Biggest changeIf we are unable to compete successfully with respect to our current or future products or services, we may not be able to increase or sustain our revenues or achieve profitability. • If our CLIA-certified laboratory facility becomes inoperable, we will be unable to perform our tests and our business will be harmed. • Interim, top-line and preliminary data from our clinical trials that we announce or publish from time to time may change as additional data become available and are subject to confirmation, audit, and verification procedures that could result in material changes in the final data. • Our business would be materially harmed if our proprietary biobank were to become contaminated, lost or destroyed. • We rely on third parties for specimen collection, including phlebotomy services, and commercial courier delivery services, and if these services are disrupted, our business will be harmed. • We rely on a limited number of suppliers or, in some cases, single suppliers, for some of our laboratory instruments and materials and may not be able to find replacements or immediately transition to alternative suppliers on a cost-effective basis, or at all. • Our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited. 40 Table of Contents • Our estimates of total addressable market opportunity and forecasts of market growth may prove to be inaccurate, and even if the market in which we compete achieves the forecasted growth, our business could fail to grow at a similar rate. • The inflationary environment could materially adversely impact our business and results of operations. • If third-party payers do not adequately reimburse for the PreTRM test or any new tests we may develop, such tests may not be purchased or used, which may adversely affect our revenue and profits. • New reimbursement methodologies applicable to the PreTRM test, and other future tests, including new CPT codes, may decrease reimbursement rates from third-party payers. • Billing disputes with third-party payers, including disagreement regarding the selection and use of CPT codes when submitting claims, may decrease realized revenue and may lead to requests for recoupment of past amounts paid. • When third-party payers deny coverage, we are often unable to collect from the patient or any other source and risk disputes if we attempt to do so. • Our revenues may be adversely impacted if third-party payers withdraw coverage or provide lower levels of reimbursement due to changing policies, billing complexities or other factors. • Status as an out-of-network provider with a large commercial insurer may cause health care providers to avoid recommending our tests. • If the validity of an informed consent from a patient is challenged, we could be precluded from billing for such patient’s testing, be forced to stop performing certain tests, forced to exclude the patient’s data or specimens from clinical trial results or be subject to lawsuits or regulatory enforcement. • Changes in the way the FDA regulates the reagents, other consumables, and testing equipment we use when developing, validating, and performing our tests could result in delay or additional expense in bringing our tests to market or performing such tests for our customers. • If we fail to comply with federal and/or state laboratory licensing requirements, we could lose the ability to perform our tests or experience disruptions to our business. • Any failure to obtain, maintain, and enforce our intellectual property rights could impair our ability to protect our proprietary technology and our brand. • Issued patents covering our tests and technology could be found invalid or unenforceable, if challenged. • Our intellectual property may be infringed by a third party. • If we are not able to prevent disclosure of our trade secrets and other proprietary information, the value of our tests and technology could be significantly diminished. • The price of our Class A common stock may be volatile, and you could lose all or part of your investment. • Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock by our existing stockholders in the public market could cause our stock price to fall. • Our inability to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures could adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity and financial positions, as well as our stock price and investor confidence in us.
Biggest changeIf we are unable to compete successfully with respect to our current or future products or services, we may not be able to increase or sustain our revenues or achieve profitability. • If our CLIA-certified laboratory facility becomes inoperable, we will be unable to perform our tests and our business will be harmed. • Interim, top-line and preliminary data from our clinical trials that we announce or publish from time to time may change as additional data become available and are subject to confirmation, audit, and verification procedures that could result in material changes in the final data. • Our business would be materially harmed if our proprietary biobank were to become contaminated, lost or destroyed. • Some of our products and services rely heavily on access to internal and external databases, and loss of access to such databases could materially harm our business. • We rely on third parties for specimen collection, including phlebotomy services, and commercial courier delivery services, and if these services are disrupted, our business will be harmed. • We rely on a limited number of suppliers or, in some cases, single suppliers, for some of our laboratory instruments and materials, as well as for our recently developed whole-blood collection kit, and may not be able to find replacements or immediately transition to alternative suppliers on a cost-effective basis, or at all. • Our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited. 42 Table of Contents • Our estimates of total addressable market opportunity and forecasts of market growth may prove to be inaccurate, and even if the market in which we compete achieves the forecasted growth, our business could fail to grow at a similar rate. • An inflationary environment could materially adversely impact our business and results of operations. • If third-party payers do not adequately reimburse for the PreTRM test or any new products we may develop, such may not be purchased or used, which may adversely affect our revenue and profits. • New reimbursement methodologies applicable to the PreTRM test, and other future products, including new CPT codes, may decrease reimbursement rates from third-party payers. • Billing disputes with third-party payers, including disagreement regarding the selection and use of CPT codes when submitting claims, may decrease realized revenue and may lead to requests for recoupment of past amounts paid. • When third-party payers deny coverage, we are often unable to collect from the patient or any other source and risk disputes if we attempt to do so. • Our revenues may be adversely impacted if third-party payers withdraw coverage or provide lower levels of reimbursement due to changing policies, billing complexities or other factors. • Status as an out-of-network provider with a large commercial insurer may cause health care providers to avoid recommending our tests. • If the validity of an informed consent from a patient is challenged, we could be precluded from billing for such patient’s testing, be forced to stop performing certain tests, forced to exclude the patient’s data or specimens from clinical trial results or be subject to lawsuits or regulatory enforcement. • Changes in the way the FDA regulates the reagents, other consumables, and testing equipment we use when developing, validating, and performing our tests could result in delay or additional expense in bringing our tests to market or performing such tests for our customers. • If we fail to comply with federal and/or state laboratory licensing requirements, we could lose the ability to perform our tests or experience disruptions to our business. • Any failure to obtain, maintain, and enforce our intellectual property rights could impair our ability to protect our proprietary technology and our brand. • Issued patents covering our tests and technology could be found invalid or unenforceable, if challenged. • Our intellectual property may be infringed by a third party. • If we are not able to prevent disclosure of our trade secrets and other proprietary information, the value of our tests and technology could be significantly diminished. • The price of our Class A common stock may be volatile, and you could lose all or part of your investment. • Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock by our existing stockholders in the public market could cause our stock price to fall. • Our inability to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures could adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity and financial positions, as well as our stock price and investor confidence in us. 43 Table of Contents Risks Related to Our Financial Position and Need for Additional Capital We have incurred net losses since our inception and we anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future, which could harm our future business prospects.
