Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     .
Commission file number: 001-33876
 
Athersys, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   20-4864095
     
(State or other jurisdiction   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)    
     
3201 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio   44115-2634
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (216) 431-9900
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: Not Applicable
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o   Small reporting company þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): Yes o No þ
The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value, as of August 1, 2008 was 18,927,988.
 
 

 

 


 

ATHERSYS INC.
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 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32.1

 

 


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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Athersys, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    (Unaudited)     (Note)  
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 17,651     $ 13,248  
Available-for-sale securities
    19,037       22,477  
Accounts receivable
    697       836  
Receivable from Angiotech
    269       63  
Investment interest receivable
    163       262  
Deposit
    163       163  
Prepaid expenses and other
    970       394  
 
           
Total current assets
    38,950       37,443  
 
               
Available-for-sale securities
    3,028       13,850  
Deposits
    109       100  
Note receivable, net
    48       86  
Equipment, net
    434       387  
Accounts receivable, net
          42  
Equity investments
    317       317  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 42,886     $ 52,225  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 2,125     $ 1,011  
Accrued compensation and related benefits
    263       71  
Accrued clinical trial costs
    18       735  
Accrued expenses and other
    793       993  
Current portion of long-term debt, net
          1,784  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    3,199       4,594  
 
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, at stated value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, and no shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007
           
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, and 18,927,988 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007
    19       19  
Additional paid-in capital
    208,942       208,039  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
    (9 )     52  
Accumulated deficit
    (169,265 )     (160,479 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    39,687       47,631  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 42,886     $ 52,225  
 
           
Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2007 has been derived from audited financial statements at that date. It does not include, however, all of the information and notes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Athersys, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
Revenues
                               
License fees
  $ 453     $ 313     $ 843     $ 623  
Grant revenue
    323       410       725       979  
 
                       
Total revenues
    776       723       1,568       1,602  
 
                               
Costs and expenses
                               
Research and development
    3,737       4,989       8,052       7,354  
General and administrative
    1,381       3,497       2,862       4,105  
Depreciation
    52       75       109       155  
 
                       
Total costs and expenses
    5,170       8,561       11,023       11,614  
 
                       
Loss from operations
    (4,394 )     (7,838 )     (9,455 )     (10,012 )
Other income
    17       1,500       20       1,500  
Interest income
    286       175       742       222  
Interest expense
    (31 )     (710 )     (93 )     (1,043 )
 
                               
Accretion of premium on convertible debt
          (196 )           (456 )
 
                       
Net loss
  $ (4,122 )   $ (7,069 )   $ (8,786 )   $ (9,789 )
 
                       
Preferred stock dividends
  $     $ (284 )   $     $ (659 )
Deemed dividend resulting from induced conversion of convertible preferred stock
  $     $ (4,800 )   $     $ (4,800 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
  $ (4,122 )   $ (12,153 )   $ (8,786 )   $ (15,248 )
 
                       
 
                               
Basic and diluted net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders
  $ (0.22 )   $ (2.53 )   $ (0.46 )   $ (5.99 )
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted
    18,927,988       4,800,760       18,927,988       2,547,265  
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Athersys, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Six months ended  
    June 30,  
    2008     2007  
Operating activities
               
Net loss
  $ (8,786 )   $ (9,789 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    109       155  
Gain on sale of fixed assets
    (17 )      
Accretion of premium on convertible debt
          456  
Stock-based compensation
    903       4,133  
Provision on note receivable
    38        
Expense related to warrants issued to lenders
    16       438  
Amortization of discount on available-for-sale securities and other
    (75 )     7  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    181       530  
Receivable from Angiotech
    (206 )      
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (486 )     (72 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    389       (95 )
 
           
Net cash used in operating activities
    (7,934 )     (4,237 )
 
               
Investing activities
               
Purchase of available-for-sale securities
    (15,423 )      
Maturities of available-for-sale securities
    29,699        
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
    17        
Purchases of equipment
    (156 )     (3 )
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    14,137       (3 )
 
               
Financing activities
               
Principal payments on debt
    (1,800 )     (1,844 )
Proceeds from convertible promissory note
          5,000  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net
          58,495  
 
           
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (1,800 )     61,651  
 
           
 
               
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
    4,403       57,411  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
    13,248       1,528  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
  $ 17,651     $ 58,939  
 
           

 

