Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Debt and Interest

v3.6.0.2
Debt and Interest
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Debt and Interest
11. Debt and Interest
 
Debt
 
Total debt consists of the following as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
Interest rate
 
Maturity
 
IDB Note
 
$
14,929
 
$
14,009
 
2.25%
 
Feb - 2018
 
NSC Note
 
 
3,608
 
 
10,000
 
8.00%
 
Sep - 2018
 
Opus Credit Facility
 
 
7,000
 
 
-
 
12.00%
 
Sep - 2018
 
Helocyte Convertible Note, at fair value
 
 
1,031
 
 
-
 
5.00% - 8.00%
 
Dec - 2017
 
Helocyte Convertible Note, at fair value
 
 
2,051
 
 
-
 
5.00% - 8.00%
 
March - 2018
 
Helocyte Convertible Note, at fair value
 
 
1,405
 
 
-
 
5.00% - 8.00%
 
May - 2018
 
Avenue Convertible Note, at fair value
 
 
200
 
 
-
 
5.00% - 8.00%
 
June - 2018
 
Total notes payable
 
 
30,224
 
 
24,009
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Discount on notes payable
 
 
2,009
 
 
835
 
 
 
 
 
Total notes payable, long-term
 
$
28,215
 
$
23,174
 
 
 
 
 
 
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) February 27, 2018, 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, 2016 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. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had approximately $14.9 million and $14.0 million, respectively, outstanding under its promissory note with IDB. 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.
 
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 Biotech Venture Fund I, LLC (the “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 matures 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 approximately 17.83% and 14.0% at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
The NSC Note was amended and restated on July 29, 2015 to provide that any time a Fortress subsidiary receives from the Company any proceeds from the NSC Note, the Company may, in its sole discretion, cause the Fortress Company to issue to NSC Biotech Venture Fund I LLC a new promissory note (the “Amended NSC Note”) on identical terms as the NSC Note, giving effect to the passage of time with respect to maturity. The Amended NSC Note will equal the dollar amount of the Fortress Company’s share of the NSC Note and reduce the Company’s obligations under the NSC Note by such amount. The Company will guarantee the Amended NSC Note until the Fortress Company either completes an initial public offering of its securities or raises sufficient equity capital so that it has cash equal to five times the Amended NSC Note. As of December 31, 2015, the Company transferred $2.8 million, $3.0 million and $3.6 million, including debt discount, of the NSC Note to Checkpoint, Avenue and Mustang, respectively, representing Checkpoint’s, Avenue’s and Mustang's pro rata share of the NSC Note. The Company applied the 10% cash flow test pursuant to ASC 470 to calculate the difference between the present value of the amended NSC’s 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.
 
In connection with the transfer of NSC Note proceeds to a Fortress Company, NSC will receive a warrant to purchase the Fortress Company’s common stock equal to 25% of the NSC Note proceeds transferred to that Fortress Company divided by the lowest price at which the Fortress Company sells its equity in its first third party financing. The warrants issued will have a term of 10 years and an exercise price equal to the par value of the Fortress Company’s common stock.
 
On October 30, 2015, Checkpoint granted 139,592 warrants to NSC after an initial closing of an offering on September 30, 2015. The warrants are immediately vested with a ten-year term, and are exercisable at $0.0001 per share. The warrant upon issuance in October 2015, was valued at approximately $0.6 million. The initial fair value of $0.2 million was recorded as debt discount and will be amortized over the remaining life of the note. The incremental fair value at the time of issuance of $0.4 million was recorded as change in fair value of subsidiary’s warrant liabilities on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Upon the grant of the warrant, the Company no longer guaranteed Checkpoint’s NSC Note.
 
On October 31, 2015, Avenue recorded approximately $0.1 million of debt discount related to the Contingently Issuable Warrants issued in connection with NSC Note, based on its fair value (see Note 5). The debt discount will be amortized over the life of the note.
 
