Biggest changeAmong other things, these provisions: ● establish a classified Board such that not all members of the board are elected at one time; ● allow the authorized number of our directors to be changed only by resolution of our Board; ● limit the manner in which our stockholders can remove directors from the Board; ● establish advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals that can be acted on at stockholder meetings and nominations to our Board; ● require that stockholder actions must be effected at a duly called stockholder meeting and prohibit actions by our stockholders by written consent; ● prohibit our stockholders from calling special meetings; ● authorize our board to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval, which preferred stock may include rights superior to the rights of the holders of common stock, and which could be used to institute a shareholder rights plan, or so-called "poison pill," that would work to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer, effectively preventing acquisitions that have not been approved by our board; and ● require the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the votes that all our stockholders would be entitled to cast to amend or repeal certain provisions of our charter or bylaws.
Biggest changeAmong other things, these provisions: ● establish a classified Board such that not all members of the Board are elected at one time; ● allow the authorized number of our directors to be changed only by resolution of our Board; ● limit the manner in which our stockholders can remove directors from the Board; ● establish advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals that can be acted on at stockholder meetings and nominations to our Board; ● require that stockholder actions must be effected at a duly called stockholder meeting and prohibit actions by our stockholders by written consent; ● prohibit our stockholders from calling special meetings; ● authorize our Board to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval, which preferred stock may include rights superior to the rights of the holders of common stock, and which could be used to institute a shareholder rights plan, or so-called “poison pill,” that would work to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer, effectively preventing acquisitions that have not been approved by our Board; and ● require the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the votes that all our stockholders would be entitled to cast to amend or repeal certain provisions of our charter or bylaws. 59 Table of Contents Moreover, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits a person who owns in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock from merging or combining with it for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person acquired in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock, unless the merger or combination is approved in a prescribed manner.
In many cases, the products that we commercialize will compete with existing, market-leading products. Many of our potential competitors have significantly greater financial, manufacturing, marketing, drug development, technical and human resources than we do. Large pharmaceutical companies, in particular, have extensive experience in clinical testing, obtaining regulatory approvals, recruiting patients and in manufacturing pharmaceutical products.
In many cases, the products that we commercialize will compete with existing, market-leading products. Many of our potential competitors have significantly greater financial, manufacturing, marketing, drug development, technical and human resources than we do. Large pharmaceutical companies, in particular, have extensive experience in clinical testing, obtaining regulatory approvals, recruiting patients and manufacturing pharmaceutical products.
Patients are unlikely to use a product candidate, if approved, unless coverage is provided, and reimbursement is adequate to cover all or a significant portion of the cost of our products. Therefore, coverage and adequate reimbursement is critical to new product acceptance.
Patients are unlikely to use a product candidate, if approved, unless coverage is provided, and reimbursement is adequate to cover all or a significant portion of the cost of our products. Therefore, coverage and adequate reimbursement are critical to new product acceptance.
We do not have a sales or marketing infrastructure and have no experience in the sale, marketing or distribution of pharmaceutical products. To achieve commercial success for any approved product for which we retain sales and marketing responsibilities, we must either develop a sales and marketing organization or outsource these functions to other third parties.
We do not have sales or marketing infrastructure and have no experience in the sale, marketing or distribution of pharmaceutical products. To achieve commercial success for any approved product for which we retain sales and marketing responsibilities, we must either develop a sales and marketing organization or outsource these functions to other third parties.
Even if marketing approval of a product candidate is granted, the approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which the product may be marketed or to the conditions of approval, or contain requirements for costly post-marketing testing and surveillance to monitor the safety or efficacy of the medicine.
Even if the marketing approval of a product candidate is granted, the approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which the product may be marketed or to the conditions of approval, or contain requirements for costly post-marketing testing and surveillance to monitor the safety or efficacy of the medicine.
Current and future legislation may increase the difficulty and cost of obtaining marketing approval of and commercialization of our product candidates and affect the prices we may obtain.
Current and future legislation may increase the difficulty and cost of obtaining marketing approval and commercialization of our product candidates and affect the prices we may obtain.
If any issues arise in the manufacturing and we are unable to arrange for alternative third-party manufacturing sources, we are unable to find an alternative third party capable of reproducing the existing manufacturing method or we are unable to do so on commercially reasonable terms or in a timely manner, we may not be able to complete development of our product candidates, or market or distribute them.
If any issues arise in the manufacturing and we are unable to arrange for alternative third-party manufacturing sources, we are unable to find an alternative third party capable of reproducing the existing manufacturing method or we are unable to do so on commercially reasonable terms or in a timely manner, we may not be able to complete the development of our product candidates, or market or distribute them.
If future collaboration partners fail to develop or effectively commercialize our product candidates or any future product candidate for any of these reasons, such product candidate may not be approved for sale and our sales of such product candidate, if approved, may be limited, which would have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
If future collaboration partners fail to develop or effectively commercialize our product candidates or any future product candidate for any of these reasons, such candidate may not be approved for sale and our sales of such product candidate, if approved, may be limited, which would have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation.
Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation.
To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of current stockholders may be materially diluted, and the terms of such securities could include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our current stockholders.
To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of current stockholders may be materially diluted, and the terms of such securities could include liquidation preferences or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our current stockholders.
We are a controlled company within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing requirements and as a result, may rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. To the extent we rely on such exemptions, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such corporate governance requirements.
We are a controlled company within the meaning of Nasdaq listing requirements and as a result, may rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. To the extent we rely on such exemptions, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such corporate governance requirements.
Because of the voting power over our Company held by Dong-A and the Investor Rights Agreement between such parties, we are considered a controlled company for the purposes of the Nasdaq listing requirements.
Because of the voting power over our Company held by Dong-A and the Investor Rights Agreement between such parties, we are considered a controlled company for the purposes of Nasdaq listing requirements.
We may fail to comply with the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq, such that our common stock may be delisted and the price of our common stock and our ability to access the capital markets could be negatively impacted. Our common stock is listed for trading on Nasdaq.
We may fail to comply with the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, such that our common stock may be delisted and the price of our common stock and our ability to access the capital markets could be negatively impacted. Our common stock is listed for trading on Nasdaq.
A delisting of our common stock from Nasdaq could materially reduce the liquidity of our common stock and result in a corresponding material reduction in the price of our common stock.
The delisting of our common stock from Nasdaq could materially reduce the liquidity of our common stock and result in a corresponding material reduction in the price of our common stock.
