Biggest changeOur estimates regarding profitability and the time in which we may achieve profitability may ultimately be incorrect; • If third-party payors do not provide coverage and adequate reimbursement for our testing products, or they breach, rescind or modify their contracts or reimbursement policies or delay payments for our testing products, or if we or our partners are unable to successfully negotiate payor contracts, our commercial success could be materially compromised; • In the near-term, we expect that our financial results will depend primarily on sales of our testing products, and we will need to generate sufficient revenue from these testing products to grow our business; • We may be unable to manage our growth effectively, which could make it difficult to execute our business strategy; • Our commercial success depends on attaining and maintaining significant market acceptance of our testing products among rheumatologists, patients, third-party payors and others in the medical community; • We rely on sole suppliers for some of the reagents, equipment and other materials used in our testing products, and a sole third-party fulfillment center used to supply healthcare providers with our testing products, and we may not be able to fund replacements or transition to alternative suppliers or fulfillment centers; • If we are unable to support demand for our current testing products or any of our future testing products or solutions, our business could suffer; • If we are unable to compete successfully, we may be unable to increase or sustain our revenue or achieve profitability; 32 • Developing new testing products involves a lengthy and complex process, and we may not be able to commercialize on a timely basis, or at all, other testing products we are developing; • If our sole clinical laboratory facility becomes damaged or inoperable, we are required to vacate our existing facility or we are unable to expand our existing facility as needed, we will be unable to perform our testing services and our business will be harmed; • We may require substantial additional capital to finance our planned operations, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.
Biggest changeOur estimates regarding profitability and the time in which we may achieve profitability may ultimately be incorrect; • If third-party payors do not provide coverage and adequate reimbursement for our testing products, or they breach, rescind or modify their contracts or reimbursement policies or delay payments for our testing products, or if we or our partners are unable to successfully negotiate payor contracts, our commercial success could be materially compromised; • In the near-term, we expect that our financial results will depend primarily on sales of our testing products, and we will need to generate sufficient revenue from these testing products to grow our business; • We may be unable to manage our growth effectively, which could make it difficult to execute our business strategy; • Our commercial success depends on attaining and maintaining significant market acceptance of our testing products among rheumatologists, patients, third-party payors and others in the medical community; • We rely on sole suppliers for some of the reagents, equipment and other materials used in our testing products, and we may not be able to fund replacements or transition to alternative suppliers; • If we are unable to support demand for our current testing products or any of our future testing products or solutions, our business could suffer; • If we are unable to compete successfully, we may be unable to increase or sustain our revenue or achieve profitability; • Developing new testing products involves a lengthy and complex process, and we may not be able to commercialize on a timely basis, or at all, other testing products we are developing; • If our sole clinical laboratory facility becomes damaged or inoperable, we are required to vacate our existing facility or we are unable to expand our existing facility as needed, we will be unable to perform our testing services and our business will be harmed; • Changes in U.S. trade policy and the impact of tariffs may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. • Our term loan contains restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business, and if we fail to comply with the covenants and other obligations under our loan agreement, the lenders may be able to accelerate amounts owed under the facility and may foreclose upon the assets securing our obligations. • We may require substantial additional capital to finance our planned operations, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.
Certain of our testing products utilize unpatented technology that is publicly available and can be used by our competitors. Certain of our AVISE ® testing products, such as AVISE ® CTD, utilize both patented technology and publicly available technology that is not protected by patents or other intellectual property rights.
Certain of our testing products utilize unpatented technology that is publicly available and can be used by our competitors. Certain of our testing products, such as AVISE ® CTD, utilize both patented technology and publicly available technology that is not protected by patents or other intellectual property rights.
In addition, if we or one of our licensors initiated legal proceedings against a third party to enforce a patent covering one of our AVISE ® testing products, the defendant could counterclaim that the patent covering such AVISE ® testing product is invalid and/or unenforceable.
In addition, if we or one of our licensors initiated legal proceedings against a third party to enforce a patent covering one of our testing products, the defendant could counterclaim that the patent covering such AVISE ® testing product is invalid and/or unenforceable.
Complying with the numerous statutes and regulations pertaining to our business is expensive and time-consuming, and any failure by us, our consultants or commercial partners to comply could result in substantial penalties; • We have previously and may again in the future be required to modify our business practices, pay fines, incur significant expenses or experience losses due to litigation or governmental investigations; • The FDA may disagree with our assessment that our AVISE ® test products and any other tests we may develop are LDTs eligible for enforcement discretion and determine that such test products are fully subject to active compliance enforcement under the FDCA and FDA regulations; • If we are unable to maintain intellectual property protection, our competitive position could be harmed; and • If we fail to comply with our obligations in the agreements under which we license intellectual property rights from third parties or otherwise experience disruptions to our business relationships with our licensors, we could lose license rights that are important to our business.
Complying with the numerous statutes and regulations pertaining to our business is expensive and time-consuming, and any failure by us, our consultants or commercial partners to comply could result in substantial penalties; 31 • We have previously and may again in the future be required to modify our business practices, pay fines, incur significant expenses or experience losses due to litigation or governmental investigations; • The FDA may disagree with our assessment that our AVISE ® test products and any other tests we may develop are LDTs eligible for enforcement discretion and determine that such test products are fully subject to active compliance enforcement under the FDCA and FDA regulations; • If we are unable to maintain intellectual property protection, our competitive position could be harmed; and • If we fail to comply with our obligations in the agreements under which we license intellectual property rights from third parties or otherwise experience disruptions to our business relationships with our licensors, we could lose license rights that are important to our business.
The provisions in our charter documents include the following: • a classified board of directors with three-year staggered terms, which may delay the ability of stockholders to change the membership of a majority of our board of directors; • no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates; • the exclusive right of our board of directors, unless the board of directors grants such right to the stockholders, to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors; • the required approval of at least 66-2/3% of the shares entitled to vote to remove a director for cause, and the prohibition on removal of directors without cause; • the ability of our board of directors to authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquiror; • the ability of our board of directors to alter our amended and restated bylaws without obtaining stockholder approval; • the required approval of at least 66-2/3% of the shares entitled to vote to adopt, amend or repeal our amended and restated bylaws or repeal the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation regarding the election and removal of directors; • a prohibition on stockholder action by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders; • an exclusive forum provision providing that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for certain actions and proceedings; 65 • the requirement that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the board of directors, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors; and • advance notice procedures that stockholders must comply with in order to nominate candidates to our board of directors or to propose matters to be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting, which may discourage or deter a potential acquiror from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquiror’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.
