Biggest changeFor example, in 2020, we experienced a pause in enrollment in our BIIB122/DNL151 Phase 1 and Phase 1b trials, our DNL343 Phase 1 trial, and our ETV:IDS program observational biomarker study. and we have subsequently experienced certain delays in patient enrollment.
Biggest changeFurthermore, our clinical trial sites for our clinical studies were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic: in 2020, we experienced a pause in enrollment in our BIIB122/DNL151 Phase 1 and Phase 1b trials, our DNL343 Phase 1 and Phase 2/3 trials, and our ETV:IDS program observational biomarker study, and we have subsequently experienced certain delays in patient enrollment. 64 Table of Contents The FDA issued a number of COVID-19 related guidance documents for manufacturers and clinical trial sponsors in 2020 and 2021, many of which have expired or were withdrawn with the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency in May 2023, although some COVID-19 related guidance documents remain in effect.
We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially if and as we: • continue our research and discovery activities; • progress our current and any future product candidates through preclinical and clinical development; • initiate and conduct additional preclinical, clinical or other studies for our product candidates; • work with our contract manufacturers to scale up the manufacturing processes for our product candidates or, in the future, establish and operate a manufacturing facility; • change or add additional contract manufacturers or suppliers; • seek regulatory approvals and marketing authorizations for our product candidates; • establish sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure to commercialize any products for which we obtain approval; 60 Table of Contents • acquire or in-license product candidates, intellectual property and technologies; • make milestone, royalty or other payments due under any license or collaboration agreements; • obtain, maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property portfolio, including intellectual property obtained through license agreements; • attract, hire and retain qualified personnel and incur increased stock-based compensation, especially in light of a competitive compensation environment; • provide additional internal infrastructure to support our continued research and development operations and any planned commercialization efforts in the future; • implement additional internal systems and infrastructure related to cybersecurity; • experience any delays or encounter other issues related to our operations; • meet the requirements and demands of being a public company; • defend against any product liability claims or other lawsuits related to our products; and • build clinical manufacturing capabilities and capacity.
We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially if and as we: • continue our research and discovery activities; • progress our current and any future product candidates through preclinical and clinical development; • initiate and conduct additional preclinical, clinical, or other studies for our product candidates; • work with our contract manufacturers to scale up the manufacturing processes for our product candidates or, in the future, establish and operate a manufacturing facility; • change or add additional contract manufacturers or suppliers; • seek regulatory approvals and marketing authorizations for our product candidates; • establish sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure to commercialize any products for which we obtain approval; • acquire or in-license product candidates, intellectual property, and technologies; 60 Table of Contents • make milestone, royalty, or other payments due under any license or collaboration agreements; • obtain, maintain, protect, and enforce our intellectual property portfolio, including intellectual property obtained through license agreements; • attract, hire, and retain qualified personnel and incur increased stock-based compensation, especially in light of a competitive compensation environment; • provide additional internal infrastructure to support our continued research and development operations and any planned commercialization efforts in the future; • implement additional internal systems and infrastructure related to cybersecurity; • experience any delays or encounter other issues related to our operations; • meet the requirements and demands of being a public company; • defend against any product liability claims or other lawsuits related to our products; and • build clinical manufacturing capabilities and capacity.
A pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, or the perception of its effects, may materially and adversely affect our business, operations and financial condition. Public health outbreaks, such as epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19, may significantly disrupt our business.
A pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, or the perception of its effects, may materially and adversely affect our business, operations and financial condition. Public health outbreaks, such as epidemics or pandemics may significantly disrupt our business.
Misconduct by these parties could include intentional, reckless and negligent conduct that fails to: comply with the laws of the FDA, EMA and other comparable foreign regulatory authorities; provide true, complete and accurate information to the regulatory authorities; comply with manufacturing standards we have established; comply with healthcare fraud and abuse laws in the United States and similar foreign fraudulent misconduct laws; or report financial information or data accurately or to disclose unauthorized activities to us.
Misconduct by these parties could include intentional, reckless. and negligent conduct that fails to: comply with the laws of the FDA, EMA, and other comparable foreign regulatory authorities; provide true, complete. and accurate information to regulatory authorities; comply with manufacturing standards we have established; comply with healthcare fraud and abuse laws in the United States and similar foreign fraudulent misconduct laws; or report financial information or data accurately or to disclose unauthorized activities to us.
The laws that may impact our operations include the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the False Claims Act, the False Claims Act, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA"), as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 ("HITECH"), the federal Physician Payment Sunshine Act, federal consumer protection and unfair competition laws, and analogous state and foreign laws and regulations.
The laws that may impact our operations include the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the False Claims Act, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA"), as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 ("HITECH"), the federal Physician Payment Sunshine Act, federal consumer protection and unfair competition laws, and analogous state and foreign laws and regulations.
As such, there may be significant intellectual property litigation and proceedings relating to our owned and in-licensed, and other third-party intellectual property and proprietary rights in the future. Our commercial success depends in part on our, our licensors’ and our collaborators’ ability to avoid infringing, misappropriating and otherwise violating the patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties.
As such, there may be significant intellectual property litigation and proceedings relating to our owned, in-licensed, and other third-party intellectual property and proprietary rights in the future. Our commercial success depends in part on our, our licensors’ and our collaborators’ ability to avoid infringing, misappropriating, and otherwise violating the patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties.
Our registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names may be challenged, infringed, circumvented or declared generic or determined to be infringing on other marks. We may not be able to protect our rights to these trademarks and trade names, which we need to build name recognition among potential partners or customers in our markets of interest.
Our registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names may be challenged, infringed, circumvented, declared generic, or determined to be infringing on other marks. We may not be able to protect our rights to these trademarks and trade names, which we need to build name recognition among potential partners or customers in our markets of interest.
Collaborations involving our research programs, or any product candidates we may develop, pose the following risks to us: • collaborators generally have significant discretion in determining the efforts and resources that they will apply to these collaborations; • collaborators may not properly obtain, maintain, enforce, or defend intellectual property or proprietary rights relating to our product candidates or research programs or may use our proprietary information in such a way as to expose us to potential litigation or other intellectual property related proceedings, including proceedings challenging the scope, ownership, validity and enforceability of our intellectual property; • collaborators may own or co-own intellectual property covering our product candidates or research programs that results from our collaboration with them, and in such cases, we may not have the exclusive right to commercialize such intellectual property or such product candidates or research programs; • we may need the cooperation of our collaborators to enforce or defend any intellectual property we contribute to or that arises out of our collaborations, which may not be provided to us; • collaborators may control certain interactions with regulatory authorities, which may impact on our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our products candidates; • disputes may arise between the collaborators and us that result in the delay or termination of the research, development, or commercialization of our product candidates or research programs or that result in costly litigation or arbitration that diverts management attention and resources; • collaborators may decide to not pursue development and commercialization of any product candidates we develop or may elect not to continue or renew development or commercialization programs based on clinical trial results, changes in the collaborator’s strategic focus or available funding or external factors such as an acquisition that diverts resources or creates competing priorities; • collaborators may delay clinical trials, provide insufficient funding for a clinical trial program, stop a clinical trial or abandon a product candidate, repeat or conduct new clinical trials, or require a new formulation of a product candidate for clinical testing; 93 Table of Contents • collaborators could independently develop, or develop with third parties, products that compete directly or indirectly with our product candidates or research programs if the collaborators believe that competitive products are more likely to be successfully developed or can be commercialized under terms that are more economically attractive than ours; • collaborators may restrict us from researching, developing or commercializing certain products or technologies without their involvement; • collaborators with marketing and distribution rights to one or more product candidates may not commit sufficient resources to the marketing and distribution of such product candidates; • we may lose certain valuable rights under circumstances identified in our collaborations, including if we undergo a change of control; • collaborators may grant sublicenses to our technology or product candidates or undergo a change of control and the sublicensees or new owners may decide to take the collaboration in a direction which is not in our best interest; • collaborators may become bankrupt, which may significantly delay our research or development programs, or may cause us to lose access to valuable technology, know-how or intellectual property of the collaborator relating to our products, product candidates or research programs; • key personnel at our collaborators may leave, which could negatively impact our ability to productively work with our collaborators; • collaborations may require us to incur short and long-term expenditures, issue securities that dilute our stockholders, or disrupt our management and business; • if our collaborators do not satisfy their obligations under our agreements with them, or if they terminate our collaborations with them, we may not be able to develop or commercialize product candidates as planned; • collaborations may require us to share in development and commercialization costs pursuant to budgets that we do not fully control and our failure to share in such costs could have a detrimental impact on the collaboration or our ability to share in revenue generated under the collaboration; • collaborations may be terminated in their entirety or with respect to certain product candidates or technologies and, if so terminated, may result in a need for additional capital to pursue further development or commercialization of the applicable product candidates or technologies, including our BBB platform technology; and • collaboration agreements may not lead to development or commercialization of product candidates in the most efficient manner or at all.
