287)  (30,592)
   


 


   $—    $—   
   


 


At December 31, 2004, the Company had total used federal tax net operating loss carryforwards of $91,474 of which $1,770 expire in 2008, $3,698 expire in 2009, $2,970 expire in 2010, $943 expire in 2011, $3,425 expire in 2012, $1,838 expire in 2018, $8,182 expire in 2019, $9,662 expire in 2020, $8,228 expire in 2021, $16,862 expire in 2022; $16,173 expire in 2023 and $17,723

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

expire in 2024. Of these federal net operating loss carryforwards, $11,820 were obtained in the acquisition of Annovis, Inc. and may be subject to certain restrictions. At December 31, 2004, the Company had unused state tax net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $37,619 that expire at various times between 2005 and 2024. At December 31, 2004, the Company had unused research and development credit carryforwards of $1,328 that expire at various times between 2008 and 2024. A valuation allowance has been provided for the remaining deferred tax assets, due to the Company’s cumulative losses in recent years, expected losses in future years and an inability to utilize any additional losses as carrybacks. The Company will continue to assess the recoverability of deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowance. To the extent the Company begins to generate income in future years and it is determined that such valuation allowance is no longer required, the tax benefit of the remaining deferred tax assets will be recognized at such time.

H. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

The Company maintains an employee 401(k) retirement savings plan that allows for voluntary contributions into designated investment funds by eligible employees. The Company matches the employees’ contributions at the rate of 50% on the first 6% of contributions. The Company may at the discretion of its Board of Directors, make additional contributions on behalf of the Plan’s participants. Company contributions were approximately $500 for each of the three years ended December 31, 2004.

 

Summary Compensation TableI. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Annual Compensation

Long-Term Compensation

Awards

Payouts

(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)

Name and Principal Position


Year

Salary

($)


Bonus

($)


Other Annual

Compensation(1)

($)


Restricted

Stock

Award(s)

($)


Securities

Underlying

Options/

SARs

(#)


LTIP

Payouts(2)

($)


All Other

Compensation(3)

($)


Collin J. D’Silva

President and Chief

Executive Officer

2004
2003
2002
140,568
142,308
200,000
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
15,311
5,927
6,113

Michael A. Summers(4)

Chief Financial

Officer

2004
2003
2002
54,578
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
1,135
—  
—  

Mitchell L. Murphy

Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer

2004
2003
2002
135,544
120,000
100,538
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
50,000
—  
—  
—  
—  
14,468
5,986
8,412

Keith A. Johnson(5)

Vice President, General Counsel

2004
2003
2002
135,392
135,000
112,673
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
25,000
65,000
35,000
—  
—  
—  
10,890
4,776
35,036

John L. Allbery(6)

Former Executive Vice President

2004
2003
2002
129,693
200,000
200,000
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
50,000
—  
—  
—  
—  
3,893
6,444
17,473

Michael J. Draper(7)

Former Chief Financial

Officer

2004
2003
2002
59,928
122,731
102,951
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
75,000
7,500
—  
—  
—  
938
6,873
5,481

(1)No disclosure is required in this column pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, as the aggregate value of items covered by this column does not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the annual salary and bonus shown for each respective executive officer named.
(2)We do not have a long-term incentive plan as defined in Item 402 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(3)These amounts consist of accrued vacation to be taken in the future or paid in cash upon termination of employment, 401(k) Company matching contributions, reimbursed moving expenses and auto allowances, as applicable.
(4)Mr. Summers joined the Company and assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer on July 31, 2004.
(5)Mr. Johnson was appointed Vice President, General Counsel by the Board of Directors effective April 4, 2002.
(6)Mr. Allbery was appointed Executive Vice President by the Board of Directors effective May 23, 2001. He resigned from the Company on July 23, 2004.
(7)Mr. Draper resigned as Chief Financial Officer effective March 31, 2004.


Options/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal YearPreferred Stock.

 

The Compensation CommitteeCompany’s Board of Directors is authorized to issue up to 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, from time to time, with such designations, powers, preferences and rights and such qualifications, limitations and restrictions as may grant either qualifiedbe provided in a resolution or non-qualified stock options to the officers and employees of the Company and nonqualified stock options to nonemployee directors and advisors under our stock option plan. The following table shows the options granted during 2004 to those executive officers of the Company whose compensation is reported in the Summary Compensation Table.

               Potential Realized
Value at Assumed
Annual Rates of
Stock Price
Appreciation for
Option Term(2)


(a)  (b)  (c)  (d)  (e)  (f)  (g)

Name


  

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Options/SARs

Granted

(#)(1)


  

%

of Total

Options/SARs

Granted to

Employees in

Fiscal Year


  

Exercise or

Base Price

($/Sh)


  

Expiration

Date


  5%($)

  10%($)

Keith A. Johnson

  25,000  6.9% $1.32  5/21/2014  $21,000  $53,000

(1)The exercise price of all options granted to executive officers during fiscal 2004 is equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Each option expires ten years from the date of grant. No stock appreciation rights (SARs) may be granted under our stock option plan.
(2)The dollar amounts set forth under these columns are the result of calculations of assumed appreciation in the price of our common stock at these annual rates from the respective dates of the grant to the respective expiration dates of the options. These assumptions are not intended to forecast future price appreciation of our common stock. The market price of our common stock may increase or decrease in value over the time period set forth above.

Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and FY-End Option/SAR Values

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the number of exercised and unexercised options and the value of such options at the end of 2004 heldresolutions adopted by the executive officers and two former executive officers of the Company whose compensation is reported in the Summary Compensation Table.

(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)

Name


Shares Acquired

on Exercise(#)


Value Realized

($)(1)


Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options/SARs at

Year End(#)

Exercisable/

Unexercisable


Value of

Unexercised

In-the-Money

Options/SARs at

YearEnd($)(1)

Exercisable/

Unexercisable


Collin J. D’Silva

—  —  —  —  

Michael A. Summers

—  —  —  —  

Mitchell L. Murphy

—  —  146,000 / 4,000$0 / $0

Keith A. Johnson

—  —  72,917 / 87,083$0 / $0

John L. Allbery

—  —  0 / 0$0 / $0

Michael J. Draper

—  —  61,253 / 0$0 / $0

(1)Based on the difference between the closing sale price of the Common Stock on the exercise date or December 31, 2004 and the related option exercise price.

Compensation of Directors

Directors who are also our officers or affiliates are not separately compensated for serving on the Board of Directors other than reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses related to attendance at board and committee meetings. Independent directors are paid an


annual retainer of $12,000. In addition, they receive a fee of $1,200 for attending meetings in person, or $600 for participating in a meeting by teleconference, as well as reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses related to attendance at board and committee meetings. Independent directors serving on any committeeDirectors. The authority of the Board of Directors includes, but is not limited to, the determination or fixing of the following with respect to shares of such class or any series thereof: (i) the number of shares; (ii) the dividend rate, whether dividends shall be cumulative and, if so, from which date; (iii) whether shares are paid an additional annual retainerto be redeemable and, if so, the terms and amount of $2,500, except that, effective January 1, 2004,any sinking fund providing for the additional retainer paidpurchase or redemption of such shares; (iv) whether shares shall be convertible and, if so, the terms and provisions thereof; (v) what restrictions are to independent directors servingapply, if any, on the Audit Committee was increasedissue or reissue of any additional preferred stock; and (vi) whether shares have voting rights. The preferred stock may be issued with a preference over the common stock as to $5,000.the payment of dividends. The Company has no current plans to issue any series of preferred stock. Classes of stock such as the preferred stock may be used, in certain circumstances, to create voting impediments on extraordinary corporate transactions or to frustrate persons seeking to effect a merger or otherwise to gain control of the Company. For the foregoing reasons, any preferred stock issued by the Company could have an adverse effect on the rights of the holders of the common stock.

 

Our non-employee and non-affiliated directors areCommon Stock.

During 2004, the Company issued options to purchase 15,0001,134,850 shares of common stock in conjunction with conversions under our stock option plan upon initial appointment to the Board. For options granted prior to March 28, 2003, such options vest at the rate of 20% per year of service on the Board. Additional grants were made from time to time so that each non-employee director would hold 15,000 unvested options at any time. Effective March 28,Laurus Loans.

Date

 Price

 Shares Issued

 

Net

Proceeds


 Facility

 Applied To

January 2004 $2.20 650,000 $1,422 Credit Line Principal
February 2004 $2.20 259,091  570 Credit Line Principal
December 2004 $1.00 150,000  146 Term Note Principal
December 2004 $1.00 75,759  72 Term Note Interest
     
 

    
     1,134,850 $2,210    
     
 

    

In September 2003, the options granted to a non-employee and non-affiliated director upon initial appointment to the Board vest at the rate of 33 1/3% per year of service on the Board. Additional grants of options to purchase 5,000Company issued 1,780,000 shares of its common stock will be made on a date reasonably close to each anniversaryand in November 2003, the Company issued 2,720,000 shares of such director’s appointment to the Board to be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, with such options vesting on the third anniversary of the grant. All options granted to non-employee directors have exercise prices that represented or exceeded the fair market value of our stock on the grant date. Exercise prices on outstanding options granted to our non-employee directors range from $2.37 to $13.00 per share.

Long-Term Incentive Plans and Other Matters

We do not maintain a long-term incentive plan or pension plan (as defined in Item 402 of SEC Regulation S-K) for its executive officers and has not repriced any options or SARs for any executive officer during the last fiscal year.

Stock Option and Other Compensation Plans

Stock Option Plan. Our Fourth Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan allows us to grant options to our employees, directors and advisors, which gives them the right to buy our common stock at a fixed price, even if the market value of our stock goes up. The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors administers our stock option plan and it has the sole authorityin privately-negotiated sales. These shares were sold pursuant to set the number, exercise price, term and vesting provisions of the options granted under the plan, except that any award made to a director serving on the Compensation Committee must be ratified by a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Under the terms of the plan, the exercise pricea Securities Purchase Agreement, dated August 27, 2003. The sale of an incentive stock option, as definedthese shares was exempt from registration under the Internal Revenue CodeSecurities Act of 1986,1933, as amended cannot be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date the option is granted. In general, options will expire if(the “Securities Act”) as a sale not exercised within ten years from the date they are granted. The Compensation Committee may also require that an option holder remain employed by usinvolving a public offering. These shares have been registered for a specified period of time before an option may be exercised. The committee establishes these “vesting” provisions on an individual basis. The Compensation Committee will also decide whether options will be nonqualified options or structured to be qualified options for U.S. income tax purposes. Either incentive or nonqualified stock options may be granted to employees, but only nonqualified stock options may be granted to our non-employee directors and advisors. Options for a maximum of 7,000,000 shares may be grantedresale under the plan. Outstanding options for a totalSecurities Act. The net proceeds to the Company, after payment of 5,042,269 sharestransaction fees and other expenses of our common stock are outstanding at the Record Date, of which 4,150,845 may be exercised at this time. Outstanding options have exercise prices ranging from $1.09 to $13.00 per share.offering, were approximately $4,202.

