Biggest changeAmong the provisions of the ACA of importance to our potential product candidates are the following: • an annual, non-tax deductible fee payable by any entity that manufactures or imports specified branded prescription drugs and biologic agents payable to the federal government based on each company’s market share of prior year total sales of branded products to certain federal healthcare programs; • an increase in the statutory minimum rebates a manufacturer must pay under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program; • a methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for drugs that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted or injected; • extension of manufacturers’ Medicaid rebate liability to individuals enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations; • expansion of eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs in certain states; • a Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, in which manufacturers must now agree to offer 50% (increased to 70% pursuant to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, effective as of January 1, 2019) point-of-sale discounts off negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries under their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D; • expansion of the entities eligible for discounts under the Public Health Service pharmaceutical pricing program; • a new requirement to annually report drug samples that manufacturers and distributors provide to physicians; and 64 • a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee, identify priorities in, and conduct comparative clinical effectiveness research, along with funding for such research.
Biggest changeThe ACA, among other things, increased the minimum level of Medicaid rebates payable by manufacturers of brand name drugs; required collection of rebates for drugs paid by Medicaid managed care organizations; required manufacturers to participate in a coverage gap discount program, under which they must agree to offer point-of-sale discounts (increased to 70 percent, effective as of January 1, 2019) off negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D; imposed a non-deductible annual fee on pharmaceutical manufacturers or importers who sell certain “branded prescription drugs” to specified federal government programs, implemented a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for drugs that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted, or injected expanded the types of entities eligible for the 340B drug discount program; expanded eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs; created a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee, identify priorities in, and conduct comparative clinical effectiveness research, along with funding for such research; and established a Center for Medicare Innovation at CMS to test innovative payment and service delivery models to lower Medicare and Medicaid spending, potentially including prescription drug spending.
Furthermore, strategic partners may negotiate for certain rights to control decisions regarding the development and commercialization of our product candidates, if approved, and may not conduct those activities in the same manner as we do.
Furthermore, strategic partners may negotiate for certain rights to control decisions regarding the development and, if approved, commercialization of our product candidates, and may not conduct those activities in the same manner as we do.
Investors may find our Class A common stock less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions. If some investors find our Class A common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Class A common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.
Investors may find our Class A common stock less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions. If some investors find our Class A common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Class A common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.
The FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities can delay, limit or deny approval of a product candidate for many reasons, including: • such authorities may disagree with the design or implementation of our clinical trials; • negative or ambiguous results from our clinical trials or results may not meet the level of statistical significance required by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities for approval; • serious and unexpected drug-related side effects may be experienced by participants in our clinical trials or by individuals using drugs similar to our product candidates; • the population studied in the clinical trial may not be sufficiently broad or representative to assure safety in the full population for which we seek approval; • such authorities may not accept clinical data from trials which are conducted at clinical facilities or in countries where the standard of care is potentially different from that of the United States; • we may be unable to demonstrate that a product candidate’s clinical and other benefits outweigh its safety risks; • such authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data from preclinical studies or clinical trials; • such authorities may not agree that the data collected from clinical trials of our product candidates are acceptable or sufficient to support the submission of a BLA or other submission or to obtain regulatory approval in the United States or elsewhere, and such authorities may impose requirements for additional preclinical studies or clinical trials; • such authorities may disagree regarding the formulation, labeling and/or the specifications of our product candidates; • approval may be granted only for indications that are significantly more limited than what we apply for and/or with other significant restrictions on distribution and use; • such authorities may find deficiencies in the manufacturing processes or facilities of our third-party manufacturers with which we contract for clinical and commercial supplies; • regulations of such authorities may significantly change in a manner rendering our or any of our potential future collaborators’ clinical data insufficient for approval; or • such authorities may not accept a submission due to, among other reasons, the content or formatting of the submission.
The FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities can delay, limit or deny approval of a product candidate for many reasons, including: • such authorities may disagree with the design or implementation of our clinical trials; • negative or ambiguous results from our clinical trials or results may not meet the level of statistical significance required by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities for approval; • serious and unexpected drug-related side effects may be experienced by participants in our clinical trials or by individuals using drugs similar to our product candidates; • the population studied in the clinical trial may not be sufficiently broad or representative to assure safety in the full population for which we seek approval; • such authorities may not accept clinical data from trials which are conducted at clinical facilities or in countries where the standard of care is potentially different from that of the United States; • we may be unable to demonstrate that a product candidate’s clinical and other benefits outweigh its safety risks; • such authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data from preclinical studies or clinical trials; • such authorities may not agree that the data collected from clinical trials of our product candidates are acceptable or sufficient to support the submission of a BLA or other submission or to obtain regulatory approval in the United States or elsewhere, and such authorities may impose requirements for additional preclinical studies or clinical trials; • such authorities may disagree regarding the formulation, labeling and/or the specifications of our product candidates; • approval may be granted only for indications that are significantly more limited than what we apply for and/or with other significant restrictions on distribution and use; • such authorities may find deficiencies in the manufacturing processes or facilities of our third-party manufacturers with which we contract for clinical and commercial supplies; 47 • regulations of such authorities may significantly change in a manner rendering our or any of our potential future collaborators’ clinical data insufficient for approval; or • such authorities may not accept a submission due to, among other reasons, the content or formatting of the submission.
All of these milestones are based on a variety of assumptions which may cause the timing of achievement of the milestones to vary considerably from our estimates, including: • our available capital resources or capital constraints we experience; • the rate of progress, costs and results of our clinical trials and research and development activities, including the extent of scheduling conflicts with participating clinicians and collaborators, and our ability to identify and enroll patients who meet clinical trial eligibility criteria; • our receipt of approvals by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; • other actions, decisions or rules issued by regulators; • our ability to access sufficient, reliable and affordable supplies of compounds used in the manufacture of our product candidates; • the ability of our suppliers to reliably provide the quantity of materials needed to manufacture and commercialize our products; • the non-occurrence of adverse events or serious adverse events in preclinical studies or clinical trials of our product candidates; • the efforts of our collaborators and the success of our own efforts with respect to the commercialization of our products; and • the securing of, costs related to, and timing issues associated with, product manufacturing, including scale and automation processes, as well as sales and marketing activities.
All of these milestones are based on a variety of assumptions which may cause the timing of achievement of the milestones to vary considerably from our estimates, including: • our available capital resources or capital constraints we experience; • the rate of progress, costs and results of our clinical trials and research and development activities, including the extent of scheduling conflicts with participating clinicians and collaborators, and our ability to identify and enroll patients who meet clinical trial eligibility criteria; • our receipt of approvals by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; • other actions, decisions or rules issued by regulators; • our ability to access sufficient, reliable and affordable supplies of compounds used in the manufacture of our product candidates; • the ability of our suppliers to reliably provide the quantity of materials needed to manufacture and commercialize our products; 69 • the non-occurrence of adverse events or serious adverse events in preclinical studies or clinical trials of our product candidates; • the efforts of our collaborators and the success of our own efforts with respect to the commercialization of our products; and • the securing of, costs related to, and timing issues associated with, product manufacturing, including scale and automation processes, as well as sales and marketing activities.
Our product candidates could fail to receive regulatory approval for many reasons, including the following: • the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with the design or implementation of our clinical trials; • we may be unable to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities that a product candidate is safe and effective for its proposed indication; • the results of clinical trials may fail to achieve the level of statistical significance required by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities for approval; • we may be unable to demonstrate that a product candidate’s clinical and other benefits outweigh its safety risks; • the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data submitted in support of regulatory approval; • the data collected from preclinical studies and clinical trials of our product candidates may not be sufficient to support the submission of a BLA or other regulatory submissions necessary to obtain regulatory approval in the United States or elsewhere; • we may not meet the cGMP and other applicable requirements for manufacturing processes, procedures, documentation and facilities necessary for approval by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities; and • changes to the approval policies or regulations of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities with respect to our product candidates may result in our clinical data becoming insufficient for approval.