Collaborations involving our product candidates, or any future product candidate pose the following risks to us: ● collaborators have significant discretion in determining the efforts and resources that they will apply to these collaborations; ● collaborators may not perform their obligations as expected; ● collaborators may not pursue development and commercialization or may elect not to continue or renew development or commercialization programs based on clinical trial results, changes in the collaborator's strategic focus or available funding or external factors such as an acquisition that diverts resources or creates competing priorities; ● collaborators may delay clinical trials, provide insufficient funding for a clinical trial program, stop a clinical trial or abandon a product candidate, repeat or conduct new clinical trials or require a new formulation of a product candidate for clinical testing; ● collaborators could independently develop, or develop with third parties, products that compete directly or indirectly with our product candidates if the collaborators believe that competitive products are more likely to be successfully developed or can be commercialized under terms that are more economically attractive; ● a collaborator with marketing and distribution rights to one or more product candidates may not commit sufficient resources to the marketing and distribution of any such product candidate; ● collaborators may not properly maintain or defend our intellectual property rights or may use our proprietary information in such a way as to invite litigation that could jeopardize or invalidate our proprietary information or expose us to potential litigation; 46 Table of Contents ● collaborators may infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties, which may expose us to litigation and potential liability; ● disputes may arise between the collaborators and us that result in the delay or termination of the research, development or commercialization of our product candidate or that result in costly litigation or arbitration that diverts management’s attention and resources; ● we may lose certain valuable rights under circumstances identified in our collaborations, including if we undergo a change of control; ● collaborations may be terminated and, if terminated, may result in a need for additional capital to pursue further development or commercialization of the applicable product candidates; ● collaborators may learn about our discoveries and use this knowledge to compete with us in the future; ● the results of collaborators' preclinical or clinical studies could harm or impair other development programs; ● there may be conflicts between different collaborators that could negatively affect those collaborations and potentially others; ● the number and type of our collaborations could adversely affect our attractiveness to future collaborators or acquirers; ● collaboration agreements may not lead to development or commercialization of our product candidate in the most efficient manner or at all.
Collaborations involving our product candidates, or any future product candidate pose the following risks to us: ● collaborators have significant discretion in determining the efforts and resources that they will apply to these collaborations; ● collaborators may not perform their obligations as expected; ● collaborators may not pursue development and commercialization or may elect not to continue or renew development or commercialization programs based on clinical trial results, changes in the collaborator’s strategic focus or available funding or external factors such as an acquisition that diverts resources or creates competing priorities; ● collaborators may delay clinical trials, provide insufficient funding for a clinical trial program, stop a clinical trial or abandon a product candidate, repeat or conduct new clinical trials or require a new formulation of a product candidate for clinical testing; ● collaborators could independently develop, or develop with third parties, products that compete directly or indirectly with our product candidates if the collaborators believe that competitive products are more likely to be successfully developed or can be commercialized under terms that are more economically attractive; ● a collaborator with marketing and distribution rights to one or more product candidates may not commit sufficient resources to the marketing and distribution of any such product candidate; ● collaborators may not properly maintain or defend our intellectual property rights or may use our proprietary information in such a way as to invite litigation that could jeopardize or invalidate our proprietary information or expose us to potential litigation; 50 Table of Contents ● collaborators may infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties, which may expose us to litigation and potential liability; ● disputes may arise between the collaborators and us that result in the delay or termination of the research, development or commercialization of our product candidate or that result in costly litigation or arbitration that diverts management’s attention and resources; ● we may lose certain valuable rights under circumstances identified in our collaborations, including if we undergo a change of control; ● collaborations may be terminated and, if terminated, may result in a need for additional capital to pursue further development or commercialization of the applicable product candidates; ● collaborators may learn about our discoveries and use this knowledge to compete with us in the future; ● the results of collaborators’ preclinical or clinical studies could harm or impair other development programs; ● there may be conflicts between different collaborators that could negatively affect those collaborations and potentially others; ● the number and type of our collaborations could adversely affect our attractiveness to future collaborators or acquirers; ● collaboration agreements may not lead to the development or commercialization of our product candidate in the most efficient manner or at all.
Market acceptance of any of our product candidates for which we receive regulatory approval depends on a number of factors, including: ● the clinical indications for which the product candidate is approved; ● acceptance by major operators of hospitals, physicians and patients of the product candidate as a safe and effective treatment, particularly the ability of our product candidates to establish themselves as a new standard of care in the treatment paradigm for the indications that we are pursuing; ● the potential and perceived advantages of our product candidates over alternative treatments as compared to the relative costs of the product candidates and alternative treatments; ● the willingness of physicians to prescribe, and patients to take, a product candidate that is based on a botanical source; ● the prevalence and severity of any side effects with respect to our product candidates, and any elements that may be imposed by the FDA under a REMS program that could discourage market uptake of the products; ● the availability of adequate reimbursement and pricing for any approved products by third party payors and government authorities; ● inability of certain types of patients to take our product; ● demonstrated ability to treat patients and, if required by any applicable regulatory authority in connection with the approval for target indications, to provide patients with incremental cardiovascular disease benefits, as compared with other available therapies; ● the relative convenience and ease of administration of our product candidates, including as compared with other treatments available for approved indications; ● limitations or warnings contained in the labeling approved by the FDA; ● availability of alternative treatments already approved or expected to be commercially launched in the near future; ● the effectiveness of our sales and marketing strategies; ● guidelines and recommendations of organizations involved in research, treatment and prevention of various diseases that may advocate for alternative therapies; 37 Table of Contents ● the willingness of patients to pay out-of-pocket in the absence of third-party coverage; ● physicians or patients may be reluctant to switch from existing therapies even if potentially more effective, safe or convenient; ● efficacy, safety, and potential advantages compared to alternative treatments; ● the ability to offer our product for sale at competitive prices; ● the willingness of the target patient population to try new therapies and of physicians to prescribe these therapies; ● any restrictions on the use of our product together with other medications; ● interactions of our product with other medicines patients are taking; and ● the timing of market introduction of our products as well as competitive products.