Our ability to increase sales of the PreTRM test and establish greater levels of adoption and reimbursement for the PreTRM test is uncertain for many reasons, including, among others: • we may be unable to demonstrate to clinics, clinicians, physicians, payers, and patients that the PreTRM test is superior to alternatives with respect to value, convenience, accuracy, scope of coverage, and other factors; • third-party payers may set the amounts of reimbursement at prices that reduce our profit margins or do not allow us to cover our expenses; • we may not be able to maintain and grow effective sales and marketing capabilities; • our sales and marketing efforts may fail to effectively reach customers or communicate the benefits of the PreTRM test; • superior alternatives to the PreTRM test may be developed and commercialized and we may not be able to compete against these alternatives; • we may face competitive pressures; • we may experience supply constraints, including due to the failure of our key suppliers to provide laboratory supplies, instruments, and reagents; • we may encounter difficulties with transportation logistics, regulations and quality associated with shipping blood specimens, including infrastructure conditions, transportation delays and temperature stress; • we may encounter laboratory process difficulties that impact the quality and timeliness of reporting of test results; • U.S. or foreign regulatory or legislative bodies may adopt new regulations or policies or take other actions that impose significant restrictions on, or other challenges to, our ability to sell or market our products; • news media organizations, medical societies, or industry groups may issue publications, guidance, or analyses that negatively impact patients’ and/or health care providers’ perception or utilization of the PreTRM test (or certain types of prenatal testing and related health care services, generally) and thereby negatively impact our ability to sell or market the PreTRM test; • we may be unable to compete successfully with respect to our current or future products or services, as a result of which we may not be able to increase or sustain our revenues or achieve profitability; and • we may not be able to protect our intellectual property position.
Our ability to increase sales of the PreTRM test and establish greater levels of adoption and reimbursement for the PreTRM test is uncertain for many reasons, including, among others: • we may be unable to demonstrate to clinics, clinicians, physicians, payers, and patients that the PreTRM test is superior to alternatives with respect to value, convenience, accuracy, scope of coverage, and other factors; • third-party payers may set the amounts of reimbursement at prices that reduce our profit margins or do not allow us to cover our expenses; • we may not be able to maintain and grow effective sales and marketing capabilities; • our sales and marketing efforts may fail to effectively reach customers or communicate the benefits of the PreTRM test; • superior alternatives to the PreTRM test may be developed and commercialized and we may not be able to compete against these alternatives; • we may face competitive pressures; • we may experience supply constraints, including due to the failure of our key suppliers to provide laboratory supplies, instruments, and reagents; • we may encounter difficulties with transportation logistics, regulations and quality associated with shipping blood specimens, including infrastructure conditions, transportation delays and temperature stress; • we may encounter laboratory process difficulties that impact the quality and timeliness of reporting of test results; • U.S. or foreign regulatory or legislative bodies may adopt new regulations or policies or take other actions that impose significant restrictions on, or other challenges to, our ability to sell or market our products and services; • news media organizations, medical societies, or industry groups may issue publications, guidance, or analyses that negatively impact patients’ and/or health care providers’ perception or utilization of the PreTRM test (or certain types of prenatal testing and related health care services, generally) and thereby negatively impact our ability to sell or market the PreTRM test; • we may be unable to compete successfully with respect to our current or future products or services, as a result of which we may not be able to increase or sustain our revenues or achieve profitability; and • we may not be able to protect our intellectual property position.
If we are unable to successfully develop new products, enhance the PreTRM test to meet customer requirements, compete with alternative products or otherwise gain and maintain market acceptance, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be harmed. Competition in the life science industry, including companies engaged in molecular diagnostics and proteomics, is intense.
If we are unable to successfully develop new products or services, enhance the PreTRM test to meet customer requirements, compete with alternative products and services or otherwise gain and maintain market acceptance, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be harmed. Competition in the life science industry, including companies engaged in molecular diagnostics and proteomics, is intense.
In addition, investor concerns regarding the U.S. or international financial systems could result in less favorable commercial financing terms, including higher interest rates or costs and tighter financial and operating covenants, or systemic limitations on access to credit and liquidity sources, thereby making it more difficult for us to acquire financing on acceptable terms or at all.
In addition, investor concerns regarding the U.S. or international financial systems could result in less favorable commercial financing terms, including fluctuations in interest rates or higher costs and tighter financial and operating covenants, or systemic limitations on access to credit and liquidity sources, thereby making it more difficult for us to acquire financing on acceptable terms or at all.
We have taken advantage of reduced reporting burdens in this report. In particular, we have not included all of the executive compensation information that would be required if we were not an EGC. We cannot predict whether investors will find our Class A common stock less attractive if we rely on certain or all of these exemptions.
We have taken advantage of reduced reporting burdens in this Annual Report. In particular, we have not included all of the executive compensation information that would be required if we were not an EGC. We cannot predict whether investors will find our Class A common stock less attractive if we rely on certain or all of these exemptions.
As part of this process, we may also be required to conduct additional clinical testing before applying for commercial marketing authorization. Clinical trials must be conducted in compliance with FDA regulations in order to support a marketing submission to the agency for a regulated product, or the FDA may take certain enforcement actions or reject the data.
As part of this process, we may be required to conduct additional clinical testing before applying for commercial marketing authorization. Clinical trials must be conducted in compliance with FDA regulations in order to support a marketing submission to the agency for a regulated product, or the FDA may take certain enforcement actions or reject the data.
We cannot assure that we will be successful in addressing each of these criteria or other criteria that might affect the market acceptance of any products we commercialize, particularly the PreTRM test. If we are unsuccessful in achieving and maintaining market acceptance of the PreTRM test, our business, financial condition, and results of operations would be adversely affected.
We cannot assure that we will be successful in addressing each of these criteria or other criteria that might affect the market acceptance of any products or services we commercialize, particularly the PreTRM test. If we are unsuccessful in achieving and maintaining market acceptance of the PreTRM test, our business, financial condition, and results of operations would be adversely affected.
Even if we are able to achieve broad scientific and market acceptance for the PreTRM test, our ability to grow our business will depend in large part on our ability both to enhance and improve the PreTRM test and to introduce compelling new products, including for major pregnancy related conditions beyond preterm birth.
Even if we are able to achieve broad scientific and market acceptance for the PreTRM test, our ability to grow our business will depend in large part on our ability both to enhance and improve the PreTRM test and to introduce compelling new products and services, including for major pregnancy related conditions beyond preterm birth.
In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including PHI (such as patient medical records, including test results), and personally identifiable information. We also store business and financial information, intellectual property, research and development information, trade secrets, and other proprietary and business critical information, including that of our customers, payers and collaboration partners.
