Aksys dropped from NASDAQ

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill., Dec. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Aksys®, Ltd. (NASDAQ: AKSY) , a pioneer in innovative dialysis systems, announced today that it has received notice from The NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) indicating that the NASDAQ has denied the Company’s request for continued listing on The NASDAQ National Market. The December 27, 2005 letter from the NASDAQ indicates that the Company’s securities will be delisted from The NASDAQ National Market unless the Company requests a hearing in accordance with Marketplace Rule 4800 Series. The Company is requesting a hearing before the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel to review the NASDAQ staff’s determination. The Company’s hearing request will stay the de-listing until the hearing process is completed.

As previously disclosed, in a November 14, 2005 letter the NASDAQ noted the Company’s failure to comply with the minimum $10 million of stockholders’ equity required by Marketplace Rule 4450(a), Maintenance Standard 1 and the alternative listing requirements of Marketplace Rule 4450(b), Maintenance Standard 2 relating to market value of listed securities (and related assets and revenue tests) and market value of publicly held shares. In addition, in a December 16, 2005 letter the NASDAQ indicated that for the last 30 consecutive business days the bid price of the Company’s common stock has closed below the minimum $1.00 per share required by Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(5).

About Aksys, Ltd.

Aksys, Ltd. produces hemodialysis products, providing services for patients suffering from kidney failure. The Company’s lead product, the PHD® System, is a currently available, advanced technology hemodialysis system designed to improve clinical outcomes of patients and reduce mortality, morbidity and the associated high cost of patient care. Aksys was the 2005 recipient of the Frost & Sullivan Medical Device Medical Devices Award. In selecting Aksys for the award, Frost & Sullivan named the Aksys Personal PHD System the “Enabling Technology of the Year.” Further information is available on Aksys’ website: http://www.aksys.com/ .

There can be no assurance that the Company’s appeal of the NASDAQ’s determination will be successful. This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from the results identified or implied in any forward-looking statement. These statements are based on our views as of the date they are made with respect to future results or events. Factors that could cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) uncertainty about the acceptance of the PHD System by both potential users and purchasers, including without limitation, patients, clinics and other health care providers; (ii) risks related to uncertain unit pricing and product cost, which may not be at levels that permit the company to be profitable; (iii) risks related to quality control issues and consistency of service applicable to the PHD System; (iv) market, regulatory reimbursement and competitive conditions; (v) risks related to the failure to meet additional development and manufacturing milestones for the current or next- generation PHD System on a timely basis, including, without limitation, manufacturing and servicing cost reduction efforts; (vi) our ability to obtain sufficient capital on acceptable terms to run our business; (vii) risks inherent in relying on third parties to manufacture the current PHD System or develop the next-generation PHD System; (viii) changes in QSR requirements; and (ix) risks related to the disposition of our common stock by Durus Life Sciences Master Fund Ltd. and its affiliates. The company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results or events expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

Website: http://www.aksys.com/


Can someone explain what this means for Aksys?

In 2003, the stock was manipulated by a man named Sacane who ran a company called Durus Capital Management LLC. He and the Schmidt, the chief operating officer of Durus apparently bought more shares of the stock in these two biotech companies than the SEC allows and they filed false SEC documents to hide what they were doing. When the scheme was discovered in 2003 and they were charged, the market value of these stocks dropped $300 million causing investors in both company to have large losses. Both men have now pleaded guilty – Schmidt in October and Sacane in December – and are awaiting sentencing. You can read the complaint here - http://www.sec.gov/litigation/complaints/comp19424.pdf and a summary of the case at http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/051221/hedge_fund_fraud.html?.v=2.

Looks like Aksys has filed the paperwork necessary to appeal the delisting and the stock will remain on the NASDAK until the appeal is decided. From Yahoo.com Finance (http://biz.yahoo.com/e/051230/aksy8-k.html):

[i]Form 8-K for AKSYS LTD


30-Dec-2005

Notice of Delisting or Transfer, Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 3.01. Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

On December 30, 2005, Aksys, Ltd. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that it has received notice from The NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) indicating that the NASDAQ has denied the Company’s request for continued listing on The NASDAQ National Market. The December 27, 2005 letter from the NASDAQ indicates that the Company’s securities will be delisted from The NASDAQ National Market unless the Company requests a hearing in accordance with Marketplace Rule 4800 Series. The Company is requesting a hearing before the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel to review the NASDAQ staff’s determination. The Company’s hearing request will stay the de-listing until the hearing process is completed.

A copy of this press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release dated December 30, 2005[/i]

Oh wow, a high profile case here…dang that sucks when these things happen. I wonder what influence these bad guys will have on Aksys… :roll: