Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Debt and Interest

v3.19.1
Debt and Interest
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Debt Disclosure
9. Debt and Interest
 
Debt
 
Total debt consists of the following as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
Interest rate
 
 
Maturity
IDB Note
 
$
14,929
 
 
$
14,929
 
 
 
2.25
%
 
Aug - 2020
2017 Subordinated Note Financing
 
 
3,254
 
 
 
3,254
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
March - 2020
2017 Subordinated Note Financing
 
 
13,893
 
 
 
13,893
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
May - 2020
2017 Subordinated Note Financing
 
 
1,820
 
 
 
1,820
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
June - 2020
2017 Subordinated Note Financing
 
 
3,018
 
 
 
3,018
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
August - 2020
2017 Subordinated Note Financing
 
 
6,371
 
 
 
6,371
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
September - 2020
2018 Venture Debt
 
 
6,517
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
February - 2021
2018 Venture Debt
 
 
15,190
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
March - 2021
Opus Credit  Facility
3
 
 
9,500
 
 
 
9,500
 
 
 
12.00
%
 
September - 2019
Helocyte Convertible Note, at fair
value
2
 
 
 
 
 
1,000
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
December 2017
Helocyte Convertible Note, at fair
value
2
 
 
 
 
 
2,194
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
September - 2018
Helocyte Convertible Note, at fair
value
2
 
 
 
 
 
1,062
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
April - 2018
Helocyte Convertible Note, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
444
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
November - 2018
Caelum Convertible Note, at fair
value
1
 
 
1,000
 
 
 
1,017
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
January - 2019
Caelum Convertible Note, at fair
value
1
 
 
6,800
 
 
 
6,900
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
February - 2019
Caelum Convertible Note, at fair
value
1
 
 
2,114
 
 
 
2,142
 
 
 
8.00
%
 
March - 2019
Total notes payable
 
 
84,406
 
 
 
67,544
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Discount on notes payable
 
 
4,903
 
 
 
5,045
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total notes payable
 
$
79,503
 
 
$
62,499
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 1:  – Classified as short-term on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018.
Note 2:  – Classified as short-term on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017.
Note 3:  – Classified as short-term on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
 
IDB Note
 
On February 13, 2014, the Company executed a promissory note in favor of IDB in the amount of $15.0 million (the “IDB Note”). The Company borrowed $14.0 million against this note and used it to repay its prior loan from Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. The Company may request revolving advances under the IDB Note in a minimum amount of $0.1 million (or the remaining amount of the undrawn balance under the IDB Note if such amount is less than $0.1 million). All amounts advanced under the IDB Note are due in full at the earlier of: (i) August 1, 2020, as extended or (ii) on the IDB’s election following the occurrence and continuation of an event of default. The unpaid principal amount of each advance shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate payable on the Company’s money market account plus a margin of 150 basis points. The interest rate at December 31, 2018 was 2.25%. The IDB Note contains various representations and warranties customary for financings of this type.
 
The obligations of the Company under the IDB Note are collateralized by a security interest in, a general lien upon, and a right of set-off against the Company’s money market account of $15.0 million pursuant to the Assignment and Pledge of Money Market Account, dated as of February 13, 2014 (the “Pledge Agreement”). Pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, the Bank may, after the occurrence and continuation of an event of default under the IDB Note, recover from the money market account all amounts outstanding under the IDB Note. The Pledge Agreement contains various representations, warranties, and covenants customary for pledge agreements of this type.
 
The Company will default on the IDB Note if, among other things, it fails to pay outstanding principal or interest when due. Following the occurrence of an event of default under the IDB Note, the Bank may: (i) declare the entire outstanding principal balance of the IDB Note, together with all accrued interest and other sums due under the IDB Note, to be immediately due and payable; (ii) exercise its right of setoff against any money, funds, credits or other property of any nature in possession of, under control or custody of, or on deposit with IDB; (iii) terminate the commitments of IDB; and (iv) liquidate the money market account to reduce the Company’s obligations to IDB.
 
During 2016, the Company and IDB extended the maturity date of the IDB Note to February 27, 2018. On September 18, 2017, the maturity on the IDB Note was extended to August 1, 2020. The Company applied the 10% cash flow test pursuant to ASC 470 to calculate the difference between the present value of the amended IDB Note’s cash flows and the present value of the original remaining cash flow and concluded that the results didn't exceed the 10% factor, the debt modification is not considered substantially different and did not apply extinguishment accounting, rather accounting for the modification on a prospective basis pursuant to ASC 470. The Company only pays interest on the IDB Note through maturity.
 