In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including PHI (such as patient medical records, including test results), and other personally identifiable information. We also store business and financial information, intellectual property, research and development information, trade secrets, and other proprietary and business critical information, including that of our employees, customers, payers and collaboration partners.
Other factors in achieving commercial market acceptance include: • our ability to market and increase awareness of the capabilities of the PreTRM test; • the ability of the PreTRM test to demonstrate comparable performance in intended use applications broadly in the hands of customers; • our customers’ willingness to adopt new products and workflows; • the PreTRM test’s ease of use and whether it reliably provides advantages over other alternative technologies; • the rate of adoption of the PreTRM test by patients, physicians, payers and the medical community at large; • medical society guidelines supporting the use of the PreTRM test and clinical interventions based on it; • the prices we charge for the PreTRM test; • our ability to develop new products and solutions for customers; • whether competitors develop and commercialize products that perform similar functions as the PreTRM test; and • the impact of our investments in product innovation and commercial growth.
Other factors in achieving commercial market acceptance include: • our ability to market and increase awareness of the capabilities of the PreTRM test; • the ability of the PreTRM test to demonstrate comparable performance in intended use applications broadly in the hands of customers; • our customers’ willingness to adopt new products, services, and workflows; • the PreTRM test’s ease of use and whether it reliably provides advantages over other alternative technologies; • the rate of adoption of the PreTRM test by patients, physicians, payers and the medical community at large; • medical society guidelines supporting the use of the PreTRM test and clinical interventions based on it; • the prices we charge for the PreTRM test; • our ability to develop new products, services, and solutions for customers; • whether competitors develop and commercialize products that perform similar functions as the PreTRM test; and • the impact of our investments in product and service innovation and commercial growth.
Any failure or perceived failure by us or any third-party collaborators, service providers, contractors or consultants to comply with privacy, confidentiality, data security or similar obligations, or any data security incidents or other security breaches that result in the accidental, unlawful or unauthorized access to, use of, release of, or transfer of sensitive information, including personally identifiable information, or PHI, may result in negative publicity, harm to our reputation, governmental investigations, enforcement actions, regulatory fines, litigation or public statements against us, could cause third parties to lose trust in us or could result in claims by third parties, including class action lawsuits, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition or results of operations.
Any failure or perceived failure by us or any third-party collaborators, service providers, contractors or consultants to comply with privacy, confidentiality, cybersecurity or similar obligations, or any cybersecurity incidents or other security breaches that result in the accidental, unlawful, or unauthorized access to, use of, release of, or transfer of sensitive information, including personally identifiable information, or PHI, may result in negative publicity, harm to our reputation, governmental investigations, enforcement actions, regulatory fines, litigation or public statements against us, could cause third parties to lose trust in us or could result in claims by third parties, including class action lawsuits, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition or results of operations.
In the future, we expect to incur significant costs in connection with our operations, including, but not limited to, the development, marketing authorization, and commercialization of new tests, and other products. These development activities generally require a substantial investment before we can determine commercial viability.
In the future, we expect to incur significant costs in connection with our operations, including, but not limited to, the development, marketing authorization, and commercialization of new tests, new services, and other products. These development activities generally require a substantial investment before we can determine commercial viability.
Any new product or enhancement to the PreTRM test that we develop may not be introduced in a timely or cost-effective manner, may contain defects, errors or vulnerabilities or may not achieve the market acceptance necessary to generate significant revenue.
Any new product, new service, or enhancement to the PreTRM test that we develop may not be introduced in a timely or cost-effective manner, may contain defects, errors or vulnerabilities or may not achieve the market acceptance necessary to generate significant revenue.
In addition to the factors discussed in this “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this report, these factors include: • our ability to successfully execute under our commercial agreement with Elevance Health and obtain broader market adoption of our PreTRM test; • actual or anticipated variations in our and our competitors’ results of operations, as well as how those results compare to analyst and investor expectations; • our failure to successfully commercialize our product candidates; • announcements by us or our competitors of new products, significant acquisitions, other strategic transactions, including strategic and commercial partnerships and relationships, joint ventures, divestitures, collaborations or capital commitments; • changes in reimbursement practices by current or potential payers; • failure of analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of our Company, issuance of new securities analysts’ reports or changed recommendations for our Class A common stock; • forward-looking statements related to our financial guidance or projections, our failure to meet or exceed our financial guidance or projections or changes in our financial guidance or projections; • actual or anticipated changes in regulatory oversight of our products; • development of disputes concerning our intellectual property or other proprietary rights; • commencement of, or our involvement in, litigation; • announcement or expectation of additional debt or equity financing efforts; • any major change in our management; • our inability to establish collaborations, if needed; • additions or departures of key scientific or management personnel; • our ability to effectively manage our growth; • overall performance of the equity markets; • sales of our common stock by us, our directors and officers, or our other stockholders in the future; • trading volume of our Class A common stock; • changes in accounting practices; • ineffectiveness of our internal controls; • general political and economic conditions; and • other events or factors, many of which are beyond our control.
In addition to the factors discussed in this “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this Annual Report, these factors include: • our ability to successfully execute under our commercial agreement with Elevance Health and obtain broader market adoption of our PreTRM test; • actual or anticipated variations in our and our competitors’ results of operations, as well as how those results compare to analyst and investor expectations; • our failure to successfully commercialize our product candidates; • announcements by us or our competitors of new products and services, significant acquisitions, other strategic transactions, including strategic and commercial partnerships and relationships, joint ventures, divestitures, collaborations or capital commitments; • changes in reimbursement practices by current or potential payers; • failure of analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of our Company, issuance of new securities analysts’ reports or changed recommendations for our Class A common stock; • forward-looking statements related to our financial guidance or projections, our failure to meet or exceed our financial guidance or projections or changes in our financial guidance or projections; • actual or anticipated changes in regulatory oversight of our products and services; • development of disputes concerning our intellectual property or other proprietary rights; • commencement of, or our involvement in, litigation; • announcement or expectation of additional debt or equity financing efforts; • any major change in our management; • our inability to establish collaborations, if needed; • additions or departures of key scientific or management personnel; • our ability to effectively manage our growth; • overall performance of the equity markets; • sales of our common stock by us, our directors and officers, or our other stockholders in the future; • trading volume of our Class A common stock; • changes in accounting practices; 79 Table of Contents • ineffectiveness of our internal controls; • general political and economic conditions; and • other events or factors, many of which are beyond our control.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for any state law claims for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any of our current or former directors, officers and employees, to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our bylaws (in each case, as they may be amended from time to time), (iv) any action or proceeding to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our amended and 77 Table of Contents restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws, (v) any action or proceeding as to which the Delaware General Corporation Law confers jurisdiction to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (vi) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine; provided, however, that this exclusive forum provision will not apply to any causes of action arising under the Exchange Act.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for any state law claims for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any of our current or former directors, officers and employees, to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our bylaws (in each case, as they may be amended from time to time), (iv) any action or proceeding to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws, (v) any action or proceeding as to which the Delaware General Corporation Law confers jurisdiction to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (vi) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine; provided, however, that this exclusive forum provision will not apply to any causes of action arising under the Exchange Act.
