AVRX Avalon Pharmaceuticals (MM)

 

 

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 March 31, 2009.

OR

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 001-32629

AVALON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware		52-2209310
(State or Other Jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
20358 Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown, Maryland		20876
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (301) 556-9900

     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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o 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		Smaller reporting company þ
				(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

     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

     As of May 8, 2009, 20,428,475 shares of Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. common stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding.

 

 

AVALON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

		Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements			1
Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008			1
Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)			2
Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)			3
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)			4
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			10
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			13
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures			13
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION			14
Item 6. Exhibits			14
SIGNATURES			15

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

      From time to time in this interim quarterly report we may make statements that reflect our current expectations regarding our future results of operations, economic performance, and financial condition, as well as other matters that may affect our business. In general, we try to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” and similar expressions.

      All of these items involve significant risks and uncertainties. These and any of the other statements we make in this quarterly report that are forward-looking are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution you that our actual results may differ significantly from the results we discuss in the forward-looking statements.

      We discuss some factors that could cause or contribute to such differences in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. In addition, any forward-looking statements we make in this document speak only as of the date of this document, and we do not intend to update any such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after that date.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

AVALON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share amounts)

		March 31,				December 31,
		2009				2008
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	3,458			$	4,890
Short-term marketable securities			—				900
Accounts receivable			25				13
Interest receivable			—				11
Prepaid expenses			439				358
Deposits & Other Current Assets			—				22
Total current assets			3,922				6,194
Property and equipment, net			5,574				5,950
Total assets		$	9,496			$	12,144
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term note payable		$	4,000			$	3,000
Accounts payable			1,684				1,627
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			246				385
Deferred revenue and customer advances			1,884				1,884
Total current liabilities			7,814				6,896
Deferred rent			393				404
Stockholders’ equity:
Series C Junior Participating Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 300,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding			—				—
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 20,428,475 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008			204				204
Additional capital			150,892				150,844
Accumulated deficit			(149,807	)			(146,204	)
Total stockholders’ equity			1,289				4,844
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	9,496			$	12,144

See accompanying notes.

AVALON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2009				2008
Revenues		$	—			$	50
Costs and expenses:
Research and development			2,709				4,360
General and administrative			921				2,133
Total costs and expenses			3,630				6,493
Loss from operations			(3,630	)			(6,443	)
Other income (expense):
Interest income			—				307
Interest expense			(52	)			(115	)
Other			80				2
Total other income (expense):			28				194
Net loss		$	(3,602	)		$	(6,249	)
Net loss per share — basic and diluted		$	(0.18	)		$	(0.37	)
Weighted average number of shares — basic and diluted			20,428,475				17,029,837

See accompanying notes.

AVALON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2009				2008
Operating activities
Net loss		$	(3,602	)		$	(6,249	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation			382				474
Non-cash interest expense			—				53
Amortization of premium on investments			—				(108	)
Stock based compensation			48				219
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses			(81	)			(273	)
Accounts receivable and other assets			21				416
Accounts payable			57				1,409
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			(139	)			(715	)
Deferred revenue and customer advances			—				(50	)
Deferred rent			(12	)			(7	)
Net cash used in operating activities			(3,326	)			(4,831	)
Investing activities
Proceeds from the sale and maturities of marketable securities			899				9,227
Purchases of marketable securities			—				(4,843	)
Purchases of property and equipment			(5	)			(145	)
Net cash provided by investing activities			894				4,239
Financing activities
Principal payments on debt			—				(11	)
Proceeds from borrowings on note payable			1,000				—
Deferred financing costs			—				(32	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			1,000				(43	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(1,432	)			(635	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			4,890				6,276
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	3,458			$	5,641

See accompanying notes.

AVALON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2009

(UNAUDITED)

1. Basis of Presentation

           The financial statements included in this report have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the related notes included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Avalon” or the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

           In the opinion of Avalon’s management, any adjustments contained in the accompanying unaudited financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are of a normal recurring nature and are necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year.

