Filed Pursuant to Rule 424B3
Registration No. 333-148765

 

PROSPECTUS

 

1,924,528 Shares

 

Ardea Biosciences, Inc.

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

This prospectus relates to the resale from time to time of up to 1,924,528 shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders named in this prospectus and the selling stockholders’ transferees, which were issued pursuant to a private placement that closed on December 21, 2007. The private placement is more fully described on pages 18-19 of this prospectus under the heading “Selling Stockholders.” We are not selling any securities under this prospectus and will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders.

 

The selling stockholders may sell the common stock being offered by this prospectus from time to time on terms to be determined at the time of sale through ordinary brokerage transactions or through any other means described in this prospectus under “Plan of Distribution.” The selling stockholders may sell the shares in negotiated transactions or otherwise, at the prevailing market price for the shares or at negotiated prices. We will not be paying any underwriting discounts or commissions in this offering.

 

Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “RDEA.” On January 31, 2008, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market was $13.75 per share.

 

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You are urged to read the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus, which describes specific risks and other information that should be considered before you make an investment decision.           

 

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is February 1, 2008.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not, and the selling stockholders have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. Neither we nor the selling stockholders are making an offer to sell or seeking an offer to buy shares of our common stock under this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein are accurate only as of their respective dates, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

SUMMARY

	•	RDEA806 (HIV).  RDEA806 is our lead non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) for the potential treatment of HIV. In vitro preclinical tests have shown RDEA806 to be a potent inhibitor of a wide range of HIV viral isolates, including isolates that are resistant to efavirenz (Sustiva®, Bristol-Myers Squibb), the most widely prescribed NNRTI, in addition to other currently available NNRTIs. Based on both preclinical and clinical data, we anticipate that this compound could be amenable to a patient-friendly oral dosing regimen, may have limited pharmacokinetic interactions with other drugs, and may be readily co-formulated with other HIV antiviral drugs.

	•	2nd Generation NNRTI Program.  The compounds in our 2nd Generation NNRTI Program are from a chemical class that is distinct from the RDEA806 chemical class. Based on early preclinical data, we believe that the compounds in our 2nd Generation NNRTI Program may have the potential to share certain of the positive attributes of RDEA806, but also appear to have even greater activity against a wide range of drug-resistant viral isolates. We plan to select a clinical candidate from this program in 2008.
	•	RDEA806 (Gout).  In a Phase 1 multiple-ascending-dose study, RDEA806 demonstrated statistically significant, exposure-dependent reductions in serum uric acid in patients dosed for either 10 or 14 days. We plan to initiate a Phase 2 dose-ranging study of RDEA806 in patients with hyperuricemia and a history of gout in the first half of 2008.
	•	RDEA119.  In vitro preclinical tests have shown RDEA119 to be a potent and selective inhibitor of mitogen-activated ERK kinase, or MEK, which is believed to play an important role in cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis, as well as inflammatory cell signaling. In vivo preclinical tests have shown RDEA119 to have potent anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activity. Preclinical data also suggest that RDEA119 may have favorable pharmaceutical properties, including the potential for convenient oral dosing.

	•	2nd Generation MEK Inhibitor Program.  The compounds in our 2nd Generation MEK Inhibitor Program are from several chemical classes that are distinct from the RDEA119 chemical class. Based on early preclinical data, we believe that the compounds in our 2nd Generation MEK Inhibitor Program may have the potential to share certain of the positive attributes of RDEA119, but also appear to have even greater potency. A 2nd Generation MEK inhibitor will be assessed in a first-in-human micro-dosing clinical study in early 2008. We plan to select a clinical candidate from this program in 2008.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

You should carefully consider the following information about risks and uncertainties that may affect us or our business, together with the other information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. If any of the following events, described as risks, actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects would likely be materially and adversely affected. In these circumstances, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment in our securities. An investment in our securities is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You should not invest in our securities if you cannot bear the economic risk of your investment for an indefinite period of time and cannot afford to lose your entire investment.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

Development of our products will take years; we may never attain product sales; and we expect to continue to incur net operating losses.

 

Our accumulated deficit as of September 30, 2007 was $252 million, and we expect to incur substantial operating losses for the foreseeable future. We expect that most of our resources for the foreseeable future will be dedicated to research and development and preclinical and clinical testing of compounds. We expect that the amounts paid to advance the preclinical and clinical development of our product candidates, including to further develop RDEA806 and RDEA119, will increase materially in 2008. Any compounds we advance through preclinical and clinical development will require extensive and costly development, preclinical testing and clinical trials prior to seeking regulatory approval for commercial sales. Our most advanced product candidates, RDEA806 and RDEA119, and any other compounds we advance into further development, may never be approved for commercial sales. The time required to attain product sales and profitability is lengthy and highly uncertain and we cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve or maintain product sales.

 

We are not currently profitable and may never become profitable.

 

To date, we have generated limited revenues and we do not anticipate generating significant revenues for at least several years, if ever. We expect to increase our operating expenses over at least the next several years as we plan to advance our product candidates, including RDEA806 and RDEA119, into further preclinical testing and clinical trials, expand our research and development activities and acquire or license new technologies and product candidates. As a result, we expect to continue to incur significant and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with our research and product development efforts, we are unable to predict the extent of any future losses or when we will become profitable, if ever. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on an ongoing basis.