The global data protection landscape is rapidly evolving, and we are or may become subject to numerous state and federal laws, requirements, and regulations governing the collection, use, disclosure, retention, and security of personal information.
The global data protection landscape is rapidly evolving, and we are or may become subject to numerous state, federal, and international laws, requirements, and regulations governing the collection, use, disclosure, retention, and security of personal information.
Even if the PreTRM test achieves broad scientific and market acceptance, if we fail to improve it or introduce compelling new products, our future revenues and prospects could be harmed.
Even if the PreTRM test achieves broad scientific and market acceptance, if we fail to improve it or introduce compelling new products and services, our future revenues and prospects could be harmed.
If our operations are found to be in violation of any of these (or other) laws and regulations, we may be subject to administrative, civil and/or criminal penalties, damages, fines, individual imprisonment, refunding of payments received by us, exclusion 51 Table of Contents from government health care programs, and/or curtailment or cessation of our operations, among other potential penalties, any of which could harm our reputation and adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
If our operations are found to be in violation of any of these (or other) laws and regulations, we may be subject to administrative, civil and/or 53 Table of Contents criminal penalties, damages, fines, individual imprisonment, refunding of payments received by us, exclusion from government health care programs, and/or curtailment or cessation of our operations, among other potential penalties, any of which could harm our reputation and adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
The typical development cycle of new life sciences products can be lengthy and complicated and may require new scientific discoveries or advancements, considerable resources, and complex technology and engineering.
The typical development cycle of new life sciences products or services can be lengthy and complicated and may require new scientific discoveries or advancements, considerable resources, and complex technology and engineering.
For as long as we continue to be an EGC, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not EGCs, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in this report and our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
For as long as we continue to be an EGC, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not EGCs, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or SOX, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in this Annual Report and our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
The success of any enhancement to the PreTRM test or introduction of new products depends on several factors, including completion of certain clinical development requirements, timely completion and delivery of the product, competitive pricing, adequate quality testing, integration with existing technologies, appropriately timed and staged product introductions, and overall market acceptance.
The success of any enhancement to the PreTRM test or introduction of new products or services depends on several factors, including completion of certain clinical development requirements, timely completion and delivery of the product or service, competitive pricing, adequate quality testing, integration with existing technologies, appropriately timed and staged product or service introductions, and overall market acceptance.
In the United States, HIPAA requires organizations like ours to develop and implement policies and procedures with respect to information that is protected under HIPAA, called protected health information, or PHI, that is used or disclosed in connection with our testing services, including the adoption of administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect such information.
In the United States, HIPAA requires organizations like ours to develop and implement policies and procedures with respect to information that is protected under HIPAA, called protected health information, or PHI, that is created, used or disclosed in connection with our services, including the adoption of administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect such information.
Accordingly, our business and financial results in the future could be adversely affected due to a variety of factors, including: • multiple, conflicting and changing laws and regulations such as data privacy, information security, and data use regulations, tax laws, export and import restrictions, economic sanctions and embargoes, employment laws, anti-corruption laws, regulatory requirements, reimbursement or payer regimes and other governmental approvals, permits, and licenses; • failure by us or our distributors to obtain any necessary regulatory clearance, authorization or approval for the use of our products and services in various countries; • additional potentially relevant third-party patent rights; • complexities and difficulties in obtaining intellectual property protection and maintaining, defending, and enforcing our intellectual property outside the United States; • difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations; • employment risks related to hiring employees outside the United States; • complexities associated with managing multiple payer reimbursement regimes, government payers or patient self-pay systems; • difficulties in negotiating favorable reimbursement negotiations with governmental authorities; 50 Table of Contents • logistics and regulations associated with shipping specimens, including infrastructure conditions and transportation delays; • limits in our ability to penetrate international markets if we are not able to sell our products or conduct services locally; • financial risks, such as longer payment cycles, difficulty collecting accounts receivable, the impact of local and regional financial crises on demand and payment for our products and services and exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; • natural disasters, political and economic instability, including wars, terrorism, and political unrest, outbreak of disease, boycotts, curtailment of trade, and other business restrictions; • regulatory and compliance risks that relate to maintaining accurate information and control over sales and distributors’ activities that may fall within the purview of the U.S.
Accordingly, our business and financial results in the future could be adversely affected due to a variety of factors, including: • multiple, conflicting and changing laws and regulations such as data privacy, information security, and data use regulations, tax laws, export and import restrictions, economic sanctions and embargoes, employment laws, anti-corruption laws, regulatory requirements applicable to clinical laboratories and to IVD products, reimbursement or payer regimes and other governmental approvals, permits and licenses; • failure by us or our distributors to obtain any necessary regulatory clearance, authorization or approval for the use of our products and services in various countries; • additional potentially relevant third-party patent rights; • complexities and difficulties in obtaining intellectual property protection and maintaining, defending, and enforcing our intellectual property outside the United States; • difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations; • employment risks related to hiring employees outside the United States; • complexities associated with managing multiple payer reimbursement regimes, government payers or patient self-pay systems; 52 Table of Contents • difficulties in negotiating favorable reimbursement negotiations with governmental authorities; • logistics and regulations associated with the international shipment of patient specimens, including infrastructure conditions, licensure requirements and transportation delays; • limits in our ability to penetrate international markets if we are not able to sell our products or conduct services locally; • financial risks, such as longer payment cycles, difficulty collecting accounts receivable, the impact of local and regional financial crises on demand and payment for our products and services and exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; • natural disasters, political and economic instability, including wars, terrorism, and political unrest, outbreak of disease, boycotts, curtailment of trade, and other business restrictions; • regulatory and compliance risks that relate to maintaining accurate information and control over sales and distributors’ activities that may fall within the purview of the U.S.