Our product candidates could fail to receive regulatory approval for many reasons, including the following: • the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with the design or implementation of our clinical trials; 40 • we may be unable to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities that a product candidate is safe and effective for its proposed indication; • the results of clinical trials may fail to achieve the level of statistical significance required by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities for approval; • we may be unable to demonstrate that a product candidate’s clinical and other benefits outweigh its safety risks; • the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data submitted in support of regulatory approval; • the data collected from preclinical studies and clinical trials of our product candidates may not be sufficient to support the submission of a BLA or other regulatory submissions necessary to obtain regulatory approval in the United States or elsewhere; • we may not meet the cGMP and other applicable requirements for manufacturing processes, procedures, documentation and facilities necessary for approval by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities; and • changes to the approval policies or regulations of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities with respect to our product candidates may result in our clinical data becoming insufficient for approval.
A person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of this statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation; 62 • the federal false claims and civil monetary penalties laws, including the False Claims Act, which can be enforced through civil whistleblower or qui tam actions, impose criminal and civil penalties against individuals or entities for knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, to the federal government, claims for payment that are false, fictitious, or fraudulent; knowingly making, using, or causing to be made or used, a false record or statement to get a false or fraudulent claim paid or approved by the government; or knowingly making, using, or causing to be made or used, a false record or statement to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the federal government.
A person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of this statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation; • the federal false claims and civil monetary penalties laws, including the False Claims Act, which can be enforced through civil whistleblower or qui tam actions, impose criminal and civil penalties against individuals or entities for knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, to the federal government, claims for payment that are false, fictitious, or fraudulent; knowingly making, using, or causing to be made or used, a false record or statement to get a false or fraudulent claim paid or approved by the government; or knowingly making, using, or causing to be made or used, a false record or statement to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the federal government.
Similar to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, a person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation; • HIPAA, as amended by HITECH, and their implementing regulations, which also imposes obligations, including mandatory contractual terms, on “covered entities,” including certain healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, and their respective “business associates” that create, receive, maintain or transmit individually identifiable health information for or on behalf of a covered entity as well as their covered subcontractors with respect to safeguarding the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information.
Similar to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, a person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation; 65 • HIPAA, as amended by HITECH, and their implementing regulations, which also imposes obligations, including mandatory contractual terms, on “covered entities,” including certain healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, and their respective “business associates” that create, receive, maintain or transmit individually identifiable health information for or on behalf of a covered entity as well as their covered subcontractors with respect to safeguarding the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information.
The degree of market acceptance, if approved for commercial sale, will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to: • the potential or perceived advantages or disadvantages of the oral delivery of biologics as compared to subcutaneous or IV injections of biologics; • the efficacy of our product candidates compared to alternative treatments; • the shelf-life of our product candidates; • the effectiveness of sales and marketing efforts; • the cost of treatment in relation to alternative treatments; • our ability to offer our product candidates for sale at competitive prices; • the willingness of the target patient population to try the RaniPill capsule; • the class of drugs that are included in our product candidates continuing to represent the standard-of-care for the respective disease target and continuing to have a long-term favorable safety profile; • the willingness of physicians to prescribe use of the RaniPill capsule and to prescribe biologics that utilize the RaniPill capsule; • the willingness of the medical community to offer patients our product candidates in addition to or in the place of current subcutaneous and IV injectable therapies; 50 • the strength of marketing and distribution support; • the availability of government and third-party coverage and adequate reimbursement; • our ability to manufacture sufficient supply to meet patients’ demand; • the prevalence and severity of any side effects; and • any restrictions on the use of our product candidates together with other medications or treatments.
The degree of market acceptance, if approved for commercial sale, will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to: • the potential or perceived advantages or disadvantages of the oral delivery of biologics as compared to subcutaneous or IV injections of biologics; • the efficacy of our product candidates compared to alternative treatments; • the shelf-life of our product candidates; • the effectiveness of sales and marketing efforts; 51 • the cost of treatment in relation to alternative treatments; • our ability to offer our product candidates for sale at competitive prices; • the willingness of the target patient population to try the RaniPill capsule; • the class of drugs that are included in our product candidates continuing to represent the standard-of-care for the respective disease target and continuing to have a long-term favorable safety profile; • the willingness of physicians to prescribe use of the RaniPill capsule and to prescribe biologics that utilize the RaniPill capsule; • the willingness of the medical community to offer patients our product candidates in addition to or in the place of current subcutaneous and IV injectable therapies; • the strength of marketing and distribution support; • the availability of government and third-party coverage and adequate reimbursement; • our ability to manufacture sufficient supply to meet patients’ demand; • the prevalence and severity of any side effects; and • any restrictions on the use of our product candidates together with other medications or treatments.
The success of our product candidates will depend on several factors, including the following: • successful enrollment in clinical trials and completion of preclinical studies and clinical trials with favorable results; • acceptance of INDs by the FDA or similar regulatory filings by comparable foreign regulatory authorities for the conduct of clinical trials of our product candidates and our proposed design of future clinical trials; • demonstrating safety and efficacy to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities; • receipt of marketing approvals from applicable regulatory authorities, including BLAs or NDAs, from the FDA, and maintaining such approvals; • establishing clinical and commercial manufacturing capabilities, and securing adequate supply of drugs for our product candidates; • expanding automation of our manufacturing machinery and procedures; • establishing and maintaining multiple suppliers for our critical manufacturing materials; • establishing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities and launching commercial sales of our products, if and when approved, whether alone or in collaboration with others; • establishing and maintaining patent and trade secret protection or regulatory exclusivity for our product candidates; • maintaining an acceptable safety profile and shelf life of our products following approval; • the class of drugs that are included in our product candidates continuing to represent the standard-of-care for the respective disease target and continuing to have a long-term favorable safety profile; and 38 • maintaining and growing an organization of people who can develop our products and technology.
The success of our product candidates will depend on several factors, including the following: • successful enrollment in clinical trials and completion of preclinical studies and clinical trials with favorable results; 39 • acceptance of INDs by the FDA or similar regulatory filings by comparable foreign regulatory authorities for the conduct of clinical trials of our product candidates and our proposed design of future clinical trials; • demonstrating safety and efficacy to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities; • receipt of marketing approvals from applicable regulatory authorities, including BLAs or NDAs, from the FDA, and maintaining such approvals; • establishing clinical and commercial manufacturing capabilities, and securing adequate supply of drugs for our product candidates; • expanding automation of our manufacturing machinery and procedures; • establishing and maintaining multiple suppliers for our critical manufacturing materials; • establishing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities and launching commercial sales of our products, if and when approved, whether alone or in collaboration with others; • establishing and maintaining patent and trade secret protection or regulatory exclusivity for our product candidates; • maintaining an acceptable safety profile and shelf life of our products following approval; • the class of drugs that are included in our product candidates continuing to represent the standard-of-care for the respective disease target and continuing to have a long-term favorable safety profile; and • maintaining and growing an organization of people who can develop our products and technology.
The commencement and completion of clinical trials can be delayed for a number of reasons, including delays related to: • the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities disagreeing with the design or implementation of our clinical trials; • obtaining regulatory authorizations to commence a trial, or reaching a consensus with regulatory authorities on trial design; • any failure or delay in reaching an agreement with contract research organizations (“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; • obtaining approval from one or more IRBs; • IRBs refusing to approve, suspending or terminating the trial at an investigational site, precluding enrollment of additional volunteers or withdrawing their approval of the trial; • changes to clinical trial protocol; • clinical sites deviating from trial protocol or dropping out of a trial; • manufacturing sufficient quantities of a product candidate or obtaining sufficient quantities of other therapies or active pharmaceutical ingredients for use in clinical trials; • volunteers failing to enroll or remain in our trial at the rate we expect, or failing to return for post-treatment follow-up; • volunteers choosing an alternative treatment for the indication for which we are developing our product candidates, or participating in competing clinical trials; • lack of adequate funding to continue the clinical trial; • volunteers experiencing severe or unexpected drug-related or device-related adverse effects; • occurrence of serious adverse events in clinical trials of the same class of agents conducted by other companies; • selection of clinical endpoints that require prolonged periods of clinical observation or analysis of the resulting data; • a facility manufacturing our product candidates or any of their components being ordered by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities to temporarily or permanently shut down due to violations of cGMP regulations or other applicable requirements, or infections or cross-contaminations of product candidates in the manufacturing process; • any changes to our manufacturing process or product formulation that may be necessary or desired; • shortages in, or delays in obtaining, raw materials for manufacturing our product candidates or adequately scaling our manufacturing processes and procedures to deliver sufficient quantities for use in our clinical trials; • third-party clinical investigators losing the licenses or permits necessary to perform our clinical trials, not performing our clinical trials on our anticipated schedule or consistent with the clinical protocol or relevant regulatory requirements; • third-party contractors not performing data collection or analysis in a timely or accurate manner; or • third-party contractors becoming debarred or suspended or otherwise penalized by the FDA or other government or comparable foreign regulatory authorities for violations of regulatory requirements, in which case we may need to 42 find a substitute contractor, and we may not be able to use some or all of the data produced by such contractors in support of our marketing applications.