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had approximately $14.9 million outstanding under its promissory note with IDB.
 
NSC Note
 
In March 2015, the Company closed a private placement of a promissory note for $10.0 million through National Securities Corporation’s “NSC Note
. The Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Executive Vice President, Strategic Development, are Co-Portfolio Managers and Partners of Opus Point Partners Management, LLC (“OPPM”), which owns approximately 4.7% of National Holdings Corporation, Inc. the parent of National Securities Inc. The Company used the proceeds from the NSC Note to acquire medical technologies and products. The NSC Note matured in 36 months, provided that during the first 24 months the Company can extend the maturity date by six months. No principal amount is due for the first 24 months (or the first 30 months if the maturity date is extended). Thereafter, the NSC Note will be repaid at the rate of 1/12 of the principal amount per month for a period of 12 months. Interest on the note is 8% payable quarterly during the first 24 months (or the first 30 months if the note is extended) and monthly during the last 12 months. NSC, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Holdings Corporation, acted as the sole placement agent for the NSC Note. The Company paid NSC a fee of $0.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, in connection with the NSC Note. At December 31, 2015, the Company recorded the fee as a discount to notes payable, long-term on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and amortized it over the life of the NSC Note. The effective interest rate on the NSC Note was 14.00% at December 31, 2017, respectively. The NSC Note was paid in July 2017.
  
Helocyte Convertible Notes
 
During 2016 Helocyte entered into an agreement with Aegis Capital Corp. (“Aegis”) to raise up to $5.0 million in convertible notes. The notes had an initial term of 18 months, which could be extended at the option of the holder, on one or more occasions, for up to 180 days and accrue simple interest at the rate of 5% per annum for the first 12 months and 8% per annum simple interest thereafter. The notes are guaranteed by Fortress. The outstanding principal and interest of the notes automatically converts into the type of equity securities sold by Helocyte in the next sale of equity securities in which Helocyte realizes aggregate gross cash proceeds of at least $10.0 million (before commissions or other expenses and excluding conversion of the notes) at a conversion price equal to the lesser of (a) the lowest price per share at which equity securities of Helocyte are sold in such sale less a 33% discount and (b) a per share price based on a pre-offering valuation of $50.0 million divided by the number of common shares outstanding on a fully-diluted basis. The outstanding principal and interest of the notes may be converted at the option of the holder in any sale of equity securities that does not meet the $10.0 million threshold for automatic conversion using the same methodology. The notes also automatically convert upon a “Sale” of Helocyte, defined as (a) a transaction or series of related transactions where one or more non-affiliates acquires (i) capital stock of Helocyte or any surviving successor entity possessing the voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or (ii) a majority of the outstanding capital stock of Helocyte or the surviving successor entity (b) the sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of Helocyte’s assets or any other transaction resulting in substantially all of Helocyte’s assets being converted into securities of another entity or cash. Upon a Sale of Helocyte, the outstanding principal and interest of the notes automatically converts into common shares at a price equal to the lesser of (a) a discount to the price per share being paid in the Sale of Helocyte equal to 33% or (b) a conversion price per share based on a pre-sale valuation of $50.0 million divided by the fully-diluted common stock of Helocyte immediately prior to the Sale of Helocyte (excluding the notes).
 
As of December 31, 2016, Helocyte realized net proceeds in its four separate closings of $3.9 million after paying Aegis, its placement fee of $0.4 million, or approximately 10% of the net proceeds, and legal fees of approximately $0.1 million. Additionally, Aegis received warrants (“Helocyte Warrants”) to purchase the number of shares of Helocyte’s common stock equal to $0.4 million, divided by the price per share at which any note sold to investors first converts into Helocyte’s common stock. The warrants are issued at each closing. The Helocyte Warrants, which were recorded as a liability in accordance with ASC 815, have a five-year term and have a per share exercise price equal to
110
% of the price per share at which any note sold to investors first converts into Helocyte’s common stock. The Offering expired on December 31, 2016.
 
Due to the complexity and number of embedded features within each convertible note, and as permitted under accounting guidance, the Company elected to account for the convertible notes and all the embedded features under the fair value option (see note 5).
 
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, the Helocyte Convertible Notes matured, and were all repaid in full.
 
