Even if we complete the clinical trial, the study may not meet its prespecified endpoints, and even if it does, the FDA may still disagree that the clinical trial is sufficient to support submission and approval of a BLA for tab-cel, or may consider that the data, while adequate for BLA submission, can support only a more limited indication than that for which we initially applied.
Even if we complete the clinical trial, the study may not meet its prespecified endpoints, and even if it does, the FDA may still disagree that the clinical trial is sufficient to support submission and approval of a BLA for tab-cel, or may consider that the data, while adequate for BLA approval, can support only a more limited indication than that for which we initially applied.
We cannot be sure that the manufacturing processes used in connection with our T-cell immunotherapy product and product candidates will yield a sufficient supply of satisfactory products that are stable, safe, pure, and potent, or comparable to those T cells historically produced by our partners, be scalable or profitable.
We cannot be sure that the manufacturing processes used in connection with our T-cell immunotherapy product and product candidates will yield a sufficient supply of satisfactory products that are stable, safe, pure, and potent, or comparable to those T cells historically produced by our partners or that processes will be scalable or profitable.
They also include any post-approval requirements or commitments imposed by FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities as a condition of approval, or any risk evaluation or mitigation strategies (REMS), if applicable. The safety profile of any product will continue to be closely monitored by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities after approval.
They also include any post-approval requirements or commitments imposed by FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities as a condition of approval, and/or any risk evaluation or mitigation strategies (REMS), if applicable. The safety profile of any product will continue to be closely monitored by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities after approval.
If microbial, viral or other contamination is discovered in reagents or in our product and product candidates or in the manufacturing facilities in which our product and product candidates are made, these manufacturing facilities may need to be closed for an extended period of time to allow us to investigate and remedy the contamination.
If microbial, viral or other contamination is discovered in reagents or in our product or product candidates or in the manufacturing facilities in which our product and product candidates are made, these manufacturing facilities may need to be closed for an extended period of time to allow us to investigate and remedy the contamination.
We also have non-cancellable minimum purchase commitments for products and services in certain of our agreements with our CMOs, if we do not fulfill such minimum purchase commitments, we will need to pay such CMOs the difference between the applicable minimum purchase commitment and our actual purchases of products and services for a given period.
We also have non-cancellable minimum purchase commitments for products and services in certain agreements with our CMOs, if we do not fulfill such minimum purchase commitments, we will need to pay such CMOs the difference between the applicable minimum purchase commitment and our actual purchases of products and services for a given period.
In addition, such failure could be the basis for the FDA to issue a warning letter, withdraw approvals for product candidates previously granted to us, or take other regulatory or legal action, including recall or seizure of outside supplies of the product candidate, total or partial suspension of production, suspension of ongoing clinical studies, refusal to approve pending applications or supplemental applications, detention or product, refusal to permit the import or export of products, injunction or imposing civil and criminal penalties.
In addition, such failure could be the basis for the FDA to issue a warning letter, withdraw approvals for product candidates previously granted to us, or take other regulatory or legal action, including recall or seizure of outside supplies of the product candidate, total or partial suspension of production, suspension of ongoing clinical studies, refusal to approve pending applications or supplemental applications, detention of product, refusal to permit the import or export of products, injunction or imposing civil and criminal penalties.
We rely upon a combination of patents, trademarks, trade secrets and confidentiality agreements – both that we own or possess or that are owned or possessed by our partners that are in-licensed to us – to protect the intellectual property related to our technology, product and product candidates.
We rely upon a combination of patents, trademarks, trade secrets and confidentiality agreements – both that we own or possess or that are owned or possessed by our partners and are in-licensed to us – to protect the intellectual property related to our technology, product and product candidates.
The Affordable Care Act and its implementing regulations, among other things, addressed a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for certain drugs and biologics, including our product candidates, increased the minimum Medicaid rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, extended the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program to utilization of prescriptions of individuals enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations, subjected manufacturers to new annual fees and taxes for certain branded prescription drugs, provided incentives to programs that increase the federal government’s comparative effectiveness research.
The Affordable Care Act and its implementing regulations, among other things, addressed a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for certain drugs and biologics, including our product candidates, increased the minimum Medicaid rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, extended the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program to utilization of prescriptions of individuals enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations, subjected manufacturers to new annual fees and taxes for certain branded prescription drugs, and provided incentives to programs that increase the federal government’s comparative effectiveness research.
Our product candidates could fail to receive regulatory approval from the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority for many reasons, including: • disagreement with the design or conduct of our clinical studies; • failure to demonstrate positive benefit/risk profile of the product candidate for its proposed indication; • failure to demonstrate the stability, safety, purity and potency of the product candidate; • failure of clinical sites to conduct the study in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements; • failure of clinical studies to meet the level of statistical significance required for approval; • disagreement with our interpretation of data from preclinical studies or clinical studies; • the insufficiency of data collected from clinical studies of our product candidates to support the submission and filing of a BLA or other submission or to obtain regulatory approval; • inability to reach agreement with the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities on the methodologies for, and assessment of, comparability of different versions of product candidates used in non-pivotal studies, pivotal studies and for intended commercial use; 37 • failure to obtain approval of our manufacturing processes or facilities of third party manufacturers with whom we contract for clinical and commercial supplies or our own manufacturing facility; or • changes or inconsistencies in the requested or required methodologies, statistical analyses, specification criteria or regulatory submission requirements for a product candidate, including changes to, or inconsistencies with, applicable industry practice or precedent; or • changes in the approval policies or regulations that render our preclinical and clinical data insufficient for approval or in positions, guidance or feedback communicated by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities that have a negative impact on the potential approval of a product candidate.