The commencement and completion of clinical trials can be delayed for a number of reasons, including delays related to: • the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities disagreeing with the design or implementation of our clinical trials or the risks and benefits of the product candidate; • obtaining regulatory authorizations to commence a trial, or reaching a consensus with regulatory authorities on trial design; • any failure or delay in reaching an agreement with contract research organizations (“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; • obtaining approval from one or more IRBs; • IRBs refusing to approve, suspending or terminating the trial at an investigational site, precluding enrollment of additional volunteers or withdrawing their approval of the trial; • changes to clinical trial protocol; • clinical sites deviating from trial protocol or dropping out of a trial; • manufacturing sufficient quantities of a product candidate or obtaining sufficient quantities of other therapies or active pharmaceutical ingredients for use in clinical trials; • volunteers failing to enroll or remain in our trial at the rate we expect, or failing to return for post-treatment follow-up; • volunteers choosing an alternative treatment for the indication for which we are developing our product candidates, or participating in competing clinical trials; • lack of adequate funding to continue the clinical trial; • volunteers experiencing severe or unexpected drug-related or device-related adverse effects; 43 • occurrence of serious adverse events in clinical trials of the same class of agents conducted by other companies; • selection of clinical endpoints that require prolonged periods of clinical observation or analysis of the resulting data; • a facility manufacturing our product candidates or any of their components being ordered by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities to temporarily or permanently shut down due to violations of cGMP regulations or other applicable requirements, or infections or cross-contaminations of product candidates in the manufacturing process; • any changes to our manufacturing process or product formulation that may be necessary or desired; • shortages in, or delays in obtaining, raw materials for manufacturing our product candidates or adequately scaling our manufacturing processes and procedures to deliver sufficient quantities for use in our clinical trials; • third-party clinical investigators losing the licenses or permits necessary to perform our clinical trials, not performing our clinical trials on our anticipated schedule or consistent with the clinical protocol or relevant regulatory requirements; • third-party contractors not performing data collection or analysis in a timely or accurate manner; or • third-party contractors becoming debarred or suspended or otherwise penalized by the FDA or other government or comparable foreign regulatory authorities for violations of regulatory requirements, in which case we may need to find a substitute contractor, and we may not be able to use some or all of the data produced by such contractors in support of our marketing applications.
These fluctuations may occur due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control, including, but not limited to: • the timing, degree of success and cost of, and level of investment in, research, development, regulatory approval and commercialization activities relating to our product candidates, which may change from time to time; • coverage and reimbursement policies with respect to our product candidates, if approved, and potential future drugs that compete with our products; • the cost of manufacturing our product candidates, which may vary depending on the quantity of production; • expenditures that we may incur to acquire, develop or commercialize additional product candidates and technologies; • the level of demand for any approved products, which may vary significantly; • future accounting pronouncements or changes in our accounting policies; and • the timing and success or failure of preclinical studies or clinical trials for our product candidates or competing product candidates, or any other change in the competitive landscape of our industry, including consolidation among our competitors or partners. 57 The cumulative effects of these factors could result in large fluctuations and unpredictability in our quarterly and annual operating results.
These fluctuations may occur due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control, including, but not limited to: • the timing, degree of success and cost of, and level of investment in, research, development, regulatory approval and commercialization activities relating to our product candidates, which may change from time to time; • coverage and reimbursement policies with respect to our product candidates, if approved, and potential future drugs that compete with our products; • the cost of manufacturing our product candidates, which may vary depending on the quantity of production; • expenditures that we may incur to acquire, develop or commercialize additional product candidates and technologies; • the level of demand for any approved products, which may vary significantly; • future accounting pronouncements or changes in our accounting policies; and • the timing and success or failure of preclinical studies or clinical trials for our product candidates or competing product candidates, or any other change in the competitive landscape of our industry, including consolidation among our competitors or partners. 59 The cumulative effects of these factors could result in large fluctuations and unpredictability in our quarterly and annual operating results.
We and some of the third-party service providers on which we depend for various support functions, such as data storage, are vulnerable to damage from catastrophic events, such as power loss, natural disasters, terrorism and similar unforeseen events beyond our control. Our corporate headquarters is located in San Jose, which in the past has experienced severe earthquakes and fires.
We and some of the third-party service providers on which we depend for various support functions, such as data storage, are vulnerable to damage from catastrophic events, such as power loss, natural disasters, terrorism and similar unforeseen events beyond our control. Our corporate headquarters is located in San Jose, California, which in the past has experienced severe earthquakes and fires.
If a natural disaster, power outage or other event occurred that prevented us from using all or a significant portion of our headquarters, damaged critical infrastructure, such as our data storage facilities or financial systems, or that otherwise disrupted 68 operations, it may be difficult or, in certain cases, impossible for us to continue our business for a substantial period of time.
If a natural disaster, power outage or other event occurred that prevented us from using all or a significant portion of our headquarters, damaged critical infrastructure, such as our data storage facilities or financial systems, or that otherwise disrupted operations, it may be difficult or, in certain cases, impossible for us to continue our business for a substantial period of time.
In addition, business disruptions of the kind noted above, including geopolitical events like the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia or disruptions to bank deposits and lending commitments due to bank failures, could impact economies and financial markets, resulting in economic worsening and/or inflation that could impact our ability to raise capital, increase the costs of goods and services, cause us to have to de-prioritize or stop certain business activities, diminish potential partnering opportunities, and have an adverse effect on our results of operations. 90 Unanticipated changes in effective tax rates or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our income or other tax returns could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition We are or may be subject to taxes by the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax authorities, and our tax liabilities will be affected by the allocation of expenses to differing jurisdictions.
In addition, business disruptions of the kind noted above, including geopolitical events like the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia or disruptions to bank deposits and lending commitments due to bank failures, could impact economies and financial markets, resulting in economic worsening and/or inflation that could impact our ability to raise capital, increase the costs of goods and services, cause us to have to de-prioritize or stop certain business activities, diminish potential partnering opportunities, and have an adverse effect on our results of operations. 93 Unanticipated changes in effective tax rates or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our income or other tax returns could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition We are or may be subject to taxes by the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax authorities, and our tax liabilities will be affected by the allocation of expenses to differing jurisdictions.
Patient enrollment and retention in clinical trials is a significant factor in the timing of clinical trials and depends on many factors, including the size and nature of the patient population, the nature of the trial protocol, the existing body of safety and 43 efficacy data with respect to the study drug, the number and nature of competing treatments and ongoing clinical trials of competing drugs for the same indication, the proximity of patients to clinical trial sites and the eligibility criteria for the clinical trial.
Patient enrollment and retention in clinical trials is a significant factor in the timing of clinical trials and depends on many factors, including the size and nature of the patient population, the nature of the trial protocol, the existing body of safety and efficacy data with respect to the study drug, the number and nature of competing treatments and ongoing clinical trials of competing drugs for the same indication, the proximity of patients to clinical trial sites and the eligibility criteria for the clinical trial.