2. Liquidity Risks and Management’s Plans

           The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Since inception, the Company has incurred, and continues to incur, significant losses from operations. As described below in Note 3, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated October 27, 2008, as amended (the “Merger Agreement”), with Clinical Data, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Clinical Data”), and API Acquisition Sub II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Clinical Data (“API”). The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, API will be merged with and into Avalon, with Avalon continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clinical Data (the “Merger”). Management estimates that its existing capital resources will be sufficient to fund the Company’s current operations through the end of the May 2009, prior to which time the Merger with Clinical Data is expected to close.

           If the Merger does not close by the end of May 2009, the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern would be dependent on management’s ability to raise additional capital sufficient to meet the Company’s obligations on a timely basis, and to ultimately attain profitability. In light of the proposed Merger, the Company’s management does not expect to seek to raise additional capital. Should the Merger not close or if the closing is delayed beyond the end of May 2009, there is no assurance that the Company would be able to raise capital sufficient to enable the Company to continue its operations significantly beyond the end of May 2009.

           In the event the Company were unable to successfully raise additional capital in such circumstances, the Company will not have sufficient cash flows and liquidity to finance its business operations as currently contemplated. Accordingly, in such circumstances the Company would be compelled to reduce general and administrative expenses and delay research and development projects and the purchase of scientific equipment and supplies until it were able to obtain sufficient financing.

           Failure to close the Merger, a delay in the expected timing of the closing of the Merger, or failure to raise additional capital would significantly limit the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The balance sheets do not include any adjustments relating to recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue in existence.

3. Clinical Data Merger

           On October 27, 2008, the Company entered into the Merger Agreement with Clinical Data and API. The Merger Agreement was subsequently amended on January 12, 2009 and March 30, 2009. The Merger Agreement provides that API will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Clinical Data. As a condition to Clinical Data and Avalon entering into the Merger Agreement and as part of the proposed merger, on October 27, 2008, the parties entered into a number of other arrangements including a private placement of securities, a license agreement and a secured loan arrangement.

Merger Agreement

           Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Clinical Data will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Avalon’s common stock for consideration consisting of Clinical Data common stock and certain contingent rights to acquire additional shares of Clinical Data common stock. Shares of Avalon common stock held by Clinical Data and its subsidiaries, will be cancelled without consideration at the closing (the “Closing”). Upon the closing of the Merger, each outstanding share of Avalon common stock shall be converted into a right to receive 0.0470 shares of Clinical Data common stock and a contingent value right (a “CVR”) to receive an additional fraction of a share of Clinical Data common stock upon the achievement of defined milestones.

          If the Merger Agreement is terminated under specified circumstances, Avalon may be required to pay Clinical Data a termination fee of $300,000 and reimburse Clinical Data up to $100,000 for its expenses associated with the Merger Agreement.

Rights Plan Amendment

           On October 27, 2008, the Company amended its Rights Agreement dated April 26, 2007 to render it inapplicable to the Merger, the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and the private placement described below.

Private Placement

           In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement and as a part of the proposed merger, Avalon entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Clinical Data for the sale of Company common stock and common stock purchase warrants in a private placement for a total purchase price of $237,338. Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, Clinical Data purchased a total of 3,390,547 shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $0.07 per share. In addition, the Company issued a common stock purchase warrant exercisable into 1,695,273 shares of common stock. The exercise price of the warrant is $0.86 per share, subject to adjustment for dilutive events. The warrant is not exercisable for six months after issuance and may not be exercised to the extent that the aggregate number of shares of Avalon’s common stock held by Clinical Data following exercise of the warrant (including shares of Avalon common stock otherwise held by Clinical Data) would exceed 19.9% of the outstanding stock of the Company unless the issuance of any additional shares is first approved by a vote of Avalon’s stockholders in accordance with the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

           Avalon also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with Clinical Data contemporaneously with entering into the Securities Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, Avalon agreed to register for resale the shares of common stock issued in the private placement and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant. The Registration Rights Agreement requires Avalon to file the registration statement by November 26, 2008 or Clinical Data shall be entitled to a liquidated damages payment in the amount of 1.5% of the total purchase price of the shares issued in the private placement for each month the registration statement remains unfiled after the deadline. In the event the registration statement is not declared effective by the SEC by the earlier of (i) 90 days after the termination of the Merger Agreement (or 120 days after termination in the event the registration statement is subject to review by the SEC) or (ii) within 5 days following notice from the SEC that the registration statement is no longer subject to review (the “Effectiveness Deadline”), Clinical Data shall be entitled to a liquidated damages payment in the amount of 1.5% of the total purchase price for each month (pro rated for any lesser period) after the Effectiveness Deadline during which such registration statement has not been declared effective by the SEC.

License Agreement

           In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement and as a part of the proposed Merger, the Company entered into a license agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Clinical Data pursuant to which Avalon granted Clinical Data a royalty-free, fully-paid, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable and exclusive license to AvalonRx ®, Avalon’s proprietary drug-development platform, in exchange for a one time payment of $1,000,000. The license is subject to certain exceptions pursuant to which Avalon retained the right to utilize AvalonRx ® to fulfill its obligations under its existing collaboration agreements and to continue development of AVN 944 and certain of its existing development programs.

Secured Loan

           As part of the proposed Merger, Avalon entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with Clinical Data pursuant to which Clinical Data made a series of loans to Avalon evidenced by term notes (the “Term Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $4 million (the “Secured Loan”). The Term Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 7% per annum and mature on May 31, 2009 unless accelerated pursuant to their terms. The original amount of the Secured Loan under the Note Purchase Agreement was $3 million and matured on March 31, 2009. On January 12, 2009, Clinical Data extended the maturity of the original $3 million Term Note evidencing the Secured Loan until April 30, 2009. On March 30, 2009, Avalon and Clinical Data amended the Note Purchase Agreement and the original $3 million Term Note to further extend the $3 million Term Note’s maturity date to May 31, 2009 and Clinical Data and Avalon also increased the amount borrowed by Avalon under the Note Purchase Agreement from $3 million to $4 million through the issuance by Avalon of an additional $1 million Term Note. The Company has the right to prepay the Term Notes, together with any accrued interest, at any time without penalty. The maturity of the Term Notes accelerates if there is a default under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement or related documents, including any default, breach or termination of the License Agreement or of the Merger Agreement (other than a termination of the Merger Agreement as a result of a failure to obtain the approval by Avalon’s stockholders of the Merger). The Term Notes are secured by collateral consisting of certain intellectual property rights of Avalon.

4. Organization

           Avalon was incorporated on November 10, 1999, under the laws of the state of Delaware. Avalon is a biopharmaceutical company using proprietary technology, AvalonRx ^® , to discover and develop novel therapeutics.

5. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

           In June 2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 07-5, “Determining Whether an Instrument (or an Embedded Feature) is indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock” (EITF 07-5), which supersedes EITF Issue No. 01-6, “The Meaning of ‘Indexed to a Company’s Own Stock’”. SFAS No. 133 specifies that a contract issued or held by a company that is both indexed to its own stock and classified in stockholders’ equity is not considered a derivative instrument for purposes of applying SFAS No. 133. EITF 07-5 provides guidance for applying the requirements of SFAS No. 133, requiring that both an instrument’s contingent exercise provisions and its settlement provisions be evaluated to determine whether the instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed solely to an entity’s own stock. The EITF is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of EITF 07-5 on January 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial positions.

6. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

           The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

           The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds and commercial paper. The Company maintains cash balances with financial institutions in excess of insured limits. The Company does not anticipate any losses with such cash balances.

Marketable Securities

           Marketable securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasury, agency and corporate debt securities with various maturities. Management classifies the Company’s marketable securities as available-for-sale. Such securities are stated at market value, with the unrealized gains and losses included as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary on securities available for sale, if any, are included in operations. A decline in the market value of any available-for-sale security below cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary results in a reduction in fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings, and a new cost basis for the security is established. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. The cost of securities sold is calculated using the specific identification method.

Revenue Recognition

           Revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence that an agreement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed and determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. Payments received in advance of work performed are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized ratably over the performance period. Milestone payments are recognized as revenue when milestones, as defined in the contract, are achieved. During the first three months of 2008, the Company recognized revenue from work performed on its collaboration agreement with Novartis, and recognized no revenue from its other collaboration agreements.

Research and Development Costs

           Expenditures, other than advance payments for research and development, subject to the provisions of EITF 07-03, are expensed as incurred.

Comprehensive Income

           SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, requires the presentation of comprehensive income or loss and its components as part of the financial statements. For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company’s net loss plus its unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities reflects comprehensive income (loss).

Stock-Based Compensation

           The Company accounts for share-based payments in accordance with the provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment .

           The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award using the accelerated attribution method. There were no options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2009. The following weighted-average assumptions were used for options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2008, and a discussion of the Company’s methodology for developing each of the assumptions used in the valuation model follows:

		Three Months				Three Months
		Ended				Ended
		March 31,				March 31
		2009				2008
Dividend yield			—				0.00	%
Expected volatility			—				68.2	%
Risk-free interest rate			—				3.59	%
Expected life of the option term (in years)			—				6.8
Forfeiture rate			—				4.20	%

Dividend Yield— The Company has never declared or paid dividends and has no plans to do so in the foreseeable future.

Expected Volatility— Volatility is a measure of the amount by which a financial variable such as a share price has fluctuated (historical volatility) or is expected to fluctuate (expected volatility) during a period. The Company uses an average of the volatility of its own stock and the average volatility of similar companies in the pharmaceutical industry.

Risk-Free Interest Rate— This is the U.S. Treasury rate for the week of each option grant during the quarter having a term that most closely resembles the expected life of the option term.

Expected Life of the Option Term— This is the period of time that the options granted are expected to remain unexercised. The expected term is based upon management’s consideration of the historical life of options, the vesting period of the option granted and the contractual period of the option granted.

Forfeiture Rate— This is the estimated number of stock options granted that are expected to be forfeited or cancelled on an annual basis before becoming fully vested. The Company estimates the forfeiture rate based on past turnover data.

Stock Compensation Plans

           The Company adopted the Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1999 Plan”) to provide for the granting of stock awards, such as stock options, restricted common stock, and stock appreciation rights to employees, directors and other individuals as determined by the Board of Directors. The Company terminated the 1999 Plan as to future awards effective upon the closing of the Company’s initial public offering in October 2005. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had reserved 338,335 shares of common stock to accommodate the exercise of outstanding options granted under the 1999 Plan.

           Effective upon the closing of the Company’s initial public offering in October 2005, the Company adopted the Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2005 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) to provide for the granting of stock awards, such as stock options, restricted common stock, stock units, dividend equivalent rights, stock appreciation rights and unrestricted common stock, and other performance and annual incentive awards to employees, directors and other individuals as determined by the Board of Directors. At the inception of the 2005 Plan, 989,738 shares were reserved for issuance under the 2005 Plan. The number of shares available for issuance under the 2005 Plan was increased from 989,738 shares to 1,581,582 shares in June 2006 and from 1,581,582 shares to 2,381,582 shares in June 2007. Additionally, shares that become available due to forfeiture of outstanding awards under the 1999 Plan are available for awards under the 2005 Plan. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had reserved 1,397,280 shares of common stock to accommodate the exercise of outstanding option grants under the 2005 Plan and had reserved 1,143,589 shares of common stock for future grants under the 2005 Plan.

           Generally, stock options are granted with an exercise price that equals the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Options typically have a life of ten years and vest over periods ranging from six months to five years. Options generally expire 90 days after an employee terminates employment with the Company.

           The total fair value of stock options which vested during the three month period ended March 31, 2009 was approximately $92,000. There were 1,463,937 fully vested stock options outstanding at March 31, 2009. These stock options had a weighted average remaining life of 6.15 years.

										Weighted-
						Weighted-				Average				Aggregate
						Average				Remaining				Intrinsic
						Exercise				Contractual				Value
		Shares				Price				Term				(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2008			2,231,957			$	3.44
Granted			—				—
Exercised			—				—
Forfeited or expired			496,342				1.58
Outstanding at March 31, 2009			1,735,615				3.97
Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2009			1,673,129			$	4.07				6.15			$	—
Exercisable at March 31, 2009			1,463,937			$	4.07				6.15			$	—

           No stock options were granted or exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2009. Due to the valuation allowance on all deferred tax assets, the Company recorded no tax benefit for stock compensation expense recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2009. As of March 31, 2009, unamortized stock-based compensation expenses of approximately $190,000 remains to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.

Basic and Diluted Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders Per Common Share

           Basic net loss attributable to common stockholders per common share excludes dilution for potential common stock issuances and is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss per common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. Stock options and warrants were not considered in the computation of diluted net loss per common share for the periods presented, as their effect is antidilutive.

