Upstream Bio, Inc.

Previous wording

We have no products approved for commercial sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales to date. Verekitug is currently our only product candidate. We will continue to incur significant research and development and other expenses related to our preclinical and clinical development of verekitug and ongoing operations. As a result, we are not profitable and have incurred losses in each period since our inception. Net losses and negative cash flows have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on our stockholders’ deficit and working capital. Our net losses totaled $20.5 million and $23.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $41.6 million and $8.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of September 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $169.5 million. We expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future, and we expect these losses to increase as we continue our research and development of, and seek regulatory approvals for, verekitug in multiple indications.

Current wording

We have no products approved for commercial sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales to date. Verekitug is currently our only product candidate. We will continue to incur significant research and development and other expenses related to our preclinical and clinical development of verekitug and ongoing operations. As a result, we are not profitable and have incurred losses in each period since our inception. Net losses and negative cash flows have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity (deficit) and working capital. Our net losses totaled $27.3 million and $10.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of March 31, 2025, we had an accumulated deficit of $218.1 million. We expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future, and we expect these losses to increase as we continue our research and development of, and seek regulatory approvals for, verekitug in multiple indications.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments in the amount of $109.8 million and $220.7 million, respectively. In October 2024, we completed our IPO, in which we issued and sold 17,250,000 shares of our common stock, including 2,250,000 shares pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, at a price to the public of $17.00 per share. As a result of the IPO, we received approximately $268.7 million in net proceeds, after deducting $20.5 million in underwriting discounts and commissions, and approximately $4.0 million in other offering costs. Based upon our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, including the net proceeds received in connection with our IPO, will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through 2027. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could expend our available capital resources sooner than we expect. We may also raise additional financing on an opportunistic basis in the future. For example, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. Attempting to secure additional financing may divert our management from our day-to-day activities, which may adversely affect our ability to develop verekitug. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including but not limited to:

Current wording

As of March 31, 2025, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments in the amount of $431.4 million. Based upon our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through 2027. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could expend our available capital resources sooner than we expect. We may also raise additional financing on an opportunistic basis in the future. For example, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. Attempting to secure additional financing may divert our management from our day-to-day activities, which may adversely affect our ability to develop verekitug. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including but not limited to:

Previous wording

We currently have a single product candidate, verekitug, which is in Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (“CRSwNP”), and we also plan to initiate development in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”). Our business presently depends entirely on our ability to successfully develop, obtain regulatory approval for, and commercialize verekitug for one or more of the indications that we are pursuing in a timely manner. This may make an investment in our company riskier than similar companies that have multiple product candidates in active development and may be able to better sustain the delay or failure of a lead product candidate.

Current wording

We currently have a single product candidate, verekitug, which is in Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (“CRSwNP”), and we are initiating development of verekitug in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”). Our business presently depends entirely on our ability to successfully develop, obtain regulatory approval for, and commercialize verekitug for one or more of the indications that we are pursuing in a timely manner. This may make an investment in our company riskier than similar companies that have multiple product candidates in active development and may be able to better sustain the delay or failure of a lead product candidate.

Previous wording

Our product candidate, verekitug for the treatment of severe asthma and CRSwNP, is currently in Phase 2 clinical development in each of these indications, and we plan to initiate clinical development for verekitug in COPD. Our initial focus is on developing verekitug for the treatment of severe respiratory disorders.

Current wording

Our product candidate, verekitug, is in Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of severe asthma and CRSwNP, and we are initiating development of verekitug in COPD. Our initial focus is on developing verekitug for the treatment of severe respiratory disorders.

Previous wording

Outside the United States, an increasing number of laws, regulations, and industry standards may govern privacy, data security, and the transfer of personal data between jurisdictions. For example, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (“EU GDPR”) and the United Kingdom’s General Data Protection Regulation (“UK GDPR”, together with the EU GDPR, “GDPR”) impose strict requirements for processing personal data including relating to processing of sensitive data (such as health data), ensuring there is a legal basis or condition to justify the processing of personal data, where required requirements relating to obtaining consent of individuals, disclosures about how personal data is to be used, limitations on retention of information, implementing safeguards to protect the security and confidentiality of personal data, where required providing notification of data breaches, maintaining records of processing activities and documenting data protection impact assessments where there is high risk processing and taking certain measures when engaging third-party processors. Under GDPR, companies may face temporary or definitive bans on data processing and other corrective activities, fines of up to €20 million (£17.5 million GBP) or 4% of annual global revenues, whichever is greater, and private litigation related to processing of personal data brought by classes of data subjects or consumer protection organizations authorized at law to represent their interests. Non-compliance could also result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.

