ATOS 10-Q
Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. (ATOS)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from XXXXXXXX XX, XXXX to XXXXXXXX XX, XXXX
Commission File Number:
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
( State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
As of May 1, 2024, the registrant had
ATOSSA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I. |
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Item 1. |
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Item 2. |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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Item 3. |
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Item 4. |
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PART II. |
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Item 1. |
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Item 1A. |
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Item 2. |
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Item 5. |
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Item 6. |
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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED
ATOSSA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
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March 31, 2024 |
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December 31, 2023 |
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Assets |
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Current assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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Restricted cash |
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Prepaid materials |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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Total current assets |
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Investment in equity securities |
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Other assets |
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Total assets |
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$ |
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Liabilities and stockholders' equity |
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Current liabilities |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
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$ |
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Accrued expenses |
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Payroll liabilities |
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Other current liabilities |
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Total current liabilities |
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Total liabilities |
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Stockholders' equity |
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Convertible preferred stock - $ |
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Common stock - $ |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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Treasury stock, at cost; |
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Accumulated deficit |
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Total stockholders' equity |
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Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
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$ |
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$ |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
ATOSSA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
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For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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Operating expenses |
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Research and development |
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$ |
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$ |
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General and administrative |
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Total operating expenses |
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Operating loss |
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Interest income |
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Other expense, net |
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Loss before income taxes |
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Income tax benefit |
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Net loss |
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Net loss per share of common stock - basic and diluted |
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$ |
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$ |
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Weighted average shares outstanding used to compute net loss per share - basic and diluted |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
ATOSSA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(amounts in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
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Convertible Preferred Stock |
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Common Stock |
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Treasury Stock |
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Additional |
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Total |
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Shares |
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Amount |
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Shares |
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Amount |
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Paid-in |
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Amount |
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Accumulated |
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Stockholders' |
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Balance at December 31, 2022 |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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Stock-based compensation |
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— |
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— |
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Net loss |
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— |
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— |
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Balance at March 31, 2023 |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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Convertible Preferred Stock |
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Common Stock |
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Treasury Stock |
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Additional |
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Total |
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Shares |
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Amount |
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Shares |
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Amount |
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Paid-in |
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Amount |
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Accumulated |
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Stockholders' |
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Balance at December 31, 2023 |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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Issuance of common stock upon warrant exercise |
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— |
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Stock-based compensation |
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— |
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— |
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Net loss |
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— |
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— |
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Balance at March 31, 2024 |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
ATOSSA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
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For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
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Net loss |
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$ |
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$ |
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Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities |
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Stock-based compensation |
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Loss on disposal of assets |
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Depreciation |
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
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Prepaid materials |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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Other assets |
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Accounts payable |
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Accrued expenses |
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Payroll liabilities |
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Other current liabilities |
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Net cash used in operating activities |
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CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
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Purchases of property and equipment |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
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CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
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Proceeds from exercise of warrants |
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Net cash provided by financing activities |
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NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND |
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CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING |
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CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, ENDING |
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$ |
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$ |
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RECONCILIATION OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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Restricted cash |
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Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
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$ |
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$ |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
6
ATOSSA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(amounts in thousands, except for per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1: NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. (the Company) was incorporated on April 30, 2009, in the State of Delaware to develop and market medical devices, laboratory tests and therapeutics to address breast health conditions. The Company is focused on developing proprietary innovative medicines in areas of significant unmet medical need in oncology, with a focus on breast cancer and other breast conditions.
NOTE 2: LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company has incurred net losses and negative operating cash flows since inception. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded a net loss of $
NOTE 3: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. They do not include all information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. However, except as disclosed herein, there has been no material changes in the information disclosed in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023. The year-end Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet presented in this report was derived from audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all annual disclosures required by GAAP. All amounts in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto have been presented in thousands, except for par value and other per share data.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and have been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024.
Reclassification
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial information to conform to the current year presentation.
Use of Estimates
Segments
The Company operates as a segment. Operating segments are identified as the components of an enterprise of which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in making decisions regarding
7
resource allocation and in assessing performance. To date, the Company's chief operating decision maker has made such decisions and assessed performance at the Company-level as a single segment.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include unrestricted cash and all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. Cash equivalents consist primarily of amounts invested in money market accounts.
The Company’s restricted cash balance as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 consisted entirely of cash pledged as security for the Company’s issued commercial credit cards.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist primarily of deposits of cash and cash equivalents, including those deposited in money market deposit accounts. The Company maintains deposits in federally insured financial institutions in excess of federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any material losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to significant risk. The Company has invested its excess cash primarily in money market funds.
Prepaid Materials
We capitalize the purchase of certain raw materials, active pharmaceutical ingredients and related supplies for use in the manufacturing of drug products for use in our preclinical and clinical development programs, as we have determined that these materials have alternative future use. We can use these raw materials and related supplies in multiple clinical drug products, and therefore have future use independent of the development status of any particular drug program until it is utilized in the manufacturing process. We expense the cost of materials when used. We periodically review these capitalized materials for continued alternative future use and write down the asset to its net realizable value in the period in which an impairment is identified. Prepaid materials not expected to be used within 12 months of the balance sheet date are presented in Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Investments in Equity Securities
The Company has one investment in non-marketable equity securities. This investment does not have a readily determinable fair value, so the Company has elected to measure the investment at cost less any impairment, adjusted to fair value if there are observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 321, Investments – Equity Securities. At each reporting period, the Company performs an assessment to determine if it still qualifies for this measurement alternative.
At each reporting period, the Company makes a qualitative assessment considering impairment indicators to evaluate whether the investment is impaired. If a qualitative assessment indicates the investment is impaired, the Company estimates the investment's fair value. If the fair value is less than the investment's carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the carrying value and fair value and a new basis in the investment is established. Refer to Note 4.
Other Assets
Other assets consist of property and equipment, noncurrent prepaid materials and clinical deposits.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company has certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value which have been classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy as described in the accounting standards for fair value measurements.
The fair value hierarchy is broken down into the three input levels summarized below:
The carrying amounts reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature. Refer to Note 9.
8
Research and Development
Research and development (R&D) costs are generally expensed as incurred. R&D expenses include, for example, manufacturing expenses for the Company's drugs under development, expenses associated with preclinical studies, clinical trials and associated salaries, bonuses, stock-based compensation and benefits. The Company has entered into various research and development contracts with research institutions, clinical research organizations (CROs), clinical manufacturing organizations (CMOs) and other third parties. Payments for these activities are based on the terms of the individual agreements, which may differ from the timing of costs incurred. The Company records accruals for estimated costs incurred for ongoing research and development activities as reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as accrued expenses. Payments made in advance of incurring costs are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as prepaid expenses. When evaluating the adequacy of the accrued expenses and prepaid expenses, the Company analyzes progress of the services, including the phase or completion of events, invoices received and contracted costs.
R&D expenses also include an allocation of the CEO's salary and related benefits, including bonus and non-cash stock-based compensation expense, based on an estimate of his total hours spent on R&D activities. The Company's CEO is involved in the development of the Company's drug candidates and oversight of the related clinical trial activities and also acts as the Company's chief medical officer.
Stock-based Compensation
The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees, officers, non-employee directors, and other key persons providing services to the Company, currently limited to stock options. Stock-based compensation is measured using the estimated grant date fair value and is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period, generally the vesting period. The Company has made a policy election to recognize forfeitures when they occur.
The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires assumptions regarding the expected volatility of the price of the Company's common stock, the expected life of the options, an expectation regarding future dividends on the Company’s common stock, and a risk-free interest rate. The Company’s expected common stock price volatility assumption is based upon the historical volatility of its stock price. The Company has elected the simplified method for the expected life assumption for stock option grants, which averages the contractual term of the options of
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future taxable income. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized based on the weight of available evidence, including expected future earnings. The Company recognizes an uncertain tax position in its financial statements when it concludes that a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based solely on its technical merits. Only after a tax position passes the first step of recognition will measurement be required. Under the measurement step, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon effective settlement. This is determined on a cumulative probability basis. The full impact of any change in recognition or measurement is reflected in the period in which such change occurs. The Company records any interest or penalties related to income taxes in income tax benefit in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Variable Interest
The Company reviews agreements it enters into with third-party entities, pursuant to which the Company may have a variable interest in the entity, in order to determine if the entity is a variable interest entity (VIE). If the entity is a VIE, the Company assesses whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of that entity. In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of an entity, the Company applies a qualitative approach that determines whether it has both (i) the power to direct the economically significant activities of the entity and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to that entity. If the Company determines it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, it consolidates that VIE into the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company’s determination about whether it should consolidate such VIEs is made continuously as changes to existing relationships or future transactions may result in a consolidation or deconsolidation event. The Company currently does not consolidate any VIEs.
9
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This standard requires disclosure of significant segment expenses and other segment items by reportable segment. This ASU becomes effective for annual periods beginning in 2024 and interim periods in 2025. The Company is assessing the potential impact of this ASU.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This standard enhances disclosures related to income taxes, including the rate reconciliation and information on income taxes paid. This ASU becomes effective on January 1, 2025. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of this ASU.
The Company does not expect adoption of any other recently issued accounting pronouncements to have a material impact on its financial statements.
NOTE 4: INVESTMENT IN EQUITY SECURITIES
The Company holds an investment in Dynamic Cell Therapies, Inc. (DCT), a U.S. private company that is in the pre-clinical stage of developing novel Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies based on technology licensed from a leading U.S. cancer treatment and research institution. The Company determined that DCT is a VIE however, the Company does not consolidate DCT because it does not have the power to direct economically significant activities. The Company has no obligation to provide any future funding to DCT and its maximum exposure to loss is its investment value, which is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as an Investment in equity securities.
NOTE 5: PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
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As of March 31, |
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December 31, |
|
||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Prepaid clinical trial deposits |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Prepaid insurance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Prepaid professional services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
NOTE 6: ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
As of March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Accrued clinical trial costs |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Accrued professional services and other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total accrued expenses |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
10
NOTE 7: PAYROLL LIABILITIES
Payroll liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
As of March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Accrued bonuses |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Accrued vacation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accrued payroll and benefits |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total payroll liabilities |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
NOTE 8: OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
In 2017, the Company formed a wholly owned subsidiary in Australia called Atossa Genetics AUS Pty Ltd. The purpose of this subsidiary is to perform R&D activities, including some of the Company's clinical trials. Australia offers R&D cash rebates on qualified R&D activities incurred in the country. The Australian R&D tax incentive program is a self-assessment program, and as such, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has the right to review the Company’s program and related expenditures for a period of four years following the tax return filing date. If a review were to occur, a qualified program and related expenditures could be disqualified by the ATO with interest and penalties. Based on the Company's evaluation of the ATO's taxpayer alert in December 2023, the Company believes that it is no longer reasonably assured that the full tax position would be sustained under audit. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, a liability of $
NOTE 9: FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The following tables present the Company’s fair value hierarchy for all its financial assets and liabilities, by major security type, measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
March 31, 2024 |
|
Estimated Fair Value |
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
||||
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Money market fund |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
December 31, 2023 |
|
Estimated Fair Value |
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
||||
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Money market fund |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
NOTE 10: STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common Stock
The Company is authorized to issue a total of
On May 19, 2014, the Company adopted a stockholder rights agreement, pursuant to which all stockholders of record on May 26, 2014 received a non-taxable distribution of
11
entitled to receive $
Share Repurchases
On June 27, 2023, the Board of Directors (the Board) authorized a program to repurchase common stock, par value $
Series Convertible Preferred Stock
The Company has designated
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Conversion. Each share of Series B convertible preferred stock is convertible at the Company’s option at any time, or at the option of the holder at any time, into the number of shares of the Company’s common stock determined by dividing the $
During the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 there were no conversions of Series B convertible preferred stock.