Our product candidates could fail to receive regulatory approval from the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority for many reasons, including: • disagreement with the design or conduct of our clinical studies; • failure to demonstrate positive benefit/risk profile of the product candidate for its proposed indication; • failure to demonstrate the stability, safety, purity and potency of the product candidate; • failure of clinical sites to conduct the study in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements; • failure of clinical studies to meet the level of statistical significance required for approval; • disagreement with our interpretation of data from preclinical studies or clinical studies; • the insufficiency of data collected from clinical studies of our product candidates to support the submission and filing of a BLA or other submission or to obtain regulatory approval; • inability to reach agreement with the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities on the methodologies for, and assessment of, comparability of different versions of product candidates used in non-pivotal studies, pivotal studies and for intended commercial use; • failure to obtain approval of our manufacturing processes or facilities of third party manufacturers with whom we contract for clinical and commercial supplies or our own manufacturing facility; or • changes or inconsistencies in the requested or required methodologies, statistical analyses, specification criteria or regulatory submission requirements for a product candidate, including changes to, or inconsistencies with, applicable industry practice or precedent; or • changes in the approval policies or regulations that render our preclinical and clinical data insufficient for approval or in positions, guidance or feedback communicated by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities that have a negative impact on the potential approval of a product candidate.
Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of us under Delaware law, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, or other employee of the Company to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers, or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws (as either may be amended 66 from time to time), (iv) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine, or (v) any other action asserting an “internal corporate claim,” as defined under Section 115 of the DGCL.
Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of us under Delaware law, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, or other employee of the Company to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers, or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), (iv) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine, or (v) any other action asserting an “internal corporate claim,” as defined under Section 115 of the DGCL.
Reliance on CROs entails risks to which we would not be subject if we conducted our clinical studies ourselves, including reliance on the CRO for clinical site initiation and monitoring, the possibility that the CRO does not maintain the financial resources to meet its obligations under our agreements, the possibility of breach of these agreements by the CRO because of factors beyond our control, including a failure to properly perform their obligations under these agreements, and the possibility of termination or non-renewal of the agreements by the CROs, based on their own business priorities, at a time that is costly or damaging to us.
Reliance on CROs entails risks to which we would not be subject if we conducted our clinical studies ourselves, including reliance on the CRO for 44 clinical site initiation and monitoring, the possibility that the CRO does not maintain the financial resources to meet its obligations under our agreements, the possibility of breach of these agreements by the CRO because of factors beyond our control, including a failure to properly perform their obligations under these agreements, and the possibility of termination or non-renewal of the agreements by the CROs, based on their own business priorities, at a time that is costly or damaging to us.
For example, the FTC recently published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking on “commercial surveillance” and data security, and is seeking comment on whether it should implement new trade regulation rules or other regulatory alternatives concerning the ways in which companies (1) collect, aggregate, protect, use, analyze, and retain consumer data, as well as (2) transfer, share, sell, or otherwise monetize that data in ways that are unfair or deceptive.
For example, the FTC published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking on “commercial surveillance” and data security, and is seeking comment on whether it should implement new trade regulation rules or other regulatory alternatives concerning the ways in which companies (1) collect, aggregate, protect, use, analyze, and retain consumer data, as well as (2) transfer, share, sell, or otherwise monetize that data in ways that are unfair or deceptive.
If we do obtain approval for a product candidate marketing application, regulatory authorities may approve any of our product candidates for fewer or more limited indications than we request (including failing to approve the most commercially promising 38 indications), may grant approval contingent on the performance of costly post-marketing clinical studies, or may approve a product candidate with a label that does not include the labeling claims necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of that product candidate.
If we do obtain approval for a product candidate marketing application, regulatory authorities may approve any of our product candidates for fewer or more limited indications than we request (including failing to approve the most commercially promising indications), may grant approval contingent on the performance of costly post-marketing clinical studies, or may approve a product candidate with a label that does not include the labeling claims necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of that product candidate.
However, companies may share truthful and not misleading information that is otherwise consistent with a product’s FDA approved labeling. Violations, including actual or alleged promotion of our products for unapproved or off-label uses, are subject to enforcement letters, inquiries and investigations, and civil and criminal sanctions by the FDA or 47 comparable foreign bodies.
However, companies may share truthful and not misleading information that is otherwise consistent with a product’s FDA approved labeling. Violations, including actual or alleged promotion of our products for unapproved or off-label uses, are subject to enforcement letters, inquiries and investigations, and civil and criminal sanctions by the FDA or comparable foreign bodies.
If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, which might cause our stock price and trading volume to decline. General Risk Factors Our future success depends on our ability to retain our executive officers and to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel.
If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, which might cause our stock price and trading volume to decline. 70 General Risk Factors Our future success depends on our ability to retain our executive officers and to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel.
In addition, we may have analyzed patents or patent applications of third parties that we believe are relevant to our activities and believe that we are free to operate in relation to any of our product and product candidates, but our competitors may obtain issued claims, including in patents we consider to be unrelated, which may block our efforts or potentially result in any of our product, product candidates or our activities infringing their claims.
In addition, we may have analyzed patents or patent applications of third parties that we believe are relevant to our activities and believe that we are free to operate in relation to any of our product and product candidates, but our competitors may obtain issued claims, including in patents we consider 57 to be unrelated, which may block our efforts or potentially result in any of our product, product candidates or our activities infringing their claims.