Current wording

impose strict requirements for processing personal data including relating to processing of sensitive data (such as health data), ensuring there is a legal basis or condition to justify the processing of personal data, where required requirements relating to obtaining consent of individuals, disclosures about how personal data is to be used, limitations on retention of information, implementing safeguards to protect the security and confidentiality of personal data, where required providing notification of data breaches, maintaining records of processing activities and documenting data protection impact assessments where there is high risk processing and taking certain measures when engaging third-party processors. Under GDPR, companies may face temporary or definitive bans on data processing and other corrective activities, fines of up to €20 million (£17.5 million GBP) or 4% of annual global revenues, whichever is greater, and private litigation related to processing of personal data brought by classes of data subjects or consumer protection organizations authorized at law to represent their interests. Non-compliance could also result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.

Previous wording

We believe that a significant number of product candidates are currently under development for the same indications we are currently pursuing, and some or all may become commercially available in the future for the treatment of conditions for which we are trying or may try to develop product candidates. Our potential competitors include large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, specialty pharmaceutical and generic drug companies, academic institutions, government agencies and research institutions. See the section titled “Business—Competition” included in our IPO final prospectus dated October 11, 2024, for examples of the competition that verekitug faces.

Current wording

We believe that a significant number of product candidates are currently under development for the same indications we are currently pursuing, and some or all may become commercially available in the future for the treatment of conditions for which we are trying or may try to develop product candidates. Our potential competitors include large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, specialty pharmaceutical and generic drug companies, academic institutions, government agencies and research institutions. See the section titled “Business—Competition” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, for examples of the competition that verekitug faces.

Previous wording

We currently rely on and engage third-party manufacturers to provide all of the APIs and the final drug product formulation of verekitug that is being used in our clinical trials and preclinical studies. Although we believe that there are several potential alternative manufacturers who could manufacture verekitug, we primarily rely on one manufacturer, WuXi Biologics (Hong Kong) Limited (“WuXi”), for the production of product necessary to complete our ongoing clinical trials. If a replacement manufacturer becomes necessary in the future, we may incur added costs and delays in identifying and qualifying another manufacturer. There have been Congressional legislative proposals, such as the bill titled the BIOSECURE Act, which would, among other things, prohibit U.S. federal funding in connection with biotechnology equipment or services produced or provided by certain named Chinese “biotechnology companies of concern” (which includes WuXi) and loans and grants to, and federal contracts with any entity that uses biotechnology equipment or services from one of these entities in performance of the government contract, grant, or loan. The legislation also gives the federal government the authority to name additional “biotechnology companies of concern” that are engaged in research activities with the Chinese government and that pose a risk of U.S. national security. We continue to monitor the status of the BIOSECURE Act, the implementation of which could materially impact our agreement with WuXi.

Current wording

We currently rely on and engage third-party manufacturers to provide all of the APIs and the final drug product formulation of verekitug that is being used in our clinical trials and preclinical studies. Although we believe that there are several potential alternative manufacturers who could manufacture verekitug, we primarily rely on one manufacturer, WuXi Biologics (Hong Kong) Limited (“WuXi”), for the production of product necessary to complete our ongoing clinical trials. If a replacement manufacturer becomes necessary in the future, we may incur added costs and delays in identifying and qualifying another manufacturer. There have been Congressional legislative proposals, such as the bill titled the BIOSECURE Act, which would have, among other things, prohibited U.S. federal funding in connection with biotechnology equipment or services produced or provided by certain named Chinese “biotechnology companies of concern” (which includes WuXi) and loans and grants to, and federal contracts with any entity that uses biotechnology equipment or services from one of these entities in performance of the government contract, grant, or loan. The legislation also would have given the federal government the authority to name additional “biotechnology companies of concern” that are engaged in research activities with the Chinese government and that pose a risk of U.S. national security. Although the BIOSECURE Act did not pass, if legislation similar to the BIOSECURE Act is proposed and enacted in the future, implementation of such law could materially impact our agreement with WuXi.