Opus Credit Facility Agreement
 
On September 14, 2016, Fortress entered into a Credit Facility Agreement (the “Opus Credit Facility”) with Opus Point Healthcare Innovations Fund, LP (“OPHIF”). Since Fortress’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Lindsay A. Rosenwald) and Fortress’s Executive Vice President, Strategic Development (Michael S. Weiss), are Co-Portfolio Managers and Partners of Opus Point Partners Management, LLC (“Opus”), an affiliate of OPHIF, all of the disinterested directors of Fortress’s board of directors approved the terms of the Credit Facility Agreement and accompanying Pledge and Security Agreement and forms of Note and Warrant (collectively, the “Financing Documents”).
 
Pursuant to the Opus Credit Facility, Fortress may borrow up to a maximum aggregate amount of $25.0 million from OPHIF and any other lender that joins the Credit Facility Agreement from time to time (OPHIF and each subsequent lender, a “Lender”) under one or more convertible secured promissory notes (each a “Note”) from September 14, 2016 until September 1, 2017 (the “Commitment Period”). All amounts borrowed under the Credit Facility Agreement must be paid in full on September 14, 2018 (the “Maturity Date”), though Fortress may prepay the Notes at any time without penalty.
 
Pursuant to the Opus Credit Facility and form of Note, each Note will bear interest at 12% per annum and interest will be paid quarterly in arrears commencing on December 1, 2016 and on the first business day of each September, December, March and June thereafter until the Maturity Date. Upon the occurrence and continuance of an event of default (as specified in Credit Facility Agreement and form of Note), each Note will bear interest at 14% and be payable on demand. The Lenders may elect to convert the principal and interest of the Notes at any time into shares of Fortress’s common stock (“Common Stock”) at a conversion price of $10.00 per share. All Notes are secured by shares of capital stock currently held by Fortress in certain Fortress Companies as set forth in the Pledge and Security Agreement entered into between Fortress, its wholly owned subsidiary, FBIO Acquisition, Inc., and OPHIF (as collateral agent on behalf of all the Lenders) on September 14, 2016 (the “Pledge and Security Agreement”).
 
Fortress may terminate the Opus Credit Facility upon notice to the Lenders and payment of all outstanding obligations under the Credit Facility Agreement. Notwithstanding any early termination of the Credit Facility Agreement, within 15 days after termination of the Commitment Period, Fortress will issue each Lender warrants (each a “Warrant”) pursuant to the terms of the Credit Facility Agreement and form of Warrant to purchase their pro rata share of (a) 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock; and (b) that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (i) 1,000,000, times (ii) the principal amount of all Notes divided by 25,000,000. The Warrants will have a five-year term and will be exercisable at a price of $3.00 per share.
 
On March 12, 2018, the Company and Opus Point Healthcare Innovation Healthcare Fund (“OPHIF”) amended and restated the Opus Credit Facility (the “A&R Opus Credit Facility”). The A&R Opus Credit Facility extended the maturity date of the notes issued under the Opus Credit Facility from September 14, 2018 by one year to September 14, 2019. The A&R Opus Credit Facility also permits the Company to make portions of interest and principal repayments in the form of shares of the Company’s common stock and/or in common stock of the Company’s publicly-traded subsidiaries, subject to certain conditions. Fortress retains the ability to prepay the Notes at any time without penalty. The notes payable under the A&R Opus Credit Facility continue to bear interest at 12% per annum.
The A&R Opus Credit Facility was accounted for as a debt modification for the year ended December 31, 2018.
 
As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, $9.5 million was outstanding under the Opus Credit Facility.
 
IDB Letters of Credit
 
The Company has several letters of credit (“LOC”) with IDB securing rent deposits for lease facilities totaling approximately $1.1 million. 
The LOC’s are secured by cash, which is included in restricted cash. 
Interest paid on the letters of credit is 2% 
per annum
.
 
2017 Subordinated Note Financing
 
On March 31, 2017, the Company entered into Note Purchase Agreements (the “Purchase Agreements”) with NAM Biotech Fund II, LLC I (“NAM Biotech Fund”) and NAM Special Situations Fund I QP, LLC (“NAM Special Situations Fund”), both of which are accredited investors, and sold subordinated promissory notes (the “Notes”) of the Company (the “2017 Subordinated Note Financing”) in the aggregate principal amount of $3.25 million. The Notes bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum; additionally, the Notes accrue paid-in-kind interest at the rate of 7% per annum, which will be paid quarterly in shares of the Company’s common stock and/or shares of common stock of one of the Company’s subsidiaries that are publicly traded, in accordance with the terms of the Notes. Each Note is due on the third anniversary of its issuance, provided that the Company may extend the maturity date for two one-year periods in its sole discretion. The 2017 Subordinated Note Financing is for a maximum of $40.0 million (which the Company may, in its sole discretion, increase to $50.0 million).
 