Competition for skilled personnel in our industry and geographic regions is intense and may limit our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel on acceptable terms or at all. To induce valuable employees to remain at our company, in addition to salary and cash incentives, we have provided equity awards that vest 67 over time.
Competition for skilled personnel in our industry and geographic regions is intense and may limit our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel on acceptable terms or at all. To induce valuable employees to remain at our company, in addition to salary and cash incentives, we have provided equity awards that vest over time.
Our existing product candidates in clinical studies, and any other product candidate we advance into clinical studies, may not have favorable results in later clinical studies or receive regulatory approval. Success in preclinical studies and early clinical studies does not ensure that later clinical studies will generate adequate data to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of an investigational drug.
Our existing product candidate in clinical studies, and any other product candidate we advance into clinical studies, may not have favorable results in later clinical studies or receive regulatory approval. Success in preclinical studies and early clinical studies does not ensure that later clinical studies will generate adequate data to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of an investigational drug.
In the event of actual or alleged breaches of the A&R Commercialization Agreement or the HCRx Agreement, we could be subject to claims for damages from HCRx and could be subject to costly litigation. We expect the product candidates we develop will be regulated as biological products (biologics) and therefore they may be subject to competition sooner than anticipated.
In the event of actual or alleged breaches of the A&R Commercialization Agreement or the HCRx Agreement, we could be subject to claims for damages from HCRx and could be subject to costly litigation. 65 We expect the product candidates we develop will be regulated as biological products (biologics) and therefore they may be subject to competition sooner than anticipated.
If global health concerns continue to prevent the FDA or other regulatory authorities from conducting their regular inspections, or impact reviews or other regulatory activities, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA or other regulatory authorities to review and process our regulatory submissions in a timely fashion, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
If global health concerns prevent the FDA or other regulatory authorities from conducting their regular inspections, or impact reviews or other regulatory activities, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA or other regulatory authorities to review and process our regulatory submissions in a timely fashion, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The coverage of patents is subject to interpretation by the courts, and the interpretation is not always uniform or predictable. 54 Third parties may assert infringement claims against us based on existing or future intellectual property rights, alleging that we are employing their proprietary technology without authorization.
The coverage of patents is subject to interpretation by the courts, and the interpretation is not always uniform or predictable. Third parties may assert infringement claims against us based on existing or future intellectual property rights, alleging that we are employing their proprietary technology without authorization.
Regulation of privacy, data protection and data security has also become more stringent in the United States. HIPAA imposes requirements to protect the privacy and security of protected health information (“PHI”) and to provide notification in the event of a breach of PHI. Violations of HIPAA are punishable by civil money penalties and, in some cases, criminal penalties and imprisonment.
Regulation of privacy, data protection, and data security has also become more stringent in the United States. HIPAA imposes requirements to protect the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) and to provide notification in the event of a breach of PHI. Violations of HIPAA are punishable by civil money penalties and, in some cases, criminal penalties and imprisonment.
New manufacturers of any product, product candidate or intermediate would be required to qualify under applicable regulatory requirements. These manufacturers may not be able to manufacture our product and product candidates at costs, or in sufficient quantities, or in a timely manner necessary to complete development of our product candidates or make commercially successful products.
New manufacturers of any product, product candidate, or intermediate would be required to qualify procedures under applicable regulatory requirements. These manufacturers may not be able to manufacture our product and product candidates at costs, or in sufficient quantities, or in a timely manner necessary to complete development of our product candidates or make commercially successful products.
These relationships or transactions, or those like them, may require us to incur nonrecurring and other 52 charges, increase our near- and long-term expenditures, issue securities that dilute our existing stockholders, reduce the potential profitability of the products that are the subject of the relationship or disrupt our management and business.
These relationships or transactions, or those like them, may require us to incur nonrecurring and other charges, increase our near- and long-term expenditures, issue securities that dilute our existing stockholders, reduce the potential profitability of the products that are the subject of the relationship or disrupt our management and business.
Delays in receiving regulatory approvals for product candidates produced at our CMOs’ facilities could delay our development plans and thereby limit our ability to generate revenues. The research and development and process and analytical development labs within ARC and our facility in Aurora, Colorado, currently support our preclinical and mid/late development activities.
Delays in receiving regulatory approvals for product candidates produced at our CMOs’ facilities could delay our development plans and thereby limit our ability to generate revenues. The research and development and process and analytical development labs within ARC and our facility in Aurora, Colorado, currently support our mid/late development activities.
The timing and amount of any milestone and royalty payments we may receive under the A&R Commercialization Agreement, as well as the commercial success of tab-cel, will depend on, among other things, the efforts, allocation of resources, negotiation of pricing and reimbursement and successful commercialization of tab-cel by Pierre Fabre.
The timing and amount of any milestone and royalty payments we may receive under the A&R Commercialization Agreement, as well as the commercial success of tab-cel, will 54 depend on, among other things, the efforts, allocation of resources, negotiation of pricing and reimbursement and successful commercialization of tab-cel by Pierre Fabre.
Unauthorized access, loss or dissemination could also damage our reputation or disrupt our operations, including our ability to conduct our analyses, conduct research and development activities, collect, process and prepare company financial information, and manage the administrative aspects of our business. 74 Penalties for violations of these laws vary.
Unauthorized access, loss or dissemination could also damage our reputation or disrupt our operations, including our ability to conduct our analyses, conduct research and development activities, collect, process and prepare company financial information, and manage the administrative aspects of our business. Penalties for violations of these laws vary.