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Athersys, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Background
We are a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of therapeutic products in one business segment. Our operations consist primarily of research and product development activities.
On May 24, 2007, BTHC VI, Inc. (“BTHC VI”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, B-VI Acquisition Corp., entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Athersys, Inc. (“Old Athersys”). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, B-VI Acquisition Corp., which BTHC VI recently had incorporated for the purpose of completing the merger transaction described herein, merged with and into Old Athersys on June 8, 2007, with Old Athersys continuing as the surviving entity in the merger (the “Merger”). BTHC VI was a shell corporation with substantially no assets, liabilities or operations as of the date of the Merger, and had 299,622 shares of common stock outstanding. As a result of the Merger, Old Athersys became our wholly-owned subsidiary, and the business of Old Athersys became our sole operations. On August 31, 2007, Old Athersys changed its name to ABT Holding Company and BTHC VI changed its name to Athersys, Inc. Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this quarterly report to “the Company” or “Athersys” are (a) prior to the Merger, to ABT Holding Company (i.e., Old Athersys) and its subsidiaries and (b) following the Merger, to Athersys, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including ABT Holding Company.
BTHC VI’s acquisition of Old Athersys on June 8, 2007 effected a change in control and was accounted for as a reverse acquisition whereby Old Athersys is the accounting acquirer for financial statement purposes. Accordingly, the financial statements of the Company presented reflect the historical results of Old Athersys and do not include the historical financial results of BTHC VI prior to the consummation of the Merger. The Company’s authorized and issued shares of common and preferred stock have been retroactively restated for all historical periods presented to reflect the Merger exchange rate of 0.0358493. Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders have been computed using the retroactively restated common stock.
Immediately after the Merger, we completed an offering of 13,000,000 shares of common stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $65.0 million in June 2007, which included the issuance of warrants to purchase 3,250,000 shares of common stock to the investors with an exercise price of $6.00 and a five-year term. We also issued warrants to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock to the lead investor and warrants to purchase 1,093,525 shares of common stock to the placement agents, each with an exercise price of $6.00 and a five-year term.
2. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, since they are interim statements, the accompanying financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

 

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The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Our critical accounting policies, estimates and assumptions are described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” which is included below in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
3. New Accounting Standards
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. The FASB delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. We adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 related to our financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2008. See Note 6.
In May 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position APB 14-1 (“FSP 14-1”), Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement). FSP 14-1 requires the issuer of certain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash on conversion to separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that reflects the issuer’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The effective date of FSP 14-1 is January 1, 2009 for calendar year companies with retrospective application required for all periods presented for instruments that were outstanding during any period presented in the annual financial statements. We are currently evaluating the effect that FSP 14-1 will have on our financial statements.
4. Net Loss per Share
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders are presented in conformity with SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share, for all periods presented. In accordance with SFAS No. 128, basic and diluted net loss per share has been computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
We have outstanding options and warrants, and prior to June 8, 2007, also had outstanding convertible debt and convertible preferred stock, which have not been used in the calculation of diluted net loss per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. The following instruments were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders because their effects would be antidilutive:
1)   Outstanding stock options to purchase 3,776,240 shares of common stock for both the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 3,629,814 shares of common stock for both the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007;
 
2)   Warrants to purchase 5,125,496 shares of common stock for each of the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and each of the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007;
 
3)   Shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of convertible preferred stock in the amount of 276,071 and 319,839 for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007, respectively; and
 
4)   Shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of convertible promissory notes in the approximate amount of 202,631 and 224,197 for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007, respectively.

 

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5. Comprehensive Loss
In accordance with SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Loss, all components of comprehensive loss, including net loss, are reported in the financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources.
Below is a reconciliation, in thousands, of net loss to comprehensive loss for all periods presented.
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
Net loss
  $ (4,122 )   $ (7,069 )   $ (8,786 )   $ (9,789 )
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities
    (123 )           (61 )      
 
                       
Comprehensive loss
  $ (4,245 )   $ (7,069 )   $ (8,847 )   $ (9,789 )
 
                       
6. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
On January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157 related to our financial assets and liabilities and the methods to measure fair value of assets and liabilities as set forth therein. Our available-for-sale securities include U.S. government obligations, corporate debt securities, floating rate notes and commercial paper.
SFAS No. 157 classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:
     
Level 1
  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
   
Level 2
  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.
 
   
Level 3
  Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
The following table provides a summary of the fair values of our assets and liabilities under SFAS No. 157 (in thousands):
                                 
            Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2008 Using  
            Quoted Prices in Active     Significant Other        
    Balance as of     Markets for Identical     Observable Inputs     Significant Unobservable  
Description   June 30, 2008     Assets (Level 1)     (Level 2)     Inputs (Level 3)  
 
                               
Available-for-sale securities
  $ 22,065     $ 22,065     $     $  
Fair value is based upon quoted market prices in active markets. We had no level 2 or level 3 assets at June 30, 2008. We review and reassess the fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Changes from one quarter to the next related to the observability of inputs to a fair value measurement may result in a reclassification between hierarchy levels.