Collaborations involving our research programs, or any product candidates we may develop, pose the following risks to us: • collaborators generally have significant discretion in determining the efforts and resources that they will apply to these collaborations; • collaborators may not properly obtain, maintain, enforce, or defend intellectual property or proprietary rights relating to our product candidates or research programs or may use our proprietary information in such a way as to expose us to potential litigation or other intellectual property related proceedings, including proceedings challenging the scope, ownership, validity and enforceability of our intellectual property; • collaborators may own or co-own intellectual property covering our product candidates or research programs that results from our collaboration with them, and in such cases, we may not have the exclusive right to commercialize such intellectual property or such product candidates or research programs; • we may need the cooperation of our collaborators to enforce or defend any intellectual property we contribute to or that arises out of our collaborations, which may not be provided to us; • collaborators may control certain interactions with regulatory authorities, which may impact on our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our products candidates; • disputes may arise between the collaborators and us that result in the delay or termination of the research, development, or commercialization of our product candidates or research programs or that result in costly litigation or arbitration that diverts management attention and resources; • collaborators may decide to not pursue development and commercialization of any product candidates we develop or may elect not to continue or renew development or commercialization programs based on clinical trial results, changes in the collaborator’s strategic focus or available funding or external factors such as an acquisition that diverts resources or creates competing priorities; • collaborators may delay clinical trials, provide insufficient funding for a clinical trial program, stop a clinical trial or abandon a product candidate, repeat or conduct new clinical trials, or require a new formulation of a product candidate for clinical testing; 92 Table of Contents • collaborators could independently develop, or develop with third parties, products that compete directly or indirectly with our product candidates or research programs if the collaborators believe that competitive products are more likely to be successfully developed or can be commercialized under terms that are more economically attractive than ours; • collaborators may restrict us from researching, developing, or commercializing certain products or technologies without their involvement; • collaborators with marketing and distribution rights to one or more product candidates may not commit sufficient resources to the marketing and distribution of such product candidates; • we may lose certain valuable rights under circumstances identified in our agreements with our collaborators, including if we undergo a change of control; • collaborators may grant sublicenses to our technology or product candidates or undergo a change of control and the sublicensees or new owners may decide to take the collaboration in a direction which is not in our best interest; • collaborators may become bankrupt, which may significantly delay our research or development programs, or may cause us to lose access to valuable technology, know-how, or intellectual property of the collaborator relating to our products, product candidates, or research programs; • key personnel at our collaborators may leave, which could negatively impact our ability to productively work with our collaborators; • collaborations may require us to incur short and long-term expenditures, issue securities that dilute our stockholders, or disrupt our management and business; • if our collaborators do not satisfy their obligations under our agreements with them, or if they terminate our collaborations with them, we may not be able to develop or commercialize product candidates as planned; • collaborations may require us to share in development and commercialization costs pursuant to budgets that we do not fully control and our failure to share in such costs could have a detrimental impact on the collaboration or our ability to share in revenue generated under the collaboration; • collaborations may be terminated in their entirety or with respect to certain product candidates or technologies and, if so terminated, may result in a need for additional capital to pursue further development or commercialization of the applicable product candidates or technologies, including our BBB platform technology; and • collaboration agreements may not lead to development or commercialization of product candidates in the most efficient manner or at all.
The degree of market acceptance of any product candidates we may develop, if approved for commercial sale, will depend on a number of factors, including: • the efficacy or potency and safety of such product candidates as demonstrated in pivotal clinical trials and published in peer-reviewed journals; • the potential and perceived advantages compared to alternative treatments; • the ability to offer our products for sale at competitive prices; • the ability to offer appropriate patient access programs, such as co-pay assistance; • the extent to which physicians recommend our products to their patients; • convenience and ease of dosing and administration compared to alternative treatments; • the clinical indications for which the product candidate is approved by FDA, EMA or other regulatory agencies; 76 Table of Contents • product labeling or product insert requirements of the FDA, EMA or other comparable foreign regulatory authorities, including any limitations, contraindications or warnings contained in a product’s approved labeling; • restrictions on how the product is distributed; • the timing of market introduction of competitive products; • publicity concerning our products or competing products and treatments; • the strength of marketing and distribution support; • sufficient third-party coverage or reimbursement; and • the prevalence and severity of any side effects.
The degree of market acceptance of any product candidates we may develop, if approved for commercial sale, will depend on a number of factors, including: • the efficacy or potency and safety of such product candidates as demonstrated in pivotal clinical trials and published in peer-reviewed journals; • the potential and perceived advantages compared to alternative treatments; • the ability to offer our products for sale at competitive prices; • the ability to offer appropriate patient access programs, such as co-pay assistance; • the extent to which physicians recommend our products to their patients; • convenience and ease of dosing and administration compared to alternative treatments; • the clinical indications for which the product candidate is approved by FDA, EMA or other regulatory agencies; 75 Table of Contents • product labeling or product insert requirements of the FDA, EMA or other comparable foreign regulatory authorities, including any limitations, contraindications or warnings contained in a product’s approved labeling; • restrictions on how the product is distributed; • the timing of market introduction of competitive products; • publicity concerning our products or competing products and treatments; • the strength of marketing and distribution support; • sufficient third-party coverage or reimbursement; and • the prevalence and severity of any side effects.
Factors that may inhibit our efforts to commercialize any approved product on our own include: • our inability to recruit and retain adequate numbers of effective sales, marketing, reimbursement, customer service, medical affairs, and other support personnel; 75 Table of Contents • the inability of sales personnel to obtain access to physicians or persuade adequate numbers of physicians to prescribe any future approved products; • the inability of reimbursement professionals to negotiate arrangements for formulary access, reimbursement, and other acceptance by payors; • the inability to price our products at a sufficient price point to ensure an adequate and attractive level of profitability; • restricted or closed distribution channels that make it difficult to distribute our products to segments of the patient population; • the lack of complementary products to be offered by sales personnel, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage relative to companies with more extensive product lines; and • unforeseen costs and expenses associated with creating an independent commercialization organization.
Factors that may inhibit our efforts to commercialize any approved product on our own include: • our inability to recruit and retain adequate numbers of effective sales, marketing, reimbursement, customer service, medical affairs, and other support personnel; 74 Table of Contents • the inability of sales personnel to obtain access to physicians or persuade adequate numbers of physicians to prescribe any future approved products; • the inability of reimbursement professionals to negotiate arrangements for formulary access, reimbursement, and other acceptance by payors; • the inability to price our products at a sufficient price point to ensure an adequate and attractive level of profitability; • restricted or closed distribution channels that make it difficult to distribute our products to segments of the patient population; • the lack of complementary products to be offered by sales personnel, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage relative to companies with more extensive product lines; and • unforeseen costs and expenses associated with creating an independent commercialization organization.
In addition, we cannot be certain that any patents we own or in-license in the United States adequately cover the Fc domain portion of our BBB platform technology that binds to transferrin receptor, or adequately cover the antibodies, enzymes or proteins being developed in our ATV:TREM2, ETV:IDS, ETV:SGSH, ETV:IDUA, PTV:PGRN, OTV, or other TV-enabled programs.
In addition, we cannot be certain that any patents we own or in-license in the United States adequately cover the Fc domain portion of our BBB platform technology that binds to transferrin receptor, or adequately cover the antibodies, enzymes or proteins being developed in our ATV:TREM2, ETV:IDS, ETV:SGSH, ETV:IDUA, PTV:PGRN, ATV:Abeta, OTV, or other TV-enabled programs.
Any disruption or security breach or incident that results in or is perceived to have resulted in a loss of, or damage to, our data or systems, or inappropriate disclosure, use, acquisition, transfer, modification, unavailability or other processing of confidential or proprietary information, including data related to our personnel, could result in the loss, unauthorized modification, use, unavailability, disclosure or other unauthorized processing of critical or sensitive date, and could cause us to incur liability.
Any disruption or security breach or incident that results in or is perceived to have resulted in a loss of, or damage to, our data or systems, or inappropriate disclosure, use, acquisition, transfer, modification, unavailability, or other processing of confidential or proprietary information, including data related to our personnel, could result in the loss, unauthorized modification, use, unavailability, disclosure or other unauthorized processing of critical or sensitive data, and could cause us to incur liability.
