Biggest changeThe enrollment of patients depends on many factors, including: ● the patient eligibility criteria defined in the protocol; ● the size of the patient population required for analysis of the trial’s primary endpoints; ● the proximity of patients to study sites; ● the design of the trial; ● our ability to recruit clinical trial investigators with the appropriate competencies and experience; ● clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions as to the potential advantages of the product candidate being studied in relation to other available therapies, including any new products that may be approved for the indications we are investigating; ● our ability to obtain and maintain patient consents; and ● the risk that patients enrolled in clinical trials will drop out of the trials before completion.
Biggest changeThe enrollment of patients depends on many factors, including: ● the number of clinical trials for other product candidates in the same therapeutic area that are currently in clinical development, and our ability to compete with such trials for subjects and clinical trial sites; ● the severity of the disease under investigation and the existence of current treatments; 40 Table of Content ● the perceived risks and benefits of the product candidate, including the potential advantages or disadvantages of the product candidate being studied in relation to other available therapies; ● the subject eligibility criteria defined in the protocol, as well as our ability to compensate subjects for their time and effort; ● the size and nature of the patient population; ● the proximity and availability of clinical trial sites for prospective subjects; ● the design of the trial, including factors such as frequency of required assessments, length of the study and ongoing monitoring requirements; ● subjects’ and investigators’ ability to comply with the specific instructions related to the trial protocol, proper documentation, and use of the product candidate; ● our ability to recruit clinical trial investigators with the appropriate competencies and experience; ● patient referral practices of physicians and the effectiveness of publicity created by clinical trials sites regarding the trial; ● the ability to adequately monitor subjects during and after treatment and compensate them for their time and effort; ● the ability of our clinical study sites, CROs, and other applicable third parties to facilitate timely enrollment; ● the ability of clinical trial sites to enroll subjects that meet all inclusion criteria and any patient exclusion due to erroneous enrollment; ● our ability to obtain and maintain subject informed consents; and ● the risk that subjects enrolled in clinical trials will drop out of the trials before completion of the study or not return for post study follow up, especially subjects in control groups.
In addition, clinical trials of our product candidates will compete with other clinical trials for product candidates of other companies that are in the same therapeutic areas as our product candidates, and this competition will reduce the number and types of patients available to us, because some patients who might have opted to enroll in trials of our product candidates may instead opt to enroll in a trial being conducted by one of our competitors.
In addition, our clinical trials will compete with other clinical trials for product candidates that are in the same therapeutic areas as our product candidates, and this competition will reduce the number and types of patients available to us, because some patients who might have opted to enroll in our trials may instead opt to enroll in a trial being conducted by one of our competitors.
As a result, we may forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with other product candidates or for other indications that may later prove to have greater commercial potential. Our resource allocation decisions may cause us to fail to timely capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market opportunities.
As a result, we may forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with other product candidates or for other indications that later prove to have greater commercial potential. Our resource allocation decisions may cause us to fail to capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market opportunities.
The creation and implementation of international business practices compliance programs is costly and such programs are difficult to enforce, particularly where reliance on third parties is required.
The creation, implementation and maintenance of international business practices compliance programs is costly and such programs are difficult to enforce, particularly where reliance on third parties is required.
Mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and gene therapy industries may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of our competitors. Smaller or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies.
Mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of our competitors. Smaller or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies.
Moreover, the stock markets in general have experienced substantial volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of individual companies. These broad market fluctuations may also adversely affect the trading price of AgeX common stock.
Moreover, the stock markets in general have experienced substantial volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of individual companies. These broad market fluctuations may also adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.
Because we will continue to experience operating losses, our ability to continue as a going concern is subject to our ability to obtain necessary capital from outside sources, including obtaining additional capital from the sale of AgeX common stock or other equity securities or assets, obtaining additional loans from financial institutions or investors, and entering into collaborative research and development arrangements or licensing some or all of our patents and know-how to third parties while retaining a royalty and other contingent payment rights related to the development and commercialization of products covered by the licenses.
Because we expect to continue to experience operating losses, our ability to continue as a going concern is subject to our ability to obtain necessary capital from outside sources, including obtaining additional capital from the sale of our capital stock or other equity securities or assets, obtaining additional loans from financial institutions or investors, and entering into collaborative research and development arrangements or licensing some or all of our patents and know-how to third parties while retaining a royalty and other contingent payment rights related to the development and commercialization of products covered by the licenses.
As a result, the coverage determination process is often a time-consuming and costly process that will require us to provide scientific and clinical support for the use of our product candidates to each payor separately, with no assurance that coverage and adequate reimbursement will be applied consistently or obtained in the first instance.
As a result, the coverage determination process is often a time consuming and costly process that will require us to provide scientific and clinical support for the use of our products to each payor separately, with no assurance that coverage and adequate reimbursement will be applied consistently or obtained in the first instance.
Many of our current or potential competitors, either alone or with their collaboration partners, 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.
Many of our current or potential competitors, either alone or with their collaboration partners, may have significantly greater financial resources and expertise in research and development, manufacturing, nonclinical testing, conducting clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals, and marketing approved products than we do.
We also cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative or executive action, either in the United States or abroad.
We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action, either in the United States or abroad.
In addition, we will rely on consultants and advisors, including scientific and clinical advisors, to assist us in formulating our research and development and commercialization strategy. Our consultants and advisors may be engaged by entities other than us and may have commitments under consulting or advisory contracts with other entities that may limit their availability to us.
In addition, we rely on consultants and advisors, including scientific and clinical advisors, to assist us in formulating our research and development and commercialization strategy. Our consultants and advisors may be employed by employers other than us and may have commitments under consulting or advisory contracts with other entities that may limit their availability to us.
Our competitors also may obtain FDA or other regulatory approval for their products more rapidly than we may obtain approval for ours, which could result in our competitors establishing a strong market position before we are able to enter the market.
Our competitors also may obtain FDA or other regulatory approval for their product candidates more rapidly than we may obtain approval for our product candidates, which could result in our competitors establishing a strong market position before we are able to enter the market.
Our commercial opportunity could be reduced or eliminated if our competitors develop and commercialize products that are safer, more effective, have fewer or less severe side effects, are more convenient, or are less expensive than any products that we may develop or that would render any products that we may develop obsolete or non-competitive.
Our commercial opportunity could be reduced or eliminated if our competitors develop and commercialize product candidates that are safer, more effective, have fewer or less severe side effects, are more convenient, or are less expensive than the product candidates we may develop or that would render any of our product candidates obsolete or non-competitive.
The timely completion of clinical trials in accordance with their protocols depends, among other things, on our ability to enroll a sufficient number of patients who remain in the study until its conclusion.
The timely completion of clinical trials in accordance with their protocols depends, among other things, on our ability to enroll a sufficient number of subjects who remain in the trial until its conclusion.
The FCPA also obligates companies whose securities are listed in the U.S. to comply with certain accounting provisions requiring us to maintain books and records that accurately and fairly reflect all transactions of the corporation, including international subsidiaries, and devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls for international operations.
The FCPA also obligates companies whose securities are listed in the United States to comply with certain accounting provisions requiring the company to maintain books and records that accurately and fairly reflect all transactions of the corporation, including international subsidiaries, and to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls for international operations.
In addition, because the AgeX Board is responsible for appointing the members of our management team, these provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of the AgeX Board.
In addition, these provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove then current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of the board of directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of management.
The SEC also may suspend or bar us from trading securities on U.S. exchanges for violation of the FCPA’s accounting provisions.
The SEC also may suspend or bar issuers from trading securities on U.S. exchanges for violations of the FCPA’s accounting provisions.
Specifically, sales, marketing and business arrangements in the healthcare industry are subject to extensive laws and regulations intended to prevent fraud, misconduct, kickbacks, self-dealing and other abusive practices. These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, sales commission, customer incentive programs and other business arrangements.
In particular, sales, marketing, and business arrangements in the health care industry are subject to extensive laws and regulations intended to prevent fraud, misconduct, kickbacks, self-dealing and other abusive practices. These laws and regulations restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, sales commissions, customer incentive programs, and other business arrangements.
It is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct by employees and other third parties, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with such laws or regulations.
It is not always possible to identify and deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from government investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with these laws or regulations.
If our management is unable to effectively manage our growth, our expenses may increase more than expected, our ability to generate and/or grow revenues could be reduced, and we may not be able to implement our business strategy.
If our management is unable to effectively manage our expected development and expansion, our expenses may increase more than expected, our ability to generate or increase our revenue could be reduced, and we may not be able to implement our business strategy.
The time required to obtain approval by the FDA and comparable foreign authorities is unpredictable but typically takes many years following the commencement of clinical trials and depends upon numerous factors, including the substantial discretion of the regulatory authorities.
The time required to obtain approval from the FDA and comparable foreign authorities is unpredictable but typically takes many years following the commencement of clinical trials and depends upon numerous factors, including the substantial discretion of regulatory authorities. The outcome of studies is also inherently uncertain.
If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any marketing approval that we may have obtained which would adversely affect our business, prospects and ability to achieve or sustain profitability.
If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any marketing approval that we may have obtained and we may not achieve or sustain profitability.
Juvenescence’s interests may not always coincide with our corporate interests or the interests of other stockholders, and it may exercise its voting and other rights, including rights as a creditor, in a manner with which other stockholders may not agree or that may not be in the best interests of AgeX or stockholders other than Juvenescence.
Juvenescence’s interests may not always coincide with our corporate interests or the interests of our other stockholders, and we may exercise our voting and other rights in a manner with which other stockholders may not agree or that may not be in our best interests or the best interests of our stockholders other than Juvenescence.
As required under Accounting Standards Update 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (ASC 205-40), we have the responsibility to evaluate whether conditions and/or events raise substantial doubt about our ability to meet our future financial obligations as they become due within one year after the date the financial statements are issued.
We need additional financing to execute our operating plan and continue to operate as a going concern. 31 Table of Content As required under Accounting Standards Update 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (ASC 205-40), we have the responsibility to evaluate whether conditions and/or events raise substantial doubt about our ability to meet our future financial obligations as they become due within one year after the date the financial statements are issued.
Even if a product candidate receives regulatory approval, we will be subject to ongoing regulatory obligations and continued regulatory review, which may result in significant additional expense, and we may be subject to penalties if we fail to comply with regulatory requirements or experience unanticipated problems with our product candidates.
Even if we receive regulatory approval of our product candidates, we will be subject to ongoing regulatory obligations and continued regulatory review, which may result in significant additional expense, and we may be subject to penalties if we fail to comply with regulatory requirements.
Since the number of qualified clinical investigators is limited, we expect that clinical trials or our product candidates may be conducted at the same clinical trial sites that some of our competitors use, which will reduce the number of patients who are available for our clinical trials in such clinical trial site.
Because the number of qualified clinical investigators is limited, we may conduct some of our clinical trials at the same clinical trial sites that some of our competitors use, which will reduce the number of patients who are available for our clinical trials at such clinical trial sites.
A member of the AgeX Board is also the Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Juvenescence, and based on Juvenescence’s ownership of shares of AgeX common stock, if the Merger is not consummated, Juvenescence will continue to substantially influence us and exert control over matters subject to stockholder approval, the elections of directors, approval of our equity incentive plans, amendments to our organizational documents, or approval of any merger, amalgamation, sale of assets or other major corporate transaction.
Based on Juvenescence’s ownership of shares of our common stock, Juvenescence will be able to substantially influence us and exert control over matters subject to stockholder approval, the elections of directors, approval of our equity incentive plans, amendments to our organizational documents, or approval of any merger, amalgamation, sale of assets or other major corporate transaction.
Though we intend to carefully manage our relationships with our third-party contractors, there can be no assurance that we will not encounter challenges or delays in the future or that these delays or challenges will not have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and prospects.
Although we carefully manage our relationships with our third parties, there can be no assurance that we will not encounter challenges or delays in the future or that these delays or challenges will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and prospects, and results of operations.
We cannot predict if investors will find AgeX common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find AgeX common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for AgeX common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.
If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.
Individual states in the United States have also become increasingly aggressive in passing legislation and implementing regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and, in some cases, designed to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing.
For example, state legislatures are increasingly passing legislation and implementing regulations designed to control pharmaceutical pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and, in some cases, designed to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. In December 2020, the U.S.
If we or any of our subsidiaries raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements with third parties, we or our subsidiaries may be required to relinquish valuable rights to key technologies, future revenue streams, or product candidates, and any such licenses may be granted on terms that may not be favorable to us.
If we raise additional capital through marketing and distribution arrangements or other collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish certain valuable intellectual property or other rights to our product candidates, technologies, future revenue streams or research programs or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.
If we fail to comply with regulatory requirements in international markets or to obtain and maintain required approvals, or if regulatory approvals in international markets are delayed, our target market will be reduced and our ability to realize the full market potential of any product we develop will be unrealized.
If we fail to comply with the regulatory requirements in international markets and/or to receive applicable marketing approvals, our target market will be reduced and our ability to realize the full market potential of our product candidates will be harmed.
So long as Juvenescence continues to own a significant amount of our equity and remains a significant creditor, it will continue to be able to strongly influence and effectively control our decisions.
So long as Juvenescence owns a significant amount of our equity, it will be able to strongly influence our decisions.
We may expend our limited resources to pursue one or more particular product candidates or indications and fail to pursue product candidates or indications that may be more profitable or for which there is a greater likelihood of success.
We may expend our limited resources to pursue a particular product candidate or indication and fail to capitalize on product candidates or indications that may be more profitable or for which there is a greater likelihood of success. Because we have limited financial and managerial resources, we focus on research programs and product candidates that we identify for specific indications.
Risks Related to Our Relationship with Juvenescence Conflicts of interest may arise from our relationship with Juvenescence, which owns a significant percentage of AgeX common stock and is a significant creditor and will be able to substantially influence us and exert control over matters subject to stockholder approval.
Conflicts of interest may arise from our relationship with Juvenescence, which will own a significant percentage of our common stock as well as warrants to purchase additional shares of our common stock and will be able to substantially influence the Company and exert control over matters subject to stockholder approval.
Serious adverse events or undesirable side effects caused by our product candidates could cause an interruption, delay or halt of clinical trials and could result in a more restrictive label or the delay or denial of regulatory approval by the FDA or other comparable foreign authorities.
Undesirable side effects caused by any potential future product candidate could cause 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 or other regulatory authorities.
We may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our operations, which may result in weaknesses in our infrastructure, give rise to operational mistakes, loss of business opportunities, loss of employees and reduced productivity among remaining employees.
Due to our limited resources, we may not be able to effectively manage this simultaneous execution and the expansion of our operations or recruit and train additional qualified personnel. This may result in weaknesses in our infrastructure, give rise to operational mistakes, legal or regulatory compliance failures, loss of business opportunities, loss of employees and reduced productivity among remaining employees.
Competition to hire from this limited pool is intense, and we may be unable to hire, train, retain or motivate these additional key personnel on acceptable terms given the competition among numerous pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for similar personnel. We also will experience competition for the hiring of scientific and clinical personnel from universities and research institutions.
We may not be able to attract and retain these personnel on acceptable terms given the competition among numerous pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for 66 Table of Content similar personnel. We also experience competition for the hiring of scientific and clinical personnel from universities and research institutions.
Provisions in AgeX’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “AgeX Charter”) and AgeX’s Bylaws and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of our company, which may be beneficial to our stockholders, more difficult and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.
Anti-takeover provisions in our governance documents and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of Serina more difficult and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our management. Provisions in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws may delay or prevent an acquisition or a change in management.
Debt financing and preferred equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends.
In addition, any debt financing may subject us to fixed payment obligations and covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends.
To date, there have been several recent U.S. congressional inquiries and proposed state and federal legislation designed to, among other things, improve transparency in drug pricing, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, reduce the costs of drugs under Medicare, and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drug products.
Such scrutiny has resulted in several recent congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted federal and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to product pricing, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for products.
Risks Related to Our Industry We face significant competition in an environment of rapid technological change and the possibility that our competitors may achieve regulatory approval before us or develop therapies that are more advanced or effective than ours, which may harm our business and financial condition, and our ability to successfully market or commercialize our product candidates.
If we do not establish commercialization capabilities successfully, either on our own or in collaboration with third parties, we will not be successful in commercializing any products we may develop. 49 Table of Content We face significant competition in an environment of rapid technological change, and there is a possibility that our competitors may achieve regulatory approval before us or develop therapies that are safer or more advanced or effective than ours, which may harm our financial condition and our ability to successfully market or commercialize any product candidates we may develop.
Any therapies that we may develop may compete with other product candidates and products for access to manufacturing facilities. There are a limited number of manufacturers that operate under cGMP regulations and that might be capable of manufacturing cell-based products for us.
Our product candidates may compete with other products and product candidates for access to manufacturing facilities, of which there are a limited number that operate under cGMP conditions and that are both capable of manufacturing our product candidates and willing to do so.
Our product candidates may cause serious adverse events or undesirable side effects or have other properties which may delay or prevent their regulatory approval, limit the commercial profile of an approved label, or, result in significant negative consequences following marketing approval, if any.
In addition, adverse side effects caused by any therapeutics that may be similar in nature to our product candidates could delay or prevent regulatory approval of our product candidates, limit the commercial profile of an approved label for our product candidates, or result in significant negative consequences for our product candidates following marketing approval.
If our third-party contractors do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or obligations, fail to meet expected deadlines, or if the quality or accuracy of the clinical data they obtain is compromised due to the failure to adhere to our clinical protocols or regulatory requirements or for any other reasons, our clinical trials may be extended, delayed or terminated, and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for, or successfully commercialize any product candidate that we develop.
If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties to us, meet our expected timelines or conduct our nonclinical studies or clinical trials in accordance with regulatory requirements or our stated protocols, if they need to be replaced or if the quality or accuracy of the data they obtain is compromised due to their failure to adhere to our protocols or applicable regulatory requirements or for other reasons, our trials may need to be repeated, extended, delayed, or terminated.
In addition, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, product liability claims may result in: ● impairment of our business reputation; ● initiation of investigations by regulators; ● withdrawal of clinical trial participants; ● costs due to related litigation; ● distraction of management’s attention from our primary business; ● substantial monetary awards to patients or other claimants; ● the inability to commercialize our product candidates; ● product recalls, withdrawals or labeling, and marketing or promotional restrictions; ● loss of revenue; and ● decreased demand for our product candidates, if approved for commercial sale.
For instance, product liability claims may result in: ● loss of revenue from decreased demand for our products and/or product candidates; ● impairment of our business reputation or financial stability; ● incurred costs and time of related litigation; ● substantial monetary awards to patients or other claimants, and loss of revenue; ● diversion of management attention; ● withdrawal of clinical trial participants and potential termination of clinical trial sites or entire clinical programs; ● the inability to commercialize our product candidates; ● significant negative media attention; ● a decrease in the value of Serina; ● initiation of investigations, and enforcement actions by regulators; and/or ● product recalls, withdrawals, revocation of approvals, or labeling, marketing or promotional restrictions.
If we outsource clinical trials, we may be unable to directly control the timing, conduct and expense of our clinical trials. However, we will remain responsible for ensuring that each of our studies is conducted in accordance with the applicable protocol, legal, regulatory and scientific standards and our reliance on the CROs does not relieve us of our regulatory responsibilities.
Our reliance on third parties for development activities will reduce our control over these activities. Nevertheless, we are responsible for ensuring that each of our studies is conducted in accordance with the applicable protocol, legal, regulatory, and scientific standards, and our reliance on third parties does not relieve us of our oversight and regulatory responsibilities.
While the directors elected by Juvenescence will be obligated to act in accordance with their fiduciary duty, they may have equity or other interests in Juvenescence and, accordingly, their interests may be aligned with Juvenescence’s interests, which may not always coincide with our corporate interests or the interests of our other stockholders. 36 Risks Related to Our Business Operations Due to our limited financial resources, we have reduced our staffing, eliminated our research laboratory facilities, and eliminated in-house research and product development work.
While the directors affiliated with Juvenescence will be obligated to act in accordance with their fiduciary duty, they may have equity or other interests in Juvenescence and, accordingly, their interests may be aligned with Juvenescence’s interests, which may not always coincide with our corporate interests or the interests of our other stockholders. 75 Table of Content Item 1B.
Approval of our product candidates may be delayed or refused for many reasons, including the following: ● The FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with the design or implementation of the applicable clinical trial; ● A clinical trial might not demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities that our product candidates are safe and effective for any of their proposed indications; ● The results of clinical trials may not meet the level of statistical significance required by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities for approval; ● A clinical trial fail to demonstrate that our product candidates’ clinical and other benefits outweigh their safety risks; ● The FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data from preclinical programs or clinical trials; ● The data collected from clinical trials of our product candidates may not be sufficient to support the submission of a BLA or other comparable submission in foreign jurisdictions or to obtain regulatory approval in the United States or elsewhere; ● The facilities of the any third-party manufacturers with which we may contract may not be adequate to support approval of our product candidates (for example, regulatory approval of cell- and tissue-based products require high standards of quality control); and ● The approval policies or regulations of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may significantly change in a manner rendering our clinical data insufficient for approval.
In addition, our product candidates could fail to receive regulatory approval for many reasons, including the following: ● the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with the design or implementation of our clinical trials; ● the population studied in the clinical program may not be sufficiently broad or representative to assure safety in the full population for which we seek approval; ● we may be unable to demonstrate that our product candidates’ risk-benefit ratios for their proposed indications are acceptable; ● the results of clinical trials may not meet the level of statistical significance required by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities for approval; ● we may be unable to demonstrate that the clinical and other benefits of our product candidates outweigh their safety risks; ● the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data from nonclinical studies or clinical trials; ● the data collected from clinical trials of our product candidates may not be sufficient to the satisfaction of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities to support the submission of a new drug application (“NDA”) or biologics license application (“BLA”) or other comparable submission in foreign jurisdictions or to obtain regulatory approval in the United States or elsewhere; 37 Table of Content ● the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may fail to approve the manufacturing processes, our own manufacturing facilities, or a third-party manufacturer’s facilities with which it contracts for clinical and commercial supplies; and ● the approval policies or regulations of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may significantly change in a manner rendering our clinical data insufficient for approval.
Activities subject to these laws could also involve the improper use or misrepresentation of information obtained in the course of clinical trials, creation of fraudulent data in preclinical studies or clinical trials or illegal misappropriation of drug product, which could result in regulatory sanctions and cause serious harm to our reputation.
Such misconduct also could involve the improper use of information obtained in the course of clinical trials or interactions with the FDA or other regulatory authorities, which could result in regulatory sanctions and cause serious harm to our reputation.
If we or our third-party contractors fail to comply with GCPs, the clinical data generated in our clinical trials may be deemed unreliable and the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may require us to perform additional clinical trials before approving our marketing applications.
If we or any of our third-party service providers fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, we or they may be subject to enforcement or other legal actions, the data generated in our trials may be deemed unreliable and the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may require us to perform additional studies, which may significantly delay our clinical development plans and the regulatory approval process.
Any growth of administrative resources could require significant capital expenditures and may divert financial resources from other projects, such as the development of product candidates.
The physical expansion of our operations may lead to significant costs and may divert financial resources from other projects, such as the development of our product candidates.
If any such actions are instituted against us, and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could have a significant impact on our business and results of operations, including the imposition of significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, monetary fines, disgorgements, possible exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, other U.S. federal healthcare programs or healthcare programs in other jurisdictions, individual imprisonment, other sanctions, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, and curtailment of our operations.
If any such actions are instituted against us, and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could have a significant impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, including the imposition of significant fines or other sanctions.
Our insurance policies are expensive and protect us only from some business risks, which leaves us exposed to significant uninsured liabilities. We do not carry insurance for all categories of risk that our business may encounter. Some of the policies we currently maintain include general liability, employment practices liability, property, auto, workers’ compensation, umbrella, and directors’ and officers’ insurance.
Our insurance policies are expensive and protect us only from some business risks, which will leave us exposed to significant uninsured liabilities. We carry insurance for most categories of risk that our business may encounter; however, we may not have adequate levels of coverage.
Any of these occurrences may harm our business, financial condition and prospects significantly. 48 If any of our product candidates receives marketing approval, and we or others later identify undesirable side effects caused by any such product, including during any long-term follow-up observation period recommended or required for patients who receive treatment using our products, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including: ● regulatory authorities may withdraw approvals of such product; ● we may be required to recall a product or change the way such product is administered to patients; ● additional restrictions may be imposed on the marketing of the particular product or the manufacturing processes for the product; ● regulatory authorities may require additional warnings on the label, such as a “black box” warning or contraindication; ● we may be required to implement a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, or create a medication guide outlining the risks of such side effects for distribution to patients; ● the product could become less competitive; ● we could be sued and held liable for harm caused to patients; and ● our reputation may suffer.
If one or more of our product candidates receives marketing approval, and we or others later identify undesirable side effects caused by such products, including during any long term follow up observation period recommended or required for patients who receive treatment using our products, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including: ● regulatory authorities may withdraw or limit their approvals of such products; ● regulatory authorities may require the addition of labeling statements, specific warnings or contraindications; ● we may be required to create a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy plan (a “REMS”), which could include a medication guide outlining the risks of such side effects for distribution to patients, a communication plan for health care providers, and/or other elements to assure safe use; ● we may be required to change the way such products are distributed or administered, or change the labeling of the products; ● the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority may require us to conduct additional clinical trials or costly post marketing testing and surveillance to monitor the safety and efficacy of the products; ● we may decide to recall such products from the marketplace after they are approved; ● we could be sued and held liable for harm caused to individuals exposed to or taking our products; and ● our reputation may suffer.
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, stockholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against such companies. The market price of the Combined Company’s common stock following the Merger may decline as a result of the Merger.
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, stockholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against those companies. Such litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management attention and resources, which could significantly harm our profitability and reputation.
Congress of the FDA’s approval process may significantly delay or prevent marketing approval, as well as subject us to more stringent labeling and post-marketing testing and other requirements. Moreover, payment methodologies may be subject to changes in healthcare legislation and regulatory initiatives. For example, CMS may develop new payment and delivery models, such as bundled payment models.
Increased scrutiny by the U.S. Congress of the FDA’s approval process may significantly delay or prevent marketing approval, as well as subject us to more stringent product labeling and post marketing testing and other requirements.
Moreover, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits a person who owns in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock from merging or combining with us for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person acquired in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock, unless the merger or combination is approved in a prescribed manner.
In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), which prohibits stockholders owning in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock from merging or combining with us.
Our continued operating losses, the amount of our debt obligations to Juvenescence and the provisions of our indebtedness agreements with them, including restrictions on the use of loan funds and the security interest they hold in our assets and assets of certain of our subsidiaries, Juvenescence’s ownership of shares of AgeX Preferred Stock, the risks associated with the development of our product candidates and technologies, and our deferral of in-house development of our product candidates and technologies in connection with our reductions in staffing and the closing of our research laboratory facilities, will increase the difficulty in obtaining such capital, and there can be no assurances that we will be able to obtain such capital on favorable terms or at all.
Our continued operating losses and the risks associated with the development of our product candidates and technologies have increased the difficulty in obtaining such capital, and there can be no assurances that we will be able to obtain such capital on favorable terms or at all.
These third-party contractors may also have relationships with other commercial entities, including our competitors, for whom they may also be conducting clinical trials, or other product development activities which could harm our competitive position.
Our third-party service providers may also have relationships with other entities, some of which may be our competitors, for whom they may also be conducting trials or other therapeutic development activities that could harm our competitive position. 45 Table of Content Agreements with third parties conducting or otherwise assisting with our nonclinical studies or clinical trials might terminate for a variety of reasons, including a failure to perform by such parties.
If we elect to increase our expenditures to fund commercialization activities ourselves, we will need to obtain additional capital, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.
Risks Related to the Company We will need to raise additional financing in the future to fund our operations, which may not be available to us on favorable terms or at all.
We cannot predict at this time what third-party payors will decide with respect to the coverage and reimbursement for our product candidates. No uniform policy for coverage and reimbursement for products exists among third-party payors in the United States. Therefore, coverage and reimbursement for products can differ significantly from payor to payor.
Third-party payors often rely upon Medicare coverage policy and payment limitations in setting their own reimbursement rates. However, no uniform policy requirement for coverage and reimbursement for drug products exists among third-party payors in the United States. Therefore, coverage and reimbursement for drug products can differ significantly from payor to payor.
Any significant uninsured liability may require us to pay substantial amounts, which would adversely affect our cash position and results of operations.
We currently maintain general liability, property, workers’ compensation, products liability and directors’ and officers’ insurance, along with an umbrella policy. We may not be able to maintain existing insurance at current or adequate levels of coverage. Any significant uninsured liability may require us to pay substantial amounts, which would adversely affect our cash position and results of operations.
Based on our most recent projected cash flows, we believe that our cash and cash equivalents and the amount of credit remaining available from Juvenescence under an Amended and Restated Secured Convertible Promissory Note, dated February 14, 2022, as amended on February 9, 2023, November 9, 2023 and February 9, 2024 (the 2022 Secured Note), would not be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated operating and other funding requirements for the next twelve months from the date of filing of this Report.
Based on our most recent projected cash flows, we believe that our cash and cash equivalents would not be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated operating and other funding requirements for the next twelve months from December 31, 2024. These factors raise substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our future financial performance and our ability to commercialize our product candidates and compete effectively will depend, in part, on our ability to effectively manage any future growth. The commercial success of any of our current or future product candidates will depend upon the degree of market acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payors, and others in the medical community.
Our future financial performance and our ability to compete effectively and commercialize our product candidates, if approved, will depend in part on our ability to effectively manage the future development and expansion of our company.
If the FDA does not approve or clear our products in a timely fashion, or at all, our business and financial condition will be adversely affected. If we encounter difficulties enrolling patients in clinical trials, our clinical development activities could be delayed or otherwise adversely affected.
If we encounter difficulties enrolling patients in our clinical trials, our clinical development activities could be delayed or otherwise adversely affected. We may experience difficulties in patient enrollment in our clinical trials for a variety of reasons.
To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval in some countries, we may be required to conduct a clinical trial that compares the cost effectiveness of our product candidates to other available therapies.
Moreover, in order to obtain reimbursement for our products in some European countries, including some EEA countries, we may be required to compile additional data comparing the cost-effectiveness of our products to other available therapies.
The manufacture of medical products, and in particular biologics, is complex and requires significant expertise and capital investment, including the development of advanced manufacturing techniques and process controls, none of which we presently have.
The manufacture of drugs requires significant expertise and capital investment, including the development of advanced manufacturing techniques and process controls. Manufacturers of drugs often encounter difficulties in production, particularly in scaling up initial production.
Any positive results that may be observed for product candidates in preclinical animal models may not be predictive of future clinical trials in humans. Our product candidates may also fail to show the desired safety and efficacy in later stages of clinical development even if they successfully advance through initial clinical trials.
Our clinical trial results may not support either accelerated or regular approval. The results of nonclinical studies and clinical trials may not be predictive of the results of later-stage clinical trials, and product candidates in later stages of clinical trials may fail to show the desired safety and efficacy despite having progressed through nonclinical studies and initial clinical trials.
If any such inspection or audit identifies a failure to comply with applicable regulations or if a violation of our product specifications or applicable regulations occurs independent of such an inspection or audit, we or the relevant regulatory authority may require remedial measures that may be costly and/or time-consuming for us or a third party to implement and that may include the temporary or permanent suspension of a clinical study or commercial sales or the temporary or permanent closure of a facility.
If our CMOs cannot successfully manufacture material that conforms to our specifications and the applicable regulatory requirements, they may not be able to secure or maintain regulatory acceptance of their manufacturing facilities for the purpose of producing our product candidates. 44 Table of Content Deviations from manufacturing requirements may also require reporting and remedial measures that may be costly and/or time consuming for us or a third party to implement and that may include the temporary or permanent suspension of a clinical trial or commercial sales, if any of our product candidates receives regulatory approval, or the temporary or permanent closure of a facility.
To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of shares of AgeX common stock or other equity securities, AgeX your ownership interest will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a common stockholder.
Raising additional capital may be costly or difficult to obtain and could significantly dilute stockholders’ ownership interests or inhibit our ability to achieve our business objectives. If we raise additional funds through public or private equity offerings, the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders.
In the United States, the EU and other jurisdictions, there have been, and we expect there will continue to be, a number of legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes to the healthcare system that could affect our future results of operations.
In the United States and in some other jurisdictions, there have been a number of legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes regarding the health care system that could prevent or delay marketing approval of our product candidates or any potential future product candidates of ours, restrict or regulate post approval activities, or affect our ability to profitably sell any product candidates for which we obtain marketing approval.
If the Merger is not completed, the market price of AgeX common stock may decline significantly. The market price of AgeX common stock is subject to significant fluctuations. Market prices for securities of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other life science companies have historically been particularly volatile.
Market prices for securities of early-stage pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other life sciences companies have historically been particularly volatile.
In addition, the anti-bribery laws present particular challenges in the medical industry because in many countries including China, hospitals are state-owned or operated by the government, and doctors and other hospital employees are considered foreign government officials.
In addition, the FCPA presents particular challenges in the pharmaceutical industry, because, in many countries, hospitals are operated by the government, and doctors and other hospital employees are considered foreign officials. Certain payments to hospitals in connection with clinical trials and other work have been deemed to be improper payments to government officials and have led to FCPA enforcement actions.
Treatment-related side effects could also affect patient recruitment or the ability of enrolled patients to complete the trial or result in potential product liability claims. In addition, these side effects may not be appropriately recognized or managed by the treating medical staff.
Such side effects could also affect patient recruitment or the ability of enrolled patients to complete the trial or result in potential product liability claims. Any of these occurrences may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition and impair our ability to generate revenues. Further, clinical trials by their nature utilize a sample of the potential patient population.
We may encounter delays in enrolling, or be unable to enroll, a sufficient number of patients to complete any of clinical trials of our product candidates, and even once enrolled we may be unable to retain a sufficient number of patients to complete the trials.
We may not be able to initiate or continue conducting clinical trials for our product candidates if we are unable to locate and enroll a sufficient number of eligible subjects to participate in these trials.
If we or any third-party manufacturers that we may engage were to encounter any of these difficulties, our ability to provide our product candidates to patients in clinical trials or to the medical marketplace would be jeopardized.
If our manufacturers were to encounter any of these difficulties and were unable to perform as agreed, our ability to provide our product candidates for use in nonclinical studies or our current and planned clinical trials, or, if any of our product candidates are approved, our ability to produce our product for commercial use, could be jeopardized.
The anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA are enforced primarily by the United States Department of Justice. The SEC is involved with enforcement of the books and records provisions of the FCPA. 42 Compliance with these anti-bribery laws is expensive and difficult, particularly in countries in which corruption is a recognized problem.
The anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA are enforced primarily by the U.S. Department of Justice. The SEC is involved with enforcement of the books and records provisions of the FCPA. Similarly, the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 has extra territorial effect for companies and individuals having a connection with the United Kingdom. The U.K.
Of the large number of potential products in development, only a small percentage successfully complete the FDA or foreign regulatory approval processes and are commercialized.
Of the large number of drugs in development, only a small percentage successfully complete the regulatory approval process and are commercialized. The results of nonclinical studies, interim or top line studies, and early clinical trials of our product candidates may not be predictive of the results of later stage clinical trials.
The lengthy approval process as well as the unpredictability of future clinical trial results may result in our failing to obtain regulatory approval to market our product candidates, which would significantly harm our business, results of operations and prospects.
Failure to obtain regulatory approval to market any of our product candidates would significantly harm our business, results of operations, and prospects. Failure of our technology would significantly harm our business, results of operations, and prospects. We may not be successful in our efforts to use and expand our discovery engine to build a pipeline of product candidates.