Unauthorized access, loss, or dissemination of information could disrupt our operations, including our ability to perform tests, provide test results, bill payers or patients, process claims and appeals, provide customer assistance services, conduct research and development activities, develop and commercialize tests, collect, process and prepare company financial information, provide information about our tests, educate patients and health care providers about our service, and manage the administrative aspects of our business, any of which could damage our reputation and adversely affect our business.
Unauthorized access, loss, or dissemination of information could disrupt our operations, including our ability to perform tests, provide test results, bill payers or patients, process claims and appeals, provide customer assistance services, conduct 69 Table of Contents research and development activities, develop and commercialize tests, collect, process and prepare company financial information, provide information about our tests, educate patients and health care providers about our service, and manage the administrative aspects of our business, any of which could damage our reputation and adversely affect our business.
Our laboratory is also accredited by the College of American Pathologists, or CAP. CMS has deemed CAP standards to be equally or more stringent than CLIA regulations and has approved CAP as a recognized accrediting organization. Inspection by CAP is performed in lieu of inspection by CMS for CAP-accredited laboratories.
Our laboratory is also accredited by the College of American Pathologists, or CAP. CMS has deemed CAP standards to be equal to or more stringent than CLIA regulations and has approved CAP as a recognized accrediting organization. Inspection by CAP is performed in lieu of inspection by CMS for CAP-accredited laboratories.
Changes in economic conditions, supply chain constraints, logistics challenges, labor shortages, global conflicts, and steps taken by governments and central banks, particularly in response to public health threats as well as other stimulus and spending programs, have led to higher inflation, which is likely, in turn, to lead to an increase in costs and may cause changes in fiscal and monetary policy, including increased interest rates.
Changes in economic conditions, supply chain constraints, logistics challenges, labor shortages, global conflicts, and steps taken by governments and central banks, particularly in response to public health threats as well as other stimulus and spending programs, could lead to higher inflation, which is likely, in turn, to lead to an increase in costs and may cause changes in fiscal and monetary policy, including increased interest rates.
Many of the sequencing instruments, reagents, kits, and other consumable products used to perform our testing, as well as the instruments and other capital equipment that enable the testing, are offered for sale as analyte specific reagents, or ASRs, or for research use only, or RUO.
Many of the sequencing instruments, reagents, kits, and other consumable products used to collect samples or perform our testing, as well as the instruments and other capital equipment that enable the testing, are offered for sale as analyte specific reagents, or ASRs, or for research use only, or RUO.
See related risks described above at “ The results of our clinical trials and studies may not support the use of our tests and other product candidates, or may not be replicated in later studies. ” The Federal Trade Commission and/or state enforcement or regulatory agencies may object to the methods and materials we use to promote our tests and initiate enforcement against us, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
See related risks described above at “ The results of our clinical trials and studies may not support the use of our tests and other product candidates, or may not be replicated in later studies. ” The Federal Trade Commission and/or state enforcement or regulatory agencies may object to the methods and materials we use to promote our tests, our services and our nonmedical products and initiate enforcement against us, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Violations of this statute are punishable by imprisonment, fines, or both. • The federal statute prohibiting false statements relating to health care matters, which criminalizes knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up by any trick or device a material fact or making any materially 67 Table of Contents false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations in connection with the delivery of, or payment for, health care benefits, items or services relating to health care matters.
Violations of this statute are punishable by imprisonment, fines, or both. • The federal statute prohibiting false statements relating to health care matters, which criminalizes knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up by any trick or device a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations in connection with the delivery of, or payment for, health care benefits, items or services relating to health care matters.
If too few researchers describe the use of our products, too many researchers shift to a competing product and publish research outlining their use of that product, or too many researchers negatively describe the use of our products in publications, it may drive customers away from our products.
If too few researchers describe the use of our products or services, too many researchers shift to a competing product or service and publish research outlining their use of that product or service, or too many researchers negatively describe the use of our products or services in publications, it may drive customers away from our products or services.
Violations of the CMP Law may result in the imposition of civil monetary penalties, as well as damages and possible exclusion from participation in state and federal health care programs. • The federal health care fraud statute, which imposes criminal liability for knowingly and willfully executing or attempting to execute a scheme to defraud any health care benefit program (which includes commercial insurers).
Violations of the CMP Law may result in the imposition of civil 72 Table of Contents monetary penalties, as well as damages and possible exclusion from participation in state and federal health care programs. • The federal health care fraud statute, which imposes criminal liability for knowingly and willfully executing or attempting to execute a scheme to defraud any health care benefit program (which includes commercial insurers).
In addition, in a patent infringement proceeding, a court may decide that a patent of ours is invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, construe the patent’s claims narrowly and/or refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at issue on the grounds that our patents do not cover the technology in question, 71 Table of Contents any of which may adversely affect our business.
In addition, in a patent infringement proceeding, a court may decide that a patent of ours is invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, construe the patent’s claims narrowly and/or refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at issue on the grounds that our patents do not cover the technology in question, any of which may adversely affect our business.
To perform sales, marketing, distribution, and customer service and support successfully, we will face a number of risks, including: • our ability to attract, retain, and manage the sales, marketing, and customer service and operations workforce necessary to commercialize and gain market acceptance for our technology; • the time and cost of establishing a specialized sales, marketing, and customer service and operations workforce; and • our sales, marketing, and customer service and support team may be unable to initiate and execute successful commercialization activities.
To perform sales, marketing, distribution, and customer service and support successfully, we will face a number of risks, including: • our ability to attract, retain, and manage the sales, marketing, and customer service and operations workforce necessary to commercialize and gain market acceptance for our technology; • the time and cost of establishing a specialized sales, marketing, and customer service and operations workforce; and 48 Table of Contents • our sales, marketing, and customer service and support team may be unable to initiate and execute successful commercialization activities.
We have limited experience as a company in sales and marketing and our ability to achieve profitability depends on our being able to attract customers for the PreTRM test and our future products, once approved.
We have limited experience as a company in sales and marketing and our ability to achieve profitability depends on our being able to attract customers for the PreTRM test and our future products or services, once approved.
In the years following the initial outbreak, numerous state 53 Table of Contents and local jurisdictions, including the jurisdictions where our headquarters and laboratory are located, imposed quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, executive orders, and similar government orders for their residents to control the spread of COVID-19. A new serious public health threat could result in similar restrictions being imposed.
In the years following the initial outbreak, numerous state and local jurisdictions, including the jurisdictions where our headquarters and laboratory are located, imposed quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, executive orders, and similar government orders for their residents to control the spread of COVID-19. A new serious public health threat could result in similar restrictions being imposed.
