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8-K

Acacia Research Corp (ACTG)

8-K 2020-11-09 For: 2020-11-09
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event

reported): November 9, 2020


ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 001-37721 95-4405754
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
4 Park Plaza, Suite 550<br><br> <br>Irvine, California 92614
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (949) 480-8300

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share ACTG The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On November 9, 2020, Acacia Research Corporation issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2020. A copy of that release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K and the exhibit attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 are being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K and the exhibit attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation by reference language in such filings, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits.
99.1 Press Release dated November 9, 2020 of Acacia Research Corporation
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104 The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL

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 hereunto duly authorized.

ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
Date: November 9, 2020 By: /s/ Clifford Press
Clifford Press<br><br>       Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit Index


Exhibit Number Description
99.1 Press Release dated November 9, 2020 of Acacia Research Corporation

Exhibit 99.1


FOR RELEASE

November 9, 2020

AcaciaResearch Reports Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Company Fully Engaged in Executing StrategicTransactions in Collaboration with Starboard

New York, NY– November 9, 2020 - Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq: ACTG) today reported results for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020.

Clifford Press, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Since announcing our acquisition of the Woodford portfolio in June, we have completed dispositions that have recovered two-thirds of our purchase price. We continue to hold substantial value in the securities of public and private companies remaining in the portfolio.”

Holdings of the securities of life sciences companies in the Woodford portfolio as of September 30, 2020 include:

****<br><br> <br>Public Company Securities (at market value at September 30, 2020)
Company Ticker Number of Shares Value
Arix Bioscience plc ^1^ LSE: ARIX 25.8 mm $37.0 mm
Sensyne Health plc AIM: SENS 15.2 mm $11.4 mm
Induction Healthcare Group plc AIM: INHC 4.2 mm $4.0 mm
Others $2.1 mm
****<br><br> <br>Total Public Holdings $54.5 mm
Private Company Securities (at September 30, 2020)
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Company Ownership Percentage Value
Oxford Nanopore Technologies ^2^ 6% $108.0 mm
Next 4 positions:
Immunocore ^2^ 5% $31.0 mm
Viamet Pharmaceuticals ^2, 3^ 26%
AMO Pharma ^2, 4^ 18%
NovaBiotics ^2, 4^ 4%
Total Private Holdings $139.0 mm

^1^To be transferred to the Company in the fourth quarter of 2020

^2^ Value of Oxford Nanopore Technologies securities based on observed transactions during the quarter; Remaining holdings of private company securities valued at cost.

^3^ To be transferred to the Company in the fourth quarter of 2020.

^4^ Transferred to the Company in October.

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Mr. Press added, “We are working intensively with Starboard to execute our investment strategy, leveraging our ready access to committed capital for strategic transactions borne of our expertise in corporate governance and operational restructuring.”

Al Tobia, Acacia’s Chief Investment Officer, added “We believe that structural inefficiencies in the small-cap value sector create opportunities for us. Our areas of focus remain mature technology, healthcare, industrial and certain financial services segments. We are continuing to see attractive market conditions in the IP market as well, and our team has recently completed an option agreement to add a new portfolio.”

Mr. Tobia continued, “In order to provide existing stockholders of Acacia the opportunity to invest alongside Starboard with substantially similar terms as the Senior Secured Notes and Series B Warrants issued to Starboard, today we expect to file a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC to facilitate the rights offering and provide flexibility to the Company.”

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Summary:


· Cash and short-term investments totaled $303.1 million at September<br>30, 2020, compared to $184.0 million at June 30, 2020 and $168.3 million at December 31, 2019.
· Debt, which represents the Senior Secured Notes issued to Starboard,<br>was $115.0 million at September 30, 2020.
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· Book value totaled $202.3 million as of September 30, 2020, compared<br>to $175.0 million at December 31, 2019. Acacia’s current book value reflects issuance of Senior Secured Notes and liabilities<br>associated with upfront funding of the life science portfolio acquisition, and reflects the allocated value based on U.S. GAAP<br>of assets transferred as of September 30, 2020.
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· Gross revenues were $19.5 million.
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· General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2020<br>increased by $3.1 million or 66%, compared with the third quarter of 2019, due to business development and personnel expenses.
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· Operating loss was $2.8 million.
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· GAAP net income to common stockholders was $29.2 million, or $0.32<br>per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $(7.6 million), or $(0.15) per diluted share, in the third quarter last year.
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· The third quarter of 2020 reflected:
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o A net non-cash benefit of $20 million related to the change in the fair value of trading and investment securities, and securities<br>derivatives and forward contracts; and
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o Income of $21 million related to the change in fair value of warrants and embedded derivatives.
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Investor Conference Call:

The Company will host a conference call today, Monday, November 9, 2020 at 11 a.m. ET/ 8 a.m. PT to discuss these results and provide a business update.

To access the live call, please dial (877) 407-0778 (U.S. and Canada) or (201) 689-8565 (international). The conference call will also be simultaneously webcasted on the investor relations section of the Company’s website at http://acaciaresearch.com under the News & Events tab. Following the conclusion of the live call, a replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for at least 30 days.

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About Acacia Research Corporation

Founded in 1993, Acacia Research Corporation (ACTG) invests in Intellectual Property Assets and partners with inventors and patent owners to realize the financial value in their patented inventions. Acacia bridges the gap between invention and application, facilitating efficiency and delivering monetary rewards to the patent owner.