 

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7. Stock-based Compensation
In 2007, we adopted two equity incentive plans that authorized an aggregate of 4,500,000 shares of common stock for awards to employees, directors and consultants. These plans authorize the issuance of equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and units, and other stock-based awards to qualified employees, directors and consultants.
As of June 30, 2008, a total of 728,000 shares are available for issuance under our equity compensation plans and 3,772,000 options to purchase shares of common stock were outstanding. Also, options to purchase 4,240 shares of common stock are outstanding related to our old option plans prior to the Merger in June 2007. For the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, stock compensation expense was approximately $439,000. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, we issued options to purchase 90,000 shares of common stock to employees and directors. At June 30, 2008, total unrecognized estimated compensation cost related to unvested stock options was approximately $4.0 million, which is expected to be recognized by March 31, 2012 using the straight-line method.
8. Long-Term Debt
A summary of our long-term debt outstanding is as follows (in thousands):
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
               
Notes payable to lenders
  $     $ 1,800  
Discount related to warrant issuance
          (16 )
 
           
Total, net
          1,784  
Less — current portion
          1,784  
 
           
 
  $     $  
 
           
In November 2004, we issued $7.5 million of notes payable to lenders, the proceeds of which were unrestricted and used for general corporate purposes. The notes were payable in 30 monthly payments after the initial interest-only period that expired December 1, 2005, with a fixed interest rate of 13% and a maturity date of June 1, 2008. The notes were repaid in full in June 2008.
The lenders retain a right to receive a milestone payment of $2.25 million upon the occurrence of certain events as follows: (1) the entire amount upon (a) the merger with or into another entity where our stockholders do not hold at least a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity, (b) the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and (c) our liquidation or dissolution; or (2) a portion of the amount from proceeds of equity financings not tied to specific research and development activities that are part of a research or development collaboration, in which case, the senior lenders will receive an amount equal to 10% of proceeds above $5.0 million in cumulative gross proceeds until the milestone amount is paid in full. The milestone payment is payable in cash, except that if the milestone event is (2) above, we may elect to pay 75% of the milestone in shares of common stock at the per-share offering price. No amounts have been recorded in relation to the milestone as of June 30, 2008.
Upon the closing of our equity offering in June 2007, warrants to purchase 149,026 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $5.00 per share and a seven-year term were issued to our lenders in accordance with the loan agreement. The value of the warrants was $492,000 based on the Black-Scholes valuation of the underlying security, which was recognized as a debt discount over the remaining term of the loan.

 

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9. Convertible Notes
Upon the closing of our equity offering in June 2007, convertible promissory notes issued to Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. pursuant to a collaboration, and to our bridge financing investors in 2006, were converted along with accrued interest into shares of common stock. The bridge notes, if not converted, were repayable with accrued interest at maturity, plus a repayment fee of 200% of the outstanding principal. We computed a premium on the debt in the amount of $5.25 million due upon redemption, which was being accreted over the term of the notes using the effective interest method. The unamortized premium was reversed and recorded in additional paid-in-capital when the notes were converted into common stock upon the closing of our equity offering in June 2007.
10. Warrants
As of June 30, 2008, we had the following outstanding warrants to purchase shares of common stock:
               
Number of underlying shares     Exercise Price   Expiration
           
  4,976,470     $ 6.00  
June 8, 2012
  149,026     $ 5.00  
June 8, 2014
       
 
   
  5,125,496      
 
   
       
 
   