Previous wording

The policies of the FDA, the EMA, and the European Commission, and comparable foreign regulatory authorities may change and additional government regulations may be enacted that could prevent, limit or delay regulatory approval of verekitug or any other potential future product candidates. In addition, the U.S. Supreme Court’s July 2024 decision to overturn established case law giving deference to regulatory agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous statutory language has introduced uncertainty regarding the extent to which the FDA’s regulations, policies and decisions may become subject to increasing legal challenges, delays, and/or changes. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action, either in the United States or abroad. For more information, see the section titled “Business—Government regulation” included in our IPO final prospectus dated October 11, 2024.

Current wording

The policies of the FDA, the EMA, and the European Commission, and comparable foreign regulatory authorities may change and additional government regulations may be enacted that could prevent, limit or delay regulatory approval of verekitug or any other potential future product candidates. In addition, the U.S. Supreme Court’s July 2024 decision to overturn established case law giving deference to regulatory agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous statutory language has introduced uncertainty regarding the extent to which the FDA’s regulations, policies and decisions may become subject to increasing legal challenges, delays, and/or changes. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action, either in the United States or abroad. For more information, see the section titled “Business—Government regulation” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

Generally, if a product with an orphan drug designation subsequently receives the first marketing approval for the indication for which it has such designation, the drug is entitled to a period of marketing exclusivity, which precludes the FDA from approving another marketing application for the same product and indication for that time period, except in limited circumstances. In the EU, marketing exclusivity prevents the EMA from accepting another marketing authorization application or accepting an application to extend for a similar product and the European Commission cannot grant a marketing authorization for the same indication. The applicable period is seven years in the U.S. and ten years in the EU. The EU exclusivity period is extended by two years for orphan medicinal products that have also complied with an agreed Pediatric Investigation Plan. However, the EU exclusivity period can be reduced to six years, if at the end of the fifth, it is established that a product no longer meets the criteria on the basis of which it received orphan medicinal product designation, including where it can be demonstrated on the basis of available evidence that the product is sufficiently profitable so that market exclusivity is no longer justified or where the prevalence of the condition has increased above the threshold.

Current wording

Generally, if a product with an orphan drug designation subsequently receives the first marketing approval for the indication for which it has such designation, the drug is entitled to a period of marketing exclusivity, which precludes the FDA from approving another marketing application for the same product and indication for that time period, except in limited circumstances. In the EU, marketing exclusivity prevents the EMA and competent authorities in the EU from accepting another application for marketing authorization for a similar medicinal product in the same therapeutic indication as the authorized orphan product. The applicable period is seven years in the U.S. and ten years in the EU. The EU exclusivity period may also be extended by two years for orphan medicinal products that have also complied with an agreed Pediatric Investigation Plan. However, the EU exclusivity period can be reduced to six years, if at the end of the fifth, it is established that a product no longer meets the criteria on the basis of which it received orphan medicinal product designation, including where it can be demonstrated on the basis of available evidence that the product is sufficiently profitable so that market exclusivity is no longer justified or where the prevalence of the condition has increased above the threshold.

Previous wording

The ability of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the payment of user fees, and statutory, regulatory, and policy changes. Average review times at the agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of other government agencies or comparable foreign regulatory authorities on which our operations may rely, including those that fund research and development activities, is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable.

Current wording

The ability of the FDA to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the payment of user fees, and statutory, regulatory, and policy changes. Average review times at the FDA have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of other government agencies on which our operations may rely, including those that fund research and development activities, is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable.