The provisions in our charter documents include the following: 63 • a classified board of directors with three-year staggered terms, which may delay the ability of stockholders to change the membership of a majority of our board of directors; • no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates; • the exclusive right of our board of directors, unless the board of directors grants such right to the stockholders, to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors; • the required approval of at least 66-2/3% of the shares entitled to vote to remove a director for cause, and the prohibition on removal of directors without cause; • the ability of our board of directors to authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquiror; • the ability of our board of directors to alter our amended and restated bylaws without obtaining stockholder approval; • the required approval of at least 66-2/3% of the shares entitled to vote to adopt, amend or repeal our amended and restated bylaws or repeal the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation regarding the election and removal of directors; • a prohibition on stockholder action by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders; • an exclusive forum provision providing that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for certain actions and proceedings; • the requirement that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the board of directors, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors; and • advance notice procedures that stockholders must comply with in order to nominate candidates to our board of directors or to propose matters to be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting, which may discourage or deter a potential acquiror from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquiror’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.
If we obtain regulatory approval of our testing products and ultimately commercialize our testing products in foreign markets, we would be subject to additional risks and uncertainties, including any or all of the following: • different regulatory requirements for approval of IVDs in foreign countries; • reduced protection for intellectual property rights; • the existence of additional third-party patent rights of potential relevance to our business; 57 • changes in tariffs, trade barriers and regulatory requirements; • economic weakness, including inflation, or political instability in particular foreign economies and markets; • compliance with tax, employment, immigration and labor laws for employees living or traveling abroad; • foreign currency fluctuations, which could result in increased operating expenses and reduced revenue and other obligations incident to doing business in another country; • inflationary pressures, such as those the global market is currently experiencing, which have and may increase costs for materials, supplies, and services; • foreign reimbursement, pricing and insurance regimes; • workforce uncertainty in countries where labor unrest is common; • production shortages resulting from any events affecting raw material supply or manufacturing capabilities abroad; and • business interruptions resulting from geopolitical actions, including war and terrorism, such as current conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; natural disasters which may be exacerbated due to climate change, including earthquakes, typhoons, floods and fires; outbreak of disease; boycotts; or other business restrictions.
If we obtain regulatory approval of our testing products and ultimately commercialize our testing products in foreign markets, we would be subject to additional risks and uncertainties, including any or all of the following: • different regulatory requirements for approval of IVDs in foreign countries; • reduced protection for intellectual property rights; • the existence of additional third-party patent rights of potential relevance to our business; • changes in tariffs, trade barriers and regulatory requirements; 55 • economic weakness, including inflation, or political instability in particular foreign economies and markets; • compliance with tax, employment, immigration and labor laws for employees living or traveling abroad; • foreign currency fluctuations, which could result in increased operating expenses and reduced revenue and other obligations incident to doing business in another country; • inflationary pressures, such as those the global market is currently experiencing, which have and may increase costs for materials, supplies, and services; • foreign reimbursement, pricing and insurance regimes; • workforce uncertainty in countries where labor unrest is common; • production shortages resulting from any events affecting raw material supply or manufacturing capabilities abroad; and • business interruptions resulting from geopolitical actions, including war and terrorism, such as current conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; natural disasters which may be exacerbated due to climate change, including earthquakes, typhoons, floods and fires; outbreak of disease; boycotts; or other business restrictions.
Several factors contribute to the complexity of the billing process, including: • differences between the list price for our testing products and the reimbursement rates of third-party payors; • compliance with complex federal and state regulations related to billing Medicare and Medicaid; • disputes among third-party payors as to which party is responsible for payment; • differences in coverage among third-party payors; • the effect of patient deductibles, co-payments or co-insurance; • differences in information and billing requirements among third-party payors; • changes to billing codes used for our testing products; • risk of government audits related to billing; • incorrect or missing billing information; and • the resources required to manage the billing and claims appeals process.
Several factors contribute to the complexity of the billing process, including: • differences between the list price for our testing products and the reimbursement rates of third-party payors; • compliance with complex federal and state regulations related to billing Medicare and Medicaid; • disputes among third-party payors as to which party is responsible for payment; • differences in coverage among third-party payors; • the effect of patient deductibles, co-payments or co-insurance; • differences in information and billing requirements among third-party payors; • changes to billing codes used for our testing products; • risk of government audits related to billing; 37 • incorrect or missing billing information; and • the resources required to manage the billing and claims appeals process.
If a third party that owns such a patent asserts it successfully against one of our current or future AVISE ® testing products, we may be unable to market our product, which could materially harm our business and because patent applications can take many years to issue and may be confidential for 18 months or more after filing, there may be currently pending third-party patent applications which may later result in issued patents that our AVISE ® testing products or our technologies may infringe, or which such third parties claim are infringed by the use of our technologies.
If a third party that owns such a patent asserts it successfully against one of our current or future testing products, we may be unable to market our product, which could materially harm our business and because patent applications can take many years to issue and may be confidential for 18 months or more after filing, there may be currently pending third-party patent applications which may later result in issued patents that our testing products or our technologies may infringe, or which such third parties claim are infringed by the use of our technologies.
If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we have a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting once that firm begin its Section 404 reviews, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
If we are again unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we have a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting once that firm begin its Section 404 reviews, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
In addition, the U.S. government has the right, under certain limited circumstances, to require us to grant exclusive, partially exclusive or non-exclusive licenses to any of these inventions to a third party if it determines that: (i) adequate steps have not been taken to commercialize the invention; (ii) government action is necessary to meet public health or safety needs; or (iii) government action is necessary to meet requirements for public use under federal regulations (also referred to as “march-in rights”).