11. Income Taxes
We have net operating loss and research and development tax credit carryforwards that may be used to reduce future taxable income and tax liabilities. However, as a result of the change in ownership related to our capital restructuring and equity offering in June 2007, we lost the use of a significant portion of our pre-Merger net operating loss carryforwards under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our deferred tax assets have been fully offset by a valuation allowance due to our cumulative losses.
12. Contingency
We initially filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC in July 2007 covering the resale of 18,508,251 shares of common stock, which includes all shares of common stock issued in our equity offering in June 2007 and shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants issued in the offering (as well as the 531,781 shares of common stock issued to the bridge noteholders and the 132,945 shares underlying their warrants). The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on October 18, 2007. Under the registration rights agreement entered into in connection with our June 2007 equity offering, subject to certain exceptions, if the registration statement ceases to remain effective, a 1% cash penalty will be assessed for each 30-day period until the registration statement becomes effective again, capped at 10%. Because the penalty is based on the number of unregistered shares of common stock held by the investors in our June 2007 equity offering, our maximum penalty exposure will decline over time as investors sell their shares of common stock that were included in the registration statement.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited financial statement and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Operating results are not necessarily indicative of results that may occur in future periods.
Overview and Recent Developments
We are a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of therapeutic product candidates designed to extend and enhance the quality of human life. Through the application of our proprietary technologies, we have established a pipeline of therapeutic product development programs in multiple diseases and conditions. In July 2007, we initiated a Phase I clinical trial in the United Kingdom with our lead candidate in clinical development (ATHX-105 for the treatment of obesity) and completed the trial in January 2008. The primary objective of the Phase I clinical trial was to assess the short-term safety of ATHX-105 and to establish an appropriate dose range for subsequent clinical studies conducted in order to assess safety and effectiveness. There were no severe or serious adverse events observed in the clinical trial, no negative effects on cardiovascular, hematology or other clinical parameters, and no discontinuations due to adverse events. Upon regulatory approval which we anticipate in the second half of 2008, we intend to initiate a Phase II clinical trial in the United States that will examine safety and effectiveness in clinically obese patients. We are also developing pharmaceutical products for the treatment of certain conditions affecting the central nervous system, such as ADHD, narcolepsy and other cognitive or attention disorders.
In the fourth quarter of 2007, we received FDA authorization to advance two MultiStem® product development programs into clinical trials, in the areas of transplant support and for treatment of damage from myocardial infarction. The application of MultiStem for certain cardiovascular applications, including myocardial infarction, is being developed with our partner, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. We have recently initiated both of these trials and intend to file an additional investigational new drug application, or IND, for treatment of ischemic stroke in the second half of 2008. In addition to these programs, we are also developing MultiStem for certain other disease indications.
In June 2007, we completed a merger with BTHC VI, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary that was formed for the purpose of completing the merger. BTHC VI was a public shell corporation with substantially no assets, liabilities or operations. We continued as the surviving entity in the merger and our business became the sole operations of BTHC VI after the merger. BTHC VI’s acquisition of us effected a change in control and was accounted for as a reverse acquisition whereby we were the accounting acquirer for financial statement purposes. Accordingly, our financial statements present our historical results and do not include the historical financial results of BTHC VI prior to the merger.
Immediately after the merger, we completed an offering of 13,000,000 shares of common stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $65.0 million in June 2007, which included the issuance of warrants to purchase 3,250,000 shares of common stock to the investors. We also issued warrants to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock to the lead investor and warrants to purchase 1,093,525 shares of common stock to the placement agents.
We have incurred losses since inception of operations in December 1995 and had an accumulated deficit of $169 million at June 30, 2008. Our losses have resulted principally from costs incurred in research and development, clinical and preclinical product development, acquisition and licensing costs, and general and administrative costs associated with our operations. We have used the financing proceeds from private equity and debt offerings and other sources of capital to develop our technologies, such as RAGE, and to acquire our stem cell technology. We have also built drug development capabilities that have enabled us to advance product candidates into clinical trials. We have established strategic collaborations that have provided revenues and capabilities to help further advance our product candidates, and we have also built a substantial portfolio of intellectual property.

 

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Results of Operations
Since our inception, our revenues have consisted of license fees from our collaborators and grant proceeds from federal and state grants. We have derived no revenue on the sale of FDA-approved products to date. Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs associated with external clinical and preclinical study fees, manufacturing costs, salaries and related personnel costs, legal expenses resulting from intellectual property application processes, and laboratory supply and reagent costs. We expense research and development costs as they are incurred. We expect to continue to make significant investments in research and development to enhance our technologies, advance clinical trials of our product candidates, expand our regulatory affairs and product development capabilities, conduct preclinical studies of our products and manufacture our products. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related personnel costs, professional fees and other corporate expenses. Our expenses are expected to increase as we expand our business development activities and support our operating activities. To date, we have financed our operations through private equity and debt financing and investments by strategic collaborators. We expect to continue to incur substantial losses through at least the next several years.
The following tables set forth our revenues and expenses for the periods indicated. The following tables are stated in thousands.
Revenues
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
License fees
  $ 453     $ 313     $ 843     $ 623  
Grant revenue
    323       410       725       979  
 
                       
 
  $ 776     $ 723     $ 1,568     $ 1,602  
 
                       
Research and development expenses
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
Type of expense   2008     2007     2008     2007  
Personnel costs
  $ 801     $ 849     $ 1,566     $ 1,446  
Research supplies
    199       155       382       359  
Facilities
    201       184       412       375  
Clinical and preclinical development costs
    1,534       625       3,832       1,433  
Sponsored research
    106       48       211       181  
Patent legal fees
    395       385       625       661  
Other
    331       743       664       868  
Stock-based compensation
    170       2,000       360       2,031  
 
                       
 
  $ 3,737     $ 4,989     $ 8,052     $ 7,354  
 
                       

 

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General and administrative expenses
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
Type of expense   2008     2007     2008     2007  
Personnel costs
  $ 476     $ 641     $ 965     $ 999  
Facilities
    86       74       173       151  
Legal and professional fees
    210       197       506       279  
Other
    340       496       675       574  
Stock-based compensation
    269       2,089       543       2,102  
 
                       
 