7. Fair Value Measurements

           In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. It also responds to investors’ requests for expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value, and does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. SFAS 157 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include:

	•		Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets;
	•		Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and
	•		Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

           The Company’s cash equivalents are subject to fair value measurements. The inputs used in measuring the fair value of these instruments are considered to be level 1 in accordance with the SFAS 157 hierarchy.

8. Related Party Transactions

           The Company paid one member of the board of directors consulting fees totaling $14,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

9. Income Taxes

           For the three month periods ended March 31, 2009, and 2008, there is no current provision for income taxes and the deferred tax benefit has been entirely offset by valuation allowances. The difference between the amounts of income tax benefit that would result from applying domestic federal statutory income tax rates to the net loss and the net deferred tax assets is related to certain nondeductible expenses, state income taxes, and the change in the valuation allowance.

10. Subsequent Event

           Effective May 1, 2009, Avalon and Merck & Co., Inc. (“Merck”) agreed to terminate the Exclusive License and Research Collaboration Agreement between the parties (the “Merck Agreement”) pursuant to the terms of the Merck Agreement. As part of the termination of the Merck Agreement, Merck agreed to pay the Company a termination payment of $4 million. The $4 million termination payment was paid by Merck to Avalon on May 7, 2009. The Company will recognize the termination payment as revenue in the second quarter of 2009.

           Under the terms of the Merger Agreement with Clinical Data, the $4 million payment received by Avalon from Merck is required to be used to pay down the outstanding balance, including interest, of the Secured Loan. See Note 3 above. As of April 30, 2009, a total of approximately $4.1 million in principal and accrued interest remained outstanding under the Secured Loan. On May 8, 2009, Avalon paid Clinical Data a total of $4 million in respect of the Secured Loan, reducing the outstanding balance of the Secured Loan by that amount.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

           The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q , as well as the audited financial statements and related notes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K , for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

Overview

           We are a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class cancer therapeutics. We use AvalonRx ®, our proprietary platform, which is based on large-scale biomarker identification and monitoring, to discover and develop therapeutics for pathways that have historically been characterized as “undruggable.”

           Since our inception, our operations have consisted primarily of developing AvalonRx ®, utilizing our technology to seek to discover and develop novel cancer therapeutics, and the in-license and development of AVN944. During that period, we have generated limited revenue from collaborative partners, and have had no revenue from product sales. Our operations have been funded principally through the offering of equity securities and debt financings.

           We have never been profitable and, as of March 31, 2009, we had an accumulated deficit of $149.8 million. We had net losses of $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and net losses of $21.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. We expect to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future as we advance our drug candidates from discovery through preclinical testing and clinical trials and seek regulatory approval and eventual commercialization. We will need to generate significant revenues to achieve profitability, and we may never do so.

           As of March 31, 2009, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of approximately $3.5 million. We currently estimate that our existing capital resources will not be sufficient to fund our current operations significantly beyond the end of May 2009, by which time our pending merger with a subsidiary of Clinical Data is expected to close. If our proposed merger does not close by the end of May 2009, we would need to raise additional funds to continue operations. See “—Recent Developments” below. In light of the proposed merger, we do not expect to seek to raise additional capital. Should the merger not close or if the closing is delayed beyond the end of May 2009, there is no assurance that we would be able to raise capital sufficient to enable us to continue our operations significantly beyond the end of May 2009. In the event we were unable to successfully raise additional capital in such circumstances, we will not have sufficient cash flows and liquidity to finance our business operations as currently contemplated. Accordingly, in such circumstances we would be compelled to reduce general and administrative expenses and delay research and development projects and the purchase of scientific equipment and supplies until we were able to obtain sufficient financing.

Pending Acquisition by Clinical Data  

           On October 27, 2008, Avalon entered into a merger agreement with Clinical Data, Inc., or Clinical Data, and API Acquisition Sub II, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Clinical Data, or API. The merger agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, API will be merged with and into Avalon, with Avalon continuing as the surviving corporation and a subsidiary of Clinical Data. In connection with entering into the merger agreement with Clinical Data, Avalon borrowed $4 million from Clinical Data under a note purchase agreement with Clinical Data, to fund Avalon’s short-term on-going operations, entered into a license agreement with Clinical Data under which Clinical Data received an exclusive license (subject to certain exceptions) to AvalonRx ^® in exchange for a one time license fee of $1 million, and engaged in a private placement with Clinical Data of Avalon common stock and warrants for a cash payment of $237,338 from Clinical Data.