In addition, while we currently expect that RaniPill HC will be able to leverage many of the same components and manufacturing processes as are used for our existing delivery device, it may turn out that such components or manufacturing processes are not suited for RaniPill HC or RaniPill HC may require modifications that negatively affect our ability to 60 use common components or processes between the RaniPill GO and RaniPill HC.
In addition, while we currently expect that RaniPill HC will be able to leverage many of the same components and manufacturing processes as are used for our existing delivery device, it may turn out that such components or manufacturing processes are not suited for RaniPill HC or RaniPill HC may require modifications that negatively affect our ability to use common components or processes between the RaniPill GO and RaniPill HC.
We may not be successful in our efforts to establish or maintain such collaborations for our product candidates because our research and development pipeline may be insufficient, our product candidates may be deemed to be at too early of a stage of development for collaborative effort or third parties may not view our product candidates as having the requisite potential to demonstrate safety and efficacy or significant commercial opportunity.
We may not be successful in our efforts to establish or maintain such collaborations because our research and development pipeline may be insufficient, our product candidates or technology may be deemed to be at too early of a stage of development for collaborative effort or third parties may not view our product candidates or technology as having the requisite potential to demonstrate safety and efficacy or significant commercial opportunity.
Moreover, the reporting requirements, rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time consuming and costly. Any changes we make to comply with these obligations may not be sufficient to allow us to continue to satisfy our obligations as a public company on a timely basis, or at all.
Moreover, the reporting requirements, rules and regulations increase our legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time consuming and costly. Any changes we make to comply with these obligations may not be sufficient to allow us to continue to satisfy our obligations as a public company on a timely basis, or at all.
During times of war and other major conflicts, we and the third parties upon which we rely may be vulnerable to a heightened risk of these attacks, including cyber-attacks, that could materially disrupt our systems and operations, supply chain, and ability to produce, develop, test and distribute our capsules, product candidates, and other goods and services.
During times of war and other major conflicts, we and the third parties upon which we rely may be vulnerable to a heightened risk of these attacks, including retaliatory cyber-attacks, that could materially disrupt our systems and operations, supply chain, and ability to produce, develop, test and distribute our capsules, product candidates, and other goods and services.
However, if we were to be deemed an investment company, restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act, including limitations on our capital structure and 82 our ability to transact with affiliates, could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
However, if we were to be deemed an investment company, restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act, including limitations on our capital structure and our ability to transact with affiliates, could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
As a result of a failure in any one of these factors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. Our high-capacity oral delivery device, RaniPill HC, is in early stages of development, and it is subject to the inherent risks and uncertainties of developing a novel, innovative technology.
As a result of a failure in any one of these factors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. 62 Our high-capacity oral delivery device, RaniPill HC, is in early stages of development, and it is subject to the inherent risks and uncertainties of developing a novel, innovative technology.
In addition, even if one or more of our product candidates qualify as breakthrough therapies, the FDA may later decide that the product candidates no longer meets the conditions for qualification, or it may decide that the time period for FDA review or approval will not be shortened. We may seek Fast Track designation for some of our product candidates.
In addition, even if one or more of our product candidates qualify as breakthrough therapies, the FDA may later decide that the product candidates no longer meets the conditions for qualification, or it may decide that the time period for FDA review or approval will not be shortened. 48 We may seek Fast Track designation for some of our product candidates.
Congress of the FDA’s approval process may significantly delay or prevent marketing approval, as well as subject us to more stringent product labeling and post-marketing testing and other requirements. 65 Governments outside the United States tend to impose strict price controls, which may adversely affect our revenues, if any.
Congress of the FDA’s approval process may significantly delay or prevent marketing approval, as well as subject us to more stringent product labeling and post-marketing testing and other requirements. Governments outside the United States tend to impose strict price controls, which may adversely affect our revenues, if any.
Our product candidates require aseptic manufacturing techniques that may present additional manufacturing challenges compared to other oral route of administration products. The same requirements 61 and risks are applicable to the suppliers of the key raw material used to manufacture the active pharmaceutical ingredients or drug substances for the biologics of our product candidates.
Our product candidates require aseptic manufacturing techniques that may present additional manufacturing challenges compared to other oral route of administration products. The same requirements and risks are applicable to the suppliers of the key raw material used to manufacture the active pharmaceutical ingredients or drug substances for the biologics of our product candidates.
If a regulatory authority discovers previously unknown problems with a product, such as adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or problems with the facility where the product is manufactured, or disagrees with the promotion, marketing or labeling of a product, such regulatory authorities may impose restrictions on that product or us, including requiring withdrawal of the 49 product from the market.
If a regulatory authority discovers previously unknown problems with a product, such as adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or problems with the facility where the product is manufactured, or disagrees with the promotion, marketing or labeling of a product, such regulatory authorities may impose restrictions on that product or us, including requiring withdrawal of the product from the market.
If approved, our product candidates are expected to face competition from commercially available drugs as well as drugs and devices that are in the development pipelines of our competitors. Pharmaceutical companies may invest heavily to accelerate discovery and development of novel technologies or to in-license novel technologies that could make our product candidates less competitive.
If approved, our product candidates are expected to face competition from commercially available drugs as well as drugs and devices that are in the development pipelines of our competitors. 53 Pharmaceutical companies may invest heavily to accelerate discovery and development of novel technologies or to in-license novel technologies that could make our product candidates less competitive.
Our research programs may initially show promise in identifying potential product candidates, yet fail to yield product candidates for clinical development for many reasons, including: • our financial and internal resources are insufficient; • our research methodology used may not be successful in identifying potential product candidates; • competitors may develop alternatives that render our product candidates uncompetitive; • our product candidates may be shown to have harmful side effects or other characteristics that indicate such product candidate is unlikely to be effective or otherwise unlikely to achieve applicable regulatory approval; 59 • our product candidates may not be capable of being produced in commercial quantities at an acceptable cost, or at all; or • our product candidates may not be accepted by patients, the medical community, healthcare providers or third-party payors.
Our research programs may initially show promise in identifying potential product candidates, yet fail to yield product candidates for clinical development for many reasons, including: • our financial and internal resources are insufficient; • our research methodology used may not be successful in identifying potential product candidates; 61 • competitors may develop alternatives that render our product candidates uncompetitive; • our product candidates may be shown to have harmful side effects or other characteristics that indicate such product candidate is unlikely to be effective or otherwise unlikely to achieve applicable regulatory approval; • our product candidates may not be capable of being produced in commercial quantities at an acceptable cost, or at all; or • our product candidates may not be accepted by patients, the medical community, healthcare providers or third-party payors.
During trademark registration proceedings, our 74 applications may be rejected by the USPTO or foreign agencies, or may be opposed by third parties. Although we are given an opportunity to respond, we may be unable to overcome such rejections or oppositions. In addition, third parties may seek to cancel registered trademarks, and our trademarks may not survive such proceedings.
During trademark registration proceedings, our applications may be rejected by the USPTO or foreign agencies, or may be opposed by third parties. Although we are given an opportunity to respond, we may be unable to overcome such rejections or oppositions. In addition, third parties may seek to cancel registered trademarks, and our trademarks may not survive such proceedings.
Results from nonclinical studies and 45 clinical trials can be interpreted in different ways. Even if we believe the nonclinical or clinical data for our product candidates are promising, such data may not be sufficient to support approval by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities.
Results from nonclinical studies and clinical trials can be interpreted in different ways. Even if we believe the nonclinical or clinical data for our product candidates are promising, such data may not be sufficient to support approval by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities.
As a result, we may forgo or delay 46 pursuit of opportunities with other product candidates or other indications that could have had greater commercial potential or likelihood of success. In addition, we are focused on developing the RaniPill capsule in addition to the drug formulations for use in the RaniPill capsule.
As a result, we may forgo or delay pursuit of opportunities with other product candidates or other indications that could have had greater commercial potential or likelihood of success. In addition, we are focused on developing the RaniPill capsule in addition to the drug formulations for use in the RaniPill capsule.
If we fail to continue to advance the RaniPill platform, technological change may impair our ability to compete effectively and technological advances or products developed by our competitors may render our technologies or product candidates obsolete, less competitive or not economical. We currently have no marketing and sales organization.