In addition, the U.S. government has the right, under certain limited circumstances, to require us to grant exclusive, 57 partially exclusive or non-exclusive licenses to any of these inventions to a third party if it determines that: (i) adequate steps have not been taken to commercialize the invention; (ii) government action is necessary to meet public health or safety needs; or (iii) government action is necessary to meet requirements for public use under federal regulations (also referred to as “march-in rights”).
However, some of these accounts exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance limit of $250,000 and, while we believe we are not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial strength of these depository institutions or investments, if any such depository institution fails to return our deposits, or if a depository institution is subject to other adverse conditions in the financial or credit markets, this could further impact access to our invested cash or cash equivalents and could adversely impact our operating liquidity and financial performance.
However, some of these accounts exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit of $250,000 and, while we believe we are not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial strength of these depository institutions or investments, if any such depository institution fails to return our deposits, or if a depository institution is subject to other adverse conditions in the financial or credit markets, this could further impact access to our invested cash or cash equivalents and could adversely impact our operating liquidity and financial performance.
For additional information see the risk factor below entitled “ We have previously and may again in the future be required to modify our business practices, pay fines, incur significant expenses or experience losses due to litigation or governmental investigations.” Any action against us for violation of these laws, even if we successfully defend against it, could cause us to incur significant legal expenses and divert our management’s attention from the operation of our business.
For additional information see the risk factor below entitled “ We have previously and may again in the future be required to modify our business practices, pay fines, incur significant expenses or experience losses due to litigation or governmental investigations.” Any action against us for violation of these laws, even if we successfully defend against it, could cause us to incur significant legal expenses 51 and divert our management’s attention from the operation of our business.
Given the complexity of these existing and changing rules and regulations, it is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct by employees, distributors, consultants and commercial partners and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses 52 or in protecting us from government investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations.
Given the complexity of these existing and changing rules and regulations, it is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct by employees, distributors, consultants and commercial partners and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from government investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations.
We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies and will be able to take advantage of these scaled 49 disclosures for so long as our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter, or our annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter.
We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies and will be able to take advantage of these scaled disclosures for so long as our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter, or our annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter.
In order to develop and commercialize testing products, we need to: • expend significant funds to conduct substantial research and development; • conduct successful verification, validation and utility studies; • develop and scale our laboratory processes to accommodate different tests; • achieve and maintain required regulatory certifications, including the hiring of appropriately licensed laboratory personnel; • develop and scale our infrastructure to be able to analyze increasingly large amounts of data; and • build the commercial infrastructure to market and sell new testing products.
In order to develop and commercialize testing products, we need to: • expend significant funds to conduct substantial research and development; • conduct successful verification, validation and utility studies; • develop and scale our laboratory processes to accommodate different tests; 39 • achieve and maintain required regulatory certifications, including the hiring of appropriately licensed laboratory personnel; • develop and scale our infrastructure to be able to analyze increasingly large amounts of data; and • build the commercial infrastructure to market and sell new testing products.
Reimbursement by third-party payors may depend on a number of factors, including the payor’s determination that tests using our technologies are: • not experimental or investigational; • medically necessary; • demonstrated to lead to improved patient outcomes; • appropriate for the specific patient; 33 • cost-saving or cost-effective; • supported by peer-reviewed medical journals; and • included in clinical guidelines.
Reimbursement by third-party payors may depend on a number of factors, including the payor’s determination that tests using our technologies are: • not experimental or investigational; • medically necessary; • demonstrated to lead to improved patient outcomes; • appropriate for the specific patient; • cost-saving or cost-effective; • supported by peer-reviewed medical journals; and • included in clinical guidelines.
With respect to payments received from government healthcare programs, factors such as a prolonged 39 government shutdown could cause significant regulatory delays or could result in attempts to reduce payments made to us by federal healthcare programs. In addition, third-party payors may refuse to ultimately make payment if their processes and requirements have not been met on a timely basis.
With respect to payments received from government healthcare programs, factors such as a prolonged government shutdown could cause significant regulatory delays or could result in attempts to reduce payments made to us by federal healthcare programs. In addition, third-party payors may refuse to ultimately make payment if their processes and requirements have not been met on a timely basis.
The public trading price for our common stock is affected by a number of factors, including: • actual or anticipated variations in our and our competitors’ financial condition and results of operations; • announcements by us or our competitors of new products, strategic partnerships or capital commitments; • changes in reimbursement by current or potential third-party payors; • issuance of new securities analysts’ reports or changed recommendations for our stock; • actual or anticipated changes in regulatory oversight of our testing products; • developments or disputes concerning our intellectual property or other proprietary rights; • commencement of, or our involvement in, litigation; • announced or completed acquisitions of businesses or technologies by us or our competitors; • any major change in our management; • changes in accounting principles; • announcement or expectation of additional financing efforts; • future sales of our common stock by our executive officers, directors and other stockholders; and • general economic conditions and slow or negative growth of our markets, including as a result of the current conflicts in the Ukraine and the Middle East.
The public trading price for our common stock is affected by a number of factors, including: • actual or anticipated variations in our and our competitors’ financial condition and results of operations; • announcements by us or our competitors of new products, strategic partnerships or capital commitments; • changes in reimbursement by current or potential third-party payors; • issuance of new securities analysts’ reports or changed recommendations for our stock; • actual or anticipated changes in regulatory oversight of our testing products; • developments or disputes concerning our intellectual property or other proprietary rights; • commencement of, or our involvement in, litigation; • announced or completed acquisitions of businesses or technologies by us or our competitors; • any major change in our management; • changes in accounting principles; • announcement or expectation of additional financing efforts; • future sales of our common stock by our executive officers, directors and other stockholders; and • general economic conditions and slow or negative growth of our markets, including as a result of the current conflicts in the Ukraine and the Middle East and other geopolitical tensions.
If we are unable to manage our ongoing and future growth effectively, it may be difficult for us to execute our business strategy and our business could be harmed. 36 Our commercial success depends upon attaining and maintaining significant market acceptance of our testing products among rheumatologists, patients, third-party payors and others in the medical community.