In February 2016, Checkpoint repaid its NSC Debt of $2.8 million. Approximately $0.3 million, of which $0.2 million was related to the fair value of the NSC contingently issuable warrant, of unamortized debt discount was accelerated into interest expense upon payment.
 
In July 2016, Fortress transferred $3.6 million of Mustang’s indebtedness to its NSC Note. In connection with the debt transfer a contingently issuable warrant equal to 25% of the transferred indebtedness will be recorded. The initial fair value of $0.6 million was recorded as debt discount and will be amortized over the remaining life of the note.
 
On October 25, 2016, Mustang issued 138,462 warrants to NSC after certain closings of Mustang’s private placement. The warrants are immediately vested with a ten-year term, and are exercisable at $0.0001 per share. The warrants, upon issuance in October 2016, were valued at approximately $0.8 million. Upon the grant of the warrants, the Company no longer guaranteed Mustang's NSC Note.
  
As of December 31, 2016, Avenue recorded approximately $0.4 million of NSC debt discount of which $0.1 million relates to the Contingently Issuable Warrants issued in connection with the NSC Note, based on its initial fair value. The entire debt discount will be amortized over the life of the note.
 
In January 2017, the Company and Avenue notified NSC of their intention to extend the maturity date of the NSC Notes by six months, to September 2018.
 
Hercules Debt Agreement
 
In August 2012, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (“Hercules”) pursuant to which the Company issued Hercules a $15.0 million note (the “Hercules Note”) and received net proceeds of $ 14.7 million. The loan bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) 9.25% or (ii) 9.25% plus the sum of the prevailing prime rate minus 3.25%. The loan was to mature on March 1, 2016. The loan required interest-only payments for the initial 12 months and thereafter requires repayment of the principal balance with interest in 30 monthly installments. The Company had the option to extend the interest-only period for an additional six months, contingent upon the Company’s achievement of certain clinical development milestones. In connection with the Loan Agreement, the Company granted first priority liens and the loan was collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets (exclusive of intellectual property). The Loan Agreement also contains representations and warranties by the Company and Hercules and indemnification provisions in favor of Hercules and customary covenants (including limitations on other indebtedness, liens, acquisitions, investments and dividends, but no financial covenants), and events of default (including payment defaults, breaches of covenants following any applicable cure period, a material impairment in the perfection or priority of Hercules’ security interest or in the collateral, and events relating to bankruptcy or insolvency). Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, Hercules had the right to participate, in an amount of up to $2.0 million, in subsequent private placements of our equity securities at the same terms and conditions, including price, as purchases by other investors. In connection with the Loan Agreement, the Company issued to Hercules a fully-vested, seven-year warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase 73,009 shares of its Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.65 per share and granted to Hercules certain “piggyback” registration rights with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrant.
  
The fair value of the Warrant was calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: volatility of 87.2%, an expected term equal to the contractual seven-year life of the Warrant, a risk-free interest rate of 1.1% and no dividend yield. The Company recorded the fair value of the Warrant of approximately $0.3 million as equity and as a discount to the carrying value of the loan. Also, upon full repayment or maturity of the loan, Hercules is due a payment of 2.65% of the loan, or $0.4 million, which is recorded as a discount to the loan and as a long-term liability. Additionally, the Company incurred fees related to the Loan Agreement and reimbursed Hercules for costs incurred by them related to the loan aggregating $0.2 million and which is reflected as a discount to the carrying value of the loan. The Company amortized these loan discounts totaling $0.9 million to interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective interest rate method, which approximates 12.3%.
 
On February 13, 2014, the Company repaid the Hercules Note in full.  Early Payment of the Hercules Note was $14.0 million, consisting of principal of $13.2 million, end of term charge of $ 0.4 million, a prepayment fee of $0.3 million and interest of $0.1 million.
 
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 have an initial term of 18 months, which can 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 7).
 
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.
 