 

Because the results of preclinical studies are not necessarily predictive of future results, we can provide no assurances that, even if our product candidates are successful in preclinical studies, such product candidates will have favorable results in clinical trials or receive regulatory approval.

 

Positive results from preclinical studies should not be relied upon as evidence that clinical trials will succeed. Even if our product candidates achieve positive results in clinical studies, we will be required to demonstrate through clinical trials that these product candidates are safe and effective for use in a diverse population before we can seek regulatory approvals for their commercial sale. There is typically an extremely high rate of attrition from the failure of drug candidates proceeding through clinical trials. If any product candidate fails to demonstrate sufficient safety and efficacy in any clinical trial, then we would experience potentially significant delays in, or be required to abandon, development of that product candidate. If we delay or abandon our development efforts of any of our product candidates, then we may not be able to generate sufficient revenues to become profitable, and our reputation in the industry and in the investment community would likely be significantly damaged, each of which would cause our stock price to decrease significantly.

Delays in the commencement of clinical testing of our current and potential product candidates could result in increased costs to us and delay our ability to generate revenues.

 

Our product candidates will require preclinical testing and extensive clinical trials prior to submission of any regulatory application for commercial sales. Delays in the commencement of clinical testing of our product candidates could significantly increase our product development costs and delay product commercialization. In addition, many of the factors that may cause, or lead to, a delay in the commencement of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to denial of regulatory approval of a product candidate.

 

The commencement of clinical trials can be delayed for a variety of reasons, including delays in:

 

 

In addition, the commencement of clinical trials may be delayed due to insufficient patient enrollment, which is a function of many factors, including the size of the patient population, the nature of the protocol, the proximity of patients to clinical sites, the availability of effective treatments for the relevant disease, and the eligibility criteria for the clinical trial.

 

Delays in the completion of, or the termination of, clinical testing of our current and potential product candidates could result in increased costs to us and delay or prevent us from generating revenues.

 

Once a clinical trial for any current or potential product candidate has begun, it may be delayed, suspended or terminated by us or the FDA, or other regulatory authorities due to a number of factors, including:

 

 

Many of these factors that may lead to a delay, suspension or termination of clinical testing of a current or potential product candidate may also ultimately lead to denial of regulatory approval of a current or potential product candidate. If we experience delays in the completion of, or termination of, clinical testing, our financial results and the commercial prospects for our product candidates will be harmed, and our ability to generate product revenues will be delayed.

 

If our internal discovery and development efforts are unsuccessful, we will be required to obtain rights to new products or product candidates from third parties, which we may not be able to do.

 

Our long term ability to earn product revenue depends on our ability to successfully advance our product candidates through clinical development and regulatory approval and to identify and obtain new products or product

candidates through internal development or licenses from third parties. If the development programs we acquired from Valeant and our internal development programs are not successful, we will need to obtain rights to new products or product candidates from third parties. We may be unable to obtain suitable product candidates or products from third parties for a number of reasons, including:

 

 

If we are unable to obtain rights to new products or product candidates from third parties, our ability to generate product revenues and achieve profitability may suffer.

 

Even if we successfully initiate and complete clinical trials for any product candidate, there are no assurances that we will be able to submit, or obtain FDA approval of, a new drug application.

 

There can be no assurance that if our clinical trials of any potential product candidate are successfully initiated and completed, we will be able to submit a new drug application, or NDA, to the FDA or that any NDA we submit will be approved by the FDA in a timely manner, if at all. If we are unable to submit an NDA with respect to any future product candidate, or if any NDA we submit is not approved by the FDA, we will be unable to commercialize that product. The FDA can and does reject NDAs and requires additional clinical trials, even when drug candidates performed well or achieved favorable results in clinical trials. If we fail to commercialize any future product candidate in clinical trials, we may be unable to generate sufficient revenues to attain profitability and our reputation in the industry and in the investment community would likely be damaged, each of which would cause our stock price to decrease.

 

If we successfully develop products, but those products do not achieve and maintain market acceptance, our business will not be profitable.

 

Even if any of our product candidates are approved for commercial sale by the FDA or other regulatory authorities, the degree of market acceptance of any approved product candidate by physicians, healthcare professionals and third-party payors and our profitability and growth will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

 

In addition, even if any of our potential products achieve market acceptance, we may not be able to maintain that market acceptance over time if:

 

 

We will need substantial additional funding and may be unable to raise capital when needed, or at all, which would force us to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or commercialization efforts.

 

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will be adequate to fund our anticipated levels of operations through the end of 2008. However, our business and operations may change in a manner that would consume available resources at a greater rate than anticipated. In particular, because most of our resources for the foreseeable future will be used to advance the product candidates acquired from Valeant and our own internal product candidates, we may not be able to accurately anticipate our future research and development funding needs. We will need to raise substantial additional capital at least within the next year to, among other things:

 

 

Our future funding requirements will depend on, and could increase significantly as a result of, many factors, including:

 

 

We do not anticipate that we will generate significant continuing revenues for at least several years, if ever. Until we can generate significant continuing revenues, we expect to satisfy our future cash needs through public or private equity offerings, debt financings and corporate collaboration and licensing arrangements, as well as through interest income earned on cash balances. We cannot be certain that additional funding will be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If funds are not available, we may be required to delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate one or more of our research or development programs or our commercialization efforts.