Market acceptance of any of our product candidates for which we receive regulatory approval depends on a number of factors, including: ● the clinical indications for which the product candidate is approved; ● acceptance by major operators of hospitals, physicians and patients of the product candidate as a safe and effective treatment, particularly the ability of our product candidates to establish themselves as a new standard of care in the treatment paradigm for the indications that we are pursuing; ● the potential and perceived advantages of our product candidates over alternative treatments as compared to the relative costs of the product candidates and alternative treatments; ● the willingness of physicians to prescribe, and patients to take, a product candidate that is based on a botanical source; ● the prevalence and severity of any side effects with respect to our product candidates, and any elements that may be imposed by the FDA under a REMS program that could discourage market uptake of the products; ● the availability of adequate reimbursement and pricing for any approved products by third party payors and government authorities; ● inability of certain types of patients to take our product; ● demonstrated ability to treat patients and, if required by any applicable regulatory authority in connection with the approval for target indications, to provide patients with incremental cardiovascular disease benefits, as compared with other available therapies; ● the relative convenience and ease of administration of our product candidates, including as compared with other treatments available for approved indications; ● limitations or warnings contained in the labeling approved by the FDA; ● availability of alternative treatments already approved or expected to be commercially launched in the near future; ● the effectiveness of our sales and marketing strategies; ● guidelines and recommendations of organizations involved in research, treatment and prevention of various diseases that may advocate for alternative therapies; ● the willingness of patients to pay out-of-pocket in the absence of third-party coverage; ● physicians or patients may be reluctant to switch from existing therapies even if potentially more effective, safe or convenient; ● efficacy, safety, and potential advantages compared to alternative treatments; ● the ability to offer our product for sale at competitive prices; 41 Table of Contents ● the willingness of the target patient population to try new therapies and of physicians to prescribe these therapies; ● any restrictions on the use of our product together with other medications; ● interactions of our product with other medicines patients are taking; and ● the timing of market introduction of our products as well as competitive products.
Even if any product candidate we develop were to receive marketing approval or be commercialized for use in combination with other existing therapies, we would continue to be subject to the risks that the FDA or similar regulatory authorities outside of the U.S. could revoke approval of the therapy used in combination with our product candidate or that safety, efficacy, manufacturing or supply issues could arise with these existing therapies.
Even if any product candidate we develop were to receive marketing approval or be commercialized for use in combination with other existing therapies, we would continue to be subject to the risks that the FDA or similar regulatory authorities outside of the U.S. could revoke approval of the therapy used in combination with our product candidate or that safety, dosage, efficacy, manufacturing or supply issues could arise with these existing therapies.
There is no assurance that we will be able to design and complete a clinical trial to support marketing approval. Moreover, nonclinical and clinical data are often susceptible to multiple interpretations and analyses. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have experienced significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after promising results in earlier trials.
There is no assurance that we will be able to design and complete a clinical trial to support marketing approval. Moreover, nonclinical and clinical data are often susceptible to multiple interpretations and analyses. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have experienced significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after achieving promising results in earlier trials.
It is not always possible to identify and deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity, such as employee training, may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to be in compliance with such laws or regulations.
It is not always possible to identify and deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity, such as employee training, may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from failure to be in compliance with such laws or regulations.
Further competition could arise from products currently in development, including among others, with GLP1R/GCGR dual agonists, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck/Hanmi Pharmaceutical, AstraZeneca, Altimmune, Innovent Biologics/Eli Lilly, Carmot and D&D Pharma; with GLP1R/GCGR/GIP triple agonists, Hanmi Pharmaceutical and Eli Lilly; Amgen with its GLP-1 agonist/GIP antagonist antibody; and Novo Nordisk with Amylin and Amylin-GLP-1 combination.
Further competition could arise from products currently in development, including among others, with GLP1R/GCGR dual agonists, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck/Hanmi Pharmaceutical, AstraZeneca, Altimmune, Innovent Biologics/Eli Lilly, Carmot and D&D Pharma; with GLP1R/GCGR/GIP triple agonists, Hanmi Pharmaceutical and Eli Lilly; Amgen with its GLP-1R agonist/GIP antagonist antibody; and Novo Nordisk with Amylin and Amylin-GLP-1 combination.
Product liability claims might be brought against us by patients, healthcare providers or others selling or otherwise coming into contact with any of our products or future product candidate during product testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale. For example, we may be sued on allegations that a product candidate caused injury or that the product is otherwise unsuitable.
Product liability claims might be brought against us by patients, healthcare providers or others selling or otherwise coming into contact with any of our products or future product candidates during product testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale. For example, we may be sued on allegations that a product candidate caused injury or that the product is otherwise unsuitable.
As a result, we may be forced to bring claims against third parties, or defend claims that they bring against us, to determine ownership of what we regard as our intellectual property. Monitoring unauthorized disclosure is difficult and we do not know whether the procedures that we have followed to prevent such disclosure are or will be adequate.
As a result, we may be forced to bring claims against third parties, or defend claims that they bring against us, to determine ownership of what we regard as our intellectual property. Monitoring unauthorized disclosures is difficult and we do not know whether the procedures that we have followed to prevent such disclosure are or will be adequate.
To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval in some countries, we may be required to conduct a clinical trial that compares the cost-effectiveness of our product candidate to other available therapies. If reimbursement of our products is unavailable or limited in scope or amount, or if pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels, our business could be harmed, possibly materially.
To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval in some countries, we may be required to conduct a clinical trial that compares the cost-effectiveness of our product candidate to other available therapies. If reimbursement of our products is unavailable or limited in scope or amount, or if pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels, our business could be materially harmed.
General Risk Factors Our business and operations may suffer in the event of system failures or unplanned events. Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems and those of our current and future contractors and consultants are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures.
General risk factors Our business and operations may suffer in the event of system failures or other unplanned events. Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems and those of our current and future contractors and consultants are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures.
Clinical trials may be delayed, suspended or terminated for a variety of reasons, such as: ● delay or failure in reaching agreement with the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority on a trial design that we are able to execute; ● delay or failure in obtaining authorization to commence a trial or inability to comply with conditions imposed by a regulatory authority regarding the scope or design of a clinical trial; ● inability, delay or failure in identifying and maintaining a sufficient number of trial sites, many of which may already be engaged in competing clinical trial programs; ● issues with the manufacture of drug substance for use in clinical trials; ● delay or failure in recruiting and enrolling suitable subjects to participate in a trial; ● delay or failure in having subjects complete a trial or return for post-treatment follow-up; ● clinical sites and investigators deviating from trial protocol, failing to conduct the trial in accordance with regulatory requirements, or dropping out of a trial; 34 Table of Contents ● delay or failure in reaching agreement on acceptable terms with prospective CROs and clinical trial sites, the terms of which can be subject to extensive negotiation and may vary significantly among different CROs and trial sites; ● delay or failure in obtaining IRB approval to conduct a clinical trial at each site; ● delays resulting from negative or equivocal findings of the Data Safety Monitoring Board (“DSMB”), if any; ● ambiguous or negative results; ● decision by the FDA, a comparable foreign regulatory authority, or recommendation by a DSMB to suspend or terminate clinical trials at any time for safety issues or for any other reason; ● conflicts affecting clinical trial sites and regions where clinical trials are being completed; ● lack of adequate funding to continue the product development program; or ● changes in governmental regulations or requirements.
