Metagenomi Inc

Previous wording

Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. Our net loss was $68.3 million and $43.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, our net losses were $25.1 million and $16.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $170.1 million. We have financed our operations primarily through issuing redeemable convertible preferred units and convertible promissory notes, entering into collaboration agreements, and through the IPO proceeds. Substantially all of our losses have resulted from expenses incurred in connection with our research and development and from general and administrative costs associated with our operations. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future. The net losses we incur may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially if and as we:

Current wording

Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. Our net loss was $68.3 million and $43.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, our net losses were $35.9 million and $29.1 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $180.8 million. We have financed our operations primarily through issuing redeemable convertible preferred units and convertible promissory notes, entering into collaboration agreements, and through the IPO proceeds. Substantially all of our losses have resulted from expenses incurred in connection with our research and development and from general and administrative costs associated with our operations. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future. The net losses we incur may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially if and as we:

Previous wording

As of March 31, 2024, our cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale marketable securities were $327.4 million. We expect that our existing cash, cash equivalents, and available-for-sale marketable securities, will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2027, and provide cash runway to support 2 INDs and 2 additional Development Candidate nominations. However, our operating plan may change as a result of factors currently unknown to us, and we may need to seek funding sooner than planned. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

Current wording

As of June 30, 2024, our cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale marketable securities were $299.9 million. We expect that our existing cash, cash equivalents, and available-for-sale marketable securities, will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2027. However, our operating plan may change as a result of factors currently unknown to us, and we may need to seek funding sooner than planned. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

Previous wording

the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other factors, including economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, which may exacerbate the magnitude of the factors discussed above.

Current wording

health pandemics, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, which may exacerbate the magnitude of the factors discussed above.

Previous wording

Any additional fundraising efforts may divert our management from their day-to-day activities, which may adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize our product candidates. We have no committed sources of additional capital and, if we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development or commercialization of our future product candidates or other research and development initiatives. Without sufficient funding, our license agreements and any future collaboration agreements may also be terminated if we are unable to meet the payment or other obligations under such agreements.

Current wording

Any additional fundraising efforts may divert our management from their day-to-day activities, which may adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize our product candidates. We have no committed sources of additional capital and, if we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development or commercialization of our future product candidates or other research and development initiatives.

Previous wording

The time required to obtain approval for any of our potential product candidates from the FDA, the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) or other comparable foreign regulatory authorities is unpredictable but typically takes many years following the commencement of clinical trials and depends upon numerous factors, including the substantial discretion of regulatory authorities. For more information on the regulatory approval process, see “Business—Government Regulation.” Clinical trials may fail to demonstrate that our product candidates are safe for humans and effective for indicated uses. Even if initial clinical trials in any of any product candidates we may develop are successful, such product candidates may fail to show the desired safety and efficacy in later stages of clinical development despite having successfully advanced through preclinical studies and initial clinical trials. There is a high failure rate for drugs and biologics proceeding through clinical trials. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in later stage clinical trials even after achieving promising results in earlier stage clinical trials.

Current wording

The time required to obtain approval for any of our potential product candidates from the FDA, the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) or other comparable foreign regulatory authorities is unpredictable but typically takes many years following the commencement of clinical trials and depends upon numerous factors, including the substantial discretion of regulatory authorities. For more information on the regulatory approval process, see “Business—Government Regulation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Clinical trials may fail to demonstrate that our product candidates are safe for humans and effective for indicated uses. Even if initial clinical trials in any of any product candidates we may develop are successful, such product candidates may fail to show the desired safety and efficacy in later stages of clinical development despite having successfully advanced through preclinical studies and initial clinical trials. There is a high failure rate for drugs and biologics proceeding through clinical trials. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in later stage clinical trials even after achieving promising results in earlier stage clinical trials.

Previous wording

Amongst publicly traded peers, there are several companies utilizing CRISPR/Cas technology, including Caribou Biosciences, Inc., Editas Medicine, Inc., CRISPR Therapeutics AG, Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. and Graphite Bio, Inc. Several additional companies such as Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., Precision BioSciences, Inc., bluebird bio, Inc., and Cellectis Inc. utilize alternative nuclease-based genome editing technologies, including zinc finger nucleases (“ZFNs”), engineered meganucleases and transcription-activator like effector nucleases (“TALENs”). Beam Therapeutics utilizes base editing technology. Prime Medicine utilizes prime editing technology.

Current wording

Amongst publicly traded peers, there are several companies utilizing CRISPR/Cas technology, including Caribou Biosciences, Inc., Editas Medicine, Inc., CRISPR Therapeutics AG and Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. Several additional companies such as Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., Precision BioSciences, Inc., bluebird bio, Inc., and Cellectis Inc. utilize alternative nuclease-based genome editing technologies, including zinc finger nucleases (“ZFNs”), engineered meganucleases and transcription-activator like effector nucleases (“TALENs”). Beam Therapeutics utilizes base editing technology. Prime Medicine utilizes prime editing technology.

Previous wording

In addition, other private companies such as Tessera Therapeutics, Inc. and Tome Biosciences, Inc. have announced their work in recombinase DNA and RNA gene writers, although little is known publicly about their science or portfolio. Other companies have announced intentions to enter the genome editing field, such as Moderna, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. Most recently, new epigenetic editing companies have emerged, such as Chroma Medicine, Inc. and Tune Therapeutics, Inc. In addition, we face competition from companies utilizing gene therapy, oligonucleotides and cell therapy therapeutic approaches.