The FDA initially recommended we conduct a new clinical trial with the commercial product to address the lack of alignment on comparability and to gain additional clinical experience with the intended commercial product. Throughout 2023, we held a number of meetings with the FDA on clinical aspects and CMC for a potential BLA submission for tab-cel.
The FDA initially recommended we conduct a new clinical trial with the commercial product to address the lack of alignment on comparability and to gain additional clinical experience with the intended commercial product. Throughout 2023, we held a number of meetings with the FDA on clinical 39 and CMC aspects for a potential BLA submission for tab-cel.
Adverse differences between preliminary or interim data and final data could impact the regulatory approval of, and significantly harm the prospects of any product candidate that is impacted by the applicable data. Clinical drug development involves a lengthy and expensive process with an uncertain outcome.
Adverse differences between preliminary or interim data and final data could impact the regulatory approval of, and/or significantly harm the prospects of any product candidate that is impacted by the applicable data. 42 Clinical drug development involves a lengthy and expensive process with an uncertain outcome.
In addition, any termination of established strategic alliance agreements will terminate any potential future funding we may receive under the relevant agreements, and we would have to seek a new partner for development or commercialization, curtail or abandon that development or commercialization, or undertake and fund the development and commercialization of the relevant product.
In addition, any termination of established strategic alliance agreements will terminate any potential future funding we may receive under the relevant agreements, and we would have to seek a new partner 55 for development or commercialization, curtail or abandon that development or commercialization, or undertake and fund the development and commercialization of the relevant product.
The possibility exists that others will develop products on an independent basis which have the same effect as our product and product 53 candidates and which do not infringe our patents or other intellectual property rights, or that others will design around the claims of patents that we have had issued that cover our product and product candidates.
The possibility exists that others will develop products on an independent basis which have the same effect as our product and product candidates and which do not infringe our patents or other intellectual property rights, or that others will design around the claims of patents that we have had issued that cover our product and product candidates.
Even if patents have issued or do successfully issue from patent applications, and even if these patents cover our product and product candidates, third parties may challenge the validity, enforceability or scope thereof, which may result in these patents being narrowed, invalidated or held to be unenforceable.
Even if patents have issued or do successfully issue from patent applications, and even if these patents cover our product and product candidates, third parties may still challenge the validity, enforceability or scope thereof, which may result in these patents being narrowed, invalidated or held to be unenforceable.
If we are unable to obtain regulatory approval for one of our product candidates in one or more jurisdictions, or any approval contains significant limitations, we may not be able to obtain sufficient funding to continue the development of that product or generate revenues attributable to that product candidate.
If we are unable to obtain regulatory approval for one of our product candidates in one or more jurisdictions, or any approval contains significant limitations, we may not be able to obtain sufficient funding to continue the development of that product or generate 40 revenues attributable to that product candidate.
For example, assuming enrollment of 33 patients in a cohort of ALLELE, an observed ORR above approximately 37% would be expected to meet the primary endpoint for that cohort. In addition, our amended ALLELE study protocol includes an interim analysis as well as a final study analysis.
Assuming enrollment of 33 patients in a cohort of ALLELE, an observed ORR above approximately 37% would be expected to meet the primary endpoint for that cohort. In addition, our amended ALLELE study protocol includes an interim analysis as well as a final study analysis.
Conducting an additional clinical trial, if required, may prove too difficult or too expensive, and the process of designing a clinical trial, enrolling enough patients, and completing treatment and data collection under the protocol could take a significant amount of time, effort, and resources.
Conducting an additional clinical trial, if required, may prove too difficult or too expensive, and the process of designing a new clinical trial, enrolling enough patients, and completing treatment and data collection under the protocol could take a significant amount of time, effort, and resources.
We or our partners may not prevail in any lawsuits that we or our licensors initiate, and even if we or our licensors are successful the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. We have in-licensed a significant portion of our intellectual property from our partners.
We or our partners may not prevail in any lawsuits that we or our licensors initiate, and even if we or our licensors are successful the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. 58 We have in-licensed a significant portion of our intellectual property from our partners.
The interests of our significant stockholders may not always coincide with the interests of other stockholders and they may act in a manner that advances their best interests and not necessarily those of other stockholders, including seeking a premium value for their common stock, and might affect the market price for our common stock.
The interests of our significant stockholders may not always coincide with the interests of other stockholders, and they may act in a manner that advances their best interests and not necessarily those of other stockholders, including seeking a premium value for their common stock, which might affect the market price for our common stock.
Other countries outside of Europe and the UK continue to enact or are considering enacting similar cross-border data transfer restrictions and laws requiring local data residency, which could increase the cost and complexity of delivering our services and operating our business.
Other countries outside of Europe and the UK continue to enact or are considering enacting similar cross-border data transfer restrictions and laws requiring local data residency, which could increase the cost and complexity of delivering our services and 74 operating our business.