Information about Acacia Research Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.acaciaresearch.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities LitigationReform Act of 1995

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including the ability to successfully implement our strategic plan, the ability to successfully develop licensing programs and attract new business, changes in demand for current and future intellectual property rights, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments addressing licensing and enforcement of patents and/or intellectual property in general, general economic conditions, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the success of our investments. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to the forgoing, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

The results achieved in the most recent quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved by us in any subsequent quarters, as it is currently anticipated that Acacia Research Corporation’s financial results will vary, and may vary significantly, from quarter to quarter. This variance is expected to result from a number of factors, including risk factors affecting our results of operations and financial condition referenced above, and the particular structure of our licensing transactions, which may impact the amount of inventor royalties and contingent legal fees expenses we incur from period to period.


Acacia Research Investor Contact:

FNK IR

Rob Fink, 646-809-4048

rob@fnkir.com

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ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTSOF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except share and per sharedata)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2020 2019 2020 2019
Revenues $ 19,466 $ 1,711 $ 25,399 $ 10,558
Portfolio operations:
Inventor royalties 5,772 776 6,843 4,752
Contingent legal fees 6,609 35 6,855 587
Litigation and licensing expenses - patents 1,001 987 3,497 6,643
Amortization of patents 1,174 863 3,522 2,337
Other portfolio expenses (income) (475 ) (308 ) 175
Total portfolio operations 14,556 2,186 20,409 14,494
Net portfolio income (loss) 4,910 (475 ) 4,990 (3,936 )
General and administrative<br>expenses 7,692 4,630 18,089 12,048
Operating loss (2,782 ) (5,105 ) (13,099 ) (15,984 )
Other income (expense):
Change in fair value<br>of investment, net (3,081 ) (4,266 ) 3,704 9,622
Loss on sale of investment (915 ) (2,762 ) (8,147 )
Impairment of other investment (8,195 )
Gain on disposal of other investment 2,000 2,000
Change in fair value of the Series A and B warrants and embedded derivatives 20,672 (46,612 )
Change in fair value of equity securities derivative and forward contract (64,011 ) 17,542
Gain on sale of prepaid investment and derivative 2,845 2,845
Change in fair value of trading securities and equity securities - private 84,499 (482 ) 81,907 132
Gain (loss) on sale of trading securities 2,737 238 (4,272 ) 226
Loss on foreign currency exchange (48 ) (106 ) (4,938 ) (106 )
Interest expense on Senior Secured Notes (2,410 ) (3,178 )
Interest income and other 10 1,028 811 3,012
Total other income (expense) 41,213 (2,503 ) 45,047 (1,456 )
Income (loss) before income taxes 38,431 (7,608 ) 31,948 (17,440 )
Income tax benefit (expense) (83 ) 1,257 (323 )
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 38,348 (7,608 ) 33,205 (17,763 )
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 14
Net income (loss) attributable to Acacia Research Corporation $ 38,348 $ (7,608 ) $ 33,205 $ (17,749 )
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders - basic $ 30,529 $ (7,608 ) $ 24,838 $ (17,749 )
Basic net income (loss) per common share $ 0.63 $ (0.15 ) $ 0.51 $ (0.36 )
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic 48,467,885 49,828,361 48,949,706 49,727,385
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders - diluted $ 29,204 $ (7,608 ) $ 21,380 $ (17,749 )
Diluted net income (loss) per common share $ 0.32 $ (0.15 ) $ 0.36 $ (0.36 )
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted 90,624,702 49,828,361 60,153,773 49,727,385
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ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCESHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per sharedata)

December 31,
2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 162,564 $ 57,359
Trading securities - debt 93,843
Trading securities - equity 24,471 17,140
Equity securities - private 116,009
Equity securities derivative 17,818
Equity securities forward contract 340
Prepaid investment 42,900
Accounts receivable 263 511
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,685 2,912
Total current assets 366,050 171,765
Long-term restricted cash 35,000 35,000
Investment at fair value 982 1,500
Patents, net of accumulated amortization 18,071 7,814
Leased right-of-use assets 1,101 1,264
Other non-current assets 5,311 818
Total assets 426,515 $ 218,161
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK, AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable 2,707 $ 1,765
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 4,849 7,265
Accrued compensation 2,595 507
Royalties and contingent legal fees payable 14,230 2,178
Senior Secured Notes Payable - short-term 113,933
Total current liabilities 138,314 11,715
Series A warrant liabilities 5,604 3,568
Series A embedded derivative liabilities 25,682 17,974
Series B warrant liabilities 42,796
Long-term lease liabilities 1,101 1,264
Other long-term liabilities 593 593
Total liabilities 214,090 35,114
Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock, par value 0.001 per share; stated value 100 per share; 350,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively; aggregate liquidation preference of 35,000 as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively 10,134 8,089
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value 0.001 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
Common stock, par value 0.001 per share; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 49,279,453 and 50,370,987 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively 49 50
Treasury stock, at cost, 4,604,365 and 2,919,828 shares as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively (43,270 ) (39,272 )
Additional paid-in capital 650,130 652,003
Accumulated deficit (406,451 ) (439,656 )
Total Acacia Research Corporation stockholders' equity 200,458 173,125
Noncontrolling interests 1,833 1,833
Total stockholders' equity 202,291 174,958
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock, and stockholders' equity 426,515 $ 218,161

All values are in US Dollars.

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