 

Raising additional funds by issuing securities or through collaboration and licensing arrangements may cause dilution to existing stockholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish proprietary rights.

 

We may raise additional funds through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or corporate collaborations and licensing arrangements. We cannot be certain that additional funding will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. To the extent that we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our stockholders’ ownership will be diluted. Any debt financing we enter into may involve covenants that restrict our operations. These restrictive covenants would likely include, among other things, limitations on borrowing, specific restrictions on the use of our assets, as well as prohibitions on our ability to create liens, pay dividends,

redeem capital stocks or make investments. In addition, if we raise additional funds through collaboration and licensing arrangements, it may be necessary to relinquish potentially valuable rights to our potential products or proprietary technologies, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. For example, we might be forced to relinquish all or a portion of our sales and marketing rights with respect to potential products or license intellectual property that enables licensees to develop competing products.

 

If we fail to establish additional research and development capability internally or through collaborations, we may not generate sufficient revenue to attain profitability.

 

We do not currently possess the resources necessary to independently conduct research and development activities for all of the product candidates we are pursuing. We will either have to establish additional research and development resources, or enter into agreements with collaboration partners. The establishment of additional research and development capability would be expensive and time consuming and may not be successful. Establishing strategic collaborations is also difficult and time-consuming and any collaboration we develop may not be on favorable terms. Potential collaborators may reject collaborations based upon their assessment of our financial, regulatory or intellectual property position. If we fail to establish internal research and development capability or adequate collaborations, we will have to forego product development opportunities and may not generate sufficient revenue to attain profitability.

 

We do not have internal manufacturing capabilities, and if we fail to develop and maintain internal capabilities or supply relationships with collaborators or other outside manufacturers, we may be unable to develop or commercialize any products.

 

Our ability to develop and commercialize any products we may develop will depend in part on our ability to manufacture, or arrange for collaborators or other parties to manufacture, our products at a competitive cost, in accordance with regulatory requirements and in sufficient quantities for clinical testing and eventual commercialization. We currently do not have any significant manufacturing arrangements or agreements, as our current product candidates will not require commercial-scale manufacturing for at least several years, if ever. Our inability to enter into or maintain manufacturing agreements with collaborators or capable contract manufacturers on acceptable terms could delay or prevent the development and commercialization of our products, which would adversely affect our ability to generate revenues and would increase our expenses.

 

If we are unable to establish sales and marketing capabilities or enter into agreements with third parties to sell and market any products we may develop, we may be unable to generate product revenue.

 

We do not currently have a sales organization for the sales, marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical products. In order to commercialize any products, we must build our sales, marketing, distribution, managerial and other non-technical capabilities or make arrangements with third parties to perform these services. We have not definitively determined whether we will attempt to establish internal sales and marketing capabilities or enter into agreements with third parties to sell and market any products we may develop. The establishment and development of our own sales force to market any products we may develop will be expensive and time consuming and could delay any product launch, and we cannot be certain that we would be able to successfully develop this capacity. If we are unable to establish our sales and marketing capability or any other non-technical capabilities necessary to commercialize any product we may develop, we will need to contract with third parties to market and sell any products we may develop. If we are unable to establish adequate sales, marketing and distribution capabilities, whether independently or with third parties, we may not be able to generate product revenue and may not become profitable.

 

We will need to increase the size of our organization, and we may encounter difficulties managing our growth, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

We will need to expand and effectively manage our managerial, operational, financial and other resources in order to successfully pursue our research, development and commercialization efforts and secure collaborations to market and distribute our products. If we continue to grow, it is possible that our management, accounting and scientific personnel, systems and facilities currently in place may not be adequate to support this future growth. To

manage any growth, we will be required to continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures and to attract and retain sufficient numbers of talented employees. We may be unable to successfully manage the expansion of our operations or operate on a larger scale and, accordingly, may not achieve our research, development and commercialization goals.

 

If we are unable to attract and retain key management and scientific staff, we may be unable to successfully develop or commercialize our product candidates.

 

We are a small company, and our success depends on our continued ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified management and scientific personnel. In particular, our research and drug discovery and development programs depend on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled chemists, biologists, and preclinical personnel, especially in the fields of HIV, cancer and inflammatory diseases. If we are unable to hire or retain these employees, we may not be able to advance our research and development programs at the pace we anticipate, and we may not be able to perform our obligations under our Services Agreement with Valeant. We may not be able to attract or retain qualified management and scientific personnel in the future due to the intense competition for qualified personnel among biotechnology and pharmaceutical businesses, particularly in the San Diego, California area. If we are not able to attract and retain the necessary personnel to accomplish our business objectives, we may experience constraints that will impede significantly the achievement of our research and development objectives. In addition, all of our employees are “at will” employees, which means that any employee may quit at any time and we may terminate any employee at any time. Currently we do not have employment agreements with any employees or members of senior management that provide us any guarantee of their continued employment. If we lose members of our senior management team, we may not be able to find suitable replacements and our business may be harmed as a result.

 

Our quarterly results and stock price may fluctuate significantly.

 

We expect our results of operations and future stock price to be subject to quarterly fluctuations. During 2007, our closing stock prices ranged from a low of $4.24, to a high of $15.34. The level of our revenues, if any, our results of operations and our stock price at any given time will be based primarily on the following factors:

 

 

These factors, some of which are not within our control, may cause the price of our stock to fluctuate substantially. In particular, if our quarterly operating results fail to meet or exceed the expectations of securities analysts or investors, our stock price could drop suddenly and significantly. We believe that quarterly comparisons

of our financial results are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of our future performance.