  $ 1,381     $ 3,497     $ 2,862     $ 4,105  
 
                       
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007
Revenues. Revenues increased to $776,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2008 from $723,000 in the comparable period in 2007. License fee revenue increased $140,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. The increase in license fee revenue was a result of the nature and timing of target acceptances under our collaboration agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb. Grant revenue decreased $87,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in grant revenue was due to the timing of expenditures that are reimbursed with grant proceeds.
Research and Development Expenses.  Research and development expenses decreased to $3.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 from $5.0 million in the comparable period in 2007. The decrease of approximately $1.3 million related primarily to a decrease in stock compensation expense of $1.8 million and a decrease in other expenses of $412,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the comparable period in 2007. The decrease in other expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2008 was primarily a result of milestone payment in the comparable period in 2007 in the amount of $507,000 associated with a collaboration related to our stem cell technology. These decreases were partially offset primarily by an increase in clinical and preclinical development costs of $909,000 related to preparations for a Phase II clinical trial of ATHX-105 and two Phase I clinical trials related to MultiStem. Our clinical costs for the three months ended June 30, 2008 are reflected net of Angiotech’s cost-sharing amount related to our MultiStem acute myocardial infarction collaboration in the amount of $269,500. We expect these expenses to continue to increase in 2008 as we expect to initiate our ATHX-105 Phase II clinical trial and two or more MultiStem clinical trials. Other than external expenses for our clinical and preclinical programs, we do not track our research expenses by project; rather, we track such expenses by the type of cost incurred.

 

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General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses decreased to $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 from $3.5 million in the comparable period in 2007. The decrease of $2.1 million relates primarily to a $1.8 million decrease in stock compensation expense, a $156,000 decrease in other expenses and a $153,000 decrease in personnel and facilities costs. Included in other expenses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2007 was a one-time advisory fee of $350,000 related to the merger, which is the primary reason for the decrease in other expenses. Included in personnel costs in the three months ended June 30, 2007 was approximately $308,000 of bonus expenses that were tied to the achievement of certain milestones and is the primary reason for the decrease in personnel costs.
Depreciation. Depreciation expense decreased to $52,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2008 from $75,000 for the comparable period in 2007. The decrease was due to more equipment becoming fully depreciated.
Other Income. In May 2007, we sold certain non-core assets related to its asthma drug discovery program to a pharmaceutical company for $2.0 million, of which $1.5 million was received at closing and recorded in other income. The remaining $500,000 was received and recognized as other income in August 2007 upon our delivery of certain ancillary assets related to the program.
Interest Income.  Interest income represents interest income earned on our cash and available-for-sale securities. Interest income increased to $286,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2008 from $175,000 for the comparable period in 2007 due to the increase in our average cash balances as a result of our equity offering in June 2007. Due to declining interest rates and lower cash balances as a result of our ongoing and planned clinical and preclinical development, we expect our 2008 interest income to decline over the remaining quarters of 2008.
Interest Expense.  Interest expense decreased to $31,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2008 from $710,000 for the comparable period in 2007. Interest expense in the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 consists primarily of interest on our senior loan. Included in interest expense for the three-month period ended June 30, 2007 is interest on our senior loan and subordinated convertible promissory notes issued to our bridge investors in October 2006 and to Angiotech, which were converted into common stock upon the closing of our equity offering in June 2007. Unless we enter into a new debt arrangement, we expect our interest expense to decrease in the second half of 2008 as a result of the repayment at maturity of our senior loan in June 2008.
Accretion of Premium on Convertible Debt.  The accretion of premium on convertible debt for the three months ended June 30, 2007 relates to the subordinated convertible promissory notes issued to bridge investors in October 2006. The notes, if not converted, were repayable with accrued interest at maturity, plus a repayment fee of 200% of the outstanding principal. We computed a premium on the debt in the amount of $5.25 million due upon redemption, which was being accreted over the term of the notes using the effective interest method. The unamortized premium was reversed and recorded in additional paid-in-capital when the notes were converted into common stock upon the closing of our equity offering in June 2007.
Deemed Dividend. In connection with the merger in 2007, all shares of Athersys’ convertible preferred stock were converted into common stock, which resulted in a deemed dividend in the amount of $4.8 million from the induced conversion associated with the change in the conversion ratios. This amount is reflected as an increase to the net loss attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended June 30, 2007.