If we fail to continue to advance the RaniPill platform, technological change may impair our ability to compete effectively and technological advances or products developed by our competitors may render our technologies or product candidates obsolete, less competitive or not economical. 54 We currently have no marketing and sales organization.
Moreover, we might not have been the first to make the inventions for which we apply for patents and therefore not be entitled to a patent on such inventions. 73 Additionally, the scope of our patent coverage may not provide desired coverage for all aspects of our product candidates in all jurisdictions, and scope may differ between jurisdictions.
Moreover, we might not have been the first to make the inventions for which we apply for patents and therefore not be entitled to a patent on such inventions. Additionally, the scope of our patent coverage may not provide desired coverage for all aspects of our product candidates in all jurisdictions, and scope may differ between jurisdictions.
In the absence of meaningful use, we may be forced to forfeit various ones of our trademarks and domain names. Intellectual property law and regulation could affect the value of our intellectual property portfolio. Interpretation of existing laws and regulations is uncertain and may depend on specific facts of a case.
In the absence of meaningful use, we may be forced to forfeit various ones of our trademarks and domain names. 77 Intellectual property law and regulation could affect the value of our intellectual property portfolio. Interpretation of existing laws and regulations is uncertain and may depend on specific facts of a case.
We cannot predict interpretations of existing laws and regulations, future changes to laws or regulations, or changes in the interpretation of laws or regulations. Such changes could increase uncertainty with respect to the value of patents and trademarks once obtained. 75 Intellectual property rights do not provide complete protection for our business activities.
We cannot predict interpretations of existing laws and regulations, future changes to laws or regulations, or changes in the interpretation of laws or regulations. Such changes could increase uncertainty with respect to the value of patents and trademarks once obtained. Intellectual property rights do not provide complete protection for our business activities.
In the case of a continuing event of default under the Loan Agreement, the Lender could elect to declare all amounts outstanding to be 37 immediately due and payable, proceed against the collateral in which we granted the Lender a security interest under the Loan Agreement, or otherwise exercise the rights of a secured creditor.
In the case of a continuing event of default under the Loan Agreement, the Lender could elect to declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable, proceed against the collateral in which we granted the Lender a security interest under the Loan Agreement, or otherwise exercise the rights of a secured creditor.
We could encounter delays if a clinical trial is modified, suspended or terminated by us, by the IRBs or ethics committees of the institutions in which such clinical trials are being conducted, by a Data Safety Monitoring Board for such trial or by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities.
In addition, we could encounter delays if a clinical trial is modified, suspended or terminated by us, by the IRBs or ethics committees of the institutions in which such clinical trials are being conducted, by a Data Safety Monitoring Board for such trial or by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities.
Further, we are presently party to a Service Agreement with ICL effective January 1, 2021, as amended in March 2022 (as amended, the "Rani LLC-ICL Service Agreement"), pursuant to which Rani LLC and ICL agreed to provide personnel services to the other upon requests, and Rani LLC occupies certain facilities leased by ICL.
Further, we are presently party to a Service Agreement with ICL effective January 1, 2021, as amended in March 2022 and March 2024 (as amended, the "Rani LLC-ICL Service Agreement"), pursuant to which Rani LLC and ICL agreed to provide personnel services to the other upon requests, and Rani LLC occupies certain facilities leased by ICL.
If a court were to find the exclusive forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur further significant additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, all of which could seriously harm our business. 89 General Risk Factors As a public company, we are obligated to develop and maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting, and any failure to maintain the adequacy of these internal controls may adversely affect investor confidence in our company and, as a result, the value of our Class A common stock.
If a court were to find the exclusive forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur further significant additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, all of which could seriously harm our business. 92 General Risk Factors As a public company, we are obligated to develop and maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting, and any failure to maintain the adequacy of these internal controls may adversely affect investor confidence in our company and, as a result, the value of our Class A common stock.
We may expend significant resources or modify our business activities (including our clinical trial activities) to try to protect against security incidents. Certain data privacy and security obligations may require us to implement and maintain specific 72 security measures, industry-standard or reasonable security measures to protect our information technology systems and sensitive information.
We may expend significant resources or modify our business activities (including our clinical trial activities) to try to protect against security incidents. Certain data privacy and security obligations may require us to implement and maintain specific security measures, or industry-standard or reasonable security measures to protect our information technology systems and sensitive data.
There is a risk that we may face additional oppositions in Europe as additional European patents are granted. We may assert challenges against others of infringement of our intellectual property. We may determine that our competitors are infringing our patents or trademarks. In such case we could initiate infringement proceedings against them.
There is a risk that we may face additional oppositions in Europe as additional European patents are granted. 80 We may assert challenges against others of infringement of our intellectual property. We may determine that our competitors are infringing our patents or trademarks. In such case we could initiate infringement proceedings against them.
We will be required to submit applicable equivalent regulatory filings to foreign regulatory authorities to the extent we initiate clinical trials outside of the United States. 41 We do not know whether our planned clinical trials will begin on time or be completed on schedule, if at all.
We will be required to submit applicable equivalent regulatory filings to foreign regulatory authorities to the extent we initiate clinical trials outside of the United States. We do not know whether our planned clinical trials will begin on time or be completed on schedule, if at all.
As a result, the multi-class structure of our common stock may prevent the inclusion of our Class A common stock in such indices and may cause stockholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or 83 otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure.
As a result, the multi-class structure of our common stock may prevent the inclusion of our Class A common stock in such indices and may cause stockholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure.
Accordingly, these shares will be able to be freely sold in the public market upon issuance as permitted by any applicable vesting requirements. 86 Continuing LLC Owners are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act.
Accordingly, these shares will be able to be freely sold in the public market upon issuance as permitted by any applicable vesting requirements. Continuing LLC Owners are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act.
We have relied upon and plan to continue to rely upon third-party CROs to monitor and manage clinical trials and collect data during our preclinical studies and clinical programs. We rely on these parties for execution of our preclinical studies and clinical 55 trials, and control only certain aspects of their activities.
We have relied upon and plan to continue to rely upon third-party CROs to monitor and manage clinical trials and collect data during our preclinical studies and clinical programs. We rely on these parties for execution of our preclinical studies and clinical trials, and control only certain aspects of their activities.
There is no guarantee of success in defending such challenges, and if we are not successful, we may be blocked from using the technology that is the subject of the misappropriation challenge. 79 We may be subject to challenges to the inventorship or ownership of our intellectual property.
There is no guarantee of success in defending such challenges, and if we are not successful, we may be blocked from using the technology that is the subject of the misappropriation challenge. We may be subject to challenges to the inventorship or ownership of our intellectual property.
Accordingly, these shares are freely tradeable without restriction under the Securities Act. Any sales of securities by the foregoing or other stockholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our Class A common stock.
Accordingly, these shares are freely tradeable without restriction under the Securities Act. 89 Any sales of securities by the foregoing or other stockholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our Class A common stock.
The restrictive covenants in the Loan Agreement could prevent us from pursuing business opportunities that we or our stockholders may consider beneficial. A breach of any of these covenants could result in an event of default under the Loan Agreement.
The restrictive covenants in the Loan Agreement could prevent us from pursuing business opportunities that we or our stockholders may consider beneficial. 38 A breach of any of these covenants could result in an event of default under the Loan Agreement.
An inability to incorporate technologies or features that are important or essential to our products may prevent us from selling our products. Third parties may obtain our proprietary information, which could harm our business and competitive position.
An inability to incorporate technologies or features that are important or essential to our products may prevent us from selling our products. 82 Third parties may obtain our proprietary information, which could harm our business and competitive position.
See the risk factor below entitled “The Tax Receivable Agreement with certain of the Continuing LLC Owners requires 80 us to make cash payments to them in respect of certain benefits to which we may become entitled.
See the risk factor below entitled “The Tax Receivable Agreement with certain of the Continuing LLC Owners requires us to make cash payments to them in respect of certain benefits to which we may become entitled.