 

If we engage in any acquisition, we will incur a variety of costs, and we may never realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition.

 

In 2006, we completed the acquisition of our pharmaceutical research and development programs, including our most advanced product candidates, from Valeant and there is no guarantee that we will be able to successfully develop the acquired product candidates. We may attempt to acquire businesses, technologies, services or other products or in-license technologies that we believe are a strategic fit with our existing development programs, at the appropriate time and as resources permit. In any acquisition, the process of integrating the acquired business, technology, service or product may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures and may divert significant management attention from our ongoing business operations. These operational and financial risks include:

 

 

We may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisition or devote resources to potential acquisitions that are never completed. If we fail to successfully identify strategic opportunities, complete strategic transactions or integrate acquired businesses, technologies, services or products, then we may not be able to successfully expand our product candidate portfolio to provide adequate revenue to attain and maintain profitability.

 

Moving our research and development operations in anticipation of the termination of our current Costa Mesa lease in March 2008 will be costly and disruptive.

 

We perform substantially all of our research and development activities in a single facility, which we currently occupy under a lease from Eastrich Hyland I, LLC, which acquired the property from Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America. The term of the lease expires in March 2008. We have a new seven-year sub-lease in San Diego, California, and expect to move all of our operations into the new building in March 2008. Relocating our operations will involve significant expense and may result in disruptions to our operations and the loss of personnel, who would be costly to replace. The loss of employees could also have a significant impact on the continuity and progress of our research and development programs. The costs and disruption that will be caused by our relocation may adversely impact our operating results and cash position, interrupt continuing operations, delay or prevent the commercialization of our products and adversely affect our ability to generate revenues, any of which could prevent us from achieving profitability.

Earthquake damage to our facilities could delay our research and development efforts and adversely affect our business.

 

Our research and development facility in Costa Mesa, California, and our new facility in San Diego, California, are located in a seismic zone, and there is the possibility of an earthquake, which could be disruptive to our operations and result in delays in our research and development efforts. In the event of an earthquake, if our facilities or the equipment in our facilities are significantly damaged or destroyed for any reason, we may not be able to rebuild or relocate our facility or replace any damaged equipment in a timely manner and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

 

Valeant’s exercise of its option to repurchase commercialization rights in territories outside the United States and Canada could limit the market for our products and adversely affect our business.

 

Under the Asset Purchase Agreement that we entered into with Valeant on December 21, 2006, Valeant retains a one-time option to repurchase commercialization rights in territories outside the U.S. and Canada for our first NNRTI derived from the acquired intellectual property to advance to a Phase 2b HIV clinical trial. If Valeant exercises this option, which it can do following the completion of Phase 2b clinical trials, but prior to the initiation of Phase 3 clinical trials, Valeant would pay us a $10 million option fee, up to $21 million in milestone payments based on regulatory approvals, and a mid-single-digit royalty on product sales in the Valeant territories. However, Valeant would then own all commercialization rights in those territories, which may adversely impact the amount of aggregate revenue we may be able to generate from sales of our products and may negatively impact our potential for long-term growth. Also, if Valeant exercises its option to repurchase commercialization rights in territories outside the US and Canada and experience difficulties in commercializing our products in these territories, our commercialization efforts in the US and Canada may be adversely impacted.

 

Failure to comply with our minimum commitments under the Asset Purchase Agreement with Valeant could expose us to potential liability or otherwise adversely affect our business.

 

We agreed to use reasonable efforts to develop the product candidates in the pharmaceutical research and development programs we acquired from Valeant, with the objective of obtaining marketing approval for the lead product candidates from the NNRTI Program and the MEK Inhibitor Program in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy and Germany. Our efforts will be designed to consistently advance the program with the goal of achieving the first milestone event within 24 months of the closing of the transaction with Valeant. If we fail to make sufficient effort to develop the product candidates, then we may be subject to a potential lawsuit or lawsuits from Valeant under the Asset Purchase Agreement. If such a lawsuit were filed, our reputation within the pharmaceutical research and development community may be negatively impacted and our business may suffer.

 

Failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our business and stock price.

 

We have started the process of documenting and testing our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which, beginning with our fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, will require annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and, beginning with our fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, a report by our independent auditors that both addresses management’s assessments and provides for the independent auditor’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls. During the course of our testing, we may identify deficiencies or weaknesses in our internal controls. Testing and maintaining internal controls also involves significant costs and can divert our management’s attention from other matters that are important to our business. We may not be able to conclude that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404, and our independent auditors may not be able or willing to issue a favorable assessment of our conclusions. Failure to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment could harm our operating results and could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our stock.

Risks Related to Our Industry

 

Because our product candidates and development and collaboration efforts depend on our intellectual property rights, adverse events affecting our intellectual property rights will harm our ability to commercialize products.

 

Our commercial success depends on obtaining and maintaining patent protection and trade secret protection of our product candidates and their uses, as well as successfully defending these patents against third-party challenges. We will only be able to protect our product candidates and their uses from unauthorized use by third parties to the extent that valid and enforceable patents or effectively-protected trade secrets cover them.