Clinical trials may be delayed, suspended or terminated for a variety of reasons, such as: ● delay or failure in reaching an agreement with the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority on a trial design that we are able to execute; ● delay or failure in obtaining authorization to commence a trial or inability to comply with conditions imposed by a regulatory authority regarding the scope or design of a clinical trial; ● inability, delay or failure in identifying and maintaining a sufficient number of trial sites, many of which may already be engaged in competing clinical trial programs; ● issues with the manufacture of drug substance for use in clinical trials; ● delay or failure in recruiting and enrolling suitable subjects to participate in a trial; ● delay or failure in having subjects complete a trial or return for post-treatment follow-up; ● clinical sites and investigators deviating from trial protocol, failing to conduct the trial in accordance with regulatory requirements, or dropping out of a trial; ● delay or failure in reaching agreement on acceptable terms with prospective CROs and clinical trial sites, the terms of which can be subject to extensive negotiation and may vary significantly among different CROs and trial sites; ● delay or failure in obtaining IRB approval to conduct a clinical trial at each site; ● delays resulting from negative or equivocal findings of the Data Safety Monitoring Board (“DSMB”), if any; ● ambiguous or negative results; ● decision by the FDA, a comparable foreign regulatory authority, or recommendation by a DSMB to suspend or terminate clinical trials at any time for safety issues or for any other reason; ● conflicts affecting clinical trial sites and regions where clinical trials are being completed; ● lack of adequate funding to continue the product development program; or ● changes in governmental regulations or requirements.
If we enter into arrangements with third parties to perform sales, marketing and distribution services, our product revenue or the profitability of these product revenue may be lower than if we were to market and sell any products that we develop ourselves.
If we enter into arrangements with third parties to perform sales, marketing and distribution services, our product revenue or the profitability of these product revenues may be lower than if we were to market and sell any products that we develop ourselves.
We do not anticipate declaring or paying, in the foreseeable future, any cash dividends on our capital stock and, consequently, the ability of our stockholders to achieve a return on their investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.
We do not anticipate declaring or paying, in the foreseeable future, any cash dividends and, consequently, the ability of our stockholders to achieve a return on their investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.
For example: ● others may be able to make product candidates that are similar to our product candidates but that are not covered by the claims of the patents that we own or have exclusively licensed; 51 Table of Contents ● we or our future licensors or collaborators might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by the issued patent or pending patent application that we own or have exclusively licensed; ● we or our future licensors or collaborators might not have been the first to file patent applications covering certain of our inventions; ● others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies without infringing our intellectual property rights; ● it is possible that our pending patent applications will not lead to issued patents; ● issued patents that we own or have exclusively licensed may be held invalid or unenforceable, as a result of legal challenges by our competitors; ● our competitors might conduct R&D activities in countries where we do not have patent rights and then use the information learned from such activities to develop competitive products for sale in our major commercial markets; ● we may not develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable; and ● the patents of others may have an adverse effect on our business.
For example: ● others may be able to make product candidates that are similar to our product candidates but that are not covered by the claims of the patents that we own or have exclusively licensed; ● we or our future licensors or collaborators might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by the issued patent or pending patent application that we own or have exclusively licensed; ● we or our future licensors or collaborators might not have been the first to file patent applications covering certain of our inventions; ● others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies without infringing our intellectual property rights; ● it is possible that our pending patent applications will not lead to issued patents; ● issued patents that we own or have exclusively licensed may be held invalid or unenforceable, as a result of legal challenges by our competitors; ● our competitors might conduct R&D activities in countries where we do not have patent rights and then use the information learned from such activities to develop competitive products for sale in our major commercial markets; ● we may not develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable; and ● the patents of others may have an adverse effect on our business.
Our dependence on collaborative partners subjects it to a number of risks, including, but not limited to, the following: ● We may not be able to control the amount or timing of resources that collaborative partners devote to our research programs and product candidates; ● We may be required to relinquish significant rights, including intellectual property, marketing and distribution rights; ● We rely on the information and data received from third parties regarding our research programs and product candidates and will not have control of the process conducted by the third party in gathering and composing such data and information.
Our dependence on collaborative partners subjects us to a number of risks, including, but not limited to, the following: ● We may not be able to control the amount or timing of resources that collaborative partners devote to our research programs and product candidates; ● We may be required to relinquish significant rights, including intellectual property, marketing and distribution rights; ● We rely on the information and data received from third parties regarding our research programs and product candidates and will not have control of the process conducted by the third party in gathering and composing such data and information.
We are continuing to test and develop our product candidates and may explore possible design or formulation changes to address safety, efficacy, manufacturing efficiency and performance issues to the extent any arise.
We are continuing to test and develop our product candidates and may explore possible design or formulation changes to address safety, dosage, efficacy, manufacturing efficiency and performance issues to the extent any arise.
We may engage in future acquisitions, mergers or in-licenses of technology that could disrupt our business, cause dilution to the organization's stockholders and harm our financial condition and operating results.
We may engage in future acquisitions, mergers or in-licenses and out-licenses of technology that could disrupt our business, cause dilution to the organization’s stockholders and harm our financial condition and operating results.
In addition, later discovery of previously unknown problems with our products, manufacturers or manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in, among other things: ● restrictions on such products, manufacturers or manufacturing processes; ● restrictions on the labeling, marketing, distribution or use of a product; ● requirements to conduct post-approval clinical trials; ● warning or untitled letters; ● withdrawal of the products from the market; ● refusal to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications that we submit; ● recall of products; ● fines, restitution or disgorgement of profits or revenue; ● suspension or withdrawal of marketing approvals for the drug products; ● refusal to permit the import or export of our products; ● product seizure; and ● injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.
In addition, later discovery of previously unknown problems with our products, manufacturers or manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in, among other things: ● restrictions on such products, manufacturers or manufacturing processes; ● restrictions on the labeling, marketing, distribution or use of a product; ● requirements to conduct post-approval clinical trials; ● warning or untitled letters; ● withdrawal of the products from the market; ● refusal to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications that we submit; ● recall of products; ● fines, restitution or disgorgement of profits or revenue; ● suspension or withdrawal of marketing approvals for the drug products; ● refusal to permit the import or export of our products; 45 Table of Contents ● product seizure; and ● injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.