Any violations of the laws and regulations described above may result in substantial civil and criminal fines and penalties, imprisonment, the loss of export or import privileges, debarment, tax reassessments, breach of contract and fraud litigation, reputational harm, and other consequences. 91 If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish unfavorable or inaccurate research about our business, our Class A common stock price and trading volume could decline.
Any violations of the laws and regulations described above may result in substantial civil and criminal fines and penalties, imprisonment, the loss of export or import privileges, debarment, tax reassessments, breach of contract and fraud litigation, reputational harm, and other consequences. 94 If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish unfavorable or inaccurate research about our business, our Class A common stock price and trading volume could decline.
We also make assumptions, estimations, calculations 47 and conclusions as part of our analyses of data, and we may not have received or had the opportunity to fully and carefully evaluate all data.
We also make assumptions, estimations, calculations and conclusions as part of our analyses of data, and we may not have received or had the opportunity to fully and carefully evaluate all data.
Our future effective tax rates could be subject to volatility or adversely affected by a number of factors, including: • changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities; • expected timing and amount of the release of any tax valuation allowances; • tax effects of equity-based compensation; • changes in tax laws, regulations or interpretations thereof; or • future earnings being lower than anticipated in countries where we have lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated earnings in countries where we have higher statutory tax rates.
Our future effective tax rates could be subject to volatility or adversely affected by a number of factors, including: • changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities; • expected timing and amount of the release of any tax valuation allowances; • tax effects of stock-based compensation; • changes in tax laws, regulations or interpretations thereof; or • future earnings being lower than anticipated in countries where we have lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated earnings in countries where we have higher statutory tax rates.
Moreover, while we do not submit claims and our customers make the ultimate decision 63 on how to submit claims, from time to time, we may provide reimbursement guidance to our customers.
Moreover, while we do not submit claims and our customers make the ultimate decision on how to submit claims, from time to time, we may provide reimbursement guidance to our customers.
In January 2023, we entered into a License and Supply Agreement with Celltrion, under which we receive supply of ustekinumab biosimilar from Celltrion for RT-111 and Celltrion has a right of first negotiation to obtain development and commercialization rights for RT-111 (a “Collaboration”) after 54 completion of a Phase 1 clinical trial that meets its primary endpoint(s).
In January 2023, we entered into a License and Supply Agreement with Celltrion, under which we receive supply of ustekinumab biosimilar from Celltrion for RT-111 and Celltrion has a right of first negotiation to obtain development and commercialization rights for RT-111 after completion of a Phase 1 clinical trial that meets its primary endpoint(s).
However, Rani LLC ’s ability to make such distributions may be subject to various limitations and restrictions, such as restrictions on distributions that would either violate any contract or agreement to which Rani LLC is then a party, including debt agreements, or any applicable law, or that would have the effect of rendering Rani LLC insolvent.
However, Rani LLC’s ability to make such distributions may be subject to various limitations and restrictions, such as restrictions on distributions that would either violate any contract or agreement to which Rani LLC is then a party, including debt agreements, or any applicable law, or that would have the effect of rendering Rani LLC insolvent.
Clinical trials can be delayed for a variety of reasons, including delays related to: • obtaining regulatory approvals to commence a clinical trial; • fraud or negligence on the part of consultants or contractors; • obtaining institutional review board or ethics committee approval at each site; • recruiting suitable patients to participate in a clinical trial; • having patients complete a clinical trial or return for post-treatment follow-up; • clinical sites deviating from the clinical trial’s protocol or dropping out of a clinical trial; • the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic or the conflict between Russia and Ukraine on our ongoing and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials; • adding new clinical trial sites; or 40 • manufacturing sufficient quantities of product candidate for use in our preclinical studies and clinical trials, including product candidates manufactured in accordance with our specifications.
Clinical trials can be delayed for a variety of reasons, including delays related to: • obtaining regulatory approvals to commence a clinical trial; • fraud or negligence on the part of consultants or contractors; • obtaining institutional review board or ethics committee approval at each site; • recruiting suitable patients to participate in a clinical trial; • having patients complete a clinical trial or return for post-treatment follow-up; • clinical sites deviating from the clinical trial’s protocol or dropping out of a clinical trial; • the impacts of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine on our ongoing and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials; • adding new clinical trial sites; or • manufacturing sufficient quantities of product candidate for use in our preclinical studies and clinical trials, including product candidates manufactured in accordance with our specifications.
Moreover, any delay or setback in the development of any product candidate would be expected to adversely affect our business and cause our stock price to fall. We may not be successful in our efforts to use and expand our proprietary RaniPill platform to build a pipeline of product candidates.
Moreover, any delay or setback in the development of any product candidate would be expected to adversely affect our business and cause our stock price to fall. We may not be successful in our efforts to use and expand our proprietary RaniPill platform to build a pipeline of product candidates and partnered programs.
Such disruptions could severely impact our business, current and planned clinical trials and preclinical studies, including as a result of: • inability of our management to travel in connection with establishing partnerships and collaborations; • delays in receiving the supplies, materials and services needed to conduct preclinical studies and clinical trials; 69 • disruption of our access to capital in the global financial markets; • delays or difficulties in enrolling patients in future planned clinical trials of our product candidates; • delays or difficulties in clinical site initiation, including difficulties in recruiting clinical site investigators and clinical site staff; • diversion of healthcare resources away from the conduct of clinical trials, including the diversion of hospitals serving as our clinical trial sites and hospital staff supporting the conduct of clinical trials; • interruption of key clinical trial activities, such as clinical trial site monitoring, due to limitations on travel imposed or recommended by federal or state governments, employers and others or interruption of clinical trial subject visits and study procedures, which may impact the integrity of subject data and clinical study endpoints; • limitations in resources, including our employees, that would otherwise be focused on the conduct of our business or our current or planned preclinical studies or clinical trials, including because of sickness, the desire to avoid contact with large groups of people or restrictions on movement or access to our facility as a result of government-imposed “shelter in place” or similar working restrictions; • interruptions or delays in the operations of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, which may impact review and approval timelines; • changes in regulations as part of a response to the COVID-19 pandemic or other such disruptions which may require us to change the ways in which our clinical trials are conducted, which may result in unexpected costs or require us to discontinue clinical trials altogether; • interruptions or delays to our pipeline and research programs; and • delays in necessary interactions with regulators, ethics committees and other important agencies and contractors due to limitations in employee resources or furlough of government or contractor personnel.
Such disruptions could severely impact our business, current and planned clinical trials and preclinical studies, including as a result of: • inability of our management to travel in connection with establishing partnerships and collaborations; • delays in receiving the supplies, materials and services needed to conduct preclinical studies and clinical trials; • disruption of our access to capital in the global financial markets; 71 • delays or difficulties in enrolling patients in future planned clinical trials of our product candidates; • delays or difficulties in clinical site initiation, including difficulties in recruiting clinical site investigators and clinical site staff; • diversion of healthcare resources away from the conduct of clinical trials, including the diversion of hospitals serving as our clinical trial sites and hospital staff supporting the conduct of clinical trials; • interruption of key clinical trial activities, such as clinical trial site monitoring, due to limitations on travel imposed or recommended by federal or state governments, employers and others or interruption of clinical trial subject visits and study procedures, which may impact the integrity of subject data and clinical study endpoints; • limitations in resources, including our employees, that would otherwise be focused on the conduct of our business or our current or planned preclinical studies or clinical trials, including because of sickness, the desire to avoid contact with large groups of people or restrictions on movement or access to our facility as a result of government-imposed “shelter in place” or similar working restrictions; • interruptions or delays in the operations of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, which may impact review and approval timelines; • changes in regulations as part of a response to a public health crisis or other such disruptions which may require us to change the ways in which our clinical trials are conducted, which may result in unexpected costs or require us to discontinue clinical trials altogether; • interruptions or delays to our pipeline and research programs; and • delays in necessary interactions with regulators, ethics committees and other important agencies and contractors due to limitations in employee resources or furlough of government or contractor personnel.