Fundamental Transactions. In the event the Company effects certain mergers, consolidations, sales of substantially all of its assets, tender or exchange offers, reclassifications, or share exchanges in which its common stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, the Company consummates a business combination in which another person acquires
Dividends. Holders of Series B convertible preferred stock shall be entitled to receive dividends (on an as-if-converted-to-common-stock basis) in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the common stock when, as and if such dividends are paid on shares of common stock. The Company’s preferred stock contractually entitles the holders of such securities to participate in dividends but do not contractually require the holders of such securities to participate in losses of the Company.
Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of designation or as otherwise required by law, the Series B convertible preferred stock has no voting rights.
Liquidation Preference. Upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Series B convertible preferred stock will be entitled to receive out of the Company’s assets, whether capital or surplus, the same amount that a holder of common stock would receive if the Series B convertible preferred stock were fully converted (disregarding for such purpose any conversion limitations under the certificate of designation) to common stock, which amounts shall be paid pari passu with all holders of common stock.
Redemption Rights. The Company is not obligated to redeem or repurchase any shares of Series B convertible preferred stock. Shares of Series B convertible preferred stock are not otherwise entitled to any redemption rights, or mandatory sinking fund or analogous provisions.
2021 and 2020 Warrants
12
The warrants were issued to institutional and accredited investors as a part of the financing transactions, which closed on December 11, 2020, December 21, 2020, December 28, 2020, January 8, 2021, and March 23, 2021. The terms and conditions of the warrants are as follows:
Exercisability. Each warrant is exercisable at any time and will expire between
Cashless Exercise. If at any time there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for issuance of, the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant, the holder may exercise the warrant on a cashless basis. When exercised on a cashless basis, a portion of the warrant is cancelled in payment of the purchase price payable in respect of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock purchasable upon such exercise.
Exercise Price. Each warrant represents the right to purchase
Transferability. Subject to applicable laws and restrictions, a holder may transfer a warrant upon surrender of the warrant to us with a completed and signed assignment in the form attached to the warrant. The transferring holder will be responsible for any tax liability that may arise as a result of the transfer.
Exchange Listing. The Company does not intend to apply to list the warrants on any securities exchange or recognized trading system.
Rights as Stockholder. Except as set forth in the warrant, the holder of a warrant, solely in such holder’s capacity as a holder of a warrant, will not be entitled to vote, to receive dividends or to any of the other rights of the Company's stockholders. The Company’s warrants contractually entitle the holders of such securities to participate in dividends but do not contractually require the holders of such securities to participate in losses of the Company.
Warrants Outstanding
As of March 31, 2024, the following warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock were outstanding:
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Exercise Price Per Warrant |
|
|
Expiration Date |
||
December 2020 warrants |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|||
January 2021 warrants |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|||
March 2021 warrants |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Warrant Activity
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company received approximately $
NOTE 11: NET LOSS PER SHARE
13
Basic net loss per share of common stock is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted net loss per share of common stock is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock that would have been outstanding during the period assuming the issuance of shares of common stock for all potentially dilutive shares of common stock outstanding. Potentially dilutive shares of common stock consist of outstanding stock options, convertible preferred stock and common stock warrants. Because the inclusion of potential shares of common stock would be anti-dilutive for all periods presented, they have been excluded from the calculation.
The following table sets forth the weighted average number of common shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share, because including them would be anti-dilutive:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Options to purchase common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Series B convertible preferred stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Warrants to purchase common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
NOTE 12: INCOME TAXES
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is provided for the amount of deferred tax assets that, based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized.
As a result of the Company’s cumulative losses, management has concluded that a full valuation allowance against the Company’s net deferred tax assets is appropriate.
NOTE 13: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation and Contingencies
On August 18, 2023, Intas Pharmaceuticals LTD. filed a Petition for Post Grant Review (PGR) with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the PGR Petition), seeking to invalidate one of the Company's issued patents (U.S. Patent No. 11,572,334) titled “Methods for Making and Using Endoxifen” (the Patent) on the grounds of anticipation and obviousness. The Company is actively contesting the PGR Petition and believes that the Patent was properly granted and is valid and enforceable. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail in contesting the PGR Petition.
The Company is subject to other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. The Company believes that these matters do not have a material effect, individually or in the aggregate, on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Contractual Obligations
Contractual obligations represent the Company’s future cash commitments and liabilities under agreements with third party clinical trial service providers. Apart from contracts with one third party clinical trial service provider, such agreements are cancellable upon written notice by the Company. The non-cancellable contracts expire upon completion of the clinical trial and release of the final report, or the contracts may be terminated by the clinical trial service provider, by the FDA or another governmental agency. As of March 31, 2024, the Company's estimated non-cancellable commitment was $
NOTE 14: STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
On May 15, 2020, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2020 Plan) to provide for the grants of equity-based awards to employees, officers, non-employee directors and other key persons providing services to the Company. No awards may be granted under the 2020 Plan after May 15, 2030. An aggregate of
The Company granted
14
The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Research and development |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
General and administrative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total stock-based compensation expense |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
The following table shows a summary of all stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024:
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
||||
Outstanding as of January 1, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Granted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Forfeited |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Exercised |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Expired |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Outstanding as of March 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Exercisable as of March 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Vested and expected to vest |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
As of March 31, 2024, there were
NOTE 15: DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
The Company has a defined contribution plan to which employees of the Company may defer contributions for income tax purposes. Participants are eligible to receive employer matching contributions up to
15
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements, which are based on assumptions about the future of our business. Actual results, outcomes and the timing of results or outcomes could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Please read “Forward-Looking Statements” included below for additional information regarding forward-looking statements.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this report) that are not statements of historical fact, including statements regarding guidance, industry prospects or future results of operations or financial position, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). We have made these statements in reliance on the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results, outcomes and the timing of results or outcomes to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Although we believe our assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date of this report, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements set out in this report will prove to be accurate. We may identify these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as “expect,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “design”, “predict,” “future,” or the negative versions of these words or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this report include, but are not limited to, statements about:
16
These and other forward-looking statements made in this report are presented as of the date of the filing of this report. We have discussed certain important factors, risks and uncertainties in the cautionary statements included in this report, particularly in the sections titled “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS,” and elsewhere in this report that we believe could cause our actual results, events or outcomes, or the timing of these results or outcomes, to differ materially from our anticipated results, events or outcomes, or the anticipated timing of these results or outcomes. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any new information, future events or circumstances that may affect our business after the date of this report. Except as required by law, we expressly disclaim any intent to update any forward-looking statements after the date on which the statement is made, whether as a result of new information, future events or future circumstances or otherwise.
Company Overview
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary innovative medicines in areas of significant unmet medical need in oncology, with a focus on women’s breast cancer and other breast conditions. Our lead drug candidate under development is oral (Z)-endoxifen, which we are developing for both the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
We have been granted three U.S. patents and one international patent covering our proprietary (Z)-endoxifen, and we have numerous applications pending in the U.S. and in other major countries. We have patent protection covering our proprietary (Z)-endoxifen through November 17, 2038.
Our business strategy is to advance our programs through clinical studies, including potentially with partners, and opportunistically add programs in areas of high unmet medical need through acquisition, minority investment, collaboration or internal development.
17
Summary of Our Leading Programs
The following is a summary of the status of our major clinical development programs as of the date of this report:
(Z)-endoxifen. (Z)-endoxifen is an active metabolite of tamoxifen, which is an FDA-approved drug to treat and prevent breast cancer in high-risk women. It is also referred to as a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). We are developing a proprietary form of (Z)-endoxifen which is administered orally for the potential treatment of breast cancer and reduction of breast density. We have completed four Phase 1 clinical studies (including a study in men) and two Phase 2 clinical studies with our proprietary (Z)-endoxifen (including oral and topical formulations). We have also completed significant pre-clinical development and have developed clinical manufacturing capabilities through qualified third parties.
(Z)-endoxifen for Women with Mammographic Breast Density. Mammographic breast density (MBD) is an emerging public health issue affecting over 10 million women in the U.S. alone. Dense breast tissue makes mammography less effective. When women with MBD are diagnosed with breast cancer, it is often later stage, which makes treatment outcomes suboptimal. Studies conducted by others have also shown that MBD increases the risk of developing breast cancer and that reducing MBD may reduce the incidence of breast cancer.
In December 2021, we commenced a Phase 2 study of our proprietary oral (Z)-endoxifen. The study, known as the Karisma-(Z)-endoxifen study, is a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-response study of our proprietary oral (Z)-endoxifen in healthy premenopausal women with measurable breast density. The primary objective of the study is to determine the dose-response relationship of daily (Z)-endoxifen on breast density reduction. Secondary endpoints will assess safety and tolerability. The study also includes an exploratory endpoint to assess durability of the breast density changes. The study is being conducted in Stockholm, Sweden and includes approximately 240 participants, at full enrollment, who receive daily doses of oral (Z)-endoxifen or placebo for six months after they enroll. The study fully enrolled in November 2023 and we expect primary data in the second half of 2024.
Based on input from the FDA and Swedish Medical Products Agency, reduction in MBD may not be an approvable indication unless we can demonstrate that our (Z)-endoxifen also reduces the incidence of breast cancer. We may therefore conduct additional studies of (Z)-endoxifen to assess its correlation with the risk of breast cancer and/or reduction in the incidence of new breast cancers.
(Z)-endoxifen for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a pre-cancerous lesion of the breast. It rarely produces symptoms, or a breast lump one can feel, typically being detected through screening mammography. In some cases, DCIS may become invasive and spread to other tissues, but there is no way of determining which lesions will remain stable without treatment, and which will go on to become invasive. This uncertainty can result in aggressive and unnecessary treatment approaches that can have harmful side effects without significant benefit.
18
In October 2023, Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative announced the initiation of the Phase 2 DCIS: Re-Evaluating Conditions for Active Surveillance Suitability as Treatment (RECAST) study. (Z)-endoxifen is being investigated as part of this platform trial, which offers women with DCIS six months of neoadjuvant treatment with the intent of determining their suitability for long-term active surveillance without surgery. Approximately 100 patients will be treated with (Z)-endoxifen. The study incorporates both a neoadjuvant therapy phase, with patients at high risk for progression to invasive disease proceeding to surgery, followed by an extended surveillance phase for low-risk patients.