Because these programs, particularly our pipeline of allogeneic T-cell product and product candidates that are bioengineered from donors, represent a new approach to immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, developing and commercializing our product candidates subject us to a number of challenges, including: • obtaining regulatory approval from the FDA and other regulatory authorities, which have limited experience with regulating the development and commercialization of T-cell immunotherapies, particularly allogeneic T-cell products and product candidates; • developing and deploying consistent and reliable processes for procuring blood from consenting third party donors, isolating T cells from the blood of such donors, activating the isolated T cells against a specific antigen, characterizing and storing the resulting activated T cells for future therapeutic use, selecting and delivering a sufficient supply and breadth of appropriate partially HLA-matched cell line from among the available T-cell lines, and finally infusing these activated T cells into patients; • utilizing these product candidates in combination with other therapies (e.g., immunomodulatory approaches such as checkpoint inhibitors), which may increase the risk of adverse side effects; • educating medical personnel regarding the potential side effect profile of our product and each of our product candidates, particularly those that may be unique to our allogeneic T-cell product and product candidates and to our next-generation CAR T programs; • understanding and addressing variability in the quality of a donor’s T cells, which could ultimately affect our ability to manufacture products and product candidates in a reliable and consistent manner; • developing processes for the safe administration of these product and product candidates, including long-term follow-up and registries, for all patients who receive these product candidates; • establishing or making arrangements with third party manufacturers to manufacture, or manufacturing on our own, product and product candidates to our specifications and in a timely manner to support our clinical studies and, if approved, commercialization; • sourcing clinical and, if approved by applicable regulatory authorities, commercial supplies for the materials used to manufacture and process these product and product candidates that are free from viruses and other pathogens that may increase the risk of adverse side effects; 39 • developing a manufacturing process and distribution network that can provide a stable supply with a cost of goods that allows for an attractive return on investment; • establishing favorable terms with commercialization partners that possess appropriate sales and marketing capabilities ahead of and after obtaining any regulatory approval to gain market acceptance, and obtaining adequate coverage, reimbursement and pricing by third party payors and government authorities; and • developing therapies for types of diseases beyond those initially addressed by our current product and product candidates.
Because these programs, particularly our pipeline of allogeneic T-cell product and product candidates that are bioengineered from donors, represent a new approach to immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, developing and commercializing our product candidates subject us to a number of challenges, including but not limited to: • obtaining regulatory approval from the FDA and other regulatory authorities, which have limited experience with regulating the development and commercialization of T-cell immunotherapies, particularly allogeneic T-cell products and product candidates; • developing and deploying consistent and reliable processes for procuring blood from consenting third party donors, isolating T cells from the blood of such donors, activating the isolated T cells against a specific antigen, characterizing and storing the resulting activated T cells for future therapeutic use, selecting and delivering a sufficient supply and breadth of appropriate partially HLA-matched cell line from among the available T-cell lines, and finally infusing these activated T cells into patients; • utilizing these product candidates in combination with other therapies (e.g., immunomodulatory approaches such as checkpoint inhibitors), which may increase the risk of adverse side effects; • educating medical personnel regarding the potential side effect profile of our product and each of our product candidates, particularly those that may be unique to our allogeneic T-cell product and product candidates; • understanding and addressing variability in the quality of a donor’s T cells, which could ultimately affect our ability to manufacture products and product candidates in a reliable and consistent manner; • developing processes for the safe administration of these product and product candidates, including long-term follow-up and registries, for all patients who receive these product candidates; • establishing or making arrangements with third party manufacturers to manufacture, or manufacturing on our own, product and product candidates to our specifications and in a timely manner to support our clinical studies and, if approved, commercialization; • sourcing clinical and, if approved by applicable regulatory authorities, commercial supplies for the materials used to manufacture and process these product and product candidates that are free from viruses and other pathogens that may increase the risk of adverse side effects; • developing a manufacturing process and distribution network that can provide a stable supply with a cost of goods that allows for an attractive return on investment; • establishing favorable terms with commercialization partners that possess appropriate sales and marketing capabilities ahead of and after obtaining any regulatory approval to gain market acceptance, and obtaining adequate coverage, reimbursement and pricing by third party payors and government authorities; and • developing therapies for types of diseases beyond those initially addressed by our current product and product candidates.
In such an event, our studies could be suspended or terminated, and the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could order us to cease further development of or deny approval of our product candidates for any or all targeted 43 indications.
In such an event, our studies could be suspended or terminated, and the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could order us to cease further development of or deny approval of our product candidates for any or all targeted indications.
Any failure by our third party manufacturers to comply with cGMP or cGTP or failure to scale up manufacturing processes, including any failure to deliver sufficient quantities of product candidates in a timely 51 manner, could lead to a delay in, or failure to obtain, regulatory approval of any of our product candidates.
Any failure by our third party manufacturers to comply with cGMP or cGTP or failure to scale up manufacturing processes, including any failure to deliver sufficient quantities of product candidates in a timely manner, could lead to a delay in, or failure to obtain, regulatory approval of any of our product candidates.
Filing, prosecuting, enforcing and defending patents on all of our product and product candidates in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive. Our intellectual property rights in certain countries outside the U.S. may be less extensive than those in the U.S.
Filing, prosecuting, enforcing and defending patents on all of our products and product candidates in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive. Our intellectual property rights in certain countries outside the U.S. may be less extensive than those in the U.S.
We cannot be sure whether additional legislative changes will be enacted, or whether the U.S. or foreign regulations, guidance or interpretations will be changed, or what the impact of these changes on the regulatory approvals of 59 our product and product candidates, if any, may be.
We cannot be sure whether additional legislative changes will be enacted, or whether the U.S. or foreign regulations, guidance or interpretations will be changed, or what the impact of these changes on the regulatory approvals of our product and product candidates, if any, may be.
If we or our partners are sued for patent infringement, we would need to demonstrate that our product candidates, products and methods either do not infringe the patent claims of the relevant patent or that the patent claims are invalid, and we may not be able to do this.
If we or our partners are sued for patent infringement, we would need to demonstrate that our product candidates, product and methods either do not infringe the patent claims of the relevant patent or that the patent claims are invalid, and we may not be able to do this.