Previous wording

It is possible that governmental and enforcement authorities will conclude that our business practices may not comply with current or future statutes, regulations or case law interpreting applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. Healthcare professionals, physicians and third-party payors in the United States and elsewhere play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of pharmaceutical products. Arrangements with third-party payors and customers can expose pharmaceutical manufacturers to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we conduct research and would sell, market and distribute our products. As a pharmaceutical company, even though we do not and will not control referrals of healthcare services or bill directly to Medicare,

Current wording

It is possible that governmental and enforcement authorities will conclude that our business practices may not comply with current or future statutes, regulations or case law interpreting applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. Healthcare professionals, physicians and third-party payors in the United States and elsewhere play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of pharmaceutical products. Arrangements with third-party payors and customers can expose pharmaceutical manufacturers to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we conduct research and would sell, market and distribute our products. As a pharmaceutical company, even though we do not and will not control referrals of healthcare services or bill directly to Medicare, Medicaid or other third-party payors, supranational, national, federal and state healthcare laws and regulations that may affect our ability to operate may apply. For more information on healthcare laws and regulations that may impact our company, see the section titled “Business—Government regulation—Other healthcare laws” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

For more information on the laws and regulations that may impact coverage and reimbursement of verekitug or any other potential future product candidates, see the section titled “Business—Government regulation—Coverage and reimbursement” included in our IPO final prospectus dated October 11, 2024.

Current wording

For more information on the laws and regulations that may impact coverage and reimbursement of verekitug or any other potential future product candidates, see the section titled “Business—Government regulation—Coverage and reimbursement” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

Changes in regulations, statutes or the interpretation of existing regulations could impact our business in the future by requiring, for example, (1) changes to our manufacturing arrangements, (2) additions or modifications to product labeling, (3) the recall or discontinuation of our products or (4) additional record-keeping requirements. If any such changes were to be imposed, they could adversely affect the operation of our business. See the sections titled “Business—Government regulation—Coverage and reimbursement” and “—Healthcare reform” included in our IPO final prospectus dated October 11, 2024.

Current wording

Changes in regulations, statutes or the interpretation of existing regulations could impact our business in the future by requiring, for example, (1) changes to our manufacturing arrangements, (2) additions or modifications to product labeling, (3) the recall or discontinuation of our products or (4) additional record-keeping requirements. If any such changes were to be imposed, they could adversely affect the operation of our business. See the sections titled “Business—Government regulation—Coverage and reimbursement” and “—Healthcare reform” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

In December 2021, Regulation No 2021/2282 on Health Technology Assessment (“HTA”) amending Directive 2011/24/EU, was adopted in the EU. This Regulation, which entered into force in January 2022 and will apply in January 2025, is intended to boost cooperation among EU Member States in assessing health technologies, including new medicinal products, and providing the basis for cooperation at EU level for joint clinical assessments in these areas. The Regulation foresees a three-year transitional period and will permit EU Member States to use common HTA tools, methodologies, and procedures across the EU, working together in four main areas, including joint clinical assessment of the innovative health technologies with the most potential impact for patients, joint scientific consultations whereby developers can seek advice from HTA authorities, identification of emerging health technologies to identify promising technologies early, and continuing voluntary cooperation in other areas. Individual EU Member States will continue to be responsible for assessing non-clinical (e.g., economic, social, ethical) aspects of health technologies, and making decisions on pricing and reimbursement.

Current wording

In December 2021, Regulation No 2021/2282 on Health Technology Assessment (“HTA”) amending Directive 2011/24/EU, was adopted in the EU. This Regulation, which entered into force in January 2022 and became applicable in January 2025, is intended to boost cooperation among EU Member States in assessing health technologies, including new medicinal products, and providing the basis for cooperation at EU level for joint clinical assessments in these areas. The Regulation will permit EU Member States to use common HTA tools, methodologies, and procedures across the EU, working together in four main areas, including joint clinical assessment of the innovative health technologies with the most potential impact for patients, joint scientific consultations whereby developers can seek advice from HTA authorities, identification of emerging health technologies to identify promising technologies early, and continuing voluntary cooperation in other areas. Individual EU Member States will continue to be responsible for assessing non-clinical (e.g., economic, social, ethical) aspects of health technologies, and making decisions on pricing and reimbursement.