(Z)-endoxifen for Neoadjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer. We are also developing (Z)-endoxifen to treat ER+ HER2- breast cancer in the neoadjuvant setting, which is the administration of a therapy before the main treatment, which is usually surgery. Although there are neoadjuvant treatments for breast cancers that are not ER+, there are few neoadjuvant treatments for ER+ breast cancer which comprises about 78% of all breast cancers.
In October 2022, we received authorization from the U.S. FDA for our Investigational New Drug (IND) application for oral (Z)-endoxifen. The study, “A Randomized Phase 2 Noninferiority Trial of (Z)-endoxifen and Exemestane + Goserelin as Neoadjuvant Treatment in Premenopausal Women with ER+/HER2-Breast Cancer,” also known as “EVANGELINE.” The study is an open-label, randomized, Phase 2 study designed to investigate (Z)-endoxifen for the neoadjuvant treatment of premenopausal women ages 18 and older with early stage (Grade 1 or 2) ER+/HER2- breast cancer.
The study is expected to enroll approximately 180 patients at up to 25 sites. EVANGELINE is a two-part study consisting of a PK Run-in Cohort and a Treatment Cohort. The primary objective of the Treatment Cohort is to evaluate the endocrine sensitive disease (ESD) rate, measured by Ki-67 (a proliferation marker prognostic for disease free survival), after four weeks of treatment with (Z)-endoxifen compared to treatment with current standard of care, exemestane + goserelin. Exemestane is an aromatase inhibitor designed to block the synthesis of estrogen and slow the growth of ER+ cancers. Goserelin is a medication given to block the ovaries from making estrogen, also called ovarian function suppression.
In March 2023, a second Phase 2 trial investigating oral (Z)-endoxifen as a neoadjuvant treatment for women diagnosed with locally advanced ER+ breast cancer was initiated. This trial is a study arm in the ongoing I‑SPY 2 clinical trial. The I-SPY 2 TRIAL is a collaborative effort among academic investigators from major cancer research centers across the U.S., Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative, the U.S. FDA, and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Cancer Biomarkers Consortium. Approximately 20 patients are being treated with (Z)-endoxifen for up to 24 weeks prior to surgery. Enrollment was completed in January 2024 for the Phase 2 I-SPY clinical trial.
On April 15, 2024, we announced that a new study was initiated to evaluate our proprietary (Z)-endoxifen in combination with abemaciclib (VERZENIO®), a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor marketed by Eli Lilly and Company, in women with ER+/HER2- breast cancer. The new study arm is expected to enroll approximately 20 women with newly diagnosed Estrogen Receptor positive (ER+) / Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 negative (HER2-) invasive breast cancer. Participants are expected to receive 40mg (Z)-endoxifen once daily in combination with 150mg abemaciclib twice daily for a total of 24 weeks prior to surgery.
Research and Development Phase
We are in the research and development phase and are not currently marketing any products. We do not anticipate generating revenue unless and until we develop and launch our pharmaceutical programs.
Commercial Lease Agreement
We have an operating lease for office space in Seattle, Washington with WW 107 Spring Street LLC. Monthly rent is $2 thousand a month, and this lease terminates on June 30, 2024. On February 29, 2024, we entered into an operating lease with Regus International Workplace Group for office space in Seattle, Washington. The lease commencement date is June 1, 2024, and we agreed to pay monthly rent of $1 thousand per month for 12 months.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). The preparation of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses. We base our estimates on our historical experience, known trends and events, and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2024 from those described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024.
19
Results of Operations
Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
Revenue and Cost of Revenue. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we had no source of revenue and no associated cost of revenue.
Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses were $7.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, which was a decrease of $0.1 million, from total operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 of $7.1 million. Factors contributing to the decreased operating expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2024 are explained below.
R&D Expenses. R&D expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024, were $3.7 million, an increase of $0.2 million from R&D expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 of $3.5 million.
The following table provides a breakdown of major categories within R&D expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, together with the dollar change in those categories (in thousands):
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Increase (Decrease) |
|
|||
Research and Development Expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Clinical and non-clinical trials |
|
$ |
2,884 |
|
|
$ |
2,336 |
|
|
$ |
548 |
|
|
Compensation |
|
$ |
626 |
|
|
$ |
1,034 |
|
|
$ |
(408 |
) |
|
Professional fees and other |
|
$ |
238 |
|
|
$ |
138 |
|
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
Research and Development Expense Total |
|
$ |
3,748 |
|
|
$ |
3,508 |
|
|
$ |
240 |
|
As (Z)-endoxifen is our only product candidate for which we currently incur R&D expense we have not further disaggregated R&D expenses by product candidate.
|
• |
The increase in R&D expense was primarily due to increased spending on clinical and non-clinical trials of $0.5 million compared to the prior year period for (Z)-endoxifen trials, including drug development costs. |
|
• |
The decrease in R&D compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to a decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation of $0.4 million. Non-cash stock-based compensation decreased compared to the prior year period due to the weighted average fair value of options amortizing in 2024 being lower period over period. |
|
• |
The increase in R&D professional fees of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the prior year period was primarily attributable to higher consulting fees in 2024 related to our endoxifen program. |
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses. G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were $3.2 million, a decrease of $0.4 million from total G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 of $3.6 million.
The following table provides a breakdown of major categories within G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, together with the dollar change in those categories (in thousands):
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Increase (Decrease) |
|
|||
General and Administrative Expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Compensation |
|
$ |
1,325 |
|
|
$ |
2,084 |
|
|
$ |
(759 |
) |
|
Professional fees and other |
|
|
1,680 |
|
|
|
1,164 |
|
|
|
516 |
|
|
Insurance |
|
|
227 |
|
|
|
342 |
|
|
|
(115 |
) |
|
General and Administrative Expense Total |
|
$ |
3,232 |
|
|
$ |
3,590 |
|
|
$ |
(358 |
) |
20
|
• |
The decrease in G&A compensation expense of $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the prior year period was due to a decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation of $0.8 million. Non-cash stock-based compensation decreased compared to the prior year period due to the weighted average fair value of options amortizing in 2024 being lower period over period. |
|
• |
The increase in G&A professional fees of $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to an increase in legal fees for higher patent-related activity. |
|
• |
The decrease in G&A insurance expense of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the prior year period was due to lower negotiated insurance premiums for the same or better coverage period over period. |
Interest Income. Interest income was $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $0.2 million from interest income of $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was due to a change in the mix of our money market accounts which yielded a higher rate of return.
Income Taxes. We did not record an income tax expense or benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 due to uncertainty regarding utilization of our net operating loss carryforwards and our history of losses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have incurred net losses and negative operating cash flows since inception. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded a net loss of $5.9 million and used $4.7 million of cash in operating activities. As of March 31, 2024, we had $84.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and working capital of $81.7 million. We believe we have sufficient cash on hand to fund our projected operating requirements for at least the next 12 months.
Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities. Net cash used in operating activities was $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to net cash used of $7.0 million for the same period in 2023, a decrease of $2.3 million. Cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily consisted of our net loss of $5.9 million, adjusted for non-cash items including non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $0.4 million, and net cash inflows from a change in our operating assets and liabilities of $0.8 million. Cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily consisted of our net loss of $6.3 million, adjusted for non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $1.6 million and net cash outflows from a change in our operating assets and liabilities of $2.3 million.
Net Cash Flows from Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $6 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily related to purchases of computers. No cash was used in investing activities for the three months March 31, 2023.
Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and primarily consisted of proceeds from warrants exercised during the period. No cash was used or provided in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Funding Requirements
We expect to incur ongoing operating losses for the foreseeable future as we continue to develop our planned therapeutic programs, including related clinical studies and other programs in the pipeline. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including:
If we are unable to raise additional capital when needed on reasonable terms, if at all, we could be forced to curtail or cease our operations. Our future capital uses and requirements will depend on the time and expenses needed to begin and continue clinical trials for our new drug developments.
Additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. Continued uncertain market and macroeconomic conditions, including due to inflationary pressures, high interest rates, general economic slowdown or a recession, the prospect of a shutdown of the U.S. federal government, foreign exchange rate volatility, financial institution instability, changes in monetary policy and increasing geopolitical instability, may limit our ability to access capital. In addition, the terms of any financing may adversely
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affect the holdings or the rights of our stockholders. For example, we may raise additional funds by issuing equity securities or by equity offerings, collaboration agreements, debt financings or licensing arrangements.
If adequate funds are not available, we may be required to terminate, significantly modify or delay our development programs, reduce our planned commercialization efforts, or obtain funds through collaborators that may require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or product candidates that we might otherwise seek to develop or commercialize independently. Further, we may elect to raise additional funds even before we need them if we believe the conditions for raising capital are favorable.
Although we submitted a proposal to our stockholders to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock for various potential purposes, including potential capital raising transactions, our stockholders did not approve the proposal at our 2021 and 2022 annual meetings of stockholders nor did they approve it at a special meeting of stockholders held in September 2021. A lack of authorized shares may limit our ability to raise capital when needed.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations represent our future cash commitments and liabilities under agreements with third party clinical trial service providers. Apart from contracts with one third party clinical trial service provider, such agreements are cancellable upon written notice by us. The non-cancellable contracts expire upon completion of the clinical trial and release of the final report, or the contract may be terminated by the clinical trial service provider, by the FDA or another governmental agency. As of March 31, 2024, our estimated non-cancellable commitment was $5.7 million which will be paid over the term of the clinical trials which are expected to be complete in 2025.
Share Repurchase Program
In June 2023, our Board of Directors (the Board) authorized a program to repurchase up to $10.0 million of our common stock (the Share Repurchase Program). The Share Repurchase Program does not obligate us to acquire any specific number of shares. Under the Share Repurchase Program, shares of common stock may be repurchased using a variety of methods, including privately negotiated and/or open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, as part of accelerated share repurchases and other methods. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases are determined by the Board in its discretion and depend on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price and economic and market conditions. On December 18, 2023 the Board authorized an extension of the program through December 31, 2024. No shares were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. As of March 31, 2024, $8.5 million remained available for future stock repurchases under the Share Repurchase Program.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not currently have, nor have we ever had, any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. In addition, we do not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Please refer to Note 3 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required by this item pursuant to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2024, pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act).
Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports that are filed or furnished under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or furnished under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well
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designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2024, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended March 31, 2024, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are, and from time to time we may become, involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. For a discussion of our legal proceedings, see Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. We are not presently a party to any other legal proceedings that in the opinion of our management, if determined adversely to us, would individually or taken together have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Summary of Risk Factors
Our business is subject to a number of risks, including risks that may prevent us from achieving our business objectives or may adversely affect our business, clinical and commercialization activities, the manufacturing of our product candidates, intellectual property, third party relationships, competitive environment, product and environmental liabilities, and our common stock. These risks are discussed more fully below and include, but are not limited to, risks related to:
Risks Related to our Business
Risks Related to our Intellectual Property
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Risks Related to Our Industry
Risks Related to the Securities Markets and Investment in our Securities.
Purchasing shares of common stock is an investment in our securities and involves a high degree of risk and uncertainty. You should carefully consider the following information about these risks and uncertainties, together with the other information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2024, before purchasing our securities. If any of the following risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer. In that case, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose part or all of your investment in our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties of which we are not presently aware or that we currently believe are immaterial may also harm our business and results of operations.