If we are unable to manage our ongoing and future growth effectively, it may be difficult for us to execute our business strategy and our business could be harmed. Our commercial success depends upon attaining and maintaining significant market acceptance of our testing products among rheumatologists, patients, third-party payors and others in the medical community.
Third-party payors and other entities also conduct technology assessments of new medical tests and devices and provide and/or sell the results of their assessments to other parties. These assessments may be and have been used by third-party payors and healthcare providers as grounds to deny coverage for or refuse to use a test or procedure, including our tests.
Third-party payors and other entities also conduct technology assessments of new medical tests and devices and provide and/or sell the results of their assessments to other parties. These assessments may be and have been 32 used by third-party payors and healthcare providers as grounds to deny coverage for or refuse to use a test or procedure, including our tests.
Our competitors may independently develop competing diagnostic products and services that do not infringe our intellectual property. Changes in U.S. patent law could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our AVISE ® testing products. Our success is heavily dependent on intellectual property, particularly on obtaining and enforcing patents.
Our competitors may independently develop competing diagnostic products and services that do not infringe our intellectual property. Changes in U.S. patent law could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our testing products. Our success is heavily dependent on intellectual property, particularly on obtaining and enforcing patents.
Further, we may be subject to ownership disputes in the future arising, for example, from conflicting obligations of consultants or others who are involved in developing our AVISE ® testing products. We may also be subject to claims that former employees, collaborators or other third parties have an ownership interest in our patents or other intellectual property.
Further, we may be subject to ownership disputes in the future arising, for example, from conflicting obligations of consultants or others who are involved in developing our testing products. We may also be subject to claims that former employees, collaborators or other third parties have an ownership interest in our patents or other intellectual property.
As a result of this volatility, you may not realize any return on your investment in us and may lose some or all of your investment. 64 In addition, in the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market price of a particular company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against these companies.
As a result of this volatility, you may not realize any return on your investment in us and may lose some or all of your investment. In addition, in the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market price of a particular company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against these companies.
At any point, we may abandon development of a testing product candidate or we may be required to expend considerable resources repeating clinical studies, which would 41 adversely affect the timing for generating potential revenue from a new testing product and our ability to invest in other products in our pipeline.
At any point, we may abandon development of a testing product candidate or we may be required to expend considerable resources repeating clinical studies, which would adversely affect the timing for generating potential revenue from a new testing product and our ability to invest in other products in our pipeline.
We may engage third parties to sell our testing products outside the United States, to conduct clinical trials, and/or to obtain necessary permits, licenses, patent registrations and other regulatory approvals. We have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or government-affiliated hospitals, universities and other organizations.
We may engage third parties to sell our testing products outside the United States, to 52 conduct clinical trials, and/or to obtain necessary permits, licenses, patent registrations and other regulatory approvals. We have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or government-affiliated hospitals, universities and other organizations.
Our quarterly and annual operating results may fluctuate significantly, which makes it difficult for us to predict our future operating results. The estimated time in which we may achieve positive Adjusted EBITDA and profitability and 34 fluctuations in our operating results may vary from period to period due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control.
Our quarterly and annual operating results may fluctuate significantly, which makes it difficult for us to predict our future operating results. The estimated time in which we may achieve positive Adjusted EBITDA and profitability and fluctuations in our operating results may vary from period to period due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control.
If we make any acquisitions, we may not be able to integrate these acquisitions successfully into our existing business, and we could assume unknown or contingent liabilities. Any future acquisitions by us also could result in significant write-offs or the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities, any of which could harm our operating results.
If we make any acquisitions, we may not be able to integrate 40 these acquisitions successfully into our existing business, and we could assume unknown or contingent liabilities. Any future acquisitions by us also could result in significant write-offs or the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities, any of which could harm our operating results.
The adequacy decision followed the signing of an executive order introducing new binding safeguards addressing the reasons behind the Court of Justice of the EU’s invalidation of the original Privacy Shield. The European Commission will continually review developments in the United States along with its adequacy decision, and the adequacy decision could be altered or withdrawn.
The adequacy decision followed the signing of an executive order introducing new binding safeguards addressing the reasons behind the Court of Justice of the EU’s invalidation of the original Privacy Shield in 2016. The European Commission will continually review developments in the United States along with its adequacy decision, and the adequacy decision could be altered or withdrawn.
We may also need additional certified laboratory scientists and other scientific and technical personnel to process higher volumes of our testing products. We cannot assure you that any increases in scale, related improvements and quality assurance will be successfully implemented or 38 that appropriate personnel will be available.
We may also need additional certified laboratory scientists and other scientific and technical personnel to process higher volumes of our testing products. We cannot assure you that any increases in scale, related improvements and quality assurance will be successfully implemented or that appropriate personnel will be available.
We cannot predict the number, timing or size of future joint ventures or acquisitions, or the effect that any such transactions might have on our operating results. 42 The diagnostic industry is subject to rapidly changing technology, which could make our current and future testing products obsolete.
We cannot predict the number, timing or size of future joint ventures or acquisitions, or the effect that any such transactions might have on our operating results. The diagnostic industry is subject to rapidly changing technology, which could make our current and future testing products obsolete.
Any successful opposition to our patents could deprive us of exclusive rights necessary for the further development of our AVISE ® testing products. Furthermore, even if they are unchallenged, our patents may not adequately protect our intellectual property, provide exclusivity for our AVISE ® testing products or prevent others from designing around our claims.
Any successful opposition to our patents could deprive us of exclusive rights necessary for the further development of our testing products. Furthermore, even if they are unchallenged, our patents may not adequately protect our intellectual property, provide exclusivity for our testing products or prevent others from designing around our claims.
It is possible that these laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our practices. If so, this could result in government-imposed fines or orders requiring that we change our practices, as well as private litigation, which could adversely affect our business.
It is possible that these laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our practices. If so, this could result in government-imposed fines or orders requiring that we change our practices, as well as private litigation, which could adversely affect our 44 business.
We cannot predict whether any such license would be available at all or whether it would be available on commercially reasonable terms. Furthermore, even in the absence of litigation, we may need to obtain licenses from third parties to advance our research or development of our AVISE ® testing products.