If our product candidates receive marketing approval and we or others identify undesirable side effects caused by such product candidates (or any other similar drugs) after such approval, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including: ● regulatory authorities may withdraw or limit their approval of such product candidates; ● regulatory authorities may require the addition of labeling statements, such as a "boxed" warning or a contraindication; ● we may be required to recall the product, change the way such product candidates are distributed or administered, conduct additional clinical trials or change the labeling of the product candidates; ● regulatory authorities may require a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) plan to mitigate risks, which could include medication guides to be distributed to patients, physician communication plans, or elements to assure safe use, such as restricted distribution methods, patient registries and other risk minimization tools; ● we may be subject to regulatory investigations and government enforcement actions; ● we may be subject to fines, injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties; ● we may decide to remove such product candidates from the marketplace after they are approved; ● the product may be rendered less competitive, and sales may decrease; ● we could be sued and held liable for injury caused to individuals exposed to or taking our product candidates; and ● our reputation may suffer.
If our product candidates receive marketing approval and we or others identify undesirable side effects caused by such product candidates (or any other similar drugs) after such approval, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including: ● regulatory authorities may withdraw or limit their approval of such product candidates; ● regulatory authorities may require the addition of labeling statements, such as a “boxed” warning or a contraindication; ● we may be required to recall the product, change the way such product candidates are distributed or administered, conduct additional clinical trials or change the labeling of the product candidates; ● regulatory authorities may require a REMS plan to mitigate risks, which could include medication guides to be distributed to patients, physician communication plans, or elements to assure safe use, such as restricted distribution methods, patient registries and other risk minimization tools; ● we may be subject to regulatory investigations and government enforcement actions; ● we may be subject to fines, injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties; ● we may decide to remove such product candidates from the marketplace after they are approved; ● the product may be rendered less competitive, and sales may decrease; ● we could be sued and held liable for injury caused to individuals exposed to or taking our product candidates; and ● our reputation may suffer.
Factors that may generally affect patient enrollment include: ● the size and nature of the patient population; ● the number and location of clinical sites we enroll; ● competition with other companies for clinical sites or patients; ● the eligibility and exclusion criteria for the trial; 35 Table of Contents ● the design of the clinical trial; ● inability to obtain and maintain patient consents; ● risk that enrolled participants will drop out before completion; and ● competing clinical trials and clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions as to the potential advantages of the drug being studied in relation to other available therapies, including any new drugs that may be approved for the indications we are investigating.
Factors that may generally affect patient enrollment include: ● the size and nature of the patient population; ● the number and location of clinical sites we enroll; ● competition with other companies for clinical sites or patients; ● the eligibility and exclusion criteria for the trial; ● the design of the clinical trial; ● inability to obtain and maintain patient consents; ● risk that enrolled participants will drop out before completion; and ● competing clinical trials and clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions as to the potential advantages of the drug being studied in relation to other available therapies, including any new drugs that may be approved for the indications we are investigating.
For as long as Dong-A owns shares of our common stock and the Investor Rights Agreement is effective, Dong-A will have significant influence on our management, business plans and policies, including the appointment and removal of members of our board of directors (“Board”), decisions on whether to raise future capital and amending our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which govern the rights attached to our common stock.
For as long as Dong-A owns shares of our common stock and the Investor Rights Agreement is effective, Dong-A will have significant influence on our management, business plans and policies, including the appointment and removal of members of our Board, decisions on whether to raise future capital and amending our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which govern the rights attached to our common stock.
It is possible that other banks will face similar difficulty in the future. Although we do not maintain any deposit accounts, credit agreements or letters of credit with any financial institution currently in receivership, we are unable to predict the extent or nature of the impacts of these evolving circumstances at this time.
It is possible that other banks will face similar difficulties in the future. Although we do not maintain any deposit accounts, credit agreements or letters of credit with any financial institution currently in receivership, we are unable to predict the extent or nature of the impacts of these evolving circumstances at this time.
Ultimately, we could be prevented from commercializing a product candidate or technology or be forced to cease some aspect of our business operations if, as a result of actual or threatened infringement claims, we are unable to enter into licenses of the relevant intellectual property on acceptable terms.
Ultimately, we could be prevented from commercializing a product candidate or technology or be forced to cease some aspects of our business operations if, as a result of actual or threatened infringement claims, we are unable to enter into licenses of the relevant intellectual property on acceptable terms.
Periodic maintenance fees on any issued patent are due to be paid to the USPTO, and foreign patent agencies in several stages over the lifetime of the patent. The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedurals, documentary, fee payment and other requirements during the patent application process.
Periodic maintenance fees on any issued patent are due to be paid to the USPTO, and foreign patent agencies in several stages over the lifetime of the patent. The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other requirements during the patent application process.
In the ordinary course of its business activities, Dong-A and its affiliates may engage in activities where their interests conflict with our interests or those of our other shareholders, such as investing in or advising businesses that directly or indirectly compete with certain portions of our business or are suppliers or customers of ours.
In the ordinary course of its business activities, Dong-A and its affiliates may engage in activities where their interests conflict with our interests or those of our other stockholders, such as investing in or advising businesses that directly or indirectly compete with certain portions of our business or are suppliers or customers of ours.
This could result in our own products being removed from the market or being less successful commercially. We may also evaluate DA-1241 and DA-1726 or any other future product candidates in combination with one or more other therapies that have not yet been approved for marketing by the FDA or similar regulatory authorities outside of the U.S.
This could result in our own products being removed from the market or being less successful commercially. 38 Table of Contents We may also evaluate DA-1241 and DA-1726 or any other future product candidates in combination with one or more other therapies that have not yet been approved for marketing by the FDA or similar regulatory authorities outside of the U.S.
If we cannot successfully defend against claims that our product caused injuries, we could incur substantial liabilities.
If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against claims that our product caused injuries, we could incur substantial liabilities.
The Tax Act also included a limitation of the deduction for net operating losses (“NOLs”) generated in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 to 80% of current year taxable income and the general elimination of carrybacks of NOLs generated in taxable years ending after December 31, 2017.
The Tax Act also included a limitation of the deduction for net operating losses (“NOLs”) generated in tax years beginning after 2017 to 80% of current year taxable income and the general elimination of carrybacks of NOLs generated in taxable years ending after 2017.
If we do complete an acquisition, merger or license, we cannot assure you that it will ultimately strengthen our competitive position or that it will not be viewed negatively by customers, 45 Table of Contents financial markets or investors.
If we do complete an acquisition, merger or license, we cannot 49 Table of Contents assure you that it will ultimately strengthen our competitive position or that it will not be viewed negatively by customers, financial markets or investors.
Provisions in our corporate charter documents and under Delaware law may make an acquisition of NeuroBo, which may be beneficial to our stockholders, more difficult and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.