 

UnderIn May 2001, Company shareholders approved the terms of our stock option plan, any options not vested will become immediately vested if the option holder dies, becomes permanently disabled or retires. If an option holder voluntarily resigns, any options not vested asadoption of the date of resignation will terminate and all rights will cease, as determined by the Compensation Committee and documented in the option grant documents. In the event an option holder’s employment, board membership or status as an advisor is terminated for cause, the option holder’s right to exercise an option, whether or not vested, will immediately terminate and all rights will cease, unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise.

Employee Savings Plan. We have established an employee savings plan that is intended to qualify as a tax-qualified plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. This plan allows for voluntary contributions up to statutory maximums by eligible employees. We match a specific proportion of these contributions, subject to limitations imposed by law. We may make additional contributions to the savings plan on behalf of our employees if our Board of Directors decides to do so. During each of three years ended December 31, 2004, we contributed approximately $0.5 million to the savings plan on behalf of our employees.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Our Second Amended and RestatedTransgenomic, Inc. 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Stock Purchase Plan”) has been structured to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423that was subsequently implemented in November 2001. Substantially all of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Additionally, the Stock Purchase Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee of the Board of DirectorsCompany’s U.S. employees are eligible to adopt sub-plans designed to achieve desired tax and other objectives in locations outside the United States. Up to 500,000 shares of our common stock may be issued during the term of the Stock Purchase Plan that is defined as December 1, 2001 through November 30, 2006. Employees will be able to voluntarily participate in the Stock Purchase Plan throughPlan. Eligible employees authorize payroll deductions.deductions to be made for the purchase of shares. Such deductions will accumulateare accumulated during the participation periods,

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

a defined as three month periods. On the first business day of each participation period at the end of which each participant will beis deemed to have been granted an option to purchase commonshares of stock from the Company at 85% of itsthe fair market value of the Company stock as measured by the closing price of the stock on either the first or last business day of the participation period, whichever is lower. The number of shares to be purchased under the option is based upon the participant’sparticipants elected withholding amount. At the end of eachthe participation period such option is automatically exercised.


Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with our Chief Executive Officer, Collin J. D’Silva, our Chief Financial Officer, Michael A. Summers and our Vice President and General Counsel, Keith A. Johnson. However, effective May 1, 2005, Mr. Johnson will no longer continue This plan is structured to qualify as an executive officer“employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Company. The employment agreements with Messrs. D’SilvaInternal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. During 2004, 2003 and Summers require these executives to devote their full time to our business activities, provided that they may serve as directors of or consultants to other companies that do not compete with us2002 there were 76,902, 107,077 and for nonprofit corporations, civic organizations, professional groups and similar entities. These executives are not allowed to compete with us during the term of their employment and for one year after they are no longer our employee. Each agreement contains provisions56,842 shares issued under which these executive officers have agreed to maintain the confidentiality of information concerning us and which prohibits them from disclosing confidential information about our business to people outside of the Company, except for proper business purposes.

The employment agreement with Mr. D’Silva has a term of 22 months expiring December 2006. The employment agreement with Mr. Summers has an initial term of three years expiring July 2007. Each of these agreements may be extended unless we or the employee, as the case may be, give notice of an intention not to renew. If one of these officers is terminated for reasons other than an act of serious misconduct, the officer will be entitled to severance pay in an amount equal to his then current base annual salary.this plan, respectively.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

There are no Compensation Committee interlocks and no insider participation in compensation decisions that are required to be reported under the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

This table shows the beneficial ownership of our common stock by our directors, by those of our executive officers who are named in the Summary Compensation Table, by all of our current executive officers and directors as a group, and by each person we believe beneficially owns more than 5% of our outstanding common stock as of March 28, 2005, the record date established for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Each stockholder named in this table has sole voting and investment power over the shares he beneficially owns, and all such shares are owned directly by the stockholder unless otherwise indicated.Common Stock ownership information of persons other than our executive officers and directors is based on Schedules 13D, 13F or 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Name


Number of Shares

Beneficially Owned


Percent

of Class


Directors and Executive Officers

Collin J. D’Silva, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

4,656,154(1)13.6%

Michael A. Summers, Chief Financial Officer

50,000(2)*

Mitchell L. Murphy, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer

150,000(3)*

Keith A. Johnson, Vice President, General Counsel

72,917(4)*

Gregory J. Duman, Director

240,400(5)*

Jeffrey L. Sklar, M.D., Ph.D., Director

24,000(6)*

Roland J. Santoni, Director

25,000(7)*

Parag Saxena, Director

0(8)*

Gregory T. Sloma, Director

10,000(9)*

All directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons)

5,228,471(10)15.3
Other Shareholders

Kopp Investment Advisors, Inc.

