# Stablecoin Development Corp: Form 10-Q for the period ended Jun 30, 2015 - Company: [Stablecoin Development Corp](/companies/sdev.md) (CIK 1389545) - Form: 10-Q - Filed: 2015-08-13 - Accepted by EDGAR: Aug 13, 2015, 16:17 ET - Period: 2015-06-30 - Accession: 0001437749-15-015745 - Inline XBRL: yes - Main document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1389545/000143774915015745/nby20150630_10q.htm - All documents and exhibits: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1389545/000143774915015745/ ## Figures reported in this filing Standardized XBRL line items for the period ended 2015-06-30. | Line item | Period | Value | XBRL concept | | --- | --- | ---: | --- | | Revenue | 3 months, 2015-04-01 to 2015-06-30 | $1.0m | us-gaap:SalesRevenueNet | | Revenue | 6 months, 2015-01-01 to 2015-06-30 | $1.5m | us-gaap:SalesRevenueNet | | Cost of revenue | 3 months, 2015-04-01 to 2015-06-30 | $253.0k | us-gaap:CostOfGoodsSold | | Cost of revenue | 6 months, 2015-01-01 to 2015-06-30 | $401.0k | us-gaap:CostOfGoodsSold | | Gross profit | 3 months, 2015-04-01 to 2015-06-30 | $755.0k | us-gaap:GrossProfit | | Gross profit | 6 months, 2015-01-01 to 2015-06-30 | $1.1m | us-gaap:GrossProfit | | Research and development | 3 months, 2015-04-01 to 2015-06-30 | $1.2m | us-gaap:ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense | | Research and development | 6 months, 2015-01-01 to 2015-06-30 | $2.9m | us-gaap:ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense | | Selling, general and administrative | 3 months, 2015-04-01 to 2015-06-30 | $4.4m | us-gaap:SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense | | Selling, general and administrative | 6 months, 2015-01-01 to 2015-06-30 | $7.8m | us-gaap:SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense | | Operating income | 3 months, 2015-04-01 to 2015-06-30 | −$4.9m | us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | | Operating income | 6 months, 2015-01-01 to 2015-06-30 | −$9.5m | us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | | Income tax | 3 months, 2015-04-01 to 2015-06-30 | $6.0k | us-gaap:IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit | | Income tax | 6 months, 2015-01-01 to 2015-06-30 | $8.0k | us-gaap:IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit | | Diluted EPS | 3 months, 2015-04-01 to 2015-06-30 | −$0.07 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted | | Diluted EPS | 6 months, 2015-01-01 to 2015-06-30 | −$0.16 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted | | Diluted shares (weighted) | 3 months, 2015-04-01 to 2015-06-30 | 66,331,000 shares | us-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding | | Diluted shares (weighted) | 6 months, 2015-01-01 to 2015-06-30 | 60,384,000 shares | us-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding | | Operating cash flow | 6 months, 2015-01-01 to 2015-06-30 | −$9.9m | us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | | Capital expenditure | 6 months, 2015-01-01 to 2015-06-30 | $22.0k | us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | | Cash and equivalents | at 2015-06-30 | $7.2m | us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue | | Current assets | at 2015-06-30 | $9.6m | us-gaap:AssetsCurrent | | Total assets | at 2015-06-30 | $10.2m | us-gaap:Assets | | Current liabilities | at 2015-06-30 | $2.8m | us-gaap:LiabilitiesCurrent | | Total liabilities | at 2015-06-30 | $5.3m | us-gaap:Liabilities | | Shareholders' equity | at 2015-06-30 | $4.9m | us-gaap:StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | ## Management's discussion and analysis As filed, 30,884 characters. *The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Part I, Item 1 of this report, and with our consolidated financial statements and related notes, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2015. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as “expects,” “anticipated,” “will,” “may,” “goals,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” variations of these words, and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. As a result of many factors, such as those set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A and elsewhere in this report, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon assumptions made that we believed to be reasonable at the time, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements.* ### Overview We are a biopharmaceutical company focused on addressing the unmet therapeutic needs of the global, topical anti-infective market with two distinct technologies: (1) Neutrox™, our proprietary pure hypochlorous acid solution, and (2) our novel Aganocide® compounds. Using the Neutrox technology, we have developed three branded products, namely, Avenova™ (previously known as i-Lid Cleanser) for the eye care market, NeutroPhase® for the wound-care market, and CelleRx® for the dermatology market. Our novel and patented Aganocide compounds are still in clinical development. In April 2015, we also received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market our newly developed product- intelli-Case™ with hydrogen peroxide solutions, for the eye care market. ### Products Containing Neutrox Neutrox is a pure, proprietary, stable formulation of hypochlorous acid (“HOCl”) in saline. HOCl is a naturally occurring compound that has been perfected over millions of years by the human immune system to be the “molecule of choice” to destroy pathogens. *In vitro* studies with HOCl have demonstrated broad-spectrum, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial toxin activity. Three branded Neutrox-containing products are currently being commercialized as prescription medical devices: Avenova, NeutroPhase, and CelleRx. ***Avenova (Ophthalmology).*** Launched in the United States in 2014, Avenova (0.01% Neutrox) is the only prescription product for daily eyelid and eyelash hygiene. Cleansing with Avenova removes microorganisms and debris from the skin on eyelids and lashes without burning or irritation. A growing number of patients with blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction (“MGD”) and associated dry eye syndrome have found Avenova to be soothing and effective at removing microorganisms and debris, and many key opinion leaders in the field of eye care have embraced Avenova for the management of these eye conditions. In August 2014, we launched Avenova through a dedicated direct salesforce in the United States. Our medical sales representatives are targeting both optometrists and ophthalmologists, educating them on the attributes of Avenova as an advancement in the management of blepharitis, MGD and associated dry eye. Avenova is available under a prescription from approximately 90 percent of the retail pharmacies nationwide through distribution agreements with AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Cardinal Health and McKesson Corporation. Avenova also has been added to the Vision Source Independent Optometry Network, which is the largest independent optometry network in the country, representing 2,800 independent optometrist offices. Avenova is well suited for daily use by the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic eye conditions like blepharitis and MGD. We estimate the U.S. market size for Avenova for the management of blepharitis and MGD at approximately $500 million, and we believe that no other commercial products offer the unique advantages of Avenova. We are currently in process of seeking partners to distribute Avenova outside of the U.S. Avenova is priced reasonably for consumers and is subject to private pay. ***NeutroPhase (Wound Care).*** Since its U.S. launch in 2013, NeutroPhase has made a significant impact in wound care. Consisting of 0.03% Neutrox, NeutroPhase may be used to cleanse and remove microorganisms from any type of acute or chronic wound, and can be used with any type of wound care modality. Recently, NeutroPhase has been found to be an effective irrigation solution as part of the adjunct treatment for Necrotizing Fasciitis (“NF”). Also known as flesh-eating disease, NF typically has a high mortality and amputation rate (30% and 70%, respectively) even with aggressive debridement and antibiotic treatment. In vitro studies have shown that NeutroPhase not only kills the microorganisms implicated in NF, but also neutralizes the toxins secreted by the microorganisms. Success using NeutroPhase as an irrigation solution has established it as an effective part of the adjunct treatment for this deadly disease. We believe that NeutroPhase is well-suited to treat the six-million patients in the U.S. who suffer from chronic non-healing wounds, such as pressure, venous stasis and diabetic ulcers. In March 2015, NeutroPhase was name the official wound cleanser by the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation. In the U.S. and internationally, NeutroPhase is distributed through commercial partners. In January 2012, we entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Pioneer Pharma Holdings Limited (HK: 1345), or “Pioneer,” a Shanghai-based company, for the distribution of NeutroPhase throughout Southeast Asia and mainland China. We recently expanded the agreement with Pioneer so that it includes the licensing rights to CelleRx and Avenova in the same markets. In the U.S., NeutroPhase is distributed through our partner, Principle Business Enterprise (“PBE”). We also have international distribution agreements for NeutroPhase with (1) Biopharm for MENA region (Middle East North Africa), (2) Alpha Pharma LLC for Ukraine, and (3) Shin-Poong Pharma for South Korea. We are in the process of securing other partnerships for distribution of NeutroPhase around the world. ***CelleRx (Dermatology).*** Created for cosmetic procedures, CelleRx™ (0.015% Neutrox) is a gentle cleansing solution, which is effective for post laser resurfacing, chemical peels and other cosmetic surgery procedures. Cosmetic surgeons and aesthetic dermatologists have found that CelleRx results in less pain, less erythema, and less exudates compared to saline. CelleRx is a non-alcohol formulation that doesn’t dry or stain the skin, and most importantly, may reduce the patient’s down-time post procedure. We are currently looking for partners to commercialize CelleRx around the world. ### Aganocide Compounds Still in the Development Stage Our first-in-class Aganocide compounds, led by auriclosene (NVC-422), are patented, synthetic molecules with a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria, viruses and fungi. In 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved *auriclosene* as the new generic nomenclature for NVC-422, one of our Aganocide compounds. We have explored the use of our auriclosene in the indications of urology, dermatology, and ophthalmology. We are seeking development partners for our auriclosene products. ### Newly Developed Intelli-Case with Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions In April 2015, we received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market our newly developed product for eye care market- intelli-Case. Following the launch of Avenova, intelli-Case with hydrogen peroxide solutions is the second in a series of new products that we are developing in the eye care market. Hydrogen peroxide is an industry standard for disinfection of contact lenses, but can irritate the eye or fail to kill bacteria if not used correctly. Our new intelli-Case ensures the adequacy of the disinfection cycle and that the contact lenses are safe for insertion into the eyes, potentially benefiting millions of contact lens users. The intelli-Case is an innovative and easy-to-use device for the millions of Americans who wear contact lenses and want to use an effective disinfection system. The intelli-Case monitors the neutralization of hydrogen peroxide during the disinfection cycle with microprocessor electronics embedded in the cap of what otherwise looks like a standard peroxide lens case. The high-tech cap has three LED lights labeled UNSAFE, BUSY and READY. Lenses are placed into the case with hydrogen peroxide solution. The green light (READY) blinks when lenses are safe to insert into the eyes and continues to blink green until contact lenses are removed from the case. The intelli-Case can be co-packaged with a hydrogen peroxide disinfection and cleaning solution and we are actively seeking a partnership with a hydrogen peroxide manufacturer. We believe that replacing the standard case that is typically boxed with hydrogen peroxide solutions with intelli-Case would make a differentiated product attractive to both eye care professionals and contact lens users. ### Recent Events In January 2015, we exhibited Avenova at Arab Health 2015. Held January 26-29, 2015, at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre in the United Arab Emirates, now in its 40th year, Arab Health 2015 is the largest healthcare conference in the world. In January 2015, we signed a nationwide distribution agreement with Cardinal Health, which delivers prescription drugs and many other products to retail pharmacies, hospitals, mail-order facilities, physician offices, surgery centers and other facilities across the U.S. Under the agreement, Cardinal Health will carry and distribute our Avenova product. In January 2015, we entered into a new agreement with Sarmedic Ltd to market Avenova in Israel. In January 2015, we expanded our direct salesforce for Avenova from 15 medical representatives to 35 medical representatives. In February 2015, we deployed 35 dedicated medical representatives in major markets across the U.S. In March 2015, we announced an exclusive distribution agreement with Alpha Pharma LLC to market NeutroPhase in the Ukraine. In March 2015, we entered into a securities purchase agreement for the sale of our common stock and warrants in a private placement for net proceeds of approximately $4.5 million. In April 2015, we announced the appointment of Mark M. Sieczkarek as Chairman of the Board and LI Xinzhou (Paul Li) as a Director, effective April 10, 2015. NovaBay founder Dr. Ron Najafi remains on the Board and continues to serve as NovaBay’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Sieczkarek has served as a director of NovaBay since January 2014. In April 2015, we signed a U.S. distribution agreement for Avenova with AmerisourceBergen, one of the largest global pharmaceutical sourcing and distribution services companies. In April 2015, we received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market our newly developed product- intelli-Case with hydrogen peroxide solutions, for the eye care market. In May, 2015, we entered into a securities purchase agreement for the sale of $6,863,000 of our common stock and warrants to purchase common stock in a private placement. ### Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for interim reporting. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. In preparing these consolidated financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements giving due consideration to materiality. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments related to revenue recognition, research and development costs, patent costs, stock-based compensation, income taxes and other contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited), included in Part I, Item 1 of this report, and are also described in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. We have not materially changed these policies from those reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. ### Recent Accounting Pronouncements There have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the six months ended June 30, 2015, as compared to the recent accounting pronouncements described in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, that are of significance or potential significance to the Company. ### Results of Operations ### Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 #### Revenue Total revenue was $1.00 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, compared to $123,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2014. Total revenue was $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to $411,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2014. The increases were related to sales of our Avenova product, for which we started commercialization in August 2014, partially offset by a decrease in collaboration revenue. In November 2014, we signed a nationwide distribution agreement for Avenova with McKesson Corporation (“McKesson”). The agreement is part of our commercialization strategy. McKesson makes Avenova widely available in local pharmacies and major retail chains across the U.S., such as Wal-Mart, Costco, CVS and Target. In January 2015, we signed a nationwide distribution agreement with Cardinal Health, which delivers prescription drugs and many other products to retail pharmacies, hospitals, mail-order facilities, physician offices, surgery centers and other facilities across the U.S. Under the agreement, Cardinal Health will carry and distribute our Avenova product. In April 2015, we signed a U.S. distribution agreement for Avenova with AmerisourceBergen, one of the largest global pharmaceutical sourcing and distribution services companies. #### Research and Development Total research and development expenses decreased by 41% to $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, from $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014. Total research and development expenses decreased by 40% to $2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, from $4.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. These decreases relates to the decrease in clinical activities as we completed our BAYnovation trial for viral conjunctivitis and our BACTOvation trial for bacterial conjunctivitis in 2014. #### Sales, General and Administrative Sales, general and administrative expenses increased by 153% to $4.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, from $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014. Sales, general and administrative expenses increased by 126% to $7.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, from $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increases were due increases in sales representative headcount and sales and marketing activities for the launch of ’Avenova, which we started in August 2014. We expect to incur increasing sales, general and administrative expenses throughout 2015 and in subsequent years as we support our launch of our Neutrox family of products. #### Non-Cash Gain (Loss) on Changes in Fair Value of Warrants The non-cash gain (loss) on changes in fair value of warrants relates to the fair value adjustment to the warrants issued with our July 2011 registered direct offering of common stock and warrants. This balance will fluctuate with the price of our stock. #### Other Income (Expense), Net Other income (expense), net changes were primarily attributable to the gains and losses on sales of our investments and losses on disposal of property. We expect that other income (expense), net will fluctuate based on our cash balances and the fluctuation in the returns on our investments. ### Liquidity and Capital Resources As of June 30, 2015, our cash and cash equivalents were $7.2 million, compared to $5.4 million at December 31, 2014. Since December 31, 2014, we have raised net proceeds of $0.8 million related to sales of our stock through our ATM Agreement set up in 2013. Since December 31, 2014, we closed two financings in which we raised a total of $11.6 million, or approximately $10.9 million in net cash proceeds We believe our cash and cash equivalents in combination with our plans to raise capital are sufficient to fund our planned operations over the next twelve months through June 30, 2016. Our capital requirements going forward will depend on numerous factors including: - net income generated from sales of our Neutrox Family products; - the number and characteristics of product development programs we pursue and the pace of each program; - the scope, rate of progress, results and costs of clinical trials; - the time, cost and outcome involved in seeking regulatory approvals; - our ability to establish and maintain strategic collaborations or partnerships for clinical trials, manufacturing and marketing of our product candidates; and - the cost of establishing clinical and commercial supplies of our product candidates and any products that we may develop. Until we can generate sufficient product revenue, we expect to finance future cash needs through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or corporate collaboration and licensing arrangements. To the extent that we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our shareholders may experience dilution. In addition, debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants. To the extent that we raise additional funds through collaboration and licensing arrangements, it may be necessary to relinquish some rights to our technologies or product candidates, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. If adequate funds are not available, we may be required to delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate one or more of our research or development programs or to obtain funds through collaborations for some of our technologies or product candidates that we would otherwise seek to develop on our own. Such collaborations may not be on favorable terms or they may require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or product candidates. ### Cash Used in Operating Activities For the six months ended June 30, 2015, cash used in operating activities was $9.9 million compared to $8.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increase in 2015 of cash used in operating activities was due to spending on sales and marketing activities for the launch of ’Avenova, which we started in August 2014, and inventory to support our growth, partially offset by a decrease in spending on clinical trials completed in 2014. ### Cash Provided By Investing Activities For the six months ended June 30, 2015, cash provided by investing activities of $15,000 was attributed to proceeds received on disposal of equipment, net of cash spent on purchases of property and equipment ### Cash Provided by Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities of $ 11.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, was primarily attributable to the sale of common stock and warrants in our financing completed in May 2015 and March 2015 and the sale of our common stock under our ATM agreement. Net cash provided by financing activities of $6.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014, was primarily attributable to the sale of common stock and warrants in our March 2014 financing and the sale of our common stock under our ATM agreement. ### Our Business Strategy- Focus on Ophthalmology Market Following a comprehensive review of our assets, competitive positions, and markets and market dynamics at the end of 2014, we determined that focusing on eye care, our largest business segment, affords us the best opportunity for near-term revenue growth and, ultimately, profitability and positive operating cash flow. We will continue to support the distribution agreements in place for our other products and in international markets, and are committed to monetizing other assets. We have significantly reduced expenses for the support of programs outside of eye care, with the exception of those programs that are funded through collaborations or partnerships. Our current business strategy is to focus on eye care. We have three business priorities: **Revenue Growth in Eye Care –** In January 2015, we increased our direct salesforce for the promotion of Avenova daily-use prescription eye care product to 35 medical representatives, most of whom have more than 10 years of experience promoting ophthalmic products. By February, all 35 medical sales representatives were deployed in major U.S. markets. To further bolster our presence in the market and capitalize on our market acceptance, we plan to expand the salesforce to 50 medical representatives by the end of the third quarter of 2015. **Product Line Expansion in Eye Care –** We continue to develop innovative products for the eye care market and plan to add new products currently in development in the next 12 to 18 months. In April 2015, we received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market our newly developed product for the eye care market- intelli-Case. Following the launch of Avenova, intelli-Case is the second in a series of new products that we are developing in the eye care market. **Partnerships to Monetize Other Assets –** While we remain committed to the partnerships we currently have in wound care with (1) China’s Pioneer Pharma, PBE in the U.S., Korea’s Shin-Poong Pharma, the Middle East’s Biopharm Group and Alpha Pharma LLC in the Ukraine to market NeutroPhase; (2) in animal care with Virbac; and (3) in dermatology with Galderma. Sarmedic Ltd has exclusive distribution rights for Avenova in Israel. China’s Pioneer Pharma and its subsidiaries have distribution rights for Avenova and NeutroPhase in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia and Laos. We intend to seek additional sources of revenue and reduce expenses by licensing or selling select assets in urology, dermatology, wound care, and cosmetic surgery/aesthetic dermatology. ### Revenue Growth in Eye Care The eye care market that we currently address through our direct salesforce is large. An estimated 30 million Americans suffer from eyelid conditions such as blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and associated dry eye syndrome. We estimate that the annual market for these conditions collectively represents an estimated $500 million in the U.S. alone. In January 2015, we rebranded what was previously known as i-Lid Cleanser to Avenova, in order to more clearly differentiate this prescription product from over-the-counter (OTC) detergent-based lid wipes. Our prescription-only Avenova offers advantages as a part of the regimen for managing these eyelid conditions compared with alternative regimens, such as antibiotics, steroids and detergent-based OTC cleansers. In August 2014, we started commercialization of Avenova with a salesforce of 10 dedicated medical sales representatives led by Glenn Moro, our Vice President, Sales and Marketing Avenova. Mr. Moro is a proven marketing leader in the eye care industry, who served for 27 years in various leadership marketing and sales roles at Alcon Laboratories, Inc., culminating in the position of Global Director of Marketing for the Contact Lens Care products. We expanded our direct salesforce to 35 medical representatives in January 2015 focusing promotion of Avenova to ophthalmologists and optometrists. Based on extensive market research, we have assigned our sales representatives to the markets across the U.S. representing the highest sale potential for Avenova. Through our distribution agreements with AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Cardinal Health, McKesson Corporation, Avenova is available under a prescription through approximately 90 percent of the 67,000 retail pharmacies across the U.S. Avenova also has been added to the Vision Source Independent Optometry Network, which is the largest independent optometry network in the country, representing 2,800 independent optometrist offices. With the active support of the key opinion leaders in the