Current wording

In addition, other private companies such as Tessera Therapeutics, Inc. and Tome Biosciences, Inc. have announced their work in recombinase DNA and RNA gene writers, although little is known publicly about their science or portfolio. Most recently, new epigenetic editing companies have emerged, such as Chroma Medicine, Inc. and Tune Therapeutics, Inc. In addition, we face competition from companies utilizing gene therapy, oligonucleotides and cell therapy therapeutic approaches.

Previous wording

We face risks related to health epidemics, pandemics and other widespread outbreaks of contagious disease, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which could significantly disrupt our operations, impact our financial results or otherwise adversely impact our business.

Current wording

We face risks related to health epidemics, pandemics and other widespread outbreaks of contagious disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which could significantly disrupt our operations, impact our financial results or otherwise adversely impact our business.

Previous wording

In addition, the trading prices for biopharmaceutical companies have been highly volatile as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and we may face similar volatility in our stock price after we complete this public offering. We cannot predict the scope and severity of any economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic abates, including following any additional “waves” or other intensifying of the pandemic. If we or any of the third parties with whom we engage were to experience additional shutdowns or other business disruptions, our ability to conduct our business in the manner and on the timelines presently planned could be materially and negatively affected, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, our results of operations and prospects. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic could exacerbate the other risks described in this section.

Current wording

In addition, the trading prices for biopharmaceutical companies have been highly volatile as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and we may face similar volatility in our stock price. We cannot predict the scope and severity of any economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic abates, including following any additional “waves” or other intensifying of the pandemic. If we or any of the third parties with whom we engage were to experience additional shutdowns or other business disruptions, our ability to conduct our business in the manner and on the timelines presently planned could be materially and negatively affected, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, our results of operations and prospects. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic or other similar public health crises could exacerbate the other risks described in this section.

Previous wording

We may fail to manage our growth effectively. As of March 31, 2024, we had 237 full-time employees, of which 83 have M.D. or Ph.D. degrees. Within our workforce, 200 employees are engaged in research and development and 37 are engaged in business development, finance, legal, and general management and administration. In connection with the growth and advancement of our pipeline and becoming a public company, we expect to increase the number of our employees and the scope of our operations, particularly in the areas of research and clinical development, regulatory affairs and, if any of our future product candidates receive regulatory approval, sales and marketing. To manage our anticipated future growth, we must continue to implement and improve our managerial, operational and financial systems, expand our facilities, and continue to recruit and train additional qualified personnel. Due to our limited financial resources and the limited experience of our management team in managing a company with such anticipated growth, we may not be able to effectively manage the expected expansion of our operations or recruit and train additional qualified personnel. Moreover, the expected physical expansion of our operations may lead to significant costs and may divert our management and business development resources. Any inability to manage growth could delay the execution of our business plans or disrupt our operations.

Current wording

We may fail to manage our growth effectively. As of June 30, 2024, we had 228 full-time employees, of which 76 have M.D. or Ph.D. degrees. Within our workforce, 193 employees are engaged in research and development and 35 are engaged in business development, finance, legal, and general management and administration. In connection with the growth and advancement of our pipeline and becoming a public company, we expect to increase the number of our employees and the scope of our operations, particularly in the areas of research and clinical development, regulatory affairs and, if any of our future product candidates receive regulatory approval, sales and marketing. To manage our anticipated future growth, we must continue to implement and improve our managerial, operational and financial systems, expand our facilities, and continue to recruit and train additional qualified personnel. Due to our limited financial resources and the limited experience of our management team in managing a company with such anticipated growth, we may not be able to effectively manage the expected expansion of our operations or recruit and train additional qualified personnel. Moreover, the expected physical expansion of our operations may lead to significant costs and may divert our management and business development resources. Any inability to manage growth could delay the execution of our business plans or disrupt our operations.

Previous wording

general economic, industry and market conditions, including COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing geopolitical conflict in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war, tensions in U.S.-China relations, rising interest rates and inflation; and

Current wording

general economic, industry and market conditions, such as those arising from U.S.-China relations, rising interest rates and inflation or deflation;

Previous wording

As of March 31, 2024, 37,468,078 shares of our common stock were outstanding. Shares of unvested restricted common stock will become available for sale immediately upon the vesting of such shares, as applicable, and the expiration of any applicable market stand-off or lock-up agreements. Shares issued upon the exercise of stock options pursuant to future awards that may be granted under our equity incentive plans or pursuant to future awards granted under those plans will become available for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by the provisions of applicable vesting schedules, any applicable market stand-off and lock-up agreements and Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act.

Current wording

As of June 30, 2024, 37,459,853 shares of our common stock were outstanding. Shares of unvested restricted common stock will become available for sale immediately upon the vesting of such shares, as applicable, and the expiration of any applicable market stand-off or lock-up agreements. Shares issued upon the exercise of stock options pursuant to future awards that may be granted under our equity incentive plans or pursuant to future awards granted under those plans will become available for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by the provisions of applicable vesting schedules, any applicable market stand-off and lock-up agreements and Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act.