 

Due to evolving legal standards relating to the patentability, validity and enforceability of patents covering pharmaceutical inventions and the scope of claims made under these patents, our ability to obtain and enforce patents is uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions. Accordingly, rights under any issued patents may not provide us with sufficient protection for our drug candidates or provide sufficient protection to afford us a commercial advantage against competitive products or processes. In addition, we cannot guarantee that any patents will issue from any pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to us. Even with respect to patents that have issued or will issue, we cannot guarantee that the claims of these patents are, or will be valid, enforceable or will provide us with any significant protection against competitive products or otherwise be commercially valuable to us. For example:

 

 

Patent applications in the U.S. are maintained in confidence for at least 18 months after their filing. Consequently, we cannot be certain that any patent applications we are pursuing will lead to the issuance of any patent or that we will be free from infringement or other claims from third parties. In the event that a third party has also filed a U.S. patent application relating to our product candidates or a similar invention, we may have to participate in interference proceedings declared by the U.S. Patent Office to determine priority of invention in the United States. The costs of these proceedings could be substantial and it is possible that our efforts would be unsuccessful, resulting in a material adverse effect on our U.S. patent position. Furthermore, we may not have identified all U.S. and foreign patents or published applications that affect our business either by blocking our ability to commercialize our drugs or by covering similar technologies that affect our drug market.

 

In addition, some countries, including many in Europe, do not grant patent claims directed to methods of treating humans, and in these countries patent protection may not be available at all to protect our drug candidates. Even if patents issue, we cannot guarantee that the claims of those patents will be valid and enforceable or provide us with any significant protection against competitive products, or otherwise be commercially valuable to us.

 

Other companies may obtain patents and/or regulatory approvals to use the same drugs to treat diseases other than HIV, cancer and inflammatory diseases. As a result, we may not be able to enforce our patents effectively because we may not be able to prevent healthcare providers from prescribing, administering or using another company’s product that contains the same active substance as our products when treating patients with HIV, cancer or inflammatory diseases.

Our business depends upon not infringing the rights of others.

 

If we are sued for infringing intellectual property rights of others, it will be costly and time consuming, and an unfavorable outcome in that litigation would have a material adverse effect on our business. Our commercial success depends upon our ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell our product candidates without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties. We may be exposed to future litigation by third parties based on claims that our product candidates or activities infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Numerous U.S. and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications owned by others exist in HIV, cancer, inflammatory diseases and the other fields in which we are developing products. We cannot assure you that third parties holding any of these patents or patent applications will not assert infringement claims against us for damages or seeking to enjoin our activities. We also cannot assure you that, in the event of litigation, we will be able to successfully assert any belief we may have as to non-infringement, invalidity or immateriality, or that any infringement claims will be resolved in our favor.

 

There is a substantial amount of litigation involving patent and other intellectual property rights in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries generally. Any litigation or claims against us, with or without merit, may cause us to incur substantial costs, could place a significant strain on our financial resources, divert the attention of management from our core business and harm our reputation. In addition, intellectual property litigation or claims could result in substantial damages and force us to do one or more of the following if a court decides that we infringe on another party’s patent or other intellectual property rights:

 

 

If we find during clinical evaluation that our drug candidates for the treatment of HIV, cancer or inflammatory diseases should be used in combination with a product covered by a patent held by another company or institution, and that a labeling instruction is required in product packaging recommending that combination, we could be accused of, or held liable for, infringement of the third-party patents covering the product recommended for co-administration with our product. In that case, we may be required to obtain a license from the other company or institution to use the required or desired package labeling, which may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all.

 

If we fail to obtain any required licenses or make any necessary changes to our technologies, we may be unable to develop or commercialize some or all of our product candidates.

 

Confidentiality agreements with employees and others may not adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information and may not adequately protect our intellectual property.

 

We also rely on trade secrets to protect our technology, especially where we do not believe patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. In order to protect our proprietary technology and processes, we also rely in part on confidentiality and intellectual property assignment agreements with our employees, consultants and other advisors. These agreements may not effectively prevent disclosure of confidential information or result in the effective assignment to us of intellectual property, and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or other breaches of the agreements. In addition, others may independently discover our trade secrets and proprietary information, and in such case we could not assert any trade secret rights against such party. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally obtained and is using our trade secrets is difficult, expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, courts outside the United States may be less willing to protect trade secrets. Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to seek to enforce and determine the scope of our proprietary rights, and failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive business position.

Many competitors have significantly more resources and experience, which may harm our commercial opportunity.

 

The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are subject to intense competition and rapid and significant technological change. We have many potential competitors, including major drug and chemical companies, specialized biotechnology firms, academic institutions, government agencies and private and public research institutions. Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial resources, experience and expertise in:

 

 

Smaller or early-stage companies and research institutions may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established pharmaceutical or other companies. We will also face competition from these parties in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel, establishing clinical trial sites and patient registration for clinical trials, and acquiring and in-licensing technologies and products complementary to our programs or potentially advantageous to our business. If any of our competitors succeed in obtaining approval from the FDA or other regulatory authorities for their products sooner than we do or for products that are more effective or less costly than ours, our commercial opportunity could be significantly reduced.

 

If our competitors develop treatments for HIV, cancer or inflammatory diseases, including gout, that are approved faster, marketed better or demonstrated to be more effective than any products that we may develop, our commercial opportunity will be reduced or eliminated.