 

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Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007
Revenues. Total revenues were comparable for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. Grant revenue decreased $254,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in grant revenue was due to the timing of expenditures that are reimbursed with grant proceeds. License fee revenue increased $220,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase in license fee revenue over this period was a result of the nature and timing of target acceptances under our collaboration agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Research and Development Expenses.  Research and development expenses increased to $8.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 from $7.4 million in the comparable period in 2007. The increase of approximately $700,000 related primarily to an increase in clinical and preclinical development costs of $2.4 million, an increase in personnel, research supplies and facilities costs of $180,000 and an increase in sponsored research of $30,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the comparable period in 2007. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in stock compensation expense of $1.7 million, a decrease in other expenses of $204,000 and a decrease in patent legal fees of $36,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the comparable period in 2007. The $2.4 million increase in preclinical and clinical costs was a result of the continuation of the ATHX-105 clinical trial, which was completed in January 2008, preparation for a Phase II clinical trial of ATHX-105, which includes certain non-clinical studies, and preparation for Phase I clinical trials for MultiStem in 2008. Our clinical costs for the six months ended June 30, 2008 are reflected net of Angiotech’s cost-sharing amount related to our MultiStem acute myocardial infarction collaboration in the amount of $462,000. We expect these expenses to continue to increase in 2008 as we expect to initiate our ATHX-105 Phase II clinical trial and continue two MultiStem clinical trials that were recently initiated. The decrease in other expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was primarily a result of milestone payment in 2007 in the amount of $507,000 associated with a collaboration related to our stem cell technology. Other than external expenses for our clinical and preclinical programs, we do not track our research expenses by project; rather, we track such expenses by the type of cost incurred.
General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses decreased to $2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 from $4.1 million in the comparable period in 2007. The decrease of $1.2 million relates primarily to a $1.6 million decrease in stock compensation expense. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in legal, professional and consulting fees of $227,000 and an increase in other expenses of $101,000. The increase in legal and professional fees for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was primarily a result of accounting and auditing fees incurred in connection with our annual audit and annual report, legal fees incurred in connection with our annual report and fees for our board of directors. The increase in other expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 was primarily a result of costs such as printing costs for SEC filings, Nasdaq listing fees, directors’ and officers’ insurance costs, investor and public relations costs and costs related to compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Depreciation. Depreciation expense decreased to $109,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 from $155,000 for the comparable period in 2007. The decrease was due to more equipment becoming fully depreciated.
Other Income. In May 2007, we sold certain non-core assets related to its asthma drug discovery program to a pharmaceutical company for $2.0 million, of which $1.5 million was received at closing and recorded in other income. The remaining $500,000 was received and recognized as other income in August 2007 upon our delivery of certain ancillary assets related to the program.

 

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Interest Income.  Interest income represents interest income earned on our cash and available-for-sale securities. Interest income increased to $742,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 from $222,000 for the comparable period in 2007 due to the increase in our average cash balances as a result of our equity offering in June 2007. Due to declining interest rates and lower cash balances as a result of our ongoing and planned clinical and preclinical development, we expect our 2008 interest income to decline over the remaining quarters of 2008.
Interest Expense.  Interest expense decreased to $93,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 from $1.0 million for the comparable period in 2007. Interest expense in the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 consists primarily of interest on our senior loan. Included in interest expense for the six-month period ended June 30, 2007 is interest on our senior loan and subordinated convertible promissory notes issued to our bridge investors in October 2006 and to Angiotech, which were converted into common stock upon the closing of our equity offering in June 2007. Unless we enter into a new debt arrangement, we expect our interest expense to decrease in the second half of 2008 as a result of the repayment at maturity of our senior loan in June 2008.
Accretion of Premium on Convertible Debt.  The accretion of premium on convertible debt for the six months ended June 30, 2007 relates to the subordinated convertible promissory notes issued to bridge investors in October 2006. The notes, if not converted, were repayable with accrued interest at maturity, plus a repayment fee of 200% of the outstanding principal. We computed a premium on the debt in the amount of $5.25 million due upon redemption, which was being accreted over the term of the notes using the effective interest method. The unamortized premium was reversed and recorded in additional paid-in-capital when the notes were converted into common stock upon the closing of our equity offering in June 2007.
Deemed Dividend. In connection with the merger in 2007, all shares of Athersys’ convertible preferred stock were converted into common stock, which resulted in a deemed dividend in the amount of $4.8 million from the induced conversion associated with the change in the conversion ratios. This amount is reflected as an increase to the net loss attributable to common stockholders for the six months ended June 30, 2007.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our sources of liquidity include our cash balances and available-for-sale securities. At June 30, 2008, we had $17.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and $22.0 million in available-for-sale securities. We have primarily financed our operations through private equity and debt financings that have resulted in aggregate cumulative proceeds of approximately $200 million.
We will require substantial additional funding in order to continue our research and product development programs, including preclinical testing and clinical trials of our product candidates. We anticipate using approximately $25 million to fund our activities in 2008, which would represent an increase in cash expenditures as compared to 2007 and reflects the impact of the ATHX-105 Phase II clinical trial that we intend to initiate in the second half of 2008. When we complete the ATHX-105 Phase II clinical trial, we expect lower clinical development costs in 2009, and as a result, expect to have available cash to fund our operations into 2010 based on our current business and operational plans and assuming no new financings. Our funding requirements may change at any time due to technological advances, competition from other companies or for other reasons. Our future capital requirements will also depend on numerous other factors, including scientific progress in our research and development programs, additional personnel costs, progress in preclinical testing and clinical trials, the time and cost related to proposed regulatory approvals, if any, and the costs in filing and prosecuting patent applications and enforcing patent claims. We cannot assure you that adequate funding will be available to us or, if available, that it will be available on acceptable terms. Any shortfall in funding could result in our having to curtail our research and development efforts.