In August 2022, we announced a reduction of our workforce by approximately 20% across all areas of our company, including members of management. In November 2023, we implemented a further reduction of our workforce by approximately 30%, and in January 2024, we announced an additional reduction of our workforce by approximately 25%, including a member of management.
In August 2022, we announced a reduction of our workforce by approximately 20% across all areas of our company, including members of management. In November 2023, we implemented a further reduction of our workforce by approximately 30%, and in January 2024, we conducted an additional reduction of our workforce by approximately 25%, including a member of management.
Moreover, complying with these various laws could require us to take on more onerous obligations in our contracts, restrict our ability to collect, use and disclose data, or in some cases, impact our ability to operate in certain jurisdictions.
Moreover, complying with these various laws could require us to take on more 75 onerous obligations in our contracts, restrict our ability to collect, use and disclose data, or in some cases, impact our ability to operate in certain jurisdictions.
Approval by a regulatory agency or payor does not ensure approval by any other regulatory or payor authorities in other countries or jurisdictions. We may not be able to file for regulatory approvals and may not receive necessary approvals to commercialize our products in any market.
Approval by a regulatory agency or payor does not ensure approval by any other regulatory or payor authorities in other countries or jurisdictions. We may not be able to file for regulatory approvals and may not receive the approvals necessary to commercialize our products in any market.
If the breadth or strength of protection provided by our patents and patent applications with respect to our product and product candidates are threatened, it could jeopardize our ability to commercialize our product and product candidates and dissuade companies from collaborating with us.
If the breadth or strength of protection provided by our patents and patent applications with respect to our product and product candidates are threatened, it could jeopardize our ability to commercialize our products and product candidates and dissuade companies from collaborating with us.
Future growth would impose significant added responsibilities on members of management, including: • managing our preclinical and clinical studies effectively; • managing CMC operations and our external manufacturing partners effectively; • identifying, recruiting, maintaining, motivating and integrating additional employees, including the additional personnel needed to support continued development and of our product candidates; • managing our internal development efforts effectively while complying with our contractual obligations to licensors, licensees, contractors and other third parties; • improving our managerial, development, operational, information technology, and finance systems; and • expanding our facilities.
Future growth would impose significant added responsibilities on members of management, including: • managing our clinical studies effectively; • managing CMC operations and our external manufacturing partners effectively; • identifying, recruiting, maintaining, motivating and integrating additional employees, including the additional personnel needed to support continued development and of our product candidates; • managing our internal development efforts effectively while complying with our contractual obligations to licensors, licensees, contractors and other third parties; 66 • improving our managerial, development, operational, information technology, and finance systems; and • expanding our facilities.
These market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. 64 In the past, class action litigation has often been instituted against companies whose securities have experienced periods of volatility in market price.
These market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. In the past, class action litigation has often been instituted against companies whose securities have experienced periods of volatility in market price.
As a consequence of these and other factors, our patent applications may fail to result in issued patents with claims that cover our product and product candidates in the U.S. or in other countries.
As a consequence of these and other factors, our patent applications may fail to result in issued patents with claims that cover our products and product candidates in the U.S. or in other countries.
To raise capital, we may sell substantial amounts of common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock in one or more 65 transactions at prices and in a manner we determine from time to time.
To raise capital, we may sell substantial amounts of common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock in one or more transactions at prices and in a manner we determine from time to time.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this reduction was temporarily suspended from May 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022, with subsequent reductions to 1% from April 1, 2022 until June 30, 2022.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this reduction was temporarily suspended from May 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022, with subsequent reductions to 1% from April 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022.
In the U.S., the FDA may still approve a later marketing application blocked by an ongoing period of orphan drug exclusivity in limited circumstances such as a showing of clinical superiority to the product with orphan drug exclusivity or if the FDA finds that the holder of the orphan drug exclusivity has not shown that it can assure the availability of sufficient quantities of the orphan drug to meet the needs of patients with the disease or condition for which the product was approved.
In the U.S., the FDA may still approve a later marketing application blocked by an ongoing period of orphan drug exclusivity in limited circumstances such as a demonstration of clinical superiority to the product with orphan drug exclusivity or if the FDA finds that the holder of the orphan drug exclusivity has not shown that it can assure the availability of sufficient quantities of the orphan drug to meet the needs of patients with the disease or condition for which the product was approved.
There is no assurance that all potentially relevant prior art relating to our patents and patent applications is known to us or has been found in the instances where searching was done. We may be unaware of prior art that could be used to invalidate an issued patent or prevent a pending patent application from issuing as a patent.
There is no assurance that all potentially relevant prior art relating to our patents and patent applications is known to us or has been found in the instances where searching was done. We may be unaware of prior art that could be used to invalidate an issued patent or prevent a pending patent application from being issued as a patent.
If we are unable to obtain such raw materials or other necessary raw materials in a timely manner, our business operations and manufacturing capabilities could be adversely affected. 48 The process of manufacturing cellular therapies is susceptible to product loss due to contamination, equipment failure or improper installation or operation of equipment, or vendor or operator error.
If we are unable to obtain such raw materials or other necessary raw materials in a timely manner, our business operations and manufacturing capabilities could be adversely affected. 50 The process of manufacturing cellular therapies is susceptible to product loss due to contamination, equipment failure or improper installation or operation of equipment, or vendor or operator error.
Further, the IRA, signed into law in August 2022, extended the provision of enhanced subsidies for individuals purchasing health coverage through the ACA marketplace. The enhanced subsidies, which were originally passed as part of the American Rescue Plan Act are now extended through 2025. In the future, there may be additional challenges and/or amendments to the ACA.