Risks Relating to our Business
We have a history of operating losses, and, as such, an investor cannot assess our profitability or performance based on past results.
Since December 2015, our business has primarily focused on the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of breast cancer and other breast conditions. Because of our limited operating history, particularly in the area of pharmaceutical development, our revenue and income potential is uncertain and cannot be based on prior results. Any evaluation of our business and prospects must be considered in light of these factors and the risks and uncertainties often encountered by companies in the development stage. Some of these risks and uncertainties include our ability to:
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We have not established sources of ongoing revenue to cover operating costs and allow us to continue as a going concern.
Although we believe we have sufficient capital resources to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months based on our current business plan, our business plan may change and may require greater expenditures of capital than currently anticipated, in particular, due to expenditures relating to strategic transactions. We have not yet established an ongoing source of revenue sufficient to cover operating costs and allow us to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on obtaining adequate capital to fund operating losses until we become profitable. If we are unable to obtain adequate capital on reasonable terms, if at all, including due to macroeconomic factors, such as high interest rates, the inflationary environment, recessionary fears and instability in financial institutions, we may be unable to develop and commercialize our product offerings or increase our geographic reach and we could be forced to cease operations.
We will need to raise substantial additional capital in the future to fund our operations and we may be unable to raise such funds when needed and on acceptable terms.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, we incurred a net loss of approximately $5.9 million, and we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $192.2 million since inception. As of March 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $84.0 million. Because we have no current sources of revenue, we expect that we will need to raise capital again in the future to continue to fund our operations. When we elect to raise additional funds or when additional funds are required, we may raise such funds through public or private equity offerings, debt financings, corporate collaboration and licensing arrangements or other financing alternatives. These financing arrangements may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. If we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, we may be prevented from developing our pharmaceutical candidates, pursuing acquisitions, and investing in other companies, including as a sponsor or investor in special purpose acquisition companies, licensing, development and commercialization efforts, and our ability to continue our operations, generate revenues, and achieve or sustain profitability may be substantially harmed. We currently have fewer than five million shares of common stock authorized that are not reserved for specific purposes. Although we proposed to our stockholders, at our 2021 and 2022 annual stockholders’ meetings and at a special meeting of stockholders held in September 2021, that our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, be further amended to add additional authorized shares for various potential purposes, including potential capital raising transactions, our stockholders did not approve such proposals and may not approve a similar proposal in the future. A lack of authorized shares may limit our ability to raise capital when needed.
If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our stockholders will experience dilution. Debt financing, if available, would result in increased fixed payment obligations and may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. Any debt financing or additional equity, including securities convertible into or exercisable for equity securities, that we raise may contain terms, such as liquidation, conversion and other preferences, that are not favorable to us or our stockholders. If we raise additional funds through collaboration and licensing arrangements with third parties, it may be necessary for us to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams or product candidates or to grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. Should the financing we require to sustain our working capital needs be unavailable or prohibitively expensive when we require it, our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects could be materially and adversely affected, and we may be unable to continue our operations.
We may expend our capital resources in ways that you do not agree or that do not produce stockholder value.
We intend to use our capital resources to execute on our business plan, which may include acquiring or in-licensing programs and may also include the internal development of additional programs that may or may not be related to oncology. We may also use our capital resources to invest directly or indirectly in business opportunities in healthcare or other industries, including through purchases of equity in other companies, such as our investment in Dynamic Cell Therapies, Inc. (DCT). These investments may be in special purpose acquisition companies, including either as a sponsor or as an equity investor. Our business plan may evolve to require more capital resources than currently contemplated either because our existing programs progress more quickly or at a greater cost
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than currently anticipated or because we may add additional programs. Stockholders may not agree with the ways in which we expend our capital resources and our capital deployment activities may not lead to increases in stockholder value.
We have a history of operating losses, and we expect to continue to incur losses in the future.
We have a limited operating history and have incurred net losses each year. Our net operating loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, was approximately $5.9 million. We will continue to incur further losses in connection with research and development costs for development of our programs, including ongoing and additional clinical studies.
Any products we may develop may never achieve significant commercial market acceptance.
We may not succeed in achieving commercial market acceptance of any of our products. In order to gain market acceptance for the drugs under development, we will need to demonstrate to physicians and other healthcare professionals the benefits of these therapies, including the clinical and economic application for their particular practice, the efficacy and safety and potential advantages compared to alternative therapies. Many physicians and healthcare professionals may be hesitant to introduce new services or techniques into their practice for many reasons, including lack of time and resources, the learning curve associated with the adoption of such new services or techniques into already established procedures, the product’s cost, convenience and ease of administration, the then-current standard of care, the strength of marketing and distribution support and the uncertainty of the applicability or reliability of the results of a new product. In addition, the availability of full or even partial payment for our products, whether by third party payors (e.g., insurance companies), by government payors or the patients themselves, will likely heavily influence physicians’ decisions to recommend or use our products.
We may be unable to establish sales, marketing and commercial supply capabilities.
We do not currently have, nor have we ever had, commercial pharmaceutical sales and marketing capabilities. If any of our product candidates become approved, we would need to build these capabilities in order to commercialize our approved product candidates. The process of establishing commercial capabilities will be expensive and time consuming, and may not be successful. Even if we are successful in building these capabilities, we may not be successful in commercializing any of our product candidates.
The loss of the services of our Chief Executive Officer could adversely affect our business.
Our success is dependent in large part upon our ability to execute our business plan, manufacture our pharmaceutical drugs and attract and retain highly skilled professional personnel. In particular, due to the relatively early stage of our business, our future success is highly dependent on the services of Steven C. Quay, our Chief Executive Officer and founder, who provides much of the necessary experience to execute our business plan.
Our acquisitions of, collaborations with, licenses with and investments in, other businesses may not yield expected benefits and our inability to successfully integrate these transactions may negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We anticipate that we will make acquisitions of, collaborations with, licenses with or investments in businesses in the future. We may not realize the anticipated benefits, or any benefits, from these transactions. If we fail to properly evaluate, complete and execute acquisitions, our business may be seriously harmed and our stock price may decline. For us to realize the benefits of future transactions, we must successfully integrate the acquired businesses with ours. Some of the challenges to successful integration include:
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Our failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with our past or future acquisitions and other transactions, including our investment in DCT, have in the past and could in the future cause us to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions and transactions, and result in higher than expected costs, the recording of asset impairment or restructuring charges and other actions which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to execute on our strategic plan. For example, we incurred a $3.0 million impairment charge for the year ended December 31, 2023 in connection with our investment in DCT.
We may experience difficulty in locating, attracting and retaining experienced and qualified personnel, which could adversely affect our business.
We will need to attract, retain, and motivate experienced clinical development and other personnel, particularly in the greater Seattle area as we expand our pharmaceutical development activities. Personnel with the required skills and experience may be scarce or may not be available at all in this geographic region. In addition, competition for these skilled personnel is intense and recruiting and retaining skilled employees is difficult, particularly for a development-stage Company such as ours. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, our development activities may be adversely affected. Even if we are successful in identifying and attracting qualified employees, recent market changes, including the labor shortage, and high inflation have increased employee-related costs substantially. As a result, our operating expenses may continue to increase in the current market environment.
Compounds and methods that appear promising in research and development may fail to reach later stages of development for a number of reasons, including, among others, that clinical trials may take longer to complete than expected or may not be completed at all, and interim, top-line or preliminary clinical trial data reports may ultimately differ from actual results once data are more fully evaluated.
Successful development of pharmaceutical products is highly uncertain and obtaining regulatory approval to market drugs is expensive, difficult, and speculative. Compounds that appear promising in research and development may fail to reach later stages of development for several reasons, including, but not limited to:
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In addition, from time to time we expect to report interim, top-line or “preliminary” data for clinical trials, including for example the results reported in 2021 for our neoadjuvant or “window of opportunity” Phase 2 study of (Z)-endoxifen. Such data are based on a preliminary analysis of then-available efficacy and safety data, and such findings and conclusions are subject to change following a more comprehensive review of the data related to the particular study or trial. Interim, top-line or preliminary data are based on important assumptions, estimations, calculations and information then available to us to the extent we have had, at the time of such reporting, an opportunity to fully and carefully evaluate such information in light of all surrounding facts, circumstances, recommendations and analyses. As a result, interim, top-line or “preliminary” results may differ from future/final results, or different conclusions or considerations may qualify such results once existing data have been more fully evaluated. In addition, third parties, including regulatory agencies, may not accept or agree with our assumptions, estimations, calculations or analyses or may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently, which could impact the value of the particular program, the approvability or commercialization of the particular compound and our business generally.
If the development of our products is delayed or fails, or if top-line or preliminary clinical trial data reported differ from actual results, our development costs may increase and our ability to commercialize our products may be harmed, which could harm our business, financial condition, operating results or prospects.
We may not obtain or maintain the regulatory approvals required to develop or commercialize some or all of our products.
We are subject to rigorous and extensive regulation by the FDA in the U.S. and by comparable agencies in other jurisdictions, including the Europe Medicines Agency (EMA) in the European Union (E.U.), the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia.
Our product candidates are currently in research or development, and we have not received marketing approval for our products. Our products may not be marketed in the U.S. until they have been approved by the FDA and may not be marketed in other jurisdictions until they have received approval from the appropriate foreign regulatory agencies. Each product candidate requires significant research, development and pre-clinical testing and extensive clinical investigation before submission of any regulatory application for marketing approval. As a result, the regulatory pathway for these products may be more complex and obtaining regulatory approvals may be more difficult.
Obtaining regulatory approval requires substantial time, effort and financial resources, and we may not be able to obtain approval of any of our products on a timely basis, or at all. The number, size, design, and focus of pre-clinical and clinical trials that will be required for approval by the FDA, the EMA, or any other foreign regulatory agency varies depending on the compound, the disease or condition that the products are designed to address and the regulations applicable to any particular products. Pre-clinical and clinical data can be interpreted in different ways, which could delay, limit or preclude regulatory approval. The FDA, the EMA, and other foreign regulatory agencies can delay, limit, or deny approval of a product for many reasons, including, but not limited to:
a product may not be shown to be safe or effective;
If our products are not approved at all or quickly enough to provide net revenues to defray our operating expenses, our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects could be harmed.
We are developing our products for patients who are severely ill, and patient deaths that occur in our clinical trials could negatively impact our business even if such deaths are not shown to be related to our drugs.
We have enrolled patients in studies of our drug candidates who may die while enrolled in our studies. Patients in our clinical trials may also experience adverse outcomes following treatment with our drug candidates, including patient death. These adverse outcomes, even if unrelated to our drugs, could expose us to lawsuits and liabilities and could diminish our ability to obtain regulatory approval and/or achieve commercial acceptance for the related drug and our business could be materially harmed.
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We are dependent on third party service providers for a number of critical operational activities including, in particular, for the manufacture and testing of our products and associated supply chain operations, as well as for clinical trial activities. Any failure or delay in these undertakings by third parties could harm our business.