Our actual or perceived failure to adequately comply with applicable laws and regulations or other actual or asserted obligations relating to privacy and data protection, or to protect personal data and other data we process or maintain, could result in regulatory enforcement actions against us, including fines, imprisonment of company officials and public censure, claims for damages by affected individuals, other lawsuits or reputational and damage, all of which could materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. 90 Table of Contents If we or any contract manufacturers and suppliers we engage fail to comply with environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations, we could become subject to fines or penalties or incur costs that could have a material adverse effect on the success of our business.
Our actual or perceived failure to adequately comply with applicable laws and regulations or other actual or asserted obligations relating to privacy and data protection, or to protect personal data and other data we process or maintain, could result in regulatory enforcement actions against us, including fines, imprisonment of company officials and public censure, claims for damages by affected individuals, other lawsuits or reputational damage, all of which could materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. 89 Table of Contents If we or any contract manufacturers and suppliers we engage fail to comply with environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations, we could become subject to fines or penalties or incur costs that could have a material adverse effect on the success of our business.
The FCPA also requires public companies to make and keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect the transactions of the corporation and to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls. Our business is heavily regulated and therefore involves significant interaction with public officials, including officials of non-U.S. governments.
The FCPA also requires public companies to make and keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect certain transactions of the corporation and to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls. Our business is heavily regulated and therefore involves significant interaction with public officials, including officials of non-U.S. governments.
Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems and those of our CROs and other contractors and consultants may be vulnerable to damage, outages and interruptions resulting from computer viruses and other malicious code or unauthorized access, or breached, compromised or otherwise subject to security incidents due to operator error, malfeasance or other system disruptions.
Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems and those of our collaborators, CROs, and other contractors and consultants may be vulnerable to damage, outages and interruptions resulting from computer viruses and other malicious code or unauthorized access, or breached, compromised, or otherwise subject to security incidents due to operator error, malfeasance, or other system disruptions.
Our future success is dependent on our ability to successfully develop, obtain regulatory approval for, and then successfully commercialize our product candidates, and we may fail to do so for many reasons, including the following: • our product candidates may not successfully complete preclinical studies or clinical trials; • our drug delivery platform technology may not be clinically viable; • a product candidate may on further study be shown to have harmful side effects or other characteristics that indicate it is unlikely to be effective or otherwise does not meet applicable regulatory criteria; • our competitors may develop therapeutics that render our product candidates obsolete or less attractive; • our competitors may develop platform technologies to deliver large molecule therapeutics across the BBB that render our platform technology obsolete or less attractive; • the product candidates and BBB platform technology that we develop may not be sufficiently covered by intellectual property for which we hold exclusive rights; • the product candidates and BBB platform technology that we develop may be covered by third parties’ patents or other intellectual property or exclusive rights; • the market for a product candidate may change so that the continued development of that product candidate is no longer reasonable or commercially attractive; • a product candidate may not be capable of being produced in commercial quantities at an acceptable cost, or at all; • if a product candidate obtains regulatory approval, we may be unable to establish sales and marketing capabilities, or successfully market such approved product candidate; and • a product candidate may not be accepted as safe and effective by patients, the medical community or third-party payors, if applicable.
Our future success is dependent on our ability to successfully develop, obtain regulatory approval for, and then successfully commercialize our product candidates, and we may fail to do so for many reasons, including the following: • our product candidates may not successfully complete preclinical studies or clinical trials; • our drug delivery platform technology may not be clinically viable; • a product candidate may on further study be shown to have harmful side effects or other characteristics that indicate it is unlikely to be effective or otherwise does not meet applicable regulatory criteria; • our competitors may develop therapeutics that render our product candidates obsolete or less attractive; • our competitors may develop platform technologies to deliver large molecule therapeutics across the BBB that render our platform technology obsolete or less attractive; • the product candidates and BBB platform technology that we develop may not be sufficiently covered by intellectual property for which we hold exclusive rights; • the product candidates and BBB platform technology that we develop may be covered by third parties’ patents or other intellectual property or exclusive rights; • the market for a product candidate may change so that the continued development of that product candidate is no longer reasonable or commercially attractive; • a product candidate may not be capable of being produced in commercial quantities at an acceptable cost, or at all; 65 Table of Contents • if a product candidate obtains regulatory approval, we may be unable to establish sales and marketing capabilities, or successfully market such approved product candidate; and • a product candidate may not be accepted as safe and effective by patients, the medical community, or third-party payors, if applicable.
Any inability to successfully initiate or complete clinical trials could result in additional costs to us or impair our ability to generate revenue. In addition, if we make manufacturing or formulation changes to our product candidates, we may be required to or we may elect to conduct additional studies to bridge our modified product candidates to earlier versions.
Any inability to successfully initiate or complete clinical trials could result in additional costs to us or impair our ability to generate revenue. In addition, if we make manufacturing or formulation changes to our product candidates, we or our collaborators may be required or elect to conduct additional studies to bridge our modified product candidates to earlier versions.
We expect that the ACA, as well as other healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future, may result in additional reductions in Medicare and other healthcare funding, more rigorous coverage criteria, lower reimbursement, and new payment methodologies. This could lower the price that we receive for any approved product.
We expect that the ACA and IRA, as well as other healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future, may result in additional reductions in Medicare and other healthcare funding, more rigorous coverage criteria, lower reimbursement, and new payment methodologies. This could lower the price that we receive for any approved product.
With respect to both in-licensed and owned intellectual property, we cannot predict whether the patent applications we and our licensors are currently pursuing will issue as patents in any particular jurisdiction or whether the claims of any issued patents will provide sufficient protection from competitors or other third parties. 98 Table of Contents The patent prosecution process is expensive, time-consuming, and complex, and we may not be able to file, prosecute, maintain, enforce, or license all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner, including delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic impacting our or our licensors' operations.
With respect to both in-licensed and owned intellectual property, we cannot predict whether the patent applications we and our licensors are currently pursuing will issue as patents in any particular jurisdiction or whether the claims of any issued patents will provide sufficient protection from competitors or other third parties. 97 Table of Contents The patent prosecution process is expensive, time-consuming, and complex, and we may not be able to file, prosecute, maintain, enforce, or license all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner, including delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic impacting our or our licensors' operations.
Events that may prevent successful or timely initiation or completion of clinical trials include: • inability to generate sufficient preclinical, toxicology, or other in vivo or in vitro data to support the initiation or continuation of clinical trials; 68 Table of Contents • delays in confirming target engagement, patient selection or other relevant biomarkers to be utilized in preclinical and clinical product candidate development; • delays in reaching a consensus with regulatory agencies on trial design; • delays in reaching agreement on acceptable terms with prospective CROs and clinical trial sites, the terms of which can be subject to extensive negotiation and may vary significantly among different CROs and clinical trial sites; • delays in identifying, recruiting and training suitable clinical investigators; • delays in obtaining required IRB approval at each clinical trial site; • imposition of a temporary or permanent clinical hold by regulatory agencies for a number of reasons, including after review of an IND or amendment, CTA or amendment, or equivalent application or amendment; as a result of a new safety finding that presents unreasonable risk to clinical trial participants; a negative finding from an inspection of our clinical trial operations or trial sites; developments on trials conducted by competitors for related technology that raises FDA or EMA concerns about risk to patients of the technology broadly; or if the FDA or EMA finds that the investigational protocol or plan is clearly deficient to meet its stated objectives; • delays in identifying, recruiting and enrolling suitable patients to participate in our clinical trials, and delays caused by patients withdrawing from clinical trials or failing to return for post-treatment follow-up; • difficulty collaborating with patient groups and investigators; • failure by our CROs, other third parties, or us to adhere to clinical trial requirements; • failure to perform in accordance with the FDA’s or any other regulatory authority’s current good clinical practices ("cGCPs") requirements, or other regulatory guidelines in other countries; • occurrence of adverse events associated with the product candidate that are viewed to outweigh its potential benefits; • changes in regulatory requirements and guidance that require amending or submitting new clinical protocols; • changes in the approval policies or regulations of the FDA or other regulatory authorities; • changes in the standard of care on which a clinical development plan was based, which may require new or additional trials; • the cost of clinical trials of our product candidates being greater than we anticipate; • clinical trials of our product candidates producing negative or inconclusive results, which may result in our deciding, or regulators requiring us, to conduct additional clinical trials or abandon product development programs; • transfer of manufacturing processes from our academic collaborators to larger-scale facilities operated by a CDMO or by us, and delays or failure by our CDMOs or us to make any necessary changes to such manufacturing process; • delays in manufacturing, testing, releasing, validating, or importing/exporting sufficient stable quantities of our product candidates for use in clinical trials or the inability to do any of the foregoing; and 69 Table of Contents • delays associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Events that may prevent successful or timely initiation or completion of clinical trials include: • inability to generate sufficient preclinical, toxicology, or other in vivo or in vitro data to support the initiation or continuation of clinical trials; • delays in confirming target engagement, patient selection, or other relevant biomarkers to be utilized in preclinical and clinical product candidate development; • delays in reaching a consensus with regulatory agencies on trial design; • delays in reaching agreement on acceptable terms with prospective CROs and clinical trial sites, the terms of which can be subject to extensive negotiation and may vary significantly among different CROs and clinical trial sites; • delays in identifying, recruiting and training suitable clinical investigators; • delays in obtaining required IRB approval at each clinical trial site; • imposition of a temporary or permanent clinical hold by regulatory agencies for a number of reasons, including after review of an IND or amendment, CTA or amendment, or equivalent application or amendment; as a result of a new safety finding that presents unreasonable risk to clinical trial participants; a negative finding from an inspection of our clinical trial operations or trial sites; developments on trials conducted by competitors for related technology that raises FDA or EMA concerns about risk to patients of the technology broadly; or if the FDA or EMA finds that the investigational protocol or plan is clearly deficient to meet its stated objectives; • delays in identifying, recruiting, and enrolling suitable patients to participate in our clinical trials, and delays caused by patients withdrawing from clinical trials or failing to return for post-treatment follow-up; • difficulty collaborating with patient groups and investigators; • failure by our CROs, other third parties, or us to adhere to clinical trial requirements; • failure to perform in accordance with the FDA’s or any other regulatory authority’s current good clinical practices ("cGCPs") requirements, or other regulatory guidelines in other countries; • occurrence of adverse events associated with the product candidate that are viewed to outweigh its potential benefits; • changes in regulatory requirements and guidance that require amending or submitting new clinical protocols; • changes in the approval policies or regulations of the FDA or other regulatory authorities; • changes in the standard of care on which a clinical development plan was based, which may require new or additional trials; 68 Table of Contents • the cost of clinical trials of our product candidates being greater than we anticipate; • clinical trials of our product candidates producing negative or inconclusive results, which may result in us or our collaborators deciding, or regulators requiring us, to conduct additional clinical trials or abandon product development programs; • transfer of manufacturing processes from our academic collaborators to larger-scale facilities operated by a CDMO or by us, and delays or failure by our CDMOs or us to make any necessary changes to such manufacturing process; • delays in manufacturing, testing, releasing, validating, or importing/exporting sufficient stable quantities of our product candidates for use in clinical trials or the inability to do any of the foregoing; and • delays associated with a pandemic or other public health emergency.
Further, others, including regulatory agencies, may not accept or agree with our assumptions, estimates, calculations, conclusions or analyses or may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently, which could impact the value of the particular program, the approval or commercialization of the particular product candidate and our company in general.
Further, others, including our collaborators or regulatory agencies, may not accept or agree with our assumptions, estimates, calculations, conclusions, or analyses or may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently, which could impact the value of the particular program, the approval or commercialization of the particular product candidate and our company in general.
Adverse events or other undesirable side effects caused by our product candidates could cause us or regulatory authorities to interrupt, delay, or halt clinical trials and could result in a more restrictive label or the delay or denial of regulatory approval by the FDA, EMA or other comparable foreign regulatory authorities.
Adverse events or other undesirable side effects caused by our product candidates could cause us, our collaborators, or regulatory authorities to interrupt, delay, or halt clinical trials and could result in a more restrictive label or the delay or denial of regulatory approval by the FDA, EMA, or other comparable foreign regulatory authorities.
However, if a prolonged government shutdown or other disruption occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA or other regulatory authorities to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, or to provide feedback on our clinical development plans, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
If a prolonged government shutdown or other disruption occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA or other regulatory authorities to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, or to provide feedback on our clinical development plans, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
If the preliminary or topline data that we report differ from late, final or actual results, or if others, including regulatory authorities, disagree with the conclusions reached, our ability to obtain approval for, and commercialize our product candidates may be harmed.
If the preliminary or topline data that we report differ from late, final, or actual results, or if others, including our collaborators or regulatory authorities, disagree with the conclusions reached, our ability to obtain approval for, and commercialize our product candidates may be harmed.
The GDPR also imposes strict rules on the transfer of personal data out of the EU to the United States and other third countries and in the context of clinical trials, we currently rely on patient informed consent as the legal basis for such transfers.
The GDPR also imposes strict rules on the transfer of personal data out of the EU to the United States and other countries, and in the context of clinical trials we currently rely on patient informed consent as the legal basis for such transfers.
Furthermore, even if we are able to enroll a sufficient number of patients for our clinical trials, we may have difficulty maintaining participation in our clinical trials through the treatment and any follow-up periods, which could delay or negatively impact the anticipated readouts from our clinical trials, delay our regulatory submissions, and increase the costs of the clinical trials. 71 Table of Contents Our clinical trials may reveal significant adverse events, toxicities, or other side effects and may fail to demonstrate substantial evidence of the safety and efficacy or potency of our product candidates, which would prevent, delay or limit the scope of regulatory approval and commercialization.
Furthermore, even if we are able to enroll a sufficient number of patients for our clinical trials, we may have difficulty maintaining participation in our clinical trials through the treatment and any follow-up periods, which could delay or negatively impact the anticipated readouts from our clinical trials, delay our regulatory submissions, and increase the costs of the clinical trials. 70 Table of Contents Our clinical trials may reveal significant adverse events, toxicities, or other side effects and may fail to demonstrate substantial evidence of the safety and efficacy or potency of our product candidates, which would prevent, delay, or limit the scope of regulatory approval and commercialization.
Additionally, if one or more of our product candidates receives marketing approval, and we or others later identify undesirable side effects or adverse events caused by such products, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including but not limited to • regulatory authorities may withdraw approvals of such product and cause us to recall our product; • regulatory authorities may require additional warnings on the label; • we may be required to change the way the product is administered or conduct additional clinical trials or post-approval studies; • we may be required to create a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy plan to assure safe use; • we could be sued and held liable for harm caused to patients; and • our reputation may suffer. 82 Table of Contents Any of these events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of the particular product candidate, if approved, and could significantly harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects.
Additionally, if one or more of our product candidates receives marketing approval, and we or others, including our collaborators, later identify undesirable side effects or adverse events caused by such products, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including but not limited to: • regulatory authorities may withdraw approvals of such product and cause us to recall our product; • regulatory authorities may require additional warnings on the label; • we may be required to change the way the product is administered or conduct additional clinical trials or post-approval studies; • we may be required to create a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy plan to assure safe use; • we could be sued and held liable for harm caused to patients; and • our reputation may suffer. 81 Table of Contents Any of these events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of the particular product candidate, if approved, and could significantly harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects.
Any performance failure on the part of our suppliers could delay the development and potential commercialization of our product candidates, including limiting supplies necessary for clinical trials and regulatory approvals, which would have a material adverse effect on our business. 97 Table of Contents Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property If we are unable to obtain and maintain patent protection for any product candidates we develop or for our BBB platform technology, our competitors could develop and commercialize products or technology similar or identical to ours, and our ability to successfully commercialize any product candidates we may develop, and our technology may be adversely affected.
Any performance failure on the part of our suppliers could delay the development and potential commercialization of our product candidates, including limiting supplies necessary for clinical trials and regulatory approvals, which would have a material adverse effect on our business. 96 Table of Contents Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property If we are unable to obtain and maintain patent protection for any product candidates we develop or for our BBB platform technology, our competitors could develop and commercialize products or technology similar or identical to ours, and our ability to successfully commercialize any product candidates we may develop, and our technology may be adversely affected.
As a result, we may fail to capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market opportunities, be required to forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with other product candidates or other diseases and disease pathways that may later prove to have greater commercial potential than those we choose to pursue, or relinquish valuable rights to such product candidates through collaboration, licensing or other royalty arrangements in cases in which it would have been advantageous for us to invest additional resources to retain sole development and commercialization rights.
As a result, we may fail to capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market opportunities, be required to forgo or delay pursuit of opportunities with other product candidates or other diseases and disease pathways that may later prove to have greater commercial potential than those we choose to pursue, or relinquish valuable rights to such product candidates through collaboration, licensing or other royalty arrangements in cases in which it would have been advantageous for us to invest additional resources to retain sole development and commercialization rights.
Even if regulatory approval is secured for any of our product candidates, the terms of such approval, such as requiring us to narrow our indications to a smaller subset, may also limit its commercial potential. 72 Table of Contents Interim, topline and preliminary data from our clinical trials that we announce or publish from time to time may change as more patient data become available, and are subject to audit and verification procedures that could result in material changes in the final data.
Even if regulatory approval is secured for any of our product candidates, the terms of such approval, such as requiring us to narrow our indications to a smaller subset, may also limit its commercial potential. 71 Table of Contents Interim, topline, and preliminary data from our clinical trials that we announce or publish from time to time may change as more patient data become available, and are subject to audit and verification procedures that could result in material changes in the final data.
We may experience difficulties in patient enrollment and retention in our clinical trials for a variety of reasons, including: • public health crises, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; • the size and nature of the patient population; 70 Table of Contents • the patient eligibility criteria defined in the protocol, including biomarker-driven identification and/or certain highly-specific criteria related to stage of disease progression, which may limit the patient populations eligible for our clinical trials to a greater extent than competing clinical trials for the same indication that do not have biomarker-driven patient eligibility criteria; • the size of the study population required for analysis of the trial’s primary endpoints; • the proximity of patients to a trial site; • the design of the trial; • our ability to recruit clinical trial investigators with the appropriate competencies and experience; • competing clinical trials for similar therapies or targeting patient populations meeting our patient eligibility criteria; • clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions as to the potential advantages and side effects of the product candidate being studied in relation to other available therapies and product candidates; • our ability to obtain and maintain patient consents; and • the risk that patients enrolled in clinical trials will not complete such trials, for any reason, including the risk of higher drop-out rates if participants become infected with the COVID-19 virus or other infectious diseases that impact their participation in our trials.
We may experience difficulties in patient enrollment and retention in our clinical trials for a variety of reasons, including: • public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; • the size and nature of the patient population; • the patient eligibility criteria defined in the protocol, including biomarker-driven identification and/or certain highly-specific criteria related to stage of disease progression, which may limit the patient populations eligible for our clinical trials to a greater extent than competing clinical trials for the same indication that do not have biomarker-driven patient eligibility criteria; • the size of the study population required for analysis of the trial’s primary endpoints; • the proximity of patients to a trial site; • the design of the trial; • our ability to recruit clinical trial investigators with the appropriate competencies and experience; • competing clinical trials for similar therapies or targeting patient populations meeting our patient eligibility criteria; • clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions as to the potential advantages and side effects of the product candidate being studied in relation to other available therapies and product candidates; • our ability to obtain and maintain patient consents; and • the risk that patients enrolled in clinical trials will not complete such trials, for any reason, including the risk of higher drop-out rates if participants become infected with the COVID-19 virus or other infectious diseases that impact their participation in our trials.
Any such violations could include prohibitions on our ability to offer our products in one or more countries and could materially damage our reputation, our brand, our international expansion efforts, our ability to attract and retain employees, and our business, prospects, operating results, and financial condition. 91 Table of Contents In addition, in the future once we enter a commercialization phase, our products may be subject to U.S. and foreign export controls, trade sanctions and import laws and regulations.
Any such violations could include prohibitions on our ability to offer our products in one or more countries and could materially damage our reputation, our brand, our international expansion efforts, our ability to attract and retain employees, and our business, prospects, operating results, and financial condition. 90 Table of Contents In addition, in the future once we enter a commercialization phase, our products may be subject to U.S. and foreign export controls, trade sanctions, and import laws and regulations.
Accordingly, our future results could be harmed by a variety of factors, including: • economic weakness, including inflation, rising interest rates or political instability in certain non-U.S. economies and markets; 114 Table of Contents • differing and changing regulatory requirements in non-U.S. countries; • challenges enforcing our contractual and intellectual property rights, especially in those non-U.S. countries that do not offer the same level of intellectual property protection as the United States; • difficulties in compliance with non-U.S. laws and regulations; • changes in non-U.S. regulations and customs, tariffs and trade barriers; • changes in non-U.S. currency exchange rates and currency controls; • changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic environment; • trade protection measures, import or export licensing requirements or other restrictive government actions; • negative consequences from changes in tax laws; • compliance with tax, employment, immigration and labor laws for employees living or traveling abroad; • workforce uncertainty in countries where labor unrest is more common than in the United States; • difficulties associated with staffing and managing international operations, including differing labor relations; • potential liability under the FCPA, UK Bribery Act or comparable foreign laws; • business interruptions resulting from geopolitical actions, including war, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and terrorism, natural disasters including earthquakes, typhoons, floods and fires, or health epidemics such as COVID-19; and • cyberattacks, which are growing in frequency, sophistication and intensity, and are becoming increasingly difficult to detect.
Accordingly, our future results could be harmed by a variety of factors, including: 114 Table of Contents • economic weakness, including inflation, rising interest rates or political instability in certain non-U.S. economies and markets; • differing and changing regulatory requirements in non-U.S. countries; • challenges enforcing our contractual and intellectual property rights, especially in those non-U.S. countries that do not offer the same level of intellectual property protection as the United States; • difficulties in compliance with non-U.S. laws and regulations; • changes in non-U.S. regulations and customs, tariffs, and trade barriers; • changes in non-U.S. currency exchange rates and currency controls; • changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic environment; • trade protection measures, import or export licensing requirements, or other restrictive government actions; • negative consequences from changes in tax laws; • compliance with tax, employment, immigration, and labor laws for employees living or traveling abroad; • workforce uncertainty in countries where labor unrest is more common than in the United States; • difficulties associated with staffing and managing international operations, including differing labor relations; • potential liability under the FCPA, UK Bribery Act, or comparable foreign laws; • business interruptions resulting from geopolitical actions, including war and armed conflict, terrorism, natural disasters including earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and fires, or health epidemics such as COVID-19; and • cyberattacks, which are growing in frequency, sophistication and intensity, and are becoming increasingly difficult to detect.
If any of our small molecule product candidates obtain regulatory approval, additional competitors could enter the market with generic versions of such drugs, which may result in a material decline in sales of affected products. 78 Table of Contents Under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 (the "Hatch-Waxman Act"), a pharmaceutical manufacturer may file an abbreviated new drug application ("ANDA") seeking approval of a generic copy of an approved, small molecule innovator product.
If any of our small molecule product candidates obtain regulatory approval, additional competitors could enter the market with generic versions of such drugs, which may result in a material decline in sales of affected products. 77 Table of Contents Under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 (the "Hatch-Waxman Act"), a pharmaceutical manufacturer may file an abbreviated new drug application ("ANDA") seeking approval of a generic copy of an approved, small molecule innovator product.
For example, in June 2016, we entered into a license agreement with Genentech pursuant to which we received an exclusive license to certain of Genentech’s intellectual property relating to our LRRK2 program, including our BIIB122/DNL151 product candidate. 100 Table of Contents Our agreements with F-star and other license agreements may not provide exclusive rights to use certain licensed intellectual property and technology in all relevant fields of use and in all territories in which we may wish to develop or commercialize our technology and products in the future.
For example, in June 2016, we entered into a license agreement with Genentech pursuant to which we received an exclusive license to certain of Genentech’s intellectual property relating to our LRRK2 program, including our BIIB122/DNL151 product candidate. 99 Table of Contents Our agreements with F-star and other license agreements may not provide exclusive rights to use certain licensed intellectual property and technology in all relevant fields of use and in all territories in which we may wish to develop or commercialize our technology and products in the future.
Our competitors or other third parties may be able to circumvent our patents by developing similar or alternative technologies or products in a non-infringing manner which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. 99 Table of Contents The issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to its inventorship, scope, validity, or enforceability, and our patents may be challenged in the courts or patent offices in the United States and abroad.
Our competitors or other third parties may be able to circumvent our patents by developing similar or alternative technologies or products in a non-infringing manner which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. 98 Table of Contents The issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to its inventorship, scope, validity, or enforceability, and our patents may be challenged in the courts or patent offices in the United States and abroad.
In addition to competition from other companies targeting neurodegenerative indications, any products we may develop may also face competition from other types of therapies, such as gene-editing therapies. 73 Table of Contents Many of our current or potential competitors have significantly greater financial resources and expertise in research and development, manufacturing, preclinical testing, conducting clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals, and marketing approved products than we do.
In addition to competition from other companies targeting neurodegenerative indications, any products we may develop may also face competition from other types of therapies, such as gene-editing therapies. 72 Table of Contents Many of our current or potential competitors have significantly greater financial resources and expertise in research and development, manufacturing, preclinical testing, conducting clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals, and marketing approved products than we do.
This lengthy approval process, as well as the unpredictability of the results of clinical trials, may result in our failing to obtain regulatory approval to market any of our product candidates, which would significantly harm our business, results of operations, and prospects. 81 Table of Contents Our product candidates may cause undesirable side effects or have other properties that could halt their clinical development, prevent their regulatory approval, limit their commercial potential, or result in significant negative consequences.
This lengthy approval process, as well as the unpredictability of the results of clinical trials, may result in our failing to obtain regulatory approval to market any of our product candidates, which would significantly harm our business, results of operations, and prospects. 80 Table of Contents Our product candidates may cause undesirable side effects or have other properties that could halt their clinical development, prevent their regulatory approval, limit their commercial potential, or result in significant negative consequences.
These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, sales commission, customer incentive, and other business arrangements. 87 Table of Contents Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of the statutory exceptions and safe harbors available, it is possible that some of our business activities could, despite our efforts to comply, be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws.
These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, sales commission, customer incentive, and other business arrangements. 86 Table of Contents Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of the statutory exceptions and safe harbors available, it is possible that some of our business activities could, despite our efforts to comply, be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws.
While it is uncertain when such processes intended to implement BPCIA may be fully adopted by the FDA, any such processes could have a material adverse effect on the future commercial prospects for our large molecule product candidates. 79 Table of Contents We believe that any of our large molecule product candidates approved as a biologic product under a BLA should qualify for the 12-year period of exclusivity.
While it is uncertain when such processes intended to implement BPCIA may be fully adopted by the FDA, any such processes could have a material adverse effect on the future commercial prospects for our large molecule product candidates. 78 Table of Contents We believe that any of our large molecule product candidates approved as a biologic product under a BLA should qualify for the 12-year period of exclusivity.
If we are ultimately unable to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, we will be unable to generate product revenue and our business will be substantially harmed. 80 Table of Contents The time required to obtain approval by the FDA, EMA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities is unpredictable, typically takes many years following the commencement of clinical trials, and depends upon numerous factors, including the type, complexity and novelty of the product candidates involved.
If we are ultimately unable to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, we will be unable to generate product revenue and our business will be substantially harmed. 79 Table of Contents The time required to obtain approval by the FDA, EMA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities is unpredictable, typically takes many years following the commencement of clinical trials, and depends upon numerous factors, including the type, complexity and novelty of the product candidates involved.
If we cannot successfully manage the promotion of our approved product candidates, we could become subject to significant liability, which would materially adversely affect our business and financial condition.
If we cannot successfully manage the promotion of our approved product candidates, we could become subject to significant liability, which could materially adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Such changes carry the risk that they will not achieve these intended objectives, and any of these changes could cause our product candidates to perform differently and affect the results of planned clinical trials or other future clinical trials. 74 Table of Contents In order to conduct clinical trials of our product candidates, or supply commercial products, if approved, we will need to manufacture them in small and large quantities.
Such changes carry the risk that they will not achieve these intended objectives, and any of these changes could cause our product candidates to perform differently and affect the results of planned clinical trials or other future clinical trials. 73 Table of Contents In order to conduct clinical trials of our product candidates, or supply commercial products, if approved, we will need to manufacture them in small and large quantities.
If any of our product candidates are approved, they will be subject to ongoing regulatory requirements, including both federal and state requirements in the United States and requirements of comparable foreign regulatory authorities. 83 Table of Contents While healthcare professionals are free to use and prescribe drug products for off-label uses, the FDA strictly regulates manufacturers’ promotional claims of drug products.
If any of our product candidates are approved, they will be subject to ongoing regulatory requirements, including both federal and state requirements in the United States and requirements of comparable foreign regulatory authorities. 82 Table of Contents While healthcare professionals are free to use and prescribe drug products for off-label uses, the FDA strictly regulates manufacturers’ promotional claims of drug products.
Third-party payors, whether domestic or foreign, or governmental or commercial, are developing increasingly sophisticated methods of controlling healthcare costs. 85 Table of Contents In both the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions, there have been a number of legislative and regulatory changes to the health care system that could impact our ability to sell our products profitably.
Third-party payors, whether domestic or foreign, or governmental or commercial, are developing increasingly sophisticated methods of controlling healthcare costs. 84 Table of Contents In both the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions, there have been a number of legislative and regulatory changes to the health care system that could impact our ability to sell our products profitably.
Further, future government shutdowns or other disruptions to normal operations could impact our ability to access the public markets and obtain the funding necessary to properly capitalize and continue our operations. 92 Table of Contents Risks Related to Our Reliance on Third Parties We depend on collaborations with third parties for the research, development and commercialization of certain product candidates.
Further, future government shutdowns or other disruptions to normal operations could impact our ability to access the public markets and obtain the funding necessary to properly capitalize and continue our operations. 91 Table of Contents Risks Related to Our Reliance on Third Parties We depend on collaborations with third parties for the research, development, and commercialization of certain product candidates.
Developing and, if approved, commercializing our product candidates for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases subjects us to a number of challenges, including engineering product candidates to cross the BBB to enable optimal concentration of the therapeutic in the brain and obtaining regulatory approval from the FDA and other regulatory authorities who have only a limited set of precedents to rely on.
Developing and, if approved, commercializing our product candidates for treatment of neurodegenerative and LSDs subjects us to a number of challenges, including engineering product candidates to cross the BBB to enable optimal concentration of the therapeutic in the brain and obtaining regulatory approval from the FDA and other regulatory authorities who have only a limited set of precedents to rely on.
We could also encounter delays if a clinical trial is suspended or terminated by us, by the data safety monitoring board for such trial or by any regulatory authority, or if the IRBs of the institutions in which such trials are being conducted suspend or terminate the participation of their clinical investigators and sites subject to their review.
We could also encounter delays if a clinical trial is suspended or terminated by us or our collaborators, by the data safety monitoring board for such trial, or by any regulatory authority, or if the IRBs of the institutions in which such trials are being conducted suspend or terminate the participation of their clinical investigators and sites subject to their review.
For example, we have collaborations with F-star, Takeda, Sanofi, Biogen and others, to further our development of product candidates and to enhance our research efforts directed to better understanding neurodegenerative diseases. Our likely collaborators for any other collaboration arrangements include large and mid-size pharmaceutical companies, regional and national pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and academic institutions.
For example, we have collaborations with F-star, Takeda, Sanofi, Biogen, and others to further our development of product candidates and to enhance our research efforts directed to better understanding neurodegenerative and LSDs. Our likely collaborators for any other collaboration arrangements include large and mid-size pharmaceutical companies, regional and national pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, and academic institutions.
Furthermore, in some cases, we have only filed provisional patent applications on certain aspects of our technology and product candidates and each of these provisional patent applications is not eligible to become an issued patent until, among other things, we file a non-provisional patent application within 12 months of the filing date of the applicable provisional patent application.
Furthermore, in some cases, we have only filed provisional patent applications on certain aspects of our technology and product candidates and each of these provisional patent applications is not eligible to become an issued patent until, among other things, we file a non-provisional patent application within twelve months of the filing date of the applicable provisional patent application.
Any acquisition or strategic partnership may entail numerous risks, including: • increased operating expenses and cash requirements; • the assumption of indebtedness or contingent liabilities; • the issuance of our equity securities which would result in dilution to our stockholders; • assimilation of operations, intellectual property, products and product candidates of an acquired company, including difficulties associated with integrating new personnel; • the diversion of our management’s attention from our existing product programs and initiatives in pursuing such an acquisition or strategic partnership; • retention of key employees, the loss of key personnel, and uncertainties in our ability to maintain key business relationships; 112 Table of Contents • risks and uncertainties associated with the other party to such a transaction, including the prospects of that party and their existing products or product candidates and regulatory approvals; and • our inability to generate revenue from acquired intellectual property, technology and/or products sufficient to meet our objectives or offset the associated transaction and maintenance costs.
Any such transaction may entail numerous risks, including: • increased operating expenses and cash requirements; • the assumption of indebtedness or contingent liabilities; • the issuance of our equity securities which would result in dilution to our stockholders; • assimilation of operations, intellectual property, products and product candidates of an acquired company, including difficulties associated with integrating new personnel; • the diversion of our management’s attention from our existing product programs and initiatives in pursuing such an acquisition or strategic partnership; • the loss of key employees, and uncertainties in our ability to maintain key business relationships; • risks and uncertainties associated with the other party to such a transaction, including the prospects of that party and their existing products or product candidates and regulatory approvals; and • our inability to generate revenue from acquired intellectual property, technology and/or products sufficient to meet our objectives or offset the associated transaction and maintenance costs.
If a present or future collaborator of ours were to be involved in a business combination, the continued pursuit and emphasis on our development or commercialization program under such collaboration could be delayed, diminished, or terminated. 94 Table of Contents We may face significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborations.
If a present or future collaborator of ours were to be involved in a business combination, the continued pursuit and emphasis on our development or commercialization program under such collaboration could be delayed, diminished, or terminated. 93 Table of Contents We may face significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborations.
Even if we receive regulatory approval to market any of our product candidates, whether for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or other diseases, we cannot assure you that any such product candidate will be successfully commercialized, widely accepted in the marketplace or more effective than other commercially available alternatives.
Even if we receive regulatory approval to market any of our product candidates, whether for the treatment of neurodegenerative and LSDs or other diseases, we cannot assure you that any such product candidate will be successfully commercialized, widely accepted in the marketplace, or more effective than other commercially available alternatives.
Under an operating lease for approximately 78,000 rentable square feet of laboratory, office and warehouse premises, we have initiated the build-out of our Utah site to expand our clinical manufacturing capabilities for biologic therapeutics including the manufacture of materials for toxicology studies and drug substance for early human clinical studies.
Under an operating lease for approximately 60,000 rentable square feet of laboratory, office, and warehouse premises, we have initiated the build-out of our Utah site to expand our clinical manufacturing capabilities for biologic therapeutics including the manufacture of materials for toxicology studies and drug substance for early human clinical studies.
Failure to do so can result in fines, adverse publicity, and civil and criminal sanctions. 95 Table of Contents Our third-party service providers are not our employees, and we are therefore unable to directly monitor whether or not they devote sufficient time and resources to our clinical and nonclinical programs.
Failure to do so can result in fines, adverse publicity, and civil and criminal sanctions. 94 Table of Contents Our third-party service providers are not our employees, and we are therefore unable to directly monitor whether or not they devote sufficient time and resources to our clinical and nonclinical programs.
If we make incorrect determinations regarding the viability or market potential of any of our programs or product candidates or misread trends in the biopharmaceutical industry, in particular for neurodegenerative diseases, our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects could be materially adversely affected.
If we make incorrect determinations regarding the viability or market potential of any of our programs or product candidates or misread trends in the biopharmaceutical industry, in particular for neurodegenerative and LSDs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects could be materially adversely affected.
The continuing efforts of the government, insurance companies, managed care organizations and other payors of healthcare services to contain or reduce costs of healthcare and/or impose price controls may adversely affect the demand for any product candidates that are approved, our ability to receive or set a price we believe is fair for our products, our ability to generate revenue or achieve profitability, the level of taxes we are required to pay, and the availability of capital. 86 Table of Contents Our employees, independent contractors, consultants, commercial partners and vendors may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including noncompliance with regulatory standards and requirements.
The continuing efforts of the government, insurance companies, managed care organizations, and other payors of healthcare services to contain or reduce costs of healthcare and/or impose price controls may adversely affect the demand for any product candidates that are approved, our ability to receive or set a price we believe is fair for our products, our ability to attract investment, our ability to generate revenue or achieve profitability, the level of taxes we are required to pay, and the availability of capital. 85 Table of Contents Our employees, independent contractors, consultants, commercial partners, and vendors may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including noncompliance with regulatory standards and requirements.
This risk extends to third-party vendors and subcontractors we use to manage this sensitive data. 88 Table of Contents A wide variety of provincial, state, national, and international laws, and regulations apply to the collection, use, retention, protection, disclosure, transfer and other processing of personal data.
This risk extends to third-party vendors and subcontractors we use to manage this sensitive data. 87 Table of Contents A wide variety of provincial, state, national, and international laws and regulations apply to the collection, use, retention, protection, disclosure, transfer, and other processing of personal data.
Further, our product candidates are based on new approaches and novel technology, which makes it difficult to predict the time and cost of product candidate development and subsequently obtaining regulatory approval. We have focused our research and development efforts on addressing neurodegenerative diseases.
Further, our product candidates are based on new approaches and novel technology, which makes it difficult to predict the time and cost of product candidate development and subsequently obtaining regulatory approval. We have focused our research and development efforts on addressing neurodegenerative and LSDs.
Our operations have required substantial amounts of cash since inception. We currently fund our operations primarily with the proceeds from our follow-on offering completed in January 2020 and October 2022, and payments received from our collaboration agreements with Biogen , Sanofi and Takeda.
Our operations have required substantial amounts of cash since inception. We currently fund our operations primarily with the proceeds from our follow-on offerings completed in January 2020 and October 2022, and payments received from our collaboration agreements with Biogen , Sanofi, and Takeda.
While it is not possible to predict whether another pandemic, epidemic or infectious disease outbreak similar to COVID-19 will materialize, any measures taken by the governments of countries and local authorities in response to such future health crises have the potential to disrupt and delay the initiation of new clinical trials, the progress of our ongoing clinical trials, and could disrupt and delay our preclinical activities, and potentially the manufacture or shipment of both drug substance and finished drug product of our product candidates for preclinical testing and clinical trials and adversely impact our business, financial condition or operating results.
While it is not possible to predict whether another pandemic, epidemic, or infectious disease outbreak similar to COVID-19 will materialize, any measures taken by governments and local authorities in response to such future health crises have the potential to disrupt and delay the initiation of new clinical trials, the progress of our ongoing clinical trials and our preclinical activities, and potentially the manufacture or shipment of both drug substance and finished drug product of our product candidates for preclinical testing and clinical trials, as well as adversely impact our business, financial condition, or operating results.
Our estimate as to how long we expect our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities to be available to fund our operations is based on assumptions that may be proved inaccurate, and we could use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect.
Our estimate as to how long we expect our existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities to be available to fund our operations is based on assumptions that may be proven inaccurate, and we could use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect.
Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace. 110 Table of Contents If our trademarks and trade names are not adequately protected, then we may not be able to build name recognition in our markets of interest and our business may be adversely affected.
Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace. If our trademarks and trade names are not adequately protected, then we may not be able to build name recognition in our markets of interest and our business may be adversely affected.
Our most advanced product candidates, BIIB122/DNL151, DNL310, SAR443820/DNL788, and SAR443122/DNL758 , DNL343, TAK-594/DNL593 and TAK-920/ DNL919 are currently our only clinical stage product candidates. Adverse events and other side effects may result from higher dosing, repeated dosing and/or longer-term exposure to our product candidates and could lead to delays and/or termination of the development of these product candidates.
Our most advanced product candidates, BIIB122/DNL151, DNL310, SAR443820/DNL788, eclitasertib (SAR443122/DNL758) , DNL343, and TAK-594/DNL593 are currently our only clinical stage product candidates. Adverse events and other side effects may result from higher dosing, repeated dosing, and/or longer-term exposure to our product candidates and could lead to delays and/or termination of the development of these product candidates.
Any sales of securities by these stockholders or the perception that sales will be made in the public market, could have a material adverse effect on the market price for our common stock. 117 Table of Contents We have registered on Form S-8 all shares of common stock that are issuable under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Any sales of securities by these stockholders, or the perception that sales will be made in the public market, could have a material adverse effect on the market price for our common stock. We have registered on Form S-8 all shares of common stock that are issuable under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Similarly, our potential decisions to delay, terminate or collaborate with third parties in respect of certain programs may subsequently also prove to be suboptimal and could cause us to miss valuable opportunities.
Similarly, our potential decisions to delay, terminate, spin out, or collaborate with third parties in respect of certain programs may subsequently also prove to be suboptimal and could cause us to miss valuable opportunities.
A number of companies in the biopharmaceutical industry have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials due to lack of efficacy or potency or unacceptable safety issues, notwithstanding promising results in earlier trials. This is particularly true in neurodegenerative diseases, where failure rates historically have been higher than in many other disease areas.
A number of companies in the biopharmaceutical industry have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials due to lack of efficacy or potency or unacceptable safety issues, notwithstanding promising results in earlier trials. This is particularly true in neurodegenerative and LSDs, where failure rates historically have been higher than in many other disease areas.
If any of our trade secrets were to be disclosed to or independently developed by a competitor or other third party, our competitive position would be materially and adversely harmed. 107 Table of Contents We may not be successful in obtaining, through acquisitions, in-licenses or otherwise, necessary rights to our BBB platform technology, product candidates or other technologies.
If any of our trade secrets were to be disclosed to or independently developed by a competitor or other third party, our competitive position would be materially and adversely harmed. We may not be successful in obtaining, through acquisitions, in-licenses, or otherwise, necessary rights to our BBB platform technology, product candidates or other technologies.
Such claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. 108 Table of Contents Third-party claims of intellectual property infringement, misappropriation or other violation against us, our licensors or our collaborators may prevent or delay the development and commercialization of our BBB platform technology, product candidates and other technologies.
Such claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects. Third-party claims of intellectual property infringement, misappropriation, or other violation against us, our licensors, or our collaborators may prevent or delay the development and commercialization of our BBB platform technology, product candidates, and other technologies.
We and our CROs or other third-party contractors and consultants may not be able to anticipate all types of security threats, and we may not be able to implement preventive measures effective against all such security threats. The techniques used by cyber criminals change frequently, may not be recognized until launched, and can originate from a wide variety of sources.
We and our collaborators, CROs, or other contractors and consultants may not be able to anticipate all types of security threats, and we may not be able to implement preventive measures effective against all such security threats. The techniques used by cyber criminals change frequently, may not be recognized until launched, and can originate from a wide variety of sources.
Changing circumstances, some of which may be beyond our control, such as geopolitical uncertainty, rising inflation or interest rates or a perceived or actual economic downturn, may cause us to increase our spending significantly faster than we currently anticipate, and we may need to seek additional funds sooner than planned.
Changing circumstances, some of which may be beyond our control, such as recent bank failures, geopolitical uncertainty, rising inflation or interest rates, or a perceived or actual economic downturn, may cause us to increase our spending significantly faster than we currently anticipate, and we may need to seek additional funds sooner than planned.
Identifying, developing, obtaining regulatory approval and commercializing additional product candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases will require substantial additional funding and is prone to the risks of failure inherent in drug development.
Identifying, developing, obtaining regulatory approval for, and commercializing additional product candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative and LSDs will require substantial additional funding and is prone to the risks of failure inherent in drug development.
In addition, many of the factors that cause, or lead to, a delay in the commencement or completion of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of our product candidates. We may encounter difficulties enrolling and/or retaining patients in our clinical trials, and our clinical development activities could thereby be delayed or otherwise adversely affected.
In addition, many of the factors that cause, or lead to, a delay in the commencement or completion of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of our product candidates. 69 Table of Contents We may encounter difficulties enrolling and/or retaining patients in our clinical trials, and our clinical development activities could thereby be delayed or otherwise adversely affected.
Our ability to generate revenue and achieve profitability depends significantly on many factors, including: • successfully completing research and preclinical and clinical development of our product candidates; • obtaining regulatory approvals and marketing authorizations for product candidates for which we successfully complete clinical development and clinical trials; • developing a sustainable and scalable manufacturing process for our product candidates, including those that utilize our TV platform, as well as establishing and maintaining commercially viable supply relationships with third parties that can provide adequate products and services to support clinical activities and commercial demand of our product candidates; • identifying, assessing, acquiring and/or developing new product candidates; • negotiating favorable terms in any collaboration, licensing or other arrangements into which we may enter; 61 Table of Contents • launching and successfully commercializing product candidates for which we obtain regulatory and marketing approval, either by collaborating with a partner or, if launched independently, by establishing a sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure; • obtaining and maintaining an adequate price for our product candidates, both in the United States and in foreign countries where our products are commercialized; • obtaining adequate reimbursement for our product candidates from payors; • obtaining market acceptance of our product candidates as viable treatment options; • addressing any competing technological and market developments; • receiving milestone and other payments under our current and any future collaboration arrangements; • maintaining, protecting, expanding and enforcing our portfolio of intellectual property rights; • attracting, hiring and retaining qualified personnel; • general economic conditions, including conditions resulting from rising inflation and interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty and instability or war; and • addressing any delays in our clinical trials or other impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our ability to generate revenue and achieve profitability depends significantly on many factors, including: • successfully prioritizing and completing research and preclinical and clinical development of our product candidates; • obtaining regulatory approvals and marketing authorizations for product candidates for which we successfully complete clinical development and clinical trials; • developing a sustainable and scalable manufacturing process for our product candidates, including those that utilize our TV platform, as well as establishing and maintaining commercially viable supply relationships with third parties that can provide adequate products and services to support clinical activities and commercial demand of our product candidates; • identifying, assessing, acquiring, and/or developing new product candidates; • negotiating favorable terms in any collaboration, licensing, or other arrangements into which we may enter; 61 Table of Contents • launching and successfully commercializing product candidates for which we obtain regulatory and marketing approval, either by collaborating with a partner or, if launched independently, by establishing a sales, marketing, and distribution infrastructure; • obtaining and maintaining an adequate price for our product candidates, both in the United States and in foreign countries where our products are commercialized; • obtaining adequate reimbursement for our product candidates from payors; • obtaining market acceptance of our product candidates as viable treatment options; • addressing any competing technological and market developments; • receiving milestone and other payments under our current and any future collaboration arrangements; • maintaining, protecting, expanding, and enforcing our portfolio of intellectual property rights; • attracting, hiring, and retaining qualified personnel; • general economic conditions, including conditions resulting from rising inflation and interest rates, recent bank failures and instability in the financial services sector, geopolitical uncertainty and instability or war; and • addressing any delays in our clinical trials or other impacts from a pandemic or other global health emergency.
Our approach to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases aims to identify and select targets with a genetic link to neurodegenerative diseases, identify and develop molecules that engage the intended target, identify and develop biomarkers, which are biological molecules found in blood, other bodily fluids or tissues that are signs of a normal or abnormal process or of a condition or disease, to select the right patient population and demonstrate target engagement, pathway engagement and impact on disease progression of our molecules, and engineer our molecules to cross the BBB and act directly in the brain.
Our approach to the treatment of neurodegenerative and LSDs aims to identify and select targets with a genetic link to neurodegenerative and LSDs, as applicable, identify and develop molecules that engage the intended target, identify and develop biomarkers, which are biological molecules found in blood, other bodily fluids or tissues that are signs of a normal or abnormal process or of a condition or disease, to select the right patient population and demonstrate target engagement, pathway engagement and impact on disease progression of our molecules, and engineer our molecules to cross the BBB and act directly in the brain.
If we are unable to attract and incentivize quality personnel on acceptable terms, or at all, it may cause our business and operating results to suffer. 111 Table of Contents We will need to grow the size and capabilities of our organization, and we may experience difficulties in managing this growth.
If we are unable to attract and incentivize quality personnel on acceptable terms, or at all, it may cause our business and operating results to suffer. We will need to grow the size and capabilities of our organization, and we may experience difficulties in managing this growth.
In August 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which includes prescription drug provisions that have significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry and Medicare beneficiaries, including allowing the federal government to negotiate a maximum fair price for certain high-priced single source Medicare drugs, imposing penalties and excise tax for manufacturers that fail to comply with the drug price negotiation requirements, requiring inflation rebates for all Medicare Part B and Part D drugs, with limited exceptions, if their drug prices increase faster than inflation, and redesigning Medicare Part D to reduce out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for beneficiaries, among other changes.
In August 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 ("IRA"), which includes prescription drug provisions that have significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry and Medicare beneficiaries, including allowing the federal government to negotiate a maximum fair price for certain high-priced single source Medicare drugs, imposing penalties and excise tax for manufacturers that fail to comply with the drug price negotiation requirements, requiring inflation rebates for all Medicare Part B and Part D drugs, with limited exceptions, if their drug prices increase faster than inflation, and redesigning Medicare Part D to reduce out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for beneficiaries, among other changes.Various industry stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, the U.S.
We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to successfully advance any of our product candidates through the development process or, if approved, successfully commercialize any of our product candidates. We may not be successful in our efforts to continue to create a pipeline of product candidates or to develop commercially successful products.
We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to successfully advance any of our product candidates through the development process or, if approved, successfully commercialize any of our product candidates. 66 Table of Contents We may not be successful in our efforts to continue to create a pipeline of product candidates or to develop commercially successful products.
We have previously discontinued the development of certain molecules prior to completion of preclinical development because we did not believe they met our criteria for potential clinical success. Further, we cannot be certain that any of our product candidates will be successful in clinical trials.
We have previously discontinued the development of certain molecules prior to completion of preclinical development because we did not believe they met our criteria for potential clinical success. Further, we canno t be certain that any of our product candidates will be successful in clinical trials.
We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund our projected operations through at least the next 12 months.
We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund our projected operations through at least the next twelve months.