We cannot predict whether any such license would be available at all or whether it would be available on commercially reasonable terms. Furthermore, even in the absence of litigation, we may need to obtain licenses from third parties to advance our research or development of our testing products.
Third parties may also attempt to initiate reexamination, post grant review or inter partes review of our patents in the USPTO. We may also become involved in similar proceedings in the patent offices in other jurisdictions regarding our intellectual property rights with respect to our AVISE ® testing products and technology.
Third parties may also attempt to initiate reexamination, post grant review or inter partes review of our patents in the USPTO. We may also become involved in similar proceedings in the patent offices in other jurisdictions regarding our intellectual property rights with respect to our testing products and technology.
Therefore, if we do not have other sufficient properly functioning flow cytometers due to 44 failure to meet specifications or they otherwise become inoperable, our ability to process patient specimens in the required timeframe would be compromised and our business could be harmed.
Therefore, if we do not have other sufficient properly functioning flow cytometers due to failure to meet specifications or they otherwise become inoperable, our ability to process patient specimens in the required timeframe would be compromised and our business could be harmed.
As a result, the U.S. government may have certain rights to intellectual 59 property embodied in our testing products pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act. These U.S. government rights include a non-exclusive, non-transferable, irrevocable worldwide license to use inventions for any governmental purpose.
As a result, the U.S. government may have certain rights to intellectual property embodied in our testing products pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act. These U.S. government rights include a non-exclusive, non-transferable, irrevocable worldwide license to use inventions for any governmental purpose.
In addition, there can be no assurance that our licensors will be willing to bring and enforce claims to prevent third parties from infringing intellectual property that is licensed to us, particularly if the affected intellectual property is less important to the licensor’s business than to ours.
In addition, there can be no assurance that our licensors will be willing to bring and enforce claims to prevent third 61 parties from infringing intellectual property that is licensed to us, particularly if the affected intellectual property is less important to the licensor’s business than to ours.
If any of the following risks are realized, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment.
If 30 any of the following risks are realized, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment.
To finance any acquisitions or investments, we may choose to issue shares of our stock, or stock equivalents, as consideration, which would dilute the ownership of our stockholders. If the price of our common stock is low or volatile, we may not be able to acquire other companies for stock.
To finance any acquisitions or investments, we may choose to issue shares of our stock, or stock equivalents, as consideration, which would dilute the ownership of our stockholders. If the price of our common stock is low or volatile, we may not be able to acquire other companies for equity.
If a defendant were to prevail on a legal assertion of invalidity and/or unenforceability, we would lose at least part, and perhaps all, of the patent protection on our AVISE ® testing products. Such a loss of patent protection could have a material adverse impact on our business.
If a defendant were to prevail on a legal assertion of invalidity and/or unenforceability, we would lose at least part, and perhaps all, of the patent protection on our testing products. Such a loss of patent protection could have a material adverse impact on our business.
In the past, we have entered into clinical study collaborations, and our success in the future depends in part on our ability to enter into additional collaborations with highly regarded institutions. This can be difficult due to internal and external constraints placed on these organizations.
We have entered into clinical study collaborations, and our success in the future depends in part on our ability to enter into additional collaborations with highly regarded institutions. This can be difficult due to internal and external constraints placed on these organizations.
We apply for patents covering our testing products and technologies and uses thereof, as we deem appropriate, however we may fail to apply for patents on important testing products and technologies in a timely fashion or at all, or we may fail to apply for patents in potentially relevant jurisdictions, or we may cease our prosecution and maintenance of patents in potentially relevant jurisdictions.
We apply for patents covering our testing products and technologies and uses thereof, as we deem appropriate, however we may fail to apply for patents on important testing products and technologies or for pipeline testing products and technologies in a timely fashion or at all, or we may fail to apply for patents in potentially relevant jurisdictions, or we may cease our prosecution and maintenance of patents in potentially relevant jurisdictions.
We believe that using certain publicly available technology allows us to offer a better and more comprehensive testing product. However, the publicly available technology which we rely upon is also used in, and may continue to be used in, products which compete with our AVISE ® testing products.
We believe that using certain publicly available technology allows us to offer a better and more comprehensive testing product. However, the publicly available technology which we rely upon is also used in, and may continue to be used in, products which compete with our testing products.
Parties making claims against us for infringement or misappropriation of their intellectual property rights may seek and obtain injunctive or other equitable relief, which could effectively block our ability to further develop one or more of our AVISE ® testing products.
Parties making claims against us for infringement or misappropriation of their intellectual property rights may seek and obtain injunctive or other equitable relief, which could effectively block our ability to further develop one or more of our testing products.
Large, multispecialty group medical clinics, health systems 40 and academic medical university-based clinics may provide in-house clinical laboratories offering autoimmune and autoimmune-related disease testing services. Additionally, we compete against regional clinical laboratories providing testing in the autoimmune and autoimmune-related disease field, including Aqtual, Inc.
Large, multispecialty group medical clinics, health systems and academic medical university-based clinics may provide in-house clinical laboratories offering autoimmune and autoimmune-related disease testing services. Additionally, we compete against regional clinical laboratories providing testing in the autoimmune and autoimmune-related disease field, including Aqtual, Inc.
The occurrence of any of these events could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. The loss of members of our senior management team or our inability to attract and retain highly skilled scientists, technicians and salespeople could adversely affect our business.
The occurrence of any of these events could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. 41 The loss of members of our senior management team or our inability to attract and retain highly skilled scientists, technicians and salespeople could adversely affect our business.
Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital 66 requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.
Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.
Moreover, if our testing products do not achieve an adequate level of acceptance by rheumatologists, hospitals, third-party payors or patients, we may not generate sufficient revenue from that testing product and may not become or remain profitable.
Moreover, if our testing products do not achieve an adequate level of acceptance by rheumatologists, hospitals, third-party payors or patients, we may not generate sufficient revenue from that testing product and may 35 not become or remain profitable.