field of eye care, some of whom have joined our Ophthalmic and Optometry Advisory Boards, we expect to continue our active educational and marketing programs for Avenova throughout 2015. We plan to have an active presence at major eye care conference in the coming months. Industry conferences we have attended or are targeting in 2015 include the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Conferences and the South Eastern Congress of Optometry, as well as numerous Vision Expo meetings held around the U.S. At eye care industry conferences and meetings, and in professional publications and surveys, nationally prominent ophthalmologists and optometrists are reporting improvements in the management of eyelid conditions for patients using Avenova. We also have heard from patients that Avenova has brought long-sought relief after years of suffering from blepharitis, and MGD and associated dry eye. ### Product Line Expansion in Eye Care We plan to expand our product offering in eye care by developing or acquiring new products to be promoted by our direct salesforce of medical representatives. We are developing new formulations in our Neutrox and Aganocide product categories that we believe will strengthen our position as an eye-care innovator. We intend to create proprietary products with novel formulations of Neutrox for the management of blepharitis, and MGD and associated dry eye syndrome. We are currently developing an Aganocide-based topical product that may complement the action of Neutrox-based solutions. We are actively evaluating a number of existing products to be synergistic with and complementary to Avenova. All products under consideration are intended to leverage our direct salesforce of medical representatives and bolster its productivity. Intelli-Case with hydrogen peroxide solutions is the second in a series of new products that we are developing in the eye care market. In April 2015, we received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market our newly developed product for eye care market- intelli-Case. The intelli-Case can be co-packaged with a hydrogen peroxide disinfection and cleaning solution and we are actively seeking a partnership with a hydrogen peroxide solution manufacturer. We believe that replacing the standard case that is typically boxed with hydrogen peroxide solutions with the intelli-Case would make a differentiated product attractive to both eye care professionals and contact lens users. ### Partnerships to Monetize Other Assets We intend to consider strategic alternatives for our assets and technology for programs not related to eye care. We plan to retain and support our partnerships to market NeutroPhase with our partner worldwide, PBE, China Pioneer Pharma, Shin-Poong Pharma, the Biopharm Group and Alpha Pharma LLC. The potential markets are significant, with an estimated 24 million people suffering from diabetic ulcers and other chronic wounds in China alone, and millions more in Middle Eastern countries. We also see a value in the proven ability of our Auriclosene product to reduce the encrustation and blockage of in-dwelling urinary catheters. We are working with investment bankers to monetize that value by identifying a suitable partner. ### Net Operating Losses and Tax Credit Carryforwards As of December 31, 2014, we had net operating loss carryforwards for federal and state income tax purposes of $61.9 million and $61.8 million, respectively. If not utilized, the federal and state net operating loss carryforwards will begin expiring at various dates between 2015 and 2034. As of December 31, 2014, we also had tax credit carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of $387,000. Current federal and California tax laws include substantial restrictions on the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards in the event of an ownership change of a corporation. Accordingly, our ability to utilize net operating loss carryforwards may be limited as a result of such ownership changes. Such a limitation could result in the expiration of carryforwards before they are utilized. ### Inflation We do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our business and operating results during the periods presented, and we do not expect it to have a material impact in the near future, though, there can be no assurances that our business will not be affected by inflation in the future. ### Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as of June 30, 2015. ### Contractual Obligations Our commitments at June 30, 2015, consist of an operating lease. The operating lease consists of payments relating to the lease for various laboratory and office space in one office building in Emeryville, California. This lease expires on October 31, 2020, and the total commitment as of June 30, 2015, is $3.6 million due over the lease term, compared to $3.9 million as of December 31, 2014. ## Market risk As filed, 2,013 characters. Our market risk consists principally of interest rate risk on our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments. Our exposure to market risk is limited primarily to interest income sensitivity, which is affected by changes in interest rates, particularly because the majority of our investments are in short-term debt securities. Our investment policy restricts our investments to high-quality investments and limits the amounts invested with any one issuer, industry, or geographic area. The goals of our investment policy are as follows: preservation of capital; assurance of liquidity needs; best available return on invested capital; and minimization of capital taxation. Some of the securities in which we invest may be subject to market risk. This means that a change in prevailing interest rates may cause the principal amount of the investment to fluctuate. For example, if we hold a security that was issued with an interest rate fixed at the then-prevailing rate and the prevailing interest rate later rises, the principal amount of our investment will probably decline. To minimize this risk, in accordance with our investment policy, we maintain our cash and cash equivalents in short-term marketable securities, including money market mutual funds, Treasury bills, Treasury notes, commercial paper, and corporate and municipal bonds. The risk associated with fluctuating interest rates is limited to our investment portfolio. Due to the short term nature of our investment portfolio, we believe we have minimal interest rate risk arising from our investments. As of June 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, we did not have any short-term marketable securities as all our investment portfolio was held in cash and cash equivalents. We do not use derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. We do not hold any instruments for trading purposes. To date, we have operated exclusively in the United States and have not had any material exposure to foreign currency rate fluctuations. ## Controls and procedures As filed, 2,139 characters. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act was accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures necessarily involves the exercise of judgment by management. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. ### Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2015, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. ## Risk factors As filed, 76,995 characters. *Our business is subject to a number of risks, the most important of which are discussed below. You should consider carefully the following risks in addition to the other information contained in this report and our other filings with the SEC, before deciding to buy, sell or hold our common stock. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe are not important may also impair our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected, the value of our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment. These risks have not changed substantively from the risks described under Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2015.* ### Risks Relating to Our Business ***Our future success is largely dependent on the successful commercialization of Avenova, CelleRx, NeutroPhase, and intelli-Case.*** The future success of our business is largely dependent upon the successful commercialization of Avenova, CelleRx, NeutroPhase, and intelli-Case. We are dedicating a substantial amount of our resources to advance Avenova and certain resources to advance CelleRx, NeutroPhase, and intelli-Case as aggressively as possible over the next twelve months. If we encounter difficulties in the commercialization of Avenova, CelleRx, NeutroPhase, and intelli-Case, we will not have the resources necessary to continue our business in its current form. If we are unable to establish and maintain adequate sales, marketing and distribution capabilities or enter into or maintain agreements with third parties to do so, we may be unable to successfully commercialize our products. We believe we are creating an efficient commercial organization, taking advantage of outsourcing options where prudent to maximize the effectiveness of our commercial expenditures. However, we may not be able to correctly judge the size and experience of the sales and marketing force and the scale of distribution necessary to be successful. Establishing and maintaining sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities are expensive and time-consuming. Such expenses may be disproportionate compared to the revenues we may be able to generate on sales of Avenova, CelleRx, NeutroPhase, and intelli-Case. If this occurs, it will have an adverse impact on operations and ability to fund any future development or ongoing clinical trials. ***We may be unable to raise additional capital on acceptable terms in the future which may in turn limit our ability to develop and commercialize products and technologies.*** As of June 30, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $7.2 million. While we have reduced our staff levels and reduced both our research and general expenditures, we expect our capital outlays and operating expenditures to increase over at least the next several years as we expand our clinical and regulatory activities as well as expand our sales activities with respect to Avenova and intelli-Case. Launching a new product is very expensive, and we expect that we will need to raise additional capital, through future private or public equity offerings, strategic alliances or debt financing, before we achieve a breakeven point between expenses and product sales. In addition, we may require even more significant capital outlays and operating expenditures if we do not continue to partner with third parties to develop and commercialize our products. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including: - the ramp and amount of our sales of Avenova, CellRx, NeutroPhase and other products; - the extent to which we receive milestone payments or other funding from corporate partners, if any; - the scope, rate of progress and cost of our pre-clinical studies and clinical trials and other research and development activities; - future clinical trial results; - the terms and timing of any collaborative, licensing and other arrangements that we may establish; - the cost and timing of regulatory approvals; - the cost of establishing clinical and commercial supplies of our product candidates and any products that we may develop; - the effect of competing technological and market developments; - the costs associated with marketing and selling Avenova, CelleRx, NeutroPhase and intelli-Case; - the cost of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights; and - the extent to which we acquire or invest in businesses, products and technologies, although we currently have no commitments or agreements relating to any of these types of transactions. Additional financing may not be available on favorable terms, or at all. Our ability to obtain additional financing may be negatively affected by the recent volatility in the financial markets, as well as the general downturn in the economy and decreased consumer confidence. Even if we succeed in selling additional securities to raise funds, our existing stockholders’ ownership percentage would be diluted and new investors may demand rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. If we raise additional capital through strategic alliance and licensing arrangements, we may have to trade our rights to our technology, intellectual property or products to others on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we raise additional capital through debt financing, the financing may involve covenants that restrict our business activities. In addition, it is often the case that the cost of pharmaceutical development can be significantly greater than initially anticipated. This may be due to any of a large number of possible reasons, some of which could have been anticipated, while others may be caused by unpredictable circumstances. A significant increase in our costs would cause the amount of financing that would be required to enable us to achieve our goals to be likewise increased. If we determine that we need to raise additional funds and we are not successful in doing so, we may be unable to complete the clinical development of some or all of our product candidates or to seek or obtain FDA approval of our product candidates. Such events could force us to discontinue product development, enter into a relationship with a strategic partner earlier than currently intended, reduce sales and marketing efforts or forego attractive business opportunities. ***We have a history of losses and expect that we will incur net losses in the future, and that we may never achieve or maintain sustained profitability.