Recent Developments

           Effective May 1, 2009, Avalon and Merck & Co., Inc., or Merck, agreed to terminate the Exclusive License and Research Collaboration Agreement between the parties (referred to as the “Merck Agreement”) pursuant to the terms of the Merck Agreement. As part of the termination of the Merck Agreement, Merck agreed to pay Avalon a termination payment of $4 million. The $4 million termination payment was paid by Merck to Avalon on May 7, 2009. Avalon will recognize the termination payment as revenue in the second quarter of 2009.

           Under the terms of the merger agreement with Clinical Data, the $4 million payment received by Avalon from Merck was required to be used to pay down the outstanding balance, including interest, of our secured loan with Clinical Data. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Clinical Data Secured Loan” below. As of April 30, 2009, a total of approximately $4.1 million in principal and accrued interest remained outstanding under this secured loan. On May 8, 2009, Avalon paid Clinical Data a total of $4 million in respect of the secured loan, reducing the outstanding balance of the secured loan by that amount.

Financial Operations Overview

Revenue

           We have not generated any revenue from sales of commercial products and do not expect to generate any product revenue for the foreseeable future. To date, our revenue has consisted of collaboration revenue.

           Collaboration Revenue. Since inception, we have generated revenue solely in connection with our collaboration and pilot study agreements. Our collaborations with Merck, AstraZeneca and Novartis include upfront payments, research funding, and/or payments for the achievement of certain discovery and development related milestones. During the first three months of 2009, we recognized no revenue from any of our collaborations.

Research and Development Expense

           Research and development expense consists of expenses incurred in connection with developing and advancing our drug discovery technology and identifying and developing our drug candidates and supporting our collaborative relationships. These expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses, the purchase of laboratory supplies, access to data sources, facility costs, costs for preclinical development and expenses related to our in-license and clinical trials of AVN944. Other than for advance payments for research and development costs, subject to the provisions of EITF 07-03, we charge all research and development expenses to operations as incurred.

           We expect our research and development costs to be substantial as we advance our drug candidates into preclinical testing and clinical trials. Based on the results of our preclinical studies, we expect to selectively advance some drug candidates into clinical trials. We anticipate that we will select drug candidates and research projects for further development on an ongoing basis in response to their preclinical and clinical success and commercial potential. We are currently conducting Phase I clinical trials for AVN944 in patients with hematological cancer and Phase IIa clinical trials for patients with pancreatic cancer. In August 2008, we announced that we had reached a likely maximum tolerated dose of AVN944 in both the ongoing Phase I clinical trial and in the Phase IIa trial. We are currently assessing various alternatives regarding the internal or external development of AVN944.

General and Administrative

           General and administrative expense consists primarily of salaries and related expenses for personnel in administrative, finance, business development and human resource functions. Other costs include legal costs of pursuing patent protection of our intellectual property and other fees for legal services.

          

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008

           Revenue. There were no revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared with $50,000 in the same period of the prior year. The reported revenues in 2008 were attributable to our collaboration agreement with Novartis.

           Research and Development. Research and development expenses decreased by $1.7 million, or 39%, to $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 from $4.4 million for the same period in 2007. The decrease in research and development expenses was primarily attributable to lower personnel and lab supplies costs due to the reduction in force in August 2008 as well as lower cost for clinical trials in the 2009 period.

           General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses decreased by $1.2 million or 57% when comparing the three months ended March 31, 2009 with the three months ended March 31, 2008. The decrease is due primarily to lower personnel costs due to the reduction in force in August 2008 as well as lower stock compensation expense in 2009.

           Interest Income. There was no interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared with $307,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The decrease in interest income is due to lower balances of cash and investments and lower average interest rates.

           Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased by $63,000, or 55%, to $52,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to $115,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The decrease in interest expense was due to lower debt balances in the 2009 period, principally related to paying off our loan the Maryland Industrial Development Financing Authority in October 2008.