Our business is dependent on the performance by third parties of their responsibilities under contractual relationships. In particular, we heavily rely on third parties for the manufacture and testing of our products. We do not have an internal analytical laboratory or manufacturing facilities to allow the testing or production of products in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). As a result, we rely on third parties to supply us in a timely manner with manufactured product candidates. We may not be able to adequately manage and oversee the manufacturers we choose; they may not perform as agreed or they may terminate their agreements with us. In particular, we depend on third party manufacturers to conduct their operations in compliance with applicable requirements under current Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), cGMP, GCP or similar standards imposed by the U.S. and/or applicable foreign regulatory authorities, including the FDA and EMA. Any of these regulatory authorities may take action against a contract manufacturer who violates cGMP. Failure of our manufacturers to comply with FDA, EMA or other applicable regulations may cause us to curtail or stop the manufacture of such products until we obtain regulatory compliance.
We may not be able to obtain sufficient quantities of our products if we are unable to secure manufacturers when needed, or if our designated manufacturers do not have the capacity or otherwise fail to manufacture compounds according to our schedule and specifications or fail to comply with cGMP regulations. Furthermore, in order to ultimately obtain and maintain applicable regulatory approvals, any manufacturers we utilize are required to consistently produce the respective products in commercial quantities and of specified quality or execute fill-finish services on a repeated basis and document their ability to do so, which is referred to as process validation. In order to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of a compound, the applicable regulatory authority must consider the result of the applicable process validation to be satisfactory and must otherwise approve of the manufacturing process. Even if our compound manufacturing processes obtain regulatory approval and sufficient supply is available to complete clinical trials necessary for regulatory approval, there are no guarantees we will be able to supply the quantities necessary to affect a commercial launch of the applicable drug, or once launched, to satisfy ongoing demand. Any product shortage could also impair our ability to deliver contractually required supply quantities to applicable collaborators, as well as to complete any additional planned clinical trials.
We also rely on third party service providers for certain warehousing and transportation. With regard to the distribution of our drugs, we depend on third party distributors to act in accordance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP), and the distribution process and facilities are subject to continuing regulation by applicable regulatory authorities with respect to the distribution and storage of products.
In addition, we depend on medical institutions and CROs (together with their respective agents) to conduct clinical trials and associated activities in compliance with Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and data privacy standards such as defined under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK GDPR, and in accordance with our timelines, expectations and requirements. We are substantially dependent on the organizations conducting our clinical trials. To the extent any such third parties are delayed in achieving or fail to meet our clinical trial enrollment expectations, fail to conduct our trials in accordance with GCP, patient and data privacy standards such as HIPAA or study protocol or otherwise take actions outside of our control or without our consent, our business may be harmed. Furthermore, we conduct clinical trials in foreign countries, subjecting us to additional risks and challenges, including, patient and data privacy standards, such as GDPR and UK GDPR and in particular, as a result of the engagement of foreign medical institutions and foreign CROs, who may be less experienced with regard to regulatory matters applicable to us and may have different standards of medical care.
With regard to certain of the foregoing clinical trial operations and stages in the manufacturing and distribution chain of our compounds, we rely on vendors. In most cases we use a primary vendor and have identified, in some cases, secondary vendors. In particular, our current business structure contemplates, at least in the foreseeable future, use of a primary commercial supplier for the (Z)-endoxifen drug substance. The use of primary vendors for core operational activities, such as, manufacturing, and the resulting lack of diversification, exposes us to the risk of a material interruption in service related to these primary, outside vendors. As a result, our exposure to this concentration risk could harm our business.
We also rely on a third-party information technology vendor to oversee our information technology systems, including our mechanisms, controls, technologies, systems, and other processes designed to prevent or mitigate data loss, theft, misuse, or other security incidents or vulnerabilities affecting our data and to maintain a stable information technology environment. As a result, our cybersecurity systems and processes are dependent upon the performance of our information technology vendor.
Although we monitor the compliance of our third party service providers performing the aforementioned services, we cannot be certain that such service providers will consistently comply with applicable regulatory requirements or that they will otherwise timely satisfy their obligations to us. We and our third party service providers may be subject to inspections by FDA and other regulatory authorities. Any such failure by us or by our third party service providers to comply with applicable legal or regulatory requirements and/or any failure by us to monitor their services or to plan for and manage our short- and long-term requirements underlying such services could result in shortage of the required compound, delays in or cessation of clinical trials, failure to obtain or revocation of product approvals or authorizations, product recalls, withdrawal, administrative detention, seizure of products, suspension of an applicable wholesale distribution authorization, and/or distribution of products, operating restrictions, injunctions, suspension of
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licenses, other administrative or judicial sanctions (including warning or untitled letters, import alerts, civil penalties and/or criminal prosecution), and/or unanticipated related expenditures to resolve shortcomings.
Such consequences could have a significant impact on our business, financial condition, operating results, or prospects.
We may encounter delays in our clinical trials or may not be able to conduct our trials in a timely manner.
Clinical trials are expensive and subject to regulatory approvals. Potential trial delays may arise from, but are not limited to:
Our clinical trials may fail to demonstrate adequately the efficacy and safety of our product candidates, which would prevent or delay regulatory approval and commercialization.
Even if our clinical trials are completed as planned, we cannot be certain that their results will support our product candidate claims or that the FDA or foreign authorities will agree with our conclusions. Success in pre-clinical studies and early clinical trials does not ensure that later clinical trials will be successful, and we cannot be sure that the later trials will replicate the results of prior trials and pre-clinical studies. The clinical trial process may fail to demonstrate that our product candidates are safe and effective for the proposed indicated uses. If the FDA concludes that our clinical trials have failed to demonstrate safety and effectiveness, we would not receive FDA approval to market that product candidate in the U.S. for the indications sought. In addition, it could cause us to abandon the product candidate and might delay development of other product candidates. Any delay or termination of our clinical trials would delay or preclude the filing of any submissions with the FDA and, ultimately, our ability to commercialize our product candidates and generate revenues. It is also possible that patients enrolled in clinical trials could experience adverse side effects that are not currently part of a product candidate’s profile.
Our products and services may expose us to possible litigation and product liability claims.
Our business may expose us to potential product liability risks inherent in the testing, marketing, and processing personalized medical products, particularly those products and services we offered prior to shifting our focus on pharmaceutical development. Product liability risks may arise from, but are not limited to:
A successful product liability claim, or the costs and time commitment involved in defending against a product liability claim, could have a material adverse effect on our business. Regardless of the merit or outcome of a claim, it may result in decreased demand for our product candidates, reputational harm, withdrawal of clinical trial participants, investigations by regulators, withdrawal of prior governmental approvals, substantial monetary awards to patients, loss of revenue and the inability to commercialize our product
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candidates. Although we currently carry clinical trial insurance and product liability insurance which we believe to be reasonable, it may not be adequate to cover all liability that we may incur. An inability to renew our policies or to obtain sufficient insurance at an acceptable cost and on commercially desirable or reasonable terms, if at all, including due to a successful product liability claim, could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of our products.
Business disruptions, including natural disasters, severe weather and pandemics, could seriously harm our future revenue and financial condition and increase our costs and expenses.
Our operations are based primarily in Seattle, Washington. These operations could be subject to power shortages, telecommunications failures, water shortages, floods, earthquakes, fires, extreme weather conditions, pandemics or epidemics and other natural or man-made disasters or business interruptions, for which we maintain customary insurance policies that we believe are appropriate. In addition, outbreaks of viruses, infectious diseases or pandemics, terrorist acts or acts of war, or geopolitical tensions, could cause damage or cause disruptions to us, our employees, facilities, contractors and collaborators, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The occurrence of any of these business disruptions could seriously harm our operations and financial condition and increase our costs and expenses. Our ability to manufacture clinical supplies of our product candidates could be disrupted if our suppliers are affected by any of the above events. We may have limited recourse against third parties if the non-compliance is due to factors outside of the manufacturer’s control.
We maintain our cash at financial institutions, often in balances that exceed federally-insured limits. The failure of financial institutions could adversely affect our ability to pay our operational expenses or make other payments.
Our cash is held at banking institutions in non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing accounts in amounts that exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance limits. If such banking institutions were to fail, we could lose all or a portion of those amounts held in excess of such insurance limitations. For example, the FDIC took control of Silicon Valley Bank on March 10, 2023. Although we did not have cash, cash equivalents or investments at SVB and the Federal Reserve subsequently announced that account holders would be made whole, the FDIC may not make all account holders whole in the event of future bank failures. In addition, even if account holders are ultimately made whole with respect to a future bank failure, account holders’ access to their accounts and assets held in their accounts may be substantially delayed. Any material loss that we may experience in the future or inability for a material time period to access our cash and cash equivalents could have an adverse effect on our ability to pay our operational expenses or make other payments, which could adversely affect our business.
Our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards and research tax credits to reduce future tax payments may be limited or restricted.
We have generated significant net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs), and research and development tax credits (R&D credits) as a result of our incurrence of losses and our conduct of research activities since inception. We generally are able to carry NOLs and R&D credits forward to reduce our tax liability in future years. However, our ability to utilize the NOLs and R&D credits is subject to the rules of Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), respectively. Those sections generally restrict the use of NOLs and R&D credits after an “ownership change.” An ownership change occurs if, among other things, the stockholders (or specified groups of stockholders) who own or have owned, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of a corporation’s common stock or are otherwise treated as 5% stockholders under Section 382 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder increase their aggregate percentage ownership of that corporation’s stock by more than 50 percentage points over the lowest percentage of the stock owned by these stockholders over the applicable testing period. In the event of an ownership change, Section 382 of the Code imposes an annual limitation on the amount of taxable income a corporation may offset with NOL carry forwards and Section 383 of the Code imposes an annual limitation on the amount of tax a corporation may offset with business credit (including R&D credits) carryforwards.
We have experienced ownership changes in the past, and there can be no assurance that we will not experience ownership changes in the future. As a result, our NOLs and business credits (including R&D credits) may be subject to limitations, and we may be required to pay taxes earlier and in larger amounts than would be the case if our NOLs or R&D credits were freely usable.
If we, or our wholly-owned subsidiary, lose our ability to operate in Australia, or if our subsidiary is unable to benefit from the past or future R&D rebates available under current Australian regulations, our business and results of operations could be harmed.
Through our wholly-owned subsidiary in Australia, Atossa Genetics AUS Pty Ltd., we conduct certain R&D activities, including some of our clinical trials. Current Australian tax regulations provide for a R&D cash rebate on qualified R&D activities incurred in the country. The Australian R&D tax incentive program is a self-assessment program, and as such, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has the right to review our program and our related expenditures for a period of four years following the tax return filing date. If we are ineligible or unable to receive the anticipated cash rebate, if past rebates are determined to be ineligible upon an audit by the ATO, or if the Australian government significantly reduces or eliminates the rebate, our business and results of operations would be adversely affected.