Previous wording

In addition, in some foreign countries, including some countries in the European Union, the proposed pricing for a product must be approved before it may be lawfully marketed. The requirements governing product pricing and reimbursement vary widely from country to country. The European Union provides options for its Member States to restrict the range of medicinal products for which their national health insurance systems provide reimbursement and to control the prices of medicinal products for human use. An EU Member State may approve a specific price for the medicinal product, it may refuse to reimburse a product at the price set by the manufacturer or it may instead adopt a system of direct or indirect controls on the profitability of the company placing the medicinal product on the market. Many EU Member States also periodically review their reimbursement procedures for medicinal products, which could have an adverse impact on reimbursement status. We expect that legislators, policymakers and healthcare insurance funds in the individual EU Member States will continue to propose and implement cost-containing measures, such as lower maximum prices, lower or lack of reimbursement coverage and incentives to use cheaper, usually generic, products as an alternative to branded products, and/or branded products available through parallel import to keep healthcare costs down. Moreover, in order to obtain reimbursement for our products in some European countries, including some EU Member States, we may be required to compile additional data comparing the cost-effectiveness of our products to other available therapies. This HTA of medicinal products is becoming an increasingly common part of the pricing and reimbursement procedures in some EU Member States, including those representing the larger markets. The HTA process is the procedure to assess therapeutic, economic and societal impact of a given medicinal product in the national healthcare systems of the individual country. The outcome of an HTA will often influence the pricing and reimbursement status granted to these medicinal products by the competent authorities of individual EU Member States. The extent to which pricing and reimbursement decisions are influenced by the HTA of the specific medicinal product currently varies between EU Member States. Reference pricing used by various EU Member States and parallel distribution, or arbitrage between low-priced and high-priced EU Member States, can further reduce prices. There can be no assurance that any country that has price controls or reimbursement limitations for biopharmaceutical products will allow favorable reimbursement and pricing arrangements for any of our products. Historically, products launched in the European Union do not follow price structures of the United States and generally prices tend to be significantly lower. Publication of discounts by third-party payors or authorities may lead to further pressure on the prices or reimburs…

Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.

Current wording

Member State may approve a specific price for the medicinal product, it may refuse to reimburse a product at the price set by the manufacturer or it may instead adopt a system of direct or indirect controls on the profitability of the company placing the medicinal product on the market. Many EU Member States also periodically review their reimbursement procedures for medicinal products, which could have an adverse impact on reimbursement status. We expect that legislators, policymakers and healthcare insurance funds in the individual EU Member States will continue to propose and implement cost-containing measures, such as lower maximum prices, lower or lack of reimbursement coverage and incentives to use cheaper, usually generic, products as an alternative to branded products, and/or branded products available through parallel import to keep healthcare costs down. Moreover, in order to obtain reimbursement for our products in some European countries, including some EU Member States, we may be required to compile additional data comparing the cost-effectiveness of our products to other available therapies. This HTA of medicinal products is becoming an increasingly common part of the pricing and reimbursement procedures in some EU Member States, including those representing the larger markets. The HTA process is the procedure to assess therapeutic, economic and societal impact of a given medicinal product in the national healthcare systems of the individual country. The outcome of an HTA will often influence the pricing and reimbursement status granted to these medicinal products by the competent authorities of individual EU Member States. The extent to which pricing and reimbursement decisions are influenced by the HTA of the specific medicinal product currently varies between EU Member States. Reference pricing used by various EU Member States and parallel distribution, or arbitrage between low-priced and high-priced EU Member States, can further reduce prices. There can be no assurance that any country that has price controls or reimbursement limitations for biopharmaceutical products will allow favorable reimbursement and pricing arrangements for any of our products. Historically, products launched in the European Union do not follow price structures of the United States and generally prices tend to be significantly lower. Publication of discounts by third-party payors or authorities may lead to further pressure on the prices or reimbursement levels within the country of publication and other countries. If pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels or if reimbursement of our products is unavailable or limited in scope or amount, our revenues from sales and the potential profitability of verekitug or any other potential future product candidates in those countries would be negatively affected.

Previous wording

United States Patent and Trademark Office (the “USPTO”), may place pending applications at risk of non-issuance or limitations in scope. Further, derivation proceedings, entitlement proceedings, ex parte reexamination, inter partes review, post grant review, and opposition proceedings provoked by third parties or brought by the USPTO or any foreign patent authority may be used to challenge the inventorship, ownership, claim scope, or validity of our patents. Additionally, because of the substantial amount of discovery typically required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential and proprietary information or trade secrets 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, and if securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the value of the company. Such litigation or proceedings could substantially increase our operating losses and reduce the resources available for development activities or any future sales, marketing, or distribution activities. We may not have sufficient financial or other resources to conduct such litigation or proceedings adequately. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than we can because of their greater financial resources and more mature and developed intellectual property portfolios. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace.