We cannot be certain that the claims in our granted patents and pending patent applications covering our AVISE ® testing products will be considered patentable or enforceable by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the USPTO) courts in the United States, or by patent offices and courts in foreign countries.
We cannot be certain that the claims in our granted patents and pending patent applications covering our testing products will be considered patentable or enforceable by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the USPTO) courts in the United States, or by patent offices and courts in foreign countries.
If we or, if required, our auditors are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting and the trading price of our common stock may decline.
If we or, if 34 required, our auditors are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting and the trading price of our common stock may decline.
While we believe our assumptions and the data underlying our estimates are reasonable, these assumptions and estimates may not be correct and the conditions supporting our assumptions or estimates may change at any time, thereby reducing the predictive 37 accuracy of these underlying factors.
While we believe our assumptions and the data underlying our estimates are reasonable, these assumptions and estimates may not be correct and the conditions supporting our assumptions or estimates may change at any time, thereby reducing the predictive accuracy of these underlying factors.
We are a smaller reporting company and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies may make our common stock less attractive to investors. We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Exchange Act.
We are a smaller reporting company and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies may make our common stock less attractive to investors. 48 We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Exchange Act.
We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world. Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on our AVISE ® testing products in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive.
We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world. Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on our testing products in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive.
Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with federal or state laws or regulations, our internal policies and procedures or our contracts governing our use and disclosures of personal information could result in negative publicity, government investigations and enforcement actions including significant penalties, claims by third parties, 55 and damage to our reputation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial performance and business.
Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with federal or state laws or regulations, our internal policies and procedures or our contracts governing our use and disclosures of personal information could result in negative 53 publicity, government investigations and enforcement actions including significant penalties, claims by third parties, and damage to our reputation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial performance and business.
Leveraging AI capabilities to potentially improve internal functions and operations presents further risks and challenges, including the possibility of creating new attack methods for adversaries.
Leveraging AI capabilities to potentially improve administrative internal functions and operations presents further risks and challenges, including the possibility of creating new attack methods for adversaries.
By agreeing to this provision, however, the stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the Federal Securities laws and rules and regulations thereunder.
By agreeing to this provision, however, the stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the 64 Federal Securities laws and rules and regulations thereunder.
As a result of these covenants, we have certain limitations on the manner in which we can conduct our business, and we may be restricted from engaging in favorable business activities or financing future operations or capital needs until our current debt obligations are paid in full or we obtain the consent of Innovatus, which we may not be able to obtain.
As a result of these covenants, we have certain limitations on the manner in which we can conduct our business, and we may be restricted from engaging in favorable business activities or financing future operations or capital needs until our current debt obligations are paid in full or we obtain the consent of Perceptive, which we may not be able to obtain.
We have previously been subject to the "baby shelf rules" and if we were to become subject to the "baby shelf rules" again, we would be unable to use our shelf registration statement on Form S-3 or the Amended Sales Agreement to raise additional funds to the extent the aggregate market value of securities sold by us or on our behalf pursuant to Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar months immediately prior to, and including, any intended sale would exceed one-third of the aggregate market value of our public float, calculated in accordance with the instructions to Form S-3.
We have previously been subject to the "baby shelf rules" and if we were to become subject to the "baby shelf rules" again, we would be limited in our ability to use our shelf registration statement on Form S-3 or the Amended Sales Agreement to raise additional funds to the extent the aggregate market value of securities sold by us or on our behalf pursuant to Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar months immediately prior to, and including, any intended sale would exceed one-third of the aggregate market value of our public float, calculated in accordance with the instructions to Form S-3.
Our testing products compete in a concentrated specialty market of autoimmune and autoimmune-related diseases, and utilizing a specialized sales force is integral to our strategy.
Our testing products compete in a concentrated specialty market of autoimmune and autoimmune-related diseases, and utilizing a specialized sales 38 force is integral to our strategy.
Securities analysts may elect not to provide research coverage of our company, and such lack of research coverage may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Securities analysts may elect not to provide 65 research coverage of our company, and such lack of research coverage may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
If we undergo an ownership change as a result of subsequent shifts in our stock ownership, our ability to utilize our NOL 47 carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes could be further limited by Sections 382 and 383 of the Code. Similar provisions of state tax law may also apply.
If we undergo an ownership change as a result of subsequent shifts in our stock ownership, our ability to utilize our NOL 46 carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes could be further limited by Sections 382 and 383 of the Code. Similar provisions of state tax law may also apply.
In July 2023, however, the European Commission adopted an adequacy decision for a new mechanism for transferring data from the EU to the United States – the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, which provides EU individuals with several new rights, including the right to obtain access to their data, or obtain correction or deletion of incorrect or unlawfully handled data.
In July 2023, the European Commission adopted an adequacy decision with respect to a mechanism for transferring data from the EU to the United States – the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, which provides EU individuals with several new rights, including the right to obtain access to their data, or obtain correction or deletion of incorrect or unlawfully handled data.
The current inflationary environment has resulted in higher prices, which have impacted our costs incurred to generate revenue from our laboratory testing services, costs to attract and retain personnel, and other operating costs. The severity and duration of the current inflationary environment remains uncertain and may continue to impact our financial condition and results of operations.
The current inflationary environment has resulted in higher prices, which have impacted our costs incurred to generate revenue from our laboratory testing services, costs to attract and retain personnel, and other operating costs in recent periods. The severity and duration of the current inflationary environment remains uncertain and may continue to impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Companies that must comply with the GDPR face increased compliance obligations 56 and risk, including more robust regulatory enforcement of data protection requirements and potential fines for noncompliance of up to €20 million or 4% of the annual global revenues of the noncompliant company, whichever is greater.
Companies that must comply with the GDPR face increased compliance obligations 54 and risk, including more robust regulatory enforcement of data protection requirements and potential fines for noncompliance of up to €20 million or 4% of the annual global revenues of the noncompliant company, whichever is greater.
As the diagnostics industry expands and more patents are issued, the risk increases that our activities related to our AVISE ® testing products may give rise to claims of infringement of the patent rights of others. 62 We cannot assure you that any of our current or future AVISE ® testing products will not infringe existing or future patents.