8,723,680(11)25.5

Mazama Capital Management, LLC

4,054,932(12)11.8

INVESCO Private Capital, Inc.

2,292,426(13)6.7

*Represents less than 1% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company.
(1)Includes 1,400,000 shares owned by the Arthur P. D’Silva Trust, of which Collin J. D’Silva is the sole trustee and 484,616 shares owned by D’Silva, LLC, of which Mr. D’Silva is the managing member.


(2)Consists of vested options to purchase 50,000 shares at $1.09. Mr. Summers also holds unvested options to purchase an additional 50,000 shares at $1.09.
(3)Consists of 4,000 shares owned by Mr. Murphy and vested options to purchase 50,000 shares at $5.00 per share, 8,000 shares at $11.94 per share, 2,500 shares at $9.91 per share, 8,000 shares at $6.38 per share, 27,500 shares at $6.24 per share and 50,000 shares at $1.92 per share. Mr. Murphy also holds unvested options to purchase an additional 2,000 shares at $11.94 per share and 2,000 shares at $6.38 per share.
(4)Consists of vested options to purchase 26,500 shares at $6.16 per share, 11,667 shares at $1.92 per share, 10,000 shares at $1.88 per share and 25,000 shares at $1.32 per share. Mr. Johnson also holds unvested options to purchase an additional 8,750 shares at $6.16 per share, 23,333 shares at $1.92 per share and 20,000 shares at $1.88 per share.
(5)Consists of 25,400 shares owned by Mr. Duman and vested options to purchase 12,000 shares at $10.00 per share and 200,000 shares at $6.00 per share. Mr. Duman also holds unvested options to purchase an additional 3,000 shares at $10.00 per share, and 5,000 shares at $2.57 per share.
(6)Consists of vested options to purchase 15,000 shares at $5.00 per share and 9,000 shares at $13.00 per share. Dr. Sklar also holds unvested options to purchase an additional 3,000 shares at $6.38 per share, 6,000 shares at $6.16 per share and 5,000 shares at $2.57 per share.
(7)Consists of 2,500 shares owned by Mr. Santoni and vested options to purchase 17,500 shares at $10.00 per share and 5,000 shares at $2.57 per share. Mr. Santoni also holds unvested options to purchase an additional 3,000 shares at $6.16 per shares, 3,000 shares at $6.00 per share and 5,000 shares at $2.57 per share.
(8)Mr. Saxena holds unvested options to purchase 15,000 shares at $1.09 per share.
(9)Consists of vested options to purchase 10,000 shares at $2.57 per share. Mr. Sloma also holds unvested options to purchase an additional 5,000 shares at $2.57 per share.
(10)Includes vested options to acquire 540,417 shares of common stock.
(11)The address of Kopp Investment Advisors, Inc. is 7701 France Avenue South, Suite 500, Edina, Minnesota 55435.
(12)The address of Mazama Capital Management, LLC is One Southwest Columbia Street, Suite 1500, Portland Oregon 97258.
(13)These shares are held by entities affiliated with INVESCO Private Capital, Inc., which disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares. The address of INVESCO Private Capital, Inc. is 1166 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036.

Equity Compensation Plan InformationWarrants.

 

The following equityis a summary of the 1,159,421 common stock warrants outstanding at December 31, 2004. No warrants expired or were exercised during 2004.

Warrant Holder


  Issue Year

  Expiration Year

  Underlying Shares

  Exercise Price

Laurus Master Fund, Ltd.(1)

  2003  2010  200,000  $2.25

Laurus Master Fund, Ltd.(1)

  2003  2010  200,000  $2.44

Laurus Master Fund, Ltd.(1)

  2003  2010  150,000  $2.32

Laurus Master Fund, Ltd.(1)

  2004  2011  125,000  $3.11

Laurus Master Fund, Ltd.(1)

  2004  2011  400,000  $1.25

TN Capital Equities, Ltd.(1)

  2003  2008  45,918  $2.94

TN Capital Equities, Ltd.(1)

  2004  2009  15,566  $3.18

GE Capital(2)

  2002  2007  13,762  $3.27

GE Capital(2)

  2003  2008  9,175  $3.27

(1)These warrants were issued in conjunction with the Laurus Loans and subsequent modifications. Refer to Note E.
(2)These warrants were issued in conjunction with operating leases with GE Capital. While the leases have since been terminated, the warrants are still outstanding.

J. STOCK OPTIONS

The Company’s 1997 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the “Stock Option Plan”), allows the Company to grant both incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock to employees and directors of the Company and to nonemployee advisors. Either incentive or non-qualified stock options may be granted to employees of the Company, but only nonqualified stock options may be granted to nonemployee directors and advisors. The maximum number of shares for which options may be granted under the Stock Option Plan is 7,000,000. The Stock Option Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) which has the authority to set the number, exercise price, term and vesting provisions of the options granted under the Stock Option Plan, subject to the terms thereof. The options must be granted at exercise prices not less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. Generally, the stock options vest at a rate of either 20% per year over a five-year period or 33 1/3% per year over a three-year period and expire 10 years after the date the option was granted. If the option holder ceases to be employed by the Company, the Company will have the right to terminate any outstanding but unexercised options.