*** We have incurred net losses each year since our inception through June 30, 2015, with the exception of 2009. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we had net losses of approximately $15.2 million, $16.0 million and $7.0 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, we had net losses of approximately $9.5 million. We were able to record a profit in 2009 due to our receipt of a $3.75 million milestone payment under our agreement with Galderma; however, there is no assurance that we will receive any additional large milestone payments under this or any other agreement and, as a result, may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability in the future. Through June 30, 2015, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $81.1 million. We have been, and expect to remain for the foreseeable future, engaged in research and development, in addition to our commercialization efforts. We have incurred substantial research and development expenses, which were approximately $9.5 million, $12.5 million and $9.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. We also expect to incur substantial marketing and sales expenses as we have just recently launched Avenova. We expect to incur losses for the foreseeable future, and we may never achieve or maintain sustained profitability. We anticipate that our expenses related to our clinical trials and regulatory activities will increase substantially in the foreseeable future as we: - incur commercialization expenditures for Avenova and other products; - conduct pre-clinical studies and clinical trials for our product candidates in different indications; - develop, formulate, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates either independently or with partners; - pursue, acquire or in-license additional compounds, products or technologies, or expand the use of our technology; - maintain, defend and expand the scope of our intellectual property; and - hire additional qualified personnel. We will need to generate significant revenues to achieve and maintain profitability. If we cannot successfully market and sell Avenova and NeutroPhase, either independently or with partners, we will not be able to generate sufficient revenues to achieve or maintain profitability in the future. Our failure to achieve and subsequently maintain profitability could have a material adverse impact on the market price of our common stock. ***We have limited data on the use of some of our products in humans and will need to perform costly and time consuming clinical trials to bring our product candidates to market.*** Much of the data that we have on our auriclosene compound is from in-vitro (laboratory) studies, in-vivo animal studies, Phase 1 human safety studies, or some small-scale Phase 2a or other exploratory clinical studies. We will need to conduct additional Phase 2 and Phase 3 human clinical trials to confirm such results in larger patient populations to obtain approval from the FDA of our Aganocide drug product candidates. Often, positive in-vitro, in-vivo animal studies, or early human clinical trials are not followed by positive results in later clinical trials, and we may not be able to demonstrate that our Aganocide product candidates are safe and effective for indicated uses in humans or that they are active against antibiotic resistant microbes, do not allow pathogens to develop resistance or are active against bacteria in biofilm. In addition, for each indication, we estimate that it will take between three and five years to conduct the necessary clinical trials. Because of the uncertainties associated with drug development and regulatory approval, we cannot determine if or when we will have an approved Aganocide product for commercialization or achieve sales or profits. ***If we are unable to develop and obtain regulatory approval for our Aganocide compounds, we may never generate product revenues from our Aganocide compounds.*** We have generated only limited revenues from sales of Avenova and NeutroPhase, and we cannot guarantee that we will ever be able to generate substantial revenue from Avenova, CelleRx, NeutroPhase, intelli-Case. Our Aganocide compounds are still in development and we will not be able to generate commercial revenue from the sale of these product candidates until we have received regulatory approval for them. Satisfaction of all regulatory requirements applicable to our product candidates typically takes many years, is dependent upon the type, complexity, novelty and classification of the product candidates, and requires the expenditure of substantial resources for research and development and testing. We must demonstrate that our product candidates satisfy rigorous standards of safety and efficacy before we can submit for and gain approval from the FDA and regulatory authorities in other countries. In addition, to compete effectively, our products will need to be easy to use, cost-effective and economical to manufacture on a commercial scale. We may not achieve any of these objectives. We cannot be certain that the clinical development of any of our current product candidates or any other product that we may develop in the future will be successful, that they will receive the regulatory approvals required to commercialize them, or that any of our other in-licensing efforts or pre-clinical testing will yield a product suitable for entry into clinical trials. For example, in August 2014 we announced that our ophthalmic formulation of auriclosene did not meet the primary or secondary endpoints in a Phase 2 clinical study in patients with adenoviral conjunctivitis, and that we do not intend to initiate any new studies of auriclosene for this indication. Our commercial revenues from sales of Aganocide products will be derived from sales of products that may not be commercially available for at least the next several years. If we are unable to successfully advance or develop our Aganocide compounds, it will have a material adverse effect on our business. ***We have three commercialized products, Avenova, CelleRx and NeutroPhase, and if these products do not gain market acceptance, our business will suffer. \**** A number of factors may affect the market acceptance of Avenova, CelleRx and NeutroPhase, or any other products we develop or acquire, including, among others: - the price of our products relative to other products for the same or similar treatments; - the perception by patients, physicians and other members of the health care community of the effectiveness and safety of our products for their indicated applications and treatments; - our ability to find the right distributor; and - the effectiveness of the sales and marketing efforts of our distributor. If our products do not gain market acceptance, we may not be able to support funding of our future operations, including developing, testing and obtaining regulatory approval for new product candidates, which would cause our business to suffer. ***Our commercialized products are not approved by the FDA as a drug, so we rely solely on the 510(k) clearance of Neutrox as a medical device.*** Our business and future growth depend on the development, use and sale of products that are subject to FDA regulation, clearance and approval. Under the U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other laws, we are prohibited from promoting our products for off-label uses. This means that we may not make claims about the safety or effectiveness of our products and may not proactively discuss or provide information on the use of our products, except as allowed by the FDA. As a medical device, our claims regarding efficacy are limited. Without claims of efficacy, market acceptance of our products may be slow. ***We may be subject to fines, penalties, injunctions and other sanctions if we are deemed to be promoting the use of our products for non-FDA-approved, or off-label, uses.*** There is a risk that the FDA or other federal or state law enforcement authorities could determine that the nature and scope of our sales and marketing activities may constitute the promotion of our products for a non-FDA-approved use in violation of applicable law. We also face the risk that the FDA or other regulatory authorities might pursue enforcement based on past activities that we have discontinued or changed, including sales activities, arrangements with institutions and doctors, educational and training programs and other activities. Government investigations concerning the promotion of off-label uses and related issues are typically expensive, disruptive and burdensome and generate negative publicity. If our promotional activities are found to be in violation of applicable law or if we agree to a settlement in connection with an enforcement action, we would likely face significant fines and penalties and would likely be required to substantially change our sales, promotion, grant and educational activities. In addition, were any enforcement actions against us or our senior officers to arise, we could be excluded from participation in U.S. government healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. ***We have limited experience in developing drugs and medical devices, and we may be unable to commercialize some of the products we develop.*** Development and commercialization of drugs and medical devices involves a lengthy and complex process. We have limited experience in developing products and have only one commercialized product in the market. In addition, no one has ever developed or commercialized a product based on our Aganocide compounds, and we cannot assure you that it is possible to develop, obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize any products based on these compounds or that we will be successful in doing so. Before we can develop and commercialize any new products, we will need to expend significant resources to: - undertake and complete clinical trials to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of our product candidates; - maintain and expand our intellectual property rights; - obtain marketing and other approvals from the FDA and other regulatory agencies; and - select collaborative partners with suitable manufacturing and commercial capabilities. The process of developing new products takes several years. Our product development efforts may fail for many reasons, including: - the failure of our product candidates to demonstrate safety and efficacy; - the high cost of clinical trials and our lack of financial and other resources; and - our inability to partner with firms with sufficient resources to assist us in conducting clinical trials. Success in early clinical trials often is not replicated in later studies, and few research and development projects result in commercial products. At any point, we may abandon development of a product candidate or we may be required to expend considerable resources repeating clinical trials, which would eliminate or adversely impact the timing for revenues from those product candidates. For example, in August 2014 we announced that our ophthalmic formulation of auriclosene did not meet the primary or secondary endpoints in a Phase 2 clinical study in patients with adenoviral conjunctivitis, and that we do not intend to initiate any new studies of auriclosene for this indication. If any current or future clinical study (such as our ongoing UCBE clinical trial) fails to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of our product candidates, we may abandon the development of the product, which could harm our business. ***Our current collaboration with Galderma may not result in future revenues or commercialization of future products, which would significantly limit our ability to develop and commercialize our dermatological products.*** We have an agreement with Galderma S.A. to develop and commercialize our Aganocide compounds, which covers acne and impetigo and potentially other major dermatological conditions, excluding onychomycosis (nail fungus) and orphan drug indications. Our collaboration with Galderma is our only major collaboration in the human field, and so unless and until we enter into additional collaborations or are able to market products on our own, our only potential source of collaboration revenues is from Galderma. In November 2013, we announced with Galderma that the auriclosene Phase 2 clinical study of impetigo had been completed, and that while the study showed that auriclosene is safe and well tolerated, it did not meet its primary clinical endpoint. While the collaboration is still intact, we cannot assure you that future clinical trials, if any, will be successful, or that we will receive any remaining research funding, milestone payments or royalties, or that any valuable intellectual property will be created from this arrangement. If Galderma or NovaBay were to decide to not continue forward with this collaboration, our potential to generate future collaboration revenues would be significantly impaired. There is currently no specific progress being made toward a stated collaboration milestone. ***We are funding the development of our Aganocide compounds for application in connection with the urinary tract, which we may not be able to do unless we are able to enter into a new collaboration with another collaboration partner.*** As we continue the development of auriclosene for application in urology, we must fund such development ourselves unless we are able to enter into a collaboration with a collaboration partner, which we may not be able to do If we are not able to enter into a new collaboration with another collaboration partner and we continue the development of auriclosene for any application, we will need to rely on our own funds, and any additional funds we may raise. If we are not able to enter into a new collaboration with another collaboration partner or are not able to raise additional funds, we may not be able to develop auriclosene for this indication. ***Our long-term success depends upon the successful development and commercialization of products other than auriclosene from our research and development activities.