 

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We expect to continue to incur substantial losses through at least the next several years and may incur losses in subsequent periods. The amount and timing of our future losses are highly uncertain. Our ability to achieve and thereafter sustain profitability will be dependent upon, among other things, successfully developing, commercializing and obtaining regulatory approval or clearances for our technologies and products resulting from these technologies.
Net cash used in operating activities was $7.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and $4.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and represented the use of cash in funding preclinical and product development initiatives and administrative costs. We expect that net cash used in operating activities will increase as we increase our clinical trial activity for ATHX-105 and MultiStem and as we continue to advance our various research and product development activities.
Net cash provided (used) in investing activities was $14.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and $(3,000) for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The fluctuation from period to period was due to the timing of purchases and maturity dates of investments and purchases of equipment.
Financing activities used cash of $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and provided cash of $61.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The fluctuation relates primarily to proceeds from the equity offering in June 2007, the issuance of convertible promissory notes in the first quarter of 2007 and the repayment of our senior loan.
Investors in our equity offering in June 2007 received five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 3,250,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $6.00 per share. The lead investor in the June offering, Radius Venture Partners, invested $10.0 million in the June offering and received additional five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 500,000 shares of common stock with a cash or cashless exercise price of $6.00 per share. The placement agents for the June offering received five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,093,525 shares of common stock with a cash or cashless exercise price of $6.00 per share. The exercise of such warrants could provide us with cash proceeds.
Our senior loan was repaid in full in June 2008. The senior lenders retain a right to receive a milestone payment of $2.25 million upon the occurrence of certain events as follows: (1) the entire amount upon (a) the merger with or into another entity where our stockholders do not hold at least a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity, (b) the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and (c) our liquidation or dissolution; or (2) a portion of the amount from proceeds of equity financings not tied to specific research and development activities that are part of a research or development collaboration, in which case, the senior lenders will receive an amount equal to 10% of proceeds above $5.0 million in cumulative gross proceeds until the milestone amount is paid in full. The milestone payment is payable in cash, except that if the milestone event is (2) above, we may elect to pay 75% of the milestone in shares of common stock at the per-share offering price. No milestone events occurred in the six-month period ended June 30, 2008. The senior lenders also received warrants to purchase 149,026 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $5.00 upon the closing of our equity offering in June 2007. We are considering entering into a new debt facility in 2008.
In connection with developing MultiStem for the treatment of the cardiovascular disorders of myocardial infarction and peripheral vascular disease as part of a commercial collaboration with Angiotech that was entered into in May 2006, in support of the collaboration, Angiotech purchased subordinated convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $10.0 million, which were converted along with accrued interest into common stock upon the closing of our equity offering in June 2007. Upon the successful achievement of specified clinical development and commercialization milestones, we may also receive up to $3.75 million of additional equity investments and $63.75 million of aggregate cash payments, though there can be no assurance that we will achieve any milestones.

 

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Under the terms of the collaboration, the parties plan to jointly fund clinical development activity, whereby preclinical costs will be borne solely by us, costs for Phase I and Phase II studies will be borne 50% by us and 50% by Angiotech, costs for the first phase III study will be borne 33% by us and 67% by Angiotech, and costs for any Phase III studies subsequent to the first Phase III study will be borne 25% by us and 75% by Angiotech. We have lead responsibility for preclinical and early clinical development and manufacturing of the MultiStem product, and Angiotech will take the lead on pivotal and later clinical trials and commercialization. Late in 2007, the parties began to share costs for Phase I clinical development, of which $269,500 was due from Angiotech at June 30, 2008. We will receive nearly half of the net profits from the sale of any jointly developed, approved products. In addition, we will retain the commercial rights to MultiStem for all other therapeutic applications, including treatment of stroke, bone marrow transplantation and oncology support, blood and immune system disorders, autoimmune disease, and other indications that we may elect to pursue. In December 2007, we achieved a clinical development milestone upon the authorization of our IND by the FDA. This milestone event required Angiotech to either purchase $5.0 million of our common stock, or forego the purchase and allow us to select from two pre-defined milestone replacements. Angiotech opted to forego the purchase, and we elected to increase our share of the net profits from the sale of approved products as the milestone replacement.
We have an operating lease for our office and laboratory space with options to renew through March 2013 at the existing rental rate, which is approximately $267,000 per year. We exercised options to renew the lease through March 2010. In February 2008, we entered into a three-year lease agreement for office and laboratory space for our Belgian subsidiary, with an annual rent of approximately $45,000, subject to annual adjustments based on an inflationary index. The lease includes an option to renew for four additional years, through December 31, 2014.
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND MANAGEMENT ESTIMATES
The SEC defines critical accounting policies as those that are, in management’s view, important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and demanding of management’s judgment. Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates on experience and on various assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from those estimates. A description of these accounting policies and estimates is included in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. There have been no material changes in our accounting polices and estimates as described in our Annual Report. For additional information regarding our accounting policies, see Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
New Accounting Standards
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. The FASB delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. We adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 related to our financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2008, which did not have a material impact on our financial position or results. See Note 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