The following table summarizes activity under the Stock Option Plan during the three years ended December 31, 2004:

   

Number of

Options


  

Weighted Average

Exercise Price


Balance at January 1, 2002

  5,133,831   6.90

Granted

  632,000   5.09

Exercised

  (81,900)  5.01

Forfeited

  (539,021)  7.69
   

 

Balance at December 31, 2002:

  5,144,910   6.62

Granted

  1,282,000   1.64

Exercised

  —     —  

Forfeited

  (733,994)  7.25
   

 

Balance at December 31, 2003:

  5,692,916   6.62
   

   

Granted

  360,000   1.70

Exercised

  —     —  

Forfeited

  (964,879)  5.24
   

 

Balance at December 31, 2004:

  5,088,037  $5.09
   

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2004

  4,214,214  $5.55
   

 

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

The weighted average fair value per share of options granted in 2004, 2003 and 2002 was $0.40, $0.93 and $2.92, respectively.

The Company has elected to follow the measurement provisions of APB No. 25, under which no recognition of expense is required in accounting for stock options granted to employees for which the exercise price equals or exceeds the deemed fair market value of the stock at the grant date. In those cases where options have been granted with an exercise price below the deemed fair market value, the Company recognizes compensation planexpense using the straight-line method over the vesting periods of the individual stock options.

Stock-based compensation expense recorded by the Company represents amortization of unearned compensation related to options granted to employees with an exercise price less than the deemed fair market value at the date of grant and options granted to non-employees. During 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company recorded compensation expense of $0, $93 and $131, respectively. The expense amounts were calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: no common stock dividends, risk-free interest rates ranging from 3.10% to 6.53%; volatility ranging from 35% to 85%; and an expected option life of 1 to 7.5 years.

The following table summarizes information summarizes plans and securities approved and not approved by security holdersabout options outstanding as of December 31, 2004:

 

   (a)  (b)  (c)

PLAN CATEGORY


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


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


  Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a))


Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

  5,088,037  $5.09  867,727

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

  —     —    —  
   
  

  

Total

  5,088,037  $5.09  867,727
   
  

  
   Options Outstanding

  Options Exercisable

Range of Exercise Prices


  Number
Outstanding


  

Weighted-Average

Remaining

Contractual Life


  

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price


  Number
Exercisable


  

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price


      (in years)         

$ 1.00—$ 1.30

  408,335  6.8  $1.30  155,011  $1.30

$ 1.31—$ 2.60

  1,009,167  7.9  $1.89  551,850  $1.90

$ 2.61—$ 3.90

  50,002  5.5  $2.90  38,336  $2.90

$ 3.91—$ 5.20

  2,142,200  3.0  $5.00  2,142,200  $5.00

$ 5.21—$ 6.50

  768,182  6.1  $6.16  692,633  $6.15

$ 6.51—$ 9.10

  10,000  6.4  $9.00  10,000  $9.00

$ 9.11—$10.40

  396,420  5.6  $9.88  358,253  $9.88

$10.41—$13.00

  303,731  5.2  $12.80  265,931  $12.81
   
  
  

  
  

   5,088,037  5.1  $5.09  4,214,214  $5.55
   
  
  

  
  


Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsK. OPERATING SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

None.The Company operates in two reportable segments, BioSystems and Nucleic Acids. Operations for these segments are evaluated based upon specific identification of revenues and expenses associated with the business activities resulting in a segment operating income. Expenses that cannot be directly identified to an operating activity or are considered corporate overhead are not allocated to the segments in arriving at operating income for the segment. Generally, decisions regarding asset allocation, financing, taxes or other items impacting the Company’s Balance Sheet are made at the corporate level and, accordingly, operating segment Balance Sheet information is not typically reviewed by operating decision makers.

The BioSystems operating segment generates revenue from the sale of automated instrument systems and associated consumable products and services. This segments products are based upon two of the Company’s three core competencies, separations chemistries and enzymology. Specifically, this segment’s main products are the WAVE system, related bioconsumables and research services.

The Nucleic Acids operating segment generates revenue from the sale of products and services based upon all three of the Company’s core competencies, nucleic acid chemistries, separations chemistries and enzymology. Specifically, this segments main products are nucleic acid building blocks or “phosphoramidites”, fluorescent markers, dyes and associated reagents and novel chemistry and process development services.

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant FeesNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and Services2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

 

The following fees were billedis information for net sales and operating income by Deloitte & Touche LLPsegment.

   2004

  2003

  2002

 

Net Sales

             

BioSystems

  $25,243  $26,044  $24,235 

Nucleic Acids

   8,546   7,822   13,319 
   


 


 


Total

  $33,789  $33,866  $37,554 
   


 


 


Loss from operations

             

BioSystems

  $(2,294) $(2,786) $(9,417)

Nucleic Acids

   (17,623)  (12,440)  (1,004)

Corporate

   (9,143)  (7,362)  (11,276)
   


 


 


Total

  $(29,060) $(22,588) $(21,697)
   


 


 


During 2004, sales to usGeron Corporation totaled $4,151 and represented 49% of net sales within our Nucleic Acids operating segment and 12% of total consolidated net sales. During 2003 and 2002 no single customer accounted for professional services provided during 2004 and 2003:more than 10% of operating segment or consolidated net sales.

