IRD 8-K
Opus Genetics, Inc. (IRD)
8-K
2025-11-12
For: 2025-11-12
View Original
Added on
April 09, 2026
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 12, 2025
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
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(Commission File Number)
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(IRS Employer Identification No.)
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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(984 ) 884-6030
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class
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Trading Symbol(s)
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐
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. ☐
| Item 2.02 |
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
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On November 12, 2025, Opus Genetics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), issued a press release announcing its financial results for the third quarter ended
September 30, 2025. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information in this Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, and Exhibit 99.1, is furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing made by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the
date hereof, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
| Item 9.01 |
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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(d)
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Exhibits
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Exhibit No.
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Description
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Press Release, dated November 12, 2025.
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104.1
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within Inline XBRL document).
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SIGNATURE
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 hereunto
duly authorized.
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Dated: November 12, 2025
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OPUS GENETICS, INC.
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By:
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/s/ Dr. George Magrath
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Name:
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Dr. George Magrath
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Title:
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Chief Executive Officer
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Exhibit 99.1
Opus Genetics Announces Financial Results for
Third Quarter 2025 and Provides Corporate Update
- Positive 3-month pediatric and 18-month adult clinical data from OPGx-LCA5 Phase 1/2 trial support the potential for restoring cone-mediated vision -
- Successful FDA RMAT meeting provides the potential for an accelerated regulatory pathway to approval for OPGx-LCA5 -
- OPGx-BEST1 gene therapy program underway with recruitment ongoing in Phase 1/2 trial for the treatment of BEST1 disease -
- Supplemental New Drug Application submission planned by year-end 2025 for
Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% for the treatment of presbyopia -
- Strengthened capital position from recent equity offering and non-dilutive funding
from patient advocacy groups -
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – November 12, 2025 - Opus Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: IRD) (the
“Company” or “Opus Genetics”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies to restore vision and prevent blindness in patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), today announced financial results for the third quarter
ended September 30, 2025, and provided a corporate update.
“We have taken critical steps in advancing our pipeline, including the positive data and successful outcome of our recent FDA meeting regarding our LCA5 program and the
opening of recruitment in our BEST1 Phase 1/2 clinical trial,” said George Magrath, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, Opus Genetics. “We look forward to continuing this momentum into next year, when we expect multiple data readouts across several
programs. The financing we recently completed reinforces the strong support from existing shareholders and new prominent healthcare investors and provides us with financial resources to expedite the path toward multiple approvals.”
Pipeline Updates
OPGx-LCA5 – Gene Therapy for Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA)
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In September 2025, positive data was reported from the six participants treated to date in an open-label, Phase 1/2 clinical trial. Large gains in cone-mediated vision with
improvements across multiple measures of visual function were observed in the three pediatric participants treated over three months. In the three adult participants, responses have been observed out to 18 months, underscoring the potential
durability of the treatment response. OPGx-LCA5 has been well tolerated with no ocular serious adverse events or dose-limiting toxicities to date.
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| • |
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The Company plans to advance its ongoing trial into a Phase 3 portion which is expected to enroll as few as 8 participants in a single arm, 12-month study utilizing an adaptive
design, which provides flexibility on endpoints and number of participants, reflective of LCA5 as a rare condition with an urgent medical need.
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| • |
The first participant was enrolled in the planned run-in period of the Phase 3 portion of the study to evaluate the natural history of each participant to serve as their own
control.
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Dosing with OPGx-LCA5 is anticipated in the second half of 2026 following availability of validated clinical drug supply manufactured with the intended commercial processes, with
topline clinical data expected approximately one year later.
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LCA5 program featured on Good Morning America in honor of World Blindness
Awareness Month.
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In August 2025, the FDA accepted the Company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for OPGx-BEST1 to initiate a clinical trial.
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The Company is currently recruiting participants in an adaptive, open-label, dose-exploring Phase 1/2 trial known as BIRD1 to evaluate the safety and tolerability of subretinally
injected OPGx-BEST1 in participants with Best Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy (BVMD) or Autosomal-Recessive Bestrophinopathy (ARB).
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Initial data is expected in the first quarter of 2026.