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In May 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position APB 14-1 (“FSP 14-1”), Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement). FSP 14-1 requires the issuer of certain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash on conversion to separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that reflected the issuer’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The effective date of FSP 14-1 is January 1, 2009 for calendar year companies with retrospective application required for all periods presented for instruments that were outstanding during any period presented in the annual financial statements. We are currently evaluating the effect that FSP 14-1 will have on our financial statements.
CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the expected timetable for development of our product candidates, our growth strategy, and our future financial performance, including our operations, economic performance, financial condition, prospects, and other future events. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by using such words as “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and are largely based on our current expectations. These forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
In addition, a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could affect the accuracy of these statements. Some of the more significant known risks that we face are the risks and uncertainties inherent in the process of discovering, developing, and commercializing products that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, including the uncertainty regarding market acceptance of our product candidates and our ability to generate revenues. These risks may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Other important factors to consider in evaluating our forward-looking statements include:
    our ability to successfully complete clinical trials for our product candidates;
    the possibility of delays in, adverse results of and excessive costs of the development process;
    changes in external market factors;
    changes in our industry’s overall performance;
    changes in our business strategy;
    our ability to protect our intellectual property portfolio;
    our possible inability to enter into licensing or co-development arrangements for certain product candidates;
    our possible inability to execute our strategy due to changes in our industry or the economy generally;
    changes in productivity and reliability of suppliers; and
    the success of our competitors and the emergence of new competitors.

 

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Although we currently believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee our future results, levels of activity or performance. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our reports on Forms 10-Q, 8-K and 10-K furnished to the SEC. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all risk factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to interest rate risk is related to our investment portfolio. Fixed rate investments may have their fair market value adversely impacted from changes in interest rates. Due in part to these factors, our future investment income may fall short of expectations. Further, we may suffer losses in investment principal if we are forced to sell securities that have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates. We invest our excess cash primarily in debt instruments of the U.S. government and its agencies, corporate debt securities, floating-rate notes and A1+/P1 commercial paper.
We enter into loan arrangements with financial institutions when needed. At June 30, 2008, we had no outstanding debt.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure controls and procedures
Our management, under the supervision of and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Vice President of Finance, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
During the second quarter of 2008, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Athersys held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 20, 2008. At the meeting, the following actions were taken:
  a)   The eight nominees for director were elected by the following votes:
                 
    Number of Shares Voted For     Number of Shares Withheld  
Gil Van Bokkelen
    11,402,226       3,226  
Jordan Davis
    11,402,226       3,226  
John Harrington
    11,386,793       18,659  
Floyd Loop
    11,402,226       3,226  
George Milne
    11,402,226       3,226  
William Mulligan
    11,402,226       3,226  
Lorin Randall
    11,402,226       3,226  
Michael Sheffery
    11,402,226       3,226  
  b)   Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Athersys’ independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008 was approved with the following number of votes:
             
For   Against   Abstain   Broker Non-Votes
11,342,513
  10,000   52,939  
Item 6. Exhibits.
         
Exhibit No.   Description
       
 
  31.1    
Certification of Gil Van Bokkelen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to SEC Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  31.2    
Certification of Laura K. Campbell, Vice President of Finance, pursuant to SEC Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  32.1    
Certification of Gil Van Bokkelen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Laura Campbell, Vice President of Finance, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  ATHERSYS, INC.
 
 
Date: August 6, 2008  /s/ Gil Van Bokkelen    
  Gil Van Bokkelen   
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer authorized
to sign on behalf of the registrant) 
 
     
  /s/ Laura K. Campbell    
  Laura K. Campbell   
  Vice President, Finance
(principal financial and accounting officer
authorized to sign on behalf of the registrant) 
 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
         
Exhibit No.   Description
       
 
  31.1    
Certification of Gil Van Bokkelen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to SEC Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  31.2    
Certification of Laura K. Campbell, Vice President of Finance, pursuant to SEC Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  32.1    
Certification of Gil Van Bokkelen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Laura Campbell, Vice President of Finance, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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