Provisions in our corporate charter documents and under Delaware law may make an acquisition of MetaVia, which may be beneficial to our stockholders, more difficult and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.
For as long as we continue to be an smaller reporting company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not "emerging growth companies", including exemption from compliance with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Sarbanes-Oxley Act), only being required to provide two years of audited financial statements in our annual reports and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements.
For as long as we continue to be an smaller reporting company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies, including exemption from compliance with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, only being required to provide two years of audited financial statements in our annual reports and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements.
Compliance with applicable environmental, health and safety laws and regulations are expensive, and current or future environmental regulations may impair our research, development and production efforts, which could harm our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations 39 Table of Contents We rely and will continue to rely on collaborative partners regarding the development of our research programs and product candidates.
Compliance with applicable environmental, health and safety laws and regulations are expensive, and current or future environmental regulations may impair our research, development and production efforts, which could harm our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations. We rely and will continue to rely on collaborative partners regarding the development of our research programs and product candidates.
However, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) signed into law in March 2020, provided that NOLs generated in a taxable year beginning in 2018, 2019 or 2020, may now be carried back five years. In addition, the 80% taxable income limitation is temporarily removed, allowing NOLs to fully offset net taxable income.
However, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act signed into law in 2020, provided that NOLs generated in a taxable year beginning in 2018, 2019 or 2020, may now be carried back five years. In addition, the 80% taxable income limitation is temporarily removed, allowing NOLs to fully offset net taxable income.
Actual events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions, transactional counterparties or other companies in the financial services industry or the financial services industry generally, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds or other similar risks, have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems.
Actual events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions, transactional counterparties or other companies in the financial services industry or the financial services industry generally, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds or other similar risks, have in the past and may in the future 33 Table of Contents lead to market-wide liquidity problems.
Our inability to enroll a sufficient number of patients for our clinical trials would result in significant delays, which would increase our costs and have an adverse effect on our company. We face substantial competition, which may result in others discovering, developing or commercializing products before or more successfully than we do.
Our inability to enroll a sufficient 39 Table of Contents number of patients for our clinical trials would result in significant delays, which would increase our costs and have an adverse effect on our Company. We face substantial competition, which may result in others discovering, developing or commercializing products before or more successfully than we do.
To the extent any of our product candidates are approved for obesity, the commercial success of our product will also depend on our ability to demonstrate benefits over the then-prevailing standard of care. Finally, morbidly obese patients sometimes undergo a gastric bypass procedure, with salutary effects on the many co-morbid conditions of obesity.
To the extent any of our product candidates are approved for obesity, the commercial success of our product will also depend on our ability to demonstrate benefits over the then-prevailing standard of care. Finally, morbidly obese 40 Table of Contents patients sometimes undergo a gastric bypass procedure, with salutary effects on the many co-morbid conditions of obesity.
Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace. 50 Table of Contents We may be subject to damages resulting from claims that our employees or we have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their former employers.
Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace. We may be subject to damages resulting from claims that our employees or we have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their former employers.
In the past, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following 54 Table of Contents periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities. This type of litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's attention and resources, which would harm our business, operating results or financial condition.
In the past, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities. This type of litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's attention and resources, which would harm our business, operating results or financial condition.
In addition, pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement between us and Dong-A, Dong-A has the right to appoint a number of our directors commensurate with its percentage holding of our common stock, which may result in Dong-A controlling both the determinations of the Board and the vote of all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, which enables them to control all corporate decisions.
In addition, pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement between us and Dong-A, Dong-A has the right to appoint a number of our directors commensurate with its percentage holding of our common stock, which may result in Dong-A controlling both the determinations of the board of directors (“Board”) and the vote of all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, which enables them to control all corporate decisions.
The concentration of ownership could deprive you of an opportunity to receive a premium for your shares of common stock as part of a sale of NeuroBo and ultimately might affect the market price of our common stock.
The concentration of ownership could deprive you of an opportunity to receive a premium for your shares of common stock as part of a sale of MetaVia and ultimately might affect the market price of our common stock.
In the future, we may choose to build a focused sales and marketing infrastructure to sell some of our product candidates if and when they are approved. There are risks involved both with establishing our own sales and marketing capabilities and with entering into arrangements with third parties to perform these services.
In the future, we may choose to build a focused sales and marketing infrastructure to sell some of our product candidates if and when they are approved. 44 Table of Contents There are risks involved both with establishing our own sales and marketing capabilities and with entering into arrangements with third parties to perform these services.
In the ordinary course of our business, our contract research organizations and other third parties on which we rely collect and store sensitive data, including legally protected patient health information, personally identifiable information about our 57 Table of Contents employees, intellectual property, and proprietary business information. We manage and maintain our applications and data utilizing on-site systems.
In the ordinary course of our business, our contract research organizations and other third parties on which we rely collect and store sensitive data, including legally protected patient health information, personally identifiable information about our employees, intellectual property, and proprietary business information. We manage and maintain our applications and data utilizing on-site systems.
Our success depends in large part on our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection in the U.S. and other countries with 47 Table of Contents respect to our proprietary technology and products.
Our success depends in large part on our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection in the U.S. and other 51 Table of Contents countries with respect to our proprietary technology and products.
As a result, Dong-A is able to exert a significant influence on the outcome of corporate actions requiring shareholder approval, including mergers, share capital increases and other extraordinary items.
As a result, Dong-A is able to exert a significant influence on the outcome of corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, including mergers, share capital increases and other extraordinary items.
The competition for qualified personnel in the pharmaceutical field is intense and as a result, we may be unable to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel necessary for the development of our business or to recruit suitable replacement personnel. We may need to increase the size of our organization, and we may experience difficulties in managing this growth.
The competition for qualified personnel in the pharmaceutical field is intense and as a result, we may be unable to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel necessary for the development of our business or to recruit suitable replacement personnel. 55 Table of Contents We may need to increase the size of our organization, and we may experience difficulties in managing this growth.
In addition, this concentration of ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning shares in a company with significant stockholders. Dong-A and its affiliates engage in a broad spectrum of activities, including investments in the healthcare industry generally.
In addition, this concentration of ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning shares in a company with significant stockholders. 58 Table of Contents Dong-A and its affiliates engage in a broad spectrum of activities, including investments in the healthcare industry generally.
This concentration of ownership may delay, deter or prevent acts that would be favored by our other shareholders. The interests of Dong-A may not always coincide with our interests or the interests of our other shareholders.
This concentration of ownership may delay, deter or prevent acts that would be favored by our other stockholders. The interests of Dong-A may not always coincide with our interests or the interests of our other stockholders.