Our operations, and those of our CROs, suppliers and other contractors and consultants, could be subject to earthquakes, power shortages, telecommunications failures, water shortages, floods, hurricanes, typhoons, fires, extreme weather conditions, public health pandemics or epidemics (including, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic), geopolitical events, including civil or political unrest (such as the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia), terrorism, insurrection or war, recent and potential future disruptions in access to bank deposits or lending commitments due to bank failures, and other natural or man-made disasters or business interruptions, for which we are predominantly self-insured.
Our operations, and those of our CROs, suppliers and other contractors and consultants, could be subject to earthquakes, power shortages, telecommunications failures, water shortages, floods, hurricanes, typhoons, fires, extreme weather conditions, public health pandemics or epidemics, geopolitical events, including civil or political unrest (such as the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia), terrorism, insurrection or war, recent and potential future disruptions in access to bank deposits or lending commitments due to bank failures, and other natural or man-made disasters or business interruptions, for which we are predominantly self-insured.
We may not be able to complete development of RaniPill HC in a timely manner, or at all, or such development may require an amount of time and resource that we are not able to devote to it or believes is not warranted based on the estimated benefits.
We may not be able to complete development of RaniPill HC in a timely manner, or at all, or such development may require an amount of time and resource that we are not able to devote to it or believe is not warranted based on the estimated benefits.
Such infringement of our patent protected rights is likely to cause us damage and lead to a reduction in the prices of our products, thereby reducing our anticipated profits. We may also inadvertently lose patent assets by failing to follow agency procedures.
Such infringement of our patent protected rights is likely to cause us damage and lead to a reduction in the prices of our products, thereby reducing our anticipated profits. We may also inadvertently lose patent assets by failing to follow agency procedures. The U.S.
We face competition primarily from current and future (generic and biosimilars) manufacturers of subcutaneous and IV injectable versions of our product candidates, such as AbbVie Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Novartis AG, Janssen Biotech, Inc. and the SOMA and LUMI from the Novo Nordisk-MIT collaboration.
We face competition primarily from current and future (generic and biosimilars) manufacturers of subcutaneous and IV injectable versions of our product candidates, such as AbbVie Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen Biotech, Inc. and the SOMA and LUMI from the Novo Nordisk-MIT collaboration.
We may not be able to successfully deliver the biologic payload to the intestinal wall with great enough certainty to achieve adequate efficacy or safety for any of our product candidates or to the satisfaction of the FDA or other regulatory bodies.
We may not be able to successfully deliver the biologic payload to the intestinal wall with great enough certainty to achieve adequate efficacy or safety for any of our product candidates or to the satisfaction of the FDA or other regulatory bodies or potential collaborators.
For example, in our Phase 1 clinical trial of RT-101, the RaniPill capsule was well tolerated by all subjects, and no subjects had difficulty swallowing the pill. Capsule remnants were passed by all trial subjects and no serious adverse events were observed.
For example, in our Phase 1 clinical trial of RT-102, the RaniPill capsule was well tolerated by all subjects, and no subjects had difficulty swallowing the pill. Capsule remnants were passed by all trial subjects and no serious adverse events were observed.
However, if any of the current oppositions results in a revocation or reduction in our patent protection, it could encourage Novo Nordisk As or other parties to seek to invalidate or reduce additional patents in Europe or other jurisdictions.
However, if any of the current oppositions results in a revocation or reduction in our patent protection, it could encourage Novo Nordisk A/S or other parties to seek to invalidate or reduce additional patents in Europe or other jurisdictions.
Future or past business transactions (such as acquisitions or integrations) could also expose us to additional cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities, as our systems could be negatively affected by vulnerabilities present in acquired or integrated entities’ systems and technologies.
Additionally, future or past business transactions (such as acquisitions or integrations) could expose us to additional cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities, as our systems could be negatively affected by vulnerabilities present in acquired or integrated entities’ systems and technologies.
Further, as a result of a public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, we may be required to develop and implement additional clinical trial policies and procedures designed to help protect trial participants, which may include using telemedicine visits, remote monitoring of patients and clinical sites, and measures to ensure that data from clinical trials that may be disrupted as a result of the crisis are collected pursuant to the trial protocol and consistent with GCPs, with any material protocol deviation reviewed and approved by the site IRB.
Further, as a result of a public health crisis, we may be required to develop and implement additional clinical trial policies and procedures designed to help protect trial participants, which may include using telemedicine visits, remote monitoring of patients and clinical sites, and measures to ensure that data from clinical trials that may be disrupted as a result of the crisis are collected pursuant to the trial protocol and consistent with GCPs, with any material protocol deviation reviewed and approved by the site IRB.
In addition, pursuant to the Rani LLC-ICL Service Agreement and a separate service agreement dated January 1, 2021 originally between RMS and ICL but which was assigned by RMS to Rani LLC in April 2022 (the “RMS-ICL Service Agreement”), we sublease from ICL the office, laboratory and manufacturing space used for our operations (“Occupancy Services”).
In addition, pursuant to the Rani LLC-ICL Service Agreement and a separate service agreement dated January 1, 2021 originally between RMS and ICL but which was assigned by RMS to Rani LLC in April 2022 and amended in March 2024 (the “RMS-ICL Service Agreement”), we sublease from ICL the office, laboratory and manufacturing space used for our operations (“Occupancy Services”).
We expect that our financial condition and operating results will fluctuate significantly from period to period due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to: • the clinical outcomes from the continued development of our product candidates; • occurrence of adverse events or serious adverse events in preclinical studies or clinical trials of our product candidates; • potential side effects of our product candidates, whether caused by the biologic formulation or the RaniPill capsule, that could delay or prevent approval or cause an approved product to be taken off the market; • our ability to obtain, as well as the timeliness of obtaining, additional funding to develop, and potentially manufacture and commercialize our product candidates; • our ability to manufacture our product candidates to our specifications and in a timely manner to support our preclinical studies and clinical trials, and, if approved, commercialization; • our ability to scale, optimize and expand automation of our manufacturing processes for our product candidates for the conduct of preclinical studies and clinical trials and, if approved, for successful commercialization; • competition from existing products directed against the same biologic target or therapeutic indications of our product candidates as well as new products that may receive marketing approval; • the timing of regulatory review and approval of our product candidates; 34 • market acceptance of our product candidates that receive regulatory approval, if any, including perception of the safety and efficacy of the oral delivery of biologics; • our ability to expand our commercial reach by selectively entering into strategic partnerships on favorable terms or at all; • our ability to establish an effective sales and marketing infrastructure directly or through collaborations with third parties; • the ability of patients or healthcare providers to obtain coverage or sufficient reimbursement for our products; • our ability to manufacture our product candidates in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices, for the conduct of preclinical studies and clinical trials and, if approved, for successful commercialization; • our ability as well as the ability of any third-party collaborators, to obtain, maintain and protect intellectual property rights covering our product candidates and technologies, and our ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates without infringing on the intellectual property rights of others; • our ability to add infrastructure and adequately manage our future growth; and • our ability to attract and retain key personnel with appropriate expertise and experience to manage our business effectively.
We expect that our financial condition and operating results will fluctuate significantly from period to period due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to: • the clinical outcomes from the continued development of our product candidates; • occurrence of adverse events or serious adverse events in preclinical studies or clinical trials of our product candidates; • potential side effects of our product candidates, whether caused by the biologic formulation or the RaniPill capsule, that could delay or prevent approval or cause an approved product to be taken off the market; • our ability to obtain, as well as the timeliness of obtaining, additional funding to develop, and potentially manufacture and commercialize our product candidates and develop the RaniPill HC; • our ability to manufacture our product candidates to our specifications and in a timely manner to support our preclinical studies and clinical trials, and, if approved, commercialization; • our ability to scale, optimize and expand automation of our manufacturing processes for our product candidates for the conduct of preclinical studies and clinical trials and, if approved, for successful commercialization; • competition from existing products directed against the same biologic target or therapeutic indications of our product candidates as well as new products that may receive marketing approval; • the timing of regulatory review and approval of our product candidates; • market acceptance of our product candidates that receive regulatory approval, if any, including perception of the safety and efficacy of the oral delivery of biologics; • our ability to enter into collaboration agreements with third parties who may desire to license our oral delivery technology for use with their own product candidates; • our ability to expand our commercial reach by selectively entering into strategic partnerships on favorable terms or at all; • our ability to establish an effective sales and marketing infrastructure directly or through collaborations with third parties; • the ability of patients or healthcare providers to obtain coverage or sufficient reimbursement for our products; • our ability to manufacture our product candidates in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices, for the conduct of preclinical studies and clinical trials and, if approved, for successful commercialization; • our ability as well as the ability of any third-party collaborators, to obtain, maintain and protect intellectual property rights covering our product candidates and technologies, and our ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates without infringing on the intellectual property rights of others; 37 • our ability to add infrastructure and adequately manage our future growth; and • our ability to attract and retain key personnel with appropriate expertise and experience to manage our business effectively.