 

We believe that a significant number of drugs are currently under development and may become available in the future for the treatment of HIV, cancer and inflammatory diseases. Potential competitors may develop treatments for HIV, cancer or inflammatory diseases or other technologies and products that are more effective or less costly than our product candidates or that would make our technology and product candidates obsolete or non-competitive. Some of these products may use therapeutic approaches that compete directly with our most advanced product candidates.

 

If we cannot establish pricing of our product candidates acceptable to the government, insurance companies, managed care organizations and other payors, or arrange for favorable reimbursement policies, any product sales will be severely hindered.

 

The continuing efforts of the government, insurance companies, managed care organizations and other payors of health care costs to contain or reduce costs of health care may adversely affect our ability to set a price we believe is fair for any products we may develop and our ability to generate adequate revenues and gross margins. Our ability to commercialize any product candidates successfully will depend in part on the extent to which governmental authorities, private health insurers and other organizations establish appropriate reimbursement levels for the cost of any products and related treatments.

 

In certain foreign markets, the pricing of prescription pharmaceuticals is subject to government control. In the United States, given recent federal and state government initiatives directed at lowering the total cost of health care, the U.S. Congress and state legislatures will likely continue to focus on health care reform, the cost of prescription pharmaceuticals and on the reform of the Medicare and Medicaid systems. The trend toward managed health care in the United States, which could significantly influence the purchase of health care services and products, as well as legislative proposals to reform health care, control pharmaceutical prices or reduce government insurance programs, may result in lower prices for our product candidates. While we cannot predict whether any legislative

or regulatory proposals affecting our business will be adopted, the announcement or adoption of these proposals could have a material and adverse effect on our potential revenues and gross margins.

 

Product liability claims may damage our reputation and, if insurance proves inadequate, the product liability claims may harm our results of operations.

 

We face an inherent risk of product liability exposure when we begin testing our product candidates in human clinical trials, and we will face an even greater risk if we sell our product candidates commercially. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we will incur substantial liabilities, our reputation may be harmed and we may be unable to commercialize our product candidates.

 

Any claims relating to our improper handling, storage or disposal of biological, hazardous and radioactive materials could be time-consuming and costly.

 

Our research and development involves the controlled use of hazardous materials, including chemicals that cause cancer, volatile solvents, radioactive materials and biological materials that have the potential to transmit disease. Our operations also produce hazardous waste products. We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and waste products. If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations or with the conditions attached to our operating licenses, the licenses could be revoked, and we could be subjected to criminal sanctions and substantial liability or required to suspend or modify our operations. Although we believe that our safety procedures for handling and disposing of these materials comply with legally prescribed standards, we cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials. In the event of contamination or injury, we could be held liable for damages or penalized with fines in an amount exceeding our resources. In addition, we may have to incur significant costs to comply with future environmental laws and regulations. We do not currently have a pollution and remediation insurance policy.

 

Our business and operations would suffer in the event of system failures.

 

Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures. Any system failure, accident or security breach that causes interruptions in our operations could result in a material disruption of our research and drug discovery and development programs. To the extent that any disruption or security breach results in a loss or damage to our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we may incur liability as a result, our research and drug discovery and development programs may be adversely affected and the further development of our product candidates may be delayed. In addition, we may incur additional costs to remedy the damages caused by these disruptions or security breaches.

 

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

 

Directors, executive officers, principal stockholders and affiliated entities beneficially own or control approximately 70% of our outstanding voting common and preferred stock and together control our activities.

 

As of January 18, 2008, our directors, executive officers, principal stockholders and affiliated entities beneficially owned or controlled securities representing, in the aggregate, approximately 70% of our common equivalent shares, including approximately 2.3 million shares underlying outstanding Series A preferred stock and options or warrants exercisable within 60 days of January 18, 2008. These stockholders, if they determine to vote in the same manner, would control the outcome of any matter requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors and the approval of mergers or other business combination transactions or terms of any liquidation.

 

Future sales of our common stock may cause our stock price to decline.

 

Our principal stockholders and affiliated entities hold a substantial number of shares of our common stock that they are able to sell in the public market. In addition, they own all of our Series A preferred stock, which is

convertible as of January 18, 2008 into 1,578,346 shares of common stock, and outstanding warrants exercisable as of January 18, 2008 into 97,600 shares of common stock. Subject to prospectus delivery requirements, where applicable, the shares covered by the registration statement of which this prospectus is part will also be available for public sale. The conversion of Series A preferred stock, exercise of warrants, or sales by our current stockholders of a substantial number of shares, or the expectation that such conversions, exercises and/or sales may occur, could significantly reduce the market price of our common stock.

 

The holders of our Series A preferred stock have a liquidation preference and other rights that are adverse to the interests of our common stockholders and could be detrimental to our business.