*** Our long-term viability and growth will depend upon the successful development and commercialization of products other than auriclosene from our research and development activities. Product development and commercialization is very expensive and involves a high degree of risk. Only a small number of research and development programs result in the commercialization of a product. Success in early stage clinical trials or preclinical work does not ensure that later stage or larger scale clinical trials will be successful. Even if later stage clinical trials are successful, the risk remains that unexpected concerns may arise from additional data or analysis or that obstacles may arise or issues may be identified in connection with review of clinical data with regulatory authorities or that regulatory authorities may disagree with our view of the data or require additional data or information or additional studies. Conducting clinical trials is a complex, time-consuming and expensive process. Our ability to complete our clinical trials in a timely fashion depends in large part on a number of key factors including protocol design, regulatory and institutional review board approval, the rate of patient enrollment in clinical trials, and compliance with extensive current good clinical practice requirements. We are in many cases using the services of third-party contract clinical trial providers. If we fail to adequately manage the design, execution and regulatory aspects of our clinical trials, our studies and ultimately our regulatory approvals may be delayed or we may fail to gain approval for our product candidates altogether. ***If we do not successfully execute our growth initiatives through the acquisition, partnering and in-licensing of products, technologies or companies, our future performance could be adversely affected.*** In addition to our internal development projects, we anticipate growing through external growth opportunities, which include the acquisition, partnering and in-licensing of products, technologies and companies or the entry into strategic alliances and collaborations. If we are unable to complete or manage these external growth opportunities successfully, we may not be able to grow our business in the way that we currently expect. The availability of high quality opportunities is limited and we are not certain that we will be able to identify suitable candidates or complete transactions on terms that are acceptable to us. To pursue such opportunities, we may require significant additional financing, which may not be available to us on favorable terms, if at all. ***We may acquire other businesses or form joint ventures or in-license compounds that could disrupt our business, harm our operating results, dilute your ownership interest in us, or cause us to incur debt or significant expense.*** As part of our business strategy, we may pursue acquisitions of complementary businesses and assets, and enter into technology or pharmaceutical compound licensing arrangements. We also may pursue strategic alliances that leverage our core technology and industry experience to enhance our ability to commercialize our product candidates and expand our product offerings or distribution. We have no experience with respect to acquiring other companies and limited experience with respect to the formation of commercial partnering agreements, strategic alliances, joint ventures or in-licensing of compounds. If we make any acquisitions, we may not be able to integrate these acquisitions successfully into our existing business, and we could assume unknown or contingent liabilities. If we in-license any additional compounds, we may fail to develop the product candidates, and spend significant resources before determining whether a compound we have in-licensed will produce revenues. Any future acquisitions or in-licensing by us also could result in significant write-offs or the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities, any of which could harm our operating results. Integration of an acquired company also may require management resources that otherwise would be available for ongoing development of our existing business. We may not identify or complete these transactions in a timely manner, on a cost-effective basis, or at all, and we may not realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisition, technology license, strategic alliance or joint venture. Further, any product candidate that we acquire may require additional development efforts prior to commercial sale, including extensive clinical testing and approval by the FDA and applicable foreign regulatory authorities. All product candidates are prone to risks of failure typical of pharmaceutical product development, including the possibility that a product candidate will not be shown to be sufficiently safe and effective for approval by regulatory authorities. To finance any acquisitions, we may choose to issue shares of our common stock as consideration, which would dilute your interest in us. If the price of our common stock is low or volatile, we may not be able to acquire other companies for stock. Alternatively, it may be necessary for us to raise additional funds for acquisitions by incurring indebtedness. Additional funds may not be available on terms that are favorable to us, or at all. ***We do not have our own manufacturing capacity, and we rely on partnering arrangements or third-party manufacturers for the manufacture of our products and potential products.*** We do not currently operate manufacturing facilities for production of our product and product candidates. We have no experience in drug formulation or manufacturing, and we lack the resources and the capabilities to manufacture any of our product candidates on a clinical or commercial scale. As a result, we have partnered and expect to partner with third parties to manufacture our products or rely on contract manufacturers to supply, store and distribute product supplies for our clinical trials. Any performance failure on the part of our commercial partners or future manufacturers could delay clinical development or regulatory approval of our product candidates or commercialization of our products, producing additional losses and reducing or delaying product revenues. Our products and product candidates will require precise, high quality manufacturing. The failure to achieve and maintain high manufacturing standards, including the incidence of manufacturing errors, could result in patient injury or death, product recalls or withdrawals, delays or failures in product testing or delivery, cost overruns or other problems that could seriously harm our business. Contract manufacturers and partners often encounter difficulties involving production yields, quality control and quality assurance, as well as shortages of qualified personnel. These manufacturers and partners are subject to ongoing periodic unannounced inspection by the FDA and corresponding state agencies to ensure strict compliance with Quality Systems Regulations, current Good Manufacturing Practice and other applicable government regulations and corresponding foreign standards; however, we do not have control over third-party compliance with these regulations and standards. If any of our manufacturers or partners fails to maintain compliance, the production of our products could be interrupted, resulting in delays, additional costs and potentially lost revenues. In addition, if the FDA or other regulatory agencies approve any of our product candidates for commercial sale, we will need to manufacture them in larger quantities. Significant scale-up of manufacturing will require validation studies, which the FDA must review and approve. If we are unable to successfully increase the manufacturing capacity for a product, the regulatory approval or commercial launch of any drugs may be delayed or there may be a shortage in supply and our business may be harmed as a result. ***If third party vendors upon whom we intend to rely to conduct our preclinical studies or clinical trials do not perform, or fail to comply with strict regulations, the studies or trials of our product candidate may be delayed, terminated, or fail, or we could incur significant additional expenses, which could materially harm our business.*** We have limited resources dedicated to designing, conducting and managing preclinical studies and clinical trials. We intend to rely on third parties, including clinical research organizations, consultants and principal investigators, to assist us in designing, managing, monitoring and conducting our preclinical studies and clinical trials. We intend to rely on these vendors and individuals to perform many facets of the drug development process, including certain preclinical studies, the recruitment of sites and patients for participation in our clinical trials, maintenance of good relations with the clinical sites, and ensuring that these sites are conducting our trials in compliance with the trial protocol and applicable regulations. If these third parties fail to perform satisfactorily, or do not adequately fulfill their obligations under the terms of our agreements with them, we may not be able to enter into alternative arrangements without undue delay or additional expenditures, and therefore the preclinical studies and clinical trials of our product candidate may be delayed or prove unsuccessful. Further, the FDA may inspect some of the clinical sites participating in our clinical trials in the U.S., or our third-party vendors’ sites, to determine if our clinical trials are being conducted according to Good Clinical Practices or GCPs. If we or the FDA determine that our third-party vendors are not in compliance with, or have not conducted our clinical trials according to, applicable regulations we may be forced to delay, repeat or terminate such clinical trials. ***We depend on skilled and experienced personnel to operate our business effectively. If we are unable to recruit, hire and retain these employees, our ability to manage and expand our business will be harmed, which would impair our future revenue and profitability. Also, we currently rely on a contract salesforce for marketing our Avenova product. Success in our product sales depends on our ability to hire and manage effective salesforce.*** Our success largely depends on the skills, experience and efforts of our officers, especially our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, Ophthalmology, Senior Vice President of MediBay Division, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Avenova, and other key employees. The efforts of each of these persons is critical to us as we continue to develop our technologies and as we attempt to transition into a company with commercial products. Any of our officers and other key employees may terminate their employment at any time. The loss of any of our senior management team members could weaken our management expertise and harm our ability to compete effectively, develop our technologies and implement our business strategies. Our ability to retain our skilled labor force and our success in attracting and hiring new skilled employees will be a critical factor in determining whether we will be successful in the future. Our research and development programs and collaborations depend on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled scientists and technicians. We may not be able to attract or retain qualified scientists and technicians in the future due to the intense competition for qualified personnel among life science businesses, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area. We also face competition from universities and public and private research institutions in recruiting and retaining highly qualified scientific personnel. We have also encountered difficulties in recruiting qualified personnel from outside the San Francisco Bay Area, due to the high housing costs in the area. We currently rely on a contract salesforce for marketing our Avenova product. Success in our product sales depends on our ability to hire effective salesforce and keep salesforce motivated if sales growth becomes slow or future products do not materialize. ***If we grow and fail to manage our growth effectively, we may be unable to execute our business plan.*** Our future growth, if any, may cause a significant strain on our management, and our operational, financial and other resources. Our ability to grow and manage our growth effectively will require us to implement and improve our operational, financial and management information systems and to expand, train, manage and motivate our employees. These demands may require the hiring of additional management personnel and the development of additional expertise by management. Any increase in resources devoted to research and product development without a corresponding increase in our operational, financial and management information systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. ***If our facilities become inoperable, we will be unable to perform our research and development activities, fulfill the requirements under our collaboration agreement and continue developing products and, as a result, our business will be harmed.