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Based on our evaluation of the ATO's taxpayer alert published in the fourth quarter of 2023, we believe that it is no longer reasonably assured that our full tax position would be sustained under an audit. Accordingly, we recorded a change in estimate that represents our estimate of the amount (inclusive of potential penalties) that no longer meets the reasonably assured threshold. We recorded an estimated accrued current liability of $1.8 million in our Consolidated Balance Sheet for the year ended December 31, 2023. The change in estimate also increased our R&D expenses by $1.4 million and G&A expenses by $0.4 million in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, for the year ended December 31, 2023. We may in the future be required to record additional changes in estimates, which could further increase our expenses and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Additionally, due to the geographic distance from our headquarters, we may not be able to successfully monitor or conduct our clinical trials and R&D activities in Australia and develop or commercialize our drug candidates. We can provide no assurance that the results of any clinical trials that we conduct in Australia will be accepted by the FDA or other foreign authority. Furthermore, if we lose our ability to operate our subsidiary in Australia, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Risks Related to our Intellectual Property
If we are not able to protect our proprietary technology, others could compete against us more directly, which would harm our business.
Our commercial success will depend, in part, on our ability to obtain additional patents and licenses and to protect our existing patent position, both in the U.S. and in other countries, for therapeutics and related technologies, processes, methods, compositions, and other inventions that we believe are patentable, all of which provide limited protection and may not adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep any competitive advantage. As of February 2, 2024, we own or exclusively in-license and are pursuing 68 pending provisional and non-provisional patent applications (22 U.S. patent applications and 46 international patent applications) and 11 issued patents (four U.S. patents and seven international patents). We continue to evaluate the full range of our technologies and file new patent applications consistent with our evolving business goals.
Our ability to preserve our trade secrets, trademarks and other intellectual property rights is also important to our long-term success. Our success depends in part on obtaining patent protection for our products and processes, preserving trade secrets, patents, copyrights and trademarks, operating without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties, and acquiring licenses for technology or products. If we do not adequately protect our intellectual property, competitors may be able to use our technologies and erode or negate any competitive advantage we may have, which could harm our business and ability to establish or maintain profitability. Patents may also be issued to third parties, which could interfere with our ability to bring our therapeutics to market. As the patent landscape for products for breast disorders, including breast cancers, grows more crowded and becomes more complex we may find it more difficult to obtain patent protection for our products, including those related to (Z)-endoxifen.
The laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as U.S. laws, and we may encounter significant problems in protecting our proprietary rights in these countries. Even in the U.S., the patent positions of diagnostic companies and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including our patent position, are generally highly uncertain, particularly after the Supreme Court decisions Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories, 132 S. Ct. 1289 (2012), Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Therapeutics, Inc., 133 S. Ct. 2107 (2013), Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International, 134 S. Ct. 2347 (2014), and Amgen Inc. v. Sanofi, 598 U.S. 594 (2023), and the Federal Circuit Court decisions Athena Diagnostics, Inc. v. Mayo Collaborative Servs., LLC, 915 F.3d 743 (Fed. Cir. 2019). Our patent positions also involve complex legal and factual questions, for which important legal principles remain unresolved. No consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies’ patents has emerged to date in the U.S. Furthermore, in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields, courts frequently render opinions that may affect the patentability of certain inventions or discoveries, including opinions that may affect the patentability of methods for diagnostics, personalized medicine, and analysis and comparison of DNA and, therefore, any patents issued to us may be challenged and potentially invalidated or found ineligible. We will be able to protect our proprietary rights from unauthorized use by third-parties only to the extent that our proprietary technologies and any future tests and products are covered by valid and enforceable patents or are effectively maintained as trade secrets. In addition, our patent applications may never issue as patents, and the claims of any issued patents may not afford meaningful protection for our products, technology or tests.
The degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is uncertain, and we cannot ensure that:
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If a third party files a patent application with claims to a drug we have discovered or developed, a derivation proceeding may be initiated regarding competing patent applications. If a derivation proceeding is initiated, we may not prevail in the derivation proceeding. If the other party prevails in the derivation proceeding, we may be precluded from commercializing our products, or may be required to seek a license. A license may not be available to us on commercially acceptable terms, if at all.
On August 30, 2023, we announced that Intas Pharmaceuticals LTD. (the "Petitioner") had filed a Petition for Post Grant Review ("PGR") with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the "PGR Petition") relating to one of our issued patents (U.S. Patent No. 11,572,334), titled, "Methods for Making and Using Endoxifen," (the "Patent"). We are actively contesting the PGR Petition and believe that the Patent was properly granted and is valid and enforceable. However, there can be no assurance that we will prevail in contesting the PGR Petition. If we do prevail in contesting the PGR Petition, the Petitioner will be estopped from raising arguments in subsequent litigation that were raised, or reasonably could have been raised, during the PGR proceedings.
On September 28, 2023, the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (the “Opponent”) filed a Pre-Grant Opposition (the “Opposition”) against our pending Indian Patent Application No. 202017009369, titled, “Methods of Making and Using Endoxifen,” (the “Patent Application”). We intend to assess the value of the Patent Application to our current and future business opportunities, and if of sufficient value, we will consider contesting the Opposition. However, there can be no assurance that we will contest the Opposition and that if we choose to do so, that we would prevail in contesting the Opposition.
Any litigation proceedings relating to our proprietary technology may result in unsuccessful outcomes for us and, even if such proceedings result in successful outcomes for us, the proceedings may result in substantial costs and distract our management and other employees. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. In addition, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the price of our common stock. Finally, we may not be able to prevent, alone or with the support of our licensors, if any, misappropriation of our trade secrets or confidential information, particularly in countries where the laws may not protect those rights as fully as in the U.S.
Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent process. Periodic maintenance fees, renewal fees, annuity fees, and various other governmental fees on any issued patents and/or applications are due to be paid to the USPTO and foreign patent agencies in several stages over the lifetime of the patents and/or applications. We have systems in place to remind us to pay these fees, and we employ outside firms and rely on our outside counsel to pay these fees. While an inadvertent lapse may sometimes be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules, there are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. In such an event, our competitors might be able to enter the market earlier than should otherwise have been the case, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.
Changes in U.S. patent law could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our products.
As is the case with other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, our success is heavily dependent on our intellectual property, particularly on obtaining and enforcing patents. Obtaining and enforcing patents in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries involve both technological and legal complexity, and is therefore costly, time-consuming and inherently uncertain. For the past several years, the U.S. has conducted proceedings involving post-issuance patent review procedures, such as inter partes review (IPR), and post-grant review and covered business methods. These proceedings are conducted before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), of the USPTO. Each proceeding has different eligibility criteria and different patentability challenges that can be raised. In this regard, the IPR process permits any person (except a party who has been litigating the patent for more than a year) to challenge the validity of a U.S. patent on the grounds that it was anticipated or made obvious by prior art consisting of patents or printed publications. As a result, non-practicing entities associated with hedge funds, pharmaceutical companies who may be our competitors and others have challenged certain valuable pharmaceutical U.S. patents based on prior art through the IPR process. A decision in such a proceeding adverse to our interests could result in the loss of valuable patent rights, which would have a material
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adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. For example, there is a PGR Petition relating to one of our issued patents, see Note 13. Any potential future changes to the U.S. patent system could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our issued patents, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Further, recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have narrowed the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances and weakened the rights of patent owners in certain situations. In particular, on March 20, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court issued the Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories, Inc. decision, holding that several claims drawn to measuring drug metabolite levels from patient samples were not patentable subject matter. The full impact of the Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories, Inc. decision on diagnostic and certain method claims is uncertain. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard to our ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents once obtained. Depending on decisions by the U.S. Congress, the federal courts, and the USPTO, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that could weaken our ability to obtain new patents or to enforce our existing patents and patents that we might obtain in the future. The standards that courts use to interpret patents are not always applied predictably or uniformly and may evolve, particularly as new technologies develop. In addition, changes to patent laws in the U.S. or other countries may be applied retroactively to affect the validity, enforceability, or term of our patent. For example, the U.S. Supreme Court has modified some legal standards applied by the USPTO in examination of U.S. patent applications, which may decrease the likelihood that we will be able to obtain patents and may increase the likelihood of challenges to patents we obtain or license.
We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.
Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on our products in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights in the same manner and to the same extent as laws in the U.S. Consequently, we may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in all countries outside the U.S. For example, the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance filed a Pre-Grant Opposition against our pending Indian Patent Application. Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection to develop their own products and further, may export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patent protection, but enforcement of such patent protection is not as strong as that in the U.S. These products may compete with our products and services, and our patents or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing with our products.
Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property protection, particularly those relating to biotechnology products, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products and services in violation of our proprietary rights generally. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly, and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate, and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop.
Our current patent portfolio may not include all patent rights needed for the full development and commercialization of our products. We cannot be sure that patent rights we may need in the future will be available for license on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
We may be unable to obtain any licenses or other rights to patents, technology, or know-how from third parties necessary to conduct our business and such licenses, if available at all, may not be available on commercially reasonable terms. Others may seek licenses from us for other technology we use or intend to use. Any failure to obtain such licenses could delay or prevent us from developing or commercializing our proposed products, which would harm our business. We may not be able to secure such a license on acceptable terms. Litigation or patent derivation proceedings may need to be brought against third parties, as discussed below, to enforce any of our patents or other proprietary rights, or to determine the scope and validity or enforceability of the proprietary rights of such third parties.
Third party claims alleging intellectual property infringement may prevent or delay our drug discovery and development efforts.
Our commercial success depends in part on our avoiding infringement of the patents and proprietary rights of third parties, including the intellectual property rights of competitors. There is a substantial amount of litigation, both within and outside the U.S., involving patents and other intellectual property rights in the medical device and pharmaceutical fields, as well as administrative proceedings for challenging patents, including inter partes review, post-grant review, derivation, and reexamination proceedings before the USPTO or oppositions and other comparable proceedings in various foreign jurisdictions, for example, the PGR Petition and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance Pre-Grant Opposition. These procedures bring uncertainty to the possibility of challenges to our patents in the future, including those patents perceived by our competitors as blocking entry into the market for their products, and
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the outcome of such challenges. Any such proceedings could result in revocation or amendment to our patents in such a way that they no longer cover our drug product candidates. The outcome following legal assertions of invalidity and unenforceability is unpredictable. With respect to the validity question, for example, we cannot be certain that there is no invalidating prior art and that prior art that was cited during prosecution, but not relied on by the patent examiner, will not be revisited. Numerous U.S. and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications, which are owned by third parties, exist in the fields in which we are developing our products. As the medical device, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries expand and more patents are issued, the risk increases that our activities related to our products may give rise to claims of infringement of the patent rights of others.
We cannot assure you that our current or future products will not infringe on existing or future patents. We may not be aware of patents that have already been issued that a third party might assert are infringed by one of our current or future products.
Third parties may assert that we are employing their proprietary technology without authorization. There may be third party patents of which we are currently unaware with claims to materials, formulations, methods of manufacture, or methods for treatment related to the use or manufacture of our products. Because patent applications can take many years to issue and may be confidential for eighteen months or more after filing, there may be currently pending third party patent applications which may later result in issued patents that our products may infringe, or which such third parties claim are infringed by our products and services.