The European Patent Office (EPO) provides for an opposition proceeding that could result in revocation of or amendment to a European patent. We are presently involved in opposition proceedings involving four of our European patents at the EPO, all of which opposition proceedings were asserted against us by Novo Nordisk AS.
The European Patent Office (“EPO”) provides for an opposition proceeding that could result in revocation of or amendment to a European patent. We are presently involved in opposition proceedings involving four of our European patents at the EPO, all of which opposition proceedings were asserted against us by Novo Nordisk A/S.
If we fail to achieve announced milestones in the timeframes we announce and expect, the commercialization of our product candidates may be delayed and our business and results of operations may be harmed. We may engage in strategic transactions that could impact our liquidity, increase our expenses and present significant distractions to our management.
If we fail to achieve announced milestones in the timeframes we announce and expect, our stock price may decrease, the commercialization of our product candidates may be delayed and our business and results of operations may be harmed. We may engage in strategic transactions that could impact our liquidity, increase our expenses and present significant distractions to our management.
We cannot be sure that our insurance coverage will be adequate or sufficient to protect us from or to mitigate liabilities arising out of our data privacy and security practices, or that it will be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or that such coverage will pay future claims.
We cannot be sure that our insurance coverage will be adequate or sufficient to protect us from or to mitigate liabilities arising out of our privacy and security practices, such coverage will continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or that such coverage will pay future claims.
Accordingly, we expect that we will need to raise substantial additional funds in the future in order to complete the development of the RaniPill platform, to complete the clinical development of our product candidates and seek regulatory approval thereof, to expand our manufacturing capabilities, to further develop the RaniPill HC device and to commercialize any of our product candidates.
We will need to raise substantial additional funds in the future in order to complete the development of the RaniPill platform, to complete the clinical development of our product candidates and seek regulatory approval thereof, to expand our manufacturing capabilities, to further develop the RaniPill HC device and to commercialize any of our product candidates.
For example, the results generated to date in preclinical studies and the Phase 1 clinical trials of RT-101 and RT-102 do not ensure that future Phase 2 or later clinical trials of these product candidates will have similar results or be successful.
For example, the results generated to date in preclinical studies and the Phase 1 clinical trials ofRT-102 and RT-111 do not ensure that future Phase 2 or later clinical trials of these product candidates will have similar results or be successful.
Our management and other personnel devote a substantial amount of time to ensure that we comply with all of these requirements, and we will likely need to hire additional accounting and financial staff with appropriate public company reporting experience and technical accounting knowledge.
Our management and other personnel devote a substantial amount of time to ensure that we comply with all of these requirements, and we may need to hire additional accounting and financial staff with appropriate public company reporting experience and technical accounting knowledge.
If we rely on these exemptions, our stockholders will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such requirements. As of March 16, 2023, our Chairman, Mir Imran beneficially owned more than 80% of the combined voting power of our Class A and Class B common stock.
If we rely on these exemptions, our stockholders will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such requirements. As of March 10, 2024, our Chairman, Mir Imran beneficially owned more than 80% of the combined voting power of our Class A and Class B common stock.
As of March 16, 2023, our named executive officers, directors, holders of 5% or more of our capital stock and their respective affiliates beneficially held outstanding stock representing over 80% of our voting power. Therefore, these stockholders have substantial influence and may be able to determine all matters requiring stockholder approval.
As of March 10, 2024, our named executive officers, directors, holders of 5% or more of our capital stock and their respective affiliates beneficially held outstanding stock representing over 80% of our voting power. Therefore, these stockholders have substantial influence and may be able to determine all matters requiring stockholder approval.
Our funding requirements and the timing of our need for additional capital are subject to change based on a number of factors, including: • the progress, costs, trial design, results and timing of our preclinical studies and clinical trials; • the progress, costs, and results of our research pipeline; • the progress and costs of development of the RaniPill HC device and other improvements or advancements to our delivery technologies; 35 • the willingness of the FDA or other regulatory authorities to accept data from our clinical trials, as well as data from our completed and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials and other work, as the basis for review and approval of our product candidates; • the outcome, costs, and timing of seeking and obtaining FDA, and any other regulatory approvals; • the number and characteristics of product candidates that we pursue; • our ability to manufacture sufficient quantities of the RaniPill capsule; • our need to expand our research and development activities; • the costs associated with manufacturing, and obtaining drug supply for, our product candidates, including for clinical and commercial supplies; • the costs associated with securing and establishing commercial infrastructure, including establishing sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities; • the costs of acquiring, licensing, or investing in businesses, product candidates, and technologies; • our ability to maintain, expand, and defend the scope of our intellectual property portfolio, including the amount and timing of any payments we may be required to make, or that we may receive, in connection with the licensing, filing, prosecution, defense, and enforcement of any patents or other intellectual property rights; • our need and ability to retain key management and hire scientific, technical, business, and engineering personnel; • the effect of competing drugs and product candidates and other market developments; • the timing, receipt, and amount of sales from our potential products, if approved; • our ability to establish strategic collaborations; • our need to implement additional internal systems and infrastructure, including financial and reporting systems; • security breaches, data losses or other disruptions affecting our information systems; • the economic and other terms, timing of and success of any collaboration, licensing, or other arrangements which we may enter in the future; and • the effects of disruptions to and volatility in the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide from the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia or other such disruptions.
Our funding requirements and the timing of our need for additional capital are subject to change based on a number of factors, including: • the progress, costs, trial design, results and timing of our preclinical studies and clinical trials; • the progress, costs, and results of our research pipeline; • the progress and costs of development of the RaniPill HC device and other improvements or advancements to our delivery technologies; • the willingness of the FDA or other regulatory authorities to accept data from our clinical trials, as well as data from our completed and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials and other work, as the basis for review and approval of our product candidates; • the outcome, costs, and timing of seeking and obtaining FDA, and any other regulatory approvals; • the number and characteristics of product candidates that we pursue; • our ability to manufacture sufficient quantities of the RaniPill capsule; • our need to expand our research and development activities; • the costs associated with manufacturing, and obtaining drug supply for, our product candidates, including for clinical and commercial supplies; • the costs associated with securing and establishing commercial infrastructure, including establishing sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities; • the costs of acquiring, licensing, or investing in businesses, product candidates, and technologies; • our ability to maintain, expand, and defend the scope of our intellectual property portfolio, including the amount and timing of any payments we may be required to make, or that we may receive, in connection with the licensing, filing, prosecution, defense, and enforcement of any patents or other intellectual property rights; • our need and ability to retain key management and hire scientific, technical, business, and engineering personnel; • the effect of competing drugs and product candidates and other market developments; • the timing, receipt, and amount of sales from our potential products, if approved; • our ability to establish strategic collaborations; 35 • our need to implement additional internal systems and infrastructure, including financial and reporting systems; • security breaches, data losses or other disruptions affecting our information systems; • our ability to realize savings from any restructuring plans and cost-containment measures we propose to implement; • the economic and other terms, timing of and success of any collaboration, licensing, or other arrangements which we may enter in the future; and • the effects of disruptions to and volatility in the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide from geopolitical conflicts or other such disruptions.
In the Phase 1 clinical trials of RT-101 and RT-102, we tested the RaniPill capsule in a limited number of healthy volunteers.
In the Phase 1 clinical trials of RT-102 and RT-111, we tested the RaniPill capsule in a limited number of healthy volunteers.