Current wording

We may be forced to litigate to enforce or defend our intellectual property rights against infringement by competitors, and to protect our trade secrets against unauthorized use. In so doing, we may place our intellectual property at risk of being invalidated, rendered unenforceable, or limited or narrowed in scope such that we may no longer be used to adequately prevent the manufacture, sale or import of competitive product. Further, an adverse result in any litigation or other proceedings before government agencies such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the “USPTO”), may place pending applications at risk of non-issuance or limitations in scope. Further, derivation proceedings, entitlement proceedings, ex parte reexamination, inter partes review, post grant review, and opposition proceedings provoked by third parties or brought by the USPTO or any foreign patent authority may be used to challenge the inventorship, ownership, claim scope, or validity of our patents. Additionally, because of the substantial amount of discovery typically required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential and proprietary information or trade secrets 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, and if securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the value of the company. Such litigation or proceedings could substantially increase our operating losses and reduce the resources available for development activities or any future sales, marketing, or distribution activities. We may not have sufficient financial or other resources to conduct such litigation or proceedings adequately. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than we can because of their greater financial resources and more mature and developed intellectual property portfolios. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace.

Previous wording

Our executive officers, directors, holders of 5% or more of our capital stock and their respective affiliates collectively own a significant percentage of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these stockholders, if acting together, have significant influence over the outcome of corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our organizational documents, any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets and any other significant corporate transaction. In addition, certain of our principal stockholders, including Maruho Deutschland GmbH, entities affiliated with OrbiMed, AI Upstream LLC, Decheng Capital Global Life Sciences Fund IV, L.P., entities affiliated with Enavate Sciences, and entities affiliated with Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, have designated certain members of our board of directors. The interests of these stockholders may not be the same as or may even conflict with the interests of our other stockholders. For example, these stockholders could delay or prevent a change of control of our company, even if such a change of control would benefit our other stockholders, which could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale of our company or our assets and might affect the prevailing market price of our common stock. The significant concentration of stock ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock due to investors’ perception that conflicts of interest may exist or arise.

Current wording

Our executive officers, directors, holders of 5% or more of our capital stock and their respective affiliates collectively own a significant percentage of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these stockholders, if acting together, have significant influence over the outcome of corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our organizational documents, any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets and any other significant corporate transaction. The interests of these stockholders may not be the same as or may even conflict with the interests of our other stockholders. For example, these stockholders could delay or prevent a change of control of our company, even if such a change of control would benefit our other stockholders, which could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale of our company or our assets and might affect the prevailing market price of our common stock. The significant concentration of stock ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock due to investors’ perception that conflicts of interest may exist or arise.

Previous wording

The global credit and financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruptions (including as a result of actual or perceived changes in interest rates, inflation and macroeconomic uncertainties), which has included severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, high inflation, uncertainty about economic stability, global supply chain disruptions, and increases in unemployment rates. The financial markets and the global economy may also be adversely affected by the current or anticipated impact of the 2024 presidential election in the United States, military conflict, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas, terrorism, or other geopolitical events. Sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries in response to such conflicts, including the one in Ukraine, may also continue to adversely impact the financial markets and the global economy, and any economic countermeasures by the affected countries or others could exacerbate market and economic instability. There can be no assurance that further deterioration in credit and financial markets and confidence in economic conditions will not occur. A severe or prolonged economic downturn could result in a variety of risks to our business, including a decrease in the demand for verekitug or any other potential future product candidates and in our ability to raise additional capital when needed on acceptable terms, if at all.

Current wording

The global credit and financial markets have also generally experienced extreme volatility and disruptions (including as a result of actual or perceived changes in interest rates, inflation and macroeconomic uncertainties), which has included severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, high inflation, uncertainty about economic stability, global supply chain disruptions, and increases in unemployment rates. The financial markets and the global economy may also be adversely affected by military conflict, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas, terrorism, or other geopolitical events. Sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries in response to such conflicts, including the one in Ukraine, may also continue to adversely impact the financial markets and the global economy, and any economic countermeasures by the affected countries or others could exacerbate market and economic instability. There can be no assurance that further deterioration in credit and financial markets and confidence in economic conditions will not occur. A severe or prolonged economic downturn could result in a variety of risks to our business, including a decrease in the demand for verekitug or any other potential future product candidates and in our ability to raise additional capital when needed on acceptable terms, if at all.