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OPGx-RDH12 and OPGx-MERTK – Advancing with Non-Dilutive Support
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Partnership with the Global RDH12 Alliance provides up to $1.6 million in non-dilutive funding to accelerate development of OPGx-RDH12 for Leber congenital amaurosis (RDH12-LCA).
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Non-dilutive funding of up to $2 million received from the Retinal Degeneration Fund to advance OPGx-MERTK, targeting retinitis pigmentosa caused by pathogenic variants in the Mer
proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MERTK) gene.
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Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% (PS) – Advancing Toward Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) Submissions
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Based on positive clinical data from the VEGA-3 Phase 3 trial to treat presbyopia, Opus Genetics plans to submit an sNDA to the FDA by year-end 2025.
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Full recruitment has been completed in LYNX-3, the second pivotal Phase 3 trial in keratorefractive participants with visual disturbances under mesopic, low-contrast conditions,
with topline results expected in the first half of 2026.
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The program is being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) and has received Fast Track Designation from the FDA.
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Medical Publications and Presentations
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Peer-reviewed publication of LCA5 Phase 1/2 trial data in Molecular Therapy:
“Recovery of Cone-Mediated Vision in a Severe Ciliopathy after Gene Augmentation: One-Year Results of a Phase I/II Trial for LCA5-LCA,” authored by Tomas S. Aleman, M.D., et al.
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Presentation at Eyecelerator at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting titled “Transformative Gene Therapies for the Treatment of Rare Inherited Retinal
Diseases.”
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Presentation at the Cell and Gene Meeting on the Mesa titled: “Transformative Gene Therapies for the Treatment of Rare Inherited Retinal Diseases.”
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Poster presentation at the American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting titled: “LYNX-2: A Pivotal Phase 3 Trial of Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution in Post-Keratorefractive
Surgery Subjects with Decreased Mesopic Visual Acuity.”
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Financial Results for the Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2025
Cash Position: As of September 30, 2025, Opus Genetics had cash and cash
equivalents of $30.8 million. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Company raised approximately $23.0 million in gross proceeds through a registered direct offering of equity securities. Based on current operating plans, the Company expects
its existing cash resources will fund operations into the second half of 2027, excluding any potential proceeds from callable warrants or future milestone payments. The existing cash position of over $50 million is expected to support progress
through key milestones including initial data from the BEST1 program and running the pivotal LCA5 trial.
Revenue: License and collaborations revenue totaled $3.1 million for the third
quarter of 2025, compared to $3.9 million in the same period in 2024. Revenue in both periods was driven by the Company’s collaboration with Viatris, Inc. (“Viatris”), primarily from reimbursement of research and development (R&D) services. The
decrease was due to lower PS R&D services.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $5.0 million
for the third quarter of 2025, compared to $2.9 million for the same period in 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to higher legal and patent-related costs, payroll and public company-related costs, and professional service fees. G&A
expenses included $0.6 million and $0.5 million in stock-based compensation in the third quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $6.4 million
for the third quarter of 2025, compared to $9.0 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower clinical research, manufacturing and toxicology costs for APX 3330 and PS, partially offset by increased IRD
program expense. R&D expenses related to PS were fully reimbursed under the license and collaboration agreement with Viatris. R&D expenses included $0.2 million in stock-based compensation in both of the third quarters of 2025 and 2024.
Net Loss: Net loss for the third quarter of 2025 was $17.5 million, or $(0.25)
per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $7.5 million, or $(0.29) per basic and diluted share, for the third quarter of 2024. The increased net loss was primarily due to the fair value change in warrant and other derivative
liabilities related to the warrants issued in the March 2025 public offering and the March 2025 private placement, based on fluctuations in common stock fair value and underlying changes in volatility, expected term and interest rates.
