Biggest changeHITECH also created new tiers of civil monetary penalties, amended HIPAA to make civil and criminal penalties directly applicable to business associates and gave state attorneys general new authority to file civil actions for damages or injunctions in federal courts to enforce the federal HIPAA laws and seek attorneys’ fees and costs associated with pursuing federal civil actions; ● the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”), which prohibits, among other things, the adulteration or misbranding of drugs, biologics and medical devices; ● the U.S. federal legislation commonly referred to as the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, enacted as part of the ACA, and its implementing regulations, which requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics, and medical supplies that are reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program to report annually to the government information related to certain payments and other transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals, as well as ownership and investment interests held by the physicians described above and their immediate family members; and ● analogous U.S. state laws and regulations, including: state anti-kickback and false claims laws, which may apply to our business practices, including but not limited to, research, distribution, sales, and marketing arrangements and claims involving healthcare items or services reimbursed by any third-party payor, including private insurers; state laws that require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the pharmaceutical industry’s voluntary compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the U.S. federal government, or otherwise restrict payments that may be made to healthcare providers and other potential referral sources; state laws and regulations that require drug manufacturers to file reports relating to pricing and marketing information, which requires tracking gifts and other remuneration and items of value provided to healthcare professionals and entities; and state laws governing the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are not preempted by HIPAA, thus complicating compliance efforts. 60 Table of Contents Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of the statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors available under such laws, it is possible that some of our business activities, including our consulting agreements and other relationships with physicians and other healthcare providers, some of whom receive stock or stock options as compensation for their services, could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws.
Biggest changeHITECH also created new tiers of civil monetary penalties, amended HIPAA to make civil and criminal penalties directly applicable to business associates and gave state attorneys general new authority to file civil actions for damages or injunctions in federal courts to enforce the federal HIPAA laws and seek attorneys’ fees and costs associated with pursuing federal civil actions; ● the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”), which prohibits, among other things, the adulteration or misbranding of drugs, biologics and medical devices; ● the U.S. federal legislation commonly referred to as the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, enacted as part of the ACA, and its implementing regulations, which requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics, and medical supplies that are reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program to report annually to the government information related to certain payments and other transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals, as well as ownership and investment interests held by the physicians described above and their immediate family members; and ● analogous U.S. state laws and regulations, including: state anti-kickback and false claims laws, which may apply to our business practices, including but not limited to, research, distribution, sales, and marketing arrangements and claims involving healthcare items or services reimbursed by any third-party payor, including private insurers; state laws that require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the pharmaceutical industry’s voluntary compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the U.S. federal government, or otherwise restrict payments that may be made to healthcare providers and other potential referral sources; state laws and regulations that require drug manufacturers to file reports relating to pricing and marketing information, which requires tracking gifts and other remuneration and items of value provided to healthcare professionals and entities; and state laws governing the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are not preempted by HIPAA, thus complicating compliance efforts.
If we do not obtain patent term extension in the United States under the Hatch-Waxman Act and in foreign countries under similar legislation, thereby potentially extending the term of marketing exclusivity for our product candidates, our business may be materially harmed. Patents have a limited lifespan.
If we do not obtain patent term extension in the United States under the Hatch-Waxman Act and under similar legislation in foreign countries, thereby potentially extending the term of marketing exclusivity for our product candidates, our business may be materially harmed. Patents have a limited lifespan.
Collaborations involving Buntanetap or any future product candidates would pose significant risks to us, including the following: ● collaborators have significant discretion in determining the efforts and resources that they will apply to these collaborations; ● collaborators may not perform their obligations as expected or at all; ● we could grant exclusive rights to our collaborators that would prevent us from collaborating with others; ● collaborators may not pursue development and commercialization of any product candidates that achieve regulatory approval or may elect not to continue or renew development or commercialization programs based on clinical trial results, changes in the collaborators’ strategic focus or available funding, or external factors, such as an acquisition, that divert resources or create 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; ● collaborators could independently develop, or develop with third parties, products that compete directly or indirectly with our product candidates 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; ● product candidates discovered in collaboration with us may be viewed by our collaborators as competitive with their own product candidates or drugs, which may cause collaborators to cease to devote resources to the commercialization of our product candidates; ● a collaborator with marketing and distribution rights to any product candidate that achieves regulatory approval may not commit sufficient resources to the marketing and distribution of such products; ● a collaborator’s sales and marketing activities or other operations may not be in compliance with applicable laws, resulting in civil or criminal proceedings; ● disagreements with collaborators, including disagreements over proprietary rights, contract interpretation or the preferred course of development, might cause delays in or termination of the research, development or commercialization of product candidates, might lead to additional responsibilities for us with respect to product candidates, or might result in litigation or arbitration, any of which would be time-consuming and expensive; ● collaborators may not properly enforce, maintain or defend our or their intellectual property rights or may use our or their proprietary information in such a way as to invite litigation that could jeopardize or invalidate such intellectual property or proprietary information or expose us to potential litigation; ● collaborators may infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of third parties, which may expose us to litigation and potential liability; ● collaborators may not provide us with timely and accurate information regarding development, regulatory or commercialization status or results, which could adversely impact our ability to manage our own development efforts, 75 Table of Contents accurately forecast financial results or provide timely information to our stockholders regarding our out-licensed product candidates; ● we may be required to invest resources and attention into such collaboration, which could distract from other business objectives; ● disputes may arise between the collaborators and us regarding ownership of or other rights in the intellectual property generated in the course of the collaborations; ● collaboration agreements may not lead to development or commercialization of product candidates in the most efficient manner or at all; ● if a collaborator of ours were to be involved in a business combination, the continued pursuit and emphasis on our product development or commercialization program could be delayed, diminished or terminated; and ● collaborations may be terminated, including for the convenience of the collaborator, prior to or upon the expiration of the agreed upon terms and, if terminated, we may find it more difficult to enter into future collaborations or be required to raise additional capital to pursue further development or commercialization of the applicable product candidates.
Collaborations involving buntanetap or any future product candidates would pose significant risks to us, including the following: ● collaborators have significant discretion in determining the efforts and resources that they will apply to these collaborations; ● collaborators may not perform their obligations as expected or at all; ● we could grant exclusive rights to our collaborators that would prevent us from collaborating with others; ● collaborators may not pursue development and commercialization of any product candidates that achieve regulatory approval or may elect not to continue or renew development or commercialization programs based on clinical trial results, changes in the collaborators’ strategic focus or available funding, or external factors, such as an acquisition, that divert resources or create 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; ● collaborators could independently develop, or develop with third parties, products that compete directly or indirectly with our product candidates 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; ● product candidates discovered in collaboration with us may be viewed by our collaborators as competitive with their own product candidates or drugs, which may cause collaborators to cease to devote resources to the commercialization of our product candidates; ● a collaborator with marketing and distribution rights to any product candidate that achieves regulatory approval may not commit sufficient resources to the marketing and distribution of such products; ● a collaborator’s sales and marketing activities or other operations may not be in compliance with applicable laws, resulting in civil or criminal proceedings; ● disagreements with collaborators, including disagreements over proprietary rights, contract interpretation or the preferred course of development, might cause delays in or termination of the research, development or commercialization of product candidates, might lead to additional responsibilities for us with respect to product candidates, or might result in litigation or arbitration, any of which would be time-consuming and expensive; ● collaborators may not properly enforce, maintain or defend our or their intellectual property rights or may use our or their proprietary information in such a way as to invite litigation that could jeopardize or invalidate such intellectual property or proprietary information or expose us to potential litigation; 70 Table of Contents ● collaborators may infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of third parties, which may expose us to litigation and potential liability; ● collaborators may not provide us with timely and accurate information regarding development, regulatory or commercialization status or results, which could adversely impact our ability to manage our own development efforts, accurately forecast financial results or provide timely information to our stockholders regarding our out-licensed product candidates; ● we may be required to invest resources and attention into such collaboration, which could distract from other business objectives; ● disputes may arise between the collaborators and us regarding ownership of or other rights in the intellectual property generated in the course of the collaborations; ● collaboration agreements may not lead to development or commercialization of product candidates in the most efficient manner or at all; ● if a collaborator of ours were to be involved in a business combination, the continued pursuit and emphasis on our product development or commercialization program could be delayed, diminished or terminated; and ● collaborations may be terminated, including for the convenience of the collaborator, prior to or upon the expiration of the agreed upon terms and, if terminated, we may find it more difficult to enter into future collaborations or be required to raise additional capital to pursue further development or commercialization of the applicable product candidates.
Our future funding requirements, both near and long-term, will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to: ● the initiation, progress, timing, costs and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials, including patient enrollment in such trials, for Buntanetap or any other future product candidates; ● the clinical development plans we establish for Buntanetap and any other future product candidates, including any modifications to clinical development plans based on feedback that we may receive from regulatory authorities; ● the number and characteristics of product candidates that we discover or in-license and develop; ● the outcome, timing and cost of regulatory meetings and reviews by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities, including the potential for the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities to require that we perform more studies than those that we currently expect; ● the requirements of regulatory authorities in any additional jurisdictions in which we may seek approval for Buntanetap and any future product candidates and our anticipated timing for seeking approval in such jurisdictions; ● the costs of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and maintaining and enforcing other intellectual property and proprietary rights; ● the effects of competing technological and market developments; ● the costs associated with hiring additional personnel and consultants as our business grows, including additional executive officers and clinical development, regulatory, CMC quality and commercial personnel; 36 Table of Contents ● the costs and timing of the implementation of commercial-scale manufacturing activities, if any product candidate is approved, including as a result of inflation, any supply chain issues or component shortages; ● the costs and timing of establishing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities for any product candidates for which we may receive regulatory approval; ● our ability to achieve sufficient market acceptance, coverage and adequate reimbursement from third-party payors and adequate market share and revenue for any approved products; ● the terms and timing of establishing and maintaining collaborations, licenses and other similar arrangements; and ● the costs associated with any products or technologies that we may in-license or acquire; Conducting clinical trials and preclinical studies and potentially identifying future product candidates is a time consuming, expensive and uncertain process that takes years to complete, and we may never generate the necessary data or results required to obtain regulatory approval and commercialize Buntanetap or any future product candidates.
Our future funding requirements, both near and long-term, will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to: ● the initiation, progress, timing, costs and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials, including patient enrollment in such trials, for buntanetap or any other future product candidates; ● the clinical development plans we establish for buntanetap and any other future product candidates, including any modifications to clinical development plans based on feedback that we may receive from regulatory authorities; ● the number and characteristics of product candidates that we discover or in-license and develop; ● the outcome, timing and cost of regulatory meetings and reviews by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities, including the potential for the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities to require that we perform more studies than those that we currently expect; ● the requirements of regulatory authorities in any additional jurisdictions in which we may seek approval for buntanetap and any future product candidates and our anticipated timing for seeking approval in such jurisdictions; ● the costs of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and maintaining and enforcing other intellectual property and proprietary rights; ● the effects of competing technological and market developments; ● the costs associated with hiring additional personnel and consultants as our business grows, including additional executive officers and clinical development, regulatory, CMC, quality and commercial personnel; ● the costs and timing of the implementation of commercial-scale manufacturing activities, if any product candidate is approved, including as a result of inflation, any supply chain issues or component shortages; ● the costs and timing of establishing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities for any product candidates for which we may receive regulatory approval; ● our ability to achieve sufficient market acceptance, coverage and adequate reimbursement from third-party payors and adequate market share and revenue for any approved products; ● the terms and timing of establishing and maintaining collaborations, licenses and other similar arrangements; and ● the costs associated with any products or technologies that we may in-license or acquire; Conducting clinical trials and preclinical studies and potentially identifying future product candidates is a time consuming, expensive and uncertain process that takes years to complete, and we may never generate the necessary data or results required to 31 Table of Contents obtain regulatory approval and commercialize buntanetap or any future product candidates.
The degree of market acceptance of our product candidates, if approved, will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to: ● the efficacy and potential advantages compared to alternative treatments; 53 Table of Contents ● the indications for which our product candidates are approved; ● the limitation of our targeted patient population and other limitations or warnings contained in any FDA-approved labeling; ● effectiveness of sales and marketing efforts; ● the cost of treatment in relation to alternative treatments, including any similar generic treatments; ● our ability to offer our products for sale at competitive prices; ● the convenience and ease of administration compared to alternative treatments; ● the willingness of the target patient population to try new therapies and of physicians to prescribe these therapies; ● the strength of marketing and distribution support; ● the availability of third-party coverage and adequate reimbursement; ● the willingness of patients to pay all, or a portion of, out-of-pocket costs associated with our products in the absence of sufficient third-party coverage and adequate reimbursement; ● the prevalence and severity of any side effects; ● any restrictions on the use of our product together with other medications; ● potential product liability claims; ● the timing of market introduction of our products as well as availability, safety and efficacy of competitive drugs; and ● unfavorable publicity relating to the product.
The degree of market acceptance of our product candidates, if approved, will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to: ● the efficacy and potential advantages compared to alternative treatments; ● the indications for which our product candidates are approved; ● the limitation of our targeted patient population and other limitations or warnings contained in any FDA-approved labeling; ● effectiveness of sales and marketing efforts; ● the cost of treatment in relation to alternative treatments, including any similar generic treatments; ● our ability to offer our products for sale at competitive prices; ● the convenience and ease of administration compared to alternative treatments; ● the willingness of the target patient population to try new therapies and of physicians to prescribe these therapies; ● the strength of marketing and distribution support; 48 Table of Contents ● the availability of third-party coverage and adequate reimbursement; ● the willingness of patients to pay all, or a portion of, out-of-pocket costs associated with our products in the absence of sufficient third-party coverage and adequate reimbursement; ● the prevalence and severity of any side effects; ● any restrictions on the use of our product together with other medications; ● potential product liability claims; ● the timing of market introduction of our products as well as availability, safety and efficacy of competitive drugs; and ● unfavorable publicity relating to the product.
Patient enrollment and retention in clinical trials depends on many factors, including: ● the patient eligibility and exclusion criteria defined in the protocol; ● the size of the patient population required for analysis of the trial’s primary endpoints; ● the nature and design of the trial protocol; ● the existing body of safety and efficacy data with respect to the product candidate; 43 Table of Contents ● the proximity of patients to clinical sites; ● our ability to recruit clinical trial investigators with the appropriate competencies and experience; ● clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions as to the potential advantages and risks of the product candidate being studied in relation to other available therapies, including any new drugs that may be approved for the indications we are investigating; ● competing clinical trials being conducted by other companies or institutions; ● 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.
Patient enrollment and retention in clinical trials depends on many factors, including: ● the patient eligibility and exclusion criteria as defined in the protocol; ● the size of the patient population required for analysis of the trial’s primary endpoints; ● the nature and design of the trial protocol; ● the existing body of safety and efficacy data with respect to the product candidate; ● the proximity of patients to clinical sites; ● our ability to recruit clinical trial investigators with the appropriate competencies and experience; ● clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions as to the potential advantages and risks of the product candidate being studied in relation to other available therapies, including any new drugs that may be approved for the indications we are investigating; ● competing clinical trials being conducted by other companies or institutions; ● our ability to obtain and maintain patient consents; and 38 Table of Contents ● the risk that patients enrolled in clinical trials will drop out of the trials before completion.
If approved, Buntanetap and any future product candidates may not achieve commercial success. Our commercial revenue, if any, will initially be derived from sales of Buntanetap, which we do not expect to be commercially available for many years, if at all. Accordingly, we will need to continue to rely on additional financing to achieve our business objectives.
If approved, buntanetap and any future product candidates may not achieve commerciab success. Our commercial revenue, if any, will initially be derived from sales of buntanetap, which we do not expect to be commercially available for many years, if at all. Accordingly, we will need to continue to rely on additional financing to achieve our business objectives.
Any termination of collaborations we enter into in the future, or any delay in entering into collaborations related to Buntanetap or any future product candidates, could delay the development and commercialization of our product candidates and reduce their competitiveness if they reach the market, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Any termination of collaborations we enter into in the future, or any delay in entering into collaborations related to buntanetap or any future product candidates, could delay the development and commercialization of our product candidates and reduce their competitiveness if they reach the market, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future commercial prospects.
If we obtain regulatory approval of product candidates and ultimately commercialize our products in foreign markets, we would be subject to additional risks and uncertainties, including: ● different regulatory requirements for approval of drugs in foreign countries; ● reduced protection for intellectual property rights; ● the existence of additional third-party patent rights of potential relevance to our business; ● unexpected changes in tariffs, trade barriers and regulatory requirements; ● economic weakness, including inflation, or political instability in particular foreign economies and markets; ● compliance with export control and import laws and regulations; ● compliance with tax, employment, immigration and labor laws for employees living or traveling abroad; ● foreign currency fluctuations, which could result in increased operating expenses and reduced revenue, and other obligations incident to doing business in another country; ● foreign reimbursement, pricing and insurance regimes; ● workforce uncertainty in countries where labor unrest is common; ● differing regulatory requirements with respect to manufacturing of products; ● production shortages resulting from any events affecting raw material supply or manufacturing capabilities abroad; and ● business interruptions resulting from geopolitical actions, including war and terrorism, or natural disasters including earthquakes, typhoons, floods and fires.
If we obtain regulatory approval of product candidates and ultimately commercialize our products in foreign markets, we would be subject to additional risks and uncertainties, including: ● different regulatory requirements for approval of drugs in foreign countries; ● reduced protection for intellectual property rights; ● the existence of additional third-party patent rights of potential relevance to our business; ● unexpected changes in tariffs, trade barriers and regulatory requirements; 42 Table of Contents ● economic weakness, including inflation, or political instability in particular foreign economies and markets; ● compliance with export control and import laws and regulations; ● compliance with tax, employment, immigration and labor laws for employees living or traveling abroad; ● foreign currency fluctuations, which could result in increased operating expenses and reduced revenue, and other obligations incident to doing business in another country; ● foreign reimbursement, pricing and insurance regimes; ● workforce uncertainty in countries where labor unrest is common; ● differing regulatory requirements with respect to manufacturing of products; ● production shortages resulting from any events affecting raw material supply or manufacturing capabilities abroad; and ● business interruptions resulting from geopolitical actions, including war and terrorism, or natural disasters including earthquakes, typhoons, floods and fires.
Clinical trials can be delayed for a variety of reasons, including delays related to: ● the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities disagreeing as to the design or implementation of our clinical studies; ● obtaining regulatory approval to commence a trial; ● reaching an 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 trial sites; ● obtaining Institutional Review Board (“IRB”) approval at each site, or Independent Ethics Committee (“IEC”) approval at sites outside the United States; ● recruiting suitable patients to participate in a trial in a timely manner and in sufficient numbers; ● patients failing to complete a trial or return for post-treatment follow-up; ● imposition of a clinical hold by regulatory authorities, including as a result of unforeseen safety issues or side effects or failure of trial sites to adhere to regulatory requirements or follow trial protocols; ● clinical sites deviating from trial protocol or dropping out of a trial; ● addressing patient safety concerns that arise during the course of a trial; ● adding a sufficient number of clinical trial sites; or 40 Table of Contents ● manufacturing sufficient quantities of product candidate for use in clinical trials.
Clinical trials can be delayed for a variety of reasons, including delays related to: ● the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities disagreeing as to the design or implementation of our clinical studies; ● obtaining regulatory approval to commence a trial; ● reaching an 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 trial sites; ● obtaining Institutional Review Board (“IRB”) approval at each site, or Independent Ethics Committee (“IEC”) approval at sites outside the United States; ● recruiting suitable patients to participate in a trial in a timely manner and in sufficient numbers; ● patients failing to complete a trial or return for post-treatment follow-up; ● imposition of a clinical hold by regulatory authorities, including as a result of unforeseen safety issues or side effects or failure of trial sites to adhere to regulatory requirements or follow trial protocols; ● clinical sites deviating from trial protocol or dropping out of a trial; ● addressing patient safety concerns that arise during the course of a trial; ● adding a sufficient number of clinical trial sites; or ● manufacturing sufficient quantities of product candidate for use in clinical trials.
If we are unable to obtain additional patent protection to prolong the patent life of our product candidates, we may not be able to continue development of our product candidate. We seek to protect and prolong our proprietary position by filing patent applications in the United States and abroad related to our development programs and product candidates.
If we are unable to obtain additional patent protection to prolong the patent life of our product candidates, we may not be able to continue development of our product candidates. We seek to protect and prolong our proprietary position by filing patent applications in the United States and abroad related to our development programs and product candidates.
This lengthy approval process, as well as the unpredictability of future clinical trial results, may result in our failing to obtain regulatory approval to market Buntanetap or another product candidate, which would significantly harm our business, results of operations and prospects.
This lengthy approval process, as well as the unpredictability of future clinical trial results, may result in our failing to obtain regulatory approval to market buntanetap or another product candidate, which would significantly harm our business, results of operations and future commercial prospects.
We and our CROs will be required to comply with the Good Laboratory Practice requirements for our preclinical studies and GCP requirements for our clinical trials, which are regulations and guidelines enforced by the FDA and are also required by comparable foreign regulatory authorities.
We and our CROs will be required to comply with the Good Laboratory Practice (“GLP”) requirements for our preclinical studies and GCP requirements for our clinical trials, which are regulations and guidelines enforced by the FDA and are also required by comparable foreign regulatory authorities.
Therefore, we cannot be certain that we or our licensors were the first to invent the inventions claimed in any of our licensed patents or pending patent applications, or that we or our licensors were the first to make the inventions claimed in those owned or licensed patents or pending patent applications, or that we or our licensors were the first to file for patent protection of such inventions.
Therefore, we cannot be certain that we or our licensors were the first to invent or file on the inventions claimed in any of our licensed patents or pending patent applications, or that we or our licensors were the first to make the inventions claimed in those owned or licensed patents or pending patent applications, or that we or our licensors were the first to file for patent protection of such inventions.
In addition, manufacturers can be held liable under the FCA even when they do not submit claims directly to government payors if they are deemed to “cause” the submission of false or fraudulent claims; ● Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), which imposes criminal and civil liability for, among other things, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program or obtain, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, any of the money or property owned by, or under the custody or control of, any healthcare benefit program, regardless of the payor (e.g., public or private) and knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false statement, in connection with the delivery of, or payment for, healthcare benefits, items or services.
In addition, manufacturers can be held liable under the FCA even when they do not submit claims directly to government payors if they are deemed to “cause” the submission of false or fraudulent claims; 54 Table of Contents ● Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), which imposes criminal and civil liability for, among other things, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program or obtain, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, any of the money or property owned by, or under the custody or control of, any healthcare benefit program, regardless of the payor (e.g., public or private) and knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false statement, in connection with the delivery of, or payment for, healthcare benefits, items or services.
For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including exemption from compliance with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute 80 Table of Contents payments not previously approved.
For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are 75 Table of Contents applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including exemption from compliance with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Additionally, if one or more of our product candidates receives marketing approval, and we or others later identify undesirable side effects caused by such products, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including: ● regulatory authorities may withdraw approvals of such product; ● regulatory authorities may require additional warnings on the label, such as a “black box” warning or contraindication; ● additional restrictions may be imposed on the marketing of the particular product or the manufacturing processes for the product or any component thereof; ● we may be required to implement a REMS or create a medication guide outlining the risks of such side effects for distribution to patients; ● we could be sued and held liable for harm caused to patients; ● the product may become less competitive; and ● our reputation may suffer.
Additionally, if one or more of our product candidates receives marketing approval, and we or others later identify undesirable side effects caused by such products, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including: ● regulatory authorities may withdraw approvals of such product; 40 Table of Contents ● regulatory authorities may require additional warnings on the label, such as a “black box” warning or contraindication; ● additional restrictions may be imposed on the marketing of the particular product or the manufacturing processes for the product or any component thereof; ● we may be required to implement a REMS or create a medication guide outlining the risks of such side effects for distribution to patients; ● we could be sued and held liable for harm caused to patients; ● the product may become less competitive; and ● our reputation may suffer.
If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws described above or any other governmental laws and regulations that may apply to us, we may be subject to the imposition of civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, disgorgement, monetary fines, possible exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs, individual imprisonment, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, additional reporting requirements or oversight if we become subject to a corporate integrity agreement or similar agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, and curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations.
If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws described above or any other governmental laws and regulations that may apply to us, we may be subject to the imposition of civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, disgorgement, monetary fines, possible exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs, individual imprisonment, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, additional reporting requirements or oversight if we become subject to a corporate integrity agreement or similar agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, and curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to 55 Table of Contents operate our business and our results of operations.
The auditor’s opinion on our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 includes an explanatory paragraph stating that we have incurred recurring losses from operations that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months from the date of the financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The auditor’s opinion on our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 includes an explanatory paragraph stating that we have incurred recurring losses from operations that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months from the date of the financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In addition, later discovery of previously unknown adverse events or other problems with our products, manufacturers or manufacturing processes or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may yield various results, including: ● restrictions on manufacturing such products; ● restrictions on the labeling or marketing of products; ● restrictions on product distribution or use; ● requirements to conduct post-marketing studies or clinical trials; ● warning letters or untitled letters; ● withdrawal of the products from the market; ● refusal to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications that we submit; ● recall of products; ● fines, restitution or disgorgement of profits or revenues; ● suspension or withdrawal of marketing approvals; ● refusal to permit the import or export of our products; ● product seizure; or ● injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.
In addition, later discovery of previously unknown adverse events or other problems with our products, manufacturers or manufacturing processes or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may yield various results, including: ● restrictions on manufacturing such products; ● restrictions on the labeling or marketing of products; ● restrictions on product distribution or use; 43 Table of Contents ● requirements to conduct post-marketing studies or clinical trials; ● warning letters or untitled letters; ● withdrawal of the products from the market; ● refusal to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications that we submit; ● recall of products; ● fines, restitution or disgorgement of profits or revenues; ● suspension or withdrawal of marketing approvals; ● refusal to permit the import or export of our products; ● product seizure; or ● injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.
Furthermore, we rely on CROs and clinical trial sites to ensure the proper and timely conduct of our clinical trials and, while we have agreements governing their committed activities, we have limited influence over their actual performance, as described in “—Risks Related to Our Dependence on Third Parties.” The regulatory approval processes of the FDA and comparable foreign authorities are lengthy, time consuming and inherently unpredictable, and if we are ultimately unable to obtain regulatory approval for Buntanetap or any other product candidates, our business will be substantially harmed.
Furthermore, we rely on CROs and clinical trial sites to ensure the proper and timely conduct of our clinical trials and, while we have agreements governing their committed activities, we have limited influence over their actual performance, as described in “—Risks Related to Our Dependence on Third Parties.” 35 Table of Contents The regulatory approval processes of the FDA and comparable foreign authorities are lengthy, time consuming and inherently unpredictable, and if we are ultimately unable to obtain regulatory approval for buntanetap or any other product candidates, our business will be substantially harmed.
To the extent that any actual or perceived disruption or security breach affects our systems (or those of our third-party collaborators, service providers, contractors or consultants) or were to result in a loss of or accidental, unlawful or unauthorized access to, use of, release of, or other processing of personally identifiable information, or damage to, our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability, the further development and commercialization of Buntanetap or any future product candidates could be delayed, and we could be subject to significant fines, penalties or liabilities.
To the extent that any actual or perceived disruption or security breach affects our systems (or those of our third-party collaborators, service providers, contractors or consultants) or were to result in a loss of or accidental, unlawful or unauthorized access to, use of, release of, or other processing of personally identifiable information, or damage to, our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability, the further development and commercialization of buntanetap, Posiphen Form B, or any future product candidates could be delayed, and we could be subject to significant fines, penalties or liabilities.
Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial revenue, we may finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, marketing and distribution arrangements and other collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements or other sources. We do not currently have any committed external source of funds.
Until such time, if ever, that we can generate substantial revenue, we may finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, marketing and distribution arrangements and other collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements or other sources. We do not currently have any committed external source of funds.
In addition, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, product liability claims may result in: ● impairment of our business reputation and significant negative media attention; ● withdrawal of participants from our clinical trials; ● significant costs to defend the litigation; ● distraction of management’s attention and our resources from our primary business; ● substantial monetary awards to patients or other claimants; ● inability to commercialize Buntanetap or any other product candidate; ● product recalls, withdrawals or labeling, marketing or promotional restrictions; ● decreased market demand for any product; ● significant negative financial impact; and ● a decline in our stock price.
In addition, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, product liability claims may result in: ● impairment of our business reputation and significant negative media attention; ● withdrawal of participants from our clinical trials; ● significant costs to defend the litigation; ● distraction of management’s attention and our resources from our primary business; ● substantial monetary awards to patients or other claimants; ● inability to commercialize buntanetap or any other product candidate; ● product recalls, withdrawals or labeling, marketing or promotional restrictions; ● decreased market demand for any product; 45 Table of Contents ● significant negative financial impact; and ● a decline in our stock price.
The total addressable market across all of the potential indications for Buntanetap and any future 46 Table of Contents product candidates will ultimately depend upon, among other things, the diagnosis criteria included in the final label for each such product candidate which receives marketing approval for these indications, the availability of alternative treatments and the safety, convenience, cost and efficacy of such product candidates relative to such alternative treatments, acceptance by the medical community and patient access, drug pricing and reimbursement.
The total addressable market across all of the potential indications for buntanetap and any future product candidates will ultimately depend upon, among other things, the diagnosis criteria included in the final label for each such product candidate which receives marketing approval for these indications, the availability of alternative treatments and the safety, convenience, cost and efficacy of such product candidates relative to such alternative treatments, acceptance by the medical community and patient access, drug pricing and reimbursement.
If our CROs 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 reason, our clinical trials may be extended, delayed or terminated, and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for, or successfully 57 Table of Contents commercialize any product candidate that we develop.
If our CROs 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 reason, 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.
We cannot guarantee that any of our or our licensors’ patent searches or analyses, including but not limited to the identification of relevant patents, the scope of patent claims or the expiration of relevant patents, are complete or thorough, nor can we be certain that we have identified each and every third-party patent and pending application in the United States, Europe and 66 Table of Contents elsewhere that is relevant to or necessary for the commercialization of our product candidates in any jurisdiction.
We cannot guarantee that any of our or our licensors’ patent searches or analyses, including but not limited to the identification of relevant patents, the scope of patent claims or the expiration of relevant patents, are complete or thorough, nor can we be certain that we have identified each and every third-party patent and pending application in the United States, Europe and elsewhere that is relevant to or necessary for the commercialization of our product candidates in any jurisdiction.
Even if we believe 65 Table of Contents third party infringement claims are without merit, a court of competent jurisdiction could hold that these third-party patents are valid, enforceable and infringed, and the holders of any such patents may be able to block our ability to commercialize the applicable product candidate unless we obtained a license under the applicable patents, or until such patents expire or are finally determined to be invalid or unenforceable.
Even if we believe third party infringement claims are without merit, a court of competent jurisdiction could hold that these third-party patents are valid, enforceable and infringed, and the holders of any such patents may be able to block our ability to commercialize the applicable product candidate unless we obtained a license under the applicable patents, or until such patents expire or are finally determined to be invalid or unenforceable.
Before obtaining regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of Buntanetap for a target indication, we must demonstrate with substantial evidence gathered in preclinical studies and clinical trials, generally including two adequate and well-controlled clinical trials, and, with respect to approval in the United States, to the satisfaction of the FDA, that Buntanetap is safe and effective for use for that target indication and that the manufacturing facilities, processes and controls are adequate.
Before obtaining regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of buntanetap for a target indication, we must demonstrate with substantial evidence gathered in preclinical studies and clinical trials, generally including two adequate and well-controlled clinical trials, and, with respect to approval in the United States, to the satisfaction of the FDA, that buntanetap is safe and effective for use for that target indication and that the manufacturing 33 Table of Contents facilities, processes and controls are adequate.
The FDA or any foreign regulatory bodies can delay, limit or deny approval of our product candidates or require us to conduct additional preclinical or clinical testing or abandon a program for many reasons, including: ● the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with the design or implementation of our clinical trials; ● the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our safety interpretation of our drug; ● the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our efficacy interpretation of our drug; ● the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may regard our CMC package as inadequate.
The FDA or any foreign regulatory bodies can delay, limit or deny approval of our product candidates or require us to conduct additional preclinical or clinical testing or abandon a program for many reasons, including: ● the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with the design or implementation of our clinical trials; 36 Table of Contents ● the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our safety interpretation of our drug; ● the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our efficacy interpretation of our drug; ● the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may regard our CMC package as inadequate.
Some of the policies we currently maintain include general liability, employment benefits liability, workers’ compensation, products liability, and directors’ and officers’ insurance. We do not know, however, if we will be able to maintain insurance with adequate levels of coverage.
Some of the policies we currently maintain include general liability, cyber security liability, employment benefits liability, workers’ compensation, products liability, and directors’ and officers’ insurance. We do not know, however, if we will be able to maintain insurance with adequate levels of coverage.
Namely, the current presidential administration has taken several executive actions, including the issuance of a number of Executive Orders, that could impose significant burdens on, or otherwise materially 49 Table of Contents delay, the FDA’s ability to engage in routine regulatory and oversight activities such as implementing statutes through rulemaking, issuance of guidance, and review and approval of marketing applications.
Namely, the current presidential administration has taken several executive actions, including the issuance of a number of Executive Orders, that could impose significant burdens on, or otherwise materially delay, the FDA’s ability to engage in routine regulatory and oversight activities such as implementing statutes through rulemaking, issuance of guidance, and review and approval of marketing applications.
The following examples are illustrative: ● others may be able to make products that are similar to Buntanetap or our future product candidates but that are not covered by the claims of the patents that we own or license from others; ● others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or otherwise circumvent any of our technologies without infringing our intellectual property rights; ● we or any of our collaborators might not have been the first to conceive and reduce to practice the inventions covered by the patents or patent applications that we own, license or will own or license; ● we or any of our collaborators might not have been the first to file patent applications covering certain of the patents or patent applications that we or they own or have obtained a license, or will own or will have obtained a license; ● it is possible that our pending patent applications will not lead to issued patents; ● issued patents that we own may not provide us with any competitive advantage, or may be held invalid or unenforceable, as a result of legal challenges by our competitors; ● our competitors might conduct research and development activities in countries where we do not have patent rights, or in countries where research and development safe harbor laws exist, and then use the information learned from such activities to develop competitive products for sale in our major commercial markets; ● ownership of our patents or patent applications may be challenged by third parties; and ● the patents of third parties or pending or future applications of third parties, if issued, may have an adverse effect on our business.
The following examples are illustrative: ● others may be able to make products that are similar to buntanetap, Posiphen Form B, or our future product candidates but that are not covered by the claims of the patents that we own or license from others; ● others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or otherwise circumvent any of our technologies without infringing our intellectual property rights; ● we or any of our collaborators might not have been the first to conceive and reduce to practice or file on the inventions covered by the patents or patent applications that we own, license or will own or license; ● it is possible that our pending patent applications will not lead to issued patents; ● issued patents that we own may not provide us with any competitive advantage, or may be held invalid or unenforceable, as a result of legal challenges by our competitors; ● our competitors might conduct research and development activities in countries where we do not have patent rights, or in countries where research and development safe harbor laws exist, and then use the information learned from such activities to develop competitive products for sale in our major commercial markets; ● ownership of our patents or patent applications may be challenged by third parties; and ● the patents of third parties or pending or future applications of third parties, if issued, may have an adverse effect on our business.
Some claimants may have substantially greater resources than we do and may be able to sustain the costs of complex intellectual property litigation to a greater degree and for longer periods of time than we could. In addition, patent holding companies that focus solely on extracting royalties and settlements by enforcing patent rights may target us.
Some claimants may have 60 Table of Contents substantially greater resources than we do and may be able to sustain the costs of complex intellectual property litigation to a greater degree and for longer periods of time than we could. In addition, patent holding companies that focus solely on extracting royalties and settlements by enforcing patent rights may target us.
Because PTA added to the term of patents covering 69 Table of Contents pharmaceutical products has particular value, our business may be adversely affected if the PTA is successfully challenged by a third party and our ability to exclude competitors is reduced or eliminated. Intellectual property rights do not address all potential threats to our competitive advantage.
Because PTA added to the term of patents covering pharmaceutical products has particular value, our business may be adversely affected if the PTA is successfully challenged by a third party and our ability to exclude competitors is reduced or eliminated. Intellectual property rights do not address all potential threats to our competitive advantage.
The report of our independent registered accounting firm on our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 contains an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern.
The report of our independent registered accounting firm on our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 contains an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our ability to obtain clinical or, if approved, commercial, supplies of Buntanetap or any future product candidates could be disrupted if the operations of these suppliers were affected by a man-made or natural disaster or other business interruption, and our ability to commence, conduct or complete our clinical trials in a timely manner could be similarly adversely affected by any of the foregoing.
Our ability to obtain clinical or, if approved, commercial, supplies of buntanetap or any future product candidates could be disrupted if the operations of these suppliers were affected by a man-made or natural disaster or other business interruption, and our ability to commence, conduct or complete our clinical trials in a timely manner could be similarly adversely affected by any of 34 Table of Contents the foregoing.
These requirements include submissions of safety and other post-marketing information and reports, establishment registration and drug listing requirements, continued compliance with cGMP requirements relating to manufacturing, quality control, quality assurance and corresponding maintenance of records and documents, requirements regarding 48 Table of Contents the distribution of samples to physicians and recordkeeping and GCP requirements for any clinical trials that we conduct post-approval.
These requirements include submissions of safety and other post-marketing information and reports, establishment registration and drug listing requirements, continued compliance with cGMP requirements relating to manufacturing, quality control, quality assurance and corresponding maintenance of records and documents, requirements regarding the distribution of samples to physicians and recordkeeping and GCP requirements for any clinical trials that we conduct post-approval.
Among some of the other changes introduced by the AIA are changes that limit where a patentee may file a patent infringement suit and provide opportunities for third parties to challenge any issued patent with the USPTO. This applies to all of our U.S. patents, even those issued before March 16, 2013.
Among some of the other changes introduced by the AIA are changes that limit where a patentee may file a patent infringement suit and provide opportunities for third parties to challenge any issued patent with the USPTO. This applies to all of our 62 Table of Contents U.S. patents, even those issued before March 16, 2013.
If we fail to satisfy the continued listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, such as the corporate governance requirements or the minimum closing bid price requirement, the New York Stock Exchange may take steps to delist our common stock.
If we fail to satisfy the continued listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, such as the corporate governance requirements, market capitalization or the minimum closing bid price requirement, the New York Stock Exchange may take steps to delist our common stock.
Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our charter inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs 81 Table of Contents associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our charter inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Accordingly, such events could cause adverse effects and material disruptions to our operations or systems or those of our business partners; compromise the security, integrity, availability, and confidentiality of customer information, employee information, strategic projects, product formulas and other trade secrets, other business or personal sensitive data, including third party confidential information in our possession.
Accordingly, such events could cause adverse 71 Table of Contents effects and material disruptions to our operations or systems or those of our business partners; compromise the security, integrity, availability, and confidentiality of customer information, employee information, strategic projects, product formulas and other trade secrets, other business or personal sensitive data, including third party confidential information in our possession.
A security breach or other compromise of our information 76 Table of Contents security safeguards could expose our confidential information, including third party confidential information in our possession (such as customer information) to theft and misuse, which could in turn adversely affect our relationships with such third parties and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash runway.
A security breach or other compromise of our information security safeguards could expose our confidential information, including third party confidential information in our possession (such as customer information) to theft and misuse, which could in turn adversely affect our relationships with such third parties and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash runway.
Because we have not conducted a formal freedom to operate analysis for patents related to Buntanetap since 2008, we may not be aware of patents issued since then that a third-party might assert are infringed by Buntanetap or any future product candidates, which could materially impair our ability to commercialize Buntanetap or any future product candidates.
Because we have not conducted a formal freedom to operate analysis for patents related to buntanetap since 2008, we may not be aware of patents issued since then that a third-party might assert are infringed by buntanetap, Posiphen Form B, or any future product candidates, which could materially impair our ability to commercialize buntanetap, Posiphen Form B, or any future product candidates.
The market price of our common stock may be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors, including the following: ● results of our clinical trials, and the results of trials of our competitors or those of other companies in our market sector; ● our ability to enroll subjects in our future clinical trials; ● delays or unanticipated developments in the completion of our planned clinical trials; ● any delay in submitting an NDA and any adverse development or perceived adverse development with respect to the FDA’s review of that NDA; ● our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of Buntanetap or any future product candidates or additional indications thereof, or limitations to specific label indications or patient populations for its use, or changes or delays in the regulatory review process; ● failure to successfully develop and commercialize Buntanetap or any future product candidates; ● the degree and rate of physician and market adoption of any of our current and future product candidates; ● inability to obtain additional funding or obtaining funding on unattractive terms; 77 Table of Contents ● regulatory or legal developments in the United States and other countries applicable to Buntanetap or any other product candidates; ● adverse regulatory decisions; ● changes in the structure of healthcare payment systems; ● manufacturing, supply or distribution delays or shortages, including our inability to obtain adequate product supply for Buntanetap or any other product candidates, or the inability to do so at acceptable prices; ● the success or failure of our efforts to identify, develop, acquire or license additional product candidates; ● introduction of new products, services or technologies by our competitors; ● failure to meet or exceed financial projections we provide to the public; ● failure to meet or exceed the estimates and projections of the investment community; ● changes in the market valuations of companies similar to ours; ● market conditions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, and the issuance of new or changed securities analysts’ reports or recommendations; ● announcements of significant acquisitions, strategic collaborations, joint ventures or capital commitments by us or our competitors; ● any changes to our relationship with any manufacturers, suppliers, collaborators or other strategic partners; ● significant lawsuits, including patent or shareholder litigation, and disputes or other developments relating to our proprietary rights, including patents, litigation matters and our ability to obtain patent protection for our technologies; ● additions or departures of key scientific or management personnel; ● sales of our common stock by us or our stockholders in the future; ● changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of securities and the incurrence of additional debt; ● changes in accounting standards, policies, guidelines, interpretations or principles; ● trading volume of our common stock; ● actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial condition and results of operations; ● publication of news releases by other companies in our industry, and especially direct competitors, including about adverse developments related to safety, effectiveness, accuracy and usability of their products, reputational concerns, reimbursement coverage, regulatory compliance, and product recalls; ● announcement or progression of geopolitical events (including in relation to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine); and ● the other factors described in this “Risk Factors” section. 78 Table of Contents In addition, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies.
The market price of our common stock may be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors, including the following: ● results of our clinical trials, and the results of trials of our competitors or those of other companies in our market sector; ● our ability to enroll subjects in our future clinical trials; ● delays or unanticipated developments in the completion of our planned clinical trials; ● any delay in submitting an NDA and any adverse development or perceived adverse development with respect to the FDA’s review of that NDA; ● our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of buntanetap or any future product candidates or additional indications thereof, or limitations to specific label indications or patient populations for its use, or changes or delays in the regulatory review process; ● failure to successfully develop and commercialize buntanetap or any future product candidates; 72 Table of Contents ● the degree and rate of physician and market adoption of any of our current and future product candidates; ● inability to obtain additional funding or obtaining funding on unattractive terms; ● regulatory or legal developments in the United States and other countries applicable to buntanetap or any other product candidates; ● adverse regulatory decisions; ● changes in the structure of healthcare payment systems; ● manufacturing, supply or distribution delays or shortages, including our inability to obtain adequate product supply for buntanetap or any other product candidates, or the inability to do so at acceptable prices; ● the success or failure of our efforts to identify, develop, acquire or license additional product candidates; ● introduction of new products, services or technologies by our competitors; ● failure to meet or exceed financial projections we provide to the public; ● failure to meet or exceed the estimates and projections of the investment community; ● changes in the market valuations of companies similar to ours; ● market conditions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, and the issuance of new or changed securities analysts’ reports or recommendations; ● announcements of significant acquisitions, strategic collaborations, joint ventures or capital commitments by us or our competitors; ● any changes to our relationship with any manufacturers, suppliers, collaborators or other strategic partners; ● significant lawsuits, including patent or shareholder litigation, and disputes or other developments relating to our proprietary rights, including patents, litigation matters and our ability to obtain patent protection for our technologies; ● additions or departures of key scientific or management personnel; ● sales of our common stock by us or our stockholders in the future; ● changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of securities and the incurrence of additional debt; ● changes in accounting standards, policies, guidelines, interpretations or principles; ● trading volume of our common stock; ● actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial condition and results of operations; ● publication of news releases by other companies in our industry, and especially direct competitors, including about adverse developments related to safety, effectiveness, accuracy and usability of their products, reputational concerns, reimbursement coverage, regulatory compliance, and product recalls; 73 Table of Contents ● announcement or progression of geopolitical events (including in relation to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine or Isreal and Hamas); and ● the other factors described in this “Risk Factors” section.
Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since inception. We expect to continue to spend substantial amounts to advance the clinical development of 35 Table of Contents Buntanetap. If we obtain receive regulatory approval for Buntanetap or any other product candidates, we also expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to product manufacturing, marketing, sales, and distribution.
Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since inception. We expect to continue to spend substantial amounts to advance the clinical development of buntanetap. If we obtain receive regulatory approval for buntanetap or any other product candidates, we also expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to product manufacturing, marketing, sales, and distribution.
Inflation could adversely affect our business and results of operations. While inflation in the United States has been relatively low in recent years, during 2022 and 2023, the economy in the United States encountered a material level of inflation.
Inflation could adversely affect our business and results of operations. While inflation in the United States has been relatively low in recent years, during 2023 and 2024, the economy in the United States encountered a material level of inflation.
Efforts by biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies in treating AD and PD have seen limited success in drug development, and there are no FDA-approved disease modifying therapeutic options available for patients with AD and PD.
Efforts by biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies in treating AD and PD have seen limited success in drug development, and there are few FDA-approved disease modifying therapeutic options available for patients with AD and PD.
Because of a lower evidentiary standard in USPTO proceedings compared to the evidentiary standard in U.S. federal courts necessary to invalidate a patent claim, a third party could potentially provide evidence in a USPTO proceeding sufficient for the USPTO to hold a claim invalid even though the same evidence would be insufficient to invalidate the claim if first presented in a district court action.
Because of a possibly different evidentiary standard in USPTO proceedings compared to the evidentiary standard in U.S. federal courts necessary to invalidate a patent claim, a third party could potentially provide evidence in a USPTO proceeding sufficient for the USPTO to hold a claim invalid even though the same evidence would be insufficient to invalidate the claim if first presented in a district court action.
We can be held liable for 61 Table of Contents the corrupt or other illegal activities of our employees, agents, CROs, contractors and other collaborators and partners, even if we do not explicitly authorize or have actual knowledge of such activities, and any training or compliance programs or other initiatives we undertake to prevent such activities may not be effective.
We can be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of our employees, agents, CROs, contractors and other collaborators and partners, even if we do not explicitly authorize or have actual knowledge of such activities, and any training or compliance programs or other initiatives we undertake to prevent such activities may not be effective.
Even if patents do successfully issue and even if such patents further cover Buntanetap or any future product candidate, third parties may challenge their validity, enforceability, or scope, which may result in such patents being narrowed, invalidated, or held unenforceable. Our patent rights may be subject to such priority, validity, inventorship, scope and enforceability disputes.
Even if patents do successfully issue and even if such patents further cover buntanetap, Posiphen Form B, or any future product candidate, third parties may challenge their validity, enforceability, or scope, which may result in such patents being narrowed, invalidated, or held unenforceable. Our patent rights may be subject to such priority, validity, inventorship, scope and enforceability disputes.
These agreements typically limit the rights of the third parties to use or disclose our confidential information, including our trade secrets. 70 Table of Contents However, current or former employees, consultants, contractors and advisers may unintentionally or willfully disclose our confidential information to competitors, and confidentiality agreements may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.
These agreements typically limit the rights of the third parties to use or disclose our confidential information, including our trade secrets. However, current or former employees, consultants, contractors and advisers may unintentionally or willfully disclose our confidential information to competitors, and confidentiality agreements may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.
Although at this time, we are unaware of any intellectual property that interferes with ours or is complementary and needed to commercialize Buntanetap, a third party may also hold intellectual property, including patent rights that are important or necessary to the future development or commercialization of Buntanetap or our future product candidates.
Although at this time, we are unaware of any intellectual property that interferes with ours or is complementary and needed to commercialize buntanetap, or Posiphen Form B, a third party may also hold intellectual property, including patent rights that are important or necessary to the future development or commercialization of buntanetap, Posiphen Form B, or our future product candidates.
The financial markets and the global economy may also be adversely affected by the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, terrorism or other geopolitical events.
The financial markets and the global economy may also be adversely affected by the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Isreal and Hamas, terrorism or other geopolitical events.
Without an internal team or the support of a third party to perform marketing and sales functions, we may be unable to compete successfully against these more established companies. A variety of risks associated with operating internationally could materially adversely affect our business.
Without an internal team or the support of a third party to perform marketing and sales functions, we may be unable to compete successfully against these more established companies. 49 Table of Contents A variety of risks associated with operating internationally could materially adversely affect our business.
There are a limited number of suppliers for the raw materials that we may use to manufacture our product candidates and we may need to assess alternative suppliers to prevent a possible disruption of the manufacture of our product candidates. Finding new CMOs or third-party suppliers involves additional cost and requires our management’s time and focus.
There are a limited number of suppliers for the raw materials that we may use to manufacture our product candidates and we may need to assess alternative suppliers to prevent a possible disruption of the manufacture of our product candidates. 51 Table of Contents Finding new CMOs or third-party suppliers involves additional cost and requires our management’s time and focus.
The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property protection, which could make it 68 Table of Contents difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally.
The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property protection, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally.
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.
Activities 50 Table of Contents 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.
The tenth patent application family relates to the new Form B of Posiphen (ANVS402); it demonstrates that it can be used instead of Buntanetap, including in the foregoing uses of Buntanetap of the Company’s patent portfolio.
The thirteenth patent application family relates to the new Form B of Posiphen (ANVS402); it demonstrates that it can be used instead of buntanetap, including in the foregoing uses of buntanetap of the Company’s patent portfolio.
If we are unable to obtain patent term extension or the term of any such extension is less than we request, the period during which we can enforce our patent rights for that product will be shortened and our competitors may obtain approval to market competing products sooner.
If we are unable to obtain patent term extension or the term of any such extension is less than we request, the period during which we can enforce our patent rights for that product will be shortened and our competitors may 64 Table of Contents obtain approval to market competing products sooner.
Our expenses will also increase substantially if and as we: ● continue to progress our development in AD and PD with additional studies, or conduct clinical trials for any other product candidates; ● scale-up cGMP drug supply manufacturing and complete necessary work to support an NDA for Buntanetap in AD or in PD; ● are required by the FDA to complete additional toxicological/pharmacological studies to support an NDA for Buntanetap in AD or in PD; ● establish a sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure to commercialize our drug, if approved, and for any other product candidates for which we may obtain marketing approval; ● maintain, expand and protect our intellectual property portfolio; ● hire additional clinical, scientific and commercial personnel; ● add operational, financial and management information systems and personnel, including personnel to support our product development and future commercialization efforts, as well as to support our requirements as a public reporting company; and ● acquire or in-license or invent other product candidates or technologies.
Our expenses will also increase substantially if and as we: ● continue to progress our development in AD and PD with additional pivotal Phase 3 studies, or conduct clinical trials for any other product candidates; ● scale-up cGMP drug supply manufacturing and complete necessary work to support an NDA for buntanetap in AD or in PD; 29 Table of Contents ● are required by the FDA to complete additional toxicological/pharmacological studies to support an NDA for buntanetap in AD or in PD; ● establish a sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure to commercialize our drug, if approved, and for any other product candidates for which we may obtain marketing approval; ● maintain, expand and protect our intellectual property portfolio; ● hire additional clinical, scientific and commercial personnel; ● add operational, financial and management information systems and personnel, including personnel to support our product development and future commercialization efforts, as well as to support our requirements as a public reporting company; and ● acquire or in-license or invent other product candidates or technologies.
We expect to have to train medical personnel 45 Table of Contents using our product candidates to understand the side effect profiles for our clinical trials and upon any commercialization of any of our product candidates. Inadequate training in recognizing or managing the potential side effects of our product candidates could result in patient injury or death.
We expect to have to train medical personnel using our product candidates to understand the side effect profiles for our clinical trials and upon any commercialization of any of our product candidates. Inadequate training in recognizing or managing the potential side effects of our product candidates could result in patient injury or death.
This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that the stockholder believes is favorable for disputes with us or our directors, which may discourage meritorious claims from being asserted against us and our directors.
This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a 76 Table of Contents judicial forum that the stockholder believes is favorable for disputes with us or our directors, which may discourage meritorious claims from being asserted against us and our directors.
Our ability to raise additional funds may be adversely impacted by potential worsening global economic conditions and the disruptions to, and volatility in, the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide resulting from factors that include but are not limited to, inflation, progression of geopolitical events (including in the relation to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine), diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in unemployment rates, and uncertainty about economic stability.
Our ability to raise additional funds may be adversely impacted by 30 Table of Contents potential worsening global economic conditions and the disruptions to, and volatility in, the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide resulting from factors that include but are not limited to, inflation, progression of geopolitical events (including in the relation to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict between Hamas and Israel), diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in unemployment rates, and uncertainty about economic stability.
Accordingly, reliance should not be placed upon the results of any particular quarterly or annual period as indications of future operating performance. Our ability to use our tax net operating losses is uncertain. We have incurred significant net operating losses since our inception. As of December 31, 2023, we had U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $38.1 million.
Accordingly, reliance should not be placed upon the results of any particular quarterly or annual period as indications of future operating performance. Our ability to use our tax net operating losses is uncertain. We have incurred significant net operating losses since our inception. As of December 31, 2024, we had U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $54.1 million.
In addition, any proprietary name we may propose to use with Buntanetap or any future product candidate in the United States must be approved by the FDA, regardless of whether we have registered, or applied to register, the proposed proprietary name as a trademark.
In addition, any proprietary name we may propose to use with buntanetap, Posiphen Form B, or any future product candidate in the United States must be approved by the FDA, regardless of whether we have registered, or applied to register, the proposed proprietary name as a trademark.
Change in control as defined by Section 382 occurs when there is an ownership change among stockholders owning directly or indirectly 5% or more of our common stock, as well as an aggregate ownership change with respect to such stockholders of more than 50% of our common stock.
Change in control as defined by Section 382 occurs when there is an ownership change among stockholders owning directly or indirectly 5% or more of our common stock, as well as an aggregate ownership change with respect to such stockholders of 32 Table of Contents more than 50% of our common stock.
For example, the manufacturing process being used to produce clinical material for our planned clinical trials is different than that used in prior trials of Buntanetap. There can be no assurance that such changes will achieve these intended objectives.
For example, 37 Table of Contents the manufacturing process being used to produce clinical material for our planned clinical trials is different than that used in prior trials of buntanetap. There can be no assurance that such changes will achieve these intended objectives.
If we are not able to attract, integrate, retain and motivate necessary personnel to accomplish our business objectives, we may 73 Table of Contents experience constraints that will significantly impede the achievement of our development objectives, our ability to raise additional capital and our ability to implement our business strategy.
If we are not able to attract, integrate, retain and motivate necessary personnel to accomplish our business objectives, we may experience constraints that will significantly impede the achievement of our development objectives, our ability to raise additional capital and our ability to implement our business strategy.
We may not have sufficient financial or other resources to adequately conduct such litigation or proceedings. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than we can because of their substantially greater financial resources.
We may not have sufficient financial or other resources to adequately conduct such litigation or proceedings. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than we can because of 61 Table of Contents their substantially greater financial resources.
It may be necessary for us to use the patented or proprietary technology of third parties to commercialize Buntanetap or our product candidates, in which case we would be required to obtain a license from these third parties.
It may be necessary for us to use the patented or proprietary technology of third parties to commercialize buntanetap, Posiphen Form B, or our product candidates, in which case we would be required to obtain a license from these third parties.
If we are unsuccessful in identifying and developing additional product 39 Table of Contents candidates or are unable to do so, our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and/or prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
If we are unsuccessful in identifying and developing additional product candidates or are unable to do so, our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and/or prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
Consequently, we may not be able to prevent any third party from using any of our technology that is in the public domain to compete with Buntanetap and any future product candidates or technologies.
Consequently, we may not be able to prevent any third party from using any of our technology that is in the public domain to compete with buntanetap, Posiphen Form B, and any future product candidates or technologies.
They may also 56 Table of Contents terminate or refuse to renew their agreement at a time that is costly or otherwise inconvenient for us. If we were unable to find an adequate CMO or another acceptable solution in time, our clinical trials could be delayed, or our commercial activities could be harmed.
They may also terminate or refuse to renew their agreement at a time that is costly or otherwise inconvenient for us. If we were unable to find an adequate CMO or another acceptable solution in time, our clinical trials could be delayed, or our commercial activities could be harmed.
These organizations may have significantly greater 51 Table of Contents resources than we do and may conduct similar research; seek patent protection; and establish collaborative arrangements for research, development, manufacturing and marketing of products that may compete with us.
These organizations may have significantly greater resources than we do and may conduct similar research, seek patent protection and establish collaborative arrangements for research, development, manufacturing and marketing of products that may compete with us.
It is difficult to 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.
It is difficult to predict at this time what third-party payors will decide with respect to the coverage and reimbursement for our product candidates. 47 Table of Contents 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.
If we license products or businesses, we may not be able to realize the benefit of such transactions if we are unable to successfully integrate them with our existing operations and company culture.
If we license products or businesses, we may not be able to realize the benefit of such transactions if we are unable to successfully integrate 69 Table of Contents them with our existing operations and company culture.
Adverse differences between preliminary or interim data and final data could significantly harm our business prospects. Further, disclosure of interim data by us or by our competitors could result in volatility in the price of our common stock.
Adverse differences between preliminary or interim data and final data could significantly harm our 39 Table of Contents business prospects. Further, disclosure of interim data by us or by our competitors could result in volatility in the price of our common stock.
Although we are given an opportunity to respond to such rejections, we may be unable to overcome them. At times, competitors may adopt trade names or trademarks similar to ours, thereby impeding our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to market confusion.
Although we are given an opportunity to respond to such rejections, we may be unable to overcome them. At times, competitors may adopt trade names or trademarks similar to ours, thereby impeding our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to market 66 Table of Contents confusion.
Our directors, executive officers and certain stockholders own a significant percentage of our common stock and, if they choose to act together, will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to stockholder approval. Our directors, executive officers, and stockholders affiliated with our directors and executive officers own 25.6% of the current voting power of our outstanding common stock.
Our directors, executive officers and certain stockholders own a significant percentage of our common stock and, if they choose to act together, will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to stockholder approval. Our directors, executive officers, and stockholders affiliated with our directors and executive officers own 14.3% of the current voting power of our outstanding common stock.