 

The holders of our Series A preferred stock have rights to designate two members of our Board of Directors. In addition, upon our liquidation or dissolution (including by way of a merger, acquisition or sale of all or substantially all of our assets), the holders of our Series A preferred stock are entitled to receive a liquidation preference in an amount equal to the greater of (i) $10,000 per share of Series A preferred stock plus any declared but unpaid dividends thereon, or (ii) the amount that would have been paid had each such share of Series A preferred stock been converted to common stock immediately prior to such liquidation or dissolution. As of January 18, 2008, this liquidation preference was $3.0 million. The holders of Series A preferred stock also have a right of first refusal to purchase their pro rata portion of any equity securities we propose to offer to any person. Such right of first refusal is subject to certain customary exclusions, including shares issued pursuant to any options or other stock awards granted to our employees, directors or consultants, equipment leasing arrangements, debt financings, strategic financings and public offerings that have been approved by our Board of Directors. The holders of Series A preferred stock are also entitled to receive cumulative dividends at the rate of 8% per annum of the original per share price of the Series A preferred stock, prior to and in preference to any declaration or payment of a dividend to the holders of common stock. The dividends on the currently outstanding 300 shares of Series A preferred stock are cumulating at a total of $240,000 per year and are payable in common stock. Additionally, each share of Series A preferred stock automatically converts into shares of common stock on the tenth day after the day that the closing sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market (formerly the Nasdaq National Market) has reached at least $8.28 and has remained at such level for 20 consecutive trading days. If any of the rights and preferences listed above become available to the holders of Series A preferred stock, our common stockholders will be adversely affected.

 

A registration statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is currently effective for the resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of our Series A preferred stock and upon the exercise of their warrants to purchase our common stock. In addition, the holders of our Series A preferred stock may convert their Series A preferred stock into common stock and sell the shares of the common stock acquired upon such conversion in the public market in reliance upon Rule 144, subject in certain cases to volume and other limitations. Future sales in the public market of such common stock, or the perception that such sales might occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

For so long as at least 100 shares of Series A preferred stock remain outstanding, we are required to get the consent of the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding Series A preferred stock for any action that amends our certificate of incorporation (including the filing of a certificate of designation) so as to adversely affect the rights, preferences or privileges of the Series A preferred stock and any authorization or designation of a new class or series of stock which ranks senior to the Series A preferred stock in right of liquidation preference, voting or dividends. The Series A preferred stockholders’ right to block the issuance of additional shares of senior preferred stock could impact our ability to raise necessary capital and adversely affect our business. In addition, future investors may not be willing to invest in any future financing we may seek due to the terms of the Series A stock.

 

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law may make it more difficult to acquire us.

 

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our stockholders. These provisions:

 

 

 

In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which may prohibit large stockholders from consummating a merger with, or acquisition of us. These provisions may prevent a merger or acquisition that would be attractive to stockholders and could limit the price that investors would be willing to pay in the future for our common stock.

 

We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and we do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

Although we pay stock dividends on our Series A preferred stock, we have paid no cash dividends on any of our common stock to date, and we currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. In addition, the terms of any future debt or credit facility may preclude us from paying any dividends. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be your sole source of potential gain for the foreseeable future.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus, the documents that we incorporate by reference herein and the applicable prospectus supplement contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our development programs, our capabilities, our goals, including our goal of having active development programs with four chemical entities in the clinic for three distinct indications by early 2008, with an additional one-to-two indications in inflammatory diseases in the first half of 2008, the expected timeline for achievement of our clinical milestones, the expected properties and benefits of RDEA806 and our other compounds, the results of clinical and other studies, the size of the market for our products and our financial results. Any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as anticipate, estimate, plan, project, continuing, ongoing, expect, management believes, we believe, we intend and similar words or phrases. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed in this prospectus, in the applicable prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference.

 

Because the factors discussed in this prospectus, incorporated by reference herein or discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement, and even factors of which we are not yet aware, could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, which could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this prospectus, in the applicable prospectus supplement, particularly under the heading “RISK FACTORS,” and in our SEC filings that we believe could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. These and other risks are also detailed in our reports filed from time to time under the Securities Act and/or the Exchange Act. You are encouraged to read these filings as they are made.

 

Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on

which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which factors will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders.

 

The selling stockholders will pay any underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses incurred by the selling stockholders for brokerage, accounting, tax or legal services or any other expenses incurred by the selling stockholders in disposing of the shares. We will bear all other costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the shares covered by this prospectus, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees and fees and expenses of our counsel and our accountants.

 

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

On December 19, 2007, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with the selling stockholders named below and other investors, pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 3,018,868 shares of our common stock, 1,924,528 shares of which were sold to the selling stockholders named below, in a private placement transaction otherwise referred to in this prospectus as the Private Placement. We received aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $40,000,000 in connection with the Private Placement before deduction of placement agent fees and other transaction expenses. This prospectus covers, among other things, the offer and sale by the selling stockholders listed below of up to the total number of shares of common stock issued to the selling stockholders pursuant to the securities purchase agreement.

 

We are registering the above-referenced shares to permit the selling stockholders listed below and their pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors-in-interest that receive their shares after the date of this prospectus to resell the shares in the manner contemplated under the “Plan of Distribution.”

 

The selling stockholders may sell some, all or none of their shares. We do not know how long the selling stockholders will hold the shares before selling them. We currently have no agreements, arrangements or understandings with the selling stockholders regarding the sale of any of the shares other than the securities purchase agreement. The shares offered by this prospectus may be offered from time to time by the selling stockholders.