*** We do not have redundant laboratory facilities. We perform substantially all of our research, development and testing in our laboratory located in Emeryville, California. Emeryville is situated on or near active earthquake fault lines. Our facility and the equipment we use to perform our research, development and testing would be costly to replace and could require substantial lead time to repair or replace. The facility may be harmed or rendered inoperable by natural or man-made disasters, including earthquakes, flooding and power outages, which may render it difficult or impossible for us to perform our research, development and testing for some period of time. The inability to perform our research and development activities may result in the loss of partners or harm our reputation, and we may be unable to regain those partnerships in the future. Our insurance coverage for damage to our property and the disruption of our business may not be sufficient to cover all of our potential losses, including the loss of time as well as the costs of lost opportunities, and may not continue to be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. However, we do have redundant manufacturing and supply chain facilities. ***Obtaining regulatory approval in the United States does not ensure we will obtain regulatory approval in other countries.*** We aim to obtain regulatory approval in the U.S. as well as in other countries. To obtain regulatory approval to market our proposed products outside of the U.S., we and any collaborator must comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements in other countries regarding safety and efficacy. Approval procedures vary among countries and can involve additional product testing and additional administrative review periods. The time required to obtain approval in other countries might differ significantly from that required to obtain FDA approval. The regulatory approval process in other countries includes all of the risk associated with FDA approval as well as additional, presently unanticipated risks. Regulatory approval in one country does not ensure regulatory approval in another, but a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one country may negatively impact the regulatory process in others. Failure to obtain regulatory approval in other countries or any delay or setback in obtaining such approval could have the same adverse effects associated with regulatory approval in the U.S., including the risk that our product candidates may not be approved for all indications requested and that such approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which the product may be marketed. In addition, failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements in other countries can result in, among other things, warning letters, fines, injunctions, civil penalties, recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production, refusal of the government to renew marketing applications and criminal prosecution. ***If we are unable to design, conduct and complete clinical trials successfully, we will not be able to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates.*** To obtain FDA approval for our drug product candidates, we must submit to the FDA a New Drug Application, or NDA, demonstrating that the product candidate is safe and effective for its intended use. This demonstration requires significant research and animal tests, which are referred to as preclinical studies, as well as human tests, which are referred to as clinical trials. Any clinical trials we conduct or that are conducted by our partners may not demonstrate the safety or efficacy of our product candidates. Success in pre-clinical testing and early clinical trials does not ensure that later clinical trials will be successful. Results of later clinical trials may not replicate the results of prior clinical trials and pre-clinical testing. Even if the results of one or more of our clinical trials are positive, we may have to commit substantial time and additional resources to conducting further preclinical studies or clinical trials before we can submit NDAs or obtain FDA approvals for our product candidates, and positive results of a clinical trial may not be replicated in subsequent trials. Clinical trials are very expensive and difficult to design and implement. The clinical trial process is also time-consuming. Furthermore, if participating patients in clinical studies suffer drug-related adverse reactions during the course of such trials, or if we or the FDA believe that participating patients are being exposed to unacceptable health risks, we will have to suspend or terminate our clinical trials. Failure can occur at any stage of the trials, and we could encounter problems that cause us to abandon clinical trials or to repeat clinical studies. Further, because our product candidates are all in the same class of compounds, failure in one clinical trial may cause us or our partners to have to suspend or terminate other clinical trials. For example, if toxicity issues were to arise in one clinical trial, it could indicate that all of our product candidates have toxicity issues. In addition, the completion of clinical trials can be delayed by numerous factors, including: - delays in identifying and agreeing on acceptable terms with prospective clinical trial sites; - slower than expected rates of patient recruitment and enrollment; - increases in time required to complete monitoring of patients during or after participation in a trial; and - unexpected need for additional patient-related data. Any of these delays, if significant, could impact the timing, approval and commercialization of our product candidates and could significantly increase our overall costs of drug development. Even if our clinical trials are completed as planned, their results may not support our expectations or intended marketing claims. The clinical trials process may fail to demonstrate that our products are safe and effective for indicated uses. Such failure would cause us to abandon a product candidate for some indications and could delay development of other product candidates. ***Government agencies may establish usage guidelines that directly apply to our products or proposed products or change legislation or regulations to which we are subject.*** Government usage guidelines typically address matters such as usage and dose, among other factors. Application of these guidelines could limit the use of our products and products that we may develop. In addition there can be no assurance that government regulations applicable to our products or proposed products or the interpretation thereof will not change and thereby prevent the marketing of some or all of our products for a period of time or permanently. The FDA’s policies may change and additional government regulations may be enacted that could modify, prevent or delay regulatory approval of our product candidates. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of adverse government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action, either in the U.S. or in other countries. ***Our product candidates may be classified as a drug or a medical device, depending on the mechanism of action or indication for use and prior precedent, and a change in the classification may have an adverse impact on our revenues or our ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals.*** Our Neutrox products are regulated under the medical device regulations of the FDA administered by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health and the same physical product for another indication and our Aganocide product candidates may be regulated by the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Alternatively the products could be classified as combination products, in which case both the device and drug centers jointly review the submission. The products may be designated by the FDA as a drug or a medical device depending upon the regulatory definition of a drug and a device, their primary mode of action and the indications for use or product claims. The use of Avenova, CelleRx and NeutroPhase as a skin and wound-cleansing solution has been cleared by the FDA. The determination as to whether a particular indication is considered a drug or a device is also based in part upon precedent. A reclassification by the FDA of an indication from a device to a drug indication during our development or post-commercialization for that indication could have a significant adverse impact due to the more rigorous and lengthy approval process required for drugs, as compared to medical devices. Such a change in classification can significantly increase development costs and prolong the time for development and approval, thus delaying revenues. A reclassification of an indication after approval from a drug to a device could result in a change in classification for reimbursement ***We and our collaborators are and will be subject to ongoing FDA obligations and continued regulatory review, such as continued safety reporting requirements, and we and our collaborators may also be subject to additional FDA post-marketing obligations or new regulations, all of which may result in significant expense and which may limit our ability to commercialize our medical device and drug products and candidates.*** Any regulatory approvals that we receive may also be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which the product may be marketed or contain requirements for potentially costly post-marketing follow-up studies. The FDA may require us to commit to perform lengthy Phase IV post-approval studies, for which we would have to expend additional resources, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. In addition, if the FDA approves any of our drug product candidates, the labeling, packaging, adverse event reporting, storage, advertising, promotion and record keeping for the drug will be subject to extensive regulatory requirements. The subsequent discovery of previously unknown problems with the drugs, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, may result in restrictions on the marketing of the drugs or the withdrawal of the drugs from the market. If we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may be subject to fines, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals, product recalls, seizure of products, operating restrictions and criminal prosecution. Any of these events could prevent us from marketing any products we may develop and our business could suffer. ***Conducting clinical trials of our product candidates may expose us to expensive liability claims, and we may not be able to maintain liability insurance on reasonable terms or at all.*** The risk of clinical trial liability is inherent in the testing of pharmaceutical and medical device products. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against any clinical trial claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit or terminate testing of one or more of our product candidates. Our inability to obtain sufficient clinical trial insurance at an acceptable cost to protect us against potential clinical trial claims could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of our product candidates. Our current clinical trial insurance covers individual and aggregate claims up to $5.0 million. This insurance may not cover all claims and we may not be able to obtain additional insurance coverage at a reasonable cost, if at all, in the future. In addition, if our agreements with any future corporate collaborators entitle us to indemnification against product liability losses and clinical trial liability, such indemnification may not be available or adequate should any claim arise. ***If we use biological and hazardous materials in a manner that causes injury, we could be liable for damages. Compliance with environmental regulations can be expensive, and noncompliance with these regulations may result in adverse publicity and potentially significant monetary damages and fines.*** Our activities currently require the controlled use of potentially harmful biological materials and other hazardous materials and chemicals and may in the future require the use of radioactive compounds. We cannot eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury to employees or third parties from the use, storage, handling or disposal of these materials. In the event of contamination or injury, we could be held liable for any resulting damages, and any liability could exceed our resources or any applicable insurance coverage we may have. Additionally, we are subject, on an ongoing basis, to U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the use, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and specified waste products. The cost of compliance with these laws and regulations might be significant and could negatively affect our operating results. In addition, if more stringent laws and regulations are adopted in the future, the costs of compliance with these new laws and regulations could be substantial or could impose significant changes in our testing and production process. ***The pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries are characterized by patent litigation and any litigation or claim against us may cause us to incur substantial costs, and could place a significant strain on our financial resources, divert the attention of management from our business and harm our reputation.