As the diagnostics industry expands and more patents are issued, the risk increases that our activities related to our testing products may give rise to claims of infringement of the patent rights of others. We cannot assure you that any of our current or future testing products will not infringe existing or future patents.
In addition, upon the occurrence of an event of default, Innovatus, among other things, can declare all indebtedness due and payable immediately, which would adversely impact our liquidity and reduce the availability of our cash flows to fund working capital needs, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes.
In addition, upon the occurrence of an event of default, Perceptive, among other things, can declare all indebtedness due and payable immediately, which would adversely impact our liquidity and reduce the availability of our cash flows to fund working capital needs, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes.
We cannot be certain that future working capital, borrowings or equity financings will be available to repay or refinance our debt to Innovatus or any other debt we may incur in the future. We may require substantial additional capital to finance our planned operations, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.
We cannot be certain that future working capital, borrowings or equity financings will be available to repay or refinance our debt to Perceptive or any other debt we may incur in the future. We may require substantial additional capital to finance our planned operations, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.
The use of AI to support business operations carries inherent risks related to data privacy, IP, and security, such as intended, unintended, or inadvertent transmission of proprietary, confidential, or sensitive information, as well as challenges related to implementing and maintaining AI tools, such as developing and maintaining appropriate datasets for such support.
This use of AI to support business operations carries inherent risks related to data privacy, IP, and security, such as intended, unintended, or inadvertent transmission of proprietary, confidential, or sensitive information, as well as challenges related to implementing and maintaining AI tools, such as developing and maintaining appropriate datasets for such support.
Although we are not aware of any issued patents that will prevent us from marketing our AVISE ® testing products, there may be third-party patents of which we are currently unaware with claims to materials or methods of manufacture related to the use or manufacture of our AVISE ® testing products.
Although we are not aware of any issued patents that will prevent us from marketing our testing products, there may be third-party patents of which we are currently unaware with claims to materials or methods of manufacture related 60 to the use or manufacture of our testing products.
Pursuant to Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, our management is required to report upon the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. When we reach an accelerated filer threshold, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Sarbanes-Oxley), our management is required to report upon the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. When we reach an accelerated filer threshold, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
These laws and regulations currently include, among others: • CLIA’s and CAP’s regulation of our laboratory activities, as well as state licensure laws and regulations; • FDA laws and regulations that apply to medical devices such as our companion diagnostics and other IVDs as well as LDTs, following the July 2024 effective date of the agency’s LDT final rule; • federal and state laws and standards affecting reimbursement by government payors, including certain coding requirements to obtain reimbursement and certain payment mechanisms for clinical laboratory services resulting from PAMA; • HIPAA and HITECH, which establish comprehensive federal standards with respect to the privacy and security of PHI, and requirements for the use of certain standardized electronic transactions with respect to transmission of such information, as well as similar laws protecting other types of personal information; • state laws governing the maintenance of personally identifiable information of state residents, including medical information, and which impose varying breach notification requirements, some of which allow private rights of action by individuals for violations and also impose penalties for such violations; • the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which generally prohibits knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration, directly or indirectly, in return for or to induce a person to refer to an individual any good, facility, item or service that is reimbursable under a federal healthcare program; • the federal Stark Law, which generally prohibits a physician from making a referral for certain designated health services covered by Medicare or Medicaid, including laboratory and pathology services, if the physician or an immediate family member has a financial relationship with the entity providing the designated health services; 51 • the federal False Claims Act, which imposes up to treble damages and per-claim civil penalties, and provides for civil whistleblower or qui tam actions, against individuals or entities for knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, to the federal government, claims for payment that are false or fraudulent or making a false statement to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the federal government; • the CMP Law, which generally prohibits, among other things, the offering or transfer of remuneration to a Medicare or Medicaid beneficiary if it is likely to influence the beneficiary’s selection of a particular provider, practitioner or supplier of services reimbursable by Medicare or Medicaid; • EKRA, which imposes criminal penalties for knowing and willful payment or offer, or solicitation or receipt, of any remuneration, whether directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, in exchange for the referral or inducement of laboratory testing (among other healthcare services) covered by healthcare benefit programs (including commercial insurers) unless a specific exception applies; • the ACA, which, among other things, establishes a requirement for providers and suppliers to report and return any overpayments received from the Medicare and Medicaid programs; • other federal and state fraud and abuse laws, such as anti-kickback laws, prohibitions on self-referral, fee-splitting restrictions, insurance fraud laws, anti-markup laws, prohibitions on the provision of tests at no or discounted cost to induce physician or patient adoption and false claims acts, some of which may extend to services reimbursable by any third-party payor, including private payors; • the prohibition on reassignment of Medicare claims and other Medicare and Medicaid billing and coverage requirements; • state laws that prohibit other specified healthcare practices, such as billing physicians for tests that they order, waiving coinsurance, copayments, deductibles and other amounts owed by patients, business corporations practicing medicine or employing or engaging physicians to practice medicine and billing a state Medicaid program at a price that is higher than what is charged to one or more other payors; • the FCPA, and applicable foreign anti-bribery laws; • federal, state and local regulations relating to the handling and disposal of regulated medical waste, hazardous waste and biohazardous waste and workplace safety for healthcare employees; • laws and regulations relating to health and safety, labor and employment, public reporting, taxation and other areas applicable to businesses generally, all of which are subject to change; and • similar foreign laws and regulations that apply to us in the countries in which we operate or may operate in the future.