Previous wording

There are also current geopolitical tensions with China that may affect our operations. For example, there have been Congressional legislative proposals, such as the bill titled the BIOSECURE Act, which would, among other things, prohibit U.S. federal funding in connection with biotechnology equipment or services produced or provided by certain named Chinese “biotechnology companies of concern” (which includes WuXi) and loans and grants to, and federal contracts with any entity that uses biotechnology equipment or services from one of these entities. The legislation also gives the federal government the authority to name additional “biotechnology companies of concern” that are engaged in research activities with the Chinese government and that pose a risk of U.S. national security. The most recent version of the BIOSECURE Act which would delay the application of the BIOSECURE Act’s provisions (1) until January 1, 2032, with respect to biotechnology equipment and services provided or produced by WuXi and other named biotechnology companies of concern under a contract or agreement entered before the effective date of the legislation and (2) for a period of five years after the identification of new biotechnology companies of concern, with respect to biotechnology equipment and services provided or produced by an entity that the government identifies in the future as a biotechnology company of concern. Any additional executive action, legislative action or potential sanctions with China could materially impact one of our current manufacturing partners, WuXi, and our agreement with them. We continue to assess the legislation as it develops to determine the effect, if any, on our contractual relationships. Furthermore, any disruptions to our supply chain as a result of unfavorable global economic conditions, including due to geopolitical conflicts or public health crises, could negatively impact the timely execution of our ongoing and future clinical trials.

Current wording

There are also current geopolitical tensions with China that may affect our operations. For example, there have been Congressional legislative proposals, such as the bill titled the BIOSECURE Act in 2024, which would have, among other things, prohibited U.S. federal funding in connection with biotechnology equipment or services produced or provided by certain named Chinese “biotechnology companies of concern” (which includes WuXi) and loans and grants to, and federal contracts with any entity that uses biotechnology equipment or services from one of these entities. Although the BIOSECURE Act did not pass the U.S. Senate, any additional executive action, legislative action or potential sanctions with China could materially impact one of our current manufacturing partners, WuXi, and our agreement with them. We continue to assess the legislation as it develops to determine the effect, if any, on our contractual relationships. Furthermore, any disruptions to our supply chain as a result of unfavorable global economic conditions, including due to geopolitical conflicts or public health crises, could negatively impact the timely execution of our ongoing and future clinical trials.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, we had federal and state net operating loss (“NOLs”) carryforwards of $25.0 million and $27.6 million, respectively. The federal NOLs are not subject to expiration and are limited in utilization to 80% of our taxable income and the state NOLs begin to expire in 2041. As of December 31, 2023, we had $0.8 million of federal and state research and development credits, which will begin to expire in 2043 and 2037, respectively.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, we had federal and state net operating loss (“NOLs”) carryforwards of $37.6 million and $49.1 million, respectively. The federal NOLs are not subject to expiration and are limited in utilization to 80% of our taxable income and the state NOLs begin to expire in 2041. As of December 31, 2024, we had federal and state research and development credits of $3.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively, which will, if not utilized, begin to expire in 2043 and 2037, respectively.

Previous wording

On October 10, 2024, our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-282197) for our initial public offering (“IPO”) was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), pursuant to which we issued and sold an aggregate of 17,250,000 shares of common stock (inclusive of 2,250,000 shares of common stock sold pursuant to the underwriters' full exercise of their option to purchase additional shares) at a public offering price of $17.00 per share, for aggregate net cash proceeds of approximately $268.7 million, after deducting $20.5 million in underwriting discounts and commissions, and approximately $4.0 million in other offering costs.

Current wording

On October 10, 2024, our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-282197) for our initial public offering (“IPO”) was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Previous wording

(c) During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, none of our directors or officers adopted orterminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement, as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.

Current wording

(c) During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, none of our directors or officers adopted, modified, orterminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement, as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.