National Securities Corporation (“NSC”), a subsidiary of National and a related party, (see Note 16), pursuant to a Placement Agency Agreement entered into between the Company, NAM Biotech Fund and NSC (the “NAM Placement Agency Agreement”) and a Placement Agency Agreement entered into between the Company, NAM Special Situations Fund and NSC (together with the NAM Placement Agency Agreement, the “Placement Agency Agreements”) acts as placement agent in the 2017 Subordinated Note Financing. Pursuant to the terms of the Placement Agency Agreements, NSC receives (in addition to reimbursement of certain expenses) an aggregate cash fee equal to 10% of the aggregate sales price of the Notes sold in the 2017 Subordinated Note Financing to NAM Biotech Fund and NAM Special Situations Fund. The Placement Agent also receives warrants equal to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes sold in the 2017 Subordinated Note Financing divided by the closing share price of the Company’s common stock on the date of closing (the “Placement Agent Warrants”). The Placement Agent Warrants are exercisable immediately at such closing share price for a period of five years. The Placement Agent will have a right of first offer for a period of 12 months for any proposed issuance of the Company’s capital stock in a private financing, subject to certain exceptions, and will also have the right to participate as an investor in subsequent financings.
 
On March 31, 2017, the Company held its first closing of the 2017 Subordinated Note Financing and received gross proceeds of $3.2 million. NSC received a cash fee of approximately $0.3 million and warrant to purchase 87,946 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of per share $3.70.
 
On May 1, 2017, the Company held a second closing of the 2017 Subordinated Note Financing and received gross proceeds of $8.6 million, before expenses. NSC received a placement agent fee of approximately $0.9 million in the second closing and warrants to purchase
234,438
shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.65 per share.
 
On May 31, 2017, the Company held a third closing of the 2017 Subordinated Note Financing and received gross proceeds of $5.3 million, before expenses. NSC received a placement agent fee of approximately $0.5 million in the third closing and warrants to purchase 147,806 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.61 per share.
 
On June 30, 2017, the Company held a fourth closing of the 2017 Subordinated Note Financing and received gross proceeds of $1.8 million, before expenses. NSC received a placement agent fee of approximately $0.2 million in the fourth closing and warrants to purchase 38,315 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $4.75 per share.
 
 On August 31, 2017, the Company held a fifth closing of the 2017 Subordinated Note Financing and received gross proceeds of $3.0 million, before expenses. NSC received a placement agent fee of approximately $0.3 million in the fifth closing and warrants to purchase 63,526 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $4.75 per share.
 
On September 30, 2017, the Company held a sixth closing of the 2017 Subordinated Note Financing and received gross proceeds of $6.4 million, before expenses. NSC received a placement agent fee of approximately $0.6 million in the sixth closing and warrants to purchase 144,149 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $4.42 per share.
 
Caelum Convertible Notes
 
On July 31, 2017 Caelum through National Securities Corporation (“NSC” or “Placement Agent”), a subsidiary of National offered up to $10 million, convertible promissory notes (the “Caelum Convertible Notes”) to accredited investors (as defined under the U.S. Federal securities laws). Under the terms of the offering the Placement Agent received a 10% selling commission, payable by Caelum and deducted from the gross proceeds (see Note 16).
 
During the year ended December 31, 2017, Caelum raised $9.9 million in the offering, in three separate closings and paid a placement fee equal to 10% of the proceeds of the sale or $0.9 million. Additionally NSC received warrants to purchase a number of shares the Caelum’s Common Stock equal to 10% of the aggregate amount of shares underlying the Notes with a per share exercise price equal to 110% of the per share conversion price of the Notes; provided, however, that if no Note converts, the exercise price will be $75 million dollars divided by the total number of fully-diluted shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to exercise of the warrant, giving effect to the assumed conversion of all options, warrants, and convertible securities of the Company.
 
The notes convert upon a qualified financing in which Caelum raises gross proceeds of at least $10 million as follows: the lesser of (a) a discount to the price per common share being paid in the Sale of the Company equal to 20% or (b) a conversion price per share based on a pre-sale valuation of $75,000,000 divided by the number of common shares outstanding at that time assuming the hypothetical conversion or exercise of any convertible securities, options, warrants and other rights to acquire common shares of the Company. The Company elected the fair value option to account for this note.
 