These laws and regulations currently include, among others: • CLIA’s and CAP’s regulation of our laboratory activities, as well as state licensure laws and regulations; • federal and state laws and standards affecting reimbursement by government payors, including certain coding requirements to obtain reimbursement and certain payment mechanisms for clinical laboratory services resulting from PAMA; • HIPAA and HITECH, which establish comprehensive federal standards with respect to the privacy and security of PHI, and requirements for the use of certain standardized electronic transactions with respect to transmission of such information, as well as similar laws protecting other types of personal information; • state laws governing the maintenance of personally identifiable information of state residents, including medical information, and which impose varying breach notification requirements, some of which allow private rights of action by individuals for violations and also impose penalties for such violations; • the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which generally prohibits knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration, directly or indirectly, in return for or to induce a person to refer to an individual any good, facility, item or service that is reimbursable under a federal healthcare program; • the federal Stark Law, which generally prohibits a physician from making a referral for certain designated health services covered by Medicare or Medicaid, including laboratory and pathology services, if the physician or an immediate family member has a financial relationship with the entity providing the designated health services; 50 • the federal False Claims Act, which imposes up to treble damages and per-claim civil penalties, and provides for civil whistleblower or qui tam actions, against individuals or entities for knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, to the federal government, claims for payment that are false or fraudulent or making a false statement to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the federal government; • the CMP Law, which generally prohibits, among other things, the offering or transfer of remuneration to a Medicare or Medicaid beneficiary if it is likely to influence the beneficiary’s selection of a particular provider, practitioner or supplier of services reimbursable by Medicare or Medicaid; • EKRA, which imposes criminal penalties for knowing and willful payment or offer, or solicitation or receipt, of any remuneration, whether directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, in exchange for the referral or inducement of laboratory testing (among other healthcare services) covered by healthcare benefit programs (including commercial insurers) unless a specific exception applies; • the ACA, which, among other things, establishes a requirement for providers and suppliers to report and return any overpayments received from the Medicare and Medicaid programs; • other federal and state fraud and abuse laws, such as anti-kickback laws, prohibitions on self-referral, fee-splitting restrictions, insurance fraud laws, anti-markup laws, prohibitions on the provision of tests at no or discounted cost to induce physician or patient adoption and false claims acts, some of which may extend to services reimbursable by any third-party payor, including private payors; • the prohibition on reassignment of Medicare claims and other Medicare and Medicaid billing and coverage requirements; • state laws that prohibit other specified healthcare practices, such as billing physicians for tests that they order, waiving coinsurance, copayments, deductibles and other amounts owed by patients, business corporations practicing medicine or employing or engaging physicians to practice medicine and billing a state Medicaid program at a price that is higher than what is charged to one or more other payors; • the FCPA, and applicable foreign anti-bribery laws; • federal, state and local regulations relating to the handling and disposal of regulated medical waste, hazardous waste and biohazardous waste and workplace safety for healthcare employees; • laws and regulations relating to health and safety, labor and employment, public reporting, taxation and other areas applicable to businesses generally, all of which are subject to change; and • similar foreign laws and regulations that apply to us in the countries in which we operate or may operate in the future.
Claim adjudication errors may result in a delay in payment processing or a reduction in the amount of the payment received. As we introduce new testing products, we will need to add new codes to our billing process as well as our financial reporting systems.
Claim adjudication errors typically result in a delay in payment processing or a reduction in the amount of the payment received. As we introduce new testing products, we will need to add new codes to our billing process as well as our financial reporting systems.
The incurrence of additional indebtedness or the issuance of certain equity securities could result in increased fixed payment obligations and could also result in restrictive covenants (similar to our current obligations pursuant to the Amended Loan Agreement), such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt or issue additional equity, limitations on our ability to acquire or license intellectual property rights, and other operating restrictions that could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.
The incurrence of additional indebtedness or the issuance of certain equity securities could result in increased fixed payment obligations and could also result in restrictive covenants (similar to our current obligations pursuant to the Credit Agreement), such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt or issue additional equity, limitations on our ability to acquire or license intellectual property rights, and other operating restrictions that could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.
Risks Related to our Intellectual Property If we are unable to maintain intellectual property protection, our competitive position could be harmed. Our ability to protect our technologies, such as the AVISE ® Lupus platform, affects our ability to compete and to achieve sustained profitability.
Risks Related to our Intellectual Property If we are unable to maintain or obtain intellectual property protection, our competitive position could be harmed. Our ability to protect our technologies, such as the AVISE ® Lupus platform, affects our ability to compete and to achieve sustained profitability.
In addition, our Amended Loan Agreement restricts our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock and we may also enter into credit agreements or other borrowing arrangements in the future that will restrict our ability to declare or pay cash dividends on our common stock.
In addition, the Credit Agreement restricts our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock and we may also enter into credit agreements or other borrowing arrangements in the future that will restrict our ability to declare or pay cash dividends on our common stock.
If we are not successful in reversing existing non-coverage policies, or if other third-party payors issue negative coverage policies, these policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
If we are not successful in reversing existing non-coverage policies, or if other third-party payors issue negative coverage (or continue to issue negative coverage policies), these policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
Similarly, any product liability lawsuit affecting our partners could also cause injury to our reputation.
Similarly, any product liability lawsuit affecting our partners could also cause material injury to our reputation.
This may limit our ability to obtain or utilize those patents internationally. In order to manage our foreign patent costs and focus on the U.S. market, we made the decision to cease the prosecution and maintenance of certain of our foreign patents and patent applications related to our CB-CAPs technology, which is used in our AVISE ® testing products.
This may limit our ability to obtain or utilize those patents internationally. In order to manage our foreign patent costs and focus on the U.S. market, we made the decision to cease the prosecution and maintenance of certain of our foreign patents and patent applications related to our CB-CAPs technology and our AVISE ® testing products.
We filed a prospectus on November 29, 2023 pursuant to this registration statement, registering sales of our common stock in an amount not to exceed $50.0 million, pursuant to a sales agreement by and between us and TD Securities (USA) LLC (as successor in interest to Cowen and Company, LLC) (TD Cowen), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Sales Agreement dated November 17, 2023 (the Amended Sales Agreement).
We filed a prospectus supplement on November 29, 2023 pursuant to this registration statement, registering sales of our common stock in an amount not to exceed $50.0 million, pursuant to a sales agreement by and between us and TD Securities (USA) LLC (TD Cowen), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Sales Agreement dated November 17, 2023 (the Amended Sales Agreement).
As a result, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful. Investors should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. This variability and unpredictability could also result in our failing to meet the expectations of industry or financial analysts or investors for any period.
As a result, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful. Investors should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. This variability and unpredictability has and could again result in our failing to meet the expectations of industry or financial analysts or investors for a period.