 

The following table sets forth the name of each selling stockholder, the number of shares owned by each of the respective selling stockholders, the number of shares that may be offered under this prospectus by such selling stockholders and the number of shares of our common stock to be owned by the selling stockholders after this offering is completed, assuming that all offered shares are sold as contemplated herein. The number of shares in the column “Number of Shares Being Offered” represents all of the shares that such selling stockholders may offer under this prospectus. Except as otherwise disclosed in this prospectus (or as disclosed in any document incorporated by reference) including information incorporated , none of the selling stockholders has, or within the past three fiscal years has had, any position, office or other material relationship with us. These selling stockholders have advised us that they may enter into short sales in the ordinary course of their business of investing and trading securities. These selling stockholders have also advised us that no short sales in our securities were entered into by them during the period beginning when the selling stockholders obtained knowledge that we were contemplating a private placement and ending upon the public announcement of the Private Placement.

 

Ownership is based upon information provided by each respective selling stockholder, Schedules 13D and 13G and other public documents filed with the SEC up to, and including, December 31, 2007. The percentages of shares owned after the offering are based on 13,316,693 shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2007 which number includes 4,007 shares of our common stock issued after December 31, 2007, which were issued as a dividend on our Series A Preferred Stock, payable on December 31, 2007. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock that could be

issued upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 2007 are considered outstanding. These shares, however, are not included in the shares outstanding as of December 31, 2007 when computing the percentage ownership of each other person.

 

The selling stockholders may have sold or transferred, in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, some or all of their shares since the date on which the information in the table is presented. Information about the selling stockholders may change over time.

 

 

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We are registering the shares of common stock issued to the selling stockholders to permit the resale of these shares of common stock by the holders of the shares of common stock from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the shares of common stock. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the shares of common stock.

 

The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of common stock beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the shares of common stock are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The shares of common stock may be sold on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, in the over-the-counter market or in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market and in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions. The selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when selling shares:

 

 

The selling stockholders also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as permitted by that rule, or Section 4(1) under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of those provisions.

 

Broker-dealers engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate in sales. If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares of common stock to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the shares of common stock for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal. Such commissions will be in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction will not be in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with NASD Rule 2440; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with NASD IM-2440.

In connection with sales of the shares of common stock or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the shares of common stock in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock short and if such short sale shall take place after the date that this Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission, the selling stockholders may deliver shares of common stock covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge shares of common stock to broker- dealers that in turn may sell such shares, to the extent permitted by applicable law. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the selling stockholders have been advised that they may not use shares registered on this registration statement to cover short sales of our common stock made prior to the date the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

The selling stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the shares of common stock in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

 

The selling stockholders and any broker-dealer or agents participating in the distribution of the shares of common stock may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer or agent and any profit on the resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Selling Stockholders who are “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act and may be subject to certain statutory liabilities of, including but not limited to, Sections 11, 12 and 17 of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

 

Each selling stockholder has informed the Company that it is not a registered broker-dealer and does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the common stock. Upon the Company being notified in writing by a selling stockholder that any material arrangement has been entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of common stock through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer, a supplement to this prospectus will be filed, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, disclosing (i) the name of each such selling stockholder and of the participating broker-dealer(s), (ii) the number of shares involved, (iii) the price at which such the shares of common stock were sold, (iv) the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such broker-dealer(s), where applicable, (v) that such broker-dealer(s) did not conduct any investigation to verify the information set out or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and (vi) other facts material to the transaction. In no event shall any broker-dealer receive fees, commissions and markups, which, in the aggregate, would exceed eight percent (8%). The selling stockholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the shares of common stock against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

 

Under the securities laws of some states, the shares of common stock may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of common stock may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

There can be no assurance that any selling stockholder will sell any or all of the shares of common stock registered pursuant to the shelf registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Each selling stockholder and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholder and any other participating person. Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares of common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock.

 

We will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares of common stock pursuant to the registration rights agreement, including, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws; provided, however, that each selling stockholder will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any and any related legal expenses incurred by it. We will indemnify the selling stockholders against certain liabilities, including some liabilities under the Securities Act, in accordance with the registration rights agreements, or the selling stockholders will be entitled to contribution. We may be indemnified by the selling stockholders against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, that may arise from any written information furnished to us by the selling stockholders specifically for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the related registration rights agreements, or we may be entitled to contribution.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the issuance of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Cooley Godward Kronish LLP, San Diego, California.

 

EXPERTS

 

Stonefield Josephson, Inc., independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006, as set forth in their report, each of which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. These financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Stonefield Josephson, Inc.’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. You may read and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or at the SEC’s other public reference facilities. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the public reference room. You can request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying costs. Our SEC filings are also available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains more information than this prospectus regarding us and our common stock, including certain exhibits and schedules. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC’s internet website.

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

We are allowed to incorporate by reference information contained in documents that we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents and that the

information in this prospectus is not complete. You should read the information incorporated by reference for more detail. We incorporate by reference in two ways. First, we list certain documents that we have already filed with the SEC. The information in these documents is considered part of this prospectus. Second, the information in documents that we file in the future will update and supersede the current information in, and incorporated by reference in, this prospectus.

 

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any filings we will make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date we filed the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and before the effective date of the registration statement and any future filings we will make with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering (in each case, except for the information in any of the foregoing Current Reports on Form 8-K and Form 8-K/A furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 therein):

 

 

You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

 

Ardea Biosciences, Inc.
2131 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 300
Carlsbad, CA 92011
Attn: Investor Relations
(760) 602-8422

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains more information than this prospectus regarding us and our common stock, including certain exhibits and schedules. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC’s internet website. You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of these documents.