If any of our partners, suppliers, or other parties with whom we conduct business are unable to access funds pursuant to such instruments or lending arrangements with such a financial institution, such parties’ ability to pay their obligations to us or to enter into new commercial arrangements requiring additional payments to us could be adversely affected.
If any of our partners, suppliers, or other parties with whom we conduct business are unable to access funds pursuant to such instruments or lending 45 Table of Contents arrangements with such a financial institution, such parties’ ability to pay their obligations to us or to enter into new commercial arrangements requiring additional payments to us could be adversely affected.
There also may be prior art of which we are aware, but which we do not believe affects the validity or enforceability of a claim, which may, nonetheless, ultimately be found to do so; • third parties may develop tests or technology that have the same or similar effect as our tests and technology without infringing our patents.
There also may be prior art of which we are aware, but which we do not believe affects the validity or enforceability of a claim, which may, nonetheless, ultimately be found to do so; 75 Table of Contents • third parties may develop tests or technology that have the same or similar effect as our tests and technology without infringing our patents.
In addition, any manufacturing or design 48 Table of Contents defects in our products could lead to product recalls, either voluntary or as required by government authorities, which could result in the removal of a product from the market. A product liability or professional liability claim could result in substantial damages and be costly and time-consuming for us to defend.
In addition, any manufacturing or design defects in our products could lead to product recalls, either voluntary or as required by government authorities, which could result in the removal of a product from the market. A product liability or professional liability claim could result in substantial damages and be costly and time-consuming for us to defend.
Our ability to use these carryforwards could be limited if we experience an “ownership change.” Our estimates of total addressable market opportunity and forecasts of market growth may prove to be inaccurate, and even if the market in which we compete achieves the forecasted growth, our business could fail to grow at a similar rate.
Our ability to use these carryforwards could be limited if we experience an “ownership change.” 56 Table of Contents Our estimates of total addressable market opportunity and forecasts of market growth may prove to be inaccurate, and even if the market in which we compete achieves the forecasted growth, our business could fail to grow at a similar rate.
Any adverse outcome in one or more of these investigations could include the commencement of civil and/or criminal proceedings, substantial fines, penalties, administrative remedies and/or entry into corporate integrity agreements with governmental agencies, among other penalties. In addition, resolution of any of these matters could involve the imposition of additional costly compliance obligations.
Any adverse outcome in one or more of these investigations could include the commencement of civil and/or criminal proceedings, substantial fines, penalties, administrative remedies and/or entry into corporate integrity agreements 74 Table of Contents with governmental agencies, among other penalties. In addition, resolution of any of these matters could involve the imposition of additional costly compliance obligations.
To determine the priority of these inventions, we may have to participate in interference proceedings, derivation proceedings or other post-grant proceedings declared by the USPTO, or other similar proceedings in non-U.S. jurisdictions, that could result in substantial cost to us and the loss of valuable patent protection. The outcome of such proceedings is uncertain.
To determine the priority of these inventions, we may have to participate in interference proceedings, derivation proceedings or other post-grant proceedings declared by the USPTO, or other similar proceedings in non-U.S. jurisdictions, that could result 76 Table of Contents in substantial cost to us and the loss of valuable patent protection. The outcome of such proceedings is uncertain.
In addition, the terms of any such agreement may require a physician or qualified practitioner’s signature on test requisitions or require other controls and procedures prior to conducting a test. In particular, third-party payers have been increasingly requiring prior authorization to be obtained prior to conducting a test as a condition to reimbursing for the test.
In addition, the terms of any such agreement may require a physician or qualified practitioner’s signature on test requisitions or require other controls and procedures prior to conducting a test. In particular, third-party payers have been 60 Table of Contents increasingly requiring prior authorization to be obtained prior to conducting a test as a condition to reimbursing for the test.
If we are required to conduct clinical trials to support a premarket submission to the FDA, whether using prospectively acquired samples or archival samples, delays in the commencement or completion of clinical testing could significantly increase the development costs for the PreTRM test or any future tests and delay commercialization.
If we are 66 Table of Contents required to conduct clinical trials to support a premarket submission to the FDA, whether using prospectively acquired samples or archival samples, delays in the commencement or completion of clinical testing could significantly increase the development costs for the PreTRM test or any future tests and delay commercialization.
We cannot predict the number, timing or size of future strategic transactions or the effect that any such transactions might have on our operating results. We may need to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings, corporate collaborations or licensing arrangements to continue to fund or expand our operations.
We cannot predict the number, timing or size of future strategic transactions or the effect that any such transactions might have on our operating results. 55 Table of Contents We may need to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings, corporate collaborations or licensing arrangements to continue to fund or expand our operations.
These types of decisions could reduce our revenue and harm our financial condition. 58 Table of Contents Changes in government health care policy could increase our costs and negatively impact coverage and reimbursement for our tests by governmental and other third-party payers. The U.S. government is pursuing health care reform and aiming to reduce health care costs.
These types of decisions could reduce our revenue and harm our financial condition. Changes in government health care policy could increase our costs and negatively impact coverage and reimbursement for our tests by governmental and other third-party payers. The U.S. government is pursuing health care reform and aiming to reduce health care costs.
A Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, tasked with recommending a targeted deficit reduction of at least $1.2 trillion 59 Table of Contents for the years 2013 through 2021, was unable to reach required goals, thereby triggering the legislation’s automatic reduction to several state and federal health care programs.
A Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, tasked with recommending a targeted deficit reduction of at least $1.2 trillion for the years 2013 through 2021, was unable to reach required goals, thereby triggering the legislation’s automatic reduction to several state and federal health care programs.
If a breach affects 500 individuals or more in a particular state or jurisdiction, covered entities must report it to the HHS and local media contemporaneously with notice to affected individuals, and HHS will post information regarding the breach, including the name of the entity reporting the breach, on its public website.
If a breach affects 500 individuals or more in a particular state or jurisdiction, covered entities must report 67 Table of Contents it to the HHS and local media contemporaneously with notice to affected individuals, and HHS will post information regarding the breach, including the name of the entity reporting the breach, on its public website.
We cannot predict what 69 Table of Contents impact these decisions may have on our ability to obtain or enforce patents relating to diagnostic methods in the future. We believe that no consistent policy regarding the scope of valid patent claims in these fields has emerged to date in the United States.
We cannot predict what impact these decisions may have on our ability to obtain or enforce patents relating to diagnostic methods in the future. We believe that no consistent policy regarding the scope of valid patent claims in these fields has emerged to date in the United States.