On January 30, 2019 Caelum entered into a Development, Option and Stock Purchase Agreement (the “DOSPA”) and related documents by and among Caelum, Alexion Therapeutics, Inc. (“Alexion”), Fortress and the Caelum security holders’ parties thereto (including Fortress, the “Sellers”) (see Note 21). The first of four transactional components of the DOSPA is the purchase by Alexion of a number of shares of Caelum preferred stock equal to 19.9% of Caelum’s total capitalization for consideration of $30 million. This transaction caused the Caelum convertible notes to convert into 1,870,412,shares of Caelum preferred Class B stock. Based on this transaction, the notes were written down to par value of $9.9 million and the related warrant liability was written up to the full value of $
1.0
million at December 31, 2018 (see Note 5). 
Further, the Alexion transaction resulted in the automatic conversion of the notes, as such on January 30, 2019 the notes were converted into equity.
 
2018 Venture Notes
 
During the period ended March 31, 2018, the Company closed a private placement of promissory notes for an aggregate of $21.7 million (the “2018 Venture Notes”) through National Securities Corporation (“NSC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of National and a related party by virtue of the Company’s ownership of National. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the 2018 Venture Notes to acquire and license medical technologies and products through existing or recently formed Company subsidiaries. The Company may also use the proceeds to finance its subsidiaries. The notes mature 36 months from issuance, provided that during the first 24 months the Company may extend the maturity date by six months. No principal amount will be due for the first 24 months (or the first 30 months if the maturity date is extended). Thereafter, the note will be repaid at the rate of 1/12 of the principal amount per month for a period of 12 months. Interest on the note is 8% payable quarterly during the first 24 months (or the first 30 months if the note is extended) and monthly during the last 12 months.
 
NSC acted as the sole placement agent for the 2018 Venture Notes. The Company paid NSC a fee of $1.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 in connection with its placement of the 2018 Venture Notes.
 
The 2018 Venture Notes allows the Company to transfer a portion of the proceeds from the 2018 Venture Notes to a Fortress subsidiary upon the completion by such subsidiary of an initial public offering in which it raises sufficient equity capital so that it has cash equal to five times the amount of the portion of the proceeds of the 2018 Venture Notes so transferred (the “SubCo Funding Threshold”). At the time of transfer the Company’s obligation under the NSC Note will be reduced by the amount transferred.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company has transferred $
2.2
million to Aevitas, $
1.4
million to Tamid, $
1.1
Million to Cyprium and $
1.7
million to Cellvation. Notwithstanding such transfers, the Company continues to hold such debt balances as liabilities on its own balance sheet on a consolidated basis, until such time as the SubCo Funding Threshold is met with respect to a particular subsidiary.
 
In connection with this transfer NSC will receive warrants to purchase each such subsidiary’s stock equal to 25% of that subsidiary’s proceeds of the 2018 Venture Notes divided by the lowest price at which the subsidiary sells its equity in its first third party equity financing. The warrants issued will have a term of 10 years and an exercise price equal to the par value of the Fortress subsidiary’s common stock. As of December 31, 2018, the warrants were contingently issuable as neither an initial public offering nor a third-party financing had occurred.
 
Interest Expense
 
The following table shows the details of interest expense for all debt arrangements during the periods presented. Interest expense includes contractual interest and amortization of the debt discount and amortization of fees represents fees associated with loan transaction costs, amortized over the life of the loan:
 
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
($ in thousands)
 
2018
   
2017
 
   
Interest
   
Fees 
1
   
Total
   
Interest
   
Financing
   
Fees 
1
   
Total
 
IDB Note   $ 341     $ -     $ 341     $ 340     $ -     $ -     $ 340  
NSC Debt     -       -       -       147       -       201       348  
2017 Subordinated Note Financing     4,217       1,363       5,580       2,234       -       686       2,920  
Opus Credit Facility     1,141       636       1,777       1,085       -       1,037       2,122  
Venture Debt     1,364       420       1,784       -       -       -       -  
LOC Fees     30       -       30       36       -       -       36  
Helocyte Convertible Note     94       -       94       261       1       -       262  
Avenue Convertible Note     -       -       -       5       3       -       8  
Caelum Convertible Note     787       -       787       265       100       1,217       1,582  
Falk CSR     (64 )     -       (64 )     64       -       -       64  
Other     11       -       11       5       -       -       5  
Total Interest Expense and Financing Fee   $ 7,921     $ 2,419     $ 10,340     $ 4,442     $ 104     $ 3,141     $ 7,687  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 1: Amortization of fees