           Other Income. Other income was $80,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared with $2,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The increase in other income was primarily related to income from subletting part of our facility and the provision of shared services to subtenants.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

           Our primary cash requirements are to:

	•		fund our research and development and clinical programs;
	•		obtain regulatory approvals;
	•		prosecute, defend and enforce any patent claims and other intellectual property rights;
	•		fund general corporate overhead; and
	•		support our debt service requirements and contractual obligations.

           Our cash requirements could change materially as a result of the progress of our research and development and clinical programs, licensing activities, acquisitions, divestitures or other corporate developments.

           We have incurred operating losses since our inception and historically have financed our operations principally through public stock offerings, debt financings, private placements of equity securities, strategic collaborative agreements that include research and development funding and development milestones, and investment income.

           In evaluating alternative sources of financing we consider, among other things, the dilutive impact, if any, on our stockholders, the ability to leverage stockholder returns through debt financing, the particular terms and conditions of each alternative financing arrangement and our ability to service our obligations under such financing arrangements.

           As of March 31, 2009, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of approximately $3.5 million.

Clinical Data Secured Loan

           As a part of the proposed merger, we entered into a note purchase agreement with Clinical Data pursuant to which Clinical Data made a series of loans to us evidenced by term notes in the aggregate principal amount of $4 million. The term notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 7% per annum and mature on May 31, 2009 unless accelerated pursuant to their terms. The original amount of the loan from Clinical Data under the note purchase agreement was $3 million and matured on March 31, 2009. On January 12, 2009, Clinical Data extended the maturity of the original $3 million term note evidencing the loan until April 30, 2009. On March 30, 2009, Avalon and Clinical Data amended the note purchase agreement and the original $3 million term note to further extend the $3 million term note’s maturity date to May 31, 2009 and Clinical Data and Avalon also increased the amount borrowed by Avalon under the note purchase agreement from $3 million to $4 million through the issuance by Avalon of an additional $1 million term note. We have the right to prepay the term notes, together with any accrued interest, at any time without penalty. The maturity of the term notes accelerates if there is a default under the terms of the note purchase agreement or related documents, including any default, breach or termination of Clinical Data’s license agreement with us relating to AvalonRx® or of the merger agreement (other than a termination of the merger agreement as a result of a failure to obtain the approval by our stockholders of the merger). The term notes are secured by collateral consisting of certain of our intellectual property rights.      

Sources and Uses of Cash

           Operating Activities. Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $3.3 million, compared to $4.8 million for the same period in fiscal 2008. During the first three months of fiscal year 2009, our net loss of $3.6 million was reduced by non-cash charges of $430,000, primarily for stock compensation, depreciation and amortization, offset by changes in our net operating assets and liabilities.

           Investing Activities. Net cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $894,000, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $4.2 million for the same period in 2008. Proceeds from the sale and maturity of marketable securities were the primary source of cash from investing activities, providing $899,000 in the first three months of 2009 and $9.2 million in the comparable period of 2008. Cash used in investing activities principally represents the amount used to purchase marketable securities, net of proceeds from the sale and maturity of marketable securities.

           Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $1.0 million, compared to $43,000 of net cash used in financing activities for the same period in 2008. In March 2009, we borrowed an additional $1.0 million from Clinical Data under a secured loan to fund our short-term operations.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

           Not applicable pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the disclosure requirements for a “smaller reporting company.”

Item 4T. Controls and Procedures

           Disclosure Controls and Procedures: Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as of March 31, 2009 (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

           Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting: There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended on the Evaluation Date that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit
No.		Description
2.1(1)		First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of January 12, 2009, by and among Clinical Data, Inc., API Acquisition Sub II, LLC and Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
2.2(2)		Second Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of March 30, 2009, by and among Clinical Data, Inc., API Acquisition Sub II, LLC and Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (included as Annex A to the proxy statement/prospectus).
10.1(2)		First Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement, dated March 30, 2009, between Clinical Data, Inc. and Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (included as Annex I to proxy statement/prospectus).
10.2(1)		Amendment No. 1 to Term Note, dated January 12, 2009.
10.3(2)		Amendment No. 2 to Term Note, dated March 30, 2009.
10.4(2)		Term Note, dated March 30, 2009, issued by Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to Clinical Data, Inc.
31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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.

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