*** There has been substantial litigation in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries with respect to the manufacture, use and sale of new products that are the subject of conflicting patent rights. For the most part, these lawsuits relate to the validity, enforceability and infringement of patents. Generic companies are encouraged to challenge the patents of pharmaceutical products in the United States because a successful challenger can obtain six months of exclusivity as a generic product under the Hatch-Waxman Act. We expect that we will rely upon patents, trade secrets, know-how, continuing technological innovations and licensing opportunities to develop and maintain our competitive position and we may initiate claims to defend our intellectual property rights as a result. Other parties may have issued patents or be issued patents that may prevent the sale of our products or know-how or require us to license such patents and pay significant fees or royalties to produce our products. In addition, future patents may issue to third parties which our technology may infringe. Because patent applications can take many years to issue, there may be applications now pending of which we are unaware that may later result in issued patents that our products may infringe. Intellectual property litigation, regardless of outcome, is expensive and time-consuming, could divert management’s attention from our business and have a material negative effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. If such a dispute were to be resolved against us, we may be required to pay substantial damages, including treble damages and attorney’s fees if we were to be found to have willfully infringed a third party’s patent, to the party claiming infringement, develop non-infringing technology, stop selling any products we develop, cease using technology that contains the allegedly infringing intellectual property or enter into royalty or license agreements that may not be available on acceptable or commercially practical terms, if at all. Our failure to develop non-infringing technologies or license the proprietary rights on a timely basis could harm our business. Modification of any products we develop or development of new products thereafter could require us to conduct additional clinical trials and to revise our filings with the FDA and other regulatory bodies, which would be time-consuming and expensive. In addition, parties making infringement claims may be able to obtain an injunction that would prevent us from selling any products we develop, which could harm our business. ***We may be subject to damages resulting from claims that we or our employees have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their former employers.*** Some of our employees may have been previously employed at universities or other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Although no claims against us are currently pending, we may be subject to claims that these employees or we have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former employers. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management. If we fail in defending such claims, in addition to paying money damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel. A loss of key research personnel or their work product could hamper or prevent our ability to commercialize product candidates, which could severely harm our business. ### If product liability lawsuits are brought against us, they could result in costly litigation and significant liabilities.\* The product candidates we are developing or attempting to develop will, in most cases, undergo extensive clinical testing and will require approval from the applicable regulatory authorities prior to sale. However, despite all reasonable efforts to ensure safety, it is possible that we or our collaborators will sell products, including Avenova, CellRx,, NeutroPhase, and intelli-Case which are defective, to which patients react in an unexpected manner, or which are alleged to have side effects. The manufacture and sale of such products may expose us to potential liability, and the industries in which our products are likely to be sold have been subject to significant product liability litigation. Any claims, with or without merit, could result in costly litigation, reduced sales, significant liabilities and diversion of our management’s time and attention and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, business and results of operations. If a product liability claim is brought against us, we may be required to pay legal and other expenses to defend the claim and, if the claim is successful, damage awards may not be covered, in whole or in part, by our insurance. We may not have sufficient capital resources to pay a judgment, in which case our creditors could levy against our assets. We may also be obligated to indemnify our collaborators and make payments to other parties with respect to product liability damages and claims. Defending any product liability claims, or indemnifying others against those claims, could require us to expend significant financial and managerial resources. ***Failure to obtain sufficient quantities of products and substances necessary for research and development, pre-clinical studies, human clinical trials and product commercialization that are of acceptable quality at reasonable prices or at all could constrain our product development and have a material adverse effect on our business.*** We have relied and will continue to rely on contract manufacturers for the foreseeable future to produce quantities of products and substances necessary for research and development, pre-clinical trials, human clinical trials and product commercialization. It will be important to us that such products and substances can be manufactured at a cost and in quantities necessary to make them commercially viable. We have not attempted to identify, and do not know whether there will be, any third party manufacturers which will be able to meet our needs with respect to timing, quantity and quality for commercial production. In addition, if we are unable to contract for a sufficient supply or required products and substances on acceptable terms, or if we should encounter delays or difficulties in our relationships with manufacturers, our research and development, pre-clinical and clinical testing would be delayed, thereby delaying the submission of product candidates for regulatory approval or the market introduction and subsequent sales of products. Any such delay may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. ***Because our clinical development activities rely heavily on sensitive and personal information, an area which is highly regulated by privacy laws, we may not be able to generate, maintain or access essential patient samples or data to continue our research and development efforts in the future on reasonable terms and conditions, which may adversely affect our business.*** As a result of our clinical development, we will have access to very sensitive data regarding the patients enrolled in our clinical trials. This data will contain information that is personal in nature. The maintenance of this data is subject to certain privacy-related laws, which impose upon us administrative and financial burdens, and litigation risks. For instance, the rules promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, create national standards to protect patients’ medical records and other personal information in the U.S. These rules require that healthcare providers and other covered entities obtain written authorizations from patients prior to disclosing protected health care information of the patient to companies like NovaBay. If the patient fails to execute an authorization or the authorization fails to contain all required provisions, then we will not be allowed access to the patient’s information and our research efforts can be substantially delayed. Furthermore, use of protected health information that is provided to us pursuant to a valid patient authorization is subject to the limits set forth in the authorization (i.e., for use in research and in submissions to regulatory authorities for product approvals). As such, we are required to implement policies, procedures and reasonable and appropriate security measures to protect individually identifiable health information we receive from covered entities, and to ensure such information is used only as authorized by the patient. Any violations of these rules by us could subject us to civil and criminal penalties and adverse publicity, and could harm our ability to initiate and complete clinical studies required to support regulatory applications for our proposed products. In addition, HIPAA does not replace federal, state, or other laws that may grant individuals even greater privacy protections. We can provide no assurance that future legislation will not prevent us from generating or maintaining personal data or patients will consent to the use of their personal information, either of which may prevent us from undertaking or publishing essential research. These burdens or risks may prove too great for us to reasonably bear, and may adversely affect our ability to function profitably in the future. ***If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our competitors could develop and market products similar to ours that may reduce demand for our products.*** Our success, competitive position and potential future revenues will depend in significant part on our ability to protect our intellectual property. We rely on the patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws of the U.S. and other countries, as well as confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, to protect our intellectual property rights. We apply for patents covering our technologies as we deem appropriate. There is no assurance that any patents issued to us or licensed or assigned to us by third parties will not be challenged, invalidated, found unenforceable or circumvented, or that the rights granted there under will provide competitive advantages to us. If we or our collaborators or licensors fail to file, prosecute or maintain certain patents, our competitors could market products that contain features and clinical benefits similar to those of any products we develop, and demand for our products could decline as a result. Further, although we have taken steps to protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology, third parties may be able to design around our patents or, if they do infringe upon our technology, we may not be successful or have sufficient resources in pursuing a claim of infringement against those third parties. Any pursuit of an infringement claim by us may involve substantial expense and diversion of management attention. We also rely on trade secrets and proprietary know-how that we seek to protect by confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and collaborators. If these agreements are not enforceable, or are breached, we may not have adequate remedies for any breach, and our trade secrets and proprietary know-how may become known or be independently discovered by competitors. We operate in the State of California. The laws of the State prevent us from imposing a delay before an employee who may have access to trade secrets and proprietary know-how can commence employment with a competing company. Although we may be able to pursue legal action against competitive companies improperly using our proprietary information, we may not be aware of any use of our trade secrets and proprietary know-how until after significant damage has been done to our company. Furthermore, the laws of foreign countries may not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. If our intellectual property does not provide significant protection against foreign or domestic competition, our competitors, including generic manufacturers, could compete more directly with us, which could result in a decrease in our market share. All of these factors may harm our competitive position. ***Our current patent portfolio could leave us vulnerable to larger companies who have the resources to develop and market competing products.*** We aggressively protect and enforce our patent rights worldwide. As of June 30, 2014, we owned ten (10) issued patents in the U.S., eighty nine (89) issued foreign patents and thirty seven (37) pending patent applications in the U.S. and various foreign jurisdiction. However, certain risks remain. There is no assurance that patents will issue from any of our applications or, for those patents we have or that do issue, that the claims will be sufficiently broad to protect our proprietary rights, or that it will be economically possible to pursue sufficient numbers of patents to afford significant protection. For example, we do not have any composition of matter patent directed to the Neutrox composition. This relatively weak patent portfolio leaves us vulnerable to competitors who wish to compete in the same market place with similar products. If a potential competitor introduces a formulation similar to Avenova, CelleRx or NeutroPhase with a similar composition that does not fall within the scope of the method of treatment claims, then we or a potential marketing partner would be unable to rely on the allowed claims to protect its market position for the method of using the Avenova, CelleRx or NeutroPhase composition, and any revenues arising from such protection would be adversely impacted. ***If our competitors develop products similar to Avenova, CelleRx, NeutroPhase or intelli-Case, we may need to modify or alter our business strategy, which may delay the achievement of our goals.*** Competitors may develop products with similar characteristics to Avenova, CelleRx, NeutroPhase or intelli-Case. Such similar products marketed by larger competitors can hinder our efforts to penetrate the market. As a result, we may be forced to modify or alter our business and regulatory strategy and sales and marketing plans, as a response to changes in the market, competition and technology limitations, among others. Such modifications may pose additional delays in achieving our goals. ***If bacteria develop resistance to Aganocide compounds, Avenova, CelleRx or NeutroPhase, our potential revenues could be significantly reduced.