About Opus Genetics
Opus Genetics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies to restore vision and prevent blindness in patients with inherited retinal diseases
(IRDs). The Company is developing durable, one-time treatments designed to address the underlying genetic causes of severe retinal disorders. The Company’s pipeline includes seven AAV-based programs, led by OPGx-LCA5 for LCA5-related mutations and
OPGx-BEST1 for BEST1-related retinal degeneration, with additional candidates targeting RHO, RDH12, and MERTK. Opus Genetics is also advancing Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75%, an approved small-molecule therapy for pharmacologically induced
mydriasis, with additional indications in late-stage development for presbyopia and low-light visual disturbances following keratorefractive surgery. The Company is based in Research Triangle Park, NC. For more information, visit www.opusgtx.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not
limited to, statements related to cash runway, the clinical development, clinical results, preclinical data, and future plans for Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75%, OPGx-LCA5, OPGx-BEST1, RDH12, and earlier stage programs, and expectations
regarding us, our business prospects, and our results of operations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties posed by many factors and events that could cause our actual business, prospects and results of operations to differ materially
from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, our subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events
could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “anticipate,” “believe,”
“continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “aim,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking
statements contain these words. We undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that might subsequently arise.
Contacts:
Investors
Jenny Kobin
Remy Bernarda
IR Advisory Solutions
Media
Kimberly Ha
KKH Advisors
917-291-5744
-Financial Tables Follow-
Opus Genetics, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share amounts and par value)
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As of
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September 30,
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December 31,
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2025
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2024
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Assets
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(Unaudited)
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Current assets:
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$
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30,815
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$
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30,321
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Accounts receivable
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2,916
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3,563
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Contract assets and unbilled receivables (Note 11)
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1,364
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2,209
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Prepaids and other current assets
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815
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515
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Short-term investments
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—
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2
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Total current assets
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35,910
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36,610
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Property and equipment, net
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212
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252
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Total assets
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$
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36,122
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$
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36,862
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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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2,395
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$
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3,148
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Accrued expenses and other liabilities
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5,367
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8,147
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Warrant liabilities
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21,325
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—
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Total current liabilities
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29,087
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11,295
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Long-term funding agreement, related party
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1,068
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—
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Total liabilities
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30,155
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11,295
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Commitments and contingencies (Note 4 and Note 10)
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Series A preferred stock, par value $0.0001; 14,146 shares were designated as of September 30, 2025 and
December 31, 2024; zero and 14,145.374 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
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—
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18,843
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Stockholders’ equity:
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Preferred stock, par value $0.0001; 9,985,854 shares authorized as of September 30, 2025 and December 31,
2024; no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
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—
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—
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Common stock, par value $0.0001; 125,000,000 shares authorized as of September 30, 2025 and December 31,
2024; 64,544,096 and 31,574,657 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
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6
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3
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Additional paid-in capital
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178,027
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145,719
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Accumulated deficit
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(172,066
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)
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(138,998
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)
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Total stockholders’ equity
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5,967
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6,724
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Total liabilities, Series A preferred stock and stockholders’ equity
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$
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36,122
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$
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36,862
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Opus Genetics, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
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For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
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For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
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|||||||||||||||
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2025
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2024
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2025
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2024
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License and collaborations revenue
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$
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3,079
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$
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3,867
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$
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10,331
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$
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6,690
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Operating expenses:
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General and administrative
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4,981
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2,894
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17,093
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10,918
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Research and development
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6,409
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8,982
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20,384
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19,817
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Total operating expenses
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11,390
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11,876
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37,477
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30,735
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Loss from operations
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(8,311
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(8,009
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(27,146
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)
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(24,045
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)
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Fair value change in warrant and other derivative liabilities
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(9,525
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—
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(5,803
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—
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Financing costs
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—
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—
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(1,337
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)
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—
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Interest expense
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(68
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)
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—
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(68
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)
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—
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Other income, net
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450
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483
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1,286
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1,648
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Loss before income taxes
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(17,454
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)
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(7,526
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)
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(33,068
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)
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(22,397
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)
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Benefit (provision) for income taxes
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—
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—
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—
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—
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Net loss
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(17,454
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)
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(7,526
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)
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(33,068
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)
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(22,397
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)
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Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
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—
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—
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—
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—
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Comprehensive loss
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$
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(17,454
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)
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$
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(7,526
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)
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$
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(33,068
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)
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$
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(22,397
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)
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Net loss per share:
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Basic and diluted
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$
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(0.25
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)
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$
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(0.29
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$
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(0.59
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)
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$
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(0.88
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)
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Number of shares used in per share calculations:
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||||||||||||||||
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Basic and diluted
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70,636,887
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26,145,080
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56,100,689
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25,501,117
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Source: Opus Genetics, Inc.