Successfully completing clinical trials and obtaining approval of an NDA is a complex, lengthy, expensive and uncertain process, and the FDA, or a comparable foreign regulatory authority, may delay, limit or deny approval of an NDA for many reasons, including, among others: ● disagreement with the design or implementation of our clinical trials; ● disagreement with the sufficiency of our clinical trials; ● failure to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the product candidate for the proposed indications; ● failure to demonstrate that any clinical and other benefits of the product candidate outweigh their safety risks; ● a negative interpretation of the data from our nonclinical studies or clinical trials; ● insufficient data collected from clinical trials or changes in the approval requirements that render our nonclinical and clinical data insufficient to support the filing of an NDA or to obtain regulatory approval; or ● changes in clinical practice in our approved products available for the treatment of the target patient population that could have an impact on the indications that we are pursuing for our product candidates.
Successfully completing clinical trials and obtaining approval of an NDA is a complex, lengthy, expensive and uncertain process, and the FDA, or a comparable foreign regulatory authority, may delay, limit or deny approval of an NDA for many reasons, including, among others: (i) disagreement with the design or implementation of our clinical trials; (ii) disagreement with the sufficiency of our clinical trials; (iii) failure to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the product candidate for the proposed indications; (iv) failure to demonstrate that any clinical and other benefits of the product candidate outweigh their safety risks; (v) a negative interpretation of the data from our nonclinical studies or clinical trials; (vi) insufficient data collected from clinical trials or changes in the approval requirements that render our nonclinical and clinical data insufficient to support the filing of an NDA or to obtain regulatory approval; or (vii) changes in clinical practice in our approved products available for the treatment of the target patient population that could have an impact on the indications that we are pursuing for our product candidates.
However, these rules and regulations are often subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies.
However, these rules and regulations are often subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is 61 Table of Contents provided by regulatory and governing bodies.
Unauthorized access, loss or dissemination could also disrupt our operations, including our ability to conduct research, development and commercialization activities, process and prepare Company financial information, manage various general and administrative aspects of our business and damage our reputation, in addition to possibly requiring substantial expenditures of resources to remedy, any of which could adversely affect our business.
Unauthorized access, loss or dissemination could also disrupt our operations, including our ability to conduct research, development and commercialization activities, process and prepare company financial information, manage various G&A aspects of our business and damage our reputation, in addition to possibly requiring substantial expenditures of resources to remedy, any of which could adversely affect our business.
Obesity treatments range from behavioral modification to drugs and medical devices, and surgery, 36 Table of Contents generally as a last resort. If DA-1726 were approved for obesity, our primary competition in the obesity treatment market would currently be from approved and marketed products, including semaglutide (WEGOVY ® ) and tirzepatide (Zepbound®).
Obesity treatments range from behavioral modification to drugs and medical devices, and surgery, generally as a last resort. If DA-1726 were approved for obesity, our primary competition in the obesity treatment market would currently be from approved and marketed products, including semaglutide (WEGOVY ® ) and tirzepatide (Zepbound®).
Our arrangements with third-party payors and customers may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we market, sell and distribute any product candidate for which we obtain marketing approval.
Our arrangements with third-party payors and customers may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we market, sell and distribute any product candidate for which we obtain 46 Table of Contents marketing approval.
Although we have begun to take measures to remediate these material weaknesses, the measures we have taken, and expect to take, to improve our internal controls may not be sufficient to address the issues identified, to ensure that our internal controls are effective or to ensure that the identified material weaknesses will not result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements.
Although we have begun to take measures to remediate this material weakness, the measures we have taken, and expect to take, to improve our internal controls may not be sufficient to address the issues identified, to ensure that our internal controls are effective or to ensure that the identified material weakness will not result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements.
In addition to the factors discussed in this "Risk Factors" section, these factors include: ● adverse results or delays in preclinical studies, clinical trials, regulatory decisions or the development status of our product candidates or any product candidates we may pursue in the future; ● our ability to raise sufficient additional funds necessary for the continued development of our product candidates whether through potential collaborative, partnering or other strategic arrangements or otherwise; ● the terms and timing of any future collaborative, licensing or other strategic arrangements that we may establish; ● our inability to comply with the minimum listing requirements of Nasdaq; 53 Table of Contents ● the timing of achievement of, or failure to achieve, our, or any potential collaborator’s clinical, regulatory and other milestones, such as the commencement of clinical development, the completion of a clinical trial or the receipt of regulatory approval; ● decisions to initiate a clinical trial, not initiate a clinical trial, or terminate an existing clinical trial; ● adverse regulatory decisions, including failure to receive regulatory approval for our product candidates or regulatory actions requiring or leading to a delay or stoppage of any clinical trials; ● the commercial success of any product approved by the FDA or its foreign counterparts; ● changes in applicable laws, rules or regulations; ● adverse developments concerning our manufacturers, suppliers, collaborators and other third parties; ● occurrence of health epidemics or contagious diseases, and potential effects on our business, clinical trial sites, supply chain and manufacturing facilities; ● our failure to commercialize our product candidates; ● the success of competitive drugs; ● if our patents covering our product candidates expire or are invalidated or are found to be unenforceable, or if some or all of our patent applications do not result in issued patents or result in patents with narrow, overbroad, or unenforceable claims; ● additions or departures of key scientific or management personnel; ● unanticipated safety concerns related to the use of any product candidates; ● our announcements or our competitor's announcements regarding new products, enhancements, significant contracts, acquisitions or strategic partnerships and investments; ● the size and growth of our target markets; ● our, or companies perceived to be similar to us, failure to meet external expectations or management guidance; ● fluctuations in our quarterly financial results or the quarterly financial results of companies perceived to be similar to us; ● publication of research reports about us or our industry, recommendations, earning results or estimates or withdrawal of research coverage by securities analysts; ● changes in the market valuations of similar companies; ● changes in general economic, political and market conditions in any of the regions in which we conduct our business; ● changes in our capital structure or dividend policy, future issuances of securities, sales of common stock by officers, directors and significant stockholders or our incurrence of debt; ● trading volume of our common stock; ● changes in accounting practices and ineffectiveness of our internal controls; ● disputes, litigation or developments relating to proprietary rights; ● timing of milestones and royalty payments; and ● other events or factors, many of which are beyond our control.