Parties making claims against us for infringement or misappropriation of their intellectual property rights may seek and obtain injunctive or other equitable relief, which could effectively block our ability to further develop and commercialize our products. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, would involve substantial expenses and would be a substantial diversion of employee resources from our business. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us by a third party, we may have to (i) pay substantial damages, including treble damages and attorneys’ fees if we are found to have willfully infringed the third party’s patents; (ii) obtain one or more licenses from the third-party; (iii) pay royalties to the third party; or (iv) redesign any infringing products. Redesigning any infringing products may be impossible or require substantial time and monetary expenditure. Further, we cannot predict whether any required license would be available at all or whether it would be available on commercially reasonable terms. In the event that we could not obtain a license, we may be unable to further develop and commercialize our products, which could harm our business significantly. Even if we were able to obtain a license, the rights may be nonexclusive, which would give our competitors access to the same intellectual property.
In addition to infringement claims against us, if third parties have prepared and filed patent applications in the U.S. that also claim technology related to our products, we may have to participate in derivation proceedings in the USPTO to determine the priority of invention. We may also become involved in similar proceedings in the patent offices in other jurisdictions regarding our intellectual property rights with respect to our products and technology.
We may be subject to claims that our employees, consultants or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential information of third parties.
We have received confidential and proprietary information from third parties. In addition, we employ individuals who were previously employed at other diagnostic, medical device or pharmaceutical companies. We may be subject to claims that we or our employees, consultants or independent contractors have inadvertently or otherwise improperly used or disclosed confidential information of these third parties or our employees’ former employers. Further, we may be subject to ownership disputes in the future arising, for example, from conflicting obligations of consultants or others who are involved in developing our products. We may also be subject to claims that former employees, consultants, independent contractors, collaborators or other third parties have an ownership interest in our patents or other intellectual property. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these and other claims challenging our right to and use of confidential and proprietary information. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose our rights therein. Such an outcome could have a material adverse effect on our business. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial cost and be a distraction to our management and employees.
We may be unable to adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information.
We rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements to protect proprietary know-how that is not patentable or that we elect not to patent, processes for which patents are difficult to enforce, and any other elements of our discovery and development processes that involve proprietary know-how, information or technology that is not covered by patents. However, trade secrets can be difficult to protect. We require all of our employees, consultants, advisors and any third parties who have access to our proprietary know-how, information or technology, to enter into confidentiality agreements. However, we cannot be certain that all such confidentiality agreements have been duly executed, that our trade secrets and other confidential proprietary information will not be disclosed or that competitors will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or independently develop substantially equivalent information and techniques. Misappropriation or unauthorized disclosure of our trade secrets could impair our competitive position and may have a material adverse effect on our business. Additionally, if the steps taken to maintain our trade secrets are deemed inadequate, we may have insufficient recourse against third parties for misappropriating the trade secret.
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Risks Related to Our Industry
Legislative or regulatory reforms may make it more difficult and costly for us to obtain regulatory approval of our product candidates and to manufacture, market and distribute our products after approval is obtained.
From time to time, legislation is drafted and introduced in Congress that could significantly change the statutory provisions governing the regulatory approval, manufacture and marketing of regulated products or the reimbursement thereof. In addition, FDA regulations and guidance are often revised or reinterpreted by the FDA in ways that may significantly affect our business and our products. Any new regulations or revisions or reinterpretations of existing regulations may impose additional costs or lengthen review times of future products. In addition, FDA regulations and guidance are often revised or reinterpreted by the agency in ways that may significantly affect our business and our products. It is impossible to predict whether legislative changes will be enacted or FDA regulations, guidance or interpretations changed, and what the impact of such changes, if any, may be. Similar changes and revisions can also occur in foreign countries.
For example, the FDA may change its clearance and approval policies, adopt additional regulations or revise existing regulations, or take other actions which, may prevent or delay approval or clearance of our products under development or impact our ability to modify our currently cleared products on a timely basis. Any change in the laws or regulations that govern the clearance and approval processes relating to our current and future products could make it more difficult and costly to obtain clearance or approval for new products, or to produce, market and distribute existing products. Significant delays in receiving clearance or approval, or the failure to receive clearance or approval for our new products would have an adverse effect on our ability to expand our business.
Our inadvertent or unintentional failure to comply with the complex government regulations concerning patients' privacy, data subjects, and of medical records could subject us to fines and adversely affect our reputation.
Federal privacy regulations, among other things, restrict our ability to use or disclose protected health information in the form of patient-identifiable laboratory data, without written patient authorization, for purposes other than payment, treatment, or healthcare operations as defined under HIPAA, except for disclosures for various public policy purposes and other permitted purposes outlined in the privacy regulations. Applicable privacy regulations provide for significant fines and other penalties for wrongful use or disclosure of protected health information, including potential civil and criminal fines and penalties.
We intend to implement policies and practices that we believe will make us compliant with applicable privacy regulations. However, the documentation and process requirements of applicable privacy regulations are complex and subject to interpretation. Failure to comply with applicable privacy regulations could subject us to sanctions or penalties, loss of business, and negative publicity.
The HIPAA privacy regulations establish a “floor” of minimum protection for patients as to their medical information and do not supersede state laws that are more stringent. Therefore, we are required to comply with both HIPAA privacy regulations and state privacy laws, which vary from state to state, impose a range of obligations, and are often more restrictive than HIPAA. The failure to comply with applicable privacy laws could subject us to regulatory actions, including significant fines or penalties, and to private actions by patients, as well as to adverse publicity and possible loss of business. In addition, federal and state laws and judicial decisions provide individuals with various rights for violating the privacy of their medical information by healthcare providers such as us.
In addition to HIPAA, failing to take appropriate steps to keep consumers’ personal information secure may result in the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) bringing a claim that a company has engaged in unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce, in violation of Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, (FTCA). The FTC requires companies to have reasonable and appropriate security measures, based on factors such as data sensitivity and volume, complexity of the business and available resources. Health information is considered sensitive data that merits stronger safeguards. There are also state consumer protection laws, which may be modeled on the FTCA, that can provide state-law causes of action for allegedly unfair or deceptive acts or practices, among other things.
While we may not be presently subject to any comprehensive state privacy laws (e.g., the California Consumer Privacy Act as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act) as a covered entity due to applicability and exemption considerations, the legal landscape is rapidly changing. If we were to become subject to these laws, we would be required to comply with the demanding obligations they impose with respect to personal information. Furthermore, if our service providers or partners are subject to such laws, we may have contractual obligations relating to these requirements.
The collection and processing of personal data, including personal health data related to individuals in the E.U. regardless of citizenship or residence is governed by the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) which provides for significant penalties for noncompliance. GDPR supersedes the Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995. The GDPR regulates (i) the processing of personal data carried out in the context of the activities of a company established in the E.U.; and (ii) the processing of personal data carried out by a company not established in the E.U. where such processing relates to (a) the offering of goods or services to data subjects who are in the E.U. or (b) the monitoring of the behavior of
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data subjects who are in the E.U. The GDPR imposes a number of requirements, including an obligation to rely on a legal basis (such as the consent of individuals to whom the personal data relates), the information that must be provided to the individuals, notification obligations to the competent national data protection authorities, and the security and confidentiality of the personal data. E.U. Member States may also impose additional requirements in relation to health, genetic and biometric data through their national implementing legislation.
Further, from January 1, 2021, in addition to the GDPR, companies have to comply with the UK GDPR, which, together with the amended UK Data Protection Act 2018, retains the GDPR in UK national law. The UK GDPR mirrors the fines under the GDPR, i.e., fines up to the greater of £17.5 million or 4% of global turnover. The European Commission has adopted an adequacy decision in favor of the UK, enabling personal data transfers from E.U. member states to the UK without additional safeguards. However, the UK adequacy decision will automatically expire in June 2025 unless the European Commission re-assesses and renews/ extends that decision and remains under review (and may be modified or revoked) by the Commission during this period. In addition, transfers of personal data from the UK to other countries, including the EEA, are subject to specific transfer rules under the UK regime. Personal data may freely flow from the UK to the EEA, since the EEA is deemed to have an adequate data protection level for purposes of the UK regime. These UK international transfer rules broadly mirror the E.U. GDPR rules. With regard to the transfer of personal data from the UK to the U.S., from October 12, 2023, businesses in the UK can start to transfer personal data to U.S. organizations certified to the “UK Extension to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (UK Extension) under the UK GDPR, without the need for further safeguards. On March 21, 2022, the international data transfer agreement (IDTA) and the international data transfer addendum to the European Commission’s standard contractual clauses (SCCs) for international data transfers (Addendum), and a document setting out transitional provisions, came into force and replaced the prior EU SCCs for purposes of the UK regime. However, the transitional provisions, adopted with the IDTA and the Addendum, provide that contracts concluded on or before September 21, 2022 on the basis of any prior EU SCCs continue to provide appropriate safeguards for the purpose of the UK’s regime until March 21, 2024, provided that the processing operations that are the subject matter of the contract remain unchanged and appropriate safeguards can be ensured. The relationship between the UK and other jurisdictions in relation to certain aspects of data protection law remains unclear, and it is unclear how UK data protection laws and regulations will develop in the medium to longer term, and how personal data transfers to and from the UK will be regulated in the long term. These changes may lead to additional costs and increase our overall risk exposure.
Failure to comply with the requirements of GDPR and/or UK GDPR, and the related national data protection laws of the E.U. Member States or the UK may result in fines and other administrative penalties, litigation, government enforcement actions (which could include civil and/or criminal penalties), and harm our business. Moreover, patients about whom we or our partners obtain information, as well as the providers who share this information with us, may have contractual rights that may limit our ability to use this information. Claims that we have violated patient’s or any individual’s rights or breached our contractual obligations, even if ultimately we are not found liable, could be expensive and time-consuming to defend, and could result in adverse publicity and harm our business.
If we experience incidents in our information technology systems, and if we experience a significant disruption in our information technology systems or breaches of data security, our business could be adversely affected.
We rely on information technology systems to keep financial records, maintain corporate records, communicate with staff and external parties and operate other critical functions. Our information technology systems are potentially vulnerable to disruption due to breakdown, malicious intrusion and computer viruses or other disruptive events, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, utility outages, theft, viruses, phishing, malware, design defects, human error and complications encountered as existing systems are maintained, repaired, replace or upgraded. If we were to experience a prolonged system disruption in our information technology systems or those of certain of our vendors, it could negatively impact our ability to serve our customers, which could adversely impact our business. Although we maintain offsite back-ups of our data, if operations at our facilities were disrupted, it may cause a material disruption in our business if we are not capable of restoring function on an acceptable time frame. In addition, our information technology systems are potentially vulnerable to data security breaches — whether by employees or others — which may expose data (including sensitive data) to unauthorized persons. Such data security breaches could lead to the loss of trade secrets or other intellectual property or could lead to the public exposure of personal data (including sensitive personal data) of our employees, customers and others, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, because we collect, store and transmit confidential information in digital form, we, and third parties who we work with, are or may become subject to numerous domestic and foreign laws, regulations, and standards relating to privacy, data protection, and data security, the scope of which is changing, subject to differing applications and interpretations, and may be inconsistent among countries, or conflict with other rules. Any data breaches disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, including state data protection regulations (including data breach notification statutes and the California Consumer Privacy Act), the E.U. GDPR and the UK GDPR, and other regulations, the violation of which could result in significant penalties. In addition, these breaches and other inappropriate access can be difficult to detect, and any delay in identifying them may lead to increased harm of the type described above.