As of December 31, 2016, $7.0 million was outstanding under the Opus Credit Facility net of a debt discount related to the allocated value of the warrants of $2.0 million.
 
Avenue Convertible Notes 
 
On December 31, 2016, Avenue held the first closing of the sale of convertible promissory notes (the “Avenue Notes”). The Avenue Notes have an initial term of 18 months, which can 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 Avenue Notes are guaranteed by Fortress. The outstanding principal and interest of the Avenue Notes automatically converts into the type of equity securities sold by Avenue in the next sale of equity securities in which Avenue 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 Avenue are sold in such sale less a 33% discount and (b) a per share price based on a pre-offering valuation of $30.0 million divided by the number of common shares outstanding on a fully-diluted basis. The outstanding principal and interest of the Avenue 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 Avenue Notes also automatically convert upon a “Sale” of Avenue, defined as (a) a transaction or series of related transactions where one or more non-affiliates acquires (i) capital stock of Avenue 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 Avenue or the surviving successor entity (b) the sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of Avenue’s assets or any other transaction resulting in substantially all of Avenue’s assets being converted into securities of another entity or cash. Upon a Sale of Avenue, the outstanding principal and interest of the Avenue 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 Avenue equal to 33% or (b) a conversion price per share based on a pre-sale valuation of $30.0 million divided by the fully-diluted common stock of Avenue immediately prior to the Sale of Avenue (excluding the Avenue Notes).
 
Gross proceeds from this offering totaled $0.2 million. Avenue realized net proceeds of $0.1 million after paying $58,000 of fees, of which $10,000 represents its placement fee (approximately 10% of the gross proceeds of $0.1 million for which the placement agent provided an introduction), legal fees of approximately $44,000 and other professional fees of $4,000. Additionally, the placement agent received warrants (“Avenue Warrants”) to purchase the number of shares of Avenue’s common stock equal to $10,000, divided by the price per share at which any note sold to investors first converts into Avenue common stock. The Avenue Warrants, which were recorded as a liability in accordance with ASC 815, have a ten-year term and have a per share exercise price equal to the price per share at which any note sold to investors first converts into Avenue’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 (collectively, the “ hybrid instrument ”) under the fair value option.
 
At December 31, 2016 Avenue had $0.2 million in outstanding under the Avenue Notes. The offering expired on December 31, 2016.
 
IDB Letters of Credit
 
The Company has several letters of credit (“LOC”) with IDB securing rent deposits for lease facilities totaling approximately $1.5 million. Interest paid on the letters of credit is 2%.
  
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)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
IDB Note
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
$
328
 
$
314
 
$
292
 
Amortization of fees
 
 
1
 
 
5
 
 
4
 
Total IDB Note
 
 
329
 
 
319
 
 
296
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NSC Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
 
599
 
 
690
 
 
-
 
Amortization of fees
 
 
1,270
 
 
309
 
 
-
 
Total NSC Debt
 
 
1,869
 
 
999
 
 
-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Opus Credit Facility
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
 
192
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Amortization of fees
 
 
195
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Total Opus Note
 
 
387
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ovamed
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
 
-
 
 
166
 
 
154
 
Total Ovamed
 
 
-
 
 
166
 
 
154
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LOC Fees
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
 
11
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Total LOC
 
 
11
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Helocyte Convertible Note
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
 
61
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Financing fee
 
 
962
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Total Helocyte Convertible Note
 
 
1,023
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Avenue Convertible Note
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financing fee
 
 
70
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Total Avenue Convertible Note
 
 
70
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hercules Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest (1)
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
845
 
Amortization of fees
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
43
 
Total Hercules Debt
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
888
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
D&O Insurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
 
1
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Total D&O Insurance
 
 
1
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Total Interest Expense and Financing Fee
 
$
3,690
 
$
1,484
 
$
1,338
 
 
(1)
Interest expense related to the Company’s loan with Hercules was $0.8 million, including $0.4 million related to accretion of the debt discount for the year ended December 31, 2014.