Further, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed into law in August 2022, extended the provision of enhanced subsidies for individuals purchasing health coverage through the ACA marketplace. The enhanced subsidies, which were originally passed as part of the American Rescue Plan Act are now extended through 2025. In the future, there may be additional challenges and/or amendments to the ACA.
Absent differentiated and compelling clinical evidence, pricing premiums may impede the adoption of our products over currently approved or commonly used therapies, which may adversely impact our business. In addition, many companies are developing new therapeutics, and we cannot predict what the standard of care will become as our products continue in clinical development.
Absent differentiated and compelling clinical evidence, pricing premiums may impede the adoption of our products over currently approved or commonly used therapies, which may adversely impact our business. In addition, many companies are developing new therapeutics, and we cannot predict what the standard of care will become as our product candidates continue in clinical development.
Any actual or alleged failure to comply with labeling and promotion requirements may result in fines, warning letters, mandates to corrective information to healthcare practitioners, injunctions, or civil or criminal penalties. Regulations, guidelines and recommendations published by various government agencies and organizations may affect the use of our product candidates.
Any actual or alleged failure to comply with labeling and promotion requirements may result in fines, warning letters, mandates to corrective information to healthcare practitioners, injunctions, or civil or criminal penalties. 49 Changes to regulations, guidelines and recommendations published by various government agencies and organizations may affect the use of our product candidates.
The FDA or other applicable regulatory authorities may require specific post-market studies or additional information that communicates the benefits or risks of our products. New data may reveal new risks of our product candidates at any time prior to or after regulatory approval. The FDA may also modify or enhance trial requirements which may affect enrollment.
The FDA or other applicable regulatory authorities may require specific post-market studies or additional information that communicates the benefits or risks of our products. New data may reveal new risks of our product candidates at any time prior to or after regulatory approval. Furthermore, regulatory agencies may also modify or enhance trial requirements which may affect enrollment.
To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, or if existing holders of warrants exercise their rights to purchase common stock, the ownership interest of existing 33 stockholders will be diluted, and the terms may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of stockholders.
To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, or if existing holders 36 of warrants exercise their rights to purchase common stock, the ownership interest of existing stockholders will be diluted, and the terms may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of stockholders.
Our CMOs or partners are not our employees, and except for remedies available to us under our agreements with our CMOs or partners, we cannot directly control whether or not they devote sufficient time and resources, including experienced staff, to the manufacturing of supply for our ongoing clinical, nonclinical and preclinical programs.
Our CMOs or partners are not our employees, and except for remedies available to us under our agreements with our CMOs or partners, we cannot directly control whether or not they devote sufficient time and resources, including experienced staff, to the manufacturing of supply for our ongoing clinical, nonclinical and preclinical programs and commercial product.
We performed a Section 382 analysis of transactions in our stock through December 31, 2023 and concluded that we have experienced ownership changes since inception that we believe under Section 382 of the Code will result in limitations on our ability to use certain pre-change NOLs and credits.
We performed a Section 382 analysis of transactions in our stock through December 31, 2024 and concluded that we have experienced ownership changes since inception that we believe under Section 382 of the Code will result in limitations on our ability to use certain pre-change NOLs and credits.
Moreover, our product candidates may not perform successfully in clinical studies or may be associated with adverse events that distinguish them from those that have previously been approved, such as approved autologous CAR T therapies. For instance, allogeneic product candidates may result in adverse events not experienced with autologous products.
Moreover, our product candidates may not perform successfully in clinical studies or may be associated with adverse events that distinguish them from those that have previously been approved, such as approved autologous CAR T therapies. For instance, exposure to allogeneic product candidates may result in adverse events not experienced with autologous products.
Even if our product and product candidates obtain significant market share, because the potential target populations are small, we may never achieve profitability without obtaining regulatory approval for additional indications. 44 We may not be able to obtain or maintain orphan drug exclusivity for our product candidates.
Even if our product and product candidates obtain significant market share, because the potential target populations are small, we may never achieve profitability without obtaining regulatory approval for additional indications. 46 We may not be able to obtain or maintain orphan drug exclusivity for our product candidates.
The inability to demonstrate to each of the applicable regulatory authorities that comparable drug product was manufactured could delay the development of our product candidates or availability of additional commercial product supplies. The processes by which some of our product and product candidates are manufactured were initially developed by our partners for clinical purposes.
The inability to demonstrate to each of the applicable regulatory authorities that acceptable drug product was manufactured could delay the development of our product candidates or availability of additional commercial product supplies. The processes by which some of our product and product candidates are manufactured were initially developed by our partners for clinical purposes.
These types of contaminations could result in delays in the manufacture of products which could result in delays in the development of our product candidates. These contaminations could also increase the risk of adverse side effects. Furthermore, our allogeneic products ultimately consist of many individual cell intermediate or cell product lots, each with a different HLA profile.
These types of contamination could result in delays in the manufacture of products which could result in delays in the development of our product candidates. Contamination could also increase the risk of adverse side effects. Furthermore, our allogeneic products ultimately consist of many individual cell intermediate or cell product lots, each with a different HLA profile.
If adopted in current form, the EU Pharma Law Proposal would introduce the possibility for the Commission, by way of delegated acts, to derogate from the current prevalence criterion, and introduce specific criteria for certain conditions, due to the characteristics of such conditions or other scientific reasons.
If adopted in current form, the EU Pharma Law Proposal would introduce the possibility for the EC, by way of delegated acts, to derogate from the current prevalence criterion, and introduce specific criteria for certain conditions, due to the characteristics of such conditions or other scientific reasons.