Additionally, we are or may become subject to contractual obligations related to privacy, data protection, and data security. Our obligations may also change or expand as our business grows. The actual or perceived failure by us or third parties related to us to
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comply with such laws, regulations and obligations could increase our compliance and operational costs, expose us to regulatory scrutiny, actions, fines and penalties, result in reputational harm, lead to a loss of customers, result in litigation and liability, and otherwise cause a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Although we utilize various procedures and controls to mitigate our exposure to these risks, cyber attacks and other cyber events are evolving, unpredictable and increasing in sophistication. Moreover, the information technology systems of our third-party partners, including suppliers, manufacturers, service providers and others on which we rely, may be subject to similar risks. We have cybersecurity insurance coverage in the event we become subject to various cyber attacks, however, we cannot ensure that it will be sufficient to cover any particular losses we may experience. Any cyber incident could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The failure to comply with complex federal and state laws and regulations related to submission of claims for services could result in significant monetary damages and penalties and exclusion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
We are subject to extensive federal and state laws and regulations relating to the submission of claims for payment for services, including those that relate to coverage of services under Medicare, Medicaid, and other governmental healthcare programs, the amounts that may be billed for services, and to whom claims for services may be submitted, such as billing Medicare as the secondary, rather than the primary, payor. The failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, for example, enrollment in the Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System, could result in our inability to receive payment for our services or attempts by third party payors, such as Medicare and Medicaid, to recover payments from us that we have already received. Submission of claims in violation of certain statutory or regulatory requirements can result in penalties, including civil money penalties of up to $10,000 for each item or service billed to Medicare in violation of the legal requirement, and exclusion from participation in Medicare and Medicaid. Government authorities may also assert that violations of laws and regulations related to submission of claims violate the federal False Claims Act or other laws related to fraud and abuse, including submission of claims for services that were not medically necessary. The Company will be generally dependent on independent physicians to determine when its services are medically necessary for a particular patient. Nevertheless, we could be adversely affected if it were determined that the services we provided were not medically necessary and not reimbursable, particularly if it were asserted that we contributed to the physician’s referrals of unnecessary services. It is also possible that the government could attempt to hold us liable under fraud and abuse laws for improper claims submitted by us if it were found that we knowingly participated in the arrangement that resulted in submission of the improper claims.
In addition to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the PPACA), the effect of which cannot presently be quantified, various healthcare reform proposals have also emerged from federal and state governments. Changes in healthcare policy could adversely affect our business.
We cannot predict whether future healthcare initiatives will be implemented at the federal or state level or in countries outside of the U.S. in which we may do business, or the effect any future legislation or regulation will have on us. The taxes imposed by any new federal legislation and the expansion in government’s effect on the U.S. healthcare industry, including the Inflation Reduction Act enacted in August 2022, may result in decreased profits to us, lower reimbursements by payors for our products or reduced medical procedure volumes, all of which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We face significant competition from other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
Our product candidates face, and will continue to face, intense competition from large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as academic and research institutions. We compete in an industry that is characterized by (i) rapid technological change, (ii) evolving industry standards, (iii) emerging competition and (iv) new product introductions. Our competitors have existing products that compete with our product candidates and they may develop and commercialize additional products that will compete with our product candidates. Because competing companies and institutions may have greater financial resources than us, they may be able to provide broader services and product lines, make greater investments in research and development or carry on broader R&D initiatives. Our competitors also have greater development capabilities than we do and have substantially greater experience in undertaking preclinical and clinical testing of product candidates, obtaining regulatory approvals and manufacturing and marketing pharmaceutical products.
Even if we obtain regulatory approval for our products, we may not be the first to market and that may affect the price or demand for our potential products. Existing or future competing products may provide greater therapeutic convenience or clinical or other benefits for a specific indication, or fewer side effects, than our potential products or may offer comparable performance at a lower cost. Additionally, the availability and price of our competitors’ products could limit the demand and the price we are able to charge for our potential products thereby reducing or eliminating our commercial opportunity. We may not be able to implement our business plan if the acceptance of our potential products is inhibited by price competition or the reluctance of physicians to switch from existing methods of treatment to our potential products, or if physicians switch to other new products or choose to reserve our potential products. Additionally, a competitor could obtain orphan product exclusivity from the FDA with respect to such competitor’s product, which may prevent us from obtaining approval from the FDA for such potential products for the same indication for a period
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of time. If our potential products fail to capture and maintain market share, we may not achieve sufficient product revenues and our business will suffer.
Our employees and third party partners may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including noncompliance with regulatory standards and requirements.
We are exposed to the risk of employees’ or our third party partners’ fraud or other misconduct. Misconduct by our employees or partners could include intentional failures to comply with FDA regulations, provide accurate information to the FDA, comply with manufacturing standards, comply with federal and state healthcare fraud and abuse laws and regulations, report financial information or data accurately or disclose unauthorized activities to us. Employee and third party misconduct could involve the improper use of information obtained in the course of clinical trials, which could result in regulatory sanctions and serious harm to our business and our reputation. It is not always possible to identify and deter such misconduct, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to be in compliance with such laws or regulations. If any such actions are instituted against us and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and result in the imposition of significant fines or other sanctions against us.
Our business involves risk associated with handling hazardous and other dangerous materials.
Our research and development activities involve the controlled use of hazardous materials, chemicals, human blood and tissue, animal blood and blood products, animal tissue, and biological waste. The risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials cannot be completely eliminated. The failure to comply with current or future regulations could result in the imposition of substantial fines against the Company, suspension of production, alteration of our manufacturing processes or cessation of operations.
Risks Related to the Securities Markets and Investment in our Securities.
Our shares of common stock are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to comply with the continued listing standards or satisfy the continued listing standards going forward, which could make it more difficult for our stockholders to sell their shares.
Our shares of common stock are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (Nasdaq), and as such, we are required to satisfy the continued listing standards of Nasdaq to maintain our listing. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of Nasdaq, including its minimum closing bid price requirement, or satisfy the continued listing standards of Nasdaq going forward. For example, on September 26, 2023, we were notified by Nasdaq that we were not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) because our common stock failed to maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days. To regain compliance, we were required to maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share for at least 10 consecutive business days. On March 15, 2024, we received written notice from Nasdaq that we had regained compliance with the minimum closing bid price requirement.
If we are unable to comply with the continued listing standards of Nasdaq, including Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), Nasdaq may commence delisting procedures against us, which could result in our stock being removed from listing on Nasdaq and we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
The sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock into the market may cause substantial dilution to our existing stockholders and the sale, actual or anticipated, of a substantial number of shares of common stock could cause the price of our common stock to decline.
We have offered and sold a considerable amount of our common stock in past financings. Any additional or anticipated sales of shares by us, holders of our warrants to purchase common stock or other stockholders may cause the trading price of our common stock to decline. Additional issuances of shares by us may result in dilution to the interests of other holders of our common stock. The sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock by us, our warrant holders or other stockholders or anticipation of such
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sales, could make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and at a price that we might otherwise wish to effect sales.
The trading price of our common stock has been and is likely to continue to be volatile.
Our stock price is highly volatile. In addition to the factors discussed in this Quarterly Report, the trading price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control including:
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 healthcare companies. Stock prices of many healthcare companies have fluctuated in a manner unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. As a result, an investment in our common stock may decrease in value.
We have never paid dividends and we do not anticipate paying dividends in the future.
We have never declared or paid dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance the growth, development, operation and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends for the foreseeable future. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be stockholders’ sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.
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The ownership of our common stock may become concentrated among a small number of stockholders, and if our principal stockholders, directors and officers choose to act together, they may be able to significantly influence management and operations, which may prevent us from taking actions that may be favorable to stockholders.
Our ownership may become concentrated among a small number of stockholders. These stockholders, acting together, could have the ability to exert substantial influence over all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election and removal of directors and any proposed merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. This concentration of ownership could also have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control of the Company or impeding a merger or consolidation, takeover or other business combination that could be favorable to stockholders.
If we are unable to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the trading price of our common stock may be negatively affected.
We are required to maintain internal controls over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in such internal controls. If we identify material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, or if we are unable to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner or assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the trading price of our common stock could be negatively affected, and we could become subject to investigations by the stock exchange on which our securities are listed, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, result in litigation, and divert management’s attention.
As a public company, we are subject to certain reporting requirements, listing requirements, and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Complying with these rules and regulations has increased and will continue to increase our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could materially and adversely affect our business and operating results. In addition, a change in our filer status could trigger a requirement to begin complying with Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and our independent registered public accounting firm would have to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, increasing our costs. We may also need to hire additional employees or engage outside consultants to comply with these requirements, which will also increase our costs and expenses.
By disclosing information in this and in future filings required of a public company, our business and financial condition will become more visible, which has resulted in, and may in the future result in, threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If those claims are successful, our business could be seriously harmed. Even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, the time and resources needed to resolve them could divert our management’s resources and seriously harm our business.
Our Stockholder Rights Agreement, the anti-takeover provisions in our governing documents and Delaware law could delay or prevent a change in control which could reduce the market price of our common stock and could prevent or frustrate attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management and the current Board.
Our Stockholder Rights Agreement, which we adopted in May 2014, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and our amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that could delay or prevent a change in control or changes in our Board that our stockholders might consider favorable. These provisions include a staggered Board, which divides the Board into three classes, with directors in each class serving staggered three-year terms. The existence of a staggered board can make it more difficult for a third party to effect a takeover of our Company if the incumbent Board does not support the transaction. These and other provisions in our corporate documents, including our Shareholder Rights Plan and Delaware law might discourage, delay or prevent a change in control or changes in our Board. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for activist investors and other stockholders to elect directors not nominated by our Board. Furthermore, the existence of these provisions, together with certain provisions of Delaware law, might hinder or delay an attempted takeover other than through negotiations with our Board.
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes.
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for certain actions. The exclusive forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes, which may discourage lawsuits. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such a provision. If a court were to find these types of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable, and if a court were to find the exclusive forum provision in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business.
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If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the price of our common stock and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. Multiple securities and industry analysts currently cover us. If one or more of the analysts downgrade our common stock or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the price of our common stock would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common stock could decrease, which could cause the price of our common stock and trading volume to decline.
ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Issuer Purchases of Securities
We did not repurchase any of our equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
(c) Trading Plans
During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, no director or Section 16 officer
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Incorporated by Reference Herein or Filed or Furnished Herewith |
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Exhibit No. |
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Description |
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Form |
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Date |
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31.1 |
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
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Filed herewith |
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31.2 |
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Certification Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
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Filed herewith |
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32.1 |
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
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Furnished herewith |
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32.2 |
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
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Furnished herewith |
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101.INS |
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Inline XBRL Instance Document |
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101.SCH |
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Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document With Embedded Linkbase Documents |
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104 |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: May 13, 2024
/s/Steven C. Quay |
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President and Chief Executive Officer (On behalf of the Registrant) |
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/s/Heather Rees |
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Senior Vice President, Finance and Accounting (as Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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