Furthermore, the number of shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our 2021 ESPP automatically increases on January 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2022, by 1% of the total number of shares of our capital stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, or a lesser number of shares determined by our board of directors or compensation committee.
Furthermore, the number of shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our 2021 ESPP automatically increases on January 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2022, by 1% of the total number of 81 Table of Contents shares of our capital stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, or a lesser number of shares determined by our board of directors or compensation committee.
Many of the companies against which we are competing or may compete against in the future have significantly greater financial resources and expertise in research and 47 Table of Contents development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Mergers and acquisitions in our industry may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of our competitors.
Many of the companies against which we are competing or may compete against in the future have significantly greater financial resources and expertise in research and development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Mergers and acquisitions in our industry may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of our competitors.
A security breach or privacy violation that leads to unauthorized access, disclosure or modification of, or prevents access to, patient information, including PHI, could implicate state and federal breach notification laws, subject us to fines and mandatory corrective action and require us to verify the correctness of, or to reconstruct, database contents.
A security breach or privacy violation that leads to unauthorized access, disclosure or modification of, or prevents access to, patient information, including PHI, or other personally identifiable information, could implicate state and federal breach notification laws, subject us to fines and mandatory corrective action and require us to verify the correctness of, or to reconstruct, database contents.
What constitutes a “sufficient” additional feature is uncertain. Furthermore, in view of these decisions, since December 2014, the USPTO has published and continues to publish revised guidelines for patent examiners to apply when examining process claims for patent eligibility. In addition, U.S.
What constitutes a “sufficient” additional feature is uncertain. Furthermore, in view of these decisions, since December 2014, the USPTO has published and continues to publish revised guidelines for patent examiners to apply when examining process claims for patent eligibility. 77 Table of Contents In addition, U.S.
If we do not achieve the required technical specifications or successfully manage new product development processes, or if development work is not performed according to schedule, then such new technologies or products may be adversely impacted. To date, we have only completed the development process for one product.
If we do not achieve the required technical specifications or successfully manage development processes of the new product or service, or if development work is not performed according to schedule, then such new technologies, products, or services may be adversely impacted. To date, we have only completed the development process for one product.
This type of litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources. 74 Table of Contents We do not intend to pay dividends on our Class A common stock, so any returns will be limited to the value of our Class A common stock.
This type of litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources. We do not intend to pay dividends on our Class A common stock, so any returns will be limited to the value of our Class A common stock.
In addition, any such action, particularly to the extent we were found to be 65 Table of Contents guilty of violations or otherwise liable for damages, would damage our reputation and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, any such action, particularly to the extent we were found to be guilty of violations or otherwise liable for damages, would damage our reputation and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Substantially all of our shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are eligible for public sale, if they are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, including under Rules 144 or 701.
Substantially all of our shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are eligible for public sale, if they are registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, including under Rules 144 or 701.
We have a significant amount of net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards that can be used to offset potential future taxable income and related income taxes. As of December 31, 2023, we had federal NOL carryforwards of approximately $211.6 million, of which, $70.3 million, if not utilized, begin to expire in 2028.
We have a significant amount of net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards that can be used to offset potential future taxable income and related income taxes. As of December 31, 2024, we had federal NOL carryforwards of approximately $239.6 million, of which, $70.3 million, if not utilized, begin to expire in 2028.
Although members of our management team have considerable industry experience, successfully commercializing the PreTRM test will require adapting our sales, marketing, distribution, and customer service and support capabilities to current and ever-changing 46 Table of Contents market conditions.
Although members of our management team have considerable industry experience, successfully commercializing the PreTRM test will require adapting our sales, marketing, distribution, and customer service and support capabilities to current and ever-changing market conditions.
A number of states also have laws similar to the Sunshine Act. 68 Table of Contents While we believe that the Sunshine Act does not apply to our business, we cannot guarantee that the federal government or other regulators will agree with our determination.
A number of states also have laws similar to the Sunshine Act. While we believe that the Sunshine Act does not apply to our business, we cannot guarantee that the federal government or other regulators will agree with our determination.
There is also no assurance that such agreements will provide for a meaningful protection of our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure of information.
There is also no assurance that 78 Table of Contents such agreements will provide for a meaningful protection of our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure of information.
If we encounter such difficulties or we are otherwise precluded from effectively protecting our intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions, our business prospects could be substantially harmed, and we may not pursue or obtain patent protection in all major markets; and 70 Table of Contents • we may not develop additional tests or technology that are patentable.
If we encounter such difficulties or we are otherwise precluded from effectively protecting our intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions, our business prospects could be substantially harmed, and we may not pursue or obtain patent protection in all major markets; and • we may not develop additional tests or technology that are patentable.
You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, the section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and related notes, before investing in our Class A common stock. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face.
You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, the section of this Annual Report entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and related notes, before investing in our Class A common stock. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face.
As a recent example, in March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, and the U.S. government imposed restrictions on travel between the United States, Europe, and certain other countries.
For example, in March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, and the U.S. government imposed restrictions on travel between the United States, Europe, and certain other countries.
Failure to maintain CAP accreditation could likewise have a material adverse effect on the sales of our tests and the results of our operations. 61 Table of Contents Our laboratory is located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Failure to maintain CAP accreditation could likewise have a material adverse effect on the sales of our tests and the results of our operations. Our laboratory is located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Our business activities are, or may in the future be, subject to comprehensive compliance obligations under state and federal laws and regulations, including: • Federal and state laws governing laboratory testing, including but not limited to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 and state laboratory licensure and related laws. • FDA laws and regulations, including but not limited to requirements for offering LDTs. • The federal Anti-Kickback Statute, or AKS, which generally prohibits, among other things knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving any remuneration, directly or indirectly, covertly or overtly, in cash or in kind in return for (i) referring an individual to a person for the furnishing or arranging of any item or service, or (ii) purchasing, leasing, ordering, or arranging for or recommending the purchasing, leasing, or ordering of any good, facility, service, or item, for which payment may be made by federal health care programs.
Our business activities are, or may in the future be, subject to comprehensive compliance obligations under state and federal laws and regulations, including: • Federal and state laws governing laboratory testing, including but not limited to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 and state laboratory licensure and related laws. • FDA laws and regulations, including but not limited to requirements for offering LDTs following the July 2024 effective date of the agency's LDT final rule. • The federal Anti-Kickback Statute, or AKS, which generally prohibits, among other things knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving any remuneration, directly or indirectly, covertly or overtly, in cash or in kind in return for (i) referring an individual to a person for the furnishing or arranging of any item or service, or (ii) purchasing, leasing, ordering, or arranging for or recommending the purchasing, leasing, or ordering of any good, facility, service, or item, for which payment may be made by federal health care programs.
Suppliers of ASRs and RUO products that we employ in our tests may cease selling their respective products, and we may be unable to obtain an acceptable substitute on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could significantly and adversely affect our ability to provide timely testing results to our customers or could significantly increase our costs of conducting business.
Suppliers of ASRs and RUO products that we employ in our tests may cease selling their respective products, or we may need to cease distributing them for use in our testing, and we may be unable to obtain an acceptable substitute on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could significantly and adversely affect our ability to provide timely testing results to our customers or could significantly increase our costs of conducting business.
We also make assumptions, estimations, 49 Table of Contents calculations, and conclusions as part of our analyses of data, and we may not have received or have 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 have had the opportunity to fully and carefully evaluate all data.
Public health threats, such as COVID-19, could materially affect our operations, as well as the business or operations of third parties with whom we conduct business. Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of other future public health threats in regions where we, or third parties on which we rely, have significant business operations.
Public health threats, such as pandemics or epidemics, could materially affect our operations, as well as the business or operations of third parties with whom we conduct business. Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of other future public health threats in regions where we, or third parties on which we rely, have significant business operations.
Among other things, in our consent forms, we seek to ensure that the subjects from whom the data and specimens are collected do not retain or have conferred on them any proprietary or commercial rights to the data or any discoveries derived from them.
Among other things, in our consent forms, we seek to ensure that the subjects from whom the data and specimens are 62 Table of Contents collected do not retain or have conferred on them any proprietary or commercial rights to the data or any discoveries derived from them.
If the FDA decides to require that we obtain any form or type of premarket authorization in order for us to commercialize our current PreTRM test or any future tests developed as LDTs, whether as a result of new legislative authority or following finalization and implementation of the October 2023 proposed rule or based on its determination that 63 Table of Contents the PreTRM test does not meet the definition of an LDT, we may be required to conduct additional clinical testing before submitting a regulatory submission for commercial marketing authorization.
If the FDA decides to require that we obtain any form or type of premarket authorization in order for us to commercialize our current PreTRM test or any future tests developed as LDTs, whether as a result of new legislative authority or following finalization and implementation of the May 2024 final rule or based on its determination that the PreTRM test does not meet the definition of an LDT, we may be required to conduct additional clinical testing before submitting a regulatory submission for commercial marketing authorization.
Any breach could also result in the compromise of our trade secrets and other proprietary information, which could adversely affect our competitive position.
Any cybersecurity incident could also result in the compromise of our trade secrets and other proprietary information, which could adversely affect our competitive position.
As we attempt to bring new products to market, we may need to increase our product liability coverage, which would be a significant additional expense that we may not be able to afford.
As we attempt to 50 Table of Contents bring new products to market, we may need to increase our product liability coverage, which would be a significant additional expense that we may not be able to afford.
It creates individual privacy rights for California consumers and increases the privacy and security obligations of entities handling certain personal data. The CCPA provides for civil penalties for violations, as well as a private right of action for data breaches.
It creates individual privacy rights for California consumers (as that term is broadly defined) and increases the privacy and security obligations of entities handling certain personal data. The CCPA provides for civil penalties for violations, as well as a private right of action for data breaches.
Approximately $141.3 million of these federal NOLs can be carried forward indefinitely.
Approximately $169.3 million of these federal NOLs can be carried forward indefinitely.
The FDA could disagree with a supplier’s assessment that the supplier’s products are RUOs, or could conclude that products labeled as RUO are actually intended for clinical diagnostic use, and could take enforcement action against the supplier, including requiring the supplier to cease offering the product while it seeks appropriate marketing authorization from FDA.
The FDA could disagree with a supplier’s or lab's assessment that the supplier’s products are RUOs, or could conclude that products labeled as RUO are actually intended for clinical diagnostic use, and could take enforcement action against the supplier or the lab, including requiring the supplier to cease offering the product to the lab, or requiring the lab to cease distributing the supplier's product, while it seeks appropriate marketing 63 Table of Contents authorization from FDA.
To the extent that we decide to market our products and services outside the United States, our business will be subject to the risks associated with doing business outside the United States, including an increase in our expenses and diversion of our management’s attention from the development of future products and services.
To the extent that we decide to market our products and services outside the United States, including but not limited to jurisdictions in the European Union, our business will be subject to the risks associated with doing business outside the United States, including an increase in our expenses and diversion of our management’s attention from the development of future products and services.
If widespread adoption of the PreTRM test or any other products that we commercialize in the future takes longer than anticipated, we will continue to experience operating losses.
If widespread adoption of the PreTRM test or any other products and services that we commercialize in the 47 Table of Contents future takes longer than anticipated, we will continue to experience operating losses.
Even if the market in which we compete meets our size estimates and forecasted growth, our business could fail to grow at similar rates. The inflationary environment could materially adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Even if the market in which we compete meets our size estimates and forecasted growth, our business could fail to grow at similar rates. An inflationary environment and unstable global economic and geopolitical conditions could materially adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Moreover, we could become subject to Sunshine Act reporting requirements if the FDA requires us to obtain premarket authorization for our tests as medical devices (whether because the agency determines that the PreTRM test does not fall within the scope of the agency’s existing LDT definition or because it finalizes the ongoing notice-and-comment rulemaking to exercise authority over LDTs as medical devices) or Congress enacts legislative reforms to the federal oversight of LDTs to subject them to FDA regulation and/or the reporting requirements of the Sunshine Act.
Moreover, we could become subject to Sunshine Act reporting requirements if the FDA requires us to obtain premarket authorization for our tests as medical devices (whether because the agency determines that the PreTRM test does not fall within the scope of the agency’s existing LDT definition or because of its recently issued final rule to exercise authority over LDTs as medical devices) or Congress enacts legislative reforms to the federal oversight of LDTs to subject them to FDA regulation and/or the reporting requirements of the Sunshine Act.
We may remain an EGC until the earliest to occur of: (1) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have at least $1.235 billion in annual revenue; (2) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the last business day of the second fiscal quarter of such year; (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period; and (4) December 31, 2026. 75 Table of Contents We are also a smaller reporting company, meaning that the market value of our Class A common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million and our annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year.
We may remain an EGC until the earliest to occur of: (1) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have at least $1.235 billion in annual revenue; (2) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the last business day of the second fiscal quarter of such year; (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period; and (4) December 31, 2026.