We cannot offer any assurances about which, if any, patents will be issued with respect to these pending patent applications, the breadth of any such patents that are ultimately issued or whether any issued patents will be found invalid and unenforceable or will be threatened by third parties.
We cannot offer any assurances about which, if any, patents will be issued with respect to these pending patent applications, the breadth of claims in any such patents that are ultimately issued or whether any issued patents will be found invalid and unenforceable or will be threatened by third parties.
These approaches include the use of gene-editing to remove or inhibit the TCR and the use of cell types 61 without a TCR.
These approaches include the use of gene-editing to remove or inhibit the TCR and the use of cell types without a TCR.
If we breach any of our license agreements with these partners, we could lose the ability to continue the development and potential commercialization of one or more of our product candidates. We hold rights under license agreements with our partners, including MSK and QIMR Berghofer that are important to our business.
If we breach any of our license agreements with these partners, we could lose the ability to continue the development and potential commercialization of one or more of our product candidates. We hold rights under license agreements with our partners, including MSK that are important to our business.
In addition, the clinical study requirements of the FDA, EMA and other regulatory agencies and the criteria these regulators use to determine the safety and efficacy of a product candidate are determined according to the type, complexity, novelty and intended use and market of the potential products.
In addition, the clinical study requirements of the FDA, EMA, MHRA, Swissmedic, and other regulatory agencies and the criteria these regulators use to determine the safety and efficacy of a product candidate are determined according to the type, complexity, novelty and intended use and market of the potential products.
Manufacturing cellular therapies is complicated and tightly regulated by the FDA and comparable regulatory authorities around the world, and although alternative third party suppliers with the necessary manufacturing and regulatory expertise and facilities exist, it could be expensive and take a significant amount of time to arrange for alternative suppliers, transfer manufacturing procedures and analytical methods to these alternative suppliers, and demonstrate comparability of material produced by such new suppliers.
Manufacturing cellular therapies is complicated and tightly regulated by the FDA and comparable regulatory authorities around the world, and although alternative third party suppliers with the necessary manufacturing and regulatory expertise and facilities exist, it could be expensive and take a significant amount of time to arrange for alternative suppliers, transfer manufacturing procedures and analytical methods to these alternative suppliers, and demonstrate comparability and/or non-inferiority of material produced by such new suppliers.
Our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of December 31, 2023 will not be sufficient to fund our planned operations for at least the next twelve months from the date of issuance of these financial statements.
Our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of December 31, 2024 will not be sufficient to fund our planned operations for at least the next twelve months from the date of issuance of these financial statements.
Our partners’ inability to promptly obtain coverage and profitable reimbursement rates from both government-funded and private payors for any approved products that we develop could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, our ability to raise capital needed and our overall financial condition. 58 Current and future legislation, including potentially unfavorable pricing regulations or other healthcare reform initiatives, may increase the difficulty and cost for us to obtain regulatory approval of our product candidates and affect the prices for our product and product candidates.
Our partners’ inability to promptly obtain coverage and adequate reimbursement rates from both government-funded and private payors for any approved products that we develop could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, our ability to raise capital needed and our overall financial condition. 61 Current and future legislation, including potentially unfavorable pricing regulations or other healthcare reform initiatives, may increase the difficulty and cost for us to obtain regulatory approval of our product candidates and affect the prices for our product and product candidates.
Likewise, a number of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, including those with greater resources and experience than us, have suffered significant setbacks in clinical studies, even after seeing promising results in earlier preclinical studies or clinical studies.
Indeed, a number of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, including those with greater resources and experience than us, have suffered significant setbacks in clinical studies, even after seeing promising results in earlier preclinical studies or clinical studies.
Regardless of where production occurs, we will need to develop relationships with suppliers of critical starting materials or reagents, increase the scale of production and demonstrate comparability of the material produced at these facilities to the material that was previously produced.
Regardless of where production occurs, we will need to develop relationships with suppliers of critical starting materials or reagents, increase the scale of production and demonstrate comparability and/or non-inferiority of the material produced at these facilities to the material that was previously produced.
HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”), which is responsible for enforcing HIPAA, also may enter into resolution agreements requiring the payment of a civil money penalty and/or the establishment of a corrective action plan to address violations of HIPAA.
HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which is responsible for enforcing HIPAA, also may enter into resolution agreements requiring the payment of a civil money penalty and/or the establishment of a corrective action plan to address violations of HIPAA.
For example, in December 2022, we sold certain of our royalty and milestone interests related to the Initial Territory under the amended and restated Pierre Fabre Commercialization Agreement, subject to a specified cap, to HCRx pursuant to the HCRx Agreement.
For example, in December 2022, we sold certain of our royalty and milestone interests related to the Initial Territory under the Pierre Fabre Commercialization Agreement, subject to a specified cap, to HCRx pursuant to the HCRx Agreement.
The failure of Pierre Fabre to devote sufficient time and effort to comply with regulatory requirements and maintain the US BLA (if approved), the EU and UK marketing authorizations and other regulatory approvals and/or to meet their obligations to us, could have an adverse impact on our financial results and operations, and our obligations under the HCRx Agreement with respect to the Initial Territory.
The failure of Pierre Fabre to devote sufficient time and effort to comply with regulatory requirements and maintain the US BLA (if approved), the EEA, Switzerland and UK marketing authorizations and other regulatory approvals and/or to meet their obligations to us, could have an adverse impact on our financial results and operations, and our obligations under the HCRx Agreement with respect to the Initial Territory.