In addition to the factors discussed in this “Risk Factors” section, these factors include: ● adverse results or delays in preclinical studies, clinical trials, regulatory decisions or the development status of our product candidates or any product candidates we may pursue in the future; ● our ability to raise sufficient additional funds on satisfactory terms, or at all, necessary for the continued development of our product candidates whether through potential collaborative, partnering or other strategic arrangements or otherwise; ● the terms and timing of any future collaborative, licensing or other strategic arrangements that we may establish; ● our inability to comply with the minimum listing requirements of Nasdaq; ● the timing of achievement of, or failure to achieve, our, or any potential collaborator’s clinical, regulatory and other milestones, such as the commencement of clinical development, the completion of a clinical trial or the receipt of regulatory approval; ● decisions to initiate a clinical trial, not initiate a clinical trial, or terminate an existing clinical trial; ● adverse regulatory decisions, including failure to receive regulatory approval for our product candidates or regulatory actions requiring or leading to a delay or stoppage of any clinical trials; ● the commercial success of any product approved by the FDA or its foreign counterparts; ● changes in applicable laws, rules or regulations; ● adverse developments concerning our manufacturers, suppliers, collaborators and other third parties; ● occurrence of health epidemics or contagious diseases, and potential effects on our business, clinical trial sites, supply chain and manufacturing facilities; ● our failure to commercialize our product candidates; ● the success of competitive drugs; ● if our patents covering our product candidates expire or are invalidated or are found to be unenforceable, or if some or all of our patent applications do not result in issued patents or result in patents with narrow, overbroad, or unenforceable claims; 57 Table of Contents ● additions or departures of key scientific or management personnel; ● unanticipated safety concerns related to the use of any product candidates; ● our announcements or our competitor’s announcements regarding new products, enhancements, significant contracts, acquisitions or strategic partnerships and investments; ● the size and growth of our target markets; ● our, or companies perceived to be similar to us, failure to meet external expectations, or management guidance; ● fluctuations in our quarterly financial results or the quarterly financial results of companies perceived to be similar to us; ● publication of research reports about us or our industry, recommendations, earning results or estimates or withdrawal of research coverage by securities analysts; ● changes in the market valuations of similar companies; ● changes in general economic, industry, political and market conditions due to military conflicts or war, inflation, increases in interest rates, health epidemics, the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. or other countries or trade wars; ● changes in our capital structure or dividend policy, future issuances of securities, sales of common stock by officers, directors and significant stockholders or our incurrence of debt; ● trading volume of our common stock; ● changes in accounting practices and ineffectiveness of our internal controls; ● disputes, litigation or developments relating to proprietary rights; ● timing of milestones and royalty payments; and ● other events or factors, many of which are beyond our control.
Further, if we attempt to modify a product candidate or technology or to develop alternative methods or products in response to infringement claims or to avoid potential claims, we could incur substantial costs, encounter delays in product introductions or interruptions in sales. Ultimately, such efforts could be unsuccessful.
Further, if we attempt to modify a product candidate or technology or to develop alternative methods or products in response to infringement claims or to avoid potential claims, we could incur 53 Table of Contents substantial costs, encounter delays in product introductions or interruptions in sales. Ultimately, such efforts could be unsuccessful.
For example, on March 10, 2023 and March 12, 2023, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation took control and was appointed receiver of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and Silvergate Capital Corp, respectively, after each bank was unable to continue their operations. Since then, additional financial institutions have experienced similar failures and have been placed into receivership.
For example, in 2023, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation took control and was appointed receiver of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and Silvergate Capital Corp, respectively, after each bank was unable to continue their operations. Since then, additional financial institutions have experienced similar failures and have been placed into receivership.
Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition. 62 Table of Contents Item 1B.
In addition, we may not be successful in entering into arrangements with third parties to sell and market our product 40 Table of Contents candidates or may be unable to do so on terms that are favorable to us.
In addition, we may not be successful in entering into arrangements with third parties to sell and market our product candidates or may be unable to do so on terms that are favorable to us.
During the course of our review and testing, we may identify deficiencies and be unable to remediate them before we must provide the required reports.
During the course of our review and testing, we may identify deficiencies or material weaknesses and be unable to remediate them before we must provide the required reports.
We require additional financing to accomplish our long-term business plan and failure to obtain necessary capital when needed on acceptable terms, or at all, could force us to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our operations.
We require additional capital to accomplish our business plan and the failure to obtain necessary capital when needed on acceptable terms, or at all, could force us to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our operations.
As of March 25, 2024, we had eight full-time employees. As our development and commercialization plans and strategies develop, or as a result of any future acquisitions, we may need additional managerial, operational, development, sales, marketing, financial and other resources. Our management, personnel and systems currently in place may not be adequate to support our future growth.
As of December 31, 2024, we had nine full-time employees. As our development and commercialization plans and strategies develop, or as a result of any future acquisitions, we may need additional managerial, operational, development, sales, marketing, financial and other resources. Our management, personnel and systems currently in place may not be adequate to support our future growth.
To the extent that any disruption or security breach were to result in a loss of, or damage to, our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability and the further development and commercialization of our product candidates could be delayed.
To the extent that any disruption or security breach was to result in a loss of, or damage to, our data or applications, 60 Table of Contents or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability, and the further development and commercialization of our product candidates could be delayed.
If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings or other arrangements when needed, we may be required to delay, scale back or discontinue the development and commercialization of one or more of our product candidates or delay our pursuit of potential in-licenses or acquisitions.
If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financing or other 32 Table of Contents arrangements when needed, we may be required to delay, scale back or discontinue the development and commercialization of one or more of our product candidates or delay our pursuit of potential in-licenses, out-licenses or acquisitions.
We rely on trade secret, patent, copyright and trademark laws, and confidentiality, licensing and other agreements with employees and third parties, all of which offer only limited protection.
We rely on trade secrets, patents, copyright and trademark laws, and confidentiality, licensing and other agreements with employees and third parties, all of which offer only limited protection.
We may also be required to perform additional, unanticipated clinical trials to obtain approval or be subject to additional post marketing testing requirements to maintain regulatory approval. In addition, regulatory authorities may withdraw their approval of a product, or the FDA may require a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (“REMS”) for a product, which could impose restrictions on our distribution.
We may also be required to perform additional, unanticipated clinical trials to obtain approval or be subject to additional post marketing testing requirements to maintain regulatory approval. In addition, regulatory authorities may withdraw their approval of a product, or the FDA may require a REMS for a product, which could impose restrictions on our distribution.
Because we intend to market our product candidates, if approved, outside of the U.S., our business is subject to risks associated with doing business outside of the U.S.
We intend to market our product candidates outside of the U.S., and if we do, we will be subject to the risks of doing business outside of the U.S. Because we intend to market our product candidates, if approved, outside of the U.S., our business is subject to risks associated with doing business outside of the U.S.