*** Based on our understanding of the hypothesis of the mechanism of action of our Aganocide compounds and Avenova, CelleRx or NeutroPhase, we do not expect bacteria to be able to develop resistance to either of these compounds. However, we cannot assure you that one or more strains of bacteria will not develop resistance to our compounds, either because our hypothesis of the mechanism of action is incorrect or because a strain of bacteria undergoes some unforeseen genetic mutation that permits it to survive. Since we expect lack of resistance to be a major factor in the commercialization of our product candidates, the discovery of such resistance would have a major adverse impact on the acceptability and potential sales of our products. ***If physicians and patients do not accept and use our products, we will not achieve sufficient product revenues and our business will suffer.*** Even if the FDA has cleared or approves product candidates that we develop, physicians and patients may not accept and use them. Acceptance and use of our products may depend on a number of factors including: - perceptions by members of the healthcare community, including physicians, about the safety and effectiveness of our products; - published studies demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of our products relative to competing products; - availability of reimbursement for our products from government or healthcare payers; and - effectiveness of marketing and distribution efforts by us and our licensees and distributors, if any. The failure of any of our products to find market acceptance would harm our business and could require us to seek additional financing. ***If we are unable to develop our own sales, marketing and distribution capabilities, or if we are not successful in contracting with third parties for these services on favorable terms, or at all, revenues from any products we develop could be disappointing.*** We currently have limited sales, marketing and distribution capabilities. To commercialize our products successfully, we have to develop such capabilities internally or collaborate with third parties that can perform these services for us, such as PDI, Inc., Principle Business Enterprises in the U.S. and Pioneer Pharma Co. Ltd. in China. In the process of commercializing our products, we may not be able to hire the necessary experienced personnel and build sales, marketing and distribution operations which are capable of successfully launching new products and generating sufficient product revenues. In addition, establishing such operations will take time and involve significant expense. If we decide to enter into co-promotion or other licensing arrangements with third parties, we may be unable to identify acceptable partners because the number of potential partners is limited and because of competition from others for similar alliances with potential partners. Even if we are able to identify one or more acceptable partners, we may not be able to enter into any partnering arrangements on favorable terms, or at all. If we enter into any partnering arrangements, our revenues are likely to be lower than if we marketed and sold our products ourselves. In addition, any revenues we receive would depend upon our partners’ efforts which may not be adequate due to lack of attention or resource commitments, management turnover, and change of strategic focus, further business combinations or other factors outside of our control. Depending upon the terms of our agreements, the remedies we have against an under-performing partner may be limited. If we were to terminate the relationship, it may be difficult or impossible to find a replacement partner on acceptable terms, or at all. ***If we cannot compete successfully for market share against other companies, we may not achieve sufficient product revenues and our business will suffer.*** The market for our products and product candidates is characterized by intense competition and rapid technological advances. If our product candidates receive FDA approval and are launched they will compete with a number of existing and future drugs, devices and therapies developed, manufactured and marketed by others. Existing or future competing products may provide greater therapeutic convenience or clinical or other benefits for a specific indication than our products, or may offer comparable performance at a lower cost. If our products are unable to capture and maintain market share, we may not achieve sufficient product revenues and our business will suffer. We will compete for market share against fully integrated pharmaceutical and medical device companies or other companies that develop products independently or collaborate with larger pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, government agencies and other public and private research organizations. In addition, many of these competitors, either alone or together with their collaborative partners, have substantially greater capital resources, larger research and development staffs and facilities, and greater financial resources than we do, as well as significantly greater experience in: - developing drugs and devices; - conducting preclinical testing and human clinical trials; - obtaining FDA and other regulatory approvals of product candidates; - formulating and manufacturing products; and - launching, marketing, distributing and selling products. Our competitors may: - develop and patent processes or products earlier than we will; - develop and commercialize products that are less expensive or more efficient than any products that we may develop; - obtain regulatory approvals for competing products more rapidly than we will; and - improve upon existing technological approaches or develop new or different approaches that render any technology or products we develop obsolete or uncompetitive. We cannot assure you that our competitors will not succeed in developing technologies and products that are more effective than any developed by us or that would render our technologies and any products we develop obsolete. If we are unable to compete successfully against current or future competitors, we may be unable to obtain market acceptance for any product candidates that we create, which could prevent us from generating revenues or achieving profitability and could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. ***Our ability to generate revenues from our current products and any products we develop will be diminished if we fail to obtain acceptable prices or an adequate level of reimbursement for our products from healthcare payers.*** Significant uncertainty exists as to the cost and reimbursement status of newly-approved healthcare products. Currently we do not have any products approved for reimbursement by Medicare or any other third party healthcare providers. Although the cost of Avenova is near a common co-pay price point, healthcare payers, including Medicare, are challenging the prices charged for medical products and/or are seeking pharmacoeconomic data to justify formulary acceptance and reimbursement practices. We currently have not generated pharmacoeconomic data on any of our products. If customers are not willing to pay a private payer cost that is near a common co-pay price point, market acceptance of our products could be limited. ### Risks Relating to Owning Our Common Stock ***The price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially, which may result in losses to our stockholders.*** The stock prices of many companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry have generally experienced wide fluctuations, which are often unrelated to the operating performance of those companies. The market price of our common stock is likely to be volatile and could fluctuate in response to, among other things: - successful shifting in strategy to focus on eye care market started at the end of 2014; - the results of preclinical or clinical trials relating to our product candidates; - the announcement of new products by us or our competitors; - announcement of partnering arrangements by us or our competitors; - quarterly variations in our or our competitors’ results of operations; - announcements by us related to litigation; - changes in our earnings estimates, investors’ perceptions, recommendations by securities analysts or our failure to achieve analysts’ earnings estimates; - developments in our industry; and - general, economic and market conditions, including the recent volatility in the financial markets and decrease in consumer confidence and other factors unrelated to our operating performance or the operating performance of our competitors. ***The volume of trading of our common stock may be low, leaving our common stock open to risk of high volatility.*** The number of shares of our common stock being traded may be very low. Any stockholder wishing to sell his/her stock may cause a significant fluctuation in the price of our stock. In addition, low trading volume of a stock increases the possibility that, despite rules against such activity, the price of the stock may be manipulated by persons acting in their own self-interest. We may not have adequate market makers and market making activity to prevent manipulation. ***Our limited operating history may make it difficult for you to evaluate our business and to assess our future viability.*** Our operations to date have been limited to organizing and staffing our company, developing our technology, researching and developing our compounds, and conducting preclinical studies and early-stage clinical trials of our compounds. We have not demonstrated the ability to succeed in achieving clinical endpoints, obtain regulatory approvals, formulate and manufacture products on a commercial scale or conduct sales and marketing activities. Consequently, any predictions you make about our future success or viability are unlikely to be as accurate as they could be if we had a longer operating history. ***Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law, contain provisions that could discourage a third party from making a takeover offer that is beneficial to our stockholders.*** Anti-takeover provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law may have the effect of deterring or delaying attempts by our stockholders to remove or replace management, engage in proxy contests and effect changes in control. The provisions of our charter documents include: - a classified board so that only one of the three classes of directors on our Board of Directors is elected each year; - elimination of cumulative voting in the election of directors; - procedures for advance notification of stockholder nominations and proposals; - the ability of our Board of Directors to amend our bylaws without stockholder approval; and - the ability of our Board of Directors to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock without stockholder approval upon the terms and conditions and with the rights, privileges and preferences as our Board of Directors may determine. In addition, as a Delaware corporation, we are subject to the Delaware General Corporation Law, which includes provisions that may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying or preventing changes in control or management of our company. Provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock by discouraging a hostile bid, or delaying, preventing or deterring a merger, acquisition or tender offer in which our stockholders could receive a premium for their shares, or effect a proxy contest for control of NovaBay or other changes in our management. ***We have not paid dividends in the past and do not expect to pay dividends in the future, and any return on investment may be limited to the value of our stock.*** We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on our common stock will depend on our earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting us at such time as our Board of Directors may consider relevant. If we do not pay dividends, you will experience a return on your investment in our shares only if our stock price appreciates. We cannot assure you that you will receive a return on your investment when you do sell your shares or that you will not lose the entire amount of your investment. ***If our stockholder equity does not meet the minimum standards of the NYSE MKT, we may be subject to delisting procedures.*** On April 28, 2015 we received a letter from the NYSE MKT notifying us that our stockholders equity as of December 31, 2014 is below the minimum requirements of Sections 1003(a) (ii) and (iii) of the NYSE MKT Company Guide. In order to maintain our listing, we submitted a plan of compliance, addressing how we intend to regain compliance with the Company Guide within 18 months, or by November 28, 2016. We continue our listing but will be subject to periodic reviews by the Exchange. If we do not make progress consistent with the plan, the exchange will initiate delisting procedures as appropriate. We are pursuing options to address the deficiency as indicated in our plan, however we cannot guarantee that we will meet the listing requirements and therefore our common stock may be subject to delisting. If our common stock is delisted, this would, among other things, substantially impair our ability to raise additional funds and could result in a loss of institutional investor interest and fewer financing opportunities for us. Filed Aug 13, 2015. Source: SEC EDGAR, the filing index for accession 0001437749-15-015745. Last ingested by Listed: Oct 29, 2026, 17:47 ET. No prices; not investment advice.