 

Audit Fees. Deloitte & Touche LLP billed us a totalThe following is information for fixed assets and fixed asset additions by segment. Fixed assets are tracked by location and department and thus can be identified to operating segments even though specific segment Balance Sheets are not produced.

   2004

  2003

Fixed Assets

        

BioSystems

  $2,695  $3,412

Nucleic Acids

   10,150   13,991

Corporate

   680   1,301
   

  

Total

  $13,525  $18,704
   

  

Fixed Asset Additions

        

BioSystems

  $901  $1,000

Nucleic Acids

   848   5,393

Corporate

   9   20
   

  

Total

  $1,758  $6,413
   

  

The following is supplemental information for net sales by geographic area.

   2004

  2003

  2002

Sales by Geographic Area:

            

United States

  $13,580  $12,251  $16,805

Europe

   15,392   15,955   16,011

Pacific Rim

   2,794   3,335   4,129

Other

   2,023   2,325   609
   

  

  

Total

  $33,789  $33,866  $37,554
   

  

  

Long-lived assets by geographic area as of $250,000 and $227,000 in 2004 and 2003, respectively, for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements for those fiscal years and to review our interim financial statements included in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed by us with the SEC during those years.December 31 are as follows:

   2004

  2003

United States

  $7,754  $20,935

Europe

   7,564   9,705

Pacific Rim

   11   32
   

  

Total

  $15,329  $30,672
   

  

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Audit-Related Fees. Deloitte & Touche LLP billed usNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

L. QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

The following table contains selected unaudited consolidated statements of operations data for each quarter for fiscal years 2004 and 2003.

   2004

 
   1st Quarter

  2nd Quarter

  3rd Quarter

  4th Quarter

  Total

 

Net Sales

  $8,629  $9,011  $8,194  $7,955  $33,789 

Gross Profit

  $2,861  $3,153  $1,337  $1,842  $9,193 

Net loss

  $(3,859) $(15,132) $(8,442) $(6,939) $(34,372)

Basic & Diluted Loss Per Share

  $(0.13) $(0.52) $(0.29) $(0.24) $(1.19)

Basic and Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

   28,728   29,053   29,078   29,338   29,006 
   2003

 
   1st Quarter

  2nd Quarter

  3rd Quarter

  4th Quarter

  Total

 

Net Sales

  $9,505  $8,481  $7,537  $8,343  $33,866 

Gross Profit

  $3,691  $2,556  $775  $2,529  $9,551 

Net loss

  $(3,596) $(4,670) $(6,097) $(8,595) $(22,958)

Basic & Diluted Loss Per Share

  $(0.15) $(0.20) $(0.25) $(0.32) $(0.94)

Basic and Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

   23,519   23,540   24,177   26,723   24,484 

Earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly per share losses may not equal the annual loss per share.

M. SALE OF SPECIALTY OLIGONUCLEOTIDE MANUFACTURING FACILITY

On November 11, 2004, the Company sold the assets associated with its specialty oligonucleotides manufacturing facility in Boulder, Colorado to a subsidiary of Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Eyetech”). The sale price was $3,000 in cash plus the assumption of the lease on the Boulder facility and of certain equipment leases with a gross value of $2,377. Substantially all of the 27 employees at the Boulder facility became Eyetech employees. Net proceeds from the sale (after transaction expenses and fees paid to our investment advisors) equaled approximately $2,700. In conjunction with this transaction, we recorded a gain on sale of $1,466 in the fourth quarter of 2004.

N. RESTRUCTURING PLANS

On November 13, 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan designed to refocus on the BioSystems operating segment and to better align the Company’s cost structure with anticipated revenues. The plan (which is incremental to the sale of the specialty oligonucleotide manufacturing facility in Boulder, Colorado facility) included a workforce reduction of approximately 60 positions and the closure of two domestic research and development facilities associated with our Nucleic Acids operating segment and two European field offices. Additionally, the Company eliminated approximately 10 positions at its chemical building blocks manufacturing facility in Glasgow, Scotland. In conjunction with these changes, the Company incurred a charge of $3,570 during the quarter ending December 31, 2004 consisting of severance benefits of $1,406, future rents on closed facilities (net of projected sublease rents) of $1,241, the write-off property and equipment specifically attributable to closed facilities of $740 and other costs of $183. The Company had accrued expenses associated with this restructuring plan of $1,909 at December 31, 2004 of which $1,486 is expected to be paid 2005 and $423 in 2006.

During the fourth quarter of 2002 management formulated and executed a significant portion of a restructuring plan. The plan was developed to reduce expenses thereby better aligning the Company’s expense structure with current business prospects. The plan included employee terminations, office closures, termination of collaborations and write-offs of abandoned intellectual property. Specifically, in the fourth quarter of 2002 the Company notified approximately 60 employees of their termination, notified landlords of our intent to close four facilities and reduce our space commitment under lease at two other facilities, terminated certain consulting and collaboration agreements and abandoned certain patents. As a result of the plan $3,282 in restructuring charges were recorded and are included in operating expenses. These charges consisted of approximately $775 of employee severance costs, $1,200 in office

TRANSGENOMIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

closure related costs, $400 of collaboration and other agreement termination charges and $900 in write-offs of abandoned intellectual property. Approximately 45% of the total charges were for non-cash items. Additional restructuring charges totaling $741 were incurred in the first half of $42,0002003. The Company had accrued expenses associated with these restructuring activities of $0 at December 31, 2004 and $46,000$227 at December 31, 2003.

O. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On March 18, 2005, Laurus agreed to further extend the borrowing base waiver on the Credit Line until March 31, 2006. In connection with this waiver, the Company agreed to allow Laurus to convert $1,872 of the outstanding principal balance under the Credit Line into 3,600,000 shares of its common stock. In addition, on March 24, 2005 the Company agreed to allow Laurus to convert $650 of the outstanding principal balance of the Term Note into 1,250,000 shares of common stock. As a result, the Company increased the amount available under the Credit Line by $1,872 and eliminated substantially all remaining 2005 scheduled principal payments on the Term Loan.

P. RESTATEMENT OF STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company’s management determined that it had incorrectly included the amortization of software development costs within net cash flows from investing activities rather than within net cash flows from operating activities. The Company’s management also determined that restricted common stock accepted as payment for goods and services from one of the Company’s customers and subsequently sold was incorrectly classified within the consolidated statements of cash flows. It is the Company’s policy to account for restricted common stock received in settlement of a customer’s accounts receivable as available for sale securities. The sale of such securities should be reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flows as an investing activity. Available for sale securities acquired for goods and services should be reflected as supplemental non-cash transactions.

As a result, the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, for audit-related services. Audit-related services generally include feeshave been restated from the amounts previously reported to correct these errors. This restatement had no impact on the statements of consolidated cash flows for the auditsfiscal year ended December 31, 2002. In addition, this restatement had no impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of our employee benefit plansoperations. The impact of this restatement on the consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows (dollars in thousands):

   2004 As
Previously
Reported


  2004 As
Restated


  2003 As
Previously
Reported


  2003 As
Restated


 

Depreciation and amortization

  4,009  4,625  3,981  4,597 

Trading securities acquired in settlement of accounts receivable

  (4,397) —    (1,843) —   

Proceeds from sales of trading securities

  4,269  —    1,907  1,519 

Purchase of trading securities

  —    —    —    (1,566)

Accounts receivable

  1,063  (3,334) 619  342 

Net cash flows from operating activities

  (9,101) (12,754) (13,245) (13,017)

Proceeds from the maturities and sale of available for sale securities

  —    4,269  3,612  4,000 

Change in other assets

  1,138  522  73  (543)

Net cash flows from investing activities

  2,380  6,033  (2,719) (2,947)

Item 9A. Controls and fees incurred in connection with services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings and research consultation on proposed transactions.Procedures

 

Tax Fees. Deloitte & Touche LLP billed us a totalA review and evaluation was performed by the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of $44,000the effectiveness of the design and $33,000operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on that review and evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, were effective. There have been no changes in 2004 and 2003, respectively, for tax services. Tax services consisted primarilythe Company’s internal controls subsequent to the date of planning, advice and compliance, or return preparation, for U.S. federal, state and local, as well as international jurisdictions.their evaluation.

 

All Other Fees. Deloitte & Touche LLP didThis review and evaluation took into account the restatements described in Note P to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and, after considering the nature of and the isolated effects of such restatements on the consolidated statements of cash flows and the controls underlying the accumulation of the related information, the Company’s management has concluded that the restatement was not render any services other than the services described under the above captionsresult of a material weakness in 2004 and 2003.internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

 (a)The following documents are filed as part of this report:

1.Financial Statements. The following financial statements of the Registrant are included in response to Item 8 of this report:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Registrant and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and 2003.

Consolidated Statements of Operations of the Registrant and Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) of the Registrant and Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of the Registrant and Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2004 (restated), 2003 (restated) and 2002.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Registrant and Subsidiaries.

2.Financial Statement Schedules. The following financial statement scheduled is included in response to Item 8 of this report:

Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

 3.Exhibits. The following exhibits were filed as required by Item 15(a)(3) of this report. Exhibit numbers refer to the paragraph numbers under Item 601 of Regulation S-K:

 

2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 30, 2001, by and among Registrant, TBIO Nebraska, Inc., TBIO, Inc. and Annovis, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2001)

2.2 Addendum to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 18, 2001, by and among Registrant, TBIO Nebraska, Inc., TBIO, Inc. and Annovis, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2001)

2.3 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2004, by and between Registrant and Eyetech Boulder Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K (Registration No. 000-30975) filed on April 15, 2005)

3.1 Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-32174) filed on May 17, 2000)

3.2 Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-32174) filed on March 10, 2000)

4.1 Form of Certificate of the Registrant’s Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-32174) filed on March 10, 2000)

10.1 Fourth Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K (Registration No. 000-30975) filed on April 15, 2005)

10.2 1999 UK Approved Stock Option Sub Plan of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-32174) filed on March 10, 2000)

10.3 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-71866) filed on October 19, 2001)

10.4 Employment Agreement, dated April 1, 2000, by and between the Registrant and Collin J. D’Silva (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-32174) filed on March 10, 2000)

10.5 Amendment No. 1 to the Employment Agreement, effective March 1, 2000, by and between Transgenomic, Inc. and Collin D’Silva (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 17, 2004)

10.6 Employment Agreement, effective July 31, 2004, by and between Transgenomic, Inc. and Michael A. Summers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 15, 2004).

10.7 Employment Agreement, dated January 22, 2002, between the Registrant and Keith A. Johnson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 14, 2002)

10.8 License Agreement, dated September 1, 1994, between Registrant and Professor Dr. Gunther Bonn, et. al. and Amendment thereto, dated March 14, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-32174) filed on March 10, 2000)

10.9 License Agreement, dated August 20, 1997, between the Registrant and Leland Stanford Junior University (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-32174) filed on March 10, 2000)

10.10 License Agreement, dated December 1, 1989, between Cruachem Holdings Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant) and Millipore Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 25, 2002)

10.11 Sublicense Agreement, dated October 1, 1991, between Cruachem Holdings Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant) and Applied Biosystems, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 25, 2002)

10.12 Missives, dated May 17, 2002, between Cruachem Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant) and Robinson Nugent (Scotland) Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2002)

10.13 License Amendment Agreement, dated June 2, 2003, by and between Geron Corporation and the Registrant. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2003)

10.14 Supply Agreement, dated January 1, 2000, between the Registrant and Hitachi Instruments (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-32174) filed on March 10, 2000)

10.15 Form of Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Registrant and various counterparties, dated August 27, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2003)

10.16 Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Registrant and Geron Corporation, dated June 2, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.0 to Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-108319) as filed on October 14, 2003)

10.17 Security Agreement by and between the Registrant and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., dated December 3, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (Registration No. 333-111442) filed on December 22, 2003)

10.18 Amendment to Security Agreement and Related Documents by and between the Registrant and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., dated August 31, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-118970) as filed on September 14, 2004)

10.19 Secured Revolving Note by and between the Registrant and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., dated December 3, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (Registration No. 333-111442) filed on December 22, 2003)

10.20 Secured Convertible Minimum Borrowing Note by and between the Registrant and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., dated December 3, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (Registration No. 333-111442) filed on December 22, 2003)

10.21 Secured Convertible Minimum Borrowing Note Series B by and between the Registrant and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., dated December 3, 2003, as amended on April 15, 2004 (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement of the Registrant (Registration No. 333-114661) filed on April 21, 2004)

10.22 Common Stock Purchase Warrant by and between the Registrant and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., dated December 3, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (Registration No. 333-111442) filed on December 22, 2003)

10.23 Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Registrant and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., dated December 3, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (Registration No. 333-111442) filed on December 22, 2003)

10.24 Common Stock Purchase Warrant by and between the Registrant and TN Capital Equities, Ltd., dated December 3, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (Registration No. 333-111442) filed on December 22, 2003)

10.25 Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Registrant and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., dated February 19, 2004, as amended on April 15, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (Registration No. 333-114661) filed on April 21, 2004)

10.26 Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement and Related Document by and between the Registrant and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., dated August 31, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-118970) as filed on September 14, 2004)

10.27 Secured Convertible Term Note by and between the Registrant and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., dated February 19, 2004, as amended on April 15, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (Registration No. 333-114661) filed on April 21, 2004)

10.28 Common Stock Purchase Warrant by and between the Registrant and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., dated February 19, 2004, as amended on April 15, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (Registration No. 333-114661) filed on April 21, 2004)

10.29 Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Registrant and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., dated February 19, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (Registration No. 333-114661) filed on April 21, 2004)

10.30 Common Stock Purchase Warrants by and between the Registrant and TN Capital Equities, Ltd., dated March 1, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (Registration No. 333-114661) filed on April 21, 2004)

10.31 Common Stock Purchase Warrant by and between the Registrant and Laurus Master Fund, Ltd., dated August 31, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-118970) as filed on September 14, 2004)

10.32 Engagement Agreement by and between the Registrant and Goldsmith, Agio, Helms Securities, Inc., dated March 19, 2004, as amended August 12, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 15, 2004)

23Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 31Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.2002

 

 32Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this amended report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned.undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on this 26th day of May 2005.

 

TRANSGENOMIC, INC.

By:

 

/s/ COLLIN J. D’SILVA


  

Collin J. D’Silva,

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this amended report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on this 2nd26th day of May 2005.

 

Signature


  

Title


/s/S/ COLLIN J. D’SILVA


Collin J. D’Silva

  

Chairman of the Board, Director and Chief Executive Officer (Principal
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/S/ MICHAEL A. SUMMERS


Michael A. Summers

  

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/S/ GREGORY J. DUMAN*


Gregory J. Duman

  

Director

/s/S/ JEFFREY SKLAR*


Jeffrey Sklar

  

Director

/s/S/ ROLAND J. SANTONI*


Roland J. Santoni

  

Director

/s/S/ PARAG SAXENA*


Parag Saxena

  

Director

/s/S/ GREGORY T. SLOMA*


Gregory T. Sloma

  

Director

*By Collin J. D’Silva, as attorney-in-fact   

/s/S/ COLLIN J. D’SILVA


Collin J. D’Silva

Attorney-in-fact for the individuals as indicated.

   

 

Schedule II – Valuation And Qualifying Accounts

(dollars in thousands)

 

   

Beginning

Balance


  

Additional

Charges

to Income


  

Deductions

from Reserve


  

Ending

Balance


Allowance for Bad Debts:

                

Year Ended December 31, 2004

  $549  $534  $32  $1,051

Year Ended December 31, 2003

  $450  $174  $75  $549

Year